New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-01
Buffalo Paid 1857 a Con-
vert; Hopes for Attend
ance Exceeded Here
S69,512 Still Needed
To Clear Expenses
Billy Finds Percentage Of
"Repeaters" at Services
Is Small

New York is paying Billy Sunday
lower rate for converting its citizens
than any other city in which the
evangelist has csmpaigned in recent
wears. The average cost OF the 1888
trail hitters who have grasped the
evangelist's hand since he sounded mis-
call 10 salvation in the Tabernacle AZ
l6sth Street and Broadway is sl.64.
Buffalo. recently revived" paid at
the rate Of 1857 each for the converts
gained in ire first three weeks Of the
revival. Boston went even higher for
its reclaimed inhabitants. Billy Sun
day believes. therefore, the New York
ers. while quick TO respond 20 religious
stimulation. are slow when IT comes
to paying their way" TO heaven.
That New York is getting IT'S re-
ligion cheaply became known yestel-
day. when Official figures Of converts
and collections in New York and Buy
falo we're given on. 70. comparison.
The total number Of converts IN New
York up TO last Sunday night Is lS,-
1876; receipts in Tabernacle collections
for the same period totalled $50
5l9.52. In the first three weeks OF tho
Buffalo campaign 1881 trail hitters
were obtained, while the collections
amounted TO S2S,s42.0i.
Low In Cash Support.
All members of the Sunday party
feel that New York has fallen short u
their financial expectations, while y
has transcribed their hopes in the
matters of attendance, interest and
converts. There was i53.963.46 prI-
vately subscribed TO the campaign be.
fore il commenced. bringing the total
amount available TO the financial corr
mittee up to ss0,4s2.9s. and leaving
s69.5l7O2 10 be collected before the
estimated cost OF the ten weeks re-
vival. $4,000, is raised and collec-
tions at the Tabernacle-except sun
DAYS personal offerings a. the three
final meetings may be eliminated.
What percentage Of the trail hitters
gained to date we're outside OF the
Church" before their conversion can
not be learned. but il is admitted that
the number probably is small, becaust
of the fact that Sundays first sermons
are directed exclusively TO backslid-
ers," or strayed church members.
feet" of several sermons on his audi
ences was pointed out yesterday D.
Mr.. Sunday.
ain smaller cities people come again
and again 20 the Tabernacle" he said.
III don't get them the first time ! do
the second or third. Here the percent
age Of 'repeaters' is small. But de-
spite that. the response has been much
greater than in other cities
Doesn't Complain of Support
do you complain Of the support
given you by the local churches" he
was asked.
"No-not at all. Ny references in
the Tabernacle 70 the laggard Church
are general and not pointed at New
York. | do not feel the same church
support behind me as | have had in
Buffalo and other cities. but that is
because the Church. like everything
else in New York, is organized on such
a large scale. There - not united
backing, but plenty of individual sup
port"
Sunday spent Yesterday afternoon
on his sermon The Devils Boomer
angs. or Hot Cakes OF the Griddle,"
which he will preach next Sunday.
This sermon he regards as 1.-The hot
test one Of the bunch"
While he is delivering il in the
Tabernacle Mrs. Sunday will hold
meeting for women and girls in the
Hippodrome, where she will eXhort her
hearers 70 Christianity and invite
them 10 hit the trail A special
trail" will be laid down in the big
auditorium.