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REV. JOHN T. GRIFFITH, D. a
BX 6248 .P4 G75
Brl^f'h''' ^°^" T- 1845-1917
Brief biographical sketches
of deceased Welsh Baptist
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Mrs. Ann Loxlev Rhees, widow of the renowned Morgan John Rhees. daughter of Major Benjamin Loxley of Philadelphia. Born there June 18. 1775. Married Feb. 22, 1796: left a widow at bom- erset Pa Dec 7, 1804; died at Philadelphia, April 11, 1849. Aged 74- also Great-grandmother of Dr. Rush Rhees of Rochester Un- iversity, N. Y., and Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler of Columbia Un- iversity, N. Y. , n ■, ^ -n 1 V,
The lower cut represents or.e of the origmal deeds of Beulah, Pa. with the .signature of its founder, Morgan John Rhees.
(See the "History of Morgan John Rhees" by the author.)
Rev. J. T. GRIFFITH, D D.
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Deceased Welsh Baptist Ministers who have laboured in Northeastern Pennsylvania /:^ from 1832 to 1904
BY
s/
JOHN T. GRIFFITH, D. D.
Author of " Morgan John Rhees." " Baptist Missionaries
IN Their Relationship to the Translation J^-y
OF THE Scriptures." Etc. Etc.
" Go ye and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned.'"
copyrighted by THE AUTHOR,
March, 1904,
Edwardsville, Pa. , April I, 1904.
PRESS OF THE >riLKES-BARRE RECORD,
1904.
A Wavh to ll|)e Seabrr.
At the semi-annual meeting of the Welsh Baptist As- sociation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, held at Parsons, Pa., in November, 1900, it was decided to celebrate the twentieth century by holding two special meetings, the first with the Meade Street Baptist Church, Wilkes-Barre, January 29, 1901; the second with the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton February 5, 1901. Four addresses were to be delivered at the above meetings: —
"History of the Churches of the Association," Rev. W. U. Thomas, Pittston.
"History of the Ministers of the Association," Rev. John T. Griffith, Lansford (then).
"History of the Association," Rev. W. F. Davies, Scranton.
"The Sunday School as a Factor in Christian Civiliza- tion," Prof. James R. Hughes, Scranton.
Rev. D. C. Edwards, Taylor, was the clerk of the Com- mittee of Arrangements. The program was carried out as arranged.
Since then the writer has been gathering facts as far as he could up to the present time. Hence these brief sketches are the fruits of the above arrangements and are now presented to the reader in print as a tribute of respect to the memory of the pioneers of the Welsh Baptists of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
JOHN T. GRIFFITH. Kingston, Pa., March 8, 1904.
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ILLUSTRATIONS.
Mrs. Ann Loxley Rhees, Frontispiece.
Rev. J. T. Griffith, D. D. (Author).
A Word to the Reader.
Introduction 4
Rev. William Owens 6
Rev. William Morgans 7
Rev. William Richmond 8
Rev. Daniel E. Bowen 9
Rev. John P. Harris 11
Rev. Richard Edwards 12
Rev. David Evans 13
Rev. Ebenezer Edwards 13
Rev. John W. James 16
Rev. B. E. Bowen 17
Rev. John Eldred Jones 17
Rev. W. R. Jones 19
Rev. Theophilus Jones 20
Rev. P. L. Davies, M. A 21
Rev. E. Oliver 22
Rev. Isaiah Davies 22
Rev. John Roberts 23
Rev. A. J. Morton 24
Rev. F. Evans, D. D 25
Rev. O. Griffiths 26
Rev. John Evans, M. A 27
Rev. B. W. Thomas 29
Rev. W. D. Morgan 29
Rev. T. G. Jones 30
Rev. Charles Jones, M. A 30
Rev. Benjamin Nichols 31
Rev. Edward Jenkins 32
Rev. Moses Wright 33
Rev. James R. Price 34
Rev. Jeremiah Griffiths 36
Rev. B. James 38
Rev. John Seth Jones 39
Rev. Samson Jones 40
Rev. J. F. Richards 40
Rev. William Haddock 41
Rev. William Shadrach 43
Rev. J. R. Jones 48
Rev. Ambrose Williams 47
Rev. D. R. Jones 48
Rev. D. J. Evans 48
Rev. Joseph T. Jones 49
Rev. David Jones 49
Rev. H. C. Parry 51
Rev. John A. Evans 52
Rev. Jacob Morris 52
Rev. B. E. Jones 53
Rev. W. O. Evans 54
Rev. Isaac Bevan 56
Rev. David Probert 57
Rev. David Jenkins 58
Rev. Henry Thomas 59
4vI>E#7^^
©tber men labored, an& ^c arc cntcrcD into tbctr Iabot6."—John, 4.38.
The Welsh Baptists occupy a very prominent position in the origin and development of the Baptists of Pennsyl- vania, New Jersey and other states in America. Welsh Baptists — the Eatons and others — from Dolau, Radnorshire, Wales, were among the chief founders of the old Pennepek Church known as the Lower Dublin Church, Philadelphia, which is the oldest Baptist Church in Pennsylvania, now in existence, it was founded in January, 1688. A church had been organized at Cold Spring near Bristol, Pa., in 1684, by the Rev. Thomas Dungan of Rhode Island, but it ceased in 1702. The old Welsh Tract Church came from Rhvdwilym, Wales as an organized church with the Rev. Thomas Griffith as their pastor in 1701. Montgomery Church was founded in 1719 by the noted Rev. Abel Mor- gan who came from Blaenau Gwent in 171 1 — others might be named such as the Great Valley, 171 1, Brandywine, etc., etc. Dr. W. W. Keen of Philadelphia in his history of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, recently published says, that "the preponderence of the Welsh element in the early history of the Philadelphia Association, and especially of our own church is worthy of note. Of the first six joint pastors of Pennepek and Ph-iladelphia, three — Samuel Jones and both the Morgans were W^elshmen, to whom are to be added their immediate successors Jenkin Jones and Morgan Edwards their force of character counted for far more than their were numbers. To this fact is due the sturdy Calvin- istic faith which was characteristic not only of our own, but of nearly all the churches of the Philadelphia Association. Even so late as February 14, 183 1, separate services in the Welsh language were held in our church." See History First Baptist Church, Phil. p. 54.
To the above might be added that it is to the Welsh Baptists the American Baptists are indebted for their Script- ural position on the Communion question. The influence
s
of the Welsh ministry has been felt throughout the ages, and continues to the present, and will continue. Such names as Morgan John, Rhees, Senior and Junior — Ben- jamin Griffith, Wm. Shadrach, H. G. Jones, Isaac Bevan and many others will always be honorably known in Bap- tist History, and among them the ministers of the Welsh Baptist Association of North Eastern Pennsylvania form an important, honorable and essential part in the great and noble work of building Christianity in the state and throughout the world. The ministers who are regarded as among the chief pioneers of the Welsh Baptist Association of North Eastern Pennsylvania are the late Revs. William Owens of Pittsburg, Pa., William Morgans, Pottsville, Pa., and William Richmond of Blakely, Pa. From the year 1840 to 1855, the Welsh Baptists of Eastern Pennsylvania and New York State constituted one Association, known as "The Onedia and Eastern Pennsylvania Welsh Baptist Association," December 22-27, 1855, what is now known as "The Welsh Baptist Association of North Eastern Penn- sylvania," was organized with the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton, Pa., and Carbondale. The follow^ ing ministers were present: — John P. Harris (leuan Ddu), Minersville, Pa.; John W. James, Scranton; W'iliiam Morgans and Richard Edwards, Pottsville, Pa.; Wm. Richmond, Blakely; D. E. Bowen, Carbon- dale; David Evans, Danville; W. R. Jones, Summit Hill, and the Rev. D. C. Thomas who ha^ newly left Tremont; and as visitors we find that Revs. Wm. Owens, Pittsburg; John Edred Jones, Cincinnati and Wm. Garner, New York. The Rev. John W. James was elected Moderator; and the Rev. John P. Harris (leuan Ddu), Clerk, and thus the As- sociation was organized. Those were happy and memor- able days for our fathers and Welsh Baptists in Pennsylv- ania. This brings us to our subject — Brief Sketches of Deceased Welsh Baptist Ministers owho have served in North Eastern Pennsylvania Pennsylvania and others as far as time and space permits.
6 THE REV. WILLIAM OWENS.
Mr. Owens was born in 1798 at a farmhouse named Gellifawnen in the parish of Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, Wales. He was baptized at the ag-e of twenty-one by the Rev. John Davies, bookbinder, Carmarthen, and united with the Zoar Church, Glandifaen. He began to preach near his birth place. In 1831, he and his wife and three sons — John, Rees and William came to America. They sailed from Liverpool, and landed at Lewistown, Delaware on Christmas day, 1831. He remained there one year, and then moved to Philadelphia; he remained in Philadel- phia one year, and then moved to Pottsville. This was in 1833. During his stay at Philadelphia, he formed the ac- quaintance and friendship with the Rev. Wm. Morgans, afterwards known as Morgan's of Pottsville. Mr. Morgan gave him all encouragements to exercise his g>ifts. After his removal to Pottsville, he preached at Pottsville and Minersville, and the churches at these places decided to have him ordained, and as there were no Welsh Baptist Churches 'in the district then, he had to go to Philadelphia to be ordained. His friend the Rev. Wm. Morgans intro- duced him to the Rev. Horatio Gates Jones, D. D., and others, and inasmuch as Mr. Owens could not set forth his views of doctrine, etc., before the Council in English, he was permitted to do so in Welsh, and his statements were translated into English by a Welsh brother, so that the Council might understand him. They were very much pleased with him, and ordained him as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Churches of Pottsville and Minersville where he laboured for about two years with great success. In 1834 he met with a bitter trial in the death of his beloved wife Ann, whose death was caused by the birth of a daughter who also d'ied, and both mother and daughter were buried at Minersville. He then gave the care of his three sons to
his sister, Mrs. Mary Davies, Palmyra, Ohio, and in order to be nearer to his sons he resigned at Pottsville and moved to Pittsburg to take charge of the Welsh Baptist Church there, as successor to the Rev. Jacob Morris, where he laboured until he was taken to his reward in glory in Dec- ember, 1874. Mr. Owens was truly a Prince in Israel. He never studied the English language and for that reason, many quaint things are sa-id of the manner in which he would sometimes try to express himself in English. His whole life was pure, and he stood like a Prince among his brethren. See "The Dawn" for more elaborate articles. 1876, p. 116. 1877. 229.
REV. WM. MORGANS, POTTSVILLE.
I have not been able to find the date and real place of his birth, but it is said that he was a native of Llwynpia, near Pontypridd, Glamorganshire, South Wales, and that he began to preach at the request of Dr. John Jenkins Hen- goed. The Rev. D. Jones in his history of the Welsh Bap- tists, says, that he was ordained at Llantrisant, Glamorgan- shire in 1824, and that he soon afterwards left for America. In the history of the Rev. Wm. Owens we saw that Mr. Morgans was in Philadelphia in 1832, and it seems to me that he came to Pottsville and Minersville as the successor of Wm. Owens. In the report of the dedication of the first meeting house at Minersville, Pa., we find that the Revs. Messrs. Wm. Owens, Pittsburg; W. Harris, New York; Wm. Morgans, Pottsville and others officiated, and that it was then "he came to these parts." (See the Dawn, 1892.)
This was in November, 1837. From that time until his death, which occurred April 25, 1876, he labored in these parts — Minersville, St. Clair, Five Points, Etc., but he was known as Morgans, Pottsville, and loved by all. He was buried at Pottsville, April 27. He was 79 years old when he died and preached his last sermon at St. Clair, April 16, 1876. He was taken ill on that day, and was led
home by friends and among them an Irishman, for they all loved him, and when he reached home, he said — "My work is finished," and so it was. His wife had only just preceded him, having died February 12, 1876. She was a native of St. Athan, Glamorganshire, born in 1805, a daughter of a farmer named Thomas Mathews, and a sister of the late famous Methodist minister, Rev. E. Mathews, Eweni. She was converted at Lantwit Majar in 1825, under the preach- mg of the Rev. Jabes Lawrence, who was a missionary in this part of Glomorgan.
See excellent articles in honor to the memory of Mr. Morgans in "The Dawn" for June, 1876, by the late Rev. John P. Harris, (leuan Ddu,) and in the March issue 1877 by the Rev. D. Rhoslyn Davies. See also "The Dawn," 1876, p. 33-34 for a sketch of Mrs. Morgans by the late Rev. A. J. Morton.
REV. WILLIAM RICHMOND.
He was con&idered the apostle of Luzerne County in his day among the Welsh Baptists, Lackawanna County, was not in existence in his day nor for years afterwards.
He was generally known as Richmond of Blakely. He founded the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scran- ton in 1849. It seems impossible to get a history of his early life. The general view of many has been that he came to America from Daranfelen Church, South Wales.
Inasmuch as the Rev. W. Jones, (Ap Rhys,) now of Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, had been pastor of the Daranfelen Church, I wrote to him to find out if possible the early history of Wm. Richmond. He sent me a long letter respecting his brother, John Richmond and his family who Hved at Blaenavon at the time Wm. Richmond came to America, viz. about 1830 or 1831. Mr. Jones concludes his letter by saying chat he thinks:
I. That W. Richmond was born at Cwmdu, near Llangynidr and Crughowell.
2. That he was baptized at Llanwenarth by Francis Hiley, and that he began to preach there also.
3. That he came to America in 183 1.
4. That he could not have come from Daranfelen Church, because, that church was not then in existence.
W. Jones.
Newport, Mon.. Nov. 16, 1901.
