"SOLDIERS OF GOOD"

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9953, 24 April 1918, Page 9

"SOLDIERS OF GOOD"

Wide as the world is tho brotherhood, also the sisterhood ,of the Salvation Army. Wherever "man's inhumanity to man" cansc s sorrow and suffering, there the "Soldiers of Good" —as a British general described the Salvationists recently—are glad to take up heavenly arms m_aid of tho poor and afflicted. How well the world knows that the red jersey covers a red heart, and that "the blue bonnet frames a face radiant with unsletishne.=s," as an English editor has written. «

Therefore when Germany forced war upon tho world, tho Salvation Flag followed the Union Jack. The lied Jersey and the Blue Bonnet have been ever close to tho Khaki, in camp or hut, hostel or hospital. For this purpose "Tho Army's" wonderful organisation and efficient economical administration have ensured tho. rignt help, in tho right way.

Yet, even economical service requires much money when the expenditure is on a vaot; scale, as in the present war. It is a sad fact, too, that v>-hile the -srar has made an immense field for ■"The Army's" great work in the tattle the effects of the war have increased the call for aid among the poorer classes in many countries. The extent of: this demand can be grasped readily from- th' estatement that ''The Army's" work is established in sixty countries (including colonies) where-, about 11,200 branches are busy. There is no end no limit, to "The, Army's" activities for humani-

Therefore the Citizens' Red Jersey Appeal Committee makes its appeal, felly confident that the people of Wellington—and'New Zealand generally—will give gladly to help the Salvation Army m it s comforting of this country's soldiers. ' ■ ■ In'this.'Bed-Jersey Special Number of the "New Zealand Times" will be found pictures and prints to explain these words of Staff-Captain Mary Booth Cm her diary, "With tho British Expeditionary Force in France."): "We have many joy s in the Salvation Army. One of the chief of these is its comradeship. 'Whether amongst officers, Jocak, or soldiers, there is something which draw s us together in spite of- the differences of character, temperament, or nationality." "Something!" It is the spirit of loving service, the great fellowship of kindnes3, the inspiring zeal of unselfishness, as all classes and all creed 3, all nation, have seen. That Salvation sister, with, her Cross badge, is

THE RED JERSEY NEEDS HELP

everybody's sister. The kmdnes s and brightness of that face can be multiplied by many thousands; that face reflects the humanitarian spirit of "The Army." Who would not help such a sister to comfort this country's defenders far away over-seas? Inat spirit of "The- Army" sister and "The Army" brother softens the callous, warms tto cold sweetens tho sour, cnr thnses the cynical. One hears to-day that some people here are war-weary, and that they feel that they have given enough. Alas, tho gaunt arm of Death is not yet weary; his scythe still sweeps through Franco and Flanders. . In those stricken fields keeps Death his court, and h's toll is in lives and limbs. His courtiers are the agents of havoc and ravage, pain and^desolation. The soldiers set no limit to their giving, as tho sad casualty lists show, day by day. Will it be said that the civilians, in tho safety for whom their soldiers bled, will be tho first to cry: "A truce to giving" when by giving they mean money or its equivalent? Here is the oportunity for all civilians to prove that they havo a gratitude worthy of their defenders' sacrifice. Tho" Red. Jersey appeal comes after tho great response to tho Red Triangle call; after the levy of income tax; after another War Loan of £9,500,000; but the soldiers' friends have no doubt that thi s country has • enough money left" for kindness to those brave men who need eveiy attention that tho Salvation Army can give to sustain them in times of weariness and sickness and loneliness far awal. The Salvation Army is father mother, brother, or sister to any soldier who needs a word of good cheer or an act of kindness. If there is any selfish civilian in tins community, may lie be moved to «■ right remembrance of soldiers by these words of Tennyson: I held it truth, with him who sings, To one clear harp in divers tones; That men may rise on stepping-stones Of their dead selves to higher things. How much, burning of "dead selves" has gone to make "The Army's" warmth and radiation of love to step up to the"altar of real sacrifice, which means a- priceless happiness of heart and soul for the giver ? "Give till_ it hurts," wa s th 6 a'ecent slogan. '"Give till you feel the glowing happiness of unselfishness" is the Bed Jersey appeal to-day for the soldiers who are saving the State. L. 0. H. TRIPP, Chairman of the Citizens' Red Jersey Appeal Committee.