Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1884. THE SALVATION ARMY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 224, 19 August 1884, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1884. THE SALVATION ARMY.

Looking at the Home papers one can but be astonished at the rapidity with which this movement has spread to almost all parts of the world, and, be the motives of its originators what they may, their enterprise has met with the most undeniable success. A procession or march past took place at Sheffield last month, when over 5,000, " soldiers'" of the Army were present, including representatives from India, Australia, America, France and Switzerland, General and Mrs Booth being also amongst the number. Though such a large number of people took part m the proceedings, and though the scene of their procession was the thickly populated town of Sheffield, where one would expect to fjnd all sorts of ruffians, and larrikins ready to make a disturbance, the proceedings are described by the Home papers as having been most orderly. The only fun that was indulged m seems to have been the jeering and laughing at the brass bands, of which there were 50 m number. Considering the rather chostic sounds that would emanate from fifty of such musical organisations, perhaps these expressions on the part of the on-looters, were nothing but natural. Some

10,000 persons are said to have attended meetings m the Albert Hall and Drill Hall, m the evening, and the General, m strong language, denied that he oi his family benefited fYom the funds of the Army. It is *ell that this statement has been publicly made, for there arc many m this country who fully believe tfiat the Army was originated by certain interested individuals for moi tiyes of private gain. From General Booth's announcement, and it } would have been challenged had it been incorrect, it is evident that such imputations are wrongly made against the promoters of the Army. From the statistics we read that there are now 590 corps of the Army »at Home, and 254 abroad, making a total of 844 corps m all, whilst there are 1,411 officers m command m England, and 587 abroad. These figures, if correct, reveal the enormous proportions which the ranks of these " soldiers '* have attained. The monster collection too, of late taken up m the Exeter Hall, shows that the Army has the sympathies of some of the wealthy people of England. We do not, by thus bringing them into notice, declare ourselves altogether favourable to the Salvation Army, but as the body is fast becoming such a large factor m most civilized communities, they are deserving of passing notice under the circumstances we have pointed out. And then the question suggests itself, Where will the movement end ? What powers will this huge body or sect wield ten years hence ? Will they ever make use of their combined strength m religion to assist themselves m politics ? If they increase as rapidly m the future as they have done m the past, their power m [matters political ; will be very great. If rightly used, no one will grudge it them; but if abused, the country will be endangered to a considerable extent. ; In the event of the first happening, the movement may grow and thrive, and deservedly prosper; but if the latter, it will outgrow itself, and simply die a natural death. That its operations have been attended with benefit m thousands of cases no one will attempt to deny. For the harm that it may be indirectly instrumental m doing-, it should, therefore, be leniently judged, and not too hastily or violently upbraided.