After his arrival -in America, he settled on a small farm at Blakely, near Carbondale, Pa., and preached wherever providence would open the way, and thus was the means of doing much good in his day. He died suddenly at his home at Blakely, Feb. 1857. He preached the second Sun- day in February at Carbondale and seemed strong. He said that he was almost 75 years the week he died, and he was buried on Friday at Carbondale. The late Rev. Ed- ward Jenkins who then lived at Carbondale, (though not then ordained,) was the preacher who officiated at his fun- eral. The weather was so intensly cold that ministers from a distance could not come to the funeral. He was held in high esteem by all his brethren.
The Rev. Wm. Morgans, Pottsville, wrote a touching eleg>' in honor to his memory which contained eleven verses, which was published in Welsh.
(For a more complete account of the above three pio- neers— Owens, Morgans and Richmond, see an article in Seren Gom^r for May, 1902, by the writer.)
THE REV. DANIEL E. BOWEN.
I am under the impression that Mr. Bowen was a na- tive of Abergwili Parish, Wales. I have not been able to get the facts of his early life, but we find bim at Carbondale in 1841, where he labored nearly six years. His letter of dismission reads as follows:
lO
"The Particular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Car- bondale, Luzerne Co., Pa., sendeth Christ-ian Salutation to our brethren of the same faith and order to whom this may- concern :
This is to certify, that our beloved Pastor, Daniel E. Bowen has laboured with us nearly six years, and now it be- cometh us in the order of things, and at his request that we are under the painful necessity of giving unto him a letter of dismission. We recommend him as an efficient minister of the gospel, we have sat under his ministry with delight, and the fru-it has been good to our taste. It is our prayer and desire that wherever he may be led in the Provi- dence of God, that he may be the means in the hands of God to the conversion of sinners, the edification of God's people, and the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom in the world. May the Lord be his shield, his helper and his portion. Amen.
Done by order and in behalf of the church.
John Bowen, Senior Deacon.
Carbondale, Sept. 17, 1847.
I do not know whether he went to Wisconsin as a missionary in 1847 or not — we find that he had the pastoral charge of Dunmore in 1851, and we have an account of h'im baptizing in Pittston and Scranton in 1852; but in "The Western Star" for May 1852, we find the following item: — "The Rev. D. E. Bowen has resigned the care of the Welsh Baptists of Carbondale, and has moved with his wife to Wisconsin to labour as a missionary under the Home Mission Board."
Bro. Bowen felt very sad in leaving his brethren, in the East for the West. He was very successful in Wiscon- sin as a missionary; it is said that he planted sixteen churches in the state. He laboured in different states from that time until January 13. 1890 when he died in peace at Sioux Rapids after having preached the gospel 53 years, (See "The Dawn," 1890.)
Truly our fathers were pioneers.
II
THE REV. JOHN P. HARRIS (leuan Ddu.)
Mr. Harris was a native of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales, where he was born January 27, 1820. His parents were the Rev. and Mrs. James Harris. He was converted in his 1 6th year and graduated at Haverfordwest College in 1842. He was ordained at Remsen, New York in 1843 a-^d came to Minersville, Pa., in 1844. This was a very valuable accession to the association for in addition to his pastoral work he rendered invaluable service as a writer and pub- lisher of excellent works. "In 1838 the Rev. W. H. Thomas, published in Utica, New York, an x\merican edi- tion of the Rev. Joseph Harris' Collection of Hymns for use in the public worship later, the three Welsh Baptist Associations appo-inted the Rev. John P. Harris, then of Minersville to publish a new and revised edition of this work. This edition was printed at Pottsville, Pa., in 1857, by the late Rev. Richard Edwards, and adopted by the Welsh Baptist Churches. It contained one thousand and fifty-two hymns. Many of the hymns in Mr. Thomas' book were omitted — others were added and among them some of the best old hymns in the language; and there was an ap- pendix added containing about fifty hymns, composed by Mr. Harris for use on Independence Day, Temperance Meetings, and the Anti-Slavery gatherings, eac.
In 1846 he published an x^merican edition of the works of John Philip Davies, Tredegar. His Drama on "Joseph and His Brethren," was very popular for years and might be yet. After having served Minersville for about sixteen years he moved to Freedom Cattaraugus Co., New York — from Freedom to the First Welsh Baptist Church, Scran- ton, then from Scranton back to Freedom, N. Y. — from Freedom to Providence, Pa., and from Providence to Nan- ticoke to take charge of the English Church, where hr "finished his course" triumphantly November 5, 1898, and where he was buried November 8th, after having served his generation "well for nearly 60 years."
12
REV. RICHARD EDWARDS, POTTSVILLE.
Thursday, October 2, 1902, at the home of his son, S. B. Edwards, Esq., Pottsville, the Rev. Richard Edwards passed from his labors to his reward in the 84th year of his age. Mr. Edwards was born at a place called Tredomen, Lanfabon, Glamorganshire. Wales, March i, 1819. Early in life he was baptized by the Rev. David Jones at the Tab- ernacle Baptist church, Cardiff. He began to preach in 1841. Soon after that he came to America and followed the trade of a printer, which he had learned with his brother- in-law in Wales. In 1844, what was then known as "The Oneida New York and North-eastern Pennsylvania Welsh Baptist Association" appointed the Rev. John P. Harris, then of Minersville, Pa., as editor of the Western Star, a Welsh Baptist monthly magazine, and the Rev. Wm. Mor- gan, of Pottsville, as treasurer, and both requested Mr. Ed- wards to come to Pottsville to be publisher and printer of this new enterprise. He was then in New York, where he had been printing the Berean since 1842. At their request he came to Pottsville, where he remained until God called him to bis eternal home. He published the Western Star from 1844 tO' 1867, and in 1869 he published two more is- sues, which were the last. In the very last issue there is an elegant picture of the late Rev. Dr. Thomas Price, of Aberdare, Wales, who that year was on a visit to America, and was one of the speak- ers at the first commencement of Crozer Seminary. In 1859 Mr. Edwards was ordained at St. Clair, Pa. He never had charge of any church, but served wherever he was called. Thus, for more than sixty years this man of God served his generation through the press and the pulpit. Much might be said of bis excellencies if space permitted. The funeral services were held Monday, October 6th, when the following ministers officiated: The Revs. Messrs. J. M. Hunt, D. S. Thomas, D. I. Evans and T. P. Morgan. The following children survive, his wife having died some years ago: Mrs. P. D. Helms, Misses Hannah and Marie Ed-
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wards, of Pittsville; D. W., of Brooklyn, N. Y.; John R., of the United States Navy, Washington, D. C; T. H., of Pittston; S. B., attorney-at-law, of Pottsville, and E. L. Ed- v/ards, of Pdttston. May the Lord comfort them all. "The memory of the just is blessed."
i
THE REV. DAVID EVANS.
Mr. Evans was a native of Evan Chapel, New Castle Emlyn, Wales, where he was born in the year 1816. In his early life he was a Congregationalist, and began to preach among them in Wales. He came to America in 1842, and settled at Five Points, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where in a short time he was baptized by the late Rev. Wm. Morgans, Potts- ville. In 1846 he was ordained at Danville, Pa. The Revs. John P. Harris, Minersville; Wm. Morgans, Pottsville, and D. E. Bowen, Carbondale officiated. From Danville he went to Summit Hill, Pa., and was the first pastor of that church. It was during his pastorate in 1852 the meeting house was built there. During his pastorate at Shenan- doah, Pa. 1 870- 1 872 the meeting house was bu-ilt there. He was also pastor of Ebensburg, Pa., and Mineral Ridge, Ohio. He died at McKeesport, Pa., August 8, 1895, in the full assurance of the faith.
His daughter was the first wife of the Rev. Thomas Thomas, Sharon, Pa.
THE REV. EBENEZER EDWARDS.
Mr. Edwards was bom at Llangollen, North Wales in the year 1824. He was a son of the Rev. John Edwards, known as Edwards Rluthyn, later Edwards Nantyglo, Brynmawr, etc. He was converted when quite young at Cardiff, and baptized into the fellowship of the Tabernacle Baptist Church by the late Rev. David Jones. He was educated at Haverfordwest College, South Wales, and was
H
ordained at Pembroke Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in 1847. In 1850 he came to America, and, after having spent the winter months of 1850-1851 at Danville, Pa., he came to Pittston and the Welsh Baptist Church there was or- ganized and Mr. Edwards installed as its pastor the same time, viz., April, 1851, and the meeting house was called "Ebenezer," after his first name.
October 18, 185 1, he was married in New York city by the Rev. WilUam R. Williams, D. D., to Miss C. S. Ed- wards, daughter of Thomas and Catharine Edwards, of Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales and soon after his mar- riage he left Pittston to assume the pastorate of the Welsh Baptist Church of Cincinnati, O. During his pastorate at Cincinnati he felt a strong inclination to be a foreign mis- sionary; hence he left that church in 1852 or 1853 ^o^ Hamil- ton University (now Colgate), New York, to prepare him- self for the foreign field, and spent four years and a half there, and after he had finished bis course there, he and Mrs. Edwards were appointed by the Board in Boston to go to Nowgong, Assam, and for that purpose they went to Wales to bid their friends farewell intending to go direct from there tO' India, but in the meant-ime the Sepoy War broke out, hence they were advised to wait until the war was over. For that reason Mr. Edwards assumed the pas- torate at Brynmawr over the church that had been founded by his father. On account of his health he move4. to Llanelli, Brecon, and during this pastorate he had intended to go to India, but the health of Mrs. Edwards failed now and though he offered to go alone and that she should fol- low ham when her health would permit, he was advised to wait until both could go together, hence he went to New- port to start a mission, and here was stricken with facial paralysis, and advised by the physician not to go for two years, therefore he gave up the idea, and went for awhile to Pembroke. After his recovery he preached for a time at New Milford, Pembrokeshire, Hartlepool, England, where he labored four years and a half; whence he returned to America in 1868 and settled in New York state. This
IS
move was caused by the illness of Mrs. Edwards. He served Brewster, Dykeman, Croton, Shelby and Webster in New York and then came to Wilkes-Barre in 1876 to take charge of what is now known as Meade Street Welsh Bap- tist Church, which he served with great success for four years and then in November, 1880, he left to take charge of the Coatsville Baptist Church. From. Coatsville he went to M'ilesburg, Pa., and from Milesburg he went to Florida, and settled on a piece of land with an orange grove. He made this move on account of the health of Mrs. Edwards. He returned from Florida to Kingston, Pa., where he lab- oured as a missionary for two years at Kingston and Ply- mouth, Pa.
From Kingston he moved to Minersville, Pa., to take charge of both the English and Welsh churches, where he spent the last eleven years of his active ministry. About three years ago he returned to Allentown, Pa., in order to be near to his daughter, wife of Professor D. E. Miles, who lived in Allentown as professor of music, and here he closed his pilgrimage and entered into his reward. His remains were buried at Allentown, January 29, 1901, and his funeral services were conducted by his pastor. Rev. W. S. Catlett, as- sisted by Revs. Jacob E. Davis, M. A., of Plymouth; D. E. Richards, M. D., of Slatington; J. S. Bromley, of Reading; O. B. Kinney, of Bethlehem, and a layman from Plainfield, New Jersey, named James Parker, whom Ebenezer Ed- wards had baptized at Hartlepool, England.
The life of Brother Edwards was characterized by the strictest devotion to ever^^thing that was pure and ele- vating.
Much of his life was given to literary matters, especially to competitions m prize essays at the Welsh eisteddfods and a valuable volume might be made of his prize essays. His essay on Welshmen as factors in the formation and develop- ment of the United States Republic, which took the first prize at the International eisteddfod at the World's Fair, Chicago, in 1893, and which has recently been published by the Drych Press, Utica, N. Y., will live for ages as a monu-
i6
ment to the memory of the author, showing the greatness of his knowledge of the early days of the repubHc. When he preached at Pittston, April 14, 185 1, his subjects were •'The Path of the Just/' from Psalms 4:18, and the "Reward of the Faithful Servant," from Matt. 25:23. I believe that he now realizes the full meaning of those beautiful texts more than he did then.
He leaves a widow one daughter and a granddaughter and a host of friends to mourn his loss. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
The above article was published in one of the Allen- town papers by the writer after the funeral by request.
P. S. Mr. Edwards was struck with facial paralysis vSunday morning, April 27, 1862, when he was preaching at Newport, Mon., and the following August had to give up entirely.
(See biography of Rev. E. Thomas, p. 45.)
THE REV. JOHN W. JAMES.
Mr. James was the first settled pastor of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton, Pa. He was a native of the Rhondda Valley, born in 18 19. He was baptized at Penuel Rhymney by the late Rev. Morgan James. From Rhymney he went to Aberaman, Aberdare. He came to America from Aberaman and settled for a short time at St. Clair, Pa., and in 1852 was ordained as pastor of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton, Pa., which he served succssfully for several years. He was the first Moderator of the Association. After his departure from Scranton, he served Freedom and Remsen, New York, Pittston, Pa., and Mineral Ridge, Ohio, where he died March 30, 1885, and was buried at Warren, Ohio, April 7. The Rev. George Hague officiatel. He was a popular preacher and highly respected as a good man.
