A "BIG" SALVATIONIST

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 221, 12 June 1919, Page 6

A "BIG" SALVATIONIST

-4 ■ COMMISSIONER HOWARD IN WELLINGTON CIVIC RECEPTION s ' Commissioner Thomas Henry Howard, the first Salvation Army Commissioner for Australia and New Zealand, who roso to ,bo Chief of Staff at the- London Headquarters, and has only just retired from that post to make way for a younger man (Colonel Higgins), was accorded a civic reception in the Concert Chamber yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a large assemblage of members of tho Salvation Annv from all parts of tho district ami Wellington citizen^. Tho Mayor, who wore his chain ot office, said" that on behalf of the citizen* of Wellington, and in the name of thepeople of New Zealand, he extended a very hearty welcome to his esteemed ann beloved friend Commissioner Howard. (Applause.) The activities of the Salvation Army, here and elsewhere, had not been altogether a closed Look to him. He had attended tho first meeting .of tho Army in Wellington, held in Tory Street, .und heard Comrades "Ted" Wright and Captain Collie speak, and could remember that he had been distinctly interestud. That wan some time after tho activities of the Army in the Old Country had 'become known through tho efforts of tho latb General William Booth and his beloved wife, both of whom had been welcomed in the home.s of the Lukes in Cornwall. (Applause.) Ho could assure them that, though he was only a small boy at the time, the impression left by tho visits of Mr. Booth in Cornwall were lasting. That was in the late 'sixties ami early 'seventies. No name was more honoured , there than that of the I!ev. William Booth. (Applause.) They had met that day to welcome Commissioner Howard. It was not his first visit to Wellington. Hβ had been warmly welcomed many years ago, but was doubly welcome now.' Speaking quite frankly, he could say that therb was no organisation or institution existing in the community which had done more good work than that to which the worthy Commissioner was attached—none in which the spiritual was so indissolubly welded with social activities. Were it not for the unwavering adherenco to the teachings of the Gospel, and the pattern of the Great Master Himself, the Arinji could not have been so successful. This 'was the time, and place for him to express on behalf of the citizens of Wellington appreciation of the admirable work of the Army in seizing mpon the religious opportunities and setting the religious example to those around about them. The social work of tho Army stood out prominently wherever one went in New Zealand. The women had 'done, particularly fine work. in rescuing boys and girls and training them how to get tho best in life. (Applause.) ffheir work was honoured and fruitful. Mr. Lukp said -Commissioner Howard was. an able representative of the present General, who had departed from the uiln which has been snid usually governed the lives of parsons' sons, for the present General (Mr. Bramwell Booth) had followed in his father's footsteps, (Applause.) He had intended to comb out himself, but for health reasons and pressure of work he could not leave tho United Kingdom, bo he had pent his next best man, and that was Commissioner Howard. (Loud applause.) As Mayor of Wellington he wished to publicly testify to the Anny and its work, and especially to the heip and support it had been in connection with the war. Prom time to time his heart had Ixien cheered by news of what was done for'the boys at thie front, and also when they got back to the United Kingdom. Once more Mr. Luke extended to the Commissioner a most hearty welcome, amidst: tempestuous applause and joyous ejaculations.

