This is a monthly report from the Salvation Army station here. (I have wanted to include something here for some time, but the reports never say how many were saved. Nor does this one, but the language seems to infer that a revival was going on and I would be surprised if it wasn't with what was going on at the other stations.)
THANK God that ever Salvation soldiers made a fort of this place. The multitude that stood round our Saviour when casting out devils had not more cause for amazement than have hundreds, nay thousands, here in Manchester, when they see and hear some of the vilest and worst of their neighbours stand upon our platform and testify in living, burning, convicting words God's power to save from sin. "Talk to me of devils," said one of our brothers, who told us he had been steeped in all kinds of sin, "I had many devils in me before I was converted - lying devils, swearing devils, drunken devils; but Christ has turned them all out now, and takes up all the room, bless God!" And we did bless God, and cannot but adore from our inmost souls the power that has done this.
Such is the general spirit of interest and inquiry in all parts of the city, and indeed for miles round, that the people flock in hundreds to the services; and now we have as many as 1,600 or 1,700 people on a weeknight.
As we feared when writing our last, tho Temple, though capable of holding 2,000 people, has proved too small for Sunday services, and such has been the crush to obtain admittance that we had frequently to have thirteen or fourteen policemen, in addition to ten or eleven of our own staff, to keep the doors clear.
Owing to our extraordinary bills and the open-air work, we are reaching the masses, often having the Temple more than half full of the roughest in Manchester. We have had some severe opposition, but breaking seats, smashing windows, throwing mud, eggs, marbles, stones, and burning cayenne pepper, flying pigeons, hooting and shouting and hissing did not, and, thank God still, cannot stay God's saving power.
Salvation Room, Boundary Street.
All were cheered here the other night, to find some 700 present. Through almost incredible difficulties our soldiers have fought and still fight, the good fight of faith. Some were down here, but we had sixty pithy testimonies in about four minutes. At the conclusion of a Salvation Band Meeting, at which seventeen slaves were liberated, proved that Army powder was in store. There were card players, billiard players, pigeon-flyers, dog fanciers, and well-nigh all classes testifying in that meeting
From, 'The Salvationist', June 1879, page 151-2.
Sill going on at the end of 1879.
For future reports see, 'The War Cry' which began January 1880.
The past week has been one of glorious victory: 66 precious souls up for pardon and 17 for the blessing of a clean heart. Conviction seems all over the place and the station has the name of being rough and disorderly, but I never stood up before with more ordinary people since I have been in the Army. We have found that patience and hard work and the Holy Ghost have already subdued many stubborn wills. Thursday night it would’ve done your souls good to have heard the anxious cries and to have seen the tears rolling down the cheeks of poor sinners.
From, 'The War Cry', July 1880.
I thank God for the past and the present. It has been truly glorious; souls have wept and found their Redeemer – 12, 15 and 20 at a time. Last Monday was blessed; two open air, with bands, in the evening; 16 and 17 in the ring at a time to speak. The word ran like fire among dry stubble. The fire was fanned hotter and hotter, until every soldier seemed in a white heat.
The Temple was crowded and hundreds turned away. I never remember the soldiers more in earnest. The precious ones taken from the enemy – some wept, some groaned, others shouted “glory!” Others hugged each other. While the Great Captain was taking his place as a Physician to heal the wounded, six brokenhearted sinners. Oh! Glory to God. When the healing work was over, with smiling faces and hearts all of a glow, 57 witnessed of the love of God in 15 minutes. It is the cry of saint and sinner, at every meeting, that the work gets better.
The Holiness meetings I cannot describe. They are the secret of our success. I never before experienced such times.
From, 'The War Cry', October 1880.
MANCHESTER IV (Capt. Peck).-Private F. Harding writes: Here we are still happy and rejoicing in the God of our Salvation. On Saturday night we had a grand march through the turnpike-gate, Newton Heath, where we made a stand, and invited sinners of all sorts to our Saviour. Sunday will never be forgotten; it was not only a day of joy, but of real Holy Ghost power, which seemed to rest upon us all the day. Knee-drill good, sixty-two present. Open-air, crowds gathering round us to hear the Word of Life, and we find our Barracks are not near large enough, as many were turned away. And at the close of this blessed Sabbath, we wound up with twenty-two souls for the Master. 'Glory to His name.'"
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 1st December 1881.
