Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-12
A MINISTER'S G

Why ths Rev. l. II. Boyle. NJ E.,
lucky, eough, Sudden Death as
Indisnap0iis-A Preaeherss piftse
bic Plight
Louisville Courier Journal, lOth.I
The COurierJournal yesterday rave
the particulars OF the sad death of Raw
u. II. Boyle, formerly of this State. NJ n
hotel in indianapolis. The deceased
was the son Of Rev. Mr.. BOYLE. of The
M. Il. Church, South, a minister distin.
gulshed Tor eloqneuee and power in the
pulpit, and universally popular in the
church. He was well known in Ken.
lucky His SOD, the deceased, Leonard
d. Boyle, was educated in Missouri,
Leaving college, be engaged for a time
IN the practice Of law in a Western
state, and contributed to the press quite
frequently, He was at one time editor
OF the St. Paul Mimi Pioneer Press.
and subsequently was engaged in iour.
nalism elsewhere 10 the West. Daring
MS early career be received a wound
which never healed, bat constantly an.
noyed him until the day Of his death.
giving pain which frequently n%ecessi.
tated the use OF strong narcotics. I'm
fortunately, the use OF whisky while thus
afflicted created an appetite which even
his strong will and robust manhood could
not destroy. The passion grew until the
man was q slave to drink-until the
noble man was left a wreck, a drunksrd.
almost an ouicast. BE reformed aud
gave promise Of a speedy return to 30.
oriety and usefulness; was admitted to
the ministry Of the NJ. E. Church.
south joined the Kentucky Conference,
and has been pastor of several import.
ant circuits within it's Jurisdiction during
three years past. He was charged with
drunkenness at the annual conference
in 1876; again in 1877 he was tried upon.
and acquitted Of the same charge, and
as a mark of confidence and esteem
vas appointed by the bishop pastor of
the Bourbon Circuit, including the beau.
tiful chapel and wealthy congregation at
Hutehison station, and several impor-
tant churches in Bourbon county. He
was recognized in the conference as a
man OF extraordinary ability. He was
popular among the people, aud quite
useful in the church. The brightest
prospects were before him, AID his sue.
cess IN the ministry waj assured. But
the demon followed at his heels as he
stepped onward, and at last procured his
ruin. de was discovered about dark one
evening last autumn On the railroad near
Hutchison station, PROSTATE across the
track, drunk and helpless, with whisky
In bis possession. He had been su fer.
iug great pain from his wound. and had.
unfortunately, used whisky. The appe.
tite was uncomfortable, and the same old
story wat soon told. He did all he couId
to escape the evil consequences which
would certainly follow his exposure, and
his friends ezerted themselves to save
him.
a few days afterward he was conduct.
ing q meeting at Harrodsburg. Rev NJ.
Reynolds, the pastor there, hearing
the report, discontinued the meeting. and
subsequently, Mr.. Boyle was tried and
requested not to preach under authority
OF the church. He complied with the
demand, but, in an independent CAPACITY
preached and lectured at several places
in Kentucky.
Pressed BY friends to desist, aud with
no hope of future employment by the
conference, he became melancholy aud
detected. He visited st. Louis recently
to see a sister and his mother, and it il
presumed that he went to Indianapolis
purposely to commit suicide. The fact
that he mailed such a number of letters.
expressed bis watch and a bundle Of
clothing to his sister, ia evidence Of his
discrimination to take his life.
Mr.. Boyle reported for the Courier.
Journal the annual meetings at Deprinp
Camp Grounds in 1875, 1876 and 1877.