Remembering Arthur Arnott (Pt 4) – a man who ‘lived Christ’
BY BARRY GITTINS
Arthur Arnott, the young man whose heartbreak at Herbert and Cornelie Booth’s departure from the work* may never have fully healed, was described as “absolutely oyster-like” if anyone said anything that reflected badly “on either the Army or any of its members”.
Ah Kow cited an anonymous source who boasted of a 45-year acquaintance with Colonel Arnott: “I can truthfully say that I never once heard him express an opinion of anyone that was unfair and that could not safely be repeated.”
Who among us can claim to possess the same measure of self-control and grace? Arthur took the words of Jesus seriously, more seriously than we do, I suggest.
Arthur lived generously because he was God’s child and God owned everything. Therefore, in Arthur’s view, the world belonged to all of us.
“Everything I can enjoy is mine!” he once told a mate. “This broad street is mine; it was laid out and paved for me. The trees that border it were planted for me.
“The trams are mine; they were built for me; they run for me. This one is to take me into the city. When I want to return, there will be another. A staff of men are kept purposely to run them for me. They attend to them as well in my absence as in my presence. Mine, mine ... and they cost me only threepence a ride.”
Arthur lived and breathed prayer, and would be at it before his fellow conversationalists realised he’d included the Almighty in their chat. People would find themselves in tears as they spoke with their Creator alongside Arthur; for some, it had been years since they had done so.
Prayer has an intimacy that reveals who we are. Arthur lived in that intimacy as a child of God, bringing people into God’s presence through his life and music.
Arthur, the first officer at headquarters to own a jalopy, used the vehicle for Jesus rather than for family holidays or joyrides. It carried bags of coal around in winter and large bags of second-hand clothing for poor people wearing rags.
Arthur Arnott’s last months on this world were saddened by the horrors of the Second World War. The hopes that World War One would be the war to end all wars had come undone.
As an older chap, Arthur had lost a lot of weight and was described as ‘gaunt’. While still possessing a ‘soldierly bearing’ and, stick in hand, looking not unlike a retired military officer, he was visibly slowing down. His spirit, however, was still young and amazed by the beauty of creation.
Once, Arthur was lost in thought, gazing at nature’s beauty. When prompted, he replied, “Just admiring my tree ... Everything is yours while you enjoy it.”
Arthur was God’s child. The world was God’s; hence, the world was Arthur’s. What a philosophy.
Arthur’s service helped to some extent set up the infrastructure and the culture of the current territory. In his memory, 15 years after Arthur was promoted to glory, Sir William Angliss, Australia’s ‘meat king’, left a bequest of 10,000 pounds to the Army’s work.
Arthur lived generously and inspired generosity. Arthur’s songs, with joy and sorrow intermingled, are still sung today. His words and melodies still move us.
Arthur’s ready, and his often-exercised compassion sets an example we often fail to meet. The Salvation Army, such as it is today, rides on our reputation for compassion, mercy, grace, and active assistance for those who are hurting.
That body of work is still being done, thank God, largely by employees and volunteers. The rank and file of Salvationists have precious little engagement with our social work. Arthur’s example challenges members of the Army today.
If Salvationists had the habit of recognising saints amongst us, Arthur would likely be canonised. As it is, if we listen closely enough, we can still hear Arthur Arnott’s laughter and picture his smile and delighted face when we hear his songs.
His old mate, General George Carpenter, had suggested that Arthur Arnott ‘lived Christ’ – a sentiment that can be no better epitaph.
*Early in 1901, the emotional toll on Herbert Booth from his strained relations with his father, General William Booth, and his big brother, Bramwell, led Herbert to resign his commission as a Salvation Army officer.
He spent time at a Salvation Army property on the Collie River in Western Australia, preceding his departure and the negotiations for his severance.
Herbert left the work knowing from the experience of some of his siblings that he could be ostracised by his family and by the Army. Commissioner James Hay even had Herbert’s name removed from foundation stones and building plaques [some were later restored].
Sources: I am indebted to the following: The War Cry, Barbara Bolton, Adelaide Ah Know, Lindsay Cox, Percival Dale, Dianne Edwards, Wesley Harris, Ron Inglis, Leslie Rusher, David Woodbury.
