The First Consignment of Welsh Testaments
The story told in the Christian Observer for July, 1810, of the rejoicings at Bala on the arrival of the first consignment of Scriptures from the Bible Society, has often been retold, but has never, hitherto, been given its proper setting. As soon as the Welsh New Testament was bound in London, Thomas Smith was ordered to see that 500 copies were despatched to Mr. Charles with all speed. The order was executed in two lots of 250, and the first consignment reached Chester; but when the carrier went to load them—at Mr. Hugh Lloyd’s, the chemist—he found that the packing-cases had given way, and refused to become responsible for their contents until properly packed and protected. When he reached Bala, on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 18, 1806, he informed Mrs. Charles of the mishap to the packages, and that same evening the news of the Testaments being actually ready was in everybody’s mouth. By the Thursday week, the whole country was wild with excitement, and people began to pour into Bala from the neighboring villages and hill-slopes at an early hour. When the time came for the carrier to be at no great distance from the town, the people went out in crowds to meet him; the old mare, which had ever before been obliged to struggle with her load as best she could, was now relieved of it, and muscular farm-servants pushed themselves for the first into the shafts. Ropes were adjusted and manned and maidened, and the cart was literally swarmed on all sides; then the joyful procession proceeded toward the town, where they were hailed by crowds which blocked up the streets.—Life of the Rev. Thomas Charles.