Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-06-13

II suppose we shah haveit. Probably
there is no escape. Fsnsticisn u IS
contagious az smallpox"
TO what do you allude? We in
quired. with some fear and trembling.
thinking that perhaps some fearful ca
IaDiiy was hanging over our city.
To the coming wave of religious ex-
citement and turmoil, known as the Sal
walton Army. Human beings are SO
constituted that seasons of novelty aud
unrest seem to be q necessity. One
would suppose there were religions scots
enough now in existence to satisfy the
whims and caprices of the human mind.
Not so. Every few years there IL a new
doctrine or new form of government
inaueurated, causing more or less dis
turbance and the breaking mp of old
forms and customs. You remember the
crusade against intemperancs. saw
its birth, its highest wave of excitement,
and its death. Were the results salts
factory Did the harvest pay for the
immense wear and tear on body and
mind? think rot.
The Moody and Sanksy revivals had
their run. And now from the East we
are threatened with q new invasion
The Salvation Army is landed, and oui
country il to be upset, tossed and whirl-
ed about on a sea of religious excite
Glent and fanaticism. Do not mison.
derstand me. / am not member oil
the Liberal League. On the contrary
am a firm believer in the Christian re-
ligion. Bot this Salvation Army | looi
upon with distrust."
What ia it's history"
1t had its origIL in the lowest dreg'
of East London society, if the word 30
ciety can be applied to suoh wrecks o.
humanity as that part of the city at
fords. Its originator and sponsor VA
William Booth, a Methodist preacher
and a very able man. In 1861 he lef
the Methodist Church and began preach
| ing on his own responsibility among tht
very worst elements of that modern
Babylon. After years of labor he sue
ceeded in forming little band OF fol
lowers. He facetio1sly called them hi
Salvation Army.
thus far ne objection could be raiset
against them. Had they conientet
themselves with the usual methods o
worship or Of propagatinR their faith
no one would have said a word to dis
courage them. Possibly their shrewes
leader knew IL he could get his littl'
band prosecuted il would bring then
before the public, enlist sympathy ant
result in increased numbers and sup
port. The band paraded the streets o
London at all hours, singing, shoutin,
and praying like lot of inspired luna
tics. They we're stoned and mobbed
arrested and prosecuted, and prosecuted
in return, until the attention of al
England was attracted to them. D
course they increased in numbers
There can be no movement or doctrine
started that IL too absurd 90 obtain fol
lowers. At this time the army bal
iabout 5000 soldiers" under the com
mand of 800 officers" They have 20l
barracks" or meeting houses. Abou
four years ago General Moore ana
six of his staff landed in New York AND
began the old plan of parading th,
streets. They we're promptly mobbed
Moore was arrested az a common nui
sance and imprisoned. Sympathizers
focked to him and converts to his band
until now they number 5000 in that cit,
alone.
Are these doctrines so very objeo
| tionable p We asked.
20, no. On the contrary, they arr
quite orthodox. They believe in an ON
niscient, omnipresent God and in the
loving favor of His son Jesus. They
believe IN utter ruin through the fall
salvation through Christ, heaven for the
righteous and hell for the wicked. /,
is this obtrusive and annoying method
of propagating their faith and carrying
on their work that refuses the public
against them. They have chosen al
their peculiar field of labor the worst
elements Of city life-thieves, gamblers
and fallen women. They have courage
and faith. for they go into dens and
dives where no ordinary minister dare
go, and where, indeed, IL is dangerous
for any respectable person to be.
Let rs hope that our city is not large
enough nor wicked enough to attract
the attentions of the Salvation Army"
Az We left We heard the Growler say
ing something about Tacoma having the
necessary qualities and attractions for
the army, but we thought best not to
note down the Ill natured reflection.