New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-17


And there's nice youngstcr Of excellent pith-
Fate tried TO conceal him by calling him Smith;
But he shouted song for the brave and the free,
Just read on his media. MY Country of Thee "
is wsl known. In 1892 ne was graduated from
Andover Seminary. having acquired four languages
during MS course, in addition 10 those he had
studied in college He then became Baptist min
lister. and for a time edited The Baptist Mission
airy Magazine In Boston He became pastor Of a
church at Waterville. Me. and at the same time
professor OF modern languages in Watervile CO.
ege. now Colby University. In 1912 he accepted the
pastoratc Of the First Baptist Church. Of Newton,
Mass, and for time edited The Christian Re-
view" In 1874 and again In 1880. he visited foreign
lands with his wife. and the recipient OF many
courtesies and honors.
DR.. Smith did large amount ~ literary work
mainly in the line % hymn Ology his most noted
composition being My Country. It's OF Thee,
Sweet Land Of Liberty" which was written while
he was theological student The missionary
hymn. THE Morning Light IS Breaking" was
written al the same place. He translated from the
German most OF the pieces in the Juvenile Tyre"
(Boson, 1922. and from the "Conversations-Lex
con- nearly enough articles to FIJI a volume OF the
Encyclopedia American Os2S-32). His collection OF
original hymns. poetry and ethical translationa
has been published under the title OF Tyre Gems"
Boston. 1879: The Psam;st." a noted Baptist
hymn-book GSi3. and Rock OF Ages" Qssj-77l
Other writings by him are Life Of the Rev Joseph
Grafton" 1s4s) Missionary Sketches" Gs7s-iss9
History OF Newtons. Mass" $3.50. "Rambles in
Mission Fields OssD. and contributions 10 numer-
periodicals.
lie was constantly learning new languages. his
stock finally consisting of hfteen-Latin anclen.
Greek. modern Greek, French. German. Italian.
Spanish. Swedish. Portuguese Hebrew. Arabic.
Syriac, Anglo-Saxon Danish and sanscrit hes dos
his native tongue, Of which he master
public testimonial to him given in Boston
Music Hall on the afternoon and evening Of April g.
this year. A fine musical programme rendered
and addresses were made by Governor Greenhslse.
Ex-Governor Long and others In the handsome
souvenir OF the occasion was the following account
by DR.. Smith Of how he came TO write America D:
In the year 1881 William c. Woodbridge. Of New
York. a noted educator, deputed to visit Ger-
many and inspect the system Of the public schools.
that If ne should nd in them any features Of inter-
est unknown TO GUY public schools here they might
be adopted In the schools OF the United States He
found that in the German schools much attention
was given TO music: he also found many books con-
tanning music and songs for children Returning
home he brought several u these music books and
placed them in the hands Of MI Lowell Mason.
then a noted composer. Organlst and choir leader.
Having himself no knowledge Of the German Ian
guage he brought them to me at AndoVer. when !
should ind time to furnish him TRANSACTIONS of the
German words. or u write new hymns ana songs
on a dismal day in February. 1872 looking over
one of these looks. my attention was drawn 10 a
movement and It's fitness for childrens chO!rs.
CHANGING at the German words al the foot OF the
mage ! saw that they were patriotic, and ] was
instantly inspired to write patriotic hymn OF my
.-,.-
Sejzing scrap OF waste paper, began 10 write,
and in half an hour think The words stood upon
il substantially as they are sung today. did not
Lnow ~ the time that the tune was the British
,sCoS Save the King" do not share the regret
~ hose who deem II an evil that the National tune
- Eritain and America IL the same. on the con
49, deem II a new and beautiful tie OF union be-
nnen mo mother and the daughter. one furnishing
- ,,,,sic ~ indeed Il Is really English. ana the
did not propose TO write a National hymn dd
~ - ,bat / had done laid the song aside,
ma ma ,raarlv forgot that had made IT. some weeks
&c sent II 10 Mr. Mason and on me foloWinR
49, ~ Iuv much to my surprise. he brought X
H, a. children's celebration IN the PARK street
Sburcb IN Boston where II was first sung IN puphc'