OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 6

OBITUARY.

TnE LATE DR. OSWALD DYKES. In announcing tho death on January 1 of the Rev. Dr. James Oswald Dykes, formerly Principal and Barbour Professor of Divinity in Westminster College, Cambridge, who died suddenly in Edinburgh, tho "British Weekly" states that he was one of the most prominent Presbyterians of his time, and for fifty years at least ho has been in tho public eyo. Ho was ordained iu 1859 at East Kilbride Free Church, which numbered among its ministers some eminent men, including tho late Sir Henry MoncreilT. The young preacher burst into fame at once. In two short years lie was called to bo colleague to Dr. Candlish in tho principal pulpit of tho Free Church, lie was then a young man of only twenty-six, but from the start ho proved more than equal to tho position. In fact, his ministry in St. George's was ono of unabated popularity. Dr. Dykes secured tho admiration of tho most cultured, and was at the sumo time followed by eager crowds wherever ho went. It seemed as. if he were destined to u long and brilliant career in Scotland, but this was not to be. A deep shadow fell over his home in tho illness of his young wife, to whom he was devotedly attached. On this account ho resigned in 180 i and went to Australia. Mrs. Dykes died, and her husband's sorrow seriously undermined his health, and was for long an ever-present memory. In Australia ho did much excellent work and made many friends. On returning to England Dr. Dykes was induced to preach in .Regent Square Presbyterian Church, London, which was then vacant through the death of tho beloved Dr. James Hamilton. Tho congregation had in vain endeavoured to secure the services of Mr., now Principal, Whyte, then a minister iu Glasgow. Dr. Dykes accepted tho invitation. It was seen at once that the choice had been eminently happy. He filled the great building with a thoroughly intelligent, appreciative, and devoted congregation. Altogether it was a noble ministry that Dr. Dykes exercised in Ecgent Square for nineteen years from 18G9 to 1888. Dr. was much more than minister of Regent Square. He was a leader, and wo should probably say tho leader of tho Presbyterian Church of England.

In 1888 Dr. Dykes was summoned to presido over tho Theologioal College of his church. The buildinp was then situated in Bloomsbury. The college was soon removed to Canihridge, where fine buildings were erected. Dr. Dj'kes set his mark on the institution from the first, and it is acknowledged that it owes very much to him. He took to academic life in Cambridge, and was much respected there. He resigned in 1907, and since then ho lived maiuly with his son in Edinburgh.' He was busy to the last, and his mental activity and power showed no decay. In his later years ho occupied himself in putting together his homiletic lectures, which were published in a book, "The Christian Minister and his Duties." There is much wise and sensible counsel in them, but they belong emphatically to the nineteenth rather than to tho twentieth century. Dr. Dykes was appointed Cunningham Lecturer, and delivered a courso published under the title, "Tho Divine Worker in Creation and Providence." The book shows that ho had deeply pondered the problems raised by tho theory of evolution.

Dr. Dykes was unquestionahly a man of great ability. Tho late Duke of .Argyll, who very frequently worshipped in Regent Square, said: "Ho is tho most instructive preacher I have over hoard in any church; so much thought, so many thoughts, so littlo mere ornament." His books, however, scarcely came up to tho expectations of some among • his contemporaries. During his active ministry they were all sermons. Threo were on the Sermon on tho Mount, anil of them Dr. Dale said that no commentary on tho ffcrnion on tho Mount had pleased him so well. There is a story, very likely a. legend, about Carlyle and Dykes. Dykes preached the funeral sermon for the Rev. Thomas Alexander, of Chelsea, who was a very intimate-friend of Carlyle's. Carlylo went-to hear the discourse, and is said to have observed:'. "If that man had anything to say ho coilld say 1 it." Ono of Dykes's best services was his editing of tho "British and Foreign Evangelical Review.." Ho undertook this labour in 1871, and. carried it through for some years very efficiently. He drew round him mon like Robertson Smith, Taylor Inues, A.'. B. Bruce, J. S. Candlish, and other men of renown. In his later years Dr. Dykes seldom appeared in public, but when he spoke it was always with great effect. The impressive power of his personality remained with hira to tho last.