Chick Yuill's Resignation Letter

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Resignation Statement
-
Chick Yuill
With great regret and following much soul-searching and prayerful reflection, I have made the decision to resign from officership in The Salvation Army. My resignation will come into effect at the beginning of October, 2006.

After thirty five years unbroken service as an officer, this has been a very difficult and costly decision. Sadly, however, I find myself in a position where I cannot remain as an officer without sacrificing my personal integrity and dignity.

In order to avoid misinformation or misunderstanding of my position, I outline below the major factors which have led me to my decision.

1. An incident took place at the Territorial Leaders Conference in June 2005 which has never been resolved. Despite the then TC's subsequent denials, the great majority of people in that room knew that an unwarranted verbal attack had taken place on me. It remains a very painful memory for Margaret and me. That memory is the more painful because we believe that I am not the first officer to be the recipient of such public abuse from the same source.

2. In interviews prior and subsequent to the incident at the TLC, Margaret and I believe that we were subject to a level of personal abuse that would not be tolerated in industry and commerce. It is our honest conviction that, not to put it too strongly, there was a lack of transparency and complete truthfulness in these interviews.

3. An attempt was made to move us out of divisional leadership. The less than honest manner in which that was communicated to us, the nature of the appointment being proposed, and the suggestion that Margaret, after more than 34 years of officer experience, should take on the role of my research assistant - all of this left us with a sense of being demeaned.

4. On 28th September 2005 we received an appalling letter which we still find difficult to believe. It demanded that we sign a document which would be drawn up by the Territorial Commander promising never to libel him again. The letter carried an implicit threat of legal action and dismissal if we did not sign this document. We adamantly refused to sign this document as we had never at any time libelled the Territorial Commander. We were placed in a position where we had to take legal advice with regard to this letter. The counsel we received echoed our
amazement that such a letter could be sent to us, affirmed that the accusation made in the letter was totally without foundation, and stated that the letter itself could reasonably be viewed as intimidation

5. It now appears that we have been black-listed with regard to any preaching or teaching outside of the United Kingdom territory. Two invitations to Australia and one to New Zealand have been rejected to our certain knowledge. The grapevine tells me that some negative word about the Yuills has been communicated to the International Secretaries at IHQ.

6. We can only assume that we are being treated as a) disobedient officers and b) the promulgators of some level of heresy. We believe that both of these accusations constitute an unwarranted attack on our integrity. The final humiliation came some weeks ago when I was lecturing at the ICO, something I have done at the request of successive Principals for over 23 years. After lunch, and before going in to lecture for another couple of hours, I was summoned to the office of the somewhat embarrassed Principal to be informed that, at the General's instruction, she must no longer invite me as I am no longer a fit person to teach at the ICO.

7. I deeply regret the fact that I cannot pursue this matter within the structures of the Army. But our past experience, when we raised these issues with IHQ, leads us to the sad conclusion that there is a culture of fear that inhibits any progress towards a just resolution of this matter. Given the position that our former TC now holds, I have neither hope nor reasonable
expectation of a fair hearing and a just outcome.

Some would advise me just to keep my head down, but I cannot do that in all conscience. Such a course of action would mean firstly, that I would be implicitly colluding in an approach to leadership that I firmly believe to be abusive; and secondly, that I would be denying the gifts of teaching and preaching which I have in some small measure and which are affirmed by the invitations and requests I receive to minister in these areas. If the present leadership of our movement seek to suppress these gifts, then I must go elsewhere to fulfil my ministry.

This has been the most costly decision of my life in spiritual and emotional terms. The Salvation Army is the part of the Church that has nurtured me in the faith and given me an avenue of service. It is also the place where most of my closest friends continue to minister and serve. I want to make it clear beyond any doubt that I am not seeking to lead any kind of break-away movement, nor will I knowingly do anything that will harm the ministry of the Army in any way. The decision I have made is done in obedience to conscience. I have no desire to influence others. And I believe I can say that, whilst I leave with a sense of injustice, there is no bitterness in my heart towards the Army or towards any individual.

It will, of course, also be costly in financial terms as I will forfeit my Salvation Army retirement grant and pension because of my decision to resign. However, that is part of the cost I must pay and I will do so without bitterness or rancour on my part towards the Army. Margaret and I are resolutely agreed that in this matter we will not trade personal integrity and dignity for financial security.

At this time I have no prospective employment awaiting me. I will take some time to prayerfully consider whether any other avenue of ministry will open up or whether I need to seek secular employment. Your prayers would be appreciated.

