SALVATION ARMY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 175, 20 April 1929, Page 11

SALVATION ARMY

Sir,—l notice by yout paper that Commissioner Hay has just recently returned to Wellington from his mission to London as a member of the High Council of the Salvation Army, over which he presided. This week he has been holding centenary celebrations in honour of General William Booth, founder of that great organisation. In view of the recent action of the High’ Council in deposing General Bramwell Booth, whom the founder appointed as his successor, I am forced to ponder over these celebrations. I will ask you, Sir, to publish a few paragraphs, being extracts from the government of the Army by General V ilham Booth: — , . ... (1) According to the provisions of the foundation deed, the Salvation Army must always be under the command of some one person who shall be known as the General. . , (2) The General must, in harmony with the foundation deed of the Army, appoint his own successor —each successive General having power to do the same. ... (3) The General for the time being is likely to be better able to select the most suitable officer for his successor, it being self-evident that he will have a more extensive knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of the position, and of the capacities of his officers, than any other man can possibly acquire. (4) It is provided by a deed poll, enrolled in the High Court of Justice, that the General shall deposit with the solicitors of the Army for the time being, in a sealed envelope, the name -of the individual he elects and decides upon to be, at his decease, General in his stead. (5) It is also provided that all successive Generals shall, immediately upon entering on the discharge of their duties and office, do the same. The High Council have violated every paragraph of this wonderful construction by the founder. —I am, etc., * O. SAVUS. Patea, April 16.