the intellectual, social, and moral status of our great commonwealth, and his impress is left on the highest and most sacred interests of the people.

Though born in Pennsylvania, Mr. Smyth is none the less a New Englander. His parents and older brothers and sisters were natives of New England. There many of his early years were spent, and there he received both his collegiate and his theological education. There for two years he taught school, and for three, was pastor of a church. Thus it is seen, that though his birth makes him a Pennsylvanian, his blood and education make him a Yankee.

Mr. Smyth is a self-made man. By his own unaided energies he has surmounted the hindrances that have opposed his advancement, and has achieved distinction by a career of distinguished usefulness. His father was a man of high respectability and most excellent character. He was a farmer in moderate circumstances, and being well advanced in life and declining in health when his youngest son, the tenth of his twelve children, determined to acquire a liberal education, he was unable to do any thing for his assistance. But the boy had a brave heart, and he went forward, strong in the idea that "there is nothing impossible to him that wills." At first by manual labor, and afterwards by teaching, he contrived to meet those expenses which demanded ready payment. When he left the theological seminary, he owed several hundred dollars, all of which he paid from his first earnings.

After preaching for three years at the East, Mr. Smyth was called to the pastoral charge of a church in Michigan. It was a thriving village, surrounded by a new and wild region of country, which settlers were just entering. Society was in a chaotic condition, and there were but few who had either the ability or the disposition to do much to strengthen the hands or encourage the heart of the youthful pastor. The location was exceedingly unhealthy, and Mr. Smyth suffered severely from prevalent diseases. But during a ministry there of four years, he was eminently successful, and he left the church four times as strong as he found it.

In 1847 Mr. Smyth came to Ohio, and, after spending a few months in Cleveland, received and accepted a call to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church in Toledo. He entered upon his new charge with characteristic zeal and energy. He labored faithfully for the advancement of the cause of Christ in that rising town;

but owing to disagreements among the members of his church which had become chronic before he became their pastor, he often felt the need of that degree of coöperation and sympathy, so essential to ministerial success. Still, the condition of affairs greatly improved under his ministry. The membership of the church was more than doubled, and the congregation largely increased. In a sermon recently published by Mr. Smyth's successor in the charge of that church, Rev. William W. Williams, he says:

"The labors of Mr. Smyth were characterized with great faithfulness and earnestness, and by them influence and strength were gained which had a most important bearing upon the future growth and prosperity of this body of believers. This church pushed well through with its period of severe struggle, and our public schools made an assured success and placed upon the road to eminence, are the monuments of Mr. Smyth's labors in Toledo. He is the only former minister of the church, the pleasure of whose acquaintance it has been my privilege to have. No hand extended to me a more hearty or cordial welcome upon my arrival among you, than did his. No hand was more prompt in seconding my labors, no head wiser in the counsels it gave, no heart warmer in its sympathies, and I can not let this occasion pass without acknowledging the deep obligation I am under to him for a multitude of most valuable favors.

At the end of three years, Mr. Smyth resigned his pastorate, and entered upon that department of public service in which he has achieved most honorable distinction.

Until 1850 the facilities for education in Toledo were all in the future. While pastor of the church then, Mr. Smyth felt keenly the need of establishing a good system of schools ere the town should become confirmed in the habit of neglecting so important an interest. A few of the citizens took hold of the business with energy; the "Akron School Law was adopted, and a board of education elected. Mr. Smyth was placed at the head of the movement, as Superintendent. This was a position he had never expected to hold; but, regarding it as a field of usefulness, a field in which to serve God and society, not less sacred than that of the pastoral office, he went to his new work not doubting that he was therein doing the will of the Master.

In many particulars the business Mr. Smyth found upon his hands, was new and strange to him. He had had no experience in organizing schools upon the graded plan. Eighteen years ago there were very few good schools in Ohio. Lorin Andrews, at Massillon, Dr. Lord, at Columbus, Mr. Cowdery, at Sandusky, Mr. Freese, at Cleveland, and Mr. Barney, at Cincinnati, were the leaders in the educational reformation, then rising into notice. Not till three years afterwards was our noble school law enacted.

But Mr. Smyth took hold of the great work entrusted to him with a will to succeed, cost him what it might. He read much and thought more upon the best plan of organizing and operating a school system; and when, at the end of six years, he resigned the office, the schools of Toledo had gained a most enviable reputation. They were regarded as among the best in the country; and their superintendent had earned the reputation of being one of our wisest and most successful educators. The board of education committed the entire management of the schools to him. The selection of teachers, the classification and discipline of the schools, the course of study and the examinations, were just what Mr. Smyth was pleased to make them. He gathered around him a corps of teachers equal to the best in the State, and the schools became the pride of the city. When he resigned, the Blade, in closing an article upon the subject, remarked: "We regard the retirement of Mr. Smyth as no less than a public calamity."

At a meeting of the State Teachers' Association in December, 1855, Mr. Smyth was unanimously elected President of that body, and editor of the Journal of Education. In the following February he removed to Columbus, and entered upon his editorial duties. His success in his new field was most satisfactory to all who were interested in the cause which he represented.

