Sheffield - Salvation Army

This is the first monthly report from the Salvation Army station here.

We commenced our campaign in Sheffield on February 17th, with glorious success. I preached three times, Miss Dunnage sang, the power of God came down-sixteen precious souls wept their way to Calvary. We had two grand open-air meetings led by Bro. Smith, the gipsy, and he preached in the Hall of Science on Monday night. Hundreds followed us in from the open-air every night during the week, and the power of God was present.

Our second Sunday was a greater success than the first. On Wednesday following, we commenced a noon-day open-air meeting in the Methodist New Connection Chapel yard. Some hundreds of people stopped to listen; one came the following night who received her first impressions there, and cried for mercy. ·

Our third Sunday was a day of power, God indeed came down, and made the place of His feet glorious. I preached in the morning from 'Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb?" The afternoon, Bro. Smith preached from "Escape for thy life." Miss Dunnage sang, 'Where He leads I will follow." I preached in the evening from "Four one things." Miss Dunnage sang "Almost persuaded." Twenty-two souls cried for mercy; one dear lady was so filled with the power of God that she rose from her knees crying "He saves to the uttermost! " then went from seat to seat inviting sinners to come to Jesus. She laid hold of a grey-headed old backslider and shook his head in such a manner that he did not know what to do. Some churchmen said she ought to be laid hold of; Bro. Smith replied, "Friends, she has just come to her right mind."

From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', April 1878, page 102.

On the Tuesday after Easter Mr Booth led the meeting in the Hail of Science, it was crowded with saints and sinners; at the close 20 wept their way to the Cross while we sang,

" I feel the glorious liberty, This moment I believe."

The power came down, and infidels trembled on their seats.

Wednesday night was again a precious time. Mr Booth again led the people right up to the top, where all is joy; he stayed with us a week,·and it was a week of great gladness and power.

On the following Sunday, we had the General Superintendant, who gave us a powerful address in the morning on holiness; preached in the afternoon and evening, and at the close we counted 44 precious souls who had sought salvation on that day.

On Monday Mr Booth led the meeting at the Hall of Science, the power of God again overshadowed us, and 17 souls came to the penitent form.

From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', June 1878, page 165.

During the month just gone into eternity, we have had hard fighting, much power and great victory. Hallelujah! Easter week was a grand time. On Good Friday night we had a real Holy Ghost love feast. Our own people were in high spirits and in the prayer meeting afterwards souls were saved and believers sanctified.

Easter Sunday was a never to be forgotten day. We had with us John Daniels, known as the “Dudley Devil,“ and his mate, happy Sam Brookhouse, from Castleford. We made up our minds to have a grand field day, whatever kind of weather blew and a rough wintry day it was; the snow fell thick and fast; still, our people came up like brave soldiers, came up in strong forces and pushed on the battle to a most successful issue. At night a mighty smash! Such a one as I have not seen for years. The Holy Ghost came upon the meeting, carrying everything before it. Strong men fell to the ground as though dead. Of course, there were all kinds of things spoken about it. One said it was "disgraceful"; another, that I ought to be ashamed of myself to allow it &c.,&c. just as though I could help the Holy Ghost coming. However we found at the end of the meeting that thirteen had found the Lord, and some thirty sanctified. Hallelujah! On Easter Monday and Tuesday we had tea meetings, over three hundred partaking; hot gospel meetings each night when souls were saved and believers blessed.

On Sunday, May 4th, we had Major Corbridge with us, and a blessed day it was. The Major was very much pleased with the spiritual state of the Society, and, I judged, he was pleased with the big blessing he got to his own soul while he was preaching the Lord with power; and it went with much force to many sinners' hearts. The prayer meeting which followed was a mighty time. We had a long penitent-form full Three deep - some seeking pardon, others crying mightily to God for the blessing of entire sanctification and a great number received the blessing they sought. Just at the very height of the meeting we had to break up, as we have to be out of the hall at nine o'clock. We did not conclude, but simply adjourned the meeting until Monday night, when we finished it in great triumph feathers, flowers, pipes, twist, and other idols bemg given up for God. Our weekly Holiness meetings still keep up well, in fact, they get better and better. Men and women, who used to think very little about them, now take great interest in them, and would rather miss any meeting in the week than the Friday night Holiness meeting.  Our Saturday night Band meeting, too, has been greatly owned of God, not only in the quickening of our own members but those of other churches in the town. Numbers come to our meetings, when they have none of their own. Places are filled up, and people take the fire back with them and set others on fire. Hallelujah! During the month we have had many sign the Temperance Pledge. A number of our young men have a Pledge Book which they carry about with them, and by this means, they have induced many to sign, and a goodly number have afterwards been brought to Jesus.

