Memoir of James Petigru Boyce, D.D., LL.D.: Late President of the Southern Baptist Theological ...

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Preface

This Memoir has been prepared by request of .th6 family, and through strong impulses of personal affection ; for we were of the same age, and had worked side by side for thirty years. But in depicting a' character so elevated and sincere, one feels obliged to restrain the natural tendency to eulogium.

I have especially tried to represent the environment and development of Dr. Boyce's early life in Ciiarlestony at Brown University, and at Princeton Theological Seminary, and to bring out his labors as editor in Charleston, pastor in Columbia, and professor in Furman University. The part which he took in the war, and in South Carolina politics, is not overlooked.

As his recognized life-work was the foundation and establishment of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a biography of him could hardly fail to comprise a history of that institution. But this is for the most part thrown into distinct chapters, which some readers can pass over if they like. For the historical sketch of the institution I have carefuUv used printed and manuscript records, besides recollections which go back almost to the beginning of the movement. If any persons interested in theological educa-

Vlll PREFACE.

tion wish really to understand the peculiar plan and operations of this Seminary, they will find a hrief chapter of explanation.

The account of Dr. Boyce's ancestry and early life is most of all indebted to Dr. H. A. Tupper, who was his friend from boyhood and married his sister, and who has written copious memoranda and furnished a long series of letters, carefully arranged, from which I drew many facts and impressions, besides the extracts given. Valuable assistance was also aflforded by Dr. Boyce's sister, Mrs. Burckmyer, and by William G. Whildeu, Esq., Judge B. C. Pressley, and numerous other friends, to whom indebtedness will be found acknowledged at one point or another. The Misses Boyce have carefully selected from their father's letter-books all such as they thought likely to be helpful, and have written notes of his later journeys which they shared, and also personal recollections of his home life and traits of character, which are freely used in the closing chapters. I heartily thank many former students and others who have furnished

material for this labor of love.

J. A. B.

Louisville, Ky., April 15, 1893.

Chapter I. Birth And Ancestry

The Scotch-Irish.— The Boyce Name and Family.— The Grandfather's Services and Adventures during the Revolutionary War. — The Father, Ker Boyce, settles in Charleston as a Cotton-Factor. — Weathering a Financial Storm.— James Boyce's Mother. — Her Conversion, during a Sermon by Basil Manly, Sr.

Chapter II. The City Of Charleston

Beautiful Bay, Islands, and Rivers. — The Rich Planters of ''Sea Island " Cotton. — The Carolina Aristocracy. — Story of Dr. Jeter. — Population o£ Charleston at Different Periods. Pages 10-13.

Chapter III. Childhood And Youth

The Namesake, James L. Petigru. — The "Little Guardsman*' at Church. — Sketch of the Pastor, Basil Manly, Sr. — James's Early Fondness for Books. — His Archery Club and Debating Society. — His Mother's Early Death. — The Lesson she once gave him in Truthfulness. — His Boyish Care of the Younger Children, and how they regarded him. — Six Months in a Dry-Goods Store. —

CONTENTS.

Reading the Works of Gilmore Simms. — At Professor Bailey's School, and at the High School with Dr. Bruus. — Timrod and Hayne. — H. H. Tucker his Sunday-School Teacher, and afterwards Judge Piessiey. — Hearing Dr. Thornwell. — At the Charleston College under Dr. Brantly. — Tribute of his Fellow- Student, F. T. Miles. — Sketch of Dr. Brantly, the Pastor and President. — Business and Political Activity of Mr. Ker Boyce.

Chapter IV. At Brown University

Early Interest of South Carolina Baptists in Brown University. — Sketch of President Wayland, whom James Boyce resembled in Important Respects. — Dr. Wayland's Controversy with Dr. R. Fuller on Slavery. — Professors Caswell, Gammell, Lincoln, and J. R. Boise. — Various Fellow-Students who became famous. — Visit of Adoniram Judson. — Letters of Boyce to H. A. Tupper. — Tributes to him by J. R. Boise and J. H. Luther. — His Conversion, through the Influence of Fellow-Students at Brown, and the Preaching of Dr. R. Fuller in Charleston. — His Zeal on returning to College, and Important Revival there. — His Studies. — Lively Letter to a Charleston Lady. — Continued Religious Labors. — Letters. — Determination to become a Minister. — Disappointment of his Father and some others. — Graduated and licensed to preach.

