THE SALVATION ARMY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9139, 11 July 1906, Page 7

THE SALVATION ARMY.

In the " Oddfellows' Hall bn Tuesday night the annual effort was made in aid' of the social work of the Salvation Army. There was a good attendance. The Hawera Borough Eand opened the meeting with a ■'•election, after which the hymn". "Bringing in the Sheaves," was sung Prayers soliciting the Almighty's blessing on the meeting were said, and Messrs Robbins and Halliwell, who were on th« platform, were " then introduced to the meeting by Ensign Aslin.

Mr Bobbins, in touching briefly on Army matters, said that while it was difficult to comprehend the amount of iniquity in the larger contres of Australasia, one- of the finest organisations in coping with it waj the Salvation Army. The Army in uplifting fallen ones were acting in the interests of society and relieving the tax upon the country's finances, and so were deserving of consideration and support. But there was a higher aim, which all could appreciate. He spoke of the Army Homes and the tremendous good done among prisoners by the Army workers Another item was then given by the Band, followed by a solo by Mrs Berry.

Adjutant McLure then addressed the meeting on a subject which, he said, was very near to. his heart. Some people, he said, had the idea that those to be found in the Homes were only those who had always been "down on their uppers" or in the lowest social scale. This was not so, and ho quoted instances of people previous ly in good positions who were found in the Homes. He wasi pleaaed'to say that the Army officers attended the Courts, and thus many people were £aken into the Homes instead of being sent to gaol. He pointed out that when taken into a Home it was not necessary for the inmate to join the Army. He quoted a long list of figures showing the great extent of the work. The work was not done in the cities only, but also in the smaller place 3 and even in the back-blocks — wherever there was a sonl to save. From Hawera four people had been sent to the Maternity Home and assisted. Their home for youtihs was taking the place of the Reformatories, which the boys dreaded. He concluded by recounting cases of reforms and inviting the audience to interest themselves in the Army work.

The musical programme was proceeded with. Lieut. Smith gave a vocal solo, and the Band a further selection.

A collection was then taken up in aid of the rescue work, this being followed by a short address by Mr HalKwell, who said the Army were doing a work which the churches could not cope with. He thought the success of the Army ■ lay in tihe sympathy shown to those who fell and went to their Homes — they did not treat them as though they were lihe dirt of theworld, but cultivated the very best impulses in them and encouraged them to Cherish a desire to aim higher.

Ensign Aslin (in charge of the work in Hawera) thanked all who had assisted She stated that two guineas had been the amount of the collection.

The Doxology concluded the meeting.