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Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru.
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(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)
By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)
Extracted by Gareth Hicks from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Jan 2008) - with translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2008)
Dolgellau
(Vol 1, p 452/60)
" Yr oedd Dolgellau yn un o'r gorsafoedd yn y rhai y pregethai yr enwog Hugh Owen, o Fronyclydwr, yn ei ymweliadau tri-misol, ac ymddengys fod ganddo yma gynnulleidfa fechan wedi ei chasglu, ac adnabyddid y lle y cyfarfyddent, fel y " Ty cyfarfod." Pa beth a ddaeth o'r " ychydig enwau " ar ol marwolaeth Mr. Owen, nis gallasem wybod, er gwneyd pob ymchwil, ond y mae yn eglur i'r Annibynwyr roddi i fyny bregethu yn y dref am gan' mlynedd. Pregethid llawer gan eu gweinidogion yn amgylchoedd y dref, a dichon i ambell un yn achlysurol bregethu yn y dref; ond ni wnaed un cynyg i ail gychwyn yr achos yma, hyd nes yr ymsefydlodd Mr. Hugh Pugh yn weinidog yn y Brithdir. Yr oedd y gwr ieuangc llafurus hwn mor llawn o ysbryd ei waith, fel y torai allan ar y ddeheu ar aswy i bregethu yr efengyl. Dechreuodd bregethu a chadw cymundeb yn Llanelltyd, cyn dechreu yn Nolgellau, ac elai amryw o'r dref yno i wrando, a derbyniwyd rhai o honynt yn aelodau ; ond wedi corpholi yr eglwys yn y dref, a chael capel cyfleus, deuai yr aelodau o Lanelltyd i Ddolgellau i gymundeb, ac ystyrient eu hunain yn rhan o'r eglwys yma. Dechreuodd Mr. Pugh bregethu yn Mhen-bryn-glas, Dolgellau, a chyn hir " derbyniwyd yn y Brithdir o gymydogaeth Dolgellau, fel ffrwyth llafur Mr. Pugh, cyn bod un eglwys ffurfiedig yn y dref ei hun gan yr Annibynwyr, John Evans, Talywaun, a'i wraig ; Evan Dafydd, Gellidwylan, a'i wraig; Ann Jones, Pantypiod; William Vincent, Morris Dafydd (Meurig Ebrill), Evan Owen, Gyllestra ; Catherine Thomas, Dolrisglog ; John Mills, Hafod-dywyll, a'i wraig ; Morris Evan, o'r Gilfachwydd; Elizabeth Ellis, John Lewis Owen, ac amryw eraill. Yn Ebrill, 1808, prynodd Mr. Pugh, addoldy y Trefnyddion Calfinaidd yn Nolgellau, yn nghyd a'r tai perthynol iddo am 500p., a phregethwyd yn y capel gan y ddwy blaid, hyd nes y daeth capel newydd y Trefnyddion yn gymwys iddynt i addoli ynddo. Unwaith cyn ymadawiad y Trefnyddion, gweinyddwyd Swper yr Arglwydd i gynifer o'r Annibynwyr a allwyd gael yn nghyd o Rydymain, Brithdir, Llanelltyd, a'r Cutiau, pryd yr eglurodd Mr. Pugh sylfaeni Ymneillduaeth, y dull Ysgrythyrol o ymarfer yr ordinhad o Swper yr Arglwydd, a dybenion sefydliad yr ordinhad, ac amryw o bethau pwysig eraill. Bu ei sylwadau yn achlysur i roddi tramgwydd i rai o'r Trefnyddion, ond rhoddasant foddlonrwydd mawr i lawer eraill.*" Evan Jones, tad Ieuan Gwynedd, oedd y cyntaf a dderbyniwyd o'r newydd gan Mr. Pugh yn Nolgellau. Tynodd doniau ennillgar ac ysbryd gwrol Mr. Pugh sylw y dref, a deuai cynnulleidfa dda i'w wrando, a daeth amryw o'r gwrandawyr i geisio yr Arglwydd gyda'i bobl. Ymroddodd Mr. Pugh i dalu y ddyled oedd yn faich trwm ar ysgwyddau gweiniad. Bu yn Llundain yn
* Cofiant Mr. Cadwaladr Jones. Tu dal; 11 a 12.
casglu, ond ni bu mor lwyddianus ag y disgwyliai. Ychydig uwchlaw 60p. a gasglodd. Ond yn nghanol ei lwyddiant a'i ddefnyddioldeb, tarawyd ef yn glaf gan y clefyd coch, a bu farw ar fyr rybudd, Hydref 28ain, 1809, er mawr alar i'r eglwysi bychain oedd dan ei ofal a cholled i ogledd Cymru yn gyffredinol.
Yr oedd sefyllfa yr achos yma ar y pryd, y fath fel y teimlid fod angen gweinidog yn ddioed. Yr oedd y wlad eang o Ddrwsynant i'r Abermaw, ac o Fwlchyroerddrws i'r Ganllwyd, darn o wlad oedd yn ddeunaw milldir o hyd, a deuddeg o led, heb neb i gymeryd gofal y praidd bychain oedd yn wasgaredig ar hyd-ddo. Heblaw hyny, yr oedd yr holl gapeli trwy y cylch, ond Rhydymain, dan faich trwm o ddyled. Yr oedd 230p. ar gapel y Brithdir a'r ty newydd a adeiladwyd wrtho i Mr. Pugh, a'i briod. Yr oedd 20p. ar Lanelltyd; 160p. yn aros ar gapel y Cutiau, ac yn agos i 500p. ar gapel Dolgellau. Cawsant gydymdeimlad a chynorthwy effeithiol gan amryw weinidogion. Aeth Mr. W. Hughes, Dinasmawddwy, i'r Deheudir, a chasglodd dros 100p. Casglodd Mr. J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair, 20p. yn yr Amwythig, ac aeth Mr. W. Williams, Wern, i amryw leoedd yn y Gogledd, a chasglodd 40p., a bu yr help amserol yma yn ymwared mawr i'r achos.* Ond er yr holl gynorthwy a roddid iddynt, teimlai yr eglwysi amddifadrwydd mawr o eisiau gweinidog, ond teimlant ar yr un pryd, mai nid gorchwyl hawdd oedd cael olynydd teilwng o Mr. Pugh. Tueddid rhai i roddi galwad i Mr. David Morgan, Talybont, (Machynlleth, wedi hyny); ond gogwyddai eraill yn ffafr rhoddi galwad i Mr. Cadwaladr Jones, myfyriwr ar y pryd, yn athrofa Gwrecsam. Daeth yr eglwysi benderfyniad i roddi y ddau ger bron, ac i'r lleiafrif roddi i fyny i'r mwyafrif. Dywedir mai etholiad tyn a fu, ac mai un yn ychwaneg gafwyd dros Mr. Jones, na thros Mr. Morgan, ac mai un rheswm mawr dros Mr. Jones ydoedd, fod ei lais yn debyg iawn i eiddo Mr. Pugh. Ni bu un gronyn o ddrwgdeimlad rhwng Mr. Morgan a Mr. Jones, o herwydd yr amgylchiad, ac yr oedd y rhai a bleidiasant dros Mr. Morgan pan welsant eu bod wedi colli, mor selog a neb dros Mr. Jones. Derbyniodd yr alwad cyn diwedd haf 1810, ond cafodd gan yr eglwysi foddloni iddo aros yn yr athrofa hyd ddiwedd y flwyddyn hono. Brithdir oedd eisteddle y weinidogaeth yn nyddiau Mr. Pugh, ond ar sefydliad Mr. Jones, symudwyd eisteddle y weinidogaeth i Ddolgellau. Yma yn awr yr oedd yr eglwys luosocaf, er nad oedd ond pedwar-ar-bymtheg-ar-hugain o rifedi, a hyny yn cynwys yr aelodau a ddeuai o Lanelltyd, Ganllwyd, ac Islaw'rdre. Nid oedd ond pedwar-ar-ddeg-ar-hugain yn y Brithdir ; tri-ar-hugain yn Rhydymain, a dau-ar-bymtheg yn y Cutiau, yn gwneyd cyfanswm aelodau yr esgobaeth ar ddyfodiad Mr. Jones yma yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1811, yn gant-a-thri-ar-ddeg. Urddwyd ef yma Medi 23ain, 1811, a gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri G. Lewis, Llanuwchllyn; B. Jones, Pwllheli ; J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair ; J. Griffith, Machynlleth ; W. Hughes, Dinas; W. Jones, Trawsfynydd; J. Lewis, Bala; D. Roberts, Llanfyllin ; J. Davies, Aberhafesp ; W. Williams, Wern, a J. Powell, Rhosymeirch. Yr oedd Mr. Jones pan urddwyd ef, yn ddyn ieuangc hoyw, gwisgi, wyth-ar-hugain oed, ac er ei fod yn araf a phwyllog, yr oedd yn llawn o ysbryd ei waith. Cynyddodd yr achos yn y dref yn fawr trwy ei lafur, a gwnaed llawer o adgyweiriadau ar y capel, a thalwyd rhan fawr o'r ddyled oedd
*Ysgrif y diweddar Mr. Cadwaladr Jones.
