The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-11-19
Rev. Thomas smyth, D. D.

At an adjourned meeting of Charleston Presby-
terry, held at Cheraw, S. c., DR.. Howe, chairman
of the committee appointed to prepare minute on
the death of our venerable and beloved brother,
the Rev. Thomas Smyth, d. D., reported the fol.
lowing which was unanimously adopted:
This paper was also adopted by the Synod
The Charleston Psssbgtery has been called to
mourn, since its lac sae5 session, the removal OF
our beloved brothSf tSe Rev. Thomas Smyth. D..
D., from this scene of his earthly lab0rs to his
heavenly rest He died in the city Of Charleston
on the 10Th of August, 1873, In the Goth year OF
his age.
Born in Belfast on the l4th of June, 1908, Of
Scotch and English ancestry, and devoted to the
ministry by his pious mother from his birth, be
entered the college in his native city in 1927 and
received its highest hOnors. During the last year
of his studies there, he became united with Christ
as Saviour and called, as he believed, to the
work OF the ministry, he removed to Highburg
College, London, where he pursued the studies
preparatory to that sacred Office with his accus
toned ardor In the fall Of 1880 his parents re-
moved to this country, and he entered the Senior
class at Princeton, where these studies we're COM
pleted. He was ordained the following year by
the Presbytery of Newark, as an evangelist, with
view to missionary work in Florida, and soon at
ter came to Charleston, under the recommends
tions of Drs. Alexander and Miller, as a supply Of
the Second Presbyterian church.
In November, 1882, he became a member Of
Charleston Union Presbytery, but although he was
called to the pastorate Of the Second Church in
April of that year. he held this call under consid
Grafton doubtful of his health, which was never
firm, until December, 1884, on the 18th of which
month his installation took place.
Since this time, during the various fortunes OF
our church and country, through the stormy
scenes of ecclesiastical aud theological debate and
the still severer trials of civil strife, his large and
Christian heart has been true alike to his ancestral
Church and to the land of his adoption.
We do not claim for our departed brother ab
solute perfection. This belongs to no child OF God
in this his militant state. But now all the asperi
ties of discussion and debate are forever over
And with mind of intense activity and an uncOn'
auered will, which bore up his enteebled frame be-
yond the expectation OF all his friends, all will
accord to him large and forgiVing heart, full OF
schemes of Christian benevOlence and activity,
pursued with almost unequalled endurance and en-
ergy till the end of life.
An ardent student himself, he was friend Of
education. of colleges and schools, especially Of
seminaries of sacred learning, whose libraries and
endowments he sought to enlarge.
He was friend of the young student also, anc
especially if he sought the gospel ministry under
manifest call from God.
Had Providence so willed, and he had not suf
fered, in common with others, the impoverish
ments of cruel war, he would have left behind
him, more than. he las been able to do enduring
monuments of his 2sss;n this sacred cause
He would have offered himself as a missionary IL
his early days. had not enieebled health prevented
his personal labors on foreign shores But the
spirit of missions did not forsake him. He was
| their prominent representative tor years by his
voice and pen, both in our Presbytery and Synod
OF the productions of mis- pen We will not speak
but his earlier contemporaries will remember the
inspiring tones in which he was wont In the excite
ment of debate, with wonderful affiuence of die
ton, to give utterance to the thoughts and emo
tons of his soul, the whole man transformed, his
eve full of EXPRESSION his form taller seemingly
than ever before. But those attractive powers
were at length mpeded by sudden disease, which
rendered utterauce imperfect, which at one time
made him even forget the language his mother
taught him, till by practice he regalned 1t, and
his palsied tongue was loosed, and became elo
quent again.
His spirit has left the earthly tabernacle which
confined it, 1t has been uncothed that it might
enter the house not made with hands, and await
the resurrection morning when, with body strong
in power, glorious and spiritual, 1t shall be still
serving and praislng our assembled Lord.
For more than forty years has he gone in and
out before us, for the first half OF this time in the
possession of his corporal powers, for the last half
crippled with disease, but still uncOnquered till he
yielded to the power of death.
Let us remember that our own removal will not
be long delayed. The evening shadows with some
are drawing on. Let US redeem the time in these
days of evil, and, like our departed brother per-
form our work with conscientious vigor while the
daylight lasts. So shall our lives be filed with
deeds of usefulness, and our end be peace.