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About The news-herald. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1909-1911 | View Entire Issue (April 12, 1909)
V GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH -3$.;';'- l ft;..- myf 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. lien. William liooth. founder and commander-in-chief of this Salvation Army, celebrated his eight ieth birthday en Saturday. April 10. and the event was made the occasion of rejoicing all over the civilized world. The Army itself held Id:; meet lugs In every city and town where '9 is established, and these werv partici pated In by hundreds of thousands of other citizens who wire glad to do honor to the distinguish! d philan thropist. Gen. liooth niniself presided over several monster mass meetings in London. His advanced age and the fact that he was operated on recently for cataract did not deter hfin from taking part in the celebrations held by ! ins devoted soldiers. University of Humanity Launched. In America the day was marked especially by the launching of another of den. Pooth's original schemes for social reform In the rnited States. At every post of the army was an nounced the beginning of work to. found a University or Humanity, a great Institution for tho training' of workers in social service. The uni versity will be divided between New York and Chicago, and it is expected to begin wiiu a fund of $1.0M,UOO. The gathering of this fund is thr work that the army now eniers upon Id commemoration of Its famous leader's completion of his eightieth year. As a much-needed stone In the wva organizational structure that William liooth has been building duxinir the past 47 years, this idea of a school for the systematic training of bis workers has been In his mind for sev eral years. On his last visit to ihe rnited States the general made his first tentative announcement 0f the, plan. Since then he has worked out. many of tho details and he has Just consented to the beginning of pre liminary work In tills country where the need for trained workers has been especially great. Growth of Great System. It Is perhaps not generally realized that tho whole Intricate modern ma chinery of civilization for the uplift Ins; of the submerged tenth, the vast system of charities now so essential a part of modern life, is to a very large extent an outgnmtli of the liooth Idea. He was the lirst to see that the unfortunate could best be reached by those who had suffered as they had. and that they must bo reached by practical worldly help be fare they could be prepared to begin the cleaner life. It was the Salvation Army which llrst made a practical working success of litis now familiar principle of so-called "missionary work." This whole plan of campaign for raising the fallen began on a very simple scale In the povorty-stiicki n and crime Infested Past end of l.on don ami under the Impetus or William liooth's singular force of lulnd and personality and the momentum Mini It has gathered with almost tnlw'-uloiis rupldlty It bus developed Into a truly iis'enl.sblng organization. Some of the deiiarlnipnta . Da work are: Prisonmate and Rescue, Inebriates' homes, Hoys' and Girls' homes, Farm colonies, Km Ignition, Xaval and .Military homes, .Maternity homes, nursing, Samaritan brigades, liospital and benevolent visitation, po lice court work and Indian school training. No other religious organization in the worlds history lias branched out Into so many departments of philan thropic effort ami absorbed them as part of its religious duties. Need of Trained Workers. The scheme for University of Hu manity grew naiurallv out of the de velopment ,,f the 20 other depart ments. With a liehl as wide i,u world Itself the work of the Salvation Army is only limited by the number of workers that can be secured and iis effectiveness by the understanding and earnestness of these workers. As uplift work has grown from local ef forts to help a few Into a great in clusive movement which must miss none, the problems of organization have grown greater. Chailiy has be come a science and its application an art Hvpiijiag the highest development of personal iualities of Insight and altruism. Thero is thus pressing need for workers of unite exceptional qual ification. These qualifications must lirst of all be