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FAITHFUL MINISTER'S LIFE ENDED After a Lengthened Illness Rev. M.L.
Smith Passes Away This Morning. One Of The Best Known Clergyman In This
Section Of The State For The Past Half Century. A Noble, Unselfish
Career August 12, 1907 

While the community knew of the serious illness for the past eleven
weeks of the Rev. M.L. Smith, of 523 Mifflin street, but few were aware
that his useful life was so soon to be terminated, he passing away at 8
a.m. today. His advanced years and energetic life made him a prey to a
severe cold which settled on his lungs. At times during his sickness
strong hopes were entertained for his recovery, but in vain, his Master
whom he had so faithfully served, deemed it time for him to enter upon
his reward. Rev. Martin Luther Smith was born September 24, 1832 at
Williamsburg, Blair county, and had he lived until the 24th of next
month would have been three quarters of a century old. His father Geo.
W. Smith, was a successful storekeeper and business man, and was highly
esteemed by his fellow citizens, being elected to serve his district in
the House of Representatives in 1854. M.L. Smith's early life was spent
in attending school, clerking in a store and working on a farm. In 1852
he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in 1858 under
the eldership of Rev. Geo. Guyer became an itinerant preacher, and for
years underwent the sacrifice peculiar to that life in earlier times. He
served with marked success at the following places: Warriors Mark,
Ennisville, McConnellstown, Burnham, Newton Hamilton, Petersburg, Mt.
Union, Chambersburg, Shrewsburg, Martinsburg, Mifflin, Jersey Shore, and
West Huntingdon. In 1890 owing to impaired health he retired from active
pastoral work, but at times he filled vacancies in the ministerial
ranks. Rev. smith was most energetic in all that he did. He preached the
pure gospel with great fervor. He was markedly succesful in revivalistic
work. His Christian experience in the telling enkindled the love for
Christ in the hearts of those who heard him. He was by no means narrow
in his views as a sectarianism as he endeavored to help all to whom
opportunity presented itself. His ministrations to the sick were truly
comforting. His life was a great benediction. Many will rise up and call
him blessed. He was a loyal Republican until the rise of the Prohibition
party when he espoused the cause of this party. He became the candidate
for the state legislature on the Prohibition ticket in the year 1900,
but was not elected as men adhered strongly to party politics. In 1864
he was married to Mrs. Kate V. Duff, whose maiden name was Jackson, who
proved a most worthy helpmate to him. She with two sons, William M., of
Washington, D.C., and Edward G., of Huntingdon, survive. The funeral
will occur on Wednesday. The remains will be taken at 9 a.m. to the
auditorium of the First Methosdist church and here his host of friends
may gaze upon all that is earthly of this good man. At 2 p.m. the
funeral services will be held participated in by several of his fellow
Christian ministers.