Ebenezer Calvinistic Methodist Chapel (1859)



There is yet one county left unnoticed—the last, but not the least in importance—the county of Anglesea. This little island has long been remarkable for the number of its sanctuaries, its communicants, and its Sabbath-schools. Not a little has been said respecting its liberality to the Bible Society, averaging nearly four pence each, from its fifty thousand inhabitants. Now it bids fair to increase in all these things. From Menai bridge to Holyhead, from Newborough to Amlwch, from Linas Point to Llanddona Head, along that coast rendered so sadly memorable by the wreck of the Royal Charter, the revival spirit is felt, and a great moral revolution is now being effected in the hearts and lives of many of its inhabitants.

In December last, a correspondent at Holyhead says:­" I am delighted to inform you that the revival, in its full power, has at length reached our town, adding already many hundreds to our churches. It commenced some months ago in the chapel at Kingsland, a small village near the town, and from that time until the present it has gra­dually increased; and I can venture to say that one-half the talk at Holyhead is about the revival, and one-half the thoughts are about God and His wonderful works.

"It is difficult to say when the awakening actually com­menced in the town, as additions have been made to the churches week after week for the last year or two. This increase has been very steady and regular amongst the Independents for four years past; but the first great outward manifestation was on the day when six of the ministers from South Wales paid us a visit, on their return from Ireland. The Independents had set apart a day for preaching the gospel, and these excellent men officiated on the occasion. It was the beginning of a great movement in most of the congregations. "On Sunday evening two ministers from Cardiganshire preached at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. About the middle of one of the sermons a most remarkable effect was produced. The spacious chapel was full, and there was evidently a deep feeling amongst the people. Suddenly the whole assembly moved like a field of corn before the wind, and from many a pent-up heart the suppressed emo­tions found a vent in loud exclamations; in some cases it was the voice of terror, and in others of joy." After a detail of interesting meetings, and of the addi­tions made to the various churches, the writer proceeds:— " I might tell you of remarkable prayer-meetings, and that in the rocks, woods, and out-houses, the voice of prayer and praise is heard at the midnight hour. I might also add that ungodliness, drunkenness, and uncleanness are decreas­ing in the town and that a general seriousness has pos­sessed the inhabitants."

A correspondent at Holyhead writes as follows:—" This town has been greatly favoured with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The number of converts, up to this time, (January 28,) is as follows—Admitted into the Calvinistic Methodist Churches, 318; Baptists, 332; Independents, 244; Welsh Wesleyans, 195; English Wesleyans, 30— total, 1149."

From ‘The Welsh Revival’ by Thomas Phillips.


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