inherent and must then lie dovHopcd by experience and spe cial training. This Is the new woik planned by (Jen. liooth. Those women, for in stance, wlio are to go among the slums of the big titles must not only have the desire to help but must know how real helpfulness can best be se en red. They must understand by a study of practical sociology some tiling of the social forces that create this poverty and crime and wretched ness. They must understand the dan ger of the unwise charity thai merely Increases dependence and understand the value of better living conditions in raising the moral courage of those to whom fate has been unkind. They must lie able not only to correct home condtilons themselves but to impart their knowledge and to Inspire with a desire for betterment. Value of the Organization. This will be but a small part of the univtisitys training in social service as planned by the patriarchal evangel ist, but It serves to Khow of wiiat value such hii organization will be. (if the general's plan for ihe un. vcrsity he himself said recently; - want to train men and women to deal whh misfortune, i Want them n. struetcd to combat with the weal ness "s and sins or the drunkard, the criminal, the pauper and the woiild be Mliclde.'' At vi cars of age the head of the Salvation Aim, alter moio tliuf halt a century of almost unceasing :irilvity, Is t's vigorous a tii untiring si at any time in bis caieej-. Tile Inexhaustible vitality and intij'rctual and physical ac'lvlty of this social icfureuu , phll.iti tlno ist. pr acher. author amf traveler are marvelous. At fouiscorr he Is iraxellie; many t h ' '1 -:i u l -j ,if miles ncr the world every, year, contrulllr.5 Hie ib stinits of his more than T.IH'O corps of Salvation soldiery with their I."e0 commissioned ofliccrs. distribu te! among every civilized country, pi' .'aching constantly to vast audiences and doing an amount of literary v"ork that would be a jaccr to man. a professional author with no other oc cupation. William liooth was born 011 April 10, 1S29, in .Nottingham. ICugland. and was trained for the .Methodist minis try which he entered and became one of the strongest evangelistic forces in that t lunch. He grew dlssatistied. however, at reaching only those with some religious training and convic tion. He f, lt that there were thous ands whose need was far greater and he gravitated to the Kast end of Igni tion where wretchedness of nil kinds was the rule. In a disused liuiial ground ou Mile Knd road he pliched an old tent and the first Salvationist meeting wai held in that tent In lSiil. The liery eloquence of the earnest young preacher caught the attention of a crowd of poor Whitochnpolera and bo fore that llrst meeting was over he had made several conversions, a per formance that be lias been repenting throughout the world for 47 years. How He Started the Army. This first meeting resulted In the formation of tho Christian mission, from which it was the evangelist's custom to send his converts to the ex isting churches of tint locality, but finding that they were not welcomed and were in danger of slipping back from sheer want of comradeship and oversight, he set about forming so cieties of the converted. These ho found to be a potent agency for bring ing In more, as the heedless Kast ender could bo Impressed by the words of a former "pal" when he would not listen to a minister. So was created the central Idea of tho Salvation Army. The need of organization becomes apparent, but several methods were tried with little success before Gen liooth hit upon the military idea ami named his organization the Salvation Army. Kroin that time on the move ment grew amazingly and it has con United to grow without ceasing to this day. Spread Over the World. The movement began spreading to other countries of the world in 1S81 when it lirst reached the rnited States through Ihe Influence, of a silk weaver who had emigrated from Cov entry, England, bringing with him the Salvation Army idea and a strong d. sire to continue in the work. It reached Australia in the same year through a milk dealer from Stepney, and soon afterwards the first Canadian corps was organized In a similar fashion. I'ive years later, in lSSti, the gen eral made the fust of many visits to the American branches of the army and he has seen them grow from a