The following is a tribute article which headlined in "Our Record", August, 1913, shortly after John Smith's funeral. It was written by T.D.W. Muir, then the Editor of the magazine:

Intro

"There are four names which through the years of the past have become very familiar to the readers of Our Record, especially in the U.S.A. and Canada. We refer to our esteemed brethren, Messrs. Donald Ross, Donald Munro, James Campbell and John Smith. They are now at home with the Lord, the last of them to leave us being our brother, Mr. John Smith, who on Tuesday, July 8th, 1913, suddenly, at the age of 64, fell asleep in Jesus, at "Ipperwash,", a Lake-side district, nine miles from Forest, Ontario.

The four men whose names we have mentioned, were, in their day, true gospel pioneers, and in a special sense were in this country connected with the earlier days of the testimony with which we are identified. In the beginning of their work, in the early '70's, there were few assemblies such as are now scattered through the land and our brethren found their work laid out, not in well-appointed halls, with everything made ready to their hand, but in the streets and lanes of the cities, or in the highways and fields of the country.

Upper rooms, vacant stores and unused chapels were rented, or school-houses and town-halls secured, and in such places, "paying their own way," they preached the gospel and taught God's Word day and night, until definite work was done, in sinners being saved and saints gathered together on Scriptural lines, and taught to "go by the Book." This Scriptural and Apostolic example served as a pattern for younger men whom God raised up during the years that followed, and was also a path trodden by many others who crossed from the old land, to help forward the work of the Lord on this side of the Atlantic."

Two Births 1849-1869

Mr. John Smith was born in the City of Aberdeen, Scotland, on June 3rd, 1849. His parents were of the stern Scotch type, honest, honorable and religious. Hence, in his early training, he was forced to conform to the "faith of his fathers." Of conversion to God, he knew nothing. But when about twenty years of age, and while working at the trade of ship-carpenter, a young companion of his named James W. Smith was brought to Christ.

From the first, this young man's testimony was clear and decided, but his pointed words and Godly ways only stirred up opposition in the heart of John Smith, and he tried to ridicule his fellow-workman for his "religion." But God had an arrow prepared for him. While working one day on the deck of a ship, the young convert passed him by with a friendly greeting. Something moved our friend to call out after him, "Are you going to the picnic Saturday?" Quietly turning, his old companion replied by asking, "John, is this world ALL that is worth living for?" and passed on.

That question was a barbed arrow from God's quiver, and it entered and fastened itself in his conscience. For some days he got no rest. The wrath of God was a reality, the sense of his sins crushed him, and he concluded "there is no salvation for me." Such were his convictions, when walking to his work early one Monday morning, April 9th, 1869, there came to his mind the lines of a familiar hymn: "One there is above all others, O how He loves!" And the thought arose, "Can it be possible that God loves such as I am?" And for an answer the Holy Spirit brought to his mind that Scripture in Romans 5:6, "when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

It was God's message of grace, and he wisely reasoned after this fashion, "If Christ died for the ungodly, then He died for me, for I am ungodly! God had saved John Smith, and he never wearied telling the, to him at least, wonderful story of his conversion to God. Years later he wrote the story, and it has been many times published in tract form, and circulated by tens of thousands in English speaking lands, with blessing to souls.

Early Ministry 1869-1873

Shortly after his conversion, he began to bear public testimony with others on the streets of Aberdeen. Later being led by the Word of God to see the truth of Believer's Baptism, he was immersed, and "joined" the Baptist denomination. Here he remained for some time, but as he read the Word, he found many a thing that did not tally with what was going on in his "church," the result being that he left it and took his place with a little company of Christians, who gathered in the name of the Lord, in an "upper room," where, to his surprise, he found many whom he had seen zealously preaching Christ in the streets and squares of the city, but whom he had not known where to "locate," ecclesiastically speaking.

Mr. Donald Ross had, with others, begun what was called the Northern Evangelistic Society, of which it may be said that its purpose was simply the spread of the gospel. With this Mr. Smith was identified as a helper, and doubtless there laid the foundations of that unique and stirring stamp of Gospel preaching, which was his. "Both sides of the message", was declared, the "ruin and certain doom of the sinner out of Christ", on the one hand, and the "free and full salvation that was in Christ", on the other. Further light on the principles of God's Word, regarding service, however, led to the dissolving of the "Society", and from that time onward, our brother and his earnest fellow-laborers, went on, in fellowship with the Assemblies of God's people, and with one another, but, individually feeling their responsibility to God alone, as His servants.

