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

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

Anglesey section (Vol 2)

Pages 478 - 491

See main project page

Proof read by Yvonne John (May 2008)

Chapels below;

•  (Continued) LLANERCHYMEDD
• MYNAEDDFWYN

• LLANDDEUSANT (With translation)
• LLANFECHELL (with translation)

• CEMAES  (with translation)
• SILOH (with translation)

Pages 478 - 491

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(Continued) LLANERCHYMEDD

ddim ond 25, ond cynyddodd yr achos yn raddol, fel y bu raid cael oriel ar un ochr i'r capel. Tua thair blynedd yr arhosodd Mr. Beynon yma, canys symudodd i Landdeusant, ac ar ol hyny bu yr eglwys yma am ysbaid heb neb neillduol yn cymeryd ei gofal. Yn y flwyddyn 1823, daeth Mr. Owen Jones, Llanaelhaiarn yma, a thynodd ei ddoniau hyawdl sylw mawr, a phe buasai ei fuchedd yn cyfateb i'w ddoniau, ni safasai dim o'i flaen. Ni bu tymor ei arosiad yma ond byr.

Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1828, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Williams (Gwilym Caledfryn), o Ddinbych, ond a fuasai am ychydig yn athrofa Rotherham. Urddwyd ef Mehefin 2i1, 1829. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. A. Jones, Bangor ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. R. Roberts, Salem, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch.* Bu Mr. Williams yn ymdrechgar a llafurus yn nhymor byr ei weinidogaeth yma, a gwnaeth lawer tuag at goethi a dyrchafu chwaeth ieuengctyd yr eglwys, ond ychydig gyda dwy flynedd yr arhosodd yma. Symudodd i Bendref, Caernarfon. Wedi hyny rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Evan Davies (Eta Delta), Llanrwst, a bu ef yma am naw mlynedd. Yn ei dymor ef cafwyd tir at adeiladu capel yn nhreflan Llanerchymedd, a galwyd y capel yn ol enw y gweinidog yn Capel Evan. Adeiladwyd ef yn 1838, ac aeth y draul yn 400p. Yr oedd Mr. Davies yn gymeriad nodedig, ac yn dra adnabyddus fel y dadleuydd cyhoeddus cyntaf yn Nghymru dros lwyrymataliaeth; a phan yr amlygodd rhai awydd i roddi iddo ryw arwydd o barch am hyny, dymunodd ef i hyny gael ei roddi at y capel newydd a godasid ar ei enw. Bu yn ymdrechgar a llwyddianus i gasglu ato, a thalwyd y rhan fwyaf o'r ddyled. Symudodd Mr. Davies cyn diwedd 1842 i New Market, ac yno y treuliodd weddill ei oes, lle y daw ei hanes etto dan ein sylw. Wedi bod am fwy na blwyddyn heb weinidog, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Roberts, yr hwn oedd yn bregethwr cynorthwyol parchus yn yr Abermaw, ac urddwyd ef Mai 22ain, 1844. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. R. Parry, Conwy; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch ; gweddiodd Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. E. Evans, Abermaw, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon. + Llafuriodd Mr. Roberts yma yn egniol am bum'-mlynedd-ar-hugain, nes y symudodd i Brymbo, sir Ddinbych. Talwyd y gweddill ddyled oedd yn aros, yn benaf trwy ymdrechion yr Ysgol Sabbothol. Adgyweiriwyd Peniel, lle y mae gwasanaeth yn cael ei gynal yn achlysurol, ac ail adeiladwyd capel Llanerchymedd trwy draul o fwy na 500p., fel y mae yn gapel hardd a chyfleus. Cynyddodd yr eglwys, y gynnulleidfa, a'r Ysgol Sabbothol. Wedi bod am dymor heb weinidog, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Evan Cynffig Davies, yr hwn ddwy flynedd cyn hyny a urddasid yn gydweinidog a Mr. W. Griffith, yn Nghaergybi, ac y mae Mr. Davies yn parhau i lafurio yma gyda derbyniad a pharch.

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

• Richard Parry (Gwalchmai). Urddwyd ef yn Salem, Bryngwran, ac y mae yn awr yn Llandudno.
• Robert Roberts. Urddwyd ef yn Ceidio, ac y mae yn awr  yn y Graig, Rhymni.

* Dysgedydd, 1829.      Tu dal. 308.     +  Dysgedydd, 1844. Tu dal 217

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• William Williams. Gwr ieuangc tra gobeithiol a fu farw cyn cwblhau ei dymor yn yr athrofa.
• William Hughes. Mae yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn y sir. Bu am dymor hir yn y Dwyran.
• David Aubrey. Mae yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn yr eglwys.

Nid ydym yn gwybod am neb arall a gyfodwyd ; ac y mae yn sicr fod llawer o ffyddloniaid wedi bod gyda'r achos yma o bryd i bryd, er nad anfonwyd eu henwau i ni, ond y mae eu llafurus gariad mewn coffadwriaeth ger bron Duw.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (August 2015)

It is not easy to discover for sure when preaching started here. Sometime early in the last twenty years of the last century John James moved here from Pwllheli. He was a religious man. A tinker by craft John James amazed people as it was rare to see one of his calling clinging to the Lord. It is said that the religious gentlewoman, Mrs. Edwards, Nanhoron, once said to him, " Well John James, very few of your calling is religious." " Quite true, m'am," said John James, "and there are also few of your class." A timely word is so good. John James was a very intelligent man, and very gifted, and his connection with this weak cause was of great help at its inception, especially with the development of the spiritual parts of the work. We cannot find out whether the cause was started before John James moved here or not. The records of Mr. Jonathan Powell, that are now in front of us, state that the cause was started in 1794. It is said that it started in a house which was empty at the time, in a place called the Walk. After that another place was used, not far from the first place, called the Whitehorse, which had once been an Inn, and it was modified for worship. One Richard Price is mentioned, who along with his wife were a great support for the cause, and for many years they gave free board and lodgings to the preachers that called. They kept a hotel there which was called the Liver. Edward Roberts was a faultless member for 60 years. Mr. Hughes, Tymawr, joined the cause in its early years, and he was a kind donor. The county preachers preached there, although we don't know whether the church was under the direct care of any one of them. Mr. Abraham Tibbott came here, and for a while he kept a school in the  Whitehorse, where he preached, and he preached to the congregation, if he didn't have a church to care for. This was after he'd left Rhosymeirch chapel. Since it was impossible to obtain land in Llan in order to build a chapel, a piece of land was acquired by Mr Hughes a little outside the village on the way to Llangefni. Tymawr, was bought on a lease of 99 years, for five shillings a year. The chapel was built in 1811, and named Peniel. In 1813, a call was sent to Mr. David Beynon, a young man from Merthyr Tydfil, and he was ordained soon after Whitsun the following year. There were just 25 members here when Mr. Beynon settled here.

But the cause increased gradually, so that a gallery had to be built on one side of the chapel. Mr. Beynon stayed here for about three years, when he moved to Llanddeusant, and after that the church remained with nobody specific to care for it for a while. In 1823, Mr. Owen Jones, Llanaelhaiarn, came here, and his eloquent gifts attracted great attention, and had his life equated with his gifts, nothing would have stood in his way. His stay here was short.

Before the end of 1828, a call was sent to Mr. William Williams (Gwilym Caledfryn), from  Denbigh, who had been for a while in Rotherham college. He was ordained on June 2nd, 1829. On the occasion Mr. A. Jones, Bangor preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by  Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris; Mr. R. Roberts, Salem, preached to the minister and Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch to the church.* Mr. Williams worked very hard during the short time he was minister here, and he did a great deal towards refining and improving the taste of the youth of the church, but he stayed just two years. He moved to Pendref in Caernarfon. After that a call was sent to Mr. Evan Davies (Eta Delta), Llanrwst. He was here for nine years. During his time here land was obtained towards building a chapel in  Llanerchymedd, and the chapel was called after him - Capel Evan. It was built in 1838, and the debt reached £400. Mr. Davies was a particular character, and was very well known as the first public debater for total abstinence in Wales; and whenever people wanted to give him monetary recognition for this, he said he wished it to be given towards the new chapel that had been built in his name. He worked hard and was successful in collecting towards this cause, and most of the debt was paid.  Mr. Davies moved away before the end of 1842 for New Market, and this is where he spent the rest of his life, and where his story can be found. After the church had been more than a year without a minister, a call was sent to Mr. John Roberts, who was a respected lay preacher in Barmouth, and he was ordained on May 22nd, 1844. Mr. R. Parry, Conwy preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch; Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead prayed; Mr. E. Evans, Barmouth, preached to the minister and  Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon, to the church. + Mr. Roberts laboured here energetically for twenty five years, until he moved to Brymbo, Denbigh. The remaining debt was paid off mainly through the efforts of the Sunday School. Repairs were carried out to Peniel, where an occasional service was held, and  Llanerchymedd chapel was rebuilt with a debt of more than £500, and is a fine chapel now. The church, the congregation and the Sunday school increased. Having been without a minister for a while the church sent out a call to Mr. Evan Cynffig Davies, who, two years earlier had been ordained as assistant minister to Mr. W. Griffith, in Holyhead, and Mr. Davies continues to labour here with acceptance and respect.
* Dysgedydd, 1829.  Page. 308.     +  Dysgedydd, 1844. Page 217

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

Richard Parry (Gwalchmai). He was ordained in Salem, Bryngwran, and he is now in Llandudno.
Robert Roberts. He was ordained in Ceidio, and is now in Graig, Rhymni.

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William Williams. A promising young man who died before finishing his time in the college.
William Hughes. He is a lay preacher in the county. He lived in Dwyran for a long time.
David Aubrey. He is a lay preacher in the church.

We do not know of anyone else who was raised to preach; and it is certain that many faithful have been with the cause from time to time, although their names have not been sent to us, but their labouring love is remembered before God.

  MYNAEDDFWYN

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

"Mae yr eglwys yma mewn cysylltiad a Llanerchymedd, ac wedi bod dechreuad dan yr un weinidogaeth. Dechreuwyd pregethu yma yn y flwyddyn 1827, mewn ty anedd a gymerwyd gan Meistri E. Jones, Clorachfawr ; D. Owen, Trewyne, ac O. Jones, Parc-yr-ynys. Ni buwyd yn hir cyn cael capel, yr hwn a agorwyd Tachwedd 23ain a'r 24ain, 1829, a galwyd ef Hebron, ac yr oedd y tri wyr a enwyd uchod yn rhai mwyaf blaenllaw yn ei adeiladiad, ac yn ymddiriedolwyr iddo. Buont o gynorthwy mawr i'r achos, ac y mae eu hiliogaeth ar eu hol yn ffyddlon gydag arch Duw. Ni bu yr achos yma erioed yn gryf mewn nifer, ac y mae wedi dyoddef llawer gan symudiadau a marwolaethau, ond y mae yma er hyny nifer o ffyddloniaid yn glynu wrth yr Arglwydd. Nid oes achos i ni grybwyll am y gweinidogion a fu yma, gan ein bod eisioes wedi cyfeirio atynt yn nglyn a Llanerchymedd."

