The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-11
WOMAN PREACHER,
So, DIES IN PULPIT
The Rev. Louise Smith Sue
cumbs at Caldwell, n! j.,
After Singing.
KNEW EAST SIDE WELL
Came to United States in 1853
and Was Married to
Sailor Next Year.

The Rev. Louise Margaret Smith. en-
thusiastic and vigorous despite her 50
years, arose at the Free Methodist Con-
ference. Caldwell. N. j., early yesterday
morning and announced to those assem-
-bled for worship the opening hymn:
I'VE will sing oh, for Closer Walk
With Cod" she said.
1t was o'clock, when most other
folks are not yet astir. When the hymn
had died away. Mrs. Smith gave her
testimony, as was the daily custom. and
sat down. Her head fell. The Rev. +.
NJ. Sandys, district superintendent. ran
across the tent floor to her side.
This is what 1 have been looking to-
ward" murmured the aged evangelist
and died, ending career OF religious
service that began when Wall Street
was n lane and continued throughout
the crowded days of the lower East Side
TO the present time.
For more than twenty years--and
since Mrs. Smith was about SIS years
OF age-she had been the pastor OF the
Twentieth street, and said to be the
only woman minister in New York city.
During all that time she lived with
woman companion in rooms Tn the
church edifce.
Knew East side Like a Book.
Throughout the years members OF her
congregation. men and women. and 9TH
ers-for the East Side was book she
lad read many times-went TO her for
advice For twenty years, rs she had
for many years before, she pointed out
the road with kindly hand and helped
. them on their way.
In 1853 Mrs. Smith, then rosy
checked girl OF 10. made the trip across
/ the ocean to the United States. George
Olsen Smith, seafaring young chap.
, was aboard the boat and II did not
take the boy and girl long to realize
that they cared for each other They
were married on october 3. 1854. in New
York city. Already. the young wife had
indicated a religious frame OF mind.
| The couple lived on the lower East
! Side. then pleasant, open country. and
were assiduous visitors at the FLOATING
! Bethel" on the East River front, and
later at the Church of the Sea and Land
Often too. they went 10 the old
sailors home. Wherever there we're
prayer meetings the young wife was a
leader. and she became known even in
that far Off day as an evangelist.
At this time the Smiths lived IL
Cherry street, and there they were dHv.
| ing the tumultuous days OF the civs
war. Mrs Smiths heart was warm fol
the negro cause and she sheltered severa
at her home. 1t was during this period
that she met and became acquainted with
Boston Corbett. who shot Wilkes BOotf
after he had fired the shot that killed
Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Smiths reputa
ton as a reli2 Gus worker and evan
gelist steadily increased.
She became leading member of thu
old Norfolk street NJ. f. Church and pre-
sided over It's Bible class. In the HON,
OF her daughter. Mrs Edward L. Graeffe
1855 Mcponough street. Brooklyn, now I.
n book presented TO her by the Sunday
School class I'm love and friendship.
The book is dated December rs. 1863.
In 1872 Mrs, Smith and a group o
which she was the leader organized tn,
Free Methodist Church as an indeper
dent body. Years after. while she ant
her husband lived on Pitt street. he died
About the same time she was formal!
asked by the congregation OF the new
church to become ITS shepherd. She ac
copied the trust and for years delivere,
the Sunday sermons. Despite the fac
that she was old her vigor was una
bated. Attacked by double pneumoni;
five years ago, she recovered and con
tinued her work with as much zeal an,
enthusiasm as ever.
She never compromised with the truth
said her friends. but followed her prin
Hiples unfalteringly, inspiring hundred
Throughout the year by her example,
will he hard. said District Superintendent
Sandys, TO replace Mrs. Smith.
Funeral services will be held at tn
conference grounds at Caldwell ". j., a
3 o'clock this afternoon. Hundreds will
attend. Interment will be private a
Linden Hill NJ. z. Cemetery in Brooklyn
Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughte
and three grandchildren.