The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-06
CAPT. HAMMOND Exp1A1Ns
Ho Thinks Ho is Being Prosecuted by til
Authorities.

Hc Thinks Ho is Being Prosecuted by tin o
Authorities.
To THE EDITOR OF THE ROANOKE
TIMES: VIII you kindly give me a
hearing by publishing this letter in de-
fenso Of myself against what consider
an unjust decision.
was tried and condemned in $40 and
costs for standing alone in the street
and playing over sacred air twice,
singing salvation song of three verses,
praying. and holding up Jesus Christ
to about 30 mot more than 40) men
ranged in line, seated on chairs and
doorsteps, at the back Of the sidewalk.
was condemned under section 10 of
the Salem by laws, section plainly di-
rectcd against drunk IN, wicked and
outrageous conduct. My delivery was
moderate. and my enunciation clear and
distinct. The guests in the Office of the
Lucerne Hotel camo out to the number
of about u dozen, to hear me, and all
hands gave good attention. The
churches were already holding services
and L was exhorting these truants at 4
good distance from any church service.
There was no obstruction, no uproar. no
confusion. 1 took up no collection.
Mr. Editor, deny that my moderate
and careful ministra tions of religion to
these truants can begin to be touched
by section ten of the Salem bylaws. 1
deny that l commit. any breach of
the peace whatsoever, but know l was
urging mon to receive the Prince of
Peace, who is the first author of peace
in the heart, in the homo and IN tho
commonwealth.
Let me explain why 1 don't pay my
fine. First, because to pay it would be
to confess that my right doing was
wrong doing: secondly, because it is
contrary to all precedent in the Saliva
ton Army; thirdly, because our money
is too scarce to be used in paying our
enemies for prosecuting us. And let me
say that in preaching Christ to the non
church-going people of Salem last Sun
day night ! was aot only not doing wrong
but was doing 'immeselY" right.
know that the devil will throw up
at me that am Matching sensational
ism, but know am not. But all that
| can do to awaken Christians to moro
zeal for righteousness and sinners to a
sense of their souls danger is both
legi innate and mighty expedient.
Your Salem correspondent states that
many think l "purposely violated the
law to gain sympathy" In answer to
that let me say, firstly, utterly deny
that section 10 Of the Salem bylaws
has ever had anything to do with me,
or with it. Secondly. I don't want
sympathy for myself, for 1 am nothing
and worse than nothing; but do want
to gain sympathy for the cause of Christ
and the Salvation Army, and say give
me all of you your sympathy for that
and come a.fockingf with your sym
pathy and your money, too to the help
of the Lord against the high-installed
adversary of all right and love and
peace. Thirdly, deny that there is
any controversy between me ard the
law, but between me and the ungodly
disposition of certain Office holders.
l ought to add that street preaching
is an integral and very important part
of the Salvation Army system of evan
gelization, and that am compelled to
push this part of the work in obedience
to the orders and regulations / have OBJ
ligated myself to observe in the Saliva
ton Army work.
Hoping, dear sir, that you kindly
grant portion Of your valuable space
for this word in self defense. am, yours
very obediently,
Capt. GEORGE HAMMOND, S. A.
Salem Jail, Salem, Va.
Jttxrxs orc ooo