Boaz, Thomas, Lld

Boaz, Thomas, LL.D., an English Congregational minister, was born at Scarborough in August, 1806. His parents were members of the Society of Friends; they were of the middle rank in society, and were pious. At the age of fifteen, Mr. Boaz left his home and went to London, where he soon entered upon a gay and frivolous life; but the memories of his early training would often rush upon his soul with an overpowering force, and he was eventually brought to give his life to the service of God. He joined the Church at Mile-end, and in a short time began to preach in the surrounding villages. In 1829 he entered the theological seminary at Newport Pagnel. On leaving, in 1833, he settled for a few months at Elstead; and then, offering his services to the London Missionary Society, he was sent a short time to Hertford, for better preparation, and in June, 1834, was ordained at Manchester as an evangelist to the heathen in India. On his arrival in Calcutta he accepted an invitation to occupy the vacant pulpit in Union Chapel, and after preaching a few Sabbaths he received a unanimous call from the Church and congregation to become their pastor. He returned to England in 1847, chiefly to raise funds for the erection of a Christian college at Bhowanipore, a suburb of Calcutta, which now stands as a monument of his zeal and perseverance. In 1850 he again went to Calcutta, and labored until ill-health compelled his final return to England. He spent the last years of his life travelling as deputy for the London Missionary Society in the country districts of his native land. He died at his home in Brompton, Oct. 13, 1861. Dr. Boaz was noted for liberality and gentleness. He was sole editor and proprietor of the Calcutta Christian Advocate for fourteen years, and for several years one of the editors of the Calcutta Christian Observer. See (Lond.) Cong. Year-book, 1862, p. 223.