IN July 1938, Adjutant and Mrs Harvey were appointed to “open fire” in Penang. Presented with an Army flag by the officer commanding, Brigadier Herbert Lord, Adjutant and Mrs Harvey arrived in Penang to commence Christ’s ministry through Salvation Army services where were to touch lives in the years to come.
The Harveys’ first encounter with the people was through the open aired meetings attended by just the two of them aided by their six-year-old son, Arthur, who handed out invitations to the meetings.
First Corps
Opening day arrived and in the morning of their first Sunday when the hall was opened, an old European gentlemen walked in and the Harveys had their first congregation. That night, twelve people came and the Army’s first corps in Penang was formed. Soon the Harveys launched a programme to provide free education for 150 children in the vacated YMCA building at Logan Road. The children formed the first young people’s corps in the island.
When the Second World War reached Penang in 1941, Major Harvey was arrested and imprisoned in the Penang jail. Meanwhile, Mrs Harvey and their son were evacuated safely to Australia, and it was five years later before the family was reunited in their homeland, England. After 13 months in prison, Major Harvey and some prisoners were transported 800 kilometers by lorry Changi prison in Singapore where they meet another 2000 internees, many of whom were Salvationists. Among them were four future Salvation Army Commissioners – Herbert Lord, Charles Davidson, Stanley Cottrill and Frederick Harvey.
Following the war, when he was eventually released in August 1945, Major Harvey returned to Penang and began a massive relief programme for those affected by the war. He was ably assisted by two local Salvation Army officers, Captain Tan Eng Soon and Captain George Tan. The military governor greeted Harvey warmly with “You’re just the man we want”.
The governor provided The Salvation Army s suite of offices at the police headquarters, clerical staff and a team of six British nurses to help in the relief programme. Each day the team distributed food and clothing under the Red Shield Club at a requisitioned house at 120 Burmah Road. Two other clubs were formed, one in the island and the other in Butterworth. Major Harvey was honoured for his bravery and sacrifice by the award of an MBE – Member of the British Empire. His other Lieutenant, Foo Kia Pang, who assisted him in his work during the occupation too received the British Empire medal.
Starting once again
The war had crippled the Army’s earlier work. It was time to get back on their feet and start anew. Harvey returned to England in 1946 and was succeeded by Adjutant Bainbridge. The adjutant rented a Luthern English school at Dato Kramat Road for evangelistic services. Seventy adults attended the first service and 11 came to the mercy seat.
On 12 January 1952, a new worship hall was opened at 53 Perak Road with Captain Bainbridge as the corps officer. Harvey too was present at the opening and seated in the congregation was the father of his beloved and dedicated local CSM Lim Seong Cheng. The CSM died while assisting Harvey in his relief work during the war.
An outpost was established at Bayan Baru in the home of Brother and Sister Reubar Michael where a lively Sunday school and cottage meeting tool place. Meanwhile, another home of Sister Matthew in Glugor was opened for meetings.
From its inception, The Salvation Army has sought to maintain a balance between social concern and evangelism. Its main mission is to lead people to the Lord Jesus Christ. It has a worldwide network of evangelistic, educational, medical and social activities which are motivated by the motto “Heart to God and hand to man”.
Evangelistic outreach
Music plays a very important role in the Army. Many will recall the “open-air meetings” at the Padang where the Penang Corps band provided music for hundreds as they sat down to enjoy their evening meal. Not only did they hear the music but they also heard the gospel. This ministry has been a regular feature of The Salvation Army in evangelistic outreach since its beginning until the police permit was revoked in the early 1980.
For many years, officers in Penang held regular ministries at the Penang and Taiping prisons and the Pulau Jerejak Detention Camp. A number of foreign prisoners, especially those serving death sentence in the Penang and Taiping prisons, were served by our officers. Chapel services, visitation and distribution of The War Cry, an Army publication, have been a source of comfort and inspiration, especially to those awaiting death. Many lives have been touched and a number of foreign prisoners have found Jesus to be their Lord and Saviour.
Social services
Perhaps the most well known expression of social services in the island is the residential care for boys at Logan Road. Hundreds of boys who have come through the home have found love under the care of the officers, some of whom have left the comforts of their homeland. The boys have link themselves to the Corps, many have become junior soldiers, some to further services as senior soldiers and local officers. Some have graduated from local and foreign universities while others have become successful in business and professional circles. The boys have found a place in the society.
From its humble beginning at Logan Road in 1938, the boys home has moved to various places – Combe Hill in Glugor, Sungai Pinang in Jelutong and finally in 1979 to a mansion at 8A Logan Road. In 1991 the home was declared unsafe. The following year, it was pulled down to make way for the construction of a new purpose – built home for boys. This four storey complex was opened on 29 June 1996 by the Chief Minister, Dr Koh Tsu Khoon. It became known as the new Children’s Home. During the interim period, the boys were housed in a bungalow at Jalan Pantai Molek.
The new children’s home has facilities for non-residential programmes. Many children delight in returning home to their families. The Salvation Army’s mission has always been the family. Through professional social counseling, social workers have been able to work with families at home, thus offering a new service in the form of day care for children who are at risk and who needs protection when parents are at work.
A dream has been realized
Today, the Army in Penang moves towards the horizon of the next century. With the new facilities at Logan Road and Perak Road, service opportunities abound. The folk at Penang Corps have the will and conviction to reach further. A dream has been released with the construction of a new corps and community complex. This complex will house a worship sanctuary and facility for family support services such as center for before and after school programme. The programme aims to provide a healthy, conducive and an alternative environment for school age children.
Salvationists in Penang have revitalized as a community in mission – a community that worships and seeks to reach out to fellow Penangities with both spiritual and material needs.
Lives have certainly been touched by the Salvation Army in Penang, families have been united; boys have found a place in society; prisoners have been blessed through chaplaincy services; people have been loved through Jesus Christ. There are still thousands of people in Penang to whom the name of Jesus is meaningless and Salvationists should lovingly proclaim that the name as did those pioneer officers who fought hard for the cause of Christ.
IN July 1938, Adjutant and Mrs Harvey were appointed to “open fire” in Penang. Presented with an Army flag by the officer commanding, Brigadier Herbert Lord, Adjutant and Mrs Harvey arrived in Penang to commence Christ’s ministry through Salvation Army services where were to touch lives in the years to come.
The Salvation Army Army is motivated by the LOVE FOR GOD and a concern for the NEEDS OF ALL HUMANITY. This motivation is expressed in the work of preaching the gospel and sharing Christian truths. Our corps primary mission is based on Jesus Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39).
