COMMISSIONER HAY ON RECENT HISTORY OF SALVATION ARMY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6902, 7 May 1929, Page 8

COMMISSIONER HAY ON RECENT HISTORY OF SALVATION ARMY

Change Imperative

PRESENT POSITION IS MOST SATISFACTORY

GREATER PROGRESS IN FUTURE,

Commissioner James Hay, 0.8. E., who has recently returned from England, where he presided over the lligh Council of the Salvation Army in its [ deliberations on the question of the * Army leadership, gave a most interesting and lucid address last evening on the events which took place at the council and prophesied an even more wonderful record for the Army in the future than it has had in the past. After concluding his address, the Commissioner, in a final word, made it quite clear that there was no possible chance of General Bramwell Booth being'' able to resume control and even If he were, the legal arrangement would prevent him. The Commissioner further stated that throughout the aged General had been treated with every kindness and consideration.

The Mayor (Mr. A. J. Graham) presided over a large-attendance of Salvationists and the general public. Mr. Graham expressed his appreciation of the honour given him in presiding over the gathering. The speaker paid a tribute to the work of the Army and said the Army in New Zealand had been honoured by the fact that Commissioner Hay had been elected to the chairmanship of the High Council in England. On behalf of the citizens of Palmerston North, he ex tended a welcome to Commissioner and Mrs. Hay.

World-Wide Curiosity. Tho Commissioner, in opening his address, stated that there was a worldwide , curiosity concerning the Army. The attendance betrayed that interest. The record of the Army in tho 64 years of its existence was a truly great and striking one. A record unique when compared with other religious bodies, particularly in the fact that the Army was really, international. There were millions in the world who were interested in the recent doings of the Army. The Commissioner traversed the change in the Army ’3 reception between 18S3, when he joined, and the present day. The Army now was in a -position to do more, if it kept on the right track, than it had done in the last 64' years.

After* describing the summoning of the High Council to London, the speaker mentioned the requirements for the position of president of the council. No one there had more respect for General Booth than the speaker, who had worked with him for 14 years on end. , The problems which caused the summoning of the council were given. They had a sick General and Army affairs in SS countries were drifting to confusion. The matter had to be dealt with without sentiment. The eouncil, in working out its course, had to think of the origin of tho Army and tho inspiration given it by their great founder, William Booth.

The Booth family had all through done great work while Commander Evangeline Booth was the most brilliant worker they had ever had. Yet there were commissioners working all over the world who had with God’s inspiration, done work which was not known.

No Schism In Army.

It was no new experience for a religion to have a change in its govern ment. There was no split, there was no schism. The suggestion that the Army in America would be separated was stated by the speaker to be nttei rubbish.

Commissioner Hay stated that tho high Army officers were unable to get any detaiis of General Booth’s illness. It was unthinkable that he be allowed to carry on when ho was unable to understand what tho Army was doing. It would not have been right to leave the General in charge through sentiment and risk the whole organisation. The risk of the trustee position was perilous and on that score alone, things had to be altered. No one could decide the position and put the Army safe in the eyes of the law and of its people. Tile highest people in England were of the opinion that the General should retire. The matter was decided after five weeks’ discussion, and when it had been looked ’at from every angle and it was a 50 to seven majority of tho council that decided that the Genera! be asked to retire. It 'was a painful duty and it was unfortunate that the aged man did not go into an honourable retirement.

Change for Progress. It Mas accordingly decided to have a legal opinion on the question, M-hen it jwus found that the High Council could take over the command. This was after the General’s supporters had endeavoured and failed to secure an injunction 1 restraining-the council from acting. The position Mas most satisfactory | now and all the trust transfers would ' be completed shortly. I There m-us profound feeling M-hen by a vote of 552 to five, tho council decided that the old General should retire. The council had further decided ihat there would be no further dynasties in tho Army and that the position of General shculd be elective. The Army would still be true to its original inspiration—tho Scriptures, v,"arm-hearted evangelism, doctrine and service. The Army would still be found among the poor and the lowly. The education and training of officers would be improved; there would be finer men and women and-the noted longevity of Army workers would extend. And most important, it would be a well founded Army, as a private Act of Parliament was being prepared to settle the legal constitution. No matter how the Army progressed, it would always cherish tho Cross and the Saviour an&jStrive for love and peace.

Throughout the world there M-ould be a zealous Army to foster the love of Christ and save the souls of men. On tho motion of Cr. C. N. Clausen. Commissioner Hay was thanked for his addres* and the Mayor for presiding.