Charitie Lees Smith facts for kids

Charitie Lees Smith (born 1841, died 1923) was an important Irish American writer of hymns. Hymns are religious songs or poems. Her songs were very popular in England and Ireland. They appeared in many famous collections. She also wrote other religious articles for magazines.

Charitie Lees Smith: A Hymnwriter

Charitie Lees Smith was a talented writer. She became known for her beautiful hymns. These songs are still sung by people today. Her most famous hymn is "Before the Throne of God Above."

Early Life in Ireland

Charitie Lees Smith was born on June 21, 1841. Her birthplace was Bloomfield, Merrion, in County Dublin, Ireland. She was the fourth child of Rev. Dr. George Sidney Smith. Her mother's name was Charlotte Lees.

Her father was a minister in the Church of Ireland. For many years, her family lived in Ardunshin House. This house was near Brookeborough, in County Fermanagh, Ireland. Charitie showed a gift for writing poetry from a young age.

Her Hymns and Writings

In 1860, Charitie wrote one of her first hymns. It was called O for the robes of whiteness. This song became popular after a religious movement in Ireland.

In 1863, she wrote her most famous hymn. It is titled "Before the Throne of God Above." She originally called it The Advocate. This hymn became very well-known. It is still sung in many churches today.

In 1867, Charitie's father moved the family to Omagh. She continued writing. She published a book of her hymns that year. It was called Within the Veil.

Charitie wrote a lot for different magazines. She also contributed hymns to several important collections. These included J. C. Ryle's Spiritual Songs and Lyra Britannica. Another one of her hymns was "Christ Mighty to Save." It appeared in Lyra Britannica. Her song "Heavenly Anticipations" was a favorite in Sunday schools.

Later Life

In 1869, Charitie Lees Smith got married. She married Arthur E. Bancroft in Scotland. He was from Liverpool, England. Not much is known about her married life. It seems she became a widow more than once.

Charitie Lees Smith died on June 20, 1923. She was 81 years old. She passed away in Oakland, California, in the United States. At the time of her death, her last name was de Cheney or de Chenez.