CHAPTER 6
THE BALA SUMMER ASSOCIATION, 1835
The Associations of Wales— Description of one of these at Bala — The
preaching day, the Green, the valley, the roads — Behaviour of the
crowd — The Stage and the preachers — John Elias at the desk —
Sermon — Effects on the people
The Associations had a greater effect upon Wales than the
Grecian games had upon Greece. People from all parts of the
country came to those games, it is true; and good opportunities for traffic were afforded to the merchants ; and artists
and literary men had the best means for making their works
known. But they had no Gospel to infuse into the minds of
the multitude ; people could hear the poets sing of the exploits of heroes; they could see the pictures of painters, and
other noble works of art. There was, however, no strong force
present in these meetings, which, entering into the souls of the
people, could work a thorough change upon them. Poetry
and philosophy, art and learning of all kinds, have proved themselves in all ages utterly insufficient for such a task. But
in the Associations of Wales the Gospel was preached, that
Gospel to which is mainly due the present state of civilization
in Great Britain and Europe. Christ and Christ crucified,
and the doctrines of the Reformation, were the great themes
of these Associations.
Let us look, for a moment, at one of them. It is held at Bala, in the month of June. The representatives of the churches - deacons and ministers - have come together by Tuesday evening. At eight o'clock the following morning is the first meeting of the Association. It is a meeting of the preachers and ministers by themselves. There are several candidates for the ministry to be ordained in this Association, and in this morning meeting they have an opportunity of giving their religious experiences, and especially to express their feelings at such an important epoch in their lives. And before the close of the meeting many of the older ministers give them warm words of encouragement and advice. At eleven the candidates for the ministry that have passed all the necessary examinations, and have been presented by the churches, are ordained. Various forms are gone through, and with great solemnity. An address is delivered by the Rev. John Jones, Talsarn, who was appointed to the duty beforehand, upon Church polity. The candidates are asked to express their views on the chief points of doctrine, and then the Moderator calls for the approval of the Assembly. Finally, the Rev. Wm. Roberts, Amlwch, delivers the charge, and the meeting is closed with prayer. At the end of this meeting an elder gets up to announce the order of the meetings for the morrow. He announces also that precisely at nine o'clock that evening, it is expected that family worship will be held in every house at Bala. There is to be a service on the Green at six o'clock in the morning, where some of the younger ministers are to preach. At ten o'clock, John Elias and David Griffiths, Pembrokeshire, are published to preach.
It is Thursday morning, then. The day is fine. The scenery around is beautiful. Above the town, stretching towards the south-west, is the Tegid Lake. Beyond, we see the Aran, about 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. , Looking towards the east, we see the black Berwyn range. Not far from the Green, which is a field, just below the town, the river Dee flows out of the lake, towards Corwen and the valley of Llangollen. In the interval between the first service and the ten o'clock one, let us take a mere glance at the town. The houses look very clean and neat, for they have been newly whitewashed, many of them, for this great occasion ; and you observe how beautiful those trees are in the principal street. The streets are full of people ; and look at the roads which lead to the town — what an interesting sight ! This road here which runs along the north-western side of the lake brings men and women from Dolgelly, Barmouth, Dyffryn, &c. And this one here, which enters the town so near the Green, brings the people from Festiniog and the distant parts of Carnarvonshire and Denbighshire. And this, which comes from the north-east, brings them in from Corwen, Llangollen, other parts of Denbighshire, and even from Flintshire. You observe the vehicles that pass swiftly along the roads full of people. Do you see those men on the mountain ponies ? they have come from Llanberis, at the foot of Snowdon ; and here are others from Llanarmon and Llangynog, the other side of the Berwyn mountains. It is fine and clear.— Do you see the files of men and women coming down the hill-side? they are three or four miles away, yet they expect to arrive on the Green by the ten o'clock service, or, at least, before John Elias begins to preach. And you hear the singing as they come. You observe, also, how they arrive in companies of twenty, thirty, and very often forty. These have travelled far, and have started possibly two days before, and they have been holding prayer meetings on the way, and singing some of the old Welsh tunes, such as "Yn y dyfroedd mawr a'r tonau," &c., "Rhad ras yw'r newydd gan," &c; and by the time they arrive they seem to be in a most happy mood to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They remind us most forcibly of the times of Llangeitho. They have come over hill and dale, and lonely mountains, as the princes came over the ocean "as o'er a brook, to view fair Portia." But these have come not to view any fair Portia, but to view, if haply they may, the fairest of the children of men, who is altogether lovely, the Rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys.
