In June 1812 Micah Thomas's hero Andrew Fuller 1754-1815 made a tour of South Wales. T M Bassett suggests it was at Thomas's suggestion. In a piece of bad timing Thomas records that “For six weeks after the 10th of May I did not
preach at all being much indisposed in my body." It was "During this period the excellt. Mr. Fuller paid us a visit. He preached in our place May 31st at 11 o'clock, forenoon. His text was Ps. Lxxxvi.17.
Shew me a token for good."
He goes on to list the other dates on the tour
June
1. He preached at Trosnant at 2.30 pm from Acts xii.24.
June
3. He preached at the Association at Hengoed from Isaiah ix.7 the
last clause.
June
4. He preached at Zion Chapel Merthyr at 6 o'clock in the evening from
John III.35.
June
7. He preached in the Back-lane meeting house at Swansea at 3 o'clock
from John XVII.22.27.
June
8. He preached at Carmarthen in the Tabernacle at 7 o'clock from
Phil. III.8.
June
10. He preached at the Association at Cwm Felin Monach (ie Cwmfelin Mynach) in
Carmarthenshire from John XVII.21: the same text as he preached from
at Swansea. Afterwards he returned to Bristol.
In a letter from Abergavenny to Sutcliff, Fuller wrote of his own bad health
"It was not because I forgot your kind request, that I did not write before; but, from being so unwell, that writing has been a burden. I have had much fever, and five or six sleepless nights; no sleep however, in several instances, till three or four in the morning. I have preached only three sermons, since I left home. One at Birmingham, one at Worcester, and one here. I do not find any ill effect from these, as I speak low, and only stand about half an hour. ... Our wisdom is to be still and quiet, and to mind our own business. For my own part, my afflictions say to me, Study to show thyself approved unto God. What empty things are the applauses of creatures, and how idle the pursuit of them! I seem near the end of my course, ... etc.
In 1852 Fuller's son wrote of the tour to Wales that it "is remembered with feelings of deep interest by the venerable minister whose hospitality he was then partaking, and who was principal of the academy since removed to Pontypool, and by such as still survive to speak of it." He goes on "Early in June, Mr. Fuller preached to a large out-door assembly, at the Welsh association, in Glamorganshire. A considerable portion of the ministry, jealous of the reputed inroads made by him on the purity of Calvinistic doctrine, retired to the chapel during his discourse, fine reports, however, of such as remained on the ground to hear of the great things performed by "the zeal of the Lord of hosts," modified the prejudices of many, and contributed, with his subsequent ministrations, and the perusal of his writings, to effect a great change in the views and ministrations of his brethren in that district; and it may be affirmed with truth, that in no part of the United Kingdom are his works more thoroughly estimated, or have contributed more largely to an enlightened and efficient ministry of the word of God."
