Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru.

(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)
From the CD published by Archive CD Books

Caernarfonshire section (Vol 3) - Pages  195 - 208

Proof read by Gareth Morgan (May 2008)

Chapels below;

•  (Continued) CHWILOG
• Abererch (with translation)
• Fourcrosses (with translation)
• Llanaelhaiarn (with translation)

• Sardis  (with translation)
• Rhoslan (with translation)
• Tabor  (with translation)

• Llanystumdwy (with translation)
• Criccieth (with translation)
• Porthmadog (with translation)

Pages 195 - 208

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(Continued) CHWILOG

ysgrifenu. Wrth ystyried gwendid ei gorph, ymddengys y peth nesaf i wyrth ei fod wedi ysgrifenu a darllen cymaint.

" Ond er ei holl ragoriaethau fel bardd, hanesydd, ac athronydd, gellir dyweyd heb betrusder fod ei ragoroldeb fel cristion yn llawn cymaint. Y mae ei hanes crefyddol yn ein harwain at ddechreuad yr achos yn Chwilog. Pan oedd tuag ugain oed, teimlai awydd am gael pregethu yn y ty. Bu rhai o'r brodyr Wesleyaidd yno o bryd i bryd, ond y Parch. Benjamin Jones, Pwllheli, a fu yn fwyaf bendithiol iddo. O dan ddylanwad pregethau ac ymddiddanion Mr. Jones, newidiodd ei syniadau am drefn gras, ac ymunodd âr blaid Gynnulleidfaol fel aelod o'r eglwys yn Nghapel-helyg. Yr oedd efe a'i berthynasau mews cryn bryder pan ymunodd â chrefydd, oherwydd ei fod er's wyth mlynedd bellach heb brofi bara, ac ofnent na fedrai ymuno yn weithredol yn y cymundeb; ond pan ddaeth yr adeg, cymerodd o'r bara, bwytaodd ef, ac er syndod i bawb, ni effeithiodd arno fel yr ofnid; ac o'r dydd hwnw allan, gallodd ddefnyddio bara at ei gynaliaeth. Buasai yn dda genym ymdroi uwchben cymeriad John Thomas fel crefyddwr, ond gan mai yr achos yn Chwilog yw testyn ein hysgrif, y cwbl a ddywedwn yw, ei fod yn ymddangos i'r rhai a'i hadwaenent oreu, fel un o'r cymeriadau perffeithiaf a ddaeth o fewn cylch eu sylw. Dysgleiriai y grasusau Cristionogol yn amlwg yn eu holl amrywiaeth yn ei nodweddiad. Bu pregethu rheolaidd yn y ty am ugain mlynedd. Arferai brodyr o Gapel-helyg ddyfod yno yn fynych i gadw cyfarfodydd i gydweddio, a chynal cyfeillachau crefyddol; a pharhaodd yr hybarch B. Jones i ddyfod yno yn fisol i dori bara tra bu byw. Bu y Parch. James Williams, diweddar o Ty'nycoed, brawd y patriarch o Droedrhiwdalar, yn aros am dymor yn Rhoslan, ond ni ordeiniwyd ef yno. Arweinir ni i gyfeirio ato yn fanylach pan ddelo hanes yr eglwys hono dan sylw. Byddai yn talu ymweliadau mynych a'r Tynewydd, ac yr oedd cyfeillgarwch mawr wedi ei ffurfio rhyngddo a J. Thomas. Gwelsom lygaid yr hen fardd yn llenwi o ddagrau llawer tro wrth son am dano, ac wrth adrodd rhai o'i ymadroddion, a bu symudiad y dyn da hwnw yn ofid maith iddo."*21*

Bu yr eglwys yma mewn undeb a Chapel-helyg, a than yr un weinidogaeth, hyd y flwyddyn 1857, pan y rhoddodd Mr. H. Hughes (Tegai) i fyny ofal yr eglwys yn Nghapel-helyg, ac y cyfyngodd ei lafur i'r eglwys hon ac Abererch, ac y mae y ddwy eglwys yma wedi bod mewn cysylltiad gweinidogaethol er hyny hyd yn awr. Yn y flwyddyn 1861, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Edward Morris, Rhosfawr, Mon, a bu yma nes y symudodd i Benrhyndeudraeth yn 1865. Yn mhen dwy flynedd rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. 'William J. Richards, o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yma Awst l6eg, 1867. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog; holwyd y gweinidog gan Mr. E. Morris, Penrhyn; gweddiwyd am fendith ar yr undeb gan Mr. D. Roberts, Caernarfon; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Peter, Bala, ac i'r eglwysi gan Mr. T. Jones, Tabor. Bu Mr. Richards yma hyd y flwyddyn 1870, pryd y symudodd i Penywern, Dowlais, ac y mae y ddwy eglwys hyd yn hyn heb weinidog.

Am y pum'-mlynedd-ar-hugain cyntaf o'i hanes, cyfarfyddai yr eglwys fechan yn y Tynewydd, preswylfa John Thomas, ond yn fuan wedi sefydhad

*21* Cymerwyd y difyniad helaeth uchod allan o'r Dysgedydd am 1868, tu dal. 125, allan o'r ysgrif ar Chwilog - un o gyfres o ysgrifau a ymddangosodd ar Eglwysi Cymreig Llyn ac Eifionydd, y rhai a barotowyd i'r wasg yn benaf, fel y deallwn, gan Mr. Ambrose, Porthmadog.

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Mr. James Jones yn y wlad, gwelwyd yr angenrheidrwydd am le mwy cyfleus, ac yr oedd John Thomas erbyn hyn yn abl i fyned allan ychydig. Cafwyd tir gan Syr Love Parry-Jones, A.S., o Fadryn, tad yr aelod anrhydeddus presenol dros y sir, a chymerodd Mr. Jones, y gweinidog, y pen trymaf o'r gwaith gyda chodi y capel, ac agorwyd ef Tachwedd 4ydd a'r 5ed, 1835. Buwyd yn addoli yn y capel hwnw am yn agos i bymtheng. mlynedd-ar-hugain, ond wrth weled y lle yn cynyddu ar ol agoriad y rheilffordd, a'r gynnulleidfa yn lluosogi, penderfynwyd cael capel eangach- Rhoddwyd safle gyfleus i'w godi gan Mr. Jones-Parry, A.S., Madryn, a chodwyd capel hardd a lled helaeth, a thy yn perthyn iddo, a chostiodd yr oll fwy na 700p., ond y mae mwy na haner y ddyled eisioes wedi ei thalu. Agorwyd y capel Gorphenaf 21ain a'r 22ain, 1870, a phregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri T. Rees, D.D., Abertawy; W. Ambrose, Porthmadog; N. Stephens, Liverpool, a T. Davies, Llandilo. Y mae yma amryw o bobl o gryn hynodrwydd wedi bod o bryd i bryd, ac y mae y dylanwad a adawodd John Thomas ar yr ardal wedi gwneyd y bobl yn gyffredinol yn ymchwilgar am wybodaeth. Mae Robert Jones, Chwilog; Dafydd Jones, o'r Garnedd; Cadben Watkin Williams, Tyddynmawr, a Cornelius Jones yn haeddu coffâd fel gwyr rhagorol yn mysg y brodyr.

Ni chyfodwyd yma ond un pregethwr, sef Robert Jones, Tynewydd, ac y mae yntau er's blynyddoedd wedi myned at y Bedyddwyr. Diaconiaid presenol yr eglwys ydynt Richard Owen, Frondeg; Robert Williams, Tyddynmawr, ac Evan Jones, Plas.

ABERERCH

Pentref bychan yw hwn, dwy filldir o Bwllheli, ar ffordd Porthmadog. Cafodd y lle ei freintio a moddion crefyddol yn foreu, o herwydd ei safle, rhwng Pwllheli a'r Capel-helyg. Yr oedd amryw o aelodau a gwrandawyr Penlan, Pwllheli, yn byw yn yr ardal, a Mr. Benjamin Jones yn pregethu iddynt yn achlysurol; ac yn amser Mr. T. Lewis, Pwllheli, penderfynwyd cael pregethu rheolaidd yma. Cyhoeddwyd Meistri T. Lewis, ac E. Davies, Rhoslan, i bregethu mewn ty a elwid y Gegin. Daeth tyrfa fawr yn nghyd, ac wrth ddeall fod y ty yn rhy fychan, gwahoddwyd hwy i gapel y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd. Cawsant oedfa neillduol, ac arwyddion amlwg fod Duw gyda hwy. Pregethwyd yn rheolaidd yn y Gegin ar ol hyny, a phenderfynwyd cael capel newydd, a llwyddwyd i'w gael yn benaf trwy ffyddlondeb a medrusrwydd Meistri Robert Jones, Tyddynmeilir, a Nicholas, Tanyrallt. Agorwyd y capel Medi 16eg a'r 17eg, 1822, a gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri J. Jones, Nebo; W. Jones, Caernarfon; J. Williams, Ffestiniog; D. Griffiths, Talysarn; J. Griffith, Beaumaris; D. Roberts, Pentir; R. Owen, Llanengan, ac O. Jones, Llanaelhaiarn. Galwyd ef Ebenezer, ac o ddydd ei agoriad cadwyd moddion crefyddol ynddo yn rheolaidd. Bu yr achos am dymor o dan ofal gweinidog Pwllheli, a phan gododd anghydfod rhwng Mr. Lewis a'r eglwys yn Penlan, ymlynodd pobl Abererch wrtho. Pan symudodd Mr. Lewis i Llanfairmuallt, cymerwyd gofal yr eglwys hon, mewn cysylltiad a Llanaelhaiarn, gan Mr. J. Griffiths,yr hwn oedd wedi symud o Fanchester i fferm yn agos i Lanor,

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ond symudodd yn fuan i Rhiadrwy. Bu yr eglwys am dymor heb ofal gweinidog, ond yr oedd Mr. Edward Williams, Pwllheli, yn pregethu yma yn aml, a Mr. R. Ellis, Rhoslan, yn dyfod yma yn fisol. Yn y flwyddyn 1836, sefydlodd Mr. John Morgan yma, ar ol ei ymadawiad o Hebron, Lleyn. Agorodd ysgol ddyddiol yn y capel. Yr oedd yr achos yn wan iawn ar y pryd, ond llwyddodd Mr. Morgan i gasglu cynnulleidfa a chynyddu yr eglwys, ac yn ei amser ef rhoddwyd oriel yn y capel. Symudodd oddiyma i Nefyn yn 1839. Yn fuan ar ol ei ymadawiad, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. W. Evans, o Dolyddelen, ond oedd ar y pryd yn yr ysgol gyda Mr. Griffiths, yn Mhwllheli. Efe oedd y gweinidog cyntaf a urddwyd yn y lle. Cynaliwyd y cyfarfod Mai 25ain, 1841. Traddodwyd araeth. ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog; holwyd y gweinidog gan Mr. J. Morgan, Nefyn; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Morris, Llanengan; pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog gan Mr. R. P. Griffiths, Pwllheli, ac ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys gan Mr. J. Morgan, Nefyn. Llafuriodd Mr. Evans yma am bedair blynedd yn ffyddlon iawn, nes y symudodd i Bodedeyrn, Mon. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Evans, ymunodd yr eglwys hon ag eglwysi Chwilog a'r Capel-helyg, a rhoddasant alwad i Mr. T. Griffith, Nantglyn, yn y flwyddyn 1848, a bu yma yn llwyddianus iawn am dair blynedd. Yn mis Gorphenaf, 1853, daeth Mr. Hugh Hughes (Tegai) yn weinidog i'r eglwysi unedig. Torodd ei gysylltiad a'r Capel-helyg yn 1857, ond parhaodd i wasanaethu Abererch a Chwilog hyd y flwyddyn 1860, pryd y symudodd i Aberdar. Yn y flwyddyn 1861, rhoddodd eglwysi Abererch a Chwilog alwad i Mr. Edward Morris, Rhosfawr, Mon, ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 30ain, y flwyddyn hono. Cymerwyd rhan yn y cyfarfodydd gan Meistri W. Griffith, Caergybi; D. Roberts, Caernarfon; E. J. Evans, Penygroes; E. W. Jones, Talysarn; S. Jones, Penmorfa; D. Jones, Capel-helyg; P. Howells, Pwllheli; J. Jones, Maentwrog, a D. Jones, Abersoch.*22* Llafuriodd Mr. Morris yma yn ddedwydd a llwyddianus am bedair blynedd, nes y symudodd i Penrhyndeudraeth. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Morris bu yr eglwysi heb weinidog am ddwy flynedd, yna rhoddasant alwad i Mr. W. J. Richards, o athrofa y Bala. Urddwyd ef yn Chwilog Awst 16eg, 1867. Yr oedd capel newydd yn cael ei ail-adeiladu yma pan sefydlwyd Mr. Richards yn y lle. Y mae yn adeilad prydferth. Costiodd dros 400p. Agorwyd ef Mehefin 17eg a'r 18fed, 1868. Bu Mr. Richards yma hyd y flwyddyn 1870, pryd y symudodd i Penywern, Dowlais, ac er hyny y mae yr eglwys heb weinidog.

Cyfrifir Abererch bob amser yn lle hawdd i bregethu, a rhyw "eneiniad oddiwrth y santaidd hwnw" gyda y weinidogaeth, ac arwyddion amlwg fod yma rai mewn cymundeb agos â Duw. Un o'r cyfryw oedd Griffith Japheth, yr hwn a fawr berchid ar gyfrif ei grefyddolder. Bu farw Tachwedd 18fed, 1857, yn 65 oed. Y mae Robert Williams yma yn ddiacon er's 39 mlynedd, a Lowry Williams, ei wraig, ydyw yr aelod hynaf yma yn awr. Yr oedd Mrs. Williams, Gwagynoe, a Mrs. Williams, gwraig Ellis Williams, un o'r diaconiaid yma, yn ffyddlawn yn cynal breichiau y weinidogaeth. Gallesid enwi llawer yn rhagor a fuont yn ffyddlon i gynal yr achos yn y lle, megis teuluoedd Tyddynmeilir, Eisteddfa, Tanyrallt, a'r Gwindy, ac eraill, ond y mae eu llafarus gariad oll mewn coffadwriaeth ger bron Duw.

*22* Dysgedydd,1861. Tu dal 358.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2010)

This is a small village, two miles from Pwllheli, on the Porthmadog road. The place was privileged to have the religious means at the earliest times, because of its position, between Pwllheli and Capel-helyg. Several members and listeners from Penlan, and Pwllheli, lived in the area, and Mr. Benjamin Jones preached to them occasionally; and at the time of Mr. T. Lewis, Pwllheli, it was decided to hold regular preaching here.  It was announced that Messrs T. Lewis, and E. Davies, Rhoslan, would preach in a house called Gegin (the Kitchen).  A great crowd collected, and as they realized that the house was too small, they were invited to the Calvinist Methodist chapel.  They had a special service, and obvious signs that God was with them.  Regular preaching occurred in the Gegin after that, and it was decided that they should have a new chapel, and they succeeded in obtaining it mainly through the faithfulness and ability of Messrs Robert Jones, Tyddynmeilir, and Nicholas, Tanyrallt.  The chapel was opened on September 16th and 17th, 1822, and Messrs J. Jones, Nebo; W. Jones, Caernarfon; J. Williams, Ffestiniog; D. Griffiths, Talysarn; J. Griffith, Beaumaris; D. Roberts, Pentir; R. Owen, Llanengan, and O. Jones, Llanaelhaiarn officiated.  It was called  Ebenezer, and from the day of its opening religious meetings were held there regularly.  The cause was for a while under the care of the minister of Pwllheli, and when a disagreement arose between Mr. Lewis and the church in Penlan, the people of Abererch clung to him.  When Mr. Lewis moved to Llanfairmuallt, the care of this church, along with Llanaelhaiarn, was taken over by Mr. J. Griffiths, who had moved from Manchester to a farm close to Llanor,

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but he soon moved to Rhiadrwy.  The church, for a while, had no minister, but Mr. Edward Williams, Pwllheli, often preached here, and Mr. R. Ellis, Rhoslan, came here monthly.  In 1836, Mr. John Morgan settled here, after he left Hebron, Lleyn.  He opened a day school in the chapel.  The cause was very weak at the time, but Mr. Morgan succeeded in collecting a congregation and increasing the church, and during his time here a gallery was placed in the chapel. He moved from here to Nefyn in 1839.  Soon after he left, the church gave a call to Mr. W. Evans, from Dolyddelen, but who was at the time in the school with Mr. Griffiths, in Pwllheli.  He was the  first minister and he was ordained in the place.  The meeting was held on  May 25th, 1841. An address was given on the nature of the church by Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog; questions were asked of the minister by Mr. J. Morgan, Nefyn; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. J. Morris, Llanengan; Mr. R. P. Griffiths, Pwllheli preached on the duty of the minister, and Mr. J. Morgan, Nefyn preached on the duty of the church.  Mr. Evans laboured here very faithfully for four years, until he moved to Bodedeyrn, Anglesey.  After Mr. Evans left, this church united with the churches in Chwilog and Capel-helyg, and gave a call to Mr. T. Griffith, Nantglyn, in 1848, and he was here very successfully for three years.  In July, 1853, Mr. Hugh Hughes (Tegai) became the minister of the united churches.  He broke his connection with Capel-helyg in 1857, but continued to serve  Abererch and Chwilog until 1860, when he moved to Aberdare.  In 1861, the churches of Abererch and Chwilog gave a call to Mr. Edward Morris, Rhosfawr, Anglesey, and he was ordained on July  30th, that year. Messrs W. Griffith, Caergybi; D. Roberts, Caernarfon; E. J. Evans, Penygroes; E. W. Jones, Talysarn; S. Jones, Penmorfa; D. Jones, Capel-helyg; P. Howells, Pwllheli; J. Jones, Maentwrog, and D. Jones, Abersoch took part. *22*   Mr. Morris laboured here contentedly and successfully for four years,  until he moved to Penrhyndeudraeth.  After Mr. Morris left, the churches had no minister for two years, then a call was given to Mr. W. J. Richards, from Bala college.  He was ordained in Chwilog on August 16th, 1867.  A new chapel was being re-built here when Mr. Richards settled in the place.  It is a perfect building.  It cost over £400. It was opened on June 17th and 18th, 1868.  Mr. Richards was here until  1870, when he moved to Penywern, Dowlais, and since then the church has had no minister.

