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MEMOIR

OF

HENRY WILKES, D.D., LL.D.,
HIS LIFE AND TIMES.

REV. JOHN WOOD,
OTTAWA.

WITH PORTRAIT.

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Ittontreal :
F. E. GRAFTON & SONS, ST. JAMES STREET.
font" on :
HODDER & STOUGHTON, 27 PATERNOSTER ROW.

PRESS OF
JOHN LOVELL & SON, MONTREAL.

PREFACE.

The preparation of these Memoirs has been undertaken, amid pressing
pastoral and secretarial duties, with much diffidence and hesitation. It
had been expected that the task would have fallen to another and much
abler pen, but that expectation having failed, I was applied to, by confi
dential friends of the family, in their behalf, to render this loving service
to the memory of the departed. Very much do I appreciate the honour
done me, yet I feel as if some apology were due for my yielding to their
solicitation. Dr. Wilkes' work is his best memorial, and one is almost
tempted to say, in view of any proposal to write his life, "If you would
see his monument, look around you." It was felt by many, however, that
a life and ministry so exemplary and useful ought not to be allowed to
pass away without some permanent record of it, to stimulate and encourage
those who are left to follow him. My aim has been, in part, to be the
index-finger to point out to those who may come after us the monuments
which, by his patient toil and energy, the Lord enabled him to raise
throughout the land. " His record is on high ; " let it also be, as far as
we can trace it, where the churches and ministry may read and profit
by it !
My life-long and intimate acquaintance with Dr. Wilkes, first as my
pastor and counsellor, by whom I was led into the Kingdom, and into the
ministry of the Gospel, and subsequently through the various official rela
tions which we sustained towards each other, on the Missionary Commit
tee, and in the Congregational Union, has greatly facilitated my work, and
has lightened the labour through the interest I have felt in performing it
It was his habit, almost yearly, for some years after my settlement in
Brantford, to visit his parents and family — then resident there, and mem
bers of my church — when an exchange of pulpits, for several Sabbaths,
was frequently arranged, so enabling me to visit the home of my boyhood
in Montreal, where I distinctly remember hearing his first sermon in St.
' Maurice Street Church, in October, 1836.
When, therefore, it was urged, on these and other grounds, that I should
become his biographer, my warm affection for his memory, and my grate
ful sense of personal obligation to him, forbade nie decline the request ; I
yielded to the judgment of others, and the result is before the reader.

IV PREFACE.
Active and public as Dr. Wilkes' life was, and intimately connected as
it was with all the principal Congregational movements of this country for
the last half century, no proper account could be written of it that did not
embrace more or less of our denominational history. Yet here was one
of the difficulties of his biographer. To embrace it all, even in merest
outline, was manifestly impossible ; while to make selections, and refer
ences of a personal character, in one instance and not in another, probably
equally noteworthy, might seem invidious. The alternative had to be
chosen, however, and I have had to confine myself, as a rule, to churches
and individuals with whom Dr. Wilkes had personally to do.
This story, as will be seen, is largely auto-biographical, the Doctor
having left behind him a mass of material in the shape of " jottings " —
written, and read to the family in the evening, as opportunity offered —
from which selections have been made. I have to express my thanks to
Mrs. Wilkes for valuable assistance in arranging and copying much of the
material in hand.
Thanks are also due to Dr. Jackson for the valuable Introductory
Chapter on our early history, as well as to the Rev. Charles Chapman,
the Rev. David Russell of Glasgow, Dr. Gibson of London, Dr. Duff of
Airedale College, and other gentlemen who have contributed to the
volume. JOHN WOOD.
Ottawa, September 7, 1887.

CONTENTS.
Frontispiece. — Portrait of Dr. Wilkes.
Preface.
MEMOIR.
Introductory Chapter.— Newfoundland — Church in St. John's— Cape
Breton — Margaree Valley — Nova Scotia — Its Magna Charta — Halifax —
Cornwallis — Henry Alline's Work — Falmouth — Liverpool — Gorham
College — Chebogue — Yarmouth — New Brunswick — Maugerville — Shef
field — Keswick Ridge — Lower Canada — Quebec — Rev. Mr. Bentom's
Case — Eastern Townships — Stanstead — Eaton — Danville — Upper Can
ada — Frome — Visit of Messrs. Reed and Matheson. Page I.
CHAPTER IL— 1805-1820.
Birth — Ancestry — Parentage — His Mother — His boyhood — Incidents —
Early tendencies — A holiday trip — Changes — Departure of his father for
New York — The family follows. Page 26
CHAPTER III.— 1820-1828.
The voyage — Journey to York (Toronto) — Business — Journeying — Re
moves to Montreal — Enters Mr. Torrance's office — A stranger — Lessons
learned — Sunday School work — Mr. T. S. Brown's reminiscences —
Rev. J. S. Christmas — Unites with the church — Promotion — Thoughts
about the ministry — Canada Education and Home Missionary Society —
Visits Brantford. — Organizes Sunday School there. — Resolves to study —
Goes to Scotland. Page 33.
CHAPTER IV.— 1828-1832.
Enters College — First Sermon — Itinerates in Ireland — Contributions to
Periodicals — Correspondence with the Canada Education and Home
Mission — Collects for it — Rowland Hill — William Jay — Success as a •
student — Conversions under his preaching — Dr. Livingstone's father —
Classmates — Ordination — Visit to Canada. - Page 47.
CHAPTER V.— 1832-1833.
Voyage — Marriage — Tour — Brockville — York — Proposal to settle there —
Cholera — Difficulty in union efforts — Interesting conversion — Megantic
 Capt. McKillop — Rev. James Robertson arrives — Returns to Scotland
 Is "capped" — Correspondence with London — Disappointment re
garding York (Toronto) — Perplexities — Accepts call to Edinburgh . —
Pge56

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.— 1833-1836.
Stateof Albany St. Church— Induction services— Church work— Young
men— The Kennedys— David Russell— The Stronachs— Their reminis
cences — A case of inquiry — The Voluntary Controversy— Edinburgh
friends— Editorship— Rev. G. D. Cullen— Dr. W. L. Alexander-
Growth of the Church— Visit of John William= — Drs. Reed and Mathe-
son's visit to Canada — American visitors — Domestic matters — Messrs.
Lillle and Hayden sent out— London Missionary Society — Rev. Mr.
Miles — Invitation to Montreal — Accepts — Farewell — Organization of
Colonial Missionary Society — Is appointed Agent — Leaves for Canada
—Tour in the West. - - - Page 63.
CHAPTER VII.— 1836- 1838.
Settlement in Montreal— Salary— Growth of Church — Bible Society-
First Winter Tour— Arrival of Rev. John Roaf— Rev. T. Atkinson-
Breaking out of Rebellion— Rev . W. McKillican — Evangelistic labors
— Interesting case. Page 91.
CHAPTER VIII.— 1838-1846.
Death of Mrs. Wilkes — Another Tour — Rebellion in Upper Canada— Battle
at Prescott — Lord Durham's Mission — The Seminary's claims — Rev_
J. T. Byrne — Tour in Eastern Townships — Formation of French Canadian
Missionary Society — Ministerial Association — Congregational Union of
Lower Canada — Clergy Reserves — Rev. A. Duff— Marriage — Abenaqui
Indians — High School — Courses of Sermons — Lectures — Rev. J. J.
Carruthers — Congregational Academy — " Harbinger" and "Observer"
— Quebec — Sheffield— Second Church in Montreal — Preparations for
new church — Visit of Rev. T. Binney — Organization of Missionary
Society — Sermons on Deity of Christ — Evangelical Alliance — Uniting of
the two Academies. Page 104.
CHAPTER IX.— 1846-1849.
Opening of " Zion Church " — Examination of applicants — Rev. Caleb
Strong — Ship fever — Singular experience in visiting a patient — Lectures
at Dartmouth College — A queer congregation — Death of Rev. J. Bowles,
and D. Gibbs — Lord Elgin — Temperance principles — Sermons published
— American Board of Missions — Financial troubles Proposal to visit
England — Voyage — Congregational Union of Scotland — Collecting tour
— London — Rev.T.Binney — Dinners — Unpleasant experiences — Burning
of Parliament Buildings, Montreal — Birmingham — " Done ! " — Trip on
the Continent— Paris — Geneva — Berne — Strasburg — Cologne— Brussells
— Antwerp — Back to London — Home. ... Page 129.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.— 1849-1862.
The financial crisis past — Faithful deacons — McGill University — Receives
degree of D . D. — Affliction — Special services — Spiritual blessing — New
pastoral settlements — The Lanark Revival — Amalgamation of the
Unions and Missionary Societies of C. E. and C. W. — New arrange
ments with the Colonial Society — Gavazzi Riots — The Union meets in
Montreal — Tract on Purity of Communion — Indian Missions — Death of
Rev. R. Milei — Windsor — Lack of means — Advice about election of
Deacons — About frequent removals — Tract on Church administration —
Widows' and Orphans' Fund — Settling difficulties — Rev. G. Cornish —
Death of his mother — Coming shadows — Endorsing — A Home Secre
tary — Rev. T. Pullar — Ottawa — Rev. J. Elliot — Labrador Mission — The
Victoria, B.C., affair — Dark days — Deep Sorrows — Rev. F. H. Mar
ling sent to England — Twenty-fifth anniversary — Goes to England. —
Page 146.
CHAPTER XI.— 1862-1863.
Pleasant company — Meeting of the English Union — Bi-Centenary com
memoration — Gifts for Canada — Sight-seeing — Spurgeon — Trip on the
Continent — Brussells — Waterloo — The Rhine — Heidelberg — Basle —
Berne — The Staubach — The Swiss Lakes — The Rhigi — St. Gothard —
Milan— Turn — The Vaudois — Aosta — Monks of St. Bernaid — The
Tete Noir Pass — Grand Scenery — Chamouni — Glaciers — Geneva — The
Rhone — Back to London — Visits to friends — Scotland — Ireland — Home
— Thanks of Colonial Committee. - - Page 172.
CHAPTER XII.— 1863-1871.
Rev. E. P. Hammond's visit — Out of debt — Enlargement of Zion church —
Removal of the College to Montreal — Dr. Wilkes appointed a Professor
 Daughter's marriage — Marriage — Rev. J. L. Poore's visit.— Drs.
Vaughan and Raleigh — Brantford— Thirtieth anniversary— Presentation
 Goes to England — Burning of Zion church— Trip on the Continent —
Amsterdam — Evangelical Alliance — Visits among friends — Return
home — Rebuilding — The weekly offering — Eastern church — Rev. E.
Ebbs — Dr. Lillie's death — College Corporation, special meeting — Lillie
Memorial Fund — Dr. Wilkes made Principal — Resigns active pastorate
 Presentation — Call of Rev. Charles Chapman — Pleasant relations. —
Page 186.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.— 1871-1885.
College duties — Lectures in McGill — Visits the churches — Rheumatism —
Endowment Fund — Mr. Smillie's donation — English visitors, Dr. Stough"
ton, Mr. Stevenson, etc. — Trouble in Zion church — Proposal to sell — A
Western Branch — Mr. Stevenson invited — Visits England again — Increas.
ing disability — As others see us — The Continent — Preaches before the
English Union — Emmanuel church formed — Calvary church — Visits
Chicago — Mr. Chapman returns to England — A dark day for " Zion " —
On crutches — His wonderful energy — Fiftieth anniversary — His jubilee
services — Letter from Dr. Alexander — Press notices — Testimonial — Re
signs the Principalship — Wreck of old "Zion " — Resuscitation attempted
— Honorary Pastorate — Death of his son — Rev. E. M. Hill. — Page 206.
CHAPTER XIV.— 1886.
Once more to England — Jubilee of the Colonial Mission — Enthusiastic
reception by the English Union— The Jubilee meeting — Visits the Bible
House — Letter from Rev. David Russell — Preaches in Crieff— Return
home — Resumes work — Illness —Death —Press notices — Funeral Services
— Memorial Sermon — Resolutions of sympathy — Bible Society — Evan
gelical Alliance — McGill University, etc. - Page 228.

APPENDIX.
Sketches and Funeral Addresses.
Funeral Address of the Rev. George H. Wells. Page 243.
Memorial Sermon. By the Rev. F. H. Marling. " 250.
Reminiscences. By the Rev. Dr. Gibson. " 264.
By the Rev. Dr. Stevenson. " 268.
Extracts from a Letter. By the Rev. Chas. Chapman, M.A. " 272.
In memory of Dr. Wilkes. By the Re v . Dr. Duff. " 275,

OF THE
REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
By the Rev. S. N. Jackson, M.D., of Kingston.
Canadian Congregationalism is connected more intimately
with the life of the Rev. Henry Wilkes than with that of any
other man. For the past fifty years, or since 1836, when the
Colonial Missionary Society was formed, he was chief among
those who sought to plant and foster churches of the Con
gregational order throughout the Provinces of British North
America. His labors, as the following chapters will show,
were most abundant, and his zeal unbounded.
It was, however, impossible but that the church order of
Oliver Cromwell and the Pilgrim Fathers, which exercised
such a moulding influence upon the Commonwealth of Eng
land, and which, in transplanting itself to America, transformed
the wilderness into a New England, should have been known
and established at an early period in these colonies. It is the
purpose of this introductory chapter to gather together in so far
as possible these fragments of our earlier denominational his
tory, that a biography so largely historical may in this respect
be more complete.
Newfoundland, it would appear, was, during the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, made a sort of penal colony where the Bri
tish Government disposed of some of their troublesome Con-
gregationalists, or Separatists, as they were then called. Gover-

2 MEMOIR OF THE
nor Bradford tells us that " many of them had lain long in
prison, and then were banished into Newfoundland, where they
were abused, and at last came into the Low Countries." So
pitiless was the persecution to which our spiritual ancestors
were subjected in England, that about the year 1592 they
petitioned the Queen to be allowed to emigrate in a body to
Canada, a term then so indefinite, that it was as likely to in
clude Newfoundland as any other part of the Western world.
Mourt, in his " Relations," says that some of the Pilgrim
Fathers had lived in this island. Further, we find that about
the year 1645, George Downing, the first graduate of Cam
bridge, Mass., visited Newfoundland, and received an invita
tion from the Congregationalists to settle as their pastor. In
1660 the Rev. Richard Blinman, a New England divine, went
there to take ship for England, and he, too, received an invita
tion to become the settled minister. From these facts it would
appear that at a very early period in the history of Newfound
land, Congregationalism flourished in this oldest British colony.
The origin of the present church at St. John's dates back to
1775. and was brought about through the instrumentality of a
pious soldier, a sergeant of the Royal Artillery, named John
Jones. He was born in Wales, in 1737, of parents who were
devout Nonconformists. Enlisting at twenty he rose to the
offices of sergeant-major, quarter-master and pay-master. He
was sent with his regiment to Newfoundland in 1765, and, like
the rest of his companions, lived for the pleasures of the world,
until the year 1770, when he was aroused by afearful judgment
which came upon a fellow soldier while blaspheming. He
thereafter gave himself to God and His service. Three years
later, on his return to England, he joined a Congregational
church at Chatham, where he felt himself to be "a child at
home." He was again sent to St. John's in 1775, when he
began holding religious services in his room, having at first
only a handful of fellow-worshippers.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 3
These increased in number, and receiving permission to use
the Court House, they removed thither for public worship. On
the arrival of Governor Montague, the further assembly in this
place was prohibited, and they met again in Mr. Jones' room.
It was not long before this was prohibited, whereupon they
assembled in the open air, and upon the barrens worshipped
God and listened to His word. In the fall of 1776, the little
company, after a day of fasting and prayer, resolved to build
for themselves a place of worship which they accomplished at
great self-sacrifice.
It was not long after they had taken possession of their
church home, before the Governor, influenced by the Rector
of the Church of England, ordered them to desist from wor
ship in the building, threatening that he would " pull it down,
stick and stone,'' and send Mr. Jones to Placentia. These
threats were not executed, but in August, 1778, Mr. Jones was
ordered with his company to England. An urgent request
from the church followed him, asking that he should return
and become their pastor. About the same time promotion in
the army was offered him. After due deliberation, he decided
to relinquish his military life, and devote himself to the work
of the ministry and the pastoral care of the little flock at St.
John's. Receiving ordination in England, he returned to New
foundland, arriving June 9th, 1779.
In those times it was required that Dissenting ministers
should receive a magistrate's license in order to exercise the
functions of a minister. Through the influence of the Rev.
Edward Langham, who was Rector of the Church of England,
and a Justice of the Peace, Mr. Jones was refused this. The
people, however, assembled for worship, whereupon a con
stable, by order of the clerical magistrate, entered and served
an order upon the pastor, requiring him to desist or suffer the
penalties. A petition was presented to Richard Edwards,
Esq., Commander of the Forces, who was then Governor, re
questing liberty to worship God according to the dictates of their

4 MEMOIR OF THE
consciences. Receiving no reply, Mr. Jones and two of his
church officers waited upon his Excellency at Government
House, which at that time was a vessel anchored in the har
bor. The pastor was arrested, and taken below, but after
wards released with the admonition : " That whatever he had
a mind to do in his own house, he might without interruption ;
but he should have no leave to act in public."
This interference of the authorities being known in England,
provoked indignation and protest, which were not without
their effect. Vice-Admiral John Campbell, who became
Governor of the Colony in 1782, was a man of more liberal
religious views than his predecessors : therefore, when Mr.
Jones and his people made request for liberty to worship God
in their own house, agreeable to their views of Christian duty,
he replied : " That so far from preventing, he should do all in his
power to further it," and once more the church, from which
the congregation had been banished for more than a year, was
opened. The spirit of persecution was not, however, allayed,
for the Rev. Mr. Price, who succeeded Justice Langham in
the charge of the Church of England, uttered such slanders,
that Mr. Jones felt constrained to appeal to the protection of
the Court. Among other things, it was charged, that he uttered
abusive language against the Roman Catholic church in
his sermons. This evoked a letter from the Rev. Father
O'Donnel, full of Christian courtesy and sympathy, showing a
spirit very different from that evinced by the Anglican clergy
men. In 1786, a movement was made to enlarge the church build
ing, which was accomplished at an expense of ^1,000, the
amount being chiefly contributed by friends in England. The
first Protestant day school and the first Sunday school in the
colony wore inaugurated by the Rev. Mr. Jones and his
church. His faithful ministry was continued until the 1st of
March, 1800, when he died, in the sixty-third year of his age.
His funeral was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Harris, a minister

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 5
of the Church of England, and his body lies buried under the
steps of the church, in the old church-yard.
Mr. Jones was succeeded by the Rev. Ruttan Morris, who
entered upon the pastorate June 23rd, 1801, which he relin
quished in 1805 to return to England, and enter upon the ser
vice of the British and Foreign Bible Society. For two years
after, the Rev. Johui Hillyard ministered to the church. Mr.
Hillyard had been pastor of the Congregational Church at
Twillingate, Newfoundland, since 1788. The next to follow
in the pastorate was the Rev. Edward Violet, whose incum
bency extended from 1807 to 1810, when he, with his family
were lost at sea on their way to England. From 1811 to 1812
the Eev. John Sanderson officiated; from 1813 to 1816, the
Rev. Wm. Jones; from 18 16 to 181 8, the Rev. Mr. Sabine; from
1820 to 1824, the Rev. Thomas Smith.
The Rev. Daniel Ward came over from England, and as
sumed charge of the church on the 14th of June, 1824. He
was a thorough scholar, an able preacher, a faithful pastor, and
under his ministry the church greatly prospered. After six
teen years of unremitting labor, his health broke down, when
he visited England, seeking recovery, and at the same time
collecting funds for a new church. He returned to his loved
flock, but his work was nearly done, for on August 16th, 1843,
he died, after an efficient pastorate of nearly twenty years.
The Rev. D. D. Evans succeeded Mr. Ward, and exercised
the pastoral oversight from Sept. 15th, 1844 to 1848. He was
followed in 1857 by the Rev. Charles Pedley, who ministered
to the church for seven years, and who also wrote the " History
of Newfoundland." Mrs. Pedley was a daughter of the Rev.
Dr. Stowell, Principal of Rotherham College, England, and
four of their sons have devoted themselves to the work of the
Congregational ministry in Canada.
After a brief tenure of the pastoral charge by the Rev. J.
Maze and the Rev. James Howell, the Rev. Thomas Hall, in
1868, assumed charge, which he continued, with much success,

6 MEMOIR OF THE
for thirteen years.* Isolated though this church has been
from sister churches of the same faith and order, it has been
true to its Congregational character, and has done its full share
of religious and philanthropic work in the communit)', where it
has maintained a highly respectable position.
Cape Breton, discovered by some Basque and Breton fisher
men, about 1504, was not settled to any great extent by New
England people, hence but few of the early settlers were Con-
gregationalists. Among those taking possession of the beauti
ful Margaree valley, situated on the west side of the island,
was Mr. Irad Hart, a man of more than ordinary gifts, and a
Congregationalist. Having no minister, the people conducted
service among themselves, making use of the Book of Common
Prayer. Owing to his ability, Mr. Hart soon became the
acknowledged leader, and expounder of the Scriptures.
Through the advice and assistance of the Rev. Frederick
Dairen, of Manchester, N.S., a Congregational church was
organized in 1823, with Mr. Joseph Hart, a son of Irad, as its
first pastor. During the past sixty-five years, this church has
held steadily on its way, extending its influence far beyond the
valley, and has done much for the cause of Christ. At the
time of Dr. Wilkes' death, there was in his classes in the col
lege a grandson of Mr. Irad Hart, who has since completed
his course of study for the ministry.
Nova Scotia, known by the French as Acadia, was the first
part of the continent discovered by John Cabot, in 1497, a
Venetian by birth, but a resident of Bristol, England. The
French colonized it in 1598, and for many years it was the
battle ground between the English and French, each seeking
supremacy. Sometimes the inhabitants were compelled to
yield allegiance to one nation and sometimes to the other. It
was taken by the English in 1627, restored to France in 1632,

* The writer is largely indebted to Mr. Hall for facts relating to the
history of the church at St. John's.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 7
and gain ceded to England in 1714. After the treaty of
Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748, a large body of emigrants and adven
turers, under Lord Halifax, made up for the most part of
those who had served in the army and navy, came to the
colony. They named their place of settlement "Halifax"
in honor of their leader, and changed the name of the colony
from Acadia to Nova Scotia.
Ten years later, the English government, desiring to secure
a class of settlers of a different type, issued, through Governor
Lawrence, a proclamation to the inhabitants of the colonies
of New England, inviting them to come. A proposal was
made to divide the country into townships of twelve miles
square, and to give one hundred acres of land to each actual
settler, and fifty each to the members of his family. This led
to a large immigration from New England) made up for the
most part of Congregationalists.
At the time of their settlement, Episcopacy was established
in the colony by law. These Congregationalists, therefore,
demanded a guarantee of full civil and religious liberty. This
was accorded in an instrument called " The Charter of Nova
Scotia," which, among other things, provided that " Protestants
dissenting from the Church of England shall have full liberty
of conscience, and may erect and build meeting-houses for
public worship, and may choose and elect ministers for the
carrying out of divine service, and the administration of the
sacraments, according to their several opinions ; and all such
dissenters shall be excused from any rate or tax to be made
or levied for the support of the established Church of Eng
land." This instrument Haliburton aptly calls, " the Magna
Charta of Nova Scotia."
Chester is a maritime village, situated about thirty miles west
of Halifax, and was one of the first New England settlements
of Nova Scotia. It was occupied in 1759 by from thirty to forty
Congregational families. A church was formed the same year
and placed under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Secomb, a

8 MEMOIR OF THE
graduate of Cambridge, in 1728, and pastor of the church at
Harvard, Mass., from 1733 to 1757. Mr. Secomb continued
his faithful ministry at Chester until some time previous to the
year 1769, when he removed to Halifax to assume charge of
the church there. He returned, however, in 1784 to the Ches
ter church, with which he labored until his death in 1793.
During the last years of his ministry, owing to physical infirm
ity, he was assisted in his work by the Rev. Joseph Dimmock,
an Open Communion Baptist. As it was found difficult to
secure a Congregational minister to succeed Mr. Secomb, Mr.
Dimmock was chosen pastor with the understanding that Bap
tism was to be left an open question. In 1809, however, the
pastor secured what Benedict, in his " History of the Baptists,"
calls " a partial reformation," which reformation, he tells us,
was completed in 18 n, a process by which this ancient Con
gregational church was made over to the Baptist Association of
Nova Scotia.
Cornwallis and Falmouth were settled, in 1760, by Connec
ticut Congregationalists, the main body being " New Lights."
These had their origin at the time of the " Great Awakening "
in 1740, James Davenport being their chief leader in New
England, and Henry Alline in Nova Scotia. Henry Alline,
when a boy, came with his parents from Newport, R.I., to
Falmouth with the first settlers. He was of a wild, fiery and
imaginative disposition. After his conversion, at the age of
twenty-seven, he gave himself to the work of the ministry,
which he prosecuted with great zeal, but not always with discre
tion. At Falmouth, and the surrounding settlements, he drew
large crowds to hear him. For the most part his labors were
of an evangelistic character, and were followed by wonderful
revivals, not unfrequently causing churches to be rent asunder.
Though Henry Alline lived and died a Congregationalist, his
erratic views and peculiar methods did much to damage our
churches, and transfer them to the Baptist denomination. Mr.
Benedict makes the following significant allusion to him :

REV. HENRY WILKES D.D. 9
" Although Mr. Alline was born, lived and died in the Pado-
baptist connection, yet on account of his instrumentality in
raising up Baptist churches, and of the good savor of his name
with those who were associated with him in his evangelical
labors, I have thought proper to give some biographical sketch
of his character."
The date at which a Congregational church was formed at
Cornwallis is not given, but it was in existence as early as
1776. It appears that by a disruption, the church property,
together with the records of the church, passed into the hands
of the Presbyterians, and are still in their possession. The
church again recovered itself, to be overtaken by another dis-
, ruption, whereby many of the members, and the acquired pro
perty, passed over to the Regular Baptists. Once more the
remnant gathered sufficient strength to inaugurate another
change, which transformed them, property and all, to the
likeness and custody of the Free Will Baptists. The present
Congregational church in Cornwallis was organized in 181 9.
In Falmouth there still stands an old Congregational church
building, as a monument of the faith of the fathers, while most
of their descendants are called by other denominational names.
Liverpool was settled by about twenty families from New
England, in 1760, and in two years their number had increased
to eighty. Among the earliest settlers we find the names of
Tupper, Freeman and Gorham. Having no minister, they
made known their need to friends in Massachusetts, whereupon
the Rev. Israel Cheevers, a licentiate of Harvard College,
visited them, and accepted an invitation to become their
pastor. Letters missive were sent out convening a council at
Rochester, Mass., which ordained Mr. Cheevers to the minis
try, and installed him as pastor of the Liverpool church.
Services were first conducted in private dwellings, and the
school-house ; but in 1776 the building known as " Old Zion "
was erected at a cost of ^804. The place was visited by
Henry Alline, whose fame had preceded him. Great numbers

10 MEMOIR OF THE
attended his daily preaching, resulting in a revival, a disrup
tion, and the resignation of Mr. Cheevers.
In 1801 the Rev. John Payzant became the pastor. He had
been educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood, was led to
change his views by the preaching of Henry Alline, whose
sister he married, and became a Congregational minister.
Under Mr. Payzant's judicious administration, the separated
churches were united, and by his faithful preaching about two
hundred members were added to the church. His pas
torate lasted for thirty-three years, when, on account of the
infirmities of age, he resigned in 1834, and died in the same
year. The Rev. Mr. Elder then preached to the people for a
year, and was succeeded by the Rev. James Melvin. Owing
to disagreement with him, some of the members, in 1847, with
drew and formed a second church, of which the Rev. Mr.
Murkland was the first pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev.
F. (afterwards Dr) Tompkins, who brought about a re-union of
the churches, with the understanding that the Rev. Mr. Melvin
should be pastor emeritus.
Mr. Tompkins was at the time engaged in establishing Gor
ham College in Liverpool, for which an endowment had been
provided by the widow of James Gorham, Esq. The building
was afterwards destroyed by fire, and any further attempt to
continue the College being hopeless, the library was transferred
to the Congregational College of B. N. A., and the endowment
has since been used by the Canada Congregational Missionary
Society, in carrying on its work in Nova Scotia, as provided by
the trust. After the failure of the College scheme, Mr. Tomp
kins returned to England. The church has since held steadily
on its way, under various pastors, maintaining in integrity its
Congregational character to the present day. The Congrega
tional churches of Milton, Brooklyn, and Beach Meadows are
the offspring of this mother church.
Chebogue, in the Township of Yarmouth, was visited in 1761
by three families who came from Sandwich, Mass., a place only

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. n
a few miles from the spot where the Pilgrim Fathers landed.
They were the first English settlers, and were afterwards joined
by other families, who came in a vessel from Connecticut. In
1766 a house of worship was erected, and the next year the
church was organized consisting of ten men and one woman-
There being no minister within a hundred miles, self-organiza
tion became a necessity. They therefore met, and covenanted
" to walk with God and to watch over one another." Choos
ing one of their number, Mr. John Frost, as their minister, they
ordained him, delegating to four of the members the duty of
" laying on of hands " in their behalf. He resigned, and after
wards preached to the people in Argyle.
In 1770, Mr. Frost was succeeded by Mr. Jonathan Scott,
another of the original members. It was decided that the pas
tor elect, together with Deacon James Robins and John Crow
ley as representatives of the church, and Mr. Seth Barnes from
the Society, should go to Middleboro', Mass., where, if thought
best, Mr. Scott should be ordained and installed over them.*

# The following is a copy of the letter sent by the church to the sister
church at Middleboro', and associate churches : ' ' Forasmuch as we have
been a long time striving to settle ye gospel in this wilderness land, and
finding many difficulties to encounter with among us, and being settled at
a great distance from any church that we have fellowship with, which
makes it very difficult to obtain any help, we therefore humbly ask your
prayers to God for us, and also your assistance, that ye gospel of
our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be settled among us, and
ye sacraments of ye New Testament may be ministered for our comfort
and growth in holiness. Furthermore, the church and society, being unani
mous, have given Mr. J. Scott a call to ye work of ye gospel ministry and
pastoral office among them, in case ye difficulties subsisting in ye
church are removed, and Mr. S. is examined and recommended by a
council of Godly ministers ; ye church and society having sat under Mr-
Scott's exhortation for two years and more, and find no fault with his
ministry ; and being held by ye call of the people hath submitted himself
(being fearful with regard to his qualifications) to ye examination and ad
vice of ye first church of Christ at Middleboro' and their associate churches.

12 MEMOIR OF THE
These left Yarmouth on the 21st of March, 1772, calling at
Plymouth and Boston, and after a stormy passage arrived at
Middleboro', on the 8th of April. Two days after a conference
was held with the Revs. Solomon Reed and Sylvanus Conant,
which resulted in the convening of a council consisting of six
pastors and seven delegates. The council met on the 27th of
April, and the following day proceeded to ordain Mr. Scott.
The first church at Middleboro' sent a communion service to
the church in Chebogue, consisting of two flagons and four cups,
together with a linen table-cloth and two napkins. These were
used in the first administration of the Lord's supper on the
27th of September, 1772.
On Saturday, October 20th, 1781, Henry Alline made his
first appearance at Yarmouth, and on the following day at
tended the service at Cape Forchue. We are told the pastor
"invited him home with him, and imprudently asked him to
pray in his family, twice, while there, and once to ask a blessing
at table." Mr. Scott had previously met him at Cornwallis and
opposed his doctrines. He had also procured his book en
titled " Two Mites," which he read to the church, they discuss
ing the same, and pronouncing it to be " horrible and errone
ous." Later, the pastor answered this treatise in a book
entitled "A Brief View, etc." As might be expected Henry
Alline's visit caused quite a commotion ; and though his stay
was short, he left a divided church. Mr. Scott, however, con
tinued his ministry with them until 1795, when he returned to
the United States.

And as we are in difficult circumstances, and cannot well sendiox a council
of ministers, it seemed good unto us to send our beloved brother Mr.
Jonathan Scott up to you for examination, and also for ordination if it
seem good to ordain him. And if it seem good to you to ordain him, we
submit to your determination whether it shall be done with you, or in this
wilderness land." This is followed by the list of delegates who accom
panied the pastor elect.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 13
The following were the successive pulpit supplies or pastoral
settlements; the Rev. Daniel Brock from 1797 to 1798; Rev.
Mr. Brown for three months in 1799 ; the Rev. Mr. Chickering
for five months in the same year; the Rev. Mr. Hillyard, for-
meily of Twillingate, Newfoundland, in 1807 ; the Rev. Abel
Cutter from 1816 to 1834. The next minister was the Rev.
Mr. Ross, a Presbyterian, who sought to administer the affairs
of the church in the Presbyterian way. He left in 1844, and
was succeeded by the Rev. F. Tompkins, under whose minis
try a number of the members withdrew, and formed a Presby.
terian church. The Rev. W. H. Heu de Bourck followed Mr.
Tompkins, and under other faithful pastors, whose settlements
are of comparatively recent date, the church has continued in
its Apostolic order and faith.
In Halifax a Congregational church was organized about the
year 1753. The site for the church was given by an order in
council, and the frame for the building was brought from Bos
ton. It was named " the Mather church '' in honor of Cotton
Mather, the celebrated New England divine. The Rev.
Aaron Cleveland* was the first pastor, and among his succes
sors were the Rev. Daniel Hopkins, a graduate of Yale, the
Rev. Mr. Brenton and the Rev. John Secomb. Mr. Secomb,
as has been stated, had been pastor of the church at Chester.
The date of his coming to Halifax is not certain, but he was
in charge of the church in 1769, and resigned in 1784, to
return to Chester. He was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas
Russell, a minister of the Church of Scotland, and a number of
Presbyterians became members of the church.
It was not long before a determined effort was made to
change the denominational character of the church, which was
stoutly resisted, leading to a struggle between the two parties
for possession of the building, sometimes one section holding

* A Halifax paper has made the statement that the Rev. Aaron Cleve
land was grandfather to the present President of the United States.

14 MEMOIR OF THE
possession and sometimes the other. In the end the Presby
terians were victorious, agreeing, as the only compensation to
the Congregationalists, that Watts' Hymns should be used in
the public services. Mr. Russell wearied, no doubt, with the
strife, resigned in 1786, and was lost at sea, on his way to
the old land. The name of the church was changed from
" Mather's " to " St. Mathew's," and a .few years ago the pro
perty was secured to its present holders by an Act of Incor
poration. Other Congregational churches existed at an early date in
Annapolis, Granville, Onslow, Amherst, Horton, Windsor,
Newport and many more places. Mr. Peter Fisher, of Fred-
ericton, says that in 1800 they were very numerous. Many of
them were "New Light" churches, and these mostly went
over to the Baptists. The earliest churches suffered greatly
on account of the war of the Revolution, a large number of
the settlers, and some of the pastors returning to New England
to aid their fellow-colonists in the struggle for independence.
By this means the churches were not only decimated, but
pastors, were lost, whose places, under the existing circum
stances, could not be filled.
New Brunswick, in the early times of which we write, formed
a part of Nova Scotia, not having a separate Provincial exis
tence until 1785. Sheffield was the first New England settle
ment made on the river St. John, and it was then called
Maugerville. In May, 1762, an exploring party reached the
mouth of the river, and not liking the situation proceeded
as far as St. Ann's, where they were met by Indians, and forced
to sail back to the lower end of the Oromocto Island. There,
on the bank of the river, they resolved to establish a settlement.
In the order for the survey of the territory the following in
structions were given : — " You will reserve four lots in the
township for public use, one as a glebe for the Church of
England, one for the Dissenting Protestants, one for the main
tenance of a school, and one for the first settled minister."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 15
These early settlers were all Congregationalists, and they estab
lished public worship in 1762, and it is thought organized
their church in 1766. The Rev. Messrs. Wilman, Briggs, and
Webster were their first preachers, but the Rev. Seth Noble
was their first pastor, settled not later than 1774. Mr. Noble
sympathized with the revolutionary party in the Old Colonies,
and urged his flock to join in the struggle. This they refused
to do, whereupon he left them, some time about 1777, and
proceeded to New England. After peace was declared he
returned, and attempted to resume his pastoral charge, to
which the church would not give consent.
Henry Alline visited the settlementin May, 1779, denouncing
those who did not agree with him as unsaved; divided the
church and organized a new one on his peculiar lines, which
he subsequently visited two or three times previous to his
death in 1784. The first church having made ineffectual
attempts to secure the Rev. Mr. Scott, of Chebogue, for their
pastor, sent an appeal to Lady Huntington, through Dr.
John Calif, of St. John. She sent out two of her missionaries,
one of whom, a Mr. James, settled in Maugerville in 1788.
Two years after his settlement he became restless and neglect
ful of his work, and his conduct became such that in 1792 the
church felt compelled to prefer charges against him, and
appointed a meeting for their consideration.
On the Sunday previous to the church meeting the pastor
startled the congregation by announcing that he had deter
mined to cast in his lot with the Church of England, "the
most indulgent, and least censorious church in the world." He
further stated that he would conduct divine service in that
building of which he held possession, according to the rites of
the Church of England. Mr. James and his agent, aided and
abetted by the magistrates and a Church of England party,
succeeded in retaining this illegal possession of the building
for some time. On the 6th of August, 1793, when Messrs.
Burpee and Coburn took peaceable possession of the minister's

16 MEMOIR OF THE
house, which formed a part of the church building, Charles-
worth, Mr. James' agent, was forcibly replaced by the bailiff
who was accompanied by several magistrates. How and when
the church ultimately regained possession of their property
the records do not show ; but it was not until after many of
the New England settlers, disgusted with the high-handed and
illegal proceedings of the authorities, had returned to the
United States.
The Revs. James Boyd, Edward Eastman, and Duncan Dun
bar successively filled the pastoral office after the withdrawal
of Mr. James. Mr. Dunbar was sent to them by the London
Missionary Society in 1811, and subsequently became a dis
tinguished member of the Baptist denomination in the United
States. Through the London Missionary Society the church
also secured the Rev. Archibald McCallum in 1820, who con.
tinued their faithful and efficient pastor for twenty years, when
he resigned, and was soon after removed by death.
The church at Keswick Ridge is an offshoot from that in
Sheffield, and was organized in 1826 by Mr. McCallum. The
lot reserved in the original survey for the first settled minister
rightfully belonged to the Congregationalists, for Mr. Noble
was the first to be settled. It has, however, been claimed and
occupied by others, while a persistent though unsuccessful
attempt was made to take from the church the land reserved
for the Dissenting Protestant church.
James Woodrow, Esq., of St. John, who has placed us all
under grateful obligation on account of his researches, and con
tributions to the early history of our denomination in the Mari.
time Provinces,* says: "As the tourist sails up the St. John,
on the interval, some eight miles below the capital of New
Brunswick, at a beautiful spot, he makes inquiry in reference to
a neat, white church edifice, which can be seen behind the trees
lining the bank on the right hand side. He may be told its

* See Canadian Independent, Vols. XI. to XIV.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. i7
character; or, perhaps, he is informed it is a Presbyterian
church, as some people of other denominations persist in calling
it. There, on lot fifteen, so long battled for, stands the building
in which worships the mother Congregational church of New
Brunswick, the oldest Protestant church in the Province."
In Miltown there is a Congregational church which had an
early origin, but it has been and is still connected with the
Maine Conference of Congregational churches. Churches were
also organized in Sackville, in 1776, in Cardigan in 18 19, and
in Florenceville, as well as in other places in New Brunswick,
These, however, have either ceased to exist, or have passed
into the hands of other denominations. The church at St. John
is of more recent date, having been organized in 1844.
In the Province of Quebec, formerly known as Lower Can
ada, the first Congregational church of which we have any
record was formed in the city of Quebec in 1801. At the close
of the last century, some Christian soldiers who were stationed
there made an appeal to the London Missionary Society, in
which they set forth their spiritual destitution, and besought
them to send a minister of the Gospel to them. In response to
this, two missionaries were sent out from England, the Revs.
Messrs. Bentom and Mitchell; but on their arrival at Quebec,
they found that the regiment to which the Christian soldiers
belonged had been removed to another station. Mr. Mitchell
proceeded to Montreal, where, after a few weeks' sojourn, he
concluded there was no prospect of successful work. He then
went down to Bay Chaleur, where he labored with considerable
success for three years. He was succeeded in that field by
the Rev. Mr. Pigeon, but any further facts in relation to the
work there are unknown.
The Rev. Mr. Bentom resolved to remain in the city of
Quebec, and taking lodgings with a cooper, began to preach
to the few who gathered to hear in his room. As the con
gregation increased they removed, first to the house of a Mr.
Haldane, then to a room in the second story of a public-
B

18 MEMOIR OF THE
house, where one partition was taken down after another, until
the whole flat was occupied. Thence they went to the Free
masons' Hall, where, with a congregation averaging two hun
dred, they continued to worship for some time. A Congrega
tional church, numbering about forty members, was regularly
organized in the summer of 1801. Mr. Bentom was a Doctor
of Medicine, and he derived the larger part of his income from
the practice of this profession, acquiring much influence and
success. According to the laws of the Province, it was required that
every pastor should hold an official Register, which the
authorities issued annually, wherein must be recorded all bap
tisms, marriages and burials. Without this, no minister could
legally perform these functions of his office. This Mr. Bentom
received, in due form, for two successive years. His success,
however, had excited jealousy and opposition in high places.
On the third year of his pastorate, on applying, as usual, for his
Register, he was flatly refused it, by which he was practically
inhibited from performing those important functions of the
ministry .
This discourteous and illegal proceeding was resented. Find
ing that he was unable to obtain redress otherwise, he resorted
to the press, publishing a pamphlet entitled " Law and Fact,"
in which the wrong he was made to suffer was exposed. For
this he was arrested, and prosecuted for libel, Attorney-General
Sewell acting for the prosecution. No advocate could be found
who had the independence to appear in behalf of the defendant,
whereupon he argued his own case in court. The trial, which
was by special jury, lasted all day, and resulted in a verdict of
guilty. Mr. Bentom was sentenced to six months imprison
ment, and a fine of £50 sterling, which was really for the crime
of nonconformity. He served the term of imprisonment, while
some friends in Glasgow, Scotland, contributed and paid the
fine. Twenty-five years later Chief Justice Sewell, who had acted

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 19
as prosecuting attorney, virtually admitted, in a conversation
with Dr. Wilkes, that the proceedings in this case were alto
gether contrary to the inalienable rights of conscience, an in
equitable stretch of the law, and a dangerous precedent which
could not be justified. By this judgment against Mr. Bentom,
the Act regarding Congregational Registers, passed by the Can
adian Parliament, and sanctioned by the British Government,
was nullified. For thirty years after, all Congregational minis
ters in Lower Canada were placed under disability, not being
allowed to perform the ordinance of baptism, or to officiate at
marriages and burials. It was not until by Act VI., William
IV., chap. 19, that they received equal status and privileges
with other ministers.
During Mr. Bentom's imprisonment, his church showed him
all possible kindness, willingly sharing the obloquy it was
attempted to heap upon them. At his request they wrote to
Great Britain for a minister to succeed him, and secured the
Rev. Francis Dick, who became pastor of the church in
1805, and remained in charge for three years. It was by this
church that the Quebec Bible Society was organized, in 1804,
which still exists ; and under Mr. Dick, the first Sunday school
in Canada was formed, in the same church.
Mr. Dick was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Spratt, who re
mained for several years, partially supporting himself by teach
ing school. In 1816 a church building was erected, at a cost
of £2,400, exclusive of the ground. With a view to relieve the
church of the burden of debt incurred, Mr. Sprat went to
England and the United States, soliciting aid. Discouraged
through the want of success he returned to resign his charge,
and in 1820 joined the Episcopal church, and removed from
Quebec. After an interval of a year he was succeeded by the
Rev. Mr. Purkis, who remained until 1824, and then was fol
lowed by the Rev. George Bourne, who continued in charge
until October, 1829.
During the five years of Mr. Bourne's ministry, the church

20 MEMOIR OF THE
made considerable progress, its membership increased and
were very united. Owing, however, to the continued hostility
of the authorities, the burden of their debt, their denominational
isolation, and the lack of any Missionary Society which could
aid them, they became discouraged, and were induced to sell
their property, and transfer their allegiance to the Church of
Scotland. The church is now known in Quebec as " Chalmers'
Church." This, however, was not a unanimous act, for in
1837 a remnant was found faithful to the Congregational prin
ciples, who were formed into another Congregational church,
with the Rev. Timothy Atkinson as its first pastor.
The Eastern Townships, called " the Switzerland of Canada,"
were largely settled by people from New England. These had
been accustomed, from their earliest years, to the means of
grace ; but in the wilderness to which they had come to hew
out new homes, they had neither churches nor ministers. This
spiritual destitution was, in a small measure, supplied by
ministers from New England, who visited them from time to
time, preaching in various places. Among the earliest of these
were the Revs. James Hobart, Luther Leland, and John Jack-
eon. Mr. Hobart was a graduate of Dartmouth, and pastor of
the Congregational church at Berlin, Vt. Having a sister liv
ing in Stanstead, he frequently visited her in the first years of
this century, making his visits occasions of evangelistic labors,
especially in Stanstead. Mr. Leland was a graduate of Mid-
dlebury, and pastor of the church at Derby, Vt., in 1810. He
performed a vast amount of missionary work in the bordering
townships of Lower Canada.
The Rev. John Jackson,* a native of Petersham, Mass.,
graduated in Dartmouth in 1792, and was the first Congrega
tional minister in Gill, Mass. He came to Canada in 181 1,
settling first in Stukely, and removing four years later toBrome
There were few churches then in the Townships, as the popu-
* Grandfather of Rev. Dr. Jackson, of Kingston.— [Ed.]

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 21
lation was too sparse to form them. Mr. Jackson's ministry,
therefore, which extended over a period of about twenty years,
was chiefly itinerant and evangelistic. Picking his way through
the forests on horseback, or on foot, guided by the blazed
trees, he carried the bread of life from settlement to settlement,
in various townships. For this hard pioneer labor he received
but little reward aside from the consciousness that he was doing
his Master's work. When, in 1844, the Congregational church
at Brome was organized, and the enduring stone edifice was
erected under the pastorate of the Rev. David Connell, Mr.
Jackson said he felt like uttering the words of Simeon : " Lord,
now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy
word ; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation," etc. He died
on March 18, of that same year, and was buried by the Rev.
Dr. Wilkes. His mortal remains rest in the cemetery ad
joining the church.
Stanstead was settled by New England people about 1790,
but the church was not organized until 18 16, the Rev. Thad-
deus Osgood being the first settled minister. A large congre
gation was gathered, and for some time the church prospered
Mr. Osgood was what is termed a moderate Calvinist, while a
portion of the members were quite ultra in their doctrinal
views. This led to disagreement, whereupon an ecclesiastical
council was called to give advice in the matter. The sessions
of the council lasted for two days, and excited much interest
in the community, the Union church where they met, and
which seated fifteen hundred, being filled to overflowing. A
majority of the council decided in favor of the pastor, while a
small minority advised his dismissal. The sympathies of the
public, and of the greater part of the church were with the
decision of the majority, therefore the pastor continued his min
istry, although the disaffected minority withdrew, and for a time
attended the ministry of Mr. Leland at Derby. Mr. Osgood
organized the first Sunday school in the Eastern Townships,

22 MEMOIR OF THE
and continued his faithful and efficient ministry until 1819,
when he resigned.
In the absence of a minister, service was conducted for some
time by the deacons. In 1828, the Rev. A. J. Parker, who had
just completed his preparation for the ministry, and received
his license in Vermont, supplied the church most acceptably
for some months. In 1829, the Rev. Andrew Rankin became
the pastor, and the new brick church at the north end of the
plain was built in the same year. The Rev. Joseph Gibbs,
from Banff, Scotland, succeeded Mr. Rankin in 1830. He was
a man of eminent endowments, and an author of considerable
repute. He died in June, 1833, and was father of the late
Rev. S. T. Gibbs, of Whitby, Ont. After being supplied for a
time by ministers belonging to the Hampshire Association,
Mass., the American Missionary Society, in 1834, sent them
the Rev. A. O. Hubbard, who remained for a year, and was
followed in June, 1836, by the Rev. L. Sabin, sent by the same
society, he also remained for only a year. The Rev. R. V-
Hall, who was born in Stanstead, in 18 10, and educated in the
United States, became their next pastor. He remained in
charge of the church for more than sixteen years, or until
1854. This church, which still remains true to the creed and
polity of its New England founders, is the mother of severa
Congregational churches in that region.
In Eaton a Congregational church was organized in 1815,
through the labors of the Rev. J. Taylor, a graduate of Mid-
dlebury. Mr. Taylor was the first pastor, and his installation
services were held in the barn of Mr. Wells Rogers. For five
years he continued his labors amid many privations, supple
menting his scant salary by teaching the district school. In
1 82 1, an offer from the Bishop of Quebec of a salary of ^200
sterling was accepted, and he became the first incumbent of
the Episcopal church in Cookshire, some of the members going
with him, and forming the nucleus of the church. A larger
number united in founding a Baptist church, while others re-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 23
mained true to their principles. These were as sheep without
a shepherd, until they were visited by the Rev. A. J. Parker in
1833, and reorganized as a Congregational church. They
were occasionally supplied by ministers until the beginning of
1838, when the Rev. E. J. Sherrill was installed over them.
His long and faithful ministry terminated by his resignation
through ill health in 1875. Mr. Sherrill died in Lee, Mass.,
June 13th, 1877, on the thirty-ninth anniversary of his ordina
tion. He was father to the Rev. Dr. Sherrill, pastor of the
First Congregational church at Omaha, Nebraska.
The Rev. A. J. Parker, after supplying the church at Stan
stead for some months, as has been stated, made a prospecting
missionary tour in the Eastern Townships, going as far as the
village now called Danville, in the township of Shipton. He
found great spiritual destitution, for in a circuit of sixty miles
there were only two preaching stations. At the urgent re
quest of the people of Danville, he made this his field of labor
in April, 1829. He was supported in part by the Canada Edu
cation and Home Missionary Society, of which Mr. Wilkes was
an active member. On November nth, 1832, the church was
organized, consisting of thirty-five members, and for twenty
years was the only one in the place. Mr. Parker continued
their honored and zealous pastor for forty years. He passed to
his heavenly reward October 29th, 1877. One of his sons, the
Rev. H. J. Parker, is a Congregational minister in the United
States, and a daughter, Mrs. Watkins, a missionary in Mexico.
The Province of Ontario, early known as Upper Canada,
was later than the other Provinces in receiving churches of the
Congregational order, although their multiplication and growth
has been much more rapid. In 1840 there were eighteen
churches in Lower Canada and but sixteen in Upper Canada ;
while in Ontario to-day there are more than in all the other
Provinces combined.
The church at Frome, in the Township of Southwold, is the
oldest in Ontario, of which we have any record. In 181 7, Mr.

24 MEMOIR OF THE
Joseph Silcox emigrated from Frome, Somersetshire, England,
to this place, then known as the Talbot Settlement. He was a
Congregationalist, and having received a better education than
the other settlers was appointed school teacher. The com
munity was made up of those holding various forms of religious
belief. About the year 1819, they formed themselves into an
ecclesiastical society, which was named " The Congregational
Presbyterian Prince of Peace Society." Mr. Silcox was chosen
as their pastor, and duly set apart to the office. Under his
ministry the church grew and flourished, and his labors were
extended to many of the surrounding districts.
In 1821, Mr. Silcox returned to England, expecting in a
short time to bring out his family to his new home. Through
various causes he was detained there for seven years, but
returned with his wife and family in 1829, and resumed his
ministry. The church, however, had become divided and
weakened through his prolonged absence. During the period
of the Rebellion, the church received another severe shock.
The pastor was strong in his sympathy with the Government
party, while many of the members gave their countenance to
the revolutionary party, causing estrangement between pastor
and people. The disaffected and scattered members of the
church, however, were again brought together in 1842, through
the influence of a revival which had prevailed. Mr. Silcox was
re-elected to the pastorate, and one of his sons chosen deacon.
He continued his ministry, with good success, until 1850, when
he retired from active duty. Two of his grandsons are now
Congregational ministers in Canada.
In 1834, the Congregational Union of England and Wales
sent, as a deputation to visit the sister churches of the United
States, the Revs. Andrew Reed and James Matheson. They
were met at New York by Congregationalists from Montreal
and Toronto, who persuaded them to include Canada in their
tour of visitation. They came to Quebec, Montreal, Brock
ville, Kingston and Toronto, and were so impressed with the

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 25
spiritual necessities of the country, that on their return they
secured a grant of $5,000 from the London Missionary Society,
and the Revs. W. Hayden and D. Dyer were at once sent out.
The Rev. Andrew Reed (afterwards Dr. Reed) was invited to
become the pastor of a Congregational church in Toronto, but
declined. The origin of the Congregational churches in Montreal,
Toronto, and other places are of dates so near the beginning
of Dr. Wilkes' ministry, and have their history so associated
with his life, that details of their organization are not given in
this chapter. As will appear from the following chapters of
his Biography, while a young man in business in Montreal he
had to do with some of our churches as an active member of
the Canada Education and Home Missionary Society. While
in Great Britain, whither he went to study for the ministry, he
was instrumental in sending out several Congregational minis
ters to Canada, and it was largely through his influence that
the Colonial Missionary Society was organized, fifty years ago.
After his return to Montreal as pastor of Zion church, he
became a spiritual father and Bishop to the Congregational
churches of Canada, in a special sense. Holding the offices
of Agent of the Colonial Missionary Society, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Canada Congregational Missionary Society,
and Principal, and a Professor of the Congregational College,
he did more than any one else to establish and build up Con
gregational churches in Canada. " He rests from his labors,
and his works do follow him." It is doubtful if we shall see his
like again.

26 MEMOIR OF THE

CHAPTER II.
1805-1820.
The long and useful life of the Rev. Dr. Wilkes, and the
eminent service which, in various forms, he rendered to the
denomination to which he belonged, and of which he was so
prominent a figure for half a century, to say nothing of his
more public work, makes it undesirable that our venerable
friend should pass away without some memorial of him to
remind us of his faithful, unselfish labors, and of the success
with which they were rewarded. If we are to be " followers
of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises,"
we must know the paths they trod, and there are few men
whose success in the ministry has been more enviable, or
whose methods of work, and power of organizing others for
work, have been more worthy of study than those of the
former pastor of Zion Church, in Montreal. We are sure,
therefore, that the younger men in the ministry among us, and
indeed all those who are interested in the furtherance of the
Kingdom of God in this land, will desire to know something
of the man who, by his faithfulness and wise administration of
its affairs, made old " Zion," under the divine blessing, such a
power for good, as, for many years, it was acknowledged to be,
in that city.
Henry Wilkes was born in Birmingham, England, June
2 ist, 1805, and was the eldest child of a family of eleven. His
grandfather, John Wilkes, was a clock maker, a man of sterling
character, who lived to be eighty years of age, and to whose
memory a tablet is erected on the outside of the wall of St.
Mary's Church, where he is buried. He is said to have been
related to John Wilkes, the notorious member of the British

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 27
House of Commons, who gave the king and the government
of the day so much trouble in the early part of the reign of
George III. The grandmother, who lived to a great age, is
said to have been a woman of strong individuality of character.
The family seems, indeed, to have been remarkable for their
longevity, a grand-uncle, John Rann, of Dudley, having lived
in full possession of all his faculties until ninety-seven. The
fireside tales which one so aged could tell would naturally
delight the young, and "his conversation," we are told, "was
of intense interest, bringing before one, by an eye witness, a
past which could only be read in books."
His father, who was a manufacturer, was a good business
man, having a clear and vigorous mind, and took an interest
in all the questions of the day, both political and religious.
In his early days he had been one of a band of zealous and
active young men in the church, under the charge of the Rev.
Jehoiada Brewer, and he occasionally took his turn in preach
ing in the villages around ; and on his coming to Canada, and
settling in Brantford, he took an active part in the organization
of the Congregational church in that place, and when the
writer became its pastor, extended to him a very cordial wel
come. Of a very different type of piety from that of his wife,
he yet hated shams of every kind ; and once when, on the
occasion of a visit from Barnum, his pastor had preached a
sermon on " lying lips an abomination to the Lord," and had
uttered some plain truths on trickery and fraud, he thanked
him for the discourse, his eyes flashing as he did so, and
declared with emphasis, that it was the first sermon he had
heard on lying in twenty years. He loved to hear the Gospel
as he had heard it in " Steelhouse Lane," and was fond of
quoting from Cowper (with whose poems he was very familiar,)
his description of what a preacher of the Gospel should be, —
" Would I describe a preacher, such as Paul,
Were he on earth, would hear, approve, and own,
Paul should himself direct me," etc.

28 MEMOIR OF THE
a description which it was quite pardonable in him to think
was largely met in his own son, of whom the old gentleman
was not a little proud.
Dr. Wilkes' mother (nee Susan Philips,) was of Welsh
origin, — a woman of great mental power, and decided piety,
with unbounded influence over her children, who entertained
for her a love and veneration that could scarcely be exceeded.
Few pastors of so small a church as that in Brantford then
was have ever been blessed with a nobler or more helpful
band of godly women than that found there, and of which
Mrs. Wilkes and her sister, Mrs. Day,- — mother of the pastor
at Lanark, — were the leaders in every good work. She lived
for two objects, — the salvation of her family, and the building
up of the little church she loved so well ; and in the sermon
preached on the occasion of her death, in the month of Janu
ary, 1858, her pastor felt that he could truly say of her: —
" Rarely do we meet with one whose life is marked with the same
even consistency as hers. Her path has shone brighter and brighter unto
the perfect day. For upwards of sixty years was her heart consecrated to
God, and, as far as we know, during all that time has she been enabled
by divine grace, to honor her Saviour by a godly life. The seed of the
kingdom was, while very young, sown in her heart. She was not, I believe,
blessed with pious parents in her earliest years, though I understand they
became so afterwards ; but the Lord called her by other means to the
knowledge of Himself. A few pious people, in humble circumstances, as
she related the matter to me, were in the habit of meeting for prayer, in
one of the more retired streets of Birmingham. Their worship was
offered almost in secret ; but the Father who seeth in secret hearkened and
heard them. Their singing attracted the attention of a little girl as she
passed and repassed the place, and she often listened, and lingered, and
wished to enter, but dared not do so; but one day one of the little com
pany invited her in, and having obtained permission of her parents, she
entered, and by these humble means, chiefly, was our dear departed sister
impressed with her need of a Saviour, and led to his feet. And often has
she referred to her own early experience as a reason why we should be
attentive to strangers, since by that means we may be the instruments of
saving some. And often, too, has she spoken of her own early conversion

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D 29
as she sat and talked with us at our cottage meetings, and assured the
young people present of the pleasantness of the ) ath of wisdom. Those
who were privileged to be there on that occasion will not soon forget with
what earnestness and delight she did so, the very last time she was with
us, on her seventy-fifth birthday. Oh that those who heard her would
choose the good part she so eloquently commended ! She loved the
sanctuary, and was accustomed to speak of the 4th verse of the twenty-
seventh Psalm as " one of her texts," — " One thing have I desired of the
Lord, and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life," etc. ; and only when it was no longer possible for
her to go could she be kept away. Her end was such an end as might
have been predicated from such a life. " We have not followed cunningly
devised fables," she said to a young man at her bedside, whom she sus
pected of skeptical tendencies : " there is truth in religion, there is reality
in the Gospel, see how I am sustained and comforted by it. Read the
Word of God for yourself, and be not led away by others." To
one of her granddaughters standing by her bedside she said : " My
dear, sixty years have passed away since I gave myself to the blessed
Saviour. When young, like you, I was sometimes tempted. Once I was
offered a ticket, and urged to go to the theatre. I refused, because I
thought it not right, and that it would place a thorn in my dying pillow.
The thorn is not there now. ' Jesus was the Alpha and the Omega of her
faith ; His name was seldom mentioned in her hearing without drawing
forth a hearty response, and nothing so delighted her as to conclude the
Sabbath services with some such hymn as —
"Jesus, thy blood and righteousness," etc., or
" Grace, 'tis a charming sound," etc.
hymns with which her memory was richly stored. " Almost home," she
said to a lady friend who visited her on the afternoon of her death, "lam
almost home," and in a few minutes more she had been received into the
many mansions of her Father's house."
These few particulars in regard to her are due to her memory,
and may help to explain the secret of her influence over her
children, and that boundless love and veneration which all the
members of her family felt for her, and none of them more
deeply than her eldest son. And never was filial affection
more heartily reciprocated.
Fortunately for his biographer, Dr. Wilkes left behind him

30 MEMOIR OF THE
somewhat voluminous auto-biographical "jottings," from which
he is enabled to supply many little particulars of interest in
regard to his childhood and its simple experiences.
" I can remember," he says, " at the early age of two and a half years,
being at a Dame's school, a primitive arrangement compared with the
Infant and Kindergarten schools of the present day. There I learned to
read, and at five years I was sent to my uncle Nesbitt's school, a step
in advance, and, copy in hand, was taught to write. My father was care
ful that all his children should have the best education that could then be
obtained. Mine was a. commercial one. George Edmonds, who after
wards became a famous man in Birmingham, was my teacher for a number
of years. He had a rostrum in the school-room which we were required
to ascend from time to time, and deliver prose and poetical compositions
with suitable voice, intonation, and gesture. I have since been glad of
this early drill in the art of speaking."
Several incidents are given, exhibiting early tendencies and
traits of character, and how these were checked or developed.
His temper and disposition were affectionate and cheerful, but
he was naturally liable to gusts of passion. One day, in a
paroxysm of rage, he struck a servant who had offended him,
and complaint was made of it to his parents. " I can never
forget," he writes, " how my father took me aside, and solemnly
showed me the sinfulness and danger of giving way to uncon
trolled temper, and my mother's firm but gentle reproof and
earnest prayer that God would give her boy grace to govern
himself. I am not aware of having, from that day, indulged in
any unseemly anger." About the same period (nine years
of age), when standing on a bridge without any parapet, flying
a kite, he stumbled and fell into the canal, and was rescued in
a state of insensibility, upon which he remarks, — " I remember
the rapid thinking of the moments of drowning, when the
remembrance of the love of my mother, and what her grief
would be, was uppermost. My father, on my recovery, showed
me how any one, by presence of mind, could keep afloat.
This proved of great service to me, for, a year after, when
standing on one of the primitive wharves of that day, careless-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 31
ly talking and gesticulating, I lost my balance, and fell into
water fourteen feet deep. I was not alarmed, but kept
myself up by paddling, as a dog does with his forelegs, until a
boat could be procured, and assistance given to relieve me."
The church with which the Wilkes family was connected had
for its pastor, as before mentioned, the Rev. Jehoiada Brewer,
a very able man, who had been educated for the Church of
England, but had from conviction become an Independent.
He died in 1814, and his funeral appears to have very deeply
impressed young Henry, who says of it :
" I remember the grief of losing one who was a friend and a pastor, and
the solemnity of walking in the procession to the church-yard. Many years
after, my father would say that he was reminded of his first and favorite
pastor by my preaching. This may have been parental partiality, or may
it be supposed that impressions were made thus early by the ministry a
boy attended, and in which he was interested, impressions on his mental
and moral nature, which became developed in after life ? "
A holiday trip in those days was an event in a boy's his
tory, and when, on one occasion, his father took him with him
on a rather extended tour, he seems to have experienced un
bounded delight in all he saw in the towns visited ; but he
says, — and these it should be noted, were war times, — " the
ships of war, lying at anchor in Plymouth dock, roused my
boyish loyalty, and I was never tired of investigating all the
appliances for the destruction of the enemy." This boyish
enthusiasm was, if possible, raised to a stillhigher pitch, when,
immediately on their reaching home again, the news of the
victory at Waterloo was brought from London to Birmingham
by mail, upon which the horses were taken from the coach,
and for want of anything more heroic on which to bestow
their honors, the people dragged the old coach through the
streets in triumph, with flags flying, drums beating, and can
non booming, in token of their joy at the national deliverance.
There was no Peace Society in those days, and probably not
much preaching of the Gospel of peace until after the power
of Napoleon (who was regarded by not a few as the " Anti-

32 MEMOIR OF THE
christ" of prophecy) was broken; and we do not wonder, there
fore, at reading that " we boys regarded ourselves as the natural
enemies of the French, and considered ourselves greatly their
superiors in every respect, especially as fighters. How happily
changed the national feeling during the succeeding sixty-five
years !"
The termination of a long and bitter struggle naturally pro
duced great changes in the trade and commerce of the country,
and Mr. Wilkes, senior, who for some years had business
relations with certain parties in New York, now found it need
ful to go at once to look after his interests in that city. His
business at home had to be managed by others, and very
largely by his son Henry, then only fourteen years of age, who
had to undertake several considerable journeys in the west of
England, to settle accounts and take orders. Mr. Wilkes soon
found, however, that it would require longer time time than he
had expected to attend to matters in New York, and so, after
correspondence with his family, it was decided that they should
join him there the following spring. This involved, of course,
the winding up of the business in Birmingham, the breaking up
of a home, and all the preparations necessary for a large family
setting out upon a long sea voyage, — a much more serious
undertaking then than now. Mrs. Wilkes was, however, equal
to the emergency, and making her son Henry her confidant
and assistant, they together completed the arrangements for
the voyage, and in April, 1820, the mother and seven children
sailed from London for New York, to begin life anew, in a
strange land.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 33

CHAPTER III.
1820-1828.
Emigration from the land of our birth, and especially the re
moval of a family from a comfortable English home, to a foreign
country, with its untried experiences, must always be attended
with much that is painful and perplexing. Even now, with
all the opportunities afforded of learning in advance about the
land, and the people among whom the emigrants are to find
their future home, the step cannot be taken without some
anxiety as to possible results, and the difficulties and uncer
tainties, not to say the misgivings, of such an undertaking, at
the period of which we are writing, must have been sevenfold
greater, as the time occupied in the voyage was often seven
fold longer than now. Though a fine vessel, no doubt, for
her day, the ship in which Mrs. Wilkes and her family crossed
the ocean would now be considered a very second-rate affair
and a voyage of over six weeks' duration, with seven young
children in her sole charge, could not but be felt to be a sore
trial, relieved only by the prospect of reunion with her husband
in New York. In referring to its great and manifold discom
forts, she was wont to speak of it as requiring pre-eminently
the grace of patience, and but for the untiring cheerfulness,
courage and unselfishness of her eldest son, would have been
almost insupportable. Often had she sought to impress him
with a sense of the great influence for good or evil which, as
the eldest of the family, he must exert over its younger mem
bers, and very early he came to feel this responsibility. He
sometimes spoke, half regretfully, of never having known any
boyhood, having, by the force of circumstances, been compelled

34 MEMOIR OF THE
to act the part, and bear the burdens of a man, while yet in
years and strength only a child. Referring to this period in
his "Auto-biographical jottings " he says :
"A forty-four days' voyage brought us to New York, 24th May, 1820,
¦where we were detained for a month, in intense heat. My father having
decided to settle in Canada, we left by schooner on the Hudson for
Albany; thence in a waggon to Syracuse; then by river and canal to
Oswego, and again in a schooner to the head of Lake Ontario, fully a
week's journey. York (now Toronto) had then less than a thousand in
habitants. In wet weather it was extremely muddy, and sadly exposed to
the plague of fever and ague, a month's experience of which I early suffer
ed. My father began a general business opposite the market place, in
King street East, and soon after at another stand, the corner of Yonge
and Queen streets. I was employed between them both, and often had to
drive a pair of large horses from the wharf to the store, and for consider
able distances into the country for goods. I distinctly remember, on one of
these trips to Niagara, having with me a Mr. Mackenzie, then a clerk in
Mr. Leslie's, of Dundas, afterwards an M.P.P., and a so-called " rebel" *
We greatly enjoyed the trip, and the awful grandeur of the Falls 
An accident, by which the forefinger of my left hand was crushed, led my
father to hasten the fulfilment of an already formed purpose to introduce
me to more intellectual work. I entered the office of an attorney and
barrister, where I spent six months. At the end of that time very flatter
ing offers were made to me to study law, but I declined them, mainly be
cause of the difficulty, as I then thought, of being perfectly truthful, upright
and honest, in transacting the business of that profession.
On Sundays we met for worship in a hall, the service being conducted
by a Mr. Fenton, my father, and one or two others, alternately. There
was also a small Sunday School, where I taught, as I did in Birmingham,
mainly those who had to learn to read. A church was built soon after by
Mr. Jesse Ketchum, in the neighbourhood of our new house and store,
and we attended the services there, the Rev. Mr. Harris being minister.
My father's business now required him to visit New York and Montreal
for goods, and he resolved to take me with him to the latter place, with a
view of finding for mea position in a mercantile house. And here begins
the record of that important part of a youth's life, wherein he leaves his
home and goes forth into the world, away from parental supervision and
domestic endearments. I had to leave both parents, four brothers and two
sisters, who ever constituted a pleasant and harmonious family."