Chapter V. Marriage And Editorial Work

How he became acquainted at Washington, Ga. — The Ficklen Family. — The Village, its Schools and Society. — Quickly enamoured, and long persevering. — How prevented from studying Theology at Hamilton. — Marriage. — Editor of **The Southern Baptist" in Charleston. — Characteristics and Success in that Capacity. — Much in Company with Dr. A. M. Poindexter.

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter VI

Archibald Alexander and his Famous Sons, James and Addison. — Dr. Charles Hodge. — Fellow-Students, Presbyterian and Baptist. — Very laborious, his Wife aiding by copying Notes. — Preaching often at the Penn*s Neck Baptist Church, near Princeton. — Tlie Karlieht Sermon that remains. — A Vacation with the Ficklens in Virginia, preaching every Sunday. — Letters to Mr. Tupper, now his Brother-in-law. — Plans on leaving Princeton • . . Pages 67-83.

Chapter VII

PASTOR AT COLUMBIA, S. C, 1851-1855.

The City, its Sun^oundings and Beautiful Homes. — Capitol, South Carolina College, Presbyterian Theological Seminary. — The Baptist Church in Columbia, and his Ministerial Labors. — Getting a Strong Hold upon the Colored People. — Setting up a Home. — His Father's Death there. — Closing Estimates of Mr. Ker Boyce. — The Young Minister left as Active Executor. — At the Southern Baptist Convention in 1855 Pages 84-99.

Chapter VIII. Professor Op Theology In Furman University

History of the Furman Institution from 1827, and its Removal to Greenville in 1851, as Furman University. — Boyce elected to its Theological Department in 1855. — Sketches of President Furman and Professors Judson, Edwards, and others. — Boyce's Anxiety to have another Theological Professor. — His Faithful Labors. — Sermon on the Death of Senator A. P. Butler . Pages 100-110.

Xll CONTENTS.

Chapter IX. Foundation Op The Southern Baptist Theological

SEMINABY.

Almost every Baptist College began with a Theological Department — Young Basil Manly and othera going to Newton, in Massachusetts.

— Separation of Northern and Southern Baptists, in 1845. — Idea of a Common Theological School for all Southern fiiapti^ts. — Various Consultations, at Augusta 1845, Nashville and Charleston 1849, in Virginia 1854 ; in Educational Conventions, at Montgomery 1855, Augusta 1856. — James P. Boyce's Address in 1856 at Furman University on "Three Changes in Theological Institutions." — Copious Extracts from this Epoch-Making Address. — His Views compared with those of President Wayland, Three Years before, in " The Apostolic Ministry." — Proposition of the South Carolina Baptists accepted by an Educational Convention in Louisville, 1857.

— Professor Boyce at work as Agent in South Carolina. — Final Convention at Greenville, 1858, organizing the Seminary. — Opening delayed a Year Pages 111-154.

CHAPTER X. THE seminary's PLAN OF INSTRUCTION

Its Aim to give Theological Instruction to Men in every Grade of General Education. — How could these work together ? — System of Independent "Schools," like the University of Virginia. — Every Man's Studies completely elective. — List of the Seminary's Schools, or Departments. — Great Stress laid upon the Study of the English Scriptures. — Remarkable Experiences in that Direction. — How the Plan has worked, with even Unexpected Good Results. — Peculiarities as to Graduation. — New Degrees recently introduced, and New Titles. — Wide Range of Special Studies.

CONTENTS/ XUi

CHAPTER XL

THE SEMINART'S THREE FIRST SESSIONS, 1859-1862.

