Oldford Road - Salvation Army (1870)



A report of the work of the Salvation Army in Tower Hamlets.

On Sunday, August 28th, we commenced our special religious services, arranged to be conducted by Mrs Mathieson. It was a glorious day for believers, and three souls were saved. Truly the Lord was with us, praise his name.

A GLORIOUS WEEK.

We were much blessed in the open-air on Monday, and there was a goodly company in the hall, and three souls saved. Next day we encountered a good deal of opposition in the open air but the hall was well filled, and five young men and women started on their way to glory. To God be all the praise! On Wednesday also the power of God over· shadowed us, and four more started for·the better land. Thursday we had a precious meeting, and on Friday the glory of God filled the place; the people wept and rejoiced together, and two souls were born of God. ·

Thus ended one week's revival services. We can truly say there has been the shout of a king in our camp; believers have been built up, backsliders reclaimed, and sinners saved through the blood of the Lamb. So mightily was the word driven home by the Spirit in the open air, that several followed us to the hall, and started with full credentials to the glory-land. We prayed that our Sister Mathieson would continue her labours with us, for the harvest is great and the labourers are but few. Our request was granted, and God owned and blessed her in the work abundantly. Hallelujah!

A second glorious week. 

Sunday, Sept 4th - In the morning glory filled the place. We dedicated ourselves to the Lord in the afternoon. Tears of joy were in every eye for the successful work that has commenced among us. There was a fine time in the open air, and the hall was well filled in the evening. Four souls saved. Hallelujah to Jesus! One man followed us to the hall out of curiosity; the word by our dear sister sank deep into his heart; he cried out, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" The cry was heard; glory beamed in his face and he exclaimed, "My wife will think she has lost me, but I am found, for I am saved through the blood of the Lamb."

Monday was very wet, but we had a good meeting, and one soul saved.

Tuesday also was wet, but we got half an hour in the open air and had stout opposition. The devil was fairly roused. Romanists opposed; policemen and people mocked. Amid it all, God was with us: We finished our service and commenced sinning in procession to the ball, the people still mocking and one Irishman dancing in our front all the way. A goodly number entered the hall with us, and one man a backslider- was reclaimed.

A good deal of opposition was got up on Thursday and Friday, but the Lord was in our midst, and we had his blessing. Hallelujah!

The following week Brother Knott and Sister Mathieson were with us, and several souls were saved. To God be all the glory forever. 

On Sunday, Sept 18th, we had Sister Mathieson all day, and it was a day of JOY and blessing. The Lord was with his hand· maiden.

On Monday, the 19th, we had a tea and public meeting at which our worthy superintendent, Mr Booth, presided. The hall was well filled and one soul found peace in the prayer meeting. This concluded our revival services, in which thirty souls professed to find peace, and the society was graciously blessed and strengthened for continued labour in the Lord's vineyard. To God be all the glory, and may He still carry on the great work He has commenced.

From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', November 1870, page 172.

Additional Information

I do not know where the Mission Hall was.


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