Oswald J. Smith - Missionary Vision

Missionary Vision

Smith, who was considered too frail to be a missionary made a commitment: "If I can't go myself, I will send someone else."

Since no opportunity opened for foreign service, Smith began to see that he could evangelize others who might go in his stead. He was gaining confidence as a speaker; he had spoken at numerous youth meetings and during his Chicago years had served effectively as student pastor in two different Presbyterian churches. as assistant pastor at Rev. Morrow's Dale Presbyterian church, he prayed and believed for revival. It was at this time that he wrote "A Revival Hymn" that has remained popular during the years. Even in those early years the evangelization of the world was the supreme challenge of his life. "Missionary work does not belong to any one organization, it is the work of the whole church," he maintained.

Oswald J. Smith and Daisy Billings were married on September 12, 1916 at Dale Presbyterian Church where she was a deaconess and he the assistant pastor. Daisy was considered the gracious and generous helpmate who made possible Smith's dedicated life. She was the one who "held the ropes," "tarried by the stuff," sublimating her career to his. In later years, when their children were grown, she often joined Smith on his travels until her death in 1972.