Salvationism.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4790, 16 May 1884, Page 2

Salvationism.

The Rev. S. J. Neill last night delivered a lecture in Ihe Presbyterian Church on the above subject, being the first of a series on "The Great Religions of the World." There was a good attendance, considering the wet and stormy night, and the lecture was very interesting, was listened to with marked attention, and was warmly appreciated bythose present.

The Ke?. lecturer prefaced his remarks on the topic of the evening by pointing out the good likely to result from a knowledge of the other great religions of the world, and then .said:—■" The subject which we have chosen to speak of to-night is Salvatibnism, and it may appear strangely out of place to speak of it'along with the great religions of the world; but I would justify our line of ..actiop on these grounds:—ln pictures those objects near us are represented as being larger than more remote objects. The grapes that hang in a cluster in the foreground of a picture may seem as large as the stars in the distant sky. So . this subject of Salvationism is near us, and owes its apparent size to its being in the foreground of the picture. Again, as philology finds, amorig existing races, such as the Arabs, that have changed little in their speech, evidences of the eariy inflections of the Semitic tongues; or as among races like the African or the New Zealan'der, ethnology finds the likeness of civilised people such as they appeared in earlier times; so in this phase of religion we may find something that will serve to illustrate what the more advanced religions were in their earlier stages. For, as we have seen, the form of the religion is cowardly, and adapted to the people embracing it, or among whom it exists. It is an old saying—" Vultus est index animi " —-the countenance is the index of the mind ; or we may go still further, and say that even the dress is indicative of the wearer. So, the nature of a man bears a certain relation to the form of religion which he has. Of what sort are the people to whom Salvationism is the best revelation ? To answer that question is something to judging Salvationist. Another Way of judging of this latest manifestation is what it does; and, still a third is, what it profesyes or teaches, that is, what it aims to do. It will be acknowledged by most peHple that.(ojudge Salvationism' under this threefold aspect must be conducive to a conclusion neither unjust, narrow, nor bigpted. We shall take the third method of judging it first, seeing that in the order of nature and time it is first. What is its teaching, what its aim, what its professed methods ? In considering this matter we shall confine our attention to what in Salvation Army phrase we may call "head quarters ;" or the teachings, instructions, &c, which have proceeded from Mr Booth, called General Booth. These are not very easily obtained, as they are kept secret from the vulgar eye. One of our ministers not long ago tried, but failed, to obtain a copy of these instruction books, but another has been more fortunate, and to him, th® Key. Samuel Slocombe, of the Christchurch Presbytery, I am indebted for all, and more than all the information on this part of the subject which I can give to-night.' I suppose it is>according to Salvationist tactics that these " instructions "-should bo kept secret, but:with most open-minded and honest people this of itself looks suspicious. The'promoters of 111© Salvation Army movement profess to bo quite agreeable to a good deal of examination, and Mrs Booth has issued an appeal entitled, "The Eesponsibilty of Christians with respect to the Army," in which it is said: " Speak out what you believe anc| know about us;" again, " Speak the truth about us." These are fair challenges, and we shall act upon them to-night, it may bo said here that the Booths have provided means for enabling people to form-a judgment about the Salvation Army movement; they have in fact, manufactured spectacles for us to look through, and see the Salvation' Army, such as, .'.'All about the Salvation Army ;" " Whom to believe and what to believe about the Salvation Army and its relation to the Churches; " pnd last but not least, the aeslhic War Cry with its sweetsounding motto of " blood and fire." But we shall go a^step fartker-^farther, perhaps, than the Booths intended, and look at this movement not only through the manufactured spectaples, but without any spectaplos at all; in fact, take a peep into these books of instruction, whipli, perhaps, it is very naughty of us to ]ook into. Let it be noticed here, however, that in this pamphlet ''/Whom and What to Believe "the favourable opinions expressed by well-known persons,' such as Lord Cairns, the Archbishop of York, and other dignataries are given without any note that some of these men have since withdrawn their statements, aud ceased ta believe in (he Salvation Army movement. Can thi3 be said to be fair and honest? There are, it will be seen, two sides from which lo judge of the movement f one, the publipations and speeches of Mr Booth and his subordinates, the other the .so-called " secret books " which give tho real soul and nature oi the movement. The names of some of these are —" Doctrines and Discipline of the S. A.," "Orders and Regulations of jLhe S. A..," &c. . I. The first thing which we notice, and {;he most noticeable thing about the S.A., ie tfee spirit of militarism. It is an essentially new departure io this respect, and different from all the churches. It does not seem to wish for conformity to the apostolic principles of church government ■a manifested in Acts XV, and elsewhere.

