Hide

Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru. (History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

hide
Hide

By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)
From the CD published by Archive CD Books

Anglesey section (Vol 2)

Pages 492 - 505

See main project page

Proof read by Yvonne John (May 2008)

Chapels below;

  • (Continued) SILOH
  • SEION (with translation)
  • SARON (with translation)

 


Pages 492 - 505

492

(Continued) SILOH (Llanrhwydrys parish)

William Williams. Yr hwn sydd yn bregethwr cynorthwyol parchus, ond fod ei iechyd wedi ei anmharu.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Jan 2019)

This chapel is in Llanrhwydrys parish, but isn’t far from Llanrhyddlad, where many years ago there was a chapel jointly used by the Independents, the Baptists and the Methodists. In 1772, William Pritchard, Clwchdernog, gave a strip of land in order to build a chapel for the three denominations. The three denominations were represented by William Pritchard, for the Independents, William Roberts, Bodhedd, for the Baptists, and Morris Edward, for the Methodists. The names of the three were put on the beams of the old chapel. But somehow the chapel was a complete failure for the Methodists. William Pritchard died soon after that, and there was nobody of a like mind to care for the rights of the other denominations. The cause was established and Siloh chapel was formed, through the leadership of the late Mr. John Roberts (Edeyrn Mon). Before this he and his family used to go to  Ebenezer, Llanfechell. Mr. Roberts was a faithful deacon in that church. Siloh was built in 1838, and opened on November 14th, that year.

491

There were very few members when the church was established, and nobody could expect a great multitude here as the population is very sparse. Soon after the chapel opened, a call was sent to Mr. David Roberts, a young man from Bangor, to be a minister here and in Seion. He was ordained on May 7th, 1839. On the occasion Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. W. Davies, Salem; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. I. Jones, Groeslon; Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris preached to the minister and Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch preached to the church.* After he laboured here diligently for three years Mr. Roberts moved to Manchester. Mr. Mathew Lewis was here at one time keeping a school and preaching occasionally. When Mr. William Roberts, was established in Llanddeusant, this church joined that church ministerially with them. That is the still the situation.  This little cause received a great loss in the death of the instigator and kind patron of the cause, Mr. John Roberts, in October, 1855, and also Mrs. Roberts within four days of his death. They truly cared for God’s work.  Even though their children had a heart to keep the house open and Samuel Roberts was chosen by the church to be  a deacon in his father’s place, and he fulfilled his work faithfully, the loss of Edeyrn is felt to this day. He was the eldest son of the venerated Robert Roberts, from Salem, Bryngwran. He was very intelligent, and had a quiet measured demeanor, but was still completely determined. He wrote a great deal for the Dysgedydd newspaper and also for Seren Gomer under the pseudonym Edeyrn, and he took a major part in the divinity debates that excited   the people of the time. He had a bright character, and was a warm supporter of all good causes. He died within a fortnight of contracting a very painful illness on October lst, 1855, at the age of 55. A memorial to him can be found in the  Dysgedydd for October and November, 1860, written by  Mr. Edward Morris, who worked with him for a long time.
In 1862, on the opening of the new chapel in Ebenezer, Llanfechell, the members considered giving up the cause because it was still such a small cause and it wasn’t that far to go to Ebenezer. The church in Ebenezer sent a call to Mr. T. T. Williams, the minister who was here and in Llanddeusant at the time. Many felt unwilling to give up the cause at the time, but the majority wanted to do so, and most joined the church in Llanfechell. It was recognized very soon as a mistake. Even though it wasn’t far to go there, it was still too far for many to travel, and the most faithful felt they didn’t want to frequent every service. A Sunday school and occasional services were held in Siloh all this time though. In 1859, the friends decided to reform themselves into a church in Siloh. That cause continues pleasantly along with Llanddeusant and Llanfachreth for ministers. Many members and listeners were lost through that decision, and by the time Siloh was reformed they had made their home in other places.


The following persons were raised to preach in this church:-
Robert Thomas. He was ordained in Maenclochog, and is now a minister in Penrhiwgaled, Cardiganshire.
Edward Morris. He was ordained in Abererch, and is now a minister in Penrhyndeudraeth.


*Dysgedydd, 1839. Page. 221

492

William Williams. He is a respected lay preacher, but his health has impaired his effectiveness.

 

SEION

(Llanbadrig parish)

Dechreuwyd pregethu yn y gymydogaeth hon tua'r flwyddyn 1835. Pan symudodd Owen Thomas, mab Mr. O. Thomas, Carrog, i Clegyrog, yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1834, bu am tua blwyddyn yn cerdded i Ebenezer, Llanfechell, i'r cyfarfodydd bob Sabboth, ond yn 1835, meddyliodd am gael pregethu yn y gymydogaeth hon, a bu ef a Richard Roberts, Glangors, ac eraill, am agos i dair blynedd yn ymgynnull i wrando pregethau yn Clegyrog a Rhosgoch. Nid ydym yn sicr pwy a bregethodd gyntaf yn y lleoedd hyn, mae yn debyg mai Mr. Thomas Owen, Llanfechell, a mynych y pregethai Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch, a Mr. E. Davies, Llanerchymedd, yma. Byddai O. Thomas ac R. Roberts, a'u teuluoedd, ac eraill o'r ardal, yn arfer myned i'r cyfeillachau ac i gymuno i Llanfechell, a mawr ganmolir yr hen gyfarfodydd a gafwyd yno, yn nghyda melusder y gyfeillach ar y ffordd, wrth fyned a dyfod. Ond gan fod cynydd yn y gynnulleidfa, ac angen am gapel yn y gymydogaeth, penderfynwyd chwilio am le at adeiladu, ac yn y flwyddyn 1838, cafodd O. Thomas, R. Roberts, ac eraill, brydles gan W. B. Hughes, Ysw., Plascoch, ar ddarn o dir - craig yn hytrach- perthynol i amaethdy bychan o'r enw Pantygist, am ddeg swllt y flwyddyn o ardreth am 99 o flynyddoedd. Dechreuwyd adeiladu yn ddioed. Mesurai y capel 24 troedfedd wrth 27 troedfedd o fewn y muriau. Traul yr adeilad, heb gynwys y cludiad oedd 140p., ond casglwyd tuag un ran o dair o honynt cyn agor y capel. Cynaliwyd cyfarfod agoriadol yma Tachwedd 14eg a'r 15fed, 1838, pryd y pregethodd Meistri W. Davies, Salem ; J. Evans, Beaumaris ; R. Parry, Conway ; W. Rees, Dinbych ; A. Jones. Bangor ; W. Griffith, Caergybi ; D. James, Capel mawr, ac E. Davies, Llanerchymedd, ac enwodd Mr. Arthur Jones, Bangor, ef yn Seion, sef Brynsych, meddai ef yn ei ddull tra hynod ei hun, ac y mae yn sefyll ar gopa craig digon sech, ond er hyny cafwyd ar y mynydd Seion hwn lawer o wlith a chawodydd hyfryd i gynyddu a ffrwythloni y rhai a blanwyd yma gan y gwinllanydd nefol, ac sydd heddyw yn y baradwys fry, lle ni " wywa byth eu blodau braf." Ni ffurfiwyd yma eglwys nes y cafwyd y capel, ac ymunodd y rhai canlynol yma y tro cyntaf :- O. Thomas a'i wraig ; R. Roberts a wraig ; W. Pritchard, y crydd ; Elizabeth Evans, Gareglefn ; R. Jones, Pantygist, a Fanny Parry, Maesmawr. Gweinyddwyd gan Mr. Thomas Owen, Llanfechell. Cynyddodd yr achos yn lled fuan, a rhoddasant alwad i Mr. David Roberts, Bangor, ac urddwyd ef yn Shiloh, Mai 6ed a'r 7fed, 1839. Yn mhen ychydig flynyddau symudodd Mr. Roberts i Manchester, a bu yno am dipyn o amser, ond yn y flwyddyn 1845, daeth yma yn ol, a bu yma, mewn cysylltiad a Chemaes, yn ffyddlawn a llwyddianus am dros chwe' blynedd. Derbyniodd alwad o Pendref, Caernarfon, a symudodd yno, ond parhâ y serch a'r anwyldeb heb wanhau hyd heddyw. Yn y flwyddyn 1853, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Jones, Seion, sir Flint, i weinidogaethu yma mewn cysylltiad a Cemaes a Llanfechell, a bu yma am bedair blynedd, hyd nes y symudodd i Maentwrog. Ar ol hyny bu yr eglwys hon heb weinidog am ysbaid chwe' blynedd, ac yn yr adeg hono fe wywodd yr achos i raddau mawr. Penderfynwyd cael gweinidog, a rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Hugh Jones, pregethwr ieuangc yn yr eglwys yn Bryn-

493

siencyn, i fod yn weinidog yma ac yn Cemaes, ac urddwyd ef Medi 29ain, 1864, ac y mae Mr. Jones yn parhau i lafurio yma gyda chymeradwyaeth a mesur helaeth o lwyddiant.

Cafodd yr eglwys ieuangc yma golled ddirfawr yn marwolaeth Mr. Owen Thomas, Clegyrog, y prif offeryn i gychwyn yr achos yma. Yr oedd yn fab i'r hybarch Owen Thomas, o Garrog, ac anogwyd yntau lawer gwaith i ddechreu pregethu. Daeth i Glegyrog yn fuan wedi iddo briodi, a bu ef a'i wraig, yr hon sydd etto yn aros, o help mawr i'r achos yma, ac y mae eu plant wedi cyfodi i wasanaethu Duw eu rhieni. Mae eu mab, Owen Thomas, Clegyrog, yn ddiacon defnyddiol yn yr eglwys. Yr oedd Owen Thomas yn ddyn pwyllog a deallgar, gwastad a didramgwydd yn ei holl ymarweddiad. Bu farw yn dra disymwyth un noswaith ar ol dod adref o'r gyfeillach, lle yr oedd wedi cael gwledd nad anghofir gan y rhai oeddynt yn bresenol. Richard Roberts, Glanygors, hefyd oedd yn un o'r rhai mwyaf cywir a ffyddlon, a bu o gynorthwy mawr i'r achos ar ei gychwyniad. Nid â caredigrwydd teulu Clegyrog, a theuluoedd y Fodolisaf, a'r Fodoluchaf, a'r theulu Glanygors, yn anghof yn fuan yn y wlad.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef Robert Williams, yr hwn sydd yn awr yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa y Bala.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2013)

Preaching started in this community around 1835. When Owen Thomas, the son of Mr. O. Thomas, Carrog, moved to Clegyrog, at the end of 1834, he walked to Ebenezer, Llanfechell for about a year, to attend the services every Sunday, but in 1835, he thought about having preaching in this community, and he and Richard Roberts, Glangors, and others, gathered, for almost three years, to listen to the sermons in Clegyrog and Rhosgoch. We are not sure who preached first in these places, apparently Mr. Thomas Owen, Llanfechell, and often Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch preached here, and Mr. E. Davies, Llanerchymedd. Mr. O. Thomas and R. Roberts, and their families, and others from the area, used to go to fellowship and to meetings in Llanfechell, and there was great praise for the old meetings that were held there, along with the sweetness of the companionship on the way there, while coming and going. But since there was an increase in the congregation, and a need for a chapel in the community, it was decided that they search for land on which to build, and in 1838, O. Thomas, R. Roberts, and others, were granted a lease by W. B. Hughes, Esq., Plascoch, on a piece of land - rock in fact - attached to a small farmhouse by the name of Pantygist, at a rate of ten shillings a year for 99 years. Building started immediately. The chapel measured 24 feet by 27 feet inside the walls. The cost, without counting the haulage was £140p, but about a third was collected before the chapel opened. An opening meeting was held here on November 14th and 15fth, 1838, when Messrs W. Davies, Salem ; J. Evans, Beaumaris ; R. Parry, Conway ; W. Rees, Dinbych ; A. Jones. Bangor ; W. Griffith, Caergybi ; D. James, Capel mawr, and E. Davies, Llanerchymedd preached, and Mr. Arthur Jones, Bangor, called it Seion, namely Brynsych (Dryhill), he said in his own eccentric way, and it stands on the top of a rock which is dry enough, but despite this a lot of dew and beautiful showers have fallen on this Mount Zion to increase and fertilise the ones who were planted here  by the heavenly vineyard, and who are today up there in paradise, where " her beautiful flowers will never wither." A church wasn't formed until the chapel was built, and these people joined the first time:- O. Thomas and his wife ; R. Roberts and his wife; W. Pritchard, the cobbler ; Elizabeth Evans, Gareglefn ; R. Jones, Pantygist, and Fanny Parry, Maesmawr. Mr. Thomas Owen, Llanfechell officiated. The cause increased quite soon, and they gave a call to Mr. David Roberts, Bangor, and he was ordained in Shiloh, on May 6th and 7th, 1839. Within a few years Mr. Roberts moved to Manchester, and he stayed there for quite a while, but in 1845, he came back, and stayed here, along with Cemaes, faithfully and successfully for over six years. He accepted a call from Pendref, Caernarfon, and moved there, but the love and care for him continues till today. In 1853, a call was sent to Mr. John Jones, Seion, Flintshire, to minister to them along with Cemaes and Llanfechell, and he stayed here for four years, until he moved to Maentwrog. After that this church had no minister for six years, and during that time the cause withered greatly. It was decided that a minister was needed and a call was given to Mr. Hugh Jones, a young preacher in the church in Bryn- siencyn,

493

to be a minister here and in Cemaes, and he was ordained on September 29th, 1864, and Mr. Jones continues to labour here with commendation and a measure of success.

