Dear Mr Booth, – very pleased to tell you we had a good day yesterday.
Had brother Bates from Leicester and was able to give them a turn at Hucknall. Brother Bates lead in the afternoon, me at night. Had a fall into the Fountain – 25 souls – praise the Lord! There were 1000 people there last night. There is a grand opening.
We had a large place offered us for Sunday. Had not time to let you know. Thought I’d better take it. Had it packed to excess and was not half large enough.
Captain Clara Green, Bulwell.
From, 'The War Cry', January 1880.
A brother reports a glorious Sunday. He says, “Captain Dexter marched the Army of 300 soldiers through the town, morning, afternoon and night. In the evening Hallelujah Prayer Meeting, 30 poor sinners cried for mercy.“ A gentleman belonging to the place says, “It is a good thing that ever the Salvation Army came. Many miserable and ruined homes and families have been made happy and if the captain goes on we shall soon have all the town.”
From, 'The War Cry', March 1880.
We are happy to hear from first one source and then another what a grand work God is doing. The labours of Captain Dexter and her brave soldiers have been wonderfully owned of God. Day after day and night after night the revival flame keeps spreading and we hope soon to report the conversion of the whole place. A private in the Hucknall Corps writes to say he thinks the world ought to know what God is doing. Since the work began 300 to 400 souls have come out from the world to be on the Lord’s side. Last Sunday we met in George Street. Captain Dexter led a procession of 800 strong. We marched down to Butlers Hill, singing as heartily as we could and we were all full of glory.
In the hall we had a glorious time. We met again in the afternoon and processioned the streets. The hall was packed when we arrived and we had a glorious Hallelujah meeting. The men and women who testified have been the worst characters in the town… We had to hurry home to tea to get back early so as to secure a seat. We started for the hall about 5 o’clock, but when we arrived it was crowded up to the door outside. As soon as the doors were open the people scrambled in all directions to obtain a seat. The people sang from five until 6:30. The word was with power. In the prayer meeting sinners fell in all directions; 25 professed to find peace. When the meeting was closing, one sinner was crying for mercy. The Lord is certainly working wonderfully. The Salvation Army has woke up all the chapels and it’s turning the town upside down. About 200 people have to go away every Sunday for want of room. May the Lord send us a bigger place.
From, 'The War Cry', March 1880.
What a marvellous change! Heaven has got into this village. The wonder is in everybody’s mouth. The revival flame is setting fire to the surrounding districts. Signs and wonders are being wrought. If anybody wishes to see what God can do, by the Army and by the labours of a little weak woman, let them visit Hucknall. In less than three months 600 souls have been gathered into Christ's fold. 300 of these have joined the Army and the rest have joined other churches and still there are no signs of the work dying out. It is a living spreading and deepening work such as I have not seen for many years. The news of this glorious move had reached my ears and heart when I was in London and I felt as if the train went too slow for me, while on my way to spend what turned out to be a grand Saturday night and Sunday. Escorted by friends, I made my way to the Salvation chapel. The sound of many voices intimated what I might expect inside. The thrill of holy joy went right through my whole frame. The chapel was nearly full. A band of music led the singing. Captain Dexter, with a strong voice and waving hand, was urging all to make a joyful noise before the Lord. It was noise without confusion – joyful speaking; heart singing. I thought surely this must be the best way to spend Saturday night; vastly better than being among murky clouds of smoke, wasting time, health and money in a public house.
From, 'The War Cry' May 1880.
I do not know where the meetings were held.