Canada 1873-1893

In 1873, Mr. Donald Munro having preceded him, Mr. Smith crossed the Atlantic to Canada. Money was none too plentiful, and what he had was needed for the work until which he had been called, so we find God's servant in the "third class" among the "immigrants", where he found room to preach the gospel diligently; enraging some, convicting others, having also the joy of seeing some of his fellow passengers saved, and rallying to his side others who knew the Lord, and were thus emboldened by his faithfulness to take a stand for God and his gospel.

Parkhill, Forest, Lake Shore, Shakespeare 1873

His first field of service in Ontario was Park Hill, where Mr. Munro had gone, then Forest, and Lake Shore, where Messrs. Alex. and John M. Carnie also came, and God wrought great things for His name. Then with Mr. Munro he went to Shakespeare, Ontario, and together in school house and hall they preached Christ, winning souls and gathering them together in Name of the Lord, the enemy meanwhile raging against the truth and the workers.

Hamilton 1874-1877

Hamilton, Ont., follows in 1874. For three months every night found our brethren Smith and Munro on the streets, a nearby rented lodge room, on the third floor of a business block, serving as an "after meeting room" to which interested ones were invited. Souls were saved, sometimes at intervals far enough apart to produce deep soul exercise on the part of the preachers, for they had not learned to complacently regard fruitless ministry. Again, a number would profess to get saved, and they would be cheered and encouraged to go on.

One night, during that memorable summer of 1874, three young men sat grouped together in the after-meeting in that upper room. They came in unsaved, they went out rejoicing in Christ. They were Mr. W.L. Faulknor who died in the Lord's service in 1908, at Pomona, Cal., the writer, and his brother. Several other conversions followed that week, and the weeks following, and the little company of called out and gathered together ones increased, so that a larger hall was secured, and in it a month of Bible readings were held, to establish the saints in God's truth and ways.

Hamilton then became a sort of center, from which the gospel went forth to surrounding towns and country districts. Our brother Smith was in his element when preaching in a "new" place, a school, a hall, anything, if the people could be gotten together, and so we find him in Toronto, Bolton, Galt, or maybe east in Boston, New York, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Binghamton, etc. Or it might be west to Chicago, Elgin, Sparta, Kansas City or St. Louis. With a body never very rugged, he kept at it, and from few places where he went did he come away without leaving some new born souls behind him.

Straffordville 1877

In the summer of 1877, with the writer, he went to Straffordville, in Elgin County, Ont., and the gospel was preached nightly for over four months in the district round about, and the truths that separate God's people from the world taught them. Then came an invitation to visit South Middleton, 12 miles distant, but having other plans, it was agreed to go for one night only. But the people filled the school, and were so attentive that Mr. Smith suggested another meeting. This was still more largely attended, leading him to suggest filling out the week. Thus were our "plans" broken, for with others who came in to help, the meetings were continued nightly for eight months! And to this day stand the evidences of how the Lord used His Word. Sinners were saved and assemblies formed.

Marriage and Cleveland 1889-1893

In the spring of 1889 our brother was married to Miss Christine Niven of Owen Sound, Ont., and for a few years they made their home in Stratford, Ont. But in 1893 while visiting Cleveland, Ohio, he was impressed with the vastness of the spiritual need of that great city, the result being that he moved his family there, a tent was pitched on the east side of the city, and with the late Mr. John D. McFadyen he preached the gospel, reaping an immediate harvest, in that a number were saved, some saints revived and recovered for God, and the little assembly was removed to that district, where it is still located in the Gospel Hall, Addison Road, near Wade Park avenue.

