The herald., 1895-11-03
Captain Gertrude Hall Becomes a
Salvation Army Bride
A HAPPY COUPLE UNITED
Maud Ballington Booth Performing the
Ceremony
Eleven Ten and Women at the Conclusion OF
the Ceremony Expressed Their
Desire to Do Better

bride and groom became man and wife
and eleven men and women, in response
to a strong appeal. came from out the
large audience, stepped down the aisle,
and kneeling on the bare floor in front of
the stage asked the prayers of the 1000
salvatonists present that they might
lead better life.
The full capacity of Music hall was
tested at 8 p. M, for Maud Darlington
Booth was announced to perform the
first wedding ceremony ever performed
by woman in the city of Los Angeles.
And she did. The service she read in
most impressive manner, and it was
beautiful. 1t made Captain Gertrude
Hall the wife of Captain Edmund Cliff
Ton, "till death does them part.
The aud fence that gathered to witness
the ceremony was made up largely of sal
yationists but it included many men
and women of the world. The black
bonnets with the red bands and the red
sweaters with blue coats FREEDOM mated.
When Brigadier General keppel led the
way from the wings to the stage for Mrs.
Maud Ballington Booth, and the pretty
little Staff Captain Marshal, who accom-
panies her on her tour, they were all
three given most enthusiastic reception
by their comrades in the body OF the hall
The brigadier general stepped to the
front Of the stage and as soon as the en-
thusiasm had su osided, with motion of
his hand the audience bowed their heads
IN silent prayer. After this this beau
tiful hymn. i Have Friend IN Jesus,
He is Everything to Me, was sung.
After prayer by the prigadier general,
Jesus With Me is United, was given.
The salvatlonists have great faith in the
power of moving one by song. Lieuten-
ant Hess sang in swet soprano, Step
by Step, the audience joining in the
chorus.
Then came Mrs. Maud Ballington
Booth. As she rose from her chair the
1900 people in front of her broke forth
and gave her the royal welcome she was
entitled to. With beautiful smile upon
her wonderful face, so full of character,
Mrs Booth spoke to her auditors, I'M
pressing them with her earnestnes,. The
Language she used indicated woman OF
education, refinement and culture. She
talked with an easy grace that charmed ali
WITHIN the sound of her voice. She said
in substance:
step BY step That is literally what
the Salvation army m cans. Step by step
God will lead US. We have no fear CT HIS
path whether it be of roses or thorns,
through darkness or light, through sun
shine and pros perity or bearing the cross
OF many tears and much sorrow. The
Salvation army is ready TO follow every
step and to call on God for guidance. We
will follow in the steps He directs US and
then we will call on Him for His blessing.
hi n n a "a
a step this evening in the presence OF this
large audience. We believe and know
that God will be and is with them in
this step.
''You ask: Why make this step so pub.
lie? A young woman Is about to pass
from Motherhood to matrimony. l Will
tell you why. The Salvation army be-
lieses that in every step taken by its
soldiers in the presence OF their comrades
God is with them. We believe that the
consecrated VOWS that are taken here to-
night may impress others who are direct
ed here simply bv idle curiosity. Some
NAV step into new life ana begin again.
The souls of all present may look away
fIom the earthly bride and groom to the
heavenly bride and groom that awaits on
high.
This meeting is a consecrated one.
These young meE and women you see
here present wearing the uniform of the
v,
great work. They have saved many souls
to God. The BRIDE and groom come here
with no light feeling. Even just now
saw them kneeliDg on this public plat
form in silent prayer.
1.-The Salvation army believes in doing
something that will help bless the lives
of others. The Salvation army bride
needs no bedecking in Jewels and laces.
The Salvation army bride 5roum has
neither wealth nor positio n. No bride
OF the Salvation army is sold for title or
fortune. There is no wedding feast save
with God.
II have never performed wedding
ceremony unless | knew the couple
sought Gods guidance and | knew that
it was the right step for them to take
and was sure their after life would be
happy. | hope that the hearts of all
present will be with the bride and groom
tonight. | will first read the wedding
psalm of the Salvation army. 1t was read
at my own wedding and it is indee':
beautiful. The LORD is my Shepherd,
shall not want.
And Mrs Booth then read very impress
sively the thirtieth psalm. At the close
Captain Edmund Clinton arose and stood
upon her right hand. Captain Gertrude
Hall took her position on the left. over
Captain Chnton's head rested the Stars
and Stripes, while above that OF { aptain
Hall was the en- lem OF the Salvation
army.
Mrs. Booth read the articles OF war,
which prescribe the conditions and prom
Uses Salvation army officers must accept
and make before they can wed. They
must pledge themselves to give theil
lives to the army and not permit the
marriage state to interfere in any way
with their duties as office
The marriage service read by Mrs.
Booth and repeated by the contracting
parties was nearly the same as that OF the
Episcopal churcn. The bride, however,
promises to love. honor, save and keel
her husband She does not promise tC
obey him. She pledges herself never to
prevent him from giving TO or uoIng fol
the army. And finally she agrees to make
her life constant self-sacriice for the
salvation of the worlu. Tnen the couple
Join HANDS and the groom swears that he
Will make his bride his continuous COM
rads in the perpetual war, upon his hono1
las a true soldier OF Jesus Christ. In
her most Impressive manner Mrs. Booth
sealed the contract with the closing
words:
''In the name of God, the Father. the
Son and the Holy Spirit, | pronounce
you man and wife
( After a brief prayer by the brigadier,
the audience sang with great energy that
Salvation Army favorite. Halleiujah Al
the close Mrs. Booth arose with that
beatitic smile upon her striking counter.
ance and said:
81 think that 1t is about time that wo
man came to perform the marriage cere
mony for man. A woman can Svmpa,
tbizs fully Will the bride. ! was onre .