Rev. Evan Jones, of Ynysgau Chapel, one of the largest in Merthyr, thus describes a scene at an extraordinary meeting:-
"Parents were seen falling on their knees there and then to pray for their children, and children for their parents. The earth was thirsting, the heavens pouring; the people crying, "Come near," and God replying, "I am coming." The two o'clock meeting was over, and many bearts were giving thanks for what was received, and ready to break with longing for more.
The seven o'clock meeting came - a heavenly sound was heard in the song of praise, in the reading and in the prayer. We never felt anything like that. The word of the Lord was like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces, or like the sword of God piercing to the centre of the heart. We had an awe-inspiring and clear proof that the gospel was not of man. Here were religious stoics weeping like a shower; there, young girls falling on the necks of their mothers, crying for mercy; in another place might be seen young lads praying for the salvation of their companions, till the whole congregation was drowned in tears. There was the sweetest harmony we ever heard. Children crying for mercy - parents thanking God for their salvation. There was the sweetest harmony we ever heard. Children crying for mercy - parents thanking God for their salvation. The sound of prayer from the mouth of the ungodly mingling with the hosannas of the old pilgrim, made us forget this lower world! When thinking of the feelings which then filled us, and the warmth of our bosom towards them, it is not to be wondered that God delighteth in mercy.
The song of praise was continued for more than forty minutes without interruption. All was perfectly natural. It was not that one drew the others after him from sympathy; the whole was influenced like a great wood by a strong wind. Amens, thanks, glory, and blessed, broke forth here and there through the mighty swell. Oh, how sweet it was! How delightful to hear the young responding one to another - parents and children mutually responding - the religions and irreligious responding - the minister and the people responding - the gallery and the floor responding - heaven and earth responding - and all uniting to exalt his cross, and pouring forth a very cataract of praise to the Lamb by singing, 'Thanks, thanks be unto Him for remembering us in our low estate.'
Since that meeting scores have been added to the church at Ynysgau; now the church is numbered not by scores, but by bundreds. We have here female prayer meetings, and young men's prayer meetings, in addition to the ordinary meetings of the church. This is the spontaneous work of the parties themselves; some of them manifest a very superior mental and moral worth. 'The Lord hath done unto us great things, whereof we are glad.' "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our sight. To Him, the fountain of all good, the heart of the whole creation, be all glory in the church by Jesus Christ, through out all ages, world without end."
From, "The Baptist Reporter," January 1860, page 21.
The church was demolished in 1976