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"Billy" Sunday by Mary E. Stairs |
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"Billy" Sunday by Mary E. Stairs |
In 1891, Billy Sunday left his successful career in major league baseball to become a minister of his new-found faith. His vibrant personality and rhetorical artistry contributed to his 50 year career as one of the most renown evangelists in history.
Sunday was converted at the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago in 1886. At the time, he was playing baseball for the Chicago White Stockings and went on to play for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for the next five seasons. However, in 1990, at the peak of his career, Sunday decided to leave major league baseball to pursue his "calling" as a minister. He started at the YMCA in Chicago and began then began traveling as an evangelist. Although he never attended college or seminary, he was ordained by the Presbyterian church in 1903. His ministry flourished, and Sunday became nationally known for his work.
Throughout his ministry, Sunday preached to millions of people. It is estimated that over three-hundred thousand people were converted through his ministry. His revivals were held in tabernacles that were wooden structures resembling large tents or barns. Since the floors of these tabernacles were covered with sawdust, some referred to his ministry as the "sawdust trail" Sunday had tabernacles all over the country including cities in Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and even right up the road in -- Toledo, Ohio! His wife, Helen, acted as his manager, trouble-shooter, and supporter. Also involved with his ministry was musician, Homer Rodeheaver, who played the trombone, lead singing, and served as the master of ceremonies for Sunday's revival meetings. The home-base of his operations was Winona Lake, Indiana. Although the tabernacle is no longer standing, Billy Sunday's home has be historically restored, and the Rodeheaver Auditorium houses most of the plays and musicals for Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. The Morgan Library on the campus of Grace College houses many of his archives and sermon notes.
Throughout his career, Sunday was fairly involved national politics. He openly endorsed republican political candidates, socialized with presidents and well-known leaders, encourage the sale of war bonds during World War I, and was an active supporter of the prohibition amendment. Although Sunday gave a large sum of his money to charity, he was publicly criticized by democratic leaders for the huge profits from his ministry. Carl Sandburg, wrote a particularly pointed poem entitled "To Billy Sunday" echoing these criticisms.
Although his career waned somewhat in his later years, Billy Sunday continued to preach up until his death in 1935. He will long be remembered as one of world's most dramatic conversions, as well as one of the most powerful and passionate evangelists of all time!