Now it is half-past nine, and the Green is filling fast. A great many that are arriving rather late simply put their horses in, and then make straight for the field. There they go, some of them carrying stools and chairs to sit on during the long service. At one end of the field there is a stage made of wood, and covered with canvas, and on both sides of the stage you see the waggons and carriages, forming a kind of half-moon. These vehicles are now full of men and women; and the open space in the centre is nearly so, though it is only half-past nine. And look how the crowd increases. And does it not strike you how orderly they all behave, and how sober they all look? Even the young men and young women seem to be in earnest. And let us just listen for a moment to their talk. That man there was saying how he remembered, ten years ago, on that very Green, on that very spot, the Holy Spirit falling upon them as upon the apostles at Jerusalem. Those women are talking together of the great pleasure they had in the prayer meetings on the wayside, and with what joy they sang the old tunes as they came. And the question you hear from those who have but just arrived is, without exception, "Has John Elias come?"
It is now ten o'clock, and the preachers are on the stage. There we see Ebenezer Richard, of Tregaron, the father of Mr. Henry Richard, M. P. That tall man, with sober looks, is William Roberts, of Amlwch. It was he who delivered the charge last night to the newly-ordained ministers. That slightly built man, with pale face, and something wild in his eye, is Michael Roberts, Pwllheli. He is one of the most eloquent and thrilling preachers of the time. That form, not far from him, is John Hughes, Pont Robert, a strongly- built man, a powerful preacher, and one of the great men of the Association. That young man, who seems to be about forty years of age, with fine features, and ruddy countenance, is John Jones, of Talsarn ; and that one near him is Henry Rees, a man that impresses you with his earnest piety and his holy look. Look at these two well, for they are likely to leave their mark on Wales. But where is John Elias? There he is, having just come in, and he is sitting down by the desk. He is rather tall and slender ; his hair is dark, his forehead full, his cheek bones high ; his eyes are grey, and full of life and fire. He has a mild appearance of countenance mixed with lines of great boldness and authority. How very expressive his features are! After looking upon that face once, you are compelled to look again and again. And how meek and humble he seems!
A hymn to be sung is given out by one of the preachers, who afterwards reads a portion of Scripture, and engages in prayer. The first preacher. Rev. D. Griffiths, Pembrokeshire, rises, gives out another hymn ; then he reads his text, and preaches for a short time only, in order to give place to John Elias. John Elias stands by the desk. He looks mildly at the congregation. He calls upon those who are on the very borders of the crowd to draw nearer, as there is still room at the sides. And we may notice here what a change has already passed over the face of the multitude. Those who before were at a little distance, are now drawing nearer of their own accord. Those that were resting on the walls there, are now moving rapidly forward ; and the thousands on all sides are looking steadily towards one point — the desk at which stands John Elias, the great orator.
He gives out a hymn in a clear voice, and the congregation join heart and soul in the tune. And now John Elias reads his text, Isa. vi. 9, 10: "And he said. Go, and tell this people. Hear ye, indeed, but understand not ; and see ye, in- deed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed." He proceeds in the most clear manner to expound the context, and to show the connections of his text. Mark how plain he makes it that it is not God, nor the prophet, that blinds their eyes and hardens their hearts ; it is the wrong use which they make of the blessings in their hands. In a masterly style, and with the charm of superior oratory, he goes on and divides his discourse into two parts.
