In the previous post I mentioned that Roy had informed me, "The Western Mail', 'South Wales Echo', 'South Wales Daily News', 'Merthyr Express', and the Welsh language newspaper 'Tarian Y Gweithwyr' printed accounts of the event."
I still haven't found these accounts, but I did find one from the Weekly Mail, on Page 1, 23rd September 1905.
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| Front page of the day the article is mentioned. |
The Weekly Mail circulated in the counties of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Brecknock, Radnor, Carmathen, Pembroke, Cardigan, Herefore, Gloucester and Worcester. The article in question is right there on the front page in the very center at the top.
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| Transcribed below |
MODERN MIRACLE AT MERTHYR.
REMARKABLE CURE OF A YOUNG WOMAN. An unusual occurrence has taken place at Penydarren, near Merthyr. A young lady, 24 years of age, named Annie Griffiths, living with her Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Griffiths, at 74, Brynhvfryd-stfeet, who had been laid up with an affection of the hip for some weeks, and who it was thought would not recover the use of her limbs without the aid of crutches, got up completely cured as the result, it is claimed of faith-healing. Two ministers, the Revs Mr. Owen, of Elim Baptist Chapel, and Mr Francis, Aberdu, Cardiganshire, prayed earnestly for her recovery on the Saturday evening, and shortly afterwards she got up, dressed her- self without assistance and came downstairs. The following day she took part in all the chapel services, and is evidently completely cured, for she can walk about the neighbour- hood, to the astonishment of the residents, without assistance and looks in better health than ever. She is a young lady of a religious turn of mind, and regards her recovery as having been brought about by the interference of the Divine Will, and says it was due entirely to her undoubted faith, which was strengthened owing to the reading in a pam- phlet of a similar recovery. Miss Griffiths, although deeply interested in the revival, did not take an unusually prominent part, but in the course of the year her interest in religious matters had become more intense, and her pastor had been much distressed at the fact that she was so very ill.There are still several original articles to discover, but at least I now have this. There are just a couple of other specific things I want to mention about the article.
1. It confirms my great grandmothers address at age 24, as 74 Brynhvfryd Street. I had this already from the previous article in part 1, but it is always good to have a second confirmation. It should make the 1901 census much easier to read and confirm, assuming they are still living at the same place.
2. It also mentions, 'the revival' which is a reference to the Welsh Revival in which many miracles were documented in both religious and none religious newspapers like the two I have shared. It made the news in Wales frequently for many reasons, not least of which that it led to whole mining communities being transformed rather suddenly, with pubs being empty while churches were filled. It is also claimed as the beginning of many pentecostal denominations. For my own family it is significant because one set of great grandparents were much changed by it, and another were converted and called to ministry by those changed during this time.
That's all for now, I'll keep searching for those other original articles.
