Halifax - Salvation Army

(This is the account of the opening of the Halifax Station. It took place only a few days after the riot at Sheffield where many Salvationists were attacked - one of the worst attack in The Army's history. It is interesting to see how they organised an opening)

Hallelujah! Halifax is captured. The enemy is routed; his forttburned against his teeth; and this important town, where the General has long desired to plant the "Blood and Fire" flag, which is also the birth-place of Mr Branwell Booth, the Chief of Staff, is now in the hands of The Salvation Army, police and people, alike, giving us a hearty welcome.

The Barracks,

high over which the banner of The Army now waves night and day, is situated near the Cattle Market on Gibbet Hill, and where, a short time ago, the big bonding stores of the Corporation, where beer and brandy barrels, the amunition of the devil, were stored to curse and kill; but these had been burned out, the big, dingy place has been literally and spiritually converted from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. At considernble cost, the huge building has very rapidly been fitted out to hold nearly 4,000 people, the platform gallery alone will hold 900, and had the place been as large again, it would not have held the mulitude that would bave come in, when on Sunday, January 22nd, its gafes were flung open. Owing to the huge posters everywhere, announcing the bombardment of Halifax, not only had the town been set in a flutter, but from Rochdale and villages all around about, people poured in to witness the battle.

The Attacking Party,

led by Major Cadman and the two Hallelujah Iasses (who are the Olficers) Captain Ashworth and Lieutenant Hamilton, better known as  "Irish Kitty," was stronger than has ever before been at the bombardment of a new citadel. The force was considerably over 100 strong, about eighty brave Soldiers, male and female, having marched in on foot nearly ten miles from Heckmondwick; there were also bandsmen from Bradford and Hull, several soldiers from Bingley, Batley, Keighley, Newcastle, Leeds, with the Great Turpod from Sheffield, and others...

The Bugle Call

The Soldiers who stopped all night in the Barracks were there in time for the seven o'clock Knee-drill, for they had already been at the throne of grace at two and five o'clock. Neariy sixty assembled, and sought the power of God upon us and upon the town, hoisting high the standard, "Halifax for Jesus!" After breakfast, a bugler was sent around the town to blow "The Call", and this along with the stir all over beforehand, sent streams of people towards the Barracks. The Chief Constable had been seen on Saturday, and he very kindly undertook to prepare for any emergency, and the great success of the campaign, is largely owing to his own and his able officers' complete, capable and kind assistance. Many of them had to be on double duty for this occasion; but, owing to their keeping down elements of mischief vigorously, which if allowed to break out upon us, as, no doubt, they otherwise would have done here, as elsewhere, commotion was prevented, which might have become uncontrollable and riotous.

The Assault

We emerged from the Barracks at ten o'clock, headed by the brass band, and found the street outside crowded to begin with, but owing to the good force of Soldiers, and the strong detachment of police, we crushed our way through into the Cattle Market where two rolleys were stationed as a battery for the big guns, and from these the bandsmen and chief Officers were speedily lifted out from the feet of the multitude that poured into the Market from all sides. The Mayor was on the ground, and assisted to keep order.

Af once the Major opened fire, and soon Salvation shot and shell were flying fast over the heads of ten thousand people. The Major explained that though others having the name of "Army" might be in the town. this was the first meting of The Salvation Army, over which the Rev. W. Booth, who was for many years a successful minister in their town, was called The General. Though, even then, God had greatly blessed the labours of Mr Booth, yet he found out that the best way to get hold of working men, or of drunkards and vagabonds, male or female, was to get some of themselves converted, and then get them at once, to try and convert some of their "mates" and "chums."

The Major then introduced the female Officers, both of whom were well received, but a voice bawled out, "how much do they get?" to which the Major replied, "This big Irish Iass here gets twenty shillings a week, do you think that too much?" Loud cries of "No! no!" Others shouted out,

"What about Sheffield!"

Just after the Major had said the working man, as a body, in the large towns, received them always well, because they were the working man's true friend, and he replied, "I'll tell you; we have been in Sheffield six years, and the working-classes there have always treated us well, but the publicans, having primed some Iow fellows of the baser sort, who, knowing the route we should take, started to pelt us, and this, unchecked at first by the police, became a great outbreak upon us, but the general body of the peopie, even in Sheffield, are on our side." This seemed to plesse them well, and after the "Sheffield Torpedo." who is a converted prize-fighter, had fired off, and the "Bradford Express" and others had preached repentance toward God and faith in Jesus for Salvation, it was time to return to the Barracks. During this entire Mass Meeting, except a little surging and crushing, the best of behaviour prevailed for so great a crowd, but the presence of a score of Constables in batches among the people held in check the disturbers that, once or twice, attempted to crush down upon the waggons. The march with the band in full blast, to the Barracks, was the time for testing the strength of the Soldiers ring, but, after a short brisk battle to get towards and inside the Barracks, we were all safely landed, and the big building was speediy packed. After prayer, reading the Scriptures, and praise, the Major further explained matters about The Army. Salvation was set forth, and, and amid loud Hallelujas, the first attack on Halifax was concluded without bloodshed or a broken head, and then every one went to their own homes, and most of the Soldiers stopped in the Barracks to their bread and butter rations. The sound of the bugle soon announced the afternoon assembly. We marched again to the Cattle Market, and here another immense concourse of people speedily gathered, and had red hot Gospel shots sharply fired into them. The "Bradford Express," who has swallowed in dink a big factory chimney, told of his running off to America and back again next mail, seeking rest to his miserable soul, but now, 'Praise God,' he was in the "Hallelujah Pullman Express," steaming  with Salvation to Heaven.

