SALVATIONIMS AND ENJOYMENT.

Observer, Volume 6, Issue 146, 30 June 1883, Page 227

SALVATIONIMS AND ENJOYMENT.

" Turtledove " gives expression to ultra free thought ideas, although they may, in effect, be the teachings of St. G-eo. Mi'vavfc, Ph. D., F.R.S., •*in his " Lessons from nature as manifested in mind and matter," or of MissPheeps in " Gate's Ajar." The Salvationists are doing a work which they believe to be right in a way which they deem expedient, and although we may not approve of the latter, we are not disposed to open our columns to systematic ridicule or discussion of the former. Our correspondent quotes the lines, "You must be a lover of the Lord, or you won't go to Heaven when you die !" and wants to know the meaning of it all, from an army point of view. The re- . ference to meetings at which the gas is turned out for two hours is beside the question. Our correspondent adds :— At the present time people may be met with in Auckland who tell you, with a very serious face, that they are " nearly converted " ; and if asked what they mean, they tell you that they are thinking about joiuing the Salvation Army ; and if they are asked why they are going* to join, they can only repeat the lines quoted above. Of course, in a place like Auckland, people are free to sing and do what they like, provided they do not break the law. They may sing — "You must be a lumper on the wharf, or you won't get your money when you're clone !" And people may rent a hall and dance all night, and turn the gas out for two hours if they like ; but, as yet, they do not think it necessary to draw a long face about it, or attach some mysterious importance to such practices. They admit that they do it for their own amusement, and, to those who have not joined the Army, it is impossible to see why similar practices have any other effect on those who. indulge in them than to gratify some liking. If the Army do such things because they do not like it, they had better say so, and they had better tell outsiders at the same time whether they intend, on reaching Heaven, to continue doing what they do not like. Because, if Heaven is a place, where one is, expected to do what one does not. like, and Hell is a place where one is to be burnt with fire, and brimstone, there are people at present living who have not "joined" who > will regard such future prospects as rather undesirable, and will try to get. as much of what they like in this world as they possibly can ; and if joining the Army. consist in trying to get as much

'/J ,i;jf '.'if '- . \ ~ -, afptoe fean of whatVone does not like in this world, ..f^dif m >hw.^^l^,jis;pe^t.,bj:-coayerßion,Kthpi»v is a probability that there are a few in Auckland who will never be converted.