Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-10-16
EVANGELIST GYPSY SMITH AS.
SAILS CRITICS OF HIS RED
LIGHT PARADE.
CLERGY AND CHURCH
DEEM PROJECT UNw,sE
Romany Revlvalist Insists Upon Carry.
ing Out Proposed Demonstration and
Says Chicago Will Yet Know he is in
It's Midst-Pelice Ars in ouandary-
Permit Said TO Be Assured.

Chicago. Oct 16-"Gypsy" Smith,
evangelist, in his sermon at the Sew
enth regiment armory last night assail-
ed the churchly critics of his plan to
lead a parade OF religionists thru the
red light district Of the south side next
Monday night.
In a blanket challenge to the oppo-
nents of the parade-who include In
their number, Dean Walter e. Sumner.
the Rev. Frank w. Gunsaulus. and
Prof Graham Taylor-the Romany
preacher asserted that whoever leaves
the beaten path to be inventive for
Christ invites persecution.
If YOU think 1 am not doing my
work right in Christ's name get out of
your easy chairs and do it little bet
ter" was his reply to the churchmen
who think him sincere but unwise In
his plan to parade the streets.
"All who approve stand up!" ne
shouted, and practically the entire
audience stood up.
Monday night" he admonished. speak
ing earnestly from the pulpit and the
people applauded vigorously.
Asks Critics to Pray for Him.
IF you don't see as do. don't crisi-
else me. but pray for me-" he con-
tinued.
IF don't get hold of somebody, you
can criticise me. But if do get hold
of somebody. let your criticism be sill
ent. Pray for me.
You don't know I'm in Chicago yet,
but you will before l get thru The
solicitude shown over me is remark
able. When call on somebody. he
says: Brother Smith, you look tired.
Won't you sit down and sing a solo
while you are resting"
UNLESS I change my mind, and
don't think will. am going to preach
here next Monday night on Tho Poo
of Bethesda shall have something
to say OF the modern Pool Of Bethesda
in Chicago Then we shall get into the
streets and try to save the people who
are lying at the Pool of Bethesda in
this city.
II was called up and asked about a
little criticism. l responded that I had
absolutely nothing to say-that am
going on with my work as l think God
wants me to do it,"
"Gypsy's" challenge and the declara-
ton that he would carry out the par
ade as intended stirred up high pitch
of enthusiasm among the people who
still are on the qui vive to know what
Chief of Police Stewards final decision
will be.
Says Chief Gave Permission.
W. A. Peterson, chairman of the An
ance committee OF the Layman's Evan
gelical council, declared fatty from the
pulpit that the chief had given his per-
mission to hold the parade
I'VE have the permission of the chief
of police to parade and we are obligat-
ed to him. said Mr.. Peterson. "It isn't
my line Of business"
"1t's time 1t was" interrupted "Gyp-
sy." and the audience applauded.
Anything Gypsy does will be all
right" said somebody who at once
elected expressions of approval from
the audience.
"Were going to marshal you and get
in the bands all right and the choir
before We leave here after the meet
ing" said Mr.. Peterson, reassuringly.
We'll get out all right"
Then Gypsy" proceeded to divert the
record breaking number OF 400 con-
verts to the enquiry room"
Evangelist H. II. Van Meter private
ly assured newspaper men that Chief
Steward had assured him the permit
for the parade in writing would be de-
10 hi
At late hour the chief was in a
quandary as to what to do about It.
IT was plain that he had been led to
consider the parade Ill advised. largely
on account of the putting OF the "lid'
upon the levee.
II don't know whether ] shall issue
the permit or not" said the chief. II
have not decided. In my opinion 1t is
not good policy to lead a parade with
bands thru the south side district late
at night. wouldn't want to permit any
other reputable organization to do it
If | issue the permit ] shall reserve the
right to lay out the line of march and
to cut out the bands If see fit.
The CHIEF left j. tn he inferred thai
possibly a parade direct from the
armory at Thirtyfourth street and
Wentworth avenue to the Alhambra
theater, at State and Nineteenth streets
where midnight services are TO be held
might suit his ideas better than a pa
rade thru the red light" district.
Summary Of Clerical Objections.
The objections of the clerical critics
Of Gypsy" may be summarized as fol-
lows:
L. That parade would not do an,
good to the deniZens of the tender
loin.'
g. That it would be spectacular and
theatrical
3. Many adults would enter the vice
district for the first time and receive
injurious impressions despite their re.
ligiuos fervor.
4. Children concealed in the crowt
would receive Injurious Impressions.
o. Undue publicity would be giver
to social eyiF' in Chicago.
8. That the plan is in direct contro.
versy with the plans of the chief O.
police, whcfh include the keeping o
psonla Ant nk tina xina dixtriata tnatAal