The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-11-17
THRONGS STORM
TABERNACLE
Billy Sunday breaches to So,
500 Persons
MANY ARE TURNED AWAY
In Morning Explains Use Of Contribu
tons-"God's Grensdiers Topic
in Afternoon and "The Sins
Of Society" in Evening.

Boston.-Billy Sunday, cyclone
evangelist, fired Sunday the first gun
In campaign that promises 20 be
the greatest Of his whirlwnd career.
In the Huntington avenue taberna.
Gle, the biggest yet built for him, he
addressed more people than he had
ever faced under one roof at any
time in his life-and more people
than were ever before gathered in
doors in New England
In all. there were some $500 ad.
missions to the great wooden tent
This is the total OF an estimated at
tendance Of 1880 persons at each
Of the three meetings, morning, after
nOOn and evening
1t was real, old-fashioned religion
In a modern setting-the mightiest
camp meeting, perhaps. that this
world has ever seen.
In place Of the black clad eXhorter
Of the old revival days, there was an
athletic, dynamic exponent OF mill.
tant Christianity. In place Of the
tent in which the fathers got reli-
Gion' there was giant, spreading
structure Of wood and concrete and
steel and fireproOf walls All in all
! il was the last word i'm up-to date
| organized, ultara modern evangelism
| II is indeed a far cry from the Christ
! who had not where to lay his head
! and who preached by the roadside, on
! the banks of the Jordan, by the
]
! tain-top, and whose disciples were
! fishermen, down to this goth century
servant of His, who breaches in build
! ings specially constructed for him;
| whose residence, though simple, is in
! the heart of the exclusive section OF
one of the most aristocratic cities in
the land, and whose organization for
his war on evil includes the leading
| rlerGymen and the most powerful
churches OF his day.
The great audiences poured into
the collection pans a total Of $9337 .95.
Mr.. Sunday opened his first sermon
with vigor. AS the day waned he
waxed in fervor and at the evening
session he wound up his epochal day
with scathing denunciation of the
evils which infest society today At
the morning Meeting he climbed still
higher, and delivered his climax from
the top Of the desk. And his aston.
Ished auditors will not be overcome
with amaZement if tomorrow he hurls
denunciation from the lofty elevation
of the sounding board above the
platform.
Miss Helen Keller was present at
the morning service and occupied
seat with the choir at the rear Of the
platform.
After a praise service conducted
yesterday morning by Homer Rode
beaver. Mr.. Sundays choir leader. the
Rev. Dr. James Mott Pierce. offered
prayer and Chairman Emery of the
campaign committee introduced the
evangelist.
Meanwhile, Billy sat on a light
chair, tilted back at the rear of the
platform. He figeted and stroked his
chin with his right hand He seemed
as eager as a confident boxer waiting
for the stroke of the gong that will
start the fight. He was ready to jump
from his corner into the battle and
give the devil a solar-pleXus blow
that would knock him down and
make him take the count right there
on the platform.
When his introduction was finished
he darted across the platform, seized
the lectern with both hands, leaned
over il and Eazed for a moment, at
his audience without speaking. The
famous Sunday smile burst forth. and
his expression said: We'll, folks, here
am-dont you know an old friend
when you see him?"
Billy talked first about Boston and
his experiences with the city.
"T used TO play baseball here" he
said. Aren't these the old Hunting
ton avenue grounds? Yes? Well. !
used to catch the ball just about
where I am standing now-or miss
H."
He began his sermon, talking rapid
ly, with frequent gestures. From the
outset he was all motion, moving the
platform. waving his arms and bend
ing -lcw to hurl his shafts at those
In the front rows.
Almost never does he step back OF
the center of the platform. He is es.A-
er behind the desk or at either side
OF Il. and he is never long in one
spot Much OF his preaching is done
at the very edge OF the platform. He
throws himself forward with so much
energy that one expects to see him
lose his balance and plunge over the
brink 10 the dust below; but he is
surefooted. and although his arms and
often his shoulders project far over
the edge. he never loses his balance.
Just watching these movements Is
apt 10 be exciting for the spectator
Occasionally he turns to address
remark to the big choir, which alone
IL OF the size OF an ordinarily large
audience.
He speaks with amazing rapidity,
words tumbling out with fury that
n.