IN MEMORIAM

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 10, 1903

URIAH SMITH

Born May 2, 1832 Died March 6, 1903

Aged 70 years, 10 months, and 4 days

He sleeps in Jesus,—peaceful rest,— No mortal strife invades his breast; No pain, nor sin, nor woe, nor care Can reach the silent slumberer there. He sleeps in Jesus—soon to rise, When the last trump shall rend the skies; Then burst the fetters of the tomb, To wake in full, immortal bloom. —Annie R. Smith.

On Friday, March 6, on his way to the Review Office, Elder Uriah Smith, the senior editor of this paper, called at the home of Brother H. W. Kellogg, and talked with the family concerning an address which he had just written for the coming General Conference. He also spoke of his own condition of health, and remarked that he felt as though he was a young man. He left this home to continue his walk to the Office, but when in sight of the institution where he had labored for so many years, he was stricken with apoplexy, and fell by the way. Friends hastened to his help, and he was at once taken to his home, where everything possible was done for him, but he did not recover consciousness, and passed away in about two hours.

Appropriate reference was made to the sad stroke at the service on Sabbath morning, and the mourning emblems around the pulpit, and at the entrance to the Office, spoke in eloquent silence of the sorrow which filled many hearts.

The funeral services were held at the Tabernacle on Sunday, March 8, the remains being viewed from 11 A. M. until 2 P. M. by a large number of friends. The present and former employees of the Review Office and other intimate friends accompanied the family from the house to the Tabernacle, and sat as sincere mourners. The large building was filled with a sympathetic audience. The services were conducted by Elders A. G. Daniells, the president of the General Conference, and W. W. Prescott, the managing editor of the REVIEW, and were as follows:—

The choir, consisting of Mrs. Rhoda Dunlap, Mrs. Geo. Thomason, F. E. Belden, and Edwin Barnes, sang:—

“Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon it one like the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. He shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet. They shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of

heaven to the other. Let me die the death of the righteous; let my last end be like his. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”

[The music for this anthem was composed for the occasion by F. E. Belden.]

The following scriptures were then read by W. W. Prescott: 1 Cor. 15: 12-23, 51-57; 1 Thess. 4: 13-18; Rev. 21: 1-5; 22: 1-5, 20.

Elder A. G. Daniells offered prayer, after which the choir sang No. 748 of “Hymns and Tunes:”—

“Shepherd divine, thou leadest me Where the still waters gently flow; In pastures fair thou feedest me; I trust thy love, no want I know. “In danger’s hour thou hidest me, Safe from the foe of thy dear flock; At sultry noon thou guidest me To rest beside the cooling rock. “When chilling dews of evening fall, Then to the fold thou bidst me come; Gladly I hasten at thy call; Sweet is the voice that calls me home.”

A biographical sketch was then read, and remarks were made by A. G. Daniells, as follows:—

Uriah Smith was born in West Wilton, N. H., May 2, 1832. His father was Samuel Smith. His mother’s maiden name was Rebeckah Spalding. Printed records, as far as we are aware, have preserved only a single item of the childhood and youth of Uriah. This record states that when he was from ten to twelve years of age he passed through the great advent movement of 1843-44. Although young, this advent message made an impression upon his heart that was never effaced. That experience marked the beginning of the half-century of efficient, whole-hearted service which he gave to the cause of his Master.

At an early age he entered Exeter Academy, Exeter, N. H., from which he was graduated when about twenty years old. His first work after leaving Exeter was public school teaching. While thus engaged, he attended a conference of advent believers who were searching for the truth that has developed the people now known as Seventh-day Adventists. This conference was held in Washington, N. H., Sept. 10-12, 1852. It was there that he received his first deep convictions regarding the Sabbath truth as set forth in the third angel’s message. After giving this question three months of earnest study, he became fully convinced that the seventh day of the week was the true Sabbath of Jehovah; and in the month of December, 1852, took his stand in obedience to his convictions. During the fifty years that have passed since this decision was made, he has never wavered on this fundamental point of Bible truth.

