'Army' Wants £1,000.

Evening Star, Issue 26155, 17 July 1947, Page 6

'Army' Wants £I,OOO.

Just short of a century ago a man of 20 went to London from Nottingham to work in a pawnbroker’s shop. He hated the business, but was obliged to continue at it, for a time through the necessity for sending money home. Five years earlier this young man had undergone the experience of religious conversion and had become a revivalist preacher. The flame of his zeal continued to burn brightly in London, where he married , and became -a regular. preacher of the Methodist New Connection. After nine years he broke loose from the Connection and began a career as an independent revivalist, preaching in the streets, in music halls,- in tents—in fact, wherever he could. hope to make converts. The Christian Mission which this man had founded in 1865 was reorganised in 1878 on a quasimilitary basis, and in* 1880 it be-, came definitely known as the Salvation Army, with this man, William Booth, as General. Booth’s humble mission, begun in the streets of Whitechapel) has become a mighty, world-wide- organisation since then. It's early members suffered scorn, opposition, and even physical To-day, it is safe to. say, ' no body of Christian workers is held in higher community respect. New Zealand, like many other countries, knows well the type of practical, cheerful Christian gospel preached by the Salvation Army. Booth himself was moved by a great pity for the outcast, and the organisation he founded has always kept that aspect of its work to, the fore. Homes for the aged, homes for children, homes for wayward girls, homes for older men and women who have been casualties in the' battle of life, farm schools for the instruction of boys—these are but a few of the Army’s activities which engage the whole-time attention of its 600 men and women officers in New Zealand. Doctors, nurses, teachers, evangelists Salvation Army officers are all these. To-morrow the - people of Dunedin will, have. the opportunity to record practical appreciation of the work'of the Salvation Army. The annual street day will be held then and the target is £I,OOO. It is a modest goal when the widespread activities of the Army are considered. Indeed, there can be no doubt that the Army could spend wisely an amount much greater and still find an unsatisfied peed. It is earnestly to be hoped that Dunedin to-morrow will subscribe at least £i,ooo. . *