Memorials of Mr. John Price of Bridgend : with an appendix

Front matter

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Preface

It is expected that some, in reading these memorials, will regard the writer as guilty of a mistake common to biographers — that of making a hero of his friend, or at least of magnifying the excellences of his character, while its faults are studiously concealed. He can only say that he has striven to be honest. He confidently believes that, by all who knew the excellent man of whom he has written, the picture will be regarded as faint and underdrawn.

While penning these pages, he looked back a hundred times over the years during which he was associated with John Peice, to recall, if possible, a word, or a temper, or an act, which he could censure or wish other than it was ; but he looked in vain. To say that his friend was superhuman, that he had not naturally " an evil heart of unbelief/' or that he was not subject to the various infirmities incident to human nature, would be to contradict his own state-

VI PREFACE.

ments in the following pages ; but he was what he aimed at being — a real, earnest, useful Christian ; a sincere disciple of Him who was " meek, and lowly in heart/' There was nothing in his character bordering on the romantic or the mystical. He was what every Christian is called to be — " blameless and harmless; a son of God without rebuke," — a beautiful example of pure mindedness and Christian consistency.

This volume is sent forth with many prayers that the simple record may not only afford comfort to the bereaved and sorrowing family of a departed saint, bui prove beneficial to those also who are just entering on the more dangerous stage of youthful life.

The funeral sermon was preached without any thought of publication, and is inserted only in deference to the feeling of those in whose hearts its delivery must always be associated with the memory of one who was " greatly beloved/'

Gloucester, Sept.) 1862.

ANTIQUITIES OF LANTWTT MAJOR 191

THE REV. JOHN PRICE 193

MEMOBIALS OF ME. JOHN PKICE,

Chapter I

My boast is not, that I deduce my birth From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth ; But higher far my proud pretensions rise : The son of parents passed into the skies.

In the rich and beautiful vale of Glamorgan, about thirteen miles from Cardiff, at the head of a quiet glen one mile from the sea, stands the ancient but now obscure town of Lantwit Major. That it was once a place of considerable importance may be inferred from its antique town-hall, its spacious church, its crosses, and its venerable ruins, now " with nettles skirted and with moss overgrown." Like many other spots in the " Principality'' long since sunk in obscurity, Lantwit is rich in historical and traditionary associations. Hard by, it is said,

B lived "Bean," chief of Glamorgan, who, having embraced Christianity at Rome, brought back two missionaries with him to Lantwit, who preached the Gospel to his subjects. Here, too, stood a sacred college — now in ruins — over which Patrick, the patron saint of the " Emerald Isle," presided, and in which Paulinus, a bishop, Taliesin, the bard, and Gildas, the historian, were educated.*

From tradition we turn to truth. Here, on September 3rd, 1 825, John Price, whose brief but useful life is sketched in these pages, was born. Long before this date, however, the men whose hearts God had touched at Oxford, and who in the fulfilment of their high commission went through the length and breadth of the land preaching "the Gospel of the grace of God/' had found their way to Lantwit.f As early as the year 1749, just ten years after the formation of the first Methodist society in London, John Wesley preached at Lanmaes, a village one mile from Lantwit, to a " loving, earnest people who had no wish to be wiser than God ;" presenting a pleasing contrast to those of Cardiff, who, he thought, had blighted the work of God " by leaning

* Appendix, p. 192. + Journal, vol. ii. p. 21.

METHODISM DJ LANTWIT MAJOR. 3

to their own understanding instead of the law and the testimony."

There is no doubt but a society was about that time formed at Lanmaes, for in 1758 he speaks of them as "right, old, simple Christians/'* It was not until July 25th, 1777, that he visited Lantwit. Under this date, he says, " I preached in Lantwit Church to a very numerous congregation. I have not seen either so large or so handsome a church since I left England. It was sixty yards in length, but one end of it is in ruins. I suppose it has been abundantly the most beautiful as well as the most spacious church in Wales/' Among the first-fruits of his ministry in these parts was Mrs. Jones, of Fontegary, a lady of considerable wealth, in whose mansion he often preached. She exemplified in a high degree the Christian life until the year 1788, just three years before his own death, when he found her " worn out with disease, but in all patience and resignation setting forth the dignity of the Christian in weakness, pairj, and death."t They took their last look and leave of each other on earth on August 29th of that year, soon to meet in a milder clime,

* Journal, vol. ii. p. 434. f Ibid. vol. iv. p. 417.

