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HISTORY 
 
 THE WELSH BAPTISTS, 
 
 r-BOM TH» TEAR SIXTY-TURBE TO TUB YEA? ONB THOUSAWD 
 aBVBN HUNDBBD AND SBVBNTT. 
 
 uy a. BATis. 
 
 PITTSBURGH: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY D. M. HOGAN, No. 78, WOOD STREET. 
 ■PHBAIH IJ.OYD, FRINTBB. 
 
Entered, accqrding to act of Congress, in the year One 
 thousand eight hundred and thirty-five, by J. Davis, in the 
 clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for th« 
 Western District of Pennsylvania. ' 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 As NOTHING makes stronger impressions upon the mind than example, » view 
 of the lives and principles ol eminent persons, and the consideration of the rise 
 and progress of the Christian Religion, might be the most powerful means, 
 under the blessing of God, to lead others to follow the footsteps of those who 
 have denied themselves, taken up the cross, and followed their Lord through 
 evil and good report, Eveiy one, therefore, who has any concern for the glory 
 of God, and the welfare of his fellow creatures, will, most cordially, encourage 
 eveiy effort, in order tq obtain these glorious ends. How far this book will 
 answer that purpose, is not for us to say ; it must be submitted to the judgment 
 of the reader. 
 
 Thoagh the most part is a translation (abridged,) of Thomas's History of 
 the Baptists in Wales, yet we have collected all that we deemed interesting 
 from every other author that we could find on the subject. 
 
 It might not be improper to mention the names of some of the authois, from 
 which many of these documents have been taken, and also to make a few 
 remarks relative to the character of the men, and the time in which they lived, 
 as far as we have been informed by authors of later date. 
 
 Gildas Fritwn, is the oldest Welsh Historian we could find; because almost 
 all the books that were written before Dioclesian's time, were consumed in 
 that fire, that he ordered to be kindled, (in his wrath and indignation) against 
 the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Gildas wrote some of his books 
 in Latin and some in Welsh, in and about the year 548. He was a good man, 
 and a Minister of the Gospel, More of him hereafter.* 
 
 Twrog was one of the first ecclesiastical Welsh Historians; for Gildas 
 wrote chiefly on the troubles of the times, and the duty of religious people, and 
 the degeneracy of the age. Twrog wrote about the year 600. We have not 
 seen his writings; but Dr. Thomas Williams says he has seen it in the parish 
 church of Gelynnog, Carnarvonshire, in 1594, covered with black stone.t 
 
 Tyssilio also wrote his history in Welsh, about the same time. His works 
 are often quoted by other Historians. 
 
 Jeffre ap Arthur, Bishop of Llanelwy, and Caradog of Lancai-van, are 
 considered the best national historians; both of them wrote in Welsh, 1132, . 
 The works of the former were translated into Latin by himself; and the other 
 
 * De Exidio Britannie; and Hanes y fiydd, 4th ed. p, 184.; also Thomas's 
 t Drych y prif oesoedd, p. 217, and Arch. Brit. p. 225. 
 
IV PREFACJE. 
 
 t 
 
 into English, by Humphrey Lloyd, Esq., and was reprinted by W. Wynne, A. 
 M. in the year 17Q2. 
 
 Ninnius of Bangor, wrote the History of Wales, about the year 800. Walter 
 Calenius, Archdeacon of Oxford, about the year 1120, brought from Brittany, 
 in France, the History of the Welsh Kings, written in Welsh, which was 
 translateiJiSntp Latin.by him. 
 
 Sir John Price was one of the most excellent historians that Wales over 
 produced; he wrote his Fides Historic Britannie, and his Historic Brilannie 
 Defensio, about the year 1553. 
 
 Humphrey Lloyd, Esq., wrote the following, the manuscript of which is now 
 at Oxford College, in Latin : Chronicon Wallie a Rage Cadwaladero usque ad 
 Anno Domini 1394. He wrote three other small books : two of them have 
 bee9 printed. He died in the year 1570. 
 
 Dr. David Powel, Vicar of Rhy wabou, collected from various authors,, tlia 
 Histoiy of Wales, which was published in laSi. 
 
 Theophilus Evans, Vicar of Llangamarch Brecon. His Drych y prif oesoedd. 
 (or Looking-Glass of the Ancient Agies) was published in 1716. 
 
 Simon Thomas, a Presbyterian Minister, printed his History of the World 
 and the Times, (Hanes y byd a'r amseroedd) 1724. 
 
 Thomas Williams, a Presbyterian Minister, pubhshed his (Oes lyfr) Age ' 
 Book in 1724.* 
 
 Much information has also been obtained from manuscripts, such as the Red 
 Book of Hergest; the Black Book of Carmarthen; old histories; the works 
 of Hugh Pennant ; Cwtta cyfarwydd, and the Ancient Bards of the Principality 
 of Wales ; from various English authors, as well as Americans, particularly 
 Morgan Edwards and David Benedict, 
 
 * Noorthouck's Historical Dictionaty. Athene Oxonienses. 
 
PART I. 
 
 Containing the History of the Welsh Baptists, from the year 
 sixty-three to the Reformation. 
 
 The Welsh, properly called Cumry, the inhabitants of the 
 Principality of Wales, are generally believed to be the desce^- 
 ants of Gomer, the eldest son of Japheth, who was the elcfet 
 son of Noah.* The general opinion is, that they landed on 
 the Isle of Britain from France, about three hundred years 
 after the flood.f 
 
 About eleven hundred years before the Christian era, Brutus 
 and his men emigrated from Troy in Asia, and were cordially 
 received by the Welsh. They soon became one people and 
 spake the same language, which was the Gomeraeg, or Welsh; 
 hence the Welsh people are sometimes called the Ancient 
 Britons.| 
 
 About four hundred years before Christ, other emigrants 
 came from Spain, and were permitted by Gwrgan, the Welsh 
 king, to settle in Ireland, among the Ancient Britons, who were 
 in that country already. They, also, soon became one people, 
 but have not retained either the Welsh or the Spanish language ; 
 for the Irish language, to this day, is a mixture of both.|| 
 
 By what means the ChristiEin religion was first introduced 
 into Britain, is a matter which has often engaged the pens of 
 historians, but whose records do not always agree. The tra- 
 dition that Joseph of Arimathea was the first who preached the 
 gospel in Britain, at a place called Glastenbury, the wicker 
 chapel built for him by the Ancient Britons, and his walking- 
 stick growing to a plumtree, might be worthy of the attention 
 
 * See Drych j; prif oesoedd, p. 7. Dr. Gill on Gen. 10:2. Thomas's His, 
 toiy of the Baptists in Wales, p. 2. Arch. Britannica, 35 and 267.' Dr. Lle- 
 wellyn's History and Critical Remarks, p, 10. Dr. Heylin's Cosmography, 
 lib. 1, p. 218. Mr. Walter's Dissertation, p, 15, See also Biedford'e Scriptural 
 Chronology,!). 194, 
 
 t See Oes lyfr, page 23, Holmes's Histoiy of England, paM 16, Thomas's 
 Preface to the History of the Baptists in Wales, p. 7, in the Welsh language. 
 Dr. Gill on Gen. lOS, Bedford's Scriptiire Chronology, p. 194. piych y 
 prif oesoedd, p. 7. 
 
 } See Breviary of Britain, vol. 8, by Humphrey Lloyd, Esq. John Price'* 
 History of Wales, p. 1, Wynne's Preface to the History of Wales. 
 
 II Preface to Atcn, Britannica. 
 1 * 
 
6 HISTORY OF 
 
 of those who can believe any thing. However, we are 
 willing for those who believe that the good man who buried 
 our blessed Redeemer also proclaimed salvation in his name 
 to our forefathers, to enjoy their own opinion. That the 
 apostle Paul also preached the gospel to the ancient Britons, 
 is very probable from the testimony of Theodoret and Je- 
 rome; but that he was the first that introduced the gospel to 
 this island cannot be admitted ; for he was a prisoner in Rome 
 at the time the good news of salvation through the blood of 
 Christ reached this region. That the Apostle Paul had great 
 encouragement to visit this country afterwards, will not be de- 
 nied. When we consider the particular inducement he might 
 haye from Pomponia, Grecina, and Claudia Ruffina, the saints 
 in Cesar's household; the former the wife of Aulus Plautius, 
 the first Roman governor in Britain, and the latter a Briton 
 born, the daughter of Caractacus the Welsh king, whose hus- 
 band was Pudence, a believer in Christ.* 
 
 In this capital, persons of different ranks, employments, and 
 offices, might l)e found: ambassadors, captive princes, mer- 
 chants, and mechanics. Many of those would he prompted 
 by curiosity to make inquiries concerning Paul, a noted prison- 
 er at Rome, famed, even before his arrival, as an abetter of a 
 new religion, the principal teacher and propagator of the doc- 
 trine of Jesus Christ, who was condemned by Pilate to the 
 death of the cross. As the apostle was permitted to live in his 
 own hired house, guarded by a soldier, he was at liberty to 
 receive all who applied to him for information and instruction ,• 
 and hereby the gracious' purpose of Divine Providence in spread- 
 ing Christianity through the world was pomoted. How pleas- 
 ing it is to carry our views back into those remote ages, and 
 imagine we see the first missionaries and their disciples, assem- 
 bled under the shade of the wide-spreading oak, instructing the 
 people in the knowledge of the true God and of Jesus Christ the 
 Savior of mankind ; disputing with the Druids, confuting their 
 absurd notions, their gross' conceptions, their confused and 
 complex mythology. 
 
 About fifty years before the birth of our Savior, the Romans 
 invaded the British Isle, in the reign of the Welsh king, Cassi- 
 bellan ; but having failed, in consequence of other and more 
 important wars, to conquer the Welsh nation, made peace with 
 them, and dwelt among them many years. Dnj-ing that period 
 many of the Welsh soldiers joined the Roman army, and many 
 families from Wales visited Rome; among whom there was a 
 
 * So says the learned Archbishop Usher. See also Magna Britannioa. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. t 
 
 certain woman of the name of Claudia, who was married to a 
 man named Pudence. At the same time, Paul was sent a 
 prisoner to Rome, and preached there in his own hired house, 
 for the space of two years, about the year of our Lord 63.* 
 Pudence and Claudia his wife, who belonged to Cesar's house- 
 hold, under the blessing of God on Paul's preaching, were 
 brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and 
 made a profession of the Christiari religion.f These, together 
 with other Welshmen, among the Roman soldiers, who had 
 tasted that the Lord was gracious, exerted themselves on the 
 behalf of their countrymen in Wales, who were at that tims 
 vile idolaters. 
 
 Whether any of the apostles ever preached in Britain cannot 
 be proved, and though it is generally believed that Joseph of 
 Arimathea was the first that preached the gospel in that part of 
 the world, we niust confess that we are not positive on that sub- 
 ject. The fact, we believe, is this : the Welsh lady, Claudia,, 
 and others, who were converted under Paul's ministry in Rome, 
 carried the. precious seed with them, and scattered it on the . 
 hills and vallies of Wales ; and since that time, many thou- 
 sands have reaped a most glorious harvest. They told their 
 countrymen around, what a dear Savior they had found; they 
 pointed to his redeeming blood, as the only way whereby they 
 Bright come to God. 
 
 The Welsh can truly say: if by the transgression of a 
 woman sin came into the world, it was through the instrumen- 
 tality of a woman, even painted Claudia, that the glorious news 
 of the gospel reached their ears, and they felt it to be mighty 
 through God, to pull down the strong holds of darkness. 
 . How rapidly did the mighty gospel of Christ fly abroad ! 
 The very year 63, when Paul, a prisoner, was preaching to a 
 few individuals, in his own hired house in Rome, the seed- 
 sowed there is growing in the Isle of Britain. We have no- 
 thing of importance to communicate respecting the Welsh Bap- 
 tists, from this period to the year 180, when two ministers by 
 the names of Faganus and Damicanus, who were born in 
 Wales, but were born again. in Rome, and there becoming 
 eminent ministers of the gospel, were sent from Rome to assist 
 their brethrep in Wales.:]: 
 
 * See Acts of the Apostles, 38:31 - 
 
 1 2 Tim. 4:21, Fox's Acts and Monuments, p. 137. See also Dr. Gill and 
 MattheW' Henry, on 2 Tim. 4:21. Godwin's Catalogue. Crosby's History of 
 the EngUsh Baptists, preface to vol. 2. Drych y prif oesoedd, p. 179. 
 
 t See Dr. Heylin's Cosmography, lib. 1, p. 257. IJrych y prif oesoedd, p. 
 190. 
 
8 HIBTOST or 
 
 In the same year, Lucius, the Welsh king, and the firpt king 
 in the , world who embraced the Christian religion, was bap- 
 tized.* 
 
 Faganus and Damicanus were two faithful witnesses, bearing 
 testimony to the truth, and were remarkably successful in win- 
 ning souls to Christ. Through their instrumentality, the light 
 of the gospel burst forth from the Isle of Anglesea to the Isle of 
 Thanet, like the sun in the morning after the dark night of 
 Druidism; the glorious light of the gospel dispelled the shades 
 of ignorance and error, in which the seed of Gomer had been 
 enveloped from generation to generation. Fired with a sacred 
 zeal for the cause of Christ, and the welfare of immortal souls, 
 our Welsh apostles followed the superstitions and cruelties of 
 paganism to their most secret chambers, and exposed them in 
 their native deformity. 
 
 It is true they had not to stretch on the rack, neither had they 
 to endure the flames ; yet they had to encounter with pagan 
 ignorance, and much opposition from Beelzebub the prince of 
 darkness. Though the gospel had been preached in the island.' 
 since the year 63; yet, as God had not departed from his ge- 
 neral way of disseminating his truth among the children of 
 men, by beginning with small things in order to obtain great 
 things, hitherto it had been the day of small things with our 
 forefathers, the inhabitants of the ends of the earth. But now 
 Zion's tent was enlarged, and the curtain of her habitation 
 stretched forth ; she broke forth on the right hand and on the 
 left; kings became nursing fathers and queens nursing mo- 
 thers. Behold King Lucius, not only embracing the religion 
 of Christ himself, but finding the means of propagating the gos»- 
 pel very inadequate, sending a most earnest request to Eleuthe- 
 rus, for additional help. Here the Macedonian cry vibratei 
 from the Welsh throne at Carludd, as well as frorh the Welsh 
 cabin at the foot of Caderidris or Plimlimon. 
 
 About the year 300, the Welsh Baptists suffered most terri- 
 ble and bloody persecution, which was the tenth pagan perse- 
 cution under the reign of Dioclesian. Alban had the pain, and 
 honor, to be the first martyr on the British shore. Next to 
 him, were Aaron and Julius, renowned men, who lived at Car« 
 leon. South Wales. The number of persons, meeting-houses, 
 and books, that were burnt at that time, is too horrid to relate ; 
 but, however, they were not all consumed by the flames. Re- 
 ligion, yes, pure religion, the religion of Christ and his apostles, 
 
 * See Acts and Mononents^. 96. Bede, Hiat. Ecclea. lib. 1, c. 1 Sm 
 Also Saktaris luxe Evangelii a Fabricio, p. 406. 
 
THE WKLaH BAPTiaTS, 9 
 
 was yet alive. Here, as well as in many other places, the 
 blood of the martyrs proved to be the seed of the church.* 
 
 Alban was highly esteemed, as a pious and active man, of 
 strong constitution and brilliant imagination. His patience, 
 humility, prudence, and piety, acquired for him the esteem of 
 some and the hatred of many. He had to suffer buffetings, ■ 
 stripes, reproaches,'and death, for following the meek and lowly 
 Jesus; but the grace of God was sufficient for him, so that he 
 could rejoice in tribulation. He deemed it the greatest honor 
 that could be conferred upon him, to suffer for the cause of 
 Christ, who, though equal with the Father, yet made himself 
 of no reputation, but took upon himself the form of a servant, 
 despised the shame, for the joy that was set before him, became 
 obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He Ji'^nk 
 deep of the Spirit of Christ, enjoyed much of the presence of 
 Christ, and was most wonderfully supported by him in his last 
 hour, when he laid down his life to evidence his love to him 
 who remembered sinners when they were in their low estate, 
 and gave his life a ransom for many. 
 
 Aaron was a man of sound judgment, correct principles, and 
 humble demeanor. He was a father to the youth, a friend to 
 the distressed, and a sympathizing guide to those who were 
 travelling the way to Zion. But notwithstanding all this, few 
 men suffered more persecutions than he did, or were more 
 roughly treated than he was by the sons of Belial, at different 
 times and places, until he had the honor tojuffer death in his 
 Master's cause, at Carleon, Monmouthshire, South Walejs. He 
 bore all with Christian patience, meekness, and resignation ; 
 knowing that the sting of death was taken away, he yielded 
 himself to the king of terrors as one ready to be offered up, 
 when he enjoyed much consolation, and had most glorious 
 manifestations of the love of God to his soul. 
 
 Julius was a painful laborer for the salvation of sinners, a 
 great comforter of the people of God, and a most wonderful 
 peacemaker between the different churches, or different individu* 
 al members. He was much beloved and respected by his 
 friends, but by his enemies he was treated with unrelenting 
 severity, and constantly followed with persecutions and dis- 
 tresses, till he suffered martyrdom along with his brother Aaron,, 
 at Carleon. i 
 
 Dioclesian's strict orders were, to burn up every Christian, 
 every meeting-house, and every scrap of written paper, belong- 
 ing to the Christians, or that gave any account of their rise and 
 progress; and, no doubt, many valuable documents were burnt 
 * See Acts and Monuments. Dryoh y prif oesoedd, p. 196. 
 
10 HISTORY OP 
 
 that would have been very interesting to the present generation ; 
 and it is a wonder that any of them were preserved from the 
 flames. Christianity has not existed long in the world with- 
 ' out some severe struggles. It has made its way by the irre- 
 sistible force of its evidence. None of the Princes, nor any 
 ' of the great men of the earth smiled upon the religion of 
 flhrist, until it won the day by the excellency of its doctrine, 
 the purity of its morals, and the rationality of its arguments. 
 It triumphed on the ruins of Judaism in Palestine, Idolatry in 
 Rome, and Druidism in the Principality of Wales. 
 
 Never, since the birth of Christ, was there such a moral 
 phenomenon exhibited on earth, as there was in Britain at this 
 time. The opposition with which the gospel was metj and the 
 success which attended its career, were of a most extraordinary 
 character, when Druidism and Pagan superstition were sway- 
 ing a magic sceptre from Carludd to Carguby. Yes, at this 
 very period, light shined in darkness, our Welsh Baptists 
 inarched forward from conquest to conquest, notwithstanding 
 the host of opposition which they had to encounter: their 
 cause was the cause of truth, and truth will ultimately triumph. 
 Gjpd, in a very remarkable manner, honored the Welsh nation, 
 from among them he raised up a most wonderful defender of 
 the faith, to the great joy and comfort, not only of the Welsh 
 Baptists, but of all Christian professors in every part of the 
 world, and of every age to the presenrtime. -The Roman 
 Empeipr, Constantine the Great, embraced the Christian reli- 
 gion, and was baptized on the profession of his faith. He 
 abolished all the persecuting edicts of his predecessors ; so that 
 the whole system of paganism gradually dissolved. Constan- 
 tine the Great was born in the Isle of Britain; his father was a 
 Roman ; his mother was a Welsh lady, of the name of Ellen, 
 the daughter of Coelgodebog, Earl of Gloucester. Having re- 
 sided in Britain for some time, they removed with their son 
 Constantine to Rome ; and there he was born again. 
 
 As Lucius, the Welsh king, was the first king, in the world 
 who made a profession of the rehgion of Christ; so the first 
 Christian Emperor in the world was a Welshman, who em- 
 ployed all the resources of his genius, together with all the en- 
 gaging charms of his munificence and liberality, to efface the 
 superstitions of paganism, and to further the propagation of the 
 gospel of the glorious Redeemer of mankind, both at home and 
 abroad* - , 
 
 * See Dtych y prif oeaoedd, pp. 64 and 303, Thomas's History of the 
 Baptists in Wales, printed in the Welsh language. Williams's Oes lyfr. 
 Acts and Monuments, p. 104. See also Danvers on Baptism, pp, 60, 61. 
 
THE WEISH BAPTISTS. 11 
 
 Historians inform us that his mother Elen, (for that was her 
 name in Wales — the Romans called her Helina,) was a very 
 pious woman, who filled the whole Roman empire with her 
 benevolent acts in supporting religion.* 
 
 However, some of our English historians have very judi- 
 ciously said, that when princes engage in religion, they either 
 do too much for it, or too much against it. Indeed, it was a 
 very desirable thing at that time, to be liberated from the rage 
 of a persecuting power; at the same time we must acknowledge, 
 that it is an awful thing to be elated at the external prosperity 
 of religion, while little of the spirit of godliness is to be seen. 
 To be exalted on the pinnacle of worldly grandeur, is more 
 dangerous than to suifer affliction with the people of God. In 
 many parts of the world, and particularly in Rome, this state 
 of things opened the way for Antichrist, the Man of Sin, to 
 creep into the churches. But that was not the case in the Isle 
 of Britain. The Welsh people of that country would not sub- 
 mit to the superstitions that were beginning to creep into the 
 churches in other countries ; but notwithstanding all thig, the 
 state of religion among the Welsh Baptists was not so flourish- 
 ing at this time, as it had been in times past. The Welshmen, 
 for a considerable time, had a sort of a religious quarrel with 
 one of their countrymen, of the name of Morgan, known abroad 
 by the name of Pelagius. The civil war between them and the 
 Scots. and Picts, was by no means a friend to religion; and the 
 measures they took in calling in the Saxons to assist them, in 
 the year 449, were very injudicious; for the Saxons never re- 
 turned to their own country. After many bloody and desperate 
 battles, for many years, the Saxons, by stratagems too horrid 
 to mention, drove the Welsh to the mountains, and took pos- 
 session of their land. Yes, all that land, now known by the 
 name of England, and too well known all over the world, by the 
 adjectives prefixed to the noun. Moody and tyrannical England. 
 But notwithstanding thp troubles of the times, there were several 
 eminent and faithful ministers among the Welsh Baptists.f 
 
 Here it may not be improper to mention, the names of a few 
 ■of the most eminent ministers belonging to the Welsh Baptists 
 «t this time. 
 
 Gildas:]: was a very noted man for zeal against the degeneracy 
 
 * Milner's History, vol. 1, p. 318 ; and, also, vol. 2, p. 39. 
 
 t Up to this time, the Welsh were the inhabitants ot the Isle ot Untain, now 
 called England ; but ever since, they have dwelt on a tract of land, on the 
 Western part of the island, now called Cumry, or Wales. 
 
 X Known by the name of Gildas Britannicus. Thomas's History, ^'elaca, 
 p. 19. One of his booisB, supposed to have been written in Welsh, is De Exi. 
 dio Britannie. 
 
16 HISTORY OF 
 
 and lukewarmness of the age. He wrote many books in Latin ; 
 some of them have been translated into Welsh. Why he,' be- 
 ing a Welshman, should have written these good books in 
 Latin, can be easily accounted for, when we consider the con- 
 nection that had subsisted between the Welsh churches and the 
 church of Christ of the same faith and order, as founded by the 
 Apostle Paul in Rome; but not the present church of Rome, 
 pretended to have been founded by St. Peter. 
 
 It is, therefore, evident, that the grand design of Gildas in 
 writing in Latin, was, to endeavor to rectify, to purge and pu- 
 rify the Latin church from the corruptions that had lately crept 
 into her, and continue therein to this day. He was a man 
 whose heart was fully resigned to the will of God ; whose hope 
 was founded on Christ as the only foundation laid in Zion ; 
 strong in the faith, full of love to God and man, and zealous in 
 the good cause in which he was engaged. 
 
 Dyfrig was a man whose heart was engaged in the best 
 cause, whose mental powers were great, and whose conversa» 
 lion jvas free and affable. As a Christian, he was truly hum- 
 ble, lovely, and pious ; and as a minister, he was zealous, faith- 
 ful, and experimental. His talents were far above mediocrity ; 
 his voice was clear, his countenance majestic, an(l his addresses 
 manly and very engaging. Christ and his cross was all his 
 theme, the foundation of his hope, the object of his faith, and 
 the centre of his affections. His life corresponded with the 
 profession which he made of the religion of Christ ; his conduct 
 exemplified the rules he laid down for others. 
 
 Dynawt was a well-informed, intelligent, and learned man, 
 of very great natural abilities, of most excellent character, and 
 very amiable temper. A very useful preacher of the gospel of 
 Christ, he seemed to be very well acquainted with the art of 
 tpuching the consciences of his hearers, as well as enlightening 
 their understandings. He was a steady, zealous, and powerful 
 advocate for the truth. He possessed the wisdom and sagacity 
 of the serpent, as well as the harmlessness of the dove. He 
 was a man of retentive memory, sound judgment, and undaunt- 
 ed courage. He shone like a brilliant star in the church mili- 
 tant, and we have reason to hope, that in the church triumpliant 
 he shines brighter than the sun in his full meridian, where 
 there is neither sin nor sorrow, but joys unspeakable and full 
 of glory. He was the President of the College of Bangor, and 
 the chief speaker in the Conference and Association of Welsh 
 ministers and messengers who met Augustine, with whom ha 
 had a debate on baptism. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. l3 
 
 Teilo was a man endowed with a large portion of grace and 
 excellent gifts, whose understanding was enlightened, whose 
 will was subdued, and whose affections were set on heavenly- 
 things. Having seen the glory of Christ by faith, having tasted 
 that the Lord was gracious, and having felt the power of divine 
 grace in his heart, he most earnestly urged, and by the strong- 
 est arguments, compelled his fellow sinners to be reconciled to 
 God. He was remarkably pathetic, pungent, and forcible in 
 his addresses to the heart ; so that the most careless were ar- 
 rested, and the most insensible were made to feel, while he 
 exhibited the unsearchable riches of Christ, the Redeemer of 
 ruined and miserable sinners. He could so rightly divide the 
 word of truth, as to give every one a due portion in good sea- 
 son ; so that the unconvinced might be convinced, the uncon- 
 verted might be converted, and the mourners in Zion might be 
 comforted and strengthened in the inner man. 
 
 Padarn was a faithful evangelical minister of Christ, who 
 exhibited, at all times, a dignity of temper and conduct, becom- 
 ing the nature and the requirements of the character which he 
 sustained. The powers of his mind were strong and capacious; 
 his taste was elegant, if not refined; his addresses to the throne 
 of grace, in prayer, were affectionate and fervent ; his sermons 
 were doctrinal, practical, and experimental. He walked hum- 
 bly and faithfully with God; he lived under the influence of the 
 love of Christ ; and endeavored to improve all his time to the 
 best end and purpose. He was truly a messenger of peace, and 
 by him the tidings of peace were communicated to hundreds 
 and thousands of the children of Gomer. 
 
 Pawlin was remarkable for his kindness and benevolence. 
 By his zeal in preaching the gospel he manifested his love to 
 God and man. His manners were easy, blended with that po- 
 liteness which is destitute bf affectation. He was well versed 
 in Scripture, and a workman that needed not to be ashamed. 
 His preaching was solemn and instructive, and the rules which 
 he laid down for others he practised himself. He was well in- 
 structed in the doctrine of the cross, and was honored of his 
 God as the instrument of bringing many to the knowledge of 
 the truth. As a man, as a Christian, and as a preacher, he 
 bore a very excellent character. 
 
 Daniel was a man of peculiarly strong and lively feelings. 
 His whole soul seemed to be engaged in whatever he did. 
 He was endowed with delicacy of feeling, blended with a sense 
 of propriety; with ease blended with politeness of manners; 
 and with'.pious zeal blended with wisdom and prudence. His 
 ministry was well calculated to awaken the thoughtless, to heal 
 3 
 
14 HISTORY OF 
 
 the vounded, and to dry the tears of the weeping eyes; to» 
 convince sinners, to edify saints, and to build up Zion in her 
 most holy faith; to bring sinners to repentance, to restore back- 
 sliders, and to settle the minds of wavering souls. Religion 
 appears to have been the element in which he breathed; reli- 
 gious duties his constant delight; and the dignity of his whole 
 deportmenrwas such, that it interested the feelings of all who 
 knew him. 
 
 Our Welsh historians inform us, that there were severelt 
 other noted ministers among the Welsh Baptists, at that time ; 
 such as Cadog, Dewi, and many more. In what respects they 
 were noted, we have not been able to ascertain. Neither have 
 we seen all the written documents relative to them, which 
 might have been interesting to the public, as some of them have 
 never been printed in any language. 
 
 Infant Baptism was in vogue long before this time in many 
 parts of the world, but not in Britain. The ordinances of the 
 gospel were then administered exclusively there, according to 
 the primitive mode. Baptism by immersion, administered to 
 those who professed repentance towards God and faith in our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, the Welsh people considered the only bap- 
 tism of the New Testament. That was their unanimous senti- 
 ment as a nation, from the time the Christian religion was 
 embraced by them in 63, until a considerable time aftej the 
 year 600. As soon as any of them renounced paganism 
 during that period, they embraced Christianity, not as corrupt- 
 ed by the Romans, but as founded by Christ and his apostles. 
 This we assert to be a fact that cannot be controverted ; for the 
 proof of which, we refer our readers to the ^ispute between 
 Austin and the ministers in Wales, sometime after the year 
 600. When Austin came from Rome to convert the Saxons 
 from paganism to popery. Having succeeded in a great mea- 
 sure in England, he tried his experiments upon the Welsh ; but 
 was disappointed. At this period the Welsh were not ignorant 
 pagans like the Saxons, but they were intelligent, well-infoi-med 
 Christians. It is true, they had no national religion ; they had 
 not connected church and state together; for they believed that 
 the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. 
 
 However, they agreed to meet with Austin, in an association 
 held on the borders of Herefordshire. Austin said he would 
 propose three things to the Welsh ministers and messengers of 
 the different churches of the Principality. First, he proposed 
 infant baptism. He was immediately answered by the Welsh, 
 that they would keep this ordinance, as well as other things, as 
 they had received them from the apostolic age. On hearing; 
 
THE "WELSH BAPTISTS. ' ,. 15 
 
 fliis, Austin was exceedingly wroth, and persuaded the Saxons 
 to murder one thousand and two hundred of the Welsh minis- 
 ters and delegates, there present; and many more afterwards 
 were put to death, because they would not submit to infant bap. 
 rism. The leading men being dead, king Cadwalader and the 
 majority of the Welsh people submitted to popery ; at that time 
 more out of fear than love. Those good people that did not 
 submit, were almost buried in its smoke ; so that we know but 
 little of them from that time to the Reformation,* 
 
 Since the above was written, we find that Theophilus Evans, in 
 his Drych y prif oesoedd, or Lofking-glass of the Ancient Ages, 
 could see the remnant of the Welsh Baptists, through the dark- 
 ness of popery, to the year 1000. And Peter Williams, a 
 Methodist preacher, who wrote an exposition on the Old and 
 New Testaments in Welsh, has followed them through the 
 thick clouds till they were buried out of bis sight in the smoke, 
 in the year of our Lord 1115. However, it is a fact that can- 
 not be controverted, that from this time to the Reformation 
 there were many individuals in Wales, like the seven thousand 
 left in Israel, whose knees had never bowed to this Baal of 
 Rome.f Since we wrote the foregoing translation, we have 
 seen Benedict's ffistory of the Baptist denomination in America, 
 and take the liberty of making the following quotation from his 
 works: 
 
 " About sixty years after the ascension of our Lord, Chris- 
 tianity was planted in Britain, and a number of the royal blood, 
 and many of inferior birth, were called to be saints. Here the 
 gospel flourished much in early times, and here also its follow-, 
 ers endured many afflictions and calamities from pagan perse, 
 cutions. The British Christians experienced various changes 
 of prosperity and adversity, until about the year 600. A little 
 previous to this period, Austin the monk, that famous Pedo- 
 baptist persecutor, with about forty others, were sent h^re by 
 Pope Gregory the Great, to convert the Saxon pagans to popery, 
 and to subject them to the dominion of Rome. The enterprise 
 succeeded, and conversion (or rather perversion) work was per- 
 formed on a large scale. King Ethelbert and his court, and 
 a considerable part of his kingdom, were won over by the suc- 
 - cessful monk, who consecrated the river Swale, near York, in 
 which he caused ten thousand of his converts to be baptized in 
 one day. Having met with so much success in England, he 
 
 * See Acts and Monuments, p. 149. Preface to Crosby, vol. 2. Drych y 
 prif oesoedd, p. 249. Dr, Godwin's Catalogue, p. 43. Tliomas's History of 
 the Baptists io Wales, first part. 
 
 t Thomas's History of the Baptists in Wales, published in Welsh, 
 
16 HISTORY OP 
 
 resolved to try what he could do in Wales. There were many- 
 British Christians who fled hither in former times, to avoid the 
 brutal ravages of the outrageous Saxons. The monk held a 
 synod in their neighborhood, and sent to their pastors to request 
 them to receive the pope's commandment; but they utterly re- 
 fused to listen to either the monk or pope, or to adopt any of 
 their maxims. Austin meeting with this prompt refusal, en- 
 deavored to compromise matters with these strenuous Welsh- 
 men, and requested that they would consent to him in three 
 things ; one of which was, that they should give baptism to 
 their children. But with nofife of his proposals would they 
 comply. ' Sins, therefore,' said this zealous apostle of popery 
 and pedobaptism, ' ye wol not receive peace of your brethren, 
 ye of other shall have warre and wretche.' And accordingly 
 he brought the Saxons upon them to shed their innocent blood, 
 and many of them lost their lives for the name of Jesus. The 
 Baptist historians in England, contend that the first British 
 Christians were Baptists, and that they maintained Baptist 
 principles until the coming of Austin. ' We have no mention,' 
 says the author of the Memoirs, ' of the christening or baptizing 
 children in England, before the coming of Austin in 597 ; and 
 to us it is evident, that he brought it not from heaven but from 
 Rome.' But though the subjects of baptism began now to be 
 altered^ the mode of it continued in the national church a thou- 
 sand years longer, baptism was administered by dipping. 
 From the coming of Austin, the church in this island was 
 ■divided into two parts, the old and the new. The old, or Bap- 
 tist church, maintained the original principles. But the new 
 church adopted Infant Baptism, and the rest of the multiplying 
 superstitions of Rome."* 
 
 Austin's requesting the Ancient British Christians, who op- 
 posed his popish mission, to baptize their children, is a circum- 
 stance which the English and Welsh Baptists consider of the 
 greatest importance. They infer from it, that before Austin's 
 time, infant baptism was not practised in the Isle of Britain, and 
 that though he converted multitudes to his Pedobaptist plan, 
 yet many, especially in Wales and Cornwall, opposed it; and 
 the Welsh Baptists contend, that Baptist principles were main- 
 tained in the recesses of their mountainous Principality, all 
 along through the dark reign of popery. 
 
 " God had a regular chain of true and faithful witnesses in 
 this country, in every age, from the first introduction of Chris- 
 tianity to the present time, who never received nor acknowledged 
 
 * Benedict's History of the Baptist Denotnination in America, p. 190. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 17 
 
 the pope's supremacy : like the thousands and millions of the 
 inhabitants of the vale of Piedmont, residing on green and fruit- 
 ful meadows, surrounded by high and lofty mountains, sepa- 
 rated from other nations, as if the all-wise Creator had made 
 them on purpose, as places of safety for his jewels that would 
 not bow the knee to Baal."* 
 
 No wonder, then, that Dr. Mosheim said that the true origin 
 of that sect called Anabaptists, is hid in the depth of antiquity. 
 Dr. Richard Davis, Bishop of Monmouth, said, " there was a 
 vast difference between the Christianity of the Ancient Britons, 
 and that mock Christianity introduced by Austin into England, 
 in 596 ; for the Ancient Britons kept their Christianity pure, 
 without any mixture of human traditions, as they received it 
 from the disciples of Christ, and from the church of Rome 
 when she was pure, adhering strictly to the rules of the word 
 of God." 
 
 President Edwards of America, said: " In every age of this 
 dark time, (of popery,) there appeared particular persons in 
 all parts of Christendom, who bore a testimony against the 
 corruptions and tyranny of the church of Rome. There is no 
 one age of Antichrist, even in the darkest times, but ecclesias- 
 tical historians mention by name, who manifested an abhor- 
 rence of the pope and his idolatrous worship, and pleaded for 
 the ancient purity of doctrine and worship. God was pleased 
 to maintain an uninterrupted succession of many witnesses 
 through the whole time, in Britain, as well as in Germany and 
 France; private persons and ministers ; some magistrates and,- 
 persons of great distinction. And there were numbers, in 
 every age, who were persecuted and put to death for this testi- 
 mony."f ? 
 
 The faith and discipline of the Scottish churches in Ireland, 
 were the same with the British churchps, and their friendship 
 and communion reciprocal. The ordinances of the gospel in 
 both islands, at this time, were administered in their primitive 
 mode. The venerable Bede says, that the supremacy of Rome 
 was unknown to the ancient Irish. The worship of saints and 
 images was held in abhorrence, and no ceremonies used which 
 were not strictly warranted by Scripture. All descriptions of 
 people were not only allowed but desired to consult the sacred 
 writings as their only rule of conduct. 
 
 In short, from what we have stated, and the evidence pro- 
 duced by the learned Archbishop Usher, quoted by the Rev, 
 
 * See Doctrine of Baptism, by Benjamin Jones, f. A. Mon. p, H9 j and Sir 
 Saniuel Moreland, 
 t Edwards's History of Redemption, p. 305. 
 2 * 
 
18 HISTORY OF 
 
 William Hamilton, " we have the strongest reason to conclude 
 that these islands enjoyed the blessings of a pure enlightened 
 piety, such as our Savior himself taught, unembarrassed by any 
 of the idle tenets of the Romish church. 
 
 " When we cast our eyes on King Henry the second, advan- 
 cing towards this devoted nation, bearing the blopdy sword of 
 war in one hand, and the iniquitous bull of Pope Adrian in the 
 other, we have one of the strongest arguments to prove that this 
 was not originally an island of popish saints, and that the juris- 
 diction of Rome unquestionably was not established here."* 
 
 Respecting the Culdduon, singular Culdu,f or Culddu, the 
 plural of which our English friends made to end in s — thus, 
 Culdees — Bede says " preached only such work of piety and 
 charity as they could learn from the prophetical, evangelical, 
 and apostoilical writings. They firmly opposed the errors and 
 superstitions of the church of Rome. When the Romish monks 
 poured into the kingdom, they supplanted the Culdduon, or 
 Culdees, and by degrees got. possession of their colleges. 
 
 " The Culdees existed no longer in colleges, but they continued 
 to teach true Christianity apart ; so that the reign of error in 
 these parts was very short, and the darkness of the night was 
 intermixed with the light of many stars." 
 
 The_ above is taken from the Parish church, in the Religious 
 Magazine published in Philadelphia, in 1829. Note how re- 
 markably well this agrees with the Welsh History of the Bap- 
 tists, in the fact that the darkness of the night of pojiery was in- 
 termixed with many brilliant stars of Baptist ministers and 
 Baptist members, who maintained Baptist sentiments as they 
 received them of the apostles in the year 63, to the present 
 time. 
 
 It is well known to all who are acquainted with the history 
 of Great Britain, that Carloon, in South Wales, was a renowned 
 city in past ages, and a notable place for religion. In the tenth 
 persecution under Dioclesian, the pagan Roman Emperor, many 
 of the seed of Gomer suffered much. No less than three of 
 those martyrs were citizens of Carlson: Julius, Aaron, and 
 Amphibal, Baptist ministers. Many of the Welsh writings, 
 which were more valuable than the precious gold, were de- 
 stroyed at that time, which was about the year 285. And it 
 
 * Bede, Vita S. Columbi. Bede, Hist. Gent. Angl. lib. 3, c. 27. Brit, de 
 Hiberni, p. 703. Viae a curious treatise of Archbishop Usher on the rehgion 
 of the Ancient Irish. Vide Harding's Chron. c. 241. Also HamUton's Let 
 ter, p. 38 and 43. Also Bishop Lloyd's Historical Aco'oiint. 
 
 t Culdu IS a compound Welsh wonL Cul, thin; du, black. Gwr cul du 
 a thin black man; a tliin, grave, dark-looking man. > ' 
 
TUB WELSH BAPTISTS. 19 
 
 is remarkable, that where persecution raged the most, there the 
 church of Christ increased the most, and continued the longest. 
 There is no seed so productive as that which grows in the field 
 enriched by the blood of the martyrs. It appears that it can- 
 not be rooted up by all the stratagems of paganism, infidelity, 
 and popery ; and by all the superstitions and cruel persecutions 
 of nominal Christians. The vale of Carleon is situated be- 
 tween England and the mountainous part of Wales, just at the 
 .foot of the mountains. It is our valley of Piedmont; the moun- 
 tains of Merthyn Tydfyl, our Alps; and the crevices of the 
 rocks, the hiding-places of the lambs of the sheep of Christ, 
 where the ordinances of the gospel, to this day, have been ad- 
 ministered in their primitive mode, without being adulterated 
 by the corrupt church of Rome. It was no wonder that Penry, 
 Wroth, and Erbury, commonly called the first reformers of the 
 Baptist denomination in Wales, should have so mdinj follow- 
 ers at once, when we consider that the field of their labors was 
 the vale of Carleon and its vicinity. Had they like many of 
 their countrymen, never bowed the knee to the great Baal of 
 Rome, nor any of the horns of the beast in Britain, it is proba- 
 ble we should not have heard of their names ; but as they were^ 
 great and learned men, belonging to that religion, (or rather ir- 
 religion,) established by law, and particularly as they left that 
 establishment and joined the poor Baptists, their names are 
 handed down to posterity, not only by their friends but also' by 
 their foes, because more notice was taken of them than those 
 scattered Baptists on the mountains of the Principality. As 
 this denomination had always existed in the country, from tha 
 year 63, and had been so often and so severely persecuted, it 
 was by this time an old thing. But the men who left the 
 popish establishment were the chief objects of their rage ; par- 
 ticularly as they boldly and publicly headed that sect that is 
 every where spoken against, and planted and re-organized Bap- 
 tist churches throughout the country, like the men" who were 
 charged with turning the world upside down. The vale of 
 Olchon, also, is situated between mountains almost inaccessi- 
 ble. How many hundred years it had been inhabited by Bap- 
 tists before William Erbury ever visited the place, we cannot 
 tell. We have no account of him, or any other person, bap- 
 tizing any there before the time we know that there was a Bap- 
 tist church there; that is, in 1663. It is a fact that cannot be 
 controverted, that there were Baptists here at the commence- 
 ment of the Reformation; and no man upon earth can tell 
 when the church was formed,, and who began to baptize in this 
 little Piedmont. Whence came these Baptists? It|is univer- 
 
20 HISTORY OP 
 
 sally believed that it is the oldest church, but how old none can 
 tell. We know that, at the Reformation, in the reign of Charles 
 the First, they had a minister named Howell Vaughan, quite a 
 different sort of a Baptist from Erbur)?', Wroth, Vavasor Pow- 
 ell, and others, who were the great reformers, but had not re- 
 formed so far as they ought to have done, in the opinion of the 
 Olchon Baptists. And that was not to be wondered at;, for 
 they had dissented from the church of England, >nd probably 
 brought some of her corruptions with them, but the mountain 
 Baptists were not dissenters from that establishment. We 
 know that the reformers were for mixed communion, but the 
 Olchon Baptists received no such practices. In short, these 
 were plain, strict, apostolical Baptists. They would have or- 
 der and no confusion — the word of God their only rule. The 
 reformers, or the reformed Baptists who had been brought up in 
 the. established church, were for laying on of hands on the bap- 
 tized, but these Baptists whom they found on the mountains of 
 Wales were no advocates for it. As the Baptists of Piedmont 
 were much disappointed in the reformation of Luther; so these 
 on the mountains of the Principality were, in some degree, dis- 
 appointed in the reformation of their Baptist brethren in Wales ; 
 not compromise matters, with Austin, Indeed, they were so 
 for the Olchoii Baptists were like those Baptists that would 
 much like them, in many things too numerous to be mentioned, 
 that they must have been a separate people, maintaining the 
 order of the New Testament in every age and generation, from 
 the year 63 to the present time.* 
 
 Here it may not be improper to remark, that those ministers 
 who were first put to death by the English, through the instru- 
 mentality of that sanguinary saint, known by the name of 
 Austin, were men of learning as well as piety, brought up 
 either in the college of Bangor in the north, or the college of 
 Carleon in the south. These colleges were somewhat similar 
 to the confraternities of our Moravian Baptists, in former times, 
 or the mission house at Serampore, at the present time.f 
 
 * Thomas's History, Notwithstanding the Baptists in Wales were very 
 numerous in 1653, yet there were but six or seven churches of the old Baptist 
 order. However, the difference between them and V. Powell and other re. 
 formetB, was not a bar of communion, At the same time, it is evident, that 
 they had a more intimate fellowship with one another. Six of them joined to- 
 gether in an association: namely— .Olchon, Llanwenarth, Llantrisaint, Swan, 
 sea, and Carmarthen— the other was the church of Dolan. All the other 
 churohea, and numerous religious societies, gathered by the instrumentality of 
 the reformed Baptists, such as Penry, Erbnry, Wroth, V, Powell, and others, 
 had not as yet iomed this association, 
 
 t Any one who can understand the Welsh language, for farther information 
 may consult Tvnrog's History of the Church, written about the year 600, 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 21 
 
 The following are the names of a few of the most noted 
 Baptist ministers in Britain before the reformation : 
 
 1. Faganus. 
 
 2. Damicanus. 
 
 3. Alban. 
 
 8. Dynawt. 
 
 9. Tailo. 
 
 10. Padarn. 
 
 11. Pawlin. 
 
 12. Daniel.* 
 
 13. Dewi, or David. 
 
 4. Aaron. 
 
 5. Julius. 
 
 6. Gildas. 
 
 7. Dyfrig. 
 
 The names of several others are mentioned in Welsh manu« 
 scripts, as being noted; but in what respects we are not in- 
 formed : except William Tyndal, who translated the Bible into 
 the English language, and translated the five books of Moses 
 into the Welsh language, in the year 1520; for which he was 
 Jiut to death in 1536., He was born near the line between 
 England and Wales, but lived most of his time in Gloucester- 
 shire. Llewellyn Tyndal and Hezekiah Tyndal were mem- 
 bers of the Baptist church, at Abergaverney, South Wales. 
 
 And, also, Tysilio'a History of the Church, written about the same time, in a 
 book with a black stone covert See, also, Taleisin's Poems. Also, several 
 papers in Jesus' College, Oxford. 
 * Dr, Llewellyn's Historical Account, p. 2. See, also, Martyrology. 
 
22 HISTOEY OP 
 
 PART II. 
 
 Containing the History of the Welsh Baptists, from the Re- 
 formation to the year One thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy. 
 
 The following extracts are taken from Evans Martyn's Let- 
 ter, published in the eighth number, sixth vokime, of the Pitts- 
 burgh Christian Herald : 
 
 " While the Lord was employing the immortal Wickliff to 
 prepare his way in England, he remembered Wales in his ten- 
 der mercy, and visited her with the day spring' from on high. 
 The pioneer in the cause of the reformation in Wales was 
 'Walter Brute, who was a native of the Principality, and who 
 had been at Oxford^ where he became acquainted with Wickliff, 
 with whom he formed an intimacy, and fully entered into his 
 views respecting the reformation of the church. It is an old 
 adage, that like begets like, which was verified in the case of 
 Brute. Having reflected on the pitiable condition of his coun- 
 trymen, who were bewildered in the haze of ignorance, his 
 heart was moved with compassion. He left the university, en- 
 dowed with the principles, fortified with the intrepidity, and 
 fired with the zeal of his colleague ; and fully determined to 
 resist the delusions and abominations of the secular church 
 even unto blood, he entered his native land, where he soon dis- 
 tinguished himself." " Fox says, that Walter Brute was ' emi- 
 nent in learning, gifts, knowledge, eeal, and grace.' " 
 
 " He fearlessly sounded the trump of God throughout the 
 land, until, in a few years, the huge temple of Antichrist began 
 to crumble, and its gilded worshippers to tremble for their 
 safety. As his weapons were those of truth and righteousness, 
 and his cause the cause of God, his victory was certain, and 
 he soon became instrumental in rescuing the prey from the 
 mighty, and in. delivering many lawful captives. His disinte- 
 restedness becoming generally known, and his labors of love 
 appreciated, he found a number of steady friends among high 
 and low. It may be supposed, that in traversing the country 
 
THE WtLSH BAPTISTS. 23 
 
 to preach the truth, and to seek the lost sheep of the house of 
 Adam, that the established churches were closed against him ; 
 for we learn that he was preaching from, hoUse to house, and 
 in the chief places of concourse and elsewhere, and conducting 
 the worship of God with the greatest simplicity. He main-- 
 tained that baptism was not necessary to salvation ; and that it 
 Was to be administered to adults subsequently to conversion. 
 And he frequently took occassion to protest against the doctrines 
 and discipline of the established church. His zeal for the truth 
 and his exposures of the papacy, soon elicited the hostility of 
 the clergy, and fixed upon him all the envy of the sons of the 
 church. Such was the importance attached to him and the 
 cause he promoted, and such a wonderful reformation he had 
 been instrumental in producing, that all the attempts of ecclesi- 
 astical judicatories, and of the ministers of the civil law, to ar- 
 rest his progress, were vain and ineifectual. Finally, a petition 
 was presented to Richard II., king of England, praying his 
 majesty to interfere in behalf of the church, in the prosecution 
 of the heresiarch, Walter Brute, whose words the land was not 
 able to bear. The insolence, oppression, and exactions of the 
 clergy, had become quite intolerable to the lords and squires, 
 whose hereditary higli-mindedness would not suffer the sons of 
 Levi to surpass them in authority or splendor. Many of the 
 great congratulated Brute in putting a check to the clergy, from 
 no other principles than those of personal interest and envy ; 
 and gladly availed themselves of the opportunity to chastise 
 their powerful rivals. Besides, the reformation had so exten- 
 sively prevailed among all ranks, that some of the great and 
 nobles were pious reformers, and others were impelled to yield 
 to the force of public opinion. 
 
 In the year 1391, the king, wishing to show favor to the 
 church, issued a letter to the nobility of the Principality, in 
 Vvhich he imperiously enjoined them to assist Dr. John Trev- 
 nant. Bishop of Hereford, in apprehending and punishing Wal- 
 ter Brute and his adherents. Notwithstanding the peremptory 
 command of the king, and the unwearied vigilance of his ene- 
 mies, he was permitted to proceed unmolested in the prosecu- 
 tion of his work, till the year 1393, when he received a citation 
 to appear before the Bishop of Hereford, to answer to certain 
 charges of heresy. Fearless of consequences, the reformer 
 made his appearance on the affixed day, and presented a writ- 
 ten testimonial in defence of himself and of the truth for which 
 he was an advocate. In that testimonial, he a^wed his belief 
 in the doctrine of the Trinity; in the sufficiency of the Scrip- 
 tures, as the infallible rule of faith and practice; in the divmity 
 
24 BISTORT OF 
 
 of Christ; in reconciliation through his atoning sacrifice; in 
 the work of the Holy Spirit, &c., &c. In this defence, he also 
 took opportunity to prove that the pope was tlje Antichrist spo- 
 ken of in Scripture; and that the Roman church was Babylon 
 the Great, whose fall he described and proved in a lucid man- 
 ner. For some reasons, unknown to the writer, the stern re- 
 former was discharged before the trial had actually taken place, 
 and nothing is known of him after that event. We cannot 
 imagine vrhat induced the judges to dismiss him without any 
 examination. They were probably led to such a course, for 
 fear of violence from his followers, who were no less zealous 
 for their moral deliverer, than against all the orders of the po- 
 pish,,clergy. 
 
 ^,f Shortly afler our reformer had sounded the alarm against 
 the strong holds of the kingdom of darkness, and had exhorted 
 his countrymen to ' come out of Babylon that they might not 
 partake of her plagues,' numbers broke their fetters asunder, 
 and not a few among the clergy became witnesses for the truth. 
 In the reign of Richard II., and some of the subsequent reigns, 
 Davydd Ddu [David Black], of Hiraddug, on the borders of 
 Cardiganshire, and John Kent, D. D., of Grismond, in Mon- 
 mouthshire, distinguished themselves as steady reformers, and 
 by their preaching and writing were the means of effecting a 
 great amount of good." 
 
 " The reformers knew of the.obstacles to an extensive revi- 
 val of God's work, or to give an unshaken and permanent basia 
 to the reformed religion, while the people were destitute of the 
 Holy Scriptures. These considerations induced Davydd Ddu 
 to undertake the translation of the Bible, or at leagt some por- 
 tions of it, into Welsh ; specimens of which are now extant. 
 By the philanthropic and Christian industry of several friends 
 of the reformation, portions of the Sacred Word, were very ex- 
 tensively circulated. Dr. Kent, who was withal a respectable 
 bard, labored by the efforts of his pen, in prose and verse, to 
 reclaim the clergy from their indolence and vices, which he 
 manfully exposed. Both these divines were stigmatized as ma- 
 gicians; and various are the traditions respecting their disputes 
 with familiar spirits, and their sagacity in cheating the devil. 
 It may be fairly conjectured that these drolleries were circulated 
 by the clergy, to prejudice the minds -of the people against the 
 reformers. Yet all the efforts of the clerical order to cool the 
 zeal of these men, dnd to retard the progress of truth, were nu- 
 gatory. Revivals took place in the cloisters, and several 
 monks came forth from within their secluded walls, and let 
 their light shine, in all its brilliancy, before tnen. It was stated 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 25 
 
 to the writer, by a celebrated antiquarian, that such was the 
 progress of the reformation, that in the monastery of Margam, 
 in Glamorganshire, a large majority of monks had left it, and 
 had rallied round the standard of the reformers. This was the 
 only cloister of which I have any definite and substantiated ac- 
 count, as a theatre of revival ; but it is extremely probable, that 
 the same divine effects extended to other religious houses. Tho- 
 mas Evan ab Rhys was a monk from this monastery, and from 
 the extant traditions in regard to him, we can form an idea of 
 his ardent temperament and indefatigable exertions. When 
 this devoted man was traversing the hills and valleys of Wales, 
 to call his countrymen to awake to righteousness, persecution 
 had assumed a formidable aspect, and the fulminations of the 
 pontiff and his subalterns had spread terror, even in those warm 
 bosoms where the principles of the reformed religion had been 
 planted. Rhys was compelled to itinerate not only at the 
 constant peril of detection and death, but under the frequent 
 denial of the rites of hospitality, and often destitute of the 
 means of subsistence." 
 
 " Such were the struggles which some had to encounter, to 
 prepare Wales for a brighter day, and for a more tranquil and 
 blissful period, for which ages yei unborn shall reap the most 
 substantial benefits, and ascribe undivided praises to God for 
 the instruments he employed to accomplish his work." 
 
 In the year 1586, John ab Henry, called by the English John 
 Penry, an Episcopalian minister, who had a very liberal edu- 
 cation, and who was a very acceptable preacher in both the 
 colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, dissented from the church 
 of England and became a Baptist minister. Immediately he 
 commenced preaching to his countrymen throughout the Prin- 
 cipality. He became the ringleader of those Baptists in Wales, 
 who never had, and never would, bow the knee to the great 
 beast of Rome, nor any of his horns in England. He was 
 noted for piety, ministerial gifts, and zeal for the welfare of his 
 countrymen. He was a native of Brecknockshire, and the first 
 who publicly preached the gospel among the Baptists in Wales, 
 after the reformation ; which implies that the gospel was, more 
 or less, privately preached among the Baptists, on the Welsh 
 mountains, during the whole reign of popery. He also 'wrote 
 and published two books.*- Mr. Anthony Wood, an Episcopa- 
 
 * A View of some parts of such Public Wants and Disorders, as are in the 
 service of God, within her Majesty's country of Wales; with an humble Peti- 
 tion to the High Court of Parliament, for their speedy Redress. The other 
 was. An Exhortation unto the Governors and People of Wales, to labor eai. 
 neatly to have the preaching of the Gospel planted among them. 
 o 
 
26 HISTORY OF 
 
 Han minister, says that John Penry was the worst enemy the 
 church of England had through the whole reign of Queen 
 Elizabeth. He calls him a most notorious Anabaptist, of which 
 party he was, in his time, the Corypheus. As such, he had to 
 die the death of a martyr, in the year 1593, in the 34th year 
 of his age. He was remarkably active and useful while he 
 lived, and died triumphantly shouting, victory, victory, victory, 
 through the blood of the cross ! O death ! where is tJiy sting ? 
 O grave ! where is thy victory ? 
 
 In the year of our Lord 1620, Erbury and Wroth, ministers 
 of the gospel of the church of England, established by law in 
 Wales, dissented from that establishment. In what particular 
 steeple-house Mr. Erbury officiated, what were the means of 
 his conversion, and what were his reasons and motives for dis- 
 senting, we have not been able to ascertain from any written 
 or printed document; but from what we have read of him, 
 since he became a Baptist minister, we evidently see that he 
 was a good man, and a very eminent minister of the gospel of 
 Christ, who had his share of persecution as well as Mr. Wroth. 
 Their history is so blended, and their attachment to one an- 
 other, seemed to be so great, that we cannot well separate them. 
 However, Mr. Thomas of Leominister, in his Welsh history of 
 the Baptists in Wales, informs us, that he found the following 
 aceount, in a written paper in Monmouthshire, relative to Mr. 
 Wroth: A certain nobleman, in Mr. Wroth's parish, havimr 
 occasion to go to London to attend a law-suit, and having been 
 successful-, as soon as the news reached home that he had 
 gained the victory, Mr. Wroth the vicar, being very fond of 
 music, bought a new violin, for the purpose of joining the no- 
 bleman and his friends on their return, in feasting, music, and 
 dancing. The time was appointed, great preparations were 
 made, and the vicar, with his new violin, ready to receive him, 
 when_ the news came that he was dead ; so that their great 
 rejoicings were turned to bitter lamentation and mourning. 
 The vicar immediately fell upon his knees, and for the first 
 time in his life he prayed: Yes, he prayed from his heart ; he 
 most earnestly and fervently prayed, that the Lord would bless 
 that solemn event to them all; that the widow, the fatherless 
 children, himself, and all their friends, relatives, and connec- 
 tions, might consider the frailty of life, the vanity of the world, 
 the certainty of death, and the importance of eternal things. 
 
 This circumstance was the means of his conversion tdr God. 
 He then began to study the word of God, and preacljed with 
 power and energy, as one having authority. Now -he most 
 earnestly endeavored to glorify God, to exalt the Savior of sin- 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 27 
 
 ners, and to save precious and immortal souls. This new way 
 and new mapner of preaching, made a most wonderful excite- 
 ment in the country ; so that many cried out, " what shall we 
 do to be saved," and others persecuted them. But they travel- 
 led and preached together, through the whole region, showing 
 the nature and the requirements of the religion of Christ, in 
 such a manner that the vicars and the great men were most 
 dreadfully offendgd at them. But these two missionaries of the 
 cross were not discouraged by the rage of carnal and wordly- 
 minded men. The cause in which their hearts were engaged 
 was the cause of God. Glory to God in the highest, peace on 
 earth and good-will to men, was their motto. They considered 
 the man who becomes instrumental in saving one soul from 
 eternal ruin, as doing more good for his fellow creature, than 
 if he were to give him all the riches of the universe. The 
 most profound philosophers, the wisest statesmen, and the most 
 refined metaphysicians, with all their resources of natural light 
 and solid reason, leaves the mind in a bewildered state, desti- 
 tute of the knowledge of the only way that sinful men can be 
 restored to the favor of God, consistently with his veracity, the 
 requirements of his violated law, and the demands of divine 
 justice; but our Welsh' missiona^ries directed their countrymen 
 to Calvary, to the sufferings and death of Christ, where divine 
 justice shone with more splendor and ("^lory, than if all man- 
 kind were under the wrath and displeasure of God forever; 
 where divine mercy appeared brighter, than if we had been 
 saved without the execution of justice; and where it was mani- 
 fested, that the rights of divine government are so sacred and 
 inviolable, that they must be maintained though the spotless 
 Lamb of God should fall a sacrifice for sin. It appears that 
 this was the grand theme upon which they dwelt; the truth 
 which God has blessed to the conversion of our forefathers 
 on the Welsh mountains. But the more active they were in 
 their Master's service, the more enraged was the Prince of 
 Darkness, with his allied powers and confederates on earth. 
 Both of them were soon taken up and sent to London, to be 
 tried for their crime. In the year 1633, they received their 
 sentence, and in the year 1635', they were turned out of their 
 parishes.* But they cared not for these things. They preached 
 the gospel from house to house, from valley to valley, and 
 from mountain to mountain. By this time the Bible was 
 
 * See Neale's History of the Puritans, vol. 2, pp. 253, 275. Bennet's Me- 
 morial of the Reformation, p, 75. Rapin, vol, 1, p. 141. Athen. Oxon. vol. 1, 
 col. 253, (fee. 
 
as HISTORY OP 
 
 printed in the Welsh language, and the people began to search 
 the Scriptures, and found that it was even so therein recorded. 
 Some of Mr. Erbury's Letters to Mr. Morgan Lloyd, and one 
 letter to the Baplist churches in South Wales, may be seen in 
 Mr. Thomas Meredith's book printed in the year 1770, in the 
 Welsh language, and were it in our power to get at that book, 
 we should have been glad to present it before our readers. The 
 first Baptist church in Wales since the reformation, was con- 
 stituted by Erbury, on the plan of strict communion, in 1663. 
 The second was constituted on the principle of mixed commu- 
 nion, in the year 1639, at Llanfaches, in Monmouthshire, by 
 Mr. Wroth, assisted by Mr. Jesse* of London. Mr. Wroth be- 
 came the pastor of the church at Llanfaches, and labored 
 among them the remainder of his days. Mr. Erbury did not 
 settle any where, but preached in many places. We have not 
 seen any account of the death of these servants of God, but we 
 are inclined to believe, that as they lived the life of the 
 righteous, so, also, they died the death of the righteous. 
 
