The San Francisco call., 1897-10-04
The Volunteers Of America
Greet Their Commander
Heartily.
Metropolitan Temple Crowded
to the Doors With His
Friends.
The History of the Organization Told
by the Founder-A Very Good
Programme Rendered.

Ballington Booth, com mand erin chief
ofthe Volunteers OF America, occup pies a
warm place in the hearts of his subjects, if
the reception accorded him last night by
the officers and soldiers OF his army is any
criterion.
Metropolitan Temple was filed to the
doors with the people who came to give
him greeting and welcome him back TO
this city on the occasion OF his first visit
10 this coast since his withdrawal from
the Salvation Army and his accession to
the command of the American branch.
Breve Major Fred Gardner and wife of
New York, l. J. Truman and J. J.
Valentine and officers of the California
and Oregon Volunteers occupied seats on
the Stage, which had been tastefully dec
GRATED with American flag and the motto
''God Is Love-" in gilt letters.
When Mr.. Booth made his appearance
the audience waved him a welcome with
handkerchlefs and fans.
The exercises opened with hymn, after
which Brevet- Major Gardner offered
prayer. There was vocal solo by J.
Wheaton Leonard, ard Commander Booth
played on his concertina with such good
effect that he was obliged to repeat the
performance.
Chairman Truman spoke few words of
welcome TO Commander Booth and then
introduced John J. Valentine, whose
pleasant duty it was to introduce the
com mmander. Mr.. Valentine paid a glow
ing tribute to the Volunteers of America,
saying among other things that the best
methods for assisting the unfortunate men
and women were those pursued by them.
Science and education do not provide
against weakness OF the will, but the
Volunteers were extending helping hands
to the weak and unfortunate. He pre-
dlcted that some day Ballington Booth
would be canonized as a saint. He then
introduced Commander Booth.
There was renewed applause when Mr..
Booths feet 81 inches OF stature rose
before the audience. In opening his ad-
dress the commander said:
l thank you cordially for the very warm re-
cepion TO my staff and myself on this occa-
sion. hope may take il as token of sym-
patny Tor the Volunteers of America, as ii is
my first visit with them on this coast. 1 am
glad 10 know that long before l set foot on
California soil the people were in SYM
pathy with Mrs Booth ana myself in forming
the Volunteers. They have only to be known
10 be apprecia ted.
The speaker then paid a glowing tribute
to his organization and dwelt for a time
on his differences with the Salvation
Army, giving his reasons for Withdrawing
from that organization.
''I viii not utter one word against the Saliva
good l rejoice. We are engaged in doing a
great work, so that cannot come down to
enter into any petty strife or small grievances
and time Is too real factor with those who
seek the uplifting of the INSTRUMENTATION
and down. -trodden of cur population TO allow
OF division OF heart or embIttering of the
spirit"
The commander then gave a short his
tory of the organization of which he is the
head. In the seventeen months of its
career its growth has been very remark
aole. There are now eight regiments with
centers located in New York, Philadel-
phia, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago. Grand
Rapids, Minneapolis and San Francisco.
These are subdivided into sixteen battal-
ions and detachme ents. There are ninety
two staff officers and more than 500 COM
manding officers. Ten thousand people
year are protesting conversion. The
prison branch has 1900 members. The
Volunteers have their own paper which is
published at the national headquarters.
and is known as the Volunteers Gazette.
In conclusion Mr.. Booth stated that he
was an American by "prin ciple, affection
and adoption" and it was because he
loved American institutions that he or
ganlzed the Volunteers of America.
Mr.. Booth will deliver an address to-
night at The Temple. His subject will be
"Consecration for the Work.