The War Romance of the Salvation ArmyHill, Grace Livingston
History
The War Romance of the Salvation Army
Hill, Grace Livingston
World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Salvation Army
The dramatic beauty of the scene, the sweet, holy abandonment of that
prayer-song with its tender, appealing melody, would have held a throng
of thousands in awed wonder. But there was no audience, unless,
perchance, the angels gathered around the little company, rejoicing
that in this world of sin and war there were these who had so given
themselves to God; but from that glory-touched room there presently
went forth men and women with the spirit in their hearts that was to
thrill like an electric wire every life with which it came in contact,
and show the whole world what God can do with lives that are wholly
surrendered to Him.
[Illustration: She called the little company of workers together and
gave them such a charge as would make an angel search his heart]
[Illustration: The lassie who fried the first doughnut in France]
It was a bright, sunny afternoon, August 12th, when this first party of
American Salvation Army workers set sail for France.
No doubt there was many a smile of contempt from the bystanders as they
saw the little group of blue uniforms with the gold-lettered scarlet
hatbands, and noticed the four poke bonnets among the number. What did
the tambourine lassies know of real warfare? To those who reckoned the
Salvation Army in terms of bands on the street corner, and shivering
forms guarding Christmas kettles, it must have seemed the utmost
audacity for this “play army” to go to the front.
When they arrived at Bordeaux on August 21st they went at once to Paris
to be fitted out with French uniforms, as General Pershing had given
them all the rank of military privates, and ordered that they should
wear the regulation khaki uniforms with the addition of the red
Salvation Army shield on the hats, red epaulets, and with skirts for
the women.
A cabled message had reached France from the Commander saying that
funds to the extent of twenty-five thousand dollars had been arranged
for, and would be supplied as needed, and that a party of eleven
officers were being dispatched at once. After that matters began to
move rapidly.
A portable tent, 25 feet by 100 feet, was purchased and shipped to
Demange;—and a touring car was bought with part of the money advanced.
Purchasing an automobile in France is not a matter merely of money. It
is a matter for Governmental sanction, long delay, red tape—amazing
good luck.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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