In conclusion, I would want to acknowledge that, since I made my decision known to them, the present Territorial Leaders, Commissioners John & Betty Mattear and Lt.-Colonel Bill Cochrane have demonstrated a level of courtesy and practical sympathy for which we are enormously grateful. In the light of my decision, Margaret has decided to retire in February 2007 when she will reach the age of sixty. Because of this she will be eligible for a retirement house under the normal procedure for retired officers. We are deeply grateful to the TC and CS for facilitating this provision.

4 th September, 2006

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

A sad, sad day for the Army.

On a par with what we did to Captain Gypsy Smith

 

[sawitch]

I agree!! Why do we allow ourselves to be dictated to by one man, elected only by his peers? It's time the ordinary Salvationist had a say in what happens.

I believe that the current General will do untold damage to the Army and we are helpless to do anything about it.

Also, don't you think it's outrageous that Chick should lose his pension after working for the Army for so many years? If this happened in industry there would be a public outcry. Surely when people resign, for whatever reason, their service should be recognised and rewarded.

Chick is a very brave and principled man. Shame we can't say the same about the General!!

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

I agree!! Why do we allow ourselves to be dictated to by one man, elected only by his peers? It's time the ordinary Salvationist had a say in what happens.

I believe that the current General will do untold damage to the Army and we are helpless to do anything about it.

Also, don't you think it's outrageous that Chick should lose his pension after working for the Army for so many years? If this happened in industry there would be a public outcry. Surely when people resign, for whatever reason, their service should be recognised and rewarded.

Chick is a very brave and principled man. Shame we can't say the same about the General!!

I heard it said that the only people who were delighted to see Clifton promoted to General were all the staff at Territorial Headquarters.

Because they got rid of him as TC

 

[Amisk]

I heard it said that the only people who were delighted to see Clifton promoted to General were all the staff at Territorial Headquarters.

Because they got rid of him as TC

While Chick may have good reason to resign, the public comments here both from himself and those who have took a poke at Clifton will do little to heal the wound or win souls to Christ.

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

While Chick may have good reason to resign, the public comments here both from himself and those who have took a poke at Clifton will do little to heal the wound or win souls to Christ.

Dear brother.

I'm all for unity and getting behind our leaders, but there comes a point where you have to stand up and be counted.

This guy is going to do untold damage to the Army

How many more Yuill's will we lose before he is done?

 

[sawitch]

I heard it said that the only people who were delighted to see Clifton promoted to General were all the staff at Territorial Headquarters.

Because they got rid of him as TC

Yeah, I heard that too. My DH was a victim of Clifton's cull of employees at the end of 2004. He's been told by former colleagues that he's better off out of it all!

While Chick may have good reason to resign, the public comments here both from himself and those who have took a poke at Clifton will do little to heal the wound or win souls to Christ.

Maybe not, but this is a forum where we can express our concerns and genuine greivances. Try posting these on the 'official' website forum and see what happens!
The problems in the SA won't go away if we continue to 'be nice'. As Andy says we've got to stand up and be counted.

 

[Abiel]

Try posting these on the 'official' website forum and see what happens!

There are many 404s out there at the moment

 

[Abiel]

A sad, sad day for the Army.

On a par with what we did to Captain Gypsy Smith

Tell us the story of Gypsy Smith, Andy

 

[sawitch]

There are many 404s out there at the moment

Sorry, 404s??? What's that?

 

[Abiel]

When you do a google search, you can then click on the links- if they have been removed it generally says there is a 404 error. It's web speak

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Gypsy Smith was the officer who funded the work of the Army in Hull in 1880, and other places. Without doubt one of the finest officers to serve in the early Army.

Chris will find this interesting, as he knows the Old Icehuose in Hull.

I quote Captain Smith....

I took charge of the Ice-House. Never before had I seen such crowds and such wonderful results. It was quite a common thing for us to have gathered together a thousand people who had been converted at the services, and what is perhaps even more marvellous, an attendance of about fifteen hundred at the prayer-meeting at seven o'clock on Sunday morning. Very often the building was filled, and the street in which it stood, Cambridge Street, completely blocked. Many a time I have had to get to the platform over the seats, as the aisles were so crowded that nobody could walk up them. During the whole six months I spent in Hull we needed two policemen at every service to manage the crowds at the doors. Some conception of the magnitude of the work may be gained from the fact that the Ice-House and the other branch of the Mission, which was much smaller, sold every week 15,000 copies of The War Cry.

