Former professional baseball player-turned urban evangelist. Follow this daily blog that chronicles the life and ministry of revivalist preacher William Ashley "Billy" Sunday (1862-1935)
Excerpt from: The South Bend Tribune. Sat, Apr 19, 1913 · Page 1
The character of Billy Sunday as an evangelist is well known generally. His methods although they do not conform to the ideas of many people, are energetic and forceful, and have proven to be productive. His fearlessness in denouncing evil and his portrayal of the sins of the world are his strongest assets on the platform. In nearly every city in which Billy Sunday campaigns he receives threatening letters from fanatics and from persons opposed to his almost militant methods. Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he has just closed a very successful campaign was one of the exceptions to this, much to the surprise of Sunday and his party. It is not known as yet whether there will be any such persons brought from under cover in South Bend but the religious people here hope not.
In Columbus, O., a woman threatened to “cut his heart out”. She was laboring under the impression that Sunday had seriously harmed her. It is to protect himself from scandal that Mr. Sunday never allows women to call upon him and he never calls at a person’s house unless accompanied by some member of his party.
As originally published in The South Bend Tribune. June 16, 1913. Transcriptions by AI and might contain errors.
REVIVAL CLOSES WITH 6,398 CONVERTED; SUNDAY GETS $10,500
SOUTH BEND’S RELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN PROVES TO BE MOST NOTABLE IN HISTORY OF ALL INDIANA
AIR OF SADNESS PREDOMINATES AT CLOSING MEETING OF BILLY SUNDAY’S BIG REVIVAL.
“BOSS” AND “MA” SAY THEIR LAST FAREWELL
Hundreds Cheer Evangelist and His Wife on Rear of Car as They Leave City—Other Thousands Disappointed by Early Departure—Last Day of Services Proves to be Remarkable One—Over 30,000 Present.
Billy Sunday’s seven weeks’ fight against the devil in St. Joseph county became religious history to-day after the baseball evangelist had shown 6,- 395 people the road to salvation and approximately $10,500 had been raised for him.
The final curtain was rung down last night and the hard working little evangelist, with his wife, said good- bye to South Bend at 10 o’clock this morning. With a check for the $10,500 tucked away in an inside coat pocket, Billy boarded at 10 o’clock Northern Indiana Interurban car for his home at Winona.
A thousand people saw him off. Hundreds waved their hats and hand- kerchiefs at the evangelist, his wife, and Rev. William Asher, as the car moved out of the station and south on Michigan street. All three stood on the rear platform bowing and smiling in response.
It was estimated a crowd of 8,000 or 10,000 people would have been at the station to see the evangelist off, but the hour was earlier than many had expected, disappointed many. The Northern Indiana Interurban car which carried the party through to Winona is the same car the evangelist had used to eat lunch under his own roof.
State’s Greatest Revival.
With Sunday’s farewell prayer and general handshaking all around at the tabernacle last night the meet- ings, which undoubtedly constituted Indiana’s greatest religious revival, came to a close. The meetings end- ed quietly and with that heavy sol- emnity, which told plainer than words what it meant to the people to bid farewell to “Billy,” “Ma,” “Rody,” “Mac,” Ackley and all the rest.
Tears started in the eyes of many a woman, and many a sob and fare- wells were said on the platform. Hun- dreds crowded near the revival lead- er to shake their hands, and the num- ber about Homer Rodeheaver, di- rector of the music, and Mrs. Sun- day became so large, the people were formed in lines and then compelled to move rapidly as soon as they had said goodbye.
Completely worn out, Mr. and Mrs. Sunday were conducted from the tabernacle to the automobile to es- cape thousands, who wanted to say their last word of farewell. The evan- gelist feared to permit, however, be- cause of his weakened condition and the heat of the tabernacle.
Satisfied With Results.
The campaign in South Bend and Mishawaka was satisfactory to all and the evangelist is glad to leave. The evangelist had hoped for a some- what larger number of converts but days before the close, it was plain to be seen the population of the two cities, South Bend and Mishawaka, was not sufficient to hope for a larger number at the close. The amount of the special collection met the approval of all.
