From Griffith Jones [see note below] at Llandowror, Camarthenshire, to [William Seward]. Jones should not have delayed so long in responding to Seward’s kind and affectionate letter of January 17th, but he had to wait for more strength and freedom from the press of business to accede to Seward’s request for an account of the Welsh schools.
The first attempt to establish these schools was seven or eight years ago. There was no financial resource to support the venture other than what could be 'spared from other occasions, out of a small offertory by a poor country congregation at the blessed Sacrament, which being laid out first to erect one, and then within a little time afterward two Welsh schools, answered so well, that this gave encouragement to attempt setting up a few more, and divine providence brought in benefaction to support them. It pleased God to increase their success and number all along to this time, insomuch that this last winter and the present Spring the number of these schools has amounted to 730, several of them having two, and some, three masters, who are obliged to keep a methodical list of the names, places of abode, ages, quality, calling and condition in the world, disposition and manners, progress in learning etc, of all the men, women and children that are taught by them.' These statistics are very useful but are so voluminous that Jones cannot, without more leisure time to devote to it, be accurate in computing the number of scholars. However, his best calculation based on a cursory examination, is that since last September at least 2400 have been taught in the counties of Pembroke, Carmarthen, Brecon and Cardigan.
Very few of these people could say as much as the Lord’s Prayer when they first came to the schools, but within six or eight weeks, most could not only read but repeat by heart all the Church Catechism in their native Welsh language and make pretty good answers to questions concerning the 'necessary points of faith and practice in a system of divinity, which the masters are to instruct them in for some hours every day about the time of morning and evening prayer. It has given great admiration and surprise to some clergymen to hear them perform so well, when on certain times they have been examined publicly in their respective parish churches; tis visible that a great reformation from immoral heathenism and rude conversation is wrought in them and many others in the several neighbourhoods of these schools.' Many of these scholars now attend worship regularly and instruct their families in like fashion. This success has been most visible in those places to where the best and most zealous masters were sent. In such schools, people additional to the scholars have been attending for instruction during 'catechistical hours, of teaching psalmody and prayer, some of them receiving instruction with tears and other marks of very serious dispositions'.
Often, schools stay in the same place for only three or four months at a time. The poor cannot stay longer in one place away from their labour, but sometimes the schools return again the following year to perfect the work already done. It is reasoned that this is the most efficient way and also represents sufficient time for willing pupils to achieve their goals. Then the schools are moved elsewhere 'where they are most desired and likely to meet with the best success and whereas the benefits of hired servants, day labourers and married men and women as well as the youngest sort is intended by them, tis found necessary to give them the offer of these schools at such times or seasons of the year as they can best spare from the greatest stress of their several employments, which in almost all places here is between September and May. The inconveniences of the days being then shorter than summer is no disadvantage to the design; for they commonly used to be together for 5 or 6 hours in the night, and several labourers, that the pressing necessities of their poor families will not admit them to attend the schools by day, do in some places, constantly resort to them by night, as a considerable number of very poor (and lately very prophane) people did in our Welch city of St David’s...besides servants can easier and cheaper find labourers to serve in their room [place] while they are at school in the winter than they could do at any other season...' Where is there is demand and encouragement, some of the schools carry on for part of the summer as well.
In addition, thanks to Seward’s 'Honourable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge', they were able to procure at great expense since last summer 940 Welsh bibles, in addition to psalters and church catechisms, together with about 13,000 other books, although there remains a great demand. The books are for the use not just of the schools but also for people who learn to read from each other at home. This expense 'with the salaries of all the masters for teaching, and being also obliged to supply the urgent necessities of some of the scholars, to prevent the famishing of their bodies, while endeavours were used to save their souls, have increased the expense of this year to a very extraordinary pitch, but since it is the Lord’s work, and all the good that is done is his doing, there is no cause to distrust but he will incline the hearts of his faithfull servants to assist in an attempt which has perhaps the directest tendency to promote the gracious and dying design of the most dear Redeemer’s love...' Spiritual matters are discussed in detail, with specific regard to the importance of educating people, so that they can access God’s word. This forms the justification for teaching the poor to read, especially as the Gospel was in the first instance preached to the poor and from then, it was spread out over the world. It would be fitting for the 'restore the Gospel to its primitive force and lustre by the same method.' Spiritual matters are further discussed in detail.
Jones has been in a poor state of health for more than a year, so he cannot hope to be very actively involved in the work for more than a short period [ie before he dies]. However, [in the event of his death] Jones would be more than willing to carry the news to their 'fellow saints in the world above...of the fervent zeal of many in conjunction with your worthy Society to Promote Christian Knowledge ...'. Spiritual matters are further discussed in detail.
The schools are conducted with as little publicity as possible, as Jones thinks that opposition will be lessened by not broadcasting the word abroad. He understands that the Roman Catholics are very angry at the work and have moved to turn their own people against it, so that Jones has avoided approaching Catholics for financial help.
Further detailed reference is made to the lack of financial assistance in the locality, although Jones’ phraseology becomes very difficult to comprehend. Some contributions are made by people of lower social station according to their ability to pay.
Jones is grateful for Seward’s own assistance together with the support of the Society [to Promote Christian Knowledge] and that of the 'truly honoured ladies you recommended me to at Bath whose generous contributions I took freedom (without leave) to signify sometime since in a letter to Mr Newman, and the truly honoured Lady Cox sent an additional contribution lately...'
In a postscript, Jones mentioned that the last post has just brought a letter from Mr Newman with two sheets wripped from a Welsh treatise on prayer now at the press for use by the schools etc. 'My service waits of Mr Newman, and would be glad his clerk should transcribe a copy of this that you might please to send ye same to ye Honourable Lady Cox at Bath, who has been so good a benefactress to ye schools.' It is likely that Jones may have to visit Bath soon for the sake of his health, the lack of which has forced him to employ an amanuensis for the writing of this letter. Their very good friends Mrs Bevan [see note below] and Mr Dalton send their regards.