NOTED EVANGELIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19416, 26 August 1926, Page 10

NOTED EVANGELIST.

WELCOME TO GIPSY SMITH.

REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING.

APPEAL TO BUSINESS MEN, An enthusiastic welcome on behalf of the city, the church, and the business community was accorded to Gipsy Smith, the famous evangelist, at a luncheon in the Unity Hall yesterday. The luncheon was given by, Mr. A. C. Caughey, and there was a representative gathering. Together with Gipsy Smith as guests of honour were Mr. and Mrs. E. Young, who are travelling with him. The Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, chairman of the Dominion committee which is arranging Gipsy Smith's campaign, read a letter from Archbishop Averill apologising for unavoidable absence and extending best wishes for a successful campaign. "Gipsy Smith is not a man of war, but is a great ambassador of the Prince of Peace," stated Mr, A, J, Entrican, in welcoming the evangelist on behalf of the Auckland City Council. "Wherever the English language is spoken his name is a household word." They took the greatest delight in welcoming such a noted visitor to Auckland. He hoped the coming of the herald of the gospel was going to do a great amount of good for New Zealand. On behalf of the business community, the Hon. George Fowlds said he hoped Gipsy Smith's campaign would be crowned with the success it deserved. Nothing would help to smooth the restless state of the world to-day more than a close touch with the Creator. (Applause.) A welcome was also extended by the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher. He wished the evangelist God speed on his tour throughout New Zealand.

Business Men's Interests. An eloquent appeal for those present to come in closer contact with thoir Creator was made by Gipsy Smith. "I am not a parson, thank God," said Gipsy Smith, in introducing himself. "In spiritual things laymen are too apt to say, 'Oh, he's a parson.' There are certain things a layman ,can do which a parson cannot do. I want to know what you business men fi'rfe doing for the spiritual work in this city. You can do wonderful things if you wish." In emphasising what business men could do, Gipsy Smith said he knew one business man who was making money fast and devoting it to helping on the cause of God. Some were busy making money, but they had no time for Christ. When they got a proper perspective of things they would surely wish they had done something. He urged the business men present to use their strategic position and stand by him during the next three weeks to help to clean up the city and make it worthy of the Kingdom of God. "If you think more of a golf dinner, club dinner, or some other 'social engagement than you do of the Kingdom of God, it is time someone with Christian courage looked you in the face and told you things you should know," he said.

Fifty Years' Preaching. "You need more than a square meal three times a day, more-than a decent suit of more than a bed to lie on, more. thanji v lim^fiine^more;thap,a good bank account. You are not all suet, not all animal.' « You■ need God.: I am not a sectarian and not an insectarian. (Laughter.) There is not a man among you who would dare say he did not need God. If you can get in touch with the Lord Jesus, that would be something never- to forget in time and eternity. "Most of you had a better start in life than I did," continued Gipsy Smith. "When I was 16 I could not write. Someone gave me a (Bible and a dictionary and here I am. (Laughter.) If I live until next June I will have completed 50 years' preaching on six continents. 1 have been a business man, in the timber trade, selling pegs. (Laughter.) That is why I am making an appeal to business men to heip me—a fellow feeling. (Laughter.) : In conclusion, Gipsy Smith thanked those present- tor their wonderful welcome, and . expressed the hope that he would meet the. same , enthusiasm wherever he went in New Zealand.