CHARLES, JAMES (1846 - 1920), Independent minister and theologian

Born 6 December 1846 at Gelli-Fach near Llanddowror, son of David and Mary Charles. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Waunmabli farm, about three miles south-west of Carmarthen, where he was brought up with a view to the ministry. From Parc-y-felfed preparatory school (at Carmarthen) he went to the Independent college at Bala, and after four years there received a call to Llanuwchllyn. In 1883 he went to Oswestry, and in 1892 to Swan Lane, Denbigh, where he laboured assiduously for twenty-five years. He retired in 1917 and died 20 December 1920. He was recognized as a leader in his denomination. For a short time in the course of his first ministry he acted as deputy principal of Bala Independent college; he was chairman of the Union of Welsh Independents in 1916 and was one of the editors of Y Dysgedydd from 1918 until his death. He also took part in politics, but his main interest continued to be theology. He published Emanuel, 1890; Esponiad ar Lyfr Amos (a commentary), 1900; Esponiad ar Epistol I Ioan, 1900; Iawn a Thadolaeth (Atonement and Fatherhood), 1905; Agoriad i Ddiwinyddiaeth y Testament Newydd (an introduction to the theology of the N.T.), 1915. In 1942 Y Cysegr Sancteiddiolaf (The Holy of Holies) was published; this was a collection of his writings with a short memoir. He sought in his books to reconcile the scientific pronouncements of his generation with orthodox doctrine, but his work was thoughtful rather than original.

Author

• Reverend Thomas Eirug Davies, (1892 - 1951)

Sources

• Y Dysgedydd, xcv, 245, xcvi, 375, c, 31
• R. T. Jenkins, Hanes Cynulleidfa Hen Gapel Llanuwchllyn (1937), 188
• H. Blackwell, NLW MSS 9251-9277A: A Dictionary of Welsh Biography

Additional Links

• VIAF: 101576010
• Wikidata: Q20733305

Published date: 1959

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