THE SALVATION ARMY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1248, 4 October 1884, Page 2

THE SALVATION ARMY.

The tea held in connection with the Temuka Gorps of the Salvation Army last Thursday evening in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, was a great. success. Besides the local corps, some soldiers from Timaru, including the Army braes band, were in attendance under command of Major Pollard, Staff-Cnptain Barritt, A.D.C; Captain Baxendell (Ashburton), and Captain Lewis (Temuka). Presumably it is correct to call the hall the mess-room, in order to consistently carry out the military bearing of the whole proceeding:. Starting with this it must be said that the commisariat department (for which Mr E. Lee was the contractor) had not stinted the supply, and that there was an abundance of everything on the tables, which were presided over by Mesdames Washington, Benbow, Walker, Uden and Mackay, Misses Dunford, Benbow (2), Sweet, Preddy, Elder, McCallum, and Hopkinson. Everything being ready, the mess-roonj soon filled up (to the number of about 300) with soldiers and their guests, and after chanting grace an attack wns made on the e.itableß. There was nothing particular in the proceedings which followed, as the Salvation Army goes about killing hunger in the same way as ordinary mortals, and iudging from the energetic manner in which all went to work, they liked the operation. It appeared, too, that the enemy (hunger) was pretty powerful, but by hard fighting it was conquered in the course of time, after which the battle-field was cleared, aDd the victorious army marched up the town headed by the army brass band. Some youngsters amused themselves by throwing crackers amongst the crowd—a very reprehensib'e practice, as it is dangerous, and ought not to be allowed. After parading the streets, the army returned to the ball, and the meeting proceeded. The large was crowded with soldiers, the four officers occupying the front rank, iind the body of thehall was pell filled. Major Pollard immediately gave out a hymn, and the band striking up the air all joined in singing it. The air was a ringing one, and it was kept up spiritedly until all, or such as could find seats, had seated themselves. This was followed by prayers, offered up by Captains Lewis and Baxendell, when Major Pollard struck the i key-note of a hymn which he aud StaffCaptain Barritt sang to a very funereal air, whilst on their bended knees. Standing up, another hymn was given out, during the rendering of which StafECiptain Barritt divested himself of his coat, a proceeding which was quickly folio w ed by and Major Pollard which exposed toview thft scarlet guernsey* of the three officers. This dona. Major Pollard asked for the loan of a pocttet handkerchief, with which he was quickly supplied by his aide-de-camp, and then every pocket-handkerchief in the hall was whirled in the air. Major Pollard explained that handkerchiefs were thus used to express their gladness at the many souls which were daily saved. After the singing of another hymn, Staff-Captain Barritt addressed the meeting and read a verse or two about Lazarus from the Bible. The A.D.C. has a very powerful voice, is very good looking, and of manly presence—not at all the picture which one would imagine of a salvat'on officer. He speaks well, and pronounces very fairly, but there was a want of consecutiveness in his discourse which rendered it devoid of force or impressiveness. Captain Baxendell, who followed, is a little fellow whom one would spot as the M.C. if he met him at a free and easy dance. He has a very fair voice for singing, and appears a kindlydispc.sed little fellow. The larrikins of Ashburton, he said, broke the windows of the barracks, but came manfully next day and for putting them in He spoke highly of them, and he is just the sort of fellow that larrikins would come round to like. Major Pollard, who made si long speech in presenting the colors to the Temuka corps, is pale and ascetic in appearance. He is, however, a splendid speaker, only that his voice is a_ little unpleasant, and he conveys to his hearers the idea chat he is an educated man. He speaks very good English, every word is

properly pronounced, his gestures are easy and graceful, and his sentences are well emphasized. His manner is al«o very pleasant, and he is far superior to any of the others we have seen in ths Army, in speaking powers as well as in rank. He explained that all the military parade, the banners, and outward show, were only used to draw people so as to get them within reach of hearing what they had to say. After making a capital speech, he presented Captain Lewis with the colors of the Temuka corps. Captain Lewis having spoken to some extent in accepting the colors, and some prayers having been offered, the proceedings came to a close.