At an East Portland Blog staff meeting tonight, one of our fine writers related a story about visiting the Billy Graham Library in North Carolina. This reminded me of hours lost in the 1970s sitting forcibly quiet and heroically bored as my parents monopolized the lone family boob tube watching televised versions of Billy Graham Crusades. Those telecasts featured a song by George Beverly “Bev” Shea and a brief word from a celebrity who was also an evangelical. These were usually southern luminaries: football coaches (Tom Landry), actors (Eb of Green Acres) or country singers (Johnny Cash). After that, Graham, the greatest broadcast preacher of the 20th Century would deliver a sermon, followed by an altar call as a choir sang, “Just as I am Without One Plea” and thousands left their stadium seats to come forward.
In this clip, Graham preaches about the bloodless hand writing on the wall in Daniel 5 which is always a haunting passage. Speaking in 1958, Graham chides his white audience to embrace racial reconciliation starting at 28:42:
“Jesus said some day you shall be judged by the things you didn’t do. Here was a man in your community of another race that needed your encouragement but because of your prejudice you couldn’t go and help him. You neglected. You’re afraid to take a moral stand…”
How’s that for timeless preaching?
Photos from the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. (Chuck Strom):
The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.
A recreation of Dr. Billy Graham’s office. The teletype machine sits on his left hand so the very latest news stories could inform his sermons.
Gravesite of George Beverly Shea, Graham’s friend and longtime Crusade vocalist.
For those who’ve never had a chance to enjoy the musical stylings of George Beverly Shea, here’s an excellent collection:
At an East Portland Blog staff meeting tonight, one of our fine writers related a story about visiting the Billy Graham Library in North Carolina. This reminded me of hours lost in the 1970s sitting forcibly quiet and heroically bored as my parents monopolized the lone family boob tube watching televised versions of Billy Graham Crusades. Those telecasts featured a song by George Beverly “Bev” Shea and a brief word from a celebrity who was also an evangelical. These were usually southern luminaries: football coaches (Tom Landry), actors (Eb of Green Acres) or country singers (Johnny Cash). After that, Graham, the greatest broadcast preacher of the 20th Century would deliver a sermon, followed by an altar call as a choir sang, “Just as I am Without One Plea” and thousands left their stadium seats to come forward.
