Do you remember the Reverend Dr. Charles C. Smith II? Do you know anything about him? If you know nothing about this great Bahamian clergyman, would you like to learn about him? Well, if your answer to the first question is negative, and your answer to the second is in the affirmative, then you simply must read "Charles C. Smith II: Life and Legacy" -- the biography of one who became a leading minister of the gospel, written by his widow Jacqueline Smith.

This massive volume (672 pages in length, and five pounds in weight) is a real labor of love. Compiled over a 16-year period, it contains not only the biography of Smith, but also much about the history of the Baptist Church in The Bahamas. It also contains tributes to the late Smith by Bahamians from all walks of life. Despite its massive size, it is very easy to read and is so engaging that you feel like reading as much of it as you can.

Who then was Rev. Charles Smith II? What was it about him that his life and legacy would fill hundreds of pages?

Smith was a Bahamian clergyman who rose to serve in major posts in the church and community from very humble circumstances on a Family Island. He was born in 1939 during the initial struggles of World War II, the sixth of the 12 children of Rev. Charles C. Smith I and his wife, Nurse Maudlene Smith of Dumfries, Cat Island. His parents were strict disciplinarians who raised their children in accord with Christian principles. They all grew up to become contributing citizens of The Bahamas with at least two of them becoming ministers of the gospel.

After completing his studies at primary level at the Dumfries All Age School, he studied at secondary level at Arthur's Town Senior School under the tutelage of Bahamian educator Rodney Bain. According to an elder sister, Charles transferred to New Providence for further studies at the Teacher's Training College. While there, he met and fell in love with Jacqueline Williams, who later became his wife. Their union produced five sons, three of whom have followed their father in the ministry. Although trained for a career in teaching, the young Cat Islander (who never forgot his roots) had a call to serve in ministry.

In September 1959 he entered Calabar Theological Seminary in Jamaica to study for the Baptist ministry in the Baptist Church. There he remained for four years before returning to serve in his homeland. I knew Charles Smith very well because I was a student at Union Theological Seminary studying for the Ministry of the Methodist Church while Charles was at Calabar. In those days there was much ecumenical training for ministry, and so Charles Smith and I studied together in the major theological disciplines.

After graduation, the youthful Smith returned to serve in The Bahamas. He began as pastor of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. After serving for four years at Mount Moriah, the Baptist minister studied at a seminary in the United States. At the retirement of Rev. Talmadge Sands in 1970, Smith was elected to serve as pastor of Zion Baptist Church, East Street and Shirley Street, where he remained until his passing on February 16, 1999.

Smith had exercised an effective ministry at Zion. His years of study and pastoral experience had prepared him well to serve as superintendent of the huge Zion Baptist family. In his capacity, he served not only as pastor of Zion but also as the spiritual and administrative leader of more than 60 congregations established around the country.

A keen Bible student, Smith was a powerful and persuasive preacher. Described as "a pulpit giant" he was able, week by week, to fill the pews of the ancient church with eager listeners. He was a visionary who had big plans for the expansion of the sanctuary. Several major additions were made during his administration.

Smith exercised a very effective ministry that touched the entire Bahamian community. He served for several years as chaplain to the House of Assembly; he also served on the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship, as president of the Christian Council and even as an executive of the Baptist World Alliance.

His biography contains testimonies and tributes from people who were either deeply influenced by Smith, or were members of his family or longtime friends. At least 30 of those contributors have since passed.

The book contains a lot of history of the Baptist Church and of The Bahamas; Smith served at Zion during the historic years leading up to independence and the years afterward. Bahamians who would like to know more about Bahamian history should read the book. Included in the volume is a booklet that was written by Smith but was never published for wide reading. Its title is "The Christian Pastor in Today's Society"; it is sound advice for young and not-so-young pastors of all churches.

One very useful feature of this book is its very comprehensive index. In a volume so massive, this is very handy. The paperback book (hardcover comes later) has an attractive cover featuring a striking photograph of Smith fully regaled in pastoral grab including a cross and his Bible. The book's foreword was contributed by the late Dr. Myles Munroe.

All in all this is a most interesting book that merits careful reading -- especially by the younger generation -- most of whom do not remember much about Smith. For older persons, it will bring back fond memories, taking them down memory lane. Bahamians from all walks of life should benefit from reading this book, a labor of love written by a widow who greatly loved and admired her husband.

Title: Charles C. Smith II: Life & Legacy
Co-publishers: C. Jaqueline Smith, P.O. Box GT-2393, Nassau, Bahamas, email corajac@coralwave.com or corajac@gmail.com and I Ease Publishback, P.O. Box EE-15020, Nassau, Bahamas, email: Ieasepublishback@gmail.com
Cost: $40

Available from the publisher, bookstores in Nassau, Darius Williams and Bethel Books & Stationers in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas.

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