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Machynlleth Matters.

------. CORRIS.

A Remarkable Career.

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A Remarkable Career. THE FUNERAL ON WEDNESDAY. The death occurred on Friday afternoon at his residence at St. David's-road of the Rev. Thomas Levi who for the past half century occupied a prominent place in the religious, literary, educational, political and social life of the Principality, and in all movements connected with the Calvin- istic Methodist Church. The rev. gentle- j man was born in 1825 and therefore passed his ninetieth year in October of last year. The last time he preached at Tabernacle, of which church he had been pastor for several years, was in October of 1910 and the last communion service he there at- tended was two years ago. On the occasion of his last appearance at a week-night church meeting he surpr sed everyone by repeating from memory nearly 100 lines of one of Williams Pantycelvn's composi- j Rev. Thos. Levi. tions. For the past five years his health was failing and he gradually withdrew from active service. The last, occasion on which he appeared at the General Assembly was at Newtown about four years ago when an illuminated address was presented to him on retiring from the editorship of Trysorfa y Plant," a position he had held for fifty years consecutively. In 1910 a presentation of an illuminated address and a purse of L280 was made at Tabernacle by the Rev. John Bowen as chairman of the South Wales Association, on behalf ofthe whole Connexion in recognition of his long and faithful service. Though able toi go about with assistance until a few months ago, the rev gentleman passed his time mainly in his study, where he had done much of his life's work, in company with his son. Last week lie sud- denly collapsed and died after three days only of serious illness. He became uncon- scious on Thursday and passed peacefully away on Friday afternoon. He is survived by Mrs. Levi. h s widow; his son Professor T. A. Levi, M.A., B.C.L., professor of law at the University College of Wales, who was born at Swan- sea, and Mrs Katie* Levi Watkins, wife of Mr. Ernest Watkins, manager of the L. and P Bank at Elastbourrie, and two grand- children (Arthur and Leonard Watk'ns). By a previous marriage Mr. Levi has a great-nephew (Mr Thomas Levi Watkins, of Treforest). Mrs. Levi is the youngest daughter of Mr. Hugh Jones, Coedmadoc, Talysarn, Carnarvonshire, who was married in 1873. She is sister of Mrs Dr. Roberts, of Penvgroes, mother of Colonel Hugh Jones Roberts, who was recently in command of troops at Aberystwyth, and of Captain Hamlet Roberts, the Conserva- tive candidate for the Flint Boroughs. The Rev. Thomas Levi was born on October l2th, 1825, at Ystradgynlais, in the Swanea Valley, of lowly parentage, being Jewish on his father's side and Welsh on his mother's. His mother was a godly woman, to whom in after years Mi. Levi ascribed much of his personal piety and devotion. On his mother's death his father and brothers emigrated to America where they were subsequently visited by their rela- tive. His early education, owing to the paucity of opportunity in those days, was exceedingly scanty. His innate iove of learning and of literature owed but It tie 4. to extraneous assistance. In boyhood he worked amongst the iron workers and then became a grocer's assistant, Mr. Levi began to preach at the age of twenty, and so favourable was the impres- sion he created in his fellow-religion sts that lie was appointed to preach at associa- tions in North Wales early in the fifties and took a prominent part as a speaker and lecturer at the inception of the tem- perance movement in Wales, being known when yet a young man as one of the pioneers of the social and moral propa- ganda associated with that movement. At that time he was associated w.th the late Rev. David Phillips of Swansea, whose daughter (Mrs. Edwin Williams, widow of the late Vice-Principal of Trevecca Col- lege) is now res dent at Aberystwyth Mr. Levi does not appear to have entered any theological college, but by his own efforts was able to fully satisfy the re- quirements of that age and was ordained to the work of the ministry in 1857. At the time prior to his decease he was one of the two oldest ministers in the Connexion, the surviving minister beinrr the Rev. Daniel Rowlands of Bangor, who was ordained in the same year. From the date of his ordination Mr. Levi began to take prom- inent part n all the religious, social, educational, and