'War Cry’ is 100 years old as the 'Army' soldiers on

Press, 4 January 1980, Page 11

'War Cry’ is 100 years old as the 'Army' soldiers on

By

KARREN BEANLAND

Upright, and dressed tidily in his distinctive uniform, he walks through the noisy bar with a bundle of newspapers under his arm. The scene is as familiar to many New Zealanders as the paper boy who hawks his wares on London street corners.

Yet how many people know that the quietly spoken Salvation Army officer is a soldier fighting in a war that has been waged for a hundred years in more than 80 different countries? One of his major weapons is that newspaper which he carries under his arm — the “War Cry.” It was a freezing, miserably foggy night in London when the first “War Cry,” the newspaper of William Booth’s "army of the poor,” hit the streets: December 27, 1879. Since that day, in spite of general strikes and world wars, it has never missed an issue. Only in 1947 a power cut forced

two issues to be rolled into one. Booth’s Salvation Army began in the 1860 s as the Christian Mission. Its new name, adopted in 1878, gave a much more accurate expression of its aims. The army believes it is fighting a pitched battle against sin and evil — a war to save souls. The “War Cry” provided a new front for the war. The weekly paper was intended to carry the news of the gospel, news that the daily papers did not see fit to carry. Booth also intended it to be in the language of the ordinary people, for he believed it was they who were in greatest need of salvation. It was soon the custom to set up the “War Cry” in every new country in which the army opened. Its spread was very rapid, and within a few years it was working in America, India, Japan, Europe, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia.

The army started its work in New Zealand in 1883 — a plaque beside Cargill's Monument in Dunedin marks the spot of the first meeting. The first New Zealand “War Cry” was published less than two months later, and quickly built its circulation up to 12,000. Today, the “War Cry” is published in 83 countries and in - many different languages. Each has its own edition, dealing with

the local news of the army. However, the London edition, with a circulation of 208,000, is the parent and keeps the lines of communication open between them all. Success in any war, even .one for God, depends on good communications, and the “War Cry” reaches a wide international audience because of this.

Reports of international

interest are sent to the London office, and distributed from there. The New Zealand “War Cry,” for example, has access to all stories published in English around the world: This gives the Salvation Army some unique opportunities. The "War Cry’s” missing person column has achieved an extremely high success rate in locating lost relatives and friends in many parts of the world. One such case was that

of a West Coast woman. A piece of paper blew against her leg when she was walking down the road one day. She happened to pick it up, and noticed a picture of her husband, who had deserted her many years before. He was then living in South Africa, but the army managed to reunite them.

The “War Cry” has always played an important part in the army’s social work. With a directness that is ■ typical, the army goes straight to what it sees as the cause of most suffering and sin — hotels. The “War Cry” has been distributed in bars and hotels regularly since the army began its work. Each corps is allotted a certain number of pubs, and they try to visit them at least once a week.

The work of going to hotels is not always easy. But Sergeant Major Allan Cleave, who has been visiting Christchurch hotels for the last 12 years, gives one very simple explanation for why the army continues to do so . .- . “The people won’t come to us, so we go to them.” Mr Cleave, who is from the Spreydon Corps, is quick to add that, he loves his work in the hotels. He even visits hotels when he is away on holiday in other parts of the country.

He first became involved when he was asked to help out for two weeks. He enjoyed it so much that he has carried on with it ever since, and his wife sometimes joins in.

Another member of MCleave’s group, SoldiePam Hocken, joined in “pub booming” in the same way. Enjoyment may seem a strange word to use, considering the abuse they are subjected to at times, but they both find it a great challenge.

One of the chief pleasures of the work is being made to answer questions and think about their own faith. Mr Cleave sees that one of the main functions of the “War Cry” is to be an icebreaker. He says it is impossible to go into a pub empty handed and try to talk to people. The newspaper makes a point of contact.

Even if people do not read the “War Cry” or give a donation for it, it has still served its purpose as a means of letting people know that the army is there if they need help.

The officers who distribute the paper in pubs can give help to those in need simply by listening to their problems. If necessary, they can arrange for expert help and counselling by fully trained officers. While the main point of the work is to provide help where it is needed most, members of the army are still glad to be able to bring people to the church. One young man became a Salvation Army officer after reading copies of the “War Cry” brought home by his father from the pub each week. Mr Cleave has noticed changes in the years that he has been visiting local hotels on Friday and Saturday nights. There are more and more young people, especially in the city hotels, and money is a problem for many. Many young people do not know much about the Salvation Army nowadays, so the “War Cry” is also a means of educating them. Mr Cleave says some are very interested to find out what the army stands for. To those who do not share their commitment, it may be hard to understand why people give up their time only to be laughed at

or abused in smelly, noisy pubs. At times, the work also makes very heavy personal demands. Often, the officers are saddened by what they see. Despite this, Mr Cleave believes that as many women as ever are involved in “pub booming.” Women, in fact, may have more success than men as some people will only speak to a female officer. Being on the wrong end of taunts and drunken humour is no problem to these keen soldiers. “If you have a problem with .one person, there is always somebody else who will come to your aid. Besides, people are often more prepared to come to you for help if they have seen you being hassled,” Mr Cleave says. The history and spirit of the newspaper is summed up in the comment of a British soldier: “The ‘War Cry’ is our spiritual ammunition and we must, fire it. People will read the ‘War Cry’ who never look at- the Bible, and God can use it — but we are the ones who must get it into their hands.”