This is a monthly report from the Salvation Army station here.
My first night in Cheltenham I went into the streets while the soldiers were shooting at the enemy; there was a great noise among them, some laughing and talking, others swearing and throwing things into the ring. One man the worse for drink stood and sung and caused great excitement among the people.
We then sung to the Hall, followed by a crowd of the right sort for Jesus. Our little hall was soon filled, and we commenced the meeting. Whilst singing some were smoking, others swearing and shouting "Amen" to the top of their voices; but, thank God, in the midst of all this souls were saved. On the Sunday we had a lot of persecution, but it was a good day after all. At night we had a grand time, the power of God knocked down eleven, and since then God has saved some of the same sort.
How we spent Bank Holiday.- Prayer meeting at 7 a.m. At 10.30, Sacrament. It was a good time; we were lifted higher up towards glory. At 2 o'clock we marched round about the back streets into some places where we had not been before, and God blessed our labours. Then a cup of tea, and then out again firing at the enemy, after which we marched to the hall. Had a glorious meeting, when two poor sinners were compelled to come and give up for God. So we can thank God for our Bank Holiday spree. Last Sunday we had a good day; eight came out for salvation, some of them had been amongst our persecutors. May God make them more brave for Him.
From, 'The Salvationist', September 1879, page 250.
Our meetings here get better. The barracks are crammed every night. Sunday was a day never to be forgotten. We commenced with 60 at the 7 am knee drill and while the soldiers were pleading with God, a young man was so wounded that he came out and fell into the Fountain. A man and his wife then followed and the soldiers of the 89th we’re all rejoicing together over the Prodigal’s return. God was with us all day and outside, although the rain was coming down, we like brave soldiers of the Cross marched through it and felt God was raining on our hearts. Place crammed to excess all day. At night there was not standing room; powerful meeting. God came down our souls to greet, Saints rejoicing and sinners weeping. While I was talking a dear man left his seat and came to the Cross. More followed when the blood washed their sins away, making seven for the day, 10 the Sunday before and 15 the Sunday before that. Glory to God.
From, 'The War Cry', October 1881.
How can I describe this place. For a long time Oheltenham has been down and struggling; bitter opposition from the roughs, a very small Hall, and almost everything against us.
But now under the new Officers, Bourn and Page, God has wonderfully made bare His arm. The Corn Exchange has been used on Sundays; many souls have been saved, debts paid off, and friends felt they would now like to help the Thanksgiving Fund.
Brother Clee, the treasurer, wrote me about two months ago. And on Sunday, November 20th, I turned up for this object.
God blessed us. One hundred and forty had a Holiness Breakfast at 7.30 a.m., followed by a good meeting, and open-air service, and then another meeting in the Corn Exchange at eleven a.m., and eighteen souls sought full Salvation in the morning. About thirty souls at the night meeting.
We had a Holiness Meeting on Monday afternoon, and another meeting of a similar kind at night.
And during Monday, about thirty souls came forward, some for pardon, and some for purity.
From, "The War Cry," page 1, 1st December 1881.
Cheltenham was reached in a dense fog, rather novel to stand against a lamp, viewing the Drum and Fife Band coming to meet us. Marches and meetings in a fog was quite a treat. Tuesday meeting held in the chapel, kindly lent. Place full. One out for Salvation, and one for the blessing. Wednesday, meeting it the Coliseum, wet night, but good march and fairish attendance. Fifteen out for purity and pardon.
From, "The War Cry,' page 4, 12th January 1882.
(Capt. H. Smith).-Thank God, the past week has been a blessed one. Sunday, meetings all day never to be forgotten. The Lord was truly with us, and at the close, twenty-seven precious souls fell at the bleeding feet ot Jesus. More yet, although there is a great work done in Cheltenham, there is room for still greater yet. Our weeknight Hall is not large enough; crammed every night, and Circus also to excess. Getting on well towards the New Hall.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 9th February 1882.
(Capt H. Smith) - Private Thomas Luck writes; "We are still going up. The past few weeks has been a time never to be forgotten in Cheltenham. Since Captain Smith arrived, over one hundred souls have wept their way to Jesus. A brewer's drayman, in giving his experience, said, "Thank God, I am saved! As I was going home the other night a man told me he was very sorry that I had joined The Salvation Army; but, I told him that he was not so sorry as I was glad," Hallelujah! Sunday was a grand day. At night, the Circus was packed: 1,450 people inside, and hundreds could not get in. The place is not large enough for us; we are going in for a new Hall.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 23rd February 1882.
I do not know where the meetings were held.