DAVIES, BEN (1840-1930), Independent minister, popular preacher, and author;
b. at Dinas, Rhondda, 28 Sept. 1840. He was very young when he became a coal-miner, and his schooling had, accordingly, been neglected. However, he set to work to educate himself and became a member of Cymer church, Rhondda, where he started preaching. He was admitted to the Independent college at Bala in 1866, but in little less than a year received a call from the churches at Glandŵr Taf and Watford. In 1873 he moved to the Tabernacle at Treorchy, and from there, in 1885, to Trelech, where he was also in charge of Capel Iwan; it was as ‘Davies Trelech’ that he was known in the days of his popularity as a preacher. In 1902 he left Trelech to take charge of Ebenezer, Newcastle Emlyn, with Capel Iwan, but gave up the latter in 1918. He published in 1882 a volume of sermons, Gair y Cymod, and in course of time this was followed by three others — Y Bywyd Annherfynol, Pyrth Seion, and Y Gronyn Gwenith. He also published two volumes of miscellaneous writings — Cyfaill Ieuenctyd, 1903, and Y Pulpud a'r Seddau, 1909. He was chairman of the Union of Welsh Independents in 1904. He was an impressive preacher for his sermons were prepared with meticulous care and he spoke with authority. His books reveal a rich vein of practical wisdom and mother wit. He d. 27 Aug. 1930, a month before his ninetieth birthday.
Bibliography:
- Dyddiadur yr Annibynwyr, xxix, 188.
Author:
Rev. Thomas Eirug Davies, M.A., B.D. (1892-1951), Lampeter
