The Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY SEPT. 17, 1885. THE SALVATION ARMY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1457, 17 September 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West CCoat.s t. THURSDAY SEPT. 17, 1885. THE SALVATION ARMY.

That public opinion has undergone a considerable change, m many parts of the world, with regard to the operations of the Salvation Army, there is very little reason to doubt. Gradually people are beginning to recognize m the organization a commendable spirit ..-of .self-reliance, self-sacrifice, and consictency of purpose and action, which cannot but inspire a degree of respect and admiration. In the feature of moral courage, the soldiers arid adherents of the Army set an example which many who affect to ridicule and despise them might find it difficult to emulate even m a less* degree and m a less meritorious cause. They are not easily deterred from walking m the path which their conscience tells them is that of right and duty. Ridicule, rebuffs, and even personal violence fail to intimidate them or to shake their determination to act m conformity with their principles and convictions. Their steadfastness and consistency do not pass disregarded, and by slow degrees the public mind is becoming imperceptibly and perhaps unconsciously inclined to regard with more favour, or at least with a less antagonistic feeling, an organization which* however objectionable its systems and observances at first may appear, m the end disarms prejudice and hostility to a considerable extent by the unquestionable sincerity, earnestness, and steadfastness of purpose which animate and characterise its operations and, as a rule, regulate Its conduct. The moral courage which is such a prominent feature m connection with the Salvation Army, has induced many to regard it with less disdain than formerly, and eventually perhaps to feel a kind of sympathy for persor.s who so courageously and steadfastly pursue the course which they believe is that required of them by Him whom they serve, and whose work they feel called upon to perform. When recently m Wanganui, we took some pains to ascertain what the state of public feeling was there m regard to the Army. So far as we could learn, public opinion m that town is much more forbearing and less aggressive towards the organiz ation than it was,; some months ago. Many people recognize the fact that the Army are doing a good work, and are occupying a field which the other religious denominations have to a considerable extent neglected. The mission of the Army seems to be to go out into the highways, and byeways, arid rescue from degradation the waifs and strays of human nature, whose salvation none scarcely attempt, and to save whom but few hands are held out. The Army, is not easily discouraged. They may fail times and again, but they try again, and generally succeed m the end m lifting some poor fellowcreature out of the mire, and restoring him to a position m which he may feel some degree of self-respect, . and come to regard himself as worthy of being called a man. We may not approver of all their observances, m many of which very possibly they are so carried away with earnestness and enthusiasm that what may appear to others as approaching to a burlesque on religious . matters, may m the minds of the soldiers be simply the outcome of a fervour as difficult to describe as im possible to realize by persons who nave not experienced its power. There certainly is not the bitter, relentless, uncompromising opposition , to the Army that, at one time, characterised public opinion with regard to it. By degrees it has overcome . much of the antagonism once manifested towards it, chiefly by the elements of disinterestedness, and- absence,of* all ideas of self-aggrandise- . ment which are so manifestly chari acteristic of the Army and its cam- |. paign against vice .m every form. • Public opinion would not be the potent incentive to pursue the right aiifl shun the wrong, the dreaded censor of public morals, and the normally correct criterion and test whereby good and evil are gauged did it refuse to admit the meritorious features that present themselye :. m conn< ctipn with the Army, ; or condemn it unreservedly, bepa»sj

certain of its ordinances and ceremonials do not exactly coincide with the popular idea of the proprieties m such matters. The public, however prejudiced and biased, cannot shut its eyes to the fact that the Army must be inspired by something more powerful and enduring than mere enthusiasm. There must be strong conviction, and a deep sense of duty, underlying this enthusiasm, or its effects and influences would be less I permanent, less irresistible, and less inspiring. People invariably admire fortitude and courage under any circumstances, and m how many cases' is a greater display of those qualities required m pursuing the path of duty, and opposing ridicule, contempt and antagonism, than m deeds of gallantry and daring, when the blood is up, and personal danger forgotten m the impulse and excitement of the moment. • There is a poet who has written about The devotion of the heart. The endless fearless strife, . The gallant mute endurance, Of a struggling baffled life. So hard the daily task work ; So far the glittering gain. Utterly m vain, utterly m vain. Ay, to earth's common reading, The heavy text is plain ; But by the noble effort, And by the solemn trust ; By steadfast faith — no fear of death, By all thinjrs pure and just ; ' Spite frustrate aim, and failing hope — ' Spite wrong, and loss, and stain ; No life that God lias given Is utterly m vuiiu We are convinced that the Salvation Army are achieving good, and m a direction that other organizations,howcver well directed, spontaneously, fervent and sustained might be their operations, would fail to permanently or materially effect. The Army go about their work m their own way; and if sometimes people feel disposed to object to their observances, let them remember that there is every reason to believe that they are actuated by a sincere earnestness m doing good, and m fulfilling what they believe to be their vocation, as revealed to them by Him whose approbation alone they seek or value. We would counsel forbearance instead of aggressiveness on the part of those who continue to regard the Salvation Army with disfavour; and we j believe that m the end the great j body of the people will recognise m them a potent influence for good, m j the saving of many a poor degraded j fellow-creature, and the rescue of many an outlaw of society.