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| John Ryland 1753-1825 |
(1807) ... [April 19 begins Baptist church with four others. Two baptised in river.] June 3rd, Mr Thomas preached to the congregation in Llysfaen (Lisvane); his text was Acts 19:2. June 21st, Mr Miles Edwards of Pontypool was baptising instead of Mr Thomas; his text in the morning was Proverbs 18:10 and in the afternoon John 10:20. July 12th, Mr John Harris was baptised in Llanwenarth by Rev James Lewis, when Mr Thomas preached by the waterside, from Matthew 3:15. Mr Harris was considered one of the most worthy men in the country and he was greatly respected. He was the father of Mrs Edmunds of Caerphilly and the father of Mr Thomas's second wife. Mr Thomas married Miss Rachel Harris, July 2nd, 1830.
1808. This year was the baptism of [four independents including] Mr John Jones, who, many years later, became the Baptist minister in Blakeney, [Gloucestershire] and died there. In this year also we find Mr Thomas preaching often in the village of Brython, Tresaeson, in the home of Jonathan Davies, Cefncoch, and at other houses in the Llanddewi area. June 1st, he preached to the congregation in Nantgwyn; his text was Matthew 9:6. On September 4th Mr Timothy Thomas [1753-1827] from Islington preached instead of Mr Thomas when the last five of the year were baptised.
1809. In this year we find Mr Thomas preaching in Ty-hir, the name of a farm near Abergavenny. The man of the house (who also owned the place) had grown up among the Independents but had recently been baptised. June 14th, Mr Thomas preached to the congregation in Haverford West from John 12:23, 24. In the same year also he often preached in Llanvihangel-Crucorney, White Castle and Llantilio-Crossenny [a group of villages east of Abergavenny].
1810. Under April 29th of this year Mr Thomas writes like this "Dr Ryland was with us". At 11 he preached from Psalm 90:3; at 6 he preached in Castle Hill, the Independent Chapel from 1 Timothy 3:16, and seen of angels. 30th, in Llanwenarth, at 7, from Psalm 130:3. May 2nd, in the annual meeting, Tydur Road, at 11 from 1 Chronicles 9:13; later, at 6, his text was 2 Corinthians 2:24. The following morning he left. We trust that many of us felt reason to praise God for the Doctor's labour of love. In this year Mr Thomas began to preach on Sunday afternoons in Llwyn-Du; this continued for a long time. June 6th, he preached to the Dolau congregation from 1 Corinthians 1:18. [This was the South East Baptist Association]. This year also we find him preaching in Bath, Bradford, Wiltshire, and a half yearly meeting in Newport. (June 5-7 South East
1811. This year we find him preaching in Cardiff, Cowbrdge, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, together with other outlying areas within and without the county. [3 October publishes Salvation of Sovereign Grace; a Sermon preached at the Baptist Meeting-house, Abergavenny, September 22, 1811]
1812. [This was the ear of the visit of Andrew Fuller to South Wales]. October 18th, Mary and Elizabeth Conway were baptised by Mr Thomas and the following Sabbath they were received into communion together with Mr and Mrs Conway, the oldest sister, who had previously been members in Caerleon. Miss Jane Conway was received at the same time.
1813. [We know that on January 6 he led th opening services July 4th Sarah Conway was baptised by Mr Thomas. September 19th, Mrs Lydia Jones and her daughter were baptised (she was the mother of John Jones of Blakeney) after they left the Independents. May 12th, he preached at the opening of the meeting place of the English Baptists in Merthyr Tydfil; his text was Haggai 2:9. June 2nd, he preached to the Bassaleg congregation from Matthew 6:10. 23rd, preached at the ordination of William Jones, Penuel (Cardiff after that); hos text was 1 Peter 1:22.
1814. This year he preached in many causes in Wales and in England, far and near.
1815. He preached in various places in England. January 6th, preached at the opening of Caerwent, from Hebrews 10:25. March 19th, William, Charles, John and Anne Conway were baptised by Mr Thomas; and received them into communion in the afternoon, when he preached from Hosea 2:19, 20.
1816. He preached at a missionary meeting in Merthyr on the 1st of May; his text was Isaiah 62:6, 7. The 8th he preached at a missionary meeting in Brecon from Isaiah 53:10. The 15th, he preached at the opening of the Baptist meeting house in Coleford from Isaiah 57:15. This year also we find him preaching in Ross, Ryeford, Shortwood, Nailsworth, Bath; as well as in a variety of farms in Monmouthshire.
1817. This year he preached in Grosmont, Skenfrith, Raglan and various other dark places in the lower parts of the county.