His first contribution to Seventh-day Adventist literature was a poem entitled “The Warning Voice of Time and Prophecy.” This poem of thirty-five thousand words, presents in striking and pleasing style the teaching of prophecy and the facts of history regarding the closing scenes of human probation. It begins thus with the time of the end:—

“Time of the end: time when the day draws near In which the finger of Almighty God The final period shall place to this World’s history; when the great clock of time, Probationary time, which now has beat, For near six thousand years, earth’s rapid course, Shall toll its final hour, and all merge in The endless cycles of eternity.”

Having traced the outlines of prophecy to the time, and the message of the hour when the poem was written, the author makes this fervent appeal:—

“O sinners! ye who stand before the storm, Heedless, without a shelter, ere it burst In fury down, a place of refuge seek. Heed the third angel’s voice, lest he shall cease His mission soon, ere you obey the call. O haste, while yet our great High Priest remains Within the sanctuary’s holiest place, Shortly to finish there his final work— Haste and repent, that all thy sins may then Be blotted out, nor find remembrance more.”

The following is the finishing touch to this beautiful pen picture:—

“Then lift your voices loud and sing, ye saints! Sing honor, praise, and glory unto God, Who gives us foretaste of the coming joy To cheer our weary way; who grants so great, So precious prize to crown so short a race. Soon in the holy city shall we strike Our golden harps, to glory’s anthems tuned. Earth’s toil will then be done, earth’s care all o’er, Its woes, its griefs, its passions, and its tears, All gone and all forgotten; while we raise, With seraphim and high archangel joined In silver tones, our hallelujahs, loud, Wide o’er the fields of bliss; and heaven shall ring With high hosannas, and sweet notes of joy; While we ascribe glory, and power, and might, All power, all glory, and all majesty, Blessing and honor to our God, and to The Lamb, who hath redeemed us by his blood, To reign with him in glory evermore And share his blessing, ages without end.”

It was while this poem was passing through the ADVENT REVIEW, from March 17 to August 11, that Brother Smith became connected with this paper, entering the employ of the Review and Herald Office, May 3, 1853, at twenty-one years of age. He maintained an unbroken connection with the institution until called by death to lay down his editorial burdens.

In the issue of June 6, 1853, he addressed a letter to the believers of that time, giving his personal experience in receiving the third angel’s message. He said:—

“In regard to the past, I would say, that though quite young, I was in the messages of 1843-44, and have ever believed that they meant something. In all the scattering and dividing which followed the passing of that time, I gave but little attention to the subject till after the Washington, N. H., conference last fall. Since then an examination of the arguments of our position has fully decided me to go with the remnant who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. We now see where we are, and O the beauty and harmony of God’s Word! The more I look into our position, the clearer, more beautiful and harmonious it seems, and not the least the past. We all now see the cause of our disappointment,—why the Lord did not come as we expected,—the work was not accomplished, the picture was incomplete, the sanctuary was yet to be cleansed, and the third messenger to give his warning. . . .

“The work is speedily and resistlessly moving on; the last link in the chain, the third angel’s message, is being fast developed—the third and last step is being taken to warn the world of its condition, and the harvest is fast ripening for the sickle of Almighty God. I rejoice that at this critical time, when the arch-enemy of mankind is abroad in the field with all his forces, to blind and deceive the nations, and making his last, desperate effort to hold them in error till the unchangeable sentence is passed, ‘He that is filthy let him be filthy still,’ I was brought to see the glorious light of truth, and to turn away from polluting the Sabbath of the Lord, which a corrupt church and a wicked world are trampling under foot.”

With this personal introduction to the readers of the REVIEW, his pen began an active, steady work that ceased not until suddenly stricken from his fingers by the cruel hand of death.

