SALVATION ARMY, GERALDINE,

Temuka Leader, Issue 2191, 21 April 1891, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY, GERALDINE,

The three days harvest festival of tbe Geraldine corps of the Salvation Army was commenced on Saturday evening with a decided novelty in the shape of a “ Lancashire March.” Shortly before eight o’clock the crowd that had assembled outside the Volunteer Hall had their curosity gratified as the soldiers of the corps in strong force issued from the doors The lasses were seen to be wearing large white aprons, while on their heads they had bright red wollen shawls. In their hands they carried a number of Chinese lanterns suspended on short rods. Headed by the Army’s band the corps marched down the street. Seen under the glare of the torch©? and set off as it was by the many colored swinging lanters, and the red jerseys of the soldiers, the procession looked quite picturesque Some of the lassies looked quite charming in their hoods or shawls; Arriving atltbe hall the visitor could not help being struck with pleased astonishment at tho tastefulness of the decorations, Ihe hall is too large and barulike to allow much in the way of decorating all round, and the efforts of the workers had been directed towards

making the platform and its surroundings as beautiful as possible. An abundance of zeal was thrown into the work, and guided by judgment and good taste, the results achieved were of the very first cjasp. Plenty of the beautiful ti trees had been secured and nicely arranged about the platform. Other grenery of all descriptions,'lance wood, toi toia, ferns, &e., was arranged about the front of the platform in profusion. Here, too, the produce of the farm, the orchard, the garden, and even the greenhouse were beautifully ' arranged. Sacks of potatoes and \ carpots ? cases of apples, formed

the groundvrork. Then came vegetables of all sorts, strings of onions, large bunches of fine parsnips, carrots, plenty of bright yellow pumpkins, and the darker vegetable marrow. These were all very effectively arranged along the front of the platform, and set off with large sheaves of wheat and oats, bunches of ferns, flowers and pretty evergreens. In the centre of all this was a large table, in the middle of which stood a high dish heaped with luscious grapes, both dark and light. Round this centrepiece was arranged a profusion of fruit, also eggs, nuts, and other produce. Above the table, suspended from the rafters was the text, “ The harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the Angels” in large red letters upon a white ground. The text was beautifully bordered with the leaves and flowers of the ivy. Hanging below the text was a line of splendid grapes. At the back of the platform in light letters upon a dark ground and embedded among ti trees was the motto “Tictory,” Taken all through the decorations were extremely pretty, and must have had great care and labor bestowed upon them. On the left of the hall was a table, and on which were arranged the articles, mostly of a useful character, prepared for the sale of work. This was also decorated, and above it was suspended the motto, “ All Glory to God.” The meeting on Saturday evening was under the command of Captain Hildreth of Ashburton. Captains Forlong and Murray and Lieutenant Purdue of Geraldine also took part, and soldiers were present from all over the district, and also from Ashburton, Some earnest addresses were given by the officers and striking testimonies by both officers and soldiers. Faithful warnings were given to the unsaved, and telling appeals made to them to accept the offers of salvation held out *o them in the Gospel. On Sunday the services were of a similar character, the attendance being good at each of the services. Last night the tea meeting and sale of goods took place, the results being most satisfactory.