The Salvation Army-Nuisance.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5108, 16 September 1884, Page 3

The Salvation ArmyNuisance.

♦ TO THE EDITOR OP THE STAR. Sir, — I am a householder, residing in Colombo street, a few yards from the South town belt. Every Saturday night lam disturbed by the usual "orgies" of the Salvation Army, the members of which hold forth on tlie green close to my house. The air is filled on these occasions with groans, hallelujahs, &c, hideous to listen to. Last Saturday night in particular this body of fanatics proved a thorough nuisance. Not satisfied with their noise, one of them, an old " Hallelujah Lass," had the impei'tinence to turn towards and spit at my wife, who was standing just outside the front door of my house. Now, sir, I want to know how long this sort of thing is to be permitted ? Can we wonder at breaches of the peace being committed, when these people are allowed to parade our streets, and treat their fellow creatures with contempt and contumacy. Trusting you will air this grievance, and help me to open the eyes of the public towards the disgraceful scenes enacted by this band of hoodlums to the utter annoyance and disgust of every right-thinking man and woman, — I am, &c, CAPTAIN M'LEOD, Late ship Mary Mildred. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, — Will you kindly permit me to say that vulgar invective with coarse adjective against religion has often been used before it occurred iv the recent letter of "A Sufferer," but religion is not yet dead. Brewers, publicans, and freethinkers have characterised religious people as a nuisance, before the proceedings of tho last City Council; but religion still survives. ! " Backslidings " of Christians have been ] quoted with great delight before a recent "backsliding" episode in the Salvation Army ; but religious truth still lives, and ; will live, she fact being that religion is not existent on feeling either pro or con. J But, sir, I think, in the interests of common sense, something like consistency should find a place at the table of the Council of this City ; for instance, if they would put a stop to the processions of the Salvation Army because of the band, why permit the Cathedral bells to ring at the same time ? If any alteration is made in the method of carrying out the poor man's religion, why should it not apply to the rich man's ? And the other bands, too, must not be allowed on the street. But I don't think it is the wish of any appreciable number of the citizens to alter any of these. I have no doubt the existence of the Army is a nuisance to some few men whose trade is antagonistic to the teaching of the Salvation Army, and they — like the three tailoi-3 of Tooley streethave constituted themselves into a nation. It is amusing to know that "A Sufferer" speaks for "Bath street and vicinity." What a big suit of clothes it must take to cover " Bath street and vicinity !" And then, Sir, it seems peculiar to grant extended liberty to the Freethinkers, by licensing the theatre for Sunday secular lectures, and at the same meeting to withdraw the existing liberty of the Salvationists to walk in procession. I would suggest to his Worship the Mayor and the honourable Councillors that, to be consistent, thoy should formally carry a resolution to alter the name of the city. — I am, &c, T. A.