THE SALVATION ARMY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1125, 24 July 1883, Page 3

THE SALVATION ARMY.

A sermon was delivered last Sunday evening in St. Saviour's Church, Temuka, by the Re v T. A. Hamilton, on the ' Salvation Army.' The preacher selected as his text Luke ix. 49 and 50, He characterised the Salvation movement .13 irregular ; pointing out that the regular mode of proclaiming Gcd's love in Christ Jesus, was by means of evangelists duly authorised, viz,, the clergy. Time and custom sanctioned irregular efforts on the part of the laity, as Scripture readers, district visitors, class leaders, Sunday school teachers, etc., but solely under the direction and guidance of the clergy. Self constituted evangelistst (though to be deprecated) could not be forbidden to preach, without our Saviour's express injunction. ' Forbid him not : for he that is not against us is for us.' The organization and constitution of the army was then briefly touched upon, showing the rapid spread and growth of the movement, and, above all, the mavellous way in which converts freely gave money and labor, etc., in support of it. He pointed out that in the regular churches it was difficult to raise money by collection or subscription, and yet in Timaru the money required flowed in freely and spontaneously. He had heard it stated that the Army had so increased in Timaru that it has proposed to enlarge the hall in which the meetings were held, and that the carpenters and bricklayers had offered their services free of charge. Here was »n evidence of force and vitality ; of faith working by love, which coald not possibly be ignored. Objections might be taken to the language and forcible denunciation of the speakers, anl the mode of operation, namely ' novelty and excitement,' but their aim was to reach certain classes without the pole of regular organisations. He described the results as only likely to be permanent in so far as they produced holiness of life, but if the accounts of the reform of drunkards and the checking of freethought, as published in the newspapers, were authentic, then it must be admitted that the work, though apparently evil, was mixed with an immeasurable amount of good, of which the permanent results would be made known at the revelations of the last day. The rev. preacher then pointed out that in obedience to the words of Christ it was impossible to oppose the movement, but on the other hand it was a difficult matter to co-operate with it. He advised a middle course viz., neutrality. They should go on with their own work, and watch thankfully the work of others ; endeavouring if possible to show them a more excellent way, and urged his hearers to act in the spirit of the words of St. Augustine. «In things essential, unity ; in things indifferent, liberty ; in all things, charity,'