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Of the earnest and exemplary society at Lanmaes, Mr. John Price's grandfather and grandmother, with several of their children, were members ; so that " when we call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that was in him," we are reminded, as in the case of Timothy, that " it first dwelt in his grandmother/'* and we may add, in his " mother also/' It is hardly to be supposed that a society so earnest and simpleminded as that at Lanmaes would remain stationary. In those days " the word of God grew mightily, and prevailed." The number of them that believed increased, until the place became " too strait" for them. This led to the removal of the society and services from Lanmaes to Lantwit. Here for many years they occupied jointly with the Calvinistic Methodists a large building still standing called " the Old Vicarage."

These societies thus early brought together at

* Mr. Price's great-grandmother resided at Lanmaes, and was personally acquainted with Mr. Wesley. She lived to a venerable age, and died "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." Supported in her last moments by two of her family, the following lines were simultaneously applied to her mind and to theirs: —

Her mounting soul is on its wing,

She hears the saints in Zion sing ;

She dies to meet them there.

LANTWIT REVIVAL. 5

Lantwit were preserved in a remarkable degree from the spirit of party strife and polemic acerbity which rose so high and raged so fearfully in those days. They chose " the more excellent way" of "agreeing to differ" on minor points of doctrine and discipline, endeavouring to keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ;" and it is interesting to observe how the same spirit has descended to successive generations. Few places under heaven, it may be presumed, have presented a more beautiful exemplification of the principle so poetically set forth in the 133rd Psalm, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" than the different churches in Lantwit during the year 1859-60. It was indeed "like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard : that went down to the skirts of his garments ; it was as the dew of Hermon, as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion : for there the Lord" did verily " command His blessing, even life for evermore." Night after night Wesleyans, Independents, and Calvinistic Methodists were seen " in one place with one accord/' blending their prayers and songs of praise, while night after night thoughtless sinners became conci rned —inquired,

" What must we do to be saved ?" and, believing " on the Lord Jesus Christ/' went down to their houses "justified." This blessed work went on until more than one-third of the adult population were gathered into the fold of Christ. This may, partly at least, account for the fact that when the parents of John Price saw and felt the need of church fellowship, the father joined the Calvinistic Methodists, while his "mother became a Wesleyan. As a rule, this is not to be recommended. It has often proved detrimental to personal piety, and most injurious in its influence on the next generation. As a rule, it is far better for those who " of tvjain are made one flesh," " to trunk and speak the same," to be of "the same judgment," so that both in the sanctuary, and at home, they may " with one mouth glorify God/' Yet it cannot be doubted but there are exceptional cases — circumstances sometimes arise justifying a contrary course ; and when this is the case an opportunity is afforded for setting forth a true catholicity and enlargement of heart. In the case of Mr. and Mrs. Price there is good reason to believe it " worked together for good" to all concerned. " One in Christ/' and " heirs together of the grace of life," they resolved to, be helpers of each other's joy. Blest with children,

DOMESTIC RELIGION. 7

they felt it a privilege to present them to God in Holy Baptism, which they regarded,, not simply as an initiatory rite, but a solemn covenant transaction, securing to their " seed" the promised Spirit in virtue of the atonement of Christ, in answer to believing prayer, and in connexion with a godly training.

Mr. Price, eminently peaceful in his spirit, committed, with confidence, the "bringing up" of the children to his judicious and energetic wife, whose sense of parental responsibility was deepened by the very strong and Scriptural views held and enforced by the church of which her husband was a member. The result was just what might be expected. The children, with an exception or two, became members of the Wesleyan Society ; cherishing, at the same time, a high respect for, and a strong attachment to, the church of their father.

John, the youngest of nine, of an amiable disposition, soon became an object of the fondest affection to the whole family. By his parents prayer was made without ceasing that his life might be preserved and consecrated to God. By his father he was carried to the house of God when yet a child, that he might, in after life, appreciate a sermon in his native tongue. Here he heard some of the most eminent Welsh divines, long since gone to their reward, and learned to lisp the praises of God, an exercise in which, to the latest hour of his life, he greatly delighted.

