A "SPRING FAIR"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 297, 4 September 1918, Page 3

A "SPRING FAIR"

SALVATION ARMY SELF-DENIAL FUND. Yesterday evening the Salvation Array Spring Fair, in aid of selfdenial funds, was opened by Sir Francis Bell. Thero was a very large attendance- of tho public, and the interior of the Citadel looked charming with its decorations of spring blossoms, palms, and foliage, intermingled with-Chinese lanterns and dusters of colow'ed electric lights. The also were turned into bowers of blossom, while their goods, including needlework of all kinds (of which children's clothing had been made a specialty), the daintiest of novelties, embroidered work, sweots, flowers, provisions, pickles, jams, cakes, and pictures, made a very attractive display. The stage also had been decorated with a trellis work covered with trails of wistaria, and altogether the fair was one which was hardly of a kind to induce the practice of self-denial. Commissioner Hodder welcomed Sir Francis Bell, and in his introductory speech referred.to tho fact that the Self-Denial Fund had been- started more than thirty years ago, at a time when tho Salvation Army had but few friends and very little money. As a matter of fact, General Booth had reached such a state of discouragement that he had almost come to the conclusion that the Army would have to close down fo'r want of funds. A inspiration, however, seized him of asking his people to practiso selfdenial for one week, and so enthusiastically did the people practise it, even to reducing themselves to the point of subsisting upon bread and treacle and water, that by the time Self-Denial week ended a sum of between £5000 and £6000 resulted.' The fact that tho Salvation Army wore so ready to pnt /their principles into action roused much admiration, and tho tide began to turn. No effort was necessary the following year, hut , ( after that selfdenial becamo an institution by means of which they were able to extend tho operations of their work.

Tlie Commissioner mentioned tho fact that in India there word now 2000 Salvation Army corps. The Army was also workiiig in China and Japan, and, in fact, 63 countries and colonies were now under tho scope of their' operations, and they had their officers speaking and teaching in thirty different languages. In New Zealand'last year, by :'ineans of Self-Denial week, they had realised no less than £38,000, and in proportion to her size New Zealand lod the way for tho world in giv'ing. This year they hoped to raise £50,000, as money was not of the eame value as -it was a year or two ago. The speaker also intimated that lie had received an apology from Sir James Allen,' Acting-Prime Minister, who was unable to be present owing to illness, and who was represented by Sir Francis Bell.

Sir Francis Bell informed his audie'lice that Sir' Jnmos- Allen sincerely regretted that ho was not able- to 'be present. In fact, he would have, heen there had not his colleagues learnt of his, intention, and' prevailed upon him not to gc out. Referring to the work of the Salvation Army, the Minister said it was only necessary for him to think of'the time when there was no Army to realise now the value of thework it had accomplished since it 'came- into existence Till then no organisation of men and women were prepared as they to sacrifice themselves and all that made h\nuai\ life happy for the sake of the salvation of others. As Crown .Prosecutor here in charge of the prosecution of criminals he had seen how little there was to help them hack to good "living before the v Salvation Army existed, and it was the evidence of their work in reclaiming those who were so homeless and so helpless that had coneertedhim to the realisation oi the value of their work of rescue.' Following a remark that he could not refrain from wondering what on earth this fair had to do with self-denial (a I'eniark that aroused much laughter), save tlfat he concluded that self-denial to he practised afterwards, Sir Francis Bell declared the. fair opon.

A musical programme was contributed by tho.Salvation. Army Band and tho Songsters, and Mr. G. Kirk recited. ■ '

The decorations of the fair were rnrried out by Staff-Captain Burton, mul .without doubf, they woro very pretty. The stall-holders and ■ thoir assistants wore little Dutch cap*,, whilo liloiisos and blue skirts, and altone'ther they looked very attractive. "This afternoon Sirs. Commissioner Hoddor will hold an "at home" in the Citadel, and a short musical programme will bs given by the Owen Street Home girls. The- fair will also be open in the evening, j

The invitations issued by the Returned Soldiers' Association for their annual ball next week are appropriately designed. The British and American 'flags aro crossed in the right-hand corner of a khaki-coloured folded, card, with the words Egypt, Gallipoli/ Mesopotamia,. France underneath. The Ladies' Committee consists of Mesdames J. B. MacEwan, W. H. Montgomery, W. F. Boden. A. E. VVhyte, and J. D. Harper. The Men's Committee includes Colonel J. Gr. Hughes and Messrs. J. P. Maxwell, M. J. Kilgour, and J. D. Harper, with Mr. D. J. B. Seymour as hon. secretary. Every arrangement is being made for a thoroughly enjoyable occasion. An opportunity will lie afforded to women and girls on Thursday evening, at the YW.C.A.. Fowlds Buildinw.. to hear Mr. James Simpson, who will speak in supnort of Prohibition. Mr. Simpson is well known in Canada ns chairman and controller of the Education Board, and, editor of the Toronto "Daily Star." Mr. Simpson has been elected Canada's Labour delegate to tho world's Congress at the close of the war.