Interviewer
Louise Pettus and Glenn Thomas
Files
Download Interview (34.3 MB)
Abstract
Bertha Smith from Spartanburg County, South Carolina (1888-1988) graduated from Winthrop College in 1913 and served as a Baptist missionary in China for 42 years (1917-1959). She is also the author of several inspirational books, and is credited for her work as a part of the “Shantung revival” in China in the late 1920s. In this interview, Ms. Smith discusses her teaching career after graduating from Winthrop, attending seminary in Kentucky in 1914, getting into the mission field, church services and activities, teaching night school in her community, and leaving for China. She discusses her 42 years in China as a Baptist missionary, having to retire at 70 years old, the Foreign Mission Board, learning the language, training for missions work, working in China and Taiwan, and teaching English to the children. Ms. Smith also discusses her first book, Go Home and Tell (1965), which was used as a study book and became a best seller. She also briefly mentions her second and third books. Ms. Smith discusses her class pin, her involvement with religious groups at Winthrop College, her homesickness while in China, Chiang Kai-shek, her personal relationship with God, small religious communities from the past, cooking Chinese food, her travels to speak at different churches after retirement, her memories of Dr. David B. Johnson, and Dr. Glen Thomas.
Publication Date
4-14-1983
Unique Identifier
OH 167
Format
1 Cassette, MP3; WAV;
Length
00:37:24
Restrictions
This interview is open for use.
Series
Alumni
Disciplines
Oral History
Keywords
Baptist Missionary, China, Foreign Mission Board, Taiwan, David B. Johnson, Glenn Thomas, Ms. Smith, Interim President of Winthrop College
Recommended Citation
Smith, Bertha Olive, "Interview with Bertha Olive Smith - OH 167" (1983). Winthrop University Oral History Program. OH 167.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/223
LC Subject Headings
Winthrop Normal and Industrial College -- Alumni and alumnae, College students -- Social life and customs, Johnson, David Bancroft, 1856-1928, Baptist women -- China, Women missionaries -- China, Missions -- China, Missions -- Taiwan, Missionaries -- Training of, Southern Baptist Convention. Foreign Mission Board
Notes
There is significant background noise and the audio is sped up a bit from the beginning of the recording to 00:14:03. At the 00:14:03 mark there is a break in the recording and the audio is more clear. At 00:17:02, another interview with Berta Smith cuts in with Dr. Glenn Thomas who was Provost at Winthrop and served as Winthrop’s Interim President between Dr. Charles Vail and Philip Lader. At 00:34:44, the recording switches to an interview with Bertha Smith with Louise Pettus again.