SALVATION ARMY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 920, 19 June 1903, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY.

THE SOCIAL WORK

There was a large gathering at the Salvation Army Barracks last evening on the occasion of tlie annual meeting held in connection with the rescue and social work, llis Worship the Mayor presided, and amongst those present on the. platform were Adjutant Cook, Revs. Welsh and Paterson, Mcsdames Sievwrighl and Graham, and Mr W. D. Lysnar. The meeting opened with a hymn, and the Rev. Mr Paterson then led in prayer. A company song, '‘Lonely Heart to Cherish,” was then sung by .Sisters Grey (2), Ilensler, and Bros. Cook and Sawyer. The Chairman read apologies from the Rev. B. P. .Rothwell and Mr J. W. Whinray. Mr Rothwell was unable to attend through indisposition, and the following letter was read from Mr Whinray “ Being unable to attend your meeting this evening, let me tender my best wishes to the Army and the great work they arc engaged in. A perusal of the report handed me, showing the extent and diversity of work engaged in by your Army Service throughout the Australasian eolonics, is a remarkable commentary upon the great good the Army organisation is doing everywhere, in relieving the necessities of the unfortunate and outcast of society, and deserves the unstinted support of all classes of the community and every shade of religion, it is a truism that “ one hall ol the world does not know how the other half lives,” and your report forcibly exemplifies this axiom. Nothing but a fortitude begot of true Christian charity could induce such an army of workers as are engaged in the amelioration of their fellow-men,and I tender you godspeed in your new sphere and success m your many trying and arduous duties—the more so as they, are voluntary and sellimposed, and in this your success Mavor expressed pleasure at being present, and congratulated the Army - upon the success of the meeting He had read the report of the social work of the Army, and was struck by its vast nature. One good feature of the Army was that every member of it was a strict teetotaler, and they were also doing their best to preserve themsolves for' eternal life. _ The chief object of the Army was to assist in relieving all kinds of distress and poverty. The May or concluded by calling upon Adjutant Cook to give an address on the great rescue work that tho Army was doing. In his opening remarks, Adjutant Cook apologised for the non-attendance of Mr 0 A DoLautour, who was unable to be present. Continuing, the Adjutant gave a stirring address on tho social work of the Armv He showed that the many departments of tho Army wore all active in che cause of righteousness, and that a areat social work was being done through out the world. There were m all 62d social institutions of all sorts, officered by 1811 officers. Many thousands of men and women passed through these homes during the year, and it was pleasing to note that ovor bO per cent, were permanently reformed. If it wero nut for the spiritual work ot the Army thore would bo no social work, because it was only when 3od touched the hearts of man aul women that they were led to devote themselves to the work. Referring to tho homes for fallen women, Adjutant Cook said that 864 cases had been dealt with in tho colonies during the year, 546 of which were received into the homes on the women’s own application. In Now Zealand last year 126 women were treated in tho maternity wards, distributed throughout tho colony as follows r-Dune-din 22 Wellington 60, Auckland 44. Considering that there wore other institutions of tho kind besides hose of tho balvation Army, there was, ho thought, grave causo for alarm. The homes for children, shelter homes, and restaurants for supplyiorr meals at a nominal cost, were dealt with at some length, and many interesting and pathetic stories wore told by the speaker of oases that had come under his n °The‘ Rev. J- G. Paterson delivered a short aud congratulatory address.. Ho Si ahi v eulogised the good work that had been done by General Booth, than whom no one was better known throughout the ecclesiastical world. Mr Paterson spoke of a case that had come under his notice when in Napier, to show the good work that tho Army was doing in relieving distress and raising the fallen. The speaker concluded by moving a vote of thanks to tho Mayor for presiding. Mr W. D. Lysnar seconded the motion, and expressed pleasure at being allowed t( bo present at the meeting that evening. The Salvation Army was doing a great and noblo work in uplifting the poor and and helping them to lead a better and a more righteous life. The Army reached many people who were not to be got at by other means. They went to them in the slums, in prison, in the street, and in every other direction ; they offered them every assistance, and did their best to bring them up to a higher standard than they had over had before. Tho Army was worthy of every support, in fact there was no object that one could give to where the funds could be made better use of. The motion was carried unanimously, tho Chairman briefly responding. Tho meeting closed with tho Doxology, the Benediction being pronounced by the Rev W. Wolsh.