arno. Bu Mr. Jones yn y De a'r Gogledd yn casglu, ac yn Liverpool, a'r Amwythig, a Llundain. Casglodd yn Llundain yn unig 132p. 4s. 2c. Yn mhen blynyddoedd gwelwyd yn angenrheidiol adnewyddu a helaethu capel, ac aeth y draul yn nglyn a hyny yn 448p. Daeth yr achos yma yn gryf a dylanwadol - Ysgol Sabbothol luosog a gweithgar, ac yr oedd nifer o ddynion yn yr eglwys, oeddynt yn nodedig ar gyfrif eu gwybodaeth Ysgrythyrol a duwinyddol. Graddol oedd ei chynydd, ond yr oedd yn sicr ; ac am y rhai a ychwanegid at yr eglwys, yr oeddynt yn gyffredin yn gyfryw ag a allent roddi rheswm am y gobaith oedd ganddynt. Cafodd Mr. Jones oes hir i'w dysgu, ac yr oedd yn meddu cymhwysderau arbenig i ddysgu y rhai oedd dan ei ofal yn mhyngciau athrawiaethol yr efengyl, yn gystal ag yn egwyddorion, trefn, a llywodraeth eglwysig. Cyfrifid yr eglwys yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr. Jones, yn un o'r rhai mwyaf goleuedig a deallgar, ac yr oedd yn nodedig am ei heddychlonrwydd.
Wedi llafurio yn ddyfal yn y weinidogaeth am chwe'-blynedd-a-deugain, dechreuodd deimlo fod cymdeithion henaint gydag ef, a meddyliodd y buasai cystal iddo ymddeol o'i ofalon gweinidogaethol, fel y gallai yr eglwys yn y dref gael rhyw un ieuengach i fwrw golwg trosti. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1858, cydunodd ef a'r eglwys i roddi galwad i Mr. Thomas Davies, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu ; ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 21ain a'r 22ain, o'r flwyddyn hono. Ar yr achlysur, gweinyddwyd gan Meistri J. Williams, Castellnewydd ; J. M. Davies, Maescwmwr ; J. Jones, Machynlleth ; W. Griffith, Caergybi ; J. Roberts, Llundain ; W. Roberts, Aberhonddu; N. Stephens, Sirhowy, a W. Rees, Liverpool. Rhoddodd yr hen weinidog adroddiad effeithiol o'i adolygiad ar saith-mlynedd-a-deugain o weinidogaeth yn y lle, ac ymddiosgai o'i ofalon gyda'r dymuniadau goreu i'w olynydd. Bu Mr. Davies yn weithgar a defnyddiol am y tymor byr y bu yma. Bendithiwyd yr eglwys ag adfywiad grymus, ac ychwanegwyd llawer at yr eglwys, yn enwedig o bobl ieuaingc. Nid arosodd Mr. Davies yma ond ychydig gyda phedair blynedd, canys symudodd i gymeryd gofal yr eglwys Saesonaeg, yn Painswick, swydd Gaerloyw. Bu yr eglwys yma dros rai blynyddau heb weinidog, ond daliai yr achos ei dir er pob peth, a daethpwyd i benderfyniad i adiladu capel newydd mewn man mwy cyfleus o'r dref, a chodwyd capel rhagorol, yr hwn yn nghyd a'r tir ar yr hwn y saif, a gostiodd 2800p. Agorwyd ef Mehefin 4ydd a'r 5ed, 1868. Derbyniodd Mr. Evan A. Jones, Llangadog, alwad gan yr eglwys yma yn Ionawr, 1868, ond oblegid cystudd ag angau yn ei deulu, bu am naw mis heb ei hateb yn gadarnhaol, ond o'r diwedd cydsyniodd a'r gwahoddiad, symudodd yma yn Ionawr, 1869, ac y mae er ei sefydliad yn hapus a defnyddiol yma. Mae dyled y capel newydd trwy haelioni y cyfeillion yn y lle, a'r swm a gafwyd am yr hen gapel, wedi ei dynu i lawr i 700p., ac yn ol fel yr ymddengys pethau yn awr, nid y pedair blynedd nesaf heibio heb weled y ddyled oll wedi ei thalu. Mae yr achos yma ar y cyfan, mewn gwedd iachusol, a holl gylchoedd cyhoeddus crefydd, o leiaf, yn eu llenwi yn lled ddifwlch. Cafwyd yma dipyn o drafferth yn nglyn a gwerthiad yr hen gapel, oblegid fod yr hen weithred yn gwahardd . werthu i un pwrpas, ond i fod yn gapel i'r Annibynwyr, a'r rhai hyny yn fedyddwyr babanod. Nid yn unig gofynai fod yr arian a geid am dano i fyned i'r un amcan ag oedd gan y rhai a'u hadeiladodd, yr hyn a gyfrifa llawer yn deg a rhesymol ; ond nid oedd yn ol y weithred i gael ei werthu i ddim ond i fod yn gapel, nac yn gapel i neb ond yr Annibynwyr. Trwy apelio at .y Charity Commissioners, cafwyd cenad i'w werthu, ar yr amod fod yr arian a geid am dano i fyned i dalu am y capel newydd, ac yr oedd pawb yn foddlawn i hyny, oblegid er mwyn cael yr arian i dalu am y capel newydd y gwerthid ef. Nid ystyrid yn gyflawn i'r arian a geid am dano i fyned at ddim ond rhywbeth cydnaws a golygiadau y rhai a aeth i'r draul i'w adeiladu a thalu am dano.
Mae yma lawer o hen bobl ddeallgar a chrefyddol wedi bod yn nglyn a'r achos. Evan James, y cylchwr, oedd yn hen grefyddwr nodedig. Cyfrifid ef yn gristion tawel, didwyll, ac yn gadarn yn yr Ysgrythyrau. Meurig Ebrill, oedd un o aelodau cyntaf yr eglwys yma, ac a fu fyw i oedran teg. Yr oedd yn ddyn deallus, ac yn fardd rhagorol. Henry Miles, oedd wr da a ffyddlon, a gair da iddo gan y rhai a'i hadwaenai oreu. Lewis Pugh, a fu yma am flynyddau lawer yn gefn mawr i'r achos, ac yr oedd mewn amgylchiadau bydol y gallasai wneyd llawer drosto. Bu ef a Mrs. Pugh yn groesawgar a llettygar i'r achos am flynyddau lawer. Mrs. Anwyl hefyd, oedd un o'r gwragedd y cofir am dani gyda hiraeth gan y rhai a ymwelent a'r lle gynt. Nid oes o'r to cyntaf yn aros yma ond Evan Jones, Ty'rcapel, ac y mae yntau yn llesg a methiedig ; ond y mae hiliogaeth rhai o'r rhai fu yn wyr enwog yma gynt, yn aros etto, ac yn dilyn llwybrau eu tadau.
Codwyd amryw bregethwyr yn yr eglwys hon, ac o'r cyfryw yr ydym yn sicr o'r rhai canlynol
- Owen Owens. Urddwyd ef yn Rhosycae, lle y treuliodd ei oes, a daw ei hanes yno dan ein sylw.
- Evan Evans. Urddwyd ef yn Abermaw, ac y mae yn awr yn Llangollen. Mae ei enw yn ddigon hysbys yn eglwysi yr enwad yn Nghymru.
