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I Join the Church Army - 1887
At last I heard from London that I was accepted for the work, and I arranged to leave home on April 4th, the Monday in Holy Week. My father had a very poor opinion of the whole thing, and I think he and many others expected that I should soon be coming home again. I well remember the affectionate parting with my mother at the little garden gate. (April 4th 1937. The 50th anniversary of my leaving home. I thought much of it throughout this day, Sunday. The day in 1887 remains in my memory as through it were yesterday.) She had said nothing to discourage me, and I felt that if it was the call of God, all would be well.
On arriving at Paddington I took a cab to the Training House in the Edgware Road, and soon felt at home in the new surroundings. The men in the House were all of a very different class from that in which I had been brought up. Some were ex-salvationists and nonconformists, most of them town bred men, some from the North, some from Wales, some Londoners.
Being Holy Week, we attended service every evening at 5.30 at
Brunswick Chapel, where the Rev H. Armstrong Hall was incumbent. He was a most eloquent preacher, and the addresses were a great delight to me. The Rev. F.S. Webster was his curate and was also Principal of the Training House. Mr and Mrs Chambers resided at the House, and we saw a good deal of them. Miss Cheshire was a frequent visitor and also Mr Edward Clifford, the artist.
The Rev. Wilson Carlile was Chief, and we saw him very frequently.
Mr Webster gave us instruction every morning and afternoon on the preparation of addresses and on Bible, Prayer Book and Church History. In the evenings we were engaged in mission work, usually at the Reeve Mission Hall in Marylebone parish, and in open air work in Hyde Park, and sometimes we were sent in pairs to Paddington or Chelsea, where there were Church Army stations. On Sunday mornings we went to service at Brunswick Chapel at 8 and 11, afternoons to Hyde Park, and evenings to the Mission Hall.
I spent 10 weeks in the House, and was very happy there. I attended the May Meeting of the Church Army, and the Conference in that week. I remember Bishop Thorold (Rochester, afterwards Winchester) visiting the House. I was sitting in the front row during Mr Webster's lecture, and the Bishop took up my slate (we had slates and not paper) and read my notes of an address. He returned it with the words, "That is very intelligent."
On Whit Monday I went to Roxeth near Harrow, where there was a Church Army Demonstration, and we had a good day. I went on another occasion to Richmond to the Rev Evan Hopkins' parish. The Captain of the Training House was John Massie, a man whom I liked very much.
My brother has kept some of the letters which I wrote to my mother, and I insert two written from London. The first is dated April 26th 1887.
My dear Mother,
I suppose you will be looking out for a letter, or else I should not write now. I am writing this in bed. I have had bronchitis. I had a bad cold more than a week ago, but did not take much notice of it. Last Thursday Mrs Chambers thought I had better go to the doctor. I did so and he ordered me to stay in bed, and come to him again on Monday morning. I went yesterday, and he sent me home to go to bed, and here I have been all day yesterday and today. I am not allowed any meat. I get beef tea, rice puddings and bread and butter. I am very happy. I just lie still and think of God's goodness. I shall be all right in a few days - don't worry about me.
I had a letter from Uncle Joe yesterday, and one from G. Criddle today. I hear Mr Russell is coming to Locking this week. I always think of the meetings.
I have got some news to tell you - I am made Lieutenant. I am over all the other men. I was pretty surprised, as there are men who have been here much longer than I have. I think I am in favour with the superiors - don't mention this to anybody else.
How is father getting on? Is he quite well and the work getting on all right? You have not told me much news since I have been away.
Much obliged to Mr Dunscombe for his offer - shall be very glad to accept it when I come home.
Mrs Chambers came and sat with me half an hour this morning. She is such a nice, motherly woman. She and Mr Chambers gave up £700 a year to come here for £150. God bless them. She told me I should be sent out about the first or second week in June - perhaps before that. The House will be shut up from the middle of June to the 1st of August.
The doctor has just been and says I shall be all right very soon. I have to stay in bed a little longer. I do hope you will feel quite easy about me. I thought I would not tell you anything about it, but I knew you would expect a letter.
God bless you all is the prayer of
Your loving son.
Another letter is dated 'Saturday.' I think it must have been written in the first week in May.
My dear Mother,
I hope you received the hymn book I sent you and also the Gazette.
I should like another Western Mercury if there is any news. We have been very busy this week, and am very tired. As a result of the Conference we have received this week over £900. We had glorious meetings. The Bishop of Rochester (Thorold) took the chair on Thursday. The place was packed.
We are having splendid weather. Hyde Park looks beautiful just now. I have been to see the Albert Memorial this afternoon. This morning I went to a service in the Jews' Synagogue. All the men keep their hats on.
You need not feel at all anxious about my health. I am, I think, as well as ever I was in my life.
I wrote to Willie Day last week, but have not had an answer yet. Who took the meeting this week?
I had a letter from Burrows the other day, also one from Mr Harper. He has a friend who thinks of entering the Church Army, so he wrote to ask me all about it.
I send you two very interesting cuttings from the Gazette. That was a glorious half night of prayer last week, and we have had many answers to prayer since.
The work is spreading very fast. Last week, from Thursday to Sunday we had 12 conversions. It is such a joy to see sinners coming to the Saviour. I feel it is a work that is worth giving one's life to. I am sure I shall never regret giving up all for Christ.
I ask you all to pray for me, and for the Church Army.
Hope you are all well, and with love to all
I remain
Your loving son.
I finally left London on June 12th. On Saturday June 11th I was informed that I had been appointed to Barrow-in-Furness.
My last Sunday in London was a solemn but most happy day. I spoke in Hyde Park in the afternoon. After tea a special service was held in the Training House Chapel, at which I received my "Commission" as Captain from Mr Chambers. Special prayer was offered on my behalf. I conducted the Mission Service in the evening, Mr Chambers being present, and I was told afterwards that I "spoke splendidly." But I had a very humble opinion of myself, and felt very diffident about the task before me. Still, I believe that the 10 weeks in London brought me out of my shell in a wonderful way, and that I developed much in that time.
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