Gipsy Smith: His Life and Work - Gipsy Smith
I was given this book without knowing anything about Gipsy Smith, and found it quite interesting. It turns out Gipsy Smith was an evangelist from the late 19th - early 20th century who seemingly had a quite wide-ranging and effective ministry!
Gipsy (real first name Rodney) was born an actual gypsy, and after his father and uncles were saved, found Jesus in turn. He trained as an evangelist with the "Christian Mission" (what became the Salvation Army), before going off on his own following some disagreements with the national body.
The book is very old-fashioned in style, referring to 'well-known' figures without any explanation as to who they were; I found myself googling various people, sometimes without learning anything about them even then! Gipsy also quotes articles and letters about events that have happened, as a way of talking about himself and his accomplishments without having to be the one producing the praise (which he admits on occasion makes him a little uncomfortable), and at times these become a bit repetitive.
However, Gipsy is a natural communicator (as his success in evangelism would imply) and it did enjoy much of the book. His little anecdotes raised from amusing stories about family or people he encountered, to stories of salvation and different lessons he has gleamed from those throughout his career.
The book that I have was published in 1902, and Gipsy lived until 1947, so it ends with him still very much involved in ministry. It was an interesting, though not always gripping read, and tells the story of an interesting life.
Completed 27 February 2020.
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