The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-03-07
BOOTH

And His Wife Issue n Statement TO the
Press-They Recognize n Higher Call
than that from London, and VIII Con-
tinue TO Labor for the STRENGTHENING OF
Righteous Principles and the Extending
of Gods Kingdom.
MoNTCLAIR. y. j., March Com
nander and Mrs. Ballington Booth last
night issued the following statement
Being continually pressed upon all
sides to state definitely the action we
shall take in the future, we now de-
sire to make known our present posi-
ton.
First. We did not wish it said hat
we had takeE the Salvation Army:
that we had, through ambition, swept
the organization in this country out
Of the generals hands, OF hat we had
taken property which we had ac-
quired while owing allegiance 20 him;
furthermore, we did not want to in
fiuence those under his authority
through their loyalty and steadfast-
ness to us, nor have it said that we
had proved faithless to q trust reposed
in us. so far as the administration was
concerned. We had no alternative but
to accept our dismissal, which closed
our relationships and Interpretations with
London. Since her we have allowed
those in authority full scope, neither
appearing in public nor cOunselling
any beneath their command to leave.
Second. We cannot, however, close
our eyes to the fact hat we have an
other allegiance; we are not our
and cannot dispose of our lives and in
tiuence to please ourselves. GOd has
called us to work for him. We dare
not, therefore, remain idle. We have
also at heart the interest of our coun-
try that SO loudly called to us to con-
tinue in action. Seeing that the peO-
pie of the United States of America
in an urgent and unmistakable man
ncr have voiced their desire that
we should inaugurate n movement
affording US an opportunity to CON
tinuc our labOrs for the uplifting OF
the uncherished and unchrist"ned
people of our country; and as there
appeared to us no alternative between
this course and retiring from public
service, we have decided upon the lat.
ter action. 1t is farthest from ouI
desire, that such a new and
independent movement should be hos
tile to the one we labored 50 long and
so hard to upbuild. The United States
with its vast and evcr-increasing
population should afford ample room
for such effort without any unchris.
tain warning.
Third. 1t would be premature
here to decide upon the details of u
futarc labor. We seek above all else
Gods leading. An organization can
not be formed in d day. and n that
owns Christ as its mead cannot he for
INFLATED on the opinions and enthusi-
as:nS of the moment. We shall prob.
ably have but a small beginning. and
gain step by step.
Fourth. We shall aSSur2dlv. under
II circumstances. stand for the priE-
ciplcS we have hitherto upheld. having
for our aims the saving of souls. the
unity of effort in work. scripture
plainncSs and sclf-sacrifice, and sim.
plicity and distinctiycness of dress That
speaks of out-and-out Christ follow
ing.
Fifth. Wccannot, at this pcrp!cXed
iurcturc, Ovcrtircl in body and over.
strained in nerve, give the date when
we shall be ready to commence public
work. Indeed. it will be seen to be
wise to do nothing in haste lest it
should be i!l-done: but to do all with
f~orcthought. that il may be well and
permanently done. We are most anx-
iuus not to act on impulse or under
strong pressure, but as God shall
guide us through circumstances, and
with cool, calEl Judgment as TO what
we believe to be right.
In closing, we desire to assure all
who are interested in this matter that
we have earnestly consecrated IL
lives to the service of strengthening
righteous principles and extending
Gods kingdom in America
iSiSncd BALLINGroS Boom,
MAUD =. DOOTH."