SELF DENIAL

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4432, 5 September 1939, Page 5

SELF DENIAL

Soon the people of New Zealand will be seeing the familiar figures of Salvationists moving from door to

I door. Some will wonder what they are doing, but many will know that the Salvation Array is again seeking the aid of their many friends through the Self-Denial Appeal, which is made each year during the months of September and October. During this a poeal Salvationists of all ranks work strenuously and self-sacrific-ingly to raise money that the (Salvation Army may continue with its great humanitarian work. To many of the people whom the Salvationists call upon, the Self-Denial Appeal, means nothing more than a time when they are asked to give, even although they know and appreciate the work that the Army does, and by their generosity they show their confidence in it. When one realises that not 2% of the inmates of the Army Homes are Salvationist, but that the 98°/o are drawn from all the known churches, and creeds', and races of man. I have known Greeks, Negroes, Indians, Russians, men from all parts of the British Empire, Chinese, and many other races represented in the ' Array Home and all these represent all kinds of beliefs in God. Yes, truly the Salvation Army can be said to be international, and interdenominational when it comes to dealing with the needs, spiritual or material, of the people who come to it for assistance. No one is turned away, but all are helped according to their need. Even in a small country like New Zealand The Salvation Army has a large social service, which ranks above even the work of Hie Hospital Boards. It has 8 childrens’ homes, 5 aged ladies’ home®, I aged men’s home, 7 maternity hospitals*, 3 prison gate, or industrial homes*, 4 Work' men’s Hostels, 4 Samaritan depots, where food, clothing, etc., are distributed, 3 rescue, home® for women (another Rescue Home is* combined with an Aged Ladies’ Home!), 2 Inebriate Islands, thus making a total of 37 institutions', which depend largely on the Self-Denial Appeal for their maintenance. During the month of May this year at the Buckle St. Men’s Home, Wellington, 5.178 meals were supplied of which 1.629 were free, while the remainder were at a small cost. This was for (me home during one month, therefore on© can get a little idea of the immense cost to upkeep' the other institutions for the whole year. Then again The Salvation Army does not only work locally but has* a definite, practical missionary outlook. New Zealand has sent many fine officers to the missionary fleldsf of India, South Africa. China, Japan, and many other countries. A few years ago the Army sent an Officer to the Devil’s Island, well known as the French Prison Colony, and his report which was published in book form created such agitation in Francethat since then the French Partial ment has passed a bill to do away with it

Then a sain at the outbreak of war in China, the Chinese Government a«ked the Salvation Army to take charge of over I >O,OOO women and children. The only assistance that the Army received was 3 universities to house them in.

To continue this humanitarian work the Army depends on its friends who contribute to the Self-Denial Appeal. Salvationists! themselves give very liberally to tlie Self-Denial, as -wel.lt as do the work in connection with the collecting from friends. You do not know what your donation to SelfDenial may do. It may go- to give some little girl, or boy a moa\, ai garment, shelter and education, and a chance iu life,. or it might go to give comfort to some- aged man or woman who to-day is friendless, thus cheering ..their remaining days. It may go to helping some young man or woman to take a new lease of life after their period in prison. Then again it may bo used to buy medical instruments' for some of the many hospitals, that The Salvation Army operates in New Zealand, as well as in India and other countries, tbusi relieving the pain and suffering of some unfortunate who lias.’ not the means of paying for thisi attention. Also it might bring cheer to some, of the inmates of the Army Leper Colonies, where self-sacrificing officers minister to the need of tliesei poor folk. Your opportunity of sharing in this great work come® when) the Salvation Army officer calls on you seeking your aid, as. he goes his rounds, from door to. door collecting, not for himself., hut for, the many who wi’l benefit unknown, to him. personally, for Self-Denial Appeal. Without your aid the work of the Army would be. very small, and it would not be able to assist the count,less thousands who come- to it for help in their time of distress. So once again the Salvation Army, known the world over as the Army of the Helping Hand, solicits, your help that it may continue to help others.