We might here observe, that the importance of Christian psalmody, not only in the sanctuary, but also in the family, can scarcely be overrated. " It is a good thing to give thanks unto Thy Name, 0 Most High. To show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night." It enlivens devotion, and calls away the thoughts from earth to heaven. It lightens care, and soothes the heart weighed down with sorrow. But to the younger branches of the family it is of especial value. Incapable, it may be, of comprehending the portion read, perhaps indisposed to take up the petitions presented in prayer, they unite in the hymn of praise, and are thus brought to feel that they belong to the " whole family in heaven and on earth!' Who can say how many youths might have been saved from " hardness of heart and contempt of God's Word and worship/' if singing had formed a part of the family devotions ? The effect on Mr. Price's family was most salutary and edifying. Regularly, and with reverence, was the Bible read, the hymn of praise sung, and prayer offered. God had given him " a tent," and he

DOMESTIC RELIGION. 9

erected to Him " an altar," from which the morning and evening sacrifice ascended to heaven, " a sweet smelling savour/' The recollection of those seasons of devotion within the family circle is still refreshing to survivors : —

They seem still to see the chairs of their father and mother, The seats of the children as ranged on each hand,

And the blessed old Book which excels every other, The Family Bible that lay on the stand ;

The old-fashioned Bible — the dear blessed Bible — The Family Bible that lay on the stand.

But singing was not confined to family devotions, it sweetly filled up the intervals of business, in too many instances spent in profitless conversation and petty slanderings. One happy result of this in Mr. Price's family was, that all the children grew up devotedly attached to their parents, and " home" stood associated with a thousand fond endearments.

Chapter II. Removal To Bridgend — Apprenticeship

CONVERSION.

God passed him by, And on him breathed, and bade him live. He put into his lips a song, That rolled in numbers down the tide of life.

Strongly attached as Mr. and Mrs. Price were to Lantwit, and pleased to see their children around them, they saw plainly that there they could have but few opportunities of rising in life. Not insensible to the advantages of education, they conferred upon their children the best the neighbourhood and their means could furnish ; by which they were, in after life, prepared to take an advanced position in society.

Philip, the second son, having learned the business of a chemist, was the first of the family to settle in Bridgend, a town nine miles from Lantwit, and

HIS APPRENTICESHIP. 11

until recently — more on account of its central position than its size — the county town of Glamorgan. Richard, the fourth son, then fourteen years of age, was placed as an apprentice under his brother Philip. He grew up to be a young man exceedingly prepossessing in his person and manner, until he reached the age of twenty-three, when he sickened and died. The stroke fell with tremendous weight on the whole family, but especially so on the parents, who had been remarkably favoured by Divine Providence — forty years having passed away since the Angel of Death had halted at their dwelling.

On the death of Richard, John, then a youth of fourteen, left Lantwit, and took his place behind his brother's counter.

Without doubt " that good thing which by nature he could not have," had " through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" and in answer to his parents' prayers, been given him, awakening from time to time a sense of responsibility to God, a consciousness of sin, and a desire for salvation. If through the righteousness of one the free gift comes upon all men (Rom. v. 18), to the children of godly parents, dedicated in baptism and trained in the ways of virtue, there is reason to believe it comes

12 MEMQRULS OP MR. JOHN PRICE.

with more than ordinary power and grace. To Mr. Price the promise, "I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing on thine offspring," had been fulfilled. John, however, although interesting and amiable, remained a stranger to justifying grace until the year 1841, when the Wesleyan ministers of the Cardiff circuit visited Bridgend. With English Wesleyan Methodism this was "the day of small things/' It is true Mr. Wesley had often preached there, as may be seen by a reference to his journals; a chapel had been erected, and a society formed, to which several men of considerable influence belonged, viz., Messrs. Redwood, Horsman, Williams, Be van, &c. ihe late venerable and much-esteemed William Pearson once rode from Brecon to Bridgend to attend a district meeting, his circuit at that time stretching from Llanelly, in Caermarthenshire, to Monmouth.

The English society, however, had died out, and in the year 1834, when Robert Price came and settled in the town, as a tanner, entering into partnership with his brother Philip in that branch of manufacture, it had no existence. Robert had been brought to a saving knowledge of Christ at Lantwit, under the ministry of Mr. Pearson, and was

METHODISM IN BRIDGEND. 13

making his first essays as a local preacher. He felt a laudable desire to revive English Methodism in the town, especially as there was no English service on a Sabbath evening in church or chapel, and a considerable number of the inhabitants did not understand Welsh. But the chapel erected in the days of Mr. Wesley had fallen into the hands of the Welsh, who could be induced, for a few times only, to allow its use for an English service. This proved providential, for had permission been extended, no effort would have been at that time put forth to secure an English chapel, and the influence of the English society would have been painfully restricted.

