The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-15

The Salvation Army is bringing into
disrepute the aims of that organization
l;v the stubborn acts Of some OF its inem-
bes. There is no denying the fact that it
has accomplished somegOod. It's methods
and manner Of worship reach q class that
cannot be touched by the voice from the
pulpit whose hearers sit in cushioned
pews. Bat allowing for the good the
Army has done, certain actions of some OF
its officers have brought cpprobium upon
It. No one denies the Army tho right to
parade through the streets in decent,
orderly manner; by this means it may
attract sinner to repentance. But when
it sets at defiance the laws and breaks
over the prophecies Of conduct and then n
defies the courts Of justice it is time to call
a halt.
In wilkesbarre disgraceful scene was
enacted last Sunday, in which "lady
member broke her tambourine over the
head Of q policeman who was trying to
keep order, and OH arresting her a cry OF
indignation went up which the police
Judge the next morning re-echoed by dis
charging her after he had given orders to
the police to see that the meetings OF the
salvation Army were conducted with
propriety and deconcy. This is only one
case. Similar circumstances have arisen
in various cities OF the country, and the
agyrayation has been invariably on the
side Of tho salvationists, so-called.
To hammera policeman. over the head
with q tambourine until the sheepskin is
a tanele Of shreds does not seem to the
critical observer tho mission of an angel
Of mercy or a messenger Of peace. Far
from 1t. Some OF tho members OF the
army pose in prison for violating munich
pal laws as martyrs, refusing iiberationon
n promise to do better. This is species
OF martyrdom that calls for condemns
ton. because there is no persecution in
1t, for as many souls can BIO saved by the
methods OF the Army by complying with
the provisions Of the law as by breaking
over them-in fact more. The martyr
dom Of the Salvation Army, as its mem
bers would have the public believe, is not
the persecution of Paul or Stephen. but is
the silly obtuseness Of those persons who
nut not only their faithinaSupreme Being,
but draw their salaries from credulous
following who good naturally follow them
from spirit OF thankfulness.
The Salvation Army has done good-its
results are apparent in this city-but when
it sets itself up against the majesty of the
law it weakens its power, not unly with
its following, but those who stand alooi
and applaud itsmotives.
The old 'amcn corner" in the Metho'
dist church may be thing of the past in
the light Of modern religion, it may not
be proper now in the weekly prayer meet
ing to accent IN honest confession; but
with all that the time hssnotyet comowhen
the common prophecies of life canbe over
looked and the law set at defiance, even
in the cause Of religion as practiced by
the Salvation Army. Order, it is said, is
the first law Of Heaven, and If this class
obey that injunction there will BIO no
trouble. That they have not obeyed that
commandment is evidenced by the dis
graceful affairs that have been chronicled
in the press from day to day. To gain
the confidence Of the public as to their sin
cesity the members Of the Salvation Army
must comport themselves as the law
directs and not as their enthusiasm
prompts. II they keep within bounds
they may do good, but as soon as they set
themselves up as superior to the ordinances
which they knowingly break, the organ
ization loses its influence and wcakens its
power.