Billy Sunday was a colorful and powerful preacher who preached to hundreds of thousands at the turn of the 20th century. He got his start in preaching by helping J. Wilbur Chapman (see his bio below) in his revival campaigns. Chapman schooled him in doctrine and homiletics. In 1898, he set out on his own to preach. His crusades became regional events, with thousands turning out to hear him. He became as well known as any man in America, including the president. He had been a baseball player before his conversion, and was known in his early ministry as "the baseball evangelist." His preaching against "booze" was one of the main influences for prohibition. He was a conservative and a fundamentalist. Because he was direct in his style and often uncouth, he was accused of being somewhat of a buffoon. Though he used homey illustrations and backyard metaphors, his preaching was filled with the Bible. Many old line preachers despised his aggressiveness and his know-it-all demeanor. It was easy to take shots at a man like Sunday, but no one could gainsay the thousands who accepted Christ after his preaching.
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