It is a form of religious government founded not according to the Bible, but according to the armies of the world. It apes the military form and spirit. It adopts a sort of military dress with red stripes, and medals and all the paraphernalia of soldering. It ap&3 the phraseology of war, and outwardly it is moulded according to that which is a lingering sign of our barbarism—war, the weapons, "and language of war.—ls this, I would ask, the spirit of Jesus ? It will bo seen from the following extract how in the working of the Army the spirit of military despotism is. upheld. The will and voice of the people seems carefully thrust aside. Though meetings of officers, &c, may be held the parlies interested have no power to make any alteration," and the appointment must stand on the supposition that headquarters is best able to form a just judgment.'* In page 33, paragraph 5, of " Orders and Regulations," the duty of your officer with regard to headquarters is thus described:— "To carefully obey all orders, carry out all instructions, and firmly and cordially co operate with it and all superior officers in everything. Never allow anyone to treat the General or any superior authority with disrespect in your presence without rebuke." .Bufe'jaot only does the " General " put down his foot in regard to the general conduct of officers, he goes very much further. It is said " fools rush in where angels fear to treads'' and the General has the foolhardiness to issue orders about courting and matrimony. Just imagine regulations as to how you are to do your courting, &c, yet here they are. " Headquarters " —which, I suppose, means Mr Booth, the " General " —" Head-quarters advises every officer to make up hia or her mind that God can make and'keep them happy, holy, and useful unmarried. When officers have come to this conclusion they will then be able to wait until he makes known his will in the matter.' 1

Who is the person referred to by the pronoun "He?" Does it mean that the Almighty will speak out or " make known his will" to a man or woman who has been waiting to get married, or does it mean the " General P" If it means the former it is blasphemous and stupid, and if the latter, it is equally stupid and tyrannical. But still.further, "Orders and Kegulationa" says:—"None are tov'do any courting during the first 12 months."

If at the end of that time any engagements are formed information to this effrct must be forwarded in confidence (o the General-in-Chief (Mr Booth, I suppose), who, if he approves, gives consent to such engagement.

The General must be a peculiar sort of being, and one, after reading the abc'le regulation, feels curious to know how I c did his courting and got engaged, for he s-ys " You mu^fc not for your life do any courting for 12 months; if at the end of that time you Ime formed r.ny engagement, &c." Now, there may be. something new in this, and worthy of the " General," but to ordinary mortals who have bad to court for some time, as a rule, before getting engaged, it seems strange that the General should say for 12 months there is to be no .courting, and if at the end of 12 months you find yourse'.f engaged, -&0. Again: "No marriage "an take place without the consent of" Head-quarters." "Angels and ministers of grace defend us!" . ■■:■■;■

But we pass on from this subject to hear what the General says about books and reading:—

I. It is better not to read secular, thai is the ordinary, newspapers; but if you look at them, it should be only a Icok.

11. Of course, you will not read novels or silly stories. ,

111. Avoid all the religious books, all the twaddle and trash and goody-goody milk and water stuff. As a rule you will do your best by confining yourself to— 1. Your Bible, and then your -Bible, then the Bible again.

2. Your hymn book. [I may say in passing that there is a considerable amount of " light reading " in that book.] 3. .General laws, of which a portion should be read every day, 4. The War Cry and books published at our stores.

In regard to some other matters the " orders " are very minute. There are sanitory directions extending to the number and sort of meals to be eaten, the use of cold baths, and goloshes, and the wearing of flannel. The final order under this hekd is, " Keep off the doctors if possible. .If seriously ill, let headquarters be communicated with."

It: will be seen that headquarters is a very important—in fact, a fearful person, You must not dare to get married without his consent, and if you are seriously ill you must avoid the doctors and communU cate with headquarters.