few small corps Inlo a veritable army of tremendous influence and unsur passed ellltiency. Ills lirst great world-tour was made in 1S!H, when he visited South Africa, Australia and India. Since then he has visited the I'nlled Stales, Canada. Australia, New .calami and India four times, South Africa twice and Japan and the Holy Land each once. Hurlug all these travels the actual executive responsibility for the gov ernment of the army has never been lifted frt;in his shoulders. Kven on slil plioa rd he is an indefatigable work er, planning and writing through the days. Gen. Booth Honored. One of the most, remarkable of the many tributes paid to the general by tlii! great of the world was that of the mikado or Japan during the visit to that country. The mikado personally received the general with great, warmth and he was accorded remark-ahl-' ovations in Yokohama. Tokyo, Scndai and Kyoto, a circumstance of st tango import when it Is realized that Japan is not a Christ inn country. Another Interesting distinction given te'ti. liooth was the conferring on him of the degree of doctor of civil law by Oxford university. The significance of tills honor will hi; better under stood when it is stated those who re ceived university honors with him at the time were Prince Arthur of Con naught, the prime minister of Kng laud, the lord chancellor, the speaker. Sir K. Grey, the archbishop of Aiuiagti. Sir Kvelyn Wood, tin; Ameri can ambassador, Mark Twain and Uiidyui'il Kipling. As a writer Gen. liooth is remark able, both as a stylist, as a thinker and as u producer, lie has written in nil 21 volumes, besides innumerable articles for the army publications His best known book Is "In Darkest Knglatid and the Way Out." in which he outlined bis scheme for social re form by means of colonization. "The Training of Children." "I.ove. Mar riage and Ihe Home," and his books on reform are among the others of the gi iiernl's best known literary pro ductions. Writes of His Creed of bis creed the general has written veiy tyeiiutifully. He says: "The simplicity of our creed has been, as I I" lieve it will remain, one i 1 tie1 principal helps to our unity. We s'and for the old truths. The taith which can be interpreted in terms of duly, of iinselllshness, of purity, of love to God and man, Is the only t alt h we really rare about. What ever tuny '"' 'he case with the select minority, the consciousness of sin, the force of evil habit and tho con sciousness of sin and the Influenco of ; issioti, aie all vivid realities with ilie ureal masses of the population. To them we bring the proi.ilse of de liverance 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: ihe war civ 'The U 01 ill lor Cliii.'." ol the S.i I ;i 1 ion At tin i uttered toilav en than ever by 11101 e ne a and v. one before since llt.it won derful organization Gen. William liooth was toimeil In the slunet pv j ,,f 1 London. In the Pulled Slates alone there are nearly '.umi corps and out posts where the "soldiers" are doing nut iringly the two told work of tho ai my spiritual and social. Kvety clay la the week, every hour in the lav, they labor earnestly among the fallen, the degraded and the unfor tunate. Not so many years ago these M'Miers met wllh abuse ami violence, or at tho best with ridicule and con tempt. Now they are everywhere ac corded respect and assistance. Their methods have not changed, but the CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE POOR. world has gradually come to know 1 something of the great woik they are, doing. ! Varied Social Work. 1 While all Salvation Army operations! have as the ultimate goal the saving 1 of the whole man, body ami soul, it is the social ami Industrial part of the' woik that attracts (lie most attention1 and awakens ihe broadest sympathy.! The extent of Ibis work is coinpre-1 bended by few who see the sober-clad! soldiers on lie ir daily ami nightly! rounds. It comprises many ami varied branches, such as worliingineii's ho 1 lels, industrial homes, lescue homes,! childieu's homes, niaiernliy hospitals, i work in prisons uml slums, farm col-: onies, summer outings and Christmas 1 dinners. Some of Its charities nre more than self-supporting-, but every! cent, that Is made by them Is used in oilier branches of the work, and for Ihe rest the army depends on the con-' trlbullons of