I.— The condition of the people, and the effects of the prophet's mission upon them : their heart was fat, their ears were heavy, and their eyes were blind.
IL— The final consequence of this : a fat heart, blind eyes, and heavy ears, prevent the people from returning to God and receiving salvation.
He observes that the hardening of the hearts of the people is attributed to God, to the preachers of the Word, and to the people themselves. And as he speaks of the preachers of the Gospel hardening the hearts of men, look how he weeps before the congregation, and hear his words: "O my Father, Thou knowest that I did not wish to preach from this text, and that I wanted another, but I should not. Thou knowest that I have been praying and entreating for another message, but another message Thou wouldst not give me. I would rather be a common hangman, going from here to London, than that I should come to Bala to make the heart of this people fat, their ears heavy, and their eyes blind."
While he thus speaks to his Father in Heaven, look at those strong men falling down dead like logs of wood, their limbs stiffened, their eyes glaring. (No mere description, but real fact attested by men now living who witnessed it with their own eyes.) The subject which he has in hand to-day is not an uncommon one. But do you observe how he infuses new life into every point he has in hand, and how apt and telling his illustrations are ?— There is a man walking along the high road, sauntering slowly, never dreaming that there is any danger near. But the coach is approaching swiftly in the same direction. The horses are galloping up to him ; the tramp of their feet on the ground is heard clear and far. Why does not that man turn aside? He is heavy of hearing. Cry out, then, "Out of the way, man ! "But he does not stir. The coach passes over him, and he is found dead on the road. So these men, who have deadened their senses by their sins, do not hear the heavy rumbling of the chariot of everlasting justice; and the chariot comes up with them at last and rolls over them, leaving them crushed under the wheels ! Look how he feels for the glory of God, and how now and again he assumes a threatening attitude ; how the dark cloud hangs over his brow, and how he stretches forth his arm to denounce the judgements of God upon them for their sins: *' Their heart is as fat as grease." They are altogether devoid of feeling. Plunge a sword into fat, it does not feel. So is the heart of sinners, they feel nothing at all. The majesty of God appears, and the glory of His justice, with its flaming sword moving over the heads of the people. And see again how he changes and modulates his voice, and how the tears rush from his eyes as if to ask why the men are so hard-hearted, and how they fall in great profusion down his cheeks. And the preachers are weeping. Ebenezer Richards, see, is in convulsions, and knows not what to do.
Robert Owen, of Rhyl, and Owen Thomas, of Liverpool (Rev. R. Owen died December 16, 1883; the latter is now Dr. O. Thomas, minister of Prince's-road Chapel, Liverpool.) are sitting together; Robert Owen turns with pale face to Owen Thomas, and asks, "Well, well, my dear fellow, what shall we do?" Other preachers are praying ; and mark the congregation : many have fallen down on the ground as though dead; others stand as if they were statues of stone, with fear depicted upon their countenances; and some seem as if the ground beneath were shaking with the shocks of an earthquake. His bursting shot pierces the audience as a shell passes through a regiment of soldiers, exploding in their midst, leaving many dead, others groaning, mortally wounded. Many are struck pale as death by the power of his rebuke, and are ready to recline on the grass completely overwhelmed. Finally, the preacher takes another turn, and with sweet face and smiling countenance, and with hands uplifted to heaven, he exhibits to them the unsearchable riches of the love of God — that He is ready to receive them all back to His arms to-day if they do but repent. The congregation feels relieved, and we hear on every hand ejaculations, "amens," and "hallelujahs.'' The sermon is over, the preacher prays, a hymn is sung, and they leave the green till the afternoon service. But what a gloom rests upon the faces of the people as they move from the field; they seem as if a great calamity had fallen upon the nation ; as if a great battle had been fought, where thou- sands of their countrymen had been left dead on the battle- field. But not so ; it is the effect of the sermon. Young and old hare been so deeply impressed that they cannot think or talk of anything else, and they are all afraid of hardening their hearts by living in their sins.
