Rev. William John Smeeth
THE subject of this brief sketch entered the ministry in 1879 from the Week St. Mary Circuit, where as a local preacher he was much beloved and respected. Commencing very early to proclaim the good news of the kingdom, he was known in his own circuit as "the boy preacher." Having given promise of Christian usefulness, he was accepted as a candidate for the ministry, and spent a short time at Shebbear College. Somerton, Ringsash, Northlew, Liskeard, Shebbear, Week St. Mary, and Camelford are some of the circuits in which he has laboured. He has publicly confessed that one of the greatest honours of his life was that conferred by the Week St. Mary Circuit the circuit in which he was born-in inviting him to undertake the pastorate. How highly he appreciated the compliment was demonstrated by the energy and devotion which he threw into his work during his four years' stay. |
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From the first he has manifested the spirit of devotion and loyalty. Whilst deeply interested in the work of his own circuit, his sympathies extend to the denomination as a whole. In missionary work he has ever shown the keenest interest, as is manifest by the returns in the missionary report. No stone is left unturned, no task forgotten, in raising funds to increase the missionary exchequer. Equally zealous was he in seeking the accomplishment of the object of the New Century Fund, which had in him one of its most energetic supporters. The Local Preachers' Benevolent Fund also has his practical sympathy and assistance, and in various ways he seeks the furtherance of its interests. So strong is the connexional spirit in Mr. Smeeth, that possibly few men in the ministry exhibit a keener interest in the maintenance of those funds regarded as denominational.
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