WORK IN LONDON SLUMS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 3

WORK IN LONDON SLUMS

Staff-Captain Davies, the newiy-appoint-ed women's side officer at the Salvation Army Training College, gave an address on "Seven Years in the London Slums" iv the Vivian Street Citadel yesterday afternoon, the service being one of those held in connection with the Army Harvest Thanksgiving gatherings. ■ There was a large attendance. Mr. Dunbar Sloan presided, and quoted an extract from the book: "God in the Shims," written by Mr. Redwood, a London journalist, which he recommended his hearers to read if they desired to know what the Salvatiqn Army was doing among the very poor. The qualifications of a slum officer are set forth as follows in this book: — "A slum officer is expected to be abls to conduct meetings, whether indoors or in the uproar of a swarming street. Thin presupposes an ability to. sing (generally without accompaniment and above all kinds of noise), and to deliver a simple address —the slum people will not listen to any other. She must be able _to teach undisciplined children many things. "She must be able to assume the leadership and control of those who need it, and to act as friend, general counseller, and peacemaker. And she must know how to stop a fight wisely. "First aid, home nursing, control of soup kitchens, and a working knowledge of the law in relation to poor relief, housing, and pensions, were other matters which came within the scope of the slum, worker. Another large congregation filled the Citadel at the evening meeting. The staffcaptain conducted the service, assisted by a number of cadets. Her topic was "Gardens," and she drew some striking spiritual lessons from events in the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the gardcu where was the sepulchre of our Lord. In response to the appeal for people to decide for Christ, a number came forward. A programme of music and song will b8 given in the Citadel to-night, to mark the close of the series of Harvest Thanksgiving services. At the conclusion of the programme, a quantity of fruit and vegetables will be auctioned.