The Washington times., 1908-10-17
Gypsy Smith Declares
Himself Eager for Open
ing Meeting Tonight.
TALKS OF METHODS
THAT HI EMPLOYS
ATTRACT People-Get Them Inter
ested, Gods Word Will
q Do the Rest"

England's most famous evangelist,
Gypsy" Smith. will begin tonight at
O'Clock. the first or a series OF meetings
that are to last for three weeks. in
Convention Hall
The birds that arouse the gypsy OF
England each morning by their twitter-
ing must dc things differently from their
brothers and sisters OF Washington, for
Gypsy Smith failed to be aroused at
the Hotel Hamilton this morning, until
nearly 9 o'clock. But Rodney Smith is
no longer a gypsy by habit or following.
and he was storing up his strength TO
begin his crusade 70 awaken the SUM
bering Christianity Of the residents Of
the Capital
So Gypsy Smith slept late this
morning. But he viii make UP for It
tonight when he greets the crowd that
is sure to I'll Convention Hall
Commissioner mcfarland promises 10
present Gypsy Smith tonight. and
''Once I am presented I will be willing
to take my chances of getting acquaint-
ed with you folks OF this wonderful
eountry's most beautiful city" explain
ed Mr.. Smith.
Spelled It "Gispey."
Whether Mr.. Smith was in a hurry or
whether he prefers to spell Gypsy"
-"Gispey'' is somewhat In doubt. but he
registered at the hotel as "Gispey"
Smith.
why do you use the Gypsy" instead
OF your real name Rodney Smith," he
was asked
-. I am gypsy" replied the man-and
he has the frame of a man-strong and
vigorous. For more than seventeen
years of my life 1 lived the lie Of a
gypsy-my father and mother were
gypsies- When my mother died and told
Of the wonderful new world she was
about TO enter, my father was con-
verted 70 Christ, and I followed. and
q my brothers and sisters later on.
God gave me the power to talk and
TO tell my fellOw-men Of the wonderful
teachings OF Christ. Ny fame spread
and / was called Gypsy Smith until
today il has becOme-what shall 1 term
ia trademark
1t was suggested to Mr.. Smith that
the teachers Of the Bible were aroused
to the fact that il was better TO present
their claims and messages with more
ViGor and less birthstone
To Interest People
That's IT, he said. we do not have
to advertisement that-but we do have
b to attract the peOple-get them inter
ested first and then Gods beautiful
words do the rest Attract the people
so they may hear and do the attracting
by any fair and clean method 1 do
not take any stock in sensational meth
DDS. / think Cod word will do the
rest, but get the people interested first"
For twenty-five years Gypsy Smith
has been preaching in England. Some
few months ago the National Council.
Evangelical Free Churches Of England.
agreed to send Smith TO the United
States for six months.
4 want TO complete my campaign in
America and then L must return to
my home in England. l hope to remain
in Washington three weeks, and we
viii have daily meetings-open-air meet
ings-and / am going 10 win, win again
IN getting the people 60 come to God"
II is claimed for this Romany gypsy
that he has converted more men and
women TO a Christian life than even the
famous Moody.
, Dark. even swarthy, Smith has a
warm handshake, a smile. and a vigor
that carries all before him.
% 4 am anxious 10 feel the pulse of
the people Of this city I want TO find
OUT JUST now III you are; then / viii
prescribe my medicine-GOd's word
o. Inc nnal rehearsal OF the big chorus
Tor the Gipsey Smith meetings was held
last evening in Convention Han. II was
originally intended that this chorus
S Sl number one thousand singers.
but owing TO the great demands for
seating space for the public IL was
absolutely necessary to CurtaH the choir
accommodations. Accordingly. the plat
form was made to accommodate he
tween five 10 seven hundred singers
The first public meeting Will be held
this evening, at which the fun choir
will be In attendance. They will also
sing at each OF the evening meetings
during the entire campaign.