The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-19
TABERNACLE READY
FOR GYPSY SMITH
Work Completed on Structure
for Months Evangelical
Campaign.
TO SEAT THREE THOUSAND
Services to Be Held Every
Night Except Monday After
January %.
TO SEAT THREE THOUSAND

"orkmen today completed Inc SOh
struction of the tabernacle near SIX
teenth and V streets northwest IN
which Gypsy Smith, jr., will conduct
evangelistic services beginning jan
uary % and ending February %.
As soon as the carpenters finished
their task a large force Of other work
men began installing 5000 seats to
accommodate the crowds expected at
the revival services.
The tabernacle is q rude wooden
structure, 100 feet long and 100 feet
wide. It is equipped with high plat
form from which the evangelist viii
preach. Back of the platform are six
tiers of seats for the 400 members OF
the chorus which will assist the re-
vivalist.
Lighting Facilities.
The big, barn-like building has also
been equipped with lighting facilities.
The Rev. John Palmer, chairman
of the committee of Presbyterian min
listers arranging for the appearance
of Gypsy Smith, jr., here, announced
today that services would be held
every night except Monday nights
y during the month, and that the evan
gelist would also preach on Wednes-
day, Thursday, and Friday afternoons
at 3 o'clock. Monday is the eVange-
lists rest day.
AlthouEh the evangelist comes to
Washington under the auspices of the
Presbyterian Church, the revival Will
be entirely nonsectarian, and people
of all colors and creeds will be well
coined.
Great Good Expected.
It is believed by the ministers in
charge of the evangelistic campaign
that Gypsy Smith, jr., will accomplish
great good in Washington. He Is
known to possess all the eloQuence
and persuasive powers of his famous
parent, Gypsy Smith, ST., and consid-
cradle Of the fire and rip-roartng abil-
ity OF Billy Sunday.
sPersons who have seen both the
father and son in action declare the
latter "can teach his dady something
about his own business"
Gypsy Smith is thirty-three years
old, and is said to be the youngest
evangelist who ever accomplished as
much as he has in his chosen field.
In Demand at Colleges.
He has been especially successful
among young men, particularly col
lege men, and is always in demand
at institutions of learning.
At present he is conducting re-
vival at the Penn State College, in
Pennsylvania His appearance here
will not be entirely new to people in
and around Washington, as he has
been heard in revivals at Alexandria,
Rockville, Warrenton, and Leesburg.
The real name OF Gypsy Smith, jr.,
is Albany Rodney Smith. He is a son
of a real gypsy, and the godson-of
the Duke of Albany, after whom he
was named.
Remarkable Convention.
The conversion of Gypsy Smith, jr.
is said to have been even more re
markabIe than that of his father, he
having embraced Christianity less
than ten years ago.
The elder Gypsy Smith, who is now
working among the soldiers in the
trenches in the western theater OF
the European war, was born a gypsy.
There was considerable inharmony.
profanity, and fighting among the
men and women in the tribe to which
he belonged, and scenes of bloodshed
and cruelty were frequent. Smith was
a temperamental youth, and was dis
gusted with the violent scenes.
One day. while the tribe was camp.
ed just outside of London, he sneak
ed away from camp, and went to an
evangelist's meeting in the worlds
largest city.
Made Deep Impression.
The words OF the Gospel made q
deep impression upon him, and he re
manned after the crowd left to speak
with the evangelist. More than usual
interest was manifested in him be
cause of his swarthy skin, coal black
hair, big black eyes, his gypsy attire
and earrings in his ears. As a re
suit of the special interest taken in
him he was converted within a short
time and began preaching the Gospel
to gypsies and all others who would
listen to him.
Gypsy Smith, jr. on the other hand
was born into comparative ease. cul
ture, and refinement He was not
particularly interested in his fathers
work. He was what DR.. Palmer calls
"a wild youngster," and frequently
sought adventure at sea or wherever
else it could be found.
Converted BY Father.
About nine years ago. however, one
of his fathers sermons set him tC
thinking, with the result that he be
came converted. Immediately there
after, he entered a seminary and stud
fed for four years for the ministry
Shortly after he was ordained, he en-
tered the evangelistic field.
Admirers OF Gypsy Smith, jr., while
not detracting any from his fathers
wonderful powers, insist that the son
IL equally as forceful and effective.
Gypsy Smith, sr.. visited Washing
ton in 1908 and held evangelistic serv
ices in Convention Hall The mann
moth hall was crowded to its capacity
at each meeting and several thousand
converts were announced. Gypsy
Smith, sr.,' achieved considerable no
'toriety here and throughout the
country on that occasion by leading a
procession of several thousand men
and women through the segregated
district
LEAVES ESTATE TO FAMILY.
Andrew Over, of Garfield Heights