Part 1

[Transcriber's Notes: Irregularities in spelling have been maintained, as did the typesetters when setting the numerous correspondences.

The typesetting on this was poor, especially with respect to punctuation.

Due to the number of tables, this file would read better in a monospaced font.

Italics are designated with "_", small caps "=", bold "+".]

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.

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 encircled him the light of an eminent example of religion, in the unyielding integrity of its principles, and in all the amiable loveliness of its practice. Through the grace of God which was bestowed upon him, his path was truly as the shining light, which shineth more and more to the perfect day.

Here, however, he had no continuing city, and at length the time of his departure hence drew near. A paralytic stroke, in 1824, had admonished him of his approaching change. Though from that seizure he was soon, in part, mercifully recovered, and was still in a good degree active and useful; yet his mental powers then received a shock, in consequence of which they gradually became still more and more impaired; so that for the three or four last years of his life, his intellect resembled a magnificent structure, fallen and in ruins. As long, however, as any capability remained, he continued to attend the house of God with the liveliest interest; and for a long time was conveyed to it, when much enfeebled, in a Bath chair. He had the happiness of seeing the last of his children received into the church, on profession of repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The last time he ever attended on the public means of grace, was with much difficulty, in October, 1833, when his youngest son was baptized; and it was to him a most sacred season of unspeakable delight and joy. From this time he continued in a very feeble state, both of mind and body, though without much suffering; till Monday, 28th July last, when he was assailed with the illness, that quickly manifested itself to be the harbinger of death. The conflict, however, was short, for on the following Sabbath evening, Aug. 3rd, 1834, he was released, and his emancipated spirit took its soaring flight to his long desired and eternal rest. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." His remains were interred on the following Thursday, by the Rev. John Campbell, pastor of the church in Lion Street, who delivered an interesting, appropriate, and solemn address on the occasion. On the following Lord's-day, Aug. 10th, Mr. Williams of Ryeford preached his funeral discourse, from Isaiah lvii. 1, 2.

May all who read this memoir be followers of our deceased brother, as he was of Christ!

W. W. R.

THE CHRISTIAN ARMOUR.

THE GIRDLE.

_To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine._

=Amongst= other predictions of the Messiah's character and fitness for the offices which he had undertaken, we read, Isa. xi. 5, that "righteousness should be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins:" and the apostle reminds us that, if we would profit by the example of the Captain of our salvation, and the armour which he hath provided for us, we must have our loins girt about with truth. The girdle was used chiefly to strengthen the loins, but was also of great service in uniting the different parts of the armour compactly together. If a body be loaded with armour hanging loosely, many wounds may be inflicted, unless they are fastened together by the belt or girdle: so the Christian's graces may prove insufficient to preserve or fortify him, unless compacted by the girdle of sincerity.

As the apostle had directed the posture in which the Christian should maintain the fight, so he exhorts them to gird the loins, as the seat of bodily strength, which we are to understand spiritually, as "the loins of the mind," (1 Peter i. 13,) to be girt about with truth.

=Truth= may be considered as opposed to error, or to insincerity; and as characterizing man's creed, or his conduct. There is truth in doctrine, and truth in duty; truth in principle, and truth in practice; and the _Christian soldier_ is supposed to possess all these. We regard it here as synonymous with sincerity, and corresponding with the exhortation of Joshua to the chosen tribes: "Serve the Lord in _sincerity_ and _truth_;" and of the apostle to the Corinthians: "Keep the feast with the unleavened bread of _sincerity_ and _truth_." In like manner we are to enter on the conflict with our spiritual adversaries with the utmost integrity, otherwise the greatest advantages will prove utterly unavailable. Christian sincerity is too generally considered as nothing more than _good intention_, which may exist with great error in doctrine, and evil in practice; and has been found in the superstitious bigot, and the blood thirsty persecutor.

But the sincerity required in a good soldier of Jesus Christ, implies an _honest endeavour to understand the will of God; a prompt obedience to the word of command; and an entire devotion to the cause of truth and righteousness_.