Abererch is always considered as an easy place in which to preach, and some "eneiniad oddiwrth y santaidd hwnw" (anointing from the holy one) with the ministry, and obvious signs that there were some who were in a close communion with God.  One of those was Griffith Japheth, who was well respected because of his piety.  He died on November 18th, 1857, at 65 years old.  Robert Williams was here as a deacon for 39 years, and Lowry Williams, his wife, who is the eldest member here now.  Mrs. Williams, Gwagynoe, and Mrs. Williams, the wife of  Ellis Williams, one of the deacons here, were very faithful supporting the ministerial arms.  Many more could be named who were faithful in supporting the cause in the place, such as the families of  Tyddynmeilir,  Eisteddfa, Tanyrallt, and Gwindy, and others, but their labouring love is all in memory before God.

*22* Dysgedydd,1861. Page 358.

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FOURCROSSES

(Abererch parish)

Pentref bychan yw hwn yn nghwr uchaf plwyf Abererch. Saif yn y fan y mae y ddwy brif-ffordd - un o Bwllheli i Gaernarfon, a'r llall o Borthmadog i Borth-yn-lleyn - yn croesi eu gilydd; ac oddiwrth hyn y derbyniodd ei enw. Meddyliwyd lawer gwaith, er cyn diwedd y ganrif o'r blaen, am gychwyn achos Annibynol yn y gymydogaeth hon, oblegid fod yr ardal, i raddau yn boblog, ac aelodau perthynol i'r Annibynwyr yn byw yma, a chanddynt gryn bellder i fyned i'r capel Annibynol agosaf. Bu pregethu yn achlysurol yn y gymydogaeth lawer gwaith, ond nid yn rheolaidd nes yr adeiladwyd y capel. Gan fod mwy nag arferol o aelodau perthynol i'r Annibynwyr yn byw yn y gymydogaeth ar ol y diwygiad yn 1859 ac 1860, penderfynodd y tair eglwys agosaf, sef Capel-helyg, Chwilog, ac Abererch, gymeryd y peth at eu hystyriaeth ddifrifolaf. Ymgyfarfu nifer o frodyr o'r tair eglwys a enwyd, a'u gweinidogion, yn nghyda Mr. Ambrose, Porthmadog, yn Chwilog yn Hydref, 1861, i ymgynghori ar y mater, ac ar ol llawer o ymddiddan, holi, ac ymresymu, penderfynwyd yn unfrydol yn wyneb y cymelliadau cryfion a'r anogaethau taer a roddwyd o flaen y cyfarfod i symud yn mlaen. Dewiswyd pwyllgor yn cynwys gweinidogion y tair eglwys, a thri brawd o bob un o honynt, a Mr. Ambrose, Porthmadog. Ceisiwyd prynu hen gapel y Trefnyddion Calfinaidd, oblegid eu bod hwy wedi adeiladu capel newydd ychydig cyn hyny, ond aeth pob ymgais yn ofer. Gwnaed llawer cais am dir i adeiladu capel newydd arno, ond trodd y cyfan yn fethiant nes myned at Mr. Picton-Jones, goruchwyliwr Arglwydd Newborough. Cafwyd lês ganddo ef gyda'r parodrwydd mwyaf, ar ddarn o dir i adeiladu capel a thy yn mhentref Fourcrosses. Gorphenwyd y capel erbyn Hydref, 1864, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod ei agoriad y 26ain a'r 27ain, o'r un mis. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri R. Rowlands, Ceidio; H. E. Thomas, Birkenhead; J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; E. Stephen, Tanymarian, a D. Roberts, Caernarfon. Galwyd ef Salem. Yr oedd holl draul ei adeiladiad yn 287p. 3s. 31/2c. Talwyd y ddimai olaf o'r ddyled Mehefin 30ain, 1866, yn mhen blwyddyn a saith mis ar ol agoriad yr addoldy. Bu amryw o weinidogion y sir yn ffyddlon yn casglu ato, ac y mae flyddlondeb Mr. Jones, Capel-helyg, a Mr. John Morgan yn haeddu ei goffâu yn arbenig. Ffurfiwyd yr eglwys yn amser agoriad y capel, y rhai oeddynt yn naw o nifer, sef Cornelius Jones, Ffriddlwyd; William Hughes, Penygamfa, a Martha Hughes ei wraig; William Hughes, Fourcrosses; Thomas Evans, Brynygwdyn; Jane Richard, a Sarah Jones, Fourcrosses; Cathrine Thomas, Rhosfawr, a Mary Thomas, Drefain, o'r rhai " y mae rhai yn aros hyd yr awr hon" yn ffyddlon ac ymdrechgar gyda'r achos; " eithr rhai a hunasant," tra y mae eraill wedi symud i eglwysi eraill. Ymunodd rhai o'r newydd a'r eglwys yn fuan ar ol ei sefydliad, a daeth rhai o eglwysi eraill, ond darfu i amgylchiadau eu symud ymaith drachefn. Trwy symudiadau diweddar, cafodd yr eglwys ieuangc hon ei breintio a rhai aelodau gwir ddefnyddiol.

Cynorthwywyd y weinidogaeth yn y lle ar y dechreu gan yr eglwysi cymydogol a enwyd eisioes; ond yn Chwefror, 1868, cymerodd Mr. Jones, Capel-helyg, ofal yr eglwys yn gyflawn, ac y mae yn parhau i weithio yn ddyfal drosti. Yn 1869, adeiladwyd ty bychan destlus mewn cysylltiad a'r capel, ac ailbaentiwyd y capel hefyd, a chwblhawyd y muriau a'r

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railings o'i amgylch, trwy yr hwn yr aeth yr eglwys i draul ychwanegol o fwy na 129p. Talwyd eisioes o'r swm yna 49p., yn gadael dyled bresenol o 80p. Dymuna yr eglwys a'i gweinidog gael y fraint o gyflwyno eu diolchgarwch diffuant trwy y cyfrwng hwn, am y credant y bydd yn hwy ei barhad nag odid gyfrwng arall ellid gael, i'r holl eglwysi trwy ogledd a deau Cymru, Liverpool, a manau eraill, y rhai a'u cynorthwyasant i symud y baich dyled ymaith. Oni bai yr haelioni mawr a ddangoswyd er symud y ddyled, mae lle i ofni mai wedi llethu yr achos ieuangc hwn buasai yn ei gychwyniad, megis y llethwyd llawer o'i flaen.*23*

Mae gair o grybwylliad yn deilwng i goffadwriaeth Cornelius Jones, yr hwn a gymerodd ddyddordeb mawr yn sefydliad yr achos yma, ac a fu yn anarferol o ffyddlon gydag ef. Yr oedd efe yn wr da, wedi casglu llawer o wybodaeth, ac yn fedrus fel ysgrifenydd. Gwelid ei enw yn aml ar ddalenau y Dysgedydd flynyddau yn ol, a pha beth bynag a all fod ein barn am gywirdeb ei olygiadau ar rai pyngeiau, y mae crefyddolder ei ysbryd yn amlwg i bawb. Bu yn nodedig o weithgar gyda holl ranau yr achos, ac yn enwedig felly gyda'r ysgol Sabbothol; a chofir yn hir ei lafur fel ysgrifenydd cyfarfod chwarterol Lleyn ac Eifionydd. Bu farw yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1872.

Codwyd un brawd ieuangc yn yr eglwys hon i bregethu, sef William Hughes, yr hwn sydd yn parhau i bregethu yn achlysurol.

*23* Llythyr Mr. D. Jones, Capel-helyg.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2010)

This is a small village in the upper corner of the parish of Abererch. It stands on the spot where two main roads - one from Pwllheli to Caernarfon, and the other from Porthmadog to Porth-yn-lleyn - meet; and this is how it got its name.  The idea of starting an Independent cause in this community, had been considered many times, since the previous century, because the area, to some extent populous, with members who belonged to the Independents living here, had a long journey to the nearest Independent chapel.  Occasional preaching often took place in the community, but not on a regular basis until the chapel was built.  Since there were more members than usual belonging to the Independents in the community after the revival of 1859 ac 1860, the three closest churches, Capel-helyg, Chwilog, and Abererch, started to take the matter seriously.  Several brothers from the three churches named, and their ministers, along with Mr. Ambrose, Porthmadog, met in Chwilog in October, 1861, decided to discuss the matter, and after much discussion, questioning, and reasoning, decided unanimously in the face of the compelling arguments and fervent encouragements which were put before the meeting to move ahead.  A committee was chosen consisting of the ministers of the three churches, and three brothers from each one, and Mr. Ambrose, of Porthmadog. An attempt was made to buy an old Calvinistic Methodist chapel, because they had built a new chapel a little while before, but their efforts failed. Many claims were made for land on which to build a new chapel, but each one failed until they turned to Mr. Picton-Jones, Lord Newborough's overseer.  They obtained a lease from him very readily, on a piece of land, in order to build a chapel and a house in the village of  Fourcrosses.  The chapel was finished by October, 1864, and the opening services were held on 26th and 27th, of the same month. On that occasion Messrs R. Rowlands, Ceidio; H. E. Thomas, Birkenhead; J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; E. Stephen, Tanymarian, and D. Roberts, Caernarfon officiated. It was called  Salem.  The whole cost of the building was £287. 3s. 31/2p.  The very last farthing of the debt was paid on June 30th, 1866, within a year and seven months after the house of worship opened. Several of the county's ministers faithfully collected towards it, and the faithfulness of  Mr. Jones, Capel-helyg, and Mr. John Morgan deserves to be specially remembered.  The church was formed at the time of the chapel's opening, nine in number. They were Cornelius Jones, Ffriddlwyd; William Hughes, Penygamfa, and Martha Hughes his wife; William Hughes, Fourcrosses; Thomas Evans, Brynygwdyn; Jane Richard, and Sarah Jones, Fourcrosses; Cathrine Thomas, Rhosfawr, and Mary Thomas, Drefain, who " some are here till this hour" faithful and hard working for the cause; " some have fallen asleep," while others have moved to other churches.  Some re-joined soon after it's establishment, and others came from other churches, only for circumstances to move them away again.  Through recent movements, this young church has been blessed with some truly useful members.

At the beginning, the ministry was supported in the place by the community's churches, which were formerly mentioned; but in February, 1868,  Mr. Jones, Capel-helyg, undertook the care of the church as a whole, and continues to work diligently.  In 1869, a small, tidy house was built connected to the chapel, and the chapel was also re-painted, and the walls were finished

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with railings around it, which gave the church another debt of more than £129.  £49 has already been paid leaving the present debt of  £80.  The church and the minister wish, through this medium, which they believe will be a more lasting tribute, to thank all the churches throughout north and south Wales, Liverpool and other places who helped them to remove the burden of the debt.  Without the generosity that was shown to them in removing the debt, it is feared that this young cause would have been overpowered at the beginning, as many others have been before it. *23*

It is fitting that we mention a memorial to Cornelius Jones, who took a great interest in the establishment of the cause here, and who was unusually faithful to it.  He was a good man, who collected a great deal of information, and was an able secretary.  His name had often been seen on the pages of the 'Dysgedydd' years ago, and whatever is our opinion about the veracity of his views on some subjects, the religiosity of his spirit is obvious to all.  He was notably hard working in all aspects of the cause, especially in the Sunday school; and his labour as secretary of the quarterly meeting for Lleyn ac Eifionydd will always be remembered.  He died at the beginning of  1872.

One young brother was raised to preach in this church. He was  William Hughes, who continues to preach occasionally.

*23* Mr. D. Jones, Capel-helyg's letter.

LLANAELHAIARN

Dechreuwyd pregethu yma yn gynar yn y ganrif bresenol mewn amaethdy bychan o'r enw Maesyneuadd. Ymddengys i ferch Maesyneuadd fyned i ysgol i Gaernarfon, ac iddi tra yno gael ei hennill at grefydd, a'i derbyn yn aelod. Wedi dychwelyd adref, cymhellodd Mr. J. Griffiths, Caernarfon, i ddyfod yno i bregethu, ac felly fu, a dyna ddechreuad yr achos Annibynol yn y lle. Priododd Sydney, merch Maesyneuadd, ag un Owen Jones, a derbyniwyd yntau hefyd yn aelod yn Nghaernarfon, a mynych y cyrchent yno. Cafwyd moddion yn fwy rheolaidd yn Maesyneuadd, a chynorthwyid Mr. Griffiths, Caernarfon, gan Mr. W. Hughes, Brynbeddau. Nid oedd Owen Jones, Maesyneuadd, ond dyn anllythyrenog, heb feddu ond ychydig wybodaeth, ond yr oedd ganddo ddawn gweddi nodedig. Yr oedd Sydney Jones, o'r ochr arall, yn wraig wybodus, yn mhell felly uwchlaw y cyffredin yn ei hoes, a byddai yn cymeryd rhan gyhoeddus yn y cyfarfodydd gweddi a'r cyfeillachau. Daliodd y ddau yn ffyddlon hyd y diwedd. Yn y flwyddyn 1812, cafwyd prydles ar ddarn o dir Maesyneuadd gan Mrs. Edwards, Nanhoron, ac adeiladwyd capel arno, yr hwn a alwyd yn Bethehem. Wedi bod am rai blynyddau yn dibynu ar gynorthwy gweinidogion a phregethwyr y sir, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Owen Jones, o Golwyn, ond a fuasai am dymor yn Ffestiniog yn pregethu ac yn cadw ysgol. Daeth yma tua'r fiwyddyn 1819, ac urddwyd ef i'r weinidogaeth. Yr oedd yr eglwys fechan wedi casglu deg punt at ei gyflog y flwyddyn gyntaf cyn iddo ddyfod yma. Bu yma gryn ychwanegiad ar ei ddyfodiad. Yr oedd yn bregethwr doniol iawn. Yr ydym wedi cyfarfod a'i enw amryw weithiau o'r blaen mewn gwahanol fanau. Bu yma hyd y fiwyddyn 1823,

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pryd y symudodd i Lanerchymedd. Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn hono, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Jonathan Davies, aelod o Lanybri, sir Gaerfyrddin, ac urddwyd ef Ionawr 15fed, 1824. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Jones, Caernarfon; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Hughes, Saron; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. Griffith, Talysarn; pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog gan Mr. A. Jones, Bangor, ac ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys gan Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel.*24* Dechreuodd Mr. Davies ei weinidogaeth yn llewyrchus. Casglodd 100p. er talu y ddyled oedd ar y capel, ond yn fuan daeth cwmwl drosto, a darfu ei gysylltiad gweinidogaethol a'r eglwys. Wedi hyny bu yr eglwys yma yn hir heb weinidogaeth sefydlog. Bu y gofal ar Mr. D. Price am y tymor byr y bu yn Capel-helyg, ac wedi hyny ar Mr. J. Griffith, mewn cysylltiad ag Abererch, dros yr ysbaid y bu yn y wlad yma, wedi ei ymadawiad â Manchester, hyd ei sefydliad yn Rhiadrwy.