LLANDDEUSANT

Yn y flwyddyn 1749, symudodd Mr. William Pritchard o Fodlewfawr, i Glwchdernog, ac yn mhen rhyw ysbaid wedi hyny, neillduwyd ty bychan a elwid y Clwch-hir, ar dir Clwchdernog, yn lle i addoli. Nid yw yn debyg i eglwys gael ei ffurfio yma, ond pregethid ynddo gan weinidogion pob enwad a ddeuai heibio, oblegid er fod William Pritchard yn Annibynwr cydwybodol, etto yr oedd yn hollol ddiragfarn at bawb o bob enwad efengylaidd. Bu pregethu yn y Clwch-hir hyd ddiwedd oes W. Pritchard, ac nid oes genym son mwyach am bregethu yn y lle. Nid oes ond ychydig gydag ugain mlynedd er y tynwyd hen dý Clwch-hir i lawr, fel y mae yn yr ardal luaws mawr sydd yn ei gofio yn dda. Aeth ysbaid heibio ar ol marwolaeth W, Pritchard cyn fod genym son am bregethu yn yr ardal drachefn, er nad ydym ychwaith yn tybied iddi gael ei llwyr adael. Sonir y byddai Annibynwyr yn pregethu yn y pentref, yn y fan lle y saif y Siopnewydd yn awr. O gylch y flwyddyn 1793, daeth Mr. Zacheus Davies yma i bregethu a chadw ysgol. Un o ryw le yn y Deheudir ydoedd. Nid ydym wedi cael allan ei fod wedi ei urddo cyn dod yma, ac nid oes genym un prawf ei fod wedi ei urddo yma. Dywedir ei fod yn bregethwr tanllyd iawn. Efe fu y prif offeryn i adeiladu y capel cyntaf yma yn y flwyddyn 1795, a galwyd ef Bethania. Cynorthwyid ef yn benaf yn y gorchwyl gan William Pritchard o'r Hen-siop, yr hwn yn nghyd a'i wraig fu o help mawr i'r achos yma. Yr oedd Owen Thomas, Carrog wedi hyny, wedi dyfod i fyw i Fodwyn y flwyddyn flaenorol, a bu ef o lawer o help yn

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nghychwyniad yr achos ac yn nghodiad y capel, er mai aelod yn Rhosymeirch ydoedd. Nid oedd y capel ond ty bychan llwyd, tô gwellt, ond yr oedd traul ei godi yn ormod i'r ychydig oedd yn y lle i'w dwyn, ac oblegid hyny aeth Mr. Z. Davies i'r Deheudir a chasglodd ddigon i dalu yr holl ddyled. Ond mynai rhywrai ei fod wedi casglu mwy na digon, a lluniwyd chwedl i'w ddrygu. Cyrchai llawer i'w wrando tra y bu yma, ond disgynodd yr achos yn isel wedi ei ymadawiad. Hugh Jones a Sian Francis o'r Fferam; a Hugh Rowlands ac Ann Williams o Gae'rgoll, Llanrhuddlad, ac Edward Prisiart Abram, yw yr unig rai y coffeir eu henwau yn nglyn a'r lle. Cynhaliai y brodyr hyn gyfarfodydd gweddio, ac yn achlysurol deuai Abraham Tibbott, John Jones, Ceirchiog; ac wedi hyny Robert Roberts, ac Owen Thomas, Carrog, ibregethu iddynt. Y ddau a enwyd olaf a fu o fwyaf o gynorthwy i'r achos am lawer o flynyddau, a bu y gofal yn llwyr wedi hyny ar Owen Thomas. Wedi urddo Mr. D. Beynon yn Llanerchymedd, bu gofal yr eglwys yma arno ef, ac yn y flwyddyn 1816, darfu ei gysylltiad a Llanerchymedd, a daeth i lettya i Meiriogan, a chadwai ysgol ddyddiol yn Bethania. Bu Mr. Beynon yn boblogaidd yma dros dymor, a chyrchai llawer i'w wrando, ond ymddrysodd mewn rhyw amgylchiadau, ac ymadawodd i'r Deheudir, a pharodd ei ymadawiad chwalfa fawr ar yr achos. Daeth Mr. Owen Jones yma ar ol hyny, mewn cysylltiad a Llanerchymedd, ond byr fu ei arosiad, ac er ei holl ddoniau nid oedd yr achos ond dilewyrch. Bu un James Williams yma yn cadw ysgol, a mynai gael ei urddo yn weinidog, ac oblegid na chafodd hyny, enciliodd at y Bedyddwyr. Rhoddodd hyny ergyd ychwanegol i'r achos oedd eisioes yn wan.

Yn yr amgylchiad yma cymerwyd gofal yr eglwys gan Mr. Owen Thomas, ac arno ef y bu y gofal hyd ei farwolaeth, a chynorthwyid ef gan ei fab, Mr. Thomas Owen, yn nghylch ei weinidogaeth. Tua'r flwyddyn 1822, y cymerodd Mr. O. Thomas y gofal, a'r flwyddyn ganlynol yr adgyweiriwyd ac yr helaethwyd y capel. Nid oedd yr achos yma ond isel yr holl flynyddoedd hyn, a phan fu farw Owen Thomas, yn y flwyddyn 1833, dywedir nad oedd ond un dyn yn aelod yn Bethania i ddechreu a diweddu yr Ysgol Sabbothol, sef Evan Hughes, ond a adnabyddid yn well fel Evan y Rholiwr. Dichon fod yma rai dynion eraill yn aelodau, ond efe yn unig oedd yn dyfod i'r ysgol, ac yn ymgymeryd a rhanau cyhoeddus y gwaith. Wedi marwolaeth Mr. Owen Thomas, datododd y cysylltiad rhwng Llanddeusant a Llanfechell, ac unodd yr eglwys hon a'r eglwys yn Bodedeyrn i roddi galwad i Mr. David Davies, myfyriwr o athrofa y Neuaddlwyd, ac urddwyd ef yn Bodedeyrn, Gorphenaf 27ain, 1836. Bu Mr. Davies yma yn ymdrechgar am flynyddau. Torodd diwygiad grymus allan yn y flwyddyn 1839, a chafodd yr eglwys yma brofi ei effeithiau grymus. Wedi bod yma tua saith mlynedd, symudodd Mr. Davies i Berea, Pentreberw, ac wedi hyny i Langefni, ac y mae yn awr yn Cerrig-cadarn, sir Frycheiniog.

Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1842, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Roberts, pregethwr cynorthwyol oedd yn byw ar y pryd yn Rhosymedre, gerllaw Ruabon. Urddwyd ef yma Mawrth 21ain, 1843. Yr oedd gan William Roberts ddoniau melus a gwlithog, ond yr oedd yn flaenorol wedi dilyn arferion a lygrasant ei holl natur, a throdd yn ol drachefn i'w hen lwybrau. Symudodd oddiyma yn y flwyddyn 1846, i Tabor, sir Fynwy, a bu yno nes y bu raid i'r eglwys ymwrthod ag ef, ac y mae bellach er's blynydd-

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oedd yn ei fedd ! Yn ei dymor - sef yn y flwyddyn 1844 - y codwyd y capel presenol, ni wnaeth ond ei godi, oblegid yn nhymor ei olynydd y talwyd am dano. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1848, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Robert Edward Williams, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 18fed, 1848. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Griffith,  Caergybi ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Thomas, Beaumaris ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Roberts, Cemaes. Ymaflodd Mr. Williams yn ei waith o ddifrif, a theimlai mai y peth cyntaf i'w wneyd oedd talu dyled y capel. Yr oedd wedi costio 200p., ond yr oedd 131p. yn aros yn 1848, ond llwyddwyd cyn pen ychydig flynyddoedd i'w llwyr ddileu. Gweithiodd yr Ysgol Sabbothol yn rhagorol. Bu Mr. Williams yma yn llwyddianus am yn agos i ddeuddeng mlynedd, nes y symudodd i Ruthin yn 1859. Cyn hir ar ol hyny rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Thomas T. Williams, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef Ebrill 25ain, 1861. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. R. E. Williams, Ruthin; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Griffith, Amana ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. P. Howell, Pwllheli ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. M. D. Jones, Bala, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi. Ychydig gyda dwy flynedd y bu Mr.Williams byw ar ol ei urddo, ond yn ei dymor byr gweithiodd a'i holl egni. Gwnaed rhyw adgyweiriadau mewnol yn y capel yn ei amser ef, a rhoddodd bywiogrwydd ei weinidogaeth, a'i ysbryd diwygiadol fywyd newydd yn yr eglwys. Bu farw Mehefin 10fed, 1863. Claddwyd ef yn barchus yn mynwent Bethania, a chymerodd yr eglwys a'r gynnulleidfa holl draul y claddedigaeth, ac erbyn hyn y mae maen hardd wedi osod ar ei fedd, a barau heiyrn yn ei gylchynu. Mae yr eglwys yn deilwng o ganmoliaeth am y cydymdeimlad mawr a ddangosasant ag ef yn ei gystudd, a'r parch a ddangosasant i'w weddillion marwol. Ar ol bod flwyddyn yn amddifad, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David John, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu, i fod yn weinidog yma ac yn Llanfechell, ac urddwyd ef yno Medi 28ain, 1864. Bu Mr John yma yn llafurus am bedair blynedd, nes y symudodd i Booth-street, Manchester, yn 1868, ac yno y mae etto. Cyn pen blwyddyn wedi ymadawiad Mr. John, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Thomas Roberts, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef Mai 11eg, 1869. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Lloyd, Caergybi ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. E. Owen, Llansantffraid ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Williams, Caecoch ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. E. T. Davies, Abergele, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. R. E. Williams, Beaumarris. Mae Mr. Roberts yn parhau i lafurio yma gyda chymeradwyaeth mawr. Mae yr eglwys hon wedi bod bob amser yn nodedig o heddychol, ac y mae wedi bod yn haelionus, nid yn unig i ddwyn ei threuliau ei hun, ond hefyd at achosion cyhoeddus crefydd. Aed i 100p. o draul yn ystod y ddwy flynedd ddiweddaf mewn paentio y capel, a gosod railings o'i gylch, ac ail wneyd y ty perthynol iddo, a thalwyd yr holl ddyled heb oedi dim.  Yn mysg prif gefnogwyr yr achos yma er dyddiau  Pritchard, dylid cofnodi enwau Owen Jones a William Jones, Clwchdernog ; William Pritchard a John Pritchard, Hensiop; David Roberts, Meiriogan; Thomas Jones, Melinllynon ; William Jones, Glanalaw ; David Williams, y Siop; Thomas Williams, Glanalaw ; Robert Roberts, Mynyddadda, a bydd gofal a

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ffyddlondeb Robert Jones, Tanylan, gynt, Gronant, yn awr, a'i briod, yn cael ei goffau tra yr erys y genhedlaeth bresenol yn y wlad. Teimlir chwithdod gan lawer i weled William Jones - neu 'newyrth Wil, fel y gelwid ef fynychaf - yn eisiau. Bu yn arweinydd y gân yma am flynyddau, ac nid yn fuan yr anghofir ei weddiau hwyliog, a'i amen cynes yn y cyfarfodydd mawrion. Mae yma un hen chwaer Elizabeth Hughes, wedi bod yn aelod 56 mlynedd. Derbyniwyd hi cyn dyfodiad Mr. D. Beynon i'r lle.

Ni chodwyd yma ond un pregethwr, sef John Jones, Marton, am yr hwn y crybwyllasom eisioes, Cyf. I., tu dal. 395.

COFNODION  BYWGRAPHYDDOL

DAVID BEYNON. Ganwyd ef yn Nghaerfyrddin, yn y flwyddyn 1792. Symudodd yn ieuangc i Ferthyr Trydfil, ac yno pan yn aelod yn Bethesda y dechreuodd bregethu. Yr oedd ef a Dr. Jenkyn yn dechreu yr un pryd, a chyd-deithiodd y ddau lawer gyda'u gilydd pan yn ieuangc. Aeth Mr. Beynon i sir Fon, ac urddwyd ef yn Peniel, Llanerchymedd, Mehefin 2i1, 1814. Bu yno yn dderbyniol dros rai blynyddoedd. Rhoddodd yr eglwys yno i fynu a chyfyngodd ei lafur i eglwys Llanddeusant, yr hon oedd cyn hyny dan ei ofal. Priododd yno, ond ni bu y briodas mewn un modd yn un hapus. Ar wahan a'u gilydd y bu ef a'i wraig byw trwy eu hoes. Nid yw yn perthyn i ni ymholi i'r amgylchiadau, ond yn unig crybwyll y ffaith. Dychwelodd ef i'r Deheudir, a bu am dymor heb gysylltiad rhyngddo ag unrhyw eglwys. Aeth i Rwssia, lle y treuliodd lawer o flynyddau, ond yn mlynyddoedd olaf ei oes yr oedd yn byw yn Nantgarw, ac yn aelod yn y Groeswen, a phregethai pan fyddai galwad am ei wasanaeth. Yr oedd yn bregethwr cynes a bywiog, a phe buasai ei gerddediad wedi bod yn uniawn bob amser gallasai fod yn weinidog defnyddiol. Yn mlynyddoedd diweddaf ei oes yr oedd o ran ei gymeriad yn gwbl ddiargyhoedd, ond yr oedd olion y crwydriadau gynt yn amlwg wedi pylu ei feddwl. Yr oedd in dda ganddo gofio y dyddiau gynt, a'r ysbryd a fwynhaodd yn nghychwyniad ei yrfa grefyddol. Bu farw yn mis Mehefin, 1872, yn 80 oed.