philanthropic persons! who believe that no other agency 1st so potent, in teaching and elevating IIIO suiiuieigeu o'liui. 1 no ptimte is reached not only through personal so licitation. Inn by means of periodicals, of which ihe Army publishes till, wllh ii total of more than l.UI.'t.OO.I copies Issued. It operates in n4 countries ami colonies ami preaches the gospel In "S languages. The Army In Chicago. Chicago Is the headquarters lor the western territory of the Army In the Pnlted States, with Commissioner Thomas Psilll in command, and ihe operations of the army here are a Cue example of its work throughout FIRST AID TO the world. Inning the w inter months the t-1 . 1 1 1 1 1 is are t " ' 1 . , t v busy, for ill mill I full to proldiiig ter ard food for ciinitl"s de-tiiute men a'nl women in p, ; mam til ,t::,l ti lnpni r lod-'ilig boil. es. they si-af' b tine isiaglv for eai-i .-. ol -iilTeriiig Where the vlcllin.i are too protnl 01 ten ignorant to apply lor ielef. To su li lieople, In lickely telietlieins UQll ill . ' ..- :- -. 'V ' "'- "-i -WrV!" hS . , ' ' i -''k mid r ! ..-VV i ' www ' tmt:4t"0i pJ.fc.v m t , .-, c'J-i'.- ' ,y 'etAJ;T,' fewStxt::&' til?' -,v fv-i.. tfv : i t-M aliev s, the ; carry food 1 ami, betler 1 and dowu- east the hope u cuiitav.i'iiienl 10 better sl rilitg thiligs and en 1 e onward and upward. There are no harsh reproaches I t in past shortcomings, no threats, but I ! g.-iiile admonition, kindly advice audi lil.ie -11.11 iiMMi,iicc 111 Hie I 1IIIX Wlieil I I 1 , ..1,1 1 11 is most needed. Slum Angels to the Rescue. in addition to the 111 stations ill Chicago from which the willing work cis help the pour, a soil of Hying sipiadron of "slum ungi Is" is nt the beck and call of the commanding of llcer to carry swift relief to extreme cases In any pari of the city. Iiinins the winter these slum sisters visited and assisted in various ways 1.740 families, at it cost in cash, clothing, coal and medicines of $:',t'.4:'..'lti. Clothing tor Ihe poor Is collected all ! over the city by the army's wagons ' and Is repaired and distributed I rout ' Us Industrial home At this Institu tion temporary employment Is given 1 to many men who, having held re ! sponsible positions, have fallen' low 1 lliiouth (liiiik or other causes. Scores J ol these men are reclaimed and later placed ill good positions, and on leav ing Ihe home 1 hey are given mono) which they eyrind by their work i there. Many a self supporting wont i an, broken down by sickness, has been : relieved by the unity, nursed bark it. 1 health and restored to her place j I among the wage-earners. ' Christmas Dmnero for Thousands. 1 The special ular hide of the Salva 1 linn Army's woik tenches Its climax 1 ai Christmas lime. For many days j before 1 be festival there may be seen ! on every prominent corner In tin j business district a Salvation lass. ! who, despite snow, Wind, sleet itnil j colli cheerfully stands with tain 1 Iiotirlne In hand, appealing to the pass ierby lor the wherewithal to provlih 11 napp hum man mi ! 1 . . . .. '.... r more than P.',- INill of Chicago's poor. These peonh ' have no one to plan pleasant Christ I mas surprises lot them, and ihe knowledge that the Salvation Army 1 has not forgotten them on tin; day of j universal rejoicing Is one of the I brightest spots In ihelr dreary lives. The thousands of Christmas dinners 1 are piiichased. packed In baskets and taken to Ihe :i distributing points. THE INJUREO. ' w liei t la V 111 e ci I 1., I to ! n: hi. ire little oys ,'iiid I lie 1 001 . I lor tain 1 lill.li . ti. games. Many of the baskets ilies III W life h Untie ; coiih ill also a tew t In summer Heie i!,e Artuy d a line wiit I; in 1,i!,ir,g iiioihi t -, and ein. 'Ii'cii for iiutiiiL;, in the country. It owi.s a hi; Iniise ntnl l.i 111 in one of the cllv's pietipst -i,li:i''bs a. nl tliere the tlied uouieti nnd puny children hovels up ii.ui, and lililiy 1 liei 1 in! Salv at ion lassies and con! . 1 1 1 I medicines ; v 1 I. bring to I lie wrelchei from the slums ate restored to health ami vigor Children's Industrial Farm, In California, "n miles from SanU P0-11. Is one of the A i niy's greatest In stitutions - tho l.vtton Springs Chil dren's Industrial farm of U:iO acres, one.. It was a sanitarium ami summer reheat. Peopl. benefits of tM halnily air, Hi, anil fern-carpet II there was a (ages, and the the sick ami 10 and homes of went there to get the mineral waters, tho 1 glotious vistas below ed canyons behind. On big hold ami ten cot se erst while abodes of 'in y are now the haunts iappy ( hlldren. About live j can: ago the Salvation Army, working on the principle that the country Is I lie tight place to bring up (hlldren, round, .