Day 86: Praying for Pontypool (1959)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 86 of 150 days of prayer.

• ‘My Lord and my God, I will thank you with all my strength. I will praise your name for ever!’ (Psalm 86:12, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1959

The 21 March War Cry paid tribute to a Welshman who had been admitted to the Order of the Founder in 1923.

‘Brother Tom Green, OF, Pontypool, aka Prem Sagar, was a lifelong Salvationist and for several years an officer with his wife in India, where among criminal tribes they did remarkable work. 

‘He was awarded the Order of the Founder as an officer “for marked devotion in his work in an Indian criminal settlement” where among other sacrificial acts, he underwent a painful operation, “giving portions of his skin in an attempt to save the life of a criminal tribesman’s child”. 

‘He was in the years subsequent to his officership much loved and respected for his faith and Christian character in the works where he was employed, and since his retirement has been an influence for good upon all who came his way.’

In Social Evils the Army has Challenged, Carvosso, Gauntlett, wrote:

‘The word “challenge” may not apply quite so literally to this remarkable chapter in Salvation Army history; the authorities requested the Army to attempt a very difficult task. The Salvationists’ response, however, was certainly a challenge to a widespread feeling that nothing could be done to resolve the problem. And the success of officers labouring among the Criminal Tribes is now warmly acknowledged by all.

‘In his book, Muktifauj, the late Commissioner Booth-Tucker has several very interesting chapters on the Criminal Tribes – “all the members of which are devoted from cradle to grave to a life of crime… They glory in it, and regard themselves with all the pride of ancestry of warriors engaged in a perfectly legitimate war against society.”’

How many people talked to this elderly member of Pontypool Corps without realising what an incredible story he had to tell?

Prayer

• Pray for all whose lives have in some way influenced others for the good. They may not be awarded the Order of the Founder but, nonetheless, have led people on to Kingdom-glorifying pathways. 

Closing thoughts on the 1950s

The 1950s appear to be a time of looking back, before entering the forward-looking swinging sixties. People had memories of corps working together; they recalled the loss of Florence Booth and Dylan Thomas and the lack of finances and electricity. The early day youthfulness of the Movement and its officer corps were long gone. How well would this ‘middle-aged’ Movement adapt to the very real challenges of the swinging sixties?