Manchester, Openshaw - Salvation Army

Although this article really describes the results of a revival, I think it is clear that God had been moving powerfully in that community and they most likely had been experiencing a revival earlier. 

Ballington Booth was visiting, so there would have been large numbers attending, but I still believe revival had occured in the area.

..."Leaving Major Howard at the Temple we hastened to Openshaw and were soon greeted by:

A Peal of Praise

from the Openshaw ranks, who were marching over to meet us.

The command, "right wheel," was given, and, 'ere long, with song and step in harmony, we were nearing the Barracks.

The building became crowded. Far back, in every corner, pressed the people, and stood satisfied if only allowed to see and hear what passed.

What order! what attention! what testimony! what living trophies! God and man united, Heaven and earth blending! A good and permanent work has been done here. Go and see, and judge for yourself. See those men who lived only to drink, and curse, and gamble, and fight, and take part in every form of vice, now sitting peaceably, and joyously singing—

"Glory to His name!Glory to His name!Now to my heart is the blood applied,Glory to His name!"

"Wonderful change," you say. Yes, the result wrought by a real, living, personal religion.

Major Howard was wonderfully helped and blessed at the Temple, which was crowded in every part. He asked for testimony, "facts only," which appeal was followed by a continuous stream amidst general cheer.

Both meetings were carried on till late in the afternoon, and hence, without a moment to spare, we had to rush for the Temple at night, whilst the Major exchanged for Openshaw. Expectation was high at both places, and both places were crowded to excess; indeed, at the Temple, after every nook and corner was filled, the downstair's room was also filled with 700 or 800 more. Even then, many could not gain admission.

The meeting was powerful, as was seen and realised by some thirty-seven penitents weeping their way through the large crowd of Soldiers who surrounded The Mercy Seat whilst seven more sought Calvary in the large room beneath. The prayer-meeting was long, yet wonderful, and God passed by that night.

Monday's meeting, advertised as one for general praise, was, perhaps, the most enthusiastic yet convened in this district.A gentleman, who was an eye-witness, says: "The pouring in of troops, as they would be called, from the surrounding Stations, caused much enthusiasm, and I thought, 'If so much enthusiasm at the commencement of a meeting, whatever will it be by the end?' At last the meeting got fairly started; it did seem as if the Soldiers could not sufficiently express their feelings in words, and so they shouted and waved their hands, and handkerchiefs in a manner certainly surprising, and yet not shocking, even to any fastidious taste. I was made to feel that it is utterly impossible to ignore the fact that The Salvation Army is reaching the great masses of the people, and, if in so short a time, meetings like this can be raised, what must the future of this movement be? As I looked upon row after row, and tier after tier of bright, and, at times, tearful faces, I magnified the grace of God for raising up an instrumentality so much needed, and so thoroughly adapted, to the crying wants of our times. The enthusiasm of the meeting far exceeded any expectation of mine, and is beyond description."

Certainly, whilst so enthusiastic, it was, nevertheless, made deep and thorough by real heart to heart evidence of an inward work of God.

We must add a line on the meeting of saints, held on the following night, at Openshaw, which mustered between eight and

Nine hundred Soldiers;

Indeed, Soldiers only were admitted. Let the reader imagine the responding from time to time of this earnest crowd. The uplifted hands, as they called, as one heart upon God, the Searcher, and Purifier, and keeper of hearts. The weeping and wrestling, when after the truth was unstintingly declared, and the invitation given. To make an altar for all was impossible, yet one altar was there, and upon that altar scores, if not hundreds, laid themselves with their lives and all, that night. Oh! these precious-favoured times. Truly Jesus is with us in the flesh. Amen, Amen.

To Major and Mrs. Taylor, and their devoted comrades and Soldiers, we say, from our hearts, "Forward!" and "the Lord keep Thee in all thy ways." 

BALLINGTON BOOTH.

From The War Cry, January 5th, 1882.