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H. Elvet Lewis
H. Elvet Lewis (April 14, 1860 – December 10, 1953) was a Welsh preacher, hymn-writer, and poet whose ministry within the Congregational Church bridged pulpit preaching and literary devotion across seven decades. Born in Y Gangell, near Blaenycoed, Carmarthenshire, Wales, to James Lewis, a farm laborer, and Anna Davies, a shopkeeper, he was the eldest of twelve children in a humble family. With limited early schooling, he taught himself using his father’s Bible and chapel resources, later attending Newcastle Emlyn Grammar School at 14 and training for ministry at Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, where he was ordained in 1880. Lewis’s preaching career began at Buckley English Congregational Church in Flintshire (1880–1884), followed by pastorates at Fish Street in Hull (1884–1891), Park Chapel in Llanelli (1891–1898), Harecourt Chapel in London (1898–1904), and Tabernacle Chapel, King’s Cross (1904–1940), a Welsh-language congregation where he served until retirement. Known as the “boy-preacher” in his youth, his sermons—marked by revivalist zeal during the 1904–1914 Welsh Revival—called for spiritual awakening and hope, notably during wartime and the Depression. A prolific hymn-writer, he penned works like “Lord of Light, Whose Name Outshineth” and edited Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol (1895), while his poetry won National Eisteddfod crowns (1888, 1889, 1894). Married three times—to Mary Taylor in 1887 (seven children, died 1918), Elisabeth Lloyd in 1923 (died 1927), and Mary Davies in 1930—he passed away at age 93 in Penarth, Glamorgan, Wales.
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H. Elvet Lewis presents a devotional account of the Welsh Revival, focusing on personal impressions and incidents rather than a historical narrative. He emphasizes the need for balance in reflecting on the revival, cautioning against both overly optimistic views and overly critical perspectives. The preacher acknowledges the diverse sources contributing to the volume, including personal observations and narratives from friends and other publications. Lewis highlights the democratic nature of the movement, where the entire community served as instruments of the Spirit, with a particular emphasis on the miners due to their significant influence in the nation.
Preface
This volume is not meant to be a history of the Welsh Revival; it provides a series of personal impressions and incidents, and is devotional in its aim and compass. Where it skirts the edge of controversy, an attempt has been made to be judiciously fair, and to furnish data for general conclusions, rather than to thrust forward private opinions. It is possible to dwell too exclusively on the bright and delightful features of the revival, and find ease in the optimist’s bower. It is also possible to fix the eyes on its shortcomings and mistakes, and betray the opportunities it has provided. A local folly, a temporary delusion, should not be suffered to discount the national gain. While the book is mostly drawn from personal observation, a few of the incidents are from the direct narrative of friends. We would also express our obligation to a volume in the vernacular, “The Revival and the Revivalists” (“Y Diwygiad a’r Diwygwyr”), published at the Goleuad office, Dolgelly, and containing a large number of local narratives, mostly among the Calvinistic Methodists. As few names as possible of persons or places have been given, for the movement was predominantly democratic. The people as a whole were made the Spirit’s instrument. If we have spent most of our time among the miners - using the term in its broadest sense - it is simply because they form the majority of the nation, and affect the whole directly. H. Elvet Lewis September, 1906.
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H. Elvet Lewis (April 14, 1860 – December 10, 1953) was a Welsh preacher, hymn-writer, and poet whose ministry within the Congregational Church bridged pulpit preaching and literary devotion across seven decades. Born in Y Gangell, near Blaenycoed, Carmarthenshire, Wales, to James Lewis, a farm laborer, and Anna Davies, a shopkeeper, he was the eldest of twelve children in a humble family. With limited early schooling, he taught himself using his father’s Bible and chapel resources, later attending Newcastle Emlyn Grammar School at 14 and training for ministry at Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, where he was ordained in 1880. Lewis’s preaching career began at Buckley English Congregational Church in Flintshire (1880–1884), followed by pastorates at Fish Street in Hull (1884–1891), Park Chapel in Llanelli (1891–1898), Harecourt Chapel in London (1898–1904), and Tabernacle Chapel, King’s Cross (1904–1940), a Welsh-language congregation where he served until retirement. Known as the “boy-preacher” in his youth, his sermons—marked by revivalist zeal during the 1904–1914 Welsh Revival—called for spiritual awakening and hope, notably during wartime and the Depression. A prolific hymn-writer, he penned works like “Lord of Light, Whose Name Outshineth” and edited Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol (1895), while his poetry won National Eisteddfod crowns (1888, 1889, 1894). Married three times—to Mary Taylor in 1887 (seven children, died 1918), Elisabeth Lloyd in 1923 (died 1927), and Mary Davies in 1930—he passed away at age 93 in Penarth, Glamorgan, Wales.