Biography (1883)
AMONG
the numerous ministers of our churches there are greater scholars, more profound
theologians, and perhaps more eloquent speakers than the subject of this sketch;
but taking him all round, none who could be more truly described as "a
good minister of Jesus Christ."
The Rev. John Smith was born at Holme, a small village in Huntingdonshire, on the 10th of February, 1840, and is therefore forty-three years old, more than twenty-four of which have been spent in the ministry. His parents being associated with the Established Church, he was brought up in connection therewith, was baptized and confirmed according to its usages. In 1854 he removed from his native village to the "New World," on the Downham Circuit, where, for the first time, he came in contact with the Primitive Methodists, and was converted under their ministry, in the January following, and before he had completed his fifteenth year. When sixteen years old he began to preach, and two years later he was recommended for the ministry, and sent to travel on the Aylsham Circuit, under the superintendency of the late Rev. William Kirby. From Aylsham Mr. Smith removed to Ely, thence to Yarmouth, Colchester, Briston, East Dereham, then back again to Yarmouth, where he laboured with great acceptance and success, till the spring of 1874, when he left to take charge of the newly formed Mission in South Africa, the Yarmouth Circuit generously placing at his disposal the sum of £200, to defray the cost of the journey of himself and family to their distant home.
At Aliwal, Mr. Smith laboured hard and successfully. He succeeded in placing our Mission there on a satisfactory basis, in laying the foundations for future prosperity, in organising a weekday and Sunday School of some seventy scholars, in gathering a congregation of nearly 300 persons, and a church of 126 members. He also bought land, erected a Mission Chapel, and conducted religious services at James' Town, some thirty miles distant from Aliwal North. We do not wonder that after five years of such abundant, arduous, and persistent labours, he should have impaired his physical strength to such a degree as to necessitate his return to England. Returning from Africa, at his own request, Mr. Smith was stationed to Yarmouth a third time, whence he removed to Lynn, his present circuit, where, beside the ordinary work incident to the oversight of a station including over thirty societies, he has superintended the erection of four chapels, refitted and otherwise improved six or seven others, and at the same time he has efficiently discharged his duties as the Secretary of the various Committees of the District.
In the Norwich District, where he is so well known, Mr. Smith is highly respected, and deservedly so. His hold upon the District is partly accounted for by the fact of his singularly able ministry, but much is due to the Christ-like character of the man. There is something in Mr. Smith himself, in his benevolent countenance, in the tone of his voice, and in the grasp of his hand, that gives to those who come near him the assurance that he is a man to be trusted and loved. His great popularity has not made him either arrogant or vain. He is one of the most unassuming, unselfish, and genial of men. His love of literature, and his intense appreciation of goodness, wherever he finds it, preserve him from those narrowing influences that tend to make men bigots. Doing a fall share of useful work for Christ and the Church, himself, he recognises and appreciates the labours of others, no matter the name they bear nor the place they fill.
Making the acquaintance of Mr. Smith you are at once impressed that he is a "strong man," and more perfect knowledge of him confirms that first impression. He is no "trimmer," and has but little liking for compromises of any kind. If he takes the via media, it is because he believes it to be the right course, and having once convinced himself, it is not always an easy thing to turn him aside. Having clear and deep convictions, and the courage to avow them, he abides by those convictions, though in doing so he finds himself in a minority, or even alone.
Mr. Smith's parents, though honest, upright, and God-fearing, were poor. Their poverty necessitated his being sent to work on the farm, at the tender age of seven years, and precluded the possibility of early education. Happily the time has passed when English boys — mere children — could be sent to "keep the trapdoor" in the coal mine, to "carry clay in the brickfield," or, to "scare crows" and "watch the sheep" on the farm, six days in the week, and into the teens of hours each day. Untaught in his boyhood, Mr. Smith had everything to learn after deciding for Christ and joining the Church. The "new life" created within him a thirst for knowledge, and, selling his watch, that he might realise money for the purchase of books, he set himself to the task of mental discipline and culture. By dint of close and resolute application, he has accumulated large stores of useful information, made considerable attainments in the Greek, German, and Dutch languages, has some knowledge of the Latin, and is well versed in Biblical science. Our friend is a happy man in his "study." When recommended for the ministry, the only books he had read — very likely the only books he possessed, were a copy of the Holy Scriptures, and a "Life of Bramwell." Now he has a magnificent library, of some fifteen hundred carefully selected volumes. He is acquainted with the greatest thinkers of the age, and conversant with the theories they believed and taught. While holding, with unyielding grip, the "Foundation Truths" of the Christian faith himself, his sympathies are broad enough to reach to all whom he believes to be right-hearted men.