The baseball evangelist expressed himself as deeply thankful for the amount, which was given him as some estimate of how the people appreciat- ed his efforts in the St. Joe valley. Although neither the number of con- verts or the amount of offerings was a record breaker, South Bend’s standing was generally regarded as an excellent one in comparison with the population of other cities where Sun- day worked, it ranked very favorably with the highest.
As High in Comparison.
The number of converts was much lower than at Columbus, O., and WilkesBarre, Pa., as was also the offering, but the population of both cities and their suburbs is much larger than that of South Bend. Wilkes-Barre and its suburbs has a population of considerably more than 150,000 people, it is estimated, while Columbus has 200,000 population within its corporate limits.
Wilkes-Barre had 16,584 conversions and Columbus 18,137, which number is little larger than the figures for the South Bend revival, when the questions of the comparisons are considered.
Was Remarkable Day.
Beyond a doubt the final day of the revival was the most notable of the seven weeks despite the fact it was the hottest day thus far of the summer, and a portion of the time the great tabernacle on Vitulus avenue, was so warm that it was almost unbearable.
It was estimated 32,000 or 33,000 people attended the three meetings of the day, with another 1,500 coming next morning after two services for them were held. It was the largest daily attendance of the campaign and there can be no doubt but the number of converts would have been increased to 35,- 000 or 40,000 but for the terrible heat.
Eleven thousand people packed the tabernacle in the morning, 8,000 then went there in the afternoon, and last night a crowd estimated at 12,000 filled the great tabernacle space, while thousands beside lining the streets and filling the structures on the opposite side of the street, and the river bank.
Some There at 9 O’clock.
As was expected, the crowd began arriving at the tabernacle in the morning almost as soon as the meeting was up. Several men were pounding for admission at 6 o’clock in the morning, and the crowd had increased to nearly 100 men, women and children by 7 o’clock. An hour later the tabernacle had begun to fill rapidly and people were scrambling for seats by 9 o’clock. When 10 o’clock came, it was hard to buy seats in the building, although a few men and women did succeed in purchasing tickets a few minutes before the hour.
A great number of men remained in the tabernacle from the morning until the afternoon service, and there was a crowd of 500 people clamoring for admission to the tabernacle when the men’s meeting closed about 3 o’clock. There were few desirable seats left in the building at 6 o’clock 700 Converts in Day.
Practically 700 people accepted christianity in response to the evangelist’s earnest pleas during the day. One hundred and ninety men responded to the invitation at the morning service; 173 men went forward to grasp the evangelist’s hand in the afternoon, and the largest number of the day responded at the night service.
The final meeting for men only was held at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. He responded to one of the most stirring sermons of the campaign, which was preached from the text, “He Said To-Morrow.” Much of the evangelist’s voice was so filled with emotion he appeared to choke over his words. The tears in his eyes were not confined to those in his audience and he closed in a touching farewell prayer, which appeared to make a deep impression.
He prayed earnestly for people in all walks in life in South Bend and Mishawaka, naming the various bodies and institutions which had helped to make his campaign here so successful one.
Sunday’s Final Prayer.
In his prayer he said: “Jesus I don’t like to pray, because I know it will be the last prayer I’ll ever make in South Bend in connection with these meetings. I don’t like to pray, but it useless to keep the meetings going longer. I’ve remained three times now than I intended. I’m glad I did, Lord. But now Lord, we’re going to close these meetings.
I want you to take care of the salvation. What more can we, Jesus, give you? You know it is the desire of my soul that no one can say that I ever said anything to injure Your cause. I love You and the people of South Bend. I have never had but one motive, and that is to see the city filled with people seeking after Jesus. I feel especially drawn close to the people of this city, Lord, because I love the individuals. We’re not so far away, Lord, but we could be heard if we were to speak.
Asks Blessing.
“God bless South Bend and Mishawaka, the newspapers, the choir, Lord, and the ushers; the police and all that have come to Christ during these meetings.
“And now, Lord, we must say good bye.” “Lord, speak to us and the people that they will press down these aisles. Speak to them Lord, that they will not say as the old king did, ‘To-mor- row.’ Don’t say ‘To-morrow.’ Speak In South Bend to-night. Say ‘I Will.’ And who will.”
