The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-25
A FLAG AND NEW nEcRU1rs.


xhs Salvation Array Holds . Patriotic
Christmas Eve Meeting.
The eayety of approaching Christmas
was IN the air at the Salvation Army bar
racks 1t last evenings meeting. The
army had just received eight recruits:
Henry Porter, George Smith. Mr.. and Mrs.
William Urqunart. Mrs. Grindle, Mary
Nelson, Roderick Martin and Thoma as
Thornton: and o new United State. flag
TO replace the one which the army has
worn out in service had been obtained at
last by the donations asked from time TO
time for the purpose.
An hour before the time for opening the
services the hall was flied with a joyful
tnrong OF men. women and children. The
women and children were largely in the
majority. The army was out on the
mareh and did not return as soon as ex-
pected. so the audience, in the greatest of
good humor, old and young alike. sang
negro melodies and popular songs to pass
nway the time. At O'Clock the army
marched in with its banners and torches.
Inc presiminaries, hymn singing and
praying, ''soui-saving" work as the lead
ers called 1t, was cut little short on ac-
count of the special features to come later
lew lively songs were sung, and then
came the presentation of the bright, new
dag to the army by Staff Capt. Morton.
Maj Harry Wood. major Of the Third
New York volunteer cavalry IN war times,
said few words about the flag. lie said
was symbol OF liberty from despotism,
and was greeted with applause on cries of
You are right. major" This flag had q
double meaning: II would in the future,
jointly with the banner of the Salvation
Army, symbolic the freedom of The little
army from sin. In old days he had
fought with the weapons of steel under
one dag. but now he was proud TO fight
under two, not with weapons of iron and
steel against fellow men. but with the
truths of Christianity against sin.
With the banner In his hand Staff Cap
tain Morton explained that when the Sal
walton Army came to the United States il
was sneered at as an English institution.
Its tri-colored flag. representing no nation,
had been misunderstood. People did not
know that the red represented Christ's
blood. the blue purity. as among the an
Client Jews. and the yellow star the fire of
the Holy Ghost. They thought IL was
rival of the Stars aud Stripes. The army
would henceforth have these stars and
stripes at the head of its columns as
guarantee Of the right OF every one to
worship God according to the dictates of
his own conscience, % long ~ he does not
interfere with the rights of others
This flag above 10 would now show
the whole world that there was no more
patriotic organization on earth than the
Salvation Army. fApplause.l
He then presented tho banner to Color
Sergeant Robertson with appropriate re-
marks. referring to it again as guarantee
of freedom of both body and soul. Loud
applause and cheers nearly drowned the
erreant's response. The eight new re-
cruits were then sworn in. after hearing
read and repeatins after the staff captain
the appropriate passages from the articles
OF war. During the ceremony they stood
under the arch formed by the new United
States dag and the army flag. The oath
was administered to them and they were
addressed az considerable length by the
captain, who warned them especially that
il they FELL and were undutiful to the
army. the army and not they would bear
the disgrace. At the end of the address
the recruits were chsered by the rousing
chorus, ''Stick to the Flag" The rest of
the meeting was devoted to the usual roa-
tine.
This afternoon at 2 o'clock the army
will give the children a Christmas dinner.
and at o'clock there will De two Christ