The Salvation Army.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 248, 24 February 1894, Page 2

The Salvation Army.

INDIAN NATIVE OFFICERS' VISIT*

A special interest was displayed in the Salvation Army last evening by their adherents and the general public of Feilding, and, we might say, surrounding district, as residents of Coly- • ton, Catnpbelltown, Waituna and other settlements in the vicinity of Feilding, took advantage of the occasion to be present. The cause of such interest was the attendance of four officers of the Army from India, who are making a tour of this and the Australian colonies. The officers in question arrived in Feilding by the midday train yesterday and at about 7.15 last evening.the Feilding soldiers under Capt. Hill rolled up in force and inarched to Manchester Square, headed by their band. On arrival in the Square a position was taked up opposite the Feilding Hotel, when Ensign Senanadad, of the Indian contingent, took charge of the open air meeting, and after short addresses had been given to those present, who must have numbered 400 persons, a start was made in processiou for the , barracks. On arrival there it was found those premises were .well filled and a number of- persons were unable to gain admission. Capt Holloway, who is travelling through New Zea-, land with the Hindoos, introduced them and it is needless to say they . were most enthusiastically greered with Hallelujah volleys. Ensign Senanadad took charge of the meeting again and apologised for Major Musa Bhai being absent through indisposition. He referred to the objects they had in view in sending the Indians to New* Zealand and Australia, which was to let the people of these colonies see how the work was carried on there, and those who live here could under* stand better when the Hindoos came amongst them than by reading. He was sure everyone was interested in the Indian empire as the Union Jack floated over it the same as in England and these colonies. They at present lived under one Queen and he hoped the time was not far distant when all would be under King Jesus. They never knew, in villages the Salvation Army have not visited in India, the unday from any other day ;«s business places were always kept open. The temples were also always open, and worshipping was continually carried on. One of the doctrines of Hhidooisin is that if you want to find peace you must make the body suffer. '-. Hindoos were easily converted when their enthusiasm was roused, and he had received word while iv Christchurch to the effect that one thousand ..-, converts had been made, in twelve days in one place. Captain Muthiah was the next speaker, and he was followed by Captain Guvesekara in a descriptive address. The two latter, with Lieut Siya, are aboriginal Hindoos, while the Ensign is a Britisher who has made India his adopted home. Captain Guvesekai*a is a very fluent speaker, and described India as being the home of three hundred million su bjects of Queen Victoria. The Salvation Army had about 11,000 soldiers in India, there being 500 officers, 350 of whom were Hindoos^ the remainder being Europeans. Progress was rapidly extending amongst the villages, and they had plenty of converts, but they were sadly indeed of funds to train their countrymen for the service. Several hymns were sung by the Hindoos in their native language, and some amusement was caused in trying to get the audience to repeat and sing the choruses. The whole proceedings were very enthusiastic and narratives were interspersed . with earnest appeals to the unconverted sinner to repent. The Hindoos appeared in their native costumes, which assisted to attract attention and their reception in Feilding must have been very gratifying to them.