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JlHlLFJ- ShrVICHS

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I" '"KLEBRATK

THE 60th ANNIVERSARY

<'I' TIIK MIXISTERIM. Work Or

Rev. Henry Wilkes, /).D..ll./j.

" M\i\) J0J3 bringing ])\5 sfjcabcs luiili in

Ml.

MONTREAL:
PRIXTKI) nv 1 HI, lirRI.AND-DKSlt.AkATS MTHOriRAPIII, ' ,.().

1^78.

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i. HI'- amuversuiy, the celebration of which thi^ jiaiuphk't simply iihokU,
is one in which few pastors or con^rej^ations arc aHowcd to shaio. 'I"o the
Church, of which Dr. Wilkes has so joii^ heen'an ornament and a defence,
it has naturally been an occasion of solemn and thankful rejoicing. That
it was regarded with sympathetic interest by other communions and by the
community at large is sulficiently evidenced by the recognition of the
venerable Doctor's services, as a pastor and a citi/en, which it has evoked
so generally from the Canadian jires.-.. These varied testimonials to his
worth and work it has hcen thought well to append in a condensed form.
Altogether apart from any personal references, the pamphlet, including the
sermon of Dr. Wilkes, has no slight value to the general reader as i)re-
senting, in a pleasant form, an important chapter in Canadian religious and
social history.

The likeness, recently taken, will be duly appreciated l)y the numerous
friends of Dr. Wilkes, and will serve as an interesting memorial of the
occasion.

NXiviiRSAKV si:rvi(^i-:s.

X Sunda}' niorni

^->»

tlic I nh October, 1878, Zimi

Church, Montreal, was filled b}' a ver\' larj^e and influen-
tial congrej^ation to assist and take part in the " Jubik-e
Service" of the late p.istor of the church, tiie Rev. flein-y
Wilkes, D.D., LL.D. The love aiui affection which the
cono-rci^ation bear for their a^^^ed pastor was exeni|)liried
in many ways. There were to be seen in all parts of the
church the snow-white locks of men and women, who
for over fortv^ \'ears hatl been cheered in their battle
with the world by the kind advice of Dr. Wilkes which
was always at their command. Beside them -^ it their
children and their ^grandchildren ; all there to cio honour
to (jod's servant. His love and anxiety lor the welfare
of his flock, and especially of the youni;-, were proverbial.
None went to him in trouble that did not come awa\'
calm, and with renewetl strength to face their difficulties.
The church was richly and handsomel)' decorated for the
occasion. Runnini^ aloni; the origan gallery was a wreath
of choice tlowers intertwined with the delicate maiden

hair fern and smilax, while four vases filled with lilies,
roses, etc., were placed on the gallery in front of the choir.
In the recess in rear of the pulpit was a beautiful scroll,
with the appropriate motto, " IVit/i joy, bringing his
sheaves with him,'' in red letters on a white ground. The
pulpit, reading-desk, etc., were also decorated with lilies,
roses, fuchias, ferns, smilax and cedar, the whole forming
a chaste and pleasing appearance, and an affectionate
tribute of love to their revered honorary pastor.

At eleven o'clock the Rev. Dr. Wilkes entered the
Church accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Bray, the present
pastor, and Rev. Mr. Forster, of Talvary Church.

The Rev. Mr. Forster opened the service by announc-
ing the 644th hymn —

" God my support and hope,
My help for ever near,
Thine arm of mercy held me up
When sinking in despair."

After prayer by Mr. Forster, the 832nd hymn was sung —

** His work my hoary age shall bless.
When youthful vigor is no more ;
And my last hour of life confess
His dying love, His saving power."

The 103rd Psalm was impressively read by Mr. Forster,
and after the singing of the Anthem, Te Deicm Lan-
damus, the Rev. Mr. Bray engaged in prayer, drawing a
picture of our fast disappearing summer and the coming

winter with its whiteness, adapting it to the occasion of
the aged pastor, whose summer was on the wane, but
who in the natural course of events would live in eternal
sunshine, for he had earned well the reward of long and
profitable labour among his fellow-men.

The 477th hymn was next sung, the different parts of
the excellent choir blending together in an effective ex-
position of the beautiful words —

" I give immortal prnisc
'I'o God the Father's love,
For all my comforts here,
And better hopes above."

The Organist, Dr. Maclagan, then played a most ap-
propriate and brilliant voluntary, after which Dr. Wilkes
proceeded to preach the following sermon.

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preaching ministry was more continuous than I should l)e dis-
posed to ])ermit to one of my students of the present day. A
fortnight after the first sermon, tliere were two prea':lied at Kil-
marnock ; the next fortnight, twice at l.rirkhali : the following
Sunday, at Camhuslang ; a month afterwards, twice at Hamilton ;
in January, twice at Hellensburgh : a fortnight after, twice at
(ireenock ; then follow, i)rior to the 17th May, the names of
Alloa, Ayr and Dunfermline as places 0(' ministry tor a day.
Several of these places were supi)lied more than once. The
midsummer of 1829 was sjjent in Ireland, in comi)any with an
Irish Deacon, of one of your churches in Scotland, who was in
the habit of taking with him every year a })reacher to minister
amor.g the ])eoi)le of his nalixe land. Sunday and during the
week he made arrangements, and I jireached at Ik'lfast, then at
Tx)n(londerr\'. and then in !iamlets. or in the oi^en fieMs around
the last mentioned city. It was a most encouraging service.

It wouid he of little interest to vou were I further to recount
the details of this form of ministerial work during the years
1830 and 7 8^^ I. the summers of both of which years were spent
in Kngland. and thai of the last of them iti efforts for the good
of Canada. The resuhs of those efforts were the obtaining the
services of the late Rex. Richard Miles, who formed this church,
and was the hrsl |)astor: and also ac(|uiring the ruicleus of our
jjresent College Library. The precise scheme for the training
of godly young men of promise ff)r the Christian Ministry, which
was then devised and partly executed, ultimately fell through,
but the books remain, and the memory of the kindness and co-
operation of such men as Dr. |. Pye Smyth and others, then in
prominent positions and active service, still lives. In connec-
tion with the Educational plans just noted were others of an
evangelistic and missionary character to be conducted on a

