Although there are seven places of worship within eight minutes walk of the Temple, the ungodliness that reigns here is awful; but now the Army is here, people of all grades are anxious to hear the gospel as preached by us. The place is full long before the time of commencing. Still the people come. Shut the doors is the order; but the crash is so great that the doors get broken down. A little later on, word is brought that a great crowd has broken down the side door as well. Our new Temple is already much too small. Souls every night, Saturday, a man was saved, who tried to murder his wife and had attempted to throw himself off London Bridge twice. But he is now being thrown into the Fountain and is dead to sin and alive and unto God. Fine procession on Sunday, Devil raging; crowds drawn into the Temple by the roughs forming a squad and marching ahead of the Army. Mighty power inside; one big fellow in full uniform was rendered prostrate. We have had testimonies from gentlemen in their superfine black cloth as well as from converted atheists and costermongers. A professor of religion thought she would go to hear the mad people, she came and God’s Spirit took her and she got saved. A Sunday school teacher gave her heart to God and began exhorting her scholars to do the same. Some of them got converted and wanted to hear the Salvationists. Then the teacher got turned out of the school for loving the Salvation Army.
From, 'The War Cry', November 1880.
Left home (Sheffield) at 10.20 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 5th, to visit this Corps, arriving, about five p.m. weary, tired, and hungry, but not sad. My kind hostess soon got me some refreshments, then a short rest, and off to the Free-and-Easy. The Soldiers had been out (sixty-seven of them), had a good march, got a few squibs, but received no harm, and were in good trim for inside work. Listen:- "Thank God for The Salvation Army; by them I heard there was pardon and deliverance for the drunkard. I got it, and God keeps me." A boy: -"You may think it's foolery for children to speak, but we have souls to save, as well as big folks. God has saved me, and I have brought two others, and He saved them. I've only had ten weeks of it, but it has been the best ten weeks of my life."
And so they go on, one after another, until three souls are set longing for the same Salvation, and find peace through Jesus.
Sunday morning, Fifty present at seven a.m. prayer, and about the same number for marching. Before eleven a.m., service inside, bottom packed, a few in the gallery. One baby given by its parents to God. Three sisters gave themselves entirely, and, I suppose, many reconsecrated themselves and their all to God; and I should think all, that morning, "offered willingly " unto Him of their substance for the extension of His kingdom on earth.
Afternoon, building full; testimonies good. One said, "I went to the prayer-meeting at Queen Victoria Street, a month come Tuesday I went to scoff and chaff, but, in about a quarter of an hour, I began to feel I was a sinner, and wanted a Saviour, and, thank God, I sought and found Him."
Mrs Cooksey whispered, "I was there when he was saved."
Another said, "I had been to Sunday-school and chapel, but when I came to The Salvation Army, they told me I could find rest at the feet of Jesus. I went to Him, and got rest, and I am happy this afternoon."
Another, "I always hated shams, so I asked God, if there was any reality in religion, to prove it to me, so He did prove it. He saved me, and I never mean to stop till I get home." Another, and then I must stop writing (though they did not stop talking of God's great Salvation), "The Salvation Army woke me up to know that I could live without sin. I went to God, through Jesus, for full Salvation, and God does keep me."
Night, no march; place full half an hour before time, and they said hundreds could not get in. The Captain led, and the people followed, heart and voice, and, for the third time today, they gave their offerings to God. Sister Cooksey and I spoke. Sixteen precious souls came out to seek and find Jesus, making seventeen seekers in the day for pardon, and three for purity, beside the work done by the Holy Ghost in the hearts of the people that we know nothing of. Glory to God for ever.
Monday afternoon, a tea at half-past five. Rather more present than expected, and the place was full all over for the meeting. Captain Baugh led. The keynote of the meeting was Jesus. Major Moore, Staff-Officer Howard, and several others took part in the work, and all were evidently well satisfied with Jesus. Peckham Corps is not only rising, but aspiring to rise higher still. The Lord grant them the desire of their hearts, for Jesu's sake. Amen. E. CORBRIDGE.
From, "The War Cry," page 2, 24th November 1881.
(Capt Hayward),—Private W, H. E. writes,
"We had a good day on Sunday: good open-airs, packed inside, twelve in the fountain. We have a good deal of opposition, and slander from the press, but, thanks be to God, we have victory after victory over the devil and all his angels.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 12th January 1882
(also, page 3, 9th February 1882)
(Captain Howe) Treasurer J Mitchell writes, "Continued victory; souls every night. The Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant and about fifteen of the "Opposition Army" have, during the past week, grounded arms, and complied with the conditions of King Jesus, and are now enlisted under His banner in the 175th Corps. Our Temple, which seats about 400 people, on Sunday evening, was literally packed. The door-keeper having counted 697 persons pass in, when they were obliged to close the doors with a number sill outside. Service powerful closing with twenty-seven at the Mercy-seat. We are making every effort to obtain money for a larger bulding which is badly needed for South London.
From, "The War Cry," page 3, 23rd February 1882.
I do not know where the Temple was.