The Marquis and Elias

This appeared in 1857

Translated from the Welsh, by a Clergyman, for the Christian Witness.

About forty years ago, or at least about ten or twelve years after the formation of the Bible Society, it was beginning to draw special attention in every country. This was the case in Wales, and especially in Anglesea and Caernarvon.
About this time public meetings were to be held in the towns of Caernarvon and Beaumaris. The Marquis of Anglesea was invited to take the chair. The illustrious nobleman kindly accepted the invitation, and promised to become an annual subscriber of ten or twenty pounds. This produced a great sensation through the Principality. It came like wildfire on the feelings of many in the country. It gave great offence to many of the most respectable in the land, and caused no small terror in the camps of those who were prejudiced in their minds and narrow in their principles. Attempts were made to persuade the Marquis that it was below his dignity thus to mingle with the Dissenters, and that he would do more good by joining another society that was already in existence. But the Hero of Waterloo could not thus be diverted from his course. After having made up his mind, he would sooner have suffered another limb to be cut off than to forfeit his word. The Marquis was probably the first nobleman in Wales who advocated the cause of the Bible Society. The meetings were advertised, and Dr. Steward, of Liverpool, was announced as one who was to speak in English, and John Elias in Welsh. It was thus seen that the Marquis could not be turned from his purpose. It was concluded that his presence would draw to the meetings many of the higher ranks, though to some of them it would not be a very pleasant thing. The Marquis had been lately crowned with the glory of the ever-memorable Waterloo, and had been in many ways highly honoured. His monument had been lately erected near the Menai, in Anglesea. The gentry who had lately assisted in erecting that monument, could hardly decline to meet him on the present public occasion. They all thought that it would be better for them to be present, and to allow Dr. Steward, as a stranger, to speak; but that it would be advisable to excuse John Elias on such a public occasion, as he could exercise his talent at meetings less public throughout the country. They could not bear the thought of hearing him, though they did not expressly say so; but they intimated that he might be excused on this occasion. The proposal was made to the conductors of the society, but none of them would consent to have Elias put aside. They were all agreed that he should address the assembly.
The day of meeting came, which all the country were looking forward to with the greatest interest. There was hardly a family, either in Anglesea or Caernarvon, from which there was not one or more present. There were there ladies without number, from every part. Everything was now ready to begin the meeting, and the place was full of hearers. Great anxiety was now felt in every bosom, and all were looking towards the door, and listening whether there was any symptom of the approach of the chairman, and expecting every moment to hear the trampling of the horses' hoofs on the pavement. Anxiety was becoming greater and greater as the time to begin was approaching. There was no appearance of the chairman coming within live minutes of the time to commence. Now there was a whisper that the chairman would not come to the meeting. This threw a damp on the whole, as though a thick dark cloud had spread over the whole place. But, hear! as the clock began to strike eleven, the noise of the chariot was heard at the door, and there came in the great man, and was immediately conducted into the chair; joyful animation pervaded the whole place at once, and there was a smile on every face. Well! every one was in his place, and silence throughout, and the important business of the meeting commenced.
The chairman arose, explained the object of the meeting in a few words, and said that he wholly approved of the design of the society, and that he deemed it a privilege to co-operate with others in so blessed a work. After reading the report, and going through the usual course, the speakers were called upon, who made motions and addressed the assembly; and everything went on in the most pleasing manner.
At last,John Elias is called upon by the chairman to speak. Strange was the appearance of many at this time; some turned their backs on him; and others, not turning their backs, looked sideways at him, with a pouting lip and scornful eye. Well, be it so, such things did not daunt him. He came forward, and courteously bowed to the chairman in a dignified manner, which the chairman acknowledged by a smile. He instantly saw that he had no common man before him. Our old friend began his work. Though his name was detested by many, his very appearance seemed to have slain one half of their prejudice, and his graceful address had nearly the effect of slaying the other half.
