THE SALVATION ARMY.

Evening Post, Volume XXVI, Issue 70, 20 September 1883, Page 3

THE SALVATION ARMY.

MAJOR BARKER AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE. The announcement that Major Barker, the chief of the Salvation Army in the Australian Colonies, who arrivod from the South by the s.s. Rotorua yesterday, would address a meeting at the Salvation Theatre, ToryStreet, last evening, had the effect of drawing together a very large assemblage within the walls of that building. Long beforo 7 o'olook, the hour at which it was stated proceedings would oommence, the hall was comfortably fillod by members of the Army and representatives of the general public, and in order to keep the latter out of mischief a sort of "free and easy " was started, much to the delight of the youthful portion of the audience. Some of the Iatter at length, however, grew tired of amusing themselves by joining in the Hallelajah ohoruses, and exhibited a disposition to enter into a little sport at the expense of some of the full privates, who were stationed at intervals along the passage for the purpose of preserving order. These individuals were not to be trifled with, and on intimating to the young men that anyone guilty of creating a disturbance would be speedily ejeoted, silence was completely restored. Major Barker, accompanied by his wife, Major Pollard, Captains Edwards and Colley, and soyeral minor officers, entered the hall a few minutes after 7 o'clock, and were received in a very demonstrative manner, the choir striking up a soul-inspiring hymn, and a few of the more fervent spirits ejaculating, "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord," The meeting was opened by singing the 78th hymn in the Salvation Army Hymn Book, a band consisting of a cornetist, an organist, a flautist, and a violinist adding to the effective rendering of the vorses. At the end of the second verse Major Pollard explained that it had been intended that the first gathering should have been, for soldiers only, but through some mistake outsiders had been admitted. However, nobody would be turned out except for misbehaviour. Anyone who misconducted himself would br expelled, but all would be allowed to remain so long as nothing disorderly took place. He thought that was fair and square. The public oame into their front parlour, as it were (laughter), and whilst there they should behave themselves. Another verse having been finished, Major Pollard expressed his gratification at the rapid strides the army had made in Wellington since his last visit, and pointing to those assembled on the stage, remarked that they might be a peculiar throng— an awkward-squad sort of a thing, but there could not be any doubt that it was a thing of the right sort. (A voice — "Right you are, old boy.") The hymn having been gone through, a couple of prayers were offered up by the ouptains. Captain Edwards, of Christohuroh, was especially earnest in what he said, and during the time ho was praying ho became quite excited over his task, speaking rapidly and gesticulating in a most animated manner. Another hymn having been sung with a considerable amount of vigour, Major Pollard addressed the congregation expressive of the pleasure he experienced at again meeting so many souls who had found peace in the Lord. Towards the close of his remarks he desired those who were pleased at the arrival of Major Barker to signify their gratification by saying Amen. The request was instantly complied with, and after a handful of larrikins in the body of the hall had indulged in a little banter at the expense of the officers, Major Barker stepped forward, and commenced an address, the delivery of whioh oooupied about three-quarters of an hour. This officer is a comparatively young man, and judging from the way in which he conducted himself last evening, is well fitted for the position which he occupies in the Army. Hs is by no means, ill-favoured as regards personal appearance, and he possesses a voioe which, although not mellifluous, is nevertheless not unpleasing. During the course of his remarks he suffered very little interruption, a circumstance to be attributable more to the feat of expulsion than to any reverence on the part of the youthful spirits present. The Major commenced his address by expressing the pleasure he felt at presiding over a gathering of the Salvation Army in the Empire City, and then went on to allude to the wonderful agency which the Creator had raised up for the succour of those who were on the broad road to ruin. He referred to the violent attacks made upon the movement in every country where the Army had taken up its quarters, and said it was generally noticed that this class of people were those who were always finding faults in othors and never cognisant of their own little failings. The loaders were sometimes taunted with the remark that the adherents of the Army comprised the workIng classes only. This was quite right. [Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"] The working olasses they wished to get hold of, and he was glad to say that their efforts were very successful. ["Hallolujah!"] Referring to the intelligence of the arrest of General Booth in Switzerland, the speaker said that the news would be received with great rejoicing in every part of the world where branches of the Army existed. Some people wero anxious to put down tho Army, but they were not to be trampled under foot; he was like a cork — when they put him down on one side, he was up on the other — (laughter) — and this was the way with the Salvation Army. It was all very well for people to talk, but it could not be disputed that the Army was doing a deal of good. In many houses the wives and children had now proper boots and frocks, all through the Army, who were also instrumental in putting "tuoker" into the oupboards. (Laughter.) Major Barker then gave an aocount of the progress made in the other colonies, and related several amusing anecdotes in connection with the work in Australia. Major Pollard then announced that he had that afternoon inspected a building suitable for a barracks, and in a very short time the Wellington branch of the Army would possoss quarters of its own. A collection was taken up at this stage of the proceedings, and a liberal amount was subscribed. After the ringing of a hymn, several converts stepped on to tho platform and testiflod that through the agency of the Army they had at last found salvation, and shortly afterwards the meeting closed.