The short life of Catherine Booth, the mother of the Salvation Army

UC-NRLF

F.DEL. BOOTH TOCKER

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

BOOTH 1882

ATHERINE

BOOT

5alration Bv

;

THE SHORT LIFE

OF

CATHERINE

BOOTH

tTbe /iftotber of tbe Salvation Hvmg

BY

F. DE L. BOOTH -TUCKER

(LATE BENGAL CIVIL SERVICE)

[ABRIDGED FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITION.]

LONDON

INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: 101, QUEEN VICTORIA^ STREET, E.G.
PCBLISHING OFFICES : 98, 100 & 102, CLERKEXVVELL ROAD, E.G.

Or of any Bookseller.
COPYRIGHT.]

BCTTEH &
THE SELWOOD PRIOTIITG WORKS.
FROME, AXD LOXDOX.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

MY task is completed. Imperfectly ? Alas, none could be
more conscious of that fact than myself ! I have longed un-
speakably for inspiration's pen to write the record of a life
inspired, no matter whose the hand that held the pen ! I
have wept with disappointment as I have struggled to describe
the indescribable ! A thousand times, in the lonely solitude
of my room, I have turned from pen to prayer, and then again
from prayer to pen. My whole soul has yearned unspeakably
to enshrine our Army Mother's memory fittingly, and to enable
her in these pages to live her life again.

/ have not criticised ? No ! I could not, for I loved.
With the love of a son — the respect, the admiration, the en-
thusiasm of a disciple. For critical" biography I have neither
time nor taste.

I have exaggerated 1 No ! Inquire from those who knew
her best — her family, her friends, the Army. I have sought
to tell " the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth" ; to let facts and letters speak for themselves, and
to surround the picture with but a framework of such ex-
planations as have seemed necessary for the occasion.

1 claim for Mrs Booth infallibility ? No ! Only sanctified
common sense. "Jesus Christ made unto her wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption."

She made mistakes ? Undoubtedly ! But I have not found
many to record. As a Mother — her family speak for her in
the gates. As a Wife — her husband lives and testifies. As

iv Preface to the First Edition.

an Apostle — thousands of her spiritual children are scattered
through tffe world.

I have been too laudatory? Nay, verily! Press and
pulpit have combined to set their saal on every word, and tho
highest praise proceeds from other lips. My own opinion
eight years' intimacy has entitled me to express. Of tho
General and the Hving members of the family I have left un-
said the appreciation and admiration which my heart has felt ;
but of the subject of these memoirs I have claimed the
liberty to say that which I feel, and to testify that which I
know. Sensitive to a fault of what the public might think,
the General would have preferred that I should tenderdraw
rather than overdraw her character. He would have been
even willing that I should sprinkle a few blots— I will not
say of my own manufacture — over the canvas, lest any should
charge me with claiming perfection for the picture. I havo
claimed, may I call it, the artistic privilege of dispensing
with the blots, which my imagination refused to invent, or
my researches to discover. I have assumed the editorial
responsibility of saying what I think, of saying it in the way
that I desire, and of distributing my adjectives where they
seemed most to be required, and I certainly must have de-
clined the task had I not been allowed this, in my estima-
tion, legitimate freedom.

Are there no shadows then? Oh, yes,! Alas, almost
too many ! Victory shadowed by defeat, joy by sorrow,
strength by weakness, warfare by suffering, life by death. A
mighty intellect, an iron will, an ocean soul encased in an
" earthen vessel." so frail that a touch seemed sufficient to
shatter it. A barque tossed upon the waves of a perpetual
tempest of opposition, persecution, criticism, from the day it
was launched on its perilous life-voyage to the day when it
cast anchor in the eternal Haven.

But the sources of my information ? The entire private

Preface to the First Edition. v

correspondence of Mrs. Booth from 1847 onwards has been
placed at my disposal. Never has biographer been moro
privileged to peer with prying eye behind the scenes and
ransack the minutest details of a life. Litera scripta manct.
The written records have spoken f,or themselves, and on their
silent testimony, more than on the memories of living
witnesses, this Life is based. The facts have been carefully
corrected by the General — for the opinions, when they are
not those of Mrs. Booth, I assume the entire responsibility.

I have been helped? Yes, by my dear wife, Mrs. Booth's
second daughter, Emma. [She does not think I have spoken
too highly of her mother, and verily she ought to know.
Nevertheless, the opinions are mine, not hers.] Piles of
hurriedly- written, ill-digested manuscripts, which but for her
I would fain have hurled impatiently at the printer's head,
or have consigned to the depths of the waste-paper basket,
have been dissected page by page, sentence by sentence,
almost word by word. Dissected — yes, that is the word
—dissected at home, till I almost feel criticism-proof abroad !

1 have taken a long time?- Not very. I received my'
material at the end of July, 1891. I sit writing these lines
on the 2nd of the same month, barely eleven months after-
wards. The life of a Salvationist is a life of interruption.
Wherever he goes there are " lions in the way/' Telegrams
and letters follow him to every retreat. Seclusion, privacy,
and the quietude supposed to be necessary for literary enter-
prise— the words have been obliterated from his dictionary,
the very ideas have almost faded from his mind. His table
is a keg of spiritual gunpowder, his seat a cannon-ball, and ho
writes as best he may amid the whiz and crash of flying shot
and shell, the rush and excitement of a never-ending battle,
in which peace and truce are words unknown, and rest, in
the ordinary sense of the word, is relegated to Heaven.

Again, it has not been like writing a novel, where the

vi Preface to the First Edition.

author can give the heroine free scope to say and do as she
pleases, or rather as he may please. A biography has meant
a history of facts, and those facts have had to be verified
and arranged. Thousands of letters, articles, speeches, and
reports have required to be studied, till my head has fairly
reeled and my eyes have ached.

But I said, I have been helped. Yes, I have been helped
by God — helped by the remembrance that she of whom I
wrote was indeed a prophet of the Most High, and that it
could not but please Him that the messages which had been
uttered through her lips and life should be repeated through
the medium of these pages — helped by the thought that it
would be a comfort to her family, and an inspiration to our
Army, and to tens of thousands outside our ranks, to read a
record of such devoted service.

It has been a labour of love. I undertook it with reluct-
ance, owing to a deep sense of my insufficiency. I conclude
it with regret, realising how greatly God has blest it to my
soul. I send it forth with the sincere prayer that it may be
made an equal blessing to all who read, and that they m.iy
be enabled to re-live, at least in miniature, the life of
Catherine Booth.

F. DE L. BOOTH-TUCKER.
101, QCEEX VICTORIA STREET, LONDON. E.G.

2ud July, 1832.

Thi Author is indebted to various photographers — including Messrs.
Elliot <t Fry, Messrs. Russell & 5o;is, the London Stereoscopic Company,
of London; Messrs. Dcbenham <£ Gould, of Bournemouth; Mr. R. II.
Preston, of Penzarce ; and Mr. A. J. Melhuuh, F.R.A.S., London— for
certain of the portraits contained herein.

PREFACE TO ABRIDGED EDITION.

THE desire to place the "Life of Mrs. Booth " within the reach
of every one has led to the publication of the present volume.
Although only an abridgment, nry task has not been quite
so easy as might at first sight appear. The exclusion of a
great deal of interesting matter contained in the original
edition, together with the dove-tailing of what was left, and
this amid the uninterrupted flow of other duties, has made
me realize that the picture here pi-esented is more than ever
an imperfect one. I have often wished that I could have
entirely repainted the landscape, instead of cutting up the
canvas and fitting the fragments into the smaller frame
allotted to receive them. But this would have taken time,
and would have unduly delayed the appearance of the book.

For the very cordial reception with which the larger
edition has met from both the secular and religious press, I
am deeply grateful to God, and I am encouraged to hope
that in its more popular and abbreviated form it may be
the means of still more widespread blessing.

It is my earnest prayer that the heart of each reader,
whether within or outside our ranks, may be fired by its
perusal with an ambition not only to enjoy the same utter-
most salvation, but to live a similar life of devotion to
the service of God and man, as the subject of these memoirs.

London, 1893. F. DE L. B.-T.

vll

CHAPTER I.
CHILDHOOD. 1829-1834.

" Coming events cast their shadows before."

THE early days of those who have achieved greatness, and
who have left their mark, either for good or evil, upon the
world, constitute a sort of shadowland, which possesses a
peculiar fascination of its own. The arrival of a new actor
upon the world's vast stage is not always heralded, it is
true, by blast of trumpet and beat of drum, however im-
portant may be the part that is about to be enacted. The
surroundings and circumstances are often surprisingly
trivial and contemptuously commonplace. As with the
equinoctial gales, such lives frequently come in like a
lamb, although they are destined to go out like a lion. And
yet there is a something — a self -assert iveness, shall we call
it? — about true genius, which enforces recognition and ex-
torts admiration, so that even in the undeveloped bud of
early life, we find ourselves involuntarily exclaiming : The
child is veritably father to the man !

True, at the time, few eyes are keen enough to discern the
substance, of which these shadows are but the type and
promise. The great To BE is still enveloped in the mists
of futurity. Its shadow falls for a moment with startling
distinctness across our path, only to disappear with equal
suddenness from our sight. And yet, viewed in the light of
retrospect, much that was once obscure and difficult becomes
luminously plain. Shadows are converted into substance,
possibilities into actualities, fugitive expectations into sober
accomplishment. To look forward and anticipate the future

2 Mrs. Booth.

requires a prophet, to look back and appreciate the past is
possible to all, so that even he who runs may read. And
thus we are impelled to explore every nook and cranny of
the child-life, confident that it contains abundant promise of
the great hereafter. The little cloudlet, no bigger than a
man's hand, assumes a new interest, above and beyond the
many others that we have seen, because we know that it
betokens coming showers and a sound of abundance of rain
for the parched and famine-stricken earth.

And yet the search is often a very disappointing one.
The facts on which we can rely are few and far between.
The witnesses are mostly gone to their reward, or can re-
member scarcely anything beyond the ordinary humdrum of
life. There is frequently little or nothing in the shape of
written record to which we may turn, and the meagre items
we are able to gather are just enough to make us wish for
more. In short, we can obtain but tantalising glimpses,
when what our heart would crave is a long satisfying look.

We are told there is a mountain peak in Africa, towering
high above the rest, which forms the most conspicuous land-
mark for scores of miles ; and yet so perpetually is it hidden
in mists and clouds, that explorers have been within a few
miles without so much as discovering its existence. Indeed,
the same traveller, who has at one time passed the spot and
noted nothing remarkable, has been surprised when, on a
later occasion, the clouds have suddenly unfolded, the sun
shone forth, and a snowy summit of surprising height and
surpassing grandeur has disclosed itself to view. For a time
it seems so near and so real that he is astonished at his own
previous obtuseness. And then the wind changes, the mist
rolls swiftly down the mountain-side, and he is tempted to
wonder whether, after all, the bewitching vision he has just
gazed upon may not have been some fancy of his mind, simi-
lar to the water-mirage of the desert or the deceitful will-o'-
the-wisp of the fens.

Just so with this shadowland of life. The glimpses we
obtain are so scanty and brief, that we are bound in some

Childhood. 3

measure to be disappointed. And yet their very fewness
and fleetingness perhaps add something to their attraction,
while the distance through which we are obliged to gaze
only serves to " lend enchantment to the view," and what
we do see stands out in vivid distinctness, like the peaks of
some mountain range against the background of the sky.

For those who stood in the valley of childhood, the horizon
was so limited that they could see but little beyond their
own immediate surroundings. To us, who have climbed the
mountain-side of life, it is different. We are able to look
down upon the landscape. Every turn in the road, every
inch of upward ascent, brings some fresh surprise. Here is
a tiny cascade leaping .down the rocks, little more than a
silver thread amongst the surrounding foliage of the forest.
Yonder flows a stately river that sweeps for hundreds of
miles through the plains, and bears on its bosom the largest
ocean-going craft. It is difficult to realize, as we stand be-
side the one, that it will ever develop to the size and power
of the other. And yet we cannot doubt the evidence of our
senses. The impossible has already come to pass before our
eyes.

And thus we turn to explore the shadowland of a life of
which each type has been realized, and every promise ful-
filled. Thousands and tens of thousands to whom the stream
has borne its rich merchandise of spiritual blessing will
desire, no doubt, to trace the river to its rise. Like Hindoo
pilgrims, not content with bathing in the portion of the
stream that happens to flow past their dwelling, they will be
eager to follow its course from the spot where their skyborn
Ganges descends from the heavens to the broadening of its
waters in the trackless ocean of Eternity.

Kate Mumford, or, as she is more familiarly known,
Catherine Booth, was born at Ashbourne in Derbyshire on
the 17th January, 1829. She was the only daughter in a
family of five. Of her brothers the youngest, John, alone
survived, the three elder having died during infancy.

At a very early age flashes of the spirituality, genius, and

4 Mrs. Booth,.

energy that were destined to make so indelible a mark upon
the world surprised and gladdened Catherine's mother, as
she watched with tender care, and reared with difficult}',
the fragile girl who became, almost from infancy, her chief
companion and comforter, Mrs. Mumford was herself a re-
markable woman, and some of the leading traits in the
daughter's character were no doubt inherited from the in-
tensely practical and courageous mother.

i

MRS. MUMFOBD.

" One of the earliest recollections of my life, in fact the
earliest," says Mrs. Booth, " is that of being taken into a
room by my mother, to see the body of a little brother who
had just died. I must have been ver}r young at the time,
scarcely more than two years old. But I can remember to
this day the feelings of awe and solemnity with which the
sight of death impressed my baby mind. Indeed, the effect

Childhood. 5

produced on that occasion has lasted to this very hour. I
am sure that many parents enormously under-estimate the
capacity of children to retain impressions made upon them
in early days."

From an incredibly early age, Catherine became her
mother's companion and confidante. With the exception of
her brother, who went to America when only sixteen, she
had no playmates. Children, as a rule, were so badly
brought up that Mrs. Humford dreaded their contaminating
influence upon her daughter. To some this may appear too
harsh a rule, but it was one which Mrs. Booth herself
adopted in bringing up her family, and the result has surely
justified its wisdom. On one of the few occasions when she
allowed two of her children to visit the house of a particular
friend, they returned expressing their astonishment that
fathers and mothers could disagree and brothers and sisters
could quarrel, or be jealous of each other.

But what Catherine lacked in outside companionship was
abundantly compensated by the close and intimate ties which
linked mother and daughter in bonds that grew stronger year
by year, and that death itself could but for the moment
sever.

"The longer I live," Mrs. Booth writes, "the more I
appreciate my mother's character. She was one of the
Puritan type. I have often heard my husband remark that
she was a woman of the sternest principle he had ever met,
and yet the very embodiment of tenderness. To her right
was right, no matter what it might entail. She could not
endure works of fiction. 'Is it true?' she would ask, re-
fusing to waste her time or sympathies upon anything of
an imaginary character, however excellent the moral in-
tended to be drawn. She had an intense realization of
spiritual things. Heaven seemed quite near, instead of
being, as with so many, a far-off unreality. It was a posi-
tive joy to her that her three eldest children were there. I
never heard her thank the Lord for anything so fervently as
for this, although they were fine promising boys. l Ah,

6 Mrs. Booth.

Kate,' she used to say, { I would not have them back for
anything ! ' "

The stirring example, of such a life, and the perpetual in-
fluence of such deep spirituality, could not but produce a
profound impression upon Catherine. " I cannot remember
the time," she tells us, " when I had not intense yearnings
after God."

Especially was Mrs. Mumford anxious to encourage her
daughter in the study of the Book which she looked upon
as the supreme fountain of wisdom. It was from the Bible
that Catherine received her earliest lessons. Many a time
would she stand on a footstool at her mother's side, when
but a child of five, reading to her from its pages. Before
she was twelve years old she had read the sacred book from
cover to cover eight times through, thus laying the founda-
tion of that intimate knowledge and exceptional familiarit}^
with the divine revelation which made so profound an im-
pression upon all who knew her.

Thirty years later the position was reversed, and the
weeping mother sat in a densely crowded chapel, listening
for the first time to her daughter, as with power and de-
monstration of the Spirit she expounded from the pulpit to
her eagerly listening audience those same Scriptures which
she had studied at her mother's knee, and which had become
indeed, when breathed from her lips, " quick and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the
dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, a discerner of the thoughts and' intents of the
heart." " Was it for this that I nursed her ? " exclaimed
Mrs. Mumford, amid her tears, as she grasped the hand of a
lady who had accompanied her to the meeting.

To the end of life, Catherine maintained this intense love
and reverence for the Scriptures, and her last and most
valued gift to each member of her family, from the very
banks of the Jordan, was that of a Bible, into which, with
the greatest pain and difficulty, she traced her name, as
%i the last token of a mother's love."

Childhood. 7

And yet Catherine was not unchildlike. True, she was
prevented by her delicate health from engaging in active
sports. But her humanity and naturalness manifested itself
in a thousand ways, especially in her extreme partiality for
dolls. Indeed, so devoted was she to her miniature family,
and in so practical a manner did she labour for them, that
with her it. almost ceased to be play, and rather became a
pleasing education for the heavy and responsible maternal
duties which fell to her lot in after life. She must feed
them, dress them, put them to bed, and even pray with
them, before her mother-heart could be satisfied. And in
her spare moments she might be seen, with earnest face and
bended back, eagerly plying needle and thread, thus acquir-
ing a skill which she turned to such good account in after
life, that ladies in admiring her handiwork would beg to be
told the name of her tailor, in order that they might go to
the same place for their children's clothes.

CHAPTER II.
EARLY DAYS. 1834-1843.

THE family removed in 1834 to Boston, in Lincolnshire, Mr.
Mumford's native town. During his stay here he commenced
to take an active part in the Temperance movement, his
home becoming a centre round which many of the leading
Temperance luminaries revolved. Catherine, with her curly
locks and flashing black eyes, together with her brilliant
conversational powers, \vos before long one of the most in-
teresting features of her father's table, taking her share in
the parlour debates which were to prove so valuable a train-
ing for her future career.

She could do nothing by halves. Eagerly she devoured all
the Total Abstinence publications of the day, familiarising
herself, by the time she was twelve, with every detail of the
question. When evening came she would lock herself into
her bedroom, and by the light of her candle would pour out
her heart upon paper, writing letters to the various magazines
to which her father subscribed. In doing this she was care-
ful to conceal her identity beneath some nom-dt-plume, giving
her manuscripts to a friend to be copied and sent to the
editor with his card, lest they should be rejected if it were
known they had been written by so mere a child. Little did
she then think that the day was coming when newspaper re-
porters would attend her meetings, the general public haug
upon her lips, and her writings be circulated throughout the
world. " Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth."

Nor was Catherine's practical nature content with merely
speaking and writing. The wonderful after-activities of life

8

Early Days. 9

were foreshadowed in the twelve-year-old secretary of a
Juvenile Temperance Society, who arranged meetings, raised
subscriptions, and with all her might pushed forward the
interests of the cause.

Largely, however, as her time and attention were engrossed
by the Temperance question, Catherine manifested a deep
interest in other important subjects which were discussed in
the family circle. Mr Mumford was an active politician,
and took pleasure in explaining to his daughter the leading
questions of the day, " By the time I was twelve," she tells
us, " I had my own ideas in politics and could fight my father
across the table.

" My side was always that of the people. I desired nothing
so ardently as to see the poor and suffering made happy.
Anything that bore upon this interested me beyond measure,
and I not only wanted to know all about it, but longed to so
use my knowledge that it should be of the utmost advantage
to others.

" If I were asked for the main characteristics that have
helped me through life, I should give a high place among
them to the sense of responsibility which I have felt from
my earliest days in regard to everybody who came in any
way under my influence. The fact that I was not held re-
sponsible was no relief at all. ' Why trouble ? It is not
your affair ! ' friends constantly say to me even now. But
how can I help troubling, I reply, when I see people going
wrong ? I must tell the poor things how to manage ! "

An early illustration of this trait in Catherine's character
was one day manifested. While running along the road
with hoop and stick, she saw a drunkard being dragged to
the lock-up by a constable. A jeering mob was hooting the
unfortunate culprit. His utter loneliness appealed power-
fully to her. It seemed that he had not a friend in the
wrorld. Quick as lightning Catherine sprang to his side,
and marched down the street with him, determined that he
should feel that there was at least one heart that sympathised
with him, whether it might be for his fault or his misfortune

10

Jfrs. Booth.

that he was suffering. The knight-errant spirit which she
manifested when, as a mere child, she threw down the gaunt-
let to the mocking crowd, and dared to take the part of the
lonely hustled criminal, was peculiarly typical of the woman
who afterwards stood by the side of her husband and general.

XGr THE D&UBKA&Dt

helping him to face the scorn of his day and generation,
until unitedly, with character vindicated and name be-
blessed, they had climbed to a position of successful achieve-
ment unique in the history of the world.

It was Catherine's first open-air procession; indeed, may
we not legitimately call it the first ever held by the Salva-
tion Army? But it was destined to be multiplied a million-

Early Days. 1 1

fold all over the world, and she was to have the joy of sweep-
ing the slums of every considerable city in the United
Kingdom, not alone, but at the head of devoted and well-
disciplined bands of Salvation warriors, till at length the
glorious past was focussed in the mammoth funeral march
which stirred Christendom to its centre, when the very
harlots hushed each other in the streets, and the rough un-
accustomed cheeks of the poorest and most depraved were
wet with tears, as they watched the speechless, yet eloquently
silent body pass by of the woman who from her very child-
hood had held their cause first at heart, and who had so
mrwearyingly fought their battles. We scarce know which
touches us the more deeply, the cloudless sunrise of the child-
champion, or the glowing sunset of the soldier-saint.

One form of sensitiveness which manifested itself in
Catherine's childhood, and which caused her the keenest pain
to the very end of life, was her intense and unusual sympathy
with the sufferings of the brute creation. She could not
endure to see animals ill-treated without expostulating and
doing her utmost to stop the cruelty. Many a time she
would run out into the street, heedless of every personal risk,
to plead with or threaten the perpetrator of some cruel act.
On one occasion, when but a little girl, the sight of the cruel
goading of some sheep so filled her soul with indignation and
anguish, that she rushed home and threw herself on the sofa
in a speechless paroxysm of grief.

" My childish heart," she tells us, " rejoiced greatly in the
speculations of Wesley and Butler with regard to the pos-
sibility of a future life for animals, in which God might
make up to them for the suffering and pain inflicted on them
here.

" One incident, I recollect, threw me for weeks into the
greatest distress. We had a beautiful retriever, named
Waterford, which was very much attached to me. It used
to lie for hours on the rug outside my door, and if it heard
me praying or weeping, it would whine and scratch to be
let in, that it might in some way manifest its sympathy and

12 Mrs. Booth.

comfort me. Wherever I went the dog would follow me
about as my self-constituted protector— in fact, we were in-
separable companions. One day Waterford had accompanied
me on a message to my father's house of business. I closed
the door, leaving the dog outside, when I happened to strike
my foot against something, and cried out with the sudden
pain. Waterford heard me, and without a moment's hesita-
tion came crashing through the large glass window to my
rescue. My father was so vexed at the damage done that he
caused the dog to be immediately shot. For months I
suffered intolerably, especially in realising that it was in the
effort to alleviate my sufferings the beautiful creature had
lost its life. Days passed before I could speak to my father,
although he afterwards greatly regretted his hasty action,
and strove to console me as best he could. The fact that I
had no child companions doubtless made me miss my speech-
less one the more."

Like her other benevolences, Mrs. Booth's kindness to
animals took a practical turn. " If I were you," she would
say to the donkey-boys at the sea-side resorts where in later
years she went to lecture, " I should like to feel, when I
went to sleep at night, that I had done my very best for my
donkey. I would like to know that I had been kind to it,
and had given it the best food I could afford ; in fact, that it
had had as jolly a day as though I had been the donkey and
the donkey me" And she would enforce the argument with
a threepenny or a sixpenny bit, which helped to make it
palatable. Then turning to her children, she would press
the lesson home by saying, " That is how I should like to see
my children spend their pennies, in encouraging the boys to
be kind to their donkeys."

If, in her walks or drives, Mrs. Booth happened to notice
any horses left out to graze which looked over-worked and
ill-fed, she would send round to the dealers for a bushel of
corn, stowing it away in some part of the house. Then,
when evening fell, she would sally forth with a child or
servant, carrying a supply of food to the field in which the

Early Days. 13

poor creatures had been marked, watching with the utmost
satisfaction while they had a " real good tuck-in." It is not
to be wondered at that the horses were soon able to recognise
her, and would run along the hedge whenever their bene-
factress passed by, craning their necks and snorting their
thanks, to the surprise and perplexity of those who were not
in the secret.

Again and again has Mrs, Booth rushed to the window,
flung up the heavy sash, and called out to some tradesman
who was ill-treating his animal, not resting till she had com-
pelled him to desist.

" Life is such a puzzle ! " she used to say, " but we must
leave it, leave it with Grod. I have suffered so much over
what appeared to be the needless and inexplicable sorrows
and pains of the animal creation, as well as over those of the
rest of the world, that if I had not come to know God by
personal revelation of Him to my own soul, and to trust Him
because I knew Him, I can hardly say into what scepticism
I might not have fallen."

On one occasion when driving out with some friends, Mrs.
Booth saw a boy with a donkey a little way ahead of them.
She noticed him pick up something out of the cart, and hit
the donkey with it. In the distance it appeared like a short
stick, but to her horror she perceived, as they drove past,
that it was a heavy-headed hammer, and that already a
dreadful wound had been made in the poor creature's back.
She called to the coachman to stop, but before it was possible
for him to do so, or for those in the carriage with her to guess
what was the matter, she had flung herself at the risk of her
life into the road. Her dress caught in the step as she
sprang, and had it not been torn with the force of her leap,
she must have been seriously injured, if not tilled. As it
was she fell on her face, and was covered with the dust of
the hot and sandy road. Rising to her feet, however, she
rushed forward and seized the reins. The boy tried to drive
on, but she clung persistently to the shaft, until her friends
came to her assistance. After burning words of warning,

14 Mrs. Booth.

followed by tender appeals of intercession, such as from even
the hard heart of the donkey-driver would not easily be
effaced, she at last induced him to hand over his hammer,
and succeeded in obtaining his name and address. Then,
overcome with the excitement and exertion, she fainted away,
and was with difficulty carried home.

But perhaps we have lingered too long in describing this
interesting feature of Catherine's child-character and in
tracing it onward through her later life. And yet, intensely
as she felt on the subject, her sound judgment prevented her
from making a hobby of it, or from developing this side of
her sympathies to the neglect of other questions of still
greater importance. Catherine, early realised and throughout
life acted consistently upon the principle that, even for the
sufferings of the animal creation, the sovereign remedy was
the salvation of its oppressors. She had no sympathy with
those who hoped to accomplish the redemption of the world
independently of the Gospel. " Jesus Christ and Him cruci-
fied "' was her perpetual and untiring theme ; His salvation
her one great panacea for all the evils that exist.

A subject which deeply engaged her interest and attention,
and for which amongst her many self-imposed duties she
managed to find time, was that of foreign missions. Some
of her happiest hours were spent in meetings organised on
their behalf. The stories of the needs and dangers of the
heathen world made a powerful impression upon her deep
and impulsive heart. All her sympathies were enlisted on
behalf of the coloured races of the earth. , The negroes es-
pecially appealed to her, seeming to be the most oppressed,
and the least capable of defending themselves.

Nor could she rest satisfied with doing less than her small
utmost to speed forward the cause. Gladly she renounced
her sugar, and in various ways stinted herself to help the
>vork, and when she had practised all the self-denial pos-
sible, she would collect subscriptions amongst her friends,
often realising, to her unspeakable delight, quite a surprising
sum. It must have been difficult indeed to say no to the

Early Days. 15

ardent little enthusiast, and even those who felt but scant
interest in tlie foreign field would find it hard to resist the
appeal that in later years bowed the hearts of so many thou-
sands. And the little girl-missionary, who saved and begged
for the heathen, lived to see the institution of an annual
week of self-denial throughout the world, singularly enough
closing her ministry of sacrifice and love on the last day of
such a week. A missionary, did we say? A still higher
privilege was to be hers, as joint-founder with her husband
of the largest missionary society in the world.

Catherine was twelve years old when she began to attend
school, and she continued her studies there during the
next two years. She soon established such a character for
truth, diligence, and ability, that she was appointed to act
as a monitor, and was commonly appealed to for the real
version of what had happened during the occasional absences
of . the principal and her assistants. Every one knew that
nothing could induce her to tell a falsehood, be the conse-
quences what they might.

Her sensitive nature and intense aversion to causing pain
made her reluctant to go above others in class. She preferred
rather to help them to surpass herself, when her natural
capacity and love of study would have easily enabled her to
take the lead. In later years she was consistently opposed
to the general idea of competition, believing that it excited
a selfish and uncharitable spirit, and gave an undue priority
to ability over righteousness. Her bookish and retiring dis-
position, together with the special favour manifested by the
principal, led to her being teased at times by her schoolmates,
and, though she was naturally good-tempered, she would
occasionally give way to violent bursts of anger, for which
she afterwards manifested the deepest contrition. She had
a keen realisation of the value of time, and would spend her
leisure hours in pacing up and down a shady lane near her
home poring over some book.

History was one of Catherine's favourite studies. She
experienced special pleasure in reading about those whose

1 6 Mrs. Booth.

great deeds had served to benefit others. Their moral
character and achievements on behalf of suffering humanity
attracted her attention rather than their talents, wealth, or
position. "Were they clever? What use then had they
made of their ability?" inquired the child-philosopher.
11 Was it to aggrandise themselves, or to benefit others ?
Were they rich? How did they spend their money? Was
it in idle pomp and self-gratification, or in extravagance and
luxury? If so, they were too despicable to be admired.
Their wealth perish with them, or go to those who would
expend it on the poor."

" Xapoleon," she tells us, " I disliked with all my heart,
because he seemed to me the embodiment of selfish ambition.
I could discover no evidence that he had attempted to confer
any benefit upon his own nation, much less on any of the
countries he had conquered with his sword. Possibly this
may have been in some measure due to the prejudice of the
English historians whose works I studied, and who doubtless
strove to paint his character in the darkest colours. Be this
as it may. my dislike to him was not based on any national
antipathy, but on what I reckoned to be the supremely
selfish motives that actuated his life.

" I could not but contrast him with Caesar, who, though
by no means an attractive character, according to my notions,
yet appeared desirous of benefiting the people whom he con-
quered. His efforts for their civilisation, together with the
laws and public works he introduced on their behalf, seemed
to me to palliate the merciless slaughter, of his wars and the
loss of life and property that accompanied his operations.
He appeared to me to desire the good of" his country, and not
merely his own aggrandisement."

Amongst other studies, Catherine had, as might have been
expected, a special aptitude for composition. Geography
she liked, longing to be able to visit the countries and
nations about which she had read. Arithmetic was her
bugbear, but this she afterwards attributed to the senseless
way in which it was taught, since to her logical and ma-

Early Days. 17

thematical mind figures had subsequently a considerable
attraction.

In 1843 Catherine's school-days were brought abruptly to
a close, by a severe spinal attack which compelled her to
spend most of her time in a recumbent position, but even
then her active nature would not permit her to rest, and her
time was divided between sewing, knitting, and her beloved
books. No doubt there was a divine purpose in this illness,
for it was during the next few years of comparative retire-
ment from the ordinary activities of life that she acquired
the extensive knowledge of church history and theology
which proved so useful in later years, and. for the prosecution
of which her multitudinous duties would otherwise have left
her no time.

CHAPTER III.

YOUTH. 1844-1847.

IN 1844 the Mnmfords removed from Boston to London, settling
down finally in Brixton. This was Catherine's first visit to the
great metropolis, and she was considerably disappointed with
its appearance.

THE \VESLEYAN CHAPEL IN BOSTON.

Girl-like, she had been castle-building in her imagin-
ation, picturing to herself the sort of model city that this
brick and mortar colossus of the universe must be, with

18

Youth. 19

palatial residences and mammoth edifices. To find it a
promiscuous mass of humanity sandwiched, so to speak,
between soot and mud, with countless acres of very ordinary-
looking dwellings, and interminable miles of streets, very
much resembling those to which she had been accustomed in
Boston, was an unexpected termination to her dreams. She
was, however, deeply impressed with some of its principal
sights, such as St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, and the
National Gallery.

But it was the seething cauldron of humanity which more
and more engrossed her attention as time went on, leaving
her but little leisure or inclination to consider any other
subject than how to benefit their condition and combat their
miseries. With a few inconsiderable intervals, London be-
came during the next forty-six years the principal scene of
her activities. By dint of dauntless faith in God and weight
of worth, unaided by wealth or influence, the girl-listener of
Exeter Hall fought her way up to be one of London's most
popular and effective platform speakers, crowding the largest
buildings with her audiences, and worthily closing her grand
public career with a meeting in its far-famed City Temple
such as none who were present could ever forget.

To those who have read thus far in Mrs. Booth's life it
will probably cause no small surprise to learn that it was
not until she was sixteen that she believed herself to have
been truly converted. " About this time," she tells us, " I
passed through a great controversy of soul. Although I was
conscious of having given myself up fully to God from my
earliest years, and although I was anxious to serve Him and
often realised deep enjoyment in prayer, nevertheless I had
not the positive assurance that my sins were forgiven, and
that I had experienced the actual change of heart about
which I had read and heard so much. I was determined to
leave the question no longer in doubt, but to get it definitely
settled, cost what it might. For six weeks I prayed and
struggled on, but obtained no satisfaction. True, my past
life had been outwardly blameless. Both in public and

20 Mrs. Booth.

private I had made use of the means of grace, and up to the
very limit of my strength, and often beyond the bounds of
discretion, my zeal had carried me. Still, so far as this was
concerned, I realised the truth of the words :

' Could my zeal no respite know,
Could ray tears for ever flow —
These for sin could not atone.'

I knew, moreover, that ' the heart is deceitful above all
things and desperately wicked.' I was terribly afraid of
being self-deceived. I remembered, too, the occasional out-
bursts of temper when I was at school. Neither could I call
to mind any particular place or time when I had definitely
stepped out upon the promises, and had claimed the imme-
diate forgiveness of my sins, receiving the witness of the
Holy Spirit that I had become a child of God and an heir of
heaven.

" It seemed to me unreasonable to suppose that I could be
saved and yet not know it. At any rate, I could not permit
myself to remain longer in doubt regarding the matter. If
in the past I had acted up to the light I had received, it was
evident that I was now getting new light, and unless I
obeyed it, I realised that my soul would fall into condemna-
tion. Ah, how inan}r hundreds have I since met who have
spent years in doubt and perplexity because, after consecrat-
ing themselves fully to God. they dared not venture out upon
the promises and believe !

ii I can never forget the agony I passed through. I lU'O-i
to pace my room till two o'clock in the morning, and when,
utterly exhausted, I lay down at length to sleep, I would
place my Bible and hymn-book under my pillow, praying
that I might wake up with the assurance of salvation. One
morning as I opened my hymn-book, my eyes fell upon the
words :

' My God, I am Thine !
What a comfort Divine, —
What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine ! '

Youth. 2 i

Scores of times I had rend and sung these words, but now
they came home to my inmost soul with a force and illumina-
tion they had never before possessed. It was as impossible
for me to doubt as it had before been for me to exercise faith.
Previously not all the promises in the Bible could in-
duce me to believe ; now not all the devils in hell could
persuade me to doubt. I no longer hoped that I was saved,
I was certain of it. The assurances of my salvation seemed
to flood and fill my soul. I jumped out of bed, and, without
waiting to dress, ran into my mother's room and told her
what had happened.

" Till then I had been very backward in speaking even to
her upon spiritual matters. I could pray before her, and yet
could not open my heart to her about my salvation. It is a
terrible disadvantage to people that they are ashamed to
speak freely to one another upon so vital a subject. Owing
to this, thousands are kept iri bondage for years, when they
might easily step into immediate liberty and joy. I have my-
self met hundreds of persons who have confessed to me that
they had been church members for many years without know-
ing what a change of heart really was, and without having
been able to escape from this miserable condition of doubt and
uncertainty to one of assurance and consequent satisfaction.

" For the next six months I was so happ}T that I felt as if
I was walking on air. I used to tremble, and even long to
die, lest I should backslide, or lose the consciousness of God's
smile and favour."

Like too many of those, the record of whose inner life
would be both precious and instructive, Mrs. Booth did not
keep a diary. She used afterwards to say that she had been
too busy making history to find time in which to record it.
This fact lends added interest to the only fragment of a
journal which exists.