Hundreds of people responded to the beautiful prayer and the brilliant sermon. A demonstration similar to that on the night he preached the sermon on “The Unpardonable Sin” followed. Men and women of all ages, and in every walk of life, came down the aisles, all apparently eager to take their places among the converts.
Women Bother Him.
One convert, a woman, came forward screaming hysterically, and supported on the arm of a woman friend. The antics of this woman appeared to annoy the evangelist not a little and he requested her to be seated. In a husky voice to her and he said he would promise the platform if possible. Many prominent men and women were among the number of converts yesterday.
Taking the Collections.
The taking of the collection for Billy Sunday proved one of the most important features of the Sunday services. The largest collection reported at Billy Sunday in any of the three meetings was that of the men’s meeting in the afternoon. The subscriptions amounting to $1,500 in cash and pledges of $1,500 additional. The men’s meeting in the afternoon also was contributed to the collection. The small subscriptions of the women and children contributed to the total. The collection of the women and children amounted to $1,000. The Auditors announced the total subscriptions amounted to $4,000. The subscriptions at the First Presbyterian church were announced and Rev. Charles Arganbright, pastor Charles W. Goheen, Hon. Marvin Campbell, E. C. Williams and others who worked untiringly from the time the meeting opened yesterday morning until long after the close of the service last night, counting the money that was contributed and straightening out the affairs of the association. A report was made before the people left the tabernacles. Even then it was necessary for the men to work late into the night and this morning until a few minutes before the evangelist left South Bend to make a correct count of the finances on hand.
People Show Appreciation.
Everywhere throughout the final hours of the revival was displayed indications of the popularity South Bend and Mishawaka people felt for Billy Sunday and the members of his party.
Mr. and Mrs. Sunday were greeted with thunderous applause every time they entered the building during the day and they were frequently cheered while the meetings were in progress. Just before the opening of last night’s services, Homer Rodeheaver, the leader of the great tabernacle chorus, was greeted with a magnificent shower of roses, which was thrown by the nearly 1,000 members of the great aggregation. For five minutes the shower continued, much to the embarrassment of both Mr. Rodeheaver and Pianist B. D. Ackley.
Farewell songs were sung by singers with the Sunday party and a quartet from the South Bend Conservatory of Music.
“And He Said To-Morrow.”
Sunday made an impressive appeal in his farewell sermon last night to the people of South Bend and Mishawaka who are not Christians to fall into rank before it is too late. “And He Said To-Morrow” were the words of the text taken by the evangelist and he told of the results of procrastination and delay both in religion and other things.
“When I think that this is the last service of this great effort on the part of God and the Holy Spirit to bring you men and women to repentance,” cried Sunday, his voice choking with emotion, “I tell you my heart nearly breaks. You may think you listen! I am going to make you listen! Think of the sermons you have heard since you were old enough to attend Sunday school until you sit here to-night.
Continued on Page Five.
RESULTS IN BRIEF
Conversions
Previous conversions ………. 5,400
Saturday and Sunday ………. 983
Grand total ………. 6,383
Attendance
Previous attendance ………. 519,550
Saturday and Sunday ………. 46,050
Grand total ………. 566,053
Collections
Special offering for Billy Sunday ………. $10,500.00
Collections for local institutions ………. 737.98
Fund for campaign expenses ………. 18,500.00
Grand total ………. $24,737.98
The taking of the offering for Billy Sunday was one of the features of the closing day of the campaign. Seventeen or more different people and concerns of South Bend and Mishawaka gave donations of $100. The largest was $200, given by Samuel Murdock, of Lafayette, Ind., one of the owners of the Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana railway. The donations of $100, which have been recorded thus far, are from the following: South Bend and Mishawaka Ministerial association; Mrs. George Wyman; Mrs. M. V. Belser, citizen of Kingston, Pa., by George L. Newell; Folding Paper Box company; Stephenson Underwear mills; E. B. Eberhart; Stephenson Manufacturing company; C. C. Shafer; Col. George W. Studebaker; Mrs. Clement Studebaker; J. Friend; Clement Studebaker, Jr.; J. D. Oliver; Mrs. George Ford; C. A. Carlisle and the Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing company. The $50 donations which have been reported thus far to those in charge of the campaign, are from the following: Mrs. C. C. Billworth; W. O. Davies; F. H. Badet, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Thompson; J. O. Bowher; McFarlin & Jackson; S. P. Stults and Mrs. Ida M. Stull, and the U. B. Memorial church.
