The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-14
VETERAN CITIZENS.
Interesting Address Made Before
Their Association.
The Diary and Addresses OF DR.. Hezskiah
= Smith.

Before the Rhode Island Veteran Citi-
ZEN Historical Association at the Math-
ewson Street NJ. T.. church yesterday af-
ternoon. DIR. Reuben A. Guild made an
address from the history OF "A Chaplain
of the Revolution, or the Diary and Ad-
dresses OF DR.. Hezekiah Smith, Relating
TO Bunker Hill, Saratoga and benedict
Arnold.
DIR. Smith graduated at Princeton In
1712, and was a room .iDate or Dr. Man
ming, the first president of Brown Uni
versity. Alter his graduation he travelled
5000 miles on horseback through the
Southern states ns al evangelist lie re-
turned TO New Jersey and accompanied
DIR. Manning to Warren, where the latter
established the new Rhode Island Col.
lege DIR. Smith much resem bled Gem
eral George Washington In form and fea-
ture, and was preacher OF great power
and influence Later some twenty
churches In Maine and Massaoh usetts were
establised through his efforts. For forty
years he attended every meeting OF the
corporation OF Rhode Island College and
every commencement, with the excep-
tion OF two. he was devoted friend OF
the college aud hearty worker for this
seat of learning. He was tho father or the
late Justice smith Bradley.
At the outbreak OF the revolution he
went into the 1gnt with the earliest pat
riots, ara was the friend Of Washington
and participant In very many battles.
Hs was at Bunker Hill, and took an &C
tive part In the battle, MEETING the colo
nists 10 renewed efforts. lie was appoint
ed chaplain Of the Continental army in
accordance with a resolution OF the Con
tinental Congress, June 2, 1875, being Sc
lected as one of the nine preachers OF the
colony. In the following year he was
made brigadier chaplain. When the
army.of the united colonies moved into
Boston he went with them and then TO
New York. The spa aker traced, by OK
tracts from tho diary OF Dr. Smith. his
career throughout the war and his con-
nee ton with the Massachusetts regiment
for which hos ministered In q temporal
and spiritual way, studying anatomy ana
surgery In the intervals between preach
ing. The address was OF considerable In
torest and was listened To by an un-
usually large audience.
Dr. Guilds paper was heartily enjoyed
by the large audience present including
many ladies' Mr.. Snow moved asvote OF
thanks for the able address. DIR. Denni-
son spoke eloquently OF the wonderful for
nation of the American Colonies, from
the Nations of Europe and believed God q
hand plainly visible and potent for their
success and invited free discussion.
Prof. Gammell euloglzed the yalor,
suffering and beroism Of the Srave Con
tinentsls, to whom We owe our freedom
anc free land today. Rev. MIR. Curz con-
trasted the supreme reliance OF the armies
of '76 in God for victory with the same
trustful spirit OF the German Emperor
and armies, in their many battles of
the Faderland In Europe. A lady pro-
posed the question, 'ls the Future Sofe
aud. Encouraging" DIR. Dsnnison
answered: "There are many great qr es-
tions, soon to be settled in the coming
years, hut he believ. d God was all power
full tn lead us successfully onward. as lie
had In the past. DIR. Guild, gave a FUR
ther account of Chaplain Smiths valua-
ble manuscripts, anu his good fortune to
inher.t them from DR.. Smiths relations.
DIR. Dennison announced Hon. Henry l..
Greene OF Warwick, as the next speaker
on migration to This Country" On
motion. ad iouInei to next meeting.