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^^^mmm^^^^^^r

Eev. E. a. Fyfe, ]).]).

LIFE AND LABORS

R0BI:RT ALEX. FYFE, D.D.,

FOUN'DEU AND FOU MANY YEARS PRINCIPAL

OF TlIK

CANADIAN LirKRAKY INSTITUTE,

Sow Woodaloek Colleje)

J. E. WELLS, M.A

rRlNTKO FOR TlIK AUTHOR BY

W. J. GAGE & COMPANY,
TORONTO.

FC5 7

— TJ THE —

ASSOCIATED ALUMNI AND ALUMN.E

— OF —

WOODSTOCK COLLEGE

(FOKMERLY THE CANADIAN LITERARY INSTITITTE)

MOST OF WHOM WERE EITHER FtLLOVV-TKAC^BRS,

OR
DILIUENT AND EXEMPLARY STUDENTS,

AT THE INSTITUTE

DURING THE I'RINUIPALSHIP OF HIM WHOSE LIFE AND
LABORS ARE HERE COMVEMORATED,

IN MEMORY OF THE PLEASANT INTERCOURSE AND
ASSO(nATIONS OF THE PAST,

THIS LITTLE WORK IS RESPECTFL'LLY INSCRIBED
BY THE AUTHOR.

P 11 E F A C E

This little voluiiK^ is tlio outcome of a desire whicli has
for some years M'aited only opportunity to take shape as
a purpose. As soon as circumstancos seemed to make it
possible, the work was und(!rtaken as a labor of love. It
is now sent fortli, not indeed without a painful sense of
its many defects, yet with confidence in its kind recep-
tion by those for whom it has been prepared, the friends
and admirers of him whose life-work it records.

The writer can but express his regret that the work is
not worthier of its subject, and especially that it does not
contain more of those incidents of private life and social
intercourse which are always of interest in memoirs of
a departed friend, and which are often pleasingly illus-
trative of endearing traits of character. It was hoped at
the outset that much material of this personal kind would
be forthcoming from the correspondence and recollections
of intimate friends of the deceased. This hope has been
to some extent disappointed, owing partly to dinmess of
recollections, and the absence of records, and partly, it
may be, to a dread lest in this way the sanctity of private
confidence should be in some measure violated.

Notwithstanding, however, the scarcity of available
material of the kind indicated, the narrative of Dr. Fyfe's
superabundant labors for the denomination and the public
will, it is believed, be found tolerably connected and

IMIKFACK.

of
us-
at
ould

ble
fe's
blic
and

cornpleto, ami drawn from reliable sources. Thus the
chief and most lei;itinuite end of biography has been, it
is hoped, attained. It will be found, moreover, that a
lartre part of it has been given in the most satisfactory
of all forms — the words of Dr. Fyfe himself.

It may not be amiss to allude here to an impression
which, iud'rinjx h'om certain intimations, seems to have
been received by some, that both Dr. Fyfe and Mrs. Fyfe,
and especially the latter,«lreaded the "inevitable memoir,"
and did what was possible to prevent its appearance, by-
destroying the papers which might be used as material.
Had the writer shared this impression, a veiy delicate
(juestion vv*)uld have arisen, as to how far such a feeling
on their part should be regarded as bimling and sacred.
That Dr. F\ f e would, himself, have been the last perso:i
to let his modesty, or any other purely personal feeling
stand in the way of anything which might promise to be
of .service to th ? cause for which he lived, is abun<lantly
clear from his whole lifediistory. fn any case the life of
a public man, in .so far as it stands related to historical
events, must be hel I to be, to a certain extent, public
property.

Bat, in any case, tlie writer is happy to say that his
mind is troubled by no misgivings in regard to this
matter. From a long and intimate personal acfjuaintance
with both, he is convinced that neither Dr. Fyfe nor his
wif.', however their sen.sitivt ness would have shrunk
from any attempt to invade the sanctity of their own, or
any other person's private affairs, would have had any
objecuon to the kind of memoir tliat is attempted in these
piges. Satisfactory evidence of this is atibrded so far
13 the latter is concerned, by her careful preservation

8 l'REFAf;E

and ariMngoinent of the manuscripts, letters, and other
papers, from wliieh this narrative is, to a considerable
extent, compiled, and which, labelle<l with her own hand,
were left to her executors to be disposed of as they might
tliink best. The following words, from a letter written by
Dr. Fyfe himself, a few years before his death, to the son
of the Rev. Mr. Gilmour, set forth clearly his own views
in this matter : —

" 1 trust you may be able to make arraii<,'enieiits by wliich
his (Kov. »b;lm Gihiiour's) life and labors may yet instruct
otiiers. It is not every man's life that is worth remembering in
jtuhlic, much bsss Avortli being put on permanent record, but I
think ills was ; and I think a proper record of it would extend
our knowledge of the grace of tlod; and would help to stimulate,
cheer and mellow many christian hearts."

No better warrant could be wished for the work at-
tempted in this volwme.

With the earnest hope and prayer that the noble ex-
ample it so imperfectly sets forth may prove helpful to
many earnest workers, and devout seekers after truth :
this little book is submitted to the former students of the
Institute, to the many personal friends of the departed,
to the members and adherents of the Baptist Churches of
Ontario and Quebec, and to the Christian public.

INTRODUCTION,

EVEN I'-^nr^; liave now passid away since ])r. Fyt'e
entoie into his rest. These have been years of
marked progress in the denomination in whiclj lie was so
long a leader, and in the educational work to whicli his
best yeats and enei'<;ies were consecrate*!. One of thoso
who were liis fellow-w<.rkers in that cliosen sphere has
already followed him to the world of untirinnr service.
( )f the rest, several are scattered aV)road in various new
fields of toil, while others are still devotedly carrying on
the work which he so well planned and so nobly begiiiK
That work has, in this short period, undergone a dt o-rce
of development exceeding the most sanguine expecta-
tions he could have cherished ten years ago. Other men,
good nnd true, have not only entered into his labors, but
have been enabled to broaden their scope, enlarge tlieir
aim, and multiply their appliances, Tlie rill of private
muuiticence which so often gladdened Ins lieait and
s reiigthene<l his liands lias expanded into a broad and
still V»roa<k'ning river. The school wJiose foundation.s
he laid u itli a wisdom and foresight which future ofenera-
tions will appreciate even bettei- than tlie pres(;nt, and
whose structure he reared with an intensity of toil,
anxiety and .'^elf-sacrificing zeal which, there can be little

doubt, materially .shortened his daj's, has already become
a.

INTUUDUCTIOX.

two vii^'orous and flourisliin^' colleges, workiiif^ on dif-
ferent linos, l)ut each niiikin<: its intlucncc felt throiiffhout
the hiiid. And now. such is the fertility ( f noble ideas
and endeavors, there is good reason to hope that we
shall shortly see the uprising of a third, on a yet Immder
foun<lation, to till a space unoccupied by either. Such an
institution is still needed in the interests of tlu; Denonn-
nation and the cause of Christian culture, and when once
establish.ed we may well hope to see it, by virtue of the
larger sphere of its operations and the wider sweep of
its influence, not only complement their work, but eventu-
ally even surpass them both in its asefulness as a benefi-
cent and permanent educational force. Such a co.isum-
mation would have delighted ii.e soul of Dr. Fyfe, could
he have lived to see it. Who that believes in another
and hiy-her life can doubt that it will still be his in the
company of the prineipalitie.y and powers in the heavenly
places, to whom is being " made known, through the
Church, the greatly diver.sified wi.sdom of God," to watch
over and rejoice in this great development of his life-
work ?

It is evident, then, that there is little cause to fear the
failure of the grand enterprise to which and for which
our departed brother gave his life. Why then, some may
be ready to ask, should we now, after the lapse of years,
go back to review the unfinished work of that vanished
life ? What matters it if even the name of the first
master workman should be forgotten, so long as the work
goes b'*avely on ? The spirit of the tiiue cries " Forward,
ever forward !" The men of action who are pressing on
in all parts of the widening field occupied by the Baptists
are too busy to have either time or inclination for look-

INTHODTTTION.

n <Ht'-

; itlt'tis
Hit we
roader
uch an
enonii-
jn once

of the
ireep ot*
Bventii-

benefi-
loasuni-
e, coul<l
another
s in the

avenly
vAx the
u watch

lis life-

li'car the
ir which
|ine may
>f years,
anished
[ha first
lie work
\)rward,
Issing on
JBaptists

lor

look-

ing,' backward. Tlieir hands are to the plonj^di, their eyes
on the yet distant j^oal. Tliey naturally, ahiiost neces-
sarily, forf^'et the thinnrs tliat are beliind. Had tlie story
ut* L)r. Fyt'e's life and labors been put on record ininiedi-
ately after his decease, it niii^dit, no doubt, liave been not
only gratifying to his friends but profitable to many,
liut now, when we liave so ample evidence that the
stimulus to be derived from his example is no longer
needed to urjjfe on tlie educational work of the denomi-
nation, many, even of his warmest admirers, may think
that the progress and perfection of that work are the
best, perhaps now the only needful tribute to tlie memory
of its foun<ler.

There is much force in these considerations, and, were
the question simply one of tribute to the memoiy of the
departed, they njight, perhaps, be conclusive. That they
are not conclusive in the minds of many has, however,
been made abundantly clear to the writer by the
kindly interest that has been taken in his project since
it was aiHiounced. What is the best time for bringing
out a biography is a <|uestion the answer to which
depends largely upon the cliaracter of that biography and
the ends it is designed to serve. If the chief aim is to
glorify the dead, it is clear that the record of the deeds
cannot follow too clo.sely upon the completion of the
career. There is that in the passing away of a busy and
useful life which acts powerfully upon the imagination
as well as ujjon the sympathies. Amidst the excitement
and passionate grief of the moment, the faults and
frailties of the departed are forgotten, and his talents
and virtues magnified, often into dimensions almost
superhuman. A striking illustration has just now been

1:>

TNTKODU( TK'N.

i^iven in the case of the Ex-Piesident of the iJnitecl
States. No one can doubt tliat first his businesK mis-
fortunes and tlien the tragic details of suffering patiently
borne and slow-coming dtath bravely met, )iad a larga
share in kindling tlie popular enthusiasm which has
finally enslirined him amongst the demi-gods of the
Republic, and paid him almost more than mortal honors.
Seven 3^ears hence, when the impulse of hero-worship
shall have passed away, a calmer and juster estimate of
the man and his deeds will be foi-med, though it may
remain for another generation to assign him his true
place in history.

If, again, the aim of a posthumous biography is to
gratify the curiosity of the living by laying have to the
gaze of the public the sacred privacy of the home and
the individual lif'^, the ■ ct will be vastly greater when
the unveiling process takes place while the closing scenes
are still fresh in the popular memorj^ Of tliis, too, we
have lately had a striking and somewhat deplorable
instance, the result Iteing that one who had lono: been
I'evered as a prince and seer amongst literary men, had
the sancity of his private life so ruthlesly invaded, and
the faults of his personal di'<position so pitilessly laid
bare, that the prominent features of the popular hero
became almost lost under the process in those of the
dj'speptic grumbler and petty domestic tyrant. Carlyle,
too, will find Ids true place in history, but had his
manuscripts been left in the desk for even less than the
nine voars the Roman satirist recommends for the
would-be foet, the popular appetite would have lost its
edge, and many of those pitiful details would probably
navcr have seen the light.

TNTJJODUCTION.

had
an<l
laid
hero
f the
irlyle,
d his
n the
the
3st its
hably

But })io<.Trtphy has surely a hii^dier mission than either
to gratify the curiosity of the living, or exalt the memory
of the dead. It can matter little to the departed what
honors survivors pjiy to tlieir memories. VV^e cannot but
tliink sometimes that if those who liave passed within
the veil and entered upon tho holie'- service of the upper
sanctuary are permitted to retain their interest in the
persons and things left behind, and to watch with purified
vision the march of events in the fanriliar spheres, they
must often be sti-angely moved by the exaggerat(\l and
distorted views of themselves anil their works, which are
presented to tlic public under the name of biogr.iphy.
The true mission of biograph} Is to serve, not the dead,
but the livintjf. It is ir^cntlv wise to take counsel with
dep; [ .d worthies, to study the lessons of their lives, and
to held up to emulation whatever m' ,s noble in their
conduct or spirit. Biogriphy, no less than history, is
philosophy teaching by example. The value of the lesson
will always be in exact proportion to its fidelity to truth.
Thi.< being so, it will ordinarily be found better to defer
its production until the force of those strong emotions
which beclo id the perception and warp the judgment
has spent it.'- elf, and the task can be approache<l dis-
passionately. Not least among the advantages to be
gained by delay will often be delivery from temptation
to exaggerate virtues and conceal defects, in order to
soothe and gratify the woUi\ded spirits of those to whom
the departed was nearest and <learest.

Biography is, moreover, the hand-maid of history. The
record of important events becomes doubly interesting
when it has for its setting the story of the life of a promi-
nent actor in the scenes depicted. It is impossible to set

INTRODUCTION.

forth a hunmn life detaclied and isolated. So far as it
was a life worthy of remen)brance, it can be exhibited
only in its relation to other lives and to passing events.
It must have for background the history of the period in
which it moved as a living force. A.11 history is largely
a record of the doinjrs of individual men and women.
The Bible itself is mainly a chain of sacred biographies.
And so the true story of Robert Alexander Fyfe's life
and labors cannot be divorced from the important move-
ments in which he took so prominent a part. The history
of his early years of active life in Canada is, to a con-
siderable extent, a history of the great struggles for
religious liberty and denominational ecjuality, in M'hich
he and other Baptists were amongst the foremost fighters.
The inequalities connected with the Clergy Reserves,
the Endowment of the Rectories, and the attempts to
sectarianize Kinsx's Colles^e, now the University of
Toronto, were by few, perhaps we might say by none,
more trenchantly laid bare, or more persistently opposed,
than by him and his Baptist compeers, and to them belong
1 lany of the laurels of the hard-won victories.

The story, again, of the latter half of his rctive life is
essentially the history of the Woodstock Institute, and
of Baptist minis^^erial education in Ontario and Quebec.
After the failure of two ambitious attempts to found a
Baptist College in the^e provinces, his sagacious brain
planned, and his strong hand laid, the foundations of the
noble structures of which we are to-day so justly proud.
1 s ly "structures" advisedly, for without the educative
pr )cess he carried on so indeffltigably for a score of years,
both within and without the walls of the Woodstock
College, the McMaster Hall of to-day would have been

INTRODUCTION.

r as it

ibited

vents.

■f.

:iod in

argely

/^omen.

iphies.

3's life

-f

move-

ustory

--^.

a con-

es for

■Xvt

which

ohters.
jserves.

ipts to

utv of

' none.

>posed,

belong

) life is

■^--\-

te, and

^)iiebec.

oiind a

^ brain

; of the

proud.

ucative

■ years,

-fi^H

)d stock

^e been

an impossibility. Two conditions were indispensable to
the establishment of that institution so speedily upon its
present prosperous basis. The work demanded not only
abundant means in liberal hands, but also a people pre-
pared to appreciate and profit by the training which it
is the business of sucli an institution to give. That the
latter condition exists to so encouraging an extent as
is evidenced by the goodly number of students in the
Toronto Baptist College, is due, I venture to affirm, more
to the long years of arduous pioneer work done by Dr.
Fyfe in the Institute and amongst the churches, than to
any otiier cause, or all others combined.

But Christian biography has another and still higher
service. In these days of scientific scepticism, and of
too frequent degeneracy on the part of those who profess
to be Christians, the witness of lives, noble and sym-
metrical to the very end, to the power of Christianity, is
greatly needed. It is one of the best of testimonies. It
<lefies the assaults of philosophical criticism. It puts to
fault ^yhe acumen of sceptical logic. It proves the reality
of the life from above. It df>monstrates that there are
motives and impulses, which are not of this world, which
have power to beget and sustain life-long and whole-
hearted consecration to unselfish ends. To round off this
unanswerable argument, and give it fts full force, the
tostimonyof the whole,completedlifeis needed. As has been
well said by a recent writer in reference to the danger
tliat men in these days should lose faith in the reality of
Goodness: "There is, indeed, a great deal to prov^oke it
(thejscepticism referred to) : the daily betrayal of trust
in business, tne transparent mockery in the political
world, the clear h ypocricy in the religious world. Taese

INTRODUCTION'.

are almost enoui^h to lead one to say, ' Is there sucli a

tiling as honesty, or tiuth, or religion ?'

What is called a religious life, gets its vindication and
comes to a full proof of its reality only as it is continuous
and lived out to the full" The testimony of a long,
active and consisti nt life is one which no sophistry can
evade, no infidelity gainsay.

The foregoing remarks are intended mainly as an
answer to the question which is sure to suggest itself.
Why was this little book ever written ? Is it still asked
what special claim has the brother and fellow-laborer
who was taken from us seven years ago to the distinction
of a biography? We ndght generalize the incjuiry.
What constitutes any man's claim to a biography ? Who
are the men whose lives are worth recording in a book ^
To this it might be replied, not, perhaps, exhaustively,
but confidently : —

I. Those who were conspicuous by reason of extraordi-
nary talents or extraordinary virtues.

II. Those who stood forth as leaders in trying times,
an<l foiiglit manfully for great principles, or made
themselves felt as individual forces in determining
the issu( s of stirrinj'- controversies.

III. Those who, in social and moral spheres, proved
themselves j. assessed in large measure of the will
power, or personal magnetism, or whatever we
may please to call it, which enal)led them to obtain
stronjy and lastinij; iniiuence over the minds of
others, and who wielded that influence for right
and noble uses.

To a place in the first class Dr. Fyfe himself would
liave repudiated all claim, and, in a realm so duljious, the
author will not attempt to set up one on his behalf. In

INTRODUCTION.

5uch a

(11 and

inuous
I lon«^^
ry can

as an

:.WM

itself,
asked

aborer

'"%

inction

iqiiiry.
Who

book i

stively,

raordi-

times,
r made
niining

proved
10 will

vor we
obtain

mds of
right

would
l)US, the
If. In

re<^ard to the second and third <nourds of distinction,
the facts recorded in the followin<>- pages will show that,
within th. ' somewhat narrow provincial field in which he
labored, he had few equals and fewer superiors.

If the views a' ove expressed in respect to the true ends
of biojrraphy be admitted there is the less cause to rej^fret
the scarcity of mere personal and family details in tins
memoir. To a certain extent this is undeniably' a drfect
in a narrative of tlie kind. In proportion as we are
forced to ?. Iinire certain strongly marked traits in a
grand character, in that proportion most of us would
gladly trace those traits back to their secondary sources.
We are naturally curious to know from what type of
ancestrv tiuy spruno-, under what kind of home intluences
they unfolded them.selves, what part boy playmates, and
early schools an<l schoolmasters had in their develop-
ment, how they were fanned by the faxoiing breezes
of opportunity, how rooted by the blasts of adversity.
In regard to such details of Dr. Fyfe's boyhood, the
T/riter's best etlbrts have failed to oain more than the
meagre facts presented. This result is probably due
more to the absence of anything specially noteworthy in
his parentage and youth than to the failure of friends to
remember and record. The connnon law no doubt holds
good. The miusual is remembered and handed on, the
commonplace forgotten. But whatever the explanation,
such are the facts, and the following pages will be found
to be rather the story of Dr. Fyfe's labors than of his
life, though no known and authentic event of interest in
connection with tlie latter has been omitted.

«p

"!'ii

CHAPTER I.

Dr. Fvfk a Canadian— His iJiKTiirLAOE—l'AKENTs— Early Kduca-
tion — ococpations — somnambulism — i'llysical stuen(itli — a
Sound Mind in a Sound B(jdv.

,0 OBERT ALEXANDER FYFE was born in Lower
fi V Canada, now the Province of Quebec, in the
Parish of Ste. Philippe, which is in the suigniory of La-
prairie, and some nine or ten miles south of the City of
Montreal, on the 20th of October, A.D. 1816. He was of
Scotch extraction, his parents having emigrated to Canada
from Dundee, in 1 809. One would wish to know more
of the father and mother of such a son than the meagre
details the writer has been able to collect. They seem
to have been a plain, unpretentious couple, but possessed,
no doubt, their full share of the sturdy independence
and sterling integrity so characteristic of the Scotch
middle classes. We can readily believe, too, that they
were not without their quota of the keen intelligence and
canniness for which the genuine Scot is renowned the
world over. Mrs. Fyfe, Robert's mother, had been pre-
viously married to a husband named Anderson, by whom
she had several children. Probably some of her stalwart
sons of that name may still be found amongst the aged
inhabitants of that section of the lower province. In
view of the rule, .so often illustrated, that the mother's

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

training and influence are gener. Uy very large ^actorfe in
the production of a noble character, we should expect to
find in Robert P'yfe's mother some prophecy of the traits
which were distinctive of her son. There are not wanting
indications that, had we reliable data, we should not be
disappointed. The late Rev. Daniel McPhail, who was
intimately ac(|uaintcd with the family, and who traveled
over a great part of both Eastern and Western Canada
in company with young Robert in his student days, on
pioneer missionary tours, used to tell some anecdotes
which went {o show that she was different somewhat
from the commonplace type. A single incident, trifling
in itself, but yet suggestive, is remembered by one of our
most esteemed ministers, who heard it from Mr. McPhail,
and repeated it to the writer. She was one day deplor-
incr the dissensions that were rackinsr the church of
which she was a member. • " Why then," asked the friend
to whom she was speaking, " do you not leave that

quarrelsome church and join the one in ?" naming

another of the same faith and order, and known to be
peaceful in character. " Oh !" she replied, somewhat
contemptuously, "the members of that church don't
know enough to quarrel." The words may have indicat-
ed merely a Scotch contempt for intellectual dullness^
but it is easy to believe that they were the utterance of
the intensely earnest spirit which perceives that even
unseemly wrangling about doctrines and duties is some-
times a better indication than the stolid indifference of
those who are not sufficiently active in the search for
truth to be in danger of (juarreling about its minor forms
and manifestations.

Of the pursuits and associations of Robert's boyhood

LIFE AND LA nous OF

we have few particulars. We can readily believe that
the country scIkjoIs of the lower province, sixty j'ears
a<;o, were not of a lii^li order, and liis early education
was no doubt defective and rudimentary. A L-entlenian
who, though soniewliat younger, remembers him as a boy,
says tliat his early impr< ssions of young' Fyfe were that
" he was slow, not blight, but conveying the idea that
there was a good deal there," This opinion is to some
extent offset by tliat of a friend of the other sex wlio
knew liim in the eaily years. She says "he was a
cheerful, offhanded, clever boy, not trivial, but happy."
The testimony of others confirms tlie impression tliat,
like so many others who have become men of action and
power, he was mentally rather slow in developing. The
sunniiers of his boyhood were probably spent mainly in
the hard but healthful labors of the farm, thouijfh it
would seem that, during some portion of this period of
his life, he learned the trade of shoemaking. John A.
Cameron, Esq., of Thurso, an old and attached friend of
Dr. Fyfe, who knew him when, as a stu<lent, he was
spending his vacations in missionary labor in the Ottawa
region, remembers having known him, while at Petite
Nation (now Papineauville), make a pair of slippers for
himself, and says they were very neatly made. Another
friend, however, who knew him in the earlier days as a
student missionary, thinks he never learned the trade,
but resorted to it from sheer necessity, or as the readiest
means that offered to earn money to enable him to go on
with his studies. If this be correct, he must have been
endowed with more than an average share of mechanical
skill, as well as fertility of resources. It would appear
from an incident referred to elsewhere, and which the

REV. U. A. FYFE, D.D.

; that

years

nation

leman

a boy,

e tbat

a that

) some

X who

was a

appy."

n that,

on and

;. The

Linly in

pugh it

Tiod of
ohn A.

lend of
o was

Ottawa
Petite
)ers for
Another
lys as a
trade,
eadiest
o j^'o on
ve been
hanical
appear
lich the

wi'iter had from liis own lips, tliat one or more of his
winters, when on the verge of maidiood, must liave been
spent in the lumber camps in the deptli of some grand
old Canadian forest.*

Wiien he wasw-dl up in his teens, the famil3' removed
ti) the village of Laprairie, a few miles nearer Montreal.
Here he was for .*-'ome titi'^ employed as a clerk in tlie
store of a relative, a position which he filled with credit
to himself, and satisfaction to his employer. It is related
of hiui that, at this stage of his life, he was a profound
sleeper, and did not always arise in time to open the
store and attend to his morning duties at the appointed
houi". A sharp rebuke that was once administered by
iiis employer on this account, seems to liave taken a deep
hold of his mind, though the impression showed itself
in a somewhat peculiar manner. His employer, having
risen at a very early hour the following morning, was
astonished to find the store ali'eady opened, swept and
dusted, and everything in readiness for customers, except
the clerk, who w^as found, on investigation, still in bed
and sound asleep. The only explanation of the affair,
and no doubt the correct one, was that young Robert
liad arisen in his sleep, gone through the usual round of
morning duties, and returned to his bed without having
awaked. His only recollection was that lie had dreamed
of having done the work. The incident is not only
curious as an instance of somnambulism, to which he is
not known to have been subject in after years, but it is
also suggestive of a strong moral purpose, which, if not
able to burst the physical bonds of sleep, accomplished

'.See paper by the author from memorial number of The Tyro.

lill

LIFE AND LABORS OF

the task which had heen made a matter of conscience, in
another and less t'ati<;uin}jf manner.

As can readily be believed by tliose who knew l>r.
Fyfe in his manhood's prime, lie was in his youthful
days remarkable for his physical strength. He seems
to have taken special pride in this, and used often, in
later years, to be fon<l of recounting some of his athletic
feats as a young man, such as carrvinjr ffreat weisrhts,
lifting bags of Hour with his teeth, etc. One can readily
believe the latter act symbolical of a very diti'erent type
of strength. Students of physiognoiny are fond of tracing
a real or fancied connection between the contigfuration of
the mouth and chin and the will-power or obstinacy of
the individual. Those who have noted, on some special
occasion when strong opposition had to be met, or serious
obstacles overcome, how that square massive chin, those
strong lines about the mouth, and those firmly set teeth
would combine, at the bidding' of the iron will, in giving
the whole face an aspect of invincible determination,
can almost imagine that those youthful exercises of
muscle had a moral as well as physical signiiicance.
Certainly no one can doubt that, for much of the personal
influence he always wielded, and for much of his success
in overcoming difficulties, he was indebted to his splendid
physique, and vigorous health. Up to the date of the
railway accident which gave a shock to his nervous
system from which it never recovered!, he presented a
tine type of a sound mind in a sound body. In view of
the pioneer character of much of the ministerial and
educational work that fell to his lot in after life, it is
easy to see that more valuable to him in those early
years than the forcing proces.ses of any educational hot-

jience, in

new l>r.
youthful
le seems

often, in
8 athletic

weights,
n readily
rent type
3f tracino-
iration of
itinacv of
ne special
or serious
hin, those

set teeth

in giving
•mination,
e raises of
rnificance.
e personal
lis success
s splendid
xte of the
s nervous
resented a
[n view of
(terial and
r life, it is
hose early
tional hot-

REV. U. A, FYKE, D.I). 2.*?

lionse, were the healthful, manly toil, and the constant
communion with nature in her varied aspects, which
<levek)ped that sinewy frame, and that spirit which
desi)ised potty hardships, "scorned delight, and lowd
laborious days."

%S^r#

SSE

niAPTKli II.

iiiii I

111:

C'oNVKllSION -EXI'KKIKNCKS VaHI KD 1 1 IS LaTIII ViKWS TiIK TuKK

Known hy its Fkuit Ax Unkxi'I. mnkd I'iiknomi non- Tmk
Chancik Hakicai, am> AiJihixo — A <Jkkat STiirctii.K Dkcidkh

UaI'TISM -KKV. JdllN iJlUMOt'H -WulJK I M M KIH ATKI.Y JJKtJI'.N.
■» .

i'T/r WAS either durini,' or iimnediati'ly precodinof the
(oT^ period ot* liis clerksliip in the village of Laprairie
tliat tlie L>reat chanije came vvliich made liim a new man.
Of tlie particuhirs of his conv<'r,sion we liave no record.
Whether the regenerating s))irit came as the gentle
hreeze of spi-ing, almost imperccptii)ly awakening the
dea<i nature to newness of life, or as the miijhtv, nishinef
wind, shaking his deep nature to its very foundations,
we know not. Dr. Fy^*^" ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ nmn who c )ul(l
touch freely or often upon the sacred experiences which
belong to the individual soul. IS or was he one who set
great store hy past agitations and emotions as evidences
of spiritual life. No doubt, like other strong men and
women, his soul had its sacred iinier chambers into which
not even his dearest friends were invited, its memories
of hallowed moments known only ^o itself and its God.
But he alwaj^s seemed to hold with a tirin grasp the
great truth that religion is a present power, not a past
experience. He cared little for a faith which failed to
" work by love and purify the heart." Having been for

REV. 11. A. rvFK, D.n.

many years Secretary of tlu; Ministfriiil Kdneation Com-
?nittee in connection with the Woodstock Institute, the
writer had many ojiportunities of lenining liis views in
this respect. Kvery youn<jj man who wislied to he
rcco'Mii/.ed as a student for tiic ministrv was reciuired to
appear hefore the committee and state, first, Ills I'easons
for helievinjr liiuiself to he a Christian, and, second, his
reasons foi- helievin;r lumselt called to the work of the
Gospel Miiiisti-y. Tho writer cannot recall any instance
in whieh Dr. Fyfe ({uestioned the candidate miiiuttdy in
ret^ard to his sp cial exercises of mind at the time of his
alh gid conversion, tlu^Uij^h he often Inijuired clos(dy into
the motives and spirit that actuated him at the time
then present, an<l in his work as a student, lie sou_L,d»t
in every case for jvidences of an uhidinLi: faith and zeal
So in his own soul the new life came, we know not
how or where. The tree was known by its fruits. By
whatever experience, divinely rapturous oi' divinely
peaceful, the chani,^e may have manifeste'' its df to his
own consciousness, to the worM it was evidenced hy the
Master's iid'allihle test. The whole outer man trans-
formed showed the whole inner num renewed. No
matter hy what infirmities compassed about, by what
inconsistencies shaded, by what human passions and
frailties marred, his future life from that turning point
to the very end was emphatically a new life — a life
shaped by new motives, animated by new hopes, impelled
by the expulsive power of a new love. Apart from the
New Testament doctrine of the regeneration there is no
science or philosophy on earth that can account for the
phenomenon of a genuine conversion — a phencnnenon
that is happily of e very-day occurrence. The new life of

LIFE AND LABORS OF

a truly regenerated man is, so far as all natuial law is
conceined, an effect without a cause. Nay, more, it is a
clear dcpartuie from the natural order, an unexplained
violation of all scientific law. As an eloquent writer
has lately remarked, it is a change whicli is not even
traoeahle to will power. "This power that transforms
rescues alike the wilful and the weak of will. It seizes
on the inebriate book-binder just when all hope is gone
and all purpose lies limp and helpless. If any credit is
to be given to human testimony, this is ' a power, not
ourselves, that makes for righteousness; if any credit is
to be given to the deductions of philosophy, it must be a
power not oui-si Ives. For a s'>ul cm no moi'c create its
own moral force than a muchino can create its own

physical force Nor is this forgiveness oi

sins a mere individual phenon»enon. 'J'he histoi-y of the
race is the history of the f(;rgiveness of sins, of the
transformation of character, of the development of a
higher, purer, better maidiood,"* The lives of a Saul of
Tarsus, a John Bunyan, a Muller of Bristol, are facts,
and facts f" r which modern science is uttci Iv unable to
account. The New Testament philosophy expounded by
Christ in his discourse with Nicodemus, afl'ords the only
explanation.

These renmrks are not meant to imply that the early
life of the subject of this narrative was marked by any
such irregularities or vices as would cause tlu great
change to be specially striking to other.s. So far as
appeals the contrary was the truth. There seem no
reason to suppose, either from any allusions by himself,

■i

• Aids to Faith ; by Dr. Lyman Abbott, in Christian Union, Sept.
1885.

IlEV. R. A. VWE, ])D.

law is

I, it is a

pi ni Tied

writer

ot even

nsfonns

[t seizes

is iroiie

credit is

vver, not

credit is

inst be a

;reate its

its own

r^eness oi'

ry of the

^, of the

lilt of a

;i Saul of

ire facts,

nil able to

iiiided by

[ the only

the early

j<] by any

kin great

jo far as

I seem no

himself,

lion, Sept. 3,

■sift

or any recolloctions of his friends, that he was ever other
tlian a steady, well-behavid lad. None tlie less the great
trutli pointed out above is one wliieli Dr. Fyfe himself
would have been the tirst to empliasizc. No previous
upriglitness, no correctness (;f deportment, could render
less necessary the ra<lical clKinu;e, the uprooting of
natural soltisjincss as a ruling principle, and the substi-
tution of new motives, new afloetions, anew life purpose.
From this titne forth until the; <'nd of his cartldy course,
his life bore uiiiform testimony to the completeness of
the change. With a tlu)r>>r.ghness not often surpfissed
he reduced to practice Paul's great principle of entire
consecration. With him he could say at all times " One
thing I do." In this rare singleness of purpose his
example was worthy of all imitation. In a not ce winch
appeared in the Canadian Baptist shortly after hi.s
death, written, it is believed, by one who knew him well
it is said that "on one occasion when troubled with
doubts as to the reality of his conversion, after his
baptism, he ended the conllict h}?^ a firm and iixed resolve
to devote his life to seeking to benefit and save others,
whatever became of him ; and we all know how grandly
he eaiTied that resolution into practice throughout his
whole subsequent career."

1 he young con\ert was baptize 1 by the llev. John
Gilmour, a familiar name in the early annals of the
denomination in Ontario and Quebec. In a letter written
to J. W. Gilmour, Esq., after his father's decease, which
has been kindly entrusted to the writer by Miss Gilmour,
of Peterborough, Dr. Fyfe says: "No man had luore of
my love and reverence than your late father. It is now
more than thirty-four years since he baptized me, and I

LIFE AND LABO! S OF

l:i '

am gottini^ up among the older men myself. I have ha<l
two or three very )ond warnings, and I know not how
much more of this life Gol will give me, but I am sure
that whether it be much or little I shall never fo'-iret to
thank Gc<] that I knew your fatiier, and that I received
benefit fi'om him. . . . Please accept for yourself
and for Mrs, Gilmour my sincere sympathy, and at the
same time the expression of my joy at the assurance tliat
it is well, very v:eU, with John Gilmour, the good minister
of Jesus Christ."

A private memorandum made by himself a year or
two later, states that the baptism took place on the 27th
day of April, 1(S:J.5. He was received into the fellowship
of the Church on the fc^llovving Sunday. From the
recollecticms of T. M. Thompson, Esq., of Toronto, who
was a brother of Dr. Fyfe's first wife, and to whom the
author is indebted for some of tlu; foregoing particulars,
it appears that the young convert mupt have begun
immediately to take part in the nctive woi'k and social
worship of the Church, and to witness for Christ as he
found opportunity. Nor did he long hesitate as to his
life- work, for he himself tells us that in the latter part
of June, or beginning of July, he commenced preparing
for his departure to Hamilton, the seat of Madison
Univeisity.

iiii
imii

■■im

I'i'i

11'"

cn.vPTER irr.

Kf)r."ATny S)rGiir -OB^TAr'L!?^— En'ters Mvdtsov— Ui^MBMUKriKii rn
THE RK.Lri.JifXTS .\ri:Ri'iN';"-v— MtsrvKKs ok Stitdknt.s— a Season
OF GiiEVT DvuKSESs— A. (luKVT CiiiSi^: Passed — Rkvkwed
Cox'RiiRATiox— Dr. Fake's Advice to Sthdents— The Cattse
or M.vNv Spikitual Mvladies.

.'--50

L' iLLEI) with zoal for liis Masfcer's .service, and

/t^^ belinving luins>1f called to preach tlie Oorspel,
x'ouriLf Roherb soon resolved to rosiirn liis position, and
abandon all secular pursuits, in order to prepare Inmseli'
for the ministry of the Word. Wliother ho was helped
or hiiidered in carryino: out this resolve by his parents
and other members of the family, it seems impossible
now to liiscover with cei-tainty. From the recollections
of some who knew somethinnr of him in those early days,
the impi'ession was received that both his parents were
at tliat time Presbyterians, and tliat they disanproved
and opp )sed his joinin:^ the Baptists, and preparipfr for
tli ' Jjiptist ministry, ^houi^di they afterwards cliantred
their views, and not only approved his course, but be'^ame
Biiptists themselves. But Mr. James Macdi)nal \, of
Huntingdon, Quebec, whose wife was Dr. Fyfe's sister,
and whose recollections on this point seem to be delinite,
writes that Robert's father was at that time a Presb /-
terian, but his mother a I'apt'st, and th ,t he never heard
of any opposition to h;s course. As Robert's pirents

^^mm^im

LIKE AND LAIJORS OP

liiiiiii

lived with liiin, Mr. Macdonald, for a year after sellinii^
their farii), lie thinks he iiuist have known had anything
of the kind existed.*

On the other hand, there are, as will pi\sently appear,
evidences that the first few years of Robert's student life
were embittered by very serious trials. His own refer-
ence to the <iark clouds that seem to have tilled him at
times witli doubt and dismay, must refer to sonzethini;-
that pierced him moi'e <Iei'ply, and harrassed him more
sorely, than any of the ordinary obstacles ai-i>ing- from
want of means and of early advantf\ijfes couM have had
power to do. Those who had opportunities in after y( ars
for observing, on the one hand, the depth and tenderness
of his nature, and, on the other, the res;;!ateness of his
will and his loyalty to his sense of duty, cm r»adily
undi'r.->tand that, however ar^y disapprobation of loved
ones nii<4hthave grieve*! his spirit, no opposition, even of
those nearest and dearest, could have power to turn him
aside from the work to which he believed himself called
of God. In regard to all these interesting details, how-
ever, the information now avai tible .seems exceedingly
indefinite, and even the above statements are made with
resei-\ '! ion. One thing is certain, in any case. Not
without much toil and tribulation did he obtain an
education, and enter upon the ministry of the word.

* J. A. Ciuuernii, Esq., of Thurso, say.s : " I knew Dr. Fyfe's father
in Qiu'hec soni',' thirty ur thirty-live ycaiH or more siueo. Ho attended
Rev. Mr. Mar!?h's ("liiirch (Baptist)." Mr. Marsh himself kindly sends
tlio ioUowiiig extiaet fiom ihe reeor<Ks of hia eiinrch, .luly t2lt<t, 1S46 :
"The uniinanee of Baptism was ailmiuistered by the Rev. D. Marsh t<i
James Fyl'e a]id 1"1 /aliotli Wells, formeily pedobaptists." He adds :
"Miss MeDoiiald, the Superior of t!;e piesent (iirl's High School of
Queb c {Ida granddaughter), tells me th.it, though she does not know
the dut«i of Ids ileath, slie helievos that both old Mr. Fyfe ami his wife
are interred in the Mount Hermon Cemetery of Quebec."

IIEV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

sellin;4
y-thing

ippear,
iiit life
I ret'tir-
lum at
lething
n more
i«v from
ive lia<i
ir y( ars
iderncss
s of liis

roudily
)f loved

even of
nvu liim
If called

Is, how-

cdingly
lule with
le. Not

tail), an

ird.

Madison University, at Hamilton, New York, seems

at that early day to have oHeie<l sjH'cial inihicements

to young .ni'n pi-eparing for the Baptist mini.^.try, and

thither, there b-ing at that time no Baptist college in

Canada,* he ditecfced his steps. In the nu-morandum

before referred to, he says: " I left home on the 7di day

of July, 1N35, with some unpleasant auspices. I arrived

in Hamilton on the Uth. I was introduced to Prof.

Taylor l»y Bro. Read (now in Biirmah)." He thus com-

fmenccd the work of preparation in his nineteenth year.

Persistent inquiry has failed tu elicit any importan'

particulars in reference to this year in college. After the

lapse of iifty years it is ditlicalt, if not im{)OS-ible, to

AUu\ any surviving fellow student who was sufficiently

|intim;ite to be able to recall incidents of a personal

[character. Rev. Dr. Spear, now a professor at Madison,

,'ho was a senior collegiite at the time Mr. Fyfe was in

the iVcademy, had no pergonal ac(piaintance with bim,

)ut can "remember him in the religious meetings," a

recollection not without its own signiHcance.

There is, however, one ciicumstance in the history of
this, his first year at college, with which we are tolerably
Familiar from his own lips, and which is worthy of record,
IS well for the valuable lesson it conveys, as for the light
it incidentally c-asts upon the (L;pth and iniensity of his
lature and his fervor in the prosecution of his stutlies.
There are tew thinijs more interestinix to the student of
luman character than the avidity with which !

I vigorous

rouniT mind, admitted for the first time into the sacred

* Acailica CoUoge, Nova Scotia, was then, of course, in opei-ation, but
fova Sijutia was not at that time a part of Canada, ami tliere was littlo
itcrcoursc between the piovinces.

tl2

T-IFE AND LABORS OF

I I 'I'

I I INI I i

groves of Acadomia, sets at work to pluck the fruits of
](!arnill_i,^ It Foels itself in a new world. The i^ates of
Paradise liave been opened. Ilic riehly lacien trees of
knowledije are on every hand. For a time the hunger is
is all d('\ou)-ino-. The younn^ stud^^it feels that every
nioniii. is precious. He grud;4'es the hours necessary for
rest and slee[), and too often cheats his physical system
in the elfort to cuitail them. Needful recreation and
exercise are forsworn, and the poor bo«ly, the mind's
ind'-pensahle servant and oi-gan, is in every way nen;"lected
and abused. Of this type was younL( Robert Fyfe. But
in his cast' to the fervor of a mind lilorvini; in exertion
and craving knowledge for its own sake, was superadded
the fervor of intense moral earnestness. He was inspired
with a lofty and absorbing purpose He was preparing
for a great life service, to whicli ho felt hiuiself calleil
from above. Driven by these combined impulses, he
gave himself to the work set before him with an excess
of zeal that not only tended to defeat its ow.i object, but
in the end well nigh cut short a us "ful career. Such, at
least, seems a fair ini'ei'ence from such facts as have come
to our kn wiedge, chiefly from allusions he, on rare
occasions, himsdf made to this phase of his personal
history. This much, however, seems eeitain. Entering
college at the beginning of the school year full of sturdy
life and high resolve, he left it at or l)ofore the close of
the year enfeebled and well nigh biok<>n down in body
and mind. It is pleasing to V)e able to infer, both from
such recollections as that of Dr. Spear, above mentioned,
and from what we know of his subsequent career, that
liis spiritual life was in the main sustained, and that he
remained steadfast in his great resolve. And yet, even

'^f-

REV. 11. A. FYI'E, D.D.

tliis statement must l)e ma<le with modification. Tlie
ease woiiM luive hecji almost miraculous wen; it other-
wise, lie himsclt' tells us in a scrap of diary: "T had
not heen loiij^^ in Ham 1 ton before I found that study
without ear.' is death to the soul. I so )n felt very lone-
some. I wished to rej(jin that little flo k I hohl so dear.
• . . . I felt downdiearted many times throu^di the

widt'^r. 1 many ficeounts ])urinn" tht; spring

notliinf^ in pai'ticular hapjiene 1, exci'pt disajipointments,
whicli served to irritate my fmliii'-x. On the l")th of
April I was taken sick, and durinii;' r.iv sickjie.ss, I trust
I experienced some of the love of (Jxl. But, as [ o-rew
in streni:,^th, my wicked h(»ait j^-radua'ly relap^cih I
suH'ei'ed all tlie horrors of tempoi-al and .spiritual want.
Repeated disappointments irritated mo, and bad health
filled up the cum. But now I am thankful to (Inl for
what He has done for me, !or I am sensible that He
taught me many lessons in that way that I could have
learned in no otlier."

No one who knows anything of the intimate relation
that exists between both menial and sj)iritual health and
that of t!ie body, will be surpi-ised to hear that he was at
the crisis fiercely assailed by despond^'ucy and doubt. On
one memorable occasion the enemy seems to have come
in like a flood, and to have driv^en him to tlie very ver-ro
of despair. No doul)t the lack of m ans to enable him
to continue his studios co-optjiat d with the ellects of
physical ill health in reducing him to this uidiappy state.
We can readily believe tha.t he fouglit tlie battl<; long and
well. But one never-to-be forgotten day tlie influences
pressing upon him seem to have culminated, and with
irresistible force drov^e him fotth for a time fr.^m the

LIKE AND LAT50RS OF

presence of liis fellow.s. In a fninio of mind which those
who liav(; passed tliroii^li like crises will readily imagine,
and wliicli- it would, perhai)s, be useless to attempt to
depict to those who cannot set the picture in the li^'ht of
some inner experience, he betook himself to a retired
spot, where, secure from interruption, he mii^ht open all
the tlood-i,aites of his troubled soul. For thirty-six lonj^
hours lie sat there without food or drink and oblivious
to all outer conditions, wrestling, as w<^ may well believe,
in awful agony of s )ul, with his spiiitual foes. All the
billows of uid)elief rolled over his head. The tempter
told him there was no God, no Heaven, no future life.
He whispered that life was a dream, Christianity a sham,
all religion a delusion, and all moral earnestness folly.

Such aie some of tlie im})ressions left upon the mind
of the author from a brief account of this terrible ex-
perience he once heard tVom Dr. Fyi'e's own lips. The
circumstances were described by Mrs. Fyfe to the writer
of the sketch of his life given in the memorial number
of the {'hristian hlelpai', as follows : — " He had, in his
wretched, state of healtli, ben beset with doubts of a
serious nature. On ids partial recovery he one day wan-
dered otf* to the woods (I think), time passing unnoted
till a fellow-student discovered him sitting by a hollow
stump and roused him. From circumstances he found
that he had probably been there thirty-six hours. I aui
pretty sure my memory is correct in this. His mind, he
told me, went through a process of reasoning at that
time, which lie regretted he had not then written down.
It seemed always to him to have been uidike what he
found in books. But never again did he doubt God or
the truths of the Bible. No ancient or modern sceptic,

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

kr irnai,Mnative speculator, shook Ij'un in his convictions
|or a nn'nutc after tliut tinu'."

One is reminded, in rea<linn' such a p.assn«To, of the three
lays and tlnvc ni'dits in which Saul of Tarsus neither ate
101- (hank 1)eforo " there fell from lusnyes as it had been
"Scales/' and he arose to enter upon a life of unremittiuij
%on .ecrati(jn — a life, so far as appears, uncro->sed there-
i^fter by a shadow of doubb. It was nientioiu'd in a pre-
j^^ious chapt'jr tha-. in an earlier staL,'e of his spiritual
[jistory, when tossi;d on a sea of doubt, he ha<l found a
laven of peace in the resolve to for«jjet self, dismiss all
k'llish fears and [)L'rplexities, and devote all the energies
^f his life to the work of savin*' others. That <>Tand
)uipose was, we cannot donbt, renewed as one of the
Lssues of this supreme stiungle. We nuiy be sure he was
lot left lonL!: to li^^ht the l),itile in darkness and tempest.
!'he "peace in Jesus, tlie Christ," which he preached to
)thers, would soon flow bick and become an abiding pre-
sence in his own soul. Tiie waters af life he ailminis-
^ered would become in him a well of water springing up
[nto everlasting lil'e.

May not Christian ministers, and all others who have

deal with human souls struggling in the meshes of

loubt ami lo)iging for the liberty of the sons of God, gain

valuable hint from such (sxperiences in such lives ? Too

)ften the spiritual anguih seems begotten of the mere

Iseltlsh instinct which seeks assurance of personal safety.

IThrough even this narrow wicket many may no doubt

^|enter on the path which leads to the celestial hills of

|Christdike philanthrop^^ But might it not be wiser and

iworthier of the Gospel of "so great a salvation'' if the

J eyes of such terror-stricken ones could of tener be lifted

! ,' I

' !U HUi

LIFE AND LAr.oilS OF

from tlie qnnLjniircs of sflflsli niu'icty in which thoir f«Mt
arc sillkinL,^ and fixoil up > i tlu; world's i,n'(Mxt liarvest-
lii'lds, to wliich tho Master is bcckoniDj,' all who wrniM
]>e his triK; followers ?

We must not, howovor, overlook the ]juml)ler yet im-
portant 1l'.s,)1i which Dr. F\ fe drew from his own bitter
experience, and whicli lu? sounflit to impress upon hi<
stii'lents. That lesson was the necessity an I duty laid
upon evciy ^^ouncr student tocireforhis bodily health
— to reoard conscientiously the laws of his physical
beinir. In a lecture on Education, delivered at th"
openinj^ of the school year in Ls76 from which more
copious extracts may be jj^iven in another connection, lit;
expressed himself stronij^ly o,i this point. " We sometimes
meet men," said he, "of lu^^h intellectual, moral, and
social culture who arc unibh- to make any good use of
this \ucfh culture becaust; they have destroyed their
physical constituti ii iji acquirinj^j it. They have failed
to educate the outer mnn, and hence it is ready to perish.
When they aie ready to enter upon the active duties of
life their bodi s are totterinijf over the grave. Souls
witliout bodies are not of much use in this world. They
are little better than o-ho.sts."

Let young students, especially those fresh from active
pursuits, ponder these words and beware how they neglect
the conditions of physic d well-being. Apart from a
sound body a sound mind is impossible, or, if not impos-
sible, is comparativelj'- impotent, so far as influence foi-
good is concerned. More thati that, in a neglected and
di.seased body may be found, the real cause of many an
otherwise mysteri ;us spiritual malady. Good fooil,
abundant exercise, and a liberal alio wine 3 of tima for

liiil

REV. R. A. FVFE, D.D.

Ii7

ev yet ini-
own bitter
; upon h\<
duty lai<i
lily lioaltli
=; ]>liy>*icMl
id at til"
liicli more
lection, li<'
sometimes
11 oral, and
ood use of
lyed tlieir
lave t'ail(Ml
\f to p( risli.
! duties of
0. Souls
l-ld. Thev

idaily rest and recreation, are niiion;^'st the liiglu'.st duties
[a student o».''^^s to liis Master and to his fellow-men as

'clI as to himstdf. Ootl's laws nre written in our pliysi-
jal natures as well as in liis liook.and those laws can no

nor(! ho violated with impunity in the one case than in
*th.) other.*

tl.

\\ ,
1"

ill!
K

* It is proper to o\i)liiiii tliat wliilt; the iiiiiin f.u-ts tif tlie tenihlc
Ix-riciKMi iil)(>vf! iflalfil iiif.; ckiir in tlrj v liter'" own iiiLiiioiy, Jia well
wtlierwise fully attested, there ef^eina to he no nieauH of (leteriiiining
• exact pi'iiod fif Mr. Kyfe'.s eollegc life in which the incident oc-
I red. I'Vuni a certain passage in a private hdtcr, writle-n while lie
IS at Newton, which leitf^r lias coiUij to hand since the above was
and, the author is i.ow im lined lo l.e.iexe tiiat the occurrence

luld have heen assigned to tlie year ]SK), during his tiieological
iii.se at Newton. Keference will he made to tiie passage in the proper
lie. i'he interest and value of the expeiieuce are not materially

cted l»y the <late, and in view ot the uncuitainty, it seems as well to
ive the account as originally written, with this explanation.

i 'hi

. ill
i \i

'\ "i.
li

CllAlTKR lY.

!l li

A Mkmokaiu-k Ykau -Dakk Days and LowKuixn CiouDs—STrDYisT,!

N McNTHKAL -(ioKS TO NkWToN — DlSAri'OINTMKNT.S A HaIlI
WAY AcflKKNT PkkI'I.KXI I Y — Foi:l,ll()|»IN<J — A FAITmTll

FiiiKNK — Dkcision Wuuckstkh Hitiii ScirooL- Si;i)i)KN Fame!
Dklight in Stiidv — LovK FdH Canada.

\^\|y^ACATION ))rouf?ht witli it nosurcoaso of tlie pecu-l
\\f(^ liar anxi(3fcies and trials, ot* whatever nature theyi
may have been, tliat pressed upon liiin. It is not clenrj
whether he remained at Hamilton till the close of the
sc'iool year, or %vas eoinpell'v] l)y ill-health or want ofj
means to leave before the time of the summer holidays.
Nor is it on record just where he spent the greater part!
of that, to him, memorable year, 1(S.3(). There is littli|
doubt, however, that he returned to Canada immediately
on leaving Hauiiltoti, and was part of the time at his
home in La Prairie. On the IDth of June ho writes:—
" This dar vve are surrounded by dark clomls. It seeiib
as if notlilng could pierce that maze of darkness but th"
faith of the humble Christian penetrating through tlv
veil." A week later he speaks of having enjoyed study-
ing a part of a sermon, from which it may be inferrc'l
that he was engaged in preachinjf, at least occasionally:
but in a private letter, dated Jan. lOth, ';U), he says: " ll
have not preached any for some time, though I have ex-i
liorted frequently at the meetings." On the ord of Jrly

liiillii

REV. n. A. FYFK, D. 0.

li.' recorils: " My feolin<,rs are poculiar, from corUin cir-
cumstances l)ein<T preventou from r.ttondl.Mi? the church."
His brief notes at tliis period are full of aspirations after
nearness to (rxl, and ardent prayers tliat he m ly have
more of the Spirit of Christ and Ix- a more faithful min-
ister of the G jspel. On July 4th he ; ttended a missionary
n.et'tin'r at which letters from some who were servini,' in
the foreii^Mi Held were read. He says: "My soul was
stirred witliin me at the description of the state of the
heathen as nfiven in these letters. May the Lord be my
director in all thiuf^s.

" 'To tlice, O Lord, coniinanfls belong,
'Vo me, naught but obey.'"

Th" inference is pretty clear that he was incjuiring
wluithcr it might not be his own duty to devote himself
to foreiijjn missionary work. It will be seen that a yoar
or two later he thought seriously of going to Airica.
Though lie finally decided that his own Held of labor
was amonnrst his countrymen in Canada, he was all his
life an ardent advocate and friend of foreign missions. He
was a chief moVi-r in the organization of the Ontario and
Quebec Auxiliary Baptist Foreign Mission Society, and
afterwards took a prominent part in the establishment
of the independent (^'anadian Mi .sion among the Telugus.
On the 24'th he expresses a fervent wish that he were
ready to go into the work-field, and that the Lord would
accompany him there, but adds : " But if it is not Thy
will that f should preach, I must say, 'Thy will be done.' "
His way was evidently still hedged by dilliculties that
appeared to him at times almost insurmountable. The
nature of those dilliculties is perhapp hinted at in a note
on the 30th, in w hich he says • " '''his day I have sue-

LIFE AND LABORS OF

ceeded in 'fcttiiii; books, and have rec<dved a letter from
my folks containing i^ood news." His heart is jubilant.
On the •J 1st lie say^. : '" 1 heard a preacher to-day who, I
think, had better study his sermons more. Mav I be
Avarned by this never to enter the pulpit before I have
well studied iiiv subicct. It is folly to trv to T)reach
otherwise."

From this (bite until Oct. 11 the entries in the diary
are intermitted, in a note under that date he explains
that the interruption is due to his being " tossed about
without any settled place of abode," adding that he is
now settled in ^lontrcal. Here he seems to have remained
through the winter engaged in stud}', probably at the
Monti-eal Acarlemy, which had just, been commenced, the
Kev. Newton BosworUi having taken charge, pro tempore.
In a private letter on Dec. 21), he writes: "I have not
enjoj'ed as good health as 1 did at Hamilton." Again,
Jan. 10 ; " My studies are the same as when I wrote you
last, with the addition of Hebrew, wdiich I recited to-day
for the tirst time." In the same letter he tells his friend,
" You nnist know that I am not quite so Calvinistic as I
was." He must have previously held " hyper" views, as
he remained, as is well known, mod rateiy '' Calvinistic"
to the end ot his life. His purposes and as})irations are
still unchanged On the 12th and loth he speaks of him-
self as having studied with some degree of pleasure.
Yet he is much distressctl by anxious tiioughts respect-
ing the past and the future, and craves Divine support
should severe disappointments be in store for him. The
last entry which luis been preserved in this bit of diary
contains the following toucliing prayer: "Thou, Lord,
seest my heart. Thou seest the cloud that hangs over

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

my hopes and happiness. O Lcrd, dispel it and give an
answer to my prayer, for Jesus Christ's sake. Thou
knowest how heavily it has hun^^ upon me for some times
past. There is no merit in this, yet Thou hast promised
to hear all those that call upon Thee in faith. Dispel
these clouds, and make me live nearer to Thy throne."

The nature of those peculiar trials which pressed so
heavily on the mind and heart of the youn<^ student at
this stage of his course must be left mainly to conjecture.
They were partly, but can scarcely have been wholly, or
even ciiietly, the re.sult of pecuniary straits. The way of
the poor student, striving to educate himself for the
Master's service, was more rugged in those early days
than now ; the helping hands held out were fewer, and
the countenance and sympathy of brethren in our own
denomination less freely bestowed. But it is hard to be-
lieve that anv discourairements arisinor from such sources
could have so deeply affected one so clear of head and so
strong of will as Robert Fyi'e. " The heart knoweth its
own bitterness," and it is pretty clear that there was
somewhere in the depths of his heart a fountain of bitter-
ness whose springs were concealed even from his own
familiar friends.

The following year, 1837-8, was spent in Worcester,
Mass. The circumstances which led to his ooinjx thither
instead of remaining at Newton, as he originally in-
tended, are related in a letter to his friend Mr. McPhail,
who was during the same vear attending the Hamilton
Seminary. He informs his friend that for some time be-
fore he left Laprairie, where it would seem he passed
the summer or a part of it, he had been obliged to leave
off studying and go to work — very likely at Carey's old

Ill

LIFE AND LABORS OF

trade — in order to earn the means necessary go complete
his outfit. He left for Newton Centre on the 2Gth of
May. The terms in which he describes his emotions on
leaving Laprairie give us a glimpse of the depth and
tenderness of his nature. He speaks of the great kind-
ness with which ho had been treated there, and of the
pain caused by the parting from those " dear as his
heart's blood " for three years, as he left with the inten-
tion of remaining at Newton until his course was com-
pleted. His soul sickened at the thought as he saw his
native land fading from view, and he was almost ready
to repent and return to the companioiAshi.. •** those he
loved so well. But he "had put his hand to the plough"
and " must go forward." From subsequent allusions it
appears that he and two young friends were at this time
under the direction and receiving the assistance of a
society which he calls the "Education Society of
Canada." *

When he arrived at Newton he found the institution
almost deserted, the professors and nearly all the students
being absent attending annucrsary meetings. On their
return two or three days later a fresh disappoi \tmont
was in store for him. The Preparatory Departrufn^ at

* The writer has been unable to learn any particulars in regard to
this society, unless, as seems most probable, it was the organization re-
presented by tlie committee who founded the .Montreal College, and
which seems either to have grown into, or been a branch of, the Canada
Baptist Missionary Society. The Canada Baptist Mission originated
with the Ottawa Baptist Association in 1830. The Society was formed
in 1837. Within twelve years from that date it had expended for
ministerial education (not inchuling cost of college building or salary of
its president) between §14,000 and $15,000, had aided 26 young men in
obtaining education, and had been instrumental in bringing move than
fifty ministers into the Canadian field. S^r Montreal Bejifiter, Jan.
4th. 1849

liip

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

jomplete
2Gth of
tions on
pth and
!at kind-
d of the
r as his
he inten-
kvas com-
\ saw his
)st ready
those he
: plough"
lusions it
this time
ice of a
(ciety of

istitution
students
On their

0' v'r.ont
Hi . ' at

II regard to
nization re-
"ollege, and
the Canada
I originated
was formed
:pended for
or salary of
juiig men in
g 7nore than
ujixter, Jan.

■■•'i'

— ?*m

Newton had been discontinued, and, on inquiry, it was
found that it would be inadvisable for him to enter upon
the Theological course proper without furtlier prepara-
tion, " After consultation, the professors agreed to ad-
vise me," he writes, " to go to Worcester High School'
" They told me that I had better study one year longer.
They even told me that my youth should induce me to
take a collegiate course before entering upon the study
of theology ' I told them that under present circum-
stances it was impossible for me to do so." They still
advised me to get one year of preparatory training, i.e., a
year from the following October. " I told them that I
could not prcmioe to do that eitlier, but that I had no
objection to go to Worcester until October, knowing that
I would have sufficient time to consult the wishes of my
Canada friends during that period. . . . Thus I was
once more thrown out of a home ! Let me add here, in
justice to the professors and students, that I never ex-
perienced so much kindness from strangers as I did from
them, especially from Professor Chase. No father could
have been more kind to his son than he was to me."

In travelling by rail from Newton to Worcester he
had a narrow escape from death by a railway accident.
He says : " I got into one of the foremost cars. There
were about twenty men in it. We had not proceeded
above two miles when we heard an unusual rumbling.
In a moment we were thrown more than fifteen feet from
the track, our carriage being literally broken in pieces.
There were no lives lost, but five carriages were reduced
to almost as many thousand pieces ! So great a wreck,
with so little individual injury, has never been known on
a railroad, there being only one man slightly injured."

LIFE AM) LABORS OF

Aftor some references to other matters, he proceeds to
ask his friend's opinion as to whether it i his duty to
spend another year and more " in the study of dry Latin
and Greek"* before entering Newton. He gives the list
of subjects prescribed for entrance — a rather forniidabli'
one — and adds naively: "I have not fully come up to
this work , but, if vy life is spared, I will fitllij come up
to it before the connnencement of their next term. No\\ ,
is it my duty to wait a year from next fall before enter-
ing Newton ? My taste would soon decide what course
to pursue, but there are other interests at stake. There
is poor, benighted Canada ! There are millions of heathen
perishing for lack of knowledge ! I feel that I want
knowledge, and I feel that there are millions of souls
perishing. These are feelings which eat up my rest."
He begs his friend to give his candid opinion, formed
while his " eyes are fixed on our perishing fellow-
creatures, not on the temple of fame." He goes on to
mention another feeling which influences him. It is not
produced by gloomy forebodings, or by melancholy, or
by imagination. It is a settled conviction that his health
is breaking up, and that " his days will soon be num-
bered." This conviction which, happily for the many
who were afterwards profited by him, proved, as we
know, unfounded, is easily explained by his over-wrought
nervous system, and health temporarily shattered by too
much work and anxiety and too little rest and recrea-
tion.

An incident of a different kind mentioned in this

* It will be found that his opinions were aftenvards very materially
changed, both as to the dryness of Latin and Greek, and as to the
necessity of a full preparatory course.

:■! •:

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

ed in this

letter, in the confidence of friendship, shows that the
same moral courage and faithfulness which were charac-
teristic of the man in the maturity of his powers, were
conspicuous in youth. He refers with expressions of the
<ieepest sorrow to the course of a mutual friend, of whom
they seem to have expected better things, but who had
[turned aside from the path of rectitude and gone wofullj'-
[astray. Mr. Fyfe says : " I wrote to him twice and
[received as many answers. In my last I did not spare
him, but laid his conduct befoi^e him in its true light, (I
trust I did so in a Christian spirit). In his answer he
begs me to write to him again, but to have ' mercy' on
him. O, iniy God have mercy on him ! "

Robert A. Fyfe's name appears in the Catalogue of
the " Manual Labor High School," of Worcester, Mass., as
one of the students for the school year l(S:i7-S. This
institution, we are tola in the prospectus, had no o'ops
for mechanical labor, but there were six'-y acres of land
connected with it, an<l whatever employment the cultiva-
tion of the land could furnish was given to the students,
who were allowed at the rate of eight cents an hour for
their labor if they did a man's work and less in propor-
tioh as their ability diminished. In this way an indus-
trious student could pay a part, but not the whole, of his
expenses. The fact of RobLU-t Fj'fe's attendance at this
school indicates apparently that his means were insuffi-
cient to enable him to return to Madison, else he would
have gone back to the old school and the companionship
of his bosom friend. It shows also that his indomitable
resolve to obtain an education was not to be thwjirtod by
financial obstacles so lone: as he had a pair of stronu' arms
to help him through. The will was there, and the way

LIFE AND LABORS OF

\\Uy

i llltl

'i'lliillili

111

I nil'!!

1 ,;a;

was to be found or made. Many a youth made of less
stein stuff would have quailed in the face of lesser
difficulties.

Amongst those obstacles were some which weighed
more with him, as they would with any generous spirit,
than those presented by scarcity cf funds. In a letter
to one of his friends, dated Worcester, September 1st,
1837, he says: " I have taken your advice. I am deter-
mined at all hazards to study as long as is consistent
with my circumstances. But in coming to this deter-
mination I have had some painful reflections, because I
knew that to this not only the church at Laprairie and
Mr. Gilmour, but also the Education Society of Canada,
would be opposed, and would probably withdraw from
me their countenance and support. Not that I care a
very great deal about their withdiawing their support,
but that it grieves me very much to forfeit their esteem
and good will. In fact, I would submit to anything but
a direct violation of conscience to please them. 1 v.^'ll
not, however, feel hard against them if they do withd/aw
frori me their aid, but I trust I will ever feel ^ rateful to
them for what they have done." To another friend he
says, under the same date : " I have decided to study one
year more before entering Newton, but I have not de-
cided not to go throuirh collejje before entering. That
part I leave to Him who does all things right. In the
meantime I am determined (with Divine aid) to employ
every moment to the best advantage, and should Provi-
dence seem to direct me to go through college I will go,
if not, I will not go." It will be seen that his views as
to the desirability of a thorough preparatory course were
alrea ly somewhat modified. No doubt the recollection

REV. It. A. FYFE, D. D.

weighed
)us spirit,
n a letter
mber 1st,
am deter-
consistent
[lis deter-
because I
rairie and
f Canada,
raw from

I care a
' support,
jir esteem
thing but
i v.- 11
A^ithd /aw
rateful to
friend he
<tudy one
^e not de-
. That
In the
o employ

d Provi-
[ will go,

views as

ot his own impatience of delay in entering upon his life-
linrork often came to him in after days, and made him
Inore tolerant of tlie impetuosity of many of his own
Itudents, who, like liimselt', made the mistake of fearing
that their Master's work could not wait two or three
years more, while they were cultivating their powers
and tirtiiifr themselves to become "workmen who needed
not to be ashamed."

It was mentioned in <•) preceding chapter that some of
those who knew Robert Fyfe as a lad did not think him
particularly clever, though they recognized the under-
lying strength an<l solidity of his mental structure. His
schoohnates at Worcester seem to have formed a very
different estimate of his talents, as we shall see. It is not
unlikely that his was a mind of that not unusual tj^pe
whicli, though at first .slow in development, as it ap-
proaches maturity astonishes us by its versatility and
the tenacity and power of its grasp. In one of the pri-
vate letters quoted from above he introduces the matter
referred to, and, though writing in the freedom and confid-
ence of personal friend.ship, does it with a modesty and
humility which were eminently characteristic of his
earlier years, however contrary to the conceptions which
might easily have been formed by those who knew him
only in the strong self-reliance, often verging on obstinacy,
and one might almost say on egotistical self-.sufficiency,
which was characteristic of him at middle age. He says:
" The situation wliich I occupy here exposes me more to
temptation, and lays more responsibility upon me, than
the one I occupied at Hamilton. For, in the first place,
the students are not all religious: and, .secondly, they
have got it into their head.s — where they got the erro-

LIFE AND LABORS OF

<1|

neous idea I know not — that I im a smart fellow, and
consequently they look up to me. They have put me
into all the offices of dignity that they could think of.
Thi.^ constitutes a source of pain and pleasure to me :
pftui to see the workings of my own corrupt heart, how
like a balloon it is ready to be puffed up by air, and
pleasure that God has given me faculties which can com-
mand influence when properly directed. may He
direct me so to cultivate my powers of soul and body
that I may be the instrument of doing good !"

His prayer was answered even before it was uttered,
as appears from another passage in the same letter.
Further on in another connection he says : "I have on the
Sabbath days attended a Sabbath school, Bible class, and
conference meeting (one succeeding the other), held about
four miles distant. I liave addressetl the meetinij some-
times when the Spirit of God seemed to be in its midst
— when the tears have trickled down the cheeks of those
whose tongues had been roughened by oaths and blas-
phemy. Two or three have been baptized from this
place, and I believe some more wish to be. Y'ou see, then,
my brother, that it is not eloquence or anything human,
but the Spirit of God that does the work."

One circumstance that occurred during this year at
Worcester shows that the estimate his fellow-students
had formed of hisabilities was not so far beside the mark
as his modesty led him to suppose. The close of the term
was approaching, and his fellow-students wero. preparing
what they called an " exhibition," i.e., a series of recita-
tions, dialogues, &c., for public presentation. His fellow-
students evinced the estimate they had formed of young
Fyt'e's abilities by requesting him to write an original

REV. K. A. FYFE, D. D.

ow, and
put me
link of.
to me :
irt, how
air, and
;an corn-
nay He
nd body

uttered,
e letter.
ve on the
;lass, and
jld about
ns: some-
its midst
of those
nd blas-
roui this
3ee, then,
human,

year at
-students
the mark
the term
ireparing
)f recita-
s fellow-
of young

original

f <lialofrue for tlie occasion. They would not take " No "
K^as an answer. No excuses would satisfy them, so he had
ho undertake the task. His first effort pleased the stu-
,<ieuts amazingly, but was objected to by the Principal,
who thought it was too severe a satire upon the ladies.
The students then requested him to prepare another,
introducing five or six characters. He did so. The
eecond production was also satisfactory to his constituents,
but the Principal ruled it out because it required more
time than could be pi'ovidad for it in the progrannne.
Hti was asked to write a third, and again lie complied,
this time with complete success. The dialogue was ap-
proved hy all parties, and the teacliers showed their
appreciation of the burlesque by assigning to the writer
the comical part. The nature of the piece is not described,
l;i;t it " broufflit down the house," convulsini,' the audi-
ence with inextinguishable laugliter, and co, pelling
six or seven reverend gentlemen who were present to
*' hold their sides." Mr. Fy^'^' writes confidentially to one
f his most intimate friends that the fame of the dialoofue
had spread as far as Boston and Providence,'' and that
e could scarcely go into any company without being
allied upon it. Nor was this all. It had raised what
e called a "cr uade" of ministers to compel him to go
ihrough colle:(>, offering to take him under the wing of
heir " beneficiary societies." His head does not seem to
ave been at all turned, nor his purpose shaken, by this
atterv. Though I feel thankful for their kindness,"
e writes, " I feel no disposition to comply. I mean not
bind myself in any manner, but act just as Providence
eenis to direct."
Many young men under similar circumstances would

111

LIFE AND LAHOKS OF

have seen, perhaps rij^htly, the <^uicling finj^er of Provid-
ence in such a proposal. It is quite possi')lc that young
Fyfe would have done so, too, had he not been pre-
possessed with opinions which may have been largely the
offspring of early association with those who held secular
learning in low esteem as a preparation for the ministry,
and whose views he himself a few years later would have
been amongst the first to pronounce short-sighted. In
fact his prejudices were even then beginning to give
way, and the process of his gradual emancipation may
be traced in his subsequent correspondence. He .vas still
holding them fast with the tenacity which was a charac-
teristic of his strong mind ; but he finds it necessary to
fortify himself by argument in his letters t > his friends.
To one who took the broader view and aske<l the perti-
nent (question, "Whether does our usefulnetjs depend
upon the number of years we labor, or upon our com-
petency to our work ?" he replies : " A little good man is
better than a great bad one. A man who strives to be a
great scholar is generally a poor minister. Great popu-
larity is too intoxicating a draught for frail man." He
seems not to have digested well the morsel of truth in
the first line of Pope's familiar couplet," A little learning
is a dangerous thing'" nor was he yet in a position to
understand that the deepest humility is the legitimate
offspring of the profoundest learning. In a letter to
another friend, written a few months later, he is almost
ready to bewail his growing love of study, as if it were
becf^ming^ a snare and a hindrance in the Christian work
which he seems never to hav^e intermitted. Referring to
a religious revival which had taken place in the neigh-
borhood, he says: " I did not preach, hut have frequently

REV. U. A. I'VFE, I). 1).

Provid-
,t young
een pre-
rcrely the
(1 secular
ministry,
uld have
ited. In
to give
tion may
.vas still
a charac-
essary to
s friends,
the perti-
'3 depend
our com-
od man is
es to be a
eat popu-
lian." He
truth in
e learning
osition to
lecfitimate
letter to
is almost
f it were
tian work
t'erring Uj
the neigh -
requently

fled nieetinirs. I have to do so now almost every Sunday.
[But I have not time to study what I say to them. 1 am
the time engaged with Latin, Greek, Logic, &c., of all
■ oi which I am afraid I an) too fond, and my fondness for
them is daily increasing. The natural sciences and lan-
guages have power to charm me from food and sleep.
Yet, while I plaiidy perceive this, my soul still reaches
onward nfter them. Jf my feelings in this respect are
wroiiir may God forcfive me ! I want to consecrate all
the kno»^ ledge I may ever ac(iuire to his service."

Another fact of special interest must l)e noticed in this
jonnection. It indicates that his deep religious feeling was
mingled with intense patriotism. His heart is constantly
yearning over Canada. He mourns for his native land
a.'i an abode of spiritual darkness. He desires above all
that his friends and himself shall return to labor in and
^or Canada. " You were not decided upon going to
knada the last time I saw you. Now let me entreat
rou, as your term of study will soon close, to think of
the land where darkness reigns." " The Saviour is be-
jinning to dispel the moral gloom that hangs so heavily
^ver the poor Canadians." "A letter I received from
Thomas" (no doubt his future brother-in-law, T. M.
'hompson, Esq., now of Toronto), "descriptive of the
Itate of the churches in Upper Canada, made my spirit
froan within me." Such expressions are constantly re-
lurring in his letters to one and another during his col-
Jge course. It is gratifying, after the lapse of half a
mtury, to know that the desire of his heart was so fully
kestowed, and that he was enabled to do so much for
lis beloved native land.

CriAPTEPw Y.

plft

Intkuiktption.s— Sciiooi. Tkaoiiino— SroKXEHs— A Thip to Canada—
Dkatii oi' a Fkikni) — A Mkmokaiu.k S(!KNK ani> a (Jlowinc;

DkhCKII'TION — SOLKJITATIONS AM> I'llKCAUTIONM - - LoVIC FOH

Caxaka — A HrATtis — KvANcEr.isric Lahoiis in Osoookk —
Lkttkks— A FiXKi) I'cui'osK — L'REitiTAULE I'ridk— A Dark

KXTKALT — A 1'KN IMCTIRK.

tHIS year fit tlie Worcester Manual I ^'ov School was
^^^ not a year of ccntinuous study. 's work was
twice interrupted ; first by a term of school teaching, no
douht necessary to replenish his attenuated purse, and
again by sickness. He writes April 16th, 1838: " Last
winter I taught school, having about forty .scholars under
me, for which I received $20 per month, together with
board and washing. I did not like it very well, though
I suppose it has done me good." He gives no further
particulars. It was while thus engaged in teaching that
the revival services mentioned near the close of the last
chapter were carried on. From the reference then made
to his studies, it is evident that he was carrying on, in
part or in whole, the s^'^ork of the High School course, in
addition to performing his duties as a teacher, and at
the same time conducting religious services every Sun-
day! It appears, too, that it was at this time the famous
dialogue was written. Involving, as it no doubt did, a
very heavy draft upon his time and energies, it operated

UEV. I{. A. I'VKE, I). I).

)anai>a —
Glow I NO

S(!OI>llK —

-A Dark.

\ool was
ork was
hing, no
^rse, and
' r.ast
s under
her with
though
further
iniT that
the last
en made
ig on, in
ourse, in
and at
ery Sun-
e lamous
bt did, ii
operated

as the proverhinl "last straw." In the end lie had to pay
a heavy penalty for his po[)ularity and litmiry ainhition.
No wond(!r if, while thus attempting to do the work of
two or three strong men, he used to hear, as he hints in
one of his letters, the " cocks crowing " before his self-
imposed tasks were completed for the night.

The natural result followed. His health again gave
way. and he was obliged to devote the last term of the
school year to travel and recreation in order to regain his
strength. Under date July 2nd, he writes : " The latter
part of last term my health began to fail rapidly. In
fjiet, 1 had not recovered from last winter's complaint. It
affected me lirst when I wms teaching school. My symp-
toms were a severe headM* iie, pain in the chest, incessant
cough, and want of appetite. I was, however, pretty
well at the beginning of last t<jrm, but my studies pressed
hard upon me, and I had an innnense quantity of writing
to do for an exhibition that was then on foot. This so
wore upon me that I had a relapse, and was confined to
my bed and room for more than a week. By this time
the term closed, and I was worn to a skeleton and still
unwell."

This illness compelled him to anticipate a trip to
Canada which he had previously projected for the sam-
mer holiday.s. In a previous letier, written in April, he
had said : " I intend, if nothing happen, to visit Canada
in the month of August. I will strike off in a south-
westerly direction, on foot, to Lake Champlaiu, whence
I may take the steamboat or go on foot, as I please."
Something did happen, as we have seen. At the enci of
the week's confinement, acting under advice, he started
on the projected .tour. It is worth while to follow him.

::«
1

LIFE AND LABORS OF

ill

if only to commend to the more tender-footed students* of
these days the kind of medicine he found good to restore
flesh to his wasted frame and vii^or to his shattered
constitution.

He first went to Boston, where he remained a week,
attendinjjc the anniversaries and cruisinfj about a little on
the sea. He then made a bee-line for Canada, crossini,'
the country and setting foot on his native soil after five
days' journeying by stage and c-n foot. He thought lie
had improved much in appearance, but his friends found
him " very tliin." He stayed in Canada two weeks, dur-
ing which he visited Montreal, where he was shocked to
hear of the death of Mr. Whipple, a young friend who
seems to have been lik;!-minded with himself and pre-
paring for the same sacred work. " The ways of the
Lord are past finding out !" he cries in anguish, but im-
mediately adds, " Yet, blessed be His name, for He is
good !" A few weeks previously he had written con-
cerning this brother: "I am inexpressibly shocked and
grieved on account of the sickness of dear Bro. Whipple.
. . . Shall he be cut down ere he enter the field? . . .
But perhaps the Lord has determined otherwise concern-
ing him. Perhaps he has only been cultivating his mind
and laying the foundation of that knowledge which he
will pursue with renewed ene:'gy in another and a better
world. Yes, brother M., I think angels look upon us
cultivating our immortal faculties with far difiereiit
emotions from those of men, for angels know better than
men the value of those minds which are to be eternally
stretching out toward the infinite dimensions of Deity."

At the expiration of the two weeks he returned to
Worcester, having travelled nearly one thousand miko,

REV. R. A. FYFE, I). D.

(lent>* of
) restore
battered

a week.
, little on

crossing
fifter five
ought lie
ids t'ounil
Beks, dur-
locked to
iend who

and pre-
ys of the
h, but im-
for He i.>
ten con-
)cked and
Whipple.

id? . . .
conceru-
his mintl

which he

d a better
upon us
different

etter than
eternally
f Deity."
turned to

and niik.-i,

and more than one hundred on foot. He adds: "That
course very much strengthened me. I sweated out a
good many of the bad effects of my complaint."

One page of the letter from w^hich the above extracts
are made is filled with a description of some of the
scenery through which he passed on this somewhat
memorable journey. The passao-e is worthy of being
transcribed at lengtli. The reader will not expect fault-
l less rhetoric from a youth whose schooling thus far had
^"been so limited, and gained in the face of so many diffi-
culties, and who was not yet fitted for college. But he
lAvill welcome the extract as sliowing a new and pleasing
pliase of the character we are studying. The passage is
touched with true poetic feeling. It betokens an
% almost passionate love of the beautiful in nature, and re-
•^ veals a o-limpse of the emotions of a soul attuned to
# sympathy with those lofty moods which are vouchsafed
'f only to those finer .susceptibiHties of Imman nature which
hint at its kinship to the divine. It will be rememl»ered,
too, that these lines were penned, not for the public eye,
but in the artless confidence of a private letter to a
'^couple of friends:

li '■ .Some of those scenes I passed through — tlie magnificent
i'dicst, the lovely dell, the rushing rivulet, now f:faml)olling
\\ ildly over the rocks and anon nninnurini^ hoarsely ihrough

jgthc deep caverns of the eart}>, and the l)land, mild heavens
tliiit overshadowed the whole — tilled me with feelings that can
lie forgotten only whe;* memory resigns her ollice. How could
1 help exclaiming, 'These are Thy glorious works, Parent of
(iood.' 'The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord, and the firma-
iiii'nt showeth Thy handiwork.' One j)lace in particular I
rririember. I was weak from ill-health, and worn out by want
of i-est and the jolting of the stage. I concluded, therefore, to
A\ ;dk a few miles. I left Woodstock, Vt., about one o'clock p.m.
ou Saturday. I travelled about twenty miles, I was insensible

AmIi

LIFE AND LABORS OF

to fatigue. My mind seemed to perform the oHiee of a physi
cian. It lent of its elasticity and vigor to its tottering tene-
ment, and I hurried along insensibly, like one entranced. On
either side arose a chain of tremendous hills, whose towering
peaks were fre(|uently concealed in the clouds of heav'en. In
the east was 'God's bow,' with all its varied colors, reminding
me of Mis unwavering fidelity to faithless man. The sun
sinking in the west hsid given to every cloud that floated
loosely ir the heavens a crimson tint. Every leaf and herli
had been refreshed V»y a slight shower. They sparkled, as it
were with pearls ; while the little river, clear as crystal, mui
muring over its pebl)ly bed, sent forth a hoarse bass, which
arose voluptuously from among the trees and mingled sweetly
with the shrill notes of the birds, each one of which seemed
vying with the others to bid farewell to the setting sun. I
cannot desci'ibe tlui scene, but I was charmed. I could nof
move when I came to this spot. My soul see^ned, as if insulted
at being enclosed in so narrow a cell, to have burst every fetter
and soared away into regions moi-e congenial to itself. Tln'
gathering gloom and dampness of the evening aroused me from
my reverie; so I walked on a little further atid put up for the
night."

Another fact which crops out in the letters of this datr
may serve to throw an incidental ray of light upon th(!
nature of some of the difficulties which caused him at
times so much anxiety and worry. It at least shows
clearly that, however unsettled were his purposes in i -
gard to extending his literary studies, he still felt deeply
his need of further training before entering upon the re-
sponsible duties of the ministry, and was resolved to have
at least a theological course at any cost. In announcing
a few weeks beforehand his intention to make this visit
to Canada, he says: "The committee at Montreal wrote
to me a few days since inquiring whether I wished to
return to Montreal and study under Mr. Davies, whom
they expect out on the iirst of May. But at present 1
have no inclination to do so, however good a teacher In

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

may be. They asked also when I thought I should be
prepared to enter on a field of labor ! At this my heart
sank, an<l I felt indeed like one 'born out of due season';
for what can they expect from me as yet ? How can I,
who as yet know nothin^r, undertake to guide immortal
spirits ? I think I could tell all 1 know in two sermons."
He tells his friends that he intends, when he makes his
visit to Canada, to leave all his etfects behind him at
Worcester, " lest the people want to keep him."

This resolution was carried out. Nor was the precau-
tion vain, as the sequel proved. The influence brought
to bear upon him to prevent his return was such as few
young men would have withstood. Speaking of his visit
to Montreal, he adds: "I saw the committee, and was
solicited by them to return to Montreal to iinish my pre-
paratory studies. This I refused to comply with, and
the consequence vi^as that they withdrew their assistance
from me because they could not send their funds to sup-
port American institutions, while they were trying to
start one in Canada. In doing this they undoubtedly
did right. I shall always feel grateful for the friendly
assistance they have lent me. May (lod bless them for
this, and enable them to estiblish a permanent institution
in poor Canada. In the meantime, however, I havo to
sliift for myself. I feel assured that Gjd, who has ever
been kind to me, will not now leave me, but will open a
way Ml which I may attain that object for which I have
lal)ored for years." How many young men under the
circumstances would have been able to take so broad and
fair a view of the action of the committee, and accept it
in so excellent a spirit ? In this same connection — the

letter is dated Worcester, M. L., High School, July 2nd,
E

nR|lfl''%' '

te'ii;.

LIFE AND LABORS OF

1838 — he says further: "Should God spare me, I expect
to be yet three yeciis in preparing myself. How I shall
be supported during that period I do not yet know. I
i.m at pr sent studying a little and working as much as
I can. The warm weather and heavy work come rather
hard on me, as you may see from my writing, but the
lesser evils must be borne to obtain the greater good. 1
probably shall not go to Newton thit.- fall, but put it off
one year longer."

All thiough the correspondence of this period are scat-
tered pleasing indications o'l the intense moral and spiri-
tual earnestness of the young student. The ideal of the
Christian minister upon which he held his eyes con-
stantly fixed was a high one. To his friend MePhail,
who was about to assume the solemn responsibilities oi'
the pastorate, he sp'aks many modest but warm-hearted
words: "I am not able to advise you, for I have neither
experience nor wisdom I am but a stripling, yet let me
entreat you to be faithful. Keep the word of God beforr
your eyes, and let not the fear of man or devil deter you
from speaking the truth, the tvhole truth. And go armed
with the weapon with which Bunyan arms his pilgrim
all-prayer. This is a weapon which I fear niinisters an(i
all are too much in the habit of letting rust. Use thi>
much as you hope to prosper." Again: "I cannot but
think of the responsible situation in which you will soot;
be placed where not only the eyes of Him who sees 3-01!
at al! times, but also the eyes of all the angels, and of al!
the men by whom you may b > surrounded, will be turned
upon you to see how you discharge your duties, &c."

Here we lose sight of our student for a whole year
owing to an unfortunate hiatus in the correspondence.

REV. R. A. FYFE, IXD.

, I expecl
i\v I shall
know. ]
1 much as
lie rather
;, but the
crood. ]
put it oir

are scat-
md spiri
3al of the
!ycs con-
kcPhail,
)ilities oi"
.i-heartP(l
e neither
et let me
0(1 before
leter you
^o armed

pilgrim,
.sters and

Use thi>
nnot but
will soor.

sees 3'ou
md of al!
)e turned
&c."

ole year
londence.

Tlie next letter is dated, 'Petite N.'tion, July 25th, 1839."
How the intervening time was spent cmnot now bii de-
termined with certainty. Our last record in July, 1838,
left him at the Worcester High Sohooi, whither he had
I returned after his visit to Cauid.i a few weeks before,
" Fiom his refei^ace to the hard bibor wljich he was com-
biniiig with his studies, it seems not improbable tliat he
continued in Worcester during tlie next school year, very
likely keeping up the alternation of mental and bodily
§toil throughout the year. He had, he tells his frieiids, a
I* few weeks before the close of the school year in 1838,
sou)e thouirht of returninof to Hamilton, an<l had written
to make inquiries with a view to doing so. But from
information kindly given by both Dr. 8p'3ar and the
Secretary of the Madison University it seems certain that
he did not accomplish that object. We must, however,
content ourselves to lose sight of him for tlie year, though
we m ly safely picture hiui ploibling on in the path of
study with indomitable persevcraiice, and tu ning aside
(mly at the bidding of stern necessity to work with his
liands in order to maintain a scanty supply of " the
needful."

The summer of '39 finds him again in Canada. His
letter of the date above-mentioned shows us clearly how
he was engaged during a part of tlie time, and from the
part we may safely infer the whole The somewhat
copious extracts from this letter given below are doubly
interesting as not only presenting a picture of Mr. Fyfe's
work as a student -missionary , but also giving us a glimpse
of the early history of the denomination in Osgood and
vicinity. Perhaps nothing better can be given by way of
preface than the following passages from a report of a

LIFE AND LABORS OF

i'l"

meeting of the Committee of the Canada Baptist Mis-
sionary Society, lioM August 19, IS*}(), and reported in
the •' andda Baptist Ma/jazine and Mlssioiiary RegUter
tor Sf'ptcmber of that year: —

"Ouf iiiissionjiiy brotlier, the Rev. D. McPhail, wlio has
been stationed since last fall at the Indian Lands, was lately
induced to pay a visit to Osgood for the purpose of de.-larinij
to the f)en[)le in that destitute settlement the unsearchable
riches of Cin'ist. 15y the following letter to our brother Milne
it will be seen that the labors of Mi*. McPhail have been
crowned Avith signal success. Many have been converted from
the error of tiuir ways, hrought to believe in the Lord Jesus,
and to walk in newness of life. We understand that when
Hidings (yf these tilings came to the ears of the churches at'
Breadalhane and 8t. Andrews, ]]rethren Fraser and Edwards,
jun., proceeded to C)sgood ; who will doubtless, on seeing 'the
g»*ace of (Jod,' he glad, and exhort the discij)les 'that with pur-
pose of heart they should clea -'e unto the Loi-d.' We hope to
have it in our power soon to give some further details of the
work of the Lord amongst that people."

Ftillowing is the first part of Mr. McPhail's letter. It
is dated 'Indian Lands, July 20t!i, LS;39 :—

"The Lord has wonderfully displayed his power in the con-
version of sinners in Osgood, 1 visited that part of the coun-
try about live weeks ago, and have only returned the other
day. ])uring the iirst week I preached very day, excepting
Saturday. Nothing special was manifested, except an increas-
ing anxiety to hear. I s])ent the second week in visiting fi'om
liouse to house, and conversing with tiie people ahout the state
of theii- souls. This 1 lind to have been of great benefit, as
some of themselves afterwards expressed. Many began to feel
the eiiects of a wounded conscience, but 'the power of the Lord
was present to he.al.' A number have professed to receive
peace of mind by believing. Twenty-six have been 'buried
with Christ by baptism unto death'; a number more are liope-
fully converted, and there are a numier yet enquiring 'what
they must do to be saved.' The greater part are heads of
families and in the vigor of life, so that much good to our Zion

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

it Mis-
rfced in
leg inter

k'ho has
s lately
c.;laring
irciml>le
jr Milne
ve been
;ed from
I Jesus,
at when
ches at '
Edwards,
sing 'th(>
^'itli pur-
I hope to
s ot the

may hra oxpocteJ from tlioni The last week, in a j:freat mea-
sure, has been employed iu iustruot:iii<^ these youu,:j; disciples
"• to observe all things whatsoever (Jlirist commaiuleth thein.'
A g(j-ipel church w,is forin'id last Lord's Day, nuiiilKMJng t'orty-
six ; and afterwards we attended to the ordinance of the Lord's
Supp(n\ In looking back I can truly siiy, 'Surely the Lord
was iu that plaos',' and to a g.eat degree 'I ku(nv it not.' I
left them with deep allectiou, in hopes of r<!turning whenever
the L )rd, in his providence, will perujit. Wiiat I adverted to
in my last letter I advert to again, f/ifir .7;'"^' wiiitt of a niiriia-
tfii'. Tliey are miking preparations for a pi ice of worship; but
where is tlie person to occupy the pulpit? VV^hat can be done,
oi' to what sid(^ cm we lo ;k I Nowiieri^, but to youi'selves, for
the i)resent, ll^lax n )t your ellorts, therefore, in preparing
men for the ministry. "

Mr. Fyfe thus coritiiiuos the .story: —

"Pktite Nation, July 25, 1839.
" Dear lirother McPhail :

"I take this opportunity of writing to you lest 1 should not
again be so favorably circuin-itauced, iov I know not whei-e I
may be tossed next time, having been led so singularly through
my late wanderings. J left Osgood ou Monday, 21st. During
the week previous I visited nearly all the families in the settle-
meut. Indeed, brother, my spirit wa; stlrr(^l witliin me as 1
went from house to house, pointiug the mourning and distressed
souls to Him who has power to forgive sins, ev(;n on (;arth. I
co;\versed with some who seemed not at all concerned for their
souls, but the next L>rd's Day these sam,^ individuals were
weeping and ent|uiring the way to Zion. Two or three profess
to have met with a change since you left. . . , We nunj-
l)ered sixteen who were still anxious on the mornin'jf I left.
There seem to be new cases of conviction every day. I never
founrl it harder to leave any place. On the Sabbath (20th) I
preached three times, and, notwithstau ling a fearful (piantity
of rain had fallen, the baru was full, and I conversed with the
anxious after service till nearly dark. The Lord is certainly
doing wonders in that place.

I( v^l

" Well, I left them on Monday with tears. I may say with

j ;.j.

fri

LIFE .AND LAKOKS OF

E/ekiel, 'I went in ItitteiiiesR, in the heat of my spirit, hut tlie
hand of tlio Ijord was .stiuiii; iifKin me,' for 1 felt it to be ///////
to leave. I went to Hull :i,ml fcuiul Mr. Jamieson, and laid
the case before him, but he could not go.

• • • • • • •

*' When I found tliat Jamieson could not go I did not know
what to do. My heart was sore for the people of Osgood. 1
could not sleep for two nights. I committed my ways to the
Lord, and exuuiined whether it were not jny duty to return ;
but, after considering all things, I concluded it was not. So 1
wrote to IJro. Fraser, and ui'tjed hin», if possiiilc, to visit them
now.* The letter will probably reach him this week, and if the
Lord see iit He will send him.

"It seems to be the univei-sal opinion, Bro. McP., of all
thase who know the state of the case, that you should go to
Osgood. Though I am not able to say that you t^lioidd go, I
cjHi siiy that some one ought to go, and that immediately.
And further, Hermes, or Apollo eithei-, would not please them
so well as you would. It is not to be wond(M-ed at. [ndeed,
I would tiiink it strange v. ei'c it otlujrwisej. But the ({uestion
may l)e put and answered by an echo, 'Whom will we get, if
you don't cornel'

"And now, ])rother, I have said nearly all I can say. I have
had hard application from Bro. Tucker. He had concluded
that he was going to keep me right or wrong, and Bro. Milne
helped him. I had education enough. I would be sick if I
went back to study. It was sinful to lose my precious time,
ifec, kc. B .t, though my heart is pained for poor, destitute
Canada, yet I think I must go back. I think it a duty due to
myself and to the cause of ( .hrist that I have at least a little
more preparation. 8o all their arguments cannot move me, for
my mind is made up.

"Will you write to me within three weeks from this date,
directing to Laprairie ? For this reason : 1 want you to tell

* This appeal was successful. Mr. John Ferguson, sen., an aged
refideut of Osiood, wiitcs tlat lio heard Mr. Fraser sny, on his anival,
that tl e statt nitnt niatle to hiiu of the piovemeut was such that he liad
to come.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

fne wlio is the secretary for the 'Society of EiKjuiry'* at
Hamilton. I want to write and lay befoio that society the
destitution of these rci^ions, and also the d(;sire that seems to be
everywhere manifested to hear the everlasting Gospel in this
country. 1 will 'fill my mouth with argunients/ and plead
with them. Ajid who knows but that the Head of the Churc}i
will send one from there to help in this wide ticld? If I am
spai-ed to go to Newton, I will lay the case in pei'son before
them there, and plead with all my eloquence for one from that
place also. Two or three would be a gi-eat accpiisition to
Canada in its present state. May the Lord send some laborers
into this vast harvest. .......

"Your Friend and Brotlier,

" R. A. Fyfe."

His zeal in evangelistic work, passionate love for
Onada and its people, and fixedness of purpose in re-
gard to further study, all stand out clearly behind
the faded lines and time -yellowed paper of those
letters. 'I'he second to Mr. McPhail, alluded to in the
foregoing foot-note, thouii'h bearinnr marks of ijreat
haste, contains two sentences of a more directly personal
bearing- From one of them it appears that the want of
means still harassed his steps, and that at the solicita-
tion of his friend he had almost resolved to seek assist-
ance in some shape from a certain person who would be
likely to give it if asked. He says : " Well, I saw Mr.

R , but I had not courajre to ask him. If I should

be six years in getting through, I cannot do it. I must
fight on though my way is dark. Don't tell me it is
pride prevents me. Whatever it may be, j/oit know
what such feelings are and can easily sympathize with

* Repeating the request in a note a week or two later, lio abks for
the name of the " President of the Missionary Society."

I»''

iii' '

LIFE AND LABOIIS OF

me. They are feelinf^s tha: are painful and often dis-
advantageous, yet they are strong."*

The reader, too, will sympathize with those feelings
and admit that there is a species oF pride which elevates
and ennohles. When the Christian brother who has
means really feels that he is Christ's steward, and that
he is giving of the Master's for the Master's work, the
young man who is conscious that his single aim is to tit
hin.self for that work will prohahly do well to accept the
aid in the spirit in which it is given. But feelings and
motives are apt to get sadly mixed on the part of both,
and as a rule l)etter things may be expect<!d from the
student who is slow, than from him who is swift, to ask
or acce})t gratuitous assistance. No reader will think
the less of Robert Fyfe because he could not do it.

The other passage is more subjective still, and more
mysterious. It is added in a hasty postscript : " If I
wrote you anything about my feelings at present you
would find them a strange jumble — hope, despair, hate.
love, courage, cowardice, all mingled together." It would
be as unbecoming as usjless to attempt to pry t )0

* It may have been on the occasion of this missionary trip that a
pleasing incident, reniembereil by some of his old friends who still sur-
vive, took plac '. While standing in the bow of the Ottawa ])oat, with
threadbare clothes, pat'jlied shoos, and tlisconraged jind downcast by the
gloomy ontlook, a follow-passenger, some say at tliat time a stranger,
came up, diew him into conversation, succe:dod in getting from him an
inkling of the cause of some of his tioublts and anxieties, and, after a
few kind and encouraging words, handed him a sum of money sufficient
for all present neei's. According to another and perliaps, in view of his
reluctance to accept aid, more probable version, a roll of bank notes was
dropped stealthily into his pocket, and not discovered until some time
afterwards wiien he chanced to put his hand into the pocket. "This
broke tiie clouds," says the brotlier who tells the story, who makes it
doubly interesting and characteristic by adding : " The messenger from
his Heavenly Father was none other than good, earnest, thoughtful
Stephen Tucker."

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.lJ.

curiously into tlio nature of the secret trouldes winch
Heein still to wci^^h so hoavlly upon his mind. Some
cause more ]iowert"ul than more pecuniary emharrass-
ments must have been at work to move so deeply so
Itrave and resolute a spirit.

The writer has before him a few outlines of a pen pic-
ture of young Fyfe as he appeared probably during this
summer visit to the Ottawa region. They arc drawn by
one who was at that time one of Mr. Tucker's household.
Here they are. His face and figure are not ilescribed, but
can be easilv imanined by those who knew him in later
years. He wore durirg his evangelistic labors a short
])ea jacket, and in the pulpit, or perhaps more correctly,
on the platform in the barn, bi'himl the pine board to
which he afterwards alludes as a pleasant and sacred
memory, a "somewhat worn-looking brown frock coat,
or long surtout. The dress evidenced poverty, but it was
alwa^'s scrupulously neat." He was ' always speaking
with the employes of Mr. Tucker about their souls." He
was "attractive and popular," and was always listened
to in public with " marked attention." " His conversa-
tion with the young peop e was free and friendly, and
he possessed great tact in approaching the unsaved. He
particularly interested the young in his sermons."

In regard to his preaching at this time, another aged
friend still living in Osgood says that while he was not
so ready and fluent as many young men, his speaking was
marked by " thought and strength." " It was predicted
at th i time that he would become a great and good man."

CirxVPTEPv lY.

KVTKUIN'U Nr.WTOV- How WkI.I. rUKl'.VHKI)?— Sl'KOIOITS Rk.vscninc —
Dll. FyKK'.S M.ATl'KKR N'iKWS -ENTftAN<!K EXAMINATION TlIK

•'Thorn in tiik Fr.Ksn"— His Hkai!t'.s Dksikk — Rkoulak

WoKK AM) OVKUVVOKK- WllITKS Ma<1AZINK AkTICLKS— Kt)r('A-
TION OK THK FkKLINUS— A SEASON OF DaUKNK.S.S -MoRE SICK-
NESS — Shall he ao to Akuica?

in
as
w

.CTOBER of thnt year (I.S.'JO) found Roherfc Fyf.' at
■ejy^jy- N('wton Tlieologiciil Seminary, rci^ularly enteit'd
for tlio full course. An important point in his strenuous
race was now n-aclied — not a haltin<jf-place for rest and
repose, but a height from which he could catch sight of
the Ion o -desired goal. The stimulus to redoubled exer-
tion was not needed, but the encouragement from tin;
Hearing prospect of ultiiiiate success perhaps was. The
inspiration of an invigorated hope is now manifest in his
letters.

Judged by ordinary standards, it must be confessed
that his literary or preparatory course had not been com-
plete or satisfactory. One year, broken by illness, at
Hamilton, and one, possibly two, broken both by illness
and by other causes of interruption, at Worcester Manual
Labor High School, would seem a rather insufficient pre-
paration for entering a theological college. It is almost
painfully clear, as we shall see, that Robert Fyfe himself
gfowingly felt that he was placed at seriou*^ disadvantage

REV. R. A. FYFK, h D.

I>y tlio lack of more oxtimtled prepamtion. He lopeatoilly
assi/^iis it as a reasoTi tor p»ittin<jj forth all his ent-r^it'.s
while at Novvton. Of his eighteen class-mates, fourteen
were college i^rad nates.

But it would be a <^reat mistake to attempt to me sure
the mental discipline he h>id attained hy the nund^er of
school sessions he had attended. Whatever his mental
habits may have been prior to his conversion, there is
abundant evidence that the four years vhich had inter-
vened between his entrance into the Hamilton Academy
in 1835 and his entrance into Newton Theolon;ical Semi-
nary in IcS-'iU had been years of intense mental activity, in
sL'ho')l and out of school. No one knew better than he
that the tale of months or years at collet^e is no reliable
measure of a student's actual attainments. The foUowin^^
passage from a letter written shortly befoi-e the close of
his first year at the Worcester school, and while he was
anxiously revolving, in the light of possibility and duty,
the question of taking the colli'ge course wliich was urged
upon him and which he had come to desire, shows the
turn which his thou^'hts sometimes took : —

"One eonsidenitiou has presented itself to nie since T wrote
the tirst part of tliis etter, respecting f?oing through college.
Mr. Bailey (Principal of the W. M. L. High School), who is
considered to l)e a very good scholar, told me candidly that
when he graduated, though among tlie tirst in his class, he
could not conjugate tvtvtu, and that during the four years he
had btsen teaching he had leained three times as much of every-
thing as he learned during his preparatory and collegiate course
put together, and I was told that he was a good student too !
Jfe did not tell me this to prevent me from going througli col-
lege, for he wishes with all his soul that 1 sho .1(1 go. Now, if
a man can become learned out of college; if, after he has
learned the tirst principles of things, he can in four years learn

i:-U

r\ u '-

LIFE AND LABORS OF

throo times as much out of college as he can in seven years in
college, is it not Ix'st to i^et the first printjipies well learned
and l(»t the colhv^Iate cirmrso ir;)? T do not, li ow^ivor, de-ipiso a
colleL^iato course;; for, were it (!onsist;Mit with my circum-
stances, thfc-O is nothing 1 would like better."

