THE SALVATION ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8056, 17 September 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE SALVATION ARMY.

I'he 22ad anniversary of the Salvation Array was celebrated on July IS by a "grand day of spiritual delight" at the Alexandra Palace. Some 25,000 or 30,000 persona were present at the demonstration, and of these about one-half, including more than 2000 officers, were actual members of the Salvation Army. The metropolitin detachments mustered in strong force, and thera wore also contingents from various parts of-the country, and from France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Sweden, United States, Canada, Australia, Cape of Good Hope, India, and China. The programme of the day opened at half-past ten with a ".holiness meeting," presided over by "Genoral" Booth and Miss Booth, in the concert hall. The " Little Soldiers," over 2000 strong, were then reviewed by Mias Lucy Booth on thro North Parade. The cadets and Central Division were in possession of the palace throughout the day, and held numerous meetings ; tho grounds also were thronged with the various detachments, \Yhicli, preceded in most cases by their banda, began to arrive early in the day, and took up the positions allotted to them. Owing to tho fineness of- the weather, the open-air arrangements were carried out under the most favourable circumstances. Considerable interest was taken in the Indian detachment, under "Commissioner" Tucker, and their encampment, arranged to show the mode of life experienced by the army in India, was largely visited. While " General" Booth, with Commissioners Smith and Kailton, were busy in different parts of the grounds, Mrs. Bramwell Booth presided at a rescue meeting in the theatre. Meantime 1 , some 40 open-air meetings, led by the divisional officers, were going on in the park. At 5 30 all tho detachments were massed on the racecourse, and marched past the " General," who took up his position, with his staff, on the Grand Stand. At 7, Mrs. Booth lectured in toe theatre, to a crowded and characteristically enthusiastic audience, on the future work of the army ; and after a foreign demonstration the long programme came to an end with a "Mammoth Musical Thanksgiving," under the direction of " Commandant" Herbert Booth. Several hymns were sung by the huge assembly to the accompaniment of the grand organ and the massed bands, numbering 1000 instruments,