Penllwyn (1858-1859)



David Morgan returned to the village on the 23rd December 1858. His preaching was eminently used to the eternal benefit of many and the revival fire, thus kindled, blazed in the locality for several weeks. 

From, 'When He is come', by Eiffion Evans, page 63.

A few months after the commencement of the revival in Cardiganshire, the Rev. T. Edwards, of Penllwyn, thus writes:—" Many of the ministers of this county have re­ceived a new spirit, and prosecute their work with fresh vigour. It is clear that God works through them in a marvellous manner. Indeed, all the ministers and elders, and other good people have become more serious and earnest than usual. The feelings and general demeanour of the inhabitants of the county change rapidly. Religion and the present revival is the subject of conversation amongst all classes, and it produces a great impression upon them. At the same time, we have our fears lest the work should prove superficial, and that we are bringing men into the visible Church of Christ who have not been convinced of sin, and converted by the Spirit of God. Most of us, however, have lost these fears, and we cannot avoid coming to the conclusion that God is at work, saving the souls of men. We see that something awfully strong takes hold of the minds of the people. Some, after they are deeply wounded under the ministry, attempt to go away. We have seen numbers with weeping eyes leaving the house of God, but unable to go further than the door; they feel compelled to return again, and offer themselves as candidates for admission into the Church. In some cases entire families have done this. You might see, at the close of the public service, twenty or thirty of the worst charac­ters remaining behind, to be spoken to and prayed for. They appear as if they had been shot by the truth. They are as easily managed as lambs. Some who had persecuted the revival have been led to cry, ‘What must we do to be saved?' We have known persons who, having entered the chapel to scoff, remain to pray. Not far from this place, a young man, about fifteen years of age, and belonging to an irreligious family, after he was converted introduced domestic worship. His father and brother-in-law were inclined to ridicule; they told him he would require a new prayer each time, and that he must not use the same prayer more than once. By the following Sunday evening the two were arrested by the power of God's word, to the great joy of the youth.

 

"The additions to the churches in a very short period have been incredibly numerous. Now, at the end of Feb­ruary (1859,) we could name more than twenty churches, each of which has received an addition of one hundred members, and several have received more than two hundred each. In many neighbourhoods, very few persons remain who have not made a profession of religion. There are considerable additions to the parish churches, (where the ministers have church meetings or societies,) and to the Independents, Baptists, and Wesleyans. About three thousand have been added to the Calvinistic Methodists alone. The fire is spreading still."

From ‘The Welsh Revival’ by Thomas Phillips.

 

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