The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1915-12-30
DEATH OF BELOVED PASTOR

DEATH Ut BELOVED PASIUk
Lancaster is again made to mourn
the passing of one of her most beloved
and useful citizens.
Rev. j. Rockwell Smith. pastor of
the Presbyterian church breathed his
last at o'clock Tuesday morning at
the Lebanon Hospital where he had
been taken to undergo an operation
for appendicitis. While it was known
from the first he was seriously i'll.
his friends and loved ones had hoped
against hope that he would be spared
and when the end did come it came as
a distinct shock to his friends here
where they mourn him as one.
1t is not the purpose of this sketch
to give an account of the early life,
educational advantages nor the differ
ent pastorates to which he was called
but to present sympathetic and COM
parative review of him as a man among
men, one who so faithfully helped to
htcp awe the Nhiiotiah spun, bhc
brotherhood of man and the brother
hood of Christ, a combination of which
made him SO helpful to his fellowlnan.
What God-given power this-to be
able to magnetic each life one touches
and make that life in turn a dynamo
of inspiration.
In the death of Mr.. Smith, Lancas-
ter has lest most useful citizen in the
very midst of his activities. While
still in lows with life and its varied
interests, engrossed in it's burdens and
its cares, and raptured with the world
he passed to reward and rest. Scholar
ly as we're his attainments, they SEEM
ed not the pre-eminent characteristic of
the man. AS we look back upon his
life, poise and purpose seem to have
been the distinguishing features. He
counted not the sacrifices of service
nor the fatigue of the journey that led
to helpfulness. Indeed he was one Of
those rare spirits that seemed heaven
poised.
Such a life is always best valued in
its well rounded entirety, then indeed
flashes the revelation that heaven was
ever the ultimate goal in comparison
with which no Incidental ambition
seemed worthy of the DETECTION of
serious consideration. In this tumult-
Gus age, when men, restless as the
waves OF the great deep, are tossing
hither and thither seeking some covet-
ed place or preferment. this godly man
was content TO steer straight across
the sea Of life. his gaze fixed on the
lights OF the heavenly shore. There
was about him an atmosphere of calm
ness and repose that was both reas-
surfing and protective. AS welcome
was 1t as the shelter of great oak in
a storm swept wood.
Long will We miss him, his courteous
bearing, kindly smile and uplifting
words, many gatherings can scarcely
seem the same again to his devoted
friends who SO often sought his genial
company. Wholly without affectation,
entirely without the air of religious
superiority, he was to his friends an
exemplar and source of inspiration.
MIR. Smith was 80 years old. Such
young man. with many years of useful
work before him. That untimely death
has stilled voice SO loved. and taken
from flock beloved shepherd, is
cause Of profound and widespread sor.
row. quite aside from the sense of per-
sonal loss that will be felt by those WHO
were of his inner circle of personal
friends. But the work he accomplished
is the measure Of a mans life, as well
as the years he lived. This man of
God whose life ended at 80 accomplish
ed far more than many who lived lon
ger. but were less untiring at the call
Of those they might serve. If it is
true that life after all is but a school,
1t must be that wiser power has call
ed TO new duties one who IA so brief
span had SO well learned the meaning
Of life's duties.
Mr.. Smith married Miss Alene Fox
of Danyille, she together with their
two little girls survive him. The sym
pathy extended these bereayed ones is
as universal as il is heartfelt. The
remains were brought from Lebanon
Tuesday evening to his late residence
on Water Street and the funeral SER
vices were conducted at the Presbyter-
ian church by Rev. J. q. A. Mcdowell.
Of Danyille. Many sorrowing friends
went with the wife and children TO
Danyille where all that was mortal was
placed beneath multitude Of flowers.