The Rev. Ebenezer Richards preached at two o'clock in the afternoon, upon the same spot. He said that the pulpit had become painful to him, especially after the charge they had heard the day before upon the consecration of several friends to the ministry, and more especially still, after the sermon they had listened to in the morning: - "My whole frame was in terror, and I have not come to myself yet. I felt, indeed, as I listened, as if the earth shook for miles around me ; I should be readier even now, if I consulted my own feelings, to ask you to turn this meeting into prayer. Still, we have fallen upon a very happy text: 'The Lord is with you while ye be with Him.'"
Let us look, for a moment, at one of them. It is held at Bala, in the month of June. The representatives of the churches - deacons and ministers - have come together by Tuesday evening. At eight o'clock the following morning is the first meeting of the Association. It is a meeting of the preachers and ministers by themselves. There are several candidates for the ministry to be ordained in this Association, and in this morning meeting they have an opportunity of giving their religious experiences, and especially to express their feelings at such an important epoch in their lives. And before the close of the meeting many of the older ministers give them warm words of encouragement and advice. At eleven the candidates for the ministry that have passed all the necessary examinations, and have been presented by the churches, are ordained. Various forms are gone through, and with great solemnity. An address is delivered by the Rev. John Jones, Talsarn, who was appointed to the duty beforehand, upon Church polity. The candidates are asked to express their views on the chief points of doctrine, and then the Moderator calls for the approval of the Assembly. Finally, the Rev. Wm. Roberts, Amlwch, delivers the charge, and the meeting is closed with prayer. At the end of this meeting an elder gets up to announce the order of the meetings for the morrow. He announces also that precisely at nine o'clock that evening, it is expected that family worship will be held in every house at Bala. There is to be a service on the Green at six o'clock in the morning, where some of the younger ministers are to preach. At ten o'clock, John Elias and David Griffiths, Pembrokeshire, are published to preach.
It is Thursday morning, then. The day is fine. The scenery around is beautiful. Above the town, stretching towards the south-west, is the Tegid Lake. Beyond, we see the Aran, about 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. , Looking towards the east, we see the black Berwyn range. Not far from the Green, which is a field, just below the town, the river Dee flows out of the lake, towards Corwen and the valley of Llangollen. In the interval between the first service and the ten o'clock one, let us take a mere glance at the town. The houses look very clean and neat, for they have been newly whitewashed, many of them, for this great occasion ; and you observe how beautiful those trees are in the principal street. The streets are full of people ; and look at the roads which lead to the town — what an interesting sight ! This road here which runs along the north-western side of the lake brings men and women from Dolgelly, Barmouth, Dyffryn, &c. And this one here, which enters the town so near the Green, brings the people from Festiniog and the distant parts of Carnarvonshire and Denbighshire. And this, which comes from the north-east, brings them in from Corwen, Llangollen, other parts of Denbighshire, and even from Flintshire. You observe the vehicles that pass swiftly along the roads full of people. Do you see those men on the mountain ponies ? they have come from Llanberis, at the foot of Snowdon ; and here are others from Llanarmon and Llangynog, the other side of the Berwyn mountains. It is fine and clear.— Do you see the files of men and women coming down the hill-side? they are three or four miles away, yet they expect to arrive on the Green by the ten o'clock service, or, at least, before John Elias begins to preach. And you hear the singing as they come. You observe, also, how they arrive in companies of twenty, thirty, and very often forty. These have travelled far, and have started possibly two days before, and they have been holding prayer meetings on the way, and singing some of the old Welsh tunes, such as "Yn y dyfroedd mawr a'r tonau," &c., "Rhad ras yw'r newydd gan," &c; and by the time they arrive they seem to be in a most happy mood to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They remind us most forcibly of the times of Llangeitho. They have come over hill and dale, and lonely mountains, as the princes came over the ocean "as o'er a brook, to view fair Portia." But these have come not to view any fair Portia, but to view, if haply they may, the fairest of the children of men, who is altogether lovely, the Rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys.