The Town of Greenville and its Environs. — The Four Professors. — Some of the First Students. — Opening full of Encouragement. — Dr. Boyce's Country Pastorate. — His Kindness to the Students. — Dedicating the New Church at Columbia. — Second Session disturbed by the Great Political Excitement. — Visiting Fort Sumter after its Capture by South Carolina Troops. — Third Session greatly hindered by the War. — Dr. Boyce's Correct Forecast as to Duration of the War. — His Diligence in Study amid so many Interruptions.

CHAPTER XIL

DR. BOTCE^S PART IK THE WAR.

Opposed to Secession, but went with his State. — Fearing a Long and Bloody War. — Prospect of Heavy Financial Losses. — Chaplain in Confederate Army. — Member of the South Carolina Legislature. — Important Bill and Speech as to helping the Confederate Finances. — Extracts from the Speech. — Aide-de-Camp to the Governor. — His House at Greenville plundered by Union Soldiers.

CHAPTER XIII.

FIRST SIX TEARS AT GREENVILLE AFTER THE WAR,

1865-1871.

The Seminary reopened, with very Few Students, and Ruined Finances.— Working for the Future. — Dr. Boyce's Personal Losses and Embarrassments, and Great Exertions to collect Support for the Seminary.

— Salaries once a Whole Year in Arrears, amid the High Prices.

— Southern Interest in Higher Education, and Real Generosity of many. — Boyce refusing Offers of Lai^ Salary. — Number of Stu-

XIV CONTENTS.

dents slowly increasing. — Finances improyiug, and (1869) a Fifth Professor appointed, C. H. Toy. — Dr. Boyce's Sermon at ' the Funeral of Dr. Basil Manly, Sr. — Extracts. — Professor B. Manly, Jr., goes to be President of Georgetown College, Ey.

CHAPTER XIV.

SEBIES OF EFFORTS TO REMOVE THE SEMINARY.

What had become of the Original Subscribed Endowment. — Necessity for Removal slowly recognized. — Various Suggestions and Propositions, from 1869 onward. — Offer to make Boyce President of Brown University. — Decision in 1872 to remove the Seminary to Louisville—Professor W. H. Whitsitt elected in 1872.— Dr. Boyce yields the Chair of Systematic Theology to Dr. Williams. — Elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1872-1879. — Removes his Family to Louisville, 1872. — Letters to J. O. B. Dargan and Mrs. Butler. — Grave Difficulties encountered at Louisville, and Opposition of some Excellent Men. — Financial Collapse of 1873. — Boyce's Great Speech before a Meeting in Louisville, and another before the Southern Baptist Convention in 1873. — Remarkable Contributions in Texas, and at the Baptist Anniversaries in Washington City. — Tour of Kentucky. — Long Series of Efforts to secure Endowment in Kentucky and elsewhere. — Preaching much in Louisville. — Work of the Seminary at Greenville. — Failing Health of Dr. Williams, and his Death. — Sketch, and Tribute by Dr. Curry. — Removal of the Seminary to Louisville in 1877 Pages 218-250.

CHAPTER XV.

TEN BUST TEARS IN THE SEMINART AT LOUISVILLE,

1877-1887.

Extracts from Dr. Boyce's Opening Lecture on History of the Seminary. — Professors cordially received in Louisville. — Dr. Boyce again teaching Theology. — Number of Students much increased. — Resignation of Dr. Toy (1879), and Return of Dr. Manly. — Dr.

CONTENTS. XV

Boyce's Work as a Teacher. — His Method of Instniction in Theology. — His Ijove of Turrettin, and Class in ** Latin Theology." — His Teaching in Church Government, Pastoral Duties, and Parliamentary Practice. — His New Studies in Various Directions. — Seminary's Financial Condition unsatisfactory, and Boyce's Lahors and Journeys. — The Institution saved by a Single Gift, in Answer to Prayer, with Further Gifts in Louisville and New York. — More Students. — Assistant- Professor G. W. Riggan. — Need of Ground and Buildings. — New York Hall.—- Death of Riggatk— Assistant- Professors J. R. Sampey and A. T. Robertson. — Lettew of Boyce to his Sister and others, to M. T. Yates and other Missionaries.