' No doubt Mr. William Lyon Mackenzie is intended.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 35
To those who know this country only in its present advanced
condition, with its railway service, its comfortable Ptillmm
cars, its postal and telegraph arrangements, and other public
conveniences, the amount of consideration and preparation
which the projected journey involved would be amusing were
we to describe it. In 1822, however, it was more serious
than comic. Conveyances of the most primitive character
only could then be obtained. The roads were of the roughest
description, while there were long stretches of country
through which no road had yet been opened. The only mode
of communication with those left behind was by a mail which
took about a week to accomplish the journey between York
and Montreal. Hence Henry Wilkes' start in life was some
what formidable to look forward to, since nothing but serious
failure in some important matter would warrant a return to
his home. Of that, however, his parents entertained no fear;
his love of truth, and his uprightness and decision of character,
gave them confidence in regard to his success. In bidding
farewell to his mother, whom he almost idolized, he resolved
that his conduct should never cause her a regret. The rela
tions that existed between them were more intimate than is
common between mother and son, and her loving advice and
prayers for him were never forgotten, but often in hours of
loneliness and temptation brought him comfort, and strength
to resist. The account of his sojourn in Montreal, during
these early years, is, necessarily, mostly from his own pen.
"Early in September, 1822, father and I proceeded in a steamer to
Kingston, about a three days' sail, thence by a bateau, under the manage
ment of French Canadians, down the river to Lachine, of course running
the several rapids, with no end of noisy exclamations, and directions
addressed by the captain to his men. From thence driving in a caleche,
we reached Montreal, — an old French-looking place, of narrow streets,
and having about 28,000 inhabitants. My father expected to obtain for
me a situation in a wholesale commission house, but the vacancy was
filled. Walking along St. Paul street, he entered the store of Mr. John
Torrance, with the intention of purchasing goods. I remained outside

36 MEMOIR OF THE
looking up and down the street. Mr. Torrance enquired concerning me, and
being called forward, I was asked if I would like to be a grocer ? My
reply was that I had no choice among reputable kinds of business. My
penmanship was then tested, and in a few minutes I was engaged for three
years, my salary to be ^25, ^35, and ^45 per annum, and to board in
the family. My father introduced me to the Sunday School in the Pres
byterian church in St. Peter street, and in a few days he bade me farewell,
returning to his home in York. I can never forget the choking sense of
loneliness I then experienced, 360 miles away from my old home, in a
strange town, without friends or acquaintances but those of a few days'
standing." This experience, doubtless, helped to develope what was
always a conspicuous trait in Dr. Wilkes' character, — an intense
sympathy for all strangers, and especially for young men
coming to a strange land. He had "known the heart of a
stranger," and to his latest days entered into the feelings of
those similarly circumstanced with untiring interest. However
much engaged, he would lay aside his work to read letters of
introduction sent to him from England, the United States, or
any other part of the world, or listen to tales of disappoint
ment or over-sanguine hopes, from those recently arrived in
the country. With words of cheer, or grave advice, he would
try to direct their path, and would take endless trouble to
secure situations and suitable lodgings for them, while not un-
frequently material help was given until some suitable employ
ment was obtained. " Help in need is help indeed," and this
assistance frequently proved an inestimable boon, and is known,
in more than one instance, to have been the means of enabling
the needy one to take the first step in the building up of a
fortune, or at least of securing a comfortable independence.
In other cases the results were not so satisfactory. There
were those who took advantage of his open, generous nature,
and borrowed without even the intention, apparently, of re
turning the loan. But although often deceived, he never
became callous or suspicious, counting it better to lose what
he lent occasionally, through misplaced confidence, rather

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 37
than any one deserving of help should suffer. Before parting
he rarely failed to give warning regarding the special tempta
tions likely to assail the unwary, and to urge the importance
of abstinence from alcoholic stimulants as being specially
dangerous in this climate. Knowing too, from experience,
how helpful working for the good of others had been in curing
home-sickness, an introduction to a Sunday School or a Bible-
class was generally given, and a cordial invitation to come to
him to report success, or difficulty, and always to consider him
as their friend.
To return to his own narrative, —
" The Sunday after my father left I went to the Sunday School in the
Presbyterian church, St. Peter street, where I at once was appointed to a
class, in which I soon became greatly interested. There I met Mr. T. S-
Brown, Mr. Freeland and others, who always afterwards were steadfast
friends. I attended, for the most part, St. Gabriel Street church, of
which Messrs. Esson and Black were ministers. There soon came a period
of change. Mr. Easton, the minister of St. Peter Street church, had be
come disabled, and soon after died, and a controversy arose as to the source
whence they should seek a successor, whether from the Church of Scot
land or from the United States. There were a number of natives of the
United States in the congregation. A majority, however, decided to send
to Scotland ; whereupon, most of the Americans, though not all, seceded,
and formed themselves into the American Society, leaving it, for the time,
an open question whether they would organize as Presbyterians or Con
gregationalists. For some time longer I remained in the Sunday School
in St. Peter street, but by and by I left for the newly formed school of
the American congregation. This arose partly from pleasant friendships
with members of it, but mainly from lively interest in the ministry of the
Rev. J. S. Christmas, who came to the city in 1824.''
In a letter from Mr. T. S. Brown, before alluded to, dated
the 27th January, 1887, he says : —
" My impressions of the Sunday School of 1822 are, that Miss Hedge
had for some time a Sunday School class in her father's house, corner of
St. Peter street and Fortification lane (with garden stretching to St. James
street, now crossed with the Merchants' Bank), and that this was the founda
tion of the school commenced in the St. Peter Street church, then known

38 MEMOIR OF THE
as Mr. Easton's, and afterwards as St. Andrew's. Of this congregation I
can remember the faces of Gates, Bancroft, Barrett, Frotheringham, Hedge,
Lyman, Dwight, Boston, Michael Scott, John McKenzie, J. G. McKenzie,
Fleming, Tait, and others. Some of them — I cannot say which, but with
the co-operation of all — decided upon opening the school, which at once
became popular, being well attended by the children of the congregation,
and a number of outsiders. Of these children I have met with many in
recent years, who remembered the school with much interest, but Mr.
Henry Lyman is the only one surviving, to my knowledge. Young men
and young women of the congregation volunteered to become teachers, of
whom I remember the Misses Day, sisters of the late Justice Day, also
nieces of Lady Allan ; but somehow Henry Wilkes, then less than eight
een years of age, and myself about two years older, became what may be
called the Executors or Directors in all matters of administration. Henry
Wilkes was a remarkable man for his years, intelligent, stouthearted,
self-reliant, and self-possessed, with a faculty of command. He wrote a
finished hand, and got up a set of cards for the classes, each having the
names of the respective children, with columns attached for attendance,
good behavior, etc., that were admired at the time, and not forgotten ;
for in one of my last conversations with John McKenzie, who lived to a
very old age, he asked me if I remembered these cards? Whatever I may
have had of notes or records of these early days wee lost, and it is now
requiring my memory to make bricks without straw, when I ask it to go
behind the barriers of half a century, and grope there for the details of
passing events, bright enough at the time, but rusted over, and dis
located by age, and its decrepitudes. Subsequent to the Sunday School
connection, Mr. Wilkes and I were moving on different lines ; and
though as active young men, interested in questions of social order and
improvement, we were frequently brought together, the memory of the
wheies, the whens, and the wherefores has passed away."
The influence of the Rev. Mr. Christmas, although himself
so young a man, over the young people of his charge, and
indeed over his congregation generally, appears to have been
exceptionally great. The writer has often heard him referred
to by his former Bible class teacher, the late Mr. J. C. Beers
and others, with an amount of tender and reverent affection,
that indicated how deep had been the impression produced by
his preaching and personal intercourse with them. Mr. Wilkes
was providentially brought under his influence just at that for-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 39
mative period of his history, when such a ministry was most
likely to be helpful to him. The late Rev. Dr. Kirk, of
Boston, who knew him intimately, as a student in the same
Theological class with himself, thus describes him, — " He was
more than ordinarily beautiful in complexion and expression,
but of only medium stature. The beauty of his face would
have been of feminine softness, but for the manliness of the
intellect and sentiment which redeemed it  His social
qualities were of a high order; a constant sunshine of cheer
fulness accompanied him; a meek and unambitious spirit,
allied to great firmness, formed the basis of his character.
 His rank among us was high. Of his religious
character I retain no other recollections than that I always
regarded him as a peculiarly religious man."* And Mr.
Wilkes, in a very appreciative sketch of his former pastor,
contributed to the work from which the foregoing testimony is
taken, says of him : " A calm review at this distance of time,
(1848) gives rise to the conviction that his was a special
mission to this northern frontier of American Christendom,
designed to begin a work of spiritual amelioration which,
receiving then an impulse and an impression, has steadily
advanced until this present, through various channels, and in
quarters and by instruments, then unlooked for ; " and adds,
that "to trace the influence of the short ministry of my loved
friend  would be to write the history of religion in
Montreal during the last twenty-five years." Of his style in
the pulpit he says, it " was easy and graceful, and frequently
of a high character." But he sought not the honour that
cometh from man only. So pungent and searching were some
of his practical appeals, although always spoken in the spirit
of love, that it is recorded that there were instances of indivi
duals becoming so infuriated by the scorching discrimination
of some of his discourses, that they were tempted, as they after-

* Spragus's Annals, vol. iv., page 66a.

a o MEMOIR OF THE
wards confessed, to shoot the preacher. The great prin
ciple, the grand ambition, the master passion in Mr. Christ
mas was the conversion of sinners, and the advancement
of our Lord's kingdom. This excellent man, after a pastor
ate of four years " of almost unparalleled usefulness," in
Montreal, returned to the United States, much broken down in
health, where for a few months he took charge of another
church, but sank under the effort, and died in the month of
March, 1830.*
With so faithful and fearless a preacher, and so earnest and
successful a soul-seeker at its head, it is not surprising that
Mr. Wilkes writes of his identification with the American
church as " an important era in (his) personal history." Mr.
Christmas' preaching, and general ministry in 1825, (he says,)
became very powerful, exciting bitter opposition on the part
of the enemies of Evangelical truth, but also stirring the
hearts of many to their inmost depths on the subject of per
sonal salvation. The result was a striking revival of religion
during the autumn and winter of 1825-6. The Rev. Mr.
Henderson, of St. Andrew's, sympathized in this movement,
and held special services, Mr. Christmas assisting him ; many
prominent men and women were brought to decide for Christ,
who lived and died in the faith. The influence for good of
that movement may be discovered at St. Andrew's even after
the lapse of fifty years.
" From the time of my arrival in Montreal, my correspondence with my
parents was constant, and the subject of personal religion held an im
portant place in it. This revival deepened the impressions that already
existed, and never quite passed away, and conversations with Mr. D. P.
Janes, then an active young man in the little church, issued in a deliberate
decision for Christ as my Lord and Master. In a few months, namely,
May, 1826, I united with the American Presbyterian church, making to
the minister and session a distinct avowal of my Congregational principles
but agreeing to walk according to Presbyterian order, so long as I remained

* Sprague's Annals, vol. iv., pp. 665, 667.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 41
a member of that church. At that time I became acquainted with two
very estimable men, twin brothers, S. S. and J. B. Ward. One of them
made me a life member of the American Board of Commissioners for For
eign Missions, and with them I have had a life-long friendship.
At this date I had been more than three and a half years with Mr. Tor
rance, my apprenticeship being over, and my salary now ^100 per annum.
He had kindly made me a present at the end of each of the three years of
j£io, and what was still more gratifying, expressed entire satisfaction with my
services. My remembrances are all of hard, steady, faithful work, believing
that my duty was to seek in every proper manner my employer's interest.
The first year I was in the shop and warehouse ; immediately after in the
office as bookkeeper. The others employed in the establishment at that
time were, Mr. David Torrance, Mr. Andrew Cowan, Mr. William Chris
tie, for many years a venerable elder in St. Paul's church, and John Young,
a youth just from Scotland, who afterwards became the Hon. John Young.
I was usually selected if important written communications were to be
made, or when business required a visit to distant places."
He then goes on to describe some of his experiences in
visiting Kingston, Quebec, Hull, driving through the present
site of Ottawa, which at that time was " only a clearing," with
out a house, — and then mentions an offer made to him by a
New York gentleman, with whom he met on one of these jour
neys, of an important position as his agent in the Island of St.
Thomas, West Indies, with a salary, for the first year, of ^400,
but which he declined because he could not honorably leave
Mr. Torrance until the following May, and also because the
position demanded a man with some flexibility of conscience in
regard to the Sabbath. The pecuniary sacrifice, however, was
soon more than made up to him, for he goes on to say, —
" Mr. Torrance then offered me a junior partnership, at the same time
with his nephew, Mr. David Torrance, which offer was accepted.
Previous to this, Mr. Christmas, my pastor, called my attention to the
work of the Christian ministry, urging my prayerful attention to the ques
tion and my duty regarding it. He mentioned that afriend of his, in Phila
delphia, would furnish me with the pecuniary means, while he, Mr. C,
would prepare me for college. This matter awakened in me intense anx
iety as to the path of duty, and led to much prayer, and to seeking counsel
especially from my parents. Their advice was very judicious. They

42 MEMOIR OF THE
wished me first to consider whether I might not be quite as useful in busi
ness, as a lay worker for Christ, since my prospects were so unusually
good, and my capacity had been tested. Then, provided I deemed it my
duty to give up commerce, whether it were well to place myself in a posi
tion of dependence, laying me under obligations which might be embarass-
ing in the future. The result arrived at was to continue, in the meantime,
in business." The generally judicious character of this parental counsel,
no one, of course, will be disposed to call in question. Yet
we have our fears that many a young man, as surely called to
the ministry of the gospel as Henry Wilkes was, is turned aside
by this very suggestion of the possibility of his being " quite
as useful in business " as in the ministry, and none but the
Omniscient knows how near it may have been to becoming
successful in his case, or what the loss and damage to the
Church of God might have been had it been so. Not every
good young man " desiring the office of a bishop," is called to
this work ; but every one in whose heart the enquiry has been
awakened as to his duty in this regard ought to give it long and
prayerful consideration before deciding so important a point.
Satan often comes to us " as an angel of light," and one of
the occasions on which he transforms himself most successfully
is, when he persuades a gifted young man, whose heart is in
the work, to turn aside to " dig in the silver mine " in the hope
of doing more with his money than with himself, to glorify
God. Success in business, in the present day, demands, or
at least generally secures, great absorption of mind, and of
physical energy, leaving often very little for personal effort to
do good; while the effect of this absorption during a long
course of years, in too many instances, is to leave very little
disposition to use either money or gifts in the service of Christ.
The " shilling heart " often comes with the " guinea purse."
It might not have been so with Mr. Wilkes, but whether or no,
we are profoundly grateful that the temptation failed.
It is pleasant to learn of him that these business trips were
not wholly devoted to commercial pursuits, for he says : —

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 43
"During my visits to Quebec, I had occasional opportunities of reading
my French Testament to French Canadians. One intelligent widow
woman, who evidently had doubts of the infallibility of her church, would
listen with great interest. Her impressions and resolves were probably
but evanescent, as after seeing her priest she told me she could not listen
any longer, and if she were in the wrong he (the priest) would be account
able for it. Among the more enlightened of the French Canadians, there
was great enjoyment in discussing the points of difference between Protes
tants and themselves ; and although results are not known, may we not
hope that some obtained larger and clearer views ?
1 ' The Sunday School of the American Church occupied much of my
leisure hours, and on each Sunday afternoon, when at home, I had a
class of eight youths, among whom were Benjamin and Henry Lyman,
with whom I have had a life-long friendship."
Early in 1826, the superintendent unexpectedly asked him
to say a few words in closing the exercises of the day. This
was his first attempt at " speaking in public," and the appalling
effect of the " sea of upturned faces," which met his view on
rising to address the school, is compared to the trepidation
which might be felt in facing a battery of artillery. He does
not, of course, tell us how he succeeded in this " maiden
speech ; " but he had evidently made a good impression on
his fellow-teachers, for he was shortly afterwards elected
superintendent of the Branch School at Hochelaga, about two
miles below the city, to and from which he regularly walked
every Sunday afternoon all through the winter of 1827-28.
Just at this juncture — that is, on the 20th December, 1827,
— the jottings inform us, —
" The Canada Education and Home Missionary Society " was formed,
the object being to provide for destitute places, faithful, evangelical minis
ters, either Presbyterian, Congregational, or Baptist. I was made Secre,
tary of that Society, and in that capacity corresponded with other Societies
in England and Scotland. Afterwards I was commissioned by the Board
of Directors to act for it in England and Scotland, both in regard to funds,
and the obtaining of faithful ministers of Christ to labour in Canada."
This Society was the precursor and, in some sense, the
parent of the Congregational Missionary Society of Canada

44 MEMOIR OF THE
East, which by amalgamation with a similar organization for
Canada West, in October, 1853, became the Canada Congre
gational Missionary Society.
Its first missionary was the Rev. A. J. Parker, of Danville,
Quebec, who settled in the township of Shipton, in the year
1829, where he organized the Congregational church still
flourishing in that village, and of which he remained its
honored pastor for over forty years. About the same time, the
Rev. Joseph Gibb, of Banff, in Scotland, who was about to
emigrate to the United States, was induced, through representa
tions made to him by Mr. Wilkes of the greater needs of Can
ada, to change his plan, and came to this country, settling at
Stanstead. Several other ministers were persuaded to come
out, among others Rev. David Murdoch, who laboured some
years at Bath, on the Bay of Quinte, and afterwards removed
to the State of New York. In 1831, the Rev. John Smith, of
Glasgow, who had recently returned broken down in health,
from Serampore, in India, where he had been a missionary, offer
ed himself for service in Canada, in connection with this same
Society, and was sent out under its auspices, with the twofold
object of training young men for the ministry, and the preach
ing of the Word. Ultimately he settled in Kingston, as the
pastor of the " Union " church in that town. With him came
also the Rev. Richard Miles, a returned missionary from South
Africa, who, through reading the appeal of the Society, resolved
on coming out in company with Mr. Smith, although indepen
dently of any help from its funds ; and on settling in Montreal,
became the founder, and first pastor, of what afterwards was
known as Zion Church. Churches of the Congregational
order were also established by its instrumentality in Granby,
Abbotsford, Waterloo, Russeltown, and other places in Canada
East, and were fostered and cared for, until a distinctly Con
gregational Missionary Society was formed in 1845, and re"
lieved it of the burden of their support.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 45
During the six years of his sojourn in Montreal, Mr. Wilkes
tells us he was twice permitted a holiday of sufficient length .to
visit his parents.
" The first time was in 1825, and I remained with them a week in York
(Toronto). I went on horseback from that home to Brantford, on a visit of a
few days to my brother John, nearly two years my junior, who was there
beginning a business, which, being very successful, led to the transfer of
the whole family thither in due time. Returning from York in the mail
waggon, we occupied night and day from Monday noon till Wednesday
afternoon getting to Kingston, and from that time till Saturday noon be
fore reaching Montreal. Navigation was closed, and this was the land
journey of those days ! "
It must have been during his next visit to Brantford, in the
spring of 1828, just prior to his leaving for Scotland to study,
that he established the first Sunday School in that place, the
records of which show it to have been organized by him in the
beginning of June, 1828. As in the case of a good many other
" union " efforts, so in this ; the other denominations gradu
ally withdrew from it, and established schools of their own,
until it was left in the hands of a few of our own people, who
adopted it, and continue to carry it on as the Sabbath School
of the Congregational church. Of that school Mr. James
Wilkes, a younger brother of the Doctor, and now senior dea
con of the church, became the Secretary and Librarian at the
time of its organization, and has continued to discharge the
duties of his office ever since — now nearly sixty years !
On entering into the partnership with Mr. Torrance, Mr.
Wilkes had expected that three years would elapse before he
could carry out his intention of studying for the Christian
ministry. Circumstances, however, arose to set him free at
the end of one year, and his connection with that house ceased
on ist May, 1828, although he continued to give assistance
in the business until July. His share in the profits of the
concern had been sufficiently large to warrant him in relin
quishing his position, and to make him independent of any
pecuniary assistance during his college course. The next

46 MEMOIR OF THE
question, and a very important one, to be decided, was, where
he should pursue his studies ? He had strong leanings towards
the United States, through warm attachment to his pastor, and
his many friends in the American church. But he was a loyal
British subject, contemplating ministerial and missionary work
in a British colony, which was fast filling up with immigrants
from the three kingdoms ; and for these and other reasons he
decided to cross the ocean, and enter Glasgow University,
with a view to subsequent Theological training in the Con
gregational Academy under the presidency of the Rev. Dr.
Wardlaw. With him he took his brother Frederick (after
wards Judge of the County of Grey,) who also went for the
purpose of securing advantages in the way of Grammar School
and University education, not then obtainable in Canada.
Sailing from Quebec for Greenock, they accomplished the
voyage in safety, although at one time in imminent danger of
being wrecked upon Jersey Island, through the carelessness of
the captain, who, to use the mild phrase employed in describ
ing the incident, " was not a teetotaller ! "
The six years spent in Montreal, in business, were always
referred to by Dr. Wilkes with evident interest and pleasure.
They formed, indeed, an admirable preparation in many ways,
for the work which he was afterwards to do, developing in him
the tact and sagacity, the mental activity and physical endur
ance, and the general power of " managing " things (in a
good sense) which one in his position needed. His know
ledge of men, gained during those years of commercial life,
enabled him to avoid the dangers into which many exercising
the almost irresponsible power he at one time wielded, as "an
unmitred bishop" would have run. He himself saw this, and
was thankful for the training, without once regretting the sacri
fice he made, of a material kind, or even regarding it as
such, that he might preach the Gospel of Christ.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 47

CHAPTER IV.
1828-1832.
On reaching Glasgow, Mr. Wilkes called immediately on
Dr. Wardlaw, who, he says, —
" Received me most kindly, and suggested sending at once my
application for admission to the Theological Academy, which was done.
I united with the church in West George Street under his care, and
greatly enjoyed his ministry, which was thoroughly evangelical, expository,
clear and thoughtful. I was set to work at once, and frequently appointed
to visit candidates for membership, with one of the deacons. On one
occasion, I was greatly pleased with a young man with whom we were
conversing ; and remembering how a suggestion had brought me to think
of a new life, I asked him if he had ever thought of devoting himself to
the Christian ministry ? He replied in the negative . I just threw out
the idea, that young men should ask the question of duty in this matter,
and left him. Six months afterwards I received a note referring to the
conversation, and asking further advice. The result was, giving up his
commercial office work, for a course of study. He became the Rev.
Robert Lang, of Dundee. A week after arriving in Glasgow, my brother
Frederick was invited by Mr. Anthony McKeand, of South Green Bank,
to spend a week or two with them, when I proceeded to Manchester and
Birmingham. It was pleasant to renew acquaintance with my relations,
after an absence of eight years. Having a letter of introduction to
the Rev. Thomas Smith, M.A., of Sheffield, he kindly invited me to be
his guest for a few days.''
Among others whom he met in Sheffield, he tells us he met
the poet James Montgomery, — "a man of refined and gentle
manners, very affable and conversational," who sent him a
copy of his " Songs of Zion," with his autograph on the fly
leaf, and a pleasant little note.
"On returning to Glasgow, I immediately placed myself under the
tuition of the Rev. Adam Lillie, who was living in that city, after return
ing from missionary work in India, in ill health. He had studied in the

48 MEMOIR OF THE
University of Glasgow, and also under the late Dr. Bogue, of Gosport,
England, and was now supporting himself by teaching Classics and Mathe
matics. I spent the winter, from October, and part of the summer under
his direction, so as to be fitted to matriculate in the autumn of 1829.
 While studying as many hours as practable in order to matriculate
in due time, I attended the lectures of Dr. Wardlaw, and Rev. Greville
Ewing, in Theology. The former gave us Systematic Theology, and the
latter Biblical Introduction, Pastoral Theology, and Homiletics.
My first sermon was preached at Govan, a suburb of Glasgow, on the
26th October, 1828. The following month, in Kilmarnock, on three suc
cessive Sundays, I was asked to hold services, to oblige the Rev. John
Campbell, the pastor, who was from home. He soon afterwards removed
to London, and became minister of the Tabernacle Church ; also editor of
the British Banner, and author of "Jethro," and other works. In
subsequent visits to London he always paid me great attention."
After this, preaching engagements seem to have multiplied
rapidly, for although it is not usual for students of the first
year to be occupied at all in this way, unless in exceptional
cases, he was sent, or invited by those who knew his preaching
abilities, to Hamilton, Larkhall, Helensburgh, Greenock,
Cambuslang, Rutherglen, Alloa, Ayr, and Dunfermline, in the
course of the session. The following summer he itinerated in
Ireland for some weeks, in company with a Mr. Davis, an
Edinburgh gentleman, who was in the habit of taking over to
Ireland with him some preacher who was willing thus to spend
a working holiday.
"The first discourse," he says, "appears to have been preached in
Belfast, 19th July, 1829, and then I find the names Tully Allynbegg,
Hervey, Londonderry, Clandy, Golnessie and Belfast. I remember the
intense interest I felt in addressing the people in their hamlets 
Whether any truly received Christ, as the result of this visit, I know not,
but I had many a hearty shake of the hand, and a " God bless you." Mr.
Andrew Hamilton, of Yorkville, Ont., wrote to me nearly fifty years
after this time, that he had a very distinct remembrance of my sermons in
the Congregational Church, Londonderry, of which he was then a deacon.
 Trior to going to Ireland, I wrote two articles, for the Christian
Herald, the predecessor of the Congregational Magazine ; one giving
an account of the spiritual wants of Canada, and the design of the Canada

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 49
Education and Home Missionary Society ; the other on " Revivals of
Religion," as illustrated by that at Montreal in 1826, already adverted to.
 I also wrote an article for one of the Greenock papers on the
subject of Temperance, meaning at that time, thereby, abstinence from
distilled liquors. It, of course, narrated what was being done in this im
portant matter in America. My name was attached to one of the first
pledge lists."
While thus busily engaged in study and preaching, Mr.
Wilkes was carrying on a correspondence with the Directors
of the Home Missionary Society in Montreal, and with various
candidates for work in the Canadian field. The first one sent
out — Rev. Joseph Barton — had to return to Britain almost im
mediately in consequence of ill-health, a sore disappointment
to the Board, and especially to their young agent. The Rev.
John Smith, already referred to, was the next one put under
commission, but before sailing for Canada, Mr. Wilkes and
he were authorised to seek assistance in England, for carrying
on the work. An appeal was accordingly issued by them, as
the accredited agents of the Society, to which was appended
a recommendation of the mission, signed by a number of the
leading ministers of the Congregational churches in London,
and elsewhere, among whom we note the names of the Rev.
Drs. James Bennett, J. Pye Smith, and Henderson, and of
Messrs. John Clayton, H. F. Burder, John Angell James, of
Birmingham, Thorp, of Bristol, and others. With such back
ing, success was, of course, assured, and a large amount of
help — nearly £400 — was obtained, one gentleman, Mr. Gor
don, a Solicitor, giving his check for £100, and the London
Missionary Society (which had not yet decided against Canada
as not a "Foreign" field) contributing a similar amount. A
considerable number of volumes were also given, to form the
nucleus of a Library, for the use of Mr. Smith and his anti
cipated Theological class. These now form a part of the
Library of the Congregational College in Montreal.
During this visit, Mr. Wilkes met Dr. Pye Smith, whom he

50 MEMOIR OF THE
describes as " extremely interesting, of elegant appearance,
refined manners, and brimful of learning."
" I also met with John Clayton, father of John Clayton, Jun., of the
Poultry, and George Clayton, of Walworth, very handsome men ; they
were standing around their father who addressed them as ' dears.' The
sight of these three grey headed men (John, Jun. was a grandfather),
standing together, formed a picture which remains photographed on my
memory  I called on the venerable Rowland Hill, to whom
I had sent our circular. When announced, he called out from behind a
screen, in a gruff but kindly voice, ' Come here, I am chained like a bear,
having hurt my shin getting into my carriage.' I went round, and there
sat the grand old man, in his 90th year. He looked at me kindly and
said, ' You are from Canada, a young man trying to do good. Well
they'll want to make an Independent of you, or a Methodist, or a Pres
byterian, or a something else, but don't you be any of these, be a Chris
tian ! You want money. Well, I am poor just now, having spent a
thousand pounds in buying a chapel at Reading — they wanted to put the
Church service out of it, and I would have it to remain. John ! (calling
to his man-servant) bring the check book.' So John brought the book,
put the pen in his hand, and he wrote, ' Pay Canada five pounds, R. Hill.'
Detaching the cheque, he gave it to me, saying, ' There now, God bless
you ; go and preach the Gospel faithfully.'"
Dining one day in company with a number of ministers, he
relates how
" After dinner they all took long pipes,and smoked, somewhat quizzing
me on my refusal to join them in this. Presently we adjourned to Surrey
Chapel, to hear the Rev. William Jay, of Bath, preaching on a week-
evening for some special object. He discoursed on Christ as the Bread
of Life, referring to the existence of appetites, good, natural, and artificial.
Appetites led to habits, some of which were good, while others were
most objectionable, such as, ' those filthy habits of taking snuff and
smoking tobacco.' This came like a bomb-shell into the pews occupied
by the ministers, and greatly startled an old gentleman, who, absorbed
in the discourse, was mechanically tapping his snuff-box with his finger,
ready for a pinch, but instantly conveyed it to his pocket, not a little
confused." Among other places visited on behalf of the Society, was
Birmingham, where the Rev. J. A. James invited them to

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 5t
dinner to meet Mr. Nettleton, the Revivalist Preacher from
America. When Mr. Nettleton retired to prepare for his
evening service, Mr. James expressed his opinion of his
preaching as generally unattractive as to manner, but said,
" I would give all my other advantages to be able to probe
the conscience as he does. Why, he follows the excuses
through every winding, and into every nook and corner of the
heart, and unmasks them. It is simply wonderful."
" In 1830, Mr. Edwards, a Baptist minister, from the Ottawa district,
visited England and Scotland. He was instrumental in persuading a
very excellent man, of large liberal views, Rev. J. Gilmore, to make
Canada his home. He came to Montreal, and speedily formed a congrega
tion, Baptists and Independents. My impression is that he also took the
Secretaryship of the Society, which had been held by Mr. Wm. Freeland
from the time I left, until he removed to Brockville.
The difficulty of carrying on Home Missionary and Educational work,
by a union of Presbyterians, Baptists and Independents, began early to
appear. Letters from various sources indicated that the Board was only
half-hearted. In consulting with the Rev. Greville Ewing and Dr. Pat
terson, in reference to our Society, and getting aid for the erection of
church buildings, they cautioned against making haste, both expressing
strongly the opinion that such a union must fail. Mr. Ewing insisted
that all experience, up to his day, had shewn, that while catholic expres
sions may be used freely on the platform, and in conversing as private
individuals, yet each ism will assert itself as united work begins. So it
proved in our first attempt at Missionary work in Canada."
The years of student life rapidly passed, without very much
of incident to record. Mr. Wilkes took a high position among
his classmates, carrying off prizes in Prof. Buchanan's class in
Logic and Rhetoric, and, notably, the first prize in Moral
Philosophy, by vote of the class itself. Prof. Milne, who oc
cupied the Chair of Moral Philosophy at this time, is described
as having been a man of remarkably clear mind, with great
perspicuity of expression, but Utilitarian in Ethics : desire
was, in his view, " the conception of an attainable good."
On one occasion, Mr. Wilkes says :
" I ventured to dispute his theory. My contention was that the intel-

52 MEMOIR OF THE
lectual conception was not all ; that there was emotion, and that partly
springing from character. Virtue, I insisted, was not only useful and
promotive of happiness; even not this mainly, but glad obedience to the
law of righteousness, and allegiance to the ever blessed God as supreme.
Professor Milne was not displeased, but remarked after the reading of the
essay, ' You have reared a high standard, Mr Wilkes.' We have in
him an exemplification of the utter uselessness of the legal requirement
that a man should have a particular creed ere he occupies a Chair in Phil
osophy. Mr. Milne was pledged to the Confession of Faith, but when,
in his prelections, he came athwart any doctrine in that Confession, he was
wont to say, — ' Gentlemen, I am afraid these sentiments are out of har
mony with our Confession of Faith ; but this is not the Chair of Theo
logy.'  When I went to receive my prize, Professor Milne
said, ' I have selected David Hume's Philosophical Works, in four vol
umes ; they will do you no harm.' "
Mr. Wilkes' preaching, always thoroughly evangelical in
character, was much blessed of God to the conversion of sin
ners, even at this early period of his ministry. During the
session of 1830-31, it would seem to have been specially fruit
ful in this respect. One after another sought conversation
with him in regard to their spiritual interests, while others
corresponded with him on these subjects, with the result that
several of these inquirers were known to have been led to a
confession of Christ. There were many cases, doubtless, of
impression and conversion which never came to his know
ledge. There was one, however, of a deeply interesting
nature, specially deserving of record in these pages. Many
years after the event referred to, Charles Livingstone, brother
of Dr. David Livingstone, the African Missionary and Ex
plorer, related to Mr. Wilkes the following facts. A shrewd,
intelligent man, residing at that time in Hamilton, near to
Glasgow, was walking aimlessly in the street, on a Sabbath
morning, in deep distress of soul. He knew not what to do,
when a friend, directed, doubtless, by the Good Spirit, accosted
him, and invited him to the Independent Chapel, where a
young man from America was to officiate that day. He

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 53
accepted the invitation, and the word preached was blessed to
his salvation : he found rest through faith in the crucified and
risen Saviour, and in due time connected himself with the
church, bringing with him his young family. In that family,
the world-renowned David Livingstone was then a boy of thir
teen, for his father was the man who on that Sabbath day
received the blessing, and Henry Wilkes was the young
preacher whom the Lord honoured as the instrument of bring
ing salvation to that house ; and who shall say how far-reach
ing, upon Africa, and the world itself, shall be the influence of
that humble undergraduate sermon !
Among Mr. Wilkes' classmates in the University, we find
the names of a number of men who afterwards distinguished
themselves in the ecclesiastical, or the literary world ; notably
Thomas Tait, who became Archbishop of Canterbury, who is
described as " a remarkable classical scholar," carrying all be
fore hiin ; James Hamilton, the gifted and cultured writer, and
preacher of Regent Square, London ; and William Arnot, the
scarcely less gifted expositor, and pastor of Free St. Enoch's,
Glasgow ; to which may be added the name of Christopher
Dunkin, afterwards Judge Dunkin, one of our most distin
guished Canadian jurists and legislators, for whom Mr. Wilkes
always cherished a very high regard. Many years afterwards
Mr. Wilkes thus referred to his distinguished classmate :
" My college friend, Christopher Dunkin, became this year (1847) part
ner with Meredith and Bethune in the practice of law. He had been
assistant Secretary of the Province for some years, and had mixed much
with political matters during the administrations of Lord Durham, Sir
Charles Bagot, Lord Metcalfe, and Lord Cathcart. He gave close atten
tion to the history and bearings of the Seigniorial Tenure by which the
lands of the Province were held, and appeared as Counsel for the Seigneurs,
before the Legislature at Quebec, when the Bill to abolish the Tenure was
under discussion. He was remarkably eloquent on the several occasions
of presenting and arguing the case, and succeeded in procuring for them a
bargain so much better than they would without him have made, that
had they given him a fee of $20,000, the case would have afforded it. My

54 MEMOIR OF THE
friend continued his practice till he went into Parliament in 1858 ; was
appointed Treasurer of the Province of Quebec, being a member at once
of the Local and of the Dominion Legislatures, and afterwards becoming
one of the Cabinet Ministers of the Dominion. He was the author of the
" Dunkin (Temperance) Act," and was subsequently made a Judge of the
Supreme Court."
Naturally, however, he was most drawn to the kindred
spirits of the Theological class-room, of a number of whom he
speaks in the following extract, —
"During my first session, I formed a warm friendship with four of my
fellow-students, they taking their last year, while I was taking my first.
William Harris went to India, where he lost his health, and returned
home to die, in a few years. His brother Robert, was the companion of
John Williams, and was slain with him by the Cannibals of Enomanga.
Edward Napier, who settled at Dalkeith, in a Congregational Church,
and had a most successful ministry, but only for a few years, when he was
suddenly taken away by death. The other was James Drummond, who
was first minister at Queen's Square Chapel, London. After a time he
removed to Brockville, in Ontario ; from. thence to Quebec, where, after a
successful ministry, he died of cholera, in 1849. His wife and children
remained in Canada. I had a very warm regard for these men, and they
forme. They seemed as likely to live and toil as I; and yet they have
been at home many many years, while I still am labouring in old age."
Of two others also he speaks, as men whom he had learned
to know and respect, — Robert Cotton Mather, afterwards
Rev. Dr. Mather, who spent his life as a Missionary in India ;
and J. Morell Mackenzie, "a man of brilliant parts, highly cul
tured," who, after a brief but most useful ministry in Glasgow,
perished in the steamer " Forfarshire," while on the way from
Leith to London, with all on board but two. The last these
survivors saw of her, was — a crowd on deck gathered around
the young minister, who was lifting up his hands in prayer to
God, for himself and those who were sinking with him !
His Theological training having been now almost completed,
it was suggested that he should spend the summer of 1832 in
Canada, in order to help forward the work already com
menced. The Rev. Richard Miles, before referred to, had

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 55
begun preaching in Montreal (1831), in Bruce's school-room,
McGill St., opposite St. Maurice St., at the earnest request of
a few who held Congregational views, and were anxious to
promote evangelical teaching in the country. But his hands
needed to be strengthened by the appointment of other labour
ers, and assistance of a material kind ; and it was thought
that by conference with friends in Canada, and personal in
spection, Mr. Wilkes might obtain information that would be
of great service in seeking to arouse the British churches to a
sense of their duty towards this then young and rising colony.
To this proposal he readily assented, but by the advice of
Dr. Wardlaw, before undertaking the voyage, he was ordained
as an Evangelist, the service being held in West George St.
Chapel, in the month of April, 1832, Dr. Wardlaw, Rev, Gre-
vile Ewing, and others, taking part in the service,

56 MEMOIR OF THE

CHAPTER V.
1832-1833.
Immediately after his ordination, Mr. Wilkes sailed from
Greenock in the brig " Favourite," Captain James Allan, the
eldest brother of the late Sir Hugh Allan, for Quebec. There
were about one hundred emigrants on board, and the voyage,
occupying at least thirty-five days, gave ample opportunities
for holding services on Sundays, and occasionally on week
evenings, when the weather permitted. There were no "regu
lations" in those unsophisticated days, as there have been
since on some of the great Steamship Lines, confining the
privilege of conducting such services to clergymen of one
favoured denomination, and Mr. Wilkes, with the captain's
hearty concurrence and co-operation, freely availed himself of
the opportunities offered. Many of the emigants expressed
themselves as greatly benefited by his ministrations, and one
of them introduced himself to him, nearly fifty years after
wards, as having been a fellow-passenger on board the " Fav
ourite," and expressed his gratitude for the sermons he then
heard, and the counsel given, declaring that they had been the
means of leading him to Christ.
Reaching Quebec on the 24th May, 1832, he proceeded at
once by steamer to Montreal, and lost no time in conferring
with the Directors of the Education and Home Missionary
Society, with whose assistance he planned a somewhat length
ened journey, for the purpose of exploring destitute fields, and
ascertaining the best means of supplying them with the means
of grace.
This journey was to be rendered no less useful, and very
much more pleasant, by being made a wedding-trip, as well

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 57
as a Missionary tour. On the 5th June, Mr. Wilkes was mar
ried to Miss Lucy Hedge, daughter of Mr. Samuel Hedge, of
Montreal, an iron implement manufacturer, an estimable chris
tian man, widely connected with the most respectable families
in the city. Miss Hedge had received her early education in
Ipswich, Vermont, where, at that time, the Rev. Lyman Beecher
was minister, and under his teaching she had been led to de
cision for Christ, and became a most earnest worker in all
forms of religious and benevolent effort. On her return to
Montreal, upon the completion of her education, she formed
the Sunday School to which reference has before been made —
the first Sunday School organized, it is believed, in Lower
Canada.* The account of this tour of inspection, and of their subse
quent temporary sojourn in Canada, will be largely given in
extracts from letters, and Reminiscences. After a brief stay
in Montreal, during which he preached for Mr. Perkins in the
American Presbyterian Church ; for Mr. Miles in the Mansion
House ; and for Mr. Gilmore in the Baptist Church, he
says : —
" By invitation from Mr. William Preeland, my wife and I visited
Brockville. He had arranged a meeting in the Court House, for confer
ence on the subject of a Training Institution, and there I also preached.
We next proceeded to Kingston, where Mr. Smith was the pastor of Union
Church, in which there were members of rare excellence and distinction,
— Marshall J. Bidwell, his father, Dr. Armstrong, Mr. Parker and others.
Mr. Smith was also preparing students for the ministry- As my object
was of an exploratory character, I went back into the country, and preach
ed wherever a few people could be gathered together. Some amusing
yet interesting scenes come before my mind. On one occasion, a some
what large congregation was gathered in the chapel of a village about
eighteen miles from Kingston. It was an intensely hot afternoon, and
the people were dressed in their home-spun garments, very primitive
indeed. There was great attention and quiet, when suddenly, a man im
mediately in front of the pulpit, who was listening with open eyes and
* On page 19 Dr. Jackson claims this honour for the Rev. Francis Dick, pastor of the
Congregational Church in Quebec, — but on whose authority we know not.

58 MEMOIR OF THE
mouth, exclaimed, " The Lord send it home to their souls ! " It was diffi
cult for a moment to continue the service  We visited York
(Toronto), and there I was introduced to Mr. Leach, minister of St. An
drew's Presbyterian Church (afterwards the Venerable Archdeacon Leach),
who asked me to preach, and give some account of our mission and plans.
Brantford and other places were visited, ministering everywhere when
opportunity was afforded.
During our stay in York, a direct proposal was made to me, namely,
that at the completion of my University course, in the following spring, I
should come out and undertake the forming of a church there. Four per
sons, viz., Mr. Peter Freeland, Mr. Lathem, Mr. Russell and my father,
would purchase the old Methodist Chapel and parsonage, on King Street
which was then for sale. Regarding this as a remarkably favourable
arrangement for the prosecution of my life work, the spiritual good of
Canada, I accepted the proposal cheerfully, but was very explicit, not
only that their part of the arrangement, the purchase of the property,
should be promptly fulfilled, but that I should be informed of it. I drew
up a paper in duplicate, giving them one copy and retaining the other.
The friends in York said, that all would be in readiness in a few weeks,
but as I could not be with them till spring, a definite time was agreed
upon — the Ist of December. If no communication reached me by that
time, I should be released from my part of the engagement. So con
vinced was I that this plan would not fail, I packed books and boxes,
addressed to York, leaving them in charge, ready for the ensuing sum
mer." In this expectation, however, he was disappointed, as we
shall see presently. The Lord had other work for him just
now. In letters written about this period, mention is made of the
awful scourge of cholera by which Montreal was decimated
about three thousand persons having died of that disease in
1832. This, of course, included a large number of emigrants.
People were terror-stricken and fled from the city neither
knowing how to prevent it, nor how to meet it, when attacked.
Great difficulties now began to shew themselves in the
working out of the plans of the Canada Education and Home
Missionary Society. The union of the various denominations
did not prove a success. The Baptists announced their inten-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 59
tion of withdrawing to form a Society of their own. The only
Presbyterians who took any interest, and who really remained
with it, were those of the American church in Montreal. The
importations from Great Britain, with the exception of a very
few, had been to a large extent failures, and the disappoint
ment was very great. The visit, therefore, to Canada did not
prove an encouraging one, with regard to the objects of the
Society. Yet the preaching tour was not without good re
sults, although at the time, nothing but a sense of discourage
ment was felt.
In a letter from Hamilton, some years after Dr. Wilkes
writes :
" I had a most pleasant surprise this week. Having an hour of leisure,
I entered the meeting of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada,
assembled here. Rev. Thomas Wardrope is Moderator, and seeing me
enter, he kindly introduced me by name to the Synod. I briefly res
ponded, and sat down to listen to the proceedings. At the close, I was
accosted by one of the ministers, who, introducing himself, asked if I re
membered preaching in such a place, at such a time. It was during the
visit in 1832. Replying in the affirmative, I had the great happiness of
learning that by that discourse, he had in his youth been brought to Christ.
For a number of years he has been a useful and earnest minister. Let
the seed be sown in faith and prayer, and there will be more fruit than we
wot of, through God's rich grace."
Reference is made, in various memoranda, to a movement
in Scotland, that resulted in the formation of an Independent
church in the Province of Lower Canada. About the year
1829 or 1830, the Duke of Hamilton, desirous of diminishing
the population on his estate in the Island of Arran, had ob
tained a Township of land, about fifty miles from Quebec,
and had sent out thereto, under favourable circumstances, a
large number of his tenants. They were placed by the Duke
under the charge of a Mr. McKillop, who, on his arrival, was
made a captain of militia, magistrate, &c. Mr. McKillop was
an Independent, as were also a number of the emigrants.
They brought with them a Rev. Mr. Henry as their minister.

60 MEMOIR OF THE
The church formed soon after their arrival, continues to this
day, and its various members, removing elsewhere from time
to time, have maintained their principles. One of the sons of
Captain McKillop commenced to study for the ministry in the
Theological Academy in Toronto, but died before completing
the course. Another son is known as the " Blind Bard of
Megantic." Returning to the "jottings," Mr. Wilkes writes:
•' We were detained nearly a fortnight at Quebec, waiting for a suitable
vessel. During that time of delay, the Rev. J. Robertson, Mrs. Robert
son, and their numerous family arrived  This noble servant
of God preached the Gospel not only faithfully, but with remarkable
Scriptural fulness of teaching, until he was 86 years of age, and then fell
asleep. He formed and built up the churches at Sherbrooke and Lennox-
ville, and was in all respects an honour to the denomination to which he
belonged. Three of his sons became distinguished lawyers; another has
been in the Provincial Parliament many years, and also Treasurer of the
Province. Two daughters married ministers ; another a lawyer ; and
one is an authoress of no mean repute, and of much usefulness. What
elements of power, of the best kind, are brought into a country on such a
landing as that ! 
At length we sailed, about the 8th of October, reaching Liverpool in
twenty-five days. We proceeded at once to Glasgow, and took up our
temporary abode in the home of Mr. McKeand, where, during all my col
lege course, I received the utmost kindness 
The labours of my last session at College were successfully prosecuted
to the end. I was " capped " by Principal McFarlane, receiving my de
gree of M.A. , in April, 1833. The diploma is signed by a great many
of the Professors ; has the old fashioned pendant seal attached, and was
enclosed in a tin box 
The Canadian Mission occupied every moment I could spare from my
studies and preaching engagements. In November I wrote to the Rev.
G. Collison, London, asking him to confer with Messrs. Thomas and
Joshua Wilson, as to the best means of helping Canada. In reply Mr.
Collison writes, that a conference had been held, consisting of those named
in my letter, with Rev. Dr. H. F. Barder, Rev. Andrew Reed, and Rev.
Mr. Halley, at the Congregational Library, Blomfield Street. They
agreed to act as a sort of Provisional Committee, to give their judgment
as to the fitness of any ministers who might offer themselves for the work :

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 61
that for passage money to Canada, and any little outfit necessary, this
Provisional Committee would be answerable, yet not in any case to exceed
fifty pounds. The location and salary of such ministers to be provided
for by the Committee of the Canada Education and Home Mission So
ciety. Little could come of such arrangements, for without aid in sup
porting ministers for some years after their arrival, they could not be
placed so as to continue their labuurs, and the local funds in Canada were
wholly inadequate for this purpose. The Society had already several ex
cellent ministers to support — Rev. Mr. Parker of Danville, one at Comp-
ton, one at Granby, and it may be others ; thus their funds, which were
small, were fully employed.
My announcement to friends in Canada of these decisions, greatly dis
appointed them, and there were not lacking complaints that I did not go
through the land, stirring up the slumbering energies of the British
churches : while, on the other hand, I was crowded with necessary en
gagements, as a student ; had to look forward to an early decision as to
my future course, and knew well that, whatever had been my leisure, I
had not power to arouse in this fashion. Previous efforts had proved to
me the insuperable difficulties in the way of a stranger attempting any
thing of this sort, with hope of success.
The time agreed upon when I was to receive the communication from
York was past. My perplexities multiplied exceedingly, and 1 became,
for me, thin, by reason of anxiety and suspense.
I had not received a penny for the expenses of my two voyages and
journeyings of 1832, and these made a considerable inroad upon the little
money I had to start with  I waited two months beyond the speci
fied time agreed upon, and then felt a decision must be made. Two-
spheres of labour were presented to me. The deacons of Ramsden Street
chapel, Huddersfield, urged a. visit there with a view to my settlement,
the Rev. Mr. Eagleson having recently died. Albany Street church,
Edinburgh, by its officers, pressed the claims of that church, obtaining
interviews with me, and corresponding. I was sorely perplexed. On the
one hand was Canada, to which I had devoted myself; but the York plan
had failed, as I supposed, and I feared if I went out in uncertainty, I
might be obliged to go to the States, or be forced back to commerce.
On the other hand, both Huddersfield and Edinburgh presented attractive
fields of labour, and I could watch for opportunities of promoting the wel
fare of Canada, and perhaps, at length, go out there, fairly backed by the
British churches. The realization of this " perhaps," I fully expected in
due time. At length I accepted the call to Edinburgh, in the end of Feb-

62 MEMOIR OP THE
ruary. The membership of the church was 144, of whom 140 signed the
call. Four objected on the ground of my inexperience, but were not
unfriendly. Toward the end of March, the documents came from York, in due
order, with apologies for dilitoriness. It was too late, and I replied at
length, with explanations as to my course, stating that I had waited nearly
three months beyond the time agreed upon. I am glad to say, the prop
erty bought at York was immediately sold at an advance, so that I did
not cause financial loss, at all events.
Letters full of bitter complainings, were received from Canada, in
acknowledgment of my decision. It was hard to bear the charge of deser
tion of the land, and the cause to which I had devoted myself, and con
cerning which 1 had spoken and written so much. I seemed to lie under
the charge of treason, while conscious it was wholly unjust."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 63

CHAPTER VI.
1883-1836.
The church in Albany Street, Edinburgh, was in a somewhat
peculiar position at the time Mr. Wilkes accepted the charge
of it. The building had been leased to another congregation
for two years, for the purpose of lessening the debt, the con
gregation in the meantime occupying a public hall. This ex
pedient had improved the financial position of the church,
but on their return to Albany Street at the close of 1832 it
was found that numerically they had been weakened by it.
Their previous ministers had been men of mark. The Rev.
Gilbert Wardlaw was their pastor for several years, but he had
relinquished his charge to become Professor of Theology in the
Blackburn Theological Academy. They had also previously en
joyed, for eight years, the ministry of the Rev. George Payne,
D.D., subsequently Theological Professor in the College at
Plymouth, England, and also the author of several able works
on Mental Science and Theology.
The church had since been three years without a settled
pastor, supply having been secured from Sabbath to Sabbath,
as they were able to obtain it. This had engendered a critical
spirit not at all to the profit of the hearers, who were not
satisfied with less than three sermons a day. Moreover, among
its members there were several men who had been pastors of
other churches, and an impression was abroad, rightly or
wrongly, that it was a very difficult sphere to occupy. Dr.
James Kennedy, then a young man, attending Edinburgh
University, and a member of this church, says of it at this
period :
' ' The church and congregation was small, but though weak in numbers,
I well remember, their staunch attachment to Evangelical doctrine and
Congregational Church Government. They were the worthy representa
tives of the promoters of Scottish Congregationalism."

64 MEMOIR OF THE
It might have seemed almost presumption in a young man,
with so little experience, to undertake such a charge, and it
would have been so, had there not been dependence on a
strength beyond his own. Henry Wilkes, while possessing
naturally great courage and self-reliance, had so humble an
estimate of his own abilities and judgment, that he deeply felt
the need of divine guidance, in so perplexing a crisis, and most
earnestly did he pray that he might be made to know the will
of God in this matter. The result proved that he was guided
aright. The induction services took place on the ioth of April,
i833- The following very full and interesting account of the services
on that occasion, taken, somewhat abbreviated, from the
"Christian Herald," is sent us by the Rev. G. D, Cullen, of
Leith. Dr. Patterson, of Edinburgh, and Mr. Watson, of Mussel
burgh, having led the devotional exercises,
"Dr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, delivered the introductory discourse from
Acts ii. 47. It was rich in Scriptural illustration, which was clothed in
Dr. Wardlaw's beautiful and impressive style of expression. Mr. Aikman
then requested Mr. Wilkes to state the reasons which had induced him to
comply with the invitation of the church, and what were his intentions res
pecting the discharge of the duties of pastor. Upon these subjects Mr.
Wilkes stated his views at length, and we have complied with his own
request, by subjoining his statements regarding the first of the above
particulars. Mr. Aikman offered the ordination prayer in a solemn and
impressive manner, accompanied by the imposition of hands. The pastor
and the church were then severally addressed on their respective duties, —
the former by Mr. Ewing, of Glasgow, in a faithful and affectionate charge,
founded on I Timothy iv. 6 ; and the latter by Mr. Russell, of Dundee, in
an able and energetic discourse from Heb. xiii. 20, 21 ; and Mr. Cleghorn
concluded the services by prayer. The chapel was crowded in every part,
and notwithstanding the unavoidable length to which the services extended,
the interest was kept up to the close 
In the evening, after praise and prayer by Mr. Knowles, of Linlithgow,
our worthy friend and brother, Mr. John Campbell, of Kingsland, delivered
a striking and characteristic discourse to a numerous audience, from 2

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 65
Cor. iv. 7 ; and Mr. Cullen, of Leith, concluded by prayer the services of
the day.
On the following Sabbath Mr. Ewing introduced the pastor to his
charge in an excellent discourse founded on Hebrews xiii. 17, and preached
again in the evening from Psalm xiv. 16. Much interest was excited by
all the services, and the congregations on the Sabbath were large and
attentive 
Mr, Wilkes spoke as follows, —
"It is usual on an occasion like the present, when an individual is for
the first time publicly and solemnly commended to the grace of God for
the work of the pastoral oversight of any portion of Christ's flock, for
him to lay before those present, statements upon the following topics. Ist,
An outline of his views of divine truth; 2d, A brief account of his religi
ous experience, together with his motives for desiring the work of the Gos
pel ministry ; 3d, His general intentions with respect to the fulfilment of
its duties.
" On the loth April last year, the individual who now addresses you,
presented such statements in Dr. Wardlaw's chapel, Glasgow, on the occa
sion of his being set apart to the work of the holy ministry generally, and
commended to the protection and blessing of God for a particular mission.
.... It is hence, I apprehend, quite unnecessary at this time to trespass upon
your attention by the repetition of what was then stated 
" There is, however, a peculiarity in my case which requires explana
tion . The present step involves a change of previous intentions and pros
pects with respect to the sphere of my future labours, — the cause of which
will be, very probably, misapprehended. It appears of importance, there
fore, both for the vindication of my own character for consistency of pur
pose and of conduct, and for the prevention of mistakes regarding the im
portant cause with which I have been identified, that I should offer a few
self-justificatory remarks 
" It is very obvious that much of the beneficial influence of a minister's
labours, must depend upon the blame lessness of his personal character. Un
less he affords in his own private and public conduct a practical exempli
fication of the truths which he preaches, — success is almost, if not alto
gether out of the question ! As then the influence which his conduct exerts
is of a moral nature, it is of the utmost importance, not only that he should
act with a conscious integrity of purpose, but also that it should appear to
all that he thus acts. He should allow no misapprehension of his motives
or of his procedure to remain in any mind, which it is possible for him to
remove ; — he should study to have a conscience void of offence, not only

66 MEMOIR OF THE
towards God, but towards men ; and to provide for honest things in the
sight of the Lord and in the sight of men.
"Now, as I have for several years been identified with evangelical
efforts to extend the knowledge and influence of the Gospel throughout
Upper and Lower Canada, — and as I have had a general intention, during
the course of my preparatory studies, to proceed to Canada after their
completion, for the purpose of labouring there in the ministry of the Gospel,
— my present engagement looks like a shrinking from arduous and self-
denying toil in a foreign land, and a preference, for the sake of ease, res
pectability, ' and other personal advantages, for an apparently eligible situ"
ation at home. My object at present is to remove such an impression, and
to give my reasons for thinking myself now in the path of duty."
Mr. Wilkes here stated that he was born in England ; — that from his
infancy he had been favoured with the instructions and prayers of pious
parents ; — that at the age of 15 he removed with the family to America ;
and that during several years of his residence in Canada he had been en
gaged in commercial pursuits. A brief narration was alto given of the
circumstances which led him to turn his attention to the work of the
ministry. " Fully persuaded that no man ought to trust himself into an office so
important, and attended with such heavy responsibility, and that without
a distinct call from God I ought not to move a step, — the inquiry was
made, ' What constitutes such a call ? ' Upon this topic I arrived at the
following conclusion: The man is called who possesses — Ist, Personal
piety; 2d, Sufficient intellectual endowments and attainments; 3d, An-
irrepressible desire for the work ; and 4th, A clear opening in the arrange
ments of Divine Providence. The frst, being a matter between the Great
Searcher of hearts and my own soul, formed the subject of personal exa
mination. Of the result you are informed. The second I left very much
to the decision of intelligent Christian friends, aware, of course, that a
larger measure of attainments must be sought. Of the third \ was con
scious ; I did earnestly desire the salvation of souls, and in some degree, I
trust, the glory of God. Respecting the fourth, I had for some time my
difficulties in consequence of commercial engagements. At the termination
of a period of about a year and a half, however, Divine Providence opened
my way honourably out of business, with a sufficient sum of money to en
able me to prosecute my prepaiatory studies, entirely independent of ex
traneous pecuniary aid. It is true my prospects in commercial pursuits
were of! the most flattering nature — presenting a probability, with ordinary
success,, of acquiring a handsome competency, and I was not entirely in

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 67
active in the best of causes as a private member of a Christian church ; but
believing that I could, with the blessing of God, do more for his cause in
the world by devoting myself to it in this specific manner, I was enabled,
I trust by Divine grace, to sacrifice those worldly advantages which appear
ed so flattering, for the far less lucrative, but immensely more important
work of the Gospel ministry. Nor have I seen cause to regret the sacri
fice. " In pursuance of this determination, I sailed from Quebec nearly five
years since, to seek in Scotland those intellectual and moral advantages
which I deemed necessary to the efficient performance of the high duties to
which I looked forward. The Lord has richly blessed me with many
great privileges during my residence in Glasgow, not the least of which
were, the instructions of my beloved and revered tutors now present 
" While it has been my decided intention, during the period of my resi
dence in Scotland, to " spend and be spent " in the service of the Lord
in Canada ; yet I continually refused to pledge myself upon the subject,
before the time when it would become a duty to decide respecting the
sphere of my labours. My reason for this refusal, was a desire to ascertain
the will of the Great Head of the church. I believe it to be, not an
enthusiastic anticipation, but a rational and well-founded hope which the
Christian entertains — that if he prayerfully and carefully watches the indi
cations of the Divine will, he will never he at a loss to ascertain the path
of duty 
" During my residence in this country I have acted as the Agent of a
Society in Montreal, of which, previous to my leaving Canada, I was a
Director. It was formed about six years since, for the two-fold purpose
of training up pious young men for the. Gospel ministry, and of sending
what suitable preachers could be obtained to the destitute parts of the
country ; with an engagement on our part to assist in their support, so far
as the benevolence of the Christian public might enable us 
" Various causes which it would be out of place now to enumerate, led
several friends in Canada to send me an urgent request to spend the sum
mer of 1832 in that country, for the purpose of assisting them in the good
work in which they were engaged  After much prayerful consideration
I decided to comply with this request 
" The result of my own observation, and of the experience of those
Christian brethren with whom I co-operated, was, that unless permanent
aid could be obtained from British Christians, any extensive efforts for the
evangelization of Canada, and especially for planting Scriptural churches
there, were out of the question. An equally firm conviction was produced

68 MEMOIR OF THE
upon my own mind, and upon the minds of some others, that unless one or
more ministers resident in this country could be prevailed upon to take a
deep interest in this object, — such were the number and engrossing im
portance of the calls continually pressed upon the attention of the British
public from other quarters, that it was improbable anything like permanent
aid could be depended upon 
" At the same time I deemed it my duty to look around me while there,
if peradventure I might see a spot where I might, with the Divine bless
ing, be extensively useful when I finally returned to settle in the country.
" The result of my observation was as follows; There were, perhaps,
hundreds of places — important certainly in themselves, as every place must
be where souls are perishing for lack of knowledge— but in which a minis
ter could exert only a local influence. He might cultivate the little spot
around him, but his local situation would almost necessarily prevent him
from making any feasible attempt to move the constantly increasing mass
of mind which those Colonies contain. There was one apparent opening
of a different nature. It was in a large and rapidly increasing town in
which, owing to various peculiar advantages, a minister might not only
exert a powerful influence on the country by his personal labours, but also
might assist in the direction of evangelical efforts which would reach the
remotest corners of the country . On the application of a few friends in
that place, I promised to return, and to labour among them, on the condi
tion that they consummated certain arrangements proposed by themselves,
and apparently essential to the success of the attempt . A specific period
was named within which the arrangements were to be completed, and the
requisite information forwarded to me. It was, furthermore, understood
that my engagement to refuse attention to other applications should cease
on a particular day. Soon after my arrival, I received an application
from a place in Britain — but I deferred a definite reply to it, or any other,
until the period named should expire. I waited until six weeks alter that
period had expired, and until letters written two months after the date
agreed upon would have reached me, and yet not a sentence upon the sub
ject was either directly or indirectly communicated to me by any of the
parties. During this period of anxious suspense, my attention was directed
by friends toone or two important spheres of labour in Great Britain ; and
at its close, an affectionate letter was addressed to me by the church as
sembling in this place, containing an invitation, virtually unanimous, to
take the pastoral oversight of them in the Lord.
" The state of the case presented to my mind, was this : On the one
hand, Canada presented itself as an important and lamentably destitute
field of labour, and it had ever been my intention to go thither as a labourer

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 69
My much revered and beloved parents were there, and were anxious for
my return. My brothers and sisters were there, and were equally desirous
that I should return. Christian friends, also, whom I love, and with whom
I have co-operated, would gladly welcome me back. Hence every mere
ly personal feeling excited an influence to induce me once more to set my
face towards the Western world . — On the other hand, Divine Providence
seemed to shut me out of the place before alluded to. Were I to remain
in this country, it might be in my power to obtain twenty or more individ
uals, equally well, if not better qualified to fill the numerous places, the
nature of which I have specified .... Finally, a most interesting and import"
ant station offered itself in this city ; to which, althongh I deeply felt my
inadequacy for the undertaking, I was encouraged to come by the cordial
and affectionate invitation of the church, and especially by the great and
precious promises of that God whose I am, and whom I profess to serve.
" The decision involved the sacrifice of much tender filial and fraternal
feeling ; but as it was not made hastily, and wa sin accordance with the
unanimous opinion of my beloved father and brethern, to whose consider
ation I submitted the case, all of whom are now present ; — and further, as
it was the deliberate conviction of my own mind with respect to the path
of duty, after much prayerful consideration , I by no means regret it, al
though subsequent information has shewn, that the arrangements in Can
ada were completed three months after the period agreed upon, and that the
parties had carelessly neglected to request delay, or to give me any intima
tion whatever upon the subject . I look upon all this, as far as it respects
myself, as affording an indication of the will of the Head of the Church con
cerning me ; and we may be able to fill up the vacant spot with a more
efficient labourer than I should have proved.
" Mr. Wilkes then described his views in accepting the solemn charge.
Rev. Dr. Russell, of Dundee ; Rev. Mr. Aikenside, of Kirkaldy ; and Rev.
George Cullen, of Leith, were present, and most of them took some part in
the exercises."
The following extracts from his "jottings," afford us some
glimpses of his church work, and life in Edinburgh :
" During the five years of sojourn in Glasgow, I had attended as regu
larly as practicable, the church meetings, in Dr. Wardlaw's, so that I knew
a little of how to preside and guide in the various deliberations that might
present themselves. Soon after my settlement, I asked for an addition to
the number of deacons, believing it to be very desirable to have a large
diaconate, that the safety connected with "a multitude of counsellors "
might be gained, and that as far as practicable, all sections of the church
might be represented.

