The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-17

the navy, and starting with single corps
in London our soldiers and sailors have
carried and planted our banner in the
most remote quarters OF the world" said
Major Lewis.
Major Lewis is that pretty, fresh-faced
young English woman who accompanied
the consul, Emma Booth, on her recent
visit to San Francisco.
She is to form a part of the official
family of Commander Booth-Tucker in
this country. In England she was devot-
ing herself wholly to the league. She had
her own headquarters ana was in direct
communication through correspondence
with army and navy chiefs throughout the
British Empire looking to a recognition
and assistance by them of the new move
ment. She was detailed to accompany
Com missioner Eva Booth to come to
America at the first reports of the seces-
sion of Ballington Booth, and within
twenty-four hours notice turned over the
affairs of the league to her understudy and
took ship. She expected to be back in
London with the Balm ton Booth affair
happily adjusted within three weeks.
That WAS months ago, and she is not only
still here but has been ordered to remain.
The headquarters of the league will be
shifted with her from London to New
York.
Major Lewis intended while here to
establish the first corps of the league in
this country, but the illness OF the consul
kept her so absorbed in other affairs that
she was prevented from taking any steps
IN the matter. Upon the return of the
commander to New York she will at once
set about placing the new movement on
its feet.
"a soldier and sailor" said Major
Lewis, in talking about the league during
her visit here, likes his religion hot. He
likes action. The Salvation Army methods
answer the demand of his nature exactly.
For years General Booth has been pressed
by people interested in the welfare of the
sailor and the soldier to do something
specially IN their interest
"In response TO that pleading he con-
ceived the idea of the league and set me
10 work to execute it. My first step was
to ask for the recognition of the Salvation
Army by the Government as religious
organization You know there are only
five churches officially recognized by the
Government, the Church OF England, the
Roman Catholic, the Methodists, Presby-
terians and Jews. For attendance ct the
services OF any of these organizations the
soldier is given money allowance in ad-
dltion to his pay as soldier. We desire
that our followers shall have the same
consideration. The revenue would enable
them to sustain and push the work.
but we are not standing still and wait
ing. Not by any means. The league is
already at work almost at every place
where England's soldiers are or where
there is an English naval or shipping STA
ton. We have only entered upon the
work and yet | may truly say we have
prise you, IN sure, TO look over one days
mail at our headquarters. Why, since
arriving here letters have been forwarded
me telling of earnest letters of inquiry by
men in San Francisco concerning our work
for the sailor. Ship-owners and agents are
glad TO help US in the work, for they know
1t will upiift the men. But it is the men
themselves who receive news of the league
as message of glad tiding. Poor Jack.
you know, is such segregated being. He
is here to-day and away, where nobody
seems to know or care, tomorrow. He
can have no ties like other people.
"The Starvation Army offers him great
family that IS waiting to receive him at
every port. AS member Of the league
he will go away feeling that he has left
dear friends, but that he is going forward
to find other dear friends of the same fam
ily This is literally true. When the
league is established there is waiting
some of its soldiers and officers to meet
every ship that comes TO port Before the
sailors come ashore these soldiers of the
league will board the ship and invite
them to the league rooms, there to find
pleasant companions and reading matter
and comforts, and generally extend a well
come and let them see that there is some
body interested in them.
Furthermore it is a part of our work
and pleasure to look after the friends of
the sailors while away and form con-
Meeting link between them, visit the old
mothers or lonesome wives OF the absent
enes, to see them safely off should they