The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-02

Montclair, N. j., Mar. l-Commander
and Mrs. Ballington Booth tonight issued
the following statement to the press:
Being continually pressed upon all sides
80 state definitely the action we shall take
in future We now desire to make known
our present position.
First-Wc did not wish il said that we had
taken the salvation Army; that we had,
through ambition. swept The organization
in this country oct OF the generals hands
or that we had taken property which we
had acquired while owing allegiance TO
him: furthermore. we did not want to in
fluence those under his authority through
their loyalty and steadfaStnesS 10 us, nor
have IL said that We had proved faithleSs
TO a trust reTosed in us SO far as admins
tration was concerned.
We had no alternative but 10 accept our
dismissal. which closed our relationship
and negotiations with London. Since then
we have allowed those in authority full
| scope. neither appearing on the public
| nor counSelling any beneath their command
| TO leave.
CALLED To CONTINUE.
Second, We cannot. however, close our
eyes to The fact that we have another
| allegiance; we are not our own and cannot
dispose OF our lives and influence 10 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 country that so loudly called TO us
! To continue in action.
| Seeing that the people of the United
| States OF America, in an urgent and I'M
| mistaEa BILE manner have voiced their desire
1 that we should inaugIratc a movement
] affording us an opportunity TO continue our
| labofs for the Unlifling OF the unchurched
| and unchrStianed people OF our country,
! and, as there appeared 10 us no alterna-
! tiYe between this course and retiring from
| public service. we have decided on the
! former action.
| Ii is furtherest from our desire that such
| a new and independent movement should
I be hostile 10 the one we have abGred
4 50 long and so hard to uphuild. The United
/ States. with its vast and ever-inCreaS!ne
I population should offer ample room for
1 such effort without any Unc nchristian warning.
/ Third. 1t would he premature here 10 de-
| eide upon the details of our future labor We
| seek above all else Gods leading.
| OLD METHODS USED.
An organization cannot be formed in n
/ day, and one tiiat owns Christ as its head
| cannot be formulated on The opinions ard
/ CHthuSiams Of the moment. We shall
| probably have but u small beginning aud
| gain step by step.
| Fourth we shall assuredly, under any
| circumstances, stand for The principles we
| have hitherto upheld. having for cur aims
| the saving of souls, the unity OF effort IN
| work. Scriptural piainncss and self-sac-
| rifice OF life, and simplicity and distinc-
! tiVpness of dress that speaks OF out and out
| Christ following.
/ ture, oyertired in body and overStraineu IN
: nerve, give the date when we shall lie
| ready 10 commence public work. Indeed
| it Will be seen to be wise to do nothing in
haste lest il should be i'll done; but to
do all with :orethought, that it may be
! we'll and permanently done.
| We are most anxious not to act on i'm
| pulse or under strong pressure. but as God
| snail guide Us through circumstances. and
| with COOL calm judgment as TO what we
| believe and feel 10 be right.
! In closing. we desire TO assure all who
1 are Interested In this matter, that we have
| earnestly conseCrated our lives to the ser
| vice of strengthening righteous principles
and extending Gods kingdom in America
| tSigned) BALLINGTON BOOTH,
| MAUD h. BOOTH.