 Vavasor Powell was born in Radnorshire, South Wales. 
 He was brought up a minister in the established church, and 
 for some time officiated at Clun, on the borders of Shropshire. 
 One day, as he was breaking the Sabbath, one of the people 
 called Puritans, sharply reproved him ; so that he became con- 
 cerned about his soul. Soon after he went to hear Mr. Cra- 
 dock and others preach, and by the blessing of God on the 
 preaching of the gospel, he was brought from the broad to the 
 narrow road. He was inclined to suffer affliction with the peo- 
 ple of God, rather than to proceed in the ways of sin and folly. 
 Soon afterwards he was baptized on the profession of his faith, 
 and became a very popular preacher among the Baptists in 
 Wales, in the year of our Lord 1636. He was one of the most 
 zealous and useful preachers in the Principality. He often 
 preached throughout Wales, and in many parts of England. 
 "Being a man of liberal education, he was remarkably fluent in 
 both languages. He suffered much for the cause of Christ. In 
 1642, he was obliged to leave his native country, and to escape 
 for his life, for preaching the gospel; but he returned in the 
 year 1646, and preached boldly throughout the whole country; 
 sometimes in the churches, sometimes in dwelling houses. Yes, 
 he often preached salvation free in Jesus' name, in the public 
 markets, in the woods, and on the top of the mountains, to very 
 large and crowded congregations. In his tune, the state of 
 
 * Mr. Jesse was then an Independent, but became a Baptist minister, soon 
 afterwards. 
 
THE WELSH BAMISTS. 29 
 
 religion in Wales suffered much from the frowns and smiles of 
 earthly courts. In 1641 the war commenced between King 
 Charles and the parliament. In 1648 the king was conquered. 
 In 1658 Cromwell died. In 1660 King Charles the second 
 returned to England, and a most horrid persecution commenced. 
 When they had a king to reign over them, language is inade- 
 quate to express the sufferings of our Welsh brethren ; and 
 while they were without a king, they were too highly exalted 
 in honor and dignity. 
 
 After the return of Charles the second, many of the Baptists 
 in Wales were imprisoned, without either judge or jury, or any 
 sort of trial or regular commitment whatever. Hundreds of 
 them were taken from their beds at night, without any regard 
 to age, sex, or the inclemency of the weather,- and were driven 
 to prison on foot, fifteen or twenty miles, and if they did not 
 keep up with their drivers on horseback, they were most cruelly 
 and unmercifully whipped. And while their drivers would 
 stop to drink at taverns, the poor sufferers were pounded like 
 cattle, during the pleasure of the king's friends ; and their 
 property was forfeited to the king, except what was deemed 
 necessary to defray the expenses of their drivers. All this was 
 only the beginning of sorrows. It was nothing in comparison 
 to the sufferings they endured, for the space of six and twenty 
 years afterwards; when King William landed in England, on 
 the 5th day of December, 1688 — a day for the manifestation of 
 the goodness of God in a very peculiar manner; for even a 
 yoke is far better than a most dreadful heavy yoke, but liberty 
 is ten thousand times better than either. 
 
 Vavasor Powell had to endure his part in all these persecu- 
 tions. He was immured in no less than thirteen prisons. In 
 fact, he was in prison all the time from the restoration of 
 Charles the second to the end of his life ; which happened on 
 the 27th day of September, 1670. His last illness continued 
 about a month. He greatly rejoiced with joy unspeakable and 
 almost full of glory, under the consideration that he was so 
 near eternal glory. There were no less than twelve elegies 
 published by his friends on his death. Some of the Episcopa- 
 lian ministers wrote against him, and called their book " The 
 Hue and Cry," which he most nobly answered. The title of 
 his book is, " Examen et Purgamen Vavasoris." " He was a 
 most successful preacher- of the last generation; a faithful wit- 
 ness to the present generation ; an4 a good pattern to the next 
 generation."* He was the means of gathering and forming the 
 
 * The above is engraved on his tombstone. See Thomas's History. Alsij, 
 Vavasor Powell's Life. 
 
 3* 
 
30 HISTOKY OP 
 
 church at Llanbrynmar, and several other congregations, con- 
 sisting of five or six hundred comraunicants, who were not 
 then regularly formed into churches. 
 
 Howell Vaughan was the first pastor that we know of, in one 
 of the first Baptist churches formed in Wales, called Olchon, 
 on the borders of Herefordshire. Though the church was re- 
 freshed through the instrumentality of Mr. Erbury, and often 
 fed by the labors of Vavasor Powell, yet neither of them was 
 properly the pastor of the church at Olchon. What time 
 Howell Vaughan commenced preaching we know not, neither 
 can we find out when and where he was ordained. But, how- 
 ever, we find him the pastor of the church at the time of the 
 reformation. He was not a learned man, like Erbury, Wroth, 
 and Powell, as he never had a college education ; but he was a 
 plain, conscientious, and godly man, remarkably well versed 
 in Scripture. He was a very good preacher, well calculated to 
 feed the church of God with knowledge and understanding. 
 The church under his pastoral care, though small at first, in a 
 short time increased most wonderfully. This part of Zion's 
 tent, through the labors of H. Vaughan, was so enlarged, that 
 in the year 1649, it reached as far as Hay and Clifford. Hay 
 being a market town, and many of the members living there at 
 this time, it was thought best for the church to meet there. 
 And the first meeting-house since the reformation, belonging 
 to the Baptists in Wales, was built there. However, after the 
 branches were formed into separate churches, the mother 
 church met at the old place. There is no meeting-house at 
 Olchon to this day. Our old mother has brought forth and 
 raised up many daughters, and has assisted them in building 
 large and elegant houses, while she herself dwells in a cabin. 
 And we are sorry to say, that she is too much neglected by 
 her children. The place of her habitation was well chosen in 
 the time of persecution ; being situated between two mountains, 
 almost impassable, and altogether so for the silver slippers of 
 this day. We have not seen any account of the death of H. 
 Vaughan. We find him in the first Baptist association formed 
 in Wales since the reformation, held at Abergavenny, Mon- 
 mouthshire, on the 14th and 15th days of August, 1653. We 
 have been informed, that he was well calculated to feed the 
 church of God with knowledge and understanding. Zeal with- 
 out knowledge is like an ignis-fatuus. He, therefore, taught 
 the people to know themselves; to know something more of 
 God; to know something more of Christ ; and something more 
 of the glorious things exhibited in the gospel. For every one 
 that loveth is born of God and knoweth Goi It was his ear- 
 
THE WliLSH BAPTISTS. 31 
 
 nest prayer, that their love might abound more and more, in 
 knowledge and in all judgment; that they might put on the 
 new man, which is renewed in knowledge ; that they might 
 increase in the knowledge of him, whom to know is life eternal. 
 He, therefore, endeavored to enlighten the understanding, not 
 to amuse his hearers with lively conceptions of shapes and co-- 
 lors, or of voices and sounds; for there is nothing more delu- 
 sive than mere impressions on the imagination, while the under- 
 standing is not illuminated. He also taught them the difference 
 between speculative knowledge, and that knowledge which is 
 connected with the affections, in which there is something that 
 not only sees but also feels. 
 
 William Thomas began to preach at Llanfaches, Glamorgan* 
 shire, in the year 1638, about twelve months before the church 
 was formed there ; which was the second church formed in 
 Wales since the reformation. Mr. Wroth being old, William 
 Thomas was ordained his co-pastor, and labored with accept- 
 ance and success, until the year 1641, when by reason of per- 
 secution in that part of the world, he fled to another, and ar- 
 rived in Bristol, England ; where be preached and baptized a 
 great many. He was a very learned man, brought up in Ox- 
 ford college. He did not settle over any congregation in Eng- 
 land, but kept school in Bristol, where many young ministers 
 were educated. In Cromwell's time, he returned to Wales, 
 and preached in St. Mary's church, near Swansea. He was 
 turned out of that church on the restoration of Charles the se- 
 cond. He kept school afterwards at Swansea, and often 
 preached at Carmarthen, and other destitute places. After he 
 was turned out of St. Mary's, he became a member of the Bap- 
 tist church at Swansea. We have an account of his having 
 been sent as a messenger from Swansea to three associations. 
 Before his death he returned to Llantrisaint, near Llanfaches,, 
 from where he went to Bristol. At this time the Baptists met 
 at Llantrisaint. In the association held at Abergavenny, this 
 church proposed to revive the old plan of supporting ministers 
 in weak and destitute churches ; which was for the strongest to 
 help the weakest. William Thomas was appointed home mis- 
 sionary for six months, and received from Swansea, £5 ; Llan- 
 trisaint, £2 10s.; Carmarthen, £2 10s. 
 
 William Thomas died, July 26, 1671, and was buried at 
 Llantrisaint. 
 
 Our Welsh brethren were great advocates fbr the ancient 
 ©rder of things. They adopted the old plan of supporting mis- 
 sionaries. The gospel, through the channel of missions, has; 
 made its way to many parts of the world; and through th» 
 
32 irisTORY OF 
 
 very same channel, will shortly go over the whole world. 
 Our blessed Redeemer condescended to undertake a mission 
 into this sinful world. God so loved the world, that he sent 
 his only begotten Son; and in every sense of the word, he was 
 a missionary while he was upon earth. And the apostles who 
 drank deep into the same Spirit, and having received their 
 commission from Christ their head and leader, to go into all 
 the world, became so many missionaries to proclaim salvation 
 free in Jesus' name. These missionaries are dead, but the 
 God of missions ever liveth, to raise up new missionaries, to 
 assist and protect them, and to bless their labors. 
 
 Is it absolutely necessary that sinners who live in darkness, 
 without hope, and without God in the world, should hear the 
 gospel? that they should repent and believe the gospel? that 
 they should be partakers of that faith that purifieth the heart? 
 that repentance that needeth not to be repented of? that Chris- 
 tian watchfulness against sin? that vehement desire for a holy 
 life? and that zeal which is according to knowledge? If it is, 
 will not that love which is stronger than death, constrain them 
 to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow the Lord 
 through evil and good report? And how are they to be made 
 partakers of these precious graces? Faith comes by hearing 
 the gospel, and the gospel comes by the means of missionaries. 
 But how can missionaries preach except they be sent? And 
 who is going to send them empty-handed? The age of mira- 
 cles is gone; and God has ordained that those who devote 
 themselves entirely to the preaching of the gospel should live 
 of the gospel. 
 
 " Roger Williams was born in Wales, in the year 1598. 
 He was brought up a lawyer, under the patronage of Sir Ed- 
 ward Coke; but finding that employment not agreeable to his 
 taste, he turned his attention to divinity. His preaching was 
 highly esteemed, and his private character very much revered ; 
 but as he embraced the sentiments of the Puritans, he was so 
 much exposed to suffering, that he was compelled to leave his 
 native country. He embarked for America, on the 5th day of 
 February, 1631. He preached first at Salem, and afterwards 
 at Plymouth, New England; but on account of his Baptist sen- 
 timents, and the doctrine of liberty of conscience, of which he 
 was a great advocate, he was banished from New England in 
 the year 1636. He ventured among the savages, pitched his 
 tent, near a spring* of water in the wilderness, and called the 
 name of the place 'Providence.' Being kindly received and 
 
 * Kow near the Episcopal chiavh in Providence. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 33 
 
 highly esteemed by the Indians, he soon learned their lan- 
 guage, and bought of them that tract of land now known by 
 the name of Rhode Island. He became the parent and found- 
 er of that state, and was the first who planted the standard of 
 liberty on the American shore. Many of his friends soon re- 
 paired to the new settlement; and by the assistance of Sir 
 Henry Vane, he obtained from England, a free and absolute 
 charter of civil incorporation, dated March 17, lt>44. 
 
 In the year 1639, he formed a Baptist church at Providence, 
 Rhode Island, which is the first church of the Baptist deno- 
 mination in America. The second was founded at Newport, 
 by John Clark in 1644. The third, which is the second 
 church in that town, was founded 1656. The church at Swan- 
 sea began by our Welsh brother, John Miles, was the fourth 
 Baptist church in the New World. 
 
 Roger Williams, as a scholar, as a Christian, and as a minis- 
 ter, was truly respectable. He was one of the most disinte- 
 rested men that ever lived, and a most pious' and heavenly- 
 minded soul. It is said of him, that instead of showing any 
 revengeful temper, he was continually employed in acts of 
 kindness and benevolence to his enemies. 
 
 Roger Williams justly claims the honor of being the first le- 
 gislator in the world, who fully and effectually provided for, 
 and established a free, full, and absolute liberty of conscience;* 
 for the true grounds of liberty were not fully understood in 
 America, until he publicly avowed that Christ alone is king in 
 his own kingdom. Liberty of conscience, as the most darling 
 principle, was planted in the soil of Rhode Island by this emi- 
 nent Welshman, long before the red men left it, or even the 
 lofty forests were laid waste, and has been transmitted from 
 father to son with the most studious care. It was interwoven 
 in every part of the state constitution, has extended its influence 
 to all transactions, both civil and sacred ; and in no part of the 
 world has it been more inviolably maintained. It is the glory 
 and boast of Rhode Island, that no one within her bounds was 
 ever legally molested on account of his religious opinions, and 
 that none of her annals are stained with acts to regulate those 
 important concerns, which lie wholly between man and his 
 Maker. 
 
 Roger Williams not only founded a state, but through his in- 
 fluence among the Indians, he became the Savior of all the other 
 colonies. He held his pastoral office four years, and then re. 
 signed the same to Mr. Broom, and preached among the Indians, 
 
 * Governor Hopkins. 
 
34 HISTORY OP 
 
 until he died in the year 1682, aged 84, and was buried in his 
 own lot, hear Mr. Dorr's house, on Benefit street. Providence, 
 Rhode Island."* 
 
 Hugh Evans was a native of Radnorshire, South Wales. 
 He began to preach in the year 1642. He was the first settled 
 minister in that county. On account of wars and commotions 
 ia his native country, he went to Coventry in England, when 
 he was young ; and there he found the Lord gracious to his 
 soul; there he was converted, baptized, and received as a mem- 
 ber of the Baptist church. He proved to be a very godly and 
 lively man in religion. After he began to preach, he felt much 
 concern for the state of religion in Wales. His love for the 
 truth and for his country was most wonderful. He even de- 
 spised the honor and riches of which he had a good prospect 
 in Eqsland, and settled with his poor countrymen in Wales. 
 Having, however, received a liberal education, under the in- 
 structions of Rev. Jeremiah Ives, before he returned. He was 
 a very laborious, useful, and acceptable preacher, all the days 
 of his life. Through his instrumentality, the church at Dolan, 
 in the county of Radnor was formed. He died in the year 
 1656. Paul-like, this good man could say the truth in Christ, 
 his conscience also bearing him witness, that he had a great 
 heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart, for his kinsmen 
 according to the flesh ; so that it was his most earnest desire, 
 that he should be set apart by Christ his heavenly Master and 
 glorious Redeemer, to preach the everlasting gospel to them. 
 Like Paul, who reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and 
 judgment to come, Mr. Evans always considered mankind, not- 
 withstanding the depravity of their nature, as reasonable crea- 
 tures, who are under the greatest obligations to love God and 
 keep his commandments; for the worship of God is a reasona- 
 able service. Nothing is more rational than the testimony of 
 Divine Revelation, that God is a Spirit, and, therefore, they 
 that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth ; that 
 God is love, therefore we ought to love him ; and that God is 
 good, merciful, just, and holy, therefore we should consider it 
 our privilege as well as our duty, to live holily, soberly and 
 righteously; to be holy, for God is holy; to render to every 
 one his due; to render to God the praise and adoration due to 
 his name, and the obedience due to his commands; and to be 
 just and honest in all our dealings with our fellow creatures: 
 this is our reasonable service. 
 
 Morgan Lloyd began to preach in 1643. He was converted 
 
 * Benediet's History ef the Baptists in America. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 35 
 
 under the ministry of Mr. Cradock, an Independent preacher. 
 He was a very wise, shrewd man, remarkable for ready an- 
 swers, and a very acceptable preacher throughout Wales, both 
 North and South. A great man for deepness of thought and 
 correctness in composition ; but often too mysterious in his ex- 
 pressions. He kept up a regular correspondence with Mr. 
 Erbury. Those letters contain very valuable matter, relative 
 to the labors, sufferings, and success of both of them. Morgan 
 Lloyd published several small books in Welsh ; such as Llyfr 
 y tri Aderyn ; Gair o'r Gair ; Yr Ymrhoddiad ; and others. 
 
 We have seen a copy of a letter which he wrote to a friend 
 in Welsh, in the translation of which we must acknowledge 
 that we are not able to do justice; not only owing to the differ- 
 ent idioms of the two languages, but on account of the peculiar 
 turn of mind of the person who composed the original. But, 
 however, for its antiquity it should not be entirely lost : 
 
 " Weexham, the 14th day of > 
 the 11th month, 1655. ] 
 "Dear Madam: 
 
 " Many who have misspent their breath in life are asthma- 
 tical in death. Redeem the time, for with you also the days 
 are evil. You should always consider that the true God is a 
 sufficient God. Every thing that you see in this world as a 
 branch, is in him as a root. Rejoice in the invisible goodness. 
 Those that are planted in the house of the Lord, shall revive in 
 their old age as the corn, and shall grow as the vine spoken of 
 in the 14th chapter of Hosea. In the midst of the storm, they 
 have that anchor spoken of in Hebrews, 6tb chapter. Many 
 souls are fast asleep. Some are half awake, and they will be 
 nodding when the Bridegroom shall come. But death will 
 shake them ; yes, it will shake them from the world and the 
 things thereof. Ask the Lord to awake you in this life, that 
 the peace of your soul may not be disturbed hereafter. When 
 you feel within you any spiritual pain, you must think that it Ls 
 a wind of love from God, to winnow the "Chaff from the wheat 
 in your heart, that Christ may be chief within. We all here, 
 in the goodness of God, salute you and my sisters. 
 
 "MoR. Lloyd." 
 
 Writing to his mother-in-law, he says : 
 
 *■- 
 
 " You have a little grand-daughter here, of the name ot 
 Elizabeth Lloyd. It is nothing but a candle lighted by the 
 blessed Father of our Spirits. But for your daughter, my dear 
 
38 HISTORY OF 
 
 wife, the Lord has enlarged upon her when she was in distress. 
 Consolation will come, if we will wait for it with an easy mind. 
 Let God do his own work and let us do our work. 
 
 "MoR. Lloyd." 
 
 We have not seen any account of the death of Morgan 
 Lloyd. He must have had his share of persecution, under 
 Charles the first, for five years at least after he began to preach. 
 Many good ministers at that time left their native country, and 
 have never been heard of since. Some went to America, whose 
 names are highly spoken of by American historians, of whom 
 the Welsh have no account whatever. It is said that Morgan 
 Lloyd was in the habit of riding a very good horse. Once 
 meeting with two gentlemen — one a lawyer, the other a jus- 
 tice of the peace — the magistrate said, " Why do you ride such 
 a good horse, sir? why don't you ride an ass like your Mas- 
 ter?" " His Majesty has converted so many asses to justices 
 that an ass cannot be found for money," was the reply. 
 " Well done," said the lawyer; "but I find that his Majesty 
 cannot teach them so much wit, as to mind their own business 
 and let other people alone." 
 
 Thomas Watkins began to preach at Olchon in 1643. He 
 lived at a place called Maes y ffin, near Capel y ffin. He 
 lived through the whole persecution of the two Charles, and 
 enjoyed six or seven years of calmness afterwards. He was 
 one of the most laborious and most successful ministers in the 
 Principality. He was well calculated for the discipline of 
 churches. For this very purpose he was sent for, in the year 
 1668, by the church at Rhydwilim, Carmarthenshire, the dis- 
 tance of near one hundred miles. We may safely say, that as 
 a man, he was much respected; and as a preacher, though 
 plain, yet he was truly evangelical. His sermons, though not 
 ornamental, were particularly scriptural; and he often was 
 highly favored with the presence of his divine Master. He 
 lived and acted up to the profession which he made, and the 
 character which he sustained. Yes, verily, he was a burning 
 and a shining light, who not only enlightened the understand- 
 ing, but warmed the hearts of many. He left behind him a 
 good name, which is ten thousand times better than silver and 
 gold, or the most precious ointment. ' 
 
 Thomas Watkins had a peculiar turn of mind, to manage 
 unruly members ; to teach the churches to do all things de- 
 cently and in order; to have compassion on one another; to 
 love one another; and to be pitiful and courteous, not rendering 
 evil for evil, or railing for railing;, to avoid any root of bitter- 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 37 
 
 ness. He was a very strict observer of the golden i-ule in 
 Matthew 18:15, and would never suffer any case to come to 
 the church when that rule had been neglected. And when any 
 one brought any thing to the church, in any manner contrary 
 to that rule, no notice was taken of it ; but the person who vio- 
 lated the rule, in bringing any case to the church contrary to 
 it, was recognised by the church as an offender— not against 
 them as a church, nor against any individual on earth — but as 
 a violator of the positive law of Christ the Head of the church. 
 Carnal reason teaches that it is the duty of the offender to go 
 to the offended, but the law of Christ commands the offended 
 to go to the offender. If thy brother offend or trespass against 
 thee, go and tell him his fault, between thee and him alone ; 
 which ought to be done in the spirit of the gospel, and every 
 punctilio of that rule should be observed ; and if the case must 
 come to the church at last, both the offender and the offended 
 should abide by its decision. This is mentioned, as a specimen 
 of the manner by which Thomas Watkins observed the order 
 of the house of God. Our limits will not admit us to enlarge. 
 
 Walter Prosser was born at Llanelly, Carmarthenshire. It 
 appears that he and one Mr. Meredith, began to preach in that 
 part of the world, about the year 1644. What became of Mr. 
 Meredith we know not. It is supposed that he went to America, 
 because of the persecution in Wales. As for Walter Prosser, 
 he went to Olchon, the Welsh Piedmont, at the foot of the Black 
 Mountains, in the year 1652. He was a messenger from that 
 chui-ch to the association at Abergavenny in 1654, when he 
 was appointed to devote some of his time to supply the church 
 at Carmarthen, then destitute of a pastor, though the two 
 churches are about eighty miles distant from each other. It 
 was not a strange thing in those days, for ministers to supply 
 churches one hundred miles apart, while some good and even 
 great preachers in Wales, at present, never have been fifty 
 miles from home. 
 
 Walter Prosser was not learned, but he was a gifted and ac- 
 ceptable preacher. In Cromwell's time he removed from Ol- 
 chon to Dredynog, in Monmouthshire, and preached there until 
 the restoration of Charles the second, when he was driven from 
 there. Afterwards he joined the Baptist church at Llantrisaint, 
 in the neighborhood of Dredynog. 
 
 Notwithstanding Charles the second was not much better 
 than a devil incarnate ; yet to whip the Baptist ministers out of 
 the steeple-houses was not one of his worst actions, if he had 
 let them alone afterwards; for they had no business there. 
 Those houses better became the tithe-gatherers than the minis- 
 4 
 
38 HISTORT OP 
 
 ters of the cross. Worldly prosperity, pomp, and grandcnr^ 
 are dangerous; and however contrary to reason^ or common 
 sense, and however painful and disagreeable to flesh and 
 blood is persecution, yet it winnows the chaff from the wheat, 
 and unites the people of God together in love; so that they may 
 value their privileges, and be more earnest before God in prayer. 
 May the happy inhabitants of the United States of America 
 praise God for their liberty, and always recollect, that where 
 much is given, much is required. 
 
 John Miles began to preach about the year 1645. He was 
 the foynder of the Baptist church at Swansea, Glamorganshire, 
 South Wales. He was one of the greatest advocates for close 
 communion in the Principality, in his time, and the leading' 
 minister of the Baptist denomination in Wales. 
 
 The church at Swansea was formed in the year 1644. In 
 that year, John Miles, the pastor of the church at Swansea, 
 wrote a letter to the church of Olchon, in which he promised 
 to pay them a visit and defend the practice of close communion ; 
 which also he did. And in the following year, he sent there 
 another epistle on that subject, which may be seen recorded in 
 the church book at Abergavenny. 
 
 In 1651 ho was sent as the representative of all the Baptist 
 churches in Wales, to the Baptist ministers' meeting, at Gla- 
 zier's Hall, London, with a letter giving an account of the peace, 
 union, and increase of the Baptist churches; and returned with 
 a written letter from the London ministers to their brethren in 
 Wales, in which they were advised to form new churches; so 
 that their members who lived at a distance, might be made more 
 useful ; and that several of the small churches so formed should 
 meet together, as often as convenient, to break bread. And as 
 their ordained ministers were comparatively few, they were 
 advised to look put for the most gifted among Ihemselve,'!, by 
 whom they might be edified in the Lord ; for, in so doing, they 
 might find out some to labor in word and doctrine among them. 
 Mr. Miles wrote an excellent letter to the new-formed church 
 at Abergavenny, which they most preciously preserved, for tho 
 benefit of the rising generation.* In the year 1600, after tho 
 restoration of Charles the second, he was most dreadfully per- 
 secuted ; when he fled for his life to New-England, in North 
 America. Mr. Thomas, our Welsh historian, concludes by 
 observing, that if ever any accounts of the Baptists in America 
 should be published, and ever come to Wales, he would most 
 sincerely hope, that some farther account of our dear brother 
 
 * it is reeorded in iheii Cbureh Book. 
 
THE WEI.SII HAPTISTS. 39 
 
 Miles may be seen by his countrymen ; which we are sorry to 
 say has not beten realized to this doy. 
 
 However, this moment, while we have Edwards' and Bene- 
 dict's History before us, we must, for the benefit of our Welsh 
 brethren, once more appear before the "public, in clothes bor- 
 rowed from American manufacture. 
 
 "In 1663, John Miles came over from Wales, and began 
 the church which has contintied to this day. He founded a 
 Baptist church at Swansea, in his native country,' in 1649, and 
 was one of about two thousand ministers, who were ejected 
 from their places of worship, by the cruel act of uniformity in 
 1662.* Some of Mr. Miles's company came over with him, 
 Jind at the house of John Butterworth, in Rehoboth, they, to the 
 number of seven, united in a solemn covenant. Their names 
 were, Elder John Miles, James Brown, Nicholas Turner, Jo- 
 seph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsly, and Benja- 
 min Alby. 
 
 This measure. became offensive to the orthodox churches of 
 the colony. The court was solicited to interpose its influence; 
 and the members of this little Baptist church were iincd, five 
 pounds each, for setting up a public meeting, without the know- 
 ledge and* approbation of the court, to the disturbance of the 
 peace of the place. They were ordered to desist from their 
 meeting for the space of a month, and advised to remove their 
 meeting to 'some other place, where tbcy might not prejudice 
 any other church. f 
 
 Not long after, they built a meeting house, near Kelly's 
 Bridge, at the upper end of Warren, on a neck of land, which 
 is now in the township of Barrington. Afterwards it was re- 
 moved to the place where the present meeting house stands, 
 which is only three miles from Warren and about ten from 
 Providence. In 1667, the Plymouth Court, instead of passing 
 the sentence of banishment against this little company of Bap- 
 tists, as the men of Boston had done against Gould and his as- 
 sociates, made them an ample grant of Wannamoiset, which 
 they called Swansea. It then included the extensive territory 
 which has since been divided into the towns of Swansea, War- 
 ren, and Barrington. Barrington and 'Warren, now in Rhode 
 Island, were then claimed by the Plymouth colony, and after- 
 wards by the Massachusetts government, until 1741. 
 
 * As we had closed the Welsh account of Mr. Miles, before we had seen 
 the American Histoiy, it is with pleasure we obser\-e the dates. 
 
 t Poor Brother Miles! who would imagine that the demon of persecution 
 would meet thee in happy America, ^mong those people who had escaped f«r 
 their lives from Old England, 
 
40 HISTORY OF 
 
 What is now the town of Swansea became the residence of 
 the Baptists ; and no church of the Pedobaptists has ever been 
 established here, to perplex and fleece them. However, some 
 of their members, who resided in other towns around, were at 
 times harassed with ministerial tajces ; but their sufferings, of 
 this kind were trifling compared with what their brethren in 
 other places endured. 
 
 Beside the constituent members of this church, there were 
 families of the name of Luther, Cob, Bowen, Wheaton, Mortin, 
 Barns, Thurber, Bosworth, Meison, Child, &c., among the 
 early planters of Swansea ; whose posterity are still numerous 
 in the surrounding country. 
 
 Mr. Miles continued pastor of the church, until his death in 
 1683. What few sketches have been preserved of his life, go 
 to show that he bore an excellent character, and was eminently 
 useful in his day. 
 
 He lived near a bridge which still bears his name, but a 
 ' small distance from the present meeting house. He labored 
 frequently with his brethren in Boston, in the time of their 
 sufferings ; and at one time there was a proposition for his be- 
 coming their pastor, which was not, however carried into effect. 
 
 We are told, that being once brought before the magistrates 
 for preaching, he requested a Bible, and opened at these words 
 in Job — ' Ye should say. Why persecute we him, seeing the 
 root of the matter is in himf ^ — which having read, he sat down. 
 And such an effect had the sword of the Spirit, that he was 
 afterwards treated with moderation, if not with kindness."* 
 
 William Prichard began to preach about the year 1649; 
 formed a church at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, South Wales, 
 1652; was ordained pastor of that church in 1653. He was 
 one of the original thirteen that constituted the churph, and con- 
 tinued their faithful, laborious, and highly esteemed pastor, for 
 sixty years, through the whole of the most severe persecutions 
 of that monster, commonly called King Charles, as well as 
 through the calmness the churches enjoyed in Cromwell's time ; 
 and we can truly say of him, what we cannot say of some of 
 his brethren, that he neither courted the smiles nor feared the 
 frowns of earthly courts. 
 
 When King Charles the first was beheaded, the bishops de- 
 
 * Benedict informs us, tliat large extracts were taken from- the records of 
 the Swansea church, by Mr. Backus, and sent over to Mr. Thomas, of Leo- 
 minister, England, the historian of the Welsh Baptists ; but by the expressions 
 made by Mr. Thomas in concluding 'Mr. Miles's history, as above, it appears 
 those records never came to handi They must have been lost, if sent by Mrji, 
 Backus, 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 41 
 
 throned, and the forms and ceremonies of that worship estab- 
 lished by law was done away with, Cromwell's commissioners 
 appointed ministers of every denomination that were willing to 
 officiate in the churches, and to receive payment from govern- 
 ment. And we are sorry to say, that some of the Baptist minis- 
 ters accepted that generous offer. But our Brother Prichard 
 would have nothing to do with that antichristian system. He 
 neither would preach in their parish churches, nor take any 
 poney from government for preaching. Not that he did not 
 want money, for he was a poor man, and his church was so 
 poor, that other churches, such as Olchon and Llantrisaint, 
 assisted tp support hini in the pastoral office. But he would 
 have nothing but the people's freewill offering. , He never was 
 an advocate for the union between church and state, under any 
 form of government whatever. The members of the church 
 under his care, were residing at a great distance frome one an- 
 other ; so that he was a circuit preacher within the bounds of 
 his own church. As yet, the Baptists in those parts had no 
 meeting houses. About the year 1697, Mr. Prichard had a 
 meeting house built within two miles of the town of Aberga- 
 venny, in the parish of Llanwenarth, where the church meets 
 to this day ; consisting, at present, of about six hundred mem- 
 bers. In the year 1668, he formed a Baptist church at Rhyd- 
 wilim, about one hundred miles from Llanwenarth. In 1689 
 he attended the general association in London, as the represen- 
 tative of the Welsh churches. In 1696 he -formed a church at 
 Blaenegwent, consisting of sixty members when formed. In 
 J669 he formed another church at Maesyberllan. He was a 
 very diligent and useful preacher, at home and abroad, until he 
 idied in the Lord, in the year 1709. 
 
 John Tombs. In the year 1653, there was a public debate 
 on baptism, at Abergavenny, between Mr. Tombs and Mr. 
 Cragg : the former a Baptist, the latter a Pedobaptist. Many 
 were convinced that believers are the only subjects of baptism, 
 and that immersion is the only mode of baptism ; and more than 
 forty persons were baptized and added to the church under the 
 pastoral care of Mr. Prichard. We do not know from where 
 Mr. Tombs came to Abergavenny. How long he continued 
 there, and what became of him afterward we cannot tell. He 
 most 'dreadfully irritated and mortified Mr. Cragg, and most 
 nobly defended the Baptist principles. This is all we have 
 ever read of him. 
 
 Abbot was a Baptist preacher in the parish church at 
 
 Abergavenny, in Cromwell's tinie. In 1660 he was turned 
 out from there, and joined the Baptist association. 
 4* 
 
42 HISTORV OF 
 
 Jenkin Jones was a Baptist preacher whose name is often 
 mentioned by our Welsh historians; but not one of them has 
 given us any particular account of him. In Thomas's History 
 of the Baptists in Wales, his name is mentioned as a travelling 
 preacher of the Baptist denomination, as early as the year 
 1541. In Cromwell's time, we merely find his name men- 
 tioned as one of the commissioners that were appointed to 
 examine and judge who were qualified, or rather who pos- 
 sessed those qualifications, which rendered them fit ministers to 
 officiate in the different parishes, and to be paid by government. 
 No doubt the government paid him well while he held that sta- 
 tion; but King Charles made him smart for it. From the his- 
 tory of the church at Rhydwilim, and other documents, where 
 his name is as it were accidentally mentioned, we learn that he 
 was imprisoned in the castle at Carmarthen, for a considerable 
 time. He never became a pastor of any church,* nor was he 
 much esteemed by the Baptists, after he became a commissioner 
 in the regulation of church and state; which was highly offen- 
 sive to the Baptist churches. They were not so much against 
 a minister's preaching occasionally in a parish church; but 
 they were decidedly against their being supported by govern- 
 ment; and would rather their ministers would never darken 
 the doors of those houses, built by king's-craft and priest-craft, 
 with the poor people's money. The rise and progress of the 
 Baptist interest in Wales, are not indebted to the labors of such 
 men. In every place throughout the Principality, in the time 
 of most dreadful persecution, where the ministers kept with 
 their flocks, and preached to them by night when they could 
 not preach to them by day, in the woods and on the mountains ; 
 and in the times of peace and calmness, led their flocks by the 
 still waters, and fed them with heavenly manna; we positively 
 say, that in every place where the ministers thus acted, there 
 is a Baptist church there to this day. Some of them now con- 
 tain seven or eight hundred members ; and many of their per- - 
 secuted ministers and members have heard the joyful sound, 
 " Well done, ye good and faithful servants." 
 
 Thomas Parry was baptized and joined the church at 01- 
 chon, about the year 1641, and continued therein an honorable 
 membe^r, main pillar, and assistant preacher, for the space of 
 sixty-eight years. The church met in his dwelling-house called 
 Wenalt, most of the time of those dreadful persecutions under 
 the reigns of Charles the first and Charles the second. Just at 
 
 * In Cromwell's time he offitnated in the parish church of Llangatwg, near 
 Neath, Glamorganshire. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 43 
 
 the time the war commenced between Charles the firat and the 
 Parliament, when those bold and zealous ministers of the cross, 
 Vavasor Powell, William Thomas, and others, were obliged to 
 escape for their lives from their native country, behold our 
 Brother Parry steps forward, takes hold of the rope, and pulls 
 with all his rriight. He strengthens the hands of Vaughan, 
 Prosser, Watkins, and others, by a hard pull, a long pull, and 
 a pull altogether. Like a noble general, he takes hold of the 
 flag, marches forward, and cries out aloud that he never was 
 born to die on the field of battle, and that even he that loseth 
 his life shall find it. In the name of his God he hoisted up his 
 banners. He cared not for the sword, the famine, and flames 
 of fire, to which the people of God at that time were exposed. 
 His dwelling house was the Jerusalem of Wales, to which pil- 
 grims resorted and found themselves refreshed both in their 
 souls and bodies. He was really a hospitable man, in the 
 Welsh sense of the word. 
 
 When he was young, it pleased God to visit him with a 
 very severe affliction. In his affliction he dreamed that he was 
 dead. He saw two different places before him : one of them 
 was a very terrible and miserable place, where innumerable 
 multitudes of the human race are eternally tormented in Ithat 
 fire which is never quenched, and where their worm dieth not, 
 bound with chains of darkness, to be reserved unto the judg- 
 ment day ; where there is not the least drop of mercy — not so 
 much as a drop of cold water to cool the tongues of thosa 
 miserable beings ; where there is no light, but utter darkness ; 
 where all carnal pleasures are lost in eternal sorrows; where 
 there is no hope to all eternity, and no better company than 
 devils, the messengers of destruction ; and where the wrath of 
 God is poured out without mixture, and the smoke of their tor- 
 ment ascendeth up for ever and ever, under the most painful 
 sensation of every thing that is bad, and the eternal loss of 
 every thing that is good. 
 
 The other place was so unspeakably glorious, that ear hath 
 not heard, eye hath not seen, neither hath it ever entered into 
 the heart of man, to imagine the glory of those heavenly man- 
 sions, where there is no serpent to tempt; no sorrow, nor pain, 
 nor death; no darkness of mind, and no evil heart of unbelief; 
 but white robes for garments of mourning; the palm of victory 
 instead of the swoi-d, and the crown of glory instead of the 
 cross; eternal riches, and no poverty; unspeakable joy, and no 
 sorrow; and continual light, and no darkness at all: where 
 Christ, the heavenly Lamb, is in the midst of the throne, con- 
 
44 HiSTOET or 
 
 tinually adored by angels, seraphim, and spirits of just men 
 made perfect. 
 
 Thomas Parry, in his dream, requested that he might he adr 
 mitted to enter that glorious place. He was answered that he 
 should not come in at that time ; that he must go first and get 
 some bread. He cried with a loud voice. When shall I go in 
 there? He was answered, after ten days. He awoke, and 
 behold it was a dream. But it rriade so much impression on his 
 mind, that when he recovered from his illness, he went to hear 
 the Episcopal minister in the parish church, and became a lit- 
 tle more moral as to his outward conduct. 
 
 One day, as he was going to his place of worship, he met 
 an old woman going to the Baptist meetings and being request- 
 ed, he went there .also. The text was, " I am the bread of 
 life." The serrnon had so much effect upon him, that he 
 thought he would go there again. The text, the second time, 
 was, " And ye shall h^ve tribulation ten days." Then he 
 thought of his dream, and the interpretation thereof; for the 
 preacher shewed him what was that bread of life, without 
 which he could not goto heaven, and described. the tribulation 
 that he must expect to meet with on his way there; and that it 
 was to continue only for a short time, in comparison with that 
 eternity to which he was hastening. These were the means of 
 his conversion to God; and from this time to the end of his 
 life, he suffered affliction with the people of God. Soon after 
 he joined the church, he was called to the work of the ministry;"' 
 His name is in the minutes of the association held at Aberga- 
 venny, in 1653; and also in the minutes of tjxe association 
 held at Llanwenarth, in 1705. The church of Olchon met at 
 his house, during his time, during the life of his son, David 
 Parry, and the life of his grandson, Nathaniel Parry, for the 
 space of one hundred years. 
 
 Thomas Parry was a godly and peaceable man, and very 
 useful in the cause of Christ in many respects, and died in good 
 old age, triumphing in redeeming grace and dying love, in tha 
 year 1709. 
 
 In Mr. Parry's neighborhood, there was a very sensible man 
 of the name of Price, who would sometimes hear the Episcopa- 
 lian, and sometimes the Baptist ministers. Being asked what 
 he thought of the Episcopalian minister of the Hay. He an- 
 swered poetically as follows. Such is the meagreness of our 
 English language, in comparison with the Welsh, that we will 
 not attempt to spoil it by a translation ; but the Welsh emigrant 
 in the United States shall have it as it is : ^ 
 
THE WBL3H BAPTISTS. 45 
 
 " Y mae Thomas Pany yn well i bregethu, 
 Na fTeirad y Gelli, er torchi'r wisg wen; 
 Peth rhyfedd bod cryddion, taelwriaid, gwehyddion, 
 Yn baeddu 'sgolheigionRhydyohen." 
 
 The substance is this: "Thomas Parry is a far better 
 preacher than the clergyman of the Hay, notwithstanding he 
 wears a surplice. It is a wonder that shoemakers, tailors, and 
 weavers, beat the Oxford scholars." 
 
 John Rees Howell was a member and an assistant preacher 
 of the church at Olchon, about the year 1645, and continued 
 among them till his death, in 1699. 
 
 It appeark that these servants of the most high God, began 
 their pilgrimage about the same time, were both members and 
 preachers of the same church, and finished their course nearly 
 together: And we have no reason to doubt, but that they are 
 together now in the mansions of glory, singing hallelujah to 
 God and the Lamb. However, in the church militant, they 
 had to endure affliction with the people of God, especially from 
 the year 1660, nearly to the end of their lives. At that time, 
 the church generally met in two or three different places : . At 
 Wenalt, as stated before ; at the Wern Wer, the house of Da- 
 vid Watkins ; afterwards, at the Baily-bach, the house of John 
 Gilbert. But for twenty -eight years, in the reign of Charles 
 the second, the church had to meet in the most secret places by 
 night, somewhere in the woods, or on the Black Mountain, or 
 the rough rock. They were obliged to change the place every 
 week, that their enemies might not find them out. Often the 
 friends of the infernal foe diligently sought them, but found 
 them not. While the wolves were searching in one mountain, 
 the lambs were sheltering under the rock of another. But not- 
 withstanding all their care and prudence, they were sometimes 
 caught, and most unmercifully whipped and fined, as violaters 
 ■ of the law of the land, and their cattle and household furniture 
 seized, to pay the fine and expenses of the executioners of the 
 law. The safest place they ever found, was in the woods, under 
 a large rock, called Darren Ddu, or the Black Rock. It is a 
 most dreadful steep, and the roughest place we have ever seen. 
 Surely our Welsh brethren, at that time, had trials of cruel 
 mockings and scourgings, bonds and imprisonment; for they 
 were hunted in the woods, and mountains, and the tops of the 
 rocks ,of the wild goats. They were destitute, afHicted, and 
 tormented. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens 
 and caves of the earth. But notwithstanding all this, they 
 persevered. They enjoyed much of the divine Presence on 
 
46 IIISTOHT OF 
 
 the Black Rock,* in the severest weather. Among the Bap- 
 tists who suffered thus, there were some wealthy people ; such 
 as Mrs. Watkins of Llanigon, and others. Mrs. Watkins hadi 
 a very pious servant man, to whom she used to give every 
 Lord's day morning, as much silver as she could hold in her 
 hand, for him to distribute to the poor on that day. She never 
 counted it, nor was he ever mistrusted. 
 
 Thomas John Williams was a member and an assistant 
 preacher of the church at Olchon. He generally preached in 
 his own h6use ; and was remarkably diligent in things belong- 
 ing to this world and the world to come. When requested to 
 rest, he would say, " This is not a resting-place, but I shall 
 rest in the other world. On long winter nights, when the 
 family were seated around the , fire, he would retire once or 
 twice every night to pray in secret. Many wondered at his 
 piety, humility, and becoming conduct. We have never read 
 any thing more about him. 
 
 Thomas Proud was a member and an assistant preacher of 
 the church at Swansea. He began to preach in the year 1645. 
 He preached there as an assistant to John Miles, after the 
 church was formed in the. year 1649, and supplied other desti- 
 tute churches, until he settled in one of those places established 
 by law in Cromwell's time. He was turned out in the year 
 1660, on the restoration of Charles the second; and fled for 
 his life somewhere — we know not where. 
 
 David Davis was a member and a minister of the church at 
 Llantrisaint. He began to preach in the year .1645, and 
 preached much at home and at Abergavenny, until the year 
 1654, when the association was held at Llantrisaint, there was 
 a charge brought against him by the church to the association, 
 that he made use of some harsh expressions ; but on the most 
 mature deliberation of the subject, he was cleared. At the 
 eame time, the ministers finding the church was not satisfied, 
 advised him to remove to some other part, where his preaching 
 would be more acceptable, and where his labors might be more 
 blessed. He accordingly removed from Llantrisaint to Neath, 
 in the same county; _and afterwards preached to the judges at 
 Cardiff. He had three brothers belonging to the Baptists : one 
 of them was high sheriff; the other, deputy sheriff; and the 
 third was recorder. 
 
 Morgan Jones began to preach at Swansea, South Wales, 
 
 ' This Black Rook belonged to a gentleman of the name of Hugh Lewis, 
 whose daughter was then a member with the Baptists. She was the mother 
 of that excellent man, whose name is well known all over the religious world, 
 Hugh Evans, of Bristol 
 
THB WEMH BAPTISTS. 47 
 
 about 1646. He was a member of that church, and was highly 
 respected as a good preacher. He accepted a comuiissioa to 
 preach at Llanmatog, from which he was turned out in. 1660. 
 Dr. Calamy calls him a good ploughman. He was certainly a 
 very good linguist; and whatever might have been Dr;. C.'s 
 motive in informing us that he was a good ploughman,, it was 
 a recommendation to his character; and many good Baptist 
 preachers in Wales, to this day, can manage the plough very 
 well, and can truly say that they have experienced as much, of 
 the presence of God, when their hands were lawfully employed 
 about the things of this world, as any where else. And the 
 writer of this, is far from being ashamed to place Mmselif 
 among them; so far, indeed, that he deems it a very gieat 
 honor. So much so, that he would prefer G. P., Good Plough- 
 man, in addition to his name, to D. D., Doctor in Divinity. 
 However, this is not the only instance in which that great 
 Doctor has cast out insinuations before his readers. He is full 
 of them through the whole of his writings. The Doctor was 
 one of that class of men, who seem to be most dreadfully af- 
 flicted with hydrophobia, whenever they think of a man who 
 has been dipped, all over in water; and, being an Englishman, 
 he could not speak very highly of any other nation. Most of 
 the citizens of the United States know, that it is a failing pecu- 
 liar to an Englishman. Poor man ! 
 
 Morgan Jones had to escape for his life in the reign of Charles 
 the second. It is thought that he went to England in disguise, 
 as did many others at that time. Whether he became a shep- 
 herfl or a miller there, we cannot tell. We have heard of ono 
 of the ejected ministers, who went to England, and hired him- 
 self as a shepherd to a nobleman in that country. One day 
 the nobleman's wife was very ill, and he sent for the officiating 
 clergyman of the parish to come and pray for his wife. The 
 clergyman being a great sportsman, told the messenger that he 
 would comply with the nobleman's request after his return 
 from hunting. The nobleman hearing this, became very un- 
 easy in his mind, and thought it very strange that a man who 
 called himself a minister of the gospel, should prefer hunting 
 to praying. One of his domestics told him that the shepherd 
 could pray very well ; that he went out every night to pray in a 
 certain private place; and that he had watched him, and heard 
 him praying many times. On hearing this, the shepherd was 
 sent for, and was requested to pray; and he prayed so power- 
 fully that the nobleman's heart was melted. He urged the 
 poor shepherd to tell him whence he came, and what he had 
 been. The shepherd reluctantly- told him the whole history of 
 
48 HISTOKY OF 
 
 himselfi; and the nobleman said, " Well, then, henceforth you 
 shall be a shepherd of men. The nobleman built him a meet- 
 ing house, attended his ministry, and never troubled the sport- 
 ing huntsman any more. 
 
 Thomas Quarrel was a native of North Wales. Though he 
 was Quarrel byname, and a warrior by office, yet he was a man 
 of a very mild and peaceable > disposition. He was an officer 
 in Cromwell's army, and often preached with the sword hang' 
 ing at his side. What time he began to preach we do not 
 know ; but it must have been before the restoration of Charles 
 the second; for that was the time he was turned out of the 
 parish church in Salop.* It appears that this was the time he 
 was baptized. He afterwards preached through the county of 
 Salop for many years. About the year 1670, he removed to 
 Monmouthshire, and settled near Usk, in that county. He 
 preached there, and at Pontypool and other places; so that 
 by his labors, in connection with others, a Baptist church was 
 fprmed, or reorganized, at Penygam near Pontypool. He 
 also often preached about St. Weonard's, in Herefordshire, and 
 baptized many there. He was the first settled minister over 
 the Baptist church at Usk, where his labors were not in vain. 
 It was rather singular to see any minister joining the Bapti^ 
 denomination in 1660: a titrie when so many eminent miids- 
 ters among the Baptists were obliged to leave the country, and 
 others were imprisoned. About this time, John Miles, one of 
 the leading ministers of the Welsh association, fled for his life 
 to North America. At this time. Vavasor Powell", the most 
 useful travelling preacher tliat Wales ever produced, was im- 
 prisoned for life, for preaching the everlasting gospel. And at 
 this time, many great and good ministers left the Principality, 
 and never have been heard of since : some to America, 'in the 
 character of preachers, and others to England in disguise. 
 And it is more than probable, that some of them were murdered 
 on their way ; whilst others had to endure the most dreadful 
 persecutions at home. To see a man of Mr. Quarrel's talents 
 and learning, and especially a man who had been an officer in 
 the army of (what was called) the rebels, enlisting under the 
 banner of the cross, among the poor, despised Baptists of the 
 day — we say, was a wonder. But it is a greater wonder still, 
 that we cannot find out one single instance of his persecution, 
 after he joined the Baptists. We quit his history with the 
 greatest astonishment ! 
 
 Wonders of grace tp God belong; 
 Repeat his mercies in yonr song ! ' 
 
 * A county in Englandron the borders cf Wales. 
 
THE WEISH BAPTISTS. 49 
 
 T. Quarrel died in 1682, and wa& buried at Llangwm,near 
 Usk, in the county of Monmouth, South Wales. 
 
 Howell Thomas and Thomas Joseph; were both members 
 and preachers belonging' to the Bjiptist church at Llantrisaint. 
 They began to preach nearly at the same time, about the year 
 1646. Ip the .year 16.55; the commissioners appoihted them, 
 to preach in those houses estafclished by law:. Joshua Thpmas 
 at Glyncorwg, and Thomas Joseph at Llangeinwr; both places 
 in Glamorganshire. They were both ejected in, 1660, and left 
 their native country by reason of the persecution. Joshua 
 Thomas expres.sed.a hope, that if ever he' should see the History 
 of the Baptists in America, by the Rev. Morgan Edwards, 
 some farther account of them might be seen, if ever they went 
 to America. ■ We have^xamined the first volume of Edwards' 
 History, but no mention «is made of them there. Neither is 
 tliei:e any thing in Benedict's History concerning them. 
 
 Anthony Harris was a member at Llantrisaint; was dis- 
 missed frora there, and joined the, church at Abergavenny, 
 when.it was- formed in the year. 1653. He was soon ordain.ed 
 deacon of that chyrch; and in the year 1654 he began to 
 preach. He was a gifted man, but his life did not altogether' 
 correspond -with his profession. However, the church could 
 not find any thing against him of a criminal nature, but some 
 things that were deemed imprudent; tberfefore it was agreed 
 that he should give up his, office as a deacon, and devote him- 
 self entirely to the work of the ministry. He was authorized 
 by the government to preach in the parish of Llanfihangel, and 
 Jho commissioners permitted him to receive what was due to . 
 the clergyman from that. parish. He was one of the ejected 
 ministers we know, and the .great day of judgment will reveal 
 what became of him afterwards. , 
 
 Thomas 'Jones began to preach at Llantrisaint in the year 
 .1646. About the year 1655, all the preachers belonging to 
 "Llsiitrisaint left there, and officiated in those places established 
 by law, except Thom^s^ Jones. He never accepted the com- 
 missioner's appointment to preach in any parish. About the. 
 same time, a branch of the church af Llantrisaint was formed 
 into a regular church, at Hengod, which continues to this day.' 
 Thomas Jones was one of the original constituents who.lived 
 in that neighborhood. He became their minister, and preached 
 as often as he could also at Llantrisaint. He Jabored among 
 them, and suffered' much with them, for. the best cause, as 
 long as he lived. He died abc»ut the year 1680. The church, 
 under his pastoral cafe, met at first in two different places: at 
 
50 IIISTpRY OF 
 
 Berthlwyd . and Craig-yi>allt. William Jones,* who lived at 
 the latter place, was imprisoned, and all his property forfeited 
 to the king, for permitting preaching in his house. Notwith- 
 standing' the most dreiadM persecution in these parts, many 
 respectable men' joined the chiirch; such as Colonel, Prichardf 
 of Llancayach, CaptainEv-ans of Dyffryn-yifTrWd, and others, 
 who endured their part of the pe-rsecution, and whose liberality' 
 was very •acceptable to those who lost their all by reason of the 
 persecution. One of Thomas. Jones' members, well known by 
 the name of Old Savin, though 'dead yet speaketh — not by 
 his writings, for he never published any — ^but by liis ready an- 
 swers and sharp reproofs; which are related from generation 
 to generation. 'One day, as several young men were, violating 
 the Sabbath, one of them said, " Here ^omes Old Savin, we 
 shall have it now" — ^Another said,*" No, no, I shall ask him 
 a few questions." As- soon a.s he came near them, he was 
 asked how many commandments there were. He answered, 
 eight. One of the young men observed-, that he thought there 
 were ten.- " Yes;" said the old man, " there were, but the pope 
 has broken one by worshipping images, and_ you have broken _ 
 another this very day." This i-eproof had a very desirable 
 effept, in consequence of the manner in which it was given.- 
 
 Thomas' Jones was npt -a learned but a faithful and good 
 preac'fter of the cross, -who could-give a plain 'exhibition of the 
 obedient • life, painful sufTerings, and excruciating death,. of 
 Christ, for the chief of sinners. And it is worthy of remark, 
 that there is no then)e of the gospel which arrests the attention 
 and affects the heart, so much as the preaching of Christ and 
 him crucified, his resurrection from the grave, his triumphant 
 victory over the pd.wers of darkness, and his most wonderful as- 
 cension to the mansions of glory, where he sits on the right hand 
 of the Father, and makes intercession for us. To this doctrine, 
 under the blessing of God, Thomas Jonesnttributed his success 
 jn propagating the gospel among the Ancient Britons. This was 
 considered hy him a distinguishing trait and cardirfal point of 
 the gospel; the golden thread running through the whole gar- 
 ment ;fthe s-word by ^vhich the sinews of purgatory, penance, 
 and all the merits of the works o'f sinful n^Jn are cut in pieces ; 
 the mighty hamrher that beats down all superstitions and hu- 
 man inventions, like Dagon before the ark of theLord; yes,' 
 
 * It is supposed that he wos the rainistei's brother. 
 
 t ITie present Lord Talbot is a descendant frdm Colonel Priehard, in the 
 female line. '. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 51 
 
 the very Irbundation upon which the church is built, and the 
 . gatfes of hell cannot prevail against it. 
 
 Thomas Evans began to preach at Bontnewydd, on the bor- 
 ders of Radnorshire, some time before the year 1653;- for, at 
 that time, he was authorized by government to preach, whici 
 the following extract evidently proves : 
 
 " By the Commission for the Propagation of the gospel in 
 Walesa Whereas five ofthe ministers, in, the act of parliament 
 named, bearing date the 25th of February, 1649,' and entitled, an 
 act for the better propagation of the gospel in Wales, have accord- 
 ing to the tenor of the said act, approved of Mr. Thomas Evans 
 the younger, to be a person qualified for the w;ork of the minis- 
 try, and. recommended him with/their advice to us, that he be 
 encouraged in the work of the ministry ; we do, according to 
 an order, to us directed by" the committee of five at Neath, 
 therefore order, that Mr. John Price, Treasurer, shall forthwith 
 .pay linto the said Thoj^as Evans, the sum of thirty pounds, 
 which we have thought fit to allow him toward his salary and 
 encouragement in the work of the ministry. And this our 
 order, together with his acquittance, shall be a sufficient dis- 
 charge for the said Treasurer, .Dated under our hand, 16th 
 ofMay, 1653.J , " John Williamsj &c." 
 
 In the year 1656, Thomas' Evans became the assistant of 
 ^Henry- Gregory, the -pastor of the Baptist church at Bontne- 
 %vydd and Dolau. Though Mr. Evans received. the above 
 commission, yet he never did confine himself to any parish, 
 but" as he had that authority, he would .sometimes preach in a' 
 parish church, sometimes in a barn,, and sometimes in private 
 houses, or in the open air ; he thought it was his duty to preach 
 wherever there wefe people willing to hear him. In the time 
 of persecution he suffered by- fine, and imprisonment; So great 
 was the persecution in that region, that the king's friends would 
 not suffer the Baptists to bury their dead in the, grave-yards. 
 One young woman being buried in -the night, was ordered by 
 the officiating dergyman • of the parish to be taken up and 
 buried on the cross roads. However, he soon died very sud- 
 denly and inost miserably. The. people, in general, attributed, 
 the cause of his wretched death, to. his cruel conduct to the re- 
 mains of the Baptist girl. - ' ' 
 
 Thomas Evans was a faithiul and acceptable preacher in his 
 
 life, and died in peace in the jjear 16,86; which was the last 
 
 . year of the persecution under Charles the ispo^d. From him 
 
 as the root, sprung up eight or nine branches, that became cele. 
 
52 HISTORY OF 
 
 brated ministers of the gospel:' all. belongihg to the.Baptist de- 
 nomination. We do not now recollect to have ever read or . 
 heard ^f any thing like'it. ^ • .. 
 
 1st. Thomas Evans, senior, was a mem,ber of. the Baptist 
 church. 
 
 2d.' Thomas Evans, the preacher at Bontnewydd." 
 
 3d. Caleb Evans, 4th. John Evans, his -eons, ministers of 
 the gospel. . . 
 
 5th. Hugh Evans, M. A., 6th. Caleb Evans, 7th. Peter 
 Evans, 8th. Joljn Evans, his grandson^, rninisters of the .gos- 
 pel. 
 
 ■9th.. CaleV Evans, M, A., lOih. Caleb Evans, M.' A., his 
 great grandsons, ministers of the gospel: the former, in Biis- 
 tol, -England ;' the latter died in AmericE^.- 
 
 Henry Gregory began to preach at Dolai;}, in Radnorshire, 
 about the year 1656. As to his. circumstances in thie world, 
 he was once called a respectable farmer. But he lost all for 
 Immanuel's cause. AH his stock and crop were taken away 
 from him, being forfeitedto the king because he was a Baptist 
 — except one cow, which they left him Jhat the children might 
 have some milk to drink. But one daythey returned, and took 
 that cow away also, and left himjiothing but his wife and chil- 
 ' dren. One of the men who drove his cattle through the river, 
 near his house, with such a glee and merrinient, in the course 
 of a few days was .drowned in .that very ford, in sight of his 
 house. Another was actually eaten up x)f worms like Herod. 
 A third said, on his dying bed, that the thoughts of his having 
 had any thing to do ^ith the property of Henry Gregory; was 
 a continual torment to him.' It was a visible judgment of -God 
 upon the persecutors, which put an end to. the persecution in 
 this part of the world. There is- a line beyond which God will 
 not suffer the rage of man to go; and he can make the remain- 
 der of wrath to praise him. ; • 
 
 Henry Gregory was a faithful, preacher. He possessed pecu- 
 liar talents to set forth the duty of-man to Ibve the Lord, found- 
 ed on man's obligation unto him as his Creator, Benefactor, and 
 rightful Sovereign, who has an undisputed right to demand our 
 obedience, adoration, and praise; for he has made us and not 
 we ourselves ; and he has made us but little lower than "the an- 
 gels, and has crowned us with much more lofly honor and 
 glory, than any other creature on the terrestrial -globe. He 
 ' has given us a variety' of members in due proportion, with- 
 out any confusion, and has endowed us \vith understanding as 
 reasonable beings, and has kept and defended us ever since we 
 have had our existence ; supported us in our actions, presided over 
 
TIIK WELSH BA.PTIST3. , 53 
 
 our movements, and inspected our several conditions^: Surely 
 we ought to love him for what he is in and of himselft^but how 
 much more should we love him for what he has done for us. 
 He remembered us when we were in our low estate. He sent 
 his. Son to save us. from guilt, apd dartLness, and eternal ruin; 
 from the curse of the law and the threatenings of vindictive jus- 
 tice; Emd fi-om the power and dominion of sin. He so loved 
 us, as to give his only-begotten Son, who suffered, bled, and 
 diecl for us. , -And shall we not love hitn ? Yes, , verily, we 
 must, we will love him. We know it is our duty, we deem it 
 our- privilege, to evidence oUr love and our gratitude to him, by 
 observing his statutes and keeping his commandments; to, ren- 
 der obedienee unto him as the only 'Kin^ and Lawgiver in 
 Zion ; who said unto us, " If ye love me keep my command- 
 ments." 
 
 ^^'e do not know what time Mr. Gregory was ordained pas- 
 tor over the churcb at Dolau. Howe/er, we know that from 
 the time he began to preach, he labored among them as long 
 as he lived. He died in the year 1700. 
 
