CHAP. IV.

The formation of the Association, leaving Ystradffin.

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THE year 1740, a century ago, was very remarkable for this connexion.* The Lord in his providence led Rowlands and his friends to adopt an excellent plan for the maintenance of brotherly love, fellowship, and discipline; and the union has continued hitherto, though the enemy has many a time attempted to destroy or interrupt it. This wonderful means, under God, for the edification of his people, is called the Association, a name well known now to all in Wales. It appears that the first Association was held at a place called Watford, in Glamorganshire, at which Whitfield assisted.+ It was there agreed that Whitfield should be the Moderator, if present, at all future Associations; but Rowlands, if he were absent; and if Rowlands was not there, then W. Williams: and that Harris should be the standing secretary of the Association. The establishment of this primary Association will excite pious and grateful reflections in the mind of the thoughtful christian. This may be considered as the opening of the well, which, under God's blessing, has ever since fructified, gladdened, and strengthened the connexion to a wonderful extent.Necessity was the cause of this grand bond of union, as it is stated in their Constitutional Deed, in the following man"In consequence of the many converts, and the great increase in the number of religious societies, it was found

ner:

* Rowlands' Elegy was composed by Williams in the year 1790, wherein it is stated, that the first Association took place about fifty years before that time.

+ There is an allusion in the Elegy to the above union between Whitfield and these Methodists.

necessary for their ministers and preachers to assemble together for the purpose of taking counsel respecting their religious tenets, and also the establishment of the societies collected through their ministrations, and for the formation of 'A UNITED CONNEXION,' or ' GENERAL ASSOCIATION.''

The next Association of this people was held at the house of one Jeffry Davies, at a place called Rhiwiau, in the parish of Llanddeusant, in Carmarthenshire. Rowlands, W. Williams, Harris, and two or three exhorters were present at this Association. They were highly honoured with the blessing and approbation of heaven.-It has been said that this was the first Association; this however has been discovered to be erroneous. It appears by Mr. Whitfield's diary, and by some of Harris's letters found at Trefecca, that Watford, as I have stated, is the place where they first met. However it does not appear that Whitfield ever attended any of their Associations afterwards. He might have perceived how well qualified Rowlands was to perform the office of a Moderator, that the Lord was blessing him and them in a wonderful manner, and that consequently he was more wanted elsewhere.

years old. The

.Rowlands was enabled by the Lord to fill the chair at the Associations, and all their other meetings, in a most complete and satisfactory manner, and that without any failure and interruption, until his death. He was then, as observed elsewhere, about twenty-seven Lord had gifted him in an extraordinary manner for the edification and building up of his church in those solemn assemblies, as well as by preaching. He had given this young minister the spirit of skill and understanding, to raise up this spiritual edifice; and the spirit of diligence and love, to oversee it. And great effect was given to all his labours, teachings, and exhortations.-Rowlands had a wonderful insight into the minds of those different individuals that conversed with him in the churches; and he ཐམས་ had a very quick and clear perception of the nature of the

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various cases of conscience, even of ministers, that came under his consideration; being already well acquainted with those various and intricate inward trials himself. And he was a very skilful master, under God, in his house, to encourage and nurse the weak, to heal the sick, to feed the hungry, to correct the erring, and to rebuke the bold and carnal, giving each his proper portion in due season. His disposition was that of a most tender-hearted father; and in that spirit of kindness he met his people, and the preachers, in their various religious assemblies. It has been said that above a hundred ministers in the principality esteemed and looked up to him as their spiritual father, most of whom were accustomed to meet him four times a year at the Associations, to confer on the most likely means of promoting the cause of religion. Rowlands' manner at these meetings, as well as in company with his friends, was rather peculiar. He used to walk up and down the room in a silent, thoughtful way; and he would generally observe, when they asked his opinion upon the subject under consideration, "You have said enough :"—but he would immediately make two or three observations on the subject, so wise, suitable, and comprehensive, that all were satisfied; and then the business was concluded. Charles of Bala used to say, that there was more wisdom in the little he uttered, than in the long speeches and sermons of many.-His friend W. Williams was of considerable benefit to him in the discussions and management of those religious societies. He was endued with wonderful conversational powers, so that he could speak to every member of the church, of every station and office, in the most pleasing, profitable, and instructive manner. It was the opinion of Griffiths* of Nevern, that Rowlands and Williams possessed talents sufficient for the government of a kingdom. Their plans were those of great utility, and manifested uncommon depth of wisdom: the formation of the

* A noted preacher in Wales.

great Welch Association is one proof of this, among many others. The Association has from the commencement been productive of the greatest benefit, and its operations have not in one single instance been attended with bad effects. Perhaps so much cannot be said of the convocation of any other denomination of christians. It may be termed with truth a religious senate.

It having been ascertained, by the trial Rowlands made of the helpers in the private societies, that they were of great utility in the church, it was agreed at an Association held in 1743, that there should be a regular appointment of them throughout the connexion. The following are the words in their Constitutional Deed in reference to that :— "It was found necessary to appoint leaders or elders to superintend and direct the religious societies which had been formed, to teach and instruct the people, in the absence of their ministers and preachers, and to assist them when present." Wisdom is very conspicuous in such instances, and we are reminded here what Moses did when similarly circumstanced. Exod. xviii. 22. Num. xi. 17. Besides, there is much strength in such bonds of union, cemented by the Word and Spirit of God. The divine life advances, communion of saints increases, and scriptural knowledge diffuses itself.

The pious and learned Dr. Williams of Kidderminster has inserted in his diary, under date of June 28, 1746, three years after the period above mentioned, that he had been that week in an Association at Trefecca, which met to worship in a barn, near Harris's house; that there were present three clergymen, Rowlands, Williams, and Davies, together with about twenty lay preachers. Having noticed the brotherly love and union which existed among them; the wonderful success which accompanied them; and having made several useful remarks on the meeting, which I have no room to insert, he goes on to say,-"I learned from them how the Lord had in an extraordinary manner raised up

Rowlands in Cardiganshire, Harris in Brecknockshire, at the same time that Whitfield and the Wesleys appeared in England; and that he had mightily prospered their endeavours to spread the gospel over the greatest part of Wales, and all in the space of eleven years from their commencement!" He then proceeds to state that there were in Wales about fifty lay preachers, and one hundred and forty religious societies, belonging to the connexion of Calvinistic Methodists. "Mr. Rowlands," he adds, "informed me that he had three thousand communicants, and that Davies had two thousand in Pembrokeshire; so mighty and powerful did the word of God prevail there." It has been said before, that as many as ten clergymen belonged to the connexion, and it is possible that by this time the number had increased. Rowlands treated the clergy in general with great respect, especially those that were seriously disposed, and favoured the wonderful revival that was then taking place these were received into all their societies, and even the ministerial meetings at their Associations.

The Association lasted about two days, consisting of two special meetings, attended by the clergy, preachers, and elders or leaders. The external affairs of the connexion, such as the circumstances of religion and public means of grace in different parts of the country, were attended to the first day. Subjects wholly religious were discussed the next day, such as points of doctrine, some of which were previously fixed upon,-nature of discipline, to carry order throughout the whole body,-matter of experience, to see how it stood between their souls and God. There is also a third, a ministerial meeting, attended only by the preachers. There was, at the commencement, only one private meeting at the Association, held by the ministers for an hour or two. It was customary then to examine and admit lay preachers, and hear complaints against ministers as to doctrine or conduct.-The intercourse and friendship between ministers and people are there increased and much