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

After serving in Hull and then Derby, he was then appointed to Hanley.

I again quote Captain Smith. Read it through, it's worth it....

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The end of June, having been six months in Hanley, the General informed me that he wanted me for another sphere of labour. Mrs. Smith was in delicate health at the time, and the ladies of the town sent a petition to Mrs. Booth, appealing to her, as a wife and mother, that for the sake of my wife's health I should be allowed to stay in the town a little longer. The General readily gave his consent. When the leaders of the Free Churches knew that I was likely to be removed from their midst, a committee was formed, representing all the Churches in the town and neighbourhood save the Roman Catholics. This committee, a leading member of which was a churchwarden, impressed by the striking work of grace which had gone on under my poor feeble ministry, felt that I should not be allowed to leave the district without some expression of their love and appreciation, and presented me with a gold watch, bearing this inscription: - " Presented to Gipsy Rodney Smith, as a memento of high esteem and in recognition of his valuable services in Hanley and district, July, 1882."

My wife and my sister, Mrs. Evens, each received a gift of five pounds. These presentations were made at a public meeting, presided over by Alderman Boulton, who was supported by many of the leading persons in the town. The gifts came from people who were outside the Salvation Army. The soldiers of the Army had some intention of making us a gift, but we stopped that movement, as we knew that the General did not approve of such presentations.

To my surprise, about two weeks after, Major Fawcett, my superior officer, called on me about these presents. He said that he was sent to ask me what I had to say about those testimonials. I said that the gifts had not come from soldiers of the Army, that they came entirely from outsiders, that I had done no more than many other officers, and that a little while ago an officer in Birmingham had received a silver watch. I added that when I received the gifts I rather felt that headquarters would be delighted that we had made such an impression on the town, and that outsiders were showing appreciation of our work. The Major told me that I should hear from London shortly. On August 4th a telegram arrived for the two lieutenants, who had received silver watches from the same committee, summoning them to London. There was no communication for me that day. These young men had been with the Salvation Army for six months, and I had been for five years. The young men came to seek my advice. I urged them to obey the summons at once. They reached London early next Morning, and on their arrival at the Training Home in Clapton, they were told that if they did not give up their watches they must leave the Army.

On Saturday morning, August 5th, about six o'clock, my second baby was born, a son. The morning post a few hours later brought me the following letter from Mr. Bramwell Booth: - [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"We understand on Monday, July 31st, a presentation of a gold watch was made to you at Hanley, accompanied by a purse containing £5 to your wife, and the same to your sister. We can only conclude that this has been done in premeditated defiance of the rules and regulations of the Army to which you have repeatedly given your adherence, and that you have fully resolved no longer to continue with us. The effect of your conduct is already seen to have led younger officers under your influence also astray. Having chosen to set the General's wishes at defiance, and also to do so in the most public manner possible, we can only conclude that you have resolved to leave the Army. Anyhow, it is clear that neither you nor your sister can work in it any longer as officers, and the General directs me to say that we have arranged for the appointment of officers to succeed you at Hanley at once." [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I was greatly upset by this letter. Some of the statements in it were wholly inaccurate. In the first place, I had never given my adherence to any rule forbidding the officers of the Army to receive presents. I knew that at a conference of officers the General had made a statement in regard to this matter. He strongly disapproved of the practice, for the reason that some officers, leaving their stations in debt, went off with costly gifts. Moreover, the tendency was that while successful officers received presents, those who had not been successful got none. This of course, was not conducive to good feeling and discipline. I ought to say that throughout his speech the General was referring to gifts from soldiers of the Army - at least this was my impression. It did not apply to presents, such as mine had been, from outsiders. Another grossly inaccurate statement in the letter was that I had led astray two younger officers. The two young lieutenants accepted their watches without consulting me and without receiving any advice from me.

