SALVATION ARMY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 183, 1 May 1933, Page 11

SALVATION ARMY

Origin Traced at Special Congress Service

COMMISSIONER'S OUTLINE

"The Origin of the Salvation Army and Early Day Fighting in New Zealand'' formed the subject of an address given by Commissioner Cunningham at the Salvation Army Jubilee Congress service held in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. '.rite gathering was also addressed by the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, and by the Hon. A. Hamilton, who spoke on behalf of the Government. Both paid tribute to the great progress made by an organisation that, In a comparatively short time, bad risen from the initial inspiration of William aud Catherine 800 l it.

Others present iiicluded Mr. Justice Biair, Mr. Calvin M. Hitch, ConsulGeneral for the Uuitcd States of America. Rabbi Solomon Katz, and representatives of .several Government departments and civic organisations. Commissioner Cunningham said it was impossible to give a history of the activities of the Salvation Army without also giving a brief outline of the life of the founder, General William Booth. Few people knew that William Booth's mother was a Jewess, from whom, no doubt, be inherited the business acumen that bad been so valuable to him lit building up the great organisation that had become known as the Salvation Army. Special reference was also made to the wonderful work done by Catherine Booth, who. prompted by a heart that longed to help her fellow citizens, gave lip her entire life t> serve them.

Special mention was made of the early stages of the rescue work w’hicn forms so great a part of the Army's activities. So successful was this branch of the service and so great and important had it grown, that Hie speaker was proud to say 80 per cent, of the girls who passed through Army homes were successful eases.

After describing Hie growth of the organisation in England, and subsequently in the United Slates of Ameriica, the Commissioner turned to Hie activities In New Zealand. The movement. met. with muelt opoositiou at first, he said, and the members were persecuted, for, Mr. Cunuinghnni added, there were many people in those days who wanted neither the Army nor its message. However, (ht> members persevered, and within 12 months they wore operating in KJ large towns. To-day he was proud to say the Army was carryiug on its work in -100 centres, where all members were as busy and as cutbusiastic as ever in their efforts. The social work was also described.

In conclusion, the Commissioner remarked that the Army was doing, up and down the land, a great deal of M’ork for which tiie Government might bo exceedingly generous. (Applause.)

A vote of thanks was moved by Mr. Justice Blair, who said that he Shuddered to think M’liat his work would be were it not for Hie Salvation Army. The motion was seconded by Mr. R. H. Niinmo and carried. During tiie service items were given by the Wellington City Band and the Congress Songsters.