Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-04-24


for the recognition Of his service to
the church In general.
Previous to his ordination Mr.. Sun
day had been recognized as an elder
in the Jefferson Park Presbyterian
church, which he had joined shortly
after his marriage to Helen NJ. Thomp-
son. By August 1, 1898, he had been
licensed to preach the gospel, but 1t
was not until 1903 that he came up for
ordination. In view of the contro-
versies which has appeared In some
sections OF the secular press, 1t seems
expedient to quote directly from the
records of the Chicago Presbytery,
dated April 13, 1903. This shows:
The committee on education, through
Rev. w. S. Plumer Bryan, chairman, SO
recommending. Mr.. William A. Sunday,
a licentiate of Presbytery, desiring to
enter the MINISTRY, was examined for
ordination. His examination being sus-
tanned, It was ordered that when Pres
bytery adjourn 1t be to meet Wednesday,
April Is, IN Jefferson Park church, for
the purpose of his ordination, that Rev.
]. Wilbur Chapman of Presbytery of
New York, be requested to preach the
sermon, the moderator. Rev. Joseph A.
Vance. to preside, PROFOUND constitu-
tional questions and offer ordaining pray
err, and Rev. Alexander Patterson to give
the charge to the evangelist.
"Presbytery met pursuant to above adj
journment, in Jefferson Park church.
April 10, 8 D. M, and was opened with
prayer. Present: Ministers. Joseph A.
Vance, Moderator; Frank Dewitt Tai
mage, Alexander Patterson, Elder J. Hem
ry Bentz, corresponding member; ]. Will
hnr Chairman praqhVtprV Naw York Rev.
]. Wilbur Chapman preached sermon;
Rev. J. A. Vance p~ropounded constitu-
tionel questions and offered prayer of or
dination. Rev. Alexander Patterson gave
charge to evangelist. Adjourned with
benediction by the newly ordained min
lister, Rev. w. A. Sunday.
ATTEST. James rockingham, Stated
Clerk, Chicago Presbytery."
Mr.. Sunday has lever been particu-
lar. about being called reverend. Plain
"Bin" or BILLY" is the appellation
which seems to be dearest to his
heart. Still less is he inclined to use
the title of Doctor of Divinity, which
is the last honor which has been con-
ferred upon him in academic circles.
He holds this degree from Westmin-
ster college at New Wilmington, Pa.
DR.. Robert McWatty Russell, presi-
dent of the college, reports that West
minister college conferred the hon
orary degree of Doctor of Divinity
upon Mr.. Sunday at the commence
ment exercises June IL. 1912. DR..
Russell says:
"Mr. Sunday was not able to be pres
ent, being engaged in evangelistic serv-
ices at Beaver Falls, so the degree was
conferred In absentia.
1--WE count 1t to the honor of Westmin-
ster that she did this thing. DIR. Sunday
knows his Bible which is the true body
of divinity In theological lore. Mr.. Sun
day has devoted his life to the supreme
task of world evangelization for which
the Bible is the great charter. He is,
therefore, both In scholarship and prac-
teal effort entitled to the degree. just
as a Doctor of Medicine is supposed to
know the science of medicine and prac-
tice the art of healing. so a Doctor OF
Divinity who knows the truth about Goo
and practices the art of saving is en-
titled to the degree. In many institutions
it is customary to bestow the honorary
degree of Doctor of Divinity upon those
who are men noted for their knowledge OF
the traditions of the scribes and phari-
sees than for knowledge and practical
use of the Bible itself"
Patched and disjointed as are these
efforts at acquiring the knowledge
which to many men comes through
channels SO simple and natural that
they are never conscious of them. they
afford no real index to the attainment
or the ability of the men. Agriculture
he knows as well as most farmers;
medicine and law he can discuss
freely with professionals. Even those
preachers who find that he is not pro
found ~theologically, do not say that he
is not sound. Art and science he
knows as well as the average amateur.
The stars are not unknown to him.
A colossal capacity for figures Is stag
gering to those who become lost even
in the ordinary instances of book
keeping. His reading has been diver
sified and extremely widespread. He
has a keen knowledge of the thing
that will appeal to an audience, and a
selective spirit which enables him to
judge almost intuitively the story, the
episode or the comparison which will
most readily appeal to his hearers.
During the course of his campaigns
he addresses in n day the society
women of the city, and In the same
half day the ~convicts of the peniten-
tiary. He dimes with the governor of
the state. addresses the legislature,
speaks to shopmen in large factories
and is ready within a few minutes to
launch upon a profound exposition OF
some Bible theme.
1t is almost impossible to hit upon
a subject for conversation where he
Is not better informed than the aver
age person and at least able to discuss
intelligently with those who have
specialized in that line. In this re-
spect his mind shows much in com.
mon with that Of the great Napoleon
whose versatility and adaptability
were the marvel of HIS generation.