The society included other notable Trinity students, George Bowen, William Gifford Palgrave and Edward Augustus Freeman, all of whom were friends of Jones.

[2] Of his friendships made at Oxford, the one that endured was that with William Thomson who was also a past student at Shrewsbury School at the same time as Jones.

[2] In 1874 Connop Thirlwall, the Bishop of St David's, resigned the see and Jones was appointed as his successor by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

[2] His selection is believed to have been influenced by his scholarly work, his proven history as a clerical administrator, his past association with the Diocese of St David's and his ability, although limited, to speak Welsh.

[2] Jones in his earlier life had shown an interest in St David's Cathedral, raising a fund while at Oxford University for the restoration of the rood screen.

[2] Jones was consecrated bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archibald Tait, at Westminster Abbey on 14 August 1874, and was enthroned at St David's on 15 September of the same year.

Jones took this opportunity to enact the college with a complete code of statutes (1879) instead of the few provisional rules which it previously held.