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( ;uh()li( l);isis. and these coinbined led to ni\ s|)en(liiig the sum
inerof i8^^2 in Canada in active ministerial work. I'rior to leaving
Glasgow for this ])ort in the good brig "Favorite," ('aj)t. James
Allan. I was solenmly set ajjart and ordained to the .\[inistry
with a])i)roi)riate services in Dr. \\'ardslaw\ Church. West
(ieorge Street. 'Hie Sundays ot' a voyage of five weeks were
cheered and im])'-oved by Divine Service on the (le<k. there
being upwards of too souls on board, Caj)tain Allan always co-
operating most heartily. One of my hearers on those Sundays,
then a young immigrant, told me iKJt two months since that he
had seldom seen me since, but that he remembered well the
services on board the " Favorite." .After a short stay in this
city, the mission I had undertaken called me Westward and
kept me busily employed during the summer, lei turing. preat h
ing and holding public meetings. Meanwhile the dire (hsease,
the cholera, swept awav nearlv one tenth of the inhabitants of
this city. On my return old friends were missed, while sadness
and sorrow dwelt among survivors. Many years afterwards. 1
was informed by a Christian minister that one of these discourses
by the wav had greatly awakened him as a youth, and led hin»
to seek and find a Saviour. Arrangemejits were made for my
entrance during tlie following summer on a stated ministry at
York, now 'Foronto. where, instead of at Montreal, there was
every probability that my life work would be carried on. Had
it been so, how different a narrative of ex])erience and effort
would have resulted: Much tf) my own disappointment at the
time, the scheme fell through ; and 1 i)ecame convinced thai
we must have systematic British help in order to ensure success
in the introduction lo Canada of Congregational churches and
itistitutions.

(

the time and place had such advoeary as T was able to give
tiiem. Wc are not to forget that our Divine Master went about
doing good. He li' ' for it.

On the next pcru of three years as pastor in Hchnhurgh.
Scothind. I must n.)t (hvcll. It was a great enjoyment, and
was most graciously Messed. 1 found in fellowshijj 140
members and left the lunnber 240. My Bible Class was
attended by a number of intelligent young pec^ple who were
wont to write brief essays on Hiblical subjects to submit
to iiiv criticism. That class contained two men who have
since sj^ent their active lifi' as missionaries in China, and are
now. in old age, retired from a( tive servi( e. 'i'wo others, one
of whom has done the same in India, and the other now occupies
a prominent |)osition as i)astor in Kngland. During this period
the voluntary controversy raged, to which 1 was called to con-
tribute my quota of information and argument ; was editor for
two of the three 3'ears of the DciKuii'niational Magazine, coming
into pleasant relations with certain friends, called Quakers, in
Kngland, who were outspoken in a ( ontlict for the Kvangelical
faith. That ministry in Kdinburgh was most i)Ieasant and
cheering, involving happy relations with men of a high type of
character and culture, most of whom have passed away. Two
dear friends remain. Rev. George Cullen, M.A., and Rev. Dr.
William Lindsay Alexander, — both well stricken in years. The
attention of the Congregational Churches of England having
been turned towards Canada by the visit to the United States
and these provinces of Revs. Drs. Reed and Matheson in 1834,
corres))ondence was opened with me during 1835, involving a
visit to London to meet the directors of the London Missionary
Society on the policy required by the exigencies of the Canadian
field. It was at length found incompatible with the great work

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t'Vt'iiin^i (VotiiK-iuIy filled the little building, for at the time
evening services in the ehiir<du's wns not the rule, and members
of tlie K])iseo|)alian and IVesbvterian congregations t're(|uented
my evening ministry. French Canadian \oung men .ntended
that siTvi< I' protessedlv to improve their knowjcdgf of the
I'aiglish language. I he steady growth nf the « ongregation in-
diH cd the ('hunh to occuj>y. for the .Sunday .S( jiooj and week
night ser\ i< es. the entire basement, to erei t a \estry tor a re
tiring room tor the minister and for n Bible ('lass, and ilun to
ere< t galleries, therein' increasing the ar( ommodation. huring
this latter process we united in services with our friends ot" the
.American Presbyterian Chun'h. and their then pastor. Rev.
Caleb Strong. With that Churc h wc have always had the most
friendly relations, as also w ith th;)t so long under the care of
the late Rev. Dr. I'aylor. Indeed we have had much kindlv,
fraternal intercourse with most of the IVotestnnt churches whose
arrangements permitted su<h fellowship. We have loved and
desired to promote a true Christian Catholicity. As we j)r()s-
pered we |)aid off our indebtedness, both the original and that
arising from imjirovements and enlargements, rejoicing in free-
dom from that burden, and celebrating the event in a sermon
on the text. " Some trust in (diariots, and some in horses, but
we w^ill remember the name of the Lord our God."

The ])rogress alluded to and the need of another congreg.itiou
with its minister to assist in the general work of the denomination
led to the formation of a second church under the care of Re\ . (
I. Carruthers. now, and for the last 30 years, of Portland, Maine
They met for a time in a hall and then erected a church build
ing. This last was too expensive a movement for their number
and means, and ultimately crushed the once hopefulVause. 'I'he
introduction also of the Free Church of Scotland movement on
2

the visit of the late Dr. Burns, and their (choice of an eastern
position in the city, naturally, though innocently, interfered with
the progress nnd success of the second Church enterprize. It
sliouid not be lost sight of, however, that the two pastors trained
for the ('hristian ministry a few young men who iiave proved
themselves workmen who need not to he ashamed, several of
whom sprang out of that Church during its active existence. 'I'he
small Theological School which they founded was afterwards
united with that already existing at 1 oronto, and which is now
in this city as the (Congregational College of U. X. A. 'I'he
disruption in Scotland led several families, who deeply sym})a-
thised with it, to attend my ministry for a time, and to seek
communion with the Churcli until they saw what they could do
in our city to promote an object dear to them. Their tempor-
ary union with us was very pleasant, and they left with our best
wishes for their prosperity in the work of the Lord. They have
mostly passed away, but my intercourse with them always was,
and is with the survivors, most fraternal. Towards the close of
our occupancy of the building in St. Maurice Street, there was
made a very vigorous and persistent effort by means of tracts
and j)rinted sheets circulated in offices, warehouses and other
places, especially among young men, to shake their confidence
in the great facts of the Trinity, our Lord's divinity, the person-
ality and divinity of the Holy Spirit, human depravity, our
Lord's atonement and others which the Church generally regards
as of a fundamental nature. Believing it the dutv of some one,
and why not myself? to meet this outburst of zeal on the side
of error. I announced a series of discourses on the subjects in
view of the Arian and Socinian controversies. The building,
seating about 500. was packed for nine successive Sabbath
c\enings witli attentive hsteneis, an.ong whom, b:* it said to their

