GENERAL BOOTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12860, 8 May 1905, Page 6

GENERAL BOOTH.

YESTERDAY'S ADDRESSES,

CROWDED MEETINGS AT THE OPERA

HOUSE.

General Booth, who spent the greater nail of Saturday with the local officers and mem bers of the Salvation Army, delivered three addresses at the Opera Ilouoo yesterday— one a! a-quarier to eleven a.m., auother at a-quarter to three p.m., and another at halfpast six p.in. On each occasion the building was crowded by officers and members of the Army, and others. The local Salvationists entered into the spirit of the meetings with considerable- zeal. At the conclusion of these addresses, the General, who spoke fluently and earnestly, appealed to those who wished to be "saved" to come forward to die penitent form, and to those in doubt to speak with Colonel Gilmour at the conclusion of each meeting, the result being that a number of converts were made.

At the morning meeting the General, preaching from the text, "Thy Will be Done,' impressed upon the congregation the tact that the whole of mankind was interested in everything according to its value. God was interested in us. He knew our values, and to free us from the devil, who was a thief, He sacrificed His only Son upon the cross in order that we might gain the Kingdom of Heaven. If there were some who did not wish to accept salvation, and refused to open their hearts to God, then the next best thing tor the universe was that they should be sent to hell. The stars, the comets, the plants, insects, and every conceivable thing did the will of God. And the Salvation Army did the same. God bad a plan tor everybody ; it was that they should first accept salvation, and then go out and work. The salvation train wou.d always stop to pick up a passenger, and so carry him to heaven. If the unbelieving would only believe they could be passengers. In the afternoon General Booth delivered a very earnest address, based on the text, "My grac* is sufficient for thee" (II." Corinthians, xi.. 9). A great many people, he said, did uncommonly well whilst they were poor, but took to evil courses when they beeamo prosperous. God seeing this sent. us trials. No man, however, need lie damned on the ground of difficulties, for Cod had made provision for grace sufficient to meet every man's needs. Grace had three properties, 'light to show men what to do, love and mercy equal to all their needs, pant, present, and future, and power to enable them to be what they ought to be. 'these were the qualities of grace. As to its quantity it streamed so plentcously that there was enough for everybody lor evermore. As with the Sahara desert, of which it had been said that could the waters of the Nile be turned upon it it could grow sufficient corn to meet the needs of the whole world, so with the river of God's grace. If that could be turned upon the world it would become a very paradise. General Booth drew a vivid picture of the honors of dying in silt, and spoke with tine sarcasm of a man allowing himself to be mastered by sin, actuated by pride—a clave to public opinion. But was it not glorious that God should come down and make a man the master of his sin. See what He had done for those Japs, in lighting the Russians! He could do that for them in lighting the devil. He .wished his Army could take New Zealand. lie Mould be Premier tor about three weeks, ami then he would want to go on and take salvation somewhere else. hi conclusion, the General said tie would like to stand at the top of the highest mountain in the world and have the whole universe before him. and. proclaim to them the Word of Cod.

In his evening address General Booth said that he was not going to talk Ions; he was tired out after the day's work. He wanted to ask them all a question, a very simple Scriptural question, and it was this. "What would it profit a man if he gained the whole world and lose his own soul?" Some people, he said, did not like the doctrine of the existence of the soul; but the Bible asserted that man had a soul and that was enough for him. Some people had a, habit of losing everything. Some lost their reputation ; soma their respectability ; some their character; some their money; some their reason; and soma were content to even lose their souls. The loss of the soul was a serious thing. It was .1 bad bargain to sell tho soul for the pleasures of a sinful world. Their sun's had all been ottered immortality by the death of Jesus Christ, and it they wanted a good bargain they should accept it. Some people were afraid to save their souls—afraid of public opinion. They said:' What would people think if I joined the Army" He told them not to mind public opinion. Public opinion never saved anyone, and it would not cave them. This would, in all probability, be the last time that he would address them in Auckland. In the ordinary certainties of life he must some day pass away : and he came here not only to see his old friends, but to make new ones, and to ask them all to make their peace with Clod.

In conclusion, the General made an earnest appeal to the people to come forward and accept salvation, and a number of m?n and women did so.

General Booth leaves for Sydney this evening by (he s.s, Victoria, which is expected to sail at about, half-past live. The General will deliver bin farewell address in New Zealand at the wharf prior to the Victoria's departure. Mr. W. (i. Allen, of " Aunadale," Pinko, gave General Booth a : private luncheon at the Central Hotel on Saturday.