York - Salvation Army

During the week I received orders to go to York, so off I went. Arrived just-in-time to see two van loads of soldiers ready to start and we drove away singing.

As we marched or rather rode, all round the city, crowds of people followed to the Rink and we had a grand Free and Easy.

It is hardly possible to believe that this place has only been opened a fortnight when you hear the soldiers sing and speak for Jesus as they do. God has indeed blessed captain Malthouse and left lieutenant Simpson in their labours here. Glory to His name.

...Many testified to God's saving power, some who had been deep down in sin. We finished up with 7 souls in the Fountain.

Sunday morning 172 at knee drill; powerful time; three souls. At 9:45 on march from the Rink to the Market, 54 in the ranks hallelujah! And had a good open-air. Inside a good time in the afternoon; two souls. Met at 5:30 in the Rink and into the Market again. Thousands of people stood to listen to the story of the Cross.

We then divided our forces. Number one battery to the Rink where we had the devil raging and God saving; grand meeting and at the close 30 souls came out and got blessedly saved.

Number two battery at Victoria Hall where like the Rink they were crowded out. Had 15 precious souls, making 50 for the day.

From, 'The War Cry', August 1881.

The enemy repulsed! The troops under the command of Captain Malthouse, on the 1st of January, dashed into the enemy with a heavy fire and fixed bayonets. Three large buildings were packed with people, and over forty came forward and cried for mercy, and many others were severely wounded, It is impossible to give a fair description of the battles, but here are trophies.

An infidel, whilst standing at his gun and firing away, declaring there was no God, a shot from the Captain knocked Him over. He was wounded for about a month, and at last came to the gates of mercy, and pleaded for an hour-and-a-half for pardon. He had a heavy tussle with the enemy but our King Immanuel opened the gates and took him in and then there were shouts of victory. He has been a teacher of infidelity, a drunkard, and a thief. In Jail twenty-four times.

"Fighting Fred " said. I have been a wretched man. This is my birthday. For eight years past, I have spent it in jail. I have been in prison twenty-four times, and never out three months at a stretch; but when I saw that God had saved this infidel I  thought there was a chance for me, and I sought forgiveness like my brother here and God has saved me, and now they call me Happy Fred.

One woman testified that for seven years she had been parted from her husband; but now God has saved them, they live together with a clean heart and a happy home.

This was a gambler, drunkard, and bookmaker. The night he was captured he saw what a fool he had been all his life, and went straight home burned all the books, now he has a happy home and a good Soldier in our ranks.

Cheap Bacon.

"Happy Joo" was a great drunkard, a provision dealer by trade, but nearly always drunk. The parrot used to scold him when he came home. One night, going home, as he thought, found himself in Leeds lock-up, his wife had prayed for him for years, at last he was brought to his senses, and got forgiveness, and now he is happy at home and in his business. His bacon he used to sell at seven pence halfpenny, but now he can sell it at five pence halfpenny.

The drunken butcher, whose father was a good man, and set him up three times in business, but he drank so heavily that he swallowed and drunk and ragged was the poor prodigal when he came to our meetings; the power of God through a father's prayers broke his heart, and he came forward, and while upon his knees wept bitterly, but got saved, and his since been a happy useful comrade,

We want a larger building here to accommodate the thousands who are anxious to see and hear us. If anyone has a building or land to dispose of, let me know.

From, "The War Cry", page 2, January 12th, 1882.

The work has taken a great hold in this ancient city. Three places are open on Sunday, containing in the aggregate about 6,000 persons. The number of converts during the past five months, since the Station was opened, is about 1,800. Services are held twice a week, in four large workshops, at noon. when several hundreds of the working men attend and heartily join in the singing. Nine of these men, under deep conviction of sin, came out to the Mercy-seat at the early seven o'clock prayer-meeting on Sunday morning, and found the peace they so much needed.

Amongst many remarkable testimonies given, are the following: "Happy Joe," a prodigal, had twice set up in business, and got through everything by drink. He came to the meeting in rags, drunk, and rolled on the floor, but came to the Mercy-seat and was saved, and is still standing. "Drunken Susan," now "Happy Susan" took to drink after her husband's death, for seven years. She came into the meeting drunk, and rolled on the floor, but came to the Mercy-seat and was saved. A bacon-factor was always drunk, but came to the meetings when the Lord met him, and is now blessedly saved from all sin. A young man, who was a well-known infidel testified to his being converted, which created a great impression upon the large audience. His two brothers and their two wives are also saved.

From, "The War Cry," page 4, 26th January 1882

(And page 2, 9th February 1882.)

Tremendous battles have been fought here under the command of Captain Malthouse. Many leading devils have been destroyed. The first fell in the open-air with shots fired from converted drunkards... Nearly 2,600 of all classes, jail-birds and drunkards have been taken prisoner and are now clothed and in their right mind fighting for the King. and sitting at His feet, learning how to love right and to war with wrong. February 26th, at seven o'clock in the morning, crowds of people in the street to see The Army going to St Paul's Church. Over 500 marched from the Barracks, headed by the colours and Captain, singing songs of victory. Arrived at the Church at eight o'clock, every availabl spot was soon packed with those taken from the highways and hedges who are now sitting together with Christ Jesus in heavenly places. Here the Sacrament was administered by the Rev Brother Clarke and Rev — Peters, who gave a stirring address to the troops in Army style. The service lasted two and a half hours. The glory of the Lord was there, and the power of the cleansing blood was felt to wash away every stain. As our soldiers marched out the ordinary congregation was waiting to in. Then the brass band struck up and the battle for the day commenced strong in the Lord; devils flew in all directions. Over fifty prisoners taken that day. One who had just come out of jail and who had spent a great deal of his life in it. As he relates the stories of the past, many weep. Those who have known him for years rejoice that the change is wrought. We have three buildings all filled on Sunday. They are a great expense. We are about to build a large Barracks.

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

I do not know where the meetings were held.