THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1912. GENERAL SOOTH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10700, 22 August 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1912. GENERAL SOOTH.

One of the most striking, picturesque and 'remarkable personalities of modern times, in the person of the llev. William [Booth, .founder and leader of that workl-ivida institution, the Salvation Army, has passed away at the ripe age of eighty-three years. Horn at Nottingham in 1829 of humble parentage, William Booth was educated by ;t private theological tutor of the Methodist New Connection Church. At the age of 15 he took to preaching in the streets of Nottingham, and In 1852 he entered the ministry oT the New Connection Church. For a time he was a travelling evangelist, but the Conference of the Church insisted upon his settling down to ordinary circuit work. This he submitted to for a time, but in 1861 he.> rsignct. for a time, but in IRBI he resigned, work of evangelization, which was so dear to his heart. While travelling the country he visited London, and there ho was impressed with the destitution and misery which presented themselves in the eastern'portion of the great metropolis. With his devoted wife Catherine, whom he had married in 1855, he threw himself into the work of reforming the masses of "darkest London," and of alleviating the .sufferings of the poor people who were huddled together in the slums of the city. 'His first effort wag styled the "Christian -Mission," but in 1878 lie conceived the idea of forming the Salvation Army. His initial work met w.ith derision, and scepticism, but he was a man of immense enthusiasm and determination, and his semi-military organisation soon took a hold on the community. The magnificent object of the Army came speedily to be recognised, and in every town and hnmleta of the United Kingdom bands of men and women, attired in military uniforms following standards and brass bands, called the social outcast to repentance and a better lime. The work achieved In those stirring days, and which hag been continued with relentless Energy t'o the hour of the

/operable leader's death, will stand as. a monument to the organising, capacity of one of the greatest philanthropists tho world has ever seen. How the work of the Army spread to the overseas dominions, to the Continent, Africa, America-, Asia and almost every part of the world is now a matter of history. The Army is now represented in fifty-four counand colonies, with over 20,000 officers and employees. One of the undertakings of recent years wag the organisation by Gencraf'Bootli of a social system i'wr the regeneration of the submerged, starving, vicious and criminal clashes in. the great cities of the world. By 'lis humanitarian efforts over 10,000,;X)0 meals and G,000,000 beds have been supplied free in twelve month;'. The work his officers and followers have achieved at the prison gate, in maternity homes, in the people's-pal-aces and the slums will form a bright page in the history of social reform work, not only in. the British Era--1 pire, but- throughout the civilised world. The methods of General Booth ! may net have pleased the orthodox; ' but the results produced will be a 'asting tribute to his (splendid organisation. The late General was a, man of great mental vigour and of 1 marvellous vitality. He exercised, i almost to the time of his death, a i complete supervision, over the whole of the great organisation throughout tho world. For irony year,? he re- | ceived valuable assistance from h:s charming wife, and from a family of sons and daughter?, who followed in his footsteps. But in the death of Mrs Catherine Booth, his helpmate, he -sustained a severe shock. He has five times visited the United States and Canada, three times Australasia aßjd Canada, twice India, once Japan, and several times al- | most, every country in Europe. His great services to humanity were recognised by the late King Edward, I who specially nought an audience with him, and his brilliant social j achievements have been admitted by Governments in all parts of the world. Tt m;iy safely be si id that, so far as the Salvation Army itself : s concerned, it will never look upon his like again. Fuil cf .years, venerated by the wor!d ) loved by the masses, adored by his people, William Booth h\s put down his sword to take up, let in, hope, the studded crown which his service to humanity and his God have &o well earned him.