THE SALVATION ARMY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 27

THE SALVATION ARMY.

US HISTORY IN NEW ZEALAND FROM 1883 TO 1886. FORTY THIRD AONIVERSARY. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least oi these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Forty-three years ago there set foot in Dunedin a band of men representative of the true charity, the great Christian organisation known as the Salvation Army, founded by that grand old man, General Booth. On March 29, 1883. they began their first campaign in New Zealand with the publication in the Otago Daily Times of an advertisement announcing the arrival fro:/. IhgLind of "Rev. W. Booth, general," and giving notice of a meeting in the Temperance Hall, Moray place, on Sunday. April 1, 1883, at 7 11. 3, and 7 “led by Captain Pollard and Captain and Mrs Burfoot. Continued every night at 8." NEWSPAPER COMMENT. The following editorial comment greeted their trrivil in Dunedin:— “We notice that a detachment of the Salvation Army has arrived in Dunedin. It is however, sincerely to be hoped that our streets may never be disgraced by scenes like those which have been too common of late in some parts of London. We have, it Is true, a good many larrikins, small and great—they are not to be nascwl in the same breath with the London roughs. ‘No serious disturbance need be feared in our good town. Let them remember, too, that the Salvationists have come for no evil purpose they, in fact, design our highest good, and however much we may object to their peculiar method, we have to treat them with courtesy and respect which t’| ;ir good intentions deserye. We think, indeed, they might very well have stayed at Home. Although our population is not by any means exemplary, as it should be, _it is yet not of the kind to be attracted or edified by the evangelical fife and kettle drum.

“What may be considered the slums of an old city would be quite out of place in D«j»9din. Let us hope that the good chaiacter which we claim for our citizens high and low will not be tarnished during the sojourn of the Salvationists." Then, on Monday, April 1833. it is reported that: “Salvation Army services in the Temperance Hall were largely attended. It would seem the evangelists have a charm for members outside regular church-goers," later: “There was a decidedly rowdy scene last night at the entrance to the Temperance Hall. During the progress of the Salvation Army meeting an enormous crowd of vouths came simply to pass their time in shouting snatches of hymns, giving vent to catcalls. The noise reminded one of what goes on in the pit of a theatre on a Saturday night. A constable tried to maintain order for some time, but quite unsuccessful. It was a pity he did not see his way to arrest some of tho more prominent erf the rowdies. The police should adopt some means of putting a stop to such scenes on a Sunday night.” On April 16. 1883, it is on record that, “The detachment of the Salvation Army which has been dispatched in New Zealand may now be considered fairly domij.led at the Tempeiance Hall and a few comments on their mode of working may not be uninteresting and out of place. So far as regards the ordinary services conducted on Sundays and during the week by the Captain in command there is not much that is nnvel or particularly startling as may have been expected from reports of the doings of the Army elsewhere." The Otago Daily Times remarked that tho tone is not the most lofty and the proceedings are decidedly such as will recommend themselves mainly to the uncultivated section of the community, but on the part of the officers and the immediate following of the Army there is perhaps more good sense and earnestness than was looked for. The remarks and actions of the leaders tend rather to promote a devotional aided by a mild hysteria than any of those ebullitions which have unfortunately been too frequent. If. however, the stranger succeeded in forcing his way into the interior he would see a great deal that was questionable, but nothing that was scandalous. It not infrequently becomes necessary for the captain to pause and address a few words to the gallery, but such remonstrance invariably has its due effect. As regards the service itself, it is of the rough and ready style, and most especially is it ready. The officers literally stand shoulder to shoulder in the breach, and there are no awkward gaps or pauses in the proceedings. Their oratory is not of a very refined or impressionable description, but it is vigorous, and no sooner has one speaker drawn to the close of his remarks than his brother in arms is actually at his elbow to carry on the parable. Nearly a month later a report states that “both the captains who opened the campaign in Dunedin are temporarily engaged elsewhere, and Captain Edwards, assisted by his wife, fills the breach. On his first meeting here the behaviour of Captain Edwards on the platform was so eccentric as to provoke some comment, and called forth a few words of explanation from his brother officer. His manner has, however, since become much quieter, and his efforts appear to be decidedly better appreciated in consequence. The first tea meeting of the Salvation Army was held in the Garrison Hall on Tuesday, May 29. It was attended by 1600 people, and was no doubt the largest gathering of the kind ever held in the colony up till that time. The after-meeting was attended by upwards of 2500 people. Captain Pollard presided, and was assisted by Captain Burfoot, Captains Wright and Smith. Staff-officer Matthews. Captain Pollard announced that a New Zealand War Cry would be published, and the first number was issued in June of that year. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. From those small beginnings the Salvation Army has grown to what it is to-day —a power for good throughout the land. To commemorate the arrival in Dunedin of the first representatives of the Army, it has been decided to hold a series of anniversary services commencing

to-day, when there will be a grand reunion service in the afternoon and an open-air demonstration at the Fountain. It had been arranged that Commissioner and Mrs Hoggard should conduct the Sunday services, but the commissioner is indisposed, and his place will therefore be taken by Colonel Gunn (field secretary), who will arrive from Wellington to-day. On Monday there will be an entertainment by the City, South, and North Corps of the Army Bands. COMMANDING OFFICERS. The following is a list of the Dunedin City Corps commanding officers from 1883 till 1926: Captains Burfoot, Beddingfield, Edwards, Foster, Jackson, Smith, Garbut, Field, Robinson, Thomson, Barnard, Veitch, Foote, Cutler, Wilson, Crossby, Astley, Cook, Chappel, Mackie, Rowley, Toomer, Simmonds, Adjutants Tyler, Hatcher, Ensigns Rupprecht, Cross, Adjutant Burton, Ensign M‘Lure, Staff-cap-tains Bridges, Rust, Adjutant Jarvis, Staff-captains Lonnie, E. Dixon, Adjutant Thurkettle, Staff-captain Newby, Adjutants J. Dixon, Sansom, Middlemiss, Wyatt, Smith, Avenal, Ensign M‘Kenzie, Commandant Simpson, Adjutant Hanford, Ensigns Atherfold, Fraser, Goffin, Captains Bridge and Montgomery.