James Edwards 1800-1887

Edwards, James, 1800-1887, was a Baptist minister and poet who was born at Abergavenny and who under Micah Thomas was called to the Christian ministry. In 1824 he entered the Northern Baptist College, then in Horton, and four years later was ordained as pastor of a church in Shipley, Yorkshire. In 1830 he removed to George Street, Nottingham, where he laboured for 34 years. His popular pulpit gifts caused him to be much sought after. A musical voice, fluent utterance, lucid language and apt illustration combined to render his preaching attractive. In 1839 his health gave way and tuberculosis was feared. Under medical advice he went to Madeira where he recovered his vigour. Some verses which he wrote on the voyage appeared in the "Baptist Magazine" and furnished a good idea of a poetic faculty which never failed him. He resigned the pastoral office in 1864 and finally settled at Finchley, frequently preaching in and around London.
(Based on Baptist Handbook, 1888).

Commending Carson on Baptism in 1841

In 1841 the following letter appeared in the Baptist Magazine

ON DR. CARSON'S WORK ON BAPTISM

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine

My Dear Sir,—I am truly delighted with the present movement to secure the republication of Dr. Carson's work on baptism, and am also much pleased with the idea that the book in point of price will be so moderate as to be placed within the reach of the humble in circumstances in our congregations. Inferring the paramount claims of the projected improved second edition, from the deservedly high merits of the first, from the stern integrity of the worthy author, from his recent publications on the same subject, and from his pre-eminent learning, it would be presumption, if not sheer folly, to utter a syllable in its commendation. Let it speak for itself: it needs not the praise of any.

But what is requisite is, for our ministers to make its value known to their people, and then call on them to immediately enrol their names in the list of subscribers now getting up for the work. Let them but duly weigh the importance of the subject intended to be set forth, not merely to themselves, their children, and their connexions, but likewise to our missionaries and missionary cause in both the east and the west; and we presume they will be up and doing. Indeed every thing in this matter depends on the ministers. Let them but slightly exert their influence, and a splendid list of subscribers will be obtained. And, as the issuing out of the book, or otherwise, will be decided by the number of subscribers, let us each and all do what we can. I know, from what I have already experienced within my own humble and limited sphere, that our people will promptly and cheerfully do their duty, if their pastors will only lead the way, and invite them to the accomplishment of it. But if they be either dumb or half-hearted, we shall not gain the desired prize.

My object in this letter is particularly to importune my Welsh brethren to come forward on the present occasion. Their noble zeal for the grand ordinance of Christian immersion, and against infant sprinkling, is well known to be eminently fervid. I feel gratified, therefore, in calling their earliest attention to Dr. Carson's work on baptism, and in most respectfully and fraternally beseeching them to seize the opportunity now afforded them to promote that cause which deeply engages their best feelings.

I am, my dear Sir, Yours very fraternally,

Micah Thomas. Abergavenny, June 18.

Students

It is said that 606 students went through the college in Micah Thomas's 29 years but that would mean a rate of more than 20 a year when we know that at times there were only 7 or 10. If the figure is correct it may include men who were only at the college for a short while.
1. Davies, Jonathan nd but the first student
From Capel Iwan, he was Thomas's first student. He went on to be an evangelist in Pembroke.
2, 3. Davies, David c 1794-1856
Thomas, Thomas 1805-1881
The Dissenting Academies site lists only two Abergavenny students in Thomas's time -

Davies, David (c.1794-1856) who served in Evesham and Haverford West

Thomas, Thomas (1805-1881)  who served in London and Pontypool (from 1861)

4. Davies, Rees (Aberdare) nd
He became the first minister at Caerwent in 1815

5. Johns, W nd
He was at Caerwent from 1821

6. Claypole, Edward A (d 1881) nd
He went to Edinburgh 1825-27 then to Ross in 1828 and was there until the 1850s before moving on to Cholsey in Wallingford, Berkshire in 1851. He was in Weston-Super-mare from 1874

7. Roberts, William nd
The history of Glascoed Baptist church reveals that he was a member at the church, a committed Christian, heavily involved in Christian work, first as a deacon (one of the deacons listed in the early accounts of the chapel at Glascoed). A Glyndwr Williams wrote “In 1819, Glascoed sent its first student to the Baptist Academy at Abergavenny. He was William Roberts of Lower Wernhir Farm. After two years he returned to Glascoed without a “call”. His sermons did not last beyond fifteen minutes. In 1824 he was ordered to assist Rev Lewis Lewis at Glascoed. In the David Jones account in 1837/8 he was living at Abergavenny, preaching here and there, but without “a charge”. He passed away in 1837/8. He was connected with a coal round at Abergavenny.”
8. Evans, Rees, 1799-1878

