William Evans (divine) facts for kids
William Evans (who passed away around 1720) was a Welsh Presbyterian minister. This means he was a religious leader in the Presbyterian church, which is a type of Protestant Christianity.
About William Evans's Life
William Evans received his education at a special college in Ystradwalter. This college was led by a Reverend named Rees Prytherch, who was his teacher.
In 1688, William Evans became an ordained minister in a town called Pencader, near Carmarthen. To be "ordained" means he was officially recognized as a minister. He served as the pastor, or religious leader, for the church in Pencader for fifteen years.
In 1703, he moved to Carmarthen. There, he became the pastor of the Presbyterian church. He also started teaching students who wanted to become ministers themselves. He even welcomed these students into his own home to teach them.
Many people believe William Evans was the founder of what became known as the Welsh Academy. This is because he was the first to organize the education of future ministers in a more formal, college-like way.
William Evans received support from various sources. He got money from special funds in London and from wealthy people who supported his church. A famous theologian named Dr. Daniel Williams even left money in his will to help support Evans. This financial help continued for the ministers who came after him.
It is thought that William Evans retired from his work in 1718. He passed away two years later, in 1720.
What William Evans Wrote
William Evans was also a writer. He published several important works in the Welsh language.
In 1707, he published a book called The Principles of the Christian Religion. This book was based on a well-known Christian teaching guide called the Westminster Assembly's catechism. A catechism is a set of questions and answers used to teach religious beliefs.
Later, in 1714, he helped publish a book by his old teacher, Rees Prytherch. The book was called Gemmeu Doethineb, which means "Gems of Wisdom." William Evans wrote the introduction for this book.
In 1717, he wrote a long introduction for a book translated by his friend Iago ab Dewi. This book was a Welsh version of a catechism written by Matthew Henry.
Years after Evans's death, in 1757, another person named Abel Morgan published a new version of Evans's Principles of the Christian Religion. Abel Morgan changed it slightly to teach about adult baptism, which is a Christian practice where adults are baptized.
