MR. BRAMWELL BOOTH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1528, 26 August 1912, Page 6

MR. BRAMWELL BOOTH.

SALVATION ARMY'S NEW HEAD. A GREAT ORGANISER. (An Appreciaf-'pn by Commissioner ' JJichards.) Only one Salvationist has stood out in the ordinary mind as the new leader of tho Salvation Army. For years gone by, Salvationists' tho world ovor have regarded Mr. Drnimvell lioolli as the natural successor to his father, tho beloved first General and founder of I his now remarkable Christian movement. It may be said, indeed, that ho was nominated for the position by tho common assent of tho Salvation Army world. This nomination is not the formal routine of a board, but is the spontaneous affectionate call of all who appreciate the situation. Wherever tho Army llaj is unfurled—whether in Homelaml, in the growing and mighty Dominion of Canada, amongst the free people of the great United States of America, in the fever plains of Java, tho tea plantations of Ceylon, the great inland tracts of India, or amongst the enlightened ami progressive men and women, of tho Australian Commonwealth and of New Zealand—ho will be acclaimed, amidst prayer and affection, tho new General of the Salvation Army. It is not by reason of his relationship to tho first General, nor tho fact that he is the eldest sou of his sainted mother, but for himself that we place him in his father's seat of honour and responsibility. His commission was not given him for arm-chair shooting, but for field service in tho hottest part of tho fight.

