KING EDWARD AND THE SALVATION ARMY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 16 July 1910, Page 14

KING EDWARD AND THE SALVATION ARMY.

« — MR. BRAMWELL BOOTH'S ARTICLE. In view of tho unfair attacks which have been . made upon Mr. Bramwcll Booth and the Salvation Army, in consequence of an article published in the English "War Cry" of May M last, we reproduce the article below. There may bo differences of opinion on some points in Mr. Booth's estimate of our late King's character and services to the Empire, but no one can doubt the intention of tho writer to honour the memory of tho dead monarch. Tho article reads as follows:— "No one -can doubt that tho late King had a commanding place in tho adiniraT tion and affection. of the peoples" of the whole Empire. Nor can. anyone fail to see that ho had gained this in a very short-time. He died nine years after coming to his throne, 'held in even a higher esteem, if that be possible, by thewhole world than was felt for his illustrious mother, whose reign continued for more than sixty years. . VVe can say with truth, that the whole world knew him and trusted him, and that the whole world mourns his death.. That is a very remarkable fact. But perhaps the circumstances which brought it about are more remarkable still.: King Edward did not win his renown on the field of Battle. He was not a great ruler; our system of government leaves little place for the reigning monarob in the real governing of the nation. He was not a profound thinker, or a great scholar. He was not a moralist or a philosopher. He kindled no great religious enthusiasm; he inspired no great social movement. Yet he is perhaps the most sincerely mourned of all tho dead inonarclis of the past thousand years in Old England. The secret was this: The King who closed his eyes at Buckingham Palace on Friday night last was, perhaps, tho most devoted servant of the State whicli the State, possessed. And his service was given without stint in the highest earthly interest alike .of .his, own and all-nations—l'eace. Tho King was a servant. Tho Kin? was a peacemaker. Ho was tho first of Itoyalpersonages, with perhaps the. exception of Queen Victoria, to notice tho work of the Salvation Army. He regarded that ivork as a blessing to his Empire and tho world; he counted its GcneTal and founder as a friend; and wo shall always tomember his kindness. But his greatness came not of incidental circumstanceseven circumstances as pleasing" as that. It camo of his service, and of his service in that high cause . of' Pcaco on Earth, whicli ho had the prescience to see is the (rreatest human interest, and tho courage to go after before he was assured of success. The humblest Teader of the 'War Cry' may make a success of his life if, by the hcln of God, he will start to devote himself to the service of others, and begin forthwith to seek peace and pursue it—first, peaco with God, and then peace with man."