Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-08
HONOR AGED MINISTER,
WHO IS CRITICALLY ILL,
WITH DOCTORS DEGREE
The Rev. Samuel Herbert Boyer
Receives Recognition He Long
Had Sought From Kenyon
College
WITH ONE PARISH LONG

The Rev Samuel Herbert Boyer is crit
icaly Ill at his home, t729 South Broad
street. He is in his s0th year. and It is
feared that he cannot recover. Mr.. Boyer
was n close friend of the late Bishop
Whitaker and for 10 years was rector of
the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit,
llth street and Snyder avenue. II was
because of his enthusiasm and persistent
work that this church was built
Mr.. Boyer's father was Judge Samuel
Boyer of Elmira, N. Y. The son went to
Kenyon College. Gambler. o., where he
was graduated in June, 1865. At meet
ing of the trustees last year il was de-
Cided TO confer upon Mr.. Boyer the de-
gree of doctor of divinity, and this honor
he was to have received next June, on
the 50th anniversary of his graduation.
When 1t was learned at the college that
Mr.. Boyer was seriously i'll, II was decided
to confer this token of the esteem of his
alma mater upon him at once. Mr., Boyer
has previously received the degree of
master of arts, and throughout his life he
was anxious to receive n doctors degree
from Kenyon
He was ordained n priest in the Epls-
copal Church by Bishop McIlvalne at
Columbus. o. His early charges we're
Christ Church, Xenia, o.; Christ Church.
Glendale, o., and St James Church,
Pttston, Pa. He came to st. Paul's
Church, Sd and Walnut streets, this city,
In 1873. He was there seven years
lie was for time at st. Peters, Della
ware o., but soon returned to this city
to take UP the task, with Bishop Whit
aker. of pressing to completion the plans
for and the building of the Church OF
the Holy Spirit lie retired several years
ago.
Mr.. Boyer is known throughout South
Philadelphia. During his active service
he was indefatigable In serving his peo-
pie. He was willing to go out at all
hours of the night, even in his old age,
to sit at the bedsides of sick persons.
He was very close to the confidence of
the inhabitants of that district known
as the Neck in the extreme southwest
ern part OF the city, on this side of the
Schuylkill, and 1t was through his per-
suasions that many of them went to
church.
Many stories of his zeal are told in that
neighborhod. Only few years ago.
shortly before his retirement. the mounted
policeman on duty in desolate part of
the "Neck' one stormy winter night met
the Rev. Mr.. Boyer trudging along on the
muddy road to visit n sick parlshioner. He
had been sent for after midnight, and he
insisted ION going out.
The policeman. who knew him well,
implored him not to go further at that
time of night into district that had been
at that time the scene of II number of
crimes, and being unable to convince the
aged clergyman of the danger, he at last
took 1t upon himself to compel him to turn
back and go home. The incident is typ
ical of the devotion which many people
feel for Mr.. Boyer in the southern part of
the city.
Mr.. and Mrs. Boyer have two sons, the
Rev. Francis b. Boyer. rector of the
Church of the Saviour. Boston, and
Herbert Morton Boyer. an attorney, and
a daughter Mrs Charlotte Il. Luther.