17 THE REV. B. E. BOWEN.
Mr. Bowen was born May lo, 1810 at a place called "Pen Boreu Bach" in Abergwili, Wales. He began his religious life at the age of 13 years among the Congrega- tionalists. He learned the trade of shoemaking. When a young man he moved to Maesteg, South Wales. In 183 1 he married Dinah, daughter of Jenkin Lloyd of Wig Gla- morganshire. In 1840 he came to America and settled in New Jersey. In 1845 or 6 he moved to Minersville, Pa., where he worked at his trade and preached as a local preacher among the Congregationalists. He soon left Minersville for Carbondale, Pa., and remained there five years, and then moved to Pittston, where after having been convinced of 24 the unscripturalness of sprinkling as bap- tism, he was baptized in the earlv part of 1852, by his brother, the Rev. D. E. Bowen, and March the 6th the same year he was ordained as an active pastor of the Welsh Bap- tist Church there. He remained here for years, though not all the time as pastor. The last sixteen years of his life were spent at Olyphant, Pa., where he worked at his trade, and preached as often as he had an opportunity, and where he ended his earthly life. June 26, 1881. He was buried in the Washburn St. Cemetery, Scranton, Pa. He left a widow, tw^o sons and one daughter. He was a good man. He preached much from Carbondale to Pittston, and the seed sown by him and others has grown into churches. Revs. John P. Harris, Theophilus Jones, B. W. Thomas and D. Rhoslvn Davies officiated at his funeral.
THE REV. JOHN EDRED JONES.
Mr. Jones was a native of Wales. He came to America in 1853 from Goytre, Monmouthshire. He was the third pastor ol the Welsh Baptist Church of Pittston. This statement was given me by Mr. Jacob W. Evans, clerk of the church. I dont know the exact date, but he must have
been there before the close of 1853, for we find him at Cin- cinnati at the close of 1853. His letter from Wales proves this which reads as follows: —
A RECOMMENDATION TO THE REV. JOHN E. JONES, CINCINNATI.
Monmouthshire, June 30, 1858.
"As our esteemed brother, the Rev. John E. Jones, minister of the Baptist Church at Goytre is about to leave for America, we the undersigned being ministers of the Monmouthshire Baptist Association desire to give our strongest and warmest recommendation to him as a Christ- ian minister to the notice and approbation of the churches on the other side of the Atlantic. While we deeply lament his departure from this association in which he was a minis- ter for six years, we earnestly hope and trust that his minis- terial labors will be richly blessed for the conversion of sin- ners, and the edification of saints wherever he may be led by God's providence.
Wm. Thomas, Newport. Wm. Roberts, Blaenan. Edward Roberts, Bassaleg. Jas. Rowe, Risca. Evan Jones, Castleton.
Letters of recommendation were written also by the Rev. Thomas Thomas, D. D., President of Pontypool Col- lege. The Rev. Evan Thomas. Cardig-an, and Mr. R. E. Rees, a deacon at Bethesda. "I certify to the correctness of the above recommendation according to the original manuscript. We are pleased to see that Mr. Jones has come to stay in our city, and we trust that he shall have a proper reception and support by our nation in general.."
Yours, etc.,
Thomas Ekiwards,
^9
Cincinnati, Dec. i, 1853.
(See "The Western Star" for Jan., 1854.)
From the above we see that he came to America from Goytre, Mon, Wales, and that he was at Cincinnati before the close of 1853, hence he could not have been only a few months at most in Pittston. During his pastorate at Cin- cinnati, he translated a small volume from the English to the Welsh entitled —
"THREE REASONS WHY I AM A BAPTIST."
By the Rev. J. M. Pendleton, D. D. This is a very able work. Not a better book on the subject can be found in any language to put in the hands of inquirers for the truth. After his departure from Cincinnati we find him at Utica, New York, from 1857 to 1865, and later during a second pastorate we find him at Utica as successor to the Rev. H. G. James in 1876. After years of separation from this association, he returned in 1883 and assumed the pas- toral care of the Welsh Baptist Church of Pittston, Sept. 2, 1883 and remained here until he finished his work with joy Oct. 2, 1885. He was buried at Pittston. All the ex- penses were pa-id by the church, and on his coffin they placed the inscription "Our Beloved Pastor," which shows the manner in which his church loved him. From this we see that he began his American life at Pittston in 1853, ^"^ entered h-is heavenly home from Pittston in 1885.
THE REV. W. R. JONES.
Mr. Jones was a native of Llanelli Breconshire. He and his family came to America in 1840, and settled as far as I can find out somewhere in Schuylkill Co., Pa. He was ordained at Blossburg, Tioga Co., Pa., April i, 1852. Revs. Chase, George W. Stone and C. Beebe officiating. See "Western Star" for May, 1852. He left Blossburg for Summit Hill prior to 1855, and was the second pastor and
20
laboured threre for years with much success and respect. lie was there in 1859 for July 3d of that year he baptized the first candidates of Slatington, Pa., viz., Ellis Owens and wife, and his sister Catherine P. Williams, and thus planted the Slatington Baptist Church as a branch of Sum- mit Hill. After his departure from Summ-it Hill, he served Broad Top, Houtzdale and other places in Pennsylvania and Weathersfield and other places in Ohio. .Several years before his death he moved to his children toi Alliance. Ohio, where he died very suddenly in June, 1894, aged 74 years and 10 months and where also he was buried June 5, 1894. His widow died at North Lawrence, Ohdo, aged 80 years, and was buried by the side of her beloved hus- band at Alliance. She was baptized by the late Rev. Wm. Morgans, Pottsville. Great respect was shown to each of them during life and death.
THE REV. THEOPHILUS JONES.
Mr. Jones was born at Caerphili, South Wales, Jan.. 1810. He was converted when quite young at the same place under the ministry of Christmas Evans and baptized by the Rev. Benjamin Williams in the absence of pastor C. Evans. He began to preach there in 183 1. He spent three years at the Abergavenny Baptist Church, 1833-1836. Pie was ordained as pastor of the churches of Bwlch-y- gwynt and Bwlchnewydd Caermarthenshire. He came to America in 1843, ^^d after supplying the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, New York, he accepted the pas- toral care of the Wekh Baptist Church of New York City. After his departure from; New York, he was pastor of Mar- cus Hook and Nant — mel. Pa., and in 1859 he settled as pastor of the First Welsh Baptist of Scranton, then on Miflin Ave. During his life time he laboured also at Al- denville, Pa., Hubbard, Ohio, Mahanoy City and Wilkes- Barre, where he ended his course Feb. 13, 1896, and where he was buried.
21
For years before his death he had no stated charge.
Space would not permit me to write what I know of him and what 1 would like. He was looked upon by all who knew him as one of the ablest preachers of the nation, and was highly esteemed by his brethren. There is one fact I wish to mention here. When he was pastor at Al- denville, Pa., he preached one Sunday mirmng on ''Almost Persuade," the immortal P. P. Bliss was at the meeting, and was so impressed by the sermon, that he composed that sweet hymn that afternoon "Almost Persuaded."
See lorthryn Gwynedd y Hist, of the Welsh in Ameri- ca, p. 149 and "The Dawn" for April, 1896, for more elab- orate articles.
REV. P. L DAVIES, M. A.
Mr. Davies was a native of Blaenau, Mon., Wales, born about 1834, where he was baptized in his boyhood days by the late Rev. Wm. Roberts, LL. D., (Nefydd). He came to America when quite young and settled at Five Points, Pa., where he began to preach under the ministry of the beloved Wm. Morgans, Pottsville. After having spent a few years at Bucknell University he was ordained at Olyphant, Pa., 1859 as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Churches of Olyphant and Carbondale. He only remained one year in the Welsh ministry before he entered the Eng- Hsh Ministry at Camden, New Jersey. He died at Cam- den in 1875, aged 41. At the time of his death he was pas- tor of the Berean Baptist Church, New York City. Soon after his death a memorial meeting was held at the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, 13th street, New York City, Aug. 12, 187s, when the Rev. John Edred Jones then of Utica, N. Y., delivered the memorial address. See it in "The Dawn," 1876. 215. It is an excellent address. Al- though Mr. Davies laboured only about one year in the Welsh ministry, yet, he was very highly honoured and re- spected by his Welsh brethren on account of the excellency
of his chiristian character and ability as a preacher. When I was a student at Crozer Senninary, Mr. Davies was pastor at Camden, N. J., and I often had the pleasure of meeting him.
See an article in "The Dawn," 1882, p. 9, by the Rev. D. W. Morris.
THE REV. E. OLIVER.
It seems that Mr. Oliver was a native of Swyddffynon, North Wales. The Rev. J. .Spinther James, M. A., in his history of the Welsh Baptists, says that he began to preach at Swyddffynon in 1823, and was ordained there April 25, 1827 in order to serve the weak churches. Soon after that he left there to take charge of Nebo Penycae, Mon., South Wales at its organization Sept. 11, 1827. He came to America and was pastor at Summit Hill, Po., an i860 and in Jan., 1862 settled at Pittston and served it a few years. Mr. Jacob W. Evans of Pittston says that his name is very dear to him, because he was the one whO' convinced him of the scripturalness of immersion as the proper mode of bap- tism. (■'"Tile Dawn," April, 1883.) He returned to Wales in 1865 and ended his earthly life at Dowlais, March 22, 1869. See Hist. Welsh B., bv Sprinther, Vol. HI, p. 415- 16. >
THE REV. ISAIAH DAVIES.
Mr. Davies settled as pastor of the First Welsh Baptist Church, Scranton in Nev., 1861.
He was ordained at Briton Ferry, Wales, May 22-23, 1854. The Revs. Dr. Thomas Pontypool, John Rowlands Cwmavon, J. R. Morgan, (Lleurwg), Aberavon, David Thomas, Aberavon, T. Francis Neath, and D. Davies of- ficiated. "Western Star," Aug., 1854. From Briton Ferry he went to the Temple Church, Newport, Mon., from
2j ,
whence he came to America in the early part of 1861, and settled for a few months at Mineral Ridge, Ohio, whence he was called to the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scran- ton in the latter part of 1861 ; and in 1863 he returned to Mineral R-idge, Ohio. He died several years ago in Thomastown, (I think), Ohio. For several years before he died he had no charge.
THE REV. JOHN ROBERTS. (Roberts Fawr.)
Mr. Roberts was a native of Llanefydd, North Wales. He was a son of the Wl0r. Rt. Roberts of Llanefydd, and his mother's name was Gaynor. John Roberts was raised by his uncle, Ellis Owen, Cefnmeusydd, his mother's bro- ther. He left Ellis Owen for Pembrokeshire, and taught school for a while at Bethabara, where it is said he began to preach. He was ordained at Llanrwst, Feb. 11, 1829. During his pastoral life he served besides Llanrwst, Tre- degar, Rhosllanerchrhugg, Liverpool, Llangefin Taber- nacle Merthys Pyle, Brynmawr, Wales, and Minersville, Pennsylvania, where he died March 3, 1863, aged 56 years, and where also he was buried. In his day, he was regarded as the most eloquent and popular preacher of Wales, most eloquent and popular preacher of Wales.
The late Rev. B. Thomas, (Myfyr Emlyn), composed one of his most masterly poems in honor to his memory which was suggested when on a visit to his grave in 1882, the poem has been pubHshed with his poetical works. The writer has a pecular attachment to Roberts as he was his spiritual father and the one who baptized him at Pisgah Pyle, May 20, 1859, and at the same time he baptized the Rev. A. Williams, who has been pastor of Nebo Mstrad Rhondda for more than twenty years.
(See Hist. Welsh Baptist by Spinther, Vol. HI, p. 455 and "The Sunday School Star" for January, 1901.)
H tHE REV. A. J. MORTON.
Mr. Morton was born March 14, 1836, near Llan- faircaerinion, in Montg'orneryshire, North Wales. His parents were John and Mary Morton. He was baptized when quite young at Llanfyllin by the Rev. John Roberts He was the first of the Morton family to be baptized. In 1853 he went to Dowlais, South Wales, where he began to preach and from whence he went tO' Pontypool College. The late Rev. Fred Evans, D. D., was one of his class mates. In i860 he was ordained as pastor of the Zion Church, Bryn Mawr. On November 18, i860, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Morgan, daughter of Henry and Mary Morgan, at Monmouth, Monmouthshire. She proved a true helpmeet to him until the day of his death, and IS still living at Kingston, Pa. In 1863, he and his family came to America and settled at Summit Hill. For fifteen years he laboured at Summit Hill, Upper Lehigh, Slatington, Lansford, and other places in this district. In 1879 he left Slatington for Pittsburg to take charge of the Chatham St. Church there. After he left Pittsburg, he served Paris, Pomeroy and Palmyra, Ohio. In June, 1886, he returned to Pennsylvania tO' take charge of the Imman- uel Baptist Church at Edwardsdile. After his departure from this church he served the Pittston Churches, Welsh and English, and at the time of his death, which occurred February 13, 1899, he was pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church, Edwardsdale, Pa. He was buried at the Forty Fort cemetary on February 16, 1899.
