VISIT TO DOMINION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXVI, Issue 25, 28 December 1945, Page 7

VISIT TO DOMINION

MRS GENERAL CARPENTER. One of the outstanding women in the Salvation Army, Mrs General Carpenter, wife of the world's leader of the movement, will visit New Zealand early in the New Year. One who has met women in all parts of the world, Mrs Carpenter has inspired the people with her writings. She is the author of "The Angel Adjutant," dealing with the soul-seeking and soul-winning work of a woman officer in the slums of London, and has written biographies of the pioneers of the Salvation Army, including William Booth, the founder.

Mrs Carpenter was born in England but, when 12 years of age, accompanied her mother to Australia. At the age of 18, in spite of opposition, she dedicated her life to the Salvation Army, and went to be trained in Melbourne. In her early career she and her assistant rode horseback over mountains and through bush country to establish Salvation Army outposts. During the war she undertook the almost superhuman task of organising a force of women who could attend to the great needs of women and children facing continual aerial bombardment in England. Nearly 200 centres of distribution for immediate needs of clothing, bedding, and food were quickly established, and distressed families rehabilitated with supplies placed at Mrs Carpenter's disposal from America, Canada, and Australia, as well as New Zealand.

On the platform, in the council room and office and particularly in organising works of mercy, Mrs Carpenter has known no limit to her efforts. A writer has said of her: She has set an example in leadership and soldiership, on the field, with her pen, and in the office, so that the Kingdom of God could be further bu-ilt up and the Salvation Army go on fulfilling its Divine purpose.