Distinguished clergy visiting from the Caribbean, United States and London joined local church leaders, Government, political and civic leaders at the New Testament Church of God's Heritage Worship Centre in Hamilton to pay last respects last Friday to Bishop Godwin C.Smith. The night before they also took part in a two-hour viewing for the public, followed by a lively worship service.

Bishop Smith was builder of the Worship Centre, with its edifice that seats 1,100 people, and adjoining hall with equal accommodation and other modern facilities.

The Rev. Dr. Fedlyn A. Beason, JP, Ph.D., Field Director of the Church of God (COG) in Bermuda and the Caribbean, in the call-to-worship for the nearly four-hour service, told the capacity congregation to loud applause: "You will find this service a little different from the official orthodox version.

"We are going to celebrate! 'Pentecostal style'!"

Following recognition of Bishop Smith's wife of 49 years, Mrs. Ruby Trott Smith, and other family members, Rev. Beason called upon the Rev. Dr. Dorothy Tuzo, acting chairman of the NTCOG executive board, who offered a spirited opening prayer.

Premier Ewart Brown led the round of eloquent tributes from others including Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield, the Rev. Dr. W.A. Blair, Administrative Bishop of Jamaica and Cayman Islands, Mrs. Judith Hall-Bean, Assistant Cabinet Secretary, former Senator Rev. Dr. N. Cindy Trimm, Chancellor of Kingdom University; and the Rev. Bishop Vernon G. Lambe, Sr. of First Church of God, Bermuda, both of whom read the Scriptures.

There was soul-stirring congregational singing of hymns Blessed Assurance, When We All Get to Heaven and Hear My Cry. The New Season Choir rendered both the prelude and postlude. There were musical tributes by soloists Mrs. Stacey Weeks (Great is Thy Faithfulness), Toni Robinson (Amazing Grace), Lisa Trott (Sweet Hour of Prayer) and Councilman Gaeffrey Place (Holy).

Following the obituary by Bishop Smith's daughter, Mrs. Gayna C. Joynes, the eulogy was delivered by the General Overseer, Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, the Rev. Dr. G. Dennis McGuire.

Among the participants in the Thursday night service were Bishop Michael Spires, pastor of the Church of Atlanta Lighthouse, the Rev. Quran Miller, pastor Church of God Orlando, Florida, and the Rev. Colin Robinson, pastor, Reaching the Lost Church of God, Wadesboro, North Carolina.

Special remarks were forthcoming from the Rev. Lester Cox, pastor in the Bahamas, the Rev. Gene Rice, Cleveland, Tennessee, Deacon Keith Young, and the Rev. Dr. Kingsley Tweed of London.

Tributes also came from pastors and lay persons of the seven NTOG local churches that were under the administration of Bishop Smith. They included the Rev. Blanch Burchall of Glory Temple, St. David's, the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Duncan, Greater Smith's Hill Church, Pembroke, the Rev. Henry Armstrong, Rhema Ministries, St. George's and friend Wilbert Warner. The Rev. Russell Thomlinson, pastor Faith Alive Fellowship Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Rev. Marlon Allers, pastor, Look Out Church of God, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Councilman Damon Hollis and Tine Tucker rendered musical tributes.

Our pictures show some of the clergy assembled outside the New Testament Church of God as the flag-draped coffin of Bishop Smith starts its journey for interment at St. Paul's Church in Paget. Nearest the camera are the Rev. Dr. Fedlyn A. Beason, JP, Ph.D., Field Director of the Church of God in Bermuda and Caribbean, and the Rev. Dr. W.A. Blair, Administrative Bishop, Jamaica and Cayman Islands. Top right: The setting at the altar during the service, and mourners (below) in a section of the church balcony