Sincerity may consist with very defective views of divine truth; but it will not consist with allowed deviations from truth or duty. The wisdom that is from above is "without partiality and without hypocrisy." It is allowed, that Paul, before his conversion, "_verily thought_ that he _ought_ to do many things against the name of Jesus;" but it does not appear that he took pains to examine the claims of Christianity as he might have done; and, but for the abounding mercy of God through Christ, his ignorance and unbelief would have formed no cloak for his sin. It could not be for want of opportunity that he did not attend the ministry of Christ himself. Why did he not first search the Scriptures as the Bereans did, to see whether things were as the apostles affirmed them to be? Nathanael of Galilee was the subject of a popular prejudice when he said, with an air of indifference and distrust, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Yet he went to examine for himself; and when he saw, he believed with the heart, and confessed with the mouth, and obtained that honourable testimony that he was "an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile."

Nor is it less essential to sincerity that the soldier yield a prompt obedience to the word of command. No intelligence, nor skill in armour, will make up for the want of integrity manifested by the disobedient. Who does not see the insincerity of those Jews who, it is said, believed in Christ, but were afraid to confess Him? Or of that amiable youth who turned back from following Him, rather than part with his possessions? Or of him who would follow Christ, but must wait for the death of his father? Or those to whom He said, with a degree of severity not usual with the Saviour, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" but added, "Then are ye my disciples indeed, when ye do whatsoever I command you."

The sincerity of Paul, when converted, was evident to all, and remains as a model for every honest-hearted inquirer. Observe, how inquisitive! "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" What resolution to obey! "Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." And what perseverance! "What mean ye, to weep and break my heart? I am ready, not only to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus." This decision of character cleared his course, and brought other disciples to a better mind; for it is added, "When he would not be persuaded, they ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done!"

In the same interesting character we have exemplified that entire devotion of heart and life which demonstrated the sincerity of his profession, the purity of his motives, and the strength of his attachment to the Author and Finisher of his faith.

On no occasion did he discover the feebleness usually attendant upon a divided heart, or the selfish pride which, under the garb of zeal for God, so often seeks its own glory:--not like Jehu, who, it is admitted, exterminated the family of Ahab at the command of God, yet was actuated by a spirit of vain-glory; and as what he did was not to please God, so the ambitious cruelty from which he acted was avenged on his posterity:--not as the Jews, who, in keeping religious fasts and feasts, did it to themselves and not to God. The apostles could say, "Whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord." So that the one universal rule of action which gave simplicity to their aim and unity to their efforts, was, "Whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God."

From the important nature of this branch of armour, we may infer its extensive usefulness.

To compact together the various graces of the Spirit; and to strengthen the soul under great and long-continued conflicts. Thus the Lord strengthened David, and prepared him for conflict, Ps. xviii. 39: "Thou hast girded me with strength to the battle." Alluding to this, he expected preservation in the evil day, Ps. xxv. 21: "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me." In prophesying of the Messiah, he employs a similar expression, Ps. cxiii. 1: "The Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded himself."

The worth of this may be learned by the want of it. How many "faint in the day of adversity," showing that "their strength is small!" For want of this, Peter and Luke were carried away with dissimulation; and were recovered by means of a painful exposure, and public rebuke.

Through insincerity the children of Judah carrying bows turned back in the day of battle; and Demas forsook the apostles, and returned to the bosom of the world. Unhappy man! For a time he appeared to give up earth for the hope of heaven, then turned from the holy commandment for the sake of the world; and, for aught that appears, was finally cast away!

Contrast with these, others, fighting under the same banners, and who contended against similar foes, but were by nature equally insufficient of themselves; yet these were sincere, girded with truth. Behold Daniel and his three noble associates, who would neither relinquish, nor defer, nor even conceal their religion, but presented a firm crest to the insulting foe; and, having faith unfeigned, love without dissimulation, and a spirit without guile, no poisoned arrows could pierce them, no furious threatenings could divert them; and when they had passed through the furnace, "their clothes did not so much as smell of the fire." In like manner the apostles could say in the midst of much tribulation, "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and _godly sincerity_, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world." Let every Christian soldier have "_his loins girt about with truth_," and "_the feeble shall be as David, and David as an angel of God!_"

_Clapham._ J. E.

THE LATE CHRISTOPHER SMART.

_To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine._

=A writer= in the April Number of your Miscellany, influenced by the genius displayed in the verses of Mr. Smart therein quoted, requested to learn more of the history of the poet. If the following particulars are considered worthy of insertion, I will also offer for your future pages the biography of another literary character. The present narrative of the incidents in the life of Mr. Christopher Smart presents a great mind under the influence of a common but dangerous evil, and displays powerful arguments to call off the Christian from that pernicious habit which brought ruin on him. This will be seen in the sequel.

