Preece Family Tree

The Rev. Silyn Evans.

UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET IN SILOA.

"Cofeb i'r Parch. D. Silyn Evans, gweinidog i'r eglwys hon o 1880 hyd ei farw yn 1930.

Llenor coetn. Bugall gofalus. Pregethwr byw a Christion gloyw."

This was the inscription on a memorial tablet unveiled at Siloa Welsh Cong. Chapel, Aberdare, last Sunday afternoon. A free translation reads: "Memorial to the Rev. D. Silyn Evans, pastor of this church from 1880 to 1930. A cultured litterateur, faithful shepherd, a live preacher and a pure Christian."

There was a very large congregation. The introductory portion was taken by Mr. J. Afanydd Morgan. The pastor, the Rev. R. Ifor Parry, M.A. (who presided) then called upon the widow, Mrs. Silyn Evans, to unveil the tablet, which she did.

There were four speakers. Mr. Ivor John, the corresponding secretary of the church, gave a very vivid and natural description of Silyn's characteristic, in the course of which he said he felt it a great honour to say a word of their old and revered pastor, Rev. D. Silyn Evans. His simplicity of character, his faithfulness in his work, which was always methodical and punctual. His practical sympathy to those in need was one of the special features of his ministry. Moreover, Silyn Evans was a great consoler of those in sorrow, and unique when officiating at marriages. There were many present at that service, added Mr. John, who would never forget the Rev. Silyn Evans' prayers at a wedding. Like the Apostle Paul, Silyn had fought a good fight, and his ministry at Siloa had been wonderfully harmonious, and it had left behind a fragrance that would last for many years to come.

Mr. Robert T. Rosser, Cardiff, who was financial secretary of the church for 18 years, spoke of his late minister as a preacher. He was glad, said Mr. Rosser, to see so many present to pay tribute to a great preacher. Nowhere had he (the speaker) been received with greater warmth than at Mr. and Mrs. Evans' home. He and Mr. Evans did not always see eye to eye on all questions. He looked at things from the financial standpoint, and Mr. Evans would take the ministerial point of view, but Mrs. Evans would be able to smooth matters out by giving the outlook of the congregation. He heard the Rev. Penry Evans say on one occasion that every sermon and every address delivered by the late Rev. Silyn Evans ought to be taken down in shorthand and preserved. Every word which fell from Mr. Evans' lips was worth storing. It was a source of gratification to him (Mr. Rosser) that Mr. Evans had recevied him into membership and had officiated at his wedding. The late Mr. Evans was an inspired preacher. He would sometimes rise suddenly and deliver a great sermon on the spur of the moment.

MINISTERIAL GARB.

Mr. Rosser caused some amusement by referring to the clothes of ministers. He liked to see them dressed like ministers, with "dog" collars. He apologised to Mr. Parry (who was seated behind him wearing a "wing" collar) for expressing his opinion on that point. He also liked to see deacons dressed like deacons - black coat and vest with striped trousers.

When Mr. Rosser finished speaking, Mr Parry remarked that he did not know what occupation Mr. Rosser followed. He wondered whether he was a tailor. At any rate he (Mr. Parry) believed in wearing collars as they were made to be worn - front to front and back to back.

Furthermore he would like to cite a verse from the Scripture: "Is not the body more than raiment?"

Mr. Jacob Phillips, deacon, said he was one of Silyn's children; he did not remember the Rev. David Price. Silyn Evans understood humanity better than anyone else. He was an ideal minister, and he had infused a good spirit in Siloa, for although he seemed abrupt at times, he was full of the spirit of Jesus Christ. He visited the General Hospital every week, and offered words of consolation and comfort to every patient. In closing, Mr. Phillips said that Silyn was an authority on everything that pertained to the ministry, and he (the speaker) prayed that the spirit of Silyn Evans would remain in the church for ever.

Principal Ivor Leslie Evans, M.A., was the final speaker, and in a fine speech said that Silyn was the last in the line of the prophets. He would like to read to them a chapter very fitting to this occasion. It was not found in our Bible, but would be found in the book of Ecclesiasticus. Mr. Evans then read in a very impressive manner the chapter, which begins with "Let us now praise famous men and the fathers who begat us."

Silyn Evans had been the centre of the life of that chapel for 50 years, and it was fitting that they should remember him in this manner. The late Mr. Evans possessed culture of the country type, was a Welshman and a Democrat to the core. He loved his walk to the Graid, for he was fond of getting into close communion with Nature and Nature's God. He lifted his eyes to the mountains from whence his strength came, like the Psalmist of old. His playfulness, his ready wit, were the direct outcome of his free spirit.

After referring to his boyhood days in Siloa, when he used to come along with his grandmother and grandfather (Mr. and Mrs. Rees Evans) he commented on the task which lay before the new young minister. He wished Mr. Parry and the church every success in the difficult task which lay ahead of them. Let them face the future with resolution and courage, and to God be the praise and glory for ever and ever.

The congregational singing was very hearty, Mr. W. J. Evans presiding at the organ.

The tablet was made and erected by Mr. J. Phillips, sculptor, Cardiff Street, Aberdare.