In addition to the series of papers on Africa and its Missions, contributed to the Quarterly Review, Mr. Smith, some years ago, published a well-written paper on the subject of "Scriptural Sanctification," a clear, forcible, and well-reasoned exposition of this much debated theme; and to our mind, the view of Sanctification, as presented in this paper, is the only view that agrees with the Word of God. He has also published a pamphlet, entitled, "What Harm will it do?" being a smart and trenchant reply to a tract on Disestablishment, entitled, "What Good will it do?" and written by the Rev. J. C. Ryle, then the popular Vicar of Stradbroke, now the Bishop of Liverpool.
Having the gifts necessary to interesting and successful public speech, Mr. Smith's services are sought for by our people in every part of the country. On the "platform" he is happy and effective. A slight incident furnishes him with the groundwork of a powerful address. The most playful raillery and wit lighten and brighten his discourse, and warming with his theme, he secures the attention, and carries the sympathies of his audience.
While our friend is at home in the Bible Class, in the Sunday School, or on the platform, "the pulpit is his throne." To preach is his vocation. He has a passion for preaching, and it dominates every other passion of his soul. No man can be more truly designated to the Christian Ministry than he. "Nature has endowed him with splendid gifts, and grace has touched them to the highest uses." He makes careful preparation for the pulpit, seeking by diligent and prayerful study, to understand the message he has to deliver, tracing and examining every passage of Scripture likely to shed light thereon, and digging to the very roots of those words that furnish the subject of discourse. In the delivery of his "message" he has an attractive style, a ready utterance, a melodious though not powerful voice, and command of an ample vocabulary of choice and felicitous language. But these things are not substitutes for thought. It is not manner rather than matter, but a happy combination, of both. As a rule, his sermons are wealthy in fresh and striking thoughts, in appropriate and beautiful illustration; and, unlike many sermons, those of Mr. Smith live with you and help you long after being heard. He is, pre-eminently, a preacher of Jesus Christ, and often the glorious theme kindles his imagination and fires his soul until it inspires the most fervid and melting strains of pulpit eloquence and power. Indeed, the whole service as conducted by him is marked by tender feeling, quiet fervor, and a reverent familiarity with divine things. He evinces the deepest sympathy with human frailties, and knows how to give utterance to the great needs and sorrows of the human heart. While offering the "opening prayer" we have known him to quiver with holy emotion, and the throng of worshippers yielding to its influence, the sanctuary has become the place of tears. As a Circuit Superintendent, Mr. Smith is methodical, painstaking, and has great organising and administrative ability. He is a strict disciplinarian, adhering faithfully to Connexional rule, except in special and exceptional circumstances, where the "letter might kill," then what is right and just is never sacrificed to the rigidity of the written law. Avoiding all party combinations, he is "open and above board" in all his dealings, and endeavours to act fairly with all. He sees that the "minor courts" of his station manage their own affairs, and thus saves the time of the quarterly meeting for the consideration of things of more general interest, and of greater importance. He has great faith in the "people," and jealously guards their rights and privileges. Any attempt to centralise the governing power of the churches would be likely to provoke his most strenuous and persistent opposition. Free from all mean prejudices himself, and generous even to the point of sacrifice, he commands the confidence and wins the affection of his colleagues in the ministry, and of the people generally. He has a lively interest in the work of our Sunday Schools, conducting teachers' preparation classes, organising Bands of Hope, and holding frequent services, especially for the religious instruction of the young. He is an abstainer of long standing, and whenever opportunity serves, he is ready to plead the claims of abstinence before the public. In politics he is a sincere admirer of Mr. Gladstone, and an ardent supporter of his general policy.
Mr. Smith, with his devoted wife and five children, returns to Africa in April next, at the urgent and unanimous request of the Missionary Committee, and in possession of their unqualified confidence. We do not think a better choice could have been made. He will prove himself a zealous worker for Christ, and will ably and honourably represent the Missionary Committee in that distant land. We share in the satisfaction felt throughout the Connexion with respect to this appointment, and while our prayers shall follow him to Africa, we cherish the hope that he may be spared to return to his native land, and minister to the Churches for many years to come.
Source: Primitive Methodist World, 22 March 1883
Biography (1890)
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THE eminent minister whose portrait forms
the frontispiece of this Magazine was born on the 9th of February, 1840, at
Holme, a small village in Huntingdonshire, one of the smallest of English shires,
and but little touched by Primitive Methodism.
Born of poor, but industrious and Godfearing parents, Mr. Smith was early taken
to the parish church, and was baptised and confirmed according to its rites.
