SMITH, A. C., Rev, Prof (1857-1904)
Assembly memorial minute, 1904
The death of the late Professor Smith has removed from the active service of our Church one of her most distinguished sons. Born in Scotland, he was brought by his parents at an early age to Queensland, where his father, the late Rev. A.C. Smith, became Minister of Rockhampton, and afterwards of Daylesford in this State. After a brilliant academic course at the University of Melbourne, Professor Smith proceeded to the New College in Edinburgh for his theological training. Here he further distinguished himself, and took a high place, more especially in his favourite subject of Hebrew.
Returning to Australia, he settled in Victoria in 1882, and was successively Minister of Horsham, Lismore, and Armadale, which last Charge he occupied for ten years. During this time he also took great interest in the Home Mission work of the Church, and held the post of Convener of the Committee. His ripe general scholarship and his attainments in Hebrew marked him out conspicuously for promotion on the appointment of Professor Harper to Sydney, and at the General Assembly of November, 1901, he was unanimously elected Professor of Hebrew and O.T. Exegesis.
In that post he had manifestly found his true vocation, arid he lived long enough to prove that in him the Church had chosen one who not only brought to the performance of his work a sound and cultured scholarship, but an enthusiasm which acted as a strong stimulus to the students who sat under him. At the same time, his services as a preacher were in constant demand, and were as freely given to our Congregations, for he set himself without stint to help his brethren in the Ministry, and it was while fulfilling an engagement at Morwell that the end came with such startling suddenness, and a career which gave so much promise of still further usefulness was brought to a close at the age of 47.
He was a man of choice disposition, ever seeking to promote the fellowship and peace of the Church. His kindly spirit, his devotion to bis own special work, and his generous appreciation of the work of others, will cause him to be long remembered amongst us.
The Commission humbly bows to God’s will in this matter, and records its deep sympathy with his sorrowing widow, his aged mother, and his remaining relatives in their sudden and unexpected loss.
Gender
- Male