GENERAL BRAMWELL BOOTH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 228, 21 June 1920, Page 5

GENERAL BRAMWELL BOOTH

LECTURE IN TOWN HALL

LESSONS OF HIS FATHER'S ! LIFE Tho Town Hal) was filled to overflowing yesterday afternoon, when General Bramwcll Booth dellyered a lectupO on "Some Lessons From My Father's Life." The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, 0.M.G., M.l>.) presided. Among those «m the platform woro tho Hon, E. (Minister of Justicej and the Chief Justice (Sir llobcrt Stout). ' , The Mayor read an apology from the Prime Minister (Kt. lion. W. F. Maswy), who was unavoidably absent' owing to indisposition, but who Bent the following "Convey to the General and Salvation Army my great, interest and good wishes for the future meetings." General Booth, who was received with cheers and loud applause, said that his late father'was a great preacher and a wonderful teacher, who believed that faith was of more conscqiience to' tho world than knowledge. As a writer he posecssr ed no ordinary merit, and liis works would probably bo bettor known fifty years Jience than they were to-day. In addition, his father was also a statesmanhot a politician—and a wonderful worker, Sinco the death of the speaker's mpther in 1890, tho late Genoral had never taken a furlough and when the speaker sometijnfe's urged him to take a rest, lie would oxcTaTm,"'Get tlie"S behind, me. Satan." (Laughter,) There were las'BfllTs fo bo learned, from fils father's work. General William Booth had fouild that the souls of men were really tho greatest wealth. When tho lato General died he was poor so far kj worldly richoß were concerned, but if thoy could conceive the good he did In many lands then the founder of' the Army had "(S'ed it. miltiniiiiii'G." (Applause.)

General William Booth had seen that love would bo tho power which would transform the lives of the basest of men, and he had boon ablo by his personality to enlist others in the cause of saving humanity from its sins. His achievements had not been due to learning, it was not the power of money, nor high training, which carried him\ forward in tho great conflict and made his, heart strong in the dark- and difficult time—lt was his lovepower. Of cqurpe, <)r§t of all ho had been devoted to God, and then, there was his love to man, His mind was capable of apprehending othor men's oircumstances and difficulties, and he loved the people. Oi)e day, in tondon, when tho speaker was only thirteen year? of . age his'father walked into a "gin palace" in White-' chapel Boad, Pointing to the crowd of semi-drunken men and women, the General remarked to tho speaker: "Willie, my tioyi these are our people—these are tne people WQ want to win for Jesus Chrisf," ' (Applause.) .Tust beforo General William Booth died, ho exhorted the speaker to do all he could for the homeless and for tho people of China. "And, remember," he paid, "if you don't kcop this promlso I'll come back and haunt you." (Laughter.) General William Booth had been an adept at getting moneyj "in fact,"- continued tho speaker amidst laughter, "he was a wonderful old beggar." It was a very beautiful memory for the speaker that when his father was entering into the shadows and his sight had gone, his lost thoughts had not been of himself, but of the homeless and the heathen. And it was the promise that he had ma'do to his dying father that tho speaker meant to keep to the very end. (Applause.) Kings and rulers and learned men had blessed his father, and it was purely because of the power of lovo which he exerted "The late General Booth," concluded tho speaker, "was a great man, a great soul, a great Christian, and a great' lover of mankind." (Applause.) At the'closo of General Booth's address, [ Mr. E, A. Wrigjit. M.P., moved that a hearty voto of thanks bo accorded General Booth for his address. Mr. Wright said ho was satisfied that General Bramwell Booth was following in the footsteps. of his father and was doing tile utmost possible on behalf of the fallen and broken people'of the world. The motion was carried by acclamation. eveningYeeting ~ A QAXL TO SERVICE. Last evening thero was again a crowded gathering at the Town Hall, when General Booth delivered another address.

The spsoker appealed to his hearerßto sacrifice themselves for God'B Bervlc#. If they accepted the call, he did no'- know to what service they would be called, but ho wanted officers for work in foreign lands, and perhaps their field of service would lie there, He mentioned that he had entreaties ior more officers' for India, and different parts of Africa, where there Were millions waiting to hear the messaee of tho Gospel, He was not asking for money or material things,, but for living sacrifices. There were some 1400 or ISOO lepers under the Army's care in Java and neighbouring lands, and so successful had beon tho work of tho Army amongpt them that tho Government had requested the Army to take over the cfire of another 2000 lepors. He had had to reply, however, that he could not take those ffllO peoDle, beoause he had not the officers to work among them, general Booth con. eluded with an urgent appeal to all to seek salvation. OTHER GATHERINGS. General Booth conducted a orivato meetin» for Salvationists only in the Town Hall Concert Chamber yesterday morning. At 11 a.m. a publio meeting was held in tho O'ueen's Theatre, and this was very largely attended. Tho nervine was conducted by Commissioners Litkn.b wnd Hitching. of the General's Btaf? who were supported by a number of 'other officers. An overflow meeting was. also held in the Oueen's Theatre last night, apd was conducted by Commissioners Lamb and Hitching. Genaral Booth spoke at fills meetinc also.