Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-04-16
GEN. VIM. BOOTH
IS 90 YEARS OLD
COMMANDER OF SALVATION ARMY
RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS
FROM ALL OVER WORLD.
CELEBRATION IN LONDON
Metropolis Pays Homage to Aged Phi
lanthropist in Recognition of
Great Work.
SPECULATION AS TO SUCCESSOR.

LONDON, April 10.-[Special. Gen.
William Booth, the founder and head of
he Salvation Army, was 50 years old to-
lay, and all over the world Salvationists
ot every degree and almost every color
are celebrating the anniversary. The
celebration in London is to consist of a
series of monster meetings. beginning to-
lay and continuing through several DAYS
If next week. The aged general, who
has just returned from a visit to Russia,
where he went to intercede with the
Gar in an effort to secure the estab-
lshment of the Salvation Army in Rus
STA, has promised to address several of
the meetings. The celebration is an in
ternational one in every sense of the
word, for from all parts of Europe lead
ing members of the organization have
come to London to attend the meetings.
Receives Many Messages
A steady stream of congratulatory
messages from all parts of the world
poured in upon Gen. Booth today at his
headquarters in this city. The senders
included not only the officers and mem
oers of the Salvation Army, but many
persons prominent in public life, philan-
thropists, educators, social reformers and
noted dlvlneS took occasion to felicitate
the aged general and congratulate him
upon the success of his life work. A
number of the London newspapers to-
lay contained eulogistic references to
Ten. Booth and the great organization
ot which he is the handspring.
In many respects this birthday of Gen
Booth is a momentous occasion. 1t not
only represents the fact that the general
has exceeded by q decade the biblical
three score years and ten," but prom
Ises to be almost turning point in the
fate of the vast organization over which
at present he exercises autOcratic control.
In the thousands of army outposts
and barracks in various countries, specu-
lation is rife as to Gen. Booths possible
successor, for one thing is fairly certain
the time is rapidly approaching when
that will have to be announced. Most
people imagine that no one else but
Bramwell Booth, the generals eldest son
and present chief of staff of the army,
can succeed to the head of the organiza-
ton when the great moving spirit has
departed. But, on the other hand, there
are weighty opinions to the effect that
Bramwell has not the dominating indi-
viduality for the position and that when
the. general passes from the theater of
activity the army will fall to pieces-or,
if not, will be kept going without a gen
eral."
Organization Permanent.
AS if to combat the suggestion that
Gen. Booths death will wind up the
army, concerted efforts are being made
throughout the world to demonstrate that
the organization over which he presides
is permanent one, quite capable of sus-
tanning itself in full efficiency even after
the general has passed away. This feel
inf of uncertainty has brought out the
emotional side of the birthday festivities,
and they promise to be an event unique
il the history of the Salvation army.
1t is now thirty years since the Saliva
ton Army began work on its present
name. For about twelve years prior to
1878, Rev. William Booth had conduct
ed n small organization in the east end
of London under the name of "The
Christian Mission" At that time Booth
and his followers were the objects of
much ridicule. The street meetings and
the methods of the organization in gen.
eral were looked upon as sensational and
often the forces were hard pressed by
persecution or prejudice. But the organi-
cation persevered and when its aims and
work became better known public senti-
ment underwent a change.
In 1890 Gen. Booth published a volume
entitled Darkest London" containing a
scheme for the enlightenment and indus
trial support of the lower classes. The.
work attracted worldwide attention and
was much commented upon. In its chief
features the scheme of Gen Booth re-
ceived the Endorsement of many high
churchmen. During the latter years of
her life Queen Victoria made an annual
contribution to the Salvation Army and
it is understood that King Edward also
has given the organization substantial
encouragement
Army's Great Work.
The Salvation Army, as William r.
Stead recently remarked, is one of the
miracles of modern times. But little
more than thirty-fve years ago the cor
ganization" consisted Of but one man
and his wife, without money, without in
fuential friends, without even & place of
worship they could call their own. To
day its worldwide operations are carried
on in thirty-fOur countries and colonies,
embracing 1855 posts, under the charge
of 81 ,025 officers and employees, with 81
161 local officers, 10000 brass bandsmen,
and about $4,000 musicians. The num-
Der of annual conversions in connection
with the spiritual work has averaged
from 100000 to $4,000 during the past
ten years, making a total Of over 2,OO0,-
900, of whom not less than 100000 were