The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-18
THE sALvATloNlsTs.
Lord Ratna Pala and Joe the Turk' at
City Hail.

Jne DaSo drum ana the raIUlo ol Cdstd-
nets were heard in City Hall last evening
when the Salvation Army, under AdJu-
tant Brengle, introduced Lord Ratna
Pala, the ex-Buddhist priest and Capt.
Joseph Garabed, otherwise Joe the
Turk" to a Portland audience. Prior to
the meeting the usual street parade took
place, and the transparency carried by
the army doubtless had great effect IN
putting such large audience into the
hall.
When Adjutant Brengle came forward
to open the meeting the stage presented
picturesque appearance. In the i'm
mediate foreground was the adjutant,
clothed in the neat uniform of his rank.
On one side Of him sat Capt. Garabed in
full Turkish costume, red jacket and
baggy trousers, heavily trimmed with
gold. pale yellow sash with bullion
ends and the regulation fez. The cap
tain is mau of fine physical proper
tons and has long face with clear cut,
strong features, piercing black eyes, and
long, dropping, heavy, black moustache.
On the other side sat Lord Ratna Pala,
with long hair, thrown back from his
forehead, full. round face, small NOUS
tache and bronze complexion. He wore
a scarlet jacket-which boreon the front
the words Salvation Army in two Ian
guages, Cingalese. his native tongue, and
Hindoostanee, and a-yellow skirt. A
lemon-colored scarf was thrown across
his shoulder. Next to him sat Hindoo
in similar attire to which was added an
immense yellow turban. In the rear
and on either side of these central fig
ures, sat the lassies and lads of the army
in their uniforms, the men wearing
badges.
The meeting was characterized by all
the enthusiasm that marks the work Of
these soldiers of the Lord. When Adj
jutant Brengle and his wife prayed, the
dramatic effect was heightened by the
peculiar movements and the workings
of the features of the foreigners who,
clad in their striking costumes, stood
out in bold relief against the dull blue of
the other army members,
''Joe the Turk" in his English, which
he spoke with a strong accent, told how
he was born in Turco-Asia, the son of an
Armenian priest, and had travelled all
over the world, seen all Christian bod
les, and wish-wash'' Christians-here
he was corrected.by the adiutant who said
he probably meant ''white-washed," and
Joe readily accepted the explanation
but he never knew how good a religion
could be till he joined theSalvationArmy.
Then he urged the audience to sing the
hymn beginning Don't, don't be weary
of fighting for the Lord" and he led off
the singing, entering into it with great
gusto and many gestures. He invited
the audience to come in and join, and
when they only did so in a faint-hearted
manner, he gave the words in Swedish
as the audience might not understand
English, and said ii that wouldn't work
he give themss Turkish and Russian. The
audience got walked up and some of the
women waved handkerchiefs in their
enthusiasm. He urged the audience to
keep time by clapping their hands, say
| ing that he noticed in the theatres the
ladies and gentlemen showed their APP
probation by clapping their hands, and
| if they could clap for the devil he
thought the Salvationist congregations
could clap for God. He made not few
witty comparisons and is evidently a
strong Salvation speaker. Joe has been
all over the United States and came to
this country eight years ago.
Then Lord Ratna Pala spoke. He
speaks very clearly and distinctly and is
evidently man of considerable educa-
ton, acquainted with men of affairs. He
was very graceful and picturesque in his
| robes and he spoke remarkably good
| English for foreigner and wonderfully
good for man who has acquired it since
| last January. He was converted from
being Buddhist priest by hearing the
officers of the Salvation corps in Ceylon
praying to their God in the privacy of
their room, and he thought if their God
could give them such support He must
| surely be worthy of following.
Throughout the meeting there were
the usual war-cry hymns sung and the
great audience seemed much impressed
will. the services.
|