Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1914-11-24
JUDGE W. P. WINERIES
Tribute To Rev. Harry D. Smith
At Farewell Banquet.

1t is expected that upon this occa-
sion, we should be as cheerful as
possible. We want Bro. Smith to go
away. with as pleasant farewell as
we can give him. under the circum-
stances.
thank you for assigning me sub
ject that deals in the retrospect, rath-
er than for forecast. AS we approach
the end Of this earthly pilgrimage,
we naturally look backward rather
than forward, though great poet
has said; The sunset of life gives us
mystical lore, and coming events cast
Their shadows before"
Through more than 60 years have
been connected with this dear and
well beloved old Church. AS a bare
foot boy, in this room, sat and lis
tened to the words of wisdom which
FELL from the lips of that wise man,
Bro. Enos Campbell, the well loved
pastor in that time, long ago.
have shared the joys and sorrows
of the good people who have made
this their Church home, through all
it's changes and vicissitudes from
buoyant boyhood and youth, with the
rainbow of hope bright and beauti
! full, to this hour when the shadows
are lengthening, and lam sometimes
referred to as an old man, by the un-
thinking young who have never re.
allied with the great poet Tennyson:
That the deep heart of existence
beats forever ike boys"
For nearly third of the time
that have been connected with this
church, as boy. youth and man, Bro.
Harry Smith has been our pastor and
minister and | have been member
of his official family and intimately
associated with him, and | feel that
that know him, both as a preacher
and a man. and can say truthfully
to know is to love him.
When was boy | learned to de
claim study of the great Napoleon
by an eminent English orator. from
which l recall, though not having
seen them in print for more than
half a century. these words: "Wheth-
er in the field or the drawing room,
with the mob or the levee, banishing
Braganzo or espousing Hapsburg.
debating peace on raft to the Car
of Russia or charging the enemy at
the bridge of Lodi'', he was great.
So in his sphere Bro. Smith has APP
peared to me. to have Napoleonic
qualities.
Through all these Is years of his
wise leadership, | have never known
of any jar or discord. either in the
official board or in the congregation;
of course there have been differences
of opinions about minor details, but
of larger and vital matters. there has
been remarkable unanimity. Bro.
Smith with characteristic modesty
undertakes to give the official board
and the Church too large shares of
credit for this, but if you will ask
any of the more than two dozen who
constitute the official board you will
find that it is to his skill and wisdom,
and the spirit of the Master in his
heart, that the larger part of it is due.
So much confidence has the con-
gregation had in Bro. Smiths wis
dom, goodness and devotion to it's
interests and those of Gods King
dom, which should be identical, that
it has followed him almost without
word of dissent. Hence the Church
life of the congregation has been I'M
marred and serene; unclouded, bright
and for the most part joyous has
been our sky as a church, through
the Is years of association with our
dear brother. friend and pastor.
AS | look back over the Is years
of our Brothers ministry with us. /
can think of only one matter of re-
greet. and this feeling. | doubt not,
is shared by many of you men. On
account of our complete confidence
and trust in Bro. Smiths willingness
and ability, we have let too heavy
share of the burden and responsible
ty of the work of the Church fall on
his shoulders To minister to 1000
people is no light task. with all the