The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-22

''A great many people know nothing of
the practical work of relief which the Ar
my does.''
lone thing I want to impress on you,
said Mr.. Booth, land that is that rs per
cent of the men and women reformed by
the Army stand true
but what do you do practically for
those who are reclaimed from vicef What
occupation do you find for themP''
We try to find them employment which,
after their reclamation, is not very diff
cult matter, for when their lives prove
sincere people will trust them, especially
upon our recommendation. Our rescue
work among fallen women, of course is a
difficult matter. We give them work in
our rescue home such as dressmaking and
bookbinding, and train them in domestic
work When we are sure of their change
in heart and reformation, we send them
out into situations. To quite a number of
men we have given temporary employ
nent until We could vouch for their hon
esty and satisfactory work. OF course a
large majority of our soldiers have some
trade of their own, and when they become
changed and sober men they do well.''
spoke of a recent effort made in Wash
ington for the reclamation of fallen wom-
en-, and Mr.. Booth said that the Army did
not follow tho usual method in going
about the work Of reclamation. Mr.. Booth
said: 1.-The Army work is very distinctive
on these lines. They have their methods,
which they are following with very salts
factory results, loving, personal dealing
with each case being the fundamental
principle. The Army strongly believes that
no reformation without salvation is effec-
tual. They are, however, very particular
and judicious in the way in which they
win these people to listen to their reli-
gious truths.
1.-The rescue workers. said the COM
mander, don't try to crowd religion
down the Threats of those who are walking
in the shadow of despair. They sit down
with them and talk to them; they offer
them a refuge which is not prison, a
place where everything is made bright and
pleasant for them, where no attempt is
nade to enforce rigorous discipline but
where love reigns, and where the atnos-
phere is made as homelike as it can be-.
And they are seldom willing to leave this
refuge for their old life. If they go out
from it, they go to better homes.''
The Work of the Songs.
Commander Booth said he believed the
songs of the Army had done more than
anything else to assist in the missionary
work
"A great writer,'' he said, "onee said
that he cared not who made the laws of
people if he could make their songs. be-
lieve the Salvation Army songs have done
I asked the commander if he did not
find that they repealed the better educated
in some instances.
1--WE have songs,' he said, (which will
compare in beauty with those which Watts
and John Wesley gave to the world-songs
set to beautiful music. To the refined ear
there may not be anything attractive in
the music of The Sidewalks of New York,
but our popular songs are not intended for
the cultured ear. They are meant to at
tract and hold the attention of those whom
we are seeking to reclaim in the slulns of
great cities. They are meant to draw
certain class of people to our meetings.
Often these people come to laugh, but it is
better they should do that than that they
should spend their time in the saloon
drinking. The songs make our meetings
jolly and lively and attractive, and that is
what we need. The ecclesiastical too often
repels. On the same principle we do not
begin to talk religion only in our slum
work. Our slum workers begin with
something practical. No use in talking
religion in a house where filth reigns and
starvation is claiming its victims unless
you also give them bread, help and labor
of love. Our people don't go to the homo
of the suffering to talk about God being
love without showing a willingness to
manifest that love in practice. The first
thing they do is to hustle about, get a
a little fire, put the teakettle on prepare
n frugal meal and wash the neglected chill
dren. The people look on in amazement
at first and say: Don't do this. We
haven't any money to pay you for it. I'VE
don't want any money say our workers.
They can't understand that for time.
Then some one tells them that these are
the Salvation Army's Stun angels and
they begin to comprehend. The way to
reach the hearts of the poor and the suffer
ing is through practical charity first
through help and brotherhood. 1 don't be-
lieve in indiscriminate charity, though, do
your
I said that the reports of the Charity
Organization society ought to teach any
ono the evils of indiscriminate charity.
"There is much philosophy in their
work." said Commander Booth. "They
do great deal of good. Charity too often
pauperizes.''
But what do you do when a man
comes to you and asks for help?' asked
He comes to our refuge and says he
is poor and hungry-that he has not tast-
ed food for SO hours perhaps. We put our
arms around him and say: God bless you.
You are welcome Sit down and eat We
give him substantial meal. What next?
We tell him to go down stairs and chop
wood to earn the next meal. He does not
have to earn the first if he is hungry. But
if he wants to have another he must earn it.
1--WE place very little faith in a man
until we get him in the uniform of the Ar
N.Y. said the commander, discussing the
reformed with whom his people have to
deal ''When you get man in uniform,
he becomes a responsible person, for that
shows we have known him long enough
to thoroughly try him and find out that
he is earnest and sincere in his profession.
And we have no one about US whom we
do not feel we can trust; there is no one
in these headquarters who could not be
trusted with 81, 900 to take to the bank.
However smart man may be and how
ever we'll adapted to the work, will not
Il in of nSih ilitv