FROM THE REV. ABRAHAM BURNHAM, D. D.

PEMBROKE, N. H., December 19, 1849.

Rev. and dear Sir: Had I foreseen, forty years ago, that the Rev. Ethan Smith would die before me, and that I should be requested to furnish my recollections of him in aid of a sketch of his character, I might have been able, even at this late period, to contribute something that would be of use to you. But when you remember how evanescent our impressions generally are, where there is nothing special to give them permanence; and when I tell you that I never had but nine years' ministerial intercourse with Mr. Smith, and that that brief period terminated more than thirty years ago, you will not expect from me much that can avail to your purpose. I will, however, cheerfully do what I can in compliance with your wishes.

When Mr. Smith was installed at Hopkinton, in the early part of the year 1800, I was a spectator of the solemnity. From that time I occasionally saw him, and heard him preach at Dunbarton, my native place, a town adjoining Hopkinton; though not very frequently, as I was absent from home, either a student at College, or engaged in teaching. But from the time of my own ordination in this place, (March, 1808,) I had the privilege of uninterrupted fraternal intercourse with him, until he resigned his charge, and left the State about the close of the year 1817. I can truly say that my recollections of him are exceedingly pleasant; and I have no doubt that all the ministers in this region with whom he was associated, would unite with me in the opinion that his name is very worthy of being enrolled with the great and good who have gone before us.

The personal appearance of Mr. Smith was decidedly prepossessing. He was of full middling stature, thick set, and erect in posture, quick in all his motions, and yet graceful in all, of a light, fair complexion, bright, sparkling eyes, and a pleasant countenance that always told of good feeling, peace, and hope within.

In his dispositions he was humane, benevolent, affectionate,—a true friend of his race. He possessed natural and acquired abilities, which, under the control of a sanctified heart, qualified him for extensive usefulness. With warm and generous sympathies, with highly cultivated social feelings and much improved conversational powers, he was a very agreeable companion, and always contributed to the happiness of every circle into which he happened to be thrown.

As a minister of the Gospel, he certainly occupied an elevated position among his brethren. Like Timothy, he had known the Scriptures from his childhood. Few, if any, ministers of his time, had a more familiar acquaintance than he, especially with the common version of the Bible. He was a Bible man, and a Bible preacher. He was well read in Theology and Ecclesiastical History. He delighted much in what he regarded the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, and was at once apt in illustrating them, and able in defending them. He was a ready extemporaneous speaker, and often uttered himself most felicitously without much premeditation; but his composition was perhaps a little verbose, and his utterance rather unduly rapid. He was a warm friend of what he accounted pure revivals of religion; though he was careful to distinguish the precious from the vile, in the whole matter of religious experience. The office work of the Holy Spirit formed a frequent and important topic of his public discourses, and he discussed it skilfully, experimentally, solemnly. As a pastor, he was ever watchful, sympathetic, affectionate, and withal successful. As a writer, he was judicious and useful, rather than polished and ornate. His printed works indicate extensive reading, laborious research, and patient reflection.

Mr. Smith was a warm friend to the various benevolent objects of the day, and a liberal patron also, so far as his limited means would admit. He had a leading part among a few clergymen in establishing the New Hampshire Missionary Society, in 1801 , and served as its Secretary for sixteen successive years,—that is, till he left the State, in 1817.

In fine, Mr. Smith sustained all his relations with dignity and usefulness. Endowed with a vigorous constitution, possessing a sound mind in a healthful body, affable and courteous in his demeanour, and steadily devoted to the best interests of his fellow men, his good influence was extensively felt while he was living, and now that he is dead, I cannot doubt that it survives and operates through innumerable channels.

Your brother in the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

ABRAHAM BURNHAM.