Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1883-12-27
sNOW, sLUsH, sLEET, SALVATION.
Wilmington Invaded by a Detach-
mept OF the Noisy Salvation Army
-SOlicitOua for CITY Officials.

-SohcitOuh IOr S1ty Omclhis.
detachment OF the salvation army,
numbering in rank and file 28 persons,
arrived in this city Tuesday afternoon,
fully equipped and in readiness to con-
duct an active campaign against Woe and
sin, which the members think are ram
pant here and everywhere.
The brigade consists OF ID men, the
same number of women, boy and a girl.
The men with few exceptions are raw re-
cruits, but have buokled on the armor of
vetrans and expect to do most effective
battle against evil in this city. They
profess to be hopeful Of a great harvest
here and are expectaut of a general refor-
motion of the morals of the community
LONELINESS and Cracked voices are the
prominent characteristics Of the female
warriors, although there ia one comely
woman in the battalion, who has recently
recruited and already won the epaulettes
of lieutenant in reward for her persua-
siyeness and eloquence 10 setting sinners
on the right track.
Directly upon arriving here, the de-
ta0hment marched in Il body to the city
hall, where prayers were said for the
mayor, chief of police, sergeants and
patrolmen, clerk, members and bailiff of
City Council and various city officials.
The salvs.ioniBts declare that officials
directing the affairs of government,
should be fortified with prayer, hence the
inaugural movement was directed to the
heads of various departments. Con-
tinuing blessings will be asked during
the campaign for subofdinates, merchants,
manufacturers, private citizens and
saloon keepers. To the last named mul,
titude especial attention will be directed
and every effort exerted to convert and
gather them into the army OF rapid pro-
motions.
Undisturbed by the driving rain and
sieet, the enthusiastic detachment formed
itself into hollow square and opened it's
campaign with services in front OF the
city hall. A large crowd quickly assem-
bled about the gossamer- informed army
and enjoyed the services exceedingly.
The captain ordered the services to
begin with the hymn, "A million souls
in he'll are frying" which was sang in a
disj0inted style, but with an earnestness
that enlisted the voices of the audience
in the refrain. A young man with the
insignia of lieutenant on his sleeves
followed with an address.
At his opening the comedy sister-in-
arms pointed to him and triumphantly
asked: "How's that for a two weeks
old" (meaning that time in the .service),
to which gallant eldery man in the
audience after adjusting his glasses and
scrutinizing the officer, replied: "He's
the biggest child for his age l ever saw"
The crowd frequently amused itself by
jeering the army, and the laughter
ma drn of 40
speakers voice, when the campaigner's
would force itself to be heard in song, and
sing until comparative order was restored.
AS an accompaniment to the vocal exer-
tions of the detachment, two of the
women madly beat tambourines, and two
of the men pounded their kettle drums
energetioally. Christmas horns blown at
intervals during the singing did not add
materially to its attraotiveness nor did it
interfere with the progress of the cam
paign inaugurated.
In the midst OF the opening skirmish,
an avalanche OF snow slid with crash
from city hall roof IN the midst of the
worshipers. This happening did not dis
turb the even tenor of the worshipers'
way and the meeting continued without
interruption for sometime and threatened
never to adjourn as long as any hearers
remained.
About 4 o'clock, however, some one
gave the fire alarm bell a tap, which
dispersed the crowd in few minutes and
ended the meeting. The army then took
up its march down Market street to the
drums measures and the jingle OF the
tsmbourine. 1t is stated that rendezvous
or barracks will be established over
Third street bridge, but that meetings
| city.