This is my story - 49

49 – Participation in Salvation Army musicals

Good Salvationists from overseas always make it a point to link up with The Salvation Army on arrival in a new country. We were privileged to have two excellent Salvationists from United Kingdom – Jim and Marjorie Webb. Brother Jim was employed by Coopers & Lybrand and his office was at Supreme House just across the road from our Headquarters. Jim and Marjorie lived at 28 Barker Road and every morning he would park his car at the Army compound and walk across to his office. They both made much contribution to the Central Corps where they were soldiers.

Jim was our Music Director - Songster Leader and Bandmaster. During his time the Central Corps performed four musicals under his direction.

This musical was based on the book written by Colonel Edward Joy called “The Old Corps” It described the early days of The Salvation Army in Folkestone. Stories about personalities of the Corps were well known in Army circles in the United Kingdom. There were several stories woven into the musical called “Glory.” One story is about a lady, an aristocrat who came to The Salvation Army meetings by carriage and pair. Her footmen would carry a cushion and put it on the hard bench. (no comfortable chairs like we have in our halls today!) She would be followed by her maid. In the same Corps was a poor man called Jimmy who looked filthy and degraded. No one except the Corps Officer knew where he lived.

One day, this Lady Beatrice came to the Mercy Seat. There were shouts of ‘glory’ and ‘hallelujah’. Lo and behold dirty Jimmy went forward to the Mercy Seat too and knelt beside this lady. Tears streamed down his grimy face and the odours were rising!

The Captain looked down from the platform, turned to Jimmy and said, “Move along, please, Jimmy, kneel over here’ pointing to a spot away from Lady Beatrice. He meant well I’m sure. But the lady, lifting a tear stained face, said, “Leave him alone, Captain, we are seeking the same Lord.”

Jimmy was greatly touched and cried out, “Thank you for saying that. I’ve found Him. Hope you’ve found Him too.” The gospel is for the whosoever – bond or free, masters or servants, Jew or Gentile; there are no sex barriers, class or social barriers in Christ. Mrs. Marjorie Webb and YPSM Ooi Inn Bok acted the parts of Lady Beatrice and Dirty Jimmy respectively and sang that beautiful duet “We are seeking the same Lord.” Many hearts were touched.

Some of the Balestier folk also participated in the musical. I recall the excellent performance of the percussionist Andy Lim, one of the youth from Balestier Corps. He later entered training and became an officer. Our daughter Gladys was the pianist. In the first musical, called ‘Glory’ Major Roy Bungay, Command Youth Secretary, played the part of the Corps Officer and I, the Corps Sergeant Major.

When my wife and I were stationed in England (1993-1997) it was our privilege to be invited to conduct meetings one weekend at this Folkestone Corps. What a thrill, yet humbling experience to stand on the same platform and see seekers streaming to the Mercy Seat seeking the same Saviour and Lord.

The success of the performance of “Glory” led to our second venture when we did “Jesus Folk.” This musical not only told the stories of lives transformed by the power of Jesus, it portrayed our Lord’s death and resurrection as well. I was given the role of Peter. It was hard work and I recall having a small portable tape recorder in the car (the car I used did not have air conditioning, let alone a built in cassette player, but it served us well during my nine years as the General Secretary). I would listen to the songs as I drove to work each morning. By that time we were living in our own HDB flat at Clementi West at West Coast Road.

Everywhere I went I had the songs of the musical with me. I sang on my journey to the various centres in Malaysia. In those days, there were not too many expressways and journeys took much longer than today.

I really enjoyed playing that role, first the impulsive and over confident Peter, then the repentant disciple who declared his love for Jesus. The song “Knowing my failings, knowing my fears” is still my favourite song. I recall the many times when I’ve failed Him; then crying out to Him “You know I love You, use me again.” Even in retirement as the different faculties weaken, and with decreasing mobility, I stretch out my hand each day to Him and pray, Lord “promise your presence, travel with me.”

The third musical was “Spirit” and I acted the part of Saul. Scenes from the Acts of the Apostles came alive on the Central Corps platform. The first part would deal with Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the impact upon the followers of Christ. The latter part was about the conversion of Saul. I was challenged to take the role of the persecutor Saul who later became Paul the apostle.

We had good co-operation from the comrades, soldiers and officers. Captains Keith and Doreen Sharp and their children, at one time stationed at the Boys’ Home in Changi (the present location of Peacehaven) would travel all the way to participate in Corps activities. Their children Paul Estelle and Zahrah would commute by bus to attend Sunday school and other Corps activities. Later Captain Sharp became the Public Relations Secretary and the family lived at the Headquarters compound. Another couple, Envoy Roger Horton and his wife Carol took active part in Corps activities. The Sharp and Horton families were all involved in the musicals. Their involvement in such activities brought them very close to the local Corps folk. These musicals were performed during the periods when Lieutenants Alan and Marie Hickman and Captain Ruth Pascoe were the Corps Officers or pastors.

Captain Keith Sharp handled much of the logistics and being a very handy man himself prepared a lot of the props as well. As the Public Relations Secretary he made sure the musicals were well publicised. His wife Doreen worked with the ladies to sort out garments for costumes.

We made arrangements for someone to look after our special daughter Dora Poh Chin, the evenings when my wife would join us for Songsters and participation at the musicals. It was good for her to get away from home to participate in Corps activities.

Encouraged by the response from our people, the Corps decided to perform the fourth musical ‘Hosea.’ It tells the story of Hosea called by God to prophesy to a backsliding nation. Hosea’s own personal tragedy is an intense illustration of Israel’s national tragedy. It’s a story of one sided love and faithfulness that represents the relationship between Israel and God. It speaks of God’s love for lost sinners.

Brother Jim Webb very kindly agreed to my request to be released from playing major roles. We were very busy, besides we felt the prominent roles should be allocated to the younger ones. My wife and I sang in the choir. Our nephew Leonard Goh took on the main role of Hosea and he did extremely well. His siblings too, Elaine and Anne participated fully in the musical dramas. For this musical the Central Corps rented the PUB Auditorium at Somerset Road and tickets were sold. Still the auditorium was packed.

We thank God for the privilege of serving Him in the then Singapore/Malaysia Command. There was plenty to do in the office, but we made it a point to be involved with the Corps folk in ministry. And we were blessed by our participation in the various Corps activities. When we give of ourselves to others, we receive far more in return. That’s what we and the team of officers and comrades, local and overseas experienced. It is still true today.