Obituary of Moses Smith, Southern Christian Advocate, Methodist Newspaper
which began June 24, 1837
SCA: 8/7/1856
Vol X, No. 9
page 36, Col. 1
Rev. Moses Smith
Died, in Marion, S.C. June 30, 1846, the Rev. Moses Smith, in the
seventy-sixth year of his age. He was a native of North Carolina, joined
the M. E. Church when he was about twenty-one years of age, and was
licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of Little Pee Dee Circuit,
June 21st, 1806, George Daugherty being the presiding Elder. He was ordained
Deacon by Bishop Asbury, Jan. 10, 1813--in a little shop by the way-side in
Marion. This is stated on the parchment, in the Bishop's own handwriting.
He was ordained Elder by Bishop George, Jan. 14th, 1821. Father Smith
joined the church in those days that tried men's souIs. He had much
opposition, but "none of those things moved him." His unaffected piety soon
gained the esteem of his enemies. His cheerfulness seasoned with all the
gentleness of humble love, his meek wisdom, his even stability, and
unyielding integrity, won upon the affections, and secured to him the
friendship of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was a man
of honest heart, plain address, good utterance, and sound judgment. He had to
contend with the privations of poverty all his life, but he always appeared
"contented with such things as he had." He had a heart that overflowed with
gratitude, for what many would call small favours. He never thought of an
injury, and never forgot a favour. Although he lived almost to a
"patriarch's length of days," yet his mind retained its vigour and strength.
He was so afflicted the last few years of his life with asthma that he was
not able to preach. It nearly destroyed his voice, so that,
"His big manly voice
Turning again toward childish treble pipes,
And whistled in its sound."
His last illness was short; but he suffered extremely; appeared conscious
all the while, that the attack was to terminate his sufferings. A few
moments before his departure, he called his family around him, exhorted
them, gave directions concerning his burial, selected the text for his
funeral sermon, and bade them a final farewell, then fell asleep in Jesus.
Thus lived and died old Father Smith, universally beloved, and regretted
"Farewell: thy cherished image dear, Shall many a heart, with pious love
revere."
Colin Murchison
Marion, July 18, 1846
Submitted by Lisa Lasky, 17 Feb 2000.
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