The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1916-01-13
OBITUARY..

Lancaster. Ky, died in the hospital at
Lebanon, Ky. on the morning of Dec
ember the 2s;h, 1915.
He was the son of Benjamin Warfeld
Smith and Lille Treadway Smith. and
was born near Lexington, KY, MAY
rs. 1888 At four years OF age he NOV
ed with his parents to Tennessee. where
his mother died in 1889, and his father
ia 1891. He and his younger brother.
James Brookes Smith, were then taken
to st. Louis by their maternal grand
mother, with whom they made their
home until her death in that city in
1897. They then removed to Hepder-
son, Ky. where they resided with their
aunt. Miss Amy z. SmiSh. at the home
of DR.. Thomas Cummins, Presby-
terrain Minister. After completing his
course of preparatory study at Hender-
son, J. Rockwell Smith entered Central
University at Richmond. Ky. When
that institution and Centre College
were consolidated. he took up his
studies in the united institution at Dam
vile, Ky, and graduated with honor
with the degree of A. B. in 1903. Lat
er he received the degree of M. A. for
work done in English Literature. He
entered the PRESBYTERIAN Theological
Seminary at Louisville in the fall Of
1904. and graduated with the degree Of
u. D. in 1907. After serving for a
short time as stated supply of the
Presby terrain Church at Burnside, KY,
he was called to the pastorate of the
Presbyterian Church, u. S. A., at
Shelbyville. KY, where he was ordain-
ed and installed Nov. IL, 1907. In 1909,
after the union of the Northern and
Southern Presbyterian Churches of
that place, in effecting which he was
largely instrumental. and upon the
consumation of which both pastors re-
signed, he became pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church OF Lebanon. Ky.
In 1912 he served as pastor of the
Central Presbyterian Church Of Ovens
boro, KY, and on April %, 1918 he
was installed pastor of the Presby
Church of Lancaster, XIV.
He married Nov 9th, 1907. Miss Al
Iene Fox. daughter of Charles G. Fox.
ESQ, and Mollie Allen Fox. of Dan
vile, Ky. He leaves widow and two
little daughters. Judith Allen, and
Charlotte Fox; also brother. James
Brookes Smith, professor in Hampden
Sydney College, Va.
Among his ancestors and near rela-
tives on both the paternal and maternal
sides are found the names Of many
Presbyterian Ministers, as many, per-
hsps, as twenty not a few of
them names of distinction in Presbv-
terian history. Among them might be
mentioned his great-great grandfather.
DR.. Drury Lacey, president of Hampden
Sydney College from 1889 to 1877; his
great grand fathers. DR.. James Hall
Brookes. Sr., and DR.. Eli Smith; DIR.
James Hall BrOokes, the Second; an
uncle. DIR. John Rockwell Smith. now
. missionary in Brazil; and DIR. William
H. Marques, professor in the New
York Bible School. DR.. Benjamin War
field. professor of theology in Prince.
ton Seminary. DIR. Rockwell S. Drank.
of Savannah, Ca. and Rev. James p.
Smith. missionary in Brazil, cousins of
the deceased.
Closing his earthly career at the
early age of thirty-two, he had never
theless attained a maturity far beyond
his years. He was balanced in judg-
ment, cool and self controlled in tenn
per. Independent in convictions, and
positive in the statement of his views;
and thus fellow-shipped naturally with
older men, and welded IN influence I'M
usual for one of his age. He was
qualified for leadership in church and
community. He had stuffed and plan
med and worked for the things that are
worth while, and bore the marks of
those things upon his character; and
thus he had found in his life, though SO
brief. adequate scope for his develop
msnt, and coming home to God so
.eaiy. he yet brought with him the
,so'den fruitage of ripened Christian
Character.
Through years of patient endeavor
he had carefully trained himself for the
gospel ministry; and his first interest
was in the work and welfare of the
Church of Christ. He earnestly hoped
for the union of the two great branches
of the Presby terrain Church. He had
scholarly acquaintance with the Scrip
lures, was a sound theoogian, and an
able preacher of the gospel He was
faithful and efficient presbyter, re-
giI'arly taking his part in presbyterial
deliberations and action. As chairman
OF the Committee on Narrative of the
Synod Of Kentucky, he presented at
The last meeting of Synod report
uniquely valuable IN virtue of ITS full
ness. comparisons and deductions. He
had won the strong devotion of the
people Of his congregation. who in
many quiet ways expressed their love
aud grief for HIM. and their seLse of
the loss they had sustained in his
death.
NJ had identified himself closely with
the Lancaster community. He was
acquainted generally with the people.
.snd was the friend Of all, of whatever
.c,sss or condition He Owed his fellow
men, and naturally and easily entered
into friendly relations with them, gain
Al m their eonfdenca and good will rIis