National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-30
The Late Rev. X. Goodrieh smith.

huOtHtT VI our Wbll-kuOWu anu ttti-
zens has quietly passed away during the present
week. Mr.. Smith was 10 early life an earnest
and successful preacher aud pastor. Ga the
failure OF his health, and by the advice OF physi-
clans, he reluctantly abandoned the. pulpit and
directed his nuo talents 70 literary pursuits.
lie was for several years editor and principal
manager OF the Christian Spectator, q quarterly
publication at New Haven, of commanding In
nuencs In the Presbyterian and Congregational
churches.
On the more perfect organization OF the Pat
ent Once, nearly thirty years ago, no accepted
position 10 this city, under the wise and ener-
getic superintendent OF Hon. Mr.. Ellsworth, OF
Connecticut. Here as chief clerk and librarian,
Mr.. Smith accomplished q very great work In
those early days In the formation OF the i'm
portant Patent once library, aud In the prepara-
tion OF those reports which have boon so widely
scattered over the land, and which have i'm
parted to the people such vast amount Of In
formation.
While attending most faithfully TO the duties
In this Department, spending 81 cerRin seasons
| Of the year sixteen hours day In Ms prepare
ton Of these reports, he has always been .
great student In his own modeAt home. lie was
not only familiar with the Greek and Hebrew
and Latin languages, but read the German and
French with the same facility as his own native
English. His home was literally nllsd with the
most rare and valuable books In all these differ
ent languages. His parior and dining room,
| and entries and sleeping chambers were
| lined with shelves, aAd crowded with these
| nch volumes. His own study was 70 sigr.
to see." There he sat till the small
| hours OF the night, In the midst OF his
choicest literary treasures, and ever en-
riching his own understanding. The books Gov.
. h. Of Al. att nd In n m
were piled up on the moor and on tables till there
| was scarcely space enough left for his writing
| table and his lounge; and yet when friend
visited him, a. the writer often did TO seek rare
| book, or ask some Information on some subject
| OF Investigation, Mr.. Smith would put his hand
Immediately on the volume asked for, and from
his well nlled mind pour out his wisdom most
modestly and freely.
He was entirely familiar with the great scien-
tinc questions OF the day, especially with those
connected with tive Blble-its credlbility, and Id
| true Interpretation. He was In constant CORE.
| spoplence with the great publishing houses In
| London, Berlin and Paris, and for many year,
past has been receiving their books relating Ia
this subject. He had thus accumulated about
1900 volumes Of the rarest and most valuable
works, probably one Of the best, II not the largest
private libraries In the city Of Washington.
Some years since he parted with large num-
Der Of his books for the benent OF Howard Uni
versity. BY his will he has donated $500 volumes
TO the Theological Seminary connected with
/ Yale College. II has been one OF the strongest
desires Of hiS heart for many years that young
men preparing 10 preach the Gospel should have
access TO all the literature proving the insplra-
/ ton and illustrating the meaning Of the Scrip
lures. A he was physically unable to do the
work Of q preacher, he determined TO do what
/ he could to aid others to perform the work well
lie had already transported to New Haven O
| large portion OF his gift, and II was with great
| satisfaction that he made all the necessary
arrangements for the sending OF the remainder
| Immediately after his decease.
We should do but little justice to the real char
ter OF Mr.. Smith II we failed to say that he was
an humble and devoted Christian OF the most
thorough evangelical school, loving all denoml-
nations who believed In the divinity OF Christ
| and the fun expiatlon OF the sins OF the world
| by His blood, and laboring necessarily to do
| good TO all.
Many OF our citizens will remember him a. he
| appeared In the Union prayer-meetings, which
were established In 1888, and were held daily In
the different churches, Presbyterian, Baptist,
| Methodist, Lutheran and Episcopal, until the
year 1869. During the eleven years Mr.. Smith
was present every day. For the last year or two
they have been attended by very few personS,
the late Ulysses Ward and few others joiblng
Mr.. Smith In their daily intercessions, Finally