Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-23
Especial to The Bulletin )


 New London, Dec. 22.-Just how long ago, the deponent knoweth not but it was before he earned the yre- fix of Reverend, the now noted evln- gelist Billy Sunday held forth in New London, in old Lawrence hall, and un- der the auspices of the Young Mems Christian Association. It was per- haps thirty years ago on a Sunday afternoon when a sign board near the entrance to the hall, announced that Billy Sunday, the baseball player was to speak and the public was in- vited, and with the assurance given that it would be absolutely frea and that even a collection would not ne taken. That does not sound much like the Billy. Sunday of today. who is now preaching in his inimitable style in a big tabernacle built in Bos- ton especially for the Billy Sunday meetings; but it is the same Billy, the old, original and only Billy. It was some five years after this that he launched out into the evangelistic field and soon thereafter took the lea ] over all other evangelists, by reason of the direct way he talks to the peo- pie, in which he uses the latest slang of the day, and slang of his own coin age, which he emphasizes by action and gestures peculiar to himself
 He was just about breaking in as preacher when he was in New London and starting in to make a reputation in that line, and he sure known as a ball player, and by req son of that fact, Lawrence hall was secured for him, as he could reach the people there perhaps better than he could in any church where lay man would be permitted to occupy the m I1atf room in Lawrence hall to acconlJno- date all who wished to hear Billy Sunday. Now there is plan afoot to charter a special train to take New London people to Boston to see and hear him, and if the plan goes through that is if a sufficient number can be obtained to guarantee the special train, there will be more people to take that trip than there was in Lawrence hall when Billy Sunday oc- cupied the stage. Then he was at work under the direction of the Y. M c. A. and travelled about unaccom- panied.
 large as the average theatrical com pany, and on a larger system. He has his advance agent, secretaries treasurer, business manager, in his corps of assistants, and all are al- most as busy as Billy himself. He could not get along in his exte.,s evangelistic work without these paid assistants, in order to guard his fin ancial and other interests, wherever Billy Sunday holds a religious cam paign it has become necessary to erect tabernacles in order to accom- modate the crowds that rush to see him act and hear him talk, and spec ial trains from other places ara aI- most edaily events. He created no special attention when in New Lon don, but as said before, it was the be- ginning of his work that has br Jt;s; t him fame and fortune.
 
 When Billy Sunday was in New London on a Sunday, so many years ago, there was nothing in his spescfl or action that would form desire on the part of his auditors to hears him again, so he must have acquired his taking ways after he graduated from Young Mems Christian Association work into the broad field of evangel- ism. Why at that time he was not in the same class with the Frost Broth CTS, or even the Rev. Hugh Montgom- church member was heard to remark at the close of the meeting, that If Billy Sunday lived long enough he would be preacher as forceful and as cratic as Elder Jabez Swan. The elder was some preacher, he having a peculiar way of his own, not averee to the use of such slang as prevailed in his time, and noted for beIcfing forth what he had in his mind right out in meeting. He did not fail to cal a spade @ spade, and whenever he took the notion to attack the sincerity of any man or woman in the congrega- tion, he did not hesitate to call the names in the highest pitch of his voice. Should Billy Sunday be hailed by the older people as 9 second Elder Swan, in speech and ac- tion, but his superior in gathering isl the coin of the realm.
 The chairmen of the several ward committees which constitute the re- publican town committee yielded to the wishes of the office holding polit- ical powers of the city and selected the committee to succeed the late William J. Brennan. Mr. Bodenwei.l has had previous experience in town committee work in both parties and therefore ought to know all the tricks that are played in the local game of politics Besides he has had experi- ence in state political work, having been elected. secretary of state, and is therefore in line to succeed to the vacancy on the state central commit tee made vacant by the death of Mir. Brennan. He represents the govern ing faction of the party locally and perhaps this is as it should be for the future success of the party.
 A few weeks ago there was com bined meeting of the several ward RfH @&nA< f< 1T~ |