The Florida star., 1901-03-08
THE BOOTHS VOLUNTEER HORE.

Lnc Ooo0 AccoAnpaAancu ny AncA-A aAno1E
Unfortunate and Fallen People.
Special Correspondents of The Florida Star.
New YORK. March 5.-The volun-
teers of America viii celebrate their
fifth anniversary on the ninth day OF
this month. The organization is the
outcome or largely attended and
most enthusiastic meeting held at
Cooper Union on March 0. 1896. at
which Mr.. and Mrs Balllngton Booth
were strongly urged TO continue their
evangelistic and peformatOry work
They had toiled for over II years In
the United States with excellent re-
suits and had we'll earned the uni
versal esteem OF the American public.
When the news OF their determination
to respond to this urgent appeal was
made public. a shower or cheering let
ters found way to their Office. and
many OF the writer's asked to be en-
rolled as honorary members OF the new
order. which was as yet without name
or charter. This opened the door to an
immediate and happy solution OF the
financial problem. for out OF 1t grew a
society within the Volunteers known
as 1.-THE Defenders league" These
Defenders pay an annual subscription
OF 50 and enjoy many privileges In the
Volunteer work.
Mr., and Mrs, Booth. stPnding alone
and actuated by single purpOSe-the
salvation and reformation OF men and
women-quickly gathered a band Of
workers about them. thus forming a
nucleus OF the organization TO follow.
They travelled up and down the coun-
try. north. south east and west. with
every encouraging call 10 extend the
work Posts. battallons and regiments
were quickly enrolled. and the good
work or philanthropy and soul win
ming spread with amazing rapidity.
The formal organization occurred
some six months later when - lead
ing officers signed a request for cor
porate rights under the laws Of the
state of New York. A certificate OF
interrogation was granted on Nov 9.
1896 Eleven directors formed the re-
sponsiblP body. The first annual
meeting or directors and the represent
ative members convened In New York
in December. one month after the In
corpors ton. and framed constitution
and bylaws. elected officers and deter
mined the policy and regulations OF the
new organization. Mission halls. called
armories. were opened In over 100 cit
les and towns In the United States. and
the posts or societies formed therein
have told their own story TO the world.
The philanthropic branches or the
Volunteers of America are worthy of
a line In passing. The poor mems hol-
Iday dinners are an established insti-
tuition in the Volunteer halls in very
manS cities and towns throughout the
country Thousands who have not the
ability TO provide good dinners for
themselves or their families are thus
fed and made happy. In the summer
season the children are cared for and
ers. The annual picnic on poor chill
dren's day" in Chicago is a happy
event Brigadier General Fielding the
Volunteer vice president. Is annually
appointed director general by the may
or OF that city The newspapers estl-
mate that from 10000 to $4,000 chill
dren are carried TO the parks. where
they are treated to all kinds OF good.
healthful sport and exercise In games
and contests. Good food In abun-
dance is dispensed free to the lively
urchinsL
Shortly after the first organization
Mrs. Booth sought and obtained admit
tance to the New York state prison at
Sing Sing. To say that she electrified
that institution would be mildly ex-
pressing the effect or her first speaking
in the prison chapel. The men rallied
round her and asked to be enrolled In
a league. and ont OF this meeting on
May "a. 1896. there grew the Volunteer
Prisoners league, now numbering $500
l..