70 MEMOIR OF THE
Every month pastor and deacons met at each others houses, for con
ference. The wants of the poor and the distribution from the " Fellow
ship Fund " were considered. The collections, if any, were appointed for
the month, new comers to the congregation were spoken of and special
visits were agreed to. Cases requiring disciplinary action were examined,
and all preparatory work for the church meeting was talked over 
The work was hard, but pleasant, I had true men, who loved Christ and
His cause, to work with, and although many of them were of advanced
years, and some had occupied the position of pastors and teachers, they
fully respected my pastoral relation with its attendant authority.
I had no stock of sermons to begin with, for I had already given to
them all my student discourses fit to present. My method was to prepare
carefully and to write pretty fully, but not to read or use notes. This
involved the writing of two discourses a week. I had declined the third
service ; it was provided for otherwise.
On one evening of the week I held a Bible-class, which was largely
attended by young men and women, some of the former being students in
the University , and many of the latter well educated women. This class
was continued throughout my three years' pastorate, and from it many
became interested in the study of the Scriptures, and the membership of
the church was increased from its ranks. I would mention the names
of John and James Kennedy as members of this class, afterwards the Rev.
Dr. John Kennedy of Stepney, London, and the Rev. James Kennedy,
many years missionary in India ; the Rev. David Russell, son of Dr.
Russell, of Dundee-; the Rev. Messrs. A. and J. Stronach, for about thirty
years missionaries in China. John, after thirty-three years* labour, retired,
and after crossing to San Francisco, made quite a long journey to pay me
a visit in 1876."
The Rev. James Kennedy, writes, —
" I attended the Bible-class, and was struck with the evidently resolute
effort Mr. Wilkes made to conduct it in the most efficient manner. He had
always his note book before him, containing the result of his careful pre
paration of the passage under consideration. There was no slipshod
diffuse talk. Everything was to the point, and the entire way in which
the class was taught was eminently fitted to do good. The young people
became much attached to him, and received great benefit from these classes.
Dr. Chalmers was one of my professors in the University, but I did not
experience any unpleasant going down, when I went to the Albany
Street Chapel Bible-class  I well remember the new aspect of

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 71
things in 1833-4. The new pastor's pulpit ministrations were greatly
appreciated. His preaching was vigorous both in style and delivery ; it
was Scriptural and faithful. It was searching for both saints and sinners.
The other day a lady, an old member of Albany Street reminded nie that
he never forget to say something to ' my impenitent hearers.' His ex
positions and sermons (he generally expounded in the forenoon) indicated
careful preparation. His sermons were unread ; there was little indication
of his repeating them from memory, but they were written, as I remember
instances of compliance with a request for perusal after their delivery.
They were valued, not for their profundity or eloquence, but for their
clear manly style, their instructive character, and their fitness to do good.
Mr. Wilkes was not a mere preacher. He was a faithful and inde
fatigable pastor. In addition to a ready response to visit the sick and
afflicted, he carried out a personal visitation. His people were scattered
over Edinburgh. They were divided into districts, and arrangements were
made with some one in the district to have his house open in the
evening for the meeting of the pastor with persons to whom he could
not find access during the day. Prayer-meetings were also held in each
district, under the presidency of a deacon, or some other person qualified to
take charge. A weekly evening service was held, and the address delivered
at it indicated the care with which efficiency was sought. Thoroughness was
a marked characteristic of the entire pastorate. This was always accom
panied with a kindness and courtesy, and with a sympathy, which secured
not only esteem but love. The church-meetings were characterized by the
kindly, wise, and firm administration so indispensable to pastoral success.
I never knew a church where so much of the family feeling prevailed. I
have always retained a most pleasant recollection of my intercouse with
Albany Street friends, and very specially of the period when Mr. Wilkes
was pastor. His departure was greatly regretted, not only by his own
people, but by many outside his circle." 
The Rev. John Kennedy, D.D., late of Stepney, London,
writes,— " If I might venture to give my impression of the Albany Street church
in 1832, 1 would say they had a very good opinion of themselves, and were
very critical hearers. How far this arose from the circumstance that the
pulpit was occupied by a variety of preachers, some Scotch, some Eng
lish, some old, some young, and the people in listening were always think
ing of the fitness of the preacher for the pastorate, I do not know.
There was a Sunday morning prayer-meeting of young men, which I
remember with much interest. The only survivors of this company, in

72 MEMOIR OF THE
addition to my brother James and myself, are William Somerville, o
Bilton, near Bristol, and Mr. John Stronach, who was a missionary to
China for full forty years, taking also an important part in the work of
Bible translation.
When it was proposed to elect Mr. Henry Wilkes to the pastorate, I
had the happiness of giving my vote in suppoit of the proposal. There
were a few who would have preferred another, but the election once com
pleted all division, I may add, all criticism, came to an end. Mr. Wilkes'
preaching was so intensely earnest and practical that it overbore, or quench
ed, all disposition to criticise He was the man of God, and his work was
to save souls. The people felt this, and a new era, as it seemed to me,
dawned upon the church. The young pastor was not content with pulpit
work ; he visited the people in their homes, with his heart intent on the
object which inspired him in the pulpit. I lodged in the house of a
couple who were members of the church, and I well remember a pastoral
visit which he paid to them, when I happened to be present. He no sooner
entered than he took hold of a young lad, the only child in the family, and
holding him between his knees spoke to him of Christ ; the visit closed
with prayer ; there was no time lost in gossip. The visitor was altogether
like a man who was engaged on the King's business, and could make no
delay. There is one incident of which I have a very vivid recollection, but it
concerns myself rather than Mr. Wilkes. He sent for me one Saturday
and said, in his own loving but peremptory way, ' My dear friend, you
must preach for me to-morrow evening.' He was ill and could not preach.
The service was special. My reply was, 'Impossible!' 'Why? you
have preached not only in the villages, but to churches in Alloa, Falkirk
and other places.' ' That's a very different thing from preaching in
Albany Street.' But it was of no avail ; I must do it. The prospect was
nothing less than dreadful. I was only twenty years of age ; the Albany
Street people, with whom I was acquainted, loomed before me as a very
superior sort of people, and ill to please. Well, I did preach, and had an
experience which I have had altogether only three times in my lifetime.
My mouth became dry as a stick, and ' my tongue cleaved to the roof -of
my mouth.' I must ascribe it to the goodness of my Divine Master that
I soon acquired calmness and self-possession, and was enabled to preach
with some freedom. When I reminded Dr. Wilkes of the circumstance
last summer, he remembered it perfectly, and said good-humouredly that

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 73
he was ill of mumps at the time ! He recalled a similar incident in his
own experience when a student in Glasgow.*
I may add that when I had the pleasure, with many others, of seeing
and hearing Dr. Wilkes last summer, he seemed to me as youthful in
spirit as if he had been fifty years younger. The freshness and vivacity of
the man of eighty was a wonder to many. To me it was a joy more than
I can express."
The Rev. David Russell, of Eglinton Street church, Glas
gow, who went from Dundee to Edinburgh in the autumn of
the year 1834, writes :
" I became a member of Albany Street church, which was then under
the pastoral charge of the Rev . Henry Wilkes. I continued in its mem
bership for two years, during the greater part of which he remained
pastor. This short time is too far back in the past for me now to recall
any special incidents of church life, but I soon saw that he had infused
his own spirit of genial brotherly fellowship into his flock. I have never
met nor heard of any church in which there was a larger amount of the
fellow-hip of brethren described in the Apostolic Epistles. It pervaded
every movement, and was specially prominent at the prayer-meeting on
the morning of the Lord's Day, and at the weekly meeting on the Thurs
day evening. The church was felt to be a home, and strangers joining it
breathed its atmosphere, and gradually shared in all its work.
Dr. Wilkes prepared his sermons with scrupulous care, and communi
cated in them the results of mature thought and exact study. The manner,
too, in which he delivered them added greatly to their interest and force.
While I was in the church the late Rev. William Lindsay Alexander,
D.D., was ordained as colleague to the Rev. John Cleghorn, over Argyle
Square church. Dr. Alexander and Dr. Wilkes had much intercourse
with each other, and enjoyed each other's friendship. Dr. Alexander often
spoke of Dr. Wilkes' removal to Canada as a life-long loss."
Reference is made in the " jottings " relating to this period to
an interesting correspondence begun in Glasgow the previous
autumn, and renewed after his removal to Edinburgh, in which
*The incident referred to, as related by Dr. Wilkes, is as follows : — " The first Sunday of
every month, Dr. Wardlaw had a special sermon, when the church was always crowded. On
one such occasion he became suddenly ill, and sent for me to be ready to take that service.
There was no help for it; I had to face the immense audience of disappointed people.
After devotional exercises I said, " No one in this congregation can feel more disappoint
ed at seeing me in this place, instead of Dr. Wardlaw, than 1 am myself ; but as he could
not be here we will consider, as best we may, the words of the Psalmist, in Psalm cxxx,
4-"

74 MEMOIR OF THE
a lady, signing herself J. H. Bell, mentions a sermon he had
preached in Dr. Wardlaw's pulpit a year before, which greatly
distressed her. While fully concurring in the doctrinal state
ments made, she nevertheless declares that the discourse robbed
her of all hope of salvation. She regarded herself as aban
doned of God, in consequence of having sinned remedilessly
against the Holy Spirit, being utterly hard of heart, and yet
evidently anxious to learn whether, in the opinion of her cor
respondent, there was the slightest hope in her case. No copies
of the replies sent her are preserved, but subsequent letters
from her show that a most earnest and prayerful effort was
made to relieve her distress of mind, and to set her free from
the snare of the enemy. Mr. Wilkes says, —
"I became exceedingly interested in her case  Several times
I asked for a conversation, but she steadily declined that, as it could not
be obtained without some explanation on her part to her friends as to
the why and wherefore, and she could not bear that any of them should
have the slightest suspicion of her mental and spiritual condition.
Just about the time of my leaving for Edinburgh, I suspected that my
correspondent was using an assumed name, and that I actually had an
acquaintance with the family of which she was member. I immediately
communicated my suspicions which drew forth a very humble apology.
Her anxiety to avoid the possibility of anyone being acquainted with her
state of mind was the excuse for adopting the course she did. I invited
her to come and spend a few days with us in Edinburgh. This she could
not do, but I had one personal interview with her, on a visit to Glasgow.
I am wholly unaware of the result, but hope she found peace and joy in
the Father and Son, through the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps, he adds, regretfully — if I had then had clearer views of the
Divine Fatherhood, in addition to His kingly reign and glory, my explana
tions, arguments and appeals, might have told better."
His reference to the voluntary Controversy, which was
already raging furiously, and issued, ten years later, in the
great Free Church Secession, are interesting.
" It roused the whole nation. The memoirs of Dr. Guthrie, and of Dr.
Chalmers, refer to it on their side of the question, while many of us were
active and persistent on our side. Dr. Wardlaw preached and published

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 75
on the subject. We held public meetings, and made speeches. It was
discussed in coaches and steamboats, at the street corners, and by the way
in walking, at the fireside, and the social party.
At the request of the Young Men's Society at Leith, I preached a ser
mon on the subject, which was published ; I also delivered a lecture, one
in a course of six or eight by different ministers ; mine was on the argu
ment to be drawn from the experience of the United States of America."
A three years' pastorate in such a city as Edinburgh, natur
ally threw Mr. Wilkes into the society of many of its best and
noblest men, both in the church to which he belonged, and
also of other communions. For although there was then but
Jittle interchange of those denominational courtesies which
happily now prevail so widely, the love of Christ, and of the
brotherhood, instinctive in all true disciples, drew him to all
good men around him, and them to him, and led to the for
mation of many pleasant and valued friendships. Among
those to whom he was specially drawn was Dr. Beilby, whom he
characterizes as "the good physician," a member of Mr-
Innes' Open Communion Baptist church, but a pewholderalso
in Albany Street, of which some of his family became mem
bers. Others named are, the Rev. William Innes, Rev. Dr.
John Brown, Mr. Adam Black, Mr. Aikenhead, of the " lang
toon o' Kirkaldy," " dear Napier," of Dalkeith, Rev. George
Cullen, of Leith, and good old " Bishop Watson," at Pinkie-
burn, pastor at Musselburgh, of whose godly conversation
and -"gooseberries" he seems to have preserved a lively re
collection. " Dr. Patterson was a sort of staff to lean upon, while Mr. Aikman and
Mr. Cleghorn, both old men, were always true friends. Rev. Mr. Aikman
died early in 1834. His successor was Wm. Lindsay Alexander, who was
for several years Classical and Mathematical Tutor at Blackburn Theolo
gical Academy. He was ordained to the pastorate of the North College
Street church in the beginning of 1835. I preached the introductory dis
course. He was a much loved friend during my stay in Edinburgh. It
was one of the sacrifices made in leaving, to be deprived of his most plea
sant and instructive society. We were joint Editors of ' The Scottish
Congregational Magazine] from the beginning."

76 MEMOIR OF THE
Some little confusion seems to have existed in Mr. Wilkes'
mind in regard to the joint-editorship aforesaid, since in an
other memorandum he says :
"The closing weeks of the year (1834) were partly occupied in pre.
paration for assuming the editorship of the Denominational Magazine. It
had been named " The Christian Herald," it was henceforth to bear the
title of " The Scottish Congregational Magazine!' My impression of
having been the responsible editor during 1835 was so strong, that I was
surprised on turning up the columns the other day to find there were two
editors, and I really cannot remember who the other was, unless it was
Mr. Alexander."
The following extract from a letter from the Rev. George Di
Cullen, of Leith, throws light on the subject. Royal Terrace,
Edinburgh, 15th March, 1887.
" My dear Mrs. Wilkes,
 Henry Wilkes came from Canada to Scotland in 1828. I was
then Secretary to the Glasgow Theological Academy to which he made
application, and was admitted. We became intimate friends, and saw a
good deal of each other, though I was resident in Leith, and he a student
in Glasgow.
You tell me you have recovered a letter from me, written in Leith in
1833. In that year he was ordained in Edinburgh, and from that time we
were, for some years, great companions, as young pastors. He joined me
in 1835 as a fellow-editor, along with Edward Napier, of Dalkeith, of the
new 'Scottish Congregational Magazine] then started.
 I was very sorry that when he was in Scotland the other day we
did not meet ; but you don't seem to be aware that he wrote from Glasgow
a long and deeply interesting letter to me, which I fully answered, — at
least, that is my recollection, and not, I trust, a dream, old man as I am,
compassed with infirmities. At the time he wrote, referring to you tender
ly, I think you were " doon the watter." May you be comforted and
sustained with consolation, all the more by your recollections of your
married life. Believe me, yours sincerely and affectionately, G. D. Cullen."
With this agrees the statement of the biographer of Dr.
Alexander.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 77
" In 1836 Mr. Alexander became one of the editors of the Congrega
tional Magazine, his colleague being the Rev. Henry Wilkes, of Albany
Street church, Edinburgh. On the departure of Mr. (now Dr.) Wilkes
for Montreal, in the course of 1836, Mr. Alexander became sole editor, of
which fact he reminded his hearers by saying that the "editorial we now
meant one man, who had many irons in the fire besides this."
Mr. Cullen must, therefore, have been Mr. Wilkes' associate
during 1835.
At the end of the first year of his ministry in Edinburgh
there had been added to the membership of the church forty-
nine persons, while other ten were candidates for admission.
The congregation had grown to an average of between five
and six hundred. Several persons of superior social position
and culture were brought under his influence, and led to decide
for Christ, and to unite with the church. One of these was
the Hon. Mrs. Welman (sister of the Hon. and Rev.
Baptist Noel), who spent some years in Edinburgh, for the
education of her son ; and a Miss Campbell, daughter of John
Campbell, Esq., of Carbrooke, a young lady of remarkable
traits of character, highly cultivated, who, alas ! passed away
while her pastor was yet in Edinburgh. " God gave me a
success," he writes, "far beyond my most sanguine expecta
tions ! "
A deputation from the London Missionary Society, for which
a collection was annually taken up, regularly visited them.
" One year the Rev. Dr. Raffles gave us an eloquent discourse ; an
other, Richard Knill, himself formerly a missionary at Nagercoil, and
then in St. Petersburg?!, electrified us by his earnest appeals.
I have special interest in referring to the visit of Rev. John Williams,
the Martyr of Erromanga. He was my guest during his brief stay. I
went with him to Dalkeith, where we held a meeting. He advocated
abstinence from all intoxicants. In his own straightforward way, he
said, ' Look at me, I am a living specimen of the Heedlessness of alcoho
lic stimulants. For twenty-five years I have been exposed to vicissitudes
by sea and land, and have never taken any.' He was a fine specimen of
physical vigor. He delighted his audiences with his homely and simple
statements of work and progress. His anecdotes and descriptions of life

78 MEMOIR OF THE
in the South Sea Islands were inimitable, many of them are to be found in
the ' Narrative ' he published.
In 1835 we were favoured by visits from several distinguished American
clergymen. They, for the most part, came over to return the compliments
paid by the English Congregationalists in sending over to both Congrega
tionalists and Presbyterians, the deputation in 1834, consisting of Dr.
Andrew Reed and Dr. James Matheson, Mr. Ewing's son-in-law. Dr.
Gardner Spring and daughter, of New York, came in June, He preached
in Albany Street church to a crowded audience. Mr. Alexander, father of
Dr. W. L. Alexander, said to me in going out, ' Mr. Wilkes, I am not
surprised at American Revivals of Religion, after that sermon.' Dr.
Codman, of Dorchester, Boston, with wife and two daughters came in
July. He preached in the West Kirk in the morning, and for me in the
evening. In August, President Humphrey, of Amherst College, was my
guest for a week. He also preached for me, as did Dr. Cox, of New York,
during their visit."
We obtain some glimpses of their domestic life during this
period in letters written to friends principally in Canada.
The house to which Mr. and Mrs. Wilkes went on their
arrival in Edinburgh, was in Cumberland Street, and was
mostly furnished by the friends in Albany Street church, who
thus testified, in a practical way, to the cordiality and kindliness
of their welcome. A son was born early in May. More than
fifty years afterwards, on hearing of the birth of a grandchild,
Dr. Wilkes, wrote :
" I can enter into the feelings of the young parents, for I can even now
remember the thrill of joy and responsibility I experienced when I first
realized that an immortal being was committed to our care. God grant
that grace may be given to fulfil the important trust."
A year after, the senior deacon, in the name of the church,
sent £,20, " as a token of their appreciation, and an acknow.
ledgment of their gratitude to God for the success vouchsafed."
This was a welcome addition (writes the recipient) to a stipend of ^150
which, however, I found it needful to eke out by keeping a boarder."
In July, 1834, a fortnight's holiday was taken. To his mother
he writes, —

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 79
"We went southward to visit our friends in Birmingham. Lucy is not
strong, and the change I hope has proved beneficial. The dear child was
left in charge of kind friends. I preached on both Sundays and spoke on
week days, trying to do something for Canada. Thus although enjoying a
pleasant change I was not idle. "
In October, he went to Wigton, Cumberlandshire, to open
the new Independent chapel erected by the congregation of
which the Rev. C. Leighton was then the minister. Sir Wil
fred Lawson, father of the present Baronet, is referred to as one
of the members, — "a most unpretentious Christian man." All
the ministers taking a part in the service were invited the
next morning to his beautiful seat in the Park, to breakfast,
where he and Lady Lawson showed themselves most affable
hosts. The library is described as a noble room, and the view
from the windows truly magnificent.
A year later his stipend was increased to .£200, and a better
house obtained in a more healthy situation. Another son was
born who, however, only lived a few days. In writing of this first
trial, he says :
" Our little one was feeble, and we saw he could not live,but our affections
clung to him and it was a sore wrench to have him go — God gave and has
taken him to be nurtured in the heavenly nursery  I am thankful to
say our little John is well and bright."
Amid all these alternating lights and shades of the Edinburgh
parsonage, Mr. Wilkes still planned and laboured on behalf of
his much-loved Canada. He had not laboured altogether in
vain. His correspondence with the Directors of the London
Missionary Society, combined with the representations of Drs.
Reed and Matheson, on their return from America, had led
the Board to make an appropriation of ^1000 for sending
ministers to the Colonies. On his recommendation assistance
had already been given, to the extent of ^20 each, towards
sending out Rev. Messrs. Murdoch, Lyall and Lillie, and they
had further engaged to help Mr. Hay den to go to Cobourg.
The Committee, however, to whom the expenditure of the grant

80 MEMOIR OF THE
was entrusted, hampered with the feeling that the evangelization
of the Colonies was not properly speaking foreign Missionary
work, and perplexed how to act, sent for Mr. Wilkes, in April,
1835, to meet them in London. He did so, and in describing
his conference with them, he says :
" I took special pains to insist upon the absolute need of some provi
sion to aid in the support of ministers until they were established in the
confidence and affections of the people, and had gathered a flock around
them. I said, ' Gentlemen, you may as well throw your £1000 into the
sea, so far as any permanent work in Canada is concerned, as employ it to
send out men, and then leave them unaided from the date of their landing.
Every man of them will be forced over the lines into the United States.' "
These words were no less true than they were brave and de
cided, as the subsequent history of most of those sent out at
this period shows. Mr. Lyall spent some months in the neigh
bourhood of the Bay of Quinte, he and Mr. Murdoch having
almost an itinerant ministry. But as only one could be sup
ported, and he very inadequately, Mr. Murdoch removed —
making his headquarters at Bath, with numerous stations in the
rear — while Mr. Lyall went to Oakland, where, though much
esteemed, he was, alas ! not supported. After five months there
he went to St. Thomas for six months, with the same result —
promises without performance, and an empty purse. Reduced
to extremities, he sold his books at half their value, and then
was charged 20 per cent, commission for selling, and at length
becoming discouraged, he went to the United States. Mr.
Murdoch very shortly followed his example. The Rev. Mr.
Smith, of Union church, Kingston, closed his labours there in
1833, and removed to Brockville, where, for a time, he supported
himself by teaching, and finally crossed the lines into the United
States. It thus became evident that to send out ministers to Canada
to labour among new settlers suffering poverty and hardship of
every kind, without providing, at least in part, for their support
for some years was, folly and even cruelty. To gather a con-

RE V. HENR Y WILKES, D.D. 8 1
gregation out of the heterogeneous elements of our Canadian
population, and weld them, and interest them in spiritual mat
ters, sufficiently to induce them to build a church, and support
a pastor, must necessarily be a difficult work, and a work of
time. All this Mr. Wilkes saw and urged upon the English
brethren, but found it very hard to make them see it. It is
not quite certain that their successors of to-day fully under
stand it !
Under these circumstances, and knowing that it was extreme
ly unlikely that any further aid would be granted by the Lon
don Missionary Society, Dr. Reed suggested to Mr. Wilkes the
formation of a Colonial Missionary Society in Scotland, such
a Society offering, in his judgment, the best solution of the Cana
dian problem. In this Dr. Matheson seems to have concurred,
since we find a memorandum relating to it, — " He is beginning
to see that a separate organization for the Colonies will become
a necessity, if anything is to be done to purpose." This was Mr
Wilkes' own view, and appears to have formed the subject of a
communication from his pen, in the columns of the Patriot
newspaper, sometime during the summer of 1835. The sugges
tion took root. Prayer was being answered. " The time to
favour our Canadian Zion was approaching," but just how
the long cherished hope was to be realized did not yet appear.
Let us turn for a moment from Edinburgh to Canada. The
church in Montreal, organized by Mr. Miles, July 6th, 1832,
had built a house of worship in St. Maurice Street at a cost of
;£ 1,600, — opened and dedicated in February, 1835, — ancl was
making slow but steady progress. To the fifteen members
who had united- in the organization, eleven had been added in
1833, and seventeen in 1834. They had established a Sun
day School, which was growing in interest and in numbers,
under the careful superintendence, first of Mr. Joseph Savage,
and subsequently of Mr. Archibald Duff,— afterwards Rev,
Arch. Duff, D.D. Mr. Miles, however, who had never regarded
himself as more than a. pioneer, wished now to retire from the
p

82 MEMOIR OF THE
pastorate, and push the work in the Eastern Townships, on the
borders of which, at Abbottsford, he had purchased a farm. On
the 26th of August, therefore, he resigned his charge, and only
held office until a successor could be secured. In the month
of October, the church, by an unanimous vote, and with Mr.
Miles' hearty concurrence, resolved to invite Mr. Wilkes to
the pastorate. There were 110 cable messages, or even tri
weekly mails, in those days, and the call seems to have been
long in reaching him, apparently not till after the New Year —
for he says, curiously, —
" The earlier days of 1836 were agitated by the question of duty in this
matter. On the one hand, God had very graciously smiled on my labours
in Edinburgh, and had given me great favour in the eyes of all the Congre
gational brotherhood there, and in the whole of Scotland. Many came to
me, when it was known the call was under consideration,including several
ministers of other denominations, begging me lo consider the success I had
had as an indication that I should continue. My position was really a de
lightful one, I had the confidence and love of my own people, and I knew
I never could have another sphere to equal it ; on the other hand, there were
all the considerations in favour of Canada which had pressed upon me in
1833. Still the question was, "are the British churches ready to help in
the Canadian work ? " for I concluded, without hesitation, that I ought not
to leave Edinburgh simply for Montreal. There was no comparison between
the importance in all respects of Albany Street, Edinburgh, and St. Maurice
Street, Montreal. But the question would assume a very different phase
if I was required as an agent of the British churches to act for them in pro
moting the planting of Congregational churches throughout the country.
For an object like this I had exceptional advantages, being well known on
both sides, and having adaptations for the Canadian work which no
stranger could possibly have without the experience of several years. My
anxiety to do right was great and continuous."
Early in the year, Mr. Joseph Savage, of Montreal, who had
been to London on business, visited Edinburgh, and urged upon
Mr. Wilkes the pressing importance of his accepting the call
that had been presented. About the same time, the Rev. Dr.
Tidman, Secretary of the London Missionary Society, and a
member of its Colonial Committee, wrote him that the Com
mittee having learned of the call from Montreal, and being

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 83
thoroughly convinced of the desirableness of his occupying a
position so important and influential, had resolved, in the event
of his accepting it,on making a grant of ^60 towards the expense
of his removal and that of his family, to Canada. Dr. Tidman
further alluded to the need of some one in Montreal and Tor
onto through whom the British churches could act intelligently
in supplying the spiritual wants of their neglected fellow-coun
trymen in Canada ; but as yet, no satisfactory plan had been de
vised for carrying on the work, and no decision could be arrived
at. Very soon after, however, the conviction became clear and
decided in the minds of such men as Geo. Collison, Thomas
Binney, Andrew Reed, James Matheson, Dr. Tidman and
others, that the time had arrived when a Missionary Society
for the Colonies must be organized, and a definite promise was
given, that if he would accept the call of the church in Mont
real, and act as their agent in Canada, they would at once
form such a Society. Mr. Wilkes says : —
" I could no longer hesitate, and at once laid the matter before the
deacons at Albany Street. They expressed great sorrow at my removal,
but they could not refuse acquiescence  The church was immediate
ly informed on the subject of my call to leave them. Very tender proofs
of affection were given, and much deep sorrow shown ; but they deemed
the call to be of God, and assented to His will."
In order that the course of both pastor and people might be
freed from all suspicion of there being anything selfish, under
hand, or unkind in connection with this important step, a
statement of the facts of the case was drawn up, and published
in the Scottish Congregational Magazine.*
Many kind letters received at this period evince the sorrow
of his brethren, and of the general Christian public, at the pros
pect of his removal. Dr. Wardlaw writes, — " I mentioned
at the meeting on Wednesday, your purpose to go to Canada.
Many expressed great interest and affection for you, and we
united in commending you and your future work to the great
Head of the Church." The Revs.W. L. Alexander, Wm. Black,

* Vol. ii. pp. 158-160.

84 MEMOIR OF THE
of Dunkeld, Wm. Innes, of Edinburgh, Mr. D. B. McKenzie,
of Elie, Fife, and others, write in a similar strain. At the meeting
of the Scottish Congregational Union, held just after he left
Edinburgh, Mr. Alexander took occasion to refer to the loss
wr.ich had been sustained by the friends of the Theological
Academy and of the Union, by departure from among them of
Mr. Wilkes. "In that gentleman," he said, "all pious institutions
found an active and zealous friend, and especially those which
were more immediately connected with that body to which he
belonged. His absence would be felt as a loss not only by the
church of which he had been pastor, but by his brother min
isters and by the cause in general. But he had plainly acted
in leaving Edinburgh in obedience to the call of duty and con
sequently it behoved us, while regretting his absence, to follow
him with our prayers that it might please the Great Head of
the Church to make him a singular blessing to that land to
which he was about to return."
The termination of a pastorate so pleasant, and so success.
ful, could not be otherwise than painful. Mr. Wilkes writes
of it:—
" I cannot describe the bitterness of parting with a beloved flock, and
so many loved friends. My last sermon was delivered on Sunday evening,
from 2 Cor. xiii, II, — "Finally, Brethren, farewell," etc. The chapel was
packed full to the window-sills, the vestry and all the aisles. It was my
first and last experience of this kind, I am thankful that there has not been
required a repetition. The conceptions concerning the pastorate must be
widely different from mine, on the part of many brethren who change their
relation to churches every few years. Perhaps I have been exceptionally
favoured in the only two churches of which I have had charge ; but to be
uneasy in them, and to be looking out for something better, have had no
place in my mind  Many friends took leave of us at the coach
by which we were to proceed to Glasgow, thence by steamer to Liverpool
and coach to Birmingham, where we spent a few days with relations . . .
On my arrival in London, arrangements were completed for the organi
zation of the proposed Colonial Mission, in connection with the annual
meeting of the Congregational Union, and the Society was accordingly
rmed May 13th, 1S36. It was at first only a Committee of the Union,

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 85
and was called ' the Colonial Mission of the Union,' with the Rev. Alger
non Wells for Secretary, and J. Remington Mills, Esq., Treasurer ; but its
name was subsequently changed to that which it still bears, — ' The
Colonial Missionary Society.' "
On the completion of the organization, Mr. Wilkes was ap
pointed its first agent, and on the 24th May, a designation service
was held in the Weigh-House Chapel, London (Mr. Binney's),
where he was solemnly commended to the grace of God for the
work he had undertaken. The Rev. Dr. Henderson delivered
the introductory address. Mr. Wilkes explained the nature of
the field and his plans of operation in connection with the Con
gregational Colonial Mission. Rev. Geo. Collison offered up
prayer, and addressing him after wards, said: " Brother, if we do
not stand by you, hold us recreant." The Rev. Arthur Tidman,
Rev. Messrs. Binney, Ainslie, and Mayne took part in the ser
vice. There being no hymns in the books then in use, bearing on
the work of God in the Colonies, Rev. Josiah Conder wrote the
one commencing " Churches of Christ, by God's right hand, cVc."
and it was sung on this occasion. The collection for the new
mission amounted to ^60.
Shortly after leaving Edinburgh, Mr. Wilkes was appointed
by the Congregational Union of Scotland to represent them
at the meeting of the English Union, and to lay before them for
their adoption a series of iesolutions drawn up by Dr. Wardlaw,
on the subject of American slavery, and the sinful complicity
of many of the American churches with that " sum of a 1
villanies." This commission he faithfully fulfilled — his last
official act as a member of the Scottish Congregational Union.
The necessary preparations for the voyage having been com
pleted, Mr. Wilkes sailed from Liverpool, with his family for
New York, about the end of June, and reached that place
early in August. Proceeding immediately on to Montreal,
they were met by a number of friends at Laprairie, who con
ducted them to the city, and gave them a hearty welcome. A
temporary home was afforded them in the family of Mrs.
Wilkes' brother, Mr. Samuel Hedge, St. Paul Street, where
about a month afterwards their eldest daughter, Lucy, was

86 MEMOIR OF THE
born. Only one Sabbath, August 14th, however, could be
given to Montreal, at that time, Mr. Wilkes feeling under obli
gation to make a tour of inspection in Upper Canada, and
report to the Committee in London, at the earliest possible
moment. Supplies having been arranged for during the next
six weeks, Mr. Wilkes visited successively Brockville, King
ston, Bath, Cobourg, Toronto, Brantford and other places, as
far west as London, of which he gives a rather humorous des
cription. A modern " boom " seems to have struck the place,
and great numbers of town lots were occupied by the uncovered
frames of houses, by which possession was secured, and then
in the midst of these wooden skeletons, stood the Jail and
Court House, a pretentious Elizabethan structure, intended, no
doubt, as a prophecy of what the place was soon to become.
" At Toronto," he says, " I met friends and conferred with them. Mr.
Merrifield (the first pastor of Zion church) had recently left, so I did not
meet with him. It was agreed by us that Toronto must be occupied by a
man of power, who could act as agent of the Colonial Missionary Society
from Kingston westward. I paid some of the money at my disposal to Mr.
Hayden and I think also to Mr. Dyer, who had come out to Hamilton, as
Mr. Hayden had to Cobourg, under the auspices and at the charge of the
London Missionary Society. While at Toronto, I preached in St. An
drew's church, and received permission to tell the story of the formation of
a Mission, by the Congregational Union of England and Wales then
representing upwards of 1600 churches, for the Colonies."
At Toronto, also, Mr. Wilkes first met with Mr., afterwards
the Rev. Hiram Denny, who had beer, a private in the Horse
Guards, in London, but had on his conversion obtained his
discharge, and been employed in doing good among the boat
men on the canal. He had brought with him excellent testi
monials, and on being set to work in the neighbourhood of
what is now the city of Guelph, he was warmly welcomed and
proved himself to be a capital pioneer missionary. The late
Mr. Mickle, at whose house Mr. Wilkes stayed on visiting the
neighbourhood, and preached to a congregation gathered from
farm-houses around, offered Mr. Denny a home and a horse

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 87
for missionary work, and contributed with others liberally to
wards his support. Beginning with the organization of a
church in Guelph, he gradually extended his itinerant labours
to Eramosa (now Speedside) Eden Mills, and Swackhammers
(now Churchill), at each of which he planted other churches.
Then removing from Guelph to the last named place, he made
it the centre from which to go forth into the McClellan, and
McDonald settlements, now known as Alton and South
Caledon, where other churches were formed. And later
on, turning attention t o the Township of Trafalgar, yet other
churches were established at Stewarton, and Oakville, to
both of which he regularly ministered in connection with
Georgetown. Indeed, so wide was his field, and so numerous
were his appointments that his family seldom saw him except
when once in two weeks he preached at home. For over thirty
years he continued thus to itinerate, until at the age of eighty-
six, he entered into rest January 24th, 1879.
From Toronto, Mr. Wilkes proceeded to Brantford, where
the Rev. Adam Lillie and his family were now settled, and
where a handsome church had been erected and a good work
was being done. Pecuniary assistance, however, was needed
and was given from the unexpended balance of the grant of
the London Missionary Society. Services were also held in
Paris, Burford and Mount Pleasant.
London was considered an important point to occupy, and
plans were laid for obtaining for it a minister from England.
Correspondence was opened with the Rev. William Clarke, of
Godalming, in Surrey, where he had been a much beloved and
successful pastor for seven years, which led to his resigning
his charge, the following spring (March, 1837), ancl settling in
London, where shortly afterwards he organized a church that
has since become one of the most flourishing in Canada. Like
most of the pioneers of Congregationalism, he too extended his
labours far into the regions beyond him, undertaking long
j ourneys on horseback, and through the storms and deep snows

88 MEMOIR OF THE
of winter in order that he might preach the Gospel of Christ
to the destitute settlers in the back woods. Several other
churches were organized as the result of these evangelistic
labours, in the townships of Warwick and Plympton, and else
where. Subsequently he removed to Simcoe, and still later to
Dresden, in each of which he spent some years preaching to
almost the very last, the Gospel he loved, and in the comfort
and support of which he passed peacefully away, in 1878,
after forty-one years of service in the Canadian field.
Turning his face eastward again, Mr. Wilkes says :
" I obtained from my father, as a present, a very handsome colt which
he had reared. As it was yet too young for me, he lent me for the ensuing
year, a large grey horse, of excellent temper and spirit, but alas ! spavined
and very thin. I mounted him, however, and sending on my trunk to Tor
onto, rode off through Gait to Guelph where  we held service in Mr.
Mickle's house  The Canada Land Company was settling this region
with a rather superior class of immigrants, and it was agreed that this
would be an excellent centre for the residence of a Congregational minister
(Mr. Denny, as already mentioned, was shortly stationed here. )  Thence
I rode to Hamilton. But oh the roads ! And the mud holes !  Some
times a beautiful fat deer would cross the road, coming out of the
forest on one side, and plunging into it on the other. Other and smaller
animals and birds (and mosquitoes) abounded in these woods, but at
length Hamilton was reached. "
Halting here to confer with Mr. Dyer as to the wants and
capabilities of his field, he encouraged them to hope for assis
tance from England, and commissioned Mr. Dyer to visit Thor-
old, at the mouth of the Welhnd Canal, and report to him of its
necessities, which he did. Then hurrying forward, still on horse
back, to Toronto, he had further conference with the friends
there, and road on to Cobourg, 70 miles, where, he says, —
" I found the neat frame church building ready for opening, with a
small dwelling for Mr. Hayden and family built on to it, for economy's
sake. The dear good man was a true missionary, and while attending to
Cobourg preached the Gospel all around, and at length established a
church at Cold Springs, eight miles in the rear. The Field family were the
sturdy upholders of Mr. Hayden, and the work at Cobourg, as they still

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 89
continue to be. The day of opening was fine, the attendance good, and
the occasion altogether memorable and helpful. I do not remember," he
adds, "whether we had one or two services, but I do know that the organiz
ation of the Colonial Mission was a great encouragement to these scattered
sheep in the wilderness. They had been members of one of our churches
in England."* Another journey on horseback of forty miles brought him to
Belleville where he took the steamer for Kingston.
" Putting up my horse, I proceeded to the house of Mr. Baker. He
was an intelligent whole-souled Englishman, a. lieutenant in the Royal
Navy, most loyal. A good preacher but avoiding all acts such as perform
ing the marriage ceremony, which might compromise his position as a
Naval officer. Murdoch (who had come down from Bath) and he walked
out with me, and on our way I called to see how my horse was doing.
They accompanied me, and on seeing the gaunt beast, Mr. Baker ex
claimed, amid peals of laughter, what a horse for the representative of 1,600
churches ! "
No pecuniary assistance was required by the church in
Kingston, Mr. Baker's half-pay allowance enabling him to live
on what his people were able to contribute towards his support.
His pastorate, however, was destined to be of brief duration,
for, on the breaking out of the rebellion, in the latter part of
the following year, his loyalty to his Queen and country, as he
regarded the matter, led him to assume an attitude altogether
too militant to suit the views of some of his people, and a
rupture ensued which broke up the church, and drove him from
the city. He subsequently settled in Brantford, as the successor
of Mr. Lillie, on his removal, in 1839, t0 Dundas, to establish
the Theological Academy. Thence he removed to Newmarket,
his last charge, in 1850, where he continued to act as pastor
till 1861. His death has only very recently occurred — March
29th, 1887 — at the advanced age of 92.
The six weeks which he had proposed to occupy in his
Western tour, had now nearly expired, and after a short stop
at Brockville to heal, if possible, a breach that had occurred

* A very interesting sketch of the life and labours of this excellent man will be found in
the Canadian Independent for October, 1865.

90 MEMOIR OF THE
between the pastor and some of his flock, — unfortunately
without success, — Mr. Wilkes says, —
" I reached Montreal at the very end of September, and embraced, for
the first time my daughter, who was then a month old  A very full
description of my six weeks' journeyings and exploration was sent to the
Colonial Mission, and my recommendations as to action thereupon." Re
ferring to Toronto, he says, "I insisted on the importance of sending out
a really able minister, who should be a gentleman in his bearing, affable,
not haughty, and that he must have^2oo a year, of which the church can
now raise ^95, while others will bring the amount up to ^150. There
must be a place of worship erected, and the minister should act as the
Society's agent from Kingston to the Western extremity of the Province."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 91

CHAPTER VII.
1836-38.
On the first Lord's day in October, — Oct. 2nd, 1836, — Mr.
Wilkes began his ministry in St. Maurice Street church, Mont
real, where, for over half a century, he was to continue his
faithful service, in various forms, until finally laid to rest in
its beautiful Mount Royal Cemetery. The contrast between
his Edinburgh charge, as he left it, and his Montreal charge, as
he found it, must have been very great, and even painful to him.
The membership was less than fifty — about one-fifth of that he
had left — and the congregation about one hundred. The debt
on the building was ^1,100, to meet the interest on which a
portion of the basement was rented for storage. There was
neither gallery, nor organ, nor vestry ; and even a year later,
when the financial outlook must have very much improved, the
income from pew rents, subscriptions, and collections did not
meet the expenditure by about ^30.
No arrangements appear to have been made about the amount
of salary to be paid the pastor, — a rather dangerous method of
procedure, as it seems to us, and one not to be followed, un
less in exceptional cases. Of course, there are good people
who think that a minister of the Gospel should " trust in the
Lord," and never seek to know what his income is to be before
hand, lest that should tempt him to put confidence in man in
stead. To us, however, it seems clear that if a fixed salary
prevents a clergyman from exercising faith in the Providence
of God, it must be even a greater danger and wrong to fix the
salary of a clerk, or the rental to be paid to a landlord, who is
perhaps less able to resist the temptation. Why, in fact, should
any body be allowed to put a stumbling-block in his brother's

92 MEMOIR OF THE
way by pecuniary promises of any kind ? Why not let the
baker and the tailor " trust " a little too ?
Mr. Wilkes appears to have had some misgiving as to the
wisdom of his course in this regard, for he says, —
" Whether right or wrong, my habit has been to leave the matter of my
stipend in the hands of the people. I have never made a bargain with
either them, or any Society in relation to pecuniary matters ; only they
have understood that as a business man, I expected payment with regula
rity and promptitude. If asked my reason for adopting a course in rela
tion to the pastoral office which I should not pursue in ordinary secular
affairs, the reply is, that in the former case you work for Christ and his
people directly, and according to the New Testament, you are simply to
be kept without carefulness, in the matter of your support. Their offerings
are free-will offerings ; you have a claim to ' live of the Gospel,' and I
have found that my people have, for the most part, done what they could
in this regard."
The wrong which he wished to avoid was manifestly not the
fixing of the sum to be paid to him, but the worldly, avaricious
spirit, which exacts the highest amount the people are willing
or able to offer. In this respect he showed an excellent exam
ple. The deacons called on him to have an understanding on
the subject, and finding that he had been receiving ^200 stg.
in Edinburgh, they proposed ^200 currency, which was at
once accepted. This, with the honorarium of ^50 paid him
by the Colonial Society, as its agent, made his income the
same as it had been before, with the exception that in Scotland
it had been paid quarterly in advance, which is not a Canadian
habit !
No formal installation of the new pastor took place, for Con
gregational ministers in Canada, in those days, were few, and
far between, and there were no churches within reach to con
stitute a council, or to assist in a recognition service. Nor was
it necessary, the people being of one mind, and the pastor-elect
above reproach.
Mr. Wilkes' settlement gave an impetus to the little church
which was immediately felt in all departments of its work. The

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 93
attendance steadily increased, that at the evening service very
soon filling the building. A course of Sabbath evening lectures
on the lives of Jacob and Joseph, drew large numbers of young
people, as well as many persons belonging to other congrega
tions, to hear. In the course of two years from the date of his
settlement, the membership had doubled, more than one half
of the additions having been made upon profession of faith.
The Sunday School and week-night attendance grew to dimen
sions that required the occupancy of the entire basement, while
two Mission Schools, one at Cote des Neiges, and the other at
Petite Cote, were established, in connection with each of which
Mr. Wilkes held a regular or occasional preaching service.
Next, a vestry was built for the use of the pastor, and for
the accommodation of the Bible-class ; and in 1839, galleries
were erected at a cost of ^250, the congregation meanwhile
worshipping with the American church in the morning, and
having the use of their edifice for the evening service. Refer
ring to this brotherly act, Mr. Wilkes remarks :
' ' With that church we have always had the most friendly relations, as
also with that so long under the care of the late Rev. Dr. Taylor.* Indeed
we have had much kindly , fraternal intercourse with most of the Protestant
churches whose arrangements permitted such fellowship. We have ever
loved and desired to promote a true Christian catholicity."
Hardly had he settled down to work in his new charge,
when a sore affliction fell upon him in the death of a much
loved brother, to which he refers in a letter dated 28th
October :
" My parents are paying us a visit. They are in deep grief. My brother
John is gone. Very lovely was he in his life. A warm friend of the In
dians, who dwell near Brantford in considerable numbers. He could read
and speak their language with fluency, and they had become so attached to
him, and so implicitely confided in his integrity and justice, that they were
wont to refer their disputes to him, and to abide by his decision. He was
an active member of the church, and in all respects a useful member of
society. The Indian chiefs were desirous of burying his remains with cer
tain ceremonies of their own, and although this was not allowed, they did
attend his funeral and manifested the utmost respect and affection."
* Now known as " Erskine Church."

94 MEMOIR OF THE
In November, just a month after the commencement of his
pastorate, Mr. Wilkes was appointed Corresponding Secretary
of the Auxiliary Bible Society. The report for 1836 was writ
ten by him, and occasioned some little discussion. The Society
had employed a colporteur in the city and neighbourhood, who
sold the Scriptures, and, where he had the opportunity, read
portions to the families visited. The Committee had learned
that in some instances, the priests, finding the Bibles in the
houses, had burned them. In the Report, this act was de
nounced " as a violation of Christian courtesy, and unpatriotic,
as that which would mark a man as an enemy of his country
and its people." When the Report was submitted to the Com
mittee, the President, the Hon. Peter McGill, suggested a
modification of the language. They had been unused " to
speak out," he said, where the Romish Clergy were concerned.
The Rev. G. W. Perkins advocated the retention of the clause
and Mr. McGill not pressing his objection, the Report was
read, as originally drafted, in the Methodist Church, St.
James Street, at the annual meeting. From that time, it issaidi
there has been no lack of courtesy on the part of the Clergy of
the Roman Catholic Church.
When Mr. Wilkes accepted the call of the church in Mont
real, it was distinctly understood, that, as the agent of the
Colonial Missionary Society, he would require to be absent
from home a good deal, on missionary and exploring tours,
especially during the earlier years of his residence in the coun
try. These journeys, which often occupied him for several
weeks together, involved an immense amount of fatigue and
exposure ; but being young and vigorous, and intent on accom
plishing for the Society, and for the cause of Christ, all that
human effort could achieve, he never spared himself. And
although his people sometimes fretted a little at his absence,
they were abundantly repaid in the end, by the interesting
accounts he gave them of the work being done, and by the
quickening of their own missionary zeal through the information

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 95
imparted. His first winter's tour is thus described by himself:
After referring to some preaching visits paid to New Glasgow
and Lai. lain, resulting subsequently in the organizing of a Pres
byterian church in that neighbourhood, he says, —
" About the middle of January, I drove out to Mr. Miles', at Abbots-
ford, and we set out together visiting and preaching at Melbourne,
Durham, Granby, Waterloo, Sherbrooke, Eaton, etc., passing through
Ely on our way out, and through the long woods from Sherbrooke on our
way back. We also visited Bury, just then being settled by English
people imported by the British American Land Company. We visited
Waterloo and Compton also. We found the Rev. James Robertson at
Sherbrooke just commencing jiis ministry there. We marked Durham
and Melbourne as important stations to occupy ; also Eaton Corner.
When driving down to the Corner, on a very stormy afternoon, with
snow falling heavily, and the road marks obliterated, we got off the path to
one side and upset, and the horse and ourselves were suddenly found
rolling in the deep snow. The situation was ludicrous, and we could
hardly struggle to our feet for laughing. However, getting the horse up,
and re-arranging the harness and sleigh, which caused some detention, we
finally reached our destination, and were thankful to find ourselves safely
housed in the home of Mr. Foss, the Postmaster. A service was held, and
the next day we proceeded to Bury. The snow was very deep and we had
great difficulty in getting through. We were greatly interested in these
simple-minded people. We talked with them, and held service wher
ever they could be gathered, with singing, prayer, and the reading of the
Scriptures, followed by simple Gospel statements. We agreed to find if
possible an intelligent catechist to work among them, and shortly after
wards one was sent to labour in Bury. The following spring the Rev.
E. J. Sherrill came to Eaton, where he laboured successfully for nearly
40 years.
An appointment had been left on our way out for a preaching service
in the school house at Granby, on my return homeward. I found on
arrival that Bishop Mountain, of Quebec, had more recently sent an
appointment for the same afternoon. He courteously sent a messenger to
inquire at what time my service would close, and to ask that I would
announce his service to commence at the close of mine. The school-
house was crowded ; I conducted the singing joined by the people, and
after preaching, concluded the service as the Bishop and his attendant
entered. Many remained, and I took my seat among the congregation.

96 MEMOIR OF THE
The Bishop enquired of me, if we had used a hymn, and who had led the
singing, on replying that I had myself done so, nothing more was said.
He had no singing, but evening prayer and an earnest Gospel discourse.
My friend Miles, who left me at Granby to go to his home in Abbottsford,
meeting certain parties on the way told them that two bishops of Montreal
were to preach in Granby that afternoon. Of course these journeys, with
descriptions, suggesting plans, were all duly reported to the Colonial
Mission in London, my letters to which would fill many octavo volumes.
Early in May, 1837, there arrived the first consignment of ministers
from England, Rev. Messrs. Nail, Clarke, and Dunkerley. The first
named had laboured in Russeltown, and had gone to his native land on a
visit. I immediately availed myself of their presence, by having my
pulpit supplied for a Sabbath that I might visit Quebec and preach there,
whence Mr. Alfred Smithers,* of the Bank of British North America,
had written to me that he and Messrs. J. Mussen, Alfred Savage, and
others, were desirous of the establishment of a church in that city. Mr.
Dunkerley visited Melbourne and Durham, and shortly settled in the
latter place. Mr. Nail went Westward, and settled at Burford, nine miles
from Brantford. After writing to London about Quebec, and arranging
with Mr. Dunkerley to supply my pulpit while I was absent, I set out on
another journey Westward, on horseback, about the middle of June. I
preached at Indian Lands, at Cobourg twice, at Cold Springs, Toronto,
Brantford, Burford, and at Long Sault. Mr. Clarke, meanwhile proceeded
on to London, where a schoolroom was obtained in which he commenced
his labours there  I found Murdoch, on my way up, dissatisfied
with his field, and with what he thought the neglect of the British friends.
[Oh the time it took to get replies from England to our communications !]
He had been prospecting in the United States and was half inclined to
go over there. My visit checked that course.
A letter from Rev. Arthur Tidman, London, dated August, 1837, ex
pressed his own regret, and that of his brethren in the work of the Colonial
Mission, that they had been so dilatory in correspondence, and begging me
not to be discouraged, as it arose not from want of interest in the work, nor
from want of impression of the great importance of our Colonial Mission,
but from their absorption in home matters. He urged me to make large
demands, to importune them for men and money, and to keep them well
informed of the wants of specific places, with full description of them, and
of the wants and experiences of the men already in the field  He
announced the appointment of the Rev. Algernon Wells, of Coggleshall

* Father of the late C. F. Smithers, of the Bank of Montreal.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 97
to the office of Secretary of the Mission, and expressed the belief that we
should find him to be a very efficient officer."
More than a year had elapsed since Mr. Wilkes had
entered upon his Canadian work, and as yet no one had been
found for Toronto, and the oversight of the Western part of
the field. The Rev. Dr. Reed had been asked to take charge
of it for a year, and had expressed his willingness to do so,
but his church would not consent to his going. At length,
however, the Committee in London secured the services of the
Rev. John Roaf, of Wolverhampton, and sent him out, to do
for Toronto and the West, what Mr. Wilkes was already doing
for Montreal and the East. On his arrival in New York, in
October, Mr. Wilkes went, at the request of the Committee, to
meet him, but found when he reached Albany that he had
already gone forward to Toronto, where, the following week, he
joined him, spending several days with him in conference in
regard to his future work. It was agreed that Kingston should
be the dividing line, and that all West of that point should
be under Mr. Roafs supervision, while all East of it should fall
under Mr. Wilkes' care, the latter to draw all the Bills of Ex
change, as required for the work.
Unhappily the plan did not work as smoothly, from some
cause, in the West as in the East, and in 1851 Mr. Roaf re
signed his agency, and a committee was appointed to act in
his stead. He continued his pastoral oversight of the church,
however, until 1855, when declining health compelled him to
relinquish it into other hands. He died, full of years and
honors, September 2nd, 1862.
The appointment and settlement of Mr. Roaf in Toronto,
afforded a large measure of relief to the ever-willing but over
taxed pastor of St. Maurice Street, but he groans inwardly at
the manner in which all this journeying, and anxiety, and cor
respondence, breaks in upon his previous habits of study.
" I must say that my personal loss was very great. With such multi
farious matters in my hands, it was literally impossible to keep up systema-
G

98 MEMOIR OF THE
tic study. Fond of reading and investigation, my days and evenings were
crowded with work, so that instead of continuing the various branches of
my college course, as I had to some extent done in Edinburgh, I had to
confine myself to what may be called a hand to mouth study. My stock
of sermons were not altogether suitable for my Montreal congregation, so
that I had to prepare new ones, or so modify the old ones that it required
an equal amount of care and time in preparation. My habit of taking
care of the minutes was thus intensified. I had excellent health and could
do with six hours' sleep. I am thankful to say that my little congregation
increased, and much interest was evinced in the advancement of the cause
of Christ. The Sabbath services were held morning and evening, and as
the other churches held their second service in the afternoon, many came to
listen in the evening, without interfering with their attendance at their own
places of worship."
This itinerant ministry, however, was not without its com
pensations. Numbers of cases are referred to in his memor
anda, of persons brought under the power of the truth by his
preaching, particulars of which cannot be given here, while
there were, doubtless, many others which never came to his
knowledge. They are reserved for heavenly surprises. Other
instances are named in connection with his occasional ministry
at Lachine, to which he had been invited to go by the late
venerable Lieutenant-Colonel Wilgress, R.A., and at Petite
Cote, and Cote des Neiges, in which individuals and families
were brought into the church, and became most valuable and
generous helpers in all our denominational movements. "One
does not know (he says) what important, and far-reaching
results may flow from evangelistic efforts, put forth without any
ye to reward, other than the approbation of the Master, and
the consciousness of working faithfully for Him."
Shortly after his return from Toronto, Mr. Wilkes had the
pleasure of welcoming the Rev. Timothy Atkinson and family,
who had come out to take charge of the infant mission at
Quebec. A Congregational church had been organized in
that ancient capital many years before, as mentioned in a pre
vious chapter, but had died for want of fostering care, and

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 99
help, and now the time had come for a new effort to establish
one. On Mr. Atkinson's arrival there, a large room, over
Cole's auction rooms, had been secured in which to meet for
worship, and Mr. Wilkes was asked to preach at the opening
of it, on the last Sabbath in November, which he agreed to do.
On taking his passage on the steamer to fulfil this appointment,
he learned that the political troubles of the Province, which for
some time previous had assumed a very threatening aspect,
had suddenly culminated in open rebellion, the disaffected
French Canadians along the Richelieu River having concen
trated their forces at St. Denis. We give the story of this trip
as he tells it.
" After we left the wharf, another steamer with troops and ammunition
did the same for Sorel. It was allowed to go considerably ahead of us,
though our boat could easily have kept the lead. On enquiry, I learned
that this was done by instructions from the military authorities, so that the
troops were on shore, and in barracks ere we arrived at Sorel. Detained
an hour or so there, I saw them march out that same night — as I thought,
very ill-equipped for such weather and roads — about midnight, under arms,
and with one or two field pieces, for St. Denis. We left after this, and
reached Quebec in due time next day. The news which reached us two or
three days afterwards at Quebec was, that the troops had been beaten off;
that the rebel army was strengthened, and that St. Charles was in their
hands; that General T. S. Brown, Dr. Wolfred Nelson, Mr. Papineau,
and a number of leading men were among them, and that they were in
high spirits  During my short stay in Quebec, I was the guest of
Mr. Mussen. The little congregation was steadily increasing, and were
aheady looking for a site on which to erect a church-building. The people
were earnest and hopeful.
How to get home was the next point ; the cold had become suddenly severe,
and the regular steamers had laid up for the winter. The John Bull lay at
the wharf laden with arms and ammunition for Montreal, under a guard of
soldiers, but she was prohibited from taking a single passenger. However,
my peaceful character was represented to the authorities, and they gave
me a pass to go on board her as a passenger. We left the wharf and
proceeded about thirty miles up the river, but the cold became so intense
that the sheathing and planks of the steamer were being cut with the ice,
and we had to turn round and retrace our course to Quebec. The land

loo MEMOIR OF THE
journey was now the only alternative. We started in a sleigh with the
mail. The political excitement and animosity were so great that I deemed
it well, as the only English-speaking passenger, to keep silence, as the others
discoursed in French of the war. We received intelligence on our way up
that the troops had conquered at St. Charles ; that the rebels were scat
tered, and their leaders had fled. Below Three Rivers the snow failed,
and we had to proceed in .a common Canadian cart, with horses tandem.
I got home, shaken and racked by the motion of the cart on the rough
frozen roads, but presided the same evening at the prayer meeting."
In the month of February, 1838, Mr. Wilkes started out on
another evangelistic and exploring tour, in the Eastern portion
of Upper Canada, arrangements for which had been made, in
part, by the Rev. William McKillican, then residing near
Vankleek Hill, but whose parish knew no limits but those
which human power and endurance put to it, Mr. McKillican
had formed one of the class trained in Scotland, for missionary
service, by the Haldanes, whose names are so familiar in con
nection with the rise of Independency in that land, and deeply
had he drunk into the spirit of those noble men. Coming out
to this country in the year 181 6, he had been offered ordina
tion and status in the Episcopal church by Bishop Stewart,
but preferred to retain his Independency and independence,
and purchased the farm on which he was still living and sup
porting himself, with the help of his family, while he preached
the Gospel in the regions around. Although not an eloquent
man, as the phrase is generally understood, he was a remarkably
intelligent man and mighty in the Scriptures, and his memory
is st.illfraj.rant in all that district of country among the older
portion of the population.
" There were few," says Mr. Wilkes of him, "who in conversation, or in
preaching, could be equally interesting and instructive." Of his widow,
who survived him a number of years, he says, '* she was famous throughout
the surrounding country for her shrewd good sense, and for her eminent
and enlightened piety. When drawing near her end, the Christian people,
far and near, gathered to hear her dying testimony, and were greatly puz
zled at her quiet calm manner and utterance. They expected raptures.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 101
Having conferred on the subject, it was agreed that one should ask her why
this was so. Her simple and beautiful reply in her native Gaelic was ' If
I feel my feet secure upon the Rock, is it needful that I should dance
there?'" Earnestly urged by these excellent people to " come over
and help them," Mr. Wilkes devoted three weeks of this busy
winter to evangelistic service in this wide and comparatively
uncultivated field, Mr. McKillican accompanying him in his
journey. The following extracts are taken from his memor
anda respecting it.
Wednesday, Feb. 21. — Martintown, Indian Lands, Thursday forenoon,
addressed upwards of fifty people, from Luke ii., 10, II: in the evening
about the same number, taking for my subject, 2 Cor., V 17. On Friday
morning upwards of one hundred and twenty gathered into the house, com
ing from seven to ten miles to hear the Word of life : a solemn season.
Preached from Isaiah Iv., 12, 13. Returned to Martintown the same even
ing, and held a meeting in the school-room, which was crowded. Subject,
the parable of the rich fool. This place is very destitute of religious in
struction ; drunkenness abounds. There are four taverns. On Saturday
forenoon returned to Indian Lands. The house was excessively crowded,
fully 150 present ; much solemnity and apparently deep impression. Text
2 Cor., v. 10. A prayer meeting, followed by an opportunity for conversa
tion, was held each day. Mr. McKillican preached to the Gaelic popula
tion. In the evening went to Roxburgh, seven miles off, and again preached
to a crowded house from Isaiah liii., I. Sabbath 25th. Held service in an
unoccupied church in Indian Lands. Nearly 400 people were present.
There were not more than three houses in sight, but the church was sur
rounded by an immense number of sleighs. Many came from great dis
tances. I preached from Ezek. xviii., 31, " Why will ye die ? A number
seemed deeply affected, and sought conversation with me on the great
question of the soul's salvation. Mr. McKillican gave the substance of
my discourse in Gaelic.
In the afternoon I preached to the young, from Rev. ii., 10. The Lord's
Supper was observed at the close of the service. On Monday drove to
Osgoode, distributing tracts, both English and Gaelic, by the way. I
preached at McNab 's at mid-day : with a very short notice, there were up
wards of fifty persons present, Heb. iii , 7, 8. At night, five miles further
on, had another meeting, and slept in Mr. Campbell's shanty. The road
from Indian Lands to Osgoode was impassable in summer. There were

102 MEMOIR OF THE
spaces of ten miles without a house. On Wednesday, 28th, was at Birk-
well's Settlement, a large one, chiefly of Irish Catholics. The village of
Kemptville and Merrickville were visited, tracts given, meetings and con.
versation held. At Carleton Place I was the guest of Mr. Daniel Cram,
three miles from the village. Preached at his house in the evening* and
the next morning in the Methodist church, to over a hundred people. Go
ing on four miles preached at Toshack's at night. Saturday, 3rd March,
passed through Packenham to Fitzroy having interesting meetings. On
Sabbath forenoon I found a respectable and numerous congregation in the
school-house, text Deut. xxix., 29. In the afternoon it was still larger.
Mr. Sherriff, sen., whose guest I was, expressed anxiety to have an earnest
evangelical minister. The first who came would be welcomed, whether
Presbyterian or Congregationalist. Bristol contains over 120 families: is
about nine miles from Fitzroy. Left for Bytown on Monday morning. A
heavy snow storm made the drive tedious, so that it was eleven o'clock at
night before I reached my destination. Left on Tuesday, and on Wednes
day called upon Mr. Edwards, sen . , a Baptist brother. At L'Original, got
information regarding Hawkesbury and Caledonia. Crossed over to
Grenville and St. Andrews on Thursday. Had a conversation with Mr.
Guy Richards, who was very anxious to have something done for the educa
tion of the Roman Catholics. I reached home on Saturday, having to fill
my own pulpit on Sabbath. Sixteen years afterwards Rev. John McKil
lican told me of an interesting result of the sermon at F"itzroy Harbour. The
notice being very short, it only reached a brother and sister, who lived five
miles distant, in time to permit of them hearing the latter part of the ser
mon, though they had driven as fast as they could to be in time. The por
tion they heard was an appeal to those who were abusing the doctrine of
the Divine sovereignty, of which the discourse was a vindication.
The brother was in poor health, and was abusing the mercy of God to
his own undoing, arguing — ' If I am to be saved, I shall be, do, or not
do what I may ; and if not, all my doing will be in vain.' The madness
and sinfulness of this course, and its inconsistency with every other view
we take in life, were pointed out. He saw the sin and folly of it — dis
covered the fulness and sufficiency of the Gospel of Christ, and embraced
it, and some months afterwards died peacefully, trusting in the Saviour."