He began by showing the state of Wales before they had the Bible. He showed, in a few minutes, that he was quite at home in the history of his country. The assembly was a mixture of English and Welsh j some understood him, and some not. When he came to narrate the history of the Welsh translations, and mentioned William Salusbury, Dr. Morgan, Dr. Richard Davies, Thomas Hewitt, the Chancellor of St. David's, Dr. Whitgift, Dr. Hughes, Dr. Bellit, Dr. Gabriel Goodman, Dr. David Powell, vicar of Rhiwabon, Archdeacon Prys, Dr. Richard Vaughan, Dr. Parry, and others, such sounds descended on their ears as they little expected; and all those dear names were like music to their hearts. And as he went on, giving an account of the various editions of the Welsh Bible, naming Thomas Middleton, Rowland Heylin, Walter Cradoc, Vavasor Powell, Thomas Yonge, Stephen Hughes, David Jones, Bishop Loyd, Moses Williams, the Morrises of Anglesea and others,— and as they saw that the whole history was as familiar to him as the letters of the alphabet, they could not but listen to him. And after he had gained their attention, melted their feelings, and warmed, their affections, all the frost, somehow or another, melted away imperceptibly! After he had gone on awhile in his speech, his powerful words, his good language, and his attractive eloquence, so prevailed, that there was no back nor side turned towards him, but all looked on him with intense interest.
After; having led the assembly to take a view of the state of things in Wales; and showed the necessity of having some provision made for them more effectual than any yet found, notwithstanding all the efforts that had been made, every one present seemed to have forgotten his narrowmindedness and every feeling was wholly fascinated. Then he took up another subject: he described the moral condition of the. country at that time; war being, as it were, carried on between light- and darkness - between holiness and sin — between Christ and Belial; and:the two great armies drawing nearer one another, and the intervening space narrowing every day; and the necessary consequence being, that truth should prosper, and gain, finally, the victory. He showed that the happiness of the world depended on, the issue of this contest. He said that an example and a type of this contest and victory had been lately exhibited on the field of Waterloo. By this time the feelings of the whole assembly, were wholly at his command. The ladies had for some time been softened and melted. Some were seen dropping, imperceptibly, their handkerchiefs from their hands; and others, their gloves; and the same feeling pervaded all. He went on to describe the late contest at Waterloo, and showed how the fate of nations, the peace of the world, commerce, the hope of art and science,, the increase of knowledge, yea, and the free progress of the Gospel, depended on the issue of that important day. But the hand of Providence was evidently seen there. The generals were gifted with wisdom and valour necessary for the great contest. "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name." In describing; the Marquis going forth to the battle, he borrowed the account given in, Job, of the war-horse and his rider. .... ... Elias went on in his speech, and as he became stronger in power and more fiery in his spirit, the effect continually increased. "I could imagine," he said, "that there was the shout of, victory before it was won: yes, but it will be a victory at the cost of life to one of the chiefs of our nation! No, it will only be the loss of one limb. At this time behold, Death came forward and threw a ball which shattered his limb; but what of that, here is Providence on the battle-field at:the same moment, and shouts to Death, as the angel shouted to Abraham. Hold thy hand; hitherto shalt thou go and no further. Don!t touch his life, dare not go an inch nearer his life than the limb. I shall want his service again as a general in a war of far higher order than this; I shall want his service to preside in the chair of the Bible Society. I shall want him to lead on an army to spread the word of life to every country and language and people and nation, over the whole earth." He then cried in a strong voice, and yet very melting, "The enemy is bound, but God's Word can never be bound." The whole assembly was by this time completely overpowered. And the English, noticing the thrill which pervaded the assembly, were asking, "What - what was that?" "What did he say?" etc.
When things became quieter and the feelings were .somewhat allayed, the chairman nodded to a friend not far from him; that he might know the cause of the Commotion 'he had witnessed. His friend drew near him. and whispered to him, "It was an allusion to yourself, my Lord, and the accident at Waterloo, When the interposition of Providence spared yo'u to preside over this meeting," etc. So affected became the-Marquis, that the big tears rolled down his cheeks. Let the reader now Imagine, if he can, what were the feelings produced in the Whole assembly at this time.', Behold, the manly warrior is weeping like.a child!
There was no sufficient power in all the cannons at Waterloo to touch his feelings, for he remained as hard as the rock: out here is a Welshman's speech, which turned a flint stone into a pool of water! There was no sufficient strength in the ball which shattered his limb to daunt his spirit: but here, an address at a Bible Society meeting had such an effect as to soften one who had set his face as a flint, until he became so tender, so meek, so feeling as a little child!
After this,John Elias finished by making an earnest appeal to the people, grounding it on the words of the Apostle "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the Word of the Lord may have a free course and be glorified."

