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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (April 16, 1909)
V GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH GEN. BOOTH ON EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY STARTS NEW PLAN Veteran Founder of Salvation Army Launches Scheme for "University of Humanity" in the United States All the World Celebrates Anniversary of His Birth. New York. Gen. William Booth, rounder and commander-in-chief of the Salvation Army, celebrated his eight ieth birthday on Saturday. April 10, and the event was made tho occasion of rejoicing all over tho civilized world. Tho Army itself held big meet ings in every city and town where it fa established, and these wcro partici pated in by hundreds of thousands of other citizens who wero glad to do honor to tho distinguished philan thropist. Gon. Booth himself presided over sovoral monster mass meetings in London. His ndvanced ago and tho fact that ho was operated on recently for cataract did not deter him from taking part in tho celebrations held by his devoted soldiers. University of Humanity Launched. In America the day was marked especially by tho launching of another of Gen. Booth's original schemes for social reform In tho United States. At every post of- tho army wa3 an nounced tho beginning of work to found a University of Humanity, a great Institution for tho training of workers in social Bervico. Tho uni versity will be divided between Now York and Chicago, and It Is expected to begin with a fund of $1,000,000. Tho gathering of this fund is tho work that tho nrmy now enters upon In commemoration of its famous leader's completion of his eightioth year. As n much-needed stone in tho great organizational structure that William Booth has bcon building during tho past -17 years, this Idea of a school for tho systematic training of his workers has been in his mind for sev eral yeaiB. On his last visit to 1he United States tho general mado his first tontativo announcement of tho plan. Since then ho has worked out many of tho details and ho has just consented to tho beginning of pre liminary work In this country whoro tho need for trained workers has been especially great. Growth of Great System. It Is perhaps not generally realized that the whole intricate modern ma chinery of civilization for tho uplift ing of tho submergod tenth, tho vast system of charities now so essential n part of modern life, is to a very largo extont an outgrowth of tho Booth Idea. Ho was tho first to see that tho unfortunato could best bo reached by thoso who had suffered as they had, and that they must bo reached by practical worldly help be fore they could bo prepared to begin tho cleaner life. It waH tho Salvation Army which first mado a practical working success of this now familiar principle of Bocalled "mlsslwMry work." This whole plan of campaign for raising tho fallen began on a very simple scnlo In tho poverty-stricken nnd crlmo-lnfested East end of Lon don and under tho impetus of William Booth's singular forco of mind nnd personality and tho momentum that It has gathered with almost miraculous rapidity It has developed into a trul ustonlshlng organization. Some of the dopnrtmeuts of Its work are: Prlson-gato and Itcacuo, Inebriates' homes, Boys' and dlrls' liomes, Farm colonies, Emigration, Naval and Militury homes, Mntcrnlty homes, nursing, Snmaritan brigades, hospital and benuvolent visitation, po lice court work and Indian school training. No other religious organization in the world's history has branched out Into so many dopartmentB of philan thropic effort and absorbed them as part of Its religious duties. Need of Trained Workers. Tho scheme for a University of Hu manity grow naturally out of the de velopment of tho 20 other depart ments. With a fjold as wide as tho world Itself tho work or tho Salvation Army Is only limited by tho number of workers that can bo secured and Its effectiveness by tho understanding and earnestness of these workers. Ab uplift work has grown from local ef forts to help a few Into a great In clusive movement which must mlB none, tho problems of organization hnvc grown greater. Charity has bo como a science and Its application an art requiring the highest dovclopmout of personal qualities of insight and altruism. There Is thus pressing need for workers of quite exceptional qual ification. These quallllcatlons must first of all be Inherent nnd must then bo developed by experience and spe cial training. This Is the new work planned by Gen. Boolh. Thobo women, for In stance, who are to go among tho slums of tho big cities must not only have the desire to help but must know bow real helpfulness can best bo se cured. They must understand by a study of prnctlcal sociology some thing of the social forces that create tins poverty ami crime una wretched ness. They must understand tho dan ger of tho unwise chnrlty that merely Increases dependence nnd understand the value of bettor living conditions in raising the moral courage of thoRO to whom fate has been unkind. Thoy must bo ablo not only to correct home conditions tbomsolvos but to Impart their knowledge and to Inspire with a desire for betterment. Value of the Organization. This will bo but a small part of the university's training in social sorvlco