While in Louisville this week for a class on “Baptist Theologians in Historical Perspective” (see below), I had the opportunity to visit (along with Dr. Haykin and a student named David) a few historic gravesites at the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. In the picture above I am standing between the markers for the graves of the first two Presidents of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: James P. Boyce and John A. Broadus (who were both founding faculty members of Southern). Also buried in this historic plot is Basil Manly, Jr. (another founder of Southern), A.T. Robertson (son-in-law of Broadus and Greek scholar extraodinaire) and John Sampey. It was a treat to see the markers where the last remains of these historic figures lie while studying their tremendous achievements during the week. Below are some close-up pictures of the Boyce marker and its inscriptions. I will share more pictures of the other markers in a subsequent post. Special thanks to my good friend Tim Harrelson who took all of the pictures on his digital camera! You may click on any of the images to enlarge them.
Boyce Monument
Boyce Monument
Front of Boyce Monument
It reads:
JAMES P. BOYCE.
BORN CHARLESTON, S.C.
JAN.11.1827:
DIED PAU.FRANCE.
DEC.28.1888
IN THEE O LORD.
DO I PUT MY TRUST.
Back of Boyce Monument
It reads:
FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE
SOUTHERN BAPTIST
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
TO HIM, UNDER GOD,
THE SEMINARY OWES
ITS EXISTENCE.
These as well as many others have achieved the great success for which we all should long: To go to our graves having been faithful to our calling, and to be remembered, not for our wealth or status, but for our service to our God and His Church.
Well said!