THE SALVATIONISTS.

Evening Star, Issue 7358, 2 November 1887, Page 3

THE SALVATIONISTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Slit,— I desire to call attention to a practice of tho Salvation Army, calculated to lead to more mischief than parading the streets, totting tho citizens'teeth on edge with their horrid discords. Last evening two ladies—my wife being oneforsook their churches and attended the meeting at the Army's Barracks. Unfortunat»ly, my wife is in delicate health, and, after remaining there for nearly an hour, was so overcome by the intense heat and unsavory smells of the place that she was compelled to seek the open air. When, however, they attempted to go out, tho door-keeper prevented them ; and, although they begged hard for their liberty, were compelled to sit down to stew among the mass of the great unwashed congregated in that close place. Tbe lady accomnanying my wife was not strong, and this treatment upset her also; in fact, they were both very unwell when they mustered courage to beckon to'the door-keeper and again entreat him to let them into the fresh air, my wife explaining how ill she was. But no; Cerberus apparently was utterly heartless, and even if they had been dying, evidently would have doggedly persisted in his cruel, if not illegal conduct. They then noticed posters announcing that people could only come in or out during singing; but they were quite ignorant of this before they entered, and there was no notification of this fact: that they could see afterwards outside. Therefore this sentinel was guilty of the unjustifiable act of depriving two subjects of their liberty. This was not all. While waiting to be let out of this suffocating black hole, they saw an old lady, whose silvery hair should have commanded pity and respect, feebly make her way to the door; but a short shake of the stern janitor's head intimated that no more regard was paid to age than to youth. Even tender youth got no softer treatment, for not far from them a young girl was retching and vomiting horribly because of the heat and stench; but still the door waß not allowed to open. And there they were through three interminable yelling, ranting addresses. It was my wife's first experience of an Army meeting, and I will undertake to say it shall be her last. After all this, is it any wonder that she should return home seriously unwell 1 I also call upon the person in charge of tho Army's proceedings here to insist upon this doorkeeper exercising in future common sense and common humanity. If he does not possess either of these attributes, the interests of the Army itself would suggest the expediency of removing him to make place for someone possessed of some small amount of brains and heart. I cncloee my card.—l am, etc., Humanity. Dunedin, October 30.