Smith, Anson C, a minister of the Methodist Episcoj^l Church, was bom in Hridgewater, X. H., Dec.
20. 1810. and made profession of religion in 1831. He entered the ministry in 1834 as local preacher, and was ailmitled into the New Hampshire Conference in 183.5, receiving onlination as deacon in 18;)7. and as elder in 1839. His health failed in 1859. and he died April 23. 18G2. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1863, p. 103.
Smith, Archer B., a Baptist minister, was born in (ieorgetown, .S. C.. and graduated at Hrown I'niver- sity in the class of 1828, and pursued his theological studies at Newton. His ministerial life was spent at the South, chietly in Virginia, where he was highly respected. He died at his residence at Auburn Mills, Hanover Co., Va., Dec. 5. 1877. (J. C. S.)
Smith, Archibald G., a minister of the ^lethod- ist ICpiscopal Church, was born in New York in 182G, and was admitted into full coiniection in the Kock Kiver Conference in 185G. He sustaineii an effective relation for eleven years, and was superannuated four years. He died at Shell Hark, Butler Co., 111.. August, 1870. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1870, p. 27.5.
Smith, Asa, a iMethodist Episcopal minister, was received on trial in the Phil.adelphia Conference in 1800, and appointed to the Northumberland and ^^'vonling Circuit, He subsecpiently travelleil Salem, Freehold, (iloucester, Bristol, Cecil, Chester, Bohemia, Kent, Do- ver, Queen Ann's, Lancaster, Northampton, Essex, Stat- en Island, Somerset, .Snow Hill. Annamessex, Dorches- ter, Accomac, and Salisbury circuits, which terminated his active ministry. He tiled in April, 1847. Mr. Smith was abundant in labors, and was often denominated '"a son of thunder.'' See Minutes of Annual Conferences, iv, 203.
Smith, Asa D., D.D., LL.D., a Presbyterian minis- ter, was born in Amherst. Mass., in September, 1804. At the age of seventeen, while living at Windsor, Vt.. he was called by divii\e grace to a new life, and there he con- secrated himself with all his characteristic earnestness to the service of Christ. The vows he then took he most sacredly kept, nor ever turned aside from the one great purpose (loil had wrought in his soul. He very soon commenced a preparatory study for the work of the ministry, and entered Dartmouth College in 182G. Here the traits of character which distinguished him in after-life — industry, energy, fidelity, and singleness of purpose to the one great object of his early consecra- tion— were made conspicuous. His remarkable power of extemporaneous speech drew to him the marked and admiring attention of the students. He ranked very high as a scholar, and was among the very first in his class , in some respects he had no superior. He was a decided Christian, and knew the secret, which so many fail to learn, of living a decidedly godly life at col- lege. He never was more active, or accomplished more for the salvation of souls in his after-life, than during his college course of four years. After leaving college he taught an academy one year in Maine. During that year the school was blessed with a revival of religion. From Elaine he went to the Theological Seminary at Andover. After completing the course he was ordained to the ministry, and settled as pastor over a church in New York city, in which charge he continued for thirty years. While in that city he was associated with its leading men in all the [lublic, benevolent, and religious movements of the time. His prominent position in the literary and religious world brought many applications for him to leave the pulpit for services in colleges and seminaries for which he was regarded as so eminently fitted. F'rom the retirement of Dr. Lord from the pres- idency of Dartmouth College, attention was directed to him as his successor. He received a unanimous call from the trustees of the college, which, after jiMyerfid deliberation, he acce|)ted. Dr. Smith entered upon his work in the full maturity of life with all the fire and energy of youth. iMidowed with every (piality which the highest mental culture could give, and freighted
SMITH
815
SMITH
with an experience rich in everj'^ department of litera- ry, sftcial, and religious life, he resolved to carry out the design of the founders of the college to impart a sanc- tified learning to all who should gain access to its halls. 80 thoroughly was he devoted to his great work that every moment was consecrated to the interests of the institution. He knew but one work, and every interest in which he took a part was made to contribute to the welfare of the college. His life as a pastor was, as it were, acted over again, for, while his care extended to the temporal welfare of his flock, he was, if possible, more anxious about their salvation. He improved oc- casions to converse with them on the subject of religion, and prayed much for them, while he asked for them an interest in the praj'ers of others. Dr. Smith not onl}- took an interest iu the affairs of the college, but in all things that pertained to the welfare of the commimity. As a citizen he was public-spirited, always earnest for improvements, quite up to the means of securing them, always willing to bear his full share of labor or expense. No one in the community was more free, more gener- ous in aid of every good cause, or more read}' to con- tribute of his substance to those in need. By over-ex- ertion his health became somewhat impaired and it ■was necessary for him to remain abroad during the winter and spring of 1870. With that exception he was rarely laid aside from labor during the thirteen years of his connection with the college. In Novem- ber of the last j'ear, near the close of the fall term, he was suddenly stricken down by acute disease, and from that blow he never fully recovered, nor had sufficient strength to attend to his official duties. Following the advice of his physician and his own judgment, he ten- dered, early in the winter, his resignation of the presi- dency. It was accepted with reluctance on the part of the trustees, but only when they saw there was no hope of his final recovery. He was grateful to God for having permitted him to render so long a service, and, though he could have wished it protracted, yet he was resigned to the divine will. During the last few days he was extremely weak, and at the close, without pain, he gently fell asleep in Jesus to enjoy the 'Test that remains for the people of God," Aug. 17, 1877. Dr. Asa D. Smith was author of the following : Letters to a Young Student: — Memoir of Mrs. L. A. Leavitt : — Im- portance of a Scriptural Ministry: — A Discourse on the Life and Character of Charles Hall, D.D.: — The Puritan Church's Stewardship : — Beneficence our Life Work: — Two Baccalaui-eate Discourses : — Obedience to Heaven's Law : — Death Abolished: — Introduction to Pi- oneer American Missions in China: — with numerous articles in the A mei-icati Theolor/ical Revieio and Bibli- cal Repository. See Allibone, Diet, of Brit, and A mer. A uthors. s. V. (W. P. S.)