Yn y flwyddyn 1860, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Edward James, Caergybi, ond a fuasai am flwyddyn cyn hyny mewn lle a elwir Gorseddau, heb fod yn mhell o Benmorfa. Agorwyd gwaith llechi yn yr ardal, a bu y lle unwaith yn debyg o fod yn boblog iawn. Yr oedd gan Mr. James eglwys dan ei ofal yno yn rhifo haner cant o aelodau; ond dyrysodd y gwaith, a gwasgarwyd yr holl bobl. Llafuriodd Mr. James yma am flwyddyn cyn ei urddo, ac urddwyd ef Awst 1af, 1861. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. P. Howell, Pwllheli; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. T. Edwards, Ebenezer; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Jones, Maentwrog; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Roberts, Caernarfon.#3# Bu Mr. James yma yn ddefnyddiol a pharchus am ddeuddeng mlynedd, hyd nes y symudodd yn Awst, 1872, i Nefyn a'r Morfa. Mae poblogaeth y lle yma yn cynyddu yn fawr, fel y mae rhagolygon addawus o flaen yr achos.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

JOHNATHAN DAVIES. Ganwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1793, yn Llanybri, yn sir Gaerfyrddin. Derbyniwyd ef at grefydd pan yn ieuangc, ac wedi pregethu rhai blynyddoedd, daeth i sir Gaernarfon, a derbyniodd alwad gan yr eglwys. fechan yn Llanaelhaiarn, ac urddwyd ef yno yn Ionawr, 1824. Yr oedd ei olwg yn sicr o dynu sylw, oblegid yr oedd un llygad iddo yn llai o lawer na'r llall. Meddai ar ddawn rhwydd i bregethu, ac adroddai hanesion y Bibl gyda llawer o ddyddordeb i wrandawyr cyffredin. Cychwynodd yn addawus iawn, ond gwyrodd oddiar ei lwybr, yr hyn a'i hataliodd yn y weinidogaeth. Adferwyd ef i'w le, ac i'r pulpud, ac er nad adferwyd y cysylltiad gweinidogaethol rhyngddo a'r eglwys yn Llanaelhaiarn, etto yr oedd yn barchus yn eu golwg, a glynodd yn ei gymeriad hyd ddiwedd ei oes. Teithiodd lawer trwy dde a gogledd i gasglu at gapeli dyledog, ac ar rai adegau yn ei oes bu yn cyrchu yn fynych i Saron a Nazareth, os.na bu eu gofal arno. Ni chafodd lawer o dda y byd hwn, etto bu eisiau arno, ac yr oedd ganddo dipyn yn ngweddill i'w weddw oedranus. Bu farw Ionawr 31ain, 1870, yn 77 oed, a chafodd gladdedigaeth barchus.

*24* .Dyagedydd, 1824. Ta dal. 82.

#3# .Dyagedydd, 1861. Tn dal. 358.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (April 2011)

Preaching started here early in this century in a small farmhouse called Maesyneuadd.  It appears that the daughter of  Maesyneuadd went to school in Caernarfon, and that while she was there she accepted religion, and became a member.  After returning home, she persuaded Mr. J. Griffiths, Caernarfon, to come there to preach, and he did so, and that was the beginning of the Inndependent cause in the place. Sydney, the daughter of Maesyneuadd, and one Owen Jones married, and he was also accepted as a member in Caernarfon, and they would frequently travel there. The means of grace were more regularly held in Maesyneuadd, and Mr. Griffiths, Caernarfon, was supported by, Mr. W. Hughes, Brynbeddau.  Owen Jones, Maesyneuadd, was an illiterate man, who had very little knowledge, but he had a notable gift for prayer. Sydney Jones, on the other hand, was well-informed, far above most women of the age, and she would take part publicly in the prayer meetings and the fellowships. The two stayed faithful till the end. In 1812, a lease was obtained by Mrs Edwards, Nanhoron on a piece of Maesyneuadd land, and a chapel was built on it, which was called  Bethehem. After depending on the support of ministers and preachers from the county for some years, a call was sent to Mr. Owen Jones, from Colwyn, but who had been in Ffestiniog for a while preaching and running a school. He came here in about 1819, and was ordained in the ministry. The little church had collected ten pounds towards his salary for the first year before he came here. There was a substantial increase when he arrived. He was a very amusing preacher. We have seen his name mentioned several times before in different places. He stayed here till 1823,

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when he moved to to Llanerchymedd. Before the end of that year, a call was sent to Mr. Jonathan Davies, a member from Llanybri, Carmarthenshire, and he was ordained on January 15th, 1824. On the occasion Mr. W. Jones, Caernarfon preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. W. Hughes, Saron; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. D. Griffith, Talysarn; Mr. A. Jones, Bangor preached on the duty of the minister, and Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel preached about the duty of the church.*24* Mr. Davies started his ministry prosperously. He collected 100 to pay off the remaining debt on the chapel, but quite soon a cloud came over him, and he ended his ministerial connection with the church. After this the church was a long time without a settled ministry. The care fell to Mr. D. Price for the short while he was in Capel-helyg, and after that on Mr. J. Griffith, in connection with Abererch, over the short while he was in this country, after he left Manchester, until he settled in Rhiadrwy.

In 1860, a call was given to Mr. Edward James, Holyhead, but who had been in a place called Gorseddau, not far from Penmorfa for the previous year. A slate works had been opened in the area, and at one time it was likely that it would be a very populous place. Mr. James already had a church under his care. That church had fifty members; but he confused the work, and all the people were scattered. Mr. James laboured here for a year before being ordained, and he was ordained on August 1st, 1861. On the occasion Mr. P. Howell, Pwllheli preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. T. Edwards, Ebenezer; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. J. Jones, Maentwrog; Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead preached to the minister, and Mr. D. Roberts, Caernarfon preached to the church.#3#  Mr. James stayed here respectfully and usefully for twelve years, until he moved in August, 1872, to Nefyn and Morfa. The population in this place has increased greatly, as there are promising forecasts ahead of the cause.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

JOHNATHAN DAVIES. He was born in 1793, in Llanybri, in Carmarthenshire. He accepted religion when young, and after preaching for some years, he came to Caernarfonshire, and accepted the call from the little church in Llanaelhaiarn, and he was ordained in January, 1824. His sight was certainly of note, since one of his eyes was a lot smaller than the other. He had the gift of being able to preach easily, and he told Bible stories which interested the common listeners. He started very promisingly, but he wandered off his path, which halted his ministry. He was restored to his position, and to the pulpit, and even though his ministerial connection with the church in Llanaelhaiarn was not restored, yet he was very respected in their sight, and he clung to his character to the end of his life. He travelled a lot through the south and north collecting towards chapels in debt, and at some times in his life he travelled  often to Saron and Nazareth, if he did not have their care. He did not have many of this world's good things, yet he was wanting, and he had little left over for his elderly widow.  He died on January 31st, 1870, at the age of 77 years, and he had a respectful burial.

*24* .Dysgedydd, 1824. Page. 82.

#3# .Dysgedydd, 1861. Page. 358.

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SARDIS

(Llangybi parish )

Cangen o Gapel-helyg yw yr eglwys fechan yma. Dechreuwyd pregethu gyda gradd o gysondeb yn y gymydogaeth gan Mr. Edward Davies pan oedd yn weinidog yn Nghapel-helyg. Pregethid mewn melin yn yr ardal, ac mewn amryw dai anedd. Wedi yr adfywiad a gafwyd yn y flwyddyn 1821, meddyliwyd am gael capel yn yr ardal, ond trwy drafferth fawr y cafwyd tir i'w adeiladu arno. Ond llwyddodd Mr. Davies i'w gael, ac adeiladwyd y capel yn y flwyddyn 1822 - y flwyddyn yr ymadawodd Mr. Davies i Drawsfynydd. Costiodd 120p. Bu y lle mewn cysylltiad a Capel-helyg hyd derfyn gweinidogaeth Mr. James Jones yno, ac am ychydig ar ol hyny. Am y tymor byr y bu Mr. R. W. Roberts yn weinidog yn Nazareth a'r Pantglas, yr oedd yr eglwys hon hefyd dan ei ofal. Ar sefydliad Mr. Edward James yn Llanaelhaiarn, cymerodd hefyd ofal yr eglwys yma, a llafuriodd yn ddiwyd ynddi. Yr oedd 60p. o ddyled yn aros ar y capel pan y sefydlodd yn y lle, ond talwyd y cwbl, ac y mae yma gapel newydd hardd wedi ei adeiladu, gwerth 300p., ac agorwyd. ef Mai 27ain a'r 28ain, 1872. Mae yr achos yma wedi cryfhau yn blynyddau diweddaf yn fawr mewn cydmariaeth i'r peth ydoedd unwaith. Nid oes ond ychydig dros 100p. yn aros o ddyled ar y capel. Cyfeirir yn barchus yn y gymydogaeth am enwau John Thomas, Cefnbron; Evan Jones, y teiliwr; Elias Pritchard a'i wraig; Margaret Thomas, Cae'rferch; Margaret Owen, Ynysgoch; Lowry Jones, Tynewydd, ac eraill, a fuont yma yn ffyddlon gyda'r achos; ac mewn blynyddoedd diweddarach, coffeir am garedigrwydd teuluoedd y Cefn, a Corsygeilian, y rhai sydd wedi bod o gymorth mawr i'r achos.*25* Y diaconiaid presenol ydyw John Jones, Corsygeilian, a. Robert Jones, yr Efail. Mae yr eglwys ar hyn o bryd yn amddifad o weinidog.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2010)

This little church is a branch of Capel-helyg.  Preaching was started with some regularity in the community when Mr. Edward Davies was a minister in Capel-helyg.  Preaching would take place in in a mill in the area, and in several dwelling houses. After the revival that happened in 1821, it was thought that a chapel should be built in the area, but it was only after a lot of difficulty that they obtained land on which to build.  But Mr. Davies succeeded, and the chapel was built in 1822 - the year Mr Davies left for Trawsfynydd.  It cost £120.  The place was connected with Capel-helyg until the end of the ministry of Mr. James Jones there, and for a while after that. Mr. R. W. Roberts was a minister for a short time in Nazareth and Pantglas, and this church was also under his care.  When Mr. Edward James was established in Llanaelhaiarn, he also took the care of this church, and laboured diligently there.  £60 was left of the debt on the chapel when the church was established there, but the whole lot was paid, and there is here a fine new chapel built at a value of £300, and it was opened on May 27th and 28th, 1872.  This cause has greatly strengthened lately compared with its former state.  There is just over £100 left of the debt on the chapel. Many refer respectfully to the names of John Thomas, Cefnbron; Evan Jones, the tailor; Elias Pritchard and his wife; Margaret Thomas, Cae'rferch; Margaret Owen, Ynysgoch; Lowry Jones, Tynewydd, and others in the area, who were here faithful to the cause; and in later years, the kindness of the families of Cefn, and Corsygeilian, who had been of great help to the cause is remembered.*25* The present deacons are John Jones, Corsygeilian, and Robert Jones, the Smithy.  The church has at this time no minister.

*25* A letter from Mr. E. James, Nefyn.

RHOSLAN

(Llanarmon parish)

Dechreuwyd yr achos yn y lle hwn tua dechreu y ganrif bresenol, trwy. lafur Mr. J. Griffith, Caernarfon, yn benaf. Yr oedd yma yn flaenorol rai Annibynwyr yn yr ardal, y rhai a gyrchent i Bwllheli neu Gapel-helyg yn ol fel y byddai yn gyfleus, ond ni wnaed un cynyg at sefydlu achos yma. Er mai i gylch gweinidogaeth Pwllheli y perthynai y lle yma yn briodol, etto ni chaed ond ychydig gefnogaeth oddiyno i ddechreu yr achos, ac amlygodd Mr. B. Jones wrthwynebiad mawr i Mr. Griffith am ymwthio i'w derfynau ef. Ond barnai Mr. Griffith fod pellder digonol rhwng Rhoslan ag unrhyw gapel i'w gyflawnhau yn ei ymdrech i sefydlu achos yn y lle. Dechreuwyd pregethu mewn hen feudy cul, isel, a thywyll, rhy sal i rwymo lloi ynddo, o'r enw Banadlog. Bu Mr. John Jones, Brynllefrith, yn cadw ysgol am dymor, ac yn pregethu yn achlysurol. Wedi ei ymadawiad ef, daeth Mr. David Griffith, Blowty, Lleyn, yma i gadw ysgol, ac yn ei amser ef symudwyd yr ysgol a'r gwasanaeth crefyddol i ysgubor Brynbeddau, ond cyfododd y tirfeddianydd wrthwynebiad i ysgol gan yr Ym-

*25* Llythyr Mr. E. James, Nefyn.

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neillduwyr, yr hyn a barodd i Mr. D. Griffith ymadael, ac yn mhen amser ar ol hyny aeth yn weinidog i Dalysarn. Adeiladwyd capel Rhoslan yn y flwyddyn 1808. Y prif offeryn gydag adeiladiad y capel oedd Rowland Hughes, Rhoscyllbach, ond cafodd lawer o help gan ei gymydogion. Wedi cael y capel yn barod, ffurfiwyd yma eglwys o saith o bersonau. Wele eu henwau : - Rowland Hughes, Rhoscyllbach; William a Martha Griffith, Tyddyncrythor; Catherine Williams, Rhwngyddwyryd; John Owen, Braichysaint; Evan Ellis, a Margaret Fychan, Pentrefelin. Yn fuan ar ol hyn bu Mr. James Williams, myfyriwr o athrofa Gwrecsam, yma am ychydig, a llwyddodd i gasglu cynnulleidfa luosog, ond derbyniodd cyn hir alwad o Ty'nycoed, sir Frycheiniog, ac urddwyd ef yno, lle y treuliodd ei oes. Pan roddodd Mr. B. Jones ofal Capel-helyg i fyny yn 1815, rhoddodd yr eglwys hon, yn nglyn a'r eglwys yno, alwad i Mr. Edward Davies o Lanrhiadr, ac urddwyd ef Medi 26ain, 1816. Yr oedd achosion bychain erbyn hyn hefyd wedi eu sefydlu. yn Chwilog a Phentrefelin, a bu y maes eang yn un weinidogaeth hyd y flwyddyn 1829, pryd yr ymadawodd Mr. Rowlands i Bontypool. Y flwyddyn ganlynol i ymadawiad Mr. Rowlands, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Robert Ellis, mab yr hybarch Thomas Ellis, Llangwm, ac urddwyd ef yma Mai 27ain, 1830. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. H. Pugh, Llandrillo; gofynwyd yr holiadau arferol gan Mr. W. Davies, Nefyn; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. W. Hughes, Saron; pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog, gan ei dad Mr. T. Ellis, Llangwm, ac ar ddyledswydd yr eglwysi gan Mr. E. Daveis, Penstryd.*26* Bu Mr. Ellis yma yn ddefnyddiol a pharchus am un-mlynedd-ar-bymtheg. Bu yma adfywiad grymus ar yr achos yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1839. Ymadawodd Mr. Ellis i'r Brithdir, lle y mae etto. Wedi ei ymadawiad ef, rhoddodd yr eglwysi yn Rhoslan, Tabor, a Llanystumdwy, alwad i Mr. Hugh Hughes (Tegai), ac urddwyd ef Hydref 19eg, 1847. Ar yr achlysur traddodwyd y gynaraeth gan Mr. R. Parry, Conwy; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog, yr hwn hefyd a ddyrchafodd yr urdd-weddi; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon, ac i'r eglwysi gan Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel.#4# Byr fu arosiad Mr. Hughes yma, oblegid symudodd i Manchester yn y flwyddyn 1849, a chyn diwedd y flwyddyn hono daeth Mr. John Parry, Machynlleth, yma i gymeryd gofal yr eglwysi, ond yn 1850, ymfudodd yntau i America. Yn y flwyddyn 1851, rhoddodd yr eglwysi hyn alwad i Mr. Thomas Griffiths, Capel-helyg, a bu yma hyd y flwyddyn 1855, pryd y darfu ei gysylltiad a'r eglwysi. Yn fuan ar ol hyny, rhoddodd y tair eglwys alwad unfrydol i Mr. Thomas Jones, Cefnmeusydd, ac urddwyd ef yn Tabor, ei fam-eglwys, Ionawr 16eg, 1856. Bu Mr. Jones yma yn ddefnyddiol iawn am flynyddau, ac adfywiodd yr achos yn fawr dan ei ofal. Helaethwyd y capel y flwyddyn gyntaf ar ol ei sefydliad yma. Rhoddodd yr eglwys hon a Llanystumdwy i fyny yn y flwyddyn 1866, gan gymeryd at Benmorfa yn, nglyn a Tabor. Yn fuan ar ol hyny rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Nicholson, gan eglwysi Rhoslan a Llanystumdwy, ac urddwyd ef yma Awst 20fed, 1867. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. T. Jones, Tabor; holwyd yr urddedig gan ei hen weinidog, Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi; gweddiwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. R. Rowlands, Ceidio; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog, ac i'r eglwysi gan Mr. E. J. Evans,

*26* Dysgedydd, 1830. Tu dal. 248. #4#Dysgedydd, 1847. Tu dal. 347.

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Pisgah.*27* Bu Mr. Nicholson yma yn boblogaidd hyd Awst, 1870, pryd y symudodd i Treflys, Bethesda, Arfon, ac er hyny mae yr eglwysi hyn heb weinidog.