This young church experienced a great loss in the death of  Mr. Owen Thomas, Clegyrog, the main instrument in starting this cause. He was the son of the venerable Owen Thomas, of Carrog, and he was encouraged many times to start preaching. He came to  Clegyrog soon after he married, and he and his wife, who still lives here, were of great help to this cause, and their children have been raised to serve the God of their parents. Their son, Owen Thomas, Clegyrog, was a useful deacon in the church. Owen Thomas was measured, intelligent, level and unoffending in his demeanour. He died quite suddenly one evening after coming home from the fellowship, where he had had an experience that was not to be forgotten by those who were present. Richard Roberts, Glanygors, also was one of the most correct and faithful, and was a great support to the cause when it started. The kindness of the Clegyrog family, and the families of Fodolisaf, and Fodoluchaf, and the Glanygors family, will not soon be forgotten in the country.

One preacher was raised here. This was Robert Williams, who is now a student in Bala college.

[NB - the chapel is sited near Carreglefn at OS grid reference SH39368949 in the Clegyrog part of Llanbadrig parish]

 

SARON

(Bodedern parish)

Mewn canlyniad i'r adfywiad grymus a gymerodd le yn y blynyddoedd 1839 ac 1840, ychwanegwyd llawer at yr eglwys yn Amlwch, ac yn eu plith amryw o gymydogaeth Bodgadfa. Yn eu mysg yr oedd Hugh Owen, Asgellog; Hugh Thomas, saer; John Michael, a'u gwragedd, a William a Catherine Parry, y Rhwngc. Bu y rhai hyn yn cerdded i Amlwch yn gyson am rai blynyddoedd ar y Sabboth ac i'r moddion wythnosol. Dechreuwyd pregethu yn yr ardal ar nosweithiau o'r wythnos gan Meistri T. Owen, Llanfechell, a W. Jones, Amlwch. Cyrchai amryw o gyfeillion Amlwch yma gyda Mr. Jones, yn enwedig yr hen frawd ffyddlon Owen Thomas, y smelter. Daeth ty anedd yn Modgadfa yn wag, a chymerwyd ef ar ardreth, ac ar y Sabboth, Mehefin 8fed, 1842, corpholwyd ynddo eglwys cynwysedig o saith o aelodau Amlwch oedd yn byw yn y gymydogaeth, a phump a dderbyniwyd o newydd i gymundeb ar y pryd. Bu cynydd graddol nes y daeth yr eglwys yn 30 mewn nifer. Derbyniwyd Henry Edwards a'i wraig yn aelodau, y rhai gyda theulu yr Asgellog, a fuont o help mawr i'r achos yn ei gychwyniad. Ymfudodd John Michael a'i deulu i America, ac yn ei ymadawiad collodd yr eglwys ddiacon ffyddlon, ond bu yn cyflawni yr un swydd yn America hyd nes y rhedodd yrfa i'r terfyn. Cafwyd tir i adeiladu y capel mewn man cyfleus, ac am bris rhesymol gan R. Hughes, Ysw., Plasbach, Llangeinwen, ac adeiladwyd y capel yn haf 1844. Cymerwyd arolygiaeth yr adeiladaeth gan Hugh Parry, Rhwngc, a rhoddodd chwech o bersonau fenthyg yr arian yn ddilog, fel na buwyd yn hir yn talu yr holl ddyled. Pregethwyd y bregeth gyntaf yn Saron, gun y gweinidog, Mr. Jones, Amlwch, Medi 8fed, 1844. Rhoddodd Mr. Jones ofal yr eglwys i fyny o herwydd ei lesgedd a'i henaint, ac yn y flwyddyn 1862, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Robert Hughes, Bontnewydd, i fod yn weinidog, a bu yma yn ddiwyd a defnyddiol dros rai blynyddoedd, nes y symudodd i Rhosymeirch, ei ardal enedigol. Ar sefydliad Mr. George Williams yn Amlwch, cymerodd hefyd

494

ofal yr eglwys hon, a siriolodd yr achos yn fawr yn ystod tymor ei weinidogaeth ef. Pan yr ymadawodd Mr. Williams yr oedd yn ymadael o fynwes yr eglwys gyda'r dymuniadau goreu am ei lwyddiant. Mae yr eglwys wedi prynu y tir o dan y capel, fel y mae bellach yn rhyddfeddiant iddi, ac wedi codi ty cyfleus yn nglyn ag ef, ac y maent yn bwriadu helaethu lle eu pabell.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2013)

As a result of the powerful revival that took place in 1839 and 1840, many joined the church in Amlwch, and among them several from the Bodgadfa community. In their midst there was Hugh Owen, Asgellog; Hugh Thomas, carpenter; John Michael, and their wives, and William and Catherine Parry, y Rhwngc. These people used to walk to Amlwch regularly for some years on the  Sabbath and to the weekly meetings. Preaching started in the area on week nights by Messrs T. Owen, Llanfechell, and W. Jones, Amlwch. Several friends travelled from Amlwch here with Mr. Jones, especially the faithful old brother Owen Thomas, the smelter. A dwelling house in Modgadfa became empty, and it was leased, and on the Sabbath, June 8th, 1842, a church was embodied here with seven members  from Amlwch who lived in the community, and five who were newly accepted. There was a gradual increase until the church numbered 30. Henry Edwards and his wife were accepted as members, along with the Asgellog family, that had been such a support for the cause from the start. John Michael and his family emigrated to America, and his leaving meant the church lost a faithful deacon, but he achieved the same status in America until the end of his life. Land was secured on which to build a chapel in a convenient spot, and for a reasonable price from R. Hughes, Esq., Plasbach, Llangeinwen, and the chapel was built in the summer of 1844. The consultant for the building work was Hugh Parry, Rhwngc, and six people lent money without interest, so that it didn't take long to pay off the whole debt. The first sermon was preached in Saron, by the minister, Mr. Jones, Amlwch, on September 8th, 1844. Mr. Jones gave up the care of the church as a result of his feebleness and his advanced age, and in 1862, the church gave a call to Mr. Robert Hughes, Bontnewydd, to be their minister, and he stayed here diligently and usefully for some years, until he moved to Rhosymeirch, the area of his birth. When  Mr. George Williams settled in Amlwch, he also took over

494

the care of this church, and the cause enlivened greatly during the time of his ministry. When Mr. Williams left the bosom of the church he did so with the best wishes for his success. The church has bought the land under the chapel, so that they now have the freehold, and have built a house alongside, and they mean to extend their tabernacle.

 

LLANFACHRETH

Translation available on /big/wal/AGY/Llanfachreth/Hanes.html

"Codwyd y capel hwn yn y flwyddyn 1834, yn benaf trwy ymdrech Mr. Thomas Owen, Llanfechell. Costiodd ryw gymaint dros 200p., a bu Mr. T. Owen yn llafurus i gasglu ato, ond yr oedd dyled o 160p. yn aros, yr hyn a fu yn hir yn faich trwm ar y lle. Nid oedd yma ond dau aelod pan godwyd y capel, sef Owen Williams, Penygraig, a'i wraig, ac y mae y ddau "wedi cael help gan Dduw," yn parhau yn ffyddlon. Bu yr achos yma yn hir fel llin yn mygu, ond etto heb ddiffodd, a gwelodd rai adegau lled flodeuog. Ar sefydliad Mr. David Davies yn Llanddeusant a Bodedeyrn, cymerodd hefyd ofal y lle hwn, a bu yn gwylio drosto hyd nes y symudodd o'r ardal. Bu y lle wedi hyny mewn cysylltiad a Llanddeusant dros dymor gweinidogaeth Mr. W. Roberts yno, ac am rai blynyddau yn nechreuad gweinidogaeth Mr. R. E. Williams. Unodd yr eglwys yma yn nechreu 1854 a'r eglwys yn Bodedeyrn i roddi galwad i Mr. John Hughes i fod yn weinidog, a bu y lle o dan ei ofal ef hyd ei farwolaeth, Tachwedd 28ain, 1868. Bu Mr. John Hughes yn dra ymdrechgar oddicartref yn casglu at dalu dyled y capel, a gweithiodd yr ysgol Sabbothol gartref yn egniol, fel y symudwyd trwy gydymdrech y baich fu yn hir yn gwasgu ar ysgwyddau gweiniaid. Mae y lle yn awr dan ofal Mr. T. Roberts, mewn cysylltiad a Llanddeusant. Cafodd yr eglwys yma golled fawr flynyddau yn ol yn marwolaeth Thomas Humphreys- dyn byw iog a gweithgar ag oedd a'i holl galon yn y gwaith ; ac yn ddiweddar cafwyd colled fawr yn ymadawiad y chwaer ffyddlon Mary Jones. Gwyr y rhan fwyaf o'r pregethwyr a ymwelasant a'r lle y deuddeng mlynedd diweddaf am ei "llafurus gariad " hi. Mae golwg siriol ar yr achos, er nad ydyw yn gryf a lluosog mewn nifer."

 

CAERGYBI

(Holyhead parish)

Nid yw yr achos Annibynol yn y lle hwn ond diweddar mewn cydmariaeth. Aeth yn agos i ugain mlynedd o'r ganrif bresenol heibio cyn gwneyd un cynyg i'w sefydlu, ac yr oedd yr enwadau eraill wedi cael blynyddoedd o'i flaen i sefydlu eu hachosion. Gan fod John Davies, un o aelodau cyntaf yr eglwys, wedi ysgrifenu hanes yr achos o'i ddechreuad hyd ddyfodiad. Mr. Griffith yma yn mis Gorphenaf, 1822, caiff ef lefaru yn ei eiriau a'i ddullwedd ei hun. Daeth John Davies yma i fyw Mawrth 21ain, 1817, ac yr oedd cyn hyny yn aelod yn yr eglwys yn Mhwllheli, dan ofal Mr. Benjamin Jones. Fel hyn yr ysgrifena:-

" Yn nechreu Mehefin, 1817, daeth y Parch. Owen Thomas, Carrog, a'r Parch. David Beynon, dau o weinidogion y sir, ar ymweliad a Chaergybi ar neges bersonol. Canfyddais hwy yn myned ar hyd yr heol, ac aethum atynt, a gwahoddais hwy i fy nhy. Yn y man cymhellais hwy i bregethu i'r bobl cyn ymadael o'r dref. Addawsant wneyd, a chafwyd benthyg addoldy y Bedyddwyr i'r perwyl. Taenwyd y gair drwy y dref, fod dau o weinidogion yr Annibynwyr i bregethu yno nos dranoeth, a chafwyd

495

cynnulleidfa luosog i wrandaw. Y dydd canlynol, cyn ymadael, gwnaethom gynygiad i geisio ffurfio achos yn y dref. Anogwyd fi gan y brodyr i ymofyn am le cyfleus i bregethu ynddo. Cyn hir, cefais hanes lle felly ; ystafell ydoedd yn mesur 29 o droedfeddi wrth 20, yr hon a fuasai yn chwareudy, ac yn ysgoldy, ond yn awr yn bobty. Gelwid hi 'y parlyrau,' am mai dau barlwr wedi eu gwneyd yn un ydoedd. Anfonais lythyr at y Parch. Owen Thomas, i'w hysbysu o'r peth. Yn y cyfamser cynelid cyfarfod misol yn yr ynys, ac aeth Mr. Thomas i'r cyfarfod a'r llythyr gydag ef. Gwnaeth ei gynwysiad yn hysbys i'r brodyr oeddynt yn bresenol, ac wedi ystyried yr achos, penderfynwyd ar fod y Parch. D. Beynon i ddyfod i edrych y lle. Gwelodd Mr. Beynon fod yr adeilad yn hynod o ddadfeilledig. 'Yr oedd darnau o waelod y drws,' meddai, 'wedi syrthio yn bydredig ymaith, yr holl ffenestri yn ddrylliedig, a'r tô mor dyllog fel na buasai yn bosibl aros yn yr adeilad ar gawod o wlaw. Er y cyfan, wrth weled y fath shell gref, ac eang, meddyliais y gallesid ei wneyd yn lle cyfleus am dymor o leiaf. Aethum at y foneddiges a'i perchenogai, ac wedi hir siarad, cydsyniodd am cais, a gorchymynodd y forwyn i estyn agoriad y theatre i mi. Taflodd ef ar y bwrdd, a theflais inau fy swllt yn ernes iddi, a'm calon yn bur lawen am i'r Arglwydd ei thueddu i roddi i ni ein dymuniad. Trefn y cymeriad oedd, fod i ni fyned i'r draul o adgyweirio yr adeilad, a thalu 5p. o ardreth blynyddol am dani. Aethum a hysbysrwydd o hyn i'r cyfarfod misol cyntaf ar ol gwneyd y cyfundeb, ac amlygodd pawb eu cymeradwyaeth o'r hyn a wnaed.'

