Y Drych 1923 Jun 21 2pp

Disgrifiad

Y Drych June 2l,1923

PITTSBURGH, PENNA.
Sudden Death of John Redfern - Cymanfa and Personals.

I am sorry to have the sad task of announcing the sudden death of one of the most well-known Welshmen in our city, namely John Redfern of Saybrook Apartments, Croft Avenue. He died on Sunday, May 27. He was found on the floor in the pantry where he had gone to put a bottle of milk in its box. Only his dear wife was in the house, and she ran to ring the bell at the elevator, where the writer of these lines was taking charge of the vehicle that morning. I got the vehicle going in a second besause I could tell by the sound of the bell that something had happened.

Have arrived at the floor where Mrs. Redfem was, I found out that John had fallen into a swoon. I hurried to the place where he lay. His body was on the floor and heavy, and I could tell that his spirit had flown to Him who had given it. However I called for the help of neighbors, and two doctors came. One determined that Mr. Redfern had had an attack of paralysis and that he had died before falling to the floor.

Mr. Redfern was born in Bagill! Flintshire, North Wales in 1859. His parents [brought their family] to this country in 1873 and settled in Brookfield, Ohio. Mr. Redfern moved to Pittsburgh and was apprenticed in the office of Y Wasg [The Press, a Welsh newspaper] where he was a responsible printer. He served in the offices of the chief newspapers of this city, and since the coming of the compositing machines, he held the post of proofreader.

In 1889 he joined in matrimony with Miss Mary Thomas who, with one son, Edward G. Redfern and one daughter, Miss Marion Redfern, is left to gneve him. He had two sisters, namely Mrs. Margaret Jones and Mrs Jane Robe$ of Columbus, Ohio and one brother, William K. Redfem of Shawneer, Ohio, and they all came here for the funeral.
Since the departed came to Pittsburgh, he was very industrious in Carmel church and he was made Deacon 12 years ago, an office that he filled faithfully and industriously. His place will be empty, in many ways, in the church, because he was not only faithful at all the meetings but also was ready to take part.

On Wednesday, May 30, a large crowd came to the funeral service at Camrel church. Not often are funerals so well-attended and respectful. The church was full, and it was easy to understand from the faces of the hundreds of people that a beloved and dear brother had left them.

Serving was the minister, the Rev. W. H. Williams, who was introduced by the Rev. J.R. Thomas of Ebensburgh, Pennsylvania. The quartet was Mrs. Fred. W. Jones, Mrs. J. Harry Jones, Anthony M. Jones and Joseph Williams.
Several friends had come from a long way which proves that the deprted was well-known in many circles outside the city.
May the Father of orphans and the Judge of widows be of help to the grieving family. [A shortpoem follows.]


A Bright Cymanfa.

On May 10-13 the Cyrnanfa Assembly of Ohio and Eastern Pennsylvania was held at Carmel Church. There was good representation from different churches: Johnstown, Pa., the Rev. J. R. Roberts; Cleveland Ohio, Rev. S. W. Griffiths and Deacon Hugh Roberts; Palm5na, Ohio, Deacon Owen Jones; Venedocia, Ohio, Rev. William Jones; Columbus, Ohio, Rev. Bdwin Jones and Deacons J. Jordan Jones, R. H. George and L. D. Davies; Cincinnati, Ohio, Rev. Hugh Rowlands and Deacon Newton Jones; Jackson, Ohio, Rev. J. W. Matthews and Deacon J. J. Parry; Oak Hill, Ohio, Rev. G. J. Parry.
There was preaching on Thursday night and Friday night. On Saturday night there was a meeting to deal with the matter that had been brought to the previous Gymanfa. Taking part were Newton Jones, Cincinnati, Ohio; R. H- George, Columbus, Ohio and the Rev. J. W. Mathews, Jackson, Ohio.

The weather was unfavorable [and mitigated against] good attendance. But we had good weather on Sunday and good congregations from far and near.

As honey on bread satisfies, [as satisfied were] lovers of the old language with a service totally in Welsh, The Rev. Hugh Rowlands of Cincinnati, Ohio preached. Because there had not been a Welsh service at Carmel church for years, it was necessary to search for hymnals that had been put away. The service in the afternoon was spirited and the singing the best ever heard, proving that the old language is living in Pittsburgh. It is a pity that it is not more freely [used]

The Rev. Edward Roberts of Madison, Wisconsin gave an interesting lecture about the Mission in India, The following were present Rev. Ellis Roberts, Niles, Ohio; Everet Jones, Warren, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Idris Williams and daughter, Newton Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Roberts, Cleveland, parents of the popular singer, Sam Roberts of New York; Mrs. Owen Jones with her husband from Palmyra.

Several of the missionaries were going to Indianapolis to the big Presbyterian Gymanfa. J. Harry Jones represented this district and last Sunday night he gave a lecture about it.

Notes.
Gwilym S. Thomas, the well-known bass was at the Philade$hia Eisteddfod and was greatly satisfied by it.
A big banquet was given to Dr. Protheroe by members of the Gorsedd [Assembly of Bards]. The Welshman and well-known musician was on his way to Philadelphia to adjudicate [at the Eisteddfod], and he was invited to come here for a bite to eat on his way.

The old brother, Henry Rees of Ophilia Street, has been housebound for weeks, and though he is over 80 years old, we hope to see him about soon.

I am sorry to understand that John Myles of East End is quite weak. He is the brother of the late William Myles, the able literary man and poet. We wish our friend a full recovery, soon and lasting.

It was good to have a pleasant visit with the old sister, Mrs. Rowland Jones of Homestead at the service on Sunday morning.

Esther Elias, a pleasant young woman arrived back from Wales a few days ago. She had a good time with her father's family in Newcastle Emlyn.

Congratulations

This is the first time for me to try to write a line since our new Editor has taken over at Y Drych.

Though I am not personally acquainted with this very pleasant Welshman, he was the only one I was wishing and praying would take over the renowned old newspaper. I knew that he possessed the traits to fill that sort of office.

I wish every success and facility to Mr. Hughes, and may he have the strength and health to serve his compatriots.

Thought my circumstances are not convenient or favorable for writing, I do my best, because there is a responsibility of every Welshman who loves the old language to do his best to support the owners and editor of Y Drych, because without the medium of the newspaper, we would be lost to one another over the whole world.- Deiniol Arfon.