The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-17

blessing IN that home"
As David prayed for the glory of the
arms of Israel, so Billy Sunday prayed
Wednesday night for the success OF
great drive against the devil in the
latter days of the campaign in Kansas
City.
About him might have been the Ic-
gions Of an earthly power; before him
migh- have been the death squad.
pledged to give their lives in opening
the way TO the attack. instead of 227
men and women who had volunteered
for Gods cause; his pulpit might have
been a battle field shrine in the hills
Of France, for all the feeling, and de-
termination, and heartfelt appeal,
that Billy Sunday put into that one
short prayer at the conclusion of the
service in the Tabernacle Wednesday
night
They Stopped When He Prayed.
The sermon had been preached and
the trail-hitting was over. Sixteen
thousand Kansas Citians waited, be-
tween the benches and N the aisles.
ready to stream toward the exits. But
when Billy Sunday began to pray, all
was forgotten but the man, perched
high above the heads of the crowd,
his feet upon a chair behind his pulpit,
who begged Gods blessing for Kansas
City's greatest crusade.
"Oh, Jesus, put your arm around old
Kansas City, he began, after leading
the trail-hitters in the prayer Of cor
secrat ton. There's so much to do
here. Lord, help mel Give me grace
and strength in these last two weeks!
Help me to put throughput through
yes, God. a drive for Christi"
f'Why Not a Drive for Christi"
Billy Sunday paused, closed his
eyes so tightly that his Drow furrowed
in wrinkles, and waved aloft his
sweat-soaked handkerchief as if hold
ing up to view a SCARED and tattered
battle flag.
"Why not, God? Why not drive
for Christ? The Germans drive the
French lines; the French drive back
against the Germans; the Russians
drive the Austrians; The Italians
drive, too, Lord, and the British, and
all.
"Make Europe Turn Pale"
Help US to put up a drive for Christ
against the devil that viii make the
firing lines CT Europe turn pale Lord
Help US to rally and beat back the
devil and his forces OF evil in these
last two weeksI Help US, Lord, in
the name of Jesus Christ Amen"
The subject of his sermon was Tx
cuses,' and his text, And We will not
-
from John V. 40.
mo man can give a reason for not
being a Christian Mr. Sunday said
You can give an excuse, but not a
reason" And one by one be enumc--
ated. Sin came first on the list; sin,
that causes even outwardly upright
men and women to turn their backs
upon God and his ministers. Love of
riches was next. Then came the things
that true Christians must give up to
walk in the way that they should go.
Think What He Gave UpI"
What we gave up IS nothing to
what Christ gave up" the reyivalist
shouted. Think of what the Son O.
God gave up to come down here and
give you a chance to go to heaven
ALu IuGn LLlllh Vi " Lat NOu SEL III
turn for what you give up"
One by one Mr.. Sunday elaborated
on some of the blessings resultant
from true profession Of Christianity
How do 1 know God viii bestow
blessing upon you?" he queried- Wei,
see here I feel thirsty
From underneath the pulpit Mr.
Sunday drew forth the large white
pitcher that is always there, filed to
the brim with water
He illustrates
Now" He tipped up the pitcher
and drank When he raised his head.
water was Gripping from a mouth
wreathed in smiles 81 rejoicei Did
it come before or after2 After, OF
courseI You can't expect to be bless
ed before you embrace Gods religion"
A vivid picture was painted by MI
Sunday at the end Of his sermon to
prove the existence of heavenly God
who bestows his blessings upon NOR
tai man