Alexander Campbell SMITH

SMITH, ALEXANDER CAMPBELL (b. Paisley, Scotland, 8 Dec 1823; d. Stawell, Vic, Oct 1902) and SMITH, ALEXANDER CAMPBELL (b. Innellen, Scotland, 1856; d. Morwell, Vic, 23 Nov 1903). Presbyterian ministers.

Smith (snr) was the son of Robert Smith of Barshan Park. Educated at the University of Glasgow (MA) and New College, Edinburgh, he was licensed in 1848 but experienced ill health. Ordained to Innellen Free Church 1855, he offered for Australia, arrived Sydney Feb 1863, and was appointed PCEA missionary at Gladstone, Queensland; at Rockhampton 18648; asst to Dr Lang at Scots, Sydney, 1869-70; John Knox, Melbourne 1870-72; Wangaratta 1873-75; Daylesford 1875-85; Mowbraytown, Brisbane 1886-97. Smith was an energetic but unassuming man in the Disruption mould, well versed in the classics and English literature, and given to poetic composition in Latin. He wrote The Kanaka Labour Question (Brisbane, 1892). He married Christina Jolly in 1855 and had 3 sons and 3 daughters.

Smith (jnr) had a brilliant academic career at Sydney Grammar, Scotch College, the University of Melbourne (MA) and at New College, Edinburgh, where he specialised in Hebrew under A B Davidson. Returning to Australia in 1882 he served the Victorian parishes of Horsham (ordained 1 Nov 1882), Lismore (from 30 June 1887) and Armadale (from 15 Jan 1891). Smith was a co-examiner in Hebrew at the Theological Hall for ten years and locum for Prof Andrew Harper 1891 and 1898. He was inducted as professor of Old Testament Studies on 12 March 1902. Smith was open to moderate criticism of Scripture but opposed rationalistic presuppositions and assumptions. He married Lucy Seward (d. 1944) but had no children. He was buried in Brighton Cemetery.

Messenger (Presbyterian Church of Victoria) 22 Nov 1901, 24 Oct 1902; 27 Nov 1903

ROWLAND S WARD