The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-03
THE OPENING SKIRMISH.
The Salvation Army Makes Its First
Onslaught on Satan's Hordes.
How Captain Bosser Proposes to Conduct
His Campaign-Where the Recruits
Are Expected to Come From.

The Salvation Army, consisting Of Captain ].
W. Blosser and uniform, has begun the work
OF recruiting division in this city. A meeting
was held yesterday afternoon in Englisns Me-
Tldian-street hall, and there were about
hundred persons in attendance. The usual de-
votional services in singing and exhortation
were held, and the system of work
planned by Captain Blosser. 1t is not likely that
the regular army work will be entered upon
actively for several days yet, and the meet
ing yesterday was in the nature of a
preliminary skirmish Another meeting was
held last night. A crowd of about a hundred
people gathered in Circle Park, where they
formed in line, and under the command of Cap
tain Blosser, marched to Meridian Hall at 7:45
O'Clock. In the march the captain cheered his
followers by loudly shouting, when the battle
is over we shall wear a crown" The services
were much the same during the afternoon.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY.
The organization known as the Salvation
Army has been in existence about
five years, and it is the out
growth of an evangelical work begun sew
enteen years ago by Rev. VIM. Booth among
the poor people in the streets of London He
was assisted in his work by a number of people
i'll and about London, who acted under his in
structions; This system of evangelical work
grew until the idea of organizing it upon the
principle OF an army of workers was suggested.
The organization Uf the Salvation Army was
the result. The work is conducted upon militia
ry principles. The army was first organized IN
this country three years ago, and il began work
simultaneously in Philadelphia and New York
There are now thirty five stations, sixty officers
and about 5000 soldiers in the United States.
What are the tactics (tactics is military upon
which you work2' asked % journal reporter, who
mad been detailed as war correspondent OF the
salvation Army, OF Captain Blosser, yesterday.
SYSTEM OF A CAMPAIGN.
I'VE are a regular army" he replied. 1--WE
have officers in command of the work-a cap
tain, a lieutenant and sergeant-and every
person who joins the army becomes one of the
active soldiers IN the work. In our meetings all
are given an opportunity to talk, just as at
class-meeting. We join in procession when we
want to go to place to hold
meeting, and we march there After awhile,
when the army here becomes large enough. we
Will have fiag which will be carried at the
head of the procession. The style of the flag in
this country Is blue, with red border In the
corner are the colors of the American flag and in
the center there is an inscription BLOOD
and fire." with the number of the division
beneath. In this city it Will be the second Iudi-
ana division of the Salvation Army"
sis there already division of the army in
Indiana2"
'Yes, the first division is at New Albany. I
mustered an army there last April. The work is
being continued and the army is growing Since
then have been resting"
Twill the army visit public places in body to
sing and make eXhOrtationsP
owe visit public places, but only to talk and
quietly persuade persons to become converts.
We do not storm saloons as the crusaders did.
When we want to hold meeting at public
place the army marches to the spot and forms
circle, facing the center When any OF the Off
GERS or soldiers desire to speak they step to the
center of the circle. and when they have con-
cluded their remarks they return to their
places. Inc spectators remain on the OUTSIDE OF
the circle, but when any become converted they
join u.s."
"Among what classes of people do you work
most 2"
"Among the people on the street who never at
tend church. We work most with the people
that are found about saloons-the Incorporate
and the gamblers"
when will you begin skirmishing2"
"Not until the army has mustered in recruits
enough to fairly open the campaign. however,
l think we will be able to open the battle in a
few days"
THE ARMY's INTENTIONS.
'"The army will need some drillng2" was the
interrogative suggestion of a fresh young man.
eyes"
own it enter the free-for-an contest next en-
campmeut-first prize 1900, you know"
81 think not; the army is not a crack-drill
organization. There are women in the army"
"You might get the prize cup ON clean quar-
GeFs."
II guess Wen not try" s.-
ado you enforce the regular army order
against the soldiers playing pOker?"
1.-The army does not allow poker playing
''The gamblers will all desert then, sure"
''Would you like to have a few tough soldiers
who would make good night senrines?' inquired
the fresh young man, after moments pause.
at is the sinners that we wish to gather into
the camp"
"well, know just the fellows that you ought
to have"
VINO, please4' was the mild inquiry.
"The HaydeAs."
"Who are the HaydensP
''They are body of young men who sit up all
night to keep from sleeping, and sleep all day
to keep from eating"
"Ah, they ought to belong to the army"
"Yes, they would make good fOraging
party"