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• rcdii. were inaii\ who fiivurcd the neijalive tlieology. I shall
ever bless God for tlie result. Many waverers were assured ; and
there followed the turning to the Lord of not a few who had heen
halting between two opinions. 1 am not favorable to rushing
at all times into controversy, for it often distracts the mind with-
out any corresipnding benefit. Hut there are occasions when
it is our duty to stand for the defence of the (losi)el, and 1 have
e\er thought that this was one of them. During all this j)er()d
1 was Secretary to our Auxiliary Bible vSociety. and from 1839
an active j)r()moter and officer of the French Canadian Mission-
ary Societx'. It \\;ts mv custom to make an annual visit to our
newly-planted churches in the Eastern 'Jownshi])s. Aud al^o
north-west of the city. As I drove my own sleigh and went
alone. I had some rough exjierience amid our severe winter
storms.

During several weeks of one summer I was engaged, at the
instance of the .Mission, in visiting Nova Scotia and New Bruns-
wick ; looking after our lonely churches there, and ma king arrange-
ments for ihe occupancNof new fields. At St. (ohn I preached in
churches of several (huiomipations. and was received with remark-
able kindness by, in some instances, crowded congregations. It
should also be noted as a feature of the times amongst us. thai
the Mercantile Library .Association and the Mechanics' institute
came into existence, the first mentioned largel) through the
energy of the late Hon. John Voung. Lectures then began to be
desired : and I i)repared and delivered free r)f any < harge fjuitc
<i number on (.'ommerce. and on the elements of Mental and
.Moral Science. These were delivered in pu[)li( hall^ : and 1
remember one occasion when the Earl of Elgin and his suite
were on the |)latform, and after my lecture on '* Freedom of
Mind." that nobleman, then (lo\ernor-( leneral. deli\ered an

clo(|ucnt address to the Association. Al>out these days the
(|uestion of our Colleges came up for adjustment, and we held
public meetings in advocacy of a liberal, non-denominational
policy in their management. An amended charter was obtained
for McCiill securing this end. and the University of 'I'oronto was
|)laced on a similar basis. Our annual meetings of Bible, 'J'ract,
and Sunday School Societies were wont to be held at different
jjeriods of the year as their committees might determine. It fell
to my lot to suggest an anniversary week, which has been the
course for nearly all the years since the erection of the large
Methodist Church on St. fames Street. Our Orphan Asylum,
Ladies' Benevtjlent Society, and other charities demanded and
obtained such heljj as one could afford in the advocacy of their
claims. 'I'he late Dr. Bethune, Mr. Esson and myself, with a
number of lay gentlemen, inaugurated the High School, the
clerical jjortion of the originators retiring from a prominent
position from motives of expediency having relation to the wel-
fare of the institution. Several ladies' educational institutions
which have jiroved a great blessing to our city have received
such attention and help as it was possible to afford them.
Quite a large portion of the successive pupils in two of them
attended my ministry regularly, constituting a very intelligent
part of my audience. Students in the School of Medicine and
other students were among my hearers. I have met in my
journeyings with several of them in full practice, whose remini-
scences were pleasant to them and encouraging to me. The
Ministerial Association of Montreal originated with five of us,
of whom 1 am the only survivor; it was formed al)0Ut 1837 ^^
1838, and yet continues in existence. I have only further to
say in regard to some of these movements, which were in their
nature rather for the general benefit of so( iet> than strictly

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religious, that I have always had and rt-tain the coiu'icton tliat
the true minister of Christ i>. only in his place when he is advo
eating and jjromoting the general good. He is a tVietid and
helper in every good work.

'I'iie twenty-five years in /ion (Jluirt h were of tiie sanu-
general nature as the ten ye:'rs already described. The
chunh and congregation grew in numbers, in intelligenc «.■
and in intluence. 1 sup[jose it will be admitted that they
became a very great power in the community, and that their
inrtuence extended for good far and wide. Hut the first ten
years were very trying financially. Hie change in the com
mercial policy of the Mother Country necessarily affecting
crlonial interests which had sprung up under the former system.
f)roduced much distress and disaster in this conmiercial centre.
'I'he ground on which this building had been erected was not
paid for, and was, after five years, now becoming due, and this
amid great commercial dejjression. I went to England with
my tale of difficult) and distress, having the full sanction of tin-
Colonial Missionary Society. Oh. it was hard work, for 1 hated
to ask any one for money. Bui they allowed me to tell my
story in their puli)its. and they read my printed aij[)eal, and I
moved among them, often weary, and heart as well as footsore,
and as the result of the six months' toil, I brought with me ^i ,ooo
sterling, and paid for the land which, indeed, had been pur-
chased in my name. Hut there was still a heavy incubus of
debt which was not lifted off for some years, and which ne( es
sarily affected unfavourably ministerial stipend. hor fifteen
vears I received coiisiderably less than m-- ministerial brethren
in the city of the same standing. But I neither starved nor did
I incur debt ; hence have no complaint to make. My people
l)egan of their own accord to increase the inadequate stipend as

thf finiinccs of \hv ( luirch enabled thcMn so to do. Thi.s was
dune spontaneously and several times, until at length it became
an average amount — paid, let me say to their credit, always
punt tually.

A sketch of my ministry in Montreal should contain an allu-
sion lo a practice continued for many years of cultivating most
friendly and fralrrnal relations with Christian brethren in the
[inited Stales. ( Mi three occasions I was honoured b\ calls
to address at College commencements certain of their theolo-
g".al or literary societies- -i )armouth College in 1S47. University
of X'ermont in 1S50. Middlebury College in [860. l)Ut apart
from these invited occasions. I have attended fre(juently the
meetings of State Associations, the Annual Meetings of the
American Hoard for Foreign Missions, and other anniversar\'
services, besides preaching for my brethren in [Boston, Portland.
Hartford. New Vork, Ikooklyn and other [)laces. 'I'he time
was when the |)resent conhal feeling did not exist between the
(Canadian and American i)eople of the United States : I deemed
it alike a duty and a privilege to do all in my j)Ower to promote
that which has since become a joy to us on both sides tlie
boimdary line.

