mmm I m ill 1 111 1 11 iii ill flD^ Country?, 'tie of Zbcc, MN 24 1896 Or \v.»5'.'' If ^ DOCTOR AND MRS. SMITH AT HOME. MY COUNTRY/TIS OF THEE THE LATEST POEMS REV. SAMUEL FRANCIS SMLLH, D.D. THE PEOPLE'S LAUREATE, REV. GEORGE C. LORIMEK, D.p. BOSTON A !>-^ J . AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY I 896 S72 copykioht, 1 Connnittee. Frank E. H. Gary, * ^Rcv. Samuel Jfrancie Sinitb, B.S), BIOGRA PHICA L SKE TCH. " My Country, "tis of Thee.*'' The author of this remarkable hymn. Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, U.D., was born in Boston, Mass., Octol)er 21st, 1808, and died in the same city, November i6th, 1895, having reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Dr. Smith was prepared for college in the Boston Latin School, receiving the ''Franklin Medal" at the end of his course. He entered Harvard University in 1826, graduating in the class of 1829, among his classmates Ijeing the late Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. He afterwards entered the Andover Theological Seminary, where he graduated at the age of twenty-four. Just after leaving the seminary he was engaged in editorial work for about one year. At the age of twenty-six he accepted a call to the first Baptist Church at Waterville, Maine. At the same time he accepted the professorship of niodern languages in Waterville College, now Colby University. It was during his early stay in Waterville that he was married to Miss Mary White Smith, who survives him. lO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Dr. Smitli held the two positions of pastor and professor for a period of about eight years. He then removed to Newton Centre, Mass., and became edi- tor of the CJiristiaii Rc7'icuK and pastor of the First Baptist Church of that place. His editorial duties con- tinued for a period of seven years, and that of pastor for about twelve years. At tlie expiration of his pastor- ate he was elected editorial secretary of the Missionary Union, wiiich position he held for tifteen years. These were years full of consecrated service and Christian activ- itv. Whatever duty he undertook to perform, he per- formed it to the best of his ability, supported by a ripe Christian experience, and a true scholar's instinct. He visited Europe twice, once in 1875. ^"^^ again live years later, in 1880, his wife accompanying him upon both occasions. It was in 1880 that he travelled exten- sively in the East, visiting many of the most important missionary stations. Dr. Smith was not only a preacher of marked ability, but a scholar and a poet. His gift as a linguist was almost phenomenal. At the age of eighty-five he was engaged in the study of the Russian language, in order better to understand and sympathize with the oppressed of that country. Quite a portion of the later part of his life he devoted to the acquisition of some new language ; and it has been stated upon good authority that at the time of his death he could read readily twelve to fifteen diflerent languages. He was also a close and critical student in manv other and varied BIOGRAPinCAL SKETCH. II departments of learning. As a poet we have had many beautiful productions from his pen, liis thought often- times taking form in rhyme of a patriotic and Chris- tian character. Many are the beautiful hymns which he has given to tlie world ; they will stand as a monument to his memory: among them might be mentioned the old and familiar hymn, " The Morning Lignt is Breaking." In 1843 lie published (with Dr. Baron Stowe) "The Psalmist;" in 1844, a volume of Lyric Poems: and in 1895, Poems of •• Home and Country."' His best known production, however, is that hymn so near and dear to every true American heart, " My Country, "tis of Thee." The circumstances under which he wrote "America'" can be best described b\' using the Doctor's own words, which appeared in the Baptist diion in 1894. In referring to the history of this old hymn he says, "The author was then a student of theologv in his last year at Andover, Mass. The hymn ^vas written in a leisure hour, just before sunset, and with other songs was given some weeks later to Mr. Lowell Mason. Mr. Mason was at that time the leader and instructor of a children's chorus in Boston. On the