The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Elder Smith’s Statement

In speaking of this event, Elder Uriah Smith says: “The circumstances of his death could hardly have been more favorable. So long as he was conscious during the last three days of his illness he testified that he suffered no pain. A large company of sincere and tearful friends stood in and about the building while on that pleasant Sabbath afternoon his life ebbed slowly away. Like falling into a quiet sleep, so he went down in death; and when all was over, a sweet peace seemed to sit embalmed on every feature. It was as if this prayer had been answered: GSAM 449.2

” ‘Spare me this hour to sleep, Before thy sleepless bliss is given; Give me a day of rest on earth, Before the work of heaven.’ “ GSAM 449.3

At the time of his death he was sixty years and two days old. The esteem in which he was held in Battle Creek was evinced in the fact that at least twenty-five hundred people were present at his funeral, August 13, and he was followed to his last resting place in Oak Hill Cemetery by a procession of ninety-five carriages and a multitude of people on foot. GSAM 449.4

From the many testimonials given after his death, and published in the Review, we quote the following from the pen of Elder S. N. Haskell:— GSAM 450.1

“When I consider his sound judgment in almost every emergency, his tenderness of heart and nobility of soul manifested toward the erring, and even toward those who had abused him, whenever he saw evidences of their repentance and his love for what he believed to be right, I can truly say, A father in Israel has fallen. And while he rests, the cause, as well as many individuals, will realize the want of his foresight and fatherly care.” GSAM 450.2

When he died, our enemies claimed that the message must now stop. Not so; those institutions which, under the divine hand, had been established by him, were destined to grow to still greater magnitude, to be as “trees of the Lord’s planting,” from which should spread forth numerous and fruitful branches. GSAM 450.3