ns planned by tho patriarchal evangel ist, but It serves to show of what value such an organization will be. Of the general's plan for tho uni versity lie hluiBoif said recently: "i want to train men and women to deal with misfortune. I want thorn in Htructod to combat with tho weak nesses und sins or tho drunkard, tho criminal, tho pauper and tho would-be suicide," At SO years of no tho head of tho Salvation Army, after moro than half a century of almost unceasing activity, Is as vigorous and untiring as at any time In his enreou. Tho inexhaustible vitality and Intolloctunl nnd physical activity of this social reforemr, philan thropist, preacher, author and traveler are muivolous. At fourscore h Is traveling many thousands ut miles over tho world every year, controlling tho destinies of his more than 7,000 corps of Salvation soldiery with tholr 18,000 commissioned ofneora, distribu ted among every civilized country, preaching constantly to vaBt audloncos nnd doing an amount of literary work that would bo a facer to many a professional author with no other oc cupation. William Booth was born on April 10, 1829, In Nottingham, England, and was trained for tho Methodist minis try which ho entered nnd beenmo ono of tho strongest ovnngollstlc forceB In that church, lio grow dissatisfied, however, at reaching only thoso with sotno religious training and convic tion. Ho felt that thero wero thous ands whoso need wub fnr greater and ho gravitated to tho Hast end of Lon don where wretchedness of all kinds was tho rule. In a disused burial ground on Mlto End road ho pitched an old tent and tho first Salvationist meeting was held In thnt tent In 1SC1. Tho flury eloquence of tho earnest young prencher caught the attention of n crowd of poor WhltcchapclerB and be fore that first mooting was over ho had made several cohvoralotis, a per formance that ho 1ms bcon repeating throughout tho world for 4? years. How He Started the Army. This first mooting resulted In tho formntlon of tho Christian mission, from which it won tho ovangellst's custom to sond his convcrtB to tho ex isting churches of tho locality, but finding that they wero not welcomed nnd wore in danger of slipping bnclt rrom Hhecr wnnt of comradeship and oversight, ho set about forming so cieties of tho converted, 'l'heso ho found to bo a potent ngoncy for bring ing in more, as tho heedless EnBt etidcr could bo Impressed by tho words of a former "pal" when ho would not llntou to a minister. 9o wns created tho ccntrnl idea of tho Salvation Army. Tho need ot organization becomes apparent, but several mothods wero tried with little success before Gen Booth hit Upon tho military Idea nnd named htn organisation tho Salvation Army. From that tlmo on tho move mont grow amazingly and It Iuib con tinned to grow without censing lo this day. Spread Over the World. Tho movement began spreading to other countries of tho world In 1881 when it first reached tho United States through tho liillucnco ot n silk weaver who hud emigrated rrom Cov entry, England, bringing with him tho Salvation Army Idea nnd u strong do stro to contlnuo In tho work. It tenched Australia In tho samo year through a milk dealer from Stopnoy, und soon ntterwnrds tho first Canadian corps wns organized In a -similar fashion. Five years later, In 1880, tho gen eral made tho first of many visits to the. American branches of the army and ho Iuib seen them grow from a few small corps Into a veritable army of tremendous Influence ami unmir passed cfllclency. ills first great world-tour was mado in 1891, whon ho visited South Afrlcn, Australia and Indin. SInco then ho has visited tho United StnteB, Canada, Australia, Now Zenland and ludln four times., South ATrlca twice and Japan nnd tho Holy Land each onco, During all these travels the actual executive responsibility for tho gov ernment of tho nrmy has never been lifted from his shouldorB. Even on shipboard ho Is an llulefntlgablo work er, planning and writing through tho days. Gen. Booth Honored. One of tho most remarkable of tho many tributes paid to tho general by tho great of tho world was that of tho mikado of Japan during tho visit to thnt country. The mikado perBonnlly received the general with great warmth and ho was necorded remark able ovutlons In Yokohama. Tokyo. Sendnl and Kyoto, a circumstance of ftrange Import when It la renllzed that Japnn l not a Christian country. Another Interesting distinction given Gen. Booth was tho conferring on him of the degree of doctor of civil law by Oxford university. Tho significance of this honor will be better under stood when It is stated those who re ceived university honors with hlin at tho time wore Prince Arthur of Con naught, tho prltno minister of Eng land, tho lord chancellor, tho sneaker, Sir E. Grey, the archbishop of Armagh. Sir Evelyn Wood, tho Ameri can ambassndor, Mark Twain nnd Hudyurd Kipling. An a writer Gen. Booth 1b remark able, both as a BtyllBt, aa a thinker nnd as a producer. He has written In all 21 volumes, besides Innumerable articles for tho army publications. m iH-st known book Is "In Darkost England and the Wny Out," in which he outlined his scheme for social re fnrm liv means of colonization 'The Ti-iilniiie of Chlldron." "Love. Mar rlage and tho Home," and his book on reform are among the others