In the year 1862 leave of absence for five or six months
was granted me. and a i)urse to aid in defraying expenses was
put into my hand, that with my eldest daughter 1 might visit
iMigland and the Continent. These months were thoroughl\
occupied in a most enjoyable manner. .Scenes of nature and
of art were i)hotographed on the memory, and in the autumn
pastoral work was resinned with fresh impulse and energ\.

That I have always understood to mean, primarily, preaching
.tnd teaching in the best manner possible to one. How can
that be done witli anything like freshness and power among

\v>

tlu' same people for a period of thirty-five years? Well, first,
they do not really continue to be the same i)eoi)le. The child-
ren grow to be men and women, and the middle-aged l)c< ome
aged. Many remove, and in a city likr this many are con-
tinually arriving. But, second, the Bible is a wonderful book,
affording endless variety of the most interesting and instructive
teachings. I have r,6oo MSS.. for the most part discourse^,
written out, but hardly ever delivered just as they were written.
There are biographical sketches from our first })arents down U)
Mo.ses. The parables and miracles of our 1 -ord were examined
for purj)oses of instruction, and so the life and labours of the
Apostle Paul. The Epi.stles of Peter, the first Epistle of |(jhn,
two chapters in Isaiah, the whole Epistle to the Hebrews were
expounded and their lessons enforced. These ire but a sample
— there was much else after the same mannei. Current e\enl>
were used for illustration and instruction. 1 was not elocjuenl ;
indeed, from a mistaken dread lest 1 should be found i)reaching
myself rather than Christ, I have never done my very best in
elaborating a discourse — hardly ever having written one twice.
1 do not commend this. We ought to produce the very best
we can, now and again, and yet do it not for our own credit
and distinction, but for the glory of our Master. \'et, I do not
repent my one pre^^ailing desire for usefulnes:, in my preaching ;
that 1 commend to all. And now, thirdly, the Godward of
truth lias been made prominent in my ministry. There is a
humanitarianism in the pulj)it sometimes which grievously sins
by omission. I believe in man's communion with (lod, as well
as in the communion of saints. We may not without great
and fatal loss neglect the claims of God. He, great, glorious,
and blessed — TTe must ])e magnified and adored if w(^ are to be
good practical Christians. Vou ma\ dilate i)U the beaut) (;f

virtue, \()U may insist on a manly and honorahk' course ol life,
vou may fling scorn and contempt on the little, the mean, the
wrong, dwelling thus on the human, the manward side of truth,
and you may do some good and avert some evil : but. if you would
transform men into lovers of truth and righteousness, lovers of
one another in Christ, if you would raise them out of themselves
and u]) to that character to which it is the great j)ur|K)se oi' the
(los])el to bring them, you must draw them into personal contact
with the ev.T-blessed (xod in Christ jesus our Lord ; they must
come to the ("rosb of the Redeemer, look up to Him in faith,
trust and consecration, and thus live I if we keep our j)eoj)le
at the nether springs, not only will they lack the kind of water
they need, l)ut the springs themselves will become dry to them.
'I'he upper springs feed the lower, take them up to the higher
plane. 1 have had to fight many a battle against what [ re-
garded as exaggerations and errors in the faith called Orthodox,
and have insisted on dealing with difficult questions with com-
mon sense, but the grand old verities themselves stand fast as
the throne of God ! 1 have seen them work marvels on men
and women — marvels of grace. — Pastoral Work — I understand
it to include, " Watching for souls as they who must give
account," and this necessarily demands no little personal inter-
course. I have sometimes thought that more benefit was con-
ferred on many of my hearers by such private ministration than
by pulpit utterances. My habit was to have an hour or more
three times a week in my vestry, assigned to this kind of service.
Inquirers, {)ersons spiritually in peri)lexity, and those in sorrow
and those in doubt were wont to come to me with their ques-
tions, their doubts, their trials, and receive pastoral counsel and
instruction. Our churches throughout the country having in-
creased in number, involving augmented labour on my part in

1 .1

) -

- ■>

corrcspoiuk-ncf and (jlhcrwise, my cngagcmciUs and jjulpit
])rcpnrati()n j)rcrludcd ninrh or frequent visiting except in cases
of sickness ; l)iit this access to myself at stated and known
liours siii)i)lied some of the want.

I have great reason to begrateful for no inconsiticral'e success.
\'er\niany luive been I jd to embrace the Saviour in His blessed
person and work as all in all to them. Very many ha\e encouraged
me by declarmg their indebtedness to this Mim'stry under (iod for
great comfort and strength in the trials and battles of life, and
others for mental and s])iritua] training in the school of Christ.
To Him who helped me and blessed my work be all the praise.
I would that more had been done in the way of self-improvement,
and that I had used to much greater extent the power of the
press. Let my younger brethren take note of this regret and
foster by their every effort a healthy literature. Let them cult i\ ate
the talent and use it well. Our Dt'iioniiiidf ioiKil M<in(i:J}it- hixii
never been fairly treated l)y any of us. Let the same not be
said of the coming weekly. And now age crept on though
vigour remained. A three months' holidav, in 1867, enabled
me to revisit friends in iMigland and Scotland, to inspect the
Exposition in Paris, and to attend the meeting of the Kvangel-
ical Alliance in Amsterdam, Holland. In rS6»_;. the death of
Dr. Lillie, at the commencement of the College Session, laid on
me extra work in the matter of college lectures. In 1870, the
brethren in the West and here, and in luigland, called me into
my present position, and thus in the following May the pastorate
was transferred to the Rev. Charles Chapman, and I !>e(ame
merely pastor eiucritiis. T need not si)eak of my subse(iueiu
ministry during the last seven years : it has included no httle
preaching both in Canada and England, where six months of
1874 were spent; but its main effort has been to bring to be. 11

upon lliL- ycjiiiig men wlioarc [)iviiariiiL; to enter upon llicir^re;it
and ini|)()rtant work whatever of acquirement and of e\])crien(e
1 may have obtained by (iod's goodness (ku'ing tliis long min-
istry. And now what shall he the conclusion of this imperfect
review of a ministry extending over half a centur\ ? Before
the I,or(l I how with humility, because of nuu h short-coming
and imperfection, and 1 lift up m\ heart with thanksgivings
f(jr unnumbered favours. Whatever planting and sowing i
may have done it was He that gave the increase. IJefore
my fellow-man I bear testimony that self-denial and self-
sacrifice in (iod's service become in one's hand a cup of
joy and blessing. The choice made fifty years ago is vindi-
cated by the issue. Wealth was not chose*-, and it did not
come, and sometimes comparative poverty was for the time
inconv*enient. J)Ut usefulness to one's fellow-man was chosen,
and througli (iod's goodness it did come aljundantly. One
cxceedingl}' rejoices not to have lived in vain. One is thankful
beyond measure that the ministry has left its impress for good
on a great multitude of people here and elsewhere. There is a
spiritual force that descends from one gereration to another, so
that we being dead in due time, yet speak. I ha\ e loved this
work of ministry in all its parts with a sort of passionate fond-
ness, notwithstanding its trials and disappointments, and to-day
1 lemember with gratitude, homage and joy, the years of the
right hand of the Most High.

