Brief Description: Newspaper clippings, photograph, scrapbook, sermon transcripts and notebooks, and oral history interviews relating to the career of evangelist Mordecai Ham.
Restrictions: None
Biography
| Full name | Mordecai Fowler Ham | |
| Birth | April 2, 1877, Scottsville, Kentucky | |
| Death | November 1, 1961, Louisville, Kentucky | |
| Family | ||
| Parents | Tobias and Ollie McElroy Ham | |
| Marital Status | Married Bessie Simmons, July 1900 (she died December 4, 1905)
Married Annie Laurie Smith, June 3, 1908 | |
| Children | Children of Mordecai and Annie: Martha Elizabeth, Dorothy, Annie Laurie, Jr. | |
| Conversion | About the age of eight | |
| Education | ||
| 1890s | Enrolled in Ogden College (later Western Kentucky State Teacher's College) | |
| Career | ||
| 1897-1900 | Worked in Chicago for a photo-enlarging firm | |
| 1901 | First revival preached at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church | |
| 1901- | Held evangelistic campaigns throughout the United States | |
| 1927-1929 | Pastor of First Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | |
| 1934 | Charlotte, North Carolina meetings where Billy Graham was converted | |
| 1935 | Honorary doctorate degree from Bob Jones University | |
| 1936 | Engaged in radio evangelism | |
| Other significant information | ||
| Published a paper known as The Old Kentucky Home Revivalist | ||
| Some of the book he wrote include The Second Coming of Christ, Believing a Lie, The Sabbath Question, and The Jews | ||
| One of Ham's favorite practices was to single out the most well-known sinners in town for personal evangelism. The evangelist often encountered opposition to his preaching, enduring threats, bodily assaults, and police arrests. His revivals were also plagued by two men, W. O. Saunders and J. T. Ragsdale, who circulated critical statements and pamphlets about Ham's work. | ||
[Note: In the Scope & Content section, the notation "folder 2-5" means "Box 2, Folder 5"]<
Scope and Content
Series: Papers
Arrangement: Chronological
Date Range: 1927-1944, n.d.
Volume: 0.44 cubic feet
Boxes: 1
Type of documents: Newspaper clippings, microfilm, periodicals, photographs, sermon
transcripts and notebooks
Notes: The collection consists of clippings; a scrapbook; copies of The Echoes, a newspaper
published weekly by the First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; copies of The
Taproot, a monthly publication of the M. F. Ham Evangelistic Party in Louisville, Kentucky; oral
history interviews by Ivan Fahs with Grady Wilson and Vernon Patterson; photographs; and
microfilm reels of Ham's sermon notes. Other information found in the articles include names of
singers, song leaders, ministers who supported the revival, summaries of Ham's sermons, and
accounts of meeting activities.
Ham was invited to Charlotte, North Carolina, by the Christian Men's Evangelistic Club and he conducted a revival there which lasted twelve weeks between August 30 and November 25, 1934. He was assisted by his business manager and choir director, William J. Ramsey, and his secretary-pianist, entire Ham-Ramsey revival in that city. The first clipping (folder 1-2) reports a prayer meeting held on July 3, 1934, and the final clipping (1-3) is dated December 11, 1934, describing Charlotte's pastors' reactions to plans to revoke the "blue laws."
The Charlotte campaign was marked by a controversy, reported in the Observer, involving some high school students who were patronizing a house of prostitution in the city. Ham's preaching on the subject aroused much opposition and reaction in Charlotte. The issue ultimately arbitrated successfully with students and community, and the house was raided as a result of the publicity. Information about this situation is also discussed in the interviews with Wilson and Patterson.
Ham's sermon notebooks (reels 1 and 2) are indexed by subject and contain both handwritten and typed notes, some clippings, and outlines which he used in his preaching.
Folder 1-5 contains an undated obituary and twenty-three sermon transcripts of messages delivered over the Kentucky Home Evangelistic Network; fifteen of these are dated between 1941 and 1944 and the rest are undated. Sermon topics include revival, mercy, sinners, the Christian's weapons, the invincible Church, heroes and cowards, Daniel, Babylon, final judgment, money, and the second coming, among others. There are three folders in Oversize Drawer 14 which contain (1) issues of The Echoes (described above), mostly from 1929, with articles by and about Ham as well as printed sermons by Ham; (2) two issues of The Taproot (see above), June and July 1930; and (3) a scrapbook with twenty-three photographs of Ham and his family and two photos of meetings, one in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1934, as well as newspaper and magazine clippings about various meetings held by Ham and biographical material. The sources are not usually identified, nor are they usually dated.
