JAC Online

Souvenirs of Salvationism 5
by Commissioner Wesley Harris

AMONG some souvenirs in the china cabinet in my home is a small bust of the Founder which has the civic insignia of the city of Edinburgh on the top of his cap. I can only assume that some canny Scot with an eye to business thought that the addition of some local interest would enhance the sales!

William Booth is also featured in a Salvation Army cup with his face depicted in the bottom – down among the dregs, one might say! Apparently a suggestion was that instead of looking for a tall dark stranger among the tea leaves one could see the face of the dear General.

A thimble is another item bearing the face of the Founder who for his faithful followers personified the Army and all for which it stood.

An item which I especially treasure is a small china vase. I guess it would have little commercial value but I think it significant because it belonged to Richard Slater, the ‘father of Salvation Army music’.

In the early Army music-making was largely a matter of ‘blow and believe’ and the results must have been unbelievable! Then providentially, Slater came on the scene. He was an accomplished musician who had played first violin in the Royal Albert Hall Amateur Orchestral Society under notable conductors such as Sir Arthur Sullivan.

He was converted at Regent Hall in 1882 having previously been much impressed in a meeting where a servant girl had said that before she got saved she swept around mats while afterwards she swept under them as well. Ever on the lookout for new talent the Founder appointed Slater to the new music department where he served for thirty years until his retirement in 1913. With his technical expertise he helped to make Army ‘music’ more musical (!) and provided a sound basis upon which successors could build.

In retirement he lived in a little house at Westgate on Sea, Kent and a Salvationist who lived in the same road passed to me the vase from his home when I was the corps officer at nearby Margate.

After ten years in retirement there was an emergency at headquarters and Brigadier Slater was recalled to his old position in charge of the Music Editorial Department and, uniquely for a retired officer, was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. He was also appointed a member of the Order of the Founder for his invaluable service to the Army’s ministry of music.

According to the official History of The Salvation Army, in addition to his music editorial work Richard Slater personally wrote the words of 127 songs, the music of 166 and the words and music of 294 – plus a large number of instrumental works.

The spirit of this modest man of God was well expressed in his chorus,
I have not much to give thee, Lord
For that great love which made thee mine:
I have not much to give thee, Lord,
But all I have is thine.

 

 

 

   

 

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