Hereditary Dynasty for Salvation Army

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 10

Hereditary Dynasty for Salvation Army

QUESTION AT ISSUE. LONDON, Nov. 22. A recent bulletin states that General Bramwell Booth, head of tho Salvation Army, “is not yet out of danger,’' although real progress has been made. His long illness seems to have revived a controversy. He was named as the head of the Army in a secret document left by the late General Booth, and it is believed that he has in the same way nominated his successor. Many important leaders of the movement are opposed to this hereditary principle.. A meeting of the High. Council—the first during the Amy’s 63 years r.f existence—has been called to consider whether General Bramwell Booth is physically fit to continue as head of the Army and whether his long absence from wofk has rendered the office ya cant. Since discussion arose on the question, Mrs. Bramwell Booth has issued a statenient appealing to officers in all parts of the world to avoid dissension and to adhere to the principles of the Army as laid down by its founder, William Booth. A New York corresr pondent states that a reply to this was formulated at a conference offloading officers of the American branch of the Army. American Statement. In this reply it is said that the inference Mrs Bramwell Booth appears to make in her cable to the High Council members is uncalled for. The statement continues:— “What are the facts? He appeared at the stone-laying of the Memorial College, Denmark Hill, London, in May. That was his last public engagement. Since then he has been able to sign only legal documents at rare intervals, and has been utterly nnablo to direct the international affairs of the Army. For some weeks even the slightest attention to affairs has been beyond his powers, and his medical advisers absolutely forbade that any business whatever should be brought before him or that anyone should see him except his wife and family. Work Held Up. “During this long period—seven months—matters of world-wide importance to the Army, with its 23,000 officers in S 3 different countries and colonies, have under the present constitution been held up in consequence of the General’s sole trusteeship and absolute control. “The result ha 3 been a serious slowing down of the activities of the organisation, although under the vigorous leadership of Commander Evangeline Booth America has been the least affected. “Love and respect for the General, inspired by his indefatigablo labours, have caused the high officers nearest to the heart of the problem to stay their hand from any action that might possibly bo construed into an overt act against either the General, personally, or his office. With tho issuance of the doctors’ bulletin on November 2—tho first official intimation cf the gravity of the General’s health —the situation as it affected the future stability of the Army was ■hanged. Amendment to Trust Deed. “A crisis arose, therefore, whictkde-

manded the interposition of the members of the High Council, who ore equally responsible under certain conditions definitely specified in the 1904 amendment to tho Foundation Trust Deed for the government of the Army, and it is lamentable that there should be introduced a dissentient note into what was and is, and ought to be, nothing but a sympathetic and laudable desire to preserve intact the gigantic fabric created by William Booth.

“It is not- correct that the High .Council is called to depose the General. The council meets as a .purely judicial body to determine tho physical” fitness or otherwise of Bramwell Booth to longer carry on the anlous and responsible . duties pertaining to his high office. Should the council determine after..careful review of the whole situ ation that the General is unablo to continue as chief of tho. executive, it must, proceed in accordance with it 3 obligations as laid down in the constitution to the election of a successor to that high office.’’