None of us had ever dreamt that trouble would come from these presentations. The letter was totally unexpected, and gave me a painful shock. I was utterly overwhelmed, and such a communication reaching me a few hours after the birth of my second son, was in the greatest degree depressing. The letter was not only inaccurate, it was ungracious. There was no word of appreciation for my five years' hard work, for I had held some of their most important commands, and had succeeded as few others of their officers had done. During that summer I had often secretly thought that some day I might leave the Army, but I never gave expression to these sentiments except to my wife. I had written out my resignation twice, but my wife had prevailed upon me not to send it, and so the letters were put in the fire. I knew in my own heart that I was not a Salvationist after their sort. I felt thoroughly at home in the Christian Mission, but rather uncomfortable and out of place in the Salvation Army. I did not like the uniform, I did not care for the titles nor for the military discipline. My style was not quite Salvationist enough. Still I succeeded, and the Army gave me a splendid sphere for work and an experience which no college or university could have supplied me with. But I had never had any desire to leave in this abrupt fashion. I had hoped to withdraw in the most friendly manner and to remain on good terms with the movement and its leaders. But this was not to be. My heart was heavy as the prospect of parting from beloved friends and comrades opened, blank and bare, before my soul.

I took the letter to my wife and read it to her. She felt greatly hurt, because she had been very loyal to the Army and its leaders, but she bore it bravely and was very ready to stand by me. My first impulse was to take the letter to the editor of the local paper, and then I thought, "No, Sunday is before me, I will keep the matter to myself till the end of the Sunday services." I determined in this way to communicate the news to all those who sympathised with me and my work. There were great congregations all day. I required no small amount of strength to go through my work, but I was wonderfully sustained. I preached the Gospel as faithfully as I could, despite the burden on my heart. At the evening service the building was crowded to suffocation. I had stated at the morning and afternoon services that I had a very important intimation to make at the close of the evening service. I arose in a stillness that could be felt to read the letter from Mr. Bramwell Booth. When I had finished, there was an extraordinary scene. I needed all the self-possession and tact that I could summon to my aid to quell the anger of the people. They began to hiss. But I said, "That is not religion. We have preached charity, and now is the time to practice what we have preached." And they dispersed quietly, but in a state of great excitement.

In the meantime I had replied to the letter from Mr. Bramwell Booth. I concluded my answer thus: "I need not say how sorry we all are in reference to the steps taken in the matter. You know I love the 'Army' and its teachings, but, as you wish, I shall say 'farewell' on Sunday. But I shall reserve the right to say that you have turned us out of the 'Army' because we have received the presentations. I can hold the world at defiance as regards my moral and religious life. If I leave you, I do so with a clear conscience and a clean heart. Of course, my sister and myself hold ourselves open to work for God wherever there is an opening."

Early the next morning the Testimonial Committee was called, and meetings were held every day of that week up to and including Thursday. They sent communications to the General, stating how sorry they were that my dismissal had arisen out of their act, an act which was one of good-will and in loving appreciation of Gipsy Smith's services. They said that if they had known what the result would be, they would rather have lost their arms. No good was accomplished by the letters, and so a deputation was sent to London to see the General. It was arranged that they should send a telegram to the meeting at Hanley on Thursday night announcing the final decision. The place was crowded to receive it. The telegram said: "Dismissal must take its course." Immediately there was a scene of the wildest confusion.

At the close of my last Sunday's services as an officer of the Salvation Army we found two brass bands outside waiting for us. I had no desire for demonstrations of this sort, and had no knowledge of these elaborate preparations. Two big Irishmen seized me and lifted me on to their shoulders, my sister was politely placed in an arm-chair, and the bands, accompanied by great crowds, carried us all round the town, and finally took us home. From five thousand to ten thousand people gathered outside the house on a piece of vacant land. They shouted for me again and again, and I had to address them from the bedroom window before they would move away.

And so ended my connection with the Salvation Army. It has given me anything but pleasure to set forth the story of my dismissal, but I have felt - so important and cardinal an event it was in my life - that it must be told in full. I have not the least desire, and I am sure that my readers will believe this, to damage in the slightest degree the leaders and workers of the Salvation Army. I consider it one of the greatest and most useful religious movements of the last century. Its great service to the Christianity of our country was that it roused the Churches from their apathy and lethargy, and awoke them to a sense of their duty towards the great masses who were without God and without hope in the world. I shall always be grateful for my experiences in the Salvation Army, and I look upon the dismissal as providential. God overruled it. If I had carried out the intention that I had formed some time previously and had resigned quietly, nothing would have been said or heard about me in that connection at any rate; but the dismissal gave me an advertisement in all the papers of the land which cost me nothing and procured for me hundreds and thousands of sympathisers.