- rh

•XiB I

Biographical sKinrii.

I HK Rc\'. Dr. Wilkes has been spcciallx' idciUifucl with
the religious h..^tor}- of the city of Montreal, and indeed
with that of the countr\' generally. In the suniii.er of
1820. the faniilv of which he was the eldest son arrived
in Upper Canada, from l^irmini^ham, Enj^land, u lu-re he
was born in 1805, and entered into business in Montreal
in 1822, first as a clerk, and then as a partner, till 1828.
In the summer of that year, he proceeded to (jlas^Dw,
Scotland, with tlu^ intention of pursuini^ a course of study
for the ministry. P^e became connected with the Theo-
logical School of the Independents, in Scotland, and
ent(M'ed the University of Glasgow. The sunimei \a-
cation of 1832 was spent in Canada, in the performance
of certain {)ublic duties, chiefly in the Western province.
Immediately after taking his degree ot M.A., Mr. Wilkes
entered upon the jxistorate o( the Church in lulinhurgh
to which he had been unanimously called. .At the end of
three years of a successful Ministry, he was appointed by
the Colonial Mission of the Congregational Union of
England and Wales, which had just been organized, to
represent them in C'anada, and the congregation of Mon-
treal sent him a call to become their pastor. In August,

„ i,.ijt. ,

18^6, lie iinivcd, and procccdin^^ Westward, occiii)icd
sonic time in visiting various sections of the country, with
a view to phicc Ministers of the (jospel. lie returned,
and took charge of the church now called Zion Church,
on October i. i«S36. He retains to the i)rescnt time the
position connected with the I^nglish Societ)', and until
May, i<S7 I, he was the sole pastor of Zion Church. Since
that date, thoui^h retainini;, at the request of the con^rre-
L;ation, a nominal relationshijj with the Church, he has
retired from its active duties and responsibilities. Since
June, icS/o, he has been Principal of the ConL;rei;ational
Collei^e of British North America, and Professor of
Theology, &c., therein. In the year 1850, he received,
unsolicited, from the University of Vermont, the honorary
dei^ree of Doctor of Divinity, and more recenth' from
McOill University that of LL.D. Intimately connected
with the labours of l^r. Wilkes as a Christian Minister in
Montreal, is the history of Zion Church, with whicli, as
we liave said, he still retains a nominal pastoral relation-
ship. This Church took its rise in a small community of
Christian people who, in the year 1832, assembled for
public worship under the pastoral care of the Rev. Richard
Miles, in Mr. Rruce's School Room, McGill Street,
and afterwards in the large room of what was then known
as the Mansion House, College Street. Arrangements
were speedily made to erect a place of worship, and the
site in St. Maurice Street being secured, a neat edifice
was erected and dedicated in 1834. Mr. Miles retiring

y of

for

art I

reet,

own

cuts

the

fice

(DiMMO.NS OF Tin: TRKSS.

(Montreal "Clazcttc")

Wc luartily join our congratulations to those of the very large circle
of friends and admirers by wiiom Dr. Wilkes is loved and revered.
It is the lot of feu ministers to !uivc spent half a century in the ser-
service of their Master, and not many have been so singularly l)lessed
in tlu'ir work as i'r. Wilkes has been. For the greater part of that
time his name has been as a household word to the members of his
own church, while he has also deser\-e(ll\ won tlie esteem and con-
tidence of large numbers belonging to other denominations. Two
generations have listened to his words of love, of warning, of s\ ni-
pathy. He has aided in training a goodly numbei of young men
for the sacred ministry. He has taken a distinguished share in all
thohc works of benevolence, in all those efforts for the public good,
in which ])ersons of different creed may co-operate. He has thus
fulfilled his (hity as a citizen no less than as a Christian minister,
and bv the inliabitants of Montreal, without distinction as to reliuion.

e IS esteemed

and

i)elove(

The anniversarv ser\ices to which we

have referred will, tluieforc, have an interest for a circle much more
extended tlian that of those who look uj) to 1 )r. Wilkes as a pastor.
Speaking in their liehalf, we congratulate him on the Icngtli of days
with which Divine f'rovidence lias faxored liim. that if it is (iod's
will, he may still be spared to spend many happy years among those
who love and honor him.

(Montrcnl '< 1 braid.")

A half-century of nunistcrial life is a noteworthy event. To-
morrow will be the fiftieth anniversary of the Re\erend Dr. Wilkes'

ailims'sidn l<i tlu' mini»hy, ;mu1 u;is ti» li.ixc Unii m.n kcd )»v Ills ii-,Mnl
anniversary scriiujii, uIik li, liDwcvcr, has lurn postponed till next
Suiul.iy in ('onse(|iu'n(0 of his hoinj; sHj^htK iruhsposfd. The n-
ininiscenccs of" titty years of a useful and honoialilc life passed in the
Sf)iritual care of two i^eneration-,. in the ir.iiiiiii); ot \oiin); men who
an- now themselves al llu' luad of mtliuiiti.il rhurches, and ina«ti\e
partieij)alion in the charitable works ot the ciin , ha\e a wider in-
terest til. in for the congregation of /ion Church alone. The (juahties
of an enunent cler^iynian and a -ood citi/cn unite to call for the
heartiest congratulations upon this jubilee, an occasion which, we
understand, will be coinineinorated by the Kcvciend l)o( tor's toinur
parishioners in a more lasting in.mncr.

(MoiilrLMJ " Wimcss.")

