THE FIRST CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1767, 4 June 1913, Page 10

THE FIRST CONGRESS.

UNIQUE GATHERING.

SALVATION ARMY WORK. | ■ I A gathering, unique of its kind in New Zealand, was that which assembled at the Salvation Army Citadel, Vivian Street, last night. Some 350 Salvation Army officers attended from all parts of New Zealand. Last night's gathering was the opening of the first Dominion Congress of the Salvation Army, under tho new constitution, which makes New Zealand distinct from Australia. • Commissioner unu Mrs. Richards welcomed tho officers, and a number of short addresses were given. Tho gathering was composed entirely of Salvation Army officers, and the remarks were addressed as from one officer to another. In commenting on tho fact that tho gathering was one of tho most important over held in Wellington, Brigadier Gist, principal of tho Wellington Training College, said they could not help but ask oue or two questions for tho reason of such a gathering. These could be answered to the cli'ect that they had gathered together to glean something to enable them to carry on, to better advantage, the great work which had been entrusted to them. They anticipated great things from tho congress. Not Understood. Major Toomer, Dunedin, said he trusted they would hold u series of meetings, which would lead them to understand each other better, and understand the Salvation Army, so that they could go back to their own people and inako them understand the Salvation Army better than they hail ever done before. Ho had come to tho conclusion that the peoplo of New Zealand did not understand tho Salvation Army at all. The public looked upon the Salvation Army as a great movement; j said thoy wero doing a great work, and oven said that they were doing a greater | work than: all the churches put together, yet they soemcd to havo tho idea that the Army's object was to'bless humanity from a-human standpoint. The Army had to make them understand that they (the Army) had to bless humanity from a spiritual standpoint. (Applause.) Brigadier Bray referred to the same point. -Ho said that he was equally conscious with Major Toomer that Jie public looked upon Iho. Army from tlio ] wrong angle. On wnny occasions when t ho boil been travelling on social work for tho Army, he had heard men say that they were great believers in the Army s social work, but they didn't know about the spiritual work. Ho had answered that, if it had not been for the i-eep spirituality of their people, ro social work would liavo been. done. (Applause.) Mrs. Commissioner Bichards wdcotned the (rfSccrs* to tho congress, and expressed the liopo that, as a result of it tliey would all bo drawn closer (o God. Other spoalrera were: Staff-Captain i Newby, Christchurch; Brigadier Carmichael, Wellington; Brigadier vincc, »| Auckland! Brigadier Hoare, Headquarters Staff, and Brigadier Dixon, Duncdin. Great Work Needed. In tho course of a vigorous address Commissioner Richards set out what tho congress suggested to him. lie hoped they would reoeive preparation for future services and preparation for future sorrows and difficulties. There wuld be many a difficulty and sorrow to face before tliey j got to the other shore. Tliey .did not expect, however, to get a smooth, aim-chuir passage to tho Celestial City. He himself had worked for 33 years, but ho had no thought of drawing a pension now. He hoped to work for another 33 years. Ho did not see any reason why a man should not live till ho was 150. If he died before lio was 100. it was a premature death. When ho saw so many people around him dying, ho thought of tho "death instinct" which had got into tho minds of the people. Concluding, Commissi nicr Richards said that there was a great work to be done in this Dominion amongst all classes of society. Tho world was r.ofc as it should be, but if there was anyone capable of putting it so, it was tho Salvation Army. (Applause.) The officers will meet in private-this morning, and this afternoon, in the BapI tist Church, Vivian Street, nnd a public woloonio will -be held in tho Citadel this evening.