THOMAS T. WILLIAMS. Ganwyd ef yn Nhanyffordd, yn mhlwyf Llanllechid, yn sir Gaernarfon. Cafodd fanteision crefyddol o'i febyd, a derbyniwyd ef pan yn ieuangc yn aelod yn Amana. Yr oedd ei dad yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn yr eglwys, a chododd dau frawd iddo i'r weinidogaeth. Bu am dymor yn athrofa y Bala, ond daliwyd ef gan waeledd, fel y lluddiwyd ef i ddilyn ei efrydiau yn gyflawn. Urddwyd ef yn Llanddeusant, Ebrill 25ain, 1861, ac yr oedd yn nodedig o barchus a chymeradwy gan yr eglwys a'r wlad oll. Pregethai yn rymus a dylanwadol, ac yn enwedig fel gweddiwr yr oedd ei ddoniau yn anarferol. Er nad oedd ond bychan o gorpholaeth yr oedd ei lais yn gryf a threiddiol, a chariai ddylanwad grymus ar ei wrandawyr. Coffeir hyd y dydd hwn am ei weddi effeithiol ar faes y gymanfa yn Mon unwaith. Cafodd effaith ddyfnach ar lawer na dim a fu yn y gymanfa. Gweithiodd ei ddiwrnod a'i holl egni. "Canwyll yn llosgi ac yn goleuo " ydoedd, ac yr oedd llawer "yn ewyllysgar dros amser yn gorfoleddu yn ei oleuni ef." Bu farw Mehefin 10fed, 1863, yn 28 oed, a chladdwyd ef yn Bethania, Llanddeusant, ac y mae maen prydferth arno, yr hwn a roddwyd gan yr eglwys er coffadwriaeth am dano ef.

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Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Dec 2018)

In 1749, Mr. William Pritchard from Fodlewfawr, moved to  Glwchdernog, and soon after that a small house, called  'y Clwch-hir' on Clwchdernogland, was chosen as a place to worship. A church does not appear to have been established here, but preaching meetings were held here by ministers of all denominations that passed by. Even though William Pritchard was a conscientious Independent, he did not judge others of any denomination. Clwch-hir had preaching till the end of W. Pritchard's life, and then it seemed that no more occurred there. There are many in the area who still remember Clwch-hir as it is only about twenty years since it was demolished. It was a while before we find preaching taking place in the area again although we feel it never completely stopped. It is recalled that Independents would preach in the village, on the spot where Siopnewyddnow stands. Around 1793, Mr. ZacheusDavies came here to preach and keep a school. He was from somewhere in the south. We haven't discovered if he was ordained before he came here, and there is no proof that he was ordained here either. He was said to be a very fiery preacher. It was he who instigated the building of the first chapel here in  1795 which was called Bethania. He was mainly supported by William Pritchard from Hen-siop, who along with his wife was a great help to this cause. After this Owen Thomas, Carrog came to live in Fodwyn the previous year, and he was a great help
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with the cause and also with building the chapel even though he was a member in Rhosymeirch. The chapel was no more than a little grey thatched house, but its cost was too heavy for the few people who frequented the place, and as a result Mr. Z. Davies went to South Wales to collect enough money to pay the debt. But some insisted he had collected more than enough, and a story was created to discredit him. Many travelled to listen to him while he was here, but the cause decreased after he left. Hugh Jones and Sian Francis from Fferam; and Hugh Rowlandsand Ann Williams from Gae'rgoll, Llanrhuddlad, and Edward Prisiart Abram, are the only ones who have been remembered in concern with this place. These brothers held prayer meetings, and occasionally Abraham Tibbott, John Jones, Ceirchiog, and later Robert Roberts, and Owen Thomas, Carrog, came to preach here. The latter two were of most help to the cause for many years, and the burden was then on the shoulders of Owen Thomas. After Mr. D. Beynonwas ordained in Llanerchymedd, the care of this church was completely in his hands. In 1816, his connection with Llanerchymedd came to an end and he went to lodge in Meiriogan, and kept a day school in Bethania. Mr. Beynonwas popular here for a while, and many came to listen to him, but he got confused about some circumstances and left for South Wales. His departure left a huge gap in the cause. Mr. Owen Jones came here after this, along with Llanerchymedd, but his stay was short, and even though he was very gifted the cause was not left any stronger. One James Williams came here to keep a school, and he insisted on being ordained as a minister, and as he wasn't given the honour, he went over to the Baptists. This was another blow to the cause that was already very weak.

Therefore, the church was taken over by Mr. Owen Thomas, and he took care of the church until his death. He was assisted on the circuit by his son, Mr. Thomas Owen. Mr O. Thomas took over the church around 1822, and the next year the church was repaired and extended. This cause was weak during all these years, and when Owen Thomas died, in 1833, it is said that there was just one member in Bethania to start and end the Sunday school. This man was Evan Hughes, but was more generally known as Evan y Rholiwr. Possibly there were more men who were members, but he was the only one who came to the school, and who undertook the public parts of the work. After the death of Mr. Owen Thomas, the connection between Llanddeusant and Llanfechell was severed, and this church joined the church in Bodedeyrn in calling Mr. David Davies, a student from the college of Neuaddlwyd. He was ordained in Bodedeyrn, on 27th July, 1836. Mr. Davies stayed here valiantly working for years. A powerful revival broke out in 1839, and this church experienced its mighty effects. After he'd been here about seven years, Mr. Davies moved to Berea, Pentreberw, and after that to Llangefni. He is now in Cerrig-cadarn, Breconshire.

Before the end of 1842, a call was sent to Mr. William Roberts, a lay preacher who, at the time, was living in Rhosymedre, near Ruabon. He was ordained on March 1st, 1843. William Roberts had delightful fresh talents, but had previously been following habits that soured his whole nature, and he turned back to his old ways. He moved away from here in 1846, and went to Tabor, in Monmouthshire. He stayed there until the church had to reject him, and he died years ago.

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During 1844 the present chapel was built. This was during William Roberts' ministry but it wasn’t paid for until the ministry of his successor. At the beginning of 1848, a call was sent to Mr. Robert Edward Williams, a student from the college of Bala, and he was ordained on July 8th, 1848. On that occasion Mr W. Griffiths, Holyhead preached on the nature of church; the questions were asked by Mr. W. Thomas, Beaumaris; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch; Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch, preached to the minister and Mr. D. Roberts, Cemaes preached to the church. Mr. Williams took to his work seriously, and considered that the first task was to pay off the debt of the chapel. It had cost £200, but there was £131 remaining in 1848, but within a few years they succeeded in paying off the whole debt. The Sunday School was excellent. Mr. Williams stayed here with great success for almost twelve years, until he moved to Rhuthin in 1859. Soon after that, a call was sent to Mr. Thomas T. Williams, a student from the college in Bala, and he was ordained on April 25th, 1861. On the occasion Mr. R. E. Williams, Ruthin, preached on the nature of church; the questions were asked by Mr. W. Griffith, Amana; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. P. Howell, Pwllheli; Mr. M. D. Jones, Bala, preached to the minister, and Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead preached to the church. Mr Williams lived just two years after his ordination, but in his short time he worked with all his might. Some repairs were made to the inside of the church during his time there. The liveliness of his ministry, and his revivalist spirit gave the church new life. He died on July 10th, 1863. He was buried respectfully in Bethania churchyard, and the whole cost of the burial was borne by the church and congregation, and a fine headstone has now been placed on his grave, and iron bars surround it. The church is worthy of praise for the great sensitivity it showed towards him in his illness, and the respect it showed to his remains. It took a year for them to send a call to Mr. David John, a student from Brecon college, to be a minister here and in Llanfechell, and he was ordained on September 28th, 1864. Mr John stayed here fruitfully for four years until he moved to Booth-street, Manchester, in 1868, where he still remains. Within a year a call was sent to Mr. Thomas Roberts, a student from Bala college, and he was ordained on May11th, 1869. On that occasion Mr W. Lloyd, Holyhead preached on the nature of church; the questions were asked by Mr. E. Owen, Llansantffraid; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. J. Williams, Caecoch; Mr. E. T. Davies, Abergele, preached to the minister and Mr. R. E. Williams, Beaumarispreached to the church. Mr. Roberts continues to labourhere to great commendation. This church has always been particularly peaceful and generous, not only in paying her own costs but also towards social religious causes. There was a debt of £100 during the last two years after they painted the chapel, and placed railings around it. They also repaired the house which adjoins it. The whole debt was paid immediately.  Amongst the main supporters of this cause since the days of Pritchard, we should record the names of Owen Jones and William Jones, Clwchdernog; William Pritchard and John Pritchard, Hensiop; David Roberts, Meiriogan; Thomas Jones, Melinllynon; William Jones, Glanalaw; David Williams, y Siop; Thomas Williams, Glanalaw; Robert Roberts, Mynyddadda, and the caring, faithful manner

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of Robert Jones, formally of Tanylan, now in Gronant, and his wife, will be remembered while the present generation exists in this country. They felt bereft when William Jones he left them. They called him Uncle Wil. He lead the singing for years. His spirited prayers and the warmth of his 'Amen's' won't be forgotten lightly during the great meetings. There is one sister who has been a member for 56 years. Her name is Elizabeth Hughes. She was accepted before Mr. D. Beynoncame here.

Just one preacher was raised here. He was John Jones, Marton, whom we've mentioned before in Vol.I., page. 395.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

DAVID BEYNON. 

He was born in Carmarthen, in 1792. He moved when young to Merthyr Tydfil, and it was while he was a member in Bethesda that he started preaching. He and Dr. Jenkyn started at the same time, and they travelled alongside each other when they were young. Mr. Beynonwent to Anglesey, and he was ordained in Peniel, Llanerchymedd, on June 2st, 1814. He stayed there for some years. He then gave up that church and confined himself and his labourto Llanddeusant church, which had always been under his care. He married there, but the marriage was not a happy one. He returned to the south and didn’t have any connection with a church. He went to Russia, where he spent many years, but he spent the last years of his life in Nantgarw. He was a member in Groeswen, and he preached when he was called to do so. He was a warm and lively preacher, and had his behaviour been on the straight and narrow he could have been a useful minister. In the last years of his life he was of exemplary behaviour, but the life he led in his former wanderings had obviously affected his mind. He liked to remember those former days, and the spirit that he enjoyed during the beginning of his career. He died in June, 1872, at the age of 80.

THOMAS T. WILLIAMS. 

He was born in Tanyffordd, in the  parish of  Llanllechid, in Caernarfonshire. He enjoyed a religious life from birth, and he was accepted as a member in Amana when young. His father was a lay preacher in the church, and two of his brothers became ministers. He spent some time in Bala college, but he was taken ill, and failed to follow his course fully. He was ordained in Llanddeusant, on April 25th 1861. He was very much respected by the church and also around the country. His preaching was powerful and influential. He was especially powerful in prayer where his gifts were unusual. Even though he was of small stature his voice was strong and piercing which had a marked influence on his listeners. People still remember his effective prayer once during a gymanfa (singing festival) in Anglesey. This had a deeper effect than anything else that happened in that gymanfa. He worked his whole day with so much energy. He was a "candle which burned and enlightened", and many spent time praising in his light." He died on June 10th, 1863, at the age of 28, and he was buried in Bethania, Llanddeusant. There is a beautiful stone on the grave, which was placed there by the church in his memory.