Mae yn sicr genym i lawer o ffyddloniaid fod yn nglyn a'r achos hwn yn ystod y triugain mlynedd diweddaf, ond gan nad anfonwyd eu henwau i ni, nis gallwn gyfeirio atynt. Codwyd yma ddau bregethwr : -

William Williams, Cricieth. Bu yn dra ffyddlon yn ei dymor byr. Gwnaeth ymdrech i sefydlu achos yn Cricieth, a llwyddodd i gasglu cynnulleidfa yno. Bu yn byw am ychydig wrth gapel Sardis, ond "machludodd ei haul a hi yn ddydd." Claddwyd ef oddifewn i gapel Rhoslan.

Rowland Hughes. Mab Rhoscyllfach. Dechreuodd bregethu er's 38 mlynedd yn ol, ac y mae etto yn parhau yn bregethwr cynorthwyol parchus, ac yn gwasanaethu fel diacon yn yr eglwys.

*27* Dysgedydd, 1867. Tud dal, 397.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands    (May 2011)

The cause started in this place around the beginning of this century, mainly through the labour of Mr. J. Griffith, Caernarfon.  Previously there had been Independents in the area, who had travelled to Pwllheli or Capel-helyg according to which one was most convenient to them, but no attempt was made to start a cause here.  Even though it mainly belonged to the Pwllheli circuit, yet they received very little support to initiate the cause, and Mr. B. Jones showed great opposition towards Mr. Griffith for pushing ahead for his own ends.  But Mr. Griffith felt that there was sufficient distance between Rhoslan and any other chapel to justify the effort in starting another cause in the place. Preaching started in an old, narrow, dark, low ceilinged cowshed, which was too poor to tie up calves in it, called Banadlog.  Mr. John Jones, Brynllefrith, ran a school for a while, and preached occasionally.  After he left, Mr. David Griffith, Blowty, Lleyn, came here to run the school, and during his time the school and the religious service were moved to Brynbeddau barn, but the landowner objected to a school run by non-conformists,

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which was the reason that Mr. D. Griffith left, and some time after that he became minister of Talysarn.  The chapel in Rhoslan was built in 1808.  The main instrument for building the chapel was Rowland Hughes, Rhoscyllbach, but he had a great deal of help from his neighbours.  Once the chapel was ready, a church was formed with seven people.  Here are their names: - Rowland Hughes, Rhoscyllbach; William and Martha Griffith, Tyddyncrythor;  Catherine Williams, Rhwngyddwyryd; John Owen, Braichysaint;  Evan Ellis, and Margaret Fychan, Pentrefelin. Soon after this Mr. James Williams, a student from the college in Wrexham, came here for a while, and succeded in collecting a multitude as a congregation,  but he soon accepted a call from Ty'nycoed, Breconshire, and he was ordained there, and stayed for the rest of his life. When Mr. B. Jones gave up the care of Capel-helyg in1815, this church along with the church there gave a call to Mr. Edward Davies of Lanrhiadr, and he was ordained on September 26th, 1816.  Some small causes had also been established by now in Chwilog and Pentrefelin, and this large circuit was under one ministry until 1829, when Mr. Rowlands left for Pontypool.  The year following Mr. Rowlands' leaving, a call was given to Mr. Robert Ellis, the son of the venerable Thomas Ellis, Llangwm, and he was ordained here on May 27th  1830.  On that occasion Mr. H. Pugh, Llandrillo, preached on the nature of the church; the usual questions were asked by Mr. W. Davies, Nefyn; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. W. Hughes, Saron; his father, Mr. T. Ellis, Llangwm, preached on the duty of the minister, and Mr. E. Davies, Penstryd preached on the duty of the churches.*26*  Mr. Ellis stayed here usefully and well respected for sixteen years.  A powerful revival took place in the cause at the end of 1839.  Mr. Ellis left for Brithdir, where he still resides.  After he left, the churches in Rhoslan, Tabor, and Llanystumdwy, sent a call out to Mr. Hugh Hughes (Tegai), and he was ordained on October 19th, 1847.  On that occasion Mr. R. Parry, Conwy gave the introduction;  the questions were asked by Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog, who also gave the ordination prayer; Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon preached to the minister, and Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel preached to the churches.#4#  Mr. Hughes's stay here was short, as he moved to Manchester in 1849, and before the end of that year Mr. John Parry, Machynlleth, came here to take over the care of the churches, but in 1850, he emigrated to America. In 1851, these churches gave a call to Mr. Thomas Griffiths, Capel-helyg, and he stayed here until 1855, when his connection with the churches ceased. Soon after that, the three churches sent out a unanimous call to Mr. Thomas Jones, Cefnmeusydd, and he was ordained in Tabor, the mother church, on January 16th, 1856.  Mr. Jones was very useful here for years, and the cause revived greatly under his care.  The chapel was extended during his first year here.  In 1866 he gave up this church and Llanystymdwy, concentrating on Penmorfa in conjunction with Tabor.  Soon after that Rhoslan and Llanystumdwy gave a call to Mr. William Nicholson, and he was ordained here on August 20th, 1867.  On the occasion Mr. T. Jones, Tabor preached on the nature of the church;  the ordained was questioned by his former minister, Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. R. Rowlands, Ceidio; Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog preached to the minister and Mr. E. J. Evans, Pisgah, preached to the churches

*26* Dysgedydd, 1830. Page. 248.

 #4#Dysgedydd, 1847. Page. 347.

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.*27* Mr. Nicholson was popular here and stayed until August, 1870, when he moved to Treflys, Bethesda, Arfon, and since then the churches have had no minister.

We are certain that this cause had many faithful during the last sixty years, but as their names were not sent to us we cannot mention them.

Two preachers were raised here : -

• William Williams, Cricieth.  He was very faithful during his short time. He made an effort to establish a cause in Cricieth, and he succeeded in collecting a congregation to worship there.  He lived for a short time near Sardis chapel, but "his sun set while it was still daytime." He was buried inside Rhoslan chapel.
• Rowland Hughes. The son of Rhoscyllfach.  He started preaching 38 years ago, and he continues to be a respected lay preacher, and serves as a deacon in the church.

*27* Dysgedydd, 1867. Page, 397.

TABOR

(Ynyscynhaiarn parish)

Mae y lle hwn gerllaw Pentrefelin, o fewn ychydig gyda dwy filldir o Borthmadog, ar y dde wrth fyned i Bwllheli. Dechreuwyd pregethu yn yr ardal yn gynar yn y ganrif bresenol gan un Nicholas Lewis, saer llongau, a ddaethai o ryw le yn y Deheudir i'r gymydogaeth i weithio. Yr oedd y gwr hwnw wedi bod yn pregethu gyda'r Bedyddwyr, ond wedi eu gadael cyn dyfod i'r ardal yma. Pregethid yn nhy un Evan Ellis a Margaret Fychan. Daeth Meistri B. Jones, Pwllheli; J. Griffith, Caernarfon, a W. Hughes, Brynbeddau, yma yn fuan ar ol hyny. Nid oedd un cyfleusdra y pryd hwnw i gyhoeddi, ond pan geid fod gwr dyeithr yn dyfod, anfonid gair o dy i dy. Ar un noswaith pan oedd cyhoeddiad ryw bregethwr i fod yn nhy Margaret Fychan, aeth un chwaer o'r enw Ellen Griffith i gapel perthynol i'r Methodistiaid i geisio ganddynt gyhoeddi yr oedfa, ond pan welodd eu bod yn ymadael heb wneyd, cododd a chyhoeddodd ei hunan. Cynhyrfodd ysbryd erledigaethus offeiriad Cricieth, a gwnaeth bob ymdrech i atal y pregethu yn y Tynewydd. Ceisiodd gan Humphrey Jones, Ysw., cyfreithiwr cyfrifol o Fachynlleth, i feddiant yr hwn y daeth etifeddiaeth Stumllyn, i atal y pregethu yn y Tynewydd. Dywedodd y cyfreithiwr wrth yr offeiriad fod y ty wedi ei gofrestru yn gyfreithiol, ac oblegid hyny nad allasai neb atal y pregethu ynddo; ond er mwyn boddio yr offeiriad, addawodd ddwrdio teulu. Anfonodd at Evan Ellis ei fod yn dyfod yno dranoeth i'w ddwrdio, am agor ei dy i bregethu ynddo. Ond deallodd Evan Ellis nad oedd un niwed yn ei ddwrdio. Adroddid fod Mr. Azariah Shadrach yn pregethu yma un noson, ac fel yr arferai bob amser, dyrchafai ei lais yn uchel. Digwyddodd fod morwyn yr offeiriad allan ar y bryn, ddwy filldir agos o'r Tynewydd, a chlywodd lais Mr. Shadrach, a deallodd ranau o'i bregeth yn eglur. Pan aeth adref, dywedodd "O meistres, yr oedd rhyw bregethwr rhyfedd yn Tynewydd heno, gwaeddai mor uchel fel yr oeddwn yn ei glywed o ochr mynydd Ednyfed," ac yna adroddai rai o'r pethau a glywsai. Mae yn ymddangos fod gogwydd y forwyn at fyned i wrando i'r Tynewydd, ond fod ei meistr a'i meistres yn ei gwahardd, ond at o1 y noswaith hono rhoddodd ei meistres ryddid iddi fyned, ond iddi ofalu rhag i'w meistr glywed. Yr oedd Evan Ellis a Margaret Fychan yn

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mysg yr ychydig a ymffurfiasant yn eglwys yn Rhoslan. Mynych y cyrchai Mr. W. Hughes, Brynbeddau, at yr ychydig ffyddloniaid oedd yma, ac am ei fod yn bregethwr melus, ac yn ganwr peraidd, hoffid ei weinidogaeth a'i gymdeithas. Yr oedd Ellen Griffith a Margaret Fychan yn gantoresau nodedig, ac oblegid hyny mwynhaent hwy hyfrydwch neillduol yn ei gyfeillach. Un o honynt hwy a fyddai bob amser yn dechreu canu. Ar ol yr oedfa, wedi aros yn hir i ganu, cychwynodd Ellen Griffith i fyned tuag adref i'r Eisteddfa, ond trwy fod y noswaith yn dywyll a'i llwybr yn anghysbell, bu yn crwydro am gryn amser. O'r diwedd daeth at hen ddraenen, i gysgod yr hon yr arferai ddyfod i weddio dros ei gwr, yr hwn oedd etto yn ddigrefydd, a phan ddaeth yno, adnabu y fan, a chyfeiriodd ei chamrau yn union tua'r ty. Nid aeth ei gweddiau dros ei phriod yn ofer, oblegid cafodd cyn hir yr hyfrydwch o i weled yn dyfod i geisio yr Arglwydd. Yr oedd y lle yma o'r dechreuad dan yr un weinidogaeth a Rhoslan. Pan oedd Mr. Edward Davies yma symudwyd y pregethu o'r Tynewydd i'r Eisteddfa, a phan y symudodd Ellen Griffith o'r Eisteddfa i Garegyfelin, symudwyd yr arch yno hefyd. Yr oedd teimlad cryf am gael capel yma, ac ar yr unfed-ar-hugain o Ragfyr, 1825, yr aeth John Owen, Braichysaint, a Mr. Lewis, Pwllheli, at Mr. Owen Williams, Tyddynysguboriau, i ymofyn am le i adeiladu capel. Yr oedd Owen Williams yn frawd-yn-nghyfraith i John Owen. Cafwyd addewid am dir ar les o fil ond un o flynyddoedd. Dechreuwyd adeiladu y capel y flwyddyn ganlynol, ac agorwyd ef Ionawr 10fed a'r 11eg, 1827. Pregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri W. Davies, Nefyn; T. Lewis, Pwllheli; R. Owen, Llanengan; D. Griffith, Talysarn, ac eraill. Dywedir yn hanes yr agoriad yn y Dysgedydd, 1827, tu dal. 87, fod pregethu wedi bod yn yr ardal er's dros ugain mlynedd cyn hyny, yr hyn a ddengys mai yn moreu y ganrif hon y dechreuwyd yr achos yma. Er fod yma gymundeb achlysurol yn cael ei gynal yn flaenorol, etto ar ol agor y capel y ffurfiwyd yma eglwys. Naw oedd nifer yr aelodau pan y corpholwyd yr eglwys, sef John Owen, Braichysaint; Hugh Evans, Caegwenllian; Robert Jones ac Ellen Griffith, Caregyfelin; Griffith Parry, Llwynymafon, (mudan oedd ef ); Ann Williams, Cwryclwt; Margaret Fychan, Lowry Davies, Efailbach, ac Elizabeth Roberts, Tabor.*28* Gan fod y lle hwn o'r dechreuad hyd y flwyddyn 1866, wedi bod dan yr un gofal gweinidogaethol a Rhoslan, a chan ein bod eisioes wedi crybwyll yno am y gweinidogion fu yn llafurio yma, ac amser eu sefydliad ac ysbaid eu harosiad, nid rhaid i ni eu hailgrybwyll yma. Y gweinidog presenol ydyw yr unig un o honynt a urddwyd yma. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yma Ionawr 12fed, 1848, yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr. Hughes. Daeth ef a'i gyfaill John Jones, Braichysaint, i'r gyfeillach yr un noswaith, ac y mae y ddau wedi cael yr hyfrydwch o gydlafurio gydag anwyldeb hyd y dydd hwn. Mae Mr. J. Jones yn ddiacon defnyddiol yn yr eglwys, ac yn wasanaethgar iawn gydag achosion cyhoeddus fel trysorydd y cyfarfod chwarterol a'r Gymdeithas Genhadol. Dechreuodd Mr. Thomas Jones bregethu Mai 25ain, 1853, ac urddwyd ef Ionawr 16eg, 1856. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri R. Ellis, Brithdir; D. Roberts, Caernarfon; D. Griffith, Bethel; W. Ambrose, Porthmadog; O. Evans, Maentwrog, ac eraill. Mae Mr. Jones yn parhau i lafurio yma gyda derbyniad a llwyddiant. Bu yr achos yma am flynyddau lawer yn lled

*28* Mae yr olaf a enwyd yn aros etto yn ffyddlon gyda'r achos, ac iddi hi yn benaf yr ydym yn ddyledus am gofnodiad mor gyflawn o hanes yr achos yn y lle.

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isel, er fod yma rai ffyddloniaid yn eu plith nas gallesid cael eu rhagorach. John Owen, Braichysaint, oedd ddyn nodedig o grefyddol. Yr oedd ef, fel y gwelsom, yn un o'r aelodau cyntaf yn Rhoslan, a chyda'r achos yma bu yn ffyddlon o'r dechreuad. Dyn pwyllog, addfwyn, caredig, ac yn ddiarebol yn yr ardal am ei fywyd sanctaidd. Achos yr Arglwydd oedd y peth agosaf at ei feddwl. Symudodd yn niwedd ei oes i Tyddynysguboriau gerllaw y capel. Bu farw Ionawr 22ain, 1841, yn 77 oed. John Pierce a fu yn aelod diwyd a ffyddlon, ac o wasanaeth mawr i'r achos yn ei holl ranau, ac yn enwedig felly gyda'r canu. Griffith Roberts, Ynysddu, a dderbyniwyd yn aelod yma yn nechreuad gweinidogaeth Mr. Ellis, ac a barhaodd hyd y diwedd. Nid oedd pellder ei ffordd mewn un modd yn atalfa iddo ddyfod i foddion gras. Ennillodd yr achos yma lawer trwy symudiad Mr. Robert Jones a'i deulu i Bronygadair. Heblaw fod ei amgylchiadau bydol cysurus yn ei alluogi i fod o help mawr i'r achos, yr oedd ei fywyd duwiol a'i ysbryd hynaws ac efengylaidd yn ennui]. iddo barch gan bawb a'i hadwaenai. Mab iddo ef oedd yr hynaws Mr. John Jones, Bank, Pwllheli, yr hwn a fu yn aelod defnyddiol o'r eglwys yno, a'r hwn y gofidiai pawb oblegid i'r fath flodeuyn prydferth wywo i'r bedd cyn haner ei ddyddiau; a merch iddo ef ydyw Mrs. Jones, gwraig Mr. Jones, Tabor. Profodd yr eglwys hon yn helaeth iawn o'r dylanwad grymus a ddisgynodd ar eglwysi y wlad yma yn niwedd 1839 a dechreu 1840. Cawsom yr hyfrydwch o fod yn y lle ar y pryd, ac yn llygad-dyst o'r gweithredoedd nerthol. Yn y diwygiad yma y daeth Mr. Owen Jones, Braichysaint, at grefydd, yr hwn sydd wedi bod am flynyddau lawer yn ddiacon gofalus yn Tabor; ac efe oedd y blaenffrwyth i'r Arglwydd o deulu Braichysaint, ond ni bu ei fam, a'i dad, a'r gweddill o'r teulu, yn hir cyn ei ddilyn. Rhoddodd y diwygiad hwnw symbyliad i'r achos yma, ac y mae ei effeithiau yn parhau. Yn y flwyddyn 1859, penderfynwyd adeiladu yma gapel newydd. Cafwyd darn o dir ychwanegol, a chodwyd yma adeilad hardd a chyfleus, gwerth 400p., heb gyfrif y cludiad, yr hyn a gafwyd yn rhad gan yr ardalwyr. Barn pawb a'i gwelodd ydyw ei fod yn rhad iawn am yr arian. Nid oes yn aros o'r ddyled arno ond 70p. Mae mynwent fechan yn nglyn a'r capel. Gwnaed cais wrth ailadeiladu y capel am dir i'w helaethu, ond yn aflwyddianus. Er lleied ydyw y mae yn Ilanerch gysegredig gan lawer o deuluoedd yn y gymydogaeth. Bu yma lawer o bregethwyr o bryd i bryd yn cadw ysgol, heblaw y rhai y crybwyllwyd eu henwau eisioes, ond yr oeddynt oll wedi dechreu pregethu cyn dyfod yma.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Jan 2011)

