Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-06-22
Rev. DIR. L. L. Smith Passes Away.

Kew. LIZ. LIZ LIE S1ltu FdooCo away
Rev. DR.. Luther Leigh Smith, one of
the most prominent Lutheran ministers
in Virginia, died last Saturday morning
about O'Clock at his home in StraSburg,
in the 57th year of his age. His death
was not unexpected, for he had been in
declining health for several years past,
the disease from which he suffered being
hardening OF the arteries and other COM
plications. The sad end of his young
daughter, Portia, who was burned to
death at her home couple of years ago,
is said to have been great shock to him
and one that had serious effect upon his
health. Owing TO his physical infinni-
ties, about a year ago he resigned from
the active work of the charge that he had
served so faithfully for more than quar-
ter of century.
DR.. Smith was a native of BoonSboro,
Md. In his youth he came to Shepherds
town, where he learned the printers
trade in the Register office, then conducted
by his brother in-law, the late John H.
little After working in this office for
several years, he entered Roanoke COL
lege at Salem, Va, and upon graduating
there with high honors he took the theo-
logical course at the seminary connected
with that institution, where he fitted him.
self for the ministry. He served Luth-
eran Church in Augusta county for some
years, but 81 years ago accepted call
from the Strasburg charge, where he has
been an able preacher and acceptable
pastor ever since. Although he rendered
his resignation and gave up active work
year or two ago, the congregation took
no steps to fill the vacancy, and his peo-
pie continued to express TO him every
mark Of appreciation and regard.
DR.. Smith was Tor many years leader
in the Virginia Synod of the Lutheran
Church, and was regarded as wise
counselor and an unusually able business
man. He was secretary and guiding
spirit OF the Synod for long time, and
had such an intimate knowledge OF its
affairs ard was so capable in management
that the Synod trusted him implicitly.
DESTROYS OF being relieved OF the work
of the secretary's office, Synod elected
him president, and he held this place I'M
til his failing health compelled him to
ask release from further official duties.
In his death, and that OF his brother, Rev.
VIM. J. Smith, who passed away the 10Th
of last February, the Synod loses two OF
the ablest men who have ever sat in that
body. Both will be missed by thousands
OF friends and parishioners in the Valley
of Virginia, where their useful lives were
spent in doing good. DR.. Smith was
for several years superintendent OF the
public schools Of Shenandoah county, a
position that he filled with marked ability,
putting on a high plane the school system
of that section.
The deceased was not only diStin
guished churchman and an able pastor
he was man of the highest type of citi-
zenship and ofmost exemplary character.
He was pious and thoughtful and courage
GUS. The religion that he preached from
the pulpit he exemplified in his daily life,
and the influence for good that he exerted
will long remain.
DR.. Smith is survived by his wife, who
was Miss Virginia Brown, OF Winchester;
three sons, Rev. Charles Smith, pastor
of Trinity Lutheran Church, New York
City, Frederick Smith, publisher OF the
Strasburg News, and Morris Smith, who
has just graduated from Roanoke College (;
one daughter, Miss Mary Smith; and
three sisters, Mrs. Ellen Fisher, of Cham
bersburg, Pa, and Misses Rachel and
Amelia Smith, of Boonsooro, Md.
The funeral was held in StraSburg on
Monday, in the church where for so many
years he had preached the word of God.
The edifice was crowded by an immense
congregation who had gathered to pay
their last tribute of respect, including
clergymen from many churches in the
Valley. The service was conducted by
Rev. DR.. J. A. Morehead and Rev. DR..
L. A. Fox, OF Salem, and Rev. A. d. r.
Hancher, of Stanton. Afterward the
body was taken to Winchester, where it
was laid in its last resting-place in Mt.
Hebron Cemetery.
Rev. DR.. H. c. HaithcoX and Mr.. Geo.
M. Beltzhoover. of ShepherdStown, at
tended the funeral. DR.. Smith and Mr..
Beltzhoover had been intimate friends
for more than forty years.