Person:John Thomas (43)

John Thomas is mentioned in the Dictionary of Welsh Biography as follows: "Thomas, John (1763-1834), hymn writer; lived at Cwmsidan Fawr, Llansadwrn, Carms. He joined the Methodists at Esgair-nant, in Talley, in 1785, and became an elder, and the secretary of the church in that place. He and his friend Thomas Lewis (1759-1842) (qv) of Talley took the lead in the formation and development of Sunday Schools in that neighbourhood. He d 30 April 1834 and was buried with Catherine his wife in Talley churchyard. He wrote a number of hymns." The sources given, which will have more info about him (but in Welsh), are: Y Drysorfa 1834, p343. This is the monthly magazine associated with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists (so John was presumably of this denomination, not a Wesleyan). J Morris, Hanes Methodistiaeth Yn Sir Gaerfyrddin p259 (History of Methodism in Carmarthenshire). The Welsh Calvinistic Methodists (now the Presbyterian Church of Wales) have deposited their records in the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth,rather than in County Record Offices. Source: Chris Pitt Lewis pitt-lew@cjpl.demon.co.uk

From Y DRYSORFA 1834 page 343. DIED 1834 April 30. Mr John Thomas, late of Cwmsidan Fawr. Parish of Llansadwrn, Carmarthenshire, 71 years old. He had the privilege of spending 49 of those years in the way (literally vineyard) of Jesus Christ among the Calvinists at Esgair-nant Chapel, Taly-Uuchan. He was honoured early by being an elder in their midst, and strengthened to be faithful in his place and office to the end of his life. He was often disappointed in man, i.e. friends, but more in his own heart. He said often during his lifetime that he had many tests of truth in the word, in his circumstances and his experience. ‘Blessed are those that God Jacob supports, and who has his hopes in his Lord God. Many sins the righteous have, but the Lord saves us from them.’ He was always busy in prayer and it was not often wanting in the congregation. His was noted as an elder that was characterised by being outspoken and was honest towards his brothers and sisters in the church, regardless of who they were. He faced the sinners and regarded himself responsible to God for his position and place in the House of God. And he would say often ‘Oh for the ability to make things happy and not sad.’ He was very busy with the Sunday School since it was first established in this neighbourhood. The two of them started 40 years ago (of which one is still alive: Mr Thos Lewis, Tal-y-Uuchan). The Lord blessed his work in a special way; and they had the wonder of forming several branches in this locality and nearby; and saw several of these under their care turn to the Lord from time to time; and they often praised God for his goodness towards them and with their work. In his last illness, which was not short, he was bound to praise the Lord for his Goodness to him all the time. Friday before his death, he went to Chapel, even though he was tired in body, and very weak; and some of his friends thought that he looked at the end of his journey, from his looks and discussion. He spoke of God’s well being towards his people, and how he was kept and forgiven all his life. And even through the darkness and illness that was in his saddened heart he still found room to think sometimes that God would not leave him to deceive himself, even though there was material to do so in the best of places. ‘This is my comfort (succour) this is my celebration, and this is my hope in the face of afflictions; yes, in the face of death and judgement, may it be that he also saves all those that through him come to God, because he always pleads over them.’ I see enough of this man that set God right, to keep the principal of sinners; yes, my type. O gracious way! O wondrous way! There is a way to take away the damned from my condition, and bless my nature and raise to God’s image. And there is a way to complete with the wholeness of God. Who can say what is included in this!

He can have the praise concisely, When the house of clay is opened’ etc. On the Sabbath afternoon, several brothers and friends came to see him, and long and seriously did he advise them to be faithful, to stay with the Lord and to strive for the faith. He was afraid that external forces were being spread along the land these days, ‘Through philosophy and dark emptiness, according to man’s tradition, according to world morals, and not to Christ’s'. He urged them earnestly to read and think/wonder a lot on the word, and to pray more and more that the Holy Ghost enlightened through and in the word, leading them, and explaining to them the secrets that are in the word, confirming their thoughts and views regarding the word, and expertly teaching them in the truth, ‘as does Jesus’. Because God’s things are only known by God’s Ghost. Because he takes from within, says Jesus Christ, and told to you. Monday and Tuesday following, he spoke a little, He said every now and then, ‘O how mighty is his goodness towards a poor sinner, great goodness the Lord showed to me along this journey till now, and he continues in his goodness faithfully to the end.’ Tuesday saw signs he was worsening, one brother asked if he knew who he was. If I do, he said, you are an old brother. Today is one edge of death, and there is no change, everything is good, everything is good. O, I said several times to you Betty, trust in him, give yourself to him, lean on him. A brother in many straits A friend in a sea of trouble, he is. And that’s the last word. A few minutes later his soul flew silently to the eternal world. The following Saturday a large crowd gathered to give his body the last rites, when Mr Rees Morgan gave the sermon, based on the words, ‘I heard the voice from heaven telling me ‘ etc. and also the Rev Richard Davies; ‘From them come together with these tales'. And whence started the procession to Tal-y-Uuchan graveyard, where he will lie until the morning when the Archangel calls and God’s horns will wake all the residents of the Earth, and then I am certain he will arise in strength, and in eternal glory enjoy God in beauty through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. JJT

From HANES METHODISTIAETH YN SIR GAERFYRDDIN page 259. There have been many fairly famous elders in this church. The first I shall mention is Dafydd Harry, the old servant of Mrs Griffiths, Glanyrafonddu Ganol; Rhydderch Shon Hugh, Nantyrogfan; Morgan Rhys, Capel Hir, father of Rhys Morgan, we think, David Morgan, Mardy; Thomas Lewis, Talyllychau, and John Thomas, Cwmsidan. Thomas Lewis was the author of the hymn ‘Wrth gofio ei ruddfanau yn yr ardd, ‘ etc. There are two articles on him in ‘Efengylwyr Scions’. All I shall say about him here is that he was remarkably strong in character, and possessed remarkable ability to lead a church. He worked industriously with the cause. He was an influential man in the Monthly Meeting. It was a privilege to have Thomas Lewis as a leader here at Esgair-nant Church. He died in 1842. John Thomas, Cwmsidan, was a strong and very useful man. He was capable of being as able as Thomas Lewis, but did not have as much ability to lead a church as him. John Thomas was very particular and severe in the light of discipline. He was also the church’s secretary. He and Thomas Lewis were leading pillars in the cause of Esgair-nant, for many years. John Thomas, like Thomas Lewis, composed several excellent hymns such as, ‘Wrath goofy moor fired yaw’s dyad,’ etc. [How I remember how short is my day]. He died in 1834 , aged 71 years. He was the father of John Thomas, Cwmsidan, the second and grandfather to John Thomas, Wern, the current eldest elder of the chapel, and Edward Thomas, Cwmsidan. ......John Thomas, Cwmsidan, the second died February 19, 1878, aged 77...... The present elders are Mr John Thomas, Wern, Thomas Rees, Glanyrafonddu Ganol, W. Davies, Cilwern, Thomas Williams, Wernfawr, J.D.Thomas, Plasnewydd, Griffith Morgan, Banc, Simon M.Jones, Plas, John Davies, Gelli, and J.Sellick, Bancycelwydd.

1. ↑ Hanes Methodistiaeth Yn Sir Gaerfyrddin pg 259.
2. ↑ Talley Church Burial Register.