Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-08-23
SALVATION WEDDING.
Marriage Of Salvation Soldier and
Hallelujah Lass.
An Occaslom Of JustlnabIe Merry
Making-ssF1rlng . vOlley'' OF
salvaeioniss Cheers-A
Unique Affair.
Hamilton Spectator. ]

Hamilton SPECTATOR
Reader, didst ever see q hallelujah wed
ding. Probably not. Well in the first place
| 1t may bc said that the ceremony, in its IS
sential points, differs very little from an or
binary marriage ceremony in the most staid
and conservative church; but to these essen
| tials are added peculiar accompaniment
which make Of the hallelujah wedding a Ger
emory which stands by itself as something
wholly unique and inimitable
II took place in the drill shed The whole
east end Of the building was occupied by
salvation soldiers and hallelnjah lasses
sitting tier above tier, and packed
close together, like spectators in q
circus tent. Many of the soldiers and
lasses had bannerets Of blue, red and
yellow, which they moved on the slightest
provocation; a good many had tambourines
which they pounded and jingled when noise
Was needed and the remainder had handker.
chiefs, which they kept in hand ready to
move at a given signal There were 400 OF
500 Salvationists crowded together on these
| raised seats. There must have been 1,0Ol
people in the building besides the Salvation
ists-and they paid Is cents piece to get in
too
The bride was Capt Eliza Crosby, of Col
lngwood. and the bridegroom Capt Happy
Bill Cooper, the irrepressible commanding Of
ficer of the Hamilton corps. Before the ar
rival Of Maj. Moore the American com.
mander; and his staff, the army
amused itself by singing salvation
hymns set to popular tunes and
emily greet shout arose from the soldiers,
and all the occupants of the raised seats rose
70 their feet and waved their tamborines,
hnnderchiefs, bonnets and banners, cheering
vociferously. This demonstration meant
that Maj. Moore and his staff had arrived
The enthusiasm had hardly subsidized when a
big man with husky voice shouted: "Fire a
voiley for Maj. Moore!' and before he had
got the words out there burst forth II storm
Of "halIelujahs" and the banners, etc, were
wildly waved again.
The real services were begun by IL prayer
from Rev. Mr.. Thompson, the saved parson,"
who, after eighteen years in the Methodist
ministry, saw the error Of his ways. repcnted
of his sims, and Joined the army He offered
up rather curious invocation. "Oh, Lord"
he said. 1--WE know that you are not nverse to
weddings, for did you not go as guest to
the wedding at Cana in Galilecl Now we in
wife you here; we know you will come, and
you will he welcome"
After the prayer two or three rousing
hymns were sung. Maj. Moore then an
nounced that the ceremony was going to take
place, and Immediately there was hustle and
excitement among the spectators and crush
toward the platform. Soon the bride and
bridegroom emerged from the crowd of Off
GERS and stood opposite each other, sur
rounded by their friends. Happy Blis de-
meanor did not belle his name His pale,
livid face was wreathed with smiles He
stood in an easy, careless attitude, and all
through the ceremony made funny remarks
TO those standing near, and occasionally
would extend his arms to the soldiers with a
request that they should fire a volley," a re-
quest that always receiveda prompt response.
The bride was not nearly as self-possessed as
her chosen lord and master. She stood with
dropping eyelids and head bent, but her face
wore a quiet look of contentment She is q
nice looking person with trim figure and
demure pretty face.
Rev. MIR. Thompson now came forward
and took Maj. Moore's position and read the
tuSc oci VIZ VI VIC SuuISn III
England. When he made his first response
Happy Bill could not contain his enthusiasm,
but as soon as he uttered i'm a sonorous voice
the all important Il do" he waved his arms
towards the crowded seats and shouted fire
a volley" Immediately the big building
rang with hallelujahs.p "amcns!, the shriil
voices of the women rising high over this
mems heavy bass roars. The Salvationists
cheer is something worth hearing Talk
about the "hearty British cheer" or "the wild
American 'rah"
When the time came to place the ring on
the brides finger, Happy Bill dived into his
pocket for tho hoop Of gold. He fumbled for
u few seconds, and his face took on look Of
anxiety; bu: presently he produced the ring.
"The signet's all ready!' shouted Maj. Moore.
A roar of laughter followed, and OF course
there was a scattering fire of "hallelujahs"
from the brethren and sisters who could not
see what was going on. After while com
parative silence WINS restored, and the cere-
n on was resumed
"For better, for worse," said Bill, repeat
ing the words after the saved parson.
there's no worse about it!' shouted the
major, and the uproar broke out afresh.
The bridegroom then grasped the hand of
his bride and vigorously pushed the ring on
her third finger and as she held her hand
he repeated after the parson the
words to the effect that he bestowed upon
her all his worldly goods" As he uttered
the words he laughed outright at the ridicu-
Iousness Of tho idea. Maj. Coomhes shouted
He gives her all his worldly
goodsi Why he hain't got noneI'
Another outburst of laughter and cheers
followed this remark, and the ceremony was
finished before the hubbub subsidized. Only
the concluding words from the parson were
heard: "Nhom God has joined together let
no man put asunder" Then followed a per
Icct whirlwind of cheers, all the occupants
of the raised seats rising to their feet, way
ing their arms and straining their throats to
.he utmost Even the spectators
,aught the infection, and to
heir own surprise found themselves shout
ng too. After about five minutes Rev. Mr..
Thompson read that portion of Scripture
which sets forth the duties Of wives to their
husbands and OF husbands to their wives.
When this was concluded the brass band
truck up lively air which they played
through several times without variations.
Major Moore then stepped forward with n
arge Bible, which he placed in the hands of
he bridegroom He explained to the audi
nee that Happy Bill had earned it, for it
vas the custom Of the army TO present BIZ
DE to the first officer married in a division,
md Bill was the first who had been married
N Hamilton