- Thomas Davies. Nid fel pregethwr yn gymaint yr hynododd ei hun, ag fel apostol yr Ysgol Sabbothol. Ganwyd ef Ebrill 15fed, 1777, yn Green, Castellmoch, plwyf Llanrhaiadr-yn-mochnant. Treuliodd lawer o flynyddoedd boreu ei oes yn Lloegr, a chan ei fod yn meddu athrylith gelfyddydol gref yn naturiol, rhoddodd gweled tipyn o'r byd fantais iddi i ymddadblygu. Gwnaeth a'i law ei hun rai peirianau tra chywrain, a daeth i Ddolgellau i ddechreu, gyda bwriad o osod un o'r dyfeision cywrain mewn ymarferiad, ond aflwyddianus fu yn ei gynygion, a bu raid iddo dalu costau y methiant. Ond pan yma y dygwyd ef i adnabod ei gyflwr fel pechadur, a hyny trwy weinidogaeth Mr. Pugh, o'r Brithdir, a derbyniwyd ef yn aelod o'r gangen a ymgyfarfyddai yn ol fel y byddai cyfleustra yn y Cutiau a Llanelltyd. Yr oedd yn ddyn o wybodaeth eang ac o feddwl grymus, a chyflwynodd agos ei holl lafur i wasanaeth yr Ysgol Sabbothol. Credai ef y gallesid gwneyd y sefydliad gwerthfawr hwnw yn llawer mwy effeithiol er cyrhaedd yr amcanion mewn golwg, a gwnaeth ei oreu yn mhob ffordd a farnai ef yn gyfaddas er cael hyny oddiamgylch. Cyhoeddodd Hyfforddwr ymarferol yr Ysgol Sul. Argraffodd werth 100p. o'r llyfr, a hysbysodd y buasai y cwbl a geid oddiwrtho yn cael ei roddi i drysorfa y Gymdeithas genhadol. Aeth ar daith trwy holl Gymru i gymell ei lyfr, ac i roddi engreifftiau o'r dull a gymerad: wyai efe i sylw yr ysgolion. Gosodai bawb i ddarllen o atalnod i atalnod, a gwnai hyny yn y teuluoedd lle y llettyai, ac yn yr Ysgolion Sabbothol. Effeithiodd ei ymweliad er daioni mewn llawer o fanau. Cauai ei lygaid, wrth wrando y dosbarthiadau yn darllen, ond yr oedd ei glustiau yn agored fel na ddiangai yr un camgymeriad a wneid heb ei sylw, pa un bynag a'i mewn gair, acen, neu bwyslais y byddai.
" Yr oedd ei fryd yn fawr i gael cyhoeddiad bychan at wasanaeth yr Ysgol Sul yn arbenig. Gwnaeth unwaith weithred yn cyflwyno 800p. i ddiaconiaid yr eglwys Annibynol yn Nolgellau fel ymddiriedolwyr, er dwyn allan gyhoeddiad o'r natur yma, a chyhoeddi llyfrau eraill perthynol i'r Ysgol Sul. Teimlai braidd yn chwerw tuag atynt, yn enwedig tuag at un person, eisiau na buasai y peth yn cael ei ddwyn oddiamgylch, a chyhoeddiad yn cael ei gychwyn. Yr esboniad tecaf ag y gallwn ei roi ar yr achos na chychwynwyd cyhoeddiad oedd hyn : - ni ddarfu iddo ef drosglwyddo yr arian drosodd i'w dwylaw fel ymddiriedolwyr. Yn awr, yr oedd ef yn disgwyl iddynt hwy gychwyn cyhoeddiad, a hwythau yn disgwyl iddo yntau gychwyn trwy roi yr arian yn en gallu hwy, a thrwy fod y naill yn disgwyl wrth y llall, aeth y ddwy flynedd o amser oedd wedi ei roi er cychwyn yr anturiaeth heibio, ac aeth y cytundeb yn ofer. Ffurf arall ar yr un bwriad, oedd yr arian a roddwyd ganddo er cychwyn yr Annibynwr. Rhoddwyd ganddo 500p. at yr amcan hwnw, ar yr amod fod yr Ysgol Sul yn cael rhan o'r cyhoeddiad yn wastadol at ei gwasanaeth. Rhoddwyd 500p. at y dyben hyny, a hen wasg, yr hon a gyfrifai efe yn werth 60p., yr ydym yn meddwl. Mae 400p. o'r arian hyny ar dir, ac y mae llog at wasanaeth y Dysgedydd a'r Annibynwr, fel y maent yn awr yn unedig, ac mae yr elw oddiwrth y cyhoeddiad i gael ei gyflwyno i gynnorthwyo hen weinidogion a phregethwyr analluog. Collwyd y lleill yn ngwahanol reverses anturiaeth yr Annibynwr." * Yr oedd ei holl galon o blaid llwyddiant yr Ysgol Sabbothol, a'r cwbl a ddymunai fod ar gareg i fedd ydoedd :- " Yma claddwyd Thomas Davies, Dolgellau, awdwr Hyfforddwr ymarferol yr Ysgol Sul;" a gwnaethpwyd yn ol ei gais. Rhoddodd symiau helaeth rai troion at y Gymdeithas Genhadol, a thystiai y rhai a'i hadwaenent oreu, fod llwyddiant teyrnas y Gwaredwr yn agos at i galon. Bu farw yn Gorphenaf, 1865, yn 88 mlwydd oed, ac er na bu iddo na gwraig na phlentyn, etto disgyna ei enw yn barchus i'r oesau a ddel fel apostol yr Ysgol Sabbothol.- Evan Thomas. Yr ydym eisioes wedi crybwyll am dano ef yn nglyn a hanes Machynlleth, lle yr ydoedd pan y bu farw.
- Rowland Hughes. Mae efe yn aros yn bregethwr parchus a defnyddiol yn yr eglwys yn Nolgellau.
- William Meirion Davies. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yn Blaenycoed, sir Gaerfyrddin, lle y mae yn aros etto.
- Isaac Jones. Dechreuodd bregethu yr un pryd a'r olaf a enwyd. Yr oedd. yn wr ieuangc talentog, a phe cawsai fyw yr oedd yn debyg o wneyd gweinidog defnyddiol. Ymaflodd y darfodedigaeth ynddo, a gwywodd blodeuyn cyn cyflawn ymagor. Yr oedd yn fab i Evan Jones, un o aelodau hynaf yr eglwys, ac yn frawd i Ieuan Ionawr.
- Evan Edmunds. Bu yn efrydydd yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yn Dwygyfylchi, ac y mae yno etto.
- Robert P. Jones. Derbyniodd ei addysg yn Manchester, ac urddwyd ef yn Llanegryn, lle y mae hyd yn bresenol.
- Lewis Humphreys. Bu yn athrofa y Bala. Urddwyd ef i fyned allan i'r Wladychfa Gymreig yn Patagonia. Dychwelodd oddiyno, ac y mae yn awr yn weinidog yn Cwmtwrch, Morganwg.
* Cofiant Mr. T. Davies, gan Mr. E. Williams, Dinas. Dysgedydd, 1870. Tu dal 10.
- William Griffith. Er mai nid yma y dechreuodd bregethu, etto, gan mai yma y treuliodd y rhan fwyaf o'i oes fel pregethwr, yma y mae yn briodol ni wneyd crybwylliad am dano. Ganwyd ef yn y Mynhadogisaf, Dolddelen, ac yr oedd ei rieni William a Lowry Griffith, yn mysg yr Annibynwyr hynaf yn y plwyf hwnw. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn ieuangc. Aeth i Lanrwst i ddysgu argraffu, ac yno y dechreuodd bregethu. Symudodd i Ddolgellau yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1843, a bu yma hyd ei farwolaeth yn Hydref, 1864. Claddwyd ef yn mynwent Tabor. Pregethwr cynnorthwyol yn ngwir ystyr y gair ydoedd, ac ennillodd trwy ei ffyddlondeb barch a chydymdeimlad. Dyoddefodd gystudd hir, ac yr oedd ei amgylchiadau yn ddigon cyfyng, ond cafodd Dduw a dynion yn dirion iddo, a bu farw mewn tangnefedd.
COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL.
