Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-06-28
SALVATION ARMY WEDDING.



Whitenan, Who Joined the. Army in
This City--An Interesting Ceremony.
| Now York Morning Advertiser, Friday.
Did you ever see a grand hallelujah
wedding? Fifty cents would have en-
titled you to a reserved seat at such
ceremony last night, in the Salvation
Army Hall, Forty-seventh street and
Broadway. Captain Joseph Harrison
married Captain Clara Whiteman. Mrs.
Ballington Booth performed the cere-
mony.
After tho ceremony collection was
taken up-not by the way of wedding
| present nor in any way for the bride
and groom. 1t was for the army. They
| would have you believe, in fact, that
the wedding was only an incident Of
the Salvation Army work in which the
two captains arc engaged. The marriage
articles begin with these words:
"We do solemnly declare that we have
not sought this marriage for the sake Of
our own happiness and interests only,
although we hope these will be furthered
thereby"
The bride wore the uniform, blue
| gown and poke bonnet, with no addi-
ton for the occasion but white shoul.
der sash and bunch of white roses.
| The groom wore nothing but the every
day uniform. He is "a years of age,
only few months his brides senior.
She enlisted in Wilmington, DEL, and
has won victories since in Elkton, Md,
Washington, Trenton, Brooklyn, and
| finally New York. Captain Harrison
enlisted in Ansonia. Conn, and has seen
service since at New Britain, Conn, and
| in this city.
Mrs. Booth, wife of the commander,
wore an American flag over her right
shoulder, sash.like. There were zen
young women all in white, cadets of
the garrison, who were seated ON the
stage, but took no special part in the
ceremonies. The bridesmaid was Cap
tain Davis, the best man was Captain
| Peake.
Mrs. Booth, always smiling, the most
popular warrior in the Army in America,
read the service, commenting as she
read.
"Amenl Amenl Hallelujah,W were
the impromptu responses by the audi
ence, and occasionally the tambourines
would Jingle an accompaniment.
Then the bride and groom Joined
hands. standing with Mrs. Booth and
the bridesmaid and best man in u little
J group, under q cluster Of flags, the
/ American coloTs and those of the Army
intermingling. The ring WAS used, as
| in many of the orthodox church SER
vices, and all concluded with the solemn
injunction:
Whom God hath Joined together let
no man put asunder Amen" Mrs.
Booth added fervently: "And God
bless you 70
The groom took tho brides face be-
| tween his hands and kissed her lips. At
this signal there was an outburst of
cheering, blast of trumpets, "a humping
of drums and mighty humping of
tambourines. n,
Then there was prayer.
The bride was called upon by Mrs.
Booth for u speech. She was glad she
was in the Army for the usual reasons,
and by Gods help she would be loyal
through blood and fire. She prayed that
all who had not been saved would come
forward and give themselves to God.
Not word abont the marriage
Then there was another volley" for
the groom. He is usually ready talker,
but was somewhat at loss TO begin
| last night. . g
"Whats the matter with Harrison I"
demanded somebody, to which every
body else resounded in chorus, "He's
all right" and SO on, just as they do
in political meetings.
The groom said that ne was going to
live for years; that he believed the hap
piest way to live was to live for others,
and that he hoped the Lord would bless
everybody who was not converted.
Not word about the wedding
After the speeches by the bride and
groom there was song by Captain
Marshall and then the call for contribu.
tons by Major Perry.
"For the sake Of the bride and groom"
he said, "and for the glory of the Lord"
"Ten dollars" was the first response.
"Amen! Amen!" shouted the audience.
'Hallelujah."
There were more contributions, more
songs, more prayers and benediction.