THE SALTATION ARMY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 4254, 3 July 1895, Page 3

THE SALTATION ARMY.

$he v Eise and Progress of the Salvation Army " was the subject of a lecture delivered - in the Wesleyan. phurch, Lawrence, or* Mqnday evening, by Major Birfeensbaw, jate of Melbourne. There was a fairly good audience ; the Bey, Mr Jory oooupying the chair, and briefly introducing the lecturer. The Major, who, on rising, was received with applause, said the origin of Christianity was low ; in fact, it had its 'birth in a stable, and that stable was without doors. But twenty-nine years' ago the Salvation Army had its origin, and although it was also of a very lowly nature, yet he was proud to stand before them and to say that he belonged to that Army. Its founder, General itooth, was only fifteen years of age when he commenced preaching. After years of work as a reyivalist, h,e was stationed, six years in one church; hut there not being scope enough in such a life for one &f the General's nature, he severed his conDection with the Methodist body, to which he belonged, and betook himself to London, and in Whitechapel he commenced street-preach-ing with wonderful success. Meetings were also held in cottages, but these becoming too . smalj halls were taken in which the geonle.

congregated. From London they went to Portsea, thence to Hull, soon spreading through the whole of England. Up to the time of establishing at Hull, they had been kjjown as the Christian Mission ; but there it was that the General designated his followers the " Salvation Army," and, at the same time, received their motto : " The blood and fire flag." The need of a training home for officers being much felt, a large disused hospital in London was bought and fitted up for the purpose. The lecturer here admitted that at first many untrained officers were sent out, but at present things were much improved and were still improving. At first three montha coustitutel an officer's course of study, but now it was two years, aud they had to get a certificate. When scattered throughout England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, they began to look abroad at the world's millions, among whom there was room for every man and woman who wished to benefit humanity. Miss Booth went to France, where many were converted from infidelity ; and India's 250 millions drew much attention, in which land there are hundreds of officers, j Germany, Switzerland and many other countries were also occupied. In Switzerland the novel sight was seen of a royal princess keeping the door while a peasant lassie led the meeting. During the first fourteen years of its existence, the Army sent abroad no less than 14,000 missionaries ; but it was not only a spiritual society but one of the largest temperance organisations in the world. Whatever may be thought of the rest, at least one feature of its work all — Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Gentile — commended, and that is its social operations. As much as £165,000 had been spent in erecting homes, factories, and places where people could get food, and last year food was supplied to over 5,000,000 people. England spent £8,000,000 a year on its poor, and at the end they were as badly off as ever ; but the Army system did net pauperise, as last year's aocounts showed a clear profit of over £600 in that department, as they also found work for the people and put them in the position of becoming wealth producers. The speaker explained that the finances of the Army were kept in a thorough manner, a committee of experts who had gone through them lately, as a result of a challenge from " The Times," bearing proof to this. The Army had its own dress-making and tailoring establishments, the profits from which went to bless humanity. They had 20,000 commissioned bandsmen in Britain, which gave a great impetus to the manufacture of instruments of music. During last year 94,051,000 papers, periodicals, tracts, magazines, etc., were printed and sent forth, which was also the means of finding employment for a vast number of people. Speaking of General Booth's work, Major Birkenshaw said that during six months of last year he had travelled 21,610 miles, held 217 Press interviews, addressed 1,200 students, besides numerous other meetings, and been welcomed by bishops, ministers, politicians, rich, poor — in fact, by everyone — so it would be seen he was not idle. In July, 29 years ago, where there was one man, there were now tens of of thousands, with a million "War Crys" printed in 22 different languages. At a conference of Salvationists from almost every part of the world, held in the Crystal Palace, London, some time ago, there was exemplified the federation of nations and the adoption of the grand principle of the brotherhood of man. In conclusion, Major Birkenshaw urged upon all his hearers to lead such lives that the world would be the better for their having lived in it. The lecturer, who spoke for upwards of an hour, covered a great deal of ground, and was listened to with rapt attention, there being a force and impressiveness in his delivery which carried his hearers along with him. The singing of two solos by Mrs Birkenshaw, who is the possessor of a very sweet voice, was much appreciated. Major Birkenshaw having been thanked for his lecture, a pleasant and profitable evening was brought to a close by the Rev. J. A. Will pronouncing the benediction.