THE SALVATION ARMY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1385, 10 September 1887, Page 3

THE SALVATION ARMY.

(To the Editor.)

Sib, — Under the above heading, and over the signature "Old Soldier," you publish a rather remarkable rhapsody in which "Salvationists," " blackguardly demonstrations," " spiritual luminaries," " well clad congregations," and " orthodox clergymen " are considerably mixed up. It is, I think, to use an impressive but unusual phrase employed by your correspondent, a "matter of regret" that he did not confine himself to expressions of sympathy with and esteem for the " Army," instead of so rashly running atilt against " respectable churches," &o. On what grouida he feels -justified in entertaining "no doubt " about the personal views of the " six local clergymen" I cannot surmise. While endeavouring both to cherish and to exhibit a brotherly charity towards all who are earnestly and patiently contending againet evil, on the side of God, truth, and purity, I am afraid I do retain "a certain measure of contempt " for those who, because incapable of seeing more than a very small portion of a very great subject, heroically belabour straw figures erected by their own imagination foe the purpose of being knocked down. . This controversial trick is as old as controversy itself, but it has oo influence over thoughtful } and unprejudiced minds. Let me hasten to | say that, with regard to their prison-gate brigades, rescue homes, and other noble efforts to reform criminals anJ save outcasts, I sympathise with the Salvation Army moat heartily, and perhaps I have even given as I much practical evidence of my sympathy as j " Old Soldier " himself. I made myself thoroughly acquainted with their methods, organization and principles, aud tiie results of their work some years ago, and the effect of my investigation on my own opinion was marked, juat as I know whs the case with other enquirers, by three successive stages. First, a strong repugnance and disguat aroused by what seemed like utter charlatanry to the quiet, methodical worker, accompanied by suspicion that money-making was the grand motive of the movement, at any rate at " hoadquartere." Second, the removal of that aud other forms of prejudice, a growing conviction that amid other startling developments of a democratic era this was a natural, and on the whole, beneficial outbreak of ! democratic religionism. We hoped that extravagance, irreverence, <*na buffoonery would \ subside into regular.enrnest aud really spiritual work, such as the City Missions had been carI rying on quietly and unobtrnsively for half a | century. Third, a sense of deep disappoint* I went as it became increasingly evident that the army was to be a new, arrogant, blatant sect, warring quite as bitterly with " respectable churches as with the vices of the masses, and, like certain disciples of old, condemning | those 'who fallowed not with themselves.' I As a work of moral reform among the vicious and abandoned, Q-od bless and prosper the labours of the army ! As the latest and crudest By stem of Christianity, combining the evils of democracy and autocracy, we are bound to expose and condemn it, not from professional jealousy, as is so frequently and unjustly asserted, but because in those respects it is so manifestly opposed to the spirit and teaching of Him whose " Kingdom cometh not with observation," Who "shall not strive nor cry, nor shall any man hear His voice in tbe streets," the essence of whose religion is love which " vaunteth not hereelf, and doth not behave herself unseemly."— l am, &c, E. Dtteant Ceci£.