Cwm Camlais (1859)



Cwmcamlais is a small secluded place between the mountains, about six miles from Brecon. The adult population of the valley does not exceed one hundred and fifty. The Congregational church, which is the only religious society in the district, consisted of forty members. Some of them are very old and have adorned their religious pro­fession for more than sixty years. These aged Christians have, for a long time, been longing and praying for a gracious visit from the Lord previous to their departure, and on the 11th of this month (December) their prayers were answered. A most powerful and irresistible influence was felt by the whole congregation. Since that day, from twenty to thirty have joined the church, and the earnest expectation and prayers of all the friends of religion are, that the Lord will continue to pour down His Holy Spirit until every soul in the valley is brought to the Saviour." Mr Stephens, the minister, in a letter received from him this week, says:­" The Lord has graciously visited the small church at Cwmcamlais. The old members are quite overcome with joy, and the hearers flock into the church. Above twenty have been united to us this week. Come to see us, and give us two or three sermons. It does not matter what day you come—the Sabbath, or a week-day—for every day is a. Sabbath with us now. The people cannot think of doing anything but feed their cattle, and attend the prayer- meetings."

At the close of last year the Rev. T. Rees writes:­" Many of the students in the Independent College at Brecon are full of the revival fire, and their Sabbath visits to the neighbouring churches are eminently blessed. Many churches in Brecknockshire are now experiencing the powers of the world to come, to a greater degree than they ever did before. The ancient Congregational church at Llangattock, near Crickhowell, after a long and dreary winter, is now beginning to enjoy times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.' Several congregations in the neighbourhood of Builth have had their numbers doubled within the last few weeks. Cwmcamlais is a small secluded place between the mountains, about six miles from Brecon. The adult population of the valley does not exceed one hundred and fifty. The Congregational church, which is the only religious society in the district, consisted of forty members. Some of them are very old and have adorned their religious pro­fession for more than sixty years. These aged Christians have, for a long time, been longing and praying for a gracious visit from the Lord previous to their departure, and on the 11th of this month (December) their prayers were answered. A most powerful and irresistible influence was felt by the whole congregation. Since that day, from twenty to thirty have joined the church, and the earnest expectation and prayers of all the friends of religion are, that the Lord will continue to pour down His Holy Spirit until every soul in the valley is brought to the Saviour." Mr Stephens, the minister, in a letter received from him this week, says:­" The Lord has graciously visited the small church at Cwmcamlais. The old members are quite overcome with joy, and the hearers flock into the church. Above twenty have been united to us this week. Come to see us, and give us two or three sermons. It does not matter what day you come—the Sabbath, or a week-day—for every day is a. Sabbath with us now. The people cannot think of doing anything but feed their cattle, and attend the prayer- meetings."

From ‘The Welsh Revival’ by Thomas Phillips.

Additional Information

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