The Washington herald., 1918-02-05
BILLY PRAYS
WITH FERVOR
MINUS STYLE
Evangelist Disdains Conven- c
tional Methods for More
Intimate Appeal.
by ARTHUR JOYCE.

Next to Billy Sundays strenuous
sermons. the feature of his revival
work that has astonished the minis
ters Of Washington-and laymen, too
lis his strenuous method of praying
The first time Billy started on with
one of his characteristic prayers. those
who heard him sat back in astonish-
ment. And even now. in the fifth
week OF his campaign. the wonder
n1ent among his hearers is still APP
parent.
The ministers like Billy's praying
There is a certain something about II
that is most appealing. 1t is, perhaps,
the apparent "closeness" of the evan
Eelist to God. since Billy prays just
like he talks.
Billy Sunday Isn't a bit strong for
ecclesiastical formality. He dislikes
perfunctory show I'm matters OF re-
ligion and he's against the schedule
arrangement" so apparent in many
churches. He's strong for empha siz-
ing the 10y" In religion and the one
thing above all others that gets
under his skin Is the weeping
prayer" He thinks the average min
lister puts too many "weeps" in his
prayers.
Has Unique Way.
Billy Sunday never starts a prayer
with the usual '1et us pray" In
fact, no one would know he was
praying at all. except that he sud
denly closes his eyes at the close of
his sermons. That's all the advance
nnffna hof
gelist is in prayer.
He thoroughly believes everything he
breaches and is most reverent. He
abhors conventionalities, and the fact
that he doesn't pray the usual way
is not in any sense an indication Of
irreverence; rather 1t Is another ex-
empliication Of his distinctly Sunday
characteristics. He believes in get
ting close to God in every way pos
slble. and the formal prayer" has
no place in his repertoire.
Billy speaks in his prayers directly
to God and also to the devil. He
will look toward the skies when he's
addressing God and then he will sud
denly bend over and look down into
the sawdlust in front OF the platform
and hand a few slaps at the devil.
The best way to judge one of Billy's
prayers is to hear IT or see It print
ed. Here's a typical one:
Say, Jesus. I've preached here for
an hour and I'm about all in. / don't
know what more to say, Lord You
know I haven't said It all, by long
shot. But I've done my level best
and hope you're satisfied.
There are some dandy people here
In Washington, Jesus. It's one of
the best towns I've ever been in.
Now. Lord, help these good folks to
get right with You and to accent
Christianity. You know, Lord. these
are war times and we need every
bit Of prayer We can muster to help
win this great struggle
Talks to Devil.
And listen. Jesus: Won't you send n
legion of your angels over against
that dirty bunch on the other side
and swat them good and hard? You
Know, Lord, they are not Thy fol-
lowers. They would batter down Thy
work on earth. Have sone of Your
angels direct the bayonets of our
boys so that every time they are
Pointed at that Collaboration gang of
cutthroats, they might find their
mark.
And. Lord! Keep an ,ye on those
dastardly German submarines. II
they poke their noses out OF the deep
smash them like so many egg shells.
And help the soldiers, Lord. Espe-
cially help the boys who are sitting
out front to my left. And listen, Jesus,
when I give the invitation to the un-
saved. move the boys to come up front
and take me by the hand as evil
dence of their belief in Thee. They're
all good fellows, Lord. They want to
do the right thing. So help them.
Jesus. and we'll have a show down
for You tonight Lord that will make
the old devil shake in his boots"
Now Billy leans over the pulpit and
looks into the sawdust:
There aren't enough devils IN your
pit to prevent the BOYS going over
the top. And you'd better edge right
along from this building because God
Is here and prepared to wipe you out
II you don't beat it. So you better
get out while there's -ime.''
Then comes Billy's Invitation for
trail hitters" and the march UP the
aisles begins.