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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