This place is near Pentrefelin, within just two miles of Porthmadog, on the right as you go to Pwllheli.  One Nicholas Lewis started preaching in the area early in the present century. He was a shipwright who had come to the community from somewhere in the south, in order to find work.  This man had been preaching with the Baptists, but had left them before arriving in this area.  He preached in the house of one Evan Ellis and Margaret Fychan (Vaughan).  Messrs B. Jones, Pwllheli; J. Griffith, Caernarfon, and W. Hughes, Brynbeddau, came here soon after that.  There was no convenience of any kind at the time, but when it was realized that a stranger was coming, the word was spread from house to house.  One evening when it had been announced that some preacher was supposed to be in Margaret Fychan's house, one sister by the name of Ellen Griffith went to a Methodist chapel to ask them to announce the service, but when she realized they were leaving without doing so she got up and announced it herself.  The persecuting spirit of the Cricieth priest was aroused, and he did everything he could to stop the preaching in Tynewydd.  He asked Humphrey Jones, Esq., a responsible lawyer from Machynlleth, who had inherited Stumllyn, to stop the preaching in Tynewydd. The lawyer told the priest that the house had been registered legally, and because of that no-one could stop the preaching there; but in order to satisfy the priest, he promised to scold the family. He sent a letter to Evan Ellis to announce that he would be calling on them the following day to scold him, for opening his house for preaching.  But Evan Ellis realized that he could do no more to them.  It is reported that Mr. Azariah Shadrach preached here one evening, and as he always used to, raised his voice.  It happened that the priest's servant was out on the hill, two miles from Tynewydd, and she heard Mr. Shadrach's voice, and she understood parts of his sermon clearly.  When she went home, she said "O mistress, there was a strange preacher in Tynewydd tonight, he shouted so loudly that I heard him from the side of Ednyfed mountain," and then she told her some of the things she had heard.  It appears that the servant was inclined to go to Tynewydd to listen, but that her master and mistress refused to allow her, but after that evening her mistress allowed her to go, but was warned to be careful that the master did not hear.  Evan Ellis and Margaret Fychan were

*27* Dysgedydd, 1867. Page, 397.

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among the few who had formed a church in Rhoslan. Mr. W. Hughes, Brynbeddau, often travelled to the few faithful here, and since he was a sweet preacher, and had a beautiful voice, his ministry and company was well liked.  Ellen Griffith and Margaret Fychan were notable singers, and because of that they enjoyed the atmosphere in his fellowships. One of them started singing every time.  After the meeting, having stayed singing for a long time,  Ellen Griffith started on her way home to Eisteddfa, but because the night was dark and the path was remote, she wandered for some time.  Eventually she came to an old thorn bush, to which she used to come to pray for her husband, who was yet to find religion, and when she reached there, she recognized the place, and set her pace straight for the house.  Her prayers for her husband did not go unanswered, because very soon she had the joy of seeing him seek the Lord.  This place has from the beginning been under the same ministry as Rhoslan.  When Mr. Edward Davies was here the preaching moved from Tynewydd to Eisteddfa, and when Ellen Griffith moved from Eisteddfa to Garegyfelin, the ark moved there too.  There was a strong feeling for building a chapel here, and on the twenty-first of December, 1825, John Owen, Braichysaint, and Mr. Lewis, Pwllheli, went to see Mr. Owen Williams, Tyddynysguboriau, to request a site to built a chapel.  Owen Williams was John Owen's brother-in-law. A promise was given for land on a lease of 999 years.  Work was started on the chapel the following year, and it was opened on January 10th and 11th, 1827. Messrs W. Davies, Nefyn; T. Lewis, Pwllheli; R. Owen, Llanengan; D. Griffith, Talysarn, and others preached on the occasion.  It was reported in the Dysgedydd, 1827, page. 87, that preaching had taken place in the area for over twenty years before this, which indicates that the cause here started early in this century.  Even though there was occasional communion here before, it was after the opening of the chapel that a church for established here.  When the church was formed the members numbered nine. These were John Owen, Braichysaint; Hugh Evans, Caegwenllian; Robert Jones and Ellen Griffith, Caregyfelin; Griffith Parry, Llwynymafon, (he was a mute); Ann Williams, Cwryclwt; Margaret Fychan, Lowry Davies, Efailbach, and Elizabeth Roberts, Tabor.*28* Since this place had been under the same ministerial care as Rhoslan from its beginnings to 1866, and since we have already mentioned the ministers who had laboured there, and mentioned the date of their ordination and how long they stayed, we do not need to repeat them here.  The present minister is the only one to have been ordained here.  He was accepted as a member here on January 12th, 1848, during the term of the ministry of Mr. Hughes.  He and his friend John Jones, Braichysaint, came to the fellowship meeting, and both have had the pleasure of working together dearly to this day.  Mr. J. Jones is a useful deacon in the church, and serves with the public causes as a treasurer of the quarterly meeting and the Missionary Society.  Mr. Thomas Jones started preaching on May 25th, 1853, and was ordained on January 16th, 1856.  On the occasion Messrs R. Ellis, Brithdir; D. Roberts, Caernarfon; D. Griffith, Bethel; W. Ambrose, Porthmadog; O. Evans, Maentwrog, and others officiated.  Mr. Jones continues to labour here with acceptance and success. The cause was weak here for years,

*28* The last one mentioned is still faithful to the cause, and we are indebted mainly to her for such a complete account of the history of the cause in the place.

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even though there were some faithful souls among them who couldn't be improved.  John Owen, Braichysaint, was a notable man of religion.  He was, as we saw, one of the first members in Rhoslan, and he stayed faithful to this cause from the start.  He was a steady, gentle, kind man, and was a legend in the area for his spiritual life.  The cause of the Lord was the most important thing in his life.  He moved at the end of his life to  Tyddynysguboriau near the chapel.  He died on January 22nd, 1841, at the age of 77.  John Pierce was a diligent and faithful member, and was of great service to the cause in all aspects, especially with the singing.  Griffith Roberts, Ynysddu, was accepted as a member at the beginning of Mr. Ellis' ministry, and continued until the end.  The distance he had to travel did not prevent him from attending services.  The cause here gained a great deal through Mr. Robert Jones and his family's move to Bronygadair.  Apart from his comfortable circumstances which allowed him to be of great help to the cause, his spiritual life and his pleasant and evangelical spirit earned him respect from everyone who knew him.  The genial Mr. John Jones, Bank, Pwllheli was his son and he was a useful member of the church there, and the man whom everyone grieved when such a perfect flower withered in the grave before he aged; and his daughter is Mrs. Jones, the wife of Mr. Jones, Tabor.  This church experienced greatly from the powerful influence that descended on the country's churches at the end of 1839 and the beginning of 1840.  We had the pleasure of being there at that time, and were witnesses of the powerful deeds.  During this revival Mr. Owen Jones, Braichysaint, who has been a careful deacon for many years in Tabor came to religion; and he was the first fruit for the Lord from the Braichysaint family, but his mother, his father, and the rest of his family, weren't long in following him. That revival gave the cause a stimulus, and its effects still survive.  In 1859, it was decided that a new chapel was needed.  An extra piece of land was obtained, and a fine and convenient chapel was built, which was worth £400, without counting the transporting, which was given freely by the people of the area.  Everyone agrees that it was very cheap.  Only £70 of the debt is still outstanding.  The chapel has a small churchyard.  A case was made as the chapel was being built for land on which to extend the chapel but this was refused.  Even though it is small it is a holy glade for many families in the community. Many preachers came here from time to time, other than the ones already mentioned,  and ran a school, but they had all started preaching before they came here.

LLANYSTUMDWY

Sail y lle hwn ar haner y ffordd agos rhwng Pwllheli a Phorthmadog. Bu pregethu achlysurol yma gan Mr. E. Davies pan yn weinidog yn Capel-helyg, a chan eraill efallai cyn hyny, mewn lle a elwir Penybont, ac wedi hyny mewn ty newydd yn y pentref, ar gyfer y fan y saif y capel yn awr, ac wedi hyny yn yr Henfelin, cartref Evan Ellis a Gwen Jones, fel y gelwid ef a'i wraig. Adeiladwyd yma gapel bychan yn y flwyddyn 1831, ac agorwyd ef Awst 10fed a'r 11eg, y flwyddyn hono. Yr oedd nifer fawr o weinidogion a phregethwyr yn yr agoriad. Galwyd ef y Tabernacl. Aeth y drawl yn 140p. Tynwyd ychydig o'r ddyled ymaith ar y pryd, a thrwy ddyfalbarhau llwyr ddilewyd y ddyled. Nid oedd nifer yr aelodau yma ond

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ychydig pan agorwyd y capel, ac nid oedd yma ond 12 cyn'y diwygiad yn 1839, ond ar ol hyny cynyddasant yn fawr. Derbyniwyd 34 o newydd yr adeg hono, ond gwelodd yr achos er hyny lawer adeg dywyll. Mae y lle o'r dechreuad wedi bod yn nglyn a Rhoslan, a than ofal yr un gweinidogion; ac y mae y ddwy eglwys ar hyn o bryd heb fugail i fwrw golwg drostynt.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef William Roberts, yr hwn sydd yn awr yn Nghricieth.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2010)

This place stands half way between Pwllheli and Porthmadog. Mr. E. Davies preached here occasionally when he was a minister in Capel-helyg, and so did others perhaps before that, in a place called Penybont, and subsequently in a new house in the village, near where the chapel now stands, and after that in  Henfelin, the home of Evan Ellis and Gwen Jones, as he and his wife were called.  A small chapel was built here in 1831, and it opened on August 10th and 11th, that year.  There were a great many ministers and preachers at the opening.  It was called Tabernacl.  The debt was £140.  Some of the debt was paid at the time, and through perseverance the debt was settled.  There were only

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a few members when the chapel opened, and there were only 12 before the revival in 1839, but after that they increased greatly. 34 new ones were accepted at that time, but the cause decreased during a dark time.  The place has, from the beginning, been connected with Rhoslan, and under the care of the same ministers; but both churches at moment are without a shepherd to watch over them.

One preacher was raised here, he was William Roberts, who is now in Cricieth.

CRICIETH

Translation on /big/wal/CAE/Criccieth/Hanes

Nid yw yr achos yma ond diweddar iawn. Bu pregethu gan yr Annibynwyr yma yn moreu y ganrif hon. Yr oedd yma frawd teilwng yn byw o'r enw William Williams, yr hwn oedd yn bregethwr cynorthwyol perthynol i Rhoslan. Casglodd yn nghyd gynnulleidfa mewn ty anedd yma, a chynhelid gwasanaeth yma yn rheolaidd. Wedi marwolaeth W. Williams, chwalodd y gynnulleidfa oblegid prinder pregethwyr yn y wlad i ddal y gwasanaeth i fyny. Ymunodd y rhan fwyaf o'r aelodau a r Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, y rhai oeddynt wan iawn yma cyn hyny. Yr oedd yma ychydig Annibynwyr trwy y blynyddoedd, y rhai a gyrchent i Roslan neu Llanystumdwy. Gydag agoriad rheilffordd glanau Cymru, gwelwyd fod y lle henafol hwn yn dadebru, a meddyliodd y gweinidogion cylchynol, a'r dynion mwyaf llygadgraff yn yr eglwysi, fod yr adeg wedi dyfod i gychwyn achos yn y lle. Mr. Ambrose, Porthmadog, a Mr. Jones, Tabor, oedd y rhai mwyaf blaenllaw yn hyny. Yr oedd yma ar y pryd boblogaeth o 800, ond cafwyd fod yma nifer fawr o bobl mewn oed a phlant nad oeddynt ar ddydd yr Arglwydd yn myned i un lle o addoliad. Yn y flwyddyn 1864, cymerwyd ystafell yn y Tymawr a dechreuwyd pregethu a chynal ysgol Sabbothol, ac wedi gweled fod hyny yn cael ffafr yn ngolwg y trigolion, ffurfiwyd yma eglwys. Er mantais i'r dyeithriaid oedd yma gyda'r rheilffordd pregethid yn Saesnaeg ar y dechreu, ond wedi eu hymadawiad hwy, cyfyngwyd y gwasanaeth yn gwbl i'r iaith Gymraeg. Buwyd am dair blynedd yn edrych allan am dir cymhwys i adeiladu capel arno. Yr oedd gelyniaeth at Yrnneillduaeth yn peri i rai wrthod, a gelyniaeth at Annibyniaeth yn peri i rai Ymneillduwyr i daflu pob rhwystr f r ffordd. Ond cafwyd o'r diwedd ddarn o dir mewn lle manteisiol. Adeiladwyd capel bychan cyfleus, gwerth 420p. Traddodwyd y bregeth gyntaf ynddo Awst 14eg, 1868, a chynhaliwyd cyfarfod ei agoriad Awst 29ain, 30ain, a'r 31ain. Pregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri J. Thomas, Liverpool; D. Roberts, Caernarfon; D. Price, America; E. Morris, Penrhyn, ac E. Evans, Caernarfon. Rhwng casgliadau y cyfarfod, ar hyn a wnaed yn flaenorol, ni adawyd ond 200p. o ddyled ar y capel newydd prydferth. Gwnaeth Mr. Ambrose ei ran yn egniol mewn cyfranu a chasglu at y capel, a chafodd gan ei gyfeillion wneyd yn haelionus. Mae y lle mewn rhan dan ofal Mr. Jones, Tabor, ond y mae cyfeillion gweithgar y lle yn gwneyd eu rhan yn ganmoladwy.

PORTHMADOG

(Ynyscynhaiarn parish)

Gan fod hones cyflawn a helaeth o'r achos yma o'i ddechreuad hyd yn awr wedi ei gyhoeddi mewn amryw rifynau o'r Dysgedydd am y flwyddyn

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1870, nis gallwn wneyd dim yn well nag ailgyhoeddi yr hanes. Gadawn allan rai pethau ydynt ond o ddyddordeb lleol,ac ni chaniata ein terfynau, er y buasai yn dda genym gyhoeddi y sylwadau athronyddol a welir yma a thraw yn gynmhlethedig a'r hanes, lle y gwelir ol sylwadaeth graff a barn addfed. Gwyddom y bydd yn dda gan ein darllenwyr ei gael yn arddull yr ysgrifenydd, ac ychwanega yr amrywiaeth at ddyddordeb y gwaith.

" Yr ydym yn awr yn cyfeirio at hanes dechreuad a chynydd achos yr Annibynwyr yn y Port. Nid oeddynt fel enwad yn adnabyddus yn y cymydogaethau. Nid oedd ganddynt gynnulleidfa yn nes na Maentwrog ar un llaw, a Rhoslan ar y llaw arall. Yn y flwyddyn 1821, priododd Mr. John Williams, Ynystowyn, goruchwyliwr ystad Mr. Maddocks, ag Ann, merch henaf David Williams, Ysw., Saethon, yn Lleyn, yr hon oedd yn aelod gyda'r Annibynwyr yn Mhwllheli. Pan oedd y wraig ieuangc yn symud o'r naill gymydogaeth i'r llall, nid oedd yn bwriadu sefydlu achos i'r Annibynwyr yn y lle. Ei chynllun oedd, myned i Bwllheli bob mis i gymuno, a chymeryd hyny o efengyl a fedrai gael yn ei hymy1, - hen system a welodd hi mewn bri yn Lleyn, ond a dorodd rym Annibyniaeth yn y parth hwnw o'r sir; a phe buasai Mrs. Williams wedi cyndyn-lynu wrth y cynllun hwnw, ni fuasai achos gan yr enwad mor fuan yn y Porth.

