Page 16 – Autobiography – Benjamin Lafayette Smith
 
 
 Religious Life
 
 At the battle of Franklin Tenn on the 30th of November 1864, about sunset I received
 a gunshot which broke my thigh. I fell face forward, about 100 yards from the Federal
 breastworks in range of two batteries, each attempting to dislodge the other From the time I
 fell until the battle ended, I prayed continuously to the Lord if he would save me, I would
 earnestly try to be a christian the balance of my life. I was to careless and indifferent about
 this promise. I put off making another effort to become a Christian until 1886. In that
 summer I was converted and joined the M. E. Church South while Rev. R. G. Kilgore was
 pastor at West Point and under the preaching of a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher that
 was holding a revival meeting in that church. Ever since I became old enough to think of
 serving the Lord, I labored under the impression that one had an extraordinary feeling when
 converted. All my life, I have labored under the same false idea. I look upon it as an
 incorrect view that many have. I have held to the same view until recently, which kept me
 from connecting myself with the church for many years. I finally concluded during that
  meeting, that let the Lords will be what it might, if I went to torment, I would die praying
 that I might be saved from eternal punishment.
 From that day to this I have prayed earnestly that I might lead a true Christian life.
 till I labored under doubts. I diligently studied the Bible, and tried to give close attention to
 every sermon I heard. At times I would almost hive up trying to serve the Lord. At same
 time I kept praying my savior to aid me in leading a consistent Christian life.
 In May of this year Gipsey Smith by request, came here from Tupelo where he was
 conducting a revival meeting, and preached a sermon on regeneration “Ye must be born
 again, He declaimed he knew he was saved his sins pardoned, but he could not tell when.
 About ‘the same time, I read a circular on “Soul winning” by Mullins a Baptist minister.
 Both this sermon and the circular were quite helpful to me. I felt that God had forgiven my
 sins, and that I had a hope for heaven, and was prepared to join my dear wife on that happy
 shore where there would ne no more doubts or parting or shedding of tears.
 I am now at the 1st of October 1929 and have been all the year trying to help others
 to lead a better life. It affords me pleasure to do this, more than ever before.