SALVATION ARMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22787, 24 January 1936, Page 11

SALVATION ARMY

NEW DIVISIONAL LEADERS INSTALLATION SERVICE' Major and Mrg Gray, who have been appointed as divisional commanders for Otago and Southland, were installed in their position at a service in tlie Salvation Army Citadel last evening. The field secretary for New Zealand (Lieutenantcolonel Burton) conducted the service. The new officers were formerly at divisional headquarters in Wellington, and in their present appointment they suciceed Brigadier Middlemiss, whose death occurred recently at Nightcaps. Lieutenant-colonel Burton read a message from the leader of the Salvation Armv in New Zealand (Lieutenant-com-missioner F. 11. Adams) commending the new leaders as tried and faithful officers. The commissioner stated that the time was ripe for a forward, movement in this division, and he anticipated that under Major and Mrs Gray great advances would be made. On behalf of the officers of the Dunedin division. Adjutant Mahaffie expressed pleasure at the arrival of Major and Mrs Gray to command the operations in Otago and Southland. He expressed the opinion that they were in for better times in Dunedin and said he believed they would experience a time of great spiritual activity in this city. They wished Major and Mrs Gray the best of success in their work in Dunedin.

Mrs Major Hughson said that Major Gray had a record of 30 years' successful work behind him. They believed that he and Mrs Gray would take up the reins which were being placed in their hands and successfully carry out the work which fell to them. The speaker referred to the high quality of the service which Mrs Gray had rendered for the young people of the Dominion, and said that the women officers in Dunedin would look to Mrs Gray for encouragement and guidance.

A welcome to the new officers was also extended on behalf of the various corps by Sergeant-major Lemin (City), Ser-geant-major Coulter (South Dunedin), and Sergeant-major Botting (North Dunedin). Lieutenant-colonel Burton said that Major and Mrs Gray would have under their control 21 corps and 114 outposts. They .had been appointed to their new command because of their special abilities, and he had no doubt that the people here would in the years to come have many reasons for thanking God for this appointment. In the name of the general, who had approved of their appointment, and of the New Zealand commissioner, he handed over to Major and Mrs Gray the responsibility for the control of this division and prayed that God would set His blessing on them. Replying to the welcome, Major Gray said it was pleasant to return to Dunedin to renew old associations as well as to make new acquaintances. If anything was to be accomplished, they must have the co-operation of all divisional workers, and he asked for their prayerful.sympathy and practical help in carrying out their work in the days to come. The very best that was in them would be given to advance the cause of the Salvation Army in New Zealand. He believed that in the days that lay ahead their mutual knowledge and confidence would be extended and in every way the Kingdom of God would be increased. Mrs Gray also acknowledged the welcome, and said they would do their best while they were m Dunedin.

During the evening items were rendered by the band and songsters, and Major and Mrs Gray sang a duet.