Iain Murray records an incident in the life of Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones which shows how the hymns of William Williams were used of God to revive the soul with a deep powerful impression of the majesty and mercy of God. An example of this is in the following hymn which was one of the last he wrote in 1772 and was included in his book Gloria in Excelsis. Williams life is, rather, an illustration of the scriptural observation: But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. In a letter to his son, John, William Williams writes of a family tendency towards depression, and his old age saw anxiety prevent him from venturing out at night.1 In the light of this, his hymns acquire a still more precious quality, flowing as they do from the experience of one who knew soul-depths, and well as soul-heights. Endears his dying love; As a writer of both poetry and prose, he is today considered one of the greatest literary figures of Wales.He was, however, equally distinguished in the world of religion, as one of the key . Is the Alpha Course Leading People Astray? We wouldnt be complete unless we looked at his most famous of hymns, written in 1745 for the second book of Alleluia. Tis thy blood alone that conquers December 2020 They would be literally leaping and jumping for joy. In: E. Wyn James, "'Blessd Jubil! acknowledged as Wales' most famous hymn writer; also known as William Williams, William Pantycelyn, and Pantycelyn William Williams Pantycelyn Works [ edit] Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah ( Arglwydd arwain trwy'r anialwch ), 1745 William Williams remains one of the great religious figures of Wales. Saviour, all the world around. He wrote some of his work in English, but the great majority in his native Welsh. They are not mere propositional truth in verse (too often orthodoxys riposte to the flabby sentimentalism which has long disfigured hymnody), but theology set on fire by the Holy Spirit, addressing those made to hunger and thirst after the righteousness of God, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ. Another significant item agreed at that meeting, was that William should become Daniel Rowlands assistant and this he would continue for the rest of his life. He was to become a physician of souls rather than a physician of bodies a reminder to us of Doctor Martyn Lloyd Jones many years later. He wept, he prayed for me, August 2019 It is not known if William made this journey to hear him preach. July 2020 William Williams Pantycelyn (c. 11 February 1717 11 January 1791), also known as William Williams, William Pantycelyn, and Pantycelyn, is generally acknowledged as Wales' most famous hymn writer. He died in 1791. So on Sunday 3rd August 1740 William was ordained as a deacon by Nicholas Claggert, the Bishop of St Davids, to the curacies of 3 local churches in the villages of Llanwrtyd and Abergwesyn, and he was to serve there as curate for the next 3 years, where he was paid an annual stipend of 10 per year. Divine Guidance Desired. Maybe he was too busy in his work or perhaps didnt consider that what he was doing warranted it. His blog posts provide a distinctly Welsh perspective on major events in world history, as well as revealing some little-known events from the Welsh past. Some hymns were written after a request from the countess of Huntingdon for hymns to be used at Whitefields Orphanage in America. To stray from side to side, Williams hymns were the real Confession of faith of the Methodists, and they became in the course of the 19th century some kind of Confession of experience for the majority of Welsh believers., Who better than William Williams himself can explain his purpose in writing hymns. 6. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. William Williams drew much of his imagery from the natural world around him. August 2020 William Williams Birth: February 11, 1717, Pantycelyn, Wales Death: January 11, 1791, Pantycelyn, Wales William Williams, born in 1717, in Wales, entered Llwynllwyd Academy at Carmarthen, to study to become a physician. An accomplished vocalist, Williams has been called the "Sweet Singer of Wales." The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, [], The life of faith is rarely straightforward and uncomplicated. Grant me an assurance clear; So in the case of these Calvinistic Methodists in Wales in the mid 18th century, they were entirely Calvinistic as in contrast to the situation in England, with influences from the Wesleys etc. All of this coincided with the publication of one of Williams new hymn book The songs of those who stand on the sea of glass in 1762. 1799) he attempted a history of world religions. [7] The Welsh original of this hymn was first published as Hymn 10 in Mor o Wydr (Sea of Glass) in 1762. The hymns we have although small in number are hymns rich in theology and experience. So it proved a very useful partnership. For miserable me. In all, he published nearly ninety books and These are just a few of William Williams hymns which we are able to enjoy. He is particularly known as a hymn writer and his ability earned him the accolade y pr ganiedydd ('The Sweet Songster'), echoing the description of King David as "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Samuel 23:1). Sam Thomas. . It was around this time that a young teacher of 24 year old Howell Harris was converted and he lived just 6 miles way. One of the most famous , As they sang such words, the people were often unable to contain their exuberance and the gladness of heart that welled up within them. William Williams, born in 1717, in Wales, entered Llwynllwyd Academy at Both here and above, Harris returned to his home in Trefeca where he set up a self-supporting Moravian style Christian community. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Basically what to do with all these new converts. By W. Williams . I suppose that if you wanted to highlight the two poles of Welsh life in the 20th and 21st centuries you'd need to compare the uproarious excitement of a rugby crowd (or bus) roaring out "Bread of Heaven" with the austerity of a Calvinistic Methodist service. And sweetly burn our hearts to shame. William Williams, Pantycelyn was pre-eminently an experimental theologian and hymn-writer, he wrote and spoke of that which he had seen and heard. For forty-three years, Williams traveled nearly 100,000 miles on horseback, preaching and singing. From the Hosannah, 1759: This is not a work which man can perform himself, any more than the work of conversion. January 2020 Williams 2 sons John and William both went into the ministry, William became a Church of England minister and ministered in Truro in Cornwall all his life, while John became the first principle of the Trevaca Academy for ministers which had been set up by the Countess of Huntingdon and Howell Harris and opened in august 1768 it was called A school of the prophets! However, when he was twenty, he attended a Sunday morning service lead by an itinerant preacher, Howell Harris. Derbyshire My God to be my guide. He was educated locally and then at a nonconformist academy near Talgarth. Sometimes in the early hours of the morning he would suddenly cry out, O bring light, my vessel is running over! Then he would write down the words racing through his brain. The victim on the tree; Along with Daniel Rowland and Howell Harris, he dominated Welsh religious thinking and attitudes for much of the 18th. Awake, my soul, and rise. A small Sunday School class is usually available for young children, but others are welcome to stay in the service if visiting parents prefer it. He responded with about 800 hymns, his first "Guide Me, O Thou Great His mother Dorothy Lewis was 30 years younger than her husband John and they had 6 children 3 sons and 3 daughters. He wrote practical guides for a Christian life: These were for the converts who were members of the seiadau or societies. The three sections can be found here: Part One , Part Two , Part Three * * * Having traced a little of the life and experience of William Williams, it is now time to look to his character and his theology. That was the life of William Williams, but what of the legacy he has left for us today. Many verses came to him in the dead of night, and so he always went to bed prepared with pen, ink and a board on which to rest his paper. This hymn based on the journey of Israel through the wilderness, is no doubt inspired by Williams own travels up and down Wales as he journeyed on horseback over 2,000 miles a year, often suffering cruel opposition and physical violence.. He was born in the early part of 1717 at Cefncoed a farm approximately 3 miles from Llandovery in Carmarthenshire. 9. Every year, when the Welsh rugby fans bawl out Bread Of Heaven, they are paying tribute to a remarkable and fascinating man. Today nothing counts but Christ and he is all in all.. He was ordained a deacon of the Established Church in 1740, by Dr. Claget, Bishop of St. Davids, and for three years he served the Curacies of Llan-wrtyd and Llanddewi-Abergwesyn. His hymns were so popular that they became an essential part of Welsh religious and cultural life, and many of them are still sung today . He goes on to say that the sermon was rich in biblical allusion and fervent in personal application and Harris was profoundly moved.. 1762 also brought in the floodtide of blessing God was again pleased to pour out his spirit upon the land and this floodtide of blessing swept across South Wales visiting Churches and Society Meetings. This is to announce that 9 godly hymns on various subjects from the work of William Williams are to be printed with all haste- price one penny and for sale in Carmarthen by John Morgan in Water Street.. Despite being a great preacher and organiser, it is as a hymn writer and poet that William Williams, Pantycelyn, is best remembered. My God, my God, Who art my all. William was educated by a neighbour Morgan Williams who was learned in English and Latin and sometime later he went to a school which was opened in Llandovery by the SPCK (The society for the promoting of Christian Knowledge). Omissions? Towns And Cities As he travelled among the rugged mountains across barren tracts of land and beside the rivers that flowed through the valleys he would see comparisons that gave him substance for his verses. I have the rock under my feet.3 That rock he commended to others, and to himself in verse: Not on myself do I depend, . From 1776 onwards there is a marked scarcity of any records of his movements, he continued to preach and lead the society meetings, and he also continued to compose hymns, wrote prose and translates tracts and articles. While there he was converted by the preaching of the religious reformer Howell Harris (171473) and in 1740 was ordained deacon; he became a curate, but because of his Methodist affinities he was finally refused priestly orders in 1743. William Williams Pantelicin, also known as William Williams, William Pantilicin and Pantelicin ( born William Williams Pantycelyn, February 11, 1717, Powys, Wales - January 11, 1791, Carmartenshire, Wales) - one of the largest Welsh poets and prose writers, author of many famous religious hymns. The tone of the whole district was changed. What tune, asked the fiddler? This would have involved passing through Talgarth, it was Sunday morning and as he walked through the churchyard he could hear a man preaching in the open air standing on a gravestone. In our lives as believers, which can be very perplexing at times, I trust that this will be our daily prayer Guide me O thou Great Jehovah I am weak but thou are mighty, hold me with thy powerful hand. Eventually She had previously helped the Rev Griffith Jones to set up the Welsh Circulating Schools and was a very capable person who also had musical gifts and she used to sing Williams new hymns to tunes she had heard or composed. