SALVATION ARMY SECOND NATIONAL CONGRESS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 75, 30 March 1914, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY SECOND NATIONAL CONGRESS

WEEK-END PROCEEDINGS. The second National Congress of the Salvation Army in New Zealand was continued On Saturday. At i o'clock m the afternoon the tfeilding and Dunedin Salvation Army Brass Bunds were ni^t at Lambton Station by the Wellington City, Wellington South, and Petone Bands, and played through the streets. In the evening a musical festival wus held at the Citadel. SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE. "We aro in for a great revival," said Commissioner Richards in the course of, a vigorous address yesterday morning in\ the Citadel, Vivian-.street. Thn morning meeting was conducted by the Chief Secretary (Lieut. 'Colonel Powley), and the Wellington City, the Wellington South, I'Vikiing, and Dunedin Bands were present. Tho Commissioner based his observations on tho exhortation of the Apo&tlo St. Paul to the Corinthians,. "Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, prove yourselves." When they came to this exarmmkUon, he said, thoy might iiml out tha-t virtues which stood out prominently were no \irtues at all. Zeal might be temper; charity might only bo the desire for (self-glorification ; economy might prove to ue cove*tousnot»; honesty might bo expediency. When they came to examining the fires that were within them they niiglit find that they had burned low! The Conilnififitoner asked them to examine themselves in regard to their love for Jesue. Christ ; was it increasing or decreasing ; strengthening or weakening? That was the most important question he had to put to them that day. Did they imitate Jesus in His tenderness and compassion, for the sick and poor; in His humility ; in all that He did day by day? Were their thoughts worldly thoughts, or did they they concern God and eternity; \v«sre they turned to the blood drops of Gethsomane; were they directed to trie poor souls whom they saw round about them going to perdition, or were they taken up with some trivial things of this world? Those questions were of overwhelming importance, and tho Commissioner emphasised them by insisting that above all things they must aim at the salvation of souls, at the building up of the saints. Here was a wonderful text in the Bible— "Clear of every man's blocd," and he put tho question to each one of them — were

they clear of e\ery man's blood? For over half an hour the Coinmit-fcioner continued to put a series of eeaYclung qviPblion& of a like nature to his audi» encc and to himself, and reminded them that however shattered and broken men and women might be they had souk, and those boulb had to be fcaved. OPEN-AIR DEMONSTRATION. The afternoon demonstration in tha Basin Reserve was very largely attended, some 1200 officers and soldiery being present, while the public were well represented. A platform had been erec'ecT on the steps of the pavilion, and from this various speakers addressed tho pssembjed ciowd. The chief secretary again "conducted the proceedings. Tho Wellington City, the South Wellington, Feilding, and Dunedin bands played a series of selections, and interesting features of the programme wore songs by some mites— boys from the Salvation. Army's Boys' Home, at l£ltham*-and singing by a male choir from Auckland. The speeches were commcrulably brief, and .were characterised by vigour and directness of purpose. Brigadier Bray said that the Army had "put up half a century" and was» going strong to-day. The Salvationist loved a right— -a fight against sin and wickedness. Battla was the spice of life with them. EVENING SERVICE. In the evening His Majesty's Theatra was packed to the doors ; indeed, soino hundreds of people were unable to gain admission. , The Commissioner spoke with accustomed energy, and drove nome his points with a directness and pungency that Went straight to the hearts of' his hearers. He attacked sin in its various aspects, analysed the temptations that beset us, pleaded for fortitude and strength in the day of trial -and .tribulation, and pointed to Christ alone a& the gate to life everlasting. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Tho delegates resumed the consideration of congress business at the_ Citadel this morning, the proceedings being conducted _ in private t ' To-night there will be a, young peole's demonstration in the Cith,del. This should prove a highly interesting function as the Army is giving special attention to the children, and, the boys and girls from the institution's admirable organisations will show to an interested public something they are taught to fit ,them, irom a physical point of view to fight the battle of life.

> Fop children's hacking cough at night, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d, 2s 6d.-AdYt.

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