The following article appeared in The South Bend Tribune. November 7, 1935.
Sunday Heard by Big Crowds Here in 1913
Rev. William Ashley Sunday, who died suddenly Wednesday evening in the home of a friend in Rogers Park, a suburb of Chicago, conducted in South Bend in 1913 what probably was the greatest series of evangelistic meetings ever held in Indiana. His campaign began Sunday, April 27, and continued for seven weeks.
For two months before the famous Billy Sunday opened his meetings in South Bend workmen were engaged in the construction of one of the largest buildings ever erected in the city which became known as the tabernacle. It was built of wood on vacant land between Vistula avenue, now Lincoln Way East, and the St. Joseph river, with Monroe street on the north and South street on the south. The tabernacle had a seating capacity of about 10,000. Reservations were made for the largest musical organization ever assembled in the city, a chorus of more than 1,000 voices. The ground floor was covered with sawdust and fine shavings, making a soft, thick carpet and the outstanding celebrated sawdust trail.
4,000 at Dedication.
Mr. Sunday and his party were quartered in three houses at 515, 517 and 519 South Carroll street. His housekeeper, Mrs. J. W. Foults, of Cleveland, O., had charge of the households. The tabernacle was under the supervision of Fred Seitz, a close friend of the evangelist, who had charge of his tabernacles in the various places where services were held.
The tabernacle was dedicated on Sunday evening, April 20, more than 4,000 persons presenting many denominations in South Bend and elsewhere being present. Rev. Dr. Henry L. Davis, pastor of the First M. E. church, chairman of the tabernacle building committee, presided. He then introduced to E. C. Miller, chairman of the executive committee for the St. Joseph County Evangelistic association, which was largely instrumental in bringing Mr. Sunday to the city. Mr. Miller told of the purpose for which the tabernacle was built. The invocation was by Rev. Peter Moredyke, pastor of the First Reformed church, now out of existence.
Rev. C. V. Mull, pastor of the United Brethren church, led the responsive reading. The scripture lesson was read by Rev. J. C. Tomes, pastor of the Christian Church, of Mishawaka. Rev. Thomas W. Powell, pastor of the Quincy Baptist church, preached, his subject being “Divine Urgency.” Rev. A. C. Ormond, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Mishawaka, spoke on “God’s Victories,” praising Mr. Sunday’s work and saying that if Christian people could operate 40,000 souls in South Bend and Mishawaka could be saved. The benediction was by Rev. Dr. C. A. Lippincott, pastor of the First Presbyterian church.
Nursery Provided.
Marvin Campbell, chairman of the finance committee, announced that in addition to this the association would pay half of the salaries of Mr. Sunday’s co-workers. Mr. Sunday was not to receive anything until the last Sunday of the services when the entire collection was to go to him. Rev. C. A. Decker, pastor of the First Baptist church, told of preparations for handling the big crowds.
A nursery where parents left their children while the parents attended the meetings was situated near the tabernacle and was in charge of Miss Babcock, head of the city’s kindergarten training schools. Children under five years of age were not allowed to attend the services.
Before the tabernacle was completed South Bend business men began the erection of large and small billboards near the entrances to the tabernacle. This aroused the indignation of religious people to a point of battle and vigorous protests were made against the signs.
Nearly 20,000 Listen.
Members of the Sunday party arrived in South Bend previous to
The_South_Bend_Tribune_1935_11_07_1
SUNDAY SPOKE IN CITY IN 1913
Continued from Page One.