In May, 1856, the Republican State Convention nominated Mr. Smyth for the office of State Commissioner of Schools. This was an honor as unexpected by him as it was satisfactory to the people. He was elected by a large majority, and in February, 1857, he entered upon the duties of his new office. In this high position he remained six years, having been reëlected in 1859.

Mr. Smyth was not disheartened when he found his post at the head of the educational forces of the State, environed with most serious embarrassments. The general school law had been in operation three years, encountering the hostility of a large portion of the people, who were persistent in their efforts to secure its repeal, or extensive modification. It was regarded as doubtful whether it could much longer survive in the face of the antagonism which confronted it. But when Mr. Smyth, in 1863, turned the office over to his successor, the law had become popular and strong in the regards of nearly all the people of the State. The changes which it had experienced were improvements, and it was everywhere working out its own praise.

In this sketch, Mr. Smyth's labors and successes in the Commissionership can not be detailed. He spared no pains in pro

moting the interests which the State had confided to his guardianship. Whether watching and laboring with legislatures for the safety and improvement of the school law, or performing ordinary office duties, or traveling and addressing the people throughout the State, he evinced marked ability, untiring industry, and enthusiastic devotion to the cause he had in hand. When he declined a third nomination, the State Teachers' Association, at their meeting in Mount Vernon, expressed by resolutions the highest approval of his administration. Hon. David Tod, then Governor of Ohio, wrote of him to a friend, as follows: "The most faithful manner in which Hon. Anson Smyth has discharged. the arduous duties of School Commissioner of our State for the last six years, involving, as it did, the expenditure of millions of money, without the loss of a dollar, has won for him my fullest confidence and most profound respect. I regard him as an excellent business man, and a Christian gentleman." No man ever left an office stronger in the confidence of the people.

Mr. Smyth did not propose to continue longer in the educational field; and he declined many invitations to positions at the head of prominent institutions of learning. But very unexpectedly to him, he was elected Superintendent of Instruction for Cleveland. A long cherished desire to reside in this city, and the urgency of friends, at length secured his acceptance. He removed here in July, 1863, and was warmly welcomed by the people.

At that time the board of education was in many things subordinate to the city council; and the fact that these two bodies did not usually work harmoniously, prevented the adoption of many of the reforms which the superintendent advocated. Still, Mr. Smyth's administration was a period of great prosperity and advancement with the Cleveland schools. The gradation and classification were very much improved. Modes of teaching were introduced which greatly promoted the purposes of education. Examinations were rendered much more thorough. Through his influence the use of the rod in the schools was to a great extent discontinued, while better order was secured. His success

in the selection of teachers was remarkable. He seemed to have an intuitive knowledge of character, and next to none of those he placed in charge of schools, proved failures. His influence over teachers was very great. While he was exacting in his requirements of his teachers, never excusing negligence of pre

scribed duties, he always tempered authority with kind and

courteous manners.

In the management of schools, Mr. Smyth required that due regard be had to manners and morals. Arithmetic and grammar were not, in his estimation, more important than politeness and Christian morality. He encouraged the ornamentation of the school rooms with plants, flowers, and engravings, which has been so generally adopted, thus rendering them attractive and conducive to taste and refinement.

terests.

For five successive years Mr. Smyth was reëlected, but the last · election he declined to accept, having entered into business arrangements that he might pay needed attention to pecuniary inSix weeks after his declination, he was offered a new and unanimous election, with a largely increased salary, but he refused to reconsider his action in the case, though he continued to perform the duties of the office until his successor was chosen. During the superintendence of Mr. Smyth, the number of teachers employed in the schools increased sixty per centum; the splendid school buildings now approaching completion, were planned and put under contract; through his agency the school library was established, and when he retired, all school interests were most prosperous. The Leader expressed the public sentiment in regard to his services, in the following terms:

"It is with unfeigned regret that we announce the resignation of Rev. Anson Smyth, as Superintendent of Instruction in this city. The board of education were notified of his action at their last meeting. He gives as a reason therefor, his dislike for the system now in vogue of filling that office by annnal election, investing it with a degree of uncertainty which renders the position unsatisfactory. He has discharged the duties of this office for four years, with marked ability and efficiency. The educational interests of the city have been guarded with jealous care; and the excellent condition of our public schools, the firm, judicious discipline that is enforced, and the thorough system of instruction, well attest his zeal, ability, and faithfulness. To the members of the schools and the citizens generally he has given the most unqualified satisfaction, and all will sincerely regret the circumstances which have induced him to retire. He is a ripe scholar, and his ideas upon the subject of education with which he has so long been identified, are clear, sound, and practical. He fully comprehends the wants of the young mind, and in the gradations of study, and the arrangement of the schools throughout, he has exercised the most careful and discriminating judgment. During the six years previous to his first election to this office, he held the responsible position of State Superintendent of Instruction, in which capacity he evinced the same devotedness to the cause of education that has signalized his labors in this city. In his retirement he will carry with him the best wishes of all, for his abundant success, in whatever sphere he may be called upon to act.'

Mr. Smyth has never given up pulpit services, but has averaged to preach one sermon each Sabbath, since resigning his