GENERAL BOOTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 82, 23 August 1912, Page 5

GENERAL BOOTH.

► BRAMWELL BOOTU SUCCEEDS HIM. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright London, August 2i. It is officially announced that Mr. Bramwell Booth will succeed his father as head of the Salvation Army. BODY LYING IN STATE. REMARKABLE TRIBUTES. London. August 21. Hundreds of telegrams of ■ ondolence on the death of General Booth have been received from all parts of the world. Newspapers of all shades pay remarkable tributes to the General, and some liken nig work to the Oxford moveuent. The King telegraphed to Mr. Bramwell Booth: "The nation has lost a great organiser and the poor have lost « whole-hearted sincere friend. We chall only in future be able to realise the good he wrought to his fellowcreatures. To-day there is universal mourning, wherein I join." It is stated that the General never received a penny from the Salvation Army funds, but that a. few friends privately provided for all his wants. The body is lying in state and the burial will take place next week at AbHey Park. German papers are very sympathetic. THE GENERAL'S SUCCESSOR. Received 22, 9.30 p.m. London, August 22. The Salvation Army's solicitor has opened a sealed packet entrusted to him twenty-two years ago by General Booth, wherein Mr. Bramwell Booth is Appointed his successor. AUSTRALIAN TRIBUTES. Sydney, August 22. There have been many tributes in the press and from public men to the late General Booth. MEMORIAL SERVICE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. Commissioner Richards advises that the memorial service for General Booth will be held next Sunday night, instead of on Sunday week. SYMPATHY FROM NEW ZEALAND. Wellington, Last Night. His Excellency the Governor cabled to-day io Mr. Bramwell Booth, London, now head of the Salvation Army, as follows: "Accept my deep sympathy on your great father's deathl That his work in New Zealand is of striking benefit is realised by all.—lslington." ARMY'S FUTURE LEADER. NEW ZEALAND MEMORIAL SERVICES. •• ' ■ Gisborne, August 21. "Yes, the world is poorer to-day than it was yesterday." remarked Commissioner Richards, the head of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, speaking to a reporter immediately after the news of the death of General Booth had been received. "His death came as a great blow to us." said Commissioner Richards. "Though we knew that his condition was serious, we did not expect him to leav« us just yet. For the past few days 1 have been receiving a daily cable from London regarding the General's condition, and it was only to-day that I realised that the end could only be a question of hours. Though not altogether unprepared for the worst, the news of the General's death has come as a great shock to us. and you can understand we are all feeling very sad."

You were in close touch with General Booth in London, and would have many opportunities of knowing him personall v?

'"Yes," replied Commissioner Richards, "I used to see him daily for weeks at a time, and had breakfast with him the day I sailed for New Zealand." "General Booth." proceeded the Commissionet "was the greatest man I have known. 1 have carefully Tead the biographies of the great men of the past, and can recall few who during their fifties nave accomplished so much for humanity. The chief characteristic about the General was his great love for his own people, outsiders, and the poor. A wondrous love for humanity permeated his very being. General Booth had founded and successfully organised a religious movement which had spread to all quarters of the globe. His genius had made the Salvation Army one of the best organised forces in the world. The General had left 22,000 preachers to carry on the movement his master mind had created, •nd who was to say to what lengths it would spread. • "But he has gone," added Commissioner Richards sadly, "and it only remains for us to carry on his great work. That it will go on I am perfectly assured. General Booth has left such a thorough organisation that Hie great humanitarian movement must go forward. There must be no deterioration. no looking back." Who will be the new leader? the pressnan asked. "That I will not know until I return to Wellington." replied Commissioner Richards. "I have at headquarters a packet which I was ordered to opr:i in the event of the General's death. In that packet will be revealed the name of the new General. While no one knows positively who will succeed to supreme command, it is generally recognised that Mr. Wm, Bramwell Booth. General Booth's eldest son, will succeed *-" * are going to hold a big national memorial service next Sunday week. the Commissioner added. "We intend to invite the ministers of all denominations to take part, and feel sure they will be glad to do so. It is our intention to hold the service after church, so that Everyone can attend. Similar services will'be held in every town throughout the Dominion."