SALVATION ARMY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6911, 17 May 1929, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY

THE RECENT READJUSTMENT. GROWTH OP ORGANISATION. address BY COMMISSIONER There was scarcely a vacant scat in the Congress Hall yesterday afternoon says an Auckland exchange, when Commissioner James Hay, head or tho Salvation Army in New Zealand, gave an address on “Tho High Council and the Future of tho Salvation Army.’' The lion. A. J. Stalhvorthy, pho presided, spoke of the tremendous respect for the Salvation Army which existed throughout New Zealand. Ho recalled the great distinction ■which Commissioner Hay had brought to New Zealand when the High Council was sitting in London. Of the 63 commissioners he had been chosen to preside, and had covered himself with glory. Commissioner Hay dealt fully and intimately with the activities of the High Council. He said that the Salvation Army was one of the most powerful factors in the world dealing with social problems. The interest in it was profound. It was among the most recent and freshest movements in the world, morally, mentally, and spiritu--1 ally. Its founder, William Booth, was one of the most outstanding characters in morality and spirituality of the last century. He had started at zero, without followers, which was one of the hardest tasks in the whole world. For his wife, Catherine Booth, aud Bramwell Booth, the speaker had the greatest admiration, for their work, leadership, and Christ-like devotion. Tho army now had 16,000 corps and societies. It took the concentrated ability of a capable man to make one corps and to sustain it for five years. To some it had come as a shock that the army appeared to be in trouble. To them it was not very groat, but to the man in the street it, had the appearance of a serious matter. Students of religious history knew that no religious body had passed through the lirst 60 years of its existence without some readjustment in government, ethics or doctrine. He thought that, in a humble way, the Salvation Army was a great assurance of peace in the world. A vote of thanks to Commissioner Hay for his address was moved by Mr G. Baiidon, Mayor of Auckland, who referred to the interest taken in the work of the Salvation Army. In the hall yesterday morning Commissioner Hay gave a special talk on “Sons of God,” and last evening ho addressed a large attendance on “The Great Assize.”