GENERAL BOOTH.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 312, 26 September 1908, Page 17

GENERAL BOOTH.

TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA. Holiday-makers who thronged Waterloo Station on a recent Saturday afternoon turnod their heads at a sound of cheering. At tho window of • a moving train they caught a glimpse of a venerable whiteboarded man who cried " G'od bless you," Who waved his hand, and in whoso eyes tears were standing. It was General Bootli departing, at the ago of 79, upon an arduous tour of South Africa. Already tho general's eyes are dimmed by tho film of cataract,, his shoulders bowed

by the''burden of years, and bis gait feeble. An unquenchable spirit alone can carry liim through the exacting South African programme, which will necessitate his travelling there nearly '1000 miles in trains and delivering close upon 100 addresses.

'.'Will mv strength hold out?" Ho raised his voieo at the question until it rang out strongly. "There's another eight or ten years' work left in my body, or I am sadly mistaken. I liavo studied my nerves and digestion until I can play upon them liko a violinist upon the strings of his instrument. 1 know just how far I can tune them up, and when- rest is imperative. " Hut sometimes, when I look ahead, a vision comes to me of that great actor. Sir Henry Irving, playing his part ono night, leaving his theatre, and then —death. Perhaps my "end may como upon inn like that. Hut I am living for the sake of the present just now, and for the good work, which tho present brings to my hands. And when my time comes the world Trill he amazed at the perfection of the organisation of the Salvation Army. When tho Army loses niy leadership the machinery will run just as smoothly as before. Many strong loaders will arise to organise and extend the Army's work. Indeed, to repeat a phrase I myself have coined, tho telegram that flashes round the world bearing the tidings,- 'The general is dead,' will also bear the words, ' Long lire the general.' "