 Christopher Price was a, member of the church at Aberga- 
 venny, began to preach about the year 1655, und continued an 
 assistant preacher in that church, until he died in 1697. He 
 was a good preacher, a respectable man, and an excellent phy- 
 sician. He gave the ground on which the meeting house at 
 Llanwenarth is built. And in many other respects he was 
 very liberal, and his heart was engaged in the cause of Christ. 
 
 John Price of Maes-y-gelli, JSTantmel, was a preacher of the 
 gospel in the church at Dolau, Radnorshire. He was an assist- 
 ant to Mr. Gregory. What time he began to preach we do not 
 know. He was ai> intelligent man, and very zealous for the 
 truth. Being a rich man in the world, he had a considerable 
 influence in the region where he lived; as we may well expect 
 wheri piety, property, and prudence meet together. But as he 
 lived in the- time of persecution, he had to endure a part of the 
 afflictions wherewith the people of God were afHicted. - He died 
 in the year 1673, anJ was buried iii the grave-yard at Nant- 
 mel, and a tombstone is laid on his grave. A,s he bore testi- 
 mony in his life-time against the superstitions of the established 
 church, so he did in his death. The church of England bury 
 all their- dead with their heads toward the west; but he ordered 
 that his head should be buried towards the east; and a brass 
 piate was set in his tombstone, to certify that he would not con- 
 form to the church of England, dead or alive. And to that 
 effect, though dead yet he speaks to the prefeent generation. 
 
■5i HISTOHY OF 
 
 Thomas Price was a meml^er and assistant preacher of the 
 church at Olchon, about the latter end of the persecution. He 
 was remarkably: gifted, but not an acceptable preacher: for 
 what cause our Welsh historians have not informed us. 
 Neither can we find out what time he began to preach, nor 
 when he died. His name is found among the ministers of the 
 associations, in the years 1704 and 1705. 
 
 Robert Morgan began to preach about the y^r 1636. He 
 was a messenger from the Baptist church at Carmarthen to the 
 association held at Abergavenny, in 1653. He bore testimony 
 for the truth, through the whole of the persecutions., for twenty- 
 eight years. Many of the Baptists were imprisoned at -Car- 
 marthen, because they would not quit going to the meeting- 
 hous'e, and conform to the traditions of men; but they bore 
 testimony with such zeal, and manifested such a degree of pa- 
 tience in their sufferings, that even those who mocked them and 
 pelted them with stones, returned home weeping, saying there 
 must be such a thing as religion, and these men have it, for 
 nothing else would enable them to behave in the manner they 
 do. The more they are persecuted, the more they rejoice; the 
 more we curse them, the more they bless us.' God was glori- 
 fied, saints encouraged, and sinners converted, by-the!r becom- 
 ing conduct towards their enemies. So hot and terrible was the 
 persecution at that time, that the Baptists in tbis region sent a 
 most humble petition to his Majesty, King Charles the second, 
 ■soliciting mercy and justice, which was put into the king's 
 hand by the member of Parliament for Carmarthen. In that 
 humble petition they conclude by saying: "O king! we dare 
 not walk the streets, an^we are abused even in our own houses. 
 If we pray to God with our families, we aa-e threatened to he 
 hiing. Some of us are stoned almost to death, and others im- 
 prisoned for worshipping God according to the dictates t)f their 
 consciences and the,rule of his word." His majesty gave thom 
 a very polite answer, with fair promises, which were never ful- 
 filled; for their sufferings increased more and more. Such 
 was the lamentable state of our celebrated fathers in the Princi- 
 pality of Wales, in the reign of King Charles the second. 
 
 At this time, in 1660, Robert Morgan had to fly for his life. 
 However, he did not go farther than about fifteen miles from 
 the town. He hired a house at Pontarddules, and preached in 
 his own hired house and elsewhere — not for the space of two 
 years, like Paul in Rome — but until he died in 1711. After 
 he moved from Carmarthen, he became a member of the church 
 at Swansea, and preached there occasionally. He was an ex- 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 53 
 
 cellent man, good preacher, and a great poet. During the lat- 
 ter part of his- life, he resided with his daughter, who was mar- 
 ried to Arthur Melchior, wJio afterwards went to Pennsyl- 
 vania, North America. 
 
 Le.wis Thomas began to preach in 1660. Just at the time 
 John Miles had to leave his native country by reason of the 
 persecution, to seek refuge in North. Ameripa,, the Almighty 
 God took care of the church at Swansea that he left behind him. 
 The sheep and the lambs who were left without a shepherd, 
 were fed, guided, and protected by the instrumentality of Lewis 
 Thomas. The moment we think of the events that took placo 
 in the years 1660 and 1662, when so many celebrated minis- 
 ters flisd for their lives, and as many, if not more, engaging in 
 the work of the ministry at the same period, we are entirely at 
 a loss to know, whether we shall mostly pity the former or ad« 
 mire the latter. Yea, rather, let us admire the wisdom of God, 
 whose ways are higher than our ways, and whose thoughts 
 are higher than our thoughts; whose goodness knows no limits, 
 and whose faithfulness is sach, that he will never, no never, 
 no never forsake his church in the wilderness. 
 
 Lewis Thomas was a member of the church' at Swansea, 
 South Wales, some time before the year 1653; for as a'mern^ 
 ber of the said church, we find his name in connection with 
 others, in a letter sent by John Miles to the church at Aberga- 
 venny, bearing the above date. As John Miles, the first pastor 
 of the church at Swansea, was the leading iTjinister of the 
 Baptist association in Wales, in the timeof peace and calmnes^ ;■ 
 so Lewis Thomas, the second pastor of the church at Swansea , 
 was the most celebrated minister among the Baptists in that 
 Principality, in the time of most dreadful persectition. Ho 
 lived' at the Moor,, in the parish of Newtown, near Margam, 
 Glamorganshire. He was actually a missionary within tha 
 bounds of his own church, and often visited other churches in 
 their troubles and distresses. , How extensive was the field of 
 his labors ! Most wonderful was his care of the churches ! 
 And so great was his. zeal for Christ and his cause that 
 he feared no. evil! The enemy's- artillery seemed to play 
 in vain on him. Nothing could impede his progress.. Tha 
 -inclemency of the weather would never detain hiiji from a 
 Journey to fulfil his appointments. Hardships, fatigue, and 
 bad treatment, seemed to be his familiar companions. To 
 make' use of a Welsh expression concerning him, " his fore- 
 head seemed to have been made of brass, and his shoes of 
 iron." And as his days were, so was his strength. The 
 grace of God was sufficient for him ^ and by the grace of God 
 
56 . HISTORY OF 
 
 Jie was what he was. Truly he labored more abundantly than 
 any in his days; and would say, " Not urjto me, not unto me, 
 but unto thy name, O Lord, be the glory!" 
 
 From the year 1649 to the year 1660, they held ther annual 
 associations; but during the persecution, from W60 to 1668, 
 the associations wore dropped. In 1689, there was a general 
 association for all the Baptists in England and Wales, in the 
 city of London, and Lewis Thomas was the representative from 
 Wales. Afterwards it was divided: one was held in London, 
 and the other in Bristol. The Welsh churches joined the Bris- 
 tol association, it being nearer them. In 1700, it was divided 
 again, Avhen all the Welsh churches were formed into a sepa- 
 rate association. The two first were held at Llanweuarth; 
 afterwards, at Swansea and Llanwenarth alternately, for si.x or 
 seven years; then at Rhydwilim, and all the churches in rcgu-' 
 lar rotation. At the commencement of the associations hold in 
 Wales, after the time of what is called the liberty of conscience, 
 Lewis Thomas was the leading minister. His nantie is in the 
 minutes of the association held at Llanwenarth in 1703. 
 Though l^e was old and feeble, yet he' was there; and before 
 their next annual meeting, he joined the association of the spi- 
 rits of just men made perfect. 
 
 Though he was a man of very strong constitution, yet by 
 reason of old age, he became feeble at last, and when he was 
 not able to stand up, he would call for his staff, and leaning 
 upon it, he would talk and ptay most wonderfully. His death 
 was most bitterly lamented by the church 'and many others. 
 -So this apostolical preacher finished his course, having fought 
 .fhe good fight, and having" kept the faith, he died in peace, 
 his eyes seeing the salvation of the Lord; 
 
 John Edward was a member and assistant preacher of the 
 church of Abergavenny. He was a useful exhorter, ' was 
 appointed to preach about Llanfihangel, where his labors were 
 not altogether in vain. ' But about Llangors, in Brecknockshire, 
 his labors were greatl;yi blessed, and he was very much respect- 
 ed there. In Cromwell's time, he was permitted to preach in 
 the establishment. What became of him in the time of perse- 
 cution, we do not khow. 
 
 Henry Morris was a native of North Wales. He v. as a man 
 of piety, talents, and education ; and was brought up an Epis- 
 co|)alian, in Oxford College.^ He conformed to the established 
 church, on the restoration of Charles the second; but on a ma- 
 ture deliberation on the subject, he afterwards dissented from 
 that establishment, joined the Baptist denomination, and hadto 
 endure a double portion of sufferings, Boinn- liberated from 
 
TUB -WELSH BAPnars. 57 
 
 pfison, he settled with the church at Maesyberllan, Brecknock- 
 shire. He ne^er became their pastoir, but preached often there 
 and elsewhere, and administered the ordinances of the gospel 
 in different places. . 
 
 , I In consequence of. his indefatigable exertions in the Redeem- 
 er's cause, and. the trials which he had to encounter, by reason 
 of persecution, his constitution was so much injured that he 
 diefd when he was about forty years old, in the year 1682. 
 His walking-stick may be seen iii that region, by the cUrious, 
 to this day. . . • 
 
 Perhaps few men understood the connection between the doc- 
 trines, of sovereign' grace and raan's obligation better than he. 
 Sinners are justified 'freely by the grace of God, through the 
 
 , redemption that is in Christ Jesus ; for, he was delivered for-our 
 offences^ and was raised again for our justification. They aro 
 not only d;eliyered from condemnatioM, but accepted in the Be- 
 loved, and acquitted- in the. court of Heaven; not only washed 
 from all their sins, but made kings and priests, to God ; adopted 
 the. children of God; made heirs of God and joint heirs, with 
 Christ. Grace formed the plan; whereby the sinner can be jus- 
 tified, through the merits of the Mediator;, and the Mediator 
 opened, the way whereby mercy can be manifested to the sin- 
 ner, agreeably, to the demands of justice and the requirements 
 of the law. And the sinner is .under the "greatest obligation to 
 receive this gliarious robe of righteousness ; ' to repent and be- 
 lievei in Christ ; and to live hqliTy,' soberly,- and righteously. 
 
 There is nothing that can justify any person but the goo6-\ 
 ness of -his cause. But except he produces his testimonials, ha 
 stands as yet condemned. . He cannot clear himself" of the 
 charge laid against him. Therefore a man must bo justified 
 by the testimony of the witnesses, 'as well as by the goodness' 
 of his cause. The ijghteousness of Christ imputed to him, 
 and received by faith, is the oiily thing that will make, his 
 cause good; ^nd his works of obedience are the witnesses 
 whereby he can evidence that it is so indeed. 
 
 William Jones was brought up a Presbyterian. In Cromi 
 well's time, he preached at Cilmaenllwyd; was turned out from 
 there, on the restoration- of Charles the second, and imprisoned 
 in the Castle at Carmarthen. In that prison'he became a Bap- 
 tist in sentiment; and as soqn as he was liberated; he travelled 
 to pichon,. about eighty miles distant, and wasthere baptized. 
 He returned to the neighborhood of Cilmaenllwyd, and told 
 his religious friends what he had done, aiid his reasons for so 
 doing; and baptized eleven of them. This was the beginning 
 
 •of the Baptist church at Rhydwilim, consisting now of about 
 
58 nrsTOKY op 
 
 eight hundred members. The thurch was formed in the year 
 1668, twenty persons more were baptized, and. two received 
 by letter previous to the formation of the church; so that they 
 were thirty-three in numbfer, when the church was "formed. 
 On the same day, William Jones and CrriiBth Howell became, 
 the pastors of the cliurch. Their place, of worship, at that 
 time, was Rushacre, the house of G. Howell. W. Jones was 
 much respected, not only by his rel^otis fViends, but also by 
 the nobility, some of whom offered him a very good living in 
 the establishment; which he refused, and reason§d with them 
 in such a nianner, that they esteemed him ' more than ever. 
 He was naturally a man of a soft, mild, and peaceable disposi- 
 tion; but the more he was persecuted, the more bold and 
 courageous he became. 
 
 Once, as he was taken to the prison in Haverfordwest, about 
 ten miles, from home, the most respectable noblemen in the city 
 came out of their houses to meet him, to talk with him, and to 
 invite him to their houses. . Such was his respectability among 
 them, that the king's officers who were taking him to-prison, 
 weire so much ashamed that .they did iiot know how to show 
 their faces; In the course of a few days aftei-wards, one of 
 the noblemen finding that he had an appointment in the coun- 
 try, gave bail to. the jailer, and gave him his own clothes and 
 horse, that- he might fulfil that appointment. The people hav- 
 ing not heard of his imprisonment met together, and were quite 
 surprised to see hivn so well dressed and riding such a good 
 horse, and on explanation, they, were full of joy and grief. 
 After the meeting was. over 'he returned to the prison. How. 
 long he was confined We have not been informed. ' .He lived 
 through the whole of "the persecution. ' After it was over, he 
 and G. Howell went together to the London association, to join 
 their brethren there in praising God £br that sort of liberty 
 they at that time-enjoyed. They were representing that large 
 and scattered church in the western part of Wales, which was 
 formed in the heat of persecution. What time he died we have 
 not been informed. ' ' 
 
 Morgan Rhydderch, or Prothroe in English, was baptized 
 at Rhydwilim in 1667, one year before the church was formed. 
 On the 13th day of 'the'5lh month, in 1668, the day after the 
 church was-formed, he was set apart to the office ofa deacon. 
 On the 27th day of the 9th month, 1669, he was ordained dea- 
 con. Whenho began to preach, we are not informed. He was 
 not-anordained minister but an assistant preacher, who had to 
 endure' his fart of the persecution for more than twenty years. 
 In 1662 he -was orderdd by the king's officers not to preach any 
 
THI? WELSH BAPTISTS. 59 
 
 more, but he persevered in the good cause . in which he was 
 engaged. 
 
 He had two sons in the ministry, of the names of Enoch and 
 Abel, who. went to America; Mr. .Benedict, in his history of 
 them, observes, that " their father weis Morgan Rydderch, a 
 famous Baptist minister in Wales. But it was a comrnon thing 
 in that; country, for the children to take the personal name 
 of their father instead of the sirn^me, only joining to it the 
 names of their progenitors, by a "string of aps." And Mr. 
 Edwards says that he had seen a Bible of his grandfather's, 
 with the following title-page : "Eiddo Edward,_ap William, ap 
 Edward, ap Dafydd, ap Evan"r^viz. : The property of Ed- 
 wards, the son- of Williams, the son of Edwards, the son of 
 Davis, the. son of Ev-ans. A custom by which much property 
 has been lost. 
 
 Henry Williarps began fo.preaoh,at Llanbrynmair, in the 
 year 1660: the very. time the voracious wolves began to tear 
 the flock of the great Shepheri and Bishop of our souls, this 
 under shepherd stepped forward to'protect and feed-them. He 
 lived at the .Sea felt, .near Newtown, Montgomeryshire: that, 
 very house is the Pilgrim Lodge to this day,.- Many timfes has 
 the writer of this been kindly entertained theref, by a person of 
 the name of^Tonea and his family. Had the name nf the place 
 been Stafeil, (a chamber,) it might have been called indeed the 
 Prophet's Chambe'r; for it has been, for time out of mind, the 
 resting-place of almost all the ministers in Wales. Some time 
 before H. Williams began to preach, he was in the .habit of' 
 writino- the sermons that he heard; and when they were with- 
 «5ut a preacher, he -would repeat one of those sermons, and en- 
 gage in prayer. But so dreadful \vas the persecution, and so 
 few wore the preachers, tliat his store, of that description was 
 soon exhausted,;, so that he begaa to stiidy the word of God, 
 ., and to deliver to the people; what he collected therefrom'. He 
 was a 'goody gifted, and learned m.an', and soon became a very 
 acceptable and popular preacher. . ' . 
 
 He W3S imprisoned for the space of nine years; His house 
 was plundered and burnt up; and his father, an aged man who 
 lived with- him, was murdered by the same people who plun- 
 dered-and burnt the house. ■ At aXV these cruel actions the 
 governrrtent winked;, and" never called, the 'murderers to an ac- 
 count. But his blood speaks to this day agaiBst "bloody and 
 tyrannical England." H. Williams' wife, who tvas in the 
 family way very ngir her time, fled for' her life, with one child 
 upon her back,- and leading the other by the hand. . One would 
 think that the most hard-hearted wi-etch that ever existed 
 
60 1II8T0KY OF 
 
 wpuld have had compassion upon her in this situation; but it 
 was not so. Orie of the soldiers ran after her to hinder her 
 from crossing the river, presented his pistol at her, and swore, 
 he would shoot her. brains out; but one of the officers, whose 
 heart was not altogether so hard, knocked the fellow down, and 
 she made her escape over the river Severn. Another time, while 
 H. Williams was preaching, he was taken up, dragged out, and 
 abused in such a manner and to such a degree, that he was 
 left on the earth lor dead, like Paul in Lystra. Language is 
 not able to express the sufferings this good man had to endure. 
 The sufferings pf the martyrs are not worthy to be compared 
 with his continual torment, under the reign of that vile tormen- 
 ter,. Charles the second. Nothing but the visible judgment of 
 God upon the persecutors put an end to his sufferings. One of 
 the magistrates, Vho was active in the conspiracy against him, 
 died suddenly while eating his dinner. ■ Another coming home 
 drunk from Newtown, fell down and broke his neck. Another 
 fell into the Severn and was dr*vned. And what is still- more 
 remarkable, was the cifcumsfanoe relative to his field of wheat, 
 universally believed throtighout the Principality to be a fact that 
 cannof be contradicted. Iii the month of October, when his 
 house was burnt, and all his property, -his" stock, and crop, and 
 household furniture, forfeited to the king, nothing was left but" 
 a field of wheat lately sown : no thanks jfor leaving thatbehind, 
 for they could not take the seed out of the ground. ' That field 
 of wheat yielded so much, that from its produce H. Williams 
 was more than doubly paid for all the less which he had sus- 
 tained the preceding year. That there should be so many 
 straws growing from the same root, was a great wonder; for 
 it far exceeded every thing that had been seen in that country, 
 cither before or after. But that there should be so many ears, 
 as two or three, growing on the same straw, was very little, if 
 any, less than a miracle. However, let it be called what it 
 may, such was the case._ On most of the stalljs, which were 
 very numerous, there were no less than three full long ears of 
 wheat. V Some of them, however, had but tWo ears.* So visi- 
 ble was the hand of God manifested here, that Henry Wil- 
 liams's enemies trembled. The field is visited often to this 
 day, by many from "England and different parts of Wales: by 
 some as a mere curiosity, and by others as a matter of grati- 
 tufle to that God who rules. above. and manages our mean 
 affairs. 
 H. Williams was indeed a true man,^ lively preacher, 
 
 * See Thomas's History of the Baptiato in Wales, p. 136. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 61 
 
 &nd a , champion in the cause of God, who suffered much for 
 conscience' sake; who never thought of lookirig backward, but . 
 pressed forward, looking unto Jesus, the Captain of salvation, 
 and through that conquest once obtained on Calvary, he is 
 more than a conqueror. 
 
 He lived' on his-^own -farm, and preached the gospel gratis, 
 until he died, in the year 1685, three years before the end of 
 the persecution. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, 
 their worts shall follow them. 
 
 Francis Davis was A member and an assistant preacher at 
 Dblau^ Radnorshire, he began to preach about the year 1661, 
 and continued among them an acceptable preacher till he died,' 
 in the year 1690, two years after the persecution was over. 
 He had a great many children : some of them went to Penn- 
 sylvania, North America. He had the pleasure and the pecu- 
 liar satisfaction of Seeing them all making a profession of reli- 
 gion, except his eldest son Nathan. He was- a very wild and 
 prodigal young man, vvho had been the means of almost break- 
 ing Jhis father's heart. Neither rough nor fair means would 
 have any effect upon him. Though often reproved, he turned 
 a deaf ear.ti the glorious invitations of the gospel. His aged 
 father prayed often! with him' and for him, but the bars of hea- 
 ven seemed to be bolted, and the young man growing worse 
 and worse. At length the time came when, the old man must 
 die, and like old Jacob he called all. his children around his dy- 
 ing bed, he gave every individual of them a solemn charge, 
 and appropriate advice how to conduct thernselves in the house 
 of God, ^nd in the world, and exhorted them ,all to conduct 
 themselves in the wisest manner they possibly could towards 
 their ungodly brother, as they could expect nothing but sorrow 
 from him. And without uttering one single word to hie eldest 
 son, he turned his facetowards the partition and died. The 
 father's silence in his last moments had more effect upon the 
 prodigal son, than all the exhortations he had given him in his 
 life. In aii instant he- was melted down to the ground. The 
 arrows of conviction stuck fast in his heart. Tears of evange- 
 lical repentance, flowed from his eyes, and by faith he beheld 
 the bleeding Savior extending his arms wide open to embrace 
 him,, and his bowels of compassion yearning over him. ' Turn- 
 ing his face towards his aged father, he beheld the vital spark 
 had gone. , Nathan Davis, the old man's eldest sonj made a 
 profession of religion, and became a celebrated preacher of the 
 gospel, and pastor of the church where his^ father had been a 
 mqmber. More account we may give of him hereafter. O! 
 the depth of the wisdom, love, goodness, and mercy of our 
 
62 HrSTORY OP 
 
 God ! His ways are past finding out ! His ways are in the 
 seas, and his paths are in the great waters! Who is a God 
 like our God? 
 
 Thomas Powell of Maes-yr-onen, in Radnorshire, was a 
 member and an occasional preacher of the church at Olchon. 
 He was a very , excellent physician. On that account he was 
 generally known by the name of Do<;tor Powell. He was a 
 very useful member of the church, and a great help in the time 
 of persecution, about the same time as Thomas Parry. We do 
 not know what time he began to preach, nor when he died. 
 
 'John Gilbert was a member of the church at Olchon, and 
 took his turn as a preacher. He was well received and much 
 approved of in that capacity ,^ and was very useful to thorn after 
 the death of their, pastor, Thomas Watkins., He lived at a 
 place. called Baily-bach. In 1686 the church met at his house, 
 and w£is their place of worship for many years after. 
 
 Griffith Howell was baptized at Rhydwilim, on the 4th day 
 of the 6th month, 1667. He was ordained .co-pastor with W. 
 Jones over that church, on the ISth day of the 5th month, 1668., 
 It is not certain whether he was a preacher before he joined the 
 Baptist church or not. If not, our Welsh brethren, in this case, 
 have deviated from their usual custom; for they laid their hands 
 on him rather suddenly. However, if that was the case, they 
 had no reason to reppnt it ; for he turned out to be one- of the 
 most excellent men that Wales ever produced. He was in the 
 west what Thomas Parry was in. the east : truly a hospitable 
 man. The church met at his house for many years, their 
 members residing in three different counties, and all orf them made 
 his house their home. He suffered much by fineS and im- 
 prisonment for preaching the gospel; but notwithstanding his 
 property had been so often sold, and so much under value, to 
 pay those -fines, he was a man of considerable property when 
 he died. In his last will and testament, he left forty pounds 
 towards the support of the gospel at Rhydwilim. He died in 
 the year 1707, and was buried on his own farm. He acknow- 
 ledged no king in Zion but Jesus ; for he is the King of kings, 
 and the Lord of lords, who is the head of all principality and 
 power; and he must reign till all his enemies are subdued — ^till 
 every knee shall bow before him, and every tongue confess his 
 glory and majesty. At the time when the Baptists suffered so 
 much, in consequence of the union between church and state, it 
 is no wonder that Griffith Howell and others, insisted so much 
 thatnhe kingdom of Christ is. not of this world ; that his sub- 
 jects are spiritual characters; that the natural .man receiveth 
 not the things which are of the Spirit of God; and that his 
 
THE WELSH BAETISTS. 63 
 
 law Is a spiritual law, which reaches not only to the words and 
 actions of his subjects, but U) {heir most secret thoughts. With 
 rapture and delight he meditated on, and talked of, the liappy 
 period when Immanuel's kingdom shall break in pieces and con- 
 sume all other kingdoms. When the kingdom, and the domi- 
 nion, and; the greatness otthe kingdorri utider the whole heaven 
 shall be given to the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom 
 is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and 
 obey him. Yes, he looked forward over the gloomy hills of 
 darkness, when our blessed Redeemer shall have the heathen 
 for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his 
 possession; when the knowled^ of the glory of Christ shall 
 cover the earthas the w^aters cover the sea ; and when the lit- 
 tle one, even the small church of Rhydwilim, shall become a 
 thousand, and the small one, a strong nation; Ezekiel's stream 
 shall be swimming waters ; the stone cut out of the mountain, 
 shall fill the universe; Zion's tent be enlarged, and the curtain 
 of her habitation stretched forth. To him the time appeared 
 not far distant, when the Jews would look upon him whom they 
 pierced and mourn; believe iii him, and rely-upon him, as the 
 only Savior of losfand perisihing, sinners ; and with them the 
 fulness of the Gentiles coming in. , The watchmen seeing eye 
 to eye,' when the ordinances of the gospel shall be universally 
 administered according to the primitive mode. 
 
 Tho mas Bavid Rees was brought up a Ecesbyferiaia.— Hav^ 
 iog embraced the sentiments of the Baptists, he was baptized, 
 and joined Landwr tranch of the church, which was at Rhyd- 
 wilim, how Rehoboth, on the 10th day of the 6th month, in 
 1668. He was the first who was baptiized after the church was 
 formed. He was ordained in that church,, on the 27th day of 
 the 10th month, 1669. He suifered much by fine and im- 
 prisonment. He lived at Moyddyn, in the parish of Llanarth, 
 Cardiganshire. In the year 1696, a branch of the church at 
 Rhydwilim was formed into a regular church. Thomaa David 
 Rees becarfte their pastor. When this new church was formed 
 their place of worship was a dwelling-house, of the name of 
 Gland wr. After they built a meeting-house, it was called 
 Panteg — now Rehoboth. 
 
 T. D. Rees was truly a godly man : active and faithful in 
 the best cause; very accuratej-but not rigid; fervent, not fana- 
 tic ; rational, not phlegmatic. He carefully avoided extremes, 
 such as violent excitement, on the one hand, and a dull and 
 formal state, on the other., He was thoughtful and solemn,'but 
 n©t gloomy ; grave, but not morose ; deliberate, but never dila- 
 tory ; cautious, but not obstinate ; sedate, but not absent. He 
 
64 HISTORY OF 
 
 sometimes mourned, but never murmured. He bowed submis- 
 sively to the providence of God, waited patiently his appointed 
 time, and in all things committed himself to the Lord, the 
 strength of his heart and his portion forever. . He died in the 
 year 1700, and was much lamented by all his friends, 
 
 Joseph Price began to preacli at Olchon, about the year 1681 . 
 He lived, at Shephouse ij* the parish of Hay, till he moved to 
 Leominister in the -county of Hereford, and became a member 
 of the Baptist church at that place. In 1695, he became the 
 pastor of the Baptist church at Tewkesbury, wher&he labored 
 with acceptance the remainder of his days. He often preached 
 at Ross and several .other places in Herefordshire. He was a 
 great poet. -Three of his poems have been published in Eng- 
 lish: One on believer's. baptism; another is a defence of the 
 Baptist ministers, in answer to a sermon preached by an Epis- 
 copalian minister ; the third is an elegy on the death of Timo- 
 thy Thomas of Pershore. 
 
 He died on the 13th day of September, 1721, and was buried 
 near the' Baptist meeting-house at Tewkesbury,. in the county 
 of .Gloucester. He obtained to himself a good name, and left 
 a sweet savour behind Jiim. 
 
 John Evans was chosen pastor of the church at Wrexham, 
 in 1668. He continued to preach in his own house in a secret 
 manner, through the greatest p^rt of the persecution, without 
 tmng-deteete^^AiuL-whfin he w.as-Jbuiid-out^jjaU^Sl j.;ihe 
 bishop of the establishment offered him a very rich living, but 
 on his refusing to accept of it, his lordship was most dreadfully 
 offended; but John Evans made his own house his -prison. 
 He locked himself up, and out of there he would not and did, 
 not go, for a considerable time, but would preach there to as 
 many as would come to hear by night, after his lordshiprand 
 his friends had gone to rest. He was an excellent preacher all 
 the days of his life. He died triumphantly in the Lord, in 
 1700, aged seventy-two years. Matthew Henry attended his 
 funeral, and preached fyom Acts 21:14. Dr. Evans of Lon- 
 don, was a. son of John Evans of Wrexham. 
 
 George John of Llangolman, was baptized at Rhydwilim, on 
 the 5th day of the 2d month, 1668, about three months before 
 the church was formed. He was of a Very respectable family. 
 He remembered his Creator in the .days of his youth. When 
 the rest of the family were playipg cards, he would be reading 
 his Bible; and would rather suffer affliction with the people of 
 God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin and folly. How long he 
 was in the ministry we do not know. He died in the year 
 1700. He was a member of the church thirty-two years, and 
 
THE -^ELSH BAPTI8TS. 66 
 
 had to endure, his part of the persecution. He was far from 
 being a man of libei^l sentiments. He measured every thing 
 by his own rule. Any thing short' of that measurement, was 
 with him a bar of communion. Poor man! how imperfect 
 are the children of men, when they demand perfection from 
 every one else. • , , , i _ 
 
 James James was baptized at Rhydwilim, in the year 1667. 
 He belonged to that branch of the .church which then met for 
 divine -yyorship at Land Writhe same that now meets at Reho- 
 both-^under the pastoral care of GrifBth Jones. He became 
 eo-pastor with T. D., Rees of that church, after it was regularly 
 formed; and labored among' them, all the" days of his life, until 
 he died in 1734. . In the time of persecution, on a certain fast 
 day appointed by government, no Dissenter was, permitted to 
 preach, "let him be who >he might, under the penalty of forty 
 pounds sterling. The Baptists, however, met on that day to 
 pray, when James James explained the object of the meeting, 
 In-the course of a few days the king's officers seized the man's 
 property, at whose house the prayer meeting was held. The 
 poor man borrowed the hioney, paid the forty pounds, and re- 
 prieved his cattle. The case was gfterwards tried, in an open 
 court, at Llanpeter. After a long and warm debate between 
 the lawyers and counsellors on the subject, the jurymen gave 
 their verdict in favor of the majn, apd the forty pounds were re- 
 turned to him on the table in cpurt. Upon which the king's 
 lawyer vehernently, arid" with the greatest wrath and indigna- 
 tion,^ struck the table- with his fist, and said, "As, long as I 
 have this arm to my body, I will he against this sect." The 
 words had no sooner dropped from his lips, thap a most dread- 
 ful pain seized his arm.. It actually rotted from his body in a 
 short time, and he died a miserable death. . , 
 
 Evan Davis was baptized and became a member of Rhyd- 
 wilim in 1667, and was of the Llandwr branch of the church. 
 It is said that his parents were very pjous people. What deno*- 
 mination they belonged to we have not been informed, neither 
 do we know when he began to preach, nor when he was oi:- 
 dained. Once as he was preaching, at Henfas in Llanllwriy, 
 and was about* to break hread, the constables came and took 
 him av?ay to prison; but it so turned out, that none of his 
 enemies knew his name, and as he was not boui^d to give his 
 name, they could do nothing but threaten him and let liiiio go. 
 He immediately returned to his congregation, and found them 
 praying for him, as tlie church of old did for Peter. He ad- 
 ministered the ordinance of the Lord's supper that evening, late 
 as it was, and all rejoiced in the Gofl pf their salvation. BqL 
 6 
 
66 HISTOEY OF 
 
 soon afterwards, the magistrate found- out his name, .and com- 
 mitted him to prison. One day as the magistrate was visiting 
 the prisoners, he asked Evan Davis how he liked that place. 
 " Very well," was the reply. " I thank God that I am in a 
 place where I can pray and preach, without being molested liy 
 you, with all your spite and malice." -Evan Davis was soon 
 liberated from prison, by some means or other. About that 
 time, the justice and his brother having offended some one that 
 was higher than them, both of them lost their places, and said 
 that it was in consequence of Evan .Davis's prayers against 
 them. . " The wicked flee when no man pursueth." Evan 
 Davis hsiving suffered much in. the best cause, for more than 
 twenty years, died in the year 1707. 
 
 John Jenkins was baptized and became a. member of the 
 church at. Rhydwilim, in the year 1667. He was pastor of 
 that church for many years, and was one of those who came 
 out of the great tribulation in 1689. He had a public debate 
 with John Thomas; on the ordinance of baptism; m conse- 
 quence of which. a great many of the Independents were bap- 
 tized and joined the church. He died'in full hope of a glorious 
 immortality, in the year 1733, aged 77. - 
 
 Thus died John Jenkins, pastor of the Baptist church ■ at 
 RhydwilimJ a man of great talents, bright genius, and most 
 wonderful activity. Before he was converted, he was remark- 
 ably wild, much given to dnrik, and one of the greatest pugil- 
 ists in the region where he lived; but after his conversion to 
 God, he became as noted a peace-maker, as he had been 
 quarrelsome before. The agreeableriess of his conversation, 
 the fervor of his zeal, and the unvVeariedness of his diligence, 
 were.such, as to distinguish and ennoble his character. True 
 piety reflected a lustre on his natural and ministerial gifts, tliat 
 qualified him to be useful in his own house and' in the house of 
 God'. He was a man of njost tender conscience, most catho- 
 lic spirit, and most benevolent heart.. With regard to his suc- 
 cess in the ministry, it was by no means inconsiderable. In his 
 life-time he baptised a great many. The whole of his ministry 
 ■exhibited a singular display of the power of divine grace among 
 the ancient Britons. Deeply impressed with the necessity of 
 the influence of the Holy Spirit for the conversion of sinners, 
 he combined most earnest prayer with his most active endea- 
 vors, and ascribed all the glory to God, whoso prerogative it 
 is to speak so that the dead may hear, his voice and live for- 
 ever. Sometimes he would be greatly oppressed with a sense 
 of his own guilt and depravity, and at other times he seemed 
 to be with Moses on the mouut. He longed to be as a flame 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 67 
 
 of -fire, continually glowing in the service of his dear Re- 
 deemer. _ 
 
 _,, Samuel Jones was bom on the 9th day of July, 1657, in the 
 parish of Llandddwy, and the county of Radnor, South Wales. 
 He was baptized and received a member of the- Baptist 
 church'at Dolau, in the above county, during the time of perse- 
 cution und,er Charles the second- He was a man of piety j and 
 firmly and understandingly, established in Baptist principles. 
 By reason of most cruel persecution at home, Samuel Jones, 
 JohR Eaton, George Eaton and Jane his 'wife, and Sarah Eaton, 
 all members of the church at Dolau, with their families, and 
 other friends and relatives, went to America in the year 1686, 
 two years before the end of the persecution in Wales, and set« 
 tied on the banks of Penepeck, Pennsylvania. John Bjiker, a 
 member of the Baptist church at Kilkenny, Ireland, and Samuel 
 Vaus, a member of a Baptist church in England, also arrived 
 and settled with them. 
 
 In the year 1687, Rev. Eliscs Keach, son of the celebrated 
 Benjamin Keach of London came among them, preached the 
 gospel unto them,' and baptized Joseph Ashton and Jane his. 
 vrife, William Fisher, and John Watts. These persoris, by 
 mutual consent, formed themselves into a church, in the month 
 of January, 1688; choosing ..Mr. Keach to be their, minister, 
 and Samuel Vaus, deacon. ,Soon after, the few emigrated 
 Baptists in Pennsylvania and West Jersey, and those whom 
 Elias Keach .b&ptized at the Falls, Coldspring, Burlington, 
 Cohansey, Salem, Penn's' Neck, Chester, apd Philadelphia, 
 joined them. They were all one church, and Penepeck the 
 centre of union, where as many as could met to celebrate 
 Christ's death; a,nd for the sake of distxint members, they 
 adrpinistered the ordinance quarterly, at Burlington', Cohansey, 
 Chester, and Philadelphia: wjiich quarterly meetings have since 
 been transformed into three yearly meetings, and an associa* 
 tion. Thus, for some time, continued their 2ion with lengths 
 ened cords, till the brethren in remote»parts,,set ab6ut forming 
 themselves into distinct churches, which began in 1699. By 
 these detachments, Penepeck was rcducedto. narrow bounds, 
 buf yet abides among the churches, as.a mother in the. midst of 
 many daughters. As Elias , Keach. did not settle long enough 
 among them, John Watts, one of the members of the church, 
 was ordained theirpastor in 1690, an 1 soon after died of smalU 
 pox. In 1697, Samuel Jones was called to the work of the 
 ministry. He was ordained and took part in the ministry with 
 Evan Morgan, on the 23d of October, 1706. • He died Febru^ 
 ary 3d, 1722, and was buried at Penepeck. The- ground on 
 
C9 HISTOKY OP 
 
 whfch the meeting house stands was given by him. . He alscr 
 gave for the use of the ehurch — Poole's Annotatipnsj 2 vols. ; 
 Burkit's Arinotations, I vol.;, Keach on thb Parables; and 
 Bishop's Body of Divinity. Though, he had left the Princi- , 
 pality for rnany years, and was only a member of the church 
 when he left there; yet his name is well-known in Wales at 
 the present day, owing chiefly perhaps to the regular corres- 
 pondence he kept up with several ministers in this regioUj par- 
 ticularly Nathan Davis and Caleb Evans. Some of these let- 
 ters are published in Welsh.* ,, <, 
 
 Evan Morgan was a man of piety, parts, and prudence. He 
 was a native of Wales, but went to America when young, and 
 joined the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, broke 
 off from them along with many others of Keith's pai-ty in 1691. 
 He was baptized in 1697, by-Thqmas Rutter, and the same 
 year, renouncing the reliques of Quakerism, was received a 
 member of the church at Penepeck. In 1702 he was called to 
 the ministry. He was ordahied on the 23d of October, 1706, 
 by Messrs. Thomas Griffiths and Thomas Killingworth. He 
 diied on the 16th of February, 170^, and was i)uried at Pene-, 
 peck, after having had the joirit care of the church for upwsirds 
 of two years-l . ' - 
 
 Abel Morgan was a member of the Glandwr branch of 
 Rhydwilim, now Rehoboth. " At the age of nineteen he began; 
 to preach the everlasting gospel. Soon afterwards he moved 
 to Monmouthshire^ an,d became a member of Llanwenarth. 
 He was ordained and became the pdstor gf the church at 
 Blaenaugwent, in 1606. He was very well received and much 
 respected by the church and congregation there, as well as 
 many other places throughout the Principality. 
 
 On the 23d day of August, 1711, when it was known that 
 he was determined to go to America, where many of his coun- 
 trymen, relatives,' and religious friends, had gone before him, 
 the church held a special meeting, as he had been so useful 
 among them, and so much esteemed by them for a long time. 
 It is said that it was one of the most melting, interesting, and 
 affecting meeting, that was ever held. To part with such a 
 celebrated minister, whom they loved so dearly, having no ex- 
 pectation of ever seeing his face^ nor hearing his voice any more 
 on earth, was almost more than tht ir feelings could bear. But 
 the Western Macedonian cry, '♦ Conle over and help us," pre- 
 ibminated. However, on the day g{ the meeting, several reso- 
 
 • See Thomas's History, and Moman Edwards's Materiale, p. 
 + S«e Morgan "Edwards's Materials, -vol. 1, p. 12, 
 
 6, 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 69 
 
 lutions were pvopogcd by him, which were seconded and passed 
 without a dis'sentiiig voice: such as, that William Philips, a 
 member and assistant pEea,cher, should be appointed to preach 
 regularly to the church as a probationer, to become their pas- 
 tor; and many other things too tedious now to be enumerated. 
 In parting he gave the church a charge,^ 
 
 1. That they should never grieve their ministers, who should 
 labor among them in word and doctrine,' but cheerfully to 
 assist them m temporal thingsj as well as in any difficulty 
 which might occur In.the exercise of discipline, or the important 
 work of ^the ministry. 
 
 2. That they should love one another^ Not forsaking the 
 assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is; 
 but to exhort one another to stand fast in. one spirit, with one 
 mind striving together for the- faith of the gospel. 
 
 3. That they should encourage all who might have any pro- 
 mising gifts, for the ministry. 
 
 His last' address is left on record in the church book, for the 
 benefit of the rising generation. Sooii afterwards he took his 
 femily- over to BristoT, and on. the,28th of September they em- 
 barked for America. The next day the wind being contrary, 
 and the ship excijedingly tossed with-the tempest, they turned 
 in to Milford haven, where , they were detained three weeks. 
 And when they sailed from that place, they were driven by the 
 -t§mpestuo4JS^¥iad& to-Gcrk, in IrslaTid, v»iiere they were obliged 
 to stay five weeks, in very uncomfortable circumstances, as 
 most of the passengers were uiiwell. From there, however, 
 they all sa iled on the 1 9th of November. On the 1 4th of De- 
 cember, Abel Morgan's little boy died, and on the 17th of the 
 same month, his dearly beloved wife breathed her last,,and 
 both of them were committed to the deep. This was tbhim a 
 severe trial, indeed. But the Lord gave and he had an undis- 
 puted right to take away, and to say to the work of his hand, 
 " Be still, and know -that I am God." HeTvas eleven weeks 
 on the Atlantic ocean, in the depth of winter. He was in the 
 vessel which sailed from Bristol to Philadelphia, no less than 
 twenty-two weeks. Morgan Edwards informs us, that he was 
 born at Allt Goch, in the parish of Llanwenog, county of Car 
 niarthen, in 1637. He arrived in America on the 14th of 
 February, 1711. He resided some time at Philadelphia, and 
 then removed to Penepeck. He took on him the care of the 
 church, as soon as be landed, and continued in that trust until his 
 death, which came to'pass December 16, 1722. He was buried 
 in Jhe grave-yard of Philadelphia, where a .stone is erected to 
 his memory. Mr. Morgan was a man of considerable distinc- 
 
70 HISTORY OF 
 
 tion. He compiled a folio' concordance to, the Welsh Bible, 
 which was printed at Philadelphia in 1730. He also translated 
 the Century Confession into Welsh, and added thereunto arti- 
 cles twenty-three and thirty-one.* 
 
 Morgan Edwards and David Benedict, we think, were mis- 
 taken respecting the year in which Abel Morgan wets born. It 
 is not likely that he was.bornin 1637, when his brother Enoch, 
 of tlie same father and mother, was born in 1676; and his 
 brother Benjamin Griffith, of the same mother though not of 
 the same father, was born in 1688. > , 
 
 Richard Williains began to preach at Rhydwilim, about the 
 year 1681. He was ordai-ned about the, year 1687. He be- 
 came the pastor of the church at Maesyberllan, in 1700. He 
 was a godly man, and a very acceptable preacher, whose influ- 
 ence in the associations was considerable. ' He was active and 
 diligent in the imjidrtant work in which he was engaged, arid 
 suffered much in the cause of Christ; for he was one of' those 
 ministers that came out of great tribulation in 1688. Having 
 adorned the profession which he had made, he died in the yfar 
 1724. 
 
 John Davis was a member of the church at Rhydwilim, arid 
 began to preach about the year 1681. He was the son of a 
 rich man in the world, but most wonderfully displeased his 
 father when he 'became a Baptist. And as he married one of 
 the members of the-eburch.lhe old man^thoughtiitj o disinherit 
 him; so that he and his wife had their share of poverty as long 
 as he lived. However, Mr. John Evans of L[wyndwr, out of 
 respect to him, was so, liberal to his widow and his fatherless 
 children, that they \yarited nothing which this world could af- 
 ford. Though he was poor in the world, yet he was rich in 
 grace and ripped for gloryi He never was ordained, but was 
 a good and faithful preacher. He finished his course in the 
 year 1700. His children and grand-children, from time to 
 time, have been eminerit members, and some of them deacons 
 of Baptist churches in that region to the present .day. 
 
 Samuel John was a member of the church at Rhydwilim, 
 and began to preach about the year 1682. He was ordained 
 about the year 1695, and became pastor of the church of Cil- 
 fowyr in the year 1704. He died in the year 1736, aged 80 
 years, and was buried in the bUrying-ground belonging to Cil- 
 fowyr. He had a very peculiar way of expressing himself in 
 short and pathetic sentences, which never were forgotten by the 
 most of his hearers as long as they lived. His peculiar turn 
 
 * Moi^ao Edwards's Materials, p. 14. 
 
THE WKLSH BAPTISTS. 71 
 
 of mind and mode of expression^ was something similar to that 
 of Daniel Burgess, of Londen, which would amuse, convince, 
 rebuke, and comfort his hearers, at the same time. Here we 
 must take notice of one of his memters : one of the most useful, 
 active, and zealous men that ever Wales produced. His name 
 was John Philips, of- Cilcam, in the parish of Eglwyswen, (or 
 Whitechuroh in English,) county of Pembroke, South Wales. 
 He was not' only the first man that advocated the Baptist prin- 
 ciples in this region, but was the means of bringing Vhe Baptist 
 ministers to these parts : At his house they first preached ; at 
 his house, also, the church was first formed, and met to worship 
 God and to receive^he ordinances of the New Testament, for 
 many years, until the m,eeting house at Cilfowyr was built in 
 1716. ,. 
 
 The first Baptists in. this par¥ of the world were Lelice Mor- 
 gan, Margaret Nicholas, and the said John Philips. He was 
 brought up a Presbyterian, and was a member of the Presbyte- 
 rian church, whereof John Thomas was pastor; but on examin- 
 ing the Scriptures, after the most mature deliberation, he was 
 convinced that Infant baptism could not be found in the Bible, 
 and consequently that it did not come from Heaven but from 
 Rome. But as he was a good man, and a very respectable 
 man in the world, the Presbyterians were very unwilling for 
 him to beconne a Baptist.' They invited him to come before 
 the church, that they would satisfy his mind on that subject; to 
 which he consented, and the day was appointed; but he sent 
 for George John, a Baptist minister of Rhydwilim, to go with 
 him to meet the Presbyterian church and their pastor John 
 Thomas. On the appointed day they all met at a place called 
 Castell-maelgwyn. ffaving had a long conversation on the 
 subject, and seeing ^ that John Philips was not yet convinced 
 of the propriety of Infant baptism, the Presbyterian minister 
 proposed that he would preach oii the subject, and that J. Phi- 
 lips should choose any Baptist minister to preach, and to hold 
 a public debate, on the subject X)f baptism. The place and time 
 were then appointed. Thousands of people met. Two ser- 
 mons were preached : the first by J. Thomas, the second by 
 Ji Jenkins, on the same text — the commission of Christ to his 
 apostles. The consequence was, that John Philips and a great 
 many of the Presbyterians were baptized on. the 18th day of 
 the 4th month, 1692; and several more of their fellow mem- 
 bers were baptized soon after. - 
 
 Thomas, the Welsh historian, informs us, that John Philips 
 went to America, and that if ever he should see the History of 
 
nisTORV or 
 
 the Baptistsjn America, by Morgan Edwards, he hoped to sec 
 some farther account of John Philips. 
 
 On examining Morgan Edwards's History of the American 
 Baptists, among the membersof the- Great Valley church, near 
 Philadelphia, we find the name of John Philips, who bequeathed 
 the sum of fifty pounds, towards the support of the cause in that 
 place. We are inclined to believe hina to be the said John 
 Philips, of Cilcam, and a relation of the celebrated David Phi- 
 lips, pastor of the Baptist churclj at ,f eter's Creek, Washington 
 county, Pennsylvania. We know that David Philips was born 
 in the parish of Eglwyswen, Pembrokeshire, and arrived in 
 Pennsylvania : more of him hereafter. 
 
 Thomas Griffiths was born in 1645, m the parish of Llanfer- 
 nach, county of Pembroke. He was baptized and became a mem- 
 ber of the cjiurch at Rhydwilim, in 1677. He resided at that 
 time in the parishof Melin'au. He began to tpreach about the 
 year 1683, and had to suffer his part of the dreadful persecu- 
 tion under Charles the second, for the space of eleven years. 
 At first, the subjects of his preaching were the perfectians of 
 the Deity, the heauty of creation, arid man's depravity and 
 moral obligatio»: subjects which, however excellent in them- 
 selves, and however well mananged, are, nevertheless, not 
 calculated to awaken the careles? sinner from a state of carnal 
 stupidity, any more than the thunders of Sinai and the damna- 
 tion of hell. But when he directed the attention of his hearers 
 to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world — to 
 the mcarnatioM, fife, sufferings, and death of Christ — his tri- 
 umphant victory over the powers of hell, and his glorious re- 
 surrection from the grave — he often found himself so impressed, 
 his heart so much warmed and animated, attended with corres- 
 pondent effects on his hearers, that the Spirit of God seemed to 
 have descended with such astonishing energy, as to overpower 
 all opposition, like a mighty torrent sweeping before it whatever 
 comes in its way- with irresistible force. In the year 1701, he 
 iind fifteen of the members of the church went to America in 
 the same vessel. They formed themselves into a church at 
 Milford, in the county of Pembroke, South Wales, and Thomas 
 Griffiths became their pastor in the month of . June, 1701. 
 They embarked on board the- ship James and Mary,,and on 
 the 8th day of September following, they landed at Philadel- 
 phia. The brethren there treated them courteously, and ad- 
 vised them to settle about Penepeck. Thither they went, and 
 there continued about a year and a half. During that time 
 twenty-one persons joined them, but finding it inconvenient tp 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 73 
 
 abide there, they purchased land in the county of Newcastle, 
 and gave it the name of Welsh- tract, where thqjr built a meet- 
 ing-house, and Thomas Griffiths labored among them as their 
 pastor, till he died on the 25th of Jiily, 1725,. aged 80 years. 
 He was buried at Penepeck. ^ 
 
 Jleynold Howell, in' a letter to Miles Harris, dated 1752, 
 states, ," that the Baptist church at Welsh-tract, under the pas- 
 toral care of Thomas Griffiths, was the first regularly formed 
 church in the state of Pennsylvania." In a letter from Samuel 
 Jones to Caleb Evans, dated 1713, we are informed, " that T. 
 Griffiths was of almost infinite service to the cause of Christ in 
 that region, notwithstanding that he was not a man of popular 
 talents." Of the fifteen that went.qyer with him, two of them 
 at least came up out of the fiery furnace of persecution: Grif- 
 fith N^icholas and Jennet Davis. 
 
 The following account of David Thomas and Morgan Ed- 
 wards, is taken from fienedict's History of the Baptist Deno- 
 mination in America : • 
 
 " David Thomas, who had often visited the state before, in 
 his evangelical excursions, now removed' from Pennsylvania, and 
 became a resident in Virginia, where he acted a most distinguish- 
 ed part for thirty years ; when he removed to Kentucky, where 
 •he was living, but almost blind, in 1809. As this eminent ser- 
 vant of Go.d has doubtless ere now gone to his rest, and .can 
 therefore be but Ijttle affected by the praises or censures of men, 
 we shall- take the liberty of saying more about him in the 
 following narrative, than we generally intend to say of the 
 living. 
 
 David Thomas was born, August 16, 1732, at Loudon Tract, 
 Pennsylvania, and had his education at Hopewell, New Jersey, 
 under the famous Isaac Eaton, and so cofisiderable were his 
 literary acquirements, that the Rhode Island College, (now 
 Brown University,) conferred on him the degreie of Master of 
 Arts. 
 
 David Thomas made his first stand in Virginia, in Berkley 
 county, with, or in the neighborhood of the Opeckon or Mill- 
 creek church; but in 1762, he removed'to the county of Fau- 
 quier, and became the pastor of the Broadrun church, which 
 was gathered soon afler he removed to the place. 
 
 The origin of the Broadrun church, and the manner in which 
 David Thomas was introduced among them, are related as fol- 
 lows: A short time previous to'his removing to Virginia, two 
 men in this region, without any public preaching, became much 
 7 
 
74 insTORY or 
 
 concerned about- their souls and eternal things, were convinced 
 of the'reaufysr^ vital religion, and that they were destitute of 
 it. While laboring under these convictions, they heard of the 
 Baptists, (New-Lights, as some called them,) in Berkley coun- 
 ty, and set out in search of them; and after travelling about 
 sixty miles over a rough and mountainous way, they arrived 
 amongst them, and by their preaching and conversation were 
 much enlightened and comforted, and were so happy as. to find 
 whaf had hitherto~to them been mysterious, how a weary and 
 heavy-laden sinrter might have rest. The name of one of these 
 men was Peter Gornwell, who afterwards lived to a good old 
 age, and was so eminent for- his piety, as to receive from his 
 neighbors and acquaintances, the title of ' Saint Peter.'* It is 
 related by Mr. Edwards, ** that this Peter Cornwell induced 
 Edmund Hays, (the same man who removed from Maryland to 
 Virginia, in 1743,) to remove and settle near him, and that in- 
 terviews between the families of these two men were frequent, 
 and their conversation religious and devout ; insonjuch that it 
 soon began to be talked of. abroad as a very strange thing. 
 Many came to see them, to whom they related what God had 
 done for their souls, exhorted, prayed, and read the Bible, and ; 
 other good books, to the' spreading of- seriousness through the 
 whole neighborhood.'," Oornwell and his companion, (^^hose 
 name is not mentioned,) in a short time made a second visit to 
 Berkley, and were baptized; and Divine Providence had so 
 ordered matters, that in this Visit they met with'David Thomas, 
 whom they invited to go down and preach amongst "them. He 
 accepted the invitation, and settled with them, as before related, 
 and soon became the instrument of diffusing gospel light in 
 Fauquier and the .adjacent counties, where ignorance and super- 
 -stition had long prevailed.. 
 
 David Thomas is said to have been a minister of great dis- 
 tinction in the prime of his days ; for beside the natural endow- 
 ments of a strong and vigorous mind, and the advantages of a 
 classical and refined education, he had a melodious and pierc- 
 ing voice, pathetic address, expressive action, and, above all, a 
 heart filled with love to God and his fellow men, whom he saw 
 overwhelmed in sin and misery. But for a few of the first 
 years of his ministry in Virginia, he met with much rustic per- 
 secution from the' rude inhabitants, who, as a satirical historian 
 observes, ' had not wit enough to sin in a genteel manner.'f 
 V Outrageous mobs and individuals frequently assaulted and 
 disturbed him. On,ce he was pulled down as he was preach- 
 
 * Fijstoe's Hist, of ihe Kctockton Asso. p. 1Q9. t Morgan Edwards. 
 
THE WBLSH BAPTISTS. 75 
 
 ing, and dragged out of doors in a barbarous manner. At an- 
 other time a malevolent fellow attempted to shoot him, but a 
 bystander wrenched the gun from him, and thereby prevented 
 the execution of his wicked purpose. ' The slanders and re- 
 vilings,' says Mr. Edwards, ' which he met with, are innume- 
 rable; and if we may judge of a man's prevalency against the 
 devil, by the rage of the devil's- children, Thomas prevailed 
 lilce a prince.' But the gospel flourished and prevailed ; .and 
 Broadrun church, of which he was pastor, in the course of six 
 or eight years from its establishment, branched out, and became 
 the mother of five or -six others. The Chappawomsick church 
 was constituted from that at Broadrun, in 1766. The Baptists 
 in this church met with the most violent opposition. One Ro- 
 bert Ashly and his gang, (consisting of about forty,) combined 
 against thetei, with the most determined and envenomed hos- 
 tility. Once they came to harass them at Jheir worship, and 
 entered the house with violence; but some stout fellows, not 
 able to bear the insult, took Ashly by the neckband heels, and 
 threw him out of doors. Thds infernal, conspiracy continued 
 to. vent their rage against the Baptists, by throwing a live snake 
 into the midst of them at one time, and a hornet's, nest at an- 
 other, while they were at worship; and at. another time they 
 brought' fire-arms to disperse them. But Ashly dying, soon 
 ^fter, in a miserable manner,.struck-a de«»p on their mischiev- 
 ous designs, and procured quietness for a while to the poor suf- 
 ferers, whom the civil'ppwers left to the mercy, or rather to 
 the rage and insolence of such an infuriated banditti. 
 
 But to return to Mrl Thomas. He travelled much, and the 
 fam^of his preaching drew the attention of people throughout 
 an. extensive circle ; and they travelled, in many liistances, fifty 
 and sixty miles to hear him. It is remarkable, that about thisi^ 
 time, there were multiplied instances, in different parts of Vir- 
 ginia, of persons, who had never heard of any thing like evan- 
 gelical preaching, who were brought, through divine grace, to 
 eee and,feel their, want of vital godliness. Many of these per- 
 sons', when they heard Mr. Thomas and other Baptist preach- 
 ers, would tcavel great distances to hear them, and to procure 
 their services in their own neighborhoods. By this means, the 
 gospel was first carried into the: county of Culpepper. Allen 
 Wyley, a man of respectable standing" in that county, had been 
 thus turned to God ; and not knowing of any spiritual preacher, 
 he had, sometimes gathered his neighbors, and read the Scrip: 
 tures, and exhorted them- ta repentanpe; but hearing, after a 
 while, of Mr. Thomas, he and some of his peighbors travelled 
 to Fauquier to hear him. As soon as he heard hira, he kne\v 
 
76 HISTORY OF 
 
 the joyful sound, submitted to baptism, and. invited him to preach 
 at his house.. He came; but the opposition from the wicked 
 was so great that he could not prea,ch. He went into the 
 county of Orange, and preached several times, and to much 
 purpose. Having, however, urgent calls to preach in various 
 other places, and being much opposed and persecuted, he did 
 not' attend here- as often as was wished. On this account it 
 was, that Mr. Wyley went to Pittsylvania, to procure the labors 
 of Samuel Harris. David Thomas and Mr. Garrard, some- 
 times together an^, sometimes apart, travelled and propagated 
 the pure principles of Christianity in all the upper counties of 
 the Northern Neck; but Mr. Thomas was far the most active. 
 
 The priests and friends of the establishment, viewed with a 
 jealous eye these successful exertion^ of the Baptists, and 
 adopted various metliods to embarrass and defeat them. The 
 clergy often attacked the preachers from the pulpit ;' called 
 them false prophets, wplves' in sheep's clothing, and many 
 other hard narpes equally unappropriate and sland©f®Hs. But 
 unfortunately for them, the Bajj^sts retorted these charges^ by 
 professing to believe their own articles ; at least, the leading 
 "ones,.jfind charged them- with denying them; a charge which 
 they could easily substantiate: for the doctrines most com- 
 plained of, as advanced by the Baptists, were obviously laid 
 dewn in -the commion prayer-book. - ^ ; 
 
 When they could not succeed by arguments, thejt adopted 
 more violent measures. Sometimes^fhe preachers, and even 
 some who only read sermons and prayed publicly, were car- 
 ried before magistrates, and though not committed to prison, 
 were sharply reprimanded, and cautioned not to be rigftteous 
 overmuch. 
 
 In two instances only, does it appear, that any person in 
 these parts, was actually imprisoned on account of religion, al- 
 though they suffered much abuse and persecution, from out- 
 rageous mobs and malicious individuals. The one, it seems, 
 was a licensed exhorter, and was arrested for' exhorting at a 
 licensed meeting-house. The- magistrate sent him'to jail, where 
 he was kept until court; but the court, upon knowing the cir- 
 cumstances, discharged him. The other was James Ireland, 
 who was imprisoned in Culpepper jail, and in other respects 
 treated very ill. At the time of his imprisonment, Mr. Ireland 
 was a Separate Baptist, but he aftewards joined the Regulars. 
 The reasons why the Regular Baptists were not so much per- 
 secuted as the Separates, was, that they had, at an early date, 
 applied tojthe general court, and obtained licenses for particular 
 places of preaching, under the toleration law of England ; but 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. T7 
 
 fevy, of their enemies knew the extent of these licenses; most 
 supposing, that they were by them, authorized to preach any 
 vraere in the county. 
 
 The Regulars' were considered less enthusiastic than the Se. 
 parates. They were frequently visited by a number of eminent 
 and inffuential ministers from the Philadelphia Association, and 
 they also had at their head, the learned and eloquent David 
 Thomas, who, after stemming the torrent of prejudices and op, 
 position for a few years, acquired an extensive faipe and great 
 iveight of character, even in the eyes of his enemies ; and was 
 the means of procuring a degree of quietudei asid respectability 
 for his reproached and persecuted brethren. But in the most 
 persecuting times, the Baptist cause still flourished, and the 
 work ofgrace progressed. New churches were constituted, 
 and young preachers were raised up. Daniel and William 
 Fristoe, Jeremiah Moore, and others, were early fruits of Elder 
 Thomas's ministry^ These young heralds, uniting their en- 
 deavors with Tthose of the more experienced, became zealous 
 laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. 
 
