THE SALVATION ARMY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2375, 28 June 1892, Page 3

THE SALVATION ARMY.

The Salvation Army at Temnka commenced a series of special services on Saturday evening, to commemorate the celebration of the eighth anniversary of the commencement of their work in the district, when, after the preliminary openair meeting there was a capital attendance in the barracks. The meeting opened in the usual way with some inspiriting solos and choruses and a number of testimonies. Captain Lizzie Gunnion, of the Rescue Corps, who was warmly welcomed, then read a chapter from Corinthians, and spoke a few words in explanation thereof. Captain Young, Divisional Secretary, then gave a very earnest address. He referred to the usual tenour of the Array services, asking his hearers to distinguish between the manner adopted by the Array for enlisting their attention and the solemnity of the message they preached. These methods differed greatly from those of other Churches, but their message was the same, and they were enabled by their peculiar methods to draw the attendance of many who never otherwise would enter a place of worship. In the course of the evening Captain Harlow and Lieutenant Tilbrook gave interesting addresses, and the congregation assembled seemed particularly enthusiastic.

On Sunday the attendance at the several gatherings was very large, a number of country adherents coming in. The early morning and ordinary services were well attended, and Captain Gunnion (formerly stationed at Temuka), but who is now attached to the Female Rescue Division at Dunedin, gave some interesting particulars iu connection with the work there. It was very evident from the statistics given that the Rescue Work of the Army was a most important factor in its career. From statistics given it appeared that in six months 38 cases of adults and 8 children were received iu the Home. Out of these adults, together with 5 already there, making 43 in all, 12 proved unsatisfactory, 1 died, 4 were restored to their parents, 13 W'ere found situations, 3 were sent to benevolent institutions, 1 was started in business iu Dunedin, and the remainder are in the Home. During one month they gave 1023 meals and 341 beds, besides helping 3 ox’ 4 childi’en. To win these unfortunate girls the rescue officers had to let them see that they were their friends. They visited the Court every morning, and receive every assistance from the police. If there were any female prisoner’s they spoke to them, and often the Magistrate handed them over to the officers instead of sending them to prison. They had also midnight visiting iu Dunedin, and this was their most sacrificing work. While others were sound asleep they made a practice of going through the streets, and many were the sad gases seen. The Salvation officers are admitted to every house of ill repute in the city, and Captain Gunnion was able to give several striking instances of the many sad cases to be met with there. In conclusion she made a very urgent appeal for assistance.

On Monday evening there was a capital attendance at the Parish Hall. The band played a number of airs to precede the <{ banquet,” and there was quite a crowd assembled at the tiipo the doors opened. The tea, or banquet, was of an unusuaily substantial kind—among the dishes being roast fowls, hot potatoes, etc. and the ladies who dispensed it are deserving of all praise for their exertions. Among them were • Mesdames and M-iaapa McCann, B.owman, Vyashingtqn, Oharteris, Lyons, King, Patrick, Charletqn, Cartwright, Anderson, aipl Saqnders. After tea, there was a grand march, with colored lights, etc., with a public meeting as a wind up. At this Captain Young assumed charge, and there was a crowded attendance. The band was in great force, as it was recruited with members froiq Gppaldiut. and Timaru. Aftpr a chorus by the band and choir, Captain Gunniou engaged in prayer, and there was a most inspiriting “ chorus and volley.” Captapi Harlow then expressed his thanks to all who had assisted to make the banquet a success. The assistance given had been most liberal.

Lieutenant Cater then sang a new song, entitled “ That’s AlTißh hU°Vf wimjh mipQred to tim echo,. Oautapi Y-o.lug invited testimonies, to which there was a liberal response, Captain Condon (of Gcraldum} then gave an address. Congratulating them upon their successful anniversary, and urging those outside of Christ to give themselves to Cod ; beseeching them not to let the opportunity of salvation pass by. Lieutenant Tillbrook gave a characteristic humorous song “ When first I saw the Army,” the chorus of which w’as readily taken up, Captain Young then gave some interesting details in connection with the Social Scheme. Those .vero gleaned principally from an Auckland reporter’s note-book. The General had laid it down that there was to be a prepared laud fur a prepared

peoplo. The items of principal interest were as follows :—Hadleigli farm colony was started 15 months ago, and is situated near the mouth of the Thames. It contains 1,000 acres. The purchase money was 1:11,000, and some £IO,OOO has been expended in buildings, roads, drainage, tramways, etc. Hotter land had been offered, but they wanted to get away from the public houses, there were none within 2J miles of Hadleigli. On an average there were 350 men in the colony, and they were engaged in cultivating orchards, vegetable gardens, dairy farming, etc., etc. There was accommodation for from 400 to 500 men in addition to board and lodging, hospital and medical attendance. There were four different rates of pay, according to the skill and capacity of workers. The army arranged for a reading-room, Bible class, technical lectures, etc,, and instruction was also given in matters relating to horticulture, dairying, the care of bees, etc. About 550 men had passed through the colony; 250 to situations, others restored to friends, and those who were weakly .and unable to do hard manual labor had been restored to Loudon shelters. About 5 per cent, had left on their own account, and about 5 per cent, were dead failures. Captain Veitch then said a few words, congratulating the local corps upon its success, and expressing a wish for the success of the General’s over sea scheme. He gave some interesting particulars of his 10 years career in the Army. Of course there were many backsliders, but it offered any amount of scope for useful work. It afforded an everyday salvation, the same to-day as to-morrow, except | that the hope of eternal life became brighter daily. God did not give all they wanted, but all they needed, and he was there to give testimony to that. Captain Condon (of Geraldine), after a solo upon the harp by Captain Young, read a chapter from the Gospel of St. Matthew, and gave an earnest address thereon. , Captain Gunnion gave some very earnest testimony of 8 years’ association | with the Army. She claimed for it that it reached in all directions, upwards, roundabout, forward, and to the deepest depths. They were able to help in a physical as well as a spiritual sense, and in this connection site gave some pitiful sketches of rescue work (sketches which it may not bo amiss to mention are hard to j realise in connection with this colony). Her address was listened to with most 1 earnest attention and made a marked impression. Captain Harlow, Lieutenant Tillbrook, and others, gave brief addresses, and the meeting terminated shortly after ten.