I. Uriah Smith-Systematic Expositor of Prophecy

URIAH SMITH (1832-190S), ^{1Arthur G. Daniells, Funeral Sketch, Review and Herald, March 10, 1903; American Biographical History, Michigan Volume (1878), 3rd Congressional District, pp. 91, 92; Richard J. Hammond, “The Life and Work of Uriah Smith” (M.A. Thesis, 1944); Spalding, Captains(1949).} editor, author, and Bible teacher, was born in West Wilton, New Hampshire, and possessed the characteristic grit of the Granite State. When but a lad of twelve, with his parents he passed through the tense days of the Disappointment of 1844, which made an impression on his mind that was never effaced. He had had high teaching aspirations, graduating from Phillips Academy at Exeter when he was twenty. He then began to teach public school. But a childhood illness and infection led to the loss of his left leg, and this misfortune turned his thoughts toward sedentary occupations. He began drafting and sketching, and was skilled as a wood engraver. He was also adept in the mechanical arts, and was somewhat of an inventor.PFF4 1109.2

Picture 1: URIAH SMITH MAKES MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO SYSTEMATIC EXPOSITION
(Left) Birthplace of this gifted exegete at west Wilton, New Hampshire; (right) Uriah Smith, Able Editor and prophetic interpreter
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Upon becoming an Adventist, after attending a Sabbatarian conference at Washington, New Hampshire, in 1852, he turned away from a lucrative teaching offer to join the meager editorial staff of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. This was in May, 1853, at Rochester, New York. He transferred with it to Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1855. His first contribution was a lengthy poem, The Warning Voice of Time and Prophecy. ^{2Review and Herald, March 17 to Aug. 11, 1853. Also published as a pamphlet.} He also improved his gifts as a preacher, and was ordained in 1874. However, Smith became the most conspicuous writer and editor of the growing movement, and was editor in chief of the Review most of the time for nearly half a century. But he also had a pleasing address, and was a clear and logical speaker, though somewhat on the argumentative order with those who differed with him.PFF4 1110.1

But Smith’s strength obviously lay in his pen. He was an incisive writer, and was author of the verse-by-verse Thoughts on the Revelation (1867) and Thoughts on Daniel (1872), which were soon combined-so as to be sold by subscription ^{3GEORGE ALBERT KING (1847-1906), pioneer colporteur of the Seventh-day Adventists, began to preach but felt called to scatter the printed page, urging the issuance of the combined Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, so as to be sold by subscription. He continued to sell and to train others to sell such religious literature until his death. This colporteur feature later developed into a vast enterprise. See note on p. 999.} also Man’s Nature and Destiny (later replaced by Here and Hereafter), The Sanctuary and Its Cleansing, The United States in Prophecy (later becoming The Marvel of Nations), and Modern Spiritualism. He was likewise an able and popular instructor in Biblical exposition in Battle Creek College, beginning in 1876, as well as serving as secretary of the General Conference for some twenty years. So he was versatile. He visited Europe and the Holy Land in 1894.PFF4 1110.2

In the formative days of the Sabbatarian church, Smith stood by the side of James White, J. N. Andrews, and J. H. Waggoner in the critical study of Bible doctrine and prophecy as they unitedly sought to place their views fairly, intelligently, and convincingly before the world. He and his gifted sister, Annie R., ^{4ANNIE R. SMITH (1828-1852), early Adventist poet, completed the teachers’ training course at a young women’s seminary in Massachusetts, and became a schoolteacher. But upon hearing Joseph Bates to please her mother, she was persuaded of the advent faith, declaring, “This is the truth.” She became connected with the slender force of the Review and Herald shortly before her brother Uriah, serving as first proofreader and copy editor. Though self-effacing, she had marked talent, particularly the poetic gift. Her first poem expressing her newfound faith was, “Fear Not, Little Flock.” (Review and Herald, Sept. 16, 1851, p. 25.) Her talented pen wrote many treasured hymns, such as “How Far From Home,” and the historic “Blessed Hope.” But her consecrated life was cut short by tuberculosis. She lived but three years after joining the Review staff. (Review and Herald, Aug. 21, 1855, p. 21.)} evidently received their literary bent from their mother, Rebecca Spalding Smith, strong-minded and vigorous, who exercised her poetic gift even into her eighties. Annie, who was four years older than Uriah, wrote early advent hymns.PFF4 1111.1

Smith was a man of strong convictions and robust expression—his pen being a potent instrument. He had a trenchant style, and polemics were the recognized order of the day in those early times. He engaged in many a discussion, one particularly earnest exchange being with the Spiritualists. Another duel of pens was with Joshua V. Himes, and some of his rebuttals to critics were a bit stinging in tone. ^{5Cf. Review and Herald, Nov. 8, 1864, p. 188; Jan. 17, 1882, pp. 40, 41.}PFF4 1111.2

Although Smith was tolerant toward the views of others, he was very tenacious as to his own. He was a stalwart champion of religious liberty. But he built solidly, and had an easy, logical, and convincing way, as well as a smooth-flowing, graceful style of presentation, well suited to the time. His major contribution in the field of prophetic exposition was his Daniel and the Revelation, which soon became the denominational classic in this field. And it remained such for decades.PFF4 1111.3