In his day Mr. Morton was looked upon as one of the leading ministers of the Association, both as a preacher and as a v;riter. ■
Four of his children are members of the Immanuel Church, Miss Elizabeth Morton, M'iss Jennie Morton, Miss Annie Morton, who teaches at Scotland, Pa., and Anselm Morton, who is a Mechanical and Civil Engineer at Bdrm- ingham, Alabama.
25
He also has another son, Allan B. Morton, who is Pro- fessor at the School of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. He has a daughter at Wyoming, Pa., Mrs. Winifred Hutchins. wife of Mr. Richard Hutchins, and another at Brooklyn, Mrs. Mary McCarthy. He also has one brother by the same mother. Deacon Thomas Evans of Freeland, Pa., who is one of the pillars of the Bethel Baptdst Church there, and who alsoi has seven children, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Mary, Beatrice, Arthur, and Allan Morton Evans. The latter is named after his uncle.
THE REV. F. EVANS, D. D., (Eduyfed.)
Dr. Evans was born at Llandybie, Caermarthenshire, Wales, April 21, 1840. H-is parents were: William and Nellie Evans. He was one of ten children, five sons and five daughters, the five sons became preachers, viz: — Fred, John, George, Gwilym, and Thomas. The first three are dead. Gwilym is at Port Chester. New York at this date. (Dec, 1903), and Thomas at Clydach, Glamorganshire, Wales. He was converted and baptized in early life at Ebenezer Amanford by the Rev. Benjamin Thomas. He began to preach at the age of 16 years, and was educated at Pontypool under Dr. Thomas Thomas, and in June, 1861 he was ordained as pastor of Llang^aiidr Baptist Church, at Llangynidr, Breconshire, Wales, and here also he was married to Miss F. W*illiams, daughter of Mr. John Wil- liams, Pointycreuddyn. After having spent five happy and prosperous years at this place he came to America, and set- lied as pastor of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scran- ton in the Fall of 1866. In the Fall of 1869 he left Scranton to take charge of the Laight St. now Central Church, New York. In December, 1874, he left New York for Frankl-in, Pa., which he served until March, 1885, ex- cept one year, 1880-1881, which he spent with the Salem Church, Maesteg, Wales. In March, 1885 he took charge of the Tenth Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pa., and re-
26
mained until Dec, 1892 when he accepted a call from the First Baptist Church at Milwaukee, Wis. He served th-is church until Jan., 1896 when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health and return to his native home in Wales where he died in July 21, 1897, and was burded at Amman- ford. He left a widow and seven children, an aged father, two brothers, one sister, and hosts of friends on both sides of the ocean to mourn his loss.
October 27, 1902, a beautiful monument was unveiled at his grave which had been raised at the expense of friends in America and Wales. Dr. Evans was one of the most noted Baptist ministers of his day; "being endowed by na- ture with a fine physical appearance, and mental powers of a high order, he was a noble representative of true man- hood. His ready wit, poetical genius, literary attainments, and his enthusiastic spirit endeared him to his nation, and won for him a memory that will be always charished with fondness and pride. As a preacher and lecturer he was famous, his thrilling eloquence moving his hearers to tears and laughter. As conductor of Eisteddfoddau he had no superior. t
Such is the description given of him by the Welsh St. David's Society of Philadelphia in their resolutions which they adopted in honor to his memory, Dec. 6, 1897."
In 1899 a "Memorial Volume" was pubHshed by his widow, Mrs. F. Evans, made of articles by a number of his friends under the editorialship of the Rev. B. D. Thomas, D. D., of Toronto, to which we refer the reader for the de- tails of his life.
REV. O. GRIFFITHS. (Giraldus.)
Mr. Griffiths was born at Tanybraich, Garndolben- maen. North Wales in 1832. He was baptized when he was 13 years old at Garndolbenmaen. At the age of 30 years he entered Haverfordwest College, and at the close of his college course he was ordained as pastor of Moriah Risca,
27
Mon, Wales where he had a very successful pastorate. In 1866 he came to America, and in Feb., 1867 he settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Minersville, Pa., as successor to the Rev. J Spinther James, M. A. Nov., 1869, he was married to M-iss Hannah Jones, Remsen, N. Y. After his resig^nation at Minersville, he attended Crozer Theological Seminary for one year, and in 1872 he and his family settled at Utica, N. Y., and from that time until his death he gave humself chiefly to literary work.
During his life time he published valuable works, viz. — "Above and Around," "The Gallery of the Welsh Maptist Ministers of America" in 1883 — "Nine Months in Wales," 1886. "The TwO' Ordinances," later, but his chief literary monument is "Y. Wawr" (The Dawn), a monthly Baptist magazine from 1876 to 1896. He was also noted as a poet. After a painful illness of about six weeks he died at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Utica, N. Y., May 14, 1896, aged 63 years, leaving a wodow, one daughter and thousands of friends to mourn his loss. He was buried at Utica.
When Mr. Griffiths died I think that I can safely say that the Welsh Baptists of America lost their most useful servant as was expressed by the many declarations made by leading men. '
(See "The Dawn" for 1896 for details.)
Since the death of Mr. Griffiths the Welsh Baptists of America have been without a periodical, the Dawn only lived a few months after the death of its editor and proprie- tor, which proves how much the Welsh Baptists depended on him and owed him.
REV. JOHN EVANS, M. A.
Mr. Evans was a brother of the late Dr. Fred Evans. He was born at Llandybie, Dec. 23, 1843. He was con- verted and began to preach when quite young. He was pastor for a few years at Talybont, Wales. Prior to his or-
28
dination he attended "The Reck Academy, Swansea and Pontypool College. He came to America in the year 1867, and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Provi- dence, Pennsylvania where he remained for two years. In t868 he was married tO' Miss Esther Hughes, daughter of the late Deacon B. Hughes of Hyde Park, superintendent of D., L. & W. Co. About the close of 1869 or the be- ginning of 1870 he went to Crozer Theological Seminary, and after having spent a year there, he accepted a call from Lancaster, Pa. From Lancaster, Pa., he went to Chester, Connecticut. In April, 1875, he moved to. Westerly Rhode Island. In 1883 he accepted a call from the Herkimer St. Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., after seven years suc- cessful ministry here, he took charge of the Welsh Baptist Church of New York, and in April, 1892. he received and accepted a second call from Westerly Rhode Island, and remained until his death which occurred March 22, 1897. The Sunday before, viz. the 21st he had preached and in the evening he baptized two; after the services he was taken sick at the church and had to be taken home in a carriage, and on Monday evening his spirit went to God. Thus ended the earthly life of this excellent man. He was a good man, an able preacher, and a fa'ithful and successful pas- tor. He was buried with great honors, March 26 at the River Bend Cemetery, R. I. He left a widow, three daugh- ters, one son, three brothers, an aged father, a sister and many friends tO' mourn his loss.
In July, 1896, he visited the writer at Freeland, Pa., and we had arranged to visit Wales in 1897 in order to see his brother Fred as he called him, who was then sick at his home at Llandybie, he was very anxious to see .him, but it was not to be so, John died in March and Fred in July of the same year 1897.
"Man proposes, but God disposes."
i9
REV. B. W. THOMAS.
Mr. Thomas was a native of Rhynmey, Wales. He was baptized at Pennel by the late Rev. D. R. Jones, and began to preach there and was educated at Haverford West College, Wales. He settled at Ashland, Pa., in 1863. He left Ashland for Bucknell University, and from the University he accepted a call to Milton, Pa., -in 1867. He left Milton for Milesburg, and from Milesburg he went to Johnstown, Pa., where he had cliarge of the English Church. In 1871 he came to Scranton and founded the Jackson Street Baptist Church. In August, 1883, he came to Edwardsdale. There he assumed the pastorate of the Welsh Baptist Church, and on Oct. 25, 1885, he received and accepted a call from the Immanuel Baptist Church, and thus became its first pastor. In the spring of 1886 he went to Freedom, New York, and within two years he returned to the English Church at Plymouth, Pa. From Plymouth he went tO' Denver, Colorado, for the benefit of his health, and there he died about the close of the year 1893. Mr. Thomas was an excellent preacher, I have no knowledge of his family.
The Jackson St. Church referred to above was founded by brother B. W. Thomas in June, 1871, with seven mem- bers. Its first meeting house was dedicated June 22, 1877, when they had nearly 200 mem.bers. The lot cost $3,000.00.
REV. W. D. MORGAN.
Mr. Morgan was a native of Aberavon, Wales, where he was baptized, and where he began to preach. He was educated at Pontypool College, Wales. He came to Amer- ica about the year 1867 and settled for about two years at Hyde Park where he was engaged in different kinds of se- cular work until 1869, when he received a call from the new- ly organized Welsh Baptist Church of Plymouth, Pa., as its first pastor. After having served Plymouth a few years, he
30
accepted a call from the Baptist Church of Catasauqua, Pa. He left Catasauqua in 1875 for Chester, Connecticut, and in the spring of 1877 ^^^ settled with the Tliird Church, North Stomngton, Connecticut; here he was thrown from a car- riage and instantly killed, May 7, 1878, aged 34 years.
REV. T. G. JONES.
Mr. Jones was a native of Tredegar, Wales. He was born May 5, 1840. He was baptized when only nine years of age by the late Rev. Evan Thomas. He came to Amer- ica in 1868 and settled at Hyde Park, and in 1870 he was ordained as the first pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Taylor, Pa. He died at Hyde Park, Feb. 21, 1894. (For details see "The Dawn," 1895, p. 143.)
REV. CHARLES JONES, M. A.
Mr. Jones was a native of Montgomeryshire, North Wales, where he was born Jan. 8, 1836. When a yoimg man he mover from North Wales to Penydarren, South Wales, where he worked in the mines. From Penydarren he came to Hdye Park, Pennsylvania, in the year 1861. He was converted and baptized by the late Rev. Isaiah Davies who was the pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Scran- ton. He began to preach in 1865 at the same church under the ministry of the late Rev. John P. Harris (leuan Ddu). At that time the church had no meeting house in Hyde Park as they had sold the one they had in Scranton; the Sunday services were held in Fellows' Hall, and the week evening services were held at the homes of the members, hence Mr. Jones preached his second trial sermon at the writer's home on what is now Eynon St., from John 14. 19. "Be cause I l-ive, ye shall live also." In the fall of 1866 he went to Bucknell University, and graduated with honours in 1871. He took his wife and child, Hannah
3i
Moriah, and they kept house at Lewisbiirg during his en- tire course. He was ordained at Morris Run, Pa., im- mediately after his graduation. The late Revs. John P. Harris and Theophilus Jones officiated. After his depart- ure from Morris Run, he served Coalburg, Mineral Ridge, New Straitsville and Paris, Ohio; Taylor, Slatington and Nanticoke, Pa., where he died triumphantly April 17, 1900, and April 21 he was buried in Washburn St. Cemetery, Scranton, Pa. The funeral was in charge of the writer, and the following m-inisters took part at the church at Nanti- coke: D. Philips, W. F. Davies, T. C. Edwards, D. D., (Cong.), J. P. Thomas, (Cong.), R. E. Williams, D. D. Hopkins, and George Hague and D. C. Edwards at the grave. Bro. Jones was one of the leading men of the na- tion, as a christian, a student, a preacher and pastor. At the time of his death he was the Moderator of the Associa- tion. He left a widow, one daughter one brother and one sister, and many friends to mourn his loss.
REV. BENJAMIN NICHOLAS.
Mr. Nicholas was born in Merthyr Tydvil, Wales, Dec.
25, 1826. He was baptized when 18 years old at Zion
Church, Merthyr by the late Rev. John Jones. At the age
of 19 years be came to America and settled for a while at
Minersville, Pa. He returned to^ Merthyr, and remained
there two years, and in 1855 he was ordained at Zion, and
returned to America the sam^e year and settled as pastor of
the Welsh Baptist Church at Eloomsburg, Pa., and was in-
mstrumental in building a meeting house there. After his
removal from Bloomsburg he preached at several places,
Jeddo, Mahanoy City, Ashland, etc. He spent bis last
years at Hazleton, Pa., where he died August 27, 1892, and
where he was buried August 30. ("The Dawn," 1892, p.
305-)
Bro. Nicholas was greatly beloved by his brethren. He
left a wodow and several children and many friends to
mourn his loss.
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REV. EDWARD JENKINS.