 Morgan Edwards, A. M, The following biographical sketch 
 of this truly eminent man, and distinguished promoter of the 
 Baptist cause in America, was drawn by Dr. William Rogers, 
 of Philadelphia^, in a sermon preached at his funeral,, and by 
 huTi communicated to Dr.Rippon, of London, who published 
 it in the 12th No. of his Annual Register, from which it is 
 now extracted. vThe sermon, which for some cause was not 
 printed, was preached in the First Baptist Church in Philadel- 
 phia, February 22, 1795,^ on 2 Cor. 6:8: ' By honor and dis- 
 honor; by evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet 
 true.' I 
 
 ' Morgan Effwards was born in Trevethin parish, Monmouth- 
 shire, in the Principality of Wales, pn May 9th, 1722, old style, 
 and had -his grammar- learning in the same parish, at a village 
 called Trosnat ; afterw&rds he was placed in the Baptist semi- 
 nary at Bristolj in Old England, at the time the president's , 
 chair was filled by the Rex.. Mr. FosKett. He entered on the 
 ministry in the sixteenth year of his age. After he had finished 
 his academical studies, he went to Boston, in Lincolnshire, 
 where he continued seven years, . preaching the gospel to a 
 small congregation in that town. From Boston, he removed 
 to Cork, in Ireland, where he was ordaijied, June 1, 1757, and 
 resided^nine years. From Cork he returned to Gj-eat Britain, 
 and preached about twelve months at Rye, in Sussex. While 
 at Rye, the Rev. Dr. Gill, andother London ministers, in purr 
 siaauce of letters which they received from this church, (Phils^f 
 7 * 
 
■yS HISTOHV OF 
 
 delphia,) urged hini to pay you a visit. He complied, took his 
 passage for America, arrived here May 23, 1761, and shortly 
 afterwards became your [.a^tor. He had the oversight of this 
 church for many years ; voluntarily resigned his office, when 
 he found the cause, which, was so near and dear to-his heart, 
 sinking under his hands ; but continued preaching to t*e peo- 
 ple, till they obtained another minister, the person who now 
 addresses you, in procuring whom he was not inactive. 
 
 ' After this, Mr. Edwards purchased a plantation in New- 
 ark, Newcastle county, state, of Delaware, and moved thithc* 
 with his family tn the year 1772 ; he continued preaching the 
 word of life and salvation in a number of vacant churches, till 
 the commencement bf the American war. He then • desisted, 
 and remained silent, till after the termination of our revolution- 
 ary troubles, and ^ consequent reconcfliation with this church. 
 He then occasionally read lectures in divinity, in this city, and 
 other parts of Pennsylvania; also, in, New Jersey, Delaware,;; 
 and New England; but for very particular and affecting rea- 
 sons could never be prevailed upon to resume the sacred char- 
 acter of a minister. 
 
 ' Our worthy friehd departed this life, at Pencadcr, New- 
 castle county, Delaware state, en Wednesday the 28th day of 
 January, 1795, in the 73d year of his age; and was buried, 
 agreeably to his own desire, in the aisle of this meeting'house; 
 with his first wife and their children ; her maiden name was 
 Mary Nunn, originally of Cork, in Ireland, by whom he had 
 several children, all of whom are dead, excepting two sons, 
 William and Joshua; the first, if alive, is a military officer in 
 the British service; the other is now present with us, paying 
 this last public tribute of filial affection to the memory of a fond 
 and pious parent. Mr. Edwards's second wife was a Jlrs. Sin- 
 gleton, of the state of Delaware, who is also dead, by whom he 
 had no issue. 
 
 ' Several of Mr. Edwards's pieces have appeared in print, 
 viz. 1. A Farewell Discourse, delivered at the Baptist meeting- 
 house, in Rye, February 8, 1761, on Acts 20:25,26. And. 
 now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone 
 preaching the kingdom of, God, shall see my face no more : 
 wherefore, I take you to record this day, that J am pure from 
 
 * It [a said, that the churah in Philadelphia, sent to Dr. Gill, of London to 
 assist them in obtaining a pastor ; but that tliev required so tnany accomplieh- 
 raents to be united in him, iliat the Pr. wrote them back, thai he did not know 
 that he could find a man in Englartd who would answer their description • in. 
 forming them, at the same time, that Morgan Edwards, who was then preach- 
 J"S in Ry% >n «ne county of SBSsex, came the nearest of any one who could 
 
TlIE -WELSH BAmSTS. 79 
 
 the blaod of all men. Thi^'passed through two editions, 8vo. 
 
 2. A Sermon preached in the. College of PhiladelpHTa, at the 
 ordiiiation of Rev. Samuel Jones, (now D. D.,) with a narra- 
 tive of the manner in which the ordination was conducted, 8vo. 
 
 3. The Customs of Primitive Churches, or a set of Proposi- 
 tions relative to the Name, Materials, Constitution, Powers,. 
 Officers, Ordinances, &c.-, of a Church; to which are added, 
 their proofs from-Scripturej and liistqrical narratives of the man- 
 ner in which most of them have been reduced to practice, 4to, 
 This ibook was intended for the Philadelphian Association,, in 
 hopes they would have improved on the plan, so that their joint 
 
 . productions might -have introduced a full and unexceptionable 
 treatise of Church Discipline. 4. A New-Year's Gift; a Ser- 
 mon preached in this house, January 1, 1770, from these 
 words, This year thou shalt die; which passed through four 
 editions.' What gave rise to this discourse will probably be 
 recollected for many years to come." 5. Materials towards a 
 History of the Baptists in Pennsylvania, both British and Ger- 
 ma,n, distinguished into First-day, Keithian, Seventh-day, Tun- 
 ker, and Rogerene Baptists, 12mo. 1792. The motto of both 
 volumes is, Lo ! a people that dwell alone, and shall not be 
 reckoned among the nations. 6. A Treatise on the Millenni- 
 um. 7. A Treatise' on the New Heaven and ■New l5arth: this 
 was re-printed in London. 8. Res Sacra, a Translation from 
 the Latin. The subject of this piece is an enumeration of all 
 the acts of. public worship., which the New Testament styles; 
 offerings and sacrifices ; among which, giving money fof reli- 
 gious uses is one ; and therefore, according to Mr. Edwards's 
 opinion, is to be done in the places of public worship, and with 
 equal devotion. 
 
 ' Beside what he gave to his intimate friends as tokens of per- 
 sonal regard, he has left behind him forty-two volumes of ser- 
 mons, twelve sermons to a volume, all written in a large print 
 hand ; also about a dozen volumes in quarto, on special sub- 
 jects, in some of which he was respondent, and therefore they 
 raay not contain his own real sentiments. These, with many 
 other things, unite to show that he was'no^idler. 
 
 ' He used to recommend it to ministers to' write their sermons 
 at large, but not to read them in the pulpit; if he did, he ad- 
 vised the preacher to write a large, fair hand, and make him- 
 self so much master of his subject, that a glance might take in 
 a whole page. Being a,go,od classic, and a man of refinement, 
 he was vexed with suc^ discourses from the public as deserved 
 no attention, and much more to hear barbarisms; because, as 
 he used to say, "They were ai^uments either of vanity or in- 
 
80 HISTORY OP 
 
 dplence, or both; for.an American, with an English grammar 
 in his hand, a learned friend at his elbow, and close application 
 for six ^months, might make himself master of his mother 
 tongue." - " 
 
 ' The Baptist churches are much indebted to Mr. Edwards. 
 They will long remember the time and talents he devoted- to 
 their best interests, both in Europe and America. Very far 
 was he from being a selfish person. When the arrears of his 
 salaiy, as pastor of this church, amounted to upwards of £372, 
 and^ he was put in possession of a house, by 'the church, till the 
 principal and interest should be paid, he resigned the house, 
 and relinquished a great part of the debt,, lest the church 
 should be distressed. 
 
 ' The College of Rhode Island is also greatly beholden to 
 him for his vigorous exertions at home' and abroad, in raising 
 money for that institution, and for his particular aictivity in 
 procuring its charter. This he deemed the greatest service he 
 ever did for the honor of the Baptist name.. As one of its first 
 sons, I cheerfully make this testimony of his laudable and well: 
 timed zeal. 
 
 'In the first volume of his Materials, he proposed a plan for 
 uniting all the Baptists on the Continent in one body politic, by 
 haviiig tKe Association of Philadelphia, (the centre,) incorpo- 
 rated by charter, and by taking one delegate out of each asso- 
 ciation into the • corporation ; but- finding this impracticable at 
 that time, he visited the churches from New Hampshire to 
 Georgia, gathering materials towards the history of the whole. 
 Permit me to add, that this plan of unio.n, as yet, has not suc- 
 ceeded. . 
 
 ' Mr. Edwards was the moving cause of having the minutes 
 of the Philadelphia Association printed, which he could not 
 bring to bear for some years ; and therefore, at his own expense, 
 he printed tables, exhibiting the original and annual state of the 
 associating churches. 
 
 , 'There was nothing uncommon in Mr. Edwards's person; 
 but he possessed an original genius. By his travels in Eng- 
 land, Ireland, and America, commixing with all sqrts of peo. 
 pie, and by close application to reading, he had attained a re- 
 markable ease of behavior in company, and was furnished with 
 something pleasant or informing to say on all occasions. His 
 Greek Testament -was his favorite coinpanion, of which he was 
 a complete master; his Hebrew Bible next, but he was not so 
 well versed in the Hebrew as in the Greek language ; however, 
 he knew so much of both as authorized him to say, as he often 
 did, that the Giteek and Hebre^v are the two eyes of a minister, 
 
THE WELSH BAJPTISTS. 81 
 
 and the translations are but commentaries; because they vary 
 in sense as comrnentators do. He preferred the ancient British 
 version above any other version that he had read ; observing 
 that the idioms of the Welsh fitted those of the Hebrew and 
 Greek, like hand and glove. . 
 
 * Our aged and respectable friend is gone the way of all the 
 earth ; ' but he lived to a good old age,' and with the utmost com- 
 posure closed his. eyes on all the things of time. Though ho 
 is gone, this is not gone with him; it remains with us, that the 
 Baptist interest was ever uppermost with him, and that he la- 
 bored move to promote it, than to promote his own; and this 
 he did, because- he believed it to be the interest of Christ above 
 any in Christendom. His becoming a Baptist was the effect 
 of previous examination and conviction, having been brought 
 up in the Episcopal church, for which church he retained a 
 particular regard during his whole life.'" 
 
82 HISTORY or 
 
 WELSH CHURCHES. 
 
 . OicHON, was a regular Baptist church in. 1633. How long 
 it had been in existence before, we cannot tell. Their minister 
 at that time was one of their own sons, of the name of Howell 
 Vaughan, who took them by the hand, and fed them with know- 
 ledge and understanding. However, the inci-ease of this 
 church is one of the blessed effects of the circulation of the 
 Bible in the Welsh language. The Welsh, as well as many 
 other nations, had been for several hundred years without the 
 Bible in their na;tive tongue, except what might have been in 
 manuscripts. There were few copies of it in Latin. ' Some 
 part of the Scriptures was published 11^1551 ; but the persecu- 
 tion under the reign of bloody Mary, put a stop to its circula- 
 tion. Robert Farrar and Rawlins White, in Wales, as well as 
 many others in England, were burnt to ashes for conscience' . 
 sake: the former suffered in the town of Carmarthen, and the 
 latter near Cardiff, in the county of Glamorgan, South Wales. 
 Bloody Mary died in 1558, and for the time being, the Roman 
 or popish persecution died with her, and the whole Bible was 
 ordered to be published in Welsh, by an act of parliament in 
 1563, under the superintendence of the Episcopal ministers Or 
 bishops of Llanolwy, Bangor, St. Davids, and Hereford, trans- 
 lated by William Salesbury, who lived in the"Cal-du, Llansa- 
 nan parish, Denbreghshire, North Wales. This was only for 
 the churches, but the Bible for the use of the common people, 
 was published .in 1630, by Sir Thomas Middleton, of Wani;- 
 castle North Wales. 
 
 The Welsh nation had several copies of the Bible, the Old 
 and New Testaments, in manuscript^ afler King Lucius made 
 a profession of religion. Whether they had any before that 
 period we know not; but most of them were burnt as well as 
 their meeting-houses in that dreadful pagan persecution under 
 the reign of- Dioclesian ; but in a short time aflerwards, they 
 were very liberally supplied with a great many copies of th$ 
 Bible in manuscripf, by their countryman, the Emperor Con- 
 stantine the Great. And we ate rather of opinion, that soma 
 of these valuable manuscripts might have escaped the fire of 
 St. Austin and his followers. 
 
THE WML8H BAPTISTS. 83 . 
 
 In 1649, the effects of the gospel were so amazing, that it 
 seemed as if a general revival was about'to take place in that 
 part of the country. Many were converted to God, yielded 
 obedience to his commands, and enlisted under the banner of 
 the cross. Many more were concerned about the things be- 
 longing to- their eternal peace; inquired with tears in their 
 eyes, " What they should d& to. be saved ;" while there 
 were a great nunjber on whose consciences the word appeared 
 to make a serious impression. A considerable reformation of 
 manners was evideritly seen among those who. never had made 
 a public profession, of religion. ». Many of their barbarouis, hea- 
 thenish, and most ungodly customs, were either entirely abo- 
 lished, or in a great degree abandoned. AboOt this time a 
 Baptist meeting-house was built at Hay, a*market-town about 
 eight miles from Olchoo, where the church generally met until 
 the persecution, when they had {o draw towards the Black 
 Mountain, and worship God under the canopy of heaven, as 
 we have observed already. Several branches of this diureh 
 have been formed into. distinct churches, which has reduced 
 her to narrow bounds, but still she abides as a mother among 
 many daughters. Many were the trials through which she 
 passed.; many were the afflictions wherewith she was af- 
 flicted; and many and severe were the persecutions which 
 •she- endured.* Their next pastor was William Williams, 
 a -young man from Cilfowyr. He* was regularly dismissed 
 from his,mother church, and was ordained at Olchon in 1731. 
 He continued- there about seven years, and then went to Maes- 
 yberllan, to assist their minister. In his last days, however, he 
 was not a- very acceptable preacher, but was considered a good 
 man. He died in 1771. 
 
 In 1738, Jacoby Rees of -Penyfay, was chosen pastor of this 
 church. And about that time, John Powell, of Abergwessyn was 
 baptized, and soon afterwards began to preach. He was a 
 very gifited man, but there was something wrong in his con- 
 duct. However,- he was very highly esteemed by many. He 
 died in 1743. .Their pastor, J. Rees, having served them about 
 seven years, left them and went to Blaenaugwcnt. 
 
 In 1745, Joshua Andrews, from Penygarn, engaged to sup- 
 ply them two Sabbaths in the month ; and Joshua Thomas, the 
 author of the History of the Baptists in Wales, the other two 
 Sabbaths, till he went to Leominister, in 1754. About 1766, 
 George Watkins, a member of the church, began to preach. 
 
 * See a short Biogfaphy of Ten of Uie Ministevs of this Church. 
 
84 histohy' op 
 
 He was ordained in 1773, and engaged to preach for thern half 
 his time, and Joshua Andrews supplied them the other half.- ' 
 
 About this time, they had preaching<often near Capel-y-ffyn, 
 in the house of a daughter of their late pastor, Thomas Watkins, 
 until they built a meeting-house, where a branch of the, church 
 now meets. The preaching has been held since, alternately, 
 at Olchon and Capel-y-fTynn. They are not far distant,- were 
 it not that'the almost impassable Black Mountaip is between them. 
 
 Noah' Delahay Symonds was a native of this region. He 
 was baptized in the city of London, and returned to his father's 
 house, and began to preach in this church in 1772. He went 
 to Bristol College, was on" probatfon for some . time at Bovy- 
 Tracy, in Devonshire. He removed from there to Bampton, 
 In the same countyyand, was ordained there in 1777. 
 
 This church, though the oldest in Wales, is undoubtedly the 
 weakest. May the Lord re^ive-his work among them. The 
 association has been held here in 1653, in 1754, and in 177G. 
 
 Olchon Ministers to the year 1770. 
 
 I. Howell Vaughan, ordained before 1640, the period of his 
 death not known. 
 
 . 2. Thomas Watkins began to preach 1643; died 1694. 
 
 3. Walter Prosser began to preach 1644; time of his death 
 unknown. 
 
 4. Thomas Parry was baptized 1641 ; died 1709. 
 
 5. John Rees Howell, baptized 1645 ; died 1692. 
 
 6. Howell Watkins, baptized 1645; died 1699. 
 
 7. Thomas John Williams ; not known when he began to 
 ■ preach, nor when he died. 
 
 8. Thomas Price; unknown when he began to prea:cb, and 
 when he died. 
 
 9. Thomas Powell; not known when he began to preach,, 
 nor wheK he died. 
 
 10. John Gilbert; not known when he began to preach, nor 
 when he died. ^ ■ ' 
 
 II. Joseph Price began to preach 1681; went to England; 
 died 1721. 
 
 12. William Williams went to Maesyberllan ; died 1771. 
 
 13. Jacob Rees wont to Blaenaugwent ; died 1772. 
 
 14. John Powell died 1743. 
 
 15. Joshua Andrews. 
 
 16. George Watkins. 
 
 17. Noah Delahay Symonds. 
 
THE WBLSH BAPTISTS. 86 
 
 Llantrisaint Church was first formed at Llanfaches, on 
 the principle of mixed communion, by Mr. Wroth, assisted by 
 Mr. Jesse of London, in the year 1639. William Thomas 
 was co-pastor with Mr. Wroth in this church, until the; time 
 of the persecution under Charles the first, when he went to 
 Bristol. 
 
 In 1645, the Baptists separated themselvesv and formed into 
 a distinct church at Llantrisaint, and had for their minister, one 
 David Davis, arid others to assists* 
 
 In the association held at Swansea in 1654, the church at 
 Llantrisaint proposed to assist the church at Abergavenny, now 
 Llanwenarth, to support their minister; which also they did. 
 From the messengers of Llantrisaint, also, the proposal to re- 
 vive the aiicient order of things, came the preceding year ; that 
 is, to encourage and support the missionary cause. Let our 
 brethren in the new world, look and stare at this, especially 
 our anti-missionary friends ! Be it known unto them, that in 
 the year 1653, in the W'elsh association held at Abergavenny, 
 county of Monmouth, South Wales, collections were made, 
 when the Welsh church subscribed to raise a fund for mission- 
 ary purposes. Their plan was, for the messengers of every 
 church to mention a certain sum, and bind themselves to bring 
 that sum with them to the next association. For instance, 
 Swansea, £5; Llantrisaint, £2 10s.; Carmarthen, £2 10». 
 No one was compelled to give any thing, neither was any mes- 
 senger ever blamed for meiking such engagements, but was 
 cheerfully assisted by his brethren to fulfil them. 
 
 This is only a specimen of the commencement of the mis* 
 sionary cause in this region. Th*e next year, we find that the 
 churches. had more than doubled that sum. Llantrisaint gave 
 five pounds sterling; ,which was.no small sum, at that time, in 
 the Welsh mountains. Many branches have sprung out of this 
 root, which are now like the cedars in Bebanon, exceedingly 
 high ; so that the heavenly wind shakes them so powerfully, 
 that the seed is carried to a great distance. New plantations 
 arc raising ijp every year, far and near. He that is greater 
 than Solomon, has many thousands that bear burdens, and 
 many hewers on the mountains of Wales, who prepare the ma- 
 terials to build Zion the city of our God. In the year 1748, 
 the meeting-house^^fell ; and for some cause or other, it was 
 never rebuilt. The"members afterwards met at Penygarn, near 
 Pontypool.f < 
 
 * See their biography. .,.„,, , , 
 
 t See a Continuation of the History of this Church, under the name ef 
 Penygarn. 
 
 R 
 
86 nisToKY OP 
 
 Llantrisaint Ministerg to the year 1770. 
 
 1. Wroth dissented from the establishment in 1620. 
 
 Si. William Thomas began to>reach in 1638; died 1671. 
 
 3. David Davis begah" to preach in 1645. 
 
 4. Thomas Joseph began to preach in 1646. 
 
 5. Howell Thomas began to preach in 1646. 
 
 6. Thomas Jones began to preach in 1646; died 1680, 
 
 7. William Davis went to Pennsylvania. 
 
 8. William Thomas joined the Quakers in 1742. 
 
 Q. Walter Prosscr preached here after he was i-jccted from 
 Dredynog. 
 
 DoLAu Chuhcii, in the county of Radnor, South Walw, 
 was formed through the instrumentality of Ihigli Evans, in 
 1646, on the principle of strict communion. At first, their 
 place, or places of worship, were in thcopen air, in the woods,! 
 where the members from three counties met to worship Gfod, 
 by reason of the persecution under the reign of Charles the first. 
 Afterwards they , met ^t the Cwm, in the parish of Llanddcwy, 
 in the said county of Radnor; at the Pentref, in the county of 
 Brecknock; and at the Garth, in the county of Montgomery. 
 About the year 1721, the meeting was moved from the 'Cwm to 
 the Rock near Penybout, which was a d^^;elling-house, with 
 some land belonging to it, parcljased by one of the members 
 of the name of Stephen Price, vcho gave it for the use of the 
 church forever. The house was converted into a meeting- 
 house. A burying-ground was enclosed; and the annual rent 
 of the land, with the interest of £lOO, (the gift of the said 
 Price,) is for the support of the minister. Preaching was also 
 held at a farm house called Dolau. The people in the neigh- 
 borhood of the Rock speak the English language, and the 
 Welsh is universally spoken about the Dolau. And as David 
 Evans, their minister, could not preach in English, and most of 
 the members residing near Dolau, a meeting-house v as built on 
 that farm, and from that circumstance it is called the Dolau. 
 However, after the death of David Evans, senior, David Evans, 
 junior, his son, was ordained pastor of the church, and being 
 able to preach in both languages, he preached at Dolau in 
 Welsh, and at the Rock in English? every Lord's day. In the 
 history of this church, we have an instance of the wonderful 
 effect of habit. In the time of persecution, when the followei-s 
 of the Lamb, were holding their meetings in secret places, for 
 fear of being discovered by the wolves, the agents of the infer- 
 nal foe, they w;ere under the necessity of makincr as Jititle 
 
THE WEISII haptiSts. 87 
 
 noise as they could, an4 consequently never had any singing. 
 They became so habituated to this custom, that, they would not 
 suffer it to be introduced among them for many years after thetime 
 of what is commonly called the liberty of conscience ; and it was 
 with some difficulty that it was at all admitted into this church. 
 When it is recollected that the original constituents of the first 
 Baptist church in Pennsylvania, were formerly members of 
 Dolau, and that they left Wales in the time p^ persecution, the 
 citizens of the Western World, will cease to wonder, that there 
 has been a dispute in the church of Penepeck about " singing 
 of psalms." The meeting-house at Dolau was built in 1761, 
 and- it has been rebuilt and enlarged since. 
 
 Among the members of this church who went to America in 
 1636,* there was one John Eaton, who had two sons, George 
 and Joseph, who became preachers of the gospel in that country. 
 George married Mary Davis, a daughter of Peter Davis, an as- 
 sistant preacher in tliis church.^ He was useful in the ministry 
 for many years in the church at Penepe;ck, Pennsylvania, and 
 died in 1764. 
 
 • , Joseph Eaton, his brother, was only seven years old when 
 he went to America. He was baptized in that Western world, 
 and called to the worl^of the ministry, as an assistant to Benja- 
 min Griffiths, in the church called Montgomery, in the year 
 1722, with whom he did not agree very well in some things, 
 which caused a great deal of uneasiness in the church, and 
 ended in a separation in 1743. Joseph. Eaton died in 1749, 
 aged 70- years. His son, Isaac Eaton, -A. M., was the first 
 pastor .of the church at Hopewell in that country. He joined 
 Southarhpton church, and commenced preaching in early life. 
 He went to Hopewell in 1748, and was ordained pastor of that 
 church the same yeai'. He continued in the pastoral office 
 until July 4th, 1772, when he died, aged 47 years. We have 
 collected this from Thomas's History. 
 
 David Benedict says that his ' fbneral sermon was preached 
 by Samuel Jones, D. D.^ Penepeck, who thus briefly portrayed 
 his character: " The natural endowments of his mind; the im- 
 provement of those by the accomplishment of literature ; his 
 (>arly and genuine piety; his abilities as a divine and a preach- 
 er ; his extensive -knowledge of men and books ; would afford 
 ample scope-to flourish in a funeral oration ^ but it is ■needless.''' 
 He was the first among the American Baptists, who set up a 
 ' Bcliool fox the. education of young men for the ministry. 
 
 Samuel Jones, D. D., was born at Cefeu-y-gelly, in Beltus 
 
 * See Samuel Jones's biography. 
 
88 HISTORY OP 
 
 parish, Glamorganshire, on January 14, 1735; went to Amcr 
 rica in 1737; was bred in the College of Philadelphia; was 
 ordained minister of Penepeck, January 8, 1763. 
 
 John Thomas was born in the county of Radnor, South 
 Wales, in 1703. He went to America, and became the pastor 
 of Montgomery church, Pennsylvania. This is all that we 
 have ever heard of him, except that he was the first pastor of 
 the HiUtown chufch, which Sprang from Montgomery church. 
 
 Nathan Dayis, son of Francis Davis,* was a wild young 
 man; but, as we have stated, became a member and pastor of 
 this church. He was ordained in 1703. In 1707, he received 
 a very pressing invitation to become the pastor of the church at 
 Salop, England^: He was very much .respected at home and 
 abroad, in England and in Wales ; and a very useful and 
 faithful minister of Jesus Christ, until he died the 8th of June, 
 1726, aged 63 years. On his tombstone are the following 
 lines: 
 
 Believe, repent; leave sin while thou hast breath ; 
 Eternal wo or joy will follow death. 
 Here see and vie^ thy end without delay ; 
 Prepare for death and the great judgment day. 
 For know, O reader ! thou must shortly dwell, 
 Alas! with ine in dust. Awake! — Farewell! 
 
 Roger Walker was their next pastor, who was married to 
 their former pastor's daughter, Thomas Davis his assistant. 
 Though R. Walker was an Englishman, yet, by the assistance 
 of his wife, he learned Welsh, so as to be able to preach in that 
 language. He is tlie first man that we ever heard of doing such a 
 thing. He died in 1T48, aged 63 years, and was buried in the 
 grave-yard, by the Rock meeting-house. 
 
 While on the earth 1 was upon this Rock, 
 I daily strove to feed my Savior's flock. 
 
 Thomas Davis, having preached here about seven years 
 after the death of R. Walker, for some reason or other was 
 determined to leave the place; and accordingly rented a farm 
 e.t'a, great distance, in Monmouthshire. But while he was at 
 that farm, making some preparations to remove his family, he 
 diedrin 1756. Miles Harris, in a letter to Mr. Thomas of Leo- 
 minister, says, that he was very comfortable in his last days 
 
 * See his biography. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. S9 
 
 — that he felt himself happy in his company as long as he could 
 speak. . 
 
 Their "next minister was Richard' Jones, who had been 
 anJong the Presbyterians. He was baptized in this church, in 
 1749; was Called to be their minister in 1750; and after about 
 twenty years, he was excluded. Afterwards he returned to the 
 Presbyterian church whence he came. 
 . They were, now, some time without a minister. At last, 
 David Evans, a young man from Cilfowyr, was chosen by 
 them unanimously. He was ordained in 1771, and continued 
 their faithful and laborious minister until his death. 
 
 Dolau Ministers to the year 1770. 
 
 1. Hugh Evans. Died 1656. 
 
 Assistant pastor, John Price. Died 1673. 
 
 2. Henry Gregory. Died 1700. 
 
 Assistant pastor, Francis Davis. Died 1700, 
 Assistant pastor, Peter Davis. 
 
 3. Nathan Davis. Died 1726. 
 
 4. Roger Walker. Died 1748. 
 5* Thomas Davis. Died 1756, 
 
 6. Richard Jones. Excluded. 
 
 7. David Evans. 
 
 Assistant pastor, James Griffiths.* 
 Swansea Church, in the county of Glamorgan, South 
 Wales, was gdtbered and regularly formed by John Miles, in 
 1649. This church enjoyed much peace and prosperity under 
 his ministry, until the persecution on the restoration of Charles 
 the second. ■ Afterwards our brethren had to meet in different^ 
 places, in the most, secret manner: such as Heol-las, Lledre- 
 britb, and Alltfowr, and different private houses in the town of 
 Swans(^a. In 1698, they rented the old Presbyterian meeting- 
 house. In 1758, they built a new meeting-house, on leased 
 premises of ninety-nine years. In 1710, several of the raem- 
 bers of this church emigrated to America. The following is a 
 copy of the letter of Aeir recommendation, which was con-' 
 sidered as their dismission; 
 
 '< South Wales, in Gkeat Britain. 
 " The church of Jesus Christ, meeting at Swansea, in Gla- 
 morganshire, owning believer's baptism, laying on of hands, 
 the doctrine of personal election and final perseverance; to any 
 
 * See ike biography of th« first ministers pf this chijr(*. 
 
 8 * 
 
90 RISTOSr OP 
 
 church of Jesus Christ, in the province of Pennsylvania, ia 
 America, of the same faith and order, to whom this may con- 
 cern, sen<ieth Christian salutaiion. Grace, mercy, and peace, 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. Dearly belovfed breth- 
 ren, in the Lord Jesus Christ: Whereas our dearly beloved 
 brethren and sisters, by name — ^Hugh Davis, an ordained 
 muiister, and JMargaret bis wife, Anthony Mathews, Simon 
 Mathews, Morgan Thomas,, Samuel Hughes, Simor^ Butler,' 
 Arthur Melchior and Hannah his wife, design, by God's per- 
 mission, to go with brother Soreney, to the aforesaid province 
 of Pennsylvania: This is to testify unto you} that all the above; 
 named are in full communion with us, and we commit them, all 
 of them, to your Christian eare, beseeching you, therefore, to 
 receive them in the Lord, watching over them, and perform- 
 ing all Christian duties toVvards them, as becometh Christians to 
 their fellow members. So we commit you and them to the Lord, 
 and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you and 
 them up in the most holy fkith. That the God of peace may 
 sanctify you wholly, and that your and their spirits, souls, and 
 bodies, may be preserved bla!meless Unto the coming of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, shall be the earnest prayer Of your breth- 
 fen, in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. 
 
 Dated the 3d of the 7th Monthj 1710— Signed, at our Meet- 
 ing by a part of the whole. 
 
 John Morgan, 
 William Mathews, 
 William Morgan, 
 Hugh Mathews, 
 John FIughes, 
 
 Ojt^BN DoWLB, 
 
 Morgan Nicholas, 
 
 John Davis, 
 Jacob Morgan,- 
 John Howell, 
 Robert Edwards, 
 Philip Mathews, 
 Thomas Morgan."* 
 # # # 
 
 Their first pastors were, John Miles, Lewis Thomas, and 
 Morgan Jones— Thomas Proud, William Thomas, Morgan 
 Jones, Robert Morgan, and John Morgan, Assistants.f After 
 the death of their pastor, Morgan Jones, they were, for some 
 time, without one. Griffith Jones, of Periyfay, administered 
 the ordinances during that period. 
 
 Their next pastor was Griffith Bams. He was born in 
 1699— baptized in 1721— began to preach in 1726— ordained 
 m 1736--and died in 1776. John Davis was an assistant 
 preacher in the church, more than fifty years. He refused to 
 
 • There is one name more in jdwiook, not legible. 
 + See their biography. 
 
THE WEISU BAPTISTS. 91 
 
 take the pastoral care of the church. He had a great deal less 
 opinion of himself, than others had of him. He died in his 
 Master's service, while he was fulfilling his appointmerits, in 
 Pembrokeshire, at Boncath. He was buried at Cilfowyr, in 
 Pembrokeshire. 
 
 Benjamin Francis was baptized in this church, when he was 
 fifteen years old; and called to the ministry in 1755. He 
 went to Bristol college, and became the pastor of the church 
 of Horsley, England, in 1758. He attended the Welsh asso- 
 ciations annually, for many years. He was a godly and lively 
 preacher — his voice almost, if not altogether, as clear as 
 Greorge Whitfield's-^which was much in his favor, in preach-. 
 ing in the open air, to fifteen thousand people, in a Welsh asso^ 
 elation. The writer heard Mr. Winterbottom, the late pastor of 
 Horsley,. saying., "If any body should bring a dog from Wales, 
 and could testify that Benjamin Francis did once tap him on the 
 head, it would fare well at Horsley, such is the esteem in 
 wiiich he i& held there to this day."* 
 
 John Hopkin was an assistant- in this church before the 
 death of G. Davis, and many years afterwards, when they 
 were destitute of a pastor. 
 
 Swansea Ministers to (Ae year 1770. 
 
 1. John Miles. Died 1660. - 
 
 Assistant, Thomas Proud. Died 1660. 
 " Morgan Jones. 
 " William Thomas. 
 
 2. Lewis Thomas. Died 1703. 
 
 3. Morgan Jones. Died 1730. 
 
 Assistant, Robert Morgan. Died 1711, 
 
 " John Morgan, his son. Died 1703, 
 " John Davis. T»ied 1742. 
 " Griffith Jones. - Died 1754. 
 « David Owen. Died 1765. 
 
 4. Griffith Davis. Died 1776. 
 
 William Morgan, baptized here. Died at Salop, 1753. 
 Benjamin Franbis went to Horsley, England. 
 Assistant, John Hopkm. 
 
 Lla-n-Bryn-Maik, vras formed about the year 1650, 
 through the instrumentality of Vavasor Powel. For that rea- 
 son, it was generally known by the name of Powel's church, 
 
 * See hia biographjr. 
 
92 niSTORY OF 
 
 for upwards of one hundred years. In his time it was re- 
 markably large, and very much scattered, meeting for divine 
 worship^!) several' places: such as Llan-bryn-mair, Aberha- 
 fesb, Fachwen, Ca'rcapon, Llanfyllyji, and Newtown: and 
 some of these places are far from each other. Before the per- 
 secution, the cause of our Redeetner was in a very prosperous 
 condition in tTiis region. Hundreds were converted to God, by 
 the influence of the Holy Spirit attending the ministry of Va- 
 vasor Powel. The church, at that time, contained from four 
 to five hu;idred members. In 1660, the ravenous wolves broke 
 in among the flocks, and made a most terrible havoc of them. 
 They most dreadfully persecuted, chased, and spoiled the shep- 
 herd and the sheep. From this "period" to the end of his life, 
 Vavasor Powel had to spend his days in one prison or an- 
 other. After his death, 4i(ey were destitute of a minister for a 
 considerable time, until one of their own members, of the neune 
 of Henry' Williams, led them by the still waters to the green 
 pastures, though surrounded' by that sort of wild beasts, on 
 every hand, which were ten thousand times more dangerous 
 than the tigers and the lions of the forest. 
 
 He labored among them, for the space of two or three years, 
 until he was stopped from preaching publicly by the higher 
 powers. But he continued to preach privately, in several parts 
 of the county, as often as he had an opportunity, until he was 
 imprisoned, when all his personal property was taken from 
 him. At his death, he left this numerous and scattered church 
 in the wilderness, without a pastor. But though the under 
 shepherd is dead, the^reat Shepherd and Bishop of our souls 
 is yet alive. A respectable young man, a member of the 
 church," of the name of Reynold Wilson, who had been regu- 
 larly brought up for the church of England, but having 
 examined the word of God; and felt its power in his soul, not- 
 withstanding the troubles of the times, determined to suffer af- 
 fliction with the people of God — ^to ansvver a good conscience. 
 He was called to the work of the ministry, and became the 
 pastor pf this church after H. Williams's death. He set up a 
 seminary in that neighborhood, where many respectable young 
 men were brought up : some of them became clergymen of the 
 established church. How the wheels of Providence turn round ! 
 One of his students, Francis Turner, became his assistant in 
 the work of the ministry, until he received a call to become 
 the pastor of the Baptist church at Hill-Cliff, Gloucestershire; 
 where he remained all the days of his life, and where he was 
 buried. On his tombstone is the following epitaph ; 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 93 
 
 « Francis Turner, late pastor of the chQrch of Christ, at 
 Hill-Cliff, died September 16th, 1727, aged 73.* 
 
 Soundness of faith; true learning, love, and fear, 
 
 Dwelt in that soul, whose dust in peace lies here." ' 
 
 John Turner,; his son, was also a minister of the gospel at 
 Liverpool, until his death. The following epitaph is on hia 
 tombstone there : ' ' . • 
 
 " In memory of the late pious and faithful minister of Christ, 
 Mr. John Turner, who departed this life, January 12th, 1739, 
 set. 50. 
 
 This, orient star shall shine forever bright, 
 
 Who set the saered truth in a clear light. 
 
 Those sheep and lambs of Chri^^ whom here he fed, 
 
 Shall live forever with him in their Head." 
 
 After Francis Turner, went to Warrington, Reynold Wilson 
 was left alone in the work of the minisf)-y, at Llan-bryn-mair. 
 The important work soon became too heavy for him ; particu- 
 larly as the church met at so many different places. William 
 Jervisrf became his assistant. Soon after, some of the^ branches 
 belonging to this church, regularly formed themselves into dis- 
 tinct churches. After William Jervis left them, Benjamin 
 Meredith, of Llanwen'arth, a gifted young man, was ordained 
 pastor of the church ; but in the course of two or three years, 
 he was deemed to be erroneous in his sentiments, and he left - 
 them.. 
 
 Llan-Bryn-Mair Minister*. 
 
 1. Vavasor Powel. Died,1670. 
 
 2. Henry Williams. Died 1670. 
 
 3. Reynold Wilson. Died 1720. 
 
 4. Francis Turner. Died 1727. 
 
 5. Benjamin Meredith. Died 1749. 
 
 Wbexham. W. Cra,doc, who was converted under the 
 ministry of Mr. Wroth, had his education at Oxford college, 
 and was a man of considerable landed property in Monmouth- 
 shire ; but, in tfie course of providence, became a resident of 
 Wrexham. Though in many things he followed the form of 
 
 * See his biography. t • i, r i_ rr^uu 
 
 t William Jervis was an Independent minister. Lewis Rees, John 1 ibbot, 
 and Richard Tibbot, were also, Independents. 
 
04 HISTORY or 
 
 the church of England, yet he was a powerful preacher, and 
 God abundantly blessed his labors. The consequence was, 
 that, as the taverns, and many sorts of carnal amusements, 
 were deserted,, many rose up against him, like Demetrius 
 against Paul, because the former ungodly actions of the people 
 were of great gain to them. But notwithstanding all this, ho 
 preached faithfully and persejcringly, in the town and the 
 country around, until the persecution under king Charles r 
 when he was obliged to leave, the country,, like many others at 
 that time. However, the seed soon brought forth fruit to the 
 glory of God. . Morgan Lloyd, who was converted to God 
 under his ministry, soon became a very eminent, pious, and 
 evangelical preacher -in the town of Wrexham; and John 
 Evans after him : both of them have already been noticed.* 
 Also, Timothy Thomas, algrandson of John Evans,, who went 
 afterwards to Pershore, Eiigland^ He was born seven months 
 after his father's death, but through the instrumentality of' his 
 mother, and the aid of his rich uncle Titus, he knew the Holy 
 Scriptures from his youth, and was brought up " in the nurturo 
 and admonition of the Lord." He was baptized on the profes- 
 sion of his faithj when he was very young, and soon began to 
 preach in his grandfather's' church, and many other places in 
 England and Wales. When he was twenty years old, he was" 
 called to be the pastor of the Baptist church, at Pershore, Wor- 
 cestershire. H^e was a very laborious, respectable, and accept- 
 able preacher all the days of his life : not only on account of 
 his talents and learning, but his most wonderful success and 
 prosperity in the work of the Lord. Benjamin Keach, hearing 
 him preach in London, said* "He is the best preacher in the 
 kingdom, but we must not tell him that." He died at the ago 
 of forty,-and was buried at Pershore. The following is on his 
 tombstone; . - 
 
 " Here lieth the body of Timothy Thomas, minister of the 
 gospel, who departed this life, January 10th, 1716, agqd 40 
 years. 
 
 'And many that sleep in tho dust of the earth, shall awake' Dan. ]-3;2." 
 
 There was a gentleman living near Wrexham, of the name 
 of Thomas Edwards, Esq., » mci-nber of the church, who often 
 preached for them. He was a learned, pious, and gifted man. 
 He wrote and published a book on. the controversy between 
 Dr. Williams and Dr. Crisp, called "Baxtcrianism Barefaced," 
 
 * See their- biography. 
 
THE WELSH BAITISTS. 95 
 
 Mikin Thomas also preached amqpg them, for scsmc time- 
 ■V^liat became of him, wc do not know. John Williams was 
 their next minister. He was a son of that pious' nobleman, 
 Lieutenant ^Villiams, of Llangallon., He was brought up a 
 Presbyterian, but to answer a good conscience towards God, ha 
 submitted 'to the ordinance of believers' baptism, according to 
 his word. He was a very humble, rheek, and kind man, re- 
 markably circumspect in his conversation. His talents, how- 
 ever, were more calculated to comfort, confirm, and build up 
 the people of God, than to awaken careless sinners. 
 
 About the latter end of the reign of Queen Ann, the clouds 
 were darkened, and the storms of persecution made their hor- 
 rid appearance; but after her death, and the coronation of 
 George the first, the atmospheric air seemed to be considerably 
 more calm. But the enemies of thig cross, being tlisappointed, 
 became exceedingly wroth, and in no place did they manifest 
 their* fury more than in Wrexhiftm. They pulled down the 
 Presbyterian meeting-house, and considerably injured^ the 
 other; but the government soon stopped their progress, and 
 made up the loss of the sufferers. After the death of John 
 ^yilliams, the church was a long time without a pastor. They 
 wore laboring under two inconveniences: they were advocates 
 of mixed communion, and there were but very few ministers in 
 Wales who sanctioned that practice. Also, it was necessary 
 that their minister sliould preach in both languages; for Wrex- 
 ham is on the borders of England. 
 
 The following persons were for some years on probation: 
 John Philips, of Rhydwilim ; Rees Williams, of Maesyberllan ; 
 and Morgan Henry, of Blaenaugwent. In the year 1737, 
 Evan Jenkins, a gified, 'promising young man, well versed in 
 Welsh and 'English, paid them a visit; but in the course of 
 twelve months, he went to Exeter, England, and continued 
 there about a year and a half. He then returned to Penygarn, 
 Monnioutteliire, whore he was a member, and was ordained iu 
 that-churcli in 1740. He accepted the call of the churcli of 
 Wrexham, settled in the town, and was married there in L741. 
 He was a son of John Jenkins, pastor of the Baptist church at 
 Rhydwilim, where he himself was originally a member; and 
 from there he was regularly dismissed to Penygarn, where Tie 
 was calked to the work of tht; ministry. He i-eceived his edu- 
 cation at Bristol college. No one ever preached bftener, in as 
 short a time, in the Welsh associations, than he. He often 
 preached at Cefu, North Wales ; and was the means of raising 
 the Baptist church, at Brosely, Salop, England. But notwith- 
 standing that, Jie was a very acceptable "preacher at home and 
 
W HISTORY OP 
 
 abroad, his ministry \va||, not greatly blessed at Wrexham. 
 He preached at the association held at Hengoed,' in 1J51 ; but 
 before the next association, he had joined the association of the 
 spirits of just men made perfect, in the mansions of glory. 
 
 He was buried at Wrexham. On his tombstone is the fol- 
 lowing epitaph : 
 
 , " Underneath are deposited the remains of the Rev. Evan 
 Jenkins, late minister of the gospel at Wrexham ; who, after a 
 life, holy and exemplary, studiously laid out, and laboriously 
 spent, in the service of God, and for the welfare of immortal 
 souls, finished his course with joy, in the 40th year of his age, 
 March 23, 1752. 
 
 ' Blessed is thai servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so 
 doing.' Luke 12:43. ' 
 
 ' We are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved, and in 
 them that perish.'' 2 Cor. 2:15." 
 
 Their next minister was David Jones, of Moleston, Pem- 
 brokeshire, who was ordained there in 1755. He had been 
 a preacher, for many years, among the Calvinistic Methodists. 
 Soon after he settled at Wrexham, a revival commenced, and 
 a great many were added to the church, and new churches 
 were formed in the county, at New Bridge and Gluneeiriog.* 
 But something of a disgraceful nature took place between him 
 and the church; so that after he got a new meeting-house 
 built in the county, and another in the town, and collected 
 money to pay for them, he left the place, and became an itine- 
 rant preacher.. 
 
 Their next minister was Joseph Jenkbs, A. M., a son of 
 fheir late pastor, Evan Jenkins. 
 
 Wrexham Ministers. 
 
 1. Morgan Lloyd. Died about the year 1658. "' 
 
 2. .Tohn Evans. Died 1700! 
 
 3. Timothy Thomas — went to England. Died 1716. 
 
 4. John Williams.' Died 1725. 
 
 5. Evan Jonkiiis. Died 1752. 
 C. David Jones. 
 
 7. Joseph Jenkins. 
 
 Llahwenarth Church, was formed in the month of 
 August, 1652. The original members were thirteen in num- 
 
 * See the History of the Gluneeiriog church. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. &T 
 
 ber: seven men and. six women. The day on which'" the 
 church»vas oohs'tituted, they receivedyby letter, one front Llan- 
 trisaint, one from 'Swansea, and one from Olchon — ^making, 
 in the -whole, twenty-five members. 
 
 fiespecting the thirteen original -constituents, their church 
 book gives no account whence" they came. The general 
 opinion is,' that they had. been dismissed from Llantrisaint, in 
 order to form themselves into a church there. William Prieh- 
 ard was one of the thirteen, who was then a preacher, and 
 soon afterwards became their pastor. In July, 1653, the asso- 
 ciation was held in this church, when it was resolved that 
 William Prichard shouldbe ordained. Soon after the associa- 
 tion, there was a great dispute" in the town about baptism. 
 John Tombs preached on the subject of believers' baptism, and 
 John Cragg, A. M., on the' suhgect of Pedobaptism. And on 
 the 5th of September, the same year, there was a public debate 
 on the subject, in St. Mary's church in the town : John Tombs 
 for believers' baptism, and John Cragg, A. M., and Henry 
 Vaughan, A. M., for pedobaptism. John Cr.agg also published 
 a book on the sabject; and was answered by John Tombs. 
 The consequence was, that between forty and fifty were bap- 
 tized, (many of them had been members in the Pedobaptisl 
 order,) and added to the-Baptist church that year. In the year 
 1654, there were several young men in this church, who were 
 exercising their gifts as public speakers. Some of them were 
 very acceptable, and some of them were not. And as the 
 church had increased considerably, they contributed thirty 
 pounds for the support of their minister that year. In 1655, 
 the subject of the laying on of hands on the baptized, came un- 
 der their consideration ; and hearing that the Baptist church 
 at Glazier's Hall, London, was for it, they sent a letter to them 
 on that subject; and the brethren, William Rider and Robert 
 Hopkin, were sent from London to instruct their brethren in 
 Wales respecting that daty. In the time of persecution, some 
 of the^ rhembers were living in the Cwmdu. They attended 
 divine service at the church, twice in the month, and attended 
 to the ordinance of the Lord's supper, every other month. At 
 that time, they always partook of the Lord's supper, after eat- 
 ing their evening meal, commonly called supper; ' Whether 
 that was a matter of conscience, or in consequence of the mer- 
 ciless persecution with which they had to encotinter, we do not 
 .know. Hitherto they had no meeting-house, but they met 
 in different dwelling'-houses. In 1695, Christopher Price, 
 an assistant preacher of William Prichard, gave a spot of 
 ground, on which a meefing-house was then built, and called 
 9 
 
06 HI8T0IIY OP 
 
 Llanwenarth. This church was considered, for many years, 
 as the Jerusalem of Wales, and William Prichard, chieftbishop. 
 Joshua James, who was received a member of the church in 
 1689, became an assistant of William Prichard in his old age, 
 and after his death became the pastor of the church. He was 
 very much respected in London and Bristol, as wfell as at home. 
 Through him the Welsh ministers received money from the 
 London fund. He died in the month of August, 1728, being 
 sixty-three years old. These words are on his tombstone, at 
 Llanwenarth-: 
 
 " Here lieth one of Abel's race, 
 
 Whom Cain did hunt from place to place ; " 
 
 Yet, not dismay'd, about he went, 
 
 Working until his days were spent. 
 
 He's now at rest, and takes a nap 
 
 Upon his common mother's lap, 
 
 Waiting to hear the Bridegroom say. 
 
 Arise, my love, and coma away." 
 
 Abel Morgan was a useful man here; but when that branch 
 of the church at Blaenaugwent, was formed into a separate 
 church, he belonged to it — and from there he went to Ame- 
 rica.* 
 
 Timothy Lewis was ordained in this church, in 1708, by 
 William Prichard and Joshua James. Notwithstanding that 
 he was not very well received as a preacher, yet he was use- 
 ful at home, and in the neighboring churches. 
 
 John Spencer was a membex and a preacher in this church, 
 in 1695. How long he continued, we have not been in- 
 formed. 
 
 William Meredith was born about the beginning of the per- 
 secution, and was received, as a member of the church, one 
 year before its close — that is, 1687. How much he suffered, 
 wo cannot telK He began to preach about the year 1700. He 
 would not be ordained, but he was one of the most active and 
 laborious preachers that ever existed. It is said that he used 
 to walk, on Sunday morning, twenty or twenty-five miles to 
 preach. He finished his pilgrimage in the month of March, 
 174:3. 
 
 David Evans was a preacher in this church, some time be- 
 fore 1718. He went to America in 1739. He wrote a letter 
 to Miles Harris. It appears that he could not preach in Elng- 
 
 * See bia biogn^ih/. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 99 
 
 lish, and of course had togive it up. In Griffith Jones's letter 
 concerning him, we find that he lived in Pennsylvania, about 
 sixty miles from j Philadelphia; that he was doing wellf was 
 much respected, and was called Esquire Evans, and sometimes 
 Captain Evans ; that he had many children and grandchildren. 
 If ever we shall see thfe History of the Baptists in America, we 
 hope to hear more of this good man.* 
 
 Roger Davis began to pre.ach here in 1716, and when the 
 minister died, he was chosen pastor of the church, in 1733. 
 He served the church carefully, and filled his station honora- 
 bly, until he finished his labors in February, 1748. The 
 church, for ninety years before this time', never had any min- 
 ister from any other church. She had been fed, from her first 
 formation, by one and another of her own sons. And even 
 now, she had to go no farther than her own daughter's, (Bla- 
 enaugwent,) which had. been a branch of this church. 
 
 Thomas Edwards, a member of Blaenaugwent, was the 
 object of her choice. He was ordained here in 1737. He 
 was a sickly man, weak in body, but strong in spirit — a mighty 
 preacher of the New Testament. His ministry was very ac- 
 ceptable, and his conversation becoming the gospel of Christ. 
 But his race w£is short; his strength failed, and he soon ripened 
 for another and a better place. His labors, afflictions, and 
 services, were finished in 1746 ; being thirty-four years old. 
 Great was the mourning after him, by his family, the church, 
 and all that knew him. 
 
 Caleb Harris was their next minister. He was born in 
 Newcastle, Carmarthenshire ; was baptized and became a mem- 
 ber of the Baptist church there, in 1738. He began to preach 
 about 1742. 
 
 Benjamin Meredith, of whom some account has been given 
 in the history of Llan-bryn-mair, was a son of William Mere- 
 dith, one of the pastors of this ohuvch. He began to preach 
 about 1730; was remarkably gifted, and very acceptable 
 throughout the church. He was ordaiiied in 1733. He dif- 
 fered, in some respects, from many of his brethren, respecting 
 the Trinity. He returned from Llan-bryn-mair to Llanwe- 
 narth, but never Was very much respected afterwards. 
 Though he never gave the church any trouble on account of 
 his sentiments or conduct, yet he never preached much- after 
 his return. , ' 
 
 Francis Lewis began to preach about 1745; the next year 
 
 * Thomas's History of the Baptists in Wales. 
 
 We have not seen any thin^ concerning him in Benedict's History. — Ed. 
 
100 
 
 HISTORY OP 
 
 went to Bristol college, and became the pastor of the Baptist 
 church at Newbury, Berkshire, England. 
 
 JajTies Edwards comrrieneed the work of sthe ministry here, 
 in 1750. He also went to the same college, and was after- 
 wards chosen pastor of the Baptist church at Waterfdrd, Ire- 
 land. He was a brother to Morgan Edwards, author of the 
 History of the American Baptists. 
 
 David ) Jones was brought up a Presbyterian; but while in 
 Abergavenny college, under the tuition of D. Jardine, he was 
 convinced that believers' baptism is the baptism qf the Bible. 
 Therefore he endeavored to answer a good conscience towards 
 God, nstwithstajiding the critical situation in which he was 
 placed. He. was baptized at Llanwenarth, in 1765, but he was 
 soon obliged to leave the college, and return home to Carmar- 
 thenshire, his native place. He did not settle any where, but 
 preached in the Baptist churches, in that county, until.jie died, 
 in the year 1770. 
 
 Morgan Harris and John Price, were called by this church 
 to iexercise their gifts in the work of the ministry, on probation, 
 in 1774. The: former went ta Bristol college in 1776. 
 
 William Parry began to preach here in 1747, but in the 
 course of a few years gavel up the ministry, and became what 
 is called an occasional preacher. 
 
 This church built a new meeting-house in the town of Aber- 
 gavenny, two miles from Llanwenarth, in 1769. It was in 
 different dwelling-houses in this town, the church originally- 
 met for divine worship. The church is not so much scattered 
 now, as there are so many of her brethren formed into sepa- 
 rate churches. They broke bread at Llanwenarth, every 
 month, and in the town of Abergavenny, every three months. 
 The congregation in the town is not very numerous, but in the 
 ootihtry, at Llanwenarth, it is exceedingly large. Most of the 
 inhabitants, for several miles around, are favorable 'to Baptist 
 sentiments. , 
 
 Llanwefiarth Ministers. 
 
 1. William Prichard. Died 1708. 
 
 Assistant, Anthony- Harris. 
 " John Edwards. 
 " Christopher Price. .Died 1697. 
 Abel Morgan went to America. 
 
 2. Joshua James. Died -1728. 
 
 Assistant, Timothy Lewis — ordained as an assistant- 
 " John Spencer. Died 1728. 
 
TOE WEMH BAPTISTS. 101 
 
 Assistant, William Meredith. ."Died 1742. 
 David Evans went to America. 
 ■3- Roger Davis. Died 1742. 
 Benjamin Meredith. . Died 1749. 
 4. Thomas Edwards, ^led 1746. 
 Francis Lewis went to Newbury, England. 
 James Edwajds went to Ireland. • ■ 
 David Jones. Died 1769. 
 •5. Caleb Harris. , . 
 
 Morgan Harris went to England. 
 John Price, probationer. * 
 
 Hbngobd Church, Glamorganshire^ ■was originally a 
 branch of Llantrisaint. It was constituted a church about 
 1654. Thomas Jones was their first minister, who labored 
 arhong them, suffered with them, and for the best cause, as 
 long ashe lived. He died about eight years before the end of 
 the persecution under Charles the second. When the church 
 was formed, they innet in a dwelling-house, called Berthlwyd, 
 in the parish of Llanfabon,' and iii aiiother place, called Craig- 
 yr-allt,. in the parish of Eglwysilan. In the biography of 
 Thomas Jones, the pastor of this ^urch,. we have i«iade a few 
 remarks, respecting 'one of the members, whose given name 
 was Sappanaia, but known in Wales, iff his time and even to 
 this day, by the name of Old Savin. Once, in the time of 
 persecution, as the members of this church held a religious 
 meeting, in a private room up stairs; in the parish of Merthyr- 
 Tydfil, the hired girl belonging to the house watching the 
 door. Old Savin, -who lived at a. great distance, and knew no- 
 thing of the meeting until he came fo the neighborhood, arrived 
 iate in the evening ; but there was no admittance — .the door 
 was secured, and the girl keeping watch as a faithful sentinel. 
 The old man, finding himself in a sad predicaiment, resolved to 
 try the following' experiment: He walked backward and for- 
 ward, before the door, and said repeatedly, with a loud voice, 
 *' There is no fear in love, but perfect love (Sasteth out fear, be- 
 cause fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect 
 in love." The. coiiseijuence was, that, though the girl knew' 
 him not, yet she readily opened the door; and great was the 
 joy within the .house, .ft^'hen they" found it. was Old Savin. 
 
 After the death of Thomas Jones, this church was destitute 
 of a pastor for a long time, but they were often refreshed by 
 the labors of that eminent man of God, Lewis Thomas, of 
 Swansea, 
 
 9* 
 
103 HISTORY or 
 
 About 1700, Morgan-.Griffiths, of Rhydwilim, was called to 
 the pastoral dffice..in this church, and 'remained among them 
 many years. . How -long he was ordained, before he" left -Rhyd- 
 wilim, ■M have not been able to ascertain. In a copy of the 
 letter of "his dismission from Rl^dwilim, it is said, that, the 
 church -had along trialof his highly becoming conduct, his 
 grace, and ministerial gifts; that he had been ^ordained to the 
 work of the ministry, by prayers, and fasting, and the laying 
 on of the hands of the elders : but it does not mention the date. 
 In 1710, the meeting-house was builtT— the congregation' in- 
 creased, and i-pany were added -to the church; so that there 
 were no less than five hundred members at that time. 
 
 David Rees was a member of this church. He was born in 
 1663, of very pious parents, and was converted to God when 
 very young. His lively qualifications — ^^his diligence, together 
 with his anxious desire to be useful, induced his parents to 
 spare no pains nor expense in his education. He -was first 
 under the tuition of that notable man, Samuel Jonesi M. A., 
 near Neath, Glamorganshire. , Soon the news of his projnising 
 talents reached the metropolis, and he was cardially invited 
 there, by some of the greatest men in London; and he wa."* 
 unanimously called to the jmstoral office, by the Baptist church 
 at Lime-House, London. He was ordained by Joseph Stennet 
 and John Piggot, about the year 1709. He was the pastor of 
 that church about forty years, and, was very useful in the city, 
 as well as to his countrymen in Wales. 
 
 There was another assistant preacher in the church, of the 
 name of William Davis, who was ordained over the. church at 
 Llantrisaint.- About this time, the debate about baptism was 
 so hot, that both Baptist ahd Pedbbaptist ministers thought li 
 advisable to put a stop to it, by holding a friendly meeting' to- 
 gether : which also they did, a"t Merthyr-Tydfil, in 1728. 
 
 Several of the members of this churcH went to America; 
 among whom was Reynold Howell. He lived hear Carpliily, 
 Glamorganshire, Though he was not a minister, yet he was 
 a man of great knowledge in spiritual things. 
 
 Thomas Wrlliams and Roger Davis, also were assistant 
 preachers here at this time. - ■ ; 
 
 ...Evan fidwards was an assistant pi-eacher, a godly man of 
 good savor. 
 
 William Philips', an assistant preacher, preached constantly 
 in adistanf branch of the churdi,, called Cosbach. 
 
 Charles Winter was an assistant preacher. . He was a man 
 of piety, parts, and prudence. 
 
THB WEUH BAPTISTS. 103 
 
 All- these were of great, help^to their old pastor, . Morgan 
 Griffiths, who served them faithfully for the space 'of thirty- 
 seven ,years. His sermons vi?ere short, comprehensive, and so 
 methodical, that most of his hearers' could recollect them. He 
 finished Insi vi^ork on earth,- on the Hth of June, 1738, being 
 sixty-nine years old. He was buried in the burying-ground 
 belonging, to the church. 'The following epitaph is on his 
 tombstone : . " : 
 
 " Here lieth the body of Moi^ati Griffiths, who was for thir- 
 ty-seven years, a laborious, and successful pastor of the church 
 of Christ here. He departed this life, the 11th day of June, 
 1738, aged 69. '. " - ' - • 
 
 From theae remains the soul hath- fled above, 
 Who was the sinner's light, the godly's love. 
 All Eforts he did admonish, and was kind ; 
 He many winn'd, and taught withliumble mind." 
 
 Their next pastor was Griffith Jones, from Penj»fay. The 
 work of 'the _X<ord prospered in his hand wonderfully ; so that 
 he was baptizipg ^veral almost every month, for a long time, 
 AjiotHer meeting-house was built, xalled Bethesda, in 1746, 
 and twenty-ohe of- the tiiembers of this ehurch dismissed to 
 form a new church there. But in thvnidst of joy, here springs 
 up sorrow. Griffith Jones, their beloved pastor, went to 
 America, in 1749. He was born at the" Allt-fa wr, in the pa- 
 rish of Llanonv county of Carmarthen, in 1695. He began to 
 preach when he was nineteen, in his father's .church, meeting 
 at- Swansea, Llanpn, Fagwyr, and Penyfay. In the time, of 
 persecution, after the return of Charles the second in 1660, 
 Allt-fawr, became a city of refuge,' to which pilgrims resorted, 
 and often found.thcmselves much refreshed both in their bodies 
 and souls, while travelling tlie .road to Zion. Under this con- 
 sideration, the writer KHust . acknowledge his' weakness — -the 
 moment his eye caught the word Allt-fawr, he could iiot help 
 shedding a tear. The church met here for a long time, before 
 and after John Miles, their first pastor, went to America. ' 
 
 Morgan Jones, who began to preach in 1646, lived at Allt- 
 fawr. - Thomas, in, his history of the Baptists 'in Wales, says, 
 that his father. hqldmeetings here for a. long time. Whether 
 his father was a preacher or not, we are ,i}ot positive. But it 
 appears from the ■ words, AeZd meetings, that he "was. The 
 tradition that is geiierally believed in Wales,' is this': That 
 John Morgan — that is, Morgan Jones' father-.— was a wild 
 young man, and being possessed of considerable property, (fo? 
 