Throu^diout his discourse, which occupied exactly tifty-scven min-
utes, the \eneral)le minister never once faltered, but in that beauti-
fully full, clear voice in which he always speaks, his deli\er\ was
firm and w itii increasinj^ fervour to the end in fact, the /.eal and
earnestness of youth appeared to fire his devoted soul as he dwelt
upon the \alue and im|)ortance of the foundation trutlis of that
Gospel of free salvation which he had steadfastly ui)held and preached
for half a century, and the effect upon his hearers was most impres-
sive. The service closed with the singing of the Doxology, and the
Benediction, pronounced by Dr. Wilkes. i\ long years of faithful
labor in i)iesiding, not only o\er the affairs o[ a congregation, but
practically o\er those of an important, if not large, denomination,
may claim acknowledgment — if venerable age and seniority in a
sacred service may claim re\erence — if a wide and loving charity
toward all may claim affection — the occasion of Dr. Wilkes' Jubilee
sermon deserves notice from the people of Montreal, and the life of
which it is an interesting retrospect, their gratitude and esteem ; that
his bright example and useful activity may long be spared to the city
and country is tlu.' prayer of man\ .

(M(Miti.-al " Still.")

I'ifly yt-'iH's' r.fivicc in the work of tlic (liurcli i> a loiij^^ |icii()d Id look
back t'l, and tlir rcllection is all the niMi-c pica -.1 11 j^^ when it is eonsidered
that almost the whole of that time ha-^ heeii >j)ent in eo'iiiectioii with one
church, whose ])resent mciid)ers, each oiu ol iluni, havt' i^rown up a,i it
were under the eye of their i)a.>!or, whom they have come lo regard in l\\v
lii^ht of a still closer relationship. l'os.>il)ly no minister in ( 'anaila is
lnUei known or more deservedly rcsjiected li\ his fellovv workers of other
churrhcs, and these will one and all watch with in^M'est tlie golden wed-
ding — the inhileo of the Rev. hoctor's lon:.^ and successful ministerial
career. As a i ili/en and as a philanthropist I )r. Willccs has occupied a
distintjuished position, and we sincerely trust that his days may yet he long
spared to watch over the successes of those institutions with wliieh he has
for .so long heen so eminently connected.

(.Montreal "La Minervc.")

A loitchiiv' unniversarv was celebrated last Stindav. at /ion
Church, of the 50th ministerial year of Re\-. Dr. Wilkes. Altlioiigh
we do not belong to the creed of tlie Hew Doctor, we ma\ bear
testinion\- to the esteem and respect which he enjoys among his own
people, as well as among intelligent [)ers()ns of all sects. His career
has been one of ample labor. 'I'hrough his high-miiuledness and
large views he has rendered his social relations as agreeable as they
are usefid, and lie rea|)s in his old age the fruits of a long life of labor
and charity.

(Montreal '• I.e National."')

During the tifty years of Dr. Wilkes' ministry, Montreal has been
transformed. The great city, with its richly decorated buildings
and the park which overlooks it, was then in a condition which ga\ e
no clue to its present prosperity. How many works of human geniu^!,
has Dr. Wilkes seen accoi

ipli

ppt

and Lower Canada, the confederation of the British North American
Provinces, the building of the Intercolonial, the enlargenient of our
canals, and the immense enterpriiie of the Pacific Kailw;)\. W holh

3:>

) lodls

idered

ill oiu-
i|i a> it
in tlu'
K\(la i>
f other
II wed-
ii>teii;il
ipied a
belong

it /.ion
though
La\ bear
his own
s career
ess and
as they
of labor

las been
uildinj^s
ich gave
m genius
1" I l)per
\lnerican
nt of our
\\lu)ll\

absorbed in his mission, Dr. Wilkes has seen all these things
realized. He has seen men and things triumph, while he too triumphs
on his side by study and meditation. To this distinguished fellow -
citizen the people of Montreal extend the wish of a long career and
happiness in the paths of rectitude.

(Niotuieal *' CaiJiuliaii Spectator."*)

It is not often thai in this age of terrific energy — wJicii men tliiiik fa-^t, and
work hard, and wear out ([uickly — that it is given to any man to speak of
fifty years of labor. We are greatly developed : in a wonderful degree we
are masters of ourselves, and the press of circumstance is so severe that we
are compelled to do much work in a little time. Therefore it i> the nioie
to be noted that l>r. Wilkes, of Montreal, could stand u|) and >av : l'')r
half a century 1 have been a preacher of the CJospel of Jesus Christ. \\ iih
bodily force somewhat impaired, but with mental vigour unabated, he stood
forth and spoke his words of history and of hope. It was a rare
occasion, and the audience was a sight to witness. .Mniost every
Protestant Church was represented. Old men and women went to
hear again the voice of him from whose lips they had heard in the youth
long dead — ])ut not forgotten —words of counsel and rel)uke. What a flood
of memory must have rushed in upon them I i'ifty years of })attle — >,ome-
times marked by defeat and sometime^ by victfiry — hopes kindled and
quenched — joy and sorrow crowding each on the heels of the other — all
looking back through a long vista of years, and on to the ef)mingor nii;lit.
How much work the preacher iiad done in that time, not e\cn himself could
tell ; enough that he had set in motion great intluenees fm good, which have
gone working on making men out of children, anfl good out of stuft indiffer-
ent. Forty-two years ago Dr. Wilkescame to Canada in a semi-missionary
character. Congregati(»nalism was hardly known here, and the Dr. think
ing it should be well known, and having convinced the Church of that name
and order in Kngland of the sanie necessity, obtained the needful helj).
That missionary character has been sustained by him throughout his long
and useful career. He has been fro»n the fnsi until now the head of the
denomination — its principal counsellor and guide — second to no one as
preacher — the accredited leader in all matters ol organization — tilling all
possible oftice: doing all possible work — as j^reneher goin;^ from emi to

