The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-01-23
Women In Religious Movements.

A very remarkable scene took place in
London about the middle of October. No
less than forty thousand persons gathered to
witness an unusual funeral ceremony.
Mrs. Booth, the wife of the leader of the
Salvation Army, was committed TO the grave
with the peculiar rites of that organization,
and this event attracted the great concourse
of people mentioned.
! Mrs. Booth was, indeed, the founder of the
religious movement called the salvation
Army" She was originally a Methodist,
who was then a Methodist preacher, when
she was twenty-five years old.
She became very active in his church, and
on one occasion, when he had loug sickness,
she took his place in the pulpit, and preached
with great eloquence and fervor
Twenty-siX years ago Mrs. Booth conceiv-
ed the idea of creating a mission which, un-
der military form and discipline, should, by
public displays Of religious zeal. arouse the
masses of the people to more earnest reli-
gious spirit.
The cornerstone of the creed of this sim
guar mission was made total abstinence from
all Intoxicating liquors, and TO advance the
cause of temperance has always been one Of
its chief objects.
Mrs. Booth further made stringent rule
that all the women or girls who entered-or
enlisted in-the Salvation Army should be
very simply dressed. All the vanities of jew
elry and gay attire were to be renounced.-
1t is needless to say that this remarkable
woman built up society which has long
been a conspicuous, though somewhat pc
culiar and fantastic, religious agency, espe-
cially in England.
The Salvation Army has spread, indeed, to
the United States, and also to some parts of
the continent of Europe. In many American
cities and towns it has its headquarters, and
its professions, bands and song-singing are
sometimes witnessed in our streets; but it ia
in England, and under Mrs. Booths leader
ship, that the army has had its largest and
most effective influence.
mo ORDER" says an English paper, mot
even the Jesuits nor the Franciscans, have
done so much with such limited means and
in so short time as the Salvatonis,s. They
have rescued hundreds of thousands of En-
glishnen from vice, drunkenness and dirt"
This has been done by services which. if
they have been feryent, have also been cheer
full and spirited and by discipline which is
very strict in its military character.
The companies and regiments of the army
have been regularly differed, and each Off
Ger has his or her distinctive uniform while
the rank and file also appear in a peculiar,
ten at their head, and flags flying, they per-
ambulate the streets, singing their militant
songs or, gathering in some convenient spot
listen to the fervent open-air preaching of
one of their orators.
Mrs. Booths creation and leadership of
this singular mission is only another instance
of the active part which women have often,
for centuries, taken In religious movements
and societies.
The Jews had their inspired prophetesses
as we'll as female songsters; while the pagan
religions admitted women among the circle
of their gods, and revered their Vestal Vir-
gins.
The Roman Catholics have organized their
nunneries. and their corps Of nurses. The
The English Church has its lady district Wis
itors, who take care of the material and spir-
itual need of the poor of the parishes; while
among the Quakers, the Spirit moves women
as often as men to deliver their messages to
the sedate meetings of their sect.