The Branch Station on Langsett Road is doing well. During the month souls have been saved. Some young men belonging to a brass band have been converted. We are praying for the rest of the band, and thus we hope to have a Hallelujah Brass Band of the 32nd Sheffield Blood and Fire. Amen.

Brunswick Hall, Spittle Hill is still going on and likely to continue. During the month souls have been saved. Sunday, May 11th, was a good day. A few of our people went from the Central to help Sister Gower, who is not very well. They report good congregation, Holy Ghost powerful and three souls saved. May the rich flame take deeper hold of the people in that part of the town, and may we soon have to report that a mighty corps is in full work on this hill. Amen.

From, 'The Salvationist', June 1897, 150-1.

The 32nd is going ahead in spite of the devil and all our foes. Since you last heard anything from us we have had some very powerful meetings and some very lively times. We have had as many as 30 penitents down at once and shouts of praise have gone up to God’s throne and great blessings have come down, while we have shouted, “Victory through the blood of the lamb.“ Hallelujah!

On the 27th of October, the army advanced another stage, when we laid the foundation stone of a hall. The General gave a powerful address, which was well received.

From, 'The Salvationist', December 1879, page 323.

The meetings have, so far, greatly exceeded anything in the history of this town. Saturday night's Hosanna Meeting was crowded and enthusiastic.

Sunday's Baptism of Fire was a baptism indeed; the magnificent Albert Hall, capable of seating three thousand and five hundred people, was crowded to its uttermost capacity, Afternoon and evening hundreds turned away.

The speaking was in the power of God; the feeling, at times, overwhelming. About 300 souls coming to the Mercy-seat at the finish. Great things are expected today: and, altogether, the Council will greatly impress the town.

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

THE SHEFFIELD RIOTS by General Booth.

With the fullest confidence of victory we entered the town, and commenced the meetings on Saturday evening the 14th, little thinking what terrible struggle the devil was about to make in defence of his kingdom. Our acquaintance with the town goes back over twenty-five years and such an impression in those times did it make upon us, that had we been compelled to make choice of a town in which The Army seemed likely to most readily succeed we should have selected Sheffield. But for various reasons, this has not been the case; and Sheffield has been from the first a disappointment. Perhaps one of the main causes has been our want of Barrack room. However, things have been improving of late, and, thank God, there in every prospect now seeing the town mightily shaken and thousands won to our standard.

At our first meeting on the Saturday evening, we found a splendid gathering of Soldiers, all on fire to do something for God and Salvation. It was a glorious start, filling all with expectations of a still more glorious Sabbath. One of the announcements made at the close was ammunition served out at 6.30 tomorrow morning, but at 5.30 the Soldiers wiIl sally forth, armed with a piece of chalk, and write on the Investments far and near the announcement of the great meetings of the day. This was an ingenious but perfectly sensible method saving the expense of printing hand-bills, always supposing the weather favourable, which it was, for this Sunday was a beautiful day for the season, and for the purpose to which The Salvation Army devoted it.

The Baptism of Fire in the morning was only too short; the march afterwards good, although a little stormy, but still nothing to complain of; and the meetings in the Albert Hall, afternoon and night, were simply overwhelming.

We are becoming accustomed to these vast assemblages with their mighty influences and excitement, enthusiastic songs and prayers, and testimonies and consecrations, that it is every day increasingly difficult to write about them. Although descriptions from the same pen to readers, who seldom, or ever, mingle in such gatherings, must very much resemble each other, yet to those who take part in the meetings, they are as fresh and glorious an ever. Glorious! yes, glorious! for, after all, there is no other word which so truly describes them, and these Albert Hall Meetings were all this, and much more.