LLANFECHELL

Dechreuwyd pregethu yn yr ardal yma trwy offerynoliaeth un Richard Jones, yr hwn a ddaethai i fyw i'r Maesmawr. Yr oedd Richard Jones yn fab i John Owen, Caeaumon, a'i wraig yn ferch i William Thomas, Meillionen, ac arferai fyned i'r Capel mawr - lle yr oedd yn aelod - ar y Sabbothau, ac i'r cyfeillachau crefyddol, er fod ganddo ddeuddeng milldir o ffordd. Dywedir mai Mr. Rees Harris, Pwllheli, oedd y cyntaf a bregethodd yma, ond dilynwyd ef yn fuan gan eraill. Ymwelai Mr. Benjamin Jones yn fynych a'r ardal, ac wedi sefydliad Mr. Evan Jones yn Amlwch, deuai efe yma yn aml; ond nid oedd etto neb trwy yr holl ardal yn proffesu crefydd ond Richard Jones, Maesmawr, a'i wraig, ac er dirfawr golled i'r ardal bu Richard Jones farw, yn ddyn cymharol ieuangc, yn y flwyddyn 1787, a chladdwyd ef yn mynwent Rhosymeirch. Bu yma foddion crefyddol yn cael eu cynal wedi hyny gyda mesur o gysondeb, ac wedi i Mr. Owen Thomas symud i fyw i Carrog, cafodd yr achos yma adgyfnerthiad neillduol. Dechreuasant mewn ty a elwir Broc'nol, ac ar y dechreu nid oedd yno neb oedd yn proffesu crefydd ond Owen Thomas a gweddw Richard Jones, Maesmawr, Yn yr adeg yma daeth hen chwaer grefyddol o Amlwch atynt, o'r enw Jane Owen, ond a adnabyddid yn well fel Sian Owen Edward, a llawer cyfarfod gweddi fu heb neb ond Owen Thomas a Sian Owen Edward i gymeryd rhan ynddo. Darllenai Mr. O. Thomas ranau o'r ysgrythyr, ac yna dywedai yn ei ddull syml, " Dos dipyn i weddi Sian," - ac wedi i Sian weddio, yna gweddiai yntau, a dyna fyddai yr holl gyfarfod. Un o'r rhai cyntaf a ymunodd a hwy oedd Lewis Jones, Broc'nol, gwr y ty lle y cynhelid y cyfarfodydd, ac ni bu Thomas Williams, Tyddyndu, a Richard Jones, mab Richard Jones, Maesmawr, yn hir cyn ymwasgu a'r dysgyblion. Yn y flwyddyn 1805, cafwyd darn o dir Maesmawr at godi capel arno, ac adeiladwyd ef y flwyddyn hono, a galwyd ef Ebenezer. Dywedir y byddai Richard Jones, Maesmawr, yn wastad ar yr addoliad teuluaidd yn gweddio ar ragddor y drws, at un dymuniad ganddo dros ei blant bob amser fyddai am iddynt gael lle cyfleus i addoli. Bu ef farw cyn gweled ei blant wedi tyfu i fyny, a chyn gweled capel wedi ei godi ; ond codwyd capel ar ei dir, a bu ei blant oll yn aelodau yn y capel hwnw. Costiodd y capel 150p., ond casglwyd y cwbl yn fuan trwy flyddlondeb a diwydrwydd Mr. Owen Thomas. Nid oedd Mr. O. Thomas hyd yn hyn wedi dechreu pregethu ; ond un nos Sabbath, yn y flwyddyn 1807, digwyddodd fod cyhoeddiad gwr dyeithr yn Penrhyn, Cemaes, ond siomwyd hwy o hono. Rhag i'r gynnulleidfa ymadael yn siomedig, anogwyd Mr. O. Thomas i ddyweyd gair wrthynt. Cydsyniodd a'r cais, a phregethodd oddiar y geiriau-- Gwresogodd fy nghalon o'm mewn, tra yr oeddwn yn myfyrio enynodd tân, a mi a leferais a'm tafod." Ac o hyny allan pregethai yn fynych yn Llanfechell a'r Penrhyn, ac yn mhob man lle y meddyliai fod bwlch ac eisiau ei gau. Gweinidogion Rhosymeirch ac Amlwch a ofalent yn benaf am yr achos yn Llanfechell, hyd nes y rhoddasant alwad i Mr. Owen Thomas, ac urddwyd ef yma Ebrill  12fed, 1814. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. J. Griffith, Caernarfon ; derbyniwyd cyffes ffydd y gweinidog gan Mr. R. Roberts, Ceirchiog; gweddiodd Mr. J. Powell, Rhosymeirch ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Evans, Amlwch, ac

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i'r eglwys gan Mr. J. Powell.* Bu Mr. Thomas yma yn llafurus hyd ddiwedd ei oes, ond oblegid fod llesgedd henaint wedi ei ddal, a'i olwg yn pallu, rhoddwyd galwad i'w fab, Mr. Thomas Owen, i fod yn gydweinidog ag ef. Urddwyd ef Mehefin 10fed, 1828. Bu Mr. T. Owen yn gofalu am y lle hyd y flwyddyn 1848, pryd y rhoddodd ei gofal i fyny. Ar ol bod am rai blynyddau heb weinidog, rhoddodd yr eglwys yma alwad i Mr. John Jones, Seion, sir Flint, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma yn 1853, a bu yma yn dderbyniol hyd nes y symudodd i Maentwrog yn Hydref, 1857. Yn 1862, adeiladwyd yma gapel hardd, gwerth o leiaf 700p., yr hwn a roddwyd yn anrheg i'r eglwys a'r gynnulleidfa yn y lle gan Meistri Lewis o Liverpool. Maent yn enedigol o Cemaes, a'u rhieni a'u brawd hynaf yn gorwedd yn mynwent capel Ebenezer, ac yr oeddynt am wneyd cofadail i'w hanwyliaid sydd yn gorwedd yn y lle, yn gystal a chodi capel hardd er gwasanaeth y gynnulleidfa. Ar achlysur agoriad y capel newydd yn Hydref, 1862, sefydlwyd Mr. T. T. Williams, Llanddeusant, i fod yn weinidog, a bu yma yn llwyddianus hyd ddydd ei farwolaeth.

Ar ol hyny, rhoddwyd galwad gan yr eglwys hon, mewn cysylltiad a'r eglwys yn Llanddeusant, i Mr. David John, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef Medi 28ain, 1864. Ar yr achlysur gweinyddwyd gan Meistri F. Samuel, Abertawy; J. Peter, Bala; D. Williams, Bangor; T. Rees, D.D., Abertawy; W. Jones, Amlwch; W. Griffith, Caergybi; J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd ; D. Roberts, Caernarfon ; J. Stephens, Siloh, a J. Jones, Jerusalem. Bu Mr. John yma hyd y flwyddyn 1868, pryd y symudodd i Booth-street, Manchester. Cyn hir wedi ymadawiad Mr. John, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Hugh Jones, Cemaes, ac y mae y tri lle, Llanfechell, Cemaes, a Seion, o dan yr un weinidogaeth.

Yma y codwyd Owen Thomas a'i fab, Thomas Owen, i bregethu, am y rhai y cawn achlysur etto i ysgrifenu.

COFNODION BYWGRAPHYDDOL

OWEN THOMAS.  Ganwyd ef yn mhlwyf Hen-eglwys, Mon, Medi 24ain, 1764. Yr oedd ei dad yn amaethwr cyfrifol mewn lle a elwir Llan, Heneglwys, ond yr oedd yn dra amddifad o ogwyddiadau crefyddol, a chafodd ei fab lawer o wrthwynebiadau oddiwrtho ar gychwyniad ei yrfa grefyddol. Yr oedd ei fam yn proffesu crefydd ac yn aelod yn Rhosymeirch, a derbyniwyd Owen Thomas yn aelod yno pan yn 17 oed, gan Mr. Benjamin Jones. Dangosodd yn ddioed ei fod am ymafael o ddifrif yn holl waith crefydd, ac ni lesgawyd ef mewn un modd gan yr anhawsderan a'i cyfarfu. Yn y flwyddyn 1789, priododd ag Elizabeth, merch Morris Williams, Ty'nymynydd, Tregeuan, ac aeth i fyw i Gemaesycoed, yn mhlwyf Gwalchmai. Teimlai yn fawr tra yno o herwydd yr anfantais a ddyoddefai oblegid amddifadrwydd o foddion gras, etto cyrchai i Rosymeirch er y pellder i gyd gyda chysondeb, a thra yn oedd efe yn byw yma y cychwynwyd yr achos yn Ceirchiog, a rhoddodd Owen Thomas bob help yn ei allu i hyny. Symudodd yn y flwyddyn 1794, i Fodwyn; ac yr oedd yr achos yn Llanddeusant wedi ei gychwyn y flwyddyn cyn hyny, ond bu ei ddyfodiad ef i'r

*Allan o gofnodion Mr. Jonathan Powell.

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ardal yn swcwr mawr i'r achos gwan yn ei gychwyniad. Chwe' blynedd yr arhosodd yn Bodwyn, oblegid symudodd yn y flwyddyn 1800 i Carrog, lle y treuliodd weddill ei oes, a daeth y lle yn adnabyddus trwyddo ef. Meddyliodd yn ddioed am gychwyn addoliad crefyddol yn Llanfechell, a chyn pen tair blynedd wedi ei ddyfodiad i'r lle, yr oedd yma achos wedi ei gychwyn. Nid oedd hyd yma wedi dechreu pregethu, ac ni ddechreuodd hyd y flwyddyn 1807, a'r pryd hwnw yn hollol ddifwriad y bu, megis y crybwyllasom eisioes, ond wedi iddo ddechreu pregethu yr oedd yn wastad mewn gwaith, a pha fwyaf yn arferai ag ef, cryfaf oll oedd ei ysbryd ynddo. Rhoddwyd galwad iddo i fod yn weinidog gan yr eglwys a gasglasid yn benaf trwy ei lafur ef, ac urddwyd ef Ebrill 12fed, 1814, ac ar ol hyny ymroddodd yn fwy cyflawn i'w waith, er na dderbyniai unrhyw gydnabyddiaeth er ei gynaliaeth am hyny. Cymerodd ran flaenllaw gyda chodi capel yn Bodffordd, gerllaw ei le genedigol, a bu yn eglwys yno dan ei ofal am rai blynyddoedd. Efe a fu y prif offeryn i ddechreu yn achos yn Nghemaes, ac yr oedd y lle dan ei ofal hyd ddiwedd ei oes. Teimlai fod maes ei lafur yn eang, oblegid yn oedd yn cynwys Llanfechell, Llanddeusant, a Chemaes, heblaw y byddai yn ymweled yn fynych a lleoedd eraill, a chan ei fod yn heneiddio a'i nerth yn pallu, urddwyd ei fab Thomas Owen i fod yn gynorthwywr iddo rai blynyddau cyn ei farwolaeth. Yr oedd Owen Thomas yn un o'r dynion cymhwysaf i wneyd y gwaith oedd rhagluniaeth wedi ei fwriadu iddo, ac y mae Annibyniaeth yn Mon yn ddyledus iddo ef, ac ychydig eraill o'i gydlafurwyr, am yr afael sydd ganddi yn y wlad. Er nad oedd Owen Thomas wedi cael manteisien addysg yn helaeth, etto yn oedd yn deall trefn iachawdwriaeth yn dda, yn llawn o ysbryd ei phregethu, ac yn meddu dawn gwresog a difrifol wrth draddodi. Am grefydd y byddai ei ymddiddan yn wastad, ac nid elai i unrhyw ardal, nac i un teulu heb ymofyn a oedd rhywbeth a allai wneyd yno dros ei Arglwydd. Yr oedd ganddo ddawn nodedig mewn gweddi, a theimlai pawb wrth ei wrando fod ynddo hyder mawr ger bron Duw, ac yr oedd rhywbeth yn serchiadol yn ei holl gyflawniadau, yr hyn a'i gwnai yn anwyl gan bawb. Dangosai bob amser ofal mawr am grefydd yn ei deulu, ac ni chai dim ei atal yn nghyflawniad y ddyledswydd deuluaidd. Mynai hamdden i fendigo ei dy yn adeg brysuraf y cynhauaf. Yr oedd dyn digrefydd wedi dyfod ato i weithio ar un cynhauaf unwaith, yn hwn a ymhyfrydai mewn gwawdio ac ailadrodd gweddiau Owen Thomas a William Jones, un o'i gydweithwyr, y rhai a gadwent y ddyledswydd bob yn ail. Achwynai William Jones wrth Owen Thomas ar ei gydweithiwr, ac ychwanegai nas gallai weithio gydag ef yn hwy. Wedi holi am ei ymddygiad, dywedodd O. Thomas wrth W. Jones, "Wel aros di i ni gael gwel'd beth allwn ni 'neyd o hono." Boreu dranoeth wedi darllen pennod ei hun, a gwneyd ychydig sylwadau arni, galwodd Owen Thomas ar y gweithiwr fyddai yn arfer gwawdio, i roddi penill allan i'w ganu, oblegid arferent ganu bob amser ar y ddyledswydd deuluaidd. Ysgydwai y dyn ei ben, a gwrthodai wneyd, ond ni fynai Owen Thomas ei omedd, a bu raid i'r dyn roddi penill allan ; ac aeth ryw un arall i weddi. Ar ol hyn yr oedd y gwawdiwr yn hollol ddistaw, a bygythiai ei gydweithwyr ef y byddai raid iddo weddio boreu dranoeth. Cafodd yn amgylchiad y fath effaith ar feddwl y dyn fel y difrifolodd ef yn y fan, ac nid yn unig rhoddodd i fyny wawdio ond dechreuodd weddio ei hun, a bu yn grefyddwr gloyw hyd ei fedd, a dymunodd gael ei gladdu mor agos ag y gellid at Owen Thomas.