Elder Smith came to Battle Creek to reside in December of 1855, when the printing office was removed to this place from Rochester, N. Y. The first number of the ADVENT REVIEW that was printed in Battle Creek bears date of Dec. 4, 1855, and for the first time his name appeared as its editor. In a personal reference to this appointment, he said:—

“I do not enter upon this position for ease, comfort, or worldly profit; for I have seen by my connection with the REVIEW thus far, that neither of these is to be found here. But there are burdens to be borne, there are sacrifices to be made, and it becomes us each in the light of present truth, willingly and cheerfully to do what we can in the cause of God.”

Who can tell the value of the forty-seven years of earnest, devoted labor he has bestowed upon this paper? In the early days of the message he stood with James White, J. N. Andrews, and J. H. Waggoner in the diligent, thorough, critical study of Bible doctrines required to place this message fairly, intelligently, and convincingly before the world. For fifty years he communicated to his fellow men, through the columns of the REVIEW, the light and blessing that came to him day by day from the great Teacher.

While serving as editor of the REVIEW, he bore many other burdens in the cause. For many years he was a member of the General Conference Committee, and secretary of the General Conference. His old friends and associates in the church of Battle Creek tell with pleasure of the Bible class he taught so many years, and of his cheering presence at the weekly prayer-meeting, no matter how few were present.

When Battle Creek College was established, he was chosen Bible instructor, which position he held for many years.

But the service that has undoubtedly rendered the greatest benefit to the world is that bestowed upon his books. The most prominent of these are “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” “Marvel of Nations,” “The Sanctuary and Its Cleansing,” and “The Nature and Destiny of Man,” which have attained a total sale, in various languages, of over half a million copies.

June 7, 1857, Elder Smith was united in marriage with Miss Harriet N. Stevens, of Iowa, formerly of Paris, Me. To them were born one daughter and four sons, all of whom are living. The daughter, Mrs. Geo. W. Bovee, resides at Joppa, near Battle Creek. The eldest son, Dr. U. W. Smith, and the youngest, Charles, still remain under the pleasant parental roof while pursuing their professional duties in this city. Leon A. Smith, the second son, is one of the editors of the REVIEW AND HERALD. S. Parker Smith is conducting one of our mission schools on the Island of St. Andrews, Caribbean Sea. Two brothers, Samuel and John, of New Hampshire, are still living.

Brother Smith was elected a delegate to the General Conference which convenes in a few days in Oakland, Cal. He did not consider that his condition of health would justify his attendance; but feeling a deep interest in the work of the conference, and wishing to add his personal testimony, he wrote an appeal, the last paragraph of which is as follows:—

“I take courage from the promises given us from the Lord in Christ Jesus. The language of the apostle Paul, in 1 Cor. 1: 30, is upon my mind especially: ‘But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.’ Forgetting those things which are behind, I am seeking that process the first step in which is said to be ‘wisdom,’ and the last in which is ‘redemption.’ Securing this, we shall find ourselves at last ‘complete in him.’ Col. 2: 10. I am with you in the endeavor to send forth in this generation this gospel of the kingdom, for a witness to all nations. And when this is completed, it will be the signal for the coronation of our coming King. Dan. 12: 1. “Yours in the blessed hope, “URIAH SMITH.”

Evidently these are the last words from his pen. He was on his way to the General Conference office to deliver this appeal when stricken by apoplexy, which caused his death.

Thoughtful regard for the modesty of our brother, if nothing else, would deter us from saying, on a public occasion, all that we so deeply feel, and would love to say concerning the life and work of this devoted laborer. Blessed by his Creator with a large degree of reverence for the divine, he held firmly and without wavering through a long career to the Word and work of God. He reasoned calmly and logically, and always took his stand courageously in harmony with sincere and well-matured convictions. All his utterances, both by voice and pen, were clear, forceful, and pleasing; but the most beautiful and most prominent feature of his life was that tenderness, that gentleness, which was ever intermingled with his work. His gentleness made him great; and his large-hearted benevolence, Christian courtesy, and kindness enabled him to feel the needs of his fellow men; and under the blessing of God he did his best to minister to those needs. His voice and pen have carried comfort and consolation to many hearts, and have won for him a world-wide affection.

