The Washington herald., 1916-04-30
THE OPEN FORUM
Herald Readers Express Opposing Views of Billy
Sunday and His Work

Editor Of The Washington Herald:
read your adverse and somewhat
sarcastic editorial on Rev. William A.
Sunday in The Herald. April rs.
For justice to this Cody man who
during the past eight weeks has
spoken to I.s7s,o0o people at his great
revival in Baltimore. 1 come. Now for
careful analysis Of your words as
expressed in your article. The total
number OF persons who hit the traiI''
in Baltimore. according to the latest
figures Baltimore SUM, was 23,l2s.
Now you say. "If he has actually per-
suaded as many as 1000 persons per-
manently to lead upright lives, 1t may
well be argued that they will be
worth quite $40 each TO the commun-
ity, to say nothing OF the benefit to
themselves here and hereafter" 1t
would seem from your words that you
were somewhat doubtful about 1000
persons being led to our Saviour and
our God. One thousand divided by
23,12s persons would give 4.32 per
cent
have a table before me from the
Baltimore American of April ~. which
gives the result of Mr.. Sundays work
In twenty-six cities Three hundred
and twenty-one thousand two-hun-
bred and ninety-one persons have hit
the trail: 4.s2 per cent of 32l,2sl
would give 1850. Just to think Of it,
using your estimate of only 4.32 per
cent. we find that 1850 souls have
actually been persuaded to lead up
right lives" repented and been con-
verted to Jesus the Christ.
Our Saviour told us, There is Joy
in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner that repenteth." (St.
Luke XV-10). What rejoicing there
has been in heaven because of the
souls that have been saved through
the efforts of Mr.. Sunday! II the an
gels have rejoiced, then surely we
should rejoice and help, by kind
words and deeds. this wonderful man
to bring other thousands to their
Saviour.
The Value of saved souIs.
You say that II Mr.. Sunday saved
1 900 persons at $40 each. 1T may per
haps be admitted that Sunday has
given full value for the money he has
received, IL a cash value may be
placed on a saved soul" don't I'M
derstand why you say, ut may per-
haps be admitted" Is there any
doubt in your mind as to the value of
1000 saved souls? l tell you, 1000
saved souls are worth more than all
the riches In this world. The ransom
that was paid by the crucifed Son of
God, to save mems souls, should give
to you some idea of their value.
Now as to, the actual cost in dol
lars and cents to the great multitude
that heard him; $4,000 into $4,000
gives S.s1 cents per person. II min
lister has a congregation of 200 per-
sons per week and he receives $1,000
per year, he receives 10.4 cents per
person. 1t would seem from the
above figures that Mr.. Sunday is prob
ably the poorest paid minister In this
country, IL not in the world, based on
the actual numbers in his congrega-
tions in the number of saved souls
wonder II you went over TO Baltimore
and permitted yourself TO bask in the
light of his wonderful countenance, heard
his wonderful words, and the beautiful
music; and then towards the close of the
service saw hundreds, yes thousand, OF
people from all walks of life (even the
president Of the Western Maryland Rail-
road hit that sawdust trail, go to shake
Mr.. Sundays hand and say BY that act
that they were penitent Of their sins and
accepted Jesus as their Saviour. / did.
Or, are you like the small boy who went
out to see the big game and was COM
PEELED 10 peep through a knot hole in the
fence? He heard the shouts of the crowd
inside but could see very little OF the
play. When asked what he thought OF
the game he replied, "oh. II was pretty
good, l suppose; they made enough noise
yelling" From what saw and beard