Now it is half-past nine, and the Green is filling fast. A great many that are arriving rather late simply put their horses in, and then make straight for the field. There they go, some of them carrying stools and chairs to sit on during the long service. At one end of the field there is a stage made of wood, and covered with canvas, and on both sides of the stage you see the waggons and carriages, forming a kind of half-moon. These vehicles are now full of men and women; and the open space in the centre is nearly so, though it is only half-past nine. And look how the crowd increases. And does it not strike you how orderly they all behave, and how sober they all look? Even the young men and young women seem to be in earnest. And let us just listen for a moment to their talk. That man there was saying how he remembered, ten years ago, on that very Green, on that very spot, the Holy Spirit falling upon them as upon the apostles at Jerusalem. Those women are talking together of the great pleasure they had in the prayer meetings on the wayside, and with what joy they sang the old tunes as they came. And the question you hear from those who have but just arrived is, without exception, "Has John Elias come?"
It is now ten o'clock, and the preachers are on the stage. There we see Ebenezer Richard, of Tregaron, the father of Mr. Henry Richard, M. P. That tall man, with sober looks, is William Roberts, of Amlwch. It was he who delivered the charge last night to the newly-ordained ministers. That slightly built man, with pale face, and something wild in his eye, is Michael Roberts, Pwllheli. He is one of the most eloquent and thrilling preachers of the time. That form, not far from him, is John Hughes, Pont Robert, a strongly- built man, a powerful preacher, and one of the great men of the Association. That young man, who seems to be about forty years of age, with fine features, and ruddy countenance, is John Jones, of Talsarn ; and that one near him is Henry Rees, a man that impresses you with his earnest piety and his holy look. Look at these two well, for they are likely to leave their mark on Wales. But where is John Elias? There he is, having just come in, and he is sitting down by the desk. He is rather tall and slender ; his hair is dark, his forehead full, his cheek bones high ; his eyes are grey, and full of life and fire. He has a mild appearance of countenance mixed with lines of great boldness and authority. How very expressive his features are! After looking upon that face once, you are compelled to look again and again. And how meek and humble he seems!
A hymn to be sung is given out by one of the preachers, who afterwards reads a portion of Scripture, and engages in prayer. The first preacher. Rev. D. Griffiths, Pembrokeshire, rises, gives out another hymn ; then he reads his text, and preaches for a short time only, in order to give place to John Elias. John Elias stands by the desk. He looks mildly at the congregation. He calls upon those who are on the very borders of the crowd to draw nearer, as there is still room at the sides. And we may notice here what a change has already passed over the face of the multitude. Those who before were at a little distance, are now drawing nearer of their own accord. Those that were resting on the walls there, are now moving rapidly forward ; and the thousands on all sides are looking steadily towards one point — the desk at which stands John Elias, the great orator.
He gives out a hymn in a clear voice, and the congregation join heart and soul in the tune. And now John Elias reads his text, Isa. vi. 9, 10: "And he said. Go, and tell this people. Hear ye, indeed, but understand not ; and see ye, in- deed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed." He proceeds in the most clear manner to expound the context, and to show the connections of his text. Mark how plain he makes it that it is not God, nor the prophet, that blinds their eyes and hardens their hearts ; it is the wrong use which they make of the blessings in their hands. In a masterly style, and with the charm of superior oratory, he goes on and divides his discourse into two parts.
I.— The condition of the people, and the effects of the prophet's mission upon them : their heart was fat, their ears were heavy, and their eyes were blind.
IL— The final consequence of this : a fat heart, blind eyes, and heavy ears, prevent the people from returning to God and receiving salvation.
He observes that the hardening of the hearts of the people is attributed to God, to the preachers of the Word, and to the people themselves. And as he speaks of the preachers of the Gospel hardening the hearts of men, look how he weeps before the congregation, and hear his words: "O my Father, Thou knowest that I did not wish to preach from this text, and that I wanted another, but I should not. Thou knowest that I have been praying and entreating for another message, but another message Thou wouldst not give me. I would rather be a common hangman, going from here to London, than that I should come to Bala to make the heart of this people fat, their ears heavy, and their eyes blind."
