The Rhondda Leader

The Revival. ^rD^Van Roberts at Pentre. yitta"°f^rpvln Hawer o ddiolch yn y canu in thio c- -re n°t much thanksgiving Evan r>lnSmg ")• The speaker was Mr. eyes „i-? .ts—tall, clean-shaven, his radiancp Tin^ vv^h almost a divine Centre i? scene was laid at Moriah, hou ie, and the time Friday night. For itself t0e VifS^ Sphering had been tuning men ail/ Pitch of fervour; young Public maidens had been holding a them mn?Union with their God; many )V(M'd in \,U) iiad not uttered a single i«g foit}?U c before were to-night hold- put a | .with an eloquence that would every 0naine^ orator to shame. From prayer., lner *n the great edifice came prayin ,Punctuated with aobs—mothers 0r thpii- £ r i e*r sons> sisters pleading stature ^°thers, and children, small in their J. younS in years, praying for Were svm .s: The old revival hymns s°ul 0f 5LW 1 electrical effect, the whole being h, j congregation, as it were, 'lies;, o, torth in the soul-stirring melo- ^'aces of men, with the indelible s'n, werp +v.an^ ,years' companionship with looked ere *n their tears, while others Motions ??lexPresaihly sad. Pent-up fon heen bridled for many ^nion JVL a vent in this close com- inr"oJ Spirit, and the result „ c' a^le—it was a scene that is daySi 1tnessed in these matter-of-fact his feet*^ nian from Abergwynfi was on J0 gain °n e gallery when I managed buildln„ a?j entrance into the crowded 8°°d Jit' "^e was there, he said, to bring ^belts f t0 Mr- Evan Roberts. Mn said, had been the means of 0lH s?1ttle woman in Blaengwynfi axsi^ ways, and she had, with y°1i'ed f nce of Mr. Roberts, endea- but her husband also in the of persev« een unsuccessful. By dint Pitit 1ifI^Ce an<^ tiie invocation of the siir-r. ,'P, her in her task she had tn eec^e^' aud wanted the good ° cmleac^ M' Roberts. Diolch Illusion t P1 several quarters at the yonn„ ° recital. No sooner had sittin mau ,sat down than a young 1'4 or101, the gallery engaged in ^tyers th t Was one of the most soulful t°Ulse of a have ever heard. In the treated of a. 1IUPassioned passage she en- >. Savioi ,Plesent who had not received good fjj „UP to that night to join the u^sonift .anti they would receive a a 0t'e hp Vldfi)d 011 the speculation. Tia,1- V01ce had died away, Miss lesu" /w^aest«g, started •' Dewch A^g witk (" Come to Jesus which was Ivi' UlUlsUai. fervour and emotion. K ritiv<u !S Navies commenced in a broughte tone" Dim ond lesu," which to- acbin» uUy a tear wrung from many 0 Aniv i^a't- After a moment's lull, ^ith 'u6s' Gorseinon, led the audi- Has iet)pn+ jhrow out the Lifeline," which v «>. j 0Ver and over again. From 6^!Ce' fain? the gallery a woman's if °tion and wan, quivering with jeL,Wanted to know why should we N in 7,s °ut of our hearts. She had Rhoudda Leader" of the >t in iij that was being brought t this hi e ^alleys through the means i1 it. levival, and thanked God that no one had come ^Hgeli^ e^ln8 from curiosity to see the sue iiijv. J°ut to see Someone more—to Q ?,Put His life down to save R a dom all eyes were turned Uh6 Pulnif leads from the vestry to ft L1 thl afK^ an expectant hush fell fa° .'tis 1 Sreat assemblage — Evan h^iliar ,arrived. All at once the if1 oi), "3'11. "Diolch Iddo," broke do e tli ears> and it was a long time to u,,exPectant audience settled tk0,1* namf to the ininer-evangelist, eliiar"e by now has gone throughout sUh Mu;n an.(| hieadth of the land. It i\'k-ence once more reigned L„lcb th« it was an awful silence, in to Proverbial pin might have been wa« then that Mr. ve,.s ai'ticlP S? the words that commence ^ia6 was result was that the old O g^aW0^mence(J again' and sun« toni' Mr t> ,erv°ur and to a quicker Wi ^be «frPherts himself leading. 'He D, allddlolch Iddo" as a kind of a on it for nearly an hour. eXri. 11 a o K -y on the condition of the in o,, C(>.mpat'ed with Wales, and WK le» sh IP1'lse that so many people iri i11 the ruf reject the love of Christ. tJip °d, fi nurch would have more faith °U&i,?agan vfn' ancl not till then, would to o-;aVe Word of God. We be ^TeiiriJ6 ,a'l we have to God; He faCo8°iog t„ everything. Some would he (M -r.611 with shame on their Vk6 with o 1' Roberts) would be going tk? for „• r.Sm)le on his face. The best pod n.g to God is to remember ^hj'i i °^V fr.a ^ays with us. He advised ^iy>! S(i»v, krow their burden upon W\°fitho-G fought that they could e W()„i!i burden on the other side, to hi .Ust i110^ ri^k it. Some put Hs thpj,. ,JUsiness; he advised them ^sl^^aiico V,Ust in God, because He v'e Heu £ ,ablf- Suddenly, one of his ^ith !?ants breaks upon the dis- oi Duw mawr iaSso 0li anti the great con- jn lustily, the rolling » ^gin lcised good cffect- Again I Ibif 8 a la^k of spirit when th,! i a hymn of praise like D, ymn is sung a second Mi'e i?