It may b(i tluit this book will be read by some yonniy
men who find themselves in the same (jiiandary as younj^
Fyfe at the time the Toregoinu^ was penne<l. The difficul-
ties in the way of a complete and thorough course of
preparation may seem almost insuperable, and they may
at times be tempted, as he seems to have been, to ])ersuade
themselves that they will lose little or nothing by fore-
going it. Such will (juickly see, unless their judgments
should be biassed by the pressure of dise;)ur.minuf circum-
stance-', as his evidently was, that the inference wliich he
was more than half inclined to draw was quite unwar-
ranted by the premises. To base a broad generalization
upon a single ease, and that clearly a very exceptional
one, was to do terrible violence to the laws of the logic
which was one of his favorite studies. Wiiatever may
have been the fact with some of the American colleges
fifty year"! ago, there is good reason to hope that the case
of a gro'luate from any^ college of standing, who should
be amongst the best students and yet unable to conjugate
TVTTTu), would be to-day a rare phenomenon. There may,
it is true, be man}^ instances in which students learn
more in four years after graduation than in seven before
it, but the question is to what extent the achievement is
due to the power gained in the seven. Could Mr. Bailey,
without the seven years' training, defective as it seems to
have been, have learned in ten years, or in a lifetime,
what he learned in tlie four to which he brou.(ht all the

ilEV. R. A. I'YFE, D.D.

accunnilated strength gainerl in tlie seven ? "But," it may
be objected, "see wliat Dr. Fyfe learned and accomplished
in alter years without the full collegiate course.' Two
"[uestif/ns will suggest the reply. How many young men
have the strengtii of will, the thirst for knowledge, and
the invincihle moral purpose which madt^ Dr. Fyfe what
he became? and, Who can say how much more he might
have accomplished had all the elements of power which

iree

were welded into his cliaracttr been reinforced by thi
or four years mon; of college discipline ?

But, lest some further correction of the influence of his
reasoning and example be needed, it may be wt II to give
in this connection the ver<lict of his ripened ju<lgment in
after years upon the (|uestion at issue. His views, as set
forth in a lecture on Education which he delivered on
one or two occasions to his Woodstock students, are so
clear and satisfactory, so consonant with the sound com-
mon sense which characterized all his deliberate utter-
ances, that no npology is thought necessary for' the
following extract : —

"I wish to hraiul in the sti'onge.sfc matmor what I deem a
f^rave popular error, viz., that of associating education altogether
with school or college training. Under the influence of this
error, men call Peter, and John, and James, Banyan, Fuller,
Thomas Scott, Ferguson tlu; astronomer, Jlloomlield the poet,
and Hugh Miller the geologist, and a host of such men unedu-
cated. There nevei was a greater misnomer. True, these men
never attended college; they had no titles appended to their
names; they carried no piuchment di})lomas in their pockets;
hut uu('<hi('af'''l they certainly were not. They were itiost
thoroughly educated if we mean by education the develo[)mcnt
of iheir mental, moral, and social powers, that which gave them
command of the faculties which God hatl bestowed up<»n them.
They could think stiongly and clearly. They could investigate
thoroughly any subject which was presented to them. They

LIFE AND LABOllS OF

!; :;

lir-'

could control tlieir passions and appetitns. They could treat
their fellow-ineu in a proper and })(H'oi)iii)i>- manner, adapting
theniselvos to the position in which (iad in His [)rovidenco had
placed them. In what place they ac(pii ed thi.3 culture ; by
what means they obtained this coniniand over themselves, is
clearly a very subordinate matter. . . . If a man acquires the
commend f>ver hii/t.-<elf, usinjr the word in its widest sense, it
matters not .liether 'le have maile this great ac(]uisition in
academic halls, or, as did Bloomtield, in foUowinii; the plough ;
in the libraries of a university, or, as did Hugh Mi Her, in a
stone ([uarry. It matters not whetlier he graduate, as one
(Miiinent man told me he had done, at 'the north-east corncn' of
a log-heap,' or in splendid convocation. The point is to obtain
this culture. . , . I am not speaking against scnninaries of
learning. My associations and the position I hold suthcieutly
declare my estimation of such institutions. Nor am I intimat-
ing that it is as easy for a man to acquire what may be properly
called education out of colleges as in them. Far from it. None
but those who have toiled without the aid of institutions of
learning to tit themselves for usefulness, or to discharge the
obligations laid upon them, can know all the difliculties which
beset their pith, all the bitterness of the struggles which they
have to endure, or the slow, tedious, up-hill work which they
have to perforin. ... In this world no man cati effect
anything but by the sweat of his face, — by hard work, whether
he is in an institution of learning or out of it. The chief
difference between the ins and the outs is that the one has to
woi-k hard and the other has to work harder."

It is easy to read between the lines of tbose last sentences
a graphic chapter in the lecturer's own experience.

As before said, an internif diate goal of young FyFc's
noble ambition was reached when he entered Newton
Theological Seminary. His three -years' course at that
institution would bs the last stage in the preparation for
the life-work on which he longed to enter. In the
learned and able men who constituted the staff of instruc-
tion of that institution he would find those well skilled
in ministering to the cravings of a hungry mind ea.;er for

PEV. R. /. FYFE, D. D,

fuller explorations in the broad fields of philosoplucal
and reliGfions truth. He would now sit with groat deli'dit
at the feet of such men as a Ripley, a Chase, and a Way-
land. The pressure of pinchini; poverty would henceforth
he less painfully felt, as the opportunities for self-help
would be greater, even if he declined to avail himself, as
he prohably did, of the aid proti'ered by such associations
as the Northern Baptist Education Society, Wiiile de-
clining such aid for himself, not so mnch, perhaps, from
the pride which forbade him from asking help from indi-
viduals as from his fixed resolve to lay himself under no
obligation that might afterwards hamper him in any way
in his choice of a field of labor,"* his after life showed
that he heartily believed in extending the helping hand
to young men struggling with poverty in their eti'orts to
fit themselves for the ministiy of the Word.

Those who were Dr. F> fe's associates in laljor at Wood-
stock know well how v/arm and active was his sympathy
with needy students in their truggle to secure an educa-
tion, and how much toil and self-denial it cost hiiu to
keep the ^und for ministerial education replenished for
their benefit. Nor can we doubt that the large compan}'^
of thos'^ whose paths to the fields of usefulness they are
now occupying were smoothed by the help thus supplied,
will ever lold in grateful memory his unselfish service
in this reg; d. In the good, but not always congenial
work of soliciting contributions for this purpose he may
have been stinjulated both by thankful memories of
generous help in his own time of need, and by bitter re-

* He says in a letter written about this time : "I am not yet under
t\u' KtUication Society. I am afraid to lot the Amm-icans have any
olaim on me, lest 1 be drawn away from where 1 am more needed."

mS.

i'^

LIFE AND LABORS OF

coUectionHof hardsliipsand privations wliich tlu; Oluistian
liberality of liis Master's stewards sliould have rendered
unnecessary.

He passed the entrance examinations successfully.
Writinu: to his friend MePiiai' shortly after his admission
he refers hrst to his wanderings since they had last met.
"Since I saw you I have been to Quebec and over four of
the New h^n^land States, besides a great many short Hfty
and sixty-mile joui'neys. I have preached twice since J
came to the States, and I do not intend to preacli more
for six months." He then proceeds: "I entered Newton
on the first of October. The examination was pretty
close. Only tliink of me. poor little thiiiL;, sitting before
four of tlie mo-.t learned men in the country, trying to
read Greek and Latin and to go over philosopldes of all
kinds, vvh .n I had not looked at some of these things for
two years ! However, I was received into the regular
course. Indeed I surprised myself, for I diil not think I
could do half so well." He is making a specialty of
Hebrew. Though pitted against fourteen college gradu-
ate^, he has been assured "by pi-etty good authority" that
he can take the second, if not the first, place in Hebrew.
After giving a brief outline of his regular studies, he goes
on to say : " I have counnenced reading a very excellent
French work on critieism. I read the Greek classics one
hour daily. I tind this beneticial. It gives me a more
thorough knowledge of the lanu:nai;e, and I read 'Butler's
Analogy' eyery day. I do this for the twofold pui-pose
of making his arguments my own and disciplining my
powers, for not having had the advantages of a college
course, I must indemnify myself for that loss by every
lawful mecisure." He praises the beauty of the place,

til

REV. 11. A. FYFE, D. D.

7:J

Vi'

the comfort of the rooni.s and bojird, is pleased with his
.s()eiet3% and deli^^lited with his teacliers. ■ He "loves the
jilacu uuich." There is one drawback — the j^i-eat expense
for hooks, flis for tlu; term cost thirty dolhirs. He had
been obliijcd to buy them at six months' cr. (lit, but they
must be paid for then, and this is alrc;ady ti'oublint;- him.
'J'he laws of the instituticjn do not permit students to
accept money for preachini^ durin;^^ term, and he is not
certain of frettinijj a place in vacation. He fears poverty
is to be his " thorn in the flesli" through life. " J need it
to keep me down. I get more of everything than 1 de-
serve." " I must trust to Providence."

In another part of this letter he speaks to his friend
from the fulhiess of his heart of his fears and hopes and
aspirations. The words reveal the man, and may be help-
ful to others : —

" But oh ! luy brother, I may aoquii-e all those things 1 have
ineutionod" — referring to his list of studies — " and yet go forth
not to bless, hut to curse, mankind. When 1 think of sueli a
i-esult my soul sinks within mo, and I could wee]) like a child,
for 'who is sulHciont tor thos*; things?' indexed I am woli
satisfied that without cultivating tlio jieart there would arise
no good, l)ut evil, from cultivating the intellect. Still, I be-
lieve that He who was a 'mouth' to Moses can he the same to
me. Hut fis lie knows well what wo are and what are tlie
duties of ministers, he will give us 'grace according to our
day,' and strength to hear any weight of responsibility he may
put upon us. 1 if I have asked for anything in earnest — if
1 have pleaded for anything with tears- -it is that God would
prepare me to ho a iiHifiil minister. I liave been so impressed
with this idea that for dijys in succession it has been the bur-
den of my prayers. I do not know how to cultivate my
powers to the best advantage. I do not know wliat is best for
me, and I entreat Him to show mo. I do not feel satisfied
with a cultivation that will pass, but T. want to cultivate my

l.'K' ^

•; fi

LIFE AND LA nous OF

powers to ///'' h''4 adnanfat/f. I do not think it is presumption
to think that Gotl will direct nie in this."

Wo do not a<>ain huar from liiui until near tlio close of
tlio eoUc'^c 3'^ear, in June, 1<S40. He has been studyino
Hebrew and Greek throughout the year, writing out liis
own translation of every Psalm read, and of Romans, with
notes and criticisms. He iinds it no light task to dig his
way through old Latin and (Jreek commentaries. He
has also compared the Old Testament in Hebrew with
the Greek version, had lectures on the manuscripts of the
Old Testament, Szc. All this in the regular college
course. He has had to preach al)Out once a fortniglit
and to attend two "encjuiry meetings" every week, besi<les
regular class and society meetings. But over and above
tliis he has privately, for liis own behoof, read "over and
over" two works in Mental Philosophy, and two of the
Greek classics, Xenophon and Sophocles, and has trans-
hxted for Professor Hackett a Latin work on the Innnor-
tality of the Soul, "an abominably hard thing." He does
this extra work because, as he says, " I feel deeply the
disadvantages under whicli I labored in my youth," and
" the importance of that work for which an angel is in-
adequate, or at least not so well suited as a devoted
Christian is." He feels more keenly than ever his own
inability, and trembles to think how soon he must mj
out. He has never had "the burden of souls" lie upon
him with such weight as during tlie last four months.
He feels that he ' must seize every moment and use it to
the best advantage."

The extent to which he did thus seize every moment
becomes still more apparent when we find that notwifch-
standinjT: all the above mentioned abundant and exhaust-

h 1

Si :-.

REV. 11. A. FYFE, I>. D.

'<:*

ing labors, regular and extra, he mana^jcd to find time
duriiiij^ the year to contribute two or more articles to the
Canad I littpfisf, Miujdz'iyu;, which was then hein;!^ pub-
lished in Montreal. Tlieso articles wei'e pui>li>])etl over
the yio)n de pliune "Julius." The first appeared in the
inHuber for- Api-ii, 1 S4(). Its subject was " The S;)urce of
Mental Ptjwer Ne<»-lected in our Present Sv^stelus of Edu-
cation." The article sets out with the statement that
men in tljose days "attempt too much, and therefore do
nothing wel!, or leave undone something that ouglit to
be done." " We must now not only be instructed 'in all
the wisdom of the K'jfvptians,' but we must als ) scourfjfj
our poor students through the fearful catalogue of r;tr/(/(^/7i
discoveries," Our young ministers must, if they pay any
deference to an unieasonable public feeling, know nearly
everything that can be known by mortals. In obe^bence
to this unreasonable demand, the poor stuilent rises up
early and sits uj) late, striving to satisfy what is insati-
able. The result is that the student neither satisKes tlie
public as to the quantity nor himself as to the (]uality of
his studies."

lie then goes on to ariju ' tliat want of thoroughness
is not the- only evil arising out of thus atteuipting too
much. " While we are striving to meet the exorbitant
demands made upon our in'^ellecb, lue neglect to ciiltiviitu
our fediivjs, and therefore students, after poring over
secti ms and cones, Butler's Analogy, Latin, Greek, and
Hebrew roots, go out into the world ' as dry as summer
dust.' '' " How much effect have students upon the pub-
lic mind before they change the frozen style they possess
just after leaving our institutions of learning ? Tiie fact
is they ha\ c neglected to cultivate their feelings, the
source of all their mental power.'

i , :
I

i
i

t i

LIFE AND LABORS OF

Perhaps tlic workings of tlm iniiid and heart of tho
j'onni;- writer, at tins pei'iod of Ins liistory, cannot be
better portray<'d tlian by (Hiotini^ entire a conple of
par}i<j^ra))lts in wliicli lie ilhistrates bi^ tbenie. Tlie
.sentiments, too, are sngi>;esti\ e, and may not be without
value to students even in LSSO.

"Just call to mind the vounu' man wdio was earnestly
inquirino- wluither it was not his duty to prepare for the
ministry. Do you remember how you loved to hear him
exhort ? Why ? Because his ideas were pnvfound ^
No. Because his language was polished and his manner
graceful^ No. But because he felt what he said; and
therefore could touch the hearts of his hearers. The
young man enters the seminary, finishes his preparatory
studies, and returns to his friends. He ri.ses to speak-
in the meeting. Presently some begin to j'awn, others
pull out their watches, etc. Now why is this ? Are not
liis thoughts good, his language polished, an<l his manner
graceful ? * Yes,' .says one,' l)ut how cold it was ! A\'hat
a sparkling, but cold icicle he delivered to us !' Here is
the trouble. The intellect and feeling of the young man.
when he commence I studyinof, were nearly balanced.
But sijice then his intellect has been c )nstantly exp Hid-
ing, while his atf-ctive faculties have remained about
.stationary. There is, therefore, a vast disproportion
between tho two. But had he kept up the same relation
between the two classes of his faculties that existed
between them when he began to study nothing could
liave withstood him. Take some J).]), who has spent all
his lifetime poring over musty folios. His sermon is
splendid. His thoughts have a sparkling brilliancy —
but it is a brilliancy like that which comes from the

REV. 1{. A. FYKK, I>. I).

i ■ •* J

il
d
11

icul)er^»'s of tho north, col<l and clullinf,'. ' 'Tis tlio Imniing
bush, hut there is no ani^el in it.'

"Is not the henuinhinijf coldness which our learned men

so fjonerally manifest the

iness
sec re

of the popular prejudice

ao-ainst an educated niinistiy ? Uur learned men do not
cultivate those feelings which th(!y possess in common
with the ma>^s of humanity; and, therefore, they nei^d
not expect to touch the chonls that viltrate in the
human breast. Why is it that woman has such power
ov(U' us :' Because she has more intt Uect than we ? No.
BL'cause she is a woman ^ No such thinir. Hut because
she has educated hei- feelinixs more thorou'ddv than we.
She can sit night after night by the cradle of her sutt'er-
ing (hirlinn-. whi-n the more sturdv form of a man would
sink with fatigue. She can melt the stern judL>e, when
all the persuasive strains of the lawyer have proved
fruitless. This, too, is to be attributed to the superior
strength of her feelings. Take, too, the successful play-
actor, whose business has been to cultivate his feelings,
almost all his life. You will find him b hind the screen,
just before appearing on the stage, working up to the
highest pitch of excitement his feelings wdiich are already
strong. Howev'T, when he appears before the audience,
the whole strength of the actor's nature sheds a glory
upon the sentiments of the author, which carries lasting
conviction to his hearers. They weep or laugh just at
the will of the speaker, for his feelings are so much
stronger than theirs that he completely masters them.
They are captive at his will. The stronger a man's
feelings are the better, provided that his intellect be able
to balance them."

The other article referred to, which was to appear in a

■ [ k
i

J... :

l.ll'K AND I.VIIOUS OK

hitvr muiilMT of the M(hj((:lnf, wo havo Ix'cn unnl>I«' to
find. Tlu' oltjrct of (ho arriclo as foroMlifulowo*! whm to
show that oriLjiuaUt y of miiul (lo|toiHls in a ^roat inoHsun>
upon tlio oultivation of the foolini^^s.

lu'fcn'iu'o was um(h» in a previous olui] tor to a foatful
sonson of <lirknoss and douht thiou<j^h whi«*li h»' passod.
prosnmahly whilo at llatiiiUon. As lliori' intiinatod, it is
[H)ssiliIo tliat that toiriMo o\pori(>nno is out of place, and
vsliouhl [\v assiniiod (o tliis. Ids lirst yoar at Nowtou. lu
tht» alis('n('(> of any tlolinito <hito-niarl>:s, it soi'Uis impos-
sible to dccido tbo point with cortainty. In any caso ho
passod tliroui^ii tho dcop waters and tho thirk olouds
durinLj tho wintoj- of "*)!) 40. lie thus diSL'riluvs the
event : —

'* PuriuL,^ tho winter I luid .i sonson of foarl'id darkness
— even despair. I thouglit I was without (lod in the
worM. Perha] s i/ou know tho aui^uish of suoh feoliuLjs.
1 had those foolinjjs for two or thre«> months. I tliouiiiit
it was not niv duty to luvacli. and tlioroforo asked a dis-
mission from tho Faculty. Hut tlioy would not lot me
j^o. Si)on tho l.ord had mercy upon u\e. He breathed
upon me aiul bade nu' live." '• Ever since he has boon
pleased to smile upcn me." One is dispo.sed to wonder
whether lie does not unconsciously put cause for (^tioct
when he adils : " But my health waso-ono.and I therefore
left the institution for a short time."

In view of .<50 uuich persi^ti'iit overwork an<l, as we
may be tolerably sure, neglect of fresh air and exercise,
it is no wonder tliat he goes on to tell bis friend . " I
have had a pixir turn this spring. I lot 'run dow'n'; had
BO mental rest for seven months. Mv nervous system
was out of order, and a liver complaint was the con.se-

ii* /j

IlIOV. U. A. I- VKK, I). I).

(|n('?u',o. I mil so tliut I can nitcii'l to my <luti«'s, l»ut
luivo niiluT too imicli on my IuiikIm. As to ctiioynu'Mt —
Unit sni<H>(h /)f<(<r and fiinninH/if>/ of wliicli I lia\r liranl
others spcaU I ilonot liave mucli of it. M\ j^i'cat dosin'
is t(» s«'(» ('Iirist '•lui-ilicil in tin; conversion of souls." As
if anyone^ Iiad any ri<rl»t to (^\[)ect " smooth pearu; nrnl
tiaii<|uillily " wliilc daily siiniin;^ a,;^ainst (lod's laws as
written in his ])hysi(;al and mental Mtrnel.ur«\ and rt'Mj)injL^
Ihe hitter hut leu^itima,te IVuits in ailments ol* tiie livor
and otlier or'jjans !

He is ol>lit;ed to trav(d for Ids healtli «lurini]j vacation,
an<l Ionics to visit Canada ; hud almost <h'termincil to <lo
so, hut finds that it will l>e out ol' his povviir for want of
funds. lie does not e.\j)eet to Im; ahle to see (/anada
a»ijaiii until after his i^raduation, iiidess "somc^thin;^^ very
unexpected shall happen." As w(3 shall presently see, the
unexpected must have hajipened, though in what form it
canio (h)es not apptvir. Ih; sends touchinj^^ expressions oi
solicitude and aflection for tlie, people of Os^-ood, where
his friend Mr. M(d*hail has now entered u[)on his l<)n<^
pastorate, and adds: " I have pn^ached in mahoj^any
pulj)its covered with silk velvc^t, hut 1 had rather preach
behind tliat little pine board in 1). Mc\I 's barn."

Notwithstandinj^ that his love for those amon<^st whom
he had labored is thus unchanged, he now for the first
time intimates the possibility tliat he may not return to
Canada to labor. His w^arm sympathies are beiuf^ drawn
out in another (brection: "As to the certainty of m
turning to Canada finally I cannot yet decide. My heart
is divided between Canada and Africa. I think of
Af I ica, not only on account of its degra<hition, but be-
cause few are willing to go to that degraded race. The

I : 1

LIFE AND LABORS OF

greatest obstacle there is in tlio way of my going to
Africa i» th(; fear that so liot a climate will not airree
with u\y health. However, if the Lord sees fit to send
me, I shall have no fears for my health."

The history of the vacation to which he was then
looking forward with uncertainty must be reserved for
another chapter.

cnAPTKR A^r.

i'i

^ TW1HI

■ : n'

TlIK rvFAPKCTKn FIaIM'KNH — A<iAIX TV TanADA KVANCiKLrsTft'

WoliK IN liKCKWITII— HaKI) \ViHM\ ANI» A liONCi IllDK -AkTKK

Many Days— A Bikd in a Caoe— TiiKouxiirAi, Stciuks— Tiik
Bkookmnk (.'iHiKCH — An Om) Rksiuknt's Rk((»li.k(,tion —

HEAHT-SKARCIIINfi.S — SllALL UK ViSIT CANADA? — LasT NkWTON
LhTTEH— TjIK CoiTRSK CoMrLETED.

x^ONTIlARY to his expectations, the suininerof 1840
^^ found Robert Fyt'e a<,oiin in Canada, in tlie uiidst
of the faniiliar scenes and amon^'st the people to wlioni
be cherished so true an attachment. He was able aijain
to join his faithful friend McPhail in liis missionary-
tours. In what shape the "unexpected" had happened to
enable him to do this we are not informed, nor does it
matter. As before intimated, his earnest wish and the
heart's de-ire of the people of Osgood had been fultilled.
Mr. McPhail was now settled as pastor of the church
organized by the two co-workers the preceding summer.
This pastoral relation so happily formed in 1S4() lasted a
quarter of a century. After the arrival of his zealous
young friend from Newton the two set out together in
apostolic fashion on a missionary tour in the township of
Beck with. Their joint labors were once more abundantly
blessed. None of the letters of Mr. Fyfe that have come
to hand refer specially to this tour, but an interesting
account of it is given by Mr. McPhail in the Canada

■ i

V i

''I .

1; '
f !

1 1

I i

■ *

LIFE A\D LABOHS OF

Bapikt Magazine. The letter is dated Oct. 14tb, 1840,
but npppars in tlio December number of tlie magazine.
The t'ollowinir extracts will be found interostinu; as show-
ini^' the svhole-soiiled devotion of those pioneer mission-
aries, of whom Mr. McPhail was a worthy typ", as well
as in relation to the su))j<'ct of this memoir: —

"The Lord li;is iii<'r(MfiilIy visited tho people of Deckwitli witli
ail oiitii<)U'iiiL( of His Holy S|)ii'it. About five weeks ut^o [
visited that township, ai-compaiiied l)y l>ro. i'vfe, from Newton
Theoh)ifieal lusUtiitioii, (I.S. ^Ve arrived there on \\^'dncsday
ev(iiiiii!4', and remaineil about tw(dve days with them. We hehl
a prayer-mcoting that same ovcniii,^' ; and also kept meetings on
I'riday and Saturday evenings, at wliieli tini3 some interest be-
gan to be maiiife ted among the peojile.

"On Sal)batli tlie peoj)le gatlu.red out well to hoar — many
having eonie ten mili!s to hear the, Oosjxd iireaehe(l, ;ind some
sixteen. They listened with profound attention, and some were
considerid)ly alfectcil. We continued public service (ivery even-
ing in some ])lace or othcu' of the settlement till the next
Sabbath. When, released from public engagements we wore
cmployeil in private instrui;tion or in visiting from house to
house.

"Our iiiecitings were protracted to a very late hour; and
.sometimes it would be two or three o'clock in the morning lie-
fore the ju'oplo would retire. As often as we would pronounce
the beiuidiction, some of them would sit down, unwilling to
depart.

• ••••••

"The last Sab])ath we were in Ijeckwith will long bo remem-
l)ercd. Early in tlu- morning we heard a number relate their
e>:periciice, and tiu-n proceeded to public worship. W(; had u
crowded and an attentive audience, and many wine deejily
allected. Towards tlie evening wo had a ba[)tism in the Lake
Mississippi. As soon as we could get in order we conimenceil
pulilic service again. We both addresseil the people that night,
and after we had done a numl)er remained and spent the night
till dayliglit in religious exercises.

" Wlieii the morning appeared wo all prepared for our respec-

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

cS:i

five lioinos, Ajjfaiii we prayed, and coninieiidiitl one anDtlior to
tlie Divine caro and protection.

■ ••*•••

On ]\ronday niorninf^ wo took our journey on liors(d)aek, and
arrived in Osgood in the evening (a distaut-e of sixty miles ov
npwards), and tlie next day proceeded to IJytown ; l)nt, l)einLf
detained by the steamboat till Friday, we could not arrive at
Petite Nation* till Friday evenint,'. Our arrival was annotniced,
and a coni])any was soon ^fathered. We continued our meetings
till Tuesday — })reaching only in tlu; evenings on week days.
The Lord was among ns, and Ijlessed Mis \vord to the conversion
of a few souls. Two young men were bajitized in this place.

" Tiio time now arrived that Brotlnu' Fyfe must retiwn to his
studies, and I return to my own peo]ile ; accordingly we took
leave of each other and dejiarted. Never did I labor with a
more active and zealous brother tlian he is."

How many of even our most devoted ministers and
missionaries in these later days would relish a horseback
ride of sixty miles or more in one day, followin<r nearly
a fortnight of unremittino- toil by <lay and by night, and
followed by a new departure "next day" for anohaer dis-
tant section to preach the Gospei and renew the labo)'s
there ?

From an allu ion in a subse(juent letter it appears that
the youn<v student's labors during this vacation extended
to other places, and were, as he seems to have afterwards
thought, too much "scattered." As will a})j)ear presently,
it is not clear whether he returned to Canada during his
next and last vacation or not. Ji' he <lid, it was no doubt
to repeat the history of these two summers, by zealous
work in the Ottawa region. The etteets of those laboi's
are still clearly mnnifest. The churches and peo])l(! in
that region were always dear to him. They were the
objects of bis Krst love as an evangelist. In lu) part of

Now Papineauville.

LIFE AND LABORS OF

the whole brond field vviiich he so oi'ten traversed in later
years in tlie interests of ministerial education could he
count on a lieartier welcome. From no neople did he re-
ceive more liberal contributions, in proportion to their
n^eans, in aid of his good work. And certainly no
churches in Canada have furnished, in proportion to
their numbers, so many earnest and devoted vounij men
as students for the ministry. These staSements, thouoh
made without statistical proof, on the basis of the obser-
vations and impressions of some fifteen years in the
Woodstock Institute, are ventured with a good deal of
confidence. It was with Dr. Fyfe himself a frequent
subject of regretful comment that the lat'ge city churches,
notwithstanding their sujicriority in point of numbers,
wealth, and other advantages, iV'l so far behind their
sister churches in the country in the number of laborers
they sent out into the vineyard. A glance over the
names of those who have prne out from the Institute and
McMaster Hall, and who are now doing so good service
in various localities, will, it is believed, afford ample evi-
dence that the churches of the Ottawa Valley and neigh-
borhood have been hitherto the most prolific of students
for the ministry. Thj fire kindled in those regions
nearly half a century ago by a Gdmour, a McPhail, a
Fraser, and a Fyfe, and other men like-minded, has
burned into this day. The fathers seem to have trans-
mitted a goodly portion of their zeal to their spiritual
children, and the representatives of the latter are doing-
good service to-da}'^ in many places, not only in Ontario
and Quebec, but in other lands. One, at least, has been
for years a devoted missionary on the plains of India,
and still toils on beneath its fiery sun.

REV. B. A. FYFE, D. D.

A letter written to Mr. McPliail from Newton in
December cfives some account of the manner in wliicli
tlie last days of this vacation were spent : "I arrived in
Laprairie on the Friday after 1 left you. On tlie Sabhath
morning notliing would do but I must preach in Mont-
real. Well, they set me up in that hateful barrel of a
pulpit ! I, who had been accustomed to be on a level
with my hearers, felt like a bird in a cage. I could't
sing ! There was scarcely any one to hear me — about
fifty or sixty. I saw my father and mother, and was
thankful that I had it in my power to make them a small
present. I saw them only one night. On Wednesday 1
went to Napierville, and returned to Laprairie in time to
take the cars on Thui-sday morning, expecting to reach
Newton that week. But I was disappointed. I suffered
some from the cold, having no overcoat. Spent the Sab-
bath in Springfield, Mass. I preached once there. When
I came to Newton I found that I was a whole fortnight
too late, which gave me hard work to make up. This,
with a bad cold I caught on the wa}', threw a gloom over
the first part of the lerm ; Imt I have entirely got over
both my cold and my loss of time."

He then goe-s on to speak of his school work : " My
studies are entirely theological. We are upon the attri-
butes of God. To-morrow we examine the omnipresence
of God. We make but little use of the Scriptures, except
when we cannot get along without them. I am very
fond of the metaphysical way in which we are now going
over theological subjects. We first examine the subject;
read fie(iuentl_y some old Greek or Latin author, and
then present essays on the question and have it I'ully
discussed before Professor Sears. I liave learned nothincr

lii-

b-j - ,Il

LIFE AND LABORS OF

' 1 \

new so far. The chief advantages I have dorivcil from
niv studies so far are: — 1. I have been more clearly con-
vinced of the incomprehensible nature of the God w^hom
we worship. 2. I have learned to think niore exactly on
these subjects. 3. I have learned to be more sjuarded in
my statements respecting God. 4. I have learned that
the Scriptures are fully and verbally inspired, else they
have no inspiration at all."

Respecting his religious work he sajs: "I have not
preached much since I. came here. I had the privilege of
preaching in one place where the Lord is now manifest-
ing His power. The church witli which T am now con-
nected (BrookliMc) is in a very interesting state. 1 still
keep up a Bible class there. The people there are cer-
tainly the best, i.e,, the most spi^" "il (as a church) I
have known in the States. They are verii kind to me.
By the way, I preached last week to a Socinian church !"
■ It would hav ; been pleasant to be able to put on
record some i-eminiscences of his connection with the
Brooklinc church and people. He seems to have been
deeply attached to them and they to him. He was, after
graduation, as we shall see, ordained under the auspices
of that church, But alas! inquiry only reveals the fact
that "almost all of those who knew him there in the
' long .ago' are, like liim, now among those 'on the other
side.'" One lady, however, writes: "1 remember him
well in connection with Jacob R. Scott while they were
students at Newton. Th-^y were both at Brook line very
often, and very fre(juently in my father's house, i re-
n^.ember also Mr. Fyfe especially at the evening prayer
meeting, and was always much impressed wUi^ his ear-
nestness in prayer and exhortation, and oansidervKJ him
then a devotedly good man." ^ ' '^

REV. R. A. FVFE, D. D.

A feature which continual ly reveals itfL^lf in the letters
in whicli the yonncj student unbosoms himself so freely
to his most intimate friends is his devout frankness in
the analysis of his own feelinirs ami motives. Several
illustrative passai^^es have already heen (pioted. Such
passages, penned for no eye but that of the one trusted
friend, reveal the inner man as no public act or utterance
could do. They lay bare the otherwise hidden springs of
action. The maturinof, but often chillini!" inlhu'iice of
time and stud}' seem to have as yet but slightly, if at all,
abated the M'^armth of his evangelistic zeal or the fervor
of his religious emotions. Now that he has nobly lived
'and passed away into the enjoyment of the full fruition
of the higher life, we may, without fear of ind(dicate in-
trusion, and for tlie sake of the instructive teaching,
glance into the sacred privacy of confidential coire-
spondence : —

"Respecting my personal feelings, I must lament that I do
not feel so deeply inteiested in the cause of Cln'ist as I have
done. I need not tell you how dillicult it is to clxensh deeply
pious feelings at an institution like tliis. Yet I am not wholly
without interest. God has heen pleased often to give me rich
seasons of connimnlon with Him. Ife has been pleased to re-
veal to me my jwn vileness so that 1 have Iain down and
writhed in self-abhorrence. He has enabletl me to l)elieve, too,
that Jesus will wash the last stain from my spotted soul, and
kill the last sinful desire that may linger al)out me. IJlessed
be His name forever! If ever I have felt my soul drawn out
in prayei', it is wl en I have heen rememlieiing you ;ind your
kind pe<'}>le and the people of Beckwith. I can truly thank
(jrod that He is still among you. I promised, while in Canada,
by the lielp of God, to keep the solrnfion of souls before my
mind as the great object of all my studies. May the Loid
lielp me to keep my word !"

As " tlie child is father to the man," so too is the stu-

''■ '. -S ■ ■-

! I

LIFE AND LAIJORS OF

dent propai'ing for his life-work the fatlier of the future

worker. It is not wonderful that from such spiritual

wrestlinirs .jhould have been heofotten a life of singular

devotedness and singleness ot* purpose.

Tlic last of the Newton letters in possession of the

wn-iter is dated June oOth, IN41. It is self-explanatory,

and may be given in full, with the exception of some

unimportant details in reference to studies, tSrc : —

"It is now a very late hour of the night and the whole in-
stitution is still as the grave, yet I feel little disposition to
sleej). I have been thinking and pfayiny f(tr poor (\inadii, and
asking the Loi'd to direct nie what to tlo during tiie coming
vacation. And nov I am seated to ask you a few (juostions.
You need not expect svhat Mv.-y l»e cfiUed a friendly letter; I
am only going to talk aoout business. . . . The last letters
I have received from my friends hnve asked me the <|uestion
wjiether I sjiouid visit (Janada dnring my next vacation. 'J'o
all these in<[uiries I have given a nei^ative answer, though it
was sorely against my feeliiigs. 1. My health has U(jt been
good (though it is very much impi'oved, thank (lod). The
sj)ring was a very tryinij one on the constitution. 2. I have
heen iind am much afraid tha^ if I should go to Canada you
will tiy h;ird to prevent me from returning to finish my studies,
which I iim fully <letermined, God willing, to do. .'?. The
church ch^se by the institution have spoken to me about
preaching for them durinsr my next \acation. 4. Folks know
that 1 atn poor, and if I -j>en(l £12 oi- £14 every year to visit
my fri(Mids. and do not iell them how my expenses have been
met, they will Uiink iiv^ very extravagant. And, of course, I
caw't tell evei-y orw how rny expenses have ))eeii defrayed. Now,
all rht'sp considerations h.ave led me to give a nc^gative answer
to their anxicnis in(|uiries. Still my spirit is i-estless antl un-
satistied, anfl what to do I know not. 1 know the delicacy of
your own feelings, and can therefore have more confidence in
your answ ' What would j/t/n do in my plac ? I do feel a
deli«,'a<^y in receivinL; money from the poor people up in that
region, and yer ] ea«'t go without it."

He goes on to explain that some money which he had

Chi

REV. II. A. FYFE, D.D.

saved, thinking he might neod it for the purpose of
making this visit, he had been obliged to spend for medi-
cal advice and medicines, so that now he had not a cent
to spare. He expresses warm gratitude to the people
"up there" for their great kindne.ss to him in the past.
But the memory of this very kindness operates as an
additional reason why he is reluctant to draw upon them
in future. He thinks he could spend five or six weeks
in that reixion should he come to Canada, and in case of
doing so would not scatter his labors as he did the pre-
ceding year, or bind himself to a day in a place, but
should hold himself free to act as the Lord might direct.
He proceeds to ask definite answers to the following
questi(ms : —

" 1. What would ijon do in my place?

" 2. Is there any field tliat seems to l»e open for you and me
to enter? Is Mountain open, or any other proraisL.g field? For
if tho'-e is not a prospect of vk>ing gootl of course I shall not go ?

"3. Would my expenses be paid, for I should not tliitik of
anything more ?

" 4. Would you be at liberty to labor with me ? I was going
to ask you a question about my returning here, but that is
fixed — I feel quite resolved upon that.

• • • • •

" Remember me affectionately to the kind brethren and
sisters of Osgood. I often think of you and them, and pray
for you although I am far away. Tell them to 4ook unto
Jesus.' This may be an old story to them, but I can't think of
a better advice. The more I think of tlie exhortation, the more
important does it seem. Looking unto Jesus is what, by the
grace of (lod, I intend to do o,i earth, and what I know all
Christians will rejoice to do in Heaven.

I ',

'!•• \

i':'

i I

" Please write me as soon as you get this, if you think it
worth noticing. I shall hold myself free from engagements
here till the first of August. After that I may give up all

LIFE AND LABORS OF

thoughts of going this summer. I entreat you to be perfectly-
free with me. Tell me your mind without reference to my
feelings ; for, after all, I greatly doubt whether it would be
worth my while to go, and I may do some good here."

The letter closed with an apology on the ground that
it had been written in great haste and while he was half
asleep.

It is uncertain what answer he received, or whether he
visited Canada in 1841 or not. The probability seems to
be that he did not, but spent the vacation with the
Brookline people. Be that as it may, he adhered to his
purpose, and returned to Newton next year. No par-
ticulars of his work during that year, either within or
without the college, have come to hand. We only know
that he finished his course with credit to himself and
satisfaction to his teachers. Our pleasing task is now to
follow him into the outer world, and see how he ac(iuit8
himself on its stern battle-fields.

CIIAPTEE YIIL

Ordination — Char(!k by Prof. Chase— Oxcr More in Canada —
Work at the Scotch Line — Oiuianization of the Perth
Church. Inponcruous Material — Scotch 1' u-tisth — A
Modest Stipend — The Church Constitution — Disabilities of
" Dissenters " — Baptists not Wanted — " Valid Ordination "
— Apostolic Succession — A Logical Dilemma.

"ij'iFTE twenty-fifth of August, 1842, was, no doubt,
{f4^ marked as a memorable day in Dr. Fyfe's calendar.
On that day he was solemnly set apart to the work of an
evangelist. The ordiiiatioii Heivluo todk place in Brook-
line, Mass., and at the instance and request of the church
in that place. At the council convened by the church
ten days before, for the examination of the candidate,
there were present, in addition to Rev. W. H. Shailer^
the Pastor, and several other delegates of the Brookline
Church, Professors Ira Chase and Henry J. Ripley, of
Newton Theological Seminary, and from the First Baptist
Church in Roxbury, Mass., Rev. T. F. Caldicott, after-
wards so well known in Canada as Pastor of Bond Street
Church, Toronto.

In accordance with the arrangements made at that
conference the ordination services were conducted on the
day above named. A sermon was preached by Rev. W.
H. Shailer, prayer offered by Prof. Ripley, charge ad-
dressed to the candidate by Prof. Chase, and the welcom-

''(';',

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111'

LIFE AND LAHOKS OF

irg riplit luind jiivcn \>y Pi of. Tkiplcy. The Christimy
WatcJiTnan of Boston, adds : —

"Tlic cliuij.'e was Imppily adiiptcd to the pt'cuHni ciicum-
stniites and exfiectations ot luotlier Fyfc, Just aliout to leave
tliis vicinity for Canada, the tield ■VNlieio lie will c< mnicnce his
lahois in the ministry.

Tlie Ivi^ht Hand of Fellowship was jjicsontcd in a manner
width wouJcl not tail to satisfy all liow hugely the candidate
enjoys the confidence and atlection of one w ho lias had the hest
opportunities of becoming acquainted with his chaiacter and
capacity for usefulness.

The services throughout were very instructive and solemn,
Our brother leaves in this region many friends who will
long remember him with respect and esteem, and whose
prayers we trust will follow him to his important but arduous
iield of labor

A natural inference from the foregoing would be that
Mr. Fyfe ul finally decided to follow his earliest and
strongest impulses and give himself to the ministry^ of
the Word in Canada. Such was not, however, the case,
for we find him two months later in Canada, indeed, but
in a state of most painful suspense and ir.decisicn in
regard to the question of his future location. Writing
on the 31st of October from the " Scotch Line " in which
neighV>orhood he had had both labor and conflict, as will
be noticed presently, he says : — " I design to go down the
country on a week from next Thursday. Whether it be
forever or not I cannot tell. But with the help of the
Lord I mean to decide this question before leaving. Oh
that the Lord would direct me ! If I know my own
heart, I am willing to go to any place or stay any-
where He may desire. . . . But I am in great
distress of mind, and I can't live long this way. Yet to
decide so important a matter wrong at the very outset

REV. II. A. FYFK, 1) D.

of my ministry, what liarm miy it not do ? Lonljliroct
me, for it is not in me to direct my steps." Tliat Ids
perplexity could not have I
arising o'lt of any apparent

d 1)V di

)een caused by (iiscouray;eiiit
uccess i

his lal>ors

is evident. "The people both at Hithurst and at the
Scotch Jjine are comiii;^ out in crowds. I never saw
such a jamb as we had at McDiarim Is tlieofher evening.
More than one huiidred and twenty i;rown-up p iople in
that litte house! The scho )l-house in the .">';otch Line
was as full last evening as it ever was. May the Lord
bless His Word to them."

On the sume day on which the letter from which the
above extract is taken was written, but probably at a
later hour, as the fact is not mentioned in the leDter, the
church in Perth was organized by Mr. b^yfe. His own
brief statement of the circumstances, as given in a letter
to the Register, is quoted below. At tlie earnest solicita-
tion of the newly-formed church he was tinally induced
to become its first pastor. Whether he made hi-! c jntem-
plated journey "down the country" or not is not known.
If so, he must very shortly have returned to enter upon
the duties of his first pastorate.

The Baptist church in Perth is histor o. It was in con-
nection with its pastorate that the late venerable and
beloved Dr. Cooper commenced his work in Canada. The
lamented J)i. Davidson held his cliurch membership in
this body, of which his father and mother were also
members, and from which he, in the words of an aged
brother who is still one of its members, "when but a raw
■CO intry lad first went to attend college."

The town of Perth is, as most readers well know, about
forty miles to the north of, or, in the phrase of those

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

days, " back from" Brockville. The Rev. J. Gird wood de-
scribes in the Montreal Register, in a letter dated Nov.
8th, 1842, a trip fiom Brockville to Perth, undertaken ao
the "urgent invitation" of Mr. Fyfe. He says: "The
countiy through v/hich I passed was beautiful. With
the exception of seven miles the road was dreadfully
rough. About Perth the scenery in general — the river
Tay and the town itself — do not remind one of the " fair
town," except it be by contrast. For there is no hill of
Kinnoul, or verdant slopes. Perth is, however, a fine
town." Mr. Girdwood then goes on to say : "In the Bap-
tist chapel I preached to a good congregation, considering
it had rained all dav, bad roads, and a short notice. Next
day I rode back five miles to Bathurst with Mr. Fyfe,
and preached to a deeply interesting congregation. The
Baptist friends remained when the rest retired, and we
conversed together respecting their prospects. They are
exceeilingly anxious to secure the labors of Mr. Fyfe. I
trust the Lord will guide him to choose Drummond as
his field of labor."

Mr. Fyfe, as we have seen, decided to remain at Perth.
In a letter to the Register , dated Dec. 14th of this year,
he gives a concise account of the comnioncement of his
work there : —

" When I came to this place (in the latter part of September)
all the Baptists, with a few exceptions, v/ere members of the
Beckwith church, of which our lamented Bro, McEwen was pas-
tor. A number of our brethren, howev n; who lived in the neigh-
borhood of Perth were very desirous of having a church formed
to meet statedly in this village. Accordingly on the 21st of Octo-
ber a general church meeting was called at a central place to
take the matter into consideration. After the matter was laid
before the meeting our brethren from Beckwith and Carlton
Place cheerfully agreed to dismiss any who desired to connect

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

themselves with the church about to be formed in Perth I
think it greatly to the praise oi" the brethren in these places
that they cheerfully dismissed all who desired to be, even when
their own strength was very mucli reduced thereby. May the
Lord reward them by sending them a pastor who shall build
them up; they greatly need one. At this meeting twenty-two
were dismissed, who with four others, after severally "giving
a reason for the hope that was in them," were formed into a
church on the 31st October. A large delegation from the
other church was present and, after witnessing our order, sat
down with us to commemorate the death of our common Lord.
I preached on the occasion from the words, " that there might
be no schism in the body." Since that time I have been absent
two Sabbaths. Our audience has steadily increased every
Sabuath, so that now it numbers more than double what it
was at first. Our Pres])yterian friends have generally shown
a truly catholic spirit. They seem to rejoice whenever the
Gospel is preached. Our Methodist friends have also mani-
fested their good will.

" I preach twice every Sunday in Perth, and once a • veek,
alternately, at the Scotch line and at 6th line, of Bathurst.
The attendance is very good and the interest seems to be
deepening."

Notwithstanding the excellent spirit thus manifested

by the members of the sister, or rather parent, churches

named, the unanimity and harmony that finally prevailed

at the orgarization of tl^ Perth church were not attained

without great labor and jJOxiety on the part of the future

pastor. Here, at the outset of his public career, a large

demand seems to have been made upon the combined tact

and firmness which were so abundantly displayed on

many subsequent occasions in the course of his history.

In the private letter above quoted, written before he had

decided to remain in Perth, he gives some particulars

" Twenty-three v/ero dismissed to form the church in

Perth, and after talking, etc., they parted in a better

state of feeling than they have had for eighteen months.

If «}■

11 i

i >

LIFE AND LABORS OF

Of the twenty-three, Mrs. .stayed Lack. She is

afraid we are going to take in Mr. . But, if the

Lord sliovv me it is my duty to stay liere, Mrs. si all

stay where she is till she manifest a different spirit. She
must show more confidence in her brethren. What right
has she to say, 'Take in this one, keep out that one, or I
will leave you'? . . . You cannot conceive of the
trouble and labor and anxiety I have had in forming
this little body. I mean so that there should be perfect
harmony in all cases. I have never seen the brethren

here in a better state. K. is in. The foundation of

his vicM^s has given way. He says he has never been so
confused as within the last six weeks, I have seen that
he was gradually admitting a few simple principles which

have eaten the foundation from under him. Mc is

not received. By patient labor and great kindness, with
the blessing of our common Father, he may be won back
to the truth as it is in Jesus.." It is probable that the
communion question, of which more anon, was amongst
the sources of the troubles hinted at. But there were
evidentl}'' other difficulties of a personal kind, and his
language in respect to some of those implicated is less

conciliatory. 'That family is a perfect pest. But

I have my thumb on the back of J 's neck, and if he

will not be ruled by me he must at least hold his peace. '

The pernicious liquor question, too, was involved. "L 's

case is a pest — some for him and some against him. I
spent a night with him last week, and told him a few
things which would take place if I should remain. I
told him I was a thorough teetotaller, etc. But, though
the man may be a Christian, yet he would do us an in-
jury, and I am really of opinion that he should stay

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.l).

where he is till he gfive up his brewery. Of course I
sliall use my influence to this end." The reputation of

a fellow-laborer seems to have been bad. " is shut

out of the Beckwith meetinnr-house. He will consirler
me his enemy for having decided against letting Mm
in. But I really cannot away with I. Tim., iii„ 7. If
others can, i cannot, in a case like his. In referer^ce to

I have nothing to say. I am sorry for him, and

wish I could do him good, but I can't."

On the whole it is evident that the new church had to
be formed out of pretty heterogenous and intractable
material, and it must hav^e taxed his inexperienced
powers to the utmost to bring about a state of "peifect
harmony." That the (original constituent members were
almost exclusively of Scotch descent is evident from the
fact that of the small number five were McDiarmids, four
Campbells, four McLarens, three McCallums, and three
McFarlanes, and almost all the other names, amongst
which was Thomas L. Davidson, were as unmistakably
redolent of the heather. ISo doubt they were still more
or less inclined to the peculiar doctrines and practices of
the Scotch Baptists, which would render the work of
organization and manao-ement more difficult. The min-
utes of the jubilee meeting of the Ottawa Association,
published in 1885, contain a very interesting resume of a
paper from the pen of Mr. McPhail. For the sak". of the
light it throws, not only upon the constitution of the
Perth church, but upon other facts referred to in the
course of this narrative, and especially the difficulties
between the Baptists of the East and of the West, the
resume is quoted in full : —

II'

LIFE AND LABORS OF

"Tiil; Principlks and Practices of tite Early Baptists in

THE Ottawa Region.

" They atlliered to the ordinarily accepted orthodox doctrines
respecting' the Deity, the Scriptures, redemption, and the future.
They Ijelievcnl that haptisni is in he administered to tliose ah)ne
who })rofess faitli in Christ, and that tlie immersion of such
persons in tlie name of the Trinity is tlie only Ciirist ianhaptism.
They re<,'arded the end of the church as its own edification, and
the celehration of the Lord's »Sui)per, and that in these things
they <^lorilied (Jod. As many of them afterwards confessed,
they did not in ihose early days understand their relation to the
world.

" They were strong in their views respecting the absolute
independence of the local church. All creeds, confessions of
faith, and books of discipline were rejected. They believed the
Scriptures sufHcient guide for their jtractice as well as for their
faith. With the exception of the ciuirch in Montreal, all the
first churches were organized in accord with the principles of the
Scotch Baptists. The minister was regarded only as a speaking
brother. Officially he had no poM'ers other than tiiat of any
other brother. Pastors ought to labor with their own hands, as
Paul left them an example. They believed that evangelists
ought to be sustained while preaching the Gospel to the world.
Mr. Edwards, sen., received nothing from the church for all his
labor. Some of the first ministers, who divided their time be-
tween pastoral and evangelistic work, had 'strange times with
many of their brethren ' on this score.

"The pluralit^y of elders, the weekly celebration of the Lord's
Supper, ordination as a mere appointment to office or the recog-
nition of one whom God has already appointed, the liberty of
the unordained to administer ordinances, exhortations on the
Lord's day as a duty binding on the entire brotherhood, were
all strongly cherished principles. Separating themselves visibly
from the world, they would worsiiip with none but those
with whom they were in full fellowsliip. The ungodly Avere
instructed that they had no right to take part in divine worship
till they were converted. These views were confined chiefly to
the churches of Chatham (l)alesville) and New Glasgow.

"Unanimity was required in all their decisions. If a minority
dissented, the majority took their reasons for dissent iiito con-

mii

REV. K. A. FYFE, D. D.

sideration. If tlie reasons were found valid, the niajority
altered their decision. If not, the majority exhorted the
minority to repentance, and if they repented not, they were
excommunicated, after ample time for repentance had been
given them. The exercise of discipline on the Lord's day was
a part of aivine worship. To purge out the old leaven was a
duty by no means neglected. Mr. Frasei- did more than any
other man to rectify his countrymen's peculiar notions.

"The reviv^al of ISUT) introduced a materially dilferent element
into the churches. They were more liberal in their views, less
virulent against state churches, made greater ettorts for the
advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and were less strict
in former practices of church order and discipline. Of course
these things were a grief to the old people.

" For several years all the ministers in the association were
open-communion, and most of the cburches were open in their
practice. Even Broadalbane had in her bosom those who
were not baptized. Yet the members of the churches were
inclined to strict communion. All the churches formed or
remodeled after 1840, were organized on strict communion
principles, and when the church in St. Andrews resolved to
restrict her communion to the baptized, all the churches in the
Association were close communion. Although the ministers
were open-communion in their sentiments, as were the teachers
in the Canada Baptist College also, yet, with a single excep-
tion, they never attempted to force their views on any of the
members, nor are we aware of a single student who came out
of the College an open-comm unionist."

That the Perth church had, as early as 1842, outgrown
some of the views above recorded is evident from the
following resolutions, which appear amongst others in an
extract from the church records, which has been very
kindly made and forwarded by Mr. Kellock, of Perth
The first bears date November 7th, 1842, and is preceded
by another expressive of the great satisfaction which
Mr. Fyfe's ministrations had afforded to the members of
the church and congregation, and their earnest desire
that he may "continue amongst them."

ll a

i I

:ioo

lAFE AND LA nous OF

" Rfino/vi'.fl, Tliiit til'; C()ngr(\c:;<ition shall pay the Kev. Mr. Fyfe
the siini of sixty iioiinds cunciKiy jxh' anmiin, with this provi-
Hion also: that should they he enahled to raise more for the
s ipport of a minister Mr. Fyfe shall have the full heiiefit of it,
ai'id his first year's salary shall eommtMiee on the first day of
.Inly last and end on the first day of July next."

At a church meeting for business, held June 25, 1843'
tlio t'ollowino' motion was carried : —

" That the sum of sixty ])Ounds eurrency and as much more
as can he collected he paid to Mr. Fyfe as his salary for the year
which ^'.lall end on the iirst day of July, 1844, and that the
Committee of Mana.L^ement he instructed to solicit suhscriptions
foi tlu! payment of the same, to he paid in half-yearly i)aym(!ntc->
in such kind as Mr. Fyfe will accept, provided a portion shall
be, at the option of the payer, payahle in produce or goods
ncc !ptahle to AFr. Fyfe, tlu; said i)ortion htiing not to exceed
one-half, the oth(;r half Irving to he paid in casli."

Dr. Kellock adds : " The minutes are very scanty and
imperfect, but it appears that a parsonage was erected
for Mr. Fyfe in Juno, 1844, at a cost of £120."

Three hundred dollars per annum, payable one-half in
goods, seems certainly a modest stipend for one who has
expended many j'ears and all his means in securing an
education for his work and who has a family to support.
Let not our modern churches, however, be too severe on
their brethren of half a century ago in Perth. Taking
numbers and means into the account, there is little doubt
that the people of Perth ministered more liberally, and at
greater sacrifice, of their " temporal things," than most
congrtfgations of the present day. " If there be first a
willing uiind it is accepted according to that a man hath,
net accordino* to that he hath not."

Amongst the papers left by Dr. Fyfe is one in his own
hand writing headed " Constitution of the First Baptist

)t
it

rn
\st

REV. 11. A. FYFE, D. D.

lUl

Church in Perth, G. \V., FowmUd Oct. 31st ISJ^" As
this was no doubt prepared by himselt', and is marked by
the directness and conciseness which were characteristic
of his style at all stages of his subsequent hi.story, and as
it may be taken to embody what were at that time, in
his estimation, the essential features of a Baptist Church,
it seems worth while to give it in full : —

1. "A Chuieli is a company of baptized believers, who, from
a sense of duty to tlieir Saviour, have cordially united them-
selves together for the purpose of more fully carrying out the
doctrines aiil precepts of the Gospel. Acts ii, 41, 42.

'2. "The offices oi" a church are two, — that of pastor, bishop,
or elder, and that of deacons. Phil, i, 1.

3. "The positive institutions of the church are only two, —
baptism, or the iumiersion of the believer in water, »n the
name of the b'ather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
and the Lord's Suppei-, or the partaking of V)read and wine in
commemoration of the death of Christ. The former is to pre-
cede the latter. Acts ii, 38, 41 ; Luke xxii, 19; Matthew
xxviii, 19, 20, etc.

4. " We believe in the Word of God as the only rule of faith
and practice, in the unity of God, the depravity of man, the
necessity of repentance, and of faith in tiie atonement of Jesus
Christ, the necessity of holiness, the resurrection of the body,
the endless misery of the finally impenitent.

" Holding the above simple principles we cordially unite
togetlier (calling ourselves the " First Baptist Church in
Perth,") in church fellowship, pledging ourselves to sympathize
one with the other, to watch over one another, and to bear one
another's burdens, as the law of Christ directs."

lo is unnecessary to explain to the readers of this little
volume that the position of the so-called " Dissenters"
generally and of the Baptists in particular, in the Pro-
vince of Canada West in 1842, was very different from
that of the same bodies in 1886. A most determined
effort was made, and for many years with too much suc-
cess, to secure and maintain for the Church of England

ili^

\ •

E iinr^'

102

LIFE AND LABORS OF

in Canada tlie saiiio HupnMnacy it held in Eiij^land by
virtue of its estal)Iisliinenfc and endowinont as the nation-
al churcli. A brief account of tlie Clerf^y Reserves and
University strugj^hvs will be <ifiven in another chapter. It
will suffice for our present purpose to remark that
the Baptists seetu to have coine in for a double share of
contempt and contumely. As an example it may be
mentioned that in the same month and year in which
Mr. Fyfe was first installed in the pastorate of the
Perth churcli, the Momtrch, a journal of that period,
actually published a letter from a correspondent, who
took refuge behind the letters " 0. P. Q.," in which the
writer gravely called on the coroners and magistrates to
exert their official power to put down the Baptists, as a
set of fanatics ! The author of that letter and the editor
who published it were at the time fittingly rebuked by
*'Lego" in the Woodstock Herald, after the following
fashion : " Fanatics indeed ! Then Gill, and Puller, and
Hall, whose writings do honor to the English language
and nation, were fanatics. Then Carey and the Seram-
pore missionaries, who have given the Holy Scriptures
to forty Asiatic nations and tribes, comprehending a
population of 370 millions of human beings, were fana-
tics, and should have been put down. Then also the
West India missionaries, who have broken the iron yoke
of colonial slavery, and said to the oppressed, ' Go free !'
who have civilized and instructed a barbarous race, and
fitted them for the liberty they presented to them, are
all fanatics," etc.

It is, too, matter of local history that in some in-
stances, notably in the town of Woodstock, the Rector of
the parish actually went so far as to forbid the holding

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

103

of Baptist

his clerical

le
:e

Id
he

conventicles," as a trespass up
domain. It will readily be imagined how much atten-
tion would he paid to such an edict. But, truly, progress
has been niade in both political and religious enlighten-
ment in Canada, in the last half century.

This subject, which will frequently meet us in the
course of this biography, is referred to here by way of
introduction to an incident in Mr. Fyfe's history, which
occurred shortly after he settled in Perth. It was not
until a few years previous that any minist(^r not a clergy-
man of the Church of England could legally perform the
marriage ceremony, and for many years thereafter the
concession which was wran<x from the Government at
that date was hampered by restrictions and conditions
which it will be seen were as annoying as they were un-
necessary. The experience of the Perth Baptist minis-
ter, as told by himself in a letter to the Register, dated
December 26th, 1862, is a case in point.

" On my return from the country (where I went to baptize)
I found our friend, Mr. James Smith, of Lanark, anxiously
awaiting my return. He had a,pplied to the District (!ourt
which Avas then in session, for a Hcense to perform marriages.
But the Court having some difficulty in deciding what the
Baptists considered 'valid ordination,' hesitated to give him
the license. He explained what are tlie Baptist principles on
tliis point, and so did others wJio were present, Still he was
kept waiting till I should he present to conHrni his statements.
My statements were in substance the same as Mr. Smith's, and
at last he got his license, after having been kept waiting for
nearly three days.

" In reference to this case I would remark, lest similar cases
should occur in other parts of the Province, that the ' men of
the law ' should either acquaint themselves with the principles
of the denominations in the matter of ordination, or else they
should acquaint themselves better with the meaning of their

ill

tii

'.■■•li

104

UVK AND LAIJOUS OF

own stdtutos. 'V\h) statuto says ' ofcl.iinotl, constituted, or
apj>oint('(l, j»i"('iicli«!i', pastor, or niinistt!!",' utu.

" Now all that is necossaiy is that tho applicant he ascer-
tained to 1)6 'constituted or aj)pointed' pastoi* or minister in
any <^ivon place. It' mkui must wait till tlu^y <^ot two or three
ministers to exphiin what their [)arti('ular denomination con-
si(U;rs 'valid oidination,' in many parts ot" the Province tlie
statutes r(!i,adatin<^ the matter of licenses will he of little use.

" Aftei- the settlement of the ahove case 1 applied for the same
rij^ht. I lianchnl iti my certiticate of ordination, thinking with
myself, sunjly I shall (^scmju! the whii-jpool which so nearly
enj^uhed my friend. Then, behold ! a ne v ohstach; rose in the
way. My ordination liad taken place in a foieign land, and
was null and void ? Upon en([iuring 1 was informed that the
same is true of all ordinations which take place out of the
British dojninions. I was then advised hy some of the genv.le-
men of the Court, to call a nuHiting and be oiilai'x'd over again,
just ivs if tho whole were a mere farce. This, however, could
not be done.

*' I at last obtained what I applied for by producing evidence
that [ had been ' constituted or appointed pastor, etc., but not
upon the ground of my having been already ordained, and
acknowledged as such by the Baptist denomination in this
country."

Mr. Fyfe proceeds to apply the doctrine of the statute,
as interpreted by the court, in a way that would be
rather euibarrassin<^ to the believers in apostolic succes-
sion, as were probably most of the law -makers of that
period.

" I cannot help stati'^g one reflection which arises out of the
fact stated in court, ' that no ordination out of the British
dominions can be considered valid (in a legal sense) in these
dominions.' Then, genuine apostolic succession must be con-
fined to the British dominions. In England, of course, we
have the true succession, and ordination conferred by any one
of that venerated chain must be valid. Now suppose an
Episcopal bishop should be regularly consecrated in England,
and so receive the Holy Ghost, and all the mysterious qualifi-
cations for his office, by the laying on of the Episcopal hands

:i8li

Mil

llEV. U. A. FYFK, D. I).

lO.')

fi-
ds

at ordination. Tliough lie luis now fully propaiod liinisolf to
confer the same gifts upon otli(Ms, yat U^t itini only migrate to

the United 8ta

nitetl (States, and ordain a ni.in tii«u(\ lie can conter no
gifts upon the candidates, for he i" not on llritisli soil. Then
again those ordained by this hishop in the States, may conje
over to Canada. But, alas ! the moment they sjiould set tlieir
feet on British soil they would lose tluni' genealogical table,
and with it all power of tracing their descent from the
Apostles. Their ministerial ([ualifications would evaporate,
leaving them weak like one of us — unahle legally to administer
the ordinances of the (Jhui-eh. This ci'se was proved not long
since — not over one hundred miles from Ihockville. It
matters not who performs the ordination, if it he in a f(»reign
land it is not valid in the eye of the law in the British
dominions. It will not meet the point to say this a civil
disfjualiHcation, for it evidently arises from the notion that
v}jere is iiiso n spirit naf dis<jualiticatiou. The former is founded
upon the latter. How did tliis mysterious succession get into
the British dominions ? And how did it come to confine itself
to them r

Leavinrr tin; believers in *he true succession to settle

this knotty question amongst themselves, and leaving

Mr. Fyt'e also for a short time engaged in the trying

duties of his first pastorate, it may be well to glance for

a little at the condition of the country which was to be

the scene of most of his future labors.

I ml

CllAPTEE IX

Can.vda Whst in U'ouwKii Days— A DoMrxANT CKnuoii -Tiik Clrkoy
Rkskhvks—Tmkik Orkjin and History -Tck " Pkotkhtant
Ci,kk(5y"--Tiik Impkkial Aot ok 1840— Thk Kpisoopal Church
Wki.l Cauki) For— Hut Not Satiskikd -Thk Quk.-tion Ri;-
Oi'KN'Ki)— Bai'Tists in iHK FiKii) — TiiK Fnoowkd 1^.:ctohies -

ElMSCOPAOY StEaL.'I a MaUOU — rOJMJC INDIGNATION— TUE DkKI)
C^ONKIKMKI).

'Ik

.:lf

fANADA WEST was, in 1842 and following years,
at a very critical stage in its lustory. In order to
understand facts and incidents to ich frequent allu-
sions must be made in subsequent chapters, it Is necessary
that the reader should have a clear conception of the
political an-1 religious condition of the eountiy at the
period at which this history has now arrived. The battle
for constitutional government had been fought and won,
but the fruits of victory were to be reaped only by dint
of perpetual vigilance in guarding them. Many members
of the Family Compact — that odious oligarchy which had
.so long ruled Upper Canada according to its own sweet
will — were still in positions of authority, and their bane-
ful influence was yet to be felt in public atfairo. Being
almost without exception members of the Episcopal
Church and accastomed to regard its ascendency and
domination as a matter of right in the Mother Land,
they very naturally were ready to claim for it a similar

REV. 11. A. FYFE, 1). D.

107

3? ', .1

position in tin; colonicvs. Refusint:^ to accept as final tho
settlotncnt of tlio (Mer*;y Tlosorves' (^uostion niado in tbo
Act of 1S40 — ali too parti. il tliouLijii that Act wa.s to tho
chiiins of K[)i-copacy — they caused tlie whohs (juestion to
bo re-opened ii. 1845, and thus brou<^ht back for a time
tho lie.irt buruin^r.s and unsecMidy vvranL,diii'^rs which it
was fondly hopcMl liad been forever (piicted. Tiie
strui(i^l(i tlius lenewed between tlie determined julvocates
of a domiiiant state clmrcli and tin; chain{)ions of religious
freodoiii and e([uality, was prolonged foi- years. Mr. Fyfo
was not the nuni to stand coolly or timidly aside while
such a b ittle was bein;Lr fou<j:lit. lie tiirew iiimsclf into
the contest with all the force of his str(^n<^ convictions
and all the war)Ui/h of his ardent nature, anil, as will be
liereafter seen, 'contributed not a little to determine some
of the issues in tavor of the liberties v/e all enjoy Wj-day.
In o»-der to appreciate the spirit ir>. which these now
almost forgotten contests were carried on, it is necessary
to understand clearly the principles involved and the im-
portant interests at stake. The Clergy Reserves, the
Endowed Rectories, and the Kinor's Collei'e stru^jgles, will
be still v^ithin the memories of some readers and to others
will be familiar as a " twice-told tale," but to many of
a younger generation the facts are already becoming
misty if not almost unknown.

The Clergy Reserves had their origin in what is known
as the Con^^titutional Act of 1791. Ey tlie thirty-sixth
section of that Act provision was made for reserving out
of all grants of public lands in Upper and Lower
Canada, past as well as future, an allotment for the sup-
port of a "Protestant clergy." This allotment was to be
k "" equal in value to the seventh part of the lands so

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LIFE AND I.AIiORS OF

granted." By the next section it was provided tliat the
rents profits, and emohnnents arisini; from the L-inds so
appropriated were to be applicable solely to the mainten-
ance and support of a Protestant cler<^^y. In these and
the companion clauses providing for the endowment of
rectories, were enfolded the germs of the worst evils with
which th(i colony was ever atHicted. They were prolific
of the V)itterest political and sectarian strife. They
wrought intolerable hardship and wrong to many in-
dustrious settlers. They retarded tlie ijrowth of the
province, hindered the development of its resources,
kindled in the bosoms of many of its inhabitants a deep
and lasting resentment, and aroused in many others the
spirit of hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness. They
were the means of arraying those who sliould have gone
forward hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder in the
path of material and moral progress, in two hostile camps,
and they became eventually one of the exciting causes
of the rebellion and bloodshed of 1836.

Such legislation was of course wrong in principle, and
in any case could have wrought only evil. It involved
the noxious element of state-chur.'hism, and was, conse-
quently, in itself an infringement on the rights of citizen-
ship, a violation of liberty of conscience and a gross
perversion of the spirit of Christianity. But these
inherent evils were intensified by faults of administra-
tion and stimulated by the greed of the adherents of the
would-be-supreine sect. Those to whom was assigned
the duty of ma ing the appropriations, not satisfied with
the too liberal provisions of the Act which decreed that
the lands reserved for the clergy should be equal to one-
seventh of all grants made by the Crown, and so to one-

'!!"

REV^. U. A. I'YFE, D.I).

109

eijL^hth of the whole in vvliicli they were inchi(h'(l, wore
acciistoined, by a straintMl interpretation of the clause, to
set aside for that purpose one-seventh of the whole, tluis
niakiui:^ the Ciero^y Reserves actually CA\nii\ to one-sixth
pai't of mII the lands <^rauted for other pui-poses. Mr.
Dent, in his History of the ll'bi'llion, vol. 1, pa'.^»; Go,
adds, that from the fact that this method was eonlined
to about two-thin Is of the surveyed townships, as well
as from the obvious eonsti'uetion of the statute, "it is to
be inferred that the exces-^iv^e reservations were made
deliberately, and not from mere oversiijht or ijiadvert-
ence." The surplus thus unjustly appropriated on
behalf of the cleri^y had in 1838 footed up to a total of
three hun(b'ed thousand acres.

No prophetic powers were needed to foretell the bale-
ful effects of such lei^islation. The cr.tastroplie was
hastcmed by anotl»er vicious practice followed in carrying
out the provisions of the Act. Instead of havini;^ large
blocks set apart in certain localities, the reserves were
interspersed amono^st the grants made to actual setth)rs,
in order that their value might be enhanced by the im-
provements made on the contiguous lands. The clergy
would thus be doubly endowed, lirst by the free gift of
immense quantities of the public domain, and second, by
the large and constant increment resulting from the
industry and enterprise of the settlers in the adjacent
districts. In some parts, however, as in tlie Niagara
peninsula, and in certain to\vnshi[)s along the St.
Lawrence, this plan could not be followed as large grants
had already been ma<le en bloc. Hence, in these caseij,
large tracts of neighboring townships were reserved for
the elertrv.

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

The pernicious tendencies of such reservations in either
case, are apparent. They increase immensely the diffi-
culties of the early settlers in road-making, both for
purpo.ses of intercommunication and as a means of retich-
ing the nearest markets. By separating the settlers from
each other they become serious barriers to combined
action for municipal, school, and other purposes. They
debar them, in many cases, from that social intercourse
which is so much needed as an alleviation of the hard-
ships of pioneer life. And they do all this in order that
the owner of the reserves may be made rich by the im-
provements wrought by the settlers' toil and privation*
The evil effects of such a system of reservations, though
some of them are made for more public and juster ends,
are seriously felt to-day in Manitoba and the Northwest.
It would be aside from the object of the present work to
dwell upon this aspect of the Clergy Reserves' trouble.
This brief reference will suffice to show that the people
had good reasons, apart altogether from the denomina-
tional issues involved, for feeling that the Clergy Reserves
were an injustice and an outrage. As a matter of fact
it would seem that the grievance was first felt by the
settleis in their private capacity, and that the first pro-
tests were uttered and the first combinations formed
against the reservations, on pureiy secular grounds.

But murmurs oi discontent soon arose in other quar-
ters. The Clergy Reserves became a bone of contention
amongst the denominations. The ambiguous wording of
the enacting clause made them a veritable apple cf dis-
cord amongst the various Protestant sects. The dispute
turned, of course, on the meaning of the words " Protes-
tant clergy." The word " Protestant," on the one hand,.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

Ill

might well be regarded as simply the antithosis of
Catholic, and the reserves understood to be for tlui benefit
of all the denominations which abjuretl the tenets of the
Romish Church. But, on the other hand, the word
clergy, it was urged, was commonly used in reference to
ministers of the established Church of Enfjland onlv,
and, it was averred, had never been applied in any
British statute to design te any ministers except those
of the Churches of Rojrie and of Eniiland. Various other
clauses of the Act were adduced in support of the one or
the other interpretation. The claim put forward by the
Chui'ch of Scotland was particularly strong, inasmuch as
it was also an established church in one section of ilvi
Mother country, and had been expressly recognized as
a " Protestant Church ' in the Uiiion Act of 1707.

But, it may be asked, can it be that absolutely all the
denominations in the province were engaged in this dis-
graceful struggle for the loaves and fishes of state endow-
ment ? Wire there no exceptions to the discreditable
rule — no church, or association of churches, prepared to
take the high New Testament ground and to repudiate
all desire or inclination to accept state pay or support ?
The reply is that so*far as appears there were no excep-
tions. The leading denominations at that day were few
in number. It was before the " Disruption," and conse-
quently there was no free Presbyterian Church to vindi-
cate, as that church did nobly a few years later in
Canada, the liberty and spirituality of the Church of
Christ. The Baptists were as yet few in number and
without any organization which could either have de-
manded its share of the public plunder, or maintained the
grand principle of church independence of which Baptists
have been in all ages, consistent champions.

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112

LIKE AND LAIJORS OF

The battle raged fiercely. The claims of the Presby-
terians were allowed. This was a siijnal i'or other
Protestant denominations to press tVieir (h'mands for a
share of the spoils. The o])inions of the constitutional
lawyers were invoked to declare the meaning of the Act,
and were found to bu as various as the views of the
bodies which employed them.

Meanwhile as was to be expected from tlie fact that
the holders of public offices were, almost without excep-
tion, membei's or adherents of that church, the Episco-
palians got the lion's share of tin,' bjoty. 'According to
a return to the House of Assembly of lands set apart as
glebes in Upper Canada during the forty-six years from
1787 to 18']'], it appears that 22,345 acres were so set
apart i'or the clergy of the Church of England, 1,100
acres for ministeis of the Kirk of Scotland, 400 for
Roman Catholies, and 'none for any other denomina-
tion.' " *

It is unnecessary to enter here more minutely into the
history of the first Clergy Reserve struggle. After much
and fierce contention the (juestion was supposed to be
.settled by the Imperial Act of 1840, entitled "an Act to
provide for the sale of the Clergy Reserves in the
Province of Canada, and for the distribution of the
proceeds thereof." By this Act the Governor and
Council of Canada were empowered to sell the fee simple
of the reserves, but not more than 100,000 acres in any
one year, and to invest the produce of the same in some
public fund, and the interests and dividends on all such
investments were to be drawn by the Receiver-General of

* Dent's Rebellion, Vol. I., page 67.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

li:

Canada, and to bi? paid by him to satisfy all sucli stipends
and all()wa»)ces as hfid been made to tlie cleriry of tho
('hiirches ot* Enj^land and Scotland, or other religious
bodies to which the faith of the Crown was pledged.
The jimounts with which the funds were thus annually
chargeable was £9,2tS0. The Act further provided that
as soon as the income from the fund should exceed this
sum, the interests and dividends accruinq: from the first
of the Clergy Reserve funds, that created by the Act 7
and S George IV, should l)e divided into three equal
parts, of which two should be appropi'iated to the CInireh
of Kntrland and one to the Church of Scotland, and those
accruhig from the second fund, that created by the Act
of 1840 above described, should be divided into six ecjual
parts of which two should be appropriated to the Church
of England, one to the Church of Scotland, and the
remaining three be placed at the disposal of the Gov-
ernor for the time beinu', to he a[)pli<Hl by him " for j)ur-
poses of public woiship and religious irjstruction in
Canada." Notwithstanding this very favorable settle-
ment of their chiims, a settlement which was denounced
as unjust by other religious bodies, but ac(iuiesced in for
the sake of peace, the English Chui'ch authorities were
dissatisfied and caused the whole question to be re-opened
in 1845, by petitioning the Legislature to have the unsold
portions of the Reserves divided and the pro})ortion
accruing to the Episcopal Church invested in the Church
Isiociety of Toronto. This petition, if granted, would of
course have had the effect of endowing the English
C'hnrch with innnense areas of the public lands, and
enabling it to withhold them from sale or settlement at
])leasure, until such time as the occupation or cultivation

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114

LIFE AND LABORS OF

of surrounding districts had vastly increased their value.
It would, in short, have made the English Church a state-
endowed church, and paved the way for its becoming
in fact, what Bishop Strachan of Toronto actually styled
it in a circular letter addressed to the clergy and laity
about this date, the " Established Church in Western
Canada."

The battle for religious ecjuality thus indiscreetly re-
newed by the friends of episcopacy, was waged with
vigour and bitterness for several years. It was daring
this second stage of the conflict that the Baptists entered
the arena as an organized body. Mr. Fyfe, though still
quite young, took from time to time, as we shall see, an
important part in this contest and others of a similar
nature. It need scarcely be added that he and other
leaders contended not for a share of the spoils, but for
absolute civil and religious liberty and equality. They
denied the right of other denominations to what they
on principle repudiated for themselves, any special privi-
leges purchased for them with the public funds, which
were the common property of the whole people, without
respect to creed or sect.

Closely connected with the clergy reserves trouble was
that arisinor out of the endowed rectories. By sections
of the Act of 1791, subsequent to those already referred
to, provision was made for the erection and endowment
by the Lieutenant-Governor, under instructions from the
Crown, of one or more parsonages or rectories in every
township, or parish, according to the establishment of
the Church of England, and for the presentation of in-
cumbents, subject to the Bishop's right of institution.
The stern opposition which the clergy reserves provision

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

115

aroused and the keen contests which ensued year after
year, prevented any action being taken to give eti'ect to
the cbiuses respecting the rectories for nearly half a
century after tlie passage of the Act. In view of the
fact that the Imperial authorities had requested the
Provincial Parliament to legislate on the reserves ques-
tion with a view to eliminating its more objectionable
features, and in view of the further fact that colonial
secretaries, and particularly Lord Goderich, had given
what were understood to be pledges that no steps would
be taken to dispose of any part of the reserves, except in
accordance with the views and wishes of a majority of
the Canadian people, the public mind seems to have been
quite at rest so far as the rectory endowment clauses of
the obnoxious Act were concerned. The popular sur-
prise and indignation may be imagined when the fact
leaked out that Sir John Colborne, yielding no doubt
to the persistent solicitations of his High Church ad-
visers in the Executive Council, had, as one of his last
official acts, and only eight days before the arrival of
his successor, Sir Francis Head, signed patents creating
and endowing forty-four rectories. It afterwards came
out that patents had actually been made out for thirteen
more but had for some reason been left unsigned, and so
could not be made available. To the forty-four were
assigned more than 17,000 acres of the public lands, an
average of nearly 370 acres to each rectory. The trans-
action was kept secret as long as possible, both from the
Home authorities and from the Canadian people. The
deed was consummated in January, 1836, but did not be-
come generally known until after the close of the session
of Parliament in the spring. For the sequel we cannot

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LIFE AND LAIJons OF

'I; '

<io better than (juote the concise suuimary ^^iven in a

recent liistorical work :*

" Ndsooihm" (H(l it hocoino Isiiowu tlian tlio public! iiKhi^uiition
lioii^aii to riiiinit"(!.st itself iu lurid spccclics iiud uewspiipor
itrticlos. McMitiui^s wer'e hold to douounco Sir ,fohn Oolbonie
and those who had j)roinpted hiui to this hi,i;h-hand«'d iniijuity.
-The VVcslcyaii Methodist (Jont'ereuco and the Synod of the
Church of Scotland iu lT[)por Canada, if a<j;rt!ein;^ on no other
subject, wevo. of one niind as to this, and otUcially [)ronounced
upon it with a velmiuonce which commended its(df to popular
opinion. Petitions without number were sent over tiie sea.
* The Imperial (jrovernment/ says Mr. Lindsay, ' was besieged
with petitions, prayint? f(>»- the annubuent of the ilectoi-ies.
Tiie temj)er of the public mind became; imbued with that
sullenness which a sense of injury begets, and which forbodes
the approach of civil connnotion. It was the idea of violated
ImjxM'ial fii.ith ; of a broken compact between the Sovereign
and his Canadian subjects, that (.-onstituted the sting of the
injury. The peo])le recurred to the promise of Lord (loderich
that their wishes should be the Sovereign's guidf in the matter,
and regarded themselves as the victims of a deception which
brought dishonor on the Crown and distrust upon Imperial
faith.' The Home (lovernment were in two minds about
repudiating the transaction. The right of the Lieutonn.nt-
Governor to create and endow without the expi-ess assent of
the King was not perfectly clear, iiud the Law Ollirers of the
Crown wore consulted on the question. Those gentlemen, on
the case submitted for their consideration, jM'onounceMl the
opinion that there had been an excess of authoi'ity ; and that
the creation ami emlowment were invalid. Dr. Striii<?han, upon
becoming ac(piaiuted with this circumstance, prepared a report
embodying certain facts and doouuients whif^li had not been
before the Law Olficers, to whom the case was now submitted
a second time. The additional (lata placed a dilferunt face upon
the question, and the Law Ollicers arrived at a conclusion con-
trary to that which they had formerly expressed. The grantees
were accordingly permitted' to retain their pro[)erty undisturbed,
but the nanu! of Sir John Colborne continued to be execrated in
Upper Canada for his share in the transaction for many a year."

' * Dent's History of the Rehellioi), Vol. I, p. 294.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

117

Such in brief was the origin of another of tlie politico-
religious disputes which continued to agitate Upper
Canada for years after Dr. Fyfe commenced his public
labors in the Province. So much seemed necessary to
make clear tlie position of the miscalled "Dissenters"
during the earlier years of his ministerial work, and the
relation of himself and other Cana<lian Baptists to the
strenuous and bitter struggles which finally issued in the
free civil and religious institutions we now possess.

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Cri/VPTEU X.

Toronto University — Its Eaulv History — The School Lands — A
Clever Scheme— A Clerical Opinion of Dissentino Teachers
— Dr. Strachan (Soeh to Encland— IIih Misrepresentations
— A Royal Charter Secured— Popular Indignation — Peti-
tions AND CoR.iECTioNs— An Obstinatk Collecje Council —
The Charter Amended — One-sided Appointments — The
Struggle Renewed.

HE Koyal Charter of 182H for the creation of King's
CoUet^c, Toronto, constituted the third strand of
the three-fohl conl with wliich Dr. Strachan and his
Hitrh Church associates in the Executive Council and the
Family Compact sought to bind hand and foot all the
sectaries in Canada vvlio ventured to renounce the
" Mother Church," and to reject the dogma of the apos-
tolic succession. A brief sketch of the history of thi3
institution is necessary to enable younger readers to un-
derstand Dr. Fyfe's share in another bitter contest, and
to appreciate the boon of an unsectarian provincial uni-
versity which we enjoy to-day, and for which we are
largely indebted to the brave stand againso church
aggression made by him and others like-minded in the
old war days.

The history of King's College, now the University of
Toronto, dates back nearly a century. In 1796 the

IlEV. U. A. FYFE, D. D.

119

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Le<;*islative Council and House of Assembly of Upper
Canada unitt'd in a joint address to Kinnj Georj^e III.,
^' imploriuLif that his Majesty would be graciously pleased
to direct the appropriation of a certain portion of the
waste laiids of the Crown as a fund for the establishment
and support of a respectable Grammar School, and also of
p ColU'i^e, or University, for the instruction cf youth in
different branches of lilieral knowledge " A i^racious reply
was duly returnL'd, promising on the part of his Majesty
"to comply with the wishes of the Legislature in such
manner as shall be judgc^d to be most eti'ectual." louring
the following year the Executive C(n:ncil reported in
favor of a gr.mt of 500,000 acres, or ten to\vnshi[)s, which
it was thought would suffice, after deducting Crown and
clergy sevenths, as a foundation for four grammar schools
and a university. But the public lands were at that
time being portioned out to a few favorites of the ruling
faction with a recklessness and profusion which went
far to destroy their value. Immense tracts were locked
up in the name of this and that member or hanger-on of
the Family Compact. The nominal owners neither im-
proved these themselves nor permitted others to do so.
The consequence was that the magnificent school grant
remained unproductive for about twenty y* ars.

At this inauspicious period of Canadian history all
positions of authority and influence were monopolized
by members of the High Church party. The Legislative
and Executive Councils were under their control. They
manipulated all the machinery of government. And
their influence, it need hardly be said, exerted steadily,
was not favorable to general education or to equal rights
and privileges for all, irrespective of class or sect. On

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

the contrary their constant study seems to liave been to
conserve and extt-nd their own exclusive powers and
prerogatives, and those of the Church tliey represented.
Conspicuous amongst the rulinj]^ spirits of this clique
was Dr. Strachan, Archdeacon of York. Under his lead
and, it may fairly be assumed, at his instigation, an
attempt was made in 1879 to divert the school giunt
from its original purpose. Certain meniDei-s of the Ex-
ecutive, amongst whom Dr. Strachan was prominent,
secretly planned and carried into effect an arrangement,
the purport of which was to postpone indetinitely the
erection of the proposed grammar schools, and to use the
whole available school fund for the establishment of an
Episcopal University. To further the design it was pro-
posed to divest the Legislature of the control of the
grant and place it entirely at the disposal of the Execu-
tive Council. Accordingly Sir Peregrine Maitland, the
Lieutenant-Governor, was recommended to obtain from
the Imperial Government permission to " sell, lease,
grant, and dispose of " the 500,000 acres of school lands,
for the purpose indicated. It was also recommended
that a permanent commission should be created with full
powers to dispose of the lands and manage the revenues,
under the direction of the Executive Government.

Another interesting part of the scheme was that the
University should be established by Royal Charter.
The effect of this would be, of course, to take it out of
the sphere of Provincial legislation and to place its man-
agement and control quite above the reach of the Can-
adian Legislature and people.

In order to facilitate the carrying out of this scheme
the Council proposed that as a great part of the school

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

121

lands were still unsalable, the portion appropriated for
the University shou)d be exchanged for an equal portion
of marketable Crown reserves. This, however. Sir
Peregrine Maitland refused to permit without special in-
structions from the Home office. Consequently Dr.
Strachan was deputed to go to England and in person
negotiate th.* transfer.

This visit of Dr. Strachan to England became famous
in the course of the bitttn' controversies which followed,
by reason of the gross misrepresentations — his opponents
did not hesitate to use a still stronger term — bv means
of which he prevailed upon the Colonial vSecretary and
the British Government to accede to his request. As an
illustration of the spirit in which he went on the mission
and, at the same time, an indication of the mental atti-
tude which he, in common with many of his fellow-
churchmen, at that time maintained towards the so-
called Dissenters, the following extract from a sermon
preached by the Archdeacon just before his departure
for England is in point. Strangely enough, in view of
the character of the passciges quoted, the occasion was
the funeral service of Dr. Mountain, first Bishop of
Quebec: —

" Even when churches are erected the minister's influence is
frequently broken, or injured, by numbers of uneducated,
itinerant preachers, who, leaving their steady employment,
betake themselves to preach the Gospel from idleness, or a zeal
without knowledge, by which they are induced, without any
preparation, to teach what t!iey do not know, and which, from
their pride, they disdain to learn.

"When it is considered th.it the religious teachers of the other
denominations of Christians — a very few respectable ministers
of the Church of Scotland excepted — come almost universally
from the Republican States of America, where tliey gather

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

tiieir knowledge and form their sentiments, it is quite evident
that if the Imperial Government does not immediately step
forward with efficient help, the mass of the population will
be mup'^.^red and instructed in hostility to the parent church,
nor will it he long till they imbibe opinions anything but
favorable to the political institutions of England,

"It is only through the Church and its Institutions that a
truly English character and feeling can be given to and pre-
served in any foreign possession."

Dr. Strachan arrived in England in 1826, and immedi-
ately set to work to solicit subscriptions frcin friends of
the High Church in aid of the projected university. In
a pamphlet entitled "An Appeal to the Friends of Re-
ligion in behalf of the Univ^ersity of Upper Canada" he
distinctly stated that it would be a missionary colles;e
for the education of missionaries of the Church of Eng-
land. From the "Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts" he claimed assistance on the
ijround of "havinfj been instrumental in establishinsr a
scheme in Canada by which the education of the whole
population is virtually under the direction of the Church.'
But the most astounding assertions were those contained
in a memorial and chart sent to the Under-Secretary of
State, in which the religious statistics of Upper Canada
were given as follows ; — Church of England, 80 clergy-
men, 58 places in which regular or occasional services
were held, 45 churches, and 31 regular parishes. There
were 7 ministers of the Independent, or Presbyterian,
order, and 2 in connection with the Kirk of Scotland.
The Methodists had no settled ministers, but a consider-
able number of itinerants, perhaps 20 or 80 in the whole
province. Other denominations had very few teachers,
and tlu'sc very ignorant.

EEV, R. A. FYFE, D.D.

123

Dr. Strachan's untiring zeal and persistence, backed
up by his intrepidity in the matter of assertions and
statistics, prev^ailed. The Royal Charter wa.s granted.
The university was to be erected in the then town o^'
York (ToLonto), and was to be constituted upon the most
exclusive Church principles. The Archdeacon of York
was to be President, ex-ojjicio. Besides the Chancellor
and President, the College Council was to consist of seven
members, who were to be required to sign the thirty-nine
Articles of the Church of England. The Bishop of the
diocese was to be ex-oflioio the Visitor, etc. The Arch-
deacon not only got the Church college and the honors
and emoluments of the presidency in futuro, but, it was
said, the very suV)stantial present solatiwm of £1,300, in
payment for his services as delegate.

As may readily be imagined hot indignation and
wrath were aroused throughout the province when the
result of his mission became known. Petitions and
remonstrances poured in from all parts of the country,
representing the monstrous injustice that was being
perpetrated and the evils that must follow. In response
to the earnest prayer of the representatives of all other
denominations a special committee was appointed by the
House to inquire into the truth of Dr. Strachan's repre-
sentations as to the strengft^ of the various religious
bodies in Upper Canada. The result was embodied in
an address to the British House of Commons, which was
agreed upon at a public meeting called in York, and
afterwards signed by about 8,000 people of all denomina-
tions. This address was sent to Mr. Hume and by him
presented to the Commons. In his speech, based upon
the information elicited as the result of the investigation

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

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instituted by the Canadian Legislature, Mr. Hume stated
that the mem' ers of the Church of England in Canada
were found to be but one-tenth of the entire population ;
that there were in all 825 clergymen of all denominations
in Upper Canada of whom only 31 belonged to the
Church of England, 117 being Methodists, 45 Baptists,
and the rest of other denominations ; that while 18o out
of the 162 Methodists and Baptists had been born and
educated in Her Majesty's dominions, the same was true
of but 11 of the Church of England clergymen. In like
manner other ascertained facts were found in sharp con-
tradiction to the allegations of the versatile Archdeacon.

Meanwhile the Canadian Legislature in its turn ad-
dressed His Majesty in a somewhat similar strain. The
proofs of the genuineness of the excitement and indigna-
tion in Canada were so clear that the attention of the
British House of Commons was aroused and a special
committee of its members was appointed to inquire into
the whole subject of civil government in Canada. The
portion of the report of this committee which touched on
the college question recommendeu the establishment of
two theological chairs for the Churches of England and
Scotland respectively, but the withdrawal of all religious
tests so far as the President, Professors and all others
connected with tiie institution were concerned. The
Commons adopted the report, the Colonial Secretary
approved it and the Lieutenant-Governor was instructed
to give the matter his attention with a view to bringing
about the necessary changes.

This, however, was not so easily done. The Executive
had lost no time. A College Council had been formed
under the Royal Charter, which Dr. Strachan had pro-

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REV. R. A, FYFE. D.D.

125

cured. When Sir J. Colborne succeeded Sir Peregrine
Maifcland in 1828 he found the popular excitement still
intense. Repeated re<]uests nude by him for the sur-
reuiler of the Charter, in order that its provisions might
be amended by the Legislature, as the Colonial Secretary
had directed, were unheeded by the College Council, and
the Lieutenant-Gov^ernor was at last compelled to sus-
pend the operation of the Charter.

The excitement continued. Another petition to the
British House of Commons was adopted at a public
meeting in York, in December, 1880, and forwarded \7ith
10,000 signatures, praying amongst other things for the
amendment of the charter. Her Majesty's ministers
took alarm, and instructed Sir J. Colborne to insist on
surrender of the chart ,r. The Collesfe Council still obstin-
ately refused. For several years the struggle went on.
The House of Assembly made fruitless eftbrts to have
the charter amended. It passed bills by immense majori-
ties only to have tnem thrown out by the Upper House.
Meanwhile Dr. Strachan, on behalf of the High Church
party, finding that it would be impossible to carry out
the provisions of the Royal Charter in all their original
monstrosity, began to propose concessions and com-
promises. These, while maintaining the worst features
of the bill intact, wee dangerous to the popular rights
and liberties by reason of their insidious appeal to the
cupidity of certain other denominations. In short, see-
ing that it was now impossible to monopolize the whole
spoil, the High Church party proposed to divide it with
some of their most formidauie rivals, reserving, of course,
the lion's share for themselves. Unhappily two or three
of the leading denominations eventually fell into the

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

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snare. Tlie iTidijments of some of their leadino- men
were so blinded by the tempting prize that tliey were
for the time being unable to see that if it is unjust and
wrong to divert the public funds for the behoof of one
sect, it could hardly be just or riglit to do so for the
benefit of three or four. As a consequence the hosts
that should have been arrayed as one man against every
proposition involving the iniquity of using public funds
for the endowment, of sectarian institutions, were hence-
forth divided, and two or three, " faithful amongst the
faithless," were left to fight the battle for themselves
and the people.

But this is anticipating. The state of the case in the
year 1840, is so concisely set forth in an article in the
Toronto Exartiiner, published in April of that year, that
it may as well be quoted entire, especially since it sup-
plies some particulars omitted in the preceding sketch •.

" It is well known to our readers that in the 8th year of
King George IV, a royal charter was granted for an university
to he ereoted in this city, (then the town of York), upon the
most exclurive church principles. The Archdeacon of York
was to be President, ex-ofieio, the College Council was to con-
sist, besides the Chancellor and President, of seven members
who, previously to their admission, were obliged to sign the
thirty-nine articles of the Church of England, and the ]3ishop
of the Diocese was to be Visitor, ex-officio. For several years
the House of Assembly made fruitless efforts to procure a
modilication of tliis charter. At length Earl Ripon, when
Secretary of the Colonies, invited the Provincial Lesiglature to
deliberate on the 8ul)ject. In the first session of the twelfth
Provincial Parliaiuent a bill was passed by a very large
majority in the House of Assembly, but rejected by the Legis-
lative Council. Its o^)ject was to do away with all tests, and
further to prohibit all teaching of divinity within the walls of
the Univei'si'ty, and to establish a council of twelve, one half
to be appointed by the Legislative Council, and the other half
by the House of Assembly.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

127

" On the meeting of the thirteenth Pa<'lianient Sir Francis
Head called attention to the subject of King's College in a
speech from the Throne, and duringthe session a Bill was carried
through Itoth l)ranches of the Legislature, and assented to Uy
His Excellency, amending the Charter most essenti;dly. This
Bill enacted that the judges shall be visitors of the college, and
that the council shall consist of twelve men, viz. : — the Chan-
cellor, the President, the Speakers of the two Houses of the
Legislature, K\e Vttorney and Solicitor Generals, the five
^enior Professors of the Arts and Faculties, and the Principal
of Upper Canada College.

" It enacts that it shall not be necessary that any member of
the College Council, or any Professor, to be nt any time
appointed, shall be a member of the Church of England, or
subscriber to any articles of religion other than a declaration
that they do believe the authority and divine inspiration of the
Old and New Testament, and in the Doctrine of the Trinity ;
and, further, that no religious test or qualification be requited
o" appointed for any persons admitted or matriculated as
scholars within the said college, or of persons admitted to any
degree of faculty therein.

" We trust that the amended Charter will be carried out in
the spirit in which it was framed, and that such confidence will
be reposed in the university that the youth of all religious
denominations will be sent to it for their education. The
Legislative Assembly as the especial guardians of popular
rights will, of course, watch the proceedings of the College
Council with attention, and will necessarily exercise some
influence over its proceedings. Air the appointments are
vested in the Governor-General (the Chancellor, ex-ojin'o), and
we cannot doubt but that the patronage will be discreetly
exercised."

The Examiner s hope was doomed to disappointnnent.

The constitution of the College Council was still such as

to throw the management into the hands of the High

Church party. It soon became clear that the victory

was only half won, and that the battle would have to be

fought over again before the institution could be made

practically unsectarian and national. On the 23rd of

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

April, 1842, the foundation stone of Toronto University
was laid "amidst great pageantry and some pedantry," as
the licAjister put it. "It was apparently," added this
journal, wliose information was drawn from a report in
7'Ae Church, "an occasion of great exultation to Bishop
Strachan and his friends; and from this circumstance
we may augur that this college, wholly endoiued and
supported out of the national resources, is to be made in
some way an engine of High Church ism."

The way was soon revealed. The amended charter
was found to have at least one fatal defect. The appoint-
ii\g power in connection with the University was vested,
it will be observed, in the Governor-General — not the
Governor-General in Council, where, under the newly
inaugurated system of responsible government, he would
have been amenable to public opinion — but the Governor-
General in person. The result was seen iu the first batch
of appointments, which could have been scarcely more
pronouncedly sectarian had the original Royal Charter
arrangement been still in force.

One of the provisions of the amended charter was that
no sectarian and none but the most general religious
test should be applied in the appointment of Members of
Council or Professors, the object evidently being to open
the way for the appointment of well-qualified men of
different denominations, so as to prevent the institution
from becoming narrow or sectarian. Again, the charter
made no provision for the appointment of any theological
professors. The manner in which the spirit and evident
intent of these provisions of the charter were observed
in the first appointments is trenchantly exposed in an
editorial article in the Toronto Examiner of May 3rd,
1843, from which the following is an extract : —

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

12D

" Every appointment, witliout a single exception, unless one,
has been made from members Oi" the liame church, and is con-
secjuently xccfarinn. Wliat are these appointments? First, we
lind his reverence the Bishop ok Toko.vto* appointed as
/'resident of the University ; next we lind the Rev. Dr.
McCaul, another clergyman of the Church of England, ap-
pointed Vlr.(i-Presl<h>nt, and of course to lill one of the chairs in
the University; next we find Dr. Bhvin, a fresh importation
from Oxfo"d, also a clergyman of the Church of Euglancl,
appointed 'iheological Professor, contrary to the provisions of
the charter; and we find the Rev. Mr. Scai)I)I\(;, a clergyman
of the Church of England, appointed as Chaplain! Attend,
reader — Mr. 8cai)DIN(} appointed Chaplain to a college, the
charter of which has been modified for the express purpose of
providing against sectarian influences ! In fact, every appoint-
ment that has yet been made, as far as wo .are able to learn,
with the exception of Dr. King, has been from the s.ame
Church— the Church of England. Who can say that the pre-
sent aspect of the University of King's College is not in the
deepest degree sectarian, and, as such, unsuited to the wants
find conditions of this country ? But there is something yet.
The completely sectarian character of the appointments aftects
the internal discipline of the University. Being a very re-
ligious body, and having a chaplain appointed, of co'irse prayers
are read every morning and evening by a Church of Emjland
cli't'iiiinian from the liturgy and formulas of that Church, at
which prayers all the students are required to attend."

Well might the Register cry out : " What are our re-
presentatives about ? Will not the people of this free
colony call on their legislators to interfere, and rescue
the University from the grasping hand of Prelate
Strachan ?"

As an amusinof illustration of the blindinof effects of
early education and sectarian prejudice, the following
from an Episcopal clergyman, which appeared in the

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• Dr. Strachan, the late Archdeacon, who had now been exalted to
this dignity.

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130

LIFE AND LABOKS OF

Church, with the coinmeridation of the editor, at about
the same (hxte as that of the foret'oini' extract from tlie
Examiner, is too good to be lost : " The Dissenters cry
out that we are become uncharitable, because we will not
contribute to the support of their teachers, — hut if they
will have them, let them par/ them themHelves.*'

Such was the state of affairs in regard to Toronto
University in the early part of the year 184'}, which we
have now readied in the course of the biography. The
outcome of the struggle will appear as the narrative
proceeds.

CnAPTEE XT.

MaRRIAGK — DlSCOHRAOEMENT TS TIIR WoRK — AnyTIIINO BkTTER THAN

Stagnation — An Unkxi'kctud Call — T'ana' .an liAi'Ti>Ts
Fifty Years Ago — History or Montreal Collk<je — The
Canada Baptist Missionary Society— Two Serious Diffi-
culties — The Montreal Committee — Liberal (iivERs and
Faithful Workers — Tur; University Bill — A Vigorous
LEri'ER — One-Siuei) Liberty — Unfaithful Stewards — Waste-
ful EXTRAVAGAN(,'E.

T Laprairio, on the I7th instant, by the Rev. J.
l:Oji^ GiRDWOOD, the Rev. R. A. Fyfe, of Perth, to
Jane, third dauj^hter of James Thomson, Esq., Laprairie."
Tins announcement, under the head of " Married," in the
Montreal Register of February 23rd, 18i3, marks the
next important event in Mr. Fyfe's his: ry. Tlie Miss
Thomson referred to was a sister of T. M. Thomson, Esq.,
whose name was well known as that of an earnest and
influential worker amongst the Baptists of Cana Ic for
many years. He still survives, thoi^^h in feeble health,
and now resides on Bloor street, Toronto. During the
years, unhappily few, in which he was blessed with her
companionship, Mr. Fyfe found in her whom he had
chosen a faithful helpmeet, a wise and sympathizing ad-
viser — in a word, a true wife. As he himself afterwards
writes to a friend, he had no thought or anxiety which
she did not share, and, we may be sure, no burden of

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MFE AND LA nous OF

winch .she <litl not bear a part. H(5 liad evidently chosen,
in the home of his youth, one whom lie had known ami
by whom he had been known long and intimately, and
his own lovinu^ testimony to the t^xceilence of her charac-
ter proves that he had chosen wisely.

With the exception of one or two unimportant refer-
ences to his presence at associations, we hear nothing of
him for a f^'W months. Towards the end of May lu;
writes from Perth to his old friend McPhail In a some-
what despondent mood. We can easily understand that
one who had beco'ue so accustomed to the atmosphere of
revivals an<l had so often been permitted to see the im-
mediate fruits of his lal)ors, would sufi'er keenly in
presence of the reaction sure to follow religious as any
other excitement. He writes : " Notliing cheering has
occurred since I saw you. I believe I was about preach-
ing a temperance sermon when you were here. I did so,
to a tremendous crowd. Since that time my audience
has considerably increased. In the afternoon the house
is generally very full. But nothing further. I do not
seem to be making any more headway than Ezekiel was
when, in obedience to the command of the Lord, he was
crying, '0 dry bones, li';!' And until the Lord breathe
upon this great vallej' *-!' dry bones not one soul of them
wid come to life, for behold they are very dry. how
deeply do I feel my own nothingness ! Lord, what is

He goes on to propose with much earnestness and
some minuteness of detail, a missionary tour to Brock-
ville in which he is very anxious for his friend to join.
He had been urged to go by Mr. Smart, of that town,
and was desirous of going for two or three weeks about

ItKV. U. A. FYFE, D.D.

133

the latter part of June. Whotluu* the journev was
actually made and with what results does not appear.

After some particulars of a painful kind in reference
to individuals whom they both knew, ho af^ain takes u|>
his lamentation: "A stat,mation like that of the Dead
Sea, over which sweeps no refresh in<( breeze and near
which grows no healthful fruit, prevails amongst us.
The only spark of life I Hnd is ntfje aj/dinsi me, for
meddling with the Scotch people — telling them from the
pulpit that thousands of Scotch people had a form of
religion without its power. You have no idea of the
rage it excited. 1 told them the truth and am not sorry
for it. Give me a storm, or anything but a dead calm.''
. . . " Old Mr. B — has begun to belabor the Baptists
and I am going (D.V.) to baptize and preach a sermon
next Sunday. Whether we shall have anything from all
these clouds remains to be seen. There is one thing that
cheers me. The Lord reigns. Tlien let the earth,
especially His people, rejoice. If things do not change,
if there be not a very considerable addition to our
strength, I fear I shall have to leave this place in the
fall."