Pedwar gweinidog fu i'r eglwys hon er cychwyniad yr achos. Yr ydym eisioes wedi cyfeirio at Mr. Pugh, yn nglyn a'r Brithdir, ac y mae Dr. Davies, a Mr. Jones, y gweinidog presenol, etto yn aros, a hyderwn fod dyddiau lawer o ddefnyddioldeb mawr yn ol iddynt ill dau. Nid oes genym gan hyny ond un gweinidog i wneyd cofnodiad o hono yn nglyn a'r eglwys hon.
CADWALADAR JONES. Ganwyd ef yn Deildreuchaf, plwyf Llanuwchllyn, yn mis Mai, 1783. Yr oedd ei rieni John a Dorothy Cadwaladr, er nad yn proffesu crefydd, yn bobl barchus a chyfrifol yn eu hardal, ac ni bu iddynt un plentyn ond y bachgen hwn. Nis gwyddom pa fodd y gogwyddodd ei feddwl i ymofyn am grefydd, ond gwyddom i Cadwaladr Jones gael ei dderbyn yn aelod o'r eglwys yn yr Hen Gapel gan Dr. Lewis, yn mis Mai, 1803, pan yn ugain mlwydd oed. Dechreuodd bregethu yn Gorphenaf, 1806, wedi bod yn aelod am fwy na thair blynedd. Derbyniwyd ef i'r athrofa yn Ngwrecsam yn mis Tachwedd y flwyddyn hono, a threuliodd yno y rhan fwyaf o'r pedair blynedd dilynol. Nid oedd yno gyda'r un cysondeb a'r myfyrwyr yn gyffredinol, oblegid ar ei draul ei hun yr oedd, a byddai yn gorfod aros adref y rhan fwyaf o bob haf i gynorthwyo ei dad ar y tyddyn. Yn y flwyddyn 1810, derbyniodd alwad i fod yn olynydd i Mr. Pugh o'r Brithdir, yn ei faes eang, ac urddwyd ef i gyflawn waith y weinidogaeth, Mai 23ain, 1811. Traddodwyd siars bwysig iddo gan ei weinidog, Dr. Lewis ; a chafodd Mr. Jones oes hir i gyflawni ei weinidogaeth. Llafuriodd trwy yr holl gylch am saith mlynedd, hyd y flwyddyn 1818, y rhoddodd i fyny ofal y Cutiau a Llanelltyd. Yn mhen pedair-blynedd-ar-bymtheg drachefn, yn 1839, barnodd yn briodol roddi fyny ofal y Brithdir a Rhydymain. Yn mhen pedair-blynedd-ar-bymtheg drachefn, yn 1858, ymddeolodd o bwys gofal gweinidogaethol yr eglwysi yn Nolgellau ac Islaw'rdre, wedi saith-mlynedd-a-deugain o lafur dibaid yn eu mysg, ond parhaodd am yn agos ddeng mlynedd yn hwy i gydlafurio a'i hen gyfaill Mr. E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, yn Llanelltyd, ac a'i gyfaill hoff Mr. R. Ellis, Brithdir, yn Tabor, hyd nes y rhoddodd angau derfyn ar ei lafur, ac y gorphenodd ei yrfa mewn tangnefedd, Rhagfyr 5ed, 1867, yn 85 oed, wedi bod 56 mlynedd yn y weinidogaeth, ac wedi pregethu yr efengyl am 62 mlynedd, ac am 65 mlynedd yn aelod yn eglwys Dduw. Mae yn rhaid ddarfod i'r fath un, a gafodd y fath oes hir, adael dylanwad annileadwy ar yr holl gylch yn yr hwn y llafuriai. Mae cofiant helaeth iddo wedi ei gyhoeddi gan Mr. R. Thomas, Bangor, gyda chynorthwy nifer o'i frodyr yn y weinidogaeth, yn yr hwn y mae y tegwch mwyaf wedi ei wneyd a'i gymeriad. Nis gallwn ni yma ond prin gyfeirio at y llinellau amlycaf yn ei nodwedd fel dyn cyhoeddus, a chyfeirio ein darllenwyr a fyno weled YR HEN OLYGYDD yn ei holl neillduolion at y cofiant rhagorol hwnw, o'r hwn yr ydym yn gwneyd rhai difyniadau.
Yr oedd arafwch Mr. Jones "yn hysbys i bob dyn." Hynodid ef gan "ysbryd, nerth, a chariad, a phwyll." Os digwyddai fod camddealldwriaeth rhwng rhai o'r aelodau, neu achos dysgyblaeth yn yr eglwys, cymerai y fath bwyll gyda'r gorchwyl, fel yr oedd yn ddigon eglur ei fod yn penderfynu ei gwblhau cyn ei roddi i fyny. Bugail tyner a gofalus ydoedd wrth ymgeleddu y briwiedig o ysbryd a'r drylliedig o galon, ond mewn achosion a fyddai yn galw am farn, eisteddai fel barnwr hunanfeddianol gan bwyso y tystiolaethau a ddygid ger ei fron, ac nid oedd na chydnabyddiaeth na chyfeillgarwch a barai iddo gilio oddiwrth yr hyn a ymddangosai iddo yn deg a chyflawn. Athraw doeth yn nghanol ei ddysgyblion ydoedd yn mysg pobl ei ofal. Dysgai iddynt " ffordd Duw " gyda manylwch, a thuag at y rhai oeddynt yn hwyrfrydig i ddysgu, yr oedd yn addfwyn fel mamaeth yn meithrin i phlant. Fel duwinydd, yr oedd yn meddu golygiadau cyson a chlir ar drefn yr efengyl. Nid oedd cylch ei ddarlleniad yn eang, ond am yr hyn a ddarllenai, darllenai hwy yn drwyadl, a mynai ddeall yr hyn a ddarllenai. "Yr oedd yn bwyllog i gael gafael ar y gwirionedd ; yr oedd llygaid ei feddwl yn graff a threiddlym i wahaniaethu y gwir oddiwrth y gau ; yr oedd egwyddorion sylfaenol duwinyddiaeth wedi cael eu hastudio ganddo yn fanwl a thrwyadl, a chanfyddai gyda chywirdeb mawr, pa syniadau oeddynt mewn cysondeb a'r egwyddorion gwreiddiol hyny ; ac o'r ochr arall, pa syniadau oeddynt mewn gwrthdarawiad iddynt, ac yn milwrio yn eu herbyn. " Yn y tymor hir y bu yn eistedd wrth lyw y Dysgedydd, cafodd lawer cyfle i ddangos mor addfed oedd ei feddwl ar byngciau duwinyddol. "Y 'system newydd' fel ei gelwid oedd yn peri cyffro mawr yn mlynyddoedd cyntaf ei olygiaeth. Un o'r rhai blaenaf yn mysg dadleuwyr y dyddiau hyny oedd yr hybarch J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair, a hen ddadleuwr teg a boneddigaidd iawn ydoedd. Tyn a phenderfynol dros ei bwngc, mae yn wir, ond yr oedd yn hawdd gweled mai ymofynydd gonest am y gwirionedd ydoedd. Ei ddadl ef a D. S. Davies, Llundain, ac eraill, yn erbyn Sion y Wesley oedd un o'r rhai cyntaf yn y Dysgedydd. Rhoddodd y Golygydd bob tegwch iddynt. Nid oedd byth ddim brys arno i gau y dadleuon i fyny, a gallesid bod yn bur sicr os soniai y Golygydd am dynu pen ar unrhyw ddadl, fod corff y darllenwyr wedi llwyr flino arni. Yn rhifyn Mai, 1825, y mae yn cloi y ddadl hono i fyny, ac y mae yn gwneyd hyny gyda'r pwyll a'r craffder oedd (n.. ?) briodol iddo. Dywed yn bur ddigynwrf 'Nid