Edward Jones (Maesyplwm)

EDWARD JONES (Maesyplwm) was born near the town of Denbigh, March 19, 1761. He had the misfortune to lose his father when about ten years old, and the far worse misfortune--to come in early youth under the influences of evil companionship. He was twenty-six years old before 93 be joined a Christian church, being one out of about fifteen members of the Calvinistic Methodist communion who were accustomed to hold their services in the parlour of a farmhouse. From that time he became a very useful worker. In spite of having received but few advantages of early education, he had used his native talent so wisely as to be able to add to the occupation of a farmer that of a village schoolmaster. He was more or less a verse-maker from his childhood, amusing his father with making verses when, a boy of six, he led the oxen at the plough. He died at Cilcain, near Mold, December 27, 1836. One of his carols was a great favourite of the famous Welsh preacher, Christmas Evans, who used at times to repeat portions of it in his sermons with most powerful effect. The hymn rendered below is one of his best;