following Fourth of July, Mr. Mason made this hymn a part of his pro- gramme for the children's celebration in the Park Street Church. Soon after, singing in the public schools was everywhere introduced: with these exercises, "America" found its way to the front, and its patriotic words at once became popular. The hymn has gone around the I 2 Bli HiKA rilICA L SKE TCI I. ^v()^l(l. aiul now, after sixty years, seems nearer to the public heart than ever." '• Thy strong, sweet song, Thy noble theme Through all the land shall ring, Long as the nation lives to chant ' Save us. (ireat God, our King.' Port and Preacher. Teacher, Friend. — Thy psalm of liberty Hath tilled our hearts, our homes, our lives, Witli sweetest harmony."' These words of Mrs. M. A. Bucknian beautifuHy ex- l^ress the sentiment of every true American lieart. Dr. Smjth was lovetl by tlie young as well as the old. He won his \\a\' into the ai^lectionate re;;ard of every true and loyal heart. Whatever was of interest to them was alst) of interest to him. He v.as made an hon- orary member (\{ the Young Men's liaptist Social Union in 1895 : and uj) to the time of his death he had attended all but one of the semi-annual " Ladies.' Xights" of the L'nion, either as its honored guest, or as an honorary member, and he also C(mtributed the six original hymns wliieh appear in this little booklet. Citi/en, jxitriot, scholar, poet, follower oi Christ, "tis tiue that we shall no longer see thee with mortal eye. Like the close of a beautiful autumnal day, as sinks the sun over the distant hills only to usher a beautiful morning into some distant land, so closes this life to us here below, onlv to be renewed in an immortal life in the l)eautiful land beyond. The poet, scholar, sci- BIOGRA rmCA L SKE TCH. n entist, and liistorian may appear upon the " world's broad stage," live their brief day and generation, pass on and be forgotten. The work of the artist may fade upon the canvas, the work of the sculptor may crumble into dust, generations may pass into oblivion or live only in a few brief pages of history: yet so long as the American nation sliall stand, the words "My Country, ' tis of Thee," will live, and be sung by the countless millions of future generations. Loved and honored, poet-patriot, we cannot, we will not, say farewell; for thou dost live. How appro|)riate for the close of a true, noble, patriotic, and consecrated life are the words of our brother when he so l)eauti- fully sang, — " O Ruck of A(;es ! when in death My strength grows weak, my spirits fail, And earthly helpers leave my feet To tread alone the solemn vale, Then from each cliff and slope and crag Let light from heaven reflected shine ; Christ is earth's sun, and Christ alone Can gild the tomb with rays divine. As clings the seaman, when his bark Is shattered by the raging wave. To fragments of the broken wreck, And vainly hopes his life to save, — So in all times of risk and need, My spirit to Thy shade shall flee, Secure, in life or death, to find, O Rock of Ages ! all in Thee.'' c^o^^ ^/n ce/?^ >7^e-rr oa/. ;>^^7>>c^^*i*?» y^j^ O^^^ C^'/^o. ^^ '^^^^^ 7'r>^y*^tc- tifrriL^^ ^^^ /^x-e^-c^ C^ a^TocS^^ (?U^ Columbue. TuxE, " America." Westward, brave seaman, sail, Pressed on by every gale ; God is thy guide ! Westward, and nothing fear, Westward, thy pathway steer. Till some fair land appear Beyond the tide. Day and night went and came. Led l3y God's pillar'd flame, — All sails unfurled : The sailor trod the deck. Fearless of storm or wreck, When rose a distant speck, Lo I the new world. God of the sea and land, We trace Thy glorious hand, We own Thy power. Here set Thy rightful throne. Make the new world Thine own. Rule its expanse alone, Forever more. October 17, 1S92. 