In folder 1-6 are newspaper clippings which were pasted onto eleven hard stock pages containing sermon excerpts from Ham's meetings in 1932 (probably the Chattanooga Campaign) and 1934. Many of the clippings are undated.
Series: Oral history interviews
Date Range: 1930s-1980s
Volume: 0.06 cubic feet
Type of documents: Audio tapes
Notes: The interview with Grady Wilson includes Wilson's memories of the campaign as a high
school student in Charlotte, his understanding of the behavior of his classmates, and memories of
the meeting during which he and Billy Graham went forward to make commitments during
Ham's revival. Two interviews with Vernon Patterson, a member of the committee which invited
Ham to Charlotte, include an account of initial opposition to Ham's campaign, construction and
location of the tabernacle, reaction of the black community, southern attitudes toward civil rights,
and observations concerning Graham and the on-going impact of evangelistic campaigns in
Charlotte over the years since the early 1930's.
Grady B. Wilson was interviewed by Ivan J. Fahs on January 3, 1983, in Charlotte, NC. Time elapsed in minutes and seconds is recorded to the left of topics discussed the interview.
T1 - side 1
00:00 Introduction: reconstruction of Ham-Ramsey campaign, Charlotte, NC, 1934
00:45 The Billy Sunday club; Wilson's father, Vernon Patterson, and pastor's role in inviting Sunday. Memories of Billy Sunday's campaign, 1923-24; changes of club names, sawdust sample
05:06 Importance of recording names of those involved in crusades; memories of early Christian commitment under Dr. George T. Stevens, subsequent behavior
08:54 Wilson and Graham in choir loft at Ham-Ramsey revival; Youth for Christ activities with Graham in England; invitation to Charlotte, November, 1947 after success abroad
10:27 "House of assignation"; convert at Ham revival tells Ham about students' behavior during lunch hour; Ham's preaching about this and reaction of Charlotte papers
12:37 Threats to Wilson's father as plumbing and heating code inspector; destruction of equipment during labor dispute
15:19 Protection of Ham by senior Wilson and Patterson after hearing of planned frame-up of Ham to run him out of town
16:19 Some pupils meet with Ham; others plan to evict him bodily from tent; Wilson's intervention; Ham's handling of students and result
20:54 William Waight, Mayor Wearn, Frank Kennedy, opponents to Ham; publicity created by the opposition
22:43 Inability to remember accompanying Graham on conversion night sometime between November 7 and 16; memories of preaching topics, Bible verses
26:32 Conversion of John Cowell, who later became an evangelist. Cowell's assistance of Wilson while Wilson was at Wheaton College. Graham's acceptance for chaplaincy, inability to fulfill because of mumps
28:18 Attendance at all Ham meetings after conversion night; inability to remember how he and Graham met; each in different high schools
31:14 Reports of prayer meeting before Ham revival distorted; results of usual prayer at end of summer outing of Christian Men's Evangelistic Club
32:50 Summary by Fahs of evangelistic campaigns in Charlotte, beginning with Kimball through Leighton Ford crusade in 1983
35:15 Discussion of lasting effects of conversion as known through work with revivals and Graham crusades over many years; Billie Hanke's career as an evangelist, converted through Graham and working with Wilson
38:08 Hanke's youth and Graham's reaction; Hanke's songs; incident in Washington, DC, with Chaplain and Hanke's hymn
40:04 Wilson's book, title, content of incidents behind the scenes at crusades; "moons" and behavior of audience
43:02 High cost of crusades and need of offerings
44:56 End of tape
Vernon W. Patterson was interviewed by Ivan J. Fahs in Charlotte, NC, on January 3, 1983. Patterson was interviewed a second time by Fahs on January 4, 1983 in Charlotte, NC. Time elapsed in minutes and seconds is recorded to the left of the topics discussed. The events described in the interview cover the time period ca. 1930s-ca. 1980s.