" Yr oedd y Parch. Benjamin Jones, gweinidog galluog yr Annibynwyr yn Penlan, Pwllheli - tad Mrs. Williams yn yr efengyl - yn dyfod i ymweled a'r teulu ieuangc, ac addawodd bregethu yn nghapel y Trefnyddion yn Nhremadog. Nid oedd neb yn dychmygu na chawsai yr hen Galfiniad iach groesaw er mwyn y goruchwyliwr a'i briod, os nad er ei fwyn ei hun; ond gwrthodwyd y cais, a bu raid i'r hybarch efengylydd bregethu mewn lle arall! Clywsom lawer o feio ar flaenoriaid y Methodistiaid oherwydd y tro. Y mae yn wir fod ymddygiad o'r fath yn ymddangos yn ddyeithr yn ngoleuni y dyddiau hyn. Yr ydym yn sicr fod hen bobl dda yr oes hono yn gweled llawer mwy o ryfeddod yn ymddygiad un blaid yn gofyn, nac yn ymddygiad y blaid arall yn gwrthod. Y mae yr oes yn fwy cyfrifol am y weithred hono na'r personau. Yn wir, yr oedd rhywbeth i'w edmygu yn yr hen bobl dda a wrthodasant roddi gwasanaeth capel Tremadog i Benjamin Jones, Pwllheli. Dyna engraifft o wroldeb. Yr oedd y gweinidog a'r blaenoriaid yn ddeiliaid ar ystad Maddocks. Yr oedd gwraig ieuangc yr agent, drwy ei gwr, wedi gwneyd y cais. Yr oedd gan y goruchwyliwr hwnw fwy o awdurdod na'r hyn sydd yn meddiant y gwyr sydd yn sidellu pleidleisiau yn y dyddiau hyn; a mwy na'r cwbl, yr oedd y boneddwr a'r blaenoriaid yn gyfeillion cynes i'w gilydd. Ond, ni wyrent drwch blewyn o'u ffordd! Safasant o blaid y ffydd fel dynion. Ac os deuai Annibyniaeth, neu rhyw aeth arall, yn agos i'r lle, gofalent na ddeuai drwy eu hareithfa hwy. Adwaenem y dynion hyny yn dda. O! na chaem fwy o rai cyffelyb iddynt. Buont lawer gwaith ar ol hyny yn agor eu pulpud yn llawen i bregethwyr o enwadau eraill. Yr oeddynt yn medru symud gyda'r oes. Heddwch i lwch John Jones, Tremadog; William Williams, Llanerch, a William Roberts, Farm-yard.

"Y mae y darllenydd yn barod i gredu fod ymddygiad o'r fath yn effeithio yn drwm ar yr agent a'i briod. Wrth weled adeiladau yn cyfodi yn y Port, a milldir o ffordd i'r dref, agorodd ysgol Sabbothol mewn ystafell gysylltiedig a'r ty, a gwelodd, er mawr foddhad i'w meddwl, ei gwaith yn cael ei anrhydeddu ag ar wyddion llwyddiant. Wedi hyny, dechreu-

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wyd son am bregethu, a chafwyd rhan o'r Tregunter Arms at wasanaeth y gynnulleidfa ar y Sabboth, ac yn achlysurol ar nosweithiau yr wythnos. Yr ydym yn credu mai y Parch. J. Williams o Ffestiniog, wedi hyny o Lansilin, yn awr yn yr Amerig, a bregethodd gyntaf yno. Bu amryw o weinidogion Arfon a Meirion yn ffyddlawn dros ben i ddwyn yr achos yn mlaen yn ei fabandod. Y mae enwau Lewis, Pwllheli; Davies, Trawsfynydd; Griffith, Bethel; Rowlands, Rhoslan, a Davies, Ffestiniog, yn anwyl etto gan yr hen bobl sydd erbyn heddyw fel lloffion grawn yn yr ardal. Gallwn fod yn sicr na chafodd nemawr un o'r rhai a fuont yno yn supplio gyrhaedd adref yn ddigolled.

"Mae genym y gorchwyl yn y lle hwn o gydnabod llafur yr hybarch John Evans,*29* yr hwn a ledodd ei babell yn y gymydogaeth, ac a fu o wasanaeth mawr i'r achos ieuangc yn y Port. Gan nad oes gair o hanes y gwr hwn wedi ei gyhoeddi, goddefer i ni roddi ychydig nodiadau yn y lle hwn, i'w wneyd yn fwy adnabyddus i'r darllenydd. Ganwyd Mr. Evans yn agos i Penrhiwgaled, yn sir Aberteifi, yn y flwyddyn 1752. Yr oedd wedi bod yn gydefrydydd a'r Parch. D. Peter, Caerfyrddin, ac yr oeddynt yn gyfeillion personol drwy weddill eu hoes. Treuliodd Mr. Evans lawer o amser yn ysgol Mr. Davies, Llwynrhydowen, a chyfrifid ef yn well ysgolhaig na'r cyffredin o'i frodyr. Yr oedd yn ddyn hardd, syth, uwchlaw chwe' troedfedd o daldra, Dechreuodd bregethu pan yn bump-ar-hugain oed, a threuliodd ddeg-a-thriugain o flynyddau yn y cymeriad o bregethwr. Yr ydym yn meddwl mai yn Machynlleth yr ordeiniwyd ef, ond nis gallwn ddyweyd yn sicr pa bryd y daeth yno, ond gwyddom iddo ymadael yn y flwyddyn 1794. Bu yn pregethu llawer yn nghyffiniau y dref hono - yn Towyn, Pennal, Aberhosan, Dinas, &c., a dyoddefodd lawer o erledigaeth. Bu agos iddo golli ei fywyd mewn Gwylmabsant yn Pennal. Yr oedd yn dyfod i'r lle i bregethu. Dangoswyd iddo ddyn a chyllell yn ei law, yr hwn oedd wedi tyngedu ei hun i'w rhoddi yn nghnawd y pregethwr. Cerddodd Mr. Evans i dy cyfaill. Yr oedd yr erlidiwr yn ei ddilyn. Taflodd y pregethwr y drws ar ei ol gyda'r fath nerth, nes y tarawodd y gyllell drwy law gauedig y dyn, gan ei anafu yn dost. Yr oedd unwaith yn pregethu yn y Towyn, lle yr oedd llawer o weision a gweithwyr Ynysmaengwyn yn disgwyl am dano i'w anmharchu. Derbyniodd ergyd ar ei arlais, yr hon a barodd i'r gwaed ffrydio dros ei wyneb a'i wisg. Gwelsom y graith. Dilynodd hono ef i'w arch. Parodd yr ymosodiad hwnw arno, i deimlad y dorf droi o'i blaid; ac wedi iddo gael ychydig o ymgeledd, aeth eilwaith allan, a chafodd oedfa ragorol, yr hon a wnaeth argraff ddwfn ar rai o'r bobl a ddaethant yno i'w erlid. Buom yn ceisio gan Mr. Evans ysgrifenu yr holl ddigwyddiadau a adroddodd i ni lawer gwaith. Yr oedd yn barod i addaw, ond yn ddiog i gyflawni. Y rheswm a roddai oedd, na fedrai gan gryndod ei law ysgrifenu.

"Yn y flwyddyn 1794, derbyniodd alwad o Carmel, Amlwch. Bu yno yn llafurio yn Ilwyddianus am un-ar-ddeg-ar-hugain o flynyddau. Yr oedd ar hyd y tymor maith hwnw yn cadw ysgol flodeuog, yr hon a fu yn atteg bwysig i'w gynaliaeth mewn pethau daearol. Un mab a fu ganddo, yr hwn oedd yn bregethwr rhagorol, ond a symudwyd gan angau pan yn ieuangc. Y mae ei fedd yn mynwent Rhosymeirch. Yr oedd Mr. Evans wedi cael ergyd o'r parlys, yr hyn a'i gwnaeth yn analluog i ddilyn yr

*29* Ysgrifenasom ein cofnodion am yr hynafgwr hwn yn nglyn ag Amlwch, ond ychwanegwn y cofnodion hyn am dano gan un a'i hadwaenai ya dda.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Dec 2010)

As the complete and extensive history of this cause from its inception to the present day has been published in several volumes of the 'Dysgedydd' for the year

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1870, we can do no better than re-publish the history.  We will leave out some facts that have local interest only, which our lack of space will allow, even though we would like to publish the philosophical observations that are noted here and there in connection with the history, where we see signs of keen observation and a mature opinion. We know that our readers would prefer to have this in the style of the author, and this variety will add to the interest in the work.

" We now refer to the history of the inception and development of the cause of the Independents in Porthmadog.  As a denomination, they were not well known in the communities.  They didn't have a congregation closer than Maentwrog on one hand, and Rhoslan on the other hand. In 1821, Mr. John Williams, Ynystowyn, the overseer for the estate of Mr. Maddocks, and Ann, the eldest daughter of David Williams, Esq., Saethon, in Lleyn, who was a member with the Independents in Pwllheli, married.  When the young wife was moving from one neighbourhood to the other, she did not intend to start a cause for the Independents in the place.  Her plan was, to go to Pwllheli every month to the communion, and accept the gospel from anywhere she could locally, - an old system that saw Independence strengthen in Lleyn, but weakened it in that area in the county; and had  Mrs. Williams adhered to that plan the denomination would have started later in Porthmadog.

" The Revd. Benjamin Jones, the able Independent minister in  Penlan, Pwllheli - Mrs. Williams' father in spirit - came to visit the young family, and promised to preach in the Methodist chapel in  Tremadog.  No-one imagined that the old Calvinist would not have a welcome for the sake of the overseer and his wife, even if not for his own sake; but the offer was refused, and the esteemed Evangelical had to preach somewhere else!  We heard a lot of criticism of the Methodist deacons after that. Truly this sort of behaviour appears strange in the light of these days.  We are sure that the good people of that time would have been more surprised at the behaviour of the other side in requesting rather than the refusal of the first side.  The age is more responsible than the persons.  In fact, the refusal of the good old people to give Benjamin Jones, Pwllheli the right to preach in Tremadog chapel was something to be admired.  It was an example of courage.  The minister and the deacons were tenants on the Maddocks estate.  The young wife of the agent, through her husband, made the request.  That overseer had more authority than the men who turn over votes these days; and even more, the gentleman and the deacons were very close friends.  And they never deviated an inch from the way!  They stood for the faith as men.  And if Independence, or anything else, came close to the place, they made sure it would not come through their oratory.  We know those men well. Oh! It's a pity that there weren't more like them.  Many times after that they happily opened their pulpit to many other denominations.  They could move with the times.  May the dust of John Jones, Tremadog; William Williams, Llanerch, and William Roberts, Farm-yard, lie in peace.

"The reader is ready to believe that that sort of behaviour lay heavily on the shoulders of the agent and his wife.  While seeing buildings rising in Porthmadog, and a mile outside the town, a Sunday school opened in a room connected to the house and he sees their work being blessed with signs of success.  After that, there was

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talk of preaching, and part of the Tregunter Arms was used for the congregation on a Sunday, and sometimes on weeknights.  We think that Revd. J. Williams from Ffestiniog, after that from Llansilin, now in America, was the first to preach there.  Several ministers from  Arfon and Meirion were very faithful to the furtherance of the cause in his youth.  The names of Lewis, Pwllheli; Davies, Trawsfynydd; Griffith, Bethel; Rowlands, Rhoslan, and Davies, Ffestiniog, are very dear still in the eyes of the people of the area.  We can be sure that not one of the ones that were there arrived home incomplete.

"We now have the task here of acknowledging the labour of the honourable,*29* who extended his temple in the community, and who was of great service to the young cause in Porthmadog.  Since not a word of this man's history has been published, allow us to write a few notes here, in order to make him more known to the reader.  Mr. Evans was born close to Penrhiwgaled, in Cardiganshire, in 1752.  He had been a fellow student of Revd. D. Peter, Carmarthen, and they were close personal friends all their lives.  Mr. Evans spent a lot of time in Mr. Davies' school,  in Llwynrhydowen, and he was considered a better academic than most of the brothers.  He was a handsome man, straight, more than six foot in height.  He started preaching when he was twenty five years old, and he spent seventy years as a preacher. We think that he was ordained in Machynlleth, but we don't know for sure when he came there, but we know he left in 1794.  He preached a lot around that town - in Towyn, Pennal, Aberhosan, Dinas, &c., and suffered a lot of persecution.  He nearly lost his life in a Gwylmabsant festival in Pennal. He came there to preach.  He was shown a man who had a knife in his hand, who was destined to put it in the preacher's flesh.  Mr. Evans walked to the house of a friend.  The persecutor followed him.  The preacher slammed the door behind himself with such force, that it hit the knife through the closed hand of the man, wounding him badly.  He once preached in Towyn, where many servants and workers from the Ynysmaengwyn estate were waiting for him in order to disgrace him. He received a blow to the temple, which caused the blood to flow over his face and his clothes.  We saw the scar.  That went with him to the grave.  This attack caused the feelings of the crowd to change; and once he had recovered a little, he went out again, and had an excellent service, which made a deep impression on some of the people who had come there to persecute him.  We requested many times that Mr. Evans write down all these events which he mentioned to us.  He was willing to promise, but was lazy about completing the task.  The reason he gave was, that his trembling hand prevented him writing.

"In 1794, he accepted a call from Carmel, Amlwch.  He stayed there labouring successfully for thirty one years.  All that long time he ran a flourishing school, which was an important addition to his maintenance in worldly things.  He had one son, who was an excellent preacher, but who died young.  His grave is in the cemetery at Rhosymeirch.  Mr. Evans had had an attack of paralysis, which made it impossible for him to keep going in the  

*29*  We write our notes about this old man in connection with the story of Amlwch, but we add these notes by one who knew him well.

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school, and he felt like giving up the cares of the settled ministry 1825.  He moved to live with his only daughter, who was married to Mr. J. C. Paynter, Officer of Customs.  The family lived in Glandon, Minffordd, in Merionethshire, opposite Porthmadog.  He died on December 7th, 1847, at the age of  95, and was buried in the cemetery of Salem chapel.  Mr. Evans was a high-Calvinist according to his theological ideas; but at the end of his life he tended to lean towards principles of a freer nature.  When he was within a few days of the end of his career, he told us, - If I could start preaching again, I would preach much better, at least, I would preach differently from the way I did do.  When I started preaching, I and my contemporaries kept too far towards the high-Calvinist in our ministries, and the Arminians were still too far on the other side of the way.  It would have been better if we had all kept more towards the middle of the way.  Truly, I'm afraid that many of us read the Bible as ones who were searching for water to turn our own mills, instead of searching for the truth.'

" Mr. Evans' method of preaching was remarkable.  He had more self-possession than any one I ever saw.  He would, in every sermon, use the conversational method, such as, "Well, dear Paul, what have you to say on this matter? "This is not from you, it is God's gift.' "Thank you very much, Mr. Paul; but the family of Jacobus Arminius says differently.  Are you sure of your subject, Paul? "You are saved through grace. "That's it. Simon Peter, what have you to say? "We are elected according to the foreknowledge of God our Father." That is good my boy; you are a good one, even though the Catholics make too much of you.' He had a remarkable method of shouting.  He took hold of the edge of his ear every time, and then shouted until the congregation was excited.

"Mr. Evans had an special talent in speaking to children.  He was a natural educator.  He was also a great reader till the end of his life. His main food was the works of the old Puritans.  He never tired of reading them.  The reader can easily believe that the arrival of an able old man like Mr. Evans was quite refreshing to the young cause in Porthmadog.  He kept his physical strength and senses from year to year, and he was rarely absent from services, even though he had a long way to travel to reach them.  He joined the temperence; yes, reader, old Evans Amlwch enlisted in the army of abstinence in 1837, and he continued faithfully till his death.  He took the endorsement when he was 85 years old, and continued without failing till he was 95 years old.

"Mrs. Williams devoted herself completely to the Sunday school, and she gained the support of some of her neighbours in her good work.  She had a class of girls under her care.  Several of the class members are by now in their graves, and others are mothers and grandmothers with white hair.  They love going over the memories in the Sunday school; and those parts of God's word they learnt in their first school, have supported the spirit of some of them as they go through the difficulties of this life.

"When a religious cause is successful in an area, has the reader ever noticed how eager everyone is to claim a connection with it when it started?  This is obvious in the few

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of those, who are still alive now, who had something to do with the cause in Towyn when Porthmadog was nowhere except in the plan.  The children of those people are happy to recite the stories of what their parents did at the beginning of the cause there.  Every denomination in Wales has a weak and young cause.  There are people who make no effort in such places who are proof of the most unbearable unfaithfulness.  If those churches become strong and influential, such a painful feeling would, or should, stay in the breast of the unfaithful, by the conviction that it happened with no thanks to them! But on the other side, there are members in serving places, who show jealousy that is acceptable before God and men.  Those would have priceless pleasure in the future, and they gave comfort to their children after them.  It is in little churches that the true character of man is developed.

" Seeing the place carrying on, and showing signs of a successful future, with the religious work showing signs of success, those that were faithful to the cause welcomed the inclination towards building a chapel.  Mr. Williams, Ynystywyn, (who will be called henceforth Mr. Williams, Tu-hwnt-i'r-bwlch,) was a churchman in essence, but was a total Liberal.  He didn't worry about throwing his whole influence behind the movement for a chapel.  Since the area had no schoolroom, he felt that one building could answer both problems, a place to worship, and to run a daily school.  They obtained an easy lease for 99 years on a large convenient piece of land.  Mr. Williams' wide experience in building was invaluable in getting the work done in the best possible way. The chapel, and the house nearby, cost about £300.  Since the number of people who helped in the venture was quite small, they were asked to try to get help from wherever they could.  The list of contributors that we now have before us proves that the Lord gave His favour to the cause. £67. 3s. 11c was collected in the area.

