SALVATION ARMY BARRACKS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7792, 24 February 1886, Page 3 (Supplement)

SALVATION ARMY BARRACKS.

laying the foundation stones. The erection in Christchurch of a building to be devoted entirely to the services and meetings of the Salvation Army, may well be said to mark an era in the progress that the Army has made since it was first established here. The ceremony of laying the foundation stones of the building which is to be erected on the vacant plot near Bligli’s Restaurant, Victoria street, and close to the Supreme Court-house, took place on Saturday afternoon. The Army mustered at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, about 2 p.m. At 230 p.m. the procession was marshalled by Major Barritt. First came a large caravan, just completed by Mr Moor, coach-builder, and intended for the use of the “Salvation Army Flying Brigade,” which will traverse the country districts where no regular station of the Army is established. Directly following this van was a “colour party,” in charge of Sergeant Snell, of the Christchurch Division; then came the Christchurch and Sydenham S.A. Bands under the leadership of Messrs Tucker and Hunter respectively; and after them stepped a number of “Hallelujah Lasses,” some waving bannerettes and others sounding tambourines after the “ religiously peculiar ” manner that General Booth has chosen for the guiding principle in the ceremonies connected with his Army. A considerable body of the whole members of the Army brought up the rear. The whole procession contained about 200 “of all arms,” amongst whom were 20 captains. The united bands struck up a tune, and the Army started along Lichfield street to Manchester street, thence turned south to Coker’s hotel, along George street to Madras street; turned northward to High street, up Colombo and Victoria streets to the site of the new building. While they are on the way, we may “ say a few words ” descriptive of the caravan that leads the way, and upon the top of which Major Barritt and one of his staff occupy a commanding position. The van is covered with canvas in order to hide its beauties from the vulgar gaze till it is “unveiled.” The interior is fitted with four bunks for the sleeping accommodation of two officers and two cadets who will travel in the van into the wildest country districts they can find where there is any human habitation. Under the driver’s seat is a capacious box for containing stores and Salvation Army literature. There is a railing round the top of the van to enable horsefeed, &c., to be secured there conveniently. When the cover was taken off it was seen that the van was gorgeously painted with the Salvation Army’s “ coat of arms,” if that term may he allowed, and a number of appropriate mottoes. When the procession arrived at the site it was evident that preparations had been made for the ceremony. A temporary platform had been erected, and a monster banner, bearing the words “ Salvation Army,” floated a little to the rear of the platform. Numerous other flags waved around, and the bands took up a position close to the platform. Major Barritt and some of his staff, together with Messrs R. Bolton, Broughton, and Mrs Packe and some other ladies, were provided with chairs on the platform. The proceedings were commenced by Major Barritt giving the command to “ Fire a volley,” which was obeyed by the utterance of a lusty “ Amen ” from all the members of the Army present. Special hymns bad been printed on a broad sheet for use during the ceremony, and after the “volley,” the hymn “Bless our Army” was sung to an accompaniment by the hand. The Major then remarked that the occasion was one for great rejoicing, and he called on all his soldiers to wave their handkerchiefs while they sang the hymn again, with more enthusiasm. Mr Broughton and Adjutant Graham then engaged in prayer, and before the suppliants rose, the hymn, “ Oh, the Precious Blood is Plowing,” was sung to a very sweet and plaintive melody; one of the hallelujah lasses prayed; then there was another hymn. Adjutant Graham read from the first Book of Chronicles, chapter 28 and part of chapter 29, descriptive of the dedication of Solomon's Temple, and the liberal offerings made by the Israelites on that occasion. After a short prayer had been offered, Mr Bolton performed the ceremony, and laid on the stone a cheque for .£SO towards the building fund, whereupon the Major gave orders for the firing of another “ volley,” after which a hymn was sung. This stone was at the south-west corner of the building, and there was another to be laid adjacent to it, and two others at the south-east corner.

Major Barritt then called on Mr H. J. Ross to lay another stone on behalf of the Christchurch corps, of which he was treasurer.

Captain Mathews offered prayer, and Mr Ross laid the stone, saying at the conclusion —“ In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and also in the name of William Booth, General of the Salvation Army, I declare this stone to be well and truly laid.” Mr Boss gave a short address.

Major Barritt said that before they went any farther, as he saw a lot of people going away, it would be as well to have the collection. Ho added that promises would he received as well as money. Several amounts from £5 and* under were passed up to the Major, in addition to that collected in the boxes. The total amount realised by the collection was close on .£l3O. The third stone was laid by Mrs Packe, who placed upon it a coral necklace, which she said had been a gift from her late husband, and would realise £ls in London. Mrs Packe said she esteemed it a very great honour to be asked to lay one of the stones of this building, because she had seen the good work done by. the Army, both in England and in New Zealand. She remarked that most of the best workers in the Army had been brought up by various Churches. They should not forget the Churches which had preserved and handed down the truth to them. She cautioned the young people belonging to the Army not to be content with marching and attending meetings, but to learn the truth as their forefathers had learned it. Mr Broughton laid the fourth stone, saying, “ In the name of the Triune God, in the interests of fallen humanity, and especially in the interests of the Salvation Army, we lay this stone.” He declared the stone to be “ truly and honestly ” laid, and gave a short address, in which he explained how his sympathy had been enlisted in the Army when attending a meeting at Knights town. He was sure much good had been effected by its instrumentality. Mr Broughton gave a donation of £5, and a similar amount had been given by Mr Ross. Major Barritt said that the most interesting part of the ceremony remained. It was that every soldier who liked to contribute 2s 6d and upwards could lay a brick of the walls of the building. . A large number of the soldiers availed themselves of the Major’s offer, and, after the van of the Flying Brigade, before referred to, had been unveiled, the Army marched back to Cathedral square and dispersed. The new barracks are being built after the design of a similar building in Sydney. The building will be 102 ft by 156 ft, and will provide seating accommodation for about 2000 persons. There will be a gallery at one end of the hall and a platform at the other. Several ante-rooms will be provided for the convenience of the officers. It is being erected, according to plans sent from Melbourne, under the supervision of Mr Schmidt, of Maddison and Co., and the contractors are Messrs Goring and Parker.