Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-18

Mrs. Coolidge, about three years ago; 1t
has never been written about.
Such presidential receptions always
bring personages of very great impor-
lance; the uniforms of the diplomats and
officials of their embassies and the cos
tunes of the wealthy and fashionable
ladies make a brilliant and impressive
sight as the procession of guests marches
past the host and hostess, and as each
guest approaches the President a uni
formed military aide announces the
name and rank of the guest, who is per-
mitted to shake the hands of the Chief
of the Nation and the First Lady and
hear few words of friendly but formal
greeting. The procession moves on to
the blue room. where the hundreds
mill around in social groups or par
ticipate in dancing. The scene is gor-
geously formal and daZzingly bright and
beautiful.
On this occasion, amidst the uniforms
of Army and Navy and diplomats, and
the gay dresses of the fine ladies'" came
a "Sallie" with her poke bonnet and de-
mure face, and she was greeted respect
fully by host and hostess, then started
to pass on--but Mrs. Coolidge'S hand
suddenly halted the movement, and
scores behind wondered what had hap
pened.
Nothing had happened except that
the First Lady Of the Land had loosed
her beautiful corsage bouquet and
pushed it into the hands of the aston
ished Salvation Army lady. Could any
act have been more touching and lovely?
Who but Mrs. Coolidge could have
done 1t?
The general and other high officials
of the Salvation Army have been re-
ceived in audience by the royal per-
sonageS of several courts of Europe, for
the days of jeering at the work of the
army, which were so bitter at first
have long since passed, and the Sallie
LasSie was given special recognition by
our First Lady.
In planning to write this article about
the work of the Salvation Army, the
writer searched through a ponderous
book entitled "EvangeliZing America y
written by Grover G. Loud and pub
lished few weeks ago. 1t tells about all
the great evangelistS of the century,
from Jonathan Edwards to Billy Sun
day and Aimee Semple Mcpherson and
John Roach Straton. It depicts Moody
and Sankey and gives a flash back to
Whitfield and Wesley, and even Joseph
Smith, the founder of Mormonism. It
climax in fundamentalism and sra
tionalized religion" and all modern I'M
provements due to the radio. Yet in
it's 367 pages it forgetS to say one word
about the work of reaching down to the
down and-outer" and proving that
though down" no one is out" Not a
word about the Salvation Army-the
greatest romance of civilization since
the tragedy of Christendom.
The army was begun by a poverty
stricken, uninf1uential London mission
ary in 1877. 1t reached America
been touched with it In London.
Throughout its entire growth it has
been headed by members of the family
of William Booth, the founder. His son,
William Bramwell Booth, succeeded to
it's chief command in 1912, upon the
death of the father; and the sister,
Commander in Chief Evangeline Booth,
came to America q slender girl of 10
years and has been chief
ever since, That was the command
through the World War and aftermath.
Today, the army covers the world
with 1858 corps, in "a countries, with
10000 general officers and 100000 local
officers and millions of volunteers. I'M
paid but enthusiastic workers. There
are no inactive members in the army.
It has As 900 musicians in organized
bands, and 62,265 singers. Its services
are conducted in 10 languages, and it
publishes 125 periodicals with circu-
lation of millions.
Moses led 100000 Israelites out of
Egyptian bondage; how many more
than Moses has the work of william
Booth and his son, Bramwell Booth, and
daughter, Evangeline Booth, led out of
degradation and despair into cleaner
lives and brighter hopes?
Patriots salute when Old Glory passes
by: why not salute when the Salvation
Army flag waves, is carried by the las
sizes and the men who cheered the
| front-line trenches and who are doing
very great service to humanity.
kCouyxtRht. 1o2a. hy Paul Y. collins.l -