At the time of his ordination in 1802 brief reports appeared in the Christian press such as this one:
SEPT 19 the Rev Micah Thomas (late a student in the Academy at Bristol) was appointed pastor of the Baptist church at Ryeford, near Ross, Herefordshire, when the following Brethren engaged in the service Mr. Watkins, of Capel-y-ffin, began by reading* and prayer; Mr. Williams of Cheltenham, delivered a short introductory discourse;** Dr. Ryland prayed, and addressed Mr. Thomas, from John xii. 26;^ Mr. Rowland of Pershore preached to the church from Deuter. i. 38.;^^ Mr. Bradley, of Coleford, concluded in prayer. There was a service in the evening at Mr. George's meeting; at Ross, where Mr. King of Ledbury prayed, and Dr. Ryland preached from Psalm lxxxix. 15. — The Baptist church at Ryeford is of long standing, having been first gathered by Mr. John Skinner, one of the ejected ministers in 1662, who was before minister of the parish of Weston.
(George
Watkins was pastor of Capel y Ffin; H H Williams was pastor in Cheltenham; John
Rowland was pastor in Pershore; William Bradley was pastor of Coleford. John Ryland was principal of the Bristol Baptist College. We are not sure who Mr George and Mr King were.)
* 1 Timothy 3 according to a note in a notebook of Thomas's held in the Gwent Archive, Ebbw Vale.
** He also received the confession of faith (same source as above).
^ A sketch of this charge was subsequently published
^^ "Encourage him" Thomas adds
MT also adds that the hymns were given out by Mr Horlick of Ruardean.
* 1 Timothy 3 according to a note in a notebook of Thomas's held in the Gwent Archive, Ebbw Vale.
** He also received the confession of faith (same source as above).
^ A sketch of this charge was subsequently published
^^ "Encourage him" Thomas adds
MT also adds that the hymns were given out by Mr Horlick of Ruardean.