^1 and energy cer* of },: Roberts takes up the A»a"1SC0Urse. as nothing had t +1 a a. v°iee breaks upon his 3u 7e eall^llng by a young woman <-}le 'y of "Dyma Feibl anwyl << >" The Last Rose of a1* 1» Jf°'ne in the audience f ''d ^P'y Mr Roberts entered Hia+ again«t this proceeding, i, the ,We should do nothing to L''u ,r ye do this, we sliall 'C the-a drunken man in- ft 11 pQ^ainst vetm8s he would say no- N2?e Sto P' because a driikeii and s .meeting at Ponty- an s°ber within a ft^Hken nj ^or the Spirit sobered 1 (Jeitil1 frequentPeOPle. Interruptions now »Sd UP .to the time of 0* old u Piavft.- giving testimonies, St* O ,COmT&^ together. 51 o Oen, yr Addfwyn W^JnclHsion 'JJ thrilling effect, and Co* ^on? and Sai-j 4 evangelist clapped >>4at'S 0 Aj'Merchoz" When or-IOn almo/f9 ? f°r. tie whole h Parts nf n °?d up and recited 1^4 f^Wed «Sc,?Pture. The oon- l an nr°ke lln ^early twenty, and the at midnight. old I conr]116^ which was held tf) ^ay f?§lo-CafV?Cr by Mr. Taggart, old866 t"h^0rtl wbo travelled all f levivaJ f t(^ Wales on foot Ki! SJ0r h,s self, an heen J, stated how that uWrjJ^ayjv. Past transformed llttO a&. for a ^mght- people had Jt d^npoUr of the Holy 5 it at They were a .zz 5 it at They were a C(>mR fi because they ex- >^ w rjh U10 elders o( °ot to the younger ale- It ment as it had come. Nevertheless, it was very remarkable, and the changes it had wrought in Mardy were wonderful. Instead of comic songa and ribald jokes, the sound of hymns was everywhere heard and he thanked God for having lived to see this blessed day. The first meeting on Saturday wtorning was held at Nazareth, and was well- attended, although it was known that Mr. Roberts would not be present. During the meeting Ec young lad from Mardy got up and declared that up to a week ago he was one of the greatest drunkards in Mardy, and also one of the greatest gamblers. But a new light had dawned upon him, and he found that God had given him two great things—coinmon- sense and the Bible; one to show him that he was leading a life that would ultimately end in death and destruction, and the other to point out the way to salvation and eternal life. The meeting was characterised with that warmth of feeling which is so evident in all the prayer meetings during this memorable speech. The afternoon meeting was held at Siloa, and the great chapel was filled a long time before the time the meeting was supposed to start. I shall not enter into details with regard to this meeting and the subsequent meetings; suffice it to say unat these meetings were charac- terised with the same spontaneity that is so noticeable in the Principality in these days. Mr. Sidney Evans joined Mr. Roberts at this meeting. One or two in- cidents cannot be passed unrecorded at this meeting. When Mr. Evan Roberts requested the members, and only mem- bers, to stand up, and those who were not members to continue sitting, someone shouted out that persons who were not members were also standing up. "Amen!" says Mr. Roberts, r< they aTe ashamed to own their master." But Mr. Sidney Evans takes it much more seriously. "Men," he said, "you may deceive us, but you cannot deceive the Spirit." Several resume their seats, and in a few minutes numbers of them, with faces as pale as death, are registered as con- verts. At the further end of the gallery a, collier is holding forth on the joys of the new life," and entreats his brother- colliers to follow his example by throw- ing off the yoke of the devil, who is a "jolly master, but a miserable payer." An incident that occurred in a prayer meeting at Nazareth on Saturday evening is also worth recording. A man, who is the son of a deceased Methodist minister in North Cardiganshire, was converted on Sunday last. He fervently wished that his son should also be converted. On Saturday evening he went oil his knees in the chapel, and lifted his voice in an earnest supplication to heaven on behalf