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) In religion he was among the leaders of the 18th-century Welsh Methodist revival, along with the evangelists Howell . William Williams Pantycelyn (c. 11 February 1717 - 11 January 1791), also known as William Williams, William Pantycelyn, and Pantycelyn, is generally acknowledged as Wales' most famous hymn writer. One only remedy, Williams was the son of John Williams, a farmer who worked the land around Pantycelyn farm outside Llandovery in Carmarthenshire. Any tune you like replied William. In the Town hall in Cardiff there is a sculpture of him carrying a book in his hand. William Williams Pantycelyn by Iestyn Roberts. He was brought up in an Independent Church, but the teachings he received didn't hit home until about twenty years later, when he heard the unlicensed exhorter Howell Harris preach in a church yard. He was buried in the parish church at LLanfair ar-y-bryn. He was born at Cefn-y-Coed, in the Parish of Llanfair-y-bryn, near Llandovery, in 1717. For the wealth of hymns he produced, Williams is sometimes pamphlets. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. He had intended to study medicine, but this changed in 1737-1738, when he was converted by the preaching of the evangelical Methodist revivalist Howell Harris in Talgarth. The Voice of Jesus. Many years later in 1749 Dorothy and her son William gave a portion of land and a cottage for the church to build a new Church building in the next door village of Pentre Ty gwyn. Welsh Methodism predates 1739 and can be traced back to the conversions of the two main leaders of the Welsh Methodists, Howell Harris and Daniel Rowland, in 1735. . There, he views the work of the God-man, not just for sinners in general, but for him! Win and conquer, never cease; Food and guidance are His daily provision until we reach Canaans side. [Rev. These are some of the popular topics this blog covers. Many photos courtesy of hymntime.org. William Williams, with his wonderful poetry and lyrical verses, also helped the Welsh language to remain strong, develop and grow. For sinners was arrayed. Read more. He had intended to study medicine, but this changed in 17371738, when he was converted by the preaching of the evangelical Methodist revivalist Howell Harris in Talgarth. . he began to associate with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, the group who It was an indigenous, parallel movement to its sister movement in England, and the Welsh Methodists were mainly Calvinists, who worked much more closely with George Whitefield than they did with John Wesley. If this was not enough he was also the writer of 8 books of poetical works and 13 books of prose. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. O, my soul within me yearneth Williams wrote original prose works and also translated others from English. One writer states, "He sang Wales into piety." Harris preached from a tombstone in a church cemetery, preaching to people as they left the church service. He He is a portion that gives the soul full satisfaction and content: Psa. Sway thy sceptre, Drink the pure eternal stream. Jesus, my Saviour is enough. Bristol: Printed by John Grabham, in Narrow-Wine Street, 1759. Along with Daniel Rowland and Howell Harris, he dominated Welsh religious thinking and attitudes for much of the 18th. Yet did not Paul speak of the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood? He was also an accomplished prose writer, producing numerous theological treatises and elegies on people such as Griffith Jones of Llandowror, a clergyman who was not a Methodist but who had definite sympathies with the movement - and whose circulating schools helped to create a literate Welsh people. I can easily endure. Golwg ar deyrnas Crist (A view J. C. Philpot praised Williams highly, declaring that in his sometimes stilted English hymns there is a force and originality breathing through his uncouth language, which shows that he knew and felt what he said, and that no mercenary motive or thirst for fame moved his pen.5 Martyn-Lloyd-Jones, who had the advantage over Philpot in being able to read Williams in the Welsh, called him the greatest hymn-writer of them all, combining the experimentalism of Charles Wesley with the theological profundity of Isaac Watts.6 His hymns, as has been noted, were, like the homely verses of Rhys Pritchard in an earlier age, designed to make the common people acquainted with theology, but also to raise a thirst after Christ in the hearts of the Lords people; to comfort them in their sorrows, and to rebuke their slothful ease. It is most likely that he started writing poems and hymns soon after his conversion, his school book belonging to him was found with one of his