THE SALVATION "GRIP."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1768, 5 June 1913, Page 6

THE SALVATION "GRIP."

A COMMISSIONER'S TRIBUTE.

AND A STIRRING APPEAL. A public welcome was extended last night to tlio Salvation Army officers attending tho Army Congress. The Citadel was crowded, and throughout tho night the meeting was marked by spontaneous singing. "It was a checring-up gathering," ns Commissioner Richards-, who was presiding, remarked. Staff-Captain Gunn, of Christchurch, one of tho first speakers, said ho was looking forward to see tho Salvation jinny extend in every direction in Mew Zealand'. Th' 3 present congress he took its a sign of advancement under the now constitution. ' They recognised, however, that there was something deeper underlying thedr gathering, and they all 1 hoped to gain strength. They had many things to learn, and wero conscious of their shortcomings. "The Salvation Army people are the most optimistic people in the world," said Commissioner Richards, in introducing the next speaker. Continuing, ho said that many people did not believe in themselves. That was tho reason they failed. The reason why so many commercial undertakings failed could be traced to the sanio reason. The Commissioner then called upon 'Mrs. Envoy "Underwood, of Oamaru, at ' tft'e same time announcing that Mrs. Underwood had contributed <£100 towards the Memorial Fund. The announcement was greeted with loud applause, which was continued when Mrs. Underwood stood up and dolivered an eloquent testimony. Adjutant Gray, secretary of the junior "work in tho Auckland division, spoke on behalf of the young people, "tho hope of the Army." The Army believed, he said, that tho future depended on how tho children were attended to, and they were anticipating that in the days to come, when a congress was announced, Jie boys and girls of to-day would bo in the van. A fervid appeal was put forward by 'Adjutant Haywood, recently from Auckland, and now awaiting appointment, it was something like 24 -years, no said, einco ho attended his first congress in Melbourne; Ho was then a young man, but a spark had been kindled in his heart, and ho had gono forth determined that liis cry should bo the cry ot Gideon. ■Ho had attended something like seventeen or eighteen congresses, m Melbourne ' nnd Adelaide, and in the present congress lie saw the possibilities of the ol this country. He was hoping ami praying that God would Kindle the same ilaino 111 the hearts of all tho officers attending as had been kindled in his heart, when he attended his first congress. It would result In men and women throughout wcw Zealand being raised up to God. The British "Grip.' 1 The "grip"- of the Salvation Army was the subject taken by Commissioner Richards in addressing those, present. Thero were various methods of greeting throughout the world, but he believed in tho good old British "grip." It gave life to a man, and sent a warmth tingling to his heart. Continuing, 'the Commissioner commented on the fact that he had had experience in looking after 10,000 wastrels in Great Britain. He had had experience in all kinds of men. On one occasion h£ had dealt with seven men with letters lifter their names. They , had Oxford and Cambridge degrees, but had lost themselves. The Salvation Army had a grip for such men. He had seen men stand more erect after such a grip; had esen a,tear trickle down deep-lined faces, and heard, men say: "God bless you. You have put more heart into me." He congratulated -the Salvation Army on the way it' could grip poor fallen brothers. He also liked tho grip they had for each other. Wherever Salvationists met there was a flow of love. It reminded him of tho timo when two Army men met 011 board ship. Neither could understand the other's language, but they gripped hands nnd one said "Hallehijah!" and the other "Amen." They had a grand conversation— flaughter)—and stuck to ' one another all the voyage. There was a unanimity of spirit between all Salvationists, and therein was tho secret of their success. Ho wanted to congratulate the" Salvation Army on the work they had done in New Zealand before he arrived. 1 They had been plodding on for 26 years, anil it was a grand testimony to thoir power. "Whenever you a Salvationist," concluded the Commissioner, "he makes a 'dust' for tlio Kingdom of God and the salvation of souls. (Applause.) There ore some hundreds, from the Bluff to Whangarei, doing that for the Salvation Army. It is tho 'grip' of tho Salvation 'Army. There is another grip, the grip of unity and sympathy. It s a great gift that the Salvation Army can go about with that grip.- Thero is also the grip of contract. I want to make a contract with you: that you will do a little more eoul-saving; a little more praying; and a little more Bible-reading." (Applause.) During the evening vocal and instrumental selections wore given by "different members present. THE CONGRESS. The 350 officers attending the Congress met in private yesterday, in the Baptist Church, Vivian Street. -In the morning Commissioner Richards outlined the programme for tho remainder of the meetings, and in J:he afternoon spoke on the duties of tho Salvation Army officer, and the scope of his work. Congress will resume this morning, when papers will •bo read on tho various phases of the Salvation Army work.