While he thus speaks to his Father in Heaven, look at those strong men falling down dead like logs of wood, their limbs stiffened, their eyes glaring. (No mere description, but real fact attested by men now living who witnessed it with their own eyes.) The subject which he has in hand to-day is not an uncommon one. But do you observe how he infuses new life into every point he has in hand, and how apt and telling his illustrations are ?— There is a man walking along the high road, sauntering slowly, never dreaming that there is any danger near. But the coach is approaching swiftly in the same direction. The horses are galloping up to him ; the tramp of their feet on the ground is heard clear and far. Why does not that man turn aside? He is heavy of hearing. Cry out, then, "Out of the way, man ! "But he does not stir. The coach passes over him, and he is found dead on the road. So these men, who have deadened their senses by their sins, do not hear the heavy rumbling of the chariot of everlasting justice; and the chariot comes up with them at last and rolls over them, leaving them crushed under the wheels ! Look how he feels for the glory of God, and how now and again he assumes a threatening attitude ; how the dark cloud hangs over his brow, and how he stretches forth his arm to denounce the judgements of God upon them for their sins: *' Their heart is as fat as grease." They are altogether devoid of feeling. Plunge a sword into fat, it does not feel. So is the heart of sinners, they feel nothing at all. The majesty of God appears, and the glory of His justice, with its flaming sword moving over the heads of the people. And see again how he changes and modulates his voice, and how the tears rush from his eyes as if to ask why the men are so hard-hearted, and how they fall in great profusion down his cheeks. And the preachers are weeping. Ebenezer Richards, see, is in convulsions, and knows not what to do.
Robert Owen, of Rhyl, and Owen Thomas, of Liverpool (Rev. R. Owen died December 16, 1883; the latter is now Dr. O. Thomas, minister of Prince's-road Chapel, Liverpool.) are sitting together; Robert Owen turns with pale face to Owen Thomas, and asks, "Well, well, my dear fellow, what shall we do?" Other preachers are praying ; and mark the congregation : many have fallen down on the ground as though dead; others stand as if they were statues of stone, with fear depicted upon their countenances; and some seem as if the ground beneath were shaking with the shocks of an earthquake. His bursting shot pierces the audience as a shell passes through a regiment of soldiers, exploding in their midst, leaving many dead, others groaning, mortally wounded. Many are struck pale as death by the power of his rebuke, and are ready to recline on the grass completely overwhelmed. Finally, the preacher takes another turn, and with sweet face and smiling countenance, and with hands uplifted to heaven, he exhibits to them the unsearchable riches of the love of God — that He is ready to receive them all back to His arms to-day if they do but repent. The congregation feels relieved, and we hear on every hand ejaculations, "amens," and "hallelujahs.'' The sermon is over, the preacher prays, a hymn is sung, and they leave the green till the afternoon service. But what a gloom rests upon the faces of the people as they move from the field; they seem as if a great calamity had fallen upon the nation ; as if a great battle had been fought, where thou- sands of their countrymen had been left dead on the battle- field. But not so ; it is the effect of the sermon. Young and old hare been so deeply impressed that they cannot think or talk of anything else, and they are all afraid of hardening their hearts by living in their sins.
The Rev. Ebenezer Richards preached at two o'clock in the afternoon, upon the same spot. He said that the pulpit had become painful to him, especially after the charge they had heard the day before upon the consecration of several friends to the ministry, and more especially still, after the sermon they had listened to in the morning: - "My whole frame was in terror, and I have not come to myself yet. I felt, indeed, as I listened, as if the earth shook for miles around me ; I should be readier even now, if I consulted my own feelings, to ask you to turn this meeting into prayer. Still, we have fallen upon a very happy text: 'The Lord is with you while ye be with Him.'"
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