The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1905. GENERAL BOOTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7815, 6 May 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1905. GENERAL BOOTH.

The "man ol tl<€ hour" is certainly the venerable philanthropist who is at the head of the Salvation Array. The targe concourse of people which assembled at the Railway Station on Thursday evening to welcome Uuueral Booth was at least a proof of the interest taken in the striking individual whoSo name and good work are so * well known all over the world, and the reception which has been accorded to vhe General throughout the colony must have been gratifying, to one who has passed through many storms and vicissitudes durjnp his long and useful career. That the esteem and respect of the vast majority of the English speaking race should hojvo grown to such strength at a, tiino when, according to tho usual order of things,; tlie reverend gentleman should 'be nearing the close of his life's work, must tend to a feeling of rejoicing that his efforts have not been ia vain. Yet how well oils remembers the time when it was the fashion to ridicule "The Army" and all connected with it. No doubt in that period of its existence there were many indiscreet, though enthusiastic incmbei'.v. of the organisation trying tliefr hardojt to earn martyrdom. Common sense, and plonty of scope for legitimate work, eventually placed matters on a more unWufuctory fooling. Year by year the work has grown, one branch alter another being athlod, until today we see the most marvellous and far-reaching scheme for the betterment of tho "subuiergoif'tenth" and the spiritual welfare ,of humanity 'in general, controlled toy one man. There may be controversy as to the general results of the army's work, hut' there is certainly no room for difference as to the paramount position it occupies in the sphere of philanthropy. Born In 1829, tfle future founder of the Salvation Army was baptised in the Anglican but as he grew up lie gravitated into Methodism< Shortly after he was found taking a prominent part in a revival campaign], and in 1849 ho went to London as a Wcsleyan local preacher, and developed such a strong desiro for open-air preaching that it ended in his severing his connection with the Wesley ana, and engaging in Evangelistic work, which also came to an unpleasant end. Next he migrated to the Midlands, where he organised the notorious "Hallelitiah Ban#," but returned to London In 1864, ha-ving married in the interim a woman as remarkable as himself. It was now that the turning point of his life was readied and Tiis destiny fixed. In the pooivst and most squalid part of the East end of London, the important work with which his name is associated, was started, though ,it was not till pome time after that the name of "Solvation Army" was chosen. From the holding of services In open-air, in tents, or any bifildinji that could be -got for the purpose, the grand work, based solely on the simplest form of Christian faith, has spread marvellously, and is still expanding. It is almost impossible for those, surrounded by such: comforts and blessings of life as are to be fouiid in I'arunaki, to realise the nobleness of tile mission which the SaJ ration Army is engaged on in the East of London and other crowded centres where slums abound, and the dreua of humanity herd together. The terribje pvplilcm of the " submerged tenth" has been, discussed again and again, but General Booth h a s faced it determinedly, and attacked its solution resolutely. Shelters for the homeless and destitute, homes for the fallen, extending a kindly and helping hand to those coming from prison l . In fait scouring the by-ways for the outcasts, and last, but not leas!, preparing a way by means of colonisation schemes for transporting able workers to new spheres of 'labour, yet all the while sow ing the good seed of religion so that both Uiu bodies and souls of those who are brought under tho benign influence of the Army are benefitted. This combination of active and practical philanthropy with the simplest form of religious revival constitutes the work of General Booth nntl his vast forces. The units employed in the work may as a rule be devoid of culture, bill. s u weio the fishermen of Gajiiee. They reach and rescue those who would otherwise swell the ranks of the worst class known to the world. It |s not surprising therefore tint the peoplo of almost every land are learning to appreciate the efforts of the Salvation Arm}-, and are glad of a n opportunity of proving to the reverend head of the organisation how highly they esleum ()is devotion to the eause of applied CnrjsUajiily