Henry Thomas Edwards
Encyclopedia
Henry Thomas Edwards was a Welsh
preacher.
He was born at Llan-ym-Mawddwy, Merioneth, where his father was vicar
. He was educated at Westminster
and at Jesus College, Oxford
(B.A., 1860), and after teaching for two years at Llandovery
went to Llangollen
as his father's curate.
He became vicar of Aberdare
in 1866 and of Carnarvon
in 1869. Here he began his lifelong controversy with Nonconformity
, especially as represented by the Rev. Evan Jones
(Calvinistic Methodist) and Rev. E. Herber Evans (Congregationalist
). In 1870 he fought in vain for the principle of allround denominationalism in the national education system, and in the same year addressed a famous letter to Mr. Gladstone on The Church of the Cymry, pointing out that the success of Nonconformity in Wales was largely due to the withering effect of an alien episcopate. One immediate result of this was the appointment of the Welshman Joshua Hughes
(1807-1889) to the vacant see of St Asaph. Edwards became dean of Bangor
in 1876 and at once set about restoring the cathedral, and he promoted a clerical education society for supplying the diocese
with educated Welsh-speaking clergy. He was a popular preacher and an earnest patriot; his chief defect was a lack of appreciation of the theological attainments of Nonconformity, and a Welsh commentary on St. Matthew, which he had worked at for many years and published in two volumes in 1882, was severely handled by a Bangor Calvinistic Methodist minister. Edwards suffered from overwork and insomnia and a Mediterranean cruise in 1883 failed to restore his health; and he committed suicide
at Ruabon
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
preacher.
He was born at Llan-ym-Mawddwy, Merioneth, where his father was vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
. He was educated at Westminster
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and at Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
(B.A., 1860), and after teaching for two years at Llandovery
Llandovery
Llandovery is a market town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the River Tywi and the A40 road.The town is served by Llandovery railway station, where there is a park and ride to Llanelli and Shrewsbury via the Heart of Wales Line...
went to Llangollen
Llangollen
Llangollen is a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, situated on the River Dee and on the edge of the Berwyn mountains. It has a population of 3,412.-History:...
as his father's curate.
He became vicar of Aberdare
Aberdare
Aberdare is an industrial town in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Dare and Cynon. The population at the census was 31,705...
in 1866 and of Carnarvon
Carnarvon
Carnarvon and Caernarvon are older forms of the name of the town in North Wales currently known as Caernarfon. The older names, in place for centuries, were anglicised phonetic spellings; since the 1970s the Welsh spelling has been generally adopted...
in 1869. Here he began his lifelong controversy with Nonconformity
Nonconformism
Nonconformity is the refusal to "conform" to, or follow, the governance and usages of the Church of England by the Protestant Christians of England and Wales.- Origins and use:...
, especially as represented by the Rev. Evan Jones
Evan Jones
Evan Jones may refer to:*Evan John Jones , U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania*Evan Jones , American actor*Evan Jones , Canadian interactive producer...
(Calvinistic Methodist) and Rev. E. Herber Evans (Congregationalist
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
). In 1870 he fought in vain for the principle of allround denominationalism in the national education system, and in the same year addressed a famous letter to Mr. Gladstone on The Church of the Cymry, pointing out that the success of Nonconformity in Wales was largely due to the withering effect of an alien episcopate. One immediate result of this was the appointment of the Welshman Joshua Hughes
Joshua Hughes
Joshua Hughes was Bishop of St Asaph, an Anglican diocese in Wales, United Kingdom.Hughes was educated at Cardigan and Ystradmeurig grammar schools and at St David's College, Lampeter , where he was placed in the first class in the examinations every year and gained prizes for Latin and Welsh essays...
(1807-1889) to the vacant see of St Asaph. Edwards became dean of Bangor
Bangor, Wales
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
in 1876 and at once set about restoring the cathedral, and he promoted a clerical education society for supplying the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
with educated Welsh-speaking clergy. He was a popular preacher and an earnest patriot; his chief defect was a lack of appreciation of the theological attainments of Nonconformity, and a Welsh commentary on St. Matthew, which he had worked at for many years and published in two volumes in 1882, was severely handled by a Bangor Calvinistic Methodist minister. Edwards suffered from overwork and insomnia and a Mediterranean cruise in 1883 failed to restore his health; and he committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
at Ruabon
Ruabon
Ruabon is a village and community in the county borough of Wrexham in Wales.More than 80% of the population of 2,400 were born in Wales with 13.6% speaking Welsh....
.