of tho general s best known llternry pro ductlons. Writes of His Creed Of hla creed tho general has written um-v beautifully. Ho says: "Tho simplicity of our creed hns been, as 1 bellovo it will romaln, ono ot tlio principal helps to our unity. We stand for the old truths. Tho fnlth which can bo interpreted in terms of duty, of unselfishness, or purity, or love to God and man, is tho nniv faith wo really caro about. What ever may bo tho caso with tho select minority, tho consciousness or sin, thn force or evil hublt and tho con- uniniiHncss or sin nnd tho Influence of passion, aro all vivid realities with tho great masses or tho population. To thom wo iiring mo promiEo ot uo llverance by Jesus Christ, " SALVATION ARMY'S WORK IN THE UPLIFTING OF HUMANITY How the Wonderful Organization Brings About the Moral and Physical Regeneration of Thousands of Men and Women De graded by Crime and Misfortune. Chicago. "Tho World for Christ," tho wnr cry ot the Salvation Army Is uttered to-day by more men and wom en tjmn over before slnco thnt -wonderful organization wns formed by Gen. William Booth in the slums of London. In tho United StnteB alono there nro nearly 000 corps and out posts whoro the "soldlera" aro doing untiringly the two-fold work of tho nrmy spiritual and social. Every day in the week, every hour In tho day, they labor earnestly among tho fallen, tho degraded nnd tho unfor tunato. Not so mnny years ago those soldiers met with nbuso and violence, or nt tho best with ridicule nnd con tempt. Now they nro everywhere ac corded respect and assistance. Their methods hnvo not changed, but the CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE POOR. world Iuib gradually como to know something of tho great work they ure doing. Varied Social Work. While all Salvation Army operations have an tho ultimate goal tho saving of tho whole man, body and soul. It Is thu social and ludustrlnl pnrt of tho woilt that attracts tho most attention and awakens tho broadest sympathy. The extent, of this work Is compre hended by few who see tho sober-clad soldiers on their dally and nightly rounds. It comprises many mid varied branches, such as worklngmen'B ho tels, Industrial homca, rescue homes, children's homes, tunternity hospitals, work In prisons n&d slums, farm col onies, summer outings and Christmas dinners. Some of its charities are moro than self-supporting, but every cent that is mado by them Is used In other branches of tho work, and for tho rest tho nrmy depends on tho con tributions of philanthropic persona who believe that no other agency Is so potent In renchlng and elevating tho "submerged tonth." Tho public is reached not only through personal so licitation, but by means of periodicals, or which tho Army publishes (ill, with n total ot more than 1,013,000 copies lHBiied. It operates In 54 countries nnd colonies and preaches tho gospel In 2S languages. The Army In Chicago. Chicago Is' tho hoadquarlers for the western territory ot tho Army in tho United States, with Commissioner Thomas Estill In command, and tho oneratlons of tho army hero aro a flno examplo of Its work throughout FIRST AID TO the world. During tho cold winter months tho Boldlers nro especially busy, for In nddltlon to providing shel ter ard food for countless destitute men nud women In purtnuneut and temporary lodging housus, they search unceasingly for casos of suffering whcic tlio victims ure too proud or too ignornnt to apply for relief, To such people, In rickety tenements nnd It. hovels up dark and lllthy alleys, tho cheerful Salvation lassies carry food and con! and medicines; and, better yet, bring to tho wrotchod nnd down cast the hope of better things nnd en couragement to struggle onward and upward. Thero nro no hnrsh reproaches for past shortcomings, uo threats, but goutlo admonition, kindly ndvlco nnd material assistance at tho time whon It Is most needed. - Slum Angels to the Rescue, In addition In tho 21 stations In Chicago from which tho willing work ers help the poor, n sort of Hying squndron of "slum angels" Is nt tho beck and call of the commnndlng of ficer to enrry swift relief to oxtromo cases In any part of tho city. During tho whiter these slum sisters visited and assisted In various ways 1,710 fumilles, at a cost In cash, clothing, coal and medicines ot $2,012.3(5. Clothing for tho poor 1b collected all over the city by tho artny'H wagonB and Is repaired and distributed from its ludustrlnl home. At this Institu tion temporary employment Is given to many men who, having hold re sponsible positions, hnvo fallon low thioiigh drink or other causes, Scores of those men nro reclaimed and later placed In good posltloiiK, and on leav lug the homo thoy nro given money which they earned by their work there, Many a self-supporting worn an, broken down by sickness, hns been relieved by tho nrmy, nursed back to health and restored to her place among tlio wage oarnerB. Christmas Dinners for Thousands. The spectacular side or the Salva tlon Army's work roaches Its climax at Christmas tlmo. For mnny dnyB before tho festival there may bo scon on every prominent corner In the business district a Salvation lass, who, despite snow, wind, sleet and cold cheerfully stands with tam bourine In hand, appealing to tho passer-by for tho wherewithal to provide n