Anotner told us that the last time he was in Halifax he came to get on the spree, and "popped " both his watch and coat for drink, but now he had both back, and the devil turned out of heart and home.

"The Drummer," from Bradford said, "Eighteen months ago he was £30 in debt, had'nt a pair of boots to his feet, and for four months never went home sober, but for the mercy of God in sending The Salvation Army along he might have been to-day in hell, but, Hallelujah! he was saved, sober, and serving God to the best of his ability. Other grand Gospel Sharp Shooting was kept well up. The Captain and Kitty spoke, songs were sung, and then, diving into the crowd. we marched and struggled again to the Barracks, where again it was wedged in with a wondering crowd of anxious listeners and lookers-on, thousande in the streets not being able to get near the doors. The police formed thrmselves into a barricade at the foot of the street to check the crowd and prevent commotion at the entrance doors, and one of them, on seeing a customer of his and the magistrate come up, put his hand out to stop him, fearing he might make mischief, but the poor fellow smiled at the policeman and said, "Nay, but thou must let me past, for thou knows I cannot afford to pay £2 9s 6d, every week, so thou must let me in," the plea prevailed, and he was passed forward. May the Lord save him!

Capture and Conquest,

The afternoon meeting was full of life, music, prayer and power. But the crowds were great, the evening open-air was dispensed with, and as soon at night after the bugle call, as the Barracks were comfortably full, the doors were shut, and thousands upon thousands were shut out disappointed. Steady firing, now set in for souls; the singing, reading God's Word, music, speaking, and praying were with power; and constables inside and out held back open deviism. When the gathering of the wounded began, none ventured out for a long time, but the Major had gone in for, and with others, believed for victory, and at last, a respectable woman walked bravely to the penitent-form, threw herself before God, and cried for deliverance. She had before known the Lord, but of late had been in bondage, and felt the Spirit of God mightily striving with her till she gave in and grounded her arms at the foot of the Cross; before long up she jumped, shouted out at the top of her voice, "Praise the Lord I'm saved!" and swung her arms in the air in raptures of glory. She told us privately afterwards, she felt like flying up out of the roof. Didn't this make a stir! People jumped up like herself to stare and wonder: some thought her mad, others, that she was drunk, and her little girl was so alarmed, she roared and cried out, "Oh, mother! mother! mother! in the wildest alarm. This dear woman, by her one bold venture, obtained from God a glorious reward as the first fruits of Halifax in complete liberty of soul. After she came out, another eleven followed for Salvation and all were set up at the close in a row right in front of the people, not only to show the themselves, but to say what God had done for them. Loud Hallelujah's to

"Jesus, the name high over all"

followed, and thus was brought to a blessed triumphant close, the first day's siege of Halifax.

From, "The War Cry," page 1, 2nd February 1882.

(also, page 2, 9th February 1882.)

(also, page 3, 23rd February 1882)

Astonishment has taken hold of the people. Thousands in the Barracks and thousands at the doors wanting to get in, and often, if it were not for the helpful assistance of the police, our own officers would not be able to get in and the large doors would be burst open. Truly “the kingdom of heaven suffered violence and the violent are taking it by force.“

The large platform that holds 900 will soon be packed with the young converts brought in from the highways, hedges, theatres, tap rooms, jails and the very brink of hell. We meet with the greatest sympathy from the authorities of the town. Officers quarters are found furnished and presented to the Army. Say, “Amen!”

On the Monday night I was there, about 40 came out for Salvation.

From, 'The War Cry', Page 2, 2nd March 1882.

Our troops have taken such a stronghold here, and so great has been the slaughter that fear has fallen upon the people, and many can neither sleep nor eat; it reminds me of Nineveh; they are getting ready for the judgement. Many are rushing into the Kingdom every day.

On February 27th, we had a Holiness Convention in the afternoon; about 2,000 there and many found the necessity of Holiness of heart. The power of God was felt. The giving up of feathers and flowers; pipes and tobacco was tremendous. Some were so prostrated with the power, that people thought one woman was dying, and with great difficulty I kept them from her, wishing they would fall like her.   Major Cadman.

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

(Capt Ashworth). - We are getting some real "Blood and Fire" Soldiers here last Satarday although the rain was coming down in torrents 200 of them turned out and marched through the streets; everybody seemed surprised: but, Hallelujah! we are not fair weather Soldiers. One man came to the Mercy-seat, a short time back, but could not find peace. He said he would not go to bed till he got Iiberty, He went home and prayed till five o'clock in the morning, when the Lord came down and filled his soul with joy. The Lord has got a mlghty hold of the people of Halifax. Scores neither eat nor sleep for thinking about their souls, and whole families are getting saved. We had nearly 300 at the seven o'clock Knee-drill. Sixty souls on Sunday. 

From, "The War Cry," page 3, 16th March 1882.

A publican here says, that if “Irish kitty” and her noisy crew go singing past his house, he will let their heads feel the weight of his glass bottles because when the Army comes past they rush out to see them and don’t come back again. On Sunday morning we had nearly 3,000 present at the Knee drill (prayers) and six souls in the Fountain. Grand meetings all day and 50 souls. One man who came to the meeting with his apron on fell into the Crimson Tide, which washed him whiter than his apron. Yes whiter than anything. 

From, 'The War Cry', March 1882.

I do not know where these meetings were held.