Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-02-08
TROUBLE AMONG THE ENGLISH
SALIVA TIONLSI,S.

1t is amusing TO read the lively corre-
spondence that has been in progress for
some weeks between Rev. J. Llewellyn
Davies and Mr.. Rsilton, one OF General
Booths lieutenants in the Salvation Army,
in which other parties have Joined, repre-
senting both sides, concerning the useful
ness of this organization in the London
slums. Mr.. Davies, who has long been a
resident 10 this district Of London, attifms
that the Salvation Army is both nuisance
and humbug, aud that its methods Of
work among the destitute classes are de-
moralizing in the extreme. Ia the absence
of Gen. Booth, Mr.. Railton responds with
offended dignity, and charges back upon
Mr.. Davies neglect of work in his own
parish The latest correspondence that we
have been able to see has degenerated on both
sides from principles to personalities, but it
has been interesting in setting forth the
methods of the Salvation Army, and the
counter methods which are operative in the
Church OF England.
In the first place, it is shown that this
street movement in religion has advanced
from its primary purpose Of rescuing the
degraded by the aid Of converts from their
own number to position OF respectability,
where ii counts up Its numbers IS sufti-
Gent evidence of its usefulness, and on that
ground asks for public contributions for the
removal OF suffering among the destitute.
In other words, il has become q rival Of the
organized churches In the London slums in
the distribution OF poor relief or charity and
~ such challenges the criticism Of men like
Mr.. Davies, who have been engaged in this
kind Of work for the last thirty years.
The next point is Its difference In manner
OF procedure from the methods Of the charity
organization which has been one OF the
prime agencies in reducing the surplus Of
. poverty in East London. Gen. Booth calls
Tor large sums OF money from the charitable
to distribute Tree soup, aud he holds tina,
Tree soup and Tree salvation are inextricabi y
united. He seeks " undo what the wissst
people in London have used every means
10 accomplish, and he does it in the name
of the wild religious enthusiasm for which
the Salvation Army is noted.
The next point worthy of attention Is that
this movement has drifted away from its
original purpose. II was begun as kind
of rescue work among the lowest of the
dow, and as such commanded wide sym
Pathy. But with q theory of conversion
which Was once thought to be the peculiar
property OF the American revivalist, IL has
come to estimate its success by the number
of its captains rather than by the amount of
est classes. It's the testimony Of Mr.. Davies
who Is entitled to be heard In this case,
that the Salvation Army is characterized by
more noise than religion, and that the On.
thusiasin for the organization is greater than
the thorough dealing with the people whom
its influence may have called away from
their evil life
In other words, this English movement
in the sums, which may be aptly styled a
brass band religion" is weak and blind
just where il passes the line OF its efficacy
As method OF awaking careless or de.
PRAYED people, and inducing them to repent
and reform, il has doubtless done much good
service, but il comes out ia the correspond
ence referred to that Gen. Booth is com.
United by his success TO the mistake com
mon 10 all nien who have organized new
methods ior dealing with the practical side
OF religion. He separates it IRON the or.
ganizei religious life of the community and
Insists that his idea shall be extended to the
entire work of the restoration OF personal
character, aad that the whole social labri.
shall he built upon it which is an obviou,
mistake the moment il is presented.
The moral OF this discussion IL that il
illustrates the difference between the wise
organized movement for the renewal OF 80
ciety and the building up OF individuals
the spasmodic movements which induce
those who share them to believe that they
are moving forward when they are simply
standing still aud yielding themselves t,
their emotions.