New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-05
"I'llGiveUp Preaching and
Go to Jail if They'll Prove
Anything" He Shouts.
OUTBURSTS STARTLES
PATERSON THRONG
Huge Audiences in Tabernacle
Warm Up as Revivalist Swings
Into Vocal Stride.
lFrom san Correspondent, ~ N. rribune

Paterson. y. j., April d. Worked up
seemingly to the point o, frenzy, Billy
Sunday startled his audience OF 5000
IN the big Tabernacle tonight by
shouting without any preliminary:
Just now | am the most vilifed
man in New Jersey. have been preach
ing the Gospel for nearly thirty years,
and if the viliher can prove one single
offence, moral or otherwise, by God, I'll
go to the penitentiary and quit preach
ing"
Sunday was all worked UP by this
time and leaped from the platform onto
the sawdust flooring as he shouted and
gesticulated. As he landed or his feet
in the sawdust he said:
an give up preaching and go to Jail
on the condition that II the yilifier
who makes any charge against me and
is not able 10 prove it be sent to jail"
As the revivalist climbed back on the
platform again he talked more quietly
and with less frenzy.
The defiance came upon the audience
like the traditional bolt from a clear
sky. Just before this outburst Sunday
had won a laugh by q story about the
tramp who got tract when he asked
for a ham sandwich Before his hear
ers had time to compose themselves
he had launched into his attack. His
frenzy subsided as suddenly as it came.
Women Outnumber Men.
II was apparent to-day that the nc,
vivalist's audiences would be composed
mainly of women. At the afternoon
meeting only 3J per cent OF those IN
the big auditorium were men. The
difference was more pronounced. Inele
were three women to every man.
II took Sunday some time 20 swing
into his stride here. In sporting Ian
guape it took him some time to warm
up. and the city took just as long, but
hv tonight both were getting better
acquainted, and Sundays success now
seems assured.
Nothing emphasized this more than
the difference between the two great
meetings of the day, al which thou-
sands crowded to hear him. The mon
ster opening meeting this afternoon
was somewhat enthusiastic, but skep-,
teal. too. Tonight everything seemed
more intimate. There was, too, much
more Of that family spirit Sunday loves
to dwell upon.
The bounding, leaping preacher. too
warmed up more. There was quIte
enough of gymnastics 70 satisfy even the
most curious. The sermon was snap
pier. faster, more tense. contained more
of the rude appealing SMILES that
have made Sunday famous through
wide land.
Financially, too, the opening day was
a success. II was officially announced
that the collection taken up this after
noon totalled S1,140. II was said this
would 20 toward defraying the eX-
penses incurred in bringing the evan
eelist to this city. The committee IN
Charge of this work had expended
$4,000 for the purpose, and had
planned to get the money back before
the week is out. At the present rate
they will do it.
All in all, Sunday had great day o.
il. The snow gave way to SKIES as
blue as a Dutch girls eyes, ana the
crowds noured out Of their homes ana
trailed through the slushy streets to
the Tabernacle.
On either side of the street, when
SUNDAYS limousine drove up, were
wandering lines of humanity. Camera
men, like the Zaccheus Billy loves so
well. had climbed trees. A movie
man. perched on a roof top, ground a
few hundred feet of film. Men and
women jammed TO the side Of the car,
cheering the bizarre revivalist and try
ing to shake his hand. II was an ova-
ton.
II was. OF course. the afternoon meet
ing about which the interest centred
most That was Sundays tryout in Pat
erson. People here wanted to find out
Just what kind Of a devil fighter he
really was. Sunday often SAYS he's
from Missouri. Paterson had tempo
rarily transferred itself to that state.
II was more than willing TO give al
even chance though.
Crowd Arrives Early.
As carly as o'clock this morning
there were about twoscore persons in
the great frame tabernacle. But the
main crowd did not begin 10 arrive
until after noon. An hour before Sun
day was due the Tabernacle was practl-
callv filled. Every electric light in it
blaZed, and the sunshine, so glorious
after ye.terday's gloomy sky. peeked in
through the roof windows. throwing
long shafts of light oil the throng.
Red lamps at the exits, blue and white
telephone signs and the Stars and
Stripes wrapped about the posts made
vivid touches of color.
Perhaps quarter OF an hour before
Sunday appeared every seat was taken.
and the yellow badged ushers were
weary and tired. Long lines of eager
sightseers appeared outside the build
ing. looking through great trap win
dows in the walls. Everybody was oil
edge for the celebrity's appearance.
When he did como In. with the