Evangelist Billy Graham, ailing at 86, holds last rally in U.S.

Jun 27, 2005, 1:36 GMT

Evangelist Billy Graham speaks on the third and final day of the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade, at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, Sunday 26 June 2005. (EPA/PETER FOLEY)

The ailing 86-year-old preacher, whose five decades of mass revival meetings have made him the best-known U.S. Protestant evangelist, warned of "wickedness, corruption and violence" in today's world as he wrapped up a three-day rally in New York that included an appearance by former U.S. president Bill Clinton.

"We hope to come back again some day," said Graham, though he noted it was "probably" his last U.S. "crusade".

Followers flocked to Sunday's outdoor rally in a New York park, many holding up umbrellas against the blazing sun or lying on picnic blankets under trees. A hush fell over the crowd as Graham suggested that his death may be near, saying "it won't be long" before he goes to heaven.

His white mane ruffled by the wind, Graham darkly invoked evangelical themes such as the battle between decadence and faith. But Parkinson's disease and other ailments clearly took their toll, making his 20-minute sermon relatively subdued.

Others addressing the rally included a N.Y. firefighter who told the crowd that he found faith after others in his company were killed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"Religion is one of the great things in America today," Graham told the crowd.