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 Queen Mary.
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.”
