The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-28
Gen. Booth,s Army.


It is probable that no more unique con
vention has ever been held in New YORK
than the continental congress" of the
Salvation Army. The tambourines, poke
bonnets, flaming BLAZERS" decorated UNI
brellas, snowy uniforms and generally fam
boyant paraphernalia of the soldiers made
up pretty good show for folks who look
only upon the surface Of thiEga To many
educated and refined people the whole Sal
walton Army business ia disgusting. They
can see nothing religious or impressive in
the "hallelujah" shouts, loud singing,
drum-beatiDg, marching and paradins that
the army INDUCES in. 1t all looks to be
either sscriligious or idiotic or maybe
there are those in the ranks who make use
OF the uniform Of the army to further
criminal purposes. Indeed, such cases have
been known.
But the Salvation Army should not be
judged by the individual rascals who have
sneaked into its ranks. Rascals have
abused the confidence of every church. Be-
hlnd al. of the glare aud show and noise of
the army is great purpose. which Gen.
Booth and bis earnest and honest followers
have been prosecuting faithfully. That
their labors have met with great success
cannot be doubted when the following sta
tistics, submitted to the congress. are consid-
cred: The continental regiments include
1880 officers and l3. 100 soldiers and recruits,
and 2,SO7 local Off GERS and bendmen. The
amount Of Stun work" done-thaC is visit
iting and relieving the poorest OF the poor
IN tenement districts, work which fashion
able church people would shun-is remark
able. 10 New York, Boston, Philadelphia
and Chicago 81, 534 families were visited,
10, l34 saloon visits were made, So, 1874 per-
sons were dealt with on the streets and in
saloons, 1907 meals were given away, G, 1884
children were cared for, us sick case'
nursed, 208 rooms were scrubbed, 900 hours
were spent in mending. The shelter
brigade found employment for 65l persons,
provided clothing for 42S persons, provided
beds for IA, 996 persons and distributed food
to 23,0O0 persons. During the past year ar
auxiliary brigade has been established, witt
531 members, including 10 doctors of di-
v1nity, % ministers aud 10 physicians. The
indoor congregations for the past twelve
months numbered l3.l99.SSS persons. 461
cities and towns were occupied, ;" 555 corp!
and outposts were established and 50. As;
converts were made.
Elusive music and discourses, and show,
uniforms and military display, are mad
use of to attract those who are rot gener
ally moved by ordinary appeals to reason
The army arouses their curiosity first, thel
their enthusiasm, and they are led to desir
to participate in the display. This the,
cannot do without coming under the gooC
influence Of Gen. Booth or some Of hi
numerous aids. The keynote of the army
success is enthusiasm. which, once aroused
in the breasts Of those for whom the arm,
labors, may be made to lead to better things
The "hellelujah laSsies" aud "Happ'
| Jacks" Of the Salvation Army have beel
the butts OF endless ridicule and counties
jokes. But they are, beyond doubt, accom-
plishing great results. They are organize,
| to lift the fallen, succor the needy, comfor
the sick and console the dying. No organ
! ization can exist for higher purpose.