The critical review in the Eclectic Review close with this more positive sketch (Part 1):
We subjoin a hurried sketch of John Elias; relying for dates, and biographical incidents, on Mr Morgan's authority.
He was born on the 6th of May, 1774, at Brynllwynbach, in the parish of Awerch, near Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire. His father was a weaver, and had some share in the advantage of a small farm, which he jointly cultivated with his father. This grandfather of John Elias took an early liking to his grandson, and with exemplary assiduity sought to direct his footsteps aright. He taught him to read, took him regularly to church, frequently conversed with him on questions of morality and religion, and especially succeeded in fastening his attention on the Bible. In the seventh year of his age, he was afflicted with the small-pox, and its effects debilitated him for some years; during which, many interesting conferences occurred between him and his devoted grandfather. On his recovering strength sufficient to move about, he accompanied the old man to church, and to hear celebrated Dissenting ministers, who, principally from South Wales, from time to time visit the north. Sometimes the preacher was late, and then John Elias was put to read the scriptures to the expectant people. On one such occasion, before he was twelve years of age, he was thrust into the pulpit to do so, and with trembling, read part of the Sermon on the Mount. 'At length' he says, 'I looked sideways, and observed the preacher standing by the door of the pulpit; I was greatly alarmed, I closed the Bible immediately, and came down as fast as I could.' The history of his boyhood, is the history of the constant struggles of his mind, under a conviction of sin, a desire towards God and his cause, and the corrupt propensities of his nature. At length it pleased Him who had separated him to His work and service, to give him liberty and peace by means of 2 Cor. v. 18, 19.
'About this time' he says,' the Lord was pleased to favour me with strong and clear manifestations of his mind by his Spirit in my soul, respecting the gospel, and his gracious method of saving sinners. A passage from the Scriptures struck me one day in a remarkable manner, and on a certain spot on my way to Pwllheli, which I well remember. It is 2 Cor. v. 18, 19,— the ministry of reconciliation: the expression came into my mind with new light and power. Oh! the enjoyment of my soul I God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. I beheld the wondrous excellence and glory of the plan, which reconciles without imputing trespasses! I then perceived how that God effected this, by imputing our sins to Christ, and counting his righteousness to us. The doctrine of justification has ever since been of infinite importance in my esteem.'
Young John Elias soon felt a desire to preach the gospel to his fellowmen, but 'perceived,' (he says) the desire was not reasonable in him, who had not yet been received as a member of the church.' In September, 1793, he united in church-fellowship with a small Methodist society, at Hendre Howel. The good man at whose house he stayed, and with whom he worked, as a weaver, put him to engage in family prayer alternately with himself, and his devotional spirit soon became very eminent. He attended a night school, (Sunday-schools then 'were not,') which circulated through the hamlet. These schools were very religiously conducted, and it frequently devolved on John Elias to perform every service that was observed. He read Welsh well, and this he was often called upon to do, as well as to catechise and engage in prayer. On some of these occasions he delivered a brief exhortation. 'Prayer meetings he also attended with great industry and earnestness. ' Some old disciple, in his simplicity, (he says), urged me to speak a few words as an exhortation whilst reading the chapter. I soon felt a desire in my own mind for that work. Some passages of Scripture came to my thoughts, and some matter of warning or admonition would occur to me. When a preacher failed to keep his appointment I was occasionally requested to speak to the congregation. It was soon noised abroad, that the lad with Griffith Jones preached, and this caused much talk in the country. ' He was at length admitted by the Welsh Methodist monthly meeting, a regular preacher in the country. This took place on Christmas-day, 1794. This day he always afterwards remembered with devout gratitude. He soon became anxious for education and mental improvement, and it is curiously interesting, at this time, to find that his elder brethren, so far from stimulating the desire, gave him every discouragement. Some Welsh people at Manchester, invited him there, that he might go to a school, and preach to them on the Sabbath. They generously offered to defray the expenses of his education. He applied to his brethren at the next monthly meeting, for permission to go to Manchester for six months' education. He was sharply rebuked by the meeting, and told that it arose from nothing but the pride of his heart, and that it was the thirst of becoming a great preacher that made him now think of going to school. He then courageously determined, that congregations should not lose on account of his not having learning when young. 'I determined, (he adds), if the Lord would please to support and help me, to make up the deficiency by study and hard labour.'
He afterwards succeeded to have a few months (only a few months!) education at the school of the Rev E Richardson, Caernarvon. He here learnt so much English, he says, as led him to understand the subject matter of a book. However, he confesses, 'I did not learn anything to perfection, for I was but a short time under the care of that good friend; but I was put into the way of acquiring many things by industry and hard labour. I was enabled to persevere day and night in my studies without fatigue or delay, and continued unceasingly in this work, until I had, in some measure, acquired a general knowledge of the things most necessary forme. But Tarn now, even in my 67th year, learning, and see greater need of knowledge every day.'
In the year, 1799, Mr Elias removed to the island of Anglesea, where he resided during the remainder of his days. He henceforth took an active and distinguished part in all the affairs of his denomination, and soon achieved as a preacher the highest eminence among them. His preaching was early of great promise. The seriousness of his spirit, and the earnestness of his purpose gave him weight with the truly religious; while the rapid flow of his elocution, combined with entire self-possession, commanded general admiration. The circumstances in which he was placed, contributed much to call forth the prominent characteristics of his mind and ministry.
No comments:
Post a Comment