The disappointment caused at Cardiff at the non-appearance of Mr Evan Roberts was not more profound than the surprise enjoyed at Nantymoel by the news, which was telegraphed on Tuesday night that Mr Roberts was coming here today. The notice to arrange a series of meetings was, of course, a very brief one, but where expectation had prevailed so strongly, and in a place which has become to some extent associated with the revival by the intense earnestness and activity of one of the group of evangelists who stated out with Mr Roberts in November, very little notice was necessary, and, in all probability, the only people who did not know of the visit were those who had gone to work early in the morning, before the newspapers arrived announcing the change in the arrangements. The crowds which gathered were enormous, considering the population of the district. Dinam Chapel, outside and inside, presented an extraordinary sight in the evening, the aisles, lobby and every possible spaces being occupied, and outside there were people trying to get some of the “fire” through the open windows. For the first hour or so the proceedings went on with a swing, which betokened seal and the sympathetic throb of a praying congregation. There was, as might have been expected, a considerable element of curiosity. With strangers who arrived from Cardiff and elsewhere there was a rush for lodging accommodation. Scottish, English, French, and North Wales ministers and laymen were numerous, so that there was ample opportunity afforded for the display of Welsh hospitality, and it was freely offered and accepted. When the evangelist arrived in chapel, about seven pm, the congregation were singing “Duw mawr y rhyfeddodau maith,” and when this had been repeated several times with considerable spirit by the congregation, who sang almost like a trained choir, Evan Roberts stopped the singing, and remarked that they were singing very well, but everyone present could not really sing “Pa Dduw sy’n maddeu fel Tydi?” (“Who is a pardoning God like Thee?”), because they had not had their sins pardoned. There was someone present on the brink of asking for pardon, and the best plan would be to give that soul an opportunity immediately. He added, “There is a sister ready to come now,” and he asked all who had accepted Christ and had their sin forgiven to rise to their feet. There was a prompt response by the great majority of the congregation. Mr Roberts urged members of Churches to speak to those who sat near them, and the response was somewhat slow. The evangelist then reminded them that God’s house was a place to work in as well as to worship. A young man in the gallery moved from his place and went to speak to a waverer. “That’s right,” remarked the evangelist. “If you wrest a blessing which someone else ought to have secured, do so by obedience.” A man in the body of the building shouted that he was unable to hear owing to the commotion outside, and suggested an overflow meeting. Mr Roberts remarked, “God may bless even the noise. The throng in itself is a sermon.” He asked the congregation to resume their seats, and the meeting proceeded. There was not much simultaneous praying. Presently the evangelist declared that the Spirit did not work in that service because someone refused to obey. Almost immediately afterwards a voice was heard saying, “A sister here has accepted Christ.” The feature of the response was what I have already pointed out, that the evangelist had previously mentioned that there was a sister “ready to come now.” After a while the meeting became a remarkably cold one, notwithstanding the fact that the revival wave has brought into the various Churches in Nantymoel between 260 and 270 during the past few months. This fact is so palpable that the revivalist very emphatically dwelt upon it. He said it was the strangest service he had yet had. The place was full of unbelief. The people sang with the lips and voice, but not with the soul. He added that the prayers for the saving of souls in that meeting could be counted on the fingertips. That should not be so. If they would pray to God to let them enter into the sufferings of the Saviour in Garden, he (the speaker) would away singing from that service. Let each pray in his own room after going home. Let those who had quenched the Spirit that night pray for pardon when they got home, and promise God never to quench it again. A considerable number of people got up, declaring that they had quenched the Spirit, and asking God’s forgiveness, some praying with difficulty, and others actually weeping aloud. “There are still more,” exclaimed Mr Roberts. “Confess it, not for my sake, but for the glory of God.” A number of further responses followed.
From, 'The Western Mail', 8th February 1905.
There is a house now where the chapel stood.