The New York herald., 1879-11-08
OBITUARY..
MATTHEW HALE SMITH.

Rev. Matthew Hale Smith, the writer and lecturer
died at his residence No. 22l Ninth street. South
Brooklyn. yesterday morning. The deceased took
part in procession of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie during the past summer. in the northern part Of
the State. since which time he has gradually failed
in health. Also, contrary to his usual custom. he
neglected to take vacation this year. but kept
steadily at work and thereby decreased his strength
Early in the fall he caught cold. which
accompanied by an irritating cough. Notwith-
standing his feeble health he made several politi-
cal speeches during the late campaign. against the
wishes of his physician. On the night Of October
23 Mr. Smith delivered political speech at the town
Of Flatbush. Kings county. The weather was
stormy. and the following day. while Mr.. Smith
at his Office III the Bennett Building, this city, he
was seized with chill and had to be taken to
his room. Everything possible done for
his welfare. but he exhausted from overwork
that he unable to rally and died yesterday
ing about nine o'clock. as stated above. Although
conscious until the last he too weak to speak.
BY his bedside stood his wife. his daughter. Mrs.
Squires, the latter's husband. and Dr. Potter, his
physician. Deceased. who was sixty-three years Of
age. leaves wife and two daughters.
Tho death of Matthew Hale Smith will cause many
persons degree of pain that they will be at loss
to accurately analyze. He was peculiar man,
versed in many lores and au fat in divers specaltes
He led stormy life, which the heavens hung
black and brgh: from time to time. as the pecu-
MARY market was favorable adverse. Mr.. Smith
good friend and bitter enemy. His acquant-
ance was most extensive ramifying among the best
and the worst of his fellow creatures. He lived in
many places, filed many spheres and played many
roles. He born in Portland, Me-, in
1916 He received fair common school and collegi-
education and at the termination Of his secular
studies began to prepare himself for the ministry.
At early age the analytical character Of his mind
aid inborn desire to investigate the deepest ques
tons of theology naturally drew him to the eccle-
siastical state. He was ordained minister of the
Universalist denomination ut the unusually early
age of seventeen. Three years later in 1885, he
called to supply the pulpit of the Unversalist So
ciety in Providence r. |. Even at that early period
of his Mr.. Smiths great eloquence and pleas
ing style of delivery won for him wide reputation.
AS an almost necessary consequence of his rising
tame he created many enemies. Various charges OF
unministeria conduct were preferred ganst him and
In 1889 he was brought up for discipline before the
Massachusetts, State Convention of Universaists He
was acquitted Of the charges and the Convention
. voted to continue him in the ministry. But his
connection with the Universalst body had become
embittered by the constant attacks made upon him.
and after his trial he formally withdrew from
that denomination and attached himself to the UNI
tartan Church. through the Intervention of the Rev.
Charles w. Upham, of Salem Mass. But the young
minister's mind seemed to be continually i'll at ease,
and was admitted member of Dr. Bacon's church
in New haven. In July, 1872 he ordained an
orthodox minister III Hev. DR.. McCluro'1 Church in
Maiden. Mass. He continued for some ten years 9
preacher In this connection In Boston, Nashua and
other places. About this time he entered the field
of polemical theology, hercely attacking the doc
trnes the Universalists, his old associates His
course was freely criticised at the time and made
him many enemies. They embittered his life that
he gave up the ministry regular profession and
undertook the study and practice of the law.
In this occupation Mr.. Smith sucCoggA
full. His diversified talents made him = ready
pleader, while years of study had given him un-
Spe n and nuirk IN
take advantage OF them. About tho year 1850 Mr..
Smith came to this city and to his two professions
he then added that Of journalism. AS correspondent
os the Boston Journal under the de plume OF
Burlegh, his letters attracted universal attention
hausted source of humor from which they seemed to
have been drawn. After coming to New York he
sionally filling the pupits Of Congregational.
Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian churches. He
has psen Rrsacnng IN this way for the
vented his taking settled charge. He was o man Of
indefatigable energy. and when too i'll to do any
different newspapers. He had probably q larger
correspondence from New York with papers cities
and towns through the North ana West than any
other man. This wide field he had acquired by con-
stant perseverance and by the reputation which his
Boston letters had given him. He also wrote not
few books, among them being besides his earlier
work on Universalism, the genre sketch, Sunshine
and Shadow in New York" and Successful Folks"
These were but small portion Of his writings. His
vast correspondence and innumerable letters on
every conceivable subject would fill volumes.
for his health, taking with him his eldest daughter
who there began the study Of painting. This trip
was to him o source OF much enjoyment and pleas
ant recollectons From the experiences there gained
and the and incidents passed through he af-
terward composed of his finest lectures entitled
'rhow- Chow from the Thames to the Tiber," which
failed to draw crowded audiences whenever he
that Matthew Hale Smith achieved his greatest sue
ceses. Here, field that he always master
Of he had adversaries to harass him, aud could
display to the best OF his ability his versatile talents
III frequently used to travel about tho country on
offended lecture tours, Of which, spent in Cal.
ifrna in 1872 lasted for nine months. He excelled
chiefly as q humorist. but his humor never vuf.
gtr. and vein of good through all his dis
curses. Among his most successful lectures, be-
Hundred Years and Now" successful Folks, and
How They VIM" compiled from the work already
Mentioned, and "Wit. Humor and Success" Among
tie other positions he held that OF chaplain to
ae Old Guard, which he retained until failing years
compelled him to resign. He had peculiar expe.
renee in his endeavor to become q member OF
Hymouth Church. where he not made welcome
because OF his peculiar religious views and also be-
c;use lie was not regarded friend of the pastor.
SINE years since lie wrote something about Mr..
lfecher. concerning which that gentleman reorted.
1T Is sufficient for to say that the author OF this
sorry Is Matthew Hale smith, In spite of occasional
sntests, oral and epistolary. Mr.. Smith was most
fvorably regarded by those who Knew him best
sad his death will be sincerely mourned.
JAMES ALEXANDER.
A despatch from Liverpool announces the death OF
Ames Alexander. formerly agent Of tho Cunard
Steamship Company at Boston. Mr.. Alexander was
A. Hrru sSIanat taisa