Castleford - Salvation Army

Tremendous slaughter; about 600 prisoners captured during the first fortnight. Theatre crowded an hour before time every night. Scores of remarkable cases. The public houses have been emptied and drunkards are getting Salvation instead of drink and buying beef and clothes for their families.

From, 'The War Cry', March 1881.

The announcement of the attack by large bills declaring war with the devil, caused great excitement in this place. Hundreds read the bills, and went home to interpret them.

Our troops arrived on Saturday, and soon every picket was at his post with "the War Cry". Streets and Market were thronged more than usual. All the talk wAs about The Salvation Army. A woman in a shop said, "It will be dreadful work to morrow, I think they will get into trouble firing guns out in the street, and I am sure the Board won't allow them to dig trenches." Another said, "I will not stir out tomorrow, for it will be dreadful work." It was reported that organised forces would attack us.

At seven in the morning, Knee-drill.vBaptism of Fire. Armed to the teeth with the assurance of victory. At ten, thousands were on the look out. The bugle was blowing the charge. The military band struck up the war song. The Soldiers then charged upon the enemy's line, and marched to the large Market Place, mounted a rolly, and at once commenced firing truth and Salvation into the great crowd of about 5,000 people. No opposition was shown, all as quiet as though in a Cathedral, and some joined heartily in the songs. The power of the King, and the zeal of our noble force overcame all, They said we were the right sort, and treated us with respect, clearing our way as we marched to the Theatre, which was densely packed all day. Thousands in the streets anxious to get in.

All inside listened with deepest attention to the proclamations; deep conviction took hold of the people, and in the morning and afternoon the hand of God shook the gates of hell and made the devil tremble on his throne. One poor wretched soul was snatched from the fire, while two. others were so wounded, that before the next meeting they died to the world, and were made alive in Christ Jesus. At night, Theatre packed long before time, galleries, aisles, passages and streets full. The fire fell from Heavan like lightning, and the truth like peals of thunder shook the mass of people; there was weepIng all over the place. Twenty-eight men and women, the right sort, came to the Gates of Mercy, pleading for pardon: and on their release from the fiery chains of hell, stood up and testified belore all the people what had been done for them, crying out as living witnesses that the Lord is the God of The Salvation Army.

From, "The War Cry," page 2, 16th February 1882.

I do not know where the Theatre was.