Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-11-12

Rev. j. M. Garrison ndQ IouHQ Ill LII.
Boyce one who was wonderfully near
to God in his inner life. While DR..
Ross could tear up the Scriptures by
analysis and lay them clear before the
eye, DR.. Boyce seemed to make them
clear by turning on a flood Of light.
It was equal to sermon Of exposition
to hear him read the Scriptures. And
how he could pray!
Rev. A. T. Lindsay, pastor Of Pis-
gah, spoke often with this departed
Prince in Israel. He often said, "I am
just waiting"
Rev. J. w. Carson said: II can truly
say that DR.. Boyce was my spiritual
father. He baptized me, he received
me into the church, and he was'my be-
loved spiritual counsellor.
Rev. A. G. Kirkpatrick loved the
companionship Of DR.. Boyce and sought
it. I never talked with him without
getting something from it.
DR.. E. P. McClintock, Of Newberry,
S. c., led in fervent prayer. The 9th
Psalm, a favorite with the deceased,
was sung, and then followed the last
look at the calm kind face in the cas-
ket.
DIR. Boyce greatly loved his brethren
in the ministry and was greatly loved
by them in return. Though Rev. c. B.
Belts was the oldest minister of the
synod present at the funeral, the old
est now in the, synod Is Rev. I. G.
Mclaughlin, of Query's who is per-
haps a year older than DR.. Boyce. He
and DR.. Boyce had made loving COW
enant years ago that the one who
should outlive the other would conduct
the funeral of his departed brother.
Though Mr.. Mclaughlin was notified,
he perhaps failed to get the sad mes
sage in time or was unable to come.
In the cemetery the body was laid
to rest, and over the grave banks OF
roses and sweet flowers were laid by
loving hands. After. the benediction
by DR.. Galloway, the people turned
sorrowfully away.
Ebenezer Erskine Boyce was born at
Sardis, in Mecklenburg county, Decem-
ber IL, 1920, son Of Samuel Boyce and
a grandson Of James Boyce, who came
from North Ireland to Pennsylvania
thence to North Carolina.
He was educated at Providence Acad-
emy near his home and at Jefferson
College, Cannonsburg, Pa, where he
graduated in 1874. He rode horseback
to this school, sold the animal, COM
pleted his course in two years and
rode horseback home again.
He was licensed to preach in 1S47. A
part Of his early ministerial life was
spent in missionary work in what was
then called the west-Kentucky and
Tennessee. He made this trip also on
horseback.
In 1s49, he became pastor Of Bethany
and Old Pisgah. In 1850, he married
Miss Margaret Simonton, Of Fairfield
county, S. c., who, with her infant,
was buried a year later.
On May II, 1854, he married Miss
Rachel McElwee. Of York county. who
survives him. To them were born
eight children, Of whom the living have
been named above. Two sons died at
Bethany under six years Of age, and
beloved daughter, Mrs. Maggie Bernau,
lies buried beside her father In the
cemetery.
In 1885 the degree Of Doctor Of Di-
vinity was conferred by his alma
mater Jefferson college (now Jefferson
and Washington college), and also by
Erskine college. About this time the
Cleveland branch Of Pisgah built Nebo
church, which so greatly widened his
field that he asked that his work be
reduced. Nebo was dropped from his
pastorate. Afterwards Nebo divided
into Bethel and Kings Mountain pas
torates.
The "Boyce farm" few miles south
of Gastonia, where DR.. Boyce lived so
many years, is we'll known. 1t was
sold few years ago, and is now owned
by Messrs. Alex Crawford and ]. F..
Pursley. To gain better school facil-
tiles, DR.. Boyce moved to Kings Noun
tain. Later he moved to Gastonia,
where his remaining years were
spent.
In December 1893 he retired from his
pastorate, by reason Of the weight of
years. In January 1894 his work was
taken up by the present pastor, DR..
]. C. Galloway.
The field in which DR.. Boyce be-
gan his pastoral work in 1S49 now en-
braces four pastorates, and the two
churches Of Bethany and Pisgah have
grown into eight: Kings Mountain,
Bethel, Bessemer, Crowder's Creek,
Gastonia and Glover, and their, moth
er churches Bethany and Pisgah.
IL