Commissioner Howard Replies, Initially, Commissioner Howard (who. was received with a ioar of welcoming' applausa) remarked that His Worship had_"got into touch" when he addressed them as comrades, and if ho. could say so • without being patronising,. it was a feather in his cap. He greatly appreciated the honour which had been extended to him that afternoon. To meet their own people was a great pleasure, but whori he was told that he was to be honoured with, a civic reception he felt that ho would have to get a size larger in-caps.- ■ With so many honours.ho was ii little in danger of swelled head, but something Vwas almost bound to occur th b other way about to restore the equipoise. It was always no. The honour, ho took it, was not a ppr?on.-!l nji«.. l>'it onlj really represented the Mayor's views towards the Salvation Army. They would all remember the parable of the rashlight, which when placed on a tall candle-stick commenced to arrogate to itself greatness and power, on account of tho additional light it was able to shed, until it was pointed out to tho rushlight that' it was the candlestick which had increased its prestige. In this ease he was the oandlo and the Army the candlestick, but whether it was personal or for the Army, he was equally very grateful. Such receptions and sontiments at any late conveyed the assurance that the Army hero was not standing still. It would not have beun surprising after four years of war if thev hud to report set-backs, but such occasions gavo them the opportunity oi reassuring their friends' elsewhere "that tho Salvation Army was still filling a place in- tho world God had given it. It had not only carried on, but had been so blessed of God that it had increased ite activities in many directions—in larger methods, larger forms of activities. In announcing the coming meetings, Commissioner Hodder had named them the Jubilee Congress, following upon a decision, that the jubilee of the Army should be celebrated without delay. The jubilee should have taken place in 1915, when tho Army comploted its first fifty years of existence, but circumstances were not favourable' to tbo celebrations. In Canada he had attended the opening of an institution for returned' soldiers, end mi officer (who was from the battle line) had said that before all the Salvation Army stood for service in the world. Tho Salvation Army in the war, in social work; evangelism, . Bud, spiritual' enlightenment etood for Rervicc He found in a lot of public men a desire to distinguish between tho sooial and the spiritual. "We like your social work," they said, "but we don't like your religious work." His reply, was simply that social service could only bo rendered as the outcome of spiritual iuspiration." (Applause.) Referring to Mr. Luke's mention of the lato General Booth's visits to Cornwall, Commissioner Howard said that it was in Cornwall where he shook hands with tho General and make a contract that was still being worked'out.' Mr. Booth Imd invited him ta go to Cornwall on one'ef his tours. 110 was not then a member of tho Army, but o business man in his own town. At tho end of the (our, the General snid: "Well, what about the future?" He had to givo an answer, so he snid: "I think I'll have to come to you." ".Remember. Howard," «iid tho General, smiling, "there's no money in it! So standing there on the railway platform at Bristol, he on tho carriage, we sealed n contract and cemented a friendship with no spots on it and no stain on it till we parted in his death chamber." Since he had left Liverpool in March he had heard nothing 'hut a stream of praise as to tho value of tho work of the Army in the war. They had worked with warm, tender hearts and willing hands, end from the King and Queen down to tens of thousands of simple soldier men they had learned of the value of tho Army—but it wos the opinion of tho soldiorg they vnhicd nioM, because- they knew. (Applause.) Tho Salvation Army was out to help solve tho many social problems constantly arising, and thn problems of peace were even greater than the problems of war. Hβ reminded tho audience I'lifll , , during tlw warj the Army had lo carry on its ordinary work at the sani" time as its war work. II could not, like some institutions, throw tlifl whole of its energies into war-work. They had to carry on their work in the CO countries the Army wns established in and still koep thu ordinary machinery going. That simply iiirant that the officers had to do doubleduty, and carry doublo bunions. Of Hip women of the Salvation Army no one could sound too hjirh a note of praiso. I[o had always said that "when a woman's as good as a man she's a great deal better," because of her instincts, her tondernßSS, and gentleness, which could do so much more than a clumsy

man. (Laughter and applause.) Woman's day had arrived, and on the whole she was doing very well. If she went on steadily, and iiad a lillio regard fo , : mere man, she would do very well indeed. (Appl-ausc.) Tho Commissioner said that Governments had not infrequently acknowledged the help of the Salvation Army, in Java it was said that tho Salvation Army was "the angel of mercy to tho Government of the Dutch Indies;" , He eulogised what the peoplo of New Zealand had done through the Army during tho. war; the money collected having been beyond natural expectations. Hβ hoped that God's blessing would rest upon this city, and in paying a compliment to the typo of men sent Home, ho said that England need not worry about the strength «;• standard of her manhood ivhon New Zealand and the other overseas Doniinions could breed such men as they had sent Home to fight for freedom and tho right. "If there is anything we can do to help .Wellington," said Commissioner Howard, in conclusion, "talk to Commissioner liodder and it shall be done!" (Long and loud applause.) Commissioner llodder iilso spoke of tho good training he had received in his youth under the eye of Commissioner Howard. He maintained that the Army had its ideals, and , .secret of service was that it worked v eieruiiiicdly until those ideals were realised. "Wo are out in the interest of all sections of the> community," said Commissioner Hodder, "whether it be in the cities, the country towns, or the back-blocks—to do our best for God and humanity whatever happens. Yet it is nice to ir'et a pat on tho back occasionally. We have never found the Mayor wanting in sincere and 'heartfelt appreciation of our work. If there is any way wo can serve you, we ar« always prepared to do so." Tho reception closed with the sin"in» of tho National Anthem. °