" Yn fuan ar ol hyny, daeth y Parch. Robert Roberts, Treban, i'r dref, a rhoddodd seiri coed a cheryg ar waith i adgyweirio y lle, yr hyn a gostiodd 8p. Bu y Parch. D. Roberts, Bangor, (wedi hyny o Ddinbych), mor garedig a dyfod yma, a chasglodd yr arian a enwyd yn y gymydogaeth mewn ychydig amser. Erbyn hyn, cafwyd cymdeithas amryw gyfeillion oeddynt wedi bod gyda'r achos mewn lleoedd eraill. Mr. Owen Lewis, o eglwys Beaumaris, yr hwn wedi hyny a adeiladodd ein Tabernacl. Gwelwyd llawer o'i ffyddlondeb ef tuag at yr achos gwan. Un arall o'r enw Thomas Williams, yr hwn oedd wedi bod yn aelod yn Bodedeyrn yn amser y Parch. John Jones, Ceirchiog, oddeutu 19 o flynyddau cyn. hyn, ac ailymunodd a ni, a bu yn aelod ffyddlon a diacon gofalus hyd ei ddiwedd, a gellir argraffu ar gareg ei fedd, 'yr hyn a allodd hwn efe a'i gwnaeth.' Gorphenodd ei yrfa Awst 8fed, 1830. Yr oedd un arall o'r enw Robert Hughes, o eglwys y Parch. Jonathan Powell wedi dyfod yma ddwy flynedd cyn hyn, ymunodd yntau a'r achos, a bu am ysbaid yn gymorth mawr gyda'r canu, &c. Hefyd, yr oedd hen aelod arall o eglwys y Parch. J. Griffith, Caernarfon, wedi symud yma er's tua phum' mlynedd gyda ei phriod, Mr. David Roberts, barcer, yr oedd hwn yn wr didwyll yn ei alwedigaeth, fel yr hen frawd ffyddlon a chywir William Griffith, ei olynydd. Y rhagddywededig Mr. Roberts, oedd y cyntaf a dderbyniwyd yn 'y parlyrau,' ac erys byth yn ysgub y blaenffrwyth o eglwys yr Annibynwyr yn Nghaergybi.

"Yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1817, cawsom gyfarfod pregethu, pryd yr ymwelwyd â ni gan amryw o weinidogion yr ynys.* Cawsom lawer o

  

* Dyma drefn y cyfarfod a gynhaliwyd Tachwedd 4ydd a'r 5ed, 1817, fel y ceir yn nghofnodion Mr. Jonathan Powell. " Nos o'r blaen pregethedd J. Evans, Beaumaris, a J. Powell ; dranoeth am 10, D. Griffith, Talsarn ac E. Davies, Rhoslan ; am 2, R. Roberts, a J. Evans, Amlwch ; am 6, D. Beynon, a J. Powell."

496

anogaethau ganddynt i fyned yn mlaen, ac addewid y byddai iddynt hwythau wneyd a allent i'n cynorthwyo. Bu y cyfarfod hwn yn foddion i dynu sylw llaweroedd o'r newydd at yr achos, a'u hennill i wrandaw. Er mor wael oeddym, dangoswyd caredigrwydd mawr ar y pryd i'r cenhadau, yn enwedig gan Mr. John Ellis, swyddog perthynol i'r Dollfa, yr hwn a fu yn gyfaill calon, a chyn ei ddiwedd yn aelod ffyddlon gyda'r achos, fel y mae ei blant, a'i wyrion etto ar ei ol. Ar ei fwrdd ef y ciniawodd yr holl bregethwyr ar ddiwrnod y cyfarfod cyntaf hwnw. Buom yn lled anniben yn cael cyfleusdra i weinyddu yr ordinhadau. Ond cawsom hyny hefyd mewn amser. Y Parch. Owen Thomas, Carrog, oedd y cyntaf a weinyddodd swper yr Arglwydd yn ein plith. Wedi hyny cafwyd y fraint lion yn lled gyson, a derbyniwyd ambell un i gymundeb, ond yn lled anaml. Yn y flwyddyn 1819, daeth William Parry, a Margaret ei wraig, yma i fyw, y rhai oeddynt yn aelodau yn Llanerchymedd, a buont yn ffyddlon iawn fel y mae eu hiliogaeth hyd heddyw. Erbyn hyn, yr oeddym yn alluog i gynal cyfarfodydd gweddi pan ein siomid am bregethwr, ac ar amserau eraill. Yn y flwyddyn 1821, daeth Rowland Jones, a Margaret ei wraig, yma i fyw. Yr oeddynt yn aelodau o'r blaen yn Llangadwaladr, a bu eu dyfodiad yn llawer o gysur a chalondid i ni. Fel hyn, rhwng dyeithriaid a rhai wedi eu derbyn yn y lle, yr oeddym yn rhifo tua 12 o aelodau.

" O herwydd fod prinder llefarwyr yn y wlad, byddem weithiau heb neb i lenwi y Sabbothau. Parai hyny lawer o ddigalondid i ni, ac anturiasom feddwl am gael bugail i ofalu am danom. Buom yn ymddiddan a dau frawd ieuangc, un o athrofa Llanfyllin, a'r llall o athrofa Caerfyrddin. Cawsom addewid gan y ddau y deuent yma, ond fe'n siomwyd gan y naill a  llall o honynt. Pan mewn iselder meddwl o'r herwydd, cawsom newydd da rhagorol gan y Parch. R. Roberts, Treban, sef fod Mr. William Griffith, Caernarfon, a'i frawd, yn athrofa Caerfyrddin., ac os gallem gael ganddo addaw dyfod atom, y byddai yn debyg o fod yn fendith i'r achos a'r gymydogaeth. Addawodd wneyd a allai tuag at hyny, ac felly y gwnaeth. Yn nechreu Awst, 1821, daeth cyhoeddiad John a William Griffith i fod yn pregethu yn Nghaergybi un o'r Sabbothau canlynol. Wedi i ni gael y cyhoeddiad, penderfynasom ofyn benthyg capel ein brodyr y Bedyddwyr, a chaniatawyd ef yn rhwydd iawn. Wedi i Mr. W. Griffith ddyfod, darfu i rai o honom ddefnyddio y cyfleusdra i ymddiddan ag ef ar y mater, ond roddodd un addewid, ac ni ddangosodd unrhyw wrthwynebiad ychwaith ; addawodd ymweled a ni drachefn cyn dychwelyd i'r athrofa, ac ar ei ddyfodiad y tro hwnw, cawsom fwy o hamdden i ymddiddan, a chawsom beth cysur ganddo cyn ymadael. Pan ddaeth Mr. Roberts, Treban, i'r dref, tywalltasom ein calonau iddo ar yr achos, a deallasom ei fod yntau, ac eraill, yn cydweithredu o'n plaid ; er ein bod yn cael ein diystyru gan rai, fel ychydig o bobl dlodion, dim ond 13 o aelodau, heb na chapel na chynnulleidfa, ond un fechan iawn, etto, yn meddwl cael dyn ieuangc dysgedig a pharchus i ddyfod i'n plith. Yr oeddym wedi meddwl am wneyd cais at eglwysi y sir i'n cynorthwyo i gael gweinidog am flwyddyn neu ddwy, a chrybwyllwyd hyny hefyd gan rai o'r gweinidogion mewn cyfarfod misol ; ond dywedodd Mr. Griffith os byddai i Dduw dueddu ei feddwl i ddyfod i Gaergybi, yr ymddiriedai ef yn y Duw hwnw am gynaliaeth heb gymorth neb o'r eglwysi eraill. Felly y bu, ac y mae eglwys yn Tabernacl yn ddigon parod i uno yn nghyd i alw cyfarfod o ddiolchgarwch i Dduw o herwydd ei ddyfodiad i'w plith. Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1821, cytunasom

497

a'n gilydd i roddi galwad i Mr. Griffith i fod yn weinidog arnom, ac amlygasom ein penderfyniad i'n pleidiwr serchog, Mr. Roberts, Treban. Gyda'r parodrwydd mwyaf, cefnogodd yntau ein bwriad, ac addawodd ysgrifenu yr alwad, ac y caem ninau y tro nesaf y deuai i'r dref, gyfleusdra i'w llawnodi. Yn mhen tua mis ar ol hyn, daeth Mr. Roberts yma i bregethu, ac ar ddiwedd yr oedfa, boreu Sabboth, galwodd y cyfeillion yn nghyd, yna amlygodd y dyben, sef i lawnodi galwad i Mr. W. Griffith, Caernarfon, yr hwn oedd ar y pryd yn Nghaerfyrddin, i ddyfod i'w bugeilio yn yr Arglwydd. Wedi deall hyn, yr oedd pawb am y cyntaf i ddyfod yn mlaen. Disgwyliasom yn bryderus am atebiad, ac ni a'i cawsom er ein llawenydd; dywedai Mr. Griffith y byddai yn debyg o fod gyda ni y mis Gorphenaf canlynol, ac ar y 16eg o'r mis hwnw, yn y flwyddyn 1822, cyfarfuasom mewn llawenydd mawr dros ben. Y Sabboth canlynol, sef yr 21ain, pregethodd Mr. Griffith oddiar Actau xviii, 9, 10. - 'A'r Arglwydd a ddywedodd wrth Paul trwy weledigaeth liw nos, Nac ofna; eithr llefara, ac na thaw. Canys yr wyf fi gyda thi, ac ni esyd neb arnat, i wneuthur niwed i ti ; o herwydd y mae i mi bobl lawer yn y ddinas hon.' "

Mae parhad hanes yr achos o hyny hyd yn awr wedi ei ysgrifenu gan Mr. Griffith ei hun, ac nis gallwn wneyd dim yn well na'i gyhoeddi yn gyflawn.

