REV. J. VANWYCK DEAD

Brain Trouble Carries Off the Well-known Methodist Minister

[Hamilton, Spectator, April 9]

[Welland Tribune, 16 April 1897]

Rev. James VanWyck, B.A., died last evening after a brief illness, aged fifty-one years. He had not been in his usual good health for some months, but it was only ten days ago that he was forced to take to bed. From the first the doctors held out little or no hope of his recovery. He became unconscious some days ago, and never rallied, and the end came at the hour stated. Tubercular meningitis was the cause of death. Mr. VanWyck had enjoyed unusually good health all his life. In his pulpit address he frequently expressed gratitude that he had never, in all his somewhat lengthy ministerial career, been forced through ill-health to neglect his church duties, and his complete collapse, in view of his strong constitution, is surprisingly and startling sudden.

Mr. VanWuck was born in Stamford, Welland county, on May 16, 1846. His parents were farmers, and while his early life was spent on a farm, he learned the trade of carpenter and followed that business for a time. Always of a deeply religious turn he spent his spare hours fitting himself for the work of the ministry, and in 1869 he took his first charge under the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He was ordained in 1873, and shortly afterward entered Albert College, Belleville. When he graduated in 1878, he was the valedictorian and silver medalist of his class. His pastoral charges have been Welland, Belleville, Strathroy, Toronto and Hamilton-two terms in Gore street church and one in First church. He was a member of the board of management of Alma Ladies’ college, St. Thomas, and since the affiliation of Albert college with Victoria University he had been on the senate of the latter institution. He was president of the Hamilton Methodist conference, and had been a member of all the general conferences of his church. He was married in 1866 to Miss Maria Fares of Humberstone, Welland, who with two sons, survives him.

Of his worth as a man and a Christian minister much could be written. His almost nine year’s labor in this city will long be remembered by two large congregations, and by many others, either in pastoral, temperance or social reform work. On both of the latter subjects he was just as pronounced as in his religious teaching. He took part in every Dunkin act, Scott act or plebiscite campaign that presented itself, and was a member of all the temperance organizations-the Sons of Temperance, the Good Templars and the Royal Templars.

All his duties he performed with a consciousness peculiar to himself. While his chief anxiety was to have his fellows experience the personal salvation that he himself so richly enjoyed, he was deeply interested in the social problems of the day. He avowed himself a Christian socialist, and put into everyday life the gospel of unselfishness and sympathy that he so eloquently and earnestly preached. He was also a firm believer in the theory of single tax.

His success in all his charges has been conspicuous. Every congregation to which he has ministered has been strengthened and solidified and built up. His intense zeal, his manly, open style, his consistent living, and his strong sympathy for those in distress have helped to win men and hold them. He did his work consciously and thoroughly. An evidence of this thoroughness is found in the union of the two denominations now comprising Gore street church. When the union of Methodism in Canada was effected in 1883, the Methodist Episcopals were in possession of what is now known as Gore street church and the Primitive Methodists worshiped in what is now the German Lutheran church. It was decided that the Primitives should sell their church and go over in a body to the M.E. church, then in charge of Rev. Mr. VanWyck. This was done and so happily were the two churches joined and denominational lines obliterated that not a semblance of sectional feeling has ever cropped up to mar the harmony of the church.

The funeral of the deceased clergyman will take place on Monday. After a private ceremony in the parsonage the body will be taken into the church adjoining, and a public service will be held. This will commence at 2.30 o’clock, and will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Carman, general superintendent of the Methodist church.