The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-10

pened to be in Chicago as right neldcr
of the team captained by Pop Arson.
With several of his playing mates he
started to walk down Van Buren, street
surrounded by an increasing number OF
small boy worshippers OF baseball
heroes, and he went along chatting as
usual until the group drew near the
old Pacific Garden Mission. As they
were passing its doors the notes of
hymn came floating out and Billy Sum
day stopped short. Something In that
simple melody struck him and struck
him hard. For an instant he stood like
a statue, then turning to his mates
quietly remarked:
Boys, I'm going in"
They saw him disappear within the
entrance and msrveled, for up TO that
time he had not shown any special in
clination toward matters of religion. 1t
was late in the afternoon when he re-
appeared, reporting for practice at the
old South Side grounds At the gate
Sunday met Frank Flynn and braced
himself for a blow of raillery, a gust Of
sneers. Instead he was greeted with
serious attention. For an instant Frank
Flynn looked searchingly in his right
fielders face and then said:
I'm glad you done it, Billy"
! once inside the grounds he saw Pop
I Arson, and he too walked up to Sunday
and gave him a grip of the hand which
meant more than words. Following in
! quick succession came man after man
| OF the team. few II any attempting to
speak a syllable. but every one Of them
I gripping his hand in sincere approval OF
what he had done; for instinctively they
/ nil 49, oil. n
new step forward in the game OF life.
The welcome was so unexpected. so
heartfelt, that 1t gave a decided shock
to its recipient. who had expected some
thing far different; but" he says, ut
certainly helped-helped whole lot"
A few days later in that same week
Billy Sunday had a chance to put his
new found plan OF life to the test. The
decisive game was being played, the
great crowd present was nearly besid,
itself with excitement.
Suddenly the man at bat made a ire
mendous hit; up and up went the ball
out Ind out. further and further-anC
Sunday saw 1t coming. Neither he mol
any one else in that vast assembling,
expected such hit. With head thrown
back he kept his eyes on the ball az /
| DtkdH W anu tutn ne SlhTleu u
rum back. further and further taste,
and faster, and as he did so he spok,
the first words of prayer that had eve
crossed his lips.
"Oh. Cod" he said desperately. a.
he ran faster and faster. I'm playInl
on your team now! You know / Nm
God! II you're ever going TO help me
come on now"
A.
tators were standing up, holding thei
breath. That instant Sundays hans
shot up into the air-the grand stan,
heard the sharp crack of the ball agains
his bare palm, and BilH Sunday fel
fiat on his back, but gripping abov
him the horsehide sphere.
While the first yell of amazemen
was still sounding Tom Johnson q
Cleveland rushed to the fallen playe
and helped to put him on his feet; an
this is what johnson heard the RICH
fielder remark: tom, just got tn
answer to my first prayer. knew r.
have that fly as soon as ] told Go
about It,"
Billy" said Johnson. that cate
won me $500. I'm going to buy you
81 new suit Tomorrow" And he did.
, From that moment Billy Sunday ha
never had moments doubt as to tn
; practical value\of prayer and its praC
: teal response. True, he admits. peopl
frequently pray for things which woul
I lnjure them. and the Lord mercifull
declines to grant such requests an
- thus bring about their downfall. Bu
n az 10 prayer itself and It's definite re
9 sults-there's no use in debating ths
I question with Billy Sunday; for wit
c hira the question does not exist. Llk
I the Crusaders, like Cromwell, like III
Jewish warriors OF ages ago, Billy Sur
J day OF the twentieth century believe
v implicitly that he Is a child OF Prov
: dence and that every other man an
r woman will be cared for, given pOwt
I to accomplish great deeds and be mad
@ invincible by trusting utterly TO III
protection and guidance OF God.
!. 1t was not long after his CONVEX
5 sion that Billy went actively into r,
i llgious work. on Sundays he preache
= wherever he could get chance
a speak, and during the week he worke
!. as physical director OF the Chicae
= Young Mems Christian Association
o From the outset every one who can
c n close contact with tho man realize
a his tremendous earnestness.
d He was obsessed with the oonvictio
that he had been selected by God
e an instrument whereby others might
y saved from misery, Indebtedness. d,
usuuuuuuuxuuuuu