The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-04-11
E|CHT|ETH BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATED
WILLIAM BOOTH. FOUNDER AND
HEAD OF SALVATION ARMY,
OBSERVES DAY.

London April lO.-General William
Booth, the founder and head of the
Salvation army was so years old to-
day, and all over the world Saliva
tionists of every degree and almost
every color are celebrating the
anniversary. The celebration in Lon
don is to consist of a series of mon
ster meetings, beginning today and
continuing through several days of
next week The aged general, who
has Just returned from visit to Rus
sia, where he went to intercede with
the czar in an effort to secure the
establishment of the Salvation army
in Russia, has promised to address
several of the meetings The celebra-
ton is an international one in every
sense of the word, for from all parts
of Europe leading members of the
organization have come to London to
attend the meetings.
A steady stream of Congratulatory
messages from all parts of the world
poured in upon General Booth today
at mis- headquarters in this city. The
senders included not only the officers
and members of the Salvation army,
but many persons prominent in pub
lie life, philanthropists, educators.
social reformers and noted diVines
took occasion to felictate the aged
general and congratulate him upon
the success of his life work A num-
Der of the London newspapers today
contained eulogistic references to Cen
~, fif,r,
of which he is the handspring.
In many respects this birthday of
General Booth is a momentous occa-
sion. 1t not only represents the fact
that the general has exceeded by a
decade the biblical three score years
and ten," but promises to be almost
a 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,
speculation is rife as to General
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 Bran
well Booth, the generals eldest son
and present chief of staff of the army,
can succeed to the head Of the or
ganization when the great moving
spirit has departed. But, on the
other hand, there are Weighty opin-
ions to the effect that Bramwell has
not the dominating individuality for
| the position and that when the gen.
eral passes from the theater of activ-
ity the army will fall to pieces-or,
| if not, will be kept going without a
general"
AS If to combat the suggestion that
General Booths death will wind up
| the army, concerted efforts are being
made throughout the world to demon
strate that the organization over
which he presdes is permanent
one, quite capable Of sustaining itself
in full efficiency even after the gen
eral has passed away. This feeling OF
uncertainty has brought out the emo
tional side of the birthday festivities
and they promise to be an event
unique in the history of the Salvation
army.
1t is now 80 years since the Saliva
ton army began work on its present
name. For about 12 years prior tc
1878, Rev. William Booth had con
Quoted a small organization in the
east end of London under the name
of "The Christian Mission" At the
time Booth and his followers were the
objects of much ridicule. The stree
meetings and the methods of the
organization in general were looked
upon as sensational and often the
forces were hard pressed by perse
cution or prejudice. But the organi
zation persevered and when its aim!
and work became better known public
sentiment underwent change.
In 1890 General Booth published ;
volume entitled Darkest London,
containing a scheme for the enlight
enment and industrial support Of tn
lower classes. The work attracte'
worldwide attention and was mucl
commented upon. In its chief feat
ures the scheme of General Booth re
ceived the Endorsement of many higl
churchmen. During the latter year
of her life Queen Victoria made al
annual contribution to the Salvation
army.