Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-01-14
zoo Ministers Praise
Billy Graham S Drive
After First Revival

Nearly 200 Washington area
ministers at breakfast meeting
today in the Mayfiower Hotel
hailed the start of Billy Graham's
month-long evangelistic campaign
last night as a herald of trium-
phant meetings to come.
The gathering responded en-
Enthusiastically to reports of the
opening meeting yesterday in the
National Guard Armory.
The ministers indicated strong
support of a fol1ow-up program
for those converted as outlined
by Dawson Trotman of the Billy
Graham staff.
Sounds Note of Caution.
But DR.. Graham warned them
that the success of a campaign
cannot be ascertained at once.
THE real result cannot be
counted until a year later" the
evangelist declared. What about
the man who came forward a year
ago. What church did he join?
How active is he in that church?
What church did he join? How
active is he in that church? That
is the mark Of whether a crusade
is successful or not"
The speaker once again, as in
previous talks, appealed to the
local churches for their support.
I'VE cannot succeed unless the
churches work with u.s." he said.
Meeting at 7:45 Tonight.
Tonight's meeting will begin at
7:45 o'clock.
Yesterday the 33-year- old evan
gelist preached for an hour and
five minutes to those who packed
the National Guard Armory to
hear his sermon. Normal seating
capacity of the Armory is 5000,
but many were standing in the
rear. DR.. Graham's assistants
estimated the crowd at $4,000.
1t was the opening of a month
long series of meetings in a set
ting reminiscent of a tent revival
moved to larger quarters.
I'm not here to tell you what
God has to say" he said, holding
aloft a copy of the Bible. I'm
here to tell you what the Bible has
to say. And the Bible says we're
all sinners.
That's the reason you have
cheating among the finest boys of
America at West Point. That's
the reason you have irregularities
in high places. It's because
we're all sinners"
The evangelist thumped the
Bible, clapped his hands, and
pointed to the audience with dra-
matte gestures to emphasize his
points. In his lapel, he wore
small microphone to allow him
freedom of movement on the plat
form.
Flash Bulb Explodes.
At one point in his sermon, a
photographers fash bulb ex-
ploded as a picture was being
taken. The noise was loud in the
quiet Armory.
Nov I know" DR.. Graham
said, "how President Truman felt
when those two Puerto Ricans
came at him. But that's all right,
he consoled the embarrassed pho
tographer. 1--WE gone hunting
with Cliff Barrows CHS song
leader, and some of his shots
haven't missed me by far"
Il believe that there are millions
OF Americans praying that Wash
1ngton can lead the way in a re-
vival. Let's do it," he shouted.
Lets don't miss our hour!'
On the platform behind him, in
2-foot letters against a blue cur
tain. were the words: Jesus said,
I am the way, the truth and the
life" Baskets of flowers sur
rounded the front of the platform.
What we have been trying to
do" DR.. Graham said, "is change
the world and forget the man.
You can't do it. You've got to
change the man first.
Over 800 Respond.
MANY agree that they are sin
ners, but they stop short of the
cross. You have to come to Christ.
Confess that you are a sinner and
ask him to cleanse you of sin"
When he was finished, there
were tears in the eyes of many,
and sobs were audible through the
audience.
At the end of his sermon he
asked those who wished to sur
render to Christ to come forward
and stand in front of the plat
form. More than 300 arose from
their seats on the floor and in
the balconies to stand in front of
the evangelist.
1.-THE sight you have seen
here" Dr.. Graham said, SIS in
my opinion the one great hope
# the Nation-men and women
making their way to Christ"
Before the meeting opened. the
network broadcast, THE Hour of
Decision" was transcribed, with a
sermon by DR.. Graham and music
by the 1,000-voice choir from
Washington churches.
DIR. Carpenter Is Chairman.
DR.. j. Walter Carpenter, pastor
of Metropolitan Baptist Church
and general chairman of the
Greater Washington Evangelistic
Crusade, opened the afternoon
meeting.
President Truman's pastor, DR..
Edward H. Pruden of the First
Baptist Church, gave the prayer.
Mr.. Barrows led the audience