The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-06

STAFF Captain William Stephen Quirk,
the new divisional commander of the Sal
walton Army for the gulf division, which
comprises the states of Alabama, Missis-
sippi. Louisiana and the northern part OF
Florida, is a most interesting parsonage.
Captain Quirk first saw the light of day
in the Isle of Man, that beautiful little
spot in the Irish sea made famous by
ly describes the quaintness and sturdi-
ness of the people of that island.
Early in life Captain Quirk had strong
desire for u seafaring life. which is read
lily explained from the fact that all his
ancestors for centuries We're mariners.
His father was captain of one of the ves-
sells that sailed from the historic port OF
Douglas. The people of the Isle of Man,
while under the British flag, have a
government Of their own, make their own
laws, speak their own language, and
have customs peculiar and distinct to
themselves Although their language
Gaelic is dying out Captain Quirk still
speaks it.
AT the age of 10 the staff captain then
a sailor lad. first met the Salvation Army
in the Shetland Islands and was anything
but pleased with the service of those Sal
vationists on the streets OF the city of
Lenwick. TO use his own expression he
said to one of his shipmates who stopped
to listen to the street meeting, why
don't these people stay in their church
or chapel and why do they bring the gos-
pei to the street." Upon coming home
later from a rather lengthy sea voyage
he again met the army in his home town
and was convinced that the army people
We're at least in earnest and while some
did doubt at that time this inspiration,
young Quirk believed they worked at their
jobs and no one could doubt their perspi-
ration.
Some years ago, the then Cadet QuirlS
was sent to Jersey City to be trained as
an officer in the Salvation Army work.
lie tells OF his first experience in visiting
and praying with the sick and poor in
the tenement district of that city Cadet
QuirS, with another young man, were
instructed to find the worst tenement in
a certain district and visit and pray in
as many of the homes as possible. After
finding what they decided was the very
worst in that neighborhood Quirk said
TO his friend: Let us visit the people
on the ground floor, but his cadet friend
evidently knew more of the WAYS of the
sums than he, and said. No but let US
start at the top, for IL we are kicked
down one flight we will be ready to do
business on the next
The first suite visited, the salvationists
We're told not very politely, that their
prayers We're not needed, and in fact they
were told that. unless they quickly left
they would be kicked downstairs. The
next suite they found poor man dying.
and were asked by the sorroWing wife
-. lii, t.erI.f HI las
hours by prayer and the army buried the
poor fellow. With this kind of training
QuirlS developed into a real army work
er, and believes there is salvation for the
worst, and most hardened of sinners. for
he says does not the master Himself
say the Son OF Man has come to seek
that which was lost. .
This is the mission of the Salvation
Army, and Captain Quirk says that OF
such is not the case then he has wasted
the best half of his life, and that he
would not dare stand on the streets cor
ner and offer hope to those for whom
there is no hope. Not only does the army
reach the down and out, but many church
members nave received spiritual heir
through the services on the street, and
have become live wires in the church
hence. he claims. the army is auxiliary
to the church.
Captain Quirlx has had charge of some
Of the most important stations of the
Salvation Army In the United States, and
there is not an officer in the armys ranks
in the southland. especially who is more
popular and wen known than Staff Cap
tain QuirlS, having given altogether over
10 years of his 20 years of officeship to the
south He is known and loved from
Washington to the gulf.
His work amongst the prisoners in the
cities where he has labored was commend
ed on by former Warden Chaffin of the
Ohio penitenfiary, in the following words
Captain Quirk | am pleased to say
that | am under many obligations to you
for the great interest and noble work you
and your efficient corps OF workers have
done in looking after the moral interests
of the prisoners under my care. The earn
est way you talk and explain matters to
them has resulted in great good and
should commend itself to all good citi-
zens.'
For tie past five years he has been the
secretary of the South Atlantic division
rncer Brigaders White and Crawford.
Some II years ago in the city OF Atlanta,
Captain Quirk was united in marriage
to Captain Annie Harrison young irish
asse from County Antrim in the North
of ireland, and she has been real help
mate to him in his duties as salavation-
list, in fact he says that she is the power
behind the throne.
Speaking of his work in Birmingham
and the prospects for the future. the cap
tain is very optimistic, and feels conf
dent that the army viii advance rapidly
spiritually, as the south advances COM
mercially. Captain Quirk is already in
love with Birmingham. and has been sur