SALVATIONISTS AT WORK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1670, 26 April 1884, Page 4

SALVATIONISTS AT WORK.

INQUIRIES AND OFFICIAL REPLIES, An old and esteemed correspondent, who has for many years taken a deep interest in all question affecting the social, moral, and religious condition of the people, lias been studying the problem of the "outcast masses," and is greatly impressed with the necessity of the Church of Christ risins;, as one man, to remedy the terrible evils existing in our large towns and cities, Believing, though not a member, nor approving of all their proceeding, that the Salvation Army has discovered the secret, by which to " fascinate" the masses, he addressed a series of questions to " General" Booth, whom, ho says, he lias never seen, asking him to furnish reliable information from one of the officers in charge- of the station, in reply to these inquiries, The " General" has done so, and our correspondent asks us to insert these question? and replies, 1. Namoof the district or town from which the replies are taken, number of paid officers employed, and total cost to work it? Xamo of town, Kidderminster, paid officers, one man and his wife; cost to work it, including the salaries and every expense, £l7O per year, This money is all raised on the spot, 3. How many converts have been made there, say during the last two years, who are now adorning their religious profession I— Real standing cases—about 400. Some of our converts have romoved to other towns; these aro not included. 3. How many of theso were members of other churches ? None, that I am aware of, 4. How many of these converts had been in the habit of attending other places of worship?— About 200 attended church or chapel very occasionally, chiefly for christening, weddings, or funerals, 5. How many of them had never entered a place of worship?— About 200. 6. How many of them woro previously confirmed drunkards ?—Sixty noted men, besides young men and women who used to get drunk occasionally.

7. How many of your converts had been living in adultery, or had been leading grossly immoral live?-About 40. 8, How many of them had froquent)y been in the receipt of charity or parish relief who are now comfortably supporting therasolvcs by their own industry I—About 30, ' 0. How many have been convicted for breaches of the peaco'l—2l, 10, How many of them had been in gaol for crime ? —One had been in 20 times, and paid over a £IOO in lines; another 16 times, another !) times, another G times, and two 5 times, 11, How many of them had grossly illused their wivos and children ?- 30. 12 How many converts in this place havo left you and joined other churches? -About 200. 13. How many districts have you through your entire Amy in full world—Wo Lave 521* such corps as Kidderminster, many of them a great deal larger, besides 245 village outposts, worked by our own town corps. Insoncling his communication, the " General" says " that Kidderminster is very wide from being one of our largest places; the building we use is a wooden one, capable of seating about 600 people; but we have selected a smaller place, because we thought we could get the information the more accurate," Our correspondent adds: "If all this work can bo done in such a small space, with so little' exponse, what would the aggregate be ? In the momorablc words of Kichard Knill, in reference to the hoatheu abroad, let us say of our heathen at home, ' Brethren, the masses are perishing. Shall we let them perish? God forbid."—Christian.World. * A largo number awjro. km Jnsb opened fiiaco tho atovei