Smyth [née Smith], Thomas, Rev

Southern Board of Foreign Missions. Missionary paper no. III. Premium tract [wrapper title]. Prospects of the heathen for eternity [drop title]

Charleston, [S.C.]: Observer Office Press, 1835. 16mo, pp. 20; original printed green wrappers; fine. Smyth (1808-1873) was born in Belfast and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1831. On his way to the Florida Presbytery he stopped to fill in temporarily in Charleston and a year later he had a permanent job there as a pastor at the Second Presbyterian Church. "He had a habit of preaching too long, or so some in the congregation thought. In order to address this problem, a speaking tube was installed from the choir loft to the pulpit so the violinist could speak to Dr. Smyth and let him know he was preaching too long. Despite the warnings echoing through the sound tube’s horn so that they were loud enough for people in the front pews to hear them, he paid no attention and continued to proclaim the Word at length ... As with many ministers, Thomas Smyth was afflicted with bibliomania. He wrote during an extended trip, “My thirst for books in London became rapacious. I overspent my supplies in procuring them at the cheap repositories and left myself in the cold winter for two or three months without a cent” (Presbyteriansofthepast.com). Columbia Theological, Harvard, Charleston Library Society, South Carolina Historical, and Presbyterian Historical Society in OCLC. Not in American Imprints; Sabin 85327. Item #57492

Price: $150.00