Instead of going to school he was sent to 'scare crows' and 'keep sheep' on
the farm, when but six years old, his wages being 1s. 6d. per week, and his
dinner on Sundays. Five years later he left home, resolved to maintain himself,
and to fight his way in the world. In October, 1854, Mr. Smith hired himself
to a farmer at 'The World's End,' on the Downham circuit, where, for the first
time, he came into contact with Primitive Methodism, and was converted under
its mighty ministry. He joined the church at once. Removing to a new situation,
and persisting in going to chapel, he was locked out of doors on four successive
Sunday nights, and obliged to sleep where he could. In his sixteenth year he
began to preach, and soon afterwards was 'sent out to travel' on the Aylsham
circuit, under the fatherly care of the late Rev. W. Kirby.
'A raw recruit,' without education, without books, without money, and having
no friends to assist him, Mr. Smith resolved to qualify himself for service,
and by means of severe application to study, and much prayer, he has become
one of the most capable, acceptable, and successful ministers of Jesus Christ.
Ely, Colchester, Briston, Dereham, and Lynn circuits have shared in Mr. Smith's
labours, but it is with Yarmouth and Africa
that he is especially identified. He is now stationed at Yarmouth for the fourth
time, and is as popular among the people as in his earlier years. On his several
stations our brother has superintended the erection, enlargement, and renovation
of numerous Connexional properties, and in no case have they been left to burden
the congregations or worry his successors. It is proverbial throughout the district
that if you let Mr. Smith have his own way, the people will give him any amount
of money he asks for, so thoroughly do they trust and follow him. In proof of
this the Yarmouth circuit placed £200 in his hands when first starting
for Africa; at present they employ an Evangelist at a salary of £70 a
year, and pay him out of the ordinary revenue; and whereas for years past the
quarterly income has often been less than the outgo—now there is always
enough and to spare. The station has also trebled its missionary revenue under
his management, and raised hundreds of pounds for special uses beside.
Some ten years of the best of his life have been spent
in consolidating and extending our missionary work in Aliwal
(South Africa) and its neighbourhood, and in starting such influences as are
likely to insure the stability and growth of these distant churches. Our expedition
to the north of the Zambesi is largely due to Mr. Smith's patient research and
persistent advocacy.
In early manhood our friend was physically rubicund, robust, and strong; but
thirty years of ministerial toil such as his have weakened his constitution
and lessened his strength. Mr. Smith has been a diligent student, and has accumulated
large stores of useful information, acquired a knowledge of several languages,
and is well versed in Biblical literature.
Though through the lack of early training Mr. Smith is not 'a ready writer,'
he is, nevertheless, a frequent contributor to the Quarterly Review, and has
published several smart, racy, and trenchant papers on the burning questions
of the time.
To those who know him best, Mr. Smith is one of the most unselfish and lovable
of men. His unfailing kindness of soul, the earnestness he infuses into every
subject he touches, his intense love of right, revealing itself in speech and
deed, the broad, catholic feeling which inspires him, the freshness and beauty
of his religious life, combine to place him in the fore rank of men, and command
the affectionate admiration of his friends.
Little need here be said of Mr. Smith as a preacher, since he is known in all
parts of the Connexion as one of its most gifted ministers. To preach is his
vocation. He has a passion for preaching and it dominates every other passion
of his soul. 'Nature has endowed him with splendid gifts, and grace has touched
them to the highest uses.'
As a circuit superintendent Mr. Smith is methodical, painstaking, and has great
organising and administrative ability. Like every man who holds decided opinions
and shrinks not from expressing them in forcible language, he is subject to
criticism, but those who know him feel that even 'his failings lean to virtue's
side.' Indeed, it is impossible to know him well and not conceive for him a
high personal respect which overpowers every feeling that arises from diversity
of opinion, or from the strong way in which his opinions are asserted.
Mr. Smith is as radical in national as in ecclesiastical politics, and at a
recent hotly-contested election for the Yarmouth School Board, he was returned
at the head of the poll, having received 5818 votes, being 990 more than the
next highest candidate received. It is known to some that he has been sounded
as to his willingness to contest a certain division of Norfolk at the next Parliamentary
Election, and should he consent to stand, there is no man within our knowledge
that would have the remotest chance of winning the seat against him.
In February last the Yarmouth friends assembled in large numbers to celebrate
Mr. Smith's Jubilee, when they presented him with a beautiful address, a splendid
timepiece, and a purse containing £30.
His brethren have recognised his high character, abilities, and service by sending
him to Conference many times, by electing him to attend the great Conference
to be held in America next year, and by appointing him vice to the present General
Missionary Secretary.
That our brother's life may long be spared to his wife and children, and to
the church he has so faithfully served both at home and abroad, is the prayer
of a large number of admiring friends. A. T. W.
Source:
Primitive Methodist Magazine, Vol. XIII / LXXI, 1890
Photograph by London Stereoscopic Co. (Photomezzotype)