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James Pettigru Boyce D. D., LL.D., Professor of Systematic Theology, Church Government, and Pastoral Duties in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and chairman of its faculty, was born of Scotch-Irish parents at Charleston, S.C., Jan. 11, 1827. After spending two years at Charleston College, he entered Brown University, where he graduated in 1847. He was baptized by
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Rev. Richard Fuller, D.D., and united with the First Baptist church at Charleston in 1840. He was licensed to preach in 1847, and for six months of the following year he edited the Southern Baptist. In 1849 he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, where he remained two years. In 1851 he was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Columbia, S.C., where he preached until 1855, when he accepted a professorship of Theology in Furman University. His inaugural address was delivered during the succeeding commencement, in July, 1856. Its subject was, "Three Changes in Theological Education." The address did much in strengthening the cause of theological education in the South, leading many to favor it who had hitherto opposed it, and laying the foundation of the peculiar system of teaching afterwards adopted in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1858 and 1859, Dr. Boyce was elected professor in this institution, with the privilege of selecting his chair, and was also made chairman of its faculty. To these offices have since been added those of treasurer and general agent, which positions he still holds.
He was elected to a seat in the South Carolina Legislature in 1862, and re-elected in 1864. He took a prominent part in the business of that body. Two of his speeches, advocating the indorsement of a definite amount of Confederate bonds by the State, were published. He also published a pamphlet on that subject.
His principal publications are, "A Brief Catechism on Bible Doctrines;" "The Doctrine and Uses of the Sanctuary," a sermon at the dedication of Columbia Baptist Church; "Death and Life the Christian's Portion," occasioned by the death of Rev. B. Manly, Sr., D.D.; and "The Suffering Christ," published in the Baptist Quarterly of October, 1870. He has a great intellect, tireless energy, and extraordinary executive ability. and to him, more than to all others, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary owes its existence. His private library comprises over 13,000 volumes. =========== [From William Cathcart, editor, The Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881; rpt. 1988. -- Formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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