i The first General realised his peculiai ; sphere. Ho was required to speak with i princes and statesmen in the gate, to endeavour to arouse tho soul of his countrymen and the .peoples in other countries to the impelling needs and pace of salva- ; tion and the duty of all to prcservo ths poor, tho fallen, the criminal, and the unfortunate. He sought aid from Governments and philanthropists for tho extension of his social gospel; and even from those who could only give their mite, Gradually intelligent men and women all over the world who looked on his remarkablo face recognised in him the ''Apostle of the Poor." An imperial missionary, he confined himself neither to London nor Manchester, hut spoko to millions in other tongues and of other iaces. All tho time the Army was growing in numbers and influence. Its buildings increased in size and value. Whilst the General was tho travelling ambassa- . dor, there remained in London, sitting quietly at his desk in Queen Victoria Street, Mr. Bramwell Booth, worth to a business corporation, according to a wellknown publicist, iMOOO per year. Content to work 15 or 16 hours every day, shrinking from the limelight, always supremely anxious to extend and consolidate the Army's work, to smooth away difficulties, to practise economy himself, and to' encourago it throughout the Army's whole organisation, no one can possibly hope to excel his zeal or his business judgment in the cause of true religion. As was said of the Apostolic workers, one planted and the other watered, so it might be truly remarked that the father won the multitudes, and the son organised their spiritual home. Early Life, Born in 1856, at Halifax, the oldest son of the founder of tho Salvation Army came into life before the organisation had been thought of. His. father was then a minister of tho Methodist Now Connexion, -and riine years elapsed after the time of his birth before tho evangelistic work at Mile End prefaced the establishment of the Christian mission. Apparently ho did not enjoy robust health as a boy. At 13 years of ago'ho suffered an attack of rheumatic fever, which left its mark for a long time afterwards. Before entering manhood lie spent some months in Scotland for the benefit of his health, until eventually he grew out of his early weaknesses. He had unmistakable leanings for a medical career, and there were influential possibilities of the desire being gratified. That he decided for tho less remunerative but blessed ministry of preaching and working,for salvation affords us an indication of the strength of his convictions. He -threw himself into the Army with all a young man's enthusiasm. In the open-air ho preached to large crowds, which were sometimes hostile, and in the arduous days of tho commencement of the new organisation, which had to win its way by sheer conquest and definite achievement, became his father's chief lieutenant. Behind the scenes ho was initiated to a severe office routine, and learnt those business habits and precise methods which have since proved of such priceless worth to the Army. By his genius and oversight as chief of staff has been fostered what is admittedly a unique svstem for the training of officers, their disposHion m the field, and their inspiration in the service. To develop upon definite lines is one thing, but to create out of the very raw material such a staff as now exists, is comparable to nothing that has previously occurred in religious history. Some years ago an officer at international headquarters thus wrote of him: "Woo to the man who is thoughtless enough to sugtrest that less than the best will do or that it doesn't, matter! And woe, also! be to'Oiim who comes un with his case half prepared." In tho Chief's, room there is a place for everything, and even-thing is in its place. Even in tho piles of papers which litter his great broad table tnero is an orderly A special clock systematically ticks off the minutes. Bells are within reach for srcretancs, telephones lead everywhere, books ot _ reference are within easy reach A. swing chair turns him from' his desk to tho tiny lunch table on which is placed I ' l, ,v , ,1i10 a 0,,0ir is «lw>YS ready for "tho next man in." Interviews are by appointment and business is dealt n I l , n- t ! lml ' T ' le !' e , <"•« »o sinecures in the Chiefs secretarial list, and if we are correctly informed, some of his peronal assis ants even mutter "work in tle-ir sleep" With clearly defined duties bo,n - S nn « taV} '/ ltS illto thD *!**>. whilo boards ami conferences are taken at their appointed hour. But, the b,,si ne Y, sf< e * him reveals only one asp ct at the new General. Ifc j s j.^'," Whotic and brotherly toft, jtaft and t ho officers generally tr. Bramwell Booth's public and pr ,te' record expresses 'the chivalrous treat n»enl of women As is well know"' hot >r«er to uplift womanhood. Ho had lone no wrong, but the law sought to vavVfto? sof" 11 ";*- Hc - reaped "holloray after some harrowing experience* ret to-day as. then, the rearshavenot tempered his detestation of any customs »r practices that accord woman in infS htawhi™- 84 **? of n V a , nkiml I d ™* -milk there can be another religious orlanisahon of the size and character of the Umy where a higher standard of ethics * enforced toward the gentler sex. Nor •an there be found ono where offences to his lofty standard aro of less common T« n ZS n T Pit cm S* ma - v ]m t" he eftect of the General's high-toned .nrislian chivalry. Literary Work. entiL^' a «° n ' sts , V] v , e , an coneption ot the manifold and varied departments of the. Intercolonial Hc"dqu - ers. Tako, for instance, tho question of ournalism and literature. No organi'aion to-day can exist for any length of jino without its specialised propaganda hrough- the press. Tho "War Cry" is s every Salvationist knows, his speciai iaper. The British "War Crv" is, Lwver only one ot many more or less similnj redely papers published with the .-aim' ltlo all over the world. There is a cononolitnn interest in glancing over these inique publications, and to remember • lL llave ft kindred gonosis and bject. The germ thought is the sunie. i i h f' v , a " Possess 'he imprimatur of he Salvation Army. Mr. Bramwell iooth frequently finds time to contribute pecially to the "War Cry," and from the ommencement has realised its immense owor for good. On the side of literature he new General has sought to provide or Salvationists such books as could not lossibly be procured elsewhere. "Bed lot" books, they have been described. As ne well-informed officer has written, to pread a knowledge of the religion, and ■hat it can do in tho hearts and lives of icn, is one of tho great purposes for iiich God has colled the Army into beng. In the midst of his multifarious lilies, says another officer. Mr. Bramwell Sooth has frequently written such books, r directed someone else to do so, in iiich case he reads and edits the copy ofoi-e it w. sent to t.ho printers He sefthe type in which the matter is lo ■:- '-"I up, ;ind rtiijos":- the pnv/ev ur-nn :hirh tJ.n hqpjj ij tj he, nr.mUd, He ,

clients anil criticise the printers' estimates of cost, and decides all those'various {mints affecting the binding, price, and advertising. The now General's home life is ideal. Wife and children—sons and daughters— are linked together in one happy, selfdenying ordinance to foster and extend (he Army work. Marriage brought him a partner who had distinguished herself in Paris when (lie French people were much excited concerning the zealous methods of the Army. Captain Florence Soper, as sho was then, had volunteered for service in France alter a remarkable religious awakening as the result of the services of Mrs. Catherine Booth. The daughter of a AVcst Country physician, Florence Soper came out of n home quite unused to Salvation Army doctrines or method?. She admits the task of serving in the Ariny at the start was a heavy one, but by Divine Grace sho stood by her post, and has since done noble work for God, for her sisters, and for the organisation of which her husband is now head. She is in charge of the women's •social work of Great Britain, which has been signally blessed, not only in its treatment 'of poor, fallen women, but of drunkards of her own sex, and in tho rescno of children from evil and vicious environments. At home social workers of all ranks have acknowledged the real worth and influence of her gracious ministry. The marriage was in 1882.