The Washington times., 1908-10-31

When Gipsy Smith led his much-her-
slded 'march against sin" through
the ,ri0Cipal streets OF Washington
shortly Lefor, midnight las. night be-
tween l5.JOJ ana 2o.0oJ persons fol-
lowed the evangelist and Joined with
him in proclaiminR his doctrines 10
the Iegions that lined every thorough
fare through which the procession
was led. The march began at Con-
veHtion Hall and was finished at the
Belasco Theater, where a mass meet
ing was held at midnight
Rarely has Washington seen such a
demonstration upon the part of its
people except at the Inauguration OF a
President. Hours before the tir.s
scheduled for the march the streets
were lined with people waiting to
catch a glimpse of the famous English
evangelist. At Seventh street and
Pennsylvania avenue the congestion
became so great that extra police
men We're needed to keep the cross
ing clear.
Inspiring Spectacle.
The sight of thousands Of men and
women Of all classes. all ages, and
many nationalities. marching four
abreast and singing the hymns which
came nTsU to their lips. was an in
spring spectacle The long line
stretched as far as the eye could
reach. As the procession wouni its
way through the streets thousands
stood on the sidewalks and watche1
The followers OF the gypsy as they
moved cn to the section south of the
Avenue TO inspire. ii they could, the
spirit OF repentance in those who
have strayed farthest from the fold 1t
was only for d few minutes that the
evangelist and his hosts stopped at
Thirteen-and-a-halt street and Ohio
avenue, and then there We're no words
Of rebuke from the lips OF the man who
has led thousands 10 turn 10 a better
life. It was only a few words, spoken
ia his clear, ringing Voice-wOrds OF con-
solatiCn and hOpe-and the touching
strains of Nearer. My God To Thee,
sung by the hundreds that surrounded
him, which Gipsy Smith offered as his
appeal 10 the hearts Cf these people.
Wnen the police found II necessary 70
close the doors OF Convention Hah ar
o'c1 lck last night, th5re were J,toU per-
sOns plaSsed inside. Between 1900 ana
l2.OO0 remained on the outside, Where
two overflow meetings were neld- Rod
ert Downing, the Washington actor,
who left lhe stage several years ago 10
take up evangelistiC work, conducted
one OF these meetings and among the
other speakers were the Rev. }. h
Whitehouse, the Rev Donald G Mac
LeOd, the Rev. r. L. Snipley, Ihe ReF'
G. l. Pate, the Rev. \. l.. powers. the
Rev. J. W r. SImwalt, and tne Rev.
George A Miller
GipSy Smith took no chances on leftY-
ing anybody behind at Convention Hall,
so lie remained 10 speed his followers
on tie way. lie lid rot leave until the
last OF ths line had been started toward
Seventh street, and then he boarded
car and reached the head OF the pro
cessiOn as il turned INTO Pennsylvania
avenue at the Peace Monument He
marched lust ahead OF the band and as
the crowds massed along the streets
recognized the evangelist he was given
q succession of cheers.
"Get in Line"
Come on in here" he shouted to the
crowds on the sidewalk. Get in behind
this line. What are you doing standing
out there?" and in many cases scores
of spectators resolved themselves into
a. part of the marching army and foi-
lowed the gipsy to the end OF the roGse.