WELLINGTON PULPITS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 850, 15 June 1888, Page 1

WELLINGTON PULPITS.

"£■ [By Syntyche.]

No. 12. —The Salvation Akmy.

When, in the distant centuries the, future historian writes of the religious epochs of the past,- 'tin* theme of the New Crusaders will oe an interesting one. The story of the seven previous Crusades are tales of wild fanaticism, mingled with emotional piety, the ungovernable love of conquest, . and the mad excitement of figh u and change. Led by erratic enthusiasts, vast hord.es swept through Europe in the quest of an ideal, their only true watch word, being ‘lDeus-vult.” This new Crusade* the eighth that has made ' a mark in the religions of the world is known as the Salvation A.rmy, led by enthusiasts, who combine the simplicity of true piety with a large share of extraordinary common sense. Tile New Crusaders, unlike their prototypes of old, are sweeping gradually, not only throughout the whole of Europe, but over the whole face of the globe, led by the same old watchword “God Wills it.” The new crusade is eminently a practical one. It is seeking for no earthly ideal, no conquest and occupation of a territorial sacred city, but has for its goal the moral and spiritual welfare and advancement of the people. It may be said of this new crusade, as M. Guizot, in his lectures on European civilisation, said of the earlier crusades : “That their work is a step toward the enfranchisement,of the human mind.”

The Salvation Army took its rise in the year 1865, when the Rev William Booth, a member of the Methodist New Connection ministry from 1850 to 1861, but Who left the ministry in consequence of -his desire to work as an evangelist, started in the East End of- London what he termed a Christian mission, which he carried on very successful, until 18?8 he launched out into a wider formation,, a quasi-military organisation, which became known as the Salvation Army. Mr Booth, ably assisted by a clever wife, who, possesses great powers as a put forth an extraordinary amount of energy, and by reason of his power of infusing that same energy into others the organisation rapidly spread, and to-day the Army is found in every part of the world where the English language is spoken, ae well as being represented iil many parts of the Continent of Europe, India, and China, the West Indies, and elsewhere, At the end of the year 1887 the Army had 2262 “ corps,” with 5084 officers, and had some 150,000 members. The revenue of the Army for that year in the Home district \vasL2l,266, independently of the receipts for the colonies and the Continent, which amounted to L 47,776. Large sums were also separately received for the building fund, and a' large amount of profit was made out of a trading department connected with the movement. The Army possesses a' training home for officers, situate at Clapton,' in the east of the metropolis, and called “The Congress Hall.” In connection with the Salvation Army at Home, there exists a juvenile branch known as the Young Soldiers’ Corps, consisting of 444 corps. Another feature is the establishment of homes for fallen women and for rescued convicts of both sexes,, as well as an orphanage for children. In June,1885, a “naval” brigade was formed principally for work amongst sailors and the fishermen of the coast. The headquarters of the Army is situate at 101, Queen Victoria-street, London,. E.C. There are several publications issued on the work of the-Army —the “War Cry” and tlie “Young Soldier” weekly, .and “All the World ”monthly. - The depot or “ barracks ” of the Salvation Army in Wellington is situate, in Taranaki-street, and is a large irregularshaped building, capable of holding at least a couple of thousand' worshippers. : The present officer in charge is Captain Ross. At the time of my visit on Sunday the meeting was conducted by Colonel and Mrs Taylor (late of India), Major Lovelock, Captain and Mrs Holdaway and others. Captain Ross is a man apparently about 45 years of ag“, of medium height and spare build. In bis appearance he has tlie look of an ascetic. His face is pale and thin, with a look of restless energy, yet patient resignation to the work he has on hand. His voice is clear and far-reaching, and he has a choice command of words. His head is small and well set upon his shoulders. Bis leading traits are deep humility, broad benevolence, large sympathy, firm ..conscientiousness, great de-

termination and energy, and, although a “soldier,” his combati veil ess is small. His powers of discrimination are well marked, and his reasoning faculties are prominent. As a speaker he is naturally fluent, but his words were guarded and well thought out. His tone implies great earnestness and sincerity,' and the true magnetic ring of his voice carries the conviction that he thoroughly .believes in what he says. TTia addresses are eminently characteristic of thf evangelical work of the Army. Tliere is no rattling of the dry bones of theology, no fighting with words over the distinction of class or creed, but his sentences seem to c °nie direct from the heart full of viir>, crisp, curt, and to tlie poirit,- and devoid, perhaps, of the polished literary language of the studied theologian. . Untrammeled by the past traditions of a section or class, he has the great advantage of being able to speak with boldness, in a tongue the people know, the message of his mission.

When first the Army made its appearance, both at Home and in the colonies, the voice of decision was heard, from every quarter. The clerical, civic, and general world were up in arms against it. It was ridiculed as fanatical, grotesque,, and, utterly out of place in a civilised country.V-It came as a new factor in. the religious world, „ and, like many other new ideas, - was not at-first understood. Its vehement style of preaching was put down as blasphemous ; but- as time wore on, the world Began to find out that the Army had a deeper mission .than eccentric addresses and vivid colors. Those who only , view the work of the Army from the street parades and outdoor meetings, can have' little -idea of the great Work the Army are engaged in. In this as well as ill other cities , the officers of the army, being able.to throw off the “ caste ” which ruins so many wellmeant efforts, penetrate the darker side Of life,v and not - with empty Words of so-called comfort and consolation, but with’ doughty deeds of practical assistance stretch forth the right hand of fellowship to the Pariahs and Ishmaelites of society. Their work of rescuing the lost is too well known now to need any comment. Bub one point is specially noticeable, and that : is the confidence which is reposed in them. A few days ago tlie parents down South of an erring one who had wandered to the capital city, and who was lost to sight and knowledge, apphed to the police to search for her, adding - tlie request that the police' would', ask: thW“ Army” -to take charge of JieiV ‘.ThoSe' Sorrowing parents in their.grief felt the’value of "the vAriny as “ a towet of refuge for the fugitive.” In the dark places of this city, where sin and shame, want and suffering abound, the. “officers” are ever on duty, preaching a practical religion, a tangible creed.