104 HISTORY OP 
 
 he was the. sole proprietor of Allt-fawr,*), and fonfl of seeing 
 the, world, he travelled through some part of England, and 
 spent bis whole slock while at Exeter. Finding he could go 
 no farther, he hired himself to one'of the citizens of that place; 
 However, it was not to feed swine, we presume. But, be that 
 as it may, God was pleased to visit him in his soverejgii grace 
 and mercy; and, like the prodigal son. He brought him to him- 
 self in a far .country. . In a short time •iafterwEtfrds, heVturned 
 to Allt-fawr, and held meetings there for a long. time. His 
 son Morgan became a minister of the gospel, and in the time 
 of persecution is supposed to have fled to England in disguise, 
 to the spot where his father found. the Lord gracious to his soul; 
 and should the anecdote we related in his biography- be appli- 
 cable to him, we are bound to say, 
 
 " Wonders of grace to God belong ; 
 • Repeat his mercies in your^sjng." 
 
 It appea*rs that Morgan and Jones have been the, names in 
 "this family,"for many generations. They .fQllowed the ancient- 
 custom of the Welsh, viz. : when the father's name was.; Mor- 
 gan Jones, the son's name would .be John Morgan. But Grif- 
 fith Jones, of whom -we now gpeak, was named after his 
 mother's father, and so ttle link was broken in the chain. For 
 a wonder, his name was Griffith, and his son's name was Mor- 
 gan Jones: more of him hereafter. His mother's father's 
 name was Griffith Griffiths, a nobleman in the county of Car- 
 marthen. His mother was a very pious woman; but her pa- 
 rents were, so much opposed to the Baptists, that they disin- 
 herited her, and kept from her by force, what they could not 
 deprive her of by |aw. When she, vifas on her death-bed, she 
 sent for her parents, and They came to see her.* She requested 
 them not to withhold from her dear husband and her mother- 
 less children, that wjiich was their right by law. Her mother 
 advised her not to think of the things of this world,.but to think 
 of another world to which ,she was hastening. ■ The daughter 
 replied: "Dear mother, I have not left those im[.ortaht things 
 to the hour of death. I know in whom I have believed." And 
 then she requested them to fulfil her request, as they would have 
 to answer for their conduct before. Gfod, in the great day of 
 judgment. . Soon afterwards she -cheerfully took, h^r leave of 
 them, her husband, her children, and others. She departed 
 
 * Allt-fawr is the name of a. farnr, or tract ef land) with some houses hidlt 
 en it I how many we do not recollect, 
 
niB WELSH BAPTISTS. 105 
 
 with joy, ^nd in the full assurance of faith. But her parents 
 did Hot comply with her request. 
 
 John Morgan, the prodigal -son, who went to Engrland, was 
 converted tq God near Exeter. He returned to Allt-fawr, and 
 held meetings there for a long time. 
 
 Morgan Jones, his , son, a member of , Swansea church, 
 preached chiefly at Llanmadog; was ejected under Charles tho 
 second, and is supposed to have gone to America. 
 
 Morgan Jones, his son, the third pastor of Swansea, died at 
 that place. 
 
 Griffith Jones, his son, began to preach in his father's 
 church at Swansea, and afterwards, more particularly, to 
 a branch of the same church at Penyfay. He became the 
 pastor of the church at Hengoed, and afterwards t® America. 
 
 Morgan Jones, his son, returned from America to Wales, 
 and afterwards settled at Harnpstead, England. 
 
 Respecting Morgan Jones, Griffith Jones's father, we have 
 to say, that he was one of the best of men, a good' preacher, 
 and was^uniyersaljy beloved by all that knew himj and more 
 especially by the church at Swansea, of which -he was pastor- 
 By reason of the most horrid persecution, which he and his. 
 forefathers endured, by heavy fines and imprisonment, he was 
 not so rich in this 'world as his progenitors. -The Allt-fawr has 
 been sold : by whom and at what time we do not know. He 
 was born in- 1662 — the full meridian of that bloody persecu- 
 tion. He had felt and seen so much of the troubles of the time, 
 and heard so much of the persecutions of his father, grand- 
 father, and others, that, by:.the grace of oiir Lord Jesus Christ, 
 he was entirely weaned from the world and all its pomp and 
 vanities. Griffith Davis, pastor of Swansea church, related to 
 Mr> Thomas, of Leominister, the Welsh historian, the follow- 
 ing anecdote respecting Morgan Jones. At a certain time, be- 
 ing in debt to an, individual, who-' was determined to put him 
 into prison if he did not pay him that day, he was in great dis- 
 tress ; having not tlje least, idea where he could get" the money. 
 In this agony of mind, -he withdrew to a secret place, to pour 
 out his soul, to God in prayer, that he might not bring a re- 
 prpach'on the gospel. ' While he was at prayer, a certain man 
 called, and told the family, that Sylvanus Beavsin wanted -to 
 see Morgan Jones immediately. Accordingly, he' went to Bea- 
 van's, who was a member of the society of Friends, (commonly 
 called Quakers,) and a very respectable storekeeper, in the 
 town of Swansea. " Well, friend Morgan," said the Quaker, 
 " friend Py card, of Barnstable, requested me to. pay thee a 
 
106 HISTORY OP 
 
 certain sum of money : here it is."* It was enough to pay the 
 man, and a little over. 
 
 Though Morgan Jonos was naturally mild, meek, and easy 
 in his manners ; yet he was a man of very ready answer.. He 
 happened to call at a house, at. Swanseaj where there were two 
 men disputing ahout religion. One of them was -an Episcopa- 
 lian; the other had lately embraced the sentiments of the Ro- 
 man Catholics. ".Well, my neighbor," said the Episcopalian, 
 " I never was so glad to see you in my life." " What is the 
 reason," said M, Jones. " My friend here is turned Papist," 
 and he has the impudence to say, that the church of Rome is 
 the true church, and that the church of England is a bastard." 
 " Ho!" said Jones, "I have no reason to say any thing — I 
 don't belong to cither of them." " A good reason why," said 
 the Roman Catholic ; " because you have nothing to say." 
 " O yes !" said Jones, " I have something to say. If the church 
 of England is a bastard, the church of Rome must be a har- 
 lot." Thus ended the debate. 
 
 On the 39th of November, it being their ordinance day at 
 Swansea, the ^ood old man was too weak to preach; but ho 
 administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and, at the 
 close, exhorted them, and prayed in so pathetic a manner, that 
 there was not a dry face in the house. He told them that it 
 was the last time that they should ever see him on earth, gave 
 his Bible to one of the poor members of the church, and re- 
 quested two other members to assist him home. He felt him- 
 self too weak to walk. On his way home, he turned into a 
 house belonging .to one of his relatives, and there expired. 
 
 Griffith Jones, son of the foregoing, began to preach in 1714. 
 About 1726, took charge of the church of Penyfay ; removed 
 to Hengoed; from there to America, as stated before. There 
 he became a member of the Welsh-tract church, and assistant 
 to David Davis, their pastor. He died in 1754, aged fifty-nine. 
 There is an excellent elegy made on his death, in the Welsh 
 language, by Benjamin Fraucis. He preached chiefly at 
 Brynsion, then a branch of the Welsh-tract. 
 
 Dr. Thomas LJewellyn, of London, was baptized and re- 
 ceived a member of this church. He was a real friend to the 
 Welsh people in many respects. In his last years, he spent 
 the greater part of his time in Wales, though h6 resided in 
 London. He was born at Gelly«gar, Glamorganshire, and 
 was baptized about the year 1738. He took a very activ* 
 
 * It vna a present from Friend Pycard to M. Jonea, 
 
THB Welsh baptists. 107 
 
 pirt oti behalf of the Welsh, in order to get Bibles for them, 
 in 1769, when the Welsh Bible was printed in London. Soon 
 after Griffith Jones went to America, there was a split in this 
 church, on account- of diifTerence in sentiments. Charles Win- 
 ter and several others, who imbibed the Arminian sentiments, 
 left the church, and formed themselves into a general Baptist 
 phurch at Craigvfargoed. 
 
 In 1753, Lewis James and Watkin Edward, both members 
 of'the church, who had been preaching for a considerable time 
 before, were ordained. Lewis James became their pastor, 
 and Watkin Edward his assistant. The former died in 1767. 
 W. Edward was brought up -a Presbyterian ; but being con- 
 vinced that believers' baptism is the baptism of the Bible, he 
 went to Hengoed to be baptized andto join the church. Ro- 
 ger Williams, his former minister, wrote a very friendly letter, 
 by him, to the Baptist church ; and two of the Presbyterian 
 members came with him, to see him baptized and received a 
 member; and, on parting with hhn, they wept bitterly. He 
 died in 1771, aged eighty -two. . • 
 
 The church meet, every Lord's day, at Hengoed; they 
 break bread every month. They preach every month, and 
 break bread every three months, at Romney; and often preach 
 at the Berthlwyd. 
 
 Hengoed Ministers. 
 
 1. Thomas Jones. 
 
 Lewis Thomas, of SwariseEl, supplied them for many years. 
 
 2. Morgan Griffiths, Died 1738. 
 David Rees went to London. Died 1748. 
 
 3. Griffith Jones — went to America. Died 1754. 
 
 Assistant, Evan Edward; Died 1771. 
 »' Jenkin John. Died 1740. 
 
 William Davis and Thomas Williams went to Llantrisaint. 
 Charles Winter went to Craigyfargoed. Died 1773. 
 
 Assistant, David Lewis. Died 1767. 
 Thomas Llewellyn went to London. 
 
 4. Lewis James. - 
 
 Ordained assistant, Watkin Edward. 
 
 Rhydwilim. William Jones, an ejected, minister, a prison- 
 er for preaching the gospel of Christ, bging convinced in the 
 prison of Carmarthen, that believers' baptism is the only bap- 
 tism of the New Testament, as soon as his was liberated from 
 Ihe said prison, went immediately to Olchon, neariy one hun- 
 
108 HISTORY OP 
 
 dred miles, to be baptized^ Returning to the neighborhood of 
 Rhydwilim, (whence he was taken to prison in 1667,) in the 
 warmest and most severe period of the bloody persecution 
 under that monster, (commonly called kingCharles. the second,) 
 he actually did baptize sixty-nine persons in six weeks ; which 
 was the beginning of the Baptist church at that place. In. a 
 short time, eleven were added to them by baptisn]. On the 
 1 2th day of the 5th month, they were regularly fornjed into a 
 church, by William Prichard, of Llanwenarth, and Thomas 
 Watkips, of'Olchon. On tjie 13fh day of the same month, 
 William Jones and Griffith Howell were' chosen elders, and 
 Morgan Ryttrerch, or Prittroe, and Llewellyn John, deacons. 
 
 Like Israel in Egypt, the more they were persqcOted, the 
 more they increased. In the end of the year 1668, they num- 
 bered forty-eight members. In- 1669, nine were added to them 
 by baptism. In 1671, one by baptism. In 1672, ten by bap- 
 tism. In 1673, six by, baptism. Some were added to thejn 
 every year. Of the first sixty-nine baptized, only two were 
 known to have backslidden. 
 
 In' 1689, there were one hundred and thirteen members: all 
 of them coming ouj of that great tribulation — of that dreadful 
 persecution, under Ch.arles the second. Fifteen of them were 
 the first constituents, who lived to see a glorious harvest after 
 a most severe winter. They had no less than eleven minis- 
 ters, most of them popular men, and all eminent for piety and 
 usefulness. T*hey broke bread every month, at Rushacre and 
 Glandwr, and held their church meetings at Ynsfach, in the 
 parish of Llandisilio, on the last day of the week, (as they called 
 Saturday,) in every month. At that time, their marriage cere- 
 mony was performed in the meeting-house, and a certificate of 
 the same entered on the church book, as follows: 
 
 " We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do certify 
 whom it may concern, that L. P. and E. J., of the parish of 
 LI., did, in the presence of God, and of us his people, enter 
 into the honorable state of matrimony, to live together accord- 
 ing to his holy ordinance, until death shall them both separate. 
 
 George John, 
 Henry Griffiths, 
 
 Witnesses. 
 
 Geipeith Howell, 
 James James, 
 Thomas John, 
 July 1st, 1682." 
 
 John Evans, one of tho members of this church, lost his 
 father when he was young. He was the youngest of three 
 brothers. His oldest brother was entitled to the real estate — 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 109 
 
 the youngest was brought up for the church of England ; but 
 being brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the instru- 
 tnentality of William Jones, the first pastor of this church, he 
 refused the honor and emoluments belonging to that establish- 
 ment; which s.o much displeased his mother, that she was de- 
 termilied to tui-ri him out pennyless; for he was not entitled to 
 any of his father's estate. The tithe of some parish was in- 
 tended for him ; but before he was turned out, his mother hap^ 
 pened to hear him pray in some secret place, for himself and 
 for her, in such a fervent, affectionate manner, which had so 
 much effect upon her, that John became her best son. She 
 gave him money to buy a farm for himself, which also he did. 
 In a short time, his mother and his brothers died, and he be- 
 came the sole proprietor of his father's real and personal estate. 
 He built a large and convenient meeting-house on his own es- 
 tate, and altogether at his own expense. He called it Rhyd- 
 wilim, conveyed it over to the Baptists forever, and became an 
 honorable member of the church. Godliness is profitable foi: 
 all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and that 
 which is to come. He gave, also, several acres of land for the 
 support of the ministry. He died in full assurance of faith, in 
 1704. 
 
 Elisha ThoVnas belonged to this church, and was one of the 
 sixteen, belonging to that church, who emigrated from Milford 
 Haven, in South Wales, to Welsh-tract, in Pennsylvania. He 
 was born in the county of Carmarthen, in 1674. He was 
 called to the work of the ministry, and ordained at Welsh-tract, 
 and became their pastor after the death of T. Griffiths. Tho- 
 mas, of Loominister, thinks he was a son of Thomas David 
 Recs, minister of this church. He died, November 7, 1730, 
 and was buried in the church-yard, where a handsome tomb 
 was erected to his mdmory. 
 
 Enoph Morgan was born in the AUtgoch, in the parish of 
 Llanwehog, county of Cardigan, South Wales, in 1676. He 
 was brother to Abel Morgan, (author of the Welsh concord- 
 ance,) whose father's name was Morgan Prothfoe, or Rydderch. 
 He was a member of this church-^arrived in America with the 
 Welsh-tract church, whereof he was one of the constituents. 
 He took on him the care of the church, after the death of 
 Elisha Thomas. He died in 1740, and was buried in the 
 grave-yard, where a handsome tomb was erected to his memory. 
 His son Abel was a minister in some other place in America. 
 
 Owen Thomas was a member of this church. He was born 
 at Gwrgodllys, Cilmanllwyd parish', county of Carmarthen, in 
 1691. He went to America in 1707, and took the pastoral 
 10 
 
110 HISTORY OF 
 
 care of the church at' Welsh-tract, a.iier the, death of Enoch 
 Morgan; in which office he continued until 1748, when he re* 
 signed to go to Vincent, where he died in 1760, aged sixty- 
 nine. He left behind him the following manuscript : 
 
 " I have been called upon three times, to anoint the sick 
 with oil, for recovery. The effect was surprising in every 
 cetse, but in none more so, than in the case «f our brother, 
 Rynallt Ho-frell. He was so sore with the bruises which he 
 received, by a cask falling on him from a waggon, that he 
 could not bear to be turned in bed: the next day he went to 
 -meeting." 
 
 David Davis was born in the parish of Whitchurch, county 
 of Pembroke, in 1708 — went to America when he was two 
 years old — was ordained and became the pastor of Welsh-tract 
 in 1734. He died in 1769. He was an excellent man, arid 
 is held dear in remembrance by all who knew him. His 
 widow was a daughter of Elisha Thomas. He left behind him 
 six children : three sons and three daughters. Two of his 
 sons were preachers. Jonathan was a Seventh-day Baptist. 
 His son John supplied his father's church. 
 
 Jenkin Jones was born at Llanfernach, withii) the bounds of 
 this church, in 1690 — went to America in 1710 — was called 
 to the work of the ministry, at Welsh-tract, in, 1724 — was 
 cliosen pastor of Penepeck church, in 1725-^removed from 
 thence to Philadelphia, in 1746, where he labored in wdrd.and 
 ' doctrine, until he died in 1761. 
 
 James Davis, from this church, went to America, and formed 
 a church at the Great Valley. He was one of the sixteen 
 emigrants belonging to that churcbj mentioned before. 
 
 Hugh Davis, the first pastor of the Great Valley church, 
 was baptized and ordained in this charch, before he went to 
 America.* 
 
 John Davis, the second pa^to^• of the Great Valley church, 
 was born at Llanfernach, in 1702. He went to America in 
 1713 — called to the ministry in 1722— was ordained in 1732 — • 
 was an assistant to Hugh Davis, until his death in 1753, and 
 afterwards became the pastor of the church. 
 
 We have now before us, Thomas's History of the Baptists in Wales, (fioni 
 which we translate,) and Benedict's Histoiy of the Baptist Denomination in 
 Amoiioa. Though they differ a little in two or three plaoes, yet they are ee- 
 nerally the same. >- w ^ b 
 
 In many parts of his work, Thomas sfeemed to be veiy anxious to see the 
 "istofy 0' .[he Baptists m America. At the time he was writing the history 
 pt Rhydwilim, it is probable tliat he either had seen Morgan Jones, or received 
 letters from America. — Ed. 
 
 * See more of him, in the history of Newcastle, and of Swansea. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. Ill 
 
 Joshua Jones was born in the parish of Little Newcastle, 
 Pembrokeshire, in 1721 — went to America in 1726 — was or- 
 daincd over the church at New Britain, Pennsylvania, in 1761. 
 
 Morgan Griffiths went to Hengoed.* 
 
 About 1718, a new meeting-house was built within the 
 bounds of this church, called Fynnoriwellnabywch. 
 
 About the same time, David James and Philip John began 
 to preach, and were ordained about 1718. Philip John died 
 about 1720, and David James, about 1726. 
 
 John Philips was baptized in 1720. Having exercised his 
 gifts for some time, he went to Bristol college. He was the 
 second student, under the tuition of Mr. Foskett, in that college. 
 He returned thence to Wales, and preached at Usk for some 
 time. He went from that place to Wrexham, and thence to 
 London; but he never settled any where. He was an excel- 
 lent preacher, but of bad temper, which was against his minis- 
 try. ■ He lived to be an old man, and finished his course in 
 1761. 
 
 Thomas Mathias was baptized in 1701 — began to preach 
 about 1704 — was ordained about 1710 — became the pastor of 
 the church about 1733, after the death of John Jenkins, their 
 late pastor. He was a pious, lively, and learned man. He 
 was brought up for the church of England. He was well ac- 
 quainted with both the English and Welsh languages ; and his 
 memory being like an ocean, he coiimiiterpTet an English 
 sermon into Welsh, or Welsh into English, after any preacher : 
 as the congregation often, in some parts of Wales, are made up 
 of both Welsh and English people. He died in 1745, aged 
 Bcventy-three. 
 
 John Folk was baptized in 1702. He was an assistant 
 preacher. Died about 1740. 
 
 Dr. Philip James was born in Carmarthenshire, and brought 
 up for the church of England ; but being under serious impres- 
 sions, upon the most mature deliberation,, he relinquished the 
 idea of being an Episcopal minister; which so much offended 
 his parents, that they turned him out of doors unprovided for, 
 and entirely jlisinherited him. It was in the heat of persecu- 
 tion — 1685. He went to Liverpool, and hired himself to one 
 of the Baptists, of the name 6f Dr. Fabus ; and, while in his 
 house, he turned out to be very useful, both to the souls and' 
 to the bodies of his fellow creatures. In Liverpool he was bap- 
 tized, and became both Dr. and minister of the gospel. He 
 married Lawrence Spooner's daughter. He preached at War- 
 
 * See the history of Hengoed church. 
 
112 - HISTOKY OF 
 
 wick for some time, and moved from tliere to Hampstead, near 
 London, and was the pastor of that church for thirty years. 
 He died in 1748, aged eighty-four. His son Samuel was a 
 Baptist minister at Hitchin, in.the same county. 
 
 After the death of J. Mathias, the church was without a pastor, 
 though there were two ordained ministers among them — David 
 Richards and John James: the former wasDrdained in 1726, 
 and the latter in 1734. Daniel Garnon, Evan Davis, David 
 Lewis, and John Griffiths, were assistant preachers. 
 
 In 1745, the church and congregation heing too numerous to 
 be contained in one house, they were divided. John James he- 
 came the pastor of Rhydwilim, and.D, Richards, the pastor of 
 the new-formed' church at Llanglophan. All the assistant 
 preachers joined the new church, expept John Griffiths. John 
 James was a good preacher, but was by no means popular. 
 He died in the Lord, rejoicing in the truth, and was buried 
 at Castlebeith. The following words are on his tombstone : 
 
 " Here lieth the body of John James, the preacher at Rhyd- 
 wilim, who departed this life, the 4tb of February, 1760, aged 
 sixty .ptwo years. 
 
 Earth on earth, discern me well. 
 When earth to earth shail go to dwell, 
 Theirearlh in eaith shall close remain, 
 Till earth from earth shall come again." 
 
 David Thomas, of .Llanglophan was their next pastor. The 
 work of the Lord prospered in his hand. A great many were 
 added to the church. In the space of the eight years 1hat he 
 was in Rhydwilim, he baptized one hundred and twenty-seven. 
 But he most awfully fell, and was excluded. " Let us not be 
 high-minded but fear. Let him that thinketh he standeth, take 
 heed lest he fall." 
 
 Benjamin Morgan began to preach in 1761 — went to Bristol 
 college in 1762 — went to Kingstanley in 1765 — was ordained 
 there in 1767 — went to Cornwall in 1770, and thence to Gam- 
 iingay, 9ne of the churches of John Bunyan. From that place 
 he went to Ashford, in Kent, in 1777. 
 
 Joshua Thomas, a member of this church, having exercised 
 his gifts for some time, went to Bristol college, in 1766, re- 
 ceived a call from the church at Lymington, and was very 
 prosperous, until he died in 1769. 
 
 Their next pastor was George'Rees, from Llanglophan, who 
 took charge of them in 1775. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 113 
 
 Rhydwilim Ministers. 
 
 William Jones. , 
 
 Griffith Howell. 
 
 ■ilhomas David Rees. 
 
 George John. 
 
 James James. 
 
 Evan Davis. 
 
 Johii Jenkins. 
 
 Richard Williams went to Maesyb'erllan. 
 
 ■John Davis," assistant preacher. 
 
 Thomas Griffiths went. to America. 
 
 Samuel John. 
 
 All these came from tfee persecution. 
 Morgan Griffiths went to Hengoed. 
 Thomas' Mathias. 
 Philip John. 
 David James. 
 John Philips. 
 
 Griffith Williams went to Moleston. 
 John Folk. 
 Evan Jenkins. ' 
 
 Dr. Philip James went to Hampstead. 
 John James. / 
 
 David Richard went to Llanglophan. 
 Daniel Garnon. 
 Evan Davis. 
 
 David Lewis." . ' 
 
 Benjamin Morgan went to Kent, England. 
 ■Joshua Thomas. , " 1769, 
 
 David Thomas — excluded. 
 George Rees. • 
 John Griffiths. 
 Daniel John. 
 James Williams. 
 
 Rehoboth Chuech vcas a Jbr&rtch of Rhydwilim. When 
 this church, was formed, in 1668, their chief place of worship 
 was Glandwr, in.thg parish of Llandysul.' They also met to 
 worship in many other places, within the bounds of the church : 
 such as, Tydanyralltfawr, Bwlchog, Felyndre, and Newcastle. 
 
 Mary Jones, of Llanllwny, was the first that was baptized 
 
 in this region, on the 4th day of the 6t-h month, 1667. As 
 
 Lydia was the first that was l^aptized in Macedonia, and so far 
 
 10^ . 
 
 DiedlTOO. 
 
 
 1705. 
 
 
 1696. 
 
 
 1700. 
 
 
 1696. 
 
 
 1696, 
 
 
 1733. 
 
 
 1700. 
 
 
 1700. 
 
 
 1725. 
 
 
 .1704. 
 
 
 1701. 
 
 
 1745. 
 
 
 1720; 
 
 
 1726. 
 
 ce 
 
 1761. 
 
 u 
 
 1731. 
 
 it, 
 
 1740. 
 
 
 1752. 
 
 
 1748. 
 
 it 
 
 1760. 
 
 (< 
 
 1745. 
 
 (C 
 
 1745. 
 
 ce 
 
 1745. 
 
 a 
 
 1745. 
 
114 niSTOKY OP 
 
 aa we know, in Europe; so this good woman was the begin- 
 ning of the Etaptist interest in these parts, since the reformation: 
 Elizabeth Griffiths, Thomas David Rees, Morgan Rydderch, 
 and several more, soon followed. 
 
 Thomas David Rees was their first pastor.* Evan Davis 
 was an ordained assistant. - 
 
 Next to him was.James Jamta.f 
 
 Several of the membfcrs of this church went to America, and 
 formed themselves into a churtfh, at a place called Montgomery,, 
 Pennsylvania. Benjamin Griffiths becatne their pastor, and 
 Joseph EsCton his assistant: the former was ordained in 1725; 
 Wie latter, in 1727. Benjamin. Griffiths was born in the-parisfi 
 of Llanllwny, in 1688— r-went to America in 171(j — wa^ bap- 
 tized, in that country, in 1711. He was brother to Abel Mor- 
 gan, on the mother's sMe, but not of the same father^ 
 
 Abel Griffiths, his son, was born in 1733 — baptized in 1744 
 — ordained in . 1761 — the same year chosen pastor of the 
 church at Brandywine — removed, thence to Salem, in Jersey. 
 
 Nathaniel Jenkins, also, was a member and a preacher in 
 this church. He preached mostly, at that branch called Llan- 
 llwny. He and his forefethers lived at theBwlchogi where the- 
 meeting had been held for a long time. He was a very useful 
 and acceptable preaGher,-throughout Wg,les. His name is in 
 the minutes of the Rhydwilim association, in 1701. I have 
 not been able to find where, he was' baptized, nor when he be- 
 gan to preach. While in Wales, he was truly a hospitable 
 man, according to the Welsh sense of the^word; We have 
 :heard but litfle of him sitice he went to America. Abel Mor- 
 gan, in 1702, writing to one of his friends in Wales, says — " I 
 have to go about one hundred and twenty miles, in the montli 
 of May, to form a church at Gape May, West Jersey, whei» 
 brother Nathaniel Jenkins is to settle as pastor." _ , Griffith 
 Jones, in one of his letters, dated 1750, says-^" I have been to 
 Jersey, and have seen brother Nathauial Jenkins : he is yet 
 alive." Writing again, in 1754, he says^— " Last May, Na- 
 thaniel Jenkins, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, died." The 
 three letters are now before me on the (able. As I have not 
 seen Morgan Edwards's History of the American Baptists, this 
 is all that I can say about him. ^e has left many friends in 
 Wales, -whose children and grand-children would be very glad 
 to hear something more of him.:j: 
 
 Since writing the foregoing, we have consulted Benedict's His? 
 
 * See his bioeraphjr. t See his biography, 
 
 t Thsinas's History of the Baptists in Wales, p. 374. 
 
THB WELSH BA.PTI9t8. 113 
 
 toryof theBaptist'Denomination in Americaj^and takethe liberty, 
 once more, of borrowing from brother' Benedict, that which, wa 
 hope, will' not make him, nor any of his posterity, the poorer. 
 
 ^^ Cape May. The foundation of this- church was laid in 
 1675, when a company of emigrants^ from England, arrived in 
 the Delaware, and some of them settled at the Capes. Among 
 these were two Bap^tists, whose names were George Taylor and 
 Philip Hill. Tayloi- kept a meeting at his house, until his 
 death in 1701. Hill kept up the rbejKng until 1704, when he 
 also died. After this, the few brethren who had been collected 
 here, were visited by George Eaglesfield, Elias Keach, Thomas 
 Griffiths, and Nathaniel Jenkins: the last of whom becama 
 the pastor of the church, which was constituted in 1712. Jen-, 
 kins was a Welshman, born! in Cardiganshire, -1678 — arrived 
 in'America .in 17J0, and two yearsafter settled at the Cape, 
 
 He was a man of good parts and tolerable education; and 
 quitted himself with honor, in the loan office, whereof he was a 
 trustee; and, also, in the Assembly, particularly in 1721, 
 when a bill was brought in ' to punish such as denied the doc- 
 trine of the Trinity, the Divinity of Christ, the Inspir^ion of 
 the Holy Scriptures,' &o. In opposition to which, Jenkins 
 stood up, and in the. warmth and accent of a Welshman, said 
 — -^ I believe the doctrines in question, as firmly as the promo- 
 ters of that ill-designed bill, but will never consent to oppose 
 the opposers' by law, or with any other weapon, save that Of 
 argument,' &C. .Accerdingly the bill was suppressed, to thte 
 great' mortification of those who wanted to raise in Jersey, th« 
 spirit, that so raged in New England." 
 
 Thomas- Davis, a brother to John Davis, of Great Valley, 
 went from this region to America — was born in the parish of 
 Llanfernach, county of Pembroke, in South Wales, in 1707 — f 
 arrived "in America in 1713 — was ordained at Great Valley---i 
 preached at Hopewell about four years — then resigned to go to 
 Oyster Bay, on Long Island. He died at Yejlow Springs, on 
 the 15th of February, aged seventy years. • 
 
 After the death of Evan Davis, and Nathaniel Jenkins havT 
 ing gona to America^ J» James, the pastor, lost most of hig 
 assistants. But in 1708, the Lord of the harvest was ple"ased 
 to- raise up in this church, ^e of the raost,-piousi most popular, 
 and most excellent men, that ever was in Wales, or, perhaps, 
 in any other part of the world. His name was lEnoch Francis, 
 He was born at Pantyllaethdy, on the river Teify. Pie became 
 a member of this church when very young, and began to 
 preach at the age of nineteen, at a place called Pengwyn,iri tho 
 pariah of tilajollwny, from the 55th chapter of Isaiah, We 
 
no HI8T0KT or 
 
 hare not been able to ascertain at what time he was ordained, 
 but it must have been some time before the year 1729; for he 
 pi^^hed at the association of Llanglophan, that j'ear, from 
 Cant. 8;12. •The ministers and messengers, there present, 
 were so much delighted with his sermon, that they unanimous- 
 ly, and most urgently, requested'him to publish it; arid he re- 
 luctantl^ complied with their request. It is erititled, " The 
 Work and Reward of faithful Ministers of the Gospel." Some 
 time afterwards. He pu|^ished a book on the peculiar senti- 
 ments of the Baptist denomination, called, " Gair yn ei bryd," 
 (A word in Season): So called, because the sentiments of 
 James Ariininius were spreading in some parts ^ of Wales,. "af 
 that time; particularly about Hengoed and Newcastle. Per- 
 haps it is the best on that subject, on account of the meek and ' 
 lowly spirit, and the great and wonderful love to Christj the 
 truth, and soiils of his fellow creatures,, which is .manif^ted 
 therein. It is published, of course, in' Welsh. At this time 
 there was a great revival in the church, and people generally 
 flocked to hear Enoch Francis, from twenty and thirty miles' 
 around. In that revival, he often baptized at that distance, in 
 many places. This most wonderful work of God spread so 
 rapidly, and so powerful was the sword of the Spirit, in the 
 hands of Enoch Francis and others, that it became mighty 
 through God, to pull down the.strong hold -of Satan. Young 
 people, calling themselves members of the church of Eiagland, 
 ('fqr no other reason, than that they had been sprinkled in their 
 infancy, in the steeple-house,) had been generally in the habit 
 of meeting together on the Lord's day, to amuse themselyes by 
 drinking, dancing, and fighting, were excited, out of mere cu- 
 .riosity, to hear Enoch. Francis, to see the baptizing, and to 
 fiave something to say about the revival. But,- tO their great 
 surprise, they heard him thundering, like a Boanerges; against 
 cursors, swearers, fighters, liars, and Sabbath-breakers; and 
 scattered, as it were, the»sparks.of hell in the midst of them, 
 and directed them to look, by faith, to the bleeding Lamb of 
 God, that taketh away the sin of the world; so that many of 
 them were pricked to the heart. The news spreading about, 
 that Saul also was among the prophets, -induced many more to 
 come out to see; and while rejurning *home, they could say, 
 that they had seen the. glory of Christ, by the eye of fai;th, and 
 felt the power pf God in their souls. 
 
 At this time, Howell Harris, Daniel Rowland, William Wil- 
 liams, Peter Williams, Howell Davis, (all clergymen of, the 
 established chuTch ®f England,) commenced preaching through- 
 out the Principality; apd niuch good was done through their 
 
THE WEWH BAPTISTS. 117 
 
 instrumentality. The Presbyterians, also, began to shake 
 themselves from, their lethargy, and to quit their stiff and for- 
 mal manner of preaching. And many souls were added unto 
 them, of such as are eternally saved;* so that all Wale? 
 seemed to be on fire. 
 
 At this very period, in the full meridian of that revival, 
 Enoch Francis died and went to heaven, aged only fifty-one 
 Jjrears. O what a shook! what consternation! what agitation I 
 Fire and water seems to be, in motion !. ,,,The whole territory 
 of Cambria trembles ! But a voice from heaven says, ", Be 
 still, and know that I am God." 
 
 Death gave him the mortal blow, while he was preaching at 
 Fishguard, from Psalm 73 : 25, '26. His dear wife died a few 
 months before him. So he left six fatherless and motherless 
 children behind him : all of them young — not brought up to 
 maturity. But God, who has promised to be a husband to the 
 widow, and a father to the fatherless, took care of his children, 
 and made them all partakers of that godliness, which has, the 
 promise of the life that now is, and- that which is to com'e. 
 
 Two of his sons, Jonathan and Benjamin, became Baptist, 
 ministers: the latter, it is said, was very much like his father. 
 The other son, a very pious young man, died at the age of 
 eighteen. One of his daughters was married to Stephen Davis, 
 Baptist minister at Carmarthen. The other two daughters 
 were married in the county of Glamorgan, in good circum-. 
 stances. Some of his grandsons and great-grandsons, wen* 
 also in the ministry. 
 
 After the death'of Enoch Francis, three of the four assistant, 
 preachers were ordained — Thomas David Evans, John David 
 Nicholas, and Rees Jones. They were ordained at the Tynew- 
 ydddanyralltfawr, in 1740, Grifiith Jones, assistant. In the 
 same year, Evan Saunders, John Thomas, and Timothy Tho- 
 mas, began to preach. The same God who took off the pillar 
 held up the house. About the year 1743, Griflith Jones was 
 ordained. In 1747, David Thomas was ordained. In 1755, 
 Samuel George began to preach-^was ordained at Wantage, 
 England, and died there in 1767, aged thirty-three years: he 
 was buried there. The following epitaph is on his tombstdne : 
 
 " To the memory of the Rev. Samuel George, pastor of the 
 Christian church, at Wantage, in this county. He lived, justly 
 
 * So far as we know, there was no other denomination in Wales at that 
 lime, except a few Qaakers. Since that time, thg Methodists commenced 
 here. 
 
118 IIISTOKY or 
 
 esteenjed for his piety and usefulness) and died, justly lament, 
 ed, in the 33d year of his age, May 14, 1767. 
 
 The preacher, whose so early death we raoum, 
 Here, in deep silence, speaks our great concern," 
 
 In 1757, Zecharias Thomas began to preach, but soon 
 moved to Bethel.* Hitherto, the main body of the church ha(} 
 no meeting-house, but as there was a great revival in the parish 
 of Cilrhedyu, within, three miles of the town, a meeting-house 
 was built in that parish, called Panteg, in 1764.t There is a 
 good burying-ground adjoinining. 
 
 In 1765, David Evans was ordained. 
 
 In 1778, James Thomas was ordained pastor of the church 
 . — John. Davis, assistant. 
 
 Rehoboth Ministers. 
 
 1 . Thomas David Rees. 
 
 Assistant, Evan Davis. 
 
 2. James James. 
 
 3. Enoch Francis. 
 
 Assistant, William Evans — joined the 
 
 church of England. 
 Assistant, Abel Francis. 
 Evan Saunders went to Aberdiiar. 
 Thomas David Evans went to Aberduar. 
 Rees Jones went to Aberdeen. 
 
 Ordained assistant, John D. Nicholas. 
 Griffith Thomas. 
 
 Timothy Thomas went to Aberduar. 
 ^charias Thomas went to Aberduar. 
 Samuel George went to England. " 1767. 
 
 David Thomas. 
 David Evans. 
 James Thomas, 
 John Davis. ' 
 
 P. S. Some time after this, there was a division at Panteg, 
 about doctrine. The party that imbibed Arminian sentiments 
 kept the meeting-house; and the Regular Baptist church built 
 o new meeting-house, and called it Rehoboth. It is within one 
 mile of Panteg. Therefore the church is now known by that 
 name. 
 
 * See the history of that place. 
 
 Died 1700. 
 
 ti 
 
 1706. 
 
 (t 
 
 1734. 
 
 (1 
 
 i 
 
 1740. 
 
 (C 
 
 1743. 
 
 cc. 
 
 1743. 
 
 (< 
 
 1766. 
 
 it 
 
 1767. 
 
 (I 
 
 1763. 
 
 (( 
 
 1763. 
 
 (( 
 
 1768. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 11^ 
 
 Bjlaenau CiiuRcir, in the county of Monmouth was con* 
 Stituted in 1660. It had been a branch of Llanwenarth 
 for many years. It was gathered, by W. Prichard, Dr. 
 Price, and Lewis ThomaSif This church suffered much by 
 bitter persecutions. At that time, they were obliged to meet 
 lo worship God in the fields, the woods, and the rocks of the 
 mountains, like many of their brethren. Sometimes, however^ 
 they ventured to meet in some private houses. They often 
 met at the house of Nest, Llewellyn. Though she was fre* 
 quently dragged before the higher powers, to answer for her 
 crimes; yet she was not at all daunted, but Lydia-like she in- 
 vited the disciples of Christ to her house. She neither feared 
 their threatenings and frowns, nor courted their smiles, let the 
 consequences be what they might. Morgan Williams, an as» 
 sistant preacher among them, sometimes held meetings at his 
 own house, of course as secret as possible. Near his house 
 they used to baptize. Afterwards the meetings were held in 
 the house of Watkin Harris, until the meeting-house was built. 
 Their first settled pastor was Abel Morgan.f Their second 
 pastor was William Philips, who had been a deacon of the 
 church for a long time, and had been in the ministry for many 
 years before. Abel Morgan went to Arnerica. He was or- 
 dained in 1711, and died in 1730. He was a very useful man, 
 and much respected as a minister and as a citizen. He was a 
 most excellent mechanic, and above all, he was a good minis- 
 ter of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The third pastor was John Harris. He was ordained in 
 February, 1714, and took charge of the church in November, 
 1731. Miles Harris preached on the occasion, from Psalm 
 78:73. He died on the 28th of December, in 1737. He was 
 firm in the faith ; a great advocate for the truth ; given to hos- 
 pitality ; and very laborious in the work of his heavenly Mas- 
 ter. He had the honor of baptizing his own father. The 
 meeting-house was built in 1715. 
 
 Their fourth pastor was Morgan Harris, son of their lato 
 pastor. He was baptized at the age of fifteen ; began to preach 
 when he was very young; was ordained in 1735 ; took charge 
 of the church in 1737. On, the sarne day, Thomas, Edwards 
 was ordained his assistant. He was a learned man, brought 
 up at Bristol college, but he was not a healthy man. He was 
 weak in body, but strong in mind. He was an acceptable 
 preacher at home and through the Principality. He soon 
 
 * See their biography,, t See hie biogra[*y. 
 
ISO HISTORY OP 
 
 finished the wofk the Lord gave him to do. He finished his 
 course in 1746, aged forty-two. 
 
 The fifth pastor was Edmund Watkins, who had been a 
 preacher among them several years. He was ordained in 
 1747; but he was not able to be so useful among them as was 
 desirabb, as he was living so far from them-^at least twenty 
 miles. At the same time, he was much beloved by them, and 
 by all who knew him. He labored hard to serve them, until 
 he died in the Lord, with his eyes seeing his salvation. 
 
 Assistant Minister s* 
 
 Morgan Williams. 
 
 Moses Llewellyn- — baptized 1699'^begali to preach 1701-;- 
 died 1745. 
 
 Henry Evans — baptized 1700'— began- to preach 1710'— 
 gave up preaching. 
 
 Miles Harris— died 1776. 
 
 Thomas Edwards — died 1769. 
 
 William Thomas— died 1757. 
 
 Evan Harris — baptized 1738 — began to preach 1740 — ^not 
 known when he was ordained. 
 
 William Morgan went to Salop — died, 1753. 
 
 Evan Jones — began to preach 1744 — gave up preaching. 
 
 Rees Evans went to Penygarn — began to preach 1745= — died 
 1768. 
 
 William Watkins went to Somerset, England — died 1768. 
 
 Rees Vaughan. 
 
 Maurice Jones was ordained in 1774. 
 
 William Thomas- 
 John Thomas. 
 
 MAESYBEEtLAJi Chubc&, in the county of Brecon, was 
 gathered by Henry Morris,* in the time of persecution under 
 Charles the second. At first they met, (even while the snow 
 was deep,) in the open air_, under the canopy of heaven, by 
 night, to worship God; and terrible were their sufferings in 
 many -other respects. But they were not regularly formed 
 until 1699, At that time, William Prichard, of Llanwenarth, 
 preached often in this region. Most of the original constituents 
 were originally under his pastoral care. Richard Williams, of 
 Rhydwilim, was their first pastor.f 
 
 * See bis biographjri 
 
THE WELSH BAmSTS. 121 
 
 • The second .pastor was Philip Morgan, who began to preach 
 about 1721, was ordained in 1731jbeing thirty-seven years old. 
 SoQP after this tinpe, a revival commenced, and a gr.eat many 
 were added to them. Now Zion's tent was enlarged, and the 
 curtain of her habitation stretched forth. She broke forth on 
 the right hand and on the left; and great was the labor of their 
 pastor. All the Baptist churches in Wales, at this time, were 
 in the practice of laying on of hands on the baptized. But 
 while their minister was once examining the candidates for 
 baptism, a certain young man said, that he was not satisfied 
 respecting that practiee. He did not believe that it was an or- 
 dinance ordained by Christ to be continued in his church. 
 That he wished to have more time to consider it. This natu- 
 rally led them all to thinfe on tfie subject. The consequence was, 
 that their minister, and William Hecbert, the assistant preach- 
 er, and several of the members, became decidedly against it ; 
 and the other members were so much for it, that they could 
 not be in fellowship. At last it- was brought before the asso- 
 ciation, and finally Considered not to be a bar of communion. 
 In 1746, they built a meeting-house, and called it Maes-y-ber- 
 llan. They met before in several dwelling-houses, in barns, 
 and often in the open air, when the weather was favorable. 
 
 After the death of Philip Morgan, in 1776, John Thomas, 
 from Aberduar, became their pastor.' The cause was very low 
 when' he took their charge. Afterwards; there was a gradual 
 increase. After that, however, there was ja. decrease for four 
 oi* five years, when quite a revival broke out suddenly. 
 
 Assistatit Ministers. 
 
 Rees Williams'— began to preach 1721 — died 1759. 
 
 William Herbert was baptized 1731^began to preach 1736 
 —ordained 1738— died 1742. 
 
 William Williams*— died 1771. 
 ' Rees .Vaughan.f 
 
 John Morgan began to preach 1743. 
 
 Joshua Thomasf— began to preach 1744 — ordained 1749 
 -^went.to Leominister. 
 
 * See Olchoff. . : . + See Blaenau. 
 
 t Joshua Thomas was baptized at teomiBister, in the county of Hereford, 
 England— was regularly dismissed from there to Maesv'beriran, in 1746— re- 
 turned to Leominister, and became the pastor of the.cjiurch there, in 1754. 
 He wrote the History of the Baptdsts in Wales,.and labored with much accep- 
 tance at Leominister, until his death. His son, Timothy Thomas, was the 
 pastor of the church at Devonshire, Square, London. 
 11 
 
132 HISTORY OF 
 
 Zechariah Thomas.* 
 
 Thomas Philips^ — baptized 1762 — began to preach 1764.t 
 
 WilliamWilliams — ordained 1768. 
 
 Glascwm Church, in the . county of Radnor. It appears 
 that the first Baptist minister that prieached in this region, was 
 Velyasor Powel, who commenced in 16^6. After the year 
 1(340, the gospelwas regularly preached through the whole 
 cc«jBty, and many, by the grace of God brought to the know- 
 ledge of the truth. Among the many difficulties under which 
 the Baptists labored at that time,, not being suffered to bury 
 their dead in the proper grave-yards, was considered by them 
 a piece of cruelty. Sometimes their bodies were taken up 
 from their graves,'by those blood-thirsty hdbnds in human 
 form, in many places — such as, Newbridge, Leominister, Pem- 
 brfdge,'&c..; so that they were obliged to bury in their own 
 
 fardens by night. To remove that difficulty, in this region, 
 ohn Lewis, a' man of considerable landed property, enclosed 
 a piece, or spot of ground, for the Baptists to bury their dead; 
 in which he and his posterity have been buried to this day. 
 His son, Thomas Lewis, became the pastor of the church, and 
 the only pastor it ever had, though it existed more than one 
 hundred years. It is now extinct. The sum of one. hundred 
 pounds was bequeathed, by a relation of T.'Lewis, for the sup- 
 port of the Baptist interest here, or the next Baptist church to 
 it. The church of Builth enjoys the benefit of it now, on con- 
 dition that their minister shall preach once a inonth in this re- 
 gion; which he has done for several years, apparently to no 
 purpose. May the Lord revive his work in these parts. Tho- 
 mas Lewis died in 1736. '; 
 
 CiLPowYR Church, in the county of Pembroke. Accord- 
 ing to saciSd and ecclesiastical history, it appears that a woman 
 of the name of-Lydia, was the beginning of the Baptist 
 churches in Europe; and that a woman of the name Of Clau- 
 dia, was the means of introducing the. gospel into Great Bri- 
 tain, among the Welsh nation. A woman of the name of 
 Mary Jones, was the beginning of the Baptist interest in that 
 region where Rehoboth church sojourned for many years; and 
 a wom.-in of the- name of Lettis Morgans, was the first that was 
 baptized in the neighboi-hood of Cilfowyr. She was baptized 
 sometime before the year M568, because her name is among 
 the original constituents of the church at Rhydwilim, which. 
 
 * See Aborduar. t See Ctirteon. 
 
THE WEMH BAPTISTS. 133 
 
 was formed in that year. John Philips Cilcam, however, was 
 the means of bringing Baptist preaching here. The meetings 
 were held, and the church was formed at his house, in 1704. 
 It bad been a branch of Rhydwilim for many years. The 
 constituents of this church were_ thirty-six males, and thirty, 
 two females'— sixty-eight in number.* 
 .Soon "after a revival commenced, and a great many were 
 added to them for three years, with a gradual increase to this 
 day. Thus they travelled onward, under the shining beams 
 of the sun, until the year 1714, when the clouds were dark- 
 ened, and threatenings and fears increased in equal proportion ; 
 but most fervent: and" ardent prayer prevailed. Queen Ann 
 died, and George the first ascended the throne, pn the first day 
 of August, 1714. The Baptists in Wales kept that day as a 
 day of thanksgiving for mady years. After these clouds were 
 scattered, they built themselves a' meeting-house, in 1716. 
 James Morgans, the* son of Edward Morgans, and the said 
 Lettis Morgans, gave the ground for. building the house, and 
 for a large grave-yard. -After the death of their first pastor, 
 Samuel John, they became more like the troubled sea than the 
 deep and still waters : not for want of means, but by reason of 
 abundance. They Jiad three ministers, James Williams, John 
 Richards, and David Thomas. Part of the church wanted 
 James Williams to be their pastor, and the other part wanted 
 David Thomas. This dispute ended in a separation. Their 
 case being before the association, and every means employed 
 for their reconciliation to no purpose, it was therein unani- 
 mously resolved, that if either of the parties would not adhere 
 to thS advice of the association, they should have no fellowship 
 with them; and if 'any minister, or any church, shduld coun- 
 tenance that party, they should have ho fellowship with the 
 association. It was also resolved; that a special prayer-meet- 
 ing should be held in every church belonging to the connec- 
 tion, throughout ■ Wales, on the same day, to pray for their . 
 •reconciliation. These resolutions had the desired effect. The 
 churih considered' the ^advice of the association. They met 
 for prayer, ori the day appointed, as well as other churches. 
 They humbled themselves before. Gfod, confessed their sins, and 
 were reconciled to- one another, and agreed that the two minis- 
 ters should be co-|.astors .of the church. In the next associa- 
 tion, it was resolved, that all the churches should meet on the 
 same day, to return thanks to Almighty God for the reconcilia. 
 . Jion of this church. Thus they progressed, until the old man, 
 
 ■ * See the biography of Samuel John, the first pastor of this chuixsb. 
 
124 HISTOBY or 
 
 James WilliaYus, Became weak and feeble. Then. David 
 Thomas was chosen sole pastor of the church. James Wil- 
 liams was baptized in 1696, and died in 1744. After this for 
 many years, the church increased greatly in number and gifts. 
 Several young men were called to the work of the ministry, 
 and the pleasure of the Lord prospered in their hands. 
 
 David Thomas was a good, faithful, and able, minister of 
 Jesus Christ; much respected in the church and in the world, 
 far and near ; well received as an acceptable minister. He 
 was of great service in the assodiations", and often manifested 
 a great deal of patience blended with courage. He served the 
 church, in the work of the ministry, forty-eight years. He 
 died in 1773. 
 
 In 1769, this church built another. meeting-house, called 
 Ferwig, within two miles of the town of Cardigan. Preaching 
 is held there every Sabbath, and the ordinance of the Lord's 
 sapper is administered every two months,' by David Evans and 
 Lewis Thomas, co-pastors. 
 
 Assistant Ministers. 
 
 John Morgan — baptiized 1705 — died 1760. 
 
 John Richard*— idied 1768. 
 
 William Williamst— died 1771. 
 
 James Lodwig — began to preach 1742 — ordained 1761 — 
 died 1762. . ' . 
 
 David Evans — began to preach 1742 — ordained 1761— 
 died 1773. 
 
 Nicholas Edward — died 1760. 
 
 William Williams— began to preach 1762.:j: 
 
 Thomas Henry — began to preach 1763.§ 
 
 David Evans— >-ordained 1771. || 
 
 Thomas Davis— ^began' to preach 1763. 
 
 David Evans— began to preach 1763 — became pastor after 
 D. Thomas. ' . . ■ 
 
 Lewis Thomas — began to preach 1742 — ordained' 1761 — ■ 
 became co-pastor with -D. Evans. 
 
 P. S. As several are gone from this region to America, we 
 will mention a few of them. 
 
 David Philips, pastor of Peter's Creek church, was a native 
 
 « 
 
 * See Ebenezer. t See Olchon and Maesyberllan, 
 
 t See Ebenezer. } See Ebenezer. 
 
 H See Dolau. 
 
* THS WELSH BAPTISTS. 125 
 
 of this part of Wales, and, we believe, of Cilcam, the very 
 ..hsuse where this church was formed.* ■ 
 - William Thomas was borji at Llanwenarth, South Wales — 
 went to America from the parish of Bedwelldy; — arrived in the 
 , Western World jn 1712 — was a member of Blaenaugwent — 
 .became an .assistant preacher in Montgomery church — and 
 labored among them, until he died in 1757. ' 
 
 Francis Evan Francis, a cousin of Enoch Francis, went to 
 America'sqme time before the year 1689. * i * 
 
 John ijriffiths, in one of his letters dated 1760, says, that 
 John Davis, the .pastor of the Baptist church at a place- called 
 Baltimoj;c, JVIaryland, was a near relation of the late Enoch 
 Francis, in Wales. It is' therein stated, that he was the first 
 pastor of that church, and that he was an ■excellent preacher. 
 - Lewis Richards was born in this region, in the parish of 
 -.Llanbadarn, in the county of Cardigan. He belonged to Lady 
 Huntington's connection. He was baptized, and became a 
 noted preacher in North, America. 
 
 Ehioch Davis, a. Seventh-day Baptist, preached chiefly at 
 French Creek, thirty miles from. Philadelphia. 
 
 "In the year 1737, the following Baptist members of the 
 Welshrtract church, which was then in the province of Penn- 
 sylvania, but now in the state of Delaware, arrived at Welsh- 
 neck^ viz.: James James, Esq., and wife, and three sons, 
 Philip, who was their minister, Abel, Daniel, and their wives ; 
 Daniel D.evonald and wife; Thomas Evans and wife; one 
 other of the' same name and his wife ;' John Jones and wife ; 
 three of the Harrys — Thomas, David, John and his wife; 
 Samuel Wilds and wife; Samuel_ Evaps ajid wife; Griffith 
 Jones and wife; and David and Thomas Jones and their 
 wives. These thirty members, with their children and house- 
 holds, settled at a place called Catfish, on Pedee river, but they 
 soon rAinoved about fifty miles, higher up the same river, where 
 ■they made a permanent settlpment, and where they all, except 
 James James,-Esq., who died at Catfish, were embodied into a 
 church, January, 173.8. 
 
 James James, Esq., was the most distinguished of this com- 
 pany of emigrants,, for he was tho head of the party, and his 
 son Philip became the pastor of the church. Of him I can 
 learn no mote, than that he'-cjied at Catfish. His son Philip, 
 the first pastor of the Welsh-neek. church, was horn near Pen? " 
 nepeck, Penasylvania, in 1701: he was ordained over the 
 
 * See George JfohD'a biosraphy. 
 11 * 
 
136 HISTORY OF' 
 
 church in 1743, by Messrs. Chanler and Simmons, and died 
 in, 1753. 
 
 This venerable man passed through a very singular scene 
 about three months before his death ; the narrative is related 
 in full by Mr. Edwards, but we shall he able to give, only the 
 substance of it here, which is as follows: He was greatly 
 afflicted for the death of a favorite child, and bewailed his loss 
 in the language of David, ? O Abel-, my son, my son, would to 
 God I, had died tor il\ee,\&c. In the, midst of .his wailings he 
 fell to the^ground.as if dead, and was taken up and put on the 
 •bed, where, he continued fqr near ah hour, without any signs 
 of life. When he revived and saw the people about him weep- 
 ing, he bid them- desist, adding, 'had you seen what I have 
 seen, you would not be in trouble about the. dear little one.' 
 His wife and the company urged him to tell what he had seen 
 concerning the child^ He was reluctant to it, but their impor*- 
 tunity prevailed, and he went on, ' The child now enjoys more 
 happiness in one moment, than compensates for all the mise^ 
 ries he endured through life, and the pangs of death also/ He.- 
 then related how he had been transported by a celestial con- 
 ductor to the paradise of God, where he was chided for his 
 excessive grief, and saw his child in the full stature of a man, 
 in company with the angelic hosts, and uniting in their songs 
 o|' praise. At length his conductor said to him, ' I am one of 
 that company, and must join them.l Having-said this, t^e en- 
 tranced spirit began to sink fast, and soon-found it.seif united 
 with the body.* This account is preserved by the family, and; 
 signed by four respectable witnesses.* After this vision, -the' 
 old man minded no worldly thing, but was full of heavenly 
 joy, and attentive only to .spiritual concerns. 
 
 Samuel Harris, -of Welsh extraction, was born in Hanover 
 county, Virginia, January 12, 1724. Few men could boast of 
 more respectable parentage. His education, though not the 
 most liberal, was very considerable for the customs of that day. 
 \yhen young; he moved to the county of Pittsylvania; and as 
 be .advanced in age, became a favorite with the people as well 
 -as with the rulers. He was appointed Church Warden, She- 
 riff, a Justiqp of the Peace, Burgess for the county, Colonel of 
 the Militia, Captain of Mayo Fort, and Commissary for the 
 fort and army. All these .'thing's, however, he counted but 
 .ilross, that he might win Christ Jesus, and become a minister 
 
 * Edwawls's MS. History, &c., pp. 19, 20. 
 
, THE WEtSH BAPTISTS. 127 
 
 of his word among the Baptists ; a sect at that time every where 
 spoken against. 
 
 His conversion, was effectedin the following way : He first 
 beeame serious and inelancholy without knowing why. By 
 reading and conversation he discovered that he was a helpless 
 sinner, and that a sense of his guilt was the true cause of his 
 gloom ef mind. Pressed with this conviction, he ventured to 
 attend Baptist preaching. On one of his routes 'to visit the 
 forts, in his official character, he called at a small house, where 
 he understood there was Baptist preaching. The preachers 
 were* Joseph and William Murphy, at that time commonly 
 called Murphy's boys. Being equipped in his military dress, 
 he was not willing to appear in a conspicuous place. God, 
 nevertheless, folind him out by. his Spirit. His convictions 
 now sunk- go deep, that he was no longer able to conceal them. 
 He left 'his sword and other parts of his equipments, some in 
 one place and some iri another. The arrows oFthe Almighty 
 stuck fast in him, nor could be shake them olTuntil some time 
 after. At a meeting,when the congregatiop rose from prayer, 
 Colonel Harris was observed still on his knees, with his head 
 and hands hanging over the bench. Some of the people went 
 to his relief, and found him senseless; .When "he carrie to him- 
 self, he Smiled; and in an ecstacy of joy, exclaimed. Glory! 
 glory 1 glory ! &c. Soon after this; he was baptized by Rev. 
 Daniel Marshall, as mentioned above. This probably took 
 place sometime in the year. 1758. He did not confer with 
 flesh and blood, but immediately began his ministerial labors; 
 which afterwards prored so effectual as to acquire him' the. 
 name Of the Virginia Apestle. 
 
 In 1759, he was ordained a ruhng elder. His labors wera 
 chiefly confined, for the first six or seven years, to the adjacent 
 counties of Virginia and North Carolina, never having past to 
 the north of James River, unti:l the year 1765. During the 
 first years of his ministry, he often travelled with Mr. Mar- 
 shal, and must have caught much of his spirit, for there is ob- 
 viously a considerable resemblance in their manners. Janua- 
 ry, 1765, Allen- Wyl.ey travelled out to Pittsylvania, to , seek 
 for a preacher. He had been previously baptized by some 
 Regular Baptist minister in Fauquier ; but not being able to 
 procure preachers to attend in his own neighborhood, and hear- 
 ing of New Lights, (as they were called in North Carolina,) he 
 set out by himself; scarcely knowing whither he was going. 
 God directed his way, and brought him into the neighborhood 
 of Mr. Harris, on a meeting day. He went to the meeting, 
 and was immediately noticed by Mr. Harris, apd asked whence 
 
J28 HISTORY OP 
 
 he came. He replied that he was seeking a gospel minister ; 
 and God having directed his, course to hinn, tha.t he was the 
 man, and that he wished him to go with him to Culpepper. 
 Mr, Harris agreed to go, like Peter, nothing doubting but that 
 it was a call from God. This visit was abundantly blessed- for 
 the enlargement of the Redeemer's cause. Soon after he had 
 returned, three messengers came from Spottsylvania to obtain 
 Mr. Harris's services. He. departed into North Carolina to 
 seek James Read, who wa? ordained to the ministry. Their 
 labors were so highly favored, that from that^ime, Mr. Harris 
 became almost a constant traveller. Not confining himself to 
 narrow limits, but led on from place to place, wherever he 
 could see an opening to do good, there he would hoist the flag 
 of peace. There was scarcely any place in Virginia, in which 
 he. did not sow the gospel seed. It was not unti^ 1769, that 
 this eminently useful man was ordained to the admiiristratibn 
 of ordinances. Why he was not ordained at an earlier period, 
 IS. not certainly known : some say, that he did not wish it; 
 others, that 'his opinions respecting the support of ministers 
 were objected to by the leading elders. After his ordination, 
 he baptized as well as preached. 
 
 In every point of view, Mr; Harris might be considered as 
 (ftic of the most excellent of men. Beipg in easy 'circum- 
 stances when he became religious, he devoted not only himself 
 but almost all his property to religious objects. He had begun 
 a large new dwelling-housej suitable to his former dignity, 
 which, as soon as M was enclosed, he appropriated to the use 
 of p'ublic worship, continuing to live in the old one. " 
 
 ' .After maintaining his' family in a very frugal manner, he 
 distributed his surplus income to charitable purposes, During 
 the war, when" it was extremely difficult to procure salt, he 
 kept two waggons running to Petersburg, to bring up salt for 
 his neighbors. His manners were of the most -winning sort, 
 having a singular talent at touching the feelings. He scarcely 
 ever went into a house, without exhorting and praying for 
 those he met there. 
 
 As a doctrinal preacher, his talents were rather below me- 
 diocrity, unless at those times when he was highly ■ favored ■ 
 from above; then he would sometimes display considerable 
 ingenuity. His excellency lay chiefly in addressing the heart, 
 and perhaps even Whitfield did not surpass him in this. 
 When animated himself, he seldom failed to animate hi« 
 auditory^ Some Iiaye described him, when exhorting at great 
 meetings, as pouring forth streams of celestial lightning from 
 his eyes, which, whithersoeyer he turned his face, wo\j1(J strik? 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 120 
 
 down hundreds at once. Hence he is often called Boaneiges. 
 So much was Mr. Harris governed by his feelings, that if he 
 began to preach and did not feel some liberty of utterance, he 
 would tell his audience he could not preach without the Lord, 
 andjhen sit down. . Not long before the commencement of 
 the great revival in Virginia, Mr. Harris had a paralytic shock, 
 from which he never entirely recovered. Yet th'is did not de- 
 ter ^him from his diligent usefulness.- If he could not go as far, 
 he was still not idle within that sphere allowed him by bis in- 
 firmities. At all associations and general committees, where 
 he was delegated, he was almost 'invariably made moderator. 
 This office, like every. thing else, he discharged with soma 
 degree of singularity, yet to general Satisfaction. 
 
