SALVATION ARMY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1916, Page 8

SALVATION ARMY.

VISIT OP COMMISSIONER HODDER. Commissioner ami Mrs Hodder, in company with Major Toomer and Ensign Suter, arrived in New Plymouth for a special series of meetings on Saturday. I The Saturday engagements were in tlie open-air, at 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.; the weather was not favorable, but nevertheless many taking cover beneath the verandahs listened with considerable interest to the powerful appeals made. On Sunday morning the Commissioner addressed the prisoners at the gaol, and in the afternoon, gave a thrilling account, in the Good Templar Hall, of the Army's social work in New Zealand, his Worship the Mayoi (Mr. Burgess) presiding. The Mayor wa? supported on the platform by Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., Mr. C. E. Bellringer, and the Deputy-Mayoi (Mr. Collis). Aftei the usual devotional preliminaries and a very appropriate Scripture reading by Mrs. Hodder, the Mayor introduced the speaker. The Commissionei then recited the leading features in the history of the Army during the last 50 years, and a veritable romance of Christian eni terprise it proved to be. For some time, he said, the Army was a'purely spiritual organisation, but durj ing the illness which ended in the death of Mrs. Booth, the late General, moved by the misery and poverty of A .he world, sought means to 'mprovc existing conditions. Prom this came the social wing, .which has spread throughout the world. The Army is now at work in 00 countries and colonies, with OfiOS branches. /'There were 21,000 fully employed officers and employees, and there were 62,845 local officers, men and women who earned their own living and gave part of their time to the Army in various capacities; there were also 24,000 bandsmen and 4000 junior bandsmen; social institutions number 1101. The Army had a number of chaplains" with

the forces, who were doing excellent ' service among the troops. Coming to ] New Zealand, the Army had 201 corps ' and societies, 40S officers, 1400 local officers, and six maternity homes (into ■which 237 young women had passed dur- ' ing the past year). There were two ' inebriate islands (one for men and one • for women), .seven rescue homes, two 1 prison-gate homes, two workmen's ' ■homes, four homes for boys and girls, ! and three more just about to be opened. One jf these was the gift of Mr. 'What- ' man, of Masterton, and was situated at ' Russell, Bay of Islands, and one was ' being fitted up at iP'onsonby, Auckland, ' for 40 girls. A large property had been . purchased at Temuka, in 'the South ' Island, being the home of the late Colonel Hayhurst, and this was being got ready for 40 boys. The Commis- . sioner stated that preference for admission to these homes would be given to the sons and daughters of fallen soldiers. MEMORIAL SERVICE. Notwithstanding the downpour of rain on Sunday night, the memorial service, in the Theatre Royal, to our fallen heroes was well attended. The proceedings Ibegan by the singing of the Na--1 tional Anthem. The Rev. F. Hales en- ! gaged in prayer, and the Rev. T. H. Roseveare gave an appropriate Scripture reading from Rev. 21. I Mrs. Hodder, in a pathetic speech, addressed the meeting, paying a splendid tribute to our dead heroes. She stated ; that we owed a debt of gratitude to ; these men, and could best repay it by doing all in our power to sustain and | help those who were fighting for home ! and country. This call" was God's call ] to the Empire. The Commissioner fol- ' lowed with a stirring appeal to all, and especially to those who could not go to the front, to help bring a speedy termination to the great struggle through prayer. We needed, said he, a nation on its knees before God, less worldlings, i and the abandonment of the- so-called pleasures of the times. God still lived . to be appealed to, and was ready to help and deliver those who sincerely . sought Him. The Commissioner made i touching references to the turning to God of our men in Gallipoli, Flanders and France. * A very powerful service was brought to a conclusion by the singing of the Russian Anthem. 5 The Citizens' Band . gave the mVsic for the hymns anil rent dered the "Dead March in Saul."