THE SALVATION ARMY.

Observer, Volume 6, Issue 137, 28 April 1883, Page 84

THE SALVATION ARMY.

" But tliou, when tliou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret ; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward theo openly." This was the saying of Christ. The Salvation Army, which professes to follow Him, which talks of war, " blood and fire," wears uuiform, burlesques honour, misuses titles and rank, is a mere rabble, an army of camp followers. They are like the Pharisees, who blew their trumpets at the corners when they gave alms ; they, beat drums, play Jew's harps, and sing through their noses, in b (flat), at the sametime making a money-changer's table of their temple. If Christ wore on earth, he would overturn their tables, and whij? them out with thongs. When Peter took tip the sword his Master bade him " put away the sword." X, " Beneath the rale of men, entirely great, The Pen is mightier than the sword, Behold the arch-enchanter's wand .'--- "" Itself, a nothing — But taking sorcery from the master-hand, A thing to paralyse the Caasars ; Take away the sword, States can he ruled without it."

Labouchere, of Truth, had tlie same idea when he interviewed Mr (General) Booth as a newspaper correspondent, and showed him a schedule of theatre and other properties, amounting to over £130,000. Labouchero said that the deeds were all in the name " William Booth," and asked who were- the trustees ? Booth replied that there were no trustees. Labouchere asked what would happen in case of the general's death. Booth replied that the properties would Test in his son. " Then," inquired Labouchere, "if he dies ?" "Oh ! then the Lord will find another man."

We see by the latest accounts of the " harmy " that the general has the administration of some £70,000, annually, and still professes to exist by the sale of certain blasphemous hymn-books. They are stereotyped, printed on cheap paper, uncut, and cost less than a half-penny, but are sold in London for Id, and in New Zealand for 2d. The idea that will occur to any business mind is this — suppose this hysterical .religion to die out, the novelty to wear away, and no trustees to administer the funds — in whom will they vest ? In Booth, his son, or whom ? The movement, is likely to develop into a great swindle. General Booth might bolt with the deeds at any moment, and there would be no law that could call him to account. True religion comes from conviction, from conscientiousness, not from hysterical sensations, or the modern form of spasmodic Christianity. It may give people the "jumps," — like dancing Dervishes — but it will not last.