COMING OUT.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 165, 5 July 1888, Page 2

COMING OUT.

It is not often that our contemporary has the courage to speak out boldly, and for the sake gfindependent journalism, we are glad to see the decided tone which it has taken up in its article of last evening with regard to the Sal. vation Army; but we are nevertheless ashamed of our contemporary, not for Jh.e opinions

expressed—we are all entitled to our own ideas—but for the comparisons which are made. We have a diffidence in approaching a question of religion, because it is almost impossible to do so without coming into conflict with the diverse opinions of those who have from their childhood been taught to regard their own peculiar form of devotion as the model one. In reference to the Army, too, there are in connection with it many features which are objectionable and even repugnant to some who cannot be induced to favor the movement. The members themselves are often much to blame for the local prejudices which are created, because of the persistent and personal references which sometimes characterise the Army’s proceedings. However, we have to deal with the question on broad grounds, and on those grounds we have no other course than to denounce the remarks of our contemporary as most shameful, and as giving countenance to a traffic which is a disgrace to the British nation. The opinions expressed as to the permanency or otherwise of the Army are a little beyond us, though they may be in keeping with the speculative imagination of the journal to which we refer, The Government, we are told, would be justified in excluding the Army from India were it not that “it will die out through complete non-suc-cess.” An enthusiast could not ask for a ’ better reason for its necessity than that things are so bad that it cannot succeed, and ; yet it is stated that in this age of toleration

the British Government would do wise in expelling the Salvationists from a portion of their dominions ! What are some of the facts with regard the conduct of the British in India! The whole nation has been scandalised and disgraced by the crime which has been countenanced in connection with military affairs in India, in the shape of decoying young women for the immoral purposes of British soldiers. A Tory Government may coerce the Irish people and attempt to justify their actions in this and other matters, but no Government of a civilised country ought to be permitted to countenance such a thing. Still it is done, and it was only by last mail information was received that public feeling in England is becoming so strong on the matter that an attempt is to be made to force the Government to suppress the shocking immorality which exists in connection with the army. And yet this is a country from which our contemporary thinks the Salvationists ought tq be expelled I If any religious body can effect reform in that quarter it should be supported. But even our contemporary admits that the Army does some good, and half apologises for its other state, ments. Though in their high pitch of enthusiasm, the members of the Army cause much annoyance at times, no one can deny that the vast good they perform does not much more than atone for any petty annoyances.