Time will not permit me to say much in addition to what I have presented as a sketch of this noble life. Were I to say more, I would dwell upon the closing words of his life: “I am with you in the endeavor to send forth in this generation this gospel of the kingdom, for a witness to all nations. And when this is completed, it will be the signal for the coronation of our coming King.” That is the theme above all themes that should engage our attention as a body of Christian workers. God would not have us lengthen our stay in this world. In 1844, when our brother began his work for the Master, the time had come, and the message had been revealed, for the closing up of the work of God, and for the end of human history. If the church had done its full duty, had lived up to its light, had shown that zeal and earnestness in the Master’s work that was its duty, the message God gave at that time would before this have been given to all the world, the earth would have been lightened with the glory of God, and our Redeemer would have come.

Now the thing for us to do to-day is to make a new and unreserved consecration of our lives, of all the powers of our being, to the work that has fallen from the hands of this noble worker. If he could speak, if he could leave a farewell exhortation to this congregation, it would be to do this; he would exhort us all to arise and earnestly take hold of the work of God and finish it. That is the work that devolves upon us to-day.

With this work before us, and with the great event which is so soon to take place, we can not sorrow as, perhaps, we otherwise would on this occasion. From the light that streams from heaven into the tomb, we receive blessed assurance of another life that is to come. With this our hearts are filled with glad hope, even in the presence of a great sorrow. With this light shining in our hearts, we find comfort, and we can take up the duties and responsibilities of life, and press forward with glad hearts. I am so glad that there is a healing balm in Jesus Christ. There is a blessed gospel that can do this work in the hearts of men. So to-day we sorrow not as those who have no hope.

I need not say that this great congregation would, if possible, express to this bereaved family its sincere, heartfelt sympathy. We realize, as do the members of this family, the greatness of this calamity, and we, by our presence here, express to them our sympathy, and our desire to weep with them as they weep, and also to rejoice with them as they rejoice in the comfort and in the hope that God has given them. And we all most sincerely pray that Israel’s God shall be with those who still live; that his Spirit will lead them day by day, and at every parting of the way keep them from making mistakes that will deprive them of at last meeting their God and their loved one with joy, and forming an unbroken circle in the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Perhaps I ought to read in this connection the following resolutions passed by the members of the Review and Herald Board who are at present in the city:—

Whereas, In the providence of God our beloved brother, Elder Uriah Smith, who has from the incorporation of the Association been an esteemed member of this Board, and for nearly half a century editor of the REVIEW AND HERALD, has suddenly been removed by death from his place and work among us; therefore,— Resolved, That we recognize the loving-kindness of our God through whose sparing mercy there was granted to our brother a well-rounded life of threescore and ten years, the whole strength of which was devoted to the advancement of the kingdom of God in the earth, and the proclamation of the coming of our blessed Lord. Resolved, That we hereby express our high estimate of the Christian character and faithful labors of Brother Smith, and our deep sense of the personal loss which we have sustained in his death. Resolved, That we extend to the family of our deceased brother our sympathy in this bereavement, with the prayer that the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” will sustain them in their affliction. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon our records; and that a copy of them be transmitted to the bereaved family.

The choir then sang No. 920 of “Hymns and Tunes,” to the tune of No. 914:— “He sleeps in Jesus,—peaceful rest,— No mortal strife invades his breast; No pain, nor sin, nor woe, nor care, Can reach the silent slumberer there. “He sleeps in Jesus,—soon to rise, When the last trump shall rend the skies; Then burst the fetters of the tomb, To wake in full, immortal bloom. “He sleeps in Jesus—cease thy grief; Let this afford thee sweet relief— That, freed from death’s triumphant reign, In heaven he will live again.”

The following remarks were then made by W. W. Prescott:—

The light which shines from the cross of Jesus Christ pierces the darkness of the tomb, and reveals a glory beyond. The voice that was heard so clearly from Calvary’s cross, which said, “It is finished,” and thus assured our redemption, is the voice that with living power will call forth the sleeping saints in the day when the Son of man is revealed. The Christian warrior who lays aside his armor at the close of the conflict can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for

me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.”