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Pregethodd Owen Thomas lawer, nid yn unig yn sir Fon, ond trwy holl siroedd Cymru, yn y Gogledd a'r De. Byddai yn aml yn myned ar daith am fis neu ychwaneg gan bregethu ddwy waith neu dair bob dydd, yn ol fel y byddai yn gyfleus, an yr oedd bob amser yn dderbyniol yn mha le bynag yr elai. Marchogai yn wastad ar anifail da, a gofalai yn gyffredin am fyned a digon o arian gydag ef i glirio y daith, hyd yn nod pe na chawsai ddim ; ac unwaith darfyddodd ei arian mor llwyr fel mai gan gyfeillion Bethel, sir Caernarfon, y cafodd help i gyrhaedd hyd adref. Bu yn marchogaeth yr un anifail am ugain mlynedd, a da oedd erbyn diwedd ei oes, pan wedi colli ei olwg, fod cyd-ddealldwriaeth mor hapus rhwng yr hen gaseg ag yntau. Ond cafodd brofedigaeth oddiwrthi unwaith flynyddoedd cyn hyny. Mae yn debyg ei fod wedi ei phrynu gan y chwareuwyr a grwydrent y wlad, a bod y gaseg wedi bod yn dilyn bywyd felly gynt, ond ar ol dyfod i feddiant pregethwr, yr oeddid yn disgwyl iddi adael ei hen ffyrdd. Ond ryw dro pan oedd Owen Thomas yn myned gyda Jonathan Powell. Rhosymeirch, i gymanfa Rhiadrwy, wrth fyned trwy Caernarfon, deallodd yr hen gaseg wrth swn yr udgyrn a'r tabyrddau fod y campwyr yn dwyn yn mlaen eu chwareuon, ac nid oedd atal arni i droi yn ol i'w hen lwybrau a myned i'w plith, ac yn eu canol ar ei chefn y cafodd Owen Thomas ei hunan. Cafodd ryw gyfaill caredig i'w harwain oddiyno, ond yr oedd y chwedl wedi cyrhaedd o'u blaen i Rhiadrwy, a mawr y difyrwch gafwyd i'w boeni am y peth. Yr oedd efe a William Hughes, Dinasmawddwy, yn mysg yr ychydig weinidogion a deithient y wlad yn lled reolaidd, ac yr oedd yn wastad ddisgwyliad am eu dyfodiad. Er fod Owen Thomas o gorph cryf, an uwchlaw dwy lath o daldra, ond ei fod yn crymu ychydig yn ei war, etto teimlodd yn gynar, mewn cydmariaeth i'r hyn a allesid ddisgwyl, ddadfeiliad yn ei gyfansoddiad. Bu yn dihoeni am fwy na blwyddyn, fel na allai fyned yn mhell oddicartref, ond daliodd i fyned i ymweled a'r eglwysi dan ei ofal, a phregethodd tra y gallodd. Y gwasanaeth cyhoeddus diweddaf a gyflawnodd oedd gweinyddu yr ordinad o swper yr Arglwydd yn Llanfechell, ond nis gallodd orphen gan wendid. Ni bu byw ond ychydig fisoedd ar ol hyn. Ymwelodd Mr. Griffith, Caergybi, ag ef ychydig cyn ei farw, an mewn llythyr a ysgrifenodd at Mr. John Jones, Marton, dywedai Mr. Griffith, " Amlygodd ei gyflawn orphwysiad ar y Crist ag oedd ef wedi bregethu mor ffyddlon i eraill. Rhyfedd drefn, ebe efe, 'i gyd o ras' Pan yn son am werthfawrogrwydd crefydd dywedodd, Y mae hi yn talu ei ffordd yn hynod.' Gyda golwg ar ragorol werth yr ysgrythyrau, sylwodd Fod llawer hymn yn gordial melus i'r enaid, ond mai yr addewidion oedd ei fywyd.'  Cofiaf yn hir y pwys difrifol gyda pha un y'm cynghorodd i wneyd fy ngoreu i berswadio dynion i ymofyn am grefydd i fyw. Yr oedd yn brofiadol os ceid hi i fyw, y ceid hi farw, ac yn ymwybodol mai byw crefyddol yw y dedwyddaf yn annibynol ar farw, a'i dragywyddol ganlyniadau."*

Yn ei ddyddiau olaf yr oedd rhywbeth neillduol wedi ei feddianu gyda golwg ar y lle i'w gladdu. Dyna oedd ei ymddiddan a'i feibion, ac a phawb a ddenai i ymweled ag ef. Ond un boreu dywedodd wrth ei fab hynaf. "Yr wyf wedi meddwl yn mha le y cleddwch fi - cleddwch fi wrth Ebenezer." Dywedai ei fab nad oedd yno ddim lle, oblegid mai ar lease yr oedd y capel. " Do's at Richard Lewis, Gwenithfryn," ebe yntau, " a gofyn

* Dysgedydd, 1837. Tu dal. 357.    "Bywgraphiad y Parch. O. Thomas."

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iddo, a wnaiff o werthu darn o'r llain sydd yn ymyl gardd ty y capel." Aeth y mab ar ei air, a gwnaeth fel y gorchymynodd, ac wedi myned eilwaith prynodd ef, ac wedi dychwelyd dywedodd, "Wel, nhad, mi prynais o." " R'oist ti ernes arno," gofynai yntau. " Do, nhad," oedd yr ateb. " Wel," ebe yntau, "nid oes gen i ddim ond ffarwelio a chwi 'rwan;" ac wedi cau ei lygaid bu farw yn mhen ychydig funydau, Ebrill 15fed, 1833, yn 69 oed. Claddwyd ef yn y llain newydd-bwrcasedig, ac efe oedd y cyntaf a roddwyd i orwedd yno, a hyny cyn fod y lle wedi ei amgau, ond y mae yno dorf fawr yn gorwedd erbyn hyn, ac y mae y fynwent yn un o'r rhai prydferthaf yn yr ynys. Gweinyddwyd yn ngwasanaeth y claddedigaeth gan Meistri W. Griffith, Caergybi; W. Jones, Amlwch, a D. James, Rhosymeirch, ac yr oedd y dorf fawr o alarwyr oedd yn y lle yn un o'r rhai lluosocaf a welwyd mewn claddedigaeth erioed yn y wlad. Yr oedd yn barchus gan bawb yn ei fywyd, a chafwyd prawf eglur o hyny yn ei farwolaeth.

THOMAS OWEN. Yr oedd yn fab i'r hybarch Owen Thomas, Carrog. Dechreuodd bregethu yn Llanfechell, ac wedi bod yn pregethu dros rai blynyddau, urddwyd ef i fod yn gydweinidog a'i dad yn Llanfechell a Chemaes, Mehefin 10fed, 1828. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. O. Thomas, Carrog, (tad yr urddedig) ; pregethodd Mr. R. Roberts, Salem, ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog, a Mr. W. Roberts, Groeslon, ar ddyledswydd yr eglwysi. Yn mhen rhai blynyddau wedi marw ei dad, rhoddodd Mr. T. Owen i fyny ofal yr eglwys yn Cemaes, gan gyfyngu ei lafur i Lanfechell ; ond yr oedd ei gysylltiad gweinidogaethol a Llanfechell wedi darfod rai blynyddau cyn ei farwolaeth. Nid oedd Mr. T. Owen heb ei golliadau, a rhai a barant iddo ofid mawr, ond cydnabyddid ef gan y rhai a'i hadwaenent oreu, yn ddyn tyner, caredig, parod i bob cymwynas, ond ei fod yn llac a meddal, a thrwy hyny yn hawdd ei arwain; ond yr oedd yn dra ffyddlon a chywir i'w egwyddorion fel Ymneillduwr ac Annibynwr, ac ni fynai ei arwain gan neb yn hyny. Dangosodd weithgarwch mawr gyda'r ysgol Sabbothol, ac yr oedd yn barod a'i law i gyfranu at bob achos da a rhinweddol. Yr oedd yn dirion yn mysg ei bobl ei hun, ac yn dra gostyngedig yn mysg ei frodyr. Bu yn nychu yn hir, a dyoddefodd boenau corphorol mawr yn niwedd ei oes. Bu farw Medi 18fed, 1859, yn 69 oed, a chladdwyd ef yn mynwent Llanfechell.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands

Preaching started in this area through one Richard Jones, who came to live in Maesmawr. Richard Jones was the son of John Owen, Caeaumon, and his wife was the daughter of William Thomas, Meillionen, who used to go to Capel mawr - where he was a member  - on Sundays, and to the religious fellowships, even though he had twelve miles to travel. It is said that it was Mr. Rees Harris, Pwllheli, was the first to preach here, but he was soon followed by others. Mr. Benjamin Jones often visited the area, and after Mr. Evan Jones was inducted in Amlwch, he often came here; but no-one through the whole area yet professed religion except  Richard Jones, Maesmawr, and his wife, and Richard Jones died as a comparitively young man, in 1787. He was a huge loss to the area. He was buried in the Rhosymeirch cemetery. After that some religious meetings were held here quite regularly, and after Mr. Owen Thomas moved to Carrog, this cause was especially strengthened. It started in a house called Broc'nol. To start with there was no-one who professed religion other than Owen Thomas and the widow of Richard Jones, Maesmawr. At this time an old religious sister originally from Amlwch joined them. Her name was Jane Owen, but she was better known as Sian Owen Edward, and many prayer meetings took place with just Owen Thomas and Sian Owen Edward taking part. Mr. O. Thomas would read parts of the scriptures, and he'd then say in his simple way, " Go and pray a little Siân," - and after Siân prayed, he would pray, and that would be the whole meeting. One of the first to join them was Lewis Jones, Broc'nol, the master of the house where the meetings were held, and Thomas Williams, Tyddyndu, and Richard Jones, the son of  Richard Jones, Maesmawr, weren't long in joining them. In 1805, they secured a piece of Maesmawr land with a view to building a chapel, and it was built that year, and it was called Ebenezer. It is said that Richard Jones, Maesmawr, was always in the family worship praying in the porch, with one request that his children should have a convenient place in which to worship. He died before seeing his children grow up, and before seeing the chapel built; but a chapel was built on his land, and all his children became members in that chapel. The chapel cost £150, but the whole lot was collected quickly through the faithfulness and hard work of Mr. Owen Thomas. Mr. O. Thomas had not started preaching yet; but one Sabbath evening, in 1807, a stranger from Penrhyn, Cemaes was supposed to be preaching but he disappointed them. So that the congregation did not leave disappointed, Mr. O. Thomas was encouraged to say a word to them. He agreed, and he preached from the text -- "my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue." After this he often preached in Llanfechell and Penrhyn, and anywhere there was a gap which needed filling. It was the ministers of  Rhosymeirch and Amlwch that mainly cared for the cause in Llanfechell, until they gave a call to  Mr. Owen Thomas, and he was ordained here on April 12th, 1814. On that occasion Mr J. Griffith, Caernarfon,  preached on the nature of the church; Mr. R. Roberts, Ceirchiog, accepted the minister's declaration of faith; Mr. J. Powell, Rhosymeirch prayed; Mr. J. Evans, Amlwch, preached to the minister

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and Mr. J. Powell preached to the church.*  Mr. Thomas stayed here diligently until the end of his life, but because of his age, and the deterioration of his sight, a call was sent to his son, Mr. Thomas Owen, to join with him in his ministry. He was ordained on June10th, 1828. Mr. T. Owen cared for the place until 1848, when he gave up the post. The church did not have a minister for some years then sent a call to Mr. John Jones, Seion, Flintshire, and he started his ministry here in 1853, and he stayed here with acceptance until he moved to Maentwrog in October, 1857. In 1862, a fine chapel was built here, worth at least £700, which was given as a gift to the church and the congregation by Messrs. Lewis from Liverpool. They are originally from Cemaes, and their parents and their older brother lie in the cemetery of Ebenezer chapel. They wanted to leave a memorial to their loved ones who lie in the place, as well as raising a fine chapel for the service of the congregation. At the opening of the new chapel in October 1862, Mr. T. T. Williams, Llanddeusant, was ordained as minister, and he stayed here successfully till the day he died.