Mr. Jenkins was born Dec. 4, 1829 at Coed Duon, (Black Woods), Bedwellty parish, Monmouthshire, Wales. He was a son of William and Margaret Jenkins. He was raised at a place called Gellihab, about eight miles below Rhymney. He was baptized at Caerphili in Sept., 1848, by the Rev. Daniel Jones. August 24, 1850 he was married to Miss Sarah Thomas, and after their marriage, both uni- ted by letters with the Hengoed Church. Soon after uni- ting with the Hengoied Church, he began to preach in 1851, at the request of the eminent Dr. John Jenkins their pas- tor, and his able assistant the Rev. Daniel Rees. He was to preach at Hengoed and its different brances, viz. — Pengam, Ysgwydd Gwyn Cwm Felin, Berthlwyd, Bedwas and other places, etc., but in the month of March, 1852, he and his famdly came tO' America, and settled at St. Clair, Pa. Dr. Jenkins wrote a letter to the Rev. Wm. Morgans, Potts- ville who had alsoi charge of St. Clair, in which he highly recommended Jenkins as an excellent man, and as one who had begun tO' preach, and as one worthy of all eincourage- ments. After his settlement at St. Clair he met with sever- al adverse circumstances through affHcitions in the homie, yet he continued to preach, as often as he could. From St. Clair they moved to Bloomsburg, Pa., where at that time there was a Welsh Baptist Church with 85 members, and where at the close of 1855 at the request of the church, he be- gan to preach in public and in the month of May, 1856 the quarterly meeting of the association was held here when the Revs. Evans, Carbondale; Wm. R-ichmond, Blakely; Wm. Morgans, Pottsville; John P. Harris, Minersville; B. Bowen, Pittston; John James, Scranton, were present, and after having heard Jenkins preach they passed a resolution, granting him liberty to preach wherever God called him. From Bloomsburg he moved to Carbondale soon after the quarterly meeting in 1856. He remained here until April, 1859, when he received a call from Tremont, Pa., where he was ordainied in August, 1859, when the Revs. Wm. Mor-
33
gans and Edwards, Pottsville; John P. Harris, M'inersville, and D. Evans, Danville, officiated. His field here included Frostburg, Sweet Arrow and Tremont. This was a very happy and prosperous period in his life, and he always loved to refer to it. He moved from Pennsylvania to Olwo, and served Weathersfield, Cincinnatti and Coalburg, then after sO'me years in Ohio, he returned to Pennsylvania, and was pastor of Plymouth and Olyphant for several years; then he returned again to Ohio' either dn 1878 or 9, and became pas- tor of Parisville, from Parisville to Niles, OhiO' and from Niles to South Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He was also for a short time at Mahanoy Gity. For several years before his death he had retired from the stated pastorate, but supplied dif- ferent churches as he had opportunity. He was one of the most active and faithful ministers of the Welsh Baptists. He travelled thousands of miles tO' raise money to build meeting houses, and to pay the debts of others. He en- dured much hardness, but in all the trials he passed through as a Christian and a minister he kept his garment clean. He was twice married. His first wife died July 2, 1893, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was a noble Christian woman and a true helpmeet. March 29, 1897, he married Mrs. Ann Rees at Jerymn, Pa. She died Feb. 13, 1901. After her death he made his. home with his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Bird, at Wilkes-Barre, where he finished April 26, 1902, aged 73 years and 4 months. April 30 he was buried at Shawnee Cemetery, Plymouth, Pa. The funeral was in charge of the Rev. J. D. Roberts, pastor of the Parrish Street Church, Wilkes-Barre. and the following pastors officiated with him: Jacob E. Davies, Wm. J. John, W. O. Evans and John Hague. He had eight children, but only one survived him — Mrs. Sarah B-ird.
REV. MOSES WRIGHT.
Mr. Wright was a native of Gefn Mawr, North Wales, where he was born in 1842. He was baptized at the age of 18 and began to preach at the age of 19 years at the same place.
34
He spent three years at Llang-ollen Colleg-e, North Wales, and after he had finished his collegiate course he was ordained at the Jerusalem Church, Rhymney, in March, 1866. He came to America in 1872 and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Bedford, Ohio. After his departure from Bedford, he served Newburgh (Welsh Church) and Alliance, Ohio, and an January, 1877, he accepted a call from the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton as successor of the Rev. D. W. Morris. He died at Shenandoah, Pa., December, 1878, and was buried at the same place. He had gone to Shenandoah with a view to settle there as pastor of the Welsh Church there, but he was taken sick and died before he had really begun his work. He left a widow.
He was a good man. His friends in the States placed a beautiful monument over his grave in honor to bis mem- ory. In the biography of the late R. Jones Llanllyfni a beautiful letter may be seen written by Jones to Wright when the latter was at Rhymney, which shows the regard the venerable patriarch had for Mr. Wright.
REV. JAMES R. PRICE.
As was stated, the Welsh Baptist Church at Edwards- dale was organized in 1873, but it depended upon supplies until Rev. James R. Price was ordained, which was done August 28, 1876. Mr. Price was born in a farmhouse named Drachfynydd in Breconshire on November 28, 1833. When he was yet in his infancy, his parents moved to Merthyr Tydvil, and here, when about fourteen years of age, he was converted and baptized into the followship of what was generally known as the Lower Chapel or Eben- ezer Baptist Church by the late Rev. John Llyod, who was one of the most excellent Christian ministers of Wales, and who was pastor of the above-named church for many years. Mr. Price, like the most of the boys and young men of Wales 'in his day, did not have many educational advan-
35
tages, yet he made good use of his spare hours and attended school for some months with the Rev. John WiUiams. In the month of August, 1857, he married Miss Jane Lewis, who proved a true helpmeet to him until the Lord took him home. He came to America for the first time in 1862, with the intention of making his home here, but for some reason he returned to Wales the same year. In the year 1869 he came again to America with his family, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, for a time. Then he came to Taylor, Pa., and from Taylor to Edwardsville, Pa., which was to be the chief and final field of his labor. He had been preaching for some years before he came to Edwardsdale, but had not been ordained, and his coming tO' this place proved a great blessing to the church in its weakness, and in order that he might be fully qualified to administer the Ordinances, they decided tO' have him ordained. Hence a council met on August 28, 1876. The Rev. John P. Harris was Chairman of the Council, and asked the usual questions. The Ordina- tion Prayer, with the Laying of Hands, was offered by the Rev. Edward Jenkins of Plymouth. The Hand of Fellow- ship was given by the Rev. D. R. Davies. The Charge to the Pastor was given by the Rev. Theophilus Jones, and the Charge to the Church by the Rev. H. C. Parry, of Pittston. After his ordination, as before, he labored faithfully at home and elsewhere until he was disabled by an affliction which began in August, 1881, and ended by his death on Monday, June II, 1883, He died a peaceful death, resting on his blessed Saviour, having sung that sweet hymn just before he died, "Am graig i adeiladu." He was buried on June 13 at Forty P'ort.
The funeral services were held at the Welsh Baptist Church, when the Rev. D. R. Jones, of Plymouth, preached in Welsh, and the Rev. John P. Harris preached in Eng- lish, and an address was delivered at the grave by the Rev. Theophilus Jones. Thus lived and died a noble child of God who has left a blessed influence behind him. His widow, Mrs. Jane Price, is still living at Edwardsdale, and is an honored member of the Welsh Baptist Church ; also four
36
of his children are members of the Immanuel Church, John R. Price, Miss Anna Price, who Hve with their mother, Mrs. Mary J. Lewis, the wife of Wilham J. Lewis, who hve at Kingston, and Mrs. Margaret Price, the wife of James Price, of Edwardsdale. There are also a son, William R. Price, at Fresno, California, and a daughter, Miss Catherine Price, at Scranton, Pa. May they all live so that they enjoy that glorious re-union above ! Mr. Price was the first Bap- tist minister to be ordained at Edwardsdale. He was quite a poet, several of his poetic productions appearing in issues of the Dawn of the Welsh.
REV. JEREMIAH GRIFFITHS, ASHLAND, PA.
He was a son of Mr. Jeremiah Griffiths, a prosperous farmer in Llanelli parish, Carmarthenshire, Wales, and a brother of the Rev. Cornelius Griffiths, well known in Wales and England as an able Baptist minister, who now resides in Cardiff. Jeremiah Griffiths was born in a farm- house called Gwendre Fawr, in the above parish, December 17, 1823. He professed conversion when quite young, and was baptized at Felinfoel, near Llanelli, when a little past fourteen years. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bowen, a daughter of a respectable farmer of the same parish, whO' lived at a place called Gell-ifechan. She also was a faithful member with the Baptists, and had been baptized when quite young at the same place. She proved to be an excellent wife and a true helpmeet in every sense of the word, and a tender and careful mother of the seven children which they were blessed with, but to the great sorrow and loss oi himself and children, she died at Hop- kinstown, near Pontypridd, August, 1868. After his mar- riage he settled on a farm, called Cwrt y Gleden, near Pontyberen, and soon after that he united with the Hermon Church, Llanon, and it was at this place in 1854 he began to preach. For some time he preached as an assistant preacher in the neighboring churches with great accept-
37
ance, and about the close of 1859 ^^^ accepted a call which had been given him by the church at Ponthenry, and Janu- ary 30, i860, he was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry. The following ministers are supposed to have officiated at his ordination: E. Price, Llanon; W. Hughes, Glanymor, Llanelly; and his brother, Cornelius Griffiths, then of Aberavon. He served the church at Ponthenry with a great degree of success for three years, and then in 1863 removed to take charge of Adulam and Foxhole, near Swansea, where he remained until 1867, when in the month of August of that year he accepted a call from Rhondda chapel, near Pontypridd.
In about a year after he had settled here he suffered the great loss of his beloved wife, who died August, 1868. About the month of July, 1870, he left Hopkinstown to take charge of Llandocha and Cadoxton, near Cardiff. Shortly before this he had married his second wife, Miss Margaret Jones of Canton, Cardiff, who proved an excellent com- panion and wife to him until his death, and died soon after him. In 1871 he left Cadoxton and Llandocha to take charge of Carmel, Cefncoedcymer, near Merthyr, where he remain- ed until 1875, when he left to assume the pastorate of Tafar- nau Bach and Tabernacle. SirhowT, which he served happily and prosperously until 1879, when he left his native land for America, and settled as pastor of the Baptist Church at Ash- land, Pa., where he remained until he was called to his re- ward in June, 1886.
In the summer of 1885 he visited his native land, when he had the pleasure of seeing many of his old friends and children, and of preaching at many places, and also of taking part at the installation services of his eldest son, the Rev. John Griffiths, at Llanidloes, who that year moved from Brynhyfryd. Ebbw Vale, to Llanidloes. North Wales. In September he returned to his home at Ashland. This trip did not benefit his health, but rather to the contrary, and soon after his return he was taken sick with rheumatic fever, from which he never recoverd, but graually weakened unti!
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his death, which occurred Tuesday, June 29, 1886, and dur- ing his dying moments he whispered those beautiful Hnes in Welsh:
A chuddia fi yn dy farwol glwy."
"Cymer fi, lesu, fel yr wyf,
July ist the funeral services were held at the church, when the following ministers officiated : Revs. Theophilus Jones (B.), Wilkes-Barre ; Henshey, Girardsville ; B. James, St. Clair: James F. Richards, Mahanoy City: and T. D. Evans, Audenried. and R. Edwards, Pottsville, and all the above ministers except Mr. Evans have since passed away. His mortal remains were interred at Ashland Cemetery. All the respect possible to an honored servant of Christ v/cre shown him by the church and the community during his sickness and at his funeral. He preached his last ser- mon December 18, 1885. from Acts 27:8. He had seven children, four sons and three daughters, six of whom are still living. He had the pleasure of seeing them all follow- ing Christ in the days of their youth, and two of his sons are Baptist ministers in Wales.
John, his eldest son, is now a home missionary under the auspices of the Forward Movement at Towyn, Merion- eth, and William is at Llantrisant, Glanmorganshire, where the late beloved William Morgans, Pottsville, Pa., was or- dained in 1824, and a grandson of his wife, a son of his first born, Ann. Samuel Jones is pastor of Ffvnon and Glan Rhyd, Pembroke. Thus, though dead, he still speaketh both through the Christian character he lived, and his use- ful and honored sons, and the souls that he was instru- mental through his ministry in leading to Christ. "The memory of the just is blessed."
REV. B. JAMES.
Mr. James settled at Ashland, Pa., in 1873. He was a native of Cardiganshire, Wales, and was baptized at Cardi- gan, Cardiganshire, in 1823 by the Rev. John Herring and
39
began to preach at the same place in 1831. He published an interesting sketch of the life of John Herring. He was a brother of the late Rev. T. E. James (T ap leuan), Glyn Neath, Wales. In 1884 he published a volume of the ser- mons of the late Rev. John Roberts. He returned to Wales in April, 1887, and died there in May the same year. I often heard him say that he wished to end his days in Wales and be buried with his brother, and his wish was granted.
He was a good man. and had preached the gospel nearly sixty years. I am not familiar with the details of his life in Whales and America, but I know that he was at one time pastor of the Pisgah Baptist Church, Glamorganshire. Wales, which was the writer's mother church, and I pub- lish these few facts as a tribute of respect to his memory.
REV. JOHN SETH JONES.
Mr. Jones was born at Dinoruig, Carnarvonshire, North Wales, in 1826. His father's name was John Jones, and was an honored and useful deacon among the Con- gregationalists, but the son was brougt up a Baptist and was baptized, as is supposed, by the Rev. John Jones ("Yr Hen Gloddiwr). At the age ol 23 years he began to preach, and after a course of education at Haverfordwest he was ordained at Lanfaircaereinion, North Wales, in 1861, and in ten months he married Miss Margaret Rowlands, one of the members of his church, who proved a true helpmeet to him until his death. After three years' service at Llan- fair he moved to New Tredegar, South Wales, where he labored with great success for five years and then came to America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Church at Dan- ville and Frosty Valley, Pennsylvania. He remained here six years and then moved to Remsen, New York, where he died June 3, 1893. His remains were buried at Prospect Cemetery. His funeral services were conducted by his pastor, the Rev. D. P. Griffith. Mr. Jones had retired from the stated ministry some years before his death, and lived
40
en his own farm, but preached wherever he had an oppor- tunity. He left an excellent record as a Christian and as a minister of the gospel. He left a widow and six children, viz.: John R., Tennessee; H. Seth, New York; Mrs. Ben- jamin Richards and Mary, in the same city, and Emlyn and Willie, home. See "The Dawn" for September, 1893.
