The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-23

W aen 4scOS-tfO<laE& Coa1u-SSko1c1 rs
gins, the foreign envoy OF Gen. Booth.
conamander-in-ehief OF the Salvation
Army. closed the big meeting at Ranke's
han Wednesday night with prayer. he In
voked the Omnipotent TO guide the hearts
and minds OF the voters La the coming po-
ntical struggle. After the meeting a
Poss-Inteliigencer reporter asked the
commissioner IL he had formed any opin-
Ion rs to American politics, and whether
he had any expressed idea as 20 the money
question.
''of course, have" said the giant Sal
varton.st, and he threw hack his big oushy
head and let out roar OF laughter that
stirred the folds In the scenery far above
his head. "of course ! have, but you
shan't have them; that wouldn't be fair.
you know" and then he laughed again.
but God help those-those misguided
ones; God bless all OF them"
The visit OF Commissioner Higgins 20
Seattle is an even, that has long been
looked forward TO by the officers and
members OF the army IN this city, and
their hopes were realized Wednesday
night when q man that lowered q head
taller than any OF them. with shaggy
name Of iron-gray hair and heavy square
beard OF the same color, pushed his way
toward the stage In Ranke's hall.
Before his arrival the members OF the
army held their characteristic services ON
the curbstone at the foot of the stairs
Then they went up into the hall. where
several hundred persons had gathered.
and to the stage. where a number OF
chairs had been placed IN readiness.
when he comes in" said Adjutant Milne.
"iet US give him a royal welcome; wave
your hanGkerchiefs and make all the noise
you want" The cue was given just in
time. as the commissioner at that mo-
ment appeared The tall bass drummer
beat his drum and the men with the horns
blew several blasts. the tamhourines rat
tied and jingied. and everybody not play
ing a wind instrument yelled God bless
him." "Hallelujahr' and kindred phrases
of the army that expressed glory to God
and a welcome TO the generals envoy.
Maj. Parker took the meeting in hand.
and started matters going with a song
that was fitted TO the tune of Tramp.
Tramp" which also suggested "and the
razors are flying in the air" DR.. Nice.
editor of the German edition Of the War
Cry, published at New York. was intro
duced and played several selections on his
violin. and played them beautifully. The
music was secular and was generally ap-
plauded- Then Adjutanr Willis prayed
and the army sang another song. Lets
sing that song again: let's sing it to God"
said Mai. Parker. The refrain was re-
peated and the major called upon his wife
Salvation lady, and as she stood up by the
side of her knee,ing husband she was only
an inch or two taller than he. Maj. Par
ker would say Amen very snappily
while others were longer in getting the
word out. Then there were more songs
and everybody said "HaIlelujah!" God
bless him!' Tor "us'). as the spirit die
tated.
When Maj. Parker introduced the COM
missioner he said that he regretted the
counter attractions (referring TO the poll
teal meetings). He was glad the COM
missioner was In Seattle. "All who are
glad the commissioner is here say Halle
lujah.'" said MAJ. Parker. ''Hallelujah!
rang out across the nan and the commits
sioner stepped to the front Of the stage.
He said that he did not blame the people
OF the United States for being interested
"A question Is TO be decided that will at
feet not only the people OF this country,
but OF all the world that this country has
dealings with.
The question that the Salvation Army
has 10 deal WITH" said Commissioners Hig-
gins .mpressively. affects not only all the
people In ...e world. but the angels IN
heaven and Him who came to save the
world" He then went on and for nearly
two hours spoke OF lie work of the SALIVA
ton Army the world over. and of his trav-
els He took up the social work OF the
army. and reviewed particularly that
branch OF the work as carried on in Eng
land.
His speech Is rapid. without In any way
suggesting nervousness, but earnest and
rather brusQue. His address exhibited a
scope OF work covered by the army that Is
surprising to all except to those In touch
with It's Affairs.
While Commissioner Higgins il In ear
nest he is something of a wag in his way.
and his sallies of wit leveied at his infe-
rlor brother officers caused much general
amusement.
Incidental to the meeting . collection
was taken UP, and during the singing OF
songs the War Cry was sold by lasSies
passing among the audience.
Commissioner Higgins left yesterday Tor
Tacoma, where he spoke last night.