 For some short time previous to his 9eath, his senses were 
 considerably palsied ; so that we are deprived of such pious 
 remarks, as would probably have fallen from this .extj-aordi- 
 nary servant of God in his last- hours. He was somewhat over 
 seventy years of age when he died. 
 
 . The remarkable anecdotes told of Mr. Harris are so nume- 
 rous, that they would fill a volume of themselves, if they wera 
 collected.. A part of them only we shalh record- 
 Mr- Harris, like Mr- -Marshall, possessed a soul incapable of 
 being . dismayed by any difficulties. To obtain his 'own con- 
 sent to undertake a laudable enterprise, it was sufficient for 
 him to know that it was possible. His faith was sufficient te 
 throw mountains into the sea, if they stood in the way. He 
 seems also never to. have been appalled by the fear or shame 
 of man,. but could confront the stoutest sons of pride, and boldly 
 urge 'the humble doctrines-of^he cross. Like the brSve soldien^ 
 if beaten back at the first onset, he will still be ready for a fur« 
 the;r assault; so that he often conquered opposers, that to 
 .others appeared completely hopeless. With this spirit he com- 
 menced- his career. , * ■ , • 
 Early after he embraced religion, his mind wjis impressed 
 with a desire to preach to the officers and soldiers of the fort. 
 An opportunity olTered in Fort Mayo, and*Mr., Harris began 
 his harangue, urging most vehemently the necessity of the new 
 birth.. In the course of his harangue, .an c^cer interrupted 
 him, saying, ' Coknel you l^ave sucked-much eloquence from 
 the rum-cask to-day ; pray give us a little, that we may de- 
 claim as well, when it comes to our turn.' ■ Harris replied, ' I 
 am not drunk ;' and resumed his discqjjrse. , He had not gone 
 far, before he was accosted by another, in a serious manner, 
 who, looking in his face, said, ' Sam, you. say you are not 
 drunk ; pray are you not mad then ? What the d — 1 aila 
 
130 H18T0RY OF 
 
 youT Colonel Harris replied, in the words of PauU • I am 
 not mad, most noble gentleman.' He continued speaking pub- 
 licly and privately, until one of the gentlemen received such 
 impressions as were never aftervcards: shaken off; but he after- 
 wards became a pious Christian. 
 
 Soon aftf^r this, Mr. Harris found a sad alteration as to his 
 religious enjoyment, He prayed God to restore the light of 
 his countenance, and renew communion with him, but his peti- 
 tion w^s deferred. He then went into the woods, and sought 
 for the happiness he had lost ; thinking that, peradventure,- God' 
 would answer his. prayer there, though not in the fort, whero 
 so much wickedness abounded-; but no answer came. Then 
 he began to iiiquire.into the cause why God dealt so with him. 
 The first that offered ^as his lucrative offices ; upoii which he 
 determined to lay them down immediately, and settle his ac^ 
 counts with the public. Having now removed the Achan out 
 of the camp, as he thought, :he renewed his suit for a restora- 
 tion of the joy which he had lost ; but still ' the vision tarried, 
 and the prophecy brought not forth.' He began to. examine 
 himself a second time. Then he suspected his money was the 
 cause, and that' -he had. made gold his trust. Accordingly he 
 took all his money and threw it away .into the bushes, where 
 it remains' to this day, for aught any one knows to the con- 
 trary. After this, he prayed again, and found that man's im- 
 patience will not shorten the time which infinite vfisdom hath 
 measured out for delays, or beneficence. However, in due 
 time, the wished-for good came. ♦ I am aware,' (says Morgan 
 Edwards, from whose MS. history this anecdote is selected,) 
 ' that this story will render the, wisdom of the Colonel suspected. 
 Be it so. It nevertheless establishes the truth of his piety, and 
 shows. that he preferred communion with God before riches 
 and honors.' . •. 
 
 " Rough was the treatment which Mr. Harris met with 
 amongst hiig /ude countrymen. In one of his journeys in the 
 county of Culpepper, a Ceiptain Ball and his gang came to a 
 place where ,he was preaching, and said, ' You shall not 
 preach here.' A by-stander, whose name was Jeremiah Mi- 
 nor, replied^ ' But he shall.' -From this sharp contention of 
 words, they proceeded to A sharper contest of blows and scuf- 
 fles. Friends on both sides interested themselves; some to 
 make peace, and others to*back their foremen. The support- 
 ers of Mr. Harris were grobably most of them worldly people, 
 who acted from no other, principle, than to defend a minister 
 Jhus insulted and .abused. But if. they were Christians, they 
 ^yere certainly too impatient a»4 reseptful, and manifested too 
 
THB 'ft'ELgil BAlfTIBTS. 131 
 
 ifhuch of the spirit Peter had, when he drew his sword' on -the 
 high-priest's s#vant. Colonel Harris's friends took him into 
 a house, and set Lewis Craig to guard the dcor, while he .was 
 preaching; but presently Ball's gang came ip, drove the sen- 
 tinel from his stand, and battered open the door;. but they were 
 driven back by the people within.' This involved them in an- 
 other contest, and thus the day ended in confusion. 
 
 On another occasion, he was arrested and carried into court, 
 as a disturber of the peace. In court, a Captain Williams ve- 
 hemently accused him as a vagabond, a heretic, arid a mover 
 of sedition every where. Mr.- Harris made his defence. But 
 the court ordered that he should not preach in the county again 
 for the space of twelve months, or be committed to prison. 
 The Colonel told them that he lived two hundred miles from 
 thence, and that it was not likely he should disturb them 
 again in the courseof one year. Upon this he was dismissed. 
 From Culpepper he went to Fa,uquier, and preached at Carter*s 
 Run. From,thenGe he crossed the Blue Ridge,, and preached 
 at. Shenandoah. On his- return from thence, he turned in at 
 Captain ThomEis Clanathan's, in the county of Culpepper, 
 where there was a meeting. White certain young ministers 
 were preaching, the word of <3od began to burn in Cplonel 
 Harfis's heart. When they finished, he arose and addressed 
 the Congregation, ' I partly promise the devil, a few daj^s 
 since, at the court-house, that 1 would not preach in this coun- 
 ty again, <|br the term of a year: but the devil is a perfidioHs 
 wretch, and covenants with him are not to be kept, and there- 
 fore I will preach.' He preache.d a lively, animating sernion. 
 The court never meddled with him more. 
 . In Orange county, one Benjamin Healy pulled Mr. Harris 
 down from the place: where he was preaching, and hauled him 
 about, sometimes by the hand, sometimes by the leg, and 
 sometimes by the hair of the head ; but the persecuted preacher 
 had friends here also, who espoused his part, and rescued him 
 from the rage of his- enemies. This, as in a former case, 
 brought on q. contentidn beiween hig advocates and dpposers ; 
 during which, a Captain Jameson sent Mr. Harris to a house 
 where was a loft with a step-ladder to ascend it. Into that loft 
 he hurried him, took away the step-ladder," apd left the good 
 man secure from his enemies. 
 
 Near Haw-river, a rude fellow cameiip to Mr. Harris, and 
 knocked him down while he was preaching. 
 
 He went to preatshto the prisoneris once, in the town of 
 Hillsborough, where he was locked up in the gaol.'and kepi 
 for some time. 
 
132 HISTORY OF 
 
 Notwithstandiflg these things, Cplonel Harris did not suffef 
 as many persecutions as some other Baptist pi*achers. Tem- 
 pered in some degree peculiar to himself, his bold,, noble, yet 
 humble manner, dismayed the ferocious spirits of the opposers 
 of religion. . 
 
 A criminal, who had been just pardoned at the gallows,' 
 ©nee met him on the road, and showed him, his reprieve. 
 • Well,' said he, ' and have you shown it to Jesus V ' Noj 
 Mr. Harris, I want you to do that for me.' The old man iiji-, 
 mediately descended from his horse, in the road, and making' 
 the man also alight, they both -kneeled down ; Mr. Harris put 
 One hand on the man's head, and with the other held open the 
 pardon, and thus, in tehalf of the criminal, returned thanks for 
 his reprieve, and. prayed for him to obtain God's pardon also. 
 
 The following' yery interesting narrative, was published by 
 Mr. Semple, in his History of the Virginia- Baptists ; it has also 
 been published by Mr^ John Lelapd, in his Budget of 'Scraps, 
 under the title of' Prayer better than Law-suits.' As there is 
 some little variation, iiot.as to matters of fact, but in the mode 
 of expression, in these two relaters, I have selected from them 
 both this singular and instructive story. When Mr. Harris 
 begaji to preach, his soul was so absorbed in the w.ork, thait it 
 was difficult for him to attend to the duties of this life. 'Find- 
 ing at length the absolute need of providing more grain for his 
 family than Jiis plantation had produced, he went to a man 
 who owed him a sum of money, and told him, he would .be 
 very glad if he would discharge the debt he owed him. The 
 man replied, ' I have no m^iiey by me, and therefore cannot 
 oblige you.' Harris said, 'I want the money to purchase 
 wheat for my family; and as you have raised a good crop- of 
 wheat, I will take that article of you, instead of money, at a 
 curreht price.' The man answered, ' I have other uses for 
 my wheat, and cannot let you have it.' ' How then,' said 
 Harris, ' do you intend to pay «ie V ' I never intend to pay 
 you, until you sue me,' replied the debtor, ' and thereforeypu 
 may begin your suit as soon as you please.' A|r. Harris left 
 him, meditating : ' Good God!' said he to himself, ' what shall 
 I do 7 Must I leave preaching to attend to a vexatious law- 
 suit! Perhaps .a thousand souls will perish in the mean time, 
 for the want of hearing of Jesus!, No, I will not. Well, what 
 will you do for yourself! Why, this I will do; I will sue him 
 at the court of Heaven.' Having resolved what to do, he 
 turned aside into a wood, and fell upon -his knees, and thus 
 began his suit: • O blessed Jesus ! thoii Eternal God ! Thou 
 knowest that I need the money which the man owes me, to 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 133 
 
 supply the wants of my family; but Jie will not pay me with- 
 but a law-suit. Dear Je^us, shall I quit thy cause, and leave 
 
 .the soulsof men to perish? Or wilt thou, in mercy, open some 
 Other way of relief?' In this address, the Colonel had such 
 nearness ttfGod, that, (to use his own words,^ Jesus said unto 
 him, ' Harris, I will enter bonds-man for the man — you keep 
 on .preaching, and omit th6 law-suit^^— I Will tals^ care of you 
 and see that you have your pay.' Mr. Harris felt well satis- 
 
 j.fied with his security, but thought it would be unjust to hold 
 ihe man a debtor, when Jesus had assumed payment. He, 
 therefore, wrote a receipt in full of all accounts which he had 
 against the man, and dating it in the woods, where Jesus enr 
 tered bail, he signed it With his own name. Going, the next 
 day, by the "riian's house to attend a meeting, he gave the re- 
 ceipt to a servant, and bid him deliver it to his master. On 
 returning from the meeting, the man hailed him at his gate and 
 said, ' Mr. Harris, what did you mean by the receipt you sent 
 me" this morning ?' Mr. Harris replied, ' I meant just as I 
 wrote.' ' But you 'know, sir,' answered the debtor, ■' I have 
 never, paid you.' 'True,' said Mr. Harris, ' and I know, also, 
 that you said you. never would,' except I sued you. But,- sir, I 
 sued you at the court of Heaven, and Jesus entered bail for 
 you, and has agreed to pay me ; I have, therefore, given you 
 a discharge 1' ' But I insist upon it,' said the man, ' matters 
 shall not be left so.'. ' I am well satisfied,' ansivered Harris, 
 ' Jesus will not fail me ; I leaive you to settle the account vi'ith 
 him another day* Farewell.' . This operated so effectually on 
 the man's conscience, that in a few day^ he loaded his waggon,, 
 and sent wheat enough to discharge the debt. 
 
 A complete history of the life of this venerable man, would, 
 furnish still a lengthy catalogue of- anecdotes of the most inte- 
 resting Idnd. 
 
 John James, the minister of a church of Seventh-day Bap- 
 tists in London, was: put to death in a most barbarous manner, 
 in 1661. Td take a Way his life was not sufficient to satisfy 
 the rage of his bloOd-thirsty enemies; but after being hung at 
 Tyburn, he was drawn and quartered ; his quarters were car- 
 ried back to Newgate on the sledge, which carried him to the 
 gallows; they were afterwards placed on the gates of the city, 
 and his head was - set on a pole opposite his meeting-house. 
 This innocent man was exposed to these terrible sufferings, on 
 the charge of speaking treasonable words against his "Majesty's 
 royal person at a private meeting, &c. Soine of the treasona- 
 ble words were, that the king was ' a.bloody tyrant, a blood- 
 12 
 
134 BISXOST OF 
 
 suckerj a blood-thirsty man, and his nobles- the. same ; and 
 that they had shed the blood of the saints,.' &c. To: these 
 charg^i, he pleaded not guilty, neither in forto nor matter; but 
 had he acknowledged these charges against the infamous 
 Charles li. and his bloody associates, they would -have beea 
 the words, of truth and sobernessi 
 
 But there appears to have been a malicious combination 
 against this harmless man, and h»was convicted upon evidence, 
 which the court with all its prejudices, at first thought not^ 
 worth regarding^ It was proved afterwards, by four respecta* 
 ble persons, that one Bernard Osborn confessed that he had 
 sworn against Mr. James, he knew hot what. His wife, by 
 the advice of her friends, presented a petition to the king, stat* 
 ing her husband's innocency, and the character of the witnessi 
 When his inexorable Majesty saw the paper 'endorsed,- ' The 
 humble request of Elizabeth James,' he replied, holding up his 
 finger, ' Oh ! Mr. James — he is a sweet gentleman 1' And 
 when the afilicted woman followed him to get some furthe* 
 answer, the door was shut against her. The next morning, as 
 the king entered the pai-Jc, the distressed wife again 6iri;reated 
 his Majesty to answer her request, and pardon h^r husband f 
 but, deaf to her cries, he again replied, ' He is a rogue, and 
 shall be ha'nged !' Thus the poor woman was obliged to re- 
 tire, without even being heard by her pitiless sovereign. . Mr. 
 James went4o the gallows with Christian fortitude, and finished 
 his course in a joyful manner. ' If,' says Crosby, ' there was 
 any undue combination against this poor man; if it w^ for 
 some reason of state, rather than for any real guilt on his part ; 
 i"f his judgment and conscience, rather than any true crime, 
 were the cause of his sufferings, his blood must be innocent 
 blood.'*"t 
 
 Richard Jones, a native of Wales, arrived in America, and 
 became the pastor of the church of Burley, Virginia, in 1727. 
 R. Jones was bordering on Arminianism when he left the 
 Principality ; but by a letter sent from the church tO the Phila- 
 delphia association, signed by him and other members, we find 
 they were confessing themselves to be under clouds of dark* 
 ness concerning the faith; questioning whether theywer&on 
 . the right foundatipp or not — 'that they were unsettlj^d in their 
 .minds — and requesting ajliance with the said association, and 
 their assistance to rectify what was wrong among them. What 
 was done- for them, we have not ascertained, 
 
 * Crosby, vol. 2, p, 165. IvimEy, pp, 320—337. 
 + Benedict, vol. 2, pp. 130, 331, 416, 
 
THE WBISH BAPTISTS. l35 
 
 Pbnypat Chueoh, in the county of Glamorgatir was a 
 branch of Swansea.' It was gatlfeiP^i, through the instruirtein- 
 tality of John Miles and Lewis ThomSs. In the time'.of per- 
 secution, it was noted' for its rich and respectable members. 
 Colonel Prlchard and Captain Evans were both members of 
 this church. In 1659, Mr. Davis, Pemnaen, was high sheriff; 
 Ms brother, deputy Sheriff; another brother, recorder of the 
 county of Glamorgan ; and another brcjther, David Davis, 
 , A. M., was the minister of the judges in the county town Of 
 ■ Cardiff — all belonged to the Baptist church here ; and all had 
 their share of the wrath and indignation of his most gracious 
 Majesty, Charles- the second. But as they were great then in 
 the world, they were men of great iilflaence in the country.* 
 After the death of Lewis Thomas, Motgan Jones, of Swan- 
 sea, and Morgan Griiffiths, of Heingoed, labored in wqjfd and 
 doctrine in this region. In 1718, a, gentleman in the neigh- 
 borhood, made them a present of a meeting-house, "(vhere they 
 meet to worship to this day. In 1726, they were forhied into 
 a regular church, and • Griffith Jones became their . pastor. , 
 Thomas Jones, aa elder from this, church, went' to ^merica, 
 in 1737. He was born in Nottais-y-Dref-newydd, m 1703. 
 He had some landed property, near Mr. Price of Ty'nton, the 
 father of Dr- Price, of London, who wrote the history of the 
 American war. His wife was a daughter of one- of the lead- 
 ing' members of Rhydwilim'. She was from the parish of 
 Manachlogddu, comity of Pembroke. He became the paltor 
 of the church of Tulpehokon,t Pennsylvania, and was ordained 
 there in 174(5, His son,. Samuel Jones, was pastor of the 
 church at PenepeekV whom we have mentioned already. 
 - After Griffith Jones, their pastor, left them, and' went to 
 Hengoed, they were a long time without a tninister. At last 
 th6y obtained Rees Jones, of Aberduar, to be their minister. 
 They very unwillingly lost their late pastor, and got the other 
 quite as much against the will "of the church of Aberduar. 
 Ministers of the gospel ought to be very cautious in these 
 things. Pie continued but a short time with them. 
 
 Their next pastor was Jonathan Francis, liyho was baptized 
 
 ., -' * 
 
 * 'William Davis, of New Britain, Penrisylvariia, was of thiafamrly, and sup- 
 posed to be the rightfjal heir of a large estate in this region. Whether any of 
 his posterity, (if therelje an*,) know any thing of it, \ye cannot tell. The es- 
 tate jjught to have been in their possession since the year 1760. JPhe increase 
 from that time to the present ijiust be great.— N. R. 110 y«ars of quiet possef. 
 sion, in England, will avail nothing, if the platntiffis a fereigner; if not, 69 
 years will cut hiiri off. J •' ' • ' ^ i ■ i t. 
 
 t Sixty miles frojm Philadelphia. Several of the members of this churftl 
 went to America at this time. '.■ , 
 
136 HISTORY or 
 
 at Newcastle, (now Rehoboth,) but was at that time at Ponty- 
 pool, in school, and a member at Penygarn. He- was there, 
 on probation, for two or three years. After they gave him a 
 call to be thdr minister, he was for yetfl-s before he gave them 
 an answer. But he was ordained at Penygarn, and continued 
 a member there, but supplied them and Penyfay, which was 
 not considered altogether regular. The church increased but 
 very little under his ministry for fifteen years. Afterwards 
 there was a revival in the church for -a short time, and a great, 
 deal of something which ought not to have been. The best of 
 men are imperfect, and the be§t~ ministers can only ^peak to 
 the outward hearing. Paul may plant, and Apollos may 
 water; but it is God alone that can give the increase ;. it is his 
 sole prerogative to speEik to the heart, so that sinners who are 
 dead in trespasses and sins, may hear his voice, and live. May 
 he, offus infinite mercy, add to their number, of such as shall 
 be eternally saved. 
 
 Assistant Ministers. 
 
 William Davis — went to America. 
 Thomas Jones--^went to Anierica. 
 
 William Thomas — began to preach 1T4G — went to Broma- 
 grove — rdied 1747. , . ■ 
 
 Job Davis, Sehiorr— baptized 1730 — died 1766. 
 Enoch Francis — began to preach 1770 — ordained 1776. 
 Rees Davis — began to preach 1771— went to Norwich. 
 Richard Watkins — began to preach 1772.. " 
 John Owen — -began to preach 1773. 
 
 Nrwbeidge Ghukch, in the county of Radnor, was formed 
 about the year 1650. Thomas Evans was their first minister.* 
 His eldest son joined the church, and about 1700 began-to 
 .preach. He was ordained about 1703. Hie name was Caleb 
 Evans. In the year 1705, he was qualified according to the 
 law of the land to preach, by taking the oaths, and subscribing 
 to the declarations required by the act of toleration. He kept 
 a regular correspondence with Samuel Jones, and George 
 Eaton, who went from the Dolau church to America. Seve- 
 ral of those letters are now before me. In one of them, 
 Samuel Jones writes thus : '< I can truly say with the apos- 
 tle, I rejoiced greatly that I found so many of your father's 
 children- walking in. the truth. I cannot help oWrving the 
 
 * See his biography. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 13'i' 
 
 goodness of God towards his people, in calling their ohildren 
 to the knowledge of the truth. May the Lord grant me assist- 
 ance to improve the exhortations that your father gave me. I 
 well recollect how sharp, plain, and convincing his sermons 
 were, and how urgent-and pathetic he was in his applications. 
 I also recollect what a dear brother h'e was to me. May the 
 Lord help you to walk in your father's footsteps, and give you 
 a double portion of his spirit, and bless your labors in his vine- 
 yard." This letter is dated, " Pennsylveaiia, 1708" — twenty 
 years after the death of Thomas Evans. 
 
 In 1727> Caleb Evans became the pastor of the church, and 
 John Evans, his brother, assistant. Hugh Evans, Caleb 
 Evans's son, was baptized at Bristol, while he was there visit- 
 ing his aunt, in 1730. He began to preach in 1731. In 
 1734, he received a very pressing invitation to become the 
 pastor of that, church in London, which had been so long under 
 the pastoral care of the celebrated William Arnold, deceased. 
 But it appears that the bounds of his habitation was the city of 
 Bristol. He became an assistant of Mr. Fosket, in Bristol col- 
 lege, while that gentleman lived ; and after his death, he took 
 the lead in the church and in the college. Caleb Evans, 
 Hugh Evans's son, became an assistant to his father in Bris- 
 tol. Caleb Evans, Hugh Evans's brother, went to Bristol col- 
 lege about 1735, and became a sensible and methodical preach- 
 er, but he was by no means popular. He was many years at 
 Usk, in the county of Monmouth, preaching and keeping school, 
 until he moved to Bristol, where he followed the same employ- 
 mejU as long as he lived. 
 
 ^Kon after the year 1739, five young men began to preach 
 inthis church, Thomas Davis, John Evans, Rees Evans, Rees 
 Jones, and John Evans, of Masdorglwyd. Thomas Davis was 
 'baptized in 1738 — went to Bristol college for his education, 
 and settled as pastor at Fairfax, England. Rees, Evans was 
 baptized in 1740. Having exercised his gifts for some time, 
 he went to Bristol college in 1749; and supplied the church 
 at Leominister for three years. He went from there to Salop, 
 in 17&3 — :was ordained there, in 1754^went from there to 
 Chester — -and ended his days at Tewkesbury, England, in 
 1760. 
 
 John Evans was not only illiterate when he began to preach, 
 but was in such poor circumstances in the world, that there 
 was no hope of his ever becoming eminent. But the ways of 
 God are above our ways. Though he could not be recom- 
 mended to college, on account of having no preparatory educa- 
 tion, yet he went to the city of Bristol, of his own accord, and 
 ■ ■ 12* 
 
138 
 
 nisTonv OP 
 
 by some means worked hiniaelf into the college, in 1747. He 
 turned out to be a most fluent and excelleijt preacher. He waa 
 ordained over the church of Foxton, Leicestershire, England, 
 1750. He married a pious woman, of a very respectable 
 family, with whom he obtained no small portion of the things 
 of this world, which, in -addition to other advantages, uniter 
 the blessing of God, was much in his favor. 
 
 John Evans, of Masdorglwyd, became the pastor lof the 
 church here — was ordained in 1744. He was a learned man, 
 brought up in Bristol college, but he was unhealthy. He soon 
 finished his labors, being happy and comfortable in his mind, 
 in 1775. 
 
 Rees Evans married a daughter of Howel Meredith, of 
 Trallwm. He lived with his father-in-law, and was the means 
 of raising a Baptist interest in that region. 
 
 Peter Evans was a grandsoti of old Caleb Evans, the second 
 pastor of this cliurch, and a great-grand-son of Thomas Evans, 
 the first pastor of the church, and a brother to Hugh and Caleb 
 Evans, mentioned above. He began to preach in 1750 — went 
 to Bristol college in 1751 — settled at Yeovil, England — died in 
 1771. 
 
 John Evans, a brother to Peter Evans, of Yeovil, became an 
 assistant to his father at home. . ; 
 
 Caleb Evans, A. M., was brought up by his uncle, Hugh 
 Evans, tutor of Bristol college — his father having died when ho 
 was young. He finished his education at Aberdeen, Scotland, 
 He was born in the parish of Llanafonfawr, in the county of 
 Brecon, South Wales, in 1743. He went to America, andset- 
 tled at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1768, and died in J^||P. 
 Tbough he Was' a good young man, yet his ministry was not 
 so acceptable in Wales, as was desirable.* 
 
 Morgan Evans began to preach in 1756. He was an ac- 
 ceptable preacher, though not very gifted. He was a good, 
 solid, and substantial minister. 
 
 Isaac Jones, the only son of Rees Jones, of Trallwn, bega<i 
 tO! preach about 1771. He had a very liberal education, and 
 settled at Lynn, Suffolk, England, The meeting-house waa 
 built in 1760. 
 
 * Our Welsh historians give no reason for his ministry npt b^ing aci^pta. 
 bio, We believe that it was on account of hia ^ntiments, Sco llonec|iol'» 
 History of Charleston, South Carolina. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 131 
 
 Newbridge Ministers: 
 
 Thomas Evans — died 1688. 
 
 „• 5 Caleb Evans— died 1739. 
 
 MIS sons. ^ j^j^^ Evans— died 1748. 
 
 ■ r Hugh Evans, A. M — went to Bristol. 
 His grand- Caleb Evans — v/ent to Bristol. 
 
 SOBS. i Peter Evans-^went to Yeovil — died 1771. 
 
 . John Evans. 
 Ti- ^ C Caleb Evans, A. M. — went to Bristol. 
 
 H " < Caleb Evans,,; A. M.-^went to America — « 
 grand-sons. ^ died 1772. 
 
 Thomas Davis — went to Fairfod, England. 
 John -Evans — died 1775. 
 Rees Evans — went to Trallwn. ■ 
 Morgan Evans — ^went to Trallwn,, 
 Isaac Jones — went to Lynn. 
 
 John Williams, of Welsh extraction, was born in the county 
 of Hanover, in the year 1747. He was of a very respectable 
 family, and received a tolerable education. In the month of 
 June, 1769, when acting as a sheriff of Lunenburg, he was 
 awakened to know and to feel his sin and his danger. He be- 
 came a convert; and shortly after, lifted up his voice to ex- 
 hort his fellow men to, flee from the wrath to come. He was 
 not baptized until the first Sunday in February, 1770. He 
 continued to exhort, until some time the following summer ; 
 when he ventured to take a text ; and from that time com- 
 menced preacher. December, 1772, he was ordained to the 
 ministry, and took the care of Meherrin church. His gifts, at 
 first, were far from being auspicious. Many pronounced that 
 he would h«ver be a preacher ; so delusory are the first efforts 
 of the mind. 
 
 He not only succeeded in becoming a preacher, but in be- 
 coming a first-rate preacher, at least, in the estimation of most 
 pf his acquaintances. 
 
 He was exceedingly fond of reading and writing ; and, in- 
 deed, was generally studious : by which moans, he greatly 
 improved his mind. 
 
 When he Urst commenced' preacher, he was zealous, active, 
 and la'borlous in the ministry ; travelling and propagating the 
 gospel in different parts. He may well be numbered among 
 the fathers in Israel. His talent, however, was not employed 
 {»Q much i^ breaking down tlie bar^ qf prejudice in new an4 
 
140 HISTORY OF , " 
 
 unenlightened places, as In directing and regulating the young 
 converts, when gathered by others. Pleasing, affable, and 
 refined in his manners, he had a hand tO' smooth off some of 
 those protuberances left by rougher workmeni In associa- 
 tions he was expert with his pen, as well as wise to offer coun- 
 sel. He acted as clerk to the general association ; and when 
 they divided the association into districts, a unanimous vote of 
 thanks was offered to Mr. Williams, for his faithful and skilful 
 services as clerk of the association. He also discharged the 
 duties of clerk to. the Roanoke association, until a little time 
 previous to his death. He introduced several excellent regula- 
 tions, both into the general and Roanoke associations, for the 
 government of churches, &c. Few men understood church 
 discipline better, or were more successful in building up large 
 respectable churches whereyer he attended. For many years' 
 he acted as pastor to four churches, whom he attended monthly. 
 He was in high estimation both as a man and a minister. 
 Even the eoeraies of the Baptists, would often except Mr. Wil- 
 liams from their reproaches. ' In his temper towards those of 
 other religious persuasions, he was remarkably liberal. In- 
 deed, by sonje of his acquaintances it is said, that he was 
 friendly to open communion ; but that he was restrained from 
 putting it into practice, by his tenderness for his brethren, 
 most of whom differed from him on this head. This liberality 
 of spirit did not prevent him from maintaining his own princi- 
 ples with great firmness, whenever an occasion offered. It 
 was such an occasion as this, which drew forth his reply to 
 Mr. Patilloe\s* sermon on infant baptism. He committed his 
 arguments to writing, with an intention of printing them in the 
 form of a pamphlet; but as nothing came out on the other 
 side, and as so nauch had been already published on that sub- 
 ject, it was not put to press. 
 
 In his prefece he makes the following remark : 
 " I hope I have sufficiently demonstrated to my countryr 
 men, for a series of years, that I am not overbearing on others, 
 or bigoted to my own principles which are not essential to sal- 
 vation ; but have uniformly endeavored to promote a catholic 
 epirit, with peace and concord, in the Israel of God. But, ne- 
 vertheless, I am set for the defence of the gospel; and as such, 
 circumstances often occur, that involuntarily lead me forth to 
 contend for the faith and order of Christ's church." 
 
 He was generally upon the best terms with the Presbyteri^ 
 ans ; who were pretty numerous in his neighborhood. 
 
 • A celebrated Presbyterian preacher. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTIST'S. 141 
 
 His talents, if not equal to any, were certainly very little 
 inferior to those of the first grade. ' 
 
 His appearance in the pulpit was- noble and majestic, yet 
 humble and affectionate. 'In the beginning of his discourses, 
 he was doctrinal and somewhat methodical :, often very deep» 
 even to the astmjshihent of his hearers. Towards the close, 
 and, indeed, sometimes throughout his sermon. He was exceed- 
 ingly animating. His exhortations were often incomparable'^ 
 At an early period, he became very corpulent. At an associa- 
 tion, in the year 1793, he accideijtally fell by the turning of a 
 step, as he was passing out of a door, and became, for a yea? 
 or two, a cripple; -beitig under the necessity of going on 
 crutches. Notwithstanding this, he' would still go in a car- 
 riage to the meetings, arid preach sitting in a chair in the pul- 
 pit. During several of^e last years of his life, he was, 
 ■afflicted with a very painful disease. Under his severe suffer- 
 ing, Ije was riot only pa"tient, but, when he coidd have any 
 mitigation of his pain, he was -also "cheerful.. About ten' days 
 before, his, death, he was attacked by a pleurisy; from which, 
 no medicine could give him relief. His wark was finished ; 
 and his Master had called for him. On the 30th day of April, 
 1795, he fell asleep. • 
 
 Nothing very remarkable transpired at his death. He was 
 pensive and silenf. . He told his wife, that to live or die was to 
 him indifferent : he had committed this to God, who, he knew, 
 -would do right. He said he felt some, anxiety fbr his numer. 
 bus family ; but that* these also, he was willing to trust in the 
 hands of a gracious Prpvidefice.- 
 
 January, 1768, he was marr^pd to Miss Frances Hughes, of 
 Powhatan county ; by whom he had fourteen children ; of 
 whom eleven, were living, at the tira^ of his death : and of 
 these, four professed religion, and were baptized. 
 
 Fenygakw Church, in the county of Monmbuth. The 
 history of this church njigHt be called a continuation of Llan- 
 trisaint. When their old meeting-house fell, it was never re- 
 built, and as there was a new meeting-house built at Penygarn, 
 and several meimbisrs of different churches living in thalt regiori, 
 they all joiried together in one church, and ever since went by 
 the name of Penygarn. However, this cRurch might have 
 been organized before" the Llantrisaint members joined tiiem.. 
 Much preaching has been in this neighborhood for near one 
 hundred years before this time — by Williaim Jones, William 
 Thomas, Robert Morgan, William Prichard,,ghristopher Price, 
 Abel Morgan, Joshua James,-Timothy LewiS, William Mero- 
 
142 . " niSTOEY OF 
 
 dith, William Philips, John Harris, Morgan Williams, Morgan 
 Griffiths, Thomas Quarrel, and others.. They began -to build 
 the meeting-hbuse in 1727. It was three years in building. 
 What was the reason of that we have not been informed. Two 
 years after, they were regularly formed. Miles Harris, of 
 Blaenaugwent, became their pastor^ in the moij^ of May, 1732, 
 John Harris, of Blaenau, preaqhed on. the occasion. There 
 were about two hundred menibers, and there was a gradual in. 
 crease for many years, until 1747, when twenty-five members 
 were dismissed to form a new church at Bethesda. In 1771, 
 several were dismissed to form a new church .at Carleon. 
 Many were dismissed to form a new church at Usk, and a 
 great many of their members went to America at theit time i 
 arid some unpleasant things crept ^n among them, so that 
 thejr number became less. But, however, these difficulties 
 soon vanished away, like the morning dew before the heat of 
 the sun, and this church became no'ted for brotherly love and 
 friendship. ■ - ' ' 
 
 Miles Harris was a very iigeful and acceptably preacher. 
 He labored muclf in different places about Penygarn— such as, 
 Pontypool, Blaenafon, Rhisga, Glasgoed, and Goedtre. He 
 held regular meetings in those places, as well as at home, as 
 long as he lived. .He preached at Penygarn the last. Sabbath 
 he was upon earth. He was b^pti^ed at Blaenaugwent, on the 
 1st of April, 1724. He was the first who was baptized in that 
 great revival* at Blaenaugwent. Soon afier he began to preach 
 he was ordained on the 29th of Novenffber, 1729— took . the 
 pastoral care of. the church at Penygarn, in 1732 — and' died 
 in 1776. He kept up a regijfar correspondence with several 
 in Aftierfoa, 
 
 David Jones, was their second pastor. He had been preacK- 
 ing in the church as an assistant for many yeats before. He 
 was a great revivalist— quite an eccentric character, bordering 
 on enthusiasm. The whole of his design in preaching seemed 
 to be, to work on the passions of his hparers— r-at whicli he was 
 a complete itiaster. He could make a congregation of fiftfeh 
 hundred people, laugh and weep in two or three minutes, He 
 was very popular, notwithstanding many people did not like 
 him. 
 
 Assistant Ministers. . 
 
 Benjamin Vaiighan-^went to Chesham — turned a Sandema- 
 nian. 
 
 Thomas Rogers^went to Bristol in 1720, and died soon 
 .after, • 
 
*Itfi WEMfl BAPTISTS. 14S 
 
 foshua Andr&I^S'T^took charge of Olcjjon in 1745.-; 
 ■ 'Morgan Edwards.* * . " * ^ ' 
 
 Jonathan Prancis-^went to Peiiyfay. ' 
 Evan Jenkins'-^'went to Wrexham. ■'• ', 
 Henry Philipsr-^wettt to Salisbury. ' ' 
 Daniel Thomas^r^went to Henlly — died l-769i 
 James Drewett—^wept to Ho'nitoti-Mlied 1770. 
 Thomas Lewis — went to Exefeft^died 1774. • 
 . Charles Hftrris^^went to Bridgew^r— ^ied 1776i 
 Thomas Phjlips^went to Carleon. 
 Miles Edwards— went to the Werm. 
 
 MoLE^*oi? CitTjRdflvm the eotinty' of Pembroke. Griffith 
 Howell was the first that was baptized in this region, by Wil- 
 liam Jones,, in 1667. He lived at a place calfed Rushacre, in 
 the parish of Karberth, where the church of Rhydwilini met 
 for upwards of forty yea,rs. 
 
 Kbout 1727, they began to preach at a place called Moleji' 
 Ion, about, two miles below the town,- on the premises of Mr". 
 George. The inhabitants of these, parts j speaking, the Einglish 
 languageyf and being far from Rhydwilim, they formed them* 
 selves into a'regular ohprch, in 1730 ; having been a branch 
 of Rhydwilim for many years. 
 
 -Their first minister was Grifiith Williams^ one. of th^ mem- 
 bers of the churcii, who, had been .preaching among them for 
 some time. He was itaftized at Rhydwilim, in 171 4-, and be» 
 gati to preach about lj25; but in 1733, their minister and 
 deacons died, and this, new church was left in a deplorable 
 state. But, by divine assistance, ptie of their owli sons took- 
 thero^ by the hand, and taught them the 'way in which they 
 should walk. His name was Evan Thomas, who was .'bap- 
 tized in 1731, and ordained on the 4th. of September, 1736. 
 EncDch Francis, Miles Harris, and. other ministers officiated. 
 Evan Thomas served them faithfully in the work of the minis* 
 try, .for many years. His cond-uet Vi'as. exemplary, and hi^ 
 preaching truly evangplical and sweet. . 
 
 In 1763, this church built themselves a tneeting'house, about 
 two miles from the town of Narberth. 
 
 ' See his biograpky. ' . - " • ^ , , 
 
 t In 1111, sonoe {®rt of. Flanders being. Overflowed by Waiter, many of the 
 inhabitants came oyer to England. The king of England sent themj and 
 Some Englishmen, with them, to Settle in any part .ijf.liS^Ies they Goulds 
 They toefc possession of the lower part of Pembrokeshire. They speak what 
 fliey call English; and their posterity have been residing there ever since. 
 
144 _ HISTOEY OF 
 
 Assistant Ministers^ 
 
 Davidllvans— baptized 1734— begaft to preach 1736. He 
 •went to Hooknorton^hence to Ireland— thence |o Newport- 
 pagnel — thence to- Biggleswade. '■ 
 
 David Jonee^aptrzed 1 753-— went to WrexhaW), and after- 
 wards became an itinerant-.. 
 
 ■ Samuel. Griffliths-^be^iia to preach 1761— went to Bristol — 
 died 1765.' .: V 
 
 Stephen Arleyi '. , 
 ' 'Jjteorge Thomas. 
 ' Uavid Davis. 
 
 Llanblly Cnvkcs, in the county of Carmarthen. There 
 were' some Baptists in, and aboHt this town, before the year 
 1640. How long before that time,- w'e cannot tell. In 1653, 
 they used to meet to worship at the lower Mill in the town. 
 Th?y had two preachers at that time, of the names of Meredith 
 and Prosser.* As for Meredith, we know not what became,of 
 him in the persecution.' It is supposed that- he went to Ame- 
 rica, ; but we have heard nothing of hinfl since. The' members 
 Residing in this country then, belonged to the church at Swan- 
 sea, u^der the pastoral care of John Miles. In the time^3f 
 persecution, the meeting was held chiefly, at the Alltfawr, 
 Llanon parish. Preaching was also held at Gelly'r-cnyw, and 
 other places, until they built a meeting-hotise, within a mile of 
 Llanelly, called'Felynfoel, in 1709." Anthony Mathews, Simon. 
 Mathews, and Simon Butter, members of the Swansea church, 
 living at lilanelly, went to America. 
 
 This church was constituted, or re«organized, in 1735. It 
 had been a branch of Swansea for many years. 
 
 David Owens was their first pastor, as fer as we know, who 
 had been preaching among them about ten years before. He 
 was ordained some time before he became the pastor of the 
 church. He was a very acceptable preacher, and provided 
 well for the church, and for his family, and died 1765. ? f- 
 
 John Morgan, the son of Robert Morgan, was a learned man, 
 very gifted and popular. He received a call to go to Warwick, 
 England, and about a week after he arrived there, he died, in 
 1703j- aged twenty-four. 
 
 Soon after the church was regularly formed, Evan Thomas 
 began to preach, and went to Bristol college^ He went from 
 
 * See Prosser's biography. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 145 
 
 that place to Warwick, in 1742 — thence to Birmingham, in 
 -1743 — ^thence to Trowbridge, where the Lord blessed his la- 
 bors abundantly for a short time. He removed from there to 
 Bridgewater, in 1746 ; and was ordained there, in 1749. At 
 Bridgewater he finished his labors, in the month of August, 
 1767. 
 
 About this time, David Morgan began to preach. He was a 
 good,, substantial preacher, for the building up of Zion; but his 
 principal talent was, to regulate and maintain the discipline of 
 the church. In that respect he was very useful, though his gifts 
 as a preacher were but small. While they were talking about 
 ordaining him, the Lord called him home to his eternal rest, 
 in 1748. • 
 
 Morgan J. Rees and John Duckfield, began to preach, in 
 1744. They were both ordained at the same time, in 1761. 
 John Duckfield died in 1766. Morgan J. Rees was left alone, 
 and the church was so large, and the places of worship so nu- 
 merous, that it was impossible for one man to serve them.* 
 But it was not long before God was pleased to raise up two of 
 their members to assist in the ministry — William Hughes and 
 Dayid Owens. William Hughes was ordained as an assistant 
 to. Morgan J- Rees, in 1774. 
 
 Samson Davis, also, who had been a preacher of the Pres- 
 byterian order, was baptized and became a member of this 
 church about this time, and often preached here and at Swan- 
 sea and Llangafelach. , 
 
 Respecting Robert Morgan and Morgan Jones, see bio- 
 graphy, and the history of the churches of Swansea and Hen- 
 goed. 
 
 Abeeduar Church, Carniarthenshire. There were seve- 
 ral Baptists in these parts, soon after the Reformation, brought 
 to the knowledge of the truth, through the instrumentality of 
 that eminent man and faithful minister of Jesus Christ, Vava- 
 sor Powel. Though not formed into regular churches, they 
 were called Powel's congregations ; so that the Welsh people 
 of this region, at that period,. could say, that though they had 
 many ministers, yet they had not many fathers. To cut do^n 
 the timber was his work — the building of houses he left for 
 other men. Had the builders made use of all the good mate- 
 rials in his time, there would have been many more churches; 
 but he went forward so rapidly in the chopping work, that they 
 could not keep up with him, There were hundreds and thou- 
 
 * See Morgan John Rees's biography. 
 13 
 
146 HISTORY OF 
 
 sands of sinners, in different parts, converted to God,' without 
 any form or order whatever! He had a great many congre- 
 gations, each consisting of five or six hundred people, who 
 were brought to the knowledge of the truth. 
 
 But the most excellent men have their deficiencies. The 
 most perfect men on earth have their imperfections. As he 
 was an advocate of mixed communion, he paid but very little 
 attention to the form and order of the house of God. These 
 things, in addition to the want of time to regulate matters, are 
 the only reasons that can be given for so many large and nu- 
 merous congregations being in some parts, where there was 
 not a church. , After all, it is probable, that the good, the 
 great, and worthy man, Vavas(35' Powel, intended to return, to 
 biiid up and gather his sheaves, after he had done reaping 'a 
 certain quantity,, but the infernal demon of persecution com- 
 menced amost furious and violent hurricane, and made- a most 
 dreadful havoc on the field of his labors, before the grain which 
 he Jiad cut down was bound upland gathered together. 
 
 Once as Vavasor Powel was preaching in this region, in the 
 open air, on a large meadow, the agents of Lucifer hearing of 
 it, gave out their appointments to be there that day kicking 
 foot-ball ; and they were faithful to their engagrathent. There 
 w^ere two large congregations in the field. A young man, a 
 gentleman's son, a leader in the foot-ball party, who had just 
 finished his education abroad and lately returned home, thought 
 that he must do some exploits on that day. He fixed on a 
 plan, to run the ball among the congregation, and to kick it 
 into the minister's face ; afid being an exceedingly fast runner, 
 he seeiped to succeed in putting his plan into execution, had it 
 not been for some cross fellow, who tripped up his heels, so 
 that he fell and broke his thigh in a dreadful manner. But , 
 that was not all ; for God was pleased to break his heart, by 
 the operation of his Spirit, in his conviction and conversion. 
 The strong man armed was cast out, and his house spoiled by 
 one mightier than he. The blasphemer became a praying 
 character on the green meadow, and an exhorter of the thought- 
 less crowd to flee from the wrath to come. He sent for the 
 minister, and made a pubtlic confession of his evil designs,, and 
 requested him to come home with him ; which, also, he did. 
 Through the mercy and goodness of God, the young man re- 
 covered, made a profession of religion, and became a preacher 
 of the gospel ; and endured his part through the whole perse> 
 cution, which commenced soon afl;er his conversion. 
 
 About the year 1720, Enoch Francis baptized a great many 
 in these parts. Some time after, one of the inhabitants. The- 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 147 
 
 rnas David Evans, began to -publish salvation free in Jesus' 
 name, and sinners flogked to. the house of God, as doves to 
 their respective windows. 
 
 Enoch Francis, at this time, was living -at Capel-Iago; but 
 after he moved to Newcastle, the meeting was held at a farm- 
 house, called Aberduar, where Evan Saunders lived. 
 ,, About this time, T. D. Evans began to preach at Bwlchy- 
 rhyw. He had a long mountainous road tp go, but he con- 
 tinued going there once a month, for some years, apparently 
 tonb purpose — there being very few hearers. Often he made 
 use of these words in his prayers : " Though we have toiled 
 all the night, and have taken nothing, nevertheless, at thy 
 word we will let down the net." At last, he gave them his 
 farewell sermon, from Matt. 23:38, 39 — " Behold yotir house 
 is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, ye shall not see 
 me henceforth, until ye shall say. Blessed is he that cometh in 
 the name of the- Lord." He closed the meeting, and gave out 
 no appointment. This was in 1737. Some time after, as he 
 was returning from Radnorshire, by the iiouse, he found that 
 there was a young woman, of the ' naijie of Harris, keeping 
 school in it. , He turned in, and in the course of their conver- 
 sation, she requested him to come and preach there once more. 
 He told her he would. At the time appointed, there was a 
 ■very large and attentive congregation. • He visited them twice 
 in the month, and in a short time, a great many submitted to 
 . "the ordinance of baptism. The first who was baptized was the 
 father of J. Thomas, of Leominisler. Enoch Francis, though 
 he was so much Sngaged in the revival in other parts, of the 
 cburch, attended to administer the ordinances. But iii the heat 
 of this revival, he died. The Lord carried on the work, not- 
 w.ithstandipg his death was a great loss to them, and to thou- 
 sands more in other parts. Most wonderful was the mourning', 
 and lamentation after that man. 
 
 Evan Saunders, of Aberduar, was a deacon of the church, 
 and a most excellent, wise, and prudent man—well qualified 
 for that office. Immediately after the death of Enoch Francis, 
 he b^gan to preach", but in the course of two years he died 
 also; so that we might say, that, in a certain sense, the church 
 suffered a greater loss in consequence of his death, than that of 
 Enoch Francis. 
 
 On the day that Enoch Francis died, being from home, 
 Timothy Thomas began to preach at home, at the age of 
 nineteen. He was a very acceptable preacher, and," in the 
 opinion of many, capable to fill up the place of their late pas- 
 
148 HISTORY OF 
 
 tor. John Thomas began to preach soon afterwards, and was 
 well received as a worthy minister of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The church of Aberduar, which was a branch of Newcastle 
 *and Panteg, now Rehobotb, was regularly formed as a sepa- 
 rate church, in 1742. This was an infant grown-up church, 
 on the day it was constituted. There were four branches be- 
 longing to it — ^that is, Penycoed, Argoed, Bethel, and Bwlchy- 
 rhyw. Bethel meeting-house had been built, the year before 
 this friendly separation took place. 
 
 In 1743, Timothy Thomas and John Thomas were ordained 
 — both of them the same day. 
 
 Towards the latter end of the year 1743, Joshua Thomas, a 
 brother of Timothy Thomas, and the author of the History of 
 the Wislsh Baptists, began to preach. Though he was bap- 
 tized at, and was an original member of, Leominister, in the 
 county of Hereford, England; yet he was at home, at his 
 father's house, when fae began to preach. He preached his 
 first sermon at the request of the church at Penycoed— the 
 branch above named — from Rev. 3:2 : " Be watchful, and 
 strengthen the things,which remain, that are ready to die: for 
 I have not found thy works perfect before God." He con- 
 tinued preaching there,' untill 174§, when he removed to the 
 Hay to live, and was received by letter, ,a member of the 
 church of Maesyberllan. He l.-ibored there and at Olchon 
 with acceptance, until the year *1754, when he returned to 
 Leominister, and became the pastor of the church there. He- 
 was highly esteemed, and well provided for, all the days of his 
 life. 
 
 His son, Timothy Thomas, was born in Wales — ^became a 
 member of the Baptist church in London—received Ms educa- 
 tion in Bristol college— and became the pastor of the Baptjst 
 church at Devonshire Square, London. 
 
 Moses Davis received his education in London, under the 
 tuition of Dr. Jennings and Dr, Savage. He married a young 
 woman of very respectable family, in Essex. He lived with 
 her parents, but did not take the charge of any church. He 
 preached considerably in various places, until he died, in 1765. 
 
 In 1758, John Thomas, before-mentioned, left here, and be- 
 came the pastor of the church of Maesyberllan. 
 
 At the same time, William James began to preach in this 
 church, but soon left it and joined the Presbyterians. 
 
 In 1761, the meeting-house at Abe'rduar was built, and a 
 great revival commenced. Between sixty and seventy were 
 added to them in a short time. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 149 
 
 Zechariah Thopnas began to preach in the church of New- 
 eastlej now Rehoboth, in 1757. He was invited to assist his 
 brother Timothy in 1762, when he moved from Newcastle to 
 his native place; " • - *, . 
 
 Samuel Elvans began' to 'preach in 1763, Having received 
 his education at Bristol, and supplied various places in Eng- 
 land, he settled atDowntpn, England. 
 David Saunders began to preach in 1764. 
 Soon after, David Davis began to preach. He was brought 
 up for'the church of England. 
 
 Zechariah Thomas, David Saunders, and David Davis, were 
 ordained on the' same day, in 1771. ; 
 
 This church has four good meeting-houses : 
 Penyco'ed, built in 1735. 
 Bethel, built in 1741. 
 Bwlchyrhyw, built in 1748. 
 Aberduar, built in 1761. 
 They administer the ordinances, in regular rotation, once a 
 month, in each of them. - ' 
 
 * 
 
 UsK Chubch, -in the county of Monmouth, was a branch 
 of Llantrisaint, was formed into a regular church about 1654; 
 and therefore had its part of the persecution which com- 
 menced in 1660. 
 
 Thomas Quarrel was their first minister,* After the death 
 of T. (Quarrel, Nathaniel Morgan, an assistant preacher, sup- 
 plied this church. He was a pious, gifted, and wealthy man. 
 He was a hospitable, liberal, and useful man, in the church 
 ■and in the world. Joseph Stennett, D. D., married one of his 
 daughters. Samuel Stennett, D. D., was a grandson of this 
 good "Welshman. 
 
 • Nathaniel Morgan bequeathed the sum of five pounds per 
 annum, for the support of the- gospel in this place. He died in 
 sure hope of the resurrection of the just, on the 21st of No^ 
 vember, 1722, aged 71 years. 
 
 Some time after, Caleb Evans and several other ministers, 
 supplied them; so that they had regular preaching in the 
 town, arid at Caerfawr in the country. ; but the cause was 
 growiiig wealcer and weaker. By this time the inhabitants of 
 this parUof the vale of Carleon, whose forefathers had been so 
 noted for religion in past ages, became careless, indifferent, and 
 extremely ignorant; and what was still more wonderful, they 
 were great zealots for the establishment. 
 
 * See his biography. 
 13* 
 
ISO HI3TOJZY OF 
 
 In 1755, Edmund Watkins, the pastor of the church at Bla- 
 unau, moved to this region to live. He preached to them aa 
 often as he could, but very few came to hear him. He felt 
 much for them, and often poured out his Sbul with tears before 
 God, on their behalf. He exhorted and admonished them per- 
 sonally, to flee from the wrath to come. They considered him 
 as a good citizen, and a good meaning man, but pitied his ig- 
 norance very much. Thiis continued the state of things here, 
 for the space of fifteen years after Edmund Watkins came 
 among them. But in 1770, a revival commenced, and a great 
 many were added unto them, which so enraged certain indivi- 
 duals, that they were likely to lose their meeting-house in the 
 town, for wbich they had no- titl(?. -However, Edmund Wat- 
 kins with some difficulty bought the house and paid for it. 
 The old house at the Gai-fawr was also enlarged by E. Wat- 
 kins. Though he was the pastor of Blaenaugwent, yet as he 
 lived in this part, he was really a father to this church for 
 many years. Other ministers supply them, so that they have 
 preaching every Lord's day, or some part of the day, in both 
 places; and the ordinance of the Lord's supper administered 
 every month, in one of the places, in regular rotation. 
 
 Llanglophan Church, in the county of Pembroke, was a 
 strong branch of Rhyd.wilim for many years. About 1690, 
 the preaching was held at Trefbwrnallt, in the parish of Cas- 
 tlehaidd. It was afterwards moved to Castlemorris,- in the 
 parish of Mathri, to the house of William Garnon, the father of 
 the famous Daniel Garnbn, minister of the gospel. About 1705, 
 the press-gang was very troublesome in (his country, and par* 
 ticularly to religious people. They would take any young 
 man from the meeting, and send him to the army. It is asto- 
 nishing to think of all the stratag»ms and schemes invented by 
 the prince of darkness, lo hinder the i*apid increase of Imraa- 
 nuel's kingdom. 
 
 The meoting-house at Llanglophan was built about tlie year 
 1706. The church and congregation increased most wonder- 
 fully, and soon became very strong, wealthy, and liberal. 
 They were regularly formed into a church in 1744. Their 
 first minister was David Richards, one of the original constitu. 
 ents of the church, who hadbeen preaching among them nearly 
 thirty years before. He was a very skilful man in managing 
 the aiscipline of the church ; and was well respected by the 
 congregation and the world in general, although he was but a 
 poor man. Fie was well versed in Scripture — a warm and 
 lively preachers-very ready to give an answer to any man, 
 
THE WELSd BAPTISTS. 151 
 
 He was sueb a stroqg advocate for believers' baptism, that 
 some of his friends thought that he was sometimes* too strict 
 and severe. His answer to such was, that to bear testimony 
 for the truth jifforded him peace of conscience. He was very 
 comfortable in his soul in his last illness, under the considera- 
 tion of his interest iaChrist through the free grace of God,"and 
 the nearness of that eternal glory to which he was hastening, 
 He finished his race, with joy, in 1749. 
 
 After the death of their pastor, they, were not left des- 
 titute, for they had three good ' preachers— Daniel Garnon, 
 David Lewis, 'and Evan Davis; these three were ordaitjed at 
 the same time — the same year their late pastor, David Rich- 
 ards, died. By this time, they were rich, numerous, and pros- 
 perous. There was another veyy promising young preacher 
 among them, hj the name of Henry Morgans. He was edu- 
 cated in Bristol college,, and returned home, but soon died, in 
 1747,,aged twenty-.seven years. 
 
 About 179:5, three young men began to [.reach — John Wilr 
 liams, George Rees, and David Thomas. By this time, they 
 had .six preachers, of no -small talents, who were constantly 
 employed in the work of the ministry, in every direction, all- 
 around, far .and near, like an army with banners; and Je,'!«s, 
 th6 Captain of their salvation, was their Leader. No wonder 
 that almost the whole region are Baptists. 
 
 In 1751, Evan Davis took the pastoral care of the church at 
 Bethesda, M®nmouthshire.- 
 
 In 1758, John Williams, George Ree.s, and David Thomas, 
 were ordained.- In 1756, they built another 'meeting-house, 
 called Middlemill, near St. David's. About this time, David 
 Thomas went to Rhydwilim.* David Garnon also went to 
 Ebenezer.. He was born in 1702 — baptized when he was six- 
 teen years old — and began to preach at the age of eighteen. 
 In. 1776, they built another meeting-house at Fishguard. Re- 
 specting George fiees, see Rhydwiliffl. At the same time, 
 Thomas Lewis and William Evans began to preach. Before 
 the branches of this church were formed into distinct churches, 
 the number of members was one thousand. 
 
 Bethesda Chuech, in the county of Monmouth. About 
 1700, there was regular Baptist preaching at Gas-bach, by the 
 ministers of Llanwenarth, Hengoed, and Blaenaugwent. "Se- 
 yeral were baptized, and. they had- the ordinance of the Lord'g 
 
 ■* See history of Rfaydwiliip. 
 
152 HISTORY OF 
 
 supper administered every month, by those ministers, in regu- 
 lar rotation. 
 
 . After them, Miles Harris of Penygarn, labored much, and 
 baptize;! many in this region. Griffith Jones, a.l^o, was very 
 useful here in his time. In 1742, they built a meeting-house, 
 and' called it Bethesda; but it is now known by the name of 
 Baselic, from, the name of the parish in which it is built-T- 
 notwithstanding the proper name is St. Bazil. It is about four 
 or five miles from Cas-bach, where the preaching was held at 
 first. William Philips, one of the members, preached occa- 
 sionally to them at this time. And Rees Jones, who moved 
 from Aberduar to Penyfay, and married a widow who held a 
 farm called Ty'n-y-pwll, settled in this part. But, in a short 
 time, both of them were found guilty of something that was 
 not becoming the gospel of Christ. 
 
 On the third day of February, 17,47, they were formed into 
 a church — consisting of twenty-six members from Penygarn ; 
 twenty-one from Hengoed ; "and thirty baptized lately in this 
 region — in the whole, seventy-seven: but they were a long 
 time afl;er this, before they had a minister of their own. 
 
 At last they obtained David Evans, of Llanglophan, in the 
 county of Pembroke, who settled with them in the month of 
 August, 1751. Edmund Watkins preached on the occasion, 
 from 1 Thess. 5:12, 13 — *' And we beseech you, brethren, to 
 know them which labor Eimong you, and are over you in the 
 Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them highly in love, 
 for their work's sake." 
 
 He was a godly, laborious, and diligent man, in the minis- 
 try, but not very successful. 
 
 Craigfargoed Church, in the county of Glamorgan. In 
 1750, Charles Winter, and twenty-four members of the church 
 at Hengoed, imbibing the sentiments of the general Baptists, 
 left that church, and.b*lt a new meeting-house, of the above 
 name, within four miles of the former house. C. Winter 
 preached and administered the ordinances to them, until he 
 died in 1773, aged setenty-three. He was baptized in 1726 
 — ordained about 1738. He was a pious and intelligent man, 
 of a mild, easy, and peaceable disposition. 
 
 Thomas Williams was an assistant preacher in the church 
 for a short time. Morgan Thomas, from Newcastle, was an 
 assistant, and died in 1774. 
 
 After the death of these ministers, the particular- Baptist 
 ministers were invited to supply them, but they refused to ad- 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. ^ 153 
 
 minister the ordinance to them^ on account of the difference in 
 sentiments. ' 
 
 In 1777, one of the members of the church, who had been 
 regularly called to the ministry among them, and edqcatedin 
 Carmarthen college, was ordained. His name was Jacob 
 Isaac. He was a good preacher, and a man of good moral 
 character ; but notwithstanding all this, the congregation is 
 very small, and very few addend to the church. It appears 
 .that Arminianism cannot agree with the soil of this Princi- 
 pality. . .. 
 
 Glynceieiog Church, North Waies. About the year 
 1700, there were several Friends, (the people called Quakers,) 
 about Newbridge, in this region. They built a. meeting-house, 
 iand called it the Cefn., However, as they decreased iu num- 
 ber, they let the Baptists have the house in 1715. The Ba.p* 
 tists met in the house for many years, for prayer, reading, «Sd^ 
 religious conversation, having no minister to preach to them» 
 In 1740, they invited Evan Jenkins, o£ Wrexham, to preach 
 to the Qefn, which he did occasionally «s long as he lived. 
 
 David Jones, his successor, at Wrexham,, often • preached at 
 the Cefn. Some of the people from the Glynceiriog, having 
 heard him preaching at the Cefn, invited him to preach in 
 their neighborhood, which was as dark and ignorant, in divine 
 ^hings, as the regions of Asia or Africa. But out of curiosity 
 many of them came to hear, and some of them were converted 
 to God and yielded obedience to his commands. In 1758, 
 several were baptized, and the work of the Lord prospered. 
 A great revival commenced. Forty-eight were added to them 
 by baptism, in a short time. The whole region seemed to be 
 in a sort of fermentation. Some were converted— >-some were 
 convinced — some were • alarmed, and others enraged — and 
 some were determined to put a stqp to. these things. Those 
 who would not go to church were put into the Bishop's court ; 
 but, to their great surprise, when Dr. Drutnmond, bishop of 
 St. Asaph, came through on bis visitation, he told them to let 
 the Baptists alone to worship God according to the dictates of 
 their own consciences; and charged them not to disturb them. 
 This, in a measure, put an end to that sort of persecution ; hut 
 as yet there was no peace : The sword of the father was 
 against the son, and. the son against the father; the mother 
 ■vyas against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother. 
 Several instances occurred, of parents having turned their chil- 
 dren out of doors, because they made a profession of the reli- 
 gion of Christ. At that time, the law required that every 
 
154 HISTORY OF 
 
 house for religious worship should be licensed, but some, of the 
 great men in the neighbqrhood were determined to refuse them 
 a license, and had done so repeatedly, until they sent to Lon- 
 don to ask the aid of the Society for the Protection of Religious 
 Liberty. The consequence was, that the license was immedi- 
 ately granted, and the Baptists were no more persecuted, but 
 much respected by the greatest men in the land. In 1761, 
 they'bijilt a meeting-house, which was opened in August, 1762. 
 In 1764, they were constituted a church ; for they had been 
 a branch of Wrexham before that time. 
 