The question of his removal in the Fall was settled for
him by an unexpected call of duty from another ([uarter.
The priiicipalship of the Baptist College in Montraal hail
become vacant. Dr. Davies, who had been at the hea<l
of the institutioii during the five years it had been in
operation, had left for England to accept the presidency
of Stepney College, (now Regent's Park College). Thus,
as Dr. Fyfe said, referring to the matter in a sketch of
the History of Baptist Ministerial Education in Canada
which he publislied in a series of articles in the Canadian

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

Baptist in February and March, 187iS, the " Canadian
.school, wliich could not yet walk alone, was lefi without
a head." What followed iiiav be mven in his own modest
words : — " In their utter inability to think of any other,
the connnittee turned to nie — then havinj^ just completed
my first year's settlement over a little church I had
formed in the villajj^e of Perth. I was first informally
, asked to take permament charge of the colle^^e. This J
refused to do, for two reasons. One was because 1
doubted my special qualifications for such work, and
another was because the committee could easily find an
educated man to come to Canada to be the head of a
college, when they could not secure such a man to go to
a village, or the backwoods, and preach the Gospel. I
was then foru'ally asked to take charge of the college
till the comnuttee should procure a suitable successor to
Dr. Davies. 1 made a greater sacrifice of feeling and
comfort in meeting the wishes of the committee than
they, or any one else, in those days, gave me credit for.
From the autumn of 1848 till the autumn of 1844, I did
my best for Montreal college, as its principal."

As this institution represented the first effort made by
the Baptists of old Canada in the direction of ministerial
education, a brief sketch of its history will be in place iu
this work. To quote again from Dr. Fyfe's article in
1878: "More than forty years ago it was deeply felt
that the Baptists in Canada could never do their work in
this great country, without a native educated ministry.
But how was this to be obtained ? There were at thac
time (1886) not more than 5,000 Baptist communicants
in Ontario and Quebec. They were poor in worldly
goods and very widely scattered. They were not by a-iy

BEV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

135

means agreed, especially in regard to their views of coiu-
nuinion and church order, and their means of counnuni-
cation in this new country were tedious and uncertain in
the extreme."

Under these circumstances Rev. John Gilmour, who
liad lately resigned his pastora,te of St. Helen's Street
Chuich, Montreal, visited England in order to raise funds
"(I) To aid in organizing a college to train native
Canadians and others for the ministry among tlie
Baptists in Canada. (2) To aid in carrying on home
mission work in Ontario t*nd Quebec.'"

Mr. Gilmour succeeded, m 1836-7, in raising £1,250 stg
for the purpose named. The college was opened with
two students, on the 24th of September, 1830, with Dr.
Benjamin Davies as Principal. The Colonial Society in
England undertook to pay the principal's salary, also a
certain proportion of that of each Canadian Home
missionary appointed by " The Canada Baptist Home
Missionary Society," a society which had been founded
for the furtherance of the two objects represented by Mr
( Jilmour in his mission to England.

The two obstacles referred to by Dr. Fyfe continued
to obstruct the work of the society during the whole
period of its existence. In the absence of railroad com-
munication the difficulty caused by the distance of the
college from the centres of Baptist population was
insuperable. "It was situated four hundred miles east of
where the largest body of the Baptists were;" and even
these " did not then cai t very much for an educated
ministry, and least of all, for a ministry educated under
the auspices of sympathizers with open communion !"

The point of ditierence indicated by this last clause

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

became not only a formidable stumbling block in tie
way of the college, but was for many years a constant
source of distrust and division between the Baptists of
the East antl those of the West. The Montreal commit-
tee, the officers of the college, and the leading members of
the society, being English in their antecedents and sym-
pathies, were naturally disposed to favor the open-com-
munion views and practices of the English Baptists. At
least they were unable to free themselves from the
suspicion of such leanings, in thj minds of their brethren
in the West. The churches in the latter region had been
formed largely under the ministry and influenr!", v
American Baptists and most of them held tenaciously to
the strict or closc-cummunion tenets of their American
brethren. This unfortunate difference gave rise, as will
from time to time appear, to perpetual jealousies —
jealousies which tended to render cordial co-operation
difficult, if not impossible, and which were sometimes,
by some of the western churches and associations, carried
to an unbrotherlv and absurd extreme. On the other
hand, the protestation of the Eastern brethren that
their society, being not a church but a mere missionary
organization, had nothing to do with a question of
church order, and as a matter of fact never interfered
with the subject of communion, though made and ob-
served, so far as appears., in good faith, failed, naturally
enough perhaps, to allay the distrust of their Western
brethren. It will be seen hereafter that Mr. Fyfe, thougli
from the first a consistent strict comraunionist,had nosym-
pathy with the petty mistrust of some of his ultra friends,
and refused on occasion to be made a partner in what he
regarded as a narrow-minded and unworthy policy. As

^s^

oer.

illy

lern

lie

REV. R. A. FYKE, D. D.

137

this narrative has to do only inci'lentally with the future
of the Montreal College, its history may be briefly
summed up in passing. This may be done mainly in Dr.
Fyfe's own language :

'* The Montreal committee, some time after commencing the
work of inst 'uction, purchased a large stone house, two stories
high, with dormer windows in the roof (a real French -Cansidian
structure), to which there was a considerable piece of land
attached. At that time this property seemed very far out of
the city — among the green fields and farms — ^now it is in the
heart of the city. The house they fitted up for the temporary
home of the college, and the land they cut up into building
lots, which, at the proper time, they intended to sell for the
benefit of the school. As the J*aptists were then few in num-
ber, and as a very large majority of them distrusted the
soundness (on the communion question) of the chief managers
of the college, but few students entered at first. Indeed there
never was a large attendance of studeuts at the Montreal
college, and some of them were not the be^t kind of material
out of which to make ministers. Some excellent men were
indeed trained there, the benefit of whose labors the whole
denomination feels to this day. I need only name Dr. Davidson,
VV. K. Anderson, J. Dcrapsey, A, Slaght, and oth.n's, to sug-
gest to my readers some of the services rendered by that
college to the Baptists of Canada.

• •••*••

" When Dr. Cramp came it was felt that som-ithing must be
.one to give new life and impulse to the educational work. It
was decided to build a new home for the .students, which would
settle the question of location, and v/ouUl perhaps be a pledge
and an indication of progress. The committee resolved to
build in Montreal, because there was no one place, aside from
Montreal, at which there were a sufficient number of business
men, who were Baptists and interested in the work, who would
act as a committee to take charge of the school. At this time
necessity seemed to be laid upon the Montreal brethren. They
could not help themselves. Hence the college building was
erected in Montreal.

"The Montreal committee of the 'Canada Baptist Mis

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

sionary Society' erected a fine cut stone bnilding ypon a beau-
tiful site wliicli they had reserved from the land they had
bought. It was a beacon which could be seen from a great
distance, and brilliantly proclaimed the enterprise of the Bap-
tists, For some time the enterprise seemed to feel tlie onward
and upward impulse of this 'new departure.' The attendance
of students was considerably increased, and a number of those
who had not the ministry in view were received into the school.
"After a time, however, financial embarrassnients began to
be felt. The Canada Baptist Missionary Society, under which
the whole educational and missionarv work of Canada was
carried on, had taken under its patronage the Grand Ligne
mission also. It is well known that this society, like most
others, has always been able to use more money than it could
raise ; and the obligation to provide for this society drew
heavily upon the general organization. This, taken with the
fact that they had incurred a very heavy debt in erecting the
college building, taxed the committee iieavily. They hoped to
be aided from England to the extent of at least $10,000 to-
wards the building, but were utterly disappointed. In addition
to all this, the great body of the Bajjtists in the west never
warmed up towards the Montreal college, and consequently
contributed neither; men nor money to it. Then tlie hard times
of 1848-50 came on, and utterly prostrated the few who had
struggled so hard for ten or eleven years. The Grand Lvjnc
had to be thrown mainly upon its own resources. ' The
Canadian Baptist Missionary Society' was disbanded, and the
college property was sold to pay its debts, so far as possible I
The library, which had mado a very fine beginning, was sold
and scattered all over Canada.''

Before dismissing this first effort of Canadian Baptists
in the direction of ministerial education it may be proper
to attempt some estimate of the work and its results. In
a previous foot note some statistics of the fruits of the
society's labors were given, which speak for themselves.
Dr. Fyfe, in the sketch above quoted from, does amph'
justice in a manly spirit to the Montreal committee:

" Never did a body of men labor more faithfully, or struggle

IW'iU'ili'

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

1.30

hiirder to succeed. I know that we have no men now anioTu'
the P»aptists — and we never had any — who would work harder,
or ffive a.s liherally as the Montreal committee did, acconlint,' to
their means, to make the school succeed. Lut they were
striving to make water run up hill.

•■I (

its

glc

" This eastern enterprise, of which I am writing, lias often
been severely criticised, and its manaj^'ers have been greatly
Manied ; but, from my experience for the last twenty years, I
can no longer join in this. A more liborai and large-hearted
body of men, in proportion to their means, I never expect to
see. It is well known tiiat I never a/reed with the views of
most of them in regard to communion and church order, nor
witii the idea of locating the colleq;e at Montreal. I>ut asid(;
from these ditFerences of oi)inion it is but just that we should
recognize the important services which they rendered, and their
self denying exertions to accomplish their work. No intelligent
Daptisl can look back forty years, and ignore tiie great impulse
imparted to the Baptist cause, by the Montreal society. Of the
men educated at this Montreal College, we have one in England
and six in Canada, still engagod iii preaciiing the Gospel.*
There are, besides, seven in Canada who are not engaged in the
ministry. I can recall four others wlio are iti the United
States, and se\eral who have finished their course and gone
home. Besides, there were a number of ministers who were
induced to come tc Canada by the Montreal society, who
rendered good service to the cause of tiie Master. From »ny
heart 1 gratefully thank God for the gooil work done by the
Montreal society."

Any references that have been found to Mr. Fyfe's

extra official labors during his temporar}'- principalship

of the Montreal College are few and incidenta'. They

are sufficient, hov/ever, to show that he was active and

prominent in general denominational work. In tlie

minutes of the Johnstown Association which met at

Aujxusta on October 5th it is recorded that Brethren

* This was, of course, in 1878. Of the six, one, at least, Dr. David-
son, has since "entered mto his rest."

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

McPhail and Fyfe were present as messeno-ers from the
Ottawa Association. It is significant* that Mr. Fyfe's
name appears on four out of five committees appointed
flurincj the session of tliis association, that in tliree of
the four it is first in order, that he was appointed to
preach at the evening service, and that he was invited to
preach the introductory sermon at the next meeting of
the association. Evidently his strength was already
making itself felt, and he was heing pushed into that
leading position amongst his biethren for which he was
so well fitted by nature.

A Vigorous letter appears in the Register of December
7th of this year over the subscription " A," which is be-
lieved, both from the impressions of an elderly brother
in Toronto who was familiar with the events of these
far-off days, and from internal evidence, to have been a
nom de plume of Mr. Fyfe. A number of valuable
articles appeared over this signature in the Register dur-
ing 1844 and 1845. The one here referred to is on the
vexed University question. A University Bill had been
introduced in the Legislature and had received a first
reading. It annuded or amended many of the worst
abuses of the " Prelatical Monopoly " which had been
foisted into the university under the provisions of the
" Amended Charter." One of the leading features of the
new bill was the division of *' King's College" into two
institutions, one to be called the " University of Toronto "
and the other " King's College " in said university. The
university was to consist of King's, Regiopolis, Queen's
and Victoria Colleges, the High School, and such other
colleges as might afterwards be established in accord-
ance with the very liberal conditions prescribed. A

hev. r. a. fyfe, d. d.

141

Board of Control was also to be instituted, to consist of
representative men of the different religious denomina-
tions possessing endowed colleges, and professors, lec-
turers and teachers were to be appointed by the Chan-
cellor on the recommendation of a majority of this Board
of Control. Mo religious tests were to be imposed, either
in the university or collegiate school, except with refer-
ence to professorships, etc, o^ divinity, and all professor-
ships of divinity were to be maintained by voluntary
endowments, subscriptions or donations, and not out of
the funds of the university.

This bill, though opposed by the representatives of
the High Church party, and characterized b}'^ Dr. Beaven
as a " hare-brainetl, impracticable scheme, only fit to fur-
nish food for laughter," was manifestly a great improve-
ment on its predecessor, and might have been supposed
to be sure of the support of all those not directly inter-
ested in maintaining the old order of things. It was
cordially approved by the Board of Trustees and Visitors
of Victoria College. But the principle of religious free-
dom on which it was based was seriously wounded "in
the house of its friends ' by the action of the Trustees of
Queen's College, who sought to procure certain amend-
ments tending to be subversive of this principle. One
of the most objectionable of these amendments aimed at
maintaininsr the relii^ious test laid down in the " amended
charter of King's College and applying it to " all pro-
fessort: and persons concerned in the executive and legis-
lative government of the propo=ied university and of all
colleges therein " Well might the Refjister believe such
a test " to undermine the foundation of religious liberty''
and ask : " What right has any man — what right ha.s

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

any body of men, to frame the credenda in accordance
with wliich persons are either to be admited into the
cliairs of scirrtce in any national university or excluded
from them ? "

" A's " trenchant manner of dealinjj with these amend-
ments may be judged from tlie following extracts from
the letter above referred to :

" Many of our Pnisbytoriaii f'.iciuls liave taken a noble stand
in favor of Jil)erty and truth. All this I have observed with
joy. ►Some, however, of our Presbyterian friends (not the
supporters of the Banner) have of late taken such high grounds,
that I am half inclined to think they do not care about any
more having the privileges of the University than themselves and
ICpiscopalians. Some of the ' amendments ' to the bill manifest
a narrowness unwu'tny of liberal minds. I think I know the
reason of this, and may yet see it my duty to state what I know
about the matter. There has been among some Presbyterians,
of late, too nmch of that narrow spirit which characterized the
.age of Knox. They are noble champions of religious libei ty—
so far as they go. The Preshyterians of the Revolution resisted
unto blood, striving against prelatical domination. They
fought and bled to secure liberty of conscience ; but they
sought this not for the human family but for themselves.
Hence, they had no sooner obtained what they sought, than
they petitioned Parliament for the privilege of taking from
others that liherty which they themselves fought so stoutly to
maintain. And I see with grief that some in the 19th century
are striving to play a similar game. They want the university
to be free, i. <?., to themselves and Episcopalians. I cannot
interpret the ' amendments ' otherwise than tlius. But I would
solemnly warn all who have anything to do with the framing
or passing of the ' University Bill ' that they may amend or
modify it just as they please ; but, should it, when passed, not
secure equal rights and privileges to all classes of Her Majesty's
suhjects in Canada, * it will not be done when it is done.' The
spirit of the people is alive to this subject. The nerves of the
bishop will again be disturbed by fear, and he may feel himself
again called upon to utter a long, whining complaint, like a
flogged child. The friends of civil and religious liberty in

REV. R. A. FYFE. D. D.

143

Canada will not, like the foolish kin.i;, smite thrice ami than
stay ; hut they will sniitc till their enemies ' he consMnied.'
Th(n*e has heen nineh ery aI)out tlm 'spoliation of Kinj^'s
College.' A fine theme for declamation truly ! Who wants
to spoil it? I wish every farthiiii; (tf the nohle endownuMit to
he saored for eolleL(e purp )S(>s. lint it must he a coUej^e
manai^od uj)on the liheral prineii)le-i of William IV., whos<^
opinions and wishes T value ipiite as liiLjhly as I do those of
(l(;(>rL,^i IV. This wcjuld he the spoliation of tin; hishop ]>ut not
of Kini,f's Coll('<,'e. It would he nothinj^' more than just were
the hishop made to refund every copper he has drawn since
1837.*

"The cry is raised hy many, chieHy churchmen, against mak-
ing the University fi-ee, lest hy so d)ing too )niny s(>cts should
he nourished and cherished. And this has heen deemed a valid
ol>jection hy many whose better feelings incline towards free
institutions.

"But who appointed churclimen, or any other men, a com-
mittee on schismatics and sects in Canada ? The v(;ry mention
of this matter is the most aggravating kind of potitio j/rinripii
— if I may so call it. It is taking it for granted that there is
an Established Church in Canada. The Church paroy, by
their actions, show tliat 'in their hooks they have writte in
continuance all the members' of an establishment; but, thank
God, there are as yet none of them in existence. I repeat it,
it is too late now to make any attempts to cajole the public
upon the great subject of religious liberty and religious
e({ lality. If any such attempts are made, there is a spirit
aV)road in the land which will cause its voice to be heard, even
in the lialls of legislation and the sanctum of the bishop."

* The funds of the University had been shamefully inisappropiiated
imder the old management. The enormous sum of £34,00y 15s. 2A. had
been most improperly advanced from the endowment, realized by sale of
lands, to meet the current expenses of Upper Canada College, a school
with an ample endowment of its own. An illustration of the extrava-
gance with which the latter was carried on is atl'oi'ded in the fact that
■with an attendance of 120 boys, of whom tho?e in the seventh or highest
form were reading Cicero and Horace, and the Collectanea Majora, it
had a Principal at a salary of £liOO, three classical ma-sters and one
mathematical master at salaries of £300 each, and several other misters
with large salaries. £11,843 8^. Id. had been disbur.scd for books,
boarding expenses, and contingencies. Evidently some people's friendtt
enjoyeJ good situations, and some people's sons got cheap education.

CITAPTEE XTT.

A*s" LtrrTKrt.s in Montkkal "Rkctster" — Tfie Autuokity of thk

ClIlTKCII — (!lIUI!(ril lMlKf'EXI)KN<!E — CaNAKA BaI'TIST UnTON —

Stkon« Resouitio.ns - An On'si-oKEN 1*ktiti(»n--The VVokk
AT THE ('(u.r.ECE — A I'resiuent Foi'M) Scanty Recoomtion
— I'KiVATE Oi'iNioxs — A Radly-Plan.neo Course— The First-
born —1)ele(»ation TO Upi'er Canada — A Busy Tour— Local
Ncn-Rs -A Visit to March Street.

►HE series of letters to which reference has been
made, contributed by " A " to the Montreal Regider
during 1844, were timely and valuable, especially in rela-
tion to the politico-theological controversies which were
at that time rife. The writer of the letters, not feeling
inclined to brave "war's horrid front," did not en'er into
the vexed questions of Church polity which were then
being warmly discussed in the denomination, but dealt
generally with the organization, the management, and
the institutions of the Christian Church, taking the New
Testament as the onl)'- authoritative teacher on the points
at issue. Premising that the term "church" is u-ed in
several widely differing senses, and that while some
make the door of the church so v^ide that it might as
well have none ;" others " make it so narrow that no one
can get in," he proceeds to giv-e the following as the
best definition of a particular church which he is able to
gather from a careial perusal of the New Testament: —
" A company of immersed believers who, from a sense of

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

145

duty to their Saviour, have voluntarily united them-
selves togetlier, for the purpose of more perfectly carry-
in"^ into practice the doctrines and precepts of the
Gospel."

Setting out from this general statement he proceeds to
argue in successive letters that the membership of the
church proper is limited to "believers;" that as an
organization it is voluntary, (1) as opposed to union
with the State, and (2) as opposed to clerical domination;
but that it differs from an ordinary voluntary association
in that the Sci'iptures have made it the didy of every
Christian to connect himself with it ; whereas the joining
of an ordinary voluntary association is a matter of choice
with the individual.

Speaking of the Church as the source of spiritual
blessiUj^-s he says :

" Much eloquent declamation has l)een uttered about the
great power and the vast resources of the Church; about the
unspeakable blessings she has in store for the world. There
are many fiom whom you will hear scarcely anything but
declamation about the unity, tlie power, and the 'autliority of
the Church.' This kind of declfimation (for I can call it
nothing better) is the more dangerous f)ecause there is some
truth in it. The Church has vast power and great resources.
She /s' destined to bestow unspeakable blessings upon mankind.
But is she thus qualified jier se, by herself alone? The Church,
like each of the individuals of whom she is composed, is
nothing in herself. She is 'perfect weakness.' She can keep
no stock of spiritual blessings on hand. 8he is rich in s{>iritual
blessings ojdy while she is distributing them. As it was with
the widow's pot of oil, so long as she kept pouring out abund-
ance came, but when she ceased pouring 'the oil stayed'; so it
is here. A church which is alive and active has an abundance
of all good things, because she asks of 'Him in whom (not in
the Church) all fulness d .ells; but an idle Church has posi-
tively nothing to give away. . . . There is no vis ineriice

I;m f

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. I ; K-i

'■I

I.IKK AND LAIIORS OF

'':

ill tho (lospnl, notlum,' \nit powcM- in action. All tho powjT
niul spiiitiiiil ltl('-isiii<jjs which a Church possesses arr derived
iiiimodiatcly from ( Christ; nor is h(; aucustorncd to ^ivn a larjijo
suj>ply of tlicso at a time on/// ihilhi fooil only as fast as it is
<'(>nsuin(Ml. Is it then propcn* to spi!al< of tho ('hiirch as the
«,'r(Mt olijoct which should attract our attcMition '^ Should w(!
so hold Ikm- up to th(^ world that she will V(m1 the j^dorics of her
MastiM"? Do W(^ speak of the clouds as worthy of admiration
because they <;ive us rain/ Do W(^ thank the earth hecause it
l>rin<rs forth food for man and beast? . . . The simple
union of a nuniher of fallil-le creatures cjinnot mak(^ the
totality infallible, any more than Hnit(^s multiplied can make
the intinite."

The force and appropriateness of tlie fon^u^oinj^ are
brouu^ht into clear relief in view of the ranipatit " High
Chureliisni " of those early colonial <hiys. The followin«^
is not less direct, or less wise, in its application to the
Baptists themselves, and the attitude of some r^' the
westei-n chui-ches towards the Canatla Baptist Mi;-' ary
Society :

"The only security of an independent church is in the in-
tellij^ence and piety of its members. J)aes a church of thi;>
kind stand aloof from the benevolent operations of the day,
through fear of som.^ error held by any of our voluntary'
associations? It is just as much in danger of being corrupted
by that error as if it took an active part in the association.
The Church which pursues such a course does no good, and
runs just as great a risk of being corrupted as if it took part
in the good work. For corruption in doctrine or sentiment
must spring up among the members themselves. Hence a
single individual of erroneous views in a church is more dan-
gerous than fifty associations out of it. An independent
Church, like an independent man, should be able to say to all
the world: "You may hold any opinions you may see lit, and
I shall do the same; and whilst I join with you in furthering
this good object, you must not force your opinions upon me,
nor will I force mine upon you."

The last two or three letters of the series dealt with

REV. U. A. FYFE, D.l).

147

tlu! choice of tlw; two (^Iuhscs of cimrcli olllccr.s, viz.: —
IJisliops and Doacons, their rcMpfctive (umliticatioiis, the
()l)lii;ati()iis of churcli iiu'inhtTs, etc. Cl()>(; adherence to
New Testament authority and staiulani.s is maintained
throni^liout.

Another event of some importance diirin;^' this period
was the formation of tlie " Cana<la Jiaptist Union," an
or^-anization wliicli did ijood .service for a time in .several
directions, hut was especially u.sefui as enahlin^r baptists
to take action as a body in the important stru;^gle for
religious liberty which characterized the })eriod. For
years the union continued to voice in tlie clearest and
most emphatic manrer by means of resolutions, a<ldre.s.scs,
and petitions, thosc^ advance<l views on the relations of
Church to State which have been held by Baptists from
time immemorial. From the report of the fir.st annual
meeting of this union, which was held in the Baptist
CJhapel in March Street, Toronto, on the 2()th. of July,
ltSi4, it appears that the idea of the union was first
conceived in 1842. Toward the latter part of that year,
it is said, several ministers and members of Baptist
churches, in their occasional or incidental interviews,
beofan to discuss the desirableness of some such means of
bi'inginp' the different sections of the denomination more
closely together, so as to secure greater frequtmcy of in-
tercourse and more harmony of operation amongst the
numerous bodies holding Bapti.st sentiments. At length
early in 1843 a few friends met together to consider the
matter more serioasly and as a result of their delibera-
tions a larger meeting was called near Paris, on the 19th
of June, at which the union was formed, and an Execu-
tive Committee appointed, of which David Buchan

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

Esq., was Socrefcary. It is cli^ar that the movement
met witli a c>oo(l deal of distrust and even opposition on
the part of indivlchials and churches holding ultra views
on the subJHct of church independence.

Amongst the resolutions put on record at this first
annual meeting were the followinc:, showino unmistak-
ably the position of the Baptists representcjd there, on the
great questions then agitating the public : —

"That the right of every man to the enjcyrnent and exercise
of complete lleiigious Lil)erty is a principle we hold to be
unquestionable ; that it ought to be maintained, inculcated,
and unfolded on every suitable occasion, and that Mr. F.
Bosworth be requested to furnish a copy of the Discourse he
delivered last evening, to be printed at the expense of the
Union.

" That the University of King's College being originally in-
tended for the general benefit of tl.e youth of this Colony,
ought to be eijuidly open to all classes of Her Majesty's sub-
jects, without distinction; and that the following P«?tition,
founded on this cv)nviction, be presented to the Legislature
from this Union, signed by the Chairman and Secretaries,
praying that the Institution may be established on such a basis
as to secure this important object : —

Unto the Hoiiorable the, Legislafive Assembly of the Provmce of
Canada in I'rovincial Patiianient asseuihled :

THE PETITION OF THE CANADA BAPTIST UNION

HUMBLY SHEWETH

"That the denomination of Christians called Baptists has
ever been foremost in maintaining the prniciple that, man
being not responsible to man for his belief, civil governments
have no right to distinguish between different religious sects,
by giving to one a privilege, or imposing upon another a dis-
a^ulity ; - that each member of the civil community, of whatever
faith, is entitled to an equal share in the benefits conferred l)y
Government upon the people ; and that the exhibition of
favoritism to any one, or even a plurality of sects, to the

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

149

exclusion of others, instead of advancing the interests of re-
hgion, encourages rehgious dissension, promotes political dis-
content, places a premium upon hypocrisy, and is a direct
violation of the rig J its of conscience.

"That your Petitioners ais under the necessity of again
lepreEenting to your Honorable House, that the great prin-
ciples of .Religious Liberty which they thus hold, have been
grievously violated in the manner in which the Episcopalifin
sect of Christians have been allowed to divert a large portion
of the funds set apart fur the education of the youth of the
})rovince from their original purpose, and to obtain an undue
iiiHuence in the distribution of the benehts, and management
ut' the affairs, of the University of King's College at Toronto.

"The circumstances in which that Institution is placed have
been so often brought before your Honorable House, and the
injustice and impolicy of allowing its charter to remain in its
present condition have been so ably demonstrated that it is
unnecessary for your Petitioners to enter into particulars.
Your Petitioners, in common with a great majority of the
inhabitants of Canada, are desirous of seeing the public Educa-
tional Institutiojis entirely freed from the preponderating
intiuence of any denomination of Christians, and put upon
such a footing as to ensure perfect equality to persons of all
leligious sects, not only in the enjoyment of their educational
privileges, but in the supply of their various chairs of learning,
and the management of their geneial affairs.

"Your Petitioners would further beg leave, most respectfully,
hut tirmly, to assure your Honorable House that they cannot
be satistied with partial measures in a matter where Religious
Liberty is involved ; and that they will continue their appeals
to your Honorable House, until perfect Religious Liberty is
established in the management of the public Institutions of the
Province.

"May it therefore please your Honorable House to take the
premises into your early and serious consideration, and so to
alter and anifnid the charter, and regulate the management of
the University of King's College, as to meet the wishes of your
Petitioners.

" And your Petitioners will ever pray, etc."

This was plain talk. The force of the word

It ' >>
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LIFE AND LABORS OF

in the first sentence of the second paragraph of the
petition is not quite clear, as this must have been the
first appeal made by the Union as such. The reference
may be to petitions previously presented by other repre-
tatives of Baptist bodies, such as associations, or, more
probably, to two forms of petition which had been
drafted previously by the Committee of the Union, one
for the use of the committee itself, and the other for that
of individual churches. In any case this may be regarded
as the organized entrance of the Baptists into the battle-
field in wdiich they, in accordance with the purpose so
clearly intimated, continued to stand shoulder to shoulder
with the friends of civil equality and religious liberty
in other denominations, until the full and final victory
was won.

Amongst the representatives and delegates at this first
annual meeting of the union were He vs. John Gird wood,
E. Bos worth, and Rev. R. A. Fyfe, from Montreal. As
was to be expected the latter took a prominent part in
subsequent meetings.

But it is time to return to the work of the Montreal
College. In regard to this, however, there is little to he
said. The routine duties of the position of Principal
were no doubt faithfully and efficiently performed. But
there are few situations more embarrassing to a man of
strong character and independent spirit, than such a
pro tempore one as Mr. Fyfe then occupied. To " keep
a place warm "' for another, is at least a somewhat
delicate and thankless task. No power is more difficult
to wield with satisfaction either to one's self or others,
than a power simply delegated for a brief and uncertain
period. No matter how many weaknesses or deficiencies

resu

who

as it

years

nectii

of Mr

the c

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to l>e

But
I an of

I' keep

iWhilt

Ifficult
)theis,
lertnin
lencios

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

151

one may detect in plan or management he ftels that he
can make no innovations, propose no reforms. If he can
but manage to maintain respect for his sliort-lived
authority, and keep the machine in operation after the
old fashion, without visible fallincj off, it is the best he
can hope for. He niaj'^ be conscious, without cherishing
undue self-esteem, that he could make important im-
provements upon the methods he finds in vogue, but he
feels that he is bound, by every consideration of delicacy,
to do, at most, no better than his predecessor. Whatever
may have bern Mr. Fyfe'.s feelings under the circum-
stances he made no sign. But from subsequent events
as well as from an expression or two dropped in a
private letter which may be presently quoted, there is
little room for doubt that he saw clearly that the college
was on the wrong track in its methods, and that it was
fored< omed to failure on that account as well as by
reason of its un-central locatic i, and the distrust of its
management on the part of the great body of strict com-
munionists in the west.

In the meantime, pursuant to the plan of the, com-
mittee and the conditii n upon which Mr. Fyfe accepted
the temporary princlpalship, inquiries had been made in
England for a suitable successor to Dr. Davies, and had
resulted in the appointment of Rev. J. M. Cramp, M.A.,
who filled the position of President of the College so long
as it cOi^tinued in operation, and who was for many
years afterwards so well and favorably known in con-
nection with Acadia College, Nova Scotia.

Mr. Cramp and family arrived in Montreal on the 29th
of May, 1844, just in time for him to take some part in
the closincf exerc'ses of the C<

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152

LIFE AND LABOIiS OF

that same evening. The Registers report of the exercises
tells us that " the Rev. R. A, Fyfe gave the introductory
address, in which the trials and encouragements of the
missionary in Canada were very appropriately dwelt
upon." The Report of the Canada Baptist Missionary
Society for the year 1844 contents itself with chronicling
the arrival of Rev. J. M. Cramp, M.A., to take the Presi-
dency, and remarking: "Up to the close of last session
Mr. Fyfe continued his labors in the College. He has
since removed to Toronto, and it affords your committee
much pleasure to hear that his efforts there are acceptable
and useful." The matter is of slight importance, but
some curiosity is naturally excited as to the cause of this
rather unusual reticence in regard to one who, as we at
least know, made a consid'irable sacrifice of feeling in
order to perform the service asked of him, and who, it can
scarcely be doubted, performed it well. It is possible,
of course, that the brevity is simply the outcome of what
was considered becoming to official dignit}'- and propriety.
As Mr. Fyfe's assistant, Rev. F. Bos worth, M.A., had been
connected with the College before Dr. Davies' departure,
and continued his connection with it after Dr. Cramp's
arrival, and as he seems to have been a man of education
and ability, though perhaps not well adapted for a posi-
tion requiring high administrative capacit;;"-, it is also
possible that the Committee and papers were restrained
from further comment by considerations of delicacy.

On the 29th of February, 1844, Mr. Fyfe wrote as
follows to his friend McPhail. No harm can now arise
from publishing the extract in full, and it sets in a pretty
clear light his capacity, even at^thiit early age, for inde-
pendent thinking and acting : —

ocn
re.
p's
lion
osi-
,lso
lied

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

153

*'The Rptjistcr of this week will tell you the pleasing news
that a permanent .successor to Dr. Davies has been appointed,
and is expected out in the .spring. May the Great Head of the
<>hurch make him abundantly useful in Canado. ! He is a man
of years and talent; has a large family, etc. So I .shall be
leaving Montreal by the end of May at latest. Wiiither J
shall turn my course I know not. O that God would direct
me ! 1 hope and relieve you will make this a subject of
prayer. I am beginning to feel like a literal stranger and
pilgrim on the earth. There is a probability that I shall leave
Canada, but I am quite undecided as to the particular part of
the world I .shall steer for, probably New England. I do not
want to leave Canada, if I knew where to go. Private. — I do
not like the missionary plan of the committee, and should I
remain in Canada I would certainly spend all my might in
changing, or making them change, their plan. Western
Canada has been divided by them, and they menu to n)ake
another effort to get all the Western Baptists to join the
present association for the purpose of aiding the Institution,
etc. Well, this is all very good. But what benefit will the
Western Bajjtists derive from this Institution 1 Just none at
all. Would it not be better to unite all the Western Baptists
around an institution of their own? Would they not give
more and be more benelitted ? I have no great leai ning to
boast of, but I am certain that I could give young men a tar
better preparation for the real work of the missionary than
they have been get ing here. I have got most of the best
members of the committee to see many glaring defects in the
management of this Institution. What will a young man do
at five languages in four years? And if he could learn them
all what help would they be to his preaching? What though
i can give a horse six different names, do these tell me any-
thing more about a horse than one would ? They had not
liad a lesson on moral philosophy, not a lesson on natural
philosophy, not a lesson on the government of churches and
pastoral duties, not a lesson on rhetoric or reading, (Src. I
think very highly of Mr. Bosworth's piety, and of his acquire-
ments, but nothing at all of his wisdom or manliness.* He

* This word is evidently used in the sense of energy, or force of
character, and not with the moral significiince usually attached to it.

n ill

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LIFF AND LABORS OF

lias no nerve in him, no capacity to be anything but what lie
is, a tutor under some one who can manage afl'airs.

►Since I have been here I have had to work very hard, but I
have done so in a very quiet way. I have avoided everytliing
like notoriety, and J shall leave in the same quiet way. I
have, however, derived some benefit. I have had an oppor-
tunity to try what I could do, to mature some of my thoughts,
review some points upon which I was getting rusty, and form
some systematic plan for a course of study which should Le
pursued in institutions like this."

The letter concludes with some personal and family
references. Neither his own health nor that of Mrs. Fyfe
had been very good. Of their infant son, who had been
born six or eight weeks before, he says : " The ' beginning
of our strength ' is growing like one of the Sons of
Anak.' We have great reason for gratitude to God. He
is a very good boy, and has not had an hour's sickness
since he was born."

In regard to his own future course : " I never felt more
my need of Divine guidance. . . My next move will
probably decide my destiny."

It appears, therefore, that his pastord connection with
the Perth church had been permanently severed. Mrs.
McWilliams, the only survivor of those who formed the
membership of the chuich at its organizaf on, recollects
that the chuich was requested by the Montreal com-
mittee to give Mr. Fyfe leave of absence for three
months. As his stay in Montreal had been prolonged
for a whole year, he, no doubt, thought it better for both
parties that he should resign and leave the way clear for
the engagement of another pastor.

In the eighth report of the Canada Baptist Missionary
Society presented at its annual meeting in Montreal,
February 6th., 1845, it is stated that a deputation, con-
sisting of Messrs. Fyfe, Bosworth and Girdwood, was

hei

were
seven
gates
brethi

vith
.rs.
the
lects
|om-
iree
iged
)oth
for

lary
L-eal,
lon-

Iwas

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

155

appointed to visit the churches and attend the associa-
tions in the west, durinji; the preceding montlis of June
and July. This action ensued on tlie withdrawal of the
Rev. W. H. Landon from the position of general agent
for the western part of the Province, a position he had
filled for some time, and which he had been obliged to
resign in consequence of his having undertaken the
mission to the Tuscarora Indians.

The committee further report that Mr. Bosworth
having been prevented from joining the deputation,
Messrs. Fyfe and Girdwood had performed its duties
with pleasing results. Three associations in Upper
Canada had agreed to co-operate with the society, and
new auxiliaries had been formed in addition to those
previously existing. The very interesting report of the
delegates is given in the RnfjUtGr of July 25th, 1844. In
the course of their mission they visited Queenston,
St. Catharines, Chippewa, Drummondville, Dundas,
Hamilton, Tuscarora, Brantford, Paris, Woodstock, Blen-
heim, Oxford, London, Southwold, St. Thomas, Aylmer,
Fredericksburg, Vittoria, Simcoe, Boston, Beamsville,
Toronto, Markham, Whitby, Hope, Peterboro, Haldi-
mand, Cramahe, Rawdon, Cobourg, Kingston, Brockvilie,
Farmersville, and other places. In all these places
meetings were held, and the cause of the Society
pleaded. Several associations were visited, and in some
instances, as before said, auxiliary societies were organ-
ized. When it is remembered that this was before the eia
of railroads, and added that Messrs Girdwood and Fyfe
were absent from their home in Montreal only forty-
seven days, it will be correctly inferred that the dele-
gates must have had " a mind to work." No doubt aged
brethren in many of the pla es named will recall the

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156

LIFE AND LABORS OF

visit with pleasant reminiscences. The report is full of
local references and brief but skilful touches descriptive
of places and scenery. Queenston already began to
"exhibit the signs of old Rge," though it was shrcdly
suspected that the use of intoxicating liquors " may have
had some hand in tracing some of the deep wrinkles '
on tiie brow of the " nurse of Brock s glory." But tlic
people showed " no decrepitude in tlie matter of hospi-
tality," and received the delegates in " truly patriarchal
style." They proceeded along "a very firm plank road,"
from Hamilton to Caledonia, the latter "stern and wild"
enough, but no fit " nurse for a poetic child." When
they left the plank road and followed the left bank of
the Grand River, there was '' little poetry in the road,"
however much in the scenery. At Tuscarora, with their
'' beloved brother Landon," they met their Indian breth-
ren, and had a four hour's *' talk " with the leaders in
the open air, and in "true Indian style." London was
*' the city of the woods." " The forest is solemnly eyeing
the town from nearly every quarter, and the stumps are
firml}^ nay, impudently, standing their ground in the
middle of nearly all the streets." Their description of
St. Thomas was more correct than their forecast of its
future. " This village presents a rather singular appear-
ance, being built upon the elbow of a very high, clay
hill, exposed to ' every wind that blows,' except the
-south. It will probably never be large, for the business
will be very much drawn off to London on the one hand
and Port Stanley on the other." They went in company
from Alymer to Fredericksburg "having quicksand
beneath and a burning sun above. The whole region is
covered with an exceedingly thick growth of gigantic

IIEV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

157

pines, which rise like a 'crape clad army,* and give forth
a perpetual sigh over their dreary prospect." At King-
ston, July 10th. they " had a very good meeting, and a
very large one considering the torrents of rain that fell
during the afternoon and evening, and considering,
moreover, that upon that evening 'the Free Church of
Canada' was shaicing the dust from oft' its feet for a
testiiiiony against the tyranny and corruption of the
state connection." At Woodstock, destined to be the
scene of the great life-work of one of the members of
the deputation, they attended, on the 11th of June, the
first anniversary meeti ig of the Woodstock Auxiliary
Baptist Society and " took an active part in the proceed-
ing?-, which were also enlivened by addresses, in moving
t.nd seconding the resolutions, from Rev. E. Topping,
Messrs. Buchan, Burtch, and Malcolm, also from Presbj'-
terian and Methodist brethren who were present.

It was in the course of this tour that Messrs. Fyfe and
Gird wood attended the Hrst anniversary of the Canada
Baptist Union, in March Street Church, Toronto, to
which reference has already been made. Puisuant no
doubt to the acquaintance thus begun, Mr. Fyfe returned
to Toronto from Rawdon, on his homeward journey, to
supply the pulpit of the March Street Church, which was
to be his next field of labor.

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F<H'NllIN(i (IF MAKCri StKKKT CuriU-H — SOMK .*^MfiIIT'h^S(•l!KI•A^•^IKS —

Thkiu PkoitAitr.K Explanations -A Cnmoi-s Qikstiox — Mn.

FyFK's MFNISTKATKtNS— PkcTMAR CoN VI(T'')NH — A FoKMIIiAlU.K
CoKRK.Sl>()NI>KNOE — A TUOUBLKI) Pa.STOKATK — AiN UnSAVOKY

Stkjkt— Kkmoval Rksolveo On — Ralsino Funds— A Hktkr(»-
r.KNEors Mkmiikksiiii'— I'kculiak Stonks— Tikiublesome Con-

SCIENf'KS — WiNCI-KSS AnCJEI.S — A PasTOK's PROVOCATIONS —

Meekness Under Kebuke — The Household Idols.

fHE ('amida Baj^ti.'^t 3fagazine for December, 1840,
^-^^7, contains the following : " On October 3 1st, 1840, a
Baptist Church was formed in March street, Toronto,
consisting of thirteen individuals." In the historical
sermon preached in 1875 on the occasion of the removed
of the church from Bond kJtreet to its present magnificent
edifice on Jarvis Street, Dr. Fyfe says : " This church is
forty-six years old, if we reckon from the lirst reconl
which we find of its meetnigs as an organized body.
. . . The first meeting of which we have any special
record was held on the 16th of October, 1829." The fact
which harmonizes these confiicting statements is probably
that the original church or churches — for there were it
appears actually two — to which Dr. Fyfe alludes, had
become defunct. Consequently the " strong lally " to
which he subsequently refers, as being made in 1840 was
in reality the organization of a new church, as stated in
the Baptist Magazine.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

169

Another discrepancy in the two accKJiints is not .so
easily exphiined The Afagdzlne puts the number of
constituent members of the new church at 13, which
Deacon Carter, now of the Dovercourt Road church, wlio
is perhaps the sole survivor of the orii^inal members, be-
liev^es to be correct. But Dr. Fyfo in the sermon above
<luoted says: "This Church was mu(;h feebler in 1844
than it was in 1840, for when tht^ present speaker
became pastor in 1844 he found that nearly half of the
members c'aimed in 1840, and more than half of the
wealth, was gone. In 1844 there were onl}' sixty-four
m-^mbers on the books (and these could not all be found)
and they were barely able to raise $400 for the new
pastor's salary." If a membership of sixty four in 1844
was only a lithle more than half that of four years pre-
vious, the church must have had something like one
hundred and twenty members in 1840, instead of only
thirteen. An explanation is suggested in a paragraph
quoted by Dr. Fyfe a little further on in the sermon,
from "a paper drawn up by the authority of thi' Church
in 1839, and signed by six of the leading members, and
sent to the Committee of the Canada Baptist Missionary
Society in London." The paragrapli is as follows :

" But these encouraging prospects were bliglited l)y a
succession of laborers, who were defective either in character, or
talent, and therefore failed to bring in and keep united the
elements of which a churcl: ot' Christ is composed. The mem-
bers, one after another, retired to other denominations, or
formed theujselves into lesser divisions, either with or without
a ministry, their usefulness being restricted thereby almost to
themselves. After the lapse of years, however, these lesser
divisions have dwindled away to a mere nominal existence,
and the difficulties which but recently stood in the way to
render re-occupancy of the station in some measure painful or
embarrassing to the Christian laborer, no longer exist."

I!i

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IGO

LIFE AND LABORS OF

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li'il

T!io incinlu'i.ship of tlie or^^inal cinirclics Imd thus fio
(l()ul)t been divided and dwindl^'d until it had woli ni^li
disappoared. In <jjivin«^ liis ti;^nieH, Dr. ryt'o say.s at the
outset that no list of constituent church niend»er.s has
hoen found in the nieajjjre reconls of those early efiorts.
It would Hoeni that he may have njade the mistake of
tukiu",' the names as they were entered successively on
.some ori<^inal roll as the actual memhership claimed in
IcS+O. As he himself says in another connection, much of
the population of Toronto was in a state of ilux in those
early days, many iuiiuigrants mikiui^ it their home as a
convenient centre for a few months, while they were
informing themselves about the country and choosing
permanent abodes.

In September 1844, as already hinted, Mr. Fyfe ac-
cepted a call from the March Street Church. A some-
what peculiar phrase in the scanty minutes of the church
a year later suggests a question, rather curious than
practically important, as to the exact nature of the
relation in which he stood to the church. In Septem-
ber, 1845, it is recorded that ballot papers bearing the
question "Is it your wish that Mr. Fyfe become your
pastor ? " had been sent to every member of the church in
the city and Yorkville, and that the result of the count
was yeas 84, nays 6. A committee was appointed to
make known the result to Mr. Fyfe, and solicit his
answer. That answer was that having received an
invitation to become the Pastor of the church, he must
decline accepting it at present, but that he would *' con
tinue on as he was" as he had been requested to do, in
case he could not see his way clear to become the Pastor.
And yet in the sermon above referred to he says dis-

IlEV. R. A. FYFE, D.I).

101

tinctly tlwit lio was called to the pastoi^ato of tlio church
in l^^4. What suhth^ distinction tho hair-splitters of
that period may have drawn between tin; niinist'-rial and
pastoral ofhccis it is hard to say. This at least is certain*
that for four j'ears durinL*" which lie ministered to them, he
preached, administered the ordinances, presided at church
meetin;^s, visited the memhers, in short pei formed all the
offices of the reijular pastor. That he dischaif»ed these
duties faithfully and on the whole successfully is well
evidenced by the fact that on the resitrnation of his
successor some years after he had left the field, the church
immediately turned to him again as one whose former
labors amon<jjst them had been " owiicd and blessed of
God," and invited him to return and become once more
their pastor.

It is evident, however, that his work during these first
four years in Toronto, was largely that of laying found-
ations and building for the future. His pastorate was
not marked by any large inciease in the membership.
The Secretary's annual report at the close of the year
1847 showed the whole number on the books to be 81, and
added that of these 17 lived at a distance and seldom
attended, leaving the actual number of city members 64,
exactly the nominal membership at the time he entered
upon the work in 1844. These figures, however, afford
no criterion even of the numbers added to the church
during his ministrations, owing to the fact above alluded
to, that members were constantly leaving the city and
taking letters of dismission to churches in other localities.

Such references as the following, fj-om the Register of
April 10, 1845, are suggestive as to the nature of his
work and the measure of success attending it :

': ' my,

■ 'Mr.

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LIFE AND LAnOllS OF

Toronto. -On ford's day, the 23nl ult., tlio Rov. R. A.
Fyfe l)ii[)ti/e(l three poisoua in the iJay of Toionto, in tht;
presence of a vast multitude, most of whom, it is Ixiliesved, had
not before seei. the ordinance of baptism achiiinistered in the
primitive manner. In tlie evening of tlie same day Mr. K.
delivered a discourse on the subject to a hirge congregation.
We are hap[)y Ut hear tliat. our esteemed l)rother's prospects
are very favorable, and that tlie erection of a new chapel,
which has long been wanted, is in contemplation."

That he preaclie«l the word faithfully, was instant in
season, out of season, gave hiuiself mind an<l heart to tlie
work, can be doubted by no one who knew the man, and
is substantiated by many proofs. The scanty church
records ,,how that the internal management inv^olved
much toil and anxiety. The minutes consist largely of
the history of the settlement of " difficulties " between
members, tlie appointing of committees to visit negligent
or recalcitrant brethi'en, and the action of the clmrch
upon the reports presented. Though Dr. Fyfe states in
his memorial sermon that he found no reason to believe
that the original church was conducted in accordance
with the doctrines and practices of the Scotch Baptists,
indications are not wanting, even in the minutes, of the
existence of some peculiar " convictions," in the minds of
some of the members. For instance, on April 2nd was
recorded the following : " Brother Hall o-ave notice that
he should resign his office as secretary tliat day month,
as it was his conscientious belief that tlie tippointing of
such officers in a Christian church was not sanctioned by
the Scriptures."

Another illustration of the great stress hiid by some
beiiever'j of that period upon nice doctrinal distictions is
afforded by two letters, or essays, found amongst Dr.
Fyfe's papers. These constitute part of a correspondence

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

1(38

which seems to have followed a conversation in which
the point at issue was debated. The other party to the
correspondence was J. Lesslie, Escj. The (|i;estion at
issue was, " luhether (tny special ivfiuence of the Holy
Spirit is given to lead unconverted men to believe."
The first paper addiessed by Mr. Lesslie to Mr. Fyl'e, (in
reply to a coininunication of which no copy is preserved)
and dated May Jst, 184'), maintains the negative of the
proposition in twenty-one very closely written foolscap
pages, and the rejoinder by Mr. Fyfe, upholding the
affirmative, covered twenty-four pages of the same des-
cription. It is pleasing to observe that the controversy
was conducted in the most courteous -and kindly spiiit
throughout. But those must surely have been days in
which men sat apart

*' In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high
Of providence, foreknowledge, will and fate."

Though the subsequent history of this church sutfi-
ciently shows that its early teachers digged deep and
laid good foundations, there is no doubt that these four
years in Marcli Street constituted one of the most trying
and anxious periods in Dr. Fyfe's life. The material of
which the early church was composed seems to have been
heterogeneous in the extreme. The members appear to
have been by no means unanimous in calling him, or re-
taining him, during those first years of his ministry to the
church. He had from the first to suffer much from the
opposition of unreasonable brethren. This may have arisen
in pa t at least from his recent connection with the Mon-
treal College and the Canada Baptist Missionary 8ociety>
whose operations were regarded with distrust by the
extreme strict communionists of the west, who seem to

.1 1?

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1()4

LIFK AND LABORS OF

have been well t-epivsented in the March Street Church.
In view of all the difficulties which beset him it is f^ieatly
to his credit that he was able to labor on so faithfully
and patiently durinf^ four full years, and to leave behind
hitn such a record as led to his hearty recall in 1855.
Those who knew Dr. Fyfe only in his later years, when
the great force of his character had been fully developed
under the pressure of heavy responsibilities, and had
nuide hini the foremost man in the denomfnation, might
naturally enough be <lisposed to query whether that very
quality of mind might not, in a less discii)lined and chas-
tened stage, have tended to increase the difficulties in his
way by bringing- him into unnecessary conflict with
other strong-willed men about him. He was conspicu-
ously a man whose opinions and conviction-; were very
decided and who did not hesitate, upon occasion, to avow
them. But it is reassur.ng to know, from the testimony
of one who knew him well in those early days, that he
was as far as possible from manifesting these traits in
any arbitrary or obstinate bearing, being unobtrusive,
unassuming, and onciliatory to a degree.

One great obstacle to the progress of the work arose
from the unfortunate location of the place of worship.
At the time of its erection no one could have foreseen
the unenviable notoriety that would be earned by March,
afterwards Stanley, now Lombard Street. As Dr. Fyfe
liimself says : " At that time, (1832) the street had indeed
been laid out but there were scarcely any buildings on it
and no one could have predicted that it would not become
one of the very best streets in the city. But such was
not to be its favored destiny. The chapel itself was not

four

REV. R. A. FYFE. D.D.

105

very attractive to look at, besides bcinf^ very small.*
It could seat comfortably more than 160 people. Miser-
able houses sprang up all around it, and what is still
worse, many of them were inhabited by the most vicious
and miserable kind of people, so that the whole street
became extremely unsavory in every sense of that term.
For sixteen lon<^ years the Baptists of this city might be
compared to those unhappy criminals who were, by their
Tuscan tyrants, tied hand to hand and face to face witli
the rottintr dead. The surroundingfs of the church were
constantly growing worse, so that the last part of their
sojourn there was worse than the first. Often on Sabbath
evening a policeman was asked to patrol the sidewalk in
front of March Street Church, to keep down tl4e uproar
which the children and others would thoughtlessly make
in the neighborhood.

Getting the church awav from March Street and its sur-
roundings was, humanly speaking, the first step towards
permament p )speiity. Indeed it is a wonder that it
grew at all in that evil atmostphere. During the last
four years of its stay in that unfortunate locality its
membership i ^creased only about fifty per cent."

To eflfect th. removal Mr. Fyfe directed his energies
almost from th first. Owing to the feebleness of the
Church both numerically and financially this was no
light task. To add to the difficulty the members were
not all in favor of removal. To some, no doubt, the

*The building subsequently passed into the hands of the Catholics by
whom it M'as enlarged an<l is still occupied. The outlines of the old
building are yet visible, owing to the dilFerent shade of the I ricks used
in making the enlargement, and may be traced l)y any one who has the
curiosity to visit it, on the north side of Lombard .Sti-eet.

!' in

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LIFE AND LABORS OF

obstacles in the way soemed insurmountable Others
opposed removal on the fjjround that the building already-
possessed was not yet filled to the extent of its seatinj,^
capacity. A b"avc and persistent few, it may be, were
unwillinof to own themselves worsted and leave the field
in the hands of the enemy. There nve even yet those to
be found who think it cowardly and wronj^ for the Chris-
tian Churches of the city to flee the haunts of poverty
and vice, where the regeneratin(; power of the Gospel is
most needed, and to erect their domiciles on the rich and
fashionable streets. To most persons, however, retreat
from such a locality as March Street became, will appear
the part of true wisdom as well as discretion. If one
of the objects in erectin<r a church is to provide a quiet
and restful place in which young men and maidens, oid
men and children, may gather for social an<l public wor-
ship, such a phice is certainly not to be found in the
2>iiriieu8 of drinking dens and brothels. Churches are,
however, surely under the most solemn obligations to
see that such phices are not left destitute of religious in-
fluences and given over wholly to the powers of darkness.
Whether March and Bond and Jarvis Street Baptists
have done and are doing their whole duty for such quar-
ters as March, alias Stanley, alias Lombard Street, is a
question worthy of the most anxious consideration.

The first action in the direction of removal was taken
in April, 1845, by the appointment of a committee con-
sisting of Messrs. Cathcart, Maitland, and Hall, to "make
em^uiries after a suitable place that may be purchased
on terms to suit 'is " The names of Thomas Bond, Wm.
Mc Master, and Rov. R. A. Fyfe were subsequently added
to this committee. In pursuance of this resolution a lot

REV. R. A. FYFE, I). D.

167

\vas purcliasc*! at the corner of Yonge and Albert Streets^
and a further coinnnttee appointed to solicit subscriptions
to a buiidinjj fund. The lot at the corner of Yonije and
Albert Streets was afterwards disposed of and one on
Bond Street procured. A building committee was ap-
pointed and the work of raising funds slowly but
steadily prosecuted. In the summer of l<S4o Mr. Fyfe,
by request of the Church, visited Rochester and other
places in the United States to solicit aid for the building
fund. In a letter to a friend he says that in the course
of a five weeks' tour he succeeded in obtaininor somewhat
over $400, besides paying his own expenses. He thinks
this "not bad," and feels disposed to thank God and
take courage. The work was finally accomplished and
the removal effected. By getting the /church away from
March Street into Bond, in which he was no doubt I he
chief mov^er, he set its feet firmly upon the highway of
its subsequent useful and prosperous career.

But a source of still greater trial and difficulty was the
heterogenous character of the church membership. He
himself speaks somewhat plainly on this point in the
memorial sermon from which we have already two or
three times quoted :

" Another obstacle to progress was encountered in the want
of homogeneity of a considerable portion of its membership.
Without reflecting on the character of a single individual, it
cannot have escaped the notice of the observant that in a new
country, where innnigrants from all points of the compass are
thrown together, even good men, of the same faith, are often
illy adapted to work together. Men of strong individuality,
with set habits, made angular by the peculiarities of some able
minister in the old world, under wliom they were trained, are
generally more anxious to lead than to follow. Half-a-dozen
such in any church would be likely to make severe friction in
its working, and the sijoaller the church the worse would the

^.51

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LIFE AND LABOl S OF

state of things be. Each one would fhink, as the work was not
done as he was accustomed to see it done, tliat it must be
wrong, and lie could not in roih^nciirc sanction what is wrong.

that conscience ! What a queer instiument it is ! And
practically it often happens that such aien will do nothing
because they cannot have their own v/ay exactly. Their
principles are so strong and so sharply defined that they con-
stantly stand in the way of tiieir practice. If they were not
men of such sterling principle they might do something for Cxod
and their fellow men. ]Jut as it is they Jiave too much prin-
ciple to have much practice. A man has made great progress
^vhen he has learned to co-operate lieartily with his brethren,
with the full approbation of his own mind. It requires a
many-sided and self-forgetting person to see that it is rarely of
much importance how a thing is done, so that it really is done,
and that in all organizations it is better to co-operate with our
brethren in a less perfect scheme than to stand alone admiring
the most perfect.* Opinions regulate the wnys and modes of
doing things, principles rarely do. Such people have a very im-
perfect idea of the cfesign of th^^ Gospel upon earth. It is chiefly
remedial, and its loving spirit should be wrapped around all
we touch and do. A few members such as I have described
would soon influence a church, and without intending it, mal e
that church feel that work for God and for souls is not the
greatest thing. Jiuifdi'jKj up is not the thin^i, but Jmilding up
in their way. Such princij)'es introduced amongst the mem-
bers of any organization infallibly lead to disintegration.

1 believe no denominntion in this country is yet free from
spiritual stones so peculiarly cut that no other stone can be
laid beside them. The state of things was much worse twenty-
five years ago.f When a church becomes large and strong a
few such stont^s do no great harm. They can be put upon the
top of the wall to keep the over-forward folks from climbing
over.

The church has been retarded in its progress, too, by some
who suddenly became too pious to walk with their brethren :
some who sunk all their interest for the lost and perishing in

* This was a favorite saying with Dr. Fyfe, as his intimate friend.s
will remembei", and was on<' oi a few simple maxims which entered
largely into his rules of conduct.

t This it will be borne in mind, "was written in 1875.

lili

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

169

their all-desire for their own spiritual comfort. They lost
their sympathy with humanity, through the professed reatness
of their love for Christ. St. Augustine says if one should
reach up to kiss the Saviour's lips and in doing so slunild
lacerate the Saviour's hare feet with the spikes and nails of
his sho(;s, he would be a<ked, 'Why do you wound and pain
my feet in your endeavors to kiss my lip V So the Saviour
asks 'Why do you trample upon and wound my peoplo,
through your professedly great love for me.' Such persons set
up to be angels before their wings are grown."

These words are copied for their practical wisdom as
well as for the light they throw upon the views and
motives of the writer. Though probablj' intended to
apply mainly to a period in the histoiy of the March
Street Church antecedent to his own pastorate, yet the
portraits are no doubt drawn from life, as he had oppor-
tunities for studying it personally there and elsewhere
in his pastoral experiences. The following extract from
a private letter written just after his return fiom his
collecting tour in New York State, will serve to complete
the picture, by showing the more personal aspects of the
tribulations he was called to undergo during this first
Toronto pastorate. As no names are mentioned and no
unkind personal allusions made, there can be no impro-
priety in giving the words just as they were written for
the eye of a friend in the United States. The tone and
spirit are all that could be desired ; the meekness under
rebuke, admirable :

" We have not yet commenced building. I can give you no
adequate idea of the almost insurmountable difficulties which
lie in my way. Were it not for the blessed assurance that
(lod is above all I would give up in despair. I am fully per-
suaded that of the whole catalogue of the Apostle's ' perils '
those arising from 'false brethren' are the worst to contend
with and the most painfuL I think I could amuse you for an

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170

LIFE AND LABORS OF

hour by retailing to you vivd v.oce tlie personal mortifications
to which I have been subjected (luring the past few months.
Ignorance and narrow views are Imd enough, but .^till they are
to be met everywhere and may be borne. But when ignorance
puts on the long visage of a professor — to bear this with the
meek and gentle spirit of Christ requires a great deal of the
spirit of God, an uncommon degree of watchfulness. And yet
what are all the provocations to which any man is now
exposed compared with those which assailed the pure and
gentle spirit of O'lr blessed Lord. O for a conformity to that
spirit ! A spirit that hopeth all things, endureth all things !
Did you notice an article in the Watcfniian of the r)th inst.,
entitled 'Pastoral Visits?' That bears some faint resemblance
to my history, I have received some twenty lectures during
the past week upon some one of my many faults. And there
is nothing for me but to smile and take them, promising
to mend as fast as I can, a promise which I sincerely mean to
perform. But enough. These are my provocations, not my
difficulties. I am still, however, in hope by the good hand of
the Lord upon me, to raise a cause in this city."

The letter, which was to a lady friend, proceeds with
some playful and tender references to his two boys. His
second, " Robert Thomson Fyfe," had been born on the
10th of June preceding. " He is a fine, dark, burly
little fellow, very nearly as dark as his father, but very
much better looking:, of course. For the first tw^o months
of his existence he used his pipes most lustily, but now
he is much quieter and will listen to reason." " Master
James continues to grow amazingly. He ouijjht to have
been a girl; his skin is as fair as alabaster. We of course
think that he gives signs of prodigious intelligence." He
speaks also of Mrs. Fyfe's health as being very good,
better than for a long time previous. It is clear that his
heart's tendrils are entwined very closely about these
household idols. The tearing away, so soon, alas ! to
come, will be indeed terrible.

CHAPTER XIV.

Tin; University Strugole Continued— En kriietic Action by tiik
Canada Bai'tist Union — A Stikrin<; Atpkal — More Lettkiw
FROM "A" IN Montreal " Rkuistkr "- An Imminent Danoer
— Something very like an Kstahi.i.siied Church- The " Par-
tition S( heme " Denoun<^ed— A Noble Plan Outlined— Tub
Union's Hlstorv Summarized— A Creat Meetino in Toronto
— Mr. Fyke one of the Chief Speakers— Extracts fr()M a
Tellino Speech -The Friends of Liherty Triumphant — Tub
University Seculari/.ed— A Pungent Letter.

(jT^gEAVING the record of toil and trial in the March

^™^ Street pastorate the reader will be glad to turn to

the larger field without and see what share Mr. Fvfe had

in the general work of the denomination in Canada

during those four years of his first residence in Toronto.

In the Register of November 7th, 1844, his name

appears as one of the General Committee of the Canada

Baptist Union. He was appointed by the March Street

Church as one of its delegates to the second annual

meeting of the Union held at Beamsville, June 24th and

25th, 1845, and seems to have been given at least his full

share of work and rcsponsibiliy in connection with that

organization. The University anJ Clergy Reserves agita

tion occupied, as before, much of the time and attention

of the Union and strong resolutions were again passed

in reference to both. That dealing with the University

(question was moved by Mr. Fyfe and seconded by Mr

Girdwood, and was as follows

" Whereas a munificent endowment has been made for the
purposes of university education in that part of the province

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172

IJFE AND LAIU)1!S OF

foriiiorly culled Upper Canada, d«'si<:riod to be equally free for
all classes of Her Mnjesty's loyal .stil>jettaj and wheieas that
endowment lias been exclusively claimed and appropiiated by
a sect constituting but a small portion of the inhabitants of
this province, therefore /Aw/Z/vy/,—

1. That tiie charter by which the ^episcopalians of tlie pro-
vince now unjustly hold th<! university endowment, should be
altered, and the present mana<;ement (>i, King's College so
changed as to secure for all classes ot' Her Majesty's faithful
subjects an ecjual share in tin; honois, emoluments, and privi-
leges of the University, which was cvid( ntly designed to be
tlie case ^vhen its endowment was nuide.

2. "That the iJill presented at tin last session of the Pro-
vincial Pai'liainent, althougli more lilieral than the present
charter of the University, is yet objectionable in several
respects, viz., in its general i>rinci})le, which sanctions the
division of the endowment . the purpose of sustaining
denominational Theological Schools . — in several of its min(tr
details, as the sectarian character ( f the Caput, the limited
number in the Hebdomadal Honid, the requirement of a lloyal
Chaiter, the religious tes:t, and the mode of appointing Pro-
fessors.

3. "That, in our estimation, the mo>t just, and ultimately the
most satisfactory settlement of the so called University ques-
tion, would be founded on the following gt^neral principle : —
To confine the funds of the Uni\( rsit\ exclusively to the
Faculties of Arts, Sciences, Law, and Medicine, giving no sup-
port whatever to Theological Professors of any denomination,
but leaving each sect to support out of its own resources its
teachers in divinity."

The resolution in respect to the Clergy Reserves,
moved by Mr, Landon, and seconded by Mr. Booker, was
equally outspoken, sound and euijthatic.

The following was moved by Mr. Landon, seconded by

Mr. W. Bright :

"That the Rev. R, A. Fyfe be recjuested to prepare an ad-
dress to the Baptist denominaticn in this province, calling
upon them to exert themselves in tin- cause of civil and religi-
ous liberty, and that it be published in the Bcgister and other
papeis, under the direction of the Executive Committee."

I ;

REV. 11. A. FYFE, D.D.

173

The followinir, also iii -vcd liy Mr. Landon ai^l socon led
by Mr. Fyfo, is siL^niti -.iiit of the truly Chri-^tian and
Catholic spirit which uiiiiuated tlic Union durin*,' its tui>
brief existence :

"That this Union desires to record its utter ahliorreMiee of
slavery and the slave tiM Ic, in all their forms, its indii;uatiou
at the doiLfraded pf)sitioii m society which persons ot" color hold
in some conntric^s, and it,s deep synipathy with the suller-ing
slave and his sutlbrin;' fiitMuls tiirou'dKuiL the world

The " Address to the Friends of Civil and H(di«,'ious
Equality in Canada," which appears in connection with
the minutes of the Uiiiuii meeting, is no doubt the one
pn^pared by Mr. Fyfc in response to the re(]uest of the
Union. It earnestly ifivites the attention of those ad-
dressed to the movenji iits of those who would infringe
upon their liberties, and brings a vigorous indictment
against the Episcopalians generally and the Episcopalian
Bishop of Toronto in i)articular, as the parties who are
making strenuous eflorts to do this. It r. iterates, on
behalf of the Union, not as a favor but as a simple right,
the demand that " the Clergy Reserves should not b*^ so
used as to interfere w^iih any of the civil or religious
rights of the community, and that the public in-^titutions
ofj the country should lie entirely freed fiom scctar an
influences." Following are the closing paragraphs :

" The present appears to us a favoralde time to reiterate our
claims, to arouse ourselvt^s to the full realization of the magni-
tude and importance of our object. Our native ctmntry, or the
country of our adoption, is yet young. Its institutions are
only forming. All the elements are, as it were, fused, and
soon they will be cast into the mould to receive their perman-
ent impression. Let us see that the image and superscription
which these institutions shall wear, shall he such as our
children will delijjht to (H)iitemplate when we shall have passed
oft* the stage. Who can calculate the miseries or the blessings

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UFE AND LAHOKS OF

which iiiiiy Iw) mado pormincnt, to generations yeit unhorri,
tliroui,'h our wise and enor^otic etl'orbs, or criminal apathy, at
the present time.

" In this ^r(Mit matter the interests of mII classc^a and denonii-
nitions who love lil»erty in its widc^st and most exalted sens(5,
are on<\ We are alike interested in heinj:; kept tVee from t\w
crushini^ l>urd(Mi of il Htat(> chui'th. We an^ alike intt^rested in
ol)tainin«( for ourselves and for our sons an ecpial share in the
privile<^es, honors, and emoluments of the i)ul)licly endowed
institutions of our land. VVhy then sliould we not unitedly
and earnestly seek to olitiUn these worthy ohjeets? As lovers
of pur<! i"('li_<;ion, as lovei's of our eommon (luntry, we should
unite in this struij;jfl<>, and never fold our arms till tlie great
contest for perfect civil and religious e(juality he decided in our
favor.

" [f we would secure this * consunniiation devoutly to be
wishod,' /rr initxt let otir r('pn'-<riif<(fin'.< kiioir our rii'irn ami
ici-s/icx. They may have heai-d them Ixifore, but it will be
necessary again to stii' up th(?ir minds by way of renuMubrance,
Let us watch every movement of the foe, and hold ourselves in
readiness to petition, or to take other means whidi nuiy, at the
next meeting (tf Parliament, inform our reprfisentatives of what
we exjH'ct from tliem. Let us make known our views courte-
ously but boldly in the lan<{U!i<f(' of men who feel on these
subjects, and who feel th.rt they are in the right. Should this
course be pursued p onij)tly and unitedly, we venture to pre-
dict that attention will be given to our Just denmnds.

" Friends of freedom and religious equality in Canada
Dangers are hovering over \ ou, yet the times are such that, l>y
a hearty eHort on your pait, the clouds of danger may be
swept from our horizon forever. The accomplishnjent of this
is an object worthy of a great etfort. Will yon put it forth / "

A letter in the falniliar style and over tbe sij^nat'ire of
"A" bad appeared in the Register on March Gth and
another from the same pen on December 18th of this
year. In the former "A" refers to the expression "The
Established Church of Cai ada," which some were so fond

REV. n. A. FYKE, D.D.

175

of usin«,' (l('-pifc») its iniproprioty and oH'cnHivMjncsH, nnd
wliich otliofs vvero too prone to tn-at with conb'iupt as
an assumption too ahsunl to he worthy of .si>rioiis notice,
and [loints out some circumstances whicli create a possi-
hiiity and danger th it tlie people of Canada miijht cinie
to Iiave soiiu'thini; "very like an Estahlislied Church,
without a \v^a\ charter." Th« se circumstances arise out
of the facts that a very lar^^e portion of the Canadian
p('])ulation have irrown up in blissful iLcnorance of the
blast n^' and witherinjr etiects of ('hurch estahlishments,
that the ministers of the Church of Enijland in C^anada
had been imported from th(; land of establishments, had
brouu^ht th 'ir predilections with them and proceeded to
preach and to teach as if they were in their own native
land, th it the weifdit and influence of the ministers
of the Church of Scotland were also in favor of an estab-
lished relii^don, and that the most of the ])ublic men of
Canada had come from the land of establishments, and
cherished, many of th«'m, a " snerrin(^ contempt for our
free institutions." He pointed in illustiation to the
history of the Ch-rgy Reserves, the persisteiit attempt
to seizi.' and hohl for the Church the public c<)lle<;es of
the country, and the most ini(juitous but accomplished
fact of the Endowed Rectories, and summed up a lonf^
letter as follows :

" The ' conclusion of the whole njatter' is that many of
the people of this colony are in a state to be easily
imposed upon by the strong influences in favor of estab-
lishments from the Father Land, from the men in high
official standing in the country, and from a great body of
the clergy." *■

The letter of December 18 was devoted to " King's

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176

LIFE AND LABORS OF

College," and was intended to warn the people of the
^reat danger involved in the scheme which it was
well understood was to be submitted to the Lemslature
at the approaching session, for the settlement of this
vexed question. The projected scheme was that one for
the division of the endowment which subsequently gave
rise to so violent a struijijle. "A" attacks it viyorouslv
in advance. He foresees that the scheme is much more
likely to take effect than many suppose. " Tht^ Metho-
dists, who boast of holding the balance of power in their
own hands, make no secret of their desire for such a
division. They openly advocate it, attempting to prove
that, as the inhabitants of Canada are made up of de-
nominations, so a denominational division of the Col-
lege fund will, of course, benefit the people of Canada!
Tiie Presbyterian body in connection with the Church of
Scotland will, in all probability, fall in with this scheme.
. . . And it is to be feared that some of the Catholics
also may be drawn into the unrighteous compact."

He then proceeds to criticise the scheme itself. It may
contemplate the division of the endowment among threu
or four of the leadinjx sects. We should then have four
Colleges more feeble and contemptible, if possible, than
the present sickly and wretched one. Moreover if this
division scheme were adopted no public provision would
be made for the instruction of the young men in Ontario,
above everything an agricultural country, in agriculture.
Such a scheme would not answer the desifjn of the
original educational grant, but it would make the public
educational institutions instruments to perpetuate the re-
ligious distinctions already existing.

Suppose the divison should be made with regard to th

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

177

size of the various denominations. In that case the
larger denominations would have wretched Colleges, the
smaller none at all.

Suppose again all sects to share alike. "This proposi-
tion comes nearest to fairness, hut it also comes nearest
to annihilating every facility for ac(]uiring a liberal edu-
cation in the Province." But the lander denominations
would never hear of a «harinir of the endowment with
thirty small denominations.

"A" thus concludes that "any scheme for dividing the
College funds must be ruinous to the cause of sound and
liberal learning in (Canada, oppressive to those who are
sighing for a thorough education, unjust to the smaller
sects, and, tinally, it must pei-petuate and extend that
sectarianism from which the Province has already suf-
fered so much."

He then proceeds to " point out a nobler wa) ." In so
doing he outlines an unsectavian national institution,
with no Theological teaching at all, no reliy^ious tests, and
ample guarantees for independence of religious sects or
parties. It is unnecessary to recapitulate here the gene-
ral features of the scheme of management and control by
which " A" proposed to accomplish these oljjects and
provide these safeguards. Nor need his vigorous reply
to the anticipated cry of "a Godless Institution!" and
other objections be repeated. But it is certainly note-
worthy that he should have been among the first, if not
the tii'st, to pro]K)se a Provincial University agreeing in
all essential features with that which we have to-day as
the outcome of the practical wisdom developed during
many years of thought and discussion. Both letters
were able and comprehensive, bearing the impress of ik
broad and thoughtful mind.

It >

178

LIFE AND LABORS OF

But Mr. Fyfe's efforts on behalf of an nnsectarian
University, based on a sound and liberal fouiubition,
were not confined to articles in the prco.s, and petitions
and renioMstraii'^PS throuujli the a^^enoy of the Associa-
tions and the Baptist Union. The latter body kept up a
vifjorous aijitation thronjjfh the medium of its F^xecutive
Committee. The Rcijhter of April 10, 184G, contains
copies of three petitions forvvarded to the Legislative
Assembly during this year by this counnittee. Th.e first
prayed for reforia in the manai»;ement of Kinj^'s College,
and deprecated any division of the eiulowment. The
prayer of the sec )nd was directed against any paitition
of the Clergy Reserve fund as desired by the Episco-
palians. The third entreated the House to refrain from
granting pecuniary aid to "Theological Colleges," or to
schools exchisively connected with any religious denomi-
nation, or in which the principles of that denomination,
whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, are tauirht bv
paid teachers, as incompatible with just legislation, and
opposed to right views of religious freedom.

It may be added lere that the Canada Baptist Union
continued to hold its armual meetings and work oner-
getically through its executive committees until 1849 at
least. Year by year it repeated its energetic protests
against the Clergy Reserve iniquity, and continued to
demand by resolution and petition the establishment of
the endowed schools and the university on an nnsectar-
ian and national basis. Thf last annual meeting: of
which any record has been found was held at Kingston on
the 28th June, 1849.

This meeting, unlike its predecessors, was largely on»>
•of jubilation over the triumph of the principles of the

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

179

tsts
to
of

t,ar-
of
oil

|on«'
V,ho

tlnion and tlio acccmplislimeiit of one of the prroat olijocts
for wliicli it was formed, in tlie complete secularization
of the university hv the Reform Government led l»v Hon,
Robert Baldwin. The meetings of the Union were, liow-
ever, very thinly attende<l. It was evidrntly viewed
with mistrust by many of the brctliren in the West, and
probably ceased to exist with or soon after the orj^aniza-
tion of the Rej,nilar Baptist Union of Canada, in the
West, in I.S49. Mr. Fyfe continued to work ener^jetically
with au'l for the Union, during- its existence, and was
present and took a prominent part at the Kiui^ston

nieetinsf.

A great meeting on the university question wa> held
in Toronto early in Feln'uaiy, 1(S47, — the lion. Adam
Ferguson in the chair — wliicl), the Exaniiner < f that
date says," was hirfrely atten<led and exhibited a union
and harmony among the numerous interests represented
on the platb)rm, as well as throughout the a^sembhige,
highly cheering to the friends of this all-important edu-
cational movement." The first resolution was " moved
hy the Rev. Mr, Fyfe (Baptist), seconded by the Rev.
Adam Lillie, Tutor of tlie Congregational Academy, an«l
supported by R. H. Brett, Esq., member of the Canada
Weslevan Methodist Church," and was as follows:

"That the funds of Kind's Coiloj^'e ou^ht on no account to
be i)ai-titionecl, but kopt entire, and apijlicd e.\('lusiv(^ly to the
endowment of a university, or college of literature, science,
and art."

It should be premised that the Wesleyan Methodists,
or rather their organ tlie Christian Guardian, and some
of their influential men, under the leadership of Dr.
Ryerson, had, as above intimated, gone over to the enemy,

u f

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180

LIFE AND LABOIIS OF

and were putting forth strenuous efforts in favor of the
partition scheme. The follovvino; extracts from Mr.
Fyfe's speech in support cf the resolution ((Uote<l above
set tlie whole question in a clear light, an<l show in a
striking jnanner his outspoken fearlessness and his power
as an incisive and effective public debater. After sketch-
ing briefly the origin of the endowment and the history
of the college up to date, lie proceeded : —

"It now, however, beomne evident to the Hi<j;li Church
Party that this grant would be an excellent affair for them,
provided they could get the whole arrau'.^einent of it into their
own hands. But how was this to be done? It was undoid)t-
edlv made for the Province, and not for a sect, [t occurred to
the in<>enious laind of him who is now Bishoo of Toronto, that
this might easily be done, provided the officers of the Home
(Tovcrnment could be made to believe t'*.' *hc. people of Canada
were Episcopalians, (Ciieers and Laui^ .c..) With this bright
idea he hastened home in 1827, with the religious cl art of the
Province in his ?^ocket. He thus representinl to tlie Colonial
(Secretary (Lord B;.thurst) that there wereonly twenty or thirty
Methodist preachers i.i tlie Province, and these rel)els; that
there were only four Presbyterian Congregations, and but two
ministers, one of whom was on the verge of becoming an Kpisco-
polian ; that there were only six Independent ministers, while
there were thirty-nine Episcopalian clergymen. He never
noticed the existence of some denominations which had at that
time a greater number of n inisters tlian his own, (cheers.) The
facts were as follows: — There were 118 Metliodist Ministers,
45 Baptists, 22 Presbyterians, 20 Mennonites and Quakers,
and only 31 Episcopalian Ministers ! By this foul rieaas he
attained liiy object. He obtained a charter compelling all to
sign the thirty-nine articles."

He then traces the history of the agitation which

resulted in establishing the fact that the original grant

" %wi8 meant for Canada," and in securing the amended

charter.

"What now was to be done? How wero I's.- vii^w.j of 'he
High Church Party to be advanced under this ai ungssraeai?

4:^

3;' VI

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

LSI

it
id

It occurred to the Bishop, tliat as President, he nnght exerPa
very etiicient iiiHiuMico still, provided lie were made Professor
of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy, Chiistian lOthics and
Political Econ(Mny. Professor of IVloral Philosoph}. and Chris-
tian Ethics ! ! (Cheers and Laughter.) Thiidc of that! This
proposal the Province scouted. What next was to he tried ?
At length they agreed hy Statute of the College Council, if not
to change the provisions of the new charter, at Uy,i ^.' u I s
them. By this means nearly the whole power — I may say
the whole power — was vested in one individual favoral)le to
exclusive views. All things are now managed, or ratlier
mismanaged, according to the views of this individual.

"The voice of the country is again being heard, and the
present holders of the projierty are afraid lest they may not
be able to l;old it much longer— they are therefore considering
how they may secure, if not all, at least the greater part of it
themsehes. To efiect this, they are trying to secure aid from
every quarter, saying, 'Jlelp us to defeat any lilieral measure,
and should you not secure the division of the funds, you will
be otherwise taken care of.' In favor of this division or par-
tition scheme — a partition scheme, *on some ratio to lie found,'
— the Methodists, or n ore properly the Chritilian Gnanlian,
has lately expressed itself veiy strongly. Let me be understood
here. In any allusions whicb 1 may make to denominations, I
am not sjieaking against the peculiarities of these denomina-
tions. If I mention Methodists, I am not to be understood as
opposing Methodispj, but opposing the performance of an act
which I sincerely believe will ruin JVlethodism. (Cheers.)
It will certaiidy ruin, in the estimation of the Caufidian people,
any denomination which takes part in this mquitous scheme
of partition.

'' Were I to look on this partition plan merely as a pru-
dential matter, which did not involve tiie interests of the
country — were I to look upon H merely as a feasible scheme
for settling the question — I should be satisfied to let the
matter go on. For well am I assured that the most learned
among tlie Methodist body who advocate this partition, knows
no algebraic equation whereby tliis unknown ratio of division
.s to be found. I should be satisfied too, that the present
occupant? would serve ail claimants for shares as the traveller
did the clowns who contended for the ownership of the oyster—

182

LTFE AND LAHOIIS OF

I /

|;'r

they would suck tlio oyster and give each a shell ! (Laughter.)
But I caimot view the partition scheme nu^rely as a tjuestion
of wisdom or folly in the proposers. It involviss ^reat prin-
ciples. It involves f/iif r/(f/if-'t of riu-ri/ iiiluihifdnt oj ('(iiiada.
((yheers.) And hci'o 1 cannot hut lament a state of ihiuits
which is far too prevalent in this country- iVhm cann? to this
countiy from Ireland, l'iii<j;land, oi" Scotland, retaining all
their peculiarities— nay even their nationalities. The Scotch-
man still nourished his Thistle, the Irishmini his Shamrock,
and the JMiglishman his Hose. ((Jhecrs.) And ofttMi do we
hear the cry, this interferes witli the Scotch, this cjushes the
Irishman, and the other thing lomes in contact with the Kng-
lish. Now 1 am not iinding fault with this feeling. Jt is
natural and riglit that we should love our native land : —

' Wliere .jur h«i'it;st memo "ies pil^iim-Iikc tlwoiij^. '
But while all this i.s i -ue, we must remend)er that when we
take up our abode in this country, we ought to consider its in-
terests. We ought to look upon ourselves as Ctwaf/idfix, and
eaj'uestly inipiire by what means we can advance the interests
of the country ot our birth or ado[)tion as a counti-y. (Cheers.)

"Nor is Canada unsettled simply on the score of national pi*e-
ferences ; there are contracted denominational views also. One
cries I iim Baptist, or 1 am a Presley teriau, or a Congregation-
Jilist, or Methodist, and can see no good in any measuie which
does not directly benetit his particular sect^ — so wretchedly
little are tiie views of men.

" Now, the great Provincial Institution which my resolution
contemplates would tend to remove l»oth these evils. It would
form a nucleus for a natioual feeling in (!anadii. The young
men educated together would form attachments for each other

tlk^y would look back to their alma ii/dfir with reverential
•jfeetion, and thus they would have at least one common tie
to bind thein together they would remeuiber that there- they
first learned to think, in a wide sense. Their mod s of thoujfh;,
their tastes and Iw/bits, would be formed under the same
teachers ; in a word, they would fb«l to a ceitain extexit like
memliers oi the same family. Farther, the Episcopalian,
eomiiig m oontaet with the Presbyterian, would tind that a
man may be a Pr^sbyteria^i, and not be a blockhead ; oi
he may l)e a C<mgregationAlist, and not be a firebrand ; or
a Bo>ptiat. and iM>t be a monster ; go each would discover

It Wo

MetJi

niosi
tjiey

'Ik' ill
the JM(
(lie «v;

It 14

to fuj](

it wa.s

REV. R. A. FYFK, D. D.

183

that a man may bo an Episcopalian and not be a bigot. In-
deed, the v«>iy i(h^a of a gi-eat I'rovincial fiistitution siicli ns
my !{'sohi<ion (((ntcmjjlatos, foiiii<h'd upon a libcial basis, could
not help imbcddin*,' itself inco the iiinds of the students and
producing most favoral)]e results, even tliough not a single
lecture ujuni civil and religious libtM-ty should ever l)e delivered
within its Widls. TIkmc is such a thing as a great idea working
itself into the mind of a man, (n'en when ho is unconscious of
the fact and such 1 should conceive to be the case in the
]»resent instance. The pre.sent holders of the property have
veil considered these points ; they know how ttarrotr notions
are indirectly wrought into th(! mind ; they know that young
men who study togetlier in the same university, form many
ties to liind them together, and this it is which makes theui
hold so pertinaciously to their position. They are bent upon
forming tlie minds of the rising youth of the province, but —
u[)on their own model. Now we sliould like a model which is
not quite so contracted in its proportions as the one they have
set up for themselves. We, thei-efore, propose to keep the
funds entire, and apply them to the support of a university of
literature, science, and art."

He goes on to expose very trenchantly the absurdities
involved in the Partition Scheme, anil the impossibility
of finding the "ratio" of division. "The Christian
Guaidian," he proceeded, "says that

"Such a scheme would injure Muthodixm ; mark me, not that
it"" would iiijuro the Province, but Methodism! It says that
Methodists know best how to make Methotlists. I grant this
most heart ily. . . But surely it does not follow, because
they know well how to train up jieople to their own views, that
the inhabitants of Canada are obliged to furnish a jiortion of
the mean^ munificently given to them to educate their sons in
the * various branches of liberal knowledge,' for the purpose of
making Mctho'lists, or Puseyites, or any other kind of ' ists ' or
'iles,' in creation."

It is unnecessary to pursue further this able speech or
to follow the history of the great controversy to which
it was a contribution. The partition scheme introduced

184

LIFE AND LABORS OF

in 1845 as a Government measure and withdrawn, and
re-introduced as a private bill in 184(3 and thrown out
on division, was again brought forward by the Govern-
ment in 1847 and again withdrawn umjer the pressure of
aroused public opinion. In 1848 came the defeat of the
Government and the accession to power of the Liberal
Administration led by Robert Baldwin, and in 1849, this
Government introduced and carried through a measure
for the complete secularization of the University, by the
abolition of all religious tests, of every description, all
Professors] lips. Lectureships, or Teacherships in Divinity,
etc. This bill, though afterwards modified in detail, was
in principle ail that the friends of r. ligious liberty had
contended for and foimed the basis of the University
system as it exists to day. Thus were the arduous
efforts of the friends of civil and religious equality
triumphant so far as the University system of the Pro-
vince was concerned. Toe Clergy Reserves continued
for years to be a fruitful source of controversy and
hearlb\irnings.

The following letter will form an appropriate conclu-
sion to this sketch of one of the most imfortmt and
bitter struggles in the History of Upper Canada. Many
had ho])ed that the witluhawal of the Government Par-
tition Scheme in 1847 would be followed at least by a
cessation of the struggle until a new departure could be
made and a settlement effected on some more equitable
principle. This hope was disappointed. The struggle
for partition was renewed, and, strange to say, renewed
on this occasion by those who might have been expected
to be the staunchest friends of reform, some of the lead-
ers of the Wesleyan Methodists. On the 28th of October,

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

185

1847, the "Conference Special Committee," aclopterl a
series of resolutions approvini^ of the thrice defeated
partition scheme, exception beinij taken only to the
smallness of the sum apportioned for the Wesleyan
College. An address was accordingly issued to the
" members and friends of the Wesleyan Methodist
Churcli in Canada " calling upon them to petition the
House of Asser.bly for the settlement of the University
question in accordance with those resolutions. Thus the
vexed question was again brought forward, and the
partition scheme supported with all the great influence
of Canadian Methodism. The first signature to the
report of the " Conference Special Committee," was that
of M. Richey, D.D., and to him the letter was addressed.
If Mr. Fyfe's speech placed him high in the ranks of
powerful public speakers, this letter equally shows his
ability as a close reasoiier and trenchant letter-writer: —

THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS AND THE UNIVER-
SITY QUESTION.

To the Rev. Dr. Richey.

Sir, — I have read with no little siu'prise, and with deep
regret, a preainlile and resolutions, approving of the principle
of IVIr. Sherwood's College Bill, wiiicli were signed by you, as
chairniivn of the body that adopted them. TJiat some of the
leading members in your large and respectable connection
hold the sentiments advocated in the document referred to, I
was well aware. Of them nothing of a really liberal nature
was expected, but I had hoped better things of you. I had
hoped to see you pursuing a course more consistent with your
character as a Christian and patriot than tliat marked out for
you by the preamble and resolutions which you signed. I have
been deeply, painfully, disappointed. But my object in
addiessing you is not to tell you a fact so unimportant to you
as the personal regret which youv act has occasioned. I wish.
M

18G

LIFE AND LABORS OF

to l)i-ing undnr your notice the view wljicli at least ojie-half of
the inhabitants of this Province must take of your conduct.
You solemnly profess to have been actuated purely by Ohris-
tian motives in the step you have lately taken. It is very
hard to question the sincerity of a professed minister of Christ,
and yet I fear, sir, (whatever your friends may think), yours
will be very genei-ally <[uestioned. You will be asked why
this official document was published on the eve of a general
election? Why the messengers, wlio are to carry it to every
mtniiber of your connection, are pressed and hurried, as if life
and death depended on its iiinm'didfe delivery? Couple these
circumstances with the very peculiar position of political
parties iit thi.-; Province at the present UKtiiient, and the public
oan scarcely be expected to believe that the motives professed
by you ai-e purely religious unmixed with baser metal. Men
at the present day seUlom associate pure, disinterested Chris-
tianity with a strong, manifest desire to secure iil,500 a
year."* Thus you have alleged motives for your conduct in
the affair, for which the public will scarcely give you credit.
And can £ I '00 annually given to your body indemnify you
jiersonally foi ^jlacing yourself before the public in the attitude
of one who is atteini)ting to mislead or deceive them ? Observe,
sir, I am not speaking of what your motives really were, for 1
do not know, but of the view which the public, from the
peculiar circumstances of the case, will take < i" them. In so
far a.-, they deem you guilty of an attempt to mislead them, in
AO much will Christianity be injured by your act.

On what plea does your denomination meddle with the
present settlement of the College property? Is it not on the
ground of the unfairness, the injustice, of allowing public
property to be monopolized by any one section of the com-
munity? This 1 deem the only valid reason for impugning
the present settlement of this important question. Here,
then, is the grand argument against the present holders of the
endowment. " It is public property ; you, being only a
portion of the public, have no right to claim the exclusive
control of it. Give the property up to the rightful owners.'
Such, sir, has been your argument again and again, when

* T'he financial basis of tlie Government Bill was as follows : —King's
College to receive £3,000 a year, and Queens, Victoria and Regie palis
each £1,500 a year.

tiimnr

REV. R. A. FYKE, r>.D.

187

denouncing tlie unjust monoply of King's <^*oll«»g«». Hut how
do you reason now i Shall I give yuui aiigunient in the

syllogistic form ?

King's CV)lloge belongs to the peoi)l«> of Canada.

We f. iir denominations are a part t the people of Canada.

Therefore King's Coll<>ge belongs to us.

IJecauso tli it property was s<>t apart for the henctit of a//,
therefore I shall use my influence as a Christian minister
(Christian inlluence, shall I call it?) lo iiave it conlincul to tlie
use of a fxi/i. Because it was given to the man v-, therefore it
ought to be appropriated by the few. Ts there logic, nn""ality,
or religion, in such reasoning? There can l)e no other .ound
for striving to unsettle the present holders of the estate, but
the injustice of the tenure by which they hold it. is the one
you propose to substitute just? Not unless nil'/fd makes njht.
If the Episcopalian denomination were only fifty ppr ce:it.
stronger than they are now, their ri'jhf to the property,
acc(jrding to the principles which seem to have guided the
movements of your l)ody on this subject, could not be effectively
disputed. The only ri</ht which the four denominations can
present is that they have the nipjltt to take the property.
But I humbly conceive, sir, that a moral, ipright man, to say
nothing of a Christian, must have another principle to guide
him beside the rule " la plus fort."

The Episcopalians have always claimed to be the dominant
Church. You have always discLaimed, on behalf of your
connection, such pretensions. The former never pretended to
be voluntary; you always have. And /et, sir, you place
yourself on a par with them, in claiming a share of the spoils
of this Provincial institution. It is evident that you must
either confess your speeches on religious equality to have been
a farce, or admit all religior.s denominations to share with you
in proportion to their num))ers. The cry of godless univer-
sities is very popular among those who scarcely know what
they mean by the language, but you are not a man to think
1' at the adoption of a formula, or creed, will, like a charm,
d> ve the evil spirit from the walls of the university. Some-
thing of infinitely greater importance than a creed must be
placed in the college, else, alas ! it will be godle.ss enough,
(jrood and able men must be secured as professors, else there

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188

LIFE AND LABORS OF

will be no religion in the university, though a thousand creeds
should be adopted.

It seems to be with justice that independent denominations
dread all large eeclesiastical bodies ; for they, like corporations,
often appear to have no soul, no sense of right and wrong.
What a iiiiin would blush to think of in his private capacity,
he sometimes votes quietly to do as an integral part of a large
body. The guilt of the transaction is divided, and the booty
is shared among all. Hence, " nobody in particular does the
evil," and " nobody in particular is beneKted by it." If this
appear to be severe, I must remind you that the body of
which you Intely acted as chairman fuinished a painful i'lus-
t ration oi its truth. Had an estate been left to a whole
family, you as an honest m'\n vvould shudder at the wicked-
ness of lending your influence in any way to deprive one-iialf
of the family of its legal rights. And yet by what other
illustration can you describe so truly the transaction in which
you were, a few days since, a prominent actor ? Surely a
question does not cease to have a right and a wrong, because
it is a national one. Nor can the immutable piinciples of
justice hud right be abrogated by the selhsh policy of the
High Church.

If it was wrong for the High Church party to seize upon
that property, then it is wrong for you to be a partaker in that
public robbery. And if it was not wrong of them to do so,
then neither have you nor any one else a right to disturb
them in t'leir possession. I am aware that it has been urged
that, as these four denominutions are the largest, they have
the best right to the college property. This may be a politi-
cian's argument, but it is certainly neither a moralist's nor a
Christian's. I cannot, therefore, allow you the benefit of it,
since you are acting solely as a Christian. If the denomina-
tions which were excluded by the Bill of last session are small
and poor, connnon sense and common justice would tell us that
they should receive the greatest share, for they stand most in
need of it. A father does not divide his property among his
children according to their size and strength. But the grant
was not mada for denominations, as such, at all, but for the
people of Canada. To tliem, therefore, it should be cheerfully
given up by n/l <h'vomivaii()tts. I therefore call upon you in the
name of justice, and for the sake of the interests of literature

nati

coui

emi

mak

the

refn

I a I

justi

penc

» 'I

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.I).

189

to consider what you are doing. You cannot l»ut know tliat
the multiplication of small, petty colleges must he injurious to
sound scholarship. And can you, the earnest, the eloquent
advocate of Christian union, perpetuate and lerjalize (1 was
a'oout to say,) the bitterest denominational hostility? Or have
you reijounced union as the French jiatrint renounced the
constitution of his country, "/I la /(interne la Cofi-sfihifion/ Ells
ne m'a jam lis donnn hIj' xotia"* It you succeed you will pit all
the other denominations in Canada against four, and the four
against them.

And then, too, can you, the mortal enemy of Puseyism,
consent to be ranked with Puseyites ? For if you jjcrsevere in
your endeavor, all will see that your principles are no more
pure, are no more honest, and scarcely so consistent as theirs.
And can the bold denouncer of the coiTuptions of Romanisni
consent to Hght under the same l)anner ';' Be not deceived,
sir ; your measures, if successful, will dravv^ the line between
you and those you have always professed to respect, and will
throw you into tiie arms of those you have hitherto denounced.
Thus :—

"Thou shalt leave e^ch thin^
Beloved moat dearly ; this is the first shaft
Shot from the bow of exile. Thou shalt prove
How salt the savor ia of others' breid ;
How hard the passage to descend and climb
By others' stairs. Bat that ah dl L(all thee most,
Will be the vile and worthless company
With whom thou must be thrown into these straits."

And, farther, you will most foully requite the kindness of
the very denominations which helj^ed to raise your own to its
present position.

You are lending your influence to rend in pieces a noble
national institutio.i ; to blight the prospects of learning in this
country ; to rob the present generation of their rights ; to
embitter and perpetuate denoininational ditterences, and to
jnake your own denominat'on "a by-word, and a shaking of
the head," throughout the country. Sir, in urging you to
refrain from dividing the noble endownent of King's College,
I am asking from you no favor. I am ])leading for simple
justice to my native land, and for the rising generation.

* "To the gallows with the Constitution ! It never give me a six-
pence."

P
i

190

LIFK AND LIBORS OF

I entreat you, for the sake of our common Christianity, not
to aHow your name and influence to be associated with a
spoliation so fou' and so iniquitous. Heverai ministers in this
Province, by the anrigliteous course which they [)ursued, have
done morci mischief to the cause of religion tlian ten common
men could do in a lifetime. My earnest desire and hope is
tl at you will not allow your name to be added to that un-
happy list.

I am, Rev. sir, truly, itc,

R. A. Fyff.
Toronto, November 18th., 1847.

mr^

CHAPTER XY.

- f :
*; i

(.1 f

I) V

' i;

EVA-VOKLICAL LE'TDIIK— -A DiLEMMA FOR BeLIKVKRS IX BaI'TISMAL
REOENERATfON — CONNECTION WITH THE CaNAIjA BaI'TIST MIS-
SIONARY Society — Various Notices — Agency for Grand
LiONE Mission — A Priestly Anecdote— A Friendly Criti-
cism — Resignation of Pastorate — A Harmlkss Resolution —
HisioRY OF Communion Question — A Widening Fissure —
A<;tion OF Associations — Mr. Cramp Refused a Hearing —
Western Canada Baptist Home Mission Society — Rev.
Jas. Inglis— The Evangelical Pioneer — Regular Baptist
Union — What Constitutes Close Communion — Mr- Fyfe a
Strict Communion/st — The Cause of His Resignation.

tHE following fr :»in the Toronto Banner of February
^^^ 5, 1846, shows that Mr. Fyfe was makinu;- his in-
fluence felt in other directions than those already in-
dicated : —

"The second Evangelical Lecture was delivered on Wednes-
day evening, in tlie wevf City Hall, hy tlie Rev. R. A. Fyfe, of
the Baptist church liere.

"The subject was : 'The Nature of Spiritual Religion, as con-
trasted with the Religion of Sentiment and of Form.' This
lecture was eminently successful, and *vas received with great
approbation by a crowded audience. iM»*. Fyfe gave a distinct
and impressive sketch of the nature of spiritual religion. He
then showed the process by whicli it was gradually corrupted
after the early ages, and how the religion of state and cere-
mony was introduced in its stead, till the life of Christianity
seemed to be almost extingiished in the visible Church. The
simple rites of Baptism and the Lord's Supper had been per-

192

LIFE AND LABORS OF

verted from tlieir true meaning, anrl ropi-esented as in them-
selves conveying salvation, provided they were administered
by persons (jualified for that purpose. Mr. hyie alluded in
pointed terms to the attempts to revive false and unscriptural
doctrines in the present times. He stated emphatically that if
they who asserted that Baptism within their own Church was
regeneration, actually helieved it and knew it to be true, they
were bcnind to employ force to con)pel all to receive the salva-
tion of their souls."

Durini^ these years he continued to act as one of the
jQcal a;:;ents for the Canada Bapist Missionary Union.
The Register each year contains lists of appointments to
be filled by him in vavious localities. The nintli annual
report of the society, (184(>,) contains the following in
reference to his work in Toronto : —

" Your connuittee are called upon to sympathize with the
Kev. R. A. Fyfe, cf Toronto, who has to encounter difficulties
peculiar to that station, and which would produce in many
minds very disheartening elfects. At the same time they
rejoice that his labor is not in vain in the Lord. Souls have
been converted under his ministry. The Sunday school, con-
taining about 100 scholars, is going on well. The esteem and
respect in which Mr. i^yie is held by the Christians of other
denominations in Ontario cannot fail to encourage him. The
connuittee fully concur in the sentiment expressed in Mr.
Fyfe's last conununication : "By the good hand of God, and
by patient waiting upon Hiui, we shall prosper.' "

The report of the following year speaks still more
hopefully : —

"The Rev. R. A. Fyfe, pastor of the church at Toronto, has
communicated interesting infornuition to your committee re-
specting the state of religion in that important city. Not-
withstanding the inconvenient location of the Baptist chapel,
it is well tilled with attentive hearers. 'The church is very
much united, and is working well.' There are many anxious
enquirers in the congregation, several of whom have applied
for fellowship. The Sunday school is in a flourishing condition."

REV. R. A. FYFE, D, D.

103

The committee go on to speak of the efforts wliich ai'e
to be made to erect a new buildinof in a more desirable
locality, and commend the project, with best wishes for
its success, to the liberality of the Christian ])ublie. The
progress of tlie movement has been previously indicated.

The Register of Oct. 22, 1840, contains the following :

"The friends of the fewiss Mission ((irand Ligne) are in-
formed that Madame Feller has undertaken another journey
to the United States for the pui'pose of soliciting conti'ihutions
and exciting furtliei' sympathy on Lehalf of the JNIission. She
is accompanied by our esteemed brother, Kev. H. A. Fyfe, of
Toronto, who kindly consented, tliough at much inc(jnvenience,
to perform this service, and thus render essential aid to the
society in its jjresent einljarrassments. The prayers of the
churches in their behalf arc earnestly recpiested."

This visit was quite successful. MadanK; Feller and
Mr. Fyfe received about Jr>l2()() in contributions for the
mission, and several associations connected with Baptist
Churches in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other
places became interested in the work and engaged to
remit further contributions.

The following is from the Christian Watchman's report
of a meeting held in the Bowdoin Square Church, Boston:
" Mr. Fyfe related an incident in his own experience,
illustrative of the confidence placed by them (the French
Canadians) in their spiritual rulers. A few years since,
in his 3'-ounger days, he had occasion to call upon a priest
of considerable influence in the Canadas. He was ushered
into his study by a servant, who, upon opening the
door, turned her back, as if fearing to look within its
sacred precincts. In the course of a familiar conversation
he asked the priest the question, ' Do you really believe
what you teach ? ' ' That is a strange question,' said the
priest. ' Why do you ask ? ' * I cannot think it possible/

194

LIFE AND LABORS OF

ll:

'1^

lil;

replied Mr. F., ' for an intelligent man to believe the
Catholic ('reed.' After a little hesitancy the priest
replied: 'Well — I do not believe it.' 'Why then teach
it ? ' asked Mr. F. ' Ah, I have got my bread to get.
Must I starve ? ' ' What would your parishioners say,
should I tell them of this?' continued Mr. F. With a
smile and a shrug, the priest replied : ' That would be
useless, theij would not believe you.' ' And that remark,'
said the speaker, ' was but too true. It is among such a
people that we have to work, and from such are the
fruits of our labor.' "

But whilo Mr. Fyfe thus continued to work heartily in
connection with ths Missionary Society, he still retained
the opinion expressed in a private letter before quoted,
respecting the mistakes and faults in the Society's modes
of working. In a letter to the Register in July, 1846, he
speaks very plainly on this point, and sketches a plan
for more perfect organization and niuie thorough work.
The suggestions were well and thankfully received by
the committee, who promised to take them into most
serious consideration.

At a regular church meeting on the 6th of June, 1848,
Mr. Fyfe intimated to the March Street Church his wish
to resign the pastorate, and asked to have his resignation
take effect on the first of September following. On the
following Sabbath he detained the members of the
church, after the administration of the Lord's Supper,
and gave them a full explanation of the reasons whicli
had induced him to take this step, and said that though
he had reconsidered the matter he still wished to press
upon them the acceptance of his resignation. At the
next regular meeting, July 4th, he made some furthei-

<^=.iiUi

m
u
ill

. ^._..

