The Calvinistic Methodist Fathers of Wales

2 Volume Set

Look Inside Price £40.00

Weight 2.15 kg
Dimensions 22.3 × 14.3 × 9.9 cm
ISBN 9780851519975
Binding

Cloth-bound

Format

Book

Page Count

1,522

Original Pub Date

1897

Banner Pub Date

May 31, 2008

Book Description

Never before translated into English, these two massive volumes narrate the exciting story of the amazing spiritual transformation that affected Wales between the years 1735 and 1850. Of great value is the use the authors make of eye-witness accounts preserved in contemporary diaries, journals and letters. A truly exhilarating read!

These stimulating and enjoyable volumes narrate the exciting story of how Wales was spiritually transformed and the men whom God used to accomplish that great work. ‘The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it’ (Psa. 68:11). In this first volume, which focuses on the revivals experienced in South Wales, we meet the well-known figures of Daniel Rowland, Howell Harris, William Williams of Pantycelyn; but within these wonderful pages are portraits of many lesser-known preachers such as Griffith Jones of Llanddowror, Howell Davies, Peter Williams, and David Jones of Llan-gan.

What soon becomes evident in reading this fascinating history is the power of the Holy Spirit over congregations. From small beginnings in homes and farmhouses to great open-air gatherings of many thousands, the sermon became the foremost influence in the life of the nation. Whole neighbourhoods were turned upside-down and whole towns were subdued by the sense of God’s presence. The greatest concern of all at that time was the state of one’s soul before God.

The great value of these volumes is the way they take up the words of those most involved in these remarkable events. In journals, diaries, letters and Association minutes they describe a wide range of Christian experience – conviction, repentance, faith and assurance, joy in the Holy Spirit, witness and testimony, conflict with sin and backsliding, restoration and perseverance – all are encountered and described with transparent honesty and humility. Preachers will also greatly value the many experiences here recounted in the work of preaching the gospel – above all the ‘demonstration of the Spirit and power’.

Table of Contents Expand ↓

VOLUME 1
Translator’s Preface vii
Timeline xv
Welsh Place Names xxi
Abbreviations xxvii
1 The Moral Condition of Wales at the Beginning of Methodism 1
2 Griffith Jones, Llanddowror 29
3 The Methodist Revival in England 50
4 Daniel Rowland, Llangeitho 61
5 Howell Harris 109
6 Howell Davies 193
7 William Williams of Pantycelyn 207
8 The First Eight Years of the Revival 250
9 The Association 275
10 Some of the Early Exhorters 306
11 Howell Harris (1743-4) 357
12 Howell Harris (1745) 413
13 Howell Harris (1746) 456
14 Howell Harris (1747-8) 499
15 Howell Harris (1749-50) 529
16 The Disruption 568
17 Howell Harris after the Disruption 600
18 Peter Williams 652
19 David Jones, Llan-gan 690
20 William Davies of Neath, Dafydd Morris of Tyr-gwyn, and William Lloyd of Caeo 715
VOLUME 2
Abbreviations vii
21 The Beginnings of Methodism in the Various Districts of Gwynedd 1
22 John Evans of Bala 30
23 Robert Roberts of Clynnog 48
24 Robert Jones of Rhos-lan and Robert Dafydd of Brynengan 77
25 John Roberts, Llangwm 106
26 Thomas Foulkes of Machynlleth. Daffyd Cadwaladyr, and Others 128
27 William Thomas, Pyle, and Siencyn Thomas, Penhydd 160
28 Christopher Bassett, Thomas Gray, and Edward Coslet 187
29 John Williams, Pantycelyn; John Evans, Cil-y-cwm; and Morgan Rhys 212
30 Thomas Charles, B.A., Bala 239
31 Thomas Charles, B.A., Bala (continued) 268
32 Thomas Charles, B.A., Bala (continued) 299
33 From the First Association at Watford to the Ordination (1743-1811) 343
34 The First Ordination and Its Consequences 378
35 The Clergymen Who Remained 432
36 The Clergymen Who Remained (continued) 463
37 The Clergymen Who Withdrew 494
38 Ebenezer Morris 515
39 Thomas Jones, Denbigh 575
40 Thomas Jones, Denbigh (continued) 597
41 John Elias 633
42 John Elias (continued) 681
43 Ebenezer Richard, Tregaron 754

Reviews

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  1. chiefwalkenhorst

    I wish I could give this set more than 5 stars. I was hesitant and doubtful when I first read about it in Iain Murray’s two volumes about Martyn Lloyd-Jones, but I bought them anyway because of how much the Doctor had enjoyed them. I must say, it is good to be wrong. I want to keep this review short, but there is so much that I could say about the sheer joy it is to read about God’s work in Wales. These volumes have been a refreshment to me in a busy time and a window into a world that I never knew existed. Tears came to my eyes reading the story of Mary Jones. Joy then frustration then an abundant joy was felt reading the life of Howell Harris. And I did not want to put down the narrative of Daniel Rowland. There is a difference in denomination, time, culture, and geography between myself and those in these volumes. But we share the same God, the same Savior, and I cannot help but rejoice in the work of the Lord so many years ago. Even more I am encouraged that if Christ did it in such remote places, among such a illiterate and hostile culture, then I cannot doubt that he can and will do it again.

  2. Richard C Ross

    Here are two substantial volumes that effectively carry the reader back into the volcanic core of this astounding era of Welsh evangelical history. But that seems in so many was an invalid description – this was an era so full of spiritual verve that its vibrancy and energy still seem to pulsate with the dynamic of the Spirit’s rushing might wind. The book in the simplest manner catches so much of the ethos of the time. That this otherwise quiet and gentle stretch of Mid-Wales should have been home to one of the mightiest movements of God’s Spirit since the times of the Apostles! The encouragement is that the state of the nation when this movement of God’s Spirit, these ‘wonder of grace’, erupted was in so many ways no more promising than the state of the nation now.

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