THE SALVATION ARMY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3426, 21 September 1885, Page 4

THE SALVATION ARMY.

MARSHAL BOOTH'S VISIT. Three times tlio Salvation Army barracks was yesterday filled to its »rmo.-t caimcity with crowded and ontlmsiastie audiences to hear Marshal Ballington Booth, son ef Ger.eral Booth, the founder of this organisation. The Marshal arrived on Saturday by Hie express from Christchurch, and was met at the station by Major Pollard and Adjutant Graham., of the southern district. 'J he first meeting was of the character of a reception, commencing at seven o'clock 0:1 Saturday night, and the building was filled up m all parts. There was much demonstration and zeal and ardor on the part of the soldiers, and an enthusiastic meeting followed. The Marshal gave a resume of the work m the colonie3 and other parts of the world. Amongst other things he stated was that for Borne months he had been very anxious and m correspondence with the General concerning the invasion of China, and as the work is now progressing with such speed m all the colonies he was (anguine of the same results m the Celestial Empire, lie was now happy to stato that the way was open for commencing operations m that country, and it was proposed to eijuip a Chinese contingent under a European leader and to commence operations m Hong Kong or Canton. The War C,-i/, their official organ m the colonies, had reached a total circidation of 76,000, and averaging four readers each is3ue, this represented 301,000 readers weekly. They had some 160 stations, with over 300 officers, while the number of officers throughout the world reached a totnl of 2060, who wero controlling some 1050 stations. The circulation of the British War Cry was over half a million, aud there were not less than 300,t00 men and women who we«e marchiDg m their ranks ; all of whom abstained from intoxicating liquor, and tho majority of whom had abandoned the use of tobacco. Tbero was a largo Holiness mcetinj conTened yesterday morning, conducted by Majors Pollard and Barrett, at which a number came forward to consecrate themselves for service for the reclamation, of humanity. In the afternoon some time before the commencement of the meeting the building was crowded to its utmost capacity, when the usual zeal and enthusiasm was exhibited. The Marshal during his address gave an opinion of tho Salvation Army from two opposite standpoints, and stated that a leading infidel had admitted to him that they had m the organieation a power — he would not say it was God — nor, as the Army affirmed, the Holy Ghost. Sat that they had among th*m a power that changed the views of men raisiDg them from the level of insobriety, immorality and vice, to thst of sobriety, happiness and usefulness. He, the Marshal, could tell that infidel, at ho •was prepared to give abundant proof to the most biassed and critical, that the power was the reclaiming, rectifying power of Iho Holy Ghost. A clergyman had admitted to him that m one district of the coJonies the Saltation Army, through the instrumentality of two young female officers, scarcely out of their teeas, had accomplished more good than all tha previous efforts put forth by other organisations, and their simple earnest-levin" efforts had been crowned m the reclamation of 760 of the worst characters. This wss speaking of but one place. Had he time he could mention hundreds more of such cases. A ino«t enthusiastic meeting took place at night vrhen tho building was, if possible, even more crowded, the aisles ond porch being lined. The Marshal related eomecaseaof tbo recent disclosures of vice, and *pok» of some who had been reclaimed- from the social evil. At this meeting Majors Pollard and Barrett also assisted. The meeting closed with. 18 coming forward as " Seeders." We inderstand there arc some 10' Ifearers reached through the <"* -,000,000 weekly, and that branches o> organisation have been commenced m f . the movement and the former alreaH- jermany and Iluly, Cry. .y have a German War It may be the Army mentioned that contingents of ygVn.f" came m from Temuka, Pleasant i/aimato and elsewhere. To-ni"ht a meeting will take place, at which Major Pollard will "farewell" for New South Wales.