SALVATION ARMY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17954, 5 June 1920, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY.

GENERAL W. BRAMWEIX BOOTH. . General. W. Booth, who is about to visit the dominion, has beon called "The Kitchener of tho Salvation Army." He hps a comprehensive grip of the Army's activities all over tho world. _It was-said at one time that the organisation was a quick growth that would dio out-" when its founder died. A number of years have gone since that event, and there ia no evidence of tho Salvation. Army weaken ing; it has grown as rapidly as at any time during its existence, despite tho fact that for nearly tho whole period during which General Bramwell Booth has been in command of the Army., the world was torn and' disrupted by tho great war, and tho Army's ordinary operations had to 'be dislocated in order to oarry on war work. . It will readily be understood that the Salvation Army sustained great losses in its rank and file owing to go many Salvationists having made the supreme sacrifice. Nevertheless, under this man's wonder-' ful leadership, the following are some increases made during his time as General: — The Salvation Army work commenced in seven fresh countries: Now stations opened, 2000; paid officers and employees, 2500; local officers ' (unpaid), 8400; bandsmen, 847 C; circulation of periodicals per issue, 97,597; social institutions, 287. In tho cre'ation of the Army a great deal is due to the leadership of the extraordinary man, W. Bramwell Booth, who became its General after serving it well for about 30 years as Chief of Staff. It has become apparent that the Army owed more to this man than it knew. His laborious organising was behind all tho great dreams of the founder, and was the medium by which they were crystallized into facts. He is a splendid speaker, and a celebrated writer has said that "this man inherited from hi 3 mother tho requisite gift of brilliant speech. The words flow as easily and naturally as water bubbles up in a spring, and they are so precisely the right words' conveying the exact shade of meaning required; it is r a wonderful gift, this gift of cultured eloquence.' 1 . The extent of the Arhiy's operations is known to comparatively few. Ihere are about 24,000 paid officers in its employ, 68,700 local officers, who work without pay also 31,500 bandsmen who play their instruments for tho love of God and the - £, r rt?J> : i, OVer , 1000 sooial institutions house 40,000 homeless persons -every night: tho oombined ciroulation of tlie Army's publicataons exceed a million, and a-qtiarter copies per issue; these are but a few 'striking statements regarding tho great organisation under tho control of this on© man. Tho position of General calls for administrative and organising- capacity, but ft calls for more; it demands a leader of men who can come before his fellows, and by force of character, bv an inspiring personality and by outstanding zeal and devotion impart his spint to others, and lead them to victory. General Bramwell Booth-pos-sasses this capacity in a remarkable degree ■pie General is delighted With his tour in Australia. Each State has ontered into competition with the other in doing honour to this man, who stands for all the Sal vntion Army stands 'for. Ho is due to arrive in Dunedin on Saturday, June _ 12. His Worship the Mayor is arranging to give him a civic ssrssi' *•

To-morrow, in the Dowling- Street Citadel Major Oray, who spent some four and a-lialf years with the soldior boys in the New Zenland camps, mil be present at- 11 a.m. and xi a • P ,m- Captain M'Kenzie describes the Major as a very forcsfu] and capable, speaker, and feels convmoed that his utterances will particularly appeal to the men of Dunedin. Tho Captrun anticipates that there will bo some 700 at i SOn ! and n hcart y invitation