The Washington herald., 1915-01-19

Billy Sunday can say this morning that
Washington certainly did show him a
good time. The city opened wide its
arms to the baseball evangelist and ac-
corded him a reception such as few men
of this day could command. The great
est things the city can offer were in
cluded in the program, which was ar
ranged to fill every minute OF his time,
from his arrival, shortly before noon, 10
his departure last night on the 7:O5 train
for Philadelphia.
A party consisting OF William Knowles
Cooper. chairman Of the general commit
tee; Representative Nelson, Mrs. Harriet
Z. Munroe, John Let's, and Miss Florence
Brown, all OF Washington, went to Bal
timore to meet Mr.. Sunday, and rode
back to the city with him. This was the
beginning Of the program.
At Union Station an unofficial commit
tee OF nearly 1000 persons and an off,
cial welcoming committee of 100 men,
including a number Of the city's promi-
nent clergymen, met the Sunday party.
A special detail OF police was on hand
and a path was roped of so the party
might have no difficulty in passing
through the crowds to the Presidential
reception room at the east end Of the
station. Mrs. Sunday, George Sunday.
Mrs. NJ. p. Haines. of Chicago, his daugh-
ter, and Paul and William Sunday, jr.,
sons, accompanied the evangelist, to-
gether with some OF his revival assist
ants.
Chilly" and MA" Pause.
Say, Ma, let's take a breath and look
at it," Billy exclaimed when the impress
sive view from the front of the Union
Station came before his eyes. II feel
like a kid out of school and say it's
great; isn't it?"
With his family he went directly to the
New Willard from the station. At the
hotel the entire party were guests at
a luncheon given by the Washington en-
tertainment committee. Secretary of
State Bryan was present. H. B. F. Mac
farland presided.
and the local committee went with Rep
resentative Nelson to the White House,
where President Wilson received them
The audience was given in the East
Room. The President was accompanied
by DR.. Cary Grayson, his medical ad-
wiser; Joseph P. Tumulty, his private
secretary. and Col w. w. Harts. army
officer in charge OF public buildings and
grounds, who was in full uniform.
Secretary Bryan presented Mr.. Sunday
to the President. In the short talk be-
tween the host and his visitor a number
Of mutual acduaintances were mentioned
and the President expressed great inter
est after the conversation was concluded.
President InvOkes Blessing.
God bless you and your work" was the
Presidents word to Sunday as the party
left. Mrs. Sunday and several of the
women Of the party were found to have
strayed when the time came for the party
to leave. She was discovered in the low
er corridor of the White House, eXamin-
ing the exhibits of china and Crockery
displayed there for sightseers.
Mr.. and Mrs Sunday then went for a
short motor trip about the city, following
the Speedway through Potomac Park,
and touring Rock Creek Park.
Tho evangelist was very tired when he
left Philadelphia in the morning. Several
hours sleep on the train had revived his
energy for the Washington visit. The
trip through Potomac Park refreshed him
greatly.
Fresh from his visit to the President
and his sightseeing trip, Billy Sunday
went to Convention Hall. where the most
audience that ever attended
a religious service in Washington was
assembled for his sermon.
Crowds Gather Early.
Holders of tickets calling for the
lnreserved seats had been standing in
inc on either side of Convention Hall |
since before noon. Elderly women, /,
Unable to stand the strain OF the long |
wait on their feet, brought chairs and |
stools on which to rest comfortably |
until the doors were opened at 3 |
o'clock. Several persons nearest the /
loors in the long lines that stretched !
i've abreast along the entire length Of
ZACH side of the building had boxes of
unch or crackers; others unwilling to
ct the time go to waste had brought
,ooks to read. One young man stood
lnder his umbrella studying political
cience until the doors opened. Every
,ody nibbled his or her red ticket OF
omission. ]