Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-10-11
Incidents in GarfieId's Life.
HIS CHRISTIAN LIFE-TWO CHARAC-
TERISTIC LETTERS AND OTHER REL
ICS.

TERISTIC LETTERS AND OTHER REL
ICS.
In conversation with Henry Boyn-
ton, a scousin of Gen. BOynton, who
lives on the farm near Cleveland where
the General was born, he said regarding
the late Presidents belief and charac.
ter: "James Garfield was a devoted
Christian student. At night we always
read the HBible together and prayed
aloud. We alternated nights in con-
Quoting the service of prayer. His con-
science was always very sensitive, and
I should characterize his Christian life
as avery earnest and pure one. He Was
old. The Rev. William A. Lille, now
living at Willoughby, was at that time
conducting a series of meetings here
A revival began, and he was oneof the
converts. When they heard the news
every body rejoiced, for they understood
the value of the conservation of such q
strong mind. He made no half way
start. He took decided stand for Christ
at once and was very soon Identified
with the revival work" Mr.. Boynton
then went to a desk and began over
hauling drawer within 1t. 1t was full
of treasures that money could not buy.
He showed the invitation to Garfeld's
marriage. written on plain paper, in
Lucretia Rudolph's own handwriting.
He also showed commencement pro-
gramme on which was announced An
Oration by James A. Garfield on the
subject, 1.-THE Student" There was all
80 announced colloquy in which he
sustained the part of Pope Leo X. He
also showed the old "Secretary's book"
of the Philomathean Society, a literary
association which Garfield helped to orr
ganize in 1849. He also showed letter
directed to Miss Alpha A. Boynton, in
Garfield's own handwriting, as fol-
lOWs:- -
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a, 1874.
Dear Allie Yours of the 18th in
stant came duly to hand. and made Us
all glad to know that the dear house
hold at the old hOme'were all well and
happy. They deserve to be so. can
hardly realize that new generation Of
young people are treading the paths that
your father and so lately trod and felt
that lite was but just opening to US its
duties and dangers. To think of your
younger sisters as living and working
in the old places sacred to me makes you
seem a kind of representative of those
who were my mates and playfellows
there twenty five years ago. One would
almost think you would sometimes meet
the spirits of those who made up the
circle of that early time when we were
Young. Perhaps, however, it is better
that the generations move on out of each
others way. So do not be disturbed by
any of our ghosts, for if they ever wan
der in the moonlight under the trees
and near the old school house / assure
you they will he harmless phantoms
that fit back only to look and long, to
dream and hurry away. At the pres
ent moment the family are thus dis
posed of:-Aunt Eliza is up stairs quilt
ing, Crete is sitting near me, Harry is
away taking music lesson, jim and
Mollie and Irwin are having q roaring
play in the basement, and the baby is
asleep. Affectionately yours,
''1 s j. A. g. 8.
Mr.. Boynton also showed the follow.
WASHINGTON, D. c., IA, 1864.
Dear Cousin Henry Henry, this
public life.is weary, wearing one, that
leaves one but little for that quiet refiec-
ton which Is SO necessary to keep up
growth and vigor of Christian charac-
ter. But hope have lost none of my
desire to be true man, and Keep ever
| O6IOI0 me Lu0 Cu0l0CJCA VI SAO AAC0v
Nazarene. 1 hope you will remember
me in your prayers. tg
Your affectionate cousin and friend,
J. A. G..
There were many other letters of a
1 most interesting character, always ten
der, conscientious, and manly. In Oh q
he told of his worry and anxiety over
the salary grab affair, OF his efforts to
promote the right, and his discourage
ment. The occasion is not one for re-
viving this old subject, however,
Again, he inclosed a problem for his
niece to work out. 1t was suggested by
a walk from the Capitol and an effort to
compute by.a system of KS, Y's, and
rs, the rate at which he and certain
street car separated going at given an.
gle apart. The icident showed how he
carried his studies into every depart
ment of life.
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