This is the first monthly report from the Salvation Army station here.
One of the most sudden and least announced descents has been upon this town, where, with the continuation of it called Swinton, a large collier population is to be found. We have got the theatre both for Sundays and weeknights, and the following letters will show with what result:-
"We are having some glorious victories here at Mexbro. Souls have been saved every night but two. The people say they never saw it like this before. We do get the people to come, bless God. Sunday morning prayer-meeting at seven; there was fourteen there. It was a blessed time. Glory, glory! hallelujah! Amen. 10.30, went to Denaby Main Colliery with about fourteen men and my wife. As soon as we got there we went down on our knees. The people dId not know what to make of us. We announced ourselves as the Salvation Army. God was with us. Bless His name. The people seemed to be as much surprised as if we had dropped down from heaven among them. All the place was in a commotion, running from all parts to see what was the matter. Never nearly speaking with so much of the power of God in it as on Sunday morning. We went all round Denaby singing and speaking and inviting the people to the theatre. Afternoon: went out and began at New Mexbro' with as much vigour, or more, than in the morning. Well, to tell you, in short, the place is moved from side to side, and from end to end. The Devil does not know what to do, and what to make of us, the attack is so sudden, and with so much power. Place full; Hallelujah Band; very, very good time. No souls, though very much moved. Night: packed to excess. Not room to move about in. Place full till after ten. Eight souls professed to find the Lord. We have had some of the best cases that I ever saw. When the invitation is given they jump up and come out and weep for salvation, and wrestle till they get it."
lt will be seen from the above that success has not come, as it were, un-sought, but has been won by hard, persevering toil. The next week was better still.
"Last Saturday night we had a glorious love feast. Packed to excess. Offerings, I5s. 6d. Bless the Lord.
"Grand day on Sunday. The Lord was with us, 5 saved in the afternoon. Night: no room to fairly walkabout. Thirteen souls.
"The latest news is still crowded houses, souls and victory."
From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', October 1878, page 270.
Sinners are getting saved on all sides and best of all believers are getting sanctified. Saturday night we had a mighty time in the open air; God blessed us amongst the rain. Inside, Free and Easy, when about 40 spoke. It was grand to hear the experiences of some of the biggest drunkards in Mexborough. Sunday morning, 7 am prayer meeting was a grand time. God came down and filled us with the Holy Ghost; then at 10:30 we went to Swinton. You should have seen them run to hear us; we had an amazing time. From where we started to where we ended it was a mile's march. People followed us; in some parts the road was blocked up. We left, trusting we had done some everlasting good. In the afternoon we met in the brickyard. We had a mighty time inside. We had Shaw, the Burnley Navvy and the Hallelujah Keelman from Hull. It was a grand meeting – good speaking and good singing; went home for tea. Met again at 5:45 in the Market; good mustar. Sung round town; came inside. Then Big Joe, Little Joe, Parson Priestley and the two curates spoke at the close. Three souls came to the Fountain, got washed, jumped off their knees and told that God had saved them. God is indeed blessing Mexborough.
From, 'The War Cry' August 1880.
(Capt. Tom Allen).—I feel exceedingly glad that things are looking a great deal better, the dark thick clouds, which have been hanging over us, are disappearing, and we are beginning to feel with greater power the warm subduing influence of God's Spirit. Hallelujah! Sunday was a blessed day, sun shining, and so was this little Corps. Two cried for mercy in the afternoon. But night was the time; Barracks crowded out, and many turned away. More people than there have been for a long time. glorious meeting; weeping all over, and souls at the close. Glory: Monday, we had a tea, and a nice number came; everybody seemed longing for the meeting after the tea. We had a march out, and when we came back to the Barracks, found it was crowded, and oh, the shouts of praise and loud hallelujahs, that ascended up to the throne, from hearts burning with love to their Master. Lots of Soldiers spoke, and Captains Peck and Roffey. At the wind-up, three souls cried out for the life-boat of Salvation, and we trust got blessedly into it. Mexbro shall rise.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 24th November 1881.
I had a blessed time here on Friday night, January 20th. Some close dealing. Grand testimony, and a time of real heart-searching. The following is from Mrs Corbridge:-
Saturday, January 21st.—We find considerable improvement in this Corps since we were here last, at a Saturday night's Free-and-Easy. The Soldiers gave some real good experienced, heartfelt knowledge of God, and wonderful change of life.
Sunday, 22nd. Morning march: the Soldiers came up in good time, having been well loaded at Knee-Drills, seven am, with singing, music, and exhortation, rousing the people for a mile round to that fact that "the Salvation Army is marching along" at Mexboro.
In the afternoon the Barracks were well filled, and the Soldiers sent some fiery shots amongst the people: One shot something like this—the brother saved, and on his way to Heaven, the line is clear-none of the devil's dirty luggage-no snuff, drink, or smoke blocking up the way - a clear road between him and God. He went to have some trousers made, and they had to go back to be altered two or three times; but when he came to Jesus, he gave him a suit without a wrinkle. A perfect fit, and he could fit anyone else just as well. Little folks like him, or big folks like the giantess, and, best of all He makes no misfits.
At night the theatre was crowded, and God met us there, and deeply convicted five or six, but they would not come out, although they stayed till we closed. Three others, I was told, came out and God spoke peace to their souls. Praise His Holy name!
From, "The War Cry," page 4, 9th February 1882.also, page 3, 23rd February 1882)
(also, page 3, 9th March 1882.)
(Capt. Tom Allen) —Private Gothard writing from this Station, says: "Praise the Lord this week has been one of continued victories. This Corps was never in a healthier condition than it is at present. Glory to the Lamb! Saturday night we had a grand "go." Band in full swing. Crowds of people listening in the market and in the streets, Barracks packed and good meeting inside, many testifying to the saving power of God. A glorious day on Sunday. At night Barracks packed. Good Salvation meeting, and seven left the ranks of the enemy and enlisted under the banner of King Jesus. Glory to His name!"
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 23rd March 1882.
I do not know where the meetings were held.