T2 - side 1
00:00 Introduction; plot against Ham
00:30 Incident before the plot; titling of revivals. Ham's one sentence in sermon on judgment which told about students' behavior. Enemies of Ham and their use of this; involvement of some of Charlotte's lawyers
03:20 Students' demand for apology. Name of converted informant (Wright); Ham's refusal to divulge it. Students' march on platform. Patterson's memories of the events
08:45 Lawyers' demands in column of News. Affidavits drawn up and copies given to city officials. Raid of house and conviction of owners. End of lawyers' campaign against Ham in News
10:54 Bitterness of attack by News; Observer's neutrality
11:33 New plot to discredit Ham through Tredway overheard in News office. Protection for Tredway arranged and Ham's decision to extend revival as result of attempt
16:52 Editor of News and his plan to compromise Tredway; notification of police and depth of opposition revealed by the scheme
20:02 Memories of Graham's family
21:11 Graham convinced of sin by Ham's preaching; he and Wilson in choir on platform when approached by member of Ham's group
22:54 Catholic reporter's puzzlement over Graham's step and questioning of his parents; Grahams' joy over the event; changes in Graham's behavior afterward
27:29 Date of Graham's birthday and conversion date; week of plot; time of extension
31:29 Grady Wilson's church membership two years before this; reaction to Ham's preaching
31:50 Walter White after the incident (boy used as ploy to trap Tredway)
32:33 Charlotte's participation in Graham's career, beginning in 1947
33:40 Memories of spiritual decline in churches, depression. Opposition of labor unions to Wilson's father when plumbing inspector for city; senior Wilson's nomination as Man of the Year
38:39 T.W.'s conversion following year under Bob Jones' preaching Charlotte; other evangelists in the city
40:12 Gift to Jimmy Johnson from Graham as thanks for being "elder" influence
41:12 Grady and T.W. as tent-watchers for Jones. T.W.'s escape from tent when approached, later capitulation and asking for forgiveness when alone that night
43:21 Grady and T.W.'s decision to go to Bob Jones College; Mrs. Patterson's role as cook. Pattersons' provision of "dormitory" for young evangelists
44:55 End of side 1
T2 - side 2
00:00 Beginning of tape
00:05 Grady's years at Bob Jones College. Jones' refusal to provide accounting for funds; refusal to grant Wilson's diploma at end of four years
03:40 Intervention of Dr. Harold Strathan (sp.?) and offer to send Wilson to Wheaton College. Fellow students Graham and Johnson
11:45 Jones's anger at statement of Mrs. Patterson about his choosing spouses for students; her interview and response
12:55 End of tape
T3 - side 1
00:00 Objections to Billy Sunday's financial methods; criticism mostly from non-contributors to evangelists' campaigns
02:21 Changes in Graham's organization after 1947 Charlotte campaign
04:32 Frank Graham's response to question about when Billy began to preach
05:20 Episode of photograph of love offering at end of Atlanta campaign and subsequent decision of Graham team to take salary in future
08:50 Financial sources of salary
09:25 Financing of Ham's tabernacle
10:39 Contribution of lumber, other materials from local businessmen; reuse of materials. Erection of tabernacle, its capacity of 45,000, furnishings, disposal after campaign
16:26 Opposition of town council; offer of Methodist owners of Cole (sp.?) Brothers
18:43 Vote of council on ordinance; return of Jewish member, Max Kahn, from New York to vote for support of Ham
21:20 Actions of Council, Patterson's personal involvement; publicity and position of newspapers and mayor
25:32 Opposition of Dr. Squires, Methodist member of council. Causes of opposition to Ham, his attacks on liquor interests, position on anti-Semitism, communism
27:15 Opposition from modernists in denominational churches; Dr. Squires and theological issues
30:09 Distribution of book of newspaper articles; accusations of anti-Semitism
31:58 Patterson's inability to remember the booklet; Ham's position on socialistic, communistic Jews extreme, but not racist
33:38 Reaction to Jewish support; Patterson's visit to rabbi to ask for tolerance toward Christians who did not support extremist positions
36:31 Opposition intensified in spite of Max Kahn's assistance
36:50 Personal contact with Ham and his family during the campaign
38:43 Visit of group from Augusta, Georgia; revival; Patterson's offer to house some of them; reaction of wealthy visitors and considerate behavior of Georgia guests in Patterson home
43:45 End of side 1
T3 - side 2
00:00 Beginning of tape
00:05 Effects of campaign of black population. Reaction of Dr. Oswald Smith to southern "integration" in stores
02:00 Patterson's views on civil rights movement
05:45 Sparse attendance of blacks at Ham revival though invited and no prohibition. Ham's preaching to blacks; Patterson's preaching to blacks. Memories of black servants and their relationship to the household. Observations on white-black issue
15:00 Ham's preaching to black congregations. Patterson's preaching series at black church; subsequent offer of membership there.