 John Hughes, a member of the church, was their first pas- 
 tor. He was baptized in 1765, began to preach in 1768, and 
 was ordained in 1770. In the same year, he baptized his 
 brother-in-law, Maurice Jones, who had been preaching in the 
 Calvinistic Methodist Connection for some time. However, 
 he soon removed from there to Blaenaugwent ; and some time 
 after, Jojin Hughes left them, and settled at Brassey Green, 
 Cheshire. " - 
 
 About this time, 51(lward Jones, brother to Maurice Jozies, 
 began- to preach — and they are supplied by other ministers. 
 They break bread at Glynceiriog and Cefh-bychan, every 
 other month. . ' 
 
 Ebenbzeb, in the county of Pembroke. In 1766, there 
 was a dispute in the church of Cilfowyr, about laying on of 
 hands on the baptized'; and tliough it was considered by the 
 association, no bar of communion, yet it was the cause of the 
 beginning of the church at Ebenezer, as they were not for it 
 they had their dismission from Cilfowyr, and formed them- 
 selves'into a church in 1767. 
 
 John Richards, one of their original constituents, was their 
 Pastor; — William Williams and Thomas Henry, assistants. 
 Soon after this separation, William Williams was -ordained^ 
 and many were added unto them. In 1768, they buiU a 
 meeting-house, and had the pleasure of administering the ordi- 
 nances of baptism and the Lord's supper, on the day it was 
 opened. The same year, their aged pastor, John Richards, 
 died. He began to preach with the Presbyterians at.Llechryd. 
 He was a good preacher, but always shut his eyes in preach- 
 ing as well as praying. He was baptized at Cilfowyrin 1714, 
 and ordained at the same place in 1743. Though he was not 
 popular, yet his^gifts and talents were well calculated to edify 
 the saints. He died in a good old age, and in full assurance 
 of eternal bliss, through Jesus Christ. He was buried at Cjl- 
 fowyr. The following epitaph is on his .tomb-stoiie : 
 
THE Welsh baptists. 195 
 
 '* Underneath, lieth what was mortal of the Rev. John Rich* 
 ards, who began in the ministry of the gospel about 1713, had 
 a share in the pastoral at Cilfowyr for many years, and was 
 the first pastor at Ebenezer — in which charge he finished his 
 course June 27t.h, 1768, aged 79." 
 
 He gathered materials for the history of the Baptists in three 
 counties in Wales-^— Carmarthan, Pembroke, and Cardigan — 
 some years before his death. 
 
 About this time-, Daniel Garnon removed from this place to 
 Llanglophan, and became an assistant in that church, until he 
 died, on the 18th of February, 1777, aged 75 years. 
 
 Thomas Lewis and/Benjamin Davis began to preach in this 
 place! about this time. Both of them went to Bristol College, 
 and settled at Bridgewater, England. 
 
 In 1775, this church built a large meeting-house in the town 
 ©f Cardigan. " 
 
 William Williams was their second pastor. He was a no- 
 bleman of considerable landed property, and a magistrate of 
 the Quorum. -As such, he acted in three counties — 'Carmar" 
 then, Pembroke, and Cardigan. He was the only dissenting 
 minister, as far as we know, that ever was thus honored, in 
 that" country. His church and congregation were also rich and 
 very respectable, although there were many poor merhbers 
 among them, to whom he was very liberal. However, he 
 taught the church a bad habit. Instead of receiving' some 
 money from them, at every church meeting, he always took 
 out his purse, and laid it on the table, and then divided the 
 contents among those that were considered worthy of having 
 assistance. When this .church was obliged to act, after his 
 death, it was a difficult work with them at first, William 
 Williams was truly a good and pious'man,.much respected by 
 the poor, and both .respected and dreaded by tlie richest men 
 in this region : ao well qualified was he as a- .justice of the 
 peace^^so .weltaccjuainted with the la^y'Of the land — and so 
 majestic was he in his appearance on the bench in court, that 
 he was never contradicted.- Inlhe house of God, however, he 
 was quite another man. Here he looked more like the crimi- 
 nal than the judge — so free and affable,' so meek and humble 
 was he, that every one of his flock loved him dearly, and thtere 
 was nothing more dreadful to the feelings of any one guilty of 
 a crime, than the thought, that Williams of Cardigan would be 
 there. Oh ! how could he bear to look at hini. 
 
 • TABBn>rAci.E CiiuEcii, in the town of Carmarthen, belong, 
 ed to the Welsh Baptist association, held at Abergavenny on 
 
i56 HISTORY OF 
 
 the 14th and 15th days of May, in 1663. How long before that 
 time it had existed and belonged to that association, we do not 
 know. William Thomas was appointed to preach there every 
 third Sunday.* In the association held at Aberafon, within 
 the bounds of Swansea church, in 1653, the following . minis- 
 ters weie appointed to preach at Carmarthen, in regular rota- 
 tion, throughout the year: William Prichard, William Thomas, 
 Thomas Joseph, John Miles, Howel Thomas, David Davis, 
 Walter Prosser, Thomas Jones, and Morgan Jones. 
 
 Robert Morgan was a member and a preacher in this church.f 
 On the restoration of Charles the second, many of the members 
 of this church were imprisoned, and most dreadfully persecuted 
 in many respects, too horrid and too tedious to be mentioned. 
 We know but very little about it from this period to the time 
 of the great revival, through the instrumentality of Enoch 
 Francis and others, except that Vavasor Powel preached often 
 here, and near the town, in his time. It is said that Vavasor 
 Powel, hearing of a poor man in this region, who was in the 
 habit of working on Sunday, went to him and asked him what 
 was the reason he did not keep holy the Sabbath-day. " It is 
 as much as I can do to support my family while I work hard 
 seven days in the week," was the answer. Vavasor Powell 
 asked him, whether he would come to meeting, if he would 
 pay him as much as he was getting for his labor per day. He 
 said he would. For a considerable time the man was as good 
 as his word, and was paid regijlarly. After a while, V. Pow- 
 el was in debt to him for two or three Sundays ; and calling 
 on the man to turn and receive his money, he refused to take 
 it, and said — " I can now depend upon God. I find that he is 
 able to bless the labor of six days, .and make it equal to seven. 
 I hope that I shall be enabled henceforth to keep the com- 
 mandments of God from a principle of love." 
 
 In 1762, they rented a house for divine worship in the town 
 of Carmarthen, and a great many were baptized in the river 
 Towy and added to this church. And at this time, also, they 
 were supplied by ministers from other churches. Stephen Da- 
 vis and Timothy Thomas, of Aberduar, chiefly supplied them. 
 In 1765, Stephen Davis removed to the town. 
 
 David Evans was their first pastor. He was ordained in 
 1765. Stephen fiavis, Owen Rees, and William Bowen, were 
 assistants. 
 
 In 1775, Evan Davis began to preach in this church. He 
 was a relation of Enoch Francis. He went to Bristol college. 
 
 * See his biograjJiy. • t See his biography. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 157 
 
 Phiory Street Churoh, Carmarthen. In 1775, there 
 was a split in the first church at Carmarthen. Stephen Davis 
 anei several of the members left here, and formed themselves 
 into a dhurch at Tycoch. Stephen ,Davis was ordained their 
 pastor in 1776. That year a great many were added to them, 
 and Edward Evans, John Rees, and William Harris, began to 
 preach. - , , _ 
 
 They have two meeting-houses— Priory Street, Carmar- 
 then, and Tycoch in the country, about four or five miles from 
 town. -« - ' 
 
 Thus we have given a short account of some of the Baptist 
 ministers, and of the churches with which they were connected. 
 Some of these ministers died in prison fisr conscience' sake — 
 others came to their end, by various methods of legal perse- 
 cution and lasvless- outrage. Many of them suffered by fines, 
 scourging, and imprisonment — others were driven intdr exile, 
 starvation, and wretchedness. Of these suferers we have ob- 
 tained but little information, while the history of others must 
 be unknown until the day of judgment. What the Rev. Da- 
 vid Benedict said is really a fact : " The reign of Charles the 
 ^cond was, indeed, a series of oppression ; but that guilty na- 
 tion was then visited with sore calamities. In 1665, a plague 
 broke out, one of the most dreadful within the memory of 
 man. The nuniber which died in London only, amounted to v 
 about one hundred thousand. Eight or ten thousand died in 
 the city and suburbs in one week. This calamity was pre- 
 ceded by an unusual drought, and it was succeeded in 1666, by 
 a most destructive fire,,which in three or four days consumed 
 thirteen thousand and two hundred dwelling-houses, eighty- 
 nine steeple-houses, (commonly called churches,) and many 
 other public buildings. Thus,1:hat guilty natfon, which had 
 committed to the flames so many of the saints of the Lord — 
 which had starved and tormented so many in various ways, 
 was, in quick succession, visited with three of the most terrible 
 messengers of divine vengeance-^famine, plague, and fire." 
 
 Wales has been a nursery of Baptists. Hundreds of them 
 have been, and now are, in many parts of England. Beside 
 those who have joined English churches in England, there are 
 two' Welsh Baptist churches in London ; one in- Bristol ; one 
 in Liverpool ; one in Manchester ; and several in other places. 
 Many of the American churches were founded, either wholly' 
 or in part, by Welsh emigrants. And there are several Welsh 
 churches in America. Wales has also supplied the American 
 churches with many useful ministers, ftiany of whom are gone 
 14 
 
15S 
 
 HISTOKV OF 
 
 home to receive their reward, while others are now actively 
 engaged in the western department of the Lord's vineyard. 
 Indeed, most of the Baptists in the state of Pennsylvania, for a 
 great number of years from the beginning, (except the Tun- 
 kecs and the Mennonists, were either emigrants from Wales, 
 or their descendants. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 159 
 
 RECAPITUI.ATION. 
 
 The religion of Jesus came ironj God, and is a most glori- 
 ous dispensation, not only for the sublime wonders of its doc- 
 trine, and the divine purity of its precepts, but because it excels 
 all other religions in the strength of its motives;, the richness of 
 its promises, and the sufRciency of the divine aid attending it. 
 
 Remote antiqi:^ty sanctions, the ^ erection and occupancy of 
 suitable places for the' public worship of Almighty God. The 
 renowned, patriarchs had their sacred altars, though of rude 
 construction, upon lyhich they oflfered acceptable sacrifices. 
 The Israelites, during theix eventful peregrinations through the. 
 Arabian desert, had their tabernacle of meeting, in which the 
 Lord their God condespended to favor them with visible tokens 
 of his gracious presence. When conducted to the fruitful land 
 of Canaan, and settled there according to divine appointjnent} 
 they erected a magnificent teinple, whose form, dirnensions, 
 and elegance, rendered it for many ages the wonder of sur- 
 rounding nations. In addition to which they built numerous 
 synagogues, over all the countrys for more general conve- 
 nience; as' well as constructed houses of prayer, in which 
 pious persons might assemble more privately, and there pour 
 forth the warm effusion of their devout hearts. ^ 
 
 The primitive Christians, whose religion was rejected by the 
 unbelieving Jews, as well as accounted " foolishness" by the 
 learned Greeks,^,were so far from enjoying spjendid templet 
 for religious worship, that they scarcely had places where to 
 hide their headsi, and did frequently avail themselves of the 
 nocturnal season quietly to enjoy the communion of saints. As 
 soon, indeed, as the heat of persecution had abated, and the roar- 
 ing billows of boisterous passions had been hushed into silence, 
 so that the Christians could enjoy peace and security, not only 
 in their retreats of solitude, but also in their public assemblies, 
 — then they looked out for better accommodations, and were 
 industrious in procuring them. Especially when Constantine 
 the Great embraced the Christian faith, and Rome pagan be- 
 came Christian : then were many heathen temples converted 
 into places fqr Christian worship, and the Christians were pro- 
 
160 HISTORY OP 
 
 tected by the civil authority in the performance of their reli- 
 gious duties. 
 
 Before the advent of Christ, the progress of his religion,^ and 
 prosperity of his kingdom, had long been the animating theme 
 of prophetic inspirations, Jehovah, speaking to the Messiah, 
 says, ■" Ask of mcj and I will give thee the heathen for thme 
 inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy pos- 
 session." The prophet Isaiah, oonteftiplating the flourishing 
 state of the Messiah's kingdom, breaks forth in the most lively 
 strainsjas though he had personally realized it, saying, " Unto 
 us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the govern- 
 ment shall be upon his shoulder ; and he shall be callefl the 
 Prince of Peace. Of the increase oi] his government and peace 
 there shall be no end." And looking forward to the extent 
 and "effects of his reign, he adds, "'They shall not hurt nor 
 destroy in all my holy mountain : for- the earth shall be full' 
 of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." 
 Daniel, in explaining Nebuchadnezzar's dream, after describ- 
 ing the Babylonian, the Persian, the Grecian, and the Roman 
 empires, su'bjoins,' " In the day of these kings," namely, the 
 Roman emperors, " shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom 
 which shall never be destroyed ; and the kingdom shall not," 
 like the former, " be left to other people ;- but it shall break in 
 pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for 
 ever." Again, he says, " I saw in the night visions, and be- 
 hold one like the Son of Man came to the Ancient of Days, and 
 there was given to him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, 
 that all people, nations, and languages^ should serve him : his 
 dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass 
 away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." , 
 
 Long before the appearance of John the Baptist, the Jews 
 had been taught to expect that " the God of heaven" would, at 
 a certain tirne, " without hands, set up a kingdom which should 
 never be destroyed." This heavenly kingdom was the econo- 
 my of assortment which John introduced, and the baptism of 
 John is called the beginning', of the gospel, the epoch from 
 which the New Testament is to be computed. " The law and 
 the prophets were until John ; since that time the kingdom of 
 God is preached."* This came to pass in the fifteenth year 
 of the i;eign of Tiberius Cesar, when Pontius Pilate was gover- 
 nor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Annas and Caia- 
 phas were high priest^ 
 
 From the beginning of the world to this period goofi men 
 
 ♦Mark 1:1,2. Luke 3:1,8. Acts 1^01,22. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 161 
 
 - had been in a condition of compaifitive imperfection, They 
 were individuals mixed and confounded with numerous persons 
 of opposite characters, in family, tribal, and national divisions. 
 They never had be«n a PEOPtE, but' John was sent to asso- 
 ciate individuals, rto form a people, or, as an evangelist ex- 
 presses it,. "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord," and 
 the revolution efeeted at4his time was so substantial, that it is 
 calleiJ a creation, a new age, a new. world, of which Jesus, 
 whom John proclaimed and introduced as chief, was declared 
 the Creator and Lord, for John professed himself only a mes- 
 senger of Jesus, employed indeed- -in his service, but " not 
 worthy to unloose the latchet of his shoes." 
 
 John, it is supposed was born at Hebron, and, if a judgment 
 of- his educatioH may be . formed by the character of his pa- 
 rents, he jvas trained up in habits. of piety and virtue, for " they 
 were both righteousbefore God, walking in all the command- 
 ments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." 
 
 -When he was about thirty years of- age, in obedience to the 
 heavenly call, he.^ entered oi) his ministry, by quitting the hill- 
 country, and going down by the wilderness to the plains of 
 Jordan, by proclaiming the kingdom of (3od, the near advent 
 of the Messiah, and the necessity of preparing to receive him 
 by laying aside -sin and superstition, and by an exercise of 
 universal justice, and- lastly, by identifying the person of Jesus 
 as the Messiah. He distributed various rules of righteousness 
 among the different classes that attended his ministry. He 
 said to soldiers,"Do violeiice to no roan ; he exhorted publicans 
 to avoid exaction, and he taught the people benevolence. Let 
 him that hath two coats impart to him that hatlLhone ; and he 
 directed all to Jesus as Master and Lord, in manifesting whom 
 his ministry was to cease,, His dress wa,s, plain, his diet ab- 
 stemious, and his whole deportment grave, serious, and severe. 
 Multitudes, both of provincials abd citizens, flocked to hear 
 him, and all held him as a prophet, and such as renounced 
 their former sinful practices, and believed his predictions con- 
 cerning the Christ, were baptized by hitti in the river Jordan, 
 but the Pharisees and lawyers are to be excepted, for " they 
 rejected the counsel of God against themselves, and were not 
 baptized of him." • • 
 
 While John was employed in preaching and. baptizin_g at 
 Bethabara beyonjj Jordan, various reports were spread abroad 
 of him, and as thie people were in expectation of the Christ, all 
 men mused in their hearts whether he were the person or not, 
 and the Jews of Jerusalem sent a deputation of priests and Le- 
 vitee to him to inquire what account he gave, of himself. He 
 ■ ■ ■■ 14* " ■ ■ ■' "^ 
 
162 HISTORY OF 
 
 fully answered, all their questions, and ioformed them that he 
 ■was not the Christ, but the person, spoken of by Isaiah, sent 
 before to prepare the way of the Lord, who stood then among 
 them, but who was not then known. This was the day of the 
 manifestation of Jesus. '. ' 
 
 .It is- UHcertain by what means John obtained an interview-- 
 with Herod; but,^ certain it is, he reproved him for living, in 
 adultery with- Herodias his brother Philip's wife, arid his laa- 
 guage was that of a man who well understood civil govern- 
 ment, for he'considered law as supreme in a state, and told the 
 king, "It is not lawful for. thee to have thy brother's wife." 
 Herodias was extremely displeased with John for his -honest 
 freedom,'and determined to destroy: him; but though she pre- 
 vailed on the' king to imprison him, yet she eould not persuade 
 him to put him to' death. Two great obstacles, opposed her 
 design. Herod himself was shocked at the thought, for he had 
 observed John, was convinced of his piety and love of justice, 
 he had received pleasure in hearing him, aijd had done many 
 things which John had advised him to do; and, as there is a 
 dignity in innocence, the qualities of the man had struck him 
 with an awe so deep and soleinn, that, tyrant as he was, he 
 could not think of taking away the life of John. Herod also 
 dreaded the resentment of the public, for he knew " the multi- ' 
 tude held John as a prophet." Herodias therefore waited for 
 a favorable opportunity to surprise the king into the perpetra- 
 tion of a crime, which neither justice nor policy could approve, 
 and such an one she founjl on the king's birth-day. The story 
 is at large in the gospel. Dreadful is the condition of a coun- 
 try where any one man is above control, and can do what 
 this absolute, king did! Whether he felt, or only pretended to 
 feel, great sorrow, the fact was the same, he sent an execu- 
 tioner, and commanded the head of the prophet to be broHght, 
 and John was assassinated in the prison. " . 
 
 The murder did not sit easy on the reeollection of Herod, 
 for, soon after, when he heard of the fame of Jesus, his con-, 
 science exclaimed. It is John, whom I beheaded, he is risen- 
 from the dead ! Certainly, John the Baptist will rise from the 
 dead, and Herod the tetrarch must n;eet him before an impar- 
 tial Judge, who will reward or punish each according to the 
 deeds done in the body. In the present case, the Judge hath 
 declared the character of John.. " John was a burning and a 
 shining light. Among them that are born of women there 
 hath not risen a greater than Jolm the Baptist." 
 
 It was for just and noble reasons, worthy of a wise and be- 
 nevolent mind, that Jesus estimated John so highly as to pro- 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 168 
 
 nounce hirn as great a man as had been borfi of women ; to 
 whieh he added) the least in the kingdom, of heaven was greater 
 than he. It was a comparison between John and his prede^ 
 cessors, and John and hiS successors, in framing the new eco- 
 nomy- He was greater thfin his predecessors, because he first 
 introduced 9. moral assortment of Jews, a kingdom of heaven 
 jjpon efirth : ,he was less than the aptsstles, his successors, ber 
 cause under the direction of Jesus, they brought his plan to 
 perfection, by assorting and incorporating Jews aTid Gentiles 
 in societies, expressly united for the improvement of the mind, 
 the meliorating of the heart, and the regulation of the lifj', a 
 compact practice of piety, and an uniform course of virtue, and 
 so ^extending ,and establishing personal excellence, tAiding to 
 unite all mankind in one family of ianiversal'love; and he who 
 under God gave a sketch of a. design so pure, and so generous^ 
 ought -to be reputed one. of the first characters among mankind. 
 How great then must he be,- the latchet of whose shoes thi? 
 great man was not worthy to unloose ? 
 
 Whether John baptized by pouring on water, or by bathing 
 in water, is to be determined chiefly, though not wholly, by 
 ascertaining the precise meaniiig of the word baptize. I^ative 
 Greeks. must understand their own language better than for' 
 reigners, and they have alway-s understood the word baptism, 
 to signify dipping ; and therefore from their first embracing 
 of Christianity to this day they have always baptized, and do" 
 yet baptize, by immersion. This is an authority for the mean- 
 ing of the word baptize infinitely preferable to European lexi- 
 cographers; so that a man, who is obliged to trust human tes- 
 timony, and who baptizes by immersion, because the Greeks 
 dp,: understands a Greek word exa,ctly as the Greeks them- 
 selves understand it ; and in this case, the Greeks are unex- 
 cejptionable guides, and their, practice is, ift this instance, safe 
 ground of action. 
 
 The Syrians, the Armenians, the Persians, and all Eastern 
 Christians, have understood the .G:reek word baptism, to signify 
 flipping, 5ind agreeably to their own versions, they all, and aj,. 
 ways administer baptism by immersion. 
 
 There is a propriety in acknowledging a believer in Christ, 
 a real character, by baptism- It is giving him the name who 
 hath the things . To this sepse of the word all circumstances 
 and descriptions agree, as baptizing in the river Jordan — going 
 down into the -waXet— cowing up out of the water, buried in 
 baptism, and the restr— so that the proper answer to the que^. 
 tisn, How did Joljin administer baptism? is, By ipnmersipn. 
 
164 HISTORY OF 
 
 John baptized at Bethabara beyond Jordan. Here he re- 
 ceived the messengers from Jerusalem, and bore that testimony 
 of Jesus which is recorded in the first of John ; then he crossed 
 the river, and baptized on the opposite side, which belonged to 
 Reuben or Manasseh ; and thus his ministry waS extended 
 through the region round about Jordan ; and here he delivered 
 that testimony concerning Christ, which is recorded in the 
 third chapter of John; and this is what some call his second 
 , baptismal station. The word Bethabara signifies a passage- 
 house, and such there were on both sides of the river near the 
 fords, and most likely they were houses to accommodate and 
 direct travellers in times of low water,, and ferry-houses for 
 the convenience of passage, when floods and hfgh waters ren- 
 dered boats necessary. In the arabah, or plain sloping to- 
 wards the ford, where the abutments of Judah, Benjamin, and 
 Reuben met, near the mouth of the river, a little above the 
 north bay of the lake Aspljaltites, stood the town called Beth- 
 abara. ' 
 
 No places cOuld be chosen more convenient for the .baptism 
 of immersion than these. Here was a gentle descent into 
 water of sufficient depth; here were houses of accommodation ; 
 and fords were public roads. 
 
 The third i^tation of John was at Enon, near Salim. Salim, 
 is differently written, as Saleim, Salem, Salom, Schiloh, Za,- 
 leim, and so on. Enon was chosen for a place of baptism by 
 John, because there was much water there. 
 
 In the kingdom of heaven which John was forming, rank- 
 was nothing, superior faculties were nothing, moral excellence 
 was all in all, and faith and repei;itance were indispensable 
 qualifications for baptism ; for 09 John's part there was no, 
 collusion, on that of his converts no blind credulity, and the 
 individiaals whom the Baptist formed into a people were dis- 
 tinguished by three characters; a character of freedom, a cha-. 
 meter of piety, and a character of virtue. 
 
 1. A character oi freedom: John taught, but he employed 
 no force, he^ used no allurements, offered no bribes_i nor did 
 any thing to give an unworthy bias. He published a fact, of 
 the truth of which all the world was left free to judge, and it 
 was, 9. circumstance highly favorable to his doctrine, that no, 
 power in being took it under patronage. If was left in the 
 country among the common people, wholly fo itself, at a dis-. 
 tance from the court, the temple, and the army, and many of 
 his hearers fully examined, and freely entered on the econo- 
 my; for they had nothing but conviction tp induce thena to ^ct 
 ^s they did. 
 
the' welsh baptists.. 165 
 
 2. A character of •piety. The fact was eontained in the 
 prophecies, and the disciples of John believed them, giving 
 themselves up by baptism; to the guidance of him whomsoever- 
 God had appointed Lord of the economy, whenever it should! 
 please God to make him known. 
 
 3^ A character of virtue. I baptize you-, said John, at, or 
 lipon your repentance, your invincible abhorrence of sin,. 
 manifested by fruits meet for repentance, that is, by reforma- 
 tion. - Except in one instance, John baptized only persons hav- 
 ing thete characters. 
 
 This one instaiSce was the baptism! of Jesus. In perfect 
 freedom, with, eminent piety and virtue,- but without any pro- 
 fession of repentance,, Jesus was baptized. By this he entered! 
 on his public ministry. 
 
 To Bethabara, amidst a great multitude of spectators, ins 
 presence of those who had been baptized, and were now ia 
 waiting for. him, " a people prepared for the Lord," and while- 
 John was conversing with the deputation from Jerusalem, Je- 
 sus came to be baptized, giving by his conductj as well, as by 
 his language to John, the most unequivocal proof of his entire 
 approbation of water baptism. Thus it becometh us to fulfil 
 all righteousness. The very handsome and respectful manner 
 in which John received Jesus, and the conversation that passed 
 between them, no doubt, held up Jesus to the multitude as some 
 person of singular merit, produced a pause, and' a profounds 
 silence, and attracted every eyp to behold the man. Immedi- 
 ately after John, had baptized Jesus, he went up out of the 
 water praying, and while he was going up, the'clouds parted, 
 and a bright line appeared hovering over Mm, falling and ris- 
 ing, rising and fallings as a dove hovers when it is about to 
 alight, an, I at length settling on him. This was placing his 
 whole person in full view, so that his features could not be 
 mistaken, and, to those who saw him, his face must ever after 
 have been the best known face in Judea. ' While the specta- 
 tors were beholding this new and strange, appearance, a voice 
 from heaven said, " This is my beloved Son, in whorn^I am 
 well pleased." Joha seeing the promised sign, exclaimed, 
 addressing himself to the deputation from Jerusalem, "This 
 is he of whom I said, he that cometh after me is preferred be- 
 fore me ;" and he repeated the same record the two succeeding 
 days, on seeing Jesus walking, and so engaged. his disciples to 
 deliver themselves up to the Son of God, which was the chief 
 design of his ministry. 
 
 Jesus Christ, before his death, promised his apostles, that 
 after -his resurrection he would meet them on a mountain in 
 
166 HISTORY OP 
 
 Galilee.^;, •Immediately after his resurrectioh, the apgel, who 
 informed tiie women at the sepulchre that he was risen, direct- 
 ed them to^go quickly'.and tell his disciples that he was risen 
 from .the dead, and that he was going before them into Galilee, 
 and that there they should see him.f As they were going to 
 deliver the message, Jesus himself met them, and repeated the 
 drder, " Go tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and 
 there they shall see me." ^ In the forty days between his 
 resurrection and ascension, he had many interviews with his 
 disciples, in which he instructed them in the things pertaining 
 to the kingdom, of God. Baptism was one of these things, and 
 of this he chose to speak in the most public manner on the 
 mountain in Galilee to above "five hundred brethren at once." 
 It is not very material whether this were the third, the eighth, 
 or the last appearance of Christ to his disciples, in which " he 
 showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible 
 proofs, and spoke to them of the things pertaining to the king- 
 dom of God."| 
 
 To the assembly, on the mountain,. " Jesus came, and spake 
 unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and 
 in earth. Go ye, therefore, .and teach all nations, baptizing 
 them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
 Holy Ghost : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever 
 I h§ve commanded you : and I am with you alway, even unto 
 the end of the world.''§ It is a glorious example of that bene- 
 volence with which Jesus used the Vast powers committed to 
 his trust. 
 
 The authenticity of this passage is allowed by all ChristiaJiS, 
 but they differ very much . in expounding it; and three classes 
 of expositors deserve attention ; the first enlarge, the second 
 diminish, the third supersede the meaning of the passage. 
 
 Without entering into verbal criticisms^ upon which the 
 Christian religion doth not stand, for it is supported by facts 
 true and demonstrative, and not by hypothetical reasonings 
 confined only to a few learned men, it is observable, that one 
 class of expositors so expound the text, as to give it a much 
 wider extent than Jesus intended, for they mtlke it an autho- 
 rity from him to baptize infants, though they are not mention- 
 ed, and though there is not either precept or precedent for' the 
 . practice. The order runs, " teach all nations, baptizing thd&ii" 
 The thing speaks for itself, thfe style is popular, the sense plain, 
 and it must, mean either to baptize whole nations, or such of 
 
 * Matt. 26:32. Mark 14:28. t Matt. 38:7— 10. . 
 
 t Acts 1:3. S Matt. 28:18, &c. 
 
THE WiEL8H BAPTISTS. 167 
 
 all nations as receive your instructions, and desirie ^^e bap- 
 tized^ The first is too gross to be admitted, because it cannot 
 be effected without force, and the grossness of the' dro. instantly 
 turns the mind to the other, the plain and true sense. In the 
 principles of-the kingdom of Christ there is neither fraud nor 
 force, nor is it suitable to the dignity of the Lord Jesus to take 
 one man by conviction, and his ten children by surprise. 
 
 The practice of the apostles, who understood the words, no 
 doubt, Js the best exposition of the language. Did they bap- 
 tize any whole nation, or city, or village 1 yet they described 
 the baptism of individuals in a style similar to that of the 
 words in question. The following is an example : " Philip 
 went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto 
 them," and such as believed Philip, prteaching " the things 
 concerning the kingdom of God', and the name of Jesus Christ, 
 were baptized, both men and women."* The history of this 
 is thus described by Luke. " The apostles which were at Je- 
 rusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God," 
 not the whole country called Samaria, not the whole city of the 
 same name, not Simon andliis adherents, inhabitants of the 
 city, but such only as believed Philip, had received the word 
 of God, and were baptized. * 
 
 The same Philip baptized the Eunuch, but not his servants j 
 for Christianity is a personal, not a family, or national af- 
 fair.f Some families were baptized, but it was only when 
 each person of each family was a believer', and not always 
 then. Crispus,:j: the chief ruler of the synagogue at Corinth, 
 " believed on the Lord with all his house," yet Paul "baptized 
 none but Crispus ;" for there might be very good reasons for 
 the other believers in his family to^defer their baptism. § The 
 Jailer at Philippi " believed in .God with all his house," there- 
 fore " he was fsaptized, and alHiis straightway."]! The house- 
 hold of Lydia were brethren who were comforted by the apos- 
 tles.lf The family of Stephanas of Corinth, which Paul bap* . 
 tized, were the "first fruits of Achaia, and addicted themselves 
 to the ministry of the saints," that is, to assist the deacons in 
 relieving the poor.** 
 
 In the days of the apostles, it was argument to tell, " multi-', 
 tudes were added both of men and women.ft The word of' 
 God ^increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied in 
 Jerusalem, and a great company of the priests were obedient 
 
 * Acts 8:5—14. + Ibid, verse 30. 
 
 t Acts 18:8. * 1 Cor. 1:14. 
 
 11 Acta 16:31—33. T Acts 16:16, 4a 
 
 ** 1 Cor. 1:16; 16:15. ■*+ Acts 5:14. 
 
168 HISTORY OP 
 
 to the faith.* I^e same day there were added unto them 
 about three thousand souls.f What is fhe reason that this is 
 ino argument now? Further, it is inquired, whether the turn- 
 ing of whole nations into Christian churches, so that there is 
 ■no world, but all is church, liave not deprived Christiamity of 
 that noble argument w'hich the purity of the doctrine of Christ 
 afforded. The few upright lose the evidence of their " shin- 
 ing as lights in the world?' in the vast multitude of wicked cha- 
 racters, among whom they are obscured, confounded, and lost. 
 Of what natiojial church can it be said, the people are " holy, 
 harmless, tmdefijed, and separate from sinners?" Whqt na- 
 tion, if they observe the direction of apostolical epistles, durst 
 ■claim a letter directed " to them that are sanctified m Christ 
 Jesus, called to be saints ?":(: To, such a change, say they, it 
 is owing that infidelity abounds ; ai^d a Christianity of this 
 (kind admits of no defence. . 
 
 The state of baptism during, the lives of the apostles, is to be 
 •gathered from the book of Acts written by Luke, the first ec- 
 clesiastical historian. It extends from the ascension of Christ 
 to the residence of Paul at Rome, a space of more than thirty 
 years. The book is full of information, and in regard to iTap- 
 tism, it informs by what it does not say, as well as by what is 
 reported. ■ For example : The historian relates the baptism of 
 many proselytes — -_as Cornelius, the Ethiopian Eunuch, and 
 others — on their profession of Christianity; of course, the ad- 
 ministrators did not know of such a custom as proselyte-ba|)- 
 tism, or they did not understand proselyte-washing to be bap- 
 tism, or they practised anabaptism, which is not credible. 
 
 There are frequent narrations of the baptism of ibeliievers, but 
 
 not one infant appears in the whole history; yet, no doubt, 
 
 some Christians had married, and had young families within 
 
 ^e thirty years between the ascension of Jesus and the settte- 
 
 piaent of Paul at Rome. 
 
 ■■^There is no mention of any of the ceremonies which ftiodern 
 Cliristians have affixed to baptism : no consecration of water, 
 no sprinkling-, no use of oils and unguents, no sponsors, no 
 kneeling in the water, no trine immersion, no catechumen- 
 state, no giving a name, no renunciation of any demon, none 
 of the innumerable additions, which, under pretence- of adorn- 
 ing, have obscured the glory of this heavenly institute. It be- 
 longs to those who practise such additions, to say how they 
 came by them, and .under what master they serve. 
 
 Ln conforiiaity to these predictions concerning the kingdom 
 
 * Acts 6:7. » lb. 2:41. 1 1 Cor. 1:3. ' 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 169 
 
 of the Messiah, our Savior also declares the extensive spread 
 of his religion... " The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached 
 in all the world, for a witness, to all nation?." Accordingly 
 when he gave his apostles their commission, heAaidj ." Go ye 
 into all- the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." 
 The "Jewish economy was lilie alight wjidse feeble rays are 
 confined to one house : but Christianity resembles the glorious 
 orb of day distrLbuting hS bright beams to the whole of the 
 human family. Though it was certain, from the sublimity of 
 the doctrines of the gospel, the spirituality of its precepts; its 
 tendency to humble the pride of man, its contrariety to tfie 
 idolatry and superstition which had for so many ages existed 
 in the world, that the apostles' would meet with much opposi- 
 tion in the faithful and zealous discharge of their ministerial 
 duties; yet our Savior, in his address to Peter, concerning his 
 excellent confession, says, ." Upon this. Bock will I-build my 
 church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." 
 Gamaliel, speaking to his fellow, senators, reasoned wisely and 
 conclusively, " If this counsel or this wSrk, be of men, it will 
 come to nought : but if it be of God, yc cannot overthrow it." 
 On the first promulgation of Christianity at Jerusalern, the 
 capital of Judea, its progi-ess was rapid and considerable.' Qjjr 
 Saviori.^at the beginning of his public ministry, chose twelve- 
 persons to. attend hini), and then seventy disciples, yhotti he 
 sent by two apd two before his face, into every place whither 
 he himself would go. The minisslry of the seventy disciples 
 was successful for he says, " I beheld Satan as lightning fall 
 from heaven;". -and they " rejoiced, that the devils were sub- 
 ject unto them, throiiffh -his name." At the ascension of our 
 Savior, probably the rnost part of the members of his church- 
 were present, for " he was seen of above five hundred breth- 
 ren at once." On the day of Pentecost, sUch was the power 
 of divine grace attending the ministry of the word, that " thete 
 were added about three thousand souls." Soon after, such wda 
 the efficacy of the gospel, that the sacred historiari uses this 
 .language, " Many of them who heard the.word, believed; and 
 the number of t1ie Kien," exclusive of the women, " was about 
 five:thousand.*' Again, he says, " Believeiw were the more 
 added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." Nay, 
 what is still more 'i-emarkable, that " a great company of 
 the priests were obedient to the faith-" Thus the prothise of 
 our Savior to his-apostles was accomplished, " I will give you 
 a mouth and wisdom, which, all your adversaries shall not be 
 able to gainsay nor resist'i" 
 15 
 
170 BISTORT OP 
 
 On the death of . Stephen, the. . proto-maEtyr, many of. the- 
 members, of the, Christian church at Jerusalem, were " scat- 
 tered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, 
 except the apostles." Soon after, Saul of Tarsus, afterwards 
 called Paul, who had Been an active agent in this persecution, 
 became a sound convert to the faith of Christ, and.a zealous 
 apostle in propagatlng<the Christian, religion among the Gen- 
 tiles ; to whom our Savior sent him,*" to open, their ey^S, and 
 to turn them from darkness to light, and from. the. power of 
 Satan unto God." His zealous exertions in the cause of Chris- 
 tianity were attended with: such happy results, that from the 
 testimony of _ his enemies it is stated," Ye see and hear, that 
 not alope at Ephesus, but almo&t thrbugh all Asia, this Pauh 
 hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying, that 
 they be, no gods which are made with hands." Arid such 
 were the effects produced by the ministry of all the apostles 
 and their associates, in various countries, that, as Dr. Paley 
 obseyveSj before the end of thirty years frojn the death, resur- 
 rection, and ascension of our S.ayjor, the Christian religion had 
 spread itself through Judea,- Galilee, and Samaria, alniost all 
 the numerous districts of the Lesser Asia, through Greece, and 
 the .islands of the JEgean sea, the sea coast of Africa, and had 
 extended itself to Rome, and into Italy. At Antioch in Syria, 
 at Joppa^ Ephesus, Cprinth, Thessalonica, Berea, Iconium, 
 Derbe, Antioch in Pisidia, at Ludda, Safon, the number of 
 converts is intimated by the expressions, "a great number — 
 great multitudes — much people." Converts, are menfioned, 
 without any designation of their number, at Tyre, Cesarea, 
 Troas, Athens, Philipji, Lystra, and Dalllascus, 
 
 Thus the apostles, through the divine blessing,' though desti- 
 tlite of the advantages of birth, education, fortune— without 
 secular terrors to affright, pecuniary rewards to bribe, or daz- 
 zling eloquence to enchant — armed with -nothing but faith, 
 truth, goodness — yet encountered the power of princes, the 
 bigotry of priests, the learning of philosophers, the rage .of the 
 populace, the prejudices of all — and were honored with amaz- 
 ing success! All the literary acquirements and sajcasm Of 
 th(3 Greeks and Rqmans were employed to ridicule .the gospel, 
 and prevent its progress;, and the potentates of the earth drew 
 the' sword, against it, armed-their legions for effecting its over- 
 throw, but without their accomplishing their malicious designs; 
 which evidently proves an extraordinary, interposition of God. 
 Had the infidel wits of.the present age seen the apostles, when 
 entering'on their arduous and unexaihpled .labors, they would 
 
THE ■WELSH BAPTISTS. 171 
 
 eneeringly have derided the attempt, saying, as Satlhallat did 
 long before, " What will these feeble Jews do ?" But had they 
 seen the astonishing event, surely they must have owned, with 
 the Egyptian magi, in a less illustrious miracle, " This is the 
 finger of God!" • / , • 
 
 ,. Tacitus, in giving a relation of a great fire- that happened' at 
 Rome, in the_ tenth year of Nero, which concludes, with the 
 thirtieth after Christ's ascension, s|)'eaking of the Christians, 
 ■ says, ^' They had their denomination from ChristuSjWho, in 
 the reign of Tiberius, was put to death as a criminal, by the 
 procurator Pontius Pilate." : 
 
 The doctrine of uninterrupted succession is necessary only 
 to such churches as" regulate their faith and practice by tradi- 
 tion, and for their use it was .first invented. 
 
 But a Baptist' has not the least trouble about what is called 
 a lineal or apostolical siiccessibn. His lifae of successidn is in 
 iaithful men, and it is a mattef of indifference with them, when 
 Or Where they lived, by what name they were Called, or by 
 whom they were baptized or ordained. 
 
 Notwithstanding all thst has been said to the contrai'y,'We 
 still date the origin of our sentim^fatsi and' the beginning of bur 
 denomination, about the year of our Lbrd twenty-nine 6r' thir- 
 ty ; for at that period John the Baptist begaii to immerse pro- 
 fessed believers in Jordan arid Enon, and to pfepare-theway 
 for the coming of the Lord's Anointed, and for the setting up 
 of his kingdom. 
 
 A Baptist js one, who holds .that a profession of faith, and 
 an immersion in water are essential to baptism. 
 
 Christ's disciples began to'^congtegate into churches, soon 
 after he left the earth. The church af Jerusalem was formed 
 the evening of the glorious day of his .ascension, in an upper 
 room,- arid consisted of about a hundred arid twenty believing 
 men and women. The persecution, which arose about the 
 time of Stephen's' death, caused all the disciples of Jesus, ex- 
 cept the apostles, to leave- Jerusalern. They proceeded out 
 every way, like the radii of a circle- from the centre, and 
 fo^-med churches in many places^first in Palestine, then ir 
 other parts of Asia, and lastly in Eui-ope. 
 
 Mr. Robinson has shown that the apostles and priniitive 
 preachers gathered churches in between sixty and seventy dif- 
 ferent cities, towns, and provinces, and in many instances a 
 number were gathered in each. These, churches were all 
 composed of reputed believers, who had been baptized by im- 
 mersion on the profession of their faith. Their bishops and 
 elders were merely overseers of their spiritual-flooka-;-tb^ 
 
172 HISTORY OP 
 
 claimed no right to lord it over God's heritage; every church, 
 was an independent body, and no one claimed a right to regu-' 
 lafe.the affairs of another. If they met in council, as they'did 
 at Jerusalem, it was to advise, not to. give law. 
 
 Christians of these sentimentshave existed in every age, and 
 their number has been larger than their friends generally 
 imagine, or than their opposers are ever wilh'ng to acknow- 
 ledge. The first Christians were undoubtedly all Baptists, and 
 ■we believe they will all be Baptists again, when they are all 
 brought to keep the ordinances of Christ as they were first de- 
 livered to the saints. For almost three centuries, baptism was 
 in the main rightly administered by all parties, for they- all re« 
 quired a profession of faiih,-and all immersed. 
 
 We do not pretend that the primitive saints were called Bap. 
 tists ; all went under the general d'GHomii'iatipn of Christians, 
 and when tliey began to file off into parties, they took the 
 names of the men by whom tijey were led. It is riot the his- 
 tory of a name, but the prevalence.of a principle', of which we 
 are in search. No denomination of Protestants can trace' the 
 origin of its name farther back than about the time of the Re- 
 formation, and most of them Jiave originated since that period. 
 And I suppose it was- about this time that our brethren began 
 to be called Baptists. And I am inclined to think that they 
 assumed the name in opposition to 'that of Anabaptists, with 
 which their enemies were continually reproaching them. But 
 that all the primitive Christians would have been called Bap- 
 tists, if sentimental names had then been in use, an^ that there 
 always has been a people on' earth, from the introduction of 
 Christianity, who have held the leading sentimcnts.by which 
 they now are, and always have been peculiarly'distinguished,. 
 is a point which I most firmly believe, and which I shall how 
 attempt to prove. 
 
 I know that all denominations take this ground, and attempt 
 to prove that their sentiments have existed from the Apostles'> 
 through every age. The Catholic pretends that his church is 
 of Apostolic origin, and was founded by St. Eeter, andhe can 
 easily prove that a very large portion of the Christian world 
 has, for many centuries, been, and now. is, of, his belief. The 
 Churchman pleads that all the first Christians were Episcopa- 
 lians, and that Bishops Paul; Peter, 'Timpthy, and Titus, go- 
 verned the; churches ; and he moreover suppos&s that Paul's 
 parchment, which' he leftat Troas, contained his episcopal 
 authority. The Presbyterians, Independents, Congregational- 
 iats, Quakers, Methodists, and all, contend that their churches 
 are built after , the Apostolic ' model. And even the Shaking 
 
TBS WELSH BAPTISTS. 173 
 
 Quaker, although he can make no good pretension to Aposto- 
 lical succession, yet cliaims relation to the hundred and forty- 
 four thousand who have not defiled themselves with women. 
 I am not about to dispute the pretensions or proofs of any one 
 sect in Christendom. It is not my object torshow-what is not 
 true respecting them, but what is trUe respecting ourselves. 
 The Episcopalian can find Bishops, and the Presbyterian, El- 
 ders or Presbyters, among the primitive Christians, and the 
 Congregationalist and Independent, have good grounds for 
 saying that this Apostolic churches, were of their belief re- 
 specting church government; The Baptists believe in Episco- 
 pacy and Presbyterianism or Eldership, when explained ac- 
 cording to their sense of the terms. They hold to the zeal of 
 the Methqdisis, and the inward light of the Qtrakers, when re- 
 gulated and explained according to their sense of propriety and 
 correctness. With most denominations they find something 
 with which they agree. But in the article of baptism they dif- 
 fer from all. While their brethren all around admit infants to 
 baptism, (the Quakers excepted,) they have always. confined 
 the rite to professed believers, and a baptism without an im- 
 mersion is, in their opinioii, " like a guinea without gold." 
 
 The Baptists have been distinguished from other sects, not 
 only in their views of the subjects and mode of baptism, but 
 they have always held to other sentiments peculiar to them- 
 selVes, and which they consider essential important truths, but 
 .which their opponents have branded with the name of danger- 
 ous errors, or damnable heresies. 
 
 The supporters of -believer's baptism haye, under every form 
 of government, been the' advocates of liberty; and for this 
 reason, they have never flourished much except in those go- 
 vernments where some degree of freedom has been maintained. 
 Arbitrary states have always oppressed them, and driven them 
 ■ for refuge to' milder regions, They cannot- live in tyranni- 
 cal states, and free countries are the only places to seek for 
 them, for their whole public religion is impracticable whhout 
 freedom. In political changes they have always been friendly 
 to the cause of liberty, and their passion for it h£(s'?it different 
 times led some into a«!ts of indiscretion, and scenes of danger. 
 But with a few exceptions, we may say in truth, that the Bap- 
 tists have always adhered to their leading maxim, to be "sub- 
 ject to the powers" that be;" and all the favor they as Christians 
 have asked of civil governments, has been-^f o give them their 
 Bibles, and let them alone. The interference of the ihagisr 
 trate in the affairs of conscience, they have never courted, but 
 have always protested against. Classical authority and priesfi: 
 16 * 
 
174 HisTOKT oy 
 
 ly dominatioti, tKey havo ever opposed and abhorred, and the 
 equality oF Christians as such, and the absolute independency- 
 of churches, they have, most':scrupUlously maintained. Learn- 
 ing they have esteemed in jts proper, place ; but they have also 
 uniformly^ maintained, that the servants of iipd may preach 
 his^fbspel vi-ithout it. The distinction between their ministers 
 and brethren is less than in almost^ any other denomination of 
 Christians; vs^hateve^ abilities their ministers possess, they re- 
 duce them to the capacity of mere teachers; and they consider 
 all not only at liberty, but moreover bound to exercise, undei; 
 proper regulations, the gifts they may possess, for the edifica- 
 tion of their brethren. ' 
 
 From the New Testament account of the primitive Chris- 
 tians, we believe that they ivere Baptists. But we will, 
 quote the accounts 'given of them by.two authors, and then the 
 reader may judge for himself. Mosheim was no ' friend to the 
 Baptists, and yet he has made many itnportant concessions in 
 their favor ; and in relating the history of the primitive church, 
 he has givema description, which' will not certainly Ripply lo 
 his own church, the Lutheran, nor to any sect in X3hristendorti 
 except the Baptists. " Baptism," he observes, " was adminis- 
 tered in the first century without the public assemblies, in 
 places appointed for that purpose, and was performed by im- 
 mersion of the whole body in water." By this account it api 
 pears that the first Christians went " streaming away, (as Dr. 
 Osgopd would say,) to some pond or river" to be baptized.. 
 Respecting church discipline, the same writer observes : " The 
 churches in those eal'ly times were entirely independent, none 
 of them subject to any foreign jurisdiction, but each one go- 
 verned by its own rulers and laws. For though the churches, 
 founded by the Apostles, had this particular deference shown 
 them, that they were consulted in difficult and dpubtful case^ 
 yet they had no juridical authority, no sort of supremacy over 
 the others, nor the least right to enact laws for them. Nothing 
 on the contrary i^ more evident than the perfect equality that 
 reigned among the primitive churches,"* and so on. ",A 
 
 * Respecting the '^louncil of Jerusalem, Mosheim has the following-note, 
 Vol, 1, page 105: — "The meeting of the chuich%t Jeiusolemi mentioned in 
 the 15th chapter of llie Acts, is cotnmonly considered as the first Christian 
 council. But. this notion arises from "the manifest abuse of the word council. 
 That meeting was only of one church ; and if such a meeting be called a 
 council, it will follow that there were innumeiable councils in the primitive 
 times. But every one knows, that a council is an assembly of deputies or 
 commissioners sent from several churches associated by certain bonds in a, 
 general body, and therefore the supposition above mentioned, falls to the 
 ground." Mosheim appears to understand the worf council in a high eccle- 
 ■iastic^l sense, and in this point of view bis observations are doubtless cori^c^ ; 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 176 
 
 bishop, during the first and'secbnd centuries, was a person who 
 had the care of one Christian assembly, which at that time 
 was, generally speaking, small enough to be contained in a 
 private hopse. In this assembly, he acted ng^t so, much. with 
 the authority of a master, as with the zfeal affid diligence of a 
 iraithfulser»ani,"* and soon. 
 
 " There was," says Robinson, " among prirnitive Chris- 
 tians^ an uniform belief that Jesus was the Clirist, and a per» 
 feet harmony of affection. When congreOTtions multiplied, so 
 that they became too num,erous to assemble in one place, they 
 parted into separate companies, and bo again and again, but 
 there was no schism; on the contrary, all held a common 
 union, and a member of ope company was a member of all, 
 •If any person reraoved from one place to reside at another, he 
 ; received a letter of attestation, which vvas giveii gnd taken as 
 proof; and'thjs custom very_ prudently pvecluded,,,the. intrusion 
 of impostors. In this manner was framed a catholic or univer« 
 sal church. One company never pretended to inspect the af. 
 fairs of another, nor was there any dominion, or any shado.w 
 of dominion, over the consciences of any individuals. Overt. 
 acts were the only objects of censure, and censure was nothing 
 .but voting a man out of the cornmunity." ' . 
 
 Let any candid man com pare the different denominations of 
 Christians, of the present day, -with these descriptions of the, 
 primitive church, and" he vcill, we think, be at no loss to deter- 
 mine which comes the nearest to it. But Mr. Robirisoh goes 
 farther,, and determines the matter just as a Baptist believes. 
 " During the three first centuries, Christiap congregations all 
 over the East; subsisted in separale, inaependent bodies, un- 
 supported by government, and consequently without any secu.^ 
 lar povrer over one .another.^ AH this time they were Baptist 
 churches, and though all the fathers of the four^first ages down 
 to Jerome, were of G.i^ece, Syria, apd A-frica, and. thoughthey 
 ^ave great number* of histories of the baptism of adults, yet 
 there is- not one record of the baptism of a child till the year 
 
 but according to thp ideas which a Baptist would affix to the terjn council, I 
 Bee no irapropriely in applying it (o- this assembly, But I find our brethren 
 differ in theft opinions respecting the natuie of this council, ..whether it was 
 advisory or authorilative, ' Dr. Gill gives the decisions of this , assembly, no 
 higher name than advice, sentiments, determinations, &c., and-ih (his point of 
 view, I think it proper to consider ihertl; . But it ought to be observed, at;the 
 same time, that the advice of so respectable a body as the apostolic mother 
 church at .Jerusalem, assisted in its- deliheiations by the apostles arid elders, ' 
 and all acting under the influence of the Holy Ghost, became a law or aruls 
 ef action to the churo&at Antioch.and to other Christians in the. primitive 
 ages. " Thisadyice," says Dr. Gill, "was regatded as a law," &c, 
 > aiosheim, Vol. 1, pp. 103, 104, 105, 126, 
 
176 HISTORY or 
 
 370, when Galates, the dying son of the emperor Valens, was 
 baptized by order of a monarch, who swore he would not be 
 contradicted. The agfe of the prince is uncertain, and the as- 
 signing, of his«illness as the cause of his baptisnj, indicates 
 clearly enough fhat infant baptism was not in practice." 
 
 But the primitive" Baptist churches, in propess of time, be- 
 came corrupted with many errors, and with infant baptism 
 among the rest. And when Constantine established Chris- 
 tianity as the religion of his empire, errors, which before had 
 taken root, soon grew up to maturity, the Christian chtirch, as 
 established by, law, became a worldly sanctuary, and those 
 who would maintain the gospel in its purity, were obliged to 
 separate from" the great mass of professors, and retire to the 
 best refuges they could find. , 
 
 Pliny, the younger, in a letter written to the emperor Trajan, 
 concerning the Christians, not quite eighty yeaj's after Christ's 
 ascension, says to him, " Suspending all judicial proceedings, 
 I have recourse to yoii for advice ; for it has appeared to me 
 a matter highly deserving consideration, especially on account 
 of the great number of persons who are in danger of suffering ; 
 for many of all ages, and of every rank, of both sexes likewise, 
 are accused, and will be accused. Nor has the contagion of 
 this superstition seized cities only, but the lesser towns also, 
 and the open country."* • . 
 
 Justin, surnamed the Martyr, who embraced' Christianity 
 about the year 132, in his dialogue with Trypho, a noted Jew, 
 (whiph he wrote about thirty years after Pliny.'.and 106 after 
 the ascension,) has these remarkable words: " There is no 
 nation; whether of Barbarians or Greeks, or any others, by 
 what names soeVfer they are called, whether they live 'in wag- 
 gons, or without houses, or in tents, among who'm prayers are 
 not made, and*thanksgiving offered up, lo the Father and Cre» 
 ator of all, through the name of the crucified Jesus,"f • 
 
 Irenseus, who was made bishop' of Lyolte, in the year of our 
 Lord 179, states, " This ^preaching of the gospel, and this 
 faith, the church scattered up and down the whole ^vdrld main- 
 tains, as inhabiting one house, and believes it with one heart 
 and' soul, teaches and preaches it as with one mouth; for 
 though there be different languages in the world, yet the force 
 of tradition, or of that doctriqe that has been delivered to the 
 church, is but one and the same."| 
 
 Tertullian, of Carthage, wljo flourished about the middle of 
 
 * C. Plin. Trajario, Imp. lib. x. ep. 97. 
 
 t Dial, cum Tryph. p. 345. 
 
 t Ad versus Haereses, lib. 3, cap. 3,pag. nn, 39, 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 177 
 
 the second century, and wrote probably not more than twenty 
 yeeirs after Irenseus, gives a larger : aecount, and mentiona, 
 Britain by name. Quoting the words of David, Psalm 19:4, 
 as applicable to the apostles, "Their line is gone out through 
 air the earth, and their words to the end of the world." " In 
 whom," says he, "have all the nations of the earth believed, 
 but in Christ ? Not only Parthians, and M'edes, and Elamites, 
 and- the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappa- 
 docia, in Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt, 
 and in the parts of Lybia and Cyrene, and strangers at Rome, 
 Jews and proselytes, and the other nations ; but also the boun- 
 daries of the Spaniards, «lMhe different nations of the Gauls, 
 and those parts o^ Britain which were inaiccessible to- the 
 Romans, are become subject to Christ," He goes on to say, 
 after enumerating other nations, "In all which- the- name of 
 Christ reigns, because he is now come ; before whom the gatea 
 of all cities are set open, and none §hut ; before whoni doora 
 of brass fly open, and bars of ironware snapt asunder; that is, 
 these hearts once possessed by the devil, by faith in Christ are 
 set open."* 
 
 Origen, who flourished about the year of our Lord 220, 
 speaking of the prophecies, which the- Jews themselves allowed 
 to refer to the advent of the. Messiah, and particularly on the 
 ■words,*" the whole earth shall shout for joy,-^' he says, " The' 
 miserable Jews acknowledge that this is spoken, of -the presence 
 of .Christ; but they are stupidly ignorant of the person, though 
 they see the words fulfilled. ' Quando pnim terra Britanniae- 
 ante adventum Christi, in unius Dei consensit, religionem ;' 
 when, before the advent of, Chi-ist, did the land of Britain 
 AGKEE in the worship of one, God? When did the land of 
 the Moors — when did the whole globe at once agree in this? 
 But now, on account of tFie churches, which are spread to the 
 uttermost bounds of the world, the whole earth, with rejoicing 
 invokes the God of Israel. "f "Origen tells Celsus what was 
 the -cause of this extensive and rapid spread .of the Christian 
 religion: "The; first preachers who planted Christian churches, 
 their sermons had a might-y force of persuasion above those 
 who taught. the philosophy of Plato, or of any other man en- 
 dowed only with the power of human nature; but the persua- 
 sion of the apostles of Jesus Christ was given of God, persuad- 
 ing men to believe -by the efficacy and power of the Etoly Spi- 
 rit ; and therefore ,:-quickly and swiftly did their word run 
 through the world, or rather the word of God, by their minims 
 
 * Adversus JudtEos, cap. 7, pag. m. 92. 
 t Origen Qp. vol. -r-, pag. 370. 
 
178 nisTOKT or 
 
 try converting many sinners from' the evil of their ways, 
 whom no man could have changed by whatever punishments, 
 but the word of God converted, them according to the will of 
 
 God,"* ., " . -. " ' 
 
 Eusebius, a learned and inquisitive historian, says, " Innu- 
 merable multitu-des of people, in all cities and countri^, like 
 corn in a well-filled granary, being brorfght in by the, grace' of 
 ■God that brinjgs salvation.' They whose minds were hereto- 
 fore distempered and overrun with the error and idolatry of 
 their ancestors, were cured by'the sermons and miracles of 
 ©ur Lord's disciples : so after shaking off these chains of 
 darkness and slavery, which the merciless demons had put 
 upon them, they freely embraced and entertained the know- 
 ledge and service, of the only true God, the great Creatojifof 
 the • world, whom they worshipped according to the rites and 
 rules of that divine and wisely contriyetl religion, which our 
 Savior had introduced."t In the third'book of his Evangelical 
 •Demonstration, having named Romansj Persians, Armenians, 
 Parthians, Indians, and Scythia:ns,as people among whom'the 
 ^apostles preached the gospel of Christ, he mentions particularly 
 that some of them passed over the ocean to the British islandsi 
 That some of the apostles preached the gospel in -the British 
 islands, he was probably informed by Constantine himself, to 
 whom he was well known"; or received it from' somS of the 
 emperor's countrymen, who were then in his court ; or of"the 
 British bishops, summoned to the council of Nice, where) in 
 all likelihood, some of them made their appearance. 
 , While the red horse of war was prancing in wanton fury on 
 the banks of Britain, trampling on the full ripe blossoms of its 
 youth, and in the glory of its strength — while the sleepless 
 sword was extending its ravages-, and -while miseries were mul- 
 tiplying, without any prospect oT a suitable remedyi behold, tha 
 feet of them that bring good tidings of great joy, that publish 
 peace and salvation, that say unto Zion thy God reignethj ad- 
 vance toward the British isle. Yea, behold the heralds of the 
 Redeemer, carrying in their hands the torch of everlasting 
 truth, and in their hearts the zeal of the Lord of hosts,- enter 
 "Wa.les, and commence their labors of love in Llanilltyd Vawr,:t 
 in the vale of Glamorgan.^ 
 
 • Contra Celsum, lib. 3, p. 129. 
 
 t Hist. Eccl.lib. 2, cap.'3. 
 
 t Lantwitmajor, the port where the missionaries first landed and entered on 
 their liiissipti. 
 
 4 A county- of South Wales. The vale of Glamorgan is a rich and extend- 
 .cd district of the county, proverbially called the garden of Wales. 
 
THE WHLSH BAPTISTS- 179 
 
 The names of the. niissipnaries were Illtyd, Kyndaf, and 
 AWystly. While in Rome as- prisoners of war, they were 
 brought to the gloVious liberty of the children of God, and be- 
 caiTie teachers of the Christian religion. 
 
 These missionaries of the cross became instrumental in turn- 
 ing many Britons from their ignorance to the knowledge of 
 Christ; and .Druids, not a few, became obedient to the faith. 
 
 The supposition that Paul preached the gospel in Britain is 
 not altogether without foundation. About six years ago, a 
 polished stone, of about eight feet in length, Was found embo- 
 somed eight feet deep in the earth, near Llahdilo Vawr, in 
 Carmarthenshire, with this, inscription upon it in the Welsh 
 language : " Near this place has the apostle Paul been preach- 
 ing the gospel — A. D. 64." 
 
