Billy Sunday Free Essay Example, 1000 words

The Life of Billy Sunday Before the massive crusades of Billy Graham, there was Billy Sunday. Before Stadium packing Promise Keepers came into American consciousness, there was a one man religious spectacle. In the late 19th century to the early decades of the 20th century, Billy Sunday popularized the concept of mass evangelism in the degree and theatrics never been done before. Biographers and students of contemporary church history are in essence saying the same thing, which is, â€Å"Sunday was everything that a church preacher wasn’t: He avoided religious language and spoke instead in the simple, common words of his listeners, seasoning his message with slang expressions he knew they would understand. Rather than stand stoically behind a pulpit, he would leap, dance and slide across the stage, then pick up his chair and spin it over his head. And instead of inviting people to come forward to receive Christ, he told them to ‘hit the sawdust trail. ’†1 William Ellis agrees and he adds, â€Å"Beyond question he is the most vigorous speaker on the public platform today. We will write a custom essay sample on Billy Sunday or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now One editor estimates that he travels a mile over his platform in every sermon he delivers. †2 Yet there was no sign in his early childhood or in his growing up years that he will be a great revivalist. Again W. Ellis writes, â€Å"His life was normal; no different from that of tens of thousand of other American boys. He himself was in no wise a phenomenon. He was possessed of no special abilities or inclinations. He came to his preaching gift only after years of experience in Christian work. † Childhood There was no early sign of greatness. He was born William Ashley Sunday on November 19, 1862. His father died shortly after he was born. Two years later, his mother Jeni, remarried an alcoholic who gave up on the family after a few years. So, Billy and older brother Ed was sent to a soldier’s orphanage that made Billy independent and stubborn. Billy then left that orphanage to work for an army colonel who helped him go to a public school. He quit high school also and did a variety of odd jobs until his big break came. Major League Baseball and Chrisianity Billy Sunday was recruited to play for the Boston White Stockings. He became a celebrity and earning good money playing in the majors. Years after he was known for his acrobatic preaching some would began to make the connection between his playing days and present ministry. Ellis remarked, â€Å"A level head, a quick eye, and a body which is such a finely trained instrument that it can meet all drafts upon it, is part of Sunday’s inheritance from his life on the baseball diamond. †3 His life was moving on the fast lane until he was invited to join a church service.