ydym yn deall fod y ddadl wedi parhau cyhyd oblegid cyfatebolrwydd ymddangosiadol yn synwyr, dysg, a rhesymau y dadleuwyr, ond oblegid gorhoffedd Sion yn, a'i sel dros y gwaith o wrthwynebu ei wrthwynebwyr goreu ag y medrai, pan na fyddai ganddo ond ychydig iawn o feddyliau newyddion. Mor ddidwrw onide, y mae yn ei droi o'r neilldu. Yna y mae yn myned yn mlaen i sylwi ar bwyntiau y ddadl. Bu yr un ddadl ger bron mewn gwahanol ffurfiau lawer gwaith ar ol hyny ; ac ymddengys i ni bob amser fod terfyniad 'Dadl Etholedigaeth' yn Nysgedydd Ebrill, 1847, yn un o'r ysgrifau galluocaf a gyhoeddwyd erioed ar y pwngc yn ein hiaith. Dyna oedd ein barn am dani y pryd hwnw, darllenasom hi fwy nag unwaith wedi hyny, ac nid ydym wedi gweled achos i newid na chymedroli ein barn. Gwyddom yn dda na bu yn foddion i argyhoeddi y rhai a wrthwynebant y golygiadau a gofleidiai efe. Nid ydym yn meddwl fod neb yn disgwyl y gwnai hyny, ond gwyddom iddi gadarnhau llawer o'r rhai oeddynt amheus; a pheri i'r rhai a gredant yr athrawiaeth o'r blaen deimlo yn gryfach a gwrolach ynddi. Anhawdd genym feddwl fod unrhyw ddyn teg a diduedd (os yw yn bosibl cael y fath) beth bynag fydd ei farn bersonol ar yr athrawiaeth, na chydnebydd y craffder, y medrusrwydd, a'r annibyniaeth meddwl gyda pha un y mae yr 'Hen Olygydd" fel barnwr yn symio y cwbl i fyny." Fel pregethwr, " yr oedd ganddo i safle briodol ei hun yn mysg ei frodyr, nid oedd yn meddu ar dreiddgarwch ac angerddolder Morgan, o Fachynlleth, na grymusder meddyliol Michael Jones, o Lanuwchllyn, nac athrylith Williams, o'r Wern, &c., ond yr oedd mor siwr o'i fater ag yr un o honynt. Yr oedd ol arafwch, a gofal, a phwyll, a barn, ar gyfansoddiad ei bregethau, yn gystal ag ar y traddodiad o honynt yn yr areithfa. Ni thaniai y fellten yn ei lygaid ; ni chanfyddid dychrynfeydd yn i wedd ; ac ni chlywid swn y daran yn i lais ; ac ni chlywid gwynt nerthol yn rhuthro, na'r gwlaw mawr ei nerth yn disgyn braidd un amser, yn ei bregethiad ef. Afon hyd ddol-dir gwastad oedd ei weinidogaeth ef - 'Dyfroedd Siloa yn cerdded yn araf,' ydoedd. Gwelir ambell i afon fel pe byddai ar frys gwyllt am gyrhaedd y mor, chwyrna megis yn ddigofus ar y creigiau a safant ar ei ffordd, tra y mae un arall fel yn caru ymdroi, ymddolenu, ac ymfwynhau ar ei thaith i adlewyrchu pob gwrthrych yr elo heibio iddo ar wyneb ei dyfroedd. Cyffelyb oedd afon ei weinidogaeth yntau. Nid oedd mor gyfaddas i'r gwaith o dynu i lawr a chwalu cestyll a muriau o ddifrawder ac anystyriaeth, ag ydoedd i adeiladu meddyliau yn ngwirioneddau a ffydd yr efengyl. Nid ei gwaith priodol hi oedd arloesi a diwreiddio y drain a'r mieri, ond yn hytrach planu a maethu y ffinwydd a'r myrtwydd. Teimlai rhai deallus wrth ei wrando yn pregethu mai nid 'newyddian yn y ffydd', oedd y pregethwr ; nid un wedi brysgipio golygiadau duwinyddol pobl eraill, a rhedeg a hwynt ymaith i'r areithfa, cyn eu chwilio, eu profi, a'u deall, ac felly yn myned i'r niwl a'r tywyllwch gyda hwynt,- ond eu bod yn eistedd dan athraw deallus, un a wyddai beth oedd efe yn ei gylch, ac un a allasai roddi rheswm da dros y pethau a gynygiai efe i sylw a derbyniad ei wrandawyr. Felly os nad oedd efe yr hyn a ystyrid yn bregethwr mawr a phoblogaidd, yr oedd yn athraw a dysgawdwr da; yn was ffyddlon a doeth, yr hwn a osododd yr Arglwydd ar ei deulu i roddi bwyd iddynt yn ei bryd. Os nad oedd yn meddu ar y nerth a allasai ysgwyd gwlad, fel oedd gan ambell i un o'i frodyr cyfoediol yn y weinidogaeth, yr oedd ganddo y dawn a'r cymhwysder i arwain, a choleddu, a phorthi praidd Duw."
Ond yr oedd Mr. Jones fel Golygydd yn llanw cylch neillduol, ac yn y cylch hwnw cyrhaeddodd gyhoeddusrwydd na chyrhaeddasai oni buasai hyny. Yr oedd y dadleuon duwinyddol oedd yn cynhyrfu y wlad yn fuan wedi dechreu y ganrif bresenol, a'r ymosodiadau a wneid ar weinidogion yr Annibynwyr, yn peri iddynt deimlo fod gwir angen arnynt am ryw gyfrwng nid yn unig i amddiffyn eu hunain rhag y cyhuddiadau. a ddygid i'w herbyn, ond hefyd i addysgu a goleuo yr eglwysi y gwirionedd sydd yn ol duwioldeb. Ymosodid arnynt gan yr Arminiaid ar y naill law, a chan yr uchel-Galfiniaid ar y llaw arall; ac nid oedd ganddynt yr un cyhoeddiad i'w gylchdaenu yn mysg pobl eu gofal trwy yr hwn y gallasent amddiffyn yr hyn a gredid ganddynt fel gwirionedd, yn gystal a throi yn ol gamgyhuddiadau eu gwrthwynebwyr. Cydymroddodd deuddeg o weinidogion i gychwyn cyhoeddiad misol, pris chwe'cheiniog yn y mis, dan yr enw Dysgedydd Crefyddol, a chytunasant i fod yn gydgyfrifol am ba golled arianol bynag a allasai fod yn nglyn a'i ddygiad allan, a dewiswyd Mr. Jones, Dolgellau i fod yn Olygydd, ac yn sicr efe o honynt oll, a chymeryd pob peth i ystyriaeth, oedd y cymhwysaf i'w osod ar hyn o orchwyl. Daeth y rhifyn cyntaf allan yn mis Tachwedd, 1821; a bu Mr. Jones wrth lyw yr hen gyhoeddiad clodwiw am un-mlynedd-ar-ddeg-ar-hugain. Nid yn aml y disgyn i ran un dyn i eistedd yn y gadair olygyddol am dymor mor hir. Rhaid fod cymhwysder neillduol yn yr " Hen Olygydd" i'r swydd, cyn y gallasai barhau ynddi cyhyd, a rhoddi ar y cyfan foddlonrwydd cyffredinol. Pe gofynid i ni grynhoi elfenau gymeriad fel Golygydd, fel y gellir eu casglu oddiar dudalenau y Dysgedydd yn ystod tymor maith ei olygyddiaeth, dywedem mai synwyr cyffredin cryf, arafwch, pwyll, ac ysbryd barn, anmhleidgarwch ac annibyniaeth meddwl, ac eglurdeb a symledd fel ysgrifenydd.