"Y mae dilyniad yr hanes uchod wedi ei adael i mi o 1822 hyd 1872, haner can' mlynedd o daith yr anialwch ; ond er fod yr amser yn faith, bydd yr adroddiad yn fyr. Daeth yr alwad y cyfeirir ati yn y llinellau blaenorol i'm llaw Chwefror 16eg, 1822, ac ar ol ystyriaeth ddwys, a gweddi daer, tueddwyd fi i gydsynio a hi. Barnai fy athraw, y Parch. D. Peter, nad oeddwn yn gwneyd yn iawn, gan y gallaswn yn hawdd gael maes mwy manteisiol i lafurio. Dau beth a barodd i mi benderfynu. Un peth oedd bywyd yr achos yn Nghaergybi. Sicrhai gweinidogion yr ynys y byddai yn rhaid iddynt ei roddi i fyny, os nad awn yno; nis gallwn oddef y meddwl o fod ei waed ar fy nwylaw. Peth arall oedd gradd o hyder yn addewid fy Nuw, na byddai arnaf eisiau dim daioni. Meddyliais pe buasai Syr John Thomas Stanley, oedd yn bywiog yn y gymydogaeth, yn addaw felly, y buaswn yn galonog, a theimlais mai gormod o sarhad fuasai amheu y Digelwyddog ! Er hyny yr oedd fy ffydd yn egwan. Gyda bod y llythyr, yr hwn oedd yn cynwys atebiad cadarnhaol i'r alwad, wedi ei ollwng i'r llythyrgell, dywedais wrth fy nghydfyfyriwr hoff, y Parch. Caleb Morris, yr hwn oedd gyda mi ar y pryd, y buasai yn dda genyf ei gael yn ol, ond yr oedd hyny yn anmhosibl, 'yr hyn a ysgrifenwyd a ysgrifenwyd.' Pan ddaethum yma, 6 o frodyr, a 7 o chwiorydd oedd yn gwneyd i fyny yr holl eglwys, y gwrandawyr yn nghylch 40. Enwau yr aelodau ydoedd, Robert Jones, Thomas Williams, William Parry, Rowland Jones, William Williams, John Davies, Margaret Jones, Catherine Jones, Jane Evans, Margaret Parry, Elizabeth Roberts, Mary Lloyd, a Margaret Griffith. Rhyfyg a fuasai iddynt addaw fy nghynal, ac o herwydd hyny agorais ysgol. Cefais nawdd y gymydogaeth a'r wlad, ac yn fuan ysgrifenodd Dr. Abraham Rees, o Lundain, ataf, i'm hysbysu fod ysgol Dr. Daniel Williams i gael ei symud o'r man lle yr oedd. Gan fy mod o goleg Caerfyrddin, a'r Dr. yn hen gyfaill i fy nhad, dywedai y carai fy nghefnogi trwy osod yr ysgol o dan fy ngofal. Bu hyny yn gryn fantais i'r achos gwan, ac i minau. Pe gallaswn fyw heb yr ysgol, credwyf mai gwell ar y pryd oedd i mi ei

498   

chadw ; yr oedd yn fy nwyn i gydnabyddiaeth, ac yn rhoddi i mi beth dylanwad or daioni ar y plant a'u rhieni.  Urddwyd fi i gyflawn waith y weinidogaeth Medi 25ain a'r 26ain, yn y flwyddyn 1822. Gan nad oedd genym gapel etto o'r eiddom ein hunain, cynaliwyd y cyfarfod yn addoldy y Bedyddwyr. Nos Fercher, dechreuodd y Parch. J. Evans, Amlwch, a phregethodd y Parch. W. Cooper, Dublin, oddiar Ioan i. 29; a'r Parch. D. Jones, Treffynon, yn Gymraeg, oddiar 1 Tim. i. 15. Boreu dydd Iau, am haner awr wedi 6, dechreuodd y Parch. D. Morgan, Machynlleth, a phregethodd y Parch. T. Lewis, Pwllheli, oddiar loan v. 25. Am 9, dechreuodd y Parch. J. Rees, Manchester, a thraddodwyd y gynaraeth gan y Parch. W. Jones, Caernarfon, oddiar 1 Cor. i. 2 ; gofynwyd yr holiadau gan y Parch. R. Roberts, Treban ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan y Parch. D. Jones, Treffynon, gydag arddodiad dwylaw ; a phregethodd y Parch. W. Cooper, ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog, oddiar 1. Tim. iv. 12-16; a'r Parch. D. Roberts, Bangor, ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys, oddiar 1 Thes. ii. 20. Am 2, dechreuodd y Parch. Owen Thomas, Llanfechell, a phregethodd y Parch. D. Morgan, Machynlleth, oddiar Heb. xii. 4; a'r Parch. J. Breese, Llynlleifiad, oddiar Can. vi. 9. Am 6, dechreuodd y Parch. J. Evans, Beaumaris, a phregethodd y Parch. W. Cooper, oddiar Salm lxxxix. 15 ; a'r Parch. Daniel Griffith, (wedi hyny o Gastellnedd), oddiar Ezee. xxxvii. 9. Y nos ganlynol, pregethodd y Parch. J. Rees, Manchester, a'r Parch. J. Griffith, Beaumaris, yn awr o Buckley, oddiar Dat. xiv. 10, 11; a lago i. 5. Pregethais inau y Sabbath canlynol oddiar Eph. iii. 8.

" Yr oedd yn beth anfantais y blynyddau cyntaf, fy mod y gweinidog Ymneillduol sefydlog cyntaf erioed yn y dref. Er fod yr enwadau craill wedi hir ymsefydlu yma, byddent yn cael eu gwasanaethu gan amrywiaeth doniau o'r wlad bob Sabboth. Felly hefyd y gwasanaethid cynnulleidfa 'y parlyrau ' am y pum' mlynedd cyntaf, a llettyai y brodyr yn fynych yn Crecristfawr gyda Mr. Griffith Roberts, cwyllysiwr da i'r achos y pryd hyny, ac aelod diwyd wedi hyny hyd derfyn ei oes, er fod ganddo dair milldir o ffordd i ddyfod atom. Da genym gael cyfleusdra i groniclo ei  enw teilwng ; y mae rhai o'i hiliogaeth yn dilyn ei esiampl yn Llynlleifiad, a Bryngwran, Mon. Trefn y gwasanaeth Sabbothol o 1822 hyd 1831, ydoedd cyfarfod gweddi am 7, oedfa Gymraeg am 10, ysgol am 2, ac oedfa Saesonaeg am 6. Gan fod y Llan y pryd hyny yn gauad y nos, byddai y Saeson elai yno y prydnawn, bron i gyd yn dyfod atom ninau yn yr hwyr. Gwelwyd fod hyn yn niweidio yr achos Cymraeg, ac o herwydd hyny peidiwyd a'r Saesonaeg ; profodd y canlyniadau yn fuan mai iawn y gwnaethom. Ein gorchwyl mawr nesaf oedd adeiladu ; cafwyd y safle mwyaf dewisol. Maintioli y capel oedd 45 o droedfeddi wrth 39, ac oriel o'i amgylch ; yr oedd traul yr adeiladaeth yn 800p. Yr adeiladydd oedd y rhagddywededig Mr. Owen Lewis, yn awr o Langefni. Yr oedd yr anturiaeth yn fawr, ond safodd y cyfeillion, Mr. Roberts, Treban ; Mr. Ellis, Marchog ; a Mr. Roberts, Ty'nygroes, o dan bwys y ddyled gyda mi. Y mae parch yn ddyledus i'w henwau teilwng oddiwrth aelodau y Tabernacl o oes i oes. Pregethwyd ynddo gyntaf ar foreu Sabboth, Chwefror 22ain, 1824, y testyn y boreu hwnw oedd Neh. x. 39. Yn y flwyddyn 1845, helaethwyd y capel trwy ychwanegu vestry helaeth ato, ac ail-drefnu y llawn. Helaethwyd ef drachefn yn y flwyddyn 1856, trwy estyn saith lath at ei hyd, fel y cynwysai rhwng dan a thri chant yn fwy nag o'r blaen; costiodd yr helaethiad hwn 650p., heblaw 100p. am y tir oedd o'r blaen yn edringol, ond yn awr

499

sydd yn feddiant tragywyddol. Y mae yr ysgol Sabbothol wedi gweithio yn orchestol i ddileu y ddyled, ac wedi gorphen y gwaith. Y mae yma ysgoldy a dau dý anedd mewn cysylltiad a'r capel.* Cynydd graddol a pharhaus sydd wedi bod ar yr achos yma. Cafwyd ychwanegiadau anghyffredin at yr eglwys, y fath ag a elwir yn 'ddiwygiadau.' Cymerodd y blaenaf le yn yr haner blwyddyn gyntaf o fy ngweinidogaeth. Ymwelodd yr Arglwydd yn rasol iawn a ni y pryd hwnw. Derbyniwyd lluaws o aelodau, ac yn eu plith o benau teuluoedd, yn wyr a gwragedd gyda'u gilydd, y rhai fuont yn dra defnyddiol. Bu hyn yn foddion i'n calonogi yn fawr, fel arwydd er daioni. Cafwyd ymweliadau cyffelyb yn 1832 ac 1840. Hefyd, un arall grymus iawn yn 1848. Ond y mwyaf effeithiol o'r cyfan oedd, yr adfywiad nerthol yn 1859 ac 1869. Breintiwyd ni a thangnefedd heddychol o'r dechreu hyd yn bresenol. Unwaith y bygythiwyd yr eglwys ag ymraniad, pan yn ei phlentynrwydd dechreuol. Pwngc y ddadl oedd, pa un ai canwyllau dip, ynte canwyllau mold, a ddylesid ddefnyddio yn 'y parlyrau.' Yr oedd y naill blaid am ddangos yr achos allan yn anrhydeddus, a'r blaid arall am 'ddarparu pethau onest yn ngolwg pob dyn,' ac yn ofni y buasai y fold uwchlaw eu gallu hwy. Ond yr ydym ni eu holynwyr wedi myned uwchlaw y fold a'r dip, yn gymaint a bod y nwy (gas) ysblenydd wedi eu hymlid hwynt oil ymaith.

"Mae y gynnulleidfa gyda y blaenaf mewn ffyddlondeb yn ei chyfraniadau at yr achos, yn gartrefol ac yn gyffredinol. Breintiwyd ni hefyd a diaconiaid ffyddlon. Y mae y chwech a fu yn gwasanaethu y swydd wedi myned i orphwys oddiwrth eu llafur, ar ol ennill iddynt eu hunain 'radd dda,' sef Thomas Williams, David Hughes, Rowland Jones, Hugh Rowlands, Robert Roberts, gynt o'r Bank, ac E. Griffith, Anglesey-house. Mae yr wyth sydd yn aros o gyffelyb feddwl, ac yn gwir ofalu. Nifer yr aelodau eglwysig ydyw 420 ; yr ysgol Sabbothol 350 ; y gynnulleidfa 750. Nid oes yn aros yn yr eglwys yn bresenol gymaint ag un o'r 13 oedd gyda mi

* " Trwy ymdrech diflino ;y gynnulleidfa gartref, a'r gweinidog oddicartref, talwyd rhan o'r ddyled oedd y pryd hyny yn drom iawn ar ysgwyddau gweiniaid. Ond yn y flwyddyn 1853, pan brynwyd y tir, dywedodd ein gweinidog y talai ef y 100p. am dano, ar yr amod i'r eglwys dalu y ddyled o 300p. oedd yn aros ar y capel. Rhoes yr her i'r ysgol Sabbothol, a derbyniodd hithau y challenge yn siriol ac unfrydol.

" Gorphenodd ef ei waith yn ehrwydd, a daliodd hithau ati yn ffyddlon iawn, nes gorphen ei rhan hithau, ac nid yr hen ddyled yn unig, and ymgymerodd hefyd yn galonog a'r ddyled newydd. Y mae ei hesiampl yn hyn wedi bod o fendith i'r wlad, fel nad oes nemawr ysgol yn yr ynys nad yw yn casglu at ddyled ein capeli. A disgwyliwn y bydd yn fuan yn jubili trwy holl ynys Mon, megis y mae yma gyda ni heddyw.

" Mae y treuliadau a'r taliadau mewn cysylltiad a'r adeiladaeth, o'r dechreu, fel y canlyn

(Table  from  + Jubili Tabernacl, Caergybi. Annibynwr, 1864. Tu dal. 47.  not extracted)

500  

ar y cyntaf. Ymadawodd y ddiweddaf yn 1871, sef ein hanwyl chwaer Catherine Jones, yn 92 mlwydd oed. Trwy diriondeb trugaredd ein Duw, gallaf ddyweyd bellach, 'Yn nghanol fy mhobl yr ydwyf fi yn trigo,' ac yn eu canol yr ydwyf yn debyg o noswylio. Cefais gymhelliadau i'w gadael am Dreffynon, Caerfyrddin., Llynlleifiad, Caernarfon, a Llundain ; ond methais a gweled fy ngalwad oddi yma mor amlwg o Dduw, ag yr ymddangosai fy nyfodiad yma."