( the home. It was the outgrowth of 11 small home itiainlaineil bv the ni-ili-r In Sinn Pran- i-tsi,.,, t.,i ( ir 1 1.1, wen Installed iis superintendents, and the useful career or a inurvelously use ful Institution waS Pcgim. It Is now the home of about "on happy, healthy and most useful children. Tho boys lire lenrninir In l, ul.lll,,l .,,w,..o on1 r, ri,ii,i,i iitaiiivjin cut. 1 I (,lll , llll-ll ,11111 the gins to be model housekeepers ami all of them to be good citizens. Much of the produce ol the farm Is sold In San Francisco. Rescus and Maternity Home. Of all its Institutions, the Salvation Army in Chicago Is perhaps proudest of the Kescue ami Maternity Home, or this the present matron, Mrs. Kn sign Smith, writes: "Our social operations and coloni zation schemes met tho hearty ap proval of the socialistic minded. Our children's homes and even slum posts excited the admiration of phllan-v throplsts, but Just depict a poor girl strayed from the path of virtue and rectitude, or one steeped In vlleness, and the majority of your listeners would either ridicule or turn tholr of fended moral nostrils away l:i disgust. Whence shall the poor, fallen girl turn when the whole world Is against her? It was tho practical answer to this momentous question from tho myriads of submerged daughters that opened the rescue home, and tho western metropolis wus not. one whit behind her sister cities, for In 1895 our Insti tution was formally opened." Five limes the home was moved to more commodious quarten, and Its work has Inrretised steadily. Last year (1.1 children were horn thero. The total number of Klrls received during ihe year was 1.1".. About 50 of the girls who have been in (ho home re turn regularly for the monthly meet ings. Scores of them are now happily married and settled down In good homes and with loving husbands. What sociologists ilnd to praise most in the Salvation Army's maternity boines Is the fact that every effort Is made to induce lite unfortunate young mothers to keep their children. This Is admittedly the most potent factor In their moral regeneration. "Surely." says Matron Smith, "Ood alone can comprehend the Inestimable Coal for Slum Dwellers. value of such an Institution, where thousands of poor, outcast girls, swift ly drifting on the dark current to per dition, are rescued and Ilnd a peaceful haven." Vast Business System. The executive work of the' army that falls upon the shoulders -of Iti octogenarian leader Is enormous. lie Hides its multitudinous charitable In stitutions, for all uf which the most ellicieut business nianageut Is re quired, tin re are dozens of other de partments of its work that are almost unknown to the general public For ! instance, there Is the management of ; the grat properties of tho army and ! its building operations. It does all Its iwu planning and building, even train ' ing Its own architects, builders and ai. rk 11. Then it has large printing ami engraving plants ami the manage 1 tiieut of Its publications is in Itself a j great business. The army's profits from Its ex ! usive trading operations are devoted 1 entirely to the furtherance of its re I lorn propaganda, the extension anil I development of lis mission field. A ' .) 1-1-P1I point is tightly made of the ' tact that no ollirer profits to the ex :esM of a simd rent from the financial 1 su'tcss of its business enterprises. The muds of the army are adminls tefd by a central hoard In London M 1 . , I every account is subjected to li 'id inspection A tegular audit of the book is also made by account ants ol standing engaged from outside lie- army roll. A hoard also consults with He' general on each detail of at my pulley as it arises. Day and 'night ceaselessly-for tho strain i never off--this central committee, lo only alert, watches every (level p. tiieut affecting the good of men th woihl over. Kvery section of th j j i.niiv Is linked with this central to. a ' tin'tee bv the cable I WKsi:a-" 'frw-jr til
