The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-07
REV. JAMES BOYCE D. D.,
DEPARTS THIS LIFE AFTER EIGHTY ONE
YEARS OF USEFULNESS.

YEARS OF USEFULNESS.
sknOw We not that u Prince and n
Mighty Man has Fallen this Day?"
-ApprOpriate Funeral Services In
the Associate Reformed Presbyte-
rian Church Conducted by the
Rev. VIM. Pressly i'm COmmemora-
ton Of Iim-Speeches by Revs.
Young, Latham, Sloan and Grier.
DR.. Boyce is dead. The noble spirit has
passed over the River"
One of the largest attended funerals that we
have had in years was this one, The remains
arrived on the DOM train last Wednesday
morning the 31st from Charlotte.
He was able to attend only the meetings OF
the different Boards during commencement.
He went to Mecklenburg county, N. G., q few
weeks ago in hope that the change would
brace up his system. He spent several weeks
here with his daughters.
But life's work was done. The summons
friend "come up higher" came TO him last
Monday evening about 10 O'CLOCK at the house
OF his son-in-law, DIR. Hunter.
DR.. Boyce was in many respects remarka-
BILE man. He was nearly Sugars old. He did
not use spectacles. He was man OF firm
convictions and leader in the Associate Re-
formed church and occupied at his death the
high position Of President of the Seminary.
On it's arrival in Due West the bier was plac-
young men to remain there until 4:9o o'clock
when 1t was Inferred.
After burial, the audience re.assembled In
the church and DR.. W. L. Pressly, conducted
the funeral exercises.
He first led in most feeling prayer. He
read three portions of scripture. The 9Oth
Psalm entire, q part OF the 25 chapter Of Gene
sis and part Of the ds c9aBts Of Seness
lowing the bier OF Abner, he said. Know ye
not that prince and mighty man has fal-
len this day in Israel? Now in all candor
think we can adopt this m feeling today: r., sou
whether he be great with men was doubtless
great with God. No man can be truly great
without being good. The highest patent Of
he IN dscnes asReS esus
Who is greatest in the Kingdom Of Heaven
He took o little child land set him In the midst
Of them and said he that humbleth himself as
this little child is greatest In the M Kingdom OF OF
nobility with God.
Learning is proverbially modest. A tiro Of
ten vaunts himself on his learning, But as
he begins to climb the hill of knowledge he
discovers how little he knows. It has been
said of the great and gifted Newton, after
life Of great research. II have only been
gathering pebbles on lifes, shore, the great
ocean lies beyond" Precisely 50 humility
dence Of greatness. Especially does this ap-
ply In the Kingdom Of Heaven. This 1s
emine emily true Of the Christian.
Judged by this standard, he whom we TO-
day follow to the grave was surely no mean
man.
However, this may be whatever difference
attainments-all will agree that both were
alike consecrated to the service Of the Master
all was devoted to the advancement Of his
cause. More than this need not be said-more
Az Ut h1o
The highest eulogium ever pronounced on
one Of our race, was by the Master himself
and was In these e ~, words: she hath ID done 1e
detect these-this willingness and readiness
to serve, and laid them under contribution.
For many years he was stated clerk OF
Synod. For thirty years he was chairman OF
the Faculty Of her Theological Seminary.
For longer period he was chairman of the
Board Of Trustees Of her literary institutions:
From the very beginning he was chairman OF
the Board of Foreign Mission. He was "in
labor more abundant"
But 1t was of him as a member of this con-
gregation that we desira to speak more espe-
cialy. For while he was minister, he was
tion. need not tell you how punctual ne
was at all Of our meetings. You will recall
particularly his kindly sympathy with the
suffering. Few men were more punctual In
testify to this fact. How many prayers by
this ,godly man assembled up from the SICK
|couch?
Wearing the appearance Of austerity, he
had as tender heart as woman. The last
funeral tha took place here was that OF q
woman. This man Of God lamented that he
was unable to see her in her last sickness. AS
he spoke Of 1t tears filled his eyes and utter
ance was choked.
Finally we say he was faithful unto death
died in the harness-he came to his end as a
grain of corn fully ripe unto the harvest.
SPEECH OF PROF. j. N. YOUNG.
At the conclusion of Pressly's intensely in.
teresting eulogy Rev. J. N. Young arose and
said that 1t might be as well for me to say
nothing after what had just been so well said ::
occasion l will add word. The deceased
brother was one with whom have been long
associated. 1t is rare thing for one TO be SO
long spared for usefulness as our friend was
For more than half century he has been O
standard bearer. In all our church meetings
a familiar face was that OF the venerable DR..
Boyce.
In process of time he was called to the high
position OF instructor, faithfully dlscharglng
It is hard to realize that this face shall no
more be seen, or that his influence shall no
more be felt
It is great privilege to be member Of the
church. 1t is greater privilege to be stand
ard bearer in the church. It presents greater
privileges and higher influence. We add
then as has been already said: prince and
something to occupy this position so long
What was the manner in which David serv-
ed God? 1t was establishing and giving peace
to Gods people. 1t was remarkable testi-
mony that having a IIg maintained d good profes.
We may derive lesson of encouragement
from the example of those who have walked
In faith and uprightness
We are often prone to think that death to
the old is natural, but there Is only step be-
tween US all and death. We should ever be
ready for the command: "Enter thou into
may be able 10 say at last: "May I die the
death Of the righteous and may my last end
be like his, This is worthy the highest ef-
fort Of the highest and md 6riGhtest mind. t.,
teresting sight to see an aged father thus
speak of the labors Of an aged and deceased
brother.
SPEECH Of RoBT. LATHAM, D. D.
DIR. Latham q co-professor of the Seminary
now arose to pay o tribute to the memory Of
his life long friend. The speaker said this
was particularly sad occasion to him. He
had been associated with DR.. Boyce q long
time. Until was fifteen years old I never
heard any minister preach but him and
Father Flennakin. He and the latter were
When entered the ministry DIR. Boyce was
clerk Of Synod and continued in this position
Many night have we lain and talked to-
1 have known DR.. Boyce as Presbyterian
pastor, and Theological Professor. have
known him under many circumstances. /
have never known him but to be on the side
of right. Self was lost He labored to build
up the Kingdom of God.
never heard him say anything laudatory
of himself He was intensely humble.
Once he had large powers that was univer-
sally recognized by the church. The Asso-
ciate Reformed church has lost q good friend
and the Church militant may say another
saint has gone to glory"
DR.. Latham spoke with much feeling. His