The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-05-30

To be sent about from one post to
Ianother. subject TO orders from head
Iquarters. with nothing to do but obey.
such is the life Of the Salvation Army
officer. Women as well as men are
pledged to strict obedience. and expect
no special favor or relief from duty.
Staff Captain McAbee. as she prefers
to be called-dispensing with her Civ
en-" name-knows all there is to be
known about obedience to orders and
the self-sacrifice that comes with strict
discipline.
She is always willing to talk about
the work which she does inteligently
and well. She is one Of the oldest Of
ficers in the American branch of the
Salvation Army-not in years-for she
is still young, vigorous woman, but
in point Of the length of her service.
The Salvation Army Home for wo-
men and children is entirely under her
charge. and she reports 10 her superior
in Chicago.
mand of the Island work only, and has
nothing to do with the management Of
the home.
How long have you been in the SAL
walton Army?" Captain MeAbee was
asked, when she was found looking
after the affairs of the institution
which, at present, is her chief interest
in life
Twenty years" she replied smil-
ingly
How did you happen to go into
the work."
Il had always an inclination in that |
direction she said. 1T was, in one
sense. an inheritance. We were Meth |
odfsts. My grandfather was for fifty |
years one of the circuit riders who |
preached in western Pennsylvania and
eastern Ohio. Ny father was an evan
geiist, and I was. for a long time. his /
assistant"
1t was self-evident that she must
have made a beginning when very
young.
we lived in Alliance. Ohio" she
continued. THAT was near where Nc
Kinley lived, you remember
1t was remembered. and also that
he. too, was a good Methodist.
Il worked with my father seven
years and while We were living in
the Army paid the town a
visit. 1t was my first acquaintance
-. /
open air meetings and saw how they
got hold of the drunkards and the
people who never went 10 church.
1T was a very different army in
those days" she remarked. People
scofed at and ridiculed US, and it took
real soldier courage TO bear all that
We were called upon TO face.
I finally felt a distinct call to join
them. and my father heartily approved
the step. I enlisted formally at Ali
ance. Ny two brothers-one of them
also staff captain-and their wives
also Joined, and are now at different
points in the States"
Where was your first work doDe?"
AT Steubenville. Ohio. and at CO.
lumbus. In Columbus there were some
wonderful conversions.
DO your converts stay converted?"
Yes. many Of them. I recall one |
case. that is a very good illustration
He had been a drunkard for thirty
years. He was a laboring man, a good
fellow. well liked and. but for this
love Of drink, would have been a su-
perior man. When the Methodists had
a revival they would get him out, but
after the interest in the meetings was
over he went hack 10 his old life.
There was nothing 70 keep him-no
organiza ton in the church at that
time to help him. The Army came. con-
verted him. he staid sober ten years
and died shouting happy
What is your own special line2"
Spiritual work-preaching. or ex-
horting at barracks. visiting saloons
and this. at the Home, which we call
our social work: that is. looking after