Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-02
HIS IMPRESSION OF
BILLY SUNDAY
Rev. Charles n. Ricketts, Spoke Be.
fore Large Audience.

The large company of men who at
tended the Y. M. c. A. meeting on
Sunday at $50 p. m. indicated the
interest among the men of Norwich in
Billy Sun daY, the great evangelist, who
is now conducting a campaign in Bos-
ton.
Rev. Mr.. Ricketts,, who recently made
a special trip to Boston for the sole
Hvered the address, the topic of which
was, my Impression of Billy Sun
day"
The speaker told of seeing Mr.. Sun
day first in the Boston Y. M. c. A.
building where he spoke to several
various parts of New England; he
stated that he left the ball field to work
in the Chicago Y. M. c. A. where he
received much help in the things of
God-Mr. Ricketts, told Of the great
meetings in the tabernacle where Is to
IS thousand people usually attended
and the great evangelist moved them
at his will, sometimes to cheers, at
other times to tears.
naturally differed theologically
with Billy in some things. but he has
as much right to express his opinion
as I have mine-some ministers are
good sermon makers. but are poor
preachers; Billy Sunday may not make
great sermons, but he is a most con-
sumate preacher.
Somehow there exists between many
preachers and the great mass of labor
ing men an icy wall, but Billy Sun
day has smashed this wall and he ap-
peals strongly to this class as well as
to others.
He is criticised for using slang but
the papers exaggerate this; one be-
comes SO interested in the man and the
message that he does not notice it and
when he uses slang 1t fits in perfectly.
I have heard some men try to imi
tate Billy Sunday. but they miserably
failed; God pity the man who attempts
to initiate him; God made but one Bill
ly Sunday. His world pictures abe
simply great. I heard him paint in
words the picture of a lily and it was
most beautiful, and he is equally able
in his satire. I must speak of the
where the evangelist pleads
with the unsayed to give Jesus Christ
q chance in their lives; I have never
heard a man so powerful in his plead
lngs, and people rise by tens and TWEEN
ties all over the great hall and they
come forward with a sincere desire
for salvation.
Between the meetings I went to view
that splendid status Of Bishop Phillips
Brooks, which consists of a fine like
ness Of that great preacher back of
which is the Christ whose hand is
placed on the shoulder of the faithful
bishop and one can imagine the Mas
.er saying, thank you bishop for
speaking so many good words for me-"
I went to the tabernacle and was even
more thrilled than before. and as
oeheld the great earnestness of this
most wonderful man could easily i'm
Lgine Jesus Christ standing back of
lin and placing bis blood stained
land on his shoulder say, thank you,
-ou have said about me-" Anyone |
Who can preach like Billy Sunday, and
10 the good that he undoubtedly does
s, verify, every inch a man, and God |
S SURELY using him in a marked way. |
Swahn's orchestra furnished attrac- |
I've music and several of the Billy
sunday hymns were played on the /
The speaker was heartily applaud |
d several times during his address. |
Secretary Hill had charge of the SER
ice. DIR. Barrows Of Norwich Town /
pronounced benediction.