* Mr. Cram, who is still living, says in a letter to Mrs. Wilkes, "I am glad to know
that a memoir is being prepajed. Assuredly he was more like the Archbishop of Can
adian Christendom, save only in pretence, — for Dr. Wilkes hated shams ! Indeed he was
a kind host, and a most welcome visitor everywhere  The gracious Head of his
One Church, who raised him up, and so fitted him for the varied offices which he so
remarkably and so long filled, direct you and yours in all things to his glory."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 103
A letter written during this missionary tour says : —
" You would be surprised at the kind of accommodation, which, in some
instances we have had to be content with. I wish you could have seen the
arrangements necessary in some of the shanties. There is only one room
in which to eat and sleep, and quite a family to house. Very primitive
screens and curtains isolate each bed, that decency may be preserved. A
great roaring fire on the hearth is kept up all night, so that we did not
feel the cold, although it must have been many degrees below zero 
On Satuaday we were entertained not in a shanty, but in a log house, and
I had a bed closet all to myself. Mr. McKillican gave me the hint to
shave before retiring, as the good people, if they found me shaving on a
Sabbath morning would be seriously offended, — a minister breaking the
Sabbath ! As in duty bound the hint was taken, and my good friends
were not scandalized by my city habit .... The kindness of these primitive
people is very great, and their gratitude equally so."
A number of other places seem to have been visited a little
later on, and in the early part of the summer, among them
Huntingdon, St. Eustache, and Georgeville, on Lake Mem-
phramagog, in all of which he preached. Full reports of these
journeys were sent to the Society in England, and an earnest
appeal was made to the Committee to supply, if possible, the
needs of Fitzroy Harbour and of Georgeville, but nothing
appears to have been done in response to it.
These Missionary tours were regularly undertaken every
winter, for a great number of years, and only when there came
to be less necessity for them, or other hands were ready to
take up the work, were they altogether abandoned.

104 MEMOIR OF THE
CHAPTER VIII.
1838-1846.
E^rly in September, the home was first brightened by the
advent of a little infant stranger, and then, fifteen days later,
as suddenly overshadowed with gloom by her removal ; while
a still darker and heavier cloud fell upon it in less than thirty-
six hours after the funeral of the child, in the death of the
mother, who, with very little pre-indication of such a result,
calmly and peacefully passed away to the home above.
Mother and child were together laid to rest in the old Dor
chester Street Burial Ground, whence their remains were after
wards removed to the new Mount Royal Cemetery. Mrs.
Wilkes is described, by one who knew her well, as having
been " very lovely in her disposition and temper, very shrewd,
truly devout, and zealous in the Lord's work." Dr. Beilby, of
Edinburgh, in a letter to Mr. Wilkes, dated 30th October,
1838, writes :
' ' I heard with deep grief of the very heavy loss you have sustained.
Those who have had access to observe intimately the character of your
excellent wife, could alone know the extent of your affliction. The fre
quent opportunities I enjoyed of seeing her, both as a friend and medical
adviser, enabled me to appreciate her excellence, and to estimate the loss
your dear children, and especially the eldest, has sustained, as well as
yourself." This event led to the breaking up of the house. The chil
dren were sent to Brantford to be cared for by their grand
mother, and Mr. Wilkes became the guest of Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Vennor, then residing in St. Joseph Street. In writing
to his mother, Mr. Wilkes says, —
"The kindness of the dear friends who have made me one of their family
in my loneliness, I can never forget. They will not accept anything for
my board, so that. I have no expense, but the keep of my horse 
In a few weeks I will (D.V.) visit Brantford, not merely that I may see
my dear children and friends, but to have conference with Mr. Lillie and

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 105
Mr. Roaf.  I am thankful for the interest I have in my work.
Every moment is occupied, and that helps me to bear the trial that I
know is sent by my Father." 
The journey referred to was taken, and when in Toronto,
returning homeward, rumours of another rebellion reached him.
In the "jottings" he writes:
" An attack of Hunter's Lodges, in league with rebellious spirits in
Canada, was expected from the United States. There was to be an at
tempt to overthrow the Government, and then to annex to the United
States. I proceeded homeward, and reaching Brockville, found that the
boats were so delayed, that if I went on, I should have to drive into Mont
real by the stage, after mid-day on Sunday. This I resolved not to do,
and therefore remained over at Brockville, where I preached twice. On
Monday I proceeded downward, but arriving at Coteau du Lac, I found
all the country up in arms, the roads stopped, the military and volunteers
in motion. I slept that night on the floor of the Inn at Coteau, in the
midst of troops, and next morning turned my face westward again in the
steamboat. Colonel Philpots was on board, commanding some troops
who were to look by the way for certain reported Hunter's lodgemen, who
were to attack the boat. Landing at Prescott, I got across to Ogdens-
burgh, where I preached in the Presbyterian church.* Before leaving
next day, a scene was enacted before that town, which I witnessed. A
large party of armed men had seized the steamboat which ran up the
Lake, compelled the engineer and steersman to remain at their posts, and
having all embarked, crossed the river, and landing, took possession of
a windmill a short distance East of Prescott, on the river side, and then
sent the steamer back. Another body of men had seized a schooner, and
embarking, endeavoured also to cross the river ; but, fortunately for them,
they ran on to a shoal, less than halfway over, and, therefore, in U. S.
Territory, where they lay helpless. Meanwhile, the little British armed
steamer Experiment had come upon the scene, and was determined
either to capture or destroy the American steamer. It so occurs, that in
order to get into the harbour at Ogdensburgh with a steamer of her size,
she requires to go into British waters ; hence, she was watched by the
Experiment and every time she crossed the line, shots were fired at
her. She would then run back into the neutral waters. Meanwhile, we
could see the men in and about the windmill, watching the attack, and
the several retreats. At length she made a desperate effort to get into

* The date mentioned for Ogdensburgh, is November :

io6 MEMOIR OF THE
port, and succeeded, but with the loss of her pilot ; for as he was veering
her in through the British half of the river, a shot from the Experiment
struck the wheelhouse, and killed him instantly  Proceeding by
stage, I reached Plattsburgh, took the steamer to St. Johns ; found the
rebellion had been crushed in that region, and learned, on my arrival at
home, of the decisive battle at St. Eustache  My decision not to
travel on Sunday saved me from a week's imprisonment. The boat on
which I had come down the river, and which I left at Brockville, had
been seized at Beauharnois, and her passengers made prisoners of war,
and were confined there, until released from imprisonment by the collapse
of the insurrection."
The 7 th of December was proclaimed by the Government
to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer, on account of
the state of the country. The proclamation was made in the
old form of command and threatening, — " as ye fear the wrath
of God and the Queen's displeasure, ye shall all assemble in
your respective places of worship," etc. Objecting strongly
to the form of the proclamation, Mr. Wilkes called the church
together, asked it to concur in the observance, and respectfully
to protest against any interference of the Civil power in such
matters, beyond naming the day, and exhorting Her Majesty's
faithful subjects to observe it in the manner proposed. The
church acted on this recommendation, and a document was
drawn up and published by the pastor, in its name, protesting
against all assumption of authority in the matter by the State,
but at the same time thanking the Government for naming and
setting apart the day. Many similar days have been appointed
since that period, but the objectionable form of proclamation
has never been repeated.
" Canadian political affairs at this period, were in a transition state.
Lord Durham's special mission, on which he had been sent by the Imperial
Government, immediately after the Rebellion, had accomplished a large
amount of good in revealing the causes of discontent and rebellion, and
the means of their removal. His Report is an important historical docu
ment  Shortly after his return to England, Mr. Poulette Thomp
son, afterwards Lord Sydenham, was appointed Governor-General, and
under the new regime then inaugurated, Lower Canada was thenceforth

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 107
governed with the assistance of a Special Council, which did very excellent
service in many ways, particularly in the enfranchisement of the Island of
Montreal, compelling the Seminary of St. Sulpice to commute all its
claims on the Real Estate, on fixed terms. The Seminary, on the other
hand, had a doubtful title established — a questionable advantage to the
country — and has had enormous wealth poured into its coffers ; but by
the settlement thus effected, owners of property in Montreal, can now im
prove or sell without the onerous claim of Lods et Ventes. The progress
of the city has been marvellous since that date. It should be noted that
by the terms of this settlement, the expenditure of the Seminary was lim
ited to three things, — Education — the cure of souls in the Island of Mont
real — and the maintenance of the poor. The Seminary is bound, when
ever called upon by the Government to do so, to render a full, true, and
particular account of its expenditure, but through the pusillanimity of the
Government, it has never been called upon for it. One would like to see
such an account."
Memoranda relating to this period refer to the settlement of
the Rev. James T. Byrne, at L'Orignal. with which Hawkes
bury, near by, was associated. Mr. Byrne, desirous of engag
ing in Missionary work, had resigned his charge in Gorleston,
in Norfolk, England, and had arrived in Canada during the
autumn of 1838, when, on recommendation of Mr. Wilkes, he
went up the Ottawa E iver, as far as Fitzroy, in search of a
field of labour, finally selecting the sphere above-named.
There he remained for some years, when, after supplying By-
town and Brockville for a few months, he settled in Whitby,
in October, 1851. This was his last pastoral charge, for on
resigning it in June, 1863, he became the Agent of the French
Canadian Missionary Society, on behalf of which he toiled
most assiduously, until stricken down, while prosecuting his
labours, in the streets of Albany, N.Y., Nov. 21, 1874.
About a fortnight was again spent in mid-winter in Mission
ary work, during which Mr. Wilkes visited Durham, Mel
bourne, Sherbrooke, Eaton, Bury and some other places in the
Eastern Townships, preaching or holding other services in
each place.

108 MEMOIR OF THE
" In Bury and adjacent villages, Mr. Cameron, the Evangelist, who had
been sent out by the church in Montreal, was doing good work. He had
furnished the people with hymn books, and fostered a love of singing. I
walked with him to the service, three or four miles through the snow, and
was surprised to find so large a gathering of people. Of twenty-four
families in the place, there were only two without evidence of serious im
pressions. The people, in conversation, adverted to their carelessness in
regard to the religious privileges they had enjoyed in England, but now
the Word of the Lord was precious  On my return, I visited Comp-
ton, Hatley, Stukely, Shefford, Waterloo, Granby, and Abbotsford. Mr.
Miles, at the last mentioned place, was enthusiastic and eager to put forth
effort in every feasible direction. Sometimes I drove o.U to his house, and
spent a day in earnest conference, and arrangement of plans. Some fif
teen years my senior, with large experience in Africa and in England, and
withal a man of single purpose, and undeviating rectitude, he was a most
valuable counsellor and co-adjutor, full of wise suggestions."
The winter of 1838-39 was notable for the holding of a
series of earnest conferences of leading ministers and laymen,
at breakfast, in the house of Mr. Joseph Wenham, of the Bank
of Upper Canada, in regard to the condition of the French
Roman Catholics. The Rebellion had for a time shaken the
hold of the priests upon the people, and it was considered to
be an appropriate juncture in which to inaugurate a compre
hensive effort for their evangelization. There was already a
Mission among them at La Grande Ligne, but it was not upon
the catnolic basis that is felt to be so desirable in all foreign
Missionary work, as this practically is.
The result of these conferences was the formation of the
French Canadian Missionary Society, with Lieut-Colonel Wil-
gress, R.A., President; Mr. James Court, Treasurer ; Messrs.
Wenham, Dougall, Lunn, Ferrier, and others, Vice-Presidents ;
and Rev. W. Taylor and Mr. Wilkes, Secretaries. The first
act of the new Society was to ask Mr. Taylor and Mr. Court
to go to Britain for funds, and to France and Switzerland for
missionaries. The history of that Society, and the noble and
most successful work it did in the forty years during which it
continued to be carried on upon a non-denominational basis,

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 109
cannot be written here. There are many, indeed, who deeply
regret that we cannot exhibit a more practical unity of all the
Protestant churches in the presence of our Roman Catholic
neighbours ; but if that may not be yet, as we believe it will be
in the near future, it is at least pleasant for the Congregational
churches of Canada to reflect, that it was through no fault of
their's that the basis of the Society was changed. Mr. Wilkes,
who continued to take a deep interest in French Evangelization
till the last, and was for some years President of this Society,
always regretted the change of its constitution.
Mr. Wilkes also took an active part in the formation of a
Ministerial Association, consisting, at first, of only the Rev.
G. W. Perkins, of the American church; Rev. W. Taylor, of
,the U. Presb. church; Rev. N. Bosworth, pastor of the Bap
tist church ; the Rev. Mr. Curry, Agent of the American
Home Missionary Society, and himself, but embracing after
wards nearly all the non- Anglican evangelical clergymen of the
city. This Association, which still exists, was organized
largely with a view to keeping an eye on all public movements
affecting the moral and spiritual welfare of the city, and has
done a most useful work. In its earlier history, it took an
active part, by platform meetings and otherwise, in urging the
undenominationalizing of McGill College. Its charter thus
far had been worked solely in the interests of the Episcopal
Church, and by Episcopalians. It had, however, done little
or nothing as an institution for instruction. A medical school,
which was then, and has ever since been of a high class, used
its charter for conferring degrees in Medicine, and that school
had no special denominational character. Success attended
the movement, and an amended charter was obtained. " The
Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning " was
henceforth composed of distinguished members of all the
different churches, and the Governors of the University repre
sented all Protestant denominations. Under this charter, the
Faculty of Arts was organized, under Principal (now Sir J.W.)

no MEMOIR OF THE
Dawson ; then followed that of Law, and more recently that
of Applied Science. It has, for many years, been an Institu
tion of great usefulness in the Province.
The Congregational churches in Canada were as yet but
few and feeble, and an effort was now felt to be necessary to
draw them more closely together, with a view both to mutual
helpfulness and encouragement, and their greater influence
in the community. This desire led to the formation, in the
summer of 1838, of the Congregational Union of Lower
Canada, a similar organization having been effected a year or
two earlier in the Upper Province. Each of these Unions
very clearly defined, and as carefully guarded, the indepen
dency of the churches, incorporating in its constitution the
fundamental principle of their English namesake, that it
" recognizes the right of every individual church to administer
its affairs, and shall not, in any case, assume legislative au
thority, or become a Court of appeal." Of this Lower Canada
Union, the Rev. R Miles was the first Secretary, and, as we
have seen, a most energetic and faithful man. Under his
management, and with Mr. Wilkes' earnest co-operation, it
rendered invaluable service to the churches of the Province,
and so continued to do until its amalgamation with its sister
Union of the Upper Province, in October, 1853, under the
title of " The Congregational Union of Canada."
" The year 1839," says Mr. Wilkes, " was marked, especially in Upper
Canada, by the commencement of the controversy concerning the Clergy
Reserves, which ended some years later in their secularization. It was a
hard fight, first between the Church of England and the Church of Scot
land, the latter claiming an equal right to them with the Church of Eng
land, as one of the Established Churches ; the other insisting that before
the Law, the State knew no other " Protestant Clergy " than those of the
Episcopal Church. In 1840, pome settlement was arrived at, by which
the claim of the Church of Scotland was recognized. Ultimately, the
remaining Reserves were sold and secularized ; a certain sum was paid to
each of the above-named churches, another sum to the Wesleyans for
their missions, and a further and residuary portion was left open to meet

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. in
any applications for a share by other religious bodies. The temptation
was thus held out to the Baptists and Congregationalists, but they turned
a deaf ear to the charmer, and I suppose that portion of the property is
now a part of the Consolidated Fund. An Act was passed later on, the
preamble of which declared the expediency of ' doing away with all sem
blance of connection between the Church and the State.' The two
churches that obtained the lion's share when the final settlement was
made, obtained from those clergymen having vested interests, a relin
quishment of their claims, on the payment of annuities, equal to the inter
est thereon ; the amounts were then capitalized, and are made a permanent
endowment o{ their respective churches. I believe, that they have long
ago found that they had been better without it : the congregations take
care to relieve themselves of a measure of the burden of their pastor's
support, greater than he receives from the endowment."
Referring to his own work at this time, he says :
" The membership of my church was steadily increasing  All
worked harmoniously, and during my absences maintained the prayer-
meetings, and visitation of the sick. In July I preached at Hawkesbury,
L'Original, Caledonia Springs, and Russeltown, being only one Sabbath
absent. From time to time I heard from my dear friends in Glasgow and
Edinburgh. It was a delight to me to hear of the prosperity of the church
of my first pastorate. The announcement of the ordination of David Rus
sell, son of Dr. Russell, of Dundee, this year, over a church in Glasgow,
gave me great pleasure. He was one of 'my young men' in Albany
Street Church, at that time studying law, which he relinquished for the
study of Theology. He still labours in the same church, respected and
honoured of all."
Anxious to secure suitable and efficient pastors for our
vacant churches, Mr. Wilkes wrote Mr. Archibald Duff, who
had left Montreal for Scotland, to study for the ministry, in
1836, and was about to complete his course of preparation,
asking him to return and take a charge in Canada. Mr. Duff,
however, replied that he felt disposed to remain in Scotland at
that time, and laboured there some years, first in Fraserburgh,
and afterwards in Howick. In 1856, however, he returned to
Canada, bringing with him his family of four sons and two
daughters, and settled in Cowansville. Subsequentiy, he took

H2 MEMOIR OF THE
charge of the important church at Sherbrooke, to which he
continued to minister for many years. A few years before his
retirement from the active duties of the pastorate, the Univer
sity of Vermont conferred on him the degree of D. D., an
honour much appreciated by his many friends. He died in
England, while on a visit to his son, the Rev. Dr. Duff, of
Airedale College, in November, 1883. *
Another of Mr. Wilkes' " young men," Mr. Alfred Howson,
who had been an active member of the church, and superin
tendent of the Sunday School, in St. Maurice Street, left for
England about this time, to study for the Christian ministry,
and on the completion of his College course settled there, and
became pastor of a church at Keswick. Thus, Mr. Wilkes
remarks, " although we got ministers from Britain, we occa
sionally gave others in return."
In the month of September, 1839, Mr. Wilkes married
Susan Holmes, the widow of Mr. John McDonell, a merchant
of Montreal. The children returned from Brantford, and the
home circle was enlarged by the addition of two twin step
daughters. Mrs. Wilkes is spoken of by those who knew her,
as a woman of ability and piety, greatly interested in the Pro
testant Orphan Asylum, of which she was for many years First
Directress, and active, as far as domestic duties allowed her,
in every good work. Of the three children born of this mar
riage, only one son, Thomas Holmes Wilkes, reached matur
ity, the other two having died in infancy.
Not very long after his marriage, Mr. Wilkes, who occasion
ally took exercise on horseback, was thrown from his horse on
to a heap of stones, and falling upon his head, received a
severe scalp wound, which, but for God's good Providence
and his own previous care of his health, might have led to
serious results. As it was, however, nothing worse happened
than the necessity for shaving his head, the wearing of a black

* See Biographical Sketch in Canadian Cong. Year Book for 1884-85, page 74.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 113
silk skull cap, and a temporary suspension of work, by order
of his medical attendant. This was almost the only occasion
during his long ministry in which he was prevented from
preaching by illness or inability.
About this period, (1840J the name of the Rev. Joseph
Anderson appears, for the first time, as one of our Canadian
pastors. He had been teaching a private school in Sorel, but
had united with the church in Montreal, as the nearest with
which he could connect himself; and being a good man, and
possessed of good abilities and excellent education, he was
ordained to the ministry, and settled in Melbourne. From
thence, after a few years, he removed to Hawkesbury, where,
unhappily, difficulties arose out of unfortunate domestic rela
tions, from any blame for which he himself, after careful inves
tigation, was fully acquitted, but which, nevertheless, led him
to relinquish his charge, and remove to the United States.
Several exploratory and missionary journeys were und -
taken this year, one in the spring extending through Farnham,
Dunham, Cowansville, and Brome, and resulting in the for
mation of churches in the two last named places, and subse
quently one in Brigham ; while another tour, in November,
extended through L'Original, Hawkesbury, St. Andrews, and
surrounding region.
In September, Mr. Wilkes attended the meetings of the
Congregational Union of Canada West, preaching the sermon
before that body, from Acts xix, 20.
The subjoined account of a visit to the Indian Village of St.
Francis, we give in his own words :
"The year 184 1 was memorable as that on which we came out of our
political confusion into a well ordered government, with responsible min
isters and parliamentary efficiency. On the loth February, I left home
on one of my missionary journeys, that being the day that the Province
of Canada was constituted, by the Union of the two provinces of Upper
and Lower Canada. Public rejoicings were being expressed as I drove
along tlie banks of the river towards L'Assomption, where I preached
H

114 MEMOIR OF THE
that evening. Mrs. Hibbard had a school here, which was doing good
 Proceeding to Sorel, I again preached, and encouraged the people
with the hope of a supply, which was afterwards furnished, the Rev. James
Buckham labouring there for a season. From thence, I drove to the
Indian Village of St. Francis. I found Peter Paul O'Sunkirhine there, who
interpreted what I said to the Indians, in the little chapel. He had
seventy under his care. The women sang very sweetly. As Protestants,
they have had to bear persecution from their Roman Catholic compatriots.
There were only 360 of these Abenaqui Indians left. I baptized O'Sun-
kirhine's child ; the name given was Solomon ! Passing along through
Drummondville, the residence of Mr. Dunkerley was reached, at Durham.
There I had a good congregation, and had a conference with the people
afterwards, regarding the support they could give their pastor. ^35 was
all they could promise. The Society in England at that time guaranteed
a fixed salary, from which was deducted what the people contributed.
This was not a good plan, and was amended afterwards ; the people pro
mising their pastor a fixed sum, and the Society supplementing, with the
understanding, that as their numbers and capabilities increased, the grant
would be reduced. Melbourne was next visited, and a. service held. At
Danville I spent the Sabbath, and found Mr. Parker, the pioneer Mission
ary of this region, doing good work. Returning to Melbourne on Tues
day, another service was held, and conference had with Dr. Rankin and
others, in regard to the support they were able to give to Mr. Anderson,
who had been labouring faithfully for some time among them. The next
day I spent in Sherbrooke. Mr. Robertson, the pastor, had announced
my coming, and there was a large audience. He was "a master in
Israel," and accordingly attracted all the educated men of the place, and
was surrounded to the end by one of the most intelligent congregations in
the country. There I met J. Fraser, Esq., of the British American Land
Company, father of Dr. Donald Fraser, now of London. I drove over to
Eaton on Friday, and preached in the evening. Mr. Sherrill was pro
gressing s*eadily in his work. The people had erected a very neat church
building, costing really £500, though not more than .£75 had been con
tributed in money. On Saturday, went over to Bury — was pleased to see
the marked improvement in the congregation. On Sabbath morning had
two rooms filled, from 120 to 130 present, to whom I preached. They
were very attentive. A number were but poorly clothed ; the weather
was cold and stormy, yet they came great distances. We observed the
Lord's Supper, at the close of the service. On Monday, I drove forty
miles to Stanstead, visiting Mr. Hall and his people. On Tuesday, was

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 115
blocked in by a furious snow storm. The next day, got as far as Frost
Village, and the following day to Abbotsford. There I found my friend
Mr. Miles very ill, and a young son, Alfred, dead. It was a house of
mourning, and I hope that I was able to give them some comfort in their
affliction. On Friday I drove home."
The above narrative, he adds, "is a sketch of one of many
similar journeys during a number of years. It may be taken
as a sample of such as were usually undertaken during the
winter." In the autumn of the same year, Mr. Wilkes went to Quebec
to preach at the opening of the handsome new Congregational
church which had been erected in Palace Street, and which,
unhappily, after so many years of faithful labour by Mr. Atkin
son, and his successors, Messrs. Drummond, Heudebourck,
Powis, and others, now lies desolate, through the drifting away
of the Protestant population from the ancient Capital.
Mr. Wilkes, along with a number of other ministers and
christian laymen, interested in educational matters, were
anxious for the establishment of a High School in Montreal.
After several consultations, it was agreed that such a school
should be established on the broadest possible basis as to reli
gion. In order to get rid of all possible appearance of secta
rianism, the ministers proposed that the Board of proprietors
or managers should consist entirely of laymen — a proposal, in
which the Rev. Mr. Esson and Dr. Bethune, Rector of the
parish, cheerfully concurred. The school has been a very
successful one. In 1853, it was taken into connection with
McGill College. Eighteen years afterwards, the present School
system, under Protestant Commissioners of Education in
Montreal, having been established its management was trans
ferred to them, and it is now by them maintained in a state of
great efficiency.
These multiform labours and cares of a general and denomi
national character do not appear to have been allowed to

116 MEMOIR OF THE
interfere with his own proper ministerial and pastoral duties;
for we note that during these busiest years of his Agency work,
he has constantly on hand a course of expository or biographi
cal sermons — nine on '' Noah and his times ; ' thirty-six on
the Parables; twenty-one on the Miracles ; twenty-nine on the
first Epistle of St. John ; forty-three on the " Life and Labours
of the Apostle Paul ; '' and ten on " Religion in relation to the
several stages of human life;" as well as others later on.
Early in 1843, witn a view to enlisting the membership in
more active spiritual work, as well as to reach those whom he
himself was unable to meet, a plan of domiciliary visiting was
proposed to the church and adopted, according to which
twelve visitors were appointed, to go in pairs, to the home of
every member of the church, for conversation on religious sub
jects, with them and their families. The city was also divided
into districts, and a plan of domestic prayer meetings arranged,
in connection with which, at one time, an aggregate of 150
persons were in weekly attendance. A branch Sunday School
was opened in Quebec Suburbs, where the Pastor held an
afternoon service every alternate Sabbath. These methods
certainly resulted in good, to which the writer can bear per
sonal testimony, and they might well be adopted in other
places, under similar circumstances. February 20th was ob
served as a day of special devotion, and was followed by a
series of services every morning and evening of the week. The
membership is now reported at 175.
A number of literary lectures were also given about this
period, in connection with the then recently established Mer
cantile Library Association, which he assisted in organizing.
The subject of one was " Commerce, its beneficent influence
on Mankind." This was followed by others on the " History
of Commerce, down to the 16th Century ; '' two on " The
Influence of Cities ; " and a fifth, on the occasion of the open
ing of a new suite of rooms by the Association, on a similar
subject.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 117
It seems, too, that forty-five years ago, it began to dawn om
workers in the Temperance Reform, that however excellent
and useful their efforts might be in the line of " moral suasion,"
the final triumph of the cause would never be secured without
invoking the strong arm of the law in its behalf; andr Mr;
Wilkes, holding this view, wrote a tract on " The duties of
Electors in reference to the Temperance Question," which
was printed by the Montreal Temperance Society. An address
was also given about the same time, on the means of suppress
ing intemperance.
The names of a number of ministers appear in memoranda
belonging to this period, for the first time. The Rev. David
Gibbs, son of the Rev. Joseph Gibbs, who had received his
education at Andover, took charge of the station in Russel
town, where he re-organized the church which still exists. The
Rev. David Connell, son of a member of St. Maurice Street
Church, in Montreal, but a graduate of the Scottish Theolog:-
cal Academy, returned to this country, and accepted the pa:-
torate of the churches in Brome and Cowansville, in both of
which places church edifices were erected during his incum
bency. He did not remain long in charge, however, and on
resigning, removed to the United States.
The Rev. James Vincent, who had been trained partly in
England, and partly in our own Theological Academy, was
recommended to the church in Paris, (with which Burford was
afterwards associated) and settled there, where he remained
until 1856, when, just as the churches under his charge reached
the point of self support, he resigned the pastorate, and crossed
the border into the adjoining State of Michigan.
The Rev. J. J. Carruthers arrived from England in the
month of October, 1841, and his coming led, as we shall see,
to important movements in Montreal. It had been intended
that he should occupy Brockville, but matters were not quite
ready for his introduction there, and in the meantime he was
requested to supply the St. Maurice Street pulpit, while the

n8 MEMOIR OF THE
pastor made extensive missionary tours in the Ottawa region,
and in the Eastern Townships. Being an admirable preacher
and writer, the desire was widely expressed to retain him, if
possible, in Montreal, with a view to the organization of
another church, the establishment of a Theological Institute,
and the publishing of a denominational periodical.
" I was alone here," Mr. Wilkes says, " all the other denominations
had more than one minister in this Metropolitan city. A monthly paper
would be of great value to us, and we needed some training school for
Christian young men whom it might be desirable to introduce to the
Christian ministry. I conferred with Mr. Carruthers, who fell in with
these views very cordially, and then I wrote at length to the Society.
They concurred in the general plan, which was carried out in each par
ticular, in following years  We founded a small Theological Acad
emy in which Mr. Carruthers took the departments of Theology, Homi-
letics, and their correlated subjects, and I took Logic and Mental
Philosophy ; and on the church's recommendation of them, Messrs. Robeit
Robinson, John Bowles, Charles Mackay, and Norman McLeod, were
received as students in the newly formed Institution, the Colonial Society
promising £25 per annum towards the support of each of the young men
received, during their term of study. A similar Institution already existed
in the West, under the tutorial management of the Rev. Adam Lillie, by
whom it had been commenced in Dundas in 1839, but it was felt to be
too far away, at that time, to be of much value to the churches in Lower
Canada. The two were afterwards united, in 1846, and established in
Toronto, under Principal Lillie."
The monthly paper projected was also commenced in Jan
uary, 1842, with the title of 1 he Harbinger, and under the
editorial management of Mr. Carruthers, with the assistance
of " a Committee of Gentlemen." The need of a denomina
tional periodical was strikingly shown by the fact that one of
its earliest issues contains a very vigorous reply, by the Rev.
Adam Lillie, then Secretary of the Congregational Union of
Canada West, to an attack, by the Editor of The Church,
on Congregationalists, or Independents. They have he asserted,
"ever been notorious for their enmity to the Church and Crown.
 The sect retains in Canada its anti-monarchical and anti-

RE V. HENR Y WILKES, D.D. 119
episcopal characteristics." The appearance and management
gave so much satisfaction, that in a few months a demand was
made for a more frequent issue, and after publication of
years, the Harbinger gave place to the Christian Obser
ver, a weekly paper, edited by the Rev. Richard Miles,
which, however, ceased to appear within a twelvemonth, from
lack of sufficient support.
As yet nothing had been done by the Colonial Society, for
the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Mr.
Wilkes' diocese was sufficiently large to take all the time and-
attention he could give to it; but at their earnest request, he
undertook a journey of exploration through these far-away
Provinces, which occupied him six weeks, and proved to be of
great interest and value to the work of the Society. Mr.
Wilkes says of it :
'¦' I left home, August 8th, and went by St. Albans, Burlington, and
Montpelier, to Boston ; thence to Portsmouth. There I took a steamer to
St. John, New Brunswick. There I was the guest of Mr. Alfred Smithers,
the manager of the Bank of British North America, who had removed
thither from Quebec. I preached in the Presbyterian Church the follow
ing Sunday, unfolding my mission. The next day, I crossed the Bay of
Fundy, calling at Digby, and proceeding up the river to Annapolis.
There I took the stage through Cornwallis County, Bridgetown, Kentville,
Horton, Windsor, and the coach to Halifax, N. S. The church where we
had service — St. Matthew's — was a very old one. I was surprised to find
that Watt's psalms and hymns were used in the service of song, and on
examining the inscriptions on the tomb-stones, the impression was made
on my mind, that it had been a Congregational church, and because the
people did not know where to go for, or could not obtain a minister of
their own denomination, they had fallen into the hands of the Presby
terians. I have no doubt that it is a case like that of John Street, now
' Chalmers' Church,' Quebec.
I obtained the use of a public room, and preached to such as assembled
in response to my advertisement, of whom there remained at the close of
the service a few who had been Congregationalists ; and one family,
that of Mr. John Burton, who had belonged to Dr. Fletcher's church, at
Stepney. The Rev. Mr. Ward, of St. Johns, Newfoundland, was anxious that I

120 MEMOIR OF THE
should visit that place, but I found it would occupy nearly a month to do
so, and I had to relinquish the idea. I was discouraged by Mr. Melvin,
the pastor, from attempting to reach Liverpool, on account of the distance,
and the almost impassible state of the roads.
On my return to St. John, N. B., I proceeded up the river to Sheffield,
where I found a Congregational church about a century old, and a
patriarch upwards of ninety years of age, — Mr. Burpee. They possessed
a parsonage, and some fifty acres of glebe land, and were a singularly in
telligent people. They had settled there as Congregationalists from New
England, while that was a colony of Great Britain. At the time of my
visit, they were supplied by a Presbyterian minister, not knowing where
to find one of their own denomination. The meeting-house was upwards
of one hundred years old  I noticed in St. John, and here, extra
ordinary eagerness to hear the Word. Crowds came to hear me. I got
to the pulpit of the Baptist church — the largest in the city — with difficulty,
so great was the press 
My mind was made up that the Society should send a minister to Shef
field, where he would receive support ; and one each sent to St. John and
Halifax ; and in accordance with these proposals, in due time, the Rev.
James Porter was sent to Sheffield ; the Rev. J. C. Gallaway to St. John ;
and the Rev. W. H. Heudebourck to Halifax."
In September, 1842, St. Maurice Street Church, which had
been closed for repairs, was re-opened for public worship, Mr,
Carruthers preaching on the occasion from Josh. xiii. 1,
" There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed," the
discourse afterwards appearing in the Harbinger for October.
The church was, under Mr. Wilkes' wise and faithful ministry,
steadily progressing in strength and numbers. £700 of debt
had recently been paid off, by a special effort, and the whole
outlook was promising.
The proposal to establish a second Congregational church,
with Mr. Carruthers for its pastor, was taking shape. The
lecture-room of the Natural History Society had been engaged
by his friends for an afternoon service, and a commencement
had been made there on the last Sabbath of December, 1841,
with encouraging prospects.
The original intention had been not to enfeeble the existing

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 121
church, but to form a new congregation at the East end of the
city, as far as possible out of new materials, and proceed to
the erection of a small and inexpensive building, on a piece of
land of sufficient size to admit of its enlargement when neces
sary. These plans, unhappily, were not adhered to, the
result being very unpleasant relations, for a time, between the
two churches, and ultimate disaster to the new and promising
enterprise. A very desirable but expensive site was pur
chased, on the corner of Gosford and Champ de Mars Streets,
and a building capable of seating 800 persons was erected
upon it, Mr. Wilkes as senior pastor, having been asked to lay
the foundation stone of it, in July, 1843. The prospect of a
heavy debt upon the undertaking led sometimes to efforts of a
not very brotherly kind, to detach persons from the mother
church, and secure their adhesion to the new cause, and some
twenty or more prominent members withdrew from St. Maurice
St., greatly crippling its resources for years to come. Mr.
Wilkes, while expostulating with the leaders in this movement,
in regard to what he considered their folly, was as friendly as
he could consistently be to the effort ; but the result was, as
he feared it would be, disastrous. Expectations of help from
England were not fulfilled. Pastor and people were discour
aged and paralyzed with the heavy debt, and after about two
years of struggle, Mr. (now Rev. Dr.) Carruthers accepted a
call to the church, of which Dr. Payson was formerly the pas
tor, in Portland, M'e., and left the city. After some months,
during which the pulpit was supplied by various individuals, the
Rev. F. H. Marling, an alumnus of the Toronto Theological
Academy, took charge, and toiled hard for five or six years, to
lift the church out of its difficulties, and at first with every
indication of ultimate success. But he was called to the pas
torate of the Richmond Street (afterwards Bond Street) Con
gregational church in Toronto, and felt it his duty to accept
the call. The Rev. Arch. Burpee succeeded him, and remained
a little over a year ; after which the congregation scattered,

122 MEMOIR OP THE
and the property was sold to pay the claims lying against it.
"A very sad story," says Mr. Wilkes truly, "with a very plain
moral attaching to it, in regard to building beyond your
means." To return to our narrative, — on the ist November, 1843,
Mr. Wilkes preached at the opening of a new Congregational
church at Sorel, in which a congregation under the pastoral
care of 'the Rev. James Buckham, father of Dr. Buckham, of
Vermont University, were to worship. On the 23rd of the
same month, he was called to preach at the dedication of the
newly erected church-edifice in Brockville, where, on the fol
lowing Lord's Day, a church of twenty-three members was
organized, with the Rev. James Drummond for their pastor.
The same numbers of the Harbinger, which contain these
items, refer also to the erection of Congregational churches
at Whitby and Hawkesbury, to each of which His Excellency
the Governor-General (Lord Metcalfe) " cheerfully gave " a
donation of ^25, as he did also to Gosford Street Church, in
Montreal. Thus the work was progressing. Referring to this
period, Mr. Wilkes says, —
" My correspondence with the Colonial Missionary Society indicates
the difficulty we had, in all our Missionary Stations, to get the people to
subscribe for the support of their ministers, the amount they fairly ought
to pay, and because of this, the brethren were in pecuniary difficulties.
I find the names of W. Clarke, Nail, Baker, Wastell, Harris, Climie,
Lillie, Mair, Machin, Hayden, Denny, Lumsden, and Fenton, on Mr.
RoaPs list of ministers receiving quarterly payments from the Society,
and on my list were Messrs. Carruthers, Miles, Anderson, Byrne, Con-
nell, Dunkerly, Drummond, Sherrill, and Gibbs. On each list were stu
dents ; we had four. Mr. Baker's name reminds me, that about this time
he removed to Brantford. Mr. Harris afterwards became an Episcopa
lian, as did also Mr. Machin."
The difficulties in the way of the churches becoming self-
supporting are thus explained in a letter to the Society : —
" 1st. Their poverty, necessitating a degree of economy, and a process
of training adverse to liberal giving. 2nd. Diversity of sects. 3rd.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 123
The plan of the Episcopal Church, which says, "We do not want your
money." He then asks the Committee to send out to the brethern
some encouragement, that neither they nor the field would
be deserted.
"Proceed slowly, cautiously, firmly, but never draw back.
Young men trained in this country will cost less as labourers ; while for
a time, we must depend on imported brethren, for the principal stations.
You have not yet tested the churches in England. Use the press more.
There are two grounds which may be urged, — the usual missionary plea,
and the importance of our principles."
The missionary journeys in January and February, 1844,
included meetings, or preaching services, at Petit Brule, Sorel,
Inverness, West Brome, and eight other stations. Acting
upon the instructions of the Committee of the Colonial So
ciety, Mr. Wilkes, throughout this tour, insisted that each
station must give a definite pledge of the amount it would
raise towards the support of the pastor, stating that henceforth
only a specified sum would be granted to each church, and
that the people must do the remainder, if they desired to
retain their minister.
The difficulties and dangers connected with travelling in
those days, especially in the winter season, are well exempli
fied by a somewhat perilous incident that occurred during this
journey. Driving through the long woods between Sherbrooke
and Waterloo, in a sleigh, and accompanied by one of Mr.
Robertson's daughters, a large heavily laden team was met.
The snow was three or four feet deep, and there was no way
of turning out, as there was only one beaten track, and the run
ners would sink into the deep snow on either side. Mr.
Wilkes got out and took the horse by the head, in the hope
of being able to pass, with great care. The deep snow, how
ever, caused the horse to be restive and he plunged, upsetting
the sleigh, which, with the horse, passed over both of the
travellers. Fortunately, the horse obeyed the call to halt, and
although both Miss Robertson and Mr. Wilkes were shaken,
and alarmed, they were not seriously hurt.

124 MEMOIR OF THE
In July, 1844, the young men of the church and congrega
tion made a presentation to the pastor of a silver tea-service,
with a suitable inscription on the tray, and an address, in
which grateful mention is made of the special interest which
he had always manifested in them. Among the names ap
pended to the address are those of T. M. Taylor, Andrew
Robertson, and others, who have since occupied prominent
positions in the city.
Several other young men having made application, with the
consent of the church, for admission to the Theological Aca
demy, arrangements were made, with the approval of the
Colonial Society, to gather them together under the care of
Mr. and Mrs. Miles, in a house in Notre Dame Street, rented
for the purpose; and, with the additions recently made, of
Messrs. K. M. Fenwick, Henry Lancashire, and Robert Swin-
ton, there were now eight students in attendance.
The building in St. Maurice Street again becoming too
small for the wants of the congregation, notwithstanding the
loss of a number who had left it to connect themselves with
the church in Gosford Street, measures were adopted for the
erection of a new and much larger edifice, in a more desirable-
part of the city. A suitable site having been secured on
St. Radegonde St., plans were obtained, and contracts were
let, under the supervision of the late John Redpath, Esq.,
(who was, then temporarily connected with the congregation)
and early in the spring of 1845, tne foundation-stone of the
building, so long known afterwards as " Zion Church," was
laid. It was agreed from the incipiency of the movement
" that the pews in the new edifice should not be rented, but
should be free, though for convenience allocated to families
and individuals, and that the entire support of the institution
should be by subscriptions, as far as practicable, weekly," — a
plan which was very strenuously urged by the late Mr. John
Dougall, who was one of the deacons. The building thus

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 125
begun was not completed and ready for occupancy until the
autumn of the following year.
During the summer of 1845, tne Rev. Thomas Binney, of
London, came over to New York, and thence to Niagara and
Toronto, where he had a conference with the Western breth
ren. He was in an exceedingly depressed state of mind, owing
to severe domestic affliction. On his coming to Montreal,
Mr. Wilkes says, —
" He was my guest for a few days, but could not be persuaded to preach
or take any public service. He spent all the time in my study, except
when I could get him out of doors for a short drive or walk. When in
1849, I visited him in London, he expressed his great regret that he had
been unable to do any thing for Canada when out here, on account of the
state of his health, but promised us another visit at a future time. The
promise, however, was never fulfilled. He went to Australia instead,
and did much for that colony, by his presence and preaching."
The French Canadian Missionary Society, having requested
the Church to spare Mr. Wilkes for a month, that he might
visit the United States on its behalf, and this being agreed to,
two visits were made. He says, —
" I attended the May Anniversaries in New York, in 1846, and spoke
upon the wants and state of Canada, at the meeting of the Foreign Evan
gelical Societv. Spoke also at the meeting of the Bible Society, in the
old Broadway Tabernacle  A number of Southern gentlemen in
troduced themselves to me, and thanked me for the information given.
In October, I went to New York again, this time accompanied by the
Rev. Emmanuel Tanner. I attended the annual meeting of the Orphan
age, supported by the venerable Mrs. Bethune, and afterwards dined with
her. During this visit, I preached for Dr. Gardner Spring ; in the Wash
ington Square Reformed Dutch Church, Dr. Hutton's ; and in Commerce
Street Church. We visited Philadelphia, also, where a public meeting
was held, among the speakers at which was the Rev. D. Tyng, of St.
George's Episcopal Church, New York. He spoke on behalf of our
French Canadian Society. He died soon after, uttering the memorable
words, " Father ! Stand up for Jesus," upon which Dr. Duffield was stir
red up to write the beautiful hymn, ' Stand up, stand up for Jesus.' I
preached for, and was the guest of Rev. Dr. Eddy, Newark, New Jersey.

126 MEMOIR OF THE
We visited also Providence, Rhode Island, Boston, New Haven, and other
places, preaching or holding meetings in behalf of the Society, and con
siderable interest was excited." 
Up to this period, the Canada Educational and Home Mis
sionary Society had maintained a separate organization, ob
taining annually some assistance from the American Home
Missionary Society in the prosecution of its work. The time
had come, however, when it was felt desirable to form a dis
tinctively Congregational Missionary Society for Canada East,
as had already been done six years before, for Canada West ;
and this having been accomplished, a union was effected with
the previously existing organization, and henceforth the Mis
sion churches looked for aid to the one Committee in Mont
real. Those Missionary pastors, however, who had come out
from Britain, with a guarantee from the Colonial Society, still
received their grants from that Society through Mr. Wilkes.
" During the latter part of 1845, an<i early in 1846, our Unitarian
friends were very busy circulating, in printed sheets, tracts and pamphlets,
in our counting-houses, shops, and dwellings, their sentiments, often in
Scripture language, endeavouring to show that the Bible did not teach
evangelical doctrine. The effort was so persistent, that it seemed to me
some one should take up the question, and discuss it, that the other side
might be seen. My Congregational ' standpoint ' was perhaps quite as
favourable as any, from which to view, and call attention to the questions
involved. I therefore ventured to announce a series of Sunday evening
lectures on our Lord's divinity. Eight sermons were preached on the fol
lowing subjects :
1. The doctrine of the Trinity not against reason. Direct proofs of
Christ's divinity.
2. The Deity of Christ argued from the name Jehovah, and attributes.
3. The Deity of Christ proved by his works, and the worship offered to
him. 4. The Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit.
5. The nature and depravity of man.
6. Our Lord's vicarious Atonement.
7. The Atonement ; further proofs, and objections answered.
8. The difficulties of Unitarianism.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 127
A reminiscence of this occasion is given in the following
paragraph :
" As we drew near the St. Maurice Street Church, a scene of unusual
excitement presented itself. The people were crowding in, and the young
men were carrying up benches and seats from the basement. By the
time Mr. Wilkes entered the pulpit every available spot was occupied ;
the vestry was also filled. This was the case during the entire series.
The interest did not flag to the end. A number of Unitarians attended
the lectures, and neither time nor labour was spared to make the most of
the opportunity, in the fullest presentation of the truth. The tension and
amount of study necessary in preparing these discourses were very great,
and it was observed by more than one, that the slightly grey hair of the
preacher became decidedly greyer shortly afterwards.
The result, by God's blessing, was very satisfactory. A number of
letters were received from people of all denominations, expressing grati
tude for the good they had received, by having their faith confirmed in
these great verities ; and large additions to the church, on profession of
faith, followed the delivery of the lectures."
Partly with a view to resisting these encroachments of Uni.
tarianism, as well as those of High-Church Anglicanism, and
Romanism, the Canadian Evangelical Alliance was formed at
this time. Under its auspices, ministers of several denomina
tions preached in turn on one evening of the week, during the
winter of 1845-46, in the Great St. James Street Wesleyan
church, on some subject or doctrine of importance, that dealt
with by Mr. Wilkes being upon "Justification by Faith." It
was also employed in resisting sectarian predominance in the
Universities, and in similar objects having relation to the gen
eral welfare. It continued its work for several years. But,
alas ! controversy arose in regard to some statements of Mr.
(afterwards Dr.) Cramp, the Baptist pastor, who was an active
member. " I forget by whom," — the jottings say — " but the tendency there al
ways is to suppose that a cordial alliance requires that every difference
of opinion should be kept, at all times out of sight, led to denunciation of
my Baptist friend's utterances, and alas ! the Alliance element became
attenuated until it could not be found. Some years afterwards, enquiry

128 MEMOIR OF THE
was made as to what had become of it, and the naughty reply was given,
' It died of the cramp.' "
At the meeting of the Congregational Union of Eastern
Canada, held in June, 1846, it was resolved to close the Theo
logical Institution in Montreal, and send the students whose cur
riculum was not yet completed, to Toronto, to be placed under
the care of Mr. Lillie. Of the brethren who completed their
course of study in Montreal, the Rev. Charles Mackay settled
in St. John, N. B., where, after several years of excellent ser
vice, he died before reaching middle age. The Rev. John
Bowles took charge of the little struggling church at Chateau-
guay, and laboured there most faithfully and successfully for
about two years, when, returning from a preparatory service
at which he had preached a most impressive discourse on
Phil, i, 21, "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," he
was drowned, by his horse and sleigh breaking through the
ice on the Chateauguay River, in January, 1848. The writer,
who, as a student, filled the vacancy thus created, during the
next two summer vacations, can testify to the universal love
and esteem in which he was held by the community. The
Rev. Robert Robinson settled first at English River, and
thence removed to Hamilton. He has since occupied several
important spheres, with great efficiency and success; and in
1868 was elected Chairman of the Congregational Union of
Ontario and Quebec. He still lives, but is, through physical
infirmity, no longer in pastoral charge. The Rev. Norman
McLeod, after a brief incumbency at Granby, went to Utah
Territory, to preach Christ among the Mormons, and their
" Gentile '' neighbours, and still labours in the United States,
where the Rev. Thomas Bayne, the remaining graduate of the
Montreal Institution, who ministered for a while in St. An
drews and Melbourne, is also believed to be living. The record
of the Montreal " School of the Prophets " is, therefore, one
of which the churches have no reason to be ashamed.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 129
CHAPTER IX.
1846-1849.
On the first Sunday of November, 1846, just ten years and
one month from the commencement of his pastorate, Mr.
Wilkes preached the last discourses in St. Maurice St. Church.
The discourse in the forenoon was entitled " God's mercies
remembered in this church ; " and that in the evening '• Res
ponsibility involved in preaching and hearing the Gospel." A
deep impression was produced by the services.
In a letter Mr. Wilkes writes, —
" A decade of years forms no small part of a man's life, and those
years spent in work for Christ and his kingdom naturally suggest some
very serious questions, and no little ground for humiliation before God.
And yet in harmony with this, there is felt to be much cause for gratitude.
During the first seven years of the ten, the question now and again arose,
always, however, in the secrecy of my own heart, ' Ought I to have left
Edinburgh?' There was more apparent result of my three years' labour
there than of my seven here. I have always fallen back, however, on
the recollection of my earnest prayerful desire to do right, at the time,
and upon my work and influence on the country in general, helping in its
youth to mould the plastic elements of its character. But all such doubts
are now banished, and I wish to work on in hope, in patience, and in
prayer." 
On the next Lord's day ' ' Zion " Church, as it was resolved
to call the new edifice, was solemnly dedicated to the worship
of God. Three services were held. In the morning the pas
tor preached ; in the afternoon the Rev. Robert McGill, A.M.,
of St. Paul's Church ; and in the evening, the Rev. Matthew
Richey, A.M., of the Wesleyan Church. The building was
crowded at each service.
The adoption of the plan of " weekly offerings " instead of
pew rents, which was then comparatively new, and of making
all pews free to casual hearers and strangers, while yet they

l3o MEMOIR OF THE
were, for convenience, allocated to regular worshippers, was
announced and explained. It was, at the same time, agreed
that a change should be made in the method of examining
candidates for membership.
" Up to this period, the habit of the church had been to receive appli
cants into fellowship upon recommendation of the pastor as to their
suitability, and the report, in open church meeting, of two visitors who
had been appointed to converse with them. I had long seen the incon
venience of this mode of action, and how apt it was to stand in the way
of earnest but sensitive people applying for membership, because of the
trying ordeal through which they were called to pass. Some three years
before, I had proposed the appointment of a committee at the beginning
of every year, consisting of the deacons and an equal number of male
members, not in office, who should be called the ' Standing Committee,'
and whose duty it should be, inter alia, to receive names from the pastor,
take their own method of ascertaining the knowledge, the character, and
as far as needful the experience of the candidates, and then report them,
for a month's probation, to the church, with the committee's recommenda
tion, and the statement of anything interesting and instructive in their
path of experience. My recommendation was declined as ' uncongrega-
tional.' I told them that so long as they had a perfectly free and full
suffrage, nothing being done without their distinct vote in church-meetiDg
assembled, they had true Congregationalism. But, as was my custom in
such circumstances, I said, ' Brethren, I do not press the matter ; we can
go on as usual.' It so happened, however, that about this time there
were some very indiscreet reports brought in  The result was,
that I was asked to re-introduce my suggestion regarding a committee,
which being done, it became the chosen practice of the church during the
whole of my active pastorate."
Shortly after the dedication of Zion Church, a brick school-
house which had been erected by the " Sunday School Socie
ty" in Mountain Street, was publicly opened, and a mission-
school organized, with an attendance of 47 scholars. A day-
school was also commenced, and maintained in connection
with it, for more than a year. The plan of a School Society,
as a separate organization, was found not to work well, and it
was accordingly changed, and a Sunday School Committee
formed, consisting of the pastor and deacons, and teachers,

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 131
thus bringing the work under the controul of the church, and
sustaining it from its funds.
Early in January, 1847, the Rev. Caleb Strong, minister of
the American Church, died very suddenly. Mr. Wilkes, who
was on the most intimate terms with him, describes him as a
young man of culture, elegant in his appearance and manners,
and most earnest and zealous in the Lord's work.
Writing to his parents in regard to his death, he says:
" My beloved friend Strong has passed away. He took a part at the
dedication of our new church, in November, and on New Year's day, we
had met in his church at the Sunday School gathering, and had exchanged
the usual cordial greetings. On the following Sunday morning I was
told that he was dying. In the evening, I took my place at his couch,
while his wife and other friends were also there. He was calm and
strong in the faith of Christ. He knew the time of his departure was at
hand, and said in meditative tones, ' What I should choose I wot not.
I was asked to say a few words to those in the lower rooms, which I did,
conveying a message from their dying pastor ; and then prayed with him
and with them. After spending some hours I bade him farewell. ..."...
He was as a brother beloved, and his death is an irreparable loss 
At the request of the widow and congregation, I gave an address at the
funeral, and delivered a funeral sermon on the next Lord's day. The
church on both occasions was crowded, with a deeply distressed congre
gation and representatives from all denominations."
The summer of 1847 was a dark and trying season. The
ship fever, brought to our shores by immigrants, of whom
several thousands died, and were buried at Point St. Charles,
attacked many of the prominent citizens of Montreal. The
Rev. Mark Willoughby, of Trinity Church, was attacked and
fell a victim to it, as well as many of the priests and nuns.
Mr. Wilkes, in common, with other city pastors, was called to
visit a number of cases, and among others, that of the Mayor
of the city, Mr. John E. Mills, who contracted the disease in
the discharge of his official duties, and died. There being no
pastor, at the time, in the American Church, which Mr. Mills
attended, Mr. Wilkes was requested to conduct the funeral

1 33 MEMOIR OF THE
services. The funeral was a public one, and was attended by
the City Council in a body, and by great numbers of the mer
chants of the city, including many Roman Catholics. The
Governor-General was also represented by his carriage, and
several of his suite. The address given on the occasion was
afterwards printed at the request of the family.
Mr. Wilkes records a rather alarming experience in con
nection with one of these visits to the sick and dying. Usual
ly careful, wherever possible, to have a free circulation of air
in the room in which the patient was lying, he says :
" The last instance of the disease which I attended was in a room with
out a window, though there was one in the corridor. The victim recov
ered, and is now living. While kneeling, and in the act of prayer, I was
sensible of swallowing, while speaking, what might be described as a
floating cobweb. I said nothing, but on leaving the house, endeavoured
to relieve myself of the poison, if I had swallowed any. The poison was
said to remain in the system seven days, and then develope the disease.
On the seventh day, without any apparent cause, I was seized with violent
cholera symptoms. Dr. Holmes, who was called in, said there was no
doubt I had inhaled the poison ; but instead of producing the fever, it
had passed off in this way. Had I taken the fever, I think there is little
doubt it would have laid me in my grave. Thus are some taken away,
and others left, amid almost the same circumstances.' '
In July, he delivered an address before the Theological
Society of Dartmouth College, at the Commencement. The
subject chosen was " What the world has a right to expect
from the American Church." As an expression of their grate
ful appreciation, they afterwards elected him a member of
their Phi-Beta- Kappa Society.
In August, he visited Boston, and preached for Dr. Blag-
den, in the old South Church, and several other places, in
regard to one of which he says :
"One experience during this visit to Boston I must narrate. The Rev.
Mr. P., pastor of  -Church, having received, late on Saturday even
ing, ft telegram informing him of the dangerous illness of his wife, who
was-' at Andover, and hearing that I was in the neighbourhood, drove to

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 133
my lodging, on his way to the train, to beg me to supply his pulpit the
following day. I had never seen Mr. P. before, but hearing of his trouble,
I said I would do so. There was no time to notify any of his deacons.
Next morning I proceeded according to direction, and found the church.
There did not appear to be any official in attendance, or any vestry ; so I
walked into the pulpit. As the people began to come into the church,
and no one came to speak to me, I began to fear I had made some mis
take. However, beckoning the door-keeper, I ascertained I was in the
right place, and commenced the service. As soon as the benediction was
pronounced, all, without exception, moved out, and left me to follow
their example. Precisely the same course was repeated in the afternoon.
Twice I entered the house of God, and preached and departed, without
the slightest word or look of recognition. It was my only experience of
the kind, I am glad to say. I mention it as a warning, for, indeed, I would
be sorry if such a want of courtesy should ever occur in any other
church." The Colonial Committee, having intimated that they were
becoming somewhat wearied of the drain upon their funds on
the part of churches, which were enjoying the labours of their
missionaries and doing comparatively little for their support;
it became the agent's unpleasant duty, on his next visitation of
the churches, to inform them that the grants must be lessened
in amount, and that if the people desired to retain their pas
tors, they must make greater efforts in the direction of self-
support. " This was," he says, " among my most trying duties,
as I was very often misunderstood, and felt to be unsympa
thetic with the poverty and the struggles of a new country."
In consequence of the pressure thus brought to bear, several
changes of pastorate resulted. The Rev. Mr. Byrne, who had
been labouring for some months in Bytown, (now Ottawa)
with a view to the establishment of a church there, also left,
and the Rev. R. Miles visited it. But after considerable effort
and expense, the attempt had to be abandoned for a time.
Other changes of a sadder character occurred. The Rev.
John Bowles, as before noted, was drowned thus leaving the
Chateauguay church without a pastor, never to be supplied

