WEIRD MEMORIAL RITES

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 276, 18 November 1905, Page 13

WEIRD MEMORIAL RITES

SALVATIONISTS' SONG SERVICE FOB THEIB DEAD. The Salvation Army held last month at the Albert Hall, London, a great memorial service. It was. so the programme said, "for onr officers' in Heaven." General Booth was present. He entered tho arena daring the playing hy the organ and massed bands of the "Dead March" Ih~"Sa_l." Th* organ played "Vltaal Spark of Heavenly Flame" and Chopin's "Funeral March." snd the congregation, wnich consisted chiefly of engaged in silent prayer. Then, noiselessly, came in the representatives of foreign countries, carrying the arms and flags of the nations and colonies in which the Salvation Army is workin-:. The organ and bands broke

Into the "Dead March,'' and there entered, while the whole audience stood. General Booth, Mr Bra—iwetl Booth, Mrs Booth, and Commissioners Booth Tucker, Howard Carlton, Nlcol. Sturgess, Cad—tan, and Cox. General Booth was dresse_ in the familiar dark bine coat and red jersey. He has, apparently, lost none of his vigonr during his world-wide travel. He made himself heard in every part of the hall as he read out In his low guttural tones the lines of the opening hymn, "My rest Is in Eeaven, my rest is not here." The General insisted on having the chorus repeated several times, "And give us the victory again and again." "Sing It from your heart," he cried, "all of you." He was standing at a small rostrum 'n the front centre of the platform. Aroun<i Mm were the brass bands, and at the rear white-robed choristers. The arena seats ia front were occupied by girl cadet- or the Army, also dressed to white Tney were seated in two groups forming a cross and a crown in white on the dark red plush of the arena.

The service concluded by the choirs singing well-known hymns, which, it was stated, a-re frequently sung in the death chambers of the departed comrades. At the same time upon a screen which was supended across the hall were shown sentences comprising the last words of wellknown Salvationists who had died. This impressive -solemnity was carried Oct in subdued light. A hymn, accompanied by the waving of flags and palm leaves, brought the serriee to a close.