of his son. Before he had almost got up on his feet the conversion of the son was registered, when the poor old man, unable to contain himself on this direct answer to his prayer, gave vent to his feelings in a Diolch Iddo that will be long re- membered for its fervency and depth of feeling. The first meeting on Sunday was held at Moriah, where a great multitude had assembled despite the rain that came down in torrents. Miss Mary Davies (Gorseinon) read a portion of the Scrip- ture. which left a distinct impression on all p esent. The half-yearly meetings of Moriah were to take place on Sunday, and the Rev. Iorwerth Jones (Maesteg) had been engaged for the occasion. Some stirring scenes were witnessed at this meeting. A woman got up and prayed earnestly for the conversion of her hus- band, and so earnest and plaintive were here solicitations that many eyes were seen to be dimmed with tears. Mr. Iorwerth Jones sang Y Ffrynd Goreu yw lesu," and the great congregation took up the refrain, which was repeated time and again. When the. call for new members was given, several persons sub- mitted themselves to Christ. The afternoon meeting was held at Siloh, and the great edifice was crowded a long time before the supposed hour of commencement. When I entered, a young man was reading a. portion of the Scrip- tures, which was immediately followed by a prayer in English, and a stirring ren- dering of Throw out the Lifeline." The meeting for a considerable time after this resembled more of a gymanfa ganu than anything else, the" fire" as yet having not reached the pitch which characterised the former meetings. An old man got up and offered a, prayer for a heavy shower" of the Spirit, and Amens" were heard from, all parts of the building. It was nearly three o'clock when Mr. Evan Roberts managed to squeeze in through the vast throng that blocked the entrances, and his arrival was the signal for a spirited rendering of Marchog lesu yn llwyddianus," but Mr. Roberts was not satisfied. Again the old hymn was struck up to the of "Ton y Botel," Mr. Roberts himself conduct- ing. I may be allowed to point out here that it is Mr. Evan Roberts' personal wish that these words should be sung to the tune of Ton y Botel," because he fancies, he says, that he can hear the enemies retreating away in the sixth line, "Pob rhyw elyn gilia draw," and when he comes to the word "-draw" he holds out his arm at full length, and a, happy smile of triumph lightens up his face. The audience by now is thoroughly at his command; it laughs and sings and prays at his own sweet will. There have been many who hold out that he is no orator, but to those of us who were privi- leged to hear him on Sunday afternoon, his was indeed oratory of the finest de- scription. He does not affect polished language, his remarks are not clothed in classical phrases; his is a simple, un- garbled language, the voice of a simple, homely man, who knows the worth of a fellow man's soul, and does his best in the simplest of words to save that soul. When he described Christ leaving the Praetorium, the ring of the cruel crown of thorns still on His holy brow, the blood streaming down his cheeks, and staggering under the weight of the Cross on the way to Calvary, ah! here was oratory indeed. It was too much for the huge assembly; it broke in hot tears, and the famous words which have been sung so many times during this revival- Pwy all beidio cofio am dano, Pwy all beidio canu Ei glod," were sung with a fervency that I have never heard before. It was in this meet- ing that a rev. gentleman from Leeds, who has been twenty-one years in Eng- land. declared that, when reading in the paper one morning about the Welsh revival, he told his wife, I am off to Wales and here I am," he said. The speaker was the Rev. W. Rees, late of Treorchy. Presently, from the gallery, comes the voice of a rising young tenor, singing "Pwy welaf fel y wawr yn codi," and the whole audience is hushed. When the time for giving testimonies came, the whole audience practically rose to its feet. There were a few sitting down here and there, and to their rescue the female workers wended their way through the huge crowd, and the "Diolch Iddo" on the announcement of every new victory was sung and sung until the walls almost reverberated with the joys and flush of triumph, which