THE SALVATION ARMY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3065, 23 April 1881, Page 3

THE SALVATION ARMY.

Tho idea of converting a London theatre into a temperance music ball originated in some measure with the members of a remarkable religious organisation, consisting principally of the English laboring classes, and known as " The Salvation Army." The founder of this singular religious movement was the Rev. William Booth, a Methodist preacher, who, arriving in London from some provincial district, found himself successful in arresting the attention of the lowest and roughest classes, people who had hitherto baffled the ceaseless labors of city missionaries and self-denying evangelists. There is much that is extravagant in their doctrines, while their manner of " holding forth " and singing reminds one of some of the more prominent features of negro life in tho southern portions of tho United States, but they are terribly in earnest. Everybody on joining is expected to become an active worker. No idlers are permitted to remain in tho ranks, and no matter how poor or how illiterate a member may be there is always found something for him to do. The spread of the movement has been wonderful. To a considerable extent self-supporting, it lias becomo extended to the manufacturing districts, the principal scenes of operation being the lowest and most dissolute localities. It is practically

an attempt at religious and self social help on the part of the poorest and hitherto irreclaimable classes. The first appearance of tho " Salvation Army " in a new neighbourhood is generally followed by noisy and riotous episodes, not infrequently tho work of local publicans ; but as the " soldiers " continue their crusado against infidelity and drink their principal opponents become gradually won over to the ' cause,' and are afterwards found defending the principles which they formerly ridiculed and attacked. In Wales the movement has become extremely powerful, and in one place so great was the enthusiasm awakened that for several weeks the local public houses became completely deserted. Yet this singular movement, boasting nearly a quarter of a million followers, and exerting such a marked influence on the lower strata of English social life, has scarcely been noticed by English religious and social writers.