134

MEMOIR OF THE

with another. And the Rev. David Gibb, of Granby, a
most promising young man, was taken ill and died, leaving
a widow (a daughter of Rev. Mr. Robertson, of Sherbrooke)
and small family, and a church scarcely less devotedly
attached to him, to mourn his loss. Towards the close of
the year, the Rev. Henry Lancashire, an alumnus of the
Congregational College, was chosen to fill the vacant charge.
Reference has already been made to lectures delivered un
der the auspices of the Mercantile Library Association. In
November, 1848, the winter session of the Association was
opened with great eclat. Mr. John Young had secured the
patronage of His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord
Elgin, who promised to attend with his staff. Mr. Wilkes was
again selected as the Lecturer, and took for his subject,
" Freedom of Mind." There was, of course, a crowded
house. At the close of the lecture, Lord Elgin, who sat on
the platform, arose and delivered an excellent address to
young men. The lecture and address were published by
the Association.
A few days afterwards, Mr. Wilkes was honoured with an
invitation to dinner at Monklands, the residence of Lord
Elgin. Colonel Bruce, his brother, was very attentive, and
referred in a very complimentary manner to the lecture given
a few days before. At dinner, Mr. Wilkes says :
" My temperance principles were put to the test, and I asked permission
to pledge his Excellency in water, instead of taking wine with him. It
brought up the matter at table. I frankly defined my position as that of
total abstinence, for the simple purpose of being useful to others, especially
as a minister of the Gospel . They all agreed that such a course was to be
commended. I was so impressed with the thoughtfulness, kindness, and
general excellence of Colonel Bruce, that I was not surprised when, some
years afterwards, he was selected by the Prince Consort as Governor of
the young Prince of Wales."
Two series of discourses were preached this year, one in
the morning on " The duties of church members," and another

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 135
in the evening, thirteen in number, on " The Future State, and
Man in his relations to it." Of his other discourses, two were
published by request, entitled " The supreme importance of
practical godliness," and "The afflictions of the church im
proved." Frequent attendance at the annual meetings of the American
Board of Foreign Missions, of which his friend S. G. Ward had
made him an honourary member in 1837, an(^ in whose oper
ations he always felt a deep interest, brought Mr. Wilkes a
good deal before the American churches, and correspondence
shews that more than one effort was made to induce him to
listen to overtures for his removal to the New England States.
These applications, however, he quietly declined, and never
brought them before his people, feeling that, unless in excep
tional cases, so long as pastor and flock were united, and a
good work was being done, such a tie should not be dissolved
for the sake of a larger income, or even a wider sphere.
An interesting item in a letter from Hartford tells of his
having been asked by the Chaplain, Mr. Galaudet, to conduct
a service in the Retreat for the Insane. He writes :
" It was with very peculiar feelings I met about two hundred insane
people, in the chapel. They sang quite nicely, and listened as the Scrip
tures were read and prayer was offered, and during the time that a few
simple words were spoken, with as much attention and decorum as in
many assemblies where the people were blessed with the full possession of
their mental faculties  What a well ordered, beautiful Retreat it
is !  It is pleasant to know that a very large percentage of the
patients recover."
The changes that had been wrought through the Corn Law
agitation, and the Free Trade policy in England, greatly al
tered the commercial relations of the Colonies to the Mother
Country, and though ultimately beneficial, no doubt greatly
disturbed existing arrangements, and reduced many formerly
prosperous Canadian merchants and others to bankruptcy.
Thus a number of persons who had subscribed largely to

136 MEMOIR OF THE
wards the building of Zion Church became wholly unable to
pay the promised instalments, in consequence of which an
unexpected burden of debt fell on the people. Toward the
end of 1848, the matter became serious. Mr. Wilkes says in
his reminiscences, " Only a year was lacking ere we had to pay
$5,000, the price of the land on which it stood. Sale by the
sheriff was imminent unless we could find the money."
These serious embarrassments induced correspondence with
the Society in England, whose committee had already ex
pressed a desire to have me there for a few months, to advo
cate, in pulpits and on the platform, the cause of Colonial
Missions. At a special church meeting, held in Zion Church, March
5th, 1849, t^e whole subject was fully discussed, and the fol
lowing resolutions were adopted : —
" The meeting, having considered the request of the Colonial Missionary
Society, that the Rev. H. Wilkes should visit Great Britain, to attend the
meetings of the English and Scottish Congregational Unions in April and
May, and collect for Zion Church debt : —
Resolved: I. That nothing but imminent danger to the cause in Montreal,
and as a consequence in the Province, arising out of heavy mortgages on
Zion Church which may be foreclosed at no distant day, could induce this
meeting to incur the risk to Zion Church and congregation of parting with
their pastor for the necessary length of time to visit Britain.
Resolved : 2 . That the only way in which successful pecuniary aid can be
reasonably expected from Britain, is that of adding to pulpit and platform
appeals, personal application to the more wealthy and liberal members of
each church visited.
Resolved : 3. That if Mr. Wilkes see no objection to adopting this mode
in each locality where the services of a suitable friend are offered to intro
duce him, and recommend his application, this meeting, trusting to the
encouragement offered by the friends in Britain, that no reasonable aid
will be withheld, do hereby respectfully request Mr. Wilkes to accede to
the invitation' of the Committee of the Colonial Missionary Society.
(Signed,) Henry Vennor, Chairman.
Thomas M. Taylor, Secretary.
A collecting book was furnished by the deacons, and the foregoing reso
lutions written on the first page."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 137
Prior to his departure on the 16th of March, a day of special
devotion was observed, and much prayer was offered for his
safety and success. On reaching Boston, he continues :
" The Cunard SS. ' American ' lay ready for her passengers, and we
at once embarked. We had a boisterous trip to Halifax, which sent me
o my state-room, thoroughly sea-sick ; but after leaving that beautiful
harbour, we had a most prosperous voyage to Liverpool  My
state-room companion was George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, then a
young man, full of love to Christ and His people. We organized in our
saloon cabin, a daily meeting for Scripture reading and worship. On the
Sunday I was asked to preach and conduct the service, which I did, read
ing the Church of England prayers. The sailors, to the number of about
sixty, marched in, in their Sunday costume, and almost all the passengers
were present. The singing was most hearty, and altogether it was a
delightful service, and I received many warm thanks from the passengers.
Before landing, Mr. Stuart said he would be my first contributor toward
the object for which I was crossing the Atlantic, and handed me five
pounds." Many years afterwards, Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Stuart met in a
morning prayer service, in Saratoga, at which the former was
called on to preside, when, recognizing again his fellow-
passenger, Mr. Stuart rose and said :
"The last time I saw Mr. Wilkes was on board the SS. ' America,'
thirty years ago. Gratefully I acknowledge now, as I have often done
before, that the impressions received from those daily meetings for the
study of the Scriptures, and the conversations then held, have been a bene
fit and a blessing to me all my life." " Blessed are ye that sow beside all
waters." In Liverpool, Mr. Wilkes parted company with his fellow-
passengers, and proceeded North at once, by rail to Montrose,
and from thence by mail coach to Aberdeen, where the meet
ings of the Congregational Union of Scotland were to be
held. "None of my Scottish friends were aware of my coming, and this being
my first visit to Aberdeen, I had some difficulty in finding the church
where the meetings were to be held-. On reaching it, the service had be
gun, and I took a seat in the gallery. The Rev. Mr. Stratton, of Hull,

138 MEMOIR OF THE
delegate of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, was preach
ing. At the close of the service, I went down to the vestry, and seeing
Dr. W. L. Alexander, stretched out my hand with the ' How do you do 1 '
He lifted up his hands in astonishment, asking, ' Where did you come
from ? It is as if you had dropped from the clouds ! ' It was speedily a
scene of joyous recognition, and I was among dear old friends. Those
were indeed two ' red-letter days.' "
The first thing done was to prepare a plain statement of his
case, and print it for circulation. This statement, which ex
hibited in brief, the history and importance of the church, its
need of enlarged accommodation ; its reasonable expectations
when it began to build ; its grievous disappointments, and
unless aided, its impending ruin, by the forced sale of its
building, was sent before him, and he followed, book in hand.
It had a P. S., " Mr. Wilkes designs to call on those to
whom this address is sent, in order to afford them an oppor
tunity to render assistance."
Adopting this course, one Sunday was spent in Edin
burgh, preaching for Rev. Mr. Campbell, his successor in
the pastorate, in Albany Street, where he expresses astonish
ment at finding so few changes in his former congregation, in
thirteen years ; then one Sunday in Dundee, where he was
the guest of Mr. Edward Baxter, who had married " one of
of his spiritual children." Leith, Greenock, and Dalkeith
were also visited, the sorrowful note being appended to the
mention of the last named place : " dear Napier had gone to
his rest." One Sunday was also spent in Glasgow, as the
guest of his old friends in his student days, Mr. and Mrs.
McKeand, where also he enjoyed a most pleasant reunion
with his former tutor Dr. Wardlaw, and with his quondam
parishioner, David Russell, now the genial pastor of a Con
gregational church on the south side of the river. Preaching
as he had opportunity in behalf of Colonial Missions, and tell
ing the story of the Montreal church, he raised, in Scotland,
<' by hard toil, though no unpleasant rebuffs," the sum of two
hundred and sixty-three pounds.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 139
Proceeding to London early in May, he says :
" I was for five weeks the guest of the Rev. Thomas Binney, at Wal
worth, and afterwards for another five weeks of the Rev. Algernon Wells,
at Upper Clapton  It would he tedious to describe with minute
ness my experience in London and its vicinity. I preached several times
for Mr. Binney, also for Rev. A. Wells, Rev. George Clayton, Rev.
John Burnet, Dr. Reed, and others 
My intercourse with Mr. Binney was a rare treat. During the few days
he spent with me in Montreal, he was suffering much from mental depres
sion ; now he was full of life, interested and interesting. He took me to
two or three public dinners, in connection with benevolent enterprises)
where I met with and heard a number of distinguished men."
The ways of London society, even of its religious society in
those days, were "peculiar." In a letter to his family in
Montreal, Mr. Wilkes thus describes one of these dinners, to
which he went with Mr. Binney :
" These London dinners are peculiar. The tickets are a guinea or more.
The chairman is usually a nobleman, or distinguished person, and has
near him those in whom he is specially interested. Mr. Binney had that
advantage, and I, as his guest, was beside him. The toast-master stands
near the chairman, and when the repast is over, calls out in formal sonor
ous tones, ' Fill your glasses, gentlemen.' His Lordship gives ' the
Queen,' etc., etc. Then the Secretary reads the epitome of the Report ;
perhaps money is wanted ; a prepared paper is handed down the tables,
and names and amounts are appended and handed in.
On another occasion, Mr. Binney took me to a Drawing Room at the
palatial residence of Mr. Farmer, a Wesleyan Millionaire. Liveried ser
vants met us at the door and in the hall, announcing our names from our
cards. We were received by host and hostess into large and splendid
rooms. The design of the gathering was to listen to two or three foreign
and English gentlemen, Missionaries and Scientists, on some point on
which it was desired to awaken interest. Refreshments were served in an
adjoining room 
I have also found time to visit a few of the old places of interest in
which London abounds.
On one occasion, I went with some friends to the Oratory of St. Philip
Neri which Faber, of Oxford Tract notoriety, had set up. He was there
amid certain arrangements for auricular confession, and other insignia of
Popish worship. The singing was pleasant, and his sermon, though High

MO MEMOIR OF THE
Church, had some good points, and was obviously the production of a
man of culture.
We also went to Freemasons' Hall to hear Daniel O'Connell and Lord
Brougham. O'Connell's speaking was remarkable for his use of beautiful
English, interspersed, when he saw fit, with the Irish brogue. Lord
Brougham's address, which was an hour and a half long, was distinguished
by the introduction of several episodes in which his wondrous treasures of
knowledge on a great variety of subjects were poured forth ; and then,
coming back to the point in his argument, at which he had digressed, pro.
ceeding therewith until another occasion of digression occurred."
This was the pleasant and recreative side of his visit; the
other was often absolutely distressing to him. So much time
had to be spent in finding names, addressing circulars, plan
ning how best to approach men, and, in short, how to get
their money, that he says, —
" I began almost to despise myself, as I thought of it  The
whole thing would have been detestable, had it not been redeemed from
mere money craving by the nature of the object sought to be gained by it.
I believed it truly to be work for my Master, and earnestly sought His
blessing and guidance.
I was particular to inform everyone that I could not use the slightest
pressure ; that they must consider the case on its own merits. ' Let every
one be fully persuaded in his own mind.' One or two rebuffs I did re
ceive. Sending my documents to a wealthy Congregationalist on Dulwich
Hill, I followed next day by omnibus. The servant left me standing in
the capacious hall, while he went to call his master. I accosted him re
spectfully, giving my name, and asking if he had received my circular, and
stated that as noted upon it, I had followed, in order to afford him an oppor
tunity, if he saw fit, to contribute. He looked at me with suspicion, ' was
not sure about such cases, etc' I promptly closed the interview, by say
ing, that as the case was sufficiently recommended, I did not need to say
that it was a worthy one, and bowed myself out of his presence. A day
or two after I found a note lying for me at the office of the Colonial So
ciety from this gentleman, saying, ' I was so much impressed with your
independence, that believing the case to be good, I beg your acceptance
of the enclosed cheque.' "
During Mr. Wilkes' sojourn in London, he was present at
several meetings of the Colonial Committee, with whom he

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 141
had lengthened conference on the Canadian work, and also
spoke at the anniversary of the Society, as well as those of
one or two others, in Exeter Hall. Thirteen years had, as
was to be expected, made considerable change in the personnel
of the Committee.
" The Fathers whom I had met and left in 1836, — Collison, Yockney,
Matheson, and others — had many of them been taken home. Dr. Reed
Was still living, but was taking a much less active part in Society matters
He was more absorbed in his wonderful work in behalf of the unfortu
nates of our race, such as idiots, etc. I received much encouragement
and help, however, from the Revs. John and George Clayton, Dr. Pye
Smith, Thomas James, Josiah Viney, Dr. Townley, and others, whose
names and contributions are on my list  London and neighbour
hood contributed about £,6,70.
Ih a memorandum relating to this period, Mr. Wilkes thus
refers to important political events which transpired in Mont
real during his absence.
*' I was startled one forenoon in London by the announcement of a riot
in Montreal, and the burning of the Houses of Parliament.* Lord Elgin
had been chased on his way to Monklands, and pelted with rotten eggs, —
an indignity which he never forgave, and which led to the removal of the
seat of Government from Montreal. The occasion of the riot was the as
sent by the Governor-General to the Rebellion Losses Bill. It was the
last spurt of anger about the Rebellion of a number of years before. The
difficulty arose from the ultra-loyal people insisting upon no losses being
paid but those of the loyalists  I was very much impressed with
the resources of the London Times on this occasion. It evidently knew
where to lay its hand on a. competent writer ; for the morning after the
announcement of the riot and its effects, there appeared a remarkably well
informed article in its columns, very ably written, and exhibiting an
accurate knowledge of all the details of the political situation."
From London, Mr. Wilkes went to Birmingham, the home
of his childhood, where he was surprised and confounded, on
going to the house of his uncle Phillips, to find himself very
coolly received. A slip of paper with the text, "Thine own
friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not," written upon it,

* April 25, 1849.

i42 MEMOIR OF THE
was laid upon the mantelpiece before him ; and on an explana
tion being asked, it was found that a packet of letters written
on the steamer, addressed to his relatives, and sent to a friend
in London, to be stamped and posted, had never reached
them ; and knowing him to be in England, they not unnatur
ally felt neglected. On writing to his friend regarding it, the
missing packet was found put carefully away in a drawer, and
forgotten ! It was, of course, immediately forwarded with
profuse apologies, and the seeming neglect explained. The
incident is noted to show how easily life-long friendships may
be broken up by a mistake or accident, and how important it
is to avoid uncharitable judgments.
About ^90 was obtained in Birmingham, including a collec
tion taken in Carr's Lane Chapel, through the kindness of Mr.
James, his former pastor; and thence he went to Liverpool
and Manchester. In Liverpool, Mr. John Cropper handed
him five sovereigns, with a scolding for building a church
without having the means to pay for it. He meekly confessed
the impropriety, and accepted the sovereigns ! The last sub
scription, completing the thousand pounds he had undertaken
to collect, was received in Manchester, upon which he indites
the following letter home, almost hysterical in his delight.
loth Sept. Manchester.
" I have made my last collecting call. Had you been in Market St.,
you would have been amused, for as I could not shout ' hurrah ! ' without
attracting attention, I vigourously slapped my collecting book together,
and proceeded to my lodgings, almost in a run, so thankful was I to get
away from my five months' work. To myself I said, ' There now, it is
done, and I will never again go round from house to house, and from ware
house to warehouse, collecting.'  I have tried never to write a let
ter on the subject, or ask an individual for a contribution, without praying
for God's blessing and help in the matter. Again and again, I have had
to remind myself that the silver and gold are His, and that it is not for
myself that I am asking. Withal this, I felt humiliated to think that
whenever I met men of means, the ruling desire was so to contrive my
approaches to them as to secure a contribution  How gladly

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 143
would I have given it out of my own purse, but alas ! It is with a thrill
of delight that I lay aside my red -covered book, which for so long, and in
so many places, has been my companion  Now I am going to take
a short run on the Continent."
A few brief notes of this trip is all that it will be necessary
to give. Crossing from Folkestone to Boulogne, six days
were spent in sight-seeing in Paris, St. Cloud, and Versailles,
with all their wondrous attractions in the way of churches,
palaces and gardens. The services of the French Protestant
church, in Rue St. Honors, were attended on Sunday, and
a pleasant hour spent with its pastor, Mr. Audebey. From
thence Mr. Wilkes proceeded to Geneva by diligence.
"As we drove along among the Jura range of mountains, the scenery
was very fine and impressive. We entered Geneva through the ancient
gates, in the afternoon, having from early morning been charmed with the
beauty and glory of lake and mountain, and, at the same time, struck by
the wide difference in respect of cleanliness and thrift, between the Protes
tant villages and those inhabited by Roman Catholics. Geneva is natur
ally a place of great interest to all lovers of the Reformation. I went to
the Cathedral, and entered Calvin's pulpit  We (Rev, Philippe
Wolff and I) dined at Dr. Merle D'Aubignii's, meeting Caesar Malan.
M. Gaussen, and others. After dinner, we went out on to the lake to see
the sunset on Mont Blanc. The evening was clear, and the spectacle
was one of great beauty 
On Sunday morning we attended service in Dr. Malan's chapel,
where he preached ; and in the afternoon, at the Oratoire, where the sing
ing was exquisite, and Dr. D'Aubigne1 preached with great eloquence,
reminding me somewhat of Dr. Chalmers. Setting forth by steamer on
the lake to Lausanne, I climbed the steep ascent to the town, and in
spected the old-fashioned place. The Terrace where Gibbon walked, and
where he wrote the ' Decline and Fall ' was pointed out. The drive to
Berne was greatly enjoyed, and also the marvellous view afforded from
the platform on which the old Cathedral stands, of the Oberland Alps.
 A day was spent in Strasburg. The Cathedral with its famous
clock, the Church of St. Thomas, the Protestant School of Theology,
the Fortifications, the old-fashioned streets, all interested me 
The trip down the Rhine, with its wonderful panorama of castles, vine
yards, hills, mountains, Roman ruins, cities in the distance, whose church
steeples could be seen, etc., etc., filled us all with delight.

144 MEMOIR OF THE
At Cologne, where, of course, the voyage ended, the Cathedral and
other places of interest were visited. Walking along one of the streets,
in the evening, the sound of voices in unison arrested my attention, and
in a covered gateway, I found t*o dim lamps burning before the shrine
of an image of the Virgin, and a young girl of the poorer classes kneeling
and leading the devotions of a number of poor people around her. Her
voice was clear and sweet, and one couldn't help wishing their evening
chant had been offered to our divine Lord instead of the Virgin 
Brussels is a beautiful city, particularly in its newer parts, built somewhat
after the fashion of the newer parts of Paris. I attended the Protestant
Evangelical Church on Sunday. M . Painchaud preached a good sermon,
and the whole service was interesting. He asked me to preach an Eng
lish sermon in the afternoon, which 1 did, he sending notices to the hotels
and other places. Above sixty were present. It was refreshing to meet
with these earnest Christian friends, in a land so apparently given up to the
ignorance and idolatry of Romanism. The next day, I visited Antwerp,
with its Cathedral and the square in which it stands, with its tall buildings
of various styles of architecture ; then on to Ghent, Ostend, Dover, and
London." ....
After spending a few days in London, and meeting again
with the Committee of the Colonial Society, Mr. Wilkes sailed
from Liverpool about the end of September, on the Cunard
Steamer " Niagara," and found on board the Rev. John (now
Dr.) Jenkins, then of the St. James Street Methodist church,
Montreal, with whom he had very pleasant companionship, and
who preached in the saloon on the Sunday. The voyage, during
part of it, at least, was very rough, and for thirty-six hours the
fury of the elements was such as could not be conceived of by
any but an eye-witness. Early one morning, a sea struck the
vessel on her fore-quarter, under the effect of which she reeled
as if about to go down ; a deafening crash indicated that her
figure-head and iron cut-water had been torn off and lost.
The captain, fearing that another such sea would sink her,
"lay to," just keeping the engines moving to prevent her fall
ing into the trough of the sea. The machinery was so much
injured, that the rest of the voyage had to be performed with
only one engine, and the assistance of the sails. But He who

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 145
gave to the sea his bounds, and holds the waters in the hollow
of his hand, brought them to their desired haven in safety.
At the request of the Colonial Society, Mr. Wilkes landed at
Halifax, spent a day or two with Rev. Mr. Heudebourck and
his people, who were then worshipping in the basement of the
yet unfinished " Salem Church," and proceeded on his way to
St. John, N. B., where he was instructed to endeavour to set
tle some difficulties that had arisen in the congregation, on the
departure of their pastor, Mr. Gallaway. Taking the coach to
Windsor, in which he had as a fellow-traveller the Rev . Dr.
Burns, of Toronto, they were detained there some hours by
the tide, and formed the acquaintance of Judge Haliburton
(author of "Sam Slick"), at whose house they spent a very
pleasant morning. On reaching St. John, Mr. Wilkes address
ed himself to his somewhat difficult task, and succeeded, the
breach being healed, and the Rev. Charles Mackay being
shortly after settled as their new pastor. Home was reached
early in November.
" Through mercy (he writes), I found my family well, though the city
had been visited by cholera. So far as I remember, all the members of
my flock had escaped its ravages ; but my friend Drummond, at Quebec,
had been carried off by it, leaving his widow, sons, and daughters, deso
late, though not destitute, and leaving the church suddenly pastorless.
The Rev. A. C. Geikie was soon sent there, but remained for only a short
period, when he went to Australia."

146 MEMOIR OF THE

CHAPTER X.
1849-1862.
The success which had attended Mr. Wilkes' mission to
Britain greatly relieved the anxieties of his people, and he was
received, on his return home, with much enthusiasm and very
heartily thanked for his services. Very wisely, he had all his
accounts properly audited by the trustees, so preventing the
possibility of disputes and suspicions, which sometimes have
arisen in such cases ; and in the month of December, the mort
gage that had been such a nightmare to them was cancelled.
The congregations had somewhat diminished in consequence of
a large number of removals to the West; but otherwise the in
terests of the church had been so carefully looked after by the
deacons, that the injury resulting from the pastor's long ab
sence was much less than might have been expected. Mr.
Henry Vennor is specially named as having devoted much
time and care to church matters while the pastor was from
home. The names of Mr. T. M. Taylor and Mr. John Dou-
gall also occur several times, in memoranda relating to this
period, as most ardent and liberal supporters of all the pastor's
efforts to be useful ; and notably by the publication of a num
ber of sermons in pamphlet form, or in the columns of the
Montreal Witness, at their own expense. Among these
may be named the annual sermon in behalf of the French
Canadian Missionary Society, on "Seeking the good of our
Country," of which 10,000 copies were circulated in 1850; a
discourse addressed to the Jews, on " Jesus the Divine Mes
siah ; " two sermons thrown into tract form on " Unbelief the
Destroyer," and " Prayer a real Power ; " and a discourse on
" Knowing the time," (Rom. xiii. n.) in 1853.
In 1850, an agitation was commenced for the liberalizing of

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 147
McGill University, which, like " King's College," in Toronto,
had been controlled and monopolized by the authorities of
the Episcopal Church. Public meetings were held, and equal
rights demanded for all denominations in the enjoyment of its
educational advantages, and as the result, in 1852, an amended
charter was granted, under which the Governors were no longer
to be appointed by the Crown, but were to be chosen and
representative of the several Protestant denominations of the
Province. Mr. Christopher Dunkin and Mr. Andrew Robert
son were the first representatives of the Congregational Body,
on the new governing Board. The change effected was not
only a change in the interests of justice, but of education also,
since McGill could never have attained its present eminence,
nor done the noble work it has done, under the old regime.
" Early in August (Mr. Wilkes says), in compliance with the request
of the ' Society for Religious Enquiry of the University of Vermont,' I
went to Burlington, and delivered an address at the annual Commence
ment, on ' The Age and Theology,' which was published with the rest of
the proceedings on the occasion. To my surprise, and without any solici
tation on my part, or that of my friends, so far as I know, the Corporate
Body of the University conferred on me the degree of D.D. I remember
a Scottish friend, on my return, who was strongly prejudiced against our
cousins across the line, said to me, ' Stick to your Scotch M.A.' 
The custom of our McGill, however, has established the use of the M.A.
as well as the D.D. in their Calendars. And certainly the University of
Vermont is a School of learning of which any graduate may be proud."
Subsequently — in March 1870, — the degree of LL.D. was
conferred upon him by McGill University.
In the latter part of September, the home was again deso
lated by the death of his wife. Her health had been a source
of some anxiety for several years past, and some weeks were
spent every summer at Highgate or Alburgh Springs, without
any decided benefit. Now, however, serious illness set in.
which in spite of the best medical skill, and the tenderest care
and nursing, carried her off after three weeks of great suffering.
" She passed quietly away," is the fitting record of the termin-

148 MEMOIR OF THE
ation of an unobtrusive but useful Christian life. On her
death, Dr. Wilkes (as we shall henceforth speak of him) re
moved to another house, in Bleury Street, the care of which,
and of the three children, devolved upon a step-daughter.
Domestic changes, however, terminated this arrangement, and
in 1852 he married Cybella, eldest daughter of J. J. Day, Esq.^
advocate, of Montreal.
It was the practice of the church, under the guidance of the
pastor and deacons, every winter to set apart one or more
days for special devotion. These were often followed by a
series of meetings of an evangelistic character, conducted by
the pastor, and assisted by his people, with a view to awaken
ing the careless, and bringing to decision any who might be
halting and wavering. Several such days were observed in
the early part of 1851 ; and in April, two weeks of special ser
vices were held with happy results. Twenty-four persons were
shortly after admitted to fellowship, on profession of their
faith, and a general impetus was given to all the spiritual ac
tivities of the church. Relieved now, somewhat, of the neces
sity of so frequent a visitation of the churches, by the assistance
rendered by younger brethren, and the formation of the Mis
sionary Society, which took charge of many of the newer
stations, Dr. Wilkes was able to give a much larger share of
his time and energies to pastoral work, for which he was so
eminently fitted. Steady, healthy progress was the result.
It was not all due, indeed, to the labours of the pastor, and no
one was more ready than he to acknowledge it, for he was sur
rounded by a band of workers, and by Boards of Deacons and
Managers, rarely equalled for loyalty and efficiency. Highly
did he prize them. And yet they were largely of his own
making and fashioning. He drew them around him, and
inspired them by his own unselfishness and singleness of pur
pose, and under their united leadership the church, for many
years, was very greatly prospered.
Among the pastoral settlements, at this period, effected

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 149
mainly through Dr. Wilkes' planning and correspondence, are
those of the writer, at Brantford, to which he went by his
advice and introduction, in December, 1852 ¦ the Rev. Daniel
Macallum, who accepted charge in the township of Warwick,
about the same time ; and the Rev. R. K. Black, who, a few
months earlier, broke new ground in a very wide and needy
field in the county of Lanark. The settlement of Mr. Black,
under the blessing of God, led to most cheering and remark
able results. Early in the autumn of 1853, a meeting of Asso
ciation was held at Middleville, where Mr. B. resided, at which
Messrs. Roaf, Climie, Fenwick, and others were present. The
preaching of the Word was attended with great power, and
several of the visiting brethren were urgently requested by the
young pastor to return and help him. Mr. Fenwick, of King
ston, went to his assistance early in November, and continued
his labours in the neighbourhood for over five weeks. Begin
ning at Rosetta, Mr. Fenwick says, —
" The state of things at that place very much moved and delighted me.
I preached on Thursday evening to the young converts, and on Sabbath
at Lanark Village, when I proposed to hold a series of meetings there.
The proposal was accepted. The brethren thought that it would be better
to spend that week in Darling and at Rosetta, which I did. After the dis
course at Darling one evening, upwards of twelve persons remained for
conversation, under deep conviction of sin ; several appeared to find the
Saviour. My labours were not really commenced at the village until
Friday evening, when there was a large attendance, and very great inter
est. On Sabbath the place was well filled, and the interest became more
deep. On Tuesday evening, I asked those to remain behind, who wished
to converse with me about their souls. Several remained. The number
of inquirers increased every night, and we had to remain each night until
eleven, twelve, and even one o'clock, with persons under deep distress of
mind. It was moving to look around and see poor sinners weeping apart,
abased under an oppressive sense of guilt and unworthiness, yet still, pris
oners of hope. I have spoken in one night to upwards of thirty persons
under deep concern. Everything was quiet and orderly, — there was excite
ment, but it was the excitement of truth  The only expressions of
distress were the tear and the sigh, and ' What must I do to be saved ? '
I continued in this work, so interesting and delightful, until Sab-

J 5° MEMOIR OF THE
bath the 1 8th December, when with and amidst tears, I had to take my
leave of this dear people. Upwards of 120 souls are hopefully brought
to the Saviour ; amongst the converts are some of the most influential of
the village. Six members of the church, under the pastoral care of our
beloved brother Black, resided at the village. These were formed into a
distinct church, and, before I left, the church numbered 60 members ; 12
have been added since." ....
The Rev. John Climie, then of Bowmanville, afterwards of
Belleville, also rendered valuable assistance in the work, as
did also the Rev. John Fraser, pastor, at that time, of the
Brockville church, who, carrying home with him on his return
some of the sacred fire, kindled a similar flame in his own
congregation, with blessed though much less extended results.
Mr. Black, reporting with respect to this remarkable work next
spring, says, —
" When I reported to the Society in April last, the church numbered
28. Since then one has died, six have been dismissed to form a church in
the village of Lanark, and 163 have been received into fellowship, making
our present membership 184. It is estimated that in connection with the
blessed work of grace enjoyed here since last October, 350 have ex
perienced a saving change, through the instrumentality of our brethren
who have been labouring here."
Anxious to see something of this wonderful religious awak
ening, which continued all through the autumn and winter of
1853-4, Dr. Wilkes made arrangements, in February, to visit
the locality, at the same time taking in, in going or returning,
all the churches lying, in any sense, en route to this interesting
field. Referring to this visit, he says, —
" I spent the Sunday and several days there  The scene at Lanark
was one of deep interest. At Middleville the house was crowded — the
communicants occupying one side, and the non-communicants the other,
the former being most numerous. There was deep solemnity in listening
to the Word of Life, and also at the communion service  The churches
continue in a fair measure of vigour."
The time had now come when it was felt to be desirable to
consolidate our denominational movements, and henceforth to
know no East or West in our Union or Missionary operations.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 151
Up to this time we had had two Congregational Unions, hav
ing two distinct Canadian Home Missions in connection with
them. In addition to which, the Colonial Missionary Society
was supporting, side by side with them, a number of our Can
adian pastors, who were not only better paid, but paid with
more promptness and regularity, than their brethren connected
with the Home organizations. These distinctions were felt to
be a source of weakness and irritation, and it was resolved, if
possible, once and forever to remove them. The way for this
had, in part, been prepared by the uniting of the Theological
Academies, and the dropping of the Agency plan in Western
Canada ; in part also, by the greater facilities of travel which
the country now afforded.
The initiative in this movement was taken by the Eastern
Canada Union, which made overtures for amalgamation with
its sister organization in the West, at its annual meeting in
Toronto, in June, 1853. The details of the negotiations which
followed, need not be given here.* They were crowned with
success, however, both in regard to the Unions and the Mis
sionary Societies, and from the date just named, we had but
one Home Mission \ — " the Canada Congregational Mission
ary Society ; " and from October of that same year, only one
Union, — "the Congregational Union of Canada," more re
cently "of Ontario and Quebec." These changes met with
Dr. Wilkes' full concurrence, and on the completion of the
new Missionary organization, he was chosen General Secre
tary-Treasurer, and so continued from year to year, until 1883,
when, at his own request, he was relieved, and was appointed
Honorary Secretary.
The Colonial Society, however, which had hitherto made
the grants themselves, acting always on the representations of
their Agents, or their Western Agency Committee, naturally
* They will be found in the Canadian Congregational Year Book for 1877-78,
page 23.
t This applies only to Ontario and Quebec : the Maritime Provinces have a separate
Union, and at times have had a distinct Missionary Society.

152 MEMOIR OF THE
felt much difficulty in handing over the funds entrusted to
them, to the absolute control of a Committee whose members
were personally unknown to them, however good and wise
they might believe them to be. They, therefore, insisted that
there should be sent to them every year by the Secretary, a
schedule of all the grants recommended by the General Com
mittee, with a more or less detailed statement of the grounds
of their action, so that they, in England, might vote or modify
the grants as they saw proper. The Canadian Committee, on
the other hand, felt the very same difficulty, less only in de
gree, in handing over moneys contributed in this country, to
the absolute controul of their loved and honoured English
brethren, who, they were sure, did not understand Canada.
And it was finally agreed on our part, that the General Com
mittee should, as far as practicable, be composed of pastors
and delegates of self-supported churches ; and on their part,
that unless they, in London, modified or vetoed any grant
within three months, it should stand as recommended. " This
arrangement, " notes Dr. Wilkes, " was one of exceeding con
venience to us in Canada. I drew every quarter for whatever
amount was not supplied by the contributions in the country
itself, so that the payments were always punctually made, and
all needful advances were made in England. This plan was
continued until 1865 when it was somewhat modified."
Rather too convenient, we are disposed to add, and lacking in
proper healthy stimulus, as it encouraged any who were so
disposed to spare themselves, since their rich brethren in Eng
land stood ready to supply their shortcomings ! The Colonial
Committee, however, were persuaded better things of us, and
accepted their scheme, the Secretary remarking, in his letter
announcing their decision, that they did so the more readily
as it was to be wrought out under the immediate supervision
of their personal friend and former agent, Dr. Wilkes.
It was during this important meeting of the Western Union
in Toronto, which Dr. Wilkes was attending as a delegate from

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 153
the East, that the famous Gavazzi riots occurred in Montreal,
and to which he has the following reference.
" An attempt had been made to shut Gavazzi out of every public build.
ing, and thus prevent him from lecturing. The trustees of Zion church
opened ours to him. It was densely crowded, and without the consent of
the church authorities, there were present a band of armed defenders of the
right of free speech. The crowd outside assailed the door, using violence
and firing, when the armed men within rushed out, and drove them back.
It so occurred, very unfortunately, that the resident troops had been changed
that very day, one regiment going away, and another entering. One or
two companies of the new regiment were called out by the Mayor, and
took up their position in front of the church, one party facing the hill and
the other the city. It is said that on the audience leaving the church, the
Mayor ordered the troops to fire  It is supposed by others, that as
the officers of the two regiments had been dining and wine-drinking to
gether, there was some lack of sobriety on the occasion. The facts have
never been fully ascertained, long and careful investigation having failed
to fix the blame upon the proper parties. What we do know is, that while
the audience leaving the church were going quietly up the hill, and the
crowd below, in Radegonde Street were, though noisy, not fighting, the
troops fired in both directions, killing several, and maiming others for
life." The next summer witnessed the first meeting of the united
Congregational Unions, which assembled in Montreal under
the presidency of the Rev. William Clarke, with the Rev. K.
M. Fenwick as Secretary. At one of its sessions Dr. Wilkes
read a paper, prepared by request of the Committee of the
Union, on the Scriptural qualifications for church membership,
and of which ten thousand copies were afterwards printed and
circulated, under the title of " Purity of Communion." The
tract is a plea for " restriction of the membership of the church
to those who give credible evidence of a true faith in Christ,
and of being born again of the Holy Spirit." This, of course,
has always been held to be one of the cardinal principles of
the denomination both in England and in America. Dr.
Wilkes says, with reference to it, —
{' I retain, after twenty-five years, my conviction that the churches can-

154 MEMOIR OF THE
not be the power for good which the Lord designs they should be, unless
they are thus constituted. I fear that during the intervening period some
looseness has crept into the practice of the churches, to their great and
abiding injury."
We have hesitated somewhat about quoting this last remark,
since its author is no longer with us to explain, or to defend
it. Probably he had reference to some individual instances
of unfaithfulness in the application of the principle, which he
wished to use as a warning, and yet purposely generalized to
avoid giving offence. But we are bound in justice to the
churches to say that, although methods vary, perhaps more
than formerly, in the application of the principle, we see no
evidence of any growing " looseness " in regard to the prin
ciple itself. Considerable change has undoubtedly taken
place, of late years, in our views as to what constitutes " cre
dible evidence of a true faith in Christ ; " and also as to the
best way of ascertaining the fitness of an applicant for mem
bership, and certifying the church in relation thereto, that it
may vote intelligently when the case comes before it. But
the Congregational churches of Canada are a unit in requiring
not Scriptural knowledge and morality, nor a " desire" only,
"to flee from the wrath to come," nor yet submission to any
particular mode of confessing Christ, but always, and only,
what appears to them sufficient evidence of faith and godli
ness. And they do so because they believe their Divine Mas
ter and Lord requires neither less nor more, " I am the Door:
by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in
and out, and find pasture." *
In 1850, several years previous to the amalgamation of the
Missionary Societies, the Society in Western Canada had com
menced a Mission among the Indians at Colpoy's Bay. In
1851, the Rev. Ludwick Kribs, the first alumnus of our West
ern Theological Institute, feeling drawn to the work among
these neglected aborigines, resigned his charge in Stouffville,
* John x, 9.

RE V. HENR Y WILKES, D.D. 15S
and settled at Owen Sound, where, for several years, he minis
tered to a little congregation of white people, and generally
superintended and assisted in the work among the Indians.
The Mission gradually extended its operations, establishing a
little church of native converts at Saugeen, in the County of
Bruce, and subsequently planting its missionaries and teachers
on the north shore of the Georgian Bay. On the amalgama
tion of our Missionary Societies, it was adopted as part of our
Canadian work. But the Colonial Society having intimated
its desire that the Mission should be carried on by other agen
cies, in 1856 it was detached from our general work, and
placed in charge of the Middle District Committee, and so
continued until the organization of our Indian Missionary So
ciety, in i860. For a number of years, it received, through
Dr. Wilkes, an annual grant from the Boston Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel among the Indians. By and by
that- failed it. It struggled on, however, through various vicis
situdes, the details of which must be sought elsewhere, sowing
the seed of the Kingdom, some, perhaps, in stony places, but
some certainly in good ground, until, in 1884, it ceased to re
port itself. The little Indian church in Saugeen, however,
still lives.*
Affectionate reference is made, in memoranda relating to
this period, to the death of two much loved friends — the Rev.
Dr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, his former tutor, who passed peace
fully away in December, 1853 ; and the Rev. Richard Miles,
of Cowansville, who died very suddenly early in 1855. Me
morial sermons were preached on both occasions. Of the
latter Dr. Wilkes says, —
" In March, my beloved friend Miles died at Cowansville in a moment.
He had preached on the Sunday twice. The evening service was closed
by singing the hymn beginning " Jerusalem, my happy home."
He exhibited great delight and triumph in singing it, moving his hand up
and down on the side of the pulpit as he sang. On Monday night he re-

* See a brief sketch of the Society in the Year Book for 1876-77, page 20.

156 MEMOIR OF THE
tired, feeling about as usual, hot water being always kept in readiness for
fomentation. At midnight he awoke with pain in the region of the heart,
and Mrs. Miles arose, as she had often done, to apply hot flannels. But
he turned and said, ' Kiss me, I am going,' fell back, and passed away 1
I went out to his funeral, which was conducted, first at Cowansville, and
then went in procession to Abbotsford, where, with another service, we
buried him  Mrs. Miles afterwards removed to Granby, where one
of her sons still lives."
Less than a year ago — in November, 1886 — this mother in
Israel sank to rest in her 90th year. Her youngest son,
Thomas, follows in his father's footsteps, as the pastor of a
Congregational church, in Merrin-.ac, Mass.
The commercial distress in England, growing out of the
Crimean War, affected for a while, very seriously, the income
of the Colonial Society, and threatened disaster to some of
our newer Canadian enterprises. The Committee in England,
embarrassed by a debt of ^1300, which showed no sign of
diminution, began to hesitate about accepting any more of
Dr. Wilkes' bills of exchange, and he had, in consequence, to
press very earnestly upon the churches the necessity of doing
with less help, and raising a larger proportion of their pastor's
salaries themselves. This, unhappily, often had the effect of
unsettling the minister, upon whom the pressure chiefly bore,
and some of our most energetic and successful men, chafing
under the enforced action of the Committee, resigned their
charges, and went to the wider field offered them in the United
States. An effort made at this time to establish a church in Wind
sor, Ont., failed largely on this account. Mr. James Dougall
and a few earnest Congregationalists, who lived in that place,
but worshipped with churches in Detroit, — just across the
river — sought organization into a Christian church, and on
obtaining the promise of assistance from the Missionary So
ciety, invited the Rev. James Porter to become their pastor,
which he did. A neat church edifice was erected at a cost of
$700, and everything gave promise of a vigorous and success-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 157
ful enterprise, when the crisis arrived to which reference has
just been made. Mr. Porter, too sensitive, perhaps, shrankfrom
being a burden upon the Society, and resigned his charge,
and no way being found at. the time of supplying his place, the
people in discouragement, handed over the property to the
Methodists, and disbanded. It should be mentioned, perhaps,
that of ^1923 currency expended on our Canadian Missions
in 1855, -Q1210 was received from the Society in England.
Still it was felt that such a sum, large as it was, was utterly
inadequate to our needs, and altogether below the amount
that the more than two thousand British churches ought to
give us. At the meeting of the Union in Hamilton, therefore,
in 1856, Dr. Wilkes and the Rev. W. F. Clarke were appointed
a delegation " to the Congregational Union of England and
Wales, and the Colonial Missionary Society, and through them
to the British churches, with a view to laying the condition
and difficulties of Canadian Congregationalism before them."
But the delegation never fulfilled the appointment, the Secre
tary of the Colonial Committee, Mr. James, having advised
the postponement of the visit, in consequence of the pre
sence in England of the Rev. Mr. Poore, who was just
then urging the claims of Australia. The reply was in
some sense a typical one. The very large emigration
to those Southern Colonies, of British Congregationalists,
seems always to have been regarded as establishing a first
claim upon the help of the British churches. From a Cana
dian point of view, however, the very opposite conclusion may
be reached. Our need of help arises chiefly from the paucity
of the emigration to our shores of our own people, ecclesiasti
cally considered : had we more of them, we should be propor
tionally better able to look after them.
As a young pastor, who had been led first into the church,
and then into the ministry by Dr. Wilkes, the writer was in
the habit of consulting him, as a son does a father, when
ever questions came before him which he felt incompetent to

158 MEMOIR OF THE
decide, or in regard to which, at least, he desired advice from
one of more experience than himself. The following extracts
from letters received under such circumstances will be read
with interest, and may be helpful to other young pastors in
similar perplexities. The first was in reply to a letter asking
advice respecting the election of deacons. Montreal, September, 1855.
"  Your father handed me your's of 3rd inst. this afternoon, I
would recommend the election of three new deacons instead of one.
Should one of them be somewhat illiterate, and yet thoroughly devout and
earnest, you will not find it an objection. His want of culture, being only
one in four, does not injure the diaconate ; and then, he belongs to a
class always somewhat numerous in a church, which it is well to have
represented 
My plan of action is ist. To call the attention of the Church to their
want, to preach on the subject, and ask them to resolve that they will
elect the number of deacons deemed best. 2nd. They having resolved
upon the number, I explain that while the suffrage of the people is a mat
ter of principle, the mode of its exercise is not, and therefore they have to
determine in what manner they will elect. We have found the plan of
ballot to work well, without nomination  I give them a month to
hand in their ballot, and am myself the Teller. I always insist that parties
elected must not decline. 3rd. We call a special Prayer Meeting, but on
the usual evening of the week, at which the newly-elected deacons are
addressed and ordained. This fact is announced on the Sabbath Day.
4th. Our deacons meet me monthly — lately they have spent together one
evening every week. The consultations and devotional meetings of per
sons in office are of great value to themselves and the church.
These are the points on which you desire information. There is danger
of persons being elected because of their station ; this can only be met by
clear and solemn instruction  "
The second is his answer to a letter from the writer, request
ing advice regarding the acceptance of a call to another pas
toral charge, which it was understood would be immediately
voted, if he would consent to his name being put before the
church as a candidate. The correspondence was " confiden
tial " at the time. Montreal, January, 1856.
" .... Let me give you frankly my thoughts on the other matter, which
so far as I am concerned, shall be secret.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 159
I . The practice of frequent and sudden removals among the brother
hood of the West, has been fraught with most injurious consequences.
Our ministry loses weight and influence thereby, descending to the level
of a Methodist itinerancy.
2. Unless there be some indication within a man's tent that the Master
wishes him to strike it, he should be very slow indeed, to suppose himself
called to do so. And if the interior of that tent prospers, surely the Pillar
of cloud and fire does not rise and say ' go forward ! ' You were obviously
sent to Brantford, not as a temporary labourer, but as a Pastor of the
flock, and everything has concurred to prove that you were sent there of
God. Everything, moreover, so far as I know, which indicated the
Divine Will that you should go there, indicates that you should remain.
3. The movement in  so sudden, of such doubtful propriety, and
of such doubtful results, does not, so far as I can judge, present a call. Our
brother C. acts with great disinterestedness, but in this case, surely, with
some rashness  Now, here is the question,- — Ought a happy and
prosperous pastoral relation to be dissolved, in order to aid in carrying
out a plan of problematical propriety, and of extremely doubtful success ?
I think not."....
The advice was asked in a time of much discouragement,
and with some leanings towards a change of pastorate. But
the counsel given was acted upon, and — was it the Lord's
gracious token of approval ? — the very next month, a remark
able religious awakening began in Brantford, which resulted in
more than doubling the membership of the church.
Long experience in the pastorate of Zion Church, as well as
in Edinburgh previously, both of them large and important
charges, gave to Dr. Wilkes, by common consent, a kind of
right to speak ex cathedra, on all matters affecting the order
and management of the churches. He was, in no improper
sense, our " unmitred bishop." Not that he assumed the
position or authority which such a term implies, for nothing
was farther from his thoughts ; but all readily accorded it to him
as the primus inter pares of the Congregational brother
hood. Desiring to avail themselves of his practical acquaintance
with church work, the Union, in 1857, requested him to pre-

160 MEMOIR OF THE
sent his views and experiences on these subjects, in the form
of a tract, which he did, at the meeting in Brantford, the fol
lowing year. This was felt to be so valuable, and so much
needed, that he was then asked to enlarge it, and publish it,
the Union, of course, assuming the pecuniary responsibility ;
and it was accordingly issued under the title of " The Internal
Administration of the Churches," of which several thousands
of copies were put in circulation. It has, without doubt, been
of great service to the denomination.
Returning to the "jottings," we copy the following en
tries :
"The Good Friday of 1856, was observed by the church as a day of
special devotion, and a general Thanksgiving for freedom from disease,
and for the return of peace, and the Rev. (now Dr.) Donald Fraser
preached in Zion Church on the occasion,*  This summer, a new
organ was presented to the church by a few friends, a recess being made
in the rear wall of the building for its reception. My stipend this year was
made £400, or $1600  The Rev. Archibald Duff came out from
Howick, Scotland, in the autumn of this year, and settled in Cowansville.
The year 1857 was one of severe commercial depression all over
this continent. The overthrow of mercantile houses in New York was
simply fearful. The list of names was appalling. We lived through it,
however, and the next year matters began to revive. This was the year
of the Indian Mutiny, and, as in the year of the Crimean War, so in this,
frequent references were made in my sermons to the sad series of passing
events. It is worthy of note also, that in this very year of commercial
disaster, at the Congregational Union meeting, in our church in June,
there was inaugurated by Zion Church, on behalf of the Denomination,
' The Congregational Ministers' Widows' and Orphans' Fund ' (now called
the ' Cong. Provident Fund ' ), which has since grown to considerable
dimensions, and has been for many years helping the widow and the
fatherless." t
In February, I visited Lanark, to assist at the dedication of the very
nice new church-building, just erected in that village. There was a

* The reference is to the removal of the cholera, and the termination of the Russian War.
| " Honour to whom honour." The Act of Incorporation afterwards obtained, gives the
names of its promoters as " the Rev. Henry Wilkes, Richard Holland, Theodore Lyman,
William Moodie, P. W. Wood, William Learmont, Alfred Savage, and others."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 161
blessed revival in progress at the time. Sixteen inquirers remained for
conversation after the evening service."
Dr. Wilkes' early business training and knowledge of book
keeping, often enabled him to render valuable service to the
churches in cases — unhappily too frequent — in which trouble
arose out of ill-kept accounts.
There had been some trouble at Quebec of this nature, aris
ing out of confusion in the statement presented by Mr. Heude-
bourck, the late pastor, of moneys collected by him for church
improvements. Mr. Powis, who had just taken charge, and
was anxious to have the difficulty adjusted, had got the matter
referred to Dr. Wilkes, who says, —
" I visited Quebec, and disentangled the accounts, finding all correct,
though objecting to the course of action adopted.
In June, I received an important communication from the Committee
in London, stating the very unsatisfactory condition of things in Nova
Scotia, and asking me to choose some competent lay-brother to accom
pany me, and to visit the churches, attend the meetings of the Congrega
tional Union in Liverpool, N. S., and thoroughly investigate the whole
matter. Certain heads of inquiry were laid down for our guidance. I
replied that such a mission was one of extreme delicacy, which, of course,
I should be far from choosing, but that I would not say ' nay ' to a Socie
ty which I had served from its inauguration. Mr. Wilson, pastor of the
Yarmouth church, who had been attending our Union, was ready to ac
company the deputation. I chose Mr. T. M. Taylor, one of our deacons'
to assist me  A Report of our visit, and the result of our investi
gations, consisting of 41 pp. quarto, closely written, which I prepared and
Mr. Taylor signed with me, was sent to England  The Committee
expressed gratitude for the thoroughness of our investigation, and adopted
our recommendation, which was to make Nova Scotia and New Bruns
wick one of the " Districts " of our work, with its own local Committee, as
in the case of the other Districts. This arrangement, which has proved
thoroughly successful, was continued until 1879, when it was deemed no
longer necessary." *

*lt has since been renewed— in i884^at the request of the brethren of the Maritime
Provinces.

1 62 MEMOIR OF THE
One incidental result of this visit is referred to with great
satisfaction, — a satisfaction which all our churches, at least in
Quebec and Ontario, must share :
" It secured for us the eminently useful Rev. (now Dr.) George Cornish,
then teaching classes in Halifax, as he had done at Gorham College,
Liverpool, prior to its destruction by fire. He had also been pastor of
the church at Milton. On my return home, one of the Governors of
McGill College consulted me about a successor to Dr. Benjamin Davies in
the Classical chair. I introduced the name of Cornish, or some one else
had done so, and he asked me concerning him, and this led to his removal
to Montreal. He has done us excellent service  "
About Christmas time, Dr. Wilkes was summoned to Brant
ford, to the death-bed of his mother, who, it was supposed,
would hardly see the close of the year.
" Most beautiful was all her dying testimony and conversation. Her
physician was profoundly impressed by her utterances. She had no fear.
 I remained with her as long as I could, and then bade her fare
well  Blessed, precious mother ! True saint ! We hope to meet
again ! She passed away some ten days after I left her.'' 
Her pastor's estimate of her worth and influence has already
been given, in a previous reference to her. " Let her own
works praise her in the gates."
Sorrows, it is said, seldom come singly : it proved so in this
case. The unfortunate acceptance of a draft for £1250, in
favour of one of his brothers, upon the assurance that when
due, money would be provided with which to meet it, plunged
him into difficulties and embarrassments, extending over a
period of thirteen years. It was done under the impulse of a
father's oft repeated injunction, " Help one another," and
done in haste ; a telegram was waiting his reply. The draft
was accepted ; the brother's pledge to meet it when due was
not fulfilled ; and had it not been for the kindness of friends
in Montreal in satisfying the judgment, everything he possessed
would have been sold by the sheriff. The amount of interest
annually paid on the loan was a heavy drain on his resources,
and the balance of debt was only wiped out when, on his

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 163
retirement from the active pastorate, in 1871, the church
presented him with the purse of $1250 with which it was done.
" It was truly a heavy affliction," he says, " and my experience
should be a warning to all who may have access to these
jottings." Death was again invading his own family. In July, 1855, a
little son of nine months, whom they had taken with them to
Portland, had died there the very night of their arrival, and the
sorrowing father had to return next day to Montreal, to lay
him away in Mount Royal Cemetery. Now, again, in August,
1858, a little daughter, of about the same age, " died one early
morning, just as a bird on a neighbouring tree began its morn
ing song." The illness and death so affected Mrs. Wilkes,
that it was found necessary to spend some weeks among the
White Mountains. The visit was much enjoyed, and was, no
doubt, beneficial for the time, but already Dr. Wilkes seems
to have felt the dark shadow of a coming sorrow falling upon
him. The extension of our field of Missionary operations so as to
embrace the Provinces " down by the sea," necessarily very
much increased the volume of correspondence, both with the
churches, and with the Committee in England. It was, there
fore, decided, at the annual meeting of the Society, in 1858,
to divide the labour, for which purpose the Rev. K. M. Fen
wick was appointed Home Secretary, and all correspondence
with the churches and their pastors devolved upon him, while
Dr. Wilkes continued to conduct that with the- Colonial Com
mittee, as formerly. This, it is noted, " was a great relief, and
Mr. Fenwick conducted matters with much efficiency for some
years." The fact is also noted that this year. " the grants were
for the first time made in Dollars?
Reference is made in Dr. Wilkes' correspondence this sum
mer, to the arrival of the Rev. Thomas Pullar, from Scotland,
and the hope is expressed that he may be induced to accept
the charge of the church in St. John, N. B. But about the

1 64 MEMOIR OF THE
same time, an invitation to visit Hamilton — then vacant by the
removal of Mr. Ebbs to Paris — turned his steps in that direc
tion, and led to his settlement in that city, where, after a
laborious and successful ministry of nearly fifteen years, he
died in February, 1873. An obituary in the Independent for
March, says, —
" During his connection with the church in Hamilton, there has been
great progress made in numbers and influence  A new place of
worship has been erected, and the spiritual and material condition of the
chuich has been healthy and satisfactory. Mr. Pullar was a man of large
sympathies, and though his sense of duty and stern adherence to principle,
often brought him into conflict with others, and made him enemies, still
he was most unselfish in all his public and private acts. He had the wel
fare of the community deeply at heart, and a more faithful pastor and
preacher could not be found  By request of the church, Dr.
Wilkes preached a memorial sermon in Hamilton, on March 2nd, to an
overflowing audience." *
A memorandum also found in the correspondence dated
June, 1858, refers to Ottawa as commended to the attention
of the District Committee, " if the seat of Government should
be removed thither." That question was definitely settled by
an order of the Queen's Privy Council, of August 7th, in the
same summer, but it was not till the General Committee met
in June, 1859, tnat anv decided steps were taken to establish
a church in the new Capital. At that meeting, the Rev. Joseph
Elliot, then at Hawkesbury, was asked to undertake the mis
sion, which he did, entering upon his work on the 17th July.
" The few Congregationalists in the city nobly rallied around
him," and on the 10th March, i860, a church was formed.
The movement involved a heavy outlay of Missionary money,
for a number of years, but the Colonial Society, no less than
our own, felt it to be " of great importance that our principles
should have expression in the political centre of the country,
and that a spiritual home should be provided for persons of
our faith who may be attracted to the seat of Government."
t- See Canadian Independent, March and April, 1873.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 165
A visit of the Rev. Dr. Duff, of the Free Church Mission
in India, about this time, very greatly interested Canadians of
all denominations, in the Foreign work, and led to some im
portant results. The meeting in Montreal was held in the
Methodist church, St. James Street, which was packed to the
doors, by eager multitudes who listened to his address of
nearly three hours in length, with intense interest. Dr. Wilkes
says, —
" He aroused us all. We had a public breakfast the next morning with
him, and felt that something must be done. We met and conferred, but
I was the only minister prepared to form a Society on a catholic basis.
Even my dear friend, Dr. Taylor, insisted on denominational action.
The Society was formed, however, on the broad basis, and laymen of the
various types of Presbyterianism, and others, joined our ranks  We
talked of beginning a mission in Arabia or Mongolia, just as soon as there
should arise some one who should offer himself for either of these fields-
Meanwhile we contributed to existing missions in Turkey and in India.
Afterwards, however, we inaugurated a mission on the coast of Labra
dor." But as Labrador was not, strictly speaking, a foreign field ,
and as the way did not then seem open for beginning a new
mission, on purely heathen ground, the "Foreign" aspect of
its work was laid aside, and the name of the Society changed
to that of the " Labrador Mission." Ultimately the work
thus commenced, fell into the hands of the Ladies' Mission
ary Association of Zion church.
In the year 1859 occurred the unfortunate contretemps
connected with the attempt to establish a mission in Victoria,
British Columbia. The gold found along the Fraser River
had created great excitement, and had raised expectations in
regard to the future of that colony, which thus far, at least,
have never been realized. But with a zeal worthy of a better
result, the Colonial Society resolved on making a commence
ment in that far-off land, by what might have been foreseen to
be and certainly proved to be, a most unwise and dangerous
course, viz., sending one minister direct from England, and

66 MEMOIR OF THE
requesting our Committee to send another from Canada. The
British missionary was the Rev. Matthew McPhie, the Cana
dian, the Rev. W. F. Clarke. Meeting in Victoria in October,
a hall was secured, and public service begun, the two minis
ters having arranged to preach for the present alternately.
There being a considerable element of coloured people in the
place, the question at once arose whether they were to be per
mitted to mix with " white folks," or were to be assigned to a
" negro corner" in the house of God. Mr. Clarke took true
British and Bible ground, and resolved that there should be
no distinction on account of colour: Mr. McPhie took the
then common American ground, as he mildly expressed it, —
" the preference to be unmixed, during religious service, with
the African element." And finding Mr. Clarke more ready
" to strike his tent than change his policy," he set up an oppo
sition service in another hall ! The result was the return of
Mr. Clarke and family to Canada, and such a blow to Congre
gationalism in Victoria, that we have not had courage to
attempt a renewal of the effort for thirty years. Dr. Wilkes
thus expressed himself to the Secretary of the Colonial Com
mittee, on the subject, in December, —
" I have received from Hamilton, for transmission to you, certain reso
lutions anent the unfortunate position of matters in Victoria, which are
enclosed. I have been deeply grieved at such an unhappy commencement
of your work in that Colony. Mr. Clarke's circular has, of course, been
sent to you. We all feel that he is right in principle, and ought to be
sustained  The course of his co-adjutor imperils the whole
cause." In a subsequent reference he thinks " Clarke was rash and
injudicious," but no doubt is expressed as to the rectitude of
the principle upon which he acted.
A sentence in one of his letters on this unfortunate affair, —
" I would that there were some tried English Congregation
alists in Victoria," — is thus commented on.
" This seems almost necessary to any hopeful movement, in any of the
Colonies. We have usually found that unless we had a nucleus of tried

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 167
Congregationalists in a place, our introduction of the Gospel first, has not
prevented others from crowding us out, if they could ; and usually they
have had a powerful lever to work with, if the people we had gathered
together had been formerly Presbyterians or Methodists  This
has been the history of a considerable number of our evangelistic efforts,
particularly in Ontario. We have gone in first among a neglected peo
ple ; they have gladly rallied round the faithful messenger of the Cross ;
we have heard of good congregations, excellent Sabbath Schools, and all
hopeful signs ; our missionary funds have been expended in aid ; a place
of worship has been erected, — and other bodies enter in, to take away our
people, and leave us with so few that we have to close, and mourn over
efforts frustrated by the prevailing denominational zeal ! "
One of our pioneer missionaries was accustomed to say,
that he had only to begin a service in a neglected neighbour
hood, and get a nice little congregation together, and in a
little while there would be — to quote his homely phrase — " as
many preachers there as he could shake a stick at ! " Let us
hope things are better now.
Dr. Wilkes was now at the full tide of his strength, and of
his popularity. A number of sermons, preached at this pe
riod, in the ordinary course of his ministry, were regarded as
of so high an order of merit, as to be published by his friends :
one on " Using the world without abusing it : " another, on
"Man's dominion over the earth, injured and restored:" a
third entitled " The Name which is above every name," and
others. His brethren had honoured him the previous year by
electing him Chairman of the Union, and, according to the
custom of that day, he delivered this year, on retiring, the
annual Address from the Chair.* The church under his care
was increasing in numbers and influence, and the Lord was
blessing his ministry to the conversion of sinners. Little,
probably, did his people know through what deep waters he
was passing while he was being made so helpful to them. He
says,— " The year i860 was one of the most anxious, distressing, sad years of
my life, yet one of incessant work, nevertheless, and equally of strength

* See Canadian Indpendent for July, i860.

