“World In Need Of Pentecost Of Supplication.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18012, 24 November 1926, Page 14

“World In Need Of Pentecost Of Supplication.”

GIPSY SMITH, IN ADDRESS TO TWO THOUSAND, MAKES STIRRING APPEAL FOR PRAYER. “If all the church people in Christchurch got on their knees and asked God this question, ‘ Why am I a failure?’ you’d have a revival such as this Dominion has never seen before. You’ve got to get busy—what this world needs is another Pentecost of Supplication. There are angels overhead hovering with snowy white wings waiting to catch the supplication locked up in the silver cell of a tear drop.”

This was one of the striking appeals for a return to prayer made by the evangelist Gipsy Smith to a congregation of over two thousand people in the King Edward Barracks last night. At the end of the services practically all present signed the decision cards committing themselves to Christ. There was an atmosphere of fervour at the service. Gipsy Smith carried the audience with him.

The service opened with the singing of hymns by the choir under Mr V. C. Peters, and the evangelist smiled as the volume of the singing rose.

hindered Christ—isn’t that so, you preachers?” Cries of “ Yes! ” with one voice saying, “Not all!” “ Wait a minute! ” said Gipsy, “ who hounded Him like a felon to His death? The scribes, the Pharisees, the priests... The people ’ who get mad at me got mad with Jesus, and they nailed Him to the tree.” “I let the bucket, down :a bit deep that time, and J stirred up the mud. It’s ray bucket, but remember it was your mud. While I’m. around here mud is going to be stirred up." (Cries of approval from the audience.) “ I wonder,” he said, “ how many people in your city are devil-possessed. I wonder how many have been brought to church by godly mothers and godly fathers,. godly husbands and godly wives. The preachers exist to cast out the devils, and Jesus Christ created His church to save the world, and if it is not functioning what use is it?” “ Saved people are expected to save others,” he said. “If Jesus saved you, ,it was because you might save others. There’s the history of the failure of the people of God. Have you ever tried to bring someone to Christ? You’ve invited people to the theatre, card parties and social functions, but have you ever invited anyone to Jesus Christ?” “ NOT A PREACHER.” “I’m not a preacher,” he said; “I’m only a layman—l wasn’t taught to preach. When Jesus saved me, I had to do it or die. The man filled with the Spirit will do any mortal thing to bring another man to Christ. “ Lord Jesus, why should we have to .send for a gipsy boy—a heathen from a tent, when you had hymn:books—everything ? On that word 4 Why ? ’ hangs the failure of the church. That isn’t pleasant,, but it’s healthy. People don’t often enjoy the medicine they have to take. The world honours the man with the real message, the real power. Why can’t we pass it out? If all the church people in Christchurch got on their knees and asked the question, ‘ Why am I a failure?* you’d have a revival such as this Dominion had never Seen before. You've got to get busy. What the world needs is another Pentecost of supplication. There are angels overhead hovering with snowy white wings waiting to catch the supplication caught in the silver cell of, a tear-drop. You’ve got to surrender the things that stop a revival.” “ If you want a revival, draw a chalk ring round yourself and ask the Lord to begin in the ring. That phrase has gone round the world and been published in all sorts of papers.” At this stage the crying of a baby interrupted the evangelist. “ Please keep that child quiet,” he called to the mother.

“ How many of you have got hymn books ?—hands up now,” said Gipsy.

Most of the hands went up. “ Now, then, hands up those who haven’t got them.” A few hands went up. “ Well, then, get the books and join in the singing,” he said. Another hymn was sung, and then the evangelist’s voice rose up, and, addressing the audience, he said:—“ Look here, you’re listening to my choir instead of singing yourselves.” The singing of the next verse made flirt her reproach on this score unnecessary.

After the singing Gipsy Smith came forward and spoke. “ Let’s remain standing now with every head bowed to pray. If you dori’t need prayer, I do. Ask God to bless me and give me the right message. Pray to receive the message, and when you receive it pray for the wisdom to act upon it. Let us make this magnificent city of Christchurch the City of God.”

“ Not a Menagerie.” After the prayer came another hymn, but before the singing began the evangelist came forward and said: —“ Before we begin I insist that those people standing at the door take seats. We’re not a menagerie—we’re civilised

people. I’m not really half as bad as I look.”

“ You’ve Brought It.” The Rev J. Robertson came on to the platform and, addressing the audience, said: —•“ Ladies and gentlemen — the usual—feel for it—you’ve brought it with you. We need £SO every , night, and we’re going to get it. We’ve got you behind us,, and I’ve got a big smile on my face—but I’ll have a bigger one if :we get £75 to-night. Last night we did not pay half our overhead expenses, which have nothing to do with the evangelist—leave him out of the question. Take that pound note out of your pocket and go home singing * Wonderful Jesus.’ ” Gipsy: How many of you would give me half < a crown if I needed it tomorrow? Many hands shot up. “ Well, give me half a crown now.” (Laughter.) The choir sang another hymn and Gipsy said to the audience: “ I don’t know how you feel about it, but I could go on. listening to that all night.” Mr Edward Young, the mission pianist, played a solo, which wag applauded by the audience. “ Would you like some more?” Cries of " Yes.” “Come along to-morrow night, then.” THE NEED FOR PRAYER. EVANGELIST'S ADDRESS. Taking as his te:£t the Gospel of St Mark, chapter. 9, from the fourteenth verse, the evangelist spoke of the necessity for a return to prayer in order to cast the devil out. “ The disciples,” he said, . “ saw Christ one day with a changed face. It was the first time they had noticed the glory without Him meeting the glory within. If you prayed the fashion of your face would be changed—l wouldn’t like to live with some of you if you always look the way \ you’re looking now. Pray, and your face will change—you will get better looking.” Hindered Christ. “ The religious crowd have always

“If you begin to pray, you’ll give God a chance. How can you cultivate a Jesus-like life if you dpn’t go to the same source as He did?” “ Now, then, have I carried you with me?” (Cries of “Yes,” and several fervent “ Amens.”) The decision cards were then distributed, and Gipsy said: “Please don’t move about. Do be reverent—commit yourselves intelligently to Christ.” When the cards were being returned to him, he said, “ These are my wages. How many will pray for me to-morrow? —hands up.” Up went every hand in the audience. Turning to the choir, Gipsy Smith •.hanked them for their music, and said chat he had got in Christchurch more .upport for the mission than in any other part of the Dominion. “ I wish I had someone to preach to me,” he said. “ I’m preaching to my own poor heart. 1 I get lonely .and homesick. Jesus, make me better ” chorus of “ Amens ”)—I want your . love and prayer.”