Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-20
WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPArCH.I


some and doubt it in others? Why praise
some and blame others simply because diff
terent methods are used to reach different
classes Of people, the ultima purpose being
the same?
These were some of the questions which
put to myself in shame, alter a conversation
with Major Aspinall, who is in charge of
the Western Pennsylvania, Northern Mary
land and West Virginia troops, with head
quarters at Homestead, Pa. was travel
ing from Pittsburg East, when the Major
entered the coach in which I was seated.
My attention was first arrested by the uni
form-a close-ftting blue frock coat, with
three stars ornamenting the shoulders and
denoting the rank of Major; the American
shield-shaped badge, with Salvation Army
in plain relief, pinned to lapel, and
blue cap, with red band bearing the same
words in gilt letters. fell to specializing
why ine-looking, intelligent-eyed man,
able bodied and at the high noon of life
should choose calling which qulred him
to wear the insignia of war in times of peace;
receiving uncomplimentary comment and
smiles of scorn. OF this 1 knew the wearer
must be painfully conscious; and in the
be hard to bear, and one that could not be
borne without deep and abiding conviction
that the cause is a righteous one. Un-
pleasant notoriety is not the sort we seek,
yet is the kind gained by salvation work.
THE sALvATIoNIsr DOCTRINE.
What is it, then, that sustains the wearer
of this conspicuous uniform? The more
thought, the more 1 became possessed with
81 c. IL
cided to go to headquarters for enlighten-
ment; and, with a fair-minded spirit, dis
cover better reasons for condemning the army
and its methods than / had known before,
or forever after hold nv peace. In answer
to my first question 1 learned that their
doctrines are Methodistic, and now I am
wondering whv they are repudiated by their
Methodist brethren, and what can be the
difference in the same tenets taught in car
pet-covered churches or upon cold, wet
streets. Is it not distinction without
difference?
learned too, this organization had its
birth "a years ago in London. That the
gospel is now preached by the army's
methods in 81 countries, that New Zealand
appropriates $40, 900 for prison-gate work
so called because the meetings are held
at the prison gates for the benefit of
convicts-that there are to-day in the United
States 495 corps or posts, 1,017 officers, 70
per cent of them born or raised in this
country; 1000 soldiers and 800 recruits.
One-third of the officers are females or single
officers, by which is meant, not married
otherwise they would be called double off
GERS, for be it known there is no marrying out
side of the army ranks permitted, this edict
being based upon the belief that ga house
divided against itself cannot stand" One
Of the marriage VOWS is to the effect they
will work together for God, devoting all
time not actually required in domestic
duties; and as it is part of the religion to
live pla1nly-S10 per week being the amount
allowed for all expenses, those Tor travelling
included, the care of the home establishment
takes few OF the "a hours from the work.
There are no secret marriages. All cere-
monies must be performed in public, and a
ring is always used IN the service.
NO WEDDING TRIPS THOUGHT OF.
This public ceremony is made a means to
an end, and Immediately after the marriage
the work of eyangelization goes on as if
nothing unusual had transpired, The exer-
cises upon this occasion are opened as upon
others. with one of their arousing, and, to
the unaccustomed, startling war songs, for
instance:
I'VE are salvation soldiers of every class and
grade,
While lighting for King Jesus we never feel
afraid;
We fight beneath our army flag and never,
We fight beneath our army flag in temple,
street or field"
OF course the introduction of religious
services so soon after the ceremony precludes
the throwing of slipper or rice, which levity
upon an occasion so solemn as a marriage
= Al. vaA hvxt l.
diyorcing, and marriage sis for better or for
worse" until death comes to the rescue,
However, there is a Catholic provision for
the "worse" IF there is domestic unhappi-
ness to the extent of interfering with work
for the Master then a separation may ensue,
but neither party can remarry. But the
Major knew OF no such cases. and of only
one elopement. What with work for the
army of from four to nine hours daily and
change OF base every three or six months,
there is little time for love-making.
The salvation work as carried on by the
army is entirely labor of love. No one
gets more than the plainest living there
from. Each corps must support ITSELF and
reports must be made weekly to headquart-
ers. If possibly three hours must be de-
voted daily to visiting from house to house
praying and reading the Bible, if permitted.
This is done in the belief that an officer can |
more successfully reach the heart of the
soldier by personal intercourse at his home |
than from the platform, and by this means
class is reached and interested who would |
never follow the sounding brass and tink- |
ling symbol through the streets to place !
of worship.
THE MUSICAL FEATURE.
By the way, is not this street band the |
most Objectionable to us OF all army meth |
oGs? And why9 II these instruments and !
voices are used to call people together for |
services, what more does the bell, |
the organ or the choir? But there is still |
another class lower down the scale, but who |
none the less have souls, and for these are |
provided the slum workers, self-sacrifcing
sisters OF charity aud mercy and all-loying |
kindness, who throw aside their uniform |
and in the garb worn by the people OF the |
neighborhood in which they decide to work |
= h av taka a room sleeD on straw live "a i