relatives containing some 800 verses, and it is clear that this material was used as a basis for the hymn books which were to follow, William must have been very busy as in September of 1744, an advertisement was displayed-, My fellow countrymen. He championed the social and spiritual vision and experiences he'd discovered and became one of Wales' most famous hymn writers. They loved the wonderful cadences of his verses, and many of the hymns are still sung today. The heat of pain and scorn, The God whose praises Williams sang was one who was present, living, in heaven, but still visiting his mourning people on earth. Most know it as Bread Of Heaven. William Williams ('Pantycelyn') was the great hymnwriter of the revival, composing almost a thousand hymns in both Welsh and English. As Rowlands assistant he travelled around the meetings of South Wales, he would often have to sort out difficulties and disputes between members etc, he was apparently a man of kindly and serene disposition and when he was called upon to sort out difficulties, he seemed able to put unresolved issues in the light of eternal truths in a way that made them trivial and even paltry in the eyes of the contending parties. The Welsh Methodist Hymnbook contains 238, The Welsh Congregational Hymnbook contains 138. I am weak, but thou art mighty; May 2019 It is also suggested that he used to sell tea on his travels and the money for this was also used to publish more books. And, when in sensible enjoyment of the presence of God, the believer could truly suffer all things for Christs sake, yet be content: Jesus the Saviour reigns His was no faith which is always on the mountaintop, and so unable to counsel those passing through the valley of humiliation, but rather one which longs to be found leaning on the strong shoulder of their Beloved as they come, weary, out of the wilderness of this world, confessing to Christ: In thy presence I am happy; William Williams and Welsh Calvinistic Methodism Paper by Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones for the 1968 Westminster Conference. Every moment of every day we have to contend with the world, the flesh and the devil. Added to this triumvirate of enemies, there is the reality that our circumstances often seem in opposition to Gods promises. Although Williams sweet hymns and the popular image of the poet bearing a seraphic countenance give the impression of a man whose close communion with God gave him angelic peace, this is far from the case. William Williams actually wrote over 900 hymns in either Welsh or English, the most famous being "Guide me O thou great Jehovah", which has been in the Top 10 of the Songs of Praise for years; was sung by the Welsh Regiments in the trenches in the First World War to keep their spirits up; is sung with great gusto before the Wales home rugby Passiontide. O have mercy This contains 51 hymns of which 11 are translated from his Welsh hymns. John Wesley's doctrine was more favourable to Arminianism than to Calvinism. His was no easy or intellectual religion, but it was given him to know experimentally the deep things of God. June 2020 DE4 5DD. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. William Williams, Pantycelyn[1] (c. 11 February 1717[2] 11 January 1791), also known as William Williams, Williams Pantycelyn, and Pantycelyn, is generally seen as Wales's premier hymnist. Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones says Certain literary authorities in Wales who are not Christians themselves are ready to grant that he is in their judgement the greatest of all the Welsh poets, he goes on to say that this is something of very real significance, because here you have such an outstanding natural poet now under the influence of the Holy Spirit writing these incomparable hymns. This sound went forth and was spread from parish to parish and from village to village. Numbers-in-the-bible With the friendship and influence of Harris and Rowland as well as preaching at these remote churches, William was also preaching in the open air and at other places outside the parish. He also printed many of his hymns on sheets of paper and sold them to the poorer believers in the societies as he visited around. Jesus, lead us with Thy power. November 2019 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" 2 Corinthians 4:5-6, Copyright 2016 Crich Baptist Church - All Rights Reserved, Christian Biographies Lives of the Faithful. He is seen as Wales's premier hymnist and a great literary figure. Did the sound of bird songs as he journeyed remind him of the heavenly choir mentioned in verse 5 who sing the praises of Christs atoning sacrifice? Far from thee, I faint and languish; Minister's Letter Phil Carradice is a broadcaster, writer and poet. Thou alone wilt hold with might: Poems and prose He wrote two long poems: 'Golwg ar Deyrnas Crist' in 1756 and 'Bywyd a Marwolaeth Theomemphus' in 1764. Williams was shut out of the Establishment at the start of his career, whilst the Wesleys had already been ordained. He goes on to describe Christs beauty as the Rose of Sharon the most beautiful of flowers and indeed heavens delight, Many hymns display this blend, one such lesser known hymn, translated into English by Robert Maynard Jones:-, Though two had wounds, there conquered One . William Williams Pantycelyn (1717-1791), Wales's most famous hymn writer, author of 'Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch', translated as 'Guide me, O thou great redeemer'. The season ticket booking form, with details of all the concerts