EIGHTH PASTOR.
Rev. Lewis Smith was July 20, 1820, ordained at Hatboro, Pa., November 5, 1846, having been graduated at Hamilton, N. Y. He served as a missionary in New Mexico, and pastor of the First Trenton church, from which he came to the pastorate of this church December 1, 1857. His salary was $800 per year and a house. The previous pastor, Rev. E. M. Barker, was the last one who occupied the parsonage farm. Mr. Smith was a faithful earnest preacher and pastor. he had a strong soul in a weak body. He was efficient in work in all the departments of church life. He was devoted in loyalty to his country during the civil war. This pulpit rang out in no uncertain sound on the duty of good men to stand by the government in word and in work. The grounds in the rear of this church were made use of to hold meetings to recruit the ranks of our armies. It was also used as a drilling ground by the Home Guard. This house was also made use of to collect and forward stores to the men in the front. Several members of the church went out into the service and did not return. Among those was the church clerk, Richard Barker, who died and found a resting place in the South. The records speak of others who laid down their lives for their country; on the records are entrances like these: “May 24, 1862, in United States Hospital, of wounds received in the battle of Williamsburg, Bro. Charles Lehming, aged 24;” “Killed in a skirmish with the rebels near Upperville, Va., on May 6, 1863, Bro. Robert Vorhees, aged 20.” Pastor Smith left the pastorate to die. He closed his labors in the midst of a spiritual refreshing. He died at St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 25, 1864. His funeral discourse was preached from Ps. CXVI, 15. he lived a useful and holy life. He left a fragrant memory. A volume containing a sketch of his life and a number of his sermons was published after his death. The sermons reveal him as a man very clear in his thinking and very fervent in spirit. Many of our present members were brought to know Christ through his preaching and living. He baptized a large number during his pastorate, having a fruitful pastorate. During his pastorate the Sunday School received new life. The following appears on the minutes, dated January 30, 1858: “Resolved, that the Sabbath school be reorganized. Resolved, that a committee of ten be appointed to whom all matters pertaining to the regulation of the school shall be submitted. The committee to consist of Rev. L. Smith, T. Mount, E. Allen, M. Rue, J. S. Ely, S. Fisher, J. Woolley, J. M. Pullen, E. R. Cole, C. Leaming.” This is the first reference in the records to any Sunday school, though one had existed for many years.

From “A Pastor’s 25th and a Church’s 150th Anniversary, The Hightstown Baptist Church, 1745–1895”, by Rev. Owen P. Eaches, D. D., Pastor, 1870–1895, publ. 1896, pg. 53