INTERVIEW REFUSED

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 11

INTERVIEW REFUSED

GENERAL BOOTH AND SISTER “WILL YOU NOT NOW LEAVE HIM IN PEACE?” (Australian Press Assn. —United service.) London, February 25. “Although you refused my repeated requests to see Bramwell, now that the stretch of three thousand miles of sea is before me, with all the uncertainties time brings, I cannot refrain from •another plea, which surely you will not deny,” wrote Commander Evangeline Booth, addressing the General’s wife. The correspondence was published on the eve of Evangeline’s return to America. She adds: “Whether Bramwell is worse or better, whether he is conscious or unconscious, whether he is willing or unwilling to see me, his serious condition of health, coupled with our flesh-and-blood relationship, and my heart’s unfaltering love —this is my indisputable claim. If he recovers I am confident that he will be pleased that I did not go home without a few words together. If he does not recover, how can he meet our father and mother in Heaven, if he refused to see me, if only to kiss good-bye and pray together? If you are not consulting Bramwell in the matter, I must askyou to consider the gravity of the responsibility yo.u are assuming.” Mrs. Booth replied, enclosing a doctor’s letter of February 22, adding: “Dr. Milne is most emphatic that it is absolutely necessary to prevent any disquieting business or interviews. You must surely realise how painful an interview would be for Bramwell. He is in deep sorrow and greatly anxious concerning the welfare of our beloved Salvation Army. For the time being, at any rate, you have attained your end. Will you not now leave him in peace?” Evangeline replied inquiring whether the General knew of her request, and whether Dr. Milne had seen her letter, adding: “It is only fair that Dr. Milne should know, because I am positively mystified as to how he could refer to my desire to put a kiss on my brother’s face as a business interview. I have not yet been told that Bramwell has refused to see me. Indeed, I have heard several times to the contrary. I leave the matter in the hands of the Great Shepherd, Who unerringly protects His flock, and is also the Judge of all on earth.”