1 68 MEMOIR OF THE
given to me of my Father in heaven. A sick and dying wife, much be
loved, young children needing constant care, pecuniary resources extremely
limited, a large church and congregation to shepherd and teach, our mis
sions throughout the land to foster, involving constant perplexity and
anxiety, — I look back upon it with wonder, and with admiring gratitude
to God who has enabled me to get through it all, without loss of health
and without, undue depression of spirits . Herein was the kindness and
grace of God."
On Good Friday, just as he was about to leave the house to
conduct a special service held that day, his wife was seized
with violent hoemorrhage of the lungs, and for weeks she lay
hovering between life and death. Recovering somewhat from
this attack, she was taken by her husband, first to Gorham,
and afterwards to the Green Mountains, for change of air,
where she was receiving much benefit, when they were sud
denly called home by the death of their " beautiful Fanny,"
of thirteen months. The shock of this new bereavement, fol
lowed almost immediately by the sudden death of her trusted
medical attendant, Dr. Holmes, had a most depressing effect
upon her, and she gradually grew weaker till she passed peace
fully away on the 6th January, 1861, beloved and deeply re
gretted by all.
With the increasing strength and financial ability of the
church, renewed efforts were put forth in the direction of city
evangelization. A mission was commenced in St. Joseph
Street, of which Mr. John Gray was put in charge, his salary
being paid the first year, by two of the members of Zion
Church. A Sunday School of nearly a hundred scholars was
gathered, and the outlook for a second Congregational church
was, for a while, most promising, but, —
" Our Presbyterian friends stepped in : a wealthy member of that deno
mination erected St. Joseph Street Presbyterian Church, and, of course,
our mission was at an end, and we withdrew."
One cannot repress the exclamation, — What an accommo
dating, peace-loving people we are !
There was long and anxious discussion of our missionary

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 169
policy, and of our relations to the Colonial Society, at the
Annual meetings in 1861, arising out of a communication from
the English Committee, in which a fear is expressed lest their
assistance should "degenerate into an endowment incubus,"
in its influence on the churches. They therefore suggested
for our inquiry " whether certain stations which afforded no
prospect of self-sustentation might not be relinquished, as was
often done in connection with Home Missions in England ;
whether lay-preaching agency might not be effectively em
ployed in other cases, at no cost to missionary funds ; and
whether some principle of a ' sliding scale,' such as had been
successful in Australia, might not be introduced with good
effect into Canada." Dr. Wilkes supplemented their commu
nication by an able and discriminating paper in which, while
he presented the case "from the Blomfield Street point of
view," he pointed out wherein the argument from Australia
failed to apply to Canada. At the same time he frankly says,
"we cannot feel surprised, that looking over our schedules
and finding names and stations there for ten, fifteen, and more
than twenty years, they should demur to the continuance
of this state of things, and call upon us to devise, and to apply
some remedy." A kindly but vigorous reply was sent by the
Union to the Committee in London, and a resolution was
adopted, asking Dr. Wilkes and the Rev. F. H. Marling to
visit England, as a delegation from the Canadian churches,
in the hope that in free conference with them, they might
" come to a full understanding on all matters of mutual con
cern." This resolution having been brought before their respective
churches, Bond Street, Toronto, concurred, and Mr. Marling
sailed from Quebec in the "Great Eastern," August 6th, and
fulfilled his commission ; but Zion Church, to which the mat
ter was left entirely by the pastor, declined the proposal, " in
view of the large growth of the congregation, and the interest-
in°- spiritual condition of the church." The other member of

170 MEMOIR OF THE
the deputation, however, seems to have represented the Union
so well, and with such excellent results, that Mr. James, the
Secretary of the Colonial Committee, wrote Dr. Wilkes on the
25th September  "The object of your friend Mr. Mar-
ling's visit, will, I think, be completely accomplished. Though
it has been very difficult, at this time of the year, to secure
attendance on a Committee, yet he has now had an opportu
nity of stating his views to most of the more influential of our
members  The result is, after looking at the cases in
your schedule in which no reduction is proposed, that the
whole is adopted." *
The Rev. W. F. Clarke, whose action in the Vancouver
Island affair had given much offence to the London Commit
tee, visited England the same summer, and, having laid the
whole case before them, the Committee accepted his explan
ations, so far, at least, as to declare their belief " that he acted
with perfect conscientiousness," and that his course was due
to " errors of judgment, rather than any intended discourtesy
towards themselves."
On the 2nd October, Dr. Wilkes completed the twenty-fifth
year of his ministry in Montreal, and the occasion was thought
by his people to be a most fitting one on which to show their
affection for him, and their appreciation of his work. A social
meeting was held in the lecture-room of the church, which had
been tastefully decorated with floral designs, ever-green
wreaths, and fruits and flowers in profusion. Tea being over,
the congregation assembled in the church, under the presi
dency of Mr. Henry Lyman, when, after a brief musical and
devotional service, Mr. Vennor read an address to the pastor,
and Mr. Dougall presented to him, in the name of the congre
gation, a solid silver pitcher and salver, with suitable inscrip
tion. Dr. Wilkes, in replying, warmly thanked his people for
their cordial and loving address and testimonial, and briefly
* Mr. Marling's very full report will be found in the Canadian Independent for
March, 1862.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 171
reviewed the history of the church from its organization in
1832. A thanksgiving hymn and prayer brought the interest
ing service to a close. A more useful, if not more substantial
or beautiful testimonial speedily followed, in the addition to
the pastor's salary of a hundred pounds a year, which was made
to date from the previous January. The membership of the
church was now over three hundred.
The clouds are passing away, and the harassed and over
worked pastor writes cheerfully again, —
"The church greatly prospered during 1862  Fourteen were
received on profession the first Sunday in April. The total for the year
was forty-six, of whom twenty-three were on profession. For several
years we have been receiving those into membership whom I had baptized
in their infancy. The deacons reported that the building had become too
strait for the congregation, and that new pews had been placed wherever
there was available space  The church came to the conclusion,
without any prompting on my part, that I ought to have a furlough, and
they commenced correspondence with brethren as to the matter of supply."
" A few members of the church " put over $600 into his
hand, to pay expenses, besides giving a purse of ^20 to his
daughter, who was to accompany him. They run up to Ham
ilton to the marriage of his eldest son ; he places his " mother
less little girls" where they will be properly cared for; leases
his house for the summer, and on the 21st of April, in com
pany with Dr. Wickson, for many years Classical tutor in the
Theological Academy, they sail from Portland, in the " Hiber-
nia," for England.

172 MEMOIR OF THE
CHAPTER XI.
1862-1863.
Thirteen years had passed since the previous visit to the
old land, and Dr. Wilkes looked forward to this one with very
mingled feelings of delight and sadness.
In a letter addressed to Mr. James, Secretary of the Colo
nial Society, February, 1862, he says, —
" I am delighted with the idea of seeing you and dear Mr. Binney, and
other friends, but alas ! I remember the many blanks  Many of
my own relatives in Birmingham have passed away since then, add also
that valued father and friend your brother. Dr. Wardlaw, too, and Al
gernon Wells, with whom we were wont to take sweet counsel ! The
deaths you mention are of brethren most of whom I knew. Then I turn
to my own household, and am reminded of desolation, not once but twice
since then, besides the death of little children. Shall we repine ? God
forbid ! ' I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace
and not of evil, to give you an expected end.' We will trust him impli
citly for He doeth all things well. We will endeavour to work while it
is day, 'for the night cometh when no man can work.' "
Among their compagnons de voyage were Dr. Lachlan
Taylor, who was going to England as the delegate of the
Upper Canada Auxiliary, to the anniversary of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, and the Rev. (now Professor) W.
McLaren, then of Belleville ; and there had preceded them
Deacon Charles Alexander and wife, and one or two other
Montreal friends, whom they expected to join in their Conti
nental tour. We give some short extracts from journals
kept. London, May.
" We arrived safely in Liverpool after a tolerably pleasant voyage, and
proceeded immediately to London. The great city is very full of visitors,
not merely people from all parts of the kingdom, but foreigners in great
numbers. The Queen was in retirement — the retirement of inconsolable
grief— on account of the death of the Prince Consort, the previous Decem
ber ; we did not see her. The great exhibition at Kensington is one at
traction, and the May anniversaries another.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 173
On Sunday morning, we heard Mr. Binney in the Weigh-house chapel,
and dined with him the following Tuesday at his house. In the evening,
I listened lo a very able lecture from Mr. R, W. Dale, of Birmingham.
On Wednesday, May 7th, we attended the annual meeting of the Bible
Society in Exeter Hall, and heard Canon Stowell, Dean Close, Henry
Allon, and Lachlan Taylor whose address was unique. His tall figure,
Highland pronunciation, and amazing figures of speech greatly interested
and somewhat amused the vast audience  We dined with Mr.
James at Canonbury, and in the evening went to Hare Court Chapel, and
heard Spurgeon. He was most interesting. I had an interview the fol
lowing day with the Committee of the Colonial Missionary Society, and
met a number of friends at breakfast at the Congregational Library, Blom
field Street. Mr. Samuel Morley was in the Chair.
It being the Bi-Centenary year (Act of Uniformity, and ejectment of
2000 Non-conformist ministers) I asked them to mark it in Canada. I
spoke of our labours and difficulties, specially of Hamilton, Belleville, and
Ottawa, and at the close of the meeting Mr. Sargood placed £100 at my
disposal for Canada, Mr. Morley £%o, an<i other sums were added 
A few hours were afterwards spent in the Exhibition, and in the evening we
went to Surrey Chapel to hear Mr. Raleigh preach in behalf of the Tract
Society  Friday and Saturday were spent in sight-seeing and let
ter writing. Saturday evening we went to Mr. Spicer's, at Woodford,
and spent Sunday with them. We visited Miss Spicer's Sunday School
in the afternoon, and I preached in the evening. On Monday we attend
ed the annual meeting of the Borough Road School, Earl Russell in the
chair." 
On Tuesday, the annual sessions of the Congregational
Union began, under the presidency of the Rev. Samuel Mar
tin, of Westminster, who " delivered a most beautiful address
from the Chair." Dr. Wilkes spoke as the representative of
the Canadian Union, and again at the dinner which followed,
at Radley's Hotel, where also the delegate from the United
States, and others, gave addresses. Here he met with num
bers of former friends, among whom he names with great
delight his "old and dear friend, J. S. Wardlaw," and wife,
with whom he afterwards dined, in company with his old col
lege friend, Clement Dukes. For several weeks together,
their time was almost wholly devoted to the May anniver
saries.

174 MEMOIR OF THE
" On Wednesday morning, I heard Dr. Thomson preach in behalf of
the London Missionary Society, in Surrey Chapel  In the evening
we went to Jenny Lind's concert in Exeter Hall. The selections were
mostly from Handel. Her Bird Song was the most wonderful thing to
which I ever listened, though her voice hardly retained the exquisite clear
ness of 1845 when I heard her before. On Tuesday forenoon, I attended
the annual meeting of the London Missionary Society, in Exeter Hall,
dining afterwards with the Messrs. Spicer Brothers, and in the evening
attending the Bi-Centenary Committee. The next day was the second
meeting of the Congregational Union, at the Weigh-House, at which sev
eral papers were read and discussed, and the Spring session wound up.
In the evening, I gave an address at Stepney Chapel, and supped with
my old friend John Kennedy, the minister. Saturday morning, I break
fasted with the members of the Union in Westminster Chapel School
room." 
Three weeks more were spent in visiting and sight-seeing,
the details of which need not be given. He loved to preach,
and abundant opportunities were afforded him of doing so —
at the Weigh-house for Mr. Binney, at Greville place, St.
John's Wood, for his old college friend Gallaway, and in St.
James' Hall, where he had an audience of a thousand persons,
mostly of the non-church-going class, to hear him. An amus
ing account is given of the crowd they saw returning from
" The Derby," vehicles of all descriptions, from the noble
man's carriage to the donkey-cart, everything that could be
put on wheels, rolling by for hours, in endless confusion, and
attended by crowds on foot, as motley and as merry as can
well be conceived. What was not so entertaining about it
was, that there was no cab, or hack, or hansom to be had, and
they had to walk a long distance in the midst of this " great
unwashed," before they could procure any conveyance to take
them home. On another occasion, he says, —
" I went to a most interesting meeting in Spurgeon's Tabernacle, when
upwards of a thousand emigrants for New Zealand were gathered. It was
a farewell service for them. There were several addresses given, good
and ordinary, then Spurgeon came forward rubbing his hands in a hearty
off-hand manner and said, in substance, ' We are glad to see you. It is a

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 175
grand thing for our Christian people to go out and settle new and unoccu
pied lands. You have a serious work before you, and will need God's
presence and blessing. Perhaps I cannot do better than tell you what we
expect from you, and what you may expect from us. Well then, we ex
pect you to be loyal to England and our Queen. Let us sing God save
the Queen. He instantly started it, and all stood up and sang it.' This
being done, he continued to note other things which we might reasonably
expect of them. Coming to the other part, he said, ' Blessed be they that
expect little, for they shall not be disappointed,' and then promised them
an interest in their prayers, etc. Looking at the whole circumstances, we
will hope that our Lord's Kingdom will be extended by your movement.
Take courage, for He will be with you. We have asked God to bless our
Queen ; let us now sing an anthem of praise to an infinitely greater mon
arch, King Jesus, ' All hail the power of Jesus' name.' Again, and with
yet fuller and heartier response did the audience join him in that hymn, and
he closed the meeting. His perfect freedom from the conventional — his
readiness in availing himself of circumstances as they arise — his hearty
English bonhomie, are all very striking, and fitted to captivate any English
audience. Then, what he says is always worth listening to. And such a
voice ! "
Arrangements have in the meantime been made for their
trip on the Continent. The party numbers nine persons, and
is made up of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, Messrs. Court and J.
R. Dougall, the Rev. Dr. Ormiston, and Messrs. Laing and
McLaren, with Dr. Wilkes and daughter. Leaving London
June 9th, they cross from Dover to Ostend by night, and pro
ceed by the first train in the morning to Brussels, passing
through Ghent and Antwerp without stopping. After visiting
the Cathedral with its curiously carved pulpit 1 epresenting the
Infant Jesus with his foot on the head of the serpent, they take
the coach for the field of Waterloo, which is inspected with
much interest. Particular attention is given to the farm of
Rougemont, the scene of the thickest of the fight : La Belle
Alliance with its numerous mementoes of the great battle ; and
chief of all, perhaps, the spot where Wellington, after holding
his men for awhile, under a galling fire, awaiting the proper
moment, hurled them upon the enemy with the command,

176 MEMOIR OF THE
" Up, Guards ! and at them ! " The evening was spent at
the house of the Rev. M. Anet, in company with a number of
newly-found friends, interested in Belgian and French Cana
dian evangelization.
 "We stayed over a train at Aix-la-Chapelle, to visit the old
Cathedral, an erection of the eighth century by Charlemagne. His tomb
is within it, also the chair in which his body was found. His helmet,
gloves, etc., are exhibited  There is also a general assortment of
relics in the sacristy for the inspection of the faithful, which even the un
believing may see for a trifling consideration.
A priest exhibits them one by one, and announces what it is in French,
German, and English, — ' Tooth of St. Thomas,' ' Piece of the True
Cross,' etc."
This was too much for Dr. Ormiston, whose very hair grew
more bristly than ever as he listened, and began to mutter his
dissent, and testify against " these Popish abominations," and
so, to avoid a scene, they moved on. Of the Cathedral at
Cologne, he says, —
"There had been a very large amount of work done on it since my
visit in 1849. The towers were rising, and the splendid window in the
transept, with all its exquisite tracery. Save Milan, this is the finest piece of
Gothic architecture in Europe, and it seems to me that the interior, though
not so wide, is in some respects superior to Milan. The ceiling of the
choir is 151 feet above the floor. One sits and gazes upward with amaze
ment and awe."
From Cologne they proceeded up the Rhine together as far
as Mayence, where the company divided, Dr. Wilkes with
several others, desiring to take in Frankfort and Heidelberg
on their trip.
" We found Frankfort a very pleasant city ; visited the Domo, and also
the ancient Town Hall where the German Diet was accustomed to assem
ble  Friend A., desiring to find the Post Office, set off to make
inquiries. Presently, seeing him and a lively little German talking and
gesticulating together, we approached them, when our friend, with a look
of mingled disgust and despair, exclaimed, ' Doctor, let us get out of this
place soon : I cannot understand a word they say, and I wonder how they
understand one another ! ' 

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 177
The large church in Heidelberg is occupied as a place of worship both
by Protestants and Catholics. Of course where these buildings are the
property of the State, the Civil power, if liberal and broad enough, can
make such an arrangement as this. The time was, when a Protestant con
gregation worshipped for a season in the old Recollet Church, Montreal,
through the courtesy of the Fathers to whose care it was committed, and
who also used it themselves. There are records of a vote of thanks, and
the present of a hogshead of wine, to the kind Fathers for the permission
granted, as a slight testimony of the gratitude of the congregation."
A brief stop was made at Strasburg, after which they pushed
on to Basle for Sunday. They were disappointed, however,
in not being able to find a church where an English service
was held, so they attended a German one in the Cathedral.
" One of the tunes was known to me, and being common metre, I sang
with them Watts' version of the 73rd Psalm, ' God my supporter and my
hope, etc' I enjoyed fellowship with them in worship, although our
songs were not the same. We walked in the afternoon in the cloisters
where Erasmus was wont to walk, more than three centuries ago, and un
der the stone flags of which his body is interred  As in most con
tinental cities, the Lord's Day is very pooily observed. A considerable
amount of ordinary business is done in the forenoon, and after that it is
made a holiday. I fear the Protestantism is in a comparatively low spirit
ual state, where the day of rest is so ignored." 
From Basle they journeyed next day to Berne. They were
charmed with the scenery, and also with the specimens of
Swiss rural architecture they saw along the route, which lay
between the ranges of mountains. Thence to Thun, and the
region of the Swiss Lakes. In the afternoon they went down
the lake to Interlacken in a small steamer.
 " The scenery all the way was most impressive in its magnifi
cence. The water of the lake was of that peculiar blue which we see in
pictures, and often think exaggerated. Snow fell the previous night on
the hills, yet it was the 17th of June."
The next day, two of the gentlemen of the party resolved
on a pedestrian excursion of twenty-four miles, to Lauterbrun-
nen, and Dr. Wilkes, though a considerably older man, " not
to be beaten," went with them. This he afterwards regretted,
M

178 MEMOIR OF THE
not only on account of the fatigue it caused, but for other rea
sons. They were rewarded, however, with the sight of the
Staubach, whose waters fall in silvery whiteness iooo feet, and
of the wonderful Jungfrau, where, on the blowing of a horn>
seven distinct echoes from the sides of the mountains were
heard.  "In many cases, the rocky side was rounded for a considerable
height, as if a huge specimen of the church architecture we had seen in
Piedmont. I fancied a vast Cathedral, built without hands by the Omni
potent Builder, when gazing upon these immense frontages of rock.''
At Interlacken the two parties reunited, and set out on an
excursion over the Alps into Italy, by the way of the Brunnen
Pass, which is spoken of as " a great work for a country like
Switzerland." Being the festival of Corpus Christi, what little
they saw of Italy was Popish enough. Reaching Lucerne in
the evening, they found the Grand Hotel full of French Legiti
mists, who had come to pay their respects to the Comte de
Chambord (Henry V), and discuss the prospects of the party.
Of Fluellan he speaks as " the finest of the Swiss lakes,"
and for scenery perhaps " the finest in the world."
"We sailed under the Rhigi ; would that we could have ascended 1
 The scenery is wildly grand ; no habitations, nothing to te seen
but enormous frowning battlements of rocks."
On landing, however, and proceeding in carriages, they
could see that the mountains, on both sides of the lake, were
occupied by people, living on ridges and patches of land,
perched up there like goats.
" One wonders sometimes, that people consent to live amid such strait-
ness and poverty, when millions of broad and fertile acres, on other conti
nents, are waiting for occupants. And now we begin to ascend the
winding road, and soon description utterly fails to express the really awful
grandeur of the scene. (What a shame that the good word ' awful '
should be prostituted to trifles, when it is needed to describe this vastness
and grandeur.) To look down as we ascend, to be now and again in the
clouds, to gaze into apparently incalculable depths, or on what is be
fore you between the mountains, is really to experience the awful and the

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 179
sublime. The next morning, the 21st, my birthday, we rose early, and
witnessed with delight the rays of the rising sun kissing the tops of the
mountains while we stood below in the gloom."
At about noon they reach St. Gothard at the summit of the
pass, and early in the evening arrive at Bellezona. Before
leaving Amstadt, they had to make fresh arrangements with
their guides, who were determined to drive on to Lugano on
the Sabbath, and so " save a day." Our travellers, however,
believing that the law of the Day of Rest applies equally to
Switzerland and to Canada — away from home as well as at
home — were firm in their refusal to go on, and spent the day
quietly at Bellezona, having two religious services in their own
rooms. A good example for all Continental tourists.
" Italy closes her places of business on the Sunday, much more generally
than France or Switzerland.
 We found a church, and in the corner of the yard which enclos
ed it, a shrine with a striking fresco painting. Below were purgatorial
flames, with two men and two boys in the flames. Above was St. Joseph
pointing the sufferers to the Virgin Mary, who has the Infant Jesus on
her knee, at the top of the picture, and with whom St. Joseph is connected
by a rosary chain. The Infant points the saint to his mother, and the
souls in purgatory are looking up through the saint to the Virgin 1 
The people are in darkness, but oh, the beauty of the scenery ! Nature
was gorgeous. One passes through vineyards everywhere on the sides of
the hills."
Thence to Lugano, by way of Lakes Maggiore and Lucano ;
Como, once the residence of Pliny, and also of the unfortu
nate Queen Caroline, and then on to Milan, where they spent
a day.
" The Cathedral is of immense width, there being within five aisles.
It, is one of the costliest structures in the world. The marble was
given free, yet the cost was 560 millions of francs. There are 5000
niches and pedestals for statues ; about 2000 of them are occupied. We
ascended to the roof, a level marble floor, from which we inspected by
means of a field-glass, many of the beautiful figures in the turrets and else
where. From the great turret, our guide showed us the battlefields of
Majenta and Solferino  The three stained-glass windows are of

180 MEMOIR OF THE
wondrous beauty. The ceiling is frescoed throughout. The whole indicates
the Italian love of art.
 We visited the Dominican Monastery, and the Refectory where
the marvellous fresco-painting of ' The Last Supper,' by Leonardo da
Vinci, is to be seen. It is a wonderful piece of art, on that stone wall,
but alas ! the damp and time are sore enemies 
At Turin, which is described as a fine and prosperous city, they visited
Parliament, to which, they being English, were freely admitted. They
also went to the Cathedral, and into the chapel in the rear, where they
might have seen "our Saviour's shroud," but the king keeps the key of
the box containing it !
We saw a procession of shambling, dirty-looking, bare-headed and
bare-footed, wooden-sandalled, rope-girdled monks, who clattered along
in pairs, some fifty in number. Alas ! what a come down from the Ber
nards of a former time ! "
The next day they proceeded to Latour in the Vaudois
Valley of that name, a village of about 3000 people, who have
retained the French Language, although on Italian soil, for the
sake of its literature, and because they were unwilling that
their children should mix with the Italians, who were wholly
given over to Popery. They have two "Temples," (churches)
and a College, through which they were shown by one of the
Theological students. The opening of Italy to the Gospel
was, however, effecting a change in the plans of the Walden-
sian church, and they were about to remove their forces to
Florence, where they had a corps of professors, and a large
number of students.
"The Governments of Holland, England, and America have often
helped these interesting people. Cromwell once successfully threatened
their enemies into more peaceable ideas  We were shown the
precipices down which, in darker times, the infuriated emissaries of Rome
hurled women and children to their destruction. The Valley is full of
memories of martyrdom for the faith of the Gospel."
The Sabbath was spent in Aosta, an old Roman city, con
taining some very interesting ruins of the age of Caesar Augus
tus and earlier. Here they attended service in the Waldensian
church, and in the afternoon Dr. Wilkes wrote a letter to his
Sunday School.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 181
Ascending Mount Becca da Nona, next day, the views ob
tained are described as inexpressibly grand and beautiful, the
giant peaks of the Alps being all around them, now cloud-cap
ped, and now coming into view in all their glory and majesty.
At the Hospice of St. Bernard, which they reached the next
evening, they were most courteously received by the monks.
' ' The monks occupy this place in relays, po as to lessen the effect upon
their health of a residence in an atmosphere so rarified. They lodge and
feed poor travellers, and no charge is made to anyone, but a box is placed
in the church, in which those who can afford to do so, may deposit what
they think an equivalent for the hospitality received. ...... The follow
ing morning we bade our entertainers farewell, and began our descent
amid scenery ever varying, but always grand and beautiful. The sides of
the mountains were often nearly perpendicular, and were now and again
rounded and upheaved towards heaven like gigantic cathedral bases or
towers. There were a good many evidences of avalanches from time to
time, on these mountain sides, and in the valleys below. We reached
Martigny and secured mules, and sallied forth, passing through the streets
of the town in such zig-zag procession as our wayward and obstinate
beasts permitted. We fancied the astonishment we should have produced
in Notre Dame Street, Montreal, in our comical costumes, with baggage
strapped on our mules' backs, passing from side to side, our beasts wholly
uninfluenced by cudgel and bridle.
The scenery as we drew nearer the Tete Noir Pass, became wilder,
more awful, and suggestive of profound depths of mystery. The road lies
along a ledge of rock very high up, and then tunnelled through portions
that project into the ravine, the depth of which is not discoverable. We
slept at Barberine. Rising early, I walked out alone, and amid scenes
fitted to impress one with the glorious majesty of God's wondrous works,
I felt thankful that I could yet commune with Him as the loving Father,
who careth for each of his own children 
We mounted our mules for Chamouni, and proceeded until we reached
a spot I shall never forget. There were three glaciers before our eyes on
one side, the Argentier, the Bois, the Boisson. Then on the other side,
and winding somewhat, were the mighty mountain sides nearly perpen
dicular, leaving between a strangely mysterious chasm of depth unknown,
yet at the bottom, wholly out of sight, might be heard the dashing along
of the water, toward the river and lake. We stood for some time trying
to take it in. No words could express our feelings  Chamouni is

1 82 MEMOIR OF THE
beautifully situated, surrounded by mountains, and having Mont Blanc
perfectly revealed. On proceeding to the ' Mer de Glace,' we observed a
heap of granite dust on the side of the glacier. This is produced by the
moving on of the glacier — said to be at the rate of one foot in twenty-four
hours — which grinds the face of the mountainous bank of the ravine, and
fills it up. Having crossed the ice, we walked along the face of the rock,
holding on by iron rods secured to it, the glacier below us and also hun
dreds of feet above us, and presently came to where the glacier breaks up.
The boulders which it has brought down on its surface, now tell upon the
mass of ice and bear it down, and it falls with the noise of thunder into
the valley below, from which there comes up an extensive ice-spray. It
was a sight never to be forgotten ! "
They reached Geneva the following day in the afternoon.
" I marvelled at the improvement in this city since my visit in 1849.
It is a handsome as well as a prosperous city  We visited the junc
tion of the Arb and the Rhone, the latter in large volume flowing out of
Lake Leman, clear as crystal, the Arb dirty yellow, unsightly from the
glaciers, and bringing down defilement as it flows into it two or three
miles below the city. For a time they flow side by side quite separate,
but at length they mingle, and the whole deteriorates  How often
is this true in respect to the intercourse of the innocent with the vicious
and immoral 1" 
On Sunday they attended service in the Episcopal church,
and had, as usual, in the evening, an informal service in their
own rooms. The next day, after completing their visits to the
principal places and objects of interest in the city, they left for
Paris, where they spent about a week, reaching London on the
17 th July. Thus ended a tour of six weeks which is gratefully
spoken of as having been " wonderfully enjoyable," and with
out accident of any kind to mar it.
Immediately after his return to London, Dr. Wilkes had a
conference with Mr. James regarding our Colonial Missions.
He also prepared a circular asking, as he had already done at
the Union, for contributions, during this Bi-centenary year,
on behalf of several church-buildings in Canada. The result
was, that the churches at Hamilton, Ottawa, and Belleville,

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 183
received valuable assistance.* The gift to the first named in
duced a subscription among themselves, which, with the help
obtained from England, paid off their debt. Two lectures were
given on Colonial Missions, one at Hare Court Chapel (Dr.
Raleigh's), and another at Kingsland (Mr. Aveling's).
A delightful visit was paid to his old friend Mr. Sommer-
ville, near Bristol, with whom he attended a Social Tea in one
of the chapels in the neighbourhood among the colliers.
"These people were wild and barbarous until Whitfield came among
them, and preached the Gospel with such power. Now, throughout,
there are Sunday Schools, and plain but comfortable chapels in which they
assemble on Sunday, and often during the evenings of the week 
Great and permanent good is being done among this plain but stalwart
people .
 At Stroud, on our way to Birmingham, we called on Mr. Mar
ling (afterwards Sir Samuel), uncle of our friend M. in Toronto, who
received us kindly in his elegant mansion, and afforded us the opportunity
of going through his mills  In Birmingham we saw all my surviv
ing relatives, Mr. Dale, and other friends, and also Miss James, the bed
ridden but most interesting daughter of J. Angell James." 
In Edinburgh, he enjoyed a most pleasant reunion with his
old friend the Rev. G. D. Cullen, of Leith, and others, but in
his former church in Albany Street, the absence of old familiar
faces was very painful.
" Nearly all had passed away, and the men and women now, were but
children when I left, and I could not recall their names. One and another,
by and by, recognized me, telling some little incident of a visit when they
were children  I dined with Dr. Alexander and his father, a fine
old gentleman of 82, and preached twice in Augustine Church, where we
had a collection for the Colonial Society.''
A long contemplated tour through the Highlands, by way
of the Caledonia Canal, had to be abandoned, in consequence
of appointments made for him, at Halifax and Leeds, which

* The accounts of the church in Ottawa show the receipt of 8196.95 (( collected by Dr.
Wilkes," and $1494.69 "from the Colonial Society," or a total of $1691,64. Kingston
church received, according to Dr. W., over $300, "and soon after proceeded to arise and
build that excellent structure which is a credit to them, and an ornament of their city."

184 MEMOIR OF THE
he loyally fulfilled. At Halifax, he was the guest of Mr.
Francis Crossley (afterwards created a Baronet, on the occa
sion of a visit of the Prince of Wales), one of the great firm
of carpet manufacturers, another member of which, Mr. John
Crossley, occupied the chair at the meeting which he addressed
on behalf of the Society. Similar service was also rendered
at Leeds and Bradford. The last Sunday in England was
spent in London.
" On Sunday morning, August 24th, I heard Mr. Binney's famous Bi
centenary sermon. The chapel was crowded. It was a discourse of
wonderful power and interest, and the only one, out of hundreds on the
occasion, which ' The Times ' reproduced." *
Having completed his engagements in England, Dr. Wilkes
left London for Liverpool, where he was joined by his daugh
ter, who had been spending a few days in the North, and
crossed with her to Ireland, in advance of the steamer. There,
after a brief visit to Dublin, Enniskillen, and Londonderry,
they embarked in the " Norwegian " for Quebec. There were
nine ministers on boaid, upon which he dryly remarks, " and
yet the " Norwegian " made a remarkably good voyage ! "
They reached home September 9th, and received a most hearty
welcome from the church and congregation.
The Colonial Committee sent him, on his return, a resolu
tion expressive of their warm appreciation of his services, as
their Agent, for the past twenty-six years, and enclosed £25
to cover extra expenses of travel on their account, in England
and Scotland, on the receipt of which, he replied, —
"  Pray convey my thanks to the Committee, for their consider
ation in the matter, and assure them that I have great pleasure in thinking
of my intercourse with them, and of such services as I was enabled to

* The Bi-centenary was observed at the meeting of the Congregational Union of Can
ada, by the reading, and subsequent publication, of two very able and interesting papers —
one by the Rev, W. F. Clarke, on " The history of Non-conformity in England in 1662,"
and the other by the Rev. F, H. Marling, on " The reasons for Non-conformity in Canada
in 1862." Many of our ministers also preached on the subject, on the anniversary of the
ejectment (August 24.}

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 185
render to the cause in England and Scotland. Through the good hand of
our God upon us, the summer's work and enjoyment have been unmingled
with any causes of regret, for everything here has proceeded happily."
Soon after his return, he delivered four lecture-room talks
on what they had seen in their travels, and the condition of
things in England, and on the Continent, which were very
much enjoyed. The only extra-congregational services ren
dered before the close of 1862, appear to have been preach
ing at the dedication of the church in Ottawa, on the 15th
October, and assisting in the ordination of Mr. J. A. Farrar,
at Cowansville, about the same time.

1 86 MEMOIR OF THE
CHAPTER XII.
1 863-1871.
The early part of the year 1863 was marked by very wida-
spread religious awakening in connection with the visit of the
Rev. E. P. Hammond, the Evangelist, to Hamilton, London,
and Montreal. While not able to sanction all Mr. Hammond's
methods, or statements, Dr. Wilkes, with others of the city
pastors, attended many of the services, and assisted by con
versing with inquirers, and otherwise Zion church shared
largely in the blessing received. Many of the young people
were interested. A new voice and new methods, of presenting
the truth were graciously employed by the Spirit of God in
bringing a multitude to decision, of whom 62 sought admission
to Zion church, on profession of their faith. The membership
was now over four hundred, but the pastor was able to report
at the annual meeting, that he had visited the whole church
and congregation during the year. This year, too, the dea
cons reported that the last remains of the debt had been paid
off, so that they were now in the enviable condition of " owing
no man anything but to love one another ; " and feeling rich
and happy and thankful, they presented their pastor, in the
name of the church, with a purse of gold.
Out of debt, the church began to devise liberal things,
either in the way of an enlargement of their present edifice,
or the establishment of a Branch, or Mission church, in the
North-eastern part of the city. In the spring of 1864, a meet
ing, in which much enthusiasm was manifest, was held on the
subject, and measures set on foot for accomplishing the object
in view. Contrary to the pastor's judgment, however, the
church resolved on enlarging " Zion," though not by a unani
mous vote. Dr. Wilkes' own conviction was that it would

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 187
have been better to leave '' Zion " as it was, and to spend the
$8000 which the enlargement cost, in erecting a neat edifice
which might form the transept of a church afterwards, in which
to begin a Sunday School, and to conduct regular worship,
with two ministers to preach alternately it the two places.
Other counsels prevailed, however, and in 1865, the church-
edifice was enlarged, and otherwise improved by the erection
of a vestry, and residence for the sexton in the rear. But as
the city was growing rapidly, and many members were being
lost to the denomination, in consequence of the long distances
at which they were living from the church, there was a con
siderable number among them who were not satisfied with the
decision arrived at. Some of these, two years later, obtained
the sanction of the church for the formation of a congregation
in Amherst Street, in the Eastern part of the city ; while others,
feeling that there was even a better opening in the West, laid
their plans for a future movement in that direction. But we
must not anticipate.
Meanwhile, on the death of Mr. James, the Rev. J. L. Poore
had become Secretary of the Colonial Missionary Society, a
change which seems to have involved very largely the fighting
of the battle for Canada over again, in the correspondence that
ensued. " He had spent a number of years in Australia, and deemed our Can
adian results, in the establishing of self-supporting churches, as presenting
a very unfavourable comparison with theirs. I had to show the important
differences in the settlement of the English portion of the two Colonies,
Australia receiving quite a number of tried Congregationalists from Eng
land, including men of substance ; Canada receiving the same class mainly
from Scotland, and therefore Presbyterians — the middle-class English who
emigrated to America for the most part going to the United States."
The voluminousness of the correspondence, and the failure,
apparently, to effect much change in Mr. Poore's opinion,
seem to have discouraged Dr. Wilkes, and he writes, —
" I must be relieved. Twenty-eight years' service is surely my share.
I bless God that He has enabled me to continue so long without a jar on

188 MEMOIR OF THE
this side the Atlantic, or on yours. I praise Him for His great mercy to
me in preserving my health and vigour, but I have the profound conviction
that the time has come when other measures are needful. My own voca
tion is plainly the pulpit and the pastorate. I have a large church (up
wards of 400 members), a large and increasing congregation (we are
enlarging our church edifice), plans for stretching our lines of effort in the
city (mission schools and congregations). In addition to which I com
mence, in October, my part in the new arrangements of our Theological
College, which is being removed here, namely, lecturing in Homiletics
and Pastoral Theology. Thus I shall not have time to do what I have
hitherto done for our Missionary work, whereas a great amount more
needs to be done  I repeat the remark that cliange becomes a
matter of necessity : the present arrangements cannot continue."
The removal of the College to Montreal requires more than
a passing reference. The retirement of Dr. Wickson, now of
London, Eng., from the Classical Tutorship in 1862, had
opened the way for new arrangements in regard to the literary
part of the course of study. It was felt, indeed, by many, that
the time had arrived for taking a distinct step in advance, and
requiring applicants for admission first to take the Arts course
in some University, before entering upon their Theological
studies. Others, again, thought we were not prepared for so
radical a change, but while favouring the general principle,
preferred leaving details in each case to the judgment of
the College Board. There were difficulties, however, in the
way of working out the literary part of the scheme in Toronto,
which did not appear to exist in Montreal, arising from the
differences in the constitutions of the Universities in these
respective cities. And hence, after long and earnest discus
sion, the decision was reached, in 1863, by a vote of 31 yeas
to 8 nays, to remove the College to Montreal the next year.
Some warm friends of the Institution were strongly opposed
to the removal, largely because the Western Capital was felt
to be more central to the churches to be served by the Col
lege ; but the matter was decided by Western votes ; Montreal,
where the decision was taken, and which had sixty votes, being

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 189
silent, with one exception, neither speaking nor voting, yea or
nay. Very shortly the opposition subsided, for at the next
annual meeting, in Brantford, on a motion to reconsider the
question, the decision was re-affirmed, nem. con. At the same
meeting, on recommendation of the Provisional Board, Dr.
Wilkes was appointed to the Chair of Homiletics and Pastoral
Theology, and the Rev. George (now Dr.) Cornish, to the
Chair of Greek Testament Exegesis, both of them, at their
own request, without remuneration, and on the 26th October,
1864, the first session of the College in Montreal was opened
by a public service in Zion Church.* For this new position,
Dr. Wilkes was eminently fitted. Himself " a workman who
needed not to be ashamed," whether in preaching, or in shep
herding his flock, he brought to the performance of his new
duties not only rare qualifications and ripe experience, but a
zest in discharging them that was felt to be most helpful and
quickening to the young men in his classes. These duties he
continued to discharge until Dr. Stevenson's appointment to
the Principalship, in 1883, when they were assumed by the
new Principal as a part of his work.
Reverting again to domestic matters, which are not intended
to have any very prominent place in these memoirs, it should
be noted that in December of this year, Dr. Wilkes' eldest
daughter, Lucy, was married to the Rev. John Monroe Gibson
then junior pastor of Erskine Church, Montreal, and now of
St. John's Wood, London. Delicacy forbids our reproducing
the language, but the correspondence belonging to that period
indicates the very great satisfaction with which her father per
formed the marriage, and the high hopes he entertained of
their future happiness and usefulness. It is hardly necessary
to say that the relations existing between Dr. Wilkes and his
son-in-law, were always of the most cordial character. A con
tribution from Dr. Gibson's pen, which will be found in the
appendix, will be read with much interest, and shows how
* Can. Independent, November, 1863 : Can. Cong, Year Book, 1874-75, PP- 23» 24.

190 MEMOIR OF THE
truly filial, on his part, was the affection that grew out of the
relationship. The marriage of his daughter led to further changes in the
home. In April, 1865, Dr.WilkesmarriedMissBarbaraMcKeand
of Glasgow, (residing at the time with her brother, Mr. James
McKeand, in Hamilton,) a lady who proved in every way a
true help-meet, and whose untiring devotion to his wants and
infirmities, in his declining years, won for her the admiration
of all. A brief trip to New York and Boston was taken, con
cerning which it is noted, that while in the latter place, the
guest of his friend S. S. Ward, the news of the assassination of
President Lincoln was received, and that they attended a
solemn funeral service in one of the churches, in connection
with that sad event. On reaching home, they found it had
been invaded by the ladies of the congregation, who had pre.
pared sundry pleasant surprises for them, to gladden their
return. In the spring of 1865, the Rev. J. L. Poore, Secretary of
the Colonial Missionary Society, and the Rev. Dr. George
Smith, of Poplar, Secretary of the Congregational Union of
England and Wales, came to this country, as a deputation
from the British churches, and attended our annual meetings
in Toronto, in June. Mr. Poore came specially to lay before
the Canadian brethren the new plan of co-operation adopted
by the Colonial Committee in regard to our Missionary work,
the principal features of which were, the granting of a bulk
sum annually, to be absolutely at the disposal of the Canadian
Committee, instead of a revision, in London, of the grants
made, with the power to veto or modify them ; and the over
sight of the work by District Committees, to be composed of
pastors and members of self-sustained and contributing
churches. The scheme itself would probably have been ac
cepted without much discussion, but for certain charges by
Mr. Poore, of a lack of the missionary spirit, and of unwilling
ness to bear our share of the burden in carrying on the work.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 19 1
" How is it," he exclaimed, " that I see, in moving about the
country, your handsome carriages and horses driving up to
church, and then find your contributions are a dollar or half a
dollar, that is four shillings and two pence, or two shillings
and a penny ? These dollars deceive you ! You think they
are pounds sterling ! " Charges like these against men who
felt that they were doing their utmost to bring their churches
up to the point of self-support, could not be heard in silence
and there was some very plain speaking on both sides, in the
course of which we think our Canadian churches held their
own, in the comparison instituted with those in England and
Australia, in point of liberality and progress. On the whole
the visit of Mr. Poore cleared the atmosphere, and as Dr.
Wilkes remarks, —
" The medicine he administered was bitter, but it did us good, and the
suave of Dr. Smith, so gently intoned, helped us to stand the severer treat
ment. The result was that a new departure was inaugurated and for
some years the Society gave us a lump sum annually, the understanding
being that it was to be gradually lessened in amount for existing work but
might be added to if new enterprises were entered upon."
Mr. Poore went the next year to Australia, and there died.
Dr. Wilkes says of him, —
" He was a man of great energy, very outspoken, and uncompromising,
perhaps a trifle severe in his judgments, but a true man, and essentially
kind and loving. He must have accomplished a great deal for our Aus
tralian churches  His memoir by Mr. Cobbin is of great in
terest." While these English brethren were visiting the churches in
the West, Dr. Wilkes went, as did a number of our Canadian
pastors, to the meeting of the great National Council of Con
gregational churches in Boston, which has since been held
triennially. Dr. Vaughan and Dr. Raleigh were present as the
delegaiion of the Congregational Union of England and Wales
and bore its greetings. Their duty was an extremely delicate
one.

192 MEMOIR OF THE
"It so happened that as Editor of the British Quarterly, Dr. Vaughan
had not been in complete sympathy with the Northern States, in the
struggle which had just terminated, and a mischievous hand had extracted
from that Review, and had printed and circulated through the meeting,
paragraphs relating to the civil war bearing against the North. It is diffi
cult now to realize the intensely bitter feeling which that strife engendered,
on both sides, and for a moment it seemed a question whether the Council
would hear Dr. Vaughan. Henry Ward Beecher, however, happily inter
posed, pointing out the representative character of the venerable man, and
the ease with which mistakes might be made in regard to their civil war
by writers in a foreign country. Quiet was restored, and our English
Congregational Nestor rose to address the assembly. It was a splendid
speech." 
He was heard with respectful attention, but although he
made frank and free acknowledgment, as he had done before
leaving England, that he had been mistaken, and had changed
his mind in regard to the attitude of North and South, the
temper of the meeting was not yet wholly sweetened.
Dr. Raleigh, a well understood friend of the Northern cause,
followed with a brief speech, in which he humourously pro*
posed, that as this was a difficult subject, they should deal
with it as the Scottish minister dealt with an obscure passage
he met with, in the course of his exposition : " this," he said,
" is a much controverted text : no two commentators appear
to agree in their interpretation of it. My brethren, let us look
this difficulty boldly in the face, — and pass on." And they
did, for although, on the presentation of the draft of a reply
to the greetings of the English Union, one member of the
Council endeavoured to prevent its adoption, Mr. Beecher car
ried the address by storm, in a magnificent speech, which he
concluded by stooping down and giving to each of the English
delegates (who sat in front of the platform) his hand, in token
of the perfect accord and eternal brotherhood of English and
American Congregationalists. The excitement and delight of
the immense audience at the result exceeded anything we
ever saw.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 193
After fulfilling their appointment at Boston, and seeing
Washington, New York, and other points in the United
States, Dr. Vaughan and Dr. Raleigh visited Toronto and
Montreal, at each of which places they spent a Sabbath and
preached. Dr. Wilkes characterizes the sermon by Dr. Ra
leigh (on Hebrew xii, 1) as " a discourse of great beauty, and
very inspiring : " and Dr. Ealeigh, that of Dr. Vaughan, on
Isaiah liii, 11, "He shall see of the travail of his soul, etc.,"
as " one of the finest he had ever heard Dr. Vaughan preach.'
Alas, their eloquent tongues have long been silent !
During the summer, Dr. Wilkes attended two ordination
services,' the first at Middleville, on the 2nd of August, where
Mr. James Douglas was installed as pastor of the church ; the
other, August 19th, at St. John, N. B., where the Rev. J. G.
Baylis was settled as the pastor of " Zion " Church. On both
of these occasions, he gave the charge to the minister in
ducted. In November he visited Brantford, by invitation of the
church, and preached, on the 19th, at the dedication of the
handsome new church edifice which had been erected, to re
place the one destroyed by fire the previous year. The Rev.
Mr. Marling of Toronto rendered similar service in the after
noon. The account of the opening services in the Canadian
Independent for December, speaks of the new building as " a
perfect gem," and declares that " Divine Providence has mar
vellously overruled the wicked act (of incendiarism) for
good." The year 1866, seems to have been marked by nothing
specially noteworthy, in regard to either church or missionary
matters, beyond the fact that in October, on the completion
of the thirtieth year of his pastorate, he was presented with a
purse of $1000, as a token of regard, and as a memento of
the occasion. A further addition was also made to his stipend,
bring it up to $2400 per annum. In his annual sermon, he
sketched the history of the church during his connection with
N

194 MEMOIR OF THE
it, and brought out the following interesting facts : During the
first decade, the membership had increased from 48 to 201.
The next decade had been one of struggle and anxiety, and
the net increase had been only 10. The third, like the first,
had been marked by a great advance ; the membership had
more thai: doubled, and now stood at 426. The cost of the
recent enlargement of their house of worship had all been met,
and it was mentioned, with pardonable pride, that the total
contributions of the year had been $10,000.
In April, 1867, Dr. Wilkes' aged father, who had for some
years been living with his daughter, in Montreal, died very sud
denly, in his eighty-sixth year. His remains were taken to
Brantford, by his son, accompanied by two nephews, and laid
to rest in th; pretty cemetery there, alongside those of his
wife. On the 23rd of June the Doctor sailed from Quebec in the
SS "Moravian," for Londonderry, from whence he went to Glas
gow to join Mrs. Wilkes who had preceded him by another
steamer. The only incident upon the v yage worthy of note,
was a patriotic celebration of the first of July, that being the
day on which the Act for the Confederation of the four Pro
vinces of Ontario, Quebec. Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick
took effect, and the Dominion of Canada became an accom
plished fact.
The time spent in Britain being almost entirely devoid of
business of a denominational character, it is not needful to
enter into details which are of no public interest. Here and
there only shall we note a fact, or a remark in the line of our
general plan. While in London, he says, —
" The intelligence reached me that on the 28th July, Zion Church
building had been destroyed by fire  The fire seems to have com
menced near the organ. It raged remorselessly ; the steeple fell with a
crash upon the roof, which also being on fire fell in, and thus, with the
exception of the four walls, the basement, and the vestries, the whole be
came a heap of ruins. This was very sad intelligence, and it cast a damper
on our enjoyment. I knew there was good insurance, but such a catas
trophe deranges all church interests and work."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 195
Crossing the Channel into France, four days were given to
the " Exposition" in Paris, after which he proceeded, by way
of the Rhine, to Rotterdam, and thence to Amsterdam, with a
view to attending the meetings of the Evangelical Alliance,
which were to be held in that city. After some descriptive
references to the city itself, with its enormous dyke, and its
numerous canals and docks, Dr. Wilkes says of the Alliance
gathering, —
" The introductory discourse of Prof. Ooster was delivered in the great
Cathedral. It was a long service. He spoke nearly two hours, without
a. single note before him, making one or two pauses, during which a verse
or two of a hymn was sung. The singing was in unison. The voices of
hundreds of children could be heard coming from a large recess in the
Cathedral, where they could not be seen by the greater part of the con
gregation. All was in Dutch, so, though interested, we could not speak
of being edified 
The meetings of the Alliance were held in a large hall, in the midst of
a garden. There I met Dr. and Mrs. Willis, Principal of Knox College,
Toronto, Mr. (now Dr.) Cunningham Geikie, a former alumnus of our
Congregational College of B.N. A., then of Islington Chapel, London,
and other friends. The President, a Baron, was a most accomplished
gentleman who spoke fluently Dutch, German, French, and English. In
these four languages all the hymns to be sung were printed side by side :
we sang, each in his and her own language, the praises of our common
God and Saviour. It was deeply affecting, at least it was so to me 
We had a very fine address by Dr. Pressens£, of Paris, in French, and one
by Dr. McCosh, then of Belfast, now of Princeton, N. J., in English.
Tholuck spoke to us in German. I could understand only those in French
and English. We dined together once. Dr. Irensus Prime, of New
York, with whom I was slightly acquainted, asked me to second the in
vitation he was about to give to hold the next general meeting of the
Alliance in New York, which I did. It was, at the time, expected that
in three or four years, such a meeting would be held there. The Franco-
German War, of 1870, intervened, the embittering influence of which
lasted long enough to prevent the meeting being held earlier than 1873,
when one of the largest, and I suppose the most successful meetings ot
the Alliance was held in that city.'' 
From Amsterdam he went to the Hague. There he visited

196 MEMOIR OF THE
the Queen's and King's Palaces, and public buildings, and the
old prison where the rack, and other now rusty instruments of
torture are exhibited, — sad memorials of the times of cruel
persecution of the saints of the Most High.
' ' What grim and savage cruelty do these instruments indicate ! And
yet the refined and distinguished of those centuries employed them re
morselessly ! I do not think the world is getting worse, whatever some
of our modern seers may say to the contrary."
Returning to England, he paid several hasty visits to old
friends at Bristol, Weston, and Buxton. At the last named
place he had a delightful visit with Mr. Binney, whom he
there met for the last time. At Halifax he was attacked by
his old enemy lumbago, but fulfilled, notwithstanding, an en
gagement to preach, at both services, in the Square church,
although suffering very acutely while doing so. This attack
prevented him attending, as he had purposed doing, the meet
ings of the British Association for the advancement of Science,
which were held that year in Dundee. So as soon as he had
sufficiently recovered, he embarked, with Mrs. Wilkes, on
board the SS. " Peruvian," and in due season reached home
again, without any particular incident attending the voyage.
" As we drove up from the Railway Station, past Zion Church, the
ruins lay in apparently hopeless confusion, but we learned that the deci
sion had been taken to rebuild on the same spot, and that tenders had
been received for the several parts of the work. The time of year at
which the fire had occurred was unfortunate. Our leading people are out
of town in August, and the decision to rebuild on the old site was reached
during their absence, and contrary to the expressed wishes of many of
them." 
It was also resolved to unite in worship with the American
church, until the rebuilding was complete. This was done,
Mr. Bonar, the pastor of that church, preaching one half of
the day, and Dr. Wilkes the other, until near the close of the
year, when the basement of Zion Church, which had been
greatly improved, by sinking the floor eighteen inches, and
concreting the entire area under it, was re-opened for public

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 197
worship. The restoration of the main audience room was not
completed until the following spring. It was re-dedicated,
May 10th, 1868. In the new arrangements an excellent Col
lege Room was provided, in which that important Institution
was housed free of expense, until its transference to Emman
uel Church, in 1880.
Here is a little "gem " of good fellowship, which should iu
longer be hidden in " the dark unfathomed caves of ocean,"
and which we have fished out for the benefit of some who
would " fill their churches " at any cost.
"No sooner had we bidden farewell to our friends of the American
church, with warm thanks for their kindness, than some unpleasantness
occurred among them, leading to the coming among us of five or six families,
for the time being. I called on them all, expressed my sorrow that they
had been disturbed in their church relationship, and said, that while they
should have all pastoral sympathy and attention during their stay, I hoped
that matters would in due time be so arranged that they would cheerfully
return to their old church home. After some months, this hope was real
ized, and Messrs. — , — , — , kindly presented me with a time-piece, and
a butter-cooler, as a token of their regard."
On the re-opening of Zion Church, the pew-rent question
was again raised, and vigorously debated. A motion was
made to assess sittings, on a scale varying according to the
position of the pews, to meet all expenses, to which an amend
ment was proposed, to the effect that a low scale of pew-rents
be adopted, so that all should pay something, but that this
should be supplemented by a weekly collection, in which
full scope would be allowed for voluntary liberality. Both of
these plans were rejected by large majorities. Then a motion
was made to adopt the free pew system, pure and simple, al-
loting no seats, and asking no one what he would give.' This
was also rejected, upon which it was voted, almost unanimous
ly, to approve and re-affirm the plan adopted twenty years
before, of the "Weekly Offering," and the allotment of pews
and sittings in the order of seniority on the church roll. Such
a testimony, after so long a trial, ought to be regarded as

198 MEMOIR OF THE
practically settling the pew-rent question, at least for Congre
gational churches.
Passing over the year 1868, which appears to have been
unmarked by any very important extra-parochial duties, be
yond preaching at the dedication of the Northern church, in
Toronto, on the 12th of January ; * at the installation of the
Rev. Mr. Ebbs, at Ottawa, in September, and a visit of several
weeks' duration to the Lower Provinces, we come to very im
portant events in the history of Zion Church, and of the
denomination. On the 28th of February, the Eastern Congre
gational church in Montreal was opened for public worship,
with appropriate services, in which Dr. Wilkes, Dr. Lillie, and
Rev. H. J. Colwell, the pastor, took the leading parts. The
cost, in money, of the undertaking had been about $7,600,
one half of which had been borne by the Mother church. The
toils and cares that were expended upon it, in the hope of
making it a success, but which, from various causes, were
doomed to disappointment, can never be counted. The Lord
has all in his " book of remembrance ! " The little church
struggled on, through great difficulties and discouragements,
till 1880, when the property was sold, and the name disap
peared from our Roll. One important lesson to be learned
from its failure is, never build a church upon a poor site !
But 1869 is chiefly memorable as the year in which Dr. Lil
lie, the much loved and respected Principal of the Congrega
tional College in Montreal, was taken to his rest. He had
left his home in Toronto (from whence he had never removed
his family) to attend to his duties in the College, and had
addressed the students, at the opening of the session, on the
evening of Wednesday, the 13th October, appearing then to
be in excellent health. On the day following, he united with
his colleagues and his class, in a devotional service, after which
he arranged with them the days and hours of his lectures and

* Dr .Wilkes was also to have preached at the dedication of the new church edifice in
Guelph, on the 15th of the same month, but was recalled home by the sudden death of Mr.
W. Learmont, one of his deacons.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 199
other exercises, and retired to his temporary home, at the
house of Mr. John Leeming, from which he went out no more
till carried to his long home. His death occurred October
19th, in the 67th year of bis age. An editorial obituary notice
of him, in the "Independent" for November, 1869, thus re
fers to him.
 " We should be most remiss, and ungrateful, as one of his stu
dents, did we not bear testimony to the truly paternal affection cherished
by him towards his pupils, his entire devotion to their interests and those
of the College, and to the loving and almost filial regard in which, as a
consequence, he was uniformly held by them. Our memories of the class
room are all of the pleasantest character. His estimate of our produc
tions and exercises was always generous, often more so, perhaps, than they
deserved ; and his criticisms were offered in so kindly a manner, that we
do not recall a single instance in which he ever wounded the feelings of
one of his students. He was not blind, of course, to the diverseness of
their gifts and qualifications for the work for j which they were preparing,
but he ever looked hopefully upon them, and spoke of their excellencies
rather than of their defects. No man had a higher estimate than Dr. Lil
lie, of the requirements of the Christian ministry, in respect to intellectual
endowment and culture, and never was Theological Professor more faith
ful or laborious in his preparation to meet his class. His readinp- was
prodigious, and his memory most retentive and accurate, and, as ? conse
quence, he was continually re-writing his courses of lectures, in rder that
he might lay before his students the very latest and choicest fruits of his
own reflection and research. But yet, while thus anxious to do the very
best for his classes, and to send forth workmen of whom none need be
ashamed, he judged — and rightly so, we think — that in a new country like
Canada, there is room for talent of various orders, and that men of very
moderate abilities and attainments, may be made exceedingly useful, if
only their hearts beat in living sympathy with the message of Divine
mercy they are sent to proclaim . Hence, he loved them all impartially,
and watched their subsequent career with all the interest of a father, re
joicing with them in their successes, and sympathizing with them in their
discouragements and trials, to the last hour of his life." *

* The same number of the Canadian Independent contains interesting sketches of
Dr. Lillie's life and ministry, by Dr. Wilkes and the Rev. Thomas Baker.

200 MEMOIR OF THE
The Alumni of the College, by permission of the family,
placed the next spring, a very neat white marble headstone,
with suitable inscription upon it, to the grave of their former
tutor, to mark their appreciation of his character and work.
The churches of the denomination, also, expressed their sense
of obligation by contributing $5,000 to a " Lillie Memorial
Fund," the usufruct of which is to be enjoyed by his widow,
during her lifetime, but which is ultimately to go to form the
nucleus of an endowment for a "Lillie Professorship of Church
History." The death of the Principal, occurring as it did at the very
commencement of the session, it was, of course, impossible to
make any other than temporary arrangements for the work of
the winter, and Dr. Wilkes and Professor Cornish, with charac
teristic energy, stepped into the breach, and undertook, at great
personal sacrifice, to carry it on, till a meeting of the
Corporation, which alone could appoint a successor, could
be held. Such a meeting was convened in Toronto on the
4th January following, but, after full discussion, it was decided
to "postpone the appointment of a professor until the general
annual meeting of the Corporation in June." Correspondence
meanwhile was had with the Committee of the Colonial Society,
which has always contributed largely to the support of the
College, and on the 10th June, 1870, the Board of Directors,
with the full concurrence of Zion Church, and of the Colonial
Committee, nominated Dr. Wilkes to the Principalship, and
he was appointed by unanimous vote.
This action was taken absolutely without any prompting on
Dr. Wilkes' part. All through life the honours that were
heaped upon him came, not of his seeking, but rather because
others sought to honour him.
" My age/' he says, " and my long absorption in other than College
work, I felt to be a great objection to my accepting the position, and I did
not in the least offer myself for the service. The difficulty was chiefly that
the College could not afford a salary of more than $1400, and no one

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 201
qualified cuuld be found for less than about double that amount of stipend.
In my case, however, Zion Church was ready to supplement that sum by a
retiring allowance of $1000 per annum, so that the salary I was then
receiving should be continued."
Under these circumstances he felt almost compelled to
undertake the duty laid upon him, and having signified bis
intention of so doing, he was solemnly inducted into office as
Principal and Professor of Theology, on Monday evening, the
13th of June, the Rev. Edward Ebbs presiding, and the Rev.
E.J. Sherrill, of Eaton, leading the assembly in the designation
prayer. On the 21st of September, at the opening of the thirty-second
session of the College, he pronounced his inaugural address,
the closing sentences of which we subjoin. After discoursing
of the end and aim of the Christian ministry, under its three
fold aspect of prophet, healer and soldier, he concludes by
saying :
" Our hopes of stretching forth our line of effort for the well-being of the
land greatly depend, under God, on the zeal, intelligence, single-minded-
ness, and self-sacrifice of our rising ministry. From this school have gone
forth in the years that are past not a few men full of faith and of the
Holy Ghost, who have done a great and good work in our country, and are
still prosecuting it with untiring energy. We look to the present and suc
ceeding classes to reach even a higher standard of qualification, and of
practical efficiency. Every generation demands its own type of men, in its
posts of influence and power. If we inherit the gains and progress of the
past, it is not that we may enjoy them in idleness, but that we may use
them in the march towards further attainments. It is fitting that we should
venerate the names and doings of our glorious ancestry ; but we should be
recreant to the principles they taught us did we not press forward to what
is yet greater and nobler. The Lord helping us we will do this. In the
name of the God of Israel, and our Saviour King, we will set up our ban
ners, not merely in a fortress, but in a moving camp which is marching on
to the conquest of the world for Jesus Christ. We will seek to be priests
in sanctity and consecration — prophets in culture and power — soldiers in
boldness and courage. We pray always our gracious Master will make
and mould us. Your continued and fervent supplications are craved on
this behalf. Thus encouraged and stimulated — thus animated by hope

202 MEMOIR OF THE
and cheered by the sympathy of the churches, and the promises of God —
we now enter upon the work of the session before us."*
By vote of the church, Dr. Wilkes' relation to his former
charge became henceforth that of pastor emeritus ; but owing
to the difficulty of procuring suitable supply, he continued to
fill the pulpit until the induction of his successor in the follow
ing May. Immediate steps were taken, however, to procure a
suitable pastor, for which purpose one of the members was
specially deputed to go to England, and in conjunction with
several others already there select a successor to the vacant
pastorate. As the result of their searching, and recommenda
tion, an unanimous invitation was sent, early in the winter, to
the Rev. Charles Chapman, M.A., of Percy Chapel, Bath, to
become their pastor. This invitation having been accepted,
Mr. Chapman came out with his family to Canada in the spring,
and was duly installed in office on the ioth May.
At the social meeting held the next evening, two addresses
were presented to Dr. Wilkes, one by the deacons, another by
the congregation, accompanied by a testimonial consisting of a
solid silver salver, bearing the following inscription :
" This salver, containing $1200 in gold, was presented to the Rev. Dr.
Wilkes, D.D., LL.D., by the members of Zion Church and congregation,
as a slight token of their esteem and affection, May nth, 1871, on the
occasion of a co-pastor being associated with him, after a pastorate of 35
years." Although the phrase " co-pastor " would seem to imply a
relationship of co-ordinate powers and responsibility, Dr.
Wilkes says :
" While Mr. Chapman was on his voyage, and before I had seen him, I
called the attention of the deacons and Church Board to my understanding
of the offer to him of an unfettered pastorate, namely, that I relinquished
all responsibility in regard to the pulpit, the committees, the plans, the
work of the church — that in respect of the pulpit, it would be no longer
mine, in any sense, on his taking possession of it — and that with this cleat-
understanding I should be ready to preach, to visit, etc., so far as in m
* Canadian Independent, November, 1870,

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 203
lay, when asked to do so. The arrangement thus introduced has worked
without a jar. My relations with Mr. Chapman were of the most affection
ate character." * * *
Mr. Chapman, in a communication recently received, indi
cates how thoroughly he appreciated the confidence reposed in
him. The position of a co-pastor over a large and flourishing
church is, under any circumstances, one of great delicacy and
responsibility. It is specially so where the senior pastor has
been so many years in charge, as was the case with Dr. Wilkes,
and where the church is practically the work of his hands, as,
under God's blessing, it was in this instance. Few men have
the grace to say, with the Baptist's unenvying satisfaction,
" he must increase, but I must decrease," to quietly and con
tentedly take the second place, after having so long filled the
first. Ministers are but men, and it must be confessed that
although there is abundant precedent for the co-pastoral rela
tion in the New Testament,* its history in recent times has
not been very encouraging. Moreover, as Mr. Chapman
remarks : —
" When a man simply succeeds another who has vacated the pastorate,
he has a clear course before him for the carrying out of whatever methods
of worth may commend themselves to his judgment, as being for the good
of the church. But such was not the case in this instance. The Church in
Montreal, with a loyalty worthy of all honour, felt that, although their
beloved pastor was henceforth to labour in training men for the Christian
ministry, they could not bear think of him, after so many years of faithful
service, as severed officially from them, and therefore, it was arranged that
in the new provision to be made for the service of the pulpit and pastorate,
the tie which had hitherto held Dr. Wilkes in official relationship to the
people should remain untouched. No resignation was to take place. No
vacancy in the pastorate was to occur. On the other hand, he was to still
remain as senior pastor, or pastor emeritus, rendering nominal service only,
with a provision for life out of the revenues of the Church, as a token of
affection and confidence. All these particulars were explained to me with
a care and frankness which awakened my admiration for the people, whose

' Acts xiv. 23 : Phil. i. 1. : Titus i. 5.

