GOD'S AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5518, 19 March 1896, Page 2

GOD'S AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS.

♦ Those people who have foretold divisions in the Salvation Army will doubtless view the secession of Mr and Mrs Ballington Booth as "the little rift within the lute (or the big drum) that, by-and-by, will make the music mute." There seems no -room to doubt that a serious rupture has taken place, and that over a question of discipline an important schism has arisen in the ranks of the "Army." The War Cry for the- United States for February last contained the news that Commander and Mrs Ballington Booth had been retired from the command of the United States Division of the Salvation Army. The retiring officers, in a farewell effusion stated: — "The orders to relin-v quish our command are in accordance with the discipline of the organisation, it being of a strictly military character. We now learn that other territorial leaders are also being changed. In pursuance therefore of military obedience, regardless of our own feelings, we are proceeding to put all things in preparation that our successors may find as little difficulty as possible upon assuming their command. As yet no other command has been offered us, and we have at present no idea what will be done in that matter." Later developments have shown that the effect and intention of the order were to cut off these particular members of the Booth family from the Army. The American papers have been speculating and asserting on the subject in their usual free manner, whereupon the War Cry says : "Men are changed in the Army, but principles never, and our friends of the public Press have much to learn in regard to this matter. Their futile attempts to sectionahse the organisation cannot remain a disturbing element." The cable message now received, statingthatMrand Mrs Ballington Booth have formed a separate organisation, iinder the title of " God's American Volunteers," shows that the breach has not been healed, and that the process of disruption — which it was prophesied would take place on the death of the Generalhas already commenced. The Salvation Army is really too stupendous an organisation to be effectively controlled by one man on military principles, and if General Booth accepts the lesson of the American incident, and gives a large , measure of "Home Eule" to his officers in different countries, the 'complete break-up of the " Army" may be averted.