New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-22
THE SALVATION ARMY IN INDIA.

THE SALVATION ARMY IN INDIA.
WELCOME EXTENDED BY THE NATIVE PRESS
WHEN ENGILsHMEN WERE HOSTILE
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. There mas been so much said in the press
about the accepted statement Of the former Eng
lsh missionary to India crlticising the SaiVa'ioh
Armv's utterances concerning its converts In that
country that feel 1t only just that you give me
space In your columns for reply ana comment
upon the same. Arc we sure that the statement
Of this missionary is not influenced by jealousy!
The tenor OF his letter, in my judgment, portrays
an,nus which will be clearly understood by those
who arc acquainted with the history OF the WORK
Of the Salvation Army In india. the persecu'ions
10 which its officers were subjected on the part Oh
the missionaries and English judges ana the re-
Dukes administered to the prosecutors py the
native press, which warmly espoused tne cause
Of the salvationists in their casting aside OF a"
comforts in mode of living and dress that they
msht be on level with the poorest OF the natives
and thereby win them to Christ
To quote at any length from these articles "ou'u
occupy too much Of your space. VIII simply
ouote from the Brahmo Somaj (Hindoo) organ
"The Liberal; 80 long as Christian missionaries
are respectable and fashionable. they are honored
and patronized They are hated and kicked so
AEON az they give up Their respectability and mix
with the DOOR" The same journal In the previous
issu, writes Welcome. valiant General! "ei-
come Salvation Army. Welcome mighty Daho
OF Christ commissioned officers! Thrice welcome
Our most cordial greetings we orer you upon your
arrival in India We speak TO you heart 70 heart
with all frankness and enthusiasm In our utter
ance there Is no guile. fattery; for what proht
is sycophancy? Ye want no praise. we seek no
patronage We profess a different faith In mat
tiers OF doctrine We not Of one accord ie are
Christians OF the old school: we are The's's' re
have come 10 India to convert our people TO chris
tIanlty We are apostles of the new dlspehsa,uiom
Yet we honor you and welcome you; Tor we DeileVe
thai YOU have been raised by Providence Tor me
benefit OF Christendom, and your advent mere w
India is we believe. provident!al Nay we give
vo,i even greater credit than most OF your ieIow.
Christians seem disposed to accord we 90 most
solemniy believe that your able general Miiiam
Hooth is an inspired apostle OF God whom ne has
intrusted with divine messages and endowed WIN
heavenly power and resources TO give eMe ec -
fhrse messages General Booth is no oE1Ha
man He is man Of God, fully inspired iSr '.e
great work He has given him TO 90 on eartn; ~
such we revere and love him, apd we regard .ne
entire organization OF the Salvation Army as the
work OF the Holy God IT., ,os y,
This will evidently show the position occupiea ~
rho salvation Army In the minds ana hearts OF tne
NATIVES No other Christian organization mas ever
called forth such a declaration or praise, approval
and confidence. And organization fas had 70
s,rfer moro because OF misrepresentation raise
ocrusa,ious jealousy and opposition . .
CHARLES @. PEASE, vi. IL.
Nev-yorl April s, 1886.