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

195

explanations, after which a resolution was passed, sol-
emnly (leclarint^ the conviction of tlie churcli members
that it " would be for the f^lory of God that Mr. Fyfe re-
main as pastor of the church." A copy of the resolution
was sent to him but failed to change his fixed purpose,
and on the 20th of July, he ma<le his resi<;nation final.

The foregoing are all the facts connected with the
change which can be gleaned fro'n the meagie Church
records. In the absence of fuller particulars there is
room for surprise that after having toiled so arduously,
and on the whole successfully, after having overcome so
many obstacles, and when on the eve of entering into a
new and commodious house of worship, in a good
locality, and under favorable auspices, he should have
resolved on quitting this important field. The Bond
Street Church, wliich was now about ready for occupa-
tion, had been built only by dint of his most strenuous
and persevering efforts. In a letter written a few
mo^|ths before from Beamsville to a friend he says : " I
came here yesterday to exchange with the Baptist
minister of this place, and also to solicit aid to erect our
place of worship. By the way, you may be astonished
that we are only so far on with the building yet. I can
only say that it is not my fault, and that if Cheops
or Cephernes had half as much vexation and labor to
raise the great pyramid as I have had in getting up
a place of worship, I pity their shades." " Trebor," the
Toronto correspondent of the Montreal Megister, repeat-
edly bears incidental testimony to the efficiency of his
labors during the latter year or two of the pastorate.
In one letter he says, " I learn that the Rev. 11. A. Fyfe
preached a rather elaborate sermon on baptism a short

lOG

LIFE AND LABORS OF

time since, wliicli produced a jrood effect. Yesterday lie
bapti/fd two per.sou.s out at York Mills, as lie has not
the corvenience of a baptistry in th(! cit3\ This is pro-
bably oidy the b(.'<^dnnin^^ of a ijood work, for I under-
stand that a 1,'ood deal of interest is felt in the subject of
relitifion by his coni^regation, and some have; <;iven evi-
dence of a chantre of heart lately." As»ain a few months
latei' : " Our friend, Mr. Vyf^i, of Toronto, has again, I
learn, visited the waters and immersed si.K persons in the
name of the Triune (}od. Others are expected to follow
soon. May the good Lord contiinie to blcvss his cause in
that city. It languished long amid trials and ditliculties."

These are indications that his discouragement did not
arise here, as in Guelph, from any real or fancied waning
of interest on the part of his Church and congregation-
Why then did he leave at a juncture so auspicious for re-
newed efforts ?

The answer is, no doubt, to be found in a resolution of
the Church which is recorded immediately. before*the
minute of his first announcement of an intention to re-
si jj^n. It reads thus : —

" Ri'solretl, In reference to the communication made hy Mi".
Fyfe respecting Dr. Davies' intended v'isit to Toronto, that lie
he invited to preach a sermon on hclialf of the (rrand Li(jii'
Mission, and that a collection be taken up in aid of its funds.''

A harmless, a laudable resolution, one would say. But
thereby hangs a tale. Frequent allusion has been
already made to the distrust of the soundness of theii-
Eastern brethren on the communion question entertained
by many of the Baptists of the West. This distrust
seems to have grown rather than waned with lapse of
time. In vain the responsible managers of the Canada

RKV. H. A. FYFE, D. D.

197

Luni''

luck"

Baptist Missionary Soci'sty pointed out that tlnir Society
never interfered with tlie subject of communion ; that
bein<; a Missionary Society and not a Church it had
nothing to do with cjuestions of Churcli ori^ani/ation and
order; that, as a matter of fact nine-tentlis of the
cliurclie.s connected witli tlie Colie;^n; and the (Jrand
Lii^ne Mission were close-communion churclies ; tliat, as
Mr. Cramp showed in tlie Hef/iHter of Auf^ust 5, 1(S47,
what the Eastern hrethren were ready for and desired
of tlu'ir brethi'en in the West was simply "union and
co-opeiution in the advocacy of Baptist principle-^, tvith-
out compromise on cither side, (in reference to the
modes of action adopted by the respective societies)."
Under the influence of leaders who made a matter of
conscience of what many excellent Baptists in the East
ret^arded as "ultra views," the fissure widened day by
day until it became an almost impassable chasm. Tlu;
result was that wdiile three of the five associations of
Western Baptists irave in their adhesion to the Canada
Baptist Missionary Society, the other two not only held
aloof but went so far as to lefuse a hearinjj to the dele-
f^ates of the Society. The following resolutions show
clearly their respective attitudes. The Eastern Associa-
tion (comprising the churches in the Niagara and Gore
district^) at its meeting in 1847 passed the following: —

"7^'w/^'e'/, Tiiafc we herel)y record our increased confidence
in the Canada Baptist Missionary Society, and rejoice in the
success that has a!;tended its labors of love; and as it is still
extending its operations, and as new calls are being constantly
made upon its funds, we would respectfully urge upon our
churches the necessity of making every exertion to sustain and
extend such a glorious work."

Similar resolutions were passed in the .same year by

•ii I

f ■

-■.-' " ■

■-: 7

ill

V. .

« i^J

y / ■ *

■

' , s;

- ■m^itJ> :

lOS

LIFE AND LAHOIIS OP

the Halilimand and Johnstown Asnociations. Tlie West-
ern Association, titlier in tht' same or a preceding yean
adopted the follovvinir: —

/i'rsv;/'V'//, "Tlifit it is tho opinion of this association, tliafc
the repoated attempts inad(5 to iiuhice our cluirches to join the
Canada llaptist Missionary Society, which is founded on
princii)hvs t!iat are, in our view, unscriptural, justifies us in
refusing; this and all future dej)utations, a scat in our associa-
tion, until they conform to the practice of Regular liaptists."

'J'he (iHind River Association took a similar position,
and both accordingly refused to hear Mr. Cramp, Presi-
dent of the College and editor of the BfgisUr, when he
presented himself as the agent of *he society. Mr. Cramp,
on his return to Montreal achlressed an open letter,
through the liegister, to the "Ministers and Messengers"
of these two Associations, in which he took occasion to
deny the report current amongst them that the Baptist
Church at Montreal was an open Communion C'hureh,
and that the Canada Baptist Missionary Society, being
managed chiefly by persons connected with that churcli,
was an open Communion Society. He said :

" The Baptist Church of Montreal is a strict Commun-
ion Church. Its rule is that fellowship is to be restricted
to baptized believers. The Canada Baptist Missionary
Society is connected with the Baptist Missionary Society
in England, the managers of which institution have
never interfered with the subject of communion. They
send out Missionaries to preach the Gospcil and form
Baptist Churches, but they leave those churches in the
full exercise of their freedom to make their own arrange-
ments. The same policy is necessarily adopted by the
Canada Baptist Missionary Society. As a society, it
knows nothin^', either of open communion, or of strict

UEV. R. A. FYKP:, D.I).

190

lige-
thc
it

Lrict

comtnuiiion. It is simplif a Baptist Society. At the
samo time it is ])r()i)or to state tliat nearly all the
churches assisted \^y it are estahlished on strict com-
munion })rineipl(vs."

The (litliculty was cnhancc<l l>y th'^ formation in 1845,
or earlier, of the " Western Cana(hi I5aptist Home Mis-
sion Society," in connection with which the " American
Baptist Hojne Mission Society" had undertaken to con-
duct missionary ]al)or in C-anaila Wt^st. lioth these
societies were composed of and managed hy strict com-
munionists of the straitest sect, and as tlie former natur-
ally regarded the Western IVovincc as its peculiar fiek^.,
its existence and inHuence no doubt led to the passing by
some of the associations of the resolution alread}' quoted,
hostile to the Canada Baptist Mi.ssionary Soc'ety. The
Kastern Baptist .' ssociation, at its meeting in Louth, in
1 845, was attended by Rev. J. M. Cramp, and Rev. E.
Savafje, aijents of the Montreal and American societies
respectively. Both were heard before the Association
and after some discussion a resolution moved by the
latter and seconded by the former was passed, asserting
in substance that the two societies were engaged in pro-
moting the same objects in Canada West, and recom-
mending both alike to the churches. But the action of
Mr. Savage did not meet the approval of those he repre-
sented. The exact origin and drift of the resolution be-
came the sul)ject of controversy between him and Mr.
Cramp in the Register, and the action of the Eastern
Association was probably not repeated by it, or followed
hy any other Association.

One of the most influential leaders of the extreme
party in the West in 1848 and 1849, was the Rev. James

200

T.ll'K AND r.AHOns OK

luij^lis. Mr. Inijlis, who was at. tlh' iitnc rdiior of Mm
Mich'upDi (-hrislidn //<'/vrA/, aitctulod tlu^ incctinj^ of tlx'
\V«»st(MM Association at. Havliain in I.SiT. On his j'(>turn
honi*^ lu' wroto an aceonnt oi* his ionr, Tor I ho Jfrrahl.
His rcriMtMn'i* to tho (h'and Lifj^n*^ Mission and thr Mon-
treal < 'olh\L'^o, two ol' the chief institutions snpportfd hy
tht* Cannda IViptist Missionary Socioty, contained tlio
folK>win<j; passajj^o :

" Tho l;i\itv of prlnciph* ui'.d pniclico Mt;uMi<;;st il'.o clnn'clioH
%vith wliich these instif iit ions nrr immcdlMlcly i'<»nn(M'<(>f|, inusi,
sliiiul ill (ho wny oi tluMi" ri'coi\iii^ ('lo ('oi^hiil sn|>[)!)i'l, of (he
ohuri'hos in (lit< west. Tlic liittor are, iihuDst willidut. (uco))
tiou, I'onsish'ut and uui'(>m|>roniisinjj; in the ntaintcnanc*' of
nMj>tis( principles, and on llio quo-stion of conuinnn'on f^M-l
stronijly and act unii(>sit:vtinj;iy.''

Tliis nnd otIuM' allusions in M r. Tnol is' report called
forth somewhat sharp iolnders from Mr. ( ^ranip. editoi'
ot* the /l^'(;^s'^'^, and oci..'rM. Mr. hiL^lis, in 8e])temher of
the same year, removed to London, (-. W., where ho ho-
camo the first editor of the Ivvav geliciil Pioneer, wdiich,
under his editorship for ncMirly two years in Lon<lon,and
afterwards ui^ler that of David Huchan, Ks(|., in Toronto,
did i^ood service as thi? oii^aii of tlie strict Ha})tists of tho
West. One of the chief objects of the Pioneer was SDon
accomplished in the organization of the "Reimlar Baptist
Union of Oana(hi,"' wdiose recoij^nized orji^an it became after
a few months. It would be aside from the purpose of this
work to follow the historv o^' this society, or the Pioneer.
They were no doubt indirectly the means of hastening
the downfall of the Montreal College, and the discontinu-
ance of the lUqisier, by dividing or WMthdrawinff the
support tnese had hitherto received from Western Can-
ada. Mr. Inglis returned to Michigan near the close of

IIKV. II. A. rVI'K. D.I).

201

I M7!) ii«' HiMUiis to liavc Immti a iiiari ••}' i^rcai worth uihI
more; than avcrat^c^ nltility, tlion^^h |HrliM|>s our of thoM»;
who " wIkmj th(iy onco j^rovv Unul of an opinion," /m;
pn^nc to "call it lionor, horw'sty, himI faith.' Mr. liuchnri
\\u\ hi'orj a forcninst and wlioh^-licart'Ml .supporter of the
"(Jana(hi linptiHt Union, " as ijc Mftcrwaids l»('cani«^ a
nniin pillar of the- " lli^j^ular |jij)tiMu Union." Whether
tlui chin^^u of allegiance from one to tlie otimr w/is <lno
more to a j^rowin*; convictiofi of tlu- intrirjsic injportanc(;
of tht) points of diU'erence in inattci.s of diurch or^ani/a-
fclop and order, or to a rcco^^niiion of the fact which was
Itecotnin^ more and nion; apparent, that any la'((c dcj^ree
of MUcc^cHs was impos.sihie on th'; old lin<.'H, the writer ha.s
no nuian.s of jud«^inLj. In either case he I'endered excel-
lent "^^rvicc for many years as tlu; udv'ocatc of the prin-
ciples of tlie " R(;^u!ar P>;iptists," and n douht di I ho, as he
him.sidf says in the prosp(!ctus of the third volume of the
ICvaiuidUud Piaiieer, " not from interest or convenience
hut from a sincere conviction of tluir scriptuiality an<l
their im[)ortance to the advancemcmt of pure (Jospel truth
in the world."

In view of tlie facts above stated whif;h seem to have
been indisputable, that nine-tentlis of all the Baptist
churches in tlie Montreal re<^ion were founded on close
commuiuon principles, and that t}>e subject of communion
was never touched upon by the Canada Bapti.st Mi^sion-
ftry Society, or in the College.or disc issed in the column.s
of the lieijister, the question naturally arises whence the
necessity for division and the on(anization of the Hcji^ular
Baptist Union. The difference .seem.s to have been one
not so much between open and close communion views
as between diverse views and practice In regard to what

202

LIFE AND I.AHOIiS OF

constitutod true close, or strict comnniiiion. Tlie differ-
ence is l>rouglit out pretty clearly in a correspondence in
the Register in 1N4() and 1847 between the ilev. J.
Winterljotham, then of Hrantf'ord, and others, arising out
of the account ijiven by Mr. VV^intherbothani, who as
"J. W.'' was a frequent correspor.dent of the Rajisfer, of
the ordination of a younij^ man, Mr. John Bray, at St.
Thomas. "J. W." said in his letter: —

"There was no greiit clilliculty on any point except that of
fonnuuuion. Although iic avowed liiniselt a strict coni-
niunionist, this did not give satisfaction to the council, owing
to the very u/fni rieirfi entertained by the western fiiends on
this subject, wh.ich ^ lews are nvinifestly of a (huigerous
kind and tendency. It is good to be zeah)us for the order of
(jo'f's /tousc, but it is bad to lord if over the consciences of
others."

To this remark Mr. Bray took exception in a lenfjfthy
letter, allegini^ that it brou<^ht him into contact with
many jealous surmisings and suspicions which threatened
very materially to injure his influence in Western Can-
ada, if not his comfort and usefulness. His animadver-
sions called forth from the editor the following clear ex-
planation of some oi* the points of difference in ques-
tion : —

"It is due, however, to 'J. W.' to state that the ^ ulira
vif'iCii ' to which lu; refers in his communication have not been
mentioned l>y l)rother Bray. On the subject of communion,
undoul)tedly, they think alike ; they hold that fellowship at
tlie Lord's tal)le should be restricted to baptized believers, and,
unU^ss we greatly mistake, they would not refuse fellowship to
biipti/ed believers, even though they should not l»elong to
ft ,'ular Baptist churches. The ground they take is, that
f):iptisni is an indis'^ensable prerecjuisite to the Lord's Supper.
Herein they agree with the English Baptists. Many of our
brethren in this hemisphere go much furtJier. They will not
c immune with a baptized believer, if he ho'ds open-communion

' * >l

llEV, U. A. FYKK, I). 1).

20:}

:tLy
■itii

5an-
Ivcr-
ex-
[ues-

\iiUm

Ibeeu

lt\ion,

ip at

and,

lip to

Is **^
that

)per.

our

not

linion

sentiiuouts — or is a UKMnbor of an optni cominiiniou church —
or of a cliuri;]! iu w lirli tlit'rn arcf iihmiiIkuvs ot' opiMi coimnunioii
priii('i|)I(;s —or which would jiSstaiii from <!.\(!r(;isiii'^ discipliut!
oil .>ucli iMOinbnrs, sliouUl tlioy, under any cii'cunistancos, act
OP tlioir priuciphis. The coininuni(;ant nuist not only b(! a
l»;ipti/ed l)(3liev(»r, hut a uieniber of a rcjyular Haptist ciiuruii of
tlicii* particular kind,"

Rev. George Wilson, moderator of tin; eoiinfiil whicl^

orchiincd Mr. Firay, al^so writes an explanatory hotter iii

which he says that the liesitation was owing to the fact

that

•'Tlu^ council were well aware that then; were difTerent
views of the suhjeyt, even ani(>u'^ those who call themselves
strict coinuiai\ioinsts. Some advocate comnuininjj with all per-
sons iunnersed on a profession of their faitli, and who are
sound in the faith. Others advocate communing with open-
I'ommuniou Baptists, thougli th(;y c;oinmune with Pjedo-IIap-
tists. Some, again, think that ail IJa{)tists should commune
tou;other, and yet call themselv(;s strict commuiiiouists. Tliis
being the case, we could not know what brother Bray's views
wore, by his avowing himself a strict communionist, and
thei'cfore we think it ought not to seem strange that we were
not satisfied simply with that r«vowal."

This brief sketch of the state of affairs will suffice to
make clear Mr. Fyfe's position and his reasons for resign-
ing the pastorate of March Street Church, on the eve of
its removal. Mr. Fyfe, himself, be it remembered, was
and had been from the first, an ardent strict communion-
i>t. Even while a student at Newton, having learned
that his friend MePhail was having serious difficulties in
his church, arisincr out of the diverjrent views of mem-
bers on the communion question, he wrote to him, urging
him to stand firm at all hazards, and ari'uinij at lenffth
from Scripture in support of the views of the strict com-
munionists. He even went so far as to say *' Should I go
to Canada and find you and your people turned oecause

m i-t- :?*:■

• n

1 1'

204,

LIFE AND LA MORS OF

the other party is popular, I should feel rather lonely.
It' the Lord spare me I think I shall stick out as long as
I can find a Baptist to stand by nie.'' iXgain: "If close
communion (falsely so cilled) should become so unpop-
ular tliat there should be but one strid chuich on the
earth, I would say, ' God grant that I may stand in that
Thermopyhe of the moral world."

Holding so firndy these sentiments it is a proof of
fliis breadth of mind that ho found in them no hindrance
i > cordial CO operation with the brethren in the east. Ho
h it be 'Q and was, as we have seen, an earnest worker in
<jij'inection with the Canada Baptist Missionary Society
from the coiiimencement of his labors in Canada. Near
the close of 1848 he writes to Mr. McPhail on behalf of
the lieiilster, urging him to raise contributions towards a
fund to be used as a guarantee to the publisher against
Joss, if he would continue its publication for another
year, at least. He had given his own pledge for $10 out
of . is small salary, and would do what ho could in his
. church. His motives he sums up as follows: — "I am
vei-y anxious to see the Register go on on many grounds,
,b t c liefly because its doing so would be a guarantee
that an effort would be made to unite at some time the
Biptists of the E^st and of the West. If it should go
(lown, then the West would set up its intolerable arrogance,
.so that none of us could co-operate with them. I hope
that when the heat of partyism subsides, some com-
promise will be made, I am very anxious to see this
take place, and but for the hope of being instrumental, in
some small measure, in bringing it about, 1 shoul I not now
be in Canada at all. Ahi>s, the curse of Reuben seemf? to
,have falleii upon us Baptists in Canada ' "

^^t'V. 11. A. FVF,

I) I).

^'ew of these Henti

205

^-d el.t when Dr;r~l'', ^'" '.'« '-"'y "".Je--

"' 1847, and
vinee.

i)a

Was ialio

vies

wlio liad retuine,! to C

■'•mg zealously in the I

anada

presente
baptist Missiona

•^very facility for pCadl ""■' "'"' '>« ^'''O"''' I'-ve

J"- March L:t'c:ti- ir'l"' ""^ «»-■'>■ ^e-
•"^'l "« jet joined no assSatin ■ '"" ^'''"^•=''- "■'"«'•
-t i-eely. refused-t," r" i",-""^ "''•^ '" - P-ition to
^""bt an indirect re ,,7 t! ""^"^^ ''"<"«' ''«'"? no
Safety a hearing itf'l' I ^"n "'"^ ''-"^'"* "f'^e
o"lv that hi. own*" iews'a , ,r ' T'"''''"^ ''-'' "»'
*''«'•'• Jogitimate weight ilrnr: "' '"""' '" ^-^"T
work eo.fortabiy an . "c. S ,''\7''' - 'onger
'najonty of whom coul.l tZJ " ' " ''"''^ ">«

•^ very narrow view of he oW, "' '"''' '" '"■^ "Pi-ion,
^•l-istian religion. Whl " "^"""''^ ""'' '^P'"' "^ tho
-glH or wrong each reX 1 '' ''.'"' ""'' '"=«°" ^-c

'hat clear cut opinion, a„d": ''"f I"' ''" ""^^' " «'"'-
"■•e quite compatible with tl ■''"^"' "^ '^'""'""e'-

convictions of others am, fh' ""?'"''' '"'P"'^ *°^ 'he
-voring of intolerance '°"°'' '''^''''^ ^or anything

•1 If

"I"- •''n'traii

CIIAPTEE XYI.

''t. it

The Tuaoeuy ok Likk— A Bcnule of Lkitku.,— Their Brief, Sai»
Story— A New Orpiikus and his Eurydice— With a Differ
ENCE — Love in a CoriAtiE — The Two Sons—The Rest ok
Heaven— Mrs. Fyke's Decline— A Bed ok Stekerino — ANr) ok
Truimi'h — A Peacekul Death — A Heavenly Trance — A
Faithful Wife— Uttku Desolation — Oiutuary Notice.

X^ID it, reader, ever fall to your lot to read the
<c^^ tragedy of a hniiian life — and, viewed apait from

its relation to the world to come, every life is a tragedy —
in the faded correspondence of the sufferer himself ?
There are few sadder tasks. The mellowinsj influenc ^ of
the years which separated one event fiom another is
removed. Tlie mists of distance no longer affect the
vision as we glance from scene to scene. The successive
events, the t; rrible contrasts, are seen, not in the dimness
of perspective, but set side by side in all the distinct-
ness and intcn.^ity of present reality. In one letter we
trace the ecstasy of the young bridegroom rejoicing over
the bride who is henceforth to be the joy of his home
and the light of his life. Beneath it lies the sheet which
tells the tale of sore bereavement and loneliness unutter-
able. Here we have the outgushing of the fond mother's
heart as she details with a mother's pride the wonderful
antics and innocent prattle of her darling firstborn. In
the self-same bundle is the tear-stained, incoherent note,

I \

UEV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

207

which tolls that the loved one lies cohl and stark beneath
the graveyard clods. One epistle reveals the confidence
with which a whole loving home circle anticipate a brilli-
ant career for the noble youth who is just putting on his
anuor, and going forth exultantly to the battle of life.
Beside it lies the terrible record of hopes blighted and
temptation yielded to, — the f iniiliar, but none the less
awful, tale of vice, crime and earthly perdition.

Not often, happily, is one poor victim called upon to
see in his e iperience more than a few phases of the varied
miseries of which life is so full, else who could em lure
to the end ? But few, indeed, live out their lives to an
average fulness, without feeling the iron of some over-
whelminii- sorrow enter repeatedly into the soul, lih'ssed
are tho«e, and only those, who have learned to hope and
patiently wait for the revelations of the great future.

Such a panoramic glimpse of a section of the life of the
subject of this memoir is given in some half-<lozen letters
now before the writer. Thny are all within the space
covered by the first Perth and Toronto pastorates, and
are all addressed to an invalid lady friend in Brookline.
They tell a story of trial and bereavement which it is
heart-rending to read even now, and which makes one
womler at the Christian fortitude of the man who could
endure so much, and yet go on with all the abounding
labors recorded in preceding chapters, making no sign.

The scene opens with the following, from a letter

dated Perth, August 8th, 184f3, and reveals a delightful

glimpse of "love in a cottage": —

'* Your letter came to hand at a very peculiar period in my
history. I had just returned from ' the lower rej^ions,' (as
Montreal and its neighborhood are quaintly called by those of

J. ^

'¥

■ii,-ii

20S

LIFE AND LABORS OF

us who iiro nearor the North Pole), hringin^ up, liko another
Orpheus, my wife along with lue. lUit, unlike that renowned
hero, 1 Itrought up the said Mrs. F. in a cutter, and wrapjjed
up in skins, instead of carrying her, as that clumsy gallant did
Eurydi(;e; nor did I lose her hy looking l)ehind nie. This
allkii-, togeth(!r with the trouhlos incident, 1 suppose, to those
'settling down,' and the various duties of my vocation, have
compelled me to neglect the claims of friendship longer than I
should otheiwise have done. The only liouse I could then get
was all in disorcUu-, and the little gardtMi was twice as bad.
The one 1 repaired, painted and whitewashed with my own
hands. The other was laid out, broken up and cultivated V)y
the sanje instrumentality. When w^i canje to the house our
friends were pitying us. Now it is quite the reverse, and
several liave resolved, in laying out their gardens, to pattern by
ours. Our house is neat but rer>/ small, not much laiger than
a respectable swallow-house, and the whole establishment is on
the same scale."

A quotation has already been given from a note to
another friend in which the proud and happy father
refers t.o his promising tirst-born son James, " the Ijegin-
,ning of their strength." The advent of "Robert Thomp-
son," was also chronicled in another extract, which
portrayed the fond parental hopes which clustered
around them botli. In this letter were enclos d a lock
of beautiful auburn liair froji the head of the elder and
a newspaper clipping containing the following exquisite
lines : —

" A little son — an only son — have we ;

(God bless the lad and keep him flight and day

And lead him sofdy o'er the stony way !)
He is blue-eyed, and fl.ixen hair has he,

(Such, long ago, mine own was wont to be —

And people say he much resembles me.)
I've never heard a bird or runlet sing

So sweetly as he talks. His words are small,

Sweet words 1 — Oh ! how deliciously they fall !
Much like the sound of silver bells they ring,

And till the house with music. Beauty lies

«EV. K. A. n-FK, D.D.

""fore i.i.'.x ,„y' ,r,:T"''"f ™'""^ •"'•■••

A jocnnd child 18 he, and f„M „f t

Ji>e drops are l,n 'hf «! r "'^ ""^^ ''""•
A. o„n hU^h,„k V j^ - ; ;-;.™iH ; wl-.. the, roll

Of the dee,> ,v..|| „fl„vo'i, •,•'"' "«'H"W"i!{
The human tendernaJn,;"^ '""'■"'•.
Tis pleasant t„ look „., !„"^"- '^">«""-!-

X'bt'r ;';:'c '/;; t'!-."' -^ - »to™

Vet s„ the sttin^' ':' S -'' 7«n-".ne.
iie never nlacpr? ...^ . i • ^"" s>?ianie

^ So he pS:vV,rvtur?^"i,'--'--

^ncl to his God, his r CO f •^^'^"^^ ^^ die,
^ A faithful n,Hn whom n '• '"""^''^ ''''"^^
^or threats of vile deS n ""^ "'''" ^'^^^ «an buy.
^ We ask no more w^"' " '""-'" ^^» "love- ^

The footsteps oTfhe 11171"^^' fft ^^^ ^-ds
This Jamb of ours in ,'7*'"'*^/^'nb, will hold

Where eve ™[::,':r„-rtreT"''-'"i;'/

Vp,%h , '"""« •'''"'Pl'erd feeds. "

■Neither storm, nor bunlen r,n. ^ •
"Por. e.ther of those loved ol I ,"'"' '^"' '° <=""'«
-ere full soon forever "If U^ ' .T' "" '™''" '"""bs
herd. "**'- '» "'e foM of the Good Shep-

It would seem almost »^ ;f *i ,

»o^row must have stolen i, '' ^'""'^"^^ °f '^e comin.

"- husband and f h r evr^f '"^' "''''- "'« ^P"'" <>}

'" -^P ak of his o.„ t iaTs L^ ,-" ""■'"^^- "« «"- on

pastoral work and add, •_ '^'■^'=°"™gements in his

-'09

■i

lam

210

LII'K AND LVIJnKS OF

i: '

"VVdll, tli(! world ill wliicli wa live is, in >iMlly, a i^loomy iiiid
turhuleut pl.'ujo. H'jw rich mid li;)\v swoft must i)t^ tlu^ i-«!-;t of
Uu,iv»Mi. Mow {)reci')us will \)v. the coiitriist to those who
enter tlu?r«i. Th«;ro tlio wiokod coase from troul)liiig and the
weary are at rest.

* No rude alarms of an^^ry foes,
^lo cares to break the long repose.'

, And what seems most precious is that we shall ho n(^ar Him
who loves us. TIk; heart often yearns for an ohject up(»n
which it can pour out the whole treasure of its aflection with-
out fear of sinnini^, without anxiety lest it should commit tin-
sin of idolatry. Our faith is so w(^ak that w(^ hut imperfectly
do this here. IJiit when we shall sm; Him as he is, without
a veil between, then will tin; fountains of our love be fully
broken up. From the taste which we have here of divine love
I can conceive of no exercise so (leli;;htful as the full, unre-
strained aliection which the rede(nne<l must fe(d when they
stand in the presence of tlie One altogether lovely."

In or about the month of June, 1846, botli the
cherished cluldreii wore laid in the tomb, " They were,"
says a Writer in the Register, "lovely and pleasant in
their lives, and in death they were not divided, for the
elder followed the younger within seventeen days.

The sequel may be told in a few extracts. Wiitinfjj
shortly after his return from his visit to Massachusetts
in 184G, the bereaved father says : —

"Mrs. BVfe has been growing worse in health ever since I
returned home, and my anxieties on her accoiuit have very
fully occupietl my thoughts. The hand of Crod is heavy ui)on
me. O that I may have patience and see what is His will and
submit to it. Her case has V)affled all the physicians we have
cal ed in, and she is now so feeble as to require to be lifted and
carried like a child. She has not been able to sit up an hour
for months. . . I sometimes think God has sent me here
to bury everything most dear to me."

This was in M irch, 1847. Again in April he writes :
" Mrs. F. continues to decline rapidly. She has now to l)e

resti

withi

or n(

8he

In tjj

littJel

It s{

make!

Mrj.

fathei

REV. R. A. FVFE, O. O.

•21 1

'tts

vovy

Jhavo
\\ aii<l
nouv
here

I to be

litte I ami ttinioi, hoiui; si» woak as to ho imablo to h('lp her
self. I can liiMf now lior low moans of pain, and f<'«?l j)«m-
Kuailod she is h istunin"^ to tliat placo whon* pains and trials
are unknown. I on jht to n'joiire, l)nt i cannot -I cainiot — as
yet. TluM'(! ai'c niJiny that liav(! some' knov. ledi^o of her worth,
hut I alone cm fully <vstiniate my loss. Slu; is rnmarkal)ly
clioerful and happy, so that many wonder at Ihm-."

The niixb letter is dated .riily .SI. In the nieantiine
tho last terril)lo b'ow has f illcii He *is tr(d)ly bereft,
aii'l alone. The letter is written fi'oni Heanisville: —

'* I have dtdayed answei-in^ your hitters till now f(»r several
reasons. One is, I have Ikumi unusually husy for the last two
months, and this, in my present state of mind, I reckon as one
of my niiiny l»l(^ssin<(s. Had I not heen fut': employed I could
not hav<i obeyed the old Litin connnand, " (Jor iif iililn" I
should have h;'en in ^reat danj^er of eiitiui,' my heai't. l>ut my
lloavenly Pathei- furnished mii with appi'ojtriate employment.
This, howevei-, has interfered with such pleasing claims as
you rs.

" Another n^ason for my delay lias been that tlie subject
which would naturally l)e expected to occupy my letter is still
e.Kceedingly diilicult foi- me to <liscuss. Ihit it is prohabh; that
it will be long, long, ere it will be other than painfid to me.
Hence I may as well attempt it now while I liave a few hours
of leisure. I came here yesterday to e."cchange with the Bap-
tist minister of this place, and also to t.olicit aid to erecl oui'
place of worship.

"One the day wlien little Robert was borne to his last earthly
resting placo (June 5, 18 H)), Mrs. Pyfe went to the graveyard
with us. Jt was a cold, damp day. Whether she took cold
or not I know not, but she was very poorly when she i-eturned.
She went to bed and was confined to it for over two months.
In the meantiuie James, our first and last, was laid beside his
little brother. Oh, how fresh and living they are to me yet I
It seems but as yesterday. 'Time tlie impression deeper
makes, as streams their channels deeper weaf ' In the fall,
Mri. F., still it very poor health, accompan.ed me to her
father's, where she remained during my tour in the States.

1' II

ii 1 I

212

MKK AND LAHOHS OF

H\\3 w-is bjtitor for t\v.> or threo w.jek't aftor our return liitt? in
Noveinl)(!r. IJut slics sojii Wt'gau to fail aj^aiii. . . . F«n'
ii»i)r(5 than throa months bot'ore sho <Ii«Hi her suflcM-iii'^s wore
foarful. l/j) to th(^ last day of her earthly existeiicM! the
intensity of Ium' sull'tM-ing seemed to increase. On the last day
and previous ni<,dit sh'j had no pain. In mind she "/as per-
fectly calm, cheerful, and compose<l throughout. It was not
resignation, it was triumph. There was not a do ;d, douitt, or
fear, to disturit hei; spiiitual f?-ame. 1 scarcely over road of, I
jiever saw, a deathbed where the power of the gloiioiis (lospel
was more strikin<^ly displayed,--' Never saw a deathlxid, itc,.'
did I .say / — I never saw but thrrr persons t'xjihr, and alas, alas,
they were all that J loved most dearly on caith !

" ft was matter of the j^roatest astonishment to those who
visited lu^r and we had many kind friends — that she was so
uniforndy cheerful and happy, in her greatest anguish. Her
faculties were in perfect action till within tweuty-tive minutes
of her death. She had ti.ved her mind upon one glorious
passage which she often repeated : ' IJecause I live ye shall
live also,' About a month before she died I read, among
others, the hymn commencing as follows :

* The hour of my departure 'a come
I hear the voice th.it calls me home
And now, O L )rd, let trouble cease
And let thy servant part in peace.'

The last two lines she often repeated with great fervor, when
i-ecovering from some of her severe paroxysms The last aud-
ible words she uttered, in reply to my que.^tion, were : All is
paace, glorious peace, not a cloud. I am fixed there, ' Because
I live ye shall live also:' Anything she made us understand
after this was delivered in broken whispers and signs. On
Friday evening, (lltli Juna), she had her severest paroxysm.
For an hour and a (juarter she seer".ed to be in the greatest
agony. She then broke out into a most violent perspiration.
She was free from pain and quite sensible, but so calm, so
strange, like one astonished or amazed, and so solemn, that it
was almost as painful for me to see her then as when she wfvs
suffering. About a quarter before eight on Saturday evening
her eyes b3g.ui to grow dim, her breathing became slower and
feebler, and about ten minutes past eight she breathed her

• uf,
llo^
loo)
ffoii:
<^'ann
«eem
dear
^<^noH

in CO/
shouh
liiit 111

Sor

thedi
Were

'"•'■' ''"t such visi n , """• ''"•^' ^mnv Ae v .. '"' '"■

*"i/''"X» at tl,o ti,,,,.' ' i t '""■ '"t'-nv;».,|.s ,.„„|,, ^'"" '"■'■ ""

;'"»•'■ l«'.'ti,.ul,„. ";„"'' ■•""''' '■■'".■ir,„..s,., ] o 1,1 ^^^ ^"^ '"•'■

''" I"""' >'( a .lian ,. '"i;;T" '^" K-v.-. on :;.«'>:" '""-Y-

'"'■'W tl,.,t all i, ,1,' "I *"• ''"••* and for all i ' ,.' ''" "t

■■l-peiii-.s to i,„. .,....■„,' ■><;'*. "ftiMi, „ft,.„ „,|,,,„ 7 P'"- And

fl™ n,a.le „,„ nv,,,Zl f '" "'""" ^ «,„|,l f | ;'' "',.'">'
^' friend fr„„, w).„„ ? '■''■'"■•>' '^""S" in niv U..7 "'"'"•

,7: - ''lank insuu. 'f rr ,"'"' ""'''" >'-ThJ,?"''^

from Hin, if ,' ,T '" "* "'*e '" counsel ,1 '""' « '"

'»'""ot p" Use H-' '"' S-'ace teacl, n " tt; .""Jr""' ""''"'"g

'loar pled 4 'f l' "' '"'■■"■'«■ And that T I "^ »"^ ""«
kno«-r'. '"' "^ ^""- """■"on l,„t to^ \ jr^;', ''f '""' tl.e

. '•! have been ur^enH "'""'^''

■1 company with M.,^ ™'l"ested to yisit the «t * .

■''■ould'ineJt Too nnt 'f '""""■ '"" '"^ve ee ded rV'''\'''"'

;- -l'e.i upon to .„.inT , b^„f '"' "^ •^"- ^ut few
"^egs. iiie vicissitudes of fK^ ." ^"^ ^^ quickly to

---.., ee„i.,e. xor;t:,Erirr'£::

214

LIFE AND 1 ABORS OF

year from the heii^hts of domestic happinncss to ihe low-
est <lct'p ot utter desolation, v^as an oxpLrience which
might cause the stoutest heart to (]uail and the strongest
faith to waver. But in all this, so far as appears from
his confidential correspondence, Mr, Fyfc " sinned not,
nor chartxed Uod with foolishness."

The wife who was thus taken from him in the prime
of life seems to have been no ordinary woman, A few
(pictations from an obituary notice which appeared in the
Register of December 2nd, 1817, may fittingly close this
chapter: —

"She was hoi'n in (Hasgow, Scotland, 12tli April, ISIT), and
emigrated to this country in the yesir 1821, along with her
family. Being from a child of delicate health, and her parents
residing in a country parish, she was deprived of the ad-
vantages of a liberal education ; yet, possessed of a masculine
mind and gifted with a (juiclc obsei vation, strong memory and
uncommonly sound judgment, with great decision of character,
she could scarcely, under any circumstances, fail to form
correct habits of thought, and accjuire enlarged intelligence.
She was distinguished for the elevated purity and correctness
of her feelings^ and those qualities whioh make the Christian
useful and the companion lovely. The hues which marked her
character were neither harsh nor fori)idding, but gentle and at-
tractive. This is confirmed by the fact that the young were
devoted to her, — and those who enjoyed her intiuiate acquaint-
ance, benefited greatly l>y her example and teaching. And
there are many now living wjio, amidst their tears for her loss,
can bless Gad for her friendship, and whose characters will
eternally exhibit the traces of her (juiet but powM'ful in-
riuence.

Hers were peculiarly the excellencies which could make her
husband praise her. His heart could safely trust in her for * she
opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law
of kindness.' She took a deep, living interest in her husband's
employment. Never was a home more happy than her hus-

REV. ?l. A. FYFE, D.D.

215

IcVU

her

at-
;'ere
ibint-

lUcI
lloss,
IwiU
iu-

Imnd s (lurin;^ licr lifetime. Her smile weliomcd him, anA m;uie
him forget his iiii.\i(;ti;^s iind toils. She was his tVieiul, from
whom he never felt it necessary to conceal anythiuf^. This
perfect conlikience made honie very dear. Her constant How
of love mado her accommodate herself to the wishes of him lo
whom she had pli^dited her faith.

As her end di'ew nigh she seemed as calm, iis collected, as
if about to retire for a night's rest. Though her aiiection for
hei' hushand and friends was d«^ep and intense to the very last,
yet a strong tlesire to depart and he with (yhi'ist was very
manifest. She had heen s[)ared long enough hy her Heavenly
Fatlun to see both His wisdom and His goodness in the double
bereavement which had been so painful to her ; so that, while
she shed the tear of sympathy for her stricken companion,
about to be thrice bereaved, she thanked her Heavenly Father
that her darling babes would not be left motherless ; they had
already been taken care of."

her
'she

law
md's

bus-

i '

CHAPTER XV \L

A(JAi>f IN Pkktii — A ToRdNTo Tkibutk — An Old Fkiendhhh' —

iSE(!ONl» MaJIUIAOK — SKETCH OK MiSS KeNUAI.L — A LoVINO

WiKE — Hkh Sore Bkreavkment— LoNfUNi; for Home — A
Hai'i-y Release — 1'ro(}UE.ss in Perth — Wokds krom Of i>
FjtiENDs— A (iooo Work in Brockville— The ('anai>a Batti.st
Missionary Society — A Svecial Meeting— Mr. Fyee Seeks to
Am'nh Constitution — An Earnest Debate — A Resolute
Stano —Oi.i) Memories Revived -The Rksut.t— Views ok
Chitrcii Ini)EI'enoen(;e — Thk Warkkn Lktter— Alleged In-
consistency — Dr. Fyke's Defence.

, LZ)LEASINGLY .significant of the estimation in which
V cJ^ Mr. Fyt'e v/as hekl by the church he first served, is
the fact that on his resignation of the ppstorate in March
Street, he was immediately recalled to the scene of his first
pastoral labor.s. Tlie invitation of the Perth Church was
accepted and he returned to that town in the fall of

Tiie fo lowing from the Toronto Qlohe, shows that he

had won for himself a high place in tlie esteem of the

Toronto pjople of other denominations as well as his

own : —

'• The departure of Mr. Fyfe from Toronto has heen deeply
regretted hy a numerous circle of friends of other persuasions,
as well as those to whom he ministered. Mr. Fyfe was a most
valuable member of society in this city. To many religious
and benevolent institutions he gave the benefit of his great
zeal and activity, both at public meeting-^ and in the transac-
tion of their business. A warm friend of civil and religious

"Ev, n. A. ryPE, d.,>.

hI)orty he toolr j ^

^P^tin the United Sulftt'T':''" ''-^^--'n. were

«'- »^^ ''- 'toi : pii^r •'' f"-" '— the

e."nmo„e«:„e.rt of thatf £!,;,;:':'""'"'• ""'' "-
visited M,is.SMhu,ofu „ , " October, Mr. Fyfe !,„,l

i>eacon Kendall.a verv ;..S 't i "1 "" '''"'''"- "^
be.- of the B.ooka„e church M I". "''^"""''"^ -"«■"-

"rem allusion, i„ hi, earlier?/ ■V^""'"»t at Newton,
found D«aco„ Kendall a trul T ^P'"""'^ "'■^"'ehad
- vvas mini,,teri„. to the B T '''''""'" ''^'P- while

"-.•l".^ .apart of Mseo, ;!::!"" »''""''■ "^ '^ ^^'^
"s.tor in the family «,„,% '"" «« was a frequent

w- formed with L ",''"' "T' ''""'"^' '"""^^H
w-s and had been for yZTL i"""r?- *^'^' •^™'>a''
«a.a to her friends latefin ife not? ' ""''■ "^ ^''« "f^""
yo.r.,. farther from her lotZT' 7"' ''"""« "'^- '
e;;er undertake the care, a^dr '? """ '"''^ '^''ould

''f- 0.vin. to this c reuml! """'""'"'^^ "f -""ri^d
«he. bein.ine.paeitateTfor :t "r' '° "'« ^"^^ '^at
her father.' amanuensis l^e Wa ' .7 '""''^' '''='«' -«
respondenee between the fo' ?! '^t ™^^'""' of cor-
o tamdy and Mr. Fyfe durin.

218

LIFE AND LABORS OF

the years thr,,t I'ol lowed his ixraduation. She it was to
whom the letters from which quotations have already
been made in respect to the first Mrs. Fyfe's decline, and
other matters, w^re addressed. Her health having in the
meantime improved it was quite r.atuial that, after the
keenness of his great sorrow had heen somewhat allevi-
ated by time, the long and faithful friendship should
have culminated in a tenderer feeling.

Mrs. Fyfe, as is well known, survived her husband by
a few years. Of her loving devotion to himself, and
her anxious interest in 'all his labors and cares, it is
unnecessary to speak here. Her high intelligence, her
piety, her intense desire for usefulness, are no doubt well
known to most of the readers of this volume. Her
chronic ill-health and consequent feebleness were a pain-
ful hindrance to the Christian activity towards wdiich
mind and heart constantly impelled her, but as the daily
companion and confidential friend of her husband, the
sharer of all his burdens and sympathizer in every trial,
she exerted, through him, an influence whose full force
and meaning eternity alone will reveal. After Dr
Fyfe's death her deep sense of loss and loneliness
struggled hard with the spirit of Christian resignation
which she conscientiously cherished, and these feelings,
combined with the consciousness that she was physically
unequal to any active service, gave rise to a deep-seated
and almost abnormal longing to depart and be with
Christ and her loved ones. Consequently it was with
something akin to a sympathetic joy that her most inti-
mate friends witnessed or heard of her release after a
long period of weakness and suffering, in the month of
May, 1884. The hour of her departure brought the ful-

n-ith

vice.
I'^iviif

Kofc

pres

siojI

iit my ftj

''idearedl
"^ pei'sof
^^■'inied.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

210

ith of
le ful-

filment of her deepest <leslre. It was the arrival of a
welcome messen<for to hoar her to tlie home towards
which her eager eyes had long been turned.

Mr. Fyfe's second pastorate in Perth was apparently
much more (piietly prosperous tlian the first. He was^
in faet, reaping the fruit of his faitliful toil and plain
speech of five years b»,'fore. During that earlier term of
service he had written thus to a frie'id : —

*'l meet with much oppasitiou. Indeed everything short of
open violence has been dope to oppose me. I have had three
ministers threshing me from the pulpit in the sam'> day !
They lind that a rather small l)usiness, however, as I Jiave never
paid the least attention to them. Some of my sermons have
sent mv hearers away cursing me, and caused tliem to lampoon
ino in tlie papers. But they come hack agjiin. And my con-
stant aim is, hy (lad's blessing, to got at their consciences. I
therefore eo.itinuo to ' r.ss great plainness of speech.' "

Beside this may be placed the recollections of some of

the older members of his Perth conixrefjation, written

with special reference to his second pastorate. Dr. J. D.

Kelloek. savs : —

" Mr. Fyfe was very popular with all classes, the congrega-
tions l)3in<T largo and drawn from all denominations. Even a
few Rom in Catholics frerpiently attended the afternoon ser-
vice. His memory is clierished hy all who were then
{/rivileged to attend his ministrations, and in after years he
was warmly welcomed when he now and then visited this
scene of his early ministry."

Referring more particularl}' to his own personal im-
pressions, Dr. Kellock continues: —

"I would only add to this that Dr. Fyfe is the first minister
of whom I have any recollection. He was a fre(iuont visitor
at my father's house and his genial presence and kindly smile
endeared him to us all. 1 can well remember his faithfulness
in personal dealing. Plainly, pointedly, and earnestly he
i warned, and placed belore myself and otiier young people the

I.:

Ji^^ft

:220

LIFK AND LAIJOBS OF

:Biuue;'s guilt and the Saviour's love. Indeed, he was one of
the few who, in my expeiiencci, let no opfioitunity pass with-
out testimony, in some wt«y, for Christ Jesus. He secMued to
f(!el the great r<'sponsilii]ity wliich rested u|)oii him to cure for
the souls (jf those around him, and wrs especially teiuh*!- and
faithfi.' in (healing with the young Anil so, to many of us,
lie 'being dead yet sp<'aketh.' "

Mr. Jannvs Robertson, anotlter of t!ie old settlers in

.Perth, knew Mr. Fyfe in Montreal, when he had eharufe

of the College there. Mr. llobertsoti afterwards removed

to Perth. To some particulars, the substance of which

;has been already g'.ven, he adds: —

" 1 was a member of the Pertli Churcli during his seeond
pastorate and f can heartily testify that Mr. Fyfe's every
■ effort was marked by the true devoteduess to his work, which
, always characterized the man. He was greatly beloved by
the people, and the fruits of his labors still remain. He wa-
jnost zealous in every good work, and it was with heavy
hearts that the members of his church heard of his intended
removal from their midst,"

It is worthy of note, as an indication that a consider-
.a,ble advance lux'.l been made daring the interim between

• the two pastorates, that the invitation of the Perth

• Church, which resulted in tlie second, specified £100 as
; the stipend proposed.

The following brief extracts will show that his labors '

•during this period were not confined to his own Church,

but were abundantly Idessed in another locality. The

R^v, Mr, Boyd, of Brockville, writes to the Pionetr, on

March I7th,

"On Sabbath, the 25th ult, we. began a series of special
meetings ; on Monday, Brother Fyfe, of Perth, came to our
assistance, and continued with us for upwards of two weeks,
preaching the Word with nnich affection and power. We
have now kept up meeting.^ for nearly three weeks, and the

see

tlie

now

statJ

and I

shoi

I a a

and \

troul

if it

'I'

ider-
'een
'erth
K) as

Lbors '
lurch,
The
,r, on

apecial
to our
^ve<;ks,
We
lid tlie

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

221

results appmr moat (lolii^htful. In the mornings at eight
o'clock, we lii'ld an iM(|uiry meeting, to which [>ersons, some-
times to the number of sixty, canu;, under deep conviction.
The time at tliese moetiiigs was spent in conversation and
prayer. Twelve persons were baptized last Lord's Day, and I
am to baptize eleven or twelve to-morrow."

Mr. Fyfe wrltin;^ to his wife from Brockville during
tilt ie meetin<^s says, March 1 : —

"The meetings are growing rapidly in interest. Last night
the house was very full, and tears were flowing copiously. I
feel that I cannot — I dare not leave at present. Providence
has defeated my plans. ... I nmst just let the friends at
Perth shift for one Sabbath. The place is solenni and our
hands are full of work, visiting, S:c. 1 have not seen such a
crowd of people for a long time as we had out last night, and
we expect more to-night."

Again, March 5 : —

" Here the hautl of tlie Lord has been wonderfully displayed.
Yesterd:i.y was a day of great crowds and deep solemnity. T
have preached every evening and twice yesterday. Last night
about one hundred remained for prayers. As many as sixty
of these were newly awakened. May (iod give them peace
through Jesus Christ,"

Again, March 9 :--

" I am indeed very anxious to get home for I loiig sadly to
see you and to attempt something for poor Perth. IJut after
the most prayerful consirleration we adopted the arrangement
now carried out. I could not leave this interest in its present
state. Mr. Boyd wld give you the particulars of the meetings,
and I am sure the good people of Pertli will rejoice though I
should stay away a month, provided the same work keeps me.
I am quite well, though my work has been pretty constant.
On Wednesday 1 lectured and then came down to the church
and as good as preached immediately aftei-. My throat slightly
troubles me this morning. I have bathed it in cold water, and
if it does not behave I shall tie a wet cloth about it."

} ^T .1

f I:

i -n

1,1 IK AND LABORS OF

Tlio files of tlio MoiitKMil Hegistrr show tlwit tlun'ii^
this year, as in previous one-^, he visited various places
and filled appointments on behalf of the Canada Baptist
Missionars Society. Owinu* to the existence and work
of the Re^ailar Baptist Union and its or<:fan The pjvnn-
gelicdl Piiniecr, and the attitude taken by most of the
Western brethren, the power of the society was evi-
dently wanin<jj, and both the eollefro and The Register were
totterintj to their fall. The following correspondence,
thou^li some of it l)elon^s chronoloijically to a much later
date, is ;L>;iven here as completino- the history of Mr.
Fyfc's connection with this society, and also as throwing
liirht incidentally on the causes which led to his leavinic
the Province foe several years, and to his subsequent
return. The first letter indicates that he was enj^aged in
an earnest and determined effort to bring about a refo m
in the constitution and action of the Societ}^ The author
has failed to find any record sliowing the nature of tlie
changes he so earnestly advocated, but the last letter
quoted makes it clear that they were specially aimed to
promote union and co-operation between the Baptists of
the East and those of the West.

The Register of June 2()th, 1849, contains a notice of a
special meeting of the Canada Baptist Missionary Society,
" to consider the state of the society and its future man-
agement." The meeting was to be held in Kingston on
June 27th, and the attendance of the members of tlie
corresponding comndttee, and other members of the
society, was most earnestly requested.

The Register, whose publication was discontinued the
following month, contains no report of the meeting. The
following, from Mr. Fyfe to Mrs. Fyfe, dated Perth, June

or
le

[,er
to
of

ity,

an-
on

the
the

the

^he

lune

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

223

•30, contahis all the iiiforination availahk' in regard to it.
It sliould he home in mind, tliat the letter was intendetl
for Mrs. Fyfe's eye ordy, and that even to lier lie apolo-
fjizod for havin<.( unwittinj^ly, or for convenience' sake,
cast the story in so egotistical a mould : —

" It is needless to iiiiike any attcMnpt at folhiwin^ tlio diseussion.
T can only ;,nv(! yon a few hints. While I was ahsent, it had
h(!en staled hy Dr. Davies and Mr. (Jirdwood that, if the con-
stitution were chan.i,'e(l, the majority of tlH.' (^)ninuttee nii«,'ht
resi«,'n. I asked whetiier this W(!re settled, for if it were so, then
I at once would withdraw my res(»lnlion, and with it T should
myself withdraw from all connection with their allairs — oidy I
wished them to jiuhlisji to the world this f(!elin.Lr ^'dd to he
entertained l»y the Comnnttee at Montreal ! This tlu^y dared not
do, and they would not have nu; withdraw. Thertifore, the state-
ment was exphiinetl away. We adjourned at seven till after the
sermon. Mr. (Jilmour preached on brotherly love, and called
u[)on me to i)ray. Afte.i*th(f congregation left, we proceed^^d to
vote. Three tinu's there was a tie. Then llewson'd and ]>oyd's
letters were received as proxies, which gave nie two of a majority.
Hut, after a little manouivering, these were withdrawn, and oim
more having decided to vote for no change;, my motion was lost
l»y a majority of one. Here I arose under i»retty strong feeling>,
and stated that, having always acted in an open autl candid
manner respecting this matter, I would do so once more. Having
used all constitutional means for putting an e\id to the constant
irritation in the churches on the sid)jectof con)i'iunion,an(l failed,
I now hogged leave to withdraw my name from the list of tlie
Corresponding Committee, as I inteiuled to ai)peal to the denonn-
nation, stating my reasons for leaving, and for wishing the chiinge
That L did not act from personal feeling, for if there were any
brethren dearer to me than others, they w(n*e now befon; me.
Just fourteen years and two months ago that day, I had walked
into the great St. Lawrencti hand in hand with Mr. Gilmour,
and been immersed by him in the name of the Triune God, etc.
I ahnost broke down. Well, AEr. Cilmour, after the meeting
had sat jjerfectly silent and motionless for three or four nnnutes,
proposed to adjourn till next morning at nine. In the meantimi!
we UHght pray over the matter, and see whether something could

h h ^f

224

LIFE AND LABORS OF

1,4:

Ihi

I) h

not he iloiH^ to jncvciit this itisue. I wont homo (h-joctod onon^'h
and pretty thoroiij^'hly excited, resolveil to leave hy tln^ nioininy
hout for JJiockvillf. It was of no wmi for nie to attend any niory
ni('('tin.t,'f. I (:(»u!d not sK-ej* till four o'clock ii.ni. Then I did
not wake till within ten minutes of seven. Ah the l»oat left at
seven, I could not get away that morning. So I went to tlie
nieeting. 1 w;i.s asked whether I had anything further to pro-
pos(!. 1 said: 'Xo. I had intended to leave hefore the nmeting,
hut having lieen unahle to sleep till four, I had over-slejjt the
time.' Here Mr. (lilmour arose, and in his peculiar manner
Hjioke so;;U thing as follows : — ' Iho. Fyf<i Just stated that he did
not go to sleep till four o'clock, and I am glad of it. It is very
remarkahK; that I, in another part of the city, shoidil wake up
just at the v(!ry tinu' Ih'). Fyte went to slccj), au-l tlnit the very
first person that should occur to me on rcg.iiinng my eit.iscious-
n(!ss should l>e the hrotlier \rho was just losing his, 1 thought
of th(^ time and (•ircumstanc(;s to which he alluded last night.
I recalled the occasion (I had forgott(Mi the numherof the years)
wluiu I took his hand and we walked out, six of us, into the
m ijestie 8t. Lawnuice ; and I nev(!r thought that nol>le river
more highly honored, nor more appi'oj)ri.itely graced, than it was
on that occasion. I rememher afterwards his coming to me, and
asking a recomuiendation to go to ILiniilton Institution. And
I, who had just bef(U'e recomni(Mul(Ml three, felt ashamejl to re-
commend any more, and I told him Ih' would ju-t havi; to fight
his own way. Thankful, very thankful, am I that he has fought
it so honorably and so well. I know thit, though we may differ,
we can never cease to love one another. Xo, death itself
cannot divitle us,' After this, Mr. GiliuiMir moved a resolution
(Dr. Davies and he had spent a good while together), which,
after some modification, resolved itself into three parts, which,
though in a different form, covered the whole ground, and rather
more than that covered by the resolution which had been lost.
Tins passed without a dissenting voice. Dr. IJavies did not vote
at all, I believe. The whole meeting ended well, and I believe
not one left without feeling highlv gratified with the result. Of
course, the action there was not definitive, but it has put tlie
whole in train. And as the meeting refused to do anything
toward raising money till the Executive Committee should take
souu^ action which might tend to restore the confidence of the
churches, they cannot delay in this case. You will pardon me

vvhol

the

thii

letter
Marc'
It vvi

writin

Bapti>

wa.s or

ing- of

«- circi

The CO

i^!

• t1

REV. K. A. FYFE, D. D.

225

the

king
Itake
the
li lue

for throwni;^ this ii.inMtivo so iniu^li into tlii.s o^otisticil Hliape.
It win to Hivvc, time, ainl tlcfhu! Ixifon; yon my own action, and
not IxM'jiiisf! tin; (illicicnt ett'orts of others were nn<lt'rvaliu»<l hy
ni((. I cannot unter into fiirlluM* th.'t.iils at incsciit. I simhI you
a slip cut from th(; Courier. You can make your uww comment;^
n[iou it."

Tliouijjh W(! have no further pnrtitnihirs as to the
clwiracter of tlie rosolutioii thus carried, or its issue, suh-
se(|uent events make it pretty clear that the action of
the special nieetini^ was not followed up by tiie Society,
or its agents, the Montreal Connnittee.

Two years and a half after the events here recorded,
Mr. Fyfe, heing then ])astMr of the Church at \Var»*on,
Rhode I.sland, penned another private letter which
throws some further light on his own views and motives
and on the history of the intervening years. The
Pioneer had in the meantime followed its predecessor,
and for a time contemporary, the Register, in its <lemise.
Like it, too, it had involved its enterprising and liberal
publisher in heavy loss. To the Pioneer succeeded the
Christian Observer, a monthly paper, edited partially or
wholly hj Dr. Pyper, of T n-onto, and published under
the management of A. T. McCord, Esq., for many years
the highly respected Chamberlain of the city. The
letter in question was published in the Observer for
Marc'i, 1852, with an introductory note by Mr. McCord.
It will be observed that the immediate occasion of the
writing of the letter was the formation of "The Regular
Baptist Missionary Society of Canada." This Society
was organized at Hamilton in October, 1857, at a meet-
ing of delegates from Baptist churches called together by
a circular issued by A. T. McCord, Esq., of Toronto.
The constitution of the Society was extremely simple

22G

LIFE AND r.ABORS OF

and practical, as will bo seen from Articles II and III,
wliich constitute its ^'i.st: —

II. "The (losijiu of the society shull i»o to pi-omoto the
preacliiiii^ of the (J,)-ipBl, and tf) diss jmiiiato the Word of God
ill tho Pi'oviuc'O of 0,iu id;i. In orJjr to acooiii[)lish this work
elUoicritly, the society may, /i^uidel hy the exi^^eimy of tho case,
aid youni,' men in prc^pirin.; for th(5 (r >spol ministry ; and ap-
prop 'liito a |)ortion of tli(5 funds in the paym»nit of sala "'\s of
suitable persons as colporteurs."

III. " TIk! Society shall bo composed of annuul nuMubers,
will) sh ill be in «,').)d stanilin^' in our clnn-<-lnM, and wiio shall
contribute one dolliir annuiilly to tin; fumls of the Sjeiely."

" To tlw Ell i tor (if flw C/irifftian Ohsurve)' :

"ToHONTo, bV'bnmry 21, KSoi?.
" Dkau I'>|{()THf:u, — 1 havi! n-ecivcd the enclosed letter f.'oni
lirother Fyfci. It was not intended by the wi'iUn* for publica-
tion; but lis it contains! so mucii inforuiiition, an I so many
valuabh; sti;_fL^'psti()ns suited to our denomination in our j)resent
ciri'.umstani'i'.-!. I trust yon will liud a place for it in th(! nijxt
issue of the Uhaervr.

"I am, Dear Sir, yours, »^t.,

"A. T. McCoiU).

" Waruhx, R.I., December, 1851.
".4. T. Mrronl, E^q.:

"My Dkv! IJiioTHRii, — I was c,'1al to leu-n, from a recent
nuuiber <n 'axq 0't.-^-ri}<>i', that a Regular liqjlist Missionary
Society ha.^ beeji formed in Oanail i. I have lon<,' been satis(i(!d
that nothiuLj b'lt a Canadian Society can elt'ectively (jarry on
the work of ministerial education and of <lomestic missions in
the Province. None but Canadians or those who have lived in
the country some time with their eyes open, can understand the
wants of the people. The j)eculiar affliction of the Baptists in
Canada his been foreign interference and influence — atone and,
too Enj,dish — at the other, too Americin. Society in Canada is
neither like that of Euj^laml, nor that of America •.- and it is as
absurd to insif.t upon conforming; it in eye/v/ ivispect to either, as
it would be, upon mikiu;j[ Corinthian metal, pure sUver or pure
brass.

with
ship,

ile/.l

Dr. C

>'e-(nj;|

JOIIM ;[

with
trans]
on aJJ
<"'/)'> rati
they a|
Cone
each Jl
"or ass
It i.s hi
the k(
i'lcreasj
tlje pl;,|
ha sod.
of its ol

m m

V ii

REV. It. A. I'YKK, D.n.

227

'* Tli(> BaptiHtH (if (.'anudii oil ;lit to In* tlx' sole JihIlco;^ in nynnl
to till! pi'opor location for tlitvir K liicational Institiitioti**, ami in
regard to tho basis or i)Iatfi>r:ii on wliidi tin; iMi<'rj,'y ami tlio
ititcllij^'cuco of the (Icnomiiiati'iii »;an ho ni.ulo to (m -upcratc in
mi.ssionai'y work. I am ^la<l to st;o tliat you Iiav<> takt'ii hotli
tli(is«) points Into yr)ur own Inmls. Let your prcst'iit platform
rocuivo li lilx'ral intfrpn'tation. Let it bu (arrifd out fairly,
firmly, ami kindly ; and thcn^ i-< yot hope for the Tuiptists in
Canada. It will riMpiiin patic;!'*!' and porsevt'rin.i; kin Inoss to
s(Huir(5 the (;o-op(!r;il ion of th i^i- vvliosc; ori^dn, views, and sym-
patliios ai"t> so variiMl. Iiut I a.n persuaded it ein be seeiired on
a libiM'al basi.s. " I>o of t^ood <(uira<j[o and ilo it ' There, is too
mn(d» inlelliu'<'nce and pit^ty am m,' IIk; body of the denomina-
tion to he lon,^' inllueni!<Ml by liie arts of tlu; dema>,'o.i,'ne,
especially when )>ra.'f.ised I)v ni'Mi who have them>elvt;s ito.\ed
th(^ compass on tln^ chief i)oint-i in dtdjate.

• * • • « • •

*' It is hi'^h tim(! the IJaptists should learn to rely <"ully upon
their own Church polity. And tiu^ brethren in Canadit, if fairly
(hialt with at homo and abroad, will soon learn that co-operation
with any society for a ^dvon cud docs not imply church f(dlow-
ship, nor the ai>prol)ation of all th(3 sentiments which may be
hidd i)y till! various membius of that society. The venerable

Dr. Cone, who has always 1 n tlui strictest of tho strict — a

re<,'iilar of the Kecrular I'.aptists— who has written and preached
lonjf and ablv in defons(» of his practice, actually now (;o-op(»rat"S
with horiafiile C;iini)bellit(>s, l'<.r the purpose of securiii.iij a new
translation of the Kn^lisli ])il)ie. \U' does not aj^'re'! with them
on all points, he does not commune with them : but he co-
operates vij^'orously with iheni to se(uire the object on whi(di
they are agreed. No man living umhirstaiids better than l)r.
Cone what Society c(MinPctioiis involve*, fie knows well that
eacii I)a]ttist chundi is an independent body, which no society
nor association can medtlle with. It lias not oidy the right, but
it is bound to guard its own ((nimTinion, making it just what
the New Testament refpiires. And this obligation is neither
increased nor diminished by ihe bieadth or the mirrowness of
the platform on whi( h any general society or association may Ije
based. Still each particnlar chnich is resjxuisiblo for the purity
of its own coniniunioa and for that only. This is tlie first prin-

r:4-

228

LIFE AND LABORS OF

M! >-

ciplc of iiuli^penfloncy, ii^ it is the tiiNt principle of lihprty.
(Miimlii, of all pliii!(!s luuliii- tit; lie.iveiH, slioiiM be faiiiiliar with
these lir.st priiutiple.s ; tor theinj is no country where co-operation
is nion; o-ssiMit'al to siicoiiss, and no (;ou,itry wlure ^-reater for-
bearance is re(piir(.»(l in order to seenr<! it. A missionary society
is not a church, nor a synod of churches. It is a company of
imlividuals who are a^^reeil to co-op(irato for one object, and it
may be for no more.

"Strict communion has been carried on in Canada beyond
iinythiui:; that is known here. [ know tluM-e is not a churcli
reported on the minutes of the Hamilton Coiivention (except it
may bo Peterboro', and J know not but that is practically strict)
which is not as strict so far as receivin.i^ unbaptize.d communi-
cants is concerned as the churches in Ncmv Ku>,dand. Some of
the stron,iL,M;.st churches in this country have for many years
communed with the bii[)tized members of pedo-baptist churches.

" The correspondents of Dr. Williams and I»rother Tiathrop,
and also those of the Yew York Ji/'confer, have practised (it may
be unconsciously to themselvi's) a mystilication on these esteemed
brethren as to the open communionism of the Canadian churches.
The words should have been detined .by the ai^cusers of the
Canadian brethren. For tlus sake of statinj,' my meaning in few
words, I shall <,nve a definite case. Tiie first Biptist church in
l-*i'ovidenc<», the oldest in .Vmerica, has always, since the (lays of
Ko^er Williams, rinnunnicil n'ith baptized heUevo.rs, rcdndifuj
the ordinawe oufij tints far. None need be told of the ability
and intelli,L;ence of this church. The faculty of Biown Univer-
sity have been metnbers of it successivcdy for thre(!-(|uarters of a
century. Now some Canadians would call this clnirch "open
communion," but it has never occurred to the brethren on this
siile to do so.

"I mention tlie above thinjjfs simply as facts. Now, if less
strictness is insisttjd upon in this country, where it is much
easier to be rit,'id than it is am')ng such a diversified po])uhition
jis that of Canada, we cannot fail to see that the rule attempted
to be enforced by souk; in the western section of the Province,
must scatter the r)aptist forces, I am persuaded that the narrow
interpretation given by many to the wonl "regular," and the
bar.sh sj)irit in which unh;v))pily sometiu^es theiv interpretation
liiis been enforced, have made more irregular Baptists than all

fcioii

^^'■\i \

fl>au\

Jived

'lonii

sons

of tiJ

If til

i«»'e a|

Hcarct

feeJinl

I do ,1

niero

And

Jiotio/J

to thiJ

tion of

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

229

less
lucli
Itiou
Iptcil

tlic, open coiinimnioii prt'a;;li(!rs aiul soini-CatiiphcIHte toaclier.s
l»iit t(»;f(!tli(M-. Wliatovur in ovcinlitiic will produce a iciiction.

" Whou the first priiu'ipl(! of l>;i|)tixl Clmrcli p^>lity is fully
<i;uaraMtuc(l, vi/., that oa<'h i:lnirch is llu; exclusive j^uardian of
is own (Jiscipliuc and ordinances, snrfhf no rlmri'h cd/i fear fi>n-
taniiu'i'ion hij (li^lii-ii (in ohji'cf uf ir/n'r/i if hfdrHlij apj^roDi's. If
the socii'tji that an/iS th" a>ii^idancji <>/ a rhiin-h shoidtt (lirrrtlij or
inifirert/// rldimamj power over its ajfair.'^, it should say " iVo/" in
tones of thini'lrr. lint this can nevnr ln' tltr case in a sorietij of
initividmilx (ind not of eh archer.

"Surely all the liaptists in the Province must be agreed in
the important work of .siMidiug the gosiiel to their destitute
f(!llo\v-countrym(Mi. (), were the whole denomination in (Janada
to unit(% shoulder to shoulder, in lliis, leaviny all those points

hich no so(;iety has tin; right or th(i pow(;r to regidate, to the
exclusive management of the severiil churches, vvliat a glorious
day would soon dawn on the whole body !

"I love the r>ai)tists in sp'te of their faults, and though it is
not j)rooal»le that I shall again lift my voic(! in tlu; as.senil)lies of
my Canadian bretincm, yet " I canna forget them." 1 will cn-r
rejoice in their i)ros[)erit3'. May (iod bless the ellbrt.s of brother
l*y[)er, and of th'i other good UK'n and true who have yet
longer borne the bunhu) and heat of the ihiy for their good.

"One wowl about eihicition l)efnre I close this communica-
tion, which has spun itself out Xo ^uch a length. It must be
s(df eviilent to any clear-sighted man that nothing but a Cana-
dian lustitntion can supply Canada with a ministry. I have
lived on both sides of the line, and am satisfied that the d(.'-
nomination in Canada lose much in every way by sending their
sons to be educated in this country. ISociety on the two sides
of the line diffiMS widely in syiiii»athy, modes of thought, ikr..
If tiie candidites for the ministry are young men of talent, they
arc almost sure to be picked up here; if they are not, Canada
scarcely wants them. They lose in sym[»athy and in patriotic
feeling wlien their tastjs and habits -.d' thought are formed iiere,
I do not thin.; any well-wisher to Canada wouhl like t(j see it a
mere appendage, a kind of spirit u;d fief, of the United States.
And those wdio are cibicated liere can scarcely hel[) imbibing tin;
notion or feeling that all countries under the sun are secondary
to this. I do not blame the Americans for their high apprecda-
tion of their country. 1 think it is proper and amiable in men

I l; n

^ Wi

280

LIFE AND )-ARORS OF

to love (heir comitiy. Uut it is ([uito a dilici'iMit airiir wlicti
this f(M'lin<.' is rootcil in the luurt of oiii; who iikmiis to si»<.'iul
his (hiys ill a dillertMit hiinl.

" Your ontor|)rist' fully jirovcs that you arc all aware of those
thinifs in C<uia<la ; and I have luily to wish you most heartily
'dod's spiMid' in your elForts. it you are fortunate in your
t'hoic(! of a professor I have no diultt of your ultimate sueeess."'

"With kinii wisinjs for.yoursrii' and family,

" 1 K ujain, your.s truly,
♦ • "R. A. FvFE."

The i i(lep3Ti(lencft of the iiuUvidual church, the prin-
ciple that "each church is tl)!5 cxclusiv. <y<:\ dian of its
own discipline and ordinan "s," is, it wiU be noted, in
Ml*. Fyfe's view, the cornii-sbone of Baptist Church
polity, and the true safegiard of Baptist order and
orthodoxy. The str^^ss he w is disposed to lay upon this
principle is very clearly seen in a letter which he sent to
the Realster in July, 184'1). 'i'he occasion was a difliculty
that arose at the nieetino; of the Johnstown Association
in that year, in consequence 1; the peculiar action of the
church at Farmersville in roj cting councils, and the im-
position of hands, in the or ilnation of its pas^ An
effort was first made to briii,- the church unde'* /-."'. ure
or exclusion for violation of the constitution < he
Association. The Farmersville brethren leplied ctiec-
'tively that said constituLioii contained nothing definite
or de^'isive on the paint. It, was then proposed to bring
the offending church to the t'st of Scripture in regard to
tlieir action. Though Mr. l^yfe evidently thought the
church entirely wrong in is views and practices, he
states the doctrine of indepondence clearly, ably, and
with manifest sympathy as follows, showing both his
candor and his loyalty to sound doctrine: —

"Sj
'nalviiii

^vrote

tlw. vf*

'i« utui

have si

i'e/jce

•ItUlOlJU

of the
"f o])iji|

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

:8i

"This o.oiuso Wiis at oncn opposed, nn llii' very seusihlo
ground tliiit, tli()U;,'h <i volniitary uiiinn has lh(! ri^'ht to discuss
any ipicstioii wliich it may think proper, it his no rii^dit to />•//
i)\' Jik/ijc any pcrsiin hy any fdlicr standard than its own constiln-
tiitn and laws. That a vnhmtary society has a. rlL,dit to frame
its own constitution and by-hiws cannot i>e <htul)led. These;
may be too lax, or tliey may he over viL,'id. Such points must
he examined ))y the paititvs about to join tin; society. After
havinj^f joined tiie body, all jiarties b(H:oni(! amenable to its con-
stitution and laws. Jiut a voluntary society entirely chang(.'s its
(diaractcr when it ap[)eals to an authority paramount to its own
constitution. An association proceeding to judge one of ti»e
churches comprising U by Scrijiture, and not by its constitution,
becomes at once a ]>resl)ytery, because it assumes that Scriptiu'e
has made direct [)r.)vision for its existence and endowed it with
(MM'tain powers and authority."

In after years, wlicn Dr. F3'fe had returned to Western
Canada and been long and cordially engaged in labor in
connection with its strict conimuiiion churclie':, some of
tli(>.se who had been originally in accord with him, though
perhaps on narrower grounds, were unable to .see the
consistency of his course. The criticisms of such finally
drew fortli the following letter in the Canadian Baptist,
which will form an interestino; addition and a fittinjx
close to the history of this long and inischievous con-
troversy : —

"Some of those who once hailed as my frieiuls have been
making efforts, at various times, to show up my sup[)osed incon-
sistinicy, by publishing extracts from a certain letter whicli I
wrote eleven years ago from Warren, II. 1. ; and by representing
the views 1 now hold in regard to certain (,'cclesiastical matters
as utterly irreconcilable with the views I then lu^ld. I think I
hav<! some claim upon your columns for a merely personal de-
fence ; and 1 owe it to myself, and to the relation I hold to the
denomination, to make one. I might remark that I am not one
of the number who would brand a public man for a mere change
of opinion. I cannot see wherein consists the shame in a man

'' n

(

I 1

^32

LIFE AND LABORS OF

saying tliiit lie is wiser to- lay, in some respects, lian lie was
eleven or more years ago. Yet there are those, ami they, perhaps,
the very parties who could least afford to have the views which
they held at one period of their lives set by the side of those
which they held at anotiier, who are ready to seize upon any
change in the views of piil)lic men as an occasitm of reproach to
tiiein, 1 think this coi rse is neither generous nor just, lint to
my point — / have not chamjed my views an atom. I endorse at
this moment every sciitiment expressed in the extracts from tiiat
now celebrated Warren letter as heartily, as truly, as I did on
the day I wrote it. I have not varied a hair's breadth ; and
were parties and things just as they were in Canada when 1
penned that letter, I would this day protest against them as
strongly as ever. As the large majority of the leading Bajitist
ministers, west of Kingston, were not in Canada at the time that
letter was written, I must be allowed to lefer to a few facts.
Fortunately there are a sufficient number of ministers still left
who can attest, if need be, the statements I have to make.

" When I commenced my labors as a minister in Canada, now
nearly twenty-one years ago, there was no general missionary
society among the Canadian Baptists, except the 'Canada J)ai)tist
Missionary Society,' the prominent managers of which held open
communion sentiments. On conversing with Dr. Davies and
Mr. Gird wood about that ti;ue, they told me that they held
communion with Pedobaptists, merely as a Christian privilege,
which they could and would forego if the exercise of this
privilege was a grief to their brethren ; for that they felt a
greater affinity even for strict Baptists than they did for Pedo-
baptists. These were their principles. Moreover, their 'society'
aided chiefly strict Bajjtist churches. As there was no other
society, I co-oiierated with this, rather than do nothing. I tried
to amend the constitution more than once, so as to make it more
acceptable to strict Baptists ; and I should have succeeded, had
strict Baptists taken hold of the society, for by our numbers we
could have easily controlled it.

"In 1844 I settled in Toronto, still being a supporter of the
C. P). M. Societ}'. In the west, however, strong objections were
ft'lt to this organization and to mo, strict Baptist as I always
was, for advocating its claims. The continued efforts of the
friends of this society to get the 'regular' Baptists of the West
to co-operate, raised such a feeling among the regulars of those

REV. ]\

'YFE. D. D.

2.33

ety'

luore

h w^

If the

times, tliat it became almost ;.ii article of their creed, tliat lliey
would have no fello\vshij> with the socii;ly, or with any that
supported it. The following facts will illustrate this : lu 1845,
when ])astor in Toronto, I wcMit west to ori^anize, if possible,
Homo (Mhicalion.ii movement. J was authoiizcd hv ^omo frien is
in Toronto to promise }?(jOO per iinnuni tor four years, (»n certain
conditions. ]>ut though ail tin; western lirelhrcn theK* pr<*s»!iit
at the meeting (not a very large company) could only promi.se
$200, tiu!y would not allow a single diiector to he appointed
from Toronto! The church and 1 were to he distrusted. At
last one sad, ** We cannc t, co-o))erate with you in anything; hut
give us your nmney, and we will take care of it !"' A year lud'ore
that, one of the "regular" IJaptist ministers travelled on in
advance of (Mk- member of a deputation fiom the C 1>. M.
Society, to break up his appointnumts before he could reach
them. Ill 18+8 a n^gular IJaptist minister, who atlendinl a
chapel dedication with myself, refused to commune with me,
because 1 told him I would commune with an open communion
Baptist, provided he would abstain from practising hi.s views
to the grief of hi . breth»'en. And my associate ..t the cha{)el
dedication actually sat in a corner, without communing, while
I broke bi-oad to the church, after ii.iving preached a seimon !
lu the same year, in the Niagara Association, regarded at that
time as the most favorable to a liberal policy, 1 was refused a
scat in that body, (though my church was strict, s.nd 1 had
always been strict,) becriuse I representetl the '^ I). M. ISociety ;
and the leader (not now In Canada) of the ''legulars" assailed
me personally after he had closed my mouth by getting tlio a.s-
sociatiou to refuse to allow n)e to speak ! Well, at the close of
the next year, I left Canada ami went to Warren, R. I., and
there I wrote the letter referred to, against the kind of reguhir-
ism that I had known in Western Canada — against the spirit
and tendencies indicated by the al>ove facts. Any person can
see the very plain meaniujc; of my Warren letter in the light of
these and similar facts. 1 was absent from Canada six years ;
during this time the "irrepressible conflict" went on and
wrought out; s )nie important changes; and unless tiiese had
take I placti, 1 never should have a-^'ain set my feet in Canada.
In 18:^), wlien the Bind Sti-eot B iptist church recalled nu; to
the pi^torate, I r.)coived urgent letters — (no less than seven-

234

LIFE AND LABORS OF

I! •

'i'^\%

teen v.ere sent to me before I consented to return) from all
parties, pressing rue to accept the call

When I returned, 1 found the following to be the state
of things. The leading open comnmnionists, (Dr. Davies,
for example) had become very sore, and had rjiarujed iheir
(jrouinl on the subject of communion. Dr. Davies no longer
regarded connnunion with Pedobaptists as a privilege which he
could forego in deference to the views of his strict brethien, but
as a duty which he must perform. A more radical change can-
not well be conceived. And he was followed in this by his
friends. And yet these people severely censure me, l)ecause I
cannot co-operate with them, as I did before this change took
place in thern. If any det>ire confirmation of this statement
in regard to Dr. Davies, they will find it in the fyles of the
Watcli.man and Reflector, where the Doctor avows his change
over his own signature, and expresses his regret thab iie had
not changed earlier.

After I came back to Canada, then, I found, on the one
hand, my old friends among the open communionists changed
in spirit and tendency ; while, on the other, I found a
very marked and favorable change among the " regulars,"
of which I had been fu.ly informed by open communion
correspondents themselves. In 1853, at a very large Con-
vention, they had agreed to define what they r.j-^ant bj
''regular Baptist" — one of the most important acts ever per-
formed by them in Canada. They declared the t churches lohich
rmtrid their communion to baptized believers, aid adnn/n4er the
ordinances (jeneraUij through ordained Elders, should be con-
sidered regular . This platform I found when I returned to
Canada I cordially embraced it. 1 believe it is liberal enough
«)n the one hand, and none too liberal on the other. Finding
then, on my return to Canada, people who held the views
which I had always held, and who were prepared to co-operate
with all who held the above views, I have taken hold a,'id
wrought with them, as I should have done, had the same statfl
of things existed when I first entered the ministry. I fearlessly
assert that the scenes which were enacted between 1842 and
1 852, among the Baptists, could not possibly occur now. There
is no tendency in that direction among us. "Regularism,"
which some find it so convenient to hurl as a term of reproach
agai ist their Western brethren, has been very different during

all

iger
iilie
V)i\t
can-
f his
ise I
took
ment
I the
lange
B had

e one
ansred

REV. n. A. FYra, D.I>.

2.15

fchrr last ten jears v.-o^n what it was during tho tnn yoars pT«-
viously. And no man at jiU acquainted with the history of the
denomination could pretend that the " ism " was just the same
during the two periods. Now, out of sotno, hunrlnvl and ten
settled liaptist ministers, west of Kingston, over .fuit/ have
come into the licld within ten 3'^ears, and these include a great
majority of our most prrmiineut ministei's. FJesides, the inem-
hership has nearly doubled in our churches during that time.
So that, with a lilnMal platform, with a majority of new minis-
t,ers and memhers, the " ism " cannot be the s<'ime. Any honest
man might be justified in opposing the spirit and mcjisures ot
the first decade, while he might be a defender of those in the
last decafle. During the hist twenty-one years, I have never
changed in my views or practice in regard to church order.
Since; I leturned to Canada, 1 have avoided menlioning these
old grievances, so n»auy were grieved ajid pained by them ; and
1 should not now have alluded to them, had 1 not wished to
vindicate myself, and to remind my brethren in the ministry, of
the blessings we enjo}'^ as compared with the piist. We are in
the enjoyment of peace now, and ail we require is to cherish
the spirit of confidence and brotherly love toward each other,
and to maintain, in the spirit of Christ, the platform on which
we have so comfortably co-operated for tlie last ten years.

" I am, very truly, etc,

« R. A. Fyfk,

"Woo^sfcocli, Feb. 9, 18G3."

r, H

c"^;- ■^:^p^~^

CHAPTER xvnr.

RE.VS'iX.S FOR LkAVIVO CaNADA — KKSiaXATlOX Ol'POSED ~An" Eahnkst

Froi'kst — Skttlemknt in WAKuioy — Pi>.\iN Pkkachim; ani»
ITS Kkfk(vi's— A Sroc-fcissKiJL I*Asr()K\TK — A Fault Confkssku

— A l*U(>FFKliKl> H;).VOK--A Cltiri'rvr. I*KRI(H)— KXTRArTS FROM

Skkmons— SiioiJLU Christians Muddlk with Politics -Ohij-
<;ations op Christian Citizknship — The Fugitive Slave
Law — pRiNCiPLKs Discussed — A Rule Laid Down — Are
Slaves Morallv Bound by the Laws of Their Masters?

'WJHERE can be no doubt tliat the facts and corre-
Ij^ spondence given in the piecedin<T chapter indicate
Mr. Fyfe's main reason for resigning the pastorate of the
Perth church and leaving the Province. On tlie one
hand his loyalty to the Canada Baptist Missionary
Society and the cause of Baptist union had, as he him-
self intimates, made his rehibions with his Western
brethreii constrained, if nob painful. On the other, the
failure of his effort to reform the constitution of the
Society, and the modes of working of his brethren in the
East, had disheartened him and caused him to despair of
.any cor'lial co-operation, to say nothing of closer union,
between the Baptists of the two sections. With the
hope of such union, the main bond which had for some
.time previous held him in the Province, was taken away.
Hence his determination to seek a more congenial and
•piomising field of labor.

BEV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

237

UN K!^T

ASl»

•KSSKD

-Obu-

»L,AVK
— A HE
KR-S t

His brethren of tlie Pt'. th church were, ns has ahva«ly
appeared, filled with diMippointineut and rei^rct at Ids
intended departure. Tli y did tlieir best to prevent it
The minutes of the church state that tlie nieujbers at Hrst
refused to accept his prulKn-ed resi<^nati.'>n, and only <lid
so reluctantly at an adj^nirncd meeting. The following
letter explains itself; —

•'Pkiitii, Sept. 29th. 1884.

*'DiiAR BiioTiiKR, — In churoli meeting to-day, liro. Tliomsoni
moved, seconded by Bro. Kellock, tlie following resolution,
svhich was carried unanimously, and which I was instructed
to communicate to you: — ' Tliat the church having heard the
determination of Mr. Fyfe, in regard to his resignation, feels
very great regret on account of the step which he is t;ikin<^,
and, although unable, from the terms of their connection, to
claim his remaining as a rii,difc, it cannot hut express its con-
viction th it his leaving at this time does not appear to it to
be altoge!:.her th.e path of duty. It, therefore, very strongly
urges him to a reconsideration of tlie matt r, before taking his
final step.

" 'The very evident tokens of Divine favor which have been
given in connection with his labors in Perth, make this
expression of the churclx's opinion, a duty of the most im-
perative kind. '

" I need not add, dear brother, that my sentiments are in ac-
cord with those expressed l>y Brother Thomson and Biother
Kellock. Nor need I say how much it will grieve me to know
that your determination cannot be altered. I know that God
can work in this place by another, as well as he can by you ;
but will another ever be to "s what you are ] Will any people
ever love you as we do? Na never J

*' Yours truly,

M. Mf^DoNNKLL."

Mr. Fyfe left Perth probably in October. In that
month or November, he was invited to preach for a few

Sabbaths for the church in Warren, Rhode Island. His

hearers were so well pleased that on the Gth of Decern-

2:^8

LIFE AND LABORS OF

her the church voted that he be invited to bocoiiie its
p.istor. He accepte<I the invitation, and fur about t!»roe
years and a ]ialf labored VL'ry acceptably in that Hi'ld.
Throuj^li the kinihiess of the prosent clerk of the Warren
Church, and of Rev. Louis A. Popje, its pistoi-, some few
facts Imve l)een j^atheretl in respect to his work in
Warren. His preachini^ there was characterized by the
same straightforwardness and plainness of speech for
whicli it had been conspicuous in Toronto and Perth.
His words, the clerk says, speakinj^ from Recollection as
well as from the book, were so direct and pointed that
some persons in the coni^reg.ition became solicitous t(»
know who had been describing their personal characters
to him. Soon after the commencement of his ministra-
tions there was a marked increase of reliiifious interest
*' Converts ottered themselves for baptism, and wanderers
returne<i to the fold. The congregation continually
increased in numbers, and the church was gieatly bless-
eJ." Here, too, as in Canada, he interested himself
warmly in the missionary cause, and exerted hiniself
spuclally on behalf of the Grand Ligne Mission. He was
the means of awakening a greatly increased interest in
missions. Dur.ng the first year of his pastorate the
church, by no nieans a strong one, raised about §700 for
missionary and other benevolent purposes, not including
a box of clothing, valued at $150, coi tributed by the
sistei*s of the church for the Grand Ligne Mission. In
1852 the benevolent contributions, under the operation
of a systematic method introduced by the pastor, reached
the largest total known in the history of the church.
There is, surely, no better criterion of the spirituality of
pastor, or Hock. Nor did they wholly forget their own

REV. R. A. KYFE. D.T).

2^9

interests, for in tliis ycur the church purchased a tine
organ, costinL,^ S 2,. ')()().

Mr. Popi) rt(hl.s that Mr Fyfe "was very popuhir, and
{gathered l)y far tlie hii'i^i'st, conp^rogation in tho history
of the churcli." "The conoicgation came to average, on
pleasant Sundays, five liundred persons, an immense
number for any churcl). Mr. Fyfe's eloquence aiul
general vvinningness of manner largely accounted for
this great enlargement. The increase in the congregation
continued up to the very end of his pastorate. It may
be safely said that the Warren church never was served
by a better preacher than Mr. Fyfe."

" While he was at Warren, II. I., I ot'ti'.n met him and
formed a very pleasing acquaintance. I felt that he was
a njan of most lovely spirit and of great promise." So
writes Rev. A. P. Mason, D.D., Secretary for New England,
of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. There
is a pleasure, which we would not readily forego, in
accumulating testimony, and especially the testimony of
those whoaro themselves occupying posts of distitiguished
usefulness, to the virtues of our departed friends.

There is no perf ction in human character. Dr. Fyfe
would have h^an one of the last to claim any approach
to it in his own history. Even some of the traits which
were the very source of his power, such as his native
strength of will, and his warm-hearted impulsiveness
verging on impetuosit3% may have occasionally betrayed
him into indiscretion, and given occasion for reproach.
Some such shale seems to have baen momentarily cast
upon the otherwise bright picture of his Warren pas-
torate. No particulars are to hand, nor are such neces-
sary. The incident is alluded to only as a biographical

LIFE AM) LA rums OF

ll |i|

i'jK fc. Sufrict' it to say that tl»o fault, of whatovor nature,
iuvolvo'l no moral turpitude, and was repented of as soon
as hroUij^Iit home to consciousness. Peih.ips no nearer
approach to al»solute rectitude can i»e hoped for in falliMe
humanity than tliat of tlie man who, wliil' dliu ivs striv-
ini^ enrnestly to do the rii'lit, and <ienerallv sutceedinsf,
is, wlien he now and then fails, (juick to discover, and
brave to eo'ifi ss, his errors in opinion or conduct.
Nothinnf hut a ^rand Christian manliru.ss could jL»;ive one
grace to say, as Dv. Vyie said, in sul>stance, on the occa-
sion referred to : "Thou<^h innocent iu act a id intention,
I have done wrong. I liave brought piin to tl)e hearts
of my brethren. I have given t > tliose who are not
followers of the Master occasion for repioich. I am
deeply sorry. Brethren, forgiv,' r !" It n ed not be
told that the forgiveness asktid \ "reely and heartily
bestowed, and the strong bond of mutual eontido-nce and
love thus re-knitted, maintained, so far as appears, un-
broken to the en<l. When he left for another locality in
June, 1S.53, he and Mrs. Fyfe carrleil with them letters
of cordial aid affectionate recommendation from the
church he had so well served.

Amongst the few private papers referring to this
period of his life is one from Providence, by the corie-
spondin^' secretary of the Rhode Island Alpha of the
Phi-Beta-Kappa Society, notifying him that he h id been
elected a meniber of the society, at its annual meeting.
There is nothing to show whether he availed himself of
the proffered membership, but this .spontaneous action on
the part of that society affords an indication of the esti-
mation in wliich his character and talents were held
beyond the limits of the locality in which he lived and
labored.

REV. U. A. FVFE, D.D.

241

Aire,
soon
•aver
llil.lc
driv-
eling,
, and
rIucI.
:e one
occrt-
■ntion,
hearts
re not
I am
not be
leartily
i\ce and
rs, un-
lity in
letters
in the

At tlu> tin»o of his sojom-ii in Hliodc Islund, Mr. Fyfe
may justly he consith'red to iiavo nearly ri ached the full
maturity of his powers. Some of his .sei-mons, which
hear internal evidence of having; heen prepared durinf;
the Warren j)astorate, are amonijjst the finest he ever
delivered. TIkjsc were stii'riu<r times in tlie United
States history. Political excitement was at fever heat,
and <^reat moral issues were involved. Like the years of
stiu«j<xle for liherty of conscience and religious e(piality
throuj^h which Canada ha<l just passed and evi^n in a
still j'-reater degree, it wms one of those occasions in the
history of a people which the pulpit cannot ignore-
When such a struggle as that wdiich aro.se in connection
with the Fugiti' ; Slave Law is in progress, the minister
( f Christ cannot look on in cowardlv silence, without
pi'oviiig recreant to the very spirit of Christianity.
Robert A. Fyfe was not the man to .shirk duty in such a
case. He spoke out freely, boldly, yet with singular
calmness and moderation. The limits of this volume
will not admit of more than a couple of extiacts, but
those will be read with interest, not only for the sake of
the very important piinciples di.scussed. but also for the
clearness and ability, rising sometimes into genuine
eloquence, with which the speaker's views are presented.

The following is from his Thajiksgivin?; Day sermon,
Nov. 25, 1852. The text is Exodus xviii., 21 :—

"At certain times, and nmoug certain people at ul'i times, it
is common to denounce party politics, to speak as if there was
something very corrupt and bad in the mere connection] with
any organized political party. This liorror is professedly felt,
not with any particular party, but with party ism. . And
specially are religious men denounced, if they meddle with
party politics. And many simplediearted, good people refuse

242

LIFE AND LABORS OF

to join any of the o»g;inized political parties. On the one hand,
it must be confessed tluit there is often a great deal of corrup-
tion, venality ajid trickery, connected with party politics ; and
good men and true may feel ashamed and mortiiied to he in any
way connected with such things. And there may l)e times and
circumstances when men may refuse to act with the party
which tiiey have usually sustained, without meriting the
reproacii of being deserters. For example, the great leaders of
the party may suppose that a crisis has come — and if we are
to lielieve politicians this country has experienced very many
crises — and tlioy may co'nmio the party to a certain pr)li.iy.
That is a new issue and I may refuse to adopt it. f I am
under some obligation to respect the principles and judgment
of the leaders, they are under o])ligation to respecrt those of the
people by whom they are sent. If the leader.s have a right to
think for themselves, so have the members of the party. And
they can be icept togetiier only by mutual concessions, l^ut
though there may be circumstances which justify breaking away
from a party — such as gross corruption or change of platform
by the leaders, yet, on the othe" hand, we must bear in mind
what all this outcry against party politics generally means.
The cry 'I do not believe in party politics,' may be reduced
practically to this, ' I want to join a third party.' In popular
governments a company of neutrals has in some sense the in-
fluence of a third party. And very generally third parties, no
matter whiit called them into being, become more venal, and
really occasion more corruption, than both the leading parties
could have pei-j)etra<,ed without them. Like I<ord Stanley's
army at the battle of Bosworth, they in the end join the party
that will pay them best. Whatever may be the professions of
men, this is generally their practice. Years of obser 'ation in
another counti-y, and the perusal of the records of the past, have
convinced me that third parties in politics must, if they would
not remain mere cyphers, combine with those who will give
them most induence and weight. And this very necessity in
their case would in time corrupt angels.

" Agaiii, political parties in a state, if conducted upon hon-
orable principles, are a blessing and not an evil. I should
deprecate the putting of all the power and patronage of this
vast country into the hands of any class of men, unless there
were a str-^ng party whose interest it was to watch their pro-

The

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

243

-J

and

Lrties

tley's

baity

Ins ot
)n in
I have
/ouUl
give
[ty in

lion-

Jiould

t this

I the re

pro-

ceedinfi^s. If men were perfect this wonkl not he needed, hut
human perfection does not exist. And in every free country
on earth there are paities, and the 'outs' are a check upon tlie
*ins.' The luere fact tliat a politician hek)ngs to a particuhir
party is no reason wliy he shouhl be denounced, for those wlio
denounce party politics are themselves virtually memliers of
another party, whose creed is not avowed, and which is not so
thoroughly organized.

" But is it meant hy denotincing party politics to condemn tlie
dishonorable tricks, the frauds ar.d corruptions which are
practis'^d? These things are (juite as Avorthy of denunciation
when associated with any politics as when tliey are connected
with parties. The dishonora))le course and tlie coiiuj)tion
should be denounced wherever found, but I know not that tliev
belong necessarily to parties any more than to politics gener-
ally, or to the conduct of fallen men generally. I am suspicious,
therefore, of this outcry against party politics. It seems to n»e
that a good citizen will act with that i>arty which is, in his
judgment, upon the >vhole, more nearly right, lie shouhl not
leave it l>ecause it does not in everything meet his ideas.
Unless it violates fundamental principles of right, it should not
be forsaken.

"It is a common thing among some Christian people to
counsel against meddling with politics. They are corrupting.
And sometimes the most venal of the partisan newspapers will
piously repeat this advice to Christians and to Christian
ministers. I ({ueition not the piety and sincerity of many
Christians who feel thus, yet I have long questioned the wis-
dom, or, indeed, true piety, of their course. I see not how
Christian men can consistently pray God to give them righteous
rulers if they give up their election to tVie devil and his ser-
vants. I see not how they can have wise and good men in
authority unl'^ss they help to place them there. It is true, if
a Christian man engage in politics he is in danger of going too
far. He may l)econie a mere partisan without principle or
honesty, or he may become involved in some of the dishonor-
al)le movements which are too often ttiken as proof of fwlitical
wisdom, fie rnay have his spii'it chafed or cankered by coming
in contact with others. All this is true ; and the only safe
guard I can think of is great watch-care and Divine protection.
The question i^, Has (jlod made it my duty to take any interest

24*

LIFE AND LABORS OF

in tlie cliar.icters of those who may be appointed to authority ?
If he has, iheu there must be n way iii which I can clischarfie
my duty without disgrace or stain. Nay, there must 1)6 a way
in whicli I can please (»od in so doing, Theve is no necessity
for acting in a wrong manner, or in a bad spirit, even in party
politics. I do not think, therefore, any Christian man should
shrink from his duty in political matters more than in anything
else. A man is in great danger of becoming too worldly if he
engage in business. And yet no one thinks of saying, 'You
must give up all business for fear of cultivating the spirit of
covetousness or avarice.' All we can say is, 'Set a double
guard at the point of danger.' "

Aiv nut r.u'so wi.se words? If there is so much of
corruption, of venalit_y, of extravngauce and fraud in
Canadian politics to-day, as mast of us are apt to think
and declare, would it not be well for Canadian Christians
and Canadian ministers to ask themselves whether they
are doinaj their whole duty in the matter ?

Another sermon, based on Mark xii., 17, and bearinjr
on the Fugitive Slave Law, contains the following spirited
passage : —

"It is asked, Should this law be strictly enforced? Some
ar»3 found also on both sides of this (juestion. There are those
who would regard this law as a mere form, as something passed
to blind or pacify the South. To this view there ar'^ decided
oV>jections, Legislators should never play at law-making. It
is too solemn an employment to be treated in this way. And
that law which is not designed, or is not fit, to lie enforced
should not be retained in the Statute Book. Does this law
violate the law of God 1 Some atHrm and others deny. On
this point we can judge for ourselves. 'Thou shalt not deliver
unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master
unto thee. He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that
place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh
him best. Thou shalt not oppress liim.' There are many
other passages of similar character and import, but one direct
passage is all that need be presented. I suppose that this

(}

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

245

Some
tliose
assed
ecided
II
And
forced
^is law
On
Ideliver
Imaster
lin that
Uketh
many
direct
[at this

principle laid down in the Word of God is not to he used to
protect a criminal a slave who has rohhed his master and
then aUsconded. And in the case of Philemon and Onesimus,
of which so much use has lieen made by slave-holdeis, tlie fac
is overlooked that Onesimus robbed liis master, and was pro-
Viably restored to him by the Apostle on that account. There
is no way that I can conceive of evading the force of the above
passage quoted from the 2.ird chapter of Deuteronomy, 15th and
16th verses. This precept was given to the Jews, what then?
Surely it will not be asserted that Christianity is less h'unane,
less .anxious to protect the rights of suffering humanity, than
was Judaism. And those masters who are so eager- to recover
their slaves that they are willing to bear all the diihculties and
obloquy which slave-catchers nmst meet in almost any part of
the Nortliern States, are very often the very characters to
whom slaves should not be returned. I should (piestion or
doubt the existence of kindly or generous feeling in those
who s.hould show themselves so anxious to recapture tlie fugi-
tive, and so indifferent to public sentiment. Be this correct or
not, I say we cannot overlook the law of God already (pioted
in regard to those who hare been guilty of nothing but escaping
from bondage. Or, take the practical rule laid down by cur
Saviour : 'Therefor(; all things whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so to them.' Apply this principle
to the case in hand. Neither the color of a man's skin, nor his
poverty, nor his ignorance, or want of intelligence, can possibly
affect the force of this great rule for the guidance <»f lunnan
conduct. I conclude, then, that the recent enactment in regard
to fugitive slaves clashes with the requirements of the Holy
Scriptures — that the claims of Caesar interfere with those of
G d. The question is, How are we to act in th's case ? Why,
1 suppose we must t^iijl'cr the consequence of that law till we
can, by constitutional means, effect its repeal or modiHcation.
Suppose a fugitive should come to me and ask shelter and pro-
tection, he should have the best I could give him, always
supposing that he is not a criminal. The new !aw tells me I
do so at my peril. Well, 1 shall meekly face the peril. If I
am called uppn to assist in capturing a slave, I lefuse, dis-
tinctly understanding that I am liable to n heavy fine for so
acting. On the other hand I would not Join any mobs to rep-
cue captured fugitives from the hands of the officers of the

246

LIFE AND LABORS OF

\\w. In the principle I am endeavoring to explain, there is i\o
active opposition to the law, but a passive ol»edience to it. For
in one point ot view law always gives man a choice, It says to
him : — ' Do this and such shall he the results,' or ' Leave it un-
done and other consequences shall follow.' We make our
clioice between obeying men, and obeying God, and we are
r(?ady in His strength to meet all the consequences which a
in )d3>t, huinhle and meek obedience to his requirements may
entail upon us. It appears to me that somewhat too sweeping
doctrines have bean proclaimed in liigh places in regard to the
oldigatoriness of the instruments of hunian governments. For
example Judge Judson recently said: ' We are led to believe
and know that the constitution of the United States, framed
as it was in wisdom and patriotism, is our paramount law, and
must guide and govern every man who has taken his oath for
its support. No man's conscience can justify its infniction or
excuse its rejection, in whole or in part.' Now this latter part
especially appears to me to contain a very grave, and somewhat
dangerous, doctrine. And it is the more dangei-ous because
the whole opinion contains so much truth. Accordirg to the
above doctrine, it would be impossible to amend any constitu-
tion that had lieen confessedly framed in wisdom and patriot-
ism, and there could Vxj no possible progress in the science of
government. Every man w^ould be compelled to perpetuate
forever an error which his forefathers had not discovered. I
protest against any human instrument whatever being exalted
to a dictatorship over conscience, exoept so far as that instru-
ment accords with the revealed will of God in respect to the
matters of which it treats. But whilst I would reject the
doctrine of Judge Judson as trenching upon the true province
and authority cf conscience, I would with equal earnestness
irebuke the spirit that would trif ..^ with so solemLi an instru-
ment as the constitution of a great country. It is not every
hand that should be permitted to touch such a document. Nor
are the men who will do nothing till it be altered or explained to
their liking, worthy of being heard on so scyious a subject as
altering a constitution, for they have not yet learned the first
principle of a good popular government— viz , forbearance.
Wise men have long ago learned that there is nothing human
which is entirely perfect, and should everything be pulled to
pieces and altered as soon as an imperfection is discovered in

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

247

it, nothing iiuman conld be established for twenty-four hours
together.

