SMITH--On Feb. 2, 1871, at his residence, near Smithland, Shelby Co.,
Ind., Rev. Hezekiah Smith, in the 87th year of his age.
The subject of this notice was born near Augusta, Ga., July 17, 1784. He
in early life removed with his parents to Hamilton Co., O. When but a
lad he went to Lexington, Ky., to learn the saddler's trade. While there
he professed religion and was baptized by Elder Bainbridge into the
fellowship of the Baptist Church in that place, in the seventeenth year
of his age. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he returned to
Ohio and united with the Duck Creek Baptist Church. He soon united with
the Bethel Baptist Church on Donald's Creek, Clark Co., O. This Church
soon licensed him to preach, and in 1824, at the call of the same church,
a council convened and ordained him to the work of the ministry. He was
very active in preaching the gospel wherever opportunity offered. His
sphere seemed to be that of an evangelist rather than a pastor, and in
that capacity he preferred to labor. He went everywhere preaching the
gospel, and many were led to Christ through his untiring labors and
faithful presentation of gospel truth. He never shunned to declare the
whole counsel of God. The Bible was his text book, and this he daily
studied and consequently became "mighty in the Scriptures." He was truly
a Bible preacher.
His moral character was always above reproach. One man said to the
writer, "I have known Father Smith for more than forty years, and no man
could ever say anything against his Christian character." He was a
consistent Christian. He was a man of strong positive convictions. He
deliberately and carefully made up his decisions on all moral questions,
and then fearlessly and persistently advocated them. He was always in
the van in all moral reforms. The great aim and effort of his life
seemed to be to elevate society, and to do this by leading the people to
Christ.
The last eighteen years of his life were spent in peace on his farm in
Shelby Co., Ind., with his companion, who survives him, and with whom he
lived over sixty years, surrounded by most of their children. He went
down to the grave like a shock of corn fully ripe, and all felt that a
good man had gone to his blessed reward. His funeral sermon was preached
by the writer from Rev. xiv.13.
===
His wife's name was Sarah DRAKE.
Jean Hehn
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