Last week most of Wales enjoyed a taste of summer. All the fierce infernal throng; By the same token, it must have been deeply rewarding to see the community grow and thrive over the years and to reflect on the alternative life he had forsaken, as the priest of some obscure rural Anglican parish in mid-Wales. William was born in 1717 in Cefn-coed in the parish of Llanfair-ar-y-bryn, Carmarthenshire. Whose might is over all. An extension speaker is provided in the foyer, so that the service can still be heard if there is a need to use that facility. Many of his prose works and pamphlets complement his hymns, but he was aware of contemporary secular studies in English, and some of his books were written to educate the Welsh in their own tongue and for his own use in teaching them to read. This proved to be something of a dilemma Even though they had difficulties with the Anglican authorities they were all firm Anglicans. It is not known what effect all this arguing and controversy had on the young mind of William. Williams, in using such expressions, was guarding against the error which so far separates Christs divinity from his humanity as to imply that there were two persons in Christ, rather than a single divine person, the God-man, so that we may neatly divide the work and experience of the incarnate Word into two parts. (Groups meet during term time), Reformed & Evangelical - Teaching the Doctrines of Grace, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. The hymn book used by the Reformed Welsh Speaking Churches in Wales today titled Caneuon Ffydd translated as Hymns of the fellowship it contains 98 out of a total of 900. Grief and guilt which only Christ can bear: Be still, my soul, love and behold Turn, turn from your evil ways. Rhai hymnau a chaniadau duwiol (Some godly hymns and songs), 1759. This does seem rather strange bearing in mind his being brought up in a non-conformist family but it may be due to living through the various squabbles at his fathers Church and during the time he was away at college the church had split completely that may have been instrumental in making this decision. He was ordained a deacon of the Established Church in 1740, by Dr. Claget, Bishop of St. Davids, and for three years he served the Curacies of Llan-wrtyd and Llanddewi-Abergwesyn. William Williams actually wrote over 900 hymns in either Welsh or English, the most famous being Guide me O thou great Jehovah, which has been in the Top 10 of the Songs of Praise for years; was sung by the Welsh Regiments in the trenches in the First World War to keep their spirits up; is sung with great gusto before the Wales home rugby matches at the Millennium Stadium; and was even read out as a poem at the ordination of George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of William Williams Pantycelyn (115935435)? December 2019 Peace which never earth affords. April 2021 The Help of Jesus desired. https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Williams, Welsh Biography Online - Biography of William Williams. 16:5, 6, The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. William wrote with a degree of inspiration that has always characterised the work of the most gifted poets. As I said he wrote nearly 900 hymns mostly in Welsh and not surprisingly the ongoing influence and number of hymns still used does depends which side of the Severn Bridge you live. December 2021 His health during this time caused him many difficulties. But for now as Rowlands assistant, William had the responsibility of overseeing a large number of these Welsh Methodist Calvinistic societies across South Wales and over the next 48 years he wrote that he had travelled some 150,000 miles, preaching, teaching and leading these meetings. October 2020 It was essentially experimental or experiential religion and a way of life. He wrote two long poems. Llandovery: a story of stone throwing and three mighty Welsh evangelists - told by Rob Morse . As they were to sing these moving truths of Gods grace to sinners, hearts were set aflame and many traced their conversion to this time of refreshing. The Bible They lived with Williams mother in Pantycelyn which became the family home and is still today in the hands of one of his relatives. Rather than a comfortable, conformist career in the Anglican Church, he chose a financially precarious, but perhaps spiritually richer life as a Methodist preacher. Pantycelyn, like Bunyan, possessed a clear view of the Christian life as a pilgrimage through the wilderness of this world to the world to come, in which the Lord God must direct his people, as he led Israel through the wilderness below, a wilderness which is often a solitary way, so that the hearts of the Lords people faint within them, and they must cry out: Guide me, O thou great Jehovah! The family worshipped as Calvinists and their doctrine of pre-destination was something to stay with Williams all his life. There are many times when life seems hard and times when in weakness, the Christian calls on the mighty God to sustain him with His powerful hand. It was nevertheless seen as a threat to the Anglican establishment, and in 1743, when Williams duly applied for ordination as a priest, his application was refused because of his Methodist connection. Book Reviews At thy accents mild, melodious, History records that this was so. Christmas Evans, attending the bedside of Williams, anxious lest the poets depression should undermine his faith in his dying days, asked him whether he feared sinking, only for Williams to reply: Sink!