The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-31
GOTHAM SENTIMENT
TRENDS TO SUNDAY
METROPOLIS WILL SURELY Ex-
TEND BASEBALL EVANGELIST
A WELCOME.
\ RESULT PRODUCER
ONE MINISTER SAYS BILLY OUT
RACED HIS IDEALS But THAT
DOESN'T COUNT IN FACE OF
BLESSINGS THAT FLOWED.


New YORK. Jan. ao.--M.ntion Billy
sunday in almost any sort of crowd,
and somebody will be sure to say:
But IL h, on the level? Is he sim
cere? Hasn't he struck a new way
to get rich?"
That argument has been boiling up
ever since the Rev. Billy quit $500
. month job as a National League out
fielder to take Y. M. c. A. secre-
taryship at $50 a month. That was
In 1891. twenty-thTes years ago Since
then, as the most sensational revival
tst In the countrys history. Billy Sum-
day has been making a lot of money.
There's no question about that. He
received about $4,000 for his work
N Pittsburg last year, He Is ex-
pected to get at least as much at the
end Of his nine weeks gospel cam
paiyn In Philadelphia. Probably his
income sias been not less than $50, 900
year for ter years.
But you can't estimate Billy SUM-
days sincerity for the value of his SER
vices to society by keeping an eye on
his hank account. That Billy is al
mo9t In danger of getting rich can
hardly be doubted.
HAs Delivered the Goods.
Tn majority Of ministers IN every
town where he has hammered the
devil and addressed God with the
SrcOnAdeuce of a Hohenzonern may
eSuAa over his slang ami acrobatic
nsthods. but they say he has "deiiv-
sFOl tho &c eds What was said Of
Inn several years ago by a Western
Minister. who went to Biliy's meet
M prepared to scofY and remained to
Bray. may represent not inaptly the
point OF view of clergyman in Pitts
burg. Philadelphia, Scranton and a
hundred other cities and towns:
HE has outraged every ideal / have
had regarding my sacred profession.
But what aces that count as against
the results re has accomp ished? My
congregation Will be increased by hum
dreds. I didn't do it, Sunday did H.
II IL for ne to humble myself ana
thank God tor his help"
New York Recognizes.
That point OF view has already az
fected Protestant ministers. excepting
UnitAx!ans. here In New York, and is
responsible Tor the growing demand
that he De invited TO this city to
quicken Hle city's religious life and
send the people in crowds 10 the
churches.
What the outcome will be Is an
other thing entirely. In variety or
0NCuiAI, NoItGtS MaAhGiH u tAS bSE1s
proved that Philadelphia or Pitts
turg's taste is not New York's by any
means. /, has been demonstrated
that New York looks celdly upon any
outright savers OF her soul.
That Billy Sunday may crown all OF
his evangelistic career by a success
ful campaign In this city LIS by no
naeAns m inprobabillty. In the 6rst
place. New York PUSHES to see or hear
: new thius--the something differ
ent."
The proposed campaign becomes
one OF the most interesting subjects
for speculation that has come up In
msny years. OF his own style of
pre- aching Billy Sunday said:
BilIy's Speciality.
i've got Z gospel gun that shoots
straight. It's loaded with rough on
rat ipecac. rock salt. dynamite and
bar wire. / could get ofy a line OF
tall hat would make Greek profess
+, ser Avs squeak. but l doped out
long agp that the people don't want
tina. llns Of conversation.
T..ere u not much doubt that the
Rev BUY Is really anxious TO have
Q try at svanEeliring this city, and
wUul1 regard a successful campaign
here - the greatest achievement OF
hin career.
Billy u nfty-one years OF age. but
Looks Len. He was born In Storey,
Ames county, Iowa In 1881. He was
hFouSAt up In a soldiers orphans
hounav w9S aLprenticed to furniture
suakar. md got into baseball in 1888.
because Arson. happening to pass
through MArshalltown. Iowa, where
Btliy Was working, saw at glance
that here was baseball gem OF the
pureot wafer.
He has been married since early
manhood and has two .ons and a
Aaughter.