political movements which have occupied the public stage for the past half century. He was one of those who began the disestablish- ment movement in 1862, and in subsequent years took a. leading part in the great electoral contests in Cardigan- shire, particularly the memorable and fateful contest of lbuo and more recently those of 1885 and 1886. He was one of the protagonists in the "ounty of home rule for Ireland and. notwithstanding his close per- sonal friendship with the late Mr. David Davies. remained true to h's convictions and. though with deep regret, joined with others in defeating Mr Davies at the polls. Mr. Levi was also one of those who were associated with Sir Hugh Owen, Mr. Stephen Evans, and Mr Roberts of Man- chester in the promotion of higher educa- tion in the Principality and in inst tuting the University Co'lege of Wales at Aber- ystwyth. He was a member of the Council of the College for thirty or forty years and was one of the surviving mem- bers of the early governors of Aberystwyth County School. In 1889 he became a mem- ber of the first County Council for Cardi- ganshire. Within the Oalvinistic Methodist Con- nexion he took foremost part in every movement connected with it for over fifty years. He was one of those who at Swan- sea established the present General Assembly in 1864. He was elected moder- ator of the Assembly in lbbo at Trinity in that town, and in 1885 was elected moder- ator of the South Wales Association. After a pastorate of some years duration at Treforest, he spent a short time in freedom from pastoral work; but in 1875 accepted the iuvitation of Tab- ernacl Church at Aberystwyth, and during the busiest part of his career carried on with manifest success the duties of the min- istry in what was the largest church in the Connexion in Wales for over a quarter of a century, terminating his connection with the church by his retirement about the year 1900, shortly after which he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. R. J. Rees M. A., its present successful pastor. Apart from all his other activities, which were enough to absorb the attention of more than one man, Mr. Levi undertook the editorship of "Trysorfa y Plant" and made its influence felt on the literature of 'the Principality. With great foresight he anticipated the discovery of the child and devoted his abilities as a writer, hymnist, and editor to the service of the children of Wales. It is in this connection that his name will probably be longest remembered. In addition to that literary activity, he served his day and generation ag one of the founders of the General Assembly Sunday I School Committee, of which he became the first secretary and subsequently president. Outside the Connexion in 1881 he became secretary of the Welsh" Religious Tract Society, and in connection with it wrote and published numerous works dealing with Biblical knowledge, tracts, temperance dialogues, and other things of an edifying and elevating nature. He was also a lead- ing member of the Connexional Committee which published the official Hymn and Tune Book. During all these years of religious and literary activity he found time to initi- ate the raising of monuments to the fathers of the C.M. Church, such as Daniel Rowlands of Llangeitho. which was success- fu.ly achieved in 1883. His chief work in j the matter of finance was in raising the South Wales quota of the century fund of 1100,000 which in 1904 may be said to dose his long life of public activity. In the 111 dst of these busy years he made two visits to America—one in 1867 and the other in 1872 and sandwiched between them a visit to the East in 1871. The result of these visits, which at that time were rarer j than at present, were placed at the dis- posal of his fellow-countrymen in Wales in a series of notable lectures. During his ministry at the Tabernacl Mr I Levi preached more than 600 times and was I present at more than 1,000 meetings. At his instigation, soon after his arrival in I Aberystwyth, the church was induced to convert what was the oldest Methodist chapel in the town into the present spacious place of worship at a cost of some ±<0,000, the whole of which was paid off during his ministry. His pub.ic utterances were perhaps char- acterised more by lucidity and absence of I ambiguity and confusion than by pro- fundity of thought, dealing usually with religion in its concrete and experimental forms, in direct contact with life and character. Each sermon left a lasting impression on the minds and