Dr. Billy Graham

During the week I listened again to the CD on Billy Graham and his homecoming. Once someone loaned me a DVD which records the same meeting. I've read a lot about Billy Graham and greatly admire this wonderful man of God. I have in my possession his autobiography which I have read more than once.

Dr. Billy Graham visited Singapore many years ago to conduct meetings at the Singapore Stadium. Many people were saved in that campaign. I remember our Officer Commanding Lieut. Colonel George Engel was on the Executive Committee and took an active part in the planning of that campaign. Salvationists took part in the choir, acted as counsellors and ushers. The uniform was quite promiment.

There is an interesting story told about Dr. Billy Graham.In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, N.C. invited him to a luncheon in his honour. I don't know who wrote this, but it has been circulating in the Internet.

Mr. Graham initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the city leaders said, “We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honour you.” So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honoured by Time Magazine as the Man of the Century.

Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him, and it wasn’t there either.
The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.”

Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.”

Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”

Having said that, Billy Graham continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon, and one more occasion.

You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am. ... I also know where I am going.”

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life! We used to sing this chorus in our meetings.

'I am the Way, the Truth, the Life' that's what Jesus said,
Without the way, there is no going
Without the truth there is no knowing,
Without the life there is no going,
'I am he Way the Truth, the Life,' that's what Jesus said,