Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-24
A SIGN FOR CHRIST.
sALvaTloN-ARMY RECRUITS MUST
ss The savloUR'S lNDEx-5ohRo.
A Talk with Captain ncFariane About
This Humble Band and Its work
The Richmond Corps.

Captain John Mcfariane, ul'i-
sional commander OF the Salvation Army.
paid an official visit to the Richmond
corps on Friday.
He arrived in the afternoon from points
further South, spent several hours win
those in charge of the branch here ana
conducted services that night.
The CAPTAIN ia of medium height, has
black hair, eyes, and moustache. is rather
handsome. and quite good talker. Fri
tav night DISPATCH reporter visited the
beadunarters of the Richmond corps,
which are in the upper story OF the low.
souatty building Of the northeast corner
of Main and Seventh streets.
VISIT TO HEADQUARTERS.
Ascending a short fight Of steps the re;
norter found himself in q low-pitched
room. about 15x3O feet, lighted by OIL;
Iamns. A few wooden benches and several
plain chairs constituted the furnishing;
At the south end of the room Is raised
platform, which was occupied by Captain
NcFarlane. Captain Blackuan, the COM
monder of the Richmond corps, two fe-
male warriors, a small boy about fifteen
wears of age, and on tho end was mem
her of the army With violin. Captain
McFarlane had q tambourIle. The exer-
cises consisted of hymn sung to the tune
of Tramp, tramp, tramp, boys, were all
marching" with violin and tambourine &C
compartment.
AN KxPERIETCE MEETING.
Thisyas followed with prayers by the two
captains, the violinist. and Captain Black
mans wife.
Captain McFarlane then said he would
like to have members OF tho army relate
their experience. One after another re-
sponded, telling what the Lord hsd zone
for them, and all expressed tbelr hrm
determination. with the help of God, to
continue TO love and serve HIM. There
was another prayer and then Captain
McFarlane made few remarks, closing by
extending an invitation TO those present
who desired to forsake their sins aud were
anxious 10 save their souls 10 come forward
and be prayed for. No one responding,
the meeting closed with prayer and bene-
diction.
TALK WITH THE CAPTAIN.
Captain McFarlane is n fluent speaker
and seemed very enthusiastic in his work.
After the services the reporter had short
interview with him. He said he was born
AT Paisley, near Glasgow, thirty years ago;
that he was a dyer and also leather-belt
maker by trade. Twelve years ago he cameto
this country and located at Lewiston, Me-,
where he had charge OF the dy eing-works;
After remaining there one year he joined
the Salvation Army. with the understand;
ing that no salary should be guaranteed
and to depend upon the sympathy of the
people and God tor support. In February,
1890, he was appointed to take charge OF
the South, since which time he has paid
several visits TO Richmond and made many
friends among our people.
HIS DUTIES.
"What are your duties?" asked the re-
porter.
Methodist Church." the pleasant Captain
replied. II have charge of the depart
ment embracing Maryland, Virginia, North
and South Carolina, District OF Columbia,
and Delaware. and my time is devoted In
visiting the army corps IN those states"
What are the conditions required OF
recruit before he is allowed to enlist Z"
1.-The recruit must have clear know
ledge of his sins having been forgiven.
He must live O life in the workshop, store,
or place of business the same as in the
meeting. He must have the spirit to 90 on
the street-corners and speak for Gods
cause. In fact. he must be q sign or finger
board to Christ"
HARD LIFE.
The CAPTAIN said that the Salvation Army
bad been criticised, ridiculed, scofed at,
insulted with foul obscenities, spit upon,
deluged with refuse, pelted with garbage
and brickbats, belabored with sticks,
bespattered from head TO foot with mud.
and bounded through the streets by mobs,
and that religious bodies have rarely hada
good word for them. The law, the magis-
trates. and police have been generally
against them, vet not one of the Salvation
Army had ever retaliated, however brutal
the insult, however shameful or wanton
the provocatiOn,
When asked why musical instruments,
such as the violin aud tambourine, were
used in the services the Captain replied
that God was as much entitled to musical
rs the devil, and besides 1t
attracted persons to the meetings who
would not otherwise attend.
The Captain said that the commander-in-
chief of the forces in the United States is
Darlington Booth. son of General William
Booth. who is now visiting his father in
Europe.
TEE ARMY HERE.
In speaking of Richmond he said that
Captain Blackman had been sick tor seve-
raj months and incapacitated for duty.
The whole work had devolved on Captain
wife, noble little woman
who had suffered and endured the greatest
privations for the cause. In consequence
of CAPTAIN Blackman's condition very lit
tie has been done in Richmond this year,
but in week or two he would send two
efficient workers here to take the place
of Captain Blackman and he anticipated
q very rich harvest for them.
Captain McFarlane left yesterday morn
inc for baltimore