prized in their Churches. His first public discourse was preached in 1851, and he entered the college at Haverfordwest in 1853. There he remained for four years, and became proficient in mathematics, the classics and Hebrew. He wished to enter the foreign mission work, but was prevented by ill health. In 1857 he became associate pastor to Mr. Griffiths at Llan

dudno, and remained there for two years, when he took the same service for Dr. Pritchard at Llangollen. The Baptist College was established there in 1862, and these co-pastors were appointed co-tutors, Mr. Jones being classical tutor. Dr. Pritchard resigned his connection both with the Church and the College in 1866, and Mr. Jones became principal of the College, resigning his pastoral relation. Under his labors the institution attained great prosperity, but he overworked himself, and in 1877 was obliged to seek relief and health on the Continent, where he appeared to improve and returned to his post. In 1883 his health suddenly failed again, and on the 28th of May he was unexpect

HUGH JONES, D.D.

edly called to his reward above. He left a widow and eleven children to mourn their loss, and in about two years his children became full orphans, for their

grave with their father. In every reHis intellect was keen, his will strong, His pure character and quiet courage,

mother died and was buried in the same spect Dr. Jones was a man of rare mark. his heart large and his application close. his simple habits and genial manliness, endeared him to all who knew him, and he has left a deep impression on the Baptist interests of the principality. His thorough consecration to Christ and profound biblical scholarship are abundantly seen in his works, The Bible and its Interpretation,' and the Act of Baptism.'

6

These sketches of Welsh Baptists might be continued at great length, but a long list of illustrious names must be passed in silence, as well as all that relates to the influence of Welsh Baptists in other parts of Great Britain, for their laymen and ministers have filled the highest posts of influence and usefulness in all parts of the United Kingdom. The above are sufficient to show the strong elements which our

principles have developed in Welsh character. They bring out its vigor of intellect, its heroic courage, its high moral sentiment, its glow of holy feeling and its benevolent zeal. When we take into account the soft and liquid flow of the Welsh language, the patriotism of the Welsh people, their devotion to civil and religious liberty, and their enthusiastic religious emotion, we are not astonished at their success; nor can we wonder at the great molding influence which they have exerted upon Baptist Churches of the New World.

the

The statistics of the United Kingdom, including the Channel Islands, shows 2,713 churches, 315,939 members, with 1,893 pastors.

The Baptist Churches in Wales were never in a more prosperous condition than at the present time. They not only stand firmly by the truth, but year by year they are resisting that anomaly of the nineteenth century, the incubus of a State Church. Since the disestablishment and disendowment of the Irish Church the Welsh people feel more and more the galling yoke, and are attempting to shake it off with greater spirit. Recently, not only the Baptists, but the Independents and Calvinistic Methodists have arisen with almost one accord to resist the enforcement of tithes in behalf of the Established Church. The tithe-war' as it is called, broke out recently in the parish of Llanarmon, and distraint upon the goods of the farmers there has aroused the resistance of all Non-conformists. It is strange that this blot upon Christianity should have remained unwiped out so long, but this relic of barbarism must soon disappear in Wales. At this moment the auctioneer is selling confiscated property in all directions, and every fall of his hammer drives a new nail into the coffin of the politico-ecclesiastical State Church, but not before its time to fall. In 1868 compulsory church rates were abolished, 1880 the Burial Act was passed, relieving Dissenters from abominable annoyances in burying their dead, and it is not meet that the twentieth century should be disgraced by one vestige of Welsh oppression in this direction. It is strange that the Welsh have endured this yoke so long, and the sooner they rise in their strength and shake it off the better.

THE AMERICAN BAPTISTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE COLONIAL PERIOD. PILGRIMS AND PURITANS.

THE

HE passage of the Mayflower over the Atlantic was long and rough. Often before its bosom had been torn by keels seeking the golden fleece for kings, but now the kings themselves were on board this frail craft, bringing the golden fleece with them, and the old deep had all that she could do to bear this load of royalty safely over. Stern as she was, the men borne on her waves were sterner. More than a new empire was intrusted to her care, a new freedom. 'What ailed thee, O sea?' When this historic ship came to her moorings, not unlike the vessel tossed on Galilee, she was freighted with principles, convictions, institutions and laws. These should first govern a quarter of the globe here, and then go back to the Old World to effect its regeneration and shape its future. The Pilgrims knew not that the King of all men was so signally with them in the bark, and would send them forth as the fishers of Gennesaret were sent, on an errand of revolution. In intellect, conscience and true soul-greatness, these quiet founders of a new nation were highly gifted, so that song and story will send their names down to the end of time on the bead-roll of fame. The monarchs of the earth have already raised their crowns in reverence to their greatness, and they are canonized in the moral forces which impelled and followed them.

ones.

Imperial bombast in James I. had chuckled over this band of strong-souled He had peppered them soundly,' as he loved to boast, and harried them' out of his land in the bitterness of their grief; but when their sturdy feet pressed Plymouth Rock they had a conscience void of offense toward Holland, England and God. An invisible hand had guided the helm of the Mayflower to a rock from which, in a wintry storm, a group of simple-hearted heroes, with bare heads, could proclaim a Church without a bishop and a State without a king. Next to their adoration of the Lord of Hosts, their great religious thought at that moment was English Separatism. This thought had bearings in embryo upon the future births of time, in the genesis of such truths as only mature in the throes of ages. The founders of Plymouth were not Puritans, or Non-conformists, but Separatists, who had paid a great price for their freedom, and had come from an independent congregation in Leyden. Their great germinal idea was deep-seated, for their love of liberty had been nourished with the blood of a suffering brotherhood. They