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Smith, John Cross, D.D.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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a Presbyterian minister, was born in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 29, 1803. He received his classical education in a private school. After studying theology under Dr. Duncan, he entered Princeton Seminary and remained one year. He was licensed in 1828, and soon after began to preach as an evangelist at Fortress Monroe, Va. While here he received a Call from Portsmouth, and he was ordained and installed over that Church. Here he labored with great zeal and success until 1832, when he accepted a call to the Bridge Street Church, Georgetown, D.C. He went to work in his new charge with zeal, clearing his Church of a heavy debt, and securing its prosperity and growth. In 1839 the pastoral relation was dissolved, and he became agent of the American Tract Society; but in a few months he was called to the Fourth Church in Washington, D.C., over which he was installed in September, 1839. Here he labored with untiring zeal and energy for thirty- eight years, and his Church was blessed with numerous and powerful revivals. He was quite successful in building churches free from debt, and still more successful in raising funds to liquidate the debts of others. In 1861 he offered his services gratuitously as chaplain in the Union army, and served with fidelity for more than a year. In 1876 he received an injury in the street from which he never recovered, and his system gradually gave way. He died in Washington, Jan. 23, 1878. (W.P.S.)