In the early morning hours of October 24th I received a phone call relaying the sad
news of Lynwood Smith’s death. Even though I had been expecting it, I found it
difficult to accept and deal with what had happened. I first met Lynwood as a young
boy of thirteen. He was present the night I made the good confession and was baptized
into Christ at the hands of H. E. Robertson. Soon after that I heard him preach for
the first time. I can still remember the excitement I felt then and forever
thereafter when I listened to him expound the scriptures. He made a profound impact
on my life in a number of ways. To most of us he was simply “Lynwood.” We somehow
accepted the fact that he had written the song we were singing, but probably never
realized just how respected he was in the field of gospel music composition. He wrote
well over seven hundred songs and published numerous song books. His sermons were
legendary. Most preachers are careful to not preach the same sermon over and over to
the same people. But with him people wanted to hear the same sermons over again
because of the unique way in which he delivered them. Somehow we could hear the same
illustrations again and again and never tire of hearing them. Even when we knew what
phrase would follow we waited with interest just to hear him say it again. He could
take a passage and make it come to life getting points from it that we had never
dreamed possible. He was well read, as they say. In fact his knowledge of the sacred
Word was far greater than many realized. He studied extensively and was well versed
in restoration history. His library was vast and contained many volumes that are no
longer available. As a person his heart was far larger than many realized. He was
always touched by the plight of the unfortunate, the sick, the poor and those having
a rough time. Many times he reached into his own pocket and helped those in need,
without anyone else ever knowing. He never complained of what the brethren paid him
for his services. In fact I have heard him say “the brethren have been good to me, I
have no reason to complain.” The idea of preaching for money or support was repulsive
to him. I can honestly say that he willingly spent himself for the gospel. With his
leaving a great void has been created. We will no longer see or hear him at the big
meetings. His song books and “new songs” will cease to be published. This giant of a
man who lived and walked among us has left. He was born March 27, 1924 in Lincoln
county Mississippi. Soon after his birth his mother died. He was raised by his
grandparents. He never forgot his roots. He always looked forward to going home after
a meeting or extended period of absence. He not only loved the old home place, but
the people he called “family” were always special to him. He cared for his
grandfather T. E. (Nong) Smith through an extended illness, his grandmother Josie,
his aunt Agnes, and others. Each time a family member left a little of him left as
well. I visited with him in August when I held the annual meeting at New Salem. To
him there was no place like New Salem. He was always there for their meetings, it was
home. This year when we visited he seemed to realize that he was growing weaker and
time was running out. He was compiling the new song book and anxious to get it
finished. There are many men currently preaching who owe much to this man. He
encouraged and guided them when they were young, and became their confidant in later
years. He never wavered in his convictions. He never flirted with or embraced the
liberal trends that seem to attract so many today. His preaching was always
fundamental and doctrinally sound. Nobody ever had to wonder where he stood. We are
going to miss him. May God grant that some day we can all be together again “over
there.”