Bristol 6 - Salvation Army

THE OPENING OF BRISTOL VI

The people in the neighbourhood of Eastville have been kept in a state of wonderment during the last few weeks, as to what was going to be made of the old Jam Factory. Workmen have been busy hammering away, making some kind of alterations.

Rumours bave been floated, and secrets told with respect to the intended use; but at last "the cat is out of the bag." it is no longer a secret, "The Army is coming!"

As a prelimmary, on Saturday afternoon, two brothere issued forth, with a bell, bills and War Crys, and scoured the district, announcing the attack on the morrow.

The morrow dawned bright and cheering. Everything omened well for a successful day. The attack was sounded at the top of John Street at ten am; about 150 Soldiers from the various other Corps turned out to the bombardment. All along the line the enemy turned out in strong force, but only to be assailed by our troops, who brought their big guns to bear with admirable precision on their ranks. Hallelujah! The march was a triumphant one. Arrived at the Factory gates, we found a crowd of people waiting to see the entry. We invited them to follow us; but they replied, "Nay, we can't get in, it's full already!" We found this to be the case. Platform, body, and stairs all jammed.

We explained that our object in taking the Jam Factory was to still go on working, using the powerful machinery of the Holy Ghost to do the boling, the love of Jesus to do the sweetening, and the strong arm of the Almighty to do the "preserving " and "keeping." A host of real, convincing testimonies brought the meeting to a close.

Afternoon - Scoured the neighbourhood again; got back in good time. Place packed again. We might call it, Bolling No. 2- a scalder. Everybody seemed to be at home. Some glorious testimonies. One gentleman (a stranger), got on a form and said, "I don't belong to The Salvation Army, but I must testify that since its advent, I am financially better than I was before, and the people whom I come in business contact with, give me the same testimony, Hallelujah!"

Join the Army if you want trade to improve. It is sin that makes bad trade. Salvation makes it good! Try it!

Evening—No open air. A crowded meeting, and crowds turned away, reminding us of the crowds who will be turned away from Heaven's gates, simply because they are "too Iate," not because it is "crowded" but because "they would not come". Oh! with what earnestress, the "old story" was related by some eight men and women, who had realised the truth. How the people, with upturned faces, drunk in the Word! Oh! Lord, water the seed that is sown!

At the close of the first meeting very few left the building. Everybody either stayed behind, feeling their need of Salvation, or determined to see the finish of this eventtul duy. Fourteen came to the cleansing blood, and many more are coming. Hallelujah!  CAPTAIN T SOWERBY A.D.C.

From, "The War Cry," page 1, 23rd February 1882.

I do not know where the meetings took place.