Mae Mr. Griffith wedi crynhoi llafur haner can' mlynedd o weinidogaeth lwyddianus yn mysg yr un bobl i gylch bychan, ond ni fynegwyd yr haner sydd i'w fynegu am ei lafur a'i lwyddiant. Aeth dwy gangen o'r eglwys allan yn heddychol i gychwyn achosion mewn lleoedd eraill, y rhai a ddaw dan ein sylw etto. Tabor ar fynydd Twr, a ddechreuodd yn y flwyddyn 1847, a'r Tabernacl Newydd, yn y dref, a adeiladwyd yn y flwyddyn 1866. Ar yr 22ain o Fehefin, y flwyddyn hono, pan yn pregethu yn nghymanfa Pwllheli, tarawyd Mr. Griffith gan ergyd oddiwrth yr haul (sun-stroke), yr hyn a'i hanalluogai am tua phedair blynedd i gyflawni ei weinidogaeth. Wrth weled amser ei fethiant yn myned yn hir, cynygiodd fwy nag unwaith i roddi ei swydd i fyny, ond ni fynai yr eglwys wrando ar hyny. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Evan C. Davies, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu, i fod yn gydweinidog a Mr. Griffith, ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 25ain, 1869. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Lloyd, Caergybi ; holwyd y gofyniadau a dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. W. Griffith ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. B. Jones, B.A., Penybont-ar-ogwy, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Griffith, Portdinorwic. Wedi cydlafurio yn hapus am ddwy flynedd, derbyniodd Mr. Davies alwad o Lanerchymedd, a symudodd yno, ac y mae gofal yr eglwys yma, fel cynt, yn gwbl ar Mr. Griffith, a chan fod ei iechyd i raddau mawr wedi ei adferu, y mae yn gallu cyflawni y weinidogaeth gyda chynorthwy ei frodyr yn lled ddifwlch, ond ei fod yn gorfod ymgadw o gyfarfoddydd cyhoeddus. Ar derfyn ei haner canfed flwyddyn yn y weinidogaeth, y mae ei gyfeillion yn gwneyd Tysteb iddo yn arwydd o'u parch dwfn iddo a'u gwerthfawrogiad o'i lafur a'i gymeriad.

Cyfodwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon:-

  • David Rowlands, B.A. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yn Llanbrynmair, ac y mae yn awr wedi ei ddewis yn athraw clasurol yn athrofa Aberhonddu.
  • Edward James. Urddwyd ef yn Llanaelhaiarn, ac y mae wedi bod bellach am flynyddoedd yn weinidog yno ac yn Sardis.
  • Robert Owen. Urddwyd ef yn Berea, Mon, a bu farw yno yn ddiweddar, lle y daw ei hanes dan ein sylw.
  • Thomas R. Jones. Mae yn awr yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa Aberhonddu.
  • Richard Jones. Mae yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn yr eglwys.
  • Thomas Nicholson. Dechreuodd bregethu yn ddiweddar, ac y mae yn bwriadu myned yn fuan i ryw athrofa. Mae eraill a fagwyd yn yr eglwys yma, ond a ddechreuasant bregethu ar ol myned, oddiyma

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Apr 2016)

In comparison with others, the Independent cause in this place is recent. Nearly twenty years of the present century had passed before an attempt was made to establish it, and the other denominations had years ahead of them to settle their causes. Since John Davies, one of the first members of the church, has already written the history of the cause from its inception to the arrival of Mr. Griffith here in July, 1822, we will allow him to speak in his own words. John Davies moved here on March 21st, 1817, and before that he was a member in the church in Pwllheli, under the care of Mr. Benjamin Jones. This is how he wrote:-
" At the beginning of June, 1817, the Revd. Owen Thomas, Carrog, and the Revd. David Beynon, two of the county ministers, came on a personal visit to Holyhead. I met them going along the road. I went up to them, and invited them to my house. I encouraged them to preach to the people before they left the town. They promised to do so, and we borrowed a Baptist chapel for the occasion. The word spread throughout the town, that two Independent ministers were to preach there the next evening a


495
multitude came along to listen. The next day, before leaving, we offered to try to establish a cause in the town. I was encouraged by the brothers to ask for a convenient place in which to preach. Before long, I heard about a suitable place. It was a room measuring 29 feet by 20, which was a playhouse, and a schoolroom, but was now a bakehouse. It was called 'y parlyrau' (the parlours) as it was two parlours made into one. I sent a letter to the Revd.Owen Thomas, to let him know about it. In the meantime a monthly meeting was held on the island, and Mr. Thomas attended the meeting and took the letter with him. He announced the contents of the letter to the brothers who were present, and after considering, it was decided that Revd. D. Beynon should come to see the place. Mr. Beynon realised that the building was a ruin. 'Pieces of the bottom of the door,' he said, 'have rotted away, all the windows were broken, and there were so many holes in the roof that it would be impossible to stay in the building if it started to rain’. Despite everything, as I looked at the strong and extensive shell, I thought it was possible to make it a convenient place for a while at least. I went to visit the lady who owned it, and after a long conversation, she agreed with my suggestions, and she commanded the maid to fetch the keys to the theatre. She threw them on the table and I threw my shilling too as a deposit. My heart was very joyful as the Lord had inclined her heart to help us in our cause. The arrangement was that we were to be responsible for the cost of repairing the building, and pay £5 as an annual tax. I went along to the monthly meeting after this agreement and told everyone and they applauded the arrangement.'


" Soon after this, the Revd. Robert Roberts, Treban, came to the town, and he put carpenters and stonemasons to work repairing the place, which cost £8. The Revd. D. Roberts, Bangor, (after this from Denbigh), was kind enough to come here, and he collected the money that was needed in a short time. By now several friends who had been with the cause in other places joined them. One of them was Mr. Owen Lewis, from Beaumaris church, who later built our Tabernacl. His faithfulness was often evident towards the weak cause. Another by the name of Thomas Williams, who had been a member in Bodedeyrn during the time of the Revd. John Jones, Ceirchiog, about 19 years before this, rejoined us. He was a faithful member and a careful deacon till the end, and his gravestone could have engraved on it, 'what he could have done, he did.' He ended his career on August 8th, 1830. Another by the name of Robert Hughes, from Revd. Jonathan Powell's church, had come here two years before this and he joined the cause, and he was for a short time a great help with the singing etc. Also, there was another former member from Revd. J. Griffith, Caernarfon's church, who had moved here about five years ago with her husband, Mr. David Roberts, a tanner, who was a man of good faith in his business, just like the faithful old brother William Griffith, his successor. The aforementioned Mr. Roberts, was the first to be accepted in the 'parlours', and this remains as the sheaf of the firstfruits in Holyhead Independent church.


"At the end of 1817, a preaching meeting was held, when we were visited by several of the island's ministers.*


*This is the order of service that was held on November 4th and 5th, 1817, as was reported in Mr. Jonathan Powell's minutes. " The previous evening J. Evans, Beaumaris, and J. Powell preached; the next day at 10, D. Griffith, Talsarn and E. Davies, Rhoslan; at 2, R. Roberts, and J. Evans, Amlwch; at 6, D. Beynon, and J. Powell."
496
We received encouragement from them to move forward, and a promise that they would do all they could to help. This meeting was a means of drawing the attention of many to the new cause, and to win them to listen. Even though we were poor, great kindness was shown towards us at the time, especially by Mr. John Ellis, the official who was from the Dollfa, (the treasury). He was a heartwarming friend, and before his end came, a faithful member to the cause, as are his children, and his grandchildren. It was at his table that all the preachers at the meeting dined. We were a little tardy with the organisation of the services. But all was well within time. The Revd. Owen Thomas, Carrog, was the first to officiate at a communion amongst us. After this we had the honour quite regularly, and a few were accepted for communion, but not often. In 1819, William Parry, and Margaret his wife, came here to live. They were members in Llanerchymedd, and they were very faithful as are their descendants till today. By then, we were able to hold prayer meetings when we were disappointed by the lack of a preacher. In 1821, Rowland Jones, and Margaret his wife came here to live. They had been members in Llangadwaladr, and their arrival was a great comfort to us. So, along with strangers and those who had been accepted, we numbered around 12 members.


"As a result of the lack of orators in the country, we had difficulty in filling the pulpit on a Sunday. This disheartened us, and we were bold enough to consider getting a minister to care for us. We discussed the subject with two young brothers, one from Llanfyllin college, and the other from Carmarthen college. They both promised that they would come here, but we were disappointed by both. While we were feeling very low as a result of the disappointment, we received some wonderful news from the Revd. R. Roberts, Treban, saying that Mr. William Griffith, Caernarfon, who had a brother in Carmarthen college, and that if we were able to get a promise from him to come to visit us that he was likely to be a blessing to the cause and to the community. He promised to do all he could. At the beginning of August, 1821, an announcement was made that John and William Griffith were to preach in Holyhead one of the following Sundays. We decided to ask to borrow the chapel belonging to our brothers the Baptists, and that was accepted very gladly. Once Mr. W. Griffith came, some of us used the facilities to discuss the matter with him, and he did not show any opposition either; he promised to visit us again before returning to the college, and that time we had more time to discuss things. We were comforted before he left. When Mr. Roberts, Treban, came to town, we opened our hearts to him on the matter, and we understood that he along with others were working on our behalf; even though we were ignored by some, as if we were poor people, only 13 members, with no chapel nor congregation, well, just a little one, considering asking a young, educated, respected man to come amongst us. We had considered asking for the help of the county churches to help us find a minister for a year or two, a point that had been mentioned by some of the ministers in a monthly meeting; but Mr. Griffith said if God was inclined to come to Holyhead, he would trust that God would sustain him without the support of any other churches. And there is now a church in Tabernacl who is ready enough to unite in organising a meeting of thanksgiving to God for his arrival amongst them. Before the end of the year 1821, we agreed
497
to call Mr. Griffith our minister, and we made our decision clear to our dear Mr. Roberts, Treban. Very readily he supported our intention, and he promised to write the call, and the next time he visited the town we would have a chance to sign it. Within a month after this, Mr. Roberts came here to preach, and at the end of the morning service he called the friends together and announced they would be signing the call to Mr. W. Griffith, Caernarfon, who was at the time in Carmarthen, to come to shepherd them in the Lord. Once they heard this everyone wanted to be the first to sign. We waited anxiously for the reply, and we received it joyfully; Mr. Griffith said that he would probably be with us the following July, and on the 16th of that month, in 1822, we met in joyous anticipation. The following Sabbath, that is the 21st, Mr. Griffith preached from Acts xviii, 9, 10. - 'Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent. For I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.' "


The rest of the history of the cause from then till now has been written by Mr. Griffith himself, and we can do no better than to publish it in full.


"The above history from 1822 till 1872 was left for me to complete. It was fifty years of a journey in the desert; but even though the time is long, the report will be short. The call that was mentioned above came into my hands on February 16eg, 1822, and after deep consideration, and fervent prayer, I was inclined to agree. My professor, the Revd. D. Peter, felt that it wasn't a good decision, as I could easily have secured a more advantageous area in which to labour. Two things helped me to decide. One was the life in the cause in Holyhead. The ministers on the island assured me that they would have to give up if I didn't go there; I couldn't stand the thought of its blood on my hands. Another feeling was the degree of confidence in my God's promise, that I would never be in need. I thought that if Sir John Thomas Stanley, who was living in the community, promised, then I would be happy, and I felt that it would be an insult to doubt the One who is without falsehood! Despite this my faith was weak. Even when the letter, which contained my positive answer to the call, had dropped into the postbox, I told my dear fellow student, the Revd. Caleb Morris, who was with me at the time, that I would like to be able to retrieve it, but that was impossible, 'what is written is written.' When I came here, there were 6 brothers and 7 sisters which made up the whole church, the listeners comprised about 40. The names of the members were, Robert Jones, Thomas Williams, William Parry, Rowland Jones, William Williams, John Davies, Margaret Jones, Catherine Jones, Jane Evans, Margaret Parry, Elizabeth Roberts, Mary Lloyd, and Margaret Griffith. It was presumptuous to expect them to promise to keep me, so I decided to open a school. I was supported by the community and the country, and soon Dr. Abraham Rees, from London wrote to inform me that Dr. Daniel Williams' school was to be moved. Since I was from Carmarthen college, and the Doctor was an old friend of my father, he said he would like to support me by putting the school under my care. That was a great advantage to the weak cause and to me. Had I been able to live without the school, I believe that at the time it was better for me to
498
keep it; it gave me a modicum of acknowledgement, and gave me some influence with the children and parents. I was ordained to the full ministry on September 25th and 26th, 1822. As we had no chapel of our own then, we held the meeting in the Baptist chapel. On Wednesday evening, the Revd. J. Evans, Amlwch started, and the Revd. W. Cooper, Dublin preached from John i. 29; and the Revd. D. Jones, Holywell, in Welsh, from 1 Tim. i. 15. On Thursday morning, at half past six, the Revd. D. Morgan, Machynlleth started, and the Revd. T. Lewis, Pwllheli preached from John v. 25. At 9, the Revd. J. Rees, Manchester started and the Revd.W. Jones, gave the early address, from 1 Cor. i. 2; the questions were asked by the Revd. R. Roberts, Treban; the ordination prayer was given by the Revd. D. Jones, Holywell, with the laying on of hands; and the Revd. W. Cooper, preached on the duty of the minister, from 1. Tim. iv. 12-16; and the Revd. D. Roberts, Bangor, preached on the duty of the church from, 1 Thes. ii. 20. At 2, Revd. Owen Thomas, Llanfechell started, and the Revd. D. Morgan, Machynlleth preached, from Heb. xii. 4; and the Revd. J. Breese, Llynlleifiad, preached. At 6, Revd J. Evans, Beaumaris started, and the Revd. W. Cooper preached, from Psalm lxxxix. 15; and the Revd. Daniel Griffith, (after this from Neath), from Eziah. xxxvii. 9. The following evening,the Revd. J. Rees, Manchester preached, and the Revd. J. Griffith, Beaumaris, now from Buckley, preached from Rev. xiv. 10, 11; and James i. 5. I preached the following Sabbath from Eph. iii. 8.


