JONES, MORGAN (1768 - 1835), Independent minister

Born at Troed-y-rhiw, Llywel, Brecknock. After having had such elementary education as was available at that time in his neighbourhood, he became a farm labourer for five years. He was admitted to membership at Cefnarthen, 20 January 1782, and before long his gift for extempore prayer became widely known. When he was about 17 years of age he began to preach at Cefnarthen. He then spent four years at Glandŵr school, Pembrokeshire under John Griffiths (1731 - 1811), paying particular attention to English and divinity, but also acquiring a fair knowledge of Latin and Greek. He was ordained at Tre-lech and Capel Iwan, Carmarthenshire, 13 March 1770, and spent the whole of his ministry in this one district. Influenced by his powerful preaching, his churches experienced a strong spirit of revival, which continued throughout his ministry. His doctrinal views were those of a High Calvinist, but he was more an evangelist than a theologian in his preaching.

He founded new churches at Blaen-y-coed, Ffynnon Bedr, and Llwyn-yr-hwrdd. He was also largely responsible for founding and strengthening various English churches in south Pembrokeshire, and, at the same time, worked zealously for the Welsh Independent cause in London. He maintained close contact with the directors of the London Missionary Society and it was through his enthusiasm, and that of David Peter and others, that the missionary movement acquired such impetus in the Carmarthenshire churches. He published Y Dydd yn Gwawrio, 1798 (a book on the foreign missions, together with some hymns - see J. Thickens, Emynau a'u Hawduriaid, 220 and 134), Gogoniant y Byd Hwn, 1813, and other small books. He was one of the most influential preachers of his age. He died 23 December 1835.

Author

• Reverend John Dyfnallt Owen, (1873 - 1956)

Sources

• Y Tadau Anibynnol (Caernarfon 1898–1900), ii, no. 4
• Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru, iii, 400-2
• Cefnarthen church book

Works

• Samuel Davies, Morgan Jones (tr.), Pregeth ar yr Adgyfodiad cyffredinol, oddiwrth Ioan v. 28, 29 (Caerfyrddin 1791?)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20738137

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/