A Baptist minister and journalist, he was born at Pencareg, Carmarthenshire. When about 20 years of age he was baptized at Aberduar, and being soon afterwards pressed to preach he devoted himself to the work of the ministry. He spent some time at the Neuaddlwyd School, and afterwards proceeded to the Baptist College at Abergavenny, then under the presidency of the Rev. Micah Thomas. On leaving college, about 1827, he settled down in the pastorate at Llangadock. He became widely known in the Principality in connection with Seren Gomer ("Star of Gomer "), the denominational magazine of the Baptists. (Baptist Handbook, 1879.)

9. Davies, Henry, 1785-1862
A Baptist minister, of Llangloffan, Pembrokeshire, he began to preach at 19 or 20 years of age .He spent two years at Abergavenny College, and in 1811 was ordained as co-pastor with his venerable father over the church at Llangloffan. Here he continued till his death. He preached the Gospel without fee or reward; for 28 years he was secretary of the Pembrokeshire Baptist Association, and was one of the chief instruments in the establishment of the college at Haverfordwest. His liberality and large-heartedness were as conspicuous as his other excellent qualities. With his own hands he distributed, at three different times, no less than four thousand pounds to different charities and institutions. He was lamented as "the last of the Pembrokeshire Patriarchs." (Baptist Handbook, 1863).

10. Evans, Charles, 1781-1864
A Baptist minister and author, was born at Llanuwchllyn, Merionethshire. He began to preach in 1809, in connection with the church at Dolgelly. In 1811, he was admitted to the Abergavenny Academy, where he remained for two years. He subsequently settled as pastor of the small church at Llanefydd and Llansanan, under the auspices of the Baptist Association, where he laboured for seven years. In 1823, he removed to Cefnmawr, where he remained for 35 years, 29 of which he laboured as pastor of the church, when, owing to the infirmities of old age, he resigned his charge, and for the remaining six years, in consideration of past labour and faithfulness, he received for his support a stated sum from the church. In 1861, the honorary degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Jewell College, U.S.A., as a recognition of his literary labours. His preaching was almost entirely expository, and characterised by great earnestness, vigour, and comprehensiveness. He published several works, among them being "The Peculiar Tenets of the Baptists" and "A History of the Baptists, based on the Fundamental Principles of the System." Of the latter promising to be a work of rare value a portion only has appeared, its publication having been interrupted by his death. (Baptist Handbook, 1865.)

11. Stephen, David Rhys, 1807-1852
A Baptist minister and author, was born at Merthyr Tydfil. His parents were Calvinistic Methodists, but young Stephen, when 19 years of age, joined the Baptists. In 1827, he entered the Baptist College at Abergavenny; and three years later he was ordained minister at Swansea, where he remained ten years. In 1840, he took charge of the English Baptist cause at Newport, and five years later he removed to Manchester. He was a very powerful preacher, and a most popular platform speaker. He was a prolific writer, his principal works being a biography of his father-in-law, the Rev Joseph Harris (Gomer), and of the Rev Christmas Evans. (Cymry Manceinion.)