REV. SAMSON JONES.
Mr. Jones was bcrn at a place called The Garth. Llan- gollen parish, Denbighshire, in the year 1843. His parents were Calvinistic Methodists, but he himself was led when only 17 years old to accept the New Testament baptism, by being baptized at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Cefn Mawr, by the Rev. W. Williams, Garth, after having heard a sermon on the occasion on baptism by the Rev. Dr. Ellis Evans. Soon after that he went to Liverpool, where he remained two years and a half, and then returned to his native home, where he began to preach. In 1866 he en- tered Llangollen College, and in 1867 he settled as pastor at Staylittle and Maldwyn. In 1872-1874 he served Bwlch- y-rhiw, Rhaiadr-mwyn and Waunclydaf. Then he moved to Trefforest, near Pontypridd. He served also Cwmsarnddu and Cendl in Wales, and in 1884 he came to America and took charge of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Wilkes- Barre, which he served for a number of years, and then re- turned to his old charge at Trefforest, Wales, where he died very suddenly a few years ago. It was during his pas- torate that the First Welsh Baptist of Wilkes-Barre erected their present meeting house on Meade street. See "The Dawn" for 1887, p. 197.
REV. J. F. RICHARDS.
Mr. Richards was a native of Dowlais, South Wales, and was the son of Richard and Margaret Richards, effi- cient members of Hebron Baptist Church. He was con-
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verted when only eleven years of age and united with the Hebron Baptist Church, Dowlais. He began to preach when only sixteen years old. In 1872 he entered Bucknell University, where he remained four years, and in January, 1878, he was ordained as pastor of the Baptist Church of Church Hill, Ohio. After having served Church Hill a few years he served Newburgh and the Superior Street Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio, and then returned to Pennsylvania to take charge of Warrior Run and Alden, Pa., whence he moved to Mahanoy City, Pa., in 1886, where he died in July, 1888. His remains were buried at Mahanoy City July 30, 1888.
He died comparatively young. Though a young man, he had passed through deep waters of afflictions and sor- rows. Plis beloved wife Sophia, daughter of the Rev. T. M. Mathews, whom he had married at Hubbard, Ohio, in 1878, had preceded him to her eternal home, leaving him with his twO' little children to fight the battles of life — also he himself had not been well for years, yet he rendered valuable service during his short pastorate, and left a good name and influence in all his fields of labor. His funeral sermons were preached at the church on the day of his burial in Welsh by the Rev. Theophilus Jones, and in Eng- lish by the writer. His two children were sent to the Bap- tist Orphanage, Philadelphia, and were under the care of the Rev. D. S. Thomas, M. A., who had been appointed as their guardian. (See "The Daylight," 1889, p. 30-31).
REV. WM. HADDOCK.
Mr. Haddock was born at Tredgar, Monmouthshire, Wales, May ist, 1841. At the age of 13 years he united with the Reformed Wesleyans, who were then at Tredegar. At that time he could not read, and was not able to do so until he was 18 years old. Circumstances compelled him to work every day, Sundays included, so that he did not have the advantages neither of week days' school nor the
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Sunday school. But at the age of i8 years he began to Jearn, and when he began he went at it with all his might.
"I went," said he, "at this time to a night school, and learned to read; and then I began to think, and I united with the Siloh Baptist Church of Tredegar, and was bap- tized by the Rev. John Evans Abercanaid, May 7, 1863." Then he moved to the North of England and in 1865 he en- tered Llangollen College. He was now 24 years old. At the end of his collegiate course he accepted a call from Twyn Gwyn Church, Monmouthshire, where he was or- dained April, 1867, where he spent four happy and pros- perous years; he married his first wife. Miss Sarah Jones, of Gwenllwyn, in July, 1868. In 1871 he accepted a call from Cwmbwrla, and moved there that year, and remained there until 1879, when he moved to take charge of Blaenffos, Pembrokeshire; his pastorate here was not long before he returned to Glamorganshire and settled at Pyle. He was at Pyle when the writer, with Rev. Fred Evans, D. D,, of Franklin, Pa., preached at their anniversary meet- ings in June, 1883. It was during this pastorate that he lost his beloved wife Sarah, leaving him with seven chil- dren. He married the second time to a Miss M. Thomas, who proved an excellent mother to the children and an ex- cellent companion to him. In April, 1888, he came to America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Frostburg, Maryland (this church is a member of the Welsh Baptist Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania), where he was buried January 4th, 1890, amid great sorrow and also with all the tokens of Christian love that the church and community could show him. His funeral ser- mon was preached the following day by the Rev. Samson Jones, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Mr, Haddock left a blessed memory. He published a volume of sermons and essays, entitled "The Bud." Dur- ing his pastorate at Frostburg he had the pleasure of bap- tizing his father. After his death Mrs. T. Lewis, of Cata- sauqua, took two^ of his daughters to the Baptist Orphan- age, Philadelphia. (See "The Dawn" for 1890, pp. 13&)
43 REV. WM. SHADRACH, D. D.
Dr. Wm. Shadrach was born at Penclawdd, near Swan- sea, December 4, 1804. His father died when he was quite small. He well remembered his mother's pastor, viz.: the immortal Joseph Harris (Gomer), and Gomer had a warm place in his heart to his last moment. In the year 1819, when only fifteen years old, he left Wales with his mother and half-brother, John Thomas. The last words of Mrs. Shadrach to her pastor, Gomer, when bidding him farewell were: — "I do not expect to live long after reaching America, but I want to take my two sons, all that I have left of my family, to the land of freedom before I die." After a stormy voyage of six weeks they landed at Picton, Nova Scotia. From this place they sailed in a vessel laden with lumber and were for six weeks more on the rough ocean, when they landed at Baltimore, Maryland, August 19, 18 19 William and John left their mother in the city in the care of a friend, and they went on foot to a place named Dixon's Run, Indiana Co., Pa. They had two uncles here, brothers of their mother, named Hugh and John Rees. This was a long journey, and one they never forgot. They walked by faith, for it was a strange road to them. The boys had but very little English, and no Welsh could be found from Baltimore to Dixon's Run. After having walked with but little rest they reached the place and re- ceived a hearty welcome. In a short time one of the brethren of Mrs. Shadrach went to bring her from Balti- more. She came on horseback. Once more the mother and two sons are under the same roof. In a short time we find them in a log cabin. By this time the spot on which the cabin was built has been immortalized, for the farm now is called "Shadrach's Farm." The place at that time was quite wild, and the good mother and the heroic sons had to work hard to clear a piece of land that they might make a living. Here they worked together for years, and this proved a good school for W. Shadrach. Really, he was prepared here for the great mission of his life. John was
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the oldest and he had received a good education at Swan- sea, but William had not received scarcely any. In the winter John taught a public school, whilst William workeci here and there, and thus they made enough of money to pay for the farm. In the year 1824 we find William work- ing under Thomas E. Thomas, superintendent of an iron ore mine at Warrior's Run, Huntingdon Co. Thomas K Thomas had been licensed to preach by the Beulah Church, Cambria Co. (This was the church organized by Morgan John Rees), and though busy at work all through the week, yet he preached two or three times every Sun- day. Mr. Thomas knew nothing about singing, but Will- iam was a great help to him. May 22, 1825, he was bap^ tized by Mr. Thomas and received into the Two' Lick Bap- tist Church, Indiana Co., Pa. He was soon invited to be- gin to preach, and he preached his first trial sermon De- cember 26, 1826, at the home of Mr. Francis Chapman. He soon became quite popular, and he preached through the Counties of Greene, Somerset, Fayette and Westmore- land. He was then known as "the boy preacher." He mas- tered the English language, and retained his Welsh fire. As soon as Dr. Estep of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Pa., heard of him he sent for him to come and stay at his liome in order tO' be prepared for the ministry. He went there, and with Dr. Estep, "the medical preacher," he learnt Greek and Latin. He was very fortunate in finding- in the Doctor a friend and a father. The Mount Pleasant Church gave him a call and ordained him in 1828. In 1830 he moved to Loyalhanna and Peter's Creek, Allegheny Co., and whilst he was pastor of these two churches he preached in the City of Allegheny. He did this in order tO' attend the Western Theological Seminary — he thirsted for theo- logical knowledge and had it whilst he was at Allegheny. In 1834 the Sandusky Street Church of Allegheny gave him a call, which he accepted, and remained here with great success for four years. Then we find him as pastor of New Market Chuich, Philadelphia — that church is now called the Fourth and is on the corner of Fifth and Button-
45
wood. This is the mother of the Tenth Church. He was the successor of Dr. Joseph H, Kennard, who went out from the Fourth tO' form the Tenth. In 1841 he resigned his pastorate m order to become the superintendent of the State Association, which is now called "the General Bap- tist Association of Pennsylvania." He proved himself vcrv efficient in this position, and was very successful. In 1844 he resigned tO' accept a call from the Grant Street Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, but he only remained here one year, when he returned to Philadelphia to take charge of the Fifth Church. He was very successful here until 1847. ^^ this year the denomination turned to him, requesting him to assume the great work of raising the means to establish "Bucknell (now) University," and from 1847 to 1853. with the exception of one year which he gave to the Berean Church in Pittsburgh, he labored with all the power of his soul, and to him chiefly as an instrument we are indebted for Bucknell University. If Dr. Shadrach had no other monument, this is sufficient to speak of his power. After he had finished his work for Lewisburg he served Mount Pleasant, Pa., from 1861 to 1864; Hollidaysburg to 1867; Altoona to 1872, he was rhe chief instrument in building their meeting house.
In April, 1873, he moved to Indiana, Pa., and served that church eleven years. He served the Everett Church in Bedford Co. for one year, and aided the little church to erect a meeting house instead of the one burnt. In the spring of 1886 he returned to Indiana, his old home, and from 1887 to 1890 he served the General Baptist Associa- tion as an Associational missionary of the Indiana Associ- ation, and during this period, though past eighty years old, he rendered valuable service by establishing a new church at Blairsville. February 16, 1890, he preached his last ser- mon. October i, 1890, he died at his home at Indiana, Pa. The funeral services were held in the Baptist Church at Indiana; a portion of God's Word was read by the Rev. W. H. Conard, D. D., corresponding secretary of the Gen- eral Baptist Association of Pennsylvania ; a brief biography
46
of Dr. Shadrach was read by the pastor, Rev. D. W. Swigart; addressese were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. W. H. Conrad; Forgeus, Ehrenfield, pastor of the Lutheran Church in the place; Hall, pastor of the Presbyterian Church; Prof. Loomis, of Bucknell University; Brownlee, pastor of the U. P. Church ; and Hay, pastor of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church. His remains were buried at Oakland Cemetery, near the town. Thus lived and died one of the noblest characters that ever crossed the ocean. He was a prince with God and man; the writer has always felt proud of the fact that Dr. Shadrach took part at his installation at Scottdale in September, 1882, and remained at his home over night.
The most of the above has been translated from a Welsh article written by the late Rev. Fred Evans, D. D.
Dr. Shadrach never served as pastor in the Welsh Association, but he was a pastor of all the Associations in his position as financial agent for Lewisburg, etc., 1847- 1853.
REV. J. R. JONES.
Mr. Jones was born at Sirhowy, Monmouthshire, Wales, August 16, 1839. He was a son of Evan and Mary Jones. At the age of 16 years he was baptized into the fellowship of the Baptist Church by the renowned Rev. Robert Ellis (Cynddelw). In his young manhood he came to America and settled at Pomeroy, Ohio, where he proved himself very helpful to the cause there. At this place he united in marriage with Miss Ann Rees, daughter of Ed- ward and Jane Rees, who were honored members of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church of Pomeroy. In 1866, at the invitation of the Pomeroy Welsh Church, he began to preach and June 3, 1873, he was ordained as pastor of the Mason City Baptist Church, West Virginia. The fol- lowing ministers officiated: — W. Owens, Pittsburgh; D. Jenkins, Palmyra, Ohio; D. Probert, Youngstown, Ohio; D. R. Jones, Johnstown, Pa.; M, Wright, Newburgh,
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Ohio; W. M. Evans, Brookfield, Ohio, and the writer, who was then at Sharpsville, Pa. During those days the Welsh Baptist Association of Western Pennsylvania held its meet- ings at Pomeroy. across the Ohio River from Mason City, and this was the reason why so many ministers were pres- ent at his ordination. In 1876 he accepted a call to Miners- ville, Pa. In November, 1881, he accepted a call to Brisbin, Pa., where he labored with great success for eight years. During his pastorate here the church erected two meeting houses; the second had to be built because the first was burned. In April. 1888. a church was organized at Linsey, Pa., and in September the same year he moved there to take formal charge of it. He built a meeting house here also.
He died November 3, 1891, after several months of illness. Revs. D. R. Davis, Pittsburgh; J. G. Noble, Punx- sutawney, and Jacob Howells (Pres.) officiated at his fu- neral. Mr. Jones left an excellent record as a Christian and a minister of the gospel. He left a widow, five sons and one daughter and a host of friends to mourn his loss. (See Rev. D. R. Davis' article in "The Dawn" for Janu- ary, 1892.
