Day 38: Praying for Housing First, Merthyr Tydfil (1911)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 38 of 150 days of prayer.

• ‘Lord do not leave me alone. Do not stay far away from me, my God! My Lord you are the one who can save me, so come quickly to help me!’ (Psalm 38:21 and 22, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1911

The 21 January War Cry reported on ‘Merthyr’s old guard’:

‘When, about 50 years ago, the native of North or Mid Wales, tiring of simple farm life with its small recompense, sought adventure and quicker means of becoming rich, he used to migrate south; to “the works” as he called it. If asked for a more definite name for his destination, he would reply with one word: “Merthyr”.

‘But among a people who have strength of will and courage to do nobly, there will, of course, be found those in whose cases perversion of character shows itself in deeds of evil and Merthyr has none too clean a crimes list.’

Then, referring to the start of The Christian Mission in Merthyr 33 years earlier, the article continued:

‘Wm Jones is another trophy of those early days. Though scarcely able to read or write at that time, he has since developed into a poet of some repute. Of those early days he says:

We had no War Cry’s at that time.
But The Christian Magazine
And the people who read
Most quickly said,
‘Why, they never will give in.’

Nor were there shields or ‘S’s
And smart uniforms to put on,
No! Our clothes then worn,
Were very much torn,
For the best were all in pawn!

A week later, under the heading, ‘Pit to Gloryland’, the War Cry reported the death of Bandsman Tom Dare of Bargoed, ‘killed by fall of earth’: ‘Twenty-five years of age, Tom was working with his brother Corps Sergeant-Major Robert Dare when the accident occurred. Brother Tom Dare was not a brilliant speaker, but his testimonies were honest. When he was not making good spiritual headway, he would ask the prayers of his comrades.

Prayer

• Pray for the Housing First Project in Merthyr Tydfil.
• Pray for the staff as they endeavour to help those who have been referred to stay safe and secure in their own accommodation.