(11(1 of llic country -as secretary for v;?rious societies — as treasurer ad-
ministeriri}; their funds — and as president of the only colle<re in the de-
nomination in this country. This last was inevitable, for the Dr. always
took a warm and wise interest in the work of educating young men for the
ministry. Knowing well the advantages of culture, he sought to send forth
men well jjrepared for their sacred work. iJut along with all this general
work for tlu denomination has Ijcen carried the particular function of a
pastor in Montreal— which means that Dr. Wilkes found here a church
having a membership of a little over forty — worked on, winning the esteem
of the whole l"*rotestant community — preached on, drawing many bv the
strength of his words -and so built up a church, which for numbers,
for wealth, and for influence was hardly second t(» no church in the
Dominion. To do that in the City of Montreal meant the exercise of
ability and patience of no ortlinary kind. * • * This work was not
accomplished without hard toiling and pain, as the Dr. told us on
Sunday morning. There were limes of heart-sickening disappoint-
ment — times of weary waiting in comparative obscurity and po\ erty
which must have been a sore trial to the man's faith. It is hartl
to lielieve that we are right in our calling and our choice of place when
success will not be wooed nor commanded; hard to believe that we ought
to work on and wait when we cannot see what the working and waiting
will bring. \'et that is just what Dr. Wilkes did ; uttered no complaint;
refused to loose heart or hope ; went bravely on, and found his reward in
the appreciation of many people and the satisfaction of his own heart. * *
IJut wt)rth all the rest was the splendid protest made that st-lf-sacrifice is
worth the doing. I looked up in wonder and admiration — an old man with
robust frame and kindling eye, and hand uplifted to Heaven — was telling
us in tones that rang out clear and strong over the great audience, that to
live unselfishly, in poverty, and disappointment, for men and for Clod, is
the way to jieace. An old man of seventy-three years told us life is
worth the living and death is not a thing lo fear. .V man who has preacheti
for half a century all he knew ol truth and hope and life, was still glad to
preach and speak strong words of comfort to young and old. There was
no complaining, no halting — no bitter criticism of men and institutions,
Init a])road charity^ — a living hope, a clinging glad faith in well nigh every
scntenci'. I hope the whole denomination will seek and find some way ot
conveying to our goc»d Dr. its sense of his worth, 1 hope he will get s-ome

nd-

(le-
vvays
r I he
forth
neral

of a
luirch
slcem
)\ the
\\)ers,
n the
ise of
I- not
Lis on
)|)ohit-
)o\erly
s hard
c when
3 oui;lU
vvaitin;^
iplainl ;
ward in

:t. '■ *
ritice is
lan with
telling
, that to
God, is
AS life is
preached
U glad l(^
here was
titulions,
.gh every
le \N ay o\

,ret »oii^c
fc»

of the h<)nor he so well di'sirxcN while hi' is ;il»lf in v\\]i)\ it. It i> j^oo;) to
have the sermon — it will be better if we can copy the example he has given
of good living and patient able working.

((Quebec "Chronicle.")

The Montreal papers publish full reports of an interesting sermon
preached on Sunday last in Zion Church, Montreal, by the Rev, I)r,
Wilkes. The occasion had been announced as a jubilee service in
honor of the date, it being the fiftieth anniversary of the first sermon
j>reached. His reminiscences of fifty years in the Ministry of the
(iospel commanded the strictest attention of the congregation.
When a young man, twenty-two years of age, Mr. Wilkes was a
partner in the house of the late John Torrance of .Montreal. This
position he voluntardy resigned to enter a theological college in
Scotland and study for the ministry, the same self-denying spirit
subsecpiently leading him to give up the pastorate of a church in
l'!dinbin-gb with a congregation ha\ing a membership of 240, and to
come out again to Montreal and take charge of one numbering less
than 50 souls. Since that dale, October, 1X36, the reverend gentle-
man has been pastor of Zion Churcii, and as every citizen of .Montreal,
.md hundreds of people in all parts of the Dominion are well auaie,
he has been foremost in all good works. Not only the new Congre-
gational College in Montreal, but the High School, Orphan .\s\lum.
Ministerial .Association and French Canadian Missionaiy Societ\,
owe their origin, to a \er\ great extent, to his earnest efforts in their
behalf. During a large portion of the term of Dr. Wilkes' pastorate
m Montreal, we regret to s;i\' that his stipend was considerably less
than that of his ministerial bretliren in the city, of the same stand-
ing. We feel fully assured that the reverend gentleman's many
friends and admirers tliroughoul the country would be glad of an
opportunity of testifying in a practical manner their aj)preciation of
and admiration for the self-denying Ciiristiaii labors of Dr. Wilkes'
(iosj)el .Ministry of(j\ei half a century.

(Sl. John, N.I3., "Telegraph.")

The Rev. I)r. Wilkes of Zion Church, Montreal (Congregalionalj, lately
celebrated the 5olh anniversary of his ministry in that city by preaching a
sermon on " Fifty years of Ministerial Work.'' In this sermon hemodestlv
describes a remarkable ministerial career. Dr. Wilkes, when a young man,
was engaged in business in the house of John 'lorrance& Co., of Montreal,
and had becoi..e a partner. Impressed with the spiritual necessities of the
country, he rclinquislu-il business and jjioceeiled to (ilasgow, studying
literature, science and philo>ophy at the I'niversiiy and theology under Dr.
Wardlaw and his associates, lie returned to Canada and came near ])eing
settled in Toronto, but failing, returne»l and was for several years i)astorof
a church in l^<linl)urgh. ( )n the occasion of a sermon he once preached
near ( ilasgow, the father of David Livingstone, the missit)nary and ex|)lorer,
was convertetl and his family brought into communion with the churcli.
Aifled by the home church. Dr. Wilkes, after four or five years, came out
to Montreal and settled in it, marking several commercial and religious
vicissitudes. He not only j)reached and visited much, but (<ften prejiarcd
lectures on commercial, scientific and theological subjects. He visited the
Maritime Provinces occasionally and preached in several pul|)its in Saint
John. The facts stated show that the ministry of Dr. Wilkes has been
singularly fruitful. The /Avv/A/'j re])ort (jf the sermon .states tnat "dur-
ing llie delivery of his discourse, the weight of 73 years of a long and useful
life seemed to have flown and the vigor of a young man of 35 or less was
ap|xu-enl. His voice and intonation were as clear as in his youngest days,
and at times the lire that battled for the rights and truth of the Master
against error shone out brilliantly." So honored and successful a pastor-
ate and career fall to the lot of few nunisters, more especially in these later
days of disquiet and unrest.

(Kingston " Whig.")

On Sund.iy morning; last Rev. Dr. Wilkes, President of the Con-
gregational Conference, Montreal, preached a sermon, in which he
reviewed his ministerial labours, extending over a period of fifty
years, his present age being over 73 years. The sermon was a re-
markable effort, showing evidence of the old-time earnestness and
\ igour. Dr. Wilkes chose the ministry because he belies ed Ik cuidd,

he Con-
hich he
of fifty
IS a rc-
icss and
K ( onU\,

in it, best benefit liis fcllou-nien. and lie has succeeded to the fullest
extent. His preaching has been productive of rich fruits, which
have lent a cheering influence ' the reverend gentleman in his old
age. Zion Church was crowdetl when the sermon was delivered.

