wfn.org | At the Roots of Methodism: Church drew strong leaders from Wales

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 4, 1999  News media contact: Tim Tanton*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10- 71B{244}

NOTE:  This is a regular feature on Methodist history by John Singleton
especially for distribution by United Methodist News Service.

By John Singleton*

Through the descriptions in his journal, it is possible to retrace John
Wesley's footsteps in Wales in some detail, discovering where he lodged, the
churches in which he preached and the spots where he stood to speak when the
churches were closed to him.

The spread of Methodism to Wales proved to be a catalyst for the many gifts
that Welsh Methodism later gave to the world church. 

^From the Welsh area of Brecon alone came a grand succession of saintly
people who once ministered there: Stalwarts such as Howel Harris, one of the
pioneers of Methodist open-air preaching; Thomas Coke the indomitable
"father of missions"; Harri Llwyd, Methodism's first Welsh lay preacher;
Richard Boardman, Wesley's assistant in America (succeeded in 1772 by
Francis Asbury); Daniel Draper, hero of the wrecked ship "London," which
foundered on a voyage to Australia; and William Williams, one of the
foremost Welsh hymnists.

It was here in April 1749 -- almost exactly 250 years ago -- that Wesley
conducted the marriage of his brother Charles to Sarah Gwynne. 

"It was a solemn day, such as becoming the dignity of a Christian marriage,"
he noted
in his journal. Thus were united the "sweet singer of Methodism" and the
devoted, beautiful and cultivated daughter of Marmaduke Gwynne of Garth, a
justice of the peace converted under Harris' ministry.

Harris was a passionate evangelist, and often, after the morning service at
Talgarth church, he would stand on a tombstone or on the churchyard wall and
"plead with sinners."

One Sunday morning, a young medical student who happened to be passing by
stopped and listened, with the result that "God's word penetrated his
heart." The young man later relinquished his medical studies and entered the
ordained ministry instead. His name was William Williams, author of the
great hymn "Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah" (still sung to wonderful effect
by Welsh male voice choirs).

Harris died in 1773 and was buried near the altar in Talgarth church, close
to the spot where he had been converted even before John Wesley made his
first visit to Wales in 1739. Tradition says that some 20,000 people
attended Harris' burial.

Methodist history does not usually go in for sanctifying martyrs, but it was
at Hay-on-Wye, not far from Brecon on the English/Welsh border, that William
Seward, said to be Methodism's "proto-martyr," died for his faith in 1749. A
fellow laborer in the faith with Harris, Seward was 38 when he died.

Seward had stopped at Hay-on-Wye while traveling from his Worcestershire
home to Trevecca, site of the first Methodist training college and where
John Wesley and George Whitefield often lodged in a farmhouse. The minister
had decided to preach on the Green, a quaint, quiet spot beneath the shadow
of the ancient town wall.

After he had been speaking for a while, a disturbance arose. The preacher
was rudely assaulted and stones were thrown at him. When one person,
standing behind him, threw a heavy stone, Seward fell senseless to the
ground. After he regained consciousness, he pleaded that no effort should be
made to arrest or punish his assailant. We are told that Seward fervently
prayed forgiveness for his attacker before he lapsed back into
unconsciousness ... and died. The "Martyr's Grave" can be seen in Cusop
churchyard, bearing an inscription based on Phillippians 1:20.

Many more stories could be told about Wales -- not least how the church
continues its living presence and witness for the Gospel throughout the
region today. Together with Scotland, Wales is embarking upon a new era of
self-government as the people prepare to vote for their representatives to
the first national Welsh Assembly. The Methodist people (both English- and
Welsh-speaking) are determined to play their part in this new era for Wales
along with all the other churches.

 Wesley sure started something with that visit to Wales 260 years ago.

# # # 

*Singleton is assistant editor of the weekly Methodist Recorder in London.
He can be contacted by e-mail on editorial@methodistrecorder.co.uk.

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