"Letter from New Orleans," The Christian Recorder, Oct. 19, 1867, p. 1
- Title
- "Letter from New Orleans," The Christian Recorder, Oct. 19, 1867, p. 1
- Date
- 10-19-1867
- Creator
-
Edmonia Highgate
- Description
- In this article in The Christian Recorder (the newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church), teacher Edmonia Highgate reports the death of pastor J. B. Smith of the Free Mission Baptist Church. Smith had been one of the elected members of the new school board in New Orleans.
- Transcript
-
Editor of the Christian Recorder : -Allow me a space in the columns of your valuable paper, to note the death of Dr. J.B. Smith, of Boston, late pastor of the Free Mission Baptist Church in this city. He is too well known in the North as a firm, consistent, and able champion for human rights, and a noble, Christian gentleman, to need any incoming form our humble pen. His course while in this city, where "the harvest is so white, and the laborers so few," has been marked by those who have doubted the ability of those connected with "the newly enfranchised race."
The New Orleans Republican speaks of him thus: "This gentleman was modest and unobtrusive, possessing excellent talents, and maintaining and defending enlarged, intelligent and liberal views in reference to the important, political questions of the day. Dr. Smith was a fine speaker. His address to the Hon. W.D. Kelly, of Philadelphia, on his arrival in this city, was his first public effort here that brought him into prominence. His speech on that occasion we published, and it was read with unalloyed pleasure. On the 30th of June he was one of the orators at the Mechanic's Institute, and his remarks were listened to with profound interest. His death is a public loss."
Dr. Smith was elected one of the members of the new school Board. His last speech was a very eloquent appeal, urging the importance of giving equal school privileges to all children, without distinction of race or color. His last sermon was one especially for young men, and his text was, "Let no man despise thy youth-Neglect not the gift that is within thee," 1. Tim. 4: 12.14. Its depth of earnest thought was touchingly impressed upon his congregation.
The terrible epidemic, yellow fever which so many of our unacclimated citizens have fallen victims to snatched him from us, on Sep. 1st, attar an illness of eight days. He remarked to one of the deacons of his church, who was standing near his bedside at the last hours of his sickness, "Deacon, if my soul was as restless as this poor body, what would become of me, but the soul is quiet?"
Rev. John Turner officiated at his funeral. A large number of his friends, including several members of the city Common Council, followed his body from the residency of Mrs. E. Davis, whose house has been his home, and whose devoted attentions did all that human care could do to spare his life.
We have no words to convey to the public how greatly his loss is lamented. His name has been spoken of in connection with some of the most honorable positions in the power of the people to give. Truly, death chooses a bright and shining mark.
E.G. HIGHGATE.
NEW Orleans , Oct. 5th, 1867.
Part of "Letter from New Orleans," The Christian Recorder, Oct. 19, 1867, p. 1