An Introduction | The War Cry Articles | 2, 9 &16 November 1889

The War Cry, published by The Salvation Army, carried in November 1889 for three weeks, a series of articles reporting on ministry to Māori living along the banks of the Whanganui River. These articles originated after a three day waka journey up the river from Whanganui to Jerusalem (Hiruharama), by a party of Salvationist travellers. The group included officers and soldiers, some who lived in the river communities, others from Whanganui who had made the trip before, and for some it was a first time visit. This included the Colony Commander, Colonel Josiah Taylor, who was an avid traveller and wrote the accounts published in all of the three War Crys.

Colonel Taylor, or 'The Colonel', as he referred to himself, provided a first-hand perspective of the travel undertaken and life as he saw it on the river. He added biographical details and testimonies from local Māori Salvationists and officers. The Colonel gave particular mention to Adjutant Ernest Holdaway (Enata Horowe), who was instrumental in establishing ministry in several settlements on the Whanganui River. Holdaway contributed an autobiographical account, published in the 9 November 1889 edition of The War Cry. The three weeks of articles were accompanied by detailed line drawings, maps and timetables. Places visited, distances travelled and population numbers were listed, providing significant historic and social information of time.