The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-11
THIS CITY'S VOLUNTEERS
EX-Salyationists to Organize the
Movement in Scranton.
COL. WATKINS EXPLAINS. 1T
Accompanied by Local and staff Officers
She Addresses Audiences In the
First Presbyterian and simpson
Methodist Churches.

Preliminary to establishing In Scran-
ton a post Of the new American Volun-
teers. meeting was held yesterday az
ternoon in the First Presbyterian
church and another was held In the
evening in the Simpson Methodist
church on the West Side. An added
interest was given the gatherings by
the presence of Colonel Pattie Watkins.
that determined and eloquent young
woman of beautiful character who sew
eral years ago was the captain of the
salvation Army Of this city and who
has recently come into great promin-
ence through her fidelity to the Balling-
ton Booths and by her speeches at the
Cooper Union meetings while the dis
sension was taking place among the
SalvatiOnists.
Colonel Watkins swayed and i'm
pressed yesterdays audiences with
the same ardor and fluency that has
featured all her recent public appear
ances. The gathering In the First Pres
hyterian church in the afternoon con-
tained. more than did the Simpson
church meeting, an audience composed
largely of well-to-dO people who were
present with the main purpose Of hear
ing the little woman Of whom they had
read so much and also to have ex-
plained TO them the main feature Of the
American Volunteer movement.
With Colenel Watkins We're Captain
Masland and Lieutenant Green the two
young women who Officered the Saliva
tionists on the West side before the
split came, and Staff Captain Lindsay,
who has charge Of the Volunteer supply
depot in New York city.
Captain Masland, though younger
and with less experience than Colonel
atL hare
showed herself possessed Of wonderful
resource and fortitude. and is unusual
ly gifted as a speaker. She continued
the impression yesterday during brief
address which followed that Of Colonel
Watkins.
COLONEL WATKINS TALKS.
After a song. prayer and another
song Colonel Watkins made her ad-
dress. 1t was especially In relation to
the Volunteers but she introduced the
subject by a short sermonizing In the
title of the last song. There Is Foun-
tain Filled With Blood" She said 1t
was not humanity that performed good
works but 1t was the power within a
person: 1t was the right spirit, the con-
tents OF the vessel and not the vessel u
self. Christ within ones heart was tho
power that moved one.
She devoted perhaps ten minutes to
this theme, during which her ardent
manner rather than the matter drew
to her the sympathy Of her hearers.
She then discussed the American Volun-
teers. but in u very dispassiOnate and
matter-of-fact way, much different
than when making her Introductory re-
marks and evidently with the sole pur.
pose OF giving information. Her de-
parture from the Salvation ranks was
because God had led her.
or Commander Ballington Booth and
Mrs. Booth she made reference almost
reverently, described their gentle. low
ing characters. made mention of their
beautiful home life, and said she mad
never found them inconsistent.
The American Volunteer movement
was going to be a great power and
blessing. 1t had started on its own
foundation, every penny and piece Of
Salvation property having been turned
over to the army by the men, who.
through the Ballington Booths. he'd
the funds and property in trust. Bal
lington Booth was obliged. even, to bor-
row the money to pay the first INSTALL
ment of the headquarters rent. The
report that monied men had contribut-
ed to the cause was untrue. Eighty
posts have been established. Applica-
tlons for others are pouring in from all
parts Of the country, but 1t will be a
perfect their detailed plans.
SCOPE OF THE WORK.
The American Volunteers was not GO
Ing to be One-man movement. The
organization was to be Incorporated
and Its funds and property held In trust
by responsible and prominent New
Workers.. 1t Is proposed to labor es-
pecially among respectable working
men and women, as the poorest Of the
poor and the tony element" as Col
onel Watkins expressed 1t, are getting
sufficient religious advantages. But
the work will nevertheless be among
the unchurched, whether they be high
or low. 1t is hoped ere long that the
Volunteers will have the sacred ordin-
ances of the Lords supper.
Colonel Watkins said that Captain
Masland and Lieutenant Green would
be in command Of the Scranton post.
She exDained her presence here by the
fact that she is n headquarters officer
and has charge of Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and Connecticut. and, naturally,
felt peculiar interest in having the
work started in Scranton. where she
had once been engaged and where. she
Aaeiu tiC pGopit "Clc oo Icduy "
give aid. She then made a brief plea
for immediate aid.
An Offering was made. and the way
the plates We're laden and the denom-
nations Of cain and bills indicated that
the collection was a large one.
Colonel Watkins stated that Captain
Masland and Lieutenant Green would
In the near future make known the
location selected for the post and re-
port on the progress of the work.
At the conclusion of the meeting q
Tribune reporter learned from Captain
Masland that the Volunteer hall will
be in the central city. the business sec
tion. and tina. several halls are now
| under consideration. The South and
West Sides and North End. she said
will receive the same canvassing and
| attention that Is bestowed on any Of the
localities near that In which the hall
Is to be located.
| Before the meeting terminated Cap
| tain Masland spoke briefly but with a
great deal Of feeling concerning the
uncertainty and trial that had taken
place in her mind while trying to make
decision between the army and its
offshoot. She described herself as in
tense in her determination to perform
| good works. thanked Scranton for It's
aid to her In the past and begged Its
| interest for the future.
After q talk by Lieutenant Green the