Ond dirwynodd oes hir Mr. Jones i ben. Nid oedd un afiechyd neillduol arno, ond fod natur yn graddol ymollwng, fel derwen yn gwywo, am na all mwy dderbyn nodd i fod yn iraidd. Bu farw yn union fel y bu byw, mewn hunanfeddiant tawel, a'i galon yn glymedig a'r pethau y cysegrodd ei fywyd iddynt, a'i ymddiried yn ei Dduw yn dal fel y graig yn ddiysgog er grym y llif. Diwrnod a hir gofir yn Nolgellau yw dydd Mercher, Rhagfyr 11eg, 1867, pan ddygwyd yr Hen Olygydd mewn elorgerbyd o Gefnmaelan, i'w roddi i orwedd yn mynwent y Brithdir. Dilynid ef gan luaws mawr o gerbydau a gwyr meirch - yr oedd haner cant o bregethwyr o wahanol enwadau yn bresenol i amlygu eu parch i'w goffadwriaeth - gallesid tybied wrth fyned trwy Ddolgellau mai y Sabboth ydoedd, am fod pob siop wedi cau i fyny, a gwelid blinds gwynion galarus ar ffenestri y tai yr elid heibio iddynt - cyfrifid fod y dorf alarus yn fil o rifedi wrth fyned trwy y dref, a chyn cyrhaedd ei le beddrod, yr oedd wedi chwyddo yn fwy na phymtheg cant, ac yn nghanol y dagrau a dywalltid, rhoddwyd ef gan ei bum' mab i lawr i orwedd yn ei fedd newydd - a chefnai y dorf fawr ar ei weddillion marwol gan sibrwd yn ddistaw, fod y tirionaf a'r hawddgaraf o ddynion, wedi ei adael yn " nhy ei hir gartref." Heddwch i'w weddillion cysegredig ?. "Nac ymyred neb a'i esgyrn ef," hyd nes yr aflonyddir hwy gan "floedd a llef yr archangel," ac y daw i fyny i fwynhau y gobaith gwynfydedig " yn yr "adgyfodiad gwell." "
Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2008)
Dolgellau was one of the stations that the well-known Hugh Owen, from Bronclydwr, preached at on his three monthly visits. It seems that he had a small congregation collected here and the place they met at was known as 'Ty Cyfarfod' (Meeting House). What became of the 'few names' after the death of Mr Owen is not known, though we did some research, but it is clear that the Independents gave up preaching in the town for 100 years. Their ministers preached a lot around the town, and perhaps the occasional one preached sometimes in the town; but not one offer was made to restart the cause here, until Mr Hugh Pugh settled as a minister in Brithdir. This industrious young man was so full of the spirit of his work that he preached the Gospel left and right at the drop of a hat. He started preaching and giving communion in Llanelltyd, before starting in Dolgellau, and several from the town went to listen to him and some were accepted as members; but once they had established themselves as a chapel in Dolgellau, and found a convenient chapel, the members came from Llanelltyd to Dolgellau to communion, and they considered themselves as part of this chapel. Mr Pugh started preaching in Pen-bryn-glas, Dolgellau, and before long some were accepted in Brithdir from Dolgellau as a result of Mr Pugh's hard work long before there was an established Independent chapel in Dolgellau. They were:- John Evans, Talywaun, and his wife ; Evan Dafydd, Gellidwylan, and his wife; Ann Jones, Pantypiod; William Vincent, Morris Dafydd (Meurig Ebrill), Evan Owen, Gyllestra ; Catherine Thomas, Dolrisglog ; John Mills, Hafod-dywyll, and his wife; Morris Evan, from Gilfachwydd; Elizabeth Ellis, John Lewis Owen, and several more. In April 1808, Mr Pugh bought the Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Dolgellau, along with the houses that belonged to it for £500, and the two denominations preached in the new chapel until the Calvinistic Methodists had a new more suitable chapel in which they could worship. Once the Methodists had left, a communion was administered to as many of the Independents as could be gathered together from Rhydymain, Brithdir, Llanelltyd and Cutiau, when Mr Pugh explained the foundation of Non-conformity, the scriptural method of administering the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and the purpose of the institution of the sacrament, and several other important matters. His observations became an opportunity to offend some of the Methodists, but gave satisfaction to many others* Evan Jones, the father of Ieuan Gwynedd, was the first new convert to be accepted by Mr Pugh in Dolgellau. Mr Pugh's winning talents and courageous spirit drew him to the notice of the town and good congregations came to listen to him and many of the listeners sought the Lord with His people. Mr Pugh decided to pay the debt which was such a burden on the shoulders of his people. He went to London to collect (money) but wasn't as successful as he had hoped. He collected little more than £60.
*Mr Cadwaladr Jones' biography. Page; 11 and 12
But in the middle of his success and his usefulness, he was stricken by scarlet fever, and he died suddenly, on October 28th, 1809, much to the grief of the small chapels under his care. It was such a loss to the whole of North Wales generally.
They felt so lost that they wanted another minister immediately. It was a vast area from Drwsynant to Barmouth and Bwlchyroerddrws to Ganllwyd, a piece of land that was 18 miles long and twelve wide, with no-one to take care of the small flock that was scattered around it. Apart from this all the chapels throughout the circle, except Rhydymain, were under a burden of debt. Brithdir chapel and the new house which was built for Mr Pugh and his wife had a debt of £230. Llanelltyd chapel had a debt of £20; Cutiau chapels had a debt of £160 left, and close on £500 debt on Dolgellau chapel. Several ministers sympathised with them and gave them effective help. Mr W. Hughes, Dinas Mawddwy to the south collected over £100. Mr J.Roberts, Llanbrynmair £20 in Shrewsbury, and Mr W. Williams, Wern went to several places in the north and collected £40, and this timely support was a great deliverance to the cause.* But despite all the help that was given to them, the chapels felt destitute without a minister, but they felt at the same time, that it wasn't going to be an easy task to find a worthy successor to Mr Pugh. Some tended to want to give a call to Mr David Morgan, Talybont, (Machynlleth afterwards); but others leant in favour of giving a call to Mr Cadwaladr Jones, a student at the time, in Wrexham college. The chapels came to a decision to put the two forward, and vote, the smaller number giving way to the larger. It is said that it was a tight election, and that there was only one extra vote in favour of Mr Jones, than for Mr Morgan, and that one reason Mr Jones had one more vote was that his voice was very like Mr Pugh's. There wasn't a jot of bad feeling between Mr Morgan and Mr Jones, because of the circumstances, and the ones who voted for Mr Morgan when they realised they had lost were just as zealous as anyone for Mr Jones. He accepted the call before the end of the summer 1810, but the chapel allowed him to stay in the college until the end of that year. Brithdir was the seat of the ministry in Mr Pugh's days, but at the induction of Mr Jones, the seat of ministry was moved to Dolgellau. Here now was the most numerous chapel, even though there were only thirty nine of them including the members that came from Llanelltyd, Ganllwyd and Islaw'rdre. There were only thirty four in Brithdir; twenty three in Rhydymain, and seventeen in Cutiau, making a total membership in the bishopric when Mr Jones arrived at the beginning of 1811 of one hundred and thirteen. He was ordained here on September 23rd, 1811, and Mr G. Lewis, Llanuwchllyn; Mr B. Jones, Pwllheli ; Mr J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair ; Mr J. Griffith, Machynlleth ; Mr W. Hughes, Dinas; Mr W. Jones, Trawsfynydd; Mr J. Lewis, Bala; Mr D. Roberts, Llanfyllin ; Mr J. Davies, Aberhafesp ; Mr W. Williams, Wern, and Mr J. Powell, Rhosymeirch gave the address. When Mr Jones was ordained, he was a young, fit, lively twenty eight year old, and although he was slow and measured, he was full of the spirit of his work. The cause in the town was furthered through his hard work, and a lot of repairs were done to the chapel and much of the debt was paid.
*Documents of the late Mr Cadwaladr Jones
Mr Jones went to the South and the North collecting, he also went to Liverpool, Shrewsbury and London. In London he collected only £132.4s.2d. In later years it was necessary to repair and extend the chapel and the debt became £448. This cause became strong and influential - a hard working and numerous Sunday School, and there were quite a number of men in the chapel. They were notable men who were very knowledgeable in the scriptures. The growth of the chapel was slow but sure; and as for the ones that joined the chapel, they had reason to be hopeful. Mr Jones had a long life to teach them, and he had the special qualifications to teach the ones under his care in the doctrine of the epistles, and the principles, organisation and the laws of the church. During the term of Mr Jones' ministry, the chapel was counted as one of the most enlightened and understanding and it was notable for its peacefulness.
After working hard in the ministry for forty six years, he decided it was time for him to retire from the cares of his ministry, so that the chapel in the town could have someone younger to care for her. At the beginning of 1858, he and the chapel agreed to give a call to Mr Thomas Davies, a student from Brecon college; and he was ordained on July 21st and 22nd of that year. On that occasion, Mr J. Williams, Newcastle Emlyn; Mr J. M. Davies, Maescwmwr ; Mr J. Jones, Machynlleth ; Mr W.Griffith, Holyhead; Mr J. Roberts, London; Mr W. Roberts, Brecon; Mr N. Stephens, Sirhowy, and Mr W. Rees, Liverpool ministered. The former minister gave an effective address of an overview of his forty seven years of ministry in that place, and he shook off the clothes of care with good wishes to his successor. Mr Davies was hard working and useful for the short time he was here.