The entries are brief and irregular, dating from 12th May,
1847, to 24th March, 1848. Intended, as she tells us, for her
own eye alone, these early musings and heart-yearnings offer
a valuable index to her life and character.

22

Mrs. Boo tli.

Tha diary begins with her arrival in Brighton for a few
weeks' change and rest. In the previous autumn serious
symptoms of incipient consumption had set in, and for six
months she was almost entirely confined to her room with
violent pains in the chest and back, accompanied with strong
fever at night. With the departing winter, however, her
worst symptoms subsided, and she was sufficiently recovered

MR. MUMFORD.

to travel, though still very weak. " Mr. Stevens, my new
doctor,'' she writes, " came to see me on Tuesday last. He is
a very nice man, and a preacher in our society. He sounded
my chest, and thinks my left lung is affected, but says there
is no cavity in it, and hopes to do me good. I trust, if it is
for my God and His glory, the Lord will give His blessing to
the means we are using."

The diary is full of intense yearnings after God and
struggles to attain perfect holiness of life.

Youth. 23

" 14th May, 1847. -'-This morning, while reading Howe's
* Devout Exercises of the Heart,' I was much blessed, and en-
abled to give myself afresh into the hands of God, to do or
to suffer all His will. Oh, that I may be made useful in this
family ! Lord, they know Thee not, neither do they seek
Thee ! Have mercy upon them, and help me to set an ex-
ample, at all times and in all places, worthy of imitation.
Help me to adorn the Gospel of God, my Saviour, in all
things.

" I find much need of watchfulness and prayer, and have
this day taken up my cross in reproving sin. Lord, follow
with the conviction of Thy Spirit all I have said."

" I entered into fresh covenant this morning with my Lord
to be more fully given up to Him. Oh ! to be a Christian
indeed ! To love Thee with all my heart is my desire. I do
love Thee, but I want to love Thee more. If Thou smile upon
me, I am infinitely happy, though deprived of earthly happi-
ness more than usual. If Thou frown, it matters not what I
have beside,

' Thou art the spring of all my joys,

The life of my delights,
The glory of my brightest days
And comfort of my nights.' "

On reaching Brighton, Catherine received from her mother
the following letter, which throws an interesting light on
the close spiritual communion that existed between mother
and daughter. After referring to her own and Catherine's
health, Mrs. Mumford says :

"Oh, may the Lord help me to hang on His faithfulness alonesand
when all seems gloomy without, ' si ill to endure as seeing Him who i<?
invisible.' The enemy tempts me to doubt, because I donot/eeZ as I
did before. But I say to myself : ' Thou knowest

' Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee ! '

" May He help me to believe for a clearer manifestation of His IOVQ
and favour 1

24 Mrs. Booth.

' I would not my soul deceive,
"Without the inward witness live ! '

" I am glad you are getting on so well. Live close to Jesus and He
will keep you to the end. ' Oh, may He bless you with all His fulness.
You say I must pray for you ! Do you think I could approach the
Throne of Grace without doing so? Oh, no ! You are ever in my mind
as an offering to the Lord. May He sanctify you wholly to Himself is
the prayer of

" Your ever-loving mother,

" SAKAII MUMFOIUX"

To this letter Catherine sont the following reply, which is
her earliest extant autograph letter : —

" MY DEAREST MOTHER, — I thank you very sincerely for your kind,
nice, long letter, and especially as I know what an effort it is for you to
write. "Mrs. Mumford's hand was crippled with rheumatism.] Don't
fear for a moment that I should think you indifferent to my comfort.
How could I possibly think it, with so many proofs to the contrary? It
I ever indulged any hard thoughts, it has been my sin, for which I need
the forgiveness of God : it has been prompted by the same spirit which
has too often led me to ' charge God foolishly.' But so far from this
feeling being the offspring of my calmer moments and better judgment,
it is only the effects of an evil heart of unbelief, an impetuous will, and a
momentary loss of common sense, for I know and firmly believe that God
w.ll do all things well. Let us trust in Him."

In a subsequent letter she says:

'• I have just returned from the beach. It is a lovely morning, but
very rough and cold. The sea looks sublime. I never saw it so troubled.
Its waters ' cast up mire and dirt,' and lash the shore with great vio-
lence. The sun shines with full splendour, which makes the scene truly
enchanting. It only wants good health and plenty of strength to walk
about and keep oneself warm, for it is too cold to sit! There is a meeting
of the Evangelical Alliance in the Town Hall this evening. If I feel
able, I think of going, but I shall not stop late.

•• I wish I could see you, though I should be sorry to come home just
yet. The change is most agreeable to my feelings. It is like a new
world to me. I was heartily sick of looking at brick and mortar. Oh, I
love the sublime in nature ! It absorbs my whole soul, I cannot resist
it, nor do I envy those who can. There is nothing on earth more pleas-
ing and profitable to me than the meditations and emotions excited by
such scenes as I witness here. I only want those I love best to parti-
cipate my joys, and then they would be complete. For though I possess
a share of that monstrous ugly thing called selBshncss in common with

Youth. 25

our fallen race, yet I can say my own pleasure is always enhanced by the
pleasure of others, and always embittered by their sorrows. Thanks be
to God, for it is by His grace that I am what I am. Oh, for that fulness
of love which destroys self and fills the soul with Heaven-born gener-
osity.

" Brighton is very full of company. Many a poor invalid is here
strolling about in search of that pearl of great price — health. Some,
like the fortunate diver, spy the precious gem, and hugging it to their
bosoms, return rejoicing in the possession of real riches. But many,
alas, find it not, and return only to bewail their misfortune. Whichever
class I may be amongst, I hope I shall not have cause to regret my visit.
If I find not health of body, I hope my soul will be strengthened with
might, so that if the outward form should deca}', the inward may be
renewed day by day.

" I should like to spend another week or two here. It would be de-
lightful. One only wants the needful, and there seems to be plenty of
it in Brighton, though I don't happen on it ! There are bills in all direc-
tions announcing the loss of gold watches, seals, keys, brooches, boas,
etc., and offering rewards according to the value of the article, but, alas,
I have not been fortunate enough to find a mite yet !

"I will write again on Monday, so that you may get it before you go to
the Exhibition. Oh, I should like to see it again so much. It seems a
pity for such magnificence to be disturbed. I hope the closing ceremony
will be worthy of its history.

" There is one thing I trust will not be forgotten, that is to give God
thanks for having so singularly disappointed our enemies and surpassed
the expectations of our friends. This unparalleled production of art
and science was born in good-will, has lived in universal popularity, and
will, no doubt, expire with majestic grandeur, lamented by all the nations
of the earth.

" Pray for me, my dear mother, and believe me, with all my faults and
besetrnents —

" Your affectionate and loving child,

" CATHERINE."

A good deal of Catherine's time was spent in writing
spiritual letters to her friends and relations, and she found
greater freedom in doing so than in the hand-to-hand per-
sonal conflict in which she became afterwards so successful.

" I have this day seen a lady," contiirues the diary, " to
whom I wrote a faithful and warning letter. I wonder if it
made any impression on her. . . . My dear cousin Ann
was here yesterday. I tried to impress upon her the impor-
tance of giving her heart to God in her youth. But I feel

26 , Mrs. Booth.

myself most at liberty in writing. She promised to write
and tell me the state of her mind. Then I shall answer her.
Oh, may the Lord bless my humble endeavours for His glory !
. . . One of my dear cousins is very ill ; I think in a
deep decline. She has three little children. But the Lord
graciously supports her, and often fills her with His love.
I frequently write to her on spiritual subjects, and the
Lord owns my weak endeavours by blessing tliem to her
good."

Although her absence from home was for so short a time,
there are some tender references to her mother :

li Home is particularly sweet to me. Who can tell the
value of a mother's attention and care, until deprived of it ?
But, blessed be God, we shall soon meet again, and after all
our meetings and partings here on earth, we shall meet to
part no more in glory. ... My mind has been wounded
to-day by several little occurrences, and to-night my feelings
vented themselves in tears. Oh, how I long to get home to
my dearest mother ! I feel greatly the loss of some kindred
spirit, some true bosom friend. My mind is rejoiced at the
thought of going home."

On the 28th November she writes : " This has been an
especially good day to my soul. I have been reading the
life of Mr. William Carvosso. Oh, what a man of faith and
prayer was he ! My expectations were raised when I began
the book. I prayed for the Divine blessing on it, and it has
been granted. My desires after holiness have been much
increased. This day I have sometimes se.emed on the verge
of the good land. Oh, for mighty faith ! I believe the Lord
is willing and able to save me to the uttermost. I believe the
blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. And yet there
seems something in the way to prevent me from fully enter-
ing in. But to-day I believe at times I have had tastes of per-
fect love. Oh, that these may be droppings before an over-
whelming shower of grace. My chief desire is holiness of
heart. This is the prevailing cry of my soul. To-night
' sanctify me through Thy truth — Thy word is truth ! '

Youth. 27

Lord, answer my Redeemer's prayer. I see this full salvation
is highly necessary in order for me to glorify my God below,
and find my way to heaven. For c without holiness no man
shall see the Lord ! ' My soul is at times very happy. I
have felt many assurances of pardoning mercy. But I want
a clean heart. Oh, my Lord, take me and seal me to the
day of redemption."

Again she writes :

" This has been a good day to my soul. This morning I
felt very happy, and held sweet communion with my God.
I feel very poorly, and excessively low, but I find great re-
lief in pouring out my soul to God in prayer. Oh, I should
like to leave this world of sin and sorrow, and go where I
could not grieve my Lord again ! "

On the 17th January, 1848, she writes :

" Nineteen years to-day I have lived in this world of sin
and sorrow. But oh, I have had many sweets mingled with
the bitter. I have very much to praise my God for, more
than I can conceive. May I for the future live to praise Him,
and to bring glory to His name. Amen."

It was at this period that a great agitation arose in the
Wesleyan community, leading ultimately to the withdrawal
or expulsion of about one hundred thousand of its members.

Miss Mumford studied with deep interest the reports of
the agitation, sitting tip often till the small hours of the
night reading to her mother the accounts of the so-called
Eeform movement.

The outspoken manner in which she expressed her con-
demnation of the Conference and sympathy with the Re-
formers was naturally objected to by her class-leader, who
remonstrated with her on the folly of her course, reminding
her that in identifying herself with the malcontents she
would not only forfeit her position in the church she loved,
but seriously injure her worldly prospects. Such consider-
ations, howrever, carried little weight with the high-spirited
girl. Finding arguments of no avail, her class-leader re-
luctantly decided to withhold Miss Mumford's ticket of mem-
bership.

28 Mrs. Boot /i.

•• This was one of the first great troubles of my life," says
Mrs. Booth. " and cost me the keenest anguish. I was young.
I had been nursed and cradled in Methodism, and loved it
with a love which has gone altogether out of fashion among
Protestants for their church. At the same time I was dis-
satisfied with the formality, worldliness. and defection from
what I conceived Methodism ought to be. judging from its
early literature and biographies. I believed that through
the agitation something would arise which would be better,
holier, and more thorough. In this hope and in sympathy
with the wrongs that I believed the Reformers had suffered.
I drifted away from the WeslejTan Church, apparently at
the sacrifice of all that was dearest to me. and of nearly
every personal friend."

It so happened that the Reformers had commenced to hold
meetings in a hall near Miss Mumford's home. She was
offered and accepted the senior class in the Sunday-school,
consisting of some fifteen girls, whose ages ranged from
twelve to nineteen. For the next three years she threw her
whole heart into this effort, preparing her lessons with great
care, devoting at least two half days every week to this pur-
pose, and striving to bring every lesson to a practical result .
When the rest of the school had been dismissed she would
beg the key from the superintendent, and hold a prayer
meeting with her girls. This resulted in the conversion of
several, one of whom died triumphantly.

"I used to have some wonderful times with my class." sho
tells us. i; I made them pray, and I am sure that anybody
coming into one of these meetings would have seen very
much what a Salvation Army consecration meeting is now
They usually all stopped, and sometimes our prayer-meetings
would last an hour and a half. Often I went on till I lost
my voice, not regaining it for a day or two after. I used to
invite them to talk to me privately if anything I said had
struck them, and at such times they would pour out their
hearts to me as if I had been their mother/'

CHAPTER IV.

WILLIAM BOOTH. 1829-1852.

WILLIAM BOOTH was born in Nottingham on the 10th April,
1829. His mother was of so amiable a disposition and saintly
a character that he regarded her as the nearest approach to
human perfection with which he was acquainted. His father,
an able and energetic man of business, attained a position of
affluence, but subsequently suffered a reverse of fortune, and
died prematurely, leaving his family to struggle with ad-
verse circumstances. William, the sole surviving sou, was
apprenticed at an early age to a firm, where it soon became
manifest that he had inherited a double portion of his father's
enterprise and commercial skill.

Reared in the Church of England, he knew nothing of
conversion until, happening to stray into a Wesleyan chapel,
his attention was arrested by the novelty and simplicity of
the services. For some time he continued to attend. The
truths, tersely and powerfully expounded, took an increasing
hold of his mind, and on one memorable evening, in a class-
meeting, after days and nights of anxious seeking, he publicly
nnd unreservedly gave his heart to God. With his mother's
consent, he became immediately a member of the chapel,
and, though but a lad of lifteen, he gave proof in manifold
measure of the reality of his conversion. Connected with
the chapol was a band of zealous young men with whom he
associated, and whose recognised leader he soon became.

Daring these early days he was as indefatigable a worker
as in later years. Unable to leave business until eight
o'clock, he would hurry away each evening to hold cottago

30 Mrs. Booth.

meetings, which usually lasted till ten, and which were
often succeeded by calls to visit the sick and dying.

Open-air services were constantly held in connection with
these meetings, and processions were led down the Goose-
gate and other thoroughfares, bringing to the chapel such a
tatterdermalion crowd as soon gave rise to a request from the
minister that the intruders should be conducted to the back
entrance and seated in the hinder part of the building, where
their presence would be less conspicuous and disagreeable to
the more respectable members of the congregation.

However, without allowing himself to be discouraged by
such rebuffs, Mr. Booth and his little band toiled on, happy
in each other's companionship, and in the success with which
their labours were crowned. On the Sunday he would often
walk long distances into the country to fulfil some village
appointment, stumbling his way home late at night, alone
and weary, through dark muddy lanes, cheering himself
along by humming the prayer-meeting refrains which during
tho day had gladdened the hearts of returning sinners.

When only seventeen he was promoted to be a local
preacher, and two years later his superintendent, the Rev.
Samuel Dunn, urged him to offer himself for the ministry.
" I objected," he tells us, " on the grounds of my health and
youth. With regard to the former, Mr. Dunn sent me to his
doctor, who after examination pronounced me totally unfit
for the strain of a Methodist preacher's life, assuring me
that twelve months of it would land me in the grave, and
send me to the throne of God to receive punishment for
suicide. I implored him not to give any such opinion to
Mr. Dunn, as my whole heart was set on ultimately becom-
ing a minister. He therefore promised to report in favour
of the question being delayed for twelve months, and to this
Mr. Dunn eventually agreed."

Referring to this time, Mr. Booth says: "I worshipped
everything that bore the name of Methodist. To me there
was one God, and John Wesley was his prophet. I had
devoured the story of his life. Xo human compositions

31

32 Mrs. Booth.

seemed to me to be comparable to his writings, and to tlio
bynms of his brother Charles, and all that was wanted, in
my estimation, for the salvation of the world was the faith-
ful carrying into practice of the letter and spirit of his in-
structions.

*; I cared little then or afterwards for ecclesiastical creeds
or forms. What I wanted to see was an organisation with
the salvation of the world as its supreme ambition and
object, worked upon the simple, earnest principles which I
had myself embraced, and which, youth as I was, I had al-
ready seen carried into successful practice."

In 1849. Mr. Booth removed from Nottingham to London.
There were temporal advantages connected with the change-.
Nevertheless , it was his first absence from home, and he
sorely missed his mother, by whom he was idolised, and
whose affection he ardently returned. " I am the only son
of my mother, and she is a widow/' was his pathetic intro-
duction of himself to a Methodist brother who. forty years
later, remembers the very tone in which the words were
uttered. His London life was, moreover, a lonely one. He
missed the association of the earnest young men in whose
company he had laboured since his conversion.

"How are you going on? " he \vrites in his oldest extant letter, dated
30th October, 1819, to his friend John Savage. " I know you are happy.
I know you are living to God, and working for Jesus. Grasp still firmer
the standard ! Unfold still wider the battle-flag ! Press still closer on
the ranks of the enemy, and mark your pathway still more distinctly
with glorious trophies of Emmanuel's grace, and with enduring monu-
ments of Jesus' power ! The trumpet has given. the signal for the con-
flict ! Your General assures you of success, and a glorious reward, your
crown, is already held out. Then why delay ? Why doubt ? Onward !
Onward ! Onward ! Christ for me ! Be that your motto— be that your
battle-cry — be that your war-note — be that your consolation—",
your plea when asking mercy of God — your end when offering it to man.
— your hope when encircled by darkness — your triumph and victory
when attacked and overcome by death ! Christ for me ! Tell it to men
who are living and dying in sin ! Tell it to Jesus, that you have chosen
Him to be your Saviour and your God. Tell it to devils, and bid them
cease to harass, since you are determined to die for the truth !

I i reached on Sabbath last— a respectable but dull and lifeless con-

William Booth. 33

grcgation. Notwithstanding I Lad liberty both praying and preaching,
I had not the assistance of a siugle ' Amen ' or ' Hallelujah ' the whole of
the service ! It is hard work to labour for an hour and a half in the
pulpit and then come down and have to do the work of the prayer meet-
ing as well ! I want some Savages, and Proctors, and Frosts, and
lioveys, and Robinsons here with me in the prayer meetings, and, glory
to God, we would carry all before us ! Praise God for living at Notting-
ham every hour you are in it ! Oh, to live to Christ on earth, and to
meet you once more, never to part, in a better world ! "

It is interesting to trace thus early what afterwards came
to be a distinguishing feature of General Booth's " plan of
campaign," the utilising of every converted person in some
capacity, as distinguished from the parson-do-everything
system which he here so strongly deprecates. Nothing per-
haps more powerfully characterises the Salvation Army of
later years than its " ministr}' of all the talents." This has
meant nothing short of a revolution in the religious world.
But we should hardly have expected the happy discovery to
have been made at so early a date.

In 1831 the Reform movement was at its height. But the
character which the agitation had assumed possessed little
interest for William Booth. To him the all-absorbing ques-
tion of his life was how best to reach and save the masses.
Certainly he had shared the universal disappointment at the
banishment of Mr. Canghey from Nottingham, when the re-
vival was at its very height. Himself converted only a few
months previously, his heart fired with all the burning en-
thusiasm of its early love, he could not understand the
motives that prompted the Conference to put a stop to so
manifest a work of God. Still, like others, he had bowed to
the decision, and had accepted what he could neither hinder
nor approve.

It was inevitable, however, that he should bo in some moa-
sure concerned and interested in a movement which involved
the loss of nearly one-third of its members to the Wesleyan
Connexion. Several of his personal friends were among
those who seceded or were expelled, and the Rev. Samuel
Dunn, who was the leading spirit in the agitation, and had

. D

34 Mrs. Booth.

been for three years his own superintendent in Nottingham,
had recognised his ability, admired his zeal, and directed his
studies for the ministry. But beyond attending a few of the
meetings held in London by the Reformers, Mr. Booth held
studiously aloof from them, neither preaching for them nor
in any way identifying himself with them. Nevertheless, in
the society to which he belonged there were already twenty-
two lay preachers, and the pulpit work to be divided among
them was so trifling as to afford but little scope for the in-
tense activities and organising genius which already fired
his heart and brain. Feeling that his time would be better
spent in open-air work in the streets and greens at Kenning-
ton, he tendered the resignation of his honorary post, re-
questing at the same time that his name might be retained
among the list of members.

An agitation assuming the proportions and duration of the
Reform movement could hardly fail to be marked by inci-
dents of a regrettable character. The entire atmosphere
seemed laden with doubt and suspicion. Innocent actions
were misunderstood, and inoffensive words misinterpreted.
Nor would it be just to blame the Conference for the over-
zeal displayed by some of their well-meaning but too hasty
partisans. To uproot a field of wheat in order to extirpate
an occasional tare is a temptation to which human nature
has been ever open.

It so happened that the minister in charge of Mr. Booth's
circuit was of an UD compromising heresy-hunting disposition.
It is scarcely to be wondered at, therefore, that he viewed
with suspicion the conduct of his lay assistant, Making
sure that he had discovered once more the cloven hoof of the
Reformers, and determined to purge his society from every
trace of the pernicious taint, he withheld the usual ticket of
membership, and thus practically expelled from the Wesleyan
body the most talented and brilliant Methodist of the day.

No sooner, however, had the Reformers heard of this
unjustifiable expulsion than they passed a resolution cordi-
ally inviting Mr, Booth to join their ranks.

William Booth. 35

It was some months afterwards that he was planned to
preach at one of their chapels known as Binfield House, and
situated in Binfield Road, Clapham. It was a nice little hall
holding some two or three hundred people. The services
were arranged on the ordinary Wesley an model, and were
conducted in turn by different local preachers. Of this con-
gregation Mrs. Mumford and her daughter were members,
and it was here that Catherine led the Bible class already
referred to.

On the Sunday that Mr. Booth preached she was present,
and although he was a perfect stranger to her, she was very
much impressed with him at first sight. The sermon was
from the text, " This is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of
the World." It so happened that during the following week
Miss Mumford met Mr. Rabbits, a prominent member of the
Reformers, whom she had known for some time, and was asked
by him for her opinion of the preacher. She expressed it freely,
say ing that she considered it the best sermon she had yet heard
in Binfield Hall. Little did she think, however, that Mr.
Rabbits, who reckoned her one of the ablest judges of a
sermon in London, would pass it on to the preacher him-
self.

The 10th April, 1852, was a memorable day in the history
of William Booth. It was his birthday — the day on which
he finally relinquished business for the ministry, and, as if
to accentuate the significance of the sacrifice, it was a Good
Friday. Finally, it was on this day that the respect and
admiration with which he regarded Miss Mumford ripened
into a life-long love.

He was now practically her pastor. The Reformers had
accepted him as their preacher, at the instance of Mr.
Rabbits, who had undertaken to pay him his salary. " How
much will you require ? " he asked, in broaching the ques-
tion. " Twelve shillings a week will keep me in bread and
cheese," responded the first Salvation Army Captain. "I
would not hear of such a thing," replied his friend ; " you
must take at least a pound." And so, with this modest

36 Mrs. Booth.

remuneration, Mr. Booth commenced his work as a preacher
of the Gospel, " passing rich on fifty pounds a year ! :'

He had set apart the day to visit a relative, with a view
to interesting him in his new career, when Mr. Rabbits,
happening to meet him, carried him off to a service held by
the Reformers in a schoolroom in Cowper Street, City Road.
Catherine was present, and the casual acquaintance that
commenced a few weeks previously was renewed, Mr. Booth
escorting her home when the meeting was over.

Although a mutual and ardent affection sprang up, which
deepened on each succeeding interview, nevertheless no en-
gagement was entered into until after the most thorough
and prayerful consideration. Indeed, apart from the love
and admiration which each entertained for the other, the
prospects were by no means encouraging. Mr. Booth had
left behind him the business career, in which he would doubt-
less have made good use of his energy and organising
abilities. In spite of flattering offers, he had no desire to
return to it. His whole soul was aflame for the ministry.
But for this he imagined that he should need years of study
and preparation. The door of the AYeslej-an Church had
been closed against him. The post he held among the Re-
formers was temporary and unreliable, and each week in-
creased his dissatisfaction with their discipline and mode of
government. The}* had thrown off the yoke of what they
looked upon as a tyrannical priesthood, but, as is often the
case with human nature, the pendulum had now swung from
one extreme to the other. Having first disputed the authority
of their ordained pastors, they now refused to acknowledge
that of those whom they had themselves appointed and whom
they were likewise free at any moment to discharge.

This was no doubt a capital training for the future General
of the Salvation Army. He tasted by bitter experience that
a democratic government could be as tyrannical as a pater-
nally despotic one. Under the name and cloak of liberty, he
found himself fettered hand and foot.

As a body the Reformers included v.ithin their ranks many

William Booth. 57

of the best and noblest spirits in Wesleyan Methodism.
Nevertheless, it will be easily understood that, amid the
turmoil of the agitation, the more turbulent and demagogic
characters pushed their way to the front. This was particu-
larly the case in regard to the little group with whom Mr.
Booth had cast in his lot, and whom he always considered as
poorly representing the movement at large.

The power was vested in those who did not know how
properly to use it. His judgment was controlled and his
plans were thwarted by a small clique of people who were too
brainless to think, too timid to act, or too destitute of spirit-
uality to appreciate his intense passion for souls. This he was
sure could not be God's plan for leading His people to battle.
" Order is Heaven's first law " became henceforth a maxim
that firmly embedded itself in his mind.

With such divided counsels, the future of the Reformers
could not but be uncertain, and so far as study for the duties
of a regular ministry was concerned, it might be necessary
to wait for years before the organisation had sufficiently
developed to make this possible.

Mr. Booth doubted whether, with prospects so unsatis-
factory, he should be justified in allowing Miss Mumford to
enter into any engagement. Some of the letters that were
exchanged are so interesting, and the spirit manifested so
exemplary, that we cannot do better than refer to them.
The earliest is dated llth May, 1852, when the question of the
engagement was still undecided. Miss Mumford writes : —

"MY DEAII FKIEND, — I have been spreading your letter before the
Lord, and earnestly pleading for a manifestation of His will to your
mind. Aud now I would say a few words of comfort and encourage-
ment.

" If you wish to avoid giving me pain, don't condemn yourself. I feel
sure God does not condemn you, and if you could look into my heart
you would see how far I am from such a feeling. Don't pore over the
past ! Let it all go ! Your desire is to do the will of God, and He will
guide .you. Never mind who frowns if God smiles.

" The words, ' gloom, melancholy, and despair,' lacerate my heart.
Don't give way to such feelings for a moment. God loves you. He will
sustain you. The thought that I should increase your perplexity and

38 Mrs. Booth.

cause .you any suffering is almost intolerable. I am tempted to wish
that \ve had never seen each other ! Do try to forget me, as far as the
remembrance would injure your usefulness or spoil your peace. If I
have no alternative but to oppose the will of God, or trample on tho
desolations of my own heart, my choice is made ! ' Thy will be done ! '
is my constant cry. I care not for myself, but oh, if I cause you to err,
I shall never be happy again ! "

In the same letter she adds :

" It is very trying to be depreciated and slighted when you are acting
from the purest motives. But consider the character of those who thus
treat you, and don't overestimate their influence. You have some true
friends in the circuit, and what is better than all, you have a Friend
above, whose love is as great as His power. He can open your way to
another sphere of usefulness, greater than you now conceive of."

Little did the writer think how prophetic was this last
sentence. How immeasurable would have been their
surprise had the veil been lifted for a moment, and a glance
into the distant future been permitted to the two doubt-be-
stricken, fear-beleaguered lovers, so anxious to do right, and
to obey the dictates of their enlightened consciences, rather
than to follow the unbridled clamourings of their hearts. In
looking back we see the mighty issues that were then at stake,
and all around are spread the fruit unto eternity of that
sanctified resolution. Well would it be for thousands if they
paused similarly to take counsel of God, before committing
themselves to any decision in so momentous a matter.

Two days later Miss Mumford writes again :

" MY DEAR FBIEND, — I have read and re-read your note, and fear you
did not fully understand my difficulty. It was -wot circumstances. I
thought I had fully satisfied you on that point. I thought I had assured
you that a bright prospect could not allure me nor a dark one affright
me, if we are only one in heart. My difficulty, my only reason for wish-
ing to defer the engagement, was that you might feel satisfied in your
mind that the step is right. I dare not enter into so solemn an engage-
ment until you can assure me that you feel I am in every way suited to
make you happy, and that you are satisfied that the step is not opposed
to the will of God. If you are convinced on this point, irrespective of
circumstances, let circumstances go, and let us be one, come what may ;
and let us on Saturday evening, on our knees before God, give ourselves
afresh to Him and to each other. When this is done, what have we to

William Booth. 39

do -with the future ? We and all our concerns are in His hands, under
His all-wise and gracious Providence.

" Again I commend you to Him. It cannot, shall not be that you
shall make a mistake. Let us besiege His Throne with all the powers of
prayer, and believe me,

" Yours affectionately,

" CATHERINE."

And so ou that Sabbath eve. the 15th May, 1852, reason
gave its sanction, and conscience set its seal, to an engage-
ment which was fraught with results that eternity will
alone reveal. In the dim twilight of that summer day the
twin foundation stones were laid of a living temple more
blessed and beautiful than that which crowned the summit
of Moriah — a temple whose precious stones and costly
timbers were to be hewn without hands in the depths of
darkest fetishism, in the jungles of hopeless heathendom,
and in the civilised and educated, but beweaponed and sub-
merged mass of nihilism, socialism, and despotism, which
calls itself Christianity — a temple which was to be finally
fitted and framed into one harmonious, glorious, imperishable
whole, without sound of axe or hammer, by the heavenly
craftsmen, as a part and parcel of the New Jerusalem, and
an eternal monument of the wonder-working hand of its
Divine Architect.

The following letter, written a few days subsequently,
might almost have been penned by a Hannah or Mary, when
rejoicing over their answered prayers, and deserves to be
embalmed in memory :

•' MY DEAREST WILLIAM,— The evening is beautifully serene and
tranquil, according sweetly with the feelings of my soul. The whirlwind
is past, and the succeeding calm is proportionate to its violence. Your
letter, your visit, have hushed its last murmurs and stilled every vibra-
tion of my throbbing heart-strings. All is well. I feel it is right, and I
praise God for the satisfying conviction.

" Most gladly does my soul 'respond to your invitation to give myself
afresh to Him, and to strive to link myself closer to you, by rising more
into the likeness of my Lord. The nearer our assimilation to Jesus, the
more perfect and heavenly our union. Our hearts are now indeed one,
so one that division would be more bitter than death. But I am satis-
fied that our union may become, if not more complete, more Divine, and

4O Jfrs. Booth.

consequently capable of yielding a larger amount of pure unmiugled
bliss.

"The thought of walking through life perfectly united, together enjoy-
ing its sunshine and battling with its storms, by softest sympathy
sharing every smile and every tear, and with thorough unanimity per-
forming all its momentous duties, is to me exquisite happiness ; the
highest earthly bliss I desire. And who can estimate the glory to God
and the benefit to man accruing from a life spent in such harmonious
effort to do His will ? Such unions, alas, are so rare, that we seldom
see an exemplification of the Divine idea of marriage.

" If indeed we are the disciples of Christ, ' in the world we shall have
tribulation ; ' but in Him and in each other we may have peace. If God
chastises us by affliction, in either mind, body, or circumstances, it will
only be a mark of our discipleship ; and if borne equally by us both, the
blow will not ouly be softened, but sanctified, and we shall be enabled to
rejoice that wj are permitted to drain the bitter cup together. Satisfied
that in our souls there flows a deep undercurrent of pure affection, we
will seek grace to bear with the bubbles which may rise on the surface,
or wisdom so to burst them as to increase the depth, and accelerate the
onward flow of the pure stream of love, till it reaches the river which
proceeds out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb, and mingles in
glorious harmony with the love of Heaven.

" The more you lead me up to Christ in all things, the more highly
shall I esteem you ; and if it be possible to love you more than I now do,
the more shall I love you. You are always present in my thoughts.

" Believe me, dear William, as ever,

" Your own loving

" KATE."

One more letter we are tempted to quote :

"22ND MAY, 1852.

" MY DEAR WILLIAM,— I ought to be happy after enjoying your com-
pany all the evening. But now you are gone and I am alone, I feel a
regret consonant with the height of my enjoyment. How wide the
difference between heavenly and earthly joys ! The former satiate the
soul and reproduce themselves. The latter, after planting in our soul
the seeds of future griefs and cares, take their flight and leave an aching
void.

" How wisely God has apportioned our cup ! He does not give us all
sweetness, lest we should rest satisfied with earth ; nor all bitterness,
lest we grow weary and disgusted with our lot. But He wisely mixes the
two, so that if we drink the one, we must also taste the other. And per^
haps a time is coming when we shall see that the proportions of this cup
of human joy and sorrow are more equally adjusted than we now
imagine — that souls capable of enjoyments above the vulgar crowd can

William Booth. 41

also feel sorrow in comparison with which theirs is but like the passing
April cloud in contrast with the long Egyptian night.

"How wise an ordination this is we cannot now discover. It will
require the light which streams from the Eternal Throne to reveal to
us tne blessed effects of having the sentence of death written on all our
earthly enjoyments. I often anticipate the glorious employment of
investigating the mysterious workings of Divine Providence. Oh, may
it be our happy lot to assist each other in these heavenly researches in
that pure bright world above !

" But I have rambled from what I was about to write. I find that the
pleasure connected with pure, ho1}', sanctified love, forms no exception
to the general rule. The very fact of loving invests the being beloved
with a thousand causes of care and anxiety, which, if unloved, would
never exist. At least I find it so. You have caused me more real
anxiety than any other earthly object ever did. Do you ask why ? I
have already supplied you with an answer ! "

After referring to some domestic matters she gives an
interesting glimpse behind the scenes at the conclusion of
her letter :

" Don't sit up singing till ticelve o'clock, after a hard day's work.
Such things are not required by either God or man, and remember you
are not your own."

The reference to the General as a young man of twenty-
three, after a hard day's work sitting up singing till mid-
night, is one of those unmeant life-touches, which vivify the
picture of the past, reminding one of the painter who in
despair flung his sponge at the canvas intending to obliterate
the scene, but producing by the merest accident the very
effect which his utmost effort had failed to secure. The
incident serves as a side light to a life — ail " ecce homo " to
the leader who was to girdle the earth with a belt of song,
till, to use the expression of a recent church divine, the
Salvation Army had sung its way round the world.

The Spalding Wesleyan circuit was a country district,
some thirty miles in extent, grouped round the town after
which it had been named. Here the Conference had hitherto
possessed a flourishing cause, but the cream of the laity had
gone over to the Reformers, who had now struggled on some
time without a minister.

42 Mrs. Booth.

Finding themselves unable to make satisfactory progress,
they wrote to the central committee for a pastor, who should
organise and superintend their scattered congregations.
Mr. Booth was invited to fill the post. This appeared to
be a call from God.

It was the end of November, 1852, when, the preliminary
negotiations being completed, he started for his new field
of labour. That he was agreeably surprised and much
gratified with his reception is evident in the following
extracts from his letters to Miss Mumford :

" My reception has been beyond my highest anticipations. Indeed,
my hopes have risen fifty per cent., that this circuit will be unto me all
that I want or need.

" I do think that it was the hand of God that brought me here. The
fields are white unto the harvest. The friends are extremely affec-
tionate, and I believe that many precious souls will be gathered in unto
God. I had a good day yesterday. The people were highly satisfied,
and I trust benefited."

The letters abound with the deepest sentiments of affec-
tion:

" I have brought with me to Spalding a far better likeness than the
daguerreotype — namely, your image stamped upon my soul. I press
the dear outline of your features to my lips and yearn for the original
to press to my heart. Heaven smile upon thee, my dearest love."

To these letters Miss Mumford responded cordially, at the
same time sending the most practical advice, and entering
with keenest interest into all the details of his life and work.
She writes :

" It affords me great pleasure to hear the minutiae of your proceed-
ings, and of the prosperity and extension of Reform principles in the
circuit.

" I perceive, my love, by your remarks on the services you have held,
that you enjoy less liberty when preaching in the larger places, before
the best congregations, than in the smaller ones. I am sorry for this,
and am persuaded it is the fear of man which shackles you. Do not
give place to this feeling. Remember you are the Lord's servant, and
if you are a faithful one it will be a small matter with you to be judged
of man's judgment. Let nothing be wanting beforehand to make your
sermons acceptable, but when in the pulpit try to lose sight of then-
worth or worthlessness, so far as composition is concerned. Think only

William Booth. 43

of their .bearing on the destiny of those before you, and of your own
responsibility to Him who hath sent you to declare His gospel. Pray
for the wisdom which winneth souls, and never mind what impression
the preacher makes, if the Word preached takes effect. May the Lord
bless you, my dearest love, and fit you to be His instrument in saving
others without its entailing any harm to your own soul."

In another letter she says :

" I was very pleased to hear you were going to read Mr. Fletcher's
life. I hope you will always keep some stirring biography on the read.
It is most profitable.

