The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-10-26

SCuVVa, WIN an abDeuQauCe Oh
about q thousand.
It was my privilege to know Mr..
Boyer intimately for several years
during the close of the last GEN.
tury and the beginning Of the 2Oth.
Mr.. Boyer had an unusual
training for his life work as an
educator. He was q Yale graduate
under the administration of Pres
iden Dwight; was prepared for
the ministry; on graduation made
so favorable an impression that he
was Immediately engaged to preach
IN large Brooklyn church.
Here his eloquence and earnest
ness drew new listeners to fill up
the pews and give general assur-
ance Of the young preachers per-
manency In the pulpit. But this
was not to be the case, for after
only q few months of preaching,
with apparent satisfaction to all
concerned, Mr.. Boyer surprised
his congregation by announcing
that he had decided to resign his
pastorate with them and give up
preaching altogether. This course,
he said, caused him all the great
er sorrow because he had become
so strongly attached to them. He
was confident, he said, that
though they would be puzzled at
first at his action, In time they
would understand and approve
what he was doing.
Then, In much distress Of mind,
he went to New Haven to and un-
bosom himself to President
Dwight, who listened sympathet-
ically to his story, and instead Of
giving him the scolding that he
had feared, slapped him on the
back and burst out laughing.
Don't you go and worry your
self sick about this, my dear boy"
said DR.. Dwight. cheerilly, as they
paced the room arm in arm
"What the matter with you is
that your education Is not COM
pleted. You must know your fell
low-men. You must get acquainted
with them, in the town and in the
country. Not as a mere spectator.
but as q comrade in their work
and problems. You must sweat
with them in the bayfield, and
climb the ladder with a hod on
YOUR shoulder and learn how to
manage o bucking broncho. You
need to rough-it for couple Of
years, and Of course come out of
Iat as clean as o hounds tooth.
70 you want me to give you a pres
Icr4ption?"
That's exactly what I do want
answered young Boyer.
"Well then, here's the prescrip-
t:on," responded Or. Dwight"
rlAs you are un-married and are
mot tied down In any way-go back
To New York, pack your valise for
b long absence, inclosing only
your shaving outfit, tooth and hair
brushes, and essential changes Of
clothing, including o couple Of
pairs Of stout shoes Strap your
Ea1n-coat rubbers and umbrella ON
kt1e outside Of your valise and take
along q medium-weight overcoat.
Put two dollars in your pocket, and
with that equipment cross the
Hudson River and go to California
and back without running in debt
be borrowing any money or send
Ing home for any. Earn your way
rs you 60. Seek a variety Of en-
bloyment to bring you In contact
with all kinds and conditions Of
hen.
Perhaps your first Job will be
Is driver or conductor Of horse
bar in Jersey City Don't stay long
b. any one place-only long enough
10 earn the money to carry you
farther on your journey. OF course
lou will do your work faithfully
Ind so conduct yourself that the
hen you contact vii like you-as
|ou will like them.
"But don't allow any strong Xix
hg for person or place to divert
lou from your purpose, and Of all
|hings don't fall in love. Your
business now is with men and
Toys, of course. Their work and
Broblems is your all-absorbing
BUSINESS until you come back here
In your return from California.
Write to me often. When do you
tart?"
"Early tomorrow morning" re-
hied young Boyer. with quick de-
hsion and firm-set jaw. "Ill not
~ to express my feelings toward
lou now, my dear Doctor. I'll do
hat when I meet you next in this
bonn. But I'll try not to dissap-
loint YOU" he said as he clasped
he Doctors hands and hurried
way.
Nearly two years later a pas
knger train with a couple of Pull
hans from the West pulled into
lew Haven one. morning. The first
hssenger to get off the train
kmed to be in high spirits and a
teat hurry He was a husky young
Ian Of about 26 or n, with a
bubble coat Of tan and a broad
Fin on his face, and he carried a
luch-trave valise with a rain
bet and umbrella strapped on the
Inside. Incidentally he was carry
Ia $1,000 In his belt.
IThe traveller proceeded in long
rides till he reached the door Of
resident Dwight's office. where
burst n witt, a whoop and hur-
In and met an enthusiastic re-
i Aption.
"I've been receiving your letters
along and was expecting you
n bout this time" said DR.. Dwight.
i he surveyed young Boyer with
|tisfaction. ''Have you been home
t?"
'No, Sir wanted to report to
IN first"
In the conversation that follow
iii. DR.. Dwight told Mr.. Boyer
1t he wanted to have him devote
4 life to the education and train
E Of boys-especially Of the gram
6r school age. He proposed to
I've him start In the New York
ky public scrools and that he