154 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



Hoxie's school until he was fourteea years old, and was a 

 diligent student, high in scholarship and prominent in dec- 

 lamation whenever the school had public exercises. Mr. 

 Hoxie continued his interest in him after he left school, 

 and was a firm friend through life. In 1825, he entered 

 a wholesale drug store in New York city to learn the busi- 

 ness ; he remained four years, continuing his studies in the 

 evenings. 



Mr. Banvard was brought up strictly in the faith and 

 practice of the Moravian church of which his parents were 

 devoted members. 



In the winter of 1826-7, he was in the habit of attend- 

 ing the services of the South Baptist church. Dr. Sommers 

 pastor, on Sunday evenings. He enjoyed the preaching 

 very much and in the spring of 1827 was confirmed and 

 joined the United Brethren congregation. 



Before he thought of devoting himself to the ministry, 

 he made missionary trips to the village up the North River, 

 by invitation preaching in school houses and dwellings. 

 He entered South Reading Academy* July 6, 1830, thence 

 to the Newton Theological School, graduating in 1835. He 

 had more invitations to preach during his years of study than 

 he could accept. His methodical habits enabled him to 

 keep one day ahead in his lessons so that he was never 

 hurried and he finished his course at Newton in better 

 health than when he entered. 



On the 26th of August, 1835, he was ordained pastor of 

 the Second Baptist church in Salem, and began his minis- 



*In 1829, the South Reading Academy was incorporated, and established under 

 the auspiees of the Baptist denomination, and was intended as an introductory 

 school to tlie Theological Seminary at Newton, althougli open to all others. The 

 Bchool for several years was flourishing and maintained a high standard of instruc- 

 tion in English and classical learning. But at length the theological students were 

 withheld and the corporation being without funds, it was judged best to discon- 

 tinue the school. 



