The life of Christmas Evans is a story of grace. He was one of the most remarkable preachers Whales ever produced, attracting thousands when he preached. He was a man who was “spent” for Christ and His Gospel. When he was seeing thousands turn to Christ, he could have easily built an empire to himself and enjoyed the success of ministry. Rather, he chose to shepherd small congregations throughout his life and never received a salary above 17 pounds per year. God used him to bring life where there was death, be it to dead sinner or dead churches!
He was born to Johanna and Samuel Evans on Christmas day of 1766, and so they named him Christmas. His father died when Christmas was just 6 years old, forcing him to live on his uncle’s farm. His uncle, James Lewis, was a drunk and cruel man, depriving Christmas of even a basic education. He could neither read nor write and having no moral or religious training, Christmas was constantly in fights and nearly died on several occasions, once he was almost drowned and another time he was stabbed by a knife. It was during one of these brawls that he lost his right eye.
After turning 17, Christmas came to faith while working for a Presbyterian minister. As he grew in the Lord, he taught himself how to read and write and even began to minister from the Bible on occasions. By 1790, the Baptist had ordained Evans, sending him to preach all over Whales. During one of the outdoor revivals that were so popular among the Welsh, the crowd eagerly anticipated the arrival of two prominent preachers. One man suggested that while they wait, someone should warm up the already excited crowd. Another ministered suggested, “Why not ask the one-eyed lad from the North? I hear he preaches quite wonderfully.” Evans agreed and chose Colossians 1:21 to preach from.
What made Evans so powerful was not just his style of preaching, it was the heart he preached with! He would tell young ministers, “Preach the Gospel of the grace of God intelligently, affectionately, and without shame – all the contents of the great box, from predestination to glorification…let the preacher influence himself; let him reach his own heart, if he would reach the hearts of others; if he would have others feel, he must feel himself.”
He taught himself Greek and Hebrew and made it a point to meditate on the long journeys of where he would preach. “Always have a good book to read,” he encouraged, “instead of indulging in vain conversations…remember this, you cannot commit some loved sin in private, and perform the work of the ministry in public, with facility and acceptance.”
Evans was strong on personal holiness. He said, “The Gospel, as a glass, should be kept clean and clear in the pulpit that the hearers may see the glory of Christ and be changed to the same image.” He would quote Martin Luther, “reading, prayer and temptation are necessary to strengthen, and to purify the talents of a minister.” When writing to a young pastor and said, “Consider, in the first place, the great importance, to a preacher, a blameless life.”
Evans wrote two covenants with the Lord during his life. One on April 10, 1802, which consisted of 13 paragraphs each detailing his commitment to the Lord. He signed each paragraph “Amen. C.E.” The second covenant was made April 24, 1829. Here is a small sample of his devotion.
“Grant Thy blessing upon bitter things, to brighten and quicken me, more and more, and not to depress and make me more lifeless. Suffer me not to be trodden under the proud feet of members, or deacons, for the sake of Thy goodness. Help me to wait silently, and patiently upon Thee, for the fulfillment of these things, and not become enraged, angry and speak unadvisedly with my lips, like Moses, the servant of the Lord. Sustain my heart from sinking, to wait for fresh strength from Zion.”
God answered this prayer and did sustain his heart. He moved for the last time to pastor his final flock, a thirty member church in Caernarvon. They struggled with a serious debt that was a constant weight. Evans wrote in his journal: “I have been thinking of the great goodness of the Lord unto me, throughout my unworthy ministry; and now, in my old age, I see the work prospering wonderfully in my hand, so that there is reason to think that I am, in some degree, a blessing to the Church.”
After six years at this congregation, Evans decided to make one last preaching tour to raise much needed funds to pay off the church debt. He placed a notice in the Welsh Magazine, “This is my last sacrifice for the Redeemer’s cause.” And it was. God blessed the preaching journey and great crowds flocked to hear the old pastor. On July 15, he preached that morning and after finishing the evening sermon, he said in a quiet voice, “This is my last sermon.” On Friday, July 20, 1838, Christmas Evans passed from this life to eternity. His last words were, “Goodbye! Drive on!”
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