SALVATION ARMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23222, 21 June 1937, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY

MOSGIEL CORPS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS The celebrations of the golden jubilee of the establishment of the Mosgiel Corps of the Salvation Army commenced on Saturday, continued throughout yesterday, and will close this evening. JUBILEE TEA The first chapter in the celebrations was a jubilee tea on Saturday evening Prominent officers of the Salvation Army were present, and the principal speakers were the Rev. S. C. Francis (East Taieri) and Major Bridge. Commissioner Adams presided over the programme which followed the tea The Mayor (Mr A. F. Quelch) offered congratulations to the Mosgiei Salvationists. He eulogised the work of the Army, drawing contrasts between the present-day world affairs and the Army's place as a peace-mak-ing body of the Christian Church. The Rev. Hugh Graham spoke of the good-fellowship which existed amongst the various ministers in Mosgiel, and the good work done by the various Salvation Army officers, especially the present ones—Captain and Mrs Jones. The Rev. N. Challenger spoke of the early days of the life of the foundei of the Army. Mr Bringans (retired sergeant-major, of Waimate) referred to the early days of the Mosgiel Corps, and to the early officers, who had blazed the trail. He urged one and all to carry the burning torch and never allow it to die out. YESTERDAY'S CELEBRATIONS Meetings were, held at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. yesterday. At one of these a dedication ceremony of three infants took place. The celebrations attracted much interest. A procession moved off in the following order:—Mosgiel Municipal Band, Taieri Pipe Band, Druids' Lodge. Foresters' Lodge, Senior Juveniles, Buffaloes. Mosgiel Fire Brigade, Scouts and Cubs, Salvation Army Band and Salvationists. Supporting the chairman on the platform at the hall were the Revs. Hugh Graham. W. Wilson Ewart, Commissioner F. Adams, Captain Bartlett (divisional secretary). Major Calcott (South Dunedin), Major and Mrs Bridge (newly-appointed divisional commanders). Captain and Mrs Jones, and Colonel Scotney (property secretary, Wellington). The Rev. N. Challenger (president of the Mosgiel Ministers' Association) presided. After a few brief opening remarks the chairman rendered a song. Lieuten-ant-colonel' Scotney offered up a prayer, and Mrs Major Bridge read the Scripture lesson. Major Calcott extended a welcome to all present. Captain Jones detailed the arrangements for the remainder of the celebrations, and Major Bridge rendered a solo. AN INTERESTING REVIEW At the conclusion of the programme Commissioner Adams delivered an address on the work of the Salvation Army, in which he gave an interesting review of the progress of that body since its foundation. It was now 25 years, he said, since the founder of the movement passed to his reward. The Army was the result largely of one man's consecration—that man, William Booth. Moreover, it was William Booth multiplied, for those who were really familiar with the spirit of the Army to-day knew that there was no departure from the purpose and passion of the founder. St. John Irvine had designated him "God's Soldier," and perhaps no designation could be more fitting. Detailing the Army's position throughout the world, the speaker went on to say that it had 16,776 corps and outposts; 1607 social institutions; 1062 day schools; 32 naval and military homes, 190 food and shelter depots; 180 hostels for working men and women; 176 slum posts; 93 maternity hospitals; and 280 other social institutions, including hospitals, eventide! homes, leper colonies, etc. These were guided and controlled by 35.536 officers and employees, and were scattered over 90 countries and colonies throughout the world. In his early years, proceeded Commissioner Adams, the founder was attracted to the East End of London. His whole being was stirred as he came into' daily contact with the poverty and squalor, the sin and vice, which abounded on every hand. He was moved, too, by the knowledge which came to him that there existed in Great Britain at that time no fewer than 100,000 prostitutes, that every year there passed , through the prisons 155,000 men and women, and that annually there was spent in drink £136,000,000. He computed that there were 3,000,000 suffering in a " sea of misery." With these facts before him could one wonder that he knew no rest until he had done much towards rousing the national conscience on the social evils then existing? Without doubt it was these facts that brought about the launching of the Darkest England Scheme and the bringing into being of the social work' of the Salvation Army. Commissioner Adams concluded his address by giving an interesting account of the activities of the organisation's 34 social institutions in the Dominion, and said that, whilst that afternoon they had been considering the social work of the Army, he would emphasise the fact that it was equally a spiritual force, and its only hope a? the founder declared, for the per* manent deliverance of mankind from misery, either in this world or the next was the regeneration or remaking of the individual by the power and through the blood of Jesus Christ, to Whose social teaching the world owed all its humanitarian efforts, all its hospitals all its asylums, and its hope' for the amelioration of all the ills and all the inequalities of life. Captain Jones returned thanks to the chairman and to all the organisations that had helped with the procession He specially thanked the South Dunedin Band for its attendance, and made special reference to the presence in the audience of Mr Bringans (Waimate) 52 yars an officer, and Mr A. Jeffs (Mosgiel) who has had 42 years' service.

Last evening a monster Salvation Army meeting was held in the barracks. The commissioner conducted the meeting, which was of an inspiring nature. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME

To-day's celebrations will include a united women's meeting in the afternoon and a grand jubilee concert in the evening.