I can only refer to the orders in regard to printing and advertising, which direct as much display as possible to be made, to create wonder, and grcatexpeetation. Even the mannerisms of action and gesticulation, which appear at meetings, and are common to the ofiicers, and which have been pat down to earnestness, seem to be but part of a drill system which prescribes, among other things'"plenty of attitudfe, of the mouth well open, and the words well spoken up."

In regard to meetings, the following is written by a stranger visiting a meeting properly officered:—"Two strong men would be seen keeping the door with smiiiug faces, but with most resolute sileutueterminatjon to keep- bapk the turbulent, and welcome only the well-intentioned. Ho would be received by a man at the 'door, who would smilingly snow him a seat. Another would offer him a song book for-ld,

An officer opening neoljncs.in a district is bidden to-?" Drive out of the plape for the first five minutes the notion that there is going to be anything like an ordinary religious service. A few free and hearty remarks to your helpers and to persons just entering the building, such as a loud "God bless you, brother J" " J am «lad to sea you." will answer your pu/pose, astound Christians, and make ail the common people feel as much at home as when they enter he place amidst the laughter and cheers heard on week days," Then there are directions as to liqw meetings are to he sqanagsd, testimonies, aud speeches— nothing is to be left to choice.

V. "Use all your talent—that is, all your people,—every soul of them down to the charwoman who was saved last night, men, womon, and children."

VII. " You can use ministers or local pyeachera if they will condescend to be lised in this way."

Again, " Orders and Regulations " says -™-" Jt ipv often by peeping a Saltation meeting going for a long time that conviction reaches that iutense agonising pitch which produces the beet results,"

A great deal more might be said to showhow this system of militarism is designed and carried out, and how it is mora!enslaving than was even Romanism in its v'orj worst form, or at least quite a3 much so.

11. Money is another very inipoi-i,ant element of Salvatiouism. There is not much need to say a groat deal on this point, as we have had evidence enough in this place of how they drain the pockets of the people^ihft way that would niau' the best beggars blush. " Tostrine and Discipline " says—" Bo careful to get all the money you can." It is enjoined to name the "exact amount, if heavy, paid for this or that." "' This will do-much to increase eouGJenco and stir up liberality." Again, "It is not well to make known the amount cl offerings at first, and indeed at no time is it wise to publish them to the whole congregation. The mass of the people will never suspect real soldiers, &c." Farther on it saytJ — " There is not as a rule any need to refer to the fact of field officers being paid, the expenses for rent, gas, &c, being seen by all to be heavy." The motto of the army in thia matter seems to be, "Get money, and with all getting, get money;: money is the principal thing.' 1 . - 111. From Wiat we have already said ' it will be seen that an amount of Jesuitisninot easily calculated i 9 part of the I constitution of Salvationist]!. Indeed a pamphlet has been written by the Coun« tess do Gasparin, in which she draws a parallel between Salvationism and Jesuitism. Let us judge ourselves from the following quotation from one of Booth's books. He says, " Keep your business to yourself till you have completed some arrangement about which you can boast with good effect.

"Let everything about you show that you are peculiarly religious—that tho forces you represent will introduce an entire novelty when they come." Then* there are directions as to bow ministers are to be caught, and how total abstainers are to be caught. He says,

"To make ministers and others er-. gaged in church work friendly, you musfc dwell upon the fact that we atiack tt?o-a who are quite outside their ra^go ; tat from the want of education anaoog us, we cannot be in competition with them." "With teetotallers the faci of.-our forbidding the use of liquor (o all our men, the almo-£ universal adoption of the principle by the people generally, and t';e reclamation of great drurkard3 will produce sympathy. Tbe attitude of the army to the Christian church and t> ministers is notuble. Mr Eolh s..ys, "Itis a p inful facj that very often ministers acd officers are bitterly oppo ci to bur entering a town. It is therefore necessary to be on your guard against letting any of t'lem kcow youc pjrpo~es and plans till you have either mdle sure that they are friends, or get the buildi gs you want." "Ministers will for politone s or de.sncy's sake assure you that they . \'ie the deepest interest in your blers.cd work. But if thrown off your guard by this, you inform them of your plans, t^.ey may either mislerd you by advising against the buildings where you would best succeed, or even n: ay go to far as to persuade people to refuse the use of the plares you must De rd." If one is to judge by tbe language of the " General," he is neither a Christian nor does hie claim to be one, but speaks of Christians, in conlrader.tination to Salvation Army people. This is the fact. Page 92 of the book just quoted says :— " The commanding officer should constantly watcha^ain the wandering of the corps from the fulfilment of orders caused by natural evil tenderers, the influences of Christiana, and temptation." It is further, says the Rev. Mr Slocombe, in keeping with the spirit of the Army that this all appears in the Christian World, 10th laifc September:—

SALVATION ABMSY (To the Editor of the " Christian World.)

