Dear Editor,
It is said that famous men are usually the product of unhappy childhoods. The stern compression of circumstances, the twinges of adversity, the spur of slights and taunts in early years, are needed to evoke that ruthless fixity of purpose and tenacious mother-wit without which great actions are seldom accomplished.
John Smith was born in the United Kingdom. The phrase “all gave some; some gave all” aptly described his life. He was a pastor, teacher, missionary and martyr.
No one has ever sacrificed more to bring the gospel to British Guiana and teach slaves to read than John Smith. No foreigner has sacrificed or given more to Guyana than him.
This man gave his life so that the slaves can be free.
He could have chosen to remain in the UK and live a long and comfortable life.
Instead, he chose to make a difference in the lives of slaves.
Because of his love for the slaves, Pastor Smith was one of the most unpopular and hated men in British Guiana and the UK. He was hated because he was teaching slaves to read and that they were human too. He came to British Guiana to save lives but instead he lost his life.
On 24 November 1823, Pastor Smith was sentenced to death by the British Governor for supporting the slaves in their quest for freedom. He died in prison while awaiting his execution. His last words were: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed,” 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9.
Editor, unfortunately, today, very few people in Guyana and the diaspora have heard of Pastor Smith. I just learned about him when I visited the church in Brickdam which is named after him. In the churchyard, there is a headless statue of him. When I visited the church, the head of the statute of John Smith was missing. I was told that someone stole the head.
Editor, in six years (2024), it will be the bicentennial of Pastor Smith’ s death (1790-1824). Therefore, I am asking President Granger to do something to honour the pastor’s life. I suggest renaming the Demerara Bridge the Pastor John Smith Bridge.
Yours faithfully,
Anthony Pantlitz
