The Call

What Florenz Ziegfeld brought to Broadway and Tabasco sauce to the raw oyster, the Rev. William H. Alexander brought to religion in Oklahoma City. He put zing into churchgoing. A strapping, handsome redhead with a rousing voice and a glad hand, the Rev. Bill installed pool tables, bowling alleys and card games for the kids. He let himself be chucked into the lake summers at the First Christian Church men's outing, and he wrestled all comers on the grass. He was not above presiding at public rallies in an old turtleneck sweater.

When a call came to Pastor Alexander, it was usually a mighty clear one and it got a clear answer. A few years ago, he decided to provide a new church for his flock; soon he was making plans for a $2,000,000 church and recreation center on a 40-acre plot on the outskirts of town. Another time he was called by Hollywood to act in the movies at $1,000 a week. He turned it down.

The Devil. This year, the Rev. Bill heard another call. It came in, strong and clear, from Oklahoma's political vineyards and it said that he should run for the U.S. Senate, opposing Oklahoma's bumbling old Elmer Thomas in the Democratic primaries (also likely to seek the seat: able Democratic Congressman Mike Monroney). Bill Alexander considered his position. As pastor of one of the wealthiest congregations in the state and as one of the most popular lecturers in the Southwest (he owns his own plane to keep five to eight lecture dates a week), he earns about $40,000 a year. His deacons thought running for the Senate was a fine idea, promised that he could keep his pulpit if he ran. That was about enough to settle the matter--but Pastor Alexander was never one to overlook a dramatic opportunity.

He let it be known that his decision would be announced in his Sunday sermon after he had knelt for six hours in solitary prayer to wrestle with the devil of indecision. The Rev. Bill prepared a publicity handout explaining his problem and what he planned to tell his congregation. "These last few weeks," he said, "have been the most difficult of my life . . . The threat of dirty methods has not been an important factor in my final decision. From rather good authority, I have been informed that whispering campaigns were already being planned, such as: 'society preacher,' 'gambling preacher,' and, worst of all, 'the reason he and Mrs. Alexander adopted that little baby girl was because he is the father.' I don't know how the human mind goes so low . . ."

Lady or Tiger? "Religious men have made the greatest contributions to American democracy and to the progress of our country . . . This decision concerns only one question: Where with the talents given me by God can I best serve the building of His Kingdom?" To maintain the suspense, Pastor Alexander put a lady-or-the-tiger ending on his handout.

"After a night spent on my knees in prayer," his statement concluded, ". . . I choose to remain as a full-time minister of this church--OR--to run for Senator of the U.S. from Oklahoma." Reporters could find out the correct answer by attending church.

Last week, after his flock had filled the granite, columned First Christian Church, Pastor Alexander announced his decision: "I choose to run for Senator . . ."

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