Salvation Army Leader's Visit— GENERAL ORSBORN SAYS HE IS “NOT PESSIMISTIC” ABOUT WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 March 1950, Page 3

Salvation Army Leader's Visit— GENERAL ORSBORN SAYS HE IS “NOT PESSIMISTIC” ABOUT WAR

There was a nervousness and apprehension more pronounced in the West than in Britain and the European countries, but it was his impression that there was no fear of another outcrop of armed conflict, stated General Albert Orsborn, international leader of the Salvation Army, when he addressed a meeting in the Wesley Hall, Greymouth, last evening. A forceful speaker, General Orsborn claimed the attention of the large audience, interspersing his address with humorous accounts of his experiences in various parts of the world. General Orsborn, accompanied by Mrs Orsborn, arrived in Greymouth

yesterday afternoon from Nelson, during the course of a Dominion tour, and left by private car this morning for Temuka.

The Salvation Army was conduct-

ing a campaign to save the souls of men, said General Orsborn in his opening remarks. He had visited Africa, North and South Rhodesia, South Africa, Canada, America, the Continent, India, Pakistan and Cey-

lon and in all countries he had been received by statesmen and by millions of the common people. “Another Chapter” “We have seen the crowd —the

teeming millions,” he added, “and in coming to the West Coast I have added another chapter to the long chapters of my experiences. We are not divided and we are no more at loggerheads with other churches than are members of a strong family. We prefer our religion like strong tea, hot and sweet, but others like it a little cooler.” ■

After relating some of his experiences in England, General Orsborn said that he brought greetings from the Old Country and assured the meeting that there was no need for them to hold fear for Britain. “The bombs have shattered our churches but they have not shattered the spirit of the people nor have they broken their hearts,” he said. “England is in a transitory period and it is no wonder after having been caught in two world wars. She has gone through many troubles—the horror of bombing and the shocking horror of the aftermath of war. A mood of carelessness has come over

the people, but do not think that the young people have gone astray. The majority of them are as strong and as sound and as good as their fathers and their forefathers. They are gay and insurgent, they are flying a rebellious flag, they criticise their fathers, but I see many signs to encourage us.

“Blood In The Sky”

“Delinquency? Yes, but what about the delinquent parents? I am not disposed to be too critical of the young people. They were born in a period when there was blood in the sky—between two world wars—and their heritage was snatched and cast into

the terrible holocaust of war. Therefore, I am not too critical.” Britain had many difficulties—production, employment and finance to mention a few —but he would like to see a change in religions in Britain, General Orsborn stated. For many years the Salvation Army had been fighting a rearguard action to hold on to what it had, but now it was on the up grade. More people were being converted into the faith and 47 per cent, of those who had been converted had become soldiers of the Army. Though more people were giving more to the Salvation Army than ever before, General Orsborn said that it had been necessary to call on the reserve funds to cover the times of depression and retrogression. He

- referred to the work being carried' 3 out in China where inflation was ■ rampant, in Japan where the Salva- - tion Army had been wiped out by one • stroke of the military sword, in Ih- - dia where of the 3000 officers only 169 • were Europeans, and in Korea where , the Army was doing good work in the i area south of the 38th parallel. “Not Pessimistic” “This international man is not i simistic,” General Orsborn concluded. • “I have been to America, Canada and ; the European countries. I have talked ; with President Truman, the leaders of France and Finland, the leaders in r West Germany, the'Kings of Sweden I and Norway, and the Queen of Hol- , 'Hand. There is a nervousness and apprehension more pronounced in the ' West than in Britain and the European countries but it is my firm, impression that there is no fear of another outcrop of armed conflict because the people of the world believe in Christianity. Are you in earnest about this world? Are you in earnest

about Christianity? If you are, start now to' put those beliefs into practice.” WELCOME EXTENDED | BY THE MAYOR I The Salvation Army had commanded his respect and regard all his life i and it was quite correct to say that ; he had expressed his pleasure at the i : opportunity of attending the meeting, j ’ stated the Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge ■ I when he extended a welcome to Gen- • i eral Orsborn, international leader of | 1 the Salvation Army, and Mrs Orsborn at the Wesley Hall last evening. ■ There was an attendance of approxi- , mately 175 at the meeting, which | lasted for more than two hours. i Greymouth was proud to have the opportunity of extending a welcome to the head of the Salvation Army, which had its origin, not in the dim and distant past, but within living memory, said the Mayor. In that short ' period it had developed from the idea ! of one man into a worldwide organi isation, expending relief and religion i to many thousands of people. ! After tracing the history of the 1 Salvation Army, Mr Boustridge said that the watchwords of the Army were “Free salvation for all” and “Holiness.” He would like to add a third. After referring to the relief work done by the Army for soldiers coming out of the front line during the First World War, the Mayor said this: “It is not much good talking religion to men unless their stomachs are full.” In closing, the Mayor said: “On be- / half of the citizens of Greymouth, I extend to you and Mrs Orsborn a warm welcome to the West Coast, and I sincerely trust that you will continue to have outstanding success in the work for which you- have sacrificed your life.” Mr F. B. Marshall, minister of the Church of Christ, expressed the pleasure it gave him to represent the other ministers and churches and extended a welcome on their behalf.