" I am much encouraged by the accounts of your prospects in the.
circuit, and have no fear about you suiting the people providing your
heart is filled with the love of God, and your head stored with Scripture
truth and useful knowledge. As a preacher I am sure you have nothing
to fear. With a reasonable amount of study, you are bound to succeed.
Whereas, if you give place to fear about your ability, it will hamper
you and make you appear to great disadvantage.

" Try and cast off the fear of man. Fix your eye simply on the glory
of God, and care not for the frown or praise of man. Rest not till your
soul is fully alive to God.

" You may justly consider me inadequate to advise you in spiritual
matters. After living at so great a distance from God myself, I feel it
deeply — I feel as though I could lay myself at the feet of any of the
Lord's faithful followers covered with speechless shame for my unfaith-
fulness. But so great is my anxiety for your soul's prosperity, that I
cannot forbear to say a word sometimes, even though realising that I
need your advice far more than you need mine."

A few days later she writes :

" The post-boy is just going past, singing that tune you liked so,
* Why did my master sell me ?' [a secular air to which Mr. Booth had
adapted spiritual words] . He frequently passes my window humming
it, and somehow it brings such, a shade over my heart, making me
realise my loneliness, now that I hear you sing it no longer !

" I have felt it very good to draw nigh unto God. Oh to live in the
spirit of prayer! I feel it is the secret of real religion, the mainspring
of all usefulness. In no frame does the soul so copiously receive and
so radiantly reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness as in this ! "

CHAPTER V.
WOMAN'S RIGHTS. 1853.

THE new year found Miss Mumford diligently preparing
for her future career as a minister's wife. She had a lofty
conception, altogether in advance of the age, of the honour,
the opportunity and the responsibility of the position to
which she aspired. Had there been a theological institution
at which she could have prosecuted her studies, she would
doubtless have embraced the opportunity with eagerness.
But the pulpit was monopolised by the other sex, and the
idea had become firmly embedded in the creeds and opinions
of Christendom that woman's sphere was limited to the
home, or at least to the care and instruction of children.

Xevertheless, Miss Mumford scorned the notion that a
minister's wife was to content herself with being a mere
ornamental appendage to her husband, a figurehead to grace
his tea-table, or even a mother to care for his children.
Her ideal was a far higher one. She believed it was her
privilege to share his counsels, her duty to watch over and
help his soul, and her pleasure to partake in his labours.
She made no secret of her views in speaking and writing to
Mr. Booth. Indeed, their first serious difference of opinion
arose soon after their engagement in regard to the mental
and social equality of woman as compared with man. Mr.
Booth argued that while the former carried the palm in
point of affection, the latter was her superior in regard to
intellect. He quoted the old aphorism that woman has a
fibre more in her heart and a cell less in her brain. Miss
Mumford would not admit this for a moment. She held
that intellectually woman was man's equal, nnd that, where

44

\Voinaris Riglits. 45

it was not so, the inferiority was due to disadvantages of
training, or lack of opportunity, rather than to any short-
comings on the part of nature. Indeed, she had avowed her
determination never to take as her partner in life one who
was not prepared to give woman her proper due.

Mr. Booth, in spite of his usual inflexibility of purpose,
Las al\vajrs been singularly open to conviction. Can wo
wonder, then, that he succumbed to the logic of his fair
disputant? And thus a vantage-ground was gained of
which the Salvation Army has since learned to make good
use. A principle was laid down and established, which was
to mightily affect the future of womankind, and indeed of
humanity at large. The partie3 themselves at the time
little imagined what was involved in the carrying out of
that principle to its legitimate issue. Nevertheless, it be-
came henceforth an essential and important doctrine in their
creed that in Jesus Christ there was neither male nor female,
but that the Gospel combined with nature to place both on
a footing of absolute mental and spiritual equality.

Miss Mumford's views on this subject are so admirably
expressed in a letter addressed by her to her pastor, Dr.
David Thomas, and the question is so important a one, that
we cannot do better than quote from her remarks :

" DEAR SIR, — You will doubtless be surprised at the receipt of this
communication, and I assure you it is with great reluctance and a
feeling of profound respect that I make it. Were it not for the high
estimate I entertain for both your intellect and heart, I would spare the
sacrifice it will cost me. But because I believe you love truth, of
whatever kind, and would not willingly countenance or propagate errone-
ous views on auy subject, I venture to address you.

" Excuse me, my dear sir, I feel myself but a babe in comparison
\\ith you. But permit me to call your attention to a subject on which
my heart has been deeply pained. In your discourse on Sunday morn-
ing, when descanting on the policy of Satan in first attacV lug the most
assailable of our race, your remarks appeared to imply tl.o doctrine of
woman's intellectual and even moral inferiority to man. I cannot
believe that you intended to be so understood, at least with reference
to her moral nature. But I fear the tenor of your remarks would too
surely Irave such an impression on the minds of many of vour cougre*

46 Mrs. Booth.

gation, and I for one cannot but deeply regret that a man for whom I
entertain such a high veneration should appear to hold views so dero-
gatory to my sex, and which I believe to be unscriptural and dishonour-
ing to God.

•' Permit me, my dear sir, to ask whether you have ever made the
subject of woman's equality as a being the matter of calm investigation
and thought ? If not I would, with all deference, suggest it as a subject
well worth the exercise of your brain, and calculated amply to repay
any research you may bestow upon it.

" So far as scriptural evidence is concerned, did I but possess ability
to do justice to the subject, I dare take my stand on it against the
world in defending her perfect equality. And it is because I am per-
suaded that no honest, unprejudiced investigation of the sacred volume
can give perpetuity to the mere assumptions and false notions which
have gained currency in society on this subject, that I so earnestly
commend it to your attention. I have such confidence in the nobility
of your nature, that I feel certain neither prejudice nor custom can
blind you to the truth if you will once turn attention to the matter.

" That woman is, in consequence of her inadequate education, gener-
ally inferior to man intellectually, I admit. But that she 'is naturally
so, as your remarks seemed to imply, I see no cause to believe. I think
the disparity is as easily accounted for as the difference between woman
intellectually in this country and under the degrading slavery of heathen
lands. No argument, in my judgment, can be drawn from past experi-
ence on this point, because the past has been false in theory and wrong
in practice. Never yet in the history of the world has woman been placed
on an intellectual footing with man. Her training from babyhood, even
in this highly favoured land, has hitherto been such as to cramp and
paralyse, rather than to develop and strengthen her energies, and cal-
culated to crush and wither her aspirations after mental greatness,
rather than to excite and stimulate them. And even where the more
directly depressing influence has been withdrawn, the indirect and more
powerful stimulus has been wanting."

The practical commentary on the opinions expressed in
this letter is indelibly written upon the whole life of
Catherine Booth. Her views never altered. She was to
the end of her days an unfailing, unflinching, uncompro-
mising champion of woman's rights. There are few subjects
that would so readily call forth the latent fire as any reflec-
tion upon the capacities or relative position of woman.

"I despise the attitude of the English press toward
woman," she remarked one day. "Let a man make a
decent speech on any subject, and he is lauded to the

Woman's Rig/its. 47

skies. Whereas, however magnificent a speech a woman
may make, all she gets is, c Mrs. So-and-so delivered an
earnest address ' !

" I don't speak for myself. My personal experience,
especially outside London, has been otherwise. But I do
feel it keenly on behalf of womankind at large, that the
man should be praised, while the woman, who has probably
fought her way through inconceivably greater difficulties
in order to achieve the same result, should be passed over
without a word !

" I have tried to grind it into my boys that their sisters
were just as intelligent and capable as themselves. Jesus
Christ's principle was to put woman on the same platform
as man, although I am sorry to say His apostles did not
always act up to it."

Speaking on the subject of marriage, Mrs. Booth remarked,
in later life, " Who can wonder that marriage is so often a
failure, when we observe the ridiculous way in which court-
ship is commonly carried on? Would not any partnership
result disastrously that was entered into in so blind and
senseless a fashion ?

" Perhaps the greatest evil of all is hurry. Young people
do not allow themselves time to know each other before an
engagement is formed. They should take time and make
opportunities for acquainting themselves with each other's
character, disposition, and peculiarities before coming to a
decision. This is the great point. They should on no
account commit themselves until they are fully satisfied in
their own minds, assured that if they have a doubt before-
hand it generally increases afterward. I am convinced that
this is where thousands make shipwreck and mourn the
consequences all their lives.

"Then again, every courtship ought to be based on
certain definite principles. This, too, is a fruitful cause of
mistake and misery. Very few have a definite idea as to
what they want in a partner, and hence they do not look
for it. They simply go about the matter in a haphazard

48 Mrs. Boot/i.

sort of fashion, and jump into an alliance upon the first
drawings of mere natural feeling, regardless of the laws
which govern such relationships.

uln the first place, each of the parties ought to bo
satisfied that there are to be found in the other such quali-
ties as would make them friends if they were of the same
sex. In other words there should be a congeniality and
compatibility of temperament. For instance, it must be a
fatal error, fraught with perpetual missry, for a man who
has mental gifts and high aspirations to marry a woman
who is only fit to be a mere drudge, or for a woman of
lefinement and ability to marry a man who is good for
nothing better than to follow the plough, or look after a
machine. And yet, how many seek for a mere bread-winner,
or a housekeeper, rather than for a friend, a counsellor
and companion. Unhappy marriages are usually the conse-
quences of too great a disparity of mind, age, temperament,
training, or antecedents.

" As quite a young girl I early made up my mind to
certain qualifications which I regarded as indispensable to
the forming of any engagement.

" In the first place, I was determined that his religious
views must coincide with mine. He must be a sincere
Christian, not a nominal one, or a mere church member, but-
truly converted to God. It is probably not too much to say,
that so far as professedly religious people are concerned,
three-fourths of the matrimonial misery endured is brought
upon themselves by the neglect of this principle. Those
who do, at least in a measure, love God and try to serve
Him, form alliances with those who have no regard for His
laws, and who practically, if not avowedly, live as though
He had no existence. Marriage is a Divine institution, and
in order to ensure at any rate the highest and most lasting
happiness, the persons who enter into it must first of all
themselves be in the Divine plan. For if a man or woman
be not able to restrain and govern their own natures, how
can they reasonably expect to control the nature of another ?

Woman s Rights. 49

If his or her being is not in harmony with itself, how can
it be iii harmony with that of anybody else ?

" Thousands of Christians, women especially, have proved
by bitter experience that neither money, position, nor any
other worldly advantage has availed to prevent the punish-
ment that invariably attends disobedience to the command,
' Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.'

" The second essential which I resolved upon was that he
should be a man of sense. I knew that I could never respect
a fool, or one much weaker mentally than myself. Many
imagine that because a man is converted, that is all that is
required. This is a great mistake. There ought to be a
similarity or congeniality of character as well as of grace.
As a dear old man, whom I often quote, once said, 'When
thou choosest a companion for life, choose one with whom
thou couldst live without grace, lest he lose it ! '

" The third essential consisted of oneness of views and
tastes, any idea of lordship or ownership being lost in. love.
There can be no doubt that Jesus Christ intended, by making
love the law of marriage, to restore woman to the position
God intended her to occupy, as also to destroy the curse of
the Fall, which man by dint of his merely superior physical
strength and advantageous position had magnified, if not
really to a large extent manufactured. Of course there
must and will be mutual yielding wherever there is proper
love, because it is a pleasure and a joy to yield our own
wills to those for whom we have real affection, whenever it
can be done with an approving conscience. This is just as
true with regard to man as to woman, and if we have never
proved it individually during married life, most of us have
had abundant evidence of it at any rate during courting
days.

" For the same reason neither party should attempt to
force an alliance where there exists a physical repugnance.
Natural instinct in this respect is usually too strong for
reason, and asserts itself in after life in such a way as to
make both supremely miserable, although, on the other hand,

E

50 Mrs. Booth.

nothing can be more absurd than a union founded on attrac-
tions of a mere physical character, or on the more showy
and shallow mental accomplishments that usually first strike
the eye of a stranger.

" Another resolution that I made was that I would never
marry a man who was not a total abstainer, and this from
conviction, and not merely in order to gratify me.

" Besides these things, which I looked upon as being
absolute^ essential, I had, like most people, certain prefer-
ences. The first was that the object of my choice should be
a minister, feeling that as his wife I could occupy the highest
possible sphere of Christian usefulness. Then I very much
desired that he should be dark and tall, and had a special
liking for the name of * William.' Singularly enough, in
adhering to my essentials, my fancies were also gratified,
and in my case the promise was certainly fulfilled, 'Delight
thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thy
heart.'

" There were also certain rules which I formulated for
my married life, before I was married or even engaged. I
have carried them out ever since my wedding day, and the
experience of all these years has abundantly demonstrated
their value.

*' The first was, never to have any secrets from my hus-
band in anything that affected our mutual relationship, or
the interests of the family. The confidence of others in
spiritual matters I did not consider as coming under this
category, but as being the secrets of others, and therefore
not my property.

"The second rule was, never to have two purses, thus
avoiding even the temptation of having any secrets of a
domestic character.

" My third principle was that, in matters where there
was any difference of opinion, I would show my husband
my views and the reasons on which they were based, and
try to convince in favour of my way of looking at the
subje'ct. This generally resulted either in his being con-

Woman's Rights. 51

verted to my views, or in my being converted to his, either
result securing unity of thought and action.

"My fourth rule was, in cases of difference of opinion
never to argue in the presence of the children. I thought
it better even to submit at the time to what I might con-
sider as mistaken judgment, rather than have a controversy
before them. But of course when such occasions arose, I
took the first opportunity for arguing the matter out. My
subsequent experience has abundantly proved to "me the
wisdom of this course."

How God blessed a union formed on such rational prin-
ciples, and in such obvious harmony with His highest
designs, the following narrative will in some degree dis-
close. The value, too, of acting on principle rather than
according to the dictates of mere emotion, or the passing
influences of the hour, has been strikingly manifested, not
only in Mrs. Booth's own case, but in the happy marriages
of her children. And the world has thus been furnished
with object-lessons of what unions so entered upon may
accomplish. In fulfilling the highest purposes of Grod, none
can fail to advance their own best interests, whilst they
extract from their sorrows that peculiar sting, the realisa-
tion that they have been self-inflicted.

CHAPTER VI.
LONDON. 1854.

ALTHOUGH his labours were attended with multiplied suc-
cess, nevertheless both Miss Mumford and Mr. Booth felt
that it was high time either for the Reform movement to
become crystallised into a united organisation of its own,
with a distinctive government whose authority would be
acknowledged by all, or, failing this, that it would be neces-
sary for Mr. Booth to attach himself to some church which
answered to this description. It so happened that at this
very period he became acquainted with the Methodist New
Connexion, which to his mind appeared admirably fitted to
the requirements of the Reformers, combining a liberal
government with Wesley an doctrine. Here was the very
opportunity for which Mr. Booth had so long looked, and he
conceived the bold idea of not only joining them himself but
of urging the entire body to do the same.

*The Methodist New Connexion is the first-born of the
numerous Wesleyan progeny, to which the parent organisa-
tion gave birth after the death of its founder in 1791. It is
no small testimony to the creative genius of Wesley that
each member of the family is almost a facsimile of the rest.
Indeed the doctrines are identically those which he formu-
lated. His rich hymnology and peculiar nomenclature have
also been preserved intact. It has only been on questions
of church government, similar to those which gave rise to the
Reform agitation, that differences of opinion and consequent
divisions have arisen. Indeed, in not a few instances it
would puzzle any outsider, not thoroughly versed in all the
subtle distinctions of Methodistic polity, to say wherein the

* A historical sketch both of the New Connexion and of the Reformers
will be found ia Vol. I., Chaps, vii. and xiv. of Mrs. Booth's Life.

52

London. 53

various branches of that body differ, or to which the palm of
superiority may fairly be ascribed.

To amalgamate the Reformers with this branch of the
Methodist church seemed to Mr. Booth preferable to con-
stituting a separate organisation of their own, since they
would obtain all the privileges which had been denied them
by the parent church, without having to encounter the delay
and difficulties which must necessarily attend the opposite
course. To manufacture a strong government out of ele-
ments so discordant, so heterogeneous and so unadhesive
would, he felt, be extremely difficult. Whereas if the frag-
ments were thrown into a pot which had already some
cohesion of its own, the law-abiding portions could be melted
down, so to speak, into one consistent mass, while the dis-
orderly elements could more easily be eliminated, and would
at any rate be less likely to do harm. Besides, why waste
time over building up a facsimile of what already existed,
when the original combined at the same time both the
stability and elasticity which seemed desirable ?

Having prepared the way by a careful study of the New
Connexion system, and by getting into touch with some of
its leading spirits, Mr. Booth now broached the subject at
the quarterly meeting of the office-bearers of his own cir-
cuit, proposing that, without waiting for the action of the
entire body, they should themselves take immediate
measures for amalgamation. Although strongly supported
by some of the most influential persons present, the motion
was lost, and failing to carry his people with him, Mr. Booth
announced to them his resolution to go over alone.

This decision was received by his people with unfeigned
regret, and many efforts were put forth to induce him to
remain. He was offered the privilege of immediate mar-
riage, together with a furnished home, and a horse and a
trap to enable him to visit distant places. To this pressure
he might have yielded, had not Miss Mumford thrown her
influence into the opposite scale. The inviting career of a
country parson, she argued, combined though it might be

54 Mrs. Booth.

with the tempting promise of domestic bliss, would not alter
the fact that the time so spent would probably be thrown
away, and that he would be compelled to do in the end what
could be more easily and profitably done now.

It was accordingly settled that he should enter the Metho-
dist New Connexion, studying for six months under Dr.
Cooke's personal supervision, and offering himself for their
ministry at the ensuing Conference, when there was every
reason to believe that he would be accepted.

The reception with which Mr. Booth met, at the thres-
hold of his new departure, was cordial and encouraging. In
Dr. Cooke he found an able and appreciative leader, and the
mutual regard which they entertained for each other was
preserved to the end. The doctor, who was in the habit of
preparing a few students for the ministry, received him,
with two or three others, into his own home.

That his studies were intermingled with active evangelis-
tic labours will readily be surmised, Indeed the very day
after his arrival in London, we find him, on the 15th Feb-
ruary, 1854, preaching in Brunswick Street Chapel, when
fifteen souls sought salvation. The General naively admits
that he never was a pattern student, and that he might
often have been found on his face in an agony of prayer
when he ought to have been mastering his Greek verbs.
But the blessed results, which had already stamped his
ministry with an apostolic seal, continued to mark his
London labours, and when it came to his turn for his ser-
mon to be criticised by the doctor according to custom, he
could only say, ;< Mr. Booth, I have nothing to say to you.
Go on, and may God bless you." Indeed, the constant rows
of weeping penitents, including one night the doctor's
daughter, formed the best apology for the non-ministerial^
unartificial, dramatic style which distinguished Mr. Booth's
pulpit utterances.

" I intend proposing you at the next Conference as super-
intendent of the work in London," said Dr. Cooke one morn-
ing, as he strolled with Mr. Booth through the garden, thus

London. 5 5

showing his confidence in the ability and devotion of his
favoured student. To this proposal Mr. Booth strenuously
objected, pleading his youth and inexperience for so impor-
tant and responsible a position. He consented, however, to
take the position of assistant pastor, should he be desired to
do so, accepting as his leader whomever Conference might
appoint.

There was a difficulty, however, in the adoption of this
plan, as hitherto the society had only supported one
preacher. This objection was overcome by his old friend,
Mr. Rabbits, who had followed him into the New Connexion,
and who now offered to pay the salary of a second pastor,
provided that Mr. Booth was appointed to the post. To this
arrangement the Conference subsequently agreed.

Although it had been impossible for Dr. Cooke ov any of
his influential friends to pledge the Conference to accept Mr.
Booth's candidature, nevertheless it had been a foregone
conclusion that they would readily extend to him the right
hand of fellowship promised by them to the Reformers in
general at their last annual gathering. Still Mr. Booth, and
even Miss Mumford, were scarcely prepared for the hearty
and unanimous manner in which they were received and for
the special favour granted to them in the privilege of
receiving permission to marry, at the end of twelve months,
instead of having to wait, as was generally the rule, for the
expiry of the four years of probation that must elapse before
he could be formally ordained as a minister of the church.

In announcing this news to Miss Mumford, Mr. Booth
writes :

" I snatch a moment to say that a letter has just come to hand from
Mr. Cooke, stating that I have been unanimously received by the Con-
ference. This is very good, but, for some unaccountable reason, I do
not feel at all grateful, neither does it at all elate me ! "

To this letter Miss Mumford replies as follows :

" Your letter this morning filled my heart with gratitude and my mouth
with praise. I am thankful beyond measure for the favourable recep-
tion and kind consideration you have met with from the Conference,

56 Mrs. booth.

and I cau only account for your ingratitude on the ground you once
gave me, namely, that blessings iu possession seem to lose half their
value. This is an unfortunate circumstance, but I think in this matter
you ought to be grateful, when you look at the past and contemplate the
future. However, I am. This comes to me as the answer of too many
prayers, the result of too much self-sacrifice, the end of too much
an?;iety, and the crowniug of too many hopes, not to be appreciated ;
and my soul does praise God. You may think me enthusiastic. But
your position is now' fixed as a minister of Christ, and your only concern
will be to labour for God and souls.

" I saw that in all probability you might toil the best part of your life
and then, after all, have to turn to business for your support. But
now, for life you are to be a teacher of Christ's glorious gospel, and I
am sure the uppermost desire of my soul is that you may be a holy and
successful one. May God afresh baptize you with His love, and make
you indeed a minister of the Spirit !

" Oh, to begin anew, to give up all, and to live right in the glory !
Shall we? Can we dare do otherwise with the light and influence God
has given to us ? God forbid that we should provoke the eyes of His
holiness by our indifference and lukevvarmness and inconsistency ! The
Lord help me and thee to live, so that our hearts condemn us not, for
then shall we have confidence towards God, that whatsoever we shall
ask of Him (even to making us instrumental in saving thousands of
precious souls) He will do it for us. Amen ! "

On the inside of the envelope Miss Mmnford adds the
following quotation :

" Not to understand a treasure's worth,
Till time has stole away the slighted good,
Is cause of half the misery we feel,
And makes the world the wilderness it is."

Mr. Booth now threw himself heart and soul into his new
work as assistant pastor to the Rev.- P. T. Gilton. His
fame as a revivalist had now spread to distant places, and
frequent invitations were received for him to hold special
services. Whilst most of these were declined without
further consideration, several were of such a pressing nature,
and were so strongly backed by influential friends, that he
scarcely knew what to reply. Coming as they did from
Xew Connexion congregations it was difficult to return a
refus.il.

Miss Mumford hailed the news of each advance with joy.

London. 57

She had from the first entertained an unbounded confidence
in Mr. Booth's ability, and felt that all he needed was an
opportunity to enable him to occupy, with glory to God and
credit to himself, a far higher position of usefulness than
any that he had hitherto held :

"Bless you! Bless you!" she writes. "Your note has, like 'joy's
seraphic fingers, ' touched the tenderest chords in my heart, and what I
write is but like the trembling echoes of a distant harp. If you were
here, I would pour out the full strain into your bosom and press you to
my heart. God is too good! I feel happier than I have done for
months. You will think me extravagant. Well, bless God. He made
me so. Yes, we shall, I believe it, be very happy.

"Do I remember? Yes, I remember all, all that has bound us
together. All the bi-ight and happy, as well as the clouded and sorrow-
ful of our fellowship. Nothing relating to you, can time or place erase
from my memory. Your words, your looks, your actions, even the most
trivial and incidental, come up before me as fresh as life. If I meet a
child called William, I am more interested in him than in any other.
Bless you ! Keep your spirits up and hope much for the future. God
lives and loves us, and we shall be one in Him, loving each other as
Christ has loved us.

" * Thus by communion our delight shall grow !

Thus streams of mingled bliss swell higher as they flow !
Thus angels mix their flames and more divinely glow ! ' "

During the autumn of 1854, Miss Mumford paid a long-
promised visit to a friend at Burnham,'in Essex.

In one of her letters from this place there is a charming
descriptive passage :

"It is truly delightful here now at night. The lovely moon throws
her silvery beams on the bosom of a beautifully tranquil river. All
around is serene and silent. The breeze is just sufficient to fan the
water into gentle ripplets. The boats and skiffs repose on its surface as
if weary of the day's engagements. Altogether it reminds one of Heaven.
I wish you could see it just now. It would stir the old poetic fire in
father's soul, and warm mother's heart with admiration and devotion!
All nature, vocal and mute, point upwards. And the most unsophisti-
cated soul must feel the power of its testimony, and the being and good-
ness of the Christian's God. I love to gaze on these dear foot-marks of
Jehovah. It does one good sometimes as much in soul as in body. I
don't know what effect the majestic in nature would have upon me.
But such a scene as this stirs strange feelings and touches chords which
thrill and vibrate through my whole being.

58 Mrs. Booth.

" Be happy about me. God lives, and I feel safe in His bands. Let
us try to live according to our professed belief, and be careful for
nothing. Bless you !

" Good-bye, and believe me as ever, your own loving

" CATHERINE."

London has always been regarded by preachers as an
extremely difficult field, and many who have been successful
elsewhere have failed completely when they have sought to
move the shrewdly-intelligent and worldly-wise heart of
Cockneydom. It is scarcely too much to say that the vast
metropolis is a nation within a nation. The thoroughbred
Londoner is a man sui generis. For needle-like acuteness,
for ready repartee, for unabashed self-confidence, for un-
gullibility — if we may coin the word — he presents the very
antipodes of the simple-minded country yokel. Indeed, in
these respects it would be hard to match him in the world.
Perhaps the struggle for existence, the ceaseless roar of
traffic, and the perpetual contact with keen intellects, all
help towards the formation of such characteristics, which
serve considerably to counteract the preacher's toil.

The lowest classes are absorbed in the scramble for the
crumbs which fall from the rich man's table. One Lazarus
is bad and sad enough ; but here are hundreds of thousands
lying at Dives' door, whose destitution is even more miser-
able than that of their Eastern counterpart. Nay, they are
not allowed to lie in so comfortable a place. The Dives of
the nineteenth century cannot tolerate so painful a sight.
The baton of the policeman, and if needs be, the bayonet of
the soldier, must sweep such refuse as far as possible from
his gaze, into the dens and alleys where it lies seething for
a time, awaiting the ghastly day of resurrection and retribu-
tion. To go to them with a loaf in one hand appears as
necessary as to carry the Gospel in the other. " Give ye
them to eat," seems as definitely commanded for their bodies
as it is for their souls. And yet, whence shall any buy
bread for such a multitude ?

And then there are the labouring classes, who live upon

London. 59

the borders of this human pandemonium, this earthly purga-
tory, this out-Hadesed Hades, and who are perpetually
supplying the fuel for its flames. The conditions of society
have made their burdens so grievous, their hours of toil so
long, their means of subsistence so scanty, that they have
but little time and opportunity to provide for the interests
of their souls, so absorbed are they in caring for their bodies.
Their worse than Egyptian taskmasters bid them make
bricks without straw, and sacrifice their health and families
without even the occasional shelter of a land of Goschen, as
a hard-earned recompense for their toil. The modern Reho-
boam answers the universal cry of Israel for concessions by
declaring that his little finger shall be thicker than his
father's loins, and by substituting a scourge of scorpions for
his father's thongs. And when the busman, the tram-con-
ductor, or the shop-girl venture to ventilate their grievances
and to complain against their Gethsemane of toil, they are
threatened, if one may reverently say it, with the Calvary
of the Law! How hard, how almost impossible, must it be
then to reach such with the message of salvation, unless
their Moses can at the same time proffer them some prospect
of escape from bondage !

The middle classes have more leisure, it is true ; but
perhaps even less inclination for the vital godliness which
would check them in their wild pursuit of wealth, or force
upon them a life of self-control and sacrifice. Those who
are not engulfed in the absorbing worship of Mammon are
mostly enthralled by the fascinating enchantments of
pleasure. And between the two there is but little room or
desire for the service of God, A press that largely banishes
religion from its columns caters for a public who largely
banish God from their thoughts and affections.

And the higher we rise in the social scale the more is this
experience intensified. The gold fever grows worse. The
pulse beats faster. The temperature increases. Each fresh
draught, instead of quenching the thirst, maddens the
victim, who may well cry out —

Co Mrs. Booth.

Vrater, water, everywhere,
But not a drop to drink ! "

The gold that perishes can no more satisfy his immortal
soul than could the salt waters of the ocean the ship-wrecked
mariner upon his raft. And yet there seems no limit to the
cursed love of gold, the " auri sacra fames^ of the old
Roman poet. Well might his words be applied to our
modern Rome : —

" Get money, money "—is the cry !

" Honestly— if you can ;
If not, no matter how, or why !
'Tis money makes the man ! "

And those who are not votaries of wealth, who do not
make piety and true nobility of character play second fiddle
to gold (virtus post nummos\ are in an exaggerated degree
the devotees of pleasure and the victims of fashion.

" Faster whirls the giddy dance !

Music soft and song
"With their fatal spell entrance,
Sweeping them along !

Quaff ye now your Lethe- draught ;

Soon the charm shall break !
Death tby doomed soul shall waft

To the fiery lake ! "

It may be said that the above remarks apply to other
cities and districts beside London. This is true, but surely
in a less degree. At least London offers an exaggerated
exemplification of them, and at the time of which we write
it had been the subject of but few revivals, and had com-
paratively foiled the efforts of many godly labourers. The
fact therefore that Mr. Booth's Spalding successes were re-
peated in London, and this at a period when the Xew Con-
nexion cause there was low and struggling, soon attracted
the notice of other circuits, where circumstances were more
favourable for the expectation of a revival. If any good
thing could coine cut of this Jerusalem, there was certainly
great hope for the outlying Galilees and Bethlehems.

London. 61

The appeals for Mr. Booth's services from other districts
in the Connexion now so increased in number and importu-
nity that they could no longer be disregarded. The first
circuit he visited was Bristol, where he held a week's meet-
ings, with the result that about fourteen professed salvation,
ten of these being added to the society.

Mr. Booth's next evangelistic meetings were held in
Guernsey. His journal and letters contain some interesting
references to them, and the remarkable results achieved
doubtless helped to decide the nature of his work during the
next eleven years. Indeed they may be said to have left an
everlasting mark on the subsequent labours both of himself
and of Mrs. Booth.

Describing the meetings, Mr. Booth writes to Miss Mum-
ford as follows :

" MOUNT DURANT, GUERNSEY, October 17th, 1854.
" MY DEAREST AND MOST PRECIOUS LOVE, — Last night I preached my
first sermon. The congregation \vas middling, very respectable, stiff,
and quiet. I let off a few heavy guns at the lazy formality so prevalent,
and with some effect. They opened their eyes at some of the things I
said.

" 20th October. — My preaching is highly spoken of. The Lord is
working, and I trust that to-morrow we shall have a crash — a glorious
breakdown. Already the Lord has given me some souls, but my anxious
heart cries out for many more. I cannot write about the natural beauties
of the place. I have done nothing yet but sigh for and seek the salvation
of its inhabitants. The arrangements for the services were miserable —
not even a notice printed. And when they advertised the anniversary
sermons for to-morrow they never mentioned the preaching afterwards.
I asked the good brother who had the thing under his control to put
another line, but lie said he dare not without the consent of the leaders'
meeting ! Poor fellows ! They will advertise for money, but are ashamed
to advertise for souls !

"God bless you. Pray for me. Look for a fuller and completer
manifestation of the Son of God, and believe me, as ever,

" Yours in betrothed and unalterable affection,

« WILLIAM."

The entries in the journal continue as follows •

" Sunday. — llose with a delightful sense of God's favour, and antici-
pating a good and successful day. In the morning the congregation was

62 Mrs. Booth.

very good, and the word, I am convinced, went with power to many
hearts. At night the chapel was crowded. It was their anniversary.
The collections were double in amount those of last year, and in the
prayer meeting wonderful victory was ours. We took down about;
twenty-six names — some most interesting and glorious cases. Many
went away under deep conviction.

u Monday. — Good news comes in on every hand. To-night, although
the weather is most unfavourable, the congregation has been very good.
and the prayer meeting even more successful than the one last night.
Many very clear cases of conversion. About thirty-five peniter.

" Tuesday. — The excitement increases. The congregation was much
larger, and a great number of penitents came forward.

- Wednesday. — The chapel to-night has been packed — fuller than it
was on Sunday night — and the prayer meeting was a most glorious one.
We did not conclude until 10.50. Very many who had been seeking all
the week found peace.

u Thursday. — To-night many went away unable to get into the chapel.
The aisles were crowded, and up to eleven o'clock it was almost an im-
possibility to get them up to the communion rail, owing to the
WTe had near sixty penitents, many very clear cases, and I doubt not
over sixty more were in deep distress in different parts of the chapel.
The parting with the people was very affec:

u Friday. — I bade farewell to Guernsey. 3iany came down to the
pier to wish me good-bye, and when the packet bore me away, and I
caught the last glimpse of their waving hands and handkerchiefs, I felt
I had parted with many very dear friends, and that I had bidden adieu
to a fair spot, where I had certainly passed one of the happiest fo;
of my brief history."

On his return from Guernsey, Mr. Booth received prc -
invitations to visit Longton and Hanley, in the Staffordshire
potteries, at that time practically the headquarters and chief
stronghold of the Xew Connexion.

To give anything like a complete account of these meetings
is at present impossible. Ample material is available, but
must be reserved for the future chronicler of Mr. Booth's
career. At present we satisfy ourselves with a few extracts
from his diary, which will suffice to throw a light on the
subsequent history of the subject of these memoirs. The
double " footprints on the sands of time r* occasionally move
so closely together that in tracking the one we cannot but
observe the other.

- Sunday, January 7tl: . 185-5.— An important day in the aanals of Zion

London. 63

Chapel, Longton. At night the chapel was comfortably filled, about
1,800 persons present. After the sermon, fifty precious souls cried for
mercy. This gave all great encouragement.

u Monday, January 8th, 1855. — The congregation to-night has been
excellent. Preached with much liberty, and Mr. McCurdy intimated
after the service that every sentence was with great power. We had
'about thirty penitents. Many very good cases.

" Thursday, llth. — The farewell. The chapel very full, more so than
on Sunday night. A grand and imposing spectacle. How solemn the
responsibility of the man who stands up to address such crowds on the
momentous topics of Time, Eternity, Salvation, and Damnation. Lord,
help me ! So I prayed, and mighty were the results. We took down
about sixty names this night, making a total of 260 during the nine days
that I had stayed at Longton.

" Sunday, January 14th.— My first Sabbath at Hanley. It has been a
remarkable day, and I have preached twice in perhaps the largest chapel
in the world. At night an imposing congregation.

" I had much anxiety about visiting this place before leaving London,
and many fears as to my fitness for so large a building and so important
a congregation. I was astonished at the quietness of spirit with which I
rose to address GO large a multitude comparatively careless as to their
mental criticism of the messenger, and absorbed in an earnest desire for
the salvation of the people.

" Wednesday, 24th. — Congregations increased. During the fortnight
160 names have been taken down, a very large number, but not many in
proportion to the vast crowds who have attended the meetings. Man.)
glorious and wonderful cases of conversion have transpired, and on the
whole I cannot but hope that the services have exercised a very salutary
effect on the society and neighbourhood."

CHAPTER VII
THE WEDDING. 1855.

COMPARED with the principles and practice of the Salva-
tion Army in later years, the wedding of Mr. Booth and Miss
Mumford presents a striking contrast. Indeed, in^the light
of subsequent experience, they have not scrupled to blame
themselves for having thrown away so unique a chance of
influencing multitudes by considering their personal predi-
lections rather than the highest interests of the kingdom.
They were now so well known both in the Connexion and
among the Reformers that the occasion might easily have
been utilised as a powerful fulcrum on the hearts of the
people.

But these were lessons which were to be learnt in later
life. And so an event which was fraught with consequences
of everlasting importance to hundreds of thousands of souls
was enacted in all the empty quietude of a congregationless
chapel. Mr. Booth led his bride to the altar in the presence
of none, save her father, his sister, and the officiating mini-
ster. And yet, perhaps, never has there been a wiser choice,
a more heaven-approved union, than thfe one which was thus
undemonstratively celebrated by Dr. Thomas, at the Stock-
well New Chapel, on the 16th June, 1855. And if happiness
be judged, not merely by the measure of joy personally
experienced, but by the amount imparted to others, then
surely it may be said that never wTere two hearts united with
happier results. " The joy of joys is the joy that joys in the
joy of others." This is the purest and most unselfish form
of happiness. Marriage too often degenerates into the merest
self-indulgence, with the inevitable consequence that its

64

The Wedding' 65

charms decay as soon as it loses the gloss of early courtship.
But where personal interests, though necessarily consulted,
are subordinated to the claims of God and humanity, the
happiness that ensues is both perfect and permanent.

