The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-23
A PRINCE AMONG MEN
ONE OF THE STATES FIRST MIN
listers AND EDUCATORS.
He Was One of Natures kob'emen In Ever,
Fibre Of his Being he Was a Chris
tian Gen'It man.
DIR. Smedes is dead"


In the early morning of yesterday
February 22nd) these simple words
began their heavily laden mission, and
they have gone on and on reaching ev-
cry class and condition in the commu-
nifty, carrying sorrow to all hearts and
moistening many an eye with tears
and as they are read this morning their
saddening effect will extend to many
more. We call it death. But when
ON yesterday DIR. Smedes peacefully
slept there simply passed beyond our
sight and out of our city, one of those
lives that cannot die. Not merely be-
cause '.all life passes through death,
out of it's earthly infancy into the full
ness of its power" but because some
liyes-and this is one OF them-must
live on. in the love of men, in the
works that they did, in the memorials
that they themselves have built, and in
the sweet memories that they have left
behind them.
The Rev. Bennett Smedes, d. D., the
last surviving son of the late Rev. Al
dert Smedes, ID. d., and Mrs. Sarah
Pierce Smedes was born Aug. 18th.
1887, and so passed away in the 62nd
year of his age. A devoted wife, three
lovely daughters just budding into We
manhood and three sisters-AIrs. M. +.
Leak, Mrs. VIM. A. Erwin and Mrs.
Chas. Root, are left to mourn a com
mon irreparable loss.
DIR. Smedes was educated at the old
Lovejoy Academy and Trinity School OF
this city and graduated at st. James
College, Maryland He was ordained
Priest ON the 26th day OF July, 1868,
was chaplain in the Confederate army
and for some time the assistant minis
ter of Grace church. Baltimore, when
the late Bishop A. Cleaveland Coke was
the rector. His degree of Doctor in
Divinity was conferred by the Unieer-
sity of North Carolina. AT the time of
his death and for years before he was
the honored Secretary or the Standing
Committee of fhe Diocese, Examining
Chaplain, and trustee of st. Angus
tine School,
For 81 years DIR. Smedes was CON
nected with his chief work st. Mary S
School in this city-from 1862 to 1877?
as teacher and assistant to his father
who founded that noble nursery of the
the date of his fathers death to this
time as its Rector.
How faithfully and successfully he
discharged the responsibilities of that
position the present condition Of the
school, never so promising and prosper
Gus as today, abundantly attests; but
how generously and with what self
sacrificing devotion he uncomplainingly
hn haa
conduct for years cannot be told and
will never be known.
Personally DR.. Smedes was one of ma
lures noblemen. His distinguished
fathers suavity and charming address
were his by inheritance and the highest
culture but added to their delightful
attractiveness. In every fibre of his
being and under all circumstances he
was the Christian gentleman-forgetful
of self and thoughtful of others. His
daily walk and conversation was a
beautiful exemplifcation of that chart
ty which s'vaunteth not itself, is not
pulled up doth not behave itself un-
seemly." OF scholarly tastes, full read
ing and high attachments he was mod
est almost to a fault
He inspired everybody brought in con-
tact with him with the sincerest re-
spect and admiration and those who
knew him best loved him most.
As son, husband, father brother
he was an example and a blessing as
friend always loyal, true and wise.
As priest he was conscientious and
faithful to every duty.
The needy and suffering were always
sure of his ready sympathy and gener-
GUS help; and there are scores of cul-
tured Christian women today who will
ever gratefully cherish the memory OF
his secret benefactiOns. The church