Evangelist who claimed to have brought religion to the fore in Scotland
BILLY Graham – the preacher who took evangelical Christianity to the stadiums of the world’s cities – has died at 99.
Graham, who had been suffering from several illnesses, including cancer, died at his home in North Carolina yesterday morning.
The most widely heard evangelist in history, he reached more than 200million on his legendary crusades and many millions more through his pioneering use of TV and radio.
Among his most successful appearances was his renowned allScotland Crusade in spring 1955.
He branded Glasgow “the most sinful place in Britain” but was embraced by Scots who packed into football stadiums and public halls to hear him speak.
In six weeks, he preached to 2.5million people, including 90,000 at Hampden and sell-out audiences during his run at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.
He was said to have converted 55,000 people to his brand of bornagain Christianity.
On his first day in Scotland, Graham held press conferences and had a civic reception with Glasgow’s Lord Provost.
There, he said: “I believe the flames that burned in Scotland centuries ago can burn again. A spiritual awakening in Scotland will encourage the entire world at a very critical period.”
At Kelvin Hall, he told the 16,000 audience members: “I don’t want anyone talking or moving for