Uriah Smith
Smith, Uriah (1832-1903). Editor and author, who gave 50 years
of service to the SDA [Seventh-day Adventist]
cause. He was born in West Wilton, New Hampshire, and was impressed in
childhood by the Advent Movement of 1843-1844. When about 13 years of
age, because of an infection, his left leg was amputated above the knee.
From 1848 to 1851 he attended Phillips Exeter Academy, then declined
an attractive invitation to teach in Mount Vernon Academy, New
Hampshire. In the hope of earning money to attend college, he worked
briefly in a business that soon failed. In 1857 he married Harriet
Newall Stevens. About the end of 1852 he became a Sabbathkeeping
Adventist. His first contribution to SDA literature was a 35,000 word
poem entitled, "The Warning Voice of Time and Prophecy." It
was being published as a serial in the Review and Herald in 1853
when he joined his sister, Annie, as a worker at the office of The
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald in Rochester, New York. He
maintained an almost unbroken connection with the institution until the
time of his death.
In 1855 the Review and Herald moved to Battle Creek, Michigan,
and that same year, when Smith was 23 years of age, his name appeared
for the first time as editor. In the first number printed in Battle
Creek he wrote: "I do not enter upon this position for ease,
comfort, or worldly profit; for I have seen by my connection with the Review
thus far, that neither of these is to be found here." The primitive
equipment in use would have daunted a lesser spirit. In helping prepare
the first tracts he used a straight-edge and a pocketknife to trim the
edges. "We blistered our hands in the operation, and often the
tracts in form were not half so true and square as the doctrines they
taught."
In the early years severe financial problems faced the youthful
editor, but he managed so well that the Review and Herald flourished and
grew. Since for a time Smith was editor, proofreader, business manager,
and bookkeeper, he found his physical resources taxed to the limit. As a
result, in 1869 he was given a year's leave to recuperate, and J. N.
Andrews edited the paper during his absence. The next year James White
was elected editor with Smith as associate, but 12 months later Smith
was again editor. In 1873, following a disagreement with White over
administrative policies, he was relieved of his editorship. He left
Battle Creek and worked at his trade as an engraver, but in six months
was recalled to his former office, and a cordial relationship between
the two men was re-established and maintained from then on.
Smith had considerable mechanical aptitude. Because his artificial
leg gave him insufficient freedom of movement, he patented in 1863 an
improved model with fully flexible knee and ankle joints. In 1874 he
patented a school desk with an improved folding seat. For this he
received $3,000, which enabled him to build a new home. He served as
treasurer of the General Conference in 1876-1877.
By 1890, with competent editorial help, he was able to devote more
time to writing. He traveled extensively, speaking frequently at camp
meetings, in 1894 he visited many European countries and the Near East.
Alonzo T. Jones was made editor of the Review and Herald in 1897,
with Smith as an associate; but once again Smith returned as editor in
1901.
In addition to his editorial duties he assumed other
responsibilities. He was the first secretary of the General Conference
(organized 1863) and held that position on five different occasions. He
was also an instructor in Bible at Battle Creek College for many years.
It is understandable that during the formative period of the SDA Church
a man of Smith's firm convictions should become involved in some sharp
controversies. He taught the semi-Arian view held by Joseph Bates, James
White, and certain others, and denied the personality of the Holy
Spirit. His views on certain aspects of the law placed him in opposition
to E. J. Waggoner, A. T. Jones, and others in 1888. At times his
relations with Ellen G.
White were strained to the point where he questioned the nature of
her visions and made a distinction between her "testimonies"
and her "visions." After 1888, when she supported the new
emphasis on righteousness by faith, he even declined to accept some of
her counsels to him. Smith opposed the new trend during this period,
thinking that the sanctity of the law of God was being imperiled by the
place given to faith and grace. In 1891 Smith admitted his wrong
attitude, and complete harmony was restored. Never at any time had he
considered giving up his beliefs, nor had Mrs. White at any time thought
of him as unfit for his office. She always held him and his work in high
esteem. It is of interest that while the discussion was in progress, he
reported impartially the views of Waggoner, Jones, and Ellen
G. White. Some of his editorials, however, were sharply pointed.
Smith was one of the most fluent writers the denomination has had. In
debate his pen could be incisive. His talent for satire often found
expression when he dealt with fanaticism, faultfinding, and extremes in
health and dress reform. In his later years his writing became more
mellow and meditative, with a fine sense of form and words. Although a
creative writer, he also borrowed from contemporary and early expositors
for his materials, especially in his interpretations of prophecy. He is
best remembered for his book generally known by the short title Daniel
and the Revelation. It received the warm endorsement of Ellen
G. White and had an unrivaled influence on SDA prophetic teaching.
Thoughts, Critical and Practical, on the Book of Revelation was
published in 1867, and Thoughts, Critical and Practical, on the Book
of Daniel, in 1873. These books, combined in one volume, were first
sold by George King, thus marking the beginning of the sale of doctrinal
subscription books in the colporteur work of the SDA Church. This work,
now entitled The Prophecies of Daniel and the
Revelation, was revised several times, during Smith's lifetime
and later, and it still has a wide circulation. Among his other works
are The United States in Prophecy (later rewritten as Marvel
of the Nations), Here and Hereafter, and Looking Unto
Jesus.
Smith strongly urged the separation of church and state, advocated
noncombatancy, vigorously opposed slavery, did not approve of SDA's
seeking political office, and campaigned tirelessly against Sunday laws.
Smith was a handsome man of charming manner, more powerful in pen
than in speech. The last words he ever wrote, directed to the General
Conference in 1903, epitomize his lifelong purpose: "I am with you
in the endeavor to send forth in this generation this gospel of the
kingdom, for a witness to all nations. And when this is completed, it
will be the signal for the coronation of our coming King."
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