 While the missionaries were incessant in labor, and indefa- 
 tigably exercising their ministrations among their benighted 
 countrymen, some informed the British king that certain per- 
 sons were spreading a new religion, altogether different from 
 the ancient religion of the country. The king, consequently, 
 summoned the preachers to appear before him and his princes, 
 on a certain day, which summons they obeyed. When the 
 accused made their appearance before the court, the king in- 
 quired of them what were their principles, and whence they 
 had been taken. One of them replied, " Ye honorable men, 
 the God of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things, whether 
 visible, or invisible, hath sent us to- declare unto^you,'ithat he 
 is the only object of worship, and that if you believe . in him, 
 and cast away your idols, you shall have; eternal life in hea- 
 ven." Then he proceeded to describe the condition of man 
 by nature, and our salvation by Jesus Christ. Thsn the king 
 and liiis princes answei-ed, " We find no fault in your offers, 
 and could we .believe that the-y were true, we would, peradven- 
 ture, submit ourselves to what you require. ..But we, (praise 
 to the tutelary gods,) live secure by following the religion of 
 the country.- And we may be rash and unwise, if we refiounce 
 the religion of the fathers' and listen to your tales ; but as we 
 have been informed that -you are intelligent, peaceable m'en, we 
 declare unto you, that , you shall not be in need of supportt 
 And as many as you rriay prevail upon to become proselyted; 
 peace be to thCm. But we will adhere to the rellgioft of the 
 state." Thus the missionaries .were dismissed fropn the British 
 throne with almost Gallio-like* indifferencei. Yet' the British 
 king had, no disposition to stop them in their career of benevo- 
 lence, but encouraged them in the continuance of well-doing, 
 with a promise of protection and patronage. " 
 
ISO HISTOKY OP 
 
 "Meyric Gwawdrydd, the sovereign of Britain, together with 
 his son Cpel, and Arivog, the chief prince of his host,, were al- 
 most -persuaded to become Christians ; but still they loved Tthe 
 honor which comet h from men rathpr than that vvhich cometh 
 from God) by adhering to Druidieal supei-stitfons and rejectipg 
 the claims of the Christian religion. "Not many wise men 
 after thfe flesh, not" many mighty, not many noble are called.. 
 But God hath chpsen the foolish, things of. the worl'd to con- 
 found the wise : and God hath chosen the weak things of tho 
 world to confound the things which are mighty, and base thinga 
 of the world, and things which are despised hath God chosen, 
 yea, and things thaf are not tolling to nought things that 
 are." Thus it was in Britain : while the king and many of 
 his princes and nobles were following their heathenish practices> 
 the common people, seeing the miracles wrought, and witness- 
 ing the power of divine grace exemplified in the lives of those- 
 who had been, heretofore, the most, abandoned and desperate 
 chara,cters, were melted into submission to the feith of Jesus 
 Christ, and vast numbers rallied around the standard of the 
 cross; and in contrasting the present peaceful habits of these. 
 Christian converts with' their former warlike exercises, one 
 might have justly exclaimed, Tins is the octsteetched arm 
 OP God. 
 
 The word of God mightily increased in Britain, by the divine 
 influence which accompanied the prfeaching of the truth. Such 
 was the rapid m/irch of the gospel, that in the space of a few 
 years nearly all regions x)f the country heard the "gladly so- 
 lemn sound." About the year 197, TertuUian, an African 
 divine, makes honorable mention of the' Britons by the- abun- 
 dant success which accompanied the preaching of the gospel. 
 It is true that TertuUian lived at a great distance from Britain, 
 and made these statements from the reports he had received. 
 Nevertheless; the gospel must have taken a deep root in 
 Britain, since the report of its success had extended to Africa. 
 
 In thfc'year 180, Lies ab Coel,* the British king, was" con- 
 verted to Christianity. In his conversion we have the first ac- 
 complishment of the proSSise, "And kings shall be thy nursing 
 fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers : they shall bow 
 down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the 
 dust of iky feet; and thou shalt know that I am* the Lord, for 
 they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." Lies was the 
 first'of all the princes of Christendom that received Christian 
 baptism. ; 
 
 * Lucius. His name in the British languao:e signifiM.ienpJii, because of th« 
 true benefit which his Biibjecis. derived from his Christian benevolence. 
 
TIIB ■WELSH BAPTISTS. 181 
 
 Although his own country wais'supplied with Christian teach- 
 ers, yet in embracing Christianity he sent for direction to Elu- 
 therius, Ihe Bishop of jRome. Because the-Roraans were then 
 so powerful in Britairi, and the mutual commerce and inter- 
 course of the two nations so extensive, he chose to send to the 
 capital of the world. At that time the streams of .divine truth 
 were hot corrupted there- with- the traditions of men, and with 
 gross superstitions. Here is a copy of the letter : 
 ' " Lies ab Coel, the king of Britain, to Elutherius, the bishop 
 of Romef, scndeth greeting : I have endured, for some time, a 
 wounded spirit and a troublesome mind, because I hesitated, in 
 regard tothe besfreligion for me and my subjects to adhere 
 •,to. Now I begin to feel the wretched state of my ignorance 
 of God, and of his religion. I know that idols can do nothing, ^ 
 and doubtless that all are fools who trust in the'm? • Therefore, 
 I beseech thee to send over .to Britain some of your pious 
 teachers, to instruct us in the Chi-istian faith.— r Fa re well" 
 
 Godj the wise disposer of all huma,n events, in his inscruta- 
 ble wisdora, permits the- wrath of man to fly on the wings of 
 speed, and to fix its deadly talons on the excellent of the earth. 
 But in his own time, he restrains the remainder of wrath, curbs 
 the foaming rage of the tyrant, and tells the cruel persecuter, 
 " Hitherto shall thou go, arid no farther." 
 
 After Dioclesianhad sated himfeelf with the blood of saints, 
 he abdicated his throne, retired to a secluded spot, where he 
 spent the residue of his life in painful reflections and keen re- 
 morse. Having dragged a miserable existence, for the space 
 of nine years, by the stings of a guilty conscience, he com- 
 .mitted suicide by swallowing a chalice of poison. He was suc- 
 ceeded by Constans, a man famous for his clemency and 
 equity, and who was married to Helen, the daughter of- Coel 
 Godebog, of Britain; by whom he had 'a son, known by the 
 name'of Constantine the Great, who' was the first of the Ro- , 
 man emperors that received the faith of Christ. Constans was 
 favorably disposed towards Christians. He interceded for 
 them, though unsuccessfully, with Dioclesian ; yet by his, 
 authority in Britain, the persecution there did not exceed a 
 year ; whereas, in other countries it continued for ten years. 
 
 Constans, although not a professor of Christianity, was yet 
 decidedly partial to Christians ; and his decided esteem for 
 them was strikingly manifested on all occasions. ' On a certain 
 occasion, he made a trial of the sincerity of his ehief officers, 
 and he determined to know whether his courtiers were real 
 Christians or hypocrites. He therefore convened .them to- 
 gether, and said that his. will was, that whosoever would saeri. 
 
 16 ; 
 
182 msTORT or 
 
 flee to the gods should continue in his favor, and enjoy their 
 ■ privileges in court, but that those who would not submit should 
 be dismissed from, his service. Consequently, the' Christians, 
 bowing their heads, resigned their ofRoes, and departed ; but 
 the hypocrites remained with the emp^r, and declared their 
 willingness to sacrifice. The emperor caused the Christians 
 to be recalled, and exalted them to still more honorable offices 
 and^ privileges ; but the hypocrites he banished from his pre- 
 sence, as unworthy of confidence ; justly inferring that those 
 who could prove treacherous to their God," could never be his 
 faithful subjects. . 
 
 No Roman was ever so endeared to the Britons as Constans, 
 and the affection of the latter to the former was no less ardent 
 and distinguished. It is difficult to know whicTi of the two 
 parties showfd the most signaLmarks of attachment; whether 
 they, in their respect and obedience, or he, in his mildness and 
 kingly benevolence. For the sake of establishing permanent 
 peace between tbe two nations, and in order to .remove all 
 jealousies and inveteracy, he married Helen, or Ellen, a lady 
 of rare beauty arid of sinning virtues, who was the daughter of 
 Coel, king of Britain, by his wife Stradwen, daughter of Cad- 
 van ab Conan, prince of North Wales. Helen became the 
 mother of a prince, whose name will be remembered as long 
 as the world standeth, not only as 'the warm advocate of the 
 Christian faith, but as one who injudiciously amalgamated the. 
 church with the state. ' " 
 
 During the dissemination of Pelagiaii doctrines, the Britons 
 were in a state of weakness and religipus.decline. The coun- 
 try was frequently involved in troubles, by the inroads of Picts; 
 Hibernians, Franks, and Saxons, whose depredations kept the 
 natives in perpetual alarm, and tended effectually to obstruct 
 the progress of religion. While Agrigola and his exhorters 
 were preaching salvation through Christ, their doctrines. were 
 well received, and relished as doctrines in which they had been 
 taught in the gospel. But when they asserted and maintained 
 that man could be saved by exerting his own ability, indepen- 
 dent of the aid of divine grace, they were either heard with 
 suspicion or rejected as heretical. And when the ingenuous 
 auditors demanded proofs, they could not be adduced from 
 Scripture ; but Agrigola and his followers attempted to prove 
 their new doctrines from the principles of false philosophy. 
 The unsophisticated Britons not being prepared to meet them 
 on this illegitimate ground, they sent over to their neighbors 
 in Gaul (France), requesting them to furnish them with a few 
 pious, able, and learned ministers, who would enter into a put)* 
 
THE Welsh baptists. 183 
 
 lie discussion with those sanctimonious novices, who sought to 
 deprive them of their hope, and to overturn their faith. 
 
 The deputies were received by the Gallic chulrch with re- 
 spect and honor; and, to express their willingness to serve 
 their brethren, they held a council, in order to fix on men of 
 good report, fult of the Holy (jhost and of wisdom, to meet the 
 wishes and supply the wants df the churches in Britain, in 
 their present exigency. Two ministers, Garmbn, bishop of 
 Alet-y-sodor, and Lupus, bishop of Trecastle, men of superior 
 intelligence, of Excellent moral character, and of sound and 
 firm principles, were chosen by the council to be sent to Bri- 
 tain. As soon as they arrived in Britain, they were actively, 
 zealously, and warmly employed in preaching the gospel of truth 
 to the- body of the people in Welsh, and to the learned in Latin; 
 The then moral and religious state of Britain demanded their 
 indefatigable labors and most zealous efforts. Besides the er- 
 roneous principles disseminated by the false teachers among 
 avowed adherents to Christianity, idolatry and Druidism had 
 been restored in many sections of the country, but the accumu- 
 lation of obstacles only augmented the labors of the bishops 
 and brightened their confidence in God. It was their invaria- 
 ble custom to traverse the country in all directions, preaching 
 the necessity of divine grace to aid their hearers to glorify 
 God, and showing that good purposes and resolutions are 
 merely the' offspring of selfishness, presumptions and folly, if 
 proceeding not from a principle of sanctifying grace. The 
 Lord gave of his Spirit to cD»operate with their diligent minis- 
 trations. Thus, by the blessing of God, unbelievers were 
 brought over to tlie faith, the feeble were strengthened, and 
 those who had' before despised the doctrijjes of grace saw their 
 error, and were brought to adopt the language of Paul, " Not 
 I, but the grace of God which was with me." 
 
 Garmon anOjupus having ascended high in the public es- 
 teem, and becMbe distinguished for their popular talents, the 
 ' fklse teachers retired for a season from public observation, per- 
 haps to screen themselves from the arrows of enthusiasm, op 
 rather to prepare themselves for a public oral discussion with 
 their reverend opponents. 
 
 The tide of public feeling against the advocates of Pelagian- 
 ism having diminished by their silence and disappearance^ the 
 false teachers and their exhorters took courage, re-entered on 
 their labors, and challenged the Gallic bishops to enter with 
 them into a public discussion, on the points at issue. The 
 place of their rendezvous was London. Tfafere the false teach- 
 ers, who composed the majority, commenced by making their 
 
184 HISTORY or 
 
 harangues, in wiich they magflified the powers and faculties 
 of man, and asserted how many meritorious works man could 
 perform, if he only followed the dictates of reason, and con- 
 sulted his own judgment, and that transgressions were merely 
 the effects of carelessness and pliability. Garmon, in reply, 
 explained systematically, the: change which had been effected 
 in the moral essence of the mental faculties of Adam, posterior 
 to his transgression." Instead of uprightness of heart, he be- 
 came prone to a wayward course ; and instead of the. calm, 
 the composure, and comfort, which were before' a perpetual 
 feast to his soul, his' breast was now the seat of tumultuous' 
 passions, such; as carnal desires, perturbation of mind, anguish,, 
 and remorse. " Now," said he, ''* this is what is intended in 
 the Scriptures by the old' man — namely, the base passions, the 
 lusts^ the evil propensities that are in us, which we have inhe- 
 rited from Adam our progenitor; for, as the branches partake 
 of the nature of the stock, -so we, being of Adam'^s race, par- 
 take of his corrupt nature, which he acquired by the fall. 
 Thus it is evident that the first work of a Christian's new 
 birth is* to. cast away, the unruly passions and lusts, which so 
 extensively now domineer and exercise'authority' over him. 
 But he cannot' enter upon such an impoijtant work merely by 
 his own ability and efforts"; for our nature is frail and corrupt^ 
 and the imaginations of man's heart are evil from his youth ; 
 but by seeking the aid of God's grace to stand with our good 
 purposes, as it is written, " My grace is sufficient for thee, liiy 
 strength shall be made perfect in"-'thy weakness." The audi- 
 tors were highly satisfied and greatly comforted by the defence 
 of Garmon, and such were the angry feelings manifested to- 
 wards the false teachers and their exhorters, that they would' 
 have been roughly treated, had it riot been far the interposition 
 of the two bishops. " • 
 
 The two bishops systematically carried forward their opera- 
 tions in the moral anjelioration and conversioiBlf the. Britons. 
 They first established schools for, the attainment and diffusion 
 of religious and useful knowledge, as far aS' means rendered' 
 their object practicable. . Several of the British clergy were 
 then unlearned and unstable.- They were but children in un- 
 derstanding, and but partially and superficially acquainted with 
 the Holy Scriptures, and the branches of theology. This state 
 of ignorance and insufficiency induced them to send over to 
 France* for suitable men to resist the false teachers. In those ■ 
 
 '* France at that time was called Gaul, and theinhabitants were 'Welsh peo- 
 ple, who epoke the WcUh language. But after the Romans invaded' Gaul 
 
TlIE WELSH BAPTISTS. 185 
 
 academies established by Gartnon and Lupus, young men 
 studied in the higher branches of- literature, and in theology, 
 to aid them in the sacred ministry. The two principal men 
 chosen as superintendents over these nurseries of learning, were 
 Dyfrig and lUtyd, men of distinguished talents, both natural 
 and acquired, and of ardent zeal in the dissemination of know- 
 ledge and promotion of piety, and who were in all respects 
 qualified for their important charge. Dyfrig opened his school ■ 
 at the city of Caerleon, in South Wales, where not only the 
 sons of farmers and mechanics received his tuition, but the sons 
 •of the nobility, who studied the sciences — namely, philosophy, 
 astronomy, &c. It is stated that, on some occasions, his pupils 
 amounted to a thousand in number. Teilo Vawr, who so 
 strenuously defended the grace of God in an assembly held at 
 Llandewi-brevi, in South Wales, was his pupil. Another pupil 
 of 'his was Cadoc, the son of Kynlas, the lord of Glamorgan. 
 Dyfrig, having extensively sown the seed of knowledge, and 
 having seen the rapid progress of literature, resigned his charge 
 as a tutor, and was made the first bishop of Llandaff, and was 
 translated thence to the bishopric of Caerleon. Hltyd also 
 ably acted his pjirt in Llanilltyd, in Glamorgan, in restoring 
 literature and exerting a moral influence. His pupil was Sam- 
 son, a man of extensive knowledge, who, nevertheless, greatly 
 injured his country, by collecting many rare and precious, 
 manuscripts, and taking them with him to Bretagne. Gildas 
 was one of his pupils, who wrote an ecclesiastical history of 
 Britain in Latin. Dewi and Paulin were among his pupils ; 
 beside many others, who in point of genius, learning, and piety, 
 were ornaments to their country, and who would have been an 
 honor to any country in the age in which they lived, and per- 
 haps would shine during the present march of refinement. 
 
 Bangor-is-y-Coed, in North Wales, also experienced the be- 
 nevolent care, and efficient encouragement and support of Gar- 
 mon ; for he appointed Adian as the principal and superinten- 
 dent of the college, who was the son of Gornew, and the grands 
 son of Urien Keyed, prince of North Wales. Bangor-is-y- 
 Coed and Caerleon, were the principal fountains of learning in 
 Great Britain at that period. The reason why Wales sar- 
 passed England, as it regarded its literary institutions, was, 
 
 and Britain, the nobility of bolfc countries learned the Latin language i so 
 that it was necessary for Garnion and Lupus to preach in Both Latin and 
 Welsh to the ancient Britons. Though it was not the native tongue of 
 either preachers or hearers, yet no man was considered learned, at that tune, 
 except he could speak fluently in Latin ; which is, in sonie measure, the case 
 in Wales to this (My, 
 
 16 * 
 
180 HISTOKY OF 
 
 that the latter was often the scene of foreign inroads, while the 
 former was but seldom annoyed with savage invaders. 
 
 Garmon and Lupus, having establisiicd order in Britain, re- 
 turned to France. As soon as the news of their departure was 
 generally announced, the false teachers re-entered. upon their 
 labors, and soon filled the country with tbe sound of their in- 
 sipid doctrines. A messenger was sent to solicit the return of 
 Garmon to the former scenes of his ministerial labors, inas- 
 much as the advocates of Pelagianism were throughout the 
 country loudly decrying the fundamental principles of- Chris- 
 tianity, and, by" all the art and cunning of errorists, were at- 
 tempting to erect their own standard of faith. Garmon pro- 
 ceeded to Britain without delay, and took Severus with him, an 
 able and eloquent man in the Scriptures. 
 
 Nothing deserving of peculiar notice transpired in Britain, 
 between the final departure of Garmon thence, and the coming 
 of the Saxons thither. 
 
 See Extracts from the Pariah Church, in the Religiov* 
 Magazine — Benedict'' s History of the Baptist Denomination 
 in America. — Hanes Prydain Fawr, by Rev. Titus Lewis ; 
 Hanes Crefydd yng Ygymry, by Rev. Prof. D. Peter: 
 Translated by Evans Mdrtyn, and published in the Chris- 
 tian Herald, Vol, 6. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTIST*, 187 
 
 WELSH ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 We have every reason to believe that the Welsh Baptists 
 had their associations, and that Dyfrig, Illtyd, and Dynawt, 
 were the leading men among them, long before Austin's at- 
 tempt to convert them to Popery, in that association which was 
 held on {be borders of England, about the year 600. 
 
 The first associatioii after the reformation, as far as we can 
 find, was held at Abergavenny, on the 14th and 15th' days of 
 the sixth month, in the year 1653 ; when the ministers and 
 messengers of five of the eld and apostolical Baptist order, met 
 and calmly and deliberately considered the best means to bo 
 adopted for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. They re- 
 presented the churches of Olchon, Llantrisaint, Llanwcnarth, 
 Swansea., and Carmarthen.* They unanimously agreed that 
 the church of Olchon should ordain more elders and deacons, 
 and assist the church ofLlanwenarth to support their minister. 
 The names of the delegates are not recorded. It is only stated, 
 that twenty-four of them signed the minutes ; aad J. Thomas, 
 the Welsh historian, has given us only the names of seven of 
 them — namely: Howel Vaughan, Walter Prosser, Thomas 
 Parry, Howel Watkins, Charles Garson, and Stephen Brace, 
 
 The next association was held at Aberavon, within the 
 bounds of the church of Swansea, in the year 1654; wherein 
 it was resolved, that the church of Carmarthen being destitute 
 of a pastor, should be supplied by other ministers in regular 
 rotation ; and that John Miles, David Davis, Walter Prosser, 
 and William Prichard, should prepare writings to be presented 
 to the next association, on the duty of pastors, deacons, and 
 members of churches; which .also they did. John Miles was 
 appointed to visit the churches of Olchon and Llanwenarth, as 
 Q^en as he could during the year, tO assist them, and to endea- 
 vor, to ascertain >vhether there were any among them that were 
 likely to be useful in the vrork of the ministry, and to form his 
 
 ' From ihe history, of the above churches, we find that each of them had 
 eeveral branches ; and that every minister wag both a, pastor and a mission- 
 aiy, within the bounds of his own church. The distance from Llanwenarth 
 to Cannarthen is about one hundred miles, and nearly as much from Olchon 
 to Swansea. 
 
188 
 
 HISTOEY -OP 
 
 judgment of the. gifts and qualifications of such as had com- 
 menced preaching; 
 
 The next association was held at Llantrisaint, in the same 
 year; when the subject of laying on of hands on the baptized, 
 fir^tcame under their consideration. The above named minis- 
 ters, and William Thomas also, were appointed to write on 
 the subject against the next association, to be held at the Hay, 
 within the hounds of the Olchon church. 
 
 We have not seen the account of that association, but soon 
 afterwards Messrs. Rider and Hopkins, who were great advo- 
 cates for it, were sent down from Glaziers' Hall church, Lon- 
 don, to Wales, and laid their hand's on some of the children of 
 Gomer, for the first time since the introduction of Christianity 
 into the Isle of Britain. By degrees, it became a universal 
 practice. Some years afterwards, the question was agitated 
 again in the churches of Maesyberllan and ; Ebenezer, and 
 finally settled by the association that it should not be a bar of 
 communion. 
 
 The associations were held afterwards in the following 
 places : ' 
 
 Year. 
 1650 
 1651 
 1653 
 1554 
 16.54 
 1655 
 16.06 
 1689 
 1690 
 
 1700 
 1701 
 1702 
 1703 
 1704 
 1705 
 1706 
 1707 
 1708 
 1709 
 1710 
 
 Places. 
 Swansea. 
 Carmarthen. 
 Fenni. 
 Aberafon. 
 Llantrisaint. 
 Gelli. 
 Brecon. 
 London.* 
 
 Do. 
 
 Places, 
 Llanwenarth 
 
 Do. 
 Swansea 
 Llanwenarth 
 Swansea 
 Llanwenarth 
 Swansea 
 Llanwenarth 
 RhydwiliRi 
 Maesyberllan 
 
 Year, 
 1691 
 1692 
 1693 
 1694 
 1695 
 1696 
 1697 
 1698 
 1699 
 
 Places. 
 London. 
 
 De. 
 Bristol. 
 
 Do, 
 
 Do." 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Taunton. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Ministers appointed to preach, 
 
 Richard Williams, 
 
 Philip James. 
 . Abel Morgan. 
 . Morgan Griffiths. 
 
 Nathan Davies or Caleb Evans^ 
 
 John Jenkins or Samuel Jones. 
 
 Minutes lost. 
 Do. 
 
 • This year the association published their ConfeesioR of Faith, which WM 
 adopted bgr the Philadelphia Baptist aasoeiation in 1743, 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 
 
 139 
 
 Year. 
 
 Place, 
 
 1711 
 
 llengoed 
 
 1712 
 
 Llanwenarth 
 
 1713 
 
 . Rhydwilim 
 
 1714 
 
 Swansea 
 
 1715 
 
 Blaenau 
 
 1716 
 
 Llanwenarth 
 
 1717 
 
 Blaenaa 
 
 1718- 
 
 Llanelli 
 
 1719 
 
 ■Rhydwilim 
 
 1720 
 
 Maesyberllan 
 
 1721 
 
 Coomb 
 
 1722 
 
 Hengoed 
 
 1723 
 
 Llanwenarth 
 
 1724 
 
 Blaenau ; 
 
 1725 
 
 Llanelli . - 
 
 .1726 
 
 Cilfowyr 
 
 1727' 
 
 . Swansea 
 
 1728 
 
 ilhydwilim'' 
 
 1729 
 
 Llanglophan. 
 
 1730 
 
 Hengoed 
 
 1731 
 
 Llanwenarth 
 
 1732 
 
 Blaenau 
 
 1733 
 
 Penjfay • 
 
 1734 
 
 Penygarn 
 
 1735 
 
 Llanelli 
 
 1736 
 
 Rhydwilim 
 
 1737 
 
 Newcastle 
 
 1738 
 
 Hengoed 
 
 1739 
 
 Llanwenarth 
 
 1740 
 
 Cilfowyr 
 
 1741 
 
 Blaenau / 
 
 1742 
 
 Llatiglophan 
 
 1743 
 
 Cilfowyr 
 
 1744 
 
 Penygarn 
 
 1745 
 
 Pentref 
 
 1746 
 
 Swansea 
 
 Ministers appointed to preach. 
 Minutes lost. 
 
 Do. 
 Nathan Davies. 
 
 John Jenkins or Nathan^ Davies. • 
 Morgan Griffiths or John Harris. 
 
 John Jenkins or John Harris. 
 John Harris or Enoch Francis. 
 Enoch Francis or W. Meredith. 
 David James or Nathan Davies. 
 
 ■ Nathan Davies or Samuel Jones. 
 Samuel Jones or W. Meredith. 
 Caleb Eyans. or William Philips. 
 •N. Davies or Morgaft Griffiths. 
 Morgap Jones or Enoch Francis. 
 Enpch Francis or John Philips. 
 John Jenkins or Caleb Evans. 
 
 Gififfith Jones or John Jenkins. 
 John Jenkins or Miles Harris. 
 Enoch Francis or Roger David- 
 Enoch Francis, Matt. 24:45/- 
 Bern'd Foskett, Bristolyl Tim. 4:7. 
 Rogerbavid, 1 Tim. 4:16. 
 Miles Harris, Rom. 10:15. 
 
 ■ Hugh Evans, Eph. 3:8. 
 Moi^an Griffiths, Acts 26:28. 
 "Thoma's Mathias,. Jer. 3:15. 
 Griffith Jones> 1 Cor. 4:1,2. 
 Hugh Evans, Phil. 4:8. 
 Morgan Harris, Job 33:23. 
 Hugh Evans, 2 Kings, 2:14; 
 David Owen, 1 Cor. 16:10. 
 
 • Bern'd Foskett, Bristol', 1 Thes. 1:5. 
 Griffith Davies or Htigh Evans. 
 Miles Harris, Jer. 1-5:19. 
 Evan Jenkins, 2 Tim. 2:19. 
 D.Tkomas,Cilfowyr,,lChron.29:.l. 
 Hugh Evans, Isaiah 62r6,7. 
 Thomas Edwards, 2 Tim. 2:15, 
 Evan Jenkins, Heb. 12:15. 
 Griffith Jones, 2 Chron. 15:7. 
 
190 
 
 Year. Place. 
 
 1747 Brfechfa 
 1748, Garth 
 
 1749 Llanelli 
 
 1750 Moleston 
 
 1751 
 1752 
 
 Hengoed 
 Aberduar 
 
 1753 
 
 Maesdorglwyd 
 
 1754 
 
 Rhydwilim 
 
 1755 
 
 Bethesda 
 
 1756 
 
 Llandyssil 
 
 1757 
 
 Llanwenarth 
 
 1758 
 
 Llanglophan 
 
 1759 
 
 Blaenau 
 
 1760 
 
 Cilfowyr 
 
 1761 
 
 Peptygarn 
 
 1762 
 
 Pentref 
 
 176S 
 
 Swansea 
 
 1764 
 
 Maesyberllan 
 
 1765 
 
 DoIqu 
 
 1766 
 
 Llanelli 
 
 1767 
 
 Moleston 
 
 nisTOKY or 
 
 Ministers appointed to preach. 
 Evan Jenkins, Jude 21. 
 Evan Thomas, John 21;i7. 
 Evan Jenkins, 1 Thes; 2:12. " 
 Griffith Jones, 1 Gor. 2:2. 
 Hugh Evans, 2 Cor. 5:20. • 
 G. Thomas, NeVccastle, 2 Cor. 5:11. 
 D. Thomas,. Cilfowyr, Matt. 22:4. . 
 Griffith Jones, 2 Cor. 13:2. 
 Evan Jenkins, Matt. 16.11. 
 John Thonijas, 2 Tim. 4:5. 
 Griffith Davis and Evan Jenkins- 
 Edmund Watkins, Mark 16:15. 
 CalebHarris, Col. 4:3,4. 
 D. Thomas, Cilfowyr, 1 Tim. 4:16. 
 Griffith Davies, Eph. 3:8. 
 Caleb Harris, 2 Tiisn. 2:25. 
 Miles Harris, 1 Cor. 15:34. . 
 
 • Richard Jones, 2 Tim.. 4:2. 
 Hugh Evans, 2 Tim. 2:1. 
 Miles'Harris, Revi 14:6,7i 
 Griffith Davis, Act's 5, 42. 
 T. Thomas, Aberdoar, 1 Cor. 9:16. 
 Hugh Evans. 
 T)avid Owen, Col. 4:17. 
 Hugh Evans, 1 Cor. 1:2S,24. 
 Evan Thomas, Luke 12:42. 
 Hugh Evans, Aets 4:24. 
 Edmund Watkinsi Lwke 14:23, . 
 Benjamin Francis, Tit. 2:14. 
 D. Thomas, Newcastle, Matt. 2 1 :42i 
 Hiigh Evans, Rom. 1:16. 
 John Williams, Col* 1:28. 
 Benjamin Francis, 1 Peter, 2:2. 
 D. Thomas, Rhydwilim, Ps. 51:13. 
 Hugh Evans, Eph. 4:12, 13. 
 Caleb Etohs, D, D., Phil. 2:1." 
 James Lewis,. 2 Tim. .2:15. . 
 
 • Hugh Evans, Hos. 14:5. 
 " George.Rees, 1 Peter, 5;2. 
 
 Benjamin Francis, Micah 2:7. 
 T. Thomas, Aberduar, Isa. 27:13. 
 Hugh Evans, Zech. 14:20. 
 Griffith Davies, Cot.' 1:28. 
 Caleb Evans, D. D., Col. 3:11. 
 
THE WBLSn BAPTISTS. 
 
 191 
 
 Year. 
 1768 
 
 Plaec. 
 Hengoed 
 
 1769 
 
 Aberduar 
 
 1770- 
 
 ;Cap^.yffin. 
 
 1771 
 
 Penyfay 
 
 1772 
 
 Rhydwilim 
 
 1773 
 
 Betbesda 
 
 1774 
 
 Ebenezer 
 
 1775 
 
 Brynbyga^ 
 
 1776 
 
 Panteg 
 
 1777 
 
 Caerleon 
 
 1778 
 
 Salem 
 
 1779 
 
 Glyn 
 
 1780 Lianwenarth 
 
 1781 Llanglophan 
 
 1782 Blaenau 
 
 1783 CilfoWyr - 
 
 1784 Pcnygarn 
 
 Ministers appointed to preach. 
 D. Thomas, Newcastle, 2 Cor. 4:5. 
 Sam. Stennett, D. D., Mat. 28:20. 
 D.Thomas, Rhydwilim, 2 Cor, 5:14. 
 Benjamin Francis, Rev. 3:19, 
 John Williams, Acts 6:22 23. 
 Hugh Evans, Mai. 2:15; 
 William Williams, 2 Cor. 5. 11. 
 Benjamin Francis, Psalm 126:6. 
 Griffith Davies, 2 Cor. 5:20. 
 Williarri Williams, Heb. 12:2. 
 John Williams, Matt. 22:4. , 
 Huo^ EVaiis, Zech.l:5. 
 Edmund Watkins, Acts 20,26,27. 
 Benjamin Francis, '1 Cor. 15:68. 
 William Williams, Hos. 7:9. 
 Hugh Evans, Heb. 12:22,.23. 
 -Thomas Hiller, Liuke 8:35. 
 John Thomas, Deut. 33:3. 
 Benjamin Francis, Phil. 1:27. 
 Joshua Thomas, Psalm 42:5. 
 George Rees, 1 Cor. 5:18. 
 Hugh Evans, Luke 12:43. < 
 Benjamin Francis, 1 Cor. 2:2. 
 Thomas Philips, Acts 15:16. 
 Benjamin Francis, Luke 10:2. 
 John Williams, John 1:1, 3. 
 S. Medley, Liverp'l, Zech. 9:16,17. 
 Stephen Davies, Matt; 16:24. 
 .George Rees, Acts 11:21. 
 Zecharias Thomas, Gal. 6:14. 
 Caleb Evans, ,D. D., 1 Tim. 1:15. 
 Benjamin Francis, 1 Thess. 2:13. 
 David Evans, Eph^ 1:23. 
 William Williams, Heb. 3:7, 8. 
 John Thomas, Jer. 3:23., 
 Benjamin Francis, Matt. 25:21. 
 George Rees, Zech. 3:4. 
 Benjamin Francis, Zech. 14:3. 
 Morgan Rees, 1 Pet. 2:4. 
 Miles Edwards, Psalm 23:5. 
 T. Thomas, Peckham.Rom. 5:11, 
 David Evans, GraigJ Zech. 9:9- 
 Caleb Evans, D. D., Ps. 119:129. 
 JohnHichard, Graig, Luke 2:10. 
 
192 
 
 Yeor, Place. 
 
 1785 Graig' 
 
 1786 Pentref 
 
 ,1787 Heol y Prior 
 
 1788 Llanerchymedd' 
 
 1789 Maeeyberlian 
 
 1790 Dolau 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 Minietersuppointed to preach. 
 
 H.DavieSjLlanglophan, Jobn 1:14. 
 
 Benjamin Morgan, Zeoh. 4:8. 
 
 Zechariah Thomas, Cant. 2:9. 
 
 DavidJones, 1 Tim. 1:10. 
 
 T. Thomas, Peckham, John 8:32. 
 
 Miles Edwards, Psalm 36:7. 
 
 H. Davies,LlanglophEin, Jer. 15:19. 
 
 Caleb "Evans, D. D., 1 Jolin 4:10. 
 
 Josh. Thomas, same text in Welsh. 
 
 Gfeorge Rees, 2 Cor. 5:4.'. 
 
 David Jones, Mai. 1:11. 
 ^ T.Thomas, Peckham, 1 John 2:3. 
 'Job Davis, Frome,- 2 Cor. 4r7. 
 
 T. Thomas, Aberduar, Isa. 53:10. 
 
 Morgan^Rees, Hab. 3:9. 
 
 D. Powell, Matt. 17:36. 
 
 Gabriel Rees; Luc. -24:26. 
 
 Benjamin Philips, Eccles. 3:3. 
 
 David Evans, Dolau, Rev. 1:20;' 
 
 B. Davies, Hwlffordd, John 3:19. 
 
 H. Davies, Llanglophan,Eph. 3:8. 
 
 David Evans, Cilfowyr, Ps. 149:2. 
 
 T. Thomas, Abcrduar, Is. 14:32. 
 
 Williarh Williams, Neh. 8:2. 
 
 Caleb Evans, D. D., Acts 15:9. • 
 
 George Rees, 1 Tim. 6:6. 
 
 Benjamin Francis, Rom. 6:15. 
 
 Edmund Watkins, Luke-14:22, 23. 
 
 Benjamin Francis, Phil. 3:16. 
 
 John Evans, Roe, 2 Cor; 4:7. 
 
 David Jones, Isaiah 40:7.. 
 
 Joshua. Thomas, Josh. 21:45. 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 193 
 
 SPECIMENS OF WELSH PREACHING. 
 
 Here it may not be improper to make a few preliminary 
 remarks. 
 
 The ministry of the gospel, through the instrumentality of 
 Welsh preachers, has produced a most wonderful effect, which 
 is visible in the ornament of evangelical knowledge, and the 
 beauty of that morality, that broidered garment of pore gold in 
 which- the Principality is clothed. Notwithstanding many of 
 her ministers go out to preach without any golden rings, and 
 precious diamonds on .their fingers, and even without the learn- 
 ing of Athens and Rome — the oratory of Demosthenes, the 
 chief orator of Greece, or of Cicero, the chief orator of Rome ; 
 yet, by the influence of the Holy Spirit of God inflaming their 
 gifts, and firing their zeal and love to Christ and the souls of 
 men, they have set the land of Cambria on fire. There is no 
 portion of the terrestrial globe, of its size and containing the' 
 same number of inhabitants, where the religion lof Christ has 
 been and now is so flourishing, and where it has had such an 
 universal effect, as the Principality of Wales— where the flow- 
 ers of rnorality decorate its hills and dales, and ungodly and 
 heathenish customs are flying away, like the demons of Gadara 
 before the Son of God in the days of his flesh. 
 
 However excellent the written sermons pf Welsh ministers 
 might appear in any language whatever, the effect is nothing, 
 comparatively, to that produced by the living speakers. Their 
 superiority as preachers may be ascribed, measurably, to their 
 pathetic,, warm, and masterly manner of delivery, and their 
 prepossessing appearance and compass of voice, which enables 
 them to command the attention of thousands. iWuch of the 
 original force and beauty of their sermons, therefore, are lost 
 in translating. 
 
 The Fall of Man, and his Recovery by Christ. 
 
 At a meeting of ministers in Bristol, the Rev. Mr. invited 
 
 several of his brethren to sup with him. Among them was the 
 minister officiating at the Welsh meeting-bouse in that city. He 
 was an entire stranger to all the company, and silently attentive 
 to the general conversation of his brethren. The subject on 
 17 
 
194 HISTORY OF 
 
 ■which they were (discoursing was th<f different strains of public 
 preaching. When several had given their opinion, and had 
 mentioned some individuals as good preachers, and such as were 
 
 models as to style of composition, &c. Mr. turnedto the 
 
 Welsh stranger, and solicited his opinion. He said he felt it a 
 privilege to be silent, when such men were discoursing, but that 
 he felt it a duty to comply with his request. " But," said he, 
 " if I must give my opinion, 1 should say that ye have no good 
 preachers in England. A Welshman would set fire to the 
 world while you were lighting your match." The whole com- 
 pany requested the good man to give them some specimen of 
 the style and manner of preaching in Wales. " Specimen," 
 said he, "I cannot give you. If John Elias were here, he would 
 give you a specimen indeed. I cannot do justice to the Welsh 
 language! Your poor, meagre language would spoil it; it is 
 not capable of expressing those fdeasi. which a Welshman 
 can conceive; I. cannot give you a specimen in English with- 
 out spoiling it." The interest of the compEyny was increased, 
 and nothing would do but something of a specimen. " Well,'' 
 said the Welshman, " if you must haVe a piece, I must try, but 
 I don't know what to give you-7-1 recollect a piece of Christmas 
 Evans. He was preaching on the depravity of man by sin-^ 
 of his recovery by the death of Christ, and he said — ' Brethren, 
 if I were to represent to you, in a figure, the condition of man 
 as a sinner, and the means of recovery by the cross of Jesus 
 Christ, I should represent it something in this way : i^nppose a 
 large grave-yard, surrounded by a high wall, with only one 
 entrance, which is by a large iron gate, which is fast bolted. 
 Within these walls are thousands and tens of thousands of hu- 
 man beings, of ail ages and classes, by one epidemic disease 
 bending to the grave — the grave yawns to swallow them, and 
 they must all die. There is no balm to relieve them— ^no phy- 
 sicisin' there — they must perish. This is the condition of man 
 as a sinner. All have sinned, and the soul that sinneth shall 
 die. While man was in this deplorable state, Mercy came 
 down and stood at the gate, looked at the scene and wept over 
 it, exclaiming, " Oh that I might enter, I would bind up their 
 wounds, I would relieve their sorrows, I would save their Souls." 
 While Mercy stood weeping at the gate, an embassy of angels, 
 commissioned from the court of Heaven to some other world, 
 paused at the sight, and Heaven fbrgave that pause ; and, see- 
 ing Mercy standing there, they cried, " Mercy, Mercy, can you 
 not enter? Can you look upon that scene and not pity? Can 
 you pity and not relieve?" Mercy replied, " I can see;" and 
 in her tears she added, " I can pity, but I cannot relieve." '■ 
 
TUE WELSH BAPTISTS. 195 
 
 " Why can you not enter ?" " Oh," said Mercy, " Justice has 
 barred the gate against me, and I 'cannot, must not, unbar it." 
 At this moment Justice himself appeared, as it were to watch 
 the gate. The angels inquired of him, " Why will you not let 
 Mercy in?" Justice replied, " My law is broken, and it must 
 be honQred-^die they, or Jesus must !" At (his, there appeared 
 a form among the angelic band like unto the Son of God, who, 
 addressing himself to Justice, said, " What are thy demands?" 
 Justice replied, " My terms are stern and rigid: I must have 
 sickness ior their health — I must have ignominy for their ho- 
 nor — I must have death for their life^— PFiiAowi shedding of 
 blood there is no remission." " Justice," said the Son of God, 
 " I accept thy terms. On me be this wrong, and let Mercy 
 enter." "When," said Justice, " will you perform this pro- 
 mise?" Jesus replied, " Four thousand years hence, upon the 
 hill of Calvary, "without the' gates of Jerusalem, I will perform, 
 it in my own person." The deed was prepared, and signed in ' 
 the presence of the angels of God. Justice was satisfied, and 
 Mercy entered, preaching salvation in the name of Jesus'. The 
 deed was committed to the patriarchs, by them to the kings of 
 Israel and the prOphets — by them it was preserved until Da- 
 niel's seventy weeks were accomplished — then, at the appointed 
 time, Justice appeared on the hill of Calvary, and Mercy pre- 
 sented to him the important deed. " Where," said Justice, " is 
 the Son of God ?" Mercy answered, " Behold him at the bot- 
 tom of the hill, bearing his cross" — and then she departed, and 
 stood aloof at the hour of trial. Jesus ascended the hill, while 
 in his own traiii followed his weeping church. Justice imme- 
 diately presented him with the deed, saying, " This is the day 
 when this bond is to be executed." ' When he received it-, did 
 he tear it in pieces, and give it to the winds of heaven? No ; 
 he nailed it to his cross, exclaiming, " It is-finished." Justice 
 called' on holy fire to Come down and consume the sacrifice. 
 Holy fire descended — it swallowed his Hanianity, but when it 
 touched his Deity it expired! — and4:here was darkness over the 
 whole ■ heavens— ^but glory to^God in the highest, on earth, 
 peace and good-will to jwen.' 
 
 " This,'^ said the Welshman — " this is but a specimen of 
 Christmas Evans." 
 
 The Victory of Calvary — By the same. 
 
 After the prophets of ancient times had long gazed through 
 the mists of futurity, at the sufferings of Christ, and the glory 
 that should follow, a company of them were gathered together 
 
196 HISTOEY OF 
 
 on the summit of Calvary. They saw a host of enemies ascend- 
 ing the hill, arrayed for battle, and most terrific in their aspect. 
 In the middle of the line was the Law of God, fiery and exceed- 
 ing broad, and working wrath. On the right wing, was Beel- 
 zebub with his troops of infernals ; and on the left, CaiaphaS 
 with his Jewish priests, and Pilate with his Roman soldiers. The 
 rear was brought up by Death, the last enemy. When the holy 
 seers had espied this army, and perceived that it was drawing 
 nigh, they started back, and, prepared for flight. As they looked 
 round', they saw the Son of God, advancing with intrepid step, 
 having his face fixedupon the hostile band. " Seest thou the 
 danger that is before thee," said one of the men of God. " I 
 will tread them in mine anger," he replied, " and trample them 
 in my fury." " Who art thou?" said the prophet. He an- 
 swered : '• I that speak in righteoiisness, mighty to save." 
 " Wilt thou venture to the battle atone?" asked the seer. The 
 Son of God replied : " I looked, and there was none to help ? 
 aiid I wondered there was none to uphold; therefore mine own 
 arm shall bring salvation unto me; and my fury it shall uphold 
 me." At what point wilt thou commence thy attack?" inquired 
 the anxious prophet. ','1 will first meet the Law,", he-replied, 
 " and pass under its curse: for lo! I come to do thy will, O' 
 God." " When I shall have succeeded at the centre of the 
 line, the colors will turn in my favor." So saying, he moved 
 forward. Instantly the thunderings of Sinai were heard, and 
 the whole band of prophets quaked with terror.- But he advanced, 
 undaunted, amidst the gleaming lightnings. For a moment he 
 was concealed from view ; and the banner of wrath waved 
 above in apparent triumph. Suddenly the scene was changed. 
 A stream of blood poured forth from, his wounded side, and put 
 out all the fires of Sinai.' The flag of peace was now seen un- 
 furled, and consternation filled the ranks of his foes. He then 
 crushed, with his bruised heel, the Old Serpent's head ; and put 
 all the infernal powers to flight, With his iron rod he dashed 
 to pieces the enemies on Ihe left wing, like a potter's vessel. 
 Death still remained, who thoughKhimself invincible, having 
 hitherto triumphed over all. He came- forward, brandishing 
 his sting, which he had whetted on Sinai's tables, of stone. He 
 darted it at the conqueror, but. it turned down, and hung like 
 the flexile l^sh of a whip. Dismayed, he retreated to the grave, 
 his palace, into which the conqueror pursued. In a dark cor- 
 ner of his den, he sat on his throne of mouldering skulls, and 
 called upon the worms, his hitherto faithful allies, to aid him in 
 the conflict ; but they replied, " His flesh shall see no corrup- 
 tioij." The sceptre fell from his hand. The conqueror seized 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 197 
 
 him, bound him, and condemned him -to the lake of fire; and 
 then rose from the grave, foUowfed by a band of released cap- 
 tives, who came forth, aftdr his resurrection, to be witnesses of 
 the victory he had won. " ■ 
 
 The Demoniac ofGada^a. 
 
 The writer heard the following, at an. association held in the 
 county of Carmarthen, in 1817. It has been considered one 
 of the weakest -efforts of Christmas Evans, He said it was his 
 desire to arouse the^attention of the congregation, which had 
 not becn-excited during the whole meeting, though many excel- 
 lent germons had been delivered. It indicates thorough know- 
 ledge, of human nature, and great power in drawing pictures of 
 -real life for practical purposes. The eifect produced was asto- 
 nishing. His pictures would instruct, and sonietimeg amuse, 
 but his applications would shock the congregation like electri- 
 city. Wc are sorry that our limits vvill not allow us to publish 
 the whole sermon. 
 
 ■" And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the 
 city a certain man, which had devils a long time, and wear no. 
 clothes, neither abode in any house but in the tombs." 
 
 I imagine that this Demoniac was not only an object of pity, 
 but he was really a terror in the country, so terrific was his 
 appearance, so dreadful apd hideous his screams, so formidar 
 ble, frightful, and horrid, his -mid career, that , all the women 
 in that region were so mucb alarmed that none of them durst 
 go to market. 
 
 And what made him .still more terrible was the place of his 
 abode: It was not in a city, where some attention might be 
 paid to order and decorum — (though he would sometimes ram-. 
 ble info the city, as in this case). It was not in a town, or 
 village, or any house whatever,. where assistance might be ob- 
 tained in case of necessity; but it was among the tombs, and 
 in the wilderness — not far, however, from the turnpike, road. 
 No one could tell but that he might jump at them, like a pan- 
 ther, and scare them, to death. The gloominess of the place 
 made it more awful and solemn. It was among the tombs; 
 t— where, in the opiriion of some, all witches, corpse-candles, 
 and hobgoblins abide, 
 
 One day, however, Mary was determined that no such 
 
 nuisance should be suffered in the country of the Gadarenes, 
 
 The man must be clothed, though he was mad and crazy, 
 
 And if he should at any future time strip himself, tie up hi* 
 
 ■ ' ■ 17* 
 
198 nisTOETf OP 
 
 clothes in a bundle, throw them into the river, and tell Ihem 
 to go to sea, Abraham,-he mdst be- tied and taken care of. 
 Well, this was all right— no sooner said than done. But, so_ 
 soon as the fellow was bound with chains and fetters, Samson- 
 like;, he -broke the bands asunder, and could not be famed. 
 
 -By this time, the devil became offended with the Gadarenes, 
 and in a pout he toolc the Demoniac away, and drove him into 
 the wilderness. - He thought the Gadarenes had no business to 
 interfere and meddle with his property ; for he had possession 
 of them'an. And he knew, that. " a bird- in the hand is worth 
 two-in the bush." It is probable that he wanted to send him 
 home; for there was no knowing what might happen now-as- 
 days. But there was too much matter about him tosend him- 
 as he was; therefore, he thought the best plan would be to' 
 persuade him to commit suicide by cutting his throat. -But 
 here Satan vyas at -a nonplus — his-rope was too short^he could 
 not turn executioner himself, as that would not have answered 
 the design he has in view, when he wants people to commit 
 suicide; for the act would hav^ been his own sin, and 'not the 
 man's. The poor Demoniac, therefore, must go about to hunt 
 a sharp stone, or any thing that he could get. He might 
 have been in search of Such an article, when he returned from, 
 the wilderness into the city whence he came, when he met th^ 
 Son Of God. 
 
 " Jesus commanded the undean spirit to come out of the 
 man. And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell- down 
 before him, and with a loud voice said. What have. I to do with 
 thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high ? I beseech thee, tor- 
 ment me not." Here is the devil's confession of faith. The 
 devils believe apd tremble, while men make a mock of sin, and 
 sport on the brink of eternal ruin. To many of the human 
 race, Christ appears as a root out of dry ground. They see in 
 him neither forni nor comeliness, and there is no beau|y in Tiirii 
 that they should desire him. Some said he was the carpenter's 
 son, and would not believe in him; others said' he-had a davil, 
 and that it was through Beelzebub the chief of the devils, that 
 he cast out devUs ; some cried out, Let him be crucified — let 
 him be crucified; and others said,. Let his blood be on us and 
 on our children. As the Jews would not have him to reign 
 over them; so many, who call themselves Christians, say that 
 he is a mere man : as such, he has no right to rule over their 
 consciences, and demand their obedience, adoration, and praise. 
 But Diabolus knows better — Jesus is the Son of God most 
 high, 
 
TIIB WBLSli BAPTISTS. 199 
 
 Many of the children af the devil, whose works they, do, dif. 
 fer very widely from their father in seiltiments respecting the 
 person of Christ. " , . 
 
 Jesus commanded the legion of unclean spirits to come out 
 of the man. They knew that out they -must go. But they 
 were lilie Scotchmen — very unwilling to return to their own 
 country. They would rather go into hogs' skins than to their 
 own country. And he suffered them to go into the herd of 
 swine. "Methinics tjiatone'of the men who'fed the hogs, kept 
 a better look out than the rest of them, and said, " What ail 
 the*Kbgs ? Look sharp there, bo~ys — keep them in— r-fiiake good 
 use of your whips. Why .don't you run? Why, I declare, 
 one of them is gone, over the cliff! There, goes another I 
 Drive them back," • Never was there such running, and whip- 
 ping, 'and *hallooing; but down 'go the hogs, before they were 
 aware of it. ' One of them said, '"They are all gone 1" " No, 
 sure, not all gone- into the sea!" - " Yes, every one of them — i 
 the- black hog and all! They are all drowned !^the devil ia 
 in them! Wliat shall we do now.? — :what can we say to the 
 owners?" ^e What can we say?" said another. "We must 
 tell the truth — rthat-is all about it. We did* our best — all that 
 was in our power, What could any man do rhore?" 
 
 So they went tteir way to the city, to, tell the masters what 
 had happened, " John, where are you going?" exclaimed one 
 of the masters, '^ Sir, did you know the Demoniac that was 
 among the tombs there?" "Demoniac among the tombs!— rr. 
 
 Where did, you leave the hogs ?" " That'madman, sir " 
 
 ^"Madmari! — :Why do you come home without the hogs?" 
 "That wild and "furious man, sir, that mistress was afraid of 
 
 so much ■" " Why, John, I ask you a plain and simple 
 
 question — why don't you answer nae ?-.-Where,are the hogs?" 
 *' That ' man who was possessed with the devils, sir ' ■" 
 " Why, sure enough, you are crazy ! — you look wild ! — tell ma 
 your story, if you can, let it be what it may." " .lesus Christ, 
 sir, has cast out the unclean spirits out of the Demoniab; they 
 are gbne into the swine; and they are all drowned in the 
 sea ;.for,I saw the tciil of the last one !" The Gadarenes went 
 out to see what was done ; and finding that it was even so, 
 they were .afraid, and besought Jesus to depart from theml 
 
 How awful must be* -the. state and.condition- of those men, 
 who love the things of this world more than Jesus Christ!" 
 
 The man out of whom the unclean spirits were cast, be- 
 sought Jesus that he might be wi*h him. But he told him to 
 return to his own house, and show how great things God hacl 
 done unto him, Arid he- went his way and, published througl^s 
 
200 HISTORY or 
 
 out the whole city of Decapolis, how great things Jesus had 
 done uiito him. The act of Jesus casting so many' devils out 
 of him, was sufScient to persuade him that Jesus was God as 
 well as man. 
 
 I imagine I see him going through the city, crying — " O yfes! 
 O yes! O yes! — Please to take notice of-rhe, the Demoniac 
 among the tombs. I aln the man who was a terror to the, 
 citizens of this place— that wild man, who would, wear no 
 clothes, and that no man could bind. Here am I, how, in my 
 right mind. Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners, had compas- 
 sion on me. He remembered me, when I was in my low ^s-* 
 tate — when there was no eye to. pity, and no hand to save. 
 He cast out the devils, and redeemed my soul from destruction." 
 
 Most wonderful must, have been the surprise, of the people, 
 to hear such pi'oclamation. . The" ladies running to the win- 
 dows — the shoemakers, throVing their lasts one -way and their 
 awls another, running out to meet liim and to converse with 
 him, that they might 'be positive there was no imposition ; and 
 found it to be a fact that could not be contradicted. O, the 
 wonder of air wonders ! — Never was there such a thing! — 
 must, I think, he the general conversation.- 
 
 And while they were talking, and every body having' some- 
 thing to say, homeward goes the man. As soon as -he came 
 in sight of the house, I imagitie I see one of the children run- 
 ning in, and crying, " O, mother! Father is coming— :he will 
 kill us all!" "Children, come all into the house," said the 
 mother. " Let us fasten the doors. I think there is no sor- 
 row like rny sorrow !" said the biTok^n-hearted woman. "Are 
 all the windows fastened, children." " Yes, mother." "Mary, 
 my dear,. come from the window — don't be standing there." 
 "Why, mother, I can hardly believe it is father! That man is 
 well-dressed." " O yes, my dear, children, it is your own 
 father. I knew him, by his, walk, the moment I saw him." 
 Another child, stepping to the window, said, " Why, mother, I 
 never saw father coming home as hfe does to-day. He walks 
 on the foot-path, and turps round the corner of the fence. He 
 used to cOiT>e towards the house, as straight as a line, over 
 fences, ditchesj and hedges ; and I never saw him walking as 
 slow as he does now." 
 
 In a few moments, however, he arrives at the- door of the 
 house, to the great terror and consternation of all the inmates. 
 He gently tries the door, and finds no admittance. He pausea 
 a moment, steps towards the window, and says, in a low, firm, 
 and melodious voice — " My dear wife, if you will let me in, 
 there is no danger, I will not hurt you. I bring you gla^ 
 
THE WELSH BAPTISTS. 201 
 
 tidings of great joy." The door was reluctantly opened, as it 
 were between joy and fear. Having deliberately seated him- 
 self, he said : " I ani come to show you what great things God 
 has done for me. He loved me witb an eternal love. He 
 redeemed me from the curse of the law, and the threatenings- 
 of vindictive justice. He saved me from the power and thedo- 
 minion of sin. He cast out the devils out.of my heart, and 
 made that heart which was a den of thieves,, the temple of the 
 Holy Spirit. I cannot tell you how much I love the Savior. 
 Jesus Christ is the foundation of my hope, the object of my 
 
 ("faith, and the centre of my affections. I can venture my im- 
 mortal soul upon him. He is my best friend. He is altoge- 
 ther lovely — the. chief among ten thousand. He is my wis- 
 dorn, righteousness,- sanctification, and redemption. There ig, 
 enough in him to make a poor sinner rich, and a miserable 
 sinner, happy. His flesh and blood is my food — hjs right- 
 eousness, my wedding-garment — and his bl'ood is efficacious to 
 cleanse me from all my sins. Through him I can obtain eter- 
 nal life^ for he is the brightness of the Father's glory, and the 
 express. image of his person — ^in whom dwelleth all the fullness 
 of the Godhead bodily. He deserves my highest esteem, and 
 my warmest gratitude.. Unto him who loved me with an eter- 
 nal love, and washed^me in his own blood — unto him be the 
 glory, dominion, and power, for ever and- ever ! For he has 
 rescued my soul from hell. He plucked me as a brand out of 
 the burning. He took me out of the miry clay, and out of a 
 horrible pit. He set my feet upon a rock, and established, my 
 goings, and put in my mouth a new song of praise and glory 
 to him ! Glory to him for ever !■ — Glory to God in the highest ! 
 —Glory to God, for ever and ever! Let the whole earth 
 praise him l^-Yea, let all the people praise him." 
 
 It is beyond the power of the strongest imagination to con- 
 ceive the joy and gladness of this family. The joy of sea- 
 faring men delivered from, being shipwrecked — the joy of a man 
 deliveredfrom a burning house — the joy of not being found guilty 
 ■to a criminal at the bar-— the joy of receiving, pardon- to a con- 
 
 ■'demned malefactor — the joy of freedom to a prisoner of war, — 
 is nothing in comparison to the joy of him who ia delivered from 
 going down to 'the pit 'of eternal destruction. For it is a joy 
 unspeakable and full of glory. i 
 
 In speaking from these words — ■ . 
 
 I. We' Would notice Christ's mission into the world to destroy 
 the works of the devil. 
 
202 HISTORY OP 
 
 II. His qualifications for that impo5tant work : He is :both 
 God and man — the Son of God most high. 
 
 III. The awflil state and condition of those people, who love 
 the things of the world more than Jesus Christ — who join tha 
 Gadarenes in saying unto Christ, Depart from us. 
 
 According to the best information we can obtain, there are 
 at present in Wales, 250 Baptist meeting-houses, and about as 
 many other stated preaching places, for lectures oh Sunday and 
 weekday evenings, which are regularly supplied with the preach- 
 ing of the gospel by Baptist ministers, not once a month, but 
 every week, and in some places, three or four times a week, be- 
 sides Lord's-days. This is owingj not only to the number, but 
 also to the diligence of the Welsh preachers, and to a plan 
 which is there adopted to defray their travelling expenses, as 
 well as an acknowledgment of gratitude from the churches for 
 their labors of love. Although the Welsh churches do not give 
 much to their ministers, yet an instance has never occurred of 
 their letting a regular minister, in good standing, go from them 
 without giving him something. 
 
 The travelling preachers receive a stated sum for each ser- 
 mon, so that a man of strong constitution, who can preach 
 twice every day, as Christmas Evans, John Elias, and others 
 do, would receive a considerable amount for his services. . For 
 this purpose thechurches have a fund, or treasury, into which 
 the people cast their contributions, so .that no collection is made 
 when the minister is present. The whole Qumber of Baptist 
 commnnicants in Wales, is abbut 35,000. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 The origin of the Welsh people, 5 
 
 The Romans' Invasion of Britain, , 6 
 
 The Introduction of Christianity into Britain, , . ... . 7 
 
 Faganus and Domicanus preaching in Britain, 7 
 
 King Iiucilis embracing Christianity, .1 8 
 
 Pagan Persecution, 8 
 
 'Alban, Aaron, and Julian, suffered martyrdom, . . . , . 9 
 
 Conslantihe embracing Christianity, 10 
 
 The Saxons driving the Welsh from England into Wales, . . .11 
 
 Welsh Ministers, 12 
 
 Austin's Debate on Baptism, '. 14 
 
 Baptist principles maintained by the Welsh, from the year 68 tp the pre' 
 
 sent time, . ^ ......... , 14 
 
 The Baptists in the Yale of Carleon,, . . . . . . .18 
 
 The difference between €ae ancient Baptists, and tb« Baptists who de- 
 scended from the Church of Rome and the Episcopal Oiurcfa, . 19 
 
 The Baptists in the Vale of Olchon, . 19 
 
 The Refornnation, . . .... . ..... 22 
 
 Biography of Walter Brute and others, 22 
 
 Welsh Baptist Ministers, 22 
 
 History of Welsh Churches, 82 
 
 Llantrieaiiit Church, 85 
 
 Dolau, 8S 
 
 Swansea, 89 
 
 Llanbryn-mair, -91 
 
 Wrexham, .....; 93 
 
 Llanwenarth, 96 
 
 Hengoed, > ... 101 
 
 Rliydwilim. , ■ • ^^"^ 
 
 Eehoboth 113 
 
 Blaenau, 113 
 
 Maesyberllan, . 120 
 
 Glascwn, 122 
 
 Cilfowyr, 122 
 
 Penyfay, 135 
 
 Newbridge, 136 
 
 Moleston, . • • • ■ • • • 1*3 
 
 Llanelly, 1*4 
 
 Aberduar, ... i ...■•••. 145 
 
 .ilk, . . ' ,.,^: . . . • _ 149 
 
 'Llanglophan, . "' .' l^** 
 
204 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page- 
 Bethesda, - . . y ...... . 151 
 
 Craigfergoed, - .......... 152 
 
 Glyneeitiog, ■■. . - - *^ . 153 
 
 Ebenezer, . . . . . ~ . ... 154 
 
 Pri^"s?rl;t, jCannartheh. . .157 
 
 Recapitulation, ..... ..'.. 159 
 
 Welsh Associations, ..>. . ....187 
 
 Specimensof Welsh preaching, . . .' . . . . 193 
 
 Meeting-bouses, &c., in Wales, '' . , . . . . %(Si