And yet, while for some reasons we cannot but regret the
loss of so valuable an opportunity for gathering the people
together, and for impressing upon them the claims of God,
the incident is valuable, inasmuch as it throws an interesting
side-light upon the actual character of Mr. and Mrs. Booth.
Far from being the ardent popularity-hunters and publicity-
seekers which some suppose, it has been through life their
constant lamentation that the calls of duty deprived them of
the domestic seclusion which they would otherwise have
coveted. Especially was this the case with Mrs. Booth.
Had she yielded to the bent of her personal inclinations, she
would have infinitely preferred the life of retirement which
became less and less possible in her subsequent career: and
would have smuggled away her talents and buried her
opportunities in some secluded retreat, satisfied, like so many,
with having done no harm, while conscious of having accom-
plished but little good.

Hence, when in later years the same opportunity recurred
in the marriage of their children, it was no shallow thirst
for show which prompted them to pursue so opposite a course
to that which they had adopted at their own wedding. The
opportunity of impressing upon the world at large what
marriage might and ought to be was too valuable to be lost.
And the great fundamental principle prevailed of sacrificing
personal preferences for the all-absorbing claims of God's
kingdom. The trade winds were blowing too favourable a
breeze for the fleet to lie at anchor. It might be necessary
at times to scud under bare poles across stormy seas, or even
to seek for a while some sheltering haven, but that was no
reason for discarding opportunities so favourable, some of
which come but once in a lifetime and pass away, if
neglected, never to return.

And now Catherine Booth found herself on the threshold

66 Mrs. Booth.

of the life of usefulness which had constituted the subject of
her girlhood's dreams and the summit of her Christian aspi-
rations. By her side was the .man of her heart's choice.
The impetus which springs from unity of aim and purpose
was now in the fullest sense her own. The position for
which, especially during the past three years, she had so
diligently been preparing was within her grasp. She
realised at once its opportunities and responsibilities, and
rose to meet them with unfailing grace, dignity and power.

The five months of evangelistic work which preceded his
marriage had established for Mr. Booth a widespread reputa-
tion for devotion, ability, and success, so that when the
Annual Conference had met at Sheffield, just previous to the
wedding, it was resolved that " the Rev. William Booth,
whose labours have been so abundantly blessed in the con-
version of sinners, be appointed to the work of an evangelist,
to give the various circuits an opportunity of having his ser-
vices during the coming 3~ear."

The results had indeed been remarkable. In the space of
four months no less than 1.739 persons had sought salva-
tion at nine separate centres, besides a considerable number
at four or five other places, of which we have no particulars.
This gave an average of 214 for each circuit visited, or 161
for each week, and 23 for each day during the time that
meetings were being held. At Longton, during the first visit
there had been 260 in nine days, and during the second visit.
97 in four days. At Hanley, there were 460 in a fortnight;
at Burslem, 262 in one week ; at Mossley, 50 in five days ; at
Newcastle-under-Lyme, 290 in one week ; at Bradford, 160
in a fortnight ; and at Gateshead, a similar number in the
same time. Not included in the above was Guernse}-, where,
during Mr. Booth's first visit, 200 souls sought salvation in
the space of a fortnight, It was an ordinary occurrence for
40, 50, and 60 persons to come forward to the communion
rail each night, and at Burslem we read in the New Con-
nexion Magazine, that on a single occasion 101 names were
taken. Besides those who actually professed conversion,

The Wedding. 67

large numbers of persons became convinced of sin, and were
gathered in after the special services were over.

The wedding over, Mr. and Mrs. Booth went to Ryde for
a week's brief honeymoon, after which they proceeded to
Guernsey and Jersey, where revival services had been
arranged. It is worthy of note that the hall in which the
Jersey meetings were held has since become an Army Bar-
racks.

The return voyage was a very trying one. Mrs. Booth
was always a wretched sailor, and this trip was certainly
one of her worst. She had been for some time in very poor
health, and it now became manifest that it would be im-
possible for her to accompany her husband in fulfilling the
appointment marked out for him by the Annual Committee.
It was therefore decided, much to their mutual disappoint-
ment, that Mrs. Booth should remain at home with her
mother till well enough to travel, while Mr. Booth proceeded
to York, in fulfilment of his next engagement. How keenly
they felt the separation may be judged from the first letters
interchanged by them, after Mr. Booth had left :

u 3, CASTLB GATE, YORK, August 4th, 1855.

" MY PRECIOUS WIFE,— The first time I have written you that endear-
ing appellation ! Bless you a thousand times ! How often during my
journey have I taken my eyes from off the book I was reading to think
about you — yes, to think tenderly about you, about our future and our
home.

" Shall we not again commence a life of devotion, and by renewed
consecration begin afresh the Christian race ?

" Oh, Kate ! be happy. You will rejoice my soul if you send me word
that your heart is gladsome, and your spirits are light. It will help you
to battle with your illness, and make the short period of our separation
fly away.

" Bless you ! I feel as though a part of my very self were wanting —
as though I had left some very important adjunct to my happiness behind
me. And so I have. My precious self. I do indeed return that warm
affection I know you bear towards me.

" Your faithful and affectionate husband,

" WILLIAM."

To this letter Mrs. Booth sent the following response :

68 Mrs. Booth.

" August Gtli, 1855.

" I\!Y PBECIOUS HUSBAND, — A thousand thanks for your sweet letter. I
have read it over rnaoy, many times, and it is still fresh and precious to
my heart. I cannot answer it, hut be assured not a word is forgotten or
overlooked.

"As soon as you were out of sight, I felt as though I could have per-
formed the journey with far less suffering than to stay behind. It was a
supremely wretched day, and long before nigbt I had made up my mind
to come to you, sick or well, on Wednesday. You say, 'But Kate, how
foolish ! Why did you not think and reason ? ' I did, my darling ! I
philosophised as soundly as you could desire. I argued with myself on
the injustice of coming here and making my dear mother miserable by
leaving her so soon — on the folly of making myself ill — on the selfishness
of wishing to burden you with the anxiety and care my presence would
entail. But in the very midst of such soliloquies, the fact of your being
gone beyond my reach, the possibility of something happening before we
could meet again, the possible shortness of the time we may have to
spend together, and such like thoughts would start up, making rebellious
nature rise and swell and scorn all restraints of reason, philosophy, or
religion. The only comfort I could get was from the thought that I
could follow you if I liked. And binding this only balm tightly to my
heart, I managed to get a pretty good night's rest.

" Remember me always as your own faithful, loving, joyful little wife,

" CATHERINE. "

From York Mr. Booth proceeded to Hull, and he was
joined on his way at Selby junction by Mrs. Booth, who had
now sufficiently recovered to be able to travel. The meet-
ings were of the usual stirring and successful character.

After spending a short time together at Hull, Mr. and Mrs.
Booth went for a couple of days' rest and change to Caistor,
which had previously been the scene of some remarkable in-
gatherings. Owing to Mrs. Booth's continued ill-health, it
was decided that she should here remain until the conclusion
of the work in Hull. While staying in Caistor, she wrote as
follows to her mother :

" I heard from William this morning. They had a triumphant day on
Sunday, the chapel packed and upwards of forty cases at night, some of
them very remarkable ones. He will finish up at Hull on Thursday,
and come here on Friday for a week's rest previous to commencing the
services at Sheffield. I anticipate his coming much.

" It is such a splendid country. As I rambled out in the green lanes
this morning, hemmed in on every side by fields of golden corn, in wbich

The Wedding. 69

the reapers are busy in all directions, and surrounded by the most lovely
scenery of hill and dale, wood and garden, I did wish you, my dear
mother, could come and spend a fortnight with me. As for Hull, I
would much prefer Brixton, and our bit of garden to the great majority
of its homes. It is like being in fairy-land here, after being there,
though I had every kindness and attention heart could desire. But you
know how precious fresh air is to me at all times, or I would not be a
voluntary exile from my beloved husband, even for a week ! Bless him !
He continues all I desire.

" I am glad you changed the boots. Fudge about paying me ! I
should think you wore an extra pair out in running up and down stairs
after me, when I located my troublesome self at Brixton last. Whether
or not, it is all right.

" We are to have apartments at Sheffield. You cannot think with
what joy I anticipate being to ourselves once more. It will seem like
being at home, sweet home. For though I get literally oppressed with
kindness, I must say I would prefer a home, where we could sit down
together at our own little table, myself the mistress and my husband the
only guest. But the work of God so abundantly prospers that I dare
not repine, or else I feel this constant packing and locating amongst
strangers to be a great burden, especially while so weak and poorly. But
then I have many mercies and advantages. My precious William is all
I desire, and without this what would the most splendid home be but a
glittering bauble. Then, too, by living in different families and places,
I have much room for observation and reflection on various phases of
life and character which I hope will benefit my mind and increase my
knowledge, and thus fit me for future usefulness in my family, the
church, and the world. May the Lord help me !

" Tell father that he must not wait for a change of circumstances
before he begins to serve God, but seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and
then the attending promise will belong to him, and I believe God will
fulfil it. I wish he could be introduced into such a revival as that at
Hull. God is doing great and marvellous things there.

' He is bringing to His fold
Kich and poor and young and old.'"

At the same time she wrote as follows to Mr. Booth :

" MY OWN SWEET HUSBAND, — Here I sit under a hedge in that beauti-
ful lane you pointed out to me. It is one of the loveliest days old earth
has ever basked io. No human being is within sight or sound. All
nature seems to be exulting in existence, and your moralising little wife
is much better in health and in a mood to enjoy all these beauties and
advantages to the utmost. I have had a vegetarian breakfast, and one
of the most refreshing dabbles in cold water I ever enjoyed. And now,
after a brisk walk and reading your kind letter, I feel more pleasure in

70 Mrs. Booth.

writing to you than anything else under heaven (except a personal in-
terview) could give me.

" I bless God for His goodness to you on Sunday, and hope that for
once thou wast satisfied \ If so, it would have been a treat to have seen
thee ! I feel perfectly at home here, and experience just that free, sweet,
wholesome kind of atmosphere which I have so long been panting for.
My natural spirits are in a high key this morning. I feel as if I could
get over a stile just at hand and join the lambs in their gambols ! My
soul also rises to the great and benevolent Creator of us all, and I feel
stronger desires than for a long time past to be a Christian after His own
model, even Christ Jesus.

" Oh, I wish you were here. I think you would rest quiet a little
while ! It is so like what it will be when there is no more curse, when
they shall not hurt nor destroy in all God's holy mountain, but when the
lion and the fatling shall lie down together, and a little child shall lead
them ! Oh what a glorious time is coming for the real children of God —
to those who do His will ! Lord, help us !

" The bells are ringing and guns firing on account of the news that
Sebastopol is taken. But I should think it is a delusion. Anyhow I
cannot enter into the spirit of the victory. I picture the gory slain and
the desolated homes and broken hearts attending it, and feel saddened.
What a happy day will it be for the world when all Christians shall pro-
test against war, when each poor mistaken Peter shall have heard Jesus
say, ' Put up again thy sword into its place, for all they that take the
sword shall perish with the sword ! ' What a fearful prediction, if it
applies to nations as well as to individuals ! And hitherto it has been
fulfilled in the history of the world. If it is yet to be fulfilled in our
history, what will be our fate as a people ?

"Believe me as ever, thy own in earth's tenderest, closest, and
strongest bonds."

CHAPTER VIII.
SHEFFIELD. CHATSWORTH. DEWSBURY. LEEDS. 1855.

THE visit to Sheffield is so fully described in Mrs. Booth's
letters to her parents that we hail the opportunity of report-
ing it in her own words. It lasted for a month, from
September 23rd to October 24th, and included five -Sabbaths.
No less than 663 professed conversion during this time, the
work increasing week by week in power and success. In-
deed, it broke off at its very height, arousing a considerable
controversy in Mr. and Mrs. Booth's minds as to the wisdom
of abandoning such an opportunity when circumstances
seemed favourable for an even larger ingathering. But we
turn to Mrs. Booth's own narrative :

" October. — I should love to see you. I never was SL jiappy before.
My cup, so far as this world goes, seems full. With the exception of the
drawback of a delicate body and being without an abiding home, I have
all I want. My precious William grows every day more to my mind and
heart. God is blessing him richly, both in his own soul and in his
public labours. He is becoming more and more a man of prayer and of
one purpose.

" The work progresses with mighty power. Everybody who knows
anything of this society is astonished, and the mouths of gainsayers are
stopped. God's Son is glorified, and precious souls are being saved by
scores. Four hundred and forty names have been taken, and to-morrow
is expected to be a crowning day. There is to be another love feast in
the afternoon, making three since we came.

" October. — T.he work goes on gloriously. On Sunday night the chapel
was packed to suffocation, and, after a powerful sermon, a mighty prayer
meeting ensued, in which upwards of sixty names were taken, some of
them very important and interesting cases. People of all grades and
opinions attend the services, from members of the Town Council to the
lowest outcasts. Last night (Monday) was what William calls a precious
night, and Mr. Mills, the ex-President, says the sermon was both beauti-
ful and effective.

71

72 Mrs. Booth.

"October. — William's mother is staying here. I must say I antici-
pated seeing my new mother with much pleasure and some anxiety, but
at our first interview the latter vanished, and I felt that I could both
admire and love her. She is a very nice-looking old lady, and of a very
sweet and amiable spirit. William had not at all over-estimated her in
his descriptions. I do wish she lived within visiting distance of you. I
am sure you would enjoy her society.

"I went to chapel yesterday, and witnessed a scene such as I had
never beheld before. In the afternoon there was a love feast, and it was
indeed a feast of love. The chapel was packed above and below, so
much so that it was with extreme difficulty the bread and water could be
passed about. The aisles and pulpit stairs were full, and in all parts of
the chapel persons rose to testify of the power of God in connection with
the services. It was an affecting time, both to me and to William's
mother, when some one called down blessings on his head, to hear a
general response and murmured prayer all through the building.

" At night we got there at five minutes to six, and found the chapel
crowded and the vestry half full. I was just returning home when a
gentleman told me there was a seat reserved for me in Mr. Mill's pew,
which, after some difficulty, I reached. The chapel presented a most
pleasing aspect, a complete forest of heads extending to the outside of
every door, upstairs and down. Mr. Shaw opened the service, and
"William preached with marvellous power. For an hour and ten minutes
everybody was absorbed and riveted. Though scores were standing,
they had a glorious prayer meeting, in which seventy names were taken,
many of them being very satisfactory cases. I would have given some-
thing considerable for you to have been there.

"October 22nd. — We had a wonderful day at the chapel yesterday, a
tremendous crowd jammed together like sheep in a pen, and one of the
mightiest sermons at night I ever listened to, from ' Will a man rob
God ? Yet ye have robbed Me ! ' The chapel continued crowded during
the prayer meeting, and before half-past ten o'clock seventy-six names
were taken. All glory to God !

" Thursday, noon. — They finished up last night gloriously. Though it
was a very wet night the chapel was packed ia every part, and scores
went away unable to get in. The friends described the scene to me as
very affecting and unprecedented in their history when the people took
leave of William, at near eleven o'clock. They passed in a continuous
stream across the communion rail from one side of the chapel to the
other, while the choir sang, ' Shall we ever meet again ? ' They took
forty-eight names, making a total of 663."

At the conclusion of these meetings, the Conference Com-
mittee, at the instance of the Sheffield friends, agreed to a
fortnight's rest, which was spent at Chatsworth, where Mrs.
Booth writes to her mother as follows :

Sheffield. ChatswortJi. Dewsbury. Leeds. 73

" CHATSWORTH PARK, October 27th.

" We arrived here this morning for a few days' rest before going on
to Dewsbury. The Sheffield friends have been exceedingly kind. There
was a meeting on Thursday night of office bearers, local preachers, and
leaders to hear an address from William on the best means of sustaining
and consolidating the work. It was a very important gathering, and
was attended by a number of influential people. They decided that the
address should be published. The gentleman with whom he had been
staying bore a most flattering testimony to the benefit his whole family
had derived from William's stay among them, and styled it a high
honour to have had the privilege of entertaining us. The unanimous
and kind solicitude manifested were overwhelming, and sufficient to
have made any man destitute of the grace of God, vain.

" I thought and talked much of you on the journey here, as I rode
over those Derbyshire hills and witnessed the wild and romantic
scenery. It is a splendid spot where we are located, right inside the
park, where we can see the deer gambolling. I feel a peculiar interest
in the scenes around, doubtless owing to its being my native county, and
you will not deem it strange that, associated with such feelings, I should
think more about the authors of my being. Bless you ! I hope the sun
of prosperity will yet rise and shine upon you, as you descend the hill of
life, and that I shall be permitted to rejoice in its rays. '

" October 28th. — This afternoon we walked through the park right up
to the Duke of Devonshire's residence. It is one of the most splendid
spots I was ever in. It is all hill and dale, beautifully wooded, and
bestudded with deer in all directions. The residence itself is superior
to many of the royal palaces, and the scenery around is most picturesque
and sublime. This splendid spot is ours for a week in every sense
necessary to its full enjoyment, without any of the anxiety belonging to
its real owner.

" This first day of our stay has been a very blessed one. I could not
tell you how happy we both are, notwithstanding my delicate health
and our constant migrations. We do indeed find our earthly heaven in
each other. Praise the Lord with me, and oh, pray that I may so
use and improve the sunshine that if the clouds should gather and
the storm arise, I may be prepared to meet it with calmness and resig-
nation.

" At present my dearest love bears up under his extraordinary toil
remarkably well, and seems to be profiting already from this rest and
change. I never knew him in a more spiritual and devotional condition
of mind. His character daily rises in my esteem and admiration, and I
am perfectly satisfied with his affection for me. He often tells me he
could not have believed he should ever have loved any being as he loves
me. Has not the Lord been gracious to me ? Has He not answered my
prayers? And oh, shall I not praise Him and Berve Him ? Yea, I am
resolved to do so with all my heart.

74 Mrs. Booth.

" November 2nd.— Thursday was a fine frosty day, of which we took
due advantage. Directly after breakfast we started for a walk of four
miles to see the rocks of Middleton Dale. The scenery all the way was
enchanting. I could scarce get along for stopping to admire and ex-
claim. The dark frowning cliffs on one hand, the splendid autumnal
tints of rich foliage on the other, and the ever-varying views of hill and
dale before us, all as it were tinged with glory from a radiant sky, filled
us with unutterable emotions of admiration, exhilaration, and joy.

'• William constantly saluted some passer on the road, and from all
received a regular Derbyshire response. One old man, in answer to a
question as to the distance we were from the Dale, said he reckoned
* Welley ' four miles, it ' met ' be about ' thra ' and a half. I thought of
poor Liz, filling the pan ' welley ' full of potatoes !

'•Well, we reached the Dale, and were not at all disappointed with
the scenery. It is a long narrow road, with cliffs from a hundred to two
hundred feet high on either side, jutting out here and there like old
towers of a by-gone age, and frowning darkly on all below. I wish I
could describe the wild grandeur of the place, but I have neither time
nor ability.

" We walked about half a mile up the Dale, and then I rested and got
a little refreshment at a very ancient and comical kind of inn. William
walked half a mile further. During this tune I had a very cosy and to
me amusing chat in rich Derbyshire brogue with an old jnan over his
pipe and mug of ale.

" After resting about half an hour we bent our steps homewards,
where we arrived soon after two. I felt tired, but considering I had
walked at least nine miles during the day, I reckoned myself worth
many dead ones."

Dewsbury was Mr. Booth's next appointment. Here Mrs.
Booth was prostrated with a severe attack of inflammation
of the lungs, from which for some time serious consequences
were feared. She recovered, however, sufficiently to be able
to attend the closing meetings of the revival.

The services commenced in Dewsbury on Sundaj', the
4th November, and were concluded on Monday, the 3rd
December.

••My dear William is rather better/' Mrs. Booth writes, "though far
from well. They had a triumphant day on Sunday, such an one as was
never known in Dewsbury before. The people flocked to the chapel in
crowds, hundreds being unable to get in. The love-feast in the after-
noon, I hear, was like heaven. Many took their dinners and teas, and
never left the chapel all day. To-night William is preaching his fare-
well sermon in the Wesleyan Clwpel, lent for the occasion, a spacious

SJieffield. Chatsworth. Dewsbury. Leeds. 75

building capable of seating 2,000 people, and I have just learnt from a
man who has been to fetch him some cocoa, befo-re the prayer meeting,
that it is crowded. I hope they will have a good night. Last night they
took between thirty and forty names, besides children under sixteen.
To-morrow evening William addresses the officebearers, and on Wednes-
day night the young converts. On Thursday afternoon there is to be
a farewell tea-meeting to be held in the Wesleyan schoolroom, kindly
lent because our own would be far too small. We expect a splendid
affair. Most of the trays will be given. They had collections yesterday
which amounted to £20— three times as much as usual."

Writing the following day, Mrs. Booth says :

" They did not leave the chapel last night till a quarter -past eleven
o'clock. They had a splendid prayer meeting and took sixty names. I
suppose there were 2,500 people at the service."

Writing to her mother, Mrs. Booth says :

" The tea-meetingJast night was a first-rate one. I do wish you could
have heard William's speech. I ventured there enveloped in a mountain
of clothes, and [feel no worse for it, except it be worse to feel a little
prouder of my husband, which I certainly do. We took leave of the
people amid a perfect shower of tears and a hurricane of sobs, and many
more are coming to take leave of us to-day.

" As to my own feelings, I cannot describe them. My heart was ready
to burst as I listened to the solemn, earnest, and really beautiful address
given by my dearest William. I felt unutterable things as I "looked at the
past and tried to realise the present. I felt as though I had more cause
to renew my covenant engagement with God than any of His children,
but oh, I realised deeply, inexpressibly the worthlessness of the offering
I had to present Him. Alas, I had so often renewed, but so seldom paid
my vows unto the Lord, and yet He has so richly filled my cup with
blessings, and so wonderfully given me the desire of my heart. Oh, for
grace rightly to enjoy and improve my many mercies ! Pray for me.

" I often think that God is trying me by prosperity and sunshine, for I
am, so far as outward things go, happier than I ever was in my life.
Sometimes my heart seems burdened with a sense of my unmerited
mercies, and tears of gladness stream down my cheeks. I tremble lest
any coldness and want of spirituality should provoke the Lord to dash
the cup from my lips, even while I am exulting in its sweetness. Oh,
my darling mother, you cannot think how my soul often luxuriates in
its freedom from anxiety and apprehension about the future, and how
sweetly it rests in tranquil confidence where it used to be so tossed and
distracted by many elements and emotions. You know something of its
past exercises, but you can imperfectly judge of its present satisfaction.
I tell you of it, however, that you may rejoicq with me.

" We think and talk much about you. I have mother's likeness on our

76 Mrs. Booth.

bedroom chimney-piece, and it gets many a kiss, and many a wiping;
bless you ! I long to see you both. I trust we shall yet make a family
in Christ on earth, and an unbroken family in heaven."

The next two months — December and January— were
spent in Leeds. The services were held during the first few
weeks at Hunslet, a suburb of the city, being afterwards
transferred to Ebenezer Chapel, in another and more central
district.

Despite the interruptions of Christmas, a church bazaar
and some anniversary sermons, the services were marked
with the usual success. More than eight hundred conver-
sions were recorded during the time, and the concluding
meetings were the most crowded and powerful of the series.

" January 8th, 1856.

" The work is progressing gloriously. On Sunday night the sermon
was one of extraordinary power and influence, and during the prayer
meeting they took fifty names. Last night again they took thirty-five,
some of them first-rate cases. William was just in his element. But
his body is not equal to it, I am sure, and I cannot but feel anxious on
this point. I am often congratulated on having such a husband, and
sometimes told that I ought to be the happiest of women. And I am
happy. Nevertheless I have anxieties peculiar to my own sphere. I
see the uncertainty of health and life and all things, which I trust keeps
me from being unduly elated by present prosperity."

" January 16th, 1856.

" The finish at Hunslet was grand ! Five hundred names were taken
in all. The gentleman I mentioned in my last two (the Councillor) was
one of the last sheaves of this glorious harvest ; he gave in his name on
the last night. Another gentleman of talent and influence, a backslider,
was restored on the Thursday night, making gjad the heart of a devoted
wife, who had been praying for him for a long, long time.

" The commencement at Ebenezer Chapel on Sunday was most
encouraging. The influence in the morning was very precious ; the
people wept and responded all over the building. The muster of leaders
in the vestry after the preaching was better than at any previous place,
and many of them were evidently very superior men. We were quite
surprised at finding such a staff of workers. At night the chapel was
packed, and upwards of twenty names were taken. Amongst those in
distress, was a gentleman well known in the society, and brother to two
of the principal families in it, as well as three or four more very respect-
able and intelligent individuals. The last two evenings the congrega-
tions have been excellent, and about forty names have been faken."

Sheffield. Chatsivortli. Deivsbury. Leeds. 77

" LEEDS, January, 1856.

" The work here is one of the best we have yet witnessed. Above a
hundred names have been taken on the week, and some of them very
important. Yesterday was a glorious day. At the love-feast many were
unable to get in, and at night (I was present) hundreds went away. So
great were the numbers outside that it was given out there would be
preaching in the schoolroom. I never saw human beings more closely
packed than the poor things who stood in the aisles. My heart ached
for them. The chapel was crowded above and below till near ten
o'clock. I think everybody was deliphted with the sermon, I mean the
saints, the sinners felt something besides admiration ! "

" HUNSLET, February 5th, 1856.

"Your welcome letter is to hand, and though I have but time for a
few lines I will send you one lest you should be anxious. The finish-up
at Leeds was gloriously triumphant. The tea-meeting at Hunslet sur-
passed anything we have yet experienced. I would have given a good
deal for you to have been present. My precious William excelled him-
self, and electrified the people. You would indeed have participated in
my joy and pride could you have heard and seen what I did. Bless the
Lord, 0 my soul !''

Here Mr. Booth breaks in :

" I have just come into the room where my dear little wife is writing this
precious document, and snatching the paper have read the above eulo-
gistic sentiments. I just want to say that the very same night she gave
me a curtain lecture on my ' block-headism,' stupidity, etc., and lo, she
writes to you after this fashion. However she is a precious, increasingly
precious treasure to me, despite the occasional dressing-down that I
come in for."

Mrs. Booth resumes :

" We have had a scuffle over the above, but I must let it go, for I have
not time to write another, having an engagemeut at two o'clock, and it
is now near one. But I must say in self-defence that it was not about the
speech or anything important that the said curtain lecture was given,
but only on a point which in no way invalidates my eulogy."

CHAPTER IX,

HALIFAX. MACCLESFIELD. SHEFFIELD. NOTTINGHAM.
CHESTER. 1856-7.

FROM Leeds Mr. and Mrs. Booth removed to Halifax, where
the next two months were spent. The Rev. J. Stacey, who
was superintendent of the circuit, and afterwards President
of the Conference, reports that no less than 641 names were
taken, and that of these nearly 400 became members of his
church.

The visit to Halifax was prolonged by an interesting
event, the birth of Mr. and Mrs. Booth's eldest son William
Bramwell, the present Chief of the Staff of the Salvation
Army. Writing the next day to announce the event to Mr.
and Mrs. Mumford, Mr. Booth says :

" Sunday, March 9th, 1856.

" HALIFAX.

"MY DEAR MOTHER AND FATHER,— It is with feelings of unutterable
gratitude and joy that I have to inform you that at half-past eight last
night my dearest Kate presented us with a healthy and beautiful son.
The baby is a plump, round-faced, dark-complexioned, black-pated little
fellow. A real beauty. The Lord has indeed been very good to us.
Poor Kate has had a dreadful time, but the Lord in mercy has brought
her safely through."

A few days later we find Mrs. Booth herself sending the
following pencilled note to her i{ precious mother" :

" By a little subtlety I have succeeded in getting hold of paper and a
pencil, and now I am going to whisper a few words into your ear. Bless
you ! I do indeed think much about you. I now know what it is to be
a mother, and I feel as though I had never loved you half as well as I
ought to have done. Forgive all my shortcomings, and be assured I now
appreciate all your self-sacrifice on my behalf. My soul is full of grati-
tude to God for having brought me through ! I am doing better than I

78

Halifax. Macdesfield. Sheffield. Nottingham. 79

could have expected, considering how very ill I have been. My precious
babe is a beauty and very good. Farewell, till I can get hold of a pencil
again."

In a later letter she does not give quite so favourable an
account of the good behaviour of the future Chief, and one is
agreeably relieved to find that in his early days he was
capable of being " restless " and " fretful," after the manner
of ordinary babes. He became a special object of interest at
Mr. Booth's next halting place, Macclesfield, where he was

MR. BBAMWELL BOOTH.

presented by twenty-four young women working in a factory
with a Bible containing the following inscription :

"Presented to William Bramwell Booth by a few of his father's
friends.

" May this blest volume ever lie
Close to thy heart and near thine eye ;
Till life's last hour thy soul engage,
Be this thy chosen heritage."

So Mrs. Booth.

The presentation took place at a farewell tea-meeting,
which was attended by nine hundred persons, and the friend
who represented the factory lasses said that the gift was
intended :t as a slight acknowledgment of the spiritual bene-
fit they had received from Mr. Booth's labours, and in the
earnest hope that his infant son might be spared to imitate
his fathers character and career." The prayer has been
more than fulfilled, and we discern in that band of working
girls the embryo of the Hallelujah Lasses, who were to play
so important and prominent a part in the subsequent history
of the Salvation Army, and -who were to present on behalf of
a sinful world not merely their Bibles, but themselves, as
living epistles known and read of all men.

Eeferring to the Macclesfield meetings in later years, Mrs.
Booth says:

" I was still very weak, and unable therefore to attend many services,
but those at which I was present were very blessed times. Perhaps in
no town that I had yet visited was there so intense an excitement, such
crowded audiences, and such large numbers seeking mercy. One strik-
ing feature of this revival consisted in the crowds of women from the
silk factories, who attended the meetings and came forward for salvation.
It was a touching sight to watch them on their way to the chapel with
their shawls over their heads. They were especially kind to me and the
baby. Sometimes they would come in troops and sing in front of my
windows.

" Bramwell was baptised during our stay at Macclesfield, his father
performing the ceremony. There were about thirty babies baptised at
the same time. Not wishing the ceremony to interfere with the revival
services, we had them all postponed to one day, making it the occasion of
a special demonstration and an appeal to parents to consecrate their
children to the service of God.

" I had from the first infinite yearnings over Bramwell. I held him
up to God as soon as I had strength to do so, and I remember specially
desiring that he should be an advocate of holiness. In fact we named
him after the well-known holiness preacher, with the earnest prayer that
he might wield the sword with equal trenchancy in the same cause. I
felt from the beginning that he was ' a proper child.' At an early age he
manifested signs of intelligence and ability. He resembled me especially
in one particular, that was in taking upon himself responsibility. As
he grew up I always felt that he was a sort of father to the younger
children. He was very conscientious too. I remember once letting him
go to a friend's house to tea when he was only three years old, telling him

Halifax. Macclesfield. Sheffield. Nottingham. 81

that he must not take more than two pieces of cake. I was not present,
and the friends tried to persuade him to take more, but he would not dis-
obey me. This characteristic grew with him through life. I could always
trust his word.. I cannot remember his ever telling me a falsehood. If
at any time he got into mischief he always came to me and confessed it.
He was of a very active and restless disposition. I do not think he ever
sat five minutes at a time on anybody's knee. His energy as a child
was something marvellous."

Those who have attended Mr. Bramwell Booth's holiness
meetings, or who have witnessed, his patient and laborious
toil at the International Headquarters, as the General's right
hand and as Chief of the Staff of the entire Salvation Army,
will testify to the fact that the prayerful toil of his sainted
mother has indeed reaped a rich reward.

While the meetings were still continuing in Macclesfield
the Annual Conference met at Chester. "After maturely
considering the case of the Rev. W. Booth, whose labours
have been so abundantly blessed of God in the conversion of
souls, it was again resolved that he continue to labour in the
capacity of an evangelist for the next year, with suitable
intervals of rest. May our brother be more than ever
successful in the great and glorious work in which he is
engaged."

From Macclesfield Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to Yar-
mouth and thence to Sheffield. The New Connexion had
established two circuits in this city, the Northern arid the
Southern. The latter had already been visited during the
previous year, and the marvellous results accomplished had
made the Northern Circuit equally anxious to receive Mr.
Booth. After several postponements the Annual Committee
had at length decided to gratify their request. Mr. and
Mrs. Booth were welcomed in the warm-hearted fashion so
characteristic of the Sheffielders.

While Sheffield certainly was not lacking in intellectual
force, its people were distinguished by a large-heartedness
and a warmth of affection which made the task of ministering
to their spiritual wants the more cigrceablee They welcomed
•Mr. and Mrs, Booth with opan army, Many of the 'convert*"

Q

82 Mrs. Booth.

of the previous year flocked round them, helping to inspire
them for the fresh efforts which they were about to put forth.
The results of the next six weeks' campaign were glorious.
The chapel was crowded, hundreds being frequently turned
away for want of room, and 646 names were taken.

Describing the final meetings to her mother Mrs. Booth
writes :

" October 10th.

" Our farewell tea-meeting went off gloriously. Upwards of twelve
hundred sat down for tea, and scores were sent away with money in their
hands, because they had not tickets and the friends were afraid there
would not be room for them. It is calculated that there were more than
two thousand people in the hall after tea. I sat on the platform, next
to the star of the assembly, a prominent and proud position, I assure
you. It was a splendid sight, such a dense mass of heads and happy
faces ! I would have given a sovereign willingly for you to have been
there. I have been in many good and exciting meetings, but never in
such an one as that. I never saw an assembly ^o completely enthralled
and enchanted as this one was while my beloved was speaking. He
spoke for near two hours, never for one moment losing the most perfect
control over the minds and hearts of the audience. I never saw a mass
of people so swayed and carried at the will of the speaker but once or
twice in my life. The cheers were deafening, and were prolonged for
several minutes. I cannot give you any just idea of the scene. I will
send you a paper containing an account of the meeting. It was a
triumphant finish, and has given me considerable comfort and en-
couragement."

From Sheffield Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded for a six
weeks' campaign to Birmingham, and thence to Nottingham,
Mr. Booth's birthplace. With the exception of a few days
spent from time to time with his mother, he had seen nothing
of it since leaving for London in 1849. He observes in his
journal :

" Sunday, November 30th, 1856. —My native town. Concerning this
place I must confess I have entertained some fears. Being so well
known and remembering that a prophet is not without honour save in
his own country, I had dreaded the critical hearing of those for whom I
had in my youth contracted that reverence which in after life perhaps
never fully leaves us. However, my confidence was in my message and
my trust was in my Master."

Halifax. Macelesfield. Sheffield. Chester. 83

A little later he is able to summarise the six weeks' work
in the following encouraging terms :

" I concluded in a most satisfactory manner. About seven hundred
and forty names have been taken, and, on the whole, the success has far
exceeded my expectations, and has been a cause for sincere gratitude.
My great concern is for the future. Oh, that preachers and people may
permanently secure the harvest and go on to still greater and more
glorious triumphs."

When it is remembered that Mr. Booth was only twenty-
seven at the time of his visit, and that he had been but two
and a half years in the New Connexion ministry, the result
of these meetings will appear the more remarkable.

Mrs. Booth sends the following account to her parents :

" December 15th, 1856.

" The work here exceeds anything I have yet witnessed. Yesterday
the chapel, which is a very large one, seating upwards of twelve hundred
people, was full in the morning, and at night hundreds went away unable
' to get in. It was so packed that all the windows and doors had to be
set wide open. Sixty-seven came forward in the prayer, meeting.

" The movement is taking hold of the town. The preacher and his
plans are the topics of conversation in all directions. Numbers of
William's old Wesley an friends come, and the infidels are mustering
their forces. The Mayor and Mayoress, with a family of five young
men, are regular attendants, and stayed to the prayer mee'ing the other
night. The folks seem as if one of the old prophets had risen or John
the Baptist come again. It is so different to their ordinary routine. I
never saw so respectable an audience, and yet one so riveted in their
attention. How ready the Lord is to work when man will work too ! "

From Nottingham Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to London
for a fortnight's rest, spending the time with Mr. and Mrs.
Mumford.