Saturday, April 26, and prepared for the great Sunday opening. Mr. and Mrs. Sunday arrived Saturday afternoon and the evangelistic services began the following day. The great evangelist’s first utterances were made before an enormous gathering. Hour after hour on the opening day nearly 20,000 upturned faces watched and listened in the great tabernacle. The morning crowd was estimated at 7,000, the afternoon at 4,000 and the evening at 8,000. Favorable weather, leaders of the movement believed, would have swelled the crowd to nearly 25,000. The morning collection amounted to $184, the afternoon to $70.28 and the night to $167.93, making a total for the day of $425.51. From the first meeting to the last seven weeks later Mr. Sunday had great crowds.
The great evangelist’s services closed on Sunday, June 15. On that day the collection amounted to approximately $10,000. The collection was given to Mr. Sunday. The total of collections for the seven weeks was $24,227.98, the total attendance was 600,050 and the total conversions 6,389. The taking of the offering for Mr. Sunday was one of the features of the closing day of his great campaign. A number of persons in South Bend and Mishawaka contributed $100 each. The largest individual contribution was $200 given by Samuel Murdock, of Lafayette, Ind., a well known and devout Catholic and one of the owners of the Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana railway of South Bend.
After Rev. Mr. Sunday completed his services and left the city the great frame tabernacle was torn down and the lumber was removed. The site is now covered by some of the best residences in South Bend and is known as Edgewater place.
Fred R. Seibert played a pivotal role in Billy Sunday’s evangelistic campaigns during the early 20th century. As a member of Sunday’s core team, Seibert was known as the “handy man of the tabernacle,” overseeing the logistical and operational aspects of the revival meetings. His responsibilities included managing the physical setup of the tabernacle, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring the smooth execution of events.
Beyond his logistical duties, Seibert was deeply involved in the spiritual mission of the campaigns. He authored Rescue the Perishing, a guide aimed at assisting new converts in their Christian journey. Published in 1921, this work provided practical advice and biblical teachings to support individuals in their newfound faith.
Seibert’s contributions were integral to the success of Billy Sunday’s revivals, combining organizational acumen with a commitment to spiritual mentorship.
BELOW – Article in The South Bend Tribune. May 1, 1913.
HERE IS STORY OF FRED’S LIFE
If you have heard Billy Sunday, you have also heard him say, “Here, Fred, open some of these ventilators, it’s too hot in here,” or “If you people want song books, you can get them from Fred.”
In fact, Billy started talking about Fred long before South Bend people ever knew there was a Fred. But most of the people who are going to the tabernacle these days, know Fred now.
Fred is a stock sort of a fellow, with raven black hair. His last name is Seibert and his initials might be “A. B.”—always busy—but they are not.
Fred Seibert is official custodian of the big Sunday tabernacle on Vistula avenue and he guards the immense building day and night. If you want to hear an interesting story sometime, just step up to Fred and ask him to tell something of his life history.
But maybe Fred would be backward in speaking to a stranger about the matter, so you can be saved the trouble of approaching Fred by continuing to read this story.
Eighteen years ago, in a little town out in Iowa, there lived a young man who, like many other young men, was wasting his life away on cards and similar vices.
One night the young fellow got up from the gaming table with no money. Some people call it “broke,” while others who are without money, say they are “strapped.”
Well, “broke” or “strapped,” the gambler had no money, and he was disgusted with cards, the world and himself. He left the place and went out in the street. Near the corner he heard music. It was the singing of a church choir, but the fellow did not know that when he entered the building.
He knew it a minute after, however, when an evangelist in the front of the room arose to announce his text for the evening.
The man tried to leave the building, but a usher held him.
“I guess I done passed by my station,” said the gambler, but the usher thought otherwise and told the other so.
That gambler, broken spirited and penniless, was Fred Seibert, the “Fred” to-day of the Billy Sunday party.
And to-day Seibert can look the best man in the world in the eye and say casually:
“My friend, my life has not been in vain for the reason I have had the pleasure of bringing 12,000 people to the altar, and showing them the presumptive military pages to them who accept it.”
And Fred has earned a nation wide reputation as a Bible student and a personal worker. He has committed 1,400 books of scripture to memory and can do a trick with the Bible which is a common enough one with playing cards, but is a decidedly unique one when it comes to the Bible. He also enjoyed the privilege of assisting to escort his mother and six brothers and three sisters to the altar.