The Hall will seat 3,500, as far as we could judge by the eye, containing just an many more than Exeter Hall, as a gallery on three sides of the building will hold; and, afternoon and night of Sunday, and on the evening of Monday, it was packed, with hundreds standing, although admission was by ticket to each meeting, Monday afternoon was not so full. The attention was wrapt, the order perfect, the feeling deep. In the evening, over thirty souls came to the Mercy-seat, and the offerings of the day were £49.

The Monday morning meeting at the Barracks was excellent. So far so good but then followed:

The attack on the Salvation Army in Sheffield (The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent)

Sheffield was, yesterday, the scene of a disgraceful and altogether unexpected attack upon members of The Salvation Army. Several meetings were held on Sunday. These commenced with one at half-past six o’clock in the morning at the Thomas Street Barracks to which the brief but forcible designation of "ammunition” was given.

Four hours later there was a "Baptism of Fire " service in the same building, and, in the afternoon, The Army turned out in vast numbers, and marched in procession to the Albert Hall. There addresses were delivered by General and Mrs. Booth; and, at night, there was another meeting in the same hall, preceded by the march; which The Army seem to regard as an important feature of their proceedings.

These two processions, of course, attracted an immense concourse of spectators; but, these, for the most part, were animated by motives of curiosity only. Signs of positive hostility there were none, or so few as to be disregarded. The disgraceful scenes that took place yesterday are, therefore, all the more remarkable. Some little consolation may perhaps be gathered from the fact that the ringleaders, and indeed all who took part in the disturbances, were youths and young men of the very roughest and low class-men and lads in whom the spirit of mischief in largely developed, and who care little about what the consequences must be to others. The procession that took place yesterday gave abundant scope for this spirit.

The procession, it was announced, would consist of “Mounted Officers and brass band; female trumpeters! and the General commanding!!"

The most conspicuous figure in the procession, was that of Lieut. Emmerson Davison, ‘the champion Northumbrian wrestler, who, becoming converted, joined The Army some time ago. This man carried the banner at the Stephenson Centenary Festival, in Newcastle, last year, and at that time was presented with a scarlet uniform and dark-coloured helmet, in which apparel he took part in the festival in memory of the celebrated engineer. Since he joined The Salvation Army the "Champion Wrestler" has been connected with Leeds No. 3 Corps, and on several occasions he has worn his tunic and helmet at revival demonstrations. He appeared in it on Sunday in the Sheffield thoroughfares when The Army was on the march, and attracted great attention—too much in fact for his own comfort, for some man threw a stone at him, and seriously cut the lieutenant’s lips. Undeterred by his experience on the Sabbath, the " Champion Wrestler" wore his uniform again yesterday. and as the procession was about to leave Thomas Street his scarlet tunic seemed to have the same influence upon the roughs as the traditional red flag flaunted in a Spanish bull's face.

Contempt for The Salvation Army and its Officers was expressed on every aide. Ridicule and scorn were heaped upon the "champion wrestler" in language that was frequently blasphemous… They called the Lieutenant "a sham," and The Salvation Army “a set of hypocrites," and when the procession moved slowly out of Thomas Street, it was evident that its march would be a dangerous one, tor brick-bata were flung at its Soldiers, and the converts who avoided these missiles were reviled with curses. There were two police Officers in the neighbourhood, but they were of little use in stemming the passion and hatred of 1,000 roughs and although the constables acted with great bravery and discretion, The Salvation Army had a bad time of it.

Along Bromhall Street, Fitzwilliam Street, and Regent Street, the procession struggled, followed by a great mob, judging from its conduct, must have had its home in the slums, hooting and yelling, the roughs surrounded the carriages, spat on the Salvationists and pelted them with stones and mud. The uniform of the "Champion Wrestler" was speedily robbed of its brightness and became of a dingy hybrid colour owing to the great patches of sludge that smeared it. The man's face was a piteous picture. He had mud in his eyes, mud in his nostrils, mud in his mouth; and he tried in vain to free himself from this dirt cast at him by these reckless unbelievers. The members of the Band were almost as unfortunate, and having no shelter from the mud and stones hurled at them they were obliged to abandon all hope of playing. Some of the bandsmen were badly bruised on the head by stones, and seriously cut in the face. The mob was heartless enough, too, to pelt the women, and some of those poor creatures were almost blinded with slime, and utterly terrified by the fierceness of the rabble.