REV. AMBROSE WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams was converted at Sirhowy, Monmouth- shire, Wales, under the ministry of the Rev. John P. Davis, Tredegar, and baptized by the Rev. Thomas Davis Argoed. in the absence of the pastor, who at the time was sick. He was one of the constituent members of Sirhowy, which was organized in 1833. He and the late B. Evans, D. D., Neath, Wales, began to preach the same time at the same place. Before leaving for America he was ordained at Sir- howy, in August, 1854. He settled as pastor in Johnstown in August, 1855. He died at Remsen, New York, in 1865, and was buried at Weathersfield, Ohio. He was one of the chief instruments in settling the renowned Rev. Robert Ellis (Cynddelw) at Sirhowy.
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REV. D. R. JONES.
Mr. Jones was born at Penlan, Talybont, Wales. His parents' names were Thomas and Eleanor Jones. His father was a sieve maker by trade and he also learned the same trade. He was baptized, one of twelve, May 26, 1826, 1
by the Rev. Simon James. Soon after his baptism he began to preach. It is said that the Rev. John Jones, Zion, Mer- thyr, began to preach with him the same time at Talybont. He was ordained at Machynlleth, April 4, 1863. Jones served / W' ^ the following churches in Wales: Machynlleth, Berwig, Liv- 1
erpool, London, Penuel, Rhymney, Abercarn, and in 1869 he came to Johnstown, Pa. He went from Johnstown to Youngstown, Ohio; from Youngstown to Frostburg, Maryland, and from Frostburg to Plymouth February, 1879, where he died September, 1887, and where he was buried September 24. He had been in the active ministry s4 years, and was one of the most popular preachers of his day both in Wales and in America.
REV. D. J. EVANS.
Before he came to America Mr. Evans was an honored, deacon of the Calvary Baptist Church, Aberdare, under the ministry of the late Rev. Thomas Price, Ph. D. After he came to America he settled at Irwin Station, Pa. In 1872 the Welsh Church at Irwin recjuested him to exercise his gifts as a preacher, and Easter morning, 1873, he was ordained as their pastor. The Revs. D. Proberts, of Youngstown, Ohio, and D. R. Jones, of Johnstown, offi- ciated. About the close of 1875 ^^ went to Johnstown and remained here as pastor until his death, which occurred in 1878. His death occurred after an illness ol nine weeks of cancer of the bowels. His mortal remains were buried in Sandy Vale Cemetery. He was a man greatly beloved because of his excellence as a Christian and a pastor.
49 REV. JOSEPH T. JONES.
Mr. Jones was born in Lanwrda parish, Carmarthen- shire, not far from Langadog, January 21, 1824. His par- ents were Thomas and Mary Jones. His father and mother were faithful members of the church at Langadog, of Gwynfa, He had the advantage of an education in his boyhood days, by attending a school which was kept by a relative named J. Jones, a priest of the Church of England, who had charge of Lanwrda, where he kept his school. In a few years he went to Langadog- school, and by tnis time he had united with the Congregationalists, at Gwynfa, and began to preach there when only 15 years of age under the ministry of the venerable Jones, Gwynfa. He attended Bristol College for five years and was only just past 19 years when he was ordained as pastor of the Welsh Qiurch there. He remained five years. He served the Congrega- tionalists in several other places until after what is known in Welsh as the great debate on Baptism, when he became convinced that immersion was the scriptural way of bap- tism, and hence was baptized at Lanfynydd Baptist Church about the beginning of 1847, by the late Rev. W. L. Evans, then of London. From that time on he became a Baptist minister and served several Baptist churches in Wales, viz. : Melin y Cwrt, Briton Ferry, Bwlch-y-rhiw, Rhandirmwyn, Fontripont, Talysarn and Penygroes, until 1873, when he came to America, and settled at Utica, N. Y. He served in America at Utica, N. Y., Shenandoah, Pa., Thomastown, Ohio, Johnstown, Pa., October, 1880, and Dodgeville, Wis,, where he ended his pilgrimage, September 21, 1886. He was a man of very excellent character, and very elo- quent and popular. He was buried at Dodgeville, Wis- consin.
REV. DAVID JONES.
Rev. Jones was born at Aberstwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales, April 17, 183 1. His parents' names were Edward and Frances Jones, who were well-to-do and highly re-
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spected at Aberystw)'th. David Jones was one of six chil- dren, four brothers and two sisters. In his young- manhood he learned the trade of shoemaking. He was converted when quite young, and baptized into the fellowship of the Aberystwyth Baptist Church by the Rev. Edw. Williams, where also he began to preach. About the year 1852 he entered Haverfordwest College, where he received his theo- logical training. In the year 1856 he received and accept- ed a call to the pastorate of the Baptist Church of Beau- maris, Anglesy, North Wales, where he was ordained the same year. Soon after his settlement in the ministry he married a noble Christian lady from Beaumaris named Miss Anne Rogers, who proved an excellent helpmeet to fiim until her death, which occurred in 1871.
Mr. Jones remained for several years at Beaumaris, greatly respected by the church and others, and he was also very prosperous in his work. After he left Beaumaris he served other churches in North Wales, viz.: Caeceiliog, Anglesy, and Glynceiriog, Denbighshire. He was also for a short time at Henley, in Staffordshire, and from Henley he came to Bangor, North Wales, where in May, 1873, he married the second time to Miss Margaret Jones, who also proved an excellent wife to him until his death. Soon after his marriage tO' Miss Jones he resigned and accepted a call from Llysfaen, South Wales. He served this church faithfully and piosperously for four years, and in 1878 he came to America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Bap- tist Church at Shenandoah, Pa., and after a happy and successful ministry of four years at Shenandoah he took charge of the Welsh Baptist Church of Johnstown, Pa., in May, 1872, and served it faithfully and successfully until God called him to his reward, which took place March 10, 1886, in the 55th year of his age. He was buried at Sandy Vale, Johnstown.
Much might be said of the excellence of Mr. Jones, as a Christian preacher, pastor, father, poet, etc., if space permitted. "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost" He left a clean record in all the churches he
served. He was the father of four children by his first wife; two are still living, David, in Wales, and Mrs. Eliza- beth Rhees, wife of our dear brother, John Rhees, who live at Johnstown and are active in church work, and T hope that the children will follow the footsteps of both parents and grandparents. What an honor to have a Godly Christian ancestry.
REV. H. C. PARRY, D. D.
Mr. Parry was born in the parish of Cerigeinwar, Anglesy, North Wales, September 20, 1826. In his early years he was a Congregationalist, and he began to preach with them at Rhos-Y-Meirch in the year 1845. December 26, 1848, he was ordained as a Congregationalist minister at Bagillt, Flintshire, North Wales. Being convinced after this that immersion was the proper mode of baptism, he was baptized at Llangefni, Anglesy, October, 1850. by the Rev. David Roberts. He labored in many fields in Wales as a Baptist minister, viz.: Dowlais, London and Cardiff, and came to America in 1870 and settled at Providence, Pa. He was also pastor at Utica, N. Y., and Pittston, Pa., and from Pittston he went to Johnstown in 1886 and re- mained here about a year and in 1887 he went to Dodge- ville. Wis.
He died at Llangefni, Anglesy, North Wales, May 18, 1895. Dr. Parry was an excellent scholar, an able preacher, a noted poet and a good man. He wrote much to the national and denominational periodicals. Among his poetical works may be named "An Ode on the Destruction of the Druids of Anglesy," won second prize at Aber- gavenny, in 1852. "An Ode on Bostworth Field," won sec- ond prize at Llangollen, in 1858. "An Ode on the Welsh Nation," at Aberdare, in 1861. "A Poem on the Return from Babylon," first prize at Swansea in 1863. (See lor- thryn Gwynedd).
Dr. Parry was the last pastor before the great flood at Johnstown, Pa.
REV. JOHN A. EVANS.
Mr. Evans was born near Llandrindod, Wales, in 1840. He was a son of John and Sarah Evans. His parents moved to Dowlais from Llanwrtyd in 1846. He was converted when quite young and baptized by the Rev. E. Evans Caer- salem, Dowlais, and began to preach at the same place in 1862. He spent three years at Pontypool College, and after his graduation he was ordained at Welshpool. (I have no knowledge of the date.) He was a member of the same class as the Rev. W. Morris, D. D., Treorky, W^ales. In August, 1869, he was married at Pontrhydyryn Chapel, near Pontypool, to Miss Catherine Williams Abertillery. In 1889 he came to America, and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist of Providence, Scranton, Pa. He remained here one year, when he accepted a call from the Welsh Baptist Church of Sharon, Pa., where he remained three years, and then moved to Olyphant, Pa., where he was pastor of the W^elsh Baptist Church for several years, and at the time of his death, which occurred June 21, 1901, he was pastor of West Market Street Welsh Baptist Church, Providence, Scranton, Pa. He was buried at Peckville, Pa. The Rev. Jacob E. Davies, M. A., officiated at his funeral. He left a widow and four sons. I have no knowledge of his family — but I know that he had one sister in Sharon, Pa. — Mrs. Margaret Thomas, widow of the late Deacon David Thomas of the Welsh Baptist Church of Sharon.
P. S. My authority for most of the above is Mrs. Evans herself and who sent me the items through her pas- tor, the Rev. D. E. Richards, M. D., Slatington, Pa.
REV. JACOB MORRIS.
Mr. Morris was the founder of the Welsh Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, Pa. He was born at Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, North Wales. He was baptized at the age of 13 years by the Rev. Rowland Williams at the same
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place, and began to preach at the age of i6. At the age of i8 he was married to Miss Jane WilHams and soon after that came to America and settled for a short time at Cincin- nati and then came to Pittsburgh, where he founded the Welsh Baptist in his own house and was ordained as its pastor April 20, 1S2S, and remained with them about six years, when he removed to Sharon to take charge of the English Baptist Church there in connection with Warren, Ohio. From Sharon he went to Salem, Ohio, where he re- mained five years, six years at Bridgewater, nine at Provi- dence in the Beaver Assocation, Pa., thirteen years at Maysville, one year at Richmond and Townville, Pa., three years at Harlansburg, twO' years at the Transfer before the church wos organized, one year and a half at Sharpsville — this was his last stated charge. He was married three times. His first wife died at Freedom, Pa. Flis second wife was a sister of the late Dr. Donaldson of Greenville, whom he married at Freedom, Pa., March zy, 1845. She died at Maysville, and was buried Thursday, January 13, 1876, be- tween Maysville and Greenville, Pa. The writer preached her funeral sermon from John 14:2. She was 63 years old. Mr. Morris then moved from Maysville to Greenville and his daughter Sadie kept house for him. His third wife was Miss Hannah Carlin of Harlansburg, Lawrence Co., Pa., Vv^hom he married November 22, 1876. After his third marriage the writer received both into the fellowship of the Greenville Church. She proved an excellent helpmeet. He died peacefully May 8, 1882 at Greenville, Pa., near which place also he was buried. He left a widow and several chil- dren and many friends to mourn his loss.
THE REV. B. E. JONES.
The above excellent Christian man and preacher died at Minersville, Pa., Saturday morning, January 16, 1904.
Mr. Jones was born at Argoed, Monmouthshire, Wales, February 7, 1825. His parents were John and Mary
54
jone?. In September. 1845. ^i*? came with his parents to America and settled at Minersville, Pa. Soon after his settlement at Minersville he professed conversion, and was baptized by the late Rev. John P. Harris (leuan Ddii). Soon after his conversion he began to preach. Tliere was another brother who began to preach with him. John W. F.vans. father of M. G. Evans, now Prof. M. G. Evans. D. D.. of Crozer Theological Seminary. They both went to Bucknell University the same year, 1855. as near as I can find out. Jones spent three and one-half years at Lewis- burg, and went from there to Johnstown, where he was or- dained December 7, 1858. The Revs. AMlliam Owens and A. H. Sembower officiating.
Alter spending a few happy years at Johnstown he re- turned east to Centralia. Pa., and from Centralia he went to W'iconisco. where he spent twenty-five years in pastoral work, and about four years ago he gave up the stated min- itsry and returned to Minersville, Pa., where he entered into his eternal rest Saturday. January 16, 1904. Monday. January 18, his mortal remains were brought to Scranton and were buried in the ^^'^ashburn Street Cemetery. Be- fore the burial his funeral ser^-ices were held in the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton. when the writer preach- ed the sermon at the request of the deceased from Psalm 73:24-25, and at the close of the sermon the Rev. W. F. Davies prayed. A service was held at his late homo at Minersville on Sunday evening, the 17th, at which the Rev. Thos. Lloyd preached. Mr. Jones never was married, hence he loft no family to mourn his loss, but he left alarge number of relatives and friends to do so. and among them Evan J. Davis of Scranton. a nephew, who was with him in his last davs and attended to all his needs. He is now at rest.
REV. W. O. EVANS.
