Angel Adjutant of Twice Born Men | Page 7

she sought for souls, and she was
ever a comfort to her mother.
So matters might have continued until to-day; indeed, one comrade of
those years, a godly woman, 'content to fill a little space if God be
glorified,' still continues in the hidden but important duty of getting out
uniform for the Salvationists. But deep in the silence of her soul Kate
heard the call of God to leave this quiet post and seek the lost.
Humanly speaking, there seemed to be every reason why she should
not embark upon the life of a field officer.
When Kate mentioned her call to her mother, the little woman was
overcome with sorrow and apprehension. She had become reconciled to
Lucy's absence, and even took pleasure in her work, but to part with her
'ewe lamb,' to allow her to leave the shelter of her love and care and
pour out her life in Army field service, was more than her faith could
accept. She consulted the family doctor; he shook his head and declared
that six months of such a life would kill her daughter.
Not one single voice was raised to encourage Kate Lee in obeying the
Divine call. Even Lucy thought she was going 'before the time.' The
soldiers of the corps expected her health would fail. Colonel Laurie,
under whom she worked in the Outfit Department, says, 'She was a

thoroughly good girl, conscientious and faithful in her work, but quiet
and very frail. When she told me of her call, I would not discourage her
faith, but I hoped she was not mistaken. The thought that she would
ever become a spiritual leader in The Army never once occurred to me.'
Mrs. Lieut.-Colonel Moore, then Sister Stitt, Kate's friend in the home
corps, with many misgivings watched her go away. 'The home
arrangements seemed so sensible; this fresh undertaking and her
breaking away, so foolish! She was so good, always loving holiness,
always sweet and unselfish, but terribly shy; and the idea of her
roughing it, or becoming anything more than a behind-the-scenes
officer, seemed impossible,' said Mrs. Moore in passing on some
reminiscences of her friend.
The day of farewell arrived, and with aching heart, conscious only of
obeying the heavenly vision, Kate exchanged her title of lieutenant for
that of cadet, took leave of her mother, and crossed London to the
Training Garrison at Clapton.
General Bramwell Booth writes of this step, 'Her beginning was a great
act of faith. She put her hand in her Master's hand, and went out on the
great adventure of Salvation Army life--stepping on to the waters with
much tremulousness and many questions--but her faith carried her
through.'
In those days the cadets were trained in small groups placed at certain
corps, and to the Chalk Farm Garrison, under Ensign, now Brigadier,
Elizabeth Thomas, Kate was appointed.
The brigadier, who has now retired from active service, delights to look
back upon those days of rough fighting which tested the mettle of
cadets, some thirty years ago. She says:--
When Kate came to me she was a sweet, fragile girl of about twenty.
There was a look of indescribable tenderness about her, and a faraway
look in her eyes. She might have been a sentimentalist, but there was
no room for dreaming in that fight. From the first Kate showed an
appreciation of her calling and a spirit that was determined to go
through to the end. I have seen her lips quiver before we set out upon

some bombardment, but her eyes were steadfast. She never refused a
duty, nor failed in a charge. Every ounce of her was devoted to the
work of the moment and to her own improvement for the future. She
gave herself to every duty as it arose--boot-blacking, scrubbing, or
scullery work--as readily as to her field training.
At one and the same time I had two cadets of exceptional promise--
Kathleen Harrington and Kate Lee. Kathleen Barrington was a
beautiful Irish girl, well educated, and from a home of wealth. She was
full of enthusiasm, dash, and courage, and possessed a deep spiritual
experience. Kate was not brilliant, and had merely an elementary
education, but she was gentle and calm and refined by the grace of God,
which seemed to permeate her whole nature. These two girls were
kindred spirits. They were one in purpose, in outlook, and consecration.
They delighted in each other's company; and yet, so that there should
be nothing that savoured of a clique in the Garrison, they devoted
themselves to the other cadets, particularly linking up with those who
were dull or timid and indulging their friendship only on occasions
when the sign of preference for each other's company would excite no
jealousy.
Kathleen Harrington, after a brief service