Smith, Charles A, Dd

Smith, Charles A., D.D., a Presbyterian minister, was born, in the city of New York in 1809. He received a classical education in the Hartwick Seminary, and subsequently passed through a theological course. His early labors were in the Lutheran Church, and at the age of twenty-one he was ordained and installed pastor of the Palatine Church on the Mohawk River, west of Albany. After seven years' service he was called to take charge of a new Church enterprise in Baltimore, Md. While there he was a contributor to the Southern Observer, and in connection with Dr. J.G. Morris he prepared and published a

Popular Exposition of the Gospel in four volumes. He was next called to the rural parish of Wurtemberg and Rhinebeck on the Hudson, where he remained nine years, during which he conducted successfully several controversies in behalf of evangelical religion in opposition to a dead formality. Many, through his faithful ministrations, were brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. After this, he received a call to Christ Church, Easton, and after a few years of successful labor was called to St. Mark's Church, Philadelphia. Here he accepted a call to the Western Presbyterian Church in that city. In this Church he remained seven years, doing effective service. From this charge he was called to the Presbyterian Church at East Orange, N.J. After a successful pastorate of five years, he resigned his charge and returned to Philadelphia, where one of his sons, Rev. Henry A. Smith, has for a long time been pastor of a flourishing Presbyterian Church (Northminster), and another son, E.C. Smith, has for twelve years proved his excellent qualities as an educator as principal of Rugby Academy. Dr. Smith died in Philadelphia, Feb, 15, 1879. He was, in the judgment of those who knew him best, a man of rare attainments. He was frank, ingenuous, unpretending, and manly. His writings were numerous, and his style, especially in translations from the German and in his descriptive works, was remarkably happy. Among these works, besides those already mentioned, were a translation of Krumnnacher's Parables: — Illustrations of Faith: — Men of the Olden Time: — Familiar Talks about the Five Senses: — Among the Lilies: — and last, perhaps best of all, Stoneridge, made up of pastoral sketches and scenes from his early ministry. His contributions to the periodical press were numerous. See Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v. (W.P.S.)