Epitaph

This is Elias's epitah as recorded on p 184 of the Banner edition of his Life and Letters. Edward Morgan says it was composed by Rev T Phillips as requested by Mrs Elias.

IN THIS SACRED SPOT
are deposited, at his own request,
the remains of
THE REVEREND JOHN ELIAS
late of Llangefni in this county,
who, during the long period of forty-seven years,
laboured with singular diligence and success
as a minister of the Gospel,
in connection with the Calvinistic Methodists.
He was a Christian of the highest order,
an ‘Israelite indeed in whom was no guile.’
in the several relations of life,
he was upright, friendly, and affectionate.
Endowed with extraordinary graces and gifts,
he became, among his own countrymen,
the most attractive preacher of his day.
Institutions aiming at the promotion of religious
or charitable objects,
found in him a powerful advocate.
But his highest distinction was
the holy influence diffused by his character and spirit,
wherever he came.
Zealous for truth in doctrine, and purity in life,
he fought ‘the good fight of faith,’
seeking not his own honour, but the good of souls,
and resting all his hope on the cross of Christ;
in this hope
he finally triumphed over death,
and slept in Jesus,
on the eighth day of June, 1841;
in the sixty-eighth year of his age.