“There is a fight between the dissentients and the faithful for the two
outposts of this station. These outposts are Waterdown and Millgrove.”
Hamilton Spectator. September 11,
1884.
The split in the ranks of the Hamilton corps of the Salvation Army had
manifestations outside of the city proper, even to the rural area in the northern
section of Wentowrth. The breakaway section of the Hamilton Army decided to
assert themselves in both Waterdown and Millgrove, superseding the influence of
the main corps:
“ Sergt. Barrett, the leader of the mutineers, has ‘seized, them, and
says he is determined to hold them until
this dispute is settled. He held a meeting in Millgrove on Tuesday night and
one in Waterdown last night. Soldiers were sent to both these places from the
regular army, but when it was found that the enemy had secured a foothold in
both, it was decided to let them remain in possession. Sergt. Barrett claims
the honor of opening up these outposts, and he will not give them up without a
struggle.”1
1 “The Salvation Army Trouble”
Hamilton Spectator. September 11, 1884.
Back in the city, the main corps, offically known as the Third Canadian Corps, carried on as usual, with the leader,
Captain Bertha Smith, still in command:
“Last night the regular army – that is those who have remained faithful
to Capt. Smith – held the usual meeting in the barracks. It was well-attended,
and the spirit manifested was harmonious. Capt. Bertha, in her address, said
that she was in the habit of opening her Bible at random and taking the first
passage of scripture that caught her eye as a message or a promise from the
Lord. Recently, she opened the Bible, and the first verse she saw was this :
“Fret not yourself because of your enemies,” and it comforted her exceedingly.
No matter what evil-minded persons might say of her, she was trying to do her
duty, and would continue to do it.”1
The division in the ranks of the Hamilton Salvation Army was shown in the
fact that while the main army was meeting, the breakaway troops also were
meeting in a different location:
“The dissentients turned out last night in smaller numbers than on
Tuesday night. They held a meeting in a small upper room in a building on James
street, a few doors below Cannon, which has been used as the band’s practising
room. Nobody but soldiers were admitted.”1
Meanwhile, the overall leader of the Salvation Army in Canada, who had
been fully informed of the schism in the Hamilton Corps was on his way to
arbitrate and ultimately decide which side of the dispute would get his
support, hopefully leading to a reunification amongst the Hamilton soldiers.
(To Be Continued).
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