THE SALVATION ARMY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2494, 5 July 1888, Page 3

THE SALVATION ARMY.

We have received from Colonel J. P. Taylor, head of the New Zealand Division of the Salvation Army, a circular letter with a description of the rise and progress of this remarkable religions movement. To-day is the twenty-third anuiversaiy of tlie Army's existence, which, it is proposed to celebrate at all their stations throughout the colony by a special demonstration. On the sth July, 1865, William Booth stood alone in the open-air on the Mile End Waste, in London. Today the Salvation Army is scattered over 31 different countries and colonies, and is comprised of a total of 2,378 corps, officered by 0,217 men and women. Booth's Christain Mission spread over the United Kingdom very rapidly, and first adopted the title of " Salvation Army "in 1878. In 1880 81 it spread to the United States, Australia, Prance and Switzerland. In the following year it established itself in India, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and South Africa, and up to the present time its operations include Ttaly, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Norway, West Indies, and South Africa. The "War Cry" was first printed in 1879; it has now a weekly circulation in eleven different languages, of half a million. The latest departure for supplying the destitute poor of Locdon witli food and shelter ha 3 proved a tremendous success. Iu one week SOO meals at : }d each have baon supplied to little children, and 4000 meals at Ad, and 6000 meals at Id te adults. 000 people per week are provided with supper, bed nurt breakfast for 3d each night. In (Jreat Britain alone they have added £43,000 worth of proptaty, and provided sitting accommodation for 35,000 people during the year. The Parent Society of the Salvation Army has at the present time 3000 agents, or missionaries, as " General" Booth prefer* \q call them,