The Washington times., 1917-04-02
PATRIOTISM FIRES
BILLY SUNDAY HOST
New York Tabernacle Dedi-
Gated With Outburst of
a Loyal Enthusiasm.

NEW YORK, April Billy Sum-
days tabernacle was dedicated yes
terday in a fervor of religion and
patriotism. There were 10000 men
and women who had come to sing
hymns and pray for the success Of
the evangelist's campaign in New
York. A few words swung them into
q great patriotic demonstration.
The gathering had seemed at first
like a gigantic old fashioned revival
meeting. The enthusiasm was tenn
pered: the presence of the cyclonic
Billy, with his tremendous vitality,
his unparalleled zeal, and his mag
netic quality, was needed to over
come the stolidity of the throng and
sway it to laughter and then to
tears. The great building with its
gaunt pillars Of pine and bare cell
ing with jutting joists was barren of
decoration save for the one Ameri-
can flag that fiuttered from the
platform. The only other color was
furnished by the dresses among the
countless rows OF men and women.
Suddenly the change came. Bishop |
Luther B. Wilson, tall and broad |
shouldered like a Yeritable major |
general, yet with a spiritual softness
radiating from his stern counte- |
nance, had been talking of other |
things, his appearance suggesting |
one Of the Christiap soldiers of
which the choir had just been sing |
ing.
All Set AthriIl.
He sought to emphasize the point |
that the various religious denomina-
tions, in backing the evangelist, were |
forgetting differences OF creeds just |
as political parties forget partisan |
lines IN times of great stress.
There are days." he said with up
lifted arms and a shake OF his gray |
head, when men stand for party |
measures, but then come crises. |
When these crises come all that is
dearest and finest in the life of this
nation is In jeopardy. Then men
who are only partisan adhere to party
lines, but II they are patriots they
rise above party lines.
81 said at the beginning" he con-
tinued and bending down placed his
hands lovingly on the American flag
before him, shat this tabernacle was
without ornament, but here is
standard, a symbol, which today must
be q isacred, holy thing. Today 1t is
not Q question Of Jefferson or .Hamil-
ton, but OF Washington or Lincoln.
About those names and this flag this
nation must gather as 1t never has
gathered before.
That was the word, the spark that
set the vast assembly athrilI. APP
plause began. At first 1t seemed like
t.
then, as II the storm were growing
in Intensity, 1t became greater and
greater. Men and women stood UP. a
new expression on their faces. On
every side Of the aged bishop there
swelled up the patriotic. fervor. In
every one Of the sunlit entrances stood
men and women, looking almoEt like
silhouettes waving kerchiefs.
,s..- Governor AppIauds.
On the platform behind the speak
er sat Governor Whitman. He was
caught up in the whirl of sentiment
and applauded vigorously. Near him
sat Mr.. and Mrs. Finley Shepard; she
applauded. John D. Rockefeller, jr.,
Mrs. whitman, Captain Craw, of the
Seventh Regiment; Mr.. and Mrs. J.
n. Voorhees,, of Trenton, and many
others on the platform plainly were
affected and moved The demonstra-
tion lasted several minutes. After
ward the services went on with new
spirit.
Just as the throng responded to a
suggestion OF patriotism in the same
way various religious denominations
united IN the dedication OF the taber-
nacle.s And even though Billy Sunday
was not present the announcement of
the exercises brought great numbers
to the tabernacle, which had just
been finished, on the site of the old
baseball grounds. Long before the
hour set for the meeting people be-
gan to crowd into the building, the
biggest tabernacle yet constructed
for Billy, after his own design.
But no matter how fast they poured
into the building, with its $4,000 seats,
the 1872 ushers handled them easily
and courteously. The 5000 members
OF the choir had filled the seats back
of the platform early, and under the
direction of Tall Esen Morgan gave
a song service.
After the singing of Onward,
Christian Soldiers" the Rev. Henry
E. Cobb pronounced the invocation.
The Rev. Cornelius woelfkin, stand
ing, sang 'T Need Thee Every Hour"
James NJ Speers presided. He said
the coming of Mr.. Sunday to any COM
was a matter OF Importance
He then introduced Bishop Wilson.
Mr.. Sunday will open his campaign
hare next Sunday