The herald., 1893-08-28
IN THE CENTER OF W|CKEDNESS.
The Salvation Army's Latest
Sphere of Work.
In Spite of Rotten Eggs They Labor
Among Alameda Street Dens.
The Army Attacks Local wickedness In
Its stronghold-Over Ripe Melons
and Passee Eggs Used But
the Work Goes On.

There is probably no class Of Christian
stood as much abuse and have accom-
plished as much good in their own
humble way as the Salvation Army has
during its ten years existence in this
country.
The history of the struggles of the
army for an existence even in the city
of Los Angeles alone would make an in
teresting volume.
Its first introduction here as in other
cities was the signal for a vigorous cru
sade against it by the police, the army
being an almost nightly visitor at the
station during the first year OF its work.
1t was found, however, to be an impos-
sibility to secure conviction, fact
that speaks volumes for the claim of re-
ligious freedom, which has always been
the pride of this republic. But during
the past few years there has been de-
cided revolution in public opinion 30 far
as the army is concerned.
From the patient, persistent manner
in which the red-ahirted soldiers have
gone ahead with the struggle, appar-
emily never discouraged, at their posts
every night, the general public, which
was at first shocked at what was consid-
cred the unreligious methods of the
army, has at last come to the conclusion
that there may be some good in it and
that at least no harm is being done.
1t is fact which admits OF no dispute
that the Salvation Army is reaching
class of people which are utterly be-
yond the reach OF the churches, class
which is most OF all in need of the en-
lightenment OF Christian influence. No
! depth of sin is too deep for the army to
tackle. as is illustrated by the latest de-
parture of the Salvationists in this city.
About three weeks ago the army de-
cided that its two barracks on First and
Spring streets streets were in entirely
too respectable part of town to capture
the lowest and most sinful element, and
hence, acting upon the principle that
"If the mountain would not go to Mo-
manned, Mohammed must go to the
mountain" it was decided to locate
hail among the people they were after.
The place selected was on the corner of
Commercial street, with a saloon on one
side and a crib house on the other, in
the very hotbed of the crime and degra-
dation of the city.
From this fort vigorous crusade has
been commenced against stheir standing
enemy, the devil, although with results
which to the ordinary mortal would not
be especially encouraging. Little
friendly missives in the shape of rotten
eggs, half-spoiled watermelons and cob
BILE stones are frequently disturbing ele-
ments in the street meetings; but de-
spite these inconvenience, the work
goes bravely on.
Since opening the new barracks mid
night meetings on Saturday night have
been instituted that time of night,
this section OF town being in full blast,
affording an opportunity for work which
the army was not slow otake advantage
OF. tais
A HERALD reporter called at the bar
racks yesterday to learn how things
were progressing. Brother Pierce, who
conducts these meetings, was not in,
but a deputy supplied the desired in
formation. "Yes," he eaid, in reply to
query, I'VE do have some pretty lively
times down here, but the fellows are not
as bad as they were when we first
started in. Most every night at first
crowd of five or six toughs tried to break
the meeting up, but we have got along
with them without calling on the po-
lice. Our midnight meetings begin out
on Alameda street in front of the sa-
looms and cribs. and most every night
we get something thrown at us, but
they haven't thrown eggs since the first
night or two. The work." continued
the soldier, "is going slow at first, but
we are gaining, and our meetings are
better attended than at first.
"Besides the meeting every evening
and the midnight meeting we have Sun
day school every Sunday afternoon for
the little folks. Our class now numbers
30, and is growing rapidly. Some of
the people object to their children COM
ing. but most of them are willing
enough to let them attend"
Besides the work which is done in the
regular way, q canvass is being made of
the district and much good accom-
plished.
The women do most of this work, CO.
ing from house to house, and endeavor-
ing to interest people in the work, and
sometimes they receive pretty harsh
treatment.
Yesterday two of them were rotton-
egged by crowd of toughs, and they
frequently have old cabbage and melons
thrown at them. but said one of them
yesterday, 1--WE are on the right side and
can stand it."
The army now numbers in actual,
active members, about 200; of these
150 belong to the Spring-street corps
and the rest arc scattered around in the
branch barracks.