The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-26
SALVATION CHRISTMAS.
Yesterday a Great Day for the
FerVent Soldiers.
IN THE AFTERNOON AN EXTRA
MEETING WAS HELD.


With the outcome-Features of TIL,
Exercises Were the Severe Raps at tho
Kelley Cure Institution-CIaim That
There is No Need for snch Affairs-Th,
Army Completely Ignores All Taunt
sneers and Jibes-Good Natured Blu
Thoroughly in Earnest.
Christmas was enjoyed by the Salvation
Army in Portland yesterday. For week:
the local branch of this soul savers or
ganization which now has representa-
tives in all parts of the world, have beer
planning for the celebration. of the LORD.
birthday, and = looking toward
with much eagerness toward making
special efforts.
In additional to the regular evening
meeting, it was proposed to hold yester.
day an extra session. AS a consequence
meeting took place at the barracks
which are located in a large hall two
flights up, in building at the upper enc
OF Federal street.
This meeting was fairly successful
one. AT least that was the opinion OF
one of the ordinary, common soldiers in
the cause who explained to a PRESS re-
porter that he was glad to announce that
1.-TWO persons had been saved"
| Last night the SalYationists were out
in good sized focre. They began to as.
semble at the barracks by seven O'Clock
and half hour after that the line OF
procession was formed under the lead OF
Capt. Everett Stone who also fills the
position Of the treasurer of the oragniza-
ton. Thirteen persons wearing the regaIta
and two outsiders marched up Congress
street 10 Brown where they counter
marched to and proceeded to Monument
square.
4 The big bass drum and the half dozen
comets made noise enough to drown the
clink, clink of the electric car gongs,
and to draw on a respectable sized mum
Der of followers
Here as usual, the mem bers stacked
arms and formally began their peculiar
religious ceremonies. They formed in a
circle and one by one began to sing the
ANE GAsA oOiiSSo VI Sd44 ulJOA tl6 GUulUOfS
to join in the exercises
By this time the crowd had continued
to increase SO that there were in the
neighborhood of three hundred men and
boys looking on. About half Of the Eau
dience" were out for q Christmas night
of sport. These laughed and jeered as
they SAW much to amuse. Several young
sters were putting away at cigarettes be-
ing right on the heels Of the salYationist
who kneeled and offered prayer
This PREDATORY part of the programme
continued some fifteen minutes when the
line of march was resumed and the re-
turn to the barracks taken.
Sixteen had marched from the barracks
and the number had not increased when
the headquarters were again reached.
But the retinue of hangers-on had been
perceptibly augmented.
As the foot Of the stairs was reached.
the line Of course, halted The officers
stopped a few seconds and asked every
body to go upstairs.
GOOD evening, ladies and gentlemen,
como up with us" urged Captain
Stone.
The audience room is a very rough af-
fair
The walls are bare, save on the front
over the platform hangs large, SPLEEN
did photograph we'll framed OF General
Booth, and in the rear this sentiment,
Prepare to Meet God
The meeting at once began. Captain
Stone saw several boys laughing and
making fun in good natured manner
and took occasion to reprinand them.
He is a very plain speaking man, hitting
right out from the shoulder in his re-
marks.
Captain Stone in opening said
that he saw the boys and Young men
laughing. He chided them.
"Thero is nothing to laugh at here, -
he stated. "If there is lun down stairs
God bless you. A word to the wise is
sufficient God bless you.
This served to quell the gigglngs and
loud whisperings for only short time.
Then followed songs-the audience ris-
ing from their seats.
The little hall was well filed, and the
tardy stragglers had to look sharp 80 find
seats. The groups represented all classes.
Only one drunken man was seen dur
ing the evening and the party would have
escaped notice had he not disturbed the
meeting by getting up while the testi-
monial service was going on, and hat on
head, made break Tor the door, He had
difficulty. in reahUing his destination.
The old familiar songs were sung at
first by the army, and then one of the
lady leaders importuned the audience
to try their hand alone. She led them
but her efforts were futile for short
time, as all that could be heard was her
sweet voice, Gradually, however, the
timidity Of the crowd wore off and tine
young lady's attempts were appreciated.
But the crowd never could make the
stir that the soldiers themselves could
in the singing business.
Next followed a series Of prayers which
i