MANCHESTER I (Capt. Falconbridge).—On Sunday afternoon, the Temple was crowded, the gallery was full of the right sort; a lot of the devil's talent there. On the left were the amateur clog dancers, and comic singers, on the right-the racing and boxing sort; and at the front and back, a lot just fresh from the tap-room, who had come to hear their old "pals" tell of their new Master. At the end of the day, thirty-four had left the ranks of the devil; and on Monday, six more came forward and sought the pardon of their sins. Glory be to God!
MANCHESTER III (Capt. W. Ley) -On Saturday, we had a grand Free-and-Easy, and a powerful prayer meeting afterward; three prisoners were taken for the Master. Sunday was a blessed day. Good marches, and full Barracks. Sixteen precious souls in the fountain, making twenty-seven for the week. To God be all the glory!
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 15th December 1881.
MANCHESTER III (Capt Ley)
... We are still going ahead. God is blessing our labours and saving many precious souls. To God be all the praise.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 19th January 1882.
MANCHESTER I (Capt Christmas)
The past week has been one of continual rejoicing over sinners slain; each meeting seeming to outdo the other. Sunday night, we had a real salvation Meeting, and as our people dealt red-hot Gospel shot, God Almighty backed the Word home to sinners' hearts, and, at the close, twenty precious souls wept their way to Calvary. We are believing for still greater things,
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 19th January 1882.
MANCHESTER III
(Capt W. J. Ley).-God moving in a wonderful way at this Station. The past week has been one of faithful fighting, and glorious victories. The Lord has been with us in every meeting, and sinners have been pricked to the heart with conviction, some have surrendered themselves to King Jesus. Glory be to God! Sunday, grand. Hundreds following us through the streets. Our drums, triangles, concertinas, melodions, cornet, and tin-whistles stirred the whole township, and brought hundreds of people with us to the old Tent, which we found packed to excess; we could not send the hungry multitude away. so we had an overflow meeting in the open-air. Good order. Rapt attention, eight in the fountain: making twenty-two for the week. To God be the praises.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 2nd March 1882.
(also, Manchester I, page 3, 2nd March 1882)
MANCHESTER IV
(Captain. Shepherd).—The past week has been one of the best we have had, Hallelujah! Some of the enemy have been laying down their weapons at the feet of Jesus; and we mean to have more yet. Sunday was a glorious day, our band out for the first time: streets crowded, and the devil and the drink sellers at their wits end. Hallelujah! "Salvation" is our cry, and Salvation we mean to shout and sing, drum and fiddle, till the world ends.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 9th March, 1882.
(Captain Shepherd)- Treasurer Barnes writes: " The Work of God is still going on at this Station since (Feb) our new captain came, and "Happy Harriett," from the training Home, we have had over a hundred souls at the feet of Jesus. Many others have reconsecrated themselves to God, and are now going on their happy way rejoicing in Salvation. We have many bright testimonies from great big drunkards, who have been saved, and are now fighting in the ranks of King Jesus, and all seemed determined to go hand in hand, in the unity of the spirit, to fight for the King.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 16th March 1882.
MANCHESTER I
Anniversary.
Manchester I. knows how to get a good Sunday, although the bill said "Lovefeast at seven," the Soldiers would begin at six. Well done! two hours for God are better than one. The open-air marches were better than ever, over two hundred in procession. Grand meetings all day, Temple and cellar crammed. Forty-three souls and good collections.
Grand Holiness Convention.
On Monday afternoon fifty came out for consecration: nearly all the Officers of the District present, a real "Hallelujah Go." but the best would come at last. After the War Memories came the
All-night of Prayer.
From the very first commencement the Holy Spirit fell on the people The bottom of the Temple was packed, there must have been 800 present. While singing the first hymn six convicted sinners came out to the fountain without any preliminaries. The Soldiers rushed out to the front. While we sang-
*Where he leads I will follow,
I will follow all the way!*
Batch after batch did follow, and the scene soon baffled description. During the night over five Hundred laid their all on the altar. A large number fell under the power and had to be removed.
No wonder that the saints should dance, as they did, for joy. Old and young alike were over joyed, faces shone, some sang, some shouted, some clapped their hands, many said, "It was never seen after this fashion." Wonderful night, wonderful baptism. We had a grand finish with a Covenant Service promising God to love, unite and work together for the Salvation of Manchester and District, and, with a soul full of God and Holy Fire, we left the Temple at five in the morinng, better both in body and soul then we were when the meeting began. Happy Iabour! Blessed Salvation! Heaven on earth!
From, "The War Cry," page 4, 6th April 1882.
I do not know where the meetings were held.