Robert Price found a relic of the early English society in a good old woman named Nancy Lewis, and with her, an aunt, and one or two others, he began. His brother Philip, several years previous to this, while residing in Bristol, had attended the Moravian chapel, where, under the ministry of the late Rev. Christian Frederick Ramftler, he experienced the saving power of the "race of God, and became a member of that branch of the Christian Church. Seeing, however, the improbability of a church of his choice ever being formed at Bridgend, feeling most naturally a strong attachment

14s MEMORIALS OF MR. JOHN PRICE.

to the church of his ancestors, and knowing how seasonable and important his assistance would be at that time to the infant cause, he joined his brother, and took a leading part in organizing the movement then being made for the re-establishment of English Wesleyan Methodism in the town. A room was taken and fitted up for public service near the town-hall, but, in consequence of the sale of the property, they were obliged speedily to leave it. They then removed to a room in the residence connected with the tanyard, and were regularly visited by the ministers of the Cardiff circuit.

The names of Messrs. Pratten Boyd, J. Smith, "Osborn, Webb, and Shelton are gratefully remembered. But it was in the year 1841, under the ministry of the Revs. J. Rossell and H. M. Harvard, that a most gracious and memorable work began. The room soon became " too strait" for the people who flocked to hear the Word of Life, and they sighed for enlargement. A chapel was needed, but almost insuperable difficulties stood in the way. To obtain a suitable site and sufficient funds were the desiderata. " Prayer was made by the Church unto God," and faith, after having been severely tested, triumphed. The cloud broke, darkness was

ENGLISH WESLEYAN CHAPEL. 15

made light, and to their great joy they found themselves, through the kindness of the Earl of Dunraven, in possession of the freehold of a most eligible spot. On July 20, 184-2, the foundation-stone was laid by Watkln Mokgan, Esq., of Swansea ; and on June the 1st of the following year the house was formally and solemnly dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, the services being conducted by the Revs. S. D. now Dr. Waddy, J. T. Milner, and Thomas Jones. This was a work on which the Lord smiled. " The set time to favour Zion was come ; for His servants took pleasure in her stones, and favoured the dust thereof."

Having brought their tithes into His storehouse and proved Him therewith, the Lord opened the windows of heaven and poured out such a blessing that there was not room to receive it. As the house of God daily rose, so almost daily were " living stones" added to the spiritual temple. A number of choice young men were brought to God, some of whom have since been called to fill important spheres of usefulness in both hemispheres. We might mention among others, Edward John, William, and John* Price, of Lantwit, Charles Bassett, William Price, and John, the

* Appendix, p. 193.

subject of these pages. One of the most remarkable features of this work was its depth and genuineness. Not one of all who then united themselves to the English Wesleyan society has fallen away. Several have finished their course and obtained the prize, while several others are pressing hard towards it.

John Price was at this time about sixteen years of age, and was regarded by the older members of this new-born society, as the " lamb" of the flock. We wish we could give in his own words the particulars of his conversion. If the explorist, after having traced for many a weary mile the windings of some ^majestic river, has, on reaching its source, leaped for joy, how much more pleasing to be able to mark the first gushings-forth of a life which flowed on for the space of twenty years with so much beauty and blessing. But this pleasure is denied us. This much, however, we do know, that it was not in the " wind," nor in the " earthquake/' nor in the " fire/' that the Lord spoke to him, but in " a still small voice." Lydia, " whose, heart the Lord opened/' and not the Jailor, trembling, falling down, and crying out, was the type of his conversion. A sense of sin he had, but it was so associated with the sight of the Saviour,

CONVERSION. 17

that he scarcely knew which prevailed. "When he heard others speak of the " sorrows of death/' and " the pains of hell/' he confessed himself a stranger to such feelings. " Yet, I do knoiv," he would say, " that my heart is changed." "Who, we ask, that ever knew him, could doubt this? If sweetness of temper, purity of conversation, ardent and ceaseless love to the souls of men, and a readiness for every good work, within the limits of his ability, are proofs of a renewed heart, then he had one.

Too much importance is often attached to the circumstances of conversion, and too little to its legitimate fruits. It is no less true of Christ's followers, than of His foes, "By their fruits ye shall know them." " This is the love of God," or the best evidence of it, " that ye keep His commandments."

