Criticism
Billy Graham was due to speak at Harringly in February 1954. There was a great deal of criticism of the entire project before he and his family arrived, especially some unfortunately worded criticism of British socialism. I enjoyed the following account: The Grahams were warned that as a result of the controversy, the press would be on them like a pack of wild dogs. Sure enough, as the ship drew near Southhampton the next afternoon, Ruth stared out of a porthole and watched a tug pull alongside them. Twenty-five reporters and eleven photographers shoved there way aboard the S United States. The Grahams had already abandoned their room, having been warned that it would be the pressmen's first destination. Reporters and the public alike would always have a voyeuristic curiosity about how much the Grahams spent on food, shelter, overcoats, transportation, mineral water, socks, and so on. It was uncommon for a passerby to make rude remarks, just loud enough for them to hear, beginning with: "If JESUS were here today," and ending with any number of things, "Would He wear a hundred dollar suit, eat steak, fly in a jet, or stay at the holiday inn?" Once a reporter, watching Billy disembark the Queen Mary, sarcastically remarked to Grady Wilson , "when Jesus was on earth He rode a lowly donkey. I cannot imagine Jesus arriving in England aboard the Queen Mary." "Listen, "Wilson replied dryly, "If you can find me donkey that can swim the Atlantic, I'll buy it."