e of simple greatness. The house was
faded and worn by wind and weather, and was in perfect harmony with its
surroundings--the brown grass sod that peeped from under the snow, the
dull-colored, leafless elms, and the gray, worn stone steps leading up
from the street.

"An air of gentle refinement pervaded the interior, and every room
spoke of its inmate. But perhaps the library was best loved of all by
Dr. Smith, for here it was that his work went on. Here, beside a sunny
bay window, stood his work table, and his high-backed, old-fashioned
chair, with black, rounded arms. All about the room were ranged his
bookcases, and an old, tall clock marked the flight of time that was so
kind to the old man. His figure was short, his shoulders slightly
bowed, and around his full, ruddy face, that beamed with kindness, was
a fringe of white hair and beard."

Dr. Smith resigned his pastorate of the Newton church in 1854, and
became editorial secretary of the American Baptist Missionary Union. In
1875 he went abroad for the first time, and spent a year in European
travel. Five years later he went to India and the Burmese empire.
During his travels he visited Christian missionary stations in France,
Spain, Italy, Austria, Turkey, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Burmah, India,
and Ceylon.

The latter years of his life were devoted almost entirely to literary
work. He wrote numerous poems which were published in magazines and
newspapers, but never collected in book form. His hymns, numbering over
one hundred, are sung by various Christian denominations. "The Morning
Light is Breaking" is a popular favorite. Among his other published
works are "Missionary Sketches," "Rambles in Mission Fields," a
"History of Newton," and a "Life of Rev. Joseph Grafton." Besides his
original hymns, he translated many from other languages, and wrote
numerous magazine articles and sketches during his long and busy life.

Dr. Smith's vitality and enthusiasm remained with him to the last. A
great-grandfather when he died in his eighty-seventh year, he was an
inspiration to the younger generations growing up around him. He was at
work almost to the moment of his death, and still actively planning for
the future.

His great national hymn, if he had left nothing else, will keep his
memory green forever in the hearts of his countrymen. It is even more
popular to-day, after seventy-one years have elapsed, than it was when
first sung in Park Street Church by the Sun