Mr Evan Roberts opened his mission today in the centre of Merthyr. The morning service was held at the Wesleyan Chapel, which was soon crowded to its fullest extent. There were no stirring, outstanding incidents, but the warmth of the devotion and the profound spirit of reverence prevailing were most marked. The afternoon meeting was held at the Pontmorlais Welsh Methodist Chapel, and here there occurred a very dramatic incident. Mr Roberts suddenly remarked that there were some two in the chapel who were not at peace with each other. His burden, he said, was too heavy; he was almost too weak to bear it. What was to be done? (Voices: “Pray.”) “Make peace, friends,” pleaded the missioner. “I am as sure that you are here as that I am in the pulpit.” “Oh, bend them, O Lord,” he passionately prayed. “Oh speak to them.” He was now crying bitterly, and exclaimed, “Oh, if you don’t make peace, go out at once.” “Oh, go out,” he again urged, with great feeling, “or make peace,” and he fell down on his knees in the pulpit. “Oh, dear! Oh dear!” he piteously exclaimed, and he appeared to be undergoing excruciating tortures. He sobbed and cried aloud, his whole frame quivering with emotion. The tears and perspiration coursed down his face. “Oh, bend them, Lord,” he again prayed, with great fervency. “I must go out,” he exclaimed, as he put on his overcoat. “Pray, people, pray,” he cried, and then was witnessed a scene somewhat similar to that enacted at Llansamlet some time ago. The people prayed and cried-scores of people praying simultaneously. “I know who they are,” said one man in the aisle of the chapel; “they are Church officials, too.” And this remark was very significant, in view of the subsequent declarations of the missioner himself on the point. By-and-bye, to the great relief of the now disturbed congregation, the evangelist said that the “burden” was being eased, and he felt better, and they burst out with “Diolch Iddo” and “Ar ei ben, bo’r goron,” Mr Roberts joining in. The people were then overjoyed; and so was the evangelist, who enjoined them to thank God for His mercy, and his request was complied with at once by a lad in the gallery, who prayed that there be no more obstacles. The evening meeting was held at Zoar Congregational Chapel, which was crowded to its fullest extent before the afternoon meeting was really over, and here again there was evidenced great fervour and reverential spirit.
From, 'The Western Mail', 29th January 1905.
The chapel is for sale as at 2013.