The revival at Llandeilo began among the Wesleyans. Its start is recorded in the diary of the wife of Lot Hughes, superintendent of the circuit. The entry for 4 October 1818 is as follows:
After the Sabbath Night [4th] meeting (under the care of David Morgan, schoolmaster and assistant preacher from Llwyn-yr-Onnen) God poured out his spirit in a very special manner. Monday Night [5th] a prayer meeting was held in the chapel for a large congregation. The Lord was in the midst, and many affected with concern for their souls; eight brethren prayed. Thursday Night, [8th] [Lot] Hughes preached … and it can be truly said that the Lord was present. After the meeting, there was a prayer meeting and great was the influence. One prayed aloud for mercy, It was appointed that there should be prayer meetings every night in different places.[1]
On Friday 16 October she wrote:
A Prayer Meeting was held at Rhos-y-maen, near the town. A large congregation. At the end one young man burst forth crying out for mercy, and continued for two hours for God to save his soul, and pardon his long obstinacy. By this time prayer had begun, and a great stirring went through the congregation. Another young man shouted out beside him for God to save his guilty soul also, and there were many young women praying that they would be saved. It was very late before the Meeting was over.[2]
Two days later the entry reads: ‘Sabbath Night 18, Mr. David Morgan preached to a very large congregation. The chapel was overflowing, and scores outside unable to get in.’[3]
Thus it continued from Sunday night to Sunday night through that winter, until eighty had been added to the membership of the circuit, besides the large number that had been added to the other denominations locally.[4]
[1]E.H. Griffiths, ‘Bywyd a Gwaith Lot Hughes’, Bathafarn, 29 (1977-86), p. 23.
[2]Ibid.
[3]Ibid.
[4]Ibid., p. 25.
With thanks to Geraint Jones.
Located at the end of the tunnel passage under John Francis Chartered Auctioneer's Premises.