Local | Her husband was pastor of Brunswick Street Baptist for 15 years

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By WILFRED LANGMAID
For The Daily Gleaner

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It was a book begun in 1966 and then set aside — for 43 years.

Margaret Smith has just published her first book, A Spiritual Journey: An Autobiography.

Smith lives in Waterville with her husband, Rev. Fred Smith, a retired Baptist pastor. The Smiths were well known to the local area during a 15- year tenure as senior pastor of Brunswick Street Baptist Church, which began in the late 1970s and ended in the early 1990s.

Margaret Smith attended Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., and is an honorary alumnus of Gordon College in Beverly Farms, Mass. She has worked as a director of Christian education and taught adult Sunday school.

She works as a co-ordinator for MannaRelief Ministries in New Brunswick and for Ladies’ Christian Outreach Program.

“I started writing the book 43 years ago and then felt it was not to be completed until the first of January this year. I have not even thought of ever completing it until this year. Fred was going into the hospital to have an operation for an anuerysm on his aorta at that time, and I just had my laptop there, sat beside him for two weeks and at the end of that time, the book was completed.”

With such a gap between start and finish, many would wonder why such a project would even be considered at this point. However, Smith saw it all within the context of her life of faith.

“I questioned myself why I felt to complete it at that time, but I believe the Lord has a purpose in it and I trust others will benefit from the lessons I have had to learn over the years. We can all learn from the experiences of others. Our circumstances can be different, but the lessons we need to learn can be the same.”

According to Smith, the book combines autobiographical details from her life with biblical passages that have helped her through that life. Her bottom line is a simple one.

“The one thing that separates true Christianity from every other religion in the world is that it is a personal relationship with the Almighty God through faith in Jesus Christ.

“This is an awesome truth and for those who have never experienced this relationship, it is very difficult for them to comprehend. The good news is that we can all have this personal relationship and our spiritual eyes can be opened.”

The Smiths served four churches until Rev. Smith’s retirement — two years in Grand Falls, nine years in Lewisville, 11 years in Lynn, Mass.

and 15 years in Fredericton. Since retirement, Rev. Smith has been in Waterville, Florenceville, Knowlesville, Caribou, Me., and Upper Brighton.

Upon retirement, he also served as president of the Atlantic Baptist Convention for a year.

A Spiritual Journey: An Autobiography was launched locally last month.

However, a sequel is already coming down the pipe — a second book entitled: A Spiritual Journey: Book II.

It will be released this fall.

“It is an overlay of the first book, filling in many of the blanks.”

A Spiritual Journey: An Autobiography is published by AuthorHouse It can be purchased at The Lighthouse Bookstore in Fredericton and the Olive Branch Bookstore in New Maryland.