A Welshman was asked to give a specimen of Welsh preaching at an English gathering of ministers. The man said that John Elias was the best preacher in Wales at that time but considering the hearers did not understand Welsh there was no way he could do John Elias justice by translating it to their poor meagre language.
But he said I recently heared Christmas Evans preaching on the depravity of man by sin and of his recovery by the death of Jesus Christ, and at the insistence of the gathered ministers he endeavoured to convey part of the message Christmas Evans had spoken that time.
Suppose a large grave-yard, surrounded by a high wall, with only one entrance, which is by a large iron gate, which is fast bolted ; within these walls are thousands and tens of thousands of human beings, of all ages and of all classes, by one epidemic disease bending to the grave ; the grave yawns to receive them, and they must all die ; there, is no balm to relieve them, no physician there, they must perish.
This is the condition of man as a sinner, all, all have sinned, and the soul that sinneth it shall die. While man was in this deplorable state, Mercy, the darling attribute of Deity, came down and stood at the gate, looking at the scene, and wept over it, exclaiming, oh, that I might enter, I would bind up their wounds, I would relieve their sorrows,I would save their souls.
While Mercy stood weeping at the gate, an embassy of angels, commissioned from the court of Heaven to another world, passing over, paused at the sight and Heaven forgave that pause, and seeing Mercy standing there, they cried, Mercy.
Mercy, can you not enter? Can you look upon this scene and not pity? Can you pity and not relieve ? Mercy replied, I can see, and in her tears added, I can pity, but I cannot relieve. Why can you not enter? Oh, said Mercy, Justice has barred the gate against me, and I cannot, must not unbar it.
At this moment, Justice himself appeared, as it were to watch the gate. The angels inquired of him, why will you not let Mercy in ? Justice replied, my law is broken, and it must be honoured : die they, or Justice must.
At this, there appeared a form among the angelic band, like unto the Son of God, who, addressing himself to Justice, said, what are thy demands ? Justice replied, my terms are stern and rigid ; I must have sickness for their health, I must have ignominy for their honour, I must have death for life. Without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Justice, said the Son of God, I accept your terms ; on me be this wrong, and let Mercy enter. When, said Justice, will you perform this promise ? Jesus replied, four thousand years hence, upon the hill of Calvary, without the gates of Jerusalem, I will perform it in my own person.
The deed was prepared and signed in the presence of the Angels of God, Justice was satisfied, and Mercy entered, preaching salvation in the name of Jesus ; the deed was committed to the Patriarchs, by them to the Kings of Israel and the Prophets; by them it was preserved till Daniels seventy weeks were accomplished; then, at the appointed time, Justice appeared on the hill of Calvary, and Mercy presented to him the important deed.
Where,’ said Justice, ‘ is the Son of God ?’ Mercy answered, behold him at the bottom of the hill, bearing his own cross ; and then he departed and stood aloof, at the hour of trial. Jesus ascended the hill, while in his train followed his weeping church.
Justice immediately presented him the deed, saying, this is the day when this bond is to be executed. When he received it, did he tear it in pieces and give it to the winds of heaven? No, he nailed it to the cross, exclaiming, It is finished.
Justice called on holy fire to come down and consume the sacrifice. Holy fire descended, it swallowed his humanity, but when it touched his Deity it expired and there was darkness over the whole heavens : but ‘ Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men.
This, said the Welshman, is but a specimen of Christmas Evans.
A style reminiscent of John Bunyan which seems to have been popular at that time, a lot better in my opinion than the drivel you can hear about the place these days.
I believe they even called him the Welsh Bunyan. Before I came to France my home fellowship was Aenon Baptist at Tongwynlais, which Mr Evans apparently founded.
Mr Evans lost the eye in a brawl because he became a Christian so I have read. Easy to understand, I remember a couple of lads after my head when I became a Christian, the prince and power of the air does not like to let us go but he has no option.
