New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-04-18
The S0JUfxflO3a AruaU.

At recent visit in Mankato, took
advantage of the occasion to attend
Salvation Army meeting. | will
now endeavor to present TO your read
ers, who are not acquainted with this
creed, a vivid picture of this motley
crowd and their audience as it appeared
to me at first sight.
They occupy a hall about 80 by 80 #.
on Front ST., Mankato. This is crowd
ed, every night, with an audience so
different in character that it could be
favorably compared with New York
grog shop. At the rear end of the hall
is an elevated platform, which is occu-
pied by the conductors of the meeting,
the testlfiers who have reformed, and
some kind of music band composed Of
two drums and two tambourines-
regular minstrel band. The floor of
the hall is thickly covered with filth,
and the walls nicely decorated with all
kinds Of mathematical figures OF tobac-
CO juice. The air in the room is eX-
tremely impure and sickening smell
is at once experienced upon entering.
The conductors of this sect had been,
according to their own testimony, set
of loafers of the lowest character. One
woman acknowledged that she had
been vagrant for number of
years, but, has now reformed and en-
deavors to please the Lord by her
preaching. q wonder if she doesD
Another, a man, testified that he had
been a habitual drunkard, spent his
fortune for whiskey and was total
wreck, but has recovered and engaged
in the good work of gospel preaching.
Others have testified as to their base
ness and degradation before they were
converted, and reformed, and now live
happy life in the Lore. Their faces,
however, do not harmonic with their
confessions. Red noses, deep sunken
eyes, and pale faces are numerous
among them. Their language is I'M
logical, ungrammatlcal, and full of vul-
garity. Ignorance and stupidity are
expressed in every face.
The meeting was opened with song
by the chorus, accompanied by the
band; every one in the audience was
requested to sing. The songs present.
ed had religious significance, but the
melodies, although national patriotic,
are in general ofyery low type. Thereof
den Slippers Marching through
Georgia, /" '.Nellie Gray" etc. are some
of their favorite melodies. This musi-
cal treat is by no means harmonious; it
is an Internal noise of drums, tambour.
ines and hoarse voices, frequently in
terrupted by loud triumphant scream
Good bless your' "Amenp' "Glo-
ryr' "Glory!n etc. While the song is
going on, one of the women will jump
from her seat, and with graceful move
ments of her body and limbs, keep
time with the song similar to ''nigger
show" The contribution box made
its rounds in the audience towards the
conclusion of the service, and Judging
by the jingling Of the coins, little was
contributed. 1t frequently happens
that half OF the contribution are but
tons. Thus it will be seen that little
dignity is preserved in their service.
AS christians, to permit children to
attend such meeting is criminal. To
trifle with the dignity of divinity and
religion, which should always be seri-
Gus. in such q manner, cannot have in
huence upon christian youth. And yet,
to my surprise I have seen children of
the best christian families of Mankato,
listening eagerly to the doctrines Of this
corrupt body. To me the salvation ar
my seems to be a sad alteration from
the doctrines of christianity. The pres
ent spirit of the age and sound con-
science cannot sympathize with this
somewhat dubious sect. A. J. ID.