A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 156, 3 July 1888, Page 4

A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY.

This week the Salvation Army celebrates the anniversary of itsioundation twenty-three years ago, and simul. taneous services in commemoration of the occasion will, on Thursday, be held at all the stations and outposts of the Army all the world over. It is meet that the secular press should take some notice of a movement so aggressive in its character and so successful in its operations, more especially as its methods of working are distinctly secular or worldly in their nature,and have even at tines a smack of the Old Gentleman himself, as, for instance, in the matter of noisy music, boisterous shouting, midnight conclaves, and lurid torch-lights. The ordinary run of religious bodies draw a sharp line of demarcation between themselves and the " world;" they withdraw themselves and carry on their worship with grave decorum and solemnity; they rather shrink from public notice,and seek precognition of their doings on the part of those "outside." The Salvationist!, on the other hand, are continually blushing agains the world, they are noisily assertive in their devotional exerci&s, and notoriety seems to be the verjbreath of their nostrils. Let us see hw these aggressive Christians have gk>wn in power and influence.

Twenty-three years %o, Wm. Booth started his Christian mision in the East End of London, which contained the germ of the Salvatioj Army. It is only ten years since tlidatter title was adopted, however, andj'rom 18^8 dates the wonderful progressof this religious body parading in ;:iilitary dress. An idea of its strngth may be gathered from the j fact that its salaried officers (miniters and missionaries, in ordinary firaseology) now number 6,217, of 3,132 are stationed in Great Bri|in and 3,055 in other countries. it statement is available as to the nuiper of adherents or " soldiers," but a roßion is probably a fair estimate. T| "War Cry," printed in eleven diirent languages and dialects, has a cimlation over the world of half-a-millfa weekly, or 26,000,000 per annum! It is estimated that during last yealno fewer than 458,640 open-air meemgs were held in connection with the Army, quite irrespective of the manyjndoor gatherings. There are 2,378 Afferent "corps" (which is Salvationese for churches) scattered over thirtjbne different countries—each corps leing self-sus-taining and self-managii. Is not this a wonderful record forften years, or even for the twenty-thle years that may be included in thjj Army's history? I And the march is stilfonwards— in the nature of things mulbe so, for we opine that the moment tfe Army gives up progress, or finds tha there are no more worlds to conque| it will, like Alexander, simply haveto sit down and indulge in idle teal Last year 305 new "corps" wel added, the " officers" increased by 5159, and 145 missionaries were sent taoreign lands. In Great Britain alontte, 000 were last year expended orf" barrack accommodation" for 1000 people, ahd the contributions oifie people had increased by per jfeek, or at the rate of per fnum. As a sample of what was d|e during the same period elsewhere,! may instance Norway, which was entted less than a year ago, and where biddings are now going up which are tfjcost ; Denmark, where " barrgks" have been purchased for Holland, where over hai been spent in acquiring a place of wtahip. All this wonderful alvity and progress may be cited alproof of what can be done by onelnan, provided only that he has a singe eye;.apd is animated by a not! enthusiasm. Wm. Booth still lives, Id is the sole director of the gigaujb organisation which he has call into existence ; and, apart pm eccentricities of method (wfch are not bad in themselves, bujjar because of their incongruity), it nfet be admitted that his control is Ist and wise. There is no need for aleory of supernatural agency to accolt for the success of the Salvation j_rmy. Added to personal enthusiast and untiring •effort, there has bee Jan unsparing use of glaring uniform!catchy music, printers' ink, sensatio|l processions, and other well-knol advertising dodges. With a grel uninstructed " residuum" to wo_| upon, these means produced th| effect that was intended, andlthe achievements of the Salilion Army— even to the reformatfe of debased

wretches and the per: ment of the great masi —are allperfectly expl: grounds.

|nent improveI of the people fble on rational

While the Salvation] their Ebenezer," it is I terject a query as to tl movement. Can the permanent institution) place as a new relig founder has distinctly

s are " raising fcrtinent to mii future of the irmy become a land take its lis sect? Its isclaimed «y

*mmmmi'*m' ,^,*,*i',,*,""'",','''»^^»-—■■■-—»_^^^, such intention; but he may prove quite unable to resist a natural tendency. The enormous wealth which has been amassed in the shape of property, nearly all free of debt, is | guarantee of stability, and will greatly conduce to the " Army " settling down to decorous worship on the conventional plan. The only safeguard is for! the "Army" converts to be drafted into other churches, so that the energies of its officers may be kept flowing in the purely missionary groove" but it is questionable whether Christians nurtured on the highly-spiced food served up in the barracks will he , found to accept the spiritual "pap" which is served up elsewhere. These' are problems which the " Army" will have to iace in the near future, and it is none too soon to draw attention to them. i

: A*-^lidfe^©t;tie^fii|ent: effort, and one in. v wHicii the. Salvation Army has done noble work, will be found coexistent with human error and frailty. The work of giving practical aid to those who are morally weak, who have criminal tendencies, or who are tempted through their physical necessities, will doubtless provide a sphere of labour for earnest men and women for many generations to come. To show what is being done in this sphere by the Salvation Army everywhere, take this record of their work in London last year. Fifteen slum posts have been established in the lowest parts of London, and thirty-seven officers have given up their lives to live and work amongst the poor. In London alone 484 girls have been rescued. The latest departure for supplying the destitute poor of London Avith food and shelter has proved a tremendous success.- In one week 800 meals at £d each have been supplied to little children and 4,000 meals at -Jd, and 6,000 meals at Id to adults. 600 people per week are provided with supper, bed and breakfast for 3d each night, and a large number have been provided with work. When results like these can be shown, the world will be ready to forgive a great deal in the way of eccentricity of procedure.