Financial Difficulties of the Salvation Army

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 10, 12 July 1892, Page 4

Financial Difficulties of the Salvation Army

General Booth, in an appeal to his " dear friends and comrades," says : — " I am sure that I do not need to make any apology in telling you that our funds for both the spiritual and social branches of our work are more than exhausted. Only those who are ignorant of the gigantic nature of our undertaking will he J surprised, and only those who are j altogether opposed to its objects : will be otherwise than deeply c»m • , cerned to learn this. It will be remembered that I only anticipated being able to succeed with the Darkest England scheme on the undertaking that £100.000 were given for its commencemenr, and that £30,000 were afterwards contributed annually for its development and maintenance. Our experience has shown the absolute correctness of that calculation. But of the £30,000 required for this year only some £4000 has been furnished so far, which, together with the deficiency of last year, his all but brought me to a standstill — any•way leaves me no alternative but io appeal to those who encouraged me to commence the undertaking, and to others who are in sympathy with it, for that practical assistance which alone can enable me to go forward. This disappointment, 1 must confess, has been very painful to me ; but the fact that our spiritual fund is also exhausted and rapidly running behind is a difficulty more grievous still. The social work 1 distinctly undertook on the condition that the money required for its inauguration and maintenance would be supplied. I believed that it would be so. 1 believe so still, but should I prove to be mistaken — bitter as the disappointment may be — 1 shall simply be compelled to curtail operations to the limit of my ability. But with regard to tho spiritual work I feel differently. This must go forward. It cannot go on without money, and therefore the money must be found ; and you who have assi&ted me so often and so generously must help me again."