The chapel was blessed with a strong revival, many were added to the membership, especially young people. Mr Davies did not stay here much more than four years, as he moved to take charge of an English chapel in Painswick, Gloucestershire. The chapel was here for many years without a minister but the cause held it's ground despite everything. It was decided to build a new chapel in a more convenient place in the town, and a fine chapel was built, which, along with its land cost £2,800. It was opened on June 4th and 5th, 1868. Mr Evan A.Jones, Llangadog, accepted the call by the chapel in January 1868, but because of illness and death in his family, he did not answer positively for nine months, but at last he agreed with the call and he moved here in January 1869, and he is, since his induction, very happy and useful here. The new chapel's debt, owing to the generosity of friends in the town and the sum paid for the old chapel has been reduced to £700, but as it stands now we won't be able to clear the debt for the next four years. The cause here, on the whole, appears healthy, and all the social circles of religion, at least, are complete. We did have quite a bit of trouble while selling the old chapel, as the old church documents forbade selling, other than as an Independent chapel, and those who christen children. Not only did it ask that the money received from it was to be used for the same purposes that the ones who originally built the chapel had, which many counted as fair and reasonable; but it wasn't, according to the documents, to be used for any other purpose except to be a chapel for anyone but Independents. By appealing to the Charity Commissioners, they were allowed to sell, on condition that the money received for it was to go to pay for the new chapel, and everyone was satisfied with that, because the old one was sold to pay for the building of the new chapel. We never considered using the money for anything other than what the original ones who built and paid for it meant it to be.
Here are many old, intelligent and religious people who have been involved in the cause. Evan James, the cooper, was an old religious person of note. He was considered as a quiet, sincere Christian, and firm in the Scriptures. Meurig Ebrill, was one of the first members in this chapel, who lived to a fair age. He was an intelligent man and an excellent bard. Henry Miles, was a faithful, good man, all who knew him had a good word to say for him. Lewis Pugh, who was here for many years was a strong support to the cause, and he was such a worldly man that he could do much on her behalf. He and Mrs Pugh were welcoming with their hospitality to the cause for many years. Also Mrs Anwyl, was one of the ladies who is remembered with longing by those who visited. No one of the first generation is still here except Evan Jones, Ty'rcapel, and he is feeble and failing; but the descendants of those that were well-known are still here, and still following the footsteps of their fathers.
Several preachers were raised in this chapel, and from them we are sure of the following
- Owen Owens. He was ordained in Rhosycae, where he spent his life, and his history is studied in that place.
- Evan Evans. He was ordained in Barmouth, and he is now in Llangollen. His name is well-known in the Independent chapels of Wales.
- Thomas Davies. He was not known principally as a preacher but as a Sunday School apostle. He was born on April 15th, 1777, in Green, Castellmoch, parish of Llanrhaiadr-ym-Mochnant. He spent much of his early years in England, and as he possessed a natural, strong artistic talent he realised that seeing something of the world was advantageous to its development. He made, with his own hand, some quite fine machines and he came to Dolgellau in the beginning with the intention of putting one of these machines into practice, but it was unsuccessful, and he had to pay the cost of this failure. But then he realised his state as a sinner and that through the ministry of Mr Pugh, from Brithdir, and he was accepted as a member of the branch that met when it was convenient in Cutiau and Llanelltyd. He was a man with a wide knowledge and of a strong mind, and he gave almost all his hard work to the service of the Sunday School. He believed that it was possible to make that valuable institution even more effective to reach his purposes, and he did his best in every way he thought suitable to reach that goal. He published ' Hyfforddwr Ymarferol yr Ysgol Sul' (A Practical Training for the Sunday School). He printed £100 worth of the book, and he announced that all the money he would have from the sale of the book would be given to the Missionary Society. He went on a journey throughout Wales to promote his book, and to give examples of the methods he advocated to the notice of the schools. Everyone was asked to read from punctuation mark to punctuation mark, and he did this within the families where he lodged and in the Sunday Schools. He had a good effect on many places. He shut his eyes, while listening to the classes reading, but his ears were open so that no mistake ever escaped without noticing, whether it was a word, an accent, or an emphasis.
He really wanted to have a publication to be used for the Sunday School alone. He once did something to earn £800 and he presented it to the trustees of the Independent chapel in Dolgellau in order to publish something of this nature, and to publish other books on behalf of the Sunday School. He felt a little bitter towards them and especially one person, but it did not come about and publishing did not start. The fairest explanation I can give as to why publication was not carried out is this:- he did not pass the money over to the hands of the trustees themselves. Now, he was expecting them to begin publication, and they were expecting him to start by handing the money over to them, and while one side was waiting for the other, two years of the time specified for publication went by, and the agreement was in vain. Another form of the same intention, was that the money was given by him in order to start publication of ' Yr Annibynwr'( The Independent). He presented £500 towards that purpose, on condition that the Sunday School would always have a part of the publication to its service. £500 was given for that purpose, and an old press, which he considered worth £60, we think. £400 of that money still exists and there is an interest on it at the service of ' Y Dysgedydd' (The Educator) and ' Yr Annibynwr'(The Independent), as they are now united, and the profit from the publication is to be presented to help old, disabled ministers and preachers. The rest was lost in the different reverses of the adventures of ' Yr Annibynwr'* His whole heart was for the success of the Sunday School, and all he wanted to be put on his gravestone was:- "Here lies Thomas Davies, Dolgellau, the author of ' Hyfforddwr Ymarferol yr Ysgol Sul'(A Practical Training for the Sunday School) and this was done as he requested. Extensive sums were given to the Missionary Society, and those who knew him best, will testify that the kingdom of the Saviour was close to his heart. He died in July 1865, at 88 years old, and although he did not have a wife or child, yet his name will fall respectfully to future generations as the apostle of the Sunday School.
- Evan Thomas. We have already mentioned him in connection with the history of Machynlleth, where he was when he died.
- Rowlands Hughes. He is still a respected, useful preacher in the church in Dolgellau.
- William Meirion Davies. He was educated in Brecon college and he was ordained in Blaenycoed, Carmarthenshire, where he still resides.
- Isaac Jones. He started preaching at the same time as the last preacher mentioned. He was a young, talented man, and if he had lived he would have been a useful minister. The consumption took hold of him, and the flower wilted before fully opening. He was the son of Evan Jones, one of the oldest members in the chapel, and a brother of Ieuan Ionawr.
- Evan Edmunds. He was a student in Brecon college and he was ordained in Dwygyfylchi where he still lives.
- Robert P. Jones. He was educated in Manchester and was ordained in Llanegryn where he still ministers.
- Lewis Humphreys. He had been in Bala college. He was ordained to go out to the Welsh Colony in Patagonia. He returned from there and is now a minister in Cwmtwrch, Glamorgan.
- Mr T. Davies' biography, by Mr E. Williams, Dinas. Dysgedydd 1870. Page 10
- William Griffith. Even though he did not start preaching here, but as it was here he spent the greatest part of his life as a preacher, it is here that it is suitable for us to mention him. He was born in Mynhadogisaf, Dolddelen, and his parents William and Lowry Griffith were among the oldest Independents in that parish. He was accepted as a member when still young. He went to Llanrwst to learn printing, and it was there that he started preaching. He moved to Dolgellau at the beginning of 1843, and he was here until his death in October 1864. He was buried in Tabor cemetery. He was a lay preacher, and he gained the respect and sympathy through his faithfulness. He suffered a long affliction and his circumstances were fairly poor, but God and men were kind to him, and he died in peace.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
This chapel has had four ministers since the beginning of the cause. We have already mentioned Mr Pugh, in connection with Brithdir, and Dr. Davies, and Mr Jones, the present minister, are still with us, and we are confident that they both have many useful days left. Therefore we have only one minister to refer to in connection with this chapel.