" In the first couple of years I found it was somewhat of a disadvantage to be the first settled non-conformist minister ever in the town. Even though the other denominations had long settled here, they would be served by several talents from the country every Sabbath. This is how the congregations of ‘the parlours’ were served for the first five years, and the brothers lodged in Crecristfawr with Mr. Griffith Roberts, a good suppoter of the cause at that time, and a diligent member after that to the end of his life, even though he had three miles to travel to us. We are glad of the chance to chronicle his worthy name; some of his kind follow his example in Llynlleifiad, and Bryngwran, Anglesey. The order of service from1822 until 1831, was to have a prayer meeting at 7, a Welsh service at10, school at 2, and an English service at 6. Since the established church was closed at that time in the evening, the English who attended in the afternoon, would almost all come back in the evening. This was considered to harm the Welsh cause, and as a result the English service was stopped; it was soon proved to be a wise step to take. Our next task was to build; we managed to secure a suitable spot. The chapel measured 45 feet by 39, with a gallery around it; the debt was £800. The builder was the aforementioned Mr. Owen Lewis, now in Llangefni. The venture was a big one, but my friends, Mr. Roberts, Treban; Mr. Ellis, Marchog; and Mr. Roberts, Ty'nygroes, bear the burden of the debt with me. Their names will be suitably respected by the members of Tabernacl from age to age. Preaching first started there on February 22nd, 1824, and the text that morning was Neh. x. 39. In 1845, the chapel was extended by adding an extensive vestry, and fully reorganizing it. It was again extended in 1856, by adding seven yards to its length, so that it could hold between two and three hundred more than previously; this extension cost £650, besides the £100 for the land that had been leased, but now
499
it belongs to the church in perpetuity. The Sunday school has worked tirelessly to delete the debt, and have succeeded. There is a schoolroom and two houses connected to the chapel.* The cause has gradually and continuously increased. We experienced strange events which added to the church, which we called the happenings. The first took place in the first six months of my ministry. The Lord visited us with such grace at that time. A multitude of members were accepted, and among those, heads of households, husbands and wives together, which were very useful to us. This heartened us greatly, and was a good sign. We experienced similar visits in 1832 and 1840. We also received a very powerful visit in 1848. But the most effective of them were the powerful revivals in 1859 and 1869. We were privileged to receive a special peace from the beginning until now. On one occasion, in our early years, the church was threatened with a split. The subject of the quarrel was whether dip candles or mold candles should be used in ‘the parlours’. One side wanted to sort it out honourably, and the other side wanted to 'prepare honest objects for the sight of all men.' They were afraid that it would all be beyond their ability. But we, their followers have reached above the mold and dip, and installed splendid gas and got rid of the candles.


"The congregation is the most faithful in donating to the cause, at home as well as generally. We were also privileged in having faithful deacons. The six who served the posts have gone to rest from their labours, after gaining a good account for themselves. These were Thomas Williams, David Hughes, Rowland Jones, Hugh Rowlands, Robert Roberts, formerly from the Bank, and E. Griffith, Anglesey-house. The eight who remain are of the same mind, and truly care. The number of church members is now 420; the school numbers 350; the congregation 750. Not one of the 13 that were with me is left in this church


" Through the untiring efforts of the congregation at home, and the minister away from home, part of the debt, which was at that time very heavy, was paid. But in 1853, when the land was bought, our minister said that he would pay the £100 for it, on condition that the church would pay the remaining £300. The challenge was given to the Sunday school, and it was accepted unanimously.


" He completed his work easily and the Sunday school remained faithful, until she completed her part, and not only the old debt was paid but he readily took on the new debt as well. This example has been a blessing to the country, so there is hardly a school on the island that isn’t collecting towards the debt of our chapels. And soon we fully expect a jubilee throughout the whole of Anglesey because he is here with us today.


" The costs and payments concerned with the cause from the beginning are as follows


(Table from + Jubili Tabernacl, Caergybi. Annibynwyr, 1864. Page. 47. not extracted)


500
The last one left us in 1871. She was our dear sister Catherine Jones, who was 92 years old. Through the gentleness and mercy of our Lord, I can now say, 'In the midst of my people I live,' and in their midst I am likely to say farewell’. I was encouraged to leave for Treffynon, Carmarthen, Llynlleifiad, Caernarfon, and London; but I failed to be as sure of a call from God as I had been when I came here."


Mr. Griffith has summarised the labour of fifty years of ministry amongst the same people to a small circle, but he didn't expand on his labour and success. Two branches of the church left peacefully to start causes in other places. These will be dealt with again. One is Tabor which is on the Twr mountain, which was started in 1847, and Tabernacl Newydd, in the town, which was built in 1866. On Jun 22nd, that year, while preaching at Pwllheli gymanfa, Mr. Griffith was struck by the sun (sun-stroke), which meant he was unable to carry out his ministry for about four years. Seeing his ministry in danger of becoming a failure, he offered to resign more than once, but the church wasn't willing. Mr. Evan C. Davies, a student from Brecon college was called to be a co-minister, along with Mr. Griffith, and he was ordained on July 25th, 1869. Mr. W. Lloyd, Holyhead preached about the nature of the church; the questions were asked and the ordination prayer was given by  Mr. W. Griffith; Mr. J. B. Jones, B.A.,Bridgend, preached to the minister and Mr. D. Griffith, Portdinorwic to the church. Having worked together contendedly for two years, Mr. Davies accepted a call from Llanerchymedd, and moved there and the care of this church is now back fully in Mr. Griffith's hands, and since he has almost fully recovered his health he can discharge his duties with the help of his brothers, except that he has to keep away from public meetings. At the end of his fiftieth year in the ministry, his friends are writing a testimonial for him as a sign of their deep respect for him and their gratitude for his labour and his character.


The following persons were raised to preach in this church:-


David Rowlands, B.A. He was educated in Brecon college, and was ordained in Llanbrynmair, and he has now been chosen as a classics professor in Brecon college.

Edward James. He was ordained in Llanaelhaiarn, and has been a minister there for years along with Sardis.

Robert Owen. He was ordained in Berea, Anglesey, and he died there recently, His story can be found under Berea.

Thomas R. Jones. He is now a student in Brecon college.

Richard Jones. He is a lay preacher in the church.

Thomas Nicholson. He started preaching lately, and he intends to go to a college very soon. There are others who were brought up in this church, but who started preaching after leaving here.

 

TABOR

(Holyhead parish)

Mae y capel yma ar ochr mynydd Twr, o fewn llai na dwy filldir i Gaergybi. Dechreuwyd yr achos yn y gymydogaeth hon mewn ty o eiddo y diweddar frawd Owen Hughes, yn y flwyddyn 1847. Adeiladwyd y

501

capel yn y flwyddyn 1848. Nid oedd eu nifer ar y dechreu ond saith, sef pump o feibion a dwy o ferched, ond deuai cyfeillion o'r dref yma i'w cynorthwyo am beth amser. Cynyddodd yr eglwys a'r gwrandawyr, fel y gwelwyd cyn hir olwg siriol ar yr achos, ond trwy y mynych symudiadau a gymerodd le, y mae yr achos wedi lleihau y blynyddoedd diweddaf. Mae y lle yn parhau dan ofal Mr. Griffith mewn cysylltiad a'r Tabernacl, Caergybi.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2013)

This chapel is on the side of Mynydd Twr, within less than two miles of Holyhead. The cause started in this community in a house owned by the late brother Owen Hughes, in 1847. The chapel was

501

built in 1848. There were only seven members at the beginning of the cause. These were five men and two women, but for some time friends would come from this town to support them. The church and the listeners increased, and soon the cause flourished, but as a result of the many movements of ministers that took place, the cause has suffered during the last few years. The place continues under the care of Mr. Griffith along with Tabernacl, Holyhead.

 

 TABERNACL NEWYDD, CAERGYBI

Translation available on /big/wal/AGY/Holyhead/Hanes.html

"Yn y flwyddyn 1866, o herwydd fod y gynnulleidfa wedi lluosogi, penderfynwyd adeiladu capel arall yn mharth gogleddol y dref. Costiodd uwchlaw 1100p. Galwyd ef y Tabernacl Newydd. Talwyd haner y ddyled pan agorwyd ef, a than fod y ddau Dabernacl wedi rhanu gweddill y ddyled rhyngddynt, disgwylir na bydd yr holl ddyled yn hir heb gael ei thalu. Arwyddwyd dymuniad ar fod o leiaf gant o aelodau y fam-eglwys yn ymgymeryd a'r achos newydd. Oddeutu pedwar ugain a symudodd, a'r rhai hyny yn mhob ystyr yn gyfeillion galluog i gadw ty. Yn y flwyddyn 1868, derbyniodd Mr. William Lloyd, Llundain, (Were, cyn hyny), alwad oddiwrth yr eglwys yma i weinidogaethu iddi, ac y mae yn parhau i lafurio yn y lle. Gan mai achos newydd ydyw, nid oes llawer o ffeithiau yn nglyn ag ef i'w cofnodi, ond y mae pob peth yn myned yn mlaen yn dra chysurus."

 BODEDEYRN

Nid oes genym hanes cywir pa bryd y dechreuwyd pregethu yn y lle hwn, ond y mae yn sicr fod pregethu yma yn nechreu y ganrif hon, canys yr ydym yn cael yn nghofnodion Llys Esgobol Bangor, i Robert Roberts drwyddedu Plasmain, Bodedeyrn, Awst 11eg, 1801. Bu pregethu am ysbaid yn Plasmain, ac wedi hyny symudwyd i dý arall a elwid Llawr-y-llan, a chyfaddaswyd y lle hwnw at gynal addoliad. Bu yma un David Griffith yn pregethu ac yn cadw ysgol, ond nid ydym yn cael ei fod yn weinidog yma. Yr oedd yma yn flaenorol i urddiad Mr. R. Roberts yn y lle, ac arhosodd yma wedi ei sefydliad, oblegid yr ydym yn cael enw D. Griffith, Bodedeyrn, yn aml yn nghofnodion Mr. Jonathan Powell yn yr adeg hono. Bu Mr. Robert Roberts yn dyfod yma yn hir i bregethu, ac ar y 29ain o Mehefin, 1810, urddwyd ef i fod yn weinidog yma ac yn Ceirchiog. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri A. Jones, Bangor ; J. Powell, Rhosymeirch ; J. Evans, Amlwch ; J. Griffith, Caernarfon, a Dr. G. Lewis, Llanuwchllyn.* Llafuriodd Mr. Roberts yma yn ddiwyd a ffyddlon am bedair-blynedd-ar-hugain, hyd nes y gorfodwyd ef yn 1834, i roddi yr eglwys i fyny, oblegid sefyllfa ei iechyd. Codwyd yma gapel newydd yn y flwyddyn 1829, yr hwn a enwyd yn Saron, ac agorwyd ef Tachwedd 4ydd, y flwyddyn hono. Derbyniwyd y swm o 30p. o Gleifiogisaf at ddileu dyled y capel, a chyfranodd Mr. Roberts, y gweinidog, 10p. i'r un dyben, a gwnaed y gweddill i fyny gan yr eglwys a'r ardal. Costiodd tua 100p., a thalwyd y cyfan. Ni dderbyniodd Mr. Roberts ddim am ei lafur gweinidogaethol yr holl flynyddoedd y bu yma, ac er fod hyny

*O gofnodion Mr. Jonathan Powell, Rhosymeirch.

