A NOTABLE FIGURE

Shannon News, 19 February 1929, Page 4

A NOTABLE FIGURE

EVANGELINE BOOTH.

Commander Evangeline Booth, who is said to be pressing urgently for reform in the Salvation Army, is. very little known ip this * country, despite the fact that she is the sister Df General Bramwell Booth, now lying seriously ill, and therefore a daughter of the founder of the Army. In America, hoyever, she wields power and authority. Some 20 years ago a slender, brown-eyed young woman faced a howling mob in a New York slum. She waved a red silk flag with stars on a blue background and dared tile mob to hiss it. That \Vas how Evangeline Booth introduced herself and her mission to New York.

The hooting gave place to cheers. But that was only a beginning.; v She and her workers had strange adventures in the old Bowery, They were never sure what was to happen to them when they mu relied forth .in ■ Unevening.

One of their most popular battle-cries was Hold the enemy ’s ammunition,' which meant that they must retain' everything that was flung at them so that it could not be thrown again. “Miss Eva,” as she speedily.became known, not only in the Bowery but all up and down the states, had been well trained for ■ this sort of thing. She was barely 25 years of age when, she went with lier father into the slums of the East End of London. She was in her twenties when, she was- sent out as a territorial commander to Canada. She has been in command in the States since 1905.

How she maintained her vigour and vitality after 20. odd years'of continuous and tumultuous leadership in Amer : ica and 10 or mere in other lands is a marvel to her friends and followers. Those who live with her in her modest home on the outskirts of New York are obliged to follow a rigorous programme.

Long-distance swimming is a favour ite diversion with this energetic woman, now in her fifties. She thinks nothing in winter of skating for ar hour or more after a long night meetrag.

She recently v'on a mile race againsl a number of younger friends, and sh< used to spend hours in the saddle, bu: has now given up riding. When no out on many speech-making journey which constitute a large part of he work, she loves to dig in her garden. She calls her work ‘ ‘ Christianity i: action.” She is always in actionvigorous fighter.