continued to a late hour. Nov we to Hr. Evan Roherti' farewell meeting in Nazareth, and the state of things here were as in every other place where this young prophet of Loughor appears. The place was crowded out an hour and a half before the time of commencement; indeed, many went straight away from Siloh to Nazareth without a thought for their tea. Here, again, the time prior to Mr. Roberts' arrival was occupied by singing and praying, sometimes both together. The favourite hymn was Thow out the Life- line;" which was repeated over and over again. This singing of English hymns is a, feature of the revival which is more common to the Rhondda than almost any other place the missioner has visited. An interested visitor who gave vent to her feelings in words of unstinted praise, marked by great emotion, was an old lady who had travelled all the way from Mar- gate to witness this great visitation of God to His people with her own eyes. She was Mrs. Anderson, a sister of Dr. Bownes, editor of Great Thoughts," who, in company with her husband, both over seventv years of age, had arrived in Pentre on Saturday last. So great was her gratitude for what she had seen, that she almost wept for joy, and she yearned for the Spirit to visit them in England as it had so graciously done in Wales. When the members were invited to stand up, in order to discover some lost sheep, a pathetic incident took place. Miss Rees (Gorseinon) was seen in earnest conver- sation with a middle-aged man, and after a short while she rose up and wafted her handkerchief in the air, and shouted Diolch Iddo." But that was not all. The poor fellow said that some Power was compelling him to go on his knees, and he wanted to go to the big seat to do so. With trembling limbs, and tear- stained face. he was led with difficulty to the set fawr," and there and then fell prostrate on his knees, while Mr. Evan Roberts put his arm around him, and there he prayed a fervent but almost inaudible prayer. The incident created a deep impression, and there was hardly a dry eye in the vast assembly. After this little scene, hymn after hymn were sung, and the lady workers were busy with sin- ners, some hoary with age, others on the threshold of life, kneeling with them, arguing with them, sometimes asking someone to pray for a stubborn sinner, and then the shout and joy of victory. Here Mr. Roberts was also busy, plead- ing with intense earnestness with a resist- ing impenitent, sometimes praying for him other times exhorting him with tears almost in his eyes. From all parts of the crowded congregation came cries Dyma un; Diolch Iddo!" and the audience would take up the cue and would praise God until it was almost hoarse. It was a never-to-be-forgotten sight, and it lasted on till after midnight. There were in all some 45 converts. Also, while these scenes were enacted inside the chapel, a crowd, hundreds strong, were in the road outside, singing and singing until the whole neighbourhood rebounded with songs of praise to the Lord. The visit of Mr. Evan Roberts has had an incal- culable effect upon the district. Even the children reflect it in their conver- sation and their songs. Instead of the latest ditty from the local theatre, every little throat pours out the delightful strains of Throw out the Lifeline and "Gad i'fii deimlo," and the effect upon underground workers is more remarkable still, especially the, haulier community. A prominent colliery official told me the other day that it, was a pleasure to work underground nowadays. No swear words used, nothing but hymns, hymns all day long, until the colliery workings resembled more of a gymanfa ganu" than any- thing else. Surely, the Spirit of God is working mightily in our midst in these days let us hope that it may continue for many a long day to come, until the face of our dear old Gwalia resembles the face of heaven, and thegraises of the Son of Man make the earth glorious and blessed. Cwmparc. The force of the revival reached its climax at Cwmparc during last week, cul- minating in the mission visit of Mr. Evan Roberts on Wednesday evening, a monstre meeting being held at Salem Baptist Chapel, this being the most commodious place of worship in the town. It was inevitable that the personality of lVir. Roberts should attract a tremendous crowd, and as early as five o'clock