18:30 Response to Ham's preaching by blacks
19:45 Graham's insistence on including blacks from the beginning of his crusades; no segregation of seating
21:15 Advice for facing opposition; discussion of how opposition in Charlotte was handled; dissolution of original committee
25:45 Ham's sermon at local Presbyterian church and his agreement to assume financial obligations for future revival in Charlotte. Arrangements by those who supported Ham; successful results in conversions and subsequent evangelistic campaigns
29:15 Laymen's movement strengthened. Offer from businessman to build space for Billy Sunday clubs. Comments on response to 1983 Leighton Ford crusade
30:15 Continuing evangelical thrust; years with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Gift of land to Columbia Bible College to be developed as training ground for evangelists, missionaries
35:15 End of tape
Provenance
Materials in this collection were received by the Archives in December 1979, December 1982, January and March 1983, January 1984, January 1986, and July 1992.
Accessions 79-139, 81-79, 82-173, 83-2, 83-25, 86-1, 92-77
May 7, 1980
Mary Ann Buffington
S. Kouns
August 19, 1983
Frances L. Brocker
J. Nasgowitz
March 21, 1993, Revised
Robert Shuster
M.L. Wohlschlegel
February 13, 1996, Revised
Janyce H. Nasgowitz
Accession: 84-04
September 26, 2003, Updated
Wayne D. Weber
LOCATION RECORD
Accession 83-2
Type of Material: Audio Tapes
The audio tapes listed below are located in the AUDIO TAPE FILE:
T1 - Reel-to-reel, 3-3/4 speed, ca. 45 minutes. One side only. Interview of Grady B. Wilson by Ivan J. Fahs, January 3, 1983. Discussion of Mordecai F. Ham revival, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1934, and memories of Billy Graham and crusades.
T2 - Reel-to-reel, 3-3/4 speed, ca. 57 minutes. One side only. Interview of Vernon W. Patterson by Ivan J. Fahs, January 3, 1983. Discussion of Mordecai F. Ham revival, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Grady B. Wilson and Billy Graham as young men.
T3 - Reel-to-reel, 3-3/4 speed, ca. 78 minutes. One side only. Interview of Vernon W. Patterson by Ivan J. Fahs, January 4, 1983. Continuation of discussion on T2.
*****LOCATION RECORD
Accession 83-25
Type of Material: Microfilm
The following items are located in the CENTER LIBRARY MICROFILM ROOM:
Reel 1 - Sermon notebook of Mordecai F. Ham. Sermon topics A-B (Abel to As He Is) through T (Theocracy-Turmoil); n.d.
Reel 2 - Sermon notebook of Mordecai F. Ham. Sermon topics U (Unbelief-Unpardonable Sin) through Items in Back of Notebook; n.d.
*****LOCATION RECORD
Accession 92-77
Type of material: Oversize Materials
The following items are located in the OS FILE as indicated in parentheses following the folder
title.
PERIODICAL: THE ECHOES; 1927-1929 (incomplete runs) (OS 14)
PERIODICAL: THE TAPROOT; JUNE AND JULY, 1930 (OS 14)
SCRAPBOOK: PHOTOGRAPHS AND NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS; 1934, N.D. (OS 14)
*****LOCATION RECORD
Accession 81-79
Type of Material: Photographs
The following items are located in the PHOTO FILE; request by Folder Titles at the beginning of each entry below:
HAM, MORDECAI FOWLER. A postcard with "M.F. Ham, Louisville, Ky. I Thes. 5:23" printed on it. 1 b&w.
| CONTAINER LIST | ||
| Box | Folder | Title |
| 1 | 1 | Newspaper Clippings: Charlotte Campaign; c. 1934 |
| 1 | 2 | Newspaper Clippings: The Charlotte Observer, July 3 - October 15, 1934. |
| 1 | 3 | Newspaper Clippings: The Charlotte Observer, October 17 - December 11, 1934. |
| 1 | 4 | Newspaper Clippings: Unidentified, probably Charlotte Campaign, 1934. |
| 1 | 6 | Newspaper Clippings: Probably Chattanooga Campaign, January - March 1932, 1934, n.d. |
| 1 | 5 | Obituary and Sermon Transcripts, 1942-1944, n.d. |
| OS 14 | Periodical: The Echoes; 1927-1929 (incomplete runs) | |
| OS 14 | Periodical: The Taproot; June and July, 1930 | |
| OS 14 | Scrapbook: Photographs and Newspaper Clippings; 1934, n.d. | |