The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-26
The Anglican Church and the
Salvation Army.

seems to us, In the attitude of many Eng
lish Churchmen toward the Salvation
Army. Not few Non-conformists have
uttered notes Of warning respecting the
methods and organization of this singular
movement, and its magnificent success, it
cannot be denied, has been won against
much opposition, both secret and out
spoken. 1t has received the cold shout
der in many instances, where it might
reasonably have expected warm encour-
agement; but its stations, its corps, it's
officers, and its ranks have been growing
at an almost unprecedented rate and it's
success as an evangelizing agency placed
beyond doubt. 1t reports 312 stations,
against so in 1876; it has $4,000 trained
speakers, where it had 7,036 in 1878;
and its circulates 100000 copies of its
organ, TIE War Org, where it formerly
circulated 1900. We have observed
that the Church of England has put as
few obstacles in its way as any denomi-
nation with which it has come in con-
tact, and it will be singular reversal of
the relative positions of Churchmen and
Non conformists in the past if the chief
patron and helper of the Salvation Army
should be the Church. 1t would be a
master stroke for the latter. We sup
pose that it will not be denied that the
Non-conformist bodies do little more for
the lower classes of the population than
the State Church, and that these heather
might as well be in Kamtchatka so far
as efforts for their coversion is concerned.
The charity of the Establishment is a
magnificent thing, but it is reached out
from too exalted a position The con-
decension is too apparent. In short, the
Church is too respectable. 1t is too re-
fined too elevated, too circumspect to 90
into the highways and hedges, to 90
down into the cutters and get under the
miserable and vicious and degraded and
lift them up; and other denominations
have cought much of their spirit, and,
while all point to the condition of by
ways and slums of the great cities, and
inquire annually or oftener what can be
done for the benefit of the unsaved
masses, they are helpless in presence of
the difficulties.
The Salvation Army, with its military
titles and pageant, its rude, unrefned
methods, its rough unlettered heralds,
undertakes this neglected work, and Gull
tivated Christians stand aloof and COM
plain of the manner of pulling men out
of the mud, who otherwise would have
boon left there to rot. There is no ques-
ton as TO the character of the results.
They are pronounced to be good; but the
organization is despOtic; its unlettered
preachers and converts shock refined
ears by their irreverence; they misquote
and mlsapply Scripture Ooh rare fault) ;
there are many abuses; there is much un-
sound teaching, and, withal, no complete
system for the care and instruction of
new members. These critisms are not to
be despised. The future of the move
ment is a matter of concern; but that
need not paralyze present action. This
problem is yet to be solved, and perhaT s
the Church of England will be found
broad enough and wise enough to help
in the solution.
Some of the Anglican bishops have
been giving attention to the work of the
Army" and speak strong words in its
favor. The Bishop of Bedford preached
to corps" of the Army" in his part
of London and conducted the services,
the soldiers doing the singing. He
spoke of the Indifferent masses which the
Church failed to save and which the
Army" was somehow awakening. eve
will have, said he, mo iealousies. Go,
in Gods name, and drag them out of the
mire, if you can. The Bishop of Oxford
spoke more cautiously in sermon de-
voted to the subject; but he said the
Church dare not forbid these Jealous
men or oppose them, lest haply it should
be found to be fighting against God.
A conference in the rural Deanery of
Ardwick has been discussing the relation
of the Army and the Church, and some
correspondence with Mr.. Booth, the
general" of the Army" was produced.
Mr. Booth wrote:
1--WE are much obliged for yours, with
account of discussion, which will, we
trust, do much good. You may rely
upon our always doing our utmost to
avoid controversy and to confne the at
tention of all under our control to the
great salvation work for which alone we
exist. The Bishop of Truro and DIR.
Westcott, of Cambridge, called here yes
terday, to inquire about the question oil
our relation to the Church. There is
evidently a very friendly feeling and
earnest desire to establish the best rela-
lions possible with us. But, of course, il
remains to be seen whether the Church
will be willing to recognize us Just such
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