I have the warmest feelings of love and admiration for General Booth. He gave me my first opportunity as an evangelist, and he put me in the way of an experience which has been invaluable to me. I think that William Booth is one of the grandest men that God ever gave to the world. His treatment of me was always kind and fatherly. I do not myself share the frequently expressed view that Mrs. Booth was the real founder and leader of the Army, General Booth is too gracious and chivalrous, and besides, he has too profound a sense of what he owes to his beloved and lamented wife, to contradict this view. But, for my part, I believe that William Booth was both the founder and the leader of the Salvation Army. Catherine Booth was undoubtedly a great woman, a great saint and an able preacher, but even as a preacher she was in my opinion greatly inferior to the General. I always feel when I read her printed sermons that I know very much what is coming, for there is a sameness about her addresses and sermons. But the General, on the other hand, never gave an address or preached a sermon without introducing something quite fresh. He is more original and more ready than his wife was, and had he given his time solely to the pulpit he would have been one of our greatest preachers. But for many years he was fully occupied in the defence and explanation of the methods and aims of the Salvation Army. I have heard him talk for nearly a whole day at officers' conferences in a simply marvellous fashion - without intermission, full of ideas, practical and possible, and full of common sense. He was splendidly seconded in his work by Mrs. Booth, and has at the present time able coadjutors in his children. The officers of the Salvation Army are men of intelligence and zeal. I have the happiness to number a good many of them among my friends today. Some of them indeed, were brought to God under my ministry.[/FONT]

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[JoshuaCh1v9]

The comparisons between Gypsy Smith and Chick Yuill are clear to see.

It is generally felt that it was Bramwell booth who was responsible for Smith's dismissal, rather than the founder himself.

Whatever the truth, on both that occasion and this, the Army lost one of it's greatest talents.

 

[chrisbroadley]

having heard chick Yuill preach as officer at blackpool citadel on many occassions while on holiday there and also having heard him on a few occassions at other army events also by reading some of his writen work it is clear to me that chick was one of the Salvation Army's best officers of our time and should have been a future general himself. few officers like him exsist (more the pitty) now the Army has lost him too. a grave mistake.

We have to pray hard that the lord will take control of the situation and deal with the rott. so this army of ours can move forward before its too late.

 

[Abiel]

Thank you for sharing that story Andy. I have never heard it before, but I have beard several like it.

 

[chrisbroadley]

As andy stated and rightly too the likeness is stricking and shamefull that such a thing could still happen. my personal thought are chick should take it further legally like he said this would never happen outside the army. nor should it be allowed to happen in the army now.

 

[Amisk]

As andy stated and rightly too the likeness is stricking and shamefull that such a thing could still happen. my personal thought are chick should take it further legally like he said this would never happen outside the army. nor should it be allowed to happen in the army now.

This action is scripturally wrong. There is scripture that condemns it. I believe it was Paul who warned against one Christian brother taking another Christian brother to the courts of the world for settlement. It brings shame on the name of Christ.

I have spent time this evening looking for the exact reference, but I'm unable to put together enough of the wording to pick it up on the Scripture Search on the computer.

Some of you may know the reference that I'm referring to and can aid me here, if not I shall continue to look for it and will add the reference when I find it.

It is no testimony to the world if Christians take each other to court, so please for the sake of the Gospel let by gone be by gones. Or agree to sit down with impartial Christians brothers and come to a conclusion on who is right and who is wrong.

 

[chrisbroadley]

This action is scripturally wrong. There is scripture that condemns it. I believe it was Paul who warned against one Christian brother taking another Christian brother to the courts of the world for settlement. It brings shame on the name of Christ.

I have spent time this evening looking for the exact reference, but I'm unable to put together enough of the wording to pick it up on the Scripture Search on the computer.

Some of you may know the reference that I'm referring to and can aid me here, if not I shall continue to look for it and will add the reference when I find it.

It is no testimony to the world if Christians take each other to court, so please for the sake of the Gospel let by gone be by gones. Or agree to sit down with impartial Christians brothers and come to a conclusion on who is right and who is wrong.

yes but there is also the sence that injustice is wrong and god told us to stand up against injustice

 

[Amisk]

Correct. But as Christians the Bible tells us not to take our brother to court among the ungodly but to settle it through our Christian brothers.

Are we any more sure that we will win our case against our brother in the courts of the land than we are among a gathering of our peers of fellow believers?

From what I have read on this case, about all the going to the courts of the land would do is drag the name of Christ and the Salvation Army as a denomination in the dirt. Christ and the Salvation Army would be the loosers no matter the end result of the judge's decision. It appears to me that those who are advising to go to the courts of the land have failed to look at this end of their advise.