SALVATION ARMY

Evening Star, Issue 22618, 9 April 1937, Page 14

SALVATION ARMY

DIVISIONAL CONGRESS OPENED DELEGATES WELCOMED Instead of holding a conference in Wellington this year the Salvation Army is conducting divisional congress gatherings in each of the four main centres; The first of these was opened last night-in the Dowling Street Fortress, when a public welcome was accorded to the visiting delegates. Lieu-tenant-commissioner and Mrs F. Adams, territorial leaders in command of the Salvation Army, were present. Brigadier Gray, divisional _ commander, spoke of the pleasure it gave him to welcome Lieutenant-commis-sioner and Mrs Adams to the congress and to the city of Dunedin. He was glad that it had been decided to hold a congress in Dunedin, and he looked forward with great optimism to a very successful congress. When it was over, he felt that the visiting officers and soldiers would return to their various centres with a greater incentive to carry on. Lieutenant-commissioner Adams, in reply, said he greatly appreciated the welcome that had been extended him, and expressed his pleasure at being able to command the congress. He was proud to introduce his wife, and the various territorial, divisional, and field officers supporting him. He felt that their words would be listened to keenly and with understanding. It had always been a matter for genuine regret that Dunedin had not _ been favoured with a visit from their beloved General Evangeline Booth when she was in New Zealand. It had been a great - thrill for those in the north to see and hear her, and it gave him pleasure to quote the words of one Fleet street journalist: “I am not sure if General Evangeline Booth is not the greatest woman in the world.” The speaker went on to say that he predicted in 1936 that Commissioner Jeffries would conduct the congress, hut on his way to New Zealand the Lord called. “ Commissioner Jeffries was a great leader, fearless and courageous, and anxious all the time to work for the Army, for which he gave the whole of his life. The Army is the poorer for his passing.” Commissioner Jeffries’s place had been taken by. Commissioner Turner, who, though physically weakened through years of service, had given of his best. Commissioner Adams said that when he came to consider the congress for 1937 it occurred to him that it might he more advantageous to hold divisional congress gatherings in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Thej enthusiastic approval that greeted his suggestion gratified him. It then 'seemed only right and proper that the first of such services should be held in Dunedin. For it was in Dunedin, and almost on the very spot on which the fortress now stood, that the first gathering of the Salvation Army' had been held in New Zealand —an inspiring, uplifting, and spiritualistic gathering. In conclusion, he hoped that they were still the same Salvation Army as of old—filled with the same fine determination and, zeal. He was confident the congress would be one of the most successful yet held. Treasurer Brown, on behalf of the local soldiers, extended a cordial welcome to the delegates. He said that the congress was being held as near as possible to April 1, on which date, 54 years ago, the voice of the Army had first been heard in New Zealand. Message of welcome were also offered by Adjutant Fletcher, matron of the Industrial Home, and Chief-secre-tary Gratton. Major Briggs, on behalf of the visitors, expressed his appreciation of the addresses of welcome that had been delivered. The congress will be continued until Tuesday next.