SALVATION ARMY FUNERAL– Although it is about seven years since the forces of the Salvation Army invaded Rushden territory, and although in that time many important ceremonies have been conducted under the yellow, red, and blue it was not until the death of Samuel Rockingham which took place on Wednesday last, that the local corps were called upon to conduct an Army funeral. Sharp engagements have been fought, fortifications with all the attended ceremonies have been erected, Rushdenites have been commissioned for the work, children have been publicly dedicated to the Lord, soldiers have been married and given in marriage; and the roll has slowly but surely increased until it numbers over 100 blood and fire warriors, who although constantly engaged in repelling the attacks of the evil one, have hitherto been unmolested by the angel of death; but it was not until Sunday last that a Rushdenite was interred in the name of God and the Salvation Army. As soon as it became known that a public ceremony would take place, the event became the topic of animated conversation, and all kinds of versions of the procedure of the Army on such occasions received credence, and although the proceedings took place at the inconvenient hour of 1p.m., the route to the cemetery was literally thronged with people, while at the graveside upwards of 2,000 persons were gathered together. Meeting at the Barracks at 12.45 noon, the soldiers numbering, about 80, each wearing a white ribbon badge, marched in silence to the residence of the deceased, ' where they formed a square and sang the well-known hymn, "Safe in the arms of Jesus'." The body of their departed comrade was then, brought into the centre of the square and covered with the colours of the corps instead of a pall, the whole company at this point kneeling in the street; the way to the throne of grace being led by Sergeant-Major Mackness. The procession was then formed as follows:—Colour-Sergt. with colours, advance guard of four soldiers, Captain Holliday, and Lieut. Hartle (local officers), Bandsmen under Bandmaster Bandy, the body borne by members-of the Corps, the chief mourners, the remainder of the soldiers bringing up the rear. In this order the Cemetery was reached, the choruses, “Hiding in thee” and "Only trust Him," being taken alternately by the Band, and the soldiers, just before entering the Cemetery gate, the hymn

"There's no one like Jesus,
There’s no place like home."

being feelingly rendered. On assembling round grave as well as the crowded condition would allow, the proceedings commenced with the well-known hymn, "One sweetly solemn thought," after which prayer was offered by Bros. Battle and Sharpe, and the first portion of the service was impressively read by Capt. Holliday. "My Lord what a mourning" having been sung, Mr. Elijah Miller, a Methodist friend of the deceased, and Bro. Will Mackness addressed the assembly, the latter prefixing his address by the appropriate hymn "There’s a beautiful land on high.” Capt. Holliday having briefly followed, the service concluded with the hymn "We’re bound for the land of the pure and holy,” the Salvationists re-consecrating themselves over the grave of their departed comrade (with "fixed bayonets") to renewed effort and service for God in the well-known lines

“Fight for thee,fight-for thee,
Saviour I will fight for thee.
All the way from earth to Heaven,
Saviour I will fight for thee,"

The proceedings were conducted with the greatest order and decorum, it being impossible for the most prejudiced spectator to be unimpressed with the solemn and earnest character of the proceedings. On returningto the Barracks the usual afternoon service was held, followed in the evening by a memorial Meeting at which Mr. A. Austin (a Methodist friend), Bro. "Dick” Rockingham (brother to the deceased), and the local officers delivered addresses. All the meetings were well attended.