The Portland daily press., 1885-01-15

A0RPy OAAy anna tGe ScCOMd
Maiue Corps with Celors.
Captain Happy Bill Gray, his Saved Wife
and Lieutenant Singing Alice Aldred were re-
splendent In their glory last evening, the oc-
casion being the presentation of colors to the
Second Maine Corps, Salvation Army OF Port
land, organized, commanded and led by them
Jointly and severally in bloody war against
the Devil and his wicked works.
few weeks ago, on cold Sabbath morn
ing in November, the old Market Square was
rife with people, who came focking from the
streets and alleys By. the hundred and clustered
and pushed, and stared around little squad
OF savationists, SO curious were they to view
the services of the far-famed army. They were
redoubtabs; they sang and prayed long and
earnestly; they made an impression. Gesticu-
latlng and banging his hallelujah tambouriDe
incassantly, matched Captain Happy Bill
Gray, with the magnetism OF the Pied Piper OF
Haml1n, and the number of children Of sin
that followed him into the wonderous cavern
OF salvation was marvellous. That evening,
Captain Bill Gray stood upon the platform
and asked for stove and some one else for
home. These we're given Gand from that
night the barracks have bsen OVERLOOKING with
the sinner, the drunkard, the infdel and the
Christian. Egerytlme he cast the hallelujah
line he made good catch, because his bait
was good; his avaricionsness for souls devel-
opsd with the enlargement OF his flock; he
prayed for big drum, and he got it. Then it
vas that he aud his little army invaded the
Fora and Gaufro ctroa sfol
the Devil was raging in the shape of snow
balls and pieces OF ice;" but he conquered ''his
satanic majesty and they all got beautifully
saved"
In the freezing blizzard and the binding
sleet and rain We have heard the heavy boom
OF the bass drum, the "hallelujah" and "the
new Jerusalem" mingled with the din of tam
bourines and the derisive shouts of thous ands
Sin in all its form has sought in curiosity Cap
tain Gray. Knocked him with stamping fest and
jssrs, heard his "God bless you"; it had a
pleasing influence on the spirits and CONVEX
sion followed. The first five weeks 115 con-
verts were gained and the army has increased
since till it now numbers about 200.
In the parade last evening the Portland Sal
vationists marched with full ranks and were
formed in the following order:
Captain Happy Bill Gray.
The Saved Wife and Lieut.. Singing Alice, Major
staF-captains Shirley. Walsh. hampton. Bill
Dean, Hallelujah George, Captain Dale,
Hallelujah Band
Hallelujah Lads and Lassies.
Pearl, Congress, Brown, Free and Middle
streets were included in the route OF the pro-
cession and the line was noisy one, the ac-
cession of cornets, banjoes, concertinss and ex-
ira tambournes adding peculiar clash and
din to the chorus Of theswarriors.
Meantime over five hundred curious and ex-
Dectant people had taken the precaution to se-
cure sitting room at the barracks and the ap-
pearance of Captain Happy Gray and his saved
army advancing to the inspiring music of the
band was the signal for . laundering volley OF
hsllelujahs and admiring cheers.
Major Frank Smith in opening the free
and easy" announced the hymn beginning
"We are bound for the land OF the pure and
the holy" which was sung by the soldiers
standing, to the accompaniment of every
musical instrument in the hall from the ring
ing tambourne to the big bass drum.
1--WE have various ways of going to that
land" said the Major, 1--WE can march there or
60 on our knees. Let's go on our knees"
(Amen, amen) The knee drill succeeded to
the song lis I, 'Ts l."
Afterwards Hallelujah Sailor, the Bold Nc
Donald, Harry Lopez, Drum Major AL Dunphy
and others OF Portland recounted their ex-
perieDces in the field and were followed by
Capt hampton, the Salvation Jumping Jack"
of Haverhill, who favored the congregation
with the solo "What the Salvation Army has
done for Jimmie and Me-" The remarks of
Mother Mclean and her son. Capt. Bill Dean
and his Saved Wife of saco were interspersed
with baHJo and song by Capt. Walsh.
Halleluiah George, the Prophet and Saved
Snowfall, is a negro in the decline OF life and
wears dark suit matted hair and military
collar. Said he in his feeble voice: "I know
the people understand that 1 would never
got up here (smiling) to speak if did not get
up for the Almighty; and want you people to
understand that know something about this
Lord. You know you people used to get up
songs "The Gospel Train Am Coming have
got on that train, you understand. You know
very we'll when l said that loved God that /
do with all my heart. 1t is three weeks since
I went into it, and before that I led dreadful
life. You have seen me at Old Orchard Beach
and dozens OF other places. (Laughter.) They
told me that when came to Portland I would
get mobbed (Brolopged lsughter); but when I
came here they said to me Here's the old
Niger" (Laughter) Now if you 90 to
Heaven you will find niggers there, and If you
go to he'll you will find them there too.
(Laughter.)
Captain Dale, the Saved Hoodlum and the
Saved Rumseller OF Boston, occupied the time
until Major Frank Smith arose to present the
coiors. Major Smith is light complexioned,
dresses in a modestly trimmed army suit. wears
glasses and short beard and brushes his hair
straight backward.
The Major, after lengthy introductory
touching upon the motives by which the Sal
vation army is inspired in it's work ard numer-
GUS incidents showing the goodness attained
by enlisting, presented Captain Happy Gray,
his wife and Lieut.. Alice with the stand of
colers The embematic colors of the banner
are yellow, red and blue; gilt star stands out
in the centre of a red background, aDd the
Stars and Stripes, signifying freedom, may be
seen at an upper corner. The American eagle
surmounts the whole.
Captain Happy Gray, upon the reception of
the banner, assured Major Smith of his ever
lasting faith in his work and his fearlessness to
bear the banner among the lowest haunts of
sin. ut was my intention" said Captain
Gray in conclusion, THAT Al Parker, who was
our first saved drunkard and whom YOU all
know, should be our color sergeant but he is
now very sick, lying at the point of death, and
his mother says he is happy in his salvation"
Macdonald the Bold was then given the
colors. after which the 'free and easy" re.
solved into the "second meeting" ard many
souls were won.
Personal.
n.