conduct of his hearers. Whilst not eloquent, yet his knowledge of the people's lives and thought and aspirations and a large store of anecdote and apt illustration made him on the platform one of the most telling speakers of his day. As a writer for child- ren, an advocate of the people's cause, and a man whose influence for good was not confined to his own denomination, the late Thomas Levi will long hold a cherished place in the hearts and homes of Wales. A memorial of his life and work, which it is understood his son intends pub- lishing in Welsh as well as in English cannot fail to be interesting. At the presentation meeting in Novem- ber, 1910, Mr. Levi made a characteristic speech. The meeting was taken part in I by Principal Prys, the Rev. John Morgan Jones, Cardiff, and the Rev. John-Bowen, Bont. In acknowledging the gift, Mr. Levi said he found it extreme.y difficult to speak, but there was one word, "diolch," which came with all honesty and truth from the bottom of his heart. For what he had been able to accomplish he gave all the glory to God, for he was not indebted to man for any help. He received no college education. His parents were poor people living in a thatched cottage without a house nearer than half a mile of their home. When seven years of age he was sent to school, a distance of a mi:e and a half away, over a rough road. His parents coulc not afford to give him more than a quarter's schooling. The school was kept by a drunken man named Robert Jones, from Carnarvonshire. Many a day the master was drunk in school and in his drunkenness fell to sleep on the floor, and all the children ran home. Before his j first quarter finished he was examined by the Vicar, who was so pleased with his ) reacfing that lie paid 5s. to give him another quarter. Dr. Price, the family I doctor, who was also pleased with his reading, paid for his third quarter, and I that was all the schooling he ever received. When eight years old he became a moulder at Ynyscedvvyn, and remained there until twenty-one. Two years later he com- menced preaching. Preachers were then scarce in Glamorgan, and as churches in- creased lie received several calls. He used to go from fifteen to thirty miles on a t J Saturday to preach on Sunday and often went forty miles after he had bought a pony. To travel forty miles on the back of a pony and return on Monday was not an easy task. He was usually paid 3s 6d. per Sunday. Sometimes he received not more than half-a-crown. One church only paid as much as 8s. A great improve- ment in respect of payment had taken place since then. His mother taught him to pray and he believed in prayer. He often prayed in a secret corner of a planta- tion near his home, nd there were three things he prayed for in particular and the I Lord had answered them. His father, who had been a drunkard, was sobered and became a total abstainer and a prom- inent Christian. The second prayer was that he (Mr. Levi') should have something to do and not be an idler. He was thank- ful that he had been able to live a busy life. His third prayer he preferred not to reveal; but it had been answered. At the age of twenty-five he went on a tour through six counties, preaching three times a day: That opened a new world before him. He came in contact and became fnendly with many of the old preachers like Thomas Richards, Abergwaun; Wm Morris, Tyddewi; Henry Rees, John Hughes, Liverpool* and Dr. Lewis Edwards, before whom he preached at Monthly Meetings and festivals. He well remembered the sassiwnau at Carnarvon and elsewhere which had been referred to. Mr. Levi afterwards dealt with his literary work, his first venture being Yr Oenig," which did not prove successful. "Telyn y Plant." was more successful; and, on the suggestion of Or. Edwards, it was taken over by the Connexion and converted into "Trysorfa'r Plant" and an agreement was entered into providing him with a salary or £ 25 a year as editor. The circulation increased from 11,000 in the first year to 44,two in sixteen years. He was now pre- paring for the jubilee year of that publi- cat:°n- Connexion made a clear profit of £ 500 annually or £ 20,000 in all from the" Trysorfa". He concluded by saying how greatly indebted he was to Mrs Levi. His mother and his wife were the two best women he had ever known. FUNERAL SERVICE. On Sunday Aevening a funeral (service restricted mainly to Tabernacle, was held as a mark of respect and esteem of the church and congregation for their late pastor, at which the Rev. R. J. Rees preached a sermon