Leaving Mrs. Booth and the baby with her parents in
London, Mr. Booth proceeded to Chester, where he en-
countered difficulties of a somewhat novel nature. The
minister, the Rev. D. Round, gave him a most hearty re-
ception. The people also co-operated. Bat some time after
the meetings had commenced a newspaper came out with an
attack on the revival, and this for the moment checked the
progress of the work. It was a new and therefore painful

84 Mrs. Booth.

experience to the young preacher, whose sensitive nature
tempted him to shrink from the encounter. A kindly
Providence, however, prevented his foreseeing the ink}'
oceans of inisrepresentatipn and calumny through which
his bark was yet to sail, or perhaps the prospects would
have utterly discouraged his heart.

But keenly as he felt the slanders and deeply as he re-
gretted their influence in preventing penitents from coming
forward with their usual readiness at his meetings, he fought
his way resolutely through and achieved a complete success,
which was only rendered the more striking by the temporary
pause. More than a hundred persons came forward during
the last three daj^s, and the farewell meeting and tea were
as enthusiastic as any that had gone before. More than four
hundred names were taken during the five weeks of his stay.

As soon as the Chester meetings were brought to a con-
clusion Mr. Booth took train to London, where he rejoined
Mrs. Booth and started with her for Bristol.

From Bristol, Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to Truro, by
train as far as Plymouth, and then by coach. The latter
part of the journey was especially trying. The rain de-
scended in torrents. There was barely room for Mrs. Booth
inside. She was too ill to take little Willie, who soon, how-
ever, fell asleep in his nurse's arms upon the box, equally
unconscious of the storm and of the dye from his nurse's
bonnet strings, which smothered his face with blue, causing
him to present a somewhat ludicrous appearance on reaching
his journey's end.

<; It was a wearying affair, I can assure you," Mrs. Booth writes a few
days afterwards. " I have not yet got over it, though considerably better
than I was yesterday. William also is very poorly with his throat and
head. I fear he took cold on the journey. « Babs ' seems to have stood
it the best of any of us. Bless him ! He \vas as good as a little angel,
almost all the way through. He has just accomplished the feat of
saying ' Papa.' It is his first intelligible word.

"Truro is a neat, clean little town, and surrounded by very lovely
scenery. The climate is much milder than that of Bristol. The vegeta.
tioii is much more advanced^ flowers iu full bloom, and hedges iu leaf*

Halifax. Macclesfield. Sheffield. Cornwall. 85

It reminds me somewhat of Guernsey. There is just the same softness
and humidity about the atmosphere.

" You will be glad to hear that my precious husband had a good
beginning yesterday. There was a large congregation in the morning,
and at night the chapel was very full. I trust there will be a glorious
move. If so it will be worth all the toil, and I shall be amply repaid.
He seems full of faith and power. To God be all the glory ! "

" This was our first visit," Mrs. Booth tells us, " to Corn-
wall, and we both regarded it with no little interest. We
had heard much about Cornish Methodism. Indeed, it was
said to be the religion of the county. The people were
saturated with Methodistic teaching. Chapels were to be
seen everywhere, in the towns, on the moors, by the sea-
coast. There they stood, great square buildings, often with
scarcely a house in sight, apparently equal to the need of
districts with three times the population. But people or no
people, there stood the chapel, and it was usually a Wesleyan
one. Not only so, but the congregations were there, crowd-
ing it to the doors each Sunday. The parent Wesleyan
church was very much in the ascendant. Our cause was
extremely low. In fact, it was confined to Truro, and a
single outpost at St. Agnes, a small town in the neighbour-
hood.

" We had heard a good deal about previous Cornish re-
vivals, and the excitability of the people at such times.
Hence we expected to find them eager to listen, easily
moved, and ready to be convinced. But in this we were
at first a good deal disappointed. Although after a time wre
found ourselves in a perfect hurricane of excitement, yet
nowhere had the people evinced at the start such a capacity
for resisting the claims of God and steeling their hearts
against all persuasions. Pure children of emotion, when
once carried away by their feelings, it was difficult to place
any curb upon their expression.

" For the first four or five days, however, we could not
persuade them to get saved. For one thing they objected
to the penitent form. It was to them a new institution, and
they regarded it with suspicion. They were waiting, too,

86 Mrs. Booth.

for the feelings under the influence of which they had
hitherto been particularly accustomed to act. The appeals
to their judgment, their reason, and their conscience were
not sufficient to induce them to come forward. They did
not see the value of action upon principle rather than on
motion. However, at length the break came. It was the
Friday following the Sabbath on which the General com-
menced his meetings in the town. It was a Good Friday,
10th April, the anniversary of our engagement."

Mr. Booth describes the meeting in a letter written the
next day to Mr. and Mrs. Mumford :

" We had a very glorious stir last night — such a meeting
for excitement and thrilling interest as I never before
witnessed. The people had been restraining their feelings
all the week. Many of them had been stifling their con-
victions. But it burst out last night, and they shouted and
danced and wept and screamed and knocked themselves
about, until I was fairly alarmed lest serious consequences
might ensue. However, through mercy all went off
gloriously, twenty-seven persons professing to find salva-
tion. Praise the Lord for ever ! I am happy, but weary.
I have had nine public services this week, have to attend a
meeting to-night, and three more to-morrow."

Of those who came forward that night were some pro-
mising young men, several of whom afterward became
ministers, one of them occupying a very prominent position.
From this time the work went forward in a most encourag-
ing manner.

From Truro, Mr. and Mrs. Booth went to Stafford, where
they learnt to their surprise that the Conference had decided
to appoint them to the pastoral charge of a circuit, promising,
however, to allow a renewal of the evangelistic work at the
end of a year. This decision they, with some reluctance,
accepted, and proceeded to their destination, the town of
Brighouse.

CHAPTER X.
BRIGHOUSE. 1857-1858.

THE year spent at this place was, perhaps, the saddest and
most discouraging of their whole ministerial career. There
was, however, a domestic event which served, perhaps, more

C05IJIANDER BALLINGTON BOOTH.

than anything to brighten the dull tedium of the Brighouse
days. They had scarcely settled in their new home when
Mr. and Mrs. Booth received for a second time, in the birth
of their son, Ballington, the peculiar token of Divine favour

88 Mrs. Booth.

which only a parent's heart can fully appreciate. It was
indeed as a Gilead-balm to their wounded spirits, cementing
freshly the domestic bliss of their union, which seemed but
the brighter in contrast with the present gloom of the
outward prospect. How much greater would have been
their joy could they have anticipated the still distant and
uncertain future.

The history of the Salvation Army has been largely the
history of its founders and of their family. It presents the
altogether unique spectacle of a great religious organisation
that has attained to world-wide proportions, of which the
embryonic germ was contained within the four corners of a
family, long before it had burst into public notoriety. The
earliest and, to this da}^, among the most effective of General
Booth's recruits have been his own children. He wished, at
first, that they had been less numerous ; but when they came
to take their places in helping* him to bear the burden and
heat of the day, he was only sorry, he tells us, that " instead
of eight there were not eighty ! " Trained from childhood
to obey, in an age whose tendency is to overleap the traces
of parental authority, they have formed a valuable nucleus,
round which Mr. and Mrs. Booth have been able to gather
their recruits. Inspired from infancy with the passion for
souls which animated their parents, they have constituted
an object-lesson to all who have since joined them beneath
the Salvation Army flag.

It is true there are some, who are so difficult to please
and ready to find fault, that they raise objections to what is
at once the strength and glory of the movement, complaining
that undue prominence has been given to the members of
the family. But it is a singular fact that those who hold
this opinion are usually those who are the least acquainted
with them, and who therefore speak on such superficial
grounds that their opinion is entitled to but little weight.

They appear to forget, moreover, that one of the chief rea-
sons wiry Abraham became the recipient of the Divine promises
was the knowledge that he would " command his house,'' and

Brighouse. 89

that Eli became the object of a special curse for his laxity
in this respect. The whole house of Israel was, after all,
in a far stricter sense, a " family affair." The priestly house
of Levi was the same. The Bible abounds with examples
of a similar character, and contains numberless commands
and promises to parents regarding the training of their
children, and the rewards that should accompany obedience.
Their "sons " and their "daughters "were to prophesy, as
in the case of Philip the Evangelist.

In modern days the history of the Quakers has furnished
most remarkable instances of a heredity of holiness running
through many generations and extending over a period of
two hundred years. Indeed, had Mr. and Mrs. Booth failed
in this respect, it is probable that such critics would have
been the first to point the finger of scorn. But because they
have succeeded to so marvellous a degree in persuading
their children to forego the pleasures and emoluments of the
world, when to do so has meant shame, reproach, and suffer-
ing, some must needs cavil. Truly the mysteries of criticism
are unfathomable and its ways past finding out !

" I will not have a wicked child," was the passionate and
oft-repeated declaration of Mrs. Booth, who used to pray in
the very presence of her children that she might rather have
to lay them in an early grave than to mourn over one who
had deserted the path of righteousness. Her petition was
more than granted, and she had the satisfaction of seeing
them all fully consecrated to God's service. Indeed, it was
one of the peculiar powers of Mrs. Booth's ministry that she
could drive home her appeals to others by pointing to the
example of her own family. The argument was unanswer-
able. She was able to show that it was no mere accident of
nature or of circumstance that made them differ so widely
from others, but that by the proper use of the necessary
means others might achieve what she had herself accom-
plished.

In dealing with this subject Mrs. Booth has remarked :

" 'They have put their children into the movement,' people say. Yes.

90 Mrs. Booth.

bless God ! and if we had twenty, we would do so. But I stand here
before God, and say that it is all from the same motive and for the same
end— the seeking and saving of the lost. But I ask, How comes it to pass
that these children all grow up with this one ambition and desire ? Is
not this the finger of God ? Some of our critics don't find it so easy to
put their children where they want them to be ! Could all the powers of
earth give these young men and women the spirit of this work, apart
from God ? Some of you know the life of toil, self-sacrifice, and devotion
this work entails. Wbat could bring our children to embrace it without
a single human inducement such as influences other young people the
world over ? As spirits are not finely touched but to fine issues, so
surely God hath fashioned their souls for the work He wants them to
do ; and though all the mother in me often cries, Spare them ! my soul
magnifies the Lord, because He hath counted me worthy of such
honour."

The commencement of the new year was darkened for Mrs.
Booth by an exceptional cloud of suffering. She was threat-
ened with a return of the spinal malady which had previously
afflicted her, and entertained serious thoughts of placing her
self under galvanic treatment, from which she had formerly
received great benefit.

" I have only been to chapel twice during the last month," she writes
to her mother, " and had to come away each time, once being carried
out, I was so faint and ill. It is the Band of Hope meeting to night, but
I dare not go. I have not been able to attend it for six weeks. So are
my plans frustrated with a becrippled body ! I must say I am almost
weary of it. and sometimes feel that if it were not for the children it
would be nice to lay this troublesome, crazy body down.

" "William was talking the other day about the different bodies we shall
have after the resurrection. I replied that I hoped so, or I should never
want to find mine any more. I would leave it to the worms for an ever-
lasting portion, and prefer to live without one ! It is much harder to
suffer than to labour, especially when you have so many calls on your
attention. It is so different lying ill in bed now, with two children,
perhaps one crying against the other, to what it used to be with no re-
sponsibility or care, and a kind, loving mother to anticipate every want !
But enough ! The cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink
it? Especially seeing it is so much better than I have merited."

The Conference met in May at Hull. Mr. Booth was
unanimously received into what is termed full connexion, his
four years of probation having now expired. He was accord-
ingly summoned tc present himself for ordination. This was

Brighoiise. 9 1

a somewhat formidable ceremony. The President for the
year, and the ex-Presidents of former years, stood upon the
platform for the purpose of "laying hands" on the candi-
dates, who were previously called upon to give an account of
their conversion, and of their reasons for seeking ordination.

Mr. Booth had stipulated with some of those in whose piety
and devotion he thoroughly believed, that he should be near
them and reap whatever advantage might accrue from their
faith and prayers, while there were others whom he studiously
avoided, feeling that if the laying on of hands involved the
impartation of the character and spirit they possessed, he
would rather dispense with it !

Meanwhile, no sooner had it become known that Mr. Booth
was likely to take a circuit, than the lay delegate from
Gateshead put forth his utmost influence to secure his ser-
vices. Not that the prospect Vas a specially inviting one.
The cause in Gateshead was very low. Nominally, there
were some ninety members on the rolls of the town chapel
(Bethesda, as it was called), but few of these attended class,
and the ordinary Sunday-night congregation only numbered
about one hundred and twenty. Still, these were difficulties
which did not daunt Mr. Booth. The people were anxious to
have him, and this in itself promised well for their hearty
co-operation in any efforts that he might put forth. The
town was a large one, numbering at that time a population
of about 50,000. And just across the waters of the Tyne
was the mother city of Newcastle. Realising, therefore, that
the town and neighbourhood afforded so large a scope for his
labours, Mr. Booth consented to the appointment.

CHAPTER XI.
GATESHEAD, — THE CONVERTING SHOP. 1858-9.

THE change from Brigliouse to Gateshead was like a transfer
from the North Pole to the Equator. Although the members
were not numerous, they were warm-hearted.

" They had a social tea-meeting last evening," writes Mrs. Booth to
her parents, as soon as she could put pen to paper in her Gateshead
home, " to welcome us into the circuit, and we were highly gratified, I
can assure yon. In fact you could hardly conceive a more marked con-
trast than between our reception here and at Brighouse. It is all we can
desire. The leading men say they have got the best appointment in the
Connexion. I wish you could have heard Mr. Fhbank's speech, the
gentleman who went to Conference as their delegate. He told us after-
ward some of the remarks made to him by several of the leading
members of the Conference, when the first reading came out with our
names down for Gateshead, such as ' Don't you wish you may get it ? '
* It's too good to stand ! ' etc. It enlightened us much as to the estimate
in which, after all, the bulk of the Conference hold William's ability and
value to the Connexion.

" Well, the people here seem unanimous in their satisfaction and
cordiality. I like them much, so far as I have seen them. They appear
intelligent and warm-hearted. The chapel is a beautiful building, and
seats l,2oO, they say. I have consented to meet a class again, provided
I can have it at home, as the chapel is more than half a mile distant,
.and it is uphill coming back."

The bright anticipations with which the people met their
new pastor were more than realised. The congregations be-
gan rapidly to increase. At the very first Sunday-night
meeting six persons professed salvation, and the occasion was
made the more interesting by what was then an unheard-of
novelty — the minister's wife leading off in prayer at the
conclusion of the sermon !

Before many weeks had passed the attendance at Bethesda

93

Gateshead, — The Converting Shop. 93

Chapal had doubled and quadrupled, till at length not only
was every seat taken, but it was not uncommon for the aisles
and every available spot to be occupied, so that some two
thousand persons were crowded within the walls. The fame
of the work spread all around and gained for the chapel the
sobriquet of the " Converting Shop." If the title was not
dignified, it was at least very significant, and served, per-
haps, to pave the way for the similar commonplace epithets
which were to distinguish the poor man's cathedrals of the
Salvation Army.

The public houses, which cater for the taste of the
very classes whom the Salvation Army was afterwards
to reach, have long recognised the value of this peculiar
species of nomenclature, and it is interesting to trace thus
early the introduction of the dialect of the common people.
Neither was it to be confined to the names of places. The
familiar phraseology of the taproom was hereafter to be
adopted to an extent that caused considerable alarm among
those who confound reverence with refinement, and who are
more afraid of vulgarity than of sin. To such it has seemed
little short of blasphemy to dub a church a " barracks," to
speak of a preacher as a " Hallelujah lass " or " lad," a
"Happy Eliza," or a "Glory Tom," — to call a meeting a
" free-and-easy," and, in short, to adopt the* every-day lan-
guage of the poor.

It was worth noting, however, that nearly every such
expression had been coined by the people themselves, often
by the unconverted roughs who form the bulk of our open-
air congregations. They have suited the popular taste, and
thus have spread from one place to another, in exactly the
same manner as the early Christians were derisively nick-
named in Antioch, or the Quakers, Methodists and Teetotalers
in later days. In Ceylon a Salvationist is familiarly known
among Buddhists as a " Gelavoonkaraya " — Saviour — while
in South India, in expression of the same idea, the Hindoos
reckon that he belongs to the Hatch agar caste. All popular
movements are bound more or less to partake of this characters

94 Mrs. Booth.

Nor is it complained of in politics, where we tolerate the
existence of Whigs, Tories, Jingoes, Primroses, and similar
vulgarities.

There can be little doubt that the adoption of a stilted,
unnatural, high-flown, bookish phraseology in matters per-
taining to religion has served largely to alienate the lower
classes from its pursuit. Ministers talk a foreign language,
largely learned from books. Theology has long since been

MBS. BOOTH-CLIBBORN.

divorced from the vulgar colloquial of the common people, and
has been united in matrimony to the language of a bygone
age. Hence it has had to content itself for its conquests
with those who have been sufficiently educated to understand
its terms.

But however this may be, Bethesda Chapel certainly took
a new lease of life from the time that it wras popularly chris-
tened the " Converting Shop."

Gateshead, — The Converting Shop. 95

The first year spent by Mr. and Mrs. Booth in Gateshead
was signalised by the birth of their eldest daughter, Catherine,
now Mrs. Booth-Clibborn, better known to the public as the
" Marechale." This interesting event took place on the 18th
September, 1858. " Baby is a little beauty," reports Mr.
Booth to Mr. and Mrs. Mumford, " a perfect gem, healthy and
quiet, and is altogether all the fondest grandfather or grand-
mother could desire. I am sure you ought to send us a vote
of thanks, passed unanimously, for conferring such honour
upon you."

The vote of thanks asked for by Mr. Booth was to come
from quarters of which he had then not the slightest sus-
picion. The baby girl that Mrs. Booth clasped with such
fondness to her heart, telling her mother that she loved her
better than the rest, because the others being boys were
better able to look after themselves, was to be the first mis-
sionary of the family, and the love and blessing of thousands
of French and Swiss converts were yet to be hers.

Writing to her mother, Mrs. Booth says :

"As to the baby, I suppose you will think me like all mothers when I
say sbe is a little beauty ! Her hair is exactly the colour of mine. She
has a nice nose and mouth, a fine forehead, and a plump round face.
"William thinks she is more like me than any of them. She is the
picture of health and happiness, and thrives daily. Now I hope this
description is particular enough even for a grandmama."

A series of revival services was inaugurated during the year,
commencing on Whit-Monday with an entire day of fasting
and prayer, lasting from seven in the morning till ten at night
— the first " all day of prayer " of which we have any record,
and the precursor of the many " all days," " all nights," and
" two days with God," which have since been made a blessing to
so many thousands. And yet from the very commencement of
Mr. Booth's ministry, Sunday has been practically spent as
an " all day." The possibility of extending the idea to week-
days, and especially to holidays, was, however, a later
development. Hence the first experiment in this direction
is of special interest.

96 Mrs. Booth.

It was followed by ten weeks of special services, the whole
town being previously canvassed with bills which were dis-
tributed from house .to house, Mrs. Booth herself undertaking
one district which contained about a hundred and fifty houses.
As a result of this effort more than three hundred persons
professed to be converted, many of them being young men,
who not only became useful members of the church, but
afterwards rose to positions of distinction as mayors, alder-
men, magistrates, and ministers.

The spiritual revival was accompanied by an encouraging
improvement in the financial position of the circuit. Not
only were the old debts wiped off, but the funds became
sufficient to support three, instead of two ministers, and to
meet with ease all the current liabilities. It would have
been possible at the previous Conference for Mr. Booth to
have secured his appointment to a circuit the financial pros-
perity of which had been already assured, but this with him
was always a secondary consideration. He argued that the
best way to ensure the financial interests of any circuit was
to restore prosperity to its spiritual interests, and that in so
doing the former would never fail to revive. The truth of
this principle he has been able to demonstrate over and over
again during his subsequent career.

It was during the autumn of 1858 that an accident
occurred which, but for the Divine interposition, might have
brought Mrs. Booth's career to an untimely conclusion. She
thus describes the incident in a letter to her parents :

" Sunday evening.

" I have not been out to-day, in consequence of feeling stiff and poorly
from the effects of an accident which befell me on Friday. And -when I
have described it I am sure you will join me in praising God that I am
no worse. William has wanted me and the children to go to Sheriff
Hill ever since the special services there commenced, but we put it off
to the last. On Friday, however, we all went to the concluding services.
Mr. Scott brought a very nice conveyance and his own pony to fetch us.
We went in safety and comfort, enjoyed the meeting, and were coming
home at about half-past six.

" Through a little oversight, however, it was found we could not have
the same conveyance for return, but only a gig belonging te one of ow*

Gates/lead, — The Converting Shop. 97

friends. So, fortunately, I sent the nurse home on foot with the baby,
a young woman accompanying her. William delayed going into the
meeting to pack us off all right. Young Scott was driving, Willie sat in
the middle, and I with Ballington on my knee, all muffled and cloaked,
next to him. The moment we were all in I felt we were too light on the
horse's back, but did not say anything for fear of being thought ridi-
culous. We had not gone many yards, however, before I was sure we
were not safe, and I said to Mr. Scott, * Oh, dear ! I feel as though we
were slipping backwards ! ' I had hardly got the words out of my mouth
when the pony, frightened by the rising of the shafts, set off, and we
were all thrown out behind.

" I fell flat on the back of my head with Ballington on the top of me.
I don't know how Willie fell, but, wonderful to say, they were neither of
them hurt. William and all Mr. Scott's family still stood watching us
when it happened, and of course flew to our assistance, screaming as
they came. Indeed all the village was up in arms. The horse went off
with the gig at full gallop, not stopping until he fell flat down, breaking
both shafts.

" William lifted me in his arms and carried me back. One and
another took the children, and we all received the greatest care and
kindness from the Scotts, who were very much distressed. I was
greatly shaken and nearly all the sense knocked out of me, but I trust
no serious harm was done. I feel better this evening. Is it not a mercy
that I am able to write to you ? It seems wonderful to me that I have
escaped so well, considering that I was rendered so helpless by the child
being on my knee. It was a terrible crash, such as I would not like
again, but, bless the Lord, we are all alive and the children are not a
bit the worse. No one can account for the accident, but I think the
harnessing was wrong. I am sure the horse was not to blame. It is a
sweet creature and never did such a thing before, but the rising of the
shafts frightened it. Another mercy connected with it is, that we had
just got over some very large and sharp stones recently laid down, on to
an even road. If it had happened on the stones, I believe my head
would have been laid open.

"They borrowed a phaeton to bring us home, not a very comfortable
ride, I can assure you, after such a fright. However, we arrived safely,
and I am not likely to forget our visit to Sheriff Hill ! Willie says, ' Jig
boke ! Make Pilloo (Willie) fall ! And mama fall ! Poor mama ! Got
pain ! ' You would have been pleased to see what concern the little
creature manifested about me, when I lay on the sofa at Mr. Scott's. He
seemed to forget everybody but me. It has freshly endeared him to me.
How strange that after all our journeyings up and down without a single
accident, we should happen to have this one in going but two miles from
home. I trust I am becomingly thankful for such a favourable issue."

Mrs. Booth was careful to avoid manifesting any sort of

H

9§ Mrs. Booth.

favouritism in the treatment of her children. A year
previous to this, soon after Ballington's birth, Mr. Booth
writes as follows : •

"Kate says we must have no distinctions, such as forty kisses for
Willie and only twenty for Babs. No coat of many colours. You must
love both alike. Is this possible ? I am afraid not, especially when we
remember how grandmamma toiled and sacrificed over our first-born ! "

The following letter from Mrs. Booth to her mother shows
how consistently she adhered to her principles in regard to
her children's dress, and this from their very infancy :

" I was very sorry to hear you were so poorly. Do not sit so close at
work." (Mrs. Mumford was especially skilful with her needle. Some
graceful specimens of her handiwork have been preserved with care and
are now worn by her infant great grand-children.) " I am certain you
are injuring yourself by it, and it is such folly when I do not desire it,
and when the things that cost you the most labour lie in the drawers and
are seldom worn, simply because they are too handsome. What will you
say when 1 tell jou that the beautiful frock you brought Willie has never
been on him yet, and I am now altering it a little to make it less showy,
so that he may wear it at the tea-meeting on Easter Monday?

"You see, my dear mother, William speaks so plainly on the subject
of dress, that it would be the most glaring inconsistency if I were to deck
out my children as the worldlings do. And besides, I find it would be
dangerous for their own sakes. The seed of vanity is too deeply sown in
the young heart for me to dare to cultivate it. I confess it requires some
self-denial to abstain from making them as beautiful as they might be
made to look. But oh, if God should take them from me I should never
regret it, and if He spares them, I trust that He will grant them the
more of that inward adorning, which is in His sight of great price.

" Don't think I undervalue your kindness. I am most grateful for all
you have done for them. Only I want you to modify it. There is, you
know, a great difference between a plain coat without a bit of work at all
upon it, and one which would set everybody admiring and saying, ' I
should think it would be five shillings a yard ! ' I am sure you will not
misunderstand either what I say or the motive which prompts me to say
it."

Who can tell how many careless mothers sow in their
children's hearts the seeds of worldliness, and reap an after
harvest of the most painful kind ? Ah, what sins and sorrows,
what failures and disasters can be traced back to the wrong
teachings of a nursery! And, on the contrary, how many a

Gate she ad,— The Converting Shop. 99

noblo character lias been shaped within its precincts "by tho
wise hand of a watchful mother ! Referring many years
subsequently to the question of simplicity in dress, Mrs.
Booth remarks :

" Associated with my very earliest ideas of religion was the necessity
for plainness for dress. It seemed to me clear from the teachings of the
Bible that Christ's people should be separate from the world in everything
which denoted character, and that they should not only be separate, hut
appear so. Otherwise what benefit would their separation confer upon
the others ?

" I remember feeling condemned, when quite a child, not more than
eight years old, at having to wear a lace tippet such as was fashionable
in those days. From a worldly point of view it would have been con-
sidered no doubt very neat and consistent. But on several occasions I
had good crying fits over it. Not only did I instinctively feel it to he
immodest, because people could see through it, but I thought it was not
such as a Christian child should wear.

" As I advanced in religious experience, I became more and more con-
vinced that my appearance ought to be such as to show to everybody
with whom I came in contact that I had renounced the pomps and
vanities of the world, and tbat I belonged to Christ. Had the Church to
which I belonged worn a uniform I should joyfully have adopted it. I
always felt that it was mean to be ashamed of Christ in the street or
among His enemies. And it was only in conformity to the opinions of
those whom I regarded as my superiors in wisdom and grace that I con-
formed to the world as much as I did in the matter of dress.

" People have asked me sometimes whether we cannot be separate
from the world in our hearts without beiug different in our dress. My
reply has been, ' What is the use to the world of a testimony for Christ
up in your bedroom ? The very essence of witnessing for God before the
world is that we should not be like it.' The people quite recognise this,
whether Ckristians do or not. Hence their contempt for those who talk
to them about religion while dressed as fashionably as themselves. They
may listen out of politeness, but they will say in their hearts, and ofteii
when our backs are turned, with their lips, 'Physician, heal thyself!
Why does she come and talk to me about giving up the world when she
has not done so herself, at any rate as far as dress is concerned.' "

Deeply as Mrs. Booth was attached to her family; and ably
as she fulfilled the duties of a mother, many circumstances
combined about this period to direct her energies into a more
public sphere. Mr. Booth had long been convinced that she
was peculiarly fitted to address large audiences. Others
shared the opinion. " I received a unanimous invitation,"

ioo Mrs. Booth.

writes Mrs. Booth, in September, 1859, " from our Leaders'
meeting the other night to give an address at the special
prayer-meetings this week. Of course I declined. .1 don't
know what they can be thinking of ! "

But although for some time longer Mrs. Booth still found
it impossible to overcome her timidity in this direction,
another path of usefulness opened out before her in an
unexpected manner, which was, perhaps, the best possible
preparation for the public ministry that was soon to take
its place. We cannot do better than describe it in her own
words :

" One Sabbatli I was passing down a narrow, thickly populated street
on my way to chapel, anticipating an evening's amusement for myself,
and hoping to see some anxious ones brought into the kingdom, when I
chanced to look up at the thick rows of small windows above me, where
numbers of women were sitting, peering through at the passers by, or
listlessly gossiping with each other.

" It was suggested to my mind with great power, ' Would you not be
doing God more service, and acting more like your Redeemer, by turning
into some of these houses, speaking to these careless sinners, and in-
viting them to the service, than by going to enjoy it yourself?' I was
startled ; it was a new thought ; and while I was reasoning about, the
same inaudible interrogator demanded, ' What effort do Christians put
forth, answerable to the command, " Compel them to come in, that My
house may be filled " ? '

" This was accompanied with a light and unction which I knew to be
Divine. I felt greatly agitated. I felt verily guilty. I knew that I had
never thus laboured to bring lost sinners to Christ, and trembling with
a sense of my utter weakness, I stood still for a moment, looked up to
heaven, and said, • Lord, if Thou wilt help me, I will try ; » and without
stopping longer to confer with flesh and blood, turned back and com-
menced my work.

"I spoke first to a group of women sitting on a doorstep ; and oh !
what that effort cost me words cannot describe ; but the Spirit helped
my infirmities, and secured for me a patient and respectful hearing, with
a promise .from some of them to attend the house of God. This much
encouraged me ; I began to taste the joy which lies hidden under the
Cross ; and to realise, in some faint degree, that it is more blessed to
give than to receive. With this timely, loving cordial from my Master,
I went on to the next group, who were standing at the entrance of a low,
dirty court. Here again I was received kindly, and promises were given.
No rude repulse, no bitter ridicule were allowed to shake my new-found
confidence, or chill my feeble zeal. I began to realise that my Master's

Gateshead, — The Converting Shop. 101

feet were behind me ; nay, before me, smoothing my path and preparing
my way.

" This blessed assurance so increased my courage and enkindled my
hope that I ventured to knock at the door of the next house, and when
it was opened, to go in and speak to the inmates of Jesus, death, judg-
ment, and eternity. The man, who appeared to be one of the better
class of mechanics, seemed to be much interested and affected by my
words, and promised with his wife to attend the revival services which
were being held at the chapel.

" With a heart full of gratitude and eyes full of tears, I was thinking
where I should go next, when I observed a woman standing on an ad-
joining doorstep, with a jug in her hand. My Divine teacher said,
' Speak to that woman.' Satan suggested, ' Perhaps she is intoxicated ' ;
but after a momentary struggle, I introduced myself to her by saying,
' Are the people out who live on this floor ? ' observing that the lower
part of the house was closed. * Yes,' she said, ' they are gone to chapel ' ;
and I thought I perceived a weary sadness in her voice and manner.
I said, ' Oh, I am so glad to hear that ; how is it that you are not gone
to a place of worship ? ' ' Me ? ' she said, looking down upon her forlorn
appearance ; ' I can't go to chapel ; I am kept at home by a drunken
husband. I have to stop with him to keep him from the public-house,
and I have just been fetching him some drink.' I expressed my sorrow
for her, and asked if I might come in and see her husband. ' No,' said
she, ' he is drunk ; you could do nothing with him now.' I replied, ' I
do not mind his being drunk, if you will let me come in ; I am not
afraid ; he will not hurt me.' ' Well,' said the woman, ' you can come
if you like ; but he will only abuse you.' I said, ' Never mind that,' and
followed her up the stairs.

"I felt strong now in the Lord, and in the power of His might, and as
safe as a babe in the arms of its mother. I realised that I was in the
path of obedience, and I feared no evil. Oh, how much the Lord's peo-
ple lose through disobedience to the leadings of the Holy Spirit ! If they
would only keep His words He would dwell with them, and then they
need fear neither men nor devils.

" The woman led me to a small room on the first floor, where I found
a fine, intelligent man, about forty, sitting almost double in a chair,
with a jug by his side, out of which he had been drinking that which
had reduced him beneath the level of the beasts that perish. I leaned
on my heavenly Guide for strength and wisdom, love and power, and He
gave me all I needed. He silenced the demon, strong drink, and
quickened the man's perceptions to receive my words. As I began to
talk to him, with my heart full of sympathy, he gradually raised himself
in his chair, and listened with a surprised and half-vacant stare. I
spoke to him of his present deplorable condition, of the folly and wicked-
ness of his course, of the interests of his wife and children, until he was
thoroughly aroused from the stupor in which I found him.

IO2 Mrs. Booth.

" During this conversation his wife wept bitterly, and by fragments
told me a little of their previous history. I found that she had once
known the Lord, but had allowed herself to be dragged down by trouble,
had cast away her confidence, and fallen into sin. She told me that her
husband had a brother in the Wesleyan ministry, who had done all that
.1 brother could to save him ; that they had buried a daughter two years
before, who died triumphantly in the Lord, and besought her father with
her dying breath to leave off drinking, and prepare to meet her in
heaven ; that she had a son, then about eighteen, who, she feared, was
going iuto a consumption ; that her husband was a clever workman, and
could earn three or four pounds per week as a journeyman, but he drank
it nearly all, so that they were compelled to live in two rooms and often
went without necessary food. I read to him the parable of the Prodigal
Son, while the tears ran down his face like rain. I then prayed with
him as the Spirit gave me utterance, and left, promising to call the next
day with a temperance pledge book, which he agreed to sign.

" I now felt that my work was done. Exhausted in body, but happy
in soul, I wended my way to the sanctuary, just in time for the conclu-
sion of the service, and to lend a helping hand in the prayer-meeting."

In describing these visiting experiences afterwards, Mrs.
Booth says :

" I was obliged to go in the evenings, because it was the only part of the
day when I could get away. And even had it been otherwise. I should not
have found the men at home any other time. I used to ask one drunk-
ard's wife where another lived. They always knew. After getting hold
of eight or ten in this way, and persuading them to sign the pledge, I
used to arrange a cottage meeting for them, and then try to get them
saved. They used to let me talk to them in hovels, where there was not
a stick of furniture and nothing to sit down upon.

" I remember in one case finding a poor woman lying on a heap of
rags. She had just given birth to twins, and there was nobody of any
sort to wait upon her. I can never forget the desolation of that room.
By her side was a crust of bread, and a small lump of lard. ' I fancied
a bit o' bootter (butter),' the woman remarked apologetically, noticing
my eye fall upon the scanty meal, ' and my mon, he'd do owt for me he
could, bless'm — he couldna git me iny bootter, so he fitcht me this bit
o' lard. Have you iver tried lard isted o' bootter? It's rare tjood ! '
said the poor creature, making me wish I had taken lard for ' bootter '
all my life, that I might have been the better able to minister to her
needs. However, I was soon busy trying to make her a little more
comfortable. The babies I washed in a broken pie dish, the nearest
approach to a tub that I could find. And the gratitude of those large
eyes, that gazed upon me from that wan and shrunken face, can never
fade from my memory."

CHAPTER XII.
MRS. BOOTH COMMENCES PREACHING. 1859-GO.

IT was in December, 1859, that Mrs. Booth's attention was
drawn to a pamphlet written by a neighbouring minister,
the Rev. Arthur Augustus Rees, in which the right of
woman to preach was violently attacked on Scriptural
grounds. The occasion for this onslaught was the visit of
the American evangelists, Dr. and Mrs. Palmer, who were
holding services at the time in Newcastle. The Doctor him-
self was an earnest, good-natured, easy-going personage.
But the principal figure in the meetings was his wife. Mrs.
Palmer was a remarkable woman, intellectual, original, and
devoted. As a speaker, her chief attraction lay in her sim-
plicity, and in the striking illustrations with which her
addresses were interspersed. Aiming directly at the hearts
of her hearers, and relying evidently upon the co-operation
of the Holy Spirit, she became a rallying point for all that
was best and most earnest in the Churches. Mrs. Booth had
been unable to attend the meetings, but reports of them had
from time to time reached her, and the fact that a woman
was the prominent agent in this movement had deeply inter-
ested her. Hence she had no sooner heard of the pamphlet
published by Mr. Rees than her soul was stirred to its
deepest centre.

The replies which were issued by Mrs. Palmer's friends
and supporters " do not," writes Mrs. Booth to her mother,
"deal with the question at all to my satisfaction. They
make so many uncalled-for admissions, that I would almost
as soon answer her defenders as her opponent. I send you
by this post Mr. Rees' notable production. It wras delivered

103

IO4 Mrs. Booth.

in the form of an address to his congregation, and repeated
a second time, by request, to a crowded chapel, and then
published ! Would you believe that a congregation, half
composed of ladies, could sit and hear such self-depreciatory
rubbish ? They really don't deserve to be taken up cudgels
for!

" Mr. Rees was once a Church clergyman, and is now an
Independent minister with a congregation of upwards of a
thousand people. I hear he talks of publishing another
pamphlet. I hope he will wait a bit till I am stronger !
And if he does bring out any more in the same style, I rather
think of going to Sunderland and delivering an address in
answer to him. William says I should get a crowded house.
I really think I shall try, if he does not let us ladies alone !
I am sure I could do it. That subject would warm me up
anywhere and before anybody. William is always pestering
me to begin giving lectures, and certainly this would be a
good subject to start with. I am determined that he shall
not go unanswered."

