Dr David Saunders 1831 – 1892

David Saunders was born on the 20th May 1831, at Emlyn, on the banks of the River Teifi, on the borders of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, but in Cardiganshire, so the three counties have almost an equal right, to claim him as their own.

His father, a currier by trade, was no ordinary man. Tall, well-developed, and commanding in appearance, he was a good musician, and took a keen interest, in the political and social, and religions welfare of his country. His mother was one of those talented and inspired women, such women as Wales has never done justice to their memory- who take an active interest in the destiny of their country, and are sought after for their prudent counsel, sound judgment, and purity of life.
So were the mothers of the “three brothers” of Llanllyfni, of Henry Rees and “Gwilym Hiraethog;” Ab Fychan,” “leuan Gwynedd,” of  Dr Owen Thomas and Dr John Thomas, “Ceiriog”, “Dafydd Ionawr, “Iolo Morganwg,” &c They had faith in Christianity as the only elevating power to raise the world from sin; faith in the future of their own country and faith that they could infuse into their sons and daughters is such enthusiasm Is would make them  ready to lay down their lives for the truth and their fellow men.

Wales has been blessed with some wonderful mothers, women who took prominent parts in the theological controversies of the country fifty and sixty years ago, women who were the heart and soul of the Sunday Schools and the “seiat,” and who sheltered and comforted the old Welsh giant preachers who used to pilgrimage the land to preach the Gospel History is silent, about such women, but the force of their character is manifested in those of their children who have placed themselves wholly at the disposal of their country. It was no wonder, then, that, then name of David, the son of an industrious, intelligent, and pious poor couple, should become a household name throughout the length and breadth of the land.

Commencing to preach

When he left school he was apprenticed to a local carpenter, but his thirst for knowledge increased as he “grew and waxed strong in spirit.” He became an active Sunday School teacher, and was, very young, a choir leader, being one of the first, in Wales who took to training choirs in the musical revival, nearly 50 years ago. His parents gave him every encouragement, and when he commenced to preach he was placed under the care of the Rev, G. P. Evans, Swansea, and afterwards he went to the Normal College to the Rev. Dr. Evan Davies. In 1851 he entered Trevecca. College, where he made such progress that he was allowed to leave in about two years, and went to Glasgow University. He remained there, however, only one year, a severe attack of typhoid fever preventing him from continuing his studies, and obtaining a degree.

His first Church

Before actually recovering from the fever he received a call from the church at Penclawdd, Gower, to succeed the Rev. W. Williams (now of Argyle Street, Swansea) as minister. He entered on his ministration there in 1855, and soon after he took another important step. He was married to Miss Howell, the daughter of Mr. J. Howell, Pencoed, who for 40 years acted as secretary to the Glamorgan monthly meeting, and sister of Archdeacon Howell, and she proved to be everything that was wanted to him as a public man and a minister of the Church of Christ.

“Saunders, Aberdare”

Before he was in Penclawdd two years he received an unanimous call to take charge of the newly-formed Church at Bethania, Aberdare, and in the beginning of 1857 he removed thither. In the following summer he was ordained at the Cowbridge Association. During the five years he was Aberdare he worked and studied hard, and it was while there he made a name to himself, and became known throughout Wales as a preacher of the first rank. Of his preaching and his success at Aberdare the Rev. W. James, M.A., in the “Christian Standard” says:—

Leaving for Abercarn

Although successful and loved by everyone, Mr. Saunders, on account of Mrs Saunders’ health, was compelled to leave Liverpool. In 1868 he accepted the charge of Lady Llanover’s Church at Abercarn. Here again he was very successful, the church prospered under his charge, and the pastor was beloved by all. He did the connexion a great service by being instrumental in securing the church and its endowments for the denomination. But while at Abercarn a serious bereavement fell on the family, No sooner was Mrs Saunders convalescent than she had to nurse their dying children, and they had the melancholy experience of watching three of their offspring wither and die away one after the other. One died at Abercarn, the other two at Swansea: and only one son survives, the Rev J. M. Saunders. M.A., Penarth.

Trinity Street, Swansea

In about five years, in 1873, Mr Saunders accepted a pressing invitation from the Church of Trinity-Street, Swansea; and, although nineteen wars had elapsed since his first and successful effort, he was as popular as ever among his own people, and was held in high esteem by all classes, especially those who knew him the best. When it became known about the middle of last April that he was going to Birmingham to consult a specialist a few members of his Church went to his house the night, before his departure and presented him with £50, never dreaming that that would be the last opportunity they would have of showing their admiration of his many qualities.

He was ordered by his Birmingham physician to Leamington for a complete rest. The first week he was there he caught a severe cold, and was for weeks lying dangerously ill. How- over, he survived the attack, and about the end of June he was removed to Aberdare.