204 MEMOIR OF THE
feelings toward their old pastor were so regardful, and for him, that he
could with such heartiness enter into the new arrangements. It may be
interesting to have his own words on the subject. In a letter dated Sept.
23rd, 1870, Dr. Wilkes, after detailing the various stages of the negotiations
up to that date, added, " I shall rejoice to have a successor of your age,
attainments and qualifications, for though I retain a nominal connection,
as senior pastor, you, if you come, will be the real one. You will not come
to help me, but to take full charge, having me to aid you in any manner
you may desire. You will find an intelligent, informed people, considerate
of their pastor's interest and welfare." ft was this frank expression of
his own views and feelings that removed any lingering hesitation I had
felt in going to work among a people in association with a senior pastor, a
people too who had never heard my voice, and whose estimate of myself
was founded entirely upon the testimony of others. There was such a ring
of sincerity in the subsequent correspondence with Dr. Wilkes that I felt
that I was going to live and labour with one whose kindness and fairness
were unmistakable.
" My first personal interview with him was on board the ' Moravian ' at
Quebec, on the 1st May of that year. The Church had considerately
appointed a deputation to meet me and my family at Quebec, and Dr.
Wilkes was one of the number, there being also a special reason for his
then going to Quebec, inasmuch as his daughter, Miss Wilkes, was one of
our party. I well remember how, after » most affectionate embrace of
his beloved daughter, he turned to me and to my family, and gave us such
a greeting that we all felt it an honour to be associated with one whose
personal appearance so evidently bespoke integrity and candour, and
whose expressions of interest in my future comfort and usefulness were so
energetic and warm. There was something in the tone of his voice, in
the straight look of his eye, in the glow which spread softly over his face,
and in the firm grip of his hand, which made me at once feel safe and
happy. I then, knowing nothing of the future, had not the slightest doubt
but that, come what might, delicate as our personal and church relation
ships would be, nothing would be wanting on his part to render our work
harmonious and pleasant. Of course, it was only human that we should
observe him much on our voyage up the river, and on arrival at Montreal,
it was most cheering to us strangers in a strange land, to notice the fatherly
pleasure he took in variously ministering to our comfort, and the delight
he had in the generous arrangements which the church had made for our
accommodation, till we could find a permanent residence of our own 
" Although we arrived in Montreal several days before the Sabbath, so

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 205
that it would have been possible for me to have been called upon to con
duct public services at once, yet, with his accustomed kindness and readi
ness for doing good, he undertook charge of the preaching and worship
for the day, that I might have full rest and become a little acquainted with
my surroundings before entering on the duties of my new position. His
form, even then venerable, I seem now to look upon, and his voice, sub
dued and tender, is still in my ears, as he pleaded with God for us and
for the people. The installation services followed soon after, in which he
took a prominent part, with no little interest. He was as one who felt
that a great turning point in his own life and the church life of his people
had now been reached, and there was mingled with his hopes for the
future, gratitude to God that a crisis in the history of the church had thus
far been safely passed."

206 MEMOIR OF THE

CHAPTER XIII.
1871-1885.
It required a brave heart, in a man of Principal Wilkes' years
(65), to undertake the herculean labour of preparing three or
four full courses of lectures, on as many different subjects, with
which to meet his classes, but he seems to have set about it
with his characteristic industry and perseverance. For the
first two or three sessions the work must have been very heavy.
Indeed, few persons not accustomed to literary labour can
comprehend the full import of the following statements :
" College duties were very onerous, though quite enjoyable. I had to
prepare lectures on Systematic Theology, to the number of some hundred
and twenty ; on Biblical Introduction, to the number of sixty or more ;
on Ecclesiastical History, more than one hundred, though on this subject
I used a text-book, and did not write so much. Then, Hermeneutics
demanded some dozen lectures ; Apologetics another series, besides other
subjects. Thus my winters and my vacations, for several years, were
busy seasons. Throughout the whole, and till now, I have continued my
work as the representative of the Colonial Missionary Society, and as
General Secretary-Treasurer of the Canada Congregational Missionary
Society." He appears, however, to have had boundless capacities for
work. We well remember how he used to tax the powers of
the members of the General Missionary Committee, by calling
them together at six o'clock A.M., and sometimes again at ten
o'clock at night, after the three sessions of the Union for the
day were over, and how he could outsit every one of us, and
be " fresh as a daisy " next morning ! Occasionally some new
member would remonstrate, and appeal for mercy, but it was
seldom with any effect. " It must be done," he would say, and
that would generally settle it. Hence the Union meeting

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 207
which was a " holiday " to many, was the reverse of that to
him, and those acting upon the laborious Committee with
which he chiefly had to do.
While he was thus busily occupied with his lectures, and
preparing for the session of 1871-1872, he says :
" An application came to me from the Governors of McGill College, to
afford aid in the session just opening, in teaching the classes in Mental
and Moral Philosophy. Professor Forbes had died in Scotland, whither
he had gone for the benefit of his health, about the middle of August,
leaving no time whatever in which to obtain a successor. Principal Daw
son had learned that I thought of giving lectures to our own students, on
these subjects, in the absence of a Professor in McGill. Hence the appli
cation to me  I consented, but found that the preparations I had
made nearly thirty years before, were of comparatively little use, beyond
a general acquaintance with the subjects. As a consequence, I had to
toil daily in preparation, aye, and nightly too, as well as to keep up my
classes in our own College, where I usually gave two lectures a day. My
health was not injured, however, and I got through the session in a
manner satisfactory to the Governors, whose vote of thanks was com
municated." It is possible, nevertheless, to overdo, and persons who, like
Dr. Wilkes, hardly know what it is to be sick, are apt to think
there is no limit to their powers of endurance. It is to be
feared it was so in his case. By a vote of the College Corpor
ation in 1871, the Principal was requested to spend a portion
of his vacation, as Principal Lillie had done, in visiting the
churches on behalf of the College, not with a view to collect
ing for its support, but rather to awaken interest in it, and
seek out young men who might be desirous of studying for
the Christian ministry. With the readiness to undertake any
service to which his brethren called him, which was so marked
a feature in his character, he at once consented, and at the
close of the session of 1871-72 published a programme of
twenty-two appointments in the Province of Ontario, for the
month of May, beginning with Lanark and ending at London.
Then returning to the meetings of the Union in Montreal, he
set out immediately after, or as soon as his correspondence

208 MEMOIR OF THE
with the Colonial Committee would allow, to visit some of the
principal churches in the Eastern Townships, and then on to
the Maritime Provinces, where he advocated the claims of the
College, in sermons or addresses, in fourteen other churches.
The next spring he paid visits to most of the churches in On
tario, which he had been unable to reach the year before, but
these, alas ! were the last,
" I reached Brantford," he says, " with pains in my limbs, and other
indications of the rheumatism which has held me in its iron grip ever since
with times, of course, of comparative relief, and other times of severe
pain  My judgment now is, that I undertook far too much at my
age, which was then 67. A medical friend, accounting for the disease,
says, that such journeys, undertaken in all weathers, addressing public
meetings, and driving to a temporary home, in an open carriage after
wards, and then occupying various kinds of beds, were things fitted to lay
a foundation for future suffering  I was too old for this kind of
work : let my successors profit by my experience."
This visitation of the churches was, without doubt, produc
tive of great good, and in more than one instance, led young
men to enter our College, and join the ranks of our Canadian
ministry, who have done excellent service, and who otherwise
would probably have gone to some American college, and ac
cepted a charge in the United States. It is matter for deep
regret, however, if the good accomplished by it, was secured
at so grievous a cost as the suffering and helplessness of the
Principal, in his declining years, would seem to indicate. No
one who has seen him when, like Eli, " he was an old man;
and heavy," as he was wheeled along the street in his Bath
chair, or was carried in the arms of two stalwart students,
from his carriage to his chair in the class-room, could witness
the spectacle without a feeling of intense sympathy for his con
dition. It was borne patiently and bravely, without a word of
complaint, because he knew it was his Father's will, but there
were lines of suffering in his countenance that told more plain
ly than words how much that self-controul cost him. The
references in the "jottings" to his sufferings, and physical dis
ablement, are very rare and brief.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 209
During the winter of 1872-3, Mr. W. C. Smillie, then a
member of Zion Church, but now of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
proposed to Dr. Wilkes to donate $5,000 towards an Endow
ment Fund of $20,000 for a Professorship of Theology, so soon
as the balance of $15,000 should be raised and paid. On
bringing this generous proposal before the annual meeting of
the Corporation at Brantford, it was resolved to make the
effort to raise $40,000, the second $20,000 to endow a Chair
of Biblical Criticism and Literature. The first of these endow
ments was completed in 1880, not, however, without a large
amount of correspondence on the part of the Principal, who
was Treasurer of the Fund. Much of it, he notes sorrowfully,
was " unsuccessful," yet there is reason to believe that the
completion of the amount, as well as the progress made to
wards obtaining the second endowment of a similar amount,
is very largely due to his indomitable energy and persever
ance. College opening in the autumn of 1873, was marked by the
presence of a number of distinguished English Congregational
ists, who had crossed the ocean to be present at the meeting
of the Evangelical Alliance in New York. Brief addresses
were given by Sir Charles Reed, Mr. Carvill Williams, the
Rev. Dr. Stoughton, and the Revs. J. C. Harrison, A. McMil
lan, and J. F. Stevenson, afterwards the Principal of the Col
lege. The Alliance met a fortnight later, and the occasion
being a very important one, Dr. Wilkes intermitted his labours
for a few days, in order to attend its sessions in New York,
and delivered an address at one of the " overflow" meetings.
A branch of the Alliance was subsequently formed in Mont
real, of which he was chosen President.
The hopes excited by the settlement of Mr. Chapman,
whose ministry had begun so auspiciously, were, unhappily,
not realized. The drift of the Protestant population of the
city was westward, and Zion Church, whose members were
continually removing in that direction, began to feel the effect
o

210 MEMOIR OF THE
of the migration, in the diminished attendance, especially at
the evening service. The preaching of the new pastor, more
over, while acknowledged, on all hands, to be most instructive
and scholarly, was not to the taste of a certain section of the
congregation, who finding it nearer, were dropping off, and
connecting themselves with other churches. And, although their
places were, to some extent, filled by English families recently
arrived, the loss of a number of former friends naturally excited
apprehension and inquiry as to the cause. In all such cases,
the too ready solution of the question is found, by many
persons, in the dulness, or delinquencies of the pastor. That
was the solution of the problem offered here. What was to be
done? The unhappy difficulties which arose out of this condition
of things, do not properly belong, perhaps, to a biography of
one who took so little part in them, but for the sake of the
connection, the following statements may be given :
"Even before my advent to Montreal," Mr. Chapman says, "friends
deeply interested in the future of Congregationalism, had entertained the
belief that an effort should be made to secure the conducting of public
worship somewhere on the line of St. Catherine or Dorchester Street.
This tendency of population westward, combined with a restlessness in
the church, arising from various occult causes, brought to the front the
question, as to whether the time had not come when the church, as a
whole, should face the difficulty, and devise some scheme by means of
which the changed conditions of life might be adequately met, and the
ideal of Congregational advance be realized. To this end the Church
Board made a report to the Church, on December nth, 1 872, in which,
among other things, it is stated, ' that the Board have taken the important
step of calling this special meeting, to hear from them a statement of their
views and conclusions in reference to matters that deeply affect the future
prospects and prosperity, not only of this church, but also of Congrega
tionalism in this city. The conviction that the time would come for adopt
ing the course recommended, has been gathering strength in the minds of
many for years past, and they think that now the time has fully come for
the change. It is the privilege of this church and congregation to enjoy
pulpit ministrations of a very high order, and the most assiduous and
faithful pastoral oversight. On every ground it is to be desired that the

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 211
scope of these valuable ministerial qualities for making their legitimate
influence felt should be extended, and not be allowed to become contracted
by changing circumstances which lie within the range of our power to
meet.' Then, after alluding to a previous meeting at which the question
was considered, the Report goes on to say, — ' It was during the course
of a protracted and earnest discussion on this subject, that the question
was raised as to whether it would not be better for the future usefulness of
the church, and most in harmony with the tendency of the population to
leave the business parts of the city, to remove Zion Church to a position
more central for the great bulk of the congregation, and more likely to
stand well for the generation rising up. It was considered that the resi
dent population immediately around the present building must become
less every year,  and, therefore, there was less chance every year of
the church retaining its members, and still less of drawing in others. This
view was strengthened by the fact that we are constantly losing people be
cause of distance.' The Report further stated that a conference was held
between the Trustees and the Board, at which a conclusion was unani
mously, ' with one exception only ' arrived at, that ' the time has arrived
when it is not only expedient but necessary, that steps should be taken for
the carrying out of the objects contemplated in the statement made to this
meeting — namely, the disposal, by sale, of the site and building now held
by Zion Church, and the securing of a site suitable for a new building in
the Western part of the city . ' "
Naturally, Dr. Wilkes' long connection with " Zion," and his
arduous labours for its advancement, led him to cling to the
old building, and to plead that that part of the city should not
be forsaken, and many of the congregation sympathizing with
that feeling, the proposals of the Board, although passed, with
only a few dissentients, were never carried out.
But the question was not allowed to rest. Matters were in
a ferment, and at length, when appeal was made to the co-
pastors, Dr. Wilkes says, —
" We recognized the facts of the case, and advised the effort to form
another congregation up-town, and for this purpose to seek another minis
ter who, with Mr. Chapman, should preach alternately in each place of
worship. The church, after several meetings and mature consideration,
resolved to adopt our suggestion, it being understood that, ultimately, we
should have two central churches, each having its own pastor.''

212! MEMOIR OF THE
The experiment was tried. The Rev. J. F. Stevenson, LL.B.,
whose appearance in the pulpit a short time previously had
produced such a favourable impression, was invited to become
associate pastor with Mr. Chapman, and accepted the invita
tion, and on the 20th of September, 1874, was duly installed.
The Gymnasium was secured for the use of the second con
gregation, and the services were held by the pastors alternate
ly, as previously arranged for, but the plan was not a success.
Suffering from the rheumatic affection already referred to,
which, after trying many remedies, was nothing bettered, but
rather grew worse, and feeling the need of rest and change, in
the spring of 1874, Dr. Wilkes, accompanied by his wife, once
more visited England and the Continent. A very few details
only will be given of his trip. Leaving home early in April,
he attended the sessions of the Scottish Congregational Union,
which he greatly enjoyed, meeting with many old friends, and
presenting the greetings of the sister Union in Ontario and
Quebec. At Halifax he met, by appointment, and at the re
quest of the deacons of Zion Church, Mr. Stevenson (to whom
a call had been sent), for the purpose of offering any informa
tion he might desire, in order to his arriving at an intelligent
decision regarding it. In London he attended the meetings
of the English Union, the Colonial Missionary Society, at
which he spoke, and also the anniversary of the Bible Society,
at which he notes, he " saw good Dr. Moffatt," who had just
returned from South Africa.
While in England, he says,—
" I carried circulars with me, and used the post diligently for the En
dowment Fund of the College. Miss Baxter, of Dundee, sent me .£20 in
response, Mr. Samuel Morley, and Mr. J. Remington Mills, and Mr.
Henry Lee, sent ^50 each, my friend, Mr. Sommerville, of Bitton, sub
scribed ;£too, and before I got through, my list of generous donations was
a long one, reaching ultimately to nearly $3000, the expenses of collecting
which were less than ;£ 1 5."
A few days were spent at the Hydropathic Establishments
at Melrose and Richmond Park ; apparently, however, with-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 213
out any marked benefit to health. In Wales, somewhere near
Conway Castle, he met the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone re
turning from church, concerning whom he says, " How I
should like to have conversed with him, but had no opportu
nity," and adds his estimate of him as " a consummate states
man, a brilliant orator, and a thoroughly honest and christian
man." It is well, sometimes, to see ourselves as others see us, and
among those with whom he met in his travels we must not
omit to mention "our candid friend " — an English Congrega
tional minister — who " seemed to take a great interest in the
Colonies, but complained that in looking over the proceedings
of our Union, from year to year, he failed to discover evidence
of much power among our brethren." Well, really that is too
bad ! And he staying in England yet ! But after all, is it
much to be wondered at, even if it be true, that Great Britain,
with her fifteen well-equipped Colleges, and four thousand
churches, can show men of more "power" than our Canadian
churches with their one College? Lest our brethren be utterly
cast down by our friend's estimate of us, we quote per contra,
one sentence from the letter of the Rev. J. L. Poore, after his
visit to Canada, in 1865,— "I found the ministers, in general,
abler men than I expected." * (The italics are his.) That
from an English brother, who was distinguished for candour,
and who says in the same letter, he came " having business to
transact, and failures to detect," ought surely to allay our dis
quiet. On another occasion, after preaching at Highgate, a lady
who had heard him, said she supposed that the discourses he
had given them, would not, of course, do for Montreal, or
Canada generally, because of lack of education and intelli
gence in those regions !
"I assured her," says the Doctor, "that they were sermons that had
first been prepared for, and delivered to my congregation in Montreal, and

* Canadian Independent, September, 1865.

214 MEMOIR OF THE
that she would find the average intelligence and culture of our city quite
equal to that of London or England."
Several weeks were spent on the Continent, after which,
returning to London, he preached for Dr. Allon. at Canon
bury, and then proceeded to Huddersfield, to the autumnal
meeting of the Congregational Union, where he was to preach
the annual sermon.
" The Committee of the Union, instigated by my friend Hannay, had
given me this appointment in June, as a mark of respect. It was a great
honour to have such a duty laid upon one. It seems to have been regard
ed as a successful effort. The attention was most marked  The
congratulations and thanks from gentlemen, strangers to me, were very
gratifying  There must have been more force, and strength of
voice, than is usual in the case of a man 69 years of age, for in a sketch of
the preacher, sent to London by one of the reporters for the press, I am
described as Dutch-built, hair iron-grey, and age verging on sixty 
The sermon was printed in the Christian World Pulpit ."
Having fulfilled this appointment, they sailed three days
afterwards from Liverpool, in the SS. " Sarmatian," for Que
bec, and reached home again towards the end of October.
In a letter dated London, June, 1874, addressed to the
writer, who was then Missionary Superintendent, Dr. Wilkes,
after referring to his anticipated delay in England, says, —
" I have written to Mr. Chapman, Chairman of the College Board, sug
gesting a plan by which the students may be carried forward until I
return, Oct. 25th, without interfering with the details of the curriculum,
except as to their order, for a few weeks. And I write you, that there
may be no delay in bringing out the annual Report of our Missionary
Society, and thus of the ' Year Book,' which, by the way, has won golden
opinions here."
Immediately, therefore, on reaching home, he plunged into
his College work, making up for lost time by increased effort
for the remainder of the session.
During his absence in England, the ferment in Zion Church
had steadily progressed, and shortly after his return, the crisis
was reached, with the result he had feared, " a breaking up in
dear old Zion Church." On the nth of March, 1875, the

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 215
following letter, with one hundred and eleven names attached,
was addressed to the pastors and members of the church :
"Dear Brethren, — The course of events has brought us to a point at
which we hear the voice of duty calling upon us to address ourselves to
the new enterprise that lies before us. It remains, therefore, for us whose
names are hereunto subscribed, to give notice, as we hereby do, that on
the date above mentioned, we withdraw from the fellowship of Zion
Church, for the purpose of forming a new Congregational church, under
the pastoral care of the Rev. J. F. Stevenson. We, further, beg to as
sure you that we shall rejoice in all the prosperity and success that may be
vouchsafed to you, in your church relationships and undertakings."
On the following Lord's Day, after the morning service,
they were duly organized under the designation of " Emman
uel Church," Dr. Wilkes giving an address, and invoking the
Divine blessing on the newly formed flock and its pastor. All
questions relating to church property were referred to a joint-
committee, and were amicably arranged, and the new congre
gation set itself vigorously to work to erect for itself a place of
worship, which, however, was not completed and dedicated till
January, 1877, just three weeks after the opening of " Calvary "
church, in the same city.
While wishing the new enterprise all prosperity, however,
the aged pastor remained with the old flock, — " dear old Zion
Church " — which he never ceased to regard with the tenderest
fatherly affection. Mr. Chapman says, —
" After the resettlement of the church under its former arrangement of
one acting pastor, and the pastor emeritus, Dr. Wilkes continued to sus
tain the same relation to myself in the ordinary services as before, only
his attendance at the meetings of the diaconate were not so uniform. With
all loyalty he brought his personal influence to bear on promoting the
spiritual growth of the church, and took a lively interest in the various
organizations that, from time to time, were either formed or developed.
He also continued his kindly attentions to the sick, and, in my occasional
absence from the pulpit, conducted the public services with his accustomed
vigour. At the same time, he did not cease to be practically a pastor to
those who had left to form the new church, when any of them were suf
fering from sickness or adversity. He would not allow any differences of

216 MEMOIR OF THE
judgment and action, in reference to recent affairs, to interfere with his
kindly attention to old friends. He loved them still for old acquaintance
sake, as, also, for the sake of the dear Master whom he and they sought,
along different lines, to serve. The healing influence of his presence in
the city, and of his generous spirit was a great blessing to both churches.
He did much in Zion Church by his kindly feeling to tone down any ele
ments of resentment that may have been generated by past events. He
was truly a peacemaker and a lover of all good men, and mindful of the
fact that we are none of us so perfect as to be warranted in sitting in infal
lible judgment upon those who differ from us."
After attending the meeting of the Union in Hamilton, most
of the summer of 1875 was spent in the West, part of the time
visiting his daughter and son-in-law, the Rev. Mr. (now Dr.)
Gibson, who had removed to Chicago, and part in seeking relief
and health in the use of electric and galvanic baths, from
which, however, he obtained no appreciable benefit. The re
turn trip, by way of the lakes to Collingwood, and down the
St. Lawrence, was greatly enjoyed.
Passing over the winter's work, which, of course, varied but
little from one session to another, the next year witnessed very-
important changes. The Congregational Union met in Zion
Church, — as it proved, for the last time, — and Mr. Chapman,
who had been elected Chairman the previous year, delivered
not only the usual retiring address, but also his farewell to the
Union and to the country, he having received and accepted a
pressing invitation to the Presidency of the Western College,
in Plymouth. This step was not taken because of discourage
ment at the prospect before Zion Church, which was then
bright and promising. Dr. Wilkes says, —
" The church gave him a handsome testimonial, and parted with much
regret from a man of thorough ability, sound learning, and true godliness of
life and character. Without any unnatural struggle the church was, at
this time, paying its way, notwithstanding that my retiring allowance, Mr.
Chapman's salary, and at least a part of the Shaftesbury Hall minister's
salary, were paid out of current income. The church was harmonious in
feeling and in action, and most liberal in its giving."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 217
The invitation was an " utter surprise " to Mr. Chapman,
who says, —
" Before saying a word to anyone, I felt that both duty and christian
instinct required that I should lay the whole matter before Dr. Wilkes. It
was a painful thing to do  When I had finished a statement of the
whole case, and had answered all his enquiries, he said with suppressed
emotion, ' Well, yes, I see you will have to go. I cannot stand in the
way. It is right. You are made for that kind of work. I shall be very
sorry to part with you.' There was something in the tone, in the look,
and in the firm grip of the hand, which told me of the deep struggle with
in, and of the honest regard for the widest interests of Christ's Kingdom,
irrespective of personal considerations. He was the same man I had
known and loved all these years in his sterling integrity and regard for
what he believed to be best for the Master's glory. I left him that day
with a sorrowful heart, but with a, deep impression of his unselfishness
and large mindedness. Tender and hallowed were the communings of
the few months that followed prior to my departure for England. With
the remarkable mental vigour for which he was so well known, he applied
himself to face the new situation that would be created, and with the calm
trust in an over-ruling Providence, which marked his long life, he awaited
the unknown cares and vicissitudes of the future. True man of God,
faithful friend, dear to many hearts, the joy and solace of a fellow-labour
er's life when sorrows came, blessed be God for the gift of thy earthly
life ! "
In view of the events that so quickly followed, one is dis
posed to say of that 20th of June, when Mr. Chapman turned
his face towards England, what a sorely tried man once said
of the day of his birth, — " Let that day be darkness : let not
God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it."
Although knowing nothing, of course, of what was coming,
Dr. Wilkes seems to have had an almost prophetic foreboding
of impending disaster ; and well, indeed, he might ! We have
invoked the darkness, and therefore we will not tell the sor
rowful story of the wreck and ruin of the noblest Congrega
tional church Canada yet has seen — the life-work of a noble
and devoted man — and all through calling to the pastorate an
" eloquent " man, into whose antecedents it was not thought

218 MEMOIR OF THE
to be necessary to look ! Unhappily it is not the only case of
the kind that has occurred. Perhaps it is the latest ; may it
be the last !
Yet, as we write, Zion Church still lives, not only in the
noble ministries of pastor and people in the years gone by,
and the " fruit gathered unto life eternal," but revived and
resuscitated ! Homeless and sorrowing, may the Lord gra
ciously look upon her, and under a faithful ministry, "restore
again to her the years that the locust hath eaten, that she may
eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the
Lord her God that hath dealt wondrously with her."
Meanwhile Dr. Wilkes' malady steadily progressed, notwith
standing that everything was done that medical skill could
suggest to alleviate or remove it. One summer he went to
Winchester Springs, and drank its waters, and another sum
mer he tried the hot baths at the Caledonia Springs, receiving
no permanent benefit from either. At last it became apparent
that the case was beyond medical aid, the thigh bone having,
through inflammation, grown to the socket, and forever stiffen
ed the joint. During much of this process, the suffering had
been extreme, and locomotion almost impossible. Happily,
towards its termination, the pain gradually became less severe,
until abnormal action ceased, and the suffering was at an end.
By this time, however, he was so disabled and helpless, that
he could move about only on crutches, and then only with the
greatest difficulty, and required assistance whenever he sat
down or rose from his chair. To get either up or down stairs
was a movement so painful and tedious, that it would have
had to be abandoned altogether, had it not been that some
kind friends, sympathizing with their aged pastor's infirmities,
bethought them of a way to assist him, and had an " elevator"
put into his dining-room for a Christmas present, by the aid of
which he could wind himself up or let himself down, at plea
sure. A horse and phaeton had also been procured, without
which he must have given up going out almost entirely. Even

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 219
then, a kind of platform or inclined plain, had to be devised,
that could be doubled up and carried in the pbaston with him,
or he could rarely have made use of it.
With all these difficulties in the way, it was a constant won
der to his friends how he got about as he did. Yet he was
always in his place in the house of God, and often preaching or
assisting at public meetings, or on committees ; although, of
course, on such occasions, he was now compelled to speak, or
pray, in a sitting posture. Up to the year 1883, he was al
most invariably at the meeting of the Union. He loved the
brotherhood, and felt it to be a sore privation when he could
no longer go up with them to our solemn feasts.
Usually, too, he took his summer's " outing," one season at
Cacouna, another at Poughkeepsie,, with Mr. and Mrs. Smillie,
or with the Dougalls, at Brooklyn, or with his old College
friend Judge Dunkin, at Knowlton, and sometimes with sev
eral of these during the same summer. Wherever he went he
preached as opportunity offered, for he loved to preach, and
friends loved to listen to him ; and even when his ailment was
at its worst, and his disabled condition most keenly felt, he
never declined an invitation to the settlement of a young
pastor, especially if one of his own students, if he could possi
bly render the service asked of him. Thus, in June, 1878, he
attended the ordination of Mr. A. F. McGregor, at Listowel,
and of Mr. W. H. Warriner, at Yorkville, at a cost of personal
discomfort and physical suffering, that was painful to behold.
" I was very lame," he says, referring to these occasions, " and
found it hard work to get about."
In October, 1878, he completed the fiftieth year of his pub
lic ministry, that is, as he explains, —
" My first sermon, though at the time I was only a student, was preach
ed at Govan, in Scotland, in October, 1828, and preaching continued
thenceforward. Happening to mention this fact one day, it was at once
suggested (what I had not thought of) that a Jubilee sermon and service
be held in Zion Church. The proposal met with warm approval, and on

220 MEMOIR OF THE
Sunday, October 13th, the service was held. The pulpit and space in
front, were beautifully decorated with flowers, and the most remarkable
congregation to which I ever preached, was gathered together that morn
ing. The church was filled, a large portion of the audience being aged
men and women, and members of all denominations in the city, even
Roman Catholics were present  The sermon, a sketch of the pro
ceedings, and the remarks of the press, both in Montreal and elsewhere,
were collected into a pamphlet and published."
In the account of the service which accompanies the ser
mon, the writer says, —
" The love and affection which the congregation bear for their aged
pastor was exemplified in many ways. There were to be seen in all parts
of the building the snow-white locks of men and women, who for over
forty years, had been cheered in their battle with the world by the kind
advice of Dr. Wilkes, which was always at their command. Beside them
sat their children and their grand-children, all there to do honour to God's
servant. His love and anxiety for the welfare of his flock, and especially
of the young, were proverbial. None went to him in trouble that did
not come away, calm, and with renewed strength to face their difficul
ties." 
A copy of this pamphlet having reached his old friend, Dr.
Lindsay Alexander, of Edinburgh, the latter acknowledges the
receipt of it in the following characteristic note :
PlNKIEBURN.
Musselburgh, North Britain, 16th August, 1880.
My dear Friend,
Sometime ago I received a copy of the 'Jubilee Services,' held on
occasion of your fiftieth anniversary, for which I am indebted, if not to
yourself, to some kind friend near you. I wish I could have been
present with you on that interesting occasion. Your sermon has called
up to me many pleasant reminiscences of former times, and had I been
with you, wouldn't I have told the people some things that would
have come well enough from me, but which you could not so well tell
about yourself? As it is, let me add my congratulations to those of your
other friends. It is a great thing, after fifty years of hard work, to be
thus in a condition to receive the congratulations of friends : it is still
greater to know that these congratulations are not mere words of course,
or empty courtesy, but are the sincere expressions of regard and estima
tion, because of character highly sustained, and work nobly done, during
that long period.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 221
The portrait prefixed to the pamphlet presents you as in full vigour,
notwithstanding the hard work of these many years. I trust there is the
promise there of years of still further service ere the Master bids you
cease from your labours. I understand you are, like myself, somewhat
disabled in the lower understanding. Well, that is a trial ; it does im
pede one, and somewhat hinders work, but so long as the upper story
remains sound, and its furniture unimpaired, there is a good deal of right
good work to be done by those who are desirous thereof. This I know
you are, and while I say ' Erge ! ' I say also ' Perge ! ' and may the Lord
help and bless you in your work !  They have also created me
' Principal.' This was against my own wish, but they were determined to
be like the nations around them, and so I had to give in. Somehow or
other ' Principal Alexander ' doesn't sound well, and I never so designate
myself, and feel a sort of scunner when other people so designate me. The
position itself, nevertheless, I like, and I trust some good work is being
done in our Institution 
And now, dear old friend, farewell ! We may not meet again in this
world, but if through grace we are admitted into the House not made with
hands, there will be long years of blessed fellowship for us under nobler
conditions than any we could have here.
Yours very truly,
W. Lindsay Alexander."
They never met again until both had crossed the river of
death. Dr. Alexander died December 20, 1884.
The following extracts from the daily press of Montreal,
referring to the Jubilee Services, will show the respect and
esteem in which Dr. Wilkes was held.
The Gazette says,- — " We heartily join our congratulations to those of a
very large circle of friends and admirers by whom Dr. Wilkes is loved and
revered. It is the lot of few ministers to have spent half a century in the
service of their master, and not many have been so singularly blessed in
their work as Dr. 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 deservedly won the esteem and confidence of large num
bers belonging to other denominations. Two generations have listened to
his words cf love, of warning, of sympathy  He has taken a dis
tinguished share in all those works of benevolence, in all those efforts for
the public good, in which persons of different creeds may co-operate 
By the inhabitants of Montreal, without distinction as to religion, he is
esteemed and beloved." 

222 MEMOIR OF THE
The Star says, — " Possibly no minister in Canada is better known, or
more deservedly respected by his fellow-workers of other churches, and
these will, one and all, watch with interest the golden-wedding — the
Jubilee of the Rev. Doctor's long and successful ministerial career.". . . .
And even La Minerve, devotedly Romanist and ultra-montane as it is,
refers to the " touching anniversary celebrated last Sunday in Zion Church,"
and remarks, —
" Although we do not belong to the creed of the Rev. Doctor, we may
bear testimony to the esteem and affection which he enjoys among his own
people, as well as among intelligent persons of all sects. His career has
been one of ample labour. Through his high-mindedness and large views,
he has rendered his social relations as agreeable as they are useful, and he
reaps, in his old age, the fruits of a long life of labour and charity.''
It is not surprising, therefore, in view of such general expres
sions of esteem and affection, that when a testimonial of a
substantial character was proposed, many persons not belong
ing to his own congregation desired to contribute towards it ;
and to meet the wish of such, and to afford an opportunity for
friends in Britain to participate in it, the matter was delayed
for some months. When completed, however, it amounted to
the handsome sum of $8084, which was duly presented to him
with many hearty good wishes and congratulations.
The ptesentation took place in Emmanuel Church, February
24, 1881, and was made by Dr. Cornish, in the presence of a
large number of the subscribers, and of the pastors of churches
in the city; and in doing so he spoke as follows: — ¦
" My dear Dr. Wilkes, — It affords me sincere satisfaction to be the me
dium, on so notable an occasion as this, of tendering to you, on the behalf of
your friends and fellow-citizens, their congratulations and tokens of respect
and esteem. On many grounds is .the occasion notable ; but chiefly be
cause it is the lot of but few public men, especially in a new country
where chance and change are so frequent, to pursue their career fur well-
nigh half a century in the same place, and ministering to the same people.
To still fewer is the happiness granted of doing this with growing success
and approbation as the years roll on. Such, however, has been your
happy lot, as a public man and a minister of the Gospel in this commun
ity ; a fact which the proceedings of this evening testify more clearly than
any words of mine could do. To the loyal minister of- the Gospel of

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 223
Christ, the approval of the Master whom he serves is the highest meed of
honour and reward that he looks forward to. Next to that, comes the
approbation of his own conscience, springing from a well-assured convic
tion that, however poor and imperfect may have been his service, his dom.
inant motive has been to do it faithfully, and ' by manifestation of the
truth commending himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God.'
Yet, in ministers even there is much of human nature j and it is, therefore,
no matter for wonder that they should, like other men, be sensitive to the
opinions which others may form of their character and of their work.
There is, moreover, in society a keen discernment of moral worth and of
unselfish service, and ofttimes a readiness to appreciate and recognize
these good qualities in a public man ; — and in your case, I am happy to
think, has this found an exemplification. For nearly fifty years, your face
has been among the most familiar and best known in this community, and
you have been willing during all that time to give your ready services to
your fellow-citizens, not in the pulpit only, but in all other public ways in
which a minister of the Gospel can, compatibly with his high calling, pro
mote the interests of his country. Nor has this service, so cheerfully ren
dered on your part, been overlooked or unappreciated by those on whose
behalf it has been done. And now in your declining years, and when
your work is near its close, those who have long known your character
and the value of that work, have felt it to be their duty, as well as their
privilege, to give public expression to the regard they have for you, and
that too, in a way which they trust will do something to add to the bright
ness and comfort of your remaining days. It is, I am sure, the sincere
desire of each and all that these days may yet be many, and that as the
shadows of life's even-tide gaLher around you, they may be made bright by
the felt presence of Him whom you have loved and served so long, and
cheered by the growing respect and esteem of all among whom you live.
As a token of the strength of this respect for you, in the past and to-day, I
have the honour to request you to accept this Testimonial, which has been
freely given by your numerous friends in the Mother country and in this
city, and in divers parts of this Dominion and the United States ; — given,
too, with oft-expressed wishes that all that is good and blessed may ever
surround your path."
In reply, the Rev. Dr. Wilkes spoke as follows : —
" Dr. Cornish, — I thank you, the Committee, and the many friends you
represent, for this munificent Testimonial.
My first impression is the faithfulness and loving kindness of God. No
one need be afraid of laying himself out in service rendered in His name,

224 MEMOIR OF THE
on behalf of his fellow-men, without any reference to pecuniary reward. Let
him trust in the Lord and do good, and verily he shall be fed. The
money value of this gift is large, and by no means unacceptable to myself
and family, especially at a time when circumstances, over which we have
had no control, have caused considerable diminution of a moderate in
come, and when also the bread-winner has passed beyond the three score
years and ten ; and yet, let me say that the reports which have reached
me of the readiness, the cheerfulness, and the liberality of the response
made to the application of the Committee and its officers, raise this gift
far above any money value, and exhibit it as such a testimony of regard,
as constitutes it a precious reward for such services as I have been enabled
to render in the cause of truth and righteousness during 55 years 
Rather more than one-fourth of the amount of this Testimonial has been
contributed by friends in England. The Secretary and the Treasurer of
the Colonial Missionary Society, and my former associate, Rev. Professor
Chapman, have taken great pains in this matter. I thank them and the
contributors most heaitily. For a period of 45 years have I had the con
fidence and regard of that Society while acting for them here. Two years
ago, the Committee sent me a beautifully illuminated address on the 50th
anniversary of my ministry. What a pleasure it is to serve the Master in
association with such a Christian brotherhood.
A word in conclusion. Let it not be deemed egotism — I do not mean
it as such, but rather as a testimony to an important practical principle,
when, in my old age, I say that I have never, since my entrance into the
Christian ministry, toiled for money, or for position, or for fame, but sim
ply have sought to lay myself out for usefulness. One has his reward in
the consciousness of doing good to one's fellow-men, and thus pleasing the
Lord. Through His great mercy and by His blessing I have not lacked
anything, and then He has prolonged my life and has permitted me to
reap ! The knowledge of no little good done has been afforded me ; and
He has given to me what I have already assured you I value very highly
indeed, the confidence, the regard, and, in many instances, the warm affec
tion of my fellow-citizens, and of my fellow-Christians here and elsewhere,
of which this Testimonial is the graceful and generous evidence."
In May, 1881, Dr, Wilkes felt constrained, in consequence
of growing infirmities, to tender his resignation of the Princi-
palship of the College, which he had now held for eleven years
past. At the earnest request of the Board, however, he con.
tinued to act in that capacity until the appointment of the Rev.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 225
Dr. Stevenson, in June, 1883. His work as Professor of Sys
tematic Theology was never relinquished till within a few days
of his death.
The story of Dr. Wilkes' connection with Zion Church
would hardly be complete without some mention of the failure
of the church, after its wreck by Mr. Chapman's successor, to
pay the annuity of $1000 pledged to him, on his retiring from
the active pastorate. Against their failure the Colonial Com
mittee vigorously protested, as did almost everyone on this
side of the Atlantic, with the exception of the man most inter
ested in the matter, — the aged pastor himself. He alone
could excuse it. What grieved him far more than any per
sonal loss was the scattering of the flock, and the -sale of the
church property to meet deficits and liabilities very largely re
sulting from the delinquencies of the pastor. In some sense
this may be regarded as having been the grief of his life. It
almost broke his heart.
In the month of March, 1884, he presided at a meeting of
friends interested in the resuscitation of Zion Church. When
introducing the business of the evening, he spoke, with deep
feeling, of his personal attachment for the church.
" He had," he said, ' ' spent some forty years of the best of his life as its
pastor, and had come to look upon the congregation as his own family.
He could not help recalling the time when Zion Church had been a grand
centre for the dissemination of truth in the city ; when it had been looked
up to by those engaged or interested in the spread of the pure Gospel.
Collectively the congregation was respected, while the pastor and officers
of the church were honoured by all. In those days, the church entered
actively into the works of charity and benevolence which characterize an
organization maintained for the glory of God. The sick were visited, the
Gospel was preached to the poor, the distressed were relieved, and the
weeping consoled. He would not single out any individual as the cause,
but all could see that these glories of old ' Zion ' had completely disap
peared within the past three or four years  He understood that an
effort was now to be made to get the church within the old lines of doc
trine and order from which it had strayed, or he would not have been
P

226 MEMOIR OF THE
present. Unless the congregation were determined to have their church a
monument of the pure faith delivered to the saints, he would have nothing
to do in the matter, while, if they were in this wholesome mind, nothing
would give him greater pleasure than to assist them."
It was suggested that the best way of resuscitating the con
gregation, would be for Dr. Wilkes to allow himself to be nom
inated as pastor, and he was accordingly asked to do so ; to
which he replied, that he was about entering his eightieth year,
and was very infirm, but that he would think over the matter.
Ultimately he consented, and occupied that position, preach
ing as occasion required, until the settlement of Mr. Mclntyre,
later on in the same year.
In September, 1881, he was called to part with his eldest
son, John Aston Wilkes, who died very suddenly. It was a
very sore trial to him. Writing with reference to this event to
a friend who had also been bereaved, he says, —
" Thus are we taught by our Father in heaven the uncertainty and fleet
ing nature of the earthly, and at the same time to exercise faith in the
unseen and eternal. There is no uncertainty— nothing fleeting. The
things that are with us now, having simple relation to the present life, are
shaken, and they pass away, but we hold the grip of the things which can
not be shaken, and which remain. We pray that these bereavements may
be so sanctified to us, that the grip of the spiritual and eternal may be
firmer, and that we may walk by faith as seeing Him who is invisible."...
The following year the Lord caused him to forget, in part,
his sorrow, in the joy of gaining another son by the marriage
of his youngest daughter, Amelia, to Mr. Thomas H. Lons
dale, of Montreal.
Among the few public ministerial acts performed during
these quiet closing years of his busy life, were the following :
In September, 1882, he assisted in the service in Emmanuel
church, in connection with the inauguration of Mr. Hall's
work, as Missionary Superintendent.
On the occasion of the ordination and settlement of Mr.
Edward M. Hill, in the pastorate of Calvary church, Mont
real, in September (13th) 1883, he presided as Moderator of

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 227
the Council, and delivered the charge to the pastor. And
again, in the following month, he performed a similar service
in Emmanuel church, at the ordination of Mr. John McKinnon
to the work of an Evangelist.
In May, 1881, the "jottings" suddenly cease, and for over
five years no entry is made. There was not much, indeed, to
record, beyond the routine of College work in the winter, and
his summer sojournings with friends, or at some quiet retreat
on the St. Lawrence, or by the sea. His general health con
tinued good, and even improved as he neared fourscore, and
in the summer in which he reached that allotted age of man, he
occupied the pulpit of Emmanuel church for four consecutive
Sundays, spending the intervening weeks at Lachine. The
stiffness of his limbs was painful to see, but all suffering had
ceased, and two or three years before his death, he was able,
to his infinite delight, to resume the standing posture while
preaching, requiring only to lean upon the pulpit, or upon his
crutch.

228 MEMOIR OF THE

CHAPTER XIV.
1886.
Once more to England! At eighty-one years of age, and
compassed about with infirmities such as have just been des
cribed, is it not folly to attempt it? — is it not impossible?
It seemed so to many, but to our venerable friend, with his
indomitable pluck and energy, while somewhat hazardous, it
was not felt to be impracticable. He thoroughly believed in
the old adage, " where there's a will there's a way," and hav
ing carefully thought the matter all over, he resolved to go.
Under date of Halifax, Yorkshire, Sept. 10, 1886, he resumes
his "jottings," on "a rainy morning," and thus describes the
process by which he reached the final resolve.
" For several years my health had been excellent, and though unable to
walk far, yet what I did was without pain. It was not unnatural that one
should recur, in 1886, to the fact, that fifty years before, we had formed
the Colonial Missionary Society in London, and that this was its Jubilee
year. The question arose in one's mind, as to the practicability of once
more visiting the Father-land, and at its Jubilee, telling the friends of the
Society what their fathers had done, and what had been accomplished in
Canada, by their means, during half a century. Then I had a longing
desire to see once more my daughter Lucy and her husband, with my three
grandchildren. Further, my dear wife's health was very unsatisfactory —
she was feeble, and needed such 'toning up ' as it might be hoped that a
couple of sea voyages, and some months' enjoyment of her native air might
afford  The dear wife hesitated, and was not sanguine, but was
willing to make the trial, so after much consideration, and some trepida
tion, we resolved to go."
Having arranged to go by way of New York direct to Lon
don, that route involving the fewest changes, they left Montreal
on the 1 4th of April, spent a day or two in New York, where
he met Mr. John Dougall and other friends * ; and sailed for

* Dr. Wilkes* notes,— "Our last interview with him. On the 19th August, while at
breakfast, in the house of his son, at Flushing, L. I., he fell over and was gone ! A man
of many and various gifts and graces. Wholly devoted to the good, and pure, and true.
A loyal servant of Christ, and a most zealous philantropist, especially on the Temper
ance question."

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 229
London on the SS. " Grecian Monarch," and after a somewhat
long but pleasant voyage, reached their destination on the ist
May. A severe cold contracted on board brought on bron
chitis and asthma, necessitating medical attendance imme
diately on landing. At first the case looked as if it might be
serious, but with wonderful recuperative powers, under the
blessing of God he was soon about again.
The first time he ventured out was on the nth of May,
when he went to the City Temple, to the meeting of the Con
gregational Union of England and Wales. The church was
crowded. " After the Chairman's Address (Rev. Edward WhiteJ," he says,
"Dr. Hannay introduced the delegates from other Unions, the only two
present being respectively from Canada and New Zealand. In relation to
the former he referred to the pluck of an octogenarian, crippled in the
matter of locomotion, venturing across the Atlantic to visit them, fifty
years after his designation in London to the work in Canada. On rising
to address the assembly, leaning on my crutch, and with walking-stick in
my right hand, I was much affected by an outburst of cheering, and the
spontaneous rising up of the whole assembly to greet me."
And then he adds, with characteristic modesty, —
" Some people, I know, complain that they are not appreciated : if I
complain at all, it is that I and my work have been, and are appreciated
very much more highly than they deserve. I had no expectation of an
ovation like this, but one may be grateful to God, and I trust I am so, for
the affectionate regard of my brethren.
After conveying the greetings of the Canadian Congregational churches,
and adverting to Colonial Missions, and the Jubilee of the Society formed
in connection with the Union fifty years ago, I felt constrained, as an old
man, to bear testimony to the loving kindness and faithfulness of God, and
to express my conviction, that while there were many things that could be
shaken and must pass away, the great facts and truths of our common
Christianity, and the Divine promises concerning his Kingdom on earth,
can never be shaken, and will remain ; and that the great work of minis
tering in this kingdom is the noblest, and the most blessed, that can occupy
the intellect and the heart of man."
Many were the thanks and congratulations received at the

230 MEMOIR OF THE
close of his address, the special interest in which he again
attributes to " the advanced years of the speaker." None the
less was it an inspiration and an encouragement to many who
heard it.
On Thursday, the 13th of May, he attended the Jubilee
meeting of the Colonial Missionary Society in Park Chapel,
Camden-town, (the Rev. J. C. Harrison's). The venerable
James Spicer, for so many years Treasurer of the Society,
occupied the chair. The Report read by the Rev. W. S. H.
Fielden, after contrasting the condition of the Colonies soci
ally and religiously in 1836, with that of 1886, thus refers to
Dr. Wilkes' visit.
" When this Society was formed, who could have expected the presence
at its ' Jubilee ' meeting, of the first Agent and minister sent forth to
labour in the Colonial field ? We heartily congratulate the venerable Dr.
Wilkes on the vigour and courage which have inspired his determination
to be with us to-night ! What a retrospect he has ! Memories of service
rendered, and comrades who have gone before ! What stories he could
tell, if time permitted, of the lives and deeds of the fathers and founders of
Colonial Congregationalism in two hemispheres ! ' His eye is not dim,
nor his natural force abated.' After fifty Canadian winters — having passed
the ' four-score ' years — he still is ready and eager for every good word and
work, in the pulpit, in the College, and in the Mission field. Your Com
mittee warmly greet their old friend, and congratulate him on his years
and honours, spent and won in the service of Christ. They need not ask
for him a cordial welcome and a kindly hearing, as he pleads once more
the needs and claims of Canada."
Dr. Wilkes — a little anomalously — moved the adoption of
the Report, in an address of considerable length, in which he
indicated, under separate heads, the work which had been
done in Canada, in connection with the Society, since he went
out there, immediately on its formation in 1836. And with his
usual thoughtfulness for the College, he suggested the Endow
ment Fund as one of the ways in which persons of means
could assist in our Canadian work, — a quiet reference which
brought at least one valuable contribution of £100. His

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 231
appearance, and advocacy of the claims of the Colonies on
the British churches, evidently produced a deep impression.
Dr. Duff, of Airedale College, who sends us some very
pleasant reminiscences of his former tutor, which will be found
in the Appendix, says of this occasion, —
" That the veteran of eighty years should have crossed the Atlantic was
a wonder, yet it was a fulfilment of a promise made playfully to the English
Union, in Huddersfield, twelve years before. It seemed an impossibility,
until, at Hampstead, there he was, scarce different from himself of twenty
years before. It was a strange joy to sit in communion with him and
Principal Chapman, — the three former colleagues of the Canadian School.
It was a grand sight, two days later, to see him welcomed to England by
the Union that had sent him out fifty years before. They rose and stood
before him. He leaned upon his s'.aff and spoke, the white head seeming
a mark of sacred presence, while the dark eyebrows, still jet in old age,
seemed to flash fire over us all. He told us his most emphatic word
must be, that it was the Union that had sent forth the first Colonial mis
sionaries. The whole body of the English churches, no small handful of
them, no limited Society, but all in Union assembled were responsible for
their preachers and pastors in the Colonies. Therefore all must help,
and stand by the new or the feeble churches in the Colonies to-day. He
waxed eloquent indeed, as he turned to speak of his age and work, and
finished with the cry, ' I have served all these sixty years. I do not
grudge one of them.' Then he spoke with solemn voice a charge to each
younger life before him, and ended with thanksgiving, saying, 'now unto
Him that is able to establish you according to this gospel and the preach
ing of Jesus Christ, — to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, — to him
be the glory for ever. Amen.'
That was a solemn hour. The voices of good men from the generations
past spoke across the years through this, their lone survivor.
The Jubilee meeting of the Colonial Society next day was a rare feast,
because Dr. Wilkes was its speaker. Far beyond an hour he stood, and
held all happy, satisfied by his story of the Society's formation, and of his
early and late, long and weary, troubled or successful toils up and down
the St. Lawrence. A few days ago there came into my hands, in our
College Library in Bradford, the first Reports of the Colonial Society.
Thev are like romances. Much of them should be again in our hands to
day, to be read for inspiration by all in our Canadian and English pul
pits.

232 MEMOIR OF THE
These Jubilee Services were not all the work that the aged man helped
on in England a year ago. He preached often, in many a place visiting
the old scenes where he had journeyed with Mr. Binney to plead for the
Colonies in 1836. At one of these places, in Horton Lane Chapel, in
Bradford, he addressed a large united assembly concerning the Colonial
churches, and revived the old and decaying interest. There wrote soon
afterwards one of the foremost men of business among our English churches
to-day, ' If Dr. Wilkes would stay in England and take charge of our Col
onial Society, its management and work would be a new and grand suc
cess.' But that was not to be. The old man smiled himself at the dream ;
for even at eighty he counted on a. winter of scholarly lectures, happier
perhaps than all the past, because fuller of remembrance of the half cen
tury of toil so singularly complete. Half a century was he to look back
upon? Far more, for when twelve years ago we asked him to give a lec-
tuie at a 'Parlour-meeting' in the Y. M.C. Association's Rooms, on ' Busi
ness in Montreal Forty Years Ago,' he said, ' Gladly will I come — if you
carry me, of course — but it must be rather of ' Montreal Fifty Years Ago-' '
In 1826 he was a partner in the important firm of Messrs. Torrance, and
the profits and pleasures of a young man so early successful he laid down
or rather offered up, that for the next sixty years he might heal troubled
hearts and help timid feet Godwards.
He sailed back across the ocean, after farewells that wer etears of fear
lest we should see his face no more. He planned many letters back, that
should tell of his safe return and of his quiet, busy, winter fireside. The
greetings come to us in the love of God that descends still from the bosom
whither God gathered him to rest.
Rest thee, honoured Pastor, Teacher, Counsellor, Friend forever. The
busy heart of God is thy fit home for the ages."
Having fulfilled this, the main purpose of his visit to the old
land, he occupied the rest of the summer in visiting relatives
and friends, particulars of which need not be given. May,
June, and the early part of July were spent mostly in London,
with his daughter. On page 32 of the Bible Society's Monthly
Reporter for 1887, a short reference is made to a visit paid to
the Bible Society House, in Queen Victoria St. where he met
with the Committee on June 7, Lord Harrowby in the chair.
Those who heard him on that occasion, it is remarked, were

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 233
" impressed by his evident thorough acquaintance with the Bible-work
throughout his Auxiliary, and by the hearty loyalty with which he ex
pressed his feelings of attachment to the Parent Society ; and they will
not soon forget the force and animation with which the aged man, then in
his ninth decade, and supporting himself on crutches, gave utterance to the
fulness of his heart."
Towards the latter end of July he visited Glasgow, where he
was the guest of his old friend, the Rev. David Russell, who
sends the following pleasant reminiscences regarding his visit :
" The last time I had the pleasure of welcoming him under my roof
was exactly a year ago — July, 1886 — when he and Mrs. Wdkes spent a
week with us. Though very little out of doors, during that time, owing
to his sad inability to walk, he seemed to find the day too short for all
that was to be done and enjoyed. He preached for me on the 25th of
July, from the words : — ' and the soul of the people was much discouraged
because of the way.' The interest of his hearers was first excited by the
peculiarity of the arrangements ; he sitting during the preliminary services,
which he preferred taking himself, and then intensified by the vigorous,
practical way in which he handled his subject, and the hopeful, and withal
pathetic lessons which he drew from it.
Notwithstanding the difficulty of moving about, his indomitable spirit
carried him through the programme he had drawn out. His friends were
much more afraid for him than he was for himself; but his cheerful, buoy
ant spirit overcame all difficulties, and as he moved from one to the other,
they were as surprised at his energy and determination as delighted to
find it was only the body that was inactive, the heart and mind were lov
ing, receptive, and clear as of old. Indeed, he was the animating spirit in
every company in which he mingled.
Though nothing was said, we knew when parting we should meet no
more on earth ; but I think neither he nor we anticipated that the summons
to leave it would come to him so soon. It came, however, as I am sure
he would have wished it — while he was still able to enjoy life, and to work
for God. His prevailing mood cannot be better portrayed than in the
following extract from a letter I had from him not long after he had heard
of the death of Dr. Alexander. ' I sympathize with you in the feeling,
when so many contemporaries are passing away ; when will my time
come ? In my eightieth year, and in excellent health, there are no symp
toms to admonish me ; yet one naturally deems it unwise to lay out any
path, or course, having relation to the future in this life. Sometimes I

234 MEMOIR OF THE
feel, as I daresay you do, that I must do this or prepare that for some
future time ; and then I am brought up by the thought ' Why, you are
eighty years old, you will not live until then.' I had a great-uncle who,
when ninety-four, said to his niece, ' Ann, the lease of this house and
ground will expire in 27 years, and I know not what I shall do then, for
I should not like to move to another ! ' She replied, ' Uncle, do you
expect to live so long ? ' He smiled and said, ' O, I forgot.' Yes we
forget ! Well, I have come to the conclusion to work on so long as I am
able ; giving during the College Session five lectures a week ; very seldom
going out at night during the winter ; occasionally preaching or speaking
in public, and waiting until the Master bids me cease. You know that my
physical understandings are not what they were, that I use crutch and
staff, and drive if I have to go far ; but voice, sight, hearing, compara
tively good, and the brain fairly active, one can continue to do a little ;
and then when we are gone, our place will be supplied by the Master who
appointed us.' "
A fortnight was also spent with old friends in Glasgow, and
neighbourhood, and later on, at the Crieff Hydropathic Estab
lishment, where, on Sunday evening, he held a service in the
drawing room, of which one of the guests gives the subjoined
account :
" In the evening a service is conducted in the drawing-room for those
who prefer remaining in the house, and on this occasion a considerable
number avail themselves of the opportunity of hearing Dr. Wilkes. To
the Congregationalists of the company the occasion is one of special inter
est, not only from the veteran minister having so long occupied an influen
tial position at Montreal as their representative, but also because the
opportunity of hearing him is so rare, and is not likely, on account of his
advanced age and infirmity, to recur again in England, for he is about to
sail for Canada — his adopted country. Many who read these lines will
call to mind the welcome accorded to Dr. Wilkes when he appeared on
the platform of the Congregational Union in May, the whole assembly
rising to do him honour. The wonderful energy and detennin ation of the
veteran minister, in undertaking a voyage across the Atlantic, for the pur
pose of being present at the Jubilee of the Colonial Missionary Society,
won the admiration of all, and especially when it was seen that it was
with difficulty he could either walk or stand, even with the aid of crutch
and stick. Otherwise the health of the aged man seems to be excellent,
and his mental powers robust as ever. He stood to preach with the assist-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 235
ance of his crutch, and spoke with great firmness of enunciation and force
of utterance. It was easy to understand from his deliverance on Sunday,
the power he would wield in the pulpit in his palmy days. We can but
subjoin the briefest outline of his discourse. Taking as his text (Psalm
cxxxv. 4.) ' The Lord hath chosen  Israel for his peculiar treasure,'
the preacher proceeded to show this declaration to be in harmony with
ancient Scripture, and to be carried forward into New Testament thought.
God's people are in all ages accounted His peculiar treasure. In setting
this forth, Dr. Wilkes proceeded to speak of other treasures which God
has, and in which He delights. With striking eloquence he dilated on
beauty as one of these, as witnessed by the scenery of the earth and the
heavens, which we might then see around us, and which in some of its
aspects was most strikingly apparent in America and amidst Alpine
scenes. If we admire these, would not He who made them account such
objects as his treasures ? More than we fcan must He delight in them,
since we can see them but in parts, while He can take in all the grandeur
and the glory at once. Our delight in the grand and the beautiful is an
element of greatness in us, and shows our oneness, in a measure, with God
Himself. In like manner the preacher proceeded to speak of the plans
and ways of Providence as being delighted in by the God who produces
them, as statesmen and rulers delight in measures they formulate and pro
duce for a nation's good. But God declares that God's people are His
' peculiar treasure,' which brings us a step higher. As they for whom the
glorious things of nature and Providence exist, and as God's ' purchased
inheritance,' 'the people whom He has redeemed,' God takes infinite de
light in them. And how does He show this by :he pains He takes to
educate and perfect them when needful by chastisement ; while the sur
passing dignity He bestows on those who love and serve Him attests the
delight He takes in the true Israel as His peculiar treasure.
It was especially refreshing to be reminded of these things amidst such
scenes and such society. It seemed to make the little congregation, who
had been for the most part strangers to each other till they met here, as
one in the love of the common Lord and Saviour of all."
Thence he returned to friends in Halifax, in whose house
he penned the few closing pages of his " jottings," already
quoted, and whence, about a week after, he left for Liverpool,
to take passage for Quebec.
It had been his intention to return in good season for the
re-opening of the College in the middle of September, and

236 MEMOIR OF THE
then at once resume his classes for the session ; but an attack
of illness rendered Mrs. Wilkes unequal to the journey at the
time proposed, and delayed them, so that they did not reach
home until the end of the month.
The voyage proved very stormy and uncomfortable. For
nearly a week he had to be led by two stewards from the
state-room to the saloon, and almost barricaded in a corner,
lest he should be thrown from his seat ; but the discomfort
was patiently endured, and many cheery words he had for the
sea-sick ones around him. On Sunday morning he preached
in the cabin, the day being tolerably fine, and the greater part
of the passengers were present. One bright little fellow, of
four years, amused the company by declaring that Dr. Wilkes
was " a very good preacher," and seemed greatly impressed by
hearing the remark in the sermon that God's " everlasting arms
are around us."
Arriving at home on the following Saturday, apparently in
vigorous health, he immediately set to work to answer a vol
ume of letters that awaited him, and on being remonstrated
with for so taxing his strength, he replied that he felt the ne
cessity of doing whatsoever his hand found to do, with all his
might. On the first Sunday in October, he preached in Zion church
— exactly fifty years from the time of his first preaching in the
pulpit of the church in St. Maurice Street, although he appears
not to have remembered the fact until after the service was
over. The next Sunday he preached, in fulfilment of a pro
mise made long before, for the Rev. W. R. Cruickshank, in the
Presbyterian church at Point St. Charles, the text being Psalm
ex. 7 : " He shall drink of the brook by the way : therefore
shall he lift up the head." This was his last sermon!
The week after his return, he resumed his duties in the Col
lege, lecturing to his class on his appointed days and subjects
with evident zest. This he continued for several weeks, during

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 237
which he also attended various meetings of committees con
nected with religious Societies in the city, at which he gave
some account of his intercourse with the committees of similar
bodies in London. Then, all at once, came a reaction —
numbness, feebleness, stiffness : the hand so skilled with the
pen ''forgot her cunning," and he could no longer write ; the
brain, formerly so active, became comatose, and while talking
with you, he would suddenly cease, his head dropping upon
his chest — asleep ! This condition continued for several days,
notwithstanding which, he persevered with his work until
Thursday, the 21st of October, when he met his students in the
class-room for the last time. Meeting him that day, at the
close of his lecture, we noticed a wearied and distressed look
on his usually bright and cheery face, and inquired after his
health. " I cannot understand this numbness and stiffness,"
he replied, " I have never experienced it before ; '' and then
having, with the assistance of two of his students, divested
himself of his gown, he was carried out in the chair in which
he had lectured, and helped into his carriage, never more to
return. For several days he was persuaded not to attempt to lecture,
but feeling slightly better on the Wednesday, he sent a mes
sage to his class to meet him in his parlour, which they did,
and there received from their venerable Professor the last
instructions he ever imparted. It was a great effort — too great
for his strength. Twice during the delivery he flagged and
faltered, as if he would break down, one of the pauses being
so long that Mrs. Wilkes, who was sitting in the adjoining
room, anxiously watching, and waiting to be called if she
should be required, was just about to go to his assistance.
But he rallied again, and his indomitable will carried him
through, although he was greatly exhausted when the lecture
was over. " I do not understand why I should feel thus," he
said to his wife, " my brain is not working, and my buoyancy
is gone."