CHAPTER XVI.

PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED WRITINGS.

Brief Catechism of Bible Doctrine. — Abstract of Theology! — History of its Production. — Adapted to his Method of Class Instruction, but very useful also to Working Preachers. — Highly Favorable Notices in the " Standard " and the "Independent." — Mention of Various Sermons, Lectures, and Essays, which ought to be published Pages 304-313.

CHAPTER XVIL

DECLINING YEARS AND DEATH.

Occasional Attacks since 1871. — Overwork. — Co- Professor F. H. Kerfoot in 1887. — Various Letters, one to William E. Dodge, of New York. — Journey with Family to California and Alaska. — Notes of Miss Boyce. — Assault on Dr. Manly, impairing his Health. — Dr. Boyce once more presiding in Southern Baptist Convention, 1888. — Voyage with Family to Europe. — Letters. — Miss Boyce's Notes of their Travels in England and Scotland. — Very ill in London. — Death of two Sisters. — Jjctters. — Sojourn in Paris, with Failing Strength. — Death at Pau, in the South of France, Dec. 28, 1888. — Funeral from Broadway Church, Louisville. — Memorial Meetings Pages 314-344.

XVI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVni.

GENERAL ESTIMATES OF CHARACTER.

Yarioas Qualities stated, with Numerous Extracts from Memorial and Funeral Addresses, from Letters of Students and other Friends, and from Miss Boyce's Notes Fagies 345-371

MEMOIR

OF

JAMES PETIGRU BOYCE.

Chapter I. Birth And Ancestry

JAMES PETIGRU BOYCE was bom in Charleston, South Carolina, January 11, 1827. His father, Ker Boyce, had removed ten years before from Newberry District.^ This large district, or county, lies in the fine central region of South Carolina, which is rolling and healthful, and near enough to navigable streams to have been earlier developed than the upper portions of the State, towards the Blue Ridge. An enthusiastic old citizen is reported to have said: ^' South Carolina is the garden spot of the world, and Kewberry District is the garden spot of South Carolina."

While the early settlers of South Carolina were chiefly English, there were two other considerable elements, which have always been highly influential in the business, politics, and society of the State, — the Huguenots and the Scotch-Irish. These last are a people who have made

* The term "district" was always used in South Carolina until the Reconstruction legislation of 1866 changed it to "county." The districts near the coast were subdivided into parishes, some of which had separate representation in the State Legislature.

^ MEMOIR OF JAMES P. BOYCE.

themselves felt in all parts of the world. They went from Scotland centuries ago to the adjacent portions of Ireland, and have continued to occupy all the northeastern part of that island, having Belfast and Londonderry as their chief cities, and keeping themselves mainlj' distinct from the properly Irish population. They followed the example of their kinsmen in Scotland in becoming Protestant and Presbyterian, and they now constitute an important factor in the possibilities and the difficulties of Home Kule in Ireland.

The father of Ker Boyce was John Boyce, who was born in Ireland. The family name is still common in northeastern Ireland and in various parts of the United States.^ John Boyce removed to the British colonies of

^ Prof. James R. Boise, forrflerly of Brown University, and now Emeritus Professor in the Divinity School of Chicago University, in a letter of Februarj^ 1889 (after James P. Boyce 's death), from which we shall hereafter quote further, says, "I had correspondence with him a few years ago respecting the various forms of our name ; and the result may be interesting to some of his relatives and numerous friends. By the aid of encyclopaedias and biographical dictionaries we arrived at the following list, showing that the name is found in Greek, Latin, German, Italian, French, and English ; and it is quite likely that other forms might be found : Bo7i06s, BofiOSos, Boethius, Boetius, Boethe, Boecius, Boece, Boecio, Boezio, Bois, Boice, Boyce, Boyse, Boise, Boies, Boyes, Boys, Boyis, Boiss, Boeis." There is some reason to l>elieve that all were primarily of Huguenot origin, their ancestors having emigrated, when banished from France, to the north of Ireland, where they found Protestant sympathy. It may be worth while to mention that about 1786 Gilbert Boyce is spoken of as an English Baptist minister, and that a collection of hymns published in England in 1801 contained twenty-one hymns by Samuel Boyse (Diet. Hymn., p. 167). Dr. Bubert Boyce, author of an important medical work, is now a medical professor in University College, London. We learn further, through the researches of Samuel Wilson, of Richmond, that persons named Boyce were early prominent in Virginia. Chyna (Cheney) Boyse came over in 1617, and was of the Assembly of Burgesses in 1629; John Boys was of that body in 1619, both representing Charles City county. Several others appear among the immigrants of that century.