His relatives and his friends now thought that there was a decided change for the better, and the rev. gentleman took drives daily, and seemed to gain a little strength. Indeed, he was so improved that it was decided to lake him to his son’s home at Penarth about three weeks ago. But his old enemy was gradually destroying his strong-to all appearance—constitution, and, in spite of all medical skill and most, careful and tender nursing, he breathed his last in the 61st, year of his age.

The Preacher

Dr. Saunders was an accomplished musician, and was passionately fond of studying the mysteries of the sacred art. He was also a fluent and very forcible writer. He edited the “Gwladgarwr” for a considerable period when at Aberdare, and exhibited great ability, tact, and fairness in his treatment of all subjects; and his articles in the “Drysorfa” on “Baptism of Children” are among the best in the Welsh language.

But as a preacher Dr. Saunders will be remembered for many a generation and have a name in Welsh history. He possessed all that was essential for a popular preacher, a rich voice under perfect control, flow of language, earnestness, and a strong, cultivated mind, together with an impressive and commanding appearance. Besides being a theologian of the first rank, and our American cousins never did confer the D.D., on the more deserving divine, Dr. Saunders was also a philosopher and a close observer of Nature. He could treat every subject from all points, and was not afraid to face all discoveries that were made in the scientific world. Dr. Saunders used to see the “good” and the “beautiful” every- where, and thousands of times lie shouted out,” Here’s a beautiful idea, my friends” (“Dyma i chwi idea beauiful, fy mhobl.”) His style was of the highest type; his language and his illustrations were Always in unison with the glorious truths he preached. Being a good scholar, an extensive reader, an earnest believer, he was able to bring the latest phases of Christian truths before the masses with freshness and in a mode that, everyone could understand them.

There was something fascinating in his style arid delivery, and from the moment, he would stand up in the pulpit until he sat down every eye would be fixed upon him, listening with all their might. He spoke hard sometimes, no doubt, as is shown by the correspondence, that has lately passed between him and Mr Helm, but it was only, all evidence of his deep convictions in what he believed to be the right interpretation of God’s word. He believed himself what he preached, and that made him powerful in the pulpit, his influence to be felt throughout the land, and everybody to admire him as a man who had the courage to expound and defend what he thought was right.

The Funeral

The body had been conveyed the previous evening from the residence of the Rev. J. M. Saunders, M.A., at Penarth, and deposited on the table within the deacons’ pew in Bethania Chapel, in readiness for the funeral ceremony. A large number of people entered the chapel before the service, in order to have a last loving gaze upon the coffin of one who was so dearly beloved. The body was encased in a shell, and enclosed in a massive coffin of polished Welsh oak, with heavy furniture of brass, the breast- plate containing the simple inscription:—

The funeral service was held at 1.30 at Bethania Chapel, under the presidency of the Rev. W. James, the pastor. Long before the hour mentioned, however, the sacred building was crowded to excess, and many thousands had to turn away for want of room. So great was the crush that several of the appointed speakers failed to secure admission, and it was with no small difficulty that a passage was eventually made for the entrance of the principal mourners. Before the proceedings began the Rev. J. Morgan Jones, gave out several Welsh hymns, which were sung with much fervour by the assembled throng. Chief among the hymn-tunes sang was Lausanne on the words.

“Mae nghyfeillion adre n myned,”

The Rev. W. James, Aberdare, in opening the proceedings, feelingly thanked the large concourse of persons for attending that day to mourn over the grave of their departed Father in God. Dr. Saunders was to him a very reverend Father in God, in every sense of the word; and, on his (the speaker’s) behalf, on behalf of the church, and on behalf of the mourners and the relatives, he desired to thank them heartily for their presence. Among them were representative people from all parts of North Wales and if time permitted they would all be very pleased to hear a few remarks from each.

Addresses were also given by the Rev’s Thomas Levi, W. James, M.A., Manchester; and W. Williams Swansea. An overflow meeting was held at Calfaria Chapel.

The cortege was fully a mile long, and en route signs of deep mourning were manifested on all hands. Pretty nearly all shops in Aberdare were closed, and thousands of people lined the thoroughfares all the way from the town to the cemetery. The cemetery was reached soon after four o’clock.

The remains were reverently lowered into the grave by the deacons of Trinity Church, Swansea, after which the Rev. W. John, of Bridgend, engaged in a fervent prayer. An impressive address was delivered by the Rev. Griffith Ellis, M.A., of Bootle, and the solemn proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the resurrection hymn.

“O Bydd myrdd o rhyfeddodau Ar doriad boreu wawr,”

The refrain of which was sung over and over again by the vast throng that surrounded the vault. In the evening the Rev. Principal T. C. Edwards, M.A., D.D., Bala College, preached to a large congregation at Bethania Chapel; while a service was also held at Calfaria Chapel, where the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. R. Thomas (C.), Landore.