He was not indifferent to the claims of religion, nor unanxious abouthis own eternal future. He stood throughout on the solemn shore of thatbroad ocean he must sail so soon. Sin and death, the retributions ofeternity, his own unworthiness as a sinner, and the only way ofdeliverance were not unfrequent themes of conversation, sometimesintroduced by himself, and were always listened to with manifestinterest when commenced by another. It was his expressed wish to haveno reliance upon any goodness or morality of his own, but to put histrust wholly in the Divine Mediator - feeling that he could be savedonly through the merits of His blood. Thus desiring and seeking, andthus endeavoring to confide in the offered Redeemerm he calmly andhappily approached his earthly end; and, on the morning of the 25thinst., in the 81st year of his age, he ceased to breathe.

Judge Smith was born in the town of Chesterfield, in the State of NewHampshire. He was a graduate of Williams College, where he wasrespected as a good scholar, a young man of exemplary habits andunblemished character. Aming his class-mates was the late Judge Sampson- of fragrant memory - of the city of Rochester; and also the venerableChester Dewey, D. D., who continues, in his intellectual old age, toadorn the walks of science, as well as of cheerful and consistent piety.

The subject of this article pursued his professional studies in thecity of Albany. Shortly after his admission to the Bar, he came, in1813, to the village of Caledonia, where, respected and loved for hissound sense, amiable disposition, professional ability, sterlingintegrity, and dignified gentlemanly deportment, he spent, among thecitizens of this community, the last fifty two years of his life.

In 18--, by appointment of the State Executive, Mr. Smith succeeded thelate Judge Carroll in the highest judicial seat in the County ofLivingston, - a seat which, under eight gubernatorial administrations ofboth political parties, he ably and faithfully filled. Such were thecompass and correctness of his legal acquirements, such the quicknessand clearness of his perceptions, even in cases which required thenicest discrimination, and such the soundness and equity of his chargesand decisions, that he won and retained the high respectof hisprofessional brethren, and approved himself to the satisfaction of all,unless, perchance it might be those who came into his court with"unclean hands," or the guilty who were arraigned as felons before him.

In the relations of domestic and social life not many men had fewerfaults or more excellences than our departed friend. Cheerful,provident and affectionate in the circle at home, he was affable, gentleannd courteous, easy of access, of kindly feelings and instructiveconversation in the wider neighborhood circle. His long and closeobservation of men and things, his well balanced and thoughtful mind,his general acquaintance with the principles of science, his familiartywith history and his accumulating intelligence concerning the currentevents of the times, made him a pleasing and instructive companion;while his gentle disposition and his sensitive regard for the feelingsand the good name of others, caused him instinctively to shrink fromunneccessarily censuring their conduct or impugning their motives.

For the last few years Judge Smith went a little abroad beyond theborders of our own quiet village. Our citizens always loved to welcomehim on his friendly calls at their dwellings, and to give theirrespectiul response to his friendly greeting, as they met him in hisdaily walks. We shall long remember his fine expressive face, hisvenerable form, his pleasing address, and his kind and gentledisposition. And long shall we feel his absence, and regret that, inour homes and in the sanctuary, he is to go out and in with us no more.

The writer cannot close this brief tribute to (LJM - next several wordsgarbled on microfilm) the? memory? of? one? whom? we? respected? and?loved, withoutassuring the family of the deceased of his sincerecondolence and his wish that their bereavement may be sanctified totheir spiritual good; nor without venturing into that inner chamber ofretiring sorrow, and praying that the counsel, support, and consolationsof the God of Grace may ever be given to the amiable and excellent womanwhom He has written widow.