• • • • • • •

It is a happy circumstan'^e that in most of the real occur-
rences of life, tiieie are accidental properties which will help to
teach a really sincere and honest man his duty in the case. In
tV ^ case of each fugitive slave, for example, there will l)e cir-
cumstances that will help to guide us in our treatment of him.
It may be a woman fleeing to preserve her virtue, or a man
escaping from cruel oppression, and the w rath of an uni-eason-
able master. For though such things are happily of compara-
tively rare occurrence, yet I believe they tlo occur. There
may be a liundred circumstances of a similar character tliat
may direct the honest and benevolent. On th'5 other hand
the whole system of sending to the Soutli, or any where else, to
entice away slaves, to preach insurrection or circulate in-
flamatory publications, is worse th-n foolish ; it is a violation
of the whole Spirit of Christanity. And the fugitive who
should arm himself and defy the law, would most certainly, so
far as I am concerned, be left to fight his ow-n battle. For a
man with his spirit could be no good citizen in a free country.
The ground which I should take, and try to defend, is this. A
simple fugitive, not being a criminal, who should (juietly seek
protection from us, should have it — and should sucli a one be
accused of crime, let his guilt be shown as that of another man
would be. He could not be tiied fairly at the South under
exi.sting laws ; then let him be at the Noith. And if found
guilty of nothing but claiming his freedom, then he should not
be given up, because this is expressly forbidden by the word of
God: — "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master, the servant
which is escaped from his master unto thee." Because it is in-
human to do so. The fugitive comes to us, an outcast, a home-
less wanderer. He is destitute of means. He is without friends.
His heart knoweth its own bittterness and alas, it is an utter
stranger to joy. Wife, or child, or home, he has never been
permitted to call his own. He comes therefore as a living draft
upon our humanity and charity, and it is cruel to dishonor the
only human confidence that he has ever been permitted to
cherish. He shoild not be given up because doing so, would
violate the sacred law of hospitality to the stranger. Thus we
are forbidden as Christians, as men, as social beings, to deliver
uj) the fugitive to his master."

248

LIFE AND LABOKS OF

The Fugitive Slave Law is happily long since a dead
issue, and, more happily still, the "institution" itself
lies buried in the same grave. Wer6 it not so, some of
as mig' t be disposed to question the soundness of the
views txprcssod in the foregoing, in one or two par-
ticulars. The assumption that the slave was morally
bound as a citizen by the constitution and laws, not of
his own country, for alas ! he had none, but of his
master's, seems especially open to objection. Much might,
perhap', be sai<l in favor of the converse of the pioposi-
tir.ii based on this assumption.. Had a Canadian or
Americfin Anglo-Saxon been the slave and the negro the
master, we are not sure but that even Mr. Fyfe's views
would have been so muoh modified, unconsciously, of
course, that he would have been rather inclined to say
that the fugitive slave who would not, if opportunity
offered, arm himself and resist recapture to the death'
could be no good citizen. But those were ticklish times,
and it was no doubt wise for the moulders of public
opinion to keep well within tlse mark so long as any
hope of a peaceful solution remaine 1.

The following extract from *lr. Fyfes letter making
his resignation of the Warren pastorate final, sufficiently
explains itself : —

"About a iiioutli siuee lintiniatod to the ConnuittGo that on
account of my not hi-ing ahlo to iivu upon my salary, and
for reasons personal to myself, 1 shouM have to resign my
charge of the church. HubsequeniJy the friends ca no jiromptly
forward and proposed raising my salary so as to remove that
difhculty out (jf the way. When this was first intimated to me
1 for a moment wavered. Jiut upon a ri^view of the c:»se I have
concluded to tender my resignation notwithstanding,. My reasons
are mainly of a |)er^onal character and fully satisfy me that this
is the best course, although 1 do not think it best to comnuini-

REV. n. A. FYFE, D.f).

249

<'iit(' those reasons r ,.,.

i- ii

-If

! !

CHAPTER XI \.

♦Call TO Mii/.vaukkk -Also to Canada -MtiAVACKKK Choi-jen— Two
Busy Ykaus— Pkace-Makino — Founding Educational Insti-
tutions — "8i'iRiTisM " — Re(;all Tf) Toronto — Farewkll
Words -Rrasons for Leaving— Christianity Cosmopolitan
— Faithful Friendships.

►ft ^T?N

,'^ED ECEIVED a unanimous call from the Milwaukee

;^'V church and accepted it, on Tliur.sday, Nov.rjrd
1853. L'lfb Brojkline Nov loth, and reached Milwaukee
on the 19th."

Such is the brief record, in a few pages of diary which

Lhave been preserved, of Mr. Fyf(3's next pastoral engage-

^nunt. The original letter of the church clerk, conve^'ing

rthe call, contains no farther particulars except that the

stipend otfere;l was at the rate of one thousand dollars

per annum.

In a uDtice of tho cill and accept mce the New York
Recorder says that " Mr. Fjfe was at the snnie time invited
to a post of importance in Canada West, the scene of his
earlier m'nistry, but declined it in view of considerations
which give the Milwaukee pastorate — among the most
important in the North -West — the preference."

A letter from Bowmmville, dated Oct. 22nd, 1853, and
signed by Rev. William Hewson, indicates the nature of

edi

REV. T\. A. FYFE, D. D.

2'A

-T\vt>

iNSTl-
)LITAN

auVee
aukee

wbich

'o »

lat the
IdoUars

\v York

I invited

ot bis

irations

le most

[53, and
iture 01

the invitation to return to Canaihi, above referred to. Mr.
Hewson writes, on behalf of a committee whicli he says
" consists of more than twenty of our h3ading men," to ask
Mr. Fvfe to return to Cana(bi, — from whicli, in Mr. Hew.
son's opinion, he "ou^ht never to have <?oue," — 'to take
the editorship of a Weekly Baptist Paper, to be the organ
of the Regular Baptists of Canada." The paper was to
be commenced on the first of the ensuinjj vcar, immedi-
atf'ly upon the discontinuance of the Monthly Observer,
and was, like it, to be published in Toronto. Mr. Hewson
assures Mr. Fyfe that his was the only name which had
met the unanimous approbation of the meeting, and
assigns the following as some of the reasons which in-
duced the committee to hope that he wruld accede to their
request : —

"I. You are a man in whom all parties have confidence as
a man of talent and sound principle.

"II. You are a Canadian, and as sucli will at once secure
the confidence and sympathy of the people.

" III. You are intimately acquainted with tlie history of
our denomination in Canada, and know all the men who have
been active in the cause.

"IV. As the editor of a public journal you will be able to
exert a more widespread influence than you could in the more
limited sphere of a pastoral charge.

" V. You will find more able l)ackers than any Baptist
editor in Canada has ever had, and more than any other man
could liave.

" The denomination is much changed for the ])otter since you
were here. It is much larger. There is more intelligence and
a much better spirit than formerly. All that can have confi-
dence in one another are now united. Our Missionary Society
is prospering. Maclay College is nearly endowed and will soon
go into operation.

"The political aspects are such as to demand from the
denomination a manly and talented support of a sound policy
in respect to the Clergy Reserves, &c."

^m i "•

5.1
i

252

LIFK AND LABORS OF

Mr. Hewson's letter is very warm and urrjcnt through-
out, and in closing lie snya that he is so elated with the
prospect of Mr. Fyl'e's return that language cunnot
express his feelings. His ardent hopes were, as we have
seen, doomed for the present to disappointment. Mr.
Fyfe, for reasons satisfactory, no doubt, to his own mind
and conscience, elected to go to Milwaukee. Prcbahly he
felt that the time was not yet ripe for his return to
Canada.

The Milwaukee pastorate, though less than two yeais
in duration, was. like all Mr. Fyfe's engagements, crowdi d
full of active and efficient service. During all his life,
until fatal disease had laid its wasting hand upon body
and brain, intense energy was one of his ruling charac-
teristics.

To what extent his work in Milwaukee was successful
depends upon the meaning given to the term " success."
In the hisfhest sense no faithful labor for Christ can
fail. Its results are as sure as its rewards, and both are
secured by the safest of all guarantees — the eternal
promise and purpose of Him whose plans never fail.
From the point of view accessible to human observation,
which is obliged to content itself with measuring rates of
progress by reports and statistics, his pastoral work
seems to have been much less fruitful than that expended
in the broader fields of missionary and educational effort.
Throuffh the kindness of some who were associated with
him in those early efforts, and who happily are still
serving the Master in the West, the following facts have
been ascertained :

Rev. J. W. Fish, now of Chicago, writes: —

" I knew Dr. Fyfe intimately during his pastorate in Mil-
waukee, as during that time I was serving as General Missionary

Vesi

Spirit!
^ conJ

REV. H. A. FYKE, 0. T>.

253

essful

t can
th are
ternal
fail,
.ration,
tes of
work

ended
ettort.
(1 with
e still
s have

in Mil-
Issionary

of t.lio American I'nptist Home Mission iSocieiy in tlio Htati' of
\Vis('onsin. I nni not able to <,'iv«^ the statistics f)f tlio rlnirch
tlnring liis pastorate, l)nt can say in ifoncral tliat liis work was
successful and very acrej)tahl»» to the church. He was active in
th(! Work of or^'ani'/int,' (tnr missionary and ((lucalional societies,
was one of the corporate nienibers, isinl one of tiu! Conunittee of
Location, of what is now Wayhmd Seminary at lieaver I>ani.

"No man ever hihored anion}.; the IJaptists in tliat State who
moro en<h'ared himself to his brethren, or left a better rucord for
inte-^M'ity and ethciency in every re^oii'd."

Rf'v. E. D. Underwood, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, is
able to enter more fully into particulars. He writes: —

"He came to the First Baptist church in Milwaiiko?, Wis-
consin, late in 185.3 and left in 1855. If jud.L^ed by appirent
results, his pastorate was not a success. Ko on(^ felt this more
than he. Indeed, it would have l)een almost a miracle had it
been otherwise. The church was in debt and divided in council.
It had not been prosj)erou8 for some years previous, nor was it
for several sul)se(|uent pastorates, Dr. Pyper's anions them. Yet
I am sure l>ro. Fy fe's pastorate was by no means a failure. His
sound wisdom and excellency of spirit, like; an unseen under-
current, cut away much of the foundation of the dilHcuIties
wliich threatened the existence of the 'huK-h, .so thai/ he li;ft
them mnch stronger than when lie came. This want of apparent
success, together with his strong attachment t) the work in
Canada and the solicitations to return, inspired his early
resignation. •

"To our general work in the State Bro. Fyfe rendered a most
valuable service— a fact now nearly forgotten, but still fresh in
the minds nf some of us who were actois at th(^ time. From the
anti-slaveiy agitation of the day and the conservative po-ition of
our National Missionary Societies, together with the faro of their
eastern location and a fancied ineffi<iency in their administra-
tion, there was great diversity of sentiment among us, -much
luke-warm co-operation and threatened division. At this junc-
ture Bro. Fyfe's coming was opportune. lie had not been
identified with this controversy pro or co//, had strength of
character, sound judgment, and was eminently conciliatory in
spirit. At our State convention held in Madison, Oct. 24, 1854,
a coinniittee was appointed to report on this subject with a view

2'. 4

LIFE AND LABORS OB'

t»» h.iriiKJiiv, wliicli tor sonio y<'iirs hud sccuhmI imjx^ssihlc.
TIkuo (it Wiis I>i(). K's first lueotiiij^ with .is) \n'. was iiiado
chiiiniiaii of a .s|te»Mal coinniittt't', tho other .in'iuhors rciircsoiitiiij,^
the (lillrrciit pliascs of the (jucstioii at issiuv Ih'o. K. wrot(j the
resolutions I send niaikcd No, 1,* whi(di were a(h»]»ted hy the
coniniitto(! and <'onventi<jn. This inad(! a final sfltlement of that
vexed (juestion, and was the dawn of a new era in <Mir mission
work in this Stale.

"At the time Hro. F. came to Wisconsin tliere had heen no
or^'anization entered u|nin for the estahlishmunt of a Ba|)tist
School of Christian Ivhieation. liev. (). C). Stearns, .J. W.
Fish, A. Miner, M. h. Miller, I). I). Read, with others eiinally
)>roTiiinent, had often a,L,dtatetl tin; (jnestion, hnt for reasons
incident to a new country where (mcIi person is supposed to
occupy the centre ar(jund whi(di the fuUre is expecleil to unite,
— little or no jjroj^ress had heen mad(!. liro. F. at once united
with others to hrin*.,' ahout sonic tangible resiUts hy union of
(^tlbrt. To this end an informal consultation was held at my

* The following are the resolutions referred to : —

" The eonnnittee appuintdl to (h'aft resolutions in relation to the
threatened division of the Baptist liouie Mission Society reported the
f(»llowing, which was niianinjously adopted :

" Whcreax a most unhappy division in the ranks of th« friends of
the Hible cause 'as existed for several years, and wheicas the spirit which
has too often p. ' ,'ailcd, and the language which has been frequently used,
in this painful controversy, have brought reproach upon tue Christian
name, and dishonor upon our denomination ; and whereas it is now
threatened to introduce the same division and party feeling into the A,
Hap. Home Mission Society; tlierefore,

" Hesolred, 1st. That we deprecate this whole controversy, and de-
plore the spirit in which it lias been conducted.

" Rp.>tolv<Al, 2nd. That whether the Board of the H. M. Society be
removed to one point or another, we protest against the introduction of
tiiis Bible controversy into any other of our great national benevolent
societies.

** Jienohed, 3rd. That the bringing of this strife into the A. B. H. S.
would inflict injuries upon Jio churches in tlie Western States which
would more than counterbalance all the many benefits which we have
received from the noble institution which is our foster mother.

" Keapectfully submitted.

"R. A. Fyfe, "j

•'0. 0. Ste\kns,

"J. T. Westovkr, > Committee"

"A. Miner, I

"W.H. Douu Ass,y

! llu!

Si* ion

>1\ lU)

iiplii^t
I. \V.
lually

jiisoiia
•;(h\ to
• unit*'-
uiuUmI
ion of
lit my

1 to the
ted the

leiula of
it which
lly used,
'hristian
is now
the A.

land de-

iciety be
lotion of
^evolent

H. S.

Is w hich

re have

REV. R. A. FYFE, 1).I>.

255

litlec.''

\unuii Jan. 25th, 1854, at whi-ih sovniul bivthrcn wcn-o present.
The result was the appointni ut of an advisory committee to
work up ihi! thiiiLj, ^'I't it into -luipc, and, if deemed wise, call a
e iMventioii (»f the friends of edncition at an early day for futiu'e
action. Kev. 1). D. Read was hairnian in deference to the fact
that he l»ad been some years in tin; State, liro. F. was next in
order, and the real working,' nii-mher. Revs Fish and Wostover
Were associated with him. Tiiis committee called the friends of
the mov(Mncnt to meet in convention at Watertown March 1,
iHol, At this meetiuLf the Wiseansin Diptist Ivlucational
Society was temporarily ori^ain/'d, liro. Fish chairman, Mea-
suriis W(!re taken for a complete organization and incorporation
of th(^ so(;iety, the location and (Mpiipnient of the stdiool, etc.
I»r<i. F. was made chairman of the Conmitte(» on Financt*, also
chiiirman of the ernninittee to n )minate a hoirdof m;inaL;ers.
Me was also on the committee to locate and name the univiu'sity,
as it wa.s called, which was incorporated as " Wayland UniviM"-
sily,"at lieaver Dam. An Act of fncorporation was (»1>tain(Ml from
the State Legislature, Fno. F, heinj^ one of the in(.''»rp')r.itors.
The provisional organization ah(»ve named took tlui form and
a.ssuuicd all the functions of a legal body Sept. 24th, 1854, at
Maili-;on, liro. F. being the first [»ermanent President.

" You will see by what I have written that liro. F. was the
prominent figure in this njovennMit. This show.s what he was
to us in the few months he was with u.s."

The subject of "spirifcualisni" was at that time att.ract-
iag considerable attention by reason of the fanfco.stical
ph Miomen I afctribnted to it, and the wihl vagaries of its
votaries. The minis of thousands were affected by the
alleored manifestations, and for a time numbers even of
the more sob:3r-minded fancied that the world was on
tie eve of somj sjroab discovery in the realms of either
natural or spiritual law. Mr. Fyfe had, partly from a
sense of professional duty, and partly from a "fondness,
which had clung to him from his youth, for investigations
into tho33 mysteries which lie in the broad, debatable
grounds between the natural and the supernatural," given

256

LIFE AND LABORS OF

a good deal cf attention to the subject. The results of
his reseaiches were embodied in a discourse wl ich he
delivered under the title of "Spiritism" in Milwaukee in
1854, and afterwards in several places in Canada. The
discourse was very higlily appreciated, and a letpiest for
its publication was made at the time by a number of
prominent members of the Milwaukee congregation. It
was probably printed, though only the manuscript copy
has been seen by the writer.

In July, 1855, Dr. Pyper felt constrained, on account
of failing health, to resign the pastorate of the Bond
Street Church, Toronto. At the same meeting at which
Dr. Pyper's resignation was accepted, it was moved by
Mr. McCord, seconded by Mr. Dadson, and resolved : —
"That the Rev. R. A. Fyfe, whose former labors amongst
us in the cause of Christ were owned and blessed by
God, be, and henby is, respectfully invited to become
the pastor of this church." This invitation was, after
due consideration and a visit to Toronto, accepted, and
Mr. Fyfe returned to the scene of his former labors in
October. His departure from Wisconsin was much re-
gretted, not only by the members of his church* and

* The folloMiiig rcsolutioiis were passed by the First Eajt'st Chuich
of Milwaukee on the occasion of his resignation : —

" Resdivcd, That we esteem our deu'- l)rotlier Fyfe as a true (hi ist'ati
gehtlcniaii, a warm and ardent friend, and, ahoie all, as a faithful and
devoted minister ol tiie Oospel of Jesus Christ.

^^ Jfesolrcd, That in his feparation fi( ni iia, no other than the kindist
feelings exist ; an«l we aie persuadrd tliat, in i-ev*-; iiig his relations with
the church, he has been prompted by no other niolive than that which
seemed to him his duty, after devoutly asking «lirection from tiie txreat
Head of thy Church.

*' Jie^ohvd That his labors amongst us, in the building up of the
educational cause of our denomination in tiiis State, as a Christian
minister, and as a brother and friend, will long l)e cherished, not only

; 'lunch

irisl'au
fill {iiul

liiui* st

lis wiih

which

iircat

li>f the
[•istiau
ft only

REV. R. A. FYB'E, D.D.

267

congrefjation, but by representative men in the denomi-
nation m other parts of the Union, Amongst others,
Dr. Wayland wrote from Providence, expressing deep
regret at his dc termination.

In his " Farewell Sermon" to his people in Milw^.J-'ee,
Mr. Fyfe states very frankly the causes which Y f.w- -ed
to his resignation. He has no special griefs or )..>jvr':es
to complain of. On the contrary, he has received many
and repeated kindnesses from his hearers, of which he
will ever cherish a grateful remendjrance. As to any
faults or failings he has noticed in his congregation, he
calls them to witness that he has not failed frankly to
reprove them at the proper time. Hence he has "no
store of sharp and pungent things with which to season
a farewell discourse." Nor does he wish to make a
public display of his attachment to them, or to draw
forth such a display of their attachment to him. But
when a pastor and people part it is very natural to ask
why they separate, and he proceeds to state the reasons
which have influenced his decision as follows: —

"Some of you arc awnic that 1 was born and hrou^dit up ii;
Canada, and when God called nie, as I hope, fiuni darkness to
light, more than twenty-live years ago, 1 felt that my life labors
as a (Christian man were due to the land of my nativity. There
I labored in tlie ministry seven years, and I shoidd never have
left the country iiad not tlie nuij')rity of the Uaptist denomina-
tion adopted a ])oli(;y which I thought wouhl be very injurious
to tliem. After a seven years' trial of that policy many of them

by the immediate members of the cluuch and congregation, bat by an
appreciating public.

" h'eso/vfd, That wo con^'iatulute the church of his future charge, on
having obtained ao faithful and able an advocate of 'the trutli as it in
in tli*^ Lord Jesna ;' and that, M'henner ins lot may be cast, we shall
ev(T cherish a lively interest in iiis welfare, and in the auecesa of his
labors in the great work of m inning souls to Christ."

T't

J, .(:

258

LIFE AND LABORS OF

feel tl»at I was right. Just at this sta-'e of affairs the nieinbers of
t)ie chtu'ch where I s[)ent four of the best yeavH of my life, and
which I inijfht almost say was created under my labors, iiave
unanimously and urgently asked me to return as their pastor.
Relieving, from my peculiar relations to Canada, that I can, by
Ood's blessing, aid in harmonizing the denomination, besides
serving the particular church of my early labors, and feeling
assured that anotiier pastor can speedily be obtained to lill my
l»lace here elRciently, I have decided to sever the strong ties that
])ind me to Milwaukee and return to Toronto.

'* I do not leave Milwaukee because my salary is too small. I
liave never asked the church for )uore If I h id done so, 1 am
persuaded that the church and eoii<;i'egati'jn are of that ty[»e that
they would have promptly granted me any reasonable increase
of salary. I belitive, nioi'(;.)V(U', that good mil isters of Je^us
(Jiirist are not wont to make silary a very i)romine;'.t eonsidm'a-
tion in cither forming or dissolving their pastoral relation-.* I
do not leave because of any division in tlie church itself, nor
because of any want of harm )ny between my views and those of
members of the church. [ never expect to find a cliUrch more
united, nor one which will m )re promptly sustain n\e. It is true
I have found in tliis chunih too mu.-li of what seems to be the
besetting sin of the churches hi Milwaukee— I mean want of
religious enter[)rise. Yet were we to measure ourselves as a
church with other churehes in the city, we should see tiiat,
during the past year, more has been given and pledged for
objects of benevolence by this church than by any other in the
city. Still, I think we must confess a want of religious enter-
prise in general. I have reason, however, to hope very confi-
dently that this fault will bo corrected ere long.

"I do not leave because I do not love this ))eautiful city and
State. May God bless them and send them spiritual prosperity
j)roportioned to their great temporal prosperity, lest in their
wealth they shouhl forget the Giver of every good and perfect

.dft.

* It is well known to some of I)i-. Fyfe's more intimate friends that
this was, in his case, no empty sentiment. (In several occasions after
his return to Cunad he is understood to have declined some very
tempting offers to return to the United States. In one or two cases, at
hnist, the saUry otFered was mry much in advance, not only of what he
waa actually rejeiving, but of any he could hope to receive in Canada.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.I).

" Vor I T I '

<lenote a lane! .so intimate v '"'^' " '''"" '"

■■'yn.pafchj-. Tho expression ! n ? *" """"'ty "'"I

ofherH^ise it ,vo„l,l C f 1 el '' T "" '"^''''''"■' ■^•^"■^^•.

''-■•" I'l-espiritofclTH ttnSi """""•"■^■^ «'« bor-

7 '•neerna«o„a, bound ^^^^f --poiiUn U knows
''"•'ply <.t its living fountainTll u "'''" '"'^'' '"^""k
«nts and oceans. They rtol '^ ""^''^ ""^'"'-^ '=°""-»-
^iti^'ens in the highest of -^r™ '", ""'^' ""'"• ^^''o^v-
'" t>.e sa>ne broad «; , Llow'b "" 7:' ^^""""'-^bore.-s
.'.heritan.o. Well woul t b f' ! ""^ '^''■"'' ^"'o™"-^
>-orid, if Christians gene a Iv e M '" """■^'' ""^ "'«
'ruth, and rise to tr,! S 7' Jf 7/'-«''P»n.sive
' as great a degree as dM fl . '^ <=onception.

» '•'^•« whose Jifehistorvih '"'^''-^''''-'J d'Hstian

- 'he least ineonsistenlwi , tT l'"''''' ""'•' -«« ''
■should have felt a .special a, ^'^ '''''"' ^'<^*-^ "'at he

.-tion to his o.nLr;;'i:::" -^/-^p-aiobii-

tl.«.r work at Jerusalem and fl r* '^P'"'"'^'' ^-o^fn
of .■111 .sanctiou.s. ' ' """ ^°° "^^h the higirest

Hat not only did Mr v,.t .
ero.ssed the border "if /r^*^ ''<••'"■"''. -''en he re-

' """^ '^'■^""•<^" to whom he felt the

f '•:■

260

LIFE AND LABORS OF

warmest attachment and who evei' after lived in his
memory. He left also many who had learned, and never
afterwards fori^ot, to cherish him in their hearts as a
brother beloved.

In Canada he found the prospects cheering beyond
anything he could have hoped for seven years before.
Old difficulties were less formidab'e. Old animosities
had grown feeble, or died, in many breasts. Old pre-
judices and errors were rapidly giving way to larger
views of truth and duty. In a word the Baptist-^ of
Canada were feeling the thrill of fresh Christian impul-
ses and aspirations. The denomination was awaking to
a new and iiigher life.

■^J

CITAPTER XX.

Rk-'spminc; Wouk in Canada— TiiK Pastoral Relation— The Pas-
Tou's Ohligations— Thosk («k thk Church — A DornLK Success
— Fkiknd.shii's and Animosities— Taking Hold of the Vouncj
—A Youn(j Man's Testimony— A Tellinc Sekmon— Normal
School \'isitation— -Sehmon at Madison — Mi sionary Work
IN Canada — An Kxplorino Commission — The Church a
Missionary Organization— The True Missionary Simrit— A
(Jlowinc Triiujte —The Clek(;y Reserves Settled — The
Christian Messenger.

'%^

jJHE SPIRIT in which Mr. Fyfe re-entered the Can-
1^ adian field is well indicated in what was probably
the tirst discourse he delivered on resuming the pastoral
charge of his old church. To few Christian ministers,
probably, has it fallen to be twice re-called to spheres of
labor which they have voluntarily left, and he might well
feel that the omen was good ; the proof of confidence and
love, inspiring. Under the circumstances he could with
all modesty, as well as with much assurance, adopt the
language of Paul, in Phil, i, 25^ 26, 27, and say. "I know
that I shall abide and continue with you for your fiither-
ance and joy of faith, that your rejoicing may be more
abundant in Jesus Christ for me, by my coming to you
ajrain. Only let your conversation be as becometh the
(iospel of Christ." He remarks at the outset that not
only this text, but the whole epistle from which it is
taken is " a beautiful and affecting exhibition of the feel-
ings which should subsist between a true-heartedChristian

2G2

LIFE AND LABORS OF

mini.ster anil tlio people amon<j^ whom lie had lahoreil in
the Gospel, and whom the Lord had made him the means
of bencfittinf^." He proceeds to lay down some ^rand
principles and to draw some useful lessons: —

"A true iiiii»ist(!r uwi^t have ii proper fii)i)r('(;iati(iii of liis
work. . . , It is tho work of savin*!: lucn, tlu; luiiiistrv of
reconciliation. It is not to ac(piire i)lace, or power, or fame, or
W(!alth. . . . It is not to please lar^'e and fashionable eon-
gre^'ations. It is not to build up large and rich churches.

! I

"Many, eitiuir in theory or in practice, place tho (Mlification
of the church not oidy as the first object of the minister's elforts,
but as the very design of all church organization. Hence W(!
find a* great many little religious orgiinizations which seem to
think tli(!y accomplish their whole duty when they comfort each
other. This is a grand mistake, and every person or organiza-
tion which ado[)ts this notion, either in theory or in practice,
has gone far towards forfeiting all claim to evangelical charactcM'.
The very nature of the Christian religi')n is benevolence.

• • • • • • •

"I assert not that a Christian mhiister hfis no duties in
connection with teaching tiie meml)ers of his church the way of
God more perfectly. This undoubtedly is a very important
part of his work, but imqu(;stiona])ly the great aim should be to
turn men from sin. This work of the ministry is the one thing
to which the true minister devotes his all — his love ami his iife.^^

The preacher then goes on to show that the pastoral
relation implies mutual obligations. The church has a
work to do as well as the pastor : —

"Some seem to imagine that the Church, instead of being
fitly compared to an army, should be likened to a storehouse. It
is not a body that must go forth and win victories for God,
and make constant aggressions upon the territories of sin and
evil, but it is a (juiet receptacle whose office is to receive what
is put into it.

• •••»••

"The first pledge of the church is to co-operate with their

KEV. R. A. FYFE, D.D

""-'-■ "f .1. 'n.;Thi,r" /',"' ""7 ■'"■'' '"'"!.' all ,,H „K,P ,

<^" ne procJaiins.

vVo rnay iHirf,,,.,,, .,11 n ^ ''' ''"^''^^ ^vo ovJ,fi,,> ,(

i; i. I "'^"'' <ili the oiifiviivl 1 ^- '"^'-Anioit fcs sDirif

t erlv'?";" '■" ""' »l'intlr'i''''T;, "''•''''■■''•-'' ''^ U,„ (^1 ^
f'n,; r r"""" "f "<•■ love ,m , '"'■" "'""""'y «'1,„ «.,.,,,

y piibi.ci^ renewed between us f,nH ''*""^■^-

"' tnithor your joy of

Jiie to the Im.^ p ""^"'^'06 tJie duties to wlnV-l, i''^"'i^^e, God
J^t IS a common remaric fK.^ e

"? >«

i !i!

Ill'

I III
ill

2r)4

LIFE AND LABORS OF

deficient in personal sympathy, and failing to get deeply
into the hearts and lives of the individual members of
their Hocks. Those, on the other ham I, who give up much
of their time to cultivating an intimate acquaintance with
the members of their congregations, and their families, are
frequently said to do so at the expense of impoverished
minds,and feeble, uninstructive discourses. Mr. Fyfeseenis
to have held the balance remarkably even and to have
been more than ordinarily successful in both directions.
Constantly increasing congregations of attentive hearers,
not simply for a few months at the commencement of his
ministrations, but throughout the whole periods of his
several pastorates, attested his power in the pulpit, while
to few Christian ministers has it been given to secure so
lasting a hold upon the confidence an<l affection of the
members of his flock, of every age and class. Very few,
indeed, are those who, throughout their whole course,
and whether present or absent, stand in the relation of
faithful friend and trusted counsellor to so large a num-
ber of their brethren, as did Dr. Fyfe, especially during
the latter half of his life.

It is equally true, doubtless, that he sometimes aroused
strong personal antipathies and even animosities. This
fact is almost a necessary corollary to the other. The
man who makes no enemies is seldom the man who
attracts to himself devoted friends. The same strengia
and warmth of nature which enabled him to " grapple to
his soul with hooks of steel " those who thoroughly knew
and appreciated him, were often the means of repelling
and sometimes deeply wounding, those whose natures
were uncongenial, or whose views and aims were incom-
patible, possibly antagonistic. Nor can it be denied that

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

2G5

loused
This
The
who
mgU
)le to
Iknew
filing
Itures
jcom-
that

he was naturally somewhat impatient of contradiction,
and would occasionally summon his reserve of power to
crush rather unceremoniously the brother who stood too.
persistently in his way. But, on the other hand, few were
more frank in confessing to haste or error, or more gen-
erous in making, or meeting, overtures towards recon-
ciliation. It is not too much to say that very few, if any,
brethren of genuine worth and manliness were perman-
ently estranged from him, especially if events ever
In'ought them within the sphere of his strong personal
magnetism.

But this is a digression. It would l>e unnecessary,
even did not want of space forbid, to dwell at length
upon the particulars of this second Toronto pastorate, the
last he ever held. Though not naturally fluent, or
largely endowed with native oratorical talents, his speak-
ing and preaching were always characterized by power..
His style was direct and effective. His words lived in
the memory, and often went home to heart or conscience.
His mode of thinking generally carried him right to the
core of his subject ? But all this is too well known to
the majority of the readei's of this book to requ're
special proof or illustration here.

As to his faithfulness in pastoral work, his visiting
book affords good evidence. A c lurse of S3\stematic pas-
toral visitation was commence<l within a week or two of his
return to Toronto, and kept up with regularity from year
to year. An inspection of the private record of his round
of daiU'^ duties, for a few weeks, would put to shame the
pleas of many a pastor who, with half the demands upon
his hours and energies, complains that it is impos.sible for
him to find time to become acquainted with his flock,
R

266

LIFE AND L\U )!IS OF

One important secret of his power aiul success was his
hearty sympatliy with the youri;;-. He had ^reatfaitli in
youn«^ men. He cultivated thrir friendship. He inter-
ested himself in tlieir hii^lie ^ W(!lfaro. H(^ knew their
vahie in Cnristian work, and, like the aposth;, appealed to
them because they were stronjr. The consequence was
that in his pastorates, as in his Liter work at Woodstock,
he acipiired a place in the esteem and admiration, and a
hold upon the affections, of scores of young men through
whose lives and lahors his influence is making itself felt
all over Ontario, and in other la ds, to this day.

The followinj; vohintarv trihuto from one of these
young men,- one who was a member of his congregation
<lnring his second Toronto pastorate, and afterwards one
oi his students at Woodstock, and who has since been
<loing good service as a faithful minister of Christ, may
i)e taken as a saniple of the ti stituony which hundreds
would cheerfully bear, and will sjrve to illustrate the
manner and spirit in which he wrought, both in and out
^he pulpit, during these years. The writer is Rev. J. S.
Ross, now of Caspar, (California: —

"I wiis aitciuliiijjf the Normal School at Toi\)iito in 1855-0
■when Ri!V. R. A. Fyte was iiastor <>t the IJond streot Baptist
chuvcli. He was tlu'u in th(5 very icimc of lifo, tin; picture of
hcalih, majestic in. nppeamncc, a tower of strcii;^'t!i pliysically
and iuti'iU-ctually. The house could .scarcely hold the lari;i
congregations, especially at tlie cveniii<^' service. 1 heard him
])reach a sermon to young men from I. John, ii., 14. I cannot
now recollect the arrangement of Iris discourse, enumerate the
divisions, or recall the sentences, hut, iliere has been left on my
mind by that .sermon an impression the invincible energies of
young men, their power to do ami - e, wliicli remains to this
day. That sermon miglit seem jir.. lic if seen in print, but
eoraing from the warm heart, utter.- 1 by tlx'. liviuL"' voice, in

W^'

UEV U A. FYI'E. D.D.

2r,7

IS bis
\t\\ il\
intev-

their
led to
e was
istock ,

and a
irou;!;h
2lf felt

thest'
^o-atiou
rds one
;e been
it, may

Tulre(ls
late the
imd out

V. J. S.

1855-0
r>ai)tisl
Icture of
LysicsiUy
lie lixv;j;'
lirJ hii>i
civiniot
Irato tlie
It ou uiy

to llii-
[iiit, but
}oico, bi

nicllowcil tones niul willi llie liro touched acccntM of it« nutlior,
that liirj^'c iui(li<'ii('(' HsUmmmI sii<ll-li(.:iii.l. I hc;ird Klihii IJiii itt
ficvoial ycais latir sjicaU on •The I'owcr of V'ounj; Men;' I
listened to the rouiui' '1 and lini 'ie»l scjitenoe^ of |)r. I'un-hon
on 'Daniel in Tiabylon ; hut hoth these masters seemed only to
awaken thoujulils ami rcitoueli tiuihs which came so forcibly
years heforcf from the lips of H(!V. li A. Fyfe.

" Mr. Kyle must have hecu picssed tin :! with duties varied
and al)S(»rhing, hiif at three o'clock l''riday aftcri'oons ho cann- to
},Mve counsel and nsligions instruction to students of his own
persuasi(»n. Dr. I»urns, of Knux churcjj, attendi'd for the
Presbyterians, and lif and Mr. K\li' arran;Tcd to unite iheir
classes, and came alternately to tht; Normal School. 1 was at
that time un<ler a cloud, bein<^ under deep conviction for my
sins. The late J)eacon (Jeo, W. Cameron, of Thurso, >rftve me a
note of introduction to Mr. Fyfe, he having known him in early
years when making' n)issi(»nary tours with the saint(!d McPhail
of precious memory. I called on Mi'. Fyfe. My welcome was
cordial, lie (juestioned me cl().«ely, and I expect he found out
that I was 'possessed with a dumb spirit.' I was striving hard
to conceal my fecdinj^s, and ti>^htin<^ my way to Llie li^ht and
libel ty others enjoyed. He must have known when^ I stood, for
h(! illustrated as follows : ' You have seen water ilowin^'. It was
of ditteient shades and degrees of eiearness. It all dej>ends on
the kind of soil through which it runs. That fiowin<i throu'di
swiimps and marshes of decaycfl vegetation will be dark ami
turbid; that through open soil, ]u)rous ami ]K'bl»ly, will be clear
as ciystal. It is water in eacli condition. So with the gr.acc? of
(Jod running through these earthen vessels. (Christian experi-
ence assumes many phases according to our different organiza-
tions, mental and physical.' He prayed with me and for me. I
was invited back, aiul went in a few weeks with great expecta-
tions and hopes. He was away from home. Another ministcM*
was there, a stranger to nie. I was almost on the brink of
despair, and came for some word of comfort. Tlie manner in
which this man introduced the subject of religion was so rej)ul-
sive to me that my feelings were shocked. 1 wilted under the
ordeal, and left with a .sad heart.

•■ When I called on Mr. F. again more than a year had passed.
I had been bajitized, and being in th(! adjctining county, he knew
of rae and recognized me at once. 1 tohl him my plans and in-

III

vIkv

208

MFK AND F.AHORS OF

ti'iitioii of studying for tln' iiiiniMtry. I liad to work my way
witli 11 loan pnrso, and I waiitod to know wlMjre 1 coidd ol)tain
the biist advunta;;(vs, as I wis 8it>iat(Ml. Ifc; advised nu? to ^'o to
\fadison, N.Y. Ilf! cncoiivagnd nic and gave ma a hearty good-
8j)('i'd.

" While 1 was at Tfainilton in 1858, the Society of hKjuiry
connected with the University invited tl«e Kev. K. A. Kyfo to
jtreaidi the annual scrnjon in connection with the Coninitince-
ment exercisi's. That is an luiusually great occasion at Hamil-
ton. The men of Israel wen; never more loyal in coming to th<'
" city of tlieir sohMunities" than are the Ilannlton students in
convening at tlieir annual convocations. The chapel on the hill
was crowded. It was at niviht. His text was, if njy memory is
to he trusted, Kph. i, 10, 11. ll(! iiad attention thioughout.
I [e gave us an (ixceilent sermon. Tliere were a numher of us
there from Canada atUniding as students, and we were i)roud to
(tiaim him as one of our men. It was then the University gave
him his D.D."

It was not in Dr. Fyfe's nature, at any period of his
life, to be an idle or indifferent looker-on, while his
brethren were engaged in any Christian enterprise. He
at once threw himself, with his inten.se earnestness and
ijidomitable energy into the general work of the denom-
ination. The minutes of the Regular Baptist Missionary
Society begin almost immediatoly to give indications of
his activity. In 1850 his name appears as Corresponding
Secretary of the Society. In this office he undoubtedly
did much efficient service, both in the way of general
direction and oversight, and in personally visiting the
churches as he had opportunity. In the summer of 1859
he and Rev. T. L. Davidson were appointed by the
Missionary Board a Deputation " to visit the scattered
churches and mission stations occupied by the mission-
aries of the society in the counties of Bruce, Grey, and
Huron, with a view to succor the feeble interests and
promote the Home Mission Work in the North-West,"

REV. II. A. FYFE, D.D.

269

wi\y

\)tiiin

^M) to

•iood-
i«l»»iry

yfo to

lamil-
to tho
utH in

uovy in

\<rh(»Ul.

r of US
roiul to

r crave

of bis
ile his
e. He
ss and
lenom-
ionary
ions of
ondina
btedly
eneral
ng the
I 1859
by the
altered
nission-
|ey, and
Ists and
-West,"

und to elicit useful information in respect to the work
and prospects in that re«;ion. In the prosecution of this
task they endured many hardships by reason of routjh
roads and exhaustin*^ labors, but were received with open
arms and were no doubt the in.strunujnts of much and
lasfcirjtr jrood. An interestinij^ report of tl\e journey was
made by Mr. Fyfe in a faeries of letters to the MefiHcni/er*

Those who attended the missionary and other anniver-
saries at a later period in his history must have been
often struck with the extt'ut and minuteness of his
acquaintance with the circumstances and characteristics
of the various churches and mission fields, throutrhout
Ontario and Quebec. We can readily understand that it
was in his extensive coi-respondence and trav<ds in the
service of the Society in these earlier days, that he laid
the foundations of this local knowledi;e, — a knowledi^e
which was afterwards turned to excellent account in con-
nection with the educational work at Woodstock.

It is proper to note, in this connection, that from first
to last Mr. Fyfe was an ardent friend and advocate ot
mission work, at home and abroad. The largeness of his
views and aims in respect to this woik is the key to
much of his success. He regarded Christianity as, above
all, thoroughly aggressive in its nature. Its very soul
was its sympathy with lost men everywhere. Its pro-
fessors were true to themselves and their Master only as
they were striving to scatter abroad the blessings they
themselves enjoyed. There could be no true religious
life, no healthy growth, in the individual or the church
whose thoughts and efforts were concentred all in self
In his opinion " every Christian minister must be in

* In reference to the Christian McHsewjer, see below.

270

LIFE AND LABORS OF

some sense, a missionary." These views liappily seem
almost like truisms at the presc.it day, but thby were not
always so regarded by ( ■anadian Baptists.

It would be easy to illustrate this important article
in his workinnf creed from many of his sermons and
other writings, but one or two quotati<ms must suffice.
In a loctur.' delivered before the students of the Institute
on "The True Missionary Spirit," after remarking that the
tendency of all things is to pass from a state of change
into one of fixity, and that human lives and habits strik-
ingly illustrate this tendency, he goes on to warn his
hearers against the danger of having all religious duties
and exercises lapse into lifeless formalities. This is a
danger v/hich specially besets religious societies and
enterprises. The relation of pastor, for instanc », which
wtis intemled to be an elevate.l, spiritual, holy relation
often lapses into a mere b irgaining, " two-cent," sit of
regulations. Everything pertaining to our spiritual exer-
cises is in danger of beinof reduced to a mei'e institution.
The church, the missionary society, the prayer meeting,
may degenerate into institutions not merely fixed, but
lifeless. The very profession of our faith itself may
become a form without power — a body without a soul.

How may this great danger be most effectually guarded
against ? The answer is, by each individual member
imbibing and cherishing the true inlsslonarij spirit.
This spirit comes from Christ. It is implanted by the
Holy Spirit. It is fed aad nourished by, drinking into
the Spirit of Christ. It knows neither sex nor country.
It is confined to no one nation or age.

Two main elements of this mis.sionary spirit are pointed
out. The first is profound love to Christ as the con-

I W —B '■ >

REV. H. A FYFE. 1). D.

271

exer-
vtion.
acting,
a, but
may

ioul.

iarde<l
smber
spirit.

Iby the

miitry.

)ointed
he con-

strdiiiin<; motive. Tliis must in all cases be the sreat
central force. Not the necessity to make a livinj^, not
the desire for fame, not even the mere conviction of
truth, can supply its place. Truth is n<4 God. Not any
deduction of intellect, not even a d(>ep sense of duty,
nothin^^ but uncalculatinir, unselfish love to a living,
loving Saviour, can supply the true inspiration. A
thousand influenees may contribute to the result. None
of these ma}" be wrong of itself. But towering al)0ve all
other considerations, swallowing all up, must l)e the con-
straining love of the Master. The second element of the
true missionary spirit is sympa'hy for our fellow-man —
a sympathy rooted in and springing from profound con-
viction of the sinfulness of sin, of his lost condition as a
being ruined by sin. This is something different from,
and infinitely deeper tlian, any mere natural sympathy,
or any spirit of partyism, or propagandism.

This spirit is unselfisli. It staj :.. not to ask, What
shall I eat ? etc. It demands no pirticular status in
society. It does not e"'en wait to see all the way made
plain before it. It will take a man anywhere — to India,
Africa, or the destitute places of Canada, which often
require more self-denial, more patience, and more piety
than the foreign field.

Such is, in bare outline, a sketch of the ideal of the
Christian life he held up before himself, and, in later
years, before those who were preparing themselves for
t'le Master's work under his training. This ideal he
would have carried into every depai-tment of Christian
service. The writer well remembers the impression
made by the closing sentence of one of the first cmi-
umnications rec>jived from him, when, writing as a

272

UFE AND LABORS OF

1 1

stranger to a stranger, he conveyed the invitation of the
Trustees of the Institute to fill a vacancy on the teaching
staff After sketching clearly but briefly— for brevity
was with him both a principle and a habit- -the duties
and difficulties of the position, he wound up in substance
with : "If, in view of all this, you can come to the work
in the true rnissionary sjnrit, come; not otherwise."

Holdii.g such views and animated by such a spirit, lu>
was prepared to admire the devoted, whole-souled hei-ahl
of the cross, wherever found. The folhiwing eloquent
passage from another lecture upon a different thenie,
shows with what rare lil)erality and breadth of mind hv
V' as able to do justice to the noble qualities even of mtn
holding and propagating doctrines which he deemed cor-
rupt and mischievous. The sublime enthusiasm ami
self-sacrifice of such men as the founder of the Jesuits
touched a chord which vibrated to the depths of his soul.
He was illustaling the thought that missionaries in the
past have made permanent impressions for good upon the
world "only in proportion to the amount of the Word of
God which they succeeded in planting in the minds of
men," Amongst other illustrations he uses the following:

" A young enthusiast, AvoniKlod at the battle of PaiDpoiUTia,
and conHned in consequence by a long and feverish iUness,
was being trained in tliis way to make as deep a niaik on the
world, and, by his associates, to make as deep a mark upon mis-
sions, as ever a man made. This young lieutenant saw visions.
U? dreamed dreams. From trying to conqm^r the world with
the sword and spear he would become a soldier of the cross, and
wield only spiritual weapons. He would conquer the world for
Jesus. What a maguificent dream ! It might create a soul
beneath the ribs of Death ! He gathered around him some of
the finest sj»irits of his own age. They boun<l themselves by
vows the most solenui, and were fired by an enthusiasm the

the

tho

dot'

lis of

'luua.

ne^

|i nns-
with

, iUltl

(I fol

soul

nu! of
l»'s by
111 till"

REV. R. A. FYFE. D.D.

27:i

most aident. For culture, tieiy zeal, and diiuutlnss coura<,'e and
entorpriso, the l»aiid of inissiouaries they raised up have never
heen excell';d. There was no (-nmitry in Kurope in whicli tlicy
(lid not plant the crost<. The hla/in.u; suns of Afii(M scorched
them. The everlasting,' snows of Hiheria drifted around them.
The priiiueval forests of this continent were intimate with tin-
intrepid sons of Loyola. All ihe Wiiy from the Bay of Chaleiir
to the thumler-shaken regions of Lake Superior ; all along the
banks of the Mississippi, that Father of Waters, we can trae-e
their steps. In ^^(!xico, in South America, the almost omni-
l)resent society of Jesus was htrgely represented. ( ), had they
only labored with as much zeal to plant the crosn in the hearts
of men as they did to plant the crneifix at the roadside and on
the lull-top, the story of missions would be ditferently written
to-day !

"To no country on earth was a finer type of men sent by any
society than were the first Jesuit missionaries, to China f;)r
exam])le, I i\o not mean to sav that their views were correct —
far from it — nor that their labors were all favorable to (Jhris-
tianity ; but I mean that no men of nobler intellectual endow-
ments, of higher cidture, of a n)ore unseltish spirit, and, in many
cases, of a more devout (though not always enlightetu'd) })iety,
have ever gone to heathen lands. It is tiue the whole spiiit of
ihis society soon changed, but tin; first men who went out de-
served a better following. Such men as Francis Xavier are no
mean men. His appeal for missionaries is in the following
terms: '1 have often thought to run over all the universities of
Europe, and especially that of Paris, an<l cry alout't to those who
abound more in learning than in charity ; (), how many t.vjuIs
are lost to heaven by your neglect ! Many would be moved !
They would say, P)ehold me in readiness, O Lord I How much
moio liajipily would these learned men then live I With how
much more assurance die I Millions of idolaters might easily b(>
converted if there were more ])reachers who would sincerely
.mind the interests of .lesus Christ rather than their own.' This
man, on the coast of Malabar and Travancore, baptized 10,000
in one month with his own hands. In Japan the order, by
following his plans, soon reached 200,000,"

The burning cjuestion of the Clergy Reserves, vvL.ch
had been alluded to by the Rev, W. Hevvson — in his letter

*'H

LIFE AND LABORS OF

in 1853 offering Mr. Fyfe the editorship of the projected
weekly paper, as one of the public questions requiring
vigorous handling — had been finally, though by no means
satisfactorily, settled in 1855. The Imperial Government
had previously passed an act empowering the Canadian
Parliament to deal with the question in accordance with
the wishes of the Canadian people, with the sole condition
that those clergymen of the Episcopalian and Scotch
churches, and the few beneficed ministers of tlie Catholic
and Methodist churches, who were in receipt of State
pay, should have tlieir stipends continued during life.
To this the great mass of the people who had for more
than thirty years been fighting to save the country from
being saddled with the incubus of one or more State
churclies, were generally ^''TJ'^Gd, it being distinctly under-
stood that the balance Liie fund should be immediately
secularized and applied to educational or other public
usci. A parliament was elected, the majority of whose
member.: were believed to be distinctly pledged to dispose
finally of the question on this basis. But to the intense
disgust and indignation of the Baptists and other
voluntaries, the Coalition Government of 1855 hurried
through Parliament a seculari:<5ation bill with a commu-
tation clause attached. This clause as afterwaids
construed by the officials charged with carrying out its
provisions, did not permit the beneficed ministers to com-
mute save with consent and by means of the churciies to
which they respectively belonged, thus by a " side wind,'
bringmg in the essence of the objectionable feature of
church endowment by the state. In vain the oppoPrints ot
such a provision rallied their forces and recommenced the
agitation, as soon as their eyes Kero r|>cned to the true

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

275

the
true

cbaracter of the measure. The act had been passed, and
its provisions were carried into effect with such expedi-
tion as gave no time for any organized movement for
repeal. But notwithstanding the march thus stolen by
the friends of state-churchism, it was a blessing to the
country to have this root of bitterness finally and for
ever cast out. The attitude and energetic action of tlic
Baptist body from first to last, in regard to this question,
do them great credit. Even so late as ] 853 the Mission-
ary Society, at its second annual meeting in Beamsville,
speaking for the denomination, declared " in the most
emphatic and decided manner its determination never to
rest satisfied until the Clory Reserves are secularized by
the Government," and " its fixed resolution, and that of
the churches throughout the entire province of Canada,
to resist by every lawful and available means any and
every attempt which may be made by the Government,
or otherwise, to induce the Baptist denomination in
particular, and the other religious denominations in
Canada, to accept of any partition of the Clergy Reserves
fund for any purpose whatsoever."

The two great politico-religious questions, arising out
of the Universit}' and Clergy Reserve Endowments, hav-
ing thus been removed from the arena of public debate,
Mr. Fyfe found, on his return to Canada, that he had
fallen upon more peaceful times. It is true that tiie
renewed demand made by Dr. Ryerson and other leaders
of the Wesleyan body, acting on behalf of Victoria
University, and supported by the Conference, for a por-
tion of the income of the University of Toronto Eiidow-
ment, threatened for a time to re-open the college
controversy. The proposal to divide a p« rtion of the

276

LIFE AND L liORS OF

sii<i income amongst the various <lenominatioiial colleges,
pushed with all the power and persistence of the Wesley-
ans and their redoubtable leader, was opposed with equal
energy and persistence by the leading Baptists and other
friends of religious voluntaryism. Mr. Fyfe being at the
time editor of the denominational paper, the Christian
Messenger, afterwards the Canadian Bapttnt, was in a
position to render excellent and effective service. He
opposed the proposed partition with the same determin-
ation and, largely, as a macter of course, with the same
arguments, which had told so well during the former
struggle. It is unnecessary to trace here more minutely
the hist »ry of i/iie attumpt which, as we all know, was,
happily, ineffectual.

A few words in ^egird to the paper to which allusion
has once or twice been made, may close this chapter.
The efforts of the committee whose secretary had written
to Mr, Fj'-fe in 1853, do not seem to have b^en im-
mediately siicjessful in establishing a Baptist weekly.
Bub m October of the following year, the publication of
the Christian Messenger was commenced in Brantford.
This paper, which did srood service in its day, was
founded by the liberality of William Winter, Esq., not,
we may l>e sure, as a commercial speculation, but in the
interests of the denomination. Rev. T. L. Davidson, and
Mr. R. W, Siwteli were joint editors during the first
year of its existence, and afterwards, for some years, it
was conducted bv Rev. J. Winterbotham and others.

After Mr. Fjf/s return to the province he became a
frequent and valued contributor. In 1856-7, in par-
ticuW, he contributed a series of characteristic articles
on "The progress of Baptist Principles," amongst

UEV. K. A. FYFE, D. D.

277

which were ennmeratcd as specially 'listinctive : Liberty
of Conscience, a Conveited or Spiritual Cliurch Mem-
bership, Personal Faith as a Prc-requisite to the
Ordinances of the Church, &c. In 1<S59 he, "in com-
pany with a young friend," as he writes to Mr. McPhail,
purchased the Messenger and removed its publication
to Toronto. He assures Mr. McPhail that " there is
perfect jjood feeling all round, and no partyism in
the matter." It need scarcely be added that in his
hands the paper was greatly improved. The editorial
articles became shorter, crisper and more tolling in every
respect, and it may well be doubted if The Canadian
liiiptist, as he re-named it a few months afterward, has
ever, during its successful career of over a (juarter of a
century, been more vigorous, or, in proportion to its size,
rendered txetter service to the denomination and to
( /hristianity, than during the brief period of his pro-
prietorship.

le a
I par-
licles

^ngsi

VijJS^i^'

1%-'

-»«r

*'
§*-■

11 p

CTTAPTEH XX r.

Tub (Jkxvt Lifk-VVork. — Othkii Hvi-kkikncks I'kkparatouv — A
Skkies OK Faihtrks— Rhv. J, 1n(;li.h' Plan — Maci.av Collkue

pROJKrTEI*— A SOCOKHSFCL CaNVASS- A PRESIDKNT Al'l'OlNTEl)

—New F)iKKir'iTi/riEs P\\tal Delays — Dr. Ma<'i-ay Keskins —

Ma(!I-AY CoiA.VAih: WlHTNl) Up - Ml.STAKKS OK AOKNTS — A

Troublesome (Jiio.st — An Kncottracjino Kxi'erience — A
Sensible Letter — Two Chauaoterlstkj Features — A New
Proposal - A PuAOTrcAL Scheme — Plan ok the Proposed
School.

^;^^E COME now to Mr. Fyfe's last and greatest
^2)' work for tlic denomination and for his native
country. All his otlier labors, many and important
thounfh they worn in thniusolves, actjuiro a double value
when regarded as leading up to this. They were but the;
varioUH schools in which he was beimj trained and
disciplined For his crowning life-work. Almost from the
moment of his entrance into active service, he seeuLS to
have been deeply impressed with the necessity for some
such institution as that which he was finally instrumen-
tal in founding. His dissatisfaction with the unpractical
and impracticable character of the Montreal College; his
sti'ongly expressed opinion in the Warren letter; the
earnestness with which he threw liimself into the work
of founding Baptist educational institutions in Michigan,
— all bear witness to his deep interest in religious educa-
tion. Biilievers in Divine foresight and oversight will see
no presumption in deeming that to lay the foundation of

REV. II. \. FYFE., D.:\

279

Baptist edacational institution;^ in Ontario was liis predes-
tined work ; that he came into tlie church, if not into the
world, endowed with the impulses which were to urge him
steadily, though by a circuitous route, in the direction of
that wori< ; and that all the hard experiences of student,
pastoral, editorial and controversial service were but
so many stages in the di.sciplinar}' course, in w^hich he
gained the self-control, self-confidence, and .soldierly
hardiness, which enabled him to succeed where so many
had failed.

The history of these various failures is in itself the best
evidence that the necessity for a Baptist educational
institution had been continuously and deeply felt. The
idea of foundins: a collecre of some kind had never been
lonof absent from the minds of the leadino' men in the
denomination. As early as ISJ-l), even while the Mon-
treal doUego was still in existence though in the throes
of approaching diss )lution, the Ut^gular Baptist Union in
Canada West had appointed a C(jtnmittee to consider t)»e
subject of Ministerial Education and report at its First An-
nual Canvenbion, in 8b. Cfoiharines, hell in June of that
year. The elaborate report presented by the committee,
through its chairman, llev. J. Inglis, formulated a plan
which served for a time a.si a centre around which the
thoughts and hopes of the more progressive minds in the
denomination could rally. The scheme proposed was
brieflv as follows:

The projected school, was to be purely theological and
was to be in Toronto, which, in view of the change that
had been happily effected in the constitution of King's
Collecje, was regarded as affording the best facilities in
every respect.

2.S0

LIKK AND LAHOUS OF

Throe profossorsbips were to be constituted, viz.. one
of Cliristian Ethics and Logic, another of 'J'heoloiry nnd
J3iblical CJriticistn, and the third of Ecclesiastical History,
Sacred Geo(rraphy and Natural History. All the jrofess-
ora were to unite in the direction of the general studies
and literary improvement of the students. Should there
be difficulty in obtaining the services of three professors,
the whole work thus outlined was to be divi<led between
two.

There was to be but one, or at most two, short sessions
i?i the year. A session of six weeks in the fall, and
another of the same length in the spring, were suggested.

The scheme contemplated also the establishment of a
library as soon as possible, from which students during
vacation, and also Baptist ministers, were to be permitte<l
to borrow under certain restrictions.

The students of this institution were to have prefer-
ence in the appointment of colporteurs by the society. A
fund also was to be created for the support of young men
laboring as missionaries in destitute localities during
their long vacations.

That which no doubt seemed to its projectors the most
practical and hopeful feature of the scheme was that the
professors to be appointed were expected to give their
services frey of charge, the only cost to the denomination
being the payment of travelling and other unavoidable
expenses, and the supplying of their pulpits during their
absence.

This project was certainly sufficiently modest in regard
both to the character and the cost of the proposed school.
But no practical results followed, and, so far as ascer-
tained, no direct attempt was made to give to it "the

IlEV. U. A. F^ FK, D.I).

28 i

most
it the

theiv
lation
Idable

their

rega.

d
chool.
scer-
the

name of action." I'lohahly tlie dirtieiilty in findinjr in
the ranUs ot' tlie luiiiistry in Cana^hi three men (lualiliejl
for the work of instruction, and ahle and wiliint^' to <r\\'e
tijeir services <^ratuitor ^ly for six or twelve weeks in the
year, may have prove<i greater tlian was anticipated,
wliile the smal noss of the educational results to be ex-
pecte<l from one or two -cssionsof so short duration would
be discourngingly mui\if»stto those who seriously consid-
ered the scheme. Tin- matter set nis to have been post-
poned from time to time, until a new ini] ul.se was i^iven to
denominational enteipi'ise by the foinuition of the Regu-
lar Baptist Missionary Society of Canada. At the i'nst
annual meetini^ of this society, held in 'J'oronto in
October, 1852, a Committee on Education presented the
foUowiu"; report, which was adopted : —

"Your connnittee, heins^ deeply convinced of tlie necessity
and j)ra(!tical)ility of iin institution for tiu^ educitiuu of youn«j
men for the work of the niit.i-^tiy, and, at tlie same time,
knowin<j; the faciliti<'s (after an aiduous .stiu'^gle) afturded in
the Toronto University, for the attainment of a thorough
literary (Hlueation, to persons of all denominations, do strongly
rt'coniinend our denomination to aid young men in enjoying its
advantages. I5ut as this merely embraces a literary education,
they further recommend that ; teps be immediately taken to
procure an endowment for a theological institution; and tliey
suggest that the sum of ten thousand pounds he raised for that
purpose (to provide for the professors, literary, and other inci-
dental (expenses), provided that no subscription be paid until
at least c£o,()00 he subscribed.

"Your committee, under the circumstances, are happy to
report that, to aid them in this most desirable undertaking,
Dr. Maclay's services might be secured. Indeed, tliey are
given to understand that he has all but ottered his services for
the purpose. Your committee, therefore, recommend the con-
vention forthwith to invite him to engage in this important
work.

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2S2

LIFE AND LA 150 US OF

"Your coininittoe also I'ecoiiiuiend that a coiiniiittee l.'o
:appoiiit(!d to carry out the oliject of tliis report, and take any
other steps wliicli tliey may deem necossar}* or desirable to
ijiiake temporary provision for the instruction of young men."'

In pursuance of this recommendation a committee was
appointed to open ne^jfotiations with Dr. Mac hay, or other.
^wise provide for securing, if possible, an endowment for
a Baptist theological school in the Province. This com-
mittee held a meeting at Hamilton in Novemhei", 1852, at
wdiich an agreement was made with Dr. Maclay to under-
take tl:e work. This venerable brother, who was a
fatuous collector and an enthusiastic friend of ministerial
education, not only at once consented to undertake the
work, but generously offered to give his services gratui-
tou^-ly and to commence the list with a subscription of
$100 on his own account. The object, as stated by the
committee, was the establishment of a tiieoloo-ical school
only, they being unanimously of opinion "that it is no
part of their duty as Baptists to provide a school for
classical or professional students." It was provided
though somewhat ambiguously, that the subscriptions
should I old good on co .dition that no less than live
thousand pounds be subscribed. Another peculiar fea-
ture of the scheme, which afterwards gave rise to .some
trouble, was a provision for cumulative voting, a sub-
scription of $100 entitling the subscriber to one vote;
$200, to two; $400 to three; $700, to four; and $1,000,
to tive votes ; with an additional vote for every $oOO, so
long as the number of votes held by any one subscriber
did not exceed ten, wliich was iixed as the larorest number
of votes to be cast b}'- any one individual. Rev. James
Inglis, Rev. Dr. Pyper, and A. T. McCord, Esq., were

REV. II. A. FVKE, D.D.

28 :i

ee ^'"
:e uiiy
l)le to
men."'

a was
other,
nt for
i com-
:^52,at
under-
was a
isteiial
ke the
rrratui-
tion of
by the
school
t is no
ool for
lovided,
iptions
an live
ar fea-
o some
a sub-
vote ;
$1,000,
300, so
scriber
lumber
James
.. were

appointed a sub-comtiiittce to complete arranirements and
assist Dr. Maclay in carrying out the financial part of
the scheme.

The canvass was puslicd with vigor and apparent
success. A meetini^ of subscribers to the Eiidownicnt
Fund was hehl in Toronto in February, 1853, at wlncli
'The Re<:^ular Baptist Tlieological Education Society of
Canada" was organized and a constitution adopted. J)r.
Maclay had "succeeded in raising a sufhciontly large
amount on subscription to more than endow one chair,'
and good hope was entortaine^l that the churchi'S still
un visited would swell the sum to a figure wiiich would
suffice for the endowment of a second. The committeo
appointed to examine Dr. Maclay's subscription book
reported contributions to the amount of £0922 9s. 8u.

The next step was to appoint a President and set the
college in operation. Dr. Maclay himsi If was in tlie first
instance elected, no doubt unanimously. He accepted
the appointment, but was for some reason unaMe to give
himself to tiie work, and being called on by the Execu.
tive Committee in January, 18o4, to prcpaie to enter
upon his duties in April of ihat year, the result was his-
resi<>nation. Then the loal (hltitulties of the mana^jers
commenced. The constitution, which was probably
framed, as Dr. Fyfe suggested in his " Sketch uf P^aptist
Ministerial Education in Canada,'' "to avoid the evils of
the then divided state of the denomination, ' proved really
unworkable. Amongst other awkwaidnesses, tlie choice
of professors was vested, not in the Executive Board, but
in a special committee appointed for the purpose, Suflice
it to say that this committee, in consequence partly of
ditlerence of opinion either anu^ngst themselves, or be-

2S4

LIFE AND LABORS OF

twcen tliomsolves and influential suuscribors, fuiled to
confirm an appointment. Delay after delay occurred,
until the time limit within which the bonds- of subscribers
were valid ha:l passed, and some of these being with-
drawn, the niinim'nm endowment of £-3000 was no lon^^er
available. The sequel is contained in the followinc^
preamble and resolution wddch were adopted at the Thinl
Annual Meetinfj of the Society, in Brantford, January
16th, 1.S5G:—

"Whereas the Re<;ular Baptist Tlieological Education Society
of Canada omitted lo secure a charter of incorporation empower-
ing it to hold property; and whereas several of the suhscribers
to the endowment, through misunderstanding in the nianag«-
meiit of the proposed college, felt themselves released from
their obligations to pay their subscriptions, and thus the
auio'jnt requisite to authorize the appointment of a professor
, was not forthcoaung in time; therefore,

'■'■ lli>i<ulve<l that we authorize tlie Treasurer honorably to
return the bonds to all those subscribers who have paid, or are
disposed to pay tlieir share, or pro rata, of the expenses, and
also to offer to return to those who have paid their subscriptions
*^.o the funds, the sums so paid."

It may not be amiss to observe that there are hints and
indications that the effort, which thus ended so disap-
pointingly, was not free from the besetting vice of almost
all movements of the kind, viz. the making of promises^
or admission of conditions, by the agent, or agents, in
their laudable desire to swell the subscription lists, which
promises and conditions either cannot be made good, or
operate to deceive and disappoint the supporters of t' e
movement in regard to the real degree of success achieved.
All experience shows that such tendencies cannot be too
carefully guarded against by the managers of special
enterprises of this kind.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

285

ed to
iirred,
ribers
witl -
onfjcr
owinor

Third
nuarv

Society
ipower-
icribers
mnage-
d from
us tlie
lofessor

|a))ly to
or are

es, and
ptions

s and
disap-
Imost
»mises^
its, in
which
>od, or
)f t'e
ieved.
e too
[pecial

Thourjh the endowment thus fell to the fj^onnd the
Education Society was not dissolve<l. The members
present proceeded to revise the constitution and to -elect
officers for the eu'^uing year, Mr, Fyfe, who appears
hitherto to have had little connection with tlie Society,
being now made president. Nothinj^ further of import-
ance seems to have been done throuorh the medium of this
organization, a new movement haviriLi: been commenced,
on new lines, before the close of the year then current.

This sketch of the MacLay College attempt is here
given for two reasons. It is necessaiy, in the tirst place,
in order to show the exact position in which the denom-
ination stood, in reference to educational matters, at the
time the Woodstock College was projected, and it serves,
in the second place, to indicate the peculiar difficulties
with which the projector of any fresh enterprise would
have to contend. The outlook must have been in many
respects, singularly dark. The Montreal College had,
after bravely struggling for years, succundied for want
of support and sympathy. Ti>e economical project
elaborated by Mr. Inglis and his co-adjutors, had failed
to secure even a foothold fiom which any advance could
be made. And now the more ambitious attempt of Dr.
Maclay, for a time so well supported by the leading men
of the denomination, existed only on paper. Dr. Fyfe
used sometimes to say in later j^ears, when recalling the
infancy of the Institute, that the hardest part of his w^ork
had been to "lay the ghost of Maclay College." Still
even that experience had its useful and hopeful side. In
the sketch of Baptist educational efforts before quoted he
refers to it in the foUowinij terms : —

"The tirst meeting which I attended in behalf of education,

280

LIFE AND LAIJORS OF

after I returned fi-oni th^ States to Canada in 1885, was one
called to raise means, if p^ssiUle, with which to pay oti' the
debts, incurred in conn(H;ti()n with Maclay ColleLje, whose
president was then a nieniher of my church. Money was
raised, his salary was paid, — at least for a portion of his
time, —and he left the country.* This was the closint^ up of
Maclay CoUerje! A lar<;e number of our best men had freely
and promptly pledged their means for its support, and tlie
hopes of all were high. Its failure thcrefon; was undoubtedly
a heavy blow and sore discouragement. Many of the brethren
in the country, (some of wjiom seemed to fancy that the organi-
zation and management of a college ougiit to be a vei-y easy
and simple affair) hiid the chief blame upon Toronto, and have
scarcely yet forgiven her. In spite of the great depression
occasioned l)y the failure of the Maclay movement, one clear
benefit remained. Their ability to raise so much in a short
time towards an endowment clearly showed to the denom-
ination what they could do when they pleased. This lesson
was a clear gain any way. But under the effect of the loss of
confidence and disgust produced by the failuie, how can the
denomination be again aroused to do what it is well al)le to do'?
Who can inspire theiu with the needed confidence'?"

In the Christian Messenaer of Noveinber 8, 1885,
appears a letter criticising the amended constitution of
the Education Society. The letter is subscribed "One of
Your Readers," but from internal evidence there need be
little hesitation in ascribing it to the new president him-
self. The letter is so sensible, so straight-forward, and
contains so much that was characteristic of Dr. Fyfe as
a practical leader and worker that no apology is needed
for a copious extract: —

* Tlie reference is probably to Dr. Lillie wlio had been appointed to a
professorship, or the presidency, and had at considerable expense
remov";d with his family to Toronto, for the purpose of entering upon his
work. Tlio legality of his appointment seems to have been disputed,
and as, for reasons ))efore given, tliere was no prospect of the college being
opened for some time, a special meeting of the Society was called at
Woodstock, and a ooinmittee appointed to confer with Dr. Lillie, and
settle his claim on the Society. The sum of $(500 was paid him, though
as Dr. Fyfe say^, " there never was a student in Maclay College."

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

287

"We wish to have a wise and practical constitution for our
Education Society. Then let us make the aim of that Society
as simple and direct as possible. Let it Ix; an Juiucation
Society merely, — let its aim he to educixie pious yonn<^ men for
tiie Baptist Ministry, Let the constitution say this as clearly
and hrietly as possible. Make the t(M'nis of memhersliip in
tliis Society as poj)ular as may be consistent, then proceed to
get a charter of incorporation, with power to hold a given
amount (jf property, and jioir'r t<> Irdii^fn- d jntrf of it i" an-
ofhnr rorpnration it thouijlit ht'.tf. This latter clause, or son e-
thing e(piivalent, should be in the charter for i-easons wiiich 1
shall mention presently.

"We have now, according to the supposition, an infoii^n-ated
lulucation Society. The next in(piiry is, how shall w(i realize
our plans? We need funds to help indigent and deseiving
young men, and we need a scliool to teach them in. Then we
33t about raising funds ; one fund for purely educational pur-
poses, and anotlier for endowment. The (juestion now arises,
how shall we manage these funds when raised? I should sug-
gest this course, (iet a number of men, ('if))i.]j(tcHt to dkukkjc a
litevdii/ l-iidftntion — say ten, or twelve, — iiirorporated ax the
Col/eye Boanl, and transfer to them the Endowment Funds,
and the management of the college. In the articles of transfer
state the terms, conditions and pui'poses, on which and for
which thev are entrusted with the management of the institu-
tion. If they should violate these terms, the property would
revert to the Education Society. It is at this point, and in
this way, that we can guard our propei-ty. It is in a legal
document which is permanent, and not in a constitution which
may be changed every year, that we should lay down oui- posi-
tions. By this plan the Education Society would have a simple
aim. All could understand it, and the College J>oard would be
free to make its own constitution and by-laws, so long as it did
not infringe upon the conditions on which it received the
maii.igenjent of the school.

" An Education Society cannot conduct a literary institution.
It i.s not organized for such a purpose. It is not composed of
materials romjx'tcnt for xnch a tmrk. The simpler all our
organizations are the better. We can then all understand them
and see their operations more clearly.

" There must also be coniidence ii; each other. If we, as

288

LIFE AND LABORS OF

Haptists, cannot, trust a ijr>'at di'dl in cacli other's honesty of
purpose and sti-ai/^'lit-foiwardness, in carrying out tlic aim
agreed upon, we had Itottnr h.-ive no oi'ganizations at all. I fore
then is iny f«pinioii. \ji\t us have a l)ri('f and simple constitu-
tion for our l'idu(;ati()n Society, rn(U;r this let us obtain a
charter", and when we are aV)out to organize a coUege, h^t us
ereat«; a htfal hoilij to take care of it for us on certain con-
ditions. If we organize one, or more, institutions of k^arning,
kit us pursue the same i»lan, wliile w(> keep on with our appro-
priat(f work, as a l)ciici''>h'itt^ rinirifdhi'' oriji.diiudlion. In this
way there will be no confusion, no rnisundei-standing.

"Perinit me now to state one or two objections to the con-
stitution as 'amended.' It lacks simplicity and directness of
aim. . , , its elaborateness indicates want of conlidencf!
in hrcllnni generally. It is not sutKciently simple to produce
a strong moral impression, and yet not sulliciently accurate to
guard against any who may be 'twisted,'

" Mv last objection to the 'amended constitution' is this; it
vitiates all the bonds, if indeed they are not already vitiated.
A constitution wlii(th partakes of the nature of a subscription
paper, (na the rotidifn^ion nf/njif( d in ISoS nnt/iif'ttflonah/i/ ilofs)
eaimot be altered, except by consent of the whole. If I sub-
scribe ,£U)() under a certain heading, then, whenever the .<en><''
of that heading is iiltered, my subscription is viliateil. If eveiy
stockholder signs the 'amended constitution,' then each may be
morjilly held, but none can be held except such as chose to
adopt the 'amei.ded constitution.' And to visit eaeli stock-
ho'der -^nd present the 'amended constitution' to him, would
be tantamount to raising a new endowment."

Two points in the foregoing — besides the go:)d reasons
it suggests why we hear nothing futher of the Education
Society and its endowment — are worthy of note as emi-
nently characteristic of \ iews which Dr. Fyfe often
reiterated and which amounted with him to regulating
principles. Those were his love of simplicity of method
and his reliance on mutual confidence and good feeling
amongst brethren. The one he regarded as the best
safeguard against waste of power, the other as the best

jlimttiMmmMm

REV. 11. A. FVTE. D.D.

289

sficuritv for luirmonv. H(! had littl*,' faith in tlie useful-
ness of coiu{)licate.l nincliinery in Clnistian work. Il<"
distrusted the efficacy of elahorate constitutions or in-
tricate rules. If Christian men could not work toi^ethei
for the promotion of a common ohject without h{iviti<r
their respective spheres defined, and their rights niinrded,
at every point of contact, hy rij^^id niathematicrJ lines,
thev w(!re not likely to <\o so witli the help of the nicest
rei^ulatioiis human in<x<>nuitv could <levi<e. His im-
patiencti of anythinn; like hampeiing r strietions or soul-
less mechanism sometimes almost created a source of
dilftrence between him and his associates in educational
work, some of whom were by nature or education more
disposed to wish everythinrj reduced to tlie nicety of a
perfected system. When we can rise to the height of
renouncing faith in the old copy-book maxim, "Order is
Heaven's first law," so far as that maxim applies to
living agents endowed with intellect, heart, and con-
science, and when we can give its due weight to the
exercise of a large mutual trust as a jjreat educative
moral force, it is probable that most of us will agree that,
within certain broad limits, Dr. Fyfe's was the " more
excellent way."

In the Mesf^enger of December T.'J, 185.5, under the
head of "A Pi'oposal," and over the signature of " F,"
appears a letter which may well he regarded as the seed
in which the geim of the Woodstock College of to-day
was enfolded. The writer proposes " the starti?:g, at
some central and accessible point in the West, a good
academy for the young men and the younir wonien
belonging to our denomination." He believes that "there
are very many Baptists who have sons and daughters to

200

LIFE AND LA nous OF

^!li

whom they wish to f^ive a different and a better educa-
tion timn tiny they can obtain in tlieir own nt'i_f,dibor-
hood," Ijut who do not know wliere tr send tliem. He
thinks it 'a little mortifyini^ that the Baptists have not
anEduc itional Institution of any n-rade in the Province,"
and rei^ards them as "abundantly ablr," to do anything
reeded in that line provided they will but "cultivate a
little more largeness of soul, a little more forbearance,
onci with another." The school he proposes is not to be
theological, but it " wouhl obviously be a very good pre-
paratory school for a college; while it would furnisli to
all a moans of social and intollectual culture," of which
they are greatly in waixt. lie proceeds to meet antici-
pated oltjec ions by showing that the sum needed for
endowment would be bub small as the place where the
academy was located could be relied on to do much in the
way of furnishing land and buildings, while those who
wished to patronize it would contribute enough to furnish
the buildinjr, and be the (guarantee fund for the teachers."
As an illustrative case he gives some stiiking details of
what had recently been done in two or three instances
by villages in Wisconsin. The letter concludes with
characteristic directness: — "Can we not unitedly and
heartily go about getting up such an academy on simple,
straightforward, business principles ?"

This letter, it will be observed, strikes a new key-note-
It does not propose to commence at the wrong end by
establishing a purely theological college without pro-
viding any steps by which the illiterate young farmer or
mechanic, who felt it his duty to preach the Gospel, could
climb up to its entrance. The writer evidently does not
pin his faith to the ill-considered and illogical dogma

mmmmg^^^

REV. ]\. A. FYKE, D. D.

201

I -note-
id by
pro-

ler or
I could

}s not

loscma

that a Christian people, as sucli, can liavi' nothiiij;' to do
with piovidinu^ facilitii'S for tl>e secular or literary cul-
tu?e of their son-: and daughters, and he evidently
l)elieves that iducation under reliiiious influeiues is the
best trainini^ for other spheres of (Miristinn activity, as
well as for the pul|>it.

The i^ood see<l thus dropped fell into good soil ainl
hr. uiijht forth fruit in due season. People were led to
think about th(> matter an<l to talk about it, at first, wo
may be sure, with hesitatinu^ approval. A plan so emi-
nently simple and practical was sure to comniend itself.
After the lapse of a year it reappears it its next ^ta^e of
growth. Here we have Dr. F} fe's own account of the
matter : —

" Wlien we bei^iin n<jitatinij once more ahoiit ininisteria'
education in lS.'"iG, J found l)iit two or tliiTc men who liad any
contideiue that the OaniuHan l>!i})tists could lie jigain induced
to lay hold of this work. I had no confidence and never
had —in being able to raise and conduct in Can.ida a really
satisfactory theological school by itself. The Oianunar schools
in Canada, twenty-two years ago, were of little vjihie, and fidly
live-sevenths of all who should attend them would iiave to
leave home to do so. I was in favor of a literary dey)artment
in our theological school, where we could exercise some over-
sight over the pupils. Tliis department if thrown open for
pupils not liaving the ministry in view would interest a larger
inimber of the Baptists, and help us to enlif t their- co ()[)eration.
This idea of the school commended itself to the brethren, and
was finally adopted, as 1 sliall more fully stfite in my next.

"In tlie autunui of 1850 two or three ministers, with myself,
held a meeting in my study, to consider " the situation" in re-
gard to ministerial education. After long consideiation, a plan
for a new movement, (to he submitied to a pul)lic meeting
which was proposed to be called) was drawn uj). The main
features of the plan were as follows:

"1. We will aim at organizing a School with two depart-
ments, a Literary and a Theological. We need a literary

m \

, „.„*;-*j: J

Pf*"

1 1

292

MKK AND I,AIU)US OF

<l ipiU'tiiuMit, becauHe as yet tli«^ ( Iriiiniimr si^hools aro /^nnorally
very iiifiM-ior; aiul diicilly l>.?cjauso, wert^ tliey all tirst-rato, over
live K(>\'(Miths of .ill oiM'yomiL( iihmi would have to h-iivc home to
atteiKi tluMM. And then no provision has been made to t'liruish
for them suitable Ixtardiiii,' pliiecs, and proper oversi^^ht ; and
havinii; to attend fifiy dill'erent schools, no two of them would
hivo the siinie Uind or dej^ree of prcpai-ation for the study of
theoloiL,'y. Whereas if our studfMits should att(Mid a ))r(q)!iratory
S(;hoi)l of our (»wn, they would hav<! not oidy the sauu^ curricu-
lum, liut th(! same iiii'iil''nf<il ti-ainin^ and discipline.

"No per-^on who has not had experience as a tea"her can tell
how much, how very much, this ineidentid trainin;^ anil discip-
line umoiints to. It ^dves the students a thoroui^h iic(|uaintan(!e
with «>ach other; a unity and (lompiictness whicrh nnist tell
lars^i^ly upon tlwur lift; work. At the drawing u|) of our plan
for a new dej)arture, it was deemed (essential therefore that wc
slum Id have a preparatory depf>"tment for our Theological
School; aiul I may add now, after iwarly twenty years' experi-
ence,* -iK^twithstaiidini,' the very jLireat improvements in oui'
Grammar Schools and (Jollegiate Institutivs, the nec(;ssity for
ii prepai'atory department seems more clear and imperative that
o>'(!r.

"2. Tt was deci(l(Ml to admit ladies also into the preparatory
department. We had no place in which to educi.tc our youn,f;
women. Many of them were going to American schools. ' And
the co-educatioii of the sexes was receiving more and more con-
sideration, and increasing nnud»ers were favoring the practice.
Indeed, very great and ra))id advaiices, both in England and
the United S;ates, ha\e been made during the last ten years in
favor of the admission of the ladies to the same instititions of
learning as the men. We certainly could not then have raised
two schools, ore for the gentlemen and another for the ladies,
so we put them together : and for the overwhehning niajoiity of
(jur peo])le in Canada we (ind we have been doing the very kind
of work which they recpiired to liave done.

" 3. As to the location of the School, it was resolved that it
should not be placed west of London, nor east of St. Cathar-
ines; that its location should ))e on some greot thoroughfare
and thus be accessible : that the place should be healthy ; and

•This was written in 1878.

bhat it
tathar-
lirVifare
and

IIKV. 11. A. rVF'F,. I). I).

2nn

slioiild luive a jjooil iJap^ist Churcli, out of wliirli an ox('cutiv«<
coimnittj'o could l>e cliost'ii. TIipsm rondiHoiis hciiu; piniiistMl,
tJuMi tlif place ii'hirh irniihl I'liniish o xi/r, onif thr /(ir</i'>f

iniiiiiiiit I'/ liiniii'i/ fnifdi'd the luiilih'iKi, should llllNe tll«> Sclin»»l

located in it. In drawiiij^ ip this scheme, \V(^ felt that it
would he an ohje<;t, especially for asinnll ttjwii, to have; such a
School heated in it. Since the foniidin^^ of the School, theie
hav<' heeii spent in \Voo<lstock, hy the School and its pupils,
not far from 8 M'O.OOO. TIk* whole ex|>enditure is now frlly
.*?;»(), ()()() pel' annum. W'a therefore justly expected that theie
would 1(0 some coinpetilion Itetween the various localities, to
secure the location of the Institute."

•e con-
jactice.
id and
•ars in
ions of
raised
[ladies,
II ity of
kind

,7 ^^^ t, .■

■^ ' fB

il*

CHAPTER XXII.

TlIK WoU'C liKaTN— A \k\V DesKJV -MlNrsTKUlAI- llATIfKU THAN

TiiKOM)(a(,'AL Education- A I'ltKi-AHATouv Sciiuul NiiEUEi*—
Also a Christian 8on;iOL koh Yon no Mkn and Women —

TlIK SkC! I.AU NVoHK OK TllK InsTITITTK— A GaIN IN KcONOMV
— Dll. WaYLAND's VlKWS -PiTBLi>. MkKTING in BliANTFoRD —
TllH SflllKMK EnDOUSKD— A LoO\TIN(J C')MMITTKK — WoOl.STOC'K

CiiosKN -li;:.;nr.AU Mkktinc ok Suhscisibers An I.mport.int
Crisis — A Constiti'tiov Adoi'tkd — Thk First Board i»F
Tri'stkhs— Tin: Cornkr-Stone Laid— Plan ov the BaiLDiNc;
— Thr BiiLDiNt; CoMMiTTKE — A Habd STRn(}(;LL In Labors
Abundant— SoMK No'-le Cautions,

jj.^HE WORK was now fairly be^^un. A definite,
vi^ practicxl scheme for a Canadian Baptist Colleo-e liad
been at last devised and adopted, and — a thing even
more in<lispensal)!e to success — a man of power and per-
sistence, in the prime of life, and full of the enthusiasm
kindled by a lofty purpose, stood behind the scheme,
rendy, if need be, to devote all his energies to pushing it
forvvar I. It seems pretty clear that Mr. Fyfe had not at
first or until it was forced upon, him by the unanimous
sufiVages of his brethren, any thought of becoming him-
self the h'^id of tiie institution. His purchase of the
Afes-tenji'j^amon'^i^t other indications, points in the oppo-
site direction. His correspondence with Dr. Way land
also shows that the lattci had been requeste 1 to recom-
mend, if he could, a suitable man for the position.

I THAN
EDED —
OMEN —
CONOMV
I'KOKD -
i)l:ST<K'K
PORT.* NT

AKl> *'*^
lUILOlNC;

Laboks

efinite,
ere lia<l
even
I per-
iisiasm
cheme,
ling it
not at
limous
o- him-
of the
oppo-
\ lantl
Irecom-

REV. n. A. FYFE. D.D.

295

It will be noted that the Institute, as planned l>y hint
and afterwards constituted and worked, difieiei I radieallv

ni its ess_'n

tial

catures troni tlie colle^'es previously

11(

projected or atternpte"). The Imscs of Montreal and
Maclay Colleges were purely theological. According to
the views of the promoters of those institutions, it was
the duty of tlu^ liJaptists of Canuchi to provide for the
training of its future ministers in theolcgy and kindred
sulijects, hut no part of its duty to engage in the work
of secular education. That was the business of the
State, and was provided for in the Public Schools. There
are still some in the den.ondnation who hold this opinion,
and have no sympathy with any project for perpetuating
and enlarging the work of eodegiate education proper, in
which the Institute bus been so long and successfully
e ,u,ffed.

Mr. Fyfe's views were quite Titferent and, as the
sequel proved, were at least more practical and practic-
able. It is probable that he, too, had in mind, as tlic
main end to be reached, ministerial education. But, if
so, it was, as tlie late Mrs. Fyfe pointed out in a letter to
the BtcptlHt, ministerial as distinct from theological edu-
cation. I'rom his intimate knowledge of the circum-
stances an I needs of the great majority of the young
men who entered the Baptist ministiy, he saw that no
mere veneering of docti'inal instruction could fit them
for the high calling to which they aspiied. A- a rule
they were the sons of farmers and otheis living in tlie
country, and out of the reach of even an etheient (iiam-
inar School. Endowed though they often weie with
sturdy intellects and sieiling moral and C hiistian prin-
ciples, they had received no thorough or systematic

290

LIFE AND LAHORS OF

mental tniinino-, and, in many cases, scaicely a fvood
common scliool education. For such, a theoloixical colletje,
liowever well equipped, would be of little value. What
they needed first and most it would be (juitc unable to
supply, without departin^^ from i^s proper sphere. The
result, if such an institution were establisiied, would be
that a few, whose means were sufficient to enable them
tiist to attend some college, mii^^^t eventually enjoy its
advantages, Vvdiile the major! fy would either become
discouraged and enter into other pursuits, or go forth to
the sacred work with the very insufficient preparation
which a pnrel^'^ theological institution could impart to
minds uninformed and undisciplined.

But, as will be seen from his own words already
quoted as well as from the whole history of the founda-
tion and development of the Institute under his direction,
Mr. Fyfe's views went much farther than this. He held
decided opinions as to the value of a thorough education
under positively Christian influences for young men and
women of all classes. He saw that, under the circum-
stances of the country at the time the Institute was
formed, not one in fifty of the residents in the rural
districts could obtain even a High School training with-
out leaving home for the purpose; and that, in a majority
of cases, to send boys or girls to the towns and cities for
the purpose of attending purely secular institutions was
to expose them to ten)ptations and dangers from which
every thoughtful par-^nt must shrink. Holding these
vi ws, he might well conceive that to found an institu-
ti )n to which parents might send their children for
purposes of highei* education, for one, two, three, or more
years, with full confidence that they would not only

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

2!)7

o-OOfl

Uege,
^Vhat .
jle to
The
kl be
tbeni
ov its
eeome
rth to
ration
art to

1 ready
3unda-
GCtion,
e held
cation
n and
rcum-
was
rural
with-
jority
ies for
IS was
Iwhich
these
istitu-
m for
more
only

receive careful and thorounrh mental traininj^, but vvould
also be brou<.jbt under healthful moral and reIi<^ious
influences, would be to conf .;r a boon upon the denomina-
tion and perform a work acceptable to the Master.

It would be manifestly out of place to enter at length
here into a discussion of the vexed question of denomina-
tional versiif purely secular education. One (juestion in
reofard to a matter of fact suiTirests itself. We are accus-
toined, in cilling to mind the benehts that have resulted
ti the denomination and the country from the work of
the Ca adian Literary Institute, to fix our atteiLtion
mainly or exilusively upon what has been done and is
b'jiiior done by the ministers educited there. What
about the influences that have been and are being exerted
ill churclies a-id communities by the hundreds of Chris-
tian men and women who have gone forth from it to
various secular pursuits, many of whom were either con-
verted, or received their deepest and most permanent
moral and religious impressions, within its walls? Are
not these doing a work for tlie Master second only, if
second at all, t ) that of tlie ministers ? Let tho-?e who
hive m3ans of judging p^nlor the questi )ii, ascertain
wliat these men and women are doing in the diurches,
and then ask themselves whether it would l)e wed or ill
if the number of those subjected to sucli training for
loiger or shorter periods c mid be multiplied tenfold.

Bat another anil most important element in the calcu-

1 ition must not be lost sight of. In enlarging the scope

(jf the college so as to provide facilities for secular

training the pecuniary difficulties of the undertaking

were lessened, not increased. This is u point upon

wliich much misconception prevailed, notwithstanding
T

20S

LIFE AND LABORS OF

iii'

D.'. Fyfo's n^pfvite 1 explanations. The question was
often asked l>v the faint-liear.ed or disaffected: " Wliy
slv>uld I tax myself to help educate the clnhlren of my
neighbors, especially tliose of other denominations ? I see
the necessity for a theological school and am willing to
aid in sustaining it, but I do not wish to be taxiid twice
for purposes of secular education,"

Dr. Fyfe's ready and etfe:'.tivc answer was, in substance:
'"You quite misconceive the true state of the case. The
necessities of tlie churches compel us to provider tins
preparator}' training for our young ministers. It costs
little if any more to educate one hundred students than
twenty, when all are puisuing the same studies. If
therefore, twenty of our students are preparing for Ihe
ministiy, and eighty for secular pursuits, it is clear that
the fees paiil by the latter help to pay for the instruction
rv'quired by the former, which would have to be provided
in any case. Hence, each secular student, instead of
being educated at an expense to the denomination, is
actuall}^ helping it to educate its ministry."

While maturing his educational scheme in 18o(>, Mr.
Fyfe wrote to his old friend an<l preceptor, Dr. Wayland^
giving an account of his project in its inception. His
letter drew forth fiom this eminent man and most able
educator the following hearty commendation : —

"It gives me great pleasure to i-eceive at last one letter
containinc^ coinmou sense views of Baptist Education for tiie
Ministiy ; views wliicli appreciate our state as it really is, and
not as it is not, and which look to improving us as we are at the
present mouMmt. We must Ivegin from where Ave are, meet our
present wants, and then, as things advance, extend and advance
with them. Your views seem to me in an eminent degree
practical and pr.acticahle. 1 think that they must succeed.

REV. II. A. FYFE, D. IX

29!)

was

[see
cr to
wice

ince:

^rhe

this

costs

i thiUi

n- the
,r that
iuctiou
>vi'leil
ad ot
ion, is

(1, Mr.
yhiud,
His
st able

letter
Ifor t'he
]is, and

at the
[eet our
Iclvanee

degree

luce

eed.

You need a good academy, good as an ncaileniy, and also
adapted to the >v;ints of young men preparing tor the ministry.
Tide, done, the wny v.ill le pvepaied for something fuither if
this lie the will of tlie Master."

A pul)]ic meeting of tliose intereste 1 in Biptist KdiK-a-
tional work was held at BrantforJ, and tli > scheme
substantial]}' as outlined in the document (juotcd in the
preceding chapter, was submitted for consid' ration.
After full and. careful discussion tlie plan propos <! was
adopted in substance, and it was resolved to make imae-
diate an<l vigorous efforts to put it into operation. Uev.
H. IJoyd, M.A, was appointed to co-opera e with Mr.
Fyfe in l)ringing the projtct fully before the puldic.
Tiiese two brethren were also authorized t > act as a com-
mittee to call for propositions fro.n the vario is eligible
towns u hich might com))ete for the Academy, with a view
to eliciting the most favorable oft'er and to decide upon
the location of the school, in accordance (\ith C(Ttain con-
ditions laid down by the meeting.

This question of location is always a most difficult and
delicate one in the case of any public institution, and
particularly in the ease of one which is to depend upon
voluntary contributions for its establishment and sup-
port. It is always easier to be wise after the event, and
yet it is difficult even at this day to see how the promo-
ters of the movement could have acted more wisely in
the matter. There were, no doubt, reasons, which seemed
at the time good and sufficient, for the preliminary deter-
mination of the eastern and western limits. Whether
t :e a.'loption of such limits, to the exclusion of the chief
city of the province, was determined solely in view of the
ccn re of Baptist population, as at that tinje exist ing, or

"'I

300

LIFE AND LAbORS OF

f ■ ''iii

Avliether other considerations, such ns tlic local jealousy
of which Mr. I^'yi'e had had so unpleasant evidence years
before, ha<l their weight, the writer has no means of
<letennining. There were always amongst the influential
brethren in Toronto those who naturally thought the
city the proper place for such an institution. While there
is much to be said in favor of that view, it is clear that
there must have been strong arguments on the other
fi'de, as Mr. Fyfe, himself a resident of Toronto, and
l)ound to it by strong ties both of fee ing and of interest,
Avould naturally be prepossessed in its favor. As it was,
there seems to have been always an expectation, if not a
tacit understanding, that the Theological Department
would be removed to Toronto as soon as the independent
existence of the Literary school could be secured.

Following is Mr. Fyfe's own account of the action of
the locating committee, who liad previously aunounced
that on a given da}'' they would meet at Paris, to exam-
ine the tenders and give their decision : — -

"Unfortunately, the Br.intfoid meeting had not instriictod
Xheii* L' eating Committee a^ to the form of the money pledges
•or bonds which they should exact from the j)]acc in wiiich they
■<l(cidcd to place the .school. The committee liad therefore to
he guided simply hy their own judgment. Tinee places desired
to have the Institute with them, viz., Fontiiill, IJrantford, and
Woodstock. When the documejits sent l)y tliese ])laces to the
committee" were opened at Paris, it wa.s found that Fonthill ])ro-
mised, in the form of a legal guarantee, $18,000; Prantford
ollered about $0,000 in the form of a list of bona jhfe subscribers,
and Woodstock $1G,000, m the form of a guarantee from re-
sponsible ]iarties. Fonthill was rejected for several reasons,
chieHy because it was .so didicult of access. The choice then
lay between Prantford and Woodstock. The committee, con-
sidering u legal bond or guarantee more easily managed and
better than a list of subscribers, even where the amounts were

KEV. R. A. FYFE., D.: .

301

;tiHl

|c to

drod

aiul

the

])ro-
tfurd
hovs,
li ve-
Bons,
Itlieii
cou-
an»l

I were

equal, gave the i)referciice to Woodstock, which guaranteed that
^10,000 should 1)0 raiseil, and that more than half of that f^uni
should he raised in Oxford eounty. This d<M:idtMl the question
of location; and we were tau;^ht afterward tiiat (lod's hand
ilirected this decision. If ever a coniniittee ph'aded for j,'uid-
ance, Mr. Lloyd and I did, ami 1 think we wcn^ answered.
Soon after the deci.^ion Mr. Zimniernian was kilhnl in the
iJesjardins Canal accident, and after his death his estate was
unex[)ectedly found to hi' eniljarrassed. Had wt; cliosen Font-
hill, therefore, we should have lost at least ^10,000 of the
$18,000 promised. Ahout the same time the church eddice of
the Ih-antfoid Haptist Ciiurch was consumed hy fire, au<l nearly
all the 'dhscriijtions on the list winch tiu'y oflered us woidd have
heen necessarily withdrawn in order to rehuild a chapel whiidi
they mud have. The Institute l)uildings, therefore, would have
had to be postponed for years, if not aloogelher."

What may be regardod as the first important regular
meeting of subscribers to the 'Canadian Literary Insti-
tute" fund was held at Woodstock on the 18th of March,
1857. A preliminary meeting had been held at which
committees had been appointed to draft a constitution,
prepare a general plan for building, etc., to report at this
general meeting, which seems to have been looked for-
ward to as about to mark, as it certainly did, a most
important era in the history of the Baptists of Canada.
The venerable Rev. J. Winterbotham, editor of the Chris-
tian Messenger, doubtless reflected a very general feeling
when he wrote editorially as follows a few weeks before :

"During the period of forty-five years of public life,
we hav^e never felt any measure or project take a deeper
liold of the mind than this. ... So strongly are we
assured that a crisis of the most eventful kind is now at
hand, as respects the interests and progress of our de-
nomination, that words are inadequate to express^tho
ardency of our wishes that there may be no holding back,

3^2

LIFE AM) LAHOItS OP

no neLjlioenco, no inrlirtcrence, on the part of tlio.si^ who
are the piUars (>f our chnrclios, to whom God has Ljiven
wi.s<loni and weal'Ji, wliieli, it' rii^jhtly used at tliis time,
may, for ivu^h to come, be the means of securinj^ to the
KeiTuljir Baptists, and otliers wlio n^ay embrace the privi-
les:fe, blessinijf.s more v}dnal)le than mines of uohl."

The Woodstock meeting was harmonious and entliusi-
astic. The report of tlie Building Conniiittee was
I'eccixed and approved, and, on Mr. Fvfe'.s motion, the
trustees al)Out to be appointed were autliorized "to cai-ry
out the plaTi presented so far as this can be done within
the limits of four thousand pounds, it being tiie clearly
undeistood view of the subscribers that they do not
sanction a greater outla}^ at present on buildings."

The report of the committee appointed to draft a
constitution was received, and, after due discussion, a
constitution was agreed upon and adopted. In additior?
to the usual prescriptions in regard to the officers to be
appointed and their respective duties, the modes of
app >intment, etc., the most important provisions of the
constitution were : that the Canadian Literary Institute
shouhl be located in the town of Woodstock ; that it
should be under the supervision and general management
of a board of fifteen trustees, of whom not less than ten
should be members of regular Baptist churches; that
these trustees should be divided into three classes, one of
which should retire each year, their phxces being Hlled by
the subscribers at their annual meeting; and that the
Board of Trustees should be authorized to appoint an
Executive Committee of six of their own number, who
should, in conjunction witli tlie President, supei intend
the affairs of the Institute, under the direction of the
Board, in the interim of their regular meetinga.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

303

The subscribtTs elected as the first P)Oar<l of Trustees
were: — A. l}artcli, E. Top])inii-, .1. Hutcli, A Carroll, J.
Kiiitrea, J. Cliarl.s, \V. Winter, T. L. Davidson, R. A.
Fyfe, 11. J. Barber, \V. WilUinsoii, 0. Majbee, R. Kilborn.
R. Baker, E. V. B.)dvvell. W. Winter, Esq., of Brantford,

was elected cli

)f this Board ; John Hatch, K

•man
of Woodstock, vice- 'lairman; James ivmtrea, it,s(j., ot
Woodstock, tr. asurer ; and E. V. Bodwell, Es(|., of Mount
Elgin, secretary. Messrs. A. Carroll, H. J. Burtch, Frank
Wardle, and Rev. J. C-ooper were appointed a Building
Couimittee. with instructions to proceed as rapidly as
possible with the erection of the building, subject to the
limitation above named in regard to expenditure.

On the l2-']rd of June the corner stone of the Institute
was laid with appropriate ceremonies in the presence of
a large assenddy of interested spectators. The honor of
laying the stone was assigned to Ai'chii>ald Burtch Ksq.,
of Woodstock, who was fj-oui the inception of the insti-
tution to the end of his life one of its most liberal and
self-sacrificing supporters. Addresses were delivered on
the occasion by W. Winter Es(|. chairman of the Boar<l
of Tvustees, Mr. Fyfe, Rev. T. L. Davidson, Rev. Dr.
Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Education, George
Alexander Esq., and Rev. W. Wilkinson. Tlius the
enterprise was inaugurated, and the Baptists of Canada
West committed to this important educational work.
The budding thus commenced was designed to be plain,
comfortable and substantial. The central part of the
structure was 38x72 feet, four stories above basement,
aiid had two wings, each .*i8x'J8 feet, three stories above
basement, thus fjivinor a frontage of 114 feet. The build-
ing was desifjned to furnish, in addition to all the rooms

ill

;i04

LIFE AND LA MORS OF

nceessary Tor [)urpo.s'j.s of instruction, aconiinodation for
l'{() iioaidciH.

The work of tlu; buil<lin^^ conimittoe proved indeed a
toilsome and anxious one, and it was about three years
before tliey were able to ^'et the edifice so far advanced
tovvanls completion as to render it possible to commence
the school. To (juote ai,'ain from tlie Historical Sketch:

*' l)('('idiii_Lf whereto ])Mili! the Fustitiite (hd not end our didi-
culties liy any iiicaiis ; it rathcM' iiicri'ased them. AVer ohtaiiietl
our ^nnrantec of ,fl(;,()0O Just as the fluslj times of 1855-50
began to i-hh ; and the. latter part of 1857 atid 1858-9 wore very
hard indeed. Tin; luaiu lustitutt! huildiug, whose foundations
were laid in the early part of 1S5S, was n(»t eoinpletcd for more
than two yeai"s — indeed it was never (|tut!j completed.

"The Ivxeentive Connnitteo at Woodstock .strugjj;led and
toiled on through tlu)se dark years. To sliow liow some of this
Executive Connnittee felt durin.i,' those days, when the Institute
had no money and scarcely any fiiends, the late Deacon Archi-
bald IJurtch, who was for some time Treasurer, niorf(/n'/nf A/.s- oivn
(lit'ellitKj-honse in ovlcr in carrn on the work. 1 (juestion whether
any other man in the denomination would at that time, wlusn so
few had faith in th.e enterprise, have done so much. This is
something to be held in remembrance."

Dr. Fvfe had, as he t'.dls us in his " Historical Sketch,''
little to do with the scheme during these years. He was
sufficiently occupied with his work in Toronto. He says
" I then had little expectation and no wish t) be made
principal of the school."

But the duties of the Toronto pastorate, through ardu-
ous and responsible, by no means exhausted his energies
during this period. As we have already seen he had for
a time the chief care and labor involved in the manage-
ment and editorship of the weekly denominational
paper. It was he who originated and prepared in 1857

HEV. Jl. A. FYFK. D.D.

