The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-11

squelch him, but they cannot. He is always
bObbing up and is constantly putting something
new on the boards. The wrinkle this week was
a great salvation wedding" Many marriages
might consistently be spoken of in these terms,
but this was a wedding performed according to
the rites and ceremonies of the army that goes
by that name. The place was Exeter Hall, and
the high contracting parties Sergeant M.
Deborah Lydia Parkyn and Commits
sioner Raiton, the intrepid warrior who,
four years ago, in company with seven hallelu-
iah lasses, invaded the United States. His cam
pagn there was not crowned with anything very
striking in the way of success, but in the field Of
love he seems to have been more fortunate.
Now for the wedding ceremony. Most brides
like to have the minister make it short but in
this instance no such request could have been
made, or, if made, was not complied with, for
the fact is that the entire proceedings connected
with the wedding lasted about twelve hours
-Four thousand people were present, all admitted
by ticket, and such scramble as there was for
these precious pieces Of pasteboard little after
9 A. NJ. the singing and praying began. Some
songs had been specially composed for the occa-
sion, one of these being entitled 1.-THE Marriage
Supper of the Lamb" The throne of grace was
vociferously besought for upwards of an hour,
and if the newly joined pair do not have a
prosperous voyage it will certainly not
be from an failure on the part of friends to in
form the Divine Being how he must deal with
them. Everything was stacy and sensational
Il hand you this ring, said the General TO
put upon your wifes finger, as sign that the
Salvation Army looks upon this as a salvation
wedding" II put this ring upon your finger,
said the groom to the BRIDE 'as continual sign
that are married under the solemn pledges
we have this day given to live and fight for God
and the Salvation Army" The couple had to de-
clare I'VE do not seek this mar
riage simply to please ourselves but
that believe it will enable us to
better serve and please God, and work in the
interests of the Salvation Army" and were re-
quired to promise ALWAYS to regard and arrange
their house in every way a Salvation Army
soldiers Tor of1icers quarters and to train every
one in it to faithful service in the army
Then, more praying, more singing, and some
speeches, the leading addresses being made by
Mr.. and Mrs. Railton. Finally came the newt
able collection, and then every one was happy,
for if General Booth were ever to fail in intro
ducing a little ceremony of this kind into
any Of his assemblages, general suspicion would
arise that things were going wrong SO ways on
this marvellous organization. 1t has queer ways,
and often as in this instance resorts to ques-
tionable methods for keeping public interest
alive Still, it is doing much good and, as an
American bishop said recently, has more vital
ity in it than any church in Great Britain" 1t
is hercely opposed, but it seems to grow, and Is
never so happy and hopeful, apparently, as when
its enemies trying to crush out its life.
report just issued shows thirty-four buildings to
have been erected during last year at cost of
$110, 900. These provide sitting accommodations
for DC, 900 people, and sixteen others are in proc
ess of construction which will seat at least half
as many more.
Your readers will not have forgotten Mr..
Charles Russell, @. c., leading counsel for the
defense of O'Donnell, and they will remember
his recent visit to the United States in company
with Lord Coleridge. He has given his impress
ions of our country. Being an Irishman and a
Catholic he very appropriately addressed an
audience of his fellow countrymen, the
meeting being presided over by the Catholic
Primate of Ireland. His opinions are on the
whole favorable He regrets having found SO
many Irish people in the large cities where they
are so hard worked and so poorly paid, and he
has few words of censure for us in reference to
our treatment of the Indians. Beyond this he
speaks only in praise, He very much admires
the spirit of equality that prevails, and says
that we are we'll hammered, good tempered, gen
erous, and tolerant of opinions differing from
our own. So we may courteously lift our hat to
him. HIT.