The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-03-02
LOCAL MATTERS.

\ DRATH OF 4 DISTINGUISHED D1vINE,-
Rev. William A. Smith, D. D., one of the
\ most distinguished divines of the Metbo-
\ dist Episcopal Church South, died in this
Il o1ty, at the residence of Rev. John G. Gran
oery, pastor of Centenary Methodist Epis-
copal church, on Fdonday night. DR.. Smith
was born in Fredericksburr in Tso2 and
was entirely self-made man. In 1S2S he
became connected with the Virginia Con-
terence as q member, and it was not LONG
before his great ability won him promi.
nenGe. lt was under the force of his
| seacn1ngs that such men as Rev. Dr.. LEROY
NJ M. Lee, hev: Dr. j. 9. Cranberry and Rev.
Mr.. Dihbrell, who died in Norfolk during
tne yellow lever, were converted and took
upon themselves the duties of Gods minis
/! try. y
In the course Of DR.. Smiths labors
i'll the Virginia Conference he be-.
came peeui 4arly distinguished for the
aDillty WIZ which he defended slavery in
the South. His work on the Philosophy
ana frF -ctice of Slavery was pronounced the
most powerful work of the Kind ever pub
iish' d, and created profound sensation at
the. time of its appearance. In the great
0 I'D memorable debate at the separation of
the northern and southern church, in
| 1874, DR.. Smith was the champion of the
South, and welded, perhaps, q more power
full influence than any other man in the en-
tire southern Methodism. He occupied the
position Of president Of Randolph Macon
College, Virginia, for many years, and re-
signed that position in November, 1866, Just
prior to his withdrawal from the Virginia
Conference, which happened at the same
time. Upon his resignation in the Virginia
Conference the following resolution was
unanimously adopted:
Resolrcd, That the Virginia Annual
Conference Eavc learned with profound re-
gret !aat the Rev. Dr.. ". A. Smith
Intends to take transfer to the st. Louis
Conference, and while we appreciate the
motives of duty to the general interests of
1 the Church which have induced him to
! take the step, we cannot allow him to leave
| us after long and able service of thirty
years-both as pastor of our churches and
as president of Randolph Macon College
without expressing our high appreciation
Of his eminent services and an earnest
prayer for his future happiness in his new
home."
| After resigning here, DR.. Smith joined
] the Missouri Conference, where his great
! ability and indomitable energy were soon
felt. lie was appointed pastor Of one of
! the largest churches in St. Louis, and was
| afterwards elected president of Central Col
lcge. His arduous labors in his new field
soon began to tell upon his health, and in
returning to Virginia to seek restoration he
but came to his native soil to give his soul
unto his Good Master, whom he had served
so faithfully.
DR.. Smith was one of the most remark
able men of his day. In wonderful grasp
of thought and cogent reasoning he had
but few srperiors on this continent, and
the great force Of his oratory seldom failed
to carry conviction among his hearers.
Though over threescore years of age the
vigor of his intellect remained unimpaired,
slrlcc was strong and robust.
An intimate friend of the deceased
Writes in the Christian 4dvocate as follows
Concerning the latter days of his life:
1.-The lifelong ministry, the command
ing talents, the laborious zeal, the success
| OF his pastoral labors in winning souls to
Christ, have not only given him fame in
the Church, but secured fer him, in every
period of his public life, its respect, its
confidence, and its love. In the great pub
lie events in the history of American
| Methodism since 1886 no man has occu-
pied higher ground or had wider inhu-
ence than William Andrew Smith. In
1868, alter, by almost superhuman lebors,
| succeeding in raising subscription of
| nearly one hundred thousand dollars for
the endowment of Central College, he
returned to Virginia to recover, among
| its mountain scenery, its medicinal wa
tiers, and the association Of old and lov-
| ing friends, the worn and wasted energies
of his once robust and powerful physical
system. 1t was too late. He had taxed his
| fr:lme and powers to their EXTREMIST point.
! Each friend that greeted his return, and
grasped his hand, and looked on his wan
and weary form, felt he would find grave
! where he sought health and strength and
! life. His presence at our late Conference
| in this city was US the return of father
to family Of sons. All loved him each
| sought to do him honor. And when he
parted with them at its close he and they
| felt it would be until the reiinion in the
presence and before the throne of the
Great Redeemer.
81 The writer, who may call himself DR..
Smiths 'own Son in the Gospel after
| close and loving association of nearly forty
three years, finds relief to the sorrow OF
parting in the last interview. We had been
sitting silent and sad for an hour or more
near his bed. Having to leave, we said
III will see you again in the morning.
The reply was If l am: living. If die
l will leave my dying blessing for you
Then turning his eyes to Bishop Doggett,
standing at our left side, he said, And on
you, Brother Doggett'; and to Rev. j. L.
Edwards, on the right, And on you, Bro
ther Edwards There Father and Son in
Christ parted. One has gone; the other
follows :"
The funeral will take place from the
Centenary church at 3 o'clock this after
noon. Bishop Doggett and other Methodist
clergymen will oficiate, and members of
the Masonic fraternity will also attend.