The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-03
Work and Purposes Of the
Army Explained.
Rev. Mr.. De Barritt'S Ad-
dress at Beneficent Chapel.
What tn. Army Organization Has
AccOmp.ishedThus Far.

The Rov. A. De Barritt who is in
charge Of volunteer work In the New
England states, with the title of lieuten-
ant colonel, spoke at Benelcent chapel,
Chestnut street. last night.
Referring TO the work of the Volunteers,
Mr.. Do Barritt said that there was great
cause for thankfulness; the prospects
were bright, applications Tor bershlp
were coming In daily, and quite "a number
of ordained pastors had offered their ser
vices 1.-The Volunteers, " said the speaker,
"aro unfavorably criticised by those who
know little of the deeply-rooted convic-
tions that have led them TO take the stand
they have for liberty and God. Their
mem bers ask for no privileges not enjoyed
by the members of every other Protestant
church in the United States with one
exception. AS Volunteers they desired
that their leaders should DO American
citizens, and that the rules made for OBJ
servance in this country should be made
here and in consultation with the leaders
this side of the water" He mentioned that
no BODY Of Christians would submit TO bo
governed by rules that had been made
thousands of miles away. and which they
must either submit To or leave the organ
ization that was dear TO them. They
felt it was best that all property given by
American people should be held In the
should be Incorporated, and they did not
think it advisable that properties
in different counties should be held by
one person in his own name, and he not
citizen. 1t might be all right for the
present, but who could tell what the future
would bring forth, and If other societies
found it possible to be incorporated and
To hold property in the name of the
society, then the Volunteers were only
asking for the privileges enjoyed by
others Alr. DeBarritt illustrated this by
reference To paper III Hamilton. Ontario
Canada. Under the impression that the
Volunteers were to commence work in
Canada, the editor of Hamilton paper
asked by what right the Volunteers of
America came to that country To start
work there. AS Mr.. DeBarritt clearly
pointed out TO his audience, England
would never submit for an American in
this country TO hold property In England,
to man the English forces with American
officers, TO be constantly sending Amerl-
cans TO England TO occupy the chief posi-
tions-apd the Volunteers in requesting
that tins cease had only acted within
their legitimate rights and any organiZa-
tion that sought 10 impose this sort of
thing upon an American public was seek
ing TO do III this country what would
never DO tolerated by the people of
another.
How Letters Are Granted.
In the Volunteers. letters are granted to
persons wishing to join other churches,
nor are such persons considered back
slders. but are treated with the same
consideration as those member who bring
letters from the churches to the Volun-
teers The selling of Sunday papers Is
discountenanced, and no person would
bo refused admission TO the society
because he would not sub
scribe to the selling of papers on
Sunday. The chief thing Mr.. DE Barritt
mentioned. that al influenced thousands
To become associated with the Volunteers,
was the fact that the Lords Supper was
celebrated. He spoke of the thirteen
years personal experience he had had
without once attending the Lord Supper,
and how sad IL was to think that during
those years never once had he heard read
the passage of Scripture, This do in re-
membrance of Me. " The Volunteers
would be allowed To retain their church
membership, and no member should be
dismissed from the Volunteers without
regular church trial, making 1t impossi-
bic for person who may have devoted
years of service TO the organization to be
dismissed by one man.
LADDERS Elected by the People.
In short, the government under which
they wish to do service for Christ was 10
he similar in spirit and form To the Con-
stitution of the United States; their lead
ers were elected by the people. Mr.. DE
Barritt condemned very strongly all tom
foolery in religious matters, and said he
thought the taking about of people In
colored pants, the riding Of donkeys, the
being carried In coffin through the
streets and such services rs he had heard
OF lately in New York where the devil
was killed. were disgrace to eligious
work, and were strictly and totally pro-
hibited in the Volunteers. Years of
church work had influenced him To the
conviction that return to church methods
would be moro calculated co effect per-
mSnent work. as the. history OF our city
mission shows Persons would not he
promoted or given positions because of
some family neutrality-suspicious. plac-
ing mere boys and girls in charge of ex-
perienced gray-hcaded men-but all per-
sons must be elected 10 the positions they
hold.
The result Of the formation of the Vol
unteers had been that hundreds OF persons
had felt they could work WITHIN the pale
OF this organization, which was American
In Its methods. In the city of Boston
officers and congregation OF Congrega
tional church had practically passed over
the church for Volunteer work several
pastors had offered their services; ench
week saw development and Increased
ability In the movement; the watchword
OF the Volunteers was, Loyalty 10 God
and the country. i'll feeling to none and
love for all who love the Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity and I'm truth