THE LOST LEADER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 90, 2 September 1912, Page 4

THE LOST LEADER

TRIBUTE TO GENERAL BOOTH. LOCAL MEMORIAL SERVICE. Striking testimony to the universal sorrow at the death of General Booth, the grand old man of the Salvation Army, was expressed by the large gathering in the Good Templar Hall last night at a memorial service held under the auspices of the Salvation Army. Tha chair was taken bv Staff-Capt. Glitheroe (superintendent of the Boys' Home at Eltham), and associated with him on the platform were the Revs. ,T. W. Burton. T. H. Roaeveare, R. .T, Liddell and F. Hales, representing other denominations. The service was opened with the singing of the hymn. "Shall we gather at the river," to the accompaniment of the Salvation Army Band. In a few introductory remarks, the chairman said they were assembled there to give expression to the deep feelings of their hearts at the great loss that the Salvation Annv in particular had sustained, and which the Christian world also share, in the death of General Booth. That so many had met there that night from the respective churches went to show the esteem in which hft was held in the hearts and affections of all, and the influence he had had upon our lives. "We meet together to-night," he concluded, "to express our feeling of sorrow at his removal, but yet we rejoice because so great and noble a life has been lived."

Ensign Adams and his corps then rendered a company song, followed by a reading frorri a passage in the Scriptures relating to the resurrection, by the Rev. Mr. Liddell.

Mr. H. T. Peat, on behalf of a church which was unable to be represented that evening, forwarded a resolution of sympathy passed by t)ie congregation, expressing regret at the passing away ol so great a reformer and philanthropist. The Rev. A. H. Colvile also forwarded an apology for non-attendance. A UNIQCE TRIBUTE.

A touching expression of regret and feeling address of sympathy was read from the prisoners of the New Plymouth Gaol. The address, which ran to considerable length, referred to the practical and sympathetic work that had been done by General Booth, and which would still be carried on by the Army, in the reclaiming and uplifting of fallen humanity. Following a selection by the band, the Rev. Mr. Roseveare (president of the Ministers' Association) delivered an appreciation of the Army's late leader oil behalf of the churches of New Plymouth. The Christian churches, he remarked, looked upon General Booth not as belonging to the Salvation Army, but as belonging to the great Christian world carried on by him and his officers throughout the whole world. He was not, in his mission, by any means coilfined in his interests* to any one par* ticular denomination, for his heart was large enough to have sympathy with Christian work as it was carried "out by, any Christian church. When he set ouß upon his peculiar mission and formed that peculiar organisation, he did not attempt to Teform the Christian Church. "We are," he onee said, "not a church? we are an army of salvation!" There were things concerning him which would live in our memory as long as we lived. After traversing the work doae by th« late leader amongst the poor and suffering, Mr. Roseveare said that the General's was no elaborate system. His creed was summed up in the -words: "Christ died for me." In his particular and peculiar mission in the world he laid himself out to he a friend of the hopeless. Like Christ of old, 3ie invited to his feast those who were not in a position to return the compliment. That was the work he had done, and what the Army was still doing. The great leader had steadfastly set his mind for one ideal, and then attained it. He did not seek, as had been alleged, to hoard up riches for himself, for he died worth £487! Added testimony to the work done by the late General was given by Staff-Capt. Glitherop, who dwelt on his mission among women; and his efforts on behalf not only of the fallen but the boys, as exemplified by the various Salvation Army boys' homes. His heart was big enough to encompass the whole world TIIE, BROTHERHOOD'S APPRECIATION. Addresses by leading citizens, bearing on the life of the late founder of the Salvation Army, were also delivered at the meeting of the Brotherhood yesterday afternoon. The main speakers were the Mayor (Mr. fl. W. Browne), Ensign Adams, Rev. J. W. Burton and Mr. C. E. Tlellringer.