ST. JOHN'S, NL. On Christmas Day 1888, St. John's Citadel was opened by Captain Mary Ann Collins who was born in England in 1865 ' the year William Booth's open-air meeting testimony became the seed for the founding of The Salvation Army.
The corps, first known as St. John's II and located on Livingstone Street, quickly grew beyond all expectations and the Evening Telegram of August 19, 1891, stated: 'There were about 120 Salvation Army soldiers on the shelves, (the platform risers) in No. 2 Barracks last night'.' Reports preserved in vintage issues of The War Cry as well as faded documents and certificates in the corps' heritage room are alive with stories of advancement and celebration through the years. The 118th anniversary events, under the leadership of Territorial Commander, Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, reflected that great tradition of celebration.
Since the corps' first drum beat in 1888, music has been an integral part of the corps ministry. Through the years music and song composed by comrades of the corps have been played and sung with blessing around the Army world. No wonder, with the corps wrapped in such a rich musical heritage, the anniversary began on Friday night with what Bandmaster Derrick Moore rightly called 'a musical feast'.
The selection, Sound of the Gospel, by the senior band, and the number, Variations on Bedford, by the youth band (led by Aaron Tansley) earned loud applause. Then a presentation, Explosive, reflected the unusual title as timbrelists accompanied by disco-like music executed intricate movements under black lights. The drill concluded with the timbrelists' gloves forming an illuminated cross. Danielle Tucker guided the mime group through a dramatic interpretation of the song Potter's Hand as the worship team simultaneously sang it. A newly formed girls' group, led by Carolyn Cooper, sang God's soldier never looks back. Earlier the group, along with the singing company, joined with the songster brigade (SL Catherine Tansley) as they sang with gusto, Say it loud!
The band's playing of Variations on the Old Wells was a melodic prerequisite to the territorial commander's message based on the Bible story of the Samaritan woman at the well. Blending events in the biblical story with events from life the commissioner emphasized that true evangelism always brings dignity to the degraded and surprise to the shattered.
Knee-drill was a priority in the formative years of the corps and prayer is still the vital breath of St. John's Citadel. The prayer brunch on Saturday began with a solo, O Man of Galilee, by Shane Hillier.
Standing beside the motto, 'Jesus Can Satisfy The Heart', a motto removed from the old Adelaide Street hall over 50 years ago, Commissioner MacMillan shared thoughts about the significance of the towel of service. She went on to emphasize the need for Salvationists to do as Jesus did' walk from the Upper Room out into a world where sin and shame heap misery on the masses.
Groups of people who broke bread around a dozen or so tables prayed earnestly for God's blessing on the church's work in the community, across the country, and around the world. Major Rene Loveless led a responsive reading highlighting the abundant life through Jesus Christ.
Youth played a significant role in the development of the corps and in anniversary celebrations. Sunday school members gladly welcomed the territorial commander who used show-and-tell objects to teach the importance of having Jesus in 'the homes of our hearts'. Many young people knelt to sign a Decision Day pledge. A few hours earlier, during her time with youth group members Commissioner MacMillan spoke briefly to them about their faith and answered significant questions posed by several young people.
Aids to the Sunday morning holiness meeting worship included the band selection Covenant Worship that integrated the tunes of songs from the nineteenth and twentieth century, as well as a contemporary melody. The songsters powerfully rendered I will sing your praises and Dawn Butt set a meditative mood for the Bible message with a solo that witnesses to God's goodness through the years, He has been faithful to me.
Through the territorial commander's exposition, listeners were given a glimpse of Athens where the reality of the Unknown God was made known by a rabble-rouser turned revivalist'the Apostle Paul. The Commissioner compassionately and convincingly shone the light of the gospel on the varied 'Mars' hills of life where followers of Christ have opportunity and responsibility to tell the story of the living God to a dying world.
The Mercy Seat once again became a place for God's grace to strengthen comrades who knelt in surrender to the Spirit's call to be made more like Jesus. The Divisional Commander for Newfoundland East and Labrador, Major Ray Rowe, who along with Major Audrey Rower supported Commissioner MacMillan, led the closing song.
Memories of Sunday night meetings of decades past were revived by the effervescent singing of several old gospel songs and choruses. The band and songsters added to the atmosphere of praise and expectation by presenting Heartbeat and Every time I hear the Spirit respectively with Aaron Tansley as soloist during the latter item.
During a testimony time eight-year-old Justin Drover told about his growing knowledge of God and his growing faith in God. Bandsman Fred Reid revealed how a Bible promise his father picked for him when he was hours old and the same promise he picked recently led to the assurance that God was calling him to become a Salvation Army officer. A mother of four girls, Annette Hedges, expressed her joy because her children's witness is a source of inspiration and she had the assurance that she could safely entrust them into the Lord's hands because of the reality that Jesus never fails. Songster Phyllis Noseworthy shared pleasant memories of her formative years when she enjoyed enriching experiences through traditional Salvation Army activities before telling about her great joy of returning to the Lord after years of going her own way. Following the testimony time led by Major Wanda Loveless, Commissioner MacMillan presented Candidates' Fellowship pins to Carolyn Cooper and Fred Reid.
The serenity of the song, Grace, sung by Wanda Burt helped to prepare the people for the final message of the anniversary celebrations. Then Commissioner MacMillan walked her listeners into the fields of human need and shared lessons in the story of Jesus providing food for the hungry multitude. Her final words challenged Christ's followers to do as He did' balance worship with service and balance service with worship.
Three Corps Sergeant Majors spanning over four decades of service, Edwin Pike, Sherman Stryde, and Ivy Burt, joined hands with Commissioner MacMillan to cut the cake that honoured nearly 12 decades of joyful service that emanated from four halls on three different streets.
When the time came to thank the Commissioner for her inspirational leadership, comrades could rejoice that the motto over the Mercy Seat in the first hall on Adams Avenue proved to be true once more: HIS PROMISES ARE SURE!
by Major Ira E. Barrow