WALES.-Cardigan.-The state of religion having been at an ebb in this neighbourhood for some time back, the pastors of the different churches thought it their duty to use means for its revival. At a Quarterly Meeting held at Ebenezer, Pembrokeshire, January 28, 29, they unanimously agreed to appoint Lord's-day, February 16th, to hold prayer meetings, in lieu of preaching, to supplicate the God of all grace to visit the Churches through his Spirit. Accordingly, a prayer meeting was held at Cardigan on that day four times: and the Church finding that their anticipations were realized in some measure, resolved to hold them every evening through the week. The spirit of prayer and the congregation increasing, the meetings were prolonged for ·three weeks. Prayer was not offered in vain: God was pleased to answer them beyond our expectations; forty-two appeared to register themselves on the Lord's side; witnessing that they had given themselves first to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. Five sailors were among the number. On the 23rd of February one man was baptized here in the river Twy; and on the 23rd of March, in the same place, fourteen more, seven men and seven women, in the presence of a large assembly, by Mr D. Rees, the minister. We may now exclaim, What hath God wrought?
P. S.-Since I wrote to you last, thirteen were baptized at Cardigan, on the 20th of April, and thirty-seven at Blaenywaun, on the 27th of April.
From, "The Baptist Reporter," June 1845, page 213.
CARDIGAN, May 20.- On my arrival here, on Saturday evening last, to plead the case of the Bible Translation Society, I found Brother Rees ready to give me a hearty reception to his house and pulpit. The services of the Lord's-day were, to me, very interesting, though, from my ignorance of the Welsh language, I was not able to enter fully into them. I have thought that an account of them would perhaps be interesting to yourself, and pleasing to the readers of the Reporter - on the Lord's day morning at eight o'clock, the friends met in the chapel and united in prayer to God. After this, we walked to the riverside, where Brother Rees preached from those words, "What is truth?" After the sermon, seven persons were baptized in the river. The greatest attention and order were observed during the whole service. From the riverside we returned to the chapel, where I preached a short sermon, which Brother Rees afterwards translated into the Welsh. The ordinance of the Lord's supper was then administered, to nearly 400 members, and the newly-baptized admitted into full communion. During the last three or four months, Brother Rees has baptized thirty-six persons. For some years previously but few had been added to the church in this town, or to other churches in the neighbourhood. An enquiry was proposed at one of the monthly meetings of the ministers, as to what could be done to revive the churches; when it was concluded to give up preaching for one Lord's-day and devote the whole day to meetings for prayer and supplication; and also meet for prayer every evening of the week. After a week's prayer meetings, it was proposed to continue them another week. They were continued the second week - also the third week. It is hoped that the prayers which were offered up during these meetings, were answered, The churches have been revived, and many additions have been made to them. If our churches in general were occasionally to adopt a similar course, would it not be acceptable to God, honouring to the Holy Spirit, salutary to the churches, and production of good to the soμls of men? But it must be done without show or parade, under a deep sense of our unworthiness, and In humble dependence upon the promised presence, aid, and blessing of the Holy Spirit. I suggest the idea; and is it not worthy of consideration?
Yours in the gospel,
MANOAH KENT,
From, "The Baptist Reporter," July 1845, page 250.
May 18, nine persons were immersed in this place by Brother David Rees, overseer of the congregation, in the presence of a large congress convened on the occasion. He addressed the spectators on the practical uses of Christian baptism with precision and good effect.
From, "The Baptist Reporter," August 1845, page 283.