When Herbert and Cornelie ‘burned up’ Brisbane with fiery meetings
- deansimpson7
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 18

BY BARRY GITTINS
Some 124 years ago, The Salvation Army’s War Cry in Australia reported that Brisbane was ablaze with “revival fires, spiritual fervour and force”.
For weeks following “a glorious Good Friday in Brisbane”, the visiting speakers – national leaders Commandant Herbert Booth and his formidable bride, Mrs Cornelie Booth – were said to be whipping up the flames with “deep spiritual utterances”, according to the report in a 1901 War Cry edition.
In an age before home entertainment systems, 24/7 leisure activities, contemporary public address systems, microphones and walls of ‘speakers’, public speaking and acoustics were earnest pursuits indeed.
Immense crowds jammed the Centennial Hall “from end to end”, offering rapt attention, “tumultuous applause” and – in Mrs Booth’s case – “the vehement intensity of a passionate heart”.
In one dramatic event that encouraged 147 Brisbanites to be converted, Herbert’s beloved “lecture”, the multimedia extravaganza Soldiers of the Cross gave him “most of the thrilling scenes, which he verbally described, depicted on canvas by means of the cinematographe and limelight views”.

The venue was “uncomfortably jammed an hour before starting time”, and “after all reasonable space was occupied, many gladly took up a position behind the screen at two shillings each and even then, many were turned away.
“The commandant had special unction during the delivery of the lecture, and the new films add interest and attraction to an already powerful and pathetic narrative,” the War Cry stated. People wanted to change their lives, and with the help of the Booths and their God, they sought to do so.
“A notable drunkard volunteered and was followed to the penitent-form by his wife and child; it was a touching scene as they wept bitterly. Another man, aged 73, who had never sought God, felt he was too bad. Jesus met with him – it was a glorious conversion.”Decisions to change lives were followed by decisions to join The Salvation Army’s ranks.
“The substantial spiritual work told well at the Trade Department, where the converts and others were ordering caps and bonnets on Monday morning,” the War Cry concluded.
READ MORE: Australia’s adopted Booth