SALVATION ARMY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13873, 15 September 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

SALVATION ARMY.

.WELCOME TO VISITING OFFICERS.,

(From "The Colonist," Aug. 26.) Last evening Commissioner and MrsHodder, Brigadier Bray, and Major loonier were accorded a hearty welcome a« tho Salvation Army Citadel. The tea was a great success, and credit is due to the friends and Army ladies whoundertook the arrangements, and presided at the tables. Major Toomer took the cttair at the reception meeting the opening song being ';O God of every nation," which was sung in a heartY manner, after which Brigadier Bray prayed and asked God's blessing udoji the commissioners in their now sphere of labour.

The Rev. T. G. Butler, in extending a welcome to the officers, said no counted it a great honour #to be on the Array platform on the occasion of the first visit.of Commissioner and Mrs Hodder. After referring to tho work of the Army, and wishing tho local work much success, on behalf of the .'ocal Congregational Church; he welcomed Commissioner and Mr Hodder and wished them prosperity and 'blessing.

After singing a verse of "0 God, our help in ages past," Bishop Mules said it was not the first occasion he had been on the Army platform, and ho. was glad to do honour tc Commissioner and Mrs Hodder, and show his sympathy, Ho said the Army work was widely known, and he wished the Army greater blessing, and said he hoped it would grow stronger. * He made reference t oyoung men offering ihemselv'jfr for the front, and spoke of their motive. He said the Army motive was "For His sake."

Mrs Hodder said it was a great pleasure to be in Nelson. It wa.s a wonderful thing to see the Bishop on the platform, and she mentioned that she was-, brought up in the Clvurch of England. When they called at South Africa en their way to New Zealand they heard a soldiers remark that Africa was theLand of Hope and Glory, but the Comnussioners were going to God's ow*n Country. She spoke of being at they Gate of Heaven and seeing the way to. Paradise. Some gentleman said Nelson iwas where they made sunshine, and; 'that it was the garden of New Zealand: She then spoke of the flowers God esIpected us to bring forth. The flower ofJ ; kindness, which was an everlasting; 'flower, the flower of humility, and' tlie i flower of gratitude. We ought to< b'©.? ! very grateful to God for all his goodriess to us. Mrs Hoddev said she-could not talk about politics, and many other, things, but she had one theme That sb'©> could talk about, and that was tltelovo. of God.

Commissioner Hodder thanked all for their kind welcome, and spoke of the' kindness of .Armjj comrades and ministers and friends. He said he recog> nised it was not so much to him personally, as to the work he vepresentecl. He said that 32 years ago he was called' to attend a special meeting in the Old' Country, when JOl officers were co/ntlrdssioned for special service. Two of those efficers were chosen to unfurl tho Army flag ir New Zealand. JiTe wii how he wished h© had been chosen, but row after so long a timo he was in Now Zealand. The Commissroner stated in his remarks that on© of the greatest needs was a. vital interest in God's work. They needed'active Christian* — they that believed in. God and wouM make Him 'known to-; men. He spoke' of some wonderful conversions in Japan, and how the story of the Cross, was. the themo that reached their hearts.

Tho meeting was brought to a clbrie by the singing of the T)oxo\ogy.

The night meeting at the Salvation Ari!»y Citadel on Sunday took the form of a memorial meeting for our boys who have fallen at the front.

Mrs. Hodder spoke, telling of her loss of a. boy, and of the great comfort she got from God's- Word. Taking the text, "Where art" thou-?" she saidi that many were continually crying out as regarded their loved ones, "Where art thou?" They were safe in God's keeping. Some were in the trenches,, some on the seas. Others had gone to eternity. They had laid down their lives in a righteous cause. Many who had answered to the roll call of their regiment, had also answered to the roll call of heaven,, and taken their .places where there was no more war. She reminded th-e people that they were not upon the battlefield, but here in peace and- comfort, where we were enjoying the blessings of life far away from the din and strife of battle. Sill death was near, and she urged all to prepare for the close of their earthly life.

The Commissioner'is text was, "These are they that came out of great tribulation." He spoke of the boys who so nobly left all' at duty's call and sacrificed their lives in the cause of right and freedom.. He mentioned that his own son was serving with the Canadians, and that mmc 15,000 Salvation Army soldiers had gone to the front to serve their King and country. They sang the songs of Zion and read the New Testament ere they went into battle. ■' '

Commissioner Hodder paid a successful visit to Metaefca.last, .week, and met the Mayor arid; 'borough councillors, during his 6tay. - -