The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-01-11
DR.. SMYT THE WAS
AMONG LEADERS IN
MISSIONARY WORK
SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AND
IN RECOGNITION OF SERVICES
WAS GRANTED DOCTORS DE-
GREE FROM LONDON.

DIR. Andrew Calender Suples
Smythe, who died at his home in De-
Funiak Springs, Fla, on Monday,
JAN 3, after short illness, resulting
from cold contracted on his last
visitation to the Mission church at
Santa Rosa, was for many years a
leader IN the missionary work of the
Episcopal church and known as one
of her most faithful servants. Born
on the second of January, 1851, in the
city of Philadelphia and educated in
the Boys Central high school of that
city, his first ambition was toward a
life of service, and when twenty-six
years of age he definitely entered the
missionary field, and began active
work in Jamaica and Antigua. He
remained In the British West Indies
for more than thirty years, accom-
pllshiRg great good among the peo-
pie, and being recognized as the most
energetic and successful missionary
by the leaders of the Church of Eng
land. On September 81, 1880, he mar
ried Louisa Amelia Grunert at Beth
lehem, Pennsylvania, who was his
helpmate throughout these years of
labor.
Throughout an active life DR..
Smythe was prominent in education
al as well as religious undertakings,
maintaining his connection with in
stitutions of learning both in United
States and in Great Britain, and do
ing special university work by cor
respondence. He entered the first
class of the Chautauqua C. L. S. c.,
graduating with honor and receiving
the star for special meritorious work.
From that time since he has been
prominent in the Chautauqua work,
and each year has finished the re
quired reading and sent answers to
the special questions. His religious
life in the West Indies was so efficient
that he was granted the doctors de-
gree from London, which is known
to be the highest honor that can be
conferred upon clergyman Of the
church.
After staying thirty years in the
mission field in Jamaica and Antigua,
the climate began to tell upon his
health, and it was necessary for him
to leave the warm chimes of the Indies
for a more bracing atmosphere. He
returned to the United States and
after spending a year in the east
and another year in Colorado, came
to Florida and entered the Diocese,
with special charge of Saint Agatha's
Episcopal church, located in DeFuniak
Springs, Fla. He Immediately en-
deared himself to all, and his sterling
worth both as a pastor and as man
was Immediately manifested. At once
accepted as friend by all classes of
citizens Of West Florida, his pleasant
manner and cheerful smile endeared
him to the hearts of all, for no man
ever entered a community who was
more dearly beloved by rich and poor
than DR.. Smythe. He was one of
Gods noblemen, who through long
service and communication with the
world, had learned the teachings of
the Master and made them a part of
his whole being. His life was an
example to the youth of the COM
and a joy to those who had
passed through the heat of life's COM
bat.
In addition to his ministerial and
educational activities, Rev. Mr..
Smythe was prominent in Masonic
Orders. While in the West Indies, he
entered the Commandery Temple,
Knights of Malta and Rosa Croix, and
he was a regular member of the De
Funiak Lodge, f. and A. NJ, No. ITO,
where he officiated as chaplain.
The funeral service was conducted
on Wednesday, in st. Agatha's Epis-
copal church by Rev. John H. Brown,
rector of Christ church, Pensacola,
who was a personal friend of DIR.
Smythe's, and was intimately asso-
ciated with him when he was rector
of Saint Katherine's church in Pen
sacola. The Free Masons attended
in a body and escorted the remains
to the grave where the Masonic SER
vice followed the burial service of
the church. Postmaster H. Thornber
gave the Masonic ritual in a very i'm
pressive manner.
DR.. Smythe is survived by widow
and three sons. William E. Smythe,
the oldest, is In business at Gull
Point: BENJAMIN Smythe is located
at Hosford, and Joseph Henry
the youngest, is a student in
the National Theological Seminary in
New York City.
During the funeral service the
stores and Offices closed in honor of !
the work of this great, good charac-
ter, and members Of all denomina-
tons crowded the church, and re-
paired to the grave to witness the |
last rites of the friend they had
learned to love.