Ordination 1802

From The Baptist Annual Register 1801-1802 p 1113

Micah Thomas, late student with Dr Ryland, in the Bristol Academy, was, on the 29th of September, 1802, ordained Pastor over the Particular Baptist Church at Ryeford, near Ross, Herefordshire. Mr Watkins, of Capel-y-ffin began the service, by reading suitable portions of Scripture, and then prayed. Mr Williams of Cheltenham, delivered the introductory discourse, on the nature of a Gospel church; and received Mr Thomas's confession of faith. J Ryland prayed the ordination prayer, which was accompanied with imposition of hands by most of the Baptist ministers that were nearby. He then delivered the charge, from John XII. 26. Mr. Rowland, of Pershore, preached to the church, from Deuteronomy 38:1 Encourage him. Mr Bradley, of Coleford, concluded by prayer. Mr. Holrick, a neighbouring Independent minister, gave out the hymns.

Mr Ryland preached also in the evening, at the Independent meeting house in Ross, from Psalm LXXXIX, Blessed are the people that make a joyful sound, &c. It was a happy day. Friends from different parts enjoyed a pleasing interview with each other. The place was crowded; many people could not get in, and, above all, the presence of the Great Head of the church was enjoyed. Thomas has a pleasing prospect before him of doing good. Two or three places are opened for the gospel in neighbouring villages, where people flock in great numbers, to hear the word, and many pay particular attention to it. The members of the church are lively in the exercise of religion, and appear very affectionate to their minister. Herefordshire, though one of the most pleasant and fertile counties in England, is very barren with regard to religion. May this wilderness soon blossom like a rose.

Ordination in Merthyr 1814

Aug. 24th. Brother Evan Herbert, of Abergavenny, was ordained pastor of the English Baptist Church at Merthyr Tidfel, Glamorgan. Introduction by brother James Edmonds; Ordination Prayer by brother Morris Jones; Charge by brother Micah Thomas Be thou faithful; sermon to the people by brither Joseph Price. [of Lalnwenarth, Govilon].

Ordination in Garway, Herefordshire 1820

Feb. 23, 1820, Mr. [William] Rogers, late student at Abergavenny, was ordained over the Baptist church at Garraway, Herefordshire. Mr. [Rees] Davis, itinerant for the county of Hereford, began with reading and prayer. Mr. Williams of Ryeford, introduced the service by describing the nature of a Gospel church, and asking the usual questions. Mr. [John] Fry of Coleford, prayed the ordination prayer. Mr. Micah Thomas of Abergavenny, (Mr. Rogers's late tutor,) delivered the charge from Rev. ii. 10; and Mr. [Henry] Hawkins of Eastcombe, preached to the people from Heb. xiii. 7. Messrs. [Rees] Davis and [Henry] Hawkins preached in the evening. The services of the day were profitable to the church and friends who were present on the interesting occasion. Mr. Rogers takes this opportunity to thank his numerous friends in London and its vicinity, for their liberality while collecting for the Meeting house in the above place. Since his return, it has been deemed necessary to make some alterations and improvements, which have cost about £40.

(Rogers later moved to be a pastor n Dudley)

Ordination in Pontypool 1815

This is from the Baptist Magazine for 1816

PONTYPOOL

December 13th, 1815, the Rev. David Powell, late student of Abergavenny, was ordained over the English particular Baptist Church, at Pontypool, in the county of Monmouth. The Scriptures were read and the blessing of God supplicated, by Mr. Davis of Carewent; - Mr. Evans of Carleon delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith - Mr. Edmonds of Trosnant, (a village adjoining the town of Pontypool) offered the ordination prayer;- Mr. Thomas Tutor, of the Baptist Academy, at Abergavenny, gave the charge from 2 Tim. iv. 5. - Mr. Rowland, of Abergavenny, addressed the people from Deut. i. 38; - and Mr. Evans, of Brecon, concluded the morning service by prayer; who, with Mr. David Jones, student at Abergavenny, preached in the evening a double lecture.

Ordination in Caerwent 1821

A contemporary article in the Baptist Magazine reveals that in 1821 on July 19, the Rev. W. Johns, late student at Abergavenny, was ordained pastor over the Particular Baptist Church at Cerwent, near Chepstow. The Rev. Thomas Leonard of Magor commenced with reading and prayer; the Rev. D. Phillips of Caerleon delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith; the Rev. J. Lewis of Chepstow implored the divine blessing on the newly ordained pastor, which was accompanied with the laying on of hands.

It was the Rev. Micah Thomas, Mr. J.'s Tutor, who delivered an impressive charge from Acts xxvi. 18, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith which is in me.

The Rev. J(ohn) James of Pontrhydyrun preached to the church and congregation, from Jude 3,  Beloved, when 1 gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. The hymns were given out by the Rev. Joshua Lewis of Chepstow.

In the evening Mr. Roberts of Abergavenn, and Mr. Jonathan Davies of Brecon, preached from 1 John v. 10. and Job xiv. 10.

Ordination 1802

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.