Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-21
CHURCHES Unite
In Reception to Major
.Cowan Of Salvation Army,
Address Of Welcome Delivered
By Mayor viii c. Atkins.
Local cIergymen Participate In
Rally at First Baptist Church.


the First Baptist church at p NJ. Sun
day under the auspices of Capt, McMul-
len of the local corps was a marked sue
cess.
Besides good company of interested
persons who came to listen to the speak,
ers, the following gentlemen were pres
ent to participate in the exercises: Mayor
Will C. Atkins, Rev. j. r. Clifford of the
Methodist church, Rev. w. w. Hayden.
the newly called pastor of the Free Bap-
fist church. and Rev. l.. II. Clarke, pastor
Of the First Baptist church. Service
opened by singing, followed by prayer by
Rev. Mr.. Hayden. After prayer Rev. Mr..
Clarke extended "a few words of welcome
and introduced Mayor Will c. Atkins,
who spoke as follows:
officers and Members of the Salvation
Army
1 think it has been my privilege to ex-
tend the welcome OF our good citizens to
more societies and conventions during my
term of Office than usually falls to the lot
of the chief executive of a small! munich
pality. A great many men would con-
slider it a duty. l do not / consider It
great pleasure. I like to see how the
members of the different organizations
and bodies look; how they conduct their
meetings and learn what their aims and
tain something of value from each and
] expect to do the same in connection
with this gathering.
This great organization to which you
belong is the only religious body in the
world today organized upon military prin-
ciples I think it was started way back
in 1865 in the East End of London. l
say way back, for anything that happened
before 1 was born must be way back. It's
founder was Gen. William Booth, and I
am going to tell you one reason why I
think so we'll of the Salvation Army. 1
was born and brought up Methodist,
and General Booth was a regularly Or
dained minister of that church when he
the Salvation Army.
My first acquaintance with the Army
must date back to nearly % years ago.
when I was small boy in Hallowell, and
[ remember that / liked it. I liked it's
cornet, it's tambourine and it's big bass
drum. and liked it's stirring songs. Then
I liked the enthusiasm of it's members
and. best of all. I learned later what it's
mission was and liked that. To get in
touch and religious sympathy with that
great body of non-churchgoing people
was It's original aim and today after near
" 80 years OF existence it has the same
unchanged purpose.
1t has seemed to me that churches in
the larger cities are becoming like in
dividuals. There was a time, ana not
long ago either when doctor was called
upon for every kind of medical or sur
yical aid. but it is different today. In the
large places each doctor has a specially,
either the eye. the ear. the lungs or other
separate work. The lawyers have either
criminal work. probate, corporation pa
tent, comm rcial or other division Of law
practice. Formerly the merchants would
carry almost anything desired, but today
they carry some distinct line Of wares.
And SO I was thinking while sitting here
hat it might possibly be so with religion.
That whereas all the churches at one
time sought to convert all the people.
now each church might take up its one
peculiar work and class or body of people
and work for their good here and here
after. But be that as it may, the Saliva
ton Army has the greatest field Of any
religious body In the world, field that
cannot be nsurped by any body or organ
ization now in existence. However that
may he. If we follow the Script,ral in
Junction "Know thyself," we will not be
neglected
The Salvation Army is and has been
performing a great work for mankind,
so great. in fact. that if every member
belonging today should backslide and
again become a sinner: If the whole or.
ganization should become suddenly dis,
rupted and destroyed: if all it's buildings
and charitable institutions should fall to
the ground. the good that it has done and
the battles it has won would live on and
on, forever and forever and forever.
1t IS because of this great purpose and
work that we welcome you to our CITY.
and may your stay be satisfactory to
yourselves. agreeable to your society. and
pleasing to Him who directs you.
At the close of his remarks the mavor
introduced to the company Major Thomas
Cowen. who has charge of the Salvation
fhiliIN WoIh III new England, and who q
at present the guest of Capt. McAIullen
IF the 1oca! Salvation Army Corps. Ma
lor Cowen quickly put himself in SYM
pathy with his hearers and outlined the
broad sphere of work in which the Sal |
vation Army is engaged. He spoke of tho
purpose. methods and PRINCIPLES
Or the organization. emphasizing the
platform adopted of practical philan- |
fhropy. tic four planks in this platform
being homes for all. work for all. food |
FOR all. salvation for ALL Said the sneak
er:
THE unchurched masses. the people to |
which we are called are down as a result |
OF two causes. They are down either
through misfortune or through miscono- |
duct We have two cures for these
causes. For those who are down through
we must change their cir
and for those who are down
through misconduct we must change their
character. The Salvation Army repre-
SCENTS the church of everybody that be-
OnpS RI pohody