SALTATION ARMY RESCUE HOME.

Evening Star, Issue 10342, 16 June 1897, Page 3

SALTATION ARMY RESCUE HOME.

OPENING CEREMONY. The Rescue Home for Women, whioh the Salvation Army have acquired at Caversham, was formally opened this afternoon by the Hon. W. D." Stewart in the presence of about 150 ladies and gentlemen. Amongst those present were His Worship the Mayor, Dr and Mrs Stephenson, Messrs J. Wilkinson, W. Bull, Burlihaon (Industrial School) and Arch. Barr. The public were assembled on the lawn, and the speakers spoke from a window in the dining room. The opening hymn, 'Jesus, lover of my soul,' having been sung, the Rev. Mr Salter engaged in prayer, after which Brigadier Hoskin briefly introduced the Hon. W. D. Stewart, who was greeted with the hallelujah volley of " Amen." The Hon. W. Downie Stewart said: Officers and friends,—The opening of this institution is an important event, not only in the history of the Army, but also in the history of the colony. Whatever differences of opinion may exist a 9 to the religious side of the Army's work, there is none whatever as to the beneficent results flowing from its social and philanthropic work. While philosopher's are engaged iu endeavoring to explain the snbtleties of the schoolmen and some theologians are occupied in expounding and defending dogmas and creeds ia which there is neither life nor hope the Salvation Army throughout the world is engaged actively in ameliorating the condition of the submerged. Oar great military generals such as Wolseley and Roberts may conquer by the sword and the cannon, but General Booth is conquering mankind by his love for his fellow men, and I think I may fitly describe him as the greatest philanthropist of the century. He has constantly advocated the principle that if you reform the man his surroundings will soon change for the better. He rccogni9cs that whatever wc may have been, or whatever we may yet become, we are at present human, and must be treated with sympathy, humanity, and affection. None of the social institutions of the Army recognise as a qualification for admission to them nationality, creed, or color. >Vhilst our legislators are occupied in attempting to devise means for the bettering of the social condition of the people General Booth and his followers are accomplishing without legislation what all of us desire to see brought about. It is not for me at present to speak of the self-sacrifice and self-denial mani-, fested by the officers and members of the i Salvation Army, but their labors are producing results far beyond the expectation of those not immediately connected with them. The question has been raised whether the work of the Army will survive and prosper after the death* of the General. In my opinion it will. The principles on which the organisation is founded recognise that there is good in every human being, and that what is wanted ia sympathy, encouragement, and assistance to bring that good to the surface. In other words, the Army recognises that "God created man in His own image: in His own image created He him,' and that there is no class iu the community beyond the reach of reformation. The marvellous success which has attended the work of the Army during the comparatively short period it has been in existence shows the applicability of its principles and the adaptability of its methods to mankind. Its work is of an aggressive character, and has taken hold in every part of the world. Seldom, indeed, is it that a great reformer lives, as General Booth has lived, to witness the results of his genius and philanthropy, i 6haU I speak of the thousands—shall I say millions—who have been benefited by the Army ? Few men are better known throughout the world than General Booth. He has not come to the front by mere criticism, but by practical work, and, as I have stated, his sympathy and charity towards his fellow-men are the secret of his success. He has fulfilled Burns's admonition : Then gently scan your brother man, Stilt gentler sister woman; Tho' they may gang a kennin' wraDg, To step aside is human. One point must still be greatly dark, The moving why they do it; And just as lameiy can ye mark How far, perhaps, they rue it. We all know that the members of the Army are always on duty, and I feel certain that the community at large hope that they will continue to prosper and extend their influence under the blessing of God. I have much pleasure in now declaring this institution open. Brigadier Hoskik and the Mayor (Mr H. Gourley) also made a few remarks. Whilst the collection was beir.g taken up, Brigadier Hoskik intimated that he had received from the Hon. Mr Stewart a donation towards the Home of twenty guineas. After the Hon. Mr Stewart had formally opened the fiont door of the Home, the visitors were shown over the premi-es by the officials, and the proceedings shortly after terminated.