505

the first miiiil>er of the (Uinadltin Ihtptlsl lif'i/isfcr, nml
tor sevcrnl yours he contimied to compile mid |>uiilisli it,
not only withoui roniiincMation, l>iit for a time at his own
risk, tiioU'di tlie actual loss incurred was afterwards very

•]v 1)

l)V the C<

The 11 (

vsion
Convention was indelitcd very lar«ijely to his practical
wisdom, foresight and eneri,^}', for its eflieiency and the
good work it was enal»!t'd to accomplish. He was a
renrular attendant at its nieetings, and when not actually
tillinL; one of its most important offices as Secretary, was
constantly en^ajjjed as a member of the Board, or as a
local a<ient visitin<r neiijlihorinuf churches in its behalf.
Thus during these years in which the educational entei-
prise was in process of incubation, he was constantl}' "in
labors more abundant." Jn 1857 he read before the Con-
vention, by appointment, a valuable papei- on " Encoura^'e-
ments and Cautions," and in 1859 on " Baptists in
Canada— -their Introduction, Progress and Present con-
dition." The fol lowing; noble passages from the former
are worthy to be enc^raven on Christian hearts and to be
handed down from generation to generation in Baptist
families and churches: —

" We must each ^Mianl ai^'ainst beini,' swayed by hcctioiial or
local interests. Nearly nil our trials as a Cliristiaii peoj>l(i
may be traced to tlie predominance of local interests, or of jer-
sonal likes and dislikes; our Missionary Society has been to a
great extent cripjiled hy these, and our institutions of learnin,^
have been broken down by tliem. JJrethren have held hack
from ct)nfessedly great enter{)rises, because they were phunu'd
or pushed hy men they did not like, or because some i)articular
])lace was likely to be benefitted by the enierprise. Is this
wortliy of Christian men? Is this true nobility of soul ? What
thoujL^'h we, as individuals, should be injured if t^'C general <(oo(l
will he promoted tiiereby ? Could we not bear iwis for the sake

, '

>l ! I

1 :

nofi

UF'E AND I,AIU)RS OF

li t

1^^

i'^

of till) (taiisc? W'c iiro liiippy in tln! hclicf tliiit this narrow
8|i(;cii'M of si'Kislncss is pansin^^ iiway, and j^'iviii;,' pliiiio to niori'
Iiu\'(!H(!."<s of nuii'l and j^'oiioro-tity of hoart. \V(i imnt Inuni ,v<'t
hxnm pcrfi'i'tly to ris(! al»ov(5 self and local fcstdin^' wli'-n tln'
ih'iiinn!)! ifiitii \< ti) hi! h('n('nttcil. We aro ln-cthrcn. VVu arn
ono family. We haves oiu; intm-cst. WImmi the nio^t remote
niemher of thu family is chocrcd and (v»mforti'd wt; :«hoii!d ail
find a thrill of joy. Our |)a|ier, for cxamph', is d<!.si<;n{'d to hf a
diMiominational oin! —not a Urantfonl paper. And if it would
redcfm its ple(h^fi', it must ovtsrloolv location. It must foru'et
that it is pnhlished iit Urantfonl, and set aside what may please
any partiiMilar nei'^hhorhood, so that it may snit the taste.s and
promote the ^'ool of the whole hody. So (»!" om- mis-ionary
(M)nvi!ntion. It helon^'s not to <'ast, or west, oi- nii<Idle, hnt to
the i"lii)lo baptist hody, and must aim at pr(»inotiii;4 the intr'io< s
of the whole Province, as far as the'me ms ar(j furnish(Ml it for
iov .<«o doin.Lj. The like remark mi,L,dit he made in rej^'ard to our
Institnt*;. It helo:ii^s to the Province. Thei(! is not a corncn-
in the land to which its hlessin'.,'s may not icach. It is not the
Woo lsto(;k Fristitule, hut the Canadian. This mode of looking,'
at thiiiL;s cnlarLfes t.lie mind and ([uickens the sym[>athied of tlu;
professed followers of ('hi'ist.

"We ne(>d to cultivate, with .special care, good will and
brotherly lov(! anions the memhers and ministers of the de-
noniination. We need that ciiarity which suH'creth Iohlj and is
kind, that vaiinteth not itscdf, is not i»ulfed up and tli.iiih-eth no
evil. No sins .ire more common than tale-hearinu: and slander.
Men ami womumi profess to he the fi^llower.'S of Christ — to love
each other wi ,h a pure h -art, fervently — yet eai^erly retail each
other's failin,L(s and faults. (Jravt; deacons and reverend minis-
ters oft.euM!n;4a^(! in this devil's service, deceiving themselves
])o men take ))lea-;ure in n^tailing tin; faults of tlunr wives oi'
(langhtLU'.s 1 Do women hiazon the infirmities of their husliands i
Cortainly not. The reas(Ui is, th(?y !.)ve and feel so uin'ted to
eacli otlier tlu't they would feel personally hiuniliated in the
humiliation of wife or Innhand, son or daiuditer. And if our
union as Christians were what we i)rofes.s it is, we would feel in
the same way in respect to a brother or sister's faults or failings.
Christian men and women lie when they jn-of(^ss to belong to
Ciirist and love each other with a deathless ailection, and yet

ULV. U. A. b YFK, I). I>.

• >

n:\rrti\v

() UlOfC,

vni ><

iirt!

rciMoti'
l.l ill!

i)U

to Ix' il

t wouM

t f<»Vji<'t

y 1

ileiisf

4ert ant

', l)iit t"

'.I it. f"r
;.l to

our

iV coriKM'

\<'

t tl
f l(jokinj
f th(

strivt' to (It'pn^c'iati! (Jiioli other's churiU^ter or Iossimi imcIi oIIkm's
iiilliiciici'. Tliiit ilis|)o.siii()ii which wishui to risu hy thu iU'i>it;-
i;;;iLi<m of othi'is ii(!('(Ih to In- coiivcrtctl. It is tlu; (h-vil's dis-
|K»sitioii, which (iotl iihhors. The t'hiiistiau It'iiiju'r rejoices not
ill iiiinuity, hut rejoices in tlu; truth. Thtau is u class wlio
|)refiw;o their evil tah;s with stronj; expressions of sorrow. They
are very sorry to liear of Urother or Sister So-ainl-so doiiij^ this
or that. Ycu can set them tlown as ( anting' hyjiocrites. 'I'hcy
aie not sorry at all, else the*' wouKl not for evf-r retail their
Irash. If we, as u ('hristian people, would work well toj,'ether,
if we would enjoy the sn;iles of our IIeav>Mily Father, we must
cherish, kindly fet lini;s towards each other. Love workeih no
ill to his nei^dihoi'. Surely tint worid is ready enf)\t,.;h to find
fault witli (hiisiians — to traduc(! them —without our hidpiiiLT
them. ( ), for more of [\u: spirit of .Fe.->u-i (Jhrist I M\y ihi' love
Chris;. Ik! s'lcl ahioiil in our heiiLs hy the Holy S[i;rit '.^iven
Uiilo ir>."

Bd O

will iind
the de-
wj, and is
ni/.-rfl' HO
dander.
I — [o love
•tail each
hd minis-
mselves,

wiv(^s or

uni

diands
ted t(

d in tl»''
1 if our

111*

lid feel in

failinf4>^.

Iheloni? to

id y«;t

1 ,

CHAPTKl? XXI I L

TiiK I'KtNcii'vi.siiir AccKfTicii Tiik Rnjirr Man in tmk Hkjut l*.,\ci: -

A UnaNIMDI'S AlM'OINTMKNT -" TilK Soli- ANDTIIK KlN(;i»i»M "

"TuK Anu\iiAMi(;Covi:NANT" — Lkttkkto a Pouhtinc! (*iiri;( ii
Mkmukr Warm Tkstimonials- Fkom Tiik Voi no I'koim.k < i
Tiir, Ciiuucu -From Tiik Tkmpeuanck Reformation S'iciktv

A MlCMOI'.ABLK Nl(;!IT A IVm'TIST TrH'MVIKATK HkMOVAI. Ml

\Vi)tH).sT.tt'ii -Tiik First Session The Siiir Latncmiki).

OTlN THE spring of l.S(10 the parties most closely con-
;o|^ nected with this latest phase of our educationnl
work thought 1 must give up my pastoral charge, and
<levote my whole time and strength to this new under-
taking. This was not what 1 coveted for myself.
After much thought and prayer I accepted the position.
At that time I did not expect to take up a permanent
reh;idence in Woodstock. I supposed that, in a compara-
tively few years, the Theological Department would he
ren\oved to Toronto, and that I should be removed with
it."

Such is Dr. Fyfe's own modest account of his appoint-
ment to the position of Principal of the new \cademy.
It is not probable that the promoters of the institution
liad thouffht of any other arrano^ement from tl v.^ first.
Maclay College had failed more through lack of a suit-
able man on whom all could agree for President than
from any other cause. No doubt the strength of tho

IIIC

Uni

'P.,\cr.

i Cliri;( II
•eoim.k ' I

;m(>va\- .11
•.I).

oly con-
icatioiial
rtxe, and
uncler-
inyself-
position,
iiianont
ompara-
ould bt'
ed with

ippoint-

iademy.

Ititution

V.1 first.

a suit-

ht than

of the

UKV. U. A. FYKE, D.I).

309

lu^w movoukenfc was due larnj^'ly to tlio l»eli<'f that tliis
iiifficult}'' no h)n<rur existed — that tlie riL,'ht man could Im-
found for tlic place as soon as the phice couhl be made
ready for (lie nwin. A note from Mr. Fyfe to his friend
McPhail, written <iui*ing the interval between his accop':-
ance of the p sition and his removal to Woo«1stock, shows
incidentaby how unanimous were the leaders of the de-
i:oniinatiori iti regard to the app)intment: —

" I thank you sincerely for your kind oxprrssions !il);)ut tlio
hi.stitut(» jtiul Miy coiuujctiuu with il. 'I'lKM-mitidciicc! whidi my
brethren in tlie ministry have, almost to a Mum, cxptesscd in
me as Principiil, has aH'ccted in(! in a manner l)eyon(l my
power to (lescrilie. While it encourages in(% it makes nie
iremhle. Who is sullicient to mould and train our rising
ministry? 1 Idjx; you and the ministry generally, as well as
tlie (;hur(;h('s generally, will reniemher nie at the Throne of
(irace. W.ill you not have some set time, some monthly sea'^on,
ot' prayer for (!od's hlessing on the Institute? In many
respects I would much rather remain where 1 am. Jiut if wo
are ever to learn our duty from the deliherat(! opinions of
good mfMi, I feel that the opinions of my l)r(!thren point to
my remov.il to W^)oclstoek as my duty. I did not seek the

l)«ition,

nor did [ seek a '- D D." The lattei- title I will sell to

vou

for a

very sma

11 su

To return to my own feelings, I love to preacli the (lospel.
1 love to recall the times — nov/ far in the past -when you and
1 viaited many destitute fields together. And, if I had niy
own way, I wou'd ask no hetter work than to he without

pastoral charge, witn enou

lijh to live up(

)n.

Let

me so Worn

place to place and se'ik out ' the few sheep in the wildern.ess.'
One of the considerations v/hich ir^duce me to go to Woodstock,
is that I shall still have opportunities to preach.

" I sliould l)e glad if 1 could get a few davs or weeks rest,
lj;;fore entering upon njy new duties, for I feel weary and my
toils and anxieties for the past year have been very great.
Hut I fear I shall get no rest."

* The degree of "Doctor of Divhiity" was'conferiTil by Afadison
University iu 1858.

I ;

i '

I- i
I

■

• :'i

hliPi: AM) LA nous OF

During tlii.s pastorate " The Soul and tlie Kinjjfdom," a
little volume ernboflyin<r the substanct^ of several sei--
nions, was published. The theme, the spirituality of
the Christian reliij^ion, may be regarded as ([uite a
favorite one with him. He delighted to dwell upon it.
" The grand fundamental piinciple of all true religion,
vi/. its pertiowd dii'l splrltu'd rharacte'r" was also the
I'ey-note of a sermon on '' The Abr.iliamic Covenant,"
which was picached before the (irand River South
Association in LSG8, and published l>y retjuest of that
body. But in none of his numerous sermons and public
discussions, do we find this grand principle, with its cog-
nate doctrine of the iiid ^pendence of the in lividual churcli,
more clearly and forcibly set forth than in a private
letter, written to a menrber of the Bond Street Church
who was proposing to withdraw for reasons sufficiently
indicated in the letter. The following extract is somc-
wliat lengthy, but the views so well enunciated have a
double biographical value. They enable Mr. Fyfe to
state his views for himself, not through an interpreter,
and they go on record for the information of all who imay
choose to study and compare them with thosf^ of the
Text-book:—

" 1. In spoakiii[( of vuligiou.-! tmtlis ami pra'-.tujes. wi' pju>t
tlistiiiguisli h(3t\veou what is essential, ami wiial is nieix-iy
incidental to any system ; ])et\veeii what is enforced, ami wJiai
is volnnfcary ; wiiat Gi\\ jtositively reipiiros, ami what is nuM'cly
a way in which some <,'ooil piMjplc snppose they are cai"ryin<^ out
the spirit of their H(;avonly Father's instrnctioris. You are
aware that there are many practices and customs at the present
day, resi)ectini,' whicli the Scriptures give ns jio jjrecise direc-
tions. Tlie ^^ew Testament says nothing, for exanijde, about
Missionary Societies, Tract, JJihle, Education, Temperance
Societies, or Protestant Alliances. These are voluntary associa-

KEV. II. A. l-YIK, DJ),

;]n

•fc to
jreter,
may
)t' tlic

mu-t
lucre ly

\vli;it
In e rely
\v^ out
[u nvc

(lirec-
about
ir.iii(;<;
ks'icia-

tion-', wliicli iiKMi may or may Udt jciu williout ilisolicyiuL' (lod.
Among the Baptists we have no I'l'di'diaxtirid ni/stenis — we have
sim|)ly rinirclii'x witli tlioir ohh'i's, or Ij'sIiojis, mikI dciicdns'.
Pliil. i. I ; Acts xiv. 23, xx. 17. All tin.' memher.s of (he
church are to be sjiiritr.al menibiM's who f)])!'y their Lord. The
brethren manaj^'o tiieir own all'.iirs. Tliey meet weeldy to Iii'c;i)<
bread, to hear th(! word of (lod exphiined, and to ediiy iuid
exiujrt one another. Ibit all the or^^anization-;, the associiitions,
the conventions, the missionary and eilucation societies, which
exist amoui^ the I)ai)tists, are purely voluntary or<^';niiz!iti(Mis.
Some of our mendxMs think they can ('o good by connecting
t'leiusf'lves with all these organizution?. Some have conlidence
in only two or three of them. Some do not conti<le. in any ( f
them. l)Ut co-o|)eratiou or non-co-o|)('ration in these societie-,
coiincils, dedications, etc., does in no way ad'ect m(;mbersliip in
|)irt;cular chundms. Did we .«ay, '.My brother you must
l)elieve in all these things ,uul sustain them, else wo shidi
disftdlowshij) you,' then you niigiit justly answer, ' Your si/sfcui
oppri's.sps mij ('i)nxri;'}tre; It i>< irrninj.^ All that a member of a
Baptist Church cm guard is his own church. Have we, for
exanijtle, in liond Street departeil from the Scriptures? If so,
ill v.'liat respects? What commands or institutions of (}od aie
we neglecting? Wherein ai'e we infringing ujion Christian
lilM'rty by enforcing or making disciplinary anything that (lod
has not required ? We niay have customs resf)ecting which
God gives no exprcs.s instructions, but in regarti to these,
(thougb I have nothing detinit»? in my mind iit this monu-nt,)
thcu'e nnist be lilierty. Wi' niii.Vi !>^ ^ eliurch, come far short of
being so s])iriiaal as we should lie. Ir is my prayer to God, ami
I believe it is also the ])ray(!r of many l)esides, that we may be
more fully transformed, l>y the renewing of our minds, into the
i uage of Christ. The ' Baptists' System ' tlieu is this : they
insist that those who have fellowshi{) with them should o))(^y
the plain teachings of God's word and n(> more. Wlnui we j)ass
beyond plain teachings to things re.spectin/ whirdi G xl has
given no positive instructions, we ai-e guided by tin; law laid
down in Konums 14th Chap, and in ii. Cor. 8th Chap.

2. You obje(;t vciry strongly to ' l>aptist Cust

om>

» (,

dedications, ordinations, councils, thoologicid schools, etc. Bear
in mind, please, that these are strictly voluntary, that no man
is in any way bound to sustain tlii'in, except as they commc.d

312

UF" AND L.V;U)KS OV

tli(Musi'lvos to liis own coiiscioMcc. P.'r"c -t ciijoyiirMit of all tlio
; rivihiges of tlui Church may exist in any an'i every c;i-e, in
ontii'i) in(le[)in(len''e of, iinil isolation from, all tliesc thing-i.
Ai!(l surely tlii.s is freedom (Mi^ju^'n. It would savor of
eapliousness to tin! fault with this as hein;^' restrictive of
Christian liberty. While this broad margin is freely allowed
to those who can lot see as I do respect' \<r a point wliich God
li IS not fixeil — for this is the class of subjeot-i I am speaking of
--I can see very groat b^uielits which may bf; r'!ap:!d fro.n a
jiroj)er use of m my of these societies or cUotoins, e. <j. a
jiroper th(iol(tgi.;al school m ly be a very great l)!essing. Tiiat
there were som • m ; ms a 1 ),it'Ml to t<M(;h men for the ministry
in New Te^aiivnt tiin"^ i< V'Tij <'v><l<'nf. S.;e 2 Tim. ii. 2 ;
Titus i. 9 ; Acts xviii. 20. The pi'in'-i)tl". of te ii:hi!ig uvm irith
vfitrence to future i)reaching is clearly involved in. these [las^-
ages. Tiie disciples of Chiist were three and a Ii;df years with
Hun after they were convei'ted, that He might illustrate and
explain truth to tluun. Paul did not enter upon his labors for
three years aftitr his conversion. Christ, duri;ig that tim(!, as I
suppose, revealeil to him in a miraculous m inner the great
doctrines of the Gospel. It does not matter where a mui gets
his information, but he must posse-'s it, else he cannot teach.
Suppose I knew of some brother deeply versed in the knowledge
of God's word, would I do wrong if [ asked him to commit to
some faithful young m ui, who liad been less highly favored
than himself, what he Lad .received of God, that tliey might be
able to teach others ? ^V good theological school does neither
ni )re nor less than furnish to young men, in whose hearts G>)d
Ills already planted his grace, the best facilities for a careful
study of tlie word of -God. In regartl to ordinations I m ly
remark, in passing, that Tim )thy is exhorte.l to lay hands sud-
denly on no man, i.e., ordain no mm suildenly. Titus ordained
)nen in Crete, and there are other cases, e.r/., that mentioned in
G il. ii. 9, where soui; mode of public rerofpiifitv), ira^ ti'lopted, ii-]ien
no special (jifts were conferred. But I iiccmI not enlarge on these
points, as they are of the number in regard to which no positive
law is laiil down, and in regard to which men are free.

";i. You object much to ornaments in places of worship. Si
do I, not as a matter of piety, but as a matter of taste ; for I
cannot find tiiat the Scriptures say one word in regiirl to this
subject. God looks at the state of the worshipper's mind. If

REV R. A. FYFE. D.D.

313

glitS

nit to

voi'eil

ht bo

itliei'

livot'ul
111 ly
siid-

iiiiiod

leil in
irlieii

Ithesc
ntive

8:.

Ifor I

this

II If

the lieait be lowly and contrit", Oo;l will dwoll in it as readily
in a cathedral a>( in !i cabin. And my o.K|n'rieiice and observa-
tion have bcjMi tliat there may be as mnch pride and carnality
in a hut as in a castle, and the-e dreadfnl sins as often assnnu;
the jirarb- of Immility as any other <lress. If a person's mind is
taken up with his dress, or the shape and <,'randenr of his
place of worsljip, then his mind is wr(»iij,f. l>nt the poverty or
plainness of a place of worship does not necA'smiihj add to tin!
spiritnaiity of the worshippers. I have in my menioiy nianv
illustrations t»f the reverse. As I U-,q\ \n rej^ard to this 1 would
buil't a house of pure f,'old (could I afford it) if by this means I
could brin<,' a <:,'reater numljer of pcu'sons, tlian by any other,
statedly under the sound of the pure truth. God dwelU'th noL
in temples made with hands wluither they be plain or decorated,
lari,'e or small. It is witli the humble worshipjx'r alone th.'.t
he dw(i)ls. If a people sliouUl say, a house of worship must
have a certain shape, size or (Iccoration in order to make it
acceptable to God ; then I would rebel at once.

" -i. 'Strict communion' you object to. At this I confess I
am a little su'itrised, for if I ri^diily understand your other
views this objection seems i'consistent with your strong desire
to adhere strictly to the 8criptuie.s. Pardon my plainness. It
is a simple question of fact. Did inspired men have at tlie com-
munion table any wlio were not baptized? If not, we depart
frouj inspir-d example, and introdnce a ' worMly elen>ent* into.
tin; discipline of our cliurches, when we introduce unbaptizeil
persons at the communion. Baptism is a />o.s/^/<7e comuiand, and
it cannot be treated in the same way as other things respecting
which God has given no express precept. You spealcof ioavini;
th(^ ]»a[>tists, although yow do not charge them, as I understand
it, with neglecting any ex})ress conunand of God, and you pro-
pose to take to your arms those who neglect the clearly revealed
will of Christ. I state this matter as it presents itself to my
mind, and \ am sure you will not misapprehend my feelings
while I am endeavoring to make plain my views to yon.

"5. I do not know that you stated very distinctly your idi'as
respecting church organizations, and therefore 1 can only state
lay <»wn at this time. I do not regard the church as a volunUiry
society which onj ma join or leave at his own option. And
lieaCv!! as we m ist join a c'lurvdi in obadience to (j » I's r.;vca!ed
will, so must we l.'ave it in obodieacc to that will. We sh'>uld
U

314

LlFf: A.N'lJ I-A15011S OF

have 11 'TliUH snilli tlu; Lonl' t'or joiniii^i,', nnil a 'Tims ^^aitll tlio
Loi'd ' for loaviii^'. I do not fiiul that Christians in N. T. times
hift a ('hurt;li cxocipt \vh(!ii the ch'irch departeil from tho fairli,
t>., t;ith(.'r h'ft undono what tlicy wisre coiiimanded to do, or did
what tlu'.y were forhiddeii to do. Or else when the person him-
f^elf departed from the faitli as in 1 Jolm ii., 19.

Further, I icijard the chureli as a witnessing body. Seethe first
tliree cljaptcrs of Revcdation. Any notion that it was designed
merely, or mainly, for the mutnal edifi -ation and eomfort of the
members, is a defective view, a partial conception. Neither
the A])ostle Paul, nor his Ma-<ter, sj)ent anything like the tiiv.e
{uhI eil'ort in directly edifying and comforting the cliurch that
th'-y did in turning men from sin. Wlnnn-ver mutnal edifica-
tion, important as this duty is, is made the great object, thn
chUf end of church organization, the sj)irit of the gospel is
sacrificed to a reiinod selfishness, which will inevitably work
the ruin of the organization sooner or later. The stream of
time is sirewn with tin; wrecks of such churches. O how anx-
ious and ind.'fatigal)le M'as the Saviour, and also the Apostle
Paul, to save sinners ! "

Dr. Fyfe'.s departure from Toronto called forth many
tlabtering, and no doubt s'ncere, expressions of regret,
1)oth from within and from without h s own church and
congregation. One that, we may be sure was by no
means the least acceptable and gratifying was an address,
accompanying a parting gift, from "the young members
of the church and congregation." "You are leaving," say
they, " those who have not only learned to love you and
admire your character as a man, a Christian, a pastor, and
' father in Israel,' but who desire to be grateful that you
have been the instrument in God's hands of turning their
wandering feet into tlie fold of Christ, and establishing
them more firmly in the faith of our blessed Redeemer."
"We desire to express to you," they continued, "our
appreciation of, and sincere thanks for, that care and
anxiety, that devotedness and attach ment. which you

'•!'

REV. R. A. FVFE, D. D.

316

1 tlio

»r tliil
. liini-

le first

r)f the
1 either
tiiv.e
h tliat
LMlilica-

iCt, tllG

sjtel i><
f work
eaia of
)\v ;inx-
Apostle

I many
regret,
ch anil
by no
ddvess,
embers
' say
ou and
or, and
lat you
I or their
)lishins

jemer,
p, "our
trc and
jh you

have ever manifested towards us, and especially for tVe
extra labor you have performed in lecturinj:^ and teaching
for our improvement. Be assured. Dear Sir, that for all
these you have our most sincere thanks, and our fondest
hopes and most earnest prayers for your future welfare."
While j^^iving himself with exemplary zeal and devo-
tion to the special work of his own pastoral sphere, Dr.
7yfj was always ready to throw himself with impas-
sioned energy into every great moral movement that
enlisted his sympathies and needed his services. He
was throughout an ardent friend and advocate of the
temperance, or rather total abstinence, reform. While in
Perth he had connected himself with the Sons of Tem-
jjcrance, had filled the highest office in the local branch
of the Order, and on leavino- had received stronjx assur-
ances of the regard in which he was held by the members,
and their regret at his departure. So, too, in Toronto, at
a time when the temperance organizations were much
less popular than now, and ministers of the various de-
nominations were still chary of committing themselves
in favor of the movement, he had not hesitated to giv^e it
his warmest support. A public address was presented to
him, on the occasion of his leaving the city, by the " Tem-
perance Reformation Society of the City of Toronto,"
which spoke in the strongest terms of his "eloquent,
sincere, and forcible advocacy of the cause of total absti-
nence" — a cause which he " had fearlessly, zealously, and
faithfully urged upon the public in the pulpit, on the
platform, and in the press," ever since he came to the
city fifteen years before. The society proceeded to con-
vey to him the heartfelt thanks of its officers and mem-
bers for the valuable services he had s ) frequently and

3u;

LIFE AND LABORS OF

earnestly ainl with so much success "rendereil in the
cause of tcm/perance and triiih " — .services "doubly blessed
as coming from a miriister of Christ whose daily walk
and conversation had been in strict accordance with his
preaching and teaching."

Rev. J. S. Ross, now of Caspar, California, sends us
the following graphic picture of a night at Dr. Fyfe's
house in Toronto shortly before his removal to Wood-
stock : —

"1 W!is intiniiito with the Into fFoseiih McGrogor of Calodon,
!i ])enefiictov of the Collen'c, and al>^o one of its stiulonts (hiiiiig
its first term. Ho s[)oke of s[)en(liiig a night at Dr. Fyfe's l)efor(^
the latter removed from Toronto to Woodstock. He said it was
the mf.morahle nvjUt of his life. The late Rev. Mr. McPhail
and Rev. T. L Davidson, q.www as guests for the night. It was
a joyful reunion of kinch'ed spirits, who had not met for many
years. They were old-time friends, and that friendship never
waned or lost its fervor. Thoy were three self-made men \.'ho
liad courageously conquered difficulties and won fame in God's
vineyard. Each knew l\ow nobly the othci's had struggled
to reach the positions they now occupied. It was a Ba])tist
triumvirate in session. Dr. Fyfe was in his happiest mood.
They reviewed the chequered past, recalled old associations and
renewed pleasant memories. They had seen, but had outlived,
the day of small things. Each was incpiisitor in turn. Every
field where Baptists existed was considered, from Windsor to
Quebec, and from Owen Sound to Lake Erie's shore. Every
pastor came in for his own share of impartial criticism, words
of praise or blame. The censures ware the wounds of a friend,
the penalty we inflict upon those we love and which would rouse
our indignation if spoken by others. There were sallies of mirth
and ahundance of wit, serious inquiries and sober reflection?.
There was perfect freedom and no restraint. They planned,
deliberated and projected schemes for the future. They wanted
to promote the glory of God and they sought the welfare of the
Baptist denomination. Their past success, God blessing their
'abors, encouraged them for the future.

•' I think he said that they lay down but never slept. No

(r(T

(tIcmI
iiptist
mootl.
i and
ivetl,
•'.very
or ti)
M'ery
words
ioud,
rouse
ndrtli
ition?.
lined,
anted
)f the

tlicir

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.l).

817

sooner was one tlieiue disposed of tlian another would come up.
He learned juore of our peoplo that nijjfht than he over knew
before. His interest and sympathy had hcen awakened in our
(Mlucational work, and his Ix-quest is still iielping the college. It
was tlio last nigiit these; three worthies were to spend toijcther
on earth and poor M(;(}re<,'or went to his reward in 1801. They
are all j^one hut their works follow them."

Tn June, ISGO, Dr. Fyfe took up his residence perma-
nently in Woodstock, and on the 4th of July following
the school was opened. He says : —

** At that time ih(? building was incomplete. We ha'1 only
one tlat of ilormitories tinished. Our first ht-ginning was a half
term, six weeks. At the end of this short term we had forty
pupils on the roll. During the vacation tiiat followed the first
term I went out and raised nearly money enough to finish an-
other flat of dormitories. Jn the Autumn teiin, up till the
Christmas vacation, we had on tin; teaching staff: Miss
Brigham, Miss Vining, Mr. (now Dr.) Stewart, and the late ^[r.
llankinson, besides myself. There seemed to be a growing
interest in the schocjl, and the promise of a large; attendance at
the beginning of Janunry, 1801. We closed the term in pretty
good s[)irits and looked hopefully to the future. And yet we
had no endowment and very few friends."

At the opening of the next term, on September 12th,
really the first regular term of the schools existence, the
Principal was able to report to the Baptist that seventy-
nine pupils were on the roll, and several more expected.
Ten of those already there, and som j of those to come, had
the ministry in view. This was g^od, practical, proof
that the Institute was needed and likely to be appre-
ciated.

The toils and worries of that first term, or rather first
term and a half, which intervened before the close of
1800, can well be conceived by those who know anything
of the working of such enterprises. For a vivid picture,

■

is]

' I

't mm

^[H

LIFE AND LAMOIIS OF

drawn bv one who was a sharer in the labor and tho
hurden-beaiin^', the reader is ret'«'ried to Mrs. Yule's
" Mem (ries of Dr. Fyfe and his Work," near the end ot*
this volume.

Thus the {[^oodly ship, built with so much toil and
anxiety, atid freighted with so many grand possibilities
and precious hopes, was launched upon the uncertain sea
of voluntaryism. The readers of this volume know to
what extent those hopes have been fulfilled, those possi-
bilities realized, through more than a quarter of a centuiy
of labor and struggle, up to the present day. Tt remains
for generations yet unborn to rejoice in their ampler
fulfilment and realization as the good work goes on and
tho harvests multiply fro:n one djcrx.le to another.

CHAPTER XXIV.

ThK iNSTITrTE HlIRNKD — CaST DOWV. r^TT NOT DkSTROYR|)--A RaY (»K
LlOHT — HoTK ReVIVKD — FlXAN(!IAL STATEMENT — W(>01)STnCK

Moves— Chahacter Tested — The School HE-orENED— Volun-
taryism ON Its Trial — a Sucoessfitl Canvass — Canadian
Baptists Vindioatei>— New Bcilding Erected— Trials of the
Executive Committee - And of the Trustees— Dr. Fyfe
Overworked— A Bequest Lost — Appeal Follows Appeal— An
FiNORMous Burden - The Question of Endowment -The
Scholarship Plan — Half the Loaf not Wantei>— History ok
The Ministerial Education Society.

>iJHIS morning, about half past three, a fire broke
{^- out in the wing of .he Institute, and in a short
time enveloped the whole building in flames. The labor
of years is a mass of smouldering rubbish. Alas! alas!
In less than an hour and a half thav \;hich had so long
been a subject of prayer and interest to the Baptists of
Canada was a mass of ruins Little or nothing could be
saved. One cause for devout jxratitude is the fact that
but few of the students had arrived. They will be pour-
ing in to-day and to-morrow. God is trying us sorely ;
but I am persuaded that this is meant for good. The
origin of the fire is a mystery. No fire had bren in the
room where the conflagration broke out, during the da}'.

:\10

MFE Avn i.vnons op

Mutters look dark, Imt a search iiiir iiivestiLration will be
Tiia»le into i]w whole afl'air.*

" I have no .stren«^tli to write more ; but one thin^ I can
siy : We feel 'cast down, hut ii d deMroi,ed.' I am not
di.sconra<red. 1 feel .sure many a true Christian heart
will draw nif(h to (Jod on our behalf. O, brethren, pray
for us. I do not think we shall stop the sch ol, alt! "^ ugh
I do not ijet know how wc shall carry on our work. I
feel sure we sliall have the sympathy of many in this our
great calamity."

So wrote Dr. Fyfe for the Bapflfit, on the eighth of
January, 1801, the very day wImmi the new pupils were
coming up foi- examination and classification, preparatory
to the opening of the term. Theserpi^d cannot be better
told than in his own words, in the " Historical Sketch,"
written seventeen years after.: —

"How thti l)llnliIl,^' of th( Instituto still throws its lurid ylarc
ov«M' the horizon of the )>ast ! Soim; tliont^'lit it was a jnil;^'iii(Mit
upon us, wliicli w uld (juii-t iJaptist aniMtion for ovlt. Had
tlie Ilaptists not failed twi«;(', and tliis was tlio third and last
time. But (iod meant for us good, and not evil. On the even-
ing of the (lay on whicli the Institute edifice was hurned, eighty
stuilcnts caUK! in to join the School. Tliey were inHeted in
Woodstock fau-i'ies (w]u> showed inmdi synn-athy with us.) till
the Committee .-hould be a])h) to decide what to do. Haiiiilton
offered us the .)so of a ])uii(Hng, and so did Brantford, if wi;
woiihl move. After long and »!arnest effort, 'Woodstock
IIoK'l/ (rent free for two years) with all its furniture, was pro
cure<l for us )>y citizens of Woodstock, tliougli we had to pay
jiait of the price at which the hotel furniture was valued. It w.xh
pioposed to assess the town for $600, for our benetit, hut this

* The mystery of the origin of the fire has never been solved. The

fact that two attempts were siihseiiueutly made to burn the buildings

points strongly to iiicendiariam, but no evidence was forthcoming, nor

even proof of malice or other adoijuate motive on the the part of any

udividual.

RE.'. II. A lYFL, D.I).

.121

The

lldings

Ig, nor
Tf any

wi; rtifiisml, and puid tin* inon(>y om.;elvcs. Tlio Tiistitiitc?
ImiMm;,' was lnuncd on Tuosiluy, und classosi were i(M;itiiiy; on
Fiid.i.v ill tlic old Ilotol !

"Still iJiiTt' was not :i lay of light sliowin;; uy wliore w(» were
to gi't aiiotlicr Imildiiig, After paying out the whole insurance
we )»ad on ihr hiiilding, we were more than $0,000 iti debt !

" r>efor(> the end of the week on which the lire oecnirred, the
Hon. 'W. MeMa.-ter wrote, saying that he woiill eontrilynte
$1,000 toward a now l)uilding. This 'dearly pointcid out to th(3
Trnsteea that thoy shoidd make a vigorous effort to huild again.
From all (piartcns exj)ressions of sympathy pounul in. One
minister, now in a hetter world, rode n|) on the day after the
c-;damity, and told us to ' I>e of good eheei ; lu; was sure we
were destined to have a good school here, else tlio Devil would
not he so niiid at us !* The TrUvStees met, an I resolve;! to raise
620,000, in the form of promissory notys, tlie notes to he hind-
ing only on eoruh'tion that the whole l|?'_'0,000 were actually
|ilcdL;(!d bel'oie didy following. I was appointed chief solicitor,
along the main thoroughfares, (for I could not l)o spared from
my classes) and Mr., now Dr., Peddie, who was then ^ student
in Madison Tniversity, was engagtul to (-anvuss the churches off
the chief lines of travel. For the lov(i he hore to his native
land, (and 1 think he still loves Canada), he was willing to
undertake this arduous ami not over ])leasant work. And most
elliciently ditl ho do his part. He raised ahout !i?4,000 in the
country churches. The rest of the canvassing was done hy iny-
self and volunteers. In ahout fourteen we(d<s from th'* coii-
mencement (^f our agilaliou, wc' had .^21,600 pledged. The fire
had warmed up the whole oountrv I Canadian l>aptists hefore
t]i(^ fire, and Canaliati iJiptists after the tire, W(U'e entirely
different peoph; I "

The following extract from a " Financial Statement"
})repared under direction of the Board of Trustees in
1862, by the late Rev. Hoyes Lloyd, M.A., may serve to
supplement the foregoing: —

"At the time the former huilding was burned, there were
$11,372.33 of deht upon it, to moGfc which the notes held
against various parties amounted to :he small sum of $896.81,
leaving $10,475,59, to be provided for, even if all the notes
should be promptly paid.

;5i

322

LIFE AND LABORS CP

" The Insurance Companies made good tlic amount of $vSOOO,

for wliicli the l)iiilding was insured, and thus reduced the

]l.ibiliti"s to §3,373.33. This, then, was the linaucial position

of tlje Board after tlie tire. Their buiUling in ruihs, over $3000

in debt, and §8t)6 in old notes, many of wliich were utterly

worthless. Ifeavy was the blow, and dark indeed were the

prospects ! They hardly knew what to do or where to turn.

lUit He who opened a path for His ancient peojjle through the

midst of the sea, had not forsaken them. So that they might

say with the sweet singer of Israel,

' The Lord is my strength ami my shield,
I trusted ill Him, ami am helped.'

" Siuldened with the intelligence he had received of the
destruction of the l)uilding, a brother sought rej)ose, but sleep
lied from his oyes. He is one of the Lord's stewards, and his
Master was giving him a commission that night. AVhen tlie
morning dawned he did not disobey the promptings of the Holy
One, wlio had given him his life, his wealth, and his hopes of
Heaven ; but sitting down he penned a letter to Dr. Fyfe,
pledging $4000 towards the erection of a new buiUlmg, provided
that the balance of the sum required should be raised from
other sources.

"This niunificient offer from the Hon. William McMaster of
Toronto, caused light to beam through the darkness. The cam-
paign was opened, and there was a general girding on of armor,
with a sanguine hope of success. Responses to the api)eals
that wore made came in from all quarters with rapidity, and
ill the course of a very few months $21,18G.(>I: were secureil by
notes and ple>lges.

" Tiie inhabitants of Woodstock offered the Woodstock Hotel
for the pur[)oses of the Institute, for twelve months, and $1000
of tlie amount required for the rent of it were pledged. The
b.danco of $G00 not being obtained by ])rivate subscription, the
Town Council passed a resolution to levy a special tax upon the
inhabitants to that amount, which the Hoard declined to accept,
prefeiring to advance that amount out of their own treasury, at
the risk of having none refunded, to making any compromise
of Baptist princi[)le8 of voluntaryism."

It will be observed that there is a discrepancy of about
S3000 between Dr. Fyfe's statement and that of Mr.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

82:3

otol
flOOO

The

II, the

In the

kcept,

)mi:^e

IViout
Mr.

Llovd, in recrard to the amount of the. debt after the fire.
Both statements are probably correct, Mr. Lloyd's being
official and certified to by Messi-s McMastcr and Crai<jf,
as auditors, while Dr. I'^'yfo was not the nuin to mako* a
broad error in a matter ul fact of that kind ; but just how
they are to be harmonized is not char. ISo doubt they
reckoned from different dates. It may be tliat the
explanation lies partly, or wholly, in the fact mentioned
by Dr. Fyfe, that the Trustees became responsible for
half the price of the furniture of the hotel, and for the
balance of $600 on account of rent to be paid. There
may, also, have been other equally necessary liabilities
immediately incurred.

The refusal of tlie Trustees to permit the Woodstock
Town Council to raise the balance of the rent money by
taxation, is worthy of moro than a passing notice. The
offer to place the hotel at the disposal of the Trustee.'-'
rent free, had been made spontaneously by the citizens,
at a public meeting presided over by the mayor. Why
should the friends of the Institute care bv what means
the town fulfilled the pledge thus made on its behalf?
The principle on which tlie Trustees acted in declii ing
to receive anything beyond the amount voluntarily
subscribed by individuals seemed no doubt to many,
overstrained, if not incomprehensible. The author first
heard of the incident years after, from an influential
magistiate, a Presbyterian, living in the neighborhood.
He condemned the action of the Board as mistaken and
foolish. The temptation, under the circumstances, naist
have been pretty strong, and very plausible reasons would
suggest themselves why the money should be accepted,
and the odium, if any resulted, cast up -n the town

324

LIFE AND LABORS OF

officials, or tlie citizens. AU honor to the Board for their
hjyalty in a trying time to the grand prmciple of re-
ligious voluntaryism I

The occasion was one of those which trj'' men's mettle.
In her " Memories," in another part of this volume, Mrs.
Yule, who, as Miss Vining, was a witness of the calamity,
as well as a sufferer by it, and who had her part, as one
of the teachers, in all the toils and trials which followed,
bears witness to the nobility of soul which Dr. Fyfe
manifested throughout. He did not, she assures us, give
way to despondency foi' an hour. His unfailing self-
i-eliance and fertility of resource wer ^ ^ . ^r more
c )nspiciously manifest, nor the power of his inspiring
presence more .strikingly felt. Nevertheless it was to
him, doubtless, a season of great darkness, and he used
often in later years to refer gratefully to the receipt of
Mr. McMaster's letter, as the first rift in the clouds.

One Wiio was at the time one of the theological stu-
dents and who nrrived in Woodstock on the next day
buton*' after the catastrophe, nfter referring to the char-
red ruins, the despondent teachers and the liberal a«"ti^n
of the citizens says : —

"A few (liiys iiftor, Dr. Fyfe st<iO(l up after chapel e:ve)'c^^o
and while hi.s face slio\vo>l iiulicationa of auxi(;ty and care, spoke
as follows, as nearly as 1 can recall his words. 'Yotiiij,' ladies
and gentlemen, we liave passed throngh a fiery trial. God
nKJves in a inystcM'ious way. We often cannot nud(!rstand his
purposes till they are developed in the fulfilment. I want ;"')ur
hel[i, your [)rayers and sympathy in this trying time. We have
abundant reason to thank God that all our lives have been
precious in his sight. Hiid this calamity taken place a d.iy
later when the bcliool was in session, hew many might liave
perished in the building. I wish you all to exercise a spirit of
patience and put u[) with such accommodations as we have in

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

325

l;ulied

Go.l

id his

liivve

l)eeu

(liy

have

ivit of

Ive in

the meantime. If you are willing to do this, I think I cnn
I>romi.se you at a day not very far (li>:tant, a better hiiil(liii<,%
with ampler accommodations than we liad in the okl one. K((|i
up your courage, and ac(|uit yourselves as men ami women."

The biography of Dr. Fyfe from this time fortli is so
closely interwoven with the history of the (^ana«liaji
Literary Institute, that the two arc well-nigh insepar-
aVde. The history of the Institute itself presents two
very distinct aspects, which may be better viewed separ-
ately. The first is its financial, the second its educational
side. The former is from first to last, a story of strug-
gle, poverty and debt, lighted up at fre(juent intervals
with gleams of noble Christian liberality and self-
denial. The latter is for many vears a record of
continuous progress in extent of course, in thoroughness
of instruction, and in attendance of pupils.

It should have been mentioned before that during the
summer and autumn of ISGO, in addition to the o-eneral
canvass that had been previously made for the buihling
fund. Dr. Fyfe and Mr. Hewson had been authorized to
make a special appeal to the denomination for the addi-
tional sum of $1200, needed in order to prepare the third
fiat of the building for the accommodation of the larcje
number of expected students. There were then going on
at the same time movements to collect overdue suV>scrip-
tions to the original building fund, a plan for getting t!.e
head of each Baptist family in Canada to contribute a
York shilling for each member of his family to a fund for
wiping out the debt already contracted, and this sp cial
appeal for $1200 to coniplete the building. It will thus
be seen that the voluntaryisip of the denomination was
being pretty thoroughly tested, even before the fire.

; i

II i

lUC^

LTFJ-: AND LABORS OF

We hnvQ already seen from Dr. Fyfe's statement that,
within six months from the d.itc of tlie appeal, somewhat
more than the S20,000 asked for the purpose of re-building
had been subscribed. This result was not reached with-
out much earnest effort. In addition to the energetic and
constant appeals of Dr. Fyfe and Mr. Peddie, many
ministers an 1 other warm friends of the cause took hold
lieartily and pushed forward the collection in their
r "spective localities. The result was as indicated, and at
the expiration ol' the time limit Dr. Fyfe was enable I to
H:iy in the Baptltit : —

"The notice which we publish in another column of the
successful issue of the effort to raise -I^^OjOOO to rebuild the
Institute edifice, will gladden many a lieart. Many lips will
utter, 'Thank Clod for this token of His favor ! ' Yes, grati-
tude to (jrod is the first feeling which should be indulged, for
His hand has been in this matter throughout. He opened the
hearts of the people, and raised up zealous laborers in many
quarters, so that in less than fourteen weeks, embracing the
period when the roads in this new country are at their very
worst — all but impassable — the Province lias l»een canvassed
and $21,000 pledged. And the aggregate outlay for this
great work does not exceed ,^300.

" Never before have the Baptists of Canada so generally
tikea hold of any enterprise ; never before have so many
hearts and hands among the Bap*:iGtf' contriVaited to any one
enterprise. We thought that this work could not be done
unless the rich men of the denomination came forward and
helped. But, with two or three honorable exceptions, our rich
Baptists have done least of all for us — so much the worse for
them, so much the better for the others who have had a heart
to give. We confess that while we thank God for His favor
to His people, w'^ think we have reason to feel proud that the
Baptists have so promptly shown what they can do.

• • • • • • •

" In conclusion we must heartily thank the many, many,
friends who have taken hold of this work so vigoi'ously, for the

lany,
ir the

IIKV. W. A. FYI-E, J). I).

327

great moral lesson they have given, not only to the denomina-
tion, but to the whole Province. They have sIiowm what
harmony and determination can effect in a good cause. They
have shown whut voluntaryism can do when it sets about it,
how much it is superior to dependence upon St.ate help. And
they have proved *.hat the ' Regular I>aptists,' who have so
often been accused of a love for ignorance, do appreciate
educational advantafjes."

The contract for the erection of the new building was
taken by Messrs Nieliolson and Cliisliolm of Hamilton,
and by niidsuiimer of 1802 the new edifice, in some
respects better and more coivimodious than the former,
was completed. Voluntaryism is not without its dra-v-
backs and disadvantages, and some of these were ex-
perienced by Dr. Fyfe and the Trustees, in consequence
of tlie failure of mnny subscribers to redeem their pled-
ges promptly at the specified time. The amount of
anxiety and wor»'y th it were devolved upon the Princi-
pal and his co-workers of the Executive Connnittee, both
at this time and all through the subsequent history of
the Institute during his life -time, by their lack of funds
to meet obligations, can be understood best by those who
were in a position to know the facts. Ao-iin and jio-ain
did these unselfish workers, rather than let the Institute
suffer in efficiency or in reputation, become personally
responsible for sums which threatened sometimes to prove
ruinous to them personally. The indebtedness of the
denomination to some of those who were for many years
active members of the Executive Connnittee at Wood-
stock, has probably nevt.r been fully appreciated, but
they have the satisfaction of knowing that they were in
this respect, in common with Dr. Fyfe, burden-bearers
in a good cause.

t ¥•

ill

:]2S

LIFE AND LAFiORS OF

Bohind the committee and ever ready to sustain them
to tlie extent of their ability, were, of course, the Boai-d
of Trustees. Th ; history of the fimincial hibors anrl
tria's of the Board becomes monotonous, from the recur-
rence from year to year of substantially the same state
of aff.iirs. The internal growth of the college, the in-
creasing number of students from year to 3'ear, tlie higher
qualifications and wants of these students, and tht; neces-
sity for constant improvement in order to keep the Insti-
tute abreast of the other rapidly improving educational
institutions of tho Province — all these were so many
sources from which a cons. ant pressure was brought to
bear in the direction of increased expenditure. On the
other hand, owing partly to this increase and partly to
tho failure of many to pay the amounts subscribed,
when due, nearly ev^ery annual meeting would show a
considenible deficit and a necessity for some special
action to meet the emergency. More than once was the
denomination appealed to to wipe out debts of ;"vevera^
thousand dollars, unavoidably forced upon the managei
by the necessities of their great work; and nobly, on the
whole, did the denomination respond. The columns of
the Baptist teemed year after year with appeals. The
greater part ot every vacation, when body and brain
were crying out for rest and relaxation. Dr. F^fe was
obliged to devote to the toilsome, and growingly irksome,
task of a personal canvass of individuals and churches in
aid of the exhausted treasury. Not only so, but on
every available opportunity during the progress of the
school sessions, he was obliged to run hither and thither
in the hope of picking up a few dollars to help to meet
the deficiencies. It was not wonderful that this not only

REV, l\. A. FYFK, D. I).

329

il »iMuf tlio work of two men, but also e:i(lur*m«r the afix-
ioty an 1 worry inci<lent to two distinct and responsible
vocations, his licalth sliould have given way prematurely.

It is easy to say after the event that he slicmM not
have attempted so much, that from the very lowest
point of view it was bad economy, a tremendous and
woful waste of power which the denomination could ill
afford to lose ; that agents should have been employed to
do the collecting, etc. But at the time and uniler the
circumstances there really seemed no help for it. Many
subscribers wt-re always ready to complain if a consider-
able part of their contributions was div<'rted to the
payment of agents. The strongest appeals constantly
made through the Baptist, and by means of circulars,
were often unavailing. Nor could any other aL»"ent whom
it was found possible to secure, meet with anything like
the degree of success which attended his own personal
efforts. The force of his magnetic personality alone
sufficed in many cas s to open reluctant purses. Nay, it
sometimes happened that in their desire for a visit from
him, individh lis and churches would say in effect, some-
times in so many words, " It will be of no use to send an
agent. Come and visit us yourself and we will do what
we can. Other v\dse you need expect little or nothing
from us."

The financial difficulties of the enterprise were unex-
pectedly increased in its earlier j'^eai'S, and in fact
throughout its course, by the failure of the Trustees to
receive the income of $'J0(), or Ii5lO00 a year for the
Theological Department, on which they had confidently
relied from the Beam estate. Through some failure in

legal formalities, t!ic bequest of that excel It nt friend of
V

f'li

330

LIVE AND LAIU)1{S OF

Theoloi»ical cdiiciition, Dcjicon Bi-rttii of St. Catliariius,
was Vcndt rod unavailable, and tli (k'si<.ni ot* the testator
tVu'-ti'ated.

A t\ w samples taken almost at random fi'om tlie let-
ters and appeals over J)i-. Fyt'c's own sionature in the
Ihiitlist, wliicli would make a volume of themselves, will
perliaps convey clearer conceptions of thf magiiitude of
the task set him by the denomination, on its financial
«iJe. For instance, in ISG.'J he writes: —

"At the last re^ulai- meeting of tli(! Truslees of the Ciinadian
Literary Institute, the state of the treasuiy was taken into
.anxious eonsiiKM-ation. It was found that tliose appointed to
ninnage the ;» Hairs of the Institute had, (depending on the
notes ;inu pJeti^es given, as tliey supjiosed, in good faith,)
.incurred iov the purposes of the Institute heavy pecuniary
liabilities, and there were no funds t-o meet them. Aiiticipr.-
ting these liai»ilities, the Trustees last autumn appointed a
eom}H't(Mit Mgcnt, (Rev. H. Lloyd) personally to lay before the
ehuiches the state of the entei prise, and to organize local
.societies to aid the Theological Department. iJut outsiders
raided an outcry against the expensiveness of aji agent, and
jiot wishing to |)reiudice any fiiend ngainst the cause in its in-
fancy, the Trustees reluctantly released Mi-. Lloyd from his
engiigement. A})peal after a])peal was sent out to the subscri-
bers, and at last each one was personally addiessed by circular.
And what was tJie result of all the elibrts of the Trustees
;to reali/.e funds to carry on the "work committed to them I
Why this. At tlie meeting refei-red to they found that they
held notes representing between six and seven thousand dollars,
whilst they owed over three thousand dollars and had 'itothing
to pay.' The <piestiou arose, 'What is to be done? The
Trustees are pei'.sonally held for these debts. How are they to
be met 'I One says, ' Call on the parties wliose notes are so
long overdue to pay up.' Well, that has been done again and
again in vain. What next? Ought delinc|uents to be sued?
Or should an attempt be nuide to shame them into paying their
voluntaiy obligations? The Trustees, depending upon the
notes given them, incuired large debts for the denomination .'

HKV. 1{. A. FYFK, D.D.

n:n

81ioul(l the parties who really led them to do thi.-j, leave tlu^se
men to pay th(!.s<! (hthts out ol' their own po(;Uets? Is it fiiiht
ill tli<; slight of (Jod, or man, to niak(; those who incnr very
cniisiderahle expense and devote iniich time to serve tjie
denomination, henr this heavy loaf! of anxiety and responsi-
bility 'I Let subseriliers ask themselves how they would like
to ho put in the position in which they liave put the Trustees.
Friends, is this ri'j/if, is this iticirrT'

Ao-.iin ill IvSOG : —

" For tlie year just elosod the Trustees received 81,8 {9. 14
fronj the Ministerial I'^ducation Socitity, towards the salaries of
the teaehei's. When we ask wheiue these funds came, we lind
that a ^r'catei' uumher of r/iurr/trn contributed hist yeai' than
in any former year. And y(!t only 55 out of the 2G0 rei,'ular
JJiptist churches took u[) collijctions for the 8oci(?ty. A
numher of individuals bclonnin^ to churciies nob included in
the ;")") gave gcmerous donations, hut only 5') churches con-
tribut(^d. . . TIhmi if so small a ju-oportion as 55 out of 200
can raise so respectable a sum for iMinisterial Education, how
easily could we raise all the funds which v (; may recpiire to
make the Institute all we can desire it to he'i

Airairi in 1870 : —

"There are still some friends wlio, for good reasons doubtless,
have not yt^t found it convenient to cash their ])le(lges. We
are anxious if possible to pay oti" all on' inflebtedness incurred
for tiie improvements and the debt by the 7t)i of April next,
the close of the present teru). There are special reasons why
we desire to do so. 1 hav(! wi-itten to ncfu-ly all wlio have
unrodeemed pledges in our hands ; but there are some whose
addresses [ do not at present know. Will all such who do not
hearfi-om me by letter, take this friendly ren)inder instead, and
if pofisiliU; remit by letter registered to my address, or to the
Treasurei'?' Few knew how much relief we feel when enabled
to meet our liabilities, and go about our work without being
crushed under a burden of anxiety. Will you each do your part
to enable us at the close of the present term, when we art; giv-
ing a public report of our work and of the work of the
s'aulents ; when we are distributing tin; prizes to the succe.-sful
competitors, and otherwise rejoicing generally, to say to all the
world ' Wi<; are also out of debt.'"

'.V.V2

LIKK AND LAIJOIIS OF

The above extracts serve .simply to snjL;ijest tlie
fnoiinouM liurden of labor and care of a nn'celv inci-
dental kill I, and iisidt! from Ins jTopcr work as j)r()fe.ssor
and Pri!KMpil, which was home almost constantly hy JJr.
Fvff (hirinLT those seventeen eventful years. The (ines-
tion naturally suirujcsts itself wliy <hd he not fall huck on
the old plan of endowment, and hy one ^rcat effort seek
to raise the Institute ahove the necessity for this per-
pL'tual clajnorin<]f for help. Surely if an endowment
fund could be secured for an abortive .scheme, sucli as
the Maclay Collej^e, there .should have been little
ditHculty in rai.sini:f a much lari^er one for the practical
and successful Canadian Literary Instituti', or at least
for its theological department. Rijjfht «jflad would Dr.
Fyfe have been to bend all his enerij^ics to the attempt
liad he seen any reason to liope for complete success.
He had, in fact, said in I .S7<S " we have now reached a
.stage in our work when an ade<iiiate (mdowinent is <in
Imperative necessity. The strain of conducting our
work, as we have been doing, has shattered my health,
and is beginning to do the same for others. Brethren is
this right ? Oiiv school must be endowed. If it remain
here it must have at least $120,000."

But in .saying this, and at all times when speaking on
the question of endowment, Dr. Fyfe would lay a very
special stress en the word " adequate." He hi A a great
dread, begotten partly of experience, of a partial
endowment. When the work was commenced in Wood-
stock the school was in debt, and witiiout library, books
of reference, or apparatus of any kind. It was also
without any fund for helping needy students for the
ministrj'.

HKV. If. A. FYFK, D.I).

:\v^

i(v on
Ivory
freat
Lrtial

1 00(1 -

looks
also
the

"Tliiy. IxMiii; our (condition, wo (•()u!(l sciirroly ask f<»i" iiioin'V
to prociifo siu'li ncccssiiry impUMiicnts tor our work and to ai<l
pool" st\i(l(Mits l>t'si(l(!s. Ai,Min, wv did not »»xpf'ct tliat for the
iirat threo or four yoais, l»('for<> the scljool Itocainc^ known
and fiiipreiriafced, tlic^ niero tuition fcc's would pay th«' sidnrics
of tli(» t»'acli(M-s. To tid(! over this somewhat nnproun-in;»
pci'iod a sclicnu! of srhohii-ships, which was a(h)ptod witli tho
first phm of tho scrhool, was carried into eHoct. Over one
hundred and twenty-live schohirships, at ."^SO each, which pro-
mised four yiMis' instruction in the Institute, and which were
payable in four .'nnuMl inst;\hnents of .^L'O e;«,ch, were sohl.
This 1^ we us about $10,000 to use for teachers' sahiries and the
like."

Tliis scholarsliip schi.Mne, tlius desorlhod in his "Histori-
cal Sketcli," opriratoil in some measaro as a partial
endowni'Uit. It was a convenience, perhaps a necessity,
for tho time, hut it morti^ai^eil the teachinij facilities
of the Institute, and almost cntindv cut oil' its revenue
from tuition fees, for several years. The operation of a
small end')wment, Dr. Fyfe arj^ucd, would he somewhat
similar. When tlie ll'iv. W. Frasei-, amoni^st others,
made a nohle appeal for an endowment, in ISOT, Dr.
Fyfe, wliile thankiuLT 1dm most cordially for his interest
in the work, po nted out that th<! sum of $20,()()() or
$25,00') prop )sed would be utterly inadequate. In fact
he always tliou<^ht any such sum contributed on this
bisis w,)ald be worse than useless. It would be
p:)sitivoly crippliiii^. "Of one Uiistake," said he, "we
must bjware. If we are going to raise an endowment
for any one dopirt-niMit of the Institute it must be a
' coaiplete provision for the pres3nt wants of that depart-
ment. If we do not act on this principle we .shall
certainly injure rather than help the .school. Yov as
soon as we have raised an endowment we shall be pre-
cluded from asking voluntary contributions from year to

.*J:?^ Lil'E AM) LAIiOKS (jF

yoar." Tiu-t, tli»'ii, was t'u; sourco of liis dreul. lit; fflfc
suri! tliafc, s'mmiM lu! i;' ) out to ask ci^atiibiitions to
suppliMncnt th<! incoiin! t'iMin such oiidowrncnt, lie wouM
be imiuiiil atoly mob with tlu^ rejoin It- r, " Surely the iiuiw
of yo'H' Iiistitiitt! is iiisatiaMe. iliivc wo not <iiven you
an L'ntlovviriL'iit for tlu; vory p.irposo of doin<; away with
t'l'isj ptii'pjbual appe; Is f )r hi^lp T

S)!i»jof his ass()e";at(;.s n/.mo n 'ver ahli; (juibi! to a^'ree
with I ini in this viuvv. " lialf the loaf," it .seeined to them*
would h' l>ettt'r than ii )thi ig and nii^hb possibly help in
.securing the whole. Men are readiei- to invest in an
institution which has some capital than in on(! whieh has
none, J)u'inij the latter vears of his earcT the writer
used soMietinies to urufe upon him and < ♦'s that the
scheme of endowment by chairs nnght prove practi-
cable and afford substantial relief from the overwork
and anxiety whieh weie plainly cuttini>- short his days.
The etidownient of the Prineipil's chair alone would have
been a i,^r(^at help and could probil)ly have been aceom-
])lishod. This would h ive relieved him from a necessity
that was <^ften peculiarly i^a'ling to his sensitive nature,
the necessity of- asking- for contributions for his own
salaiy. To doubly earn the small stipend he received by.
hard labor in the colleijfe, and then be oblicred to <xo out
in vacation and collect it, was what the denomination
should not have retpiired or permitted. It is pi'ol>able
that had his streni^t i hehl out a little lonwr, this, at
least, might have beeji accomp'ished, but the inexorable
Reaper refused to delay.

For several years after the establishment of the
Institute the Trustees were aided in the work of collect-
ing funds for the theological department by the

IIEV. n. A. FYKK. I). 1).

;};i:>

lys.
ave
coin-
ssity
ui*e,
own
I by.
out
ition
able
is, at
rable

the
llect-
the

Mitiistorial Ivliicatioa Saciob}', th()ii;^li, as Dr. Fyfe was
tin' movinjif anil diroctinL? j:?()niu>' of both boilics, it is not
easy to see how liis labors were in any wise lessened l»y
the division. It iravo him, however, another bodv of

efneient ]K'l()ers, and kept th(; work of innnst«Tial eouca-
tion iiior*! promiritMitly before tlu' public. This society
was proieeted by Dr. Fyfe in JJSGO. Hi May of that year
he sugL^ested its formation in a ]>rivate letter to Mr.
McPhaii, Its <»rixani/. ition fodowcd in the autunin of
that year. ]). liucluui, Ks<|., tlien of Paris, wms one of
its first presidents, and Rev. W. Stewart, B.A. wns
Seer tary, or Seeretary-Treasnrer, throughout its exist-
ence. Tho work was larjely carried on by an Executive
Committee, of which Dr. Fyfe was usually, if not always,
chairman. During the first year or two the operations
of the society were confi.ied to the collecting of funds in
aid of needy students for the ministr}^ though it after-
wards also helped to raise ntoney for the gt^neral
('xpense>< of the Theological Department. This enlarge
ment of the sphere of its operations led to some dissatis-
faction with the position accorded to the society. Mr-
Buehan and others naturally felt that the powers of the
society were not proportioned to its functions — that
there was something unfair and anomalou- in oxpec'ing
it to collect funds over who-^e appropriation it had no
control. On the other hand it was thought, no doubt,
that the Trustees, as the incor[)orate body responsible for
the management of the Institute ainl its funds, could not
proper! J share that responsibility witli any otln^r bod\',
or that, even if it miglib leg illy do so, the experiment of
a divided manairoment would be a doubtful and danger-
ous one to make. The experiment was, however, tried

.3.sr,

LIFE AND LABORS OF

for a .sliort time. A conference l>etween the two bodies
was hold at Hnniilton in 18(54 as the result of which It
was resolved tliat tlie maintenance and oversii^dit of the
Theoloirical Department of the Institute he entrusted to
a joint committee of fourteen, composed in equal Tiumbers
of represent itivo^ of the Society and of the Board of
Trustees. In conse(juenee, however, of the expressed
wisli of the Trustees, and after mature and deliherate
considerarion on the part of all concerned, the existence
of the Ministerial Education Society as a separate and
distinct ori>-aniz ition was brouo^ht to a close by tlie
unanimous adoj/tion of the followini];' resolution at its
annual meetinn' in Woodstock in 18(5(5 : —

" Wknn>(f.-< it is desirable to secuvo sintpHcity of management
in the plan for theolo<ficid education ; and

" ]V/tereaf< the Trustees of the Institute have expressed their
j-eadiuess to appoint a Committee on .Ministerial Education ;
be it therefore

^' lie^'ifri'if^ J>y the nien>bers of this society assembled in
annual meetin'jj that, instead of appointing oflice Weareivs, as
formerly, we pledge ourselves to co-operate with the Committee
on Ministeri.il Kducation that may be tippointed by the Trus-
tees of the Institute."

I)urin<>- tlie six }-ears of its operation the Society col-
lected for ministerial education over li?0,O0O, its annn;.!
income havinjr risen from S274 the first to J?2,'n9.80 the
last }'ear of its existence. A considenJde portion of this
sum was disbursed in aid of indiij^ent tbeoloi^-ical students
and othei's pr paring for the study t)f theohigy, and the
balance in aid of the fund for payment of the professors
in the Theological Department. To the Executive Com-
mittee of the Society was assigned, during those years,
the duty of exo,mining candidates preparatory to their

ittpo
'r-us-

\\v,

I-

lis

■nts
the
30 rs

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D. Sli7

admission as students for the ministry, a function wliieh
atterwaids .It-volved upon tlie Ministerial E.lucation
Couiuiittee Mppointed by the Board of 1 ru.tues.

leir

CHAPTER XXV.

A Rkuokd ok pRxiRKSs— Denominational, not Skctakian — Dkath
()^• PiiOKicssori Hankinsjx— Tiik Stakk ok Instruction — W'ell-
CiiosKN AssocJiATKs — A Haud-workki) Principal— The Tiikd-

LOUICAI, ColIRSK ExTKNhED— AliUITIONAL Til ICO LOGICAL PRO-

KKssous— Dkatii ()• Prokkssor Yulk -Dkath ok Prokkssor
Torrance— Si'AiiKs ok Institcti; (Irovvth — The liriiTcii Farm
PrR'HASRi)— The Edifice Enlarged -Lauies' Colleue Erected
Educational Reunion— Affiliation with Toronto Univei;-
sitv — D1.SA.STR0US Sickness — A Question ok Policy — An
Advance A(!Rked on— Promised Aid not ?\(rtiic:)mino — A
RivniiKi KADE Movement.

jURNING to fclie internal, or more strictly educa-

{^ tional, side of the Institute's history, we will find,
as before said, a record of stea ly proi^ress of the most
eiicouragini:^ kind. As has already been seen, the Insti-
tute opened in l.SOO with a staff of four teachers, besid-s
the Principal, and an attendance, at the beginninu^ of
what was really its first woi-king term, of 7!) pupils, of
whom 10 had the ministry in view. The italoixue of
1M()2 shows an aggregate attendance of loS pupils, of
whom .SI were in the Theologic;il Department. Two,
Kevs. George Reeks and Charles J. Shrimpton, had
alrea'ly gone forth to fields of labor, Mr. W. D. Badan-
tyne had been added to the staff of instruction as tutor
in French and English, and Mrs, Resell as teacher of the
pi moforte and organ. Both these continued for a leng h

REV. H. A. FYFE., D.l

2:]0

'iig^h

of time to remler excellent service to the Tnstitute. The
former was for some years Teachor-in-chai'ge of the male
department. Mr, Billantyn; was prepaiini; foi' the
ministry of tlie Preshyterian Church, and Mrs. Re veil
was the wife of an invalid clei-f^yman of the Church of
England. The fact well illustrati's how, und>jr the man-
ai^ement of a l)road-minded man, a denominational colleu;e
may be truly Christian without oeini^ narrowly sectarian.
It may be added, too, that throuijhont the whole course
ot the Woodstock Colleiife. a consideralih; percentaire of
its students, as well as of its teacliers, have been men)bers
or adherents of other tliai Bipbist chu ches. In a few
instances even Roman Citholics have attendi-d w.th
satisfaction both to themselves and to the Faculty.

In 1803 Rev. William Stewart, B.A., retired, and was
succeeded by the author of this volume as instructor in
Classics and Loi>:ic.

In 1807 the resignation of the lamented Professor
Hankinson, M. S., who liad been connected with the
Institute from its inception, and who was a most enthusi-
as';ic and successful teacher in the departments of Mathe-
matics and Natural Sciences, was made necessary by his
failing health, and was followed by Ids dea h in a few
weeks. He was su ceeded by Professor Jabez Montgomei'V ,
M.S., of Michigan University, whose efficient services
were continued at the college for some time after the
death of Dr. Fvfi-. To Professor Montgomerv's exertions
the college ami tlie denomination are largely indebted
for the observatory, telescope, and some other scientific
apparatus now in use at Woodstock.

In the Catalogue for 1873-74 we iind that the staif o
instruction had increased to twelve, and in 1878, th j year

31-0

LIFIC AND LABORS OF

of Dr. Fyfe's death, to sixteen. S. J. McKee, B.A., now
of Ripi-l City, Manitoba, came to the Institute on his
graduation from tlie University in 187'5, and continued
to labor indefatin^ably in its interests until sliattered
health compelled his retirement in LS81.

M. S. Clark, B A., was added to the staff' in 1876, and
rendcrtnl excellent service until 1882, when he left in
order to complete n, special course of study in Modern
Lanounpros. Prof McKee and, after him, Prof. Clark
occupied the po>' m of Teacher-i:i -charge, one of the
mo;b o.ieroas a. i responsible in connectiou wi:h the
institution.

Rn'. Ne.vton Wolverton, B.A., the present energetic
Princl[)al, was summoned l.y Di-. Fyfe from his pastorate
in Oiiomlaga, in 1877, to take charge of a department of
instruction.*

Other gentlenum of our own denomination who were
connected with the teachinix staff for louLTcr or shorter
periods during Dr. Fyfe's principdship were: Messrs. H.
G. Phillips, H. N. Chute, Hugh McQuarrle, and J. I. Bates.
Tlie last named, as will be knowii to many readers, has
since graduated from the University of Toronto, and has

* The oiTosponilenoe li -tweeii I).'. Fyfe and Mr. Wolverton nffonls
a oharaeteristic ami somewhat aiunsiiig ilhistfatioa of tlie kind of prcs-
surn the foi-nier sometimes brou.fht to bear wlien he thought the caiixc
ilemandoil it. Mi-. Wolverton's church was l(<i.i) to hjse him, and, in
view of it-i opp ).siLi >n, he hesitated to accept the appointment. A
letter, stating the dilH nlty and asking U) be excused in consequence,
elicited the following ratlier peieinptory reply ; —

" My D ak YorSf} Bkothkh, —The claiins of the denomination arc
superior to tho^o of individual cliurclie?. It calls y ui here, and we
shall expect you to l)e on hand for duty on the first of September.

" Yours very irincerely,

"R. A. FvFE."

"When, two days later," says Mr. W., "I received the Catalogu
containiiii,' my name as teacher of Mathematics, I submitted."

-i;

r.EV. 11. A. FYFE, D. D.

841

iffords
pres-

ort ((••«'
iiul, ill

It.

hence,

pn are
lid wo

^logu

l;ccn for some years, as he still is, filling an important
position in tlie college Faculty.

Anionirst those beloniiintj to other denominations who
lendeied efficient service from time to time as teachers
may be mer.tioi.ed Mr. H. B. Spotton, B.A.,now Principal
of Bariac Collegiate Institute; George Dickson, B. A.,
now Prncipal of Upper Canada College ; J. E. Wethei'ell,
l'». A., now Principal of fStrathroy Collegiate Institute;
and Rev. S. J. Taylor, B.A., now pastor of the Presby-
terian Churcli, Moose Jaw^ N. W. T.

One of the mcst difficult and delicate situations in the
institute is that of Go\einess or Lady Princij>al. On the
opening of the new building in 180] Mrs. 8. T. Cooke
was appointed to that position. She was succeeded two
3'ears later by Mrs. J. E. W'ells, and the latter in lcSG7 by
Mrs. Elizabeth Hi ndrie, (now Mrs. Thompson, of Uuelph),
whose deservedly popular tenure of office was continutd
until lcS72. Miss Don-, Miss Giddings and Mrs. Nott,
all from the United States, were aftei wards successively
appointed, and held the position for shorter periods. Of
other ladies whose names will be familiar to many
readers, and who rendered faithful and valuable service
as teachers in the Institute at different periods duiing
Ur. Fyfe's arlministration, those of Miss McGinn, (now
Mrs. J. W. A. Stewart); Miss Brown, of iS ova Scotia;
Miss McNeal, of Rochester, JN. Y., and Miss Read, of
Nova Scotia, (since Lady Principal and now Mrs. J. I.
Bates), will immediately suggest themselves, with others,
to those familar with Institute history.

In view of the recognized ability and scholarship of
many of the above-named, and the prominent })()sitions
now filled l)y several of them, this brief mention will

342

LIFE AND LABORS OF

vSal!i?o to slio'.v tliat. iiinong>t otlier qiiJilific.itions for liis
hii(li ()flii:e, Dr. Fvt'e possesssed in a i^ood degree the
aldlity to select, and to attach more or h.v>s permanently
to hini'-'elf, fellow-workers of the ri^ht stiuvip. This dis-
cerninoat is, to one occupj'^ing sui'h a position, a matter
of the first moment. Every one knows that the hio-hest
success oh' any institution of learniiii,^ depends scar-
cely less upon the a!)iiity than upon the hirmony and
enthnsi:ism of its teachers. Of course it cannot be
olniint'd tliat his penetration never faile<l him, or that
all his appointments were equally well-advised, but he
was quick to discover, frank to a(hnit, and prompt to
remedy i mistake, though the latter was always done, as
far as [)ossil)le, M'ith an exceptionally tender regard for
the feelings of those concerne*^ On the whole it may
Sfifel}'' be said that few men occupying similar positions
have been more uiiiforndv successful in securinof associa-
tes of the right stamp in mind and in heai't. With him
the moral always took precedence of even the mental
(jua ificati.)ns.

For about < ii^ht years from the openiiiii' of the Insti-
tute Dr. Fyfo continued to hear alone the heavy burden
of instiuetion in the Theological l)ep .tment. The fol-
lowing exti-act from a private letter written in the fall
of ISO I, will convey some conception of the amount of
labor involved, and the terrible strain to which his ner-
vous system must have been subjected by years of that
kind of work. Ap dogizing for delay in answering a let-
t :v he says : —

''The truth is, I suppose, that my work is very hnrd this
term. To s:iy uothiuiif of the general care 1 have of all matters
pertaining to the Institute, and the very great amount of cor-

REV. R. A. FYFE, DP.

343

ll this

litters
If cor-

rO!'-;poiide»u;e wliicli the i-eceipt of tlio money thi-ows upon ine,
I liave work CMioiigh for ;i iiuicli abler mun than 1 am. You
may Jncl,u;e. I lecture on Theolo;^y three times a week ; on
Church llistoi-y three times a w(^ek. I have a class in Romans
twice Ji wei-k. i am re(|uirinj,' the students to write out a new
translation, connuit to memory a thoi'ough anjilysis of each
eliapter, and exajnine every iinpoi'tant word. J have a class in
Natural 'riieoh)gy three times a week ; a class in Mental
Philosoj)hy three times a week ; a chiss in Moral Science twice
a week ; and a Senior Reading Class twi(;e a v,'(H;k. IS'or am
r skimming these suhjeets. I intend to put the classes into the
hands of professional examiners at the q\u\ of the year, and I
think they will not discredit me. In Tiieology we have spent
nearly ten weeks on the Attriljutes of Cod So you can .see w<?
are working over the topics. You can icadily imagine that I
Jiave enough to do, for 1 have not examined iriany of these sub-
jects for twenty years. My aim is to give to each class just as
much work it can do, and d(j well. J ha\e a llihle class on
fcluiidiys, besides preaciiing as I find opportunity. Rut 1 like
my work and tha.nk (rod that Jle has given it to me, though it
is not of my .se(?king."

In 18G8 the exten.sion of the tliooloo-ical course, von-
(lered nece.ssaiy by the higlier qualifications and <^rowinfjf
wants of students, made an addition to the staft
imperative, and Rev. John Crawford — wlio, a few years
hit T, received the dejxree of Doctor of J)ivinitv from tlie
University of Acadia College, Nova Scotia — was ap-
pointed. Dr. Crawford continued to labor assiduously
and harmoniously with Dr. Fyfe until tlie hitter's death

In the Institute Catalojt^ue for LS75 appears the name of
J. C. Yule, B.A., as Professor of New Testament Inter-
jn\'tation and Evidences, Tiie story of Professor Yuh/s
short term of service seems, when viewed from the low
standpoint of earthly plans and expectations, veiy .<ad_
In him high scliolarly ambition, and devoted, self-denying
piety, were blended in a rare combination. After years

f ..

: t'

341

LIFE AND L.VBJHS OF

of toil and striigt^Ho tliat iniglit almost be cullod "heroic,"
lie seems to liav(; come within siufht of the goal of his
liiijh purpose when, having gra(luat<Ml with honors from
the liniversity of Toronto, he was appointee- to a pro-
fessorsliij) in the Theological J)epartnient of the Institute,
'i'he subjects assigned him, too, were those which were
most congenial to his tastes, and foi- which his traininjj
and talents admiiablv titt-^d him. But, after two short
terms of intermitted and painful work, he was called to
lay aside his V)Ooks, say " Good-bye" to his students, and
depart to a higher service. His struggles, his achieve-
ments, liis lofty aims and hopes, have been fittingly
recoided by tho one who knew him best, — his devoted
wife. It is, therefore, needless to dwell upnn them here.
As he had been, however, a student of the Institute, and
may be regarded as, in a certain sense, one of its products
— a noble specimen of the kind of young men it was
adapted, b}'- me ins of the spirit which I)i-. Fyfe had been
mainly in-^trumental in breathing into it, to call forth
from obscuiity and train up for usefulness — it may be
interesting to quote a few sentences fiom Dr. l^'yfe's own
ti'uthful description in the funeral sermon which he
preached by request of the rleparted: —

" The life and labors of Mr. Yule stand oufr as an example
to students for the ministry. He did ' covert earnestly the best
gifts.' 'This one thing lie did.' l^ew men ever more eagerly
or more pei'sistently sought to cultivate their powers, and
store their minds witli useful knowUnlge. His aim was to pre-
pare himself ' to vindicate the ways of (to<1 to men,' to expound
the Scriptures, and to teach others to expound and enforce
them. And he largely succeeded in accom[)li^.^ing this aim.
He obtained a clear insight into the word of life, and a nice
ation even of those delicate shades of men

'»'

appi

(in the original) enrich and adorn the sacred Scriptui-es. He

REV. II. A. FYKE, D.D.

345

Inple
Ibost
\ev\y
, iiud
p re-
in ud
prce
liiin.
nice
licli

had a cnltivatc.l tasto as a wiitci-, and a j;ist apprerifition of
the foreo ot lan^juiii^o. In a word he laid a broad an<l solid
foundation on wliich to huihl for the henelit of others, a
grand structure of Scripture kuowled'jje. One j^reat ohject
stood out l)eforft him, n\niely, to niake known to his feMow men
the ir^searchahlo riches of (rod's trutli. No liigher aim can he
phiced before any man, and none is more worthy to employ
our noblest endowments in this world,and the next.'"*

Mean win !e the natural developn^ent of the tlu'olofricjil
course had made a tliird ])rofessor a necessity. Happily
ifc was no lonr^er diflRcult, as in the earlier year.s of the
Institute's life, to find suitable men, nun of extensive and
accurate scholarship, and high Christian character, with-
out leavinfr Canadian soil. Tlnb thoughts of Dr. Fyfe
and the Trustees were at once directed towards another
of the sons of the Institute, who had also carried off high
lionors from the Provincial University ; and the late Rev.
John Torrance MA , was appointed totha vacant profess-
orship. As is well known he not only remained as a co-
laborer with Dr. Fyfe till the latter was summoned
to the Master's presence, but succeeded hin) in tlie prin-
cipalship of the Theological Department. tJis unexpected,
anil as it would appear in our superficial range of vision,
untimely death, on the eve of his entering upon the
duties of the professorship to which he had been
appointed in McMaster Hall, will still be fresh amongst
the melancholy recollections of reader.«.

This brief review of the pevsonntl of the Faculty of
the Institute during the period of Dr. Fyfe's presidency
may, it is hoped, serve two useful purpo.ses. It will
illustrate to some extent what may be called ihu internal

* From " Roconls of a Vanishefl Life." I know not whether the
edition of this little work is exhausted. It ought to Le in the hands of
every B:iptist theological student in (.'anada.
W

!•

LIFE AND LABORS OK

growth of the .sdiool, that i^, tlio enlarifoiiKMit of its
coiiiH(\^ of instruction, botli hy constant increase of thf
nnnihcf and inni^e of the suhjccts tjin^Mit, and by the
gradual addition of tliree or four years of study to tl»e
nujnlxM- ori_L,dnally prescril)L'd, It will also recall to the
ruLMnories of those in the denomination who take an
interest in its educati<:Jnal work, the nanie.s of those who
weie the chi-f co-worktrs with the lamented Principal,
ji'id uo whom he would have lieartily accorded their
meed of credit for the pirand and imperishabl-i work the
Institute; did, und 'r his mana^jfement, for the denomina-
tion and the country.

Two causes conspired to make this steady enlar_:ement
-of the staif of instruction a necessity to the best interests,
if not to the very life, of the Institute. These were
the constant increase in the number of students which
-was the rule for many years, and the lapid rise in the
ireneral educational status of the Province. To the for-
iiner of these it may be well to refer a little more
-particularly.

The growth of the Institute exhibits several distinct
;stao^es. The first of these may be roui^hly .said to have
terminated about the year LSdO or LS70. Up to this
time the number of students in attendance had steadily
increaseil at the rate of from ten to twenty per cent,
each year. This rvsult had been obtained without any
special eflbrt, such as is generally put forth by institu-
tions of the kind, the fact being that the limited accom-
modations were sucli as w<)uld have rendered any veiy
UuM^e accession of .stutlents a .source of embarrassment
rather than of strength. The first enlargement was
made in the summer of 1809. This was in the .shape of

RKV. n. A. I'VFE, D.D.

^47

vei-y
uiieiit
wf.s
pe of

tlv small ImiMini^ at tho west of the main edifico, which
was afterwards used as a Theo!o<,'ical Hall. This hiiildin^
was hastily erected in order to provide accommodations
which it was' foreseen would he immediately and ur<,^» ntly
needed. Owinu; to the sale of scholarships at the outset
the incoiiK^ for tuition fees had, up to this period, been
ver\' small. The c )nsf (pioiice was that the Institute
found itself al)out $4,000 in debt. A successful canvass
was matlo for contributions to wipe this out and for the
additional sum, about $2,000, re(piired for the new build-
ini^. The response was so lil)eral that Dr. Fy^^^ ^^'^^ '^^*^^
t) o,nnounco at an educational mcetinjr held in St.
Catharines in 1870, one year after the openin<;- of the
new buildi'iii:, that the institution was entirely free from
debt. This result was not, however, reached without
many urjojent appeals and much hard and persistent can-

vass mjif.

This liappy state of afffxirs was of but brief duration.
The very prosperity of the Institute imp. lied the Faculty
and Trustees to organize advance movements and incur
new responsibilities. The >econd staore of f:frowth was
immediately entered upon with an accelerated rate of
progress. Even while making the above announceirent
in lcS70, Dr. Fyfe found it necessary to add as follows: —

"The new edifice which was occupied a year ago for the tirst
time, provided rooms foi sixteen male hoarders, hesidrs two
classrooms, and two other rooms for the objects of the Insti-
tute. There has been a steady increase in the attend.'ince for
several years, but more especially during the last four terms,
that is, since the new building was provided. The aggregate
number on the roll for the year 1H8G-7 was 282 ; for 1867-8,
297; for 18G8-9, ;i03 ; for 1869-70, 322. Last autumn term
we had on the roll at the close of the terra, 114 ; this autunm
we had during the first month of the term 125. And the

:U8

LIFK AND LA nous OF

prospocts am that w(! shall have l-^O in actual attcidaiicn dur-
iii«^ th(^ \viiit(n' t rm. Last \vint(M' wo had l.'Jl. Tin.' ([Uestioii
presses itself upDii tis. Wher«^ shall we put them '? Our
present state is this : we have only three vacancies for female
hoaiTlers, and two of these are s{)()ken for ; we lu.ve hut one
vacancy for male hoarders, and this is the case after four stu-
dents wIkj intended to hoard in the fnstituto Hall, have taken
private hoard. Our dinin<^-i"ooin is full, and our class-rooms,
with some of our classes, are over-crowded. What shall we
do?"

The necessity for further enlarijeniont was ohvious
und urjLjent. Ahoiit thi.s time another event occurred
which stiuiuhited the action of Dr. Fyfe and the Execu-
tive Board. Mr. Henry Burtch advertis.'d for sale his
farm, which was immediately a<ljoininnr and in front of
the Institute unrounds. It would never do to let this fall
into the hands of speculators, and so run the risk of
having the Institute grounds hemmed in by incongruous,
possibly obj(!ctionable, surroundings. More land, too,
was essential to the future growth and prosperity of the
liistituto, which Id hitherto only six acres for all pur-
poses. The Hon. William McMaster, already the largest
contributor to the College, on being consulted, agreed
with Dr. Fyfe and the Committee that the farm nnist be
secured. With characteristic liberality he went further.
He and T. J. Claxton, Esq., of Montreal, another of Dr.
Fyfe's most intimate friends, and of the Institute's most
generous benefactors, agreed to provide $G,000, which
was considerably more than was necessary for the pur-
chase of the whole farm of sixty acres, on condition that
the denomination would subscribe an additional $12,000,
which, with the amount accruing from the sale of any
surplus land, might form the nucleus of an endowment.
The farm was purchased for $4,000. Dr. Fyfe, in

UEV, U. A. I'VKE, I). D.

ni!)

iVlOUS

urred

xt'cn-

lo his

mfc of

is fall

isk of

rnous,

, too,

)f the

pur-

rj^est

ifreed

st be

'ther.

f Dr.

most
hich
pur-
that

5,000,

any

nent.

le, in

rosponso to ani)tl\or («anlt^st )ip[)('al and laliorious canva>*s.
<>^t'lint'(l pKmL'(!s aiitj promistis to the auioimt of ahotit
$|.'J,0()(). As tJio ne(M.'>sit\' for lari'«'r acconiinodation'*
was iinpcnitivc, th(; surplus, iriscoad of hcint^' directly
invested as tin* hcujituiiiij^ of an endowment, was, by
mutual consent, cmployd in nukiu;^ extensive enlarj]f( -
ments and improvements in the orij^inal buildint,', antl in
erL'ctin<4 the Iia<lies' JhiiMinjr on the eastern side of the
(juadranL,de. This appropriation ot the fund was aufreed
to on a condition which made it e([uivalent to a per-
manent investment of the money for the promotion of
njinisterial e<bication, in which the donors wen^ chiefly
interested, and in aid of which they wished their contri-
butions applied. It was found, on careful computation,
that the annual income that mii^ht ho reasonably
expected to accrue from the sum thus diverted for
buildin^r purposes, would suffice to pay for the tuition of
twenty students in the Literary JJepartment. The
Trustees therefore, on behalf of that department, bound
themselves, for all time to come, t > furnish free tuition
to any re(|uiied number of students not exceediiif^
twenty, havini^ tlie ministry'- in view. To the Mitdsterial
Ii^ducation Cominittoe was assi<^ned the duty of deti-rmin-
ing what students should from term to term have the
benefit of this provision. The arrangement w.(S, prob-
ably, the best possible under the circumstances, but it
had the effect of placing a burden of perpetual debt upon
the neck of the Literary Department, which it was ill
able to bear; the tuition thus provided gratis being
equivalent to a payment of several hundreds ofdollais
of interest yearly.

During the years 1870 to 1875 the tide of Institute

3;>0

Lira AND LABORS OF

attairs was at full fiood. The curriculum was improved
and extended, and the sessions were re-arranc{ed and made
sj'mt»'eti'ical ; the school year being divided into four
terms of ten weeks each, instead of, as previously, into
three terms of unequal lengths.

In October, 187'3, an Educational Re-union was held at
Woodstock to Ctiiebi'atc the completion of the Ladies'
Building, and the other extensive impi'ovements which
had been made in the old edifice and in the grounds.

In reference to this meeting the Baptist said: —

" It was calculated that nearly 400 visitors were present,
luatiy of whom had nev3r seen the Institute before. The neat
and substantia! character of tiie buildings and the fine appear-
ance of tlie large body of students (about ITT) being at present
in attendance), e ioited fie([uent and gratifying remarks. A
sumptuous collation was served in the spacious dining-hall,
and the }>ublic n>ecting was afterwards organizi'd in the chapel-
room by the appointment of Dr. Fyfe to the chair. Dr.
Oast'e's address was a i-are treat. In earnest and eloquent
terms h(3 advocated the necessity and importance of a tiiorough
Christian education, not for Ministers of the Gospel alone, but
for every profession in life. The address was fre(piently
applauded, the speaker evidently carrying with him the entire
symp'ithies of the audience as he proceeded stej^ by step in the
developmei.t of his theme. At the close an interesting finan-
cial statement ^vas read by the Treasurer, Bro. 11. \V. Sawtell.
The Hon. W. McMaster moved a resolution, seconded by
William Craig Es(|., expressing great gratilication at tlie
enlarged facilities now provided for the rcconnnodation of stu-
dents, and aflirniing that the Institute merits and shall receive
the hearty and united support of the Baptists of Ontario and
l^uehec. Nearly $1000 was raised in a few minutes before the
meeting closed."

But the sky was not yet clear, nor the sailing all plain.
The financial statement referred to showed that in spite
of the most earnest efforts and the most rigid economy

REV. R. A. FYFE, DA).

351

ia building^ and niinagt'ineiit, th(3 amount of paid sub-
scriptions fell far sliort of the actual need. Witbin a
vcrv- few weeks Dr. Fvfe was obliixed to make another
earnest appeal, sbowini^ that over STODO more were
required to free the Institute a^.^ain from debt, and sap-
ply indispensabb; additions to the library, philosophic ,u
apparatus, etc. The unpaid bahinee of this debt v ;•«
afterwards provided for in the fall of l-ST't, as Dr. Fyfe
says in a circular issued in April, l(S75,"by pledges given,
not by the churches jxencrallv, but bv a few ixenerou-s
friends who came to o fr rescue."

Ia the winter of 1S74 5 the attendance in all depart-
ments of the Institute was larger than ever before, almost
or quite up to the limit of the increased accommodations.
Arrangements had been or were being completed with
the Senate of the University of Toronto, in virtue of
which affiliation with that Institution was made real and
etfoctive, instead of as theretofore, nominal and worthless.
Henceforth stuilents could pursue their studies at the
Institute to any extent, and go up to the University
examinations on an ec^uality with the students of Uni-
versitv Collejjfc. The staff of teachers was larofe and
efficient, and everything seemed to indicate that an-
other stage of progress had been entered upon. But just
at tiiis point matters took a turn f(>r the worse. In the
nrKldle of a most promising session, an e[)id.'mic fever
broke up the seliool. The stud(Mits were sc ittered so
widely that many f liled to return at the appointed time.
All the expenses for tuition and general management
were of course troinir on duriui; the interval, and with the
largely diminished attendance afterwards. The result
was a very serious financial deficit at the end of the

.T)2

lAb'E AND LAHOKS OF

year. Close upon the lieels of this disaster came tlie
long, memorable, years of business depression. Tliose
'■ hard times," though they did not further diminish tlie
attendance, efFectually prevented any material increase
for several years. The annual expenses of the Theological
Department too, had now become heavy, the salaries *of
three professors, and the funds in aid of students, having
all to be provided by voluntary coiitiii>utions. Duriri-
the " hanl times," the contributions fell considerably
short of the amount necessary to meet these obligations,
and th;) Trustees were obliged to provide for the defiL-i-
ency out of the income of the Literary Department.
The inevitable consequence was the accumulation of still
another debt. .

Du.ing the years now under consideration an impoit-
ant question arose in respect to the Literary Department.
Owino- to thy jjjreat increase in the number, and the
great iniprovement in the character, of the High Schools
and Collegiate Insti utes, the competition for students
became very keen in the studies covered by the earlier
years of the Institute course. There was, consequently,
a tendency to the falling off of pupils in the Prep iratory
l^epartment. At the same time, in consequence of the
rapid elevation of the standard of Baptist education,
b)th for the ministry and for s cular pursuits, aided by
the inHuence of the atHliation which had now been
effected, a constantly increasing number of students wrre
ambitious of a full university course. Tliis was regarded
by the Faculty as a healthful and worthy ambition, and
encouraged accordingly. But it was found or feared
that two undesirable results would follow, unless some
further advance could be made at Woodstock. Students

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

f)m

p)lt-

iient.

the

lools

onts

rlier

|ntly,
tory
the
tioii,
I by
leen
A^tre
Jed
and
red
ome
lents

having the ministry in view, after spending three or four
years at Toronto, would in many cases be unable or
unwilling to return to Woodstock for the theological
cour e. They would be tempted either to enter upon the
work of the pastorate without adequate theological
trainino-, or to <xo abroa<l to institutions more amply
endowed, in which case, as all experience proves, a large
percentage of the best men would be lost to Canada.
Said Dr. Tyfe, in one of his reports, referring to these
points, "If any one mistakes a B.A. for an adequate
preparation for the ministry, he will make a woful
blunder. And if he go to another country to study,
there are fifty chances to one that he will do his life-
work there."

In regard to other classes of students, als), it was felt
to be undesirable that, after having remained long
enough at the Institute to become somewhat imbued
with its spirit, but not long enough, in many cases, to
have charncters fully formed, or convictions strongly
for 'Hed, they should be obliged to leav^e and enter into
an atmospli'TC not charged with the same powerful
moral and religious Mifluences. The Professors, too,
several of them university graduates of high standing,
we. natui'ally reluctant to have tlie best students con-
stan y draftecl out of their classes, just wh»n the
relationship of teacher and student had become most
profitable to the latter and most pleasant to both. In
the great majotity of cases it was found that these
students would gladly continue their collegiate studies at
the Institute, were it possible to do so. Still further it
was known that many promising young men and women,
who could not, or would not, go to Toronto, would gladly

liS

T>,

)-■;%;

\ ■ ■■

■i^l

854

LIFE AND LA150RS OF

pursue tlieir studies a year or two lonj^or at the Institute,
were provision nuule for tlieir fuller instruction.

Tlu'se facts and considerations were frankly and fully
set before the denomination through the press and in its
reprej^entative assemblies, and especially at the Conven-
tion in Toron o in 187G. It is quite possible that the
opinions and preferences of Dr. Fyfo and other professors
made them too partial advocates of a course for which
the denomination was not yet prepared. But ii was, at
least, clearly shown that the Literary Department had
already been developed considerably b yond the point
up to wdiich there could be any reasonable hope of
making a college self-supporting, and that, if the pro-
posed extension of the course to cover the pass and honor
work of the Second Year of the Univeisity curriculum,
should be made, an aihlitional inome of at least $1,jOO
a year must be guaranteed from outside sources.

Di-. Fyfe s own words may be quoted as a succinct
account of what followed, in an address to tlie friends
of the Institute, dated November 1876, he says : —

" At the lar<i[esfc nieetiiACj evei' held in the interests of the
Institute, a ]^lan was unanimously and most cordially adopted,
foi- the two-told j)ui'pose of paying; off the debt of the Institute,
and of aiklin.; another year to the (.•urriculum.

"Til' |)l.in w.is this. It was ooaceded on all hands that the
stringency of the times forbade any attempt to raise a perman-
ent endownnnit fin- our school at })resent. J>ut it was hoped
that in three or foui* years the slate of the country would he
suc!i, iiuaneially, as t.) warrant the ellort to raise an ade(iuate
endowment. In the meantime, what could be done to help on
our educatioiifil work without overtaxing the denomination in
these hard times? It was resolved :

" First to pay off the debt of ^^o.-oOO resting on the Institute,
in two yearly instalments of say ii?3000 each ; the first payable
in November, 1877, the second in November, 1878. It was

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

355

proposed to secure pledges from the fric^ids of eduoation to meet
these two instahneiits of the debt. It was felt that this could
be easily done by the denoniiuatioii without 'feeling it.'

"Secondly, in order to secure a very important improvement
in the school, the large meeting in 'J'oi'onto voted to raise
$1500 a year, for three years, (that is till we may bo able to
take steps to raise a permanent endowment.) to supplenient the
fees of tlie Institute. This is to be a special contribution dis-
tinct from the ii>4000 recpiired for nnnisterial education.
Towards these >B1500 we propose to .secure pledges payable in
1877, I87H and 1879. Tliat the good friv nds at the meeting
in Toronto were sincere in legard to their plan is proved by
their pledging considerably over one-third of all we ask."

Ovvino- to causes amongst whicli the increasing
stringency of the money market, and the failing strength
and energy of L)r. Fyt'e, were probably chief, the
simple plan thus outlined was not successfully carried
out, so far as the all-important financial part of it was
concerned. The year was added to the course. The
students who went from the Institute t) the various
University examinations met with very gratifying suc-
cess, and most of them returned to the Institute to
pursue their studies; but supplementary funds to meet
the heavily increased expenses were not forthtx)ming,
The resolutions of the Toronto meeting wei-e but verv
imperfectly acted upon by the denomination. The
consequence was an increasing burd n of debt. The
imperative necessity for making an immediate effort to
raise an endowment was coming to be acknowledged on
all hands. But at this critical juncture the whole aspect
of affairs was changed by the death of him who had been
from the first the moving and guiding spirit r>f the whole
educational enteiprise.

The sequel is well known to most reader.s, and is, of

:f 'i

356

LIFE AND LABORS OF

coui'se, beyond the proper scope of this hook. Tlie
(Umoniinational leaders conclnded tlmt the attempt to do
University work proper at tlie Institute was at least
premature, involving expense which the body was, as
yet, unable or unwilling to bear. Wisel}'-, perhaps, under
the circumstances, it was resolved to inaugurate at once
a policy of retrenchment by cutting off t!:e lasc jn-ar of
the Institute course. A movement with a view to rais-
ing gradually a partial endowment was commenced, and
is still being pushed with a fair prospect of ultimate
success. The presi'ut writer may, however, be permitted
to express his earnest hope that the curtailment of the
College curriculum may prove to be, as intended
but temporary, and his unshaken conviction that the
Baptists of Ontario will never be in a position to accom-
plish fully their high mission, and to p'ace themselves
abreast of the foremost religious bodies of the country in
Christian iriHiience and power for good, until they shall
have in operation, in Woodstock or elsewhere, a well en-
dowed College thoroughly equipped for full university
w Ji'k.

CHAPTER XXYT.

A PrBLic Bknhfactok — Tiir Qukstion ok Kkmovai- Dk. Fvfk's
AnnTDH — Ills Rkasons .*S(m:ni) -Thk CoMtnioNsCuANun) —
Ilr; IJknkkioiarv System — liKLifnoi's Inki.uknce in the
School — Somk ck its Fkiits — TiiK Ji'1is(»n Missionary
Society— Its (iiKTs to Fokekjn Missu)Ns— The Asso(,'iatei»
Alumni — The Institute Liukauy — Outside Labors— Ser-
vices to Home Missions - The FoiiEr<;N Mission Work
OiKJANiZEi) — Rkv. John Bates Reflex Influences of Mis-
sions— Wooijsto(;k ANii Other Churches— A Denominational
Counsellor— A Beneficent Pope — Means and Knds.

^jjFZjHE MAN who is successful in founding an institu-
(f-^X tion of learning, unJer such conditions that thorough
mental training is perpetually combined with the pre-
sence of the highest moral and religious influences, is
one of the best benefactors of his race. He sets in
motion a train of causes which must in the nature of
things go on operating, not only while the college endures,
but through all time, for the highest good of humanity.
Such a philanthropist, the writer is firmly convinced, was
the subject of this memoir.

The full scope of the beneficent influence of the Insti-
tute is not measured by its direct work as an educa-
tional institution. The fructifying power of its animating
principle is sure to manifest itself indirectly through side
agencies and enterprises. Without a brief reference to
SDine of these, that soon sprang up in connection with

358

LIFE AND LABORS OF

the Institute, tliis work would f;iil in an important par-
ticular, ill the attempt to furnish mntorial for a just
estimate of J)r. Fyfe's life and labors.

B'fore leavinpf, however, the liistory of the college
proper, a remark may be ventured on ])r. Fyfe's attitude
in relation to tlie removal of the Theolorricil Department
to Toronto, since elf'ectcd under so happy auspices. It
hris already l)ee:i seen, incidentally, that Dr. Fyfe from
the first considered such removal as probi' le, and, no
doubt, rei^irde'l it favorably. In his "Historical Sketch,"
in 1(S78, he says: —

" A straii!,'e notion prevails in some ([uarters that I am the
great obstacles in the way of removal — that I am personally
hound np in the idoa of the school roinainiiicf at Woodstock.
There novor win, a <i;i'eater mistake. I spent some of the best
years of iny life in Toronto, and a number of my oldest livini^
friends are there; it would be strange if I did not personally
prefer Toronto. My sole reason for preferring to remain here,
Jo)' th>'. present at least, is hecause I think it best in the present
state of the de-iomination for us to do our work here, — I am
as certain of this as I am of any opinion I ever formed from
expeiionce avid o!)sorvation,--;ind because we have not the
money, nor d-) I believe we can raise it to warrant moving."

This sane o^.iniou — that it would be perilous, if not
ruinous, to the enterprise, to attemp*: the removal of the
Theo!(\^ic il Department — he had strongly expres.sed on
previous occasions. As will be remembered by some, he
had even gone so far at one time, when the question of
removal had oeen broached bv J3r. Castle, as to bc<jj him
to have it in abeyance till he, Dr. F., should be "under
the sod."

Nor was his usual penetration at fault in this matter,
notwithstandino- the removal was so soon afterwards
brougiit about with every prospect of the happiest results.

Ri:V. 11. A. KYFK, D.I).

•SoO

not
the
d on
le, he
In of
him
Inder

liter,
ards
kilts.

The moniorahlc discussions at Gnclph and other phices,
whicli precedud the chanjjje, made it ahiin(hintly evident
tliat l)i'. Fyt'c had ri,i,ditly <^uaj.(cd the fcelinuf of the (U'-
nomitiation, atid that any attempt at removal, under
ordinary circumstances and by ordinary methods such as
h ; had in mind, would have resulted either in failure or
in the split in the denomination which he so much
driaded. Of course when one brother came forwai'd and
muniticently provided the whole sum recpiired for the
no V buildini^, and for at least a partial endowment, the
aspect of the situation was entirely chan^'ed. The chief
root of the objections was cut away at a stroke. The
^reat burden, which Dr. Fj'fe in his enteebled state of
health felt unwilling even to touch, w^ns lifted at once.
Those who knew Dr. Fyfc most intimately know well
that the dread of another <»:reat financial struijo'le was the
crucial point with him. He dared not enter upon it. For
nearly twenty years he had been canvassing for money ;
pleading with his friends and the denomination for
money, more money. He had, by dint of personal appeal
and ettbrt, collected funds for erecting all the Woodstock
builtlings, for the support of the Theologic d Department
durinof all those years, for aidinf; needy th.eoloixical stu-
dents, and for the wiping out of debt after debt.

The c )iumns of the Baptist, from month to month and
year to year, teemed with his requests and remon-
stiances. The greater part of his vacations which he
should have held sacred for rest and recreation, as well
as every available occasion during term, hiil been spent
in the irksome and too often thard^less work of personal
solicit? .ion. He had now become utterly weaiied ; worji
out in the service. His nervous system shattered,

i'-'-

:JGO

LIFE AND LABORS OF

an'l his physical strunijjtli failin.r, i'i"^ old conraore an«l
anvrgy wore dusertini^ liiiu. Hence, wlien cont'ronte«l
with a proposition which seemed likf a demand that ho
sliould do all tliis work over a^ain, and recommence
what began to look to liim almost like a la'or of
Sisyphus, it is no wonder that he recoiled from the task.
Had he lived to see tlie McMaster Hall of to-day pro-
jected and establishcfl, his heart would have indeed been
glad. It is now, doubtless, gladdt-ned by all that is good
in so noble a work.

The Beneficiary System adopted early in the history of
the Institute and adh' "cd to throughout, is deserving of
rocord and of commenuation. It was found at the outset
that while some means of assisting: indi^jfe-it students for
the ministry w^as absolutely essential to the furtherance
of the great object in view, it would be quite out of the
(piestion to otter aid on anything like the princely scale
adopted in mariy American Institutions. Moreover Dr.
Fyfe and Ins associates more than doubted wlu'ther such
a system would be beneficial or desirab'e, even were it
possible. The following from the " Historical Sketch,"
written a few months before Dr. Fyfe's death, clearly
outlines the course pursued at Woodstock : —

" With us during the last twelve or thirteen years, our str-
dents for the ministry, in all stages of preparation, liave
averaged from fifty to eighty. At the present time we have
seventy-tliioe. Had we aided all who need help as they aid
them in the States, during their whole course, we sho;ikl ha\'e
required nearly live thousand dollars, in addition to the pro-
fessors' salaries — about eight thousand a year from the de
nomination ! Yet there are schools, not a whit better than
ours, which recpiiro, to keep them going, nearly twice eight
thousand annually !

