Born: Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri, January 22, 1866.
Died: Enid, Oklahoma, January 26, 1933.

We have here to deal with a big little man. Napoleon was small of stature, but he had a giant intellect. Alexander Stevens was a very little man, and yet he was big enough to be vice-president of the Southern Confederacy. Even the apostle Paul was small in stature, if his name is significant (and this is probable), but the world has not known his intellectual superior among men.

Mr. Smith is neither physically large, nor strong, but when he begins to speak one soon forgets he is little in stature, so entirely does he dominate by his massive thoughts and his intense earnestness.

The following facts with regard to his life and work are sufficient to show how steadily he has grown in power and influence until today he is one of the most popular ministers among the Disciples of Christ.

Born, January 22, 1866, at Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri.

Father, Philander Smith, farmer, later merchant in Hamilton and Kansas City. Elder in the Hamilton church, generous in hospitality, time and money in support of the church.

Mother, Sarah A. Smith, thoughtful, conscientious, faithful wise, wishing strongly the best for her two sons and one daughter. A notable friend of the church at Hamilton.

In public school in Missouri and Kansas from seven to thirteen years of age. Studied pharmacy from thirteen to sixteen years of age, becoming prescription clerk in Kansas City at sixteen. Also at about this time a short experience in a department store large for Kansas City at that time.

Two years in Kansas City High School--summers and Saturdays in father's business in Kansas City--collector and bookkeeper. Before end of nineteenth year entered Missouri State University at Columbia.

Before end of first college year went with Charles A. Young, then a student preacher, to one of his preaching places. He persuaded young Smith to talk to his congregation at night. This was his first attempt to preach. Had too many heads in the sermon and so lost the head which is the one indispensable head required for preaching.

Had united with the church at sixteen years of age. Thomas P. Haley baptized him. Belonged to Locust Street church where Mr. Haley preached until close of his school days at the age of twenty-one. Heard Procter, Longan, Plattenburg and Mountjoy in these years and later. They impressed him deeply. At Columbia Mountjoy was his minister and friend as Thomas P. Haley was at Kansas City.

Encouraged by these men and other friends he participated in prayer meetings, Bible schools and preaching services.

During the college vacation of his twenty-first year began to preach more or less regularly at Olathe, Kansas, and other points. Continued to preach at Olathe during the next college year and during three years next following graduation. Was graduated from University of Kansas in June, 1887. Degree of A.B. Later received degree of A.M. from Transylvania College, then Kentucky University. New church house built at Olathe during ministry there. Held many evangelistic meetings during years at Olathe.

Became minister of Summit Street (now West Side Church) at Kansas City in 1890. Married to Miss Lucy M. Christy, of Olathe, in the same year. On account of depleted health went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in 1891. Became minister of church there later in that year, continuing there until October, 1893.

October, 1893, to October, 1895, minister at Marshall, Missouri. October, 1895, to June, 1896, secretary of Foreign Missions for Missouri. September, 1896, to November, 1914, minister at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. President of Kentucky Christian Missionary Convention in 1909 (Centennial Convention).

President American Christian Missionary Society in 1911. Member of several missionary boards, college boards, etc, for years.

Member of faculty of McLean College for fifteen years, teaching Christian evidence, logic, ethics and courses in the Bible. Occasional lecturer at other colleges.

Thirty-five thousand dollars expended on church property and $42,000 given to missions, charity and education by church at Hopkinsville during ministry there. During the same ministry church there grew from 325 members to 1,000.

November, 1914, at Central Christian church, Dallas, Texas. Church property there enlarged and modernized, with special reference to the Bible school, at a cost of $16,000. Plans were made for such changes of organization as are indicated by the downtown situation of the church.

Health being somewhat impaired, resigned pastorate at Dallas, in 1917 and accepted a call to professorship in Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma.

Harry D. Smith is another illustration of the value of long pastorates. His work at Hopkinsville was almost a phenomenal success. His 18 years' pastorate there did much in preparing him for the pastorate of great church at Dallas, and for the education of young men for the ministry in the college where he now labors.

It is a significant fact that more than half of the preachers, represented in this volume, have held somewhat long pastorates. What this fact means can be read between the lines, and it ought to be a lesson to peripatetic pastors.