Newcastle - Salvation Army

This is a monthly report from the Salvation Army station here.

Newcastle still has a crowd of people every night, and many blessed cases of conversion reach my ears nearly every day: very often from a dozen to twenty souls in one night. During the race week, six fallen women were rescued and professed to find peace in Jesus.

From, 'The Salvationist', August 1879, page 219.

(Captain Balington Booth) dropped in at the Hall of Varieties Sunday night- some eighty strong on the platform; some good living powerful speaking; singing peculiarly hearty and lively- people evidently in good spirits. Such testimonies I have rarely listened to even in Army meetings: five men, formerly known as the most notorious drunkards in the town, thrilled all hearts while describing the change in their homes and families. Four women, who had been desperately vicious, told us with the greatest simplicity how desperately in earnest they felt to save their fallen sisters. Captain and Mrs Wilson with Lieutenant Rich, in spite of great financial difficulties, are in full pursuit and resolved on victory. Sunday afternoon. -Tyne Theatre: about 2,000 people; power of God wonderfully manifested- seven souls. Night: Theatre crammed; Hall of Varieties also -hundreds turned away. Wonderful meetings both places: people weeping and agonising for salvation in all directions; fifty came out for Salvation.

From, 'The Salvationist', September 1879, page 240.

We arrived on the 22nd of June, and since then over four hundred have been brought to the bleeding feet of Jesus.

From, 'The Salvationist', September 1879, page 246.

Newcastle is still one of the grandest works I (Major Corbridge) ever saw; every night a crowd of folks and at nearly every service, sinners in long rows seeking Jesus. A few nights ago my heart melted to hear the number of men and women testify. He goes on giving many cases which we are compelled to omit.

From, 'The Salvationist', October 1879, page 265.

(Capt Burnell).-Secretary Smith writes: "Sunday was Capt, Burnell's farewell, tremendous meetings. At night. something like 159 of our brave Soldiers mustered for open air, and ofw we went; the brass band, sending forth Its soul-stirring rains, bringing out crowds of people who lined the streets on every hand. The great Town Hall was soon packed from floor to celling with a multieude of people seldom seen and as Lieut Davies sang and spoke, and Capt, Burnell told of the love of a dying Savlour; tears flowed down many a cheek, and, at the close seven precious souls came weeping to the foot of the Cross.

From, "The War Cry," page 3, 2nd February 1882.

NEWCASTLE II

-Near the open-air spot where John Wesley first preached at Newcastle, a spot noted for sin and degradation, called Sandgate, The Army has erected its second battery in this town, and under command of Capt, Urquhart and Lieut, Carpenter, fire is flying fast into the camp of the enemy of souls, and every night since the opening, prisoners of hope have been taken. The Brewery Barracks used to be a Wesleyan Chapel, and, praise the Lord, the right kind of a congregation crowd into it. Big, rough quayside men and bare-headed women by scores crush into the place every night, and listen with deepest attention to the testimonies. Some of them have already started for Heaven, and are bravely fighting for Jesus. A big, bare-headed, brawling woman, who was drunk and fighting at the door when the Barracks were first opened, was, within ten days, unable to rest owing to the Spirit of God working in her heart. She has just come out of prison, and was as hard and unlikely a character to become godly as this wicked district could produce; but, last night, out she came of her own accord, knelt at the form, and cried to God fo save her. The Lord heard her, and, with streaming eyes, the Mary Magdalene met the merciful Jesus, Smiles of peace lit up her face, and the power of God was in her soul She went straight home and told her mother right off she was saved, and made joy-bells ring where unually mischief and misery dwelt before. Glory be to God! Over one hundred, since the battle began at this place, have come out so speak pardon from the sinner's Friend, and there are bright hopes of a successful campaign.

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

II (Capt, Urquhart) - Private W Hudswith writes:- We are having some glorious times here. Our meetings have increased to such an extent since these Barracks were opened that we shall soon have to cry out, like the Israelites of old, that the place is too staight for us. Hallelujah! Our Saturday night's Free-and-Easy was grand, fifty-five who had been deep dyed in sin, spoke to the glory of God... Praise God for the old Brewery! At the close, six precious souls sought Salvation; making 240 in three weeks. Haleiujahl

From, "The War Cry," page 3, 23rd February 1882

II (Captain Urquhart).—Private W. Hudspeth writes —"During the past week forty-one souls have wept their way to Calvary. We continue to have glorious times. On Saturday night, at our Free-and-Easy, the Soldiers went Into it in real Army style. Eighty-four thrilling testimonies were given out of full hearts, closed with six souls in the fountain. Hallelujah! On Sunday we had a grand march along the Quay as far as the Sandhill, where thousands of people were gathered together. They seemed to be delighted to listen to converted Swearers, gamblers, drunkards, wife-beaters, and Jail-birds. Inside the Old Brewery all day, glorious time, tears of joy were shed over sinners returning to God. Hallelujah!

From, "The War Cry," page 3, 9th March 1882.

I (Capt, Nellie Buckle).—During the month we have been here, about 150 have professed to find the Saviour. Many come up, night after night, and, with joyful hearts and smiling faces, tell of the happiness they have found in Jesus. On Sunday afternoon, we had a strong muster in the open air, led on by Drum-Major Halliday. We went into some of the lowest and most neglected courts in the town, and as we looked upon scenes of misery and sin our hearts burned within us for the Salvation of the people. May God never let us rest till they are brought to Jesus. At night, five souls.

From, "The War Cry," page 3, 9th March 1882.

Meetings were in the Tyne Theatre and Hall of Varieties.