North America in 1765. In 1777 he married Elizabeth Miller, daughter of David Miller, of Rutherford, North Carolina, and shortly after settled in Newberry District, about fifteen miles north of the town of Newberry, in a section which has for many years been^called Mollohon. He thus began his married life in the midst of the Kevolution. The battle of Fort Moultrie had been fought in June, 1776. On the 15th of January, 1778, the city of Charleston was set on fire, — according to the popular supposition by ** partisans of the British," — and lost two hundred and thirty-two houses, valued at half a million of pounds sterling. In the spring of this year the Schophelites, followers of Colonel Schophel, a militia colonel whom Moultrie called **an illiterate, stupid, noisy blockhead," organized in South Carolina and moved across the Savannah River to form a junction with the British troops in St. Augustine, Florida. It was expected that these troops would invade South Carolina, and the military prowess of the Carolinians was greatly aroused. Alexander Boyce, a brother of John not otherwise known to us,^ obtained a commission as captain; and as a private in his brother's company, John had his first military experience. At the sfege of Savannah, Captain Alexander Boyce, on the 9th of November, 1779, in a gallant attempt to carry the British line, fell at the head of his company. John Boyce afterwards joined a company commanded by Captain (subsequently Colonel) Dugan, and was in the battles of Blackstocks, King's Mountain, Cowpens, and Eutaw. After one of these battles he returned home for a brief visit, but had scarcely seated himself to eat when he was startled

^ Nor do we know what kin to John and Alexander was James Boyce, who also came from Ireland to North Carolina before the Revolution, settling near Charlotte. He was an eminently religious man, and highly respected. His grandson is Rev. Ebenezer Erskine Boyce, D.D., of Gaatonia, N. C, and the latter's son is Rev. James Boyce, of Louisville, Ey., minister of the Associate Reformed Church.

by the approach of horses. Springing to the door, he found himself confronted by a party of Tories, headed by the celebrated partisan William Cunningham, and another man equally dreaded, named McCombs. Hurling his hat into the^ faces of the horses, which made them open right and left, he rushed through the opening towards the woods, not reaching them till he had lost three fingers from his uplifted arm, by a furious blow of Cunningham's sabre. When the Tories withdrew, he hurried to the house, that his hand might be bound up; then joined his company, and before night was in pursuit of the murderous marauders. On the Enoree River, near the mouth of Duncan's Creek, they captured eleven or twelve of the party, and among them McCombs. ^^ These were conveyed to the place where the Charleston road crosses the old Ninety-Six road (now Whitmire's), and there a * short shrift,' a strong rope and a stooping hickory, applied speedy justice to them all. A common grave, at the root of the tree, is their resting-place for all time.

" On another occasion Mr. John Boyce was captu^^ed, and tied in his own bam, while a bed-cord was sought-for to hang him ; his negro man (long afterwards known as Old Sandy), being hid in the straw, while the captors were absent on their fell purpose arose to the rescue, untied his master, and both made good their escape. . . . These are a few of the hairbreadth escapes which tried the men of that dark and bloody period, when home, sweet home, could not be enjoyed for a moment without danger, and when wife and children had to be left to the tender mercies of the bloody, thundering Tories." The late John Belton O'Neall, Chief-Justice of South Carolina, from whose "Annals of Newberry " the above details are taken, adds: ** John Boyce lived long after the war, enjoying the rich blessings of the glorious liberty for which he had perilled so much. He lost his wife in 1797, and died in 1806, leaving seven sons and a daughter, Robert, John, David,

BIRTH AND ANCESTRY.

