Editing William Williams Pantycelyn (section)

==Literary figure==
[[File:Williams Pantycelyn Memorial Church, Llandovery (geograph 2032724) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Williams Pantycelyn Memorial Chapel, Llandovery|Williams Pantycelyn Memorial Chapel]] ([[Presbyterian Church of Wales]]), Llandovery]]
William Williams Pantycelyn was not merely an important figure in the religious life in Wales, he was also one of the most important influences on Welsh language culture, not just in his own lifetime, but on into the 19th and 20th centuries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=James |first=E. Wyn |date=2024 |title='The Social Significance of Methodist Revival Hymnody' |journal=Cylchgrawn Hanes (Journal of the Historical Society of the Presbyterian Church of Wales) |issue=48 |pages=44–66}}</ref> He is particularly known as a hymn writer and his ability earned him the accolade {{Lang|cy|y pêr ganiedydd}} ('The Sweet Songster'), echoing the description of King David as "the sweet psalmist of Israel" ({{Bibleverse|2 Samuel|23:1|KJV}}).

His literary output has been analysed in [[Saunders Lewis|Saunders Lewis's]] book ''Williams Pantycelyn'' (1927).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=James |first1=E. Wyn |title=Williams Pantycelyn |url=http://www.gwales.com/bibliographic/?isbn=9781783169627 |website=Gwales |publisher=[[Welsh Books Council]] |language=cy}}</ref>

===Hymns===
He wrote some of his work in English, but the great majority in his native Welsh. He published his first work in 1744: this was the first part of {{Lang|cy|Aleluia}}, a collection of hymns in Welsh. It was followed by further collections:
*1751: {{Lang|cy|Hosanna i Fab Dafydd}} (Hosannah to the Son of David). 
*1759: {{Lang|cy|Rhai hymnau a chaniadau duwiol}} (Some hymns and divine songs).
*1762: {{Lang|cy|Caniadau y rhai sydd ar y môr o wydr}} (The songs of those on the crystal sea).
*1763: {{Lang|cy|Ffarwel weledig, groesaw anweledig bethau}} (Farewell seen, and welcome unseen things).
*1771: ''Gloria in excelsis''.
*1772: ''[[O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness]]''
*1774: {{Lang|cy|Ychydig hymnau}} (A few hymns).
*1782: {{Lang|cy|Rhai hymnau newyddion}} (Some new hymns).

He also published two collections of English hymns:
*1759: ''Hosannah to the son of David''.
*1772: ''Gloria in excelsis''.

Undoubtedly his best known hymn is "{{Lang|cy|Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch|italic=no}}" (in English, "Lord, lead thou through the wilderness"). This was soon translated into English by [[Peter Williams (Welsh Methodist)|Peter Williams]]: "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" or "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer". It is usually sung to the tune ''[[Cwm Rhondda]]'' by [[John Hughes (1873–1932)|John Hughes]].

===Poetry===
His hymns were not his only major contribution to the success of Calvinistic Methodism. He wrote two long poems on [[theological]] and religious themes:
*1756: {{Lang|cy|Golwg ar deyrnas Crist}} (A view of Christ's kingdom). The history of salvation and God's grace in Christ. 
*1764: {{Lang|cy|Bywyd a marwolaeth Theomemphus}} (Life and death of Theomemphus). The religious experience of conversion and Christian living.

He also wrote a series of elegies in memory of various Methodist and other Christian leaders, including: [[Griffith Jones (Llanddowror)|Griffith Jones]] of [[Llanddowror]], Howel Davies (the [[Pembrokeshire]] preacher), [[George Whitefield]], and [[Daniel Rowland (preacher)|Daniel Rowland]].

===Prose works===
Williams wrote original prose works and also translated others from English. Most were intended to assist the members of the Methodist fellowships he established.

He wrote about the 1762 Revival:
*1762: {{Lang|cy|Llythyr Martha Philopur at y Parchedig Philo Evangelius eu hathro}} (Martha Philopur's letter to the Reverend Philo Evangelius her teacher), followed by:
*1763: {{Lang|cy|Atteb Philo-Evangelius i Martha Philopur}} (Philo-Evangelius's reply to Martha Philopur). 
These works were intended to defend and teach the significance of the 1762 revival at [[Llangeitho]]. 
The 1762 revival was a powerful one, which manifested its power physically. As a result, Methodists in Wales were often known as [[Methodist Jumpers|Jumpers]].

*1762 to 1779: {{Lang|cy|Pantheologia, Neu Hanes Holl Grefyddau'r Byd}} (Pantheologia, or a History of all the World's Religions).
*1767: {{Lang|cy|Crocodil Afon yr Aifft}} (Crocodile of the River of Egypt).
*1768: {{Lang|cy|Hanes Bywyd a Marwolaeth Tri Wyr o Sodom a'r Aifft}} (A history of the life and death of three men of Sodom and Egypt).
*1774: {{Lang|cy|Aurora Borealis: neu, Y Goleuni yn y Gogledd}} (Aurora Borealis: The Northern Lights).

He wrote practical guides for a Christian life:
*1777: {{Lang|cy|Doctor Nuptarum neu gyfarwyddwr priodas}} (Teacher of the Nuptials or the marriage guide), and:
*1777: {{Lang|cy|Drws y society profiad}} (A gateway to the experience meeting).
These were for the converts who were members of the {{Lang|cy|seiadau}} or societies.