Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-26
GYPSY AND GENTLEMAN.
Ltfe Story OF n Man Who Rose from
the Lowest Ranks to Christian
Pre-Eminence

Some years ago q lad of II took up
his lodging in room engaged fox
him in London. He arrived just be-
fore the evening meal. and for the
first time in his life had TO sit at q
table and use knife and fork. At
the side of his plate was piece of
linen neatly folded. which he thought
was handkerchief and mentioned it
to his host. he was sensitive enough
to perceive that he had Numbered.
and said:
Please forgive me. do not know
any better. L am only a Gypsy. L
know i shall make bunders, but If
you will correct me when L make a
mistake 1 shall be very grateful. and
never angry or cross"
This boy Rodney, now everywhere
known as Gypsy smith," is to-day
the most successful evangelist in
London. All over England people at
tribnte their new lives to his leading.
He was born ~ years ago in a gypsy
tent, and has never had five weeks Of
consecutive schooling in his life.
When he was five years old the whole
family was attacked by smallpox, and
a
midnight with Christian rites, and
this first religious service which her
husband ever attended made a deep
impression and led to his conversion.
Our first idea of Cod writes Gyp-
sy Smith in his recent nutobiog-
raphy, "came from his fathers beau
tiful life in the gypsy tent-a life
which was like the blooming of q
flower whose beauty won Us all. He
never lived one life in a meeting and
another in the gypsy tent"
The son began his work under Gen.
Booth, of the Salvation Army. He
was attending one of their meetings
when Gen. Booth entered. and, recog-
nizing the boy as one whom he had
heard, said, suddenly:
THE next speaker will be the
gypsy boy"
Rodney trembled at the unexpect-
ed summons, but made his way 70 the
platform and sang hymn in his
beautiful voice.
Keep your heart up. youngsteriS
called a tall man from the audience,
as the boy stood speechIess. :
at Is in my mouth now. Where do
you want ftp" came the quick reply.
The audience laughed. and the boy,
somewhat reassured, spoke briefly.
That was the why his public service
began. ev,ete-
When first called upon to conduct
q meeting alone, Rodney had to face
o serious difflcuity--how to read the
Scriptures aloud. He had spent an
much time as he could find in learn
ing to read, but his leisure and OBJ
portunities had been so limited that
he knew he could not get through
many of the big words. He thought
at first of asking friend to read
the lessons; then Of spelling aloud
any word he could not pronounce;
but he felt, that would be an open
surrender. So he read slowly ADD
carefully till he came upon q long
word. Then he stopped to make some
comment, and after the, comment he
began to read again, but on the other
side of theflohg wordf .F4tFI +
However, the gypsy lad in time SO
perfected hirHSelf INTELLECTUALLY that
one may now hear-him- again and
again without being able to detect
flaw anshis GRAMMAR or pronuncia-
ton; and great London newspaper
/. credits aim with. using the best An
gio-Saxon speech since John Bright.
Those who know the story of his life
; find the explanation of IL In the fact
rfhat he Is aagradtate sof the same
ssschools which trained John. the Ash
erman. 10 sN2 3Eykc v3lAtsnyE 3 %
Rodney Smith. my friend. Rxrsy