Alexander, Ker, James, Andrew, and Mary," It will be noticed that several of these sons bore familiar Scottish names. It is a family tradition that he and all the seven sons were noted for their wit, and fond of practical jokes ; and many anecdotes are preserved which show how the old gentleman, at the age of seventy-five and eighty, still •enjoyed getting the best of 'Hhe boys." We shall find this characteristic fully inherited by Ker Boyce and by his son James.

Judge O'Neall says that John Boyce was "a well-informed, though not a well-educated, man, who had read much, and exercised a just and wholesome influence in the section where he lived. He was a Presbyterian and an elder in McClintock's church. Gilder's Creek, and his remains rest in the graveyard of that church." His sons all led industrious and prosperous lives, making themselves favorably known in Newberry, Laurens, Union, and elsewhere, and no doubt permanently influenced by the ^'Let us worship God," heard night and morning in the home of their youth. A son of Robert was Hon. William W. Boyce, a distinguished member of the United States Congress and of the Confederate Congress, and a prominent -lawyer, who spent his last years in Washington city in the practice of his profession, and died in 1889.

Beyond the general good influence of the home and the church, we know nothing as to the early life of Ker Boyce, born April 8, 1787, save that he was mirthful and mischievous, so that some imagined he would not succeed well in business, but found themselves very much mistaken. His educational advantages were limited, but he showed a quick and bright intelligence. After some experience as clerk in a store, he established himself as a merchant in the town of Newberry, and steadily prospered. In 1812 the Legislature elected him to be tax-collector for Newberry District over several opponents, and it is related that he showed much electioneering skill in deal-

MEMOIR OF JAMES P. BOYCE.

• ing with the members, aided by his contagious good humor and wit. In the year 1813, when the second war with Great Britain interrupted communication by sea with the Northern States, Mr. Boyce began to trade overland with Philadelphia. Cotton was hauled from Newberry to Philadelphia in wagons, which then brought back goods purchased there by the young merchant, who made the journey on horseback. In 1815 he and a friend went on horseback to Amelia Island (off the Forida coast, near Fernandina), purchasing a stock of goods which was there for sale, and transporting it to Newberry by wagons.

In 1815 Ker Boyce was married to Miss Nancy Johnston, of Newberry. She and also his second wife (the mother of James P. Boyce) were sisters of Job Johnston, who was distinguished as a chancellor. The following account of their father was copied from a Family Bible by Hon. Silas Johnston, of Newberry: '^John Johnstown [note the spelling] was born in the county of Londonderry, Ireland, and married Mary Caldwell, daughter of Job Caldwell, in the same county, July 2, 1785. The fatlier of John was David Johnstown, whose wife was Mary Boyd, who was the daughter of Thomas Boyd, who served on the side of King William at the siege of Londonderry,- in the year 1689. ( Vide Smollett's History of England.) " So we see that the mother also of James P. Boyce was of a Scotch-Irish family, and they too were Presbyterians. Nancy Johnston was born in Fairfield, S. C, Oct. 9, 1795, and married July 11, 1812. Judge O'Neall remarks, '*No more lovely woman ever blessed a husband."

