THE
BAPTIST MAGAZINE.
JUNE, 1835.
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 inthat town, then under the pastoral care of the late Rev. Joshua Thomas.They, therefore, led him in early life to attend on the ministry oftheir worthy pastor, and trained him up in the nurture and admonition ofthe Lord. Thus privileged, the importance of religion was often pressedon his attention, and its excellence presented to his view; and he wasthereby preserved from many of the snares, the follies, and the sinsinto which young persons, less favourably circumstanced, are oftenhurried.
It was not, however, till his sixteenth year, that he appeared to betruly renewed by the grace of God. Then he manifestly became a newcreature in Christ Jesus. With his whole heart he now devoted himself tothe Lord, was baptized by Mr. Thomas, and received into the church. Hissubsequent disposition and conduct fully confirmed the sincerity of hisprofession, adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour, and greatlyendeared him to his pastor and fellow-members. The lively zeal hemanifested in the prosperity of the church, his increasing spirituality,and his active diligence in promoting its interests, soon induced hisbrethren to choose him to the office of deacon, in connexion with hispious father, who had been previously called by the church to thatimportant office. Instead, however, of being unduly elevated with thehonour of the post assigned him, his mind was solemnly impressed with asense of its responsibility. With deep humility, therefore,faithfulness, and zeal, he applied himself to the discharge of itsduties, to the full satisfaction of his brethren, and the manifestpromotion of the peace and prosperity of the church, throughout theseveral years of his subsequent residence in Leominster.
In February, 1803, as directed by Divine Providence, he removed with hisfamily to Abergavenny, where he spent the remainder of his life. Here anew sphere was presented to engage his active zeal. Many were hisefforts to do good, nor were those efforts vain. In April, 1807, he andMrs. W. (his now surviving widow), with three other persons, were formed[Pg 210]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 cheerfulrequisition to foster this infant cause; and, through the blessing ofheaven, sinners were successively converted, and the church was edifiedand increased. Mr. Wyke continued an honourable member and deacon ofthis church about twenty years.
In 1827, however, he and Mrs. Wyke, with several other members, withdrewfrom it; when they met for worship in a meeting-house which was kindlylent them in another part of the town. Soon afterwards, circumstancestranspired that induced them to withdraw from this place also; and tocommence, in Lion Street, the bold undertaking of erecting a new housefor 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.