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                                 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 L200 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.

His profession of religion, extended as it was, to nearly half a
century, was remarkable for its uniform consistency and unfailing
constancy. As the disciple of Jesus, he was spiritual, humble, and
zealous. In his official capacity in the church, he was watchful,
diligent, and active; condescending, affectionate, and kind to the
poorest of the flock; loving to all his brethren, and much beloved by
them. In all the relations of life he sustained, whether as a husband,
parent, friend, or neighbour, the excellencies of his religion were
developed with more than common lustre; and secured to him a
well-deserved reputation, a most profound respect. That he had his
imperfections we readily admit; and if, as astronomers inform us, there
are dark spots even on the sun in the heavens, no wonder that feeble
creatures, dwelling in dust, should present some shades of infirmity.
But yet as the sun of nature, in spite of his spots, pours a constant
flood of refulgent light upon surrounding worlds, so our esteemed
friend, notwithstanding some manifest imperfections, presented to all
who enc