In 1817, two years after the close of the war with England, it became manifest that there were great possibilities for the cotton trade from Charleston to the Northern cities and to Europe. Our far-seeing and enterprising young merchant became dissatisfied with Newberry, as too narrow a field, and too far from the sea. So he and his brother-in-law, Samuel Johnston, formed a co-partnership, and commenced business as merchants in King Street, Charleston. Subsequently they transferred their business to ^*The Bay/' and became factors and commission-merchants. The term *' factor/' according to its original use, might suggest that such men were only the agents of the cotton-planters, to sell their cotton and buy their plantation supplies. But the leading cotton factors soon began to advance money on the cotton, and themselves furnish the supplies. They would often provide these for the current year, taking the planter's obligation to pay with interest when the cotton should be sold, or taking a lien on the crop, which was sometimes specially authorized by law. Thus the cotton factors frequently became operators on an extensive scale, and men of great business talents had opportunity for large acquisitions of wealth. Judge O'Neall tells us that Mr. Samuel Johnston ^' was the most perfect man of business" he ever knew. He credits both the young partners with "an excellent judgment," and ascribes to Mr. Boyce "tireless energy and activity." So the firm made large profits, and rose rapidly tcr financial power. But Mr. Johnston's health gave way, and he died of consumption in 1822. A Mr. Henry had been associated with them, and the firm was for some years Boyce and Henry, and then Boyce, Henry, and Walter.

"In 1823 Mr. Boyce sustained the first great misfortune of his life," in the death of his admirable wife, who lies buried in the cemetery at Newberry. She left three children, — John Johnston, Samuel J., and Mary C, who became Mrs. William Lane.

In 1825 occurred one of the great periodical revulsions in trade and finance. At such times cotton factors are exposed to peculiar danger, when from the beginning of the year they have made large advances in supplies to planters, expecting to borrow money as needed, and replace it all when the cotton should be sold the next winter. When the banks shut down, and private loans become impossible, the cotton factor of large connections is apt to go under. Mr. Boyce's firm is said by our authority to have accumulated by this time fifty thousand dollars. He put the whole of it in requisition to save his business, but this would by no means have sufficed. Mr. Blackwood, president of the Planters' and Mechanics' Bank, had closely observed Mr. Boyce's business talents and character, and told him that the bank would furnish him funds to any needed extent. In all pursuits and relations, personal character tells. We learn (from an obituary) that at this time Mr. Boyce also upheld various other men, in whom with his remarkable insight he put just confidence, and enabled them to tide over the time of danger.

In the latter part of this year, Oct. 25, 1825, Ker Boyce formed a second marriage, with his previous wife's younger sister, Amanda Jane Caroline Johnston, born Dec. 3, 1806. Her children were five; namely, James, Nancy (Mrs. H. A. Tupper), Rebecca (Mrs. Burckmyer), Ker (or Kerr), Elizabeth (Mrs. Lawrence). This young wife, the mother of James, is described as singularly attractive and admirable. Thus Dr. H. A. Tupper says: "A more gentle and lovelier Christian woman never lived. Her person had the frail beauty of the lily; her character, the rich fragrance of the rose. The writer, as a little boy, knew her well and admired her greatly. Tristram Shandy says a man's history begins before his birth. The almost womanly gentleness and amiability of James P. Boyce may be clearly traced to his mother, — just as his hard common-sense, great executive ability, and deep vein of humor may be with equal readiness traced to his father and his paternal grandfather."

It cannot be ascertained under what precise circumstances Mr. Boyce and his wife, though both reared in Presbyterian families, began to attend the ministry of the young Baptist pastor, Basil Manly (see below in chapter iii.). In November, 1830, the pastor felt bound, for some highly important reason, to attend the Baptist State Convention, tliough one of his children was very ill. He and his wife prayed^for direction, and decided that he must go; and all matters at the convention were satisfactorily arranged. Returning, he found that the child, named John, had died and been buried. It was hard for him to preach on the following Sunday j but under a similar sense of duty he did preach, taking as his text Genesis xliii. 14: <<If 1 be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." ^ Through that sermon Mrs. Ker Boyce w'as converted; and others were known to have been specially blessed, as well as the preacher himself. In after years he would sometimes tell of these events, as showing that it is always best for us to subordinate personal and family affection to the claims of duty in the service of Christ. And who would have thought that Mrs. Boyce's little boy, near the same age as the one he had lost, was in the course of Providence to preach Basil Manly 's funeral sermon, with grateful recognition of the good done by that day^s discourse?^