19 nn>artba ant) flDari?. Tune, " America.'' Cu.mbp:red with earthly care, Her lot. to do and bear, To watch and wait : Martha, with tender thought. Her loving service brought. It was for Christ she wrought Early and late. Marv, — ah, place most sweet, Low at the Saviour's feet. Hung on His word ; Hers, but in love sincere. Waiting His voice to hear, With meek and holy fear, Beside her Lord. Be ours the bliss to sit. Waiting at Jesus' feet, — The twain in one, — Whether we hear or do. With patient hearts and true. To toil, and listen, too, To Him alone. October i6, 1893. Tune, "Duke Street." As ocean with majestic roar Rolls its white billows to the shore. Our praise. Lord, like the sounding sea. Shall break in ceaseless waves to Thee. The rippling stream, the whispering leaves. The gorgeous forms which sunset weaves. The thunder's crash, the lightning's flame, Thy ]3resence and Thy power proclaim. Each sunny ray, each sparkling star. Glows with His wondrous name afar, And all our throbbing pulses tell Of Him whose love does all things well. Just as the lark with quivering wings Soars, and still soars, and, soaring, sings, Breathe with each breath the Saviour's praise, Extol His name in loftiest lays. His mercv every blessing brings. Crown Him with glory, King of kings: Before His throne, adoring, fall. And crown the Saviour Lord of all. October 15, 1894. fll>i66ionar^ 1b\)inu» Tine, " Antioch." Spkki) on Thy victory, mighty King, — The world awaits Thy call, — Swiftly Thy glorious kingdom bring. And reign Thou, Lord of all. All things are Thine, the earth we tread Tlie stars, the sky, the sea : And we are in Thy image made, C)ur all belongs to Thee. So, conquering Prince, o'er all the world 15id sin and tumult cease. And Thy blest banner float, unfurled. Above a world at peace. (father fresh crowns, of priceless worth. Triumphant Saviour, Thou ; Till the fair crown of all the earth Shall glitter on Thy brow. March 19, i>!ij5. Tl-ne, " Lyons." Extol ye Jehovah, His gloiy proclaim ; Our shield and defender, sing praise to His name. His life is our life, and we lean on His arm, His presence to life gives its holiest charm. We hnd in His service our noblest employ, To do His blest will is our aim and our joy; No bliss like the bliss by His hand to be led. No crown like the crown that honors His head. We wait for His summons, we bow to His word. Our Master, our Saviour, our Teacher, our Lord ; We love Thy dear footsteps, we walk in Thy fear. Speak, Lord, to our hearts, and Thy servants shall hear. Accept Thou the gilt which we lay at Thv feet ; For grace we implore, for strength we entreat ; So life, be it longer or shorter, sjiall be A life full of service, dear Saviour, for Thee. October 21, 1895. 23 Wkitten roK THE Young Men's Baptist Social Union, September 1S95, AND adopted as THE Hail ! happy scene of feast and song ! How sweet the minutes roll, When heart to beating heart responds, And soul to kindred soul. Love rules the hour, true Christian love, A force divinely given, The foretaste of immortal bliss, " The antepast of heaven. And who shall be our honored guest. With grace to crown the board, Who, sit, the !\Iaster of the feast, Who, but our glorious Lord ? Bring near, with jo}-, the costly vase. And break it, — "tis but meet. — And pour the precious ointment forth, , To bathe His sacred feet. Thus the rich banquet, fitly spread, Shall prove a feast indeed ; And living Ijread from His own hand Olu" waiting souls shall feed ; The King of kings and Lord of lords No royal gift shall spare. And manna, of our earthly board, Be changed to angels" fare. 24 ^be peoplc'6 Xaureatc* BY REV. GEORGE C. LORIMER, D.D. Affectionately inscribed to Rev. S. F. Smith, D.D., on the OCCASION OF HIS S7TH BIRTHDAY, OCTOBER 2 1ST, I895. O PATRIOT Bard ! whose loftiest song Shall evermore thy fame prolong, Whose growing years, in sacred calm. Like notes divine in holy psalm, Are praising all things good and true, Inspiring" men to think and do, — Long may thy harp with sweetest lays Wreathe for thy brow the poet's bays. True Laureate, thou, of our fair land. Uncrowned by king or courtly hand. Unpledged to laud some regal cause. And seek from princelings cheap applause, — Thou art the chosen of the free. To sing their song of liberty. To fill the people's homes with light, And champion in their name the right. No storied Abbey waits thee here. Nor Minsters roof to sliield thy bier ; Thy grave where sturdy freemen lie, Beneath the great Cathedral skv : And when that day which millions dread Shall crown thee with the mightv dead. Then shalt thou find, v/hile ages roll, A poets' corner in the soul. lii lili 'iiil lijlll 'Mm. IhKii!', '•^'^illv llllll LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 225 789 4