GENERAL BOOTH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 226, 18 June 1920, Page 8

GENERAL BOOTH

CIVIC WELCOME AT TOWN HALL A SCENE OF ENTHUSIASM The "btood and fi.ro" banners and uniforms of the Salvation Army wcro much in evidence at tho Town Hall yesterday aftcriioou, when General Bramwell Booth, the head of $ho Salvation Army, was accorded a civic reception. Tho hail was very brightly decorated with interna-tional-bunting, whilst dircctily over tho stago was suspended the civic flag Rearing tho usual insignia, iand below ic the words: "Welcomo from the Citizens of Wellington." In ordered groups round tho gallery wore tho boys and girls of the various Salvation .Army institutions, each with their own"'banner, bearing greetings to tho distinguished visitor. Tho children of these institutions wero provided with tiny fiags—red' and line— which they waved enthusiastically fiom time to time. Tlio front seats on tho ground floor were reserved l'"r the invalids and convalescents from the Trentham Military Hospital. SomoStimc before the General arrived tho hall was well fiKed.

'A rousing welcome _in the form of cheers and loud "Hallelujahs" greeted General Booth, wihose tall figure and benign countenanco at once arrested and held the attention. He was attended'by Commissioners Jamb, Lauiey, and Hitching, Stafl'-Capfilin John Smith, and-Ad-jutant Bernard Booth, also Commissioner 11. C. Hodder and Colonel M'lnness (Jiow Zealand eccretary). The Mayor presided, and there were also on tho platform Mrs, Luke, Sir Robert Stout, Councillors I'. Forsyth and 11. A. Wright, M.l\ ' The proceedings commenced with the singing of "AH. People that on I'arth I)o Dwell," which was fcKowcd by prayer offered by Commissioner Lawlev. In welcoming the visitor to tho Umpire city, Mr. Luke congratulated General Booth on his arrival in New Zealand. He. also congratulated the General on the work of the Array in. the Dominion, particularly on the social side, and said that had it not been far tho wjiolo-soiiled enthusiasm of tho Army many thousands of people would bo living lives\not in accord with true citizenship. In the absence of the Prime Minister, tlio Hon. J. G. Anderson, expressed a sincere welcomo to the General on behalf of the Government and tho people of New Zealand. The Almighty had blessed the Armv as Ho would anything that whs whole-hearted and true. The Minister hoped tlint the General would live long to carry on the good work he had done from his boyhood, and the samo wish ho extended to' General Booth's wife. They welcomed him for himself ani\ what the Army had done for humanilff. (Applause.)

1 Archdeacon' A. If. Johnson, of St. 1 Paul's 'Pro-Cathedral, on behalf of the | Bishop of" Wellington, extended a very hearty welcome to General Booth. He also 1 welcomed him 1 on ■ behalf "of the Council 1 of Churches. He was proud of the Salvationists' enthusiasm and loyalty to Him • they served. , Though they might be far from one another in some ways', hie took i it they could always learn from one an- ; other. Tlioro were three lessons they 1 could take to heart—firstly, the unques- ' Honing obedience of the Army's officers; secondly, their intense loyalty to their i leader; and, thirdly, the grounds ' on which they made sacrifices • and induced oHiers to make them. He hoped that General Booth, would be happy and live a long life with very much success. (Applause.) Sir Robert Stout said that every'great institution that wiis successful was the shadow of a great man. But for General William Boqth there would have been no Salvation 'Army. And when lie saw tho success of the institution, prospering and extending, lie asked himself wliat it was tiiat. kept them alive, and he could only conclude that it was brotherhood. _It was hrotherhlood they were all fighting for. He knew what the Army had done for humanity; ho knew what they hhd done for criminals. It was not on account of its religion, .but its humanityits brotherhood. General .Booth's Reply, Booth, who was greeted with an ovation, said he felt he was among friends; his welcome had been so unanimous that ho had 'begun to believe that they were really right down pleased to see him. He was afraid that interest in him arose through his dear father and l»autiful mother; nono the less he felt grateful for the welcome. Tho real interest in himself was on account ' of tho fact that the Army was worthy of a. place among the disciples of Christ, and thereby was. entitled to the help and the sympathy and tho prayers of all good men. (Applause.) Tho Army had established a claim to be accounted followers of Jesus Christ, really doing the work which Jesus Christ on earth definitely' devolved upon his followers; it had established itself as the friend of the pool—not necessarily the poor in this world's goods—but thoso who were lacking l in the greater spiritual riches. . When people heard the Army bands play they could conclude that there was, a spirit behind it all striving to make 1 happy homes aild happy hearts—the active combatant' spirit of ..brotherhood,. carrying on a great work among the forgotten and the broken, those who had been left behind in the struggle of life. They must believe that the work of the Army did assuage a great deal of human misery, bringing the needs of the downtrodden and desperate to the sur-. face, where they could be examined arid prescribed for. (Applause.) They believed that niuoli good resulted froifi tho bringing to light of broken hearts .and directing them to the <!reat Comforter and Helper, and that in following the behests of Christ they were establishing a brotherhood anion;* men such as Sir Robert Stout had alluded to.' Tho world had been dealt a staggering blow in tho great if not that it was a startling experience—and in it the Salvation Army alone, among all the institutions in the world,_ had ]>een recognised by every nation and everv army as an organisation working for good. All. had recognised that thei. Army stood for comfort, peace, and kindness (Applause.) Now the war was over the /.rmy was trying' to bring about ft new friendliness among tin nations, trying to convince them that, as in the beginning, they were all one race. The Army was now established in China, Burma, Itussia, and that new country whioli had been carved out of the 'bleeding heart of Europe, Czecho-Skvakia. In' nil those places and elsewhere the agents of the Army, inspired by the Spirit of Christ in i's mcst precious aspect, the spirit. of sacrifice, were seeking to establish tho dominion of Christ. lie Jookeil forward .to' the time when they would I have no , i dlo followers, and no doubting soldiers,' but when' every man and woman Would be a fighting follower of Christ. "May God bless you end those you love, and your beautiful dear land," said General Booth in'.conclusion. A storm of applause, succeeded'by cheevs, followed the speech. Commissioner ITodder pronounced the benediction, and the function concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETING. , General Booth is above all tho cliam- i pion of tho young, and his first two evening services in Wellington have been devoted to them. On the _ first evening, children of 12 to 15 constituted the audience, and .last ovening the General addressed several hundreds of young people between the-ages of 15 and 25. Theso wero married or single,'.but with few exceptions were members of the Salvation Army. Tho speaker speedily showed that he was an Adept with the ! young, and his fine address, while .deal- ■ ing with the deep spiritual things of ! life, was illustrated with fascinating ' stories from the General's own experience or from science and natnral history. Tho General's gift of humour , wnß used to the best advantago here, and while dealing in a homely and practical manner with their everyday relationships he stressed tho need of the ; absolute change of heart and posses- : sion of every faculty by the spirii of ' God. Quickly but with effeot the appeal was made with most gratifying .• results to all concerned. '