The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-21
ARMY AT HOME.
Something About the Saliva
tionists in Providence.
The Corps, the Captains and Methods
OF Work.
side Lights OF Humor and Serious
ness In the Field.

(wriiten for THE NEWS, by a Salvation Army
soldier)
At the present time a great deal OF in
terest is being manifested by the general
public in a religious organization that has
spread all over tho civilized world In
about thirty years, namely the Salvation
Army This has been increased by Gem
eral Booths present American tour.
Probably q brief synopsis OF the work oil
the army in this city would be OF general
interest.
No. Corps was established here some
eight years ago in SHADES Hall, the same
building that is now occupied by the
Swedish corps. About six years ago the
corps moved up to its present location, 40
Westminster street, where 1t has been
ever since with the exception OF year or
thereabouts when it was driven out by
fire, and located on Cranston street, but
came back when the hall was ready 10 re-
ceive them. The corps numbers at present
about 20 soldiers, under command
of Captain and Mrs. James w. Price, vet-
eran officers, he having been in the Saliva
tion Army work about eight years, hav-
ing in that time had charge OF corps in
Maine, Massac chusetts, Rhode Island, New
York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Since he
took charge OF this corps about Sept. l,
1894, S5 persons have professed conversion
at his penitent form. Thirteen OF these
have been enrolled as soldiers, 33 Others
are still Army attendants and leading
good lives, and some OF them have joined
various churches and missions.
The others, some of whom were spurious,
some sailors, and floating population
generally, have been lost track OF.
Since this corps was opened about five
thousand $4,000 persons have professed
conversion, but a great difficulty has
been encountered in trying to build up
corps in that the people among whom the
Army mostly works are OF that class
known as ''floating populations here
today, gone elsewhere tomorrow,
The Army holds the Bible to be literal
truth and invariably read it in their meet
ings, ten of which are usually held per
week Besides two or three children's meet
ings and "open airs" Six "open air"
meetings arc held weekly, weather each
mitting, when, as the name indicates, the
captain and some of his soldiers 60 into
the streets and on some street corner hold
meeting, literally following the COM
mand to "go into the highways and hedges
and compel them to come" duke 1929.
Very few OF the Army converts have
grace and courage enough to do this and
so instead of joining tho Army go and
Join church. Six OF the Army's inside
meetings are held for the general public,
three are held for Army soldiers and
Christian friends, and one, Monday night
meeting, is exclusively for Army soldiers
and converts. This meeting Is held for
the purpose of explaining Army doctrines
to the convert and transacting any
business that rlay arise. With the
Army, the "finance" is the great prob
lem. Money is raised by a collection in
every meeting; soldiers cartridges, which
the members OF the Army give weekly,
being similar to the envelope system in
vogue in many churches, and a rent
league besides donations. The rent
league is composed OF those who approve
of the work the Army does, and have
agreed to pay 81 or more monthly to help
pay the rents and other expenses. Any
one wishing to become a member of this
will do the Army kindness by commu-
nicating with him. The first expenses to
be met are rents, gas, heat, etc.
Ten per cent. of all moneys received is
sent to Divisional Headquarters in New
England. This is for the purpose OF sup
porting Rescue Homes, helping non-self
supporting corps and opening new ones.
After all this has been taken out the
officer in charge receives his or
her salary, provided there is any
money with which to pay it. IL few
weeks should go by and the officer in
charge receive no salary he can not expect
the Army to make it up. He receives his
salary IL the corps can pay 1t. IL the corps
can not ray it, he doesn't get any. Fe-
male officers receive $500 per week, single
men receive 600 per week and married
men receive $1,000 per week and sl.00 ad-
ditional for each child. This is, OF course,
with the proviso above.
The present officer in charge Of "No. z"
has received an average salary OF S5.75 per
week at this corps, and he has a wife and
three children and seems happy and says
that marriage Is decided success.
The captain is expected to personally
conduct all meetings at his corps, both
outside and in, to visit at least three
hours every day, which time Is divided
between his own people and others,
and he must personally oversee
all matters OF business pertaining
to his corps. He is assisted by sergeant
major, a secretary, treasurer, war cry and
conqueror scrgeants and Others. These
are called local officers and are appointed
from the soldiers of the corps. These
people, OF course, receive nothing for their
services. The captain must also send a
report weekly to headquarters in New
York giving an exact account OF moneys
received and expended, converts made,
soldiers enrolled, numbers OF meetings
held, etc.
Some OF the incidents in an officers
career are comical and some discouraging.
One evening recently man went to the
penitent form weeping and seeming in