(Icjioiuo " .Mnil.')

The Montreal papers contain the sermon preached on Sunday last
by Rev. Dr. Wilkes, of Zion Congregational Church of that city, on
the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his consecration to the
ministry. Dr. Wilkc-- lias indeed labored long and earnestly in the
vineyard, and we trust the hour of the Master's calling him is yet
long in the future. It is given to but feu to look back upon half a
centurv's attachment to the holiest of causes, and feel that the -^ood
light h;>.-, been well fought.

ilbiiiiiUoti '■ iiiuo.")

Sabbath beroie hibl, /ion Cluircli_| (Congregaiiunal) in Montifal was
crowded 'hear Dr. Wilkes i)reacli an especial sermon on " Fifty \ ears
of Ministerial Work," it l)eing the jubilee anniversary of his (listinguishe<l
career in the pulpit. The discourse was in a measure historical, as the
venerable divine reviewed in a hasty sketch the jjrogress C'anada lias ip.ad
since the date of Iiis entering the ministry 182S. In his youth the nu
of travel were so poor that several days and nights were consumed IkIok
the if)urney from Montreal to Toronto coukl be made. Hardship, exposure,
accident, weariness and delays were nearly always experienced, and the
trip was one that was dreaded. If this were true of scj much travelled a
route, what must have been the calls on the physical endurance of the
doctor as well as all the clergymen of that day, whose duties lonipelled
them to visii the backwoods as well as the frontier ? Of a ti ulh. the i'eo|ik
f)f this countrv owe a del)t of deep obligation to the men — we refc t<i all
denominations alike- who courageously withstood the rigors of the climate
and, dauntless in face of every obstacle, carried on the noble work in which
they were engaged — a work that was essentially necessary (tlunigh little
recognized at the time) to mould the character of the country aright. 'Ihese
goofi men made sacrifice^ that w<udd a|t|tall many of their successors and

.^8

li;ivc left natnc's atx.iit which a halo of p;lory inij^'lu w'll hf thrown. Nearly
,i!l have passed to their reward, hut a few are still with us and it i> no
wonder when they celel)rate the anniversaries of their consecration to their
sacred duties, they meet with a cordial recognition from a lari^ediearte<l
Christian public.

(London '* hree Press.")

The hist liftv years have witnessed not onlv nianv atlvances in
material pro^^rcss, but many ehan^es in religious thought. Reviewing
the history of half a century, theChurch has at many times been in
apparent peril ; but the attacks which it has sustained have had the
effect of enlarging its borders and lifting it more and more out of
narrow sectarianism int') the sphere of broad and enlightened thought,
till the religious teachings of to-day, in their charity, present a pleas-
ing contrast to the too frequent dogmatism that prevailed fifty years
ago. These thoughts must have been present with Rev. Dr. Wilkes,
honorary nunister of Zion Congregational Church of Montreal, who
last Sunday preached, notwithstanding his advanced age, an ex-
tremely vigorous sermon on thr' occasion of the fiftieth anniversary f)f
his entering the mi istry. Ft is not given to many to review so long a
life-labor in the service of the Church, nor are there many who can
look ()\ ei- so long a life of well-spent years. Dr. Wilkes' name has
been associ.iled in Montreal with ever) j)hilanthropic moxemenl ;
and his efforts havt.' been largely blessed in increasing the prosperity
of the Chinch with which he has been so long associated, Not onlv
by his learning and zeal, but by his large hearted charity will he live
in the memory of his congregation and the Christian public of the
city where he has labored since 1836. It is with just pride that Ke\-.
Dr. Wilkes can look back on his long superintendency of the Con-
gregational Church and see howabundantly hisefforts have prospered,
and how a small meeting house, with its tifty attendants, have
gi\ en place to a spacious church and a large and intelligent congre-
gation, and those who have sat under the Doctor for year; will
not quickly forget the benevolent pastor who has l.ibored so long in
tluMi midst.

js in
iwing
en in
d the
)Ut of
)U^ht,
picas-
years
^'ilkes,
.1, who
an e\-
sary of
)lon'4 a
,'ho can
[lie has
cmcnt ;
:)spcrity
:ot only
hehve
of the
lat Kov.
le Con-
()si)ercd,
is, have
coni;rc-
eav •. will

lonii; HI

(Hranlford "Courier."^

On Sunday last a very interesting service was held in /ion Churchy
Montreal, being the celebration of the fifty years' ministry of the Rev.
l)r, Wilkes. The church was crowded on the occasion .intl floral
decorations covered the pulpit and reading desk as tokens of love and
reverence for the venerable gentleman. After the service, which was
conducted by the Rev. A. J. Bray and Rev. Mr. Foster, of Calvarv
Church, the venerable doctor rose in the pulpit, to which he had
been supported by the Rev. Mr. liray, and in a \ oice clear and dis-
tinct announced his text, which was taken from I'salm Ixwii, lo. .
*' liut 1 will remember the years of the right hand of the Most liigh."
The rev. gentleman in his discourse gave some very interesting re-
miniscences of his ministry of 50 years. The Rev. Dr. has a number
of relatives living in Brantford. James Wilkes, Esq., City Treasurer,
IS his brother, and like the venerable doctor, has just completed half
a centurj- of useful labor in connection with the Congre^iaiional
Church in this place, having been for that length of time in a.Mi-
nection with the Sunday School in some prominent position, and
in the whole course of that 50 years he has not been absent, we
believe, more than two or three Sundays from his duties. Other
members of the family have at various times occupied seats at our
Town and County Councils ; in fact, the family has always ol)tained
a prominent position amongst us.

(Hamilton *' SpecuUor.")

The Montreal papers publish a jubilee sermon delivered by Rev, I)r.
Wilkes, of /ion Church in that city, at the end of fifty years' ministry. The
sermon aboun<ls in interesting historical reminiscences and is pervaded hy
a tone of satisfaction with the results of a well-s[)ent life, which will In-
most encouraging lo many young men who are beset with some of the same
difficuUies which Dr. Wilkes had to encounter ami conquer. Iiom a
small beginning he l)uilt up aprosperf)Us congregation, though often iH-ady
to faint in the niidst of fuKHHial and other trouble-^.