SALVATION ARMY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1929, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY

CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF

FOUNDER.

WELLINGTON. April 10

To-night the big Town Hall was crowded from organ lolt to hack walls and galleries on the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of the liirtli of General William 'Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. Jhe Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) presided, and there was also present the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward).

A united prayer giving thanks v ‘Almighty God “for the gift of Thy servant, William Booth, whom Thm didst give to this poor needy world ’ was recited aloud by all present. “ With great daring and courage Thou didst endow him,” ran the prayer, “ and didst call him out to raise this Army and to gather this force for tlie salvation of the world. May his lile and labour sinspire us and may we also follow Thee as he followed Thee throughout all our days.” The Mayor said General Booth laid down his plan of operations on a worldwide basis and scab*, and so great was his faith that it gave him the needed audacity to press into all coup tries. He had the vision of the seer. Hie world was truly his because he conquered it. It belonged to him more than it belonged to any other living man. Mr Troup noted with pride that the Army headquarters were still in the land'of its birth. He regarded William Booth as a great iiiUniational institution. He was a great humanitarian who established land and industrial colonies, hanks, insurance companies, printing and publishing works, hospitals, hostels, homes,- training in~ stitutions, and emigration -bureaux. These wore all auxiliaries to his. mission to seek and save the lallcn ami tlie outcast. Mr Troup also paid a tribute to Airs Catherine Booth, who ol the founder.

Sir Joseph Ward reviewed in detail the life of William Booth, also the work in New Zealand from its inception here in April, ISS3. “The Army,’ lie concluded, “ has obeyed the Divine instruction to go out into the highways mid byways, and lias carried the. Gospel to almost every country. T hope the Army will continue its work loi centuries to come, and that ii will e\ei be inspired and guided bv the influence and ideals of its famous founder, A\ if limn Booth.”

.Mrs Commissioner May, ( ommis sioner Hay, and others also spoke. ■■