365 Quotations from Welsh Christians

Every knowledge in comparison of that of Christ, is but loss and dung; to know him is everlasting life. John Elias 1774-1841

Ministers seem often satisfied with having freedom to speak, and seeing many hearing them with attention and delight; but alas! without experiencing the effects of the power promised to attend the ministry of the gospel, the power necessary to produce a saving change in the sinner. The ministry neither alarms, terrifies nor disturbs ungodly persons who sit under it … John Elias 1774-1841

It is a great blessing to be enabled to remain in the Lord's house. A delightful morning, a glorious day will yet surely come. The dawn is to be seen over the hills in the faithful promises. Let us believe, expect, pray and labour. John Elias 1774-1841

Notwithstanding appearances let us not despair or be disheartened perhaps some of the good seed cast into the ground is not devoured up by the birds or scorched by the heat or choked by the thorns but may yet appear and bear fruit. God is ever living, almighty and infinitely merciful and he can of these stones raise up children unto Abraham and make a barren church a joyful mother of children. John Elias 1774-1841

And was it for my sin that Jesus suffered so, When moved by His all-powerful love He came to earth below? Thy holy law fulfilled, atonement now is made, And our great debt, too great for us, He now has fully paid. (from the original Welsh) John Elias 1774-184 1

The Spirit has been promised, to teach us all things respecting Christ. It is the anointing of the Holy One, that is, Jesus: he teacheth us the knowledge of all things as they are, enabling us to know God, ourselves, and the Mediator; he instructs us how to live godly, to acquire every virtue and excellency, to hate the evil and to flee from it, to die happy, and to attain eternal felicity. John Elias 1774-1841

O the wretchedness of the condition of those men who are without Christ! No tongue can ever tell, and no finite mind can ever fathom to eternity, the thousandth part of the misery of men without Christ! Bare, without a robe! Ill, with no physician! Hungry, having not the bread of life! Filthy, with no fountain! Guilty, with no righteousness! Lost, with no Saviour! Damned, with no Atonement, John Elias 1774-1841

We stand in need of ... fresh, powerful manifestations from heaven. We are, alas! accustomed to go on with the service of God in human strength; praying, hearing and preaching in that way! We are so lukewarm, without the light and the power of the Spirit! John Elias 1774-1841

Let us endeavour to act in everything for God's glory, not seeking our own interest in any respect or manner whatever. We should aim not only to appear before men as sincere in the Lord's work ... but we should also take care that our principles and motives are pure before God. John Elias 1774-1841

We neither feel nor see others experiencing his powerful operations! It is not often that unbelievers may, when they come to our congregations, cry out, ‘God is of a truth among you.’ And, alas! there is but little lamentation on that account! John Elias 1774-184 1