A Biographical Sketch of some of the Most Eminent Individuals which the Principality of Wales has produced since the ReformationWilliams, Robert
History
A Biographical Sketch of some of the Most Eminent Individuals which the Principality of Wales has produced since the Reformation
Williams, Robert
Wales -- Biography
_Doctor Gabriel Goodman_ was a native of Ruthin, distinguished for his
various learning, but especially eminent as a linguist and divine. He
was promoted by Queen Elizabeth to the deanery of Westminster; and, with
other distinguished characters, appointed an assistant in that great
work, a version of the Holy Scriptures. By his translation of his “First
Epistle to the Corinthians,” wholly performed by him as well as other
parts assigned him, he acquired great fame; yet he obtained no higher
preferment, dying dean of Westminster after forty years’ incumbency, in
the year 1601. His regard for learned men was great, as appears from his
having helped to support Camden in his travels, who, through the dean’s
interest, was made under master of Westminster School. His desire for
perpetuating learning was no less conspicuous in the free-school founded
in his native place, and his philanthropy still lives in an hospital
established for the aged poor.
_Howell Harris_, an eminent preacher, distinguished as the introducer of
Methodism into Wales, was born at Trevecca, in Brecknockshire, on January
23rd, 1713; and being designed for the church, was admitted a student of
St. Mary’s Hall, Oxford, in November, 1735. Here, however, he remained
only during one term, at the expiration of which, he quitted the
University, with the design of entering immediately on the duties of the
clerical profession. He had by this time, apparently, imbibed the tenets
and spirit of Whitfield, and determined to propagate the doctrine of
Methodism; with this view he applied for orders, but was refused. Having
commenced his ministerial career, he came to his native place, and
exerted himself with great zeal and earnestness. His style of preaching
was much the same as that practised by the ministers of his connection,
particularly among the Welsh, who have probably taken him for their
model; it was bold, declamatory, and animated, to a degree that might
often be denominated vociferation. At a period when religious freedom
was but imperfectly understood, even by those who deprecated persecution,
a man of Mr. Harris’s active zeal for proselytism, was not likely to pass
unobserved. He was in some instances prosecuted, but more frequently
persecuted: his undaunted resolution, however, triumphed over every
opposition, and rendered impotent every attempt to reduce him to silence.
He married in the year 1730, Anne, the daughter of John Williams, Esq.,
of Screene, by whom he had one daughter. In the year 1756, when some
apprehensions of an invasion were entertained, he made a voluntary offer
to furnish at his own expense, ten light-horsemen completely armed and
accoutred, which proposal was accepted. Three years afterward, A.D.
1759, Mr. Harris himself, embarked in a military character. He was first
appointed to an ensigncy in the county militia, and afterwards invested
with the command of a company, in which were enrolled many of his own
followers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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