EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT A WELSH FUNERAL.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2181, 8 July 1890, Page 4

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT A WELSH FUNERAL.

A most extraordinary scene (says the't Liverpool Daily Post') took place at the churchyard of Gyffin, a small village near Conway, the other day, in connection with the funeral of William Williams, 50 years of age, a Dissenter, of Conway. When the funeral procession arrived at the churchyard it was met by the Rev. T. R. Ellis, the rector of G-yffin, who at once began the burial service, and proceeded to the church. The procession followed for a short distance, and then turned off towards the grave. Mr Ellis had by this titno entered the church, but suddenly becoming aware that no one was following, rushed out shouting, " People, people, where are you going to r" The people, however, took no notice of him, but continued their course to the graveside, preceded by the Rev. Evan Davies, Welsh "VTesleyan minister of Conway. Arrived there, a hymn was started, during the singing of which the Rev. Mr Ellis moved about addressing excited observations to one and another of those present, and threatening various pains and penalties if they proceeded with the service. After the singing of the hymn, some conversation took place between the rival clergymen, Mr Ellis asserting that there was no right of burial. The conversation became pretty warm, and at last Mr Davies produced some papers, saying ho had a charge to make against the rector, and these papers would prove it. He (Mr Davies) would not say anything more, but would let them (i.e., the Rev. Mr Ellis and the Rev. J. Williams, a curate of Conway, who had by this time appeared on the scene) do what they liked. During the dispute between the two clergymen, friends of the deceased were weeping aloud ; then a hymn was again struck up. During the second singing Mr Ellis, addressing Mr Davies, said — " Tou'ro a nice gentleman to come and disturb the peace of another person's parish." Mr Davies — " You can say what you like ; you are used to it." In reply, either Mr Ellis or the curate made some remark in Welsh, and Mr Davies, turning to the crowd, said — 11 Oh, he tells me to shut my mouth." The Rev J. Williams hero announced that the family of the deceased were standing beside the church door, an evident proof of their wish that the burial should take place under Church rites. Two men now filled in the grave, no service of any kind but the singing having taken place, and while this was being done the deceased's family came to the graveside. The Bey. Mr Davies (to our reporter) — " Here is the deceased's family, Mr Reporter." Later on, after the grave had been filled up, the rector and curate spoke to the family of the deceased.. While speaking to them a young man came up and said he thought it was a shame that they should take advantage of the circumstances to try and influence the minds of the poor people when they were in 'such grief, 'and others of tho spectators shouted " Shame." The Rev. Mr Ellis shouted out — "This is my ground. \fou have no right here." The young man replied that he had as much right there us he (Mr Ellis) had. The Rev. Mr Davies here addressed the rector saying, "It's a pity you have made such a fool of yourself." The Rev. J. Williams— " It's you that have made a fool oi: him by not following him to the church as you ought to have done." The Rev. Mr Ellis — •" You have broken into my premises, and you will to have pay for it." _ The spectators then slowly dispersed.