CADWALADR JONES. He was born in Deildreuchaf, the parish of Llanuwchllyn, in May, 1783. His parents, John and Dorothy Cadwaladr, even though they did not prophess to a faith, were nevertheless respected and responsible people in their area, and he was an only child. We do not know what had such an influence on him to turn to religion, but we know that Cadwaladr Jones was accepted as a member of the Old Chapel by Dr Lewis in May 1803, when he was 20 years old. He started preaching in July, 1806, having been a member for over three years. He was accepted to the Wrexham college in November of that year, and spent most of the next four years there. He wasn't there with the same regularity as the other students, because he decided to stay home for most of the summer to help his father on the small-holding. In the year 1810, he accepted the call to be the successor to Mr Pugh from Brithdir, in his wide field, and he was ordained to the full work of the ministry on May 23rd, 1811. Dr Lewis his minister delivered an important charge to him; and Mr Jones was given a long life to complete his ministry. He worked hard throughout the whole circuit for seven years, till the year 1818, when he gave up the care of Cutiau and Llanelltyd. In another nineteen years in 1839, he decided it was suitable to give up the care of Brithdir and Rhydymain. In another nineteen years in 1858, he retired from the burden of the ministry of the chapels in Dolgellau and Islaw'rdre, after forty seven years of continuous labour in their midst, but he continued for close to ten more years in working alongside his old friend Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, in Llanelltyd, and alongside his good friend Mr R. Ellis, Brithdir, in Tabor, until death put an end to his labour and he finished his career in peace, December 5th, 1867, at 85 years old, having been in the ministry for 56 years and having preached the gospel for 62 years, and been a member in God's church for 65 years. We have to conclude that a man who had such a long life, left an longlasting influence on the whole area where he laboured. An extensive memorial to him has been published by Mr R. Thomas, Bangor, with the help of many of his brothers in the ministry, which was utterly fair as to his character. Here, we cannot but refer to the main points in the notes as a public man, and refer our readers towards YR HEN OLYGYDD (The Old Editor) in all its peculiarities to that excellent biography from which we quote.
'Mr Jones' measured pace was 'known to all'. He was characterised by 'spirit, strength, and love, and steadiness'. If it happened that there was a misunderstanding between some of the members, or a case of discipline in the church, he would take his time with such a task, so that it was clear enough that he intended to complete it before giving up. He was a tender and careful shepherd as he succoured the bruised of spirit and the broken hearted, but in cases that called for judgement, he would sit like a self-possesive judge weighing the evidence that was put before him, and there was no knowledge or friendship would make him turn away from what he saw as fair. He was a wise teacher at the centre of his disciples among the people in his care. He taught them 'the ways of God' in detail, and was as gentle as a nurse cherishing her children with those who were reluctant to learn. As a theologian, he had a consistant aspect that was clear on the organisation of the gospel. He did not have a wide circle of readings, but as to those readings he did have, he read thoroughly and he insisted on undestanding what he read. " He was reflective in order to grasp the truth; his mind's eye was keen and penetrating in order to differentiate between truth and falsehood; he had studied the basic principles of theology meticulously, and he perceived with great correctness, which ideas were consistent with those basic principles; and from the other aspect, which ideas clashed with them, and fought against them." In the long time that he was at the head of the Dysgedydd (the Teacher), he had plenty of opportunity to show how mature his mind was on theological subjects. "The 'new system' as it was called was causing great excitement in the first years of his editorship. One of the formost among the debators of those days was the venerable J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair, and he was a fair and noble old debator. He was determined about his subject but it was easy to see that he was an honest inquirer into truth. His argument, along with D. S. Davies, London, and others against John Wesley was one of the first in the Dysgedydd. The editor gave them all fairness. He was never in any hurry to close the debates, and it was clear that if the editor mentioned putting an end to any debate, it could be quite sure that his readers were totally tired of it. In the May, 1825, volume he puts an end to that debate, and he does so with a firmness and deliberation that was reasonable. He would say quietly 'We do not understand that the debate has lasted so long because of correspondence in sense, learning and the reasons of the readers, and because of the praise of John in, and his zeal for the work of opposing his objectors as well as he can, when he had only few new ideas." He puts it aside so quietly. Then he goes on to consider the points of the debate. The same debate appears in many different guises many times after that; and it appears to us every time that the end of the "Elected Debate" in the Dysgedydd of April, 1847, in one of the most able essays that was ever published about the subject in our language. That was our opinion then, we read it many times after that, and we have never had cause to change or moderate our opinion. We know well that it wasn't a way to rebuke those that opposed his views. We don't think anyone expects that will happen, but we know that it strengthened many doubters; and those who believed the doctrine before were strengthened even more. It is difficult for us to think that any fair and impartial man (if there ever was one) whatever his personal opinion on the doctrine, that he would not recognise the keeness, the ability, and the independence of mind that the ' Old Editor'as a judge would sum the whole thing up. As a preacher, "he had his own position amongst his brothers, he did not possess the penetration and intensity of Morgan, from Machynlleth, nor the strength of mind of Michael Jones, from Llanuwchllyn, nor the ingenuity of Williams, from the Wern, etc, but he was as sure of his matters as any of them. He had the mark of slowness, carefulness, and steadiness and a judgement in the composition of his surmons, as well as when delivering them. The lightning did not flash in his eye; we did not see terrors in his face; and we did not hear thunder in his voice; and we did not hear mighty winds rushing, nor great rains falling at the same time in his preaching. His ministry was as a river on flat land -' the waters of Siloa moving slowly'. We see some rivers as if they are rushing wildly towards the sea, they roar indignantly on the rocks that stand in their way, while another one wends its way, looping and enjoying its journey to reflect on everything it goes past on the surface of the waters. His ministry was like that. He wasn't so suitable to the work of destroying castles and walls of apathy and indifference as he was to build minds in the truths and faith of the gospel. Some intelligent people felt that in listening to him preaching he wasn't a 'novice in the faith'; he wasn't one to snatch theological aspects from others, and to take them off to the oratory before searching them and proving them and understanding them, and so go into the mist and darkness with them, - but that they will be sitting with an intelligent teacher, one who knew what he was doing, and one who could give a good reason for the things he offered his listeners to consider. Therefore if he wasn't considered a great, popular preacher, he was a good teacher; a wise and faithful servant, whom God placed in his family to feed them. If he did not possess the strength that could shake a country, as some of his brothers in the ministry had, he did have the talent and qualifications to lead, and to cherish and to shepherd the flock of God."But Mr Jones, as editor filled a particular circle, and in that circle he reached a public that no one would have reached otherwise. The theological debates that agitated the country soon after the beginning of this century, and the attacks against Independent ministers, made them feel that there was a real need for them not only to defend themselves against accusations against them, but also to teach and enlighten the churches of the truth of godliness. The Arminians attacked them on one side, and the high-Calvinians on the other side; and they did not have a publication to circulate amongst the people in their care which they could use to defend their beliefs as truth, as well as turning back the false accusations of their opponents. Twelve ministers applied themselves to starting a monthly publication, at a price of six pence a month, under the name Dysgedydd Crefyddol (Religious Teacher), and they agreed to be jointly responsible for any financial losses which could occur in publishing it, and Mr Jones, Dolgellau was chosen as Editor, and surely of them all, all things considered, that he was the most qualified to be given the task. The first edition came out in November, 1821; and Mr Jones was at the helm of the praiseworthy old publication for thirty one years. It does not often fall to one man to sit as Editor for such a long time. " The Old Editor" must have had a special suitablity for the post, before he was able to last in it so long, and to give as a whole a general satisfaction. If we were asked to summarise the elements of his character as an Editor, as we can see from the pages of Dysgedydd during the long term of his editorship, we would say that it was common sense, slowness, steadiness, and the spirit of judgement, impartiality, and an independence of mind and clearness and simplicity as a writer.
But the long life of Mr Jones came to an end. He did not have any actual illness, but that nature gradually let go, as an oak withers, for it cannot accept nourishment to freshen it. He died exactly as he had lived, in quiet self-possession, and his heart locked among those things that he dedicated his life to, and his trust in his God still as a rock not moving even though the flow is strong. Wednesday, December 11th, 1867, is a day that will long be remembered in Dolgellau, when the Old Editor was carried in a hearse from Cefnmaelan, to be placed to rest in Brithdir cemetery. He was followed by a great number of carriages and horsemen - there were fifty preachers from different denominations present to reveal their respect to his memory - it could be considered, as we went through Dolgellau, to be a Sunday, as every shop was closed up, and white grief blinds were to be seen in the windows of the houses that were passed - it was considered that there were a thousand grieving people as we went through the town, and before reaching the graveside, it had incresed to more than fifteen hundred, and amongst the tears that flowed he was lowered by his five sons into his new grave - and the large crowd whispered quietly that the gentlest and most pleasant of men had been left in his long time home. " Peace to his holy remains? "No one must interfere with his bones, "until they are shaken by "a shout and cry from the archangel,"and he will rise to enjoy the blessed hope "in the "better resurrection."