Evening star., 1924-03-09

L. many monuments, the dis
coverer of national song
has none. America" is sung
on all patriotic occasions, all over
the land. ana In. other lands wherever
Americans abide or finger. and It has
been so sung for nearly a hundred
years. Besides' In homes. schools,
cemeteries, at banquets ana on many
daily occasions this anthem is to be
heard. Whittier once spoke of DIR.
Smith as 1.-THE patriot poet whose song
OF Our Country has been adopted
by sixty millions Of free men,"
DR.. Oliver We. Holmes once said to
him. Your name and fame win live
when my works are forgotten. You
have made yourself immortal in your
poems"
He lives In the hearts and voices
Of our people, young and old, re-
gardless Of sect, party, color, cul-
ture or condition-tf1at is, we keep
alive the bong. but forget the singer:
we take away his gift, but bury its
author in a namefess grave. 4.
John Howard Payne earned mon
"the circuit rider" won his statue in
the far northwest by his arduous
labors. the minute man" deserved his
image in bronze, and none will deny
that a public memorial Is due good
Samuel Francis Smith, author Of
"America" as we'll as Of many other
patriotic and religious hymns In
fact. he deserves memorials in the
capital Of the nation and in those
oS the states and in every school
house in the land.
How little is really known of this
noted man! Samuel Francis Smith was
born in Boston. October II, 1903. and
there he died. November 16. 1876
suddenly. In the railway station. on
the way TO a suburban church to
preach, for he retained his wonted
vigor OF mind and body till the last
moment Of his life.
Though he was. during his long life,
editor, teacher. traveller. etc, he was
known best as hymn writer, having
produced more than six hundred sa-
cred and patriotic songs-''America'
and THE Morning Light is Breaking"
being the best known.
He graduated from Harvard. and
Andover seminary; was professor Of
modern languages at Colby; twice
editor and for many years secretary
of the American Baptist Missionary
Union. He travelled extensively, In
specting the missions in foreign lands
While thus engaged he. for time,
managed to serve the Baptist Church
at Newton Center. Mass, as pastor
ana he established his home at New
ton Center, where he continued his
residence till the time of his death.
* x
DR. SMITH was born linguist,
II and he came to be able TO speak
and write in fifteen languages. He
began writing while yet IN college,
and his work covered period Of some
seventy years. He Is described as
having had an intense appreciation OF
nature and Of country, stimulated
by a rare religious spirituality, quail
tiles which imbued his life writings
with sympathy. for his fellow man
everywhere. His poems serve to IL
lustrate his mind, his character, and
his life. In them all his countrymen
have found inspiration.
Besides America" DR.. Smith wrote
some sixty other patriotic hymns or
odes. and that his heart was ever
with the youth OF the land he so much
loved is shown In many OF thes. espe-
eially in patriotic Sons OF Patriotic
Sires. and in "A Song for Young
America" which he composed on
washingtons birthday in 1884.
my Native Land" he wrote under
the spell of intense patriotic emo
ton upon LANDING in the, Cnited
States from, two years travel abroad.
America" was the towering OF
dseu and mature pasrion' for home
aud country, and but one among a
splendid cluster of most beautifui
blossoms. Dozens Of his hymns are
still sung In the churches Of the land
sueh N. ''BIest Be the Tie That
binds" 'aIorn Of Zion's Glory" "The
Prince Of Salvation in Triumph Is
Riding" ."sistet. Thou vast Mild and
Lovely" To-day the Savior Calls"
and "rhe Morning Light Is Break
ing"
In th.se and his other writings, as
we'll az in his daily walk and con-
versation" are displayed the same
lofty aims and unselfish endeavor-
traits which shed a pure 1uster on
his name and a death1ess glory on his
memory.
After his death there were found
among his cherished treasures the