Right from the beginning of her arrival in Bombay in October 1882, Mrs Major Tucker was fully involved in establishing the Salvation Army in India .

We need to remember that the Tuckers were married in Amritsar in 1877 and then transferred by the Indian Government to Simla. Tucker was appointed as assistant-commissioner and assistant magistrate to a very delightful hill station, Dharmsala, in the Kangra valley. Louisa Mary Tucker found herself in one of the most lovely spots in the Himalayas. There it was cool with plenty of fresh mountain air as compared with the over-crowded Indian cities with soaring summer temperatures, dense humidity, polluted air, uncontrollable diseases. It was only when she returned as a Salvationist (1882) that she was exposed to real hardships such as crowded living conditions in the slum areas, dire poverty, intense heat and humidity, infectious diseases and much more.

It has been necessary to carefully study the early War Cry’s in order to know something more about her. A new window has opened for us. We catch glimpses of her fortitude and her determination to be engaged in establishing the Kingdom of Heaven in India. She was determined to fulfil her calling as an evangelist.

She was eighteen years older than her husband. “It must be borne in mind that at the time Mrs Tucker began to dress and live like a native of India, she was no longer in the vigour of youth, and that, therefore, the sorrows and sufferings and labours through which she passed told upon her in a way we trust they will not affect those who have gone into the thick of the fight in their youth.”(International War Cry March 12 1887)

Although much has been written about the travels of her husband and the impact of his ministry upon the peoples of India, it is worth noting that on many occasions the Tuckers travelled together on lengthy tours.

Those who know India, who have travelled vast distances by train and local transport, who have experienced the extremes of temperature, humidity, dust, mosquitoes, crowded railway stations and trains will appreciate the tremendous courage and determination of Louisa Mary Tucker. She made an impact on congregations through her dynamic preaching, teaching and using her gift of reaching out to people as she travelled. (Part 3; published Indian English War Cry December 2004 - highlights the involvement and influence of THE LADY SOLDIER).

Note: Mrs Major Tucker was preaching on Sunday 14^th and the Tuckers left the following day for an intensive campaign. See the detailed schedule listed below: from Calcutta to Monghyr, Allahabad, Lahore, Amritsar, Agra, Ajmir, Mhoqw, Egatpoora and arriving back home in Bombay on Friday 9 February. (ed. what stamina!)

Major and Mrs Tucker left Calcutta last Monday and are about to visit the following towns. As no special arrangements for meetings have been made they will be glad to hear from friends at these or other towns along the route. No open air meetings need be arranged. Salvation meetings will be held and collections made for the erection of new Barracks at Calcutta and Lahore at a cost of about Three Thousand Rupees (including seats and lighting). Not more than two meetings should be arranged for one day, so as to leave time for correspondence, and in choosing time and place, care should be taken to afford all classes every facility to attend.

 

  

                              

  

                                                

        

                                                               

 2. Extract from Indian English War Cry – 17 January 1883 (p 59)

Captain W J Gladwin writes:

The officer who goes out to spy out those lands, left Bombay on Monday. A thousand extra copies of the Indian War Cry were printed and sent flying all about the region, enclosing the following notice which tells all about the proposed invasion.

Mr Dear Sir, -

Herewith I send you a copy of the Indian War Cry containing an item on our proposed tours in South India. The time given to these visits is necessarily very short. We have so few officers for our great work in this land, and the demands for work at our new stations are very pressing. But much can be done in a short time, and friends can help us very much by a little arrangement beforehand. I shall be glad to hear from any person. Give us items as to your station or neighbourhood; the state of the people, religious interests etc. Let me know where I can see a few persons to explain our Army work. Even those who misunderstand and object to our methods ought to give us at least a personal hearing.

I shall be grateful to have invitations to call and see persons in all the stations along the route. We can arrange the hour of calling, and you can ask such friends as you choose, to meet at your place. Parties at other stations are requested to write also, as we may soon be able to plan further visits. If any small public meeting can be arranged we shall be thankful. Native and English friends alike are welcome to correspond and assist in these tours.

Major and Mrs Tucker, with other Officers, are to make a Tour through South India and Ceylon in February and March. They will hold meetings in as many places as practicable. These will be general evangelistic services, and in some of the larger towns, assisted by public Processions. I am to arrange for these Meetings and Processions, and those who wish to promote these valuable services should let me know at an early date.

The plan of my trip is as follows:-

Bombay            dept      15th January   

Madras             7 am     17th

Tanjore              8.30pm  18th 

Trichinopoly     10.40pm 19^th

Negapatam     9.40 am 22^nd

Jaffna                               23^rd;  

Trimcomalee                   25^th;  

Batticaloa                        27^th

Caltura                             30^th

Colombo                          31^st

Kandy                                  1^st  February

Tuticorin                              4^th

Tinnevelly                            5^th

Madurai                              6^th

Coonoor                           10^th

Bangalore                        14^th.

Hours of arrival and for the latter part of the tour will be announced when more fully informed as to the route, and openings for our visits. Please write me at once, addressing in care of the Post Master at any of the above Stations. Observe the dates, and be sure to send in time.

Yours very sincerely

W.J. Gladwin – Captain, Salvation Army