Transcriber's Note: The typesetting on this was poor, especially with respect to punctuation. Variations in spelling have been retained to preserve the original voices of the contributors.
THE
BAPTIST MAGAZINE.
JUNE, 1835.
MEMOIR OF MR. ISAAC WYKE,
LATE OF ABERGAVENNY.
Mr. Isaac Wyke, surgeon, late of Abergavenny, was born at Leominster, July 25th, 1770. His parents were pious members of the Baptist Church in that town, then under the pastoral care of the late Rev. Joshua Thomas. They, therefore, led him in early life to attend on the ministry of their worthy pastor, and trained him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Thus privileged, the importance of religion was often pressed on his attention, and its excellence presented to his view; and he was thereby preserved from many of the snares, the follies, and the sins into which young persons, less favourably circumstanced, are often hurried.
It was not, however, till his sixteenth year, that he appeared to be truly renewed by the grace of God. Then he manifestly became a new creature in Christ Jesus. With his whole heart he now devoted himself to the Lord, was baptized by Mr. Thomas, and received into the church. His subsequent disposition and conduct fully confirmed the sincerity of his profession, adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour, and greatly endeared him to his pastor and fellow-members. The lively zeal he manifested in the prosperity of the church, his increasing spirituality, and his active diligence in promoting its interests, soon induced his brethren to choose him to the office of deacon, in connexion with his pious father, who had been previously called by the church to that important office. Instead, however, of being unduly elevated with the honour of the post assigned him, his mind was solemnly impressed with a sense of its responsibility. With deep humility, therefore, faithfulness, and zeal, he applied himself to the discharge of its duties, to the full satisfaction of his brethren, and the manifest promotion of the peace and prosperity of the church, throughout the several years of his subsequent residence in Leominster.
In February, 1803, as directed by Divine Providence, he removed with his family to Abergavenny, where he spent the remainder of his life. Here a new sphere was presented to engage his active zeal. Many were his efforts to do good, nor were those efforts vain. In April, 1807, he and Mrs. W. (his now surviving widow), with three other persons, were formed into the first English Baptist Church, in Abergavenny; the Rev. M. Thomas, who had recently resigned his charge at Ryeford, being pastor, and Mr. Wyke, deacon—a feeble, but devoted band. His active zeal, pecuniary contributions, and strenuous efforts were put under cheerful requisition to foster this infant cause; and, through the blessing of heaven, sinners were successively converted, and the church was edified and increased. Mr. Wyke continued an honourable member and deacon of this church about twenty years.
In 1827, however, he and Mrs. Wyke, with several other members, withdrew from it; when they met for worship in a meeting-house which was kindly lent them in another part of the town. Soon afterwards, circumstances transpired that induced them to withdraw from this place also; and to commence, in Lion Street, the bold undertaking of erecting a new house for the worship of God. Mr. W. took the whole responsibility on himself; and in July, 1828, a neat, substantial, and commodious meeting-house, with suitable vestry and burial-ground, was completed. The Rev. Dr. Steadman, of Bradford, who had been intimately acquainted with Mr. Wyke from his earliest days, and the Rev. J. Edwards, now of Nottingham, a native of Abergavenny, preached at the opening; and on the following Lord's-day, a church of seventeen persons was organised, Mr. W. set apart to the office of deacon, and the Lord's Supper administered by Dr. Steadman. The property was invested in trust for the public; a mortgage of £200 only being left on it; and with the exception of this sum, the whole expense incurred was generously liquidated by Mr. Wyke. Long as our worthy friend retained any capability of effort, he laid himself out to promote this interest; and both the material building, and the spiritual house, here cemented in Christian love, present a striking monument of his liberality, and strenuous exertions to promote the cause of his God and Saviour.
His religion was evidently the effect of genuine principle; of principle the most salutary in its influence on his own mind, and therefore practically exemplified in all the lovely graces that beautify and adorn the Christian character. His religious sentiments were truly evangelical. Guided by heaven's bright lamp of inspired truth, he steered with the utmost caution the middle course, between the high daring of Antinomian presumption on the one hand, and the delusive quicksands of Arminian legality on the other. Christ to him was the Alpha and Omega. The doctrines of grace he contemplated, not with a mere speculative faith, or as so many propositions to constrain the cold assent of his understanding; but as the wonderful disclosure of the unutterable grace of God, giving life as well as light to the soul. The cross of Christ was his ever favourite theme; and when listening to discourses that strikingly portrayed the contrast of the moral wretchedness of man, and the unparalleled love of God his Saviour, the most intense interest was plainly pictured on his countenance; the delight that pervaded his bosom constrained him to look around on his fellow-worshippers with beaming eyes, that seemed to say to them, "See how he loved us!" while his whole soul was manifestly absorbed in wonder, love, and praise.
Actuated by such views and feelings, as well as by a warm desire to do good, he preached occasionally for many years; principally in destitute villages, where, but for his disinterested efforts, there would have been no vision to direct perishing sinners to the Saviour; but often also, with disinterested kindness for his own and other stated pastors, whenever his services were called for. The reputation of his character and the loveliness of his example, as well as his mental treasure of human and divine knowledge, secured him the most candid attention, and gave an interesting and edifying charm to his discourses. While he pointed to heaven, he also himself led the way.