This is an early report of the Salvation Army's work in Croydon.
Our Sister Collingridge having lately held a week's meetings at Croydon, we requested her to send us a brief report. The following is her reply.
DEAR Mr Booth,- I rejoice greatly to tell you that my visit to our new Mission Station at Croydon, has been made through God the means of great blessing to myself as well as to many others. I have enjoyed the sweetest communion with my blessed Saviour, and my soul has been filled with glory and with God. Praise His dear name.
On Sunday, July 25th, we had a good day; a very blessed influence was felt in the morning by all present, and the prayer meeting in the afternoon was good too the friends all seeming to have the spirit of believing prayer.
At six o'clock the brethren held an open-air service. Conviction seized the hearts of some of the standers-by, and they followed our friends to the Hall, after which I preached to about 500 people. The word was with power; many were pricked to the heart, and at the close of the service, nine dear souls came out for Jesus, two of which were backsliders in heart and they went away, realising a sweet sense of pardon. It was a time never to be forgotten.
On Monday and Tuesday evenings I spoke again to attentive audiences. Souls went away each night much impressed, promising to come again, saying, 'We have never heard the gospel so plainly preached in our lives as your people preach it."
On Wednesday night we had an experience meeting, conducted by Brother Dowdle when several friends related the history of their conversion.
From, 'The East London Evangelist', August 1869, page 190.
I do not know where the Salvation Army mission station was.