These are excerpts from the monthly Salvation Army reports from the station here.
The opening services are thus described by Brother Allen in a letter hurriedly written the day after:
"You will be glad to hear that we had a good day yesterday. Praise the Lord. The hall was three parts full in the morning. We had a good time, much of the presence of God, and many wept. In the afternoon we had a good fellowship meeting, and at night the hall was crowded to excess-gallery, platform, and all. All stayed to the prayer-mooting, and not one moved for some time. There was a wonderful conviction. After a while, a big navvy came out for moray, and then a sailor, and then a young man and woman. These four got through. There ought to have been twenty. But we shall conquer through the blood.
From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', December 1874, pages 330/1.
We praise the Lord our coming hero has not been in vain. The hall has been well filled every Sabbath night and souls have been brought to the Saviour. We have not passed a Sunday without some being hopefully converted to God. The last Sabbath of the old year the hall was filled in every part and as we spoke from "Let him alone this year also,'' many hearts were broken; big men trembled and wept; many said, "Not tonight;" but, praise the Lord! seven accepted Jesus as their Saviour.
Picking up the wounded on Monday seven more found peace. Glory to God and the Lamb for over!
Watch Night - We had a melting time, about 160 being present, addresses by several friends. The Lord was with us. The first Sabbath in the New Year was a blessed day. At the close eight ventured on Jesus, two of them past sixty years of age. Glory to GodI One dear old man that found the Lord on Sunday, met with an accident on the Monday, and seriously hurt himself. I met him going to the doctor's and said, "What a mercy it is no worse!" "Yes," he replied," but if I had broke my neck it was all right. I have Jesus, bless the Lord! " I could not help shouting in the street. ·
Sunday, the 10th, was a hallelujah- day. Although wet in the streets, the Gospel banner was unfurled with boldness. The afternoon meeting was the best we have had; at night the hall filled to overflowing. Many could not get in. The blessed Lord was present. I spoke from "The Wreck of the Cospatrick." Tears flowed all over the hall, and at the close, fifteen rejoiced in the pardoning love of Jesus. To our God be all the glory.
In all, sixty-four professed to find the Saviour in fifty-one days. Praise ye the Lord! all ye people of His.
From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', February 1875, page 50.
The soul-saving work goes blessedly forward with us here. Never did I see a movement that had in it more satisfactory evidences that it was of God, and would endure. Our great difficulty consists in the smallness of our hall for Sabbath evenings. I verily believe that we could filll a hall that would contain 2,000 people if we had it. We are looking to the Lord to open our way speedily to a larger place.
From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', April 1875, page 101.
The past month has been one of victory. Night after night, Sundays and weekdays, indoors and out, we have been cheered by seeing the powers of hell defeated, and our blessed Master conquering with His blood.
From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', April 1877, page 108
Four years since John Allen unfurled our Flag, and Cardiff is stronger and brighter than ever it was. And how can we praise the Lord too much for the thousands who have received Jesus as their Saviour, and are today scattered over the face of the whole earth, bearing witness for Him. This Anniversary has been a good time. The outpost established at Splotlands is doing good work. Go on, brethren and sisters, and Cardiff shall be captured.
From, 'The Salvationist', January 1879, page 15.
Business all day of all kinds, and at night in the old Gospel Hall. This building is doomed to come down for town improvements, and looking at it, if we were only sure of another place equally suitable for carrying on the war, we would not care how soon it was down; for most certainly it is in a damp and dilapidated condition. Still, in it, there has been many a baptism and many a birth. From it there have gone forth to every part of the habitable globe souls born of God, washed in blood, and baptised with fire. But already the knell of its doom has been sounded, and when levelled with the ground we shall find shelter in a better place I expect. Those who invited us to that place know well what a brave fight we have maintained, and they will most certainly secure for us quarters equally eligible for carrying on the war. At night we took part in a very short open-air service, and then preached indoors and addressed the Society. All looked like unity. Captain Reynolds and his dear wife have just taken command; may they have the prudence and zeal necessary for the post.
From, 'The Salvationist', November 1879, page 286.
This report was from William Booth. Things are still moving on there. For more reports see 'The War Cry', that began in January 1880.
The station was in Bute Street. This building was converted into a Salvation Army hostel in 1936, so may be the site of the Hall.