SPLIT IN THE SALVATION ARMY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), 16 February 1883, Page 3

SPLIT IN THE SALVATION ARMY.

" A house that is cLvvided against itself cannot stand," and avc learn that there is alroady a division in the ranks of the "Salvation Army. It appears that Captain Gipsy Smith, who was the commanding officer of the army in Hanlev, was lately presented with a gold watch by his friends m the potteries. This Avas not in accordance Avith the eternal fitness of tilings in the opinion of General Booth, and Captain Smith was promptly cashiered. Smarting under was treatment, the discharged one, on Monday last, raised his rival standard and opened an opposition campaign in the populous districts of Burslem and Stoke ; and to him adherents are hoav flocking. To two lieutenants of the Army who Avcre guilty of offences of a similar'nature, General Booth offered the option of leaving the Army or giving up the presents to his keeping. But they preferred "the watches to the Army, andnOAV they are gone over to the standard of Captain Gipsy Smith. . According toiaterinlelligencethe division in the ranks of the Salvation Army, caused by the secession of Captain Gipsy Smith, appears likely to assume serious proportions. Nearly all the "troops" in the Potteries have now joined the opposition army. Major Fawcett, who has been sent to Hanley from headquarters to take charge of the Salvation Army contingent, accompanied by a female captain, has been so roughly received that a body of twelve policemen was required to escort him to his lodgings. At an uproarous meeting, attended by some three thousand "rebels," Avhose object was to the holdinu-'of a service'bv their former officers and Major Fawcett,* the latter_ tried for several hours to get a hearing Avithout the least success. Even the name of General Booth was ineffective to quell the tumult, mere mention of him raising a perfect storm of "hisses, groans, cat-calls, and other deafening noises." From all appearance, therefore, General Booth seems to have acted unwisely, or at least hastily. _in depriving Captain Gipsy Smith of his commission for receiving the presentation made by his friends.