The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-02
EVA BOOTH IN M|SSOULA
The Commissioner Addresses a
Large Gathering.
GIVEN A WARM WELCOME
She Won Her Audience From the Start
and Delivered a Strong Sermon
Upon Devotion TO the
Cause

| Missoula. March Probably tbs
largest religious meeting ever held In
Missoula was the gathering that as
sembled at the Union theater tonight
to hear the address of Field Commits
sioner Eva Booth of the Salvation
army. The seating capacity of Ike
large theater was filed TO an exten.
that would have gladdened the hearts
of theatrical manager. and the steady
Jingle of silver coin as they dropped
into the plate that the Salvationlsts
held at the door. showed that those
who came had more than a passing in
terest in the cause represented by the
distinguished woman, who was to speak
to them. The field commissioner arrived
from Helena on the early train this
morning accompanied by the staff Off
GERS who are taking part in her tri-
umphal tour of her territory. The party
was met at the station by the local
corps of the army, who greeted her vita
pomp and hallelujahs.
The party left quietly and proceeded
TO the local quarters of the army. where
the visitors have remained all day At
the theafer this evening the scene was
an interesting one. Across the front Of
the rear gallery was hung huge ban
ner inscribed with message of well
come to Miss Booth. On the stage were
'NPi co VI lHe lOtdl tltISN, lDt
mayor and the city marshal, together
with the local salvationists and the Wis
iting officers.
The preliminary services were led by
Brigadier Generals Howell and Gaskin.
There We're songs and prayers and cho-
ruSes. but ii was evident that the
speakers and the singers had not sue
ceeded in reaching the audience until
the commissioner began to talk. She
was introduced by Mayor Webster in
one of the most graceful speeches that
he has ever made. Her reception was
one that was calculated to please her
by its enthusiasm.
When the continued applause had
subsded. Miss Booth stepped forward
and acknowledged the pleasant recep-
ton that Missoula had accorded her
Then she at once won the hearts of the
audience by saying that they had not
had single good song since the service
had begun. She wanted them to try
with her and she would ask them to
sing something that she was sure all
were familiar with. Then she asked
he brigadier to read the lines Of Near /
en- My God to Thee" The piano and
that had floundered away
above all of the previous attempts at
song that had been made. were drowned
entirely by the swelling tones of the
audience as the words of the familiar
hymn were sung.
'ouu, Sdlu the commissioner, 'tnat
$ the best song that we have had on
his tour Then the rest was plain
sailing. She had won her audience.
Commissioner Booth took for her
scripture lesson the verses describing
the entrance of the Saviour into Jeru-
salem. when the audience placed the
garment In his hands and paved the
way with palms. Simply and beauti-
'ully she reviewed the story of the pro-
,ession and its sad succeeding events.
Then taking the giving of the garment
o the Lord Miss Booth delivered a
strong sermon upon devotion to the
'ause and upon the method to be fol-
owed. 1t was an interesting service
md one that will not soon be forgotten
~ those who We're present.
Miss Booths next stopping place will .
re at Spokane, where there will be a
cries of meetings held