UEV. H. A, FYFK, I). I).

;U)I

sti.-
lave
lavo
aid
lavo
p ro-
de
han
ight

"Our poverty onipelled us to adopt a systpni of aiding the
iHMidy nioro nuarly witlim our lendi.

" 1. Wf <l('t('rniiiu'(l, U'^ fitr as jjusj'ilt! •, lliit all our studi-nls
slioiild iiiiii at sui»|i()rtiii,i; tluniiJ-clvos, aini tl\us d('Vr;lo[» all the
.sL'lt'-help that was in ihcin.

"2. Wt! iiuido ourselves acquainttMl with all the destituLo
churches aii'l pniini.sinjf mission-litjlds in the, country, and all the
stud(Mit.s who could preach or act aa col[)orte»ra were sent out to
these fields during th(! lon^' (live lunnlhs) va<;ation, can^ heiny;
takiMi lo scud the ri;,dit man to the light place, so far as \v»(
ciiuld judj^ti. In this way many would reerive nearly enough
remuneration to keep thcni during the next se\en months of
study.

" .'{ By a special .i;rangoUient,* we are enabled to give free
tuili'tM to as many a^ twenty students in the Liteiary I)(»j)aif-
ment (sLudeJits in tlie Tlnvdo^'ieal I)ej)artment [iiopi'r are nevi'r
chargeil tuition), wuich furnishes a much needed relief to a
nuuilter.

" To sonu' who actually reipiiie our aid w(! make u money
grant, not exceeding $00 per annum. And thtrHtjh irf fuwc
iii'i''T re/nsetl (uii/ rcn/li/ (/(iMerrn/f/ sf/tdrnt irlm (imdic'l fit tt»^ in-
})ai)f. not jxii'l did in (duj ijear, 1 f/n'n/i, iikh-p than $^()(S in vaslit
to aid stu'hnts.

"5. [n addition to the foregoiTig i>rovis.it>ns, sonui two or
three students, under our advice, stay out for a year to tea«;h^ or
to preach, to earn means to complete their stmlies, Some two
or three more are aided l>y churches, or hy piivate individiids, it
aci{uiriiig an etlucation. Here, then, is uui beneliciary scheme
ilevelojied gradually during the last thirteen years. What it has
done in developing the self-help and self-reliance of our young
men ; what it has done for mission-fields and destitute chuiches;
and li iw it has contributed to cany on our work of ministerial
tMlucation, which otherwise cotdd not have been carried on l\)r
want of means, "The Day" only can declan^ Let any able
business nuin take into coJisideration the anmunt antl <|uality of
tin; work which we have done, and how we have- husbanded and
nuinaged our little nieans to do it, and if he does not say " WM
dime.'" I shall be much surprise 1."

* SuQ iOiU, pa>;e ."49.

:{(i2

LIFE AND LAHORS OF

i:;

The liistory of tho .str<)n<if relii^ious inlliicncc wliicli
alvvavH, ill a givater or less doi^rce, pervaded tlio scliool,
and found expression in tlie active, earnest, pii'ty of very
many of its students, cannoo In- wiittin. One sliriid\s
from statistics in such a matter, even were statistics
possible. Tlie follo\vin<^ from tlie samt^ source as tlie
preceedinu^ (flotation merely .•!Ui]f<:]fi'.sts tlie dii'ecti i in
wliicli such fruits are to he found. " The Day " itself
alone can reveal the full harvest: —

"Since tlic iiistiliiti' mus (tpened we lliiiik fully i'^nv limidrcd
liavt^ Ik'cmi li(ij)i'lully (^oiivcrled williiii its walls, jiiul sevciiil (if
iIkmu arc now ]iieacliiii,i:;' tlio j^nsju-l. licsidcs tli<' many liundicMls
\\'\n) liuv(i liccii ('dr.catcd by us for business jxirsuits, and llni
many trained tn b(^ stdiool teacliers, wr liavc f^radnatod from tbo
'riu'()Ioi,'i<'al Doj'artnu'nt lifty-fivc, and in a few weeks six others
will be added to tliis number. In adililion to these, alxiut forty
have settled as ministers, who ]ia\ ti not completed our course of
study. Thai, is, nearly fuie hundred laboieis are in the liord's
vineyard lo-dav who liave l)eeu nioiuf or less trained l>v us foj'
their woik. K<uirtecn of our students hav(! <:fraduated from
Toronto University, and leu are there, as under-j^'raduales. Two
liave, L,M'aduated in the arts de)>artmont of American colleges,
sixteen havt! studied nu>diciue, six have studied law, and ten
liulies have taken our full course, which entitles them to our
dijilonia. This i'xiiil)it, wo know, is far from jx'rlect, lait it
approximates toward a fair statement of what wi; have done, so
far as liyurcs can state it"

Nor should we forcjot to take into the account, as a verj'
important element in a'ly attempt to estimate the per-
manent results of J)r. Fyfe's educational work, the influ-
ence o£ the hundreds of students of both ..exes who,
without completing any regular course, went out from
the Institute, after longer or shorter periods of study, to
various splieres of industry, and whose minds and hearts
and lives were, in very many cases, the better for the im-

lUV. 11. A. FYI'i:, I). I).

:](>:]

lool,
;ery
inks
st'us
the
A in
itself

intir<'«l
•ml oi
ii(lr('(l>^
nl tho

ntlicrs
1 1 forty
inivc ol

us r«>r

I from

1 W ( I

ml ten

U) our

liul it

llone, •■'*>

la ver}'

intUi-

wlio,

It from

li<ly, to

hearts

bbo iiii-

pros4(>n.s thv'Hi made and the iritlucnces tliere brought to
bear upon thcin,

AmoiiL^'st tlie more permanent or«^anizati()n.s vvliicli liave .
cuit(ht and reHected, in a lifood <h'<;r(!e, tlie spirit of the
Institute and its founder, tlie Judson Missionary Soeii'ty
and tlu) Soeiety c>f tlie Associated Abimni an; (h-servinf
of special mention. Not only diil the f irmcM- foster a
missionar}' s{)irit w bieli is still nnikiiiij itself felt in uinny
churches in Ontario and Quebec, but, eonsiderinor the
straitened means of tin; great n»ajority of its mend)ers, it
managed to make up a sum total of contributions for
Home and Foreign Missions which would surpiise many
societies and cliurchcs possessing mucli larger means liut
narrower conceptions of duty in this respect. At an
early stage in its history a printing press vvns purchased
by the efforts of this society for the use of the Tilugu
Mission. Best and most pi-ecious gifts of all, it gave to
that foreign tield three of its most successful and devoted
missionaries.

By chrrishing the memory of school days, bj- the eUe-
tric girdle of ever-tresh sympathy witli which it en-
circles the college and its workers, as well as by its
actual contributions and the tangible support it affords
in other waj's, the Associated Alumni aie d iiig much to
strengthen and perpetuate the educational impulse Mdiich
Dr. Fyfe imparted to the denomination.

To attribute so much of the credit for what has been
done to the <leparted, is not by any means to depreciate
the merits of the individual workers composing these
societies. The good seed was skilfully sown, and it fell
upon good soil. The abundant harvest is the fruit of
both conditions. It takes true men to appreciate a true

364

LIKE AND [.AHOHS OF

innn. Only ^ivinix spirits can catch the insp'nition of a
living spirit and send it on in an iinhrokcn and ovor-
widoninjj^ current, of Christian activity. Bat tliis hook
lias to do only with tlie first mover.

Another institution, of a .somewhat ditl'erent kind,*
which, will long stand as a meniorial of the foresight and
energy of the founder of the Institute, is tlic College
Lilirary, wliich he was the moans of getting to.;'ether. As
modern colh^ge libraries go, this is, of course, but small.
But the few thousands of volumes thus collected as
the permanent property of the college and the denomina-
tion, were in the main, wtdl chosen. They represent>
moreover, a ix'!'t^ii,t deal (-f thouujht and activity. When
the want of money for the absolutely necessary daily ex-
penses of the sahool was always so pressing, there never
came a time when a general appeal could be made to the
friends of religious education for funds for library pur-
poses. The contributions for this purpose, were in nearly
every instance the special and supplementary gifts of a
few warm ^riends of Dr. Fvfe and his work. Such notices
as the following, appearing from time to time in his reports
to the Baptist, show the process by whi(di so many use-
ful books were gradually got together. " We have made
a very valiiahle addition to the Institute Librarj-, in the
flepartments of history, matliematics, metaphysics and
natural science, and more especially in tlie several
branches embraced in the Theological Department The
generous friends who contributed the funds by which we
have thus gr.^itly added to th ;» pormanetit efficiency of
our school, are the Hon. Mr, McMaster and Mrs. McMaster,
T. Janv^s Clfixton, A. R, McMaster, Mr. Beemerof Brant-
ford, Thomas Lailey, and Wm. Ryland of Manchester.

IIEV. R. A. FVFE. D.l).

365

This valuaUlo a;Mition has i^iven an impulsti to tlio whole
school" Ml' (ylaxfcoii, it should be adled, was for years,
without (ietriiuoMt to his othci- larjve subscriptions, a
rctrular aud lil)3ral contributor to the library t'uud. I) )t)i
Woodstock Collof^e and McMaster Hall are now profiting'
by his wisi i^ifts, and th )so ot* others in those early duys,
for the purchase of books. The spirit in which I)r. Fyfe
wroUL,ditfor tin; establishment of a good library at Wood-
stock, was fittingly and nobly followed up after his death
by the act of his widow in placing his own valuai»lt'
[)rivate collection in an alcove of the college library, for
the perpetual benefit of its students and teachers.

Passing beyond the sphere of college life, we can but
glanc at the outside labors of this indefatigable worker.
His relations to the work of the Home Mission Conven-
tion have been already touched upon. Ji need only be
said further in reference to these, that his interest in the
woj'k was deep an<l abidinur durin<; all those ei<ifhtecn
years he spent at Woodstock. He was a I'egular attend-
ant at the meetings of the Convention, and of its Board,
on the latter of which his natne was aUvays prominent.
With the exception, perhaps, of Dr. Davidson aftei- years
spent in the secretaryship, there was no other member
who n[)proached him in the extent and minuteness of his
knowledire of the ('hurches and the Home Mission
Stations. His opinion and advice were generally the e!id
of ail controversy on (piestions of policy. The fact, too,
that he in reality controlled the movenuints of the Theo-
logical students, who usually spent several nionths of
each year in missionary work, and were amongst the
most laborious and successful of the missionaries of the
Convention, gave to his services in this connection a two-
fold value.

')\

'. HI

3G()

LIFE AND LABORS Oi!

Tiui F.)L-oij;-n Mis.sioii work of the Baptists of Ontario
a:i<l (^)aebiie, he niav be said to have orio^inatcMl. During
the ye>ir 1^66, or (larlier, a brother remarked in his hear-
in<4' that it was a reproach to the Denomination in these
pr<)v'nees that tliey v.rere doino^ nothing in any reguUir
or syst'smatic way in aid of the orgeat mission of the
churcli, to mike known to the heathen workl the un-
searcliable riclies of Christ. The remark seems to have
sunk into his mind. With characteristic promptituc'e
and enernry he set about seeino: whac couUl be done. He
opened a correspondence with the Baptist Foreign Mission
Board in Boston, and as the result of that corresjyjndence,
as the secietary informs us i»i Hie first annual report of
the Canadian Society,' Dr. Murdock was deputed to visit
the Province and invih- eo-operation with the American
Society. An informal meeting of six ministers was held
in the parsonage at Beams viile, and a conference held
with Dr. Murdoclv. i'he result was the organization of
'The Canada Auxiliary to the American Baptist Union,"
by the appointn\ent of a Secretary and Treasurer, The
late lamented A. V. Timpany, was ready and anxious to
give himself to the w.irk, to which- he felt himself irre-
sistil>ly called. Having completed hih full literary and
theological course at Woodstock, he proceeded to Boston,
and was at once examined and received by the Executive
Committee of the Union, and, accompanied by his devoted
wife, the eldest daujxhter of the late Rev. John Bates, he
went for til as the first Canadian Missionary on the Telugu
field— the first offering of the Baptists of Ontario and
Quebec, and of the Judson Missionary Society. With
what unfirii'o'iiicr devotion he jjave himself to the great
work; how abundantly his labors were blessed; how he

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

,307

was followed in a few yoars by John McLiuvin, a f ri mkI
ariil brofclier like-iniiiilcl, anrl likewise a son of the Iii-
sfcitute, anti a tneniber of the Judsoii Missionary Society ;
liow McLanrin was also nccoTapauied by ti daughter — the
only other daiii^hter — of that same servant of God, John
B ites^ , who was herself, too, a student of the Institute and
a iM'jmber of the Judson Missionary Society ; how the In-
dependent Canadian Mission was soon organizd; how
Timpany nobly laiii down his conse^'.ratjd life on the field;
and how the others are still bearinir witness for the
Master, and rejoicingl}'' winning the poor Telugus to His
s n-vice, need not be toid to the Canadian reader of this
volume Never was Dr. Fvfe more honored of God than

* No more wliole-souled worker for Christ ever lioiiorel the ranks
of th(> Haptist denf)niination in Oiitaiio than tlie Imiciitfil Rev.
John Bates. It niattereil not whetlier the work was Home Mis-ions
Koroigi) Missions, iii>; pistoral worii, tn* Ministerial Kilucation, lie was in
it with iniml, heart, and purse. He was for many years Seoietary of the
R,)ird of Trustees of tiie bistitute. Tlie following extracts from a letter
written to the liapfl-^t \\\ ISOO, when an effort was being made to wipe
out a del)t of §1000, is so characteristie that it deserves a place on tlie
recoiil of good deeds done for the Institution :

" Who does this tlebt l)?,long to ? Fart of it belongs to the reader.

As the Institute building was erected for the liaptists, and a? the debt

is oil the building, it honestly belongs to the lO.OOO mend), is of our

churches, ami every Baptist is under a moral obligation to help pay it.

I will be

.S50

20
10

r>
1

Surely, surely, there are men out of th'! KJ.OOO Biptists who will
meet the above. But as the Institution is a denomiiiatioiial necessity,
and this debt, a j:istdel)t, eontraoted in gooil faith, which must be u>et, I
will be one of '20 who pledge 8100 if nineteen more genuine Baptists can
t»e found." As Mr. Bates was a Baptist minister in Ontario, it need
hardly be added th it sucii oft'ers as the aljove, which were fre(pient with
him, were not out of his abundance.

le of 40

wlio pledge

( . (I

101)

t . ( t

" 200

( t ( i

40!)

(1 i<

♦• 1000

, ( i i

" 2000

it II

3(5 S

LIFE AND LABORS OF

\ i

when ho was made His agent in carousinf^ tlie Baptists of
those pr )vinces to a sense of their duty as custodians of
the Gospel for the heatlien Nor was the work in all
respects a simple and easy one. Some oood and intluential
brethren had no faith in foreign missions; some thouj^ht
thire was (piite enouL,di for Baptists to do at home, and
it would be wrong to divide the eriergies and sympathies
of th ; churches. There were, even amongst Dr. Fyfe's
chosen fi-iends, those who had to V>e re converted from
their prejudices against foreign missions before they
coald be induced to put their haiids heartily to this new
enterprise. Pi-obibly no intelligent Baptist coi'ild be n!>w
foun<l in Ontario or Quebec tc ■ ly that the Churches,
tlie Home Missions, and the Educational Institutions, have
all been gainers, rather than losers, through tlie impulse
given to the spiritual life of th' denominati.)n. by the for-
Hjation of the For«;ign Mission Society, and that what has
been contributed for the good work amongst tlie Teliigus
has 1) 'en blessed to those that gave as well as to to those
that took. Tiie contact of the out-tretched hand of Chris-
tian l>ve and s^nnpathy vvith the appalling sin and misery
of heithen<loin,sent back a responsive thrid of divine pity
that stirred the hearts of Canadian Baptists to attempt
higher things both an home and abroad. The connec-
tion cannot be too clo.sely kept up. The graci rus oubHow
and the refii^x currerit are still and always needed to
maintain a healthful circulation, and develop the ludness
of the true " higher life." Till we know what pa;.;'anisi:'.
is, we cannot fully know what Chi'ls<-iapitv is. The
Christian whose heart has never ver,raed over r.!»oje who
are perishirig in utter darkness, has no ,•-; entered into
full .sympathy witli the nund o^ Christ. " .^

Uam2

REV. K. A. FVFE, D.D.

J^G9

In later years, Dr. B'yfe became, also, the founder and
father of the Manitoba Mission, another livin*^ and prac-
tical proof of the keenness of his foresight, as well as of
the largeness of hi^ heart. To that same foresight, as
the writer of an ol)itiiary notice in the (J/irititl(tn Helper
reminded us, we are largely indebted for the formation
of the Superannuated Ministers' Aid Society, it is safe
to sa}^ in a word, that there was not one work of
Christian philanthrophy in which the Baptists of Ontario
engaged during the last twenty years of his lifo, whic'i
was nob either originated in his fertile and energetic
brain, or materially helped by his strong and willing
hand.

In the midst of his abounding labours in all these
various directions, he still f()und time to preach the
Gospel. His services in the pu'[)it were in constant <le-
mand. No arrangements for church opening, or ordina-
tion, or other special occasion, within any reasonable
distance of Woodstock, were thought con)plete unles-^
Dr. Fyfe's name was upon the progrannne. His services
to churclies destitute of pastors were in frequent
requisition. The Church in Woodstock, in particular, he
laid under many and weighty obligations. The following
resolution passed by that church in November, 18G;J,
atlbrds a striking illustration: —

" 7?(3,s'o//;e</, Tl!;\t the most conlial and gratofid thanks of the
church he tcndenMl to Dr. Fyfc for the very faithful and L,'eiierous
inaunor in vvhi(;li lie has fulfilled lii.s agr(;eineiit to supply the
pulpit duriii.Lj the past year, thereby enahling the church to pay
eight hundred dollars towards its deht."

In addition to all these multiplied hibors, were thn.se
he performed as the unofficial, but very real and hard-

^,*i#w^''

.•}7()

LIFE AND LABORS OF

worked counsellor o£ the cluivclies, and oi:' individuals.
His correspondence was voluminous. He was consulted
from east and west, in cases of personal, pastoral and
cliurcli difficulties. The piles of closely written hheets,
tilled with details of troubles in regard to which he was
asked to advise, or mediate, that would sometimes lie
before him on a Saturday, were appal linij;, oi- would have
been so to one le.<s giftt<l with powers of isetn insight and
close condensation. The readiness with which he would
strip a vexed question of its unnecessary complications,
and the compr^ '»ensive, and u.*<ually satisfactory, brevity
of his answers, were reraarlvable.

No one could wield so r.iuch personal influence, how-
ever legitimately acquired, in a democratic boily like the
Baptists, without exciting jealousy and dislike. It is no
wonder that he was by some regarded as a kind of Bap-
tist " pope," and accused of autocratic ambition. S .)me,
even of his sincere friends aiid admirers, used to question
seriously whether that could be a healthy state of the
denomination in which a .single individual did so much
of the thinking and acting for the whole body. Had this
marked pre-eminence been consciously sought for its
own sake, or had it been conferred in any other way
tJlsian by the tacit and wcll-ninrh unanimous consent of his
brethren, there certainly would have been good groun<l
to fear for the integrity of Baptist principles. But he
was remarkal>ly free, as every one who knew him inti-
mately must iiave known from the contamination of
self -seeking, as well as above the artifices of the demagogue
and the deviouw devi€«» of the caballer or wire-puller.
He usually not only set his obj^ict before him with un-
distitoetn«s.s, but went straight towar.i« it. He

REV. K. A. FYFE, D.D.

»0W-

! the
s no
Biip-
jine,
tion
the
luch
this
its
way
' liis
and
he
nti-
of

lller.
un-
Hu

scorned to make his way hy any b3'-])at]is or .shady
circuits. He did not pos,sc6.s Uie coniidence of his brethren
more fully tlian he de.served it by the unselH.shne.s.s of his
motives and tlie sinolene.ss of his methods. He was natur-
ally .somewhat impatient of tedious di.scussions, and .some-
times lostsip^htof tlie advantagesof prolonged deliberation.
He failed, it may be, to take into account the fact tliat
various per.sons come to their conclusions by various pro-
ces.ses.and that few are able to reach the stability of assured
conviction by so short a route as seemed often to svitlice
for himself. It is doubtful if he sutftciently estinuited the
value of the .slowsr method, as the only way in which tlie
minds of the larger nuuiber can be interested, and thfir
.sympatliies permam-^itly enlisted, in any public enterprise.
For this rea.son he would, p*jrhaps, have failed as a leader
in a larger body, or one in which more of the members
wer<} prepared to as.sert themselves and to take their full
shar ' iti di.scussion and action. When he visited the
Baptist Convention of the Maritime Provinces a few
years before his death he was struck with the numbers
who setmed to take part in every deliberation. He was
by nature, or habit, ini patient of a multitude of coun-
.sellor.s. He was dispo.sed to rely on a strong executive
rather than a well-balanced legislature. Hence he gave,
very anint:^ntionally, some oHence by the free expression
of his opinion as to the methods of transacting business
which prevaile<l in the East. In his anxiety always to
reach a certain well defined end, he no doubt often failed
to remember that the means may be quite as important
as the end. Important principles may be involved. The
riglit of private judgment; the e(|uality of the brother-
hood ; tlie necessity of having the largest po.ssible number

:i72

LIFE AND LABORS OF

interested in the work and coinniitted to it: above all,
the educative influence of unfettered discussion — these
he may have undervalued. Tiie cii'cuni.stances in whieh
he worked and lived were exceptional. To hviu<f unity
out of chaos, and energy out of torpor ; to fuse into har-
monious activity the most inconi,'ruous and discordant
elements; to put a stop to endless divisions on (juestions
of "mint, anise, and cummin," and enlist the disjointed
Baptist forces in a united afid elective campaiii^n against
the common foe ; such was the denominational work
given him to do. This work he did as no other man in
Canada, as few men in the world, could have done it. If
the methods were in some respects exceptional, so were
the circumstances. Neither the one nor the other are
likely to be repeated in Ontario. Tt is to be devoutly
hoped that God will raise up many other men as able
and good and true to do his work here, but it is in th(^
highest degree improbable that the Baptists of Ontario
will ever again be undt3r the rule of a one-man intleience
at all comparable to that which JJr. h'yia wielded so
beneticently for a score of years.

CilAPTEll XXV IL

'I'oliUNTO UnIVKRSITY At.'AIN — THE (iUAPhS NOT SoUR — UnIVKKSITY

Rkform Nkedkd -Thk agitation OoMMKvcKi) — Lettkus to
THE "GloUE" — A CRYINO INJUSTICE -An Um'R()(;ressive
Senate — A Bad Examinafion System — Dek/nite Reforms
Demanded -A "QrixoTio Expedition" — It rRuvEs Sucoehs-
K(Ji.— Great Advances Made — University Examinations eor
Women -By Whom Secured — The University Modernized
Honor t.) Wmom lloNoll.

t
> if

'^MK I M Fj ser vices rendered by Dr. Fyfo to the cause of
(cjt), lui^licr edncatlDii in connection with Toronto Uni-
versity did not stop with Ins ardent advocacy of the
secularization of King's College, and its transt'orniatioM
into an undenominational and truly national university,
nor even with his equally earnest opposition to any and
every movement looking to a partition of its endowment
fan<l or income. We have already seen how, Mncn this
latter cpiestion was re-opened by the application of several
of the denominational colleges for a .share of the annual
proceeds of that endowment, he was amongst the fore-
most in stern anil successful opposition. True to the
same uncompromising voluntaiyism, he was again to the
front when the last strand in the bond of union between
Church and State was severed, by the final withdrawal,

;^7^

LIFE AND I.AnOllS (JF

bv Act of the Ontario Lenislaturo, of all Lrrants to de-
norninational culloges. Tlie first pctititjii sent from
Oxford (Vmnty, in opposition to all such f^rants, was
headed by !)r. Fyfe himself, and sul)scrilied by all the
niemhors of the Institut(^ Faculty. Nor cm it be said
that in thus niovinj^ he and his associates, and other
Baptists, were actuated by any petty jealousy, or ex-
posed themselves in any way to the tamits of those who
would, cry " Sour grapes ! " lia-l t'-e Baptists been so dis-
posed, no govern sient or- legislature could have resiste<l
their claims <o bo put on an equality in this respect with
the Methodists, .-md oth(,T bodicw, whose colleires were so
long in the receij)t of annuities fi-om the public chest. It
had, in fact, been clearl}^ intimated to Dr. Fyfe l)y those
in authovity, that the supporters of the Woodstock in-
stitution had but to stretch forth their hands to recive
their solatium from the provinci d treasury. They stead-
fastl}' refused to do so. While it is certainly desirable
and proper that the voluntarj' colleges should work in
all harmony with the state universit}', it is to be
hoped that in the concessions being made, and about
to be made to the Theological Institutions, can^ may be
taken by the friends of voluntaryism, lest the thin
edge of the Chureh-and -State wedge be aoain inserted,
and the good work of the past unconscious1\' undermined.
But there was another great service iendei-ed l>y Di-.
Fyfe and his co-adjutors to the cause of higher educa-
tion in Ontario, for which due credit li^,s never been
given, and which seems to have been forgotten. Events
soon proved that the end of the contest Irid not been
reached when victory had at last perched upon the
banners of those who had fou_ht so long and well to free

REV. U. A. FYFE., D.l .

tilt' provincial institution from the tnuiunclsot* soctariiin-
isiM. The Univernity Hill of 1M4!) elU'etuuIIy cut tiie
conls whieli bound the Univ< --ity to tlie njinuvv trjuli-
tiona of tlie past, l)ut faile.l to infuse the lilxial sj)irit
which alone could speed it in tlie path of futMn; progress.

The
'h

not nb once supplied.

now life needed for its d.velojMurnt a new res^inien
winch was

It was not till the year 1>7() that Dr. i'yfe connnenced
an aijitation for refoiTu in the inanajeinent r»f the I 'ui-
versity of T()r;>nto. To that n<jjitation the ^\ hole province
is largely indebted for the \\'vA\ status the TTniversitv has
since achieved, and the great stiniulu-; it has iriven to the
cause of liberal culture in the province. Jt is true that
the attention of Dr. Fyf<% and those he represented, was
lifst ^'orced to the evils coinplaii!"d of by the poci'iar

cu'cunistances of their own Collei;-*! at Woodstock, and
the felt injustice of the manner in which it w;.s practically
discriniinat m1 again-t at Toronto. The Institute had
l>een forma' ly affiliated with the University, in accord-
ance with the provision.s of the Act undi r which the
hitter was constituted, but it was f(mnd in practice that
such affiliation was an empty na.ie, carrying with it no
recognition of work done, no l)enefit or privilege of any
kind. This was so manifestly contiary to the intention
of the Act, and placed the Baptist College at so great dis-
advantage as compared with other denominational in-
stitutions, that it was at last resolved to sift the matter
to the bottom, in order to disGoxer and remove the .source
of the injustice.

It may be premised that Dr. Fyfe had, in ]8(J'}, been
appointed by the Governor-General a memVier of the
University Senate. Some moral courage was, therefore,

sAi

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80

(7^6) 872-4503

'^^>

^M%

:i7G

LIFE AND LABORS OF

recjuircd to Jippeal to tlie public, through tlio newsp.ipor
press, against tlie action, or rather want of action, of his
brother senators. To do so- gave occasion, and some co'oj',
to tlie cry of disloyalty. We may be sure he did not
a(h:)pt that means of s^jcuring the needed reforms until
all pi-opLT efforts, within the body itself, had proved un-
availing. There are, in fact, few more conservative
institutions in existence, than the Governinc nt-appointed
managers of an educational institution. In this case, the
proverbial vis inertiw of a body of placemen was fully
<lisDlaved. Elibrts to move it from within proved fntih-.
jiiit the evils complained of, and the difficulties in the
way of reform, are so chai-ly set fortli in the folhnving
letters, which were published in the Daily Globe, on
November 22nd and 2oth, and December 26th, 1870
that furth.er introduction is needless : —

Ki:r^()RMS NEEDED IX TOROJs^TO UNIVERSITY.

(To the Editor of the Giohe. )

8u?, — With your permission, I wish to call atlontion to soiik!
r«;l'onii:-; required iri the working of our nittional University. 1
have for many years observcil that your paper is alway.s ready to
admit ;t fair ami candid statement on any subject which relates
to tlio public Welfare. As in what I have to say about Toronto
Tniversity I liave no special charges to bring against any indi-
vi hials. nor any personal grievances of my own to air, I trust
yo:i will t^'ive n»'j space to lay before the public soui ; facts and
argument-^ in which many others are interested l/csides myself.

There are two sections in the "'Act respecting the University
of Toronto, University College," &c., to which I at present wish
to diic'^t attention, viz., the 25 and 2G, cha[). 62 : '' In order »o
cxtt-nd the benotits of colleges and e."^taV)lishments already insti-
tuti'd in I his Province for the promotion of Literature, Science,
Hud Art, whether incorporated or not incorporated, by coiniect-

REV R. A. FVFE, D.D.

S77

( solium
Ity. 1

,;uly to

•('laics

iudi-

; iUul
ysclf.
orsity
wis! I

liliT '0

\nsti-
nnect-

ing tlioiii with tho said Uiiivc^rsity, all ponons shall he admittcvl
as caiiilidatcs for tin; ves]i('ctivo dogrees of l>aciiel()r of AiU and
Master of Arts in the sai I University, on satisfying tliti Chan-
cellor, Vice-Chancellor, and members of the Senate, by proper
oeitilicate, that such ]>fcrsons have, in any of tho institutions
hereinafter mentioned, gone througli and comph'ted such course
of Instrnctioh ;is the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, iind members
of the Senate, by statutes maih; as afortiSiiid from time to time,
shall determine. The institutions in wiiich such course of
instruction may be completed shall be all colleges in lJ|)per or
Lower Canada incorporated by ll(»yal Charter, oi- by Act of Par-
liament of this Province, or of either of the Lite Provinces of
Upper or Low*'i- Canada, and also such other institutions incor-
[)orated or unincorporated, now or at any time after this Act
lakes effect esLiblii^hed for the p'.ir[)ose of education within this
Province, as the (tovim'u u' from tini(! io time pi(!scribe.^ to tin;
Chancellor, Yice-Chan('er(W, and members of the Senate, umler
his hand and Seal at Arnn.''

The object of this Act seem« to have been broad and generous
enough. When iii<3 "Senate" was created it was empowered to
put tiie Act in force. And it was asKtnned that the Scmate
would pass such statutes as would fairly carry out the spirit and
intent of the laws toward all atliliated iustitut'ons'.. Now my
first charge is, that the Senate has anti'vly failed to do ifcy duty
in this respect.

The Statutes of the Senate admit students from any university
in Her ]\Iaj(;sty's dominions, " a^/ funilcjn statuin" — that is,
admit students of any college mi the Donunion having power
to g''anfc degrees, to the same year s s.tudies in University College
v/]iic!i thi./ were entitled to jmrsue in tlieir own colleg(5. And
this tliey do without examining these students even when they
have pursued a course Oi instruction not prescribed " by the
statutes made as aforesaid from time to time" by the Chancellor,
Vice-Chancellor and members of the Senate. The Senate never
had anything to say respecting the curriculum ado])ted at Queen's
College, Cobourg College, I>Ldleville, or R(;gioi)olis, and yet a
stutlent from any of these Colleges is, by statute, a 1 nutted on
his own application ad eii.ndein statiiiti, in Tonnito University.
Others can judge as well as I whether tho Act which created
the Senate contemplated such a (;ourso on their part. IJut this
is not all. Alfiliated institutions which have not power to grant

♦ . I

378

LIFE AND LABORS OF

(logreesi, and wlu'cli iire so expressly nientinned l)y tlie Act, have
not beon noticed in any way wliatevcr liy tlic Senate. Was it
not int(Mi(l(Ml tliat tV.e Ti^niversiiy Senati^ ^^iKMild ail()[it some
r(;j,ni]atiuns in resjicrt to such schools? Stii)i)()SH tlie Senate liad
l)assotl ;v slntnte to the eflc'ct that stuih'iits wlio should come

hi(.'h liave not th<> jxnver to ^L'rant

oni

dhiial

e<l

^Irooli-

de<'iees, hiin'Mii'' with them cottiticates from tlie autlioiitios of
said schools that ihoy liad passed creditabh? examinations in tlie
studies pi escribed foi' any given year by Toronto I'niversity,
should be admitted wl piinilt'rii datum in the Tnivcusity, would
not the elicct have l)een beneficial to tiie school, and not in-
jurious to tlie University ? Such a couise would have lieen a
'fieat incentives to the scho(d to raise its standard, and have its

men as well prejjared as possil)le.

Fairn

less i'e(juires eiliier

that

the aliove course should be pursued, or else tiiat all studoiis
who reci ive any kind of standing in Toronto I niversity should
receive it only on the examinations of the University. They
sho.uld "ot recognize the exiuninations of other s(,hools at all.

1 return to my point — the Senate hav(» failed to carry out tiie
law that called them into existence, and whatever may have
been tin; reasons which influenced them, they could not have
had the single aim of raising the standard of education in the
])rovince at large. This assertion is ]iroved thus : — The cur-
■riculum adopted liy Toronto University claims to be higher than
th;it of any other iiniveisity in the Dominion, and yet students
from all the incorporated institutions with the lower curriculum
are received ad e.undem statiun ; but students from schools
which are not incorporated, even though they may adopt the
.hi'duist curriculum, cannot be so received. Can any one sav
why ? Was it designed to compel all denominational schools'to
get the ]) >wer of granting degrees? This is certainly eontraiy
to the spirit of tiie University Act. That act assni'edly diil not
contemitlate the idea of re(]uiring Qi\c\\ alti dated school to have
the power of granting its own degrees. Why, then, have the
Senate taken a course which tempts comparatively weak schools
to seek university powers, in order (if for no other reason) to
liave their work recognized? Itcann</t be pretended that, when
a scluxd has the power to grant degrees, there is in that of itself
any guarantee for the thoroughness either of tin? instruction or
of the examination. It is perfectly notorious that when ap-
plication is made to the Legislature for corporate powers to

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

370

havo

"as it

sonic

cl.it.l

come

;j:raut

bios of

in the

evsity,

won 1(1

iot in-

lieen a

av(> its

cr t\\at

,n*U'nis

sliouM
Thev

, all.

out the

Ay have

It have
in tli<'
le cur-

kcr than
Uilenls

ricuiuni
schools
•pt the
»ne say
ools'to
ontrai y
dill not
to have
lave tlie
schools
nson) to
t, wluMi
of itself
ction ov
hen ap-
wers to

grant honors, ^^l':c., the parties wlio j^'ivn tliis ]>ower trouhle them-
selves very little as to the conditions on wluch the corporation
will hestow its honors.

I close this letter hy repeating that Toronto tJnivorsity has
failed to do its duty as contemplat(,'d hy the Uiuversity Act ;
and, I think I have furnished proofs of the justness of this
charji;e. In my next I projiose to call attention to some other
points,

I am, ver}' respoctfullv, S:(\,

K. A. FvFE.
Woodstock, Nov. loth, 1870.

THE SEXATE OF TORONTO I'XIVKUSTTY.

(To the Editor of the G'obe. )

Sir— This Ixmv consists now of ahout flftv persoM* ; n;r.ny of
them seem to liave heen appointed for reasons wdiich will proh-
ahly never be made known ; at least these reasons, whether
wise or otherwise, do not y(!t api)ear. Fully two-thirds of the
wliole nuniher seldom or never at tend the nieetinirs of the Senate.
If the members are uryed to attend to vote for some aspirant for
oiu> or other of the few otfices wliich this l)ody has under its
control, then a somewhat lar^'er attendance is secured. The
.Senate has become uuwieldly, and few comparatively of its
members have any adetjuate idea of the impoitant work com-
mitted to tliem. There is, h.o\vever, one strong reason why a larger
attendance cannot be secured at the Senate meetings. The
whole business, legislative and executive (and most of tlie
business is of the executive and merely routine kind), is con-
ducted by the whole Senate at its periodical meetings. Most
of the time of the Se'iate, therefore, is taken uji with iittlc petty
details, which could be carried one far bette.- by an Executive
Committee. The cojisequence of the presei.l arrangement is,
that members of the Senate are summo!\ed from Kingston, r>elle-
ville, Cobourg, Woodstock, or London, and they Hud that
nothing but the merest details are to be acted on. And as men
from a distance cannot attend all the meetings which are called,
they cannot keep the run of the business, and hence their
presence is of little use when they do come. Moreover, those
members who live at a distance have to pay their own travelling

MSO

LIFE AND L.VBORS OF

oxponsos, from $5 to $10 per meeting. "VVlien men find tliat
thoy liiive to \y.\y fr mi five to ten dollars for the privile^'O of
sittinjf MS (lumniies at a meetin^t,' \vlio.^o biisii.ess they do not
understand on account of i)revi(nis absenees, they will noL repeat
the visit very often. The result of all this is, that the whole
business of tlie Senate is |)erformed by less than a dozen men in
Toronto. 1 am eastinc^ uo personal rcHections when I say, as I
do now, that the whole liusiness of the senate is ])ractically under
the direetion and control of four Professors of I'^nivcu'sity Colle;^o.
I do not blame them for this. They are onl)'^ faithfully dis-
ehargin<.; their (bities, by attendinjj; the Senate meetin<,'s, and
(^irryiuLj on tiie business which comes before them. Ibit I blame
the system. There (lould not l)e a l)etter plan than that now in
existence for shaUiuLj public confidence in the fairness of our
present University scheme. The theory is, that the Senate
is the source of University honors, anil this body has
ado[)ted a numl)ei' of children — " attiliat?.d " them. Ihit the re-
])rescntatives of one of those childi'en not only hold all the
money — this we are williujj;, uay, we aro determined, they should
hold — ])ut they make all the laws, and carry them all into effect.
And they would be more than human, or less, if they did not
make these laws, and interpret tliem also, in the interest of their
own College. I feel sure that no unprejudiced man would say
that the friends of higher education in Ontario should have con-
fidencu; in the Senate as at present constituted and managed. It
is absurd that a l>ody of num like the University Senate should
b(; confined to making regulations and laws to carry out the ideas
and plans of a single college. It may be — it is — -a question
whether the curriculum adopted by University College, on which
to examine its students, is the very best. It has been changed
iji some resi)ects very recently, but I do not reinemlier that any
were specially consulted about these change! , but the professors
"'f University College. May not some questioris he fairly raised
on matters of this kind ?

For example, why should the Senate fix upon four years of
University studies before granting A. B., because some of the
])rofessors in University College prefer this? In England the
Universities of Oxford and Canibridge have only about three
years, and London University has only two years, after matricula-
tion before conferring the A. li. In a young country like this,
where men are so anxious to get to work, it scarcely seems need-
ful to kee[> them longer than they are kept in England before

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

381

tavs, of
)f the
nl the

three
ivicuhv-
le this,

need-
Ibefore

cnminencin!^' (lie study of their profe^ision. Let the lionor work
be kept up at a liiL,di standard, but the majority of students can-
uot protitahly undertake it.

At |ir(r-<ent tlim-e is much of jeering' and ^dbim,' at the thv.,'rei's
conf<'rml by some of our Canadian ("ollei^'es. If a u;reater uni-
formity couM be obtained in repaid to the re(|uiv<'ments for a
dej^'ree, this state of tliin-^'s would be chanj^'cd. And that inueh
may be done in tliat direction T have not a doubt, if the rij^lit
steps be taken. P>ut, it may bo asked, \vh it are some of the
chan^'cs you desire 1 T answer : —

1. I wish the StMiatc to be sin)()ly an examining,' body, and
that it should not reeognize any examinations l)ut its own.
Moreover, it s]u)uld not liave so ]art,'e a pre{)ond('ran(;e of any
one denomination as it has now. Surely — now that there can
be no (pu'stion of the division of spoils — a fair representation of
the echicators of Ontario coidd get nearer together than they are
at present.

2. The Senate should hold a session cmce in three or six
montlis, at whicli the Tlniversity "Statutes" auil general l)Usi-
ness should bo attench'd to, and a small executive couimitteo
could tlien carry out the instructions of the Senate.

3. The heads of affiliated Colleges should, have their travelling
expenses paid when attending Senate nu!etings. This amend-
ment, as well as that immediately ]u-eceding it, has l)een fre-
ojientlv spoken of by others besides the writer.

4. I Would not take a farthing from Univei'sity College
Endowment, but would rather increase it, if I could. I would
not have the College interfered with. Its professors are men
abundantly competent to carry on their work so as to make
theirs a model college. At the same time, I object to there
being so many professor.s from one eolhige on the Senate?.
I have always objecte(l to this, and years of observation have
not lessened my objections. Let that colh.-ge lead us by its high
exam]ile and scliolarship, ami not by its law-making power. I
shall m)t at pre.sent, Mr. Editor, longer tresi)ass on your space.
There is pretty widespread dissatisfaction felt, I know, and I
shall be glad if any steps are taken which may remove this.
Without unsettling the foundations already laid, it seems to me
some changes may be adopted wdiich will nuiterially aid in the
erection of the superstructure.

I am, truly, &c.,
Woodstock, Nov. 21st, 1870. R. A. Fyfb.

382

LIFE AND LABORS OF

TORONTO UNIVKKSITV AGAIN.

(To the EiUtor of the Oloht)

Sfr— My last letter to you iiitiiiuited that I liiul not coni-
I)li;t(!il what I had to say ros|)(!ctin,^ tht; Jiiaiiageiucnt of Toronto
University. I ])ri»|)ose, with your pornjission, to do so in tliis
conmiunication. I have ah'eady referred to the fact that the
University iias for nine or ten years utterly ii^nored the existence
of every affiliated scliool which has not the power of ^rantini;
dej^'rees ; and yet the law evidently intended that they sliould
he reco<^Mii/('d in some way. The conseijuence has heen that a
pressiu'e has been hroui,dit to l)ear upon these schools hy their
friends to have them secure the power of granting their own
degrees without njfereiice to the so-called National L^'nivei'sity.
l}y tl)is course the " Institution " at Toronto, endowed with
funds belonging to every iidial)itant of Ontario, is likely to l)e-
come the Univei-sity of a small portion of the j)eople of Canada.
It is quite certain that the denominational colleges will not be
given up — nor imleed ought they to be. They are doing a work
which no one college (howev(M- w(,'ll manned) could do; not only
in the matter of teacliing, and of moral and religious trauung
iinil oversight, but in the generd stimulus in favor of education
which they impart to the denominations with which they are
connected. Could not Toronto University safely institute an
encjuiiy in all the schools which stand affiliated with it, on some
such (piestions as the following, viz. : —

1. Can anything be done more nearly to assimilate the cur-
riculum of stuilies in all the schools or colleges connected with
this university ?

2. Can we agree upon a standard which will make the degree
granted of the same value, or nearly so ?

3. Can we adopt a uniform system of (examinations ? Or to
state the questions more generally — What can bie done to make
the high(n* education of the Dominion more thorough and uni-
form, and at tlie same time to draw those engaged in this work
nearer to each other ?

Instead of any such course as this being adopted, the only
proposal which I remember to have been made by any member
of the Senate was that the denominational colleges should give
up their university powers, ^nd merge themselves in Toronto

ItEV. 11. A. FYKE, f).D.

38.3

Uuiveriiiy. At that tinn! I did not iiiuU'rstuiLd how much this
propo-ial inoiUit. I know now it Tneaiit about this : " Clivc up
your power of L^i'aiitini,' dcLjrccs, uutl then wo sli;dl not notice you
as s(;liools in any way whatever. You will have to send up all
the |)upils whicli youi- z(^■ll f(U' hi.,dior education has ennhled you
t.o draw around you. and whom you hive tauijht and traiutid
durinj^ the most difficult and irksome part of thur education, to
Toronto, to he examincid hy sonic five; (/r six professors of Uni-
ver.sitv Colhi^G." This was no 'M'cat temptation to these ciiar!.(M'ed
colleges ! Surely this cannot ho. tlie fair interpretation of the
seemimilij j,'enerou3 law passed hy the (xoverunient ? The law
'.reatiui^ tltfj University of Toronto is either a sham and a decep-
tion in its promises to the collei^^es, or else the Senate h;is not yet
appreciated eitlujr its letter or spirit. The truth is, the Senate,
as at present employed, is little more than an appendacje of Uni-
versity College. The " Council " of that Collo'^'e could easily do
all that is now done hy the University, and it is prohahle that
th(; work would he done vtu'y much as it is now weie the Uni-
versity done away ! Yet this "Council" is, 1 fear, sonn^vlMt
remiss in its duties also. In the 53rd section of the University
Act we have the followiuf^ passa'.ce ; — "The Council of tin; said
Collej^e shall annually report to tlu; Governor, at such" time as he
may appoint, on the fjjiMieral state, proifress, and prospects of the
Collii.'e, and iifxni all matterti toncliinfj ihc .same, with such suj,'-
<,'estions as they may think proper to make." The italics are
mine. With such a duty before them, how is it that for years
and years one (if not more) of the professorshijw in that CoIl(;;,'e
remains so inade(]uat(!ly tiUed? Clas^ after class of students is
subjected to a kiml of martyi'dom, })Ut thin.i^s remain as they
were in the be,L,'innim,'. I wonder if a ])rofessor of any iitiier I'c-
lijfious denomination would have been birue so ilatiently wiih
by tlie council? T ^n-aut tint some public duties are vovy un-
])leasant, but after all duty must be done.

Still further: The Senate, w'nicli Wiis appointc^d practically to
" extend the betu^Kts of colleges and establishments already in-
stituted iu tliis Province," has not only passed by all those,
afhlititeil :nstitutions wliieh have not the ])ower of granting
degrees ; but the statutes which liave been passed in regard to
institutions which are incorporated with University ])owers, are
seemingly framed so as to injure those institutions, l)y drawing
away students from them. In other words it doe* not seem

384

MI'i: AND f. A nous OF

tlmt the aim is to stiinnliito tli(>s<! institutions or colle^^'cv to dd
tlicii Avork iM'ttiT, ]>!il to t;ik(^ iiwiiy tln'ir work from tin in filtn-
j^elhcr. Willi itrofcsstMlly HIk rjil aims, tlu' m.'inii.iifnicnt of tin-

Uiii\('rsity lias I n siicii as to make it— so far as its relations

to ('(ilifuifs (im iif Ti lonto aro concon cd- ii loal monopoly. I
(;liallt'ii;4(! fair and cai diii in(|uiry into this sulijcct, to sec wlu'tlicr
my Btiitcments aro not fully borne out by facts

ISut I must iK^t 'iosc this letter without eallint,' ppeeinl atten-
tion to tlu' eximiinations for standini^'s, dciirees, and honuri^, in
C(Miin'(lion with Toronlo University. I^y whom are these eon-
du(te<l '/ 'I'he answer is, eliielly~iu»t exclusively, hut chietly-
hy the Professors of TTnivirsity (.(diego. The (|uestion>j aie
prepared mainly hy the.'-e Pr<»f«'.ssor.'i, and printe(l. These printi'd
(picstions ale distributed in the class-rodins to those students
Avho come up for e\amination. When th(> students have Avritteii
out the answers to the aforesaid printed questions, they siyn
with their own uanics the jiapers which thev have jucpared. In
this way the Kxamiiu-rs know the autliois of the several ])a[>eis
— where they eume from, and all about them. There an several
very serious objections to this whole eoui.-e :

1. ]»y the ju'esent plan it is soarcudy possible for the Examiu(>r
to bo uninfluenced by what he knows of the student, outside of
the paj)er which is presented to him. And of course this djierates
badlv for those students who have not been tauuht in University
C«dle<4e, and who are ])i()bably not known to the ])rofessor. The
pa]a>rs should not be si^nned b} the student. They should be
marked merely with a cypher, and the cyj)her and real name of
the studfiut shouhl be enelosed in a sealed envtdope, not to be
openo 1 till ilie [laper had been examined and its value ascer-
tained. «

2. It is scarcely possible for a j)rofessor, however conscientious
he may be. not to have some leaniii'' towards the students who
h ive all along attended his own classes. Uesides, when students
from two or more collei^cs are examined by a i)rofessor, those
sludeuts who have been trained by the exauiiuing ])rofes&'or will
always have a decided advantage, because they know how their
old professor puts questions. That this is strictly true, oven
where the two or more clas.-es are equally " well np " every man
who has had experience in teaching or conducting examinations
knows. Let Professor A. jireparo the questions for his own
students, and Professor B. for his, and then let them rever?e this

REV. It. A. KYFE, I), t).

:}.s'

onlor. Let 11 j)roj»iu(i tlie (Hicstioiis for A's sliidtiiils, iiiid A.
pnipiiro <|ii('.stioi)s for ll's stinleiits, ami tlicy will liiul lliat tin'
n^suIU ol" llit'sc two (iXiiiniiiiiiiniis thus coiuIiii'IjmI will v;n\ from
live to tell pt'i' cent. This \-\ another reason why the im-lhoil of
(iomluctin^' the examinations in Toronto iruiver.sity should he
eJian;,fed. The examiners should, if possihle, he unconnected
with any fif the Iffaehin^' collej^ij.s, or else they fihould represent
af/ the alliliatcd c.olN'ircs.

Siill further. Why should all the students have to t^'o to
Toronto to he examincMl ? Wouhl it not be better to copy more
fully the j)lan of London University ? The questions are printi'd
by that IJniversity, and then a trusty ie^'ent, repniSfMitin-^' the
University, is sent with a sealed pa(d<et of thes(! ])rinted ([ues-
tions. This packet is o[)tMi(!d only in the classroom, in the
presence of the president of the alliliated college, and the [tapers
are distributeil to the stmlents who are to hi; exiimined. Then,
when their time is uj), their pa^XMs arc; marked with their (•y[>hers,
and all put in an enveloj)e and sealed, and taken to the ex-
aminers for their scrutiny. Ac(;ording to the plan at picsiuit in
o[)eration in Toronto University, some ten or twenty poor stu-
dciits have yearly to i^o on a pil;^rimage to Toronto, and pay

iJir own ti'aveilin^^ expenses

hereas tlu; Univcjvsity wouhl

l'.av(i to pay the tr.ivellinL( e.\"penses of but two or three a;j;ent;

at mo^t.

mer
oned

ited
tl

in mv two

US, are

The causes of com[»laint which I liave e
forincu' letters, to-^rether with those menti
thiidv, sullicient to claim a candid inquiry on the pait of thosc^
in authority. [ may l)e {xniuittod to say, in closint,', that both
the (Quebec ai.d Ontario llaptist Conventions declared with "^reat
unanimity that thoattcmtion of tin; Government should l)e called
to this subject, and that all those ehanj^es required to secure tlie
fair treatment of tin; alhliated colleges should bo secured if pos-

I am, &c., &c.

K. A. Fyie.

Woodstock, December 8th, 1870.

The i'riends of Toronto University are now .so familiar
with the reforms here suggested, as reduced to practice,
that they may not readily realize how startling the inno-

38fi

LIFE AND LABORS OF

vations proposed sjoinud to many at tin; time. Even "A
Haptnt " was fouad in Toronto, ready to deprecate tliem
in his own name, and that of tivt " leading meml)ors" of
the Baptist (yonvention. This writer dechired " that the
attempted crusa<le is as unnecessary as it is useh^ss," and
did " most earnestly protest a^'ainst Ins (Dr. Fyfe's)
attempt to represent the Baptist denondnation as march-
in<jf afti^r him on liis present Quixotic expediti >n."

As every one who pays attention to educational affairs
knows, there is scarcely one oi the reforms proposed or
su(jfi;ested in those time letters, which is not to-day cni-
boilied in the le<rislation ot the Senate and in actut 1
operation in University practice, ^oudents of affiliated
colleges not havin*^ degree-conferring powers;, are no
longer required to go up to Toronto for each of the five
underfjraduate examinations. Examinations are now con-
ducted in affiliated colleges, when desired, in the manner
suggested in letter III. The examiners are no longer
chiefly or entirely chosen from the profiissors of Univer-
sity College. The certificates of the heads of affiliated
colleges are recognized and accepted in lieu of certain of
the University Examinations. Students are no longer
permitted to sign their own names to the pipers they
submit. The currlcidaoi the colleges alfiliatetl with the
University have been to a considei-able extent assindl ited.
Very much new blood and new life have been infused
into the University Senate. The sta^' of University
College has been so far renovated that it can no longer
be said that " class after class is submitted to a kind of
martyrdom," at the hands of professors who have out-
lived their usefulness. Not a bad show of results from a
Quixotic expedition.

HKV. R A. FYFF. D D.

l]H7

But the nbovo are l»v no rneanH all tlie UnivcHitv ro-
forms of wliieli ])r. Fvfe was Mrst advocate, or diief
promoter. The ))lan of " Local Examinations for Women,"
now happily extended to students of both sexes nnd of
all classes, emanated froui Woodstock Collej^e. The tirst
informal uieetinf( to consider the matter was called by
J)r. Fyfe, and met at the residence of the H(m. William
McMaster in Toronto. The tirst routdi diaft of the
statute which was afterwards passed by the Senate, estab-
lisliirii^ such examinations, was prepared by members of
the Institute Faculty, and virtually if not actually sub-
mitted by Dr. Fyfe. Much proo;ress has since been made
in the direction of liberalizing both the University and
its College, and in doing away with the narrow and un-
just discrin:ination against women. Tliese refor»ns were
of course inevitable They must have come soouer or
later. But it is the fir4 step that tells. A reform of tliis
kind well begun is half accomplislied. Who can say how
long the progress of University Education in Ontario
would have been blocked by the fogyism that paralyzed
the University Senate, had not Dr. Fyfe po.'^.ses.sed the
combined strength and courage to pull down the conven-
tional hairier.*, let the light of public criticism into the
dim Senate Chamber, and set the healthful breezes of
liberal sentiment playing through the musty corridors of
the Provincial University ?

True the work is not even yet complete. One import-
ant reform propo.sed by him remains to be accomplished,
and others cocrnate to it are even now beintx a<jitated.
The blind inju.stice of requiring non-resident members of
the Senate to pay their own travelling expenses, in at-
tending its meetings, is still suffered to exist. The

388

LIFE AND LABORS OF

k.ndied reform at' fixed periodical sessions has yet to be
aceoinplis]u'(l.* Year by year the membership is bein^
made more representative in character. Tlie curriculniu,
ihouiirh vastly improved, is not yet fully in accord wi li
the spiiit of the day, especially in regard to its courses
in Eiitrlish classics, and in Political and SoeioKigical
science. But the impetus imparted sixteen or eighteen
years ago has never ceased to l)e felt. The momentum is
still increasing as the University moves on in the path of
progress. It is not too much to say that had the origina
tor of the movement been the Principal of University
College, 'J'oronto, instead of the Baptist Institute, Wood-
stock, his name would have gone down to posterity, as
an educational benefactor and a father of university re-
form. Perliaps history may yet give honor to wliom it
is due.

* The report of a meeting of the ."senate published since tlie above
was iii type imlieatos that this lojig-desi.ed and most senoil>lo ariinge
meat has at leni'th been agreed to.

"^ '-4 '-•■ c

CHAPTER XXVIIT.

A pROMisotJous Chai'teu— Opinions and Incii»i:nts— J)u. Fykk as a
Tea(;hkr~Prof. Montgomery's Views— a .Stitdknt'.sTriiiute —
A Pioneer Preacher- Peculiar Students -Teachers' Trials
— The Call to the Ministry —Responsibility ok Chitrches —
A Sympathetic Heart — ASister-in-Laav's Memories—Instan-
ces OK (JenEROSITY — P.ISINU above PrEJI'DIi-E — A PlNNER-

Tahle Incident— An Inspired Utterance — The Virtue of
Endurance — Mind-force in Action.

•

T.l) PROVERBS are not always reliable. It may
^.r>- Jiot 1)6 either literally or tij^uratively true that " a
straw be.st ahow.s how the wind blow.s." It is not at all
clear that a man's liL^hter, more thonjjhtless, acts and
expressions afford a better index to nis real character
than h'8 deliberate words and actions. But it is certainly
true thct no estimate of that character can be correct,
which fails to take account of its lighter moods and less
premeditated vords and acts.

The impressions made upon those with whom one is
bpoufcht into more or less intimate contact afford another
valuable criterion of what manner of man or woman an
individual really is. The verdict of the many, especially
in cases whera the many are substantially agreed, is
perhaps entitled to more weight thari the studied criti-
cisms of the few. It, at any rate forms one important
factor which cannot be omitted from any truly impartial
estimate of character.

li I

390

LIFE AND LABORS OF

Since it was announced that this work was heing pre-
pared a number of more or less intimate acquaintances
and friends of Dr. Fyfe have kindly submitted opinions
and recollections. Some of thes3 are fragmentary, but
are nevertheless interestin<x and suoffjostive. Others are
more systematic in form and prepared with greater c?ire.
Two or three of the latter are reserved to be given entire
at the close of the volume. It may be both pleasing and
profitable to group together in a chapter, without much
attempt at chronological or other order, a variety of in-
cidents and opinions from various independent sources.

Prof. Montgomery, now of Kalamazoo College, Mich.,
U. S., was for ten years a ?n ember of the Institute Fae-
idty, wnder l)r, Fyfe's presidency, an(' had thus exception-
ally good opportunities for studying his principles and
methods. Having taken the degree of M S , at the
University of Michigan, and been brought into somewhat
intimate contact with many of the professors in that and
other American Institutions, Prof. Montgomery has had
favorable opportunities for comparing Dr. Fyfe with
others and estimating his relitive merits. lie writes as
follows : —

" As a teacher he had not many superiors and I doubt if he
had many equals. His ability to grasp the essentials of a sub-
ject and t ) ascertain whether the pupil had done the same or
not v.^as remarkable.

" Then he had in a high degree that indefinable something
which enabled him to impart to each student an impulse that
had a life-time influence. And yet he did not impress himself
upon me in such a way as to make little repetitions of him-
self. I iS influence was rather to induce the student to
develop his own individuality. His influence was to make
the most of the pupil rather than to mould liim into a copy of
himself.

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

:]9i

and
had
'.vith

if he

suh-

tne or

"A third characteristic of the true teacher was liis own \\'\*j,h
personal manhood. No man can hecomt^ a teaclier of the
highest type who is not the possessor of positive character. He
developed in himself a nohle Christian manhood and endeavored
to ha -e teachers around hi;n who did the same. A thorough
student; an honest, earnest, sincere man; a feivent Christian
himself, he inspired the desire in each pupil to make the most
of the powers God had given him.

"I was often very much impressed with his eminent execu-
tive ability. He had icmaikably clear ideas ol the work to l;e
done. He was capable of carrying the details in Ids mind to
such an extent that he could at any tiuv think over or discuss
the woik in which he was engaged. This was not only tiue of
tl.e educational enterprise at Wocdstock, but of all of the
leading objects of the denomination.

"He was ever ready for improvement, and always willing to
give courteous attention to the suggestions of otjiers, although
he liked his own way, and his way was almost always a good
way. He was as prompt and energetic in the execution of his
plans as he was cleai -headed frammg them. He treated his
subordinnles with perfect frankness and with the utmost sin-
cerity ar-d hence he generally succeeded in winning the highest
regaid of them all. Even in dismissing inelficient teachers he
was so honest and strainht-forward with theui that he seklom
lost their friendship and esteem.

"Then he was so thoughtful in regard to the rights and pre-
rogatives of all his sul)ordinates. Many a time has he sent a
student all the way from his house to me for permission to
leave town to preach, because it was my business and not his,
he said, to gi'ant such permission.*

" 1 do not think Dr. Fyfe was perfect, but in the othce of the
teacher and college piesident he was veiy far above the aver-
age, if indeed, not almost perfect as men attaiji perfection ; and
as the Christian gentleman, as a Minister of the (iospel, as a
denominational man, as a citizen, he was certainly a greater
man than very many who^e praises have been moie loudly
sounded. I deem it of vast importance to me that I spent so
many years associated with him. I shall ever revere his memory."

To this estimate of one who wns so long an associate

%.>-

I: I

■ 1..

Pi of. Montgomery was Registrar of the College.

392

LIFE AND LABORS OF

teacher may be adclefl that of an old student, whose
opinions formed in the ciass-room, have since been modi-
fied or matured by many years of experience. Rev. J. G.
Ross, some of whose words have been before quoted on
another topic says : —

" In the class-room Dr. Fyfe was at home. He was cheerful,
free and familiar. He was always very reticent on things
pertaining to himself. I never came in close contact with any
man who made so few allusions to his early life.

"He always maintained a dignity and reserve becoming his
position. His manner was genial and his bearing towards the
students frank and affable, but no one ever took advantage of
these amiable traits. His anecdotes were always apposite, and
his jokes pointed and mirfch-aw.ikeiiing. They wore never
aimed to hurt or charged with malice. He was patient, good-
natured and indulgent. We students were oftei\ impatient
and impetuous, dull in apprehension, rash in our conclusions
and 'slow to learn.' It was hard for us to see points and
when we did we could liardly comprehend them fully. I never
saw him out of temper. He was alvvays kind, courteous ind
considerate. He practiced himself the 'Christian politeness,'
he so often enjoined upon us.

" I have seen him when he seemed to feel annoyance. It
was when those far advanced in years would act unwortliy of
their experience and manhood. At such times he would be
slow to speak, but would probably quote and emphasize Paul's
words, 'Be children in malice but in understand in(/ hn 7nen.'
He held a high opinion of woman's power, sphere and mission.
I have heard him say that tlie reason the kings of Israel were
so bad was tliat 'they had no mothers'

" He impressed upon us that we never should indulge in
personalities in the pulpit. Our grievances were never to find
a place or .seek redress there. We must never be mean enough
to assail our fellowmen from that sacred plnce, where they can-
not have the opportunity of defending themselves.

" On one occasion he said : ' Thank God that he did not
make me a judge of men. I should not know what to do with
them, where to place them, or how to classify them.' He meant
that their profession and conduct he could not reconcile ; their
words and acts did not agree.

IJEV. 11. A KYFE, D. D.

31)3

*' He was an admirer and true friend of tliose early pioneer
preachers who, witliout educational advantages and the facili-
ties of our own time, did so much good. Tiie name of Klder
Wni. McDenuand then living, ]>ut neai'ly at the allotted limit,
came up. Dr. F. passed a high eulogy on the man and his
ministry, ile spoke of him as a i-oyal preacher, working often
alone on a liard field, with little i-emunei'ation. He represented
him as travelling on foot in had roads, in new settlements,
exposed to the inclemency of heat and (;old. He would preach
for months almost without missing a night ; his sermons full
of fire, his arguments powerful. Ins logic convincing, his illus-
trations apt, and his hearers coming by hundreds niglit after
night. His di nurses were animated and always original.
' No educ.'ted man in America could wield ^leater inlluence
over the masses than the venerable Wm. ]\lcJ)ormancl. That
uvux of God has worn himself out in the work and never
wavered in purpose nor swerved in his fidelity. 1 honor him
as a brother Iteloved and a faithful minister of Jesus Christ.'

" I heard Dr. Fyfe commend Dr. Wheaton Sinith's 'Baptists
not Exclusive,' as 'one of the linest things he had ever read. It
manifested such a gentle spirit. It was just speaking the
truth in love.'

" I have heard men who never saw him say soine hard things
about him. Others thought they had i-eason to l)e angry oji
account of something he said or did. When after a year oi- so
he came along and they saw him face to face and had heard
him, their pn^judices vanished like melting snow and they be-
came ills firm friends through life

"'l>.j not Ije disapi)ointed nor discouraged,' he said to us, 'if
you are severely censured and criticised. Remember human
nature is no better now than when Paul had to pray to be
delivered from iinrf'asnnahle men. People have often told
me, 'You preach very poor sermons.' 1 would ask them if
they wore capable of Judging. I had made tlie preparation of
sermons my lite-work, and I considered myself betler aV)le to
iniderstand what my hearers needed than those whose highest
aim in life seemed to be to find fault.

" 'Act always with a conscience void of offence and show
yourselves workmen that need not be ashamed. Be thorough
ill your work. Never take for granted that your hearers know
things because you do.' 'Go into details,' he would say to his

M' I

'II

304

LIFE AND LABORS OF

cliisses. 'Explain ininutely-' He was a stauncli friend of
Toronto Univei'sity. I attended a public meeting in the Town
Hall, \ , oodstock, when there was an agitation abroad to do
away with the provincial irniversity and divide the spoils
among the Sectarian schools. The building was jammed.
The xixdiationht)^ affirmed and spoke first. ])r. Fyfe was
thoroughly aroused. He took up the gauntlet and threw him-
self into the subject. I never heard him speak with greater
freedom. His ^ hoijs' as he called us were there and he
expressed himself Avith no uncertain sound."

Mr. Ross's remark with regard to the dnllne.ss with
which Dr. Fvfe would have souielimes to deal in the class-
room, might be illustrated by numerous anecdotes. No
doubt his Woodstock students, as a whole, were fully
up to the average of those whose opportunities had been
similar. Most of those wlio came to prepare for the
ministry, especially in the early years of the school, were
from the farm. Few had had even tlie advantage of jjood
common schools. Many were well up in years, and some
came with grey hairs. There was always a goodly pro-
poriion whose intellects were strmg and keen, and whose
footsteps it was a pleasure to guide. In many other cases
hard labor and determined plodding would go far towards
overcoming the dullness superinduced and sti'engthened
b}'^ long years of mental inactivity. But of course there
w^ould be generally a sprinkling of hopeless cases. These
would not often remain long, but generally long enough
to try the souls of the teachers. He was quick to discern
whether there was any latent capacity for improvement,
or any adaptability for usefulness in special fields, and,
if found, it would be skilfully developed. But his
patience was occasionally sadly tiied by those who,
though mentally and morally incapable of becoming apt
either to learn or teach, would persist in going out to

REV. R. A. FYFE., D.l

395

[ent,

md,

his

apt
to

preacli after a few wcc ks or months of useless stay at
Woodstock. Siicli men sometimes hrouirht unnierited
and vexatious reproacli upon the Institute. They would
be accepted in certain quarters as samples of the "kind
of men they turned out at Woodstock." Dr. Fyfe would,
however, when the reports of the sayings and doings of •
such men were brouglit in, usually manage to dispel his
own vexation and that of his associates with a iaiigh.
He had a fund of amusininr anecdotes from which he could
readily draw o;< suc'i occasions. The ca.se of a fellow-
student of his own, who;n he had in vain striven to help
while at college, and who, when on the point of leaving,
after having utterly failed to grasp the simplest princi-
ples of some of the most elementfiry subjects, had come
to him to beg for a lesson or two in algebra, " in order
that he might l)e able to say when he went out that he
had studied algebra at college," was often brought to his
mind. The case was sometimes almost paralleled by
younof men iTfoinjr out to the churches after a few well-
nigh useless weeks spent at Woodstock, and pos ng as In-
stitute students. But such cases were comparatively rare.
On the whole, the young men who came up to prepare
for the ministry were of a class of which no college netd
be a-hameJ, if they could but manage to remain for even
two or three years Their poverty was generally the
most serious 1 indrar.ce to their progress.

In regard, however, to cases of serious and manifest
unlitness, Dr. Fyfe occasionally felt it his duty to turn
the tables and throw the blame upon the churches,
whicli were really th< most to blame, for encouraging
such young men to engage in a work for which they
possessed no qualification. He did not believe that fail-

i I

t.IF'E AND LA BO US OF

nre in other pursuits was any proof of fitness for tlic
ministry, or sliould be rcgardeil as a valid " call " to its
sacred duties. In one of those incessant appeals throu<rh
the Bapfifit, by which he did so much to educate the
churches up to a sense of their high callin;^-, lie speaks as
follows ujjon this point: —

"In regard to ciuulidates for the ininistry, there are a good
many mistakes made, (as indeed there are in everytliing which
imperfect men largely influence), and they are usual, y laid upon
a good many dilleient heads. I>ut according to the theory of
JJaptist Church polity, tlie responsibility rests chicitly upon the
churches. An indolent or shiftless young man, who has tried
a do/.en things and settled down to nothing, takes a notion
that he would like to be a minister. It is, ns he thinks, an
easy and genteel work ; and his friends think that this would
he the very thing for him, and they would like to have him
engage in it. An application iS" made to the church for a letter
for tlie young man. The pastor and the deacons consider the
case, and conclude that they are not very sure what the young
man is iit for ; he may turn out well in the ministry. And
then, if tiiey should refuse a letter tliey would wound the
young man, and, perhaps, alienate his friends from the church.
So they reconnnend him to go and study for the ministry.

Now here is a case in which the church has not a sin<;le
reason for thinking that the young man would be of any use in
the ministry, lie has not succeeded in anything else he has
tried, because he was either too indolent, or lacking in ability;
and yet he is reconnnended to study for the grand and glorious
work of preaching, which demands an amount of brain, en-
thusiasm, energy and soul, greater than any other employment
on earth. When a young man is started in this w-ay it is prob-
able he will continue to tlie end, whether he is fitted for the
work or not. It is scarcely possible to get him out of college.
The Faculty of the s<;hool cannot dismiss him so long as he
prepares his lessons passably, and does not violate the regula-
tions of the school. He is like an impenitent man received
into the church. He will remain there so long as he does not
do anything bad enough to deserve expulsion.

I say this case should rest, with all its painful and mis-

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. 1>.

397

chievjus weiglit upoa the church tliat gave tlie letter. Wliy
(lid you give him tiiis fatal K'tter, reciominondiiig liiiii to study
for the nuuistry 'I You irid uo evidence of his tituess for this
great work. You gave the letter simply to avoid wouudiiig
the young man, or grieving his friends. You did not fear
wounding the cause of G;)d, or grieving the Holy Spirit.

IJrethi-en of the churches, d ) not give young men letters en-
couraging them to study for the ministry, until you have some
evidence of their Hiness. V is sometimes supposed, if a young
man is unfortunate in his business, or meets with some accident
disijualifying him for manual lahor. that it is thus intimated to
him that he should engage in the work of the ministry. The
Lord has in this way rel)uked liis worldliness. 1 woulil not say
that (lod HPOar thus intimates that he wishes a man to leave
his secular pursuits ; hut it is certainly his e.>cceptional way of
calling a man into His work. As a ri:le, failures in business
and maiming are indications of the person's unfitness for the
special service of God. Here, if anywhere, a man needs all
the faculties he ever h id. The ministry must aei'er be regarded
as a m ake-shift. I charge my brethren in the ministry, and
the churches of Christ, to see to this matter. We want the
best gifts in the church for the work of the ministry."

Di'. Fyfe had a large and sympathetic heart. Under
the great pressure and worry of his work at Woodstock,
he would still find time to write words of tender and
affectionate sympathy to brethren in affliction. He knew
how to weep with those that wept. An^J yet he possessed
in a marked degree, rare delicacy of feeling, whijh would
save him from intrusion upon the sacred privacy of
sorrow. His words in such cases were few, hut the
genuineness of his feeling could never be doubted.

Miss Kenda'l.of Chicaij ), a sister of the late Mrs. Fyfe
referrinor to a visit of some weeks at his house in W^ood .
stock, fifteen yeais ago, writes : —

"It is forty-five years since 1 first knew Brother Fyfe, a
young student at Newton, but never had I fully appreciated

S5'

n. u*

-- m.

308

LIFE AND LABOItS OF

tlio lovclinns^ and ' uohloness ' of liis fluiniotor and tlio dopth
of tcndtjnidss and s^nipatliy in his nature, as then, (hiiin;^ six
weeks sp(Mit in his homo. I saw no fault in him. fie was
always kind, patient, loving and true, I had just lost my
precious mother and my home. 1 shall never forget one (!ven-
iivj^ when we were at l>n)ther Daniel's -Mrs. ilev(?l played
* Home, sweet home.' He wjis sittini,' hetween his wife and my-
self. He knew it was more than 1 could hear calmly ; took my
hand and whispered ' I'm sorri/ for you.' That was all he ever
sdif/, hut how it comforted and soothed my p;)or desolate
lieart.

"You prohahly discovered his sense of the ludieious. How
keenly he enjoyed a joke ! vAnd did you e\er hear a merrier
lauijh ? ' Yet it wixs one which guarded carefully others feel-
ini^ — so kind of heart was he.

"Then I think he was very unselfish. When he used to
return from his tours into the country amoni^ the destitute
churches, \ never lieard him complain of hard beds, poor fai
or rouj^di roads. Truly he had the spirit of the jNtaster 1

re
le

loved

ana serv

red.

Many instiinccs of Dr. Fyfe's jn^enorosifc}' might bo
j'iven, comniencinLj tVoni the time vvlicn in bis vounnf stu-
dent (lays, litivinof been driven bv pecuniarv stiviits to
take up slioe-niakin*,' as a means of eking out his scanty
resources, he found "a fellow stu<Ient more needy than
himself and divided with him the small amount he had
in this way earned." In (me of the early reports in ref-
erence to the effbits being made to aid needy students for
the ministry at Woodstock, it is incidentally ?*emarked
that one of them bad been provided for by the Principal.
Throughout his whole life his salary was small, but seldom
was an appeal on behalf of a worthy cause or person, —
one wh ch commended itself to his judgment, as well as
his heart — made in va n. His subscriptions as a member

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

81)9

of fclie Woodstock cliur/h wore very lihenil, as were all liia
contributions to the <Treat (lenominational enterpri.si}.s.

Dr. Fyfe was, probably, not t*rc*er than many otiier
n>en from prejudices of education, race, etc., but few could
so soon rise above them wh n occasion demanded. The
writer well remembers a visit paid to the Institut' by
the venerable Dr. Angus, of Regent's Park (/ollege,
England, when he was visiting America, a number
of years since. Dr. Fyfe had seen much controversy
and ill-feelinf; arise fiom what he regarded as the illoixical
and erroneous views of English brethren on the com-
mun'on and kindred questions, and could nob conceal a
certain feeling of distrust towanls so eminent an expon-
ent of these views as Dr. Angus. But when the latter
came to Woodstock and shared his hospitality; when he
had seen the face, heard the voice, and come into contact
with the spirit, of this clear-headed, yet gentle and lov-
able, disci[)le, his prejudices melted and his whole heart
went out to him as a brother beloved, and a true fellow-
.servaiit of the Master.

A well-known brother in one of the churches of Ontario,
relates the followinfr incident : —

"lu 1873 or 71 the

chuieli in , of wliicli I was and still am a ineinUer

Association met with the first

Being

one of the lUlloting Committee, iuul having a kind regard for
Dr. Fyfe, I had him biiU^ted at the house of Es(j., it be-
ing almost the nearest residence to the chapel, and the family
a highly respectable one, although neither the parents nor any
of the children were members of any church. On the Sabbath,
when the number of guests was largest, there canje amongst

the number to Mr. 's house, an Indian. Whence he came,

or why, was a profound mystery to the family, none of whom
had invited him, Nevertheless, he was (piite welcome to share
their hospitality. 'But how can it be done with^^ut risk of

410

LIFE AND f.AHORS OF

givin(» oHbnco to I)r. Fyfo?' ((lUM'iod tho anxious lady of tho
honso. '(Jan I seat him and the Indian at the sa'no tal»le?
Will \w not feci ainioyod or hnriiiliated'?' The ^ood hidy felt
honored in havini; I>r, Fyu^ as lier ^uest, and was anxious to
do hiiM honor a(;oordiM<^ly. However, as son»e stran<^e Provi-
dence liad hrougliL the Indian there at tlie sanje tinie she ea!ne
to tho efnielusion that she wouhl trust the sanio Prov'idence to
relieve her of the diHieulty. Her trust 'vas not misplaced.
VV^hen dinner was annonn-ed, Dr. Kyfe arose from his seat with
the remark, 'C^ome, l»rother. dinnei- is ready,' at the same time
direcrtin^ the Indian to a seat at the talile next liis own, and
hiddin*,' him occupy it, ])urin<^ tho meal he paid special atten
tion to his Indian brother. The lady of the liouse was at once
relieved of her hurden of anxiety, thou<^h some of the other
guests woi'o not a little surprised at the incident. The Indian

ref(!rred to was Hev. , a representative of one of tho

Indian churches in the West, belonging to the Association."

There was, of course, notlnni^ specially meritorious
in the act itself. No Christian could have done less
without provini^ recreant to the first principles of the
grand (h)ctrine of the essential unity and brotherhood of
the f^reat Christian family. But the hearty, whole-souled
Hianner in which tlie act was do:ie seems to have made
a deep impression on those who witnessed it, and within
whose bosoms there may have been a battle t^oing on of
whic!), in their higher selves, they were ashamed.

Rev. J. H. Best, one of Dr. Fyfe's old students, now
doing a good work in Bnxnd)n, Manitoba, writes to ex-
press his great pleasui's that a memoir of Dr. Fyfe is
being prepared, an<l adds : —

" I shall never forget one day when in one ot his classes — I
was then a junior student of Theology — he was counselling us
previous to our going out to enter upon our Summer mission
work. I shall never forget his look, the deep solicitude of his
voice, the almost paternal interest and concern which over-
spread his counteuan^ej as he foretold to us the difliculties to be

UEV. II. A. FVFE, D.D.

401

met and ovorcoine in our work ; of tlio lack of syinpatliy we
Would rn(»('t witli in inany cusos ; of some natures eold, sordid,
stiltisli and unfeelin;,', which must needs jur n^^ainst liner and
more sonsitivo ones. He then added : ' My young brethren,
you must learn to bear, bear, bear. IVFore depends upon what
you are able to bear, than v. hat you can do.'

"On many occasions since have these words came !)ack to me
in hours of need until they seemed abrost in.spiied in their
utterance."

The .subject of endarancb Is one upon which Dr. Fyi'e
fro(}uently touched. The value of this (jualitv in ])ublic.
and especially in ministerial character, he cstiuiatcd very
highly. Its necessity seems to have been, 'ndecd, " burned
into him," by .sliarp experiences. In a private note to his
old time friend McPhail, written in l(S(31, he .says : —

" All seem to be anxious to show by their treatment of me
that they are sorry fcr the conscious sufl'ering they intlieted on
me. * * * (;od has cared for me, (blessed be llis name),
in the past, and He will care for me in the future. He will
give me patience to wait His time. 1 believe if I have accom-
))lished anything for His cause it has been by oKhiranrc And
I am satisfied by long observation that a (!hristin,n man's use-
fulness depends more upon w hat he can bear than what he can
do. Endurance has been burned into me by pretty warm ex-
perience."

The reference in the first sentence is proV)ably to a

painful incidciii which occurred soon after the opening

of the .school at Woodstock. As the parties to blame in

the matter deeply regretted the wrong they had clone

him, and made all the atonement in their power by full

retraction and apology, it is unnecessary to refer to the

case further than to say that he was for a short time

made to suffer keenly in con.sequence of suspicions and

accusations which were afterwards confessed by their

authors to be baseless and unworthy. His forgiveness

was generously and fully bestowed.

402

LIFE AND LABORS OF

A .specifil characteristic of Dr. t yfe was his great will-
power, and the magnetic intluenc ^ it sometimes enabled
him to exert over men, even under verv trvinG: circum-
fitancrs. His late brother-in-law, Daniel Kendall, Es(|.,
of Woodstock, used to relate an incident which set this
power in a striking light. Mi*. Kendall was, probably at
an early period in their relationship, engaged in a busi-
ness which employed a good many men in putting
merehandiz'\ presumably lumber, on shipboard. On one
occasion, when he himself was unavoidably absent, and
much depended upon having the lading of a vessel
completed as quickly as possible, some difficulty arose
between the men and the stevedore, or other agent,
under whom they w^cre at work. The men quit work,
and refused to resume it. Great less was resulting
to Mr. Kendall. On the circumstances becoming
known to Mr. Fyfe, though he was a* stranger to the
men and without authority, he went to the spot and
by dint of the purely personal power he was able to bring
to bear, succeeded, not only in inducing the sullen and
angry men to resume their work, but in actually keeping
them at it throuohout the niixlit, and until the whole
task was accomplished. What peculiar persuasion he
brought to bear does not appear, but he seems to have
exhibited in a striking manner the supremacy of mental
force, or the power of will, that inheres in a strong and
loftv manhood.

Other instances of a somewhat different kind are told,
such as the following : He once felt it his duty, when
acting as a member of a Council called to consider the
propriety of ordaining a certain brother to the work o
the ministry, to take strong ground against such ordina-

REV R. A. FVFE, D.D.

403

tion In this view he was in a deciiled minority, if not
({uite ahjne. The point had been argued at length, aiid
he had brought forward his strong reasons, apparently in
vain. His brother r ouncillors wei-e bent on laving their
hands, as he thought too suddeidy, on the candidate's
head. While matters were in this state, the hour arrived
at whieli he was oblijjfed to leave to catch a train. Rising
to depart, he turned for a moment to his brethren and
spoke, with the emphasis he knew so well how to use on
occasion, sonif^what as follows: "Brethren I cannot re-
hiain longer, but THIS oudination must not take vlace."
By what considerations the other members of the council
justified themselves in so speedy a change of purpose,
deponent saith not, but the iss-ue was that the council
decided aaainst the ordination.

There are other instances in which he had to deal, not
with a few brethren differing in opinion, but with large,
excited, and determinedly hostile audiences, whom he
first, by sheer foi'ce of will, compelled to hear him, and
then, by stiess of logic in a righteous cause, brought
squarely ove^ to his way of thinking. One case is still
fresh in the memories .of many in Woodstock. There had
been a tumult, almost a riot, in the town, consequent, if
memory serves, upon the advent of some whiskey de-
tectives, who had been roughly and lawlessly assaulted.
The better class of citizens had called an " indignation
meeting," to denounce the lawlessness of the rioters, but
the latter anil their sympathizers came out in force, and
for a time bid fair to control the meetinnf. When the
mover, or seconder, of one of the resolutions had utterly
failed to gain a hearing, Dr. Fj^fe took the platform, and
not only compelled attention, but in a short time so com-

404

LIFE AND LABORS OF

p'efcoly turned the current that tlie resolutions of the
party of order were carried triumphantly.

Though sufficien ly conservative of denominational
views and us;i<^es, he was by no means a servile adherent
to traditional customs. The t'ollovvinir incident, which is
told on excellent authority, shows that he was sOiuetimes
rather disposed to encourage innovation, when the good
of the ''ause was likely to be promoted thereby : —

"Dr. Fyfe w;is iit one tiiiio askeii to [JveiuOi in a country district •
He arrived at the church after tlie time for oeginnin;^' the servic'"
and rook \vs s-'eat in the body of the l)uilding. One of th<'
deacons preaclied the sermon and conducted the service. It \va>^
coinniunion Sunday, and befoie be^i,nnning tiie connniniioii
■service, one of the 'jlilcer.s walked over to where Dr. Fyfe was
sitting and requested him to come forward and conduct the
service. He asked, 'why?' and the answer was 'because you
are present and should do so.' He replied that he had listened
with [)leasure to the deacon who had preaclunl, and he saw n<.
reason why one who had given evidence of special gifts, tittin,:^
him for the otlice of preacher, should not also lead the churcli
in the breaking of brea't. This argument prevailed, and J)r.
Fyfe afterwards rem irked that he believed that what he had
ilonj was (piite scriptural, though irregidar."

CHAPTER XXIX.

A Mav or AcTiox -His Vikw.s os Inhpiration — Pek.sonat, Hist(»hy
Resumk!)— Anotukk Firk — Was it I'lnisoNAL Maliok?— Gi t

OF A HOMKSTKAI) — Ax ImI-KHKECT TksTTMOMAL - RaH.WAV

Accident -SKuioosr^Y In.U'kei* — Tjik Seeds ok J)isea>i: —
GiiADrAL De(\vdence -A Happy Expedient — Gkatikvin(j
Testimonials — From Outside Fuiends— FpvOM the Alt mm —
FuoM Present Shidents- Words ok 'J'iiasks--A Trip T()
Europe.

jTlT WAS orif^inally intended to devote at least one
■'■^ chapter of this book to extracts from ])r. Fyi'e's
sermons and theoloiiical lectures to indicate his views on
various questions of controversial interest. On second
thoughts, this part of the p'an has been set aside foi' two
leasons : first because the volume has already outgrown
trhe dimensions within which it was intended to confine
it; and second, because it was felt that it would be
scarcely just to Dr. Fyfe himself to invite comparison
between his necessaril}' biief and imperfect discussions
of such questions, and those of men who made their
study a life-work. He was a man of action rather than
a man of thought. 'J he limitation of human life and
human faculties render it ordinarily impossible that the
same man should be an enersfetic and indefatiGfablc
worker and an original and profound thinker. One of
the evils inseparable from an institution originated and

40G

LIFE AND LABORS OF

carried on like that at Woodstock is that the amount of
labor devolved npoh each member of the stafi of instruc-
tion is so great as to preclude the possibility of study or
research, beyond that necessaiy for the discharge of each
da^'^^'s duties in the class-room. What wes true in this
respect of every teacher during Dr. P'yfe's regime, was
emphatically true of the Principal. What he might have
been able to accomplish in the vva}^ of close, original
thinkinuf, had the conditions of his life rendered such
possible, can never be known. His writings abound with
suggestive and even striking passages. They are every-
where marked by sturd}- common sense, and often by a
robust vigor of thought. The main points are clearly
conceived and presented. To expect close, consecutive,
and prolonged ratiocination, or the fruits of profound in-
vestigation, would be utterly unreasonable. Yet there
is much of practical wisdom, and much of lofty spii-itu-
ality, in his sermons and lectures, which should not be
wholly lost to the denomination. It is to be hoped that
some means of making tlum at least temporarily useiul
may yet be found.

Justice to Dr. Fyfe, however, demands a fuller elucida
tion of his views upon one vexed question — that of
inspiration. On page 86 he is quoted as saying, in a
letter from Newton, " I have learned that the Scriptures
are fully and verbally inspired, else they have no inspira-
tion at all.'' To what extent his matured thought -md
riper judgmeiit modified his views upon this point may
be gathered from the following extracts from the lecture
he was accustomed to give to his classes upon the sub-
ject, a verbatim copy of which has been kindl}'- furnished
by the Rev. D. A. McGregor, of Sti atford : —

liEV.

«. A. FYFE, D.D.

407

^p-^k.ug or writi.ig t,,,t ft '''■■";'""••' "f ■•eligion when

'"»' a„.l revelation is It ^"' ''"",""=t'on l,etwee„ i,,,,,, r'
LeneSt or guide ti.e i, div V^,," ' '■':™'''«o>, ,vas .losig,,! ™o"
'""""t to direct a ma , , I ! "'T'"^ ''■ I"s.>i.'atio , 'v!s

""=f age, see I. l>et. / , , '. f " "»* c»"ipi-e),oud l,is „ '
understood it. Verv ,li ' "'"■'' >"''" ''„ ' a revCl..?

'«'". Men have!;:! XrtJ'sr f '-"■•-'■•"" 1.' c £

r«> Ins,„rat,o„ of direction,
y'i ?"■"-"." '^t'on of elevation
ry Inspiration of presc,-,,„,e,

(1.) Tiie divine irflno

spi..it„,U perception, ^J^l^ZTl t'^n'^ ,""-°"«'' -

(-•) The human element ;/„ , "'"^"'''s Wiemselves

tl'- "Klividual peculia™t™s of tie 'I '"V' "'" "'« «tyle an^l ;„
«se employs the Immareleme, t r™'' "T"' ''"'I "> "ve y
tn',,"'", """""»". a"d toT-v h^M ^T"^' '° '"""anity, o
'fe Wis the human vol Je ,v M, t ,°^''"'''-™ ''y'-'Pathyf and
wishes to present. B„t i 1 , ","^' "<'»' "f trath which H„
'"easure or nature of the diving'', '"' '' ''°"^' "'• -Im i the
our comprehension. ^^ ""' '"«"«-" '» any case is bcj-ond

-- trnth absolute, hut l-ttt-' ^tnTra,r/i ^'
(^ ) Wei 11 "«'« ana here-

'"•t inspiration whifhTnW H? r''"?' "<" "'^oessarily verlnl
"T, ;%7«--'' to life an"['go^|fn*r'^ •■"' ^^''^ '""»- "~-

^joi is :oS;:;::'°sUif : P-*. "■« ™™ ^t ge„ius etc

408

LIFE AxM) LABORS OF

It is now hi<;h time to resume tlie thread of biographi-
cal narrative. In the outline of the history of the Insti-
tute already given, incidents of a more strictly personal
character were passed over without notice. Some of
these may now he given before passing io the sid sequel.

Alhisions have already been made to renewed attempts
to repe.it the catastrophe of LSiJl. The indications of
deep-seated malice on the part of some individual or
part}'^ were conclusive, though, as before said, no evidence
was ever adduced to bring it home to the guilty parties.
It is imp /jsible to determine whether this malice had for
its object the college itself, or simply its founder and
head. The latter seems nt least (piite as probable as the
former; and, tliou^h it is almost incredible that the pique
of personal jealousy or disappointed ambition could carry
anyone to such dastardly lengths, no more satisfactory
theory has been suggested.

Of an abortive attempt which was made ti fii-e the
hotel while the school was being conducted in it, no par-
ticulars are at hand. In a letter to the Brptist, dateil
May 25th, 18G.3, Dr. Fyie gives the following account of
a second [or third (?)] attempt directed against the new
buildings, which was partially successful : —

" The friends of the Institute were aroused from their beds
on Saturday morning last, at half-past two, by the alarm of
fire. They found the barn enveloped in a sheet of flames, and
i 1 a very few minutes it was a mass of embers. Among these
embers they were pained to find the remains of a horse, a cow,
and a hog, that had been cruelly burned alive. Upon examina-
tion it was found that the water closets in the ' oys' yard,
(which stand about laO feet from the main building), had been
set on fire also, but on account of dampness, the fire had gone
out after burning through the partition. Up to the present
time, there were some who maintained that the previous in-

REV. R. A. FYFE. 1). D.

409

beds
•m of

and
bhese

cow,
luina-
yard,

been

fjone

cendiary attempts were only accidents ; now there are none
who doubt that the Institute is a great eye-sore to sonieJ)ody —
that some would gl ully (h^stroy it. After the attempt made a
year ago hist fciU, a night watch w!?,s regularly kept up, until
the commenceuient of the present term, (six weeks ago), and
during that time tliere was not the slightest attemjjt made. I
(.pposed, as long as 1 could, tlie removal of the night watch-
man ; but the liardness of the times, and the failure of sub-
scribers to meet their liabilities, silenced my opposition,, though
they did not convince n)y judgment of the wisdom of dismissing
the wa'.chui.in. And these are the evil fruits. The whole loss
is somewhere about .$.'500, on which there was no insurance ;
$130 of which loss falls upon Mr. Oook aiid myself."

The long years of hard, iiniiifceriniltod labor, <luring
which Dr. Fvfo sometimes conducted as many as six
classes dail}'-, in addition to all the toils and cares of
management, collecting, &c., were often pleasantly varied
by manifestations of cordial appreciation and affection
on the part of students a id outside friends.

In 1863, the students prc.".ciite<l him vvitli a small
service of plate, accompanied with an address tilled with
expressions of gratitude and esteem. Ahnost eveiy year
thereafter, some token of the high regard anrl admiration
in which he was held by .students and teachers served to
cheer him in his arduous work.

About the year 1870 a very plea«iing and practical
proof of the esteem in which he was held, for his work's
sake, by influential brethren, was given him. Up t ) this
time he had been occupying a rented house in Wood-
stock, and had once or twice been put to the expense and
annoyance of removal. It having been ascertained that,
owing to the probable sale of the premises he was then
occupying, he was about to be compelled to cast around

once more for new quarters, it occurred to some of
a2

f V

410

LIFE AND TABORS OF

those connected with the Institution tli.it the Bnptists
of Ontario owed it to liim and to themselves to furnish
the self-denying Principal of their Theological School
with a residence. Hon. W. McMnster was nccordiu'dy
conDmunicatod with, ond not only cordially agreed with
the view presented, but announced that he and his friend,
T. J. Claxtou, Esq., of Montreal, would glady contribute
the $2000 necessary for the purchase of the premises then
occupied by Dr. Fyfe, or any other that might be chosen.
Many other friends of Dr. Fyfe, when they heard of
this generous proposal, earnestly desired to participate
in the fjift. But it was felt that to throw the matter
open to the denomination, in the form of a general
testimonial, would interfere with the success of tlie great
effort which was just then being made to enlarge and im-
jirove the Institute buildings and grounds. Hence Dr.
Fyfe would not con^sent to the extension of the orioiipil
sclieme. At the solicitation of several a kind cf com-
promise was adopted. Messrs. McMaster and Claxton
consented to transfer to the enlargement fund, from the
$2000 donated by them to purchase the homestead, an
amount equal to the sum of any contributions othei-
friends might wish to make for the purchase of the
homestead. The sum of $329 was given under this pro-
viso, but very many who were anxious to express their
good will to the Principal were not willing to do so in
this indirect way. The conclusion of the matter is in-
dicated in the following extract from a feeling " acknowl-
edgement," in the columns of the Baptist, written Oct.
20th, 1871 :—

" On the 5r)th anniversary of my birthday, I desire to ac-
knowledge the munificent present of $2,000, which have lieeu

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

411

pro-
their

|to ac-
het'u

invested in the house which I now occupy. I wish, in this
public manner, to express my grateful sense, not nienily of the
value of the gift itself, luit chiefly of the confidencf aiul esteem
of wliich this gift is the symbol. I include in this expression
of my hearty thanks, Messrs. McMaster and Claxton, and those
who were afterwards admitted as partners in this generous gift.
Nor can 1 omit the grateful recognition of the many who sent
assurances of their confidence and esteem, l)ut who jueferred
a different way of showing it than the only one which, in the
ci»*cumstances, was left open to them. I must not try to ex-
press all that I feel on this occasion, but 1 may close by alUrm-
ing my belief fhaf all the friends re/erred to will feel that I shall
.show mysense of their confidence and generosity best, by devfdiug
myself with yet greater earnestness to the great work com-
mitted to me. And this, by God's help, I promise to do."

The contributions were received anei the fund !]ianji!:;cd
by Henry E. Parson, Esq., one of Dr. Fyfe'w nio.st esteemed
friends. It may not be out of place to add that at lea.st
one of those who had to do with .sugfjestin^ the te.stimo-
nial ahvay.s felt that, with the best intentions, he had per-
haps made a mistake in point of time. From the .spirit
manifested by many it was evident that had the pioposal
been made at a time — could .such indeed have been found
— when no special appeal was being made on behalf of
the Institute, and had the testimonial fund so generously
started been thrown open without Hiuitation as to
amount, the gratitude and good will of the whole denomi-
nati w. would have been manifested in a manner worthy
of itself and of the recipient.

In the summer of 1865 a serious accident befell Dr.
Fyfe — one which not only entailed much immediate suf-
fering and loss of labor, but which, there can be littl ;
doubt, if it did not actually originate the fatal disease
which cut short his days in the midst of his use-
fulness, at least left the system more exposed to the
incursion of the subtle and insidious destroyer.

412

LIFE AND LABORS OF

He had been atten«linrr the Baptist anniversaries at
St. Loai.s, Missouri, and was returning. When within
about one hundred niiles of Chicacfo another train col-
lided with that in which he was iidin<;, overturning the
car, or throwing it from the track, and giving him so
severe a shock as to cause concussion of the brain. For
a length of time he was in imminent danirer of iidlam-
mation, and was enjoined by his })hysicians to lefrain
from all mental excitement, or effort. He gradually
i-ecovered from the shock, and after a few weeks was
able to go to the s-aside for further rest. After the
lapse of a term, duiing which he was obliged to mitigate
the severity of his labors, he was so far restored as to be
abb; for years to resume his almost crushing burdens.
But it is doubtful if his nervous system ever regained to
the full its healthful tone. Those most intinuitely associ-
ated with him could see that never after was he exactly
the same .--trong man as l:)efore. The decadence was very
gradual, and was not conspicuously manifest for several
years. But the old-time self-reliance, the courage which
(|uailed before no obstacle, the indomitable strength of
will which refu'^ed to be balked in its purpose, began
slowly to fail. It is possible that, could he have taken
the year's rest which the Trustees voted him, but to which
he could not see his way, the evil might have been aver-
ted. But to one of his tempernment prolonged rest, in the
sense of cessation from work, is an impossibility, and it is
likely that the change, even had the exigences of the
school permitted it, would have been but from one form
of labor to some other almost equally exhausting. He
could Vv'ear out, but never rust out.

For several years he continued as has been seen from

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

41 :?

the sketch ot* Collofje hisiory. to push on the work. The
fuhlitioM of at first one, and aftcrwjinls a secon<l professor
in the Thei.'ofjical Department, soinewliat lij^htene*! his
chiss room hihors, b it increased the toil and worry in-
separable from the collection of the larger sums recjuired
annually for current expenses. And this was t!ie part
of his work from which he shrank more and more as
years and infirmities u^rew upon liim.

Thus matters went on for a number of years until, in
187'i, the tavajnjes of disease be^^an io tell so plainly that
his friends at last became ahirm^'d. Already, no doubt,
the fatal disease was at work, althou<^h the local physician
whom he consulted was unal le to detect its presence, or
to see cause for special alarm. But the fine physi(jue
was unmistakably impaired. His face became pale, and
his eyes sunken. His figure lost something of its erect-
ness, and his brisk gait of its firmness and elasticit}',
while his clothes began to hang loo.^ely about him.

It was at this juncture that a few of his anxious fritnds
consulted together and adopted the happy expedient of
making up amongst them a suftic'^nt pur.se, and inducing
him to take a trip to Europe. Thomas Laiiey, Esq., took
the initiative, and sent a private circular to thirty or
forty friends, to whom, it was thought, the request sliould
be confined, it being well known that anytning like a
general application would noo be agreeable to Dr. Fyfe.
The writer has before him the letters sent in answer to
this circular. It is a pleasure to read them. Such cor-
dial responses to an appeal for money, such manifes-
tations of esteem,, appreciation and hearty good will
one does not often meet with. The toiie of the answers
must have been even more gratifying to Dr. Fyfe than

414

LIFE AND LAHOllS OF

the contents themselves, though t}»o latter enabled him
to f!f ratify a life-lon<( desire.

Aside from tlie more immediate object of the trip, few
men were better fitted by nature and habit l)oth to enjoy
and to profit by foreij^n travel than 1 e. His mind was
intensely active, and his powers of ob> jrvation unrsmxlly
keen. His knowledj^e of history, and his store of general
information, were remarkable for one whose whole lift
had been laboriously busy, and were ample to (jualify him
for making the most of the scenes and ol)jects of interest
he might visit. The one great drawback was the en-
feebled state of body and brain which forbad the exertion
which would otherwise have made every excursion a
source of delight and profit.

The closing exercises of the school year of th > Theolo-
gical Department, in April, 1874, were of unusual interest.
It was the time for one of the tri-ennial re-unions of the
Associated Alumni, an<l the old students flocked back in
large numbers to bi«l their beloved Principal "good-speed!''
on his tour. They took advantage of the occasion to give
a tangible expression of their esteem and afiection in the
shape of a pur.se of $160. The students then in attend-
dancc followed this up by the presentation of a valuable
gold w^atch. In nd lition to all. and no less helpful tow-
ards the main end, a number of his brethren in the
ministry undertook to do his work at the associations, in
order to relieve his mind in this respect. Thus cheered
with manifestations of good will from every quarter, and
upborne by many earnest prayers for his complete restor-
ation to health, he took his departure for the historic
shores of the Old World. In returning thanks to his
numerous friends on the eve of his departure he said : —

UEV. K. A. FYKE, D.D.

415

" Surely if {^'oiii'ml good-will cjiii restore iKs.iIth iiml stren^'Lli,
I h;ivn much reHon to hopn for the l>ost. All this [ locMvo,
iKit merely as iuiliciitivci of iut(U"jst iu luo p(!rson;illy, l>ut uhous
iiuli(;;itivu of interest in eduoiitiou. Thn bust return 1 ciia mike
for all this kindness is to do my hest, with tht; i>lessinj,' of (Jod,
to tit myself to do, if possihh^, more and better for tins future.
Permit me, brethren and friemls, in iiidilin.* you good-bye f(U' a
tew months, to ;isk lUi interest in your prayers, tiiiit it may please
(lod 'o restore me, that 1 may serve His cause an* I promote the
welfare of His p(!ople. \ devoutly believe, no^withstan ling the
theories of the Positivists, that (»od hears and answers prayer."

On his return Dr. Fyfc'e wrote a series of very interest-
uvr letters to the Bdptist, givintf an account of his tour,
persons and places of interest visited, etc. These wer.',
no doubt, generally read at the time, and are (juite too
voluminous to be repi-oduced here. But in another chap-
ter will be given a series of extracts, written perhaps in
a more ofi-hand and familiar style, bat no less interestln-^*
in substance, from his letters to Mrs. Fyfe during the
progres • of his journey.

CIIAPTEE XXX.

TiiK Tun* TO KuKopK— ItsOne Great Aim— Thk Ocean Voyace— Tin:
(jREAT CiTV — The Disease Diaonosed — ' Home Swfet Home' —
Si'i7R«EON'sTAt{EHNA(;i,E— The New En'c.lan;) SociKi y- -En<;msii
Wateuin(; Places -The Isle of Wkiht— London Skjiits— The
British MrsEUM— A Visit to Ihelanu — A Land of Misery —
The Prospect of Recovery — A Year of Rest Lmi'ERative—
Memorable Journey in a 1*h akton—Paris and Its Sights —
The Lakes of Switzekland— Siohth and Scenes in Scotland.--

^ CONSIDERABLE part of each of the series of
^>vjb= letters written to his wife, from various points in
Great Britain and on the continent, was naturally taken
up with details of his interviews with tiie physician he
consulted in London, and in regard to the state of his
health. These and other particulars have been eliminated
as of no special interest to the public, now that the fatal
termination of the disease is a matter of denominational
history. The extracts that follow are intrinsically wor-
thy of perusal. They are also valuable as matters of
bioofraphy, on account of the keen and intelligent obser-
vation they disclose, and the superabundant mental
activity they indicate.

One fact is brought out in these letters, which were of
course intended for the eves of his wifo alone, with almost
painful emphasis and iteration. It is that the object of
the trip is not pleasure or recreation, but restoration to

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

417

heaUli. It is constantly a matter ot* conscience that
eveiythin*^ must be subordinated to the one aim — health-
seekinj^. His duty to the friends wlio liave facilitated the
trip, to the l>enoniination he serves, to the erreat work to
which he has consecrated hiniself — in a word, to his Mas-
ter — demands that everything else shall be made second-
ary. The restless activity of a mind which is always urging
him on, the intensest longing to see scenes which have
been to liim objects of life-long desire, every personal e.nd
selfish impulse, however innocent, must be stcridy held
in check, in order that this one sacred duty may be kept
paramount. Tnus even the coveted trip became, under
the conorolling influence of a high sense of duty, in some
respects a continued act of self-denial.