Rhuddlan Fair

This is extracted from a longer article found here.

Like a giant both mentally and physically among the other preachers of Wales stands majestic John Elias, who held vast throngs spell-bound and silent under the solemn thunders of his sermons. In person he was strongly built, handsome and commanding in appearance, and his powerful voice could be heard distinctly at a great distance. He immediately riveted the attention of his congregation, and, as with an electric shock, he roused the people to the highest point of enthusiasm. He possessed the marvellous power of putting dramatic force into his sermons, and in words could vividly portray scenes that aroused admiration or struck terror into the hearts of the people.
In his time, harvest fairs were generally held on Sundays, when people from all parts congregated to buy and sell various kinds of harvest implements, including scythes, sickles, with very often dairy utensils and wooden ware.
One Sunday Rhuddlan fair was crowded by a motley throng. There were noisy booth-keepers shouting their wares - fruit and metheglin sellers clamouring to the country folk - and the makers of wooden ware, of which every kind was represented. There were wooden spoons for use and for ornament, the former being plain and solid, while the latter were intended to go with polished pewter platters and dishes. These spoons were made of box or yew, ornamented with quaint and curious devices, including suns, moons, stars, hearts, darts, and charms. Then there were wooden bowls, ladles, clog-soles, and antique rolling-pins. Beside these were long rows of wooden pails and dairy utensils, with shining ranks of tinware and pewter platters and pots. Sickles and scythes glittered and gleamed in the summer sunshine, together with harvest implements of every description.
Above the hum of voices, the shouting of sellers, and the hoarse jeers and jests of horsedealers, the ballad-singer could be heard singing droll songs that roused the mirth of the people to the highest degree. Loud laughter followed each song, and a deafening roar of applause succeeded each repetition.
When mirth, music, and ribald joke were at their highest pitch, a strong tall man was hardly noticed threading his way through the dense throng. Going right through the fair, he ascended some steps near an inn, and, uncovering his head, began to pray.
At first with trembling voice and tearful accent he acknowledged that the people in the fair were bringing the wrath of God upon their heads, by violating His holy day. He then proceeded to denounce in terror-striking words the desecration of the Sabbath. The solemn thunders of his rhetoric rolled from end to end of the fair; his voice reached the most distant listeners, and in an instant mirth and music, ribald joke and song were hushed, and the whispered words "John Elias" ran from lip to lip of the multitude with the rapidity of lightning.
It was a strange scene.
The silence as of death held the throngs breathless and spell-bound, as John Elias thundered forth his anathemas, and warned them of the wrath to come. He put the people under a spell of abject dread. Some hid their faces in their hands, others allowed the pieces of money to slip out of their grasp, and the sellers of sickles and scythes hid their wares as if the judgment-day was at hand. Towards the close of the grand and eloquent appeal, the people looked around to make sure that fire from heaven was not coming to consume them. The fair was broken up, and the people went quickly and fearfully home. So terribly effective and thrilling was the great preacher's denunciation of the multitude's laxity and sin, that one man imagined his arm, on which he held a sickle, was paralysed. He dared not venture to remove it to the other arm, lest that should also become powerless.
The story of Rhuddlan Fair ran like electricity through the length and breadth of Wales, and from that time the people ceased to hold such gatherings on Sunday, for fear of John Elias.
Those who had the privilege and pleasure of hearing this great preacher, say that he was a profound reasoner and expositor, and could descend from the heights of fiery eloquence to the levels of sublime pathos and tender simplicity.
He was once so moved by another and far humbler preacher than himself, that he felt compelled to acknowledge it.
According to the time-honoured custom of Wales, at all the great religious meetings two ministers are appointed to preach at each service. The lesser preacher takes the precedence, and is followed by the celebrated divine.
Jenkin Harry, a simple and self-taught but much beloved minister, had to preach before John Elias in North Wales. This earnest though uneducated man was one of Nature's teachers, who in unfettered fervour proclaimed the love of God for man. Sometimes, when in the height of solemn enthusiasm, he felt unusually blessed in spirit. This was the case when he preached before John Elias. His soul overflowed with thankfulness for the blessings of God, and in a chanting, almost recitative intonation, he cried aloud and repeatedly, "Gogoniad! Glory, glory be to God!" and added, "We thank Thee, O Lord, for now and then a small cake of comfort in the cold and barren regions of the North!" The sermon was a perfect specimen of those fervent discourses for which the great Welsh preachers have ever been celebrated. These sermons possess an element that is rarely heard in England. It is the "hwyl," without which Welsh oratory is considered imperfect. This Welsh "hwyl," or afflatus, is said to be derived from the breeze-filled sails of a ship; hence people say, "He has the "hwyl" - that is, he is in full sail - he is full of feeling and fire.
When Jenkin Harry ceased, John Elias took his place, and, in touching accents, said his predecessor's sermon was so powerful as to overwhelm him. His pent-up feelings were eloquently expressed in a solemn and fervent "Thank God for the ministry of Jenkin Harry!" That tribute, coming from the greatest Welsh preacher of the day, melted people to tears, and it was only John Elias, and no other, who could have ventured to prolong the service.

Pulpit eloquence

An example sermon by Elias can be found here on pages 605ff. On 1 John 5:19 it is called The two families and is the 83rd sermon in Henry Clay Fish's History and Repository of Pulpit Eloquence.

This sermon was reproduced back in 1964 in Series XVI (No 5) of From the Inheritance of our fathers.
Also available here.