New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-17
SUNDAY breaches TO MEN.
TIE EX-BALL PLAYER TELLS SOME FACTS h%D
SHOWS TIE FOLLY OF SOWING
WILD OATS"

william A Sunday. who used to be professional
baseball PLAYER on the Chicago and more recently
on tho Pttsburs League team. and Il now the "a
sstau, Of the Rev Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman in an
evangellstc movement among some OF the Brooklyn
churches Yesterday preached TO an audience Of
about 2oD men in a room In III" Young Mems Chrs-
tian Association Many Of them had simply gone
10 see and hear him because he SUNDAY. the
ex-profcssional" but Sunday brought tears 20 the
eyes o. some OF them before the afternoon Was
over.
One-half Of the audience was composed OF middle
aged men. and the wntry afternoon sunlight,
streaming through the windows. fel softly upon
many gray heads.
Mr.. Sunday Is young man OF mddl" height
olean-shaven and with that slight stoop OF broad
shoulders which Is noticed In most professional
baseball players He dressed In black. and his
low collar revealed a throat that IL long. muscular
ard well turned. His mouth Is firm; his chin IS
strong his glance is comprehensive and watchfu.
and that Is another Characteristic OF the days he
has put behind him. 1t may almost be- said that one
can see the baseball player in him through his
clothes and his quick. free earnest gestures show
his athletic ease and poise. His voice IL pleasant
and earnest. although trife husky. During the
services he used no slang phrases and made several
classical illusions
The services began with singing by the congrega-
tion aided by orchestra; with the reading Of
Scripture and with prayer. Then Sunday was
introduced He stood on a low platform ana held
a Bib. in hand. and for half an hour he spoke
with more simple eoquence and force than Is seen
in most pIlp!ts saying in part:
Men want to tell you this: There isn't a man
worthy Of tie name in Brooklyn who would openly
defeat your purpose to serve God. Some young
fellows say they've got their wild oats
What would you think OF a farmer that would SOW
Canadian thistle just for the fun OF 1t? You men
who sowing wild oats-you arc sowing crop
that Is likely to drag you down TO hell. What man
Of you all" he asked. with both his arms raised
high above HIS head. has the courage 20 say VIII
devote my little life to passion and lust. and then
try to creep into Gods kingdom at the end? Is
that your idea OF manhood? Ii isn't mine. don
believe In offering the dregs OF HE before Inc
Then with eloquent and picturesque phrase Mr.
Sunday described temptations that beset young men
saying that he knew OF what he was talking. His
hands clutched extended appealingly. or raised
After dark when The wine foams when Jezebe
spreads her nets. when w!ckedness stalks abroad
Ike a painted demon, when lust comes from her
hiding places-then oh. men. believe me. there IL
danger. I'm no old woman. I've seen good deal
OF this world. but ! tell you that unless you come
TO Jesus these things may drag some OF you down
TO he'll -,
the close. don't put yourself In danger from
thing IKE that on men and III, he raped , on me ne
will Choose lie that thou and thy seed may
John Roach was a great shipbuilder but he
couldn't build a ship that would carry him to
heaven. He called for a minister just before ne
died. General Grant coward and he was
Christian. Aaron Burr and Lord Byron at the last
must have seen the wretchedness Of sin and dis
belief.
IF my wife and children die before | do when
come TO hear the cods falling in their graves
want TO know that can rely upon the words
am the Resurrection and the Life and now call
upon all In this room to witness that well as
can have set before you the choice between death
and life Choose this day whom ye will serve
The field OF work In the Union Evangelical meet
ings enlarged twofold yesterday. Services
were held in Bethesda the Peoples Chnrcn
Chauncey-st. and Ralph-a James Methodist Epls
copal Church. Red-ave. and Monroe-st.. and Beth
any Presby terrain Church. Howard-ave. and Nc
Donough-st. DR.. Chapman entered into the meet
ings for the first time at the morning service he'd
in Bethesda Church. About 200 people listened TO
DR.. Chapman's morning sermon. At 4:30 o'clock In
the afternoon there a meeting for the Christian
Workers held In the church In the evening
Dr. Chapman conducted service for men only In
Bethesda Church. and also spoke at the meeting for
women oay in Bethany Church. Among the min
listers who present at DR.. Chapman's meetings