Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-17

the Presbyterian Church of America is
likely to be disbanded as general organi-
Zation because at the next general assembly
a new moderator will be elected. The
Presbyterian Church exists as a whole for
set of religious principles, and not be-
cause of any one man. So with the Saliva
ton Army; and we love it's principle so well
and revere our leader highly for vitaliz-
Ing 1t for us that we are not going to hinder
its progress by neglecting to work for its
advancement as one great homogeneous
body. We realize that every army must
have directing hand. Two army corps
working Independently of each other, yet
for the same object may never attain 1t;
there is no concerted action. The Salvation
Army Is made up of many corps-one in
each of the countries in which it is repre-
scented. Its fight is for the betterment OF
the lowly poor throughout the world. To
battle successfully it must, therefore, have
supreme commander. This fact Is fully
realized by the army everywhere. Else
what could have hindered the secession of
the army in America, say, years ago? For
the army here, as elsewhere, runs on its
own feet, and is distinct and separate
from the rest of the army in all things eX-
cept in so far as it's movements are directed
by the general, assisted by the international
staff.
Expands His Staff.
''The army, by reason of this interna-
tional staff and it's various commissioners,
is assured for years to come of a general
who understands it's work throughout the
world; and a general equipped will al
ways be necessary. Gen. Booth has never
deviated from the policy of expanding his
Heutenants. He has sent them from coun-
try to country and around the world many
times that they might be broadened gen.
orally and specifically as regards the army.
He has been particularly insistent on in
terchanse of nationalities. A Frenchman
has command of the army in Holland. A
Dutchman is chief secretary in Switzerland.
Commissioner Elwyn Oliphant in charge in
Germany, formerly commanded in Holland
and in Sweden was in charge of our train
ing college in London, speaks French, Ger
man and Swedish with equal facility, and
has wife who is Dutch. If he We're called
to be general he would not be without eX-
tenSive and varied knowledge of the army.
But he is not the only officer who has
had wide experience; there are many others
who have also been in training for twenty
years or more. Commissioner Thomas B.
CoombS, now in Great Britain, has COM
manded in Canada and Australia. Thomas
Mckie, commissioner in Australia, was
formerly in Germany, and has been around
the world twice on revival tours. Commits
sioner Booth-Hellberg of Switzerland has
commanded in France and speaks four Ian
guages The international staff is COM
posed of men who have seen service in all
parts of the world, and who are now in
touch with the army everywhere. This is
generals eldest son. who is chief of the
staff.
Regularly Shifted.
Indeed, every member of the army is
liable to be shifted about, and thousands
are shifted yearly SO that the broadening
process is going on constantly throughout
the whole organization and material for
possible future commissioners and generals
is continually in the making.
oil oil tfn,, eirr1,t nI
ness the plan whereby we secure new
general whenever the occasion arises was
long worked out after conferences with
such distinguished men as Gladstone, whose
advice was sought in the matter.
Briefly, general is given the power to
choose his successor. He draws up
document. naming him. This is handed
over TO legal care, and is put away for
safe keeping until such time as it may be
necessary to bring it forth A second docu-
ment, similar in character, but naming an
other man, is also drawn up and put for
safe keeping in the same lawyers hands.
This second document is prepared as a
safeguard. In the event that the person
named in the first document has died, or