" Drooki.yn, N". Y., May lOtli, 1874.— I wi-ifo from Mr.
P.irsou's house, just before .iioiii:.,^ on bo.ir I tlje .ship. 1 re.iL-heil
here about 11 ;i.in., and iouml thai die ' Mieedouia' has not yet
arrived, and lliat [ shall sail by the ' Alexandria ' of the same
line, as <^'ood a ship as the ' Mieedouia.' * * [ have a very
good state-room, aHHd.-.hi])s, and tlui company is small.

It sieems straiijje for nio to ho g)ing off for so long a tinifc
' without a mission.' IJut I shall try hard to (it myself for tht^
Lord's service, making this my mission. I feel assured of God's
presence with me."

" Glasgow, June 1st. — I did not roach liere till this day,
at 2 p m. We were sixteen dnys, less tliree liour^, on tlie water.
The fault was in the boat. We had fine weather on the whole,
except Sunday, 31st "lay. That <lay was very rough. But I
have enjoyed every minute of the journey tlius far. * * We
liad only five cabin ])asseugers. The captain and (derk whyv
very pleasnnt, and indeed all did all they could to make things
agreeable. And I rested. I read a number of the books I found

-ME
1

418

LIFE AND LAKORS OF

oil (lock. Some of them were valuable and new to me. I read
also some of the lighter literature.

■ • • • • t •

Oil the first Sabbath so many were sick, (there were thirty-
two steerage passengers), that wo had no service on board. I
slept, or dozed, through nearly thirty hours. I must have been
very tired, I supiiose.

• ••••••

Of the sixteen days we were out, eight were foggy and re-
(juired th(>. fog whistle about every three minutes, night and day-
It rained, more or less, for seven days. Two days the waves
ran high, and Oh, how I enjoyed 'the sea, the deep, blue :sea/
and the pitch and roll of the ship. I shall never forget the
many, many hours E spent in the unoccupied smoking rooms on
the upper deck, looking at the sea. 1 wanted the wives o run
higlic!- an<l higher. But on last Sunday, yesterday o! , .an
very high, and wouM have gone much higher but for the pouring
riin which beat them down. We could have no service that
day for the waves were very often making a clear 'breach' over
the upper deck.

• • • • • • •

I should have told you that on the second Sabbath, I preached
in the cabin to a nice little congregation. They seemed ta enjoy
the service and so did I."

"MiTCHAM, Jan. 10th.— I left Glasgow on Tuesday at 10.15
a.m., and reached London at 9.45 p.m. I did not see any one
at the station because Mr. Lailey had left London two wesks
before, and Mr. James McMaster lives ten miles from the station.
It was the night before the Derby races, and every hotel was
full. I took a policeman with me to search for some decent
pla.'e to lodge for the night. At last he found a queer little
place, but entirely respectable, where I got some supper and a
bed. The English railways give a stranger but little chance to
get even a bite to eat.

On the morning of the 3ril, I took a stroll to look at the big
city, till it should be time to hunt up James McMaster at his
oHRce. I took a c; b and drove three miles, reaching his office
before he had come to tt)wn. But I was expected by the clerks
and most kindly rtceived. He soon came, and gave me a most

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

419

licarty wclcoiuo to London ami to liis liouse ami home. I went
out with him in t]i« afternooiv, after liaving spent three liours
with him in the Royal Aeademy of Arts, viewing the best
jjictnres I liave ever had the privilege of seeing.

..."
I>erything that loving hearts eonid do has been done for me.
1 do feel verv gratefnl to them and thankfnl to Cod.

I had a letter from Mr. Lailey on Thur>=day last, desiring mo
to join him in his tour, or a part of it. I wrote thanking him
for liis kindness, but telling him that my main search is for
healtli, and I must first find a .skilful physician and get his
opinion.

The country is all it has ever been represented to be, perfectly
lovely."

Here follow some particulars of his first interviews
with his physician, the regimen prescribed, etc. The
disease was pronounced an unmistakable case of diabetes-
It had been too long neglected, but the eminent physician
was hopeful that it was not yet tc o late to effect a cure :

" The doctor said that, without a doubt, my railroad accident
had involved me in this trouble. Then the pressure of work
upon me had broken a strong constitution. I must avoid efforts
which weary me, whether mental or [)hysical.

• •»••••

My tour on the continent I hold a.s yet in abeyance, till I
know n)ore definitely what treatment I am to be subjected to.
. . . We are in God's hands, and I shall take all the care
possible. I wish to recover strength that I may serve God, and
I think I shall. . . . I should have stopped work for a time
two years ago. But I feel a strong conviction, and Dr. Phillips
is quite sanguine, that it is not yet too late.

On Sunday morning, Mr. McMaster drove me over to hear
James Spurgeon, whose ministry he attends, and in the evening
ho drove me in to hear the Spuigeon. The Tabernacle and its
congregation ia a sight to see. I never saw such a congregation.

i i

420

LIFE AND LABORS OF

Mr. Spui'goon is iigiin ill. lie was so ill after preachin;:,' tlmt
I could Mot see liiui. He stjiit im; worj that he woulil see nic
after coiuimiiuoii, but I did not rouiain."

"MiTciiAM, June 18th. —Oil Thursday last, the day I des-
patched my letter to you, I went down by the Great Western
R. R. to Ross, 132 niih^s, expeeting to meet Mr. Lailey, but as
I could not notify him of my intention, I su[)pose he had changed
his plau of travel and gone by Ross. But 1 saw a beautiful
country, and enjoyed three or four days of (luiet there very
much. I never expect again to see so much (juiet, harmonious
beauty of sc.cneiy, in this W(n-ld. Bold(M-,. grander, I may see,
but not like that. . . . Dy tho way, while I was sitting out
in the hciuitiful grounds of the hotel at Ross, at one o'clock,
suddenly the chime of bells in the parish church struck ui)
* Home, Sweet Home.' I could not help it, the tears cauie inti)
my eyes in s[)ite of me,

Th(! (i(»v(!ruor of the New England Company sent me a cartl
of invitation to the annual dinner of the Company at the Free
Mason's Tavtu-n, ami yesterday at six o'clock 1 went. Tlie Com-
pany was not large, but it was the grantlest all'air I ever saw.
Much to my surprise, the Governor made me the third
toast, imuuidiatiily after the Queen and Royal Family, and the
New England Society, and 1 made a little s[)eech. It was a
veri) })leasant meeting ... I never felt more at home any-
where than there. 'L'liere was only one man who went with me
throughout in ilriuking water, but there was no bantering. To-
day 1 am going inlo the city, on my way to ^all on Dr. Angus.
I find I must ' k(!ep dark.' Much to tu}' surprise, I am deeuKid
of sutHcient importance to be noticed and even f(>te<i by some,
and I cannot bear that.

I think the prevailing state of my mind is thankfulness to
God for His <ireat yoodness to me."

" MiTCHAM, June 2i;th. — On the 20th, dames, Arthur, and
Mrs. McMaster, went down to Brighton, Hfty-tivo miles, and put
up at the ' Grand Hotel.' In the morning, Samuel Mc^Iaster,
from Toronto, came down. This is one of the great fashionable
watering places. The sea air is very good, and the place is a

REV. R. A. FYFE, P. D.

451

first-rnle one in which to p])on(l nionoy, althougli tliey have per-
sist enlly refus-etl to let me ])ay f<»r anything.

On Sah])atli, we all went inovnini,' and evcninj^ lo hear the
Ba])tis=t minister, wlio pr(^ncllo(l two very cxeollent ssciinoiis. The
minister was very anxious lo hear me, l)nt 'No !' ( )ii Monday
wo went to Kasthourne, an<itlier Ljreat watering ))lace. Away oil'
in the distance, ten or twelve mih'S, we conld see Hastings,
where the great hattle of Hastings Avas fought, which (h'cided
the victory of the Normans ; and iiere tlie great Haiold, the
Dauntless, fell. On our way liomo in the evening, we passed
the jilace where the great battle of I.'^wes was fought, hetween
the Romans and the Britons.

We returned to ^fitcham on Tuesday morning. Here 1 have
hoen resting since. I do not find it easy to he entiielv i<11e. T
try to think it is the will of (iod and so snhmit."

"Vkntxor, Isle jf Wight, July 1st. — I came down here yes-
t(!rday and engaged rooms for a week. This is a (|ueer country
to live in. The way I arrange at present is this. I eauu! do>. i
here and got a portc^r to carry my valise direct to ]\Irs. Acock's,
Dudh^y Terrace ; ^fr. Lailey recommended me to UK^uire for this
])lace. I asked her if she had rooms I coidd have. She said
'yes,' I took a hcd-room and sitting-room and paid S7..^'0 for a
week. Then I order what 1 want for my meals and she prepares
them and waits upon me, and I pay for just what T order. iJut
think of me having to plan what I am going to have for my
breakfast, dinner, tea and evcming lunch ! 1 sui)])ose I can stand
it for a while, but it s(!ems queer for one who has been s])oiled
for such work. I am now in my sitting-room which has a bow
window looking out upon the limitless ocean. The iiouse is
ujion a cliff at least 100 feet above the sea. The town is one of
the quaintest places you can conceive. The streets twist and
Avind in every conceivable direct i(ni, ami are very narrow and all
up and down hill. And such hills ! You can scarcely imagine
how Ijorses can get up and down. The town is built, largely,
in terraces on the hill side, facing the sea. The highest teirace
must be six <)r stiven hun<lred feet above the level of the sea. It
is reached by streets winding back and fortii, and continually
rising on the liill-side. The hill at the back of the town must be

422

LIFE AND LABORS OF

,1 thousand feet above tlie sea. I went to the top of it to-da}*, and
the way the wind blew up there was grand. 1 feel that I shall
like the ])lace for a week very much.

By the way, the town is reached by railroad from Ryde, ■
opposite Portsmouth, which is eighty miles from London. Ju.st
as we reach Ventnor, we pass through a tuimel about one and a
half miles long, through the hill I have mentioned.

• ••••••

I think much more about the Institute than I thought I
shouM, and every morning and evening 1 remember them all, as
well as the young men who were sent out in the spring to ]n'eacli,
before Goil. I intended to write a letter to the Institute, but 1
find writing tire-s me more than I could wish. I feel the eli'eets
of writing two pages for hours after."

" >TiTcnAM, July 9th. — I returned from Ventnor on the 6th,
anil found your most welcome letter of the 17th waiting for me.
Few sweets 'Mti be so jdeasant as the letters from Woodstock arc
to me. And yet I try to be patient, and to persuade mysidf
that I am now, if not doing the will of God, at least suffering
His good ]>leasure. As for me, I fear that sutfering God's will
is not so [ileasant as doing something for God. And yet I enjoy
much.

I as yet see no definite plan for my future course here.
This one tin ig (health) I shall attend to, although I confess soaie
chnids will arise when I corisider the slow progress I ain mak ng
as compared with my wishes. But I think G.jd will give me and
you patience to wait and pray.

Day before yesterday we took a steamer from old London
liridge, and went down to Westminster. We saw a little of the
Parliament buildings and of Westminster abbey. It was found
1 could tell something about a large number of the great men
whose dust is gathered and commemorated tlicre. I was greatly
inlcrested, but found I was getting tired, and at once gave up
sight-seeing for that day. Daniel may rest assured I shall hear
Dean Stanley, if jtossible. Yesterday I went with Mr. Lailay,
and saw a little of St. Paul's Cathedral. We heard the service
intoned and accompanied by tlio great organ, which rolled its

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

421?

volume of music alon*,' the prodij^iona aisles, until the very soul
within us was sulxlued bv its granih'ur.

On our way hack we went into Guildhall, the great huihling
in which the municipal authorities hold their sessions. There
we saw * Gog and Magog,' two tremendous wooden giants,
standing at oj-.posite corners of a gallery at the end of the great
hall. ' When Gog and Magog Iwar the clock, they come down
to dinner.' Such is the legend which puzzles little folks 'not a
little.' To-day T intend to do some more of St. Paul's.

Tuesday evening T spent at the mission rooms, and was in-
troduced to some twenty or thirty of the ministers present. I
had a card of invitation sent me by Dr. I^ndeihill. All the
gentlemen were requested, or rather expected, to come in dress
coats. — A minister's dress is considered full dress. — For a mission-
ary meeting, to welcome some eight or ten retnrn(!<l mis'iionaries,
worn and ill through hard work for long years, 1 thought tlu're
was just a little too much ' red tape.' It was however, a pleasant
meeting.

" MrrcHAM, July 15th. — Yesterday I overdid a little, but to-
d;iy 1 changi'd my whole ])lan of procedure and engaged an
agent to purchase the books for the Institute. I have been at
this work with Mr. Lailey for nearly a week, spending a iv,\\
iiours each day. But in order to get the most and best for the
money, I visited many places and turned over such piles of old
V)ooks that I got tired of it. So I got about twenty catal-igues,
went over them, sell cted the books I wanted, and employed an
agent to liunt them up, and collect them.

1 have arranged to leave for Ireland to-morrow, to be gone
about ten days. The Doctor says it is an excellent plan, but I
must avoid overdoiiKj. I i>\\\\\\ faith fully bear his advice in mind,
but it is not alwavs easy. It seems hard to be here and to be
able to do so little. But I must })ut up with it.

• •••■••

Next day Mr. Hill took me to the British Museum, and we
walked tiirougii its wonderful collections for over three hours.
I saw much V) think of and wonder at, but to me the reading
room is the gem. It is an immense dome, I should think of at
least two hundred feet in diameter, with books all around, — four
stories of book-cases all around, with almost innumerable writing
desks !

! I

^1;'

424

LIFE AND LABORS OF

In Olio of my liook-huntinc^ Gxpcrlitiotis, I ])assoil by ' Hiivn-
liill FieMs',' ami could not Ik;!}) goin^ in a:.(l t:ikin<^ a look at
l>iinyan's t'-mb. On one side of the sarcophiij^Mis we see Chris-
tian toiling up with his pack ; on tlie other we see him at the
cross ; on th j top lies the effigy of the wonderful dreamer, as if
• piietly tak'iig liis long rest."

"(iRi:i<:vor{E, duly 23. — You see I am in Ireland. ... I
landed at Dublin on Friday morning, and spent twenty-four
hours in it. I took a 'low-back car' and drove around, or
rfther was driven around, Phd'uix Park, where I saw lierds of
deer, hundreds of tliem, feeding like sheep. The Park is very
fine. I saAv the Hank, College Green, the Customs House, the
l>ock Walls, Hackville Street, etc., etc. I thought there was
an air of languor, or depression, all over Dublin, and, indeed,
yet much more, all over Ireland, so far as I have seen io. An
old man asked me yesterday what I thought of Ireland. I
told him Ireland seemed to me like that beacJi. Every wave
helped to carry off something from the stones. It was wearing
away, but nothing was brought back, not even a grain of sand.
' JJedad, you have liit it ! ' said he.

On Saturday I left Dublin for Enniskillen. 1 rode all the
way through a country where the impression above mentioned
was deepened at every stage. Enniskillen has pretty sur-
roundings, but the town is full of the indications of f)ase living
and even sordid poverty. Inismore Hall is four Irish miles
from Enniskillen. I hired a 'jaunting car,' and reached the
Hall about 3.30 p.m. I received a very cordial welcome from
both Mr. and Mrs. Gore. I spent from Saturday till Tuesday
afternoon with them very pleasantly.

This is only a landing-place for the boats from Holyhead.
It is on the shore of one of the prettiest bays I ever saw. The
hotel is good, and the air is pure. Yesterday I hired an old
Scotchman, one of the shrewdest and best informed men of his
class I ever met, to row me up to 'Carlingford.' I never was
more, disappointed in my life. The Hill and its surroundings
are beautiful, but such a tumble-down, poverty-stricken, woe-
begone hamlet I never want to see again. Each little thatched
hovel is whitewashed, as indeed, nearly every building in
Ireland is, but such an expression of hopeless poverty and idle-

REV. U. A. FYFE., D.D.

425

ness all over it ! Tliere is vn old castle, a very ruin, covered
with ivy, and auotiier mi i of a monastery. The old Scotch-
man said : *Do you know, wherever you find an old monastery
you will find a Wi etched itate of things. They leave a kind of
blight!' There ncixr could have been any such scenes as are
described in the 'Chronicles of Carlingford,' in this town.

To-diiy I went up in the stoanil)oat to Warren Point, the
head of this beautiful bay, and then I took a car and rode down
along the slu)i'(j for aliout tiiroo njiles. The scenery is b(!;uitiful,
and swarms of tourists and henltli-seeking jxioph; are met nt
.every turn. Tiiis evening I am going to !> -Ifast to sjxmhI the
night, and see, if spared, to-morrow, the Channel Fleet, which is
now lying there for a day or two. To-morrow evening I return
to Greenore, and take the steamer for llolyhcii 1, on my way to
London.

• ••••• •

I wish my way was (dear to start for home. 1 do wish to
see you all ! Hut I must cheer up. My conlidence in God re-
mains Hrm and peaceful."

As bifore observed, a considerable part of each letter
consists of particulars in regard to the symptoms of the
disease, the mode and effects of treatment, etc., which
were at the time of the inten.sest interest to the dear
friends at home. The following in reference to this
matter is too sadly interesting and suggestive of what
might have been to be passed over here: —

" Mitch AM, July 30th. — I went yesterday and saw Dr.
Phillips. I had a long and full tidk with him about myself.
I lost two or three pounds of flesh on my trip to Ireland, but
b(?yond that I am improving steadily, though slowly. I tc'd
him I must plan now for my return. I said, ' You feel assured
you can cure me, but my life here is an artificial one, and as
soon as I return and go to work miain, will not all my troubles
return?' His rejdy was : ' There is not a doubt of it. I am
certiin 1 can cure you, but you must have a year of complete, or
nearly complete, relaxation.' I said, ' I don't see how on earth
b2

426

MFE AND LABORS OF

I ciiii ,i,'i't that.' ' Woll,' ho said, 'it i;* just n (inontion wlicthcr
yoti will (Mill your lif*; in a year oi- two, or [n-esorvo it t>i- ycaw
of work.'

( >l' course !hi.s statenmnt (l('])ivjss(>(l mo vi'fy much, for 1 leui
a strdii.; cmvii>g to be ciui-loyed aL^^iM.

» * , • • 9 » »

Jufit how I can ^(!t a// the r<?laxatiaii I n?quirc; is not clonr t<>
me, hut T Iwlicvc (iod will opon liio way — a step at a time. It
may hu* lujtLer than \\v, fancy, however h(»pefnl we may Im;.

I am continually "pickin:^' up S{>ni(!thin_<,' which is woith kiiow-
'\\v^ thou<^li I caiMJot, or rather, should not, put forth much
exertion in siL,d)t-s(!ein^'. Rome, I f^ave up lon;^ ago. I th. u
loi' a time held on to Paris and Swit/iuland. Now Switzerland
jia> l)ei!n P(>t aside f(»r(!V(;r, and Paris is just ahout set aside also.
J very much doiiht whether I shall go, although I can reach
ihere in ten and a half hours. Scotland I .shall see l>ut little of,
proha'dy. So that you see my sight-.seeing, or ])lace-.'^eeing, i.s
hi omiug circuuMcrihed. Vet with all this, I do not r.,^,'ret
huving come to iMigland. It was worth while coming, not only
for the new views of life — ncnv ideas of Kngland, and Indand,
and their people — hut for the discii>line of spirit which I trust I
.have received. Everywhere I have met with uiimeasuretl kind-

Ui'SS.

• ••••••

I send by this mail a short lelter to Kev, Alexander Stewart.
I have, with some little trouble, succeeded in <h)ing a good th-ing
for him and for the Indians.

I am going to keep very (piiet to-day — at least as much so as
I can —for Mv. J. A. Spurgeon is coming to dine here. I
preached a short lecture for him — tlie only one in iMigland — on
Tuesday evening last. He is just recovering from a very severe
illness."

" Oxford, Augm^t 4lh. — This morning we started, /. c, ^fessrs.
J. an I A. jNIvMaster, Mrs. McMaster and myself, on our Oxford,
Warwick and Kenilwovth trij). We took the cars for Maiden-
Inad, having scut the coachman with the carriage away on
Monday to meet us there. Thenca we went to Henley, on the
Thames, and lunched ; then drove on to Oxford, wdiich wc

jiifi

((

'>'1<1 foi

norts HI viir

lulls W;|

;ii(»n(' fo |)„ I

y^, n'(jrt|j

<J iiie,

Oxfoivj

''''<'nAM, i\

tIJM

P "" 'Satindaj-

"A'- I.'^tli.--.^\r,

<', I

" ""' .—.siicl

ev(Mii„g. it

returned h

' nn OIK.

"■■■IS iiuh'Ci]

•"11 our V

f^iy /ine

)^'"visit,.,lt],,,j>^,,,^

':;;:'^''';-^otho:M:;i;r?;.:?^";''-'t

' '» "l(Mll01-i|I,|(

'^' t'R. i:;ist

'liinlil,

t'S cliiiivj,

'o\'e to \\

;;;"t'>f winch iseJ

'7''^^-'''>0,0()0v(,J

<'saiid III

juociin

"""iii('iir,.s

lr^vieJc, f<

,2 -''■•- t„ K,,„il

'rty mil

OVcil

es.

, ''^';'<"no.saiH|.St.l»,.t
'""Hired v<...nv..i.! .,

'»i<I staid

y<'ars old. 7'|

er's.

ICIl

or(

not in til

i'<'si<ic'ii(e

;\'e M-ent tlirou-rl

'" I'lettiost t

"■",'■,"' CH^ti,, (h,; ; ';:7, '""'", x,..n

e M'orJd. W

H'St old

I'liiii in }{

own

<'!;''^'':''«i). \v„r:f,;^:;r!-^'-^"!

n^r.

■" J^:^'"".., -k l^'wS'^-

100

.san- the f.-

, saw tlie

''f'.y, ii

iiiii<(ton.

I">mids, hi

mi oils Grey of W

I'lcture., tlie state

word

[f which holds 120

\\'ei<r]

arwick'

"H:lvGa.stle. Tl
''*f '"«. "niior, etc

IIS

Was three ti

wdien tl

nies fiJJpd

gmn(( 20

'G I'l'oseiit lord

''J'oiis and
with

I'oiind

^'<>;^t of nn.ii xv,i,:i

IIKl

iiiiir

'''^ ^'^^''" iiimdred

II.-

""P- ^^^ethend

r"""''' '"^"^l emptied

poiTido'0
.V'-'H's old.

<^->iiie of a-re. M

,' 'a'^' '» t hen flivii'n + oi " »» (J sa

^^ "Hlltitlld

' 111 one ni'dif-

TJie Jatter
to

y^^ii, and went t\
into th(

'■s of other

iroii<rh

ch^z.:^^!!-^-^-,.

«o visited the chnvh u ' '"^'" "'^''-'e
ntevM^f.-.^,. ., . "" ^^JK're he u-.c i • ,

we spent th

imng A'orton

'ci tiian the i

ic was 1)

c nifdjt^

•I qnaint old to

l'^"^^- ^V^,then,l

hun,::,:Tt:^T' to M-oodstod..

'*'" ""'^ '^" a hilisid

lined,
rove

ere

nself fi-oin C

the id

•^^'»^^'^JJ,Jnst before h

piace wliere Charl

- ^^^-l-iniCaiir.TKi^"^^''"^^'^^'-C

le whole J

fs n. hid

continent,
louse ami.

428

LIFE AND LA MORS OF

I I

grounds lire on llio ^'raudest scjiln, hut tins owikm" in poor, and the
place is not well kc|»t. We next drove to llenloy,-oii-the-Tliiiine8,
a l)(!juitiful \)h\CA'. (jf r(;ti('iit, to which nmny lloek in suinnicr.
IfcrH we H'iiid over uij^ht. Next uiorninL,' we started for Windsor
Ciislle. We could not, it heiiij,' Siiturdiiy, ;^'(!t ii.to the I'ourt
('ha)uhers. But we looked nil ivround the place, and -liinies and
I ascended the round tower, 1320 stone steps. We had such a
view for thirty iniltis around as 1 shall never see a^'ain — so much
of historic intercist ; the h )use that William I'enn owntnl, the;
church where (Jrey wrote his Kiegy, etc., etc.

Wo next drove to iranijiton (hurt. Here we saw the most
beautiful grounds, brilliant with ilowers and lai<l out in the most
ex(piisite style. We went through the galleries of paintings.
We saw th(! great grape vine, over one hundred years old, and
covered with countless clusters of grap(!s. We then ilrove home.

• ••••••

On Tuesday I went with Mr. Lailey and fi^iily to the
Kensington Museum. Tell tin; children I saw, an stmilli(Uis
of more important things, King Colhie's nmbrel ith many

other troiihies. He is evidently a miserable old savage. We
spfiut over three hours where one could spend a month profit-
alily. Mr. J^ailey and I then went to look at the Albert Memorial
and Albert Hall, and the drive along Kotten Row. To-day I
am going alone to the- Tower, and this will finish London for
me, with one exception, that is, Dore's Gallery."

" Paris, Aug. 17th. — You se(i I am in this great, famous and
fashionable city. I reached here Saturday morning about 5 a.m.
We had a very rough passage, and were very much delayed in
crossing the Channel. We should have been hero about 7 o'clock
on Friday evening. However, my qualities as a .sailor in rough
water are admittedly of a very high order. Scores and scores
were deathly sick around me. I, and oidy three others, entirely
escaped. We were drenched with sea water more than once.

I spent as much time as 1 could without fatiguing myself —
for ] have a steady eye to that — on Saturday, in sunny Paris,
and to-day I have taken a long drive to see the most prominent
sights. ' Well, and what do you think of it ? ' I would not
have lost what I have already seen here, for half the expense of
my tiip to Europe. There is certainly no city like Paris. It s
uot kept so clean as London — I mean its streets — nor is it so

«Ev. u. A. nPE, T,r,

«-i'll 'Iraiii,.,!. Tint ||,„ i

w^ir;:v^-^ ;;''"'-'-^' ''■''-• 'Ttt'T' '^"^^^-^

«o ne money, hufc also von I 7 ' *'"^, '* '^^^'^ '"e not onTv

5'-encIi minister. J Jeavp P''eached l,v 0J,own inr I

to be in T^« 1 'eave this evenino- fn.. i< ^""^'n and the

"; ^™''°» »S«in on Friday evelif". "'™' ""' "^P""

^^'^e purcWd for the'llnf 7^'^' ^'''P "^ ^'^e books which T

the books which I have pJehaJt^ ''^"'^^ '^«<^ ^''-^^e bought
;r ''^ '^'^^"^ ^'•e inferior to npT' .^'^ "^^^' *^"d yet bnt v rv
*^« -ery best calf bindi^. ' ""''' '^°"'^'^- ^-^^Y of them are'n

!a I'-

t^'.i

430

LIFE AND LABORS OF

goniery. As for Br, Crawford, — I do not know how he will
feel. I fear he will forget even his meals when he gets among
them."

"Ei)i.vi5UR(;ii, Aug. '11. — You see I have shifted my quarters
since I last wrote to you. I arrived here last night, a little
after ten, and have as yet seen nothing of what is called the
most beautiful city in the British Empire. Let me give you a
bird's eye view of what I have done since \ last wrote you.
From Paris [ went on to Geneva, arriving there about noon.
I stayed there twenty-four houi's, as long as I wished to stay
unless 1 had company. The lake is all it has been described
to be. Its waters are indescribable, a beautiful blue, like
nothing but themselves. I 'did' the city pretty thoroughly. I
visited Calvin's church, the cathedral of 8t. Peter's. 1 sat
down in Calvin's chair, which iS a fair emblem of his doctrines
— very straight in the back and very hard in the bottom. 1
saw clearly (while at tea) Moni Blanc, about thirty miles off,
as the crow flies, about tifty-four by Chamouni Valley. A
gentleman, who seemed to take a fancy to me, wanted me to go
witli him and clinjb the 'Mere de Glace.' I told him my
climbing days were over, unle-s there was some object to be
gained. Thence I went to [Ausanne, the birth-place of Madam
Feller. It is near the head of the Lake. Tiiis is all up and down
hill. It is a quaint old place, and well worth seeing. Thence
I went to Neufchatel and spent the night. Here is another
lake, having J^iisle at one end and Neufchatel at the other.
At no place did I enjoy more than I did there. On the after-
noon of Thursday I started again for Paris, reaching there on
Friday morning, and London on Friday evening.

On Monday evening I left London for Glasgow, which I
reached on the morning of the 25th. There I called on Mr.
Maitland, uncle of Mrs. firnidrie, (that was). Every attention
that he could show me I have received. On the afternoon of that
day I started for the Highlands, travelled by rail to B illoch,
thence by steamer up Loch Lomond, to Inversnaid. There I
spent the night, at the foot of Ben Lomond Yesterday I name
by stage, steamer and cars to the city. On my way I stayed
four hours at Htirling, perfectly crowded with historic recollec-
tions. Right under my eyes when standing on the wall of
Stirling Castle, was the field whence Wallace drove the English

REV. R. A. FYFE, 1). D.

481

vill

•ters
ittle

the
ou a
you.
lOon.

stay
riV>ed
, like

\y. I

I sat

:trines

,m. I

les off,

y- ^

eto go
im my
to be
ladam
i down
rUence
not\\ev
other,
aftor-
\eve on

rliich I
bu Ml".
Iteutiow
oi that
IViUoch,
lliere I
I name
stayed
lecolU'C-
Iwall of
English

out of Scotland. On the opposite side of the Castle, in the
distance, (about live miles) lies Falkirk, where Wallace was
defeated and afterwarils lost his lite. A few j)()ints to the east
lies Jjaunockhurn, where Bruce defeated the English. In the
ceuietery is the niouuinent to the ' Wigtown Martyrs,' etc., etc.
I was greatly interested I It came out that the (4d cicerone-
'()ld Andrew,' aged 87 -was a Baptist. A short time bi^fore,
he told me, some Baptists had hci-u very kind to him and had
shaken hands with him. I told him I would shake bauds with
hiui too. Ke said, 'My pastor was Mi'. Inufis.' ' Well,' said I
' Mr. Lunes was my mother's p.istor, in Dundee, before he was
your pastor.' ' Do you tell me so I '

• • • • • f

I shall neh'er cease to thank God for what l)e has permitted
me to see and enjoy. . . . I have not been without seasons
of great depression and an.Kiety, but still the sun lias shone
brightly through the clouds."

M vNCiiKSTEu, yept. 2nd.— I am now in the college (founded
by Mr. James McMaster) which is to be opened to-day. Since
I last wrote you I have 'done' Edinburgh. I then went to
Glasgow and sailed up the Kyles of Bute, returning to Rothsay
on Friday evening. Here I attended a very nice soiree to the
minister there, and stayed over night with an old lady who
lives next door to wher3 Mrs. Thomson lived for several years,
as Miss Mclntyre. On Saturday it rained and I returned with
Mr. Maitland to Glasgow. In the evening I went with him to
Paisley, and made a most delightful call on the ' Coote.s ' the
leading men of Paisley. On Sa()bath I attended the old John
Street Onirch, and preached in the morning. 1 had great
liberty and never before, I think, have I seen people more
delighted. I attended the ordinance in the afternoon, and
enjoyed mucli. Next morning I started f(jr ^Melrose. I visited
Ahbotsford, Melro.>e Abbey, Dryburg; Al)bey. I stayed all
night at Melrose Abbey hotel. I cannot tell you how nnich I
enjoyed on this trip, but if spared we shall talk over all this.
On Tuesday I started for this place. It is a High Day here.
To-morrow morning I start for liclfast, thence to Port Hush
and Londondoiry, to take the ' Elysia.' I fcrl well. I am
conscious of great mental activity, compared with my state
when I left home. ... Be of good cheer. God will do
better for us than W3 can ask or think."

CHAPTER XXX r.

A Sad Skqjtkl— Stkadily Toiling and Slowly Dying -Thk Last
Vacation— Visit TO Gananoqfe — A Fatal Walk— Tiik Dkath

OF THE RfGHTKOUS-FUNKRAL SkKVK'KS IN ToKONTO — WoHDS OK

Affkction and of ErLor.Y — Otiieics Entkkinc. into Ukst —

DkaI) YET Si'KAKINC.

'IpHE SEQUEL is, alas, soon told I Dr. Fyfe reached
(c^ home early in Septem' er, shortly after the com-
mencement of the CoUeixo year. That he did not take
the "full year," or indeed any part of it, of "compiote
relaxation," has already been indicated. It may well be
doubted, he himself probably doubted, whether it would
have been possible for him to do so under any circum-
stances. Having, as he said in one of his letters, notwith-
sbari'ling his physical weakness more mental activity
than he knew what to do with, forced inaction would per-
haps have been worse than the varied duties of the
principalship. Be that as it may, he resumed ahnost im-
mediately, under the pressure of what seemed to him
necesity, not the who'e indeed, but a large portion of his
accustomed work. Having now the aid of two efficient
professors in the Theological Department, his lecture-room
duties were somewhat lighter than heretofore. Much of
the worry of internal management and discipline was, as
indeed it had been for some time previously, transferred

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

43:3

Last

KI»S OK
IKST—

ached

com-

fc take

ell be
1 would
LveiuB-
Itwitb-
btivity
|d per-
)t' the
)st im-
10 ld\n
of his
hcient
j-room
luch of
ras, as
Lferred

to others. Still the responsibility of headship, and the
still more grinding responsibilitj- of finding money to
meet the inexorable and ever-growing demands of the
school, he could not escape.

It is unnecessary to dwell upon the consequences.
They are well-known to the denomination ; " burned
into " many memories, as he w^ould say, by the great sense
of loss which followed his demise. For two or three
years his strong purpose upheld him, and kept him reso-
lutely at his post. But those about him could not fail to
trace, with melancholy f.)rebo(ling«, the indications of
growing feebleness. The inroads of disease became mani-
fest in pale and sunken cheeks, and feeble step. His
once well-balanced nervous system had became shattered,
so that slight excitements, such as he would not have
noticed a few years before, now aiTected him strangely.
More striking than all to the eyes that watched him with
affectionate solicitude, ^»is whole countenance began to
put off, so to speak, its earthly hue, and to take on
that spiritualized expression, which is indescribable in
language, but which often manifests itself clearly to tliose
who are in daily contact with loved ones on whom death
has already laid its hand.

Thus thino's went on until the summer vacation in
1878, when he became conscious that his condition was
alarmingly cr.it cal. In a private note to the Editor of
the Baptist he said. " I purpose giving my whole atten-
tion to an effort to get better. I am sensible that it is a
life or death struggle with me."

After short sojourns at Port Doyjer, and at Winchester,
he went, accompanied by Mrs. Fyfe, to Oananoque. Here
he spent a few weeks taking, as his wife said, " such en-

4a4

LIFE AND LABORS OF

I !

joyment in the beauties God had provided in the world
of nature," as she had never before known him to mani-
fest. Rev. S. S. Bite-i, B.A., one of his former stud-nts
who was preaching at this place for the summer, kindly
furnishes this brief account of his visit to this place, and
what were virtually his last days of active life : —

" I well reinoinhei" Dr. Fyfu's visit at G iiiaiio:[uo, ia August,
1878. [ was pniachint,' tliat Summer in tiiat vill ige ou the St.
Lawrence, about 18 miles below Kingston. Thi; afternoon of
his arriviil was hot and dusty, and both he and Mrs. Fyfe were
weavy with their journey. A comfortable boarding place had
be(ui secured for them in a summer hotel on the very bank of
th(i river. Here for some two weeks they remaineil, enjoying
every day the fres!i air, the beautiful scenery of rocks, viver and
islands, and he, especially the boating and fisliing. At first he
thought he would care for neither of the latter pastimes, for his
hand for m my years had been a stranger to (ishdine and oar.
It was not many hours, liowever, before the calm surface of the
clear blue waters of that niitchless river h.ul ch aimed him into
a boat, and from tliat time he almost live 1 on the river during the
day, and, as he remarked to Mrs. Fyfe, lie wished he could sleep
out on the rivei at night. Oa the second day ho trolled and
caught his first pickerel, and from that hour he was as interested
as any boy could be in fidiing. Some days, insttjad of boating
or fishing, he would take a ride on one of the many small
ple.isure steamboats, which were C()nstaiitly running u[) and
<lown the river. lie many times expressed his delight with
Ganano(|ue. lie ctu'tainly thoroughly enjoyed his visit there-
it was more completely a time of relaxation and rest than any-
thing he had experienced for years.

Twice while at (iinanoipie, Dr. Fyfe pri.Mched. His second
sermon, whicli was the last he ever preached, was listened to by
a small audience in the Town Hall, a room capable of seating
800 peo[)le. His text on this occasion was .reremiah 3:
19, 'How shall I put thee among the children?' He spoke
entirely exienifntve. with tender earnestnes and ri'ady utterance.
Some hearts were moved with gratitude as he spoke of the great
joy of being placed by God among His children, and some con-
sciences were awakened as lie gave reasons why certain ones
could have no place in His f

iiy.

PHP

REV. R. A. FYFE. D.D.

43i

the

Icei)

aiul

estel

small

iuul
with
ore —

aiiy-

icoiul
Ito by
lating
Ih 3:
bpoke
rauce.
I'^rcat
con-
ones

On the 2 ist of Ancfust, he returned to Woodstock. On
the evenino- of Wednesday, Ancust 2!Sth, he attended a
meetinnf of the Executive Committee. Ou tlie next day
he walked to tlie Post Office in the hottest part of the
da)^ Or returninu: home he was weak an 1 thirsty, and
could with difficulty reach his house. On entering he
drank a copious drauLjht, and presently fainted, and fall-
ing forward, injured his head in the fall. From that
time his decline was rapid. A good deal of the time he
lay in a half conscious state, often talking with partial
incoherence. Durino- the more lucid intervals his words
were full of trust and peace. At one time he said "The
good God will care for me." Again, in response to "The
blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin," he ex-
claimed " Precious truth !" " Shortlj^ before he died, in
an interval of consciousness, he took his beloved wife by
the hand and fervently commended her to God." On
Wednesday, the 4th of September, his spirit peacefully
returned to God who gave it.

Thus ended his labors and passed to his reward, in the
sixty-second year of his age, the strongest woi'ker, and the
ablest and most trusted leader the Baptist denomination
in Canada has yet produced.

The funeral services were conducted partly in Wood-
stock, but chiefly in Toronto, to which city his remains
were borne to be placed besi<le those of his wife and
children, who had been interred in the Necropolis.

A large number of friends accompanied the remain.^}
from Woodstock to Toronto, including the Trustees,
Faculty and many of the students of the Institute. The
s rvices at the Jarvis Street Church presided over by Rev.
Dr. Castle, the pastor, were solemn an<l impressive. From

t li

436

LIFE AND LABORS OF

a phonographic report furnished to The Christian Helper
by Mr. Thornas Bengough, the following extracts from
the warm, eulogies of some of those who best knew the
deceased, aie tiken.

Rev. Dr. Castle said : —

" We are assembled here to-day under the shadow of a great
calamity. There has been nothing for a long time which has
come in tones so near and spoken so solemnly to many of us
as the death of our beloved brother, the Rev. Dr. Fyfe. It was
proper that his funei-al cortege should halt on its way to the
grave, and that we shou d bear him, with reverent hands, into
tliis place, into the midst of the people whom he loved and
guided in Uie past as counsellor and friend. Our hearts aie
sad, but we reuiernber that God lives; that the workmen die,
but Uod's work goes on. It is intended to make this seivice
very informal, and a number of brethren have been appointed
in A ery brief addresses to speak out their thoughts and feelings
witli reference to the departed, in the various relations in which
he stood to us in liis chequered, honorable and useful life. It
therefore does not become me to speak many words. I w^l 1
therefore simply call, one after another, upon those who are to-
day to give voice to the deep emotions which fill all hearts. [
will first call on Rev. Calvin Goodspeed to speak as the Pastor
of our honored friend and brother."

Rev. Mr. Goodspeed, M.A., of Woodstock : —

" To-day I feel under the shadow of a grea cross. Dr. Castle
lias'kindly alluded to me as the pastor of our revered brother
who has departed from among us. I occupied that position ;
but he was my pastor, as he was the pastor of all young min-
isters in the denomination. I regret exceedingly that it was
not my sad pri\ilege to be near at hand to him in his last
hours, but I understand that his last hours were, — as all his
life, — nappy. He seemed to be so much occupied with the
Lord's work, even uiitil the end, that he had very few thoughts
to give to himself. The Saviour filled his whole life. I had
only l)eea his pastor for a little over four years, and yet I feel I
have lost the dearest friend I ever had. During the four years
that it has been my pi-ivilege to be the pastor of the Woodstock

jUp agaMg— innirnTiiririTirigTTI

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

437

Iper

TOIII

the

great
h has
of us
t was
to the
s, into
d and
rts ave
311 die,
iei vice
»ointed
eelings
I which
e. It
I w^'i I
are to-
rts. I
Pastor

church, lie has been my counsellor ; he has heen my loving
friend ; he has been aim »st more tluiu a father. I shall never
forget, when I have gone to him, knowing that ho was pressed
with many cares and many heavy burdens, and fearing lest 1
might be intruding, how he has received me. I shall never
forget, dear friends, how, in time of deep anxiety and trouble,
I have gone to him for sympathy, which he was ever ready to
give to me. I remember once particularly, on account of some
trouble that all pastors know very well, how, when T came
away, he put his hand upon my shoulder and said : ' lirother
Goodspeed, I want you to understand that you may come to me
whenrver you think 1 can be of assistance to you.' ] remem-
ber the time when, during the last year, he could not attend the
regular prayer meeting, or the meetings of the church, and
whatever might be the policy adopted by the church he always
carried out his own rule that it was better to fall in with the
majority. I can feel this, that notwithstanding all the imper-
fections of my pastoral life in Woodstock, Dr. Fyfe nlways
acted on the principle of making the best of a thing in order
that I might be benefitted. He has gone ; and though we say
his life on earth is ended, his life on earth has only just begun
He has stamped his life on hundreds, and the influence of that
life, that has been touching so many of our lives for a greater
or lesser number of years, cannot be lost. The inHuence of
his example will abide and produce its fruits through coming
generations."

Castle
)rother .
^sition ;
ijv tnin-
it was
lis last
all his
Ith the
^oughts
I had
feel I
|r years
)dstock

Rev. Dr. Cooper, of London : —

"It is just thirty-five years next month since I entered the
dwelling of my dear departed brother in Perth. I came to the
country in 1843, in the month of October. In those days we
had no aciiuaintances, and we had scarcely any idea of where
we were going. 1 came to Montreal, spent one Sabbath there,
and I was making my way to Kingston for the next Sabbath,
but it was told me there was a Baptist church in Perth, so I
made my way there and landed in the house of my brother
Fyfe. They were then just talking of getting him down to
Montreal to take the place of Dr. Davies, who was going to
England. He said to me : 'At any rate, you will stay over one
Sabbath'; but he did not tell me anything about the Montreal

■,<

438

LIFE AND LABORS OF

arrangeniont. T stayed over one Sabbath, and he started for
Montreal on Monday. It was then settled that he was to go
to Montreal, and it was also agreed that I was to stay at least
for the winter, — the winter was just setting in, and have the
ua"e ot" the churcli in leith, for the winter at any rate, ife
lef: for Montreal on Saturday Hi-st. That was the farthest
ever we weic distfuit, — 1 in Perth and he in Montreal. From
that d ly till this, we have been almost touching each other in
our work. He Wiis interested in all the denominational wo*'!:,
and I always found him, as yod know, true to the work. He
1 jved the cause; he loved the Saviour; and he loved all good
men, and everything that tended for the good of the Lliurch
ai d the glory of the Saviour. His heart was in it from that
d ly till the last day of his life. Ip this regard he was the
siine, true and steady. One day, after a little geueral conver-
sation that we had together, he i)rought in his hand a roll of
piper and he said: 'I have got an outline for a plan of a
school here; I would like you to look at it; I think we can
get up a building, and [ think we can do something to get a
school for our young men.' We had talked about thi^ gener-
ally,— and somewhat particularly, too, — but now it was coming
to a point. I looked at it; it seemed a huge undertaking.
There was a great prejudice against educated ministers in those
days, very deeply rooted in some of the dear brethren, good
and true, too, who had themselves fought the battle without
any education, and hence thought things were always to be .so.
Well, tlie matter was settled, that the Institute was to be in
Woodstock. I was then pastor of the church in Woodstock, —
in 1860 or 1801,— and since that time we have been touchinfif
each other all through. The last conversation I had with our
late dear brother, — we had a little quiet talk one day, — he
put his hand on my shoulder and said, 'Brother Oooper, you
and I are getting very near the top of the ladder now.' I said,
'Yes, brother, a few more steps will bring us into the higher
regions.' I siiw his clothes hanging so loosely, and O, how my
heart ached.' I am somewhat his senior, — about five or .six
years, — but my lieart ached. I saw the dark shadow looming
up as tlui p'll envelopes us to-day ; I saw it chiming, and I
asked mvselr, on whoui will the mantle fall ? and I thouirht to
myself again: ' The Lord will provide;' and I am satisfied,
dear friends, the Lord will provide. Brother McPhail, dear,

srood servant of God l,.,c

JJr l«y,I, wl,o l,„s l,een laid Z T'^, "■■>'"• '""'I' a' i rod or

yet, it seems tome In h.-! ""*^ ''"^ ^^^>'< ^t the cri •[ , ;

- ou,,.t to loo,/:;';;;;!^^;-;, --« 'V"'f^ ^'^'^'' -i" ^ ^ ^

J->rd Juts taken onr brother Re ,, ^'''f ''' ^"^ "''^v-, how the
^I^^ster has called him ho,„e and w. . *' ''"'" ^""'^ ^^''"'i^'- T e
he has gone. We know wh^ e he h l" "" '^'^^''^^ '^^ ''^^^ ^vj or e
;e ;as l.on in Christ, work"! n Chri T'" '"'ff ^'^^"^ P-v"
'^ Chn.t wi.en his eves were doL 1 ' ?'' ^^^^ ^^'^^ ^vo,|, „,,
.a,-ness. He has Ic^t us to 1^ ^ "f' '^'^ ^'•^^' -^ -
tJ'ereisjustav.il^andave y fn, ." *^''f . "PPer room, .n

Rev. I),, D,„.i,|,on, Secretarv of tho P r . .
tion:_ 'y »' tlio Baptist Convoii-'

""' f ''™'h'un"t i;;l\;:;';;.i'l'''' -i,"" ■^-•"«' ii".i .mo,.,,,,,.,. ,,,

'» .)•"» ia,t h„s r,. . , •„ ,•;•'"■ '■"'•■'■'•■'1 l'>'"tl,e,. wi„ ,.',,""'■
i^'idt. 1 see but one brother in ihl\ ^' ^^""' ^-''^'-^ i'ack „f

!!';;.ri^^:^.^^^r'^'--n-ia:oft^;:;!:::7/>-^'''^r^

«'liol (hinkhas]<

'iini wl)en 1
year 18,'J9
pi'eachin

'6 f-'uiiG a.s

"own hini

our de])arted fr
'f^^^^ortlian J ]

"'"<! and broti

•'^. student from JS'

lave. 1 1

le;

' '" ^"n)])any with the ]

I)
J

n peace bv Je

fumniond and Ihcl

siis Christ th

ite K

ev,

f'wfon «i

e'licmber
)out the

"i'^^1 McPhail

remember weJJ tJie d

with and Jktl

on-h the towns}

>P impressions that

"i-^t in the County on

nj»s of

anari

"•<^i'e made by tl

leir

Ii'

440

LIFE AND LAbOUS OF

unitotl testimony for Christ and earnest plea(linf,'s witli sinners
to come to .Jesus, and the im|»r<'ssi()ns ma(h.' u|)on my own poor
heart when I was th(!n without (Jod and without hope
in the world. I r(!memlHir iiini eoming aj^'ain as a student in
company with our hrother McDonald, — now retired, we may say,
from active lalmr, who is livin;,' in London, -and a^'ain going
<»ver the siune ground, before I knew Christ and before 1 loved
liim ; and it was alter both those visits that 1 gave my wander-
ings ovi-r by giving my heart to Christ.

He was Moderator of the Council that ordained me, and on
v.\y head his hands vere laid. I think 1 am perhaps the lirst
that he was privileged to participate in ordaining, of all the
living nduisters of the denomination to-diiy. I remember well
his connection with the denomination in those times. J^ays
were dark and friends we^e few. We had a Missionary Society
known as the Canada Baptist Missionary Society. The (xrande
Ligne Mission was not distim^tly denominational then. But
oh, how his sympathies went out toward those societies, and
how earnestly and heartily he worked with them ! His heart
was in the work of his own church, and he did a very noble
work in the time when God permitted him to lead the band.
After he ceased to be pastor here he returned again to Perth,
and after a short pastorate there, was about five years absent
from the country in the United States ; and glad was I when
he returned again and b-'came pastor of the church in Toronto.
When he returned to this country we had formed what is now
known as the Baptist Missionary Convention of Ontario. We
had formed that in 1851, in his al)sence, but he at once threw
his energies wholly and heartily into the enterprise of carrying
the Gospel to those that were living in the townships and back
settlements and rising villages of our country ; and there are
scores of witnesses here to-day in regard to the valued services
that he has rendered in connection with the all-important work
of home evangelization. On one occasion he and I were travel-
ling to an ordination of a brother in Cheltenham. We have
been, perhaps, to fifty ordination councils, and I have been in
councils when sore troubles were afflicting us, and I believe I
have never known a man who possessed the same wisdom, the
same discernment, the same breadth of view and comprehensive-
ness as he did ; and we owe our position in Canada to-day,
largely to his wisdom, his energy, and his power, as an organ-

REV. R. A. FYFE. D.D.

441

ryiug
I back

iziii.? and as an executive oHicer. It was on that occasion to
which I iuii n )w referring, when we stopped at the lioiiso of
hrothcr lMcK<'<', in Cnin'^iiacousy, in the Township of Peel,
that the (ii'st idea of the Canadiiio Literary Institut(! was dawn-
ing upon his mind. We spent th(; whohf eveniii;,' talkiii'^ al)ont
it Jt ajtpcariMl to n>e to he Utopian; hut tlie nioi'(i we talked
about it the more it took fotin in his own mind, and by-and-
byo he drew out a phm ; and when he opened out the (h^tails
of that phiu as it stood, to IJfother Porter and others who are
here to-day, at tiie (ii-and Hiver Association in Vittoria, ther(!
was oidy one minister beside myself who had faith in its suc-
cess ; but there were three of us who had faith in its success
and we pushed it, and by Ood's blessing wiiat was then an
acorn is now a miglity oak ; what was then a inero i-onception
of his noble and capacious mind has now yi(>Idcd much fruitage
to this denomination. I need not s[)eak to yon of the vast
amount of labor he has perforuKMl ; the valuable services that
be has rendered in the work of training our rL^ing ministiy ; I
need not point you to those scons of young men wlio are coining
up to till the places f)f the fathers who are passing oil" the stage,
and who bave received an in)press upon their characters, and
impulses that shall never die while they live, from tlunr contact
with him as an edu<.'ator, as a father, as a counsellor, as a friend.
I have ever felt that in him we had a tower of strength in this
dep;irtinent o( our denominational woi'k. When the subject of
Foreign Missions beg.m to press upon our attention we talked
over that matter earnestly ; and no man amongst us liad more
faith in the successful estal)lishment of the missionary enter-
prise amongst the churches in (Janada. than our departed father
in the Uospel ; and when at that meeting at ]>eamsville we re-
solved ourselves - shall 1 say ?— into a society auxiliary to the
American Baptist Missionary Union, to seiid out the pione'^T
missionary, brother Tinipany — who is lie:e to-day —we felt t'lat
we were all de 'ply indebted to him for his wisdom, his needed
and wise advice, in regard to the movements that we should
make. If I call your attention to the initiatory steps that
were taken to send out missionaries to Maniloba and the North-
west, you will tind that there be is ready to take th(! initiative ;
that he presses upon the lloirn; Missionary IJoard the appoint-
ment of a deputation to go f)ut and exploi-e the land ; and I
never performed any service more reluctantly in the cause of
C2

442

LIFE AND LABORS OF

my Master tliaii T perfortDcd tluit .arduotis and pervious journoy
in oonnoetion with om* hrotliei* Jialdwin. Still I went, out im-
pressed with the thouglit that the work was a'l imj)ortant one,
and all the events that have taken place suhsetpiently liav(;
borne out, to a very great extent, all the far-seeing wisdom
and prudence of oui* brother whof^e remains lie in this cotlin to-
day. And wluui, my brethren, 1 look at our other societies, —
especially at th<! work tjiat has lieen and is now being accom-
|)lished by the Widows and Orphans' Aid Society, and we can
never forget how hard he labored in council in that matter, —
from the begitniing of this nine and thirty or forty years of my
ac(iuaintatice with him, till the last ineeting in Paris, [ stand
as a living witness to say I never knew a nobler or a truer man;
1 never had a dearer friend, or one wlio has acted a more fatlierly
part to me,"

Kev. Dr. Castle : —

"A clear, earnest, spiritual preacher; a tender and loving
pastor ; a wise counsellor in the denominational movements ;—
yet his greatest work was as an educator. Noble is the otHce of
the teacher. We love to think ^f Jesus as the (treat TeacliPi-.
A teacher re-duplicates his power ; leaves liis impress upon
others ; and doubles, and trebles, and (juadruples, and sends
himself forth to the country. S'lch was his work. We will
hear for a few m .utes from one of his earliest stuch'nts, as the
represciitative of those wliom he has given to the ministry of
reconciliation."

Rev. W. Muir : —

"It was impossible, I think, for any student, male or fomnle,
to come in coniavt with Dr. Fyfe as a man, as a Christian, as an
instructor, and as the Principal of the College, without respecting
Dr. Fyfe. A poor, poor specimen of humanity must the in-
dividual have been indeed who would not at least respect Dr.
Fy*"e. The great mass of ^be students admired tlie Doctor ;
they revered the Doctor; his influence over them was alniost
unbounded ; and that, too, because of the various relations in
M'hich lie stood to them as stuib-Mits. In tlie claims-room lie was
ever prepared for his work, — thoroughly ])repared ; he did his
work well. O, what a privilege it was to us, in the early days
of the College, to sit at his feet and learn of him ! And as years

IlKV. R. A. FYFE. D. D.

443

,o\;rney
out iii»-
int one,
■ly have
wisdoui
!()rtin to-
itrties, —
g iiccom-
1 we call
latter,
xrs of my
^ I staiul
riier maii;
e fatherly

incl loving

enients ; —

lie ortice of

t Teacliev.

)ress upon

and sends

We win

nls, as the
ninistry of

le ov fenuilo,
Istian, as iin
It respecting
lust the in-
Irespect 1 Gr-
ille Doctor;
Iwas almost
lelations in
)om he was
Ihe (Ud his
early days
aid as years

passed hy, liis cxjtericnce and his power iK'cnne ^'renter, and yet
greater, for he was esstMitialiy a j^rowiii^' ni.-in to Ins veiy lust
hours. Dr. Fyfe was a wonderful man. I think I caii say
conscientiously that I never knew a inau who could so take hold
of undeilyiu^' [)rinci|)les, l)rini,' them out, and spread them before
UKUi in order, and Ixifore the students of Cliiist,— 1 am speakiuL,'
with special referem-e to them, — that they mii^Mit see and grasji
the principles that would remain with them through life ; and it
very fi'e(pi(Mitly occurs that you will hear one and another and
another to-day, as you iningh! with them, speak of the. instruc-
tion tli(\y received from Dr. Fyfe. I h.MUitil continually from
the principles he endeavored to impress njion my mind, — piinci-
|iles that shall continue with me through life."

Rev. J)r. Crawford, of the Institute : —

"A painful duty has been laid upon me at this time, but in
another sense a pleaaant duty. It is pleasant even in death to
tliink of our dear departed frieiuls. 1 am to speak as representing
the Faculty of the Institute ; and what shall I say ? It 1 should
say that we respected Dr. Fyfe, that would be little; wo loved
him as a father and a frieml. As I was coming here, and speaking
with my associate, I'rofessor Wells, ho said, with dee{) emotion,
" We have labored together for fifteen years, and [ have learned
to love him more to the last." I)r. Fyfe I have known for some
twenty yc.-ars. Hi; was my first friend in Canada. I preached
my second sermon in Canada in his pul[)it in this city, ami from
that day until the day of his death he has been my best friend.
I)Ut 1 have been associated with him for ten years in our work
at Woodstock, not merely in the same college, but in the very
same department ; and yet in those ten years there never was a
jar. He might differ from me in some unimportant tning, but
it never estranged us in the least. I loved him; 1 respected
him ; I worked earnestlv with him and he with me. He was a
man of strong will, but he was a man of strong common-sense.
He was a man of large heart, ami therefoie you could always
work with him; the fault would be yours if yon couM not.
To illustrate this, I would just say that ])r. Fyfe and I were
j)erfectly agreed upon all that was essential in every [lart of theo-
logy. There were a few things of minor importance in which
we dilfered ; and I remember conversing with him on one occa-
sion, some time after I went to the Institute, and he said to me,

1-;

444

LIFE AND LABORS OF

" Professor Crawford, this point will come up in your class ;
don't fetJ liauiperLMl ; give your A'iews ; and wlien it conjes up in
ni; class I will give my views." Now, that showed a largo man ;
it showed him tc be just what you alh know him to Ijo. But,
my dear friends, we cannot detain you; I will just say that
while his heart was in every dej)ai'tment of labor, — the Foreign
Mission, the Home Mission, everything, — yet that which lay
nearest to lii.^ heart, I believe, was his own work in the Institute.
The ruling passion is strong in death, and wdien his memory was
fading away he did not forget the Institute, lie; said, on one
occasion when his nund was wandeiini;: " I have to be at the
Institute at nine o'clock in the mornini,'." On another occasion
he was delivering to his studi'iits his addi'ess at the opening of
Institute. It was very remarkable that he diml on the V(M'y <!ay
on v;hich it was to be opened ; and he distril)uted tin; ]>rizes all
in ids imagination; but after that he forgot the Institute, he
forgot everything else. He kjiew but cue thing: he did not forget
he Lord Jesus."

Others who took part in this solemn and meiuorablo
seivice were Revels. George Richardson, W. H. Porter,
M.A., J. Donovan, and J. D. King. Two of tliose whose
words ofc' giief and euh^gy are quoted, have ulread}' fallen
asleep. The venerable and much beloved Dr. Cooper
tspoke with prophetic prescience. The " ver}' thin veil "
was soon lifted for him and he too passed witliin. Dr.
Davidson, the energetic worker, soon followed. But!
the work still go"s on in all its departments, Plome Mis-
sions, Foreign Missions, Education, in the hands of other!
laborers, and with] multiplied resrurces; and by^ the lipsl
of many living speakers, and in tlie lives of many devoted]
workers, Robert Alexander Fyfe, " being dead, yet
speaketh."

'-(sr

^r"<

)Ui class ;
lues up ill
ivjfo luaii ;
\jo. But,
i soy that
le Fovei.^n
which hiy
' Insiitulo.
ernoiy was
lid, on one
, be at the
ev occasion
o\)onint; of
u; very vhiy
1(5 prizes all
istitiite, he
,x\ not fovj^et

memorable
iH. Porter,
ose wViose
ady fallen
r. Cooper
thin veil "
thin. Ur.
ed. But
"lome Mis-
Is of other
y the lips
ly devoted
dead, yet

coNCLUsio:^r.

MEMORIAL PIECES.

The followinj^ poems and essays, written in affectionate
renuMnhranee of the deceased, may, it is thought, be
fittiiiirly bronglit toofcther here as just and loving trib-
utes to his memory. The poems were written shortly
after Dr. Fyfo's death, and published, the first in the
Cdnadlan Bnptist^ and tlie other in the ChristKin Helper,
and are re-printed here by permission of the writer, Mrs.
Yule, who has also very kindly prepared the paper,
"Memories of Dr. Fyfe and His Work," at the request of
the author of this volume.

The kindness of the Rev, S. F. Smith, D. D., in pre-
paring- the " Tribute " which follows Mrs. Yule's paper, is
also gratefully acknowledged. Both these papers will be
read with s^reat interest.

Perhaps some apology is needed for the re-production
here of the first essay. The writer has only to snj that,
though bearing tlie marks of somewhat hasty preparation,
it truthfully represents tlie impressions felt, and opinion.s
formed, at the time when the incidents of fifteen years
of close association an<l friendly intercourse were fresh
in his memory. The students, at whose request it was
written, and in whose paper, the Tf/ro, it first appeared,
may not object to see it placed amongst other records, in
this more permanent form.

446

LIFE AND LABORS OF

IN MEMORIAM.

R. A. F.

Rest, Brother, rest !
No voice shall bid thee gird thyself, to bear
Again the uurdens that so Ion? have lain
On thy unflinching shoulders, or to share
With fainter hearts the peril and the pain ;
Or call thee forth to scale some dizzy height
Which, haply, other feet were slow to dare ;
Or bear the banner throu^ the stormy light,
Foremost thyself where dangers thickest were.

Rest, Brother, rest I
The toil-spent reaper bending to his task
Shall grieving miss thee from the harvest-plain ;
And he who gleans the vintage-treasures, ask
Kindly the help ne'er sought before in vain ;
And he, who gropes in paths obscure and dim.
Or threads the tangled maze where dangers lie.
Will miss the clarion-voice that guided him,
And the clear lamp thy firm hand lifted high.

Rest, Brother, rest !
The sufferer tossing on his fever-bed
Will yearn to hear the step that comes no more ;
The stricken mourner weeping by his dead
Will, with his own, another loss deplore ;
The halls tliy constant footsteps pressed for years
No more shall gladder, brighter grow for thee ;
Thy room, thy chair, shall call up sudden tears
As memory speaks of what no more shall be.

Rest, Brother, rest !
Thou had'nt one redlnif-pJace, to which tliy feet,
W^eary, and bruised, and way-worn, still migiit turn
Whose cooling waters to thy lips were sweet,
Whose steady lights for thee did ever burn :
God pity her who weeps al(»ue to-day.
And lift her faith above her grief's unrest,
To view thee basking in a clearer ray.
And rest serener oa her Saviour's breast ?

Rest, Brother, rest !
Yea, rest in peace, long-tried and faithful one ?
Called to repose while, midway down the West,

]
it i
ton
be

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.l).

447

With undiminished radiance thy sun

Still shone, and thousands in its beams were blest ;

— A cloud prophetic of the coming night \

— A shadow ominous of deeper gloom !

— A vigil brief !— a strong wing plumed for flight I

And what remains ? — the pall, the bier, the tomb !

Rest, Brother, rest !
Yea, rest ! for there rem lins far more of thee
Than thy pale shrouded dust, thy lowly bed !—
A grand, imperishable legacy
Of noble deeds well done, and words well said ; —
Example blest of faith and courage high —
Patient endurance, — consecrated zeal, —
To God and man unswerving loyalty, —
And toil, not for thine own, but others' weal !

Rest, Brother, rest !
Earth has been brighter for thy blameless life,
And Heaven is brighter for thy entering in ;
And countless hearts are strengthened f(jr the strife
They yet must wage with earth, a, id self, and sin,
By the high lessons of thy lip and ven,
And deeper lessons that thy life hnj given ;
And hosts aliaii ri^c from out the ranks of men
To call thee bless'd through all the years of Heaven !

Rest, Brother, rest !
Tt doth not yet appeiir what thou art now,
What glory crowns thee, what r'^wards are thine,
What Chv ^-imparted lustre gilds thy brow.
What arms oi tenderept love around thee twi'ie ;
And yet we know that thou hast kissed his hand
Who led thee safely to His people's rest,
Leaned thy tired head oji His dear bosom, and
i^eard His sweet welcome — Uierefore, Brother, rest!

Sept. i4th, 1878.

irn

ROBERT A. FYFE : THE MAN AND THE CHRISTEAN.

BY J. E. WELLS, M. A.

I have been asked to contribute something for the offering which
it is the desisjn of this " Memorial " sheet to lay lovingly upon the
tomb of our honored dead. The task is too much a labor of love to
be declined, though I deeply regret that a service to which many

448

LIFE AND LABORS OF

hours of patient thought, and sad yet pleasing reminiscence, would
gladly be given, must needs be hastily performed in the swift
minutes which can be redeened from the claims of pressing duties.

Others, with better knowledge of his errlier years, have, I believe,
undertfil<en to furnish elsewhere a record of the life and labors of
our late Principal. The tender history of the last days and hours
of that useful and noble life, sketched by the alioctionato hand
which could most meetly lift the veil from those sacred scenes, will
.be read with tearful interest, in this number of the Ti/ro, by hun-
d-eds of loyal friends and sincere mourners. It is my purpose— a
purpose for which fifteen years of h;ippy social intercourse, as well
as of intimate companionship in labor and anxiety, bhould in some
measure Ht me— to give in a few paragraphs sojue of my own
impressions in regard to the departed, viewf 1 simply as a man and
u Christian, or rather as a noble Christian man. In so doing I have
no intention of assuming, or att'ecting to assume, the coldly critical
attitude Any pretence of analyzing the inevitable faults as well
as the priceless virtues of such a character, and setting the one over
against the other in calm, judicial oounterpoise, would be as repug-
nant to my own feelings, as it would be harshly grating upon those
of my readers. The lilting time, if ever there can coiuu a fitting
tinie, for so ungracious and ungrateful a task, is not yet. The
wounds caused by the abrupt sundering of niany strong and tender
bonds are yet too new, tlie memories of pleasant intercourse, of
sweet coTnniunion, of loyal, self-denying service, are still too fresh
and fragrant, for utiimpassioned handling. To say that Dr. Fyfe
had faults would be simply to sHy that he was human. To say even
that thnse faults now and then flashed out conspicuously would be
to state but a corollary from the undeniable proposition that his was
essentially a dr<)u.ij character. And in this last remark, it seems to
me, we strike one of the keynotes that ruled the harmony of that
energetic and fruitful life, whose cutting off in the midst of its days
has inflicted heavy loss upon many human interests, as well as deep
sorrow on many loving hearts. From whatever point of view we
look upon that character, whether we study it upon the side of
intellect and will, or upon that of moral and religious principle,
one of its most prominent features is strength.

No one could look upon that tall and manly form, noting the

REV. U. A. FYFE, D. D.

449

the

resolute eye, the massive chin, the self-reliant bearing, and the
energetic, unhesitating, pHrposefnl nioven^ent, without feeling
almost instinctively that a strong man was before him — that who-
ever had tlie good fortune to have Dr. Fyfc for a friend, had a
friend to be relied upon in time of need, and that he who, no mat-
ter liow great his prowess, entered the lists with him as his
opponent, would find "a foeman worthy of his steel." Tiiis
strength and force of character were, no doubt, to a very great
degree, inborn, J^ut they could scarcely have attained their full
proportions had they not also been developed by self-cidture, and
by the hard discipline of toil and conflict in early life. I have
listened with interest, on those rare occasions when he would relate
in the contidence of friendship some incidents of his early years*
and have sometimes felt that he was unconsciously illustrating the
truth of the maxim : "The child is father to the man." I well
remember one incident in particular. When (juite a young man he
was placed, temporarily I think, in charge of a gang of lumbermen
in the de]<ths of a Lower Canadian fcu'est — a ]K)sition which T
suppose often demands almost as much resoluteness and fearless
self-reliance as the captaincy of a ship in mid-ocean. One cold,
stormy evening, a rough, turbulent spirit ainongst the gang had
risen in open rcjbellion. In spite of all remonstrance he persisted
in defying authority, and bringing strife and confusion into the dis-
cipline of camp life. When all gentler measures had been tried in
vain, a pair of strong arms ejected the astonished ottender rather
forcibly into the outer darkness and storm, and a voice and eye, no
longer to be trifled with, deterred any friendly hand from unfasten-
ing the barred door until such time as the sharp lash of a Canadian
winter's night-blasts had done its perfect work, and the culprit was
ready to come back, subdued, penitent and peaceful, to his place in
the circle around the blazing Hre. God has various methods of
training his servants for the work he has for them to do. Who can
doubt that he used the discipline of such ditfiijulties atid hardships
to develop that unflinching strength and steadfastness of purpose
which did so good service in other spheres on many a 3ubse<iuent
occasion. Some who read this paper will doubtless remember an
illustrative incident of quite a dilierent character. I refer to the
day on which, strong in the vigor of resolute manhood and the

450

LIFE AND LABORS OF

earnest conviction of riifht, he stood for hours in the face of a
prejudiced, angry, liissinn; crowd who were determined that his
voice sljould not be heard, until, first by sheer force and persistence
of will ho con(|uered a hearing, an' then, by dint of manly
eloquence and incisive logic, completely turned the tide of opinion
and feeling into what he believed to be the right channels.

But mere strength of will is in itself but a doubtful merit. Under
the sway of narrowmindedness and prejudice it becomes often a
strong force on the side of evil. It is only when enlisted in the
service of a sound judgment, a broad intellect, and a lofty moral
nature, that it becomes a mighty force on the side of the right and
the good.

Strength was a characteristic of Dr. Fyfe's intellect no less th in
of his will. His thinking was broad rather than subtle, powerful
rather than profound. His grasp of truth was a grasp of power.
Though his mind was undoubtedly active and fertile, it would be
easy to find many who were his peers in originality of thought, and
in pulpit or conversational brilliancy.

His perceptions too, though quick and keen, were probably not
more so than those of many others, of equal culture and experience.
But m that mental breadth and clearness which grasp a subject in
its whole extent, and promptly strip it of whatever is incidental or
unimportant, he had few equals. His keen rnalysis went promptly
to the root of the matter. When once the full powers of his mind
were turned upon a question, or investigation, its great underlying
principles were recognized as if by instinct, and once recognized
were, like true friends, " grappled to his soul with hooks of steel."
Yet, in spite of, or let me rather siy in consequence of, the
strength of conviction thus begotten, upon what he regarded as
essential principles and living truths, his views were generally free
from the unreasoni'ig prejudice which affects so many otherwise
powerful minds. This was no narrowness in his theology. With
clearly defined opinions of his own he was not one of those who
hasten to brand as foolish, or dishonest, the views of all who have
reached different conclusions.

One of the'first expressions to which I heard him give emphatic
utterance — and a good indication of his mental power and his fitness
for a teacher of young men was his ability to give expression from

'tly
lind
?ing
ized
fcel."

the
as

tree

wise

who
ave

latic
ies3
rom

REV. R. A. FYFE, D.D.

451

time to time to wise and noble sentiments, in language which
burned itself into the memory - was to the effect that ho cordially
despised the mental and moral littleness which prompts a man to
keep perpetually harping, in public and in private, upon the small
distinctive peculiarities of a sect, or party. He saw clearly that
there are truths and truths — that the great temple of many-sided
Christian truth even, has its pediments and pinnacles as well as its
broad foundation stones. No better evidence of this characteristic
breadth of his thinking can be found than the fact that, while he
was specially committed to one of the great enterprises of the
denomination, his time, his means, his thoughts and sympathies
were given freely to all, until he was abundantly qualified, by
virtue of the extent and accuracy of his knowledge, as well as by his
deep and genuine interest, to bo a leader in respect to each.

Other marked features in Dr. Fyfe's mental cliaracter were his
wonderful promptness in decision, and his unhesitating self-reliance
in action. When once the duty or necessity of deciding even the
most delicate or the most complicated question became clear to
him, all hesitancy was at an end. His judgment seemed to act like
an instinct, and his resolve followed like a flash of lightning.
While slower mortals would still be painfully weighing counter-
balancing considerations, his course of action would lie plain and
straight before him, and he would be already marctiing firmly on in
it. To say that these quick decisions and actions were invariably
right ones would, of course, be to make him infallible. And yet
their general correctness, as seen in the light of subsequent events,
was wonderful, showing clearly that this promptness in decision
was an endowment, improved no doubt by habit, by virtue of
which he was able to take in at a glance the salient points of a
complicated question, when others were obliged to take their,
singly, in detail, or risk fatal errors in decision and action. And
with Dr. Fyfe to resolve was to do. When in the full vigor of his
manhood, he never burdened the morrow with to-day's tasks, or
suffered any important work to lag for want of energetic attention.

In addition to all this the type of Dr. Fyfe's mind was eminently
practical. It exhibited well the golden mean between the useless
visionary and the pitiable matter-of-fact orders. Strong common
sense marked all his plans and movements. This characteristic is

452

LIFJS AND LABORS OF

illustrated in certain favorite maxims and proverbs which were
(.fteii on his lips. He always advised his brethren that it was much
better to adopt the "second best plan " upon whicli all can agree
than to qtiarrel about the absolute best. Notwithstanding his
remarkable promptness in decision and self-reliance in action, his
conduct was largely regulated by the wise resolve to take no
'•leaps in tlie dark," to do nothing for mere doing's sake, but when
all was dark, and he could see his Wiiy clear to no defijiite
issue, to simply stand still and wait for the light that was sure to
come. In following this cour.-<e he often realized how much harder
it is to st;ind still than to move rashly and blindly. In some cases
at least I have known him to resist a great deal of pressure from
brethren, in obedience to this maxim, rather than act befi re he
could see that his action would be wise and right. Again, he
seldom borrowed trouble. He refused to " cross the bridges " of
the future until he came to them. In this he but assented to the
wisdom of the GveA Teacher's maxim: " Sufticient unto the day is
the evil thereof."

But the crowning excellence of Dr. Fyfe's character is to be
found in the lofty principles and motives which ruled his life. His
moral nature was eminently pure and noble. All these strong
qualities of mind and will were subordinated to the highest aim a
human being c^.n set before him- the aim to do rir/Jit and to do i/ofW.
The same strength and largeness which were so characteristic of his
intellect were conspicuous in his moral nature. His was the high-
toned Christianity which refuses to do homaire in the temple of
custom, or to creep along on the low level of expediency. In regard
to questions of right and wrong he was, I dare say, no more
infallible in his judgments than many other men. But few men
were more open to argument and conviction, and, let him once be
convinced that a certain course of conduct was rv/ht, still fewer
would follow that course with the Srime fearless disregard of
consequences. There was that in his soul which could respond to
the lofty motives and principles of the Gospel he loved. An instance
recurs to my mind in which he and a number of his brethren had
partially committed themselves to a course of conduct, which,
while it might have been pronounced fair and honest by the great
majority of upright men, and might have met the requirements of

REV. K. A. FYFE, D.D.

45a

is
|ng
a

xl.

i.ia

h-
of
rd
re

len

I to

Ice

lad

ordinary codes of morality, was, porha|)9, hardly in strict accord
with the eternal principles of the Sermon on the Mount. It is
unnecessiiry to particularize further than to say that the trans-
action had a little of the appearance of a church taking advantage
of an accident to get some relief from the pressure of a hard
bargain. While the affair was in progress, and the action about to
be taken seemed right in the eyes of almost every one interested, a
sermon was preached in which the Spirit of Christ's broad precepts
was contrasted with that of the narrow maxims of worldly honesty.
Whether the sermon or some other intluenco brought up the matter
before him for closer scrutiny, I know not. J>ut at the close of tlie
service he, wiih his usual prompt decisiveness, hastily called
together the brethren concerned and told them that he, at least,
could go no further in the direction proposed. Next morning his
brow was clear and his face radiant as he told me that they had
unanimously agreed to "give conscience the benefit of the doubt,"
and to take tiie hard, steep path pointed out by the highest
Christian law.

Love of justice and fair play was one of the most strikir)g traits
in this noble character. Like other men of activity and power he
was not without enemies. But I doubt if any one would say he
knew Dr. Fyfe, in any instance, to suiter himself under any sense
of injury, any resentment of calumny, to be hurried into unchristian,
not to say unfair or underhand retaliation. I ren\ember but one
occasion, during a long and intimate acquaintance, in which a
remark of mine caused him deep pain. We were discussing an
absent friend of whose course in a certain case Dr. Fyfe strongly
disapproved. In reply to some expression of his opinion I replied,
"I think you are doing him a great injustice." "I would not
knowingly do him or any other man an injustice for my right; arm."
Such may not have been the exact words of the reply, but they were
to that effect. But it was not the words so much as the tone and
manner of their utterance, that impressed themselves indelibly
upon my mind. The tcMie was not one of anger, or resentment, but
of pain, and the manner seemed to say, " Can it be possible that I
have allowed myself to be betrayed into an act or expression which
is unjust to my brother V I must examine this and see." The
conviction produced on my mind by the trivial incident was that

454

LIFE AND LABORS OF

there dwelt an innate love of justice such as is rarely found in
human nature.

Dr. B'yfe,do8|)iscd meanesa in every shape and form. None know
that better than his students. If anything wMrred up the deep
fountains of his indignati(»n and drew forth the scathing torrents of
rebuke, it was that which sav^ored of meanness, " sneakiness. "
May we not well believe that many an incipient act of this nature
has been, and will be, cut short by the memory of those ringing
c'enunciations of lying and pilfering, and all the petty train, which
used to be In rind forth from time to time from that well remem-
bered desk in the Institute Chapel ?

But space would fail me to speak further of that larg<' hearted
generosity which was bounded only by his means; of that unwaver-
ing loyalty of soul which made him the best and truest of friends",
<ir of that catholicity of spirit which tempered strong convictions
with the charity that "thi. th no evil," and which mm c him,
uncompromising Baptist though ho was, admired and beloved by
many of other denominations. To these I have nferred before.

The How of Dr. Fyfe's religious life was strong and deep and
calm. It was not interrupted by those "cataracts and breaks"
which mar the harmony of so many earnest lives. Jiut that simple,
unwa\ ering trust in the Fatherhood of (iod, and that calm, con-
stant reliance upon the promised aid and guidance of the Master
whose he was and whom he served, were reached in his case as in
that of most strong natures, only through cloud and storm. Many
of his old students will recollect the thrilling account he once (»r
twice gave, though he evidently referred to it with reluctance and
only in the hope of benefitting others, of the time in his student
days when, his money spent, his health shattered, hin strength
consumed by the tiery but ill-advised zeal in study which well nigh
cut short his days, a "horror of great darkness"' fell upon him.
The tempter came almost in visible form, and hissed in his ear that
there was no (iod, no Heaven, no hereafter ; that life was a hideous
dream, and religion and lofty aspirations delusion and folly.
Seeking a secluded spot he there for many long and weary hours
without food or shelter, "fought the spectres of the mind," until
aided, may we not well believe, by a Divine Elder Brother, he
came off "more than con(]ueror," and went once more on his way

REV. R. A. I'YFE, D. D.

M " ^

4o.')

rejoicing. Such corHlt^ta and such con(juettt8 come not in vain.
•' When thou art converted strengthen thy Irethren." Did not the
Divine voice Bpeak thus to him? Vho can tell how many,
8trenj»thened by him in the course of that lielpful life, were blessed
through the invisible agency of that tierce conilict ?

Thid paper is already proba >ly too l«>ng, and must be closed.
Let us thank God tliat the influence <>f tho ch.iracter we have
sketched so imperfectly is not ended. It will never end. The
waves ever widening in their sweep cannot be lost even in the
ocean of the great future, l-o, though dead, yet speaketli, and will
c(jntinue to speak so long as the impressions he was enabled to
make on many minds and hearts go on reproducing thmiselves
throughout untold generations. Meanwhile, if asked to nauie
three features in the character of the honored dead; which seem to
me most worthy of imitation by the students who loved him, I
w( uld answer, hi.s simple trust in (ion, his strong love of truth
and his fearless determination to do kiuut. And these three are
one.— T/te T>jro, Od, 1<^78.

MEMORIES OF DR. FYFE AND HIS WORK.

um.
that

[oUB

Illy.

irs
itil
he

BY MRS. P. S. v. YULK.

Two pictures of Dr. Fyfe aie before me to-d;iy as T seat myself,
not unwillingly, to comply with the reijuest of the coinpijer of these
memoirs — the gathering up of a few personal reminiscences of that
wreat and good man — reminiscences that run through a period of
six of the most toilful, eventful, and anxious years of my own life
and his, as well as of several others who, during those Hist years of
its history, held the post of teachers in the Canadian Literary
Iii.stitute.

In the tirst he stands in his own characterisric attitude — easy,
erect, hands crossed in front, the right hand loosely clasping the
wrist of the left — a picture of vigorous, athletic m.uihood, yet on
the sunny side of forty-Hve, and full of that wealth of yet unim-
paired vigor which ought to sufhce to carry a man up to three score
years and ten with little abatement of physical force and energy.
His beard is slightly grey, but his rich, wavy, brown hair is as

4:)()

I.IFK AND LAHOR.S OF

frosh aiul bright as that of boyhood. Tho dark, resolute eyes, the
grandly p »i8ed head, slightly inclining forward, tho erect figure
and tirnily planted feet, reveal a man siorn to conunand,^ — one in
whom lixedness of purfjase and ai indnmitable will unite to form,
HO far as they are concerned, a leader in any department of life
wherein they may find scope for exercise ; while a mouth, as flexible
and sensitive as that of a refined woman — a mouth around which
those who knew him well will remember thure ever played, except
in his sterner moods, a smile as innocently playful as the smile of a
happy boy — reveals a tender, symi) ithetic, and compassionate
nature r.irely found in either man or woman.

The second picture, taken some fifteen yvara later, would scarcely
be recogniiJ-.Hl by one who had seen only tho first, so sadly, even
I)iinfully, does it contrast with that. Ho is sitting here, and tho
attitude is that jf one weary and worn with physical and mental
toil, anxieiy, care, and failing health. Tho beard is almost snowy
white ; the hair, thin and grey, still curls gracefully ar*nind the
broad, handsome forehead and over the massive head, but its glos.sy
freshness is gone forever. The cheeks are hollow and seamed, the
lips thin and closely drawn, and a pensive drooping of the corners
of the )noiiLli tells its own sad story of broken health and perished
vigor. Tiie naturally heavy lids droop more heavily than ever
before over the calm, resolute eyes, into which has somehow come
a far-away, spirit uali/.ed expression, as of one who sees by faith moie
clearly and more near the dawning glories of his day of rest, and
hears at times voices and acc>3nts from the unseen shores he is
nearing, that come only to himself.

The first time I ever saw Dr. Fyfe was on a Sabbath in the
summer of 1801). He was preaching for the Ingersoll Baptist
church, then worshipping in the Town Hall, and his text was
Romans vii., 24. I remember the sermon as slightly disappointing
at the time, clashing a little, as it did, in its doctrine and teaching,
with my tlien settled opinions in regard to the meaning of the text.
I next met him a few days later at the Institute when I called, on
my way through the town, to visit the then unfinished building.
Dr. Fyfe happened to be there, and received us with great kindness
and courtesy ; leaving upon my mind an opinion which I never
had occasion to change, that he was a true Christian gentleman, —

REV. R. A. FVFE, D.D.

457

, the

ijjure

no in

form,

if life

.ixible

which

sxcept

le of a

ionate

arcely

', even

lid the

nental

aiiowy

ud the

1 glossy

ed, the

^ornera
rished
1 over

,v cuuie
h inoi e
st, and
he is

in the
Uptist
:t was
nnting
Lching,
[e text,
led, on
jilding.
Indnesa
never
Inan, —

one whtjse courtesy and atlubility spranj^ ratiier from the innate
iKihility of the num and Chri.stian, than from the cunvoMtional
maxiniH and rules of the polite world.

The next time I mot him wan at the railway station at Wood-
stock, on the 12th of September following? — memorable as the day
when the Institute commenced its first regular sossicm, and to nie,
especially, as the day when 1 bej^an my toilful and anxious, but in
nriny wa)'8 pleasant six years' service there. One pleasinic cliarac
teristic of Dr. Fyfc his fondness for pets— revealed itself at that
meeting, which I mention here as showing the amiability -the al-
most womanly tenderness— of his nature. T had with me a Canary
bird, a great lavorito on account of its unusual iiitolligence and the
sweetness of its song. Dr. Fyfe took the cage from my hand as I
descended the steps, and gave a kindly welcome to Woodstock not
only to me, but to my little feathered companion. P>om that day
the "little Hrown B.rd" had always a share in his kindly attentions.
Many a banch of winter greenery he brought from the sunny side
of his house to the "caged bird ; " and he once wrote an ex(piisite
little poem in which the b'rd is represented as returning thanks for
his winter treat, a copy of which, sent me by Mrs. Fyfe, I have un-
fortunately lost. Dr. Fyfe's fondnes for pets was one of his peculiar
and note- worthy traits. Many a poor child might well covet the
happy home-life he gave his dog, and the generous consideration
and care he bestowed upon his horse.

The first term of the Institute was one of peculiar anxiety and
care to Dr. Fyfe. Every feature of the work was new, untried, and
perplexing. Students, gathered from all parts of the country, came
with their own distinctive ideas, preiudices, and peculiarities, — very
few of them had any training beyond that of the common school ;
an .1 those who had anything to do with the educaticmal work of the
period will remember that the facilities for learning were, through-
out our country, vastly diflerent then from those of the present
day. But through it all Dr. Fyfe moved forward, calm, careful,
resolute ; sometimes, indeed, making mistakes, but (juick to dis-
cern, and prompt to correct them where correction was possible ;
where it was not, patiently biding his time, and when his time
CAuie, making sure work for the future. Thus, with a patient de-
liberateness and self-poise rarely equalled and more rarely excelled,
d2

458

LIFE AND LABORS OF

he held in restraint, or put eifectively to rest, every disturbing ele-
ment ; and thu > brought the first, and in some respects the most
difficult, term of the school to a successful and sjitisfactory issue

Then, in the interval of the first Christmas holidays, and on the
morning of the day appointed for re opening the school, the fire, in
little more than one brief hour, swept away the results of years of
patient, prayerful effort ; consumed the little earthly all of at leafct
two of the teachers, and sent teachers and students, some of them
well-nigh beggared, out in the inclemency of winter to find tempor-
ary asylums among the charitable and sympathetic <.f the town and
its vicinity. The grandeur of Dr. Fyfe's character never showed
itself more conf-picuously than on this occasion. His own house was
thrown open to all it would accommodate ; and without yieldirg
even for ar hour to despondency and gloom, he at once began to
plan for re-opening the school ; and in less than a week a building
was secured, the students were re-assembled, classes re-oiganized,
and the routine of work begun. Then commenced the plaiuiing for
another building ; the stirring up of the churches to libetality ; the
soliciting of means wherewith to cany on the work : and the push-
ing foiwaid of that work rapidly on to cc^mpletion. In all this
many earnest and willing ones cheerfully and loyally c<)-<ii>eiatcd J
but, withal, there had to be one on \nhom' nectFsarily rtsted the
great burden of thinking, pha)ning, and directing. It is netdJess
to eay that tliat ( ne was Dr. Fyfe ; and most faithfully did he do
his part, and most uullinchingly bear his buulen. Happily the
securing of funds for re-building wi;s not so foiniidable a n;atter as
at first was looked for.

Numbers of ptrs( ns who had given veiy fpariigly for the first
building, suddenly v( ke up to the consciousness that the fire had
done more than merely destroy the edifice they had ertcttd with
many a sigh of hopeltfsness, and many a protest of fear. It had
burned away the locks frt.m their money boxes?, the strings fn m
their purses, and the prejudices from their minds, vhile it had
melted the icy inditi'ertnce from their hearts, and warmed tlsem to
the claims of ministerial education as possibly nothirg fhoit of a
great denominational calamity could have done. It was a grand
sight to see f con s who had really, as they supposed, given "all
they were able to give" suddenly open their eyes to the fact that

REV. R. A. FYFE, D. D.

459

latcd ■>

?d the

:dleFS

lie do

y the

tttr as

e first
re liad
d with
It hhd
, fnin
it had
'.em to
I of a
giard
"all
t that

they could quite easily »ivo twice or thrice as much as before ; and
others, who hdd pinched harU to give five, ten, or twenty-live
dollars, discover it an e.isy matter to run up their little sums to
scores and hundreds.

Dr. Fyfe's bright,

face when news of such donations

., eager, nappy

cime in, and the almost b >yiah enthuiiasm with which the good
news was reported to his assjciate teachers, i^ something never to
be forgotten by the few who now live to keep it in memory. Those
who stood by Dr. Fyi\>s side during that eventful period in the
history of our school will bear witness to the patience, the courage,
and the indomitable resolution with which he toiled on, and the
cheerfulness with which he bore burdens, and grappled with dtth*
culties that would have overwhelmed weaker and less reiolute
natures. Many of the trials of that period are thing.^ that need not
now be recalled. They were things that could o)dij be borne ; and
in bearing thorn, as he did, in humble and steadfast dependence
upon ^4od, his character m ilured and strengthened as possibly i
could not under any less severe discipline. God knows be-it by
what paths to lead his children, and it is cert,"; He iuakes no
mistakes.

After the estiiblishment of the school in the new building things
moved on much more uleasantly and successfully, so far as thrt
school itaelf w.ts ouncerned, than ever before. Literary and
missionary societies, bible classes, and regular religious meetings
had been established ; rules and regulations bearing upon all
departments of the school had been shaped and modified by
experience and the various exigencies that had arisen ; and the
c (uiplicated machinery of work had bect)me more easy to managi*
.md more satisfactoiy in its re -ults. But the heavy strain upon Dr.
Fyfe remained. The inci-easing expenses of the school must be
met ; the Theological De|).irtment — expanding and enlarging year
by year — must be isuatiined ; teachers, who were toiling hard upon
salaries wholly dis[)roportionate to their work and their needs,
must be paid th it little regularly ; and, as there was no endowment,
somebody must travel and solicit voluntary ofterings from
individuals and churches. Who could do this so etiectu illy, or
with half so many possibilities of success as Dr. Fyfe ?

And so this man, whose talents, intiuence, and consociation were

ifi
m

4G0

LIFE AND LABORS OF

needed daily in the school, must leave the work, travel hundreds of
mileKS, preaching publicly and entreating privately, summer and
winter, yea; by ye.n-, for the money that ought to have flowed
steadily in, the willing offering of God's people for the carrying on
of His work — their oiv)t work, indeed, if His children.

And Dr. Fyfe did it. Though the head ached, though the limbs
wearied, tliough the heart revolted and the courage wavered, he
did it ; and if he sometimes murmured a little at the needless toil,
is it strange?— was it unnatural ? And yet I can truly say that T
do not recollect a single inatai'ce of murmuring on the part of Dr.
Fyfe ; and as I view his life to day, from the distance of alm(if:t
twenty years, there is nothing that surprises me more than the
Bublime patience with which he carried on tnis weary, and often
discouraging, part of h'd »vork.

Oh how well I remember, rettir-iing from some of those weari-
some journeyings, the tired, sad face he often brought back. Often
have I seen him walking ba^k and forth in the lecture room or the
hall, buried in thought, talking to himself, as he was boc uning
more and more in the haVit of doing, and occasionally emphasiz ng
those whispered ultera'^ces with quick, expressive, but altogether
unconscious ge.sticulation.

Finally, as the school grew, and the demand for more room
became urgeiit, there came the b'ulding of the Ladies' College, the
erecting of a Theological Hall, the necessity of incurring expense i»
other departments of the work, and for all these money must he
had. How it was obtained is now a m itter of history. All hnw r
to those who toiled, and those who gave, in these much needed
enterprises. It is true that through it all Dr. Fyfe was far from
being the only burden-bearer ; yet, withal, much of the stress and
strain rested upon him, and he did not flinch. Still he travelled,
and preached, and plead for funds, althouirh the ravages of disease
were becoming more and more apparent, althnugh he was growing
prematurely old, and his form begitniing to bend beneath the
weight of increasing infirmities; often, too, with very little encour-
agement or success. 1 shall not easily forget one of his vi-sits at
our house in Toronto, seme seven or eight years before his death,
the weary way ho sank into the arm-chair, and tho almost plaintive
tone in which he related some recent disappointment he h td met

REV. R.

A. FYFE., D.f)

4(il

lundrods of
immer and
lave tioweil
carry injj; on

rh tha lini1»^
vavered, he
eedlesa toil,
f say that T
part of Dr.
je of aUuof:t
>re tlvHi the
j7, and often

those weari-
bnck. OfttMi

room or the
^as bccaniing

emphasi/ nj?
lit altogether

more room
Colleire. the
ii< expense v\
iney must be
All ho'ji r
u\ich needed
was far from
he stress and

le travelled,
res of disease

was <4rowinii

beneath the
little encour-

his visits at
live his death,
ni.st plaintive
t he h id met

wi.h in regard to' the securing of money for his work, wliere he hid
confidently looked for and expected success.

But it is not pleasant to follow this subject farther. The bones
of God's martyrs whiten all the thoroughfares of Christian progres .
From soil watered by the tears and blood of His witnes-ses, have
sprung the richest bloom and fruitfulness of Christ's garden of
delights. The workers falter and die ; but the cause for which
they spent their strength, and in prosecuting which they pos&ibly
perished, li-es on ; and in both the workers and their work the
Master is now being, and shall eternally be glorified.

Ur. Fyfe was not a perfect man. He had, like all others,
imperfections and faults. So much greatness needs some foil, or
we should place the man too high, anl t'.ius detract from the h<mor
of Him through whose grace alone all Christian excellence reaches
its highest possibilities. Dr. Fyfe had warm friends, he had also
bitter enemies. A man of his positiveness, his strength of will, his
courage in asserting and maintaining his opinions, his unyielding
persistence in pushing his plans when ju gment and conscience
united in pronouncing them right, as well as practicable and desir-
able, and his uncompromising hatred of shams, and fraud, and
double-dealing, could not fail to irritate and prejudice many with
whose opinions and ways his own conflicted. Bat once let Dr. Fyfe
see himself in fault, or realize that he had wounded a brother, and
no one could be more ready thin he to confess that fault ai.d make
reparation

I well remember a maxim of his which I think few persons
adhere to more strictly, or civrry out more fully than ho did. It
was to this eflfect : — "Do nothing, attempt n(»thing, against which
conscience utters the slightest protest. If you have atiy doubt in
respect to the right of any course, let the doubt decide the matter
in favor of conscience;" and this seems to me, in the main, tc
furnish the key to the most of Dr. Fyfe's acts, whether public or
private. It is not asserted that he invariably came up to this high
standard ; but that such was his standard, honestly and prayerfully
aimed at, I am, after years of personal ac(['.iaintance and the best
opportunities for judging, fully persuaded ; and his humility in
confessing a fault whnn once committed was worthy of all imita-
tion.

402

LIFE AND LABORS OF

It has been both painful and phasant to review, as I have, tl e
peritjd during which I was associated in Mork with Dr. Fyfe —
painful because n)any half-forgotten things \vhich sadden us all
spring up again in memory as I retrace in thought those old paths
now growing dim in the mists of vanished years — paths from which
many weary feet have passed away never to return — and pleasant
because it biings back, like some strain of old remembered music,
much that endears those years to memory. To have known, and
honored, and been associutyd in work for Christ with such a man as
Dr. Fyfe, is no comm<)n privilei'e. His memory will long remain
with all who knew and loved him as a tjleam of pleasant sunshine
amid the nwiny shadows of this changeful life ; his influence lives
and will live through all the future of our denominational history ;
while the v;duo abd importance of his work Eternity alone will
reveal.

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE REV. DR. >^YFE.

BY REV. S. V. SMITH, D.D.

My acquaintance witn the late Rev. Dr, Fyfe was of long stand-
ing but not very intimate. The relationship of Mrs, Fyfe to my
f unly— fche was an own and favorite cousin to my wife — laid the
ft undation for a more than i)assing interest, on my part, in Dr.
Fyfe and his life-work. But the spheres of our several duties being
far separated, our meetings wero only occasional. Only brki
visits — his to my home arid mine to his — brought us together. l)i
addition, the published reports of hia labors which I have seen,
intercourse v.ith our mutual fr'eud.s, the often expressed convic-
tions of his brethren in Canada which have come to my tars, the
noble work in behalf of education v. Inch he did fi r tlie Cai adian
Baptists, that indefinable something which njakes tr«n8parent
characters almost at once ivadabla by those who are brought into
contact with them, and the many items of private life, and labor
and UMM'ritten history, which have been commi j "cutvil U' me and
mine by his accomplished ^Aife, all inspire ivf ''eelrng tlwt T may
speak with a degree of cjntideuGe a few words ar, atrbuto ti) hia

memory.

•-*§

''■:\«-:

REV. R. A. FYFE, D,I).

403

His public life was nliiefly passed in C iiiada, and ho sincerely
loved her interests. A Canadian B.iptist, he was devotedly
attached to the prosperity and elev.ition of the Jiiplist churches of
that Province. A well-educaced and retiued minister, he was
anxious to promote, in all feasible ways, thj education and refine
ment, the depth and breadth of tlie ministry of Ca lada. C.uhnlic
in spirit, he cared especially for the Church and the xMiiiistry which
were his choice from intelligent convictio i ; and his whole life was
consecrated Ui the one great aim of their enlir^'ement and pros-
perity. By utmost diligence, by wearying toils as a teacher and
manager, in all the depirtments of his seminary, in term-time —
and by extended journeys, often full of hardships and discourage-
ment, in vacations — and by personal appeals, often repeated, to the
benevolent for the funds necessary to carry on his work — -ha built
up for the Baptists of Canada an institution which will be a bless-
ing for all time. His infl lencj, through his ministerial and
missionary pupil.s, to say nothing of others, will bo felt in all tie
Provinces of Britain and on the opposite sid ; of the globe, down to
the jidgment. Out of the seed-tiine of his toils has come a rich
harvest of intelligent ministers, teachers, professional and business
men, and faithful and competent women. Under the crush and
pi'essuri of his v/ork at Woodstock was the gerniinatiiii^ shoot
which has borna f'-uit in the academy of higher learning estaMisheil
there, and, undoubtedly, also, in the more advanced training school
f(jr ministers and missionaries, now ha[)pily planted, under so
favorable aupices, in MoMaster Hall. Apart from his w se, efii.-
cient and self-denying labjrs, whic'.i no money could compensate,
whence wtnild have arisen — and where, and ho^, and when — these
admirable institutions ? And by whuin would the spirit of liberality
and desire for enlargement have been aro ised and fostered, which
has asserted itself in buildings, endowments, an enlightened b >dy
of church members, teacliers, ministers, missionarie*», Christian
converts and converce»I he ithen in the distant dark placGS of the
earth ? He put Jiis whjle soul into his work, (jften amid discour-
agement, oppressed by the consciousness of a lack of sy.npithy and
appreciation, bat confi lent thit he was doing the Misters bidd.n?,
and laying foundations for a structure which should ban benedic-
tion to men and Ijring glory to O id.

4G4

LI IE AND LAIJOKS OF

A few w.irds may be added :\s to Dr. Fyfe's personal characteris-
tics. He was beautiful in person, and fiiscinatinj? in manners and
conversation. Under the pressure of his many cares and labors, he
was ever cheerful, loving, discreet and hopeful. He had a know-
ledge of men, and of the best modes f)f approaching them. He was
patient under rebuffs, and knew how to wait till he mi<!ht hope for
a more favorable occasion. Dignified in ap])earance, but not stand-
inEf for the dignify t.f his own departn>ent of instruction, he was
r^ady togive his service in any department where it wasi needed. And
when he had dotie all, he I'tiew how to wait till God should send the
fitting result. He won the confidence and affection of his pupils, as
well as of others with whom he had intercourse. His instructions
were after the pattern of New Testament teaching, and his theolog-
ical pupils were \ <1 and nurtured by sound doctrine. Calm, self-
poised, Ciireful, judicious, earnest, firm in purpose, clearly foreseeing
the ends towards which his f^ffbris were directed with unwavering
decision, he ])ursued his coiirse, reposing on God ; and thus he was
diligent in his work, till he was imt, for God had translated him.

A few words may be pernjitted respecting Mrs. Fyfe, who share I
Ilia labors in Woodstock, and sympathized with him in all his trials
and his work. She was the daughter of Thomas Ivendall, of Brook-
line, Massachusetts, known for many years as a deacon of the
Charles street Baptist church in Boston, in the days of its highest
pi'osperily. Brought up in a most hospitable home, and siirrounded
by every rel.iiement, she had enjoyed large acquaintance with
ministers and students m divinity, and was thoroughly grounded in
the principles of Christian trutli and duty. She knew what she
believed, and she knew in whom she hid believed. For many
years an invalid, and living, as it seemed, on the borders of eternity,
she there learned lessons which not only built up her own character,
but also made her a fitting helper to her husband, and prepared her
to symp-^thijse with him in all his ditticulties and trials. Meditative,
discrimina'ing, on account of her physical infirmities abst^racted
fr<mi the world '»f activities, nhe was nevertheless interested in
everything which regarded the iiit wests of her friends and her
ad<if>tcd assdciatus, and that welfare of the Redeemer's kingdom.
Bearing ab )ut a treble bodjT. fuU of pains and infirmities, she still
iared and cared for ^^he Tnttitution at Woodstock as if it were her

REV, R. A. KYKE, D.I).

405

own personal affair. She rejoiced in its Y>r()8perity, and suffered in
its adversity, fulfilling in regard to it the apostolic coiuniand,
" Bear ye one another's burden t, and so fulfil the law (jf Christ."
After the decease of Dr. Fyfc, she still made his people, his work,
and his interests her own, spendin-r her life till its close in the place
made sacred to her, — as if it had not been a land of strangers,- by
the memories and the labors of her husband. Loving, faithful, and
appreciative, she was a devoted wife, as he was a trusting and devoted
hu8l)and. And hand in haml they i)ursued their toilsome pilgrim-
age, honored and useful, till its close. And though they were
without children to perpetuate their names, thousands will rise up
to call them blessed.
Newton Centre, Mass.

MEMORIAL STANZAS.

IN AKKEiTIONATK KKMK^iBRASOB OF THE LATE REV. K. A. KVFE, l> I).

By Mm. r. S. V. Yule.

" But He said : -' Weep not ; she is not dead, but sleepeth .' ' "
" Ke saith unto them, *(Jnr friend Lazarus sleepeth : but I go that 1
may awake him out of his sleep.^"

Not dead, but sleeping-
Sleeping till the morning.
Up the fair East with kindling glories bright.
Rising, shall scatter Earth's long night of weeping
With the soft tlush of Heaven's rejoicing light.

Not dead, but sleeping —
All the day's work ended, —
Ended the tumult and the battle-strife,—
Ended the pain, the care, the vigil-keeping,
The toil and weariness of mortal life.

Not dead, but sleeping —
Sweet the sleep and holy ! —
Never a sigh to stir the tranquil breast.
Never a tear the folded eyelids steeping.
Never a pang to mar the perfect rest !

40(5 LIFE A\n LABORS OF

Not dead, but sleeping ? —
Of the day, 'twas spuken !
Sleep hath no power to bind the unfettered soul !
Earth cannot hold it in her narrow keeping,
Or its glad Hight with mortal bonds control !

Nor dead, nor sleeping, —
With exultant soaring,
Upwari it roae on swift rejoicing wings ;
Sun, moon and stars triumphantly o'er-sweeping,
To the dear presence of the King of Kings !

True ; yet he's sleeping —
So hath said ti.e Saviour,
Naming the body's rest, not death, but sleep ; —
Jesus, too, slept, the while His loved were weeping,
Yet woke, that Love thenceforth might cease to weep !

Sweetly, then, sleeping —
Thus, until the morning,
Oently to eirth entrust the proolnus cla^' !
Calm ahall it vent in (lod'a most holy keeping.
And wake with singing nt the ddwa of day !

Salfoud, Sept. 20th, 1878.

A^^.

<)^ T HE END. < A-

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