FROM THE ARCHIVES #2: "The Boy Preacher"

 This interesting pew is located 3^rd from the rear on the right hand side on entering the church. It was donated by Mr Colin Campbell Smith and Mrs Edith Elizabeth Smith of the Waverley Baptist Church, Ebsley Street, Bondi Junction, in memory of their eldest son, William Algie Stuart Smith, born 22 May 1905 and died 17 August 1924, at the age of 19 years. (The Ebsley Street Church has since been demolished.) William - called "Will" by the family - was the eldest of 4 boys. His last surviving brother, Ben Smith, aged 87 years (at 28 April 2000), writes:

"I have no idea when Will was converted, but his text, chosen at the age of 17, was: 'For me to live is Christ, to die is gain' - Philippians 1:21. . He passed away very peacefully at his home at Waverley at the age of 19, to be with his Lord, whom he loved so dearly. I was 11 at the time of his death and his faith in his Lord never faltered as I can faithfully witness."

 He began preaching in Baptist Churches and elsewhere throughout Sydney with an evangelistic fervour, which was an inspiration to many. He was strong, healthy and youthful in countenance, a striking figure with his mass of flaming red hair. He became known as "The Boy Preacher" and was much sought after as a preacher. Many, including his parents, thought he would enter the ministry or become a missionary. 

When he did his compulsory military training at Holdsworthy Army Camp, near Liverpool NSW, he began witnessing and urging his fellow trainees to accept Jesus Christ into their lives. He was victimised for this and on one occasion was thrown into the Georges River in the middle of the night by his fellow trainees. 

He returned home after military training not feeling well, but returned to his work at the Sydney Water Board. He became worse and a medical examination revealed that he had leukaemia. His health deteriorated and he was confined to bed for many months. He died on 17 August 1924. 

R.W. Hughes

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