After that, the church along with the church in Llanddeusant, sent a call to Mr. David John, a student from the college in Brecon, and he was ordained on September 28th, 1864. On the occasion Messrs F. Samuel, Swansea; J. Peter, Bala; D. Williams, Bangor; T. Rees, D.D., Swansea; W. Jones, Amlwch; W. Griffith, Holyhead; J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; D. Roberts, Caernarfon; J. Stephens, Siloh, and J. Jones, Jerusalem officiated. Mr. John stayed here till 1868, when he moved to Booth-street, Manchester. Soon after Mr. John left, the church gave a call to  Mr. Hugh Jones, Cemaes, and the three places, Llanfechell, Cemaes, and Seion, are under the same ministry.

This is where Owen Thomas and his son, Thomas Owen, were brought up to preach. We will have an opportunity to write about them again.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

OWEN THOMAS.  He was born in Hen-eglwys parish, Anglesey, on September 24th, 1764. His father was a responsible farmer in a place called Llan, Heneglwys, but he had no religious leanings, and his son had many objections from him at the beginning of his religious career. His mother professed a faith and was a member in Rhosymeirch. Owen Thomas was received as a member there when he was 17 years old, by Mr. Benjamin Jones. Immediately, he showed that he was seriously getting to grips with all the religious work, and the difficulties he met didn't daunt him. In 1789, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Morris Williams, Ty'nymynydd, Tregeuan, and he went to live in Gemaesycoed, in the parish of Gwalchmai. He greatly missed the means of grace he had received while he was there, but he regularly travelled to Rosymeirch despite the distance, and while he was living here the cause in Ceirchiog started. Owen Thomas was a great help at this time. He moved in 1794, to Fodwyn; and the cause in Llanddeusant had started the year before that, but his arrival in the

*From Mr. Jonathan Powell records.

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area was a great succour to the weak cause at its inception. He stayed in Bodwyn just six years, and he moved in 1800 to Carrog, where he spent the rest of his life. The place became well know as a result of his efforts. He decided immediately to start a religious worship in Llanfechell, and within three years of his arrival, a cause had been started. He hadn't as yet started preaching, and he didn't start until 1807. At that time it was unintentional, as we mentioned earlier, but once he had started preaching he was never without work, and the more he preached, the stronger the spirit was in him. He was called to be a minister in the church that came together mainly through his work, and he was ordained on April 12th, 1814, and after that he devoted himself more completely to his work, even though he didn't accept any remuneration for his subsistence. He played a big part in raising a chapel in Bodffordd, near to where he was born, and the church there was under his care for some years. He was the instrument for starting the cause in Cemaes, and the place stayed under his care to the end of his life. He felt that the field of his labour was extensive, as it included Llanfechell, Llanddeusant, and Cemaes, apart from his frequent visits to other places, and as he got older and his strength failed, his son Thomas Owen was ordained to be an assistant to him for some years before his death. Owen Thomas was one of the most suitable men to do the work that providence had intended for him, and Independence in Anglesey has to be indebted to him, and a few others of his fellow labourers, for the hold it has on the country. Even though Owen Thomas hadn't had the advantages of an extensive education, he understood the rules of salvation well, he was full of the spirit in his sermons, and possessed a warm and sombre gift while delivering his sermons. His conversation was always about religion, and he never visited any area, nor any family without enquiring whether there was anything he could do for his Lord. He possessed a notable gift for prayer, and everyone who listened to him felt he had a great confidence before God, and there was a loving feeling about all his accomplishments, which made him loved by all. Religion was most important within his family, and nothing would prevent him from doing his duty to the family. He insisted on time to consecrate his house at the busiest time in the harvest. A man who had no religion came to work for him at the harvest once, who loved to ridicule and repeat the prayers of Owen Thomas and William Jones, one of his co-workers, who alternately kept the duty. William Jones complained to Owen Thomas about his co-worker, and added that he could no longer work with him. Having questioned him about his behaviour, O. Thomas told W. Jones, "Well you wait so we can see what we can make of it." Next morning after reading a chapter himself, and making a few points about it, Owen Thomas called his co-worker who usually mocked, to choose a verse to be sung, since it was the custom to sing at the family occasions. The man shook his head, and refused, but Owen Thomas would not accept his refusal, and the man had to announce a verse; and someone else prayed. After this the mocker became very quiet, and his co-worker threatened that he would have to pray the following day. The circumstances had such an effect on the mind of the man that he immediately became quite serious, and he not only gave up ridiculing but he began to pray, and he became a shining Christian till his death, and wished to be buried as close as he could to Owen Thomas.

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Owen Thomas preached a lot, not only in Anglesey, but throughout the whole of Wales, in the North and the South. He would often go on a journey for a month or more preaching twice or three times a day, according to circumstances and he was always well accepted wherever he went. He always rode on a good animal, and he always made sure that he took plenty of money with him ready for the whole journey, even if he did not receive any; once his money ran out completely and his friends in Bethel, Caernarfonshire helped him to reach home. He rode the same animal for twenty years, and it was so good that, at the end of his life, when he was losing his sight, there was such a happy understanding between the old mare and him. But he had a mishap with her once years before this. It appears that he bought her from fairground people who wandered the country, that was the sort of life that the mare had led, but after becoming the mare of the preacher, she was expected to leave her old ways. But once when Owen Thomas was travelling with Jonathan Powell. Rhosymeirch, to a singing festival in Rhayadr, as they went through Caernarfon, the mare heard the sounds of trumpets and tambours and realised that the fairground people were around, no-one could stop her from following her old ways, and Owen Thomas found himself on her back amongst all these people. Some kind friend led her away from there, but the tale had sped before him to Rhayadr, and great fun was had at his expense. He and William Hughes, Dinasmawddwy, were amongst the few ministers to travel the country fairly regularly, and there was great expectation for their arrival. Even though Owen Thomas was physically strong, and more than six foot tall, he did stoop a little at his shoulders, yet he felt from his youth, a certain decay in his constitution. He declined for over a year, and could not go far from home, but he continued to visit the churches under his care, and he preached while he still could. The last public service he officiated at was a communion in Llanfechell, but wasn't able to finish because of weakness. He lived just a few months after this. Mr. Griffith, visited Holyhead, with him a little before his death, and in a letter that he wrote to Mr. John Jones, Marton, Mr. Griffith said, " He manifested his complete rest on the Christ that he had preached to others. 'Oh such wond'rous providence, he said, 'all from grace' While speaking about the appreciation of religion he said, 'it pays its way remarkably.' Considering the excellent value of the scriptures, he noticed that many hymns were as a sweet cordial for the soul, but it was the promises that became his life.'  I will long remember the burden that all who advised me felt when I did my best to plead with men to ask for a living faith. It was providential if they did have one to live, then they would have one to die, while being aware that a religious life is the sweetest apart from dying, and its eternal results."*

In his last days something peculiar happened about the choice of places to bury him. It was the topic of conversation with his sons, and with everyone who came to visit him. But one morning he told his eldest son. "I've been thinking about the place you will bury me - bury me near to Ebenezer." His son said that there was no room there, since the chapel was on a lease. " Go to see Richard Lewis, Gwenithfryn," he said, " and ask

* Dysgedydd, 1837. Page. 357.    "The biography of the Revd. O. Thomas."

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him, would he sell a tract of land that is close to the garden of chapel house." The son went immediately, and did as his father instructed. Then he went a second time, and bought it, and on his return he said, "Well, father, I bought it." " Did you put a deposit on it," he asked. " Yes father," was the answer. " Well," he said, "I have only to say farewell to you now;" and he closed his eyes and died in a few minutes, on April 15th, 1833, at the age of 69 years. He was buried in the prepared tract of land. He was the first to be laid to rest there, and that before the place had been enclosed, but a great number are lying there now, and the cemetery is one of the most beautiful on the island. Officiating in the burial service were Messrs W. Griffith, Holyhead; W. Jones, Amlwch, and D. James, Rhosymeirch, and the multitude of mourners there was one of the largest to be seen in a burial ever in the country. He was respected by all during his life, and that was obvious in his death.

THOMAS OWEN. He was the son of the venerable Owen Thomas, Carrog. He started preaching in Llanfechell, and after preaching for some years, he was ordained as a co-minister with his father in Llanfechell and Cemaes, on June 10th, 1828. On the occasion Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. D. James, Rhosymeirch; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. O. Thomas, Carrog, (the father of the ordained); Mr. R. Roberts, Salem, preached on the duty of the minister, and Mr. W. Roberts, Groeslon, on the duty of the churches. Within a few years of his father's death, Mr. T. Owen gave up the care of the church in Cemaes, confining his labour to Llanfechell; but his ministerial connection with Llanfechell had come to an end many years before his death. Mr. T. Owen wasn't a man without failings, and some of these failings caused great concern, but he was considered by those that knew him best, as a gentle, kind man, ready to help anyone, but he was soft and flexible and so was easy to influence; but he was very faithful and true to his principles as a non-conformist and an Independent, and wasn't willing to be led away from that. He worked hard with the Sunday school, and he was always willing to donate to any good and virtuous cause. He was gentle amongst his own people, and humble amongst his brothers. He declined for a long time, and he suffered great body pains at the end of his life. He died on September 18th, 1859, at the age of 69, and was buried in Llanfechell cemetery.

CEMAES

(Llanbadrig parish)

Yn y flwyddyn 1806, dechreuwyd pregethu yn achlysurol yma, mewn lle a elwir y Penrhyn. Mr. Owen Thomas, Carrog, a fu y prif offeryn i ddechreu yr aches, a chymerodd dý anedd i'r perwyl. Cynorthwyid gan gyfeillion Llanfechell, y rhai a ddeuent yma weithiau i gynal cyfarfodydd gweddio. Clywodd Mr. Owen Thomas fod dyn o'r enw William Jones, yr hwn oedd yn aelod defnyddiol yn Rhosymeirch yn edrych allan am le i fyw, ac heb golli dim amser aeth i chwilio am dano, a chytunodd ag ef i fyw ar dir Carrog, a bu hwnw o hyny allan yn help mawr i'r cyfarfodydd a gynhelid yn y Penrhyn. Dyoddefent brinder mawr o eisiau pregethwr, ac yma y ddechreuodd Mr. Owen Thomas bregethu yn y flwyddyn 1807,

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er mai aelod yn Llanfechell ydoedd ar y pryd. Trwyddedwyd Tygwyn, Penrhyn, yn lle at bregethu gan Owen Thomas yn Llys Esgobol Bangor, Tachwedd 14eg, 1811. Wedi pregethu a chynal moddion yn achlysurol yn y Penrhyn dros rai blynyddoedd, daeth capel y Methodistiaid yn Cemaes yn wag, a symudodd y gynnulleidfa fechan yno yn 1818. Hen ystordy ydoedd wedi ei gyfaddasu yn lle i bregethu, ond yr oedd yn dda ei gael y pryd hwnw. Derbyniwyd Owen Thomas, mab Mr. Owen Thomas, Carrog, yn aelod, a bu ef o help mawr i'r achos yma. Yn 1827, adeiladwyd yma gapel newydd, yr hwn a alwyd Bethel, yr hwn a gostiodd 220p., a'r flwyddyn ganlynol, Mehefin 10fed, 1828, urddwyd Mr. Thomas Owen yma yn gydweinidog a'i dad. Bu gofal yr eglwys ar Mr. T. Owen hyd y flwyddyn 1844, ac wedi iddo ymadael, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. D. Roberts, o Fanchester, i fod yn weinidog yma ac yn Seion. Dechreuodd Mr. Roberts ei weinidogaeth yma yn gynar yn y flwyddyn 1845, a llafuriodd yma am chwe' blynedd agos, nes y symudodd i Bendref, Caernarfon. Yn nechreu 1853, dechreuodd Mr. John Jones, Seion, sir Flint, ei weinidogaeth yma mewn cysylltiad a Llanfechell a Seion, a bu yma hyd nes y symudodd i Faentwrog, yn 1857. Wedi bod am yn agos i chwe' blynedd heb weinidog, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Hugh Jones, pregethwr ieuangc yn Brynsiencyn, ac urddwyd ef yn weinidog yma ac yn Seion, Medi 29ain, 1864. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Dr. Rees, Abertawy ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Peter, Bala, ac i'r eglwysi gan Mr. D. Roberts, Caernarfon. Mae yr achos wedi cynyddu yn fawr er sefydliad Mr. Jones yma, a'r capel wedi ei helaethu fel y mae yn awr yn un o'r addoldai mwyaf cyfleus i bregethu a gwrando ynddo.