Sib, —I promise you hell in this world, and holl and everlasting damnation in the next, if ever again Christ* Army< you abuse with jour tongue, pen, or paper. - Signed—WltciAM E fG-XA^D, Christ's Ambaaßador, 18, Boonday street, Liverpool, 10th Sept., 1882. . .

This is the spirit of an Army champion, who blasphemously calls himself an ambassador of Christ.

We might devote a section to the theology of the Army, but they have not very much theology. Headquarters stand in the place of very much of this troublesome commodity. In*" doctrines and discipline," the followiujDf about the-Bible occurs :—

"Don't some people set a false value upon the Bible ? Yes, some undervalue it, and in consequence neglect to be /governed by its teachings; while others overestimate it by regarding it; as the only way which God speaks to man." And elsewhere.in the section the Geueral speaks of the Bible as a " Dead Book." You will remember that these are uot the words of an Army, but the words of the " General " himself, and out of, his own mouth let uscondemn or justifiy him.

Mr Spurgeon, who is the last man to bo fastidious about religious method, says : —

•'lf a band of tradesmen were to form a society for trade purposes, and were to issue rules approximately to those found -in'''he "Orders and UogulatioDs," we should hear them denounced on all sides. Christ's b-Ules are to be fought with the weapons of Truth." Lo'-d writes :—" The movement seems.'to'trio the work "of tha Devil, who, having long tried to make Christianity odious, has changed his hand, and endeavors to make it ridiculous, Even assuming for argument's sake that I Lore 18 r, species of good produced, it is at .'bo sacrifice of reverence for religious things. Worship becomes gro'ssque aad gymnastic-."

I very much agree with the President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, only if Lord Sbaftesbury bad been hero be might hare said thai; not only is ridicule poured on sacred things, ' but odium also. Have we not had at meetings of the Army in this place exhibitions of immodesty that must have polluted the ears of youlh and maiden, aud left a long lasting stain in the memory. Have we not. had examples of worldly craft instead of religion P Do we not hear the most sacred names, names at which a Jew would have bowed in reverence, used with startling profanity. The spirit of irreverence for.sao.red things, is about the most deadly sin any people could bo guilty of. How are those to be saved who have lost veneration and reverence for that which is highest and holiest. They are. spiritually polluted: the godlike in man has placed ,in its stead the antics of buffoon, What amount of.ex«

temni moraSity would weigh against this. 31 is worse to have no reverence for God and holy things than to be a drunkardOnce a people had lost reverence for what is sacred, what good can remain P " But yet it will be said this movement does good. Yes, I know, God is too wise and good to permit anything : wholly evil to work and spread over peoples and families; and doubtless in the longft&tre when the disgusting ajd existing-ocwfea« sions are forgotten, end the irreverent use of God's names, titles, and attributes has had its evil infiuenes minimised by time, doubtless it will be realised that whatever is beautiful—whatever it may be—will abide, and whatever is base shall die. - • It will be said, Why does such a state \ of things exist at nil? Is it not better'j than the churches, since it attracts great ' crowds ? We said at the commencement that the form of the religion was dependent upon the class of people who used it. It may then bo that in the great human family there is a portion of Iho race to , whom for the time being Salvationism is a fitting thing. But it is one of the heaviest censors which" can fall on Christianity that 18 centuries after the preach- : ing of the sermon on the mount, and the writing of the iSTcw Testament, such a phase of religious life is needed, or is, indeed, possible. We shall as we look into ths great systems of religion in the past, find that there is an emotional, sensational element at work side by side with those elevated and elevating thoughts which hav^pwine aloft like stars in the ages of the past, and still give light even to the present? :

Let us gird up our loins, and feel that-- ■ we are not at the first stage of- theworld's progress, but heirs of all the ages —that we should indeed be a little like the meek and gentle Jesus, that through His spirit His Kiue;doai may como, and * His will be done on earth.