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Smith, Samuel Francis

clergyman, author, poet, was born Oct. 21, 1808, in Boston, Mass. He received his education in the Boston Latin school, and besuccessful clergyman and author. In 1834 he was ordained a clergyman of the baptist church; filled a pastorate in Waterville for two years; and during 1842-54 filled a pastorate in Newton, Mass. He has been editor of the a various publications of the Baptist Missionary union during 1864-69; and he twice visited the chief missionary stations in Europe and Asia. Dr. Smith did a large amount of literary work, mainly in the line of hymnology, his most noted compositions being the national hymn, My Country, 'Tis of Thee, and the missionary hymn entitled The Morning Light is Breaking. His original hymns and poetry have been published under the titles of Lyric Gems; The Psalmist; Rock of Ages; and he was also the author of Missionary Sketches and other works. He died in 1896.