Mr. Evans was born at Bcthesda, North Wales, March 24, 1844. His parents were John and Catherine Evans. He was the youngest of eleven children. He was baptized
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at the age of 14 years at Bethesda, by the late Rev. John Jones, Llanberis, and began to preach at the age of 18. He received his preparatory education at Bangor, North Wales, under Rev. S. WilHams, and was admitted to Haver- fordwest College in 1863 and remained there until 1866. In December, 1866, he was ordained as pastor of the church at Llanfairtalhaiarn,when the following ministers officiated: John Jones (Hen Gloddiwr), George James, J. G. Owens, and W. Thomas. In 1868 he moved to Glyn Ceiriog, and here in 1870 he was married to Eleanor Edwards, daughter of Richard and Mary Edwards, who proved a true helpmeet to him until August, 1881, when God called her home. He was then pastor at Cilgeran, Pembrokeshire. Before his settlement at Cilgeran after his departure from Glyn Ceiriog, he had been pastor at Bargoed, Monmouthshire, and Philadelphia, Glamorgan. In 1883 he moved to Bodedyrn, North Wales, and there, March 24, 1886, he was married the second time to Catherine J. Davies. daughter of D. R, Davies (Delta), Birkenhead, who proved an excel- lent wife to him until his death. In March, 1888, he came to America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church at Freedom, New York, where he remained for three years, and in 1891 he accepted a call from the Parrish Street Baptist Church, Wilkes- Barre, Pa., and after serving it three years he had to resign on account of ill health, and moved to Hillside and united with the Meade Street Church, where he ended his days December 21, 1902, and was buried at Oaklawn Cemetery, VVilkes-Barre, Pa., December 24, 1902. He left a widow and two sons and many friends to mourn his loss. He was highly respected, and left a good record behind him.
I have taken the above facts from an article that was published in "The Mirror" for January 22, 1903, by the Rev. W. J. John.
56 REV. ISAAC BEVAN, D. D.
Though Dr. Bevan was never pastor of any of our Welsh churches, yet he was a Welshman, and one who loved and honored his nation. He was born at Llanwen- arth, Monmouthshire, Wales, January 2^, 1811. He was converted at the age of 17 and ordained at 21, immediately after which (in 1832) he came tO' America. After seven- teen years' labor in New York State (first at Fishkill Plains, where his field embraced a circuit of thirty miles, and upon which churches were established through his efforts at Cold Spring, Putnam Valley, Frankindale and Beekman, — after- wards at Armenia, Rhinebeck and Hamilton, now the seat of Colgate University), he settled at Reading, Pa., as pastor of the First Baptist Church, which he served until he settled in Scranton as pastor of the Penn Avenue Church, which occurred in 1859. The newly organized church in that embryo city then had but twenty-three members and paid only $250.00 salary. In 1866, largely through the personal efforts of the pastor, a $20,000.00 edifice was erected. The membership had then grown to over 200. After ten years' laborious and successful work here he retired and the fol- lowing year became pastor of the Baptist Church at Clark's Green. In 1876 he accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, Scranton, continuing the same about five years, after whicli time he w^as not in active service. He pased away peacefuly lat his home at Clark's Green, July 13, 1886, aged 75 years.
Said an intimate friend at the funeral: — "I never met a nobler Christian man, nor a more faithful minister of Jesus." He was successful because his faith in God never faltered. (See Minutes of the Wyoming Baptist Associ- ation for 1892.)
When I was a member of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton in 1865-1869, it was my privilege and pleasure to be intimately acquainted wnth him, as I often met him. Old Llanwenarth has great reasons to be proud of her descendants in America.
57 DAVID PROBERT, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.
As the writer published the following sketch of Father Probert in the "Journal and Messenger" of November i6, 1899, he desires to insert it with the names of the Pennsyl- vania ministers, as one worthy of an honorable preserva- tion :
After forty-three years the faithful and beloved pastor of the Walnut Street Baptist Church (Welsh), Youngstown, Ohio, died, after a brief illness, at the residence of his eldest son, John D. Probert, in Youngstown, Thursday morning, October 26, 1899, at the age of 85 years. He was born at Llangynidr, South Wales, December 25, 1814. He was converted and united with the Baptist Church when but 12 years of age. In 1832, after the death of his father, accom- panied by his mother and two brothers, he came to this country, and, after a brief residence at Pottsville and Pitts- burgh, Pa., removed tO' Portage County, Ohio, where he married Miss Eleanor Davis, October i, 1836. Later he went to Brady's Bend, Pa., where he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, July 10, 1841. There he or- ganized a Welsh Baptist Church of about 100 members, which he served as pastor until early in 1846, when, with his little family, he removed to Youngstown, Ohio. Here again he found a few Welsh Baptists and organized a church, and the following year built a small meeting house at what was then callied Brier Hill, in which they continued to worship until 1865, when the organization was removed into the city, and the following year built a house of worship on Walnut street, the site of the present beautiful house. From its organization, with but a single break of four years, Mr. Probert served this church, until, at the age of 80, he resigned because of failing strength. He was a man of great mental and physical vigor, and a preacher of great power. He saw his church grow from a feeble band to be a strong and flourishing church, numbering tonJay more than 400. Mr. Probert was instrumental in organizing many other churches within a radius of ten miles, with
5^
Youngstown for a center. Mrs. Probert, his ever true and faithful helpmeet, died on the 12th of January last, at the age of 84, leaving the aged husband to journey alone, after a married life of more than sixty-two years. Four sons sur- vive their father — John D. and Frederich Probert, both of Youngstown; Rev. K M., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Tiffin, Ohio, and Rev. T. C, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Petersburg, Ind. Speaking of the death of the Rev. Mr. Probert, one of the city papers says: "It has been truthfully said that the community may be thank- ful that this splendid man chose Youngstown for his home. With the respect which he so well merited, and in the pres- ence of hundreds of his old parishioners and friends, the re- mains were laid away in Oak Hill Cemetery Saturday after- noon. With the death of this venerable gentleman was concluded a life governed by self-sacrifice and kindly deeds, and it was only fitting that the public testimony of yester- day should mark the close of his earthly career." Surely he rests from his labors, and his works do follow him. (Jour- nal and Messenger, November 16, 1899.)
REV. DAVID JENKINS.
Mr. Jenkins was born at the Cross Inn, Cardigan- shire, South Wales, January i, 1800. He was a son of David and Margaret Jenkins. He went to Rhymney in 1 817, where he was baptized by the famous Rev. John P. Davies, Tredegar. Soon after his baptism he began to preach at the same place. In 1829 he came to America and settled at Pittsburgh. The Rev. Jacob Morris was at Pittsburgh then, and was a strong Calvinist, whilst Jenkins was a strong Fullerist, which was perfectly natural, as he was a pupil of the Rev. John P. Davies, who was the leader of Fullerism in Wales, hence Morris and Jenkins used to have fiery times. After spending seven years at Pittsburgh he went to Palmyra, Ohio, where he was very successful for several years. From Palmyra he went to Freedom, Cat-
59
taraugus Co., New York, where he spent four prosperous and happy years; from Freedom. to Utica, New York; from Utica to Ebensburgh, Pa., where he spent twelve years of a successful ministry. A meeting house was built there during his time. From Ebensburgh he went to Attica, New York, where he remained eight years, and then came to Hubbard, Ohio, where he ended his days. May 15, 1882. He died in peace, after having been a disciple of Christ and a preacher of the gospel for more than sixty years. His wife had preceded him a few years before his death. The above facts have been translated from an article published by the late Rev. Charles Jones, M. A., in The Dawn for 1882, p, 277.
REV. HENRY THOMAS.
Mr. Thomas was born at 12 P. M. February 3, 1828, in the parish of Llanddewy Velfrey, Pembrokeshire, Wales. His father's name was Evan Thomas and was a weaver by trade.
After several years of schooling he began acquiring the art of weaving, his father's vocation.
At 17, however, he went to sea and for several years served as a sailor. On one occasion the vessel was wrecked and nearly all the crew lost, he supposedly, among the num- ber. At length a body was found supposed to be his. His parents buried it and placed a headstone over the grave "In Memory of Henry Thomas." Here this body rested for a year or more before Mr. Thomas, having determined to abandon the sea, returned home, to the startling surprise and joy of family and friends.
Mr. Thomas was converted in his young manhood and began to preach in 1850, and in 1852 he entered Haverford- west College. He spent several years at this college, and in November, 1856, assumed the pastorate of Jerusalem Church, Rhymney, Monmouthshire. After having served this church for a few years he left for Briton Ferrey.
6o
In 1881 he came to America and settled as pastor of Summit Hill and Lansford, Pa. After his departure from Summit Hill, &c., he served Freeland, Pa., and Remsen, New York. January, 1891, he went to Frostburg, Mary- land, where he died Saturday, February 20, 1904.
In addition to Frostburg he had charge of Eckhard, Maryland. The above facts were furnished me by Mr. Thomas himself in a personal letter. The following items are taken out of the Mining Journal of Frostburg for Feb- ruary 27, 1904:
He died at Frostburg February 20, 1904.
He is survived by his wife and four daughters — ^Misses Marie M., Katherine A., and Martha J., of this place, and Mrs. E, Irving eKarsing, of Monroe, La.
The funeral Wednesday was held in the church. Rev. E. C. Allard of the Union Street Baptist Church leading the services. Interment in Allegany Cemetery.
Pallbearers — Thomas M. Thomas, Edward R. Bradley, Ephriam Davis, Thomas Gatehouse, William Reese, Will- iam H. Gatehouse, Thomas Harris, Sr., and David H. Powell.
Honorary Pallbearers — Members of the Frostburg Ministerial Association.
Ministers Present — Revs. James Millerand W. D. Mc- Curdy, of Cumberland; A. C. Thomson, of Lonaconing, and T. W. T. Noland, State Baptist Colporteur.
Mr. Thomas was a strorrg, vigorous, rugged person- ality. With an industry that never flagged, he had been all his life a student, picking up as he went along convic- tions of truth, right and duty, which no counter-contro- versy could shake. In religious faith he was a Baptist of Baptists, and in politics a Republican of Republicans. His professions were few, but there was no mistaking where he stood when religious, party or moral questions were in issue. He could be counted in advance on the side he be- lieved to be right. A profound Welsh scholar, he was also
6i
well versed in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and never too proud to seek insight, when wanted, into the intricacies of the coming cosmopolitan tongue — English. He was popular as a pastor and held in high esteem by his ministerial brethren.
Resolutions of respect to Rev. Henry Thomas, with whose tribute the Journal closes this sketch:
Whereas, It has pleased God, our Father, in His all- wise providence, to remove from our midst and from his earthly labor our beloved friend and brother in the min- istry, Rev. Henry Thomas, late pastor of the Welsh Bap- tist Church, and ex-president of the Frostburg Ministerial Association, we, his associates, desire to express our esti- mate of his worth and appreciation of his fraternal spirit and service.
As the oldest member of our Association, with a long record of service for Christ and a wide experience in the world, he occupied a position of prominence among us, and his counsel was eagerly sought and fraternally given. None appreciated the Association more than he, and none aided more in promoting denominational united and good fel- lowship.
The increasing infirmities of age did not diminish his interest in the cause of civic and personal righteousness, or check the flow of his ardent, youthful spirit. Always ready for any enterprise having as its object the welfare of indi- viduals or the betterment of the community, sincere in his espousal of righteousnes and staunch and uncompromising in his opposition to evil, clear in his perception of duty and zealous in doing it, loyal to his Bible and his God, loving and genial towards all his fellowmen, he set an example that should inspire and direct those he loved to serve.
To but few is given the privilege of serving the Master so long and sO' vigorously, and with powers unimpaired unto the end; and we can say with much satisfaction that he has fought a good fight, has finished a long course, has kept a strong faith, and we feel assured that there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness.
62
And worships God in smiles, and not in tears."
Feeding the heart on joys instead of fears,
"He showed how wisdom turns its hours to years,
"His thoughts were as a pyramid up-piled. On whose far top an angel stood and smiled — Yet in his heart was he a simple child."
We tender the widow and bereaved daughters our sin- cere sympathy in their affliction, knowing that in his re- moval they have lost a kind and loving husband, a gentle and affectionate father.
Also to his congregation we thus convey our sense of their loss of a faithful and beloved pastor. And while we mingle our sorrow with theirs we commend them, one and all, to the tender care of our Heavenly Father, upon whom our brother was accustomed to lean — that Father who has said^ — "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sus- tain thee;'* "As thy days .so shall thy strength be;" "My grace is sufficient for thee." Furthermore, we hope that beyond this life there may be a reunion and an unbroken fellowship with hdm in the presence of "the King in His beauty" in "that land that is very far off." Respectfully,
W. H. Lahr,
O. E. Wittlinger,
H. S. Ecker,
Commitee.
P. S. On the cornerstone of the meeting house of the Jerusalem Baptist Church of Briton Ferry, Wales, the fol- lowing words are inscribed :
"This stone was laid by Henry Thomas, June lo, 1863."
He was the founder of the above church.
GWILYM DDU.
63
This brings to a close brief sketches of many Baptist ministers who have labored in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Many of these sketches have been given the writer by the subjects themselves during their lifetime, others have been compiled and translated from different periodicals, and others have been obtained by correspondence with the dif- ferent families of the deceased, and it is astonishing liow little many families know of the history of their own mem- bers. I sincerely hope that others may be prompted to gather the history of many of those whom the writer has not inserted in this volume. May the reading of these reminiscences awaken many pleasant memories and prompt to more faithful service on our part, that we may yet meet our fathers in the glorious reunion above.
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