Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/305

 LEWIS B. SMITH. 241 sons. The school sang the first three verses, the third verse reading, "Abide with me from morn till eve, For without thee I cannot live. Abide with me when death is nigh, For without thee I dare not die." As the classes then took up the study of the lesson for the day, Deacon Smith arose, shook hands with and bade the members of his class good-bye, and passed out of the room with those words still sounding in his ears. He went out to the shed for his team, his wife awaiting him in the vestibule. As he drove up in front of the vestry door, Mrs. Smith called him in to speak to a lady friend. Mr. Smith came in and as he put out his hand to his friend, the fatal stroke fell upon him. This friend eased his fall and Mrs. Smith hastened in to call for assistance. Two or three went out immediately. All was done that could be done, as Mr. Smith was past human help. Where he fell, his spirit returned to the God who gave it. While this tragedy was enacting, although the Sunday School was in session, there was no excitement or commotion. An impressive hush rested upon the school rather. The school was quietly dis- missed and retired by the rear door. The doors of the ves- tibule where Mr. Smith's body lay were closed and only his nearest and dearest, with the pastor and a few of his church brethren remained with him. Thus passed away this faith- ful servant of God in the church so dear to him for which he had toiled, and prayed, and given. He had been a member sixty years, a deacon thirty-two years and a half, and treasurer of the society, thirty-nine years and nearly three months. For fuller notices of ministers and others, see brief biogra- phies. 16