a, huge concourse awaited patiently the opening of the doors. Although curiosity was a potent factor in the assemblage of such a multitude, it was also evident that there was a strained expectancy on the faces of the majority and a predisposition to abandon themselves to the peculiar enjoyment of spasms of religious fervour. Heart-strings were at a tension like the cords of a harp waiting for the touch of a master-hand, and right fully did they respond to Mr. Roberts' magnetic influ- ence later in the evening. Contrary to the orthodox revival method of proce- dure, a passage of Scripture was read to open the service, followed by singing and a prayer, Mr. Roberts not having arrived. So far, the proceedings were moderate, and marked by a lack of excessive enthu- siasm, although several attempts were made to raise the hwyl" by singing familiar hymns. Suddenly, a craning ot necks and gratified smiles announced that Mr. Evan Roberts had arrived, and for a few minutes there was silence as he ascended the pulpit stairs and seated himself in full view of the audience. The young missioner remained seated, word- less, while a hymn was sung, and it wt's interesting to note that even in repose his eyes continually wandered among the audience. Straight, steady glances to right, to left, and even to the remote corners of the gallery, and then appa- rently the congregation was under his spell. As the last strain of the hymn, appropriately triumphant in its tenour, reached his ear, he sprang to his feet and spoke. Direct, forcible phrases, simple truths which he delivered among the most intense silence and with just the neces- sary emphasis. The inspiration of his discourse was the Spirit of the Sermon on the Mount, and eulogistic testimonies of the incomparable joy of being filled by the Holy Ghost. Mr. Roberts spoke for over an hour, and never had the most accomplished orator more rapt listeners. During his discourse, he was never still. He strode from one side of the pulpit to the other, at times actually laughing aloud as if with irrepressible joy. A peculiar characteristic of his delivery was that he punctuated almost every sentence with I ch'i 'n gwel'd ? Then, without warning, he made an appeal to his listeners to confess Christ by the recital of a Scriptural verse or a hymn. There was an immediate response, a middle- aged woman in the gallery being the first with a spirited rendering of Marchog lesu yn llwyddianus." Mr. Roberts now was brimming over with joy, and in obedience to his adjurations" confes- sions poured in tumultuously from every side. Gray beards side by side with young striplings contributed to a Babel of sounds; maidens lifted their voices in tremulous tones, and even reformed drunkards and women "with a past" quoted Scripture openly and unashamed. Meanwhile, those who were professedly on Satan's side remained seated, and straight away the campaign of regenera- tion began. There were outbursts of prayer throughout the building. Men and women were on their knees making solicitations, articulate and inarticulate, and renderings of "Diolch Iddo," "Throw out the Lifeline," Dewch at lesu," and other hymn-choruses were indiscriminately given. Most of the crowd were obsessed with religious fervour, and the tension was almost dangerous. Suddenly, two or three voices in joyful tones announced converts whose names were immediately booked." In the meantime, Mr. Roberts was actively engaged in making personal appeals to the unrepentant, and his face was suffused with joy as one after another succumbed to his ministra- tions. Certainly, the most noticeable characteristic of Mr. Roberts was his perfect optimism. Implicit faith was re- peatedly the burden of his comments, and judging by results, he was amply justified in his optimism. The roll of converts was steadily increasing, and the agony of the struggle was apparent in the blanched faces of those who still re- mained obdurate. The hours sped rapidly by, but the enthusiasm remained un- abated, and midnight arrived to find three who were yet on the losing side." A little previous to this, Miss Davies (Gorseinon) and Miss A. Davies (Maesteg) had arrived on the scene, and the latter sang I'm praying for you with drama- tic effect. Two again capitulated, and in response to a request the whole congre- gation offered a silent prayer