The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-11-02
NOTED EVANGELIST ARRIVED TODAY;
BIG MEETING OPENS THIS EVENING

0fpSy Smith arrived Ia Union this
norninS from Savannah, Ca, whsre
be conducted . four weeks service
with wonderful results.
The first service Of the meeting win
be held this evening at 7:80 p. m,
at the big Tabernacle on West Main
street.
The famous evangelist, Gipsy
Smith, Jr., comes to US with a we'll
deserved fame won both in his own
right and also an the son Of the world
famed evangelist, Gipsy Smith, Sr.
He Is possessed Of rare personality
and Union will be profoundly affected
BY his presence unless the result Of
this meeting Is very different from
that Of other places where he has
been.
His father, Gipsy Smith, ST., whose
real name is Rodney Smith, was born
and reared in a Gipsy camp, his for
NAL home being Epping Forest, near
Wanstead, England. He grew up with
his bride making baskets and clothes
pin, Gaming chairs, manufacturing
curfos, the raw products of their trade
being "found" because It was against
Gipsy's policy 10 buy whatever could
be secured otherwise. Here this re-
,narkable man was converted and la
ter on he became an officer in the
Salvation Army, having had no edu-
cational advantages, his frst effort at
preaching was crude indeed. He was
unable to pronounce many words
when he read from the Bible, but close
application and hard personality, and
unbounded sincerity and burning en-
thusiasm, he determinde at all haz-
ards to secure an education. That hr
succeeded is evidenced by the com.
nent Of . great London daily when it
referred to him as one Of the great
csc living exponents. Of the English
language
Though Gipsy Smith, Jr., has such
father and godly mother Of wonder
fully strong character he had the Clip
cy blood and the desire to wander
wa. felt by him when but lad. When
he was 15 years Of age he took to the
aea, it affording him the wild unrc-
strained life he loved. He. had as n
ES,nere boy spent much tinA in Gipsy
ksamnss ,Iith hia lipfoll ASteE- xeaxa
I'm, sea he gradually rosssin rank until
he became second officer of trans
Atlantic liner, living the rough and
tumble life Of q sailor. He was sat
isfed for a term Of years and still
bears the mark Of drunken Italian
mariner. Having several years previ-
ously married a Glasgow girl he de-
ci6ed to come to America where hc
entered business, but lost his position
because Of drink.
Gipsy Smith, Jr.'s mother, durina
all these years, did not become dis.
couraged because of the wild life OF
her son but continually told him that
her prayers would be answered; thai
he would become a Christian and {
minister. At first he laughed at he'
but sure enough he was finally con
verted. First becoming q song leade
OnUer Dr. v. VIluuT SuoPhhah, eaiS'
Welded to the impulse to become I
preacher. Several theological semi
, naries would not admit him becaus
Of his limited educational attainment
but one believed there was muc
promise In the young man, and allow
ed him to take the course. This h
did with honor to himself and to tn
, institution.
t In appearance, Gypsy Smith, Jr..
= very different from his father. Tn
1 elder man Is a large, powerfully bull
D van, with jet black hair and nous
f tache and the swarthy complexion
:. gypsy; the younger man is Of small
ar build, having more the appearance
n Of business man than ,ministe
). He is a mans man with genial har
d ny makeup, universally liked whe'
n ever he goes. Children and dogs lik
= him-good people like him, even thos
!. who do not stand for the best in tn
community like him. He has no abb
sive language for anyone, no chea
tricks, but breaches the straight go
pei with an appeal that strikes thinl
.e ing people as sane and reasonabl
J. Great crowds will hear him night
10 nIpht at the big Tabernacle on We