R. B. Jones of Porth - or ‘R. B.' as he was popularly known - has at long last been honoured with a full-length biography. He is known chiefly, perhaps, as one of the main leaders of the Welsh Revival of 1904-5, but his life's work over 40 years, from 1893 to 1933, calls for more recognition than it has received in the past. And this well-written volume meets that need.

The contribution of R. B. (Rhys Bevan Jones, 1869-1933) was truly remarkable. He was, at one and the same time, a hard-working Baptist minister in his own home churches, a powerful preacher excercising a widespread, even worldwide, itenerant ministry, a prominent speaker at Keswick-style conventions, the instigator and editor of a Welsh-language evangelical magazine,as well as a forceful, fearless upholder of biblical truth in the modernist, liberal climate of the early twentieth century. Above all, as founder and Principal of the South Wales Bible Training Institute at Porth, Rhondda, he headed an institution that trained scores of students for Christian service both at home and abroad.

'Rhys Bevan's life as an uncompromising Baptist minister, evangelist, hymn writer and Bible college teacher spanned both the Welsh Revival and the onset of Darwinism. As well as telling the story of his life, the book delves in some detail into his doctrinal position and theological disputes with his fellow Baptists and with others. It will, therefore, appeal primarily to those who are fascinated by that era and by the birth pangs of the modern church. Over all, this is a portrait of a man who stood firm in his convictions, unmoved by plaudits and brickbats alike, and an insight into an interesting, and indeed turbulent, period in our history.'
Review from www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk  Sept. 09