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Uriah Smith | |
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| Born | (1832-05-03)May 3, 1832 |
| Died | March 6, 1903(1903-03-06) (aged 70) |
| Occupation(s) | Author, Inventor and Editor ofReview and Herald of theSeventh-day Adventist Church |
| Notable work | Daniel and the Revelation |
| Spouse | Harriet Newell Stevens Smith |
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Uriah Smith (May 3, 1832 – March 6, 1903) was aSeventh-day Adventist author, minister, educator, and theologian who is best known as the longest serving editor of theReview and Herald (now theAdventist Review) for over 50 years.
Uriah Smith was an extremely creative individual. Some of his lesser-known contributions include his work as a poet, hymn writer, inventor, and engraver. He patented an artificial leg with a moveable ankle[1] and a school desk with an improved folding seat[2] and several other inventions and improvements. At the time of the formation of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 1863, Smith was elected as the first secretary. He later held this same position again five separate times. He also served a term (1876–77) as General Conference treasurer.
Ordained to the gospel ministry in 1874, in that same year he also helped co-found Battle Creek College. As a theologian in residence at church headquarters he regularly taught Bible classes, and ministerial workshops, and chaired the college board.
As the author of numerous books, Smith carved some of the first woodcut illustrations published by early Sabbatarian Adventists. He was one of the most prolific authors of early Adventism. His best-known work isThoughts on Daniel and the Revelation often abbreviated simply asDaniel and the Revelation.[3] It became the classic text onAdventist end-time beliefs.
His older sisterAnnie R. Smith was an early Seventh-day Adventist poet andhymnist.
Uriah Smith was born in 1832 inWest Wilton, New Hampshire. His family accepted theMillerite message and in 1844 experienced what has become known as theGreat Disappointment. That same year, Smith had his left legamputated due to aninfection. Following the Disappointment, Smith lost interest in religion and commenced schooling atPhillips Exeter Academy inExeter, New Hampshire. In December 1852, he accepted the message taught by Sabbatarian Adventists which in 1863 became theSeventh-day Adventist Church. In 1853, he began working at the offices of theAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald (now theAdventist Review), becoming its editor in 1855. His main contribution to Adventist theology was a commentary on the prophetic Biblical books of Daniel and the Revelation, but he also wrote extensively onconditional immortality and other topics. He advocated religious liberty, theabolition of slavery, and noncombatancy for Adventists.
While SDA co-founderEllen White wrote many things saying how she "loved Brother Smith next to my own husband and children because he has had a part in the work for so many years.",[4] she also had many warnings for him. In 1869 she wrote: "I had no rest in spirit in the house of Brother Uriah. I have left the house saying to myself, “It is a godless house. I have seen no less than four evil angels controlling family members". And in the same letter: "We do not expect you will have any more light nor as much as you have had. We cannot trust you."[5]
In 1883 he was one member of five people who was appointed the task of removing the grammatical imperfections in the writings of Ellen White.[6]
Along with General Conference president,Elder Butler, Uriah Smith was one of the two top figures in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to reject the message of Righteousness by Faith, brought byJones andWaggoner to the General Conference session Minneapolis in 1888. "The result of your (Uriah Smith's) course, and your working on the same line since you left Minneapolis, has made the carrying out of the work given me of God to do fiftyfold harder than needed have been. You have barred my way,"[7]
He repented in 1891, saying: “Sister White, will you forgive me for all the trouble and distress that I have caused you? This is the last time if the Lord will pardon me. I will not repeat the history of the past three years.” Ellen White rejoiced at this.[8]
In 1899 Ellen White endorsed Uriah Smith's bookThoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, alongside two of her own, saying: "We will stand together, Brother Smith. Of all the books that have come forth from the press, those mentioned are of the greatest consequence in the past and at the present time. I know that “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” has done great work in this country."[9]
He died in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1903, at the age of 70, from a stroke on his way to the Review office.[10] He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan.
| Preceded by | Editor of theAdventist Review 1855–1861 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Editor of theAdventist Review 1864–1869 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Editor of theAdventist Review 1870–1871 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Editor of theAdventist Review 1872–1873 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Editor of theAdventist Review 1877–1880 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Editor of theAdventist Review 1881–1897 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Editor of theAdventist Review 1901–1903 | Succeeded by |
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