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1D. Competition for Billy Graham 
Speaking for Him was also a major task many years later when Church Army appointed me Associate National Director in our New York Headquarters. A young man pestered me to take him open air campaigning. I was uncertain! I didn't want to discourage him, but I was afraid of what might happen. He kept needling and needling. Deep down I knew that one day I would have to go! My secretary in Headquarters became suspicious of what I was going to do next. One day, seeing me folding a large flag, she hesitantly asked," Ray, what in the world are you doing now?" "Ed and I are going to hold an open air meeting on Broadway tonight," I told her. "We need the flag to satisfy city regulations." Scratching her head, she replied disbelieving, "But WE DON'T DO that sort of thing!" As I hurried downstairs and out unto the busy street I called back, "I'll see you tomorrow!"
Puerto Rican Style
On that very evening, a young evangelist called Billy Graham, was conducting an evangelistic campaign in our city. Ed and I decided to hold our meeting after he had finished. Ed had carefully worked out a plan! At the end of Billy's meeting, we hurried downtown to a busy corner near 42nd Street and Broadway. We knew that most people would pass by there and at the appointed time tied the Stars and Stripes to a lamp standard. and started shouting, "We are Episcopalians, who have just heard Billy Graham really preach the Gospel!" Another Captain who had joined us roared back in reply, "I don't get it. Why are you shouting about Billy Graham and how well he preached?" Crowds were stopping in the street. Like a hard fought rally in a tennis match, I countered. "It takes Billy so long to tell people about Jesus Christ as their Saviour that he can't tell them the other wonderful news!" A large group was now hanging on our every word! "What more news is there to know?", the Captain asked. "You need to know about the Lord's Supper and about belonging to the family of the Church."
Grace of God?
Things rarely went smoothly! One evening, a young man tried to get me ruffled by calling out, "Do you think you are in the grace of God? You've got another think coming!" Fortunately for me, I remembered a situation during the trial of Joan of Arc. The Bishops had put a similar question to her, before burning her at the stake and she replied, "If I am in the grace of God, I praise Him for it! If not, I pray He will put me into it!" The disgruntled heckler, lost for words, pushed his way out of the crowd and disappeared.
Open Air Meeting
A request for a very different kind of open air meeting came from the other side of New York City. It was a hot summer evening, as Ed and I strolled from the subway to the Puerto Rican church. The dilapidated streets were alive with screaming children and wives calling to one another from upstairs windows. A sultry breeze smacked our faces. "We've a captive audience, here," I told Ed. After prayers at the church, we set out. The ornate processional cross led the way with a flag on either side in support. Behind us, two strong men puffed and heaved an elaborate wooden pulpit specially made for this event. Sweat poured from their temples as they laboured on.
Swaying to the strains of "Onward Christian soldiers," our little group followed on. An impressive crowd of tattered children joined in "Pied Piper style" behind. It was so crowded that it was difficult to find space on the sidewalk for our extra large pulpit. When we did eventually manage to set it down, some pedestrians tried to crowd us off the corner but a black woman sprang to our defence, "You'd better respect these preachers of the Gospel, or else!" Captain Phyan translated our words from the platform into Spanish for the benefit of the crowd. The large jovial figure of the Rector, Father Gustwiller, arose. "You probably know me already," he said, "I am a crusader for better housing and lower rents in this area. I want to tell you today that I am even more concerned for your souls! I want to be, more than anything else, your friend and to welcome you to my church."
Consecration of Money
In 1970, even as I was telling others of God, He was speaking to me of something that I had to do. He kept saying, "Give up your life's savings. Trust me all the way!" I was in a dilemma! God's voice was clear, but I resisted. "Surely it is wise stewardship to save my money for my retirement?" Troubled in spirit, I thought of my bulky package of three thousand dollars in twenty-five and fifty dollar government bonds and what I should do with them. Then, one night, at Al Smith's home, it all came to a head. As we talked, I suddenly knew what I must do. Reaching into my brief case I took out the cherished, fat envelope. Turning it over in my hands, I threw it into the air! Al sat back in astonishment! Then, with a grin, he seized the broken bundle from the carpet and tossed it up too! "It didn't cost you anything to throw away my money," I laughed. Roaring with glee, we flung my former treasure around the room!
The following day, I felt like Saint Francis as I wrote out checks to missionary groups far and near. Most thrilling of all was the discovery of a new plateau in my spiritual life. I learned the real meaning of obedience and trust in the Lord Jesus. Saint Paul wrote, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." The truth of these words had dawned upon me. Many years have passed since I first trusted the lord for my financial needs. God has supplied them all in Jesus. In hearing, and responding, I unearthed a treasure of Lordship in every situation! In the crowded streets of the "Big Apple," in the orchards of Southern England, upon the treed slopes of Kentucky God cared for me! It was wonderful!
"You've gotta have a glory in the things you do, an alleluia chorus in the heart of you" 