Yn mysg lluaws o ffyddloniaid yr eglwys hon, fel hyn yr ysgrifenir atom gyda golwg ar y personau canlynol:*-

" Lewis Jones. Bu am lawer y flynyddau yn arweinydd y canu, ac am fwy na hyny yn ddiacon. Nodweddid ef yn mhob cylch crefyddol gan ffyddlondeb difwlch. Ystyrid ef yn ddyn call iawn, meddai ar allu cryf i adwaen cymeriadau ac i'w trin gyda deheurwydd mawr. Gallai weinyddu ceryddon llymion i gymeriadau amheus yn yr eglwys mewn modd tra anuniongyrchol. Os drwg-dybid aelod o fod yn gogwyddo at rhyw bechod neillduol, yn lle ymosod yn uniongyrchol ar y troseddwr tybiedig, yn y cyfarfod neillduol gafaelai yr hen Lewis Jones, wrth ymddiddan a'r plant, yn y pechod hwnw ac ymdrinai ag ef yn y modd plaenaf a halltaf gan ddangos ei ddrwg a rhybuddio y ' plant bach, anwyl,' fel y galwai hwy, ochel a'u holl egni. Llawer gwaith y gwelwyd ceryddon anuniongyrchol felly oddiwrtho yn gwneuthur lles mawr, pan y buasai goruchwyliaeth fwy uniongyrchol yn anamserol, ac o herwydd hyny yn niweidiol. John Lewis a'i briod, rhieni y brodyr sydd yn ffurfio firm y Lewis Brothers, Liverpool, oeddynt hwy. Buont hwy a'u plant yn llawer iawn o gymorth i'r achos pan yr oedd yn dda iawn wrtho. Byth ni welid yr un o'r deg plentyn yn gadael i'r un casgliad cyhoeddus fyned heibio heb roddi eu cyfran i mewn. Bu John Lewis yn nodedig am ei ffyddlondeb gyda holl waith crefydd. John Morris, Penrhyn, a Morris Owen, Ty'nllan, hefyd a fuont yn dra ffyddlon gyda'r achos am flynyddau lawer. Y mae priod yr olaf yn aros hyd heddyw fel dolen gydiol yn uno dwy oes.

*Llythyr Mr. H Jones.

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"Y mae yr achos crefyddol yma yn dra dyledus i dair chwaer, Elizabeth, Mary, ac Ann Jones, Cemaes. Eu ty hwy sydd wedi bod yn Bethania yr achos am feithion flynyddau, ac erioed ni bu lletty mwy cysurus, fel y gall ugeiniau o bregethwyr dystio. Y mae un o'r tair chwaer, Miss Ann Jones, yn aros, ac yn cadw cymeriad y ty a'r teulu i fyny yn anrhydeddus. Bu Elizabeth Jones yn aros am dymor yn Gwaredog, Amlwch, pryd yr arferai fyned i Seion i addoli, a bu yn llawer iawn o gymorth i'r cyfeillion yno am flynyddau lawer ar gychwyniad yr achos. Yr oedd Mary Jones yn nodedig am barodrwydd ei dawn, duwiolfrydedd ei meddwl, ac angerddoldeb ei theimlad. Llawer gwaith ar adegau oerion a marwaidd y rhoddodd hi y cyfarfod ar dân â dim ond adnod felus neu ddarn o benill nefolaidd. John Noall, Glanrhyd. Yr oedd efe yn enedigol o ddeheu-orllewin Lloegr. Dysgodd Gymraeg yn lled dda. Dewiswyd ef yn ddiacon yn Bethel a llanwodd y swydd hono a'r swydd o arweinydd canu gyda manylwch a ffyddlondeb mawr am lawer o flynyddau. Adwaenid ef fel dyn craff, manwl, cywir, a didderbynwyneb, gyda gwythien gref o dynerwch a charedigrwydd yn gorwedd o dan y cwbl. Yr oedd yn nodedig fel cerddor.  Dyrchafwyd y canu o dan ei arweiniad ef i safle amlwg yn y lle. Bu ef a'i deulu o wasanaeth mawr i'r achos yma."

William Jones, Penybryn. Yr oedd yn fab i Richard Jones, am yr hwn y crybwyllasom yn nglyn ag Ebenezer, ac yn wyr i Richard Jones, Maesmawr, ac yn orwyr i John Owen, Caeaumon. Aeth ef a'i frawd, Richard Jones, i Liverpool, a derbyniwyd hwy yn aelodau yn y Tabernacl, a dewiswyd hwy yn ddiaconiaid yr un pryd. Dychwelodd William Jones i Gymru, oblegid sefyllfa ei iechyd, a dewiswyd ef yn ddiacon yn yr eglwys yma, ac ennillodd iddo ei hun radd dda yn y cyflawniad o honi. Yr oedd yn ddyn blaenllaw gyda'r achos yn ei holl ranau, ac yn barod i bob gweithred dda. Mae yma lawer o ffyddloniaid etto yn aros, a chrefydd yn parhau yn yr hen deuluoedd o genhedlaeth i genhedlaeth.

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

• Robert Edwards. Bu yn pregethu gyda'r Wesleyaid am flynyddoedd cyn ymuno a'r Annibynwyr. Mae yn awr yn Llanddeusant.
• Hugh Owens. Dechreuodd bregethu yn y flwyddyn 1862.
• Richard Jones. Mab ydoedd i William Jones, Penybryn, un o ddiaconiaid yr eglwys, am yr hwn y cyfeiriasom eisioes. Ganwyd ef yn Liverpool. Mae ei fam yn wyres i Hugh Hughes, un o'r tô cyntaf o Annibynwyr Cymreig Liverpool. Ysgrifenwyd cofiant i Richard Jones gan Mr. H. Jones, Cemaes, yr hwn a ymddangosodd yn y Dysgedydd, am Hydref, 1866, a chymerwn o hono y difyniadau a ganlyn:-

"Hynodid Richard pan yn ieuangc gan fywiogrwydd, craffder, cof, penderfyniad, a dyfalbarhad. Mwynhaodd fanteision addysg da, a gwnaeth ddefnydd priodol o honynt. Yn 1858, derbyniwyd ef i gymundeb yn Bethel. Bu yn aros am beth amser ar ol hyny mewn swyddfa barchus yn Liverpool. Daeth adref a'i iechyd wedi ei anmharu i raddau. Ymadfywiodd yn fuan, ac ymroddodd i weithio yn ngwinllan ei Arglwydd. Tynodd ei dalent, ei sel, a'i dduwioldeb sylw yr eglwys arno. Penderfynodd pawb mai pregethwr oedd Richard i fod. Amlygwyd y penderfyniad iddo, ac wedi peth petrusdod ac oediad, ymostyngodd i farn yr eglwys, gan ymgyflwyno gorph ac enaid i'r gwaith. Pregethodd am y waith gyntaf yn y gyfeillach yn Bethel ar y 13eg o Fai, 1862. Ei destyn ydoedd, ' Pa lesâd

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i ddyn, os ennill efe yr holl fyd, a cholli ei enaid  hun ? neu pa beth a rydd dyn yn gyfnewid am ei enaid ?' Ar y 15fed o'r un mis y bu farw ei dad. Rhaid fod marwolaeth ei dad wedi bod yn ergyd drom iddo ar adeg pan yr oedd ei deimladau yn rhwym o fod yn dra thyner a chynhyrfus. Ond er gwaethaf pob peth, ni wangalonodd ; eithr efe a ymwrolodd yn lew. Ar nos Sabboth, yn lled fuan wedi marwolaeth ei dad, pregethodd oddiar yr un testyn ag y pregethasai arno yn y gyfeillach cyn hyny. Yn ystod y pum' mis dilynol pregethodd amryw weithiau. Yn nechreu Tachwedd, yr un flwyddyn, pregethodd ar nos Sabboth yn Bethania, Llanddeusant. Dyna y tro olaf y cafodd y fraint o agor ei enau yn gyhoeddus dros y Gwaredwr a garai mor fawr. Nid ydoedd yn gryf iawn pan yr ymaflodd yn y gwaith i ddechreu ; ac wedi ymaflyd ynddo, pryderodd a llafuriodd ormod gydag ef i gyfateb i'w nerth. Cafodd anwyd trwm with ddychwelyd o Landdeusant pan y bu yn pregethu yno ; a rhwng y cwbl, llesgaodd ei nerth, ac ymaflodd peswch ynddo a lynodd wrtho hyd angau. Ymladdodd yn egniol am fisoedd lawer yn erbyn ei afiechyd. Pregethu oedd ei hoff bwngc drwy y cwbl. Cyfansoddodd luaws o bregethau yn ei gystudd, gyda'r bwriad o'u traddodi pan yr adferid ef. Trwy ymdrech, llwyddodd i ddilyn yr addoliad cyhoeddus yn fled gyson yn ystod yr haf diweddaf. O hyny allan caethiwyd ef bron yn hollol i'r ty; ond codai, a deuai i lawr bob dydd. Yr oedd ei awydd a'i obaith am wella yn lled gryf bron hyd y diwedd. Ond fel yr oedd awr ei ymddatodiad yn nesau, diflanodd ei obaith, ac yn raddol, gwanhaodd ei awydd, a dysgodd ddywedyd, 'Yr Arglwydd yw efe, gwnaed a fyddo da yn ei olwg.  Bu farw Chwefror 4ydd, 1866, yn 24 oed.

"Credwn fod yn Richard Jones elfenau pregethwr defnyddiol a phoblogaidd iawn. Yr oedd yn feddianol ar synwyr cyffredin cryf, a thalentau rhagorol - dychymyg bywiog, deall treiddgar, cof eang,  llais peraidd, a thraddodiad llithrig a dylanwadol. Derbyniodd yn helaeth o'r gonestrwydd a'r ffyddlondeb, o'r sel a'r brwdfrydedd, o'r gostyngeiddrwydd a'r brawdgarwch a wnai ei dad yn ddyn mor anwyl a gwerthfawr. Yr ydoedd ddarllenwr mawr, yn fyfyriwr mawr, yn weddiwr mawr, ac yn weithiwr mawr."

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (April 2017)

Occasional preaching started here, in 1806 in a place called y Penrhyn. Mr. Owen Thomas, Carrog, was the main instigator in starting the cause, and he used some houses to set it up. He was assisted by friends from Llanfechell, who had been coming here on occasion to hold prayer meetings.  Mr. Owen Thomas heard that a man by the name of William Jones, who was a useful member in Rhosymeirch was searching for a place to live, and he went to look for him straight away, and he agreed to live on Carrog's land, and that turned out to be a great help to the meetings that were held in y Penrhyn. They had few preachers, and so Mr. Owen Thomas started preaching in1807,

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even though he was a member in Llanfechell at the time. Tygwyn, Penrhyn, was licensed for preaching by Owen Thomas in Bangor Boshop's Court, on November 14th, 1811. Having held preaching and occasional services in Penrhyn over some years, the Methodist chapel in Cemaes ceased worshipping, and the little congregation moved there in 1818. It was an old storehouse which had been adapted and became available for preaching, which was good at the time. Owen Thomas, the son of Mr. Owen Thomas, Carrog, was accepted as a member, and he became a great help to this cause. In 1827, a new chapel was built here, which was called Bethel, and it cost £220, and the next year, on June 10th, 1828, Mr. Thomas Owen was ordained as the co-minister with his father. The care of the church was on the shoulders of T. Owen until 1844, and when he left, a call was sent to Mr. D. Roberts, from Manchester, to be a minister here and in Seion. Mr. Roberts started his ministry here early in 1845, and laboured here for nearly six years, until he moved to Pendref, Caernarfon. At the beginning of 1853, Mr. John Jones, Seion, Flintshire started his ministry here along with Llanfechell and Seion, and he stayed here until he moved to Maentwrog, in 1857. Having been without a minister for close on six years, a call was sent to Mr. Hugh Jones, a young preacher in Brynsiencyn, and he was ordained as a minister here and in Seion, on September 29th, 1864. On the occasion Dr. Rees, Swansea, preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch; Mr. J. Peter, Bala, preached to the minister and Mr. D. Roberts, Caernarfon to the church. The cause has increased greatly since the induction of Mr. Jones here, and the chapel has been extended till it is now one of the most convenient in which to preach and listen.

