COMMISSIONERS BENJAMIN AND ABBIE ORAMES

Commissioner Orames was born and raised in Australia, his first contact with The Army being made at Kyneton in the State of Victoria where he took his stand for Christ as an active Soldier and Bandsman. In 1898 he obeyed the call of God, entered The Salvation Army Training College, and during the early part of the following year was commissioned as an Officer.

The Commissioner's early service in the Commonwealth include appointments, at different times, at Divisional and Territorial Headquarters both in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a four-and-a-half-year term as assistant Editor of The War Cry, under Commissioner Bruno Friedrich.

Following attendance at the International Congress in London in 1914, he, with two other Salvationists, on their way home, found themselves landed in Jerusalem, Palestine, with the World War, which had just commenced, involving one country after another. Safely returning to his homeland, he was called upon to accompany the Australian Expeditionary Forces to Egypt and later to France, in the capacity of Chaplain.

After the war, he returned to Salvation Army work in Australia; was Divisional Commander of two Divisions, and afterwards became Field Secretary for Eastern Australia, where he attained the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. Next came an appointment as Chief Secretary for the Southern Australia Territory, with promotion to full Colonel in the year 1927.

Three years later there came promotion to the rank of Lieut.- Commissioner, and appointment as Territorial Commander for North China. In the two years spent in the "Land of the Dragon," Lieut.-Commissioner and Mrs. Orames worked unceasingly for the betterment of the Chinese people, and the further establishment of The Salvation Army work in that vast country. During the Commissioner's term, the present Training College in Peiping was erected and opened.

In February 1932, Lieut.- Commissioner Orames was appointed as Territorial Commander for the Western U.S.A. Territory, assuming this command when the economic depression in this country was at its lowest ebb. Without dangerously jeopardizing The Army's program, retrenchments were affected, and plans formulated which, under the blessing of God, have -- proved beneficial.

One of God's richest blessings is that of good health, and this appears to have been handed out to Lieut.-Commissioner Orames in abundant measure. In thirty-eight years of service the Commissioner has only been absent from duty for five weeks through illness of any kind, and although the term in the Western Territory has been Very exacting, mentally, physically and spiritually, there has been no abatement of his physical Powers and untiring energy.

Mrs. Commissioner Orames, formerly known as Ensign Abbie Black prior to her marriage in 1903, has been the Commissioner’s chief A.D.C., and throughout the years has rendered outstanding service furthering the Salvation War particularly in those phases of Army activity which affect and influence women folk.