238 MEMOIR OF THE
The day following he went out for a drive, but the hand
was weak, and could not hold the reins. Very shortly after
wards he took to his bed, and became unconscious, or nearly
so. " Often," Mrs. Wilkes says, " he was talking rapidly, giv
ing lectures and preaching, although not many consecutive
sentences could be caught, yet enough to know that the brain
was still at work, though in a state of only semi-consciousness.
The words of prayer were on his lips, and the feeble arms
were often raised in pronouncing the benediction. On the
15th of November all consciousness ceased; the weary brain
was still ; a perfect calm settled on the countenance. Already
he seemed to pass within the vail, and "see the King in his
beauty, and the land that is very far off ; " but the breathing
continued till Wednesday the 17th, when, in the early morn
ing, the great silence came, and the watchers felt as if they
had heard the echo of the " Well done '' of welcome, as he
entered into the joy of his Lord.
The announcement of his death called forth voluminous
obituary notices, and resolutions of condolence by various pub
lic bodies with which he was connected, which would fill many
pages. The Daily Witness said of him, —
" Canada has lost one of her great benefactors in Dr. Wilkes, the patri
arch and apostle of Congregationalism. It was in no sectarian spirit that
this divine, fifty years ago, left an important and popular charge in the
Scottish capital, to become the agent of the Congregationalists in England
in promoting Christianity in Canada, on the basis of their very democratic
and theologically liberal ecclesiastical policy. It has been, in fact, the
weakness of Congregationalism toward which he has been during that
time an untitled bishop, that its members, while acting as leaders in every
public movement about them, have a great dislike for sectarianism, and
are far from absorbed in denominational work. Holding with all his
fellow religionists to the principles of a catholic Christianity, he was
among the most faithful and self-sacrificing promoters of all the great
catholic societies which have characterized the half century of his Canadian
labours, and some of which have of late, here as elsewhere, given way to
denominational movements. True to these broad principles to the end,

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 239
perhaps his last official act was to appear as the caller of a meeting of the
Evangelical Alliance, of which he was fitly the president. No one who
has known Montreal during any considerable portion of the fifty years in
question, but will pay homage to the immense influence wielded for good
by Dr. Wilkes, as pastor of one of the leading Protestant congregations — -
one which in his day would yield to no other in importance and public
weight, and one which furnished far more than its own contingent of
workers for every religious and moral movement in the city." 
The Gazette had an equally appreciative notice, from which
we give only a few sentences : —
 " Not in his own church merely, but in the other Protestant
denominations, he was regarded as. the patriarch of the religious commun
ity. Nor was it simply length of days which obtained for him that posi
tion of honour. Dr. Wilkes had devoted his great natural gifts and varied
culture for a long life time mainly to one object — to care for the flock with
the oversight with which Providence had, in his prime of manhood, en
trusted him. If it is usual to pay court to able ministers who, after a
longer or shorter stay with us, find it their duty to seek or accept another
sphere of service, still more is homage due to those who, like the late pas
tor of Zion church, have found no employment more worthy of their
talents, than to tend that spot in the great Vineyard where their ministra
tions have been already blessed. Dr. Wilkes was known far and wide
over this broad continent and in the land of his birth, but his heart
remained true to Montreal, and he looked for no higher reward in this
world than to spend and be spent among those who loved and revered
him as their spiritual father. ' For nearly seventy years altogether he was,
with occasional absences, associated with the commercial, social, and reli
gious life of this city. The story of his ministry, if fully narrated, would
be a record of deep and manifold interest.''  '
The funeral took place on the following Saturday afternoon,
that day being considered the most generally convenient,
especially for friends in the city, although equally inconvenient
for ministerial brethren in the country around, many of whom
desired to attend, and pay their last sad tribute of respect to
his memory. Assembling at Dr. Wilkes' late residence, Mr.
Hill, the pastor of Calvary church, led the mourning company
in prayer, after which the funeral cortege moved slowly on to
Emmanuel church, headed by over fifty clergymen, of various

240 MEMOIR OF THE
denominations. Emmanuel church was already nearly filled
with those who had come to the funeral obsequies. The Rev.
Dr. Cornish presided, and opened the service by announcing
the hymn beginning, " For Thy dear saint, O Lord,
Who strive in Thee to live,
Who followed Thee, obeyed, adored,
Our grateful hymn receive."
(No. 1250 Cong. Hymn Book.)
The Rev. F. H. Marling, of New York, read select pas
sages of Scripture, and the Rev. G. H. Wells, of the American
Church, delivered the funeral address, which we give else
where. The Rev. Principal McVicar, of the Presbyterian
College, then led the assembly in prayer ; the hymn,
" Forever with the Lord," etc.
(No. 1 180 Cong. Hymn Book.)
was sung, and Dr. Cornish closed the services with the bene
diction. The remains were laid to rest among those of multi
tudes of departed friends whom he himself had followed to the
same beautiful Mount Royal.
On Sunday evening, a memorial service was held in Em
manuel church, the pulpit of which was draped in mourning,
relieved, in front, by a floral anchor, symbol of the hope of
the Christian, in which the venerable pastor had lived and
died. Mr. Marling (since chosen pastor of the church)
preached a most impressive sermon from the words of Gal. i,
24, — " And they glorified God in me." The sermon, by desire
of several friends, is given afterwards almost entire. Refer
ence was made on the same Sabbath, in many of the pulpits of
the city, as well as in those of the denomination generally, to
his death, as a loss to the Church of Christ not to be easily
supplied. Resolutions expressive of their sense of his worth and use
fulness, and of condolence with his family, were adopted by
the following, among other public bodies and institutions : —

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 241
Emmanuel and Zion churches, Montreal, the Corporation and
the Students of the Congregational College of B. N. A., the
Canada Congregational Missionary Society, the Congregational
Union of Ontario and Quebec, the Montreal Branch of the
Evangelical Alliance, the Auxiliary Bible Society, and the
Corporation of McGill University. We give those only of the
last three public Institutions ; the denominational ones will be
found in their respective published records.
By the Bible Society.
At the monthly meeting of the General Committee of the
Society, held December 2, 1886, inter alia, it was unani
mously Resolved, —
"That in receiving the report of the death of our honoured colleague,
the Rev. Dr. Wilkes, we desire to express, and to place on record, our
deep sense of the loss which this Society, in common with all kindred
Institutions, has sustained by the removal of one who filled so large a
place, and played so important a part in the Religious, Educational, and
Benevolent life and work of this community, for half a century.
In the various capacities of a member of this Committee, then Secre
tary, and lastly of a Vice-President of this Society, Dr. Wilkes was ever
ready by voice, and pen, and example, to do all he could in promoting the
great object of this Society — the sending abroad the Word of God through
out the land ; and none rejoiced more heartily than he at the success
which attended this work.
As a minister of the Gospel, occupying for so many years, as he did, a
prominent position among the churches of this city, he was loyal and
true to the great fundamental truths of the Bible ; and he had his reward
in being the centre of influences and efforts which operated for good in
promoting the religious and social well-being of this community. " He
rests from his labours, and his works do follow him."
Resolved, further : " That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
widow and family of our deceased friend, with the expression of our sin
cere sympathy and condolence with them in this the hour of their sorrow
and bereavement." (Signed), George Cornish,
Cor. Secretary, M. A. B. S.
A copy of these Resolutions was also ordered to be sent to
the Parent Society. Q

242 MEMOIR OF THE
By the Evangelical Alliance.
Resolved: — "That this meeting of the Montreal Branch of the Evan
gelical Alliance has heard with profound regret of the death of its Hon
orary President, the Rev. H. Wilkes, D.D., LL.D., — President of the
Branch from the time of its formation until the last annual meeting, — and
desires to place on record its high appreciation of his many excellent qual
ities as a man, a minister, and a Christian. We are deeply sensible of the
loss the Alliance has sustained in his removal ; we meekly bow to the will
of our Father, and pray that the family of our deceased brother may be
divinely sustained in their great sorrow."
Signed, on behalf of the Alliance,
J. W. Dawson, LL.D.,
President.
By the Corpor4tion of McGill University.
January 26, 1887. Inter alia, —
It was moved by the Rev. Canon Norman, D.D., and
seconded by Dr. Robert Craik, and unanimously Resolved, —
" That the Corporation of this University take this their first opportunity
of placing on record their deep and sincere regret at the decease of the
Rev. Dr. Wilkes, for more than twenty years a member of this Corpora
tion. Dr. Wilkes took a foremost place in the field of higher education in
this city ; he displayed a lively interest in the special work of this Univer
sity, and during his long residence in this city, won the respect and regard
of all with whom he came in contact.
Also, that the Corporation wish to express their cordial sympathy with
the widow and family of the late Rev. Dr. Wilkes, in this their heavy
affliction ; and order that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Mrs.
Wilkes." (Signed), W. C. Baynes, B.A.,
Secretary, McGill University.

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 243

APPENDIX.

SKETCHES AND FUNERAL ADDRESSES.

Address of the Rev. George H. Wells, at the
Funeral Service, Nov. 20, 1887.
Mr. Wells said : " I wish to speak of Dr. Wilkes to-day,
simply as one of his neighbours and younger brothers in the
ministry of Jesus Christ. A more complete discourse, which
shall present the outlines of his life and work, and describe
his character, his relations to his denomination and to his
church, will be given in this house to-morrow night, by one who
is entitled, by long and intimate association, to speak of him
both with authority and love. A further tribute to his memory
will also be due from me, because of personal acquaintance
and affection, and from my pastoral connection with the
church of which he first became a member, and to which he
showed himself a more than constant friend. That tribute I
shall hope to render at another time and place. At this ser
vice I would represent, as far as I am able, the ministers and
churches of this city. I would express in their behalf, some
thing of that esteem with which we all regarded him, and of that
deep sense of loss which this entire Christian community
sustains in his removal. Not many of us have known him in
the full noontide of his strength. He outlived most of his
early associates and fellow-workers, and few comparatively
are left who can remember him in his youth, or even in his
middle life. I am older in residence and service than most
pastors here, and Dr. Wilkes was just retiring from the active
pastorate when I came to Montreal. For thirty-five years —
more than the life-time of a generation — he had then been min-

244 MEMOIR OF THE
ister of Zion church. He withdrew from that position, not
because he was old or felt worn out, but in order to devote
himself more fully to the College work. It was meet that he
should give his last and ripest years and should use the sources
of his experience and wisdom to train young men to follow in
the sacred office he had filled and loved. He had earned
honourable retirement and promotion by his faithful and suc
cessful work as pastor. By the blessing of God resting on his
abundant labours, he had brought his congregation on from
small beginnings to large and ever growing strength ; he had
led them from the humble chapel in St. Maurice Street into
the spacious and attractive building so long and so well known
as Zion church, and which we still find it hard and sad to call
by any other name. He had been an able and earnest
preacher of the truth. He never aimed at brilliancy of dic
tion or imagination, but he was a good student, and a safe and
strong expounder of the sacred Word. He attracted many
intelligent and thoughtful hearers, and his congregation was
distinguished for both its spiritual and intellectual power.
By such a ministry of solid and abiding usefulness, he set a
good example, in an age inclined to novelty and change, and he
showed to ministers and churches that it is safe to walk in sim
ple and in quiet ways. His spirit was always of the kindliest
and most catholic type. He had been selected and sent out
to Canada as the representative of the Congregational or In
dependent body in England. For years he was the leader
among the churches of that order in this country. He travel
led far and laboured hard in their behalf, both in the old world
and the new. Many a man in such a place would have
become a narrow and sectarian zealot, and been so much en
grossed in his own church, as to be unable or unwilling to see
the good that lay outside its bounds. But it was not so with
Dr. Wilkes ; his nature was too broad to admit of that. He
believed that Congregationalism is a Scriptural and sensible
order of church polity. He loved it and he served it loyally

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 245
and well. He had his preferences, very likely his convictions
on the subject, but this never separated him by a hair's breadth
from any of his brethren in the Christian faith. He gladly
recognized the excellencies of other churches ; he rejoiced in
their prosperity and increase. He was a Christian first, a
Congregationalist afterwards, a sectarian or bigot never.
Besides his duties as the pastor of an important city charge,
and the care of all the churches of his denomination that came
upon him daily, he found time and will to lend a helping hand
to every good word and work. All movements to promote
the public welfare ; whatever tended to advance the cause of
education, of morality, religious freedom, social order, or good
government, found in him a true and earnest friend. The
various societies for union Christian effort, — the Bible Society,
the Religious Book and Tract Society, the French Canadian
Missionary Society, of blessed work and memory, the Sunday
School Union, the Temperance Associations, the different
agencies of Home and Foreign Missions, all had in him a
ready advocate and helper. When a branch of the Evangeli
cal Alliance, intended to secure the fellowship, and, on occa
sion, the concerted action of all who hold the fundamentals of
our common faith, was formed in Montreal, he naturally be
came its president, and he remained so until his death. A
few days since, at the annual meeting of that body, when it
was known that he was seriously ill, and very likely would
never again be well enough to attend its meetings, it was the
unanimous wish that his name should still head the roll of offi
cers, and he was re-elected to that post. He was an Evan
gelical Alliance in himself, grandly evangelical in all his doc
trinal beliefs, and eager to ally himself with all who have
obtained a like precious faith. He possessed the pleasant and
loving spirit that would heal all wounds and separations in the
Christian church, and lead to the fulfilment of Christ's prayer
for the unity of all disciples in himself.

246 MEMOIR OF THE
He was a living bond of union between our denominations,
and our congregations, and we might know him long and well
without hearing from him a word to indicate his own connec
tion, or to suggest that he did not entirely agree with all one's
minor views.
Since his release from his own pulpit work, how ready he
has been to preach in all churches ; and even since his infirm
ities have come upon him, what pains would he not take in
order to oblige a brother who was needing help. How he
delighted still to meet his Christian friends, at special meetings,
and on anniversary occasions ! And though his limbs were
stiffened so that he could no longer stand to speak, he would
address us sitting like a venerated and venerable bishop, speak
ing ex-cathedra in his chair. Though lame in body he was
yet clear in mind ; his eye was not dimmed, and his voice
kept until almost the last, its old sonorous ring. His spirit
was willing though his flesh was weak, and continuing to
preach and to attend on public services, he often surprised,
and sometimes shamed far younger, but less enterprising men.
In fact we grew ashamed to ask, his presence and assistance
in our assemblies, before he learned to say us nay.
His recent trip to the old country was a striking proof of
his great energy, and of the courage with which he fought
against the advancing ills of life. Not many men, when more
than 80 years of age, able to walk only with great difficulty
upon a level floor, and powerless to take a single upward or
downward step alone, would think that they could make long
journeys by land and sea, could attend and address crowded
meetings ; could preach in different churches, at one place de
livering two sermons on the same Sabbath day ; could visit
numerous friends in England and Scotland, and after a summer
spent thus abroad, return to Canada and take up College work
again. Dr. Wilkes did it. He yearned to keep the Jubilee
of his appointment to the Colonial field upon the platform of
the Congregational Union that had sent him out. His hope-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 247
ful spirit minimized the obstacles that seemed so great in
other eyes, and to our great surprise he went. In London he
appeared in the meetings of that body which, fifty years before,
had made him its pioneer apostle to the Canadian work. He
was there, but he must have been well-nigh the only one of
that assembly that had met in 1836. The men who commis
sioned him had, almost without exception, passed from the
scene of earthly labour to that of heavenly reward, — had gone
before him from human sight and fellowship to " the general
assembly and church of the first-born."
Their sons and successors gave royal welcome to the veteran
on his return. When his presence was discovered in the
house, the whole assembly rose, and gave him an enthusiastic
cheer ! Eloquent and distinguished men pronounced glowing
eulogy upon his character and work. He replied to their
" addresses, and told, at some considerable length, the story of
his departure, and of his subsequent career, speaking in tones
that were full and strong, and made themselves distinctly
heard. That grand occasion was the fitting close and culmination
of his course.
It was the wreath of honour and approval that his brethren
placed upon him just before the Master called him higher, and
set the crown of everlasting life and joy upon his brow.
The exertions and excitements of his journey proved too
great a tax upon his strength. He reached home in safety,
and called himself about as well as usual ; but to some of us
it seemed that there were signs of an approaching change
Even his indomitable will could not much longer keep the
worn out wheel from breaking at the cistern. We were not
surprised to hear a little while ago that Dr. Wilkes was ill,
and though the physicians spoke in hopeful terms we felt the
end was, doubtless, near. Slowly but surely the machinery of
life ran down. He gradually lost the power of motion and of
speech. Later he fell into unconsciousness. Very gently the

248 MEMOIR OF THE
spirit went out from the tabernacle where it had dwelt so long,
and left it cold and still in death. The old man became a
little child, and fell asleep on the Eternal Father's breast. It
was a merciful and fitting end. Our friend and father has
been spared the sad experience of long dependence and decay.
The bridge by which he crossed from vigorous and cheerful
service here to the unending life beyond was very short.
Some have expressed regret that he did not husband his
strength more carefully, and that he possibly shortened his
days by the recent trip abroad. Let us not mourn for this,
however, but rejoice rather that he was enabled to fulfil the
hope that he had cherished many years.
We might have wished that he had heard Death's coming
footstep at his door, and spoken words of advice, and fond
farewell to his friends, to pupils, and to the loved ones within
his family and home, and had expressed his confidence and
peace in presence of the last great foe. Affection would gladly
crave such parting testimonials as these.
But after all, we do not need more words of wisdom and
tenderness from him. His life was the expression of his faith
and love. No one who knew him ever questioned his sincerity,
his courage or his unfeigned piety. No one can doubt that
to him has been administered "an abundant entrance into the
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
We are confident of his acceptance in the beloved, as though
we had seen him visibly go from us into the opened heaven,
and had cried, " My father, my father, the chariot of Israel,
and the horsemen thereof." May we, the prophets and the
sons of the prophets, the ministers and the students who are
left behind, offer Elisha's prayer, and find it answered in our
case, that a double portion of his spirit may be given unto us.
In all our churches may the savour of his life and work long
linger, and be fully manifested, in principles as sound, in char
acter as pure, in labours as abounding and unselfish as were
his. May those most bitterly bereaved by the removal of their

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 249
dearest earthly stay, who had for them the sacred name of
husband, brother, father, friend, find in this hour of sore trial
that Comforter on whom he leaned, and proved him able to
supply his every need. May they amid their sorrow still re
joice on his account because he has gone unto the Father ;
and may we all have grace to follow in his steps until we too
shall pass beyond the partings and the weepings here, to that
bright home where God shall wipe away all tears, and whence
we shall go no more out forever."

2So MEMOIR OF THE
DISCOURSE BY THE REV. F. H. MARLING, IN
EMMANUEL CHURCH, NOV. 21, 1886.
Galatians i, 24.
" And they glorified God in me?'
So speaks the Apostle of the Gentiles concerning " the churches
of Christ in Judea," when they heard of his "preaching the
faith which once he destroyed." Their bitterest enemy had
become their warmest friend, and while they welcomed him
with open arms, they " lifted up their voice to God with one
accord," — " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thine
own name give glory, for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake."
The words come to me with compelling force, as indicating
the course of thought to be presented upon the death of our
old friend, Rev. Dr. Henry Wilkes. It would not be possible,
nor would any one desire, that biographical statements should
fail to occupy considerable space. But in these the aim should
be to glorify God, not man. " By the grace of God I am what
I am," said Paul, and I am sure that he who has gone from us
would adopt the saying as his own 
My acquaintance with Dr. Wilkes began in 1848, when he
was in all the vigour of his manly prime. For six years I
worked beside him here, and our friendship continued to the
end. He outlived nearly all of his earlier friends in the min
istry, and I could not refuse the call to stand here to-day, and
try to interpret the lessons of his life and death.
"And they glorified God in me." What this occasion calls
for seems best spoken in answer to the question, — What did
God do for and by Henry Wilkes ?
1. God gave him a good mother.
I have often heard him speak with enthusiasm of that
mother, have heard the cordial testimony of her pastors, and
can confirm that testimony by personal knowledge. What a

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 251
wonderful function these godly mothers perform in preparing
the future ministers of the Word ! more than can ever be done
afterwards by the most faithful pastors, the most learned pro
fessors. It was Hannah, the mother, whose prayer and con
secration made the child Samuel a prophet of the Lord ; a
mother, Lois (and grandmother, Eunice), who gave young
Timothy his unfeigned faith and his knowledge of the Holy
Scriptures ; Monica, whose prayers brought home the prodigal
Augustine ; and Susannah Wesley, who so trained her John
and Charles as to be herself the real (though unconscious)
founder of Methodism. More than once, the question has
been asked in some modern school of the Prophets, " How
many of you had pious mothers? " and always the overwhelm
ing majority have been proud to be so blessed. A mother's
face, if lighted from within by the indwelling spirit, is her babe's
first Bible ; her stories, the boy's earliest Bible School ; her
commands, permissions, and prohibitions, his initial discipline
in duty; and her prayers, the power that brings down the
blessing of God on his head. Often it is her secret consecra
tion, or her expressed desire, that turns a youth's steps into
the ministry. And her sympathy sustains and cheers a pas
tor's heart through his manifold labours and trials. All this,
the preacher can testify from personal experience. And so
could our departed friend. The hidden roots that fed this long
life of Christian service must not be sought in college, church,
or school, but in the Christian home.
O mothers, this is your holy and beautiful office. Your
place is at the very springs of life. You hold the world's and
the church's future in your hands. Do your work well. Train
up every boy and girl in the way they should go. Give the
best of yourselves to this work. Let it have the first lien on
your time. Social enjoyments, even outside benevolences,
should stand after the children. No one else can do your
work, if you leave it undone. Do not have to say at last,
" They made me keeper of vineyards, but mine own vineyard
have I not kept."

252 MEMOIR OF THE
2. God gave him a sound body.
No one could see Henry Wilkes without being impressed
by his immense physical vitality. He was a rare example of
a normal human organism. Every part of the machine was
in fine working order. He fairly revelled in work, he ate and
drank heartily, he slept soundly. His vision was strong, his
hearing quick, his voice sonorous, his step firm, his laugh free
and contagious. Seldom was he hindered by sickness, never
was he a prey to melancholy. It was an inspiration to come
into contact with so much life and strength. The strong found
there a companionship seldom within their reach ; the weak
were comforted and cheered as by the infusion of this abun
dant vigour into their own veins. Hardly any amount of
labour seemed beyond his powers. Public services, going
from house to house, official consultations, voluminous corres
pondence, frequent travel, and studious preparation, all were
undertaken with a cheerfulness that never failed. The day
began early and ended late, and every hour was filled to the
brim. For many years, his duty to the churches at large re
quired long journeys over rough roads and through winter
storms. As his fellow traveller on some of these, I can testify
to the zest and the cheerfulness with which he enjoyed the
pleasant, and endured the disagreeable, incidents of the jour
ney. It seemed to be a matter of course for him to perform
twice the work of average men. This wonderful strength con
tinued unimpaired for sixty, well nigh seventy years. It resisted
the disorder which made him a lame man for the last decade
of his life, supplying courage, patience, and hopefulness, refus
ing to be laid aside, seizing every opportunity for exercise, and
ready for any possible form of work. If he could not preach
on his feet, he would do it in a chair. He astonished his Eng
lish audiences last summer by his sprightliness and energy.
Three weeks only before he ceased to breathe, he met his stu
dents in his own house, and wanted them to come again !

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 253
What an amazing power for good there was in this physical
constitution ! what a fund of joy it was to himself; how it
multiplied his power of serving others ! How different his life
would have been, had he been burdened with a weak and dis
eased frame ! It was God's gift to His servant. But the gift
was held with a true steward's fidelity. The laws of health
were studied and obeyed ; dangerous excesses were avoided.
The powers were put to a good use. The body was the ser
vant, the spirit the master.
Young men who are strong, and exult in your strength, —
will you not heed the lesson here for you ? '• Ye are not your
own : ye are bought with a price ; wherefore glorify God in
your bodies and. spirits which are His." Put this talent out
to usury. If you have but one, husband it carefully; if ten,
let the Master have them all with increase.
3. God gave him a healthy mind.
The body and the mind are very unlike, yet they are near
akin, and act and react upon each other. We could not avoid
speaking just now of certain mental effects of a sound body.
But besides these, there was in our friend an unusually well-
balanced and wholesome quality of mind, a freedom from one-
sidedness and abnormality, which was a valuable part of his
equipment for God's service. He used to disclaim the pos
session of genius, poetry, and eloquence. Even if his self-
analysis was correct, he had a high degree of that uncommon
attribute — common sense. He could see a subject on many
sides. He could admit the force of opinions differing from his
own. He was fond of reasoning, yet enjoyed the thrill of
emotion. His feelings were warm, but not beyond control.
His views of life were reasonable and natural, — neither all
worldly, as though there were no other world than this ; nor
ascetic, forbidding the enjoyment of God's earthly gifts. He
was judicious, a good man to advise with, sympathetic but
sober. His public utterances were thoughtful and deliberate,

254 MEMOIR OF THE
and commended themselves to thoughtful men. He was
neither a bigot to traditions of the elders, nor ever on the look
out for " some new thing." He could hear, wait, and judge.
This habit of mind gave him stability of character ; you knew
where to find him.
A like wholesomeness pertained to his religious views, ex
periences, and teaching. There was in these no morbid
tendency. Serious, but not gloomy ; joyous, but reverent.
Language and tones of voice were natural and real. He was
positive, forcible, and earnest, but not bitter or extravagant.
How much this cast of character is needed amidst the con
flicts and confusions of thought prevailing on every side!
'' Keep sound wisdom and discretion," " God hath given us
the spirit of a sound mind." " Let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath."
4. God gave him an early conversion.
It was at about twenty years of age that he became a mem
ber in full communion of the American Presbyterian Church
in this city, and I believe that this open confession of his faith
followed soon after the decisive crisis in his soul's history,
in which he became "a new creature in Christ Jesus." Pre
vious to this, he had been the subject of God's " restraining
grace." The good habits in which he had been reared, paren
tal prayers, and good associations, had preserved him from
many temptations and sins. He put himself under the hal
lowed influences of the Sabbath and the sanctuary. " I being
in the way, the Lord met me," describes his position. Ah ! it
is much, though it is not all, when our young men and maidens
are held back from the evil they might do if left to themselves ;
when their consciences are not defiled by committing gross
transgressions ; and when they are kept out of the entangling
snare of partnerships in vice. But there is something more
wanted than this negative virtue. As the now silent preacher
said in his Jubilee sermon, referring to the opening of his

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 255
ministry fifty years before : " The subject of the first sermon
suggests the tone that pervaded them all. Men must be in
Christ if they are to be saved — there is salvation in no other.
But to be in Christ is more than profession, more than avowal,
more than baptism, however administered, more than member
ship of a church. It is to be a new creature — to be born
again of the Spirit of God to newness of life, and then to have
that life working and manifesting itself in holy obedience, the
1 old things ' of sin and death ' passing away, and all things
becoming new.' " Who can doubt that this style of preaching
grew out of his own experience of that great change? "I
believed, therefore have I spoken."
This happy renewal took place in a youth of twenty, away
from home, in a commercial situation, despite the tempta
tions of city life. The ministry of the Rev. Joseph S. Christ.
mas, of saintly memory, was the means by which it was
wrought ; but " God gave the increase." It is a great thing
to come to the Lord in our youth ; it grows harder every day.
Dear young people, if you are not yet converted, hear the
appeal and follow the example of him who loved you all. He
was never sorry that he became a Christian so soon. He
always warned you of the danger of putting Christ off to " a
convenient season."
5. God gave him a thorough training for the Ministry.
As soon as he was converted, he set to work, especially in
the Sabbath School, where his ability was recognized and
called forth in addresses to the school as well as in teaching a
class. Then there began to stir within him the mysterious con
viction of a "call" to the ministry of the Gospel. This be
came so decided, that he gave up the partnership, into which
he had been promoted after serving five years as a clerk, and
went to Glasgow to attend the University and the Theological
Academy conducted by the Rev. Ralph Wardlaw, D.D., and
Rev. Greville Ewing. " This course," he says, characteris-

256 MEMOIR OF THE
tically, " was adopted because Canada at the time was greatly
in need of a thoroughly enlightened, well-trained Godly minis
try, and because I had in hand the means of paying my way
without dependence on any one." A pretty far-sighted and
independent resolve for a young man of three-and-twenty !
Did not the issue show that he judged soundly ? Was the
time in Glasgow lost? Would it have been better for him
to have rushed, in the heat of his undisciplined zeal, into
some village pulpit, and preached himself out in a few months ?
By going to Glasgow he secured that mental furnishing which
carried him successfully through a continuous active pastorate
in one church of five-and-thirty years, and gave him a com
manding position in the city and the entire Colony ; he actually
preached, as a student, nearly as much as a pastor (perhaps
too much ; so he thought) ; he interested British Christians
in the Colonies, and formed a Society for Colonial Missions ;
and he finally returned to Canada with an established position
and repute that placed him at once on a high vantage ground.
There may be a suggestion of value here to the Theological
students of to-day, nearly sixty years later, viz., that it is a
wise economy of time to make thorough preparation for the
work of the ministry. That work demands large resources, —
a well stocked back- warehouse as well as an attractive front-
window. An itinerant evangelist can do his work on smaller
capital than a settled pastor who expects to stay. If the
Canada of 1826 needed a "well-trained" ministry, much more
does that of 1886, with its educational system since founded
and made so complete in all departments. Dr. Wilkes never
repented the time so spent, never considered himself too well
educated. He took the best course attainable to him in that
day. " Go tho 1, and do likewise." And remember that the
training was practical, as well as scholastic. Indeed it was
rather too little in the class-room and the study; his own
words are, "This preaching ministry was more continuous
than I should be disposed to permit to one of my students at

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 257
the present day." But this was a fault of degree, not of kind.
The blending in right proportions of theory and practice is
recognized in all professions as giving the best education.
Medical and legal students cannot do without the hospital and
the court-room. 6. God gave him an Evangelical Theology.
He had heard no other from his childhood up. It was his
mother's faith. It was that, as we have seen, in which he was
converted, and it was that which was confirmed in him under
Wardlaw and Ewing. This faith may be given here as ex
pressed in the Title Deed of Zion Church, prepared under his
ministry, which forbids any pastor to " preach, uphold and
maintain any doctrine subversive of or contrary to the follow
ing principles : — " The Sacred Scriptures of the Old and New
Testament are Divinely inspired and of supreme authority."
" The true and proper Deity, and the all-sufficient and vica
rious atonement of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." "The
personality and proper Deity of the Holy Spirit, and the indis
pensable necessity of His influence to bring a sinner to true
repentance, to regenerate the heart, and to perfect our sancti
fication. Sanctification through faith in Christ, the final per
severance of all true believers to a state of eternal blessedness
through faith in Christ and obedience to his commands, and
the future and eternal punishment of the wicked." This is
not to be understood as Dr. Wilkes' complete creed, but it
does set forth what he regarded as the core of the Gospel, the
indispensable articles of the Faith, without which the truth of
Christ would not be preached. In London, last May, he said,
" I would have an impression made upon yourselves concern
ing the gift of the Holy Spirit. Really, that is the great need
everywhere." Such was his personal belief. On these truths
his own spiritual life was constantly nurtured. These he pro
claimed in the pulpit ; these he taught in Bible-class, Sunday
School, and personal dealing with souls. These he sought (as

258 MEMOIR OF THE
above) to make binding to all time on every one of his sue
cessors in the pulpit. So earnestly did he hold them, that I
believe he would say with Paul, in v. 8 of this chapter,
"Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other
Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed ! "
7. God gave him a successful Ministry.
It was successful from the very beginning. Fruits were
gathered from the labours of the student-preacher in various
parts of Scotland. The pastorate of three years in Albany
Street, Edinburgh, was one of much power. He found 140
members, and left 240. In Montreal, the young church in St.
Maurice Street steadily grew ; galleries were put in ; but still
more room was wanted, and Zion Church was built. The
minister's sermons were always evangelical, instructive, and
earnest. There was solid food in them, and people in quest
of such food loved to hear them. Topics of the time were
presented in the light of the Bible. Current errors were as
sailed with unflinching logic, but never with personal bitter
ness. The great end of all preaching, the salvation of indivi
dual souls, was ever kept in view. I have heard him say that,
whatever the theme, he made it a point to present, in every
sermon, the way of salvation by Christ, so that no chance
visitor might go away without hearing that good news. He
held himself open to receive any enquirers, in the vestry or in
his own house, and frequently appointed times for the purpose.
He had peculiar skill in setting them at their ease, drawing
them out, and guiding them- to the Saviour. Special seasons
of prayer for God's blessing on the word were observed from
time to time. The pastor often had a Bible-class of young
people, and thus not only trained them in Scripture knowledge,
but brought himself into close contact with the individual
members. Special attention was given to the Prayer Meet
ings, to fill them up with life and light, and make them spiritu-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 259
ally helpful. The Sabbath School was under the pastor's eye,
and his voice was often heard there. He loved young people,
and they loved him. His eye always brightened to a child.
While labouring thus abundantly himself, he led others to
work. Officials and private members were all expected to
do their share, and were made to feel that they were neces
sary. The benevolence of the church was cultivated on Chris
tian principles, and they were kept informed of the needs of
various parts of the world -field.
Especial attention was bestowed on the Worship of the
church, so that while the teaching quality of the ministry of the
New Testament was always maintained, the sermon was not
allowed to cast Prayer and Praise into the shade. He led the
devotions of his people in a reverent and thoughtful manner,
mindful of the special wants of the day, and giving fit utter
ance to their adorations, thanksgivings, confessions, desires,
and intercessions. How heartily he joined in singing the
praises of God, seeking to enlarge and enrich this portion of
the service, and to make it a spiritual sacrifice ! In the read
ing of the Scriptures, his devout spirit, fine voice, and elocu
tionary instinct combined to " give the sense, and cause the
people to understand the reading." In the administration of
the Sacraments he was especially felicitous, — dignified, serious
and tender, word and action both directed by good judgment
and good taste. So, in special services and occasions, he
could adapt himself with happy versatility to the demands of
the hour.
A ministry of this character and force drew around him a
like-minded people, constituting a body of exceptional spirit
uality, activity, and liberality. In the best days of pastor and
flock, its influence was very great, and spread far and wide.
Its members are to be found to-day throughout the city and
the land, and numbers of them do honour to the school in
which they were trained. I cannot put into any figures the
results of labours of this kind pursued in one place for a full

260 MEMOIR OF THE
generation, but you are hearing them all the time from every
quarter, and will, for many a year to come. But " The Day
will declare " more than we shall ever know on earth. How
many hundreds, thousands of souls he has helped, and are the
better for coming into contact with such a spirit ! Sacred
confidences were poured into his sympathetic ear, comfort and
counsel given in return, and the troubled heart has gone away
lightened of its burden. To the young, " at the parting of the
ways,'' the right impulse has been given, determining the whole
life for God. Into the house of mourning his kindly, hopeful
spirit has brought resignation and composure. He could
"rejoice with those who did rejoice," as well as "weep with
those who wept." The long ministry in one place made him
like a senior member of many families. He baptized the chil
dren of those whom he had in their infancy baptized. How
many must feel that never again can they have a friend and
counsellor known so well, trusted so long !
8. God gave him a National Influence.
I notice that when he went to study in Glasgow, he saw that
" Canada needed " such and such a ministry. He began to
collect a library for an institution to train them in the country.
He took a missionary journey to and through the Province in
the midst of his course of study. These things show remark
able breadth of view and public spirit for so young a man.
He came out in 1836 bearing the commission of the Colonial
Missionary Society as its Agent, first for all Canada, then for
the Eastern Province. Personal visits to the churches and
much correspondence were required in this office. A Mission
ary Society was formed in the Province itself, to help in the
same work. In 1842 he helped (with Dr. Carruthers) to
establish and conduct a Theological Institution in this city,
afterwards merged in that carried on at Toronto by Dr. Lillie,
which in 1864 was removed to Montreal as the Congregational
College. In all these, and other organizations of the Congre-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 261
gational churches, he was an active adviser and worker, a
" pillar " of the denomination, and was seen and heard in every
part of the Dominion, except its newest Western Provinces, —
and even there he was felt.
But while thus loyal to his own regimental colours, he ever
regarded himself as belonging to the whole army of the Lord .
I need not tell you of Montreal, how brotherly a spirit he had
to all Christians, and how effectively, in the Committee room,
at the Secretary's desk, and on the platform, he served the
Bible and Tract Societies, the French Canadian Mission, the
Sunday School Union, the Evangelical Alliance, and all such
movements. The cause of Public Education, in all its forms,
from the highest to the lowest, he did much to promote. Local
charities had in him a constant advocate.
The last years of his life were spent in the service of the
Congregational College, together with such outside work as a
resident minister, not a pastor, is frequently asked to perform.
This professional work of course made him the servant of the
churches at large, whose future pastors he thus helped to train.
For some 25 years in ail, at two different periods, he took part
in work of which, from the beginning, he showed a high
appreciation. And thus it was that the name of Dr. Wilkes became known
throughout the length and breadth of Canada, amongst all
denominations. He loved Canada, rejoiced in its progress,
and had faith in its future. Most fervently did he also love
his native land, and gloried in the greatness of the British
Empire. In many a corner of that Empire his work was well
known. He had warm friends in all parts of Great Britain,
and in the neighbouring States. " Wilkes of Montreal " will
rank with such names as Wardlaw of Glasgow, James of Bir
mingham, Jay of Bath, and the like, as occupying a centre of
power for a lifetime, and wielding an influence to which it is
impossible to set any bounds.
Ah ! it is a wide, wide gap that is made by his death. We

262 MEMOIR OF THE
never knew how much he was to the city and to the land, until
he was gone !
9. God gave him graci to make a Happy Home.
We have spoken of him so far very much on the public side
of his character and life. But that was not the whole of the
man. Family affections, family life, family religion, and family
training, were matters of the first moment to him. How he
enjoyed his own home ! how bright he made it for the whole
household ! He loved to have children and grandchildren
always about him. He was a genial host, and a welcome
guest. The families of his friends were ever interesting to
him. He watched the progress of the young and the decline
of the aged with ready sympathy. Births, marriages, and
deaths were events of far more than professional interest. We
will not intrude on the sacred privacy of the domestic circle
further than to note, with thankfulness, that when in these
later years it became necessary for him " to be ministered
unto " rather than " to minister," the self-devoting and un
wearied love which the service required were freely given
through all the long days to the last hour. God comfort those
who have lost him from their home ! He only can measure
their depth of sorrow ; He only can give the needed consola
tion. We can only render some small outward service, and
then silently pray.
10. And now, finally, God has taken him unto Himself.
" To me, to live is Christ, to die is gain." We see all the
dark side of death, — the stricken household, the empty place.
But we must not fail to look, at the other side, visible to the
eye of faith. What must it be, to be released from all the in
firmities and limitations of the body, and to go free, as a bird
escaped from the fowler, to be one of " the spirits of just men
made perfect ; " to be no longer pressed in on every side by
sin and sorrow ; to meet with the purest and brightest spirits
from all the universe of God ; above all, " to be with Christ ! ''

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 263
We glorify God in our departed brother for life lived worth
ily, for work well done, for suffering cheerfully borne; but far
more, for rest and reward so graciously bestowed. " Enoch
walked with God, and was not, for God took him." This
reads as if God loved the company of his children so well, that
he gathers them, one by one, in His own time, into His home
above. " Where I am, there ye shall be also." The Scripture
tells us little more than this, concerning the blessed dead. But
is it not enough ? Does any one ask, " Why do we not learn
more? I want to know what they are like, what they are
doing — why is the Bible so silent?" My friends, I do not
know, unless it be for this cause : " I have many things to say
unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
If they are " with Christ," shall we not be satisfied with that?
Is not the Saviour's presence heaven enough ? Does it not carry
with it more than everything which heart could wish ? You
cannot think of any good thing that is not assured by the
words, " with Christ."
And then comes in the comforting word to ourselves, —
" Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him ;
we shall be caught up together with them. And so shall we
ever be with the Lord." It is but a little time ; let us work
and wait and trust. " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken
away : Blessed be the name of the Lord ! "
And so we glorify God in him who has passed away from
among us. We review this long life, this great work, this
honoured character, this glorious end, and we see that " good
ness and mercy followed him all the days of his life," till he
went to " dwell in the house of the Lord forever." We thank
God, and take courage. We follow him who through faith
and patience hath inherited the promises. " This God is our
God for ever and ever. He will be our guide even unto
death." And afterward, " our portion forever." All glory to
His name ! Amen.

264 MEMOIR OF THE
REMINISCENCES.
By the Rev. J. Monro Gibson, D.D., London, Eng.
London, July, 1887.
" Dear Mr. Wood,
I am very much gratified to hear that you have undertaken
to edit the biographical notes my late father-in-law has left of
his busy and useful life 
Understanding that you are desirous of receiving contribu
tions from any who are in a position to send them, it occurs
to me that as I resided for nine years in Montreal, and had
exceptional opportunities during that time of knowing his home
life, I might venture to give my impressions of what Dr. Wilkes
was in his own family.
I may begin by saying that it was a constant grief to him
to have so little time to spend with his family. The work he
had to do was so enormous, that he was obliged to be at it
early and late, every day of the week. It was a constant
wonder to me, first, how he accomplished it at all, and next,
and more especially, with what calmness of mind he faced the
most embarrassing accumulations of it. He never seemed
to get flurried or excited, never had to hesitate as to what he
should do first, never lost time in fretting over it, or getting
into those fits of despair which sometimes overtake the weaker
ones of us under similar circumstances, but went steadily on
from hour to hour, from day to day, from year to year, no frag
ment of time lost, no fraction of strength wasted, everything
accomplished in the most orderly and business-like manner.
This wonderful equability of temper enabled him also to
receive his visitors with unfailing courtesy and kindness, how
ever inconvenient the time of their coming, and however en
grossed with work he might be when they came. He had
tact to bring them to the point, and help them to the conclu
sion of the business on which they had come ; but never, to
my knowledge, did he find it necessary to say, " I am too busy

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 265
to see you ; " and though some, no doubt, discovered that they
had finished the interview in shorter time than they had ex
pected, they had no consciousness of having been impatiently
received, or unduly hurried.
As might be expected, the only times, as a rule, when he
was with his family, were the meal times, and then he thor
oughly unbent himself, dismissed entirely the memories and
anticipations of the study, took the fullest interest in all the
family conversation, and enlivened it with frequent sallies of
fun. The leisure time of the week was the late Sunday even
ing, when the work of the day was over, and the pressure of
the next week was not yet on him. As I also found my work,
small as it was, at that time, compared with his, quite exacting
enough for me, we saw very little of each other at other times ;
but when the strain of the week was relaxed by the close of
the evening service, I would seek rest and relaxation in his
company, and many a wise counsel would he give, and very
much help and encouragement did I receive out of his rich
and ripe experience. These evenings are among the most
precious memories of my life.
The secret of his unvarying equability of mind and temper
was probably to be found, not only in his natural disposition,
but in the long discipline of a devout and trustful life. He
was an early riser, usually, at that time (he was then about
60), before six o'clock. The greater part of the time before
breakfast would be spent in the little garden, when he always
had something to do with his hands, as he took his draught of
morning air. Then, immediately after breakfast and family
worship, the study door would be shut, and it was under
stood that for some time he should be left alone. During
most of the time before the door was opened again, to signify
that access was free, there would be the usual stillness, but
occasionally there would be heard a quiet strain of music,
which made it evident that praise as well as prayer entered
habitually into his devotions. In these morning hours of

266 MEMOIR OF THE
healthful exercise of body and of spirit lay the secret of the
calmness and strength of the day, the freshness and fruitfulness
of the life.
His health was, as a rule, excellent, and his spirits buoyant ;
and those who knew him only as the strong, cheery, youthful-
spirited man, might think that nature had as much to do as
grace with his placidity of temper, and patient continuance in
well-doing. But though he had little sickness, he had not a
little suffering. Even in his earlier days he was frequently in
torture from lumbago ; and this he bore with the same equa
nimity with which he faced the distractions of his work, and
would go patiently on with his writing while the perspiration
was starting from his forehead through the intensity of the
pain. He would say little about it, and when he did refer to
the subject, it would always be in a cheerful tone, never com
plaining, and always expecting that very soon there would be
relief. Sometimes the pain would continue for days, and at
such times he would go through his Sunday work the same as
usual, so that probably none but those at home would have
any idea he was in pain at all. In the latter part of his life,
as probably your story will tell, he had years of suffering, the
pain being of the most intense and persistent kind. During
these years I saw little of him ; but when I did see him, there
was always the same sweet serenity of spirit, the same unwav
ering trust in God, the same bright hopefulness and calm
patience. Alas, alas, what rebukes are there for some of us in
these sacred memories !
I have seen him, too, under the sore pressure of family sor
row. This is a region too sacred to open up to the public
gaze. But this I may say, that in the anguish of his spirit,
when it was no longer possible to be calm, when his whole
being was convulsed with uncontrollable emotion, he found in
God his refuge and strength ; and after the outpouring of his
soul in prayer, the wonted calm would come again.
No one who knew him could fail to notice how exceedingly

RE V. HENR Y WILKES, D.D . 267
charitable he was ; how he always put the best construction
on everything that was done, and never uttered a word that
might not have been proclaimed on the house-top, or reported
direct to the person whose conduct might be in question.
Some of us thought this feature of his character was in excess,
so as to interfere with just discrimination; and yet, there is
the thirteenth of First Corinthians ! The great Apostle never
reached a loftier range than when he- caught and fixed that
heavenly vision of Charity, in the glowing words we all admire,
but which so few show written in the heart. But they were
written in the heart of Henry Wilkes ; and though we might
sometimes, at the time, find fault with him for what seemed
his want of penetration, it is an inspiration now to recall him
as an actual living example of that Charity which " thinketh no
evil," "believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all
things," and " never faileth."
Yes, " endureth all things ; " for there were times when it
seemed as if he had to endure all things, at the hands of cer
tain persons from whom very different treatment might have
been expected  I can recall at least two occasions in
his life when he was treated by persons, whom he had at great
sacrifice obliged, in a way that would have roused the indigna
tion of any ordinary man, and led him to insist on rights
which he might justly have claimed. But he refused to con
tend on his own account, and these personal matters never
seemed even to move him. He was so gentle and kind in his
words, under provocation which seemed to us of the most
aggravating kind, that it was evident he was equally gentle
and kind in his thoughts. Had it been the public interest
that was involved, or the interest of his church, or any interest
but his own personal advantage, he would have flamed out,
and fought to the last for what was just and equitable ; but
where only personal interests were involved, as in the cases I
now refer to, he refused to contend, being far better satisfied
to suffer in silence than to secure himself by resisting evil,
and exposing the devices by which his claims were set aside.

268 MEMOIR OF THE
This brings me to the last feature of his character I shall
notice, — his unselfishness. On this, however, I need not dwell,
for his whole history was one long illustration of it, and it can
not but shine out, from beginning to end, of any faithful record
of his life. But without allowing myself to take a wider range
than I have contemplated in this letter, I may say, that what
he was in the eye of the world, and the church, that he was in
his own home. I know he had a battle to fight with self, as
we all have, and once or twice I have seen some slight indica
tions of a conflict; but evidently, long before I knew him, he
had practically gained the victory, and had learned to walk in
the steps of his Master, who " pleased not himself." He as
sumed no airs of superior devotion, made no profession of
unusual elevation of character, never expressed himself in a
sentimental or effusive way ; but in his life, from day to day,
there was plainly written this : " For me to live is Christ."
It is with great hesitation I send you these poor paragraphs ;
but as you have been kind enough to undertake this "labour
of love," I could not but offer you a small tribute of admiration
and affection from one who considers it an honour to be a
son-in-law of one of the excellent of the earth.
Yours faithfully,
J. M. Gibson."
By the Rev. Dr. Stevenson,
Brixton, London.
Rev. J. Wood,
My Dear Sir,
Feeling, as I do very deeply, the loss of my honoured
friend, Dr. Wilkes, I should be glad to have the opportunity
of bearing testimony to his singular worth, and of recording
the impressions he made upon me, as a private friend and a
spring of public influence.
Two things strike me as his main characteristics. One is

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 269
his almost preternatural energy ; another, his power of easy self-
adaptation. As to the first, it must have been obvious to
everybody. It was simply unconquerable. Pain did not affect
it. Age had to give up the attempt even to modify it. With
limbs that no longer responded to the dictates of the in
domitable will, and muscles that were often instruments of
racking agony, his tireless energy enabled him to do as much
work at an age unusually advanced as would have wearied
many industrious men in the full prime of their powers. It
was a fact that moved wonder and admiration, when he greet
ed one from the chair, out of which he could no longer rise
unassisted, or from the carriage, which had become his only
means of locomotion, with his frank, hilarious smile and his
cheerful, ringing voice. This, too, continued to the end.
When I paid my last visit to him, as I bent over his couch,
and pressed my lips upon his brow, I shall never forget the
fresh, cheerful tone with which he responded to Mrs. Wilkes'
words, " It's Dr. Stevenson, my dear," — words uttered in
doubt as to whether, in his partial eclipse of consciousness, he
had recognized his friend — with a rapid " Yes, yes, my dear, I
know, I know." If ever man died as he had lived, keeping
mental energy and hope till, and almost after, consciousness
itself failed, that man was Dr. Wilkes.
In some men, energy is self-assertive and overbearing. In
Dr. Wilkes it was exactly the reverse. It was united with a
power of self-adaptation to the moods and temperaments of
others, almost as wonderful as itself. I knew Dr. Wilkes twelve
years. I have seen him during that time under circumstances
of the most trying character. Yet, never once did he lose his
temper, or in any way compromise his self-control. In his
relations at home he was a perfect model of cheerful kindli
ness. This was the less surprising, however, in view of the
noble and tender qualities of his honoured wife, and of the
happy degree in which his daughters reflected his own attrac
tive temperament. But if his home was happy, he was called

270 MEMOIR OF THE
to take part in a public life which was marked by great vicis
situdes. Church life did not always run quite smoothly,
especially after his practised hand had ceased to guide the
helm. My own relations to him were, at one time, of a deli
cate and difficult character. Yet was he always kind and
wise, always ready to think good and not evil, always looking
for the b st and most generous solution of a difficulty. I
never in my life received a harsh or hasty word from him, or
was tempted to utter one to him. And in after days, when I
was pastor of a church to most of whose members he had
been pastor, and Principal of the College over which he had
so long been Principal, and when he had taken the less pro
minent position of a private member of the church and a
Professor in the College, the bond of mutual honour and
affection grew, if possible, stronger and closer than ever. I
attribute this fine power of adaptation to the characters and
circumstances of others, not so much to a deliberate study of
character as to a swift perception, which enabled him at a
glance to see with whom he had to deal, and what would be
the probable effect of their position on their feeling and action.
He seemed to expect beforehand what men said and did.
Once, and only once, do I remember his expressing surprise.
A very bitter attack had been made upon him. Most men
would have replied with warmth. Dr. Wilkes waited till his
assailant was gone, and simply said, — " Astonishing ! "
The gifts of Dr. Wilkes were many and varied. They had,
however, a singular harmony one with another. This har
mony was founded on their direct reference to practise as con
trasted with speculation. His preaching affords one illustra-
on of what I mean. He did not linger long over doctrinal
discussion or even exposition. He passed rapidly forward to
the practical aspects of the subjects which he treated. Earnest
and devout as he was, I imagine that he was far less fascinated
by those profound elements of the Gospel which connect it
with the deeper and darker questions of all philosophic thought,

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 271
than by those which promised immediate usefulness. He was
less anxious to have a complete theory of human life and des
tiny, than to bring men to the side of Christ and to make
them good and pure. Hence arose a great catholicity of symT
pathy. He was indulgent to all reverent investigation, and
looked without aversion at developments of doctrine which
he did not himself share. A lack of reverence or of earnest
ness would have awakened his distrust, but no man had a
truer tolerance for all the activities of devout thought. He
had too keen a sense of the " things that cannot be shaken,'
to doubt for a moment that they will hold their own. Yet he
did not dogmatise as to what might need to be modified,
though, for himself, he was content to remain in the belief of
what, in his more active life, he had held and taught.
Quick and keen in intellect, gentle and kind in heart, not
easily provoked, thinking no evil, bearing all things with noble
cheerfulness, hoping all things good and true, rejoicing not in
iniquity, but rejoicing in the t t th, our dear Dr. Wilkes was a
sunbeam in his family, in his circle of friendship, and in society
generally. The city of his work and of his love knew his
worth and unsparingly ackonwledged it ; and to us who were
admitted to his private friendship, his memory shines forever
as a star in the firmament of heaven. J. F. SiEVENSON.
Brixton, Sept., 1887.

272 MEMOIR OF THE
Extracts from a Letter by the
bev. chakles chapman, m.a.
of Western College, Plymouth.

 "During the years I was in Montreal, I had more
than ordinary opportunities of knowing Dr. Wilkes, and of
forming an estimate of his character, not only in its public,
but also in its social and private aspects. His home was as a
second home to me, where I was ever welcome as a son with
a father. He was one of the men in life whom I never feared,
never was in doubt of, never needed to be on my guard
against. All suspicion and distrust was banished from my
heart. It never occurred to me that he could be saying one
thing and meaning another, or that he was openly professing
friendship while secretly acting along lines inconsistent with
true friendship  I saw him in his joys, and knew him
well in deep sorrows. I was accustomed to meet him at the
bier of dear friends, and amidst the joys of the marriage feast.
We walked together, and compared thoughts of what would be
the best course to adopt, on our way to the home of some
erring member of the church who stood in need of joint pas
toral remonstrance and entreaty. We privately compared
thoughts in reference to measures deemed needful for the spir
itual quickening of the church or the development of its
organizations ; and in the more critical seasons of church life
we, without presuming to dictate to men capable of forming
an independent judgment, opened heart to heart, and agreed
as to the main lines of action. Looking back on that time,
and free from the excitement natural to proximity of persons,
I have never been conscious during my whole life of any more
tender and trustful fellowship, than that realized in my rela
tion to him  In private intercourse with me, as in

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 273
church assemblies, he was sparing in words. His counsels
were brief and to the point, — the result of shrewd observation
of men and things. So quiet and self-possessed were his refer
ences to the matter in hand, that some might imagine that he
never felt anything very deeply, but was uniform in his emo
tions amidst great and small events. This, however, would
be a misreading of his nature. He never allowed extravagant
language to escape his lips, nor did he give uncontrolled vent
to emotion. He felt the impress of events, but always govern
ed the expression of feeling, as though it were the maxim of
life that God is in all things, and the issue is safe in His
hands. He would never allow feeling to unfit him for action.
In discussions on public questions he would often be silent
and hold his judgment in reserve, not because of the trimmer's
weakness that he might see how to fall in with the chief men
of opposing parties, but because he held the conviction, based
on a wide experience of human affairs, that there are elements
of truth in all forms of opinion, and that the part of a judicious
counsellor is to hold judgment in suspense till the elements of
error have been eliminated by careful sifting, and the elements
of truth are brought into such clear relief that all parties may
recognize their presence 
I often observed in him, in the course of our church life,
that he possessed the excellent faculty of not noticing many
things that were said and done, and this in a quiet way that
gave no offence ; and then, by taking up some point of com
parative indifference, he would create a diversion from critical
and dangerous questions, and, by a steady process, at last lead
up to the real point at issue, on which he would generally say
a few sensible words which often set the matter at rest.
On many occasions I had the opportunity of meeting Dr.
Wilkes in the homes of friends in Montreal, and there were
few Protestant homes of any social prominence to which he
was a stranger. On these occasions it was interesting to
notice how thoroughly sociable he was with young and old, rich
s

274 MEMOIR OF THE
and poor. He had the good, quiet habit of entering freely into
the topics that were being discussed, provided they were not
controversial, without assuming the monopoly of remark which
his age and long and wise experience might be supposed to
entitle him to. Generally he was not controversial in his dis
position. He cared more to find out points of agreement
than points of difference with others. The appearance of
easy concession, which perhaps some persons might observe
in him, was not founded on an indifference to truth or an
indolent intellect ; it was rather based on a moral principle,
namely, that in social intercourse the main thing is to develop
kindly feeling and not to arouse or encourage antagonism of
opimon. The holy tone of his conduct and spirit in social
circles was ever honoured and appreciated. As an illustra
tion, I may mention one instance which occurred, I think,
in the year 1875. Sometimes at the close of the day it was
customary in social gatherings to have family worship, and if
I happened to be present, he would usually suggest that we
should divide it between us. On the occasion referred to, I
have a vivid remembrance of the effect of his part of ihe wor
ship. There was a large party assembled, and the host spoke
to Dr. Wilkes about conducting family worship, and he at
once said to me, " Now, will you read and I will pray." The
worship passed devoutly, tenderly, full of true Christian feel
ing, causing some of us to feel how blessedly social joys may
be blended with the deepest and holiest yearnings after God.
At the close of the prayer, and before the guests could fully
resume conversation, a gentleman, a French Liberal Catholic,
a Q. C, and distinguished throughout Canada for his great
abilities, came up to us where we were standing, and said to
Dr. Wilkes, " Dr. Wilkes, I must say to you how much I have
enjoyed your prayer. I really think that if I lived among
such people as you are I should become pious." Knowing
the man and his antecedents, so far as religious privileges were
concerned, as, also, his daily associations, the candid state-

REV. HENRY WILKES,, D.D. 275
ment seemed to me to be a true index of the spiritual power
of our venerable friend's devout heart and life, and an instance
of what might be done in the world if, instead of harsh contro
versy, men could only be brought within the influence of true
prayer."

in memory of de. wilkes.
By the Rev. Dr. Duff, Airedale College, Bradford.
Eighty years he lived ! No wonder that he always seemed
the Counsellor to us who, with lads' hearts still, have rounded
forty. My story of him, and my knowledge, began over thirty
years ago, and his counselling words are woven into every
stage of my life since then. I can tell his story for a genera
tion, if I only look along the years of my own generation.
1. It was thirty-one and thirty-two years ago that I used to
see the postman hand in letters in queer yellow envelopes for
my father. They came across the ocean to the Scottish home,
and ever since then those buff envelopes have seemed to me a
special symbol of Canada. The letters were addressed in the
hand of Dr. Wilkes, so well and widely known ; and that name
meant the counsellor who helped to plan an emigration most
momentous to me.
2. A Home Missionary field in the young townships — it
was for that the enthusiastic counsellor was always drawing
plans and drawing men. But the enthusiasm was so far-seeing
that many a one would call it cool. " Never mind the church
that is in your field ! You are the Society's agent, not theirs,"
was the calm counsel to my dear old father, at the close of a
memorable Sabbath when he had preached in Zion — from the
wonderful old pulpit, long like a barricade, buttressed with
twirls like a rococo gable. Those sermons were from a son of
Zion, for my father had signed the call to " Mr. Wilkes "
twenty years before ; and now those sermons told his mother

276 MEMOIR OF THE
church of his heart's desire, fulfilled in his work that was to
begin on the morrow in the wide but quiet townships.
" Never mind the church ! " Wise counsel ! Churches so
heterogeneous, anomalous, willing but wilful, important but
untrained, compel the question in a sensible soul, " Can this
be the supreme organization for working godliness ? " The
counsellor could cheer on the churches by his " Manual on
Independency," but his nature could always reserve those
final judgments of common sense for constant cases which are
the truest law. It was like him to hold a free hand for action ;
and it was fortunate, often, that there was so paternal and
arbitrary a soul, with vigorous hand, in the days of laying
foundations. One might often object and count his manner
not natural in a Congregationalist ; but it was natural to the
life of him who shared much of the old English squire's build
and heritage. The features are almost forgotten in England
now, especially in Dr. Wilkes' native region of Birmingham ;
but read to-day that intense radical's, Sydney Smith's, speech
against the ballot, and learn at once how the leading Eng
lishman of sixty years ago was born and bred an oligarch,
having a strangely intense reverence, withal, for the indepen
dent rights of the coming man.
3. The early reports of the Colonial Missionary Society tell
quaint tales, romance-like, of travellings and visitings among
the new lands and broad fields of Canada by the agents, who
were mostly — " Mr. Wilkes." Twenty and more years later, I
saw him on those visits, as he came, long expected, and eagerly
welcomed, and spent a night or two beneath our roof. He
would be cared for by my dear father all day in waggon ot
sleigh, on the road, and at the seven or more stations of the
twenty miles long field ; but in the house a gentler hand and
very differently keen eye cared for the hearty hunger and the
wearily needed rest. How strangely time moves. The old
counsellor is at rest forever, and the gentle ministrant of long
ago finds God's shelter from God's storms beneath the old

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 277
counsellor's quiet roof. Fitly too, for few others are left now
of the little flock that invited him and welcomed him to St.
Maurice Street fifty years ago. I was telling of the township
visits nearly thirty years ago. Well I remember him, seated
in the old home, listening to my mother's hopes and wonder-
ings for her boys ; and out of that hour of asking and giving
counsel, flowed many a feature of the training years that
followed. 4. I must run on and recall the counsels that became more
personal. It was in my first University days, that by home
counsel the steps were taken timidly, one afternoon round
Latour Street, to the vestry. Welcomed, indeed, I was with
my wish to be a member in Zion ; and cheered wisely was I
too, by the kindly words, and the information that another
undergraduate was seeking admission likewise. The day came
when we two stood one on either side of a maiden, that seemed
to me a saintly spirit, as we three answered and followed the
pastor's covenanting and counselling. My beloved companion.
Lemuel Cushing, thou art gone ! That maiden, too, is long
gone before to welcome her kinsman, the aged pastor. They
rest, but once they toiled nobly. Lead ye us on. From those
hours in Zion vestry, and the counsels of the pastor there,
grew gatherings and communings in the University Halls, that
have never ceased since then ; and their influence is working
far and wide over many lands, and beyond the veil.
Time would fail to tell of the week -night Bible-class or Doc
trine-class, its hymns which the pastor started, and its thought
ful impulses.
Physical counsel we got, as well as spiritual. When broken
by overwork, it was in the vestry that the doctor I sought gave
me counsel which was strength: "Away home to the town
ships for oxygen ; then back to books and success."
5. He was not merely the pastor and preacher. The Uni
versity ere long drew him to its Corporation Board, to counsel
there as representative of the newly affiliated Congregational

278 MEMOIR OF THE
College. The speech which he delivered on the next Convo
cation Day, as inaugural of the new affiliation, was an honour
to all Congregationalists. It marked their power, seen in the
power of one of them, to forget the follies which make Theo
logy a denominational thing. He saw and said — the saying
needed bravery — that Christian Theology must be simply the
science or knowledge of all Christian religion, of which no
denomination could have the monopoly ; and much less
could any have any slice or department as their own, or any
facts or truths true for them and for no one else. He pleaded
for a fellowship of Theological Colleges, or of teachers in one
strong faculty, that would bless all men equally, like their
Master. I think I see him now as I saw him cry, " Gentle
men, I may be exciting smiles at my Utopia; '' but he feared
not, at his first appearance on the University platform, to plead
thus for scientific handling of Theology, — in other words, for
Common Sense. The realization was far ahead, it is ahead
still ; but it is ahead, always nearer, and he saw it from afar.
Far-sighted Counsellor he was, and truly liberal. That address
ought to be published.
6. It was this far-sight, I think, which made him concen
trate his care for Congregationalism in Montreal on one strong
congregation with a strong pulpit, able to declare its free
thought even to the most unwilling hearts in the city. That
church has often secured freedom in operations which had
otherwise been narrowly denominational. Fearlessly may I
say this in respect of the French Canadian Missionary Society.
I can speak from close intimacy with the honoured men who
are not, I think, yet as enlightened in church methods as they
will be, and as Congregationalists are, — noble men indeed,
who yet think denominationalism is best, and who, therefore,
have lifted that old Missionary Society into the forms and con
trol of one denomination. As long as Dr. Wilkes was to the
fore, the Society was one of the many illustrations of the sim
ple Christianity and entire undenominationalism of these Mis-

REV. HENRY WILKES, D.D. 279
sions which Congregationalists strongly influence. This
Society once stood parallel with the American Board, and the
London Missionary Society. Dr. Wilkes was a leader in this
simplicity. His far-sight was wise even in its limitation of
strength to one strong Congregational pulpit. It is quite true
that the day of that policy has passed, and the number of strong
churches has increased already. While the policy of one
church was a strong policy, it was not necessarily the only
strong one. But its strength was well displayed in all those
long years. Had there been other like-minded, strong-souled
leaders, the other policy might have been proved strong also.
It is for the men of to-day, who are manfully supporting sev
eral churches, to follow the steadfast bravery of the veteran
leader, making each centre as strong as he made his.
7. His secret was certainly in his pulpit. When the Theo
logical School was transplanted to Montreal, there fell from a
wise and true preacher's lips the significant words, — " The
College comes because the students must learn what preaching
is." Certainly the older fashions were, followed ; yet with
an individuality and force that made them all the preacher's
own. A course preached during my college days drew large
audiences and moved them deeply. It was upon " The Bible."
Not seldom was it said by one or another good man : " Some
one is praying for our pastor."
Like his preaching was his platform power. That he held
to the last. What it was, those know who used to crowd the
Great St. James St. Wesleyan church on the great nights of the
" Anniversary Week," in January. His eloquence was that
of the debater, not that of the orator. I never heard him in
sublime flights of impassioned picture or apostrophe ; but I
have seen him buttonhole an audience, and chain them, and
win them till, to a man, they would have declared his pro
posals absolutely perfect. Sublime speaker he was not, and
yet there often stole a pathos through his tones that filled the
hearers, and held them rapt even as more impassioned speech
is wont to do.

280 MEMOIR OF THE
8. I knew him as a Theological colleague. It seems to me
the highest praise a Theological teacher can win that his com
panions, his fellow teachers, and his students, should say of
him, " He was a true brother." Men who press themselves
and their opinions too far before and upon their fellows, to
permit these to be their true selves, are not true teachers.
Long before it was my privilege to teach beside Dr. Wilkes,
he told me of his hope for this that we might teach together,
and when we met for the first time in his house as fellow-
teachers, it was with brother-like embrace. For a year we
worked together, and during that time we were absolutely one
in doctrine and in discipline; for he cheered me on to use
a thorough individuality, and to lead our students forward to
fresh study of every scientific question and position in our field.

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