In referring again to Mr. Rees' pamphlet, Mrs. Booth
subsequently writes to her mother :

" I am, after all, publishing a pamphlet in reply. It has
been a great undertaking for me, and is much longer than I
at first intended, being thirty-two pages. When William
came home and heard what I had written, he was very
pleased with it and urged me to proceed, and not tie myself
for space, but deal thoroughly with the subject, making a
tract on female ministry which would survive this contro-
versy. It is now pretty well known that a lady has tackled
him, and there is consequently the more speculation and
curiosity abroad. I hope I have done it well. You must
send me your honest and unbiassed criticism, as I may have
to enter the field again, if spared.

" There is one thing which is due to myself, I think, to
tell you — that whatever may be its merit it is my own, and
far more original, I believe, than most things that are pub-
lished, for I could get no help from any quarter. William

I

Mrs. Booth Commences Preaching. 105

has done nothing be}^ond copying for me, and transposing
two or three sentences. I composed more than half of it
while he was away, and when he came home he began to
copy what I had written, while I lay on the sofa and read it
to him. Then when he went out to his duties, I resumed
writing my rough matter, so that it has all been written by
my own hand first. I have been at it from seven in the
morning till eleven at night most of the week, so I leave you
to judge how I am feeling. In fact I don't believe I could
have done another stroke."

A few quotations from Mrs. Booth's pamphlet will suffice
to show how erroneous has been the ordinary accepted view
in regard to female ministry :

" Whether the Church will allow women to speak in her assemblies
can only be a question of time ; common sense, public opinion, and the
blessed results of female agency will force her to give us an honest and
impartial rendering of the solitary text on which she grounds her prohi-
bitions. Then, when the true light shines and God's words take the
place of man's traditions, the Doctor of Divinity who shall teach that
Paul commands woman to be silent when God's Spirit urges her to speak
will be regarded much the same as we should regard an astronomer who
should teach that the sun is the earth's satellite.

"As to the obligation devolving on woman to labour for her Master,
I presume there will be no controversy. The particular sphere in which
each individual shall do this must be dictated by the teachings of the
Holy Spirit and the gifts with which God has endowed her. If she have
the necessary gifts, and feels herself called by the Spirit to preach, there
is not a single word in the whole book of God to restrain her, but many,
very many to urge and encourage her. God says she SHALL do so, and
Paul prescribed the manner in which she shall do it, and Phcebe, Junia,
Phillip's four daughters, and many other women actually did preach and
speak in the primitive churches. If this had not been the case, there
would have been less freedom under the new than under the old dispen-
sation, a greater paucity of gifts and agencies under the Spirit than
under the law, fewer labourers when more work to be done. Instead of
the destruction of caste and division between the priesthood and the
people, and the setting up of a spiritual kingdom in which all true be-
lievers were ' kings and priests unto God,' the division would have been
more stringent and the disabilities of the common people greater.
Whereas, we are told again and again in effect, that in ' Christ Jesus
there is neither bond nor free, male or female, but ye are all one in
Christ Jesus.' "

106 Mrs. Booth.

It was well that Mr. and Mrs. Booth were of one accord
on this subject, making it a cardinal point of their doctrine
to assure to woman the highest position of usefulness that
she was capable of occupying. They did not anticipate that
she would never make mistakes, Had man made none?
They did not wait for every one to be a Mrs. Booth. Was
every man a William Booth? They realised that some
would fail and even sin. Was man alone immaculate ? But
they refused to accept a one-sided and maimed humanity, or
to acknowledge that such a ministry could be divinely
ordained.

Years have passed since the issue of this modest protest
in defence of woman's right to minister at the altar. Pre-
cept has been carried into practice, and the world has passed
its sentence of approval upon a world-wide organisation
in which there is " neither male nor female, barbarian,
Scythian, bond or free, but Christ is all and in all."

On Sunday morning, the 8th January, I860, Mr. Booth
had been announced to take the service at Bethesda Chapel.
But the expectant congregation were disappointed when,
after a whispered conversation, one of them commenced the
meeting with an apology for their beloved pastor's unavoid-
able absence. The service had not, however, proceeded far,
when Mr. Booth himself appeared, and was able, not only to
preach the anticipated sermon, but to make the happy an-
nouncement that another little woman warrior had just been
added to their ranks— one whose life, with God's blessing,
should be a practical illustration of the truths laid down in
" Female Ministry." It was a bright omen for the future
that Emma Moss Booth was born within a few days of the
publication of her mother's stirring pamphlet, and she was
still an infant in her arms when the public ministry com-
menced which was to open the doors of usefulness, not only
to Mrs. Booth's own daughters, but to multitudes of woman-
kind.

It was while she was lying still weak and suffering, her
babe in her bosom, that Mrs. Booth received what was with-

Jlfrs. Booth CoHunences Preaching.

107

out doubt an inward urging of the Holy Spirit to consecrate
herself to the ministry which she had so powerfully defended
on behalf of others. She applied her pamphlet to herself.
She had always been fully convinced that it was lawful for
a woman to preach the Gospel, as much as for man. But
that it was their duty to rise up and do it under pain of the
Divine displeasure was altogether another aspect of the
question. Least of all did she contemplate when writing the

3U1JS. BOOTH-TUCKER.

paper that she would be singled out by Providence to
pioneer the way. But a sick bed allows opportunity for
reflection which is often impossible in the busy routine of
e very-day life. She was forced to face the natural conse-
quences of her own teachings, and to realise that what was
permissible became a duty where the necessary qualifications
were possessed.

Referring to her experience in a public meeting twenty
3rears afterwards, Mrs. Booth said :

io8 Mrs. Booth.

li Perhaps some of you would hardly credit that I was one
of the most timid and bashful disciples the Lord Jesus ever
saved. But for four or five months before I commenced
speaking, the controversy had been signally roused in my
soul, and I passed through some severe heart-searchingrf.
Daring a season of sickness it seemed one day as if the Lord
revealed it all to me by His Spirit. I had no vision, but a
revelation to my mind. He seemed to take me back to the
time when I was fifteen or sixteen, when I first fully gave
my heart to Him. He showed me that all the bitter way
this one thing had been the fly in the pot of ointment, pre-
venting me from realising what I otherwise should have
done. And then I remember prostrating myself upon my
face before Him, and promising Him there in the sick room,
1 Lord, if Thou wilt return unto me as in the days of old,
and revisit me with those urgings of the Spirit which I used
to have, I will obey, if I die in the attempt.' However, the
Lord did not revisit me immediately. But He permitted me
to recover, and to resume my usual duties.

u About three months afterwards I went to the chapel of
which my husband was a minister (Bethesda), and he had an
extraordinary service there. Even then he was always try-
ing something new to get at the outside people. For this
Sunday he had arranged with the leaders that the chapel
should be closed, and a great out-door service held at a place
called Windmill Hills. It so happened, however, that the
weather was too tempestuous for carrying out this design,
and hence the doors were thrown open and the meeting was
held in the chapel. In spite of the stormy weather, about
a thousand persons were present, including a number of
preachers and outside friends.

" I was, as usual, in the minister's pew, with my eldest
boy, then four years old. I felt much depressed in mind,
and was not expecting anything particular, but as the testi-
monies proceeded I felt the Holy Spirit come upon me. You
alone, who have experienced it, can tell what it means. It
cannot be described. I felt it to the extremity of my hands

'

Mrs. Booth Commences Preaching. 109

and feet. It seemed as if a voice said to me, * Now if you
were to go and testify, you know I would bless it to your
own soul as well as to the people ! ' I gasped again, and said
in my heart, ' Yes, Lord, I believe Thou wouldst, but I
cannot do it ! ' I had forgotten my vow. It did not occur to
me at all.

" A moment afterwards there flashed across my mind the
memory of the bedroom visitation, when I had promised the
Lord that I would obey Him at all costs. And then the
voice seemed to ask me if this was consistent with that
promise. I almost jumped up and said, * No, Lord, it is the
old thing over again. But I cannot do it ! ' I felt as
though I would sooner die than speak. And then the devil
said, ' Besides, you are not prepared. You will look like a
fool and will have nothing to say.' He made a mistake.
He over-reached himself for once. It was this word that
settled it. ' Ah ! ' I said, ' this is just the point. I have
never yet been willing to be a fool for Christ. Now I will
be one ! '

" Without stopping another moment, I rose up from my
seat and walked down the aisle. My dear husband was
just going to conclude. He thought something had
happened to me, and so did the people. We had been there
two years, and they knew my timid, bashful nature. He
stepped down and asked me, * What is the matter, my dear?'
I replied, ' I want to say a word.' He was so taken by sur-
prise that he could only say, ' My dear wife wishes to speak,'
and sat down. For years he had been trying to persuade
me to do it. Only that very week he had wanted me to go
and address a little cottage meeting of some twenty working
people, but I had refused.

" I stood— God only knows how— and if any mortal ever
did hang on the arm of Omnipotence, I did. I felt as if I
were clinging to some human arm, but it was a Divine One
which held me up. I just stood and told the people how it
had come about. I confessed as I think everybody should
who has been in the wrong and has misrepresented the

no Mrs. Booth.

religion of Jesus Christ. I said, 1 1 dare say many of you
have been looking upon me as a very devoted woman, and
one who has been living faithfully to God. But I have come
to realise that I have been disobeying Him, and thus have
brought darkness and leanness into my soul. I have pro-
mised the Lord to do so no longer, and have come to tell you
that henceforth I will be obedient to the holy vision.'

" There was more weeping, they said, in the chapel that
day, than on any previous occasion. Many dated a renewal
in righteousness from that very moment, and began a life of
devotion and consecration to God.

11 Now I might have ' talked good ' to them till now.
That honest confession did what twenty years of preaching
could not have accomplished.

" But oh, how little did I realise how much was then in-
volved ! I never imagined the life of publicity and trial
that it would lead me to, for I was never allowed to have
another quiet Sabbath, when I was well enough to stand and
speak. All I did wras to take the first step. I could not
see in advance. But the Lord, as He always does when His
people are honest with Him and obedient, opened the windows
of Heaven and poured out such a blessing that there was not
room to contain it."

The Rubicon once crossed, it became impossible for Mrs.
Booth to turn back, however much she might have desired
to do so. She scarcely had resumed her seat, when, true to
his nature, Mr. Booth pounced upon her to preach at night.
She could not refuse. The people were delighted. They
overwhelmed her with congratulations. Her servant, who
was at the meeting, went home and danced round the kitchen
table with delight, calling out to the nur.se, " The mistress
has spoken ! The mistress has spoken ! "

Mrs. Booth returned home drenched in perspiration, with
mingled feelings of satisfaction and of consternation at hav-
ing to speak again that night. What could she say ? It
would be useless for her to repeat what she had said in the
morning. And yet there was no time for preparation. She

Mrs. Booth Commences Preacliing.

ill

cast herself upon her knees and asked the Lord to give her
a message for the people. He did so then and there, and
the night meeting exceeded in enthusiasm and power the
preceding one.

The chapel presented a never-to-be-forgotten scene that
evening. It was crowded to the doors, and the people sat
upon the very window-sills. Appropriately enough, it

BETHESDA CHAPEL, GATESHEAD-ON-TYNE,
In which was delivered Mrs. Booth's first public address.

happened to be the anniversary of Pentecost, and Mrs.
Booth took for her subject, " Be filled with the Spirit." The
audience were spell-bound as they listened to her words.
There are some in Heaven and not a few on earth to-day
who look back upon that occasion as the turning-point in
their spiritual history,

112 Mrs. Booth.

The news spread far and wide, and invitations now
poured in thickly from all directions in greater number than
could possibly be accepted.

Meanwhile the annual Conference had come and gone.
Mr. Booth had not attended it, having consented to stay in
Gateshead another year.

The heavy strain of his circuit duties had told severely for
some time past upon Mr. Booth, and led in September to a
complete breakdown and an enforced rest. Having been
strongly recommended to try the hydropathic treatment,
Mr. Booth went to Mr. Smedley's establishment at Matlock,
while Mrs. Booth remained with the children in Gateshead.
But, although she was prepared to do what she could in
looking after the interests of the circuit, she was surprised
when a deputation of the leading officials waited upon her
urging that she would take her husband's town appointments
during his absence. To this she replied that she could on no
account consent, reminding them that their credit was at
stake as well as her confidence.

The deputation retired somewhat crestfallen at the result,
but returned soon afterwards with renewed supplications
that Mrs. Booth would at least undertake the Sabbath night
meetings, these being the most important. After consider-
able pressure she consented to this arrangement, and during
the next nine weeks conducted these and other meetings till
the time of Mr. Booth's return, besides supervising the
general management of circuit affairs. The result was most
gratifying. The chapel was packed on each occasion that
she spoke. Numbers of gentlemen from Newcastle, who had
never before entered a dissenting place of worship, attended
the meetings.

The following letter to her parents gives a description of
the position of affairs during this period :

" 24th September, 1860.

" I had a very good day yesterday at Sheriff Hill. A most precious
time in the morning. Spoke an hour and ten minutes with unction and
liberty. My own soul was richly blessed and I think many others were.
At night I had a good time and splendid prayer-meeting.

Mrs. Booth Commences Preaching. 1 1 3

" I hope, if my dear father has not yet got thoroughly into the light,
that he will do so while he is here. It may be the Lord is bringing him
for that purpose.

'; I get plenty of invitations now, far more than I can comply with.
In fact they tell me my name is being trumpeted far and wide. Mr.
Crow says that it is getting into the foreign papers now, and that in one
of them I am represented as having my husband's clothes on ! They
would require to be considerably shortened before such a phenomenon
could occur, would they not? Well, notwithstanding all I have heard
about the papers, I have never had sufficient curiosity to buy one ! Nor
have I ever seen my name in print, except on the wall bills, and then I
have had some difficulty to believe that it really meant me ! However,
I suppose it did. And now I shall never deem anything impossible any
more ! "

In writing to Mr. Booth during his absence she says :

" You will be anxious to hear how I got on last night. Well, we had
a splendid congregation. The chapel was very full, upstairs and down,
with forms round the communion-rail. I never saw it fuller on any
occasion except once or twice during the revival. It was a wonderful
congregation, especially considering that no bills had been printed. The
Lord helped me, and I spoke for an hour with great confidence, liberty,
and, I think, some power. They listened as for eternity, and a deep
solemnity seemed to rest on every countenance. 1 am conscious that
mentally and for delivery it was by far my best effort. Oh, how I
yearned for more Divine influence to make the most of that precious
opportunity. Great numbers stayed to the prayer-meeting. The bottom
of the chapel was nearly full. Many are under conviction, but we had
only three cases— I think all good ones. I kept the prayer-meeting on
until ten. The people did not seem to want to go. The man whom I
told you about as having been brought in a month ago under ' Be ye
reconciled ' prayed last night with power. He is a glorious case — Mr.
McAllam's best helper at Gardener Street.

" The people are saying some very extravagant things. I hear a stray
report now and then. But I think I feel as meek as ever, and more my
own helplessness and dependence on Divine assistance. Don't forget to
pray for me. I have borne the weight of circuit matters to an extent I
could not have believed possible, and have been literally the ' Superin-
tendent.' But it has been behind the scenes, and I have not always been
well represented in my officers, and consequently all things have not
been done to my satisfaction. When you come you will not only resume
the command, but yourself take the reins."

CHAPTER XIII.
HOLINESS TEACHINGS. 1SG1.

OF the doctrines advocated by John Wesle}T, next to the
necessity of conversion, there was none on which he laid
more stress than on the doctrine of sanctification. By the
former he understood the possibility of receiving the conscious
and immediate assurance of salvation. This was the Chris-
tian's privilege, nay, more, it was his duty. Short of such
an experience none could safely rest.

Wesley went, however, further in asserting that not only
could the sins of the past be pardoned, and the sinner re-
stored to the family of God, but that the heart could be
purified by the same power from the evil tendencies and
tempers, which would otherwise prove too strong for it and
render it the helpless prey of every passing temptation. If,
he argued, the citadel of the heart continued to be occupied
by anger, pride, love of money, fear of man, and all the other
thousand and one forms of selfishness, the whole attention of
the victim of such passion would necessarily be occupied in
combating those inward enemies, and there would be little
opportunity, inclination, and capacity for serving their
Master by carrying the war into the heart of the enemy's
country. If, on the contrary, these inward forms of evil were
removed, every energy could then be devoted to the salvation
of a perishing world.

The very object of the atonement appeared to him to be
the conquest and removal of these indwelling evils. The
very name Jesus signified that He was to save His people
from their sins, not merely to pardon and cendone sin, as so
many seemed to suppose.

in

Holiness Teachings. I 1 5

Of late, however, this doctrine had ceased to occupy the
prominence given to it by Wesley. True, the possibility of
attaining such an experience continued to be acknowledged.
Nevertheless, it was no longer advocated with the same de-
finiteness and earnestness that had marked it of old.

Mr. and Mrs. Booth, while constantly referring to the
subject, and always urging upon their converts the import-
ance both of holy living and of aggressive effort, hud not
hitherto directed their attention in any special manner to
the consideration and proclamation of this doctrine. How
they came to do so is touchingly described by Mrs. Booth in
the following letters to her parents :

" My soul has been much called out of late on the doctrine of holi-
ness. I feel that hitherto we have not put it in a sufficiently definite and
tangible manner before the people — I mean as a specific and attainable
experience. Oh, that I had entered into the fulness of the enjoyment of
it myself ! I intend to struggle after it. In the meantime we have
commenced already to bring it specially before our dear people."

" llth February, 18G1.

" Your very kind letter came duly to hand. We are very much ob-
liged for the readiness Owith which you promised to join us in praying
about this very important matter of our future work. I hope, nay, I
believe, God will guide us. I think we are fully willing to be led by Him.
I have not prayed much specifically about it at present, simply because my
mind has been absorbed in the pursuit of Holiness, which I feel involves
this and every other blessing. If I am only fully the Lord's He has
unalterably bound Himself to be the portion of my inheritance for ever.
This of late I have especially realised, and a week ago last Friday, when
I made the surrender referred to in my last, I saw that in order to carry
out my vow in the true spirit of consecration, I must have a whole Christ,
a perfect Saviour.

" I therefore resolved to seek till I found that ' Pearl of great price ' —
'the white stone, which no man knoweth, save he that receiveth it.'
I perceived that I had been in some degree of error with reference to
the nature, or rather the attainment, of sanctification, regarding it
rather as a great and mighty work to be wrought in me, through
Christ, than the simple reception of Cbrist as an all-sufficient Saviour,
dwelling in rny heart, and thus cleansing it every moment from all sin.
I had been earnestly seeking all the week to apprehend Him as my
Saviour in this sense, but on Thursday and Friday I was totally
absorbed in the subject. I laid aside almost everything else, and spent
the chief part of the day in reading and prayer, and trying to believe for

ii6 Mrs. Booth.

it. On Thursday afternoon at tea-time I was wellnigh discouraged, and
felt my old visitant irritability, and the devil told me I should never get it,
and so I might as well give it up at once. However, I know him of old
as a liar and the father of lies, and pressed on, cast down, yet not des-
troyed.

" On Friday morning God gave me two precious passages. First,
' Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.' Oh, how sweet it sounded to my poor, weary, sin-stricken
soul ! I almost dared to believe that He did give me rest from inbred
sin, the rest of perfect holiness. But I staggered at the promise through
unbelief, and therefore failed to enter in. The second passage consisted
of those thrice-blessed words, ' Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who is
made nnto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.'
But again unbelief hindered me, although I feel as if getting gradually
nearer.

" I struggled through the day until a little after six ia the evening,
when William joined me in prayer. We had a blessed season. While
he was saying, * Lord we open our hearts to receive Thee,' that word
was spoken to my soul, ' Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any
man hear My voice and open unto Me, I will come in and sup with
him.' I felt sure He had long been knocking, and oh, how I yearned to
receive Him as a perfect Saviour ! But oh, the inveterate habit of un-
belief ! How wonderful that God should have borne so long with me !
When we got up from our knees I lay on the sofa exhausted with the
excitement and effort of the day. William said, ' Don't you lay all on the
altar?' I replied, 'I am sure I do!' Then he said, 'And isn't tha
altar holy ? ' I replied in the language of the Holy Ghost, ' The altar is
most holy, and whatsoever toucheth it is holy.' ' Then,' said he, ' Are
you not holy ? ' I replied with my heart full of emotion and with some
faith, ' Oh, I think I am ! ' Immediately the word was given me to con-
firm my faith, ' Now are ye clean through the word which I have
spoken unto you.' And I took hold, true with a trembling hand, and not
unmolested by the tempter, but I held fast the beginning of my confi-
dence, and it grew stronger, and from that, moment I have dared to
reckon myself dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus
Christ my Lord.

** I did not feel much rapturous joy, but perfect peace, the sweet rest
which Jesus promised to the heavy laden. I have understood the
Apostle's meaning when he says, ' We who believe do enter into rest.'
This is just descriptive of my state at present. Not that I am not
tempted, but I am allowed to know the devil when he approaches me,
and I look to my Deliverer Jesus, and He still gives me rest. Two or
three very trying things occurred on Saturday which at another timo
would have excited impatience, but I was kept by the power of God
through faith unto full salvation.

" And now what shall I say ? ' Unto Him who has washed me in Hi3

Holiness Teachings, 117

own blood be glory and dominion for ever and ever,' and all \vithin me
sajs ' Amen ! ' Oh ! I cannot describe ; I have no words to set forth
the sense I have of my own utter unworthiness. Satan has met me
frequently with my peculiarly aggravated sins, and I have admitted it
all. But then I have said, the Lord has not made my sauctification to
depend in any measure on my own worthiness or unworthiness, but on the
worthiness of my Saviour. He came to seek and to save ' that which
was lost.' ' Where sin hath abounded, grace doth much more abound.'

"And now, my dear parents, will you let it abound towards you?
' Whosoever will, let him come and take freely ! ' "

Like the twin pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which were reared
by Solomon in the porch of the Temple, so the twin doc-
trines, Conversion and Sanctification, were raised in the fore-
front of the Salvation Army Zion. In the glorious possi-
bility of pardon, it was to be " established," and in the no
less precious privilege of purity it was to find its " strength."
The founders of the movement were to transmit to their
followers the double shepherd's crooks of Bands and Beauty,
binding them on the one hand to the blessed experience of a
forgiven child of God, and introducing them on the other to
all the matchless " beauty of holiness."

Speaking subsequently on this subject, Mrs. Booth says :

"I think it must be self-evident that it is the most important question
that can possibly occupy the mind of man — how much like God we can be,
how near to God we can come on earth preparatory to our being per-
fectly like Him, and living, as it were, in His very heart for ever and
ever in Heaven. Any one who has any measure of the Spirit of God
must perceive that this is the most important question on which we can
concentrate our thoughts ; and the mystery of mysteries to me is how
any one with any measure of the Spirit of God can help looking at this
blessing of Holiness, and saying, ' Well, even if it does seem too great
for attainment on earth, it is very beautiful and very blessed. I wish I
could attain it. ' That, it seems to me, must be the attitude of every
person who has the Spirit of God — that he should hunger and thirst after
it, and feel that he shall never be satisfied till he wakes up in the lovely
likeness of his Saviour. And yet, alas ! we do not find it so. In a great
many instances the very first thing professing Christians do is to resist
and reject this doctrine of Holiness as if it were the most foul thing on
earth.

" I heard of a gentleman saying, a few days ago — a leader in one eircle
of religion— that for anybody to talk about /being holy showed that they
knew nothing of themselves and nothing of Jesus Christ. I said, ' Oh,

u8 Mrs. Booth.

my God ! it has come to something if Holiness and Jesus Christ are at
the antipodes of each other. I thought He was the centre and fountain
of Holiness. I thought it \vas in Him alone we could get any Holiness,
and through Him only that Holiness could be wrought in us.' But this
poor man thought otherwise.

"We are told over and over again that God wants His people to be
pure, and THAT PURITY IN THEIR HEARTS is THE VERY CENTRAL IDEA AND

END AND PURPOSE OP THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ; if it IS not SO, I glVCUp

the whole question — I am utterly deceived.

" Oh, that people, in their inquiries about this blessing of Holiness,
•would keep tins one thing before their minds, that it is being saved front
sin ! — sin in act, in purpose, in thought !

" After all, what does God want with us ? He wants us just to be and
to do. He wants us to be like His Sou, and then to do as His Son did ;
and when we come to that He will shake the world through us. People
say, 'You can't be like His Son.' Very well, then, you will never get
any more than you believe for. If I did not think Jesus Christ strong
enough to destroy the works of the Devil and to bring us back to God's
original pattern, I would throw the whole thing up for ever. "What !
He has given us a religion we cannot practise? I say, No, He has not
come to mock us. "What ? He has given us a Saviour who cannot
save? Then I decline to have anything to do with Him. What? does
He profess to do for me what He cannot? No, no, no. He 'is not a
man, that He should lie ; neither the Son of Man, that He should re-
pent' ; and I tell you that His scheme of Salvation is two-sided—it is
Godward and manward. It contemplates me as well as it contemplates
the great God. It is not a scheme of Salvation merely — it is a scheme
of restoration. If He cannot restore me, He must damn me. If He
cannot heal me, and make me over again, and restore me to the pattern
He intended me to be, He has left Himself no choice."

CHAPTER XIV.

THE RESIGNATION. 1861.

IN the history of men, as iii the history of nations, there are
critical moments when incalculable interests tremble in the
balance, and it seems that a feather would suffice to turn the
scale. Particularly is this the case with those who rise up
from time to time as the champions of humanity. It is
only when they have dared to brave the fiery ordeal and cross
the seven- fold heated bars which opposition and prejudice
lay at their feet that the accomplishment of their heart's
desire becomes attainable. The moment arrives when, with-
out risking everything, nothing can be won. Those who are
not prepared to sacrifice mu^tbe content to fail. The choicest
privileges of mankind have been bought with blood. What
is best worth buying costs the most. The Cross is the price
for the crown, and Calvary the only gateway to resurrection
glory. If good desires would save mankind, it would surely
have been delivered long ago. The difference between idle
wishes and the deliberate heart-choice of the world's true
benefactor is, that the latter consents to pay the price which
some one has to pay. The Cross is the divinely appointed
shibboleth for the detection of the hypocrite. No insincere
and selfish heart can " frame to pronounce " the word. The
Ephraimite is betrayed by his lisp, and fails in his attempt
to cross the ford.

It was an epoch such as this in the history of Mr. and Mrs.
Booth. To face the world alone would have been easy. But
now a delicate wife and four little children had to b© con-
sidered. The recent break-down of Mr. Booth's health had
reminded them that his constitution was not of the strongest.

119

120 Mrs. Booth.

Added to these difficulties there was a warm personal attach-
ment to the large circle of Connexional members with whom
their labours had brought them into contact, and a deep-rooted
desire to advance the highest interests of the body. Xone
of these considerations, however, appeared to lessen the re-
sponsibility of their present position. And they resolved
with the most perfect unanimity that if the Conference once
more refused to fulfil their long-standing pledge, they would
commit their needs to God, and go forth to do His will in
simple reliance upon His promises.

No sooner had this decision been arrived at than Mr. Booth
proceeded to prepare a letter to the President, formally
broaching the subject, and offering himself for reappointment
to the evangelistic sphere.

It was not till the beginning of May that Mr. Booth re-
ceived any reply to this communication, and then only to the
effect that the answer had been dela}*ed owing to Mr. Staceyrs
illness, but that there had been a meeting of the Annual
Committee, at which the letter had been considered, and that
three out of the four members present had thought it best
to lay the matter before the Conference for free and open
discussion.

Xor were they left in this critical hour without tokens of
Divine approval. A series of revival services, held in the
beginning of the year at Bethesda Chapel, had resulted in
two hundred persons professing conversion. The quarterly
returns showed an increase of more than three hundred
members to the circuit during the thre'e years of their ap-
pointment. The annual District meeting held in Durham,
previous to the meeting of the Conference, had been memorial-
ised by the Gateshead Circuit to ask that Mr. Booth should
be set apart for the work of an evangelist, and had unani-
mously passed the following resolutions :

1. Affirming the Scriptural character of such an agency and
the desirability of its employment by the Connexion.

2. Recommending Conference to set Mr. Booth apart for the
work; and

The Resignation. 121

3. Recommending his appointment to the Durham district
as his first sphere of labour.

One of the most influential lay members of the Conference
was a Mr. Joseph Love. He was immensely rich, having
risen from the position of a working man to one of affluence,
and leaving at his death some two millions of money. He
warmly espoused Mr. Booth's cause, and promised to do his
utmost to secure the consent of Conference to a renewal of
his evangelistic work. Indeed, both he and other wealthy
friends made it no secret that if it were the question of ex-
pense which had caused hesitation as to the appointment,
they would themselves guarantee to defray all the extra cost,
and thus relieve Conference of any anxiety on that account.

Still more reassuring was the result of an Easter visit paid
by Mr. and Mrs. Booth to Hartlepool. So remarkable were
the results and. so promising the prospects that Mrs. Booth
remained behind for ten d,ays to continue the services, no less
than two hundred and fifty persons coming to the commu-
nion rail during this brief interval. This seemed to be in an
especial manner the finger of God pointing with the utmost
plainness to the path that He desired them to follow. The
commencement of this work is graphically described by Mrs.
Booth herself in the following letter to her parents :

, Easter Monday, 1861.

" We came here on Thursday afternoon for the Easter Anniversary
meetings. I preached on Good Friday morning to a full chapel, William
on Sunday morning, and I again in the afternoon to a chapel packed,
aisles and pulpit stairs, while many turned away unable to get in. This
morning William returned to Gateshead to attend our tea-meeting at
Bethesda. I am staying here to preach again to-night, and shall return
all well to-morrow. There were many under conviction last evening,
whom I hope to see converted to-night. The Lord has been very graci-
ously present with me -hitherto, and has given me great influence and
liberty, I am in my element in the work, and only regret that I did not
commence it years ago. Oh, to live for souls ! It is a dark, sinful world
and a comparatively dead and useless Church. May God pour out His
spirit !

" There is a nice society here, considering it is a new one— a beautiful
chapel, seats about 750. They say there were 1,000 in it yesterday
afternoon.

122 Mrs. Booth.

" And now how are you getting on ? I am very glad to hear iny dear
father is so useful in the temperance line. I intend to do more yet in that
direction. Some excellent judges spoke very highly of my first speech.
So I shall be encouraged to try again.

"I hope, however, my dear father will not stop at teetotalism. Why
can you not speak a word for Jesus? (Shortly previous to this, while on
a visit to Mrs. Booth, Mr. Mumford had given his heart freshly to God.)
Does not ' love so amazing, so Divine ' as He has shown to you demand
the consecration of your powers directly to His Name and caiise ? Oh,
try to speak a word for Him, and you will find His Spirit will be with you,
giving you strength and grace ! The mere recital of God's merciful deal-
ings with you would be calculated to melt many a hard heart, and in-
spire many a hopeless, reckless wanderer with desires and purposes to
return to the Lord. Try it ! Oh, let us all try to live to purpose !

" Has my dear mother fixed on any plan by which she can do some-
thing for the Lord, and be instrumental in winning a few poor sou's to
Jesus? It is workers that are so wofully wanted in the vineyard, and
there is nothing else worth living for but to minister salvation and bliss
in Jesus' Name. Oh, let us as a family strive to do something to make
up for our lost opportunities and past unfaithfulness ! "

A few daj-s later Mrs. Booth writes again from Hartlepool
to her parents :

" You will be surprised to find I am still here, but so it is. I told you
I had to stay on Monday evening. Well, the Lord came down amongst
the people so gloriously that I dare not leave, so the friends telegraphed
to William and I remained. ... I preached again on Tuesday
evening. The chapel was full. I gave an invitation, and the Lord
helped me as I think He never did before. When I had done speaking
there was a general move all over the chapel, and the communion rail
was filled with penitents again and again and again during the evening.
The second time it was filled I never saw such a sight before. They were
all men with two exceptions, and most of them gr.eat fine fellows of mature
years. All glory to Jesus ! He hath ' chosen the weak things to con-
found the mighty.'

" I preached again on the Wednesday and Friday evenings, and also
gave two addresses on holiness, and the Lord was very gracious with me,
Above 100 names were taken during the week, and besides these I should
think we have had half the members up to seek a clear sense of their
acceptance. On Saturday night we had a glorious fellowship meeting.
Oh, it would have rejoiced your hearts to have heard one after another
bless God for bringing your feeble and unworthy child to Hartlepool ! I
shall never forget that meeting on earth or in Heaven !

" I was published to preach at night, and a quarter of an hour before
the time the chapel was wedged so full that the people were drifting

TJie Resignation. 123

away, when it was announced to the crowd outside that Mr. Williams
should preach in the schoolroom under the chapel at the same time. It
is a splendid place, capable of holding nearly 500, and not only was it
lilled, but they tell me numbers went away unable to get in. I preached
in the chapel on the judgment, and experienced great liberty. The
people listened as though they already realized the dread tribunal. Oh,
it was indeed a solemn season ! For some time we carried on loth
prayer-meetings, then we amalgamated, allowing the people to remain
in the gallery, which they did till nearly ten o'clock. We had upwards
of forty cases of conversion-. To God be all the praise ! If we had ha I
more efficient belp at the communion rail, we should have got many
more, but there was not room for them, and the people of God are awfully
ignorant of the right way to lead penitents to Christ. The Lord have
mercy on a half -asleep Church ! Oh, if I had time to particularise
some of the precious cases we have had I could fill sheets ! But I have
not. Our Christ can do wonderful things, and that by the feeblest in-
struments.

" The friends are thoroughly taken by surprise. They were perfectly
bewildered last night. They seemed lost in wonder and awe. I believe
we had some of the most respectable people and also some of the greatest
reprobates in the town, and yet during the whole service I saw but one
irreverent look or gesture. They all seemed as solemn as death, and I
believe many went away with the arrows of the Almighty in their souls.
May the great day reveal it. The friends tell me that I get numbers
every night who never before put their heads inside a place of worship.
I give an address this evening, principally to the new converts, and to-
morrow morning I return home. It seems a thousand pities to have to
leave such a work, but I suppose I must. I intend to try and arrange
to come back again.

" Oh, I cannot tell you how I feel in view of the state of the Church
at large. It is a dead weight on the heels of any truly earnest minister.
What can we do to wake it up, and keep it awake ? We can only pray to
the Lord of the harvest. He can do it and He only. The poor sinners,
the poor lost sheep for whom my Saviour died, how few truly care for
their souls ! All seek their own and not the things that are Jesus Christ's.
Oh, may the Lord help me to seek His, and only His glory, and to be con-
tent to wait for my reward till I get to Heaven ! Amen and Amen !

<! The children were all pretty well when I heard last. My precious
children ! Oh, how I long to inspire them with truly benevolent and
self-sacrificing principles. The Lord help me, and may He early take
their hearts under His training ! William says that he does not think
that thay are suffering from my absence, neither do I believe the Lord
will allow them to suffer.

' Fix on His work thy steadfast eye,

So shall thy work be done.'
The Lord will not let us lose in the end by doing His work."

124 Mrs. Booth.

The memorable Conference, on the decisions of which
were suspended events of far-reaching importance, was held
in Liverpool in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Booth decided that they
would together attend its deliberations.

"My heart almost fails me," writes Mrs. Booth to her parents, "in
going to the Conference, and leaving the children behind. But William
would like me to be there, to advise with in case he is brought into a
perplexing position. I shall be in the gallery while the discussion goes
on, so that I can hear all that is said. No doubt there will be much of
a trying and discouraging character. Bat I shall look to the Lord for
discretion, patience, and wisdom. Pray for me. I have many a conflict
in regard. to the proposed new departure, not as to our support, I feel as
though I can trust the Lord implicitly for all that ; but the devil tells
me I shall never be able to endure the loneliness and separation of the
life. He draws many a picture of most dark and melancholy shade.
But I cling to the promise, ' No man hath forsaken,' etc., and having
sworn to my own hurt, may I stand fast. I have told William that if he
takes the step, and it should bring rne to the workhouse, I would never
say one upbraiding word. No ! To blame him for making such a sacri-
fice for God and conscience's sake would be worse than wicked! So,
whatever be the result, I shall make up my mind to endure it patiently,
looking to the Lord for grace and strength."