The divine Comforter himself furnishes the only real balm for sorrow, in the words which he has given us: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” And this hope is the blessed hope,—the hope of reunion,—the hope of being with the Lord,—and we are not left to doubt the certainty of this blessed hope in the case of our beloved brother; and I can not better express his hope and the hope of the church than by reading the following beautiful statements in his own words:—

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all. Amen.” Rev. 22: 20, 21.

The Word of God is given to instruct us in reference to the plan of salvation. The second coming of Christ is to be the climax and completion of that great scheme. It is most appropriate, therefore, that the book should close with the solemn announcement, “Surely I come quickly.” Be it ours to join with fervent hearts in the response of the apostle. “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Thus closes the volume of inspiration,—closes with that which constitutes the best of all promises, and the substance of the Christian’s hope—the return of Christ.

Then shall the elect be gathered, and bid a long farewell to all the ills of this mortal life. How rich in all that is precious to the Christian is this promise! Wandering an exile in this evil world, separated from the few of like precious faith, he longs for the companionship of the righteous, the communion of saints. Here he shall obtain it; for all the good shall be gathered, not from one land only, but from all lands; not from one age only, but from ages,—the great harvest of all the good, coming up in long and glorious procession, while angels shout the harvest home, and the timbrels of heaven sound forth in joyous concert; and a song before unheard, unknown, in the universe, the song of the redeemed, shall add its marvelous notes of rapture and melody to the universal jubilee. So shall the saints be gathered, to be joyful in one another’s presence forever and ever,— “While the glory of God, like a molten sea, Bathes the immortal company.”

This gathering has nothing in it but that which is desirable. The saints can but sigh and pray for it. Like Job, they cry out for the presence of God. Like David, they can not be satisfied till they awake in his likeness. In this mortal condition we “groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon.” We can but be “upon tiptoe” for “the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body.” Our eyes are open for its visions, our ears are waiting to catch the sounds of the heavenly music, and our hearts are beating in anticipation of its infinite joy. Our appetites are growing sharp for the marriage supper. We cry out for the living God, and long to come into his presence. COME, LORD JESUS, COME QUICKLY. No news more welcome than the announcement that the command has gone forth from the Lord to his angels, Gather together unto me my elect from the four winds of heaven.

I see there a land which stands in a wonderful contrast to this. As the hymn says— “O, how unlike the present world Will be the one to come!”

I see fields smiling in living green, trees majestic in their wealth of verdure, flowers dazzling with their rainbow hues, and on neither field nor tree nor flower do I see the touch of frost, or the pale hand of decay. I see no footprints of the curse, no scars of sin; no pestilence walking in darkness, nor destruction wasting at noonday. I see no forms distorted with pain, nor brows furrowed with anxiety and care. I see no mournful shafts telling where weary forms and sad and broken hearts have gone down into dust and darkness. I see no painful messages passing over that land, telling that a friend, a brother, a fellow laborer, has fallen beneath the cruel stroke of a relentless foe. I see no darkened room where the tide of a precious life is ebbing slowly away. I see no bosoms heaving with anguish, no badges of mourning, no funeral trains, no yawning, insatiate grave. But on the other hand, I see a glorious company who bear bright palms of victory over death and the grave.

I see every eye sparkling with the fullness of the joy that reigns within. I see on every cheek the bloom of eternal youth and everlasting health. I see every limb lithe and strong. I see the lame man leaping as an hart. I see the blind gazing with rapture on the celestial glory. I see the deaf listening enchanted to the heavenly melody. I see the dumb joining with loud voice in the anthems of praise. I see the mother clasping to her bosom the children she had lost awhile in the land of the enemy, but now recovered forever. I see long-parted friends meet in eternal reunion. I see a river so pure and clear, so charged with every element of refreshment and life, that it is called “the river of life.” I see a tree overarching all, so healing in its leaves, so vivifying in its fruits, that it is called “the tree of life.” I see a great white throne in whose effulgence there is no need of moon or sun to give us light. I hear a voice saying to that victorious company, This is your rest forever, and you shall no more be acquainted with grief; for there shall be no more pain or death, and sorrow and mourning have forever fled away. And in all the universe I then see no trace of sin or suffering, but I hear from every world and from every creature a joyous anthem, like the sound of many waters, going up to God; and they say, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”

