Uriah Smith (May 3, 1832 – March 6, 1903) was a Seventh-day Adventist author, minister, educator, and theologian who is best known as the longest serving editor of the Review and Herald (now the Adventist 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 is Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation often abbreviated simply as Daniel and the Revelation.[3] It became the classic text on Adventist end-time beliefs.
His older sister Annie R. Smith was an early Seventh-day Adventist poet and hymnist.
While SDA co-founder Ellen 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 by Jones and Waggoner 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 book Thoughts 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]
Death of Uriah Smith
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.
Selected publications
The Warning Voice of Time and Prophecy (1853)
The Bible Student's Assistant, Or, A Compend Of Scripture References (1858)
Mortal or Immortal? Which?, or, An Inquiry into the Present Constitution and Future Condition of Man (1860)
The Two Covenants (1860s)
Which? Mortal, Or Immortal? : Or, An Inquiry Into The Present Constitution And Future Condition Of Man (1864)
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