Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-10
THE SALVATION ARMY.
Its Rapid Growth in Every Civil
lied Country in the World.

On April 18th last, thcro was held in Gin
elnpati large gathering Of the salyation
Army. 10 welcome Commander and Mrs.
ballington Booth. Tho local ORGANIZATIONS OF
Cincinnati, coyIngion aud Newport were
out in full force, gaiiy uniformed, and
marched like an actual army. with hands and
banners, Representatives Wore present from
all the camps or barracks OF tho army. now
to be found in every town and city q the
whole Union. 1t is Unnecessary 70 nav that
tho meeting was orderly IN tho extrome.
though accompanied by tho shouting and en-.
thuslasm that distinguishes all the gather
ings of this strange but rapidly increasing
order.
Only few years since the men and women
who appeared on the streets In tho uniform
OF tho Salvation Army were booted at by
boys, regarded with contempt by respectable
people aud ridiouled oven by members OF the
church, Ordinances against holding public
meetings on the streets, and other unlawful
gatherings were enforced ngainst these
people Ia many OF our cities. Preachers Of
fashionable churches were inclined to regard
them as religious cherlataus. and even the
more democratic church organizations were
slow TO SEQ the possibilities for good In tho
salvation Army.
Against all this opposition and rldiculc.
and In the face Of the laws that were en-.
forced against it, the Salvation Army has
gradually won It's way to respect, and demon
strated that It has found field for useful
ness beyond and below tho reach OF the
churches.
Black sheep thore certainly have boon IN
this army, and their mlsdoiugs have boon OK.
aggeratod Tor the purpose Of bringing Il into
contempt SIN the leaders and thoir fol-
lowers, sadly ignorant In many cases, but the
majority Intensely In earnest aud impelled to
effort by O noble purpose, have kept steadily
on their way until they have won the conf
dence OF former skopucs and the respect OF
all who have studied their methods or given
any thought to what they have done and arc
doing in this and other lands.
The salvation Army carries the comforts OF
religion into the slums aud brings its truths
before people who never enter church, and
who would never learn the glad tidings Of re-
ligion in any other way. Tho outoasis, OF
both sexes they have made their wards.
They have lifted up the iallen; they have
strengthened the weak and encouraged the
despondont. Working out Of sight among
the very dregs Of society, their labor is apt to
pass without notice, but the studcnt Of social
otaustics must have noticed great change
for tho better In tho substrntum Of society.
and particularly in tho fields where tho Sal
walton Army has boon at work.
It was the good fortune Of the writer OF
e. i
world. aud while conieszlng that at the time
o., his departure from homo he was not In
clined to lool; with admiration on what no
considered the antics OF the 'halelujah
lasses, captains, and majors. and colonols Of
this army, yet IN other lands. and Mt the sug-
cestlon Of strangers who. like himself wero
formerly opposed to the salvation Army, no
was led 10 investigate their methods.
In Honolulu no found troops OF native
Hawnilans dressed with the red shirt and
peaked CAP, with tho legend salvation
Army on IL, and these natives. ho was told
by our consul in Hawaii were vastly botter
than those who did not wear tho uniform.
Even In FIJI, which but few years ago
was the land Of the cannibal, there are native
troops Of salvation Army men, aad the old
warliSe spirit OF these people has been vastly
changed for the better by the refining and
cleyatng association OF the officers, who have
been sent from England TO drill and train
them.
All through Australia and Now Zealand the
tho salvation Army is doing a splendid work.
In Auckland, sydney. Melbourne, Adelaide
and other towns Of importance thoy have es-
tabllshed houses Of refuge Tor tho care OF the
fallen women, and. by an arrangement with
tho different colonial governments, conylcts
who have served their terms are consigned
to the guardianship Of the Salvation Army.
These ux-conyicts, without any regard 10
their religion or their past llic, ate given
comfortable homes, taught tnsdes. and In due |
time provided with work. and tho records
show that where formerly fully seventy per
cent OF these eonviois wore returned again |
70 prison withln one or two years, not I've
per cent. Of those cared for by the salvation
Army have reiapsed.
Ono may laugh at the hlgh-Aown military |
titles OF these people, and call their religious
fervor animal excitement" or Ignorant Gu
thusiasm,r yst we csnuothide from ourselves
Tho fact that they are doing noble and an
eloyaiing work among thosa classes which /
neither our political or religious orsaniza-
tons can reach. c. Al.