Work of the Salvation Army Presented

Michigan, 1903

SOUP, SOAP AND SALVATION

MOTTO OF SLUM WORKERS SALVATION ARMY

WORK OF NOBLE MEN AND MEN ILLUSTRATED

LAST NIGHT BY ENSIGN BENNARD AT THE HALL

Many Scenes Taken From Life Were Very Pathetic

The Salvation Army hall at the corner of State and Union streets was packed last night when Ensign Bennard gave his stereopticon lecture on the Salvation Army and Its Work.

In introducing the Army itself and its beginning, the pictures of several of the most prominent officers were shown. These included Gen. William Booth and wife, Commander Booth- Tucker and wife, Brigadier Kate Cox and others. An interesting incident was related concerning Brigadier Cox's work in Detroit. She was thrown into jail for preaching on the streets and Frank C. Andrews of Detroit advised her to keep the law and she would not be put in jail. Within a week Andrews himself was confined in the cell next to the one occupied by Brigadier Cox and upon a charge much more serious than preaching salvation on the street corners.

The first special work shown was that among the fallen women and girls, and pictures true to life were shown of the Salvation Army lasses waiting at the doors of the saloons and dives for the women as they came out late at night. But the lassies do not only wait at the doors, they go inside and their influence is so great among the wicked people of the great cities that the chief of police of New York once remarked that he had rather have two Army lassies than half a dozen of his policemen to quell a riot in the worse parts of the city. In the work among the fallen women the Army has established and maintains homes where these sinful women and girls may go and begin life again. Some of them are kept for six months, some for a year and some for still longer periods. There are 5,000 girls passing through these rescue homes every year and the good done by them is incalculable.

The work in the slums was next shown and the motto of the slum-workers was given — Soup, Soap and Salvation — for it is generally necessary to give soup and soap before anything can be done along the line of salvation. Pictures were shown of Army Officers and girls starting out for work in the slums, equipped with mops and brooms, for in the slums it is necessary to fight, "dirt and the devil."

The social work among the poor workingman is an interesting phase of the Army work. Some of the shelters, which are really hotels, which are conducted by the Army in the larger cities, were presented to the view of the audience and a good idea of the work was gained. In these shelters beds are provided for 10 cents night and the clothes of those who stay over night are thoroughly disinfected and the taking of a bath is also compulsory. In this country there are 68 of these shelters and in the world there are more than 6,000,000 men sheltered over night every year. In this line of work are also the salvage stores where old garments are fixed over and furniture and everything necessary for housekeeping is sold for fraction of what it would cost at the regular stores of the city.

The farm colonies of which there are three in the United States were next shown and the method of their operation was told. The people who are placed on these farms are brought from the slums of the cities and are given so many acres of land to work. On these colonies the government has established post offices and the Army has built schoolhouses so that the children may be as well educated as the children of any farmer in the land.

The other subjects shown were about the prison work and work among the waifs. Many of the scenes thrown upon the canvas were pitiful in the extreme and the change after the Army had brought its influence to bear was wonderful.

Interspersed between the subjects were several illustrated songs in some of which the audience joined and some of which were solos by the ensign.

The meeting was closed with the old song, "God Be With You," illustrated with beautiful pictures.

—Daily Eagle, Traverse City, Michigan, Aug. 5, 1903, p. 1.

Epiphany Sermon, Jan. 6, 1896, Marion, Ohio

1896

An exceedingly able sermon was preached at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Sunday morning by Rev. J. W. Armstrong, who took his text from Matthew 2:1-2, "Now when Jesus was born in Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men — Magi — from the East to Jerusalem, saying: 'Where is He that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen a star in the East and have come to worship Him.'"

The speaker said that the unceasing current of time ever carrying us onward has brought us to the Epiphany. "Epiphany means the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. It has been celebrated and observed in the church since the second century.

"The idea of exclusiveness was among the Jews, but the real idea shows Him in this manifestation for all nations. The One born King of the Jews has become sovereign of the world. Though born a Jew His mission is for all men — all nations, for the Epiphany shows that He is to have universal dominion.

"The gospel of Christ shows that spiritual dignity rests not upon spiritual descent but upon spiritual character. The symbol of exclusiveness is shown in the rite of circumcision and this was exchanged for baptism, the symbol of universality.

"These Magi, or Magicians, were priests or scholars of the East. Their science led them to the new King just as the shepherds were led by a carol-song. By attention to their calling they discover and are led by the star to the infant Jesus. The inquiries of Herod and of the religious men of Jerusalem brought them nothing. The re-appearance of the star satisfied them, and so often we are disappointed in turning to the kings and priests of the world in our inquiries, but if we look up and learn of heaven we will be guided as these were.

"As the star of God was on before the Magi, so is the star of God on before each of us."

As to the Gentile expectation, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?", Mr. Armstrong said: "Astronomy arises out of man's need of religion — out of his efforts to read the secrets of the heavens. This craving of the Gentiles expresses yearning for light and knowledge. The wish for light — the expectation of the manifestation of God, is the mystery which lies beneath the history of the whole ancient world."

In speaking particularly of the Epiphany, he said, "It is significant that the king is found as a child — the Royal Child is the answer to their inquiries and desires — this is monarchy of divine right.

"In the adoration of the Magi, the wisdom of the world is bending before the child. 'Heaven lies about us in our infancy.' The child's view of God and the world is singular, one of wonder, beauty and goodness. Man disjoints, separates and impairs. 'When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.'

"And may not our hearts in some measure interpret that? Some there may be whose early star has disappeared and others may have followed many a star but which did not guide to life and light.

“The gifts they presented — 'gold and frankincense and myrrh' — were the most costly products of the countries from which they came. So 'tis our duty to present our best gifts."

In the evening Mr. Armstrong preached on the Epiphany also.

—The Marion Star, Marion, Ohio, Jan. 6, 1896, p. 4.