THE SALVATION ARMY.-A REPLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6739, 20 September 1883, Page 4

THE SALVATION ARMY.-A REPLY.

TO TUX XDITOB.

Sib,—The Salvation Army have denied the j report from the beginning to the end—which report appeared in the papers,—and, aa ene who was present, I deny the language waa used by Major Barker which is attribute^''.to him. The correspondents of the London Times have no right to deliver any'• opinion" '.on' General Booth's conduct re the tire'eian Theatre, as the case has to come before1 tbo Court yet again. : Allow me>to say that tho; Salvation Army officers travel about to;open* new stations, and each of these new*stations? costs large sums to support. , Besides,", the officers can account for every halfpenny they get: nst one farthing k spent on themselves. Charles Matthews may see these.accounts for bitaßelf by applying to the officers. They,(the; officers) do not travel the country like gentle* men;, but day and night they .are working'to' win souls. Charles Matthews quoted certain passages of Holy Writ'to .'the eiTaot that "wine gladdens the heart of man": but,' Charles Matthews, the Bible says: ''-Wine is a mocker; strong drink ia raging;" " Look not on the wino." You tell me, Mr Matthews, to , "study my Bible. If you had. studied jours,, ■you would see the Bible speaks of many kinds of wine—intoxicating and non-intoxicating.-: It i» itbe large quantity.of salt and poisons thai ara_ put into drink which makes men drunk. The" Salvation Army, you say, is. intoxicated; with; religion. Well, Sir, better to bis intoiic*ted L 'with religion—a good thing—than with drink, which is an evil thing. !"Be:filled'with'the • Spirit," says the Bible. "Can you ieJl me when, you saw the Salvationists in " hygtericg,'' Charles Matthews? You have never been in the Army.and yet you deny that there is more junity in the Army than . in .the' churches. iWell, Sir, I know that any.person maybe absent a year from the .churches, and. no one call to know the reason. Otifceijfriu the "Army and absent yourself once, someone is vent at once to know why. You say, Mr Matthews, that-tha officers of the Army are uneducated,-and mii-~-interpret the Bible. I have yet to learn that it requires learning to teach:men the way of salvation. ' Mr Matthewß, ,'yotf "lnow J better than the Saviour;' 'Didf; He choose" leirn'ed; men 1 Ho; the poor fishermen were' made - fishers of souls. I have read-■ tbe passages' yon •■■* asked me te, ;Mr MatthewSjV and .am/so blind as not to see any objections to tbe Army.You can misinterpret Scripture! to suit your side. p You made a serious charge of,]immorality publicly against the Army,'and your should prove it ; publicly andI":honourably;;' Hoping to" ccc you a Salvation BoldiSr&oon,1 Mr Matthews,—l am, &c 4 .-'.if-'t >, ;- ■ _:.:■'.■"-■■'-■■•""■■-•..'•. -i .VA'FfiiKm-.;/. Dunedm, September 19.. ;, /■;'■■■■;. ■*~ ■.!:=■ [This correspondence must: close here.—Ed. 0.U.T.3 .. .-•- .-/, i .,^y.'-:- ~,: ...;,,..