The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 1907. FOR GOD AND HUMANITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2197, 28 September 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 1907. FOR GOD AND HUMANITY.

Olio of the happiest schemes ever hit uiion by “the Grand Old Man” of the Salvation Army for the collection of funds to carry on itlio splendid work of that remarkable organisation was tho institution of Self-De-nial week. It is founded on tlio highest liuniaiiitarian instincts and has, moreover, the imprimatur of that great Teacher who laid down for all time tlio axiom, “It is inoro blessed to give than to receive.” General Booth, however, did not depend solely upon Divine approval in choosing this means for augmenting tho funds of the Army but showed his recognition of tho fact that it is, after all, tho poor who help tho poor. AVliilst those who have succeeded in amassing riches do, in many cased, contribute liberally to philanthropic causes it is nevertheless truo, that the sufferings of tho submerged tenth depend chiefly for their amelioration upon the self-sacrificing efforts of thoso who are only a degree moro fortunate in regard to the possession of worldjy goods. How to utilise this latent instinot for good and by organisation attain its maximum benefits is the object of Self-Denial week. During tho seven days that are covered by this special campaign all Army soldiers as well as sympathisers are invited to deny themselves of some enjoyment and donate the amount thereby saved to the SelfDenial fund, it is striking proof of tho inherent goodness in human nature that the request has been generously complied with and last year no less a sum than £30,000 was collected in Australasia alone. A still moro satisfactory feature is the fact that of this amount the greatest proportion came from the working classes, so that every sixpence collected undoubtedly represented an act of sacrifice on tho part of tho donor. One man puts his beloved pipe on the shelf for a week, another foregoes his pint of beer, women not having the opportunity to make a saving in these directions, have deprived themselves of butter and sugar for a week whilst children have become so imbued with tile .prevailing spirit of self sacrifice that they have given the amount proposed to be expended upon a doll to the fund. Such actions have an enabling and uplifting influence, enriching the givers morally and spiritually, and in encouraging these attributes the Army undoubtedly does excellent work.

The other standpoint concerns the disposal of the money so collected. There was a time when tlio constant begging appeals of the Army were viewed with suspicion by a largo section of the people but that time has long since past. No one claims that General Booth’s adherents are tho only members of religious organisations which aro achieving practical results in tlio uplifting of humanity, but it is contended with justice ■that tho Army’s methods aro such, that they aro effective with a class that would in all probability not be reached by tho ordinary operations of other religious bodies. To the matter in a nutshell, they specialise in slum work and in ministering to the poor with the result that their efforts amongst this section of the community have become wonderfully productive. Nowadays,instead of the scorn that used to bo heaped upon tho Salvationist tho Army uniform is treated with respect in most parts and tho head of tlio great organisation has been heard to exclaim on moro than ono occasion that ho fears it may becoino “too respectable.” However, .the future may well bo permitted to take caro of itself, and it is eminently satisfactory that at tho present time tlio work of tlio Army is not being allowed to suffer for tack of funds. Last year Self-Den-ial week found Gisborne folks in a generous spirit and the substantial sum of £4lO was collected locally in tlio seven days. This was tlio largest amount per capita collected in the colony, a.nd as tlio Army officials take full advantage of the spirit of emulation they aro desirous of again attaining a similar distinction. A sal 0 of work is being held at the Barracks where a plentiful array of goods aro on offer and a capital series of musical programmes has been arranged for every might of the week. The noble work to which the funds are devoted as well as tho worthy manner in which tho appeal is being urged should bo sufficient warranty for liberal support.

GISBOBNE DEBATING SOCIETY. On Monday evening the present session of the Gisborne Debating Society will bo brought to a close with an entertainment that should draw a largo attendance. The local Society, though possibly not attaining to the full the ideals of its promoters as an educative organisation, Inis, nevertheless, thoroughly justified its existence. Its syllabus has included several subjects of importance that have been discussed with profit to the participants and also to the audiences. On those occasions when the evening was devoted purely and sole-

ly to amusomont, as on tho ovoning of “Tho Breach of Promiso Case,” members p roved thomsolvcs to bo very capable entertainers, and thoro is every rcuson to believe that an equally attractive bill of faro will bo provided on Monday night. However, it must not bo forgotten that tlio chief rolo of such a (Society should be education rather than entertainment, and it is from this standpoint that it chiefly desorves common elation. Tho great philosopher, Thomas Carlyle, fifty years ago hurled tho full force of his withering sarcusm at tlio stump orator, whose vory ignorance it was that permitted him to mount a barrel or “soino other ready elevation” and roar out lustily to thoso who would gather round and listen. The listenera, declared CarlylOj were really tho wiser, for they had some inkling of their own ignorance. The point made by tho old Seer of Chelsea that tho necessity is not so much to bo able to say something as to have something which it is worth while to say is of course absolutely sound, yet it cau bo said with equal force that thoro' is many a man to whom has boon given what Carlyle termed “the God-given message,” whoso faultiness of speech prevents him delivering it. This is precisely whero tho utility of a first-class Debating Society is shown. Members are enabled by example and practice to overcome tho diffidence which is a real affliction to many, and, almost unconsciously, they acquiro the Dibit of being able to shape their thoughts in easy and graceful English under any circumstances. Not only that, but a debate in which tho principals havo thoroughly prop a red tlheir respeotivo parts provides a quantity of useful information to an attentive listener that could only bo gained otherwise by a long course of study. It is to be hoped that the local Society will have a successful termination to the present session, and that next winter it will continue the vory useful part it is taking in tho community.