12. Williams, John, 1800-1872
"Ab loan," a Baptist minister and poet, was a native of Llanrwst. He completed his training at the Baptist College, Abergavenny, and was ordained at Aberdare in 1831, remaining in charge of the Baptist cause there till his death. As a preacher, his talents were various; he was ready, witty, and pathetic. It was a common occurrence to see large congregations weeping and smiling alternately under his preaching. His most prominent features were originality, vivacity, clearness, and power. He abounded in metaphors and illustrations, which he gathered from nature and from the most common of domestic incidents. He published, early in life, a volume of poems under the title : "Lloffion y Prydydd" (The Poet's Gleanings) (Aberystwyth: D Jenkins, 1839). He also wrote the biography of David Saunders, Merthyr (Aberystwyth: D. Jenkins, 1842), and the biography of John Jones, Llandysul, with a selection of his sermons (Carmarthen: W. M. Evans, 1859). (Baptist Handbook, 1873; Cardiff Catalogue.)
Others we can add to the list of about 103, educated between 1807 and 1835:
13. Powell, David nd
He went to the English Baptist cause in Pontypool in 1815
14. Phillips, David nd
He was at Caerleon from 1819 and emigrated to America in 1840
15. Jones, Thomas nd
He was appointed as an itinerant in the Vale of Glamorgan about 1821
16. Jones, John Thomas nd
He became minister in Hay in 1822
17. Davies, W R nd
He went to Ebenezer, Eglwyswrw, Pembrokeshire in 1824
18. Evans, Edward nd
From Llangollen, he became pastor of a new work in Cynwyd, Merionethshire in December, 1832
19. Lewis, Thomas 1823-1900
Minister in Newport
20. Lloyd, Isaac nd
Minister in Bethel, Maesteg (Perhaps moved on to Swansea)
21. Thomas, E nd
Came to Bethel, Bassaleg in 1831
22. Samuel, Evan nd
Nothing further known
23. Price, Enoch nd
Came to Marloes, Pembrokeshire in 1836 and also ministered in nearby Pisgah, Molleston until 1841 then Maesyberllan
24. Jones, David nd
A student in 1815
25. Jones, John nd
Went to Pwllheli in 1824
26. Stephen, David Rhys 1807-1852
In Abergavenny from 1827, became minister of Mt Pleasant, Swansea, 1830. Author of a biography of Christmas Evans.
27. Jones, Thomas d 1875
Another Thomas Jones? This one was in Peterchurch then a very long time in Chepstow.
28. Richard, W. Became pastor at Penyrheol Baptist 1822

29. Francis Hiley, Llanwenarth 1781-1860

30. David Davies Evans Pontrhydyrun, Bridgend 1787-1858

31. John Michael 1812-1878

Others probably include M D Jones Penross, J James Arnesby, J Lewis Garway, E Page Pembrokeshire, J Jones Rehoboth, W Jones Cardiff, J Phillips Whitchurch Salop, T Lewis Swansea, E Evans Cefnmawr, J Thomas Cheltenham, R Davies, D Phillips Caerleon, D Jones Pithay Bristol, J Davies Sittim, D Roberts Penrhyncoch, T Williams Cwmdwr, D Jones Liverpool, D Thomas Salem Llangyfelach, William Rogers Dudley, J Jones Llandoga, D Davies Evesham, D Morris America, D Lewis Tenbury, J Pritchard Llangollen, B Price Newtown, W Morgan Holyhead, T James, J Harries Raglan, W Roberts, R Owen Pwllheli.

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.

Henry John Bunn

In 1849 Henry John Bunn, pastor of the Independent church in Abergavenny published a pamphlet of some 27 pages seeking to refute Micah Thomas's earlier works in favour of immersion. Bunn's work was called "Infant Baptism, an Ordinance of the New Testament: and Immersion, practiced as Christian baptism A perversion". The title page introduces it as "A reply to a sermon By the Rev. Micah Thomas, entitled “Infant sprinkling falsely called baptism, etc”. The book was published by J Hiley Morgan, Book Seller, High Street, Abergavenny.

Andrew Fuller

We have noted before Thomas's admiration for Andrew Fuller. He quotes Fuller at the end of a sermon on John 3:16 preached in Abersychan on 21 November 1827 in the afternoon and calls him "that extraordinary and illustrious character". Fuller says “Your eternal all depends upon it: for believing in Christ you are saved; but not believing in him there is no escaping.”

In a note found in one of the volumes of sermons on the book of life he quotes Fuller again and calls him a great writer. Fuller says (in his commentary on Revelation) "The blessed God is represented as keeping a register of his servants, not as elect, or as redeemed, or as called, but as his professed followers. When any turn back, their names are blotted out. Hence at the last judgment it is made the rule of condemnation.

Manuscript sermons NLW

In the National Library of Wales can be found four volumes of varying size containing manuscript sermons by Micah Thomas.
A note in Volume 1 by Thomas Lewis, minister at nearby Llanddewi Rhydderch, explains that the sermons were given to him by Thomas's widow as separate items and he bound them. He says “Mr Thomas expended immense time and labor in their composition – which rendered his ministry too stiff and formal. Less effort would have produced higher results.” He dates the first volume Llanthewy March 1855

Volume 1
690 pages
63 sermons indexed at the back by Lewis.
The longest sermons are 16 pages and the shortest 8, though one is 4 pages.
There are 12 OT sermons (3 from Isaiah, Jeremiah 23:29, Daniel, 12:13, 6 on the minor prophets) and the rest are from the NT (from Matthew, Luke, John, 1 Corinthians, Galatians 6:14, Philippians, Col 1:14, 1 Tim 4:10, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Revelation).
Number 45 is the funeral sermon for G Conway on Phil 1:21.
There are some notes at the head of some of the sermons in Lewis's hand.

