Charles Crowie Smith

Charles "Crowie" Smith

Charles "Crowie" Smith (1850 to November 30th, 1930). Born and lived in Derby, England. The biography about his life is called "From Poacher to Preacher. Remarkable Life Story of Crowie Smith", by G F Parker, Weston on Trent, Derby.

At the age of 14, Charles Smith was introduced to a life of drunkenness and crime by his father. He was in and out of prison for the following 16 years for poaching in and around Derby, often caught in the act of poaching Crows (hence the nick name "Crowie"), rabbits and fish stock on private land. It is also said that he became the Champion "Rat Worrier" of England during this period.

He would often steal several dozen birds or rabbits and then sell the goods in order to buy drink, often spending several days in a drunken state. His life in this period was sad but amazing in that he lived such an appauling life of crime and degradation. He was well known to the police, but nontheless a likeable rogue with a sence of humour when caught in the act.

At the age of 30 years, on January 16th 1881, Charles "Crowie" Smith was standing on the corner of Brook Street in Derby when a Christian mission were holding a street outreach and singing. The words "I'm a pilgrim bound for glory" and "We're travelling home to heaven above, Will you go, Will you go?" caught his attention and he followed them to Theatre Gospel Hall [http://www.picturesofderby.co.uk/area_bold_lane.htm] , in Bold Lane, Derby. During the service he prayed and was totally converted to faith in Jesus Christ. It is said that he never looked back to his old way of life after that day.

He linked up with the Salvation Army and immediately commenced a life-long commitment to preaching the Gospel, often preaching alongside General William Booth as the Salvation Army utilised his preaching gift. He met and worked with many other preachers of his time, including Gypsy Smith, who he preached with at large gatherings at Regent's Hall, London and also who he preached on behalf of twice at Hanley, when Gypsy Smith left the Salvation Army suddenly in 1882. [http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=145]

The Salvation Army utilised his services regularly across the UK to preach, especially in new areas they were looking to open up. On one occasion whilst preaching in Long Eaton, Derby, General William Booth whispered to him "Go on ten more minutes, you have got the people." (Page 49, "From Poacher to Preacher").

He preached extensively around Derby and across the UK and visited many towns and cities including Manchester, York (where he preached to over 2000 people), Sheffield, Brighton, Hanley, Castle Donnington (where a new church was established) and London, seeing many respond to his powerful preaching; where he would often share his life story, making the crowd both laugh and cry, bfore responding in their hundreds.

In his last few years he was frustrated that his failing health prevented him from public speaking. Nevertheless, in private he always extolled his Lord and Master (Page 68 "From Poacher to Preacher"). Only moments before his death on 30th November 1930, Charles "Crowie" Smith said of Jesus Christ "He's with me now".

References:

Hard back book; "From Poacher to Preacher" - Remarkable Life Story of Crowie Smith, by G F Parker, Weston on Trent, Derby. (Printed by Foden & Son, Osmaston Road, Derby)

Rat Worrying - Illegal sport in 1800's, see: [http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1898/may/23/rat-worrying]