The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-10-07
TWO BELIGI0US HRTIIES s..'':: g

THE VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
This body Is religious organization,
| tnaugurated in March, 1856, by Command.
er and Mrs. Ballington Booth in response
to numerous requests on the part of
American citizens. 1t is organized In tTue
military style, having as its model the
United States army, but in conjunction
with military discipline aI-2 methods of
work it possesses a. thoroughly democrat
10 form OF government, having as it's
ideal the Constitution of the United States
OF America. It's adherence to American
principles has been further signaiized
by the movement having been incorpo-
rated The object of the Volunteers is 10
reach with the gospel OF the Lord Je-
sus Christ the millions Of this and other
countries which hitherto have been un-
reached by any existing religious organic
cation. The fact is recognized that these
untouched masses pervade every section
of society, and while those Of the lowIiest
walks Of life-the poor, the vicious, the
criminal, the drunkard, and others-wiII
always be the objects Of the tenderest
solicitude of Volunteers, the teening
thousands of the middle class and the
sinful and Goddess IN even aristocratio
circles will also be confronted with the
eternal truths Of divine revelation and
the glorious gospel Of full salvation
When 1t is remembered that this organ.
cation has not had the advantage of time
IN which to augment its forces and at.
tain it's present Misunderstanding only
tnaugurated on March 3, 1S96-not vet five
years OLD; that its growth has been durA
ing distraeting war and IN the midst Of
political and financial agitation. its
friends think they may lay claim to q rise
and progress phenomenal in Christian
history in this country. There are at the
present time eight regiments of sixteen
q 70 ,41Ec
OF responsibility. The Volunteers are es,
tablished in some $50 cities and towns,
During 1899 over $4,000 was raised bv
posts, 26ll,647 persons were ATTRACTS 20
the open-air service, while 1,9S73f7 per4
sons attended indoor service
Inc Volunteers will seek to cooperate
with all the existing evangelical churches
and religious organizations. To this end
the commander-in-chief was ordained a
Fresbyter of the Church of God in Gen.
eral." The sacrament of the holy coms
munion will be administered IN the Vol
unteers meetings by the coumander-in-
chief and properly qualified and ordained
staff officers at least once a month The
sacrament of baptism is also recognized,
but its observance is left perfectly op-
~tional to every individual Volunteer
There is prison branch Of the Volun-
teers, which has influenced 1900 prisoners
for good living. Commander Booth has
located several colonies in the West and
is giving much attention to the work
The ABOVE outline of the Volunteers was
prepared at the Office of Commander
Booth, whose headquarters are at No.
l Fourth avenue, New York city. The.
Volunteers were organized when Balling-
ton, son Of William, was ordered to a
Salvation command in another country,
which he declined to accept and som
in-law Tucker, who combines Booth as
part of his name, came from India and
took command in this country