The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-10-13

E$ 6 }SIs
Sunday at Close Range.
the West, and the North and the
South.
His next effort at school work, how.
ever. relates to his connection with
the Northwestern university, where
he took service in 1887-1S88 in the
capacity of baseball coach. DR.. Ma
than Wilbur Helm, principal, Evanston
academy, says of the evangelist:
HE is entered on our books as William
Amos Sunday, but DR.. Fisk says he is
the same man. He came to us as base
ball coach and was here only for the
third term of the year 1Ss7-sS. He took
work here called Rhetorical Exercises
which included elocution. It Is impos-
sfble to tell who his teacher was, be-
cause this was rather a general public
exercise in which students were required
to take part regularly, but were not I'M
der the charge of any one teacher.
''I regret that Mr.. Sunday was not
here longer as q regular student, but ac-
cording to our records, and DR.. Ffsk's
statement, the facts above given apply
to his sojourn here. However, feel
pleased that he was here even in that
capacity.
''Dr. Fisk says that Mr.. Sunday had
been converted at that time, but was
not actively in religious work. His in
huence on the ball field was excellent,
and he stopped the practice of swearing
which had gotten to be somewhat Of
habit with number Of boys on the
team
More baseball, then his Young Mems
Christian Association work, and finally
his excursion into the evangelical field
In company with other men whose
reputation he has since equaled or
distanced, and during all of which
period he was a careful student not
only of the Bible, but of current litera-
ture and everything of interest which
came his way, and then he was ready
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 M. Thomp.
son. BY August 1, 1898, he had been
licensed to preach the gospel, but it
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, it seems
expedient to quote directly from the
records of the Chicago Presbytery,
dated April Is, 1903. This shows:
'~The committee on education. through
Rev w s. Plumer Bryan, chairman, sc
recommending. Mr.. William A. Sunday
a hcentiate of Presbytery, desiring tt
enter the ministery, was examined fol
ordination. His examination being sus.
tanned, It was ordered that when Pres.
bytery adjourn 1t be to meet Wednesday
April L. in Jefferson Park church, fol
the purpose of his ordination, that Rev
J. Wilbur Chapman of Presbytery OF
New York. be requested to preach the
sermon. the moderator, Rev. Joseph A.
Vance. to preside, PROFOUND constitu.
donal questions and offer ordaining pray.
81. and Rev. Alexander Patterson to give
the charge to the evangelist.
''Presbytery met pursuant to above ad.
tournment. In Jefferson Park church
April Is, p. m, and was opened with
prayer. Present: Ministers. Joseph A
Vance, Moderator; Frank Dewitt Tai.
mage. Alexander Patterson. Elder ]. Hen.
~ Bentz. corresponding member: ]. VIII
bur Chapman. Presbytery New York: Rev.
J. Wilbur Chapman preached sermon:
Rev. J. A. Vance propounded constitu.
tfonsl 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 never been particu
Lar about being called reverend. Plain
-Bflr' or Billy" is the appellatior
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, presf
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 Ii, 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 abseutia
I'VE count 1t TO the honor Of Westmin-
ster that she did this thing DR.. Sunday
knows his Bible which Is the true body
OF divinity In theological lore. Mr.. Sum
dax haa daxnted hiz LIE TO the srpreus