DECLARATION OF WAR.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 175, 28 July 1888, Page 3

DECLARATION OF WAR.

1 GISBORNE IN TUMULT. THE TOWN UNDER BOMBARDMENT. Gisborne’s dry bones are in for a thorough shake up. The “ Hallelujah soldiers ” have declared war to the bitter end, and a campaign has been begun of which it will be interest, ing to watch the developments. On Tuesday the four leading members were incarcerated in “durance vile,” and as the Army carries on its proceedings with a determination which they consider is due to the work which they prosecute, it is pretty certain there will b e some remarkable experiences in the near future, and it remains to be seen who will gain the day. Both sides seem to mean it. On Wednesday night it was freely stated that a determined attack was to be made upon Mr Beatlie’s quarters, and it was as currently reported that the jolly old gentleman had risen three inches in his boots at the prospect of the encounter. These reports proved false as do many others of quite as alarming a nature. The Army did indeed defiantly approach the secluded sanctum, and t’iumphantly shouted “Hallelujah” and “ Amen,” but no rescue was attempted, though it was believed there was a scheme to kidnap the old gentleman (Mr. B. under stood) body and soul. A retreat was made to the b-irracks. when there was a searching

scrutiny of the armor which each warrior wore. The warfare was continued right through, and a guard of honor and welcome was resolved upon to go forth and meet the prisoners as they were released from the devil’s den. This was foiled however, by strategy, as Mr B. gave the prisoners the wink a little sooner than was expected, and they “ did a get ” Until evening was a perceptible spirit of excitement and expectation pervading the communi’y. It was confirmedly stated that another attack would be made on the devil and his satellites. A about 7.30 the blast of trumpets was heard, and a big contingent of the Army quitted the barracks, and triumphantly marched fo’tb, determined on victory. On they came, eventually taking up a position in Peel street (nearly opposite Miss Doran’s establishment). Volley after volley was fired, until a gentleman in blue— no doubt a delegate of the D.—gave the order “ move on.” There being no response Mr Rluecoat commenced taking down tha n -mes, and Captain Wright told him to wire in, there were plenty more when he had finished with them. A running fight was then kept up, and any of the enemy that liked were invited to the barracks, and there were a great many

responded. A feature of the evening was the detailing of the experiences of the “ escaped convicts,” as they were termed. One and all testified that they had never spent so hippy a time in their lives a* they did in the short period they were under Mr. B*v<ttie’s care—indeed they gave the gov ernor a first class character, and it is quite nn ths cards that he may be won over to their rinks. Everyone agreed that he or she re prepared to go to prison fo the Lord’s sake. Captain Wright and Major . Lovelock and others strongly protested against the attempt which they considered was being made to suppress the Army in, its good Y^ 0 ** 5 * There was only one place in the whole of England, in which it was attempted to suppress the Army, and in that place the undercurrent that prompted it could not be concealed. They were allowed topreach on the main streets of London except for a fcw hours in the busiest pait of the week, and yet, though the traffic was 1 *rge, it was not obstructed. But here in Gisborne, where the traffic on the main road was not great at any time, they attempted to take up from fifteen to twenty feet of a bye-street up m which a vehicle would seldom be seen at night, and a policeman comes along aud orders them to move on because they are obstructing the traffic ? And this was called a tand of liberty? They were obeying the Lord’s word when they went forth as they did to pre ich His word, and they wer« prepared to rot in gaol as their comrades had done in other places before they would give up the fight. They were told “Oh. this is the law of the land, and you must obey it.” They would not obey laws that man set up as against God's law. and they had illustrations in Scripture to confirm in what *h»y were doing. Daniel had come out victorious against his enemies. The Army did not wish to defy the authorities in Gisborne but they were entitled to liberty in the work ♦hev were striving to do -they were doing God’s service and they would die in it. They might be prosecuted and cast in gaol, but thi Lord would evidently give them victory. If several men stopped at a street corner to discuss politics they might be more an “ obstruc ’ion ” than the Army was in a but would those persons not feel that their liberties were being infringed on if they were told to move on ? If a political orator addressed the people would they not crowd and crush round and completely impede the traffic? Of course they would—how often had they done it? In saying this politics were not being objected to. The government of the country was necessary, though it could not but be remarked that if our politics were purer things would be very different to what they are to-dav. In endeavoring to suppress the Army in Gisborne a mere technical interpretation of the law was being relied on. The law defined certain obstructions and the word “ otherwise ” was added, and upon this the members of the Armv were sent to gaol, because the police contended they came within the meaning of “ other ” obstructions. In Switzerland and other places the Armv’s soldiers had been stabbed, murdered, and jumped upon until the life had been crushed out of their bodies, but they had worked on unflinchingly, many losing their lives, while others had been cast in damp cells where they were allowed to contract consumption and other diseases. But the good work was continued, and if they could suein bringing souls to Jesua they would go on in spite of all persecution. On being asked whether anyone had complained to him that the Army had obstructed traffic, the Sergeant of Police said no one had done so. They were thrown into gaol, not because any vehicle traffic had been obstructed, but, it was said in Court, there might have been. “ Pigs might fly, but they were very unlikely birds ” But there was a something moving beneath the surface which it was not hard to discern. This was a country boasting the liberty of its people, and yet it was possible for such things to be ’ But the members of the Army were determined they would carry on their work as their consciences directed them, no matter what persecution they might suffer. If some of their number were incarcerated in gaol there would always be others tn come forward and take up the good fight, for they knew they had the Lord on their side and must eventually win.