Fruitful in suffering Boyd, Robert, D.D.—This widely known minister of Christ was born in Girvin, Ayrshire, Scotland, Aug. 24, 1816

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Fruitful in suffering Boyd, Robert, D.D.—This widely known minister of Christ was born in Girvin, Ayrshire, Scotland, Aug. 24, 1816, and died at his home in Waukesha, Wis., Aug. 1, 1879, aged sixty-three years. His parents were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was indebted to them for an early Christian education. Converted at the age of fifteen, impressed almost simultaneously that it was his duty to preach, he began at once to address public assemblies with great acceptance. Ilis attention having been called to the question of baptism, he gave the subject prayerful and un- prejudiced examination, which resulted in his be- coming a Baptist. In 1843, Dr. Boyd came to America, and settled as pastor at Brockville, Canada. Subsequently he served the churches at London and Hamilton, Canada, with great effi- ciency. Owing to failure of health he came in 1854 to Waterville, Wis., and settled on a farm. His health having been restored, he accepted the pas- torate of the Baptist church in Waukesha, and afterwards he took charge of the Edina Place Bap- tist church, Chicago, Ill. In 1863, owing to an attack of paralysis so impairing his health as to unfit him for the duties of his city pastorate, he came again to Waukesha. The same year Shurt- leff College conferred upon him the degree of D.D. Although paralyzed to such an extent that he had to be carried into the pulpit in his chair, and to preach sitting, he proclaimed the good news with great power for four years to the Baptist church in Waukesha. In 1867 he was finally prostrated to such an extent as to be confined thereafter to his house until death summoned him up higher. Although he resigned his pastorate, the church de- clined to accept it. For about twelve years he was helpless on his bed. His intellect, however, re- mained unimpaired, and during these years the best work of his life was accomplished. He em- ployed his time in the production of the books which he left as a precious legacy to the church of Christ. As the result of his labor he prepared for the press “‘ Glad Tidings,” ‘‘ None but Christ,” ‘Grace and Truth,” “‘ The Good Shepherd,” ‘‘ The World’s Hope,” ‘‘Wee Willie,” ‘“‘My Enquiry Meeting,” ‘‘ Lectures to Young Converts,”’ ‘‘ Words of Comfort to the Afflicted,” and an autobiography in manuscript. Dr. Boyd was gifted with a mind of a high order, and every power he possessed was brought into service for Christ. He had a profound reverence for the sacred Scriptures, and he un- folded their themes with a variety and richness of illustration hardly ever surpassed. His delight was to preach the gospel, and he easily found Christ crucified in every theme. The great salva- tion always absorbed his soul, and the atonement was to him the radiating centre of saving knowl- edge. As a pastor he lived in the hearts of his people. In this relation, if more remarkable in one thing than another, it was in the confidence which he inspired. His people gave up their minds and hearts to him without suspicion or reserve, In the midst of great suffering he evinced remark- able fortitude and submission to the will of God. He was a noble specimen of a man and a Chris- tian minister. He has bequeathed to his family and the church of God the memory of a life with- out reproach, devoted to the cause of truth without reserve. From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart Photo from findagrave KJS