MONSTER SALVATION TEA AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1949, 28 September 1889, Page 3

MONSTER SALVATION TEA AT GERALDINE.

A few weeks ago notice,, was given that a monster welcome tea would be held in the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine, on Wednesday, 25th September, for the purpose of Major and Mrs Hammond , and. their musical troupe, whb Were about to visit Geraldiheiv ,It was also announced; that tfie. Geraldine corps would then be forded, and the colors presented. True te time the tea came off on Wednesday last, and the results proved that4Ke ’term “ monster ” was not at all ill chdfeen The weather during the day Was wet and cold, but it did not appear to have interfered with the attendance. Major Hammond and his troupe iaMived ei&rly in the afternoon, and during the remainder of the day vehicles of every description loaded with soldiers arrived in town. For the tea three long tables had been placed down the hall, and one across at either iehd, and every one of these < packed with visitors, perfectly able and willing to do ample justice to the excellent-fare provided, while a good many more sat about waiting to take their places at the table's. Some of the tables were given by friends, and quite an army of assistants attended to the wants of the visitors,* ” Among those who presided at the tables and otherwise assisted were—Medames J. W. Pye, G. Fronting, Fly, Chesterman, Herdman,; Benbow, Fruid, Brown, arid King, and Misses Whittaker, Coombs, Fleming, Morrison, Gaiger, Guilford, Hawden, and Fruid, while Captain McCormick and Lieut. Crawford busied themselves in attending to everybody. From 200 to 250 people must have partaken of the tea. After. t»a the tables were removed and the seats adjusted. Foie these there was a desperate rush, and they were filled ala quickly as? they tCQtild be got into position, By the time the meeting was fairly strarted there must have Ijeen close on 400 people present, and riiany peisons had to stand. On the platform were Major Hammond and his troupe, behind them being those vpho intended to join the corps and a purnber of friends. This end of t&e flail was very prettily decorated, and the word “ Welcome ” was displayed yefy conspicuously. ; ■ The meeting was opened, with devotional exercises, a selection being siing by the musical troupe. Major Hammond then read a portion of Scripture and commented thereon. Later in the evening he gave some very interesting statistics as to the work of the Army. He stated that the Army was now established in 37 different countries and colonies. Ihe way in which some of the officers, poorly educated men often, had picked up the •- different languages was marvellous. In the Australasian colonies they had 313 stations, 488 outposts, 8 rescue homes, 5 prisongate brigades, and 1 cavalry band, There were 962 officers and 14,000 soldiers upon the roll. In New Zeathere were 21 stations, and 52 outposts. Something oyer half a million War Crys were printed weekly throughout the world, and in not one of these was a single advertisement that chronicled anything but the doings of the “ Army.” There were about 16,000 officers alone throughout the world, and the Army was still growing and spreading. Every year it nearly doubled itself, and last year it more than doubled itself. He hoped before long to see the Army in the whole world. . The Major then proceeded tq form the Geraldine Corps. He first read over “The Articles of War,” ®r beliefs, obligations which each member joiningthe Army subscribes te. He tieh asked those who were willing to join the corps to come to the front of the platform. No less than 31 cam© forward, and as they stood side by side it certainly appeared to be a splendid result of about six weeks’ labors by Capt. McCormick and Lieut. Crawford at Geraldine. Besides these they have a number of other converts on the roll who do net see their way clear to join the army at present. Major Hammond addressed te those . about to-be enrolled some very earnest words of exhortation to continue firm in that : which they had accepted. Each soldier was then presented with a smajl pass, the presentation of which at any, barracks in the world would, ensure their being admitted at once as fully-approved Salvationist soldiers. The' porembny of presenting the [newly-formed corps with the colors was , next took place. The captain and lieutenant came to the front and Major Hammond presented the captain with the colors, and, addressing both, urged on them the great necessity of fighting faithfully beneath its colors till death; . captain and lieutenant responded in feeling words, expressing the glory they felt in serving under such a -fiag for such a Master. Musical selections were then sung by the troupe, after which the meetiag was turned into a prayer meeting, and was finally closed with the benediction.

A musical evening was held on Thursday evening the Oddfellows’ Hall. The building was crowded, and much pleasure was experienced in listening to the musical selections rendered by the major and his troupe.

The remainder of the Hon. W. Eobinson’s racehorses were sold at Christchurch on Thursday; Chainshet to Mr R. Bay for 450 guineas, Exchange and Heatherbell to Mr T. Hungerford, of Greymouth, for 150 guineas and 75 guineas respectively.