The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-08
GYPSY In THE PULPIT
REV.. RODNEY SMITH AT THE CENT
RAL-AvExUE METHODIST CHURCH.
He Begins N Series of Evangelical
Meetings-A Strong sermon at
the Morning Service.

Rev. Rodney Smith, of England by place
of birth, but yet not an Anglican by race,
began a series of revival services yester-
day morning at the Central-ayenue M. K.
Church. There was a large congregation
present, and the indications are that the
church will soon be inadequate to seat the
crowds il the enthusiasm Of the initial
service continues. The evangelist is known
as the Gypsy" He was born of one of
the wandering tribes of that peculiar peo-
pie, in a tent, and when be was converted
in one of Booths mission meetings in Lon
don he was SO illiterate that he could not
read a word of the Bible which he was
destined to expound with more than usual
power. The leader of that mission meeting
has since become the general of the Sal
walton Army of the world. Smith was then
seventeen years OF age and set about to
qualify himself to preach.
Rev. DR.. Buchtel, pastor of the church,
said yesterday that when Smith professed
salvation in the meeting and was called
upon to testify to the change of heart he
was so much abashed by standing before
so many people that Booth asked him if
he would not rather sing q song first. He
said he would, and he sang with the nat
ural grace of his race and then murmured
a few words such as a new convert would
be expected to give. 1t has been his prac-
tice ever since to prologue his sermons with
a song, and yesterday was no exception.
He sang The Best Friend We have is
Jesus with touching melody and persua-
siveness. He has a clear baritone voice
which he uses with much effectiveness. In
appearance the evangelist orator is of me-
dunn height, dark skin and eyes ard
bushy black hair, indicative of his race.
He has a heavy mustache of raven black.
He dresses very modestly in dark clothes,
with sack coat and white tie, and does
not affect the clerical CUT. In manner he
is modest, and the audience quickly showed
its confidence in him yesterday by giving
the most attentive ear TO all he said, al
ternating smiles with a tear at some touch
ing story. The orators powers were soon
demonstrated in the perfect control of the
congregations emotions.
Mr.. Smith based his sermon on the
Scripture describing the TRANSPORTATION of
Christ in the presence of three of his disci-
Piles. He introduced himself by saying he
already felt at home with the people of
this church, and that the kind words said
to him by his host the day before, Brother
Smith, make yourself at home" were I'M
necessary, as among Christ's people, he
always did so 1t was a characteristic of
gypsieS, at any rate, he said, to make
themselves at home, and in beginning this
but an earnest effort to come nearer TO
God. He told the choir members that he
wanted TO see them every night for some
sung from the heart; and il from the heart
it goes to the heart.
The motive of the discourse seemed to
be 10 arouse the Christian people them
selves so that he might have their unre-
| served and hearty cooperation. The first
around self and pray that the spirits pow
er may first be made manifest inside of ii.
| There must be faith in Christ, he said,
and then he told of the experience when
was taken to the disciples, they failed TO
cast out the evil spirit. The youth was
The disciples then asked why they could
not do that same work. and Jesus said,
oh, faithless generation, how long shall
disciples that they must prepare
themselves with prayer and fasting
for the works Of faith The Holy
every one present if he wants those he
loves converted. One may have all the edu-
cation. refinement and intellect possible,
but nothing, said the evangelist, takes the
times found, when beginning a revival,
that there was too much of A fondness for
the proper crease in pants and not enough
signs of prayer. He then admonsished the
congregation to pray from the heart and
nOl ny HULL SpCIhAhSs . tiC DAb Cditc
the stringing together of old-fashioned and
trite sentences. that mean, nothing. 1t
counts for nothing. he said; against the
OF a tear. 1t was prayer that enabled
Moody to shake two continents.
The evangelist then addressed the con-
gregation upon the proper humility of
spirit. The disciples were abashed when
Jesus asked them what it was that they
among themselves which should be great
est. The people of God must learn to for
er. They must give up erudges saa against
each other. He then related some touching
incidents where pride and anger had been
conquered by reconciliation of unfriendly
Christians in open meeting, and when these
differences had been swept away a revival
strove to shatter prejudices against limo.
vations that make for Righteousness. say
ing that when the disciples reported tc
in His name and stopped him. because hC
was not one of them, he had rebuked
them. 1t is hard enough to start a man II
a Christian life, and once started he ought
to be encouraged. Let God. he said. have
the right of way in the services that shall
direct. A woman Of the formal kind once
said to him. 81 don't believe in revivals,'
and he replied to her, Madame. there i
agree" And then he told the story about
meeting in England. He had seen a. youns
a stranger to a church, and yet he was witt
his mother. After hearing the sermon TO
a time the son whispered to his mothe
that If she did not pray fer him at once
he would either have TO leave the churcl
or pray for himself. His mother arose, in
terrupting the speaker, and poured out al
invocation for the salvation of her son
As she was beseeching the throne of grac
another mother on the other side of tn
house was moved to do the same thing
and there were two prayers going on at tn
same time. A lady in the congregation
whose sense of propriety was shocked. ap
pealed to him to stop the prayers and lie
one pray at a time. NO" said he, 'le
them go on. God has two ears He close
with a plea for consistency Of profession o
the part of Gods people. He said tina
ones life will not count for much If tn
life that every one sees is not honest an
harmonious with Gods will. If you wan
skeptics in your house, he said, let your lf
show that you are Indifferent to your Pre-
fession six days out of the week.
The Gypsy was at the Sunday schoc
and night services. He will preach to-nigh
at the church.
ONCE A SILVER KING.