The place of gathering has nothing but attraction. Jesus, the fairest among ten thousand, is there. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Noah, Job, and Daniel, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, the perfection of heavenly society, will be there. Visions of beauty are there; flowers that never fade, streams that never dry, products in a variety that never ends, fruits that never decay, crowns that never dim, harps that know no discord, and all else of which a taste purified from sin and raised to the plane of immortality, can form any conception or think desirable, will be there.

We must bask in the forgiving smiles of God, to whom we have become reconciled, and sin no more; we must have access to that exhaustless fount of vitality, the fruit of the tree of life, and never die; we must repose under the shade of its leaves, which are for the service of the nations, and never again grow weary; we must drink from the life-giving fountain, and thirst nevermore; we must bathe in its silvery spray, and be refreshed; we must walk on its golden sands, and feel that we are no longer exiles; we must exchange the cross for the crown, and feel that the days of our humiliation are ended; we must lay down the staff and take the palm branch, and feel that the journey is done; we must put off the rent garments of our warfare, for the white robes of triumph, and feel that the conflict is ended and the victory gained; we must exchange the toil-worn, dusty girdle of our pilgrimage, for the glorious vesture of immortality, and feel that sin and the curse can never more pollute us. O day of rest and triumph and every good, delay not thy dawning! Let the angels at once be sent to gather the elect. Let the promise be fulfilled which bears in its train these matchless glories. “EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS.”

This was the blessed hope which sustained our brother during a long life of earnest service, a life devoted to the proclamation of this very hope. Let this hope be our comfort to-day. The time is short when all this will be realized, and there will be that glorious reunion of which he himself so beautifully wrote. In the meantime, in the days that remain, let our trust and our hope be in God. God’s providence is over all. God is able to comfort those who mourn. God is able to sustain and to keep.

“God liveth ever! Wherefore, Soul, despair thou never! Our God is good; in every place His love is known, his help is found; His mighty arm and tender grace Bring good from ills that hem us round. Easier than we think can he Turn to joy our agony. Soul, remember, ’mid thy pains, God o’er all forever reigns. “God liveth ever! Wherefore, Soul, despair thou never! Say, shall he slumber, shall he sleep, Who gave the eye its power to see? Shall he not hear his children weep, Who made the ear so wondrously? God is God; he sees and hears All their troubles, all their tears. Soul, forget not, ’mid thy pains, God o’er all forever reigns. “God liveth ever! Wherefore, Soul, despair thou never! Scarce canst thou bear thy cross? Then fly To him where only rest is sweet; Thy God is great, his mercy nigh, His strength upholds the tottering feet. Trust him, for his grace is sure; Ever doth his truth endure; Soul, forget not, in thy pains, God o’er all forever reigns.”

“God liveth ever! Wherefore, Soul, despair thou never! Those whom the thoughtless world forsakes, Who stand bewildered with their woe, God gently to his bosom takes, And bids them all his fullness know. In thy sorrow’s swelling flood, Own his hand who seeks thy good. Soul, forget not, in thy pains, God o’er all forever reigns. “God liveth ever! Wherefore, Soul, despair thou never! What though thou tread, with bleeding feet, A thorny path of grief and gloom? Thy God will choose the way most meet To lead thee heavenwards, lead thee home; For this life’s long night of sadness He will give thee peace and gladness. Soul, forget not, in thy pains, God o’er all forever reigns.”

A large number of friends accompanied the family to the cemetery, where the services were concluded with reading brief selections of Scripture, a short prayer, and the benediction.