At Tregaron the red-letter day of the Revival was Sunday, February 20, 1859. The preacher (unordained) was David Morgan, Pontrhydfendigaid, a calm and un-impassioned speaker. Early in the morning service, when singing a hymn referring to the Atonement, the congregation burst into thunders of "praise," not ceasing for two hours. Similar scenes marked the evening service, and eighty-seven souls found salvation.
Two poor herd lads, twelve years old, felt a great longing to hear David Morgan. They worked hard seven days a week, but by great sacrifices, they won a Sunday holiday; and without a penny in their pockets between them, they walked to Tregaron, a fifteen-mile journey. Having settled themselves in the chapel for the evening service, they waited patiently for the moving of the waters. The Revivalist read and prayed quietly in the *' big seat "; then entered the pulpit, and read his text : *' In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life . . . and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations ' — Suddenly and unexpectedly, before uttering the next sentence, the preacher's eye flashed and his bosom heaved as if he were enraptured by a glorious vision. With a sublime sweep of his hand, he burst into a melodious and triumphant shout, "And there shall be no more curse; but the throne — " That was more than enough. It was as if sparks had been cast into a powder magazine. There were explosions of emotion on all sides. Scores leapt from their seats. Text and sermon were swept away on the flood. The two herd boys went home fasting but saying to one another, "We have seen strange things today." The Rev. John Rees, Tregaron, related the following in 1859: Near Tregaron there lived a pious woman, whose son was an incorrigible scapegrace. On the way home from a prayer- meeting, a verse flashed through her mind, "I will bless thy sons." Entering her closet, she took the promise and spread it before the Lord, saying 'Lord, here is thy promise.'. "Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!'" That very night, hearing something stirring in his room, she entered and found her Ishmael on his knees sobbing for Divine pardon.
A converted publican in this place poured his whole stock of intoxicants over the bridge into the river.
From, 'The '59 Revival', by J J Morgan, page 36-7.
The awakening influences at length reached the towns of Aberystwyth, Aberayron, Tregaron, and almost every district in the upper and middle parts of Cardiganshire.
A clergyman writes - I was at Tregaron last Sunday evening, and it was delightful to be there; indeed, it was a glorious meeting, but only five joined there that night. Mr Hughes has received between forty and fifty new converts in the course of last month."
From ‘The Welsh Revival’ by Thomas Phillips
Would you please contact us if you know where these meetings took place.
From ‘The Welsh Revival’ by Thomas Phillips