Welsh Journals

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W$t Christian Hiattftartr. Vol. No. 7. JANUARY, 1892. Price One Penny. PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF EVANGELIST HOWELL GWVNNE HOWELL. (By E. G. O., Neath.) fpipiHE subject of our sketch was born at Skewen, Neath. v#PV in the year 1864, and is the only surviving sou of (?JK Mr. John Howell, deacon of Zion Calvinistic Metho¬ dist Church, From childhood he attended tbe above place 0^ worship, and was brought up under the ministry of the truth. He seemed, when but a child, to have a great desire for preaching; for a delight of his was to try to imitate, in his simple way, those whom be had heard proclaiming the glad tidings ; and his mode of proceeding was to mount on a large disused wash¬ ing machine at the back of his home, and with a congregation consisting of a few young companions of his own age, he would commence by mutter¬ ing something which was intended for a hymn, and would then proceed to" preach in real earnest- -throwing up his arms, shouting at the top of his voice, and pretending to be in the " hwyl." His manner at this time of life was most amusing, and yet it seemed as if he were ministering unto the Lord in his childish way. It was very little thought then that he would in after years be found wholly devoted to God, and preaching^ the Gospel of our Lord with intense earnest¬ ness of soul. The Lord works in mysterious ways to; bring His purposes to'pass, and it is nowjevident unto us that He had marked him out from childhood to.be a mes¬ senger in making known the |wonders of redeeming love. He learned to read Welsh at an early age, and took a great interest in the Sabbath School, and made sueh rapid strides in attaining a knowledge of the Scriptures, that he soon found himself in the Bible Class. He also took a great delight in singing, and, possessing a powerful alto voice, he became a member of the Chapel Choral Society, and during the several years that he continued to be a member, took part in many competitive meetings. He com¬ menced his educational training at a British School, where he remained for several years, during which time he gained numerous valuable prizes for diligence in learning. At the age of twelve he entered Westfield Grammar School, and during his stay of five years, he made great progress in his studies, and succeeded in gaining the highest distinction for several years in various subjects, more particularly in math¬ ematics. At the expiration of his school days, he entered the Neath Abbey Iron Works, of which his father was part proprietor, io be educated as a mechanical engineer. Here he made very satisfactory progress in various departments, but feeling that he was now approaching manhood, and being his own master, going and coming and absenting himself from the works when he pleased, he had a great inclination to enjoy something of the world's so-called pleasure, and do as other young men did. He subsequently be¬ came very much at¬ tached to a company of gay young men, among which were some of his old school¬ mates, and accom¬ panied them to foot- ball and cricket matches, in which he took a prominent part, and also to ath¬ letic meetings and other such places. Having indulged in these bewitching pleasures for a few years, and having wasted much time and precious oppor¬ tunities for improving in his mechanical pur¬ suits, he grew uneasy of this course, and sought to lay hold of those pleasures which endure for ever. It is very remarkable that, during this season of his love for the world, he was a regular attendant at the Sunday School, and also at the Sun¬ day and week evening services, and took great pains in pre¬ paring the lesson for the Sunday School. He was tenderly at¬ tached to his teacher, and felt that he took a deep interest in his welfare, and the truths expounded in the lesson would pro¬ duce a deep impression upon his mind and heart that eventually, when nineteen years of age, he was brought by the Spirit, through Sunday School teaching, to see his true condition and his need of a Saviour. Whilst under deep conviction of sin, he tore himself away from his com¬ panions and was determined that neither they nor the