Sidelights on Salvation Army Labours

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 225, 24 September 1935, Page 8

Sidelights on Salvation Army Labours

SOCIAL SERVICE IS STRONG PLANK IN THE STATES.

Social service is a strong plank of Salvation Army activity in tlio United States —as indeed it is everywhere—and some phases of this great humanitarian work wero described to the “Times" yesterday by Colonel George H. Davis, of San Pranciseo, who was making a brief sojourn in Palmerston North. Colonel Davis has been conducting an evangelistic tour of Salvation Army centres in the North Island since he arrived at Auckland on September (3, At the end of the month he will cross Cook Strait to continue his work in the south. Ho is well pleased with tho interest that has been taken in his campaign, and in the apparent fervour of Salvation Army feeling among adherents in the Dominion. The strength of the New Zealand movement, relative to tho whole population, was excellent compared with overseas representation. Having just completed the answering of his mail from various sources, including little old San Pranciseo itself, the major was full of thoughts of his own country, and to some of these he gave expression. “Tho Salvation Army in tho United States lias big problems to face," he said, “in that it must carry on its work among representatives of most of the races or the world. The U.S.A. has been the melting pot of tho world. I have conducted open-air meetings at which I could count representatives of as many as 40 different races. Tho problem is one that calls for the best qualities of leadership, whether of tho Army or of the Government. Anyone who has seen and examined the work will admit that the Army has made a good job of it. 1 'The nation is coming out of the depression quite well; the last three years have seen a wonderful recovery. Thero is no doubt that shortly everything will be on an even keel again and running smoothly, although nobody expects we will get back to the level of 3025. Probably that is just ns well.

Passive Sympathy. “ American national feeling lias always been one of sympathy for the weaker fellow in a dispute/' asserted the visitor. “Eut our exf>crienee of the World War was such that wo do not care to have anything to do with matters that may lead to another conflict. However, our greatest hope, of course, is that war will bo completely avoided and the present Abyssinian dispute amicably settled. Social Service. “The Salvation Army conducts very effective social services iu U.S.A. There is a' chain of do maternity homes and also a chain of men's social institutions. Our workers have the fullest sympathy and co-operation of prison officers iu some of the biggest penal institutions. At San Quentin and Folsom, two Californian penitentiaries having 6000 and 4000 inmates respectively, there is a Salvation Army corps, in each case under the leadership of a long-term prisoner who has become a sergeant-major. All theso men have bocomo Salvationists sinco their admission, through the ministrations of visiting Army leaders. A supervising officer is permitted to conduct separate meetings with them on every occasion. Huey Long Lamented.

“The U.S.A. has its political agitators, of course. Most prominent recently have been Lather Coughlin, General Hugh Johnson, late leader of the N.E.A., and Senator Huey Long, whose tragic end will be deplored by the whole nation. There would be little sympathy with such a procedure. While some phases of his work will probably bo carried on, his was such a unique personality that I doubt whether anyone will be found who can Teally step into his shoes,” concluded Major Davis.

Major Davis, who has been the guest of Major T. E. Holmes and Mrs. Holmes, in Florence avenue, conducted a further service in the Salvation Army citadel last night, and leaves this morning for Levin. When he concludes his Hew Zealand itinerary on November 16, he will return to the States prior to embarking on a' trip for the Far East—China, Japan, Korea, jand, possibly ludi?