Referring to this occasion in later years Mrs. Booth says :

" A good deal of the business was of a personal character. At length
our case came on for consideration. As we had anticipated, the pro-
posal for our restoration to the evangelistic sphere met with brisk
opposition, although the reasons advanced for it had undergone a
complete change. Nevertheless, there was every reason to believe that
nearly half the ministers and the majority of the laymen present were
in favour of the proposal, and we trusted that with their help we should
be able to carry the day. Nothing surprised me, however, more than
the half-hearted and hesitating manner in which some spoke, who had
in private assured us most emphatically of their sympathy and support.
I believe that cowardice is one of the most prevailing and subtle sins of
the day. People are so pusillanimous that they dare not say ' No,' and
are afraid to go contrary to the opinions of others, or to find themselves
in a minority.

" On three separate occasions the subject of our appointment was
brought forward for discussion, and was successively adjourned, the de-
bate occasioning considerable excitement throughout. "

The discussion was commenced by the Rev. J. Stokoe
presenting to the Conference the resolutions passed by the

The Resignation 125

recent meetings at Durham, advocating the restoration of
Mr. Booth to the evangelistic sphere.

After a prolonged and animated debate, Mr. Booth was
invited to read the letter which he had addressed to the
Annual Committee in the previous March. The debate was
drawing to a close with every prospect of a satisfactory re-
sult, when, to their amazement, Dr. Cooke, who had pro-
fessed to be on their side, proposed a compromise. His
amendment was to the effect that Mr. Booth should take a
circuit, but should be allowed to make arrangements with
his office-bearers to spend a certain portion of his time in
carrying on revival services elsewhere. The impracticability
of such a course Mr. and Mrs. Booth had already proved in
the case of Gateshead. And they knew that if the proposed
appointment to a circuit should be insisted upon, its affairs
would necessarily absorb their whole attention, and it would
be impossible for them to combine the double work. Mr.
Booth, therefore, refused pointblank to accept the compro-
mise, but before time could be given to his sympathisers to
recover from their surprise, the amendment was put to- the
vote and carried by a large majority.

This was more than Mrs. Booth could endure. She had
been sitting at a point in the gallery from which she and her
husband could interchange glances. It had been with diffi-
cult}7 that she had restrained her feelings hitherto while
listening to the debate. But at this stage she was overcome
with indignation. She felt that Dr. Cooke had sacrificed their
cause in the interests of peace rather than righteousness.
But for his suggested compromise, she believed that they
would have carried the day with a triumphant majority.
He had deserted them in the very hour of victory, carrying
with him a number of those who had already voted in favour
of the appointment. But she would be no party, even by
her silence, to the compromise. It was one of those supreme
moments when rules and regulations are forgotten, and the
heart out of its own fulness acts upon the promptings and
inspiration of the hour.

126 Mrs. Booth.

Rising from her seat and bending over the gallery, Mrs.
Booth's clear voice rang through the Conference, as she said
to her husband, " Never ! "

There was a pause of bewilderment and dismay. Every
eye was turned towards the speaker in the gallery. The idea
of a woman daring to utter her protest, or. to make her voice
heard in the Conference, produced little short of conster-
nation. It was a sublime scene, as with flushed face and
flashing eye, she stood before that audience. Decision, irre-
vocable and eternal, was written upon every feature of that
powerful and animated countenance. Her " Never ! " seemed
to penetrate like an electric flash through every heart.

One, at least, in that assembly responded with his whole
soul to the call. Mr. Booth sprang to his feat, and waved
his hat in the direction of the door. Heedless of the minis-
terial cries of " Order, order," and not pausing for another
word, they hurried forth, met and embraced each other at
the foot of the gallery stairs, and turned their backs upon
the Conference, resolved to trust God for the future, come
what might, and to follow out their conscientious convictions
regarding His work.

Thus, amid a deluge of heartbreaks and disappointments,
the horizon overcast with gloomy clouds, the Salvation Army
ark was launched. It was long before it rested on its Ararat,
and longer still before its uncovered roof displayed the ver-
dant fields and luxuriant pastures of prosperity. But the
moment had at length arrived when the moorings that had
hitherto anchored it to the traditions of. the past were cut
loose. One door had closed behind them, it is true, but a
thousand more had opened in its place, and countless hearts
were to respond in happy gratitude for the courage and self-
sacrifice of that all-important hour which made Mr. and Mrs.
Booth and their family the common property of the world,
and the nations of the earth in a singular sense their in-
heritance.

CHAPTER XV.

LOXDOX. 1861.

MR. AXD MRS. BOOTH had scarcely reached their temporary
home when Dr. Cooke, in company with another minister,
drove up to the door. They had fully expected, like many
others who voted in favour of the compromise, that dis-
tasteful as it might be to Mr. and Mrs. Booth, their ultimate
acquiescence was assured. They had succeeded in over-
persuading them on four previous occasions, and they could
not but hope that they would again prevail. They pointed
out to Mr. and Mrs. Booth the serious consequences of per-
sistence in their present course, and urged them to accept
the decision of the Conference, holding out the hope that in
another year's time the members might be riper for the
adoption of the evangelistic programme than they at present
appeared to be.

To this Mr. and Mrs. Booth replied that the apparent
compromise was, as a matter of fact, no compromise at all.
They were perfectly familiar with the condition of the New-
castle circuit, to which it was proposed they should be sent,
and they knew that its needs would tax their undivided
energies to the utmost. If they neglected it in favour of
revival work, they would give just cause for complaint to
the Conference. If, on the contrary, they did justice to the
circuit, they would be obliged to disobey what they had
realised to be a distinct call from God. They had done their
utmost to meet the demands of Conference in offering to re-
sign their salary, and to depend solely upon God for their
support, but they could not accept a double responsibility
which they would be unable to fulfil.

123

London. 1 29

It was now Saturday. The Conference was to hold its final
sitting on Monday. Dr. Cooke urged that Mr. Booth should
at least attend in order to re-explain his views, and to see
whether some way out of the difficulty could not be devised.
To this he agreed, reiterating, however, his inability to ac-
cept the present arrangement.

The Sabbath which followed was a gloomy one. They had
been announced to conduct meetings in Chester, and they
accordingly went. The chapel was crowded, and in spite of
the melancholy feelings which oppressed their hearts, their
visit was attended with success, and souls were saved.

On the Monday morning they returned to Liverpool, when
Mr. Booth attended the sitting of the Conference. He was
received with marked kindness. Nevertheless, there ap-
peared to be no disposition to reconsider the decision or to
suggest any other solution of the difficulty, and there was
no little rejoicing on the part of the Newcastle representa-
tives when, at the last reading of the appointments, Mr.
Booth's name was placed against their circuit.

At the final sitting of the Conference an appeal was, how-
ever, made by one of the oldest ministers present, urging
him to bow to their decision. He spoke in the most flattering
terms of Mr. Booth's previous services, and intimated that
all a minister could covet in connection with the body was
within his reach if he would conform to the wishes of his
brethren, concluding by inviting him to take the platform
and signify his feelings to the Conference.

This Mr. Booth proceeded to do, reiterating his assurance
that God had called him to the evangelistic sphere, and
adding that if to secure his bread and cheese, or to exempt
himself from suffering and loss, he were to sacrifice his con-
victions, he believed God would despise him, the}' would
despise him, and he was certain that he should despise him-
self Rather than do so, he would go forth without a friend
and without a farthing. He loved the Connexion. He had
for seven years faithfully sought its highest interests. He
had won thousands of souls within its borders. But he was

K

130 Mrs. Booth.

now asked to carry out an arrangement which was at once
a physical impossibility, and which would involve him in a
course of disobedience to God and his conscience.

It might have been supposed that such an appeal, coming
from one whose past and prospective services must have
been 'deemed of some value to the Connexion, would have
elicited a generous response. But the Conference was obdu-
rate. What they had written they had written. To New-
castle they had appointed him, and to Newcastle it was
generally expected, nay, confidently believed, that he would
sooner or later consent to go.

Mr. and Mrs. Booth were puzzled to know what step should
next be taken. While the Conference had refused to alter
its decision, it had not, on the other hand, treated Mr.
Booth's refusal to comply as a resignation, but had simply
assumed that he would in the end obey. There were two
courses open to him. One was to place his resignation at
once in the hands of the Annual Committee, which had not,
however, the authority to accept it, but could only hold the
matter over for the consideration of the next year's Con-
ference. The other course was to let matters drift for the
time being, endeavouring to come to an understanding with
his circuit, by which he should forego his salary and home,
be released on his part from local engagements, and thus set
free for accepting invitations from other circuits and churches
which he knew to be desirous of obtaining his services.

Mrs. Booth was strongly in favour of the former proposal.
But Mr. Booth still clung to the hope that some middle
course might yet be discovered — some means for bridging
the gulf in a manner satisfactory at once to the Conference
and themselves. His friends were urgent that he should
make the attempt. The circuit officials were willing that it
should be so, accepting the services of Mr. Booth's colleague
as his substitute during his absence.

It was necessary at once to leave the Gateshead home, but
the preacher's house in Newcastle was standing empty, and
was gladly for the time being placed at his disposal. A

London. 1 3 1

notice was even sent to the July number of the Magazine
intimating that Mr. Booth's " arrangements with his circuit
would leave him some opportunities of helping to promote
the work of God in other circuits where the minister and the
people unitedly desired his labour." For some weeks it
seemed likely that all might yet go well, and the threatened
breach be healed.

Having settled Mrs. Booth and the children in the tem-
porary home at Newcastle, and having made with the circuit
the arrangements previously referred to, Mr. Booth now
sought further engagements. He had anticipated that as
soon as it was generally known that he was free to accept
further invitations, they would pour in upon him as
numerously as ever from the various circuits in the Con-
nexion. In this, however, he was disappointed. The late
difficulty with the Conference had become generally known,
and some, who were eager for a visit, hesitated to invite
him ; while in other cases the ministers were no longer
anxious, as formerly, to obtain his assistance.

The fact that he had given up his salary left him free,
and, indeed, made it necessary, to seek openings outside the
immediate pale of the Connexion. And so, with a burdened
heart and in much perplexity of mind, he started for Lon-
don.

We can picture him on his long and lonely journey, as he
knelt and once more committed his way unto the Lord.
And what was the burden of his cry — the key-note of all
the past controversy — the uppermost desire of his soul?
Not money, not position, not power, but the opportunity to
reach with the Gospel the greatest number of people in the
shortest possible time. This has ever constituted the sum-
mit of his ambition, the ruling passion of his life, and the
pivot-principle round which the Salvation Arrny has subse-
quently revolved.

William Booth was never content with doing good, when
he could do better ; never satisfied with saving some, when
he could save more. He despised the opportunity of giving

132 Mrs. Boot/i.

in Christ's Dame a cup of cold water, when something more
substantial was in his power to bestow. He measured his
accomplishments by • his possibilities, and ever compared
what had been done with the what-might-have-been. Thus,
through all the toiling past, he has never paused to count
the dead deeds of bygone days. His motto has been " On-
ward," while each goal gained has become the starting-point
for some fresh enterprise.

In the light of subsequent history, it is touching to note
these early efforts to carve out a footing in the great
metropolis. There were several undenominational missions
which would gladly have received him, but Mr. Booth was
unwilling to attach himself to these, as he still cherished a
lingering hope that it might yet be possible to retain his
position in the New Connexion. To the very last he fought
against separation, and would fain have stayed with the
people whom he had made his own, and who, despite the
inconsistency and opposition of the few, were in the main
so largely after his heart, and from whom he had received
so many tokens of goodwill and affection. There was
nothing, at any rate, to prevent his numerous Connexional
friends from applying for his services, and the idea of going
to labour among those who more or less held views with
which he did not sympathise was repugnant to his mind
and seemed unfeasible.

It was with such thoughts and feelings that he hastened
back to Newcastle once more to talk over the position of
affairs with Mrs. Booth. Previous to this they had received
a pressing invitation to conduct the anniversary services of
a branch mission in a suburb of Nottingham, which had
owed its existence to the revival previously described. To
this they had gladly consented, and they now proceeded to
fulfil the engagement.

They had scarcely reached Nottingham, however, when
they received from Dr. Crofts a letter expressing the dis-
satisfaction of the Annual Committee with the arrangement
that had been entered into with the Newcastle Circuit, and

London. 133

urging him to enter upon the ordinary pastoral duties of tho
appointment.

The course was now clear. They had done their best to
reconcile the claims of God and man. Their circuit had
agreed to the arrangement. And they had been willing to
await tho decision of another Conference. But they could
not consent to sacrifice their convictions of duty, and Mr.
Booth accordingly sent in his resignation to the President.

The hour had come. The die was cast. The last link
that bound them to the Connexion was broken. And Mrs.
Booth turned her face toward her mother's home in Lon-
don. As is often the case when a crisis has been reached
or a decision arrived at, which follows on a long and weary
conflict, there is a proportionate reaction. An inexplicable
depression of the nerves and emotions tends to veil the sky
and hides for the moment the triumphs that are at hand.
The chord has been struck and it vibrates for long. The
bow has been stretched and it quivers as it returns. The
earthly casket trembles in every fibre beneath the stupen-
dous effort of the soul.

It was in the throes of such an experience that Mrs.
Booth left Nottingham. And, in facing the consequences of
her recent decision, she was tempted to pray, " If it be
possible, let this cup pass from me." And yet that railway
journey was not without its consolation, inasmuch as she
possessed the unutterable satisfaction of knowing that in
her Calvary season she had been granted grace to say, " Not
my will, but Thine be done."

In the meantime Mr. Booth had returned to Newcastle,
whence it had been decided, for economy's sake, he should re-
move the children to London by sea. Their faithful servant,
Mary Kirton, had declared that no change in circumstances
should induce her to leave her mistress, and that, with or
without wages, she would continue to shepherd the little
ones, whom she loved with all the fervour of her strong
nature and warm Irish heart. With her help Mr. Booth soon
packed up his few belongings and embarked for London.

134 Mrs. Booth.

The sunset rays of declining day flickered upon the downy
heads of the baby group, as they knelt with their parents
around the family altar within the kindly shelter of Mrs.
Mnmford's home. Unconscious children ! They did not
know the worth of sacrifice, or the incalculable weight of
prayer ! And yet, all innocently, they represented the tens
of thousands of spiritual children who, by the faithful ser-
vice and willing sacrifice of these but two disciples of their
Lord, should yet be brought to kneel, and kneel in families,
at the altar of the Cross.

Since that fair summer's eve multitudes innumerable have
gathered under varying circumstances within the sacred
precincts of the altar of sacrifice, bathing it with their tears,
and crowning it with their gifts. And thus have they
freshly proved for themselves that while the altar sanctifies
the gift, yet in a God-intended sense the gift adorns the
altar, for of what profit is a giftless altar, and what, indeed,
were Calvary without its Sacrifice ?

But the future was as yet unknown, and in the spirit of
resignation and faith Mr. and Mrs. Booth awaited the mov-
ing of the fiery pillar that lighted the darkness of their
wilderness-encompassed camp, and the lifting of which was
to be the signal for their forward march.

CHAPTER XVI.
THE CORNISH CAMPAIGN. 1SG1.

THE battles with. Conference had ended. Yet still there
remained battles to be fought. True, there had been a con-
siderable change of front. The combatants had transferred
their forces to a new and still more interesting field. But
the issues remained the same. To awaken a single de-
nomination to a sense of its opportunity and responsibility,
and to do this through the medium of its own Conference,
had been Mr. and Mrs. Booth's first object. They believed
that if appointed to the position of evangelists they would
be enabled to infuse new life and vigour into the Connexion.
In this they were disappointed.

And now the bolder idea had been conceived of attempt-
ing to do for the churches in general what they had sought
to accomplish for their own denomination. They were in
a position to visit any church or town in the kingdom.
There were few places where some struggling cause would
not gladly welcome their assistance, and once having ob-
tained a footing, they believed that the work would of its
own weight secure an entrance elsewhere. However great
in some instances might be the secret antagonism of the
pastors, it would be compelled, they thought, to succumb to
the influences of the revival, and to the clamour of the
people for a share in the blessings that were being reaped by
so many around.

It seems strange now, in the light of subsequent ex-
perience, that, with their earnest longings to reach the
masses, they did not at once commence to work amongst
them on their own account. They had only to take a hall,

135

136 Mrs. Booth.

announce their meetings, and go forward with their work.
Crowds were certain, wherever they might be. But the idea
of aiming at the people independently of the churches had
not yet occurred to them. The majority of the evangelistic
agencies of the day had devoted their attention to the re-
vival of professing Christians, and their labours were carried
on in connection with some organisation to whom they en-
trusted the care of their converts. Mr. and Mrs. Booth had
advanced a step beyond this. They yearned even more over
the godless crowds who attended no place of worship, and
who made no profession of religion, than over the nominal
Christians who at least preserved an outward appearance of
morality. But they imagined that the only way to reach
the people was through the Church. It did not occur to
them that for these outsiders an outside agency might be
after all the best, if not indeed the only, way of effecting a
permanent revolution in their hearts and lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Booth had not long to wait for an opening
that appeared of a hopeful and satisfactory nature. There
were now in the ministry of various churches some ten or
twelve of those who had been converted in their own ser-
vices. One of these, Mr. Shone, who was converted during
the Chester revival, was labouring in the Xew Connexion.
He had for a year been colleague to Mr. Booth in Gateshead,
residing during that period under his roof. He was now
stationed at Hayle in Cornwall, from whence he sent a
hearty letter inviting both Mr. and Mrs. Booth to hold re-
vival services in his circuit. From a worldly standpoint
the character of the invitation was not a very alluring one.
After apologising for the smallness of the chapel and the
scantiness of the population, he went .on to say that nothing
could be guaranteed in the way of remuneration, but that
they could count upon a hearty welcome.

This letter was received at the breakfast-table, and seeing
its contents, Mr. Booth read it aloud. Mr. and Mrs. Mum-
ford were somewhat reluctant to agree to so speedily losing
their daughter, and suggested that Mr. Booth should go

The Cornish Campaign. 137

alone. He urged, however, that since they had endured to-
gether the controversy and strain of the past three months,
culminating in their separation from the Connexion, so they
should share the first victory, adding that the nurse would
be quite competent to take the temporary oversight of the
children.

"My feelings," says Mrs. Booth, "could be better imagined
than described during this conversation. The earnest way
in which I had been included in the invitation, and the evi-
dent appreciation and value put upon my labours seemed to
me as the cloud like a man's hand on my horizon, and ap-
peared to prelude the opening of a way by which we could
travel together, instead of the perpetual separations to
which I had been trying to make up my mind, as a necessary
part of the evangelistic cross. My parents at length heartily
consented to take charge of the children, and we immedi-
ately prepared to go. We wrote by return of post, accepting
the invitation, and started at the time arranged for, as it
were, to commence life afresh."

«' Although the journey to Hayle \vas a long one," says Mrs. Booth,
when referring to this episode in after life, " I was myself surprised at
the comparative ease with which I accomplished it. We were both in
excellent spirits, full of that high enthusiasm which only faith and hope
can inspire. True, we were launched upon an unknown sea, but we
realised that God was at the helm, and we trustfully faced the future
without a fear.

" Hayle, we found, was but a small straggling place with a port, at
which some little coasting trade was carried on, and a large foundry
employing six or seven hundred men. The chapel was a barn-like affair,
holding perhaps six hundred people. The number we crowded into it
night after night was quite a different matter. The Cornish system of
packing a congregation was certainly somewhat singular. The first
comers occupied the seats, and then another row of people would stand
in front of them. The aisles would next be filled, beginning at the
pulpit stairs, till the whole place was literally gorged. Then the
window-sills would be besieged, and through the open windows another
crowd outside would listen to the echoes of the songs and to such stray
sentences as might reach their ears.

" The plan laid down for our labours, which was more or less
followed throughout our Cornish campaign, was that Mr. Booth should
preach on Sunday morning and evening, and on the first four evenings

138 Mrs. Booth.

of the week, while I took the Sunday afternoon and Friday night
meetings, frequently speaking on the afternoon of several week-days as
well. In addition to these regular services, we often held noon-day
meetings, visited the sick, and conducted other accessory gatherings.
The Saturdays were devoted to rest and to preparation for the Sabbath.

" Our first meetings at Hayle were held on Sunday, August llth. I
must confess we had looked forward to them with considerable anxiety,
so much appeared to depend upon their success. In the morning there
was a good congregation. My dearest preached, and although he did
not experience much liberty, nevertheless the people were evidently in-
terested and impressed. On our way home from the chapel a gentleman
said that he hoped I should in the afternoon service give them something
of a cheering character, as what they had heard in the morning had
completely capsized them. To this our hostess added, as we sat at the
dinner-table, ' Before you came, my husband and I had a very good
opinion of ourselves; but now we see that we are nothing — absolutely
nothing, and worse than nothing.'

"In the afternoon the place was jammed, and the Lord gave me
great liberty. At night there was another crowd, and a powerful im-
pression was made. Indeed, I have always reckoned that God in an
especial manner put His seal upon the services of that day, giving us, as
it were, a new Divine commission for our subsequent life-work, though
we little dreamed at the time how much was involved in it.

" There was, however, no immediate break. As in the case of our
previous Cornish experience, tbe people listened with the utmost earnest-
ness, and assented to the truth, but they would not respond to our
invitations to come forward to the communion rail.

" The next night the result was much the same. In spite of the
strongest appeals, not a single person would come forward. Knowing
that there were many present who were deeply convinced of their sin,
the invitation was repeated again and again, without eliciting the
slightest response, when suddenly the silence was broken by the loud
cries of a woman, who left her seat, pushed her way through the
crowd, fell upon her kness at the penitent form, and thus became the
first-fruits of what proved to be a glorious harvest of souls."

The services continued to be carried on with encouraging
success. Indeed, as if to reassure Mr. and Mrs. Booth in
regard to the painful step they had recently taken, the result
surpassed any of their previous experience, so that their stay
in Cornwall, which was originally intended to have lasted
but six or seven weeks, was ultimately extended over a
period of eighteen months, which proved to be one long con-
tinuous revival.

The Cornish Campaign. 139

Writing to her parents on September 2nd, Mrs. Booth
says :

" They are most impatient for us to go to St. Ives, but we think of
staying here another week. The work gets better and better. The whole
place is roused. On Sunday night the Wesleyan superintendent sent
one of the circuit stewards, offering the loan of their chapel for Sunday
and Wednesday evenings. We accepted it, and accordingly William
preached last night in the Wesleyan chapel, crammed to suffocation, and
I in the New Connexion, well filled, even though I was not announced.
We had a glorious prayer-meeting in both chapels, about thirty cases in
the Wesleyan and twenty with us, some of them the most precious ones
I ever witnessed. I could fill sheets with the account of one gentleman
which would thrill you with interest, and make you shout the praises of
God. There was much new material last night at the Wesleyan chapel.
Hundreds went away convicted. If the Wesleyans would open their two
chapels and invite us to labour in them, there is no telling what the
work would rise to. We are both very much exhausted this morning,
especially myself. I shall not do so much again. The prayer-meeting
was very heavy. I was drenched in perspiration. But it is wonderful
how God brings me through."

A few days later she writes again :

" I have attended two meetings to-day, one at ten in the morning and
a children's meeting at half-past five this afternoon. So I am stopping
at home to-night, feeling I ought not to do any more. We had the
chapel nearly full of children, and several very sweet cases of penitence
and two of conversion. The work is altogether a very remarkable one.
I wish you could come and see it.

" On Wednesday night William preached in the largest Wesleyan
chapel, about half a mile from the other. It was crammed out into
the street. I should tliiuk there were 1,800 people inside, and I never
witnessed such a scene in my life as the prayer-meeting presented. The
rail was filled in a few minutes with great strong men, who cried aloud
for mercy, some of them as though the pains of hell had actually got
hold of them! Oh, it was a scene! No one could be heard praying,
and the cries and shouts of the penitents almost overpowered the sing-
ing. The gallery was half full and the bottom of the chapel crammed
all the time, so that we could hardly move. We came away at ten
o'clock, leaving them to finish. We spent the night at the house of a
leading Wesleyan close by, being too wet and fagged to walk home."

Referring afterwards to this meeting Mrs. Booth says :

" This unusual noise and confusion was somewhat foreign to our
notions and practices, William believed strongly in everything being
done 'decently and in order.' Indeed, I think he somewhat mistook

140 Mrs. Booth.

the application of this direction. How much more acceptable must be
this apparent disorder, in the eyes of God and angels and all holy beings,
who are alive to the importance of salvation and damnation, than the
stoical indifference and Pharisaic propriety so common in places of wor-
ship ! How much better to have twenty people smiting their breasts
and crying, ' God be merciful to me a sinner, ' with its necessary conse-
quent commotion, than a congregation of equally guilty sinners sitting
•with stiff propriety and in their own estimation ' needing no repentance ! '
I must say that even then I thought the one far more philosophical and
scriptural than the other."

However, the following night, before commencing his
sermon, Mr. Booth thought it wise to speak plainly to the
people on the subject. " I have come here," he said, " to help
you to bring your friends and neighbours to God. If I am to
be of any extensive and abiding service in this direction, you
must accept me as a leader and must follow out my directions.
When I say ' Sing ! ' we must sing, and when I say ' Pray ! '
we must pray. And when I speak, you must as far as
possible listen. Should any one during the sermon be so far
overpowered by their feelings, or by a sense of their danger,
as to be unable to contain themselves, let them be taken into
the vestry, and let two or three praj'ing men or women, as
the case may be, show them the way of salvation, and pray
with them there until the after meeting commences, while
we go on with the preaching. It is the truth that makes
people free, and if we are to go on spreading the work of
salvation, we must go on with the proclamation of the mes-
sage of God."' Mr. Booth then asked all who were willing
to co-operate with him on these lines to hold up their hands.
This request was unanimously responded to, and the ar-
rangement entered into that night was faithfully adhered
to, and consequently it was seldom that the meetings went
beyond control afterwards.

It would be difficult, indeed, to adequately describe the
Hayle revival. Each succeeding meeting appeared to sur-
pass in power and results all that had gone before. The
whole neighbourhood was moved. Salvation was the uni-
versal theme of conversation in the mines, on board the

The Cornish, Campaign. 141

ships, on the wharves, in the factory, in the public-houses,
by the wayside, and in almost every home. Not only was
this the case in the town itself, but from the surrounding
villages and hamlets it was usual for both the saved and the
unsaved to walk eight, ten, fifteen, and twenty miles to the
meetings. Deputations came from the neighbouring towns
urging Mr. and Mrs. Booth to come and conduct meetings,
and assuring them of the heartiest co-operation. They were
hailed on all hands as messengers from heaven, and their
name with thousands became a household word. Indeed,
the love of the people was very remarkable. Thirty years
have elapsed, and yet it is common to meet with the fruits
of that revival in all quarters of the globe, and to receive
letters from those who date their spiritual birth from these
meetings.

The services were brought to a close by a great. farewell
festival. Near Hayle there is a large common called The
Towans, on the cliff overhanging the sea. Here it was ar-
ranged to hold a monster picnic for one thousand people,
this being reckoned to be a large number for so small a
town. It was calculated, however, that no less than two
thousand persons were actually present, all the available
supplies which could be obtained from anywhere being
rapidly disposed of.

The tea being concluded, the congregation adjourned to
the large Wesleyan Chapel, which was crowded out, and
congratulatory addresses were delivered by various persons.
On the following night Mr. Booth delivered his final, fare-
well sermon, which was followed by a powerful and touch-
ing scene, when more than sixty persons sought salvation,
it being necessary to throw open the schoolroom as well as
the chapel for the anxious penitents, a large number of whom
were men.

From Hayle Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to St. Ives, a
thriving little town with a population of 7,000, chiefly
famous for its pilchard fishery. The pilchard is a small fish,
somewhat shorter and stouter than a herring. They swim

142 Mrs. Booth.

in shoals, and annually visit the Cornish coasts, but are not
always sufficiently obliging to enter the bay of St. Ives, so
that the occupation' is a somewhat precarious one. Some-
times a few miles up the channel, sometimes a few miles
down, they constitute a tantalising spectacle for the fisher-
men, who line the cliffs or lounge about the shore with their
nets piled up in their baats, ready for action. All through
the summer men are stationed to watch their movements on
the surface of the sea.

It so happened that some weeks after the meetings had
been commenced the arrival of a shoal was signalled, when
the boats were immediately put out, and in half an hour
some thirty or forty million fish were captured, or rather
enclosed in the nets, to be landed at leisure. Quite two-
thirds of the entire population were employed in landing the
fish, putting them into pickle, draining the oil from them
and packing them in barrels, ready for transmission to the
Mediterranean, where there is a large demand for them.
The haul was valued at £6,000, a not unprofitable return
on the £80,000 which was said to be embarked in the
speculation.

As in the case of Hayle, so at St. Ives the invitation to
visit the town came from the New Connexion congregation,
and it was at their chapel that the revival services were
commenced.

At St. Ives Mr. and Mrs. Booth were joined by the chil-
dren. It was the longest absence from them which Mrs.
Booth had hitherto experienced. Nor would she subse-
quently consent to any arrangement which involved a
lengthened separation during their childhood. Indeed,
nothing could induce her to neglect their highest interests,
and however loud might be the call for her services else-
where, she would undertake nothing that clashed with the
claims of her husband and children. Considering her deli-
cate health, it was the more remarkable that public work of
so onerous a character was made to harmonise with the con-
tinued pressure of domestic duties.

The Cornish Campaign. 143

Writing to Mrs. Mumford from St. Ives, Mrs. Booth
says :—

" At my meeting last Sunday we bad the chapel packed, \vhile hun-
dreds went away unable to get in. I enjoyed fair liberty, and have
heard since that the people were very much pleased, and I trust
profited. I have held morning meetings through the week. They have
been well attended and much blessed. This morning there was a very
gracious influence. I am to speak again next Sunday afternoon. I do
wish you could both spend the day with us. It would be better tban
Reclungton, I fancy ! I did nok know before that my dear father re-
garded that as the day of his decision for Jesus. Oh, how my heart
swelled with gratitude when I read it ! Bless the Lord, oh my soul !
How wonderful is His mercy and how marvellous are His works !

" With all these things to do, together with morning meetings one
day, children's meetings another, and the services at night, you will see
we have enough on hand. I never was so busy in my life. I have to
help Mary with the children, in dressing them and undressing them
to go out twice a day, and in washing them and putting them to bed at
night. Willie goes with me to the children's meetings and likes them
very much. He sadly wants to write to you, but I have not had time
to superintend him, and it is such lovely weather that they are out most
of their time. They go off directly after breakfast and stop till eleven
o'clock on the sands, and then agaiu from two till five. They each have
a spade with which they dig tunnels, mountains, brooks, etc. They
never had such fun in their lives before. You would be delighted to see
them running away from the waves, and then back again to their rivers,
which the retreating wave has filled with water !

The work in St. Ives soon gave promise of becoming as
glorious in its character as any that had preceded it.
Meetings were held in all the principal places of worship in
the town, with the sole exception of the Established Church,
the members of which, however, joined with the rest of the
people in attending the services, which commenced on the
30th September and closed on the 18th January following.
During this time no less than 1,028 persons professed con-
version, besides many children.

The converts included twenty-eight captains of vessels,
two members of the Corporation, and three mine agents.

CHAPTER XVII.
THE CORNISH CAMPAIGN. 18G2.

ST. JusT stood next upon the programme, and here the
revival is graphically described and the use of the penitent
form ably defended, in a series of letters written by Mr.
Booth to a friend and published in the Wesleyan Times and
other revival newspapers. Lack of space makes it im-
possible to more than summarise these interesting records
of the work.

." On Sunday, the 26th, we commenced our services here in
the Bible Christian chapel. At night the place was literally
besieged with people, and it was calculated that some two
thousand were turned away unable to gain admission. I
never witnessed anything like the crowd. Some time be-
fore the service hundreds were coming away, every available
space within the chapel being literally choked with people.
The meeting was a powerful one, and five souls responded
to the invitation to come out and proclaim themselves on the
Lord's side. On the following night the work continued in
a very hopeful manner, save that our method of inviting
sinners to come forward to the communion rail met with
considerable opposition.

" For myself I had no doubt as to the ultimate result. But
some began to fear that their expectations would be cut off
and that the long-desired revival would not come. On
Thursday much prayer had been offered, and at half-past
nine that night the answer came. The windows of Heaven
were opened and a shower of blessed influence descended
upon us. The effect was electrical. It was sudden and
overpowering. The sinners could restrain themselves no

Hi

The Cornish Campaign. 145

longer. Hearts were breaking, or broken, in every direction.
The chapel was filled Avith the glory. The meeting was
continued until midnight, and numbers found peace. The
tidings spread with astonishing rapidity throughout the
neighbourhood, and the people rejoiced in all direptions to
hear that the revival had begun in real earnest."

Writing from St. Just a short time afterwards, Mr. Booth
says:

" I can scarcely believe that three weeks have elapsed
since I last wrote to you. When the mind is absorbed in a
congenial occupation, time flies quickly. And what em-
ployment so agreeable, so fascinating as that in which, by
the good providence of God, we find ourselves just now
engaged to the utmost limits of our time and capacity ? Not
only can we say with John Smith, l Soul-saving is my busi-
ness—God hath given me a heart for it/ but we can add that
God has granted us the desires of our heart in giving us a
most prosperous and successful business. It has been re-
ported in Penzance that all the sinners in this town have
been converted save sixty ! Although this is far from true,
yet events and influences seem to be rapidly shaping in that
direction, and the signs of the times indicate the possible
realisation of such a happy result.

" When I say that the whole place is moved, I mean that
nearly every individual in the neighbourhood is more or less
interested in the subject of religion. Little else is talked
about, and in many instances little else besides soul-saving
work is done. A gentleman informed me yesterday that
a great number of the miners are too absorbed either with
their own salvation or with that of others to do much
work. Many of the agents of the mines had expressed their
willingness to allow the men to leave their work, only too
glad that they should be converted. Whether saved or not
themselves, they knew that Christianity will bring about
a reformation of character only too desirable in many
instances.

"The Inspector of Police says that last Saturday night

146 Mrs. Booth.

was the best night he has had since he came into the place,
the Saturday night prior to the commencement of the work
having been the worst. Indeed, some of the vilest characters
in the town are being saved. One poor fellow, who has
been in the hands of the police times without number, cried
out in the schoolroom on Wednesday afternoon, 'He has
saved me, the very worst of sinners. In that corner I found
the blessing. I shall never forget that corner.' This spot
henceforth became quite popular with the penitents. As
one steps out of it rejoicing, another throws himself into it,
so that it has become quite a sacred place.

" Conviction is spreading in every direction, and it must
be so. Everywhere the newly saved, their hearts glowing
with the love of Christ, are publishing His praises. The
public-houses are deserted. A friend said last night that
during the day he had been to three of them, the entire
customers of them all consisting of two travelling chimney-
sweeps. One parlour in the most frequented of these houses,
usually too well furnished with guests, was on this occasion
tenanted by its solitary landlord.

" You will gather from this that we are in the midst of a
real religious excitement. But you will not, like some good
people here, be alarmed at it. As for ourselves, we rejoice
concerning it exceeding^. Is it not what we wish to see
brought about everywhere ? What ! Would not the Chris-
tians of your great city rejoice, if they could only make the
truths of the Bible the topic of conversation in every house ?
This is one of the foundation principles that govern our prac-
tice. We believe that if we can only make the people think
about these truths, it will lead to their salvation. Thousands
around us are being absorbed and carried away by the excite-
ments of business, ambition, and pleasure. It is only b}'
means of a counter-excitement such as this that we find it
possible to successfully arrest their attention."

In the marvellous meetings of the St. Just campaign, Mrs.
Booth played a very prominent part. Her Sunday afternoon
meetings were seasons of exceptional demonstration and

The Cornish Campaign. 147

power. The people walked in for miles round in order to be
present at the one service. Numbers would start on the
previous night, bringing their refreshments with them,
although this involved returning as soon as the meeting was
over, and walking all night in order to get to their daily
work by Monday morning.

It was in this town that Mrs. Booth held her first meeting
for women only. These services subsequently became a
special feature in her life work, invariably attracting large
and select gatherings, and by their practical and convincing
character revolutionising the homes and lives of multitudes.

On the pioneer occasion in St. Just, the spacious Wesleyan
Chapel was crowded with women. It was calculated that
some 2,500 were present.

