THE SALVATION ARMY'S WORKS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 549, 2 July 1909, Page 6

THE SALVATION ARMY'S WORKS.

:■ , ; ; BBCOSD-POE LAST TEAS! .: - "In-Aa |Mnch." is the title of; on ■"' illristrated booklet Trhieh ie virtually the, nnnnal report of the. Salvation Army in. Australasia, for 1908. In submitting this annual: Btatem'ent, says a foreword, "we desire to place emphasis uponthe fact that ..the. Army's 60-calledepcial wort is a most important part of our religion, and that it , is never separated from—nor, permitted be in ! any sense' a seoular pursuit or aim. Primarily: erery agency controlled ■by the Army, exists for ■ the. salvation of the souls of.-;men. That ie the end—the eole.end—in view, while tho means are as varied as human, conditions and needs, one of the most powerful and effective of which is' tW eocial,, as: it involves the largest proportion of human, consoiousness. Many' people are totally' ignorant of spiritual or religious' facts,' and can be reached only through v their eooial ■ conditions, many'of:Athich are the-actual bonds of their moral slavery. The Army insists "that the approach to soul-winning as , most intelligently effected: ( by- moral influences which in many cases can be established,only through a vigorous attack 'upon false, sininl, ■: abnormal and diseased' social conditions." ,;.; ■ ~':',; The f report gives a , moving; account of the numerous branches of. the Arm/s eocial work, and a detailed balance-sheet; , covering' many pages, 16 given, , ; which shows how contributions have been expended. 'The following-figures show the increase of the Army's work during tlie',.year-:—.'•''■;";... ;v .■ ..■■ . ; .':'.■■■<■"■:.■.■■-'>■■ Kesoue Homes (79 offioers eiolusivoly en: gaged).—Number of homes, lfi; womon in homes at beginning of year, 293; admitted during year, 572;. sent to friends, 161; sent to situations, 178; sent to other'homes and hospitals. 38; died, 9; unsatisfactory,'??; in home at end of year, 300. ■ ■ .. ■'' : ; ■'■ ' ' <,' Prison-Gate Brigade Hom«e>-Nomber of homes, 8; in homes at beginning of year, 150;' men 1195; Bent to situations, 282; sent to friends, 87; loft seeking work,;Blo,' in homos a.t end of year, 166. ' Homes for Betrayed Girls (5S officers).—Number of homes, 11; beginning of year; 189;'. admitted during year, 549; sent to friends, 280; sent to situations, 207; sent to other homes nnd hospitals, 18; deaths, 6; unsatisfactory; 9; in homes nt end of year, 192; infants; born j in homes, 514.; ;,, .. . '~,,,..■ Girls' Homes (49 officers employed);— Number of homes, 8; number of girls at begihtiing of year, 304; admitted during year, 15}; sent to' situations and friends, 139; in homes at end of ycar,'.3l6. ■■, v '.■.■■■ ; . .', ■ '

Boys' Homes.— Number of homes, 7; in homes at beginning of year; 257; admitted during year, 185; number discharged to friends or 6ent to situations, 188; number remaining, 251 Shelters for Poor Mon.-Number of eholters, 8; free beds eupplicd, 12,300; frco moals supplied, 24,7451 '■ Some day, states the report, a gonorous rift may make it possiblo for us to open foundling homes in connection with our maternity hospitals.