When the procession reached Brookhill, the Salvationists halted, in the hope that the crowd would sweep by and molest them no more; but in this hope Major Cadman, who gave the order to halt, was disappointed, the vehemence of the roughs increasing; and their threats and actions becoming more violent. It was now decided to divide the procession into two parts and the carriage containing Capt. Coombs and party took a short route towards the Albert Hall, whilst Lieut. Davison, the band, and the carriage containing General Booth continued along St. Philip's Road, into Westbar. The strategy was of little avail, however. The mob would not forsake the "Champion" in the scarlet tunic, nor the band. The roughs pushed and jostled each other in a wild race to Westbar; they pointed threateningly at the Salvationists, crying, "Give it them!" They want their heads splitting! At this time, one of the Soldiers in The Army did get his head split, or rather his forehead; and, in addition to the mud and stones that were sent in showers at the revivalists, a besom was tossed at them repeatedly, but it never struck the occupants of the carriages.

In the procession were four standard bearers, carrying the banners of the Sheffield Garrisons of the Corps, from Thomas Street, Spital Hill, Langsett Road, and Attercliffe. These standard-bearers, were attacked in Westbar; some of the more daring roughs made a desperate rush for the colours; there was a great deal of fierce wrestling; it seemed certain once that the banners wonld be wrested from the grasp of the Soldiers, but, as on the battle-field, it is a terrible disgrace to lose the colours, and personal safety is forgotten in the heroic resolve to defend them to the last, so these Soldiers stuck valiantly to the flags, which were, after great difficulty, securely deposited in the conveyance occupied by the band, amid the yell and groans of the discomfited enemy. The mob was largely increased as the procession neared the bottom of Snig Hill, for the yelling of the roughs brought into that locality all the idlers who may he seen, any Monday, loitering about the streets with their hands in their pockets, and ready for anything but work.

Hitherto "Lieut. Davison " had received nothing but a liberal pelting of mud. This he bore with the greatest equanimity, and sitting his horse with head and face erect, he seemed the perfect embodiment of one who was willing to "dare and do" anything for The Army and its cause; but on passing the "Pack Horse" his demeanour quickly changed. It was, however, from no lack of courage on the part of the valiant ex-champion wrestler. From out of the midst of the shrieking and yelling mob there was suddenly thrown a short thick stick. It went whistling through the air, and, true to the aim of the thrower, struck Davison a terrific blow on the back of the head. Almost unconscious, he was in the act of falling backwards from his saddle, when two young men rushed towards him and held him up. As they did so they heard him murmur, "I hope they will be saved."

Keeping him in the saddle, one on either side, Davison continued to lead the procession; but even assisted as he was, it was with the utmost difficulty that he could retain his seat. His head was bent, he reeled in the saddle, and every now and then rubbed the mud from his eyes and touched the back of his head as if he were only partially conscious; Angel Street, High Street, and Fargate were reached without any further display of violence; but on nearing the Albert Hall it became abundently evident that serious business was intended by a large concourse of youths and young men who were waiting outside the building. These began to shriek and yell as Davison was seen approaching; and as he and the remainder of the procession came up, there followed a scene of indescribable disorder. Stones, mud, hats and other missiles were freely thrown; but Davison seemed to be well nigh unconscious of what was happening around him.

Inspector Bird, Police-sergeant Merrin, and a few constables did their best to keep back the mob, whilst amid a shower of stones and mud, some members of The Army rushed from the Hall and half dragged, half lifted Davison from the saddle. "Bless the Lord," others shouted with great fervency as the poor fellow, mud-stained and battered, walked with feeble tottering footsteps to the welcome shelter of the Hall; and then with a sigh of relief laid himself down in one of the ante. rooms, his head supported by a fellow Soldier's knee.

