Salvation Army Methods Examined
By Editor
Was It Misapplication of Scripture or Otherwise?
We admire the zeal of the Salvation Army, the wisdom manifested in making so many of their converts workers, and the love and burden possessed by many of them for souls. We believe on the whole that these features exist among Salvationists in a much greater degree, in proportion to the light they have received, than in most of the religious denominations. But we do not believe in their ornate, boisterous, irreverent methods, attitudes, and expressions, which sometimes border on the blasphemous. Often they are as ludicrous as they are irreverent and unscriptural, striking back with treble force on those who use them. An instance of this kind came under our notice the other day in this city. One member of the "Army" was driving round the city an advertising van attended by two other "soldiers," one having a cornet seated with the driver, and the other inside beating the big drum. On one side on white cloth was a picture designed to represent Satan with a three-tined fork in the flames of tophet, and a notice of "Hell Fire at the Army Barracks to-night;" the other side we could not see. On the rear end of the van was this text in bold letters: "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous unto life eternal." The word these would naturally refer to those in the van, and on their own motion it might well be applied to the whole "Army." Certainly the contrast was drawn between these and the righteous. We presume, however, that the "Army" did not mean to so apply the text, although they really did; but it seems to illustrate the ignorance of the Scriptures which exists in many circles besides the Salvation Army, and the constant misapplication of the Sacred Word. It is akin to the remark reported to have been made by "General" Booth, that as the "Army" had been first in the slums and saloons, it would be first at the battle of Armageddon. In the light—or darkness—of this remark are we not justified in asking if the text above quoted was a misapplication after all?