Jersey - Salvation Army

This report does not really qualify as 'A revival', but it looks like something might be happening but I have stopped researching the Salvation Army magazines. There are bound to be more reports in 'The War Cry' that began in January 1880.

 OUR most southerly station-the nearest yet to sunny France. Already at least one of the French newspapers has noticed- not very favourably, but that does not matter-the work, and we ask special prayer for Jersey, not only for its own sake, but that the work here may be helpful in getting a footing in France.

Sisters Elliott and Fysh commenced operations. At first the open-air meetings were good, but the attendance in the halls was very small and not of the right class; still the work was becoming known and talked of, and our sisters, who are very poorly and overworked, kept bravely on.

Brother Edmonds was then ordered to proceed to the island from Falmouth, and we will content ourselves this month with giving some extracts from his letters:-

"We had," he says, the day after his arrival, "a splendid procession last night; I led six of our people down through the main street, and throngs followed. If those who come after us only had the pluck to come in we should have filled the place."

"Last night we had fifty folks in the hall, and two came out for salvation- some others wanted to come, but the devil objected. One woman said, 'I's a great sinner, I knows it, and I will come and be saved some night."

" I am having some semi-outrageous bills done, which will draw the people. "What insignificant things those were you sent to start with." He was right, the bills were very proper and very pretty, and it seems, so far as attracting the people, very useless.

A day or two later we find the repeated efforts- the new bills, the increased congregations and the enthusiastic processions had stirred up something, for this morning we were called to see the Mayor at the Town Hall. He charged us with having caused an obstruction and obscene language (!) to be used by the roughs and warned us that if we continued we should be arrested and locked up. I told him we were working under the Rev. W. Booth, and though he wished us to stop we could do so under your orders only." 

We had fully 200 inside last night of just the right sort, and two came out for salvation."

Later--"The sisters' voices are completely done up: I have to sing solos pretty often. Upon receiving instructions to continue the processions silently, I find this plan seems more effective than the other."

A day or two later Brother Edmonds says:-

"Last night we had a grand open-air meeting in one of the principal squares. We had a silent procession, and the astonishment that took hold of the people was wonderful. Inside we had the best week-night meeting yet-300 present, about a hundred of the lowest of the town.

"'We had a big navvy down (for salvation); when he got up he said, 'Of a truth, God has pardoned me I am. sure.' The sisters are very poorly still- almost done up." But these same Sisters are still sticking bravely to their post. Before this is in their hands reinforcements will have arrived, and we expect to hear glorious news from Jersey. 

While some of the local papers have given unfavourable notices, there has been also a voice on the other side, and the Jersey Observer is speaking out boldly.

From, 'The Salvationist', November 1879, page 290-1.

Our boat neared this pretty island, the sound of singing

"Reign, oh! reign my Saviour"

was wafted towards us. "What's that?" said a passenger. "Oh" said another. "I expect the Salvation Army is on board." "Well," said another. "It does seem cheering; they are a happy lot, and no mistake." And so we are. Shaking hands with the Officers and many others. Off we went and had a cup of tea, and to the Hall. There were not so many present as we would have wished; but we had a blessed meeting. At the close, several came to the Mercy-seat, one for pardon, the rest for purity. Saturday night's Free-and-Easy better congregations. The testimonies were splendid. One after the other told how through The Army they were saved.

Sunday, the power of God was present all day. At early morning, we remembered the Lord's death: a hallowed melting time all day. God was with us, helping and blessing us. At night, Hall packed, conviction all over the meeting. Only one out lor pardon: but in all fifty-one out for the blessing of a clean heart. This Corps helped us very nobly for Clapton Congress Hall.

From, "The War Cry," page 4, 19th January 1882.

(Capt. Fentiman).-Truly we can say the past week has been one of great biessing to our souls. Sunday was without exception the best day we have had yet. At ten o'clock we marched to *Harve de Pas," to tell the fishermen of the love of Jesus. In the afternoon, our place was full, but the evening was the crowing time, hundreds could not get in; four souls. We finished up with a sharpshooting meeting, when soventy-seven Salvation rockets were fired.

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

(also, page 3, 2nd March 1882)

I do not know where the meetings were held.