Concluding Ministry 1893-1913

It would be impossible to trace the movements of our brother during the years that have come and gone since that time, 20 years ago. But that same gospel spirit ever characterized him. Hell with its horrors, and Christ who died for the ungodly to save them from sin and hell, were his constant themes. Men might quarrel with his manner, but his matter was according to the Word, and none doubted his absolute sincerity of purpose, earnestness of desire, and the grip his messages had on the consciences of men. And he got souls to Christ. Even from his last long journey taken this spring to British Columbia, has come news of sinners saved here and there where he had been.

Final Days 1912-1913

But, the body felt the strain, and he had to shorten his visit to the northwest, and return to June last. A couple of weeks at home and then he went to Lake Shore, to his cottage at "Ipperwash" for a rest. On his way through Detroit he spoke briefly at the funeral of an old friend, and remarked, "God is gathering home his own, it may be my body around which you will be gathered next." His words seemed almost prophetic. About the same time he wrote Mr. W.P. Douglas, "I am glad my race is nearly run, and the fight almost fought. O how poorly it has been done! Still, I desire He should keep me near Himself, and "on Thy side Thou Son of Jesse", Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ".

On July 1st he wrote, ordering "Our Record" to be sent to him there, and added, "The best is ahead of us, rest and home. Was just reading Numbers 9, and was impressed with that word in the closing verses, 'At the commandment of the Lord they rested.' I find it harder to do this than to journey and preach, but 'He giveth more grace'".

The end came sooner than expected. While calling on some friends in a cottage half a mile distant from his own, and where he had rowed to bid them goodbye, for they were leaving shortly, his head was seen to droop over. A brother, E.B. Roy, of Detroit, put his arm over him, to steady him, but all was still. John Smith had gone to be with Christ which is far better. He was absent from the frail and worn out body , and present with the Lord. As might be expected, the saints at Lake Shore and Forest showered their love and care on the bereaved ones, and did everything Christian sympathy could suggest at such a time.

Funeral Cleveland 1913

The funeral was held at Cleveland, a large company being gathered together. Friends were there from many parts in Canada and U.S.A., and six of the older ones among his fellow laborers carried his body. They were Messrs. D. Oliver, Robert Telfer, W.P. Douglas, Benjamin Bradford, J. Goodfellow, and T.D.W. Muir. The morning of his death he had gone about the house singing the hymn, beginning "My Heart is Resting, O, My God", so it was sung at the Cleveland home, and was followed with prayer by Mr. Douglas.

The body was then taken to the Gospel Hall, where he had so often preached the gospel. It was filled with the Lord's people and others. Mr. Johnson gave out, "I heard the voice of Jesus say", and after prayer, read and spoke from 2 Chronicles 24:15, dwelling on last half of verse. Also Acts 13:36, "He served his own generation", etc. T.D.W. Muir followed, giving out the hymn, "God in mercy sent His Son", and reading portions of 1 Corinthians 15, and drawing special attention to the coming of the Lord, and the resurrection, as incentives to go on in the midst of a scene of death, for though the workers die yet at His coming their labor will be found to be "not in vain in the Lord", verse 58.

Mr. Telfer then closed the service by giving out the hymn, "How firm a foundation", and reading and speaking on the words of King David in 2 Samuel 3:38, "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel;" also Psalm 12:1. At the graveside, Mr. Oliver gave out "Numberless as the sands of the sea shore", which was sung by the Lord's people. He then prayed, commending the body of our brother to the tender care of Him who will find all His own when He comes, and also commending our sister and their two boys and two girls to the tender mercy and grace of our God.

Thus are the ranks of God's true servants thinning in this needy land, and this should give rise to real exercise of soul that He may raise up, and furnish men, mighty, because of His own grace and power bestowed on them, for the carrying on of God's work in the world and among the Assemblies of His people. As another has written their ambition should be to "Learn to grapple with souls, Aim at the conscience, exalt Christ; use a sharp knife with yourself. Say little, serve all, pass on. This is true greatness, to serve unnoticed, and to work unseen. O the joy of having nothing, and being nothing, seeing nothing, but a living Christ in glory, and being careful for nothing but His interests down here!" T.D.W.M.

Sources

Our Record, 1913 August; Detroit, MI; courtesy John Bjorlie, Grand Rapids, Michigan; 2018;

Unknown Spanish Publication; courtesy Marcos Gago Otero, Galicia, Spain; 2019;

John Smith

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