Amongst a multitude of the faithful of this church, this is the letter which was sent to us regarding the following people:*-

" Lewis Jones. He was, for many years, the leader of the singing, and for many more, a deacon. He was notable in all religious circles for his continuous faithfulness. He was considered a very shrewd man. He had a strong ability to recognize the characters of people and to be able to treat them correctly. He could admonish doubtful characters sharply in the church in an indirect way. If a member is suspected of inclining towards some particular sin, instead of attacking him directly in a particular meeting, Lewis Jones would talk to the children, about that sin but make it plain that he was speaking to the member highlighting his wrongdoing and warning the 'dear little children' as he called them, with all his might. Many times it was obvious that his indirect admonishments did a lot of good when a direct approach would be untimely, and as result hurtful. They were John Lewis and his wife, the parents of the brothers who established the Lewis Brothers firm, in Liverpool. They and their children were a great help to the cause when they were so good to him. Not one of the ten children would allow a collection to pass them without putting their contribution in the box. John Lewis was notable for his faithfulness in all the religious work. Also faithful to the cause for many years were John Morris, Penrhyn, and Morris Owen, Ty'nllan. The wife of the latter is still here to this day as a link joining the two generations.

* Mr. H Jones' letter.

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"This religious cause is indebted to three sisters, Elizabeth, Mary, and Ann Jones, Cemaes. Their house has been the Bethania cause for many years, and there was never a more comfortable lodging, as many a preacher can agree. One of the three sisters, Miss Ann Jones, is still there, keeping the character of the house going honourably. Elizabeth Jones stayed for a while in Gwaredog, Amlwch, where she used to go to Seion to worship, and she was a great help to the friends there for many years at the beginning of the cause there. Mary Jones was notable for always being ready with her talents, the godliness and eagerness of her mind, and her passion. Many times when the atmosphere was cold in the church she set the meeting on fire with just a sweet verse or part of a heavenly chapter. John Noall, Glanrhyd was born in the south west of England. He learned Welsh quite well. He was chosen as a deacon in Bethel and he fulfilled that post and the post of leader of the singing with detail and great faithfulness for many years. He was known as an astute man, who was exact and straight, and didn't suffer fools gladly. But he had a strong vein of tenderness and kindness lying under it all. He was notable for being a musician.  The singing, under his leadership, was raised to an important position in the worship. He and his family were of great service to the cause here."

William Jones, Penybryn. He was the son of Richard Jones, whom we've mentioned in conjunction with Ebenezer, and also a grandson of Richard Jones, Maesmawr, and a great grandson of John Owen, Caeaumon. He and his brother, Richard Jones, went to Liverpool, where they were accepted in Tabernacl, and chosen as deacons at the same time. William Jones returned to Wales, as a result of poor health, and he was chosen as a deacon in this church. He gave a good account of himself. He was a prominent worker for the cause in all areas, and ready to do any good works. There are many faithful here still, and worship still continues amongst the old families from generation to generation.

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

Robert Edwards. He had been preaching for many years with the Wesleyans before joining the Independents. He is now in Llanddeusant.
Hugh Owens. He started preaching in 1862.
Richard Jones. He was the son of William Jones, Penybryn,one of the deacons of the church, whom we've mentioned before. He was born in Liverpool. His mother is a granddaughter of Hugh Hughes, one of the first of the Welsh Independents of Liverpool. Mr. H. Jones, Cemaes wrote a biography of Richard Jones, which appeared in the 'Dysgedydd', in October, 1866, and we quote from it here:-
"When Richard was young he was noted for his liveliness, shrewdness, memory, determination and perseverance. He had enjoyed the advantages of a good education, and he took appropriate advantage of them. In 1858, he was accepted as a member in Bethel. For some time after this he was in a respectable office in Liverpool. He came home with rather impaired health. He quickly recovered, and devoted himself to working in his Lord's vineyard. His talent, his zeal and his godliness attracted the attention of the church. Everyone decided that Richard had been born to be a preacher. The decision was made known to him, and after some hesitation, he deferred to the church opinion, dedicating body and soul to the work. He preached in the fellowship meeting for the first time in Bethel on the 13th of May, 1862. His text was, 'What good

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will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?’
On the 15th of the same month his father died. The death of his father must have been a heavy blow for him at a time when his emotions were bound up with gentle faith and excitement. But despite everything, he did not weaken; instead he put on a brave face. On one Sabbath, quite soon after the death of his father, he preached on the same text that he had dealt with in the previous fellowship meeting. During the next five months he preached several times. At the beginning of November, the same year, he preached on a Sabbath evening in Bethania, Llanddeusant. That was the last time he had the chance to speak publicly for the Saviour he loved so much. He wasn't very strong when he started the work in the first place; and having started he work, he worried and laboured too much for his health. He caught a heavy cold returning from Llanddeusant where he had been preaching; and between everything, his energy sapped, and his cough deteriorated until his death. He fought bravely for many months. Preaching was his favourite work through it all. He composed a multitude of sermons during his affliction with the purpose of preaching them when he recovered. With some effort, he succeeded in leading the public worship fairly regularly during his last summer. After this he was confined almost entirely to the house; but he got up and came down every day. His inclination and hope for healing was strong until the end. But as the hour of his release got closer, his hope wavered, and gradually he weakened, and he learned to say, 'Let the Lord the king do that which is good in his eyes'.  He died on February 4th, 1866, at the age of 24.

"We believe that Richard Jones possessed elements of a very useful preacher. He had a great deal of common sense, and excellent talents - a lively imagination, shrewd understanding, a wide ranging memory,  a sweet voice, and a flowing and inspiring style of speech. He inherited greatly the honesty and faithfulness, from the zeal and enthusiasm, from the humility and brotherly love that made his father so dearly loved. He was a great reader, a great meditator, a great supplicator, and a great worker."

SILOH

(Llanrhwydrys parish)

Mae y capel hwn yn mhlwyf Llanrhwydrys, ond nid yw yn mhell iawn o Lanrhyddlad, lle flynyddoedd lawer yn ol y bu capel cydrhwng yr Annibynwyr, y Bedyddwyr, a'r Methodistiaid. Yn y flwyddyn 1772, rhoddodd William Pritchard, Clwchdernog, lain o dir i adeiladu capel at wasanaeth y tri enwad a nodwyd. Cynrychiolid y tri enwad gan William Pritchard, dros yr Annibynwyr, William Roberts, Bodhedd, dros y Bedyddwyr, a Morris Edward, dros y Methodistiaid, ac yr oedd enwau y tri ar drawst yr hen gapel. Ond yn rhyw fodd aeth y capel yn llwyr i feddiant y Methodistiaid. Bu William Pritchard farw yn fuan ar ol hyny, ac ni adawodd ar ei ol neb o gyffelyb feddwl i ofalu am hawliau yr enwadau eraill yn y lle. Sefydlwyd yr achos a chodwyd capel Siloh trwy offerynoliaeth y diweddar Mr. John Roberts (Edeyrn Mon). Arferai ef a'i deulu cyn hyn fyned i Ebenezer, Llanfechell, ac yr oedd Mr. Roberts yn ddiacon ffyddlon yn yr eglwys yno. Adeiladwyd Siloh yn y flwyddyn 1838, ac agorwyd ef Tachwedd 14eg, y flwyddyn hono.

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Nid oedd nifer yr aelodau ond ychydig ar gorpholiad yr eglwys, ac nis gallesid disgwyl cynnulleidfa luosog yma gan nad yw y wlad ond teneu ei phoblogaeth. Yn fuan wedi agor y capel, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Roberts, gwr ieuangc o Fangor, i fod yn weinidog yma ac yn Seion, ac urddwyd ef Mai 7fed, 1839. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Davies, Salem ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. I. Jones, Groeslon ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch.* Wedi llafurio yma yn ddiwyd am dair blynedd, symudodd Mr. Roberts i Fanchester. Bu Mr. Mathew Lewis yma ar un adeg yn cadw ysgol ac yn pregethu yn achlysurol. Ar sefydliad Mr. William Roberts, yn Llanddeusant, unodd yr eglwys hon mewn cysylltiad gweinidogaethol a Llanddeusant, ac felly y  wedi parhau hyd yma, ac ond edrych pwy fu y gweinidogion yno, gwelir pwy fu y gweinidogion yma. Cafodd yr achos bychan yma golled ddirfawr yn marwolaeth ei gychwynwr a'i noddwr caredig, Mr. John Roberts, yn Hydref, 1855, a Mrs. Roberts yn mhen pedwar diwrnod ar ei ol. Yr oeddynt hwy yn gwir ofalu am arch Duw, ac er i'r plant gael calon i gadw y ty yn agored fel cynt, ac i Samuel Roberts gael ei ddewis gan yr eglwys yn ddiacon yn lle ei dad, a'i fod yn cyflawni ei swydd yn ffyddlon, etto teimlir hyd y dydd hwn fod lle Edeyrn yn wag. Efe ydoedd mab hynaf yr hybarch Robert Roberts, o Salem, Bryngwran. Yr oedd o ddeall cryf, ac o dymer hynaws a phwyllog, ac etto yn hollol benderfynol. Ysgrifenodd lawer i'r Dysgedydd ac i'r Seren Gomer dan yr enw Edeyrn, a chymerodd ran amlwg yn y dadleuon duwinyddol ac eglwysig oedd yn cynhyrfu yn ei oes. Yr oedd yn ddyn o gymeriad gloyw, ac yn bleidiwr gwresog i bob achos da. Bu farw o glefy poenus wedi pythefnos o gystudd caled, Hydref laf, 1855, yn 55 oed. Ceir cofiant helaeth iddo yn y Dysgedydd am Hydref a Tachwedd, 1860, wedi ei ysgrifenu gan Mr. Edward Morris, un a fu yn hir yn ei wasanaeth.

Yn y flwyddyn 1862, ar agoriad capel newydd yn Ebenezer, Llanfechell, meddyliwyd am roddi yr achos yma i fyny gan nad oedd ond bychan, ac nad oedd y pellder yn fawr i Ebenezer, a rhoddodd yr eglwys yn Ebenezer alwad i Mr. T. T. Williams, y gweinidog oedd yma ac yn Llanddeusant ar y pryd. Teimlai amryw ar y pryd yn wrthwynebol i roddi yr achos i fyny, ond yr oedd y mwyafrif dros wneyd, ac ymunasant gan mwyaf a'r eglwys yn Llanfechell. Deallwyd yn fuan mai camgymeriad oedd hyny. Er nad oedd y pellder yn fawr, etto yr oedd yn ormod gan lawer ei deithio, a theimlai y rhai ffyddlonaf anfantais i ddilyn pob moddion. Cynhelid ysgol Sabbothol a gwasanaeth achlysurol yn Siloh yr holl amser yma, ac yn y flwyddyn 1859, penderfynodd y cyfeillion adgorpholi eu hunain yn eglwys yn Siloh, ac y mae yr achos er hyny yn myned yn mlaen yn siriol mewn cysylltiad gweinidogaethol a Llanddeusant a Llanfachreth. Collwyd amryw aelodau a gwrandawyr trwy y cam hwnw a gymerwyd, ac erbyn dychwelyd yn ol i Siloh, yr oeddynt wedi gwneyd eu cartref mewn lleoedd eraill.

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

• Robert Thomas. Urddwyd ef yn Maenclochog, ac y mae yn awr yn weinidog yn Mhenrhiwgaled, sir Aberteifi.
• Edward Morris. Urddwyd ef yn Abererch, ac y mae yn awr yn weinidog yn Mhenrhyndeudraeth.

*Dysgedydd, 1839. Tu dal. 221

CONTINUED

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