Personal Recollections
By G. W. Amadon
It has been the Christian privilege of the writer to be personally acquainted with Brother Uriah Smith since the early autumn of 1853. For nearly half a century this relationship has been very intimate, while both were connected with our denominational publishing work. And while thus associated, many are the pleasant personal experiences which can be recalled. From 1853 to the present, as is well known, Elder Smith has served most efficiently as editor of the REVIEW AND HERALD. And from his pen came luminous expositions of divine truth, and words of faith and good cheer for believers in the closing work of the gospel. Upon him also more than others devolved the perplexing task of meeting and answering the knotty objections of those not friendly to the third angel's message. But it was Brother Smith's genial social nature which so especially endeared him to those with whom he came in contact. In the Review Office, in the church, and in social circles, it was always pleasant to be associated with this dear brother. Being naturally of a buoyant and social turn, he made friends everywhere, whether at home, in the church, or abroad in the field. In former years, in the days of his physical strength, when it was known that Elder Smith was to fill the desk, the people with one consent flocked to the meeting. And his pleasant voice, though not strong and sonorous, was always heard with great distinctness in the largest assemblies. And it has been a cause of no little grief that of late our beloved brother has felt to excuse himself altogether from pulpit labor. But the sequel proves that he knew best. In former years Brother Smith was prominently connected with the Sabbath-school work in his home church. For a very long time he served either as teacher in the Bible class or as superintendent. It was here in the Sabbath-school that those ideas were first brought out which later appeared in the well-known volume, “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.” For years also he conducted the singing in the Sabbath-school, as well as in the meetings of the church. But his personal labor is over. He fell at his post, with the armor on, while prosecuting his accustomed duties. Of his work it may be truly said, He has fought the good fight, he has finished his course, he has kept the faith. How the dear people of God, at home and abroad, will miss those inspiring articles that came from the pen of Elder Uriah Smith! And to use the words of another, it may also be added, “Could all those who have been convicted, comforted, and converted through his instrumentality be brought into one body, there is no question but that they would constitute an assembly of no small magnitude.” Such is the fruit of a consecrated life. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit.” But let us ever remember that those who die in the Lord are only such as have lived in the Lord.