Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-01-01
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES.
The Cause OF God fu KnONville-The
workings OF our Churches.
,. VIlI.--THE WELSH CONGI
EIIITRClI

Thomas and John and Daniel Jones, came to
Knoxville on an inspection tour, and being
pleased with the place, concluded to make this
their future homo. They at once handed in
their letters of membership to the Second Pres
byterian Church. During the months of June
and July of the same year, their families, MS
well as other Welsh families, arrived here, all
following the example of the first, giving in
their letters of membership to the same church
but in the latter part of July, they formed
Welsh prayer meeting, which was held every
Sabbath evening, at , o'clock, in the Lecture
Room of that church. They continued thus to
worship as a Welsh Religious Society, yet with
their membership in the Presbyterian Church,
for about three years and half They were
treated by them with the utmost courtesy and
Christian henevclence, and those years are re-
membered by many some of the happiest Of
their lives.
About June, 1869, the idea to build a church
of their own was conceived by Mr.. Joseph
Richards and others, who Immediately went to
work in seeking assistance from the Chris
tian people in Knoxville in the way of contri-
buttons towards erecting the building, the lot
having been donated by Mr., G. NJ. McGhee
and the Knoxville Iron Company in McGhee's
addition to Knoxville, near the corner of
NcGhee and Atkin streets. AT that time money
matters we're very close, in fact times were hard,
yet Mr.. Richards says he never will forget the
kindness ofthe Knoxville people and their liber-
atty towards this enterprise. Every one that he
approached on the subject gave freely something
towards it, at the same time expressing regrets
that the money stringency prevented them from
making the donation ten times the amount
given. Mr. Joseph Richards worked with an
indetatigable zeal, experimenting the work
himself, and we are told, at times was forced to
deprive his family of many luxuries, having
used his funds in paying Oft the men who were
working on the church. The Welsh people of
Knoxville remember him with gratitude and
deservedly, too, as the man to whose pious zeal
they are chiefly indebted for their church. On
the Oath day of October the basement room of
their church was completed, and Divine wor-
ship was held there on that day. The members
then withdrew from the Presbyterian Church,
and formed q Welsh Congregational Church, on
liberal principles, and with free communion to
all denominations. They have some members
with them of four different Evangelical denomi-
nations. After the organization, the following
officers were elected Joseph Richards, John
Jones and Thomas Davis, Trustees and Dea-
cons; David Lewis, Secretary and William j.
Richards, Treas lrer.
About the 18th of February, 1870 Rev.
Thomas Thomas came direct from Wales to
this country, and having some friends among
the Welsh settlers in this city, he gave them
visit, and soon after his arrival here the church
made q call upon him to become their pastor.
He accepted the call and served the church
faithfully for nearly two years. During his
ministry about 80 members were added to the
church, by letter and otherwise The church
also lost one of its main props in the removal
of Mr.. Joseph Richards to Chattanooga. who
was followed there by about - of the Welsh
members. His place as q leading member and
moving spirit in the church was filled by Hon.
David Richards, who is also Jealous work.
in, ba VIII award Of fha Lord Aftpr tho
removal of Mr.. Joseph Richards and company
the following Deacons were elected to I'LL their
places: Evan D. Evans, Thomas Price and
Moses Jones, with Isaac Lewis as Secretary and
VIM. j. Richards as Treasurer Mr.. Thomas
Price has since left, but his place as Deacon has
not yet been filled.
In April, 1872, Rev. r. D. Thomas came to
this place from Pennsylvania, on avisit to some
of his friends, and on the following May, Rev.
Thomas Thomas having resigned the pastor
ship, he received call from the church, and on
September 8, 1872, tUok charge of the it and has
| labored zealously with the flock ever since,
There were only about AZ to so members left in
the church when Rev. r. d. Thomas became its
pastor but owing to his earnest and faithful abors
about % persons have been induced in the last
| two or three months to become members and
| have pledged themselves in the future to make
! Gods cause their cause.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Soon after the arrival of the Welsh Colony in
| this place and their connection with the Presby-
| terrain Church, as above stated, they organized
| Welsh class in the Sabbath school of that
church, with Mr., Joseph Richards as teacher
| They thus continued, having about &c scholars
until the completion of the basement room Of
| their church in North Knoxville, when they or
ganized Sabbath School there with member
ship of seventy at the first meeting. Rev. Isaac
Emory assisted in the organization of the school
| The first officers were Mr.. Joseph Richards
Superintendent David Lewis. Secretary, and
ohm Jones, Treasurer. They hold an election
| of officers every three months. All the Rich
ards have been leading men in the school a,
well rs the church. and are Jealous workers
with the young. Truly better field for useful
ness could not be opened unto them than Il
bring the little ones to Christ, and the reward o
all such men at the last day will be great
The school at present is in fourshing cOndi-
ton, having about I'D members, and we are
told is one of the most interesting little schools
in the State.
BAND OF HOPE.
This band was organized about one or tw,
months ago, with Rev. K. d. Thomas ms leader
The object is total abstinence from strong drinl
Of any kind, and from the use of snuff or to
bacco They now number about 80 young peo
Pile and or 10 grown. This is good NOV
ment, and can but result in glory to God TIL
use of strong drink is crying evil in our com
munity, and many of the damned souls in tn
pit of darkness can point back to the intoxi
eating cup as the chief cause Of hell biting thei
eternal abode. Only the other day we noticed
little boy, not more than ten or twelve year
old, staggering around on the street under tn
influence of this curse of mankind. We ar
glad that the Welsh Church is looking TO tn
lambs Of its flock in this respect, and is tram
ing them to live soberly before God and man
HOW THE WEEK IL SPENT.
| ~ D.. Il.