No
Soldiers - No Army
by Commissioner Wesley
Harris
Thumbing through the Army Year book we can come to pages which
kindle enthusiasm. They record more soldiers in our Army. They
could be read as statistics or we could see beyond the print
to lives reborn and committed to active service for King
Jesus. Unfortunately there are other pages which indicate
decline and loss. Secularization is taking a toll and all
Salvationists should be aware, concerned and ready to accept
the challenge.
In fact, in some Corps there is a fatalistic acceptance of
what pessimists might regard as an inevitable “sign of the
times.” Around the edges of many Corps I have found many good
folk who might be soldiers but no-one has thought to ask them.
There are believers who could be active in the Corps if
the right niche could be found for them and they were able to
share with other committed comrades.
Sometimes it is not realised just how vital the role of the
Recruiting Sergeant can be in nurturing, encouraging and
training soldiers. In the early days of the Army it was not
usual to extend recruit-ship too long.
Nowadays it can sometimes be over extended - even over
many years, which may not be helpful.
Young people need to be carefully encouraged to consider the
commitment to soldiership and take seriously what it involves.
But older people should also be considered; ageism should not
be a barrier. In one Corps we had a very large Home League
with a very able secretary who asked her Corps Officer to join
her in broaching the matter of soldiership to some of the
members. A good number responded, attended preparation classes
and became very effective soldiers.
|