The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-19
GYPSY SMITH IS LOSING MONEY,
 HE SAYS
Missioner Denies He Re ceives Stipulated Fee for Saving Souls.
By THOMAS c. WATSON, International News Service Staff
 correspondent

London. Oct. 19-Converts for eash: That is what a popular young missioner in Great Britain was accus- ed of by the Daily News, the leading Non-Conformist newspaper in Eng land But the missioner has come through with a speedy and convincing repudiation.
 It is some weeks ago that the ar dent religionists in the small towns of Great Britain were startled by a series of articles attacking one of their most popular revivalists, declar- ing that he was charging half a dol lac for every convert he got as a re- sultRof his spirited sermons.
 Captain Gypsy Pat Smith, the young preacher so impeached, returned to Britain by the Majestic and was met by the author of the articles attack ing him. Captain Gypsy Smith had just returned from a successful tour in the United States, and during his absence he had been charged with tgrafting and profiteering in Chris tianity.
 Every convert, as the allegation ran had to pay fees for the light that edness and sin to the glory of right eousness and good living.
 T have been accused" Captain from a Cardiff chapel for my tour of missioneering. I cab1ed from America denying this. The sum I received was $500, although I am not quite sure- I am no good at fig ures.
 'tA few friends. knowing was just married and wanted to get a home together, put their hands in their pockets and made me 8 gift. I am trying to get the home, but so far have been unsuccessful.
 My arrangements when I attend a mission are fair and. above board. The ministers in the small chapels where I conduct my missions are not very businesslikc, and I stipu1ate that all expenses must be paid before I get anything. That relieves them of all anxiety and loss.
 The Dean of Westminster Abbey, after all receives over eight thous- and dollars a year, so why shouldn't I gst my expenses paid? Often I close of my tour in Scotland, which lasted for eight days, my share was only half a dollar. It is only recent ly that I have received larger sums,
 My travelling expenses for the last fourteen months have been $4,O00. hal to undertake an American cam paign before I could meet them and get my losses back. Even now I have only $4oO. That is the sixth of my campaigns this year. and I am ac- cused of having made a fortune out of it. As a matter of fact, I am los ing money. But the question of money never enters into my calculations. seldom say anything about it in the correspondence in connection with the missions
 ''Thev say I canvass for coAtstbu lions from those I convert. what I do is this: I invite the envelope thanks offering When I ask for converts to Christ many of the men are too shy to stand up So I give them m envelope in which they can enroll in the ranks of the saved. and if they can afford it they are asked to ma ke a thanks offering of say half a dol o1I Of Christ does not want ccnscripts but merely volunteers,
 At the present moment an inquiry is being conducted by the Free Church Council of Great Britain into the manner in which Captain Gypsy Smith raises his funds