THE SALVATION ARMY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 68, 31 December 1928, Page 5

THE SALVATION ARMY.

GENERAL BOOTH'S ILLNESS. SISTER VISITS ENGLAND. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, December 29. Commander Evangeline Booth (General Booth's sister) has arrived from America to attend the High Council at Sunbury-on-Thames on January 8. General Booth has not been informed of the arrival of any delegates or even of the summoning of the Council. Although there is steady progress in his health, the doctors do not consider he should he informed.—Australian Press Association.

Commander Booth, in an interview, said that she had not come to steal the throne but practically every leading officer on the High Council desired a constitutional change within the Salvation Army. "If I am elected to succeed my brother," said Commander Evangeline Booth, interviewed by the "Daily News," aboard the Olympic, "I shall not object."—United Service.

The illness of General Bramwell Booth, the head of the Salvation Army, has again drawn attention to the single-handed authority the leader of the Army holds over its millions of adherents, states a London correspondent. In many respects his administrative power over his followers is greater than that of the Archbishop of Canterbury, while his edicts on matters of faith command the obedience of a Pope. The Salvation Army, which was founded by General Booth's father in 1865, now extends all over the world. Headquarters have been established in 83 countries. There are more than 15,000 corps headquarters and outposts and more than 100,000 paid workers.

The Army supplied more than 10,000,000 beds and 15,000,000 meals to homeless and friendless men and women in a year. It takes care of exconvicts as they leave prisons in all parts of the world, places orphans' on farms, and assists emigrants to all parts of the Empire. The Army runs a life assurance society which has funds l approaching £4,000,000, and a deposit bank for its followers. General Booth and his lather found among their converts many men and women who, in their own sphere, are experts in organisation and finance. To these has been entrusted the actual management of the business' affairs of the Army, but the General holds supreme control over all its activities. He is the final arbiter on all matters relating to the movement, and enjoys the sole right to nominate his successor. According to the foundation deeds of the Army: "It is obvious that he will have a more extensive knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of the position than any other man can possibly .acquire." General Booth has nominated his successor, whoso name has been placed in a sealed envelope now in the custody of the Army's solicitors.