Rochdale - Salvation Army

THE OPENING

This town, of about sixty-eight thousand souls, has been captured in the name of our King. About ten thousand assembled in the Town Hall Square last Sunday morning to witness the first attack on the enemy by our troops. What an imposing sight as we mounted the trolley, to see such a mass of heads principally of working men and women, in their rough clothes and not a few of the respectable citizens dotted about among the crowd, all of which seemed very anxious to hear what was being said. Of course there was a tremendous crush, as everybody wanted to get to the front, and a little shoving and pushing by a few lads who are always up to a game: but their little game was soon spoilt by the prompt action of the Chief of Police, and a strong force of constables, who gave us every protection required all through the day.

"We're travelling home to Heaven above,"*

was heartily sung, and accompanied by the brass band, made a good impression on the crowd, which was still increasing, as people were streaming into the Square, apparently from every available inlet, and away up on the hills and elevated spots were groups of spectators looking on. Captain Black told them "he was a poor drunkard saved by grace, converted at Leicester, but that he had just arrived from Birkenhead, where in six months, about eleven hundred had fallen at the feet of Jesus."

"The Converted Navvy" from Manchester, told of his drunken career, beating the policemen, being locked up, having a turn at the treadmill, praying in the prison, coming out again, and was worse than ever; but by coming to the Salvation Hall he got converted and was now willing to stand anywhere for Jesus, Bless the Lord!

Another trophy, "The Converted Pugilist," from Chester, a fine specimen of the grace and power of God to save, told of his days of fighting, drinking, pigeon-flying, racing etc., as well as of the great joy he experienced now in serving God.

More singing and more speaking, and it was time to go, but which way will be the best was the difficulty because of the crush. Putting ourselves however, in the hands of the Chief of Police, we were escorted all right to the Skating Rink, which was packed three times, and still thousands outside not able to get it in. Of course the general topic was The Salvation Army, and, as you passed up and down the streets, you could hear many asking their mates, "Are you going to join em?" &c, while others boldly declared that they didn't "believe in it."

"Is there any to be converted?" sald one young fellow to his mate at the close of the morning meeting. "No, was the reply, they save them till night!" which, in this case, we did, as the time had gone and many wanted to go.

Altogether, we had about fifty soldiers imported for the day's campaign from Manchester, Oldham, Burnley, etc. Some of these arrived by train on Saturday; others walked each way on Sunday morning and night, which would be a distance of twenty miles for Manchester Soldiers and twenty-eight miles for the Burnley warriors. God bless them both, and reward them for their zeal and self-denial in winning souls for Jesus. As for Rochdale, "the fields are white unto harvest," and we are sure that. speedily, a host of Soldiers will be raised up to carry the Gospel all over the land. Fourteen were crying for mercy on this first Sunday night.

From, "The War Cry," page 4, 23rd March 1882.

I do not know where the meetings were held.