SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17751, 1 July 1929, Page 10

SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

A GREAT LEADER. THE LATE GENERAL BOOTH. ADDRESS BY COMMISSIONER HAY. To rise from a small beginning to a world-wide organisation through the efforts and influence of a man who devoted his life to his ideal Is, briefly, the story of the Salvation Army, that great band of men and women, scattered in every part of the world, who are working for the benefit of man, and the furtherance of Christianity. From every part come ,stories of the wonderful work of the' 1 Army, men lifted from the depths of crime and degradation, and heathens brought within the uplifting influence of God. And the whole of this great work is the outcome of the life task of one man, thb late General William Booth. An interesting address on his experiences with the founder of the Salvation Army was given by Commissioner James Hay in St. Paul’s Methodist Church yesterday afternoon. The church was full and the speaker’s reminiscences were followed with much interest. The chair was occupied by Brigadier Co t trill, who briefly introduced the speaker, mentioning that Commissioner Hay had had long associations with General Booth in London and in other parts of the world. The world owed a great debt of gratitude to the late leader who had done so much for the advancement of evangelism and Christianity. The meeting opened with a hymn composed by General Booth, after which the congregation knelt in prayer. Devoted To His Ideal. Commissioner Hay quoted a short passage of Scripture as adequately expressing the life of the great leader. As the founder of the Salvation Army William Booth had surrendered his life to the service of God. His great influence among men was due to the fact that he was wholly devoted to his ideal, and, with his wonderful personality, he overcame many trials and difficulties. He was a large-hearted man, and was greatly interested in the welfare of the more unfortunate members of every community," but it would be erroneous to describe him as a social reformer. Evangelism was the soul of his work, as it is the soul of the Salvation Army. The speaker then mentioned some interesting incidents in his associations with General Booth. It was in his boyhood days in Glasgow, about the year 1878, that Commissioner Hay first saw General Booth, flien comparatively unknown. His forceful character arid swinging stride struck the boy, and he resolved 1o devote himself to the service of the Salvation Army, which lie joined a few years later. At that lime the moral standard in Scotland was not high, and crime, and drunkenness were rampant. Revival meetings were held but were not very successful, as the influences of evil were unchecked. Perseverance was not attended by any great success, and the Salvation Armyseemed doomed to failure. tiom 1882 until 1900 General Booth was

persecuted in the press of England and Scotland. At every opportunity he was misrepresented, but he never faltered, and carried on with all his strength. The speaker quoted instances of the public bitterness at the time. General Booth became so used to slander that he took no notice of his enemies, although at one time feeling was so bitter that members of his staff, including women, were slashed with knives as they * conducted meetings on the streets: Many were carried to the hospitals, but even these conditions did not deter the intrepid leader. In one particular town he had to force his way through angry crowds and run the gauntlet of many missiles. He was spat on, but made no remark, and carried on his service in the public hall. Within nine months of these incidents the tide of public opinion turned favourably upon tiic Salvation Army, and has continued so ever since, mainly owing to the’ great foresight of General Booth. His strength of character and kindly feeling had prevented him from turning on his enemies, and. it was this circumstance that was instrumental in defeating the onslaught of evil. Cities that had once burned him in effigy have now become strong Army centres. Temperance Strong Factor. In his declining years General Booth became very particular about his food. He excluded meat and other animal foods from his menu, and became a strict vegetarian. Often, after a long service, he would dine on a single apple. Temperance is a strong factor. in the organisation of the Salvation Army, and many who have been saved from the grip of drink owe much to this fact.. The founder of the Army would have nothing whatsoever to do with liquor, even when his doctors prescribed whisky as a stimulant. for his heart, which gave him trouble at times. Commissioner Hay related several instances of General Booth’s antipathy for . drink. In his great knowledge of human . nature General Booth held views that j were much sought after. Princes and lords came to him for advice, and j his meetings were attended by representatives of every rank and station in life, and peoples of all nations. His name reached the four corners of the earth, and reverberated to every part. At all times General Booth thought of his wfic, and often expressed the hope that he would see her again in another world. In conclusion the speaker said that, the whole world owed a great, debt of gratitude to the founder of the Salvation Army, who had, in his long struggle to attain his ideal, surmounted seemingly impossible obstacles, broken down the strong barriers of public opinion, and had finally triumphed. His body is dead, but bis name will go down in the annals of Christianity, and will ever bo remembered'by the millions now living and those to come. When General Booth died, at. the age of eightythree years, the Salvation Army had expanded to every corner of the. globe, and now had 17,000 corps. IGOO social institutions, 24.000 officer/;, and over 2,000,000 members and adherents. . _ . On behalf of the audience Brigadier Cottrill thanked Commissioner Hay for his interesting reminiscences, and the service concluded with a selection by the hand. '