1884 - Salvation Army Activities

A not-usual day in the early history of the Salvation Army in Hamilton:

From the Weekly Times August 7 1884

“Again on Sunday, from seven in the morning till eleven at night, did the Salvationists hold their out and indoor services, and seemingly they were not then wearied, as one might hear them in groups on the streets passing home singing their much-loved songs. It is a notable circumstance that there is always something new at the Army meetings to ‘keep the pots a-boiling’ and yesterday was no exception to this rule. It occurred thus wise : Captain ‘The Winning One’ dilated extensively upon the part of Matthew x, which calls upon Christians to confess their Christianity before men. She poi8nted out in a quiet earnest manner that it was the duty, privilege and joy of a Christian to speak of the Master he was serving, and if he failed to do so, why ‘God will thrash you,’ interposed ”the Merry One.’ In answer to this call, many of the audience who are members of various churches arose and gave their experience  of a religious life. Good singing interposed between these speeches, and all was going happily , but unfortunately for the Army’s peace, there was a little quiet, old Methodist man present, and he seemed determined to test the Salvationists’ mettle, for at the end of his address, he, in a pointed manner, expressed regret that there were ‘so many renegade  Methodists upon the platform. ‘If you scratch a Turk, you will find a Tartar was here striking illustrated, for Methodism is the heart and soul of the army, and a thrill of indignation at the word ‘renegade’ ran through the soldiers. Up they sprung, and vigorously hurled back the word ‘renegade’ into the old man’s face, at the same time stating that if there had been scope for earnest Christian work in the churches, they would not have left them. The audience was evidently tickled, and the old man sat perfectly still and smiled grimly upon the commotion he had created. Eventually, all the ruffled feathers were quietly smoothed down by the soft and earnest addresses of three ‘Ones.’

“In the evening, the subject was again taken up by an old and well-known Churchman of forty-seven years’ Christian experience. He gave many excellent reasons why he preferred the Army method of introducing plain gospel truths to the masses of people, but decidedly the best soldier’s address and song were given by Sergeant Barrett. During the whole of the time he was upon his feet, the large audience was profoundly attentive. The public meetings had been so interesting that 10 o’clock was reached before one was aware of it. The prayer meeting was then commenced and continued till 11. During this time, persons came forward and, after prayer, professed Christianity. The singing of ‘Till the power Jesus Promised Should Come Down’ ‘The Merry One was remarkably effective. ‘Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow terminated one of the best meetings ever held in the barracks.