=Christopher Smart= was born at Shipbourne, in Kent, April 11, 1722. His father was possessed of almost £300 a year, from an estate in that neighbourhood. His mother was a Miss Gilpin, of the family of the celebrated reformer, Bernard Gilpin, by the father's side. His grandfather had been a prebendary of Durham, in the reign of Charles I., and was accounted by the puritan party as the proto-martyr in their cause, having been degraded and deprived of all his ecclesiastical preferments, fined £500, and imprisoned eleven years. When restored to liberty by the parliament, he appeared as a witness against Archbishop Laud: the libel for which he suffered was written in Latin verse, and was published in 1643.

The family estate at Shipbourne was, at the death of his father, sold at a considerable loss to pay his debts, and the widow and family were thus left destitute. His father was a man of liberal education, and probably communicated to his son a taste for literature; and to the same source may possibly be ascribed that train of pious reflections which appeared so conspicuous in many of his poetical pieces.

Smart was born earlier than the usual period of gestation, which might occasion a tenderness of constitution. His taste for poetry is said to have appeared when he was only four years old, in an extempore effusion which has not been preserved, but which is said to have indicated a relish for verse, and an ear for numbers. He was educated at Maidstone until he was eleven years old, at which time his father died, and his mother was induced to send him to Durham, where he might enjoy the advantages of a good school, change of air, and, what in his circumstances became desirable, the notice and protection of his father's relations.

Young Smart was cordially received at Raby Castle by Lord Barnard, and also obtained the friendship of the Hon. Mrs. Hope, and the more substantial patronage of the Duchess of Cleveland, who allowed him £40 a year until her death in 1742. It was probably owing to the liberality of Lord Barnard that, after he had acquired very considerable reputation at Durham School, he was sent to Cambridge in his seventeenth year, and admitted at Pembroke Hall October 30, 1739.

At college he was much more distinguished for his poetical effort and classical taste, than for an ambition to excel in the usual routine of academical studies, and soon became a favourite with such of his contemporaries as were gay and licentious. His imprudence involved him in difficulties; and his difficulties, not being quickly removed, induced an habitual neglect of pecuniary matters, which adhered to him throughout life. His pursuit of convivial enjoyments, and frequent excess, formed the chief blot in his character.

In 1743 he was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts: and July 3, 1745, was elected a fellow of Pembroke Hall. In 1747 he took the degree of Master of Arts, and became a candidate for the Seatonian prize, which was actually adjudged to him for five years, four of them in succession.[A] It is probable that he might have succeeded in the year that he failed, but his thoughts had been diverted from close attention by an important change in his situation.

[Footnote A: The subjects of these poems were: "The Eternity--the Immensity--the Omniscience--the Power--and the Goodness of the Supreme Being." They were severally published from the year 1750 to 1756.]

In 1753 he quitted college, on his marriage with Miss Ann Maria Carnan, the daughter, by a former husband, of Mary, wife of Mr. John Newbery, the bookseller, of St. Paul's Church-yard.

Smart's pleasing manners, and generally inoffensive conduct, procured him the friendship of Dr. Johnson, Garrick, Dr. James, Dr. Burney, and other literary men of eminence. The friendship of these scholars, and of Lord Delaval, to whom Smart had been private tutor, were of great use to him when in distress. Dr. Johnson manifested much sympathy for poor Smart, and in a time of need promptly lent him his aid. The notices of this feeling in Boswell's Life of Johnson are very interesting; but with all literary men our poet was not in harmony, for so much rancour was manifested between Smart and Sir John Hill, that the former began a work entitled _Hilliad_, and the latter was equally pugnacious in a periodical, entitled _Smartiad_. Smart was injured by this war of obloquy with one, whom to conquer was to exceed in the worst part of his character. Hill was a compiler of books and a hackneyed practitioner in the arts of that profession. He was beneath the notice of Smart. "The Hilliad," which is perhaps one of the most bitter satires ever published, would afford a very unfavourable opinion of our author's character, had it not been an attack on a man who had rendered himself ridiculous and contemptible by practising with unblushing effrontery every species of literary and medical quackery.