The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-07
Commander BallingtOn Booth
Has a Large Meeting.
About / 200 Heard Him at
Hamilton Hall.
Was Entertained by John r. Mu1vane
and Besieged by Callers-Talks
About His Father.

inches in height. He is straight as an
arrow and has a distinctively military
bearing. He wears blue uniform, the
coat buttoning closely around him.
His appearance is that of a man who
has been accustomed to unusual activ
ity. He speaks forcibly and rapidly,
but with diStinctneSs. While discussing
his new organization, Commander Booth
glOwS with enthusiasm. His cheeks
tinge with color and his eyes sparkle
brilliantly. He is frank, courteous and
decidedly agreeable.
In describing the distinguishing diff
ferences between the Salvation Army
and the Volunteers, Commander Booth
though not vindictive, becomes eloquent,
especially so when recit1ng article OF
the constitution which governs the
Volunteers, containing the provision
that the new movement lis not, never
was and never will be under the con-
troll or influence of any foreign govern
ment."
THE Volunteers of America is an
American institution" exclaimed Com
mander Booth to journal reporter
am an American citizen" he said, land
such L shall at all times maintain
with all the influence and power which
I may have, my rights
Commander Booth arrived in Topeka
at noon yesterday. He was entertained
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. John r.
Mulvane and all yesterday afternoon
the house was beSieged by callers who
were very ANXIOUS TO see one OI the
greatest religious men this country has
produced. Commander Booth received
his callers with evident pleasure and
devoted as much time to each of them
as his busy afternoon would permit. In
visiting with people, Mr. Booth an
sWers all questions concerning his work
quickly and replies with directness and
force When there is any indication
that the visit is ended time is vast
ed in exchanging adieus. He wishes
his guest a pleasant good afternoon and
hastens to his own room, TAX
ing up the work which he
til another visitor is announced. This
constitutes his daily routine He per-
forms an enormous amount of work
ever day and at night, and really
seems to be happiest when most busy
The distinguished commander was ac-
companied to Topeka by Major HATTIE
McFadden, whose Headquarters IN
charge of the Kansas and Missouri Vol
l1nteers have been transferred from st.
Louis to Topeka. In conversation with
a Journal reporter Major McFadden
said Topeka was much more central 10
her field of work than St. Louis. Like
Commander Booth she was inspired
Yesterday with Topeka. The Beau
tiful streets" said Mr.. Booth. this sun
shine, your handsome homes ana the
general indication of enterprise oneVery
hand please me wonderfully. l con-
graduate you upon the many evidences
of prosperity.
''Ihe DISTINGUISHING QllASlCACSo &c
tween the Salvation Army and our or
ganization, the Volunteers" said Com
mandsr Booth, ARE as follows;
..First-We administer the sacrament
of the Lords supper. Inc Army does
not do this
.'second-we permit baptism. The
Army does not.
."Third-We are subject to no foreign
government The Army is.
when you consider that the Volun-
teers were organized and we were in
augurated as the official head OF the
organization only last March; that we
own our own printing plant; have 81 Of
flee secretary clerks; employ our own
union men; that we send out a weekly
magazine with 10000 paid circulation;
publish a monthly paper with n,OOO
maid subscribers; that Volunteer posts
have been established in 40 cities and
towns in the United States; that we
have $50 separate organizations; that
during a recent month 100000 people
attended out indoor meetings and half
that number were present at outdoor
meetings, then you will realize the
phenomenal growth OF the AInST1Cdu
institution.
1--WE formed this new organization at
the instigation of the American people.
We have four regiments and ten bat
talions in New York and regiments
with proper officers in Chicago, Buffalo,
and San Francisco
I give my entire time to this work.
said Mr.. Booth, yet the demand which
comes to me for the organization of
new posts is so great that it is impoSsi-
BILE for me to meet it. We receive the
most urgent appeals for assistance in
effecting the organization OF new posts
and we are doing all that human hands
and heads can do to push forward this
work"
Discussing the rise and progress of
! the Salvation Army, Commander Booth
reviewed his association with it and his
departure therefrom, all in the kindliest
of terms and gracious spirit
Mrs. Booth and myself, he said,
/ s'were ordered to give up our command
/ of the Salvation Army, Notwithstanding
/ the fact that my father had said six
/ months notice of transfer would be
given before we should be ordered to
! England"
He referred to the complaints as to
| the Americanizing of the Salvation Ar
! my Mrs. Booth and he were American
| citizens by adoption and affection; they
! saw that to accept another command
would simply keep up the unpleasant
/ friction which had gone on for months.
/ They believed that to succeed there
must be an American army and not one
/ governed by foreign officers. They saw
the operation of the three great civiliz
| ing instrumentalities, the press, steam
! and Christianity. They saw that the
| press had made this great country one
| vast auditorium where what was done
| in the fartheSt east was known in
| few hours in the remotest west. They
/ believed that any country which had
! made such. enormous strides as these
4 was capable of training its own mis-
sionaries without sending to London for
| them. The people of this country had
/ demonstrated their unqueStioned abil-
4 ity to manage their own affairs and
/ Commander Booth could see no reason
| why this should not be true of the relig-
ion and the creed of the Volunteers.
Commander Booth said In an interview
| yesterday: There is a great deal be-
ing said about my father coming to this
country. and have been asked wheth-
er or not would see him, At the pres
| ent time 1 cannot say what l would do,
! but there is one thing that is absolute
ly untrue, and that is the statement in
| some of the papers reporting me as