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Summary: The Forgotten Evangelist
Review: Gipsy Smith (1860-1947) has become the forgotten evangelist. Although he preached to more people than any evangelist before Billy Graham, he has drifted into obscurity over the past fifty years. Smith's self-titled autobiography tells the story of the first fourty years of his amazing life. He was a British "Romanichel" Gypsy whose family travelled and earned a living throughout southern England. At sixteen, Smith was converted through the ministry of a methodist preacher in London. From humble beginnings in a non-literate society, Smith became a self-taught preacher who ministered with some of the great pastors of his day: Dr. Joseph Parker, Dr. Alexander McLaren, Rev. H. B. Meyer, and Dr. John Clifford to name a few. This work carries the reader from Smith's early days as a Gypsy traveller (a fascinating description of life among one of the most oppressed people in the world--both then and now), to his service as a missioner with the Salvation Army, to service as an independent evangelist, and finally to his service around the world with the National Council of Evangelical Free Churches in England. As the book closes, Smith is perhaps the best-known and most popular evangelist in the world--a reputation he would enjoy for another thirty years. This book is valuable for several reasons. First, it provides positive insights into the world of the Gypsies from the perspective of one of their most famous representatives. Second, it provides a fascinating look at the life of a man who rose from the lowest levels of society to attain global prominence. Third, it provides a wonderful glimpse into the spiritual conditions of his day and the role of the evangelist in spiritual revivals. Fourth, and finally, it reminds each of us that God can do amazing things in our lives as well--if we will only let him. This book is a fun, easy read. I highly recommend it. When you finish, I think you will say what I said: "I wish I'd known 'The Gipsy!'"
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