OPENING BIRMINGHAM III
Was opened on Sunday, October 30th, by Capt Polly Parkins, and a band of Soldiers from Birmingham I. We have taken an old wooden theatre, which will hold 1,500 people, and as soon as the doors were opened the first Sunday, it was crowded, and the old cry begun, "What shall we do with the people?" We have had it very rough at the beginning; still, as the people get to know us, they seem to like us. Pray for Captain and Soldiers! There is a good work going on, some of the worst are getting saved.
From, "The War Cry," page 2, 24th December 1881.
There were 3 Salvation Army stations here in 1881.
Birmingham III
Has only been opened five weeks, it was very rough and hard the first week; very few souls saved. But we kept believing that the old wooden Theatre was just in the right place, and so it turned out to be, after the first week; the mighty smash came on the Sunday night, seventy came out for pardon, and seventy more on the Monday night, in fact, the entire neighbourhood was shaken by the mighty power of God. Hallelujah to Jesus! The religious people from the chapels have shown us great sympathy, especially the Wesleyans; and God has repaid them for it last Sunday night, by giving them forty souls at their chapel. The results of our work is already being seen and felt in the work-shop and iron works all round the neighbourhood. Men who used to spend their money in the public-house now take it home, and their families are the better for it. Thank God for religion that will not have anything to do with the drink; we make all our Soldiers teetotalers; they are no use to us if they drink, in fact, we won't have them, without they make a clean sweep.
From, "The War Cry," page 2, 15th December 1881.
Birmingham II (Capt Emily Bullard)
Grand day on Sunday, good meetings all day, night especially, We felt the power of God, several souls crying for mercy. We closed with a "Hallelujah Finish," when forty testified. We mean to conquer.
From, 'The War Cry', page 3, 19th January.
(also page 3, 9th and 16th February 1882)
Birmingham I
(Capt. Rolfe).—Lieut, J. Horskins writes: "We are having some good times at this Station, Souls are getting saved every night in the week and all day on Sunday. On Saturday night we kept the fire burning till nearly ten o'clock. On Sunday, at ten, we had a good open-air meeting and march, 140 in the ranks. Inside at eleven, good time: again at half-past two. Our joy was overflowing. At 6.15 the Hall was packed, and lots turned away. Some brothers and sisters, and Captains spoke. When we opened the pool twenty-two souls wept their way to Calvary; also ten prodigals returned home."
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 2nd March 1882.
Birmingham I
Souls saved every night and not only at night, but in the daytime. We have a noonday prayer meeting which has been and is a great blessing to the Corps. We have also commenced a prayer meeting on Monday afternoons for sisters and a Holiness meeting on Thursday afternoon. In speaking to one of our sisters about the Monday afternoon's meeting, she said, “We had a blessed meeting on Monday, there were eight women come to the meeting unconverted; but you know, they all got saved before they left.“ The Friday night's Holiness meeting is a great blessing to the Corps and to hundreds of Christians besides. Our great want in Birmingham is room, if we had a big building we could have a much bigger work. Oh Lord clear the way.
Captain Emily Ballard reports a good work. This has been a rather hard pull, but it is going ahead better than ever now. Crowds of people all day on Sunday and 21 souls and 10 on Monday. Hallelujah! God bless the 205th Corps.
Birmingham III
Captain and Polly Parkins has been sick and in the hospital. There is however a wonderful work going on at this fort.
Some of the most wonderful characters have been brought to God. I spent Sunday week with them and shall never forget the blessings God gave us that day. The old wooden shed will hold about 1,500 people. I thought they would’ve pulled it down about our heads with trying to get in after it was full. We took about 20 prisoners. I held a Holiness meeting the other Friday evening when about 120 came out for the blessing of a clean heart. What shouts of praise we had that night!
From, 'The War Cry', March 1882.
I do not know where the meetings were held.