The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-15
A SALVATION LASS.
GLE MUST OBEY ORDERS EVEN TO
FACING MURDER IN THE SLUMS.

This Comes Harder to tho American Than
to the English Soldier-The Romance of
tho Stolen Angel Which Is Expected to
Come Back with Story.
Americans take less kindly to dis
cipline of the Army than the English
do, said Captain Elma Vickery of tho
Salvation Army. Captain Vickery is a
Bostonian and has been confidential
secretary to Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth
since Mrs. Booth first came to America
just what does discipline Of the
Army mean?" was asked of her.
Doing as ono is told-obcdien
without question, which is tho duty of
every soldier in the armies of the world
This discipline is IL wonderful training,
as one realizes watching its effect upon
Salvationists. Of course obedience is IA
habit, like faith, that grows moro and
more by exercising it. Now, in tho case
of Americans we find always much dis
position to question. They always want
to know why before they do us they are
told. 1t becomes needful to explain Ill
tho reasons very fully to them, while
English people accept directions with
ont cavil. Indeed they seem positively
to like it. think the Americans atti-
tude i'll this respect is duo to tho pro-
pensity of all my country people to seek
to impress themselves Individually upon
their environment, whatever and wher-
ever it may happen to he. Did feel in
this way myself: No, but l will tell
you why not. had the greatest adm-
ration for and faith in Mrs. Booth, and
as | was entirely under her direction tho
influence of her personality subjected
me completely. l felt she must always
be right, and SO l was ready unhcsitat-
ingly to carry ont all her commands.
When a Salvationist is not sustained by
this strong personal feeling for the Off
Ger whose orders must be obeyed it is
sometimes not easy to submit-whcn ono
is told to go out and call War Crys, for
instance. That is what I have to do this
afternoon down i'll the Sums You sec,
l have on my slum Clothes, " an old
calico frock and detected looking straw
bonnet.
1.-THE slum work. " continued Captain
Vickcry, sis our great stronghold and
safeguard 1t keeps us down to the level
where we feel there is most need to do
Gods work. Mrs Booth says the great
danger i'll this country for the Army
lies i'll its tendency to work upward
among tho higher classes We arc sent
to the lost sheep To reach them the
methods Ditch condemned and generally
misunderstood are tho most eificacious. "
In support of these methods Captain
Vickery produced "Ordcrs and Rcgula-
tions For Field Officers" the handbook
of tactics which is provided for the
guidance of all Salvationists III COM
mand. 1t is a rather pondcrous volume,
bound i'll scarlet. The contents are care
fully indexcd, and there seem to be in
structiOns set down for every possible
contingency.
Page 25S treats of Roughs-How to
Reach Them" This is part Of the
counsel given:
BE friendly with them. Make them
feel that you care for them. Make every
meeting, as far as may be, interesting
to them. Let the precise people, who
want things to be conducted without
noise or excitement, go elsewhere for
their sermons, psalms and proprictics
Never let them (thc roughs) go away
without some kind word from YOU.
Never mind if they arc bad people.
The Samaritan woman at the well was
very doubtful kind of character. I am
afraid many of our field officers would
have been ashamed to DO seen speaking
to her III public, but tho Master was not
above noticing her"
The possibility of violence at tho
hands of the rough element is noted in
these words:
"But what if they kill you?"
"Well, yon must die. You have often
sung and said that you would-now
here's chance. Make up your mind to
the worst; then perhaps he that would
lose his life shall savc it, -
Captain Vickery is u rather delicate
looking young woman, with big, ear
nest eyes, n lovely smile and low, sweet
voice. AS sho spoke of selling War Crys
i'll the slums it was impossible not to
associate her with the picture on the
wall above where she was sitting 1t
represented Salvation lassio coming
down a dismal. narrow street in the
darkness, with the bundle Of papers
which betOken her errand.
Every line of tho slender figure and
delicate face expresses the brave conStan-
cy of the maiden. Behind her, with
hands extended i'll protecting and bless
ing, follows an angel, the source of light
i'll the gloom.
Captain Vicllery explained that the
original of this was done i'll black and
white by we'll known magazine illus
traitor, Miss G.. y. Davis, who present
ed it to Mrs. Booth. A plate was made