Exploits of Morgan Jones, of Swansea

According to J. Davis in his book History of the Welsh Baptists, from the Year Sixty-three to the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy, “Morgan Jones...was one of the best of men, a good preacher, and was universally beloved by all that knew him; and more especially by the church at Swansea, of which he was pastor.” He recorded the following two stories about him.

At a certain time, being in debt to an individual, who was determined to put him into prison if he did not pay him that day, he was in great distress; having not the least idea whence could get the money. In this agony of mind, he withdrew to a secret place, to pour out his soul to God in prayer, that he might not bring a reproach on the gospel. While he was at prayer, a certain man called, and told the family, that Sylvanus Beavan wanted to see Morgan Jones immediately. Accordingly, he went to Beavan’s, who was a member of the society of Friends, (commonly called Quakers,) and a very respectable storekeeper, in the town of Swansea. “Well, friend Morgan,” said the Quaker, “friend Pycard, of Barnstable, requested me to pay thee a certain sum of money: here it is.”[i] It was enough to pay the man, and a little over. Pp. 105-106

Though Morgan Jones was naturally mild, meek, and easy in his manners; yet he was a man of very ready answer. He happened to call at a house, at Swansea, where there were two men disputing about religion. One of them was an Episcopalian; the other had lately embraced the sentiments of the Roman Catholics. “Well, my neighbor,” said the Episcopalian, “I never was so glad to see you in my life.” “What is the reason,” said M. Jones. “My friend here is turned Papist,” and he has the impudence to say, that the church of Rome is the true church, and that the church of England is a bastard.” “Ho!” said Jones, “I have no reason to say any thing—I don't belong to either of them.” “A good reason why,” said the Roman Catholic; “because you have nothing to say.” “O yes!” said Jones, “I have something to say. If the church of England is a bastard, the church of Rome must be a harlot.” Thus ended the debate. P. 106

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[i] Davis footnotes, “It was a present from Friend Pycard to M. Jones.”