The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-01-26
BY CAPTAIN DEUTER,
Local Commander.


The Salvation Army, which organ.
ization is world wide had its origin in
the open air, through services con-
Quoted in the east end of London by
the Rev. William Booth, a former
Methodist pastor.
To become the founder of new
sect or organization was the farthest
from Mr.. Booths mind but seeing vast
multitudes of reckless, Christless, nom
church going people. his heart yearn-
ed for their salvation and he accord
ingly set himself out for the grand
purpose of winning them to God.
To reach them he felt he must 60
where they assembled and he there
fore visited the brothels and dens of
vice and from the frequenters of these
places he formed his open air congre-
CATION; his converts as result of
these meetings were legion. He pur-
posed to have them become affiliated
with the various churches, but this
did not meet with their approval as
they desired to remain with and under
the spiritual care of Rev. Booth.
AS the converts resided in differ
cessary to open mission halls through
out the city.
Open Twelve Halls.
BY 1868, three years after the first
open air meeting had been held,
twelve of these mission halls had been
opened where nightly great congrega-
tons gathered. They then formed
themselves into body and adopted
the name Christian Mission" SO far
reaching was it in it's influence that
within two years it had spread
throughout all the large cities of Eng
land.
In 1873 while debating a letter Gen.
Booth was explaining the meaning of
the name Christian Mission" when a
thought struck him; he hesitated, and
asked his son what he thought the
name implied, and he said it is a
Volunteer Army; the general then
struck out the word volunteer substi-
tuting the word salvation, making it
Salvation Army.
This term gripped well. Being an
army, the general realized the need
of military terms, titles and uniforms
In adopting military forms he nat.
urally departed from all convention.
atty and church form which of course
brought forth storm of opposition,
but undaunted by this he kept on
meanwhile making thousands of con.
verts. He had often been asked from
whence he expected to get his preach.
ers to carry on the great work he had
started; in reply he pointed to the
crowds he was addressing: from
thence"
Spreads Over World.
From 1880 to 1885 the Army spread
to all the principal countries of the
world. The work was started in the
United States in 1880 by the advent OF
seven young girls from England, all
under the age of 25. These girls
stood in the open air in New York
City. tremendous crowds flocking
around them. In spite of refuse be
ing thrown at them and stones hurled
at them, and their clothing ofttimes
torn off their backs, they prayed, sang
save the salvation of the un-Godly
Cold weather setting in, they sought
a place where they could hold indoor
services, but none could be rented
when one evening Tony Pastor, pro-
prietor of Pastors Bowery vaudeville
theater invited them to come to his
theater as one of the features of the
program, more in the spirit of good
jest than in zeal for the Salvationist's
earnestness; they consented to accept
his invitation provided they would
have first place on his program, which
was granted. BY the time their ser
vice had drawn to close, all desire
for the other events of the program
had vanished, and nearly 200 converts
was the outcome of this extraordinary
meeting.
Press Renders Aid.
The newspapers took up the thing
so enthusiastically that after tina,
night a number of people offered the
use of their buildings to the Saliva
tionists. AS it was in those early
days of the Salvation Army, SO it j:
now, the prime motive of our organic
alton being the salvation of mankind
for We ever keep in mind Pauls in
junction, / Cor 1881: Whether there
fore We eat or drink or whatsoever W
do, do all to the glory of God" There
fore when we supply clothing or foot
, to the needy, visit the sick or the pris
ons, or in any way be of service tt
humanity, it is all done with view
to eventually leading them to God.
The work of the army is varied
the slum work, as the name implies