for the erring one who yet remained. The Misses Davies sought him out, and their eloquent pleading soon brought him, metaphoric- ally, to his knees. Once again was "Diolch Iddo" sung. A few words from Mr. Roberts, and the meeting was at an end. Number of converts, 39. This was the climax to the revival movement, and, although prayer meetings continue to be kept each week-night, things are slowly regaining their normal condition. Salem has benefitted to the extent, of 120 new members; Park, 40; Soar, 36; and Bethel, 21. May they never lapse! Penygraig. The revival movement is still spreading, and is more strongly felt in this district. Prayer meetings in the open-air are being held and also in the chapels, where women, young and old, take part. Many converts have been admitted into the dif- ferent churches. It is very pleasant to hear the colliers, in going to and from their work, singing the revival hymns, viz., "Throw out the Lifeline," "Diolch Iddo," etc. As indications of the con- straining influences of the revival, it is worth noting that two of the members of the Penygraig Football Committee have sent in their resignations, and Messrs. Davies and Saunders, grocers, Penygraig, have given up selling intoxicating liquors. We hope that temperance advocates will make a note of this. Mr. Sidney Evans, assisted by- Miss Annie Davies, Maesteg, conducted services at Ebenezer (C.M.) Chapel, Dinas, on Sunday, and were very successful. Dinas. A religious awakening has happened here. Nearly all the local churches have been holding nightly prayer meetings for several weeks past, and on Scnday last Mr. Sidney Evans, the, well-known evan- gelist, paid a visit to Ebenezer Chapel. In the afternoon the building was crowded, mostly by members of surround- ing churches. It was manifest to all that there was a general desire to see and feel the power of the Spiritual influences, and the congregation sang for all it was worth the ever beautiful and divinely hymns of Williams, Pantycelyn, and sung to Dr. Parry's tunes the effect was mar- vellous it seemed as if the sound of Mae Duw yn rhoddi eto'n hael Drugaredd i droseddwyr gwael" would never cease. During the two meetings eight converts were made, but we were proud of the thorough awaken- ing which happened to many who had been church members for long years, but who had never before took aRT prominent part in church work; but on Sunday, it was they who prayed, sang, and repeated their experiences of religious life with zeal and earnestness. Cerdd yn mlaen, nefol dan, Cymer yma feddiant glan." Following are some particulars of the number of converts made in the various churches: Porth.-Pre,sbyterian Forward Move- ment Many converts. Llwynypia.—Bethania (C.M.): In- quirers, 9. Ton-Pentre.—Hebron (Baptist): New members, 72. Ferndale.—Penuel (C.M.): New mem- bers, 35. Blaenycwm (Baptist): Inquirers, 42. Mardy.-Sion (Baptist): 115. Tylorstown.-Horeb (Baptist): In- quirers, 53. Tonypandy.—Ebenezer (Cong.): New members, 23; inquirers, 13. Tonypandy.—Trinity (C.M.): New members, 51. Ti-corchy.-Ainon (Baptist) New mem- bers, 45. Treorchy.—Horeb (English Baptist): New members, 11; inquirers, 30. Blaenrhondda.—Calf aria (Baptist) New members, 25. Porth and Ynyshir.—Welsh Wesleyans: New members, 15; inquirers, 3. Ynyshir.—Ainon (Baptist): Inquirers, 74. Treorchy.-Calfaria (Welsh Wesleyans): New members, 18. Gelli.-Bryn Seion (Cong.): New mem- bers, 30; inquirers, 16. Dinas.-—Ebenezer (C.M.): New mem- bers, 4. Mardy.—Wesleyan (English): In- quirers, 49. Llwynypi a .-Salem (Cong): New mem- bers, 10. Blaent-liondda.-Bet-haiiia (C.M.): New members, 12. Treherbert.—Libanus (B.): New mem- bers, 4; inquirers, 21. Trealaw.—Seion (C.M.): New mem- bers, 8. Penygi-aig. -Pisgah (C.M.): New mem- bers, 5. Pentre.—Siloh (Cong.): New members, 51. Trealaw.—Carmel (B.): New mem- bers, 3; inquirers, 10. Ystrad-Rhondda.—Nebo (B.): New members, 19. Ferndale. -Cap-ol Wesley: New mem- bers, 17; Tylorstown, 13; Ynyshir, 15. Treherbert.—Bute Square (C.M.) In- quirers, 165. Blaenllechau.—Nazareth (B.): New members, 25. Ynyshir.—Saron (C.): New members, 3; inquirers, 25. Penygraig.—Seion (Wesleyan): In- quirers, 10. Ton.—Bethany (C.M.): New members, 18; inquirers, 5. At Seion Welsh Baptist Church, Twyny- rodyn, Merthyr, on Sunday, 28 converts were baptised. (Continued on Page 5),