Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-03
WORTHY OF HIS HIRE
SALvATlONISTS' SALARIES BARELY
ENOUGH TO LIVE ON.

People who entertain doubts concern
ing the financial administration of the
Salvation Army in America, and who
fancy that the leaders Of the movement.
Marshal Ballington Booth and his wife,
are rather luxurious people, deriving
handsome support from Salvation Army
funds, would be somewhat surprised by
view of the Booth menage, while an
investigation of the manner in which
moneys are received, expended and ac-
counted for to the last penny by the
treasurer reveals SO complete and simple
a system that the merest tyro in finan-
cial affairs can readily understand its
methods.
The Booths used to live in tiny flat
in New York until Master Willie, a
blooming lad of four years, grew too big
for his surroundings He needed more
sunshine and purer air than he could get
in the small rooms and not too pleasant
street, where he had to take his daily ex-
ercises. So the family moved across the
river to modest little house set high in
quiet, breezy place.
Mrs. Booth crosses one of the Jersey
ferries every morning coming from her
house to her little office at the national
headquarters of the Salvation Army, Ill
Reade street.
She says very frankly that it is cheap
er living over there; takes no more time
60 l, III hot
ter and healthier for her son, and be-
sides affords her an occasional opportun-
ity for the rest which she needs from
time to time and could rarely secure
when living in town.
The desirable end would be defeated
by publishing her address, so many peo-
pie wish to see the young woman who is
fond of calling herself '..the mother of
the army in America" and who in spite
of her evident youth really does "moth-
er" the forlorn of all ages, sorts and con-
ditions, who turn to her for counsel and
comfort
MRS. BOOTH GETS 81 WEEK.
But it is only her presence which lends
a charm to the small, spare abode. ITS
plainness is only relieved by flowers and
photographs. There is piano, of course.
Salvationists always make provision for
music, and good many books, not secu-
lar, but relating to the various branches
of the work she is devoted to.
Household service is done by SALIVA
ton lassie," who also takes care of the
child
lTc Ofl Ind 10 60 %l.@
little lads garments and to do many a
dainty bit of embroidery of Latin mot
toes or Scripture texts, with which his
costumes are embellished. The extreme
frugality of the Booth establishment
would mean penury elsewhere. In this
case it translates self denial, which is a
part of the faith and the daily habit of
these young people.
In speaking of the grave misapprehen-
which is SO prevalent, Mrs. Booth said:
my father-in-law, General Booth, is
the founder and great head Of the move
ment. He has never received one penny
from the Salvation Army funds in any
way whatsoever.
'My husband and | are the leaders of
the army in America. We do what is
virtually the work of bishop in do
cese extending from ocean to ocean.
81 am told people think we are paid a
great deal of money. Now, what will
you say to the exact figures? Remem-
ber, we share the work between us. We
receive exactly seven dollars week
apiece. Therefore fourteen dollars a
week is our bishops salary. How does
that compare with the salaries of minis
ters? This money is absolutely all we
receive from the army. Moreover, my
husband and | look upon it as loan,
which we hope one day to repay with in
terest.
NO SOLDIERS PAID.
1--WE do not desire, nor could we if we
wished, touch dollar of the army
funds. Every cent contributed or de-
rived from any source whatever must
pass through the hands of an account
ant, whose books are regularly submit
ted to chartered auditor, Mr.. j. E.
Bliss, and attested before a notary pub
lie, Mr.. Morris HI. Smith"
These gentlemen, by the way, are not
Salvationists. Mrs. Booth also said:
81 do not know of a single soldier in
our ranks in the United States who is
paid cent for being there. Self sup
port is our great principle for individuals
as well as for stations.
"Those who join us are expected to
help carry on the work by giving the
money they formerly expended in world
ly pleasures or needless luxuries. Sal
vationists do not take vows of poverty,
but they are pledged to self denial
which often means the same thing.
] when a new station is established
help must be given of course until it is
able to stand alone. The travelling ex-
penses of officers who are to found it are
paid. Officers are generally sent out in
pairs to establish mission. These ex-
penses are taken from the reserve fund.
Next hall is rented for the meeting,
and sometimes band must be hired.
Often by the time this is done there isn't
a cent left The slight fee for admit
tance to the meeting and voluntary con-
tributions are relied on to defray all ex-
penses. These are paid before the Off
GERS get anything. But the laborer is
worthy of his hire and they are sure of
stipend of four dollars week within
hundred miles of New York and three
dollars and fifty cents outside of that
limit.