502  

o'i du ef yn dangos hunanymwadiad mawr, etto yr oedd yr eglwys trwy hyny yn cael ei chamfagu. Wedi bod dros ychydig heb weinidog wedi i Mr. Roberts roddi y gofal i fyny, yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1836, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Davies, i fod yn weinidog i'r eglwys hon, ac i'r eglwysi yn Llanddeusant a Llanfachreth. Urddwyd ef yma Gorphenaf 27ain, 1836. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch ; pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog gan Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi, ac ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch.* Bu Mr. Davies yma yn ddiwyd am yn agos i chwe' blynedd, hyd nes y symudodd i Berea, ac oddiyno i Langefni. Wedi ei ymadawiad ef, rhoddodd yr eglwys yma alwad i Mr. William Evans, yr hwn oedd yn weinidog yn Abererch, gerllaw Pwllheli. Bu yma rai blynyddoedd, nes y symudodd i'r Dwyran, ac oddiyno i Fagillt, lle y gorphenodd ei yrfa. Bu yr eglwys am rai blynyddoedd ar ol hyn heb weinidog, hyd nes y rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Hughes, pregethwr cynorthwyol yn yr eglwys, ac urddwyd ef Mawrth 21ain, 1854, i fod yn weinidog i'r eglwys hon a'r eglwysi yn Llanfachreth a Llanfairneubwll. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. T. Ridge, Hermon; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Roberts ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Morris, Bryngwran. + Cynyddodd yr achos yn fawr yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr. John Hughes, a thynai ei ddoniau iraidd a melus lawer i wrando arno. Llafuriodd yma am bedair-blynedd-ar-ddeg, a gorphenodd ei yrfa Tachwedd 28ain, 1868. Bu yr eglwys heb weinidog hyd Ebrill, 1870, pryd y rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Howell R. Jones, yr hwn oedd yn weinidog yn Hebron, Lleyn. Llai na blwyddyn yr arhosodd yma, canys symudodd yn Mawrth, 1871, i Bryngwran. Wedi bod ychydig gyda blwyddyn heb weinidog, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. William Solomon Roberts, yr hwn oedd yn weinidog yn Flint, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma Mai 12fed, y flwyddyn hon, (1872).Yn y flwyddyn 1868, adnewyddwyd a phrydferthwyd yr addoldy yn fawr, a bu yr holl ardalwyr yn garedig a haelionus ar yr achlysur, ac yn enwedig, cafwyd cefnogaeth a chymorth mawr gan Mr. Hugh Lewis, Liverpool. Ailagorwyd y capel Rhagfyr 7fed a'r 8fed, 1868. Coffeir yn barchus am enwau rhai ffyddloniaid a fu gyda'r achos yma, ac y mae hiliogaeth rhai o honynt yn dilyn llwybrau ffydd eu hynafiaid.

Cyfodwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon:-

  • John Hughes. Yr hwn wedi hyny a urddwyd yn weinidog i'r eglwys.
  • Richard Hughes. Urddwyd ef yn Adulam, Tredegar, ac y mae yn awr yn Ebenezer, Pontypool.
  • Evan Jones. Urddwyd ef yn weinidog yn ddiweddar yn Capel Newydd, Mynytho, a Llanbedrog, sir Gaernarfon.
  • Edward Thomas Hughes. Mae yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn yr eglwys.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

JOHN HUGHES. Ganwyd ef yn Llanynghenedl yn Mon, yn mis Mehefin, 1816. Arferai er yn blentyn wrando yr efengyl, ac yr oedd ganddo gof nodedig i ddal ar yr hyn a glywai, a dawn rhyfeddol i adrodd hyny i eraill.

*Dysgedydd,1836, Tu dal. 289.    + Dysgedydd,1854. Tu dal. 237.

503

Dygwyd ef i fyny yn y gelfyddyd o  ôf, a bu yn gweithio wrth yr einion dros ei holl ddyddiau, oddigerth ychydig o flynyddoedd yn niwedd ei oes. Dyn bychan, byr, crwn, cydnerth ydoedd, ac yr oedd yn hawdd deall pa alwedigaeth a ddilynai pa le bynag y gwelid ef. Bu am lawer o flynyddoedd yn gwrando yr efengyl cyn rhoddi ufudd-dod iddi. Dilynai bob pregethwr a ddeuai i'r wlad i ba enwad bynag y perthynai, fel yr oedd yn dra chyfarwydd a doniau penaf pob plaid grefyddol. O'r diwedd, rhoddodd ei hun i fyny i'r Arglwydd ac i'w bobl, ac ar ol iddo ymuno a'r eglwys dadblygwyd ei ddoniau gyda'r fath gyflymder fel yr anogwyd ef yn fuan i ddechreu pregethu, a chyn hir iawn rhoddodd yr eglwys a'i derbyniodd yn aelod, a'r eglwysi mwyaf adnabyddus o hono, alwad iddo i fod yn weinidog, ac urddwyd ef, fel y crybwyllasom, yn mis Mawrth, 1854. Cynyddodd y son am dano yn gyflym, fel y daeth yn boblogaidd iawn trwy yr holl wlad. Yr oedd rhwyddineb ei draddodiad - tynerwch ei deimladau - a'r swyn oedd yn ei lais yn peri ei fod yn gorchfygu cynnulleidfaoedd cryfion. Dyoddefodd ddirmyg oddiwrth rai personau coegion oblegid mai dyn anllythyrenog ydoedd, ond yr oedd ef yn " ysgrifenydd wedi ei ddysgu i deyrnas Dduw," ac y mae meddu ar y cyfryw ddawn, gan bwy bynag y byddo, yn sicr o daro y galon. Achwynid arno gan rai ei fod yn " arbed mwy nag a weddai," ac y dylasai ei wisg a'i ymddangosiad fod yn fwy cydweddol ag urddas yr efengyl, ond fel yr ydoedd yr oedd  ddylanwad yn cael ei deimlo i ba gynnulleidfa bynag yr elai. Gallesid disgwyl iddo fyw lawer o flynyddau, ond gostyngwyd ei nerth ar y ffordd, a daliwyd ef gan angau Tachwedd 28ain, 1868, yn 52 oed, a chladdwyd ef yn mynwent eglwys Llanddeusant.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (August 2015)

We do not have an accurate date for when preaching started in this place, but it was certainly taking place at the beginning of this century (19th), as we have discovered In the transcripts of Llys Esgobol Bangor (Bangor Bishops Court), that Robert Roberts licensed Plasmain, Bodedeyrn, on August 11th, 1801. Preaching continued for a while in Plasmain, and after that moved to another house called Llawr-y-llan, and that place was modified for worship. One David Griffith preached here and ran a school, but we haven't established that he was a minister here. He was here before the ordination of Mr. R. Roberts, and stayed here after the ordination, because we often find the name of D. Griffith, Bodedeyrn, in Mr. Jonathan Powell's minutes at that time. Mr. Robert Roberts came here to preach for some time, and on the 29th of June, 1810, he was ordained as a minister here and in Ceirchiog. On the occasion Messrs A. Jones, Bangor; J. Powell, Rhosymeirch; J. Evans, Amlwch; J. Griffith, Caernarfon, and Dr. G. Lewis, Llanuwchllyn officiated.*  Mr. Roberts stayed here industriously and faithfully for twenty four years, until he was forced to give up the church in 1834, as a result of bad health. A new chapel was built in 1829, which was called Saron. It opened on November 4th, that year. A sum of £30 was received from Gleifiogisaf towards clearing the debt on the chapel, and  Mr. Roberts, the minister, gave £10 to the fund, and the rest was made up by the church and the district. It cost around £100, and the whole lot was paid off. Mr. Roberts never received a salary for his ministerial work all the years he was here, and even though

*From the documents of Mr. Jonathan Powell, Rhosymeirch.

502
 
from his point of view it shows great self denial, yet the church was being badly cared for. Having been without a minister for a while after Mr. Roberts gave up, at the beginning of 1836, a call was sent to Mr. David Davies, to be a minister for this church, and for the churches in Llanddeusant and Llanfachreth. He was ordained here on July 27th, 1836. On the occasion Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon, preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch; Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead, preached on the duty of the minister and Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch on the duty of the church.* Mr. Davies stayed here industriously for nearly six years, until he moved to Berea, and from there to Llangefni. After he left, this church sent out a call to Mr. William Evans, who was a minister in  Abererch, near Pwllheli. He stayed here for some years, until he moved to Dwyran, and from there to Bagillt, where he ended his career. The church had no minister for some years after this, until a call was sent to Mr. John Hughes, a lay preacher in the church, and he was ordained on March 21st, 1854, to be the minister for this church and the churches in Llanfachreth and Llanfairneubwll. On the occasion Mr. J. Roberts preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. T. Ridge, Hermon; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. J. Roberts; Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch, preached to the minister and Mr. W. Morris, Bryngwran to the church. + the cause increased greatly during the ministry of Mr. John Hughes, and his sweet, fresh gifts attracted many to listen to him. He laboured here for fourteen years, and he ended his career on  November 28th, 1868. The church had no minister until April, 1870, when a call was sent to Mr. Howell R. Jones, who was a minister in Hebron, Lleyn. He stayed here less than a year, because we know that he moved in March, 1871, to Bryngwran. Having been a year without a minister, the church sent a call to Mr. William Solomon Roberts, who was a minister in Flint, and he started on his ministry here on May 12fth, this year, (1872). In 1868, the sanctuary was decorated beautifully, and all the people of the area were kind and generous at the time, especially, the help of Mr. Hugh Lewis, Liverpool. The chapel opened on December 7th and 8th, 1868. The faithful of the cause were remembered respectfully, and the offspring of some of them are following the paths of their ancestors.

The following persons were raised to preach in this church:-

John Hughes who after that was ordained as minister of the church.
Richard Hughes. He was ordained in Adulam, Tredegar, and is now in Ebenezer, Pontypool.
Evan Jones. He was ordained lately in Capel Newydd, Mynytho, and Llanbedrog, Caernarfonshire.
Edward Thomas Hughes. He is a lay preacher in the church.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

JOHN HUGHES. He was born in Llanynghenedl Anglesey, in June, 1816. Ever since he was a child he used to listen to scripture, and he had a notable memory which remembered all he heard, and he had a remarkable talent for passing this on to others.

*Dysgedydd,1836, Page. 289.    + Dysgedydd,1854. Page. 237.

503

He was trained as a blacksmith, and he worked at his anvil till nearly the end of his life. He was a small, short, round, stocky man, and it was easy to guess what he did for a living. He listened to scripture for many years before he became faithful to it. He followed every preacher that came to their area whatever denomination they belonged to, so that he was used to the main gifts of each religious party. At last, he gave himself up to the Lord and to his people, and once he had joined the church his gifts developed with such speed that he was soon encouraged to start preaching, and soon the church which had accepted him as a member and the church which knew him best gave him a call to be their minister, and he was ordained as we mentioned in March, 1854. The word about him increased quickly, so that he became very popular through the whole country. His eloquent delivery - his tender feelings - and the magic of his voice meant that he was able to conquer strong congregations. He suffered scorn from some persons because he was an illiterate man, but he " had been taught for God's kingdom," and being in possession of such a gift, whoever he is, surely touches the heart. Some complained to him that he did not have a suitable look for a minister, and that he should dress more suitably to the dignity of the gospel, but as it was, his influence was felt by every congregation he visited. He was expected to live for many years, but his strength failed on the way, and death caught up with him on November 28th,1868, at the age of 52, and he was buried in Llanddeusant church cemetery.