Whilst this was going on inside the Hall, the scene outside was one of the greatest excitement. Probably with the intention of escaping the mob at the ... entrance to the building, the driver of the wagonette with the band turned his horses into Burgess Street, and brought them up to the side-door. Following this example, the drivers of the other two carriages also turned into Burgess Street. This proved unfortunate, for the door was locked, and there the rogues endeavoured to jump into the carriages, but this they were prevented from doing. Only, however, was this accomplished with much difficulty, and it is said that in the hand-to-hand encounter, which took place, several members of The Army received very rough treatment. At length, finding that it was impossible to get admittance to the Hall from Burgess Street, the horses were driven to the rear of the building, and then up Cambridge Street. The reappearance of the band was the signal for renewed disturbances, and as their vehicle drew up to the main entrance in Barker Pool, they were received with a further volley of stones and mud. No time was lost in leaving the wagonette and the occupants of the other carriages also made their escape into the Hall with the utmost possible speed.

General Booth, cool and collected, made his way to the ante-room where Davison was lying, and as he met several of his Soldiers whose faces were covered with mud, he Iaughingly observed, "You  should be photographed now." As it was impossible to tell whether Davison's injuries were serious, it was considered advisable to summon medical assistance and Mr A, Hallam, surgeon to the Central Police Division, was sent for. On his arrival he found that Davison was suffering from concussion of the brain and from shock; and an extemporised bed was made for the poor fellow out of a couple of forms and several coats. An hour or two afterwards, as he still remained in a state of partial insensibility, it was considered advisable to have him removed to the Hospital. There he still remains. Consciousness was, however, restored some hours afterwards, and it is believed that his injury is not of a very serious nature.

And what about the meeting in the Albert Hall, following this terrible march? Was it a melancholy cast down affair? Nay, it was more triumphant than ever. Did anyone calculate on giving up the fight? Nothing of the kind. From that terrible brake, in which, for over an hour, musicians and Officers had rode, a living target for thousands of brutal roughs to curse, spit upon, and cover with mud and mortar, and wounds-with sharp-cutting stones-some black as colliers, and bodies bruised and sore, they entered the Hall with chants of praise to God, glorying in being counted worthy to suffer for His cause. Their appearance on the platform made a profound impression on the audience, and there was a still greater thrill of divine sympathy when the General made himself the mouthpiece of the audience in praying for the cruel crowd outside which had acted so heartlessly, and whose yells could be heard continuously through the afternoon.

The Night Meeting was magnificent.

*The Happy Family" sung and played. Mrs Booth spoke with great feeling. Mrs Summerton spoke with much pathos; Major Cadman described the success of The Army at Yotk and elsewhere; the General defended the movement, and miracles of grace, the most unanswerable argument for and defence of all we do testified with thrilling, natural eloquence, and the assembly responded, we believe, to the arguments and influences of the hour.

It would require an entire War Gry to describe the incidents of that "ride" and of those two meetings, but we must remark that the great interest of those thousands was, more or less, centred in one individual, and that was

The Champion Wrestler.

every allusion to him created the deepest and most general sympathy. The prayers for his restoration were responded to by thunders of "Amens," and we are sure they were heard in Heaven, and when it was announced in the evening meeting that consciousness had returned, and that to the comrade who had called to ascertain how he was progressing, he had whispered, "I am saved, and had the work to be done again, I would do it tomorrow! hearts swelled and eyes wept all over the vast assembly. Thank God for living heroes of the Cross. The age of martyrs is not passed away, it is upon us now. We believe that within our ranks there are thousands of such, and, with such Soldiers and such a King as ours, all things are possible, and wonderful things are going to be done in Sheffield. Amen.

Sheffield I (there are a few stations in the town at this time)

Sheffield 1 is advancing upon the enemy. Scores of the worst of characters are surrendering. Christmas Day, building crowded, Soldiers banquet, Grand review at night. Hoisting of signals and shouts of praise from converted thieves, drunkards, harlots, and others. One man's testimony was he was always drunk, had £2 9s. a-week, but starved his wife and family, pawned all he could get hold of, even took the shoes off the child’s feet: once when the service was going on in chapel, he got drunk on the sacrament wine. It's a pity it was there. One man said he had been drunk fifty-two Christmases running,

Sheffield 1

All the town is on the move. On Sunday we had with us “Orange Harriet,” from Barnsley and the “Talking Machine.” Our soldiers are full of glory and all working for God. At night, 30 plunged into the fountain. Sinners of all sorts are at the mercy seat, some in jags, some in rags and some in satin gloves.

From, 'The War Cry', July 1882.

I do not know where in Rockingham Street the Hall was.