(Rev Dr Alan C Clifford)
After his conversion in 1735, Daniel Rowland devoted himself to a preaching ministry which lasted until shortly before his death in 1790 - a remarkable period of no less than 55 years. It was this half-century that saw such waves of blessing sweeping through Wales that it was rightly described as the " Great Evangelical Awakening".
Revival and Reformation
During his lifetime, Daniel Rowland was known as a reformer'. Although he expended his energy chiefly in preaching, he saw the immense importance of education as a handmaid to the revival. He therefore supported the charity school movement of Griffith Jones Schools were established at Llangeitho and Llanddewibrefi in 1738. Schoolmasters itinerated, teaching a basic curriculum including the Bible, the Church catechism and the Psalms in Welsh. Thus, with the advent of truth and light, accompanied by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, ignorance, unbelief and irreligion were banished. Children and adults alike became educated and godly. Society, hitherto backward, violent and immoral was transformed Hearts and homes became trophies of the grace of God. Daniel Rowland was able to see the very tangible results of the work of God. At the beginning of his ministry, he used to walk the tops of the Aeron Hills, from which he could see all the surrounding country. Troubled at the spiritual darkness of the area, he exclaimed, "Alas, alas, I can see not so much as one house where prayer is offered". Rowland was thus moved to prayer, and his prayers were abundantly answered. In later years, viewing the scene from the same spot, he declared "0! blessed be God, I see no house today in all that country in which someone has not raised an altar to the Lord God Almighty."
The spreading flame
Although Rowland's ministry was generally confined to Llangeitho on the Lord's day, he preached in neighbouring parishes during the week. Llanddewibrefi Ystradffin Llandovery, Tregaron and many other places echoed to the reaching of God's Word and the praising of the crowds. In 1740, Rowland visited North Wales, preaching at Bala and other places The growing work brought the need for pastoral care and instruction. Thus, together with Howell Harris and others, societies were organised. As time passed, the Welsh leaders became acquainted with the English Methodists, George Whitefield, the Wesley brothers and others. The English and Welsh branches of the revival had much in common. Alas, theological disagreements surfaced and the 'Arminian' and 'Calvinistic' sections assumed separate identities. The first 'C.M.' Conference met near Caerphilly, Glamorgan in 1743 (a year before the first English Methodist Conference). Those present included the moderator, George Whitefield John Cennick and William Williams (both hymn writers) and, of course, Daniel Rowland and Howell Harris Both branches of Methodism always maintained brotherly love, recognising that, despite their differences, God had raised them up to proclaim the Gospel and win souls for Christ.
Prayer, preaching and persecution
If Daniel Rowland was a great preacher, it was because he was a great pray-er He realised that without the blessing of God, preaching would be a useless waste of hot air One biographer says that Rowland 'lived in the spirit of prayer and hence his extraordinary success' On one occasion he had to cross a valley to reach a church where he was due to preach. The assembled crowd could see him from the hill. All of a sudden, they lost sight of him near some trees for a considerable time. But the preacher was praying in secret. After some delay Rowland reappeared. Arriving at the church, he apologised for the delay, announcing that he had enjoyed a blest meeting with God. He then preached with astonishing power to the blessing of many.
The enormous crowds gathering in many places were coming to the attention of the religious authorities Sometimes, emotional excess led to unseemly expressions of fanatical behaviour Despite the genuineness of the vast majority of the conversions, even men like Griffith Jones gradually withdrew his support. On October 31st, 1741, Daniel Rowland was singled out for criticism in a London based newspaper The New Weekly Miscellany. Persecution now became commonplace. At Llanilar, 10 miles north of Llangeitho, Rowland was attacked by a mob with stones and other missiles, but he escaped with his life Later, at Aberystwyth, a man threatened to shoot him. The gun was aimed, the trigger was pulled, but - in God's sovereign providence - it failed to go off Undeterred, Rowland and his fellow labourers continued faithful, counting it a privilege to 'suffer for Christ's sake' ( Phil.l :29).
Throughout the 1750s, the revival work was consolidated, not withstanding persecution and difficulties. However, the year 1762 saw exceptional movements of the Holy Spirit, especially at Llangeitho. Agonising prayer brought conviction of sin. Many were arrested by the power of the preaching. Hundreds rejoiced in the forgiveness of sins. The revival spread, and Howell Harris spoke of vast congregations sometimes numbering up to 12,000.
Whenever God works, the devil opposes. So, the church authorities became determined to act against the men of the revival. The year 1763 was a time of great suffering for Daniel Rowland, who had only ever been a curate to his brother John. But when John died, the Bishop gave the living not to Daniel Rowland but his son, a young man of 27! The excuse given was the: numerous Irregularities of which Daniel Rowland had supposedly been guilty, namely, preaching the gospel, reclaiming sinners and transforming society!
In 1763, Rowland's license was at last revoked by the Bishop. Thus was Daniel Rowland banished from the Church of England Despite such a criminal blunder, nothing of lasting significance changed. Daniel Rowland's loyal people joined their beloved pastor, and a large new chapel was built in LIangeitho The work of God went on much as before.
The old grey-headed Elijah
With his strength and vision undiminished, Daniel Rowland continued to be mightily used of God An important conversion in 1773 was that of Thomas Charles, later to be forever linked with Bala, the Sunday School movement, Mary Jones and the Bible Society After hearing Daniel Rowland preach from Hebrews 4: 15 on Christ our High Priest, Charles declared January 20th to be 'A Day much to be remembered by me as long as I live . I had such a view of Christ as our High Priest, of His love, compassion, power. and all-sufficiency, as filled my soul with astonishment, with joy unspeakable and full of glory , Thereafter, Thomas Charles was a frequent visitor to Llangeitho. A special bond existed between the younger 'Elisha and the older 'Elijah' who described Charles as 'God's gift to North Wales'
Daniel Rowland was to see another great revival in 1780. The blessing continued in the following years In August, 1783, an estimated 14,000 people gathered 'which was a very wonderful sight, and withal, very comfortable to hear the neighbouring hills and valleys ring with the joyful sound of salvation and praises to the Lamb'. Since the chapel only held 3,000, many had to wait their turn in coming to the Lord's Table for the communion, following the open-air preaching.
Last years and call to glory
Right up to the last year of his life, Rowland was still active for His Lord. Even in his seventies, he took delight in racing leaves he had cast into the River Aeron as he ran along the banks! When he came to die, he died as he lived, depending on Christ alone On the last Sunday before h is death on October 16th, 1970, he declared to his family. , I die as a poor sinner, depending fully and entirely on the merits of a crucified Saviour for my acceptance with God'. So died one of the greatest servants of Christ the church will ever know
(Reproduced in the Heath Evangelical Church newsletter by kind permission
of Rev Dr Alan C Clifford, Minister of Great Ellingham Baptist Church,
Norfolk)
Copyright © 1996 Heath Christian Book Shop Charitable Trust
Most recent revision 06 February 1996