LLANFAIRNEUBWLL

Dechreuwyd pregethu yn yr ardal yma tua'r flwyddyn 1840, gan Mri. W. Griffith, Caergybi, a D. Davies, Llanddeusant, ac eraill. Yr oedd yma ychydig bersonau yn aelodau yn Bodedeyrn, a'r rhai hyny a flaenorent gyda chychwyniad yr achos. Yn y flwyddyn 1843, adeiladwyd yma gapel bychan, yr hwn a gostiodd 50p. mewn arian, heblaw cludiad y defnyddiau yr hyn a wnaed gan yr ardalwyr yn rhad. Coffeir yn barchus am ffyddlondeb Mr. R. Williams, Carna, a Mr. O. W. Williams, Coedelen, yn arolygiad adeiladaeth y capel. Agorwyd ef Tachwedd 28ain,. 1843, pryd y gweinyddodd Meistri W. Griffith, Caergybi ; D. James, Rhosymeirch ; W. Jones, Amlwch ; I. Jones, Hermon ; T. Davies, Moelfro ; D. Davies, Llangefni; W. Roberts, Llanddeusant, ac R. Roberts, Treban. Bu golwg pur lewyrchus ar yr achos ar ei gychwyniad, ond gwywodd yn fawr yn y blynyddoedd o 1855 hyd 1859. Crybwyllir gyda serch am ffyddlondeb John Owen, Crossing, yn yr adeg hono, ac am garedigrwydd teuluoedd Canna a Threflysg. Adnewyddodd yr achos yn fawr yn yr adfywiad grymus a gafwyd yn 1859 ac 1860, ac y mae ffrwyth y diwygiad hwnw i'w weled hyd y dydd hwn. Mae yr eglwys yma o'r dechreuad wedi bod mewn cysylltiad gweinidogaethol a Bodedeyrn, oddieithr am dymor byr yn ystod gweinidogaeth Mr. John Hughes, unodd a'r eglwys yn Maelog, dan ofal Mr. R. Roberts, ond wedi marwolaeth Mr. Roberts cymerodd Mr. J. Hughes ei gofal drachefn ; ac y mae yn awr dan ofal Mr. W. S. Roberts. Mae yma olwg siriol a chalonog, a phe byddai yn weddus enwi personau byw gallem enwi amryw sydd wedi dangos mawr ofal calon am yr achos yn y lle.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2013)

Preaching started in this area around 1840, by Messrs W. Griffith,Holyhead, and D. Davies, Llanddeusant, and others. There were a few people here who were members in Bodedeyrn, and those were mainly instrumental  in starting the cause. In 1843, a small church was built here, which cost £50, without the cost of haulage of the materials for building, which was done by the people of the area at a low cost.  We respectfully remember the faithfulness of Mr. R. Williams, Carna, and Mr. O. W. Williams, Coedelen, in the inspection of the building work of the chapel. It was opened on November 28th,. 1843, when Messrs W. Griffith, Holyhead; D. James, Rhosymeirch ; W. Jones, Amlwch ; I. Jones, Hermon ; T. Davies, Moelfro ; D. Davies, Llangefni; W. Roberts, Llanddeusant, and R. Roberts, Treban officiated. At the beginning the cause has a successful appearance, but it withered greatly between 1855 and 1859. We mention with fondness the faithfulness of John Owen, Crossing, at this time, and the kindness of the families of Canna and  Threflysg. The cause regained strength during the powerful revival in 1859 and 1860, and the fruit of that revival is to be seen to this day. This church has, from the start, been in ministerial contact with  Bodedeyrn, apart from a short time during the ministry of Mr. John Hughes, when it joined the church in Maelog, under the care of Mr. R. Roberts, but after Mr. Roberts died Mr. J. Hughes took over the care again; and it is now under the care of Mr. W. S. Roberts. There is now a light hearted and hearty appearance to the cause, and if it was suitable to name persons who are alive we could name several who have shown great care for the cause in this place.

504  

BRYNGWRAN

(Ceirchiog parish)

Dechreuwyd yr achos hwn yn mhlwyf Ceirchiog, trwy offerynoliaeth yr efengylwr teithiol John Bulk. Nis gallwn gael o hyd i'r dyddiad, ond ymddengys ei fod yn fuan wedi y flwyddyn 1790. Daeth John Bulk i'r ardal pan oedd un Edward Williams yn adeiladu ty, ac mewn ymddiddan dywedodd wrtho, " Dyma le cyfleus iawn i bregethu, a wnewch chwi ei osod ar ardreth i mi i hyny ?" Boddlonodd Edward Williams i wneyd os cai ganiatad ei feistr tir, yr hyn a ganiatawyd. Ardrethwyd ef am dair blynedd, a buwyd dros yr ysbaid hwnw yn pregethu ynddo. Dywedir mewn llythyr, sydd yn awr ger ein bron, yr hwn a ysgrifenwyd gan Mr. R. Roberts, Treban, Gorphenaf 18fed, 1849, mai Mr. Abraham Tibbott a ffurfiodd yr eglwys. Os felly, y tebygolrwydd ydyw i hyny gymeryd lle tua'r flwyddyn 1794. Ar derfyn tair blynedd y cyfundeb ag Edward Williams, adeiladwyd yma gapel bychan a thô gwellt iddo trwy offerynoliaeth un Thomas Rowlands, Treban. Yn nghofnodion Llys Esgobol Bangor, cawn i Bethesda yn mhlwyf Ceirchiog, Mon, gael ei drwyddedu fel capel Annibynol i bregethu ynddo, Hydref 17eg, 1793, gan un William Owen. Nid ydym yn gwybod pa un ai y ty anedd a godwyd gan Edward Williams, ai y capel a'r tô gwellt a adeiladwyd trwy offerynoliaeth Thomas Rowlands, oedd y Bethesda. Yn y flwyddyn 1796, daeth Mr. John Jones i'r wlad, ac urddwyd ef yn weinidog yn Ceirchiog, a bu yma hyd nes y symudodd i Liverpool tua'r flwyddyn 1803, at yr achos Cymreig oedd wedi ei gychwyn yno. Mae yn amlwg i'r eglwys yma fod heb weinidog sefydlog am rai blynyddau wedi ymadawiad Mr. Jones ; ond yr oedd Mr. Robert Roberts, Treban, erbyn hyn wedi ymuno a'r achos ac wedi dechreu pregethu. Urddwyd ef yn Bodedeyrn, Mehefin 29ain, 1810, a bu yn gweinidogaethu yn y ddau le tra y daliodd ei nerth. Yn y flwyddyn 1824, symudwyd yr achos o Ceirchiog, ac adeiladwyd capel yn mhentref Bryngwran, yn mhlwyf Llechylched, a galwyd ef Salem. Traul yr adeiladaeth oedd 150p. a thalwyd y cwbl cyn pen deng mlynedd, heb fyned allan o'r gymydogaeth. Deg-a-deugain oedd rhifedi yr aelodau ar eu symudiad o Geirchiog i Bryngwran. Yr oedd gofal penaf adeiladu y capel ar Mr. Roberts, y gweinidog, ond cynorthwyid ef yn ffyddlon gan ei gyfaill, Mr. Evan Griffith, tad Meistri J. Evans, Gorslwyd, ac E. Griffith, Gwalchmai. Bu farw Mr. Evan Griffith yn fuan wedi agor y capel, a chafodd yr eglwys golled fawr yn ei ymadawiad. Cyflawnodd Mr.Roberts ei weinidogaeth gyda ffyddlondeb mawr, ond byrhawyd ei ddefnyddioldeb trwy ergyd o'r parlys mud (apoplexy) a gafodd bedair blynedd cyn ei farwolaeth. Dan yr amgylchiadau hyn, anogodd yr eglwys i roddi galwad i Mr. Richard Parry, Llanerchymedd, yr hwn oedd wedi arfer pregethu llawer iddynt yn flaenorol, i gydweinidogaethu ag ef. Cydsyniodd Mr. Parry a'u cais, ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 26ain, 1836. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. E. Davies, Llanerchymedd; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi; dyrchafwyd yr urddweddi gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon.* Llafuriodd Mr. Parry yma am fwy na thair blynedd, fel plentyn gyda thad, hyd farwolaeth Mr. Roberts yn Ebrill, 1838, yna derbyniodd alwad o

* Dysgedydd, 1836. Tu dal. 289.

505

Gonwy a Henryd, a symudodd yno. Rhoddodd yr eglwys yma ar ol hyn alwad i Mr. William Davies, Nefyn, yr hwn a lafuriodd yma yn egniol dros rai blynyddoedd. Yn y flwyddyn 1839, helaethwyd y capel yma trwy draul o 180p., ond symudwyd yr holl ddyled cyn hir trwy ymdrechion cartrefol. Daeth Mr. John Morris, a fuasai yn weinidog yn Bwlchyffridd, yma ar un adeg tua'r flwyddyn 1848, yr hwn a arweiniodd yr eglwys i gryn brofedigaeth, ond ymadawodd heb wneyd niwed mawr i'r achos. n nechreu y flwyddyn 1850, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Morris i ddyfod yma o Birkenhead, ond a adnabyddid yn well fel Mr. Morris, Llanfyllin. Dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma yr ail Sabboth yn Mai, 1850, a llafuriodd yma yn ddiwyd am bedair-blynedd-ar-ddeg, hyd nes y gorfodwyd ef yn 1864, gan sefyllfa ei iechyd, i roddi y weinidogaeth i fyny, a symudodd i Lanfyllin i dreulio gweddill ei oes. Tynodd doniau poblogaidd Mr. Morris sylw mawr yn ddioed wedi ei sefydliad yma, ac adfywiodd yr achos yn fawr. Cyfranogodd yr eglwys hon yn helaeth o'r diwygiad grymus yn 1839 ac 1840, ac wedi hyny o'r ymweliad grasol yn 1859 ac 1860, ac y mae effeithiau yr ymweliadau yn aros etto. Bu yr eglwys heb weinidog o ymadawiad Mr. Morris hyd ddechreu y flwyddyn 1871, pryd y rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Howell R. Jones, Bodedeyrn, ond llai na blwyddyn y bu yma cyn rhoddi ei weinidogaeth i fyny. Mae yma lawer o ffyddloniaid wedi bod o bryd i bryd, ac yn enwedig y mae teulu y Pandy, Treban, yn haeddu coffâd parchus yn nglyn a'r achos yma, oblegid hwynt hwy ar bob adeg sydd wedi bod yn brif golofn yr achos, a da genym ddeall fod crefydd yn aros yn eu hachau.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon : -

  • Robert Roberts. Dechreuodd ef bregethu cyn diwedd tymor gweinidogaeth Mr. John Jones yma, a bu yn pregethu yn gynorthwyol am naw mlynedd cyn ei urddo. Daw ei hanes ef dan ein sylw etto.
  • Richard Jones. Yr oedd yn enedigol o Dolyddelen. Symudodd i'r ardal yma a dechreuodd bregethu, ac wedi bod yn yr ysgol am ysbaid gyda Mr. Griffith, Caergybi, aeth i athrofa Blackburn. Bu farw yn Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, Mawrth 12fed, 1867, yn 69 oed.
  • Robert Parry. Urddwyd ef yn Mhenmorfa, sir Gaernarfon, ac y mae yn awr yn Victoria, sir Fynwy.
  • Robert Roberts. Mab yr hybarch Robert Roberts, y gweinidog. Dechreuodd bregethu yn y flwyddyn 1839, a pharhaodd yn bregethwr cynorthwyol parchus hyd derfyn ei oes. Yr oedd yn ddyn heddychol a thangnefeddus, yn nodedig yn ei ofal a'i ffyddlondeb am yr achos yn gyffredinol, a gweithredodd fel Trysorydd cyfarfod chwarterol Mon am flynyddau lawer. Er nad oedd yn ddoniol fel pregethwr, etto yr oedd yn syml a sylweddol, ac yn ddiarebol fel ei dad ar gyfrif ei gyfarwydd-deb yn yr ysgrythyrau, y rhai a frithent ei bregethau. Yr oedd yn dderbyniol i ba le bynag yr elai, a'r rhai a'i gwrandawent ef amlaf a'i hoffent fwyaf. Ni theithiodd ond ychydig tuallan i'w wlad trwy ei oes, ac yr oedd ei am gylchiadau bydol yn gyfryw ag a'i galluogai i wasanaethu eglwysi tlodion heb osod baich arnynt. Cyfarfyddodd a'i angau mewn modd pruddaidd iawn, trwy syrthio yn rhyw fodd oddiar ei anifail ar y ffordd wrth ddychwelyd o Gaergybi, ryw ddiwrnod yn niwedd haf 1871. Colled fawr oedd ei golli nid yn unig i eglwys Bryngwran, ond i holl wlad Mon. Nid yn fynych y cyfarfyddir a'i gyffelyb ar gyfrif ei fywyd diargyhoedd, ei dymer dawel, ei ffyddlon-

 

CONTINUED