Dartford Salvation Army makes BBC News!

Read all about it here!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7788011.stm

May we be as worthy as they were - Hallelujah!

Xander and the Battle for Bull Centre

Saturday 13th September was a significant day in the life of Dartford Salvation Army.

First of all - we have reinforcements in the shape of Brother Xander Coleman from Australia - I discern powerfully that Xander is going to be a big blessing to Tracey and I personally and our Corps ministry here in Dartford. Xander shows a spiritual maturity way beyond his years.

Secondly we celebrated the 'Battle for Bull Centre' with an amazing march of witness, open air meeting and a grand music festival and salvation meeting which culminated in five souls at the Mercy Seat. and the town Mayor in full regalia joining in a glory march!

Rather than duplicate stuff here, there are some great reports starting to appear around the internet - some including video footage - chck ou the links below:

Chatham Savation Army

My Dad's report on Facebook

My Dad's photos on Facebook

Forgive the laziness, but time is a premium and these good folk have probably said it better than I could!

God bless Dartford, God bless Xander. God bless The Salvation Army

Yours set apart by Christ, for the lost, in the Army.

A

Countdown to the Battle for Bull Centre 1

This is the front page of The War Cry, Sept 4th 1908 (if you click the image you'll get a bigger version). In the centre is a picture of Mrs Ensign Roy, who together with her husband, commanded the Dartford Corps a that time. This Saturday (September 13th) we are celebrating her release from prison (she was put there for preaching the gospel!). We are goingto have a full out assault on the enemy, a march of witness (aided by Chatham Band) and open-air and a festival/salvation meeting.

I'm not sure we'll get arrested but we certainly will shake up the town a bit :-)

The following is a local press report concerning the absurdity surrounding what became known as the 'Dartford Disgrace'.

Hopefully Xander will be with us on Saturday - no time for jet-lag in God's Army :-)

PUBLICANS OFFER TO PAY SALVATIONIST’S FINES.

The current issue of the “War Cry” contains several interesting comments on the situation at Dartford. Under the heading of “Persecution,” the official organ of the Salvation Army makes the following remarks: —

“Were it not for the significant fact that the names of various Salvationists continue to be taken at Dartford, one might be justified in concluding that the good sense of the magistrates and the voice of the people had at last prevailed. Whatever may be the cause of this “willing-to-wound-but-afraid-to-strike” attitude on the part of the authorities, there is no mistaking the growing interest in, and sympathy with, the Army’s position by the public.

“Amongst those who have come forward with offers to pay the fines imposed on our comrades are two publicans, while the demand for the War Cry’ which contains latest news of the proceedings, has necessitated a rise of twenty dozen during the past week, and even then would-be purchasers have been disappointed.

“Encouraging and helpful, however, as the approval and goodwill of the people may be, the calmly confident attitude of the Salvationists is not based on this so much as on the knowledge that they are standing for liberty to preach salvation in that locality in the town “where people most do congregate”. This is a matter that vitally touches Salvationists everywhere. It is of such supreme importance to them that prison bars are, in comparison, mere trifles.

“Dartford comrades feel this most keenly, and there is not a soldier amongst them who is not willing to suffer the ignominy of imprisonment in defending this sacred principle.”

Cutting from the ‘Chronicle and District Times, Tuesday August 18th 1908”

8 days after 08.08.08.

So it's 8 days after the 8th of the 8th 2008 and it's been a mixed week.

Back to work (if you can call Officrship work - maybe I should say back to service). I love my job and feel that Officership is a great privilege. Having said that I have struggled this week to get out of holiday mode! Everything that needs to be done has been done but I'm not sure I've got out of 2nd gear yet.

There is an exciting couple of months coming up at Dartford - especially the centenary celebrations of the Dartford Disgrace on September 13th (the imprisonment of the CO and others for preaching in the open air) and of course two days before that the arrival of reinforcements in the form of Xander Coleman on September 11th (hallelujah - thank you Jesus!).

The following contemporary newspaper report gives a taster of what we're celebrating on the 13th.

"In defence of the Salvation Army - wild scenes on the streets of Dartford

There was a massive and fervent response to the arrest of Dartford's Salvationists. A defence committee was formed to co-ordinate the protest campaign. Public meetings of protest attracted large crowds; protest marches were held and banners, slogans and posters appeared all over the town.

Banners declared 'IMPRISONED FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE'; 'DEFEND RELIGIOUS AND PERSONAL LIBERTY' and 'WE DEMAND LIBERTY TO PREACH CHRIST'. 15,000 people gathered at Dartford Station to welcome home the prisoners when released from jail, two of them still wearing their prison uniforms bearing broad arrows.

During the course of the exuberant celebrations the Dartford police were stoned and pelted with rotten fish heads and bad eggs. Hooligans used the occasion to vent their spleen on the local constabulary. Dartford's Superintendent Poole was pelted for four hours. Policemen were stoned to the station. There were violent speeches at the Drill Hall - a torrent of rancorous abuse."

Let's 'do or die for Jesus'

Love and prayers

A