Bronant Welsh Calvinistic Chapel (1859)
As we stated, the firstfruits of the Revival in Bronnant were two monoglot Irish. David Morgan's next service there was one of the most marvellous in his experience. He says in his Diary, "As the converts moved forward, some infinite power fell upon the audience, darting around like wildfire." Two wayward young farmers, starting from home to attend this service, were told by their pious mother, "Well, my boys, you will not come in tonight as you go out," Neither did they; before they returned the "great transaction" was done.
There lived here a weaver, diminutive in stature but nimble-witted. When rebuked for his indifference to religion, his excuses were most sophistical. The Revivalist knew him well, and when he saw him seeking the penitent form he cried delightedly, "Blessed be God! the net was woven fine enough tonight to catch Evan the weaver! " The critics were divided as to whether the allusion was to the dwarfishness of the weaver's body or the elusiveness of his mind. Another to throw down the weapons of rebellion at that service was Daniel Evans, an ungodly cattle-dealer with a very pious wife. "Here is Daniel escaped from the den of lions," said the Revivalist genially. A few months later Mrs Evans confessed to a crony, "Daniels piety shames me." The last shall be first.
Thomas Davies, a roadside stone-breaker, would offer prayer in public before when invited, but no one ever understood him except his Heavenly father. In the Revival the unintelligible mutter was changed into eloquence that amazed his fellow-worshippers. Some of them told him, "We knew you possessed religion before, but we didn't know you possessed a voice. What has happened to you?" He replied immediately, "Before, I carried my religion; now, my religion carries me."
From, 'The '59 Revival', by J J Morgan, page 39-40.