The herald., 1896-07-16
VANGUARD OF VOLUNTEERS
The Afternoon Meeting in the First Con.
gregationaI Church
Further on the Work Of ths Organiza-
tion-The Evening at Music Hall

About 200 people assembled in the
First Congregational church at o'clock
yesterday afternoon to hear Major
Washington Blackhurst discourse fur
ther on the work of the Volunteers of
America and outline what is proposed
to be done on the Pacific coast.
He asserted positively that the new or
ganization would not abandon slum
work. I'VE will not leave the slums,
but will start that line of work as soon
as we get thoroughly organized" said
the speaker emphatically. THE woman
Volunteers will have charge of that
branch and will carry it on much on the
same lines as in the old movement"
The major spoke Of Mrs. Ballington
Booth s prison work and stated that his
would be carried on under her direction
also. 1t was the majors intention to
visit San Quentin prison at an early date
to arrange for special privileges for work
among the prisoners. 1t was proposed
to inaugurate in every prison in the
country campaign to bring the con-
victs to salvation.
The rescue" work would not be neg
lected either; Mrs. Booth would again
have charge of this Much attention
would also be paid to social work and
providing food and shelter to the needy.
reaching the heart by catering to the
physical being.
Major Blackhurst then detailed the
work of organization so far as it had
progressed in California. Posts have
been organized at San Francisco, Sac
ramento, San Jose, Stockton and Fresno.
In San Francisco a splendid start has
been made. Capt. Gardner has rented
large building at $3.50 a,month which
will he IIsad a most haraplxS and pacifo
coast headquarters. training garri-
son will be one of the features. Educa-
tional work will be one of the important
functions of the new organization. To
be permanent it must be progressive.
Officers to be efficient must have high
grade of intelligence. 1t may be neces-
sary to found theological seminaries for
the proper training of officers.
The major asked assistance in estab-
fishing the work here. He said he hoped
in few days to have able officers to send
here to take charge and organize strong
post. Staff Capt. Gardner, who is we'll
known here, will visit Los Angeles
shortly
A large audience greeted Major Black
hurst at his last meeting in Los Angeles,
at Music hall, yesterday evening. AL
though feeling quite i'll from overworl1
and the heat experienced at Merced and
Fresno while speaking there, the major
gave very entertaining tdlk, anu dQuSu
to the good impression he had already
made here.
He commented on the fact that MANY
people expected that when the Volull-
teers came to city it would be with
brass bands, a big staff of officers and
large following of soldiers, and were
disappointed when they saw only the
major and one aide. Many supposed n
very great start would be made, but they
forgot that it takes time and work and
patience to inaugurate a great move
ment. In Los Angeles some comrades
who stood out from the Salvation army
on account of their faith in Commander
Darlington Booth had waited patiently
for three months for the organization
of post of the Volunteers. 1t meant
great sacrifice for all who stood out
Tor their convictions. Many officers had
sacrificed position and salary to endure
hardships and privations in the new
movement So far he knew of but one
seeding officer who had returned to the
old movement. and he was Influenced by
question of salary
I'VE want for volunteers persons of
stamina who are convinced of the right
eousness of our cause and willing to
work and suffer for it. We do not want
men and women of putty to engage in
this work. Furthermore, we are not GO
ing to coax anyone to leave the old
movement. We want only those whose
conscience tells them that we are right
and that they can do more good in our
ranks than in the old. We want volun-
teers to come willingly and stay will
for any definite time. That's the best
way to hold people, after ALL"
AFTER speaking half an hour the ma jor
said he would vary the proceedings
by inviting others to speak, but he eau
toned them not to harp on the old
trouble. The explanation of the atti-
tude of the leaders of the volunteer
movement had been made and there
was no need of reopening the contro-
versy.
Stan Capt. Mills being called upon to
make some remarks, said he was SOL
dier in the Salvation Army under Com
mander Booth, and thanked God he was
serving under his leadership still. He
had settled it in his own mind long ago
that Ballington Booth was in the right,
and that it was his duty as an American
and Christian to join the volunteers.
lie did not believe any American citizen
should owe allegiance to any foreign
general, prince or potentate, civil, mill
tary or ecclesiastic. This sentiment was
loudly applauded. Capt. Mills said an
other objection he had to the Salvation
Army was the wearing of the red coat,
which was a decidedly British garment
The blue uniform adopted by the volun-
teers was in better taste and garb
which no American patriot was ashamed
to wear
An old man in the audience next got
the floor, and after introducing himself
as once having been the "wickedest and
most profane of human beings under the
biue canopy of heaven" rejoiced in hav-
ing repented of his evil deeds and found
salvation. He, too, prided himself in be-
Ing a. native-b born American citizen, and
heartily approved this movement
"A young woman appeared ON the
stage and sang a religious parody on My
Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon, the
audience Joining in the chorus and Mai.
Blackhurst playing an accompaniment
on the piano. The major had his concer-
Z 81 A1a