A Manly and Able Defense of the Salvation Army

New York, 1895

To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:

I seldom write for publication unless to champion a wrong or assail an evil. Such an occasion presents in a recent account of the attack on certain Salvation army women in this village. It is stated that "There are others here who are opposed to the salvationists aside from the roughs. They are good Christians and openly criticise Mr. Remsen for renting the place to the army." I hope that so grave and serious a charge against the religious good people of Jamaica is untrue. The days of religious intolerance are over even among those professing different faiths and it is hard to believe that any followers of the Great Altruist who loved all men better than his own life, should oppose these earnest, honest, self-sacrificing Christian women. It is harder to believe that any good citizen should object to their labor of love where the local clergy seem to have been unsuccessful; and it is hardest to believe that any feeling of jealousy or even of superiority could possibly animate the bosom of any really good Christian who walks the path of love and humility trodden out for him by the gentle Nazarene. That would be the work of a Pharisee and I trust there are no such in Jamaica.

The statement goes on to say that the Salvationists are making a good impression and are gaining many supporters. Now I have observed the Salvation army people for some years and have noticed that they invariably make a good impression and gain supporters. I have no hesitation in asserting that this is due to the fidelity with which they obey the teachings of their Master, the blessed Jesus, whose boundless love and charity knew no pride of station. They come into a community despised and ridiculed by the ignorant and shunned by the elect. They practice methods which offended the refinement of gilt edged piety and they are sometimes loud and occasionally ungrammatical. But they invariably conquer the respect of all who meet them face to face. This is because they work faithfully, fearlessly and lovingly to save their fellow sinners. They work without pay and without hope of reward except that which awaits every unselfish act or thought. They are true and "good Christians" in the highest sense and are entitled to the consideration and respect of every person be he unregenerate or elect. H. A. FREEMAN, Jamaica, January 21st.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Jan. 25, 1895, p. 1.