happy Christmas for more than 12, 000 of Chlcngo's poor. Thoso people hnvo no ono to plan pleasant Christ mas surprises for them, and the knowledge that tho Salvation Army has not forgotten thorn on tho day of universal rejoicing Is ono of the brightest spotH In their dreary lives. Tho thousands of ChrlstmuH dinners aro purchased, packed In baskets and taken to the 21 distributing points, THE INJURED. where they aro gl'eu out to tho poor. Many of the basket., destined for fam ilies In which fhoro nro little children, contain also a fow toys and Ramos. In summer tlmo tho Army does a flno work In taking mothers and chll dron for outings In the country. It owns a big house sind mini in one of the city's piottlast suburbs and theio tho tired women and puny chlldron from tho slums nro restored to health and vigor. Children's Industrial Farm. In California, 26 miles from Santa Hosa, Is ono of the Army's grcntcst In stitutions tho Lylton Springs Chil dren's Industrial farm of 630 ncres. Onco it was n sanitarium and summor retreat. 1'ooplo went thero to got tho benefits of the mineral waters, tho balmly air, tho glorloua vistas below and fern-enrpcted canyons behind. On It thoro wns n big hotel nnd ton cot tages, nnd these erstwhllo abodes ot tho sick and weary aro now tho haunts and homes of hnppy children. About flvo years ago tho Salvation Army, working on thp principle thnt the country Is the rlglit plnco to bring up children, founded tho home. It wna tho outgrowth of n small homo maintained by tho order In Snn Fran cisco. MnJ. C. W. Bournn nnd his wlfo were Installed nn superintendents, nnd tho useful enreor of n mnrvclously use ful institution wns begun. It Is now the home of about 200 happy, healthy and most useful children. Tho boys nro learning to bo skillful farmers nnd dairymen and tho girls to bo model housokeopors nnd all of them to bo good citizens, Much of tho produco of tho farm is sold In Snn Frnnclsco. Rescue and Maternity Home. Of nil Its Institutions, tho Salvation Army In Chicago Is perhaps proudest of tho Hoscuo and Mntoruity Homo. Or this tho present matron, Mrs. En sign Smith, writes: "dur social operations nnd coloni zation schemes met tho hearty ap proval or tho socialistic minded. Our children's homes and even slum posts excited tho admiration of philan thropists, tut Just doplct a poor girl strayed from tho path ot vlrtuo nnd rectitude, or ono steeped In vIIoiiobs, and tho majority of your listeners would clthor ridicule or turn tholr of fended moral nostrils nway In disgust. Whence ahnll tho poor, fallon girl turn when tho wholo world Is ngnlust her? It was tho pructlcal answer to this momentous question from tho myriads of submergod daughters thnt oponcd tho rescue homo, nnd tho western metropolis wns not ono whit behind her sister cities, for In 1895 our Insti tution wns formally opened." Flvo tllnes the homo was moved to moro commodious quarters, nnd Its work hns increased steadily. Last year C3 children wero born thoro. Tho total number or glrhi received during tho year was 13f. About GO ot tho glrs who hnvo boon In tho homo re turn regularly ror tho monthly meet ings. Scores or them nro now happily married and settled down In good honles nnd with lovln? husbands. What sociologists rind to pralso moat tn tho Salvntlon Army's matornlty homoB la tho fact that ovory offort Is made to Induce tho unfortunato young mothers to keop tholr children. This Is admittedly tho most potent ractor In tholr morn! regeneration. "Surely," oaya Matron Smith, "God nlono can comprehentl tho lncstlmabto Coal for Slum Dwellers. value of hiicIi an institution, whoro thousands of poor, outcast girls, swift ly drirtlug on tho dark current to per dition, aro rescued and find n peaceful haven," Vast Business System, Tho executive work of tho army that falls upon tho shoulders of Its octogenarian leader is onormoua. Bo sides Its multitudinous charltabln In stitutions, for all of which tho most elllclent business mauagent la re quired, thero are dozens of other de partments of lta work that aro almost unknown to tho general public. For Instnnco, thoro la tho manngomont of the great properties of tho army and Its building operations, it does all Its own planning nnd building, oven train ing Kb own architects, hulldora and workmen. Then It has largo printing and engraving plnnts and the manage ment of Its publications Is In Itself a rent business. The army's profits from Its ex tensive trading operations aro dovntod entirely lo the furtherance of Us re form propaganda, tho extonslou and development of its mission field. A cpeelal point Is rightly mado of tho fuel that no ofllccr profltB to the ex lent of a single rent from tho financial succchs of Its business enterprises, i The funds of the army nro admlnls 1 torrd by a central board In London 1 and every account Is subjected to ilgid Inspection. A regular audit of i the books Is also made by accotp t j ants of standing engaged from outsldo , tho army roll. A board also consults with tho general on cacii uetnu ot army policy nB It arises, Day and night ceaselessly for tho strain to novor off this contrnl commtttoo, koonly alert, wntchos ovory devol p mont ' affecting tho good or men the world over. Every section or tj-d army Ik linked with this central co a mitteo by tho cable.