The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-09
MAUD BALLINGTON BOOTH.
Pen Picture of the Talented Woman
Who is Coming TO Providence.

The near coming OF Commander Booths
brilliant and beautiful wife, who is to
speak in Y. NJ. G. A. Hall next Thursday
evening, will make slight sketch OF her
and her life Of interest.
Boston people have described Mrs.
Booth as possessing "pale, oval face,
square chin and firm mouth, straight,
finely chiselled nose, dark hazel eyes,
well-shaped forehead fully revealed, an
admirably formed head, crowned with
soft, dark, wavy hair, loosely coiled with
the shorter locks curling lightly about
the brow, a figure of medium height,
neither slender nor the reverse, voice
low in pitch, musical in modulation,
refined in intonstion; manner quietly
self-possessed and well-bred. -.
New York people have further discov-
cred that Mrs. Booth has "the most radi-
ant smile that ever lighted up human
face, added to unusual eloqtence and
pathos"; but all of her hearers wherever
found agree that she has something 10
say very we'll worth listening TO.
As Miss Charlesworth, this now devout
and unworldIy Salvationist was absorbed
in archery, dancing, riding and all of the
other amusements open 10 school girls out
of study hours. Her home was in a small
English town that prides itself on is re-
fined and elegant society, and Ter fathers
congregation was of the most exclusive
and ultra-fa fashionable order.
When about seventeen Years old Miss
Charlesworth went for a week s vacation to
little watering place, which chanced to
have for the sensation OF the moment the
Salvation Army of the marvellous conver-
sions. n case that was attracting especial
attention was that of a sailor who was
noted as the most Quarrelsome and dissi-
pated ruffian in the town, and who was
particularly feared on account of his giant
size and feroclous temper Under the
& sfN.sl al l..
had become peaceful and law-abiding;
naturally, such an extreme case excited
much comment, and the school girl was
led by curiosity to attend some of the
meetings.
"They believed only the same things
that had been taught" she said after
ward; "but they believed with the heart.
/ only with the mead" The young girl
became impressed with the fact that
there was WORK for her in the world
other than drifting carelessly on a sea of
gayety, and threw aside her social embi-
tions and pleasures, became converted,
and finally enrolled herself as a Saliva
zionist. At first the family was bitterly
opposed to her action, but they long ago
became entirely reconcied.
Miss Charlesworth helped La Marechole
bootn open the army -ih-ffaHee-
and Switzerland, helped begin the great
slum work in London, travelled on be-
udll VI Nnt eTElN III SNeuen,
two thousand University students ut
Upsala, and, after a few years, married
the second son of General Booth.
Young Mrs. Booth snd her husband
came TO America TO face tremendous
odds. Prejudice and poverty confronted
them, but they met the diiiiculti les with
dauntless courage. In a short time Mrs.
Booth was addressing crowded drawing
room meetings in some of the most
wealthy and aristocratic homes on F.fth
avenue. The churches were opened to
her, and her beauty, simplicity and elo-
quence, full OF the power which comes
from an intimate knowledge OF the deep
miserles and desperate sins Of the un-
churchod masses, won all hearts to her.
AT Washington, she spoke in one OF the
most fashionable churches, and so impress
sed the people that Mrs. Wanamaker, wife
OF the then Postmaster General. threw
open her splendid reception rooms and
invited her to deliver an address there.
Tbe invitation was accepted and the
wives Of President Harrison snd of the
members of his cabinet, with the wives
and daughters OF Senators and Congress
men, fiocked TO hear her.
At meeting held by Mrs Booth in the
Peoples Temple in Boston, last year, it
was estimated that ten thousand peonle !
TO find room inside. The press rated the
disappointed crowd at $1,000.
Tickets for reserved seats AZ Mrs. Booths
Providence meeting can be had now at
the y. NJ. Z. A. building and at the army
halls. The subject OF her address, Will |
be Human Wreckage."
On Thursday afternoon Mrs. Booth will
speak at the house OF Mrs. William A.
Walton on Broadway, on "Heert Relig-
ion.p This will be an informal reception
for ladies only, to which special invita-
tions are sent out.