OT: Isaiah 53:5, 53:10 (2), Jeremiah 23:29, Daniel 12:13, Hos 13:14, 14:5, 6; Jona 2:7; Zech 3:2, 113:7.
NT: Matthew 12:31, 32, 16:26, 18:1-6, 22:29; Luke 9:50, 11:21,22, 14:24, 23:40-43, 24:47; John 1:12,13, 1:16, 3:16, 3:19, 3:30, 4:13,14, 5:39, 9:14, 12:23.24, 12:42,43, 13:15, 14:6, 14:21, 15:13,14, 17:3 1 Corinthians 1:23,24 3:22, Galatians 6:14, Philippians 1:6, 1:21, Col 1:14, 1 Tim 4:10, James 1:17, 1:25, 1 Peter 2:9, 2:24, 3:12,13, 3:21, 5:5, 2 Peter 3:10-12, 3:10, Revelation 1:10, 3:20 (3), 20:12, 22:3,4, 22:16)
The book contains two loose leaves:
1. A note on the book of life quoting Fuller
2. A sermon on Rev 1:10

Volume 2
474 pages
52 sermons plus critical remarks on a certain sermon by someone indexed.
The longest sermon is 32 pages (Rev 17:14) and the shortest 4 pages.
There are 33 OT sermons (including 22 on Psalms) and the rest are from the NT (from Matthew, Mark 15:34, Luke, Rom 12:2, Galatians, 1 Tim 1:11, Hebrews, 1 Peter, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation).
3 and 35 are funeral sermons (3 Mrs Wyke, 35 Mr H Bristol ie Ebenezer Harris his father-in-law)
Bound by Lewis Apr 17, 1855.
OT: 1 Kgs 18:21, Pss 14, 16, 19, 34, 39, 40, 50, 51, 72, 73, 85, 103, 106, 116, 118, 119:9, 122:6, 127:1, 130:1, 139:23,24, 142:4, 143:2, Prov 13:15, Ecc 7:1, 11:9,10, 12:13,14; Isa 45:22, Jer 50:5, Dan 7:27, 12:2; Amos 6:1, 8:11,12.
NT: Matthew 3:12,5:8, 6:33, Mark 15:34, Luke 13:5, 18:30; Rom 12:2, Galatians 3:20, 6:11; 1 Tim 1:11, Hebrews 3:1, 6:4-6, 8:10-12; 1 Peter 3:21, 4:17, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 12:1, 17:14, 20:1-6.

Volume 3
Not indexed and the sermons are not in order.
Includes about 32sermons, on Rev 14:13, Isaiah 53:6, Heb 3:13, 1 Cor 6:17, 1 Jn 1:9, Acts 27:23, Mark 12:34, Rom 8:1, Jas 1:2-4, Eph 2:10, Ezek 24:39, Jer 8:20, Heb 4:9, John 6:40 (2), Deut 29:29, Rev 2:10, Eph 2:4,5, Col 2:6, Ps 1:1-3, Rom 5:20, 1 Chron 29:5, Rom 8:3,4, 1 Tim 4:18, Tit 3:5, John 16:27, 1 John 1:7, Luke 23:33, 34; Ps 19:12, Mark 10:27, Matt 6:19-21, Heb 11:5.

Volume 4
63 sermons indexed at the front by Lewis.
All the sermons are from texts in the Psalms. A note says that number 10 was preached c 1810.
Psalms taken up:
2, 3, 9 (2 on 9, 2 on 10), 31, 37 (2), 65 (2), 68, 69, 71, 73 (3), 83, 84 (4), 86 (2), 87 (2), 89 (2), 90:1, 92, 102 (2), 103, 104 (2), 106:4, 107 (2), 110:1-3, 111:9, 116:12, 118:25, 119 (7), 122:6, 126:5,6, 128:1, 130 (2), 133, 137, 138 (2), 144, 145, 147 (2), 148.