Cylchgronau Cymru

Chwiliwch trwy dros 450 o deitlau a 1.2 miliwn o dudalennau

A VILLAGE WORTHY EVAN ISAAC THOMAS OF LLANDYSUL, His DAYS (1823-1908) AND Diary (1876-1885) AN unaccountable lapse in the Triads, that otherwise comprehensive and detailed guide to conventional conduct, is the omission of any reference to the qualities which distinguish a village worthy. Line upon line, item after item relating to the correct thing to be expected of everybody and everything from cats to kings, is tabulated, but there is no triad for a village worthy. However, a triad is unnecessary as it has always been obvious that the three indispensable qualities of a village worthy are an adventurous mind, a distinctive individual character, and an enterprising disposition. But this is not enough. There are three further indispensables to a worthy. There must be the village with established traditions as his stage there must be the opportunity and time for him to play his part there must be the community capable of drawing forth, using, and appreciating his distinctive qualities. All these essentials came together between 1823 and 1908 when Evan Isaac Thomas was born and bred and lived and died at Llan- dysul. And this is what his fellow villagers thought about him at the end of his four score years and five. It is taken from a cutting out of an un-named newspaper. Described as a cabinet-maker and undertaker who had recently died as the result of old age and asthma, the deceased is acclaimed as an outstanding personality, with an intelligence and erudition rarely met with in a workingman'. He had an inordinate desire for wholesome literature' and, being blessed with a wonderful memory, he was able to converse on innumerable topics and events both past and present. But theology was his favourite subject and his knowledge of the Bible, which was' through and through', made him a right formidable opponent in an argument on religion. He was regarded as a tower of strength at Penybont Baptist Chapel', of which he was senior deacon for many years, and one to whom every member had to look for guidance and advice'. This they did all the more readily because of his kind face and cheery voice which the congregation will greatly miss But the appreciation of his character and good qualities was far from being merely sectarian. As a neigh- bour he was all that could be desired, being kind, courteous and thoughtful and we can safely say that he walked as guileless and irreproachable a path as any mortal man could, with his footsteps always tending to that great goal in the Great Unknown'. This is a genuine testimony to the worth of this notable Llandysulian, evidence