"Because of Mr. Williams' connection with the estate, he was often called to London.  On his visits to the capital city he would sacrifice much of his time in calling on old contributors in those days.  In Revd. John Clayton, from Poultry, he found a valuable friend.  No non-conformist during that time was as respected as Mr. Clayton in the opinion of Churchmen; and since Mr. Williams himself was a Churchman, he had the advantage of being able to deal with difficulties where other common families wouldn't dare to tread. The kindly minister in the Poultry did his best to help the gentleman in his self-denial.   And all the old collectors knew the value of Mr. J. Clayton.  Through the untiring efforts both at home and away, an honourable sum of £200 was obtained towards the completion of the chapel, which was considered a great effort in those days.

"The new chapel was named SALEM, and it was opened on June 20th and 21st, in 1827.  The memories of the opening service live on in the minds of the old people till today.  There were many present who had never heard a sermon from the Independents.  The preachers were Williams from the Wern; Breese from Liverpool; Ridge from Bala; and Lewis, Pwllheli. J. Ridge; J. Williams, Ffestiniog; D. Griffith, Talysarn; and E. Rowlands, Rhoslan started the services.

" When the chapel opened, every seat was taken; and the accounts before us show that every member at the meeting was careful to pay.

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Mr. Williams oversaw the whole event until the end of 1832, and undoubtedly his care and influence was important.  After the opening of the chapel the first Independent church was formed in the area. Mr. Griffiths from Bethel officiated.  There were seven disciples. These are their names : - the Revd. John Evans,  Humphrey Jones, Ann Williams, Tu-hwnt-i'r-bwlch;  Mary Morris, Ship; Margaret Paul, Jane Jones, and Laura Roberts.  If we believe, and why shouldn't we, the testimony of these seven, there was never such a fellowship than that enjoyed by them.  We heard the venerable Mr. Evans, speaking in the first tea meeting occurring in Porthmadog, saying, ' The old sister Margaret Paul told me the other day, that things are not like they were in the old times, - those days there was never a mention made of quarrelling and discipline, and that every meeting was a little heaven.'  Well, we do not doubt it.  It was quite natural for them to feel like that.

"During this period, a flourishing school was being run in Tremadog Town-hall.  The sons of the farmers and merchants of the country flocked there from everywhere.  Several well-known schoolmasters, such as J. Parry, after that from Treborth, and John Wynn, Caernarfon, had been teaching there.  The teacher at this time was  Mr. D. M. Williams, who came to fame, as a minister amongst the Baptists, and a successor to Robert Hall in Leicester.  Mr. Richard Jones from Dolyddelen, (now from Llanidloes,) came to enjoy the advantages of the school, along with being a support for the ministry of the word.  Mr. Jones was very popular as a preacher, and his arrival gave the new cause great strength.  During his stay here Siloam chapel was built, which we will mention again when we reach the history of the cause in Morfa Bychan.  But we can say now that Mr. Jones laboured diligently, and walked miles to collect money for it, and did not rest until he made sure the chapel would be free of debt.  At that time, there was no preaching in Salem on a Sunday evening, as it was considered too close to Tremadog.  The Methodists held preaching services in the town in the evening only while  Porthmadog held them in the mornings.  The evening service was held by the Independents in Siloam.  So there was a respectful distance of two and a quarter miles between the two services.  The old people often talk about the jolly services held in Siloam, and there are a multitude of descendants of those who came to the first religious fellowship in that place, who are useful members in Salem, and other places.  The hand of Providence is obvious in the arrival of Mr. Richard Jones in the place.  The door to the college in Newtown was opened to him, and because of that, he had to break the tender connection he had with the cause in Porthmadog.  After Mr. Jones left,  Revd. D. Peter, Carmarthen, tried to send a young man who was considered qualified to run the school, and to fill the oratory in  Salem.  Mr. Peter sent one of the students from the Grammar school, one Mr. Henry Rees, from Carmarthenshire, here, and he was warmly welcomed.

"Mr. Rees was accepted well as a preacher.  He was full of life and energy.  A large number of members were added to the church during his stay.  He was accepted to the full time ministry on June  2nd, 1831.  Revd.  R. Ellis, Rhoslan, (now from Brithdir) started the service, Revd. E. Davies, Trawsfyn-

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ydd, gave a lecture on the nature of the church of Christ; the questions were asked by the venerable John Evans; Revd. David James Rhosymeirch, prayed for God's blessing on the union between the church and Mr. Rees; Revd. C. Jones, Dolgellau gave advice to the minister; and Revd. A. Jones, Bangor preached on the duty of the church.  The Revds. R. Ellis, A. Jones, Isaac Harries, Talysarn; W. Davies, Nefyn; E. Evans, Barmouth, and J. Williams, Ffestiniog  preached in the other parts of the meeting.

"During the time of Mr. Rees' ministry the evening service moved from Siloam to Salem.  The town of Porthmadog had, by then greatly increased in number, and the friends felt, almost unanimously that the time had come to put away the old arrangements, to meet the special needs that had been created by the new circumstances. It was soon considered the correct move.  The chapel was being completely filled during the evening service.  A number of members were added to the church who remained faithful till death.  No minister ever had such a deep affection from his church as did Mr. Rees.  But his stay in Porthmadog did not last long.  He accepted a call from the churches in Pentraeth and Penmynydd, Anglesey, where he laboured faithfully and successfully for many years.

"The church in Salem was without a minister for a while, and maybe they didn't have much of an inclination to look for one.  In 1834, their noticed Mr. Joseph Morris, who was an approved preacher in Liverpool.  He was so respected in the opinion of the friends there, that many in Greenlond-street felt they would like to call him to be a minister for them, before the ordination of Mr. Pierce there.  After Mr. Morris had spent a little time in Salem, he was given a unanimous call to accept the ministry, and he was given the post on the 15th of October, in the above year, when Revds. T. Davies, Ffestiniog; E. Davies, Trawsfynydd; E. Evans, Abermaw; C. Jones, Dolgellau, and others officiated.

"Even though Mr. Morris enjoyed the trust of the church as a man of God, giving himself entirely to the ministry, and to be praised by all man's conscience in the sight of God;' yet, he met many difficulties which disheartened him.  He dearly longed for a pure church, and he couldn't stand unevenness in the lives of those who professed faithfulness to Christ.  He felt the need to do what he considered an obligation, and left the consequences in God's hands. The decrease in number of the church influenced him when his family was growing, and he decided to leave the area, if providence opened a door to him somewhere.  He received a call from the churches in Bwlchtocyn and Abersoch, and he took over in October, 1836.  He left Porthmadog with no taint on his character.

"During Mr. Morris' time as minister the arrangement to collect the money for the ministry was changed from monthly to weekly.  This was closer to the habit of the New Testament.  We have noticed that every revival raises prophets.  Every religious cause throughout the world, would have died before now had prophesying his death been enough to kill it.  It's not the ones who truly feel for the cause that say every evening, 'You destroyed the cause,' if you do this or that.  The greatest thing for every church, as for every man personally, is to do what is right, and to leave the results in God's hands. Too much fear of offending, and a need to please the world, has been governing churches for too long

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We cannot understand why all religious societies cannot publish their accounts every year just like every other society.  Religious people are called 'The children of the light', and they shouldn't treat the things of this life in a more disorganised way than others.  It was seen in Salem, as well as everywhere else where a collection was taken on the first day of the week, that more money is taken, and this is easier for the contributors.  The members of our churches fall into a scriptural habit, without doubt. The old ideas influence the work of the churches, and disappear quickly, and no-one is disrespectful enough to others to attempt to suggest that anyone longs for the old way. The churches are squeezed sometimes by circumstances and they have to multiply their collections or become bankrupt.

"There is one name we should not forget in connection with the cause in Salem.  He is Mr. Robert Roberts (Robin Meirion), of Trawsfynydd.  This young angelic man was very faithful to the little flock' in the place.  He was a welcome visitor to Mr. Williams' family, and he left an indelible impression on the minds of every member of the family.  Yes, he was so respected by the named gentleman, that he couldn't mention him without shedding a tear years after his death.  His connection with the family brought him to the notice of Miss Aldersey, who was responsible for getting him into the college in Cheshunt.  Every time he came to his old country when he was a student he would spend a lot of time in Tu-hwnt-i'r-bwlch; and when he returned home, in the deadly grip of consumption, he experienced the kindness and care of his friends in Porthmadog. He was held in such esteem in Salem church, that many of the members wanted to give him a call to be their minister before he went to college.  The promising young brother Robin Meirion died on July 18th, 1832, at the age of 25 years.  His essays that can be seen dotted around the pages of the Dysgedydd for 1830-1, show an ability that brought him much attention.

"At the end of August, 1836, a young man was returning to Wales from London, where he had been staying for close to two years.*  He had been brought up in trade, and had spent eight years in England. He was convinced that it was high time for him to do something directly for himself, rather than continuing any longer serving others. He decided to settle in Liverpool, where he had a wide circle of friends.  He had been preaching occasionally for quite a while, and during his stay in the city, he was often invited to serve in the different denominations' pulpits.  The young man we mention, was staying in his old home, before embarking under the pressure and responsibility of the world.  During that time he got to know the county's ministers.  Some of them were kind enough to invite him to take part in preaching meetings, where he enjoyed listening to, and meeting the servants of the Lord.

"During October, 1836, the Revd. W. Williams (Caledfryn), Caernarfon, was invited to travel through Lleyn and Eifionydd to seek the support of the churches

*This young man was Mr. William Ambrose, who has now laboured here for nearly 37 years; and his success has proved that he was a gift to this country from God.

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for a society that had been formed in the county in order to pay the debts of the chapels.  The young man already mentioned was asked to accompany him, and to serve as a 'friend' to him on the journey. The invitation was accepted, and the journey started in the ordination service of Revd. O. Thomas in Talysarn.  Caledfryn bore the cross examination of some of the deacons of Lleyn quite well, on the whole.  He had difficulties in Peniel, and he felt the thorns in the desert of Beerseba.  But he was full of energy as a preacher, and enjoyed successful services.  The pillar lead past Porthmadog. There they received huge congregations, and a great deal of joy.  Since the church there didn't have a minister, the friend was invited to preach on a Sunday.  He promised a Sunday soon after that.

"Caledfryn realised that his young fellow traveller had attracted quite a lot of attention amongst the friends in Porthmadog.  Mrs. Williams, Tu-hwnt-i'r-bwlch, considered he was one that was likely to make a suitable minister for them.  From that time till the end of the journey,  Caledfryn did not stop encouraging his companion to give up any thought of a life in trade, and to devote his life completely to the ministry.  We feel that he did not allow anything to deter him in his persuasion of his friend.  The agreement of the interesting and comfortable journey was that it should come to an end in the Baptist chapel in Pontycim.  The annual meeting of the Bible Society was being held there.  D. Pugh, Esq., Cochybig was in the chair. Christmas Evans, Caledfryn, and W. Roberts, Clynnog, were the speakers.  The young brother who was there by accident was asked to say something.  The old hero Christmas was genial enough to give a word of encouragement to support him.  After returning from the meeting, Caledfryn told him of the discussion between him and his young friend on the journey.  The old man's eyes fired up, and he said a few words with the authority of an oracle.  The Lord alone knows the results of those few words.  They were the means of giving a new direction to a life that wasn't totally useless after that.

"According to the announcement, the young brother came from  Bangor to Porthmadog to spend a Sunday.  He walked every inch of the way, and as he came near, tired, with his feet hurting, on the Saturday afternoon, in the midst of strangers, something spoke to him, 'Others can take the ministry, it's trade for me.'  The Sunday went by as pleasantly as he could have wished.  The people appeared to enjoy themselves, and they were ready to rush to make him their shepherd.  But the preacher didn't feel mature enough to agree to their plans; but he promised to stay with them, if they wanted, for a year's trial, in case one side or the other did anything rash, and throw themselves in trouble.

"The impression of a young man spending a year in such a church on probation, seems to young brothers of this age, to be something unnatural.  And perhaps they wouldn't consider him being misused, for reasons that might sway the impulses of the one who was considered the future minister, and to have to wait so long to be given the post.  He felt that ministerial labour was strange to him, and that the post was too important to take up, without his having any of the necessary preparation.  He had also spent his life in conditions where it was impossible to get used to movements within the cause. He had enjoyed little church fellowship between the ages of 14 and 24 years old.  The church and he were completely different.  The chapel itself hadn't been transferred to the ownership

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of the congregation, and the ministers who had been there had failed to change things to their wishes.  Years of noting the movements of the world and church had not changed the ideas formed in 1836, of the necessity for care to be taken when choosing a man for the most important job in our world, which is the post of a minister.  Is twelve months of probation too much for a young man, especially if he had not been through a college preparation?  And when a young man has had the best advantages of a college, we should not 'take it for granted' that he has all the qualifications for the holy job.  What is two or three Sundays to prove a man?  The lack of care has led many a young couple to a marriage and a pitiful life after that.  So also the lack of consideration and patience has lead many a church and minister into trouble, until they are grateful for the service of the divorce courts.

"Thirty three years is not long enough to delete from the memory the view that faced the new preacher, on that Sunday morning in his new character in Salem oratory.  There he saw those who are today the heads of families, as young children, - bad and worse, good and better, - as the remainder of the family of man.  The text, the verses (from D. Jones, Treffynon's book), the leader of song and tunes, and the whole service, was beyond imagination.  Where is the body of the congregation? They have gone! There is an echo asking where are they,' and the heart is too weak to ask for an answer.

"The attitude in Salem church at that time, wasn't very attractive for a young man who had spent his life in the midst of plenty, who had never worried about daily spears.  The windmill of discipline, deterioration, and professing, had lowered the number in the church, until the number of communicants reached nineteen.  There were two sisters who were on their deathbeds, who had been in the house of the Lord for the last time.  They were Ellen Williams, from Morfa, and Martha Jones; so there were just nineteen communicants left.  There were several strangers and some who had come from other churches, in the church at that time. These were craftsmen who had come to work on the many buildings which were appearing there.  Amongst these was Henry Jones, one of the deacons from Penlan, Pwllheli, who was an amusing and able man.

"Soon after the ordination of the new minister, a door was opened to him in the house of a gentleman in the area, to teach his only son. This gave him several advantages, besides a degree of assurance about his future, when the church was too weak to sustain him. It wasn't difficult to see the hand of providence in all this.  This convenient event was very timely, and this prop didn't move away until he could do without it.  That is the first chapter in the book of revelations to be read, and leaving good feelings in the heart of one who was to be a teacher of others.  During the first year of the present minister's labour, the year 1837, eighteen were added to the number in the church.

"At the end of the year 1837, the present minister agreed to accept the call of the church to take on the full ministerial work in Salem, and the meeting was arranged for Thursday, December 7th. The service was started by Revd. Joseph Morris.  Revd. E. Davies, Trawsfynydd preached on the nature of church.  The questions were asked by Revd. D. Griffith, Bethel.  Revd. T. Pierce, Liverpool prayed.

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The venerable W. Hughes, Saron  gave the minister advice.  Revd. W. Williams, Caernarfon preached on the duty of the church.  The Revds. T. Edwards, Ebenezer; W. Morris, Nebo; L. Everett, Llanrwst; T. Pierce, Liverpool; W. Jones, Pwllheli, and T. Davies, Ffestiniog preached in the other services.  Also present were,  Revds. O. Thomas, Talysarn; E. Griffith, Llanegryn; E. Evans, Barmouth; R. Ellis, Rhoslan; Jones, Capel Helyg; and J. Evans, Tremadog.  More than half of these brothers have by now gone to their maker, and the rest are quickly following them.  In 1838, several new members were added to the church; but the loss felt by the leaving, deaths, and backsliding, balanced against the increase, and the result was, that the list of members at the end of the year consisted of the same number as at the end of the previous year which was 37.  The congregation increased to such a degree that they had to add a gallery to the chapel to meet the need for seats.

"In 1839, the Lord was good to his cause in Salem, and a new spirit was felt there as they saw the authority and the influence that followed the religious services.  The number of members had reached  76, that is more than twice the year before.  In 1839, a breeze of revival was felt over the Independent churches in Wales.  The visit of  Revd. B. W. Chidlaw, A.M., from America, and this country, was a means of exciting the ministers and the churches to more energy and seriousness.  It is lovely to remember to this day his influential addresses.  Lleyn ac Eifionydd were not blessed by his visit; but the exciting echo influenced the churches in this area of the country, and created an inceasing desire for more food for the work.  There were signs in Porthmadog, as the year came to an end, that the Lord was ready to rise and show mercy to his people there.  The minister felt that he perceived more thought amongst the listeners, and more feeling in the church.

