The "Sawdust Trail" of Billy Sunday has been replaced today with politicians whose trampling of feet (lately in Iowa), with smiles of promises like the sawdust itself of a bygone evangelistic meeting, tickling the ears of hopeful voters. The differences are blatantly seen but blindly received. On the one hand the Prince of Peace is offered as the Governor of our lives; on the other hand the politicians present themselves as the governors of our hopes, offering promises on the promise that our wallets will be their wallets (while millions pour through their coffers). Their rhetoric fill the air with false false facts while they tear each other down. True history is an unknown equation while ply their wares and seek support by devious ways.
Grandpa sees a light shining forth in Billy Sunday, who was converted to Christ in 1886 at the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. At that time he was playing baseball with the Chicago White Stockings, leaving baseball in 1891 to do full time evangelistic work. Billy Sunday's first evangelistic crusade was held in Garner, Iowa in 1896. Time and money were gladly given by many supporters, while great planning and prayer preceded the meetings. Billy Sunday preached to millions and it was estimated that three hundred thousand people were led to faith in Christ Jesus. His lesser achievements were the support of the Prohibition Amendment and his promotion of the sale of WWI bonds. Sunday's hand reached into the heart of his hearers.
The light which shines from the "presidential wonders (runners)" reaches the ears of our children and children's children. We must be prayer warriors in our homes, teaching the truth of those who have faithfully seen our nation as being governed by the Prince of Peace (note "statesman" blog). We need to pray that our Lord will raise Christian Statesmen who are faithful to the King of kings and His Word. Our nation's best foundation is the Word of God, His Law developing our nation to the end that He will be glorified and all people will be blessed. Noah Webster wrote that "The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible." (It is good to have a copy of The American Dictionary of The English Language, 1828, by Noah Webster, and compare it to the Webster's Dictionary of today.)
May our homes and churches be fortresses of Christ, praising Him as King of nations. May His kingdom advance to his honor.
Grandpa
