The Portland daily press., 1896-03-13
FOR THE WAR.
Salvation Army Recruits Sworn
In.

Une SalVatl0n Army at Uu0 Eeuerdl street
barracks last evening. Under the
motto, holiness Unto the Lord" over
the platform was large framed portrait
of General Booth and there was no doubt
of the position of the corps on the ques-
ton of going with the late commander
or staying with the old general.
A considerable portion of the audience
had assembled before the music outside
told that the army was coming, and it
entered the staff. captain at the head.
Twice with drums beating and colors
flying the soldiers marched around the
hall, and then took possession of the
platform.
Staff Captain Stephen Marshall led the
meeting. He had been announced as
Bishop of Maine" but that is title
unknown to the army except that he is
the chief pastor of the diocese.
Captain Marshall 'deaconed" the open
ing hymn, "We Claim This World for
Jesus" and it was sung with really fine
effect. Two soldiers and the staff cap
tain offered prayer.
Captain Marshall then called upon
one of the soldiers, woman, to lead in
singing.
eve are marching forward in the
strength of God,
Fighting for our blessed heavenly
King;
Jesus is our Captain, He will lead us on,
Vict'ryl vict'ry! we will shout and
sing!"
Captain Marshall then read selections
from the scriptures. He made running
commentary, And the Lord said. led
him to say ''The Lord never opened his
mouth without saying something.
There are people who talk for hours
without saying anything, or giving you
anything to take away with
you. Don't try to please ev-
erybody, try to please God. Remember
that salvation is the first duty. John
the Baptist was free and earnest man,
but he was termed a fanatic, one who
had gone mad over religion, and Jesus
himself was rallied at as friend of pub
licans and sinners. The men who try to
serve God are not popular. Luther and
Knox and Wesley we've misunderstood.
He paid a ringing tribute to General
Booth, who has stood for God for more
than fifty years. II speak of him. for
we all love General Booth Of the Saliva
ton Army" he said, and there were
cries Of Amen" and ''God bless him., ,"
and Captain Marshall said that if the
world, or for that matter Portland is to
be won for Christ it must5 be through
the efforts of devoted, earnest meu and
women. He would say to those who
were about to be enrolled that they must
be living embodiment of the religion
of Jesus Christ. No man has done his
full duty until he has surrendered him
self to God.
''En sign Walker and his string band
will now give us SELECTION said the
captain, "and let every body pick up the
chorus" The band is good one and
reflects great credit on the leader and Or
ganizer.
Captain Marshall then suggested that
as collection was to be taken up it
might be well for all present to give all
they had brought with them. Ensign
Walker said that they received So at the
door and he asked for 81 collection. He
got $780, and said that the army in
Portland is still 81 in debt. "All through
this cold and discouraging weather." he
said. Twelve managed to keep above
water''
Testimonies were given in rapid sue
cession, briefly and we'll, while bright
singing was thrown in here and there.
This was no slight Or uninteresting fea-
ture of the meeting. That feature of the
programme closed with the singing of
eve may change, but Jesus Never: Glory
to His name"
Captain Marshall then read the @Arti-
cles of War; the recruits about to be
received must accept. The clause pledg-
ing the recruits to be faithful soldier of
the army until death was explained by
the captain who said the army has no
use for Spiritual tramps," and that
when man gets tired of the army he is
no longer faithful soldier, and is at
liberty to 60 elsewhere. To the articles
as read he added one of his own, pledg-
ing the recruits not to use tobacco in
any form. Some recruits came forward,
and the army flag and Old Glory formed
the background. They then repeated this
vow: "And I do here and now call
upon all present to witness that I enter
into this undertaking of my own free
will. feeling that the love of Christ who
died for me requires the devotion of my
life for the salvation of the world
Captain Marshall gave the right hand
of fellowship, and spoke of the army as
universal factor. He said that if they
should go to Africa they would find the
army there, conducting revival among
the Zulus. If to Japan, then the army
would be there. 1t is everywhere. ere
member you have joined the largest tenn
perance organization in the world" he
said.
Ensign Walker then offered an earnest
prayer committing the new recruits tt
| God, and to his service. Captain Marshal
said few words to each of the recruits
To one of them an old man he said 'God
| bless you brother, may your last days be
hoa -