"The first day of January, 1840, saw them having been set aside by the Independent churches of the county to pray together for a visit of a revival. The annual meetings in Caernarfon, Bontnewydd, Amlwch, &c., were blessed on the previous Christmas, with pleasant signs of the presence of the Lord.  A lovely echo walked through the whole area of the hill, and the minds of the congregations were prepared for the prayer day.  The church and the congregation in Salem had set aside the whole day to the sanctuary of the Lord, and the assembled crowds indicated that they felt they had come face to face with substantial thought.  In the evening meeting, the ordination of the Lord's Supper took place, and members of all denominations were invited to come forward to sit alongside and to eat with the members. The atmosphere pleasantly spread over the meeting, which caused everyone of the Saviour's followers to press forward to take their seats at the table.  Before the end of the service, something came over the place that caused many, if not all, to think of the Pentecost.  It was beyond all imagination.  The people could not prevent themselves from showing their feelings, and the sound of singing and glorifying.  This was the first time the minister had come across a REVIVAL.  He had heard about it from afar, but that rumor of what is called revival had not impressed him much. He considered

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that these agitations were based on weak senses, rather than the strength of religion.  That one meeting, which we have under our notice now,  threw out all his preconceived ideas altogether.  It's quite likely that he never again saw, and will never see, such obvious signs of the hand of the Lord as he saw on that New Year's Day 1840.  A multitude came forward as candidates for a place in the church.  The tide continued to rise higher and higher over the next many days.  Soon after that, preaching meetings were held in Salem, Tabor, and Penmorfa, (the opening of the new chapel).  This was the era of 'great conviction'.  People came in ' like a cloud, and like flocks of pigeons to their windows.'  It's true that many of them had been struck by the excitement like a feather on the surface of the flow, and they crossed the threshold of the church to go back to the country where their hearts lay, but many of them are with Christ on earth, and many with Christ in heaven.

"During 1840 it was obvious that the chapel should be extended. Maybe not everyone agreed.  Some felt that it would be better if they could repay the debt of £150 that remained on the old chapel. Others argued that a new debt added to the old one made it easier to deal with, rather than give the cause a disadvantage that they may never recover from.  The minister thought there was something worse than debt, - that was something that could be got rid of sometime; and he argued, through losing the congregation because of a lack of room to extend, to lose what they had gained.  When the minister was very anxious about the question, what was his duty, he received a call from the churches in Talybont and Salem, in Cardiganshire; and he was inclined to go there, and one of the reasons for that was, that there was a place to work there, which he didn't have in Porthmadog.  At the beginning of 1841, the minister went away on a visit to the south, where he stayed over three Sundays - two in Llanelli, and one in Talybont.  While he was away,  the bill was passed unanimously in the church senate to build a new chapel; and the first thing the minister saw when he returned, was the old chapel in ruins, and the congregation meeting together with the Wesleyans in their house of worship, which was at that time in the circuit of  Pwllheli.  The two congregations lived alongside each other in the same chapel for six months, and we hope worshipped alongside each other.  Only a few were added to the number in the church at that time.  In fact, the flow of the revival retreated too strongly for the eloquence of two sects to stop it.

"The opening service of the new chapel took place on September 8th  and 9th, 1841.  The Revds. Dr. Vaughan, and J. Blackburn, from London, were present; and the two preached.  The other preachers were Revd. Joseph Morris, Llanengan; E. Evans, Barmouth; S. Roberts, Llanbrynmair; T. Pierce, Liverpool; O. Thomas, Talysarn; W. Jones, Dolyddelen; James Evans, Trefgarn; J. Morgan, Nefyn; T. Edwards, Ebenezer, and W.Williams, Caernarfon. W. Evans, Abererch; S. .Jones, Maentwrog; George Ruthero, Drws-y-coed, and James Jones, Capel Helyg started the services.

"The cost of building the chapel ended up at £600 which added to the £150 which remained was considered a great burden in those days.  By the summer of 1842 about £200 had been paid. The

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house of worship was considered far bigger than was needed in the area at that time; but since the number of those living in the area was increasing, it wasn't long before all the seats were taken, and more were called for.  In 1856, the chapel was extended through including the vestibule.  In doing that four more pews were added.  In 1858, after the debt on the chapel was paid, the subject of a new chapel was broached.   There were several opinions as to how to go forward.  Some felt it would be better to build a chapel in another corner of the area, rather than pulling down a building that was so new.  After a great deal of discussion, Mr. Thomas, Glandwr was invited.  His advice was accepted, and his plans approved. The work was put out to tender, and the lowest offer accepted.  It took a long time to hew and prepare the marble blocks that had been carried from Anglesey, before touching the walls of the old chapel, which had stood to serve the cause from September, 1841, until July, 1859 - eighteen years. There had been regular preaching in English for two years of this period, from September 5th, 1852, until October, 1854.  The service started about a quarter to twelve, and ended about one.  A good congregation attended.  The one reason this came to an end was that many families who had originally set it up had moved from the area.  Apart from this, it necessitated the minister having to hold four services every Sunday.  But if the matter had been researched fairly, perhaps it would have been decided, that that service should have been kept despite being inconvenient.  Looking at the situation from the position of those in 1870, it undoubtedly appeared different from what happened in 1854.  If the minister could not be blamed for giving up the English service when he did, perhaps, it can be considered a mistake.  During the eighteen years spent in that chapel that was now to be demolished, several seasons were seen; but the cause gained a lot of new land, and the number of members were greater at the end than at the beginning of that period.

"On the morning of Sunday, July 3rd, 1859, the congregation was to be seen worshipping in the Town-hall, where they would meet until the last Sunday in September, 1860 - a year and three months.  The time of the presence of the ark in that room was one that will long be remembered.  The Lord visited his people in an unusual manner. All the churches in the country, of every denomination, received a fraction of the shower of dew, and the Independent congregation in Porthmadog were not left like the fleece of Gideon, dry in the midst of wetness.  Even though the room was small and inconvenient, the memories of some of the services enjoyed there are wonderful. Scores of members were added to the number in the church, and the old members' spirits were revived.  There are a multitude of those that returned at that period in heaven, and others of them, who have had God's help, continue to this day as an adornment to religion, and a glory to God.  It is true that that revival, was no more than any other revival, without examples of disappointment.  Many returned to their old ways after the feelings abated; but of those that were accepted as full members, in proportion only a few were lost compared with those who held on.  The heat of 'the revival time' lasted for about six months.

There was life in everything in those months, and many of

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the young people thought that Satan was about to lose all his tenants. There wasn't a meeting, nor one preacher, that was unpopular in those days.

"The church never lost the spirit of work in the midst of spiritual baptisms.  All the members joined together to try to collect money for the new building.  Hundreds of pounds were collected at the beginning of the effort.  In addition, the minister agreed to collect £100 if the church was ready to collect or to give £400 more on the opening day.  The expectations were not let down.  There was £410 on the plates by the end of the opening day.  The cost of the building, by the time all the costs had been counted, was £2,000.  Every penny has been paid.  A house near the chapel was bought for £450 and £300 was given towards a chapel at Borth, and they trust that it won't be long before this extra debt is also completely deleted.  On the last Sunday in September, 1860, the first sermon in the new house of worship was delivered by the minister.  The following Monday and Tuesday, October 1st and 2nd, what was considered the opening meeting was held.  The ministers were D. James, Capel Mawr;  D. Roberts, Caernarfon;  J. Roberts, Conwy;  W. Rees, Liverpool;  E. Stephen, Tanymarian, and R. Thomas, Bangor.  The church and the congregation by now were starting a new period in the history of the cause, which has seen ten years slip by now.*  During this period the church has gone through many transformations, through the arrival of some, and the leaving of others; but, on the whole, it has enjoyed internal peace, and has been blessed with progress.  The history of the cause in Borth indicates that that particular exodus was a heavy burden on the number and resources of the church and the congregation; but through the goodness of the One who gave the progress, Salem wasn't allowed to be 'without One who seeks her.' Now that the history of the cause in Porthmadog until the present time has been written, the future must be left to some other historian.  But whoever that is, that cause cannot be closer to his heart than it is to he who has chronicled its history up to now.  If the future matches the warm wishes of this writer, there are glorious things still to come for the cause.

"The reader may expect' some historical notes about some of the more remarkable persons who left their names in the history of the cause in Porthmadog.  Several people have been distinguished amongst the disciples there, and some of the characters have been so remarkable, that it would take many pages to do justice to them.  But it is impossible to include some while excluding others. Therefore, we will not go further than the circle of officials.  One preacher only was raised in Porthmadog church, at least, only one was bred for the ministry there, and took on the mantle of the ministry. This was Mr. David Lloyd, the son of Mr. W. Lloyd, Draper.  He inclined towards the holy ministry when he was very young.  In 1851 he went to Pontypridd, Glamorganshire, to receive a preparatory education from  Mr. Oliver in order to enter the college.  He was accepted in  Cheshunt, where he spent the required period to the great satisfaction of the teachers, and to his own honour.  In 1866, he accepted an invitation from several churches, and chose Zion Chapel, Margate, Kent. He was ordained in the ministry on June 12th, 1867.

" The brothers who served the church as deacons deserve a place in these memories.  The first deacon to serve the tables

* The above history was written in 1870.

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in Salem was Humphrey Jones, a native of Tremadog.  He was the first man to join the church in its early days, and because of this he slipped naturally into the position.  Had the church then been as numerous as it is now, it would have been sensible to have voted him to the post, even though he was just a common worker.  No man's heart was ever more bound to the cause than his was.  He had a natural nobility, which was sanctified by God when he returned to the faith.  Before his conversion he was inclined to be too ready to follow the ways of the age, by visiting the public houses too regularly; but he wasn't considered a drunken man.  Temperance wasn't mentioned in those days.  In a public house, when the beer glass was in his hand, he thought of his condition as a sinner. Conviction shot deeply into his soul like an arrow.  The glass dropped from his hand.  He went away with the arrow piercing his heart, and he failed to find rest day or night, until he received the only medication which meets the needs of the contrite spirit. He continued faithfully till his death.  There was no danger that he would take offence, since the ark of God was so close to his heart. Humphrey Jones was one of the sons of peace.  He suffered a great deal from asthma during the last years of his life,  which robbed him of a great deal of liveliness and his creative labour.  He died on June 29th, 1849, at the age of 56 years old.  He was buried in Salem churchyard.  The minister said, at the graveside, that they were burying a brother who never caused his minister to shed one tear before his death.  As the number in the church increased, William Timothy, a shipwright, was chosen as a deacon alongside Humphrey Jones.  This brother was a gentleman, and was possessed of a considerable ability to speak publicly.  He was a good man, but was very different from his fellow official.  He had more passion in his spirit, and because of this was more ready to accept sudden impressions for or against things or people.  Has the reader ever seen a strong, young, lively horse being coupled with a quiet, steady one? There's no need to explain the difference between the two.  That was the difference between the two first deacons in Salem.  Perhaps that was just as well, if not better, than if the two were of the same temperament. Grace does not move away the peculiarities of nature, more than God's inspiration takes away the peculiarities of the talents of the holy men who called on God. The brother W. Timothy died on  January 5th, 1849, at the age of 45 years old, and was buried in Salem churchyard.  He left a widow and seven children.  But the Father of the orphan took great care of the family.  The children are by now in respectable positions, and most of them are useful in faith.

"After the revival in 1840, when the number of disciples was increasing, the church felt that the time had come to choose two more brothers for the deaconate.  The election was held in the form of a ballot.  The lot fell to William Pierce, Shipper, and Hugh Ellis, y Llety.  The former filled his post in Salem until 1859, when he moved to Ffestiniog, and he served the church in Rhiwbryfdir as a deacon until he moved to Talysarn.  He is now in Machynlleth, united with the church in the Graig chapel.  The brother Hugh Ellis gained himself a good grade as a quiet Christian till his death, on July 16th, 1868, at the age of 56 years old.  He had served the congregation as a leader of song for many years. When others

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who were more able than he arose, he let go the post quite smoothly into their care. He received so much respect, that no-one could disrespect his feelings and to dismiss him.  However much glory he deserved as leader of the praise, he gained his brothers' admiration by flexing himself as a Christian to the suggestions of the situation, and no-one was more delighted that him in the revival of the congregational singing.  There is one particular situation in the history of the dear brother Hugh Ellis as a member of the church.  He was the only one to refuse to add his name as the present minister was called.  The minister never asked him for his reason for this, and even though he had more personal discussions with him than he had with any other member in the church, because he followed him every Sunday afternoon to Morfa Bychan, and back again, there was never a mention of the situation to which we referred.  A few days before his death, it was noticed that he had not forgotten what happened. He wasn't willing to leave this world without mentioning it.  He told of his years of great worry, and had thought a lot about getting rid of the burden from his mind, but he lacked the courage.  Transferring what he had to say to the press, appeared to open himself to the accusation of self-glorifying; but it is enough to say that his words were honourable for the minister and to himself.  It may be that none of this was untimely.  It would have been easy for the minister to frown on the brother, and to consider him as an enemy for the rest of his life. But by acting completely to the opposite of this, he gained the confidence of each side in the matter.  It is an abundant advantage to a minister, and truly, to everyone who wants to live in peace and usefulness, to refuse to see the little things. Failing to see past the little things, and the eagerness to air them over and over, have plundered the minister of his true friends.  It takes a long time to explain things, but the explanation is correct in the end.

"In 1852, the need for more deacons was called for, since there were only two in position by now.  Five were elected.  These were Robert Griffith, Contractor; Hugh Davies, Tailor & Draper; William Evans, Tinman; Thomas Owen, Carpenter, and Capt. D. Richards. These are all still deacons to this day, even though the first named has been imprisoned by weakness for some time, and is unable to fulfill the service of his position.  At the beginning of 1866, a need was felt for another addition to the deacons.  It was judged that eight would be needed to add to the ones already in post.  They decided to use the ballot and have the vote of everyone in the church.  The ones chosen were O. Morris, O. Hughes W. W. Lloyd, W. Timothy, Ben Roose, John Williams, Richard Williams, and J. P. Jones. Six of these are still faithful in the post, one has left the cause, and the other, one W. W. Lloyd, has died.  This dear brother was an elder son of Mr. W. Lloyd, Draper, Porthmadog. He was a brother to Revd. D. Lloyd, Margate. He was born on November 14th, 1834, and was baptized on December 2nd, by the Revd. Joseph Morris. He joined the church in Salem when he was 19 years of age, soon after his brother David. The geniality of his temperament, and his cheerful face, made him acceptable to everyone who knew him. He did not seek any publicity. His voice was never heard in the social meetings in the church, even though he never missed a meeting. But he loved working. The Sunday school earned his greatest trust.

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He was superintendent for many years, and completed the task ably. He married on June 21st, 1865, Mary, the only child of the late Gad. J. Jones, "W. Alexander," who was a young woman who had many talents.  Rarely did a marriage look more comfortably promising.  The family was the epitome of happiness.  But the world disappoints in the best circumstances! On February 24th, 1866, barely eight months after the wedding, our dear brother was left alone.  The 'apple of his eye' was taken from him suddenly.  The circumstances had a heavy effect on his health.  He lost his pleasant nature.  He felt very lonely amongst the crowd.  He had obvious signs of decline at the beginning of the last year of his life.  Once he was confined to his room, no-one but his closest relatives, and one or two of his best friends, were allowed in his presence. He received another great blow when his dear mother died suddenly, having given in entirely under the pressure of her worry, and died so suddenly, that the whole town was shocked.  It is difficult to comprehend, and impossible to tell the story of the effect the taking of his mother had on the grieving son. From now on, he appeared to be falling apart quickly.  His brother came from Margate to visit him, and on the way in Pensarn station, he received the news of his mother's death! Even though our friend from Margate did not have the pleasure of meeting his mother before her leaving, he did have some weeks to spend in the company of his brother as he died.  Since he knew he was so ill, and of his reluctance to speak publicly, he wished, yes, he prayed that he would have time to relate to his brother of his religious experience before his death, which appeared to be close.  About one o'clock in the morning, on May 9th, he was summoned to the presence of the suffering.  He had the signs of hard effort on his face, and had sought the help of his brother to dry his tears.  Having collected all that remained of his energy, he said, 'Don't worry, 'nothing strange is going to happen. Be calm. I am quite content, and everything is all right between me and the future. But I need to settle the few things I have in this world. It is best to put the things of this world in order. If I go away having not done this, it will never be done. I want everything like this off my mind.' Then, in silence and with the greatest self-possession, he told him where everything was to be found, and what to do with them. He gave detailed instructions involving his possessions. He gave £50 as a gift towards the chapel debt.  He felt as one who has finished with all this side of the valley, and he died quietly on May 9th, 1870.

"There are several valuable and remarkable people who were connected with the cause in Salem from the start; but naming some of them will leave others out.  It is certain that Salem church will expect changes in the future.  Our present minister has enjoyed good health over the many years of his ministry; but he feels that the time isn't far when he will call on the church to find a successor for him.  May the Lord give spirit 'strength, and love, and prudence,' to meet the circumstances.  Some of the old members are coming to the end of their journey. Let the sons rise in place of the fathers, and the daughters in place of their mothers. Much work has been done in the place. May the glory never leave the place.  May peace flow like a river, and truth like the waves of the sea. (The end)

CONTINUED