Mr. Alfred Chenhalls, then popularly known in the neigh-
bourhood as "the king of the Wesleyans," being a gentleman
of wealth and a prominent Christian worker, gives an inte-
resting account of this meeting. " It was a Good Friday,
and Mr. Booth had asked me," says Mr. Chenhalls, " to go
over with him to Pendeen, to hear the Rev. Robert Aitken
preach. After the service we lingered behind and spoke to
Mr. Aitken. On our way home we learned to our surprise
that Mrs. Booth's special service for women was not yet
over. My wife met me, saying, * Oh, Alfred, we have had a
time ! There never was such a sight seen in St. Just before.
Mrs. Booth talked with such Divine power that it seemed to
me as if every person in the chapel who was not right with
God must at once consecrate themselves to His service. I
never witnessed such a scene in my life. Oh, that you had
been there ! ' I went off to the chapel, and found that the
meeting was only just breaking up, and from what I gathered
I firmly believe that there was no single service which pro-
duced such wonderful results. Many of those who had up
to this time resisted Mr. Booth's powerful appeals were
brought in on this occasion.

" We were very much affected by Mrs. Booth's domestic
graces as well as by her public gifts. I remember calling

148 Mrs. Booth.

upon her one day and finding her busy ironing, with all the
dexterity and confidence of an experienced hand."

The subsequent progress of the revival is described by Mr.
Booth in the following letters :

" On Sabbath, February 23rd, we transferred our meetings from the
Bible Christian to the Wesleyan Chapel. It is a large structure, capable
of seating about two thousand persons. Instead of the usual pulpit, it
has a capacious platform, and altogether speaks highly for the liberal
and enterprising spirit of the people who have erected it. Mr. Hobson,
the superintendent of this circuit, is a veteran in the ministry, having
' travelled ' fifty-one years, during nearly twenty of which he has been
chairman of the Cornish district. He and his two colleagues met mo
with the greatest cordiality and the fullest assurance of co-operation and
sympathy.

" After preaching on holiness, we invited those who would make the
entire consecration of all to Jesus and take Him as a complete Saviour
to come forward. Many of the principal Christians led the way, and
within a few minutes more than a hundred persons were bowed in tears
and prayer, waiting for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. And the Holy
Spirit descended, cleansing the polluted, and signifying the acceptance
of the many whole-hearted sacrifices here laid on the altar.

"Never shall I forget that scene. All who witnessed it were well-nigh
overwhelmed with a sense of the Divine presence. It was the nearest
approach to the descent of the mighty rushing wind on the day of
Pentecost to anything in my experience, or in that of those present.
That Sabbath morning will be hallowed in the recollections of St. Just
for many years to come.

" The work now assumed more formidable proportions. It widened
as well as deepened. Afternoon and evening, similar outpourings of the
Spirit were realised, and during the succeeding week as many as forty,
fifty, and sixty sought the Saviour day -by day. The revival is every-
where tbe engrossing theme.

" Last Wednesday the Cornish Telegraph announced that the drill of
the rifle corps had been suspended, and that business generally was at
a standstill in consequence of the revival. The motto of the county arms
is ' One and all,' and this is a true characteristic of the people. A
friend told me the other day that in passing one evening through a
hamlet containing some dozen houses, he was accosted by a man who
told him that all the adult population were gone to a distant chapel to a
revival service, leaving him as the sole guard and protector of their
children and property, so that he was going from house to house looking
after all. I was also informed three weeks ago that at Truthwells, a
village half a mile away, out of fifty-eight adults, fifty-two were already
saved. By this time I trust that the devil has been deprived of the re-
maining six."

The Cornish Campaign. 149

Mr. Hobson, the superintendent, had been at the onset
greatly impressed by the services. Indeed, it is possible
that he would have continued to favour them to the end, but
for the powerful pressure brought to bear upon him by some
of his ministerial brethren. In describing one of her first
meetings at which Mr. Hobson was present, Mrs. Booth
says:

" Knowing how ill I have been, you will be surprised to hear of my
Sunday effort. Well, I certainly did transgress as to time, and have had
to pay the price since. But I am not much the worse for it now, and I
hope many will be better for it to all eternity. It was a glorious
congregation. I never saw a more imposing sight. I had liberty, and
it was a very solemn and I trust a profitable time. Mr. Hobson, al-
though I did not know it till afterwards, was present, his second preacher
opening the service forme. The presence of the latter did not embarrass
me the least. I am wonderfully delivered from all fear, after I once get
my mouth open.

" When I came down from the platform Mr. Hobson received me most
kindly, took my hand in both of his like a father, and told me he should
often be coming to see us now. Does it not seem wonderful how the
rough places are made smooth and the crooked places straight before us ?
This is the chairman who sent word to Hayle, in answer to the inquiries
of the Superintendent there as to whether I might go into their chapel
at the wish of their people, that it was contrary to their rules and
usages ! Kules and usages can be wonderfully surmounted when the
heart is touched ! Well, the Lord rules and over-rules both men and
rules, and I trust this is of His doing. At any rate it enables my dear
husband to get at the people, which was partially impossible in the small
chapels, besides almost killing him with the heat and crush. You see, the
Wesleyans have nearly all the large chapels."

At the conclusion of the services in the "Wesleyan Chapel
the meetings were continued at Buryan and Pendeen, in the
immediate neighbourhood of St. Just, and afterwards trans-
ferred to Lelant, an attractive suburb of the same town.

It was towards the end of July that Mr. and Mrs. Booth
proceeded to Penzance, where they remained during the next
two months. They had looked forward to a great work in
this town, having been warmly invited by a number of the
leading Wesleyans, who had assured them of their hearty
co-operation and support. True, the minister had objected
to the use of the chapel, even threatening to leave the town

150 Mrs. Booth.

while the meetings were being held, but he had been told by
his own officials that, greatly as they respected him, they
valued infinitely more the salvation of their families and
friends. Mr. and Mrs. Booth had therefore quite anticipated
that his opposition would be over-ruled, and that with the
people so whole-heartedly on their side, they would be able to
carry the day, at any rate for a time, as in the case of St.
Just. The Wesleyan Conference had, however, in the mean-
time met, and had adopted a resolution forbidding the use of
their chapels by Mr. and Mrs. Booth. The situation of affairs
was thus materially altered, and they found themselves
unable to carry out their previous programme. Not that the
attitude of the people had been affected, as will be shown by
the following extract from one of Mrs. Booth's letters :

" There is a very strong and universal desire amongst the people for
us to labour here. Mary cannot go into a shop, or speak to an indivi-
dual, but they want to know when we begin meetings in Penzance. The
people, saints and sinners alike, are ripe for a glorious work, and there
is no room for doubt but that at least a thousand souls might easily be
gathered in.

" In the meantime, however, William is holding meetings at Mousehole.
It is only a small place, with a population of about one thousand five
hundred, many of whom are now away at the North Sea fisheries. But
it will fill up the interval, while we are arranging for larger meetings
here and elsewhere.

" I do not know what doubts and fears William had been expressing
to you that called forth your encouraging remarks. But I do not parti-
cipate in them in the least, and have no fear about the future, if only his
health holds out."

The meetings here alluded to in Mousehole were succeeded
by a series held in a small chapel at Penzance. Man}7
sought salvation in both places. Nevertheless, the character
of the buildings and other circumstances combined to make
this period a somewhat trying one.

But just as the dark and discouraging days in Brighouse
had been brightened for Mr. and Mrs. Booth by the advent
of their son Ballington, so the storm-clouds of Penzance dis-
played a silver lining in the birth of their fifth child Herbert,
the future musician of the Salvation Army, the composer of

The CornisJi Campaign. 151

some of its most stirring melodies and the originator of its
countless brass bands.

In her eldest child Mrs. Booth had presented to the world
a ruler, an organiser, and a financier of unusual capacity ; in
her second was the powerful apostle ; her third- born was to
bridge the gulf of continental infidelity ; her fourth was to

voice the thrilling claims of heathen lands. And now a
fifth and fitting keystone was added to the rising arch, in
the unconscious infant who was to be in a special sense the
sweet psalmist and musician of the modern Salvation Army
Israel, making palace and garret ring alike with sacred song,
so simple that the merest child could understand, and yet
so rich in harmony as to carry the appreciation of the best
trained ear.

The great temptation in the possession of such gifts has
ever been to direct their exercise toward the purposes of

152 Mrs. Booth.

selfish ambition and personal aggrandisement. It is but
seldom that individuals or families recognise the lien that
God and humanity claim upon their talents. Mrs. Booth
never ceased in striving to inspire her children with the all-
important truth that every human gift belonged to God, and
must be used in the service of mankind.

She used to declare that she would pray a wicked child
dead, rather than it should grow up to dishonour God and
hinder the advancement of His kingdom. "I remember/'
says her daughter Emma, " how she would gather us round
her and pray with us. I used to wear a low frock, and her
hot tears would often drop upon my neck, sending a thrill
through me which I can never forget. She used to say in
her prayers that she would rather her boys should be
chimney-sweeps and her girls should be scullery-maids than
that we should grow up wicked. Often she would pray
aloud, making us repeat the words after her. When I was
only about three years old I was saying my prayers once
when a lady friend of my mother's happened to be in the
room. She told me afterwards how I added a little im-
promptu of my own, 'And oh, Dod, b'ess de lady and make
her bery dood!' She used to say that she never could
forget that prayer."

Referring to her children in some letters written at this
period, Mrs. Booth says : —

" Willie has commenced to write jrou a grand letter, and has spoiled I
don't know how many sheets of paper, but it is not finished yet. He
certainly is improving very much. I believe the 'Spirit is striving with
him. He is so tender, and tries hard to be good and obedient. Every-
body says what a sharp boy he is. I am very anxious about Ballington,
and do not like his symptoms at all. I fear there is something on his
lungs. He has a cough, is constantly complaining of pain in his chest,
and has shrunk away dreadfully. It would indeed be hard work to leave
him behind us in Cornwall. Pray for us. I would say respecting all of
them, ' The will of the Lord be done ! ' But all within me shrinks from
the idea of losing any of them. We are not sending either of them to
school ; I hate schools.

" Katie gets more interesting every day. She certainly is a beautiful
girl. Papa says she inherits her grandmama's dignity. At any rate

The Cornish Campaign. 153

she inherits somebody's, for she moves about like a little princess, and
would grace Windsor Castle itself ! She and Emma sing very nicely,
' We are doin' home to dory ! '

" You are right. Emma does get a fine girl. She is the pet of the
family, and has a sweet, happy disposition. People stop to admire her
in the street, and she is such a talker ! Mary was telling her to hush
the other day when she was chattering to me. She looked up and said,
' Me not 'peakin' to oo / Me 'peakin' to mama ! ' She said to-night
just before she went to bed, 'Me wove (love) mama a million miles!
Me wove the Lord wery much ! Me go to Heaven when me die ! '

" I am much obliged for your proposal about the children. Bat I can
never let any of them leave home for a permanency, while I am at all
able to look after them, especially while they are so young. I believe
home influence and sympathies indispensable to the right formation of
character, and although I cannot do as I would, I think I can do more
in that direction than any governess. I could manage so much better,
but my poor weak body is a perpetual drawback."

On September 28th a revival commenced which was equal
in extent and power to any of those which had preceded it.
Mr. and Mrs. Booth had removed to the prosperous little
town of Redruth, which, with its population of about 10,000,
was now the scene of an awakening, the influence of which
extended through all the surrounding countryside. Mrs.
Booth was happily so far restored as to be able once more to
actively share in the labours of her husband, equally to his
joy and to the benefit of the work.

The meetings were carried on in the Free Methodist
chapel. This was a much larger building" than those in
Penzance and Mousehole, and would accommodate consider-
ably upwards of one thousand persons.

So great was the number of the penitents that Mr. Booth
had the usual communion rails extended across the entire
breadth of the chapel, besides erecting barriers to keep off
the crowds of onlookers, who pressed so closely to the front
that it was found almost impossible to deal effectually with
those who were seeking salvation. Indeed it was his
ordinary practice to complete these arrangements previously
to the commencement of his services in any town. This in
itself caused no small stir. The absolute assurance of
success with which these preachers set to work almost

154 Mrs. Bodth.

paralysed the Christians among whom they had come to
labour, the majority of whom wished to wait and see if a
revival were really forthcoming before making any such
preparations. How rarely, after all, does the Son of Man
find upon the earth, even among His professed followers, the
faith which anticipates the blessing, and which cries in the
midst of the most adverse circumstances, "It shall be
done!"

At the conclusion of the services, in the course of which
a thousand persons professed conversion, Mr. and Mrs. Booth
commenced similar meetings in the neighbouring town of
Camborne. The chapel was capable of seating comfortably
a thousand persons, but thirteen or fourteen hundred usually
crowded into it. On a somewhat smaller scale the revival
here was a repetition of the glorious work in Redruth, the
tokens of God's presence and favour being with them to the
last. It was an appropriate termination to their present
campaign, this being the conclusion of their Cornish pro-
gramme.

It was calculated that during the eighteen months which
had elapsed since their resignation, no less than seven
thousand persons had professed conversion. Not only had
the majority of these joined the religious bodies of their
respective towns, but a considerable number had developed
into active workers, and not a few became preachers of the
Gospel.

CHAPTER, XVIII.

CARDIFF. 1863.

FOR some time past the question had considerably exer-
cised Mr. and Mrs. Booth as to what should be their next
destination. They had invitations in Cornwall which
would have occupied them for some months to come. They
loved the people, and were happy in their midst. But of
late the calls from other districts had been increasing
in urgency. The very fact of their success, xvafted abroad
as it had been on the wings of newspapers and by the re-
ports of their spiritual children, had created an earnest
desire in the hearts of others to share in the blessing of
their ministry. At length, however, they received a call
from Cardiff, whither they had been preceded by many of
their sailor converts, which appeared to be of so pressing
and important a character, that they ultimately decided
upon this town as their next centre.

It was during the second week in February, 1863, that
they bade a final farewell to their warm-hearted Cornish
friends and started for their new sphere. The recent action
of the various Conferences in refusing the use of their
chapels to evangelists forced upon Mr. and Mrs. Booth what
became afterwards one of the most distinctive and successful
features of their work, the use of public and unsectarian
buildings. True, they continued for some years to labour in
the chapels of various denominations. Nevertheless, they
drifted more and more in the direction of popular resorts.

The Cardiff visit is therefore signalised from the fact that
the first departure in this direction was there made, a large
circus being taken, in which was sustained a series of im-
portant and effective meetings.

155

156

Mrs. Boot/i.

The meetings in Cardiff resulted in the professed conver-
sion of some five hundred persons. Hundreds more con-
secrated themselves, freshly to the service of God, and
entered into the enjoyment of a new and blessed experience,
to which they had hitherto been strangers. Not the least
interesting and valuable outcome of the meetings was, how-
ever, the formation of some life-long friendships which were

MR. JOHN CORY, OF CARDIFF.

to exercise a considerable influence upon the future work of
Mr. and Mrs. Booth.

Among the most influential and prominent of the Christian
workers who had invited them to Cardiff were the Messrs.
John and Richard Cory, the well-known ship and colliery
owners. With shrewd sagacity these two gentlemen fore-
saw the great future that lay before the evangelists, and
witji rare consistency and increasing liberality they have con-
tinued to support the work for a period of more than thirty

Cardiff. 157

years. From the day when the firm named one of their
newly-bought ships the " William Booth," and set apart a
share in its expected profits for the assistance of the cause
in which the evangelists were engaged, their interest has
continued. Although the vessel was soon afterwards
wrecked off the island of Bermuda, they did not allow this
catastrophe to prevent them from carrying out their original
intention, and proved themselves in many a dark tempestuous
hour friends who could be relied upon.

Mr. Richard Cory, being a Baptist, differed in some lesser
doctrinal questions from Mr. and Mrs. Booth, but his ardent
impulsive nature, and his intense zeal for the cause of
Christ, usually carried him with a bound over his objections,
and his anxiety to see souls saved enabled him to overlook
the minor and theoretical distinctions which might otherwise
have stood in the way.

Mr. John Cory, on the other hand, was a matter-of-fact,
hard-headed, clear-sighted man of business. Just as in the
case of his business relationships his chief anxiety was to
see the work done and the profits realised, so with this
spiritual partnership which he had thus early formed, he
judged by results and was satisfied. Often flooded with
pamphlets and criticisms of an adverse character, Mr. Cory
has always taken a broad, statesmanlike view of the subject,
and without claiming for the work perfection, has proved
his unshaken confidence in the integrity and capacity of its
leaders. Refusing to let his mind be distracted from the
main object by petty quibbles as to minor details, he has
persistently estimated the value of the tree by its fruits.
While God blessed the labourers with such manifest out-
pourings of His Holy Spirit, Mr. Cory felt that he was more
than justified in holding out the right hand of fellowship.
How many have pursued an opposite and mistaken course in
allowing themselves to be unduly influenced by some minor
differences of opinion, forgetting that it would be easy for
cavillers to discover motes in every brother's eye and beams
jn that of every existing organisation.

158 Mrs. Booth.

Mr. Cory also pursued the straightforward course of seeing
the work for himself, and has thus had the advantage of
forming his own opinions, irrespective of the reports of
others. The " audi altcram partem" the even-handedness,
of British justice, was an essential article in his creed, and
if anything arose which seemed to require explanation, he
was not slow to refer it to those who were most interested
in the matter. Calumnies, slanders, mis-statements, and
exaggerations had to run the gauntlet of an open court, and
failed to obtain the back-door access which they usually

MRS. BILLUPS, OF CARDIFF.

seek. The mutual confidence which such conduct could not
but inspire has gained for Mr. Cory the satisfaction of
witnessing the triumph of the principles which he has so
long and so consistently supported.

From Cardiff Mr. and Mrs. Booth proceeded to Newport,
where their efforts were seriously crippled by the inability
to secure suitable buildings. Added to this, Mrs. Booth was
prostrated soon after their arrival by a serious attack of
influenza, which prevented her from taking her accustomed
share in the meetings. Nevertheless more than one hundred
persons professed conversion.

Cardiff. 159

At the close of the Newport meetings, Mr. and Mrs. Booth
were invited for a few days of rest and change to Weston-
super-Mare by two of their newly-made Cardiff friends, Mr.
and Mrs. Billups. A friendship of a warm and unchanging
character sprang up between Mrs. Booth and Mrs. Billups.
To this we are indebted for a voluminous correspondence, to
which frequent reference will be made in tjie ensuing pages.

Mrs. Billups was one of those self-depreciatory but truly
noble-minded and large-hearted characters, rarely found, and

MB. BILLUPS, OF CARDIFF.

seldom duly valued. Sensitively conscientious, she often
blamed herself for what others would have praised. The
very essence of benevolence, she could not endure to see
suffering without endeavouring to alleviate it. With a
mental and moral horizon that was unbounded by the narrow-
mindedness of mere self-interest, she was at the same time
both intellectual and spiritual.

It requires a heart to appreciate a heart, and a mind to
appreciate a mind. Mrs. Billups was endowed with both.

160 Mrs. Booth.

Her mental abilities were such as to enable her to recognise
the superior gifts of Mrs. Booth, and yet to companion her in
a sense that few could do. At the same time the intense
hunger of her soul for God and her boundless admiration for
piety and heroism made her an eager disciple of her friend
and counsellor. She did not, it is true, possess the colossal
strength of will and self-reliance which enabled Mrs. Booth
to face without flinching storms which would have prostrated
any ordinary mind. But it would hardly be just to compare
characters of so different a cast and calibre.

Mr. Billups, a contractor by profession, was not only
warmly attached to his amiable and talented wife, but held
her in the highest veneration. Himself the essence of good-
nature, and an optimist of the most pronounced type, he pre-
sented the very antithesis to Mrs. Billups, whose whole life
was tinged with self-condemnation, the peculiar qualities of
each counteracting the despair of the one or the over-elation
of the other.

Both have proved themselves unswerving friends of Mr.
and Mrs. Booth alike in the dark seasons of perplexity and
poverty, and in the heyday of their most brilliant achieve-
ments. The short visit to Weston-super-Mare served to
cement the friendship which had been formed amid the hurry
and rush of the Cardiff revival. It was a bright and long-
remembered oasis in what happened to be somewhat of a
desert experience. Cut off from their old associates by the
recent decrees of the three Conferences, they had not yet
rallied the band of sympathisers who were to help them in
their future plans. " Our experience at this time/' says
General. Booth, " was that of the old clergyman, who said
that the church would not contain his acquaintances, but the
pulpit was too large for his friends ! " Happily those days
are long since past, and the Salvation Army can reckon on
the assistance of many valued friends, who, if not actually
enrolled within its ranks, are able and ready to render
services the worth of which it would be difficult to estimate.
But while thankful for the many new faces that sprang up

Cardiff. 161

around her from year to year, none were more heartily
appreciated and gladly welcomed by Mrs. Booth to the last
than the old and long-tried comrades-in-arms, whose affection
had been tested by the fires of adversity, and the wear and
waste of time.

After leaving Weston-super-Mare Mr. and Mrs. Booth
spent the next eight weeks at the town of Walsall, near
Birmingham. They had been invited there by a small strug-
gling society who called themselves Free Methodists, but who
were in reality independent of that and every other Church.
Mr. Booth's diary contains the following sketch of the meet-
ings:

" Sabbath, 28th June.— A few days ago it occurred to me that a day's
open-air services would be useful in arousing the town and in bringing
under the Gospel a great number whom we cannot reach even by the
extraordinary means we are at present employing. Accordingly we laid
our plans and issued a large poster, of which the following is a copy : —

"'ME. AND MRS. BOOTH AT WALSALL.

" ' A United Monster Camp Meeting will be held in a field near
Hatherton Lake on Sabbath, June 28th.

" • Addresses will be given by Eevs. William Booth, Thos. Whitehouse,
and other ministers of the neighbourhood, and also by converted pugi-
lists, horse-racers, poachers, and others from Birmingham, Liverpool,
and Nottingham.

" ' Mrs. Booth will preach at Whittemere Street Chapel in the evening
at six o'clock.

" ' Services to commence at nine a.m.'

" The dawning of this Sabbath was anxiously anticipated, and very
early many eyes peered forth to discern the character of the weather,
and were gladdened at the probability of a fine day. By nine o'clock a
large company had assembled at the chapel. After prayer we started to
procession the town, and with a company which swelled in numbers as
we proceeded we made the streets echo with heart-stirring songs. Here
and there we paused for prayer, or a word of exhortation, and very often
for the announcement of the coming services. The people ran in crowds.
Preachers and praying men from surrounding towns and villages joined
us as we passed along, hundreds of stragglers followed in our train, and
by the time we reached the camp-ground we had quite an imposing
gathering.

" The field which had been kindly lent for the occasion was admirably
suited for our purpose, having in it several natural eminences, at the
base of which we placed our waggons, and with the people lining the

M

1 62 Mrs. Booth.

sides of the green hills in front and on either side, the gathering pre-
sented quite a picturesque appearance. The morning services vrere
excellent, the attendance equalling oar most sanguine expectations. The
afternoon excelled anything of the kind ever witnessed before in the
neighbourhood. It was calculated that there were nearly five thousand
people on the ground, three-fourths of whom were working men. The
speakers were just of the stamp to grapple with this class, chiefly of
their own order, talking to them in their own language, regarding them-
selves as illustrations of the power of the Gospel, and continually crying,
' Such were some of us, but we are washed. '

" One of them had been a prize-fighter, a drunkard, and a gambler,
having tramped all over the country. His wife and child had been in
the union. So desperate had he been that five and six policemen had
been require^ to take him to prison, and then from the grating of the
lock-up he had waved his hand to his comrades, shouting, ' This is the
boy that will never give in ! ' Now he shouts, ' The lion's tamed ! The
Ethiopian's white ! The sinner's saved! Christ has conquered.' By
his evil ways he had nearly broken his parents' hearts, but, being pious,
they had never ceased to pray for him. Now they rejoiced over him,
and the other day he sent them his portrait, with a Bible in his hand
instead of the boxing gloves. All this and a great deal more he testified
with great simplicity, while his face, covered with smiles, told of the
happiness which now reigned within.

" Another had been a horse-racer, a professional gambler, and a
drunkard. To use his own words, there was not one in that great crowd
who could be worse than he had been. A short pipe and a black eye
would give an idea of his usual appearance at any time.

" These were some of the speakers. Others spoke with equally blessed
influence. At different periods the speakers left the waggons, large
circles were formed on the grass and all united in prayer. It was five
o'clock before the afternoon service closed, and then we left our ex-racing
friend pleading the cause of Jesus with the crowd that still lingered in
the field.

" In the evening my dear wife spoke to a great crowd in the chapel,
while I held a meeting in the field close by. We united for the prayer-
meeting, when about forty persons sought salvation."

In liis pugilist preachers and horse-racing leaders Mr,
Booth early recognised the principle that the working classes
were most effectually influenced by their own flesh and blood,
and added another to the foundation truths which contributed
to the ultimate success of the Salvation Army.

Mr. Booth, leaping down on another occasion from the
chair in the market-place and linking arm-'j with a navvy

Cardiff. 163

in his inarch through the streets, was eminently typical of
the descent he was to make from conventionality and
traditionalism, and of the alliance that he was to form with
the toiling masses of the world. The act of the moment
was to be the inspiration of years to come. It was arm-in-
arm, as their brother-sinner saved by grace, that he was to
lead the socialistic, democratic, turbid, restless masses of
humanity back to order, back to religion, and back to God.
The pulpit, even when it was a chair, or a waggon, seemed
too far off to enable Mr. and Mrs. Booth to reach the multi-
tudes whom they sought to save. Mrs. Booth with her
arms around her weeping servant, pointing her to Christ,
the General arm-in-arm with his white-slopped navvy, had
unconsciously taken a fresh and important step in advance
toward the accomplishment of their great life-task.

A few days after the camp-meeting previously described,
Mr. Booth met with an unfortunate accident, which served
for a time to throw the burden of the work entirely upon
Mrs. Booth. In leaving the chapel one night, he put his
foot into a hole which had been made for the purpose of
some alterations to the gas-fittings of the place, and gave it
a wrench which completely lamed him and confined him to
his room for the next fortnight. As soon, however, as he
was able to get out again he was in his accustomed place,
standing on one leg and resting the other knee upon a chair.
A day or two afterwards he hobbled round the town with the
procession, his indomitable spirit ever carrying him to the
utmost limit of his strength.

Perhaps the most cheering, and not the least important
incident of the Walsall revival, was the conversion of their
son Bramwell. It took place at one of the children's meet-
ings which Mrs. Booth was in the custom of conducting.
" For some little time," says his mother, " I had been
anxious on his behalf. He had appeared deeply convicted
during the Cardiff services, and one night at the circus I had
urged him very earnestly to decide for Christ. For a long
time he would not speak, but I insisted on his giving me a

1 64 Mrs. Booth.

definite answer as to whether he would accept the offer of
salvation or not. I shall never forget the feeling that
thrilled through my soul when my darling boy, only seven
years old, about whom I had formed such high expectations
with regard to his future service for the Master, deliberately
looked me in the face and answered ' No ! '

" It was, therefore, not only with joy, but with some little
surprise that I discovered him in one of my Wtilsall meet-
ings kneeling at the communion rail among a crowd of little
penitents. He had come out of his own accord from the
middle of the hall, and I found him squeezed in among the
rest, confessing his sins and seeking forgiveness. I need not
say that I dealt with him faithfully, and, to the great joy of
both his father and myself, he then and there received the
assurance of pardon."

After continuing the services for eight weeks, Mr. and
Mrs. Booth bade farewell to Walsall. Powerful and success-
ful as had been the revival, and numerous as had been the
trophies of saving grace, it had been financially a severe and
prolonged struggle. " We have not at present received as
much as our travelling expenses and house-rent," Mrs. Booth
writes to her mother. " I feel a good deal perplexed, and am
sometimes tempted to mistrust the Lord. But I will not
allow it. Our Father knows ! "

The next meetings were held at the New Connexion
Chapel in Moseley Street, Birmingham. More than a
hundred and fifty souls were ingathered as a result of this
effort, and at the farewell meeting the following resolution
was passed with great cordiality and unanimity:

" This society desires to express its gratitude to the Almighty for the
success which has attended the labours of the Eev. William and Mrs.
Booth, while conducting a series of specialreligious meetings in Moseley
Street Chapel, and begs to present to the Kev. William and Mrs. Booth
its best thanks for the great services they have rendered to this society,
and prays that God's blessing may attend them in all their future
labours, and that at last they may be crowned with glory, honour, im-
mortality and eternal life."

Without removing his family from Birmingham Mr.

Cardiff, 165

Booth spent the next five weeks in carrying on work at Old
Hill in connection with the Primitive Methodists. As a
result some two hundred persons professed conversion. In
these and in the following meetings at a small place called
Hasbury, Mrs. Booth's ill-health permitted her to take but
little part. She was enabled, however, in December, to offer
material assistance in the revival then in progress at the Lye.
An interesting description of these meetings is sent by a
Iad3r,who vividly recollects them after an interval of twenty-
seven years :

" I have a specially distinct recollection," she writes, " of the morning
meetings held by Mrs. Booth for women only. The Primitive Methodist
Tabernacle, in which these services were held, was crowded morning
after morning, and never shall I forget the memorable scenes that were
enacted there. At the close of each meeting dear Mrs. Booth called for
volunteers, and numbers quickly responded to the invitation. But my
pen is quite inadequate to describe what we constantly witnessed.
Never before or since have I seen anything to equal it.

" The women left their work and in all sorts of odd costumes flocked
to the meetings, some with bonnets, some with a shawl fastened over
their head, others with little children clinging to their necks. All with
eager, inquiring faces took their seats and listened to the gracious words
which fell from the lips of dear Mrs. Booth. And when the invitation
was given, what a scene ensued ! It baffles all description. Crowding,
weeping rushing to the communion rail cmne convicted sinners and re-
pentant backsliders. When the rail was filled the penitents dropped
upon their knees in the aisles or in their seats, so that it was difficult to
move about.

"Many a time did dear Mrs. Booth appear to be completely exhausted.
She was evidently in very delicate health at the time, and yet the
addresses always manifested deep thought, womanly feeling, and most
earnest Christian solicitude ; and although her pose was perfectly
modest and refined, her delivery was often wonderfully impassioned,
eloquent, and fervid. My education and associations had made me very
much opposed to female ministry, so that I went to hear her with a
mind full of prejudice and prepared to criticise. But her first words
disarmed me, and I soon became convinced that a modest, Scriptural,
and earnest address such as Mr?. Booth had given must of necessity, at
least in the case of her own sex, do even more good than if an equally
eloquent one had been delivered by a man."

Over the events of the ensuing year, 1864, space will not
permit to more than skim. The meetings resembled in

1 66

Mrs. Booth.

character those which have been already described, and
were attended with similar success. In March meetings

O

were commenced at . Leeds, and, owing to the increasing
difficulty of moving from place to place with so large a

MARIAN BOOTH.

family, a house was taken and furnished, Mr. and Mrs.
Booth resolving to make that city the temporary centre of
their operations.

On May 4th their sixth child, Marian, was born. The
baby promised to be one of the finest of the family, but
suffered soon after her birth from severe convulsive attacks,

Cardiff. 167

which left their mark upon her in after life, and rendered
her too delicate to take her place beside her brothers and
sisters in their public work. Nevertheless Mrs. Booth had
the joy of seeing her invalid daughter, like the rest of her
family, give her heart to God at an early age, besides doing
her quiet utmost, so far as health and strength would permit,
to further the cause of Christ, which all had learnt to look
upon as their own.

Five weeks after the birth of Marian, Mrs. Booth resumed
her public labours, and it was decided as an experiment that,
instead of assisting Mr. Booth as hitherto in his campaigns,
she should strike out independently, conducting meetings on
her own account, and thus doubling their power for good.
At first it seemed as though the necessary strain would be
too great for one so delicate. It was, moreover, a severe
trial to face a life which would involve constant separation.
Mrs. Booth was, however, not one to shrink from at least
attempting what appeared to be the path of duty, and iu
doing so she received an abundant fulfilment of .the promise
that her strength should be according to her day.

At Batley, Pudsey, and Woodhouse Carr she conducted
revival services, which were evidently of a most stirring
and remarkable character, and it is deeply to be regretted
that there is not on record a more full and detailed account
of this period. In tho course of these meetings some five
hundred adults and many children professed conversion.
At one of these places in the course of six days over one
hundred adults and two hundred children came forward to
the communion rail !

The scarcity of material concerning this period lends
added interest to the following letter from Mrs. Booth :

" MY BELOVED MOTHER,— I have had a very good week. The chapel,
which seats about eight hundred, was nearly full every night, and
twenty or thirty came forward in each meeting. Oh, for more Divine
unction ! They say the Pudsey sinners will ' bide some bringing down.'
Well, the Lord can do it. They tell me I am immensely popular with
the people. But that is no comfort unless they will be saved. There

1 68 Mrs. Booth.

has been a precious work among the members. Almost all of them
have been forward for full consecration.

" I have a comfortable little cot to stay in, but very small and humble.
However it is clean and quiet, and when I feel nervous no one knows the
value of quietness.

" Well, we must labour and wait a little longer, it may be that the
clouds will break and surround us with sunshine. Anyway, God lives
above the clouds, and He will direct our path. If the present effort dis-
appoints us, I shall be quite tired of tugging with the churches, and
shall insist on William taking a hall or theatre somewhere. I believe
the Lord will thrust him into that sphere yet. We can't get at the
masses in the chapels. They are so awfully prejudiced against all con-
nected with the sects that they will not come unless under some mighty
excitement. The Lord direct us what to do that will be most for His
glory ! I see more than ever that the religion which is pleasing to God
consists in doing and enduring His will rather than in pood senti-
ments and feelings. The Lord help us to endure as seeing Him who is
invisible !

" I think I shall come and try in London before long. Bat I must
see. I like this sort of work, and feel as though it were my mission.
Perhaps I could arrange some services there, and if I were once set
going, I think I should succeed. I should like to live in London better
than any place I was ever in. I dreamed twice that I was going to
speak in David Thomas's chapel long before I ever deemed such a thing
as preaching possible ! Will it not be strange if I ever should ? I
would not mind restricting my addresses to ladies to meet, their pre-
judices, and I could do an immense deal of good, no doubt, in setting
them to work for God. But the future is uncertain and chimerical. I
must not anticipate."

CHAPTER XIX.

FOUNDATION OF THE SALVATION ARMTT. 18G5.

SINCE resigning their ministerial position in the Methodist
New Connexion, Mr. and Mrs. Booth had marked out for them-
selves the task of helping to revive, the Christian Chnrch in
general from the state of torpidity, inactivity, and worldly
conformity into which it seemed to have lapsed. Through
the instrumentality of an awakened Church, as we -have
seen, they hoped ultimately to reach the masses. During
the past four years they had clung to this expectation with
unwavering tenacity. True, they had met with a succession
of ministerial rebuffs and disappointments. They had piped
to the Church in its own pulpits, and it had not danced ;
they had mourned to it in unsectarian halls, or circuses, and
it had not lamented. Nevertheless, they had refused to
despair, believing that the miracles of grace which the Holy
Spirit had worked through them in each town visited would
ultimately convince the most sceptical, and serve to turn
the tide of opinion so strongly in the direction of a general
revival that all the barriers erected by ministerial opposition
would ultimately be swept away, and that the Church, alive
once more to a sense of her responsibility, would launch
forth in supreme and united efforts for the salvation of the
countless multitudes who were as yet beyond her borders.

But the conviction was slowly forcing itself upon their
minds that the best way to reach the masses was by an out-
side agency, specially adapted to their needs, and indepen-
dent of ordinary Church usages and conventionalities. An
admirable sphere for such an effort now offered itself quite

170 Mrs. Booth.

unexpectedly in London. For some time past Mr. and Mrs.
Booth's attention had been drawn towards the vast metro-
polis as a possible field for labour, where they could carry on
their work without the perpetual separations which had
made it of late so harassing, finding in the immediate neigh-
bourhood ample scope for combined effort.

Nevertheless, Mr. Booth hesitated. Personally he pre-
ferred the provinces, doubting, with a modesty and self-
depreciation for which few might give him credit, his
capacity to meet the requirements of London intellect. He
was reluctant to leave the Ur of the Chaldees in which he
had been reared, and to exchange the nomadic life he loved
for the uncertain advantages of a London Canaan. He re-
cognised, however, that if the worst came to the worst he
would still be free to visit the provinces, returning periodic-
ally to London.

It was finally settled that, before breaking up the present
home, Mrs. Booth should -accept an invitation which had
recently been sent to her from Kotherhithe ; that Mr. Booth
should join her there at the conclusion of the meetings he
was then conducting in Louth, and that together they should
decide on the spot what their future course was to be. The
invitation came from the superintendent of the Southwark
Circuit of Free Church Methodists, for whom Mr. Booth, as
a local preacher, had several times conducted services some
twelve years previously. " Kotherhithe is a good chapel,"
he writes to Mