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 See main project page

MERIONETHSHIRE (Vol 1)

Pages 414 - 427

Proof read by Maureen Saycell (May 2008)

Chapels below;

• (Continued) LLANUWCHLLYN
• DINASMAWDDWY (with translation)

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(Continued) LLANUWCHLLYN

er eu cynorthwyo.* Bu Mr Evans yma tua phymtheng mlynedd, ac ymadawodd oddiyma i Ddinbych, o gylch y flwyddyn 1758. Y flwyddyn ganlynol, daeth Mr Evan Williams, yma, o'r Brychgoed, Sir Frycheiniog, lle yr oedd wedi ei urddo er's mwy na chwe' blynedd cyn hyny. Gofalai am y gangen yn y Bala hefyd, ond oblegid gwaeledd ei iechyd, nis gallasai fyned yno ond yn achlysurol. Llafuriodd yma hyd tua'r flwyddyn 1767, daeth Mr Benjamin Evans ar daith i'r Gogledd, ar gais Mr Lewis Rees, Mynyddbach, ac wedi iddo ymweled a Llanuwchllyn, ac i'r eglwys gael boddlonrwydd ynddo, cymhellasant ef i aros gyda hwy. Cydsyniodd a'u cais, ac urddwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1769. Bu Mr Evans yn nodedig o lafurus fel gweinidog, ac holl egni ymroddodd i wneyd gwaith efengylwr. Torodd y tu allan i gylch uniongyrchol ei weinidogaeth yn fwy nag un o'i ragflaenoriaid, ac yn ol yr adroddiad a roddir gas Mr Josiah Thompson, yr oedd cynnulleidfa Llanuwchllyn, neu y rhai y pregethai Mr Evans iddynt mewn gwahanol fanau yn 1773, yn rhifo 600 o eneidiau. Teimlai fod tarth oer a gyfodai oddiar Lyn Tegid yn effeithio yn anffafriol ar ei gyfansoddiad, ac er siomedigaeth fawr i'r eglwys a'r ardal, ymadawodd yn 1777, i'r Green, Hwlffordd, ac oddiyno i'r Drewen, lle y treuliodd weddill ei oes. Yr un flwyddyn ag yr ymadawodd Mr Evans, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr Thomas Davies, yr hwn a fuasai yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa Abergavenny, ac urddwyd ef yma yn weinidog. Rhy brin bedair blynedd y bu yn y weinidogaeth, oblegid rhoddodd angau derfyn ar ei fywyd defnyddiol, ar yr 28ain o Ebrill, 1781. # Ar ol marwolaeth Mr Davies, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr Abraham Tibbot. Nis gwyddom pa mor fuan ar ol marw Mr Davies y daeth ef yma, ond yr oedd yma yn 1785, a bu yma hyd 1792. Yr oedd Mr Tibbot yn ddyn o gorph cryf, ac yn bregethwr poblogaidd, ond ei fod raddau yn esgulus a diofal yn ei arferion, a dygodd hyny ef, a phobl ei ofal, i helbul fwy nag unwaith. Bu yn Llundain dros eglwys Llanuwchllyn yn casglu, ac nid ymddengys iddo ddychwelyd a llawer o arian gydag ef, a pharodd hyny ddiflasdod mawr rhwng yr eglwys ac yntau. Dygwyd ei achos ger bron cyfarfod o weinidogion yn y Bala, yn 1794; a phenodwyd ar Meistri Benjamin Jones, Pwllheli, a George Lewis, Caernarfon, i fyned i Lanuwchllyn i chwilio yr amgylchiadau, ac y mae y penderfyniad y daeth Mr. Jones, a Mr. Lewis, a'r eglwys iddo, yn awr ger ein bron, yr hwn a anfonwyd at y Trysorfwrdd Cynnulleidfaol, gan fod y cynorthwy arferol wedi ei atal oddiwrth Mr Tibbot y flwyddyn flaenorol. Ystyrient fod ei ymddygiad yn feiadwy, ond nad oedd yr eglwys yn Llanuwchllyn yn priodoli y diffyg yn ei gyfrifon i egwyddor anonest, ond yn unig i afrad annoeth ar ei amser yn Llundain, a diffyg cynildeb priodol wrth gasglu; a chan fod Mr Tibbot yn cydnabod hyn, yn gystal ag anmherffeithderau eraill yn ei ymddygiad tra yn weinidog i'r eglwys, y maent yn ei gymeradwyo i dynerwch rheolwyr y Drysorfa, mewn gobaith y bydd i'r treialon tymion a gafodd er hyny, gael eu sancteiddio iddo er rhagflaenu dim cyffelyb yn ol llaw. Mor onest onide, ac etto mor garedig, yr oedd yr hen bobl dda hyn yn trin eu gilydd, ac yn cyflawni yr ymddiriedaeth a roddid ynddynt. Ymadawodd Mr Tibbot i Sir Fon, lle y llafuriodd hyd ddiwedd ei oes ; ac er ei fod yn mhell o fod yn berffaith, etto, yr oedd yn ddyn a gerid yn fawr gan bawb, a chyfrifai y rhai a'i hadwaenai ef oreu, yn gristion trwyadl.

* MSS. Mr Josiah Thompson. # Dysgedydd, 1834. Tudal. 70.

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Yn y flwyddyn 1794, cydsyniodd Mr George Lewis, Caernarfon, a gwahoddiad yr eglwys, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma. Yr oedd wedi derbyn galwad yn flaenorol, ond oblegid fod ei fryd ar fyned i'r America, gwrthododd ei derbyn, ond pan roddodd y bwriad hwnw i fyny, fel y crybwyllasom eisioes yn ei hanes, derbyniodd alwad yr eglwys yma i lafurio ynddi, a bu yma yn athraw a dysgawdwr i'r holl bobl, am yn agos i ddeunaw mlynedd. Dr. Lewis, o bawb a fu yma, a osododd fwyaf o'i ddelw ar y wlad. Magwyd to o ddynion dan ei weinidogaeth na welir eu cyffelyb ond anfynych mewn cymydogaeth. Yr oedd y merched fel y meibion, yn talu sylw manwl i byngciau Duwinyddol, ac o'r ddau, merched a ragorai. Cedyrn oeddynt yn yr Ysgrythyrau, ac ar " fwyd cryf" athrawiaeth Bras yr ymborthent. Dichon na wnaeth Dr. Lewis' gymaint ag a allasai i eangu terfynau yr achos. Yr oedd ei syniad o bosibl yn wahanol i'r rhan fwyaf ar hyny. Ystyriai ef fod cael eglwys ddeallgar yn mhethau yr efengyl, ac o fywyd sanctaidd, o fwy pwys na chael eglwys luosog arwynebol ; ac yr oedd ganddo y fath hyder diderfyn yn y gwirionedd, y dygai farn i fuddugoliaeth yn y pen draw, fel na fynai ei wthio ar neb, ac yr oedd yn anrhaethol uwchlaw pob peth tebyg i broselitio dynion at grefydd. Athraw ydoedd yn hytrach nag efengylwr, ac ymhyfrydai yn fwy mewn porthi y rhai oedd dan ei ofal mewn gwybodaeth a deall, nag mewn tori tir newydd, a phregethu yr efengyl lle nid enwid Crist. Torodd diwygiad grymus allan yn yr eglwys tua'r flwyddyn 1809, pryd yr ychwanegwyd tua dau gant at yr eglwys. Yr oedd rhywbeth anghyffredin yn nglyn ag ef. Syrthiai dynion yn gelaneddau meirwon heb un rhybudd, fel pe buasai angel marwolaeth ag asgell ei adenydd wedi cyffwrdd a hwy. Dygid y rhai a drywenid felly allan, gan eu gosod o'r neilldu, nes iddynt ddadebru, ac nid cynt nag y deuant atynt eu hunain, yr ocheneidient am drugaredd, neu y torent allan mewn gorfoledd, gan fawrhau yr Arglwydd. Er mai a deall a chydwybodau dynion yr ymwnai Dr. Lewis yn benaf, etto, yr oedd efe " yn ysgrifenydd wedi ei ddysgu i deyrnas nefoedd'" fel medrai dywallt balm i glwyfau yr archolledig dan argyhoeddiad, a llefaru gair mewn pryd wrth y diffygiol." Yr oedd dynes unwaith yn cyflwr hwn o wasgfa, a gwaeddai yn ddolefus mewn cyfyngder, " yr enaid a becho, hwnw fydd marw, ac ni fynai ei chysuro, gan y rhai oedd o'i deutu. " Yr enaid a becho, hwnw fydd marw," oedd ei dolef barhaus. Cododd y Doctor o'r diwedd, fel meistr y gynnulleidfa, a dywedodd fel un ag awdurdod ganddo. " Dyweded rhyw un wrth y ddynes yna, bobl, 'yr enaid a greto,hwnw fydd byw. " Lliniarodd hyny loesion y druanes, gwelodd ddrws ymwared, a bu tawelwch mawr. Yn ystod arosiad Dr. Lewis yn Llanuwchllyn, ailadeiladwyd y capel, a gwnaed ef yn dy eang a helaeth, ac yr oedd wedi codi ty cyfleus yn nglyn a'r capel, fel un wedi penderfynu byw, a marw yn y lle. Ond yn niwedd flwyddyn 1811, derbyniodd wahoddiad o Wrecsam i fod yn weinidog yno, ac oddiwrth y Trysorfwrdd Cynnulleidfaol yn Llundain i fod yn athraw yr athrofa, a chydsyniodd a'r cymhelliad, gan adael Llanuwchllyn, lle y llafuriasai am dymor hir gyda'r fath gysur iddo ei hun a boddlonrwydd i'r holl eglwys.

Wedi bod am rai blynyddau heb weinidog, yn y flwyddyn 1814, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr Michael Jones, myfyriwr o'r athrofa yn Wrecsam; ac urddwyd ef yn gyhoeddus i gyflawn waith y weinidogaeth ar y 10fed o Hydref, y flwyddyn hono. Ymroddodd Mr Jones yn egniol i

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gyflawni ei weinidogaeth gyda ffyddlondeb difwlch, a gwelodd raddau dymunol o lwyddiant ar ei lafur. Ond yn raddol dechreuodd pethau newid, troes yr hin, oerodd yr awyr, duodd y ffurfafen, a thorodd tymestl fawr ar Mr Jones a'r eglwys yn mhen o gylch saith mlynedd wedi ei sefydliad. Mae yr amgylchiadau blinion a gyfarfu yr eglwys hon yn gyfryw, fel na byddai yn deg ynom fyned o'r tu arall heibio heb gyfeirio atynt. Pe na buasai ond cweryl personol, neu ddadl ar fater dibwys wedi arwain i annghydfod, aethem heibio yn unig gyda chrybwyll fod y fath beth wedi bod, ond gan fod y dadleuon Duwinyddol oedd yn cynhyrfu y wlad yn y cyfnod hwnw wedi eu dwyn i bwynt yma, ac mai Llanuwchllyn wnaed yn faes yr ymladdfa, y mae mwy na chrybwylliad am dano yn ofynol. Gan nas gallasai ein gwybodaeth o'r amgylchiadau fod ond yn anmherffaith,, llwyddasom i gael gan gyfaill cwbl gydnabyddus a'r holl amgylchiadau, a pherffaith alluog at y gorchwyl, i roddi i ni grynodeb o'r helyntion o'r dechreu i'r diwedd.*  Er fod ein cyfaill wedi ei ddwyn i fyny o dan weinidogaeth Mr Michael Jones, ac yn meddu y cydymdeimlad llawnaf a'i olygiadau Duwinyddol, a'i dad yn Dduwinydd craff o'r un ysgol, etto, gwelir nad yw yn gaeth gan ddallbleidiaeth, i'r hyn oedd yn ddiffygiol yn Mr Jones, a'i fod yn alluog i ganfod yr hyn oedd ragorol, yn yr hen bobl fel eu gelwid.

" Wrth geisio chwilio i'r achosion a ddygasant oddiamgylch y fath gyfnewidiadau dinystrio!, dylid bod yn ystyriol, yn bwyllus, ac yn ddiragfarn tuag at y ddwy blaid. Cafodd Jonathan Edwards dywydd gerwin, am dymor, yn Northampton, Lloegr Newydd ; ond yr oedd tywydd tymhestlog Mr Jones, yn Llanuwchllyn, yn arwach, ffyrnicach, a hwy ei barhad na hwnw. Barnai llawer fod yr holl fai ar Mr Jones, a barnai llawer eraill, fod yr holl fai ar gynnulleidfa, er hyny, digon tebyg fod y gwirionedd yn gorwedd yn y canol, rhwng pob eithaflon.Yr oedd Mr Michael Jones, yn wr mawr, cadarn, yn yr Ysgrythyrau, cryf ei feddwl, eang ei amgyffredion, manwl a threiddiol o ran ei wybodaeth Dduwinyddol a Philosophaidd. Yr oedd yn hollol ddifrychulyd o ran ei nodweddiad moesol. Ni chynygiodd neb erioed ei gyhuddo o anfoesoldeb. Yr oedd yn ddyn o dduwioldeb dwfn a diamheuol. Yr oedd llawer hefyd o'i bleidwyr yn yr eglwys yn bobl ddeallus, nodedig felly, ac yn lan a difrycheulyd o ran eu bucheddau. O'r ochr arall, yr oedd llawer o'r blaid wrthwynebol i Mr Jones, er yn amddifaid o syniadau eang, a philosophaidd ar byngciau crefydd, yn ysgrythyrwyr rhagorol, ac yn dra chydnabyddus syniadau eu hathraw blaenorol, yr hybarch Dr. Lewis. Yr oedd yn eu mysg lawer o bobl onest a duwiol, yn ofni Duw, ac yn cilio oddiwrth ddrygioni. Gwrthwynehent olygiadau Duwinyddol Mr Jones o gydwybod. Gwadu hynyna fyddai cario pethau i eithafion, ac amlygu rhagfarn a chulni meddwl hollol anheilwng o hanesydd teg a gonest.

Ond er fod Mr Jones yn un o'r dynion goreu, a manylaf a fagodd Cymru yn yr oes hono, etto, nid ydym yn honi ei fod ef, mwy na dynion eraill, yn rhydd oddiwrth fan wendidau ; a mwy na thebygol ydyw, fod rhai pethau ynddo ef, yn cyd-weithio a phethau eraill, yn y gynnulleidfa, ddwyn oddiamgylch y rhwygiad a gymerodd le yn Llanuwchllyn. Buasai y weinidogaeth yn yr Hen Gapel, fel yn y rhan fwyaf o leoedd eraill, er ys llawer o flynyddoedd yn aros yn benaf ar athrawiaeth gras

*Llythyr Mr R. Thomas, Bangor.

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yn ei gwahanol ganghenau, gan esgeuluso yn ormodol, fe allai, y pethau a berthynant i Lywodraeth Foesol Duw, a rhwymedigaethau a dyledswyddau dynion, fel creaduriaid rhesymol a chyfrifol i'r llywodraeth hono. Wedi ei sefydliad yn yr ardal, troes Mr Jones, dros lawer o flynyddau, holl nerth ei weinidogaeth i osod allan hawliau Duw fel llywydd, ac i gymell ei wrandawyr i gyflawni eu dyledswyddau fel deiliaid cyfrifol deddf efengyl. Traethodd lawer o syniadau cryfion ar bob peth perthynol i Lywodraeth Foesol, Natur Rhinwedd a Natur Pechod, Gallu Naturiol a Gallu Moesol, Anallu dyn yn gyson a'i Rwymedigaethau, a llawer o byngciau eraill cyffelyb. Chwalai an-noddfeydd dynion yn ddarnau o'u cylch, a malai eu hesgusodion yn llwch. Gallai ei fod wedi aros ar yr hwyaf ar yr ochr yna i Dduwinyddiaeth, heb ddwyn yr ochr gyferbyniol ond anfynych i olwg ei wrandawyr, a gwyr pawb mai cwm oer iawn i fyw ynddo am lawer o flynyddoedd, heb braidd ddyfod allan o hono, ydyw tir gallu dyn a'i ddyledswyddau, er fod yn anhebgorol angenrheidiol i weinidog yr efengyl osod y pethau hyny yn ffyddlon ac yn fynych o flaen ei wrandawyr. Yr oedd pregethu o'r natur a nodwyd, am lawer o flynyddoedd, i bobl oeddynt yn Galfiniaid go dynion, fel oedd y nifer amlaf o wrandawyr Mr Jones, yn disgyn braidd yn oer ac annymunol ar  clustiau. Heblaw hyny, yr oedd amryw o'r termau a arferai Mr Jones wrth egluro ei olygiadau, yn anghymeradwy yn eu golwg, a chwynent  bod yn ddyeithr ac yn dywyll iddynt. Heblaw hyny, yr oedd, Mr Jones yn amddifad o ddawn i ddenu ei wrandawyr. Ni allai eu toddi i ffurf ei feddwl ei hun. Ni feddai nemawr o gydymdeimlad a phobl ddifeddwl a diymdrech i ddeall logic y pethau a wrandawent. Ni welid byth wen ar ei wyneb yn yr areithfa. Gwenai pobl ddeallus weithiau wrth ei wrandaw, ond nerth a chysondeb ei athrawiaeth a barai iddynt hwy wenu, ac nid dim yn ei agwedd na'i lais, na'i ddull o osod ei feddwl allan. Yr oedd yn berffaith feistr ar wawdiaeth, a diferai ymadroddion brwmstanaidd yn aml dros ei wefusau. Nid oedd dyn mwy deallus nag ef yn Nghymru. Nid oedd na Roberts, o Lanbrynmair, na Jones, o Ddolgellau, na Williams, o'r Wern, ychwaith, er cymaint a glodforir arm, yn gyfartal i Mr Jones, o Lanuwchllyn, yn nerth en meddyliau, ac nid oedd yr un o honynt yn gyfartal iddo mewn deall philosophyddiaeth trefn iachawdwriaeth, a Llywodraeth Foesol Duw, ond rhagorai amryw o'i frodyr arno mewn medrusrwydd i osod y gwirionedd allan yn y modd egluraf, a mwyaf deniadol. Yr oedd ef yn gryf fel castell, ond yr oedd yn amddifad o'r mwyneidd-dra sydd yn angenrheidiol i gyfarfod gwrthwynebwyr er diarfogi eu rhagfarn. Yr ydoedd hefyd yn rhy dyn ac yn rhy benderfynol, fe allai, am ei ffordd mewn pethau o ychydig bwys.

Cymerwn olwg fer etto ar ansawdd pethau yn mysg gwrthwynebwyr Mr Jones. Yr oedd yn eu plith rai a anghymeradwyent yr ymdrechion egniol a wnai efe o blaid yr Ysgol Sabbothol. Golygent ei fod yn codi y sefydliad hwnw yn rhy uchel, ac yn rhoddi gormod o bwys arno. Rhyw ffordd respectable o dori y Sabboth, yn ol  barn hwy, oedd cadw Ysgol Sabbothol, a thaflent lawer o rwystrau ar ffordd ei chynydd a'i llwyddiant. Gwyddys hefyd fod rhai yn eu mysg yn anffafriol i weinidogaeth sefydlog yr efengyl. Rhyw ddrwg angenrheidiol (necessary evil), rhywbeth i'w goddef, am na ellid bod hebddi, oedd y weinidogaeth yn ol eu golygiad hwy. Yr oedd amryw o'r blaenoriaid wedi cael blas ar awdurdod, yn enwedig ar ol ymadawiad Dr. Lewis, a golygai yr henuriaid llywodraethol mai ganddynt

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hwy yr oedd yr hawl i ofalu am yr athrawiaeth a'r ddysgyblaeth yn nhy Dduw, ac mai cadeirydd eu cyfarfodydd yn unig, oedd y gweinidog fod. Arferent droi ymgeiswyr am aelodaeth eglwysig allan o'r capel, tra fyddid yn ymddiddan yn eu cylch, a throseddwyr, yr un modd, yna gollyngid hwy i mewn ar ddiwedd y cyfarfod i glywed dedfryd yr eglwys ar eu materion. Gwrthwynebai Mr Jones yr arfer hono yn hollol. Yr oedd presenoldeb gwr ieuangc gwrol, penderfynol, ac anhyblyg fel y gweinidog, yn boenus i ymgeiswyr am awdurdod yn yr Hen Gapel, a thybient ei fod ef yn myned a mwy na i ran o lywodraeth yr eglwys. Y pryd hwnw, hefyd, yr oedd y ddau wr mwyaf deallus yn y gynnulleidfa dan gerydd eglwysig, oblegid rhyw amgylchiadau bydol y buasai ganddynt law ynddynt, ac felly collodd yr eglwys, a'r gweinidog hefyd, eu dylanwad cryf hwy, yn yr adeg yr oedd mwyaf o angen am dano, i roi ataliad ar rwysg dynion hunangeisiol. Ond teg yw dywedyd fod y dosbarth lluosocaf o wrthwynebwyr Mr Jones, yn sefyll yn ei erbyn yn benderfynol am eu bod yn credu yn gydwybodol ei fod yn cyfeiliorni mewn barn, ac yn gwyro oddiwrth y gwirionedd " fel y mae yn yr Iesu." Ni allent weled fod y termau a arferai efe yn Ysgrythyrol. Credent nad oedd ei olygiadau ar bechod - sef mai diffyg ydyw yn ei natur, ac yn arbenigol, Pechod Gwreiddiol - yn gyson a'r pethau a ddywedir yn y Bibl am bechod. Barnent nas gall dyn fod mewn sefyllfa o brawf, ac mewn cyflwr o gondemniad ar yr un pryd. Credent fod dyn yn farw rywfodd, fel prep neu faen, tic nas gall wneyd dim ond pechu, hyd nes y cyfnewidir ef trwy ras. Pan geisid dangos fod dau fath o anallu, sef, un naturiol ac un moesol, cyfarfyddent hyny geiriau, " Ni ddichon - nis gall chwaith - nis gallant ryngu bodd Duw," a'r cyffelyb. Cyfyngent yr Iawn i gylch eglwys Dduw, ac ni allent weled fod amcan yn y byd yn deilwng o aberth Crist, and gweithredol gadwedigaeth dynion a gogoniant Duw yn hyny. Esbonient yr ymadroddion eang sydd yn y Bibl am farwolaeth Crist, megis pawb, pob dyn, yr holl fyd, am yr Iuddewon a'r cenedloedd, a thyrfaoedd mawrion o blith y ddau ddosbarth. Gan mai yr eglwys yn unig a gedwir yn y pen draw, ni allent hwy weled nad yr eglwys yn unig yw y rhai y bu Crist farw drostynt ; a dywedent fod y rhai a ddalient fod Crist yn aberth dros holl ddynolryw, yn rhwym o ddal hefyd, fod llawer o werth gwaed Crist yn myned i uffern yn barhaus. Yr oedd golygiad rhy fasnachol ar yr Iawn wedi eu niweidio a'u hanghymwyso i drin y mater yn deg. Barnent fod Mr Jones yn Arminiad, pryd mewn gwirionedd Calfiniad cymhedrol, cryf, ydoedd ef. Yr oedd yn y dosbarth hwn o wrthwynebwyr Mr Jones, lawer o bobl dda a chrefyddol, ac y maent yn hawlio ein cydymdeimlad a'n parch diffuant. Nid ydym yn meddwl fod holl wrthwynebwyr Mr Jones yn ei wrthsefyll ar y tir cydwybodol a nodir uchod, ond yr oedd llawer, a'r lleill yn eu dilyn oddiar amrywiol amcanion, fel y lled awgrymwyd eisioes. Ond taflwyd pob peth arall dros y bwrdd, a chyhuddwyd Mr Jones o gyfeiliornad mewn barn, a bu dadleuon dychrynllyd drwy yr holl wlad. Yr oedd yr anedd-dai, y gweithdai, y tafarndai, y ffyrdd, y meusydd, a'r mynyddoedd, yn faesydd brwydrau poethion am hirfaith dymor, ac yr oedd crefydd seml y Bibl yn gorfod gostwng ei phen, a gwladeiddio ger bron yr ymrysonwyr brwdfrydig. Er mai golygiadau Duwinyddol Mr Jones a broffesid gan bawb oll, fel yr unig achos o'u gwrthwynebiad iddo, un dosbarth oedd yn onest yn y broffes hono. Am amryw o flaenoriaid y cynwrf, pethau eraill, oedd yn eu symbylu hwy yn mlaen. Cawsent hwy hyd i'w level pan

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ddaeth Mr Jones i'r ardal, ac ymdrechent yn egniol ennill eu hen safleoedd yn ol. Yr oedd blaenor y terfysgwyr yn ddyn pwyllog, hirben, a chyfrwys dros ben, ac yn gymwys iawn i flaenori ei blaid. Wedi blino yr oedd ef mewn gwirionedd ar Mr Jones, fel dyn, ac fel gweinidog, a rhai eraill o gryn ddylanwad heblaw ef. Esgus oedd yr athrawiaeth gan y gwyr hyny. Safodd Mr Jones fel derwen gadarn yn nghanol y dymestl. Ni symudai fodfedd o'i sefyllfan er yr holl ruthro a fu arno. Yr oedd rhyw fawredd ac ardderchawgrwydd naturiol a moesol ynddo yn ei holl brofedigaethau. Addfedodd pethau yn raddol, ac ymddangosai ymraniad eglwysig fel yn anocheladwy. Ond cyn cyrhaeddyd y pwynt galarus hwnw, cydunwyd i gael cyfarfod o weinidogion yr enwad i geisio heddychu y pleidiau. Penodwyd gan y ddwy blaid i wahodd y gweinidogion canlynol i fod yn ddyddwyr rhwng yr ymrysonwyr ; sef Meistri W. Hughes, Dinas; I. Roberts, Llanbrynmair ; D. Morgan, Machynlleth ; W. Williams, Wern ; R. Everett, Dinbych ; T. Jones, Moelfro; I. Lewis, Bala; C. Jones, Dolgellau ; E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, ac E. Davies, Cutiau. Daeth y gwyr uchod i'r Hen Gapel ar ddydd-gwaith, Rhagfyr 5ed, 1821. Cyfarfu yr holl eglwys ar yr achlysur. Dygwyd pob cyhuddiad a ellid ddwyn yn erbyn Mr Jones, fel cyfeiliornwr, yn mlaen gan yr wrthblaid ; ac amddiffynodd Mr Jones ei hun, a dangosodd yn eglur ei fod ef yr un o ran ei olygiadau Duwinyddol y pryd hwnw ag oedd ef pan ddaethai gyntaf i Lanuwchllyn. Gwnaed ymdrech egniol gan y gweinidogion i ddwyn y pleidiau at eu gilydd, ond bu y cyfan yn ofer. Gwelid yn eglur bellach nad oedd dim i'w wneuthur ond wynebu amgylchiadau gofidus ymraniad eglwysig. Daeth y dydd oddiamgylch. Ar foreu Sabboth cymundeb - ordinhad sydd mewn modd neillduol yn gosod allan undeb Cristionogion Christ, ac a'u gilydd - y cymerodd y rhwygiad le. Gallesid darllen ar wynebau llawer yn y gynnulleidfa y bore hwnw, fod rhywbeth mawr a phwysig i gymeryd lle. Pregethodd Mr Jones fel arferol, a daeth i lawr o'r areithfa at y bwrdd i weinyddu yr ordinhad. Ond cyn iddo ddechreu ar y gwasanaeth hwnw, cyfododd blaenor yr wrthblaid i fyny a chyhoeddodd, " ei fod ef a'r blaid oedd yn anghytuno ag athrawiaeth M. Jones, yn ymneillduo oddiwrtho ef a'i bleidwyr." Yna aeth ef a'i blaid i oriel yr addoldy, tra fu y rhan arall o'r eglwys gyda y gweinidog, yn cyfranogi ar y llawr o Swpper yr Arglwydd. Hysbysodd Mr. Jones mewn oedfa ddilynol y dydd hwnw, fod y rhai a ymneillduasent yn y boreu, wedi tori eu perthynas a'r eglwys yn yr Hen Gapel, ac nad oedd iddynt fel y cyfryw, na rhan na chyfran o freintiau yr eglwys yn y lle. Tra y triniai pobl anystyriol y mater dan chwerthin a thaeru ar hyd y gymydogaeth, ni welid gwen ar wyneb neb ystyriol am wythnosau wedi hyn. Yr oedd prudd-der wedi llenwi pawb o honynt. Gwnaed cynyg arall gan weinidogion yr enwad i ddwyn y pleidiau at eu gilydd, ond yn ofer. Wedi bod am ychydig yn addoli yn yr Hen Gapel ar Sabbothau a benodasid iddynt, a blino ar hyny, ymadawodd yr ymranwyr o'r capel yn gwbl, a chyfarfyddent a'u gilydd mewn ystafell eang yn mhentref Llanuwchllyn. Ond nid oedd fawr neb o weinidogion na phregethwyr yr Annibynwyr a aent atynt i bregethu ac weinyddu yr ordinhadau. Yn fuan cyfododd gwyr o'u plith hwy eu hunain i bregethu iddynt - dynion o nodwedd rhagorol oeddynt hefyd - a bu amryw o weinidogion y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn gweinyddu yr ordinhad o Swpper yr Arglwydd yn eu plith. Parhaodd pethau yn yr agwedd uchod am dymor, ond cyn hir dechreuodd yr " hen bobl," fel eu

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gelwid, feddwl am fyned a'r capel oddiar Mr Jones a'i blaid. Gwasanaethwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1823, ag ysgrifwys, i sefyll prawf ar yr achos yn mrawdlys Swydd Feirionydd. Methodd yr "hen bobl" yn  hamcan y tro hwnw oblegid diffyg yn y dystiolaeth. Gwasanaethwyd Mr Jones drachefn, yr un modd ac i'r un amcan ddwy waith yn y flwyddyn 1824, ac o'r diwedd, drwy ryw ystranciau cyfreithiol, nad oedd Mr Jones a'i blaid yn alluog ar y pryd i'w cyfarfod, ennillwyd y capel oddiarnynt a throwyd hwy allan o hono, ac aeth yr hen bobl i'r Hen Gapel yn ol yn fuddugoliaethwyr. Wedi hyny bu Mr Jones a'i gynnulleidfa yn addoli mewn ysgubor a berthynai iddo ef, ac mewn tai ac ysgoldai ar hyd y gymydogaeth. Ond gwenodd y nefoedd arnynt a bendithiwyd eu llafur. Ychydig a ennillodd yr "hen bobl" drwy ennill y capel, oblegid nid oedd neb yn mron a bregethai iddynt ynddo. Sefydlodd un Owen Jones, o'r diwedd, yn weinidog arnynt, ond ni fu fawr o fendith arno ef na hwythau. Felly, megis wedi eu gwrthod gan nefoedd a daear, daethant i feddwl mai y peth goreu a allent wneyd oedd ymuno a'r gynnulleidfa oedd dan ofal Mr Jones, a'i wahodd of a hwythau atynt i'r Hen Gapel. Dyna symudiad doeth o'r diwedd. Cymerodd undeb rhwng y pleidiau le y pryd hwnw, sydd yn parhau etto. Bu Mr Michael Jones yn gweinidogaethu i'r gynnulleidfa unedig am rai blynyddoedd, yna ymadawodd hwynt, a threuliodd weddill ei oes yn gweinyddu yn Ty'nybont a'r Bala, Bethel, a lleoedd eraill islaw y Bala. Meddwl yr ydym mai oddeutu y flwyddyn 1839, y cymerodd yr undeb le rhwng y ddwy blaid ryfelgar yn Llanuwchllyn. Meddyliodd llawer y buasai yn well i Mr Jones adael Llanuwchllyn cyn i bethau addfedu i ymraniad, ond nid oedd gweinidogion callaf Gogledd Cymru yn barnu felly ar y pryd. Nid oedd Mr Jones ei hun barnu hyny. Nid ydym ninau yn awr yn meddwl mai ymadael a ddylasai, ond sefyll ei dir fel y gwnaeth, a gorchfygu yn y diwedd. Collodd lawer o arian yn  yr helyntion a aethant drosto, ond beth yw arian mewn cydmariaeth egwyddorion ? Mae yrhan fwyaf o'r ddwy blaid erbyn heddyw yn y nefoedd, a'r ymrafaelion wedi eu llyngcu i fyny gan dangnefedd diddiwedd.

Nid yw y nodiadau blaenorol ond talfyriad o'r hanes. Gwyddom fod llawer peth wedi  adael heibio, ond gallwn brofi yr hyn a ddywedasom, ac yr ydym yn weddol gydnabyddus a manylion helbulon Llanuwchllyn. Michael Jones oedd y dyn llawnaf, cryfaf, perffeithiaf, a gyfarfuom erioed. Pa ddiffygion bynag a berthynent iddo, yn ngolwg rhai, yr ydym yn golygu nad oedd dim llawer rhyngddo ef a pherffeithrwydd. Ac nid oedd llawer o'r gwyr a gyfrifid yn fawr yng Ngogledd a Deheudir Cymru, ond cyffredin yn ei ymyl ef. Gwyddom fod llawer o'r blaid wrthwynebol iddo hefyd yn bobl wir dda, gallem brofi hyny, pe byddai yn angenrheidiol. Gwell genym ni bobl Llanuwchllyn yn nghanol eu hymrafaelion yn nghylch pyngciau crefydd, na phobl na waeth ganddynt beth a gredant, ac a chwarddant am ben pob barn - pobl heb farn yn y byd."

Wedi i yr eglurhad llawn a diduedd uchod o'r amgylchiadau, diangen rhaid ni ychwanegu dim. Ar ddychweliad Mr Jones i'r Hen Gapel, cynhaliwyd cyfarfod yn Llanuwchllyn, ac fel hyn y ceir ei hanes yn y Dysgedydd am Rhagfyr, 1839. " Ar y 29ain a'r 30ain o Hydref, cynhaliwyd cyfarfod gweinidogion yn hen addoldy yr Annibynwyr yn Llanuwchllyn. Wedi yr hir ymrysonau. rhwng yr aelodau perthynol i'r lle hwn, cytunasant a'u gilydd mor belled ag i'r Parch. M. Jones fod yn weinidog

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y lle, ac i bawb a ewyllysio o'r cyfeillion a gyfarfyddent yn y capel yn flaenorol fod mewn undeb a chynnulleidfa Mr. Jones; ar yr achlysur yma, cadwyd yma gyfarfod yn y drefn ganlynol : - Y nos gyntaf, dechreuwyd gan Mr S. Jones, a phregethodd y brodyr W. Roberts o Bennal, ac James, Brithdir. Boreu dranoeth, dechreuwyd gan y brawd Roberts, a phregethodd y brawd Jones o Ddolgellau, ar ddyledswydd ei hen gyfaill Mr M. Jones, a'r brawd Pugh o Fostyn, ar ddyledswydd diaconiaid yr eglwys, a'r brawd Rees o Ddinbych, ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys, yna gweddiwyd gan dri o'r gweinidogion gwyddfodol, un dros y gweinidog, un dros y diaconiaid, ac un dros yr eglwys. Am 2 o'r gloch, dechreuwyd gan y brawd Williams o Aberhosan, a phregethodd y brawd J. Roberts o Lanbrynmair, ar yr Ysgol Sabbothol, a'r brawd Price o Penybont, i'r gwrandawyr yn unig, yna gweddiodd dau eraill, o'r brodyr, un dros yr ysgol a'r llall dros y gwrandawyr. Am 6 o'r gloch, dechreuwyd gan y brawd Parry o Fachynlleth, a phregethodd y brodyr Williams o Aberhosan, a Morgans o Sama ; yna traddodwyd areithiau gan y brodyr Hughes o Dreffynon; Parry o Fachynlleth; Grifflths, Rhydlydan, a Jones o Ruthin, ar y materion a ymddangosai iddynt yn fwyaf rheidiol, a therfynwyd y cyfarfod gydag arwyddion o frawdgarwch a sirioldeb mawr."

Bu Mr Jones yn llafurio yn Llanuwchllyn ar ol ei ddychweliad i'r Hen Lapel, am bedair blynedd, hyd yn nechreu 1843, pryd y rhoddodd yr eglwys i fny, ac y cymerodd ofal yr eglwysi yn y Bala a Thy'nybont.

Wedi bod am flynyddau heb weinidog, rhoddodd yr eglwys yma yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1846, alwad i Mr Thomas Roberts, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef Ebrill 7fed a'r 8fed, 1847. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd ; dyrchafwyd yr urddweddi gan Mr M. Jones, Bala ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr W. Rees, Liverpool, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr E. Davies, athraw yr athrofa yn Aberhonddu. Gweinyddwyd hefyd yn y cyfarfodydd gan Meistri J. Davies, Llanelli ; N. Stephens, Sirhowy ; J. Williams, Aberhosan ; J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair; T. Pierce, Liverpool; D. Price, Dinbych, ac R. Williams, gweinidog i'r Methodistiaid yn Llanuwchllyn.*  Bu Mr Roberts yma yn gymeradwy hyd ddechreu y flwyddyn 1856, pryd y symudodd i New Market, Sir Fflint. Yn y flwyddyn 1858, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr Rees Thomas, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef Awst 18fed a'r 19eg, y flwyddyn hono. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr E. Williams, Dinasmawddwy ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd; gweddiodd Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau ; rhoddwyd siars i'r gweinidog gan Mr E. C. Jenkins, Rhymni, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr T. Rees, Cendl. Cymerwyd rhan yn y gwahanol oedfaon gan Meistri R. Ellis, Brithdir; T. Davies, Llanelli ;H Ellis, Corwen, ac R. Thomas, Bangor. #  Mae Mr Thomas yn parhau i lafurio yma hyd yr awr hon, a'r achos ar y cyfan mewn gwedd lwyddianus. Mae amryw ganghenau yn perthyn i'r hen gyff yn yr Hen Gapel, lle y cynhelir Ysgolion Sabbothol a chyfarfodydd gweddio, a phregethu yn achlysurol, ac y mae ysgoldai wedi eu codi, y rhai a elwir Carmel, Peniel, a Sion. Mae Carmel yn nghyfeiriad Trawsfynydd o'r Hen Gapel, a Peniel ar ochr y ffordd sydd yn arwain i Ddolgellau, ac y mae Sion yn agos i Weirglawdd-y-gilfach, lle y dechreuwyd

* Dysgedydd, 1847. Tudal. 186?.        #Annibynwr, 1868. Tudal, 214.

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pregethu pn y plwyf. Mae yr eglwys yn awr wedi tynu yr Hen Gapel lawr, ac ar ganol adeiladu capel eang a chyfleus,, gwerth mwy na £1000, a bydd yn barod i'w agor cyn diwedd yr haf hwn, (1871,) ac y mae yr haelioni y mae yr eglwys a'r gynnulleidfa wedi ei ddangos yn ei adeiladiad yn profi fod eu "hewyllys tua thy eu Duw."

Megis y crybwyllasom eisioes, y mae yma luaws o bersonau nodedig wedi bod yn nglyn a'r eglwys o bryd i bryd. Nid oes enwau ond ychydig o honynt wedi treiglo hyd atom ni, ond sonir gyda pharch am Meurig Dafydd, yr hwn a agorodd ei dy i'r efengyl - am Ellis Thomas, Tymawr, yr hwn oedd enwog am ei graffder ddeall - am Sion William, Tanybryn, a Thomas Cadwaladr o'r Wern, y rhai a ddyoddefasant bwys y dydd a'r gwres - ac am Rowland Vaughan, tad Mrs Thomas, Bangor, yr hwn y teimlai Dr.Lewis, nad oedd ganddo "neb o gyffelyb feddwl, yr hwn a wir ofalai" am yr achos yn y lle. Bu yma hefyd o'r dechreuad nifer o wragedd na welid eu cyffelyb ond anfynych. Yr oedd yma dair chwaer, merched yr hen Evan Sion Nicholas, Tymawr, Cwm-pen-nant-lliw, am y rhai yr arferai Mr B. Evans o'r Drewen ddyweyd, pe buasai y tair yn un, y cawsid y grefydd buraf a chyflawnaf a allesid gael to yma i'r nefoedd. Am athrawiaeth iachus y gofalai un - am ddysgyblaeth bur y gofalai y llall - ac am hrofiad melus y gofalai y drydedd. Merched i un o honynt oedd Jane Howell ac Elizabeth Davies, Tymawr; dwy chwaer, er yn hollol wahanol yn eu tymer a'u hysbryd, oeddynt yn " deall ffordd Duw yn fanylach" nat odid neb a ddeuai i'r un fan a hwy, ac nid yn ddianaf y diangai y neb a feiddiai anturio i ddadl a hwy ar unrhyw gangen o'r athrawiaeth sydd yn ol duwioldeb. Yr oedd yma lawer eraill, o gyffelyb feddwl, er na chyrhaeddasant eu henwogrwydd hwy, ac y mae eu henwau yn barchus a'u coffadwriacth yn fendigedig.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon : -

• William Evans. Ganwyd of yn y Bala yn mis Mai, 1773. Yr oedd ei rieni Evan a Jane Evans, yn bobl grefyddol, a'u ty yn gyrchfa gweinidogion y dyddiau hyny. Dangosodd duedd at bregethu pan yn ieuangc, a chafodd bob cefnogaeth i hyny. Bu dan addysg yn Llanuwchllyn dan ofal Mr A. Tibbot, ac yn yr adeg hono y derbyniwyd ef yn gyflawn aelod yn yr Hen Gapel. Talodd sylw pan yn ieuangc i lenyddiaeth a barddoniaeth Gymreig, a gwnaeth y fath gynydd fel llenor, fel y dewiswyd pan yn 14 oed yn gydfeirniad a Robert Huws, bardd oedranus, mewn rhyw eisteddfod oedd gan y beirdd yn y Bala. Yn y flwyddyn 1790, y dechreuodd bregethu, ac yn Ionawr y flwyddyn ganlynol, derbyniwyd ef i'r athrofa yn Nghroesoswallt, dan ofal Dr. E. Williams. Wadi treulio pedair blynedd yn yr athrofa, aeth i ryw le yn agos i Stafford, le y bu dros dair blynedd. Aaeth oddiyno i Bridgnorth, lle yr urddwyd ef i gyflawn waith y weinidogaeth, ac oddi yno symudodd yn Medi, 1803, i Stockport, lle y treuliodd weddill ei oes yn ddefnyddiol a llwyddianus iawn. Yr oedd yn ddyn o dalentau dysglaer - o gymeriad diargyhoedd - ac o weithgarwch diflino. Ond byr fu ei dymor! Dyoddefodd yn llym oddiwrth beswch blin a diffyg anadl, ac ar y 29ain o Fedi, 1814, cariodd angau y trechaf arno ; ond buddugoliaethodd ei brofiad ar ddychrynfeydd marwolaeth, a bu farw yn orfoleddus yn anterth ei ddydd, yn 42 oed.
• Robert Roberts. Pregethwr cynorthwyol a fu ef yn yr eglwys trwy ei oes. Preswyliai yn Tyddynyfelin heb fod yn mhell o'r capel. Un o'r dynion callaf a mwyaf gwybodus fel gwladwr yn ei oes. Ymgynghorid ag

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• ef fel ag oracl ar bob achos dyrus, ac yr oedd ei eiriau ef yn wastad pan lefarai yn ymadrodd doethineb. Pregethodd lawer yn Sir Feirionydd ac yn Sir Drefaldwyn, a bu llaw ganddo yn ffurfiad llawer o achosion newyddion ; ac yr oedd yn wastad yn dderbyniol a chymeradwy yn mhob man. Yr ydym yn cael ei fod ef yn gweini i'r eglwys yn Llanuwchllyn, yn y cyfwng wedi symudiad Mr Tibbot, cyn dyfodiad Dr. Lewis, a bu fyw hyd yn agos i ddiwedd oes weinidogaethol Mr Michael Jones yno. Fel gwr o gyngor y gwerthfawrogid ef yn benaf, a rhoddid y fath bwys ar ei farn, fel ar ol iddo lefaru ni chyfodai neb. Arferai Dr. Lewis ddyweyd, y buasai yn rhoddi cymaint o bwys ar ei farn a neb a adwaenai, pe gallasai fod yn sicr ei fod yn dyweyd ei feddwl. Yr oedd yn llawn ffraethder, a dywedai eiriau cyrhaeddgar pan y meddyliai fod eu hangen. Pan ddywedodd Dr. Lewis wrtho unwaith, ei fod yn myned i wneyd llyfr chwe' cheiniog, ar ddyfodiad pechod i'r byd. " Felly yn siwr," meddai yntau yn bur ddigynwrf " yr wyf yn meddwl yn siwr y byddai yn well i chwi ei wneyd yn llyfr swllt, a dyweyd yn ei ddiwedd sut i'w gael o'r byd." Daeth dyn ieuangc o'r athrofa i Dyddynyfelin unwaith, ac er dangos ei fod yn ysgolhaig, dechreuodd siarad a'r forwyn, yr hon oedd eneth ddiwybod, am y ser a'r planedau, eu maint a'u pellder, nes syny y llangces. Ac meddai wrth ei meistr " peth mawr ydi meddu gwybodaeth." " Ie," meddai yntau, " a pheth go fawr ydyw gwybod pa le i'w ddangos." Yr oedd mewn cyfeillach grefyddol unwaith, a gofynodd y gweinidog iddo, "Beth sydd ar eich meddwl chwi 'nawr Robert Roberts?' "'Does dim llawer o ddim ar fy meddwl i." " Oes, 'rwy'n coelio fod rhywbeth ar eich meddwl chwi 'nawr." " Wel ofni cryn lawer ar fy nghyflwr yr wyf fi," ebe Robert Roberts. " Ho, felly," ebe y gweinidog, " yr oeddwn i yn meddwl eich bod chwi yn mhellach yn mlaen 'nawr na hynyna, oblegid y mae perffaith gariad yn bwrw allan ofn." " Ydyw," ebe yntau gyda phwyslais, "ydyw, yn bwrw allan, yn bwrw allan, ond y mae heb orphen ei waith etto." Cyfarfu a chryn lawer o ystormydd yn ei amgylchiadau yn mlynyddoedd olaf ei fywyd, ond daliodd ei ymddiried yn ddiysgog yn ei Dduw. Bu farw tua'r flwyddyn 1839 neu 1840, wedi cyrhaedd oedran teg.

• David Jones. Urddwyd of yn Nhreffynon, lle y treuliodd ei oes, a daw ei hanes dan ein sylw yn nglyn a'r eglwys yno.
• John Jones. Adnabyddid of fel John Jones, Afonfechan, a symudodd wedi hyny i Hafodfawr. Ceir ei enw yn aml yn nglyn a llawer o'r eglwysi  Sir Feirionydd a Sir Drefaldwyn. Yr oedd yn bregethwr defnyddiol a chymeradwy. Pregethai yn fisol yn Llanuwchllyn am dymor maith. ymunodd a'r Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn niwedd ei oes, o achos y terfysg ar ymraniad a gymerodd le yn yr Hen Gapel.
• Robert Lloyd, Plasmadog, a fu am yspaid yn bregethwr cymeradwy yn yr eglwys.
• John Lewis. Yr ydym eisioes wedi gwneyd byr grybwylliad am dano ef yn nglyn a'r Bala, lle yr urddwyd ef.
• Rowland Roberts, Penrhiwdwrch. Dechreuodd bregethu yr un pryd a John Lewis.
• Cadwaladr Jones. Derbyniodd i addysg yn yr athrofa yn Ngwrecsam, ac urddwyd ef yn Nolgellau, lle y treuliodd ei oes hir, a daw ei hanes yno dan ein sylw.
• David Davies, Bryncaled, a fu yn yr eglwys yn bregethwr defnyddiol a chymeradwy.

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• John Jones, Ty'nywern, a bregethai yn aml. Yr oedd yn clywed yn drwm - aeth y train llechi ar ei draws ar y ffordd haiarn gerllaw Tanygrisiau, Ffeatiniog, ac achosodd hyny ei farwolaeth yn sydyn. Wedi bod yn pregethu yn yr ardal hono yr oedd, ac wrth ymadael a'r lle cyfarfu a'i angeu.
• John Evans. Dechreuodd bregethu yn 1819, a bu farw yn 1856, ac yr oedd yn dra adnabyddus fel pregethwr cymeradwy. Yr oedd yn frawd Dr. Ellis Evans, gweinidog i'r Bedyddwyr yn Cefnmawr.
• Michael Daniel Jones. Mab yr hybarch Michael Jones. Derbyniodd ei addysg yn athrofau Caerfyrddin, a Highbury, Llundain, ac y mae yn awr yn athraw yn athrofa y Bala.
• Ellis Thomas Davies. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yn Llansantsior, a Moelfra, ac Abergele, lle y mae yn aros etto.
• John Williams. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Airedale, ac y mae yn awr yn weinidog yn Penistone, ger Sheffield.
• John Meirion Ellis. mab Mr R. Ellis, Brithdir. Bu yma yn cadw ysgol, ac yn yr adeg hono y dechreuodd bregethu. Urddwyd ef yn Llanarmon, ond bu farw yn ieuangc. Bydd genym air yn mhellach am dano pan ddeuwn at eglwys Llanarmon.
• Lewis Jones. Bu yn athrofa y Bala, wedi hyny yn mhrif ysgol Glasgow, ac urddwyd ef yn Nhy'nycoed, Sir Frycheiniog, lle y mae yn bresenol.
• Robert Jones. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa y Bala. Urddwyd ef yn Nelson, Morganwg, ac yno y mae etto.

Nid ydym yn sicr a ydyw y rhestr uchod yn gyflawn, ond y mae y gyflawnaf a allasem gael er chwilio llawer mewn trefn i'w gwneyd i fyny. Gwyddom fod amryw eraill o weinidogion a phregethwyr yr ymffrostia Llanuwchllyn ynddynt fel ei phlant, megis Ellis Howell, Morris Roberts, Remsen ; Robert Thomas, Bangor; Llewelyn Howell, Utica ; Cadwaladr Evans, ac amryw; eraill, ond rhaid i ni eu cysylltu hwy a'r eglwysi dechreuasant bregethu ynddynt, er mai brodorion Llanuwchllyn ydynt.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

Ni bu ond un gweinidog farw mewn cysylltiad a'r eglwys yn Llanuwchllyn, o ganlyniad, nid oes genym gofnodiad bywgraphyddol i'w wneyd ond am yr un hwnw. Yr ydym wedi crybwyll eisioes am Meistri Evan Williams a Michael Jones, mewn cysylltiad a'r Bala, ac am Dr. Lewis, mewn cysylltiad a'r Drefnewydd, a daw Mr Thomas Evans, etto dan sylw yn nglyn a Dinbych, a Mr Benjamin Evans, yn nglyn a'r Drewen, a Mr Abraham Tibbot, pan ddeuwn at eglwysi Mon.

THOMAS DAVIES. Ganwyd ef yn Nghwm-cleger-nant, Llanbrynmair, yn y flwyddyn 1751. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod eglwysig pan yn ieuangc iawn, a dechreuodd bregethu pan yn bedair-ar-bymtheg oed. Nid oedd ond dyn gwan ac afiach o gorph, a'i feddwl yn dueddol i ymollwng i brudd-der. Bu yn athrofa Abergavenny am dymor yn derbyn addysg, lle y gwnaeth gynydd cyflym, ac aeth oddiyno i Dentrey, yn swydd Northampton, dan ofal Dr. Davies. Wedi treulio amryw flynyddoedd dan addysg, derbyniodd alwad gan eglwys Llanuwchllyn yn y flwyddyn 1777, a bu yno yn ddiwyd hyd y caniatai ei iechyd, am bedair blynedd. Mewn cais o eiddo yr eglwys am gynorthwy oddiwrth y Trysorfwrdd Cynnalleidfaol,

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 dyddiedig Gorphenaf 1af, 1778, dywedir ei fod wedi llafurio yno am flwyddyn er boddlonrwydd cyffredinol i'r holl eglwys. Mae y cais wedi  arwyddo dros yr eglwys gan Robert Griffith, Robert Roberts, Rowland Jones, Robert Lloyd, a Cadwaladr Roberts, ac y mae Meistri John Griffith, Glandwr; Richard Tibbot, Llanbrynmair; Rees Harris, Pwllheli, ac Abraham Tibbot, o Fon, yn dwyn eu tystiolaeth yn galonog i gywirdeb cymeradwyaeth yr eglwys. Pregethwr melus, efengylaidd, fel yr ymddengys oedd Mr Davies, ac anaml yr ymdriniai a phynciau dyrus a dadleugar. Yr oedd yn ysgolhaig rhagorol. Er prawf o hyny gellir dyweyd iddo gael gwahoddiad i fod yn gydathraw a Mr R. Gentleman yn athrofa Caerfyrddin, ond

oherwydd rhyw resymau gwrthododd gydsynio. Nid yw yn ei lythyr at reolwyr y Bwrdd Cynnulleidfaol yn dyweyd paham y gwrthododd, ond yn unig amlygu y faith, a mynegi ei benderfyniad i aros gyda'i gyfeillion yn Llanuwchllyn. Yr oedd gan Mr Wynn, offeiriad Llanycil, yr hwn oedd yn ieithydd rhagorol, syniad uchel am Mr Davies, ar gyfrif ei ddysgeidiaeth. Dywedir fod prawf pwysig yn y Bala nnwaith, a bod rhyw hen ysgrif yn Lladin wedi ei dwyn ger bron,yr hon y methai y cyfreithwyr a gwneyd dim o honi, ond anfonwyd am Mr Davies, yr hwn gyda rhwyddineb a fynegodd iddynt ei chynwysiad. Gadawodd ei lyfrgell ar ei ol i'r eglwys Annibynol yn Llanuwchllyn, ac er fod llawer o'r llyfrau trwy esgeulustra wedi myned i ddifancoll, etto y mae y rhai sydd wedi eu gadael ar ol yn dangos y rhaid fod Mr Davies yn wr dysgedig. Ond nid fel ysgolhaig yn unig y rhagorai. Mae yr ychydig ddifyniadau a welsom o'i Ddyddlyfr yn dangos ei fod yn ddyn duwiolfrydig, ac yn byw mewn cymundeb agos a phethau ysbrydol. Ond byr fu ei dymor. Yr oedd hinsawdd Llanuwchllyn yn rhy lym i gyfansoddiad oedd yn eiddil yn naturiol, a bu farw Ebrill 28ain, 1781, yn 30 oed. Claddwyd ef yn mynwent eglwys y plwyf, yn yr un bedd a Meurig Dafydd, Weirglawdd-y-gilfach. Yr oedd plate yn ddangosiad o hyny hyd yn ddiweddar ar fur yr eglwys, ond y mae yr arysgrifen erbyn hyn wedi gwisgo allan, ac nid oes neb yn fyw yn cofio gweled ei wyneb, ond y mae ei enw a'i goffadwriaeth er hyny yn aros yn barchus, a disgyna felly i'r oesau a ddel ar ol.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Sept 2020)

In 1737, we find Meurig Dafydd, Weirglawdd-y-Gilfach, in  Bala, listening to Mr. Lewis Rees, Llanbrynmair, preaching. We don't know what led him there. Did he happen to be in the town already and by chance called in to listen to what the preacher had to say, or did he go there especially to listen to the man. There isn't anyone who can answer these questions, and it's useless trying to guess. Anyway, we find Meurig Dafydd in the service, and it was a notable service for him, because it led him to recognise his situation, and that he needed to follow his Saviour. At the end, Mr. Rees was invited to preach in Weirglawdd-y-gilfach. He ageed, and at the appointed time, he arrived as he promised. Meurig Dafydd, just like Cornelius previously, had been diligent in inviting his neighbours and his loved ones to his home for the service, and when Mr. Rees came there, he found a lot of people expecting him but they looked different to him. Each man and woman had a sock in his or her hand, and they were busy knitting, as is usual in the countryside. Mr. Rees sat near the fire waiting for the time to start, and he glimpsed over to his prospective listeners now and then, to see if there was a sign that they would put the needles away, but there was no sign. Eventually, he arose, and opened the Bible slowly, hoping that that would be a signal to put things away, but they didn't. He started reading,

* Mr. J. Peter, Bala's letter.

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and kept glancing at them, but their hands were busy with the knitting needles. He made some notes, thinking that that would take their attention, but it didn't matter how much attention was paid by their eyes and their ears, their hands did not stop. He decided to turn to God in prayer, and the last glimpse he had before closing his eyes was everyone busily knitting his sock. But once he had started praying, he received a strength from God, so he could soon forget them. He understood from the sighs he heard that God was indeed in the place, and when he opened his eyes at the end of the prayer, he saw that every needle and every sock had fallen to the floor as a "layer of nets," and every face was wet with tears. That was, as far as we know, the first service ever to take place by the non-conformists in Llanuwchllyn. Having attended again on a Sunday, invited by Meurig Dafydd and the people, Mr. Rees, persuaded Meurig Dafydd to register his house for preaching, so that it would be safe under the patronage of the law from all attack. But Meurig Dafydd felt unwilling to do that, in case he wouldn't be able to find a minister after licensing it, and he said "if I thought I would have one sermon a year I would be happy to do it." Mr. Rees promised that he would give more than that - that he would come once every three months. Meurig Dafydd brightened up considerably when he heard that, and he licensed his house, and they had regular worship after that. A church was soon formed there. Weirglawdd-y-gilfach is in a hidden valley, between Llanuwchllyn and Dinasmawddwy, in a corner of Aran Benllyn, and this is mainly where the congregation gathered, until a chapel was built. They used to worship in Nantydeiliau, too where one of the members, Dafydd Stephen lived; and for two or three years before the chapel was built, they worshipped in Weirglawdd-y-gilfach every other Sunday. The church gave a call to one Mr. Thomas Evans, when he was in Weirglawdd-y-gilfach to be a minister to them. He was a man from South Wales. He was called Mr. Evans, Talardd, as he had married the sister of Mr. Thomas Owen, Talardd, a farmer, and a responsible landowner who lived close to Weirglawdd-y-gilfach, and it appears that Mr. Evans had been living and keeping a school in Talardd. We are not certain when Mr. Evans came here, but he was here in 1744, as he had been accepting money from the Presbyterian treasury during that year and he was here anyway until 1757, because we found his name that year accepting money from the same treasury, as minister of Llanuwchllyn during that year. It is clear then that he was here before they built the chapel, and that it was during his ministry that the chapel was built. Once the church had increased in number in Weirglawdd-y-gilfach, and most of the members lived in the lower half of the parish, it was decided that it would be better to build a chapel in a more central plot, so that the whole brotherhood could meet to enjoy each other's company. The task of asking Dafydd Stephen, Nantydeiliau whether they could build the chapel on his land was given to  Meurig Dafydd, Weirglawdd-y-gilfach, and Thomas Cadwaladr. They succeeded in the task, and a convenient chapel was built for the congregation* The first task was completed in 1745, but the chapel was built the following year. A gentleman from England called Mr. Twanley, a godly man, zealous and generous from Kidderminster, used to visit Llanuwchllyn and the area at the time of the fairs to buy animals. When he saw the area had no place of worship, he gave the friends all the support he could to build a chapel. He collected from others and he also donated himself

*Rhys Mynwy documents ; Y Dydd, August 28th, 1868.

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in order to help them.* Mr Evans stayed here for about fifteen years, and left for Denbigh in 1758. The following year, Mr Evan Williams, came here from Brychgoed, Breconshire, where he had been ordained six years previously. He looked after the branch in Bala too, but because of his ill health he was able to visit only occasionally. He laboured here until about 1767, when Mr Benjamin Evans came on a journey to the North, at the request of Mr Lewis Rees, Mynyddbach, and when he had visited Llanuwchllyn, and the church was happy with him, they encouraged him to stay with them. He agreed with their request, and he was inaugurated in 1769. Mr Evans was incredibly hard working as a minister, and he put all his energy into evangelising. He broke out of his direct circle of ministry far more than his predecessors, and according to a document we were given by Mr Josiah Thompson, the congregation at  Llanuwchllyn, or the ones Mr Evans preached to in different places in 1773, amounted to 600 souls. He felt that the cold mist that rose from Lyn Tegid (Bala Lake) had a bad effect on his constitution, and to the church and area's great disappointment he left in 1777, for Green, Haverfordwest, and from there to Drewen, where he spent the rest of his life. In the same year that Mr Evans left, the church gave a call to Mr Thomas Davies, who was a student in Abergavenny college, and he was ordained as minister here. He was their minister for too short a time - just four years, as death put an end to his useful life, on the 28th of April, 1781. # After the death of Mr Davies, the church gave a call to Mr Abraham Tibbot. We do not know how soon after Mr Davies' death that he came here, but he was here in 1785, and he stayed here until 1792. Mr Tibbot was a man of strong body, and a popular preacher, but had a tendency to be careless, and that got him and the people under his care, into hot water more than once. He went to London to collect on behalf of Llanuwchllyn, and didn't seem to have returned with much money, and that caused a great deal of bad feeling between himself and the church. His cause was brought before a meeting of ministers in Bala, in 1794; and Messrs Benjamin Jones, Pwllheli, and George Lewis, Caernarfon, went to Llanuwchllyn to find out what had happened. Their decision and eventually the decision of the church now lies before us. It was sent to the Congregational Treasury Board, since the usual support had been withheld from Mr Tibbot the previous year. It was decided that he was to blame, but that the church in Llanuwchllyn did not attribute the discrepancy in the accounts to dishonest principles, but to an unwise waste of his time in London, and a lack of economy while collecting; and since Mr Tibbot acknowledged this, along with other imperfections in his behaviour as the church minister, they entrusted him to the approval and tenderness of the managers of the Treasury, in the hope that the heavy trials that he had experienced would be sanctified, even though he didn't behave like that again. These people were so honest and yet so kind. They treated each other well and achieved all that was entrusted to them. Mr Tibbot left for Anglesey, where he laboured for the rest of his life; and even though he was far from perfect, he was a man who was loved by all and those who knew him best counted him as a thorough Christian. 

* MSS. by Mr Josiah Thompson. # Dysgedydd, 1834. Page. 70. 

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In 1794, Mr George Lewis, Caernarfon, accepted an invitation from the church, and started his ministry here. He had accepted a call previously, but because he had ambitions to go to America, he refused to accept them, but when he gave up that idea, as we have already mentioned in his history, he accepted the call from this church to labour with them, and he stayed here as a teacher to all the people, for almost eighteen years. Of all those that had been here Dr. Lewis, was the one who put the most of his stamp on the countryside. A generation of men were nurtured under his ministry. Men that one would rarely see their like in any

community. The women, just like the men would pay particular attention to Theological matters, and from the two genders, the women would excel. They were solid in the Scriptures, and they fed on the "strong food" of the original doctrine. It is possible that Dr. Lewis didn't do as much as he could have done to extend the area of the cause. His ideas were possibly different from most of them. He considered that encouraging an intelligent church concerning gospel matters and having a holy life were more important than getting a large, superficial  number to attend; and he had such an unending confidence in the truth he attracted judgement on victory in the end, so that he didn’t want to push it on anyone, and felt it was wrong above all to proselyte men to faith. He was a teacher rather than an evangelist, and he delighted more in feeding those under his care with knowledge and understanding, than breaking new ground, and preaching the gospel where Christ was not known. A powerful revival broke out there around 1809, when about two hundred were added to the church. There was something strange about it. People were falling down as if they were dead without warning, as if the angel of death had touched them with its wing. Those who had been struck were taken out and were put aside until they recovered, and when they had become conscious again, they sighed for mercy, or broke into rejoicing, praising the Lord. Even though Dr. Lewis was mainly dealing with men's consciences, he was "a scribe having been taught for the kingdom of God" so he could pour balm on the sores of the wounded under conviction, and speaking a word at the right time to the defective." There was once a lady in this sort of condition, and she shouted in distress, "the soul has sinned, that will die, and will not be comforted, by those who were around. "The soul has sinned, that will die," was her constant cry. The Doctor arose at last, as the master of the congregation, and he said as one who had authority, "Someone tell that woman, 'the soul believes, that will live." That quietened the poor woman's pain, she saw a door to relief, and there was a great silence. During the time of Dr. Lewis in Llanuwchllyn, the chapel was built, and it was designed as a large, extensive house of worship, and a house was built alongside the chapel. He acted as one who had decided to live and die in the place. But at the end of 1811, he accepted a call from Wrexham to be a minister there, and also a call from the Congregational Treasury in London to be a teacher in the college, and he agreed with that idea, leaving Llanuwchllyn, where he had laboured for a long time in such comfort and satisfaction to the whole church. 

Having been without a minister for some years, in 1814, the church sent a call to Mr Michael Jones, a student from the college in Wrexham; and he was ordained publicly to the whole work of the ministry on 10th of October that year. Mr Jones dedicated himself energetically to 

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succeeding in his ministry with faithfulness, and he saw a certain amount of success. But gradually things started to change. The weather changed, the air got colder, the sky darkened, and a great storm broke on Mr Jones and the church about seven years after he settled there. The difficulties that this church encountered are such that it would not be fair for us to pass on without mentioning them. Had it just been a personal quarrel or an argument about an unimportant matter that had led to the dispute, we would have passed it by with just a quick mention, but as the theological debates that were exciting the countryside at that time were being debated here, and Llanuwchllyn was the area of the fighting, it is essential that we do more than just mention it. Since our knowledge of the circumstances can only be imperfect, we managed to obtain a precis of the problems from beginning to end from a friend who was familiar with all the circumstances and who was perfectly able to help us.*  Even though our friend had been brought up under the ministry of Mr Michael Jones, and possessed the greatest sympathy with his theological views, and his father was a shrewd Theologian from the same school, yet, it is clear that he isn't constrained by bigotry, to defects in Mr Jones, and is able to perceive that which is excellent in the old people as they are called. 

"As we try to enquire into the causes that brought about such damaging changes, we should consider carefully, without judgement towards either side. Jonathan Edwards had very harsh treatment for a while, in Northampton, New England; but the terrible treatment Mr Jones suffered, in Llanuwchllyn, was harsher, more fierce, and lasted longer. Many felt that Mr Jones was wholly to blame, and many others felt that the congregation was wholly to blame, yet, it is likely that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, between each extreme. Mr. Michael Jones, was a big man and strong in the Scriptures, strong of mind, with wide comprehension, detailed and pervasive in his Theological and Philosophical knowledge. He was completely morally spotless. No-one had ever accused him of immorality. He was undoubtedly a man of deep godliness. Many of his supporters in the church were intelligent people, living spotless lives. On the other side, many of those who opposed Mr Jones, even though they did not have wide ranging philosophical ideas on religious subjects, were excellent scripturists, and were very knowledgeable in the ideas of their previous teacher, the venerable Dr. Lewis. Amongst them were many honest, godly people, who feared God, and who fled from evil. They opposed the theological views of Mr Jones from their consciences. Denying that, would be carrying things to extremes, and to reveal a prejudice and narrow mindedness that was completely unworthy in a fair and honest historian. 

But even though Mr Jones was one of the most exact and best of men that Wales ever reared in that day, yet, we do not claim that he, more than other men, was free from little weaknesses; and it is quite likely, that there were some things in him, that, working alongside other things in the congregation, brought about the rift that took place in  Llanuwchllyn. The ministry in Hen Gapel, as in most other places, over the years would stand mainly on the doctrine of grace 

*Mr R. Thomas, Bangor's letter. 

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[we aren't too sure what is meant by the text shaded in red]

in its different branches, being too careless, it could, the things that belong to God's Moral Government, and the duties and confines of men, as reasonable and responsible creatures of that government. After settling in the area, Mr Jones, over the years, turned all the power of his ministry towards setting out the rights of God as a leader, and to encourage his listeners to undertake their duties as responsible subjects to the laws of the gospel. He outlined many strong ideas on everything to do with Moral Government, the Nature of Virtue and the Nature of Sin, Natural Ability and Moral Ability, the Inability of man along with his obligations, and many other similar subjects. Men's insecurities were destroyed completely around them, and their excuses were crushed into dust. He could easily have stayed as long as he liked on that view of Theology, without considering the opposite view but rarely brought it to the attention of his listeners, and everyone knew that the area of a man's ability and his duties is a very cold area in which to live for many years, not being able to leave it even though it's,  essentially, indispensable for a minister of religion to put those things faithfully and regularly before his listeners. Preaching of this nature for many years, to people who are really Calvinists, as many of Mr Jones' listeners were, falls coldly and uncomfortably on the ears. Besides this, many of the terms that Mr Jones used to use while explaining his views, did not meet with their approval, and they complained that it was strange and unclear to them. Apart from this, Mr Jones did not have the ability to attract his listeners. He was unable to bend them into his way of thinking. He had little compassion with mindless people who weren't willing to try to understand the logic of what they heard. There was never a smile on any faces in the room. Intelligent people smiled sometimes while listening to him, but it was the intensity and strength of his doctrine that made them smile, and nothing in his manner or his voice, nor his way of expressing himself. He was a master at ridicule, and expressions of brimstone often flowed from his lips. There was no other man of more intelligence than he in Wales. There wasn't a Roberts, of Llanbrynmair, nor a Jones, of Dolgellau, nor a Williams, of the Wern, either, even though they were praised, were equal to Mr Jones, from Llanuwchllyn, in the strength of their minds, and none of them equalled him in understanding the philosophy of the order of salvation and God's Moral Government, but several of his brothers excelled over him in setting out the truth in the clearest and most attractive way. He was as strong as a castle, but lacked the gentleness that is essential in meeting opponents in order to disarm their prejudice. He was also too tight and determined, wanting his own way in unimportant matters. 

We take another little look at the quality of the arguments against Mr Jones. Amongst those were some who disapproved of his energetic efforts towards the Sunday School. They felt he was giving that institution too much importance. They thought that keeping a Sunday school was a respectable way of breaking the Sabbath, and they put many obstacles in the way of its success and development. It is also known that some amongst them were not in favour of a settled ministry. In their opinion, the ministry was a necessary evil, something to be endured, as they weren't able to do without it. Several deacons enjoyed authority, especially after Dr. Lewis left, and the governing elders considered that they 

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had the right to care for doctrine and the discipline in God's house, and that the minister was just the chairman of the meetings. They used to ask candidates for membership to leave the chapel, while they would discuss their case, like offenders, then they would allow them back in at the end of the meeting to hear the decision of the church. Mr Jones opposed that practice completely. The presence of a brave, determined, inflexible young man, like the minister, was painful to candidates of authority in Hen Gapel, and they thought he was taking away more than a little of the ruling of the church. At that time, too, two of the most intelligent men in the congregation were under reprimand in the church, as a result of some worldly circumstances that they were involved in, and therefore the church and the minister lost their strong influence, at a time when it was most needed, to put a stop to the opposition of selfish men. But it is fair to say that the largest group of Mr Jones' opponents were determined because they believed conscientiously that he was erring in judgement, and leaning against truth " as it stands in Jesus." They weren't able to see that the terms he used were actually Scriptural. They believed that his opinions on sin - that it is a deficiency in one's nature, especially Original Sin - which agrees with those things that are said in the Bible about sin. They felt that a man cannot be in a state of judgment and in a state of condemnation at the same time. They believed that a man is dead, that he can do nothing but sin until he is changed through grace. When they attempt to show that there are two types of inability, one natural and the other moral, they come across the words, "Probably - he cannot - they cannot please God," and things like that. They restrict the Truth to God's church, and they cannot see that no objective in the world is worthy of Christ's sacrifice, except the practical salvation of men and the glory of God. They explained the broad meanings in the Bible about Christ's death, that is everyone, every man, the whole world, for Jews and the nations, and great crowds amongst both factions. Since it is the church only that lives in the long run, they can't see that it is not only the people of the church that Christ died for; and they said that those that hold out that Christ was a sacrifice for the whole of mankind, have to believe, that many who are worthy of Christ's blood constantly go to hell. Their overly commercial views on the Truth had damaged them and disqualified them from being able to treat the matter fairly. They considered that Mr Jones was an  Arminian, when in fact he was a moderately strong Calvinist. Amongst this group of Mr Jones' opposers, are many good, religious people, who deserve our sympathy and sincere respect. We don't think that all Mr Jones' opposers are opposed to him on the conscientious grounds mentioned above, but many were and the others followed for various reasons, to which we alluded earlier. But all was thrown overboard, and Mr Jones was accused of a lack of judgment, which was followed by terrifying debates throughout the country. The homes, the workshops, the public houses, the roads, the fields, and the mountains, were fierce battlefields for a long time, and the simple faith of the Bible had to bow her head, and secularise before the enthusiastic contenders. Even though Mr Jones' theological views were those that were professed by all, as the only opposition to him, there was only one group that claimed that. For many deacons in the disagreement, there were other things that encouraged them on. They found their level when 

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Mr Jones came to the area, and they tried hard to win back their old positions. The leader of the rioters was a measured, shrewd, and very sly man, who was very qualified to lead his group. He was, in fact, tired of Mr Jones, as a man, and as a minister, and others of authority, apart from himself. The argument about the doctrine was an excuse for those men. Mr Jones stood like a strong oak amidst the storm. He did not move an inch from where he stood despite the attacks on him. He possessed a kind of greatness, natural excellence and morality in all his troubles. Things matured gradually, and a split in the church seemed inevitable. But before that sad point was reached, it was agreed to hold a meeting of the ministers of the denomination in order to bring peace to the two parties. Both sides agreed to invite the following ministers to be mediators between the two sides; they were Messrs W. Hughes, Dinas; I. Roberts, Llanbrynmair; D. Morgan, Machynlleth; W. Williams, Wern; R. Everett, Denbigh; T. Jones, Moelfro; I. Lewis, Bala; C. Jones, Dolgellau; E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, and E. Davies, Cutiau. The ministers came to  Hen Gapel on a week day, December 5th, 1821. The whole church met on the occasion. The opposition brought forward every accusation that could have been brought against Mr Jones, like a miscreant; and Mr Jones defended himself. He demonstrated clearly that he still held the same theological views now that he held when he first came to Llanuwchllyn. An energetic effort was made by the ministers to bring the two sides together, but their efforts were in vain. It was quite clear to all that there was nothing left to do but to face the sad church split. The day arrived. It was on the communion Sunday morning - an ordination which sets out the union of all Christ's Christians in a special way – that the division took place. It was obvious on the faces of many in the congregation that morning, that something big and important was about to happen. Mr Jones preached as usual, and he came down from the pulpit to the table to administer the communion. But before he started the service, the deacon for the opposition arose from his seat and announced, "that he and the side that disagreed with the doctrines of Mr. Jones, would retire." Then he and his party went to the gallery of the chapel, while the other side of the church stayed with the minister, and partook of the Lord's Supper. Mr. Jones announced in another meeting that day, that those who left in the morning, had broken their relationship with the church in Hen Gapel, and that they as such, will no longer have a part in the privileges of the church in the place. While inconsiderate people dealt with the matter with laughter throughout the area, no smile was seen on the faces of considerate people for weeks after this. They were full of sadness. Another attempt was made by the denomination's ministers to draw the two sides together, but it was in vain. Having worshipped for a while on Sundays in Hen Gapel, they tired of it. The opposers left the chapel for good, and they met together in a large room in Llanuwchllyn village. But hardly any Independent ministers or preachers went to preach to them or to officiate at the communion. Soon after, some of their own men arose to preach to them - they were men of excellent note too - and several ministers from the  Calvinist Methodists came to officiate at their Lord's Supper. This state continued for a while, but before long the "old people," as they were  

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called, started thinking about taking the chapel away from Mr Jones and his faction. He officiated in 1823, and was asked to   attend Merionethshire Assizes to be judged. The "old people" failed in their attempt this time because of a lack of evidence.  Mr Jones held a service again, in the same way twice in 1824, and eventually, through some legal tricks, which Mr Jones and his party were unable to meet at the time, the chapel was won from them and they were thrown out of it, and the "old people" went back to Hen Gapel in triumph. After that Mr Jones and his congregation worshipped in a barn that he owned, and in homes and schoolrooms throughout the area. But heaven smiled on them and their work was blessed. The "old people" won little when they won the chapel, because hardly anyone was willing to preach to them in it. One Owen Jones, was eventually called to be a minister, but they nor he were very blessed. So, having been refused by heaven and earth, they started thinking that it would be best if they joined the congregation that was under Mr Jones' care, and to invite him and them to join them in Hen Gapel. At last a wise decision. The Union between them took place immediately, and continues. Mr Michael Jones officiated to the united congregation for some years, then he left, and spent the rest of his life officiating in Ty'nybont and Bala, Bethel, and other places below Bala. We think that the union of the warring parties took place about 1839, in Llanuwchllyn. Many felt that it would have been better if Mr Jones had left Llanuwchllyn before things deteriorated into a split, but the wisest ministers in North Wales didn't think that at the time. Mr Jones himself didn't think that either. We, looking at it now, don't think that he should have left, but to stand his ground as he did, and in the end to triumph. He lost a lot of money during this difficult period, but what is money compared with principles? Most of the two parties are now in heaven, and the others have been swallowed up by endless peace. 

The former notes are an abbreviation of the history. We know that many things have been left out, but we can substantiate what we said, and we are fairly well acquainted with the details of the troubles of Llanuwchllyn. Michael Jones was the strongest, most perfect, complete man we have ever met. Whatever faults he had, in the views of some people, we feel that there wasn't much between him and perfection. And many of the men who are counted as great in North and South Wales, are really only common men when compared to him. We also know that many of his opposers are really good people, we can prove that, if it was necessary. We prefer the people of Llanuwchllyn in the midst of their quarrels about religious subjects, than people who do not care what they believe, and who laugh at every opinion - people who have no opinion at all." 

After this full and impartial explanation above of the circumstances, it is unnecessary for us to add anything. When  Mr Jones returned to Hen Gapel, a meeting was held in  Llanuwchllyn, and this is how the story was told in the Dysgedydd for December, 1839. "On the 29th and 30th of October, a meeting of ministers was held in the old Independent chapel in Llanuwchllyn. After long debates between the members of this place, they agreed that Revd. M. Jones would be the minister 

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of this place, and that every one of the friends that had met in the chapel that wished would join the church and congregation of Mr Jones. On this occasion, a meeting was convened like this: - The first evening, Mr S. Jones started, and brothers W. Roberts from Pennal and James Brithdir preached. The next morning, brother Roberts started, and brother Jones from Ddolgellau preached on the duty of his old friend Mr M. Jones, and brother Pugh from Mostyn preached on the duty of the deacons of the church, and brother Rees from Denbigh preached on the duty of the church, then three of the ministers present there prayed, one for the minister, one for the deacons, and one for the church. At 2 o'clock, brother Williams from Aberhosan started, and brother J. Roberts from Llanbrynmair preached on the Sunday School, and brother Price from Penybont preached to the listeners only, then two other brothers prayed, one for the school and the other for the listeners. At 6 o'clock, brother Parry from Machynlleth started, and brothers Williams from Aberhosan, and Morgans from Sama preached; then talks were given by brother Hughes from Holywell; Parry from Machynlleth; Griffiths, Rhydlydan, and Jones from Rhuthin, on matters which they found were most needed, and the meeting ended with cheerful, brotherly symbols." 

Mr Jones laboured in Llanuwchllyn after he returned to Hen Gapel, for four years, until the beginning of 1843, when he gave up the church, and he took over the care of the churches in Bala and Ty'nybont. 

Having been for years without a minister, this church sent a call to Mr Thomas Roberts, at the end of 1846. He was a student from Brecon college, and he was ordained on April 7th and 8th, 1847. On the occasion Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau preached on the nature of church; the questions were asked by Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd; the ordination prayer was given by Mr M. Jones, Bala; Mr W. Rees, Liverpool preached to the minister, and Mr E. Davies, a teacher at the college in Brecon preached to the church. Messrs J. Davies, Llanelli; N. Stephens, Sirhowy; J. Williams, Aberhosan; J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair; T. Pierce, Liverpool; D. Price, Denbigh, and R. Williams, a Methodist minister in Llanuwchllyn also officiated.*  Mr Roberts stayed here with approval until the beginning of 1856, when he moved to New Market, Flintshire. In 1858, a call was sent to Mr Rees Thomas, a student from Bala college, and he was ordained on August 18th and 19th, that year. Mr E. Williams, Dinasmawddwy preached on the nature of church; the questions were asked by Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd; Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau prayed; a charge was given to the minister by Mr E. C. Jenkins, Rhymni, and to the church by Mr T. Rees, Cendl. Messrs R. Ellis, Brithdir; T. Davies, Llanelli; H Ellis, Corwen, and R. Thomas, Bangor also took part.#  Mr Thomas continues to labour here until now, and the cause is, on the whole, successful. Hen Gapel has several branches in the area, where Sunday schools and prayer meetings are held, and occasional preaching. Schoolrooms have been built, called Carmel, Peniel, and Sion. Carmel is in the Trawsfynydd direction from Hen Gapel, and Peniel is on the roadside to Ddolgellau, and Sion is close to Weirglawdd-y-gilfach, where everything started 

* Dysgedydd, 1847. Page. 186?.        #Annibynnwr, 1868. Page, 214. 

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in the parish. The church has now demolished Hen Gapel, and is now half way through building a large, convenient chapel, which is worth more than £1,000, and will be ready to open before the end of this summer, (1871,) and the generosity that the church and congregation has shown proves that they "have set their affection to the house of God." 

As we mentioned already, there have been very many notable people connected with the church from time to time. Only a few names have been passed on to us, but Meurig Dafydd who was mentioned with respect, opened his house for worship - for  Ellis Thomas, Tymawr, who was well-known for his intelligent shrewdness - for Sion William, Tanybryn, and Thomas Cadwaladr from the Wern, who endured the pressure and heat of the time - and for Rowland Vaughan, the father of Mrs Thomas, Bangor, who, Dr.Lewis felt, that he didn't have "anyone of such a mind, who truly cared" for the cause in the place. There were also several women from the beginning whom we have rarely seen their like. There were three sisters, the daughters of old Evan Sion Nicholas, Tymawr, Cwm-pen-nant-lliw, about whom Mr B. Evans from Drewen used to say, had the three been one, we would have the purest and most complete religion any one could have this side of heaven. One would care for a healthy doctrine - another would care for pure discipline - and the third would care for the sweet experience. Jane Howell and Elizabeth Davies Tymawr were daughters of one of them; two sisters, even though they were completely different in spirit and nature, they "understood the ways of God minutely" that hardly anyone who came near them, would get out unhurt if they dared to argue with them on any branch of Godly doctrine. There were many more, of a similar mind, although they never reached their fame, and their names are respected and their memory is glorious. 

The following people were brought up to preach in this church:- 

• William Evans. He was born in Bala in May, 1773. His parents, Evan and Jane Evans, were religious people, and their house was a meeting place for ministers in those days. He showed a liking for preaching when young, and he was given support to do so. He was educated in Llanuwchllyn under the care of Mr A. Tibbot, and was accepted at that time as a full member in Hen Gapel.
• He studied Welsh literature and poetry when he was young, and he excelled as a writer, so much so that he was chosen, when he was fourteen as a co-judge with Robert Huws, an older bard, in an eisteddfod that bards held in Bala. In 1790, he started preaching, and in January the following year, he was accepted in the college in Oswestry, under the care of Dr. E. Williams. After spending four years in the college, he went to somewhere near Stafford, where he stayed for over three years. He went from there to Bridgnorth, where he was ordained to full ministerial work, and from there he moved in September, 1803, to Stockport, where he spent the rest of his life usefully and very successfully. He was an amazingly talented man - of a blameless character - and a tireless worker. But his time was short! He suffered from a nasty cough and shortness of breath, and on the 29th of September, 1814, death overcame him; but he had victory over the fears of death and died joyfully in the fullness of his day at the age of 42 years. 
• Robert Roberts. He was a lay preacher in the church all his life. He lived in Tyddynyfelin not far from the chapel. He was one of the cleverest and most knowledgeable of men as a statesman. They consulted with 

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• him as an oracle on all complicated causes, and he always spoke wisely. He often preached in Merionethshire and in Montgomeryshire, and he had a hand in the formation of many new causes. He was always approved of and acceptable everywhere he went. We understand that he served the church in Llanuwchllyn, in the interval between Mr Tibbot's move, and before Dr. Lewis came, and he lived up until the time Mr Michael Jones' ministry came to an end. He was appreciated mainly as a man of advice, and his opinion was greatly valued, so much so that when he had spoken no-one stood up. Dr. Lewis used to say that he would put so much value on his judgement as long as he was sure he was giving his own opinion. He was very witty, and would use incisive words when he thought they were needed. When Dr. Lewis once told him, that they were going to make a sixpenny book, "when sin came to the world" Oh really," he said quite calmly" I really think it would be better for you to make a shilling book, and to say at the end how to get it out of the world." A young man came to Tyddynyfelin from the college once, and in order to show he was a scholar, he started speaking to the servant girl, who was an illiterate girl, about stars and planets, their size and distance from us, until she was surprised. And she told her master " it is a great thing to have knowledge." " Yes," he said, " and it’s pretty great to know when to use it." Once, he was in a fellowship meeting, and the minister asked him, "What is on your mind now Robert Roberts?' "'There’s not much on my mind I said." "Yes, 'I believe that there’s something on your mind now." "Well I’m very worried about my condition," Robert Roberts said. "Ho, so," said the minister, " I thought that you were further ahead than that now, because perfect love drives out fear." " I am," he said with emphasis, "yes, driving out, driving out, but he has not finished his work yet." He met very many storms in his circumstances in the last years of his life, but his trust in God was steadfast. He died about 1839 or 1840, after reaching a fair age. 
• David Jones. He was ordained in Holywell, where he spent his lifetime. His history can be found under that church. 
• John Jones. He was known as John Jones, Afonfechan. He then moved to Hafodfawr. His name is often mentioned connected with many of the churches in Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire. He was a useful preacher of whom people approved. He preached monthly in Llanuwchllyn for a long time until he joined the Calvinist Methodists at the end of his life, as a result of the storms and split that took place in Hen Gapel. 
• Robert Lloyd, Plasmadog, who was, for a while, a preacher of whom they approved in the church. 
• John Lewis. We have already briefly mentioned him connected with Bala where he was ordained. 
• Rowland Roberts, Penrhiwdwrch. He started preaching at the same time as John Lewis. 
• Cadwaladr Jones. He was accepted in Wrexham college and was ordained in Dolgellau, where he spent his long life. His history comes under the history of that place. 
• David Davies, Bryncaled, who spent time in the church as a useful, respected preacher. 

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• John Jones, Ty'nywern, who often preached. He was hard of hearing – the slate train hit him on the rails near Tanygrisiau, Ffestiniog, and he died suddenly. He had been preaching in that area and as he left death came upon him. 
• John Evans. He started preaching in 1819, and died in 1856. He was quite well-known as an approved preacher. His brother was Dr. Ellis Evans, a minister to the Baptists in Cefnmawr. 
• Michael Daniel Jones. The son of the venerable Michael Jones. He was educated at Carmarthen college, and Highbury, London, and he is now a Professor in Bala college. 
• Ellis Thomas Davies. He was educated in Brecon college, and was ordained in Llansantsior, and Moelfra, and Abergele, where he still lives. 
• John Williams. He was educated in Airedale college, and is now a minister in Penistone, near Sheffield. 
• John Meirion Ellis. He was the son of Mr R. Ellis, Brithdir. He kept a school here, and during that time he started preaching. He was ordained in Llanarmon, but he died when young. We will mention him again when we get to Llanarmon church. 
• Lewis Jones. He went to Bala college. After that he went to University in Glasgow, and was ordained in  Ty'nycoed, Breconshire, where he still lives. 
• Robert Jones. He was educated in Bala college. He was ordained in Nelson, Glamorgan, and is still there. 

We’re not sure if this list is complete, but it is as complete as we can make it though we fully researched in order to be sure. We know that several other ministers and preachers that Llanuwchllyn boasted about as its children, such as Ellis Howell, Morris Roberts, Remsen; Robert Thomas, Bangor; Llewelyn Howell, Utica; Cadwaladr Evans, and several others, but we must connect them with the churches where they started preaching even though they are originally from Llanuwchllyn. 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Just one minister died in connection with the church in Llanuwchllyn, so we have to write about that one only. We have already mentioned Messrs Evan Williams and Michael Jones, in connection with Bala, and about Dr. Lewis, in connection with Newtown and Mr Thomas Evans, again in connection with Denbigh, and Mr Benjamin Evans, in connection with Drewen, and Mr Abraham Tibbot, when we get to Anglesey churches. 

THOMAS DAVIES. He was born in Cwm-cleger-nant, Llanbrynmair, in 1751. He was accepted as a church member when he was very young, and started preaching when he was nineteen. He was a weak man and had an unhealthy body, and had a tendency to depression. He went to Abergavenny college for a while to be educated, where he made quick progress, and he went from there to Dentrey, in Northampton, under the care of Dr. Davies. After spending several years being educated, he accepted a call from Llanuwchllyn church in 1777, and he stayed there diligently for as long as his health would allow, for four years. In an application for support from the Congregational Treasury, 

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dated July 1st, 1778, it says that he had laboured there for a year for the sake of the whole church. The application has been signed on behalf of the church by Robert Griffith, Robert Roberts, Rowland Jones, Robert Lloyd, and Cadwaladr Roberts, and Messrs John Griffith, Glandwr; Richard Tibbot, Llanbrynmair; Rees Harris, Pwllheli, and Abraham Tibbot, from Anglesey, are heartily bearing testimony, for the approval of the church. Mr Davies was a sweet, evangelical preacher, just as he appeared to be, and he rarely dealt with complicated and inflammatory subjects. He was an excellent scholar. As proof of that we can say that he was invited to be a co-Professor with Mr R. Gentleman in Carmarthen college, but for some reason he turned it down. In his letter to the manager of the Congregational Board he does not explain why he turned it down, but simply states the fact and tells them of his decision to stay with his friends in Llanuwchllyn. Mr Wynn, the priest in Llanycil, who was an excellent linguist, held Mr Davies in high esteem, on account of his teaching. It is said that there was an important Examination in Bala once, and that there was an old document in Latin which had been brought before them all which the lawyers had failed to understand, but they sent for Mr Davies, who, with ease, was able to tell them what it said. He left his library to the Independent church in Llanuwchllyn, and even though many of the books have been lost through carelessness, the ones that are still there attest that Mr Davies was a learned man. But he did not excel as a scholar only. The few fragments we saw in his diary indicates that he was a godly man, and lived in close communion with spiritual things. But his life was short. The climate was in Llanuwchllyn was too severe for a constitution that was naturally delicate, and he died on April 28th, 1781, at the age of 30 years. He was buried in the parish churchyard in the same grave as Meurig Dafydd, Weirglawdd-y-gilfach. Until recently, there was a plate on the church wall but the writing has worn by now, and no-one still living remembers seeing his face, but his name and his memory still exists respectfully, and will descend just like that to the generations to come. 

DINASMAWDDWY

(Mallwyd parish)

Yn niwedd y ddeunawfed ganrif, yr oedd Mawddwy yn gartref i'r an-wybodaeth, yr ofergoelion, a'r campian a ffynai mor gyffredinol yng Nghymru gynt  ac yn llawn o'r rhagfarn penrydd ac erlidgar yn erbyn pob peth fel crefydd, nad oedd dan nawdd person y plwyf, a hynodai Ogledd Cymru yn hir wedi i'r Deheu ddyfod i oddef a derbyn Ymneillduaeth. Maeddwyd un pregethwr mor greulon yn Llanymawddwy, fel y bu raid iddo gyflogi rhyw ddyn i fyned ag ef yn ddiogel dros Fwlchygroes i'r Bala.* Aeth Mr Lewis Rees o Lanbrynmair trwy Fawddwy i Lanuwchllyn, a'i fywyd megis yn ei law lawer gwaith. Yn y fan y deuai son fod y pregethwr yn dyfod, elai yn gynwrf trwy yr holl le Gadawai y gof yr efail, taflai y crydd yr esgid heibio, gollyngai y teiliwr y dilledyn o'i law, brysiai y merched allan o'u tai, gan roddi pob gorchwyl o'r neilldu ; a gwelwyd hyd yn nod  adeg frysiog y cynhauaf, y llafur-

* Drych yr Amseroedd. Tudal. 123.

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wyr yn rhedeg a'u crymanau, a'u ffyrch, a'u cribynau yn eu dwylaw i amgylchu y ffordd y deuai, i'w ddifenwi, fygwth, ac yn aml elai yn mhellach na bygwth y cenhadwr ffyddlawn. Gorfyddai yn aml iddo fyned trwy y Dinas liw nos, am ei bod yn rhy beryglus iddo fyned liw dydd. Yr oedd gan Meung Dafydd, Weirglawdd-y-gilfach, Llanuwchllyn, frawd, o'r enw Morgan, yr hwn oedd yn "wr cadarn, nerthol," ac yn ymladdwr o fri, ac oblegid hyny yn ddychryn i'r holl wlad ; ond yr oedd yn hoff iawn o Mr Lewis Rees, a llawer boreu Llun y gwelwyd Morgan Dafydd yn dyfod yr holl ffordd o Lanuwchllyn i hebrwng Mr Rees trwy Fawddwy. Cerddai o'i flaen, a phastwn onen gref, fel paladr gwaywffon, yn ei law ; ac os gwelai Morgan ryw un yn gwneyd dim byd tebyg i wawdio neu fygwth y pregethwr, cauai ei ddwrn, neu codai y pastwn i fyny, dywedai, " Bydd di ddistaw, ac ar ol i mi hebrwng y gwr da yma, mi ddof i yn ol i setlo a thi." Ond cyn y dychwelai Morgan byddent oll wedi cilio, rhag ofn y digwyddai rhyw beth gwaeth na dangos y pastwn. Dywedir fod Mr. Rees ei hun wedi dyfeisio rhyw ffyrdd diniwed er pasio yn ddiogel. Unwaith, cwalciodd ei het, a gyrodd yn Jehuaidd trwy y lle, ac aeth heibio yn ddiwrthwynebiad. Y bregeth gyntaf y mae genym hanes am dani yn y Dinas oedd gan Mr Lewis Rees, mewn tafarndy a elwid y Bell. Yr oedd Mr Rees yn awyddus am gael pregethu i'r bobl, ac yr oedd Thomas Williams, y tafarnwr, yn foddlon iddo gael pregethu yn ei dy. Aeth y swn allan fod y pregethwr o Lanbrynmair yn myned i bregethu yn y Bell, ac yn fuan yr oedd yno dorf o wrandawyr trystfawr ac anhydyn wedi dyfod yn nghyd, a'r olwg arnynt yn ddigon digalon i feddwl dechreu pregethu iddynt. Galwodd Mr Rees am chwart o gwrw gan y tafarnwr - canys nid oedd neb yn dychmygu fod dim allan o le yn hyny y pryd hwnw - ac aeth ag ef yn ei law at y drws, a chan godi y llestr at ei enau i gymeryd traflwngc o hono, dywedodd, " Iechyd da i chwi, gyfeillion," ac yna estynodd ef i'r agosaf ato, gan ddyweyd, " Yfwch at eich gilydd." Bu hyny fel olew ar wyneb y dyfroedd terfysglyd. Cafodd lonydd i bregethu, ac wedi iddo orphen, yr oedd pawb yn dyweyd ei fod yn ddyn " deche anmhosib." Unwaith, pan yn myned trwy Lanymawddwy, cyfarfu a Mr Jones, person y plwyf, yr hwn, yn hytrach nag atal terfysg y bobl, oedd fwy nag unwaith wedi eu cefnogi i erlid y pregethwr. Gofynodd y person i Mr Rees, beth ydoedd, o ba le yr oedd yn dyfod, a pha beth oedd yn ei wneyd yn Llanbrynmair, ac wedi i Mr Rees ateb y naill beth a'r nall, dywedodd y person gan dybied mai Presbyteriaid oedd, "Peth afresymol ydyw goddef i Bresbyteriaid bregethu yn Nghymru, Scotland yw y wlad iddynt hwy, ac yno y dylasent bregethu." " Gobeithio, Syr," meddai Mr Rees, " eich bod chwi o well egwyddor na hon'a, onide bydd raid i chwi newid eich crefydd yn ol eich gwlad. Yn Scotland byddai raid i chwi fod yn Bresbyteriaid, ac yn Rhufain byddai raid i chwi fod yn Babydd. Yr wyf fi yn ceisio ffurfio fy nghrefydd nid yn ol arfer gwlad, ond yn ol rheolau Gair Duw." Gwelodd y person gymaint o briodoldeb yn yr ateb, fel y bu yn fwyn a charedig tuag ato o hyny allan.

Y prif offeryn i ddwyn yr Annibynwyr i bregethu yn rheolaiddyn Ninasmawddwy oedd un Rowland Griffiths, dilledydd wrth ei alwedigaeth, yr hwn wedi hyny a ymfudodd i America, ac a fu yn aelod ffyddlawn gyda'r Annibynwyr yn Utica, ac yn bregethwr achlysurol. Yr oedd Rowland Griffiths yn un o Militia Sir Feirionydd, ac yn arfer myned

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i'r Bala yn y gwasanaeth hwnw ar dymhorau, ac yno yr oedd wedi dyfod i gyffyrddiad a'r Annibynwyr, ac wedi arfer eu gwrando. Gafaelodd gwirionedd yr Efengyl yn ei galon, a gafaelodd ei galon yntau yn mhobl yr Arglwydd, ac ymunodd a hwy yn y Bala, er iddo ddychwelyd oddiyno cyn cael ei dderbyn yn gyflawn aelod. Wedi ei ddychweliad i'r Dinas, trwyddedodd ei dy, er mwyn cael yr Annibynwyr, i bregethu ynddo. Nis gwyddom pwy a bregethodd ynddo gyntaf ; ond dechreuodd gweinidogion a phregethwyr Meirion a Maldwyn yn fuan gyrchu yma. Yn ngwanwyn y flwyddyn 1791, cynhaliwyd cyfarfod pregethu ar wyneb yr heol yn ymyl y Goat, ac ar yr achlysur pregethodd Meistri W. Thomas, Bala; R. Tibbot, Llanbrynmair; J. Evans, Machynlleth; D. Richards, Ty'nyfawnog; ac R. Roberts, Tyddynyfelin. Bendithiodd yr Arglwydd y cyfarfod hwnw er agoriad drws helaeth i'r achos yn yr ardal, ac er dychweliad pechaduriaid. Adroddid hanes y cyfarfod wrth weinidog presenol Dinasmawddwy, gan John a Sarah James, tad a mam Mr Hugh James, Llansantffraid - y rhai oeddynt bresenol yn y cyfarfod, ac yn ei gofio yn dda; a chawsant ill dau yn fuan wedi hyny y fraint o ymuno a'r achos. Testyn Mr Thomas, y Bala, oedd " Y rhai sydd yn aflonyddu y byd, y rhai hyny a ddaethant yma hefyd ;" a thestyn Mr. Tibbot oedd, " A gwaed y taenelliad, yr hwn sydd yn dywedyd pethau gwell na'r eiddo Abel." Soniai yr olaf am rinwedd y gwaed er dileu arferion llygredig, ac er cadw eneidiau mewn modd ag a gynhyrfai y gwrandawyr yn ddirfawr. "Pe byddai", meddai, " dim ond un diferyn, o'r gwaed ar yr enaid, gallai roddi her i uffern a'i holl ddiafliaid i'w niweidio byth. Pe byddai i enaid ag un diferyn o'r gwaed arno fyned i uffern, byddai yn gynhwrf ac yn wban trwy gehena i gyd. Ciliai cythruliaid fychain a mawrion rhagddo mewn dychryn, gan waeddi 'Beth mae hwn yn ei 'mofyn yma ? ' a byddai yn gynwrf ac yn ysgrechain trwy holl orerau y fflamiau, ac ni fyddai modd eu llonyddu nes cad yr enaid a'r gwaed arno oddiyno."*

Yn fuan wedi hyn, darfu i'r rhai y cyffyrddasai yr Arglwydd a'u calonau ddechreu ymgasglu yn nghyd i weddio, a chynghori, a chadarnhau eneidiau eu gilydd ; ac yn Ionawr, 1792, corpholwyd hwy yn eglwys, a gweinyddwyd Swper yr Arglwydd iddynt y waith gyntaf gan Mr W. Thomas, o'r Bala. Saith oedd eu nifer yn y cymundeb cyntaf, ac y mae eu henwau yn werth eu cadw mewn coffadwriaeth. Rowland Griffith, a'i wraig ; Evan Williams, Siopwr ; John Evans, Gwehydd; John Jones, Ceinan ; John Davies, Erwhir; Margaret Owen, Penygraig, Cwmcewydd. Erbyn gwanwyn 1795, yr oedd ganddynt gapel wedi ei adeiladu ; ac yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1796, yr oeddynt wedi cynyddu i fwy na 35 o rifedi, fel y teimlasant yn ddigon calonog i roddi galwad i Mr William Hughes, Bangor, yr hwn a ddechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma yn nechreu 1797. Yr oedd mesur helaeth o wresawgrwydd a gweithgarwch yn yr aelodau oedd yma ar y pryd, ac elent oddiamgylch i gynal cyfarfodydd gweddio yn mha le bynag y rhoddid derbyniad iddynt. Cyrhaeddai cylch gweinidogaeth Mr Hughes o Lanymawddwy i Cwmllynau, ac i lawr i'r Foel, a chyn belled a'r Tygwyn, Llanerfyl ; ac yr oedd ymweliadau yr hen frodyr i gynal cyfarfodydd gweddio yn cyrhaedd yn llawn mor belled. Dilynwyd gweinidogaeth Mr Hughes a llwyddiant cyson ; ond cafwyd adfywiadau grymus ar rai adegau. Bu gradd o ad-

*Llythyr Mr. E. Williams, Dinas

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