GIPSY SMITH

Evening Star, Issue 19388, 23 October 1926, Page 9

GIPSY SMITH

FM TENTH) ALBERT HAIL INTERVIEW WITH FAMS EVANGELIST The famed and beloved evangelist who is known by millions as Gipsy Smith is in Dunedin preparing for his local campaign, which is to commence i his evening with a welcome in Burns Hall. This morning Gipsy Smith accorded an ‘ Evening Star reporter a brief interview, in which he made tome special reference to the opposition ho had encountered whilst in the dominion. _l l was apparent, however, that he regiu'f bis interrupters more in sorrow than anger, and ho even considered it as evi. that his message was taking effect. THE AUCKLAND OPPOSITION. Asked about the opposition ho was imported to have met with in the north, bo explained that there had only been trouble in Auckland, but it Iran not distressed him in the least: You will always find people who will oppose truth and righteousness; some people are never happy unless they can deal in filth and calumny. There are those who hale to say a good word about anything, especially when thev do -not like the truth. But Jesus Christ, you know, was called a gultton and a drunkard by some people, whilst others said that Ho cast out devils through the instrumentality of the prince of devils. In all ages (ho prophets and preachers of Christ have bean opposed. Christ's explanation was that such people loved tho darkness because their deeds were 1 evil, or, as Hie Americans put it, they don t hire to be hit on the raw. I am not discouraged, because 1 know that when people squirm under my castigation of sin I am doing something worth while. Jesus hruly said -. “ Woo unto vou when all men snail speak well of you, for so did their fathcis to tho false prophets. 1 ’ You don’t expect any man in tbs world to enjoy a surgical operation. Truth is never pleasant to those who hale it. It might sound paradoxical to suggest that people would spurn tho messa':e of hope that Jesus brougut, but it is not, because to follow Christ one must put away the meretricious things of the world, and that is what tboso who do not like Christ will not do “I am in tho fiftieth year of my evangelical work.” added’the preacher, ‘"and I have been thirty-two years in trying to_ get to your country. I was in Australia thirtytwo years ago, hut was unablo to come owing to tho illness of my wife. I am humbly grateful for the success that greeted my last campaign in England, as, although I had covered the same ground as I been doing for nearly half a century, I had bigger and more receptive crowds than ever before. That campaign concluded at tho Albert Hall, in which f addressed -o,Uoevery r.i?M, and or - ’ 1 :’ ’ r '' • K ''’ nll r co twice that size.” Tho King also sent 6 lottcr, which was ua.. lu im ij.cci.ugo, “A GREAT TRIUMPH.” “Has your mission in Australia and Now Zealand "been a success?” be was asked. “-I regard my visit as one of tho triumphs of my life,” he replied, “and I have had a few. I can say this without trying to boast in any way that no man living has preached to so many people ns 1 have. I have always had the support of the churches, and that has been a tremendous factor. If I were an artist there arc two pictures I would paint. First, I would portray the gipsy boy who never slept in a house until ho was seventeen, and then I would show tho same gipsy, hut now grown to manhood, enthralling a great audience with the message of Christ. Then I would ask those who had doubts about the Gospel to explain. INFLUENCE THAT LASTED. . “No, I cannot tell you what proportion of those who sign decision cards to live a Christian life as tho result of my work really try to carry put their promises. But I have plenty of evidence to prove that very many do live a new life. When I was in Adelaide recently there were three ministers on tho committee who had been converted on rny previous visit. In the small town of Orange, m New South Wales, I met three preachers who had also been converted by rno. It- is ono of tho joys of my life to speak to those who have been influenced by my efforts, and I meet such people everywhere. No doubt to-morrow _ night I shall find plenty in. Dunedin. I think the people are just as receptive as ever to the Gospel message, but I know that millions are disgusted with what they consider to be the humbug of those who profess to live Christian lives. Show them the real thing, and you will hear no criticism from them.” - FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. Gipsy Smith explained Mr and Mrs E. E. Young w’ero accompanying him. Mr Young was a musician of undoubted ability, and he looked after tho musical side of tho mission, whilst Mrs Young was in charge ortho young people’s work. “Wo came out here without any guarantee’ whatever. Wo did not ask for a cent, but did ask that our first class passages from London be paid, and that wo should be_ entertained when wo got boro. Wo also stipulated for tho free will offering on tho last Sunday, and also for the collection on the last Monday, when I give an address on gipsy life. I might say that tho people who come to the missions arc not asked to give; it is a matter for them to decide.” He explained that tho rest of the offerings went to tho local committee to pay expenses. THE HYMN BOOKS. He stated that there had apparently been a misunderstanding about tho hymn books used during the mission. These _ cost him Is from tho publishers, but in addition ho had to pay royalties _on tho thirty special hymns, and thus it was necessary to charge Is 6d. There was a little margin, but as ho purchased the books outright and could not return any that wore unsold, the small surplus would guarantee him against loss FIRST ADDRESS TO-MORROW To-night a public-welcome will bo given to tho Gipsy Smith mission party. Tho meeting will be held in tho Burns HaU. and will commence at 8 p.m. The ministers of tho various churches are requested to occupy seats noon the platform. The plpsy will givo his first mission address m the Octagon Hall on Sunday afternoon, at 3. The mission will commence in tbe_ Exhibition buildings at 8.15 on Sunday night. The mission choir will be in full strength to lead the singing. Hymn books will not lie on salo on Sunday. On Monday night tho first week-night meeting will bo held in tho Exhibition buildings, commencing at 7.30, and the first mid-day meeting will commence at 12.30 in Octagon Hall on Tuesday. The services will conclude at 9..j0.