How must the hearts of the pious pair at Lantwit have leaped for joy when the tidings came that their latest and much-loved John had found the Lord Jesus, and in connection with his three elder brothers, taken upon himself a profession of His name ! How many prayers saw they answered in that event ; and what an augury to them of good, for time and for eternity ! Having

C now taken upon himself a profession of Christ, he was anxious to " walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he was called." Diligently attending the public and private means of grace, he grew not only "in wisdom and stature," but in " favour with God and men." Having his name " written among the living in Jerusalem," he " loved the gates of Zion" more than the ordinary walks of life. " Planted in the house of the Lord" he "flourished in the courts of our God." Embracing every opportunity of waiting upon God, the dews of heaven distilled upon his soul, so that he "grew as the lily," beautiful and fragrant, casting forth at the same time "his roots as Lebanon." % Naturally amiable and obliging, Divine grace gave an additional charm to all his movements, so that he soon became a favourite with all who knew him. Favoured with a voice remarkable for its sweetness, and having learned the art of singing from a child, this became a most pleasurable exercise, and rendered him no small acquisition to those on whom it devolved to conduct that part of Divine Worship in the English Wesleyan Chapel. That he might " sing with the understanding" as well as " with the spirit," he carefully applied himself to the study of music, until it grew into a passion, and rendered him, until the

GROWTH IN GRACE. 19

close of life, an especial favourite with all the lovers of sacred song who came within the circle of his acquaintance. Having "chosen" the "good part/' he sat at the feet of Jesus, emulous to learn the lessons of grace, and was never found among the thoughtless and gay, but was a " companion of them that feared the Lord." Never was he seen " walking in the counsel of the ungodly," nor standing "in the way of sinners," nor " sitting in the seat of the scornful/' but his delight was " in the law of the Lord, and in that he meditated day and night ;" He was therefore "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which brinoreth forth his fruit in his season." Thousfh young in years, he had more than leaf or bloom, he had "fruit/' and just such fruit as a youth devoted to God might be expected to bear. He was neither a trimmer nor an idler in religion, but diligently set his heart to do the work and will of God. " The love of Christ constrained" him ; it took hold of his entire nature, intellectual and emotional, so that he "judged as well as felt " that if one died for all," then they that live should not live unto themselves, but "unto Hira who died for them and rose again."

Many we have seen to start in the Christian life of stronger and more varied mental endowments than

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John Price, and with equal religious advantages ; but ere they had proceeded far, some false one met them in the way, to whose nattering counsels they listened, and forsaking the " way of righteousness," fell " into temptation and a snare, into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which pierced them through with many sorrows."

Let no one suppose that such a relapse is at all necessary. " God is able to make all grace to abound," even "towards" young persons, so that instead of falling from their " own steadfastness" they may " grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," as was the case with our young friend.

Under what particular forms evil presented itself to his mind, what he found to be his most " easily besetting sin/' what scenes of spiritual conflict he passed through, as the depths of his own heart were opened up to him, we have not the means of knowing. That he experienced all these, in common with others, we have no doubt. Far be it from us to insinuate that he was not a man of like passions with ourselves, or that he was not tempted in all points as others are. But putting on the "whole armour of God," he was " able to withstand in the

GROWTH IX GRACE. 21

evil day." Those who knew hiin best, having had daily opportunities of watching his life, can bear testimony that no disposition to draw back was ever betrayed by him. " Looking to Jesus," he ran, "with patience, the race that was set before" him.

Chapter III. Sunday-school — Resident Ministers — Character

Labours of good to man,

Love that midst grief began

And grew with years, and faltered not in death.

Previously to the resuscitation of English Wesleyan Methodism in Bridgend, there was no English Sunday-school in the town, while those of the Welsh were in a very languid condition. No sooner, however, had the young men aforementioned " tasted the word of God" than they longed to bring others into the possession of the " same like precious faith," and to accomplish this they resolved on forming a Sunday-school. Knowing that the young are most susceptible of good, that the boys and girls around them would in a few years be beyond their reach, and that parents are often influenced for good through their children, they seized the opportunity and opened a

RESULTS OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 23

school in the room on the Rhiew. This aroused the attention of others, a healthful emulation was called forth, which has resulted in an incalculable amount of good. There are now, in addition to the Wesleyan school, one belonging to the Established Church, and one conducted by the English Baptists, while the Welsh schools were never so vigorous and flourishing as at present. That Sunday-schools have been mighty means of moral enlightenment and elevation will be doubted by few. Those who still doubt ought to visit such portions of our rural and city populations as have not yet been favoured with Sunday-school instruction, and they will soon be cured of their scepticism.

Whether Robert Raikes founded the first Sunday-school in this kingdom is not clear. All, however, will admit that, on account of the interest he took in such institutions he is now deservedly ranked among the " eminent philanthropists" of this country. Yet, who will say that Sunday-schools have been so productive of good as they might have been ? There are not a few, which, to this day, are all but powerless ; and why ? Simply because they are improperly conducted.

Those who formed the first English Sunday-school in Bridgend were exceedingly anxious so to conduct it that the great end of its establishment might be realized — nor were they disappointed. It may not be out of place here to give the general principles which they adopted and endeavoured to carry out. They were the following : —