Pick up the Bible and turn to any page in it, and Fred will tell you the name of the book and just about the chapter you have your hand on.
Seibert was born in Waverly, Ia., and worked as a broom twister for nine years. After he was converted he entered the Moody Institute, where he stayed for a year and a half. Five years ago he joined the Sunday party. Ever since his duties have been that of taking care of the tabernacle and personal work.
To assist himself and others in this work, Fred wrote a little pamphlet, “Rescue the Perishing,” which has been accepted as an authority by experts of the Bible throughout the country.
Seibert is married, and as two children, who live in Santa Monica, Cal., but the greatest thing, next to his family and his God, is the greatest respect.
Fred pays his children so much for learning scripture and they have to memorize every week and recite it word for word.
The little boy and girl of mine keep on learning scripture and they interrupt their “daddy,” said Fred.
And they that follow me, because I do not believe he doesn’t care.
WHAT SUNDAY DID AT WILKES-BARRE [February 23-April 13, 1913]
OFFICIAL OF CAMPAIGN MAKES STATEMENT ON RESULTS.
CITY BETTER GENERALLY
Business Was Improved, Politics Was Elevated and Social Life Was Raised to Higher Standard Says Man in Interview.
The Tribune’s Special Service.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa., May 6.
The Sunday party has gone from Wilkes-Barre to South Bend, Ind.
Exterior view of the Billy Sunday Tabernacle. Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. Friday, February 21, 1913.
The tabernacle is being torn down day by day. The thousands who gathered beneath its roof to hear the greatest winner of souls in this generation have scattered and gone about doing the duties of their individual lives, but Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley will never be the same as it was a few months ago, before Billy Sunday came to this city. The moral and social life of the community has been given a new moral tone to the extent of which cannot be estimated for years.
This is the statement of Rev. J. W. Parkin, chairman of the Wilkes-Barre Ministerial Evangelistic committee, which had charge of the recent campaign in this city.
Moral Awakening.
“The most conservative,” he declared, “will admit that there has been a moral awakening the like of which has never been experienced here before. It is absolutely impossible to measure the immense amount of good that was accomplished, but I am sure that there is not one that regrets the hours and time and even money spent in planning for this campaign.”
“What,” he was asked, “do you consider the result of this visit on business here? You know it was prophesied that he would injure business.”
“An honest business could not have received greater help than came through the Sunday campaign,” was Mr. Parkhurst’s opinion. “A moral awakening such as we have had could not help but improve business. This has been evidenced in many ways, but particularly in the fact that people now realize more keenly than ever their obligations to each other and to the community. Hundreds of merchants have stated that accounts which they had considered closed because of inability to collect have been paid. There is a greater feeling of mutual respect now between employers and employes.
Politics Elevated.
“And politics; what about that? Do you think the campaign will have any influence on the politics of the country?”
“Well, I’m not much of a politician,” said the campaign leader, “but it seems reasonable to me to suppose that when a man finds himself in the position of a candidate for office he will be more careful in the future than ever before that there will not be any question about his private or business life.
There are many men in this city who have never been heavy drinkers for years who have bound themselves to abstinence. Hundreds of others who have been more or less indifferent or lukewarm in their opinion of intemperance have been aroused to a more active interest.”
“The moral wave,” he declared, “has been given a refining influence that is going to raise the standard of the community. Wilkes-Barre needed just such an indictment to make it realize where it was leading. I know hundreds of young people who have ‘cleaned house’ since Mr. Sunday came here.
‘You consider then that the people who criticized Mr. Sunday and his methods have been answered by the results which have been attained?’ was asked.
‘The critics have had nothing to offer that will accomplish the same amount of good that has been accomplished by Mr. Sunday.’
February 22, 1913
“Immediately following Columbus, Mr. Sunday opened a series of meetings at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the farthest east of any district in which he had ever worked. The campaign opened on Washington’s Birthday—February 22—1913. Rev. W. M. Randles, pastor of the Bethesda Congregational church, gives the number of converts as 16,348, and the free-will offering as $23,527.66. In only this one respect did the Wilkes-Barre campaign exceed that of Columbus.”
Evangelist Billy Sunday (1862-1935) 