SALVATION ARMY

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 74, 22 February 1930, Page 2

SALVATION ARMY

NEW OFFICERS WELCOMED. A- very cordial welcome was extended to Ensign and Mrs Sydney Bridge, the newly-appointed corps officers of the Salvation Army, in Palmerston North, who are replacing Lieut.-Gooday, who goes to the M'eilington city corps next week. The gathering took place in the citadel on Thursday evening, the Mayor, Mr A. J. Graham, representing the townspeople, and Rev. C. G. H. Bycrott, tho Council of Christian Congregations. There was a large attendance and an interesting programme of music by band and songsters, speech-making and tho singing of hymns and choruses was gone through. Tho proceedings were led by Lieut.-Colonel Carmichael, divisional commander. Lieut.-Colonel Carmichael said lie hoped that the Ensign and liis lady would realise that they were among kindred spirits hero and that their work would be an inspiration to all with whom they were associated. The Palmerston North corps had the right to rank with any irt tho Dominion and its importance had been recognised in the selection of the two new officers to servo it. Ensign Bridge would find many opportunities for co-operation with the Christian churches, whose representative, Rev. Mr Bycroft, as well as the Mayor, lie was pleased to see present. The Army, ho said, did not claim a monopoly ; it believed that the real source of strength was unity and great progress could be made in the town in the promotion of all that was best in tho people. Mr Graham said it was a great pleasure to him to extend a welcome to the new officers. The occasion also afforded him an opportunity of expressing his appreciation of the excellent work of the Army in Palmerston North. By virtue of his office, he said, he came in contact with a great many people, and, particularly in regard to the work of relieving distress, he could appreciate the services of tho Salvation Army to him in his official capacity. Continuing, Mr Graham said lie thought it fitting that the people of the town should set their seal in the work being done by the _ Christian churches, and by a great institution such as the Salvation Army as a branch of the Christian church. “I yield to no one,” he said, ‘‘in my admiration of such work; probably no work can equal it.” The Army was probably not so orthodox or conservative as tho other branches of the Christian church; it went out among the people to carry tho Gospel to them and he thought they were on quite the right lines. Of Ensign and Mrs Bridge, Mr Graham said he had heard nothing but good. Their career had been very distinguished, covering work in M’ellington, Aucklanl, Dunedin, Christchurch and other places and they had evidently been marked out for recognition. It was clear that tile Commissioner had recognised that Palmerston North is an important city. “I do not want you to think, however, that Palmerston North is so much in need of the Gospel that they should send us their best preachers. We are a law-abiding people and closely associated with everything for the promotion of good citizenship. But there are opportunities for work by Ensign and Mrs Bridge and no doubt in their own way they will create a stimulus that mil encourage everyone to work on the true and right lines ” The two officers were coming to Palmerston North with a great mission as preachers ot the Gospel. There was need for the Gospel to be spread far and near and no one realised that more than he (Mr Graham) did. There was need for an awakening and if Ensign Bridge could awaken the people of Palmerston North to a more complete realisation of their duties he would have done his work well. Mr Graham reiterated his welcome on behalf of the people of Palmerston North to the new corps officers and wished them a pleasant residence here. He incidentally eulogised the splendid playing of the band and the singing of the songsters. . . , Rev C. G. H. Bycroft apologised for the absence of the president of the Council of Christian Congregations, Rev J. D. McArthur, and after a bright and humorous address, extended on his own behalf and on behalf of the council, a very warm welcome to the new officers. It was a matter ot pride to him that Ensign Bridges was an ex-Congregationahst, and there was a double pleasure in that they were neighbours. Representatives of the various branches of the Army’s activities, such as young people’s work, home league, etc., individually added their felicitations after which Lieut.-Colonel Carmichael installed Ensign Bridge in chnrge of the corps. Ensign Bridge then gave an eloquent aldress, outlining tho chief milestones of his career in the Army, and returned thanks for the affectionate which he and MrS Bridge had been It may be mentioned that Lieut— Colonel Carmichael was the officer who first enrolled Ensign and Mrs Bridge ns Salvationists, over a decade ago.