The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-23

up by plenty of good food well cooked. The
cold turkey and ham were excellent. Home
made pies, salads and cakes of all descrip-
ions were served without stint. The kitch-
en- in the rear of the hall was presided over
by Hsllelujah lassies who were in constant
motion. On a small platform in b rear
of the room n big soldier brandished his
carving knife and fork over a long table
filed with cold meats and other good
things. The walters kept up a constant
charge against him with their stor-
ders. Every n looked happy,
the comrades hummed their favorite
salvation songs as they rushed about
ated with led. white and blue streamers.
On the wall on one side was the American
flag and the Salvation Army banner side by
side. In the center of the two colors was
an insignia of the Salvation Army. consist
ing of a red circle, a cross n two crossed
lances, ~surmounted by a spread eagle. The
legend surrounding this in red letters was,
blood fire. The world for God" Over
the entrance to the kitchen was a card, on
which was inscribed in large letters, B
sure your sins find you out" Next to this
was, Repent and Prepare to meet thy
God" On a big pile OF benches in n
corner Of the room reposed the big bass
drnm. Hung mp back of it were the hrass
horns which are heard nightly in the streets.
They were all having a rest.
Ensign Thomas said he could not tell
how many visitors they had during the
three hours that the banquet was in pro-
gress. Eyes, they came from all parts of
the CITY, he said; "A grea. many Of them
churches in the city. God bless them, we
are glad to see 80 many here" Captain
Thomas was the presiding genius over the
banquet and kept the soldiers in excellent
order. At o time their JOY burst forth
into a ringing song as a number of them
got crowded together nea the kitchen door
order and less noise. The captain said
there was enough racket being made with
out them. And there WAS. The knives and
forks ratified and the chinaware and
conversation at the tables filed the room
with sound. The hungry people on
the benches contributed their share to the
general din. Outside on the sidewalk was
a crowd of men and small boys. They
peered through the windows and chaffed
the doorkeeper. Good order prevailed and
the services of the policemen were not
needed to hold the small boys in check.
The tables were cleared off after every one
had eaten. Then Ensign Thomas read two
bible lessons n prayed for all the friends
of the army and the sinners who have moi
yet joined the ranks.
The comrades were satisfied with Their
banquet and the large attendance. The
proceeds will be used in the cause the sol
diers are now engaged in. The army in
Helena o numbers about thirty-fye. I.
was started here about three years ago by
Captain Sharp, who began the worn
with but two or three comrades
Darlington Booth, the gsneral-in-chief o.
the army, says that it is a fact in the United
States, and there is little room for doubt
that it is destined TO exercise an important
influence for good or evil upon a large par
Of our population.
1t il nine years since the first officer,
landed in this country and the work LA,
been achieved principally during the las
six years. and in the teeth Of many grea
difficulties. Still the United States wins
of the army holds the fort in 445 corps ant
outposts, n LIE officers are laboring OK.
clnsiveiy to promote the objects that thu
leaders have in view. There are four corp
in New York city, six in Brooklyn, one il
Jersey City. two in Philadelphia, one il
Cincinnati, four in Detroit, two i'll Buffalo
ten in Chicago. four in Kansas City, four ii
vile and four III San Francisco
Seattle, Portland, Ore. Salt Ink
City, Helena, Denver. st. Louis, DE
Hoines, Topeka and Austin. Texas, ar
among the more prominent cities. III whicl
the army is established.
If it be inquired in what the work don
by the army consists, the general says, th
reply is the spread of the salvation Of Go,
among tho masses Of the people. The arm
claims that the cause Of all the ills thu
afiict mankind is Sin. 1t SAYS that God
both able and willing to deliver every h.
/ man being from its power as we'll az Il
guilt; also that this salvation can be rea
lied here on earth. 1t procinims to all wi
are willing to forsake sin complete rescu
from it. and, OF course. salvation from IL
cause involves salvation from the effec
When a drunkard gots converted, Their
I fore, his poverty and temporal wretcheen ne
are speedily things OF tine past, az
the man who WAS recently not on
miserable in his life himself, bnt
burden to bis fellow c~ifizsns ecomes
2 sober and contented member Of the CON
munity, q taxpayer. and, usually, in add
fion to these, an earnest. and self denyiI
laborer for ths good of others. Its rani
are recruited from French atheists and Ge