in which he referred i r1 s place in the life of Wales ana to his personal characteristics as a minister and as a public man. At the close of the sermon Mr. Evan Evans, who said he remembered Mr. Levi's first coming to Aberystwyth and had been deacon for the past forty years and therefore 111 close relationship with him, moved in the name of the church a resolution of appreciation of Mr. Levi's labours in its service at Tabernacle and to the Connexion and of sympathy with the bereaved family. The proposition was seconded by Mr. John Jenkins, Princess- street, now the oldest member of Tabern- acle diaconate, and was unanimously standfn 6 larSe congregation up- nnff'i Charles McLean, the organist, played suitable voluntaries and closed the service by an inipi-essive Derformance Of the Dead March from Saul. THE FUNERAL. afirn ^°°k place on Wednesday afternoon and was largely attended Before the removal of the body from the iKmse, the Rey T E Roberts, Shiloh read portions of Scripture, and the Rev.' n x?106?' Pra3,ed. Tabernacle Choir under the leadership of Mr. J chas' Ne^T8 Mr-^vi's translation of Newman s hymn of "Lead Kindly Lrht At the graveside the Rev. T. A Penrv reai ^w-n"s of and the Rev John Williams, Holynaad, who wa* present on behalf ,f the North Wales sang Fryniau C^eriw" Ch°ir Tlie mourners present were: Mrs. Levi widow; Professor Levi, son; Mrs. Edgar Watkins, daughter; Mr. R. E. Watkins vnwf,W; Arthur Watkins, Leonard V Watkins, grandsons; Mrs. Dr. Roberts ^ster-in-law; Mr. John Watkins aTd Mr! Levi Wvtkins, Morriston; Mr H Vaughan Watkins, Llandovery-; Misses Lizzie Mary Jones, Mary Thomas 3 Myfanwy Griffiths, servants at Arfron. Hreaths were placed on the coffin as follows: "To. dear father, from Mother Tom and Katie:" "With deep sympathy" from Dr. and Mrs. Rosser, WalsaI; from Lizzie, Mary and Myfanwy, "Oofion cyn- TW™ ain >ryl feistr'" from 1 nomas with deepest sympathy;" Er cof am em hanwyl a pharchus Thomas Levi ac mewn cycfymdeimlad a Mrs. Levi a'l theulu oddiwrth ei dosbarth; from Mr and Mrs. Morris, Skinner-street, Aberystl ;^an(Lfro^ Mr" and Mr*. Evan Edwards, The Laurels. Ministers present included the Revs. P.avies. Barmouth; James Richards, Gyfeilog, Ruthin; Richard Jones, vicar of Hayton, Notts; W. Elias -TM Thomas Jenkins, Talybont; Griffith Parry, W. G. Harries, Llanbadarn; Rees Morgan, Llanddewi- brcfi; Caron Jones, Borth; Isaac Joel, Gosen; D Lewis, C'apel Dewi; J. F. Lloyd' Llamlar Vicarage; D. J. Evans, Capel ?P;0 H. Jones, Llanilar; R. H. Jones, Llanfihangel Geneu rglyn; Dr. Ben Davies Newcastle Emlyn; Thomas Williams, Joseph Edwards, Mawddwy Jones, and Richard Hughes. The University -,ind Theological Colleges were represented by Principal Roberts, Principal Prys, Professors Jenkyn Jones, Genese, Edwards, Williams, Norman Jones, Young Evans, Marshall, Morgan, Lewis, Messrs. Timothy Lewis, Gwynn Jones, and J. H. Davies, registrar. The procession was led by the Chief Constable, Supt. Phillips," Inspector Shards, P.S. Thomas Davies, P C Richards, followed by children and teachers of Tabernacle school and County teachers of Tabernacle school and County at. I 1 ?'Vs vv^ David Samuel and 1 r..shton Others' in the procession were Sir John Wiliams, Messrs. Evan J" 2' } Roberts> Arthur Jones, L.C1. and M. Bank; Joseph Jones, David Owens, saddler; W. R. Jones, John Jenkins, Princess-street; Ivor Evans, Major Mathias, Alderman John Evans (m-ayor); Messrs. Wm. Davies, solicitor. T. J. Samuel, Barclay Jenkins, T. C. Jenkins, Eagle House; Edwin Morris, Peter Jones C. M. Williams, Daniel Thomas, John Evans (deputy town clerk); David Lloyd J. Ballinger, Dr. Ellis, Cartrefle; Messrs. I Jack Edwards, Great Darkgate-street; J. H. Edwards, H. P. Edwards, T. H. Fd wards, G. iDickens Lewis, G. R. Phillios, L. and P. Bank. John Watkins, Stoneleigh; E. Felix, rate collector; Isaac Hopkins, David Davies, Talfan; J. iR. Griffiths, Market-street; T. W. Powell, T. Lewis, David Evans, Queen-street-' J. I*evenson. Evan Edwards, The Laurels; Ivenson. Evan Edwards, The Laurels; Wm. Richards, Market-street; John Thomas^ North-parade; J. P. Morgan, i Edwards, builder; Evan Rowlands, I R<Wiard Jonel. Willilam-street; D. M. Jones, Rowland Morgan, North-onrade; — Davies, Sunny Hill; John Morgana Trinity-place^ Walter Evans, South-ter- r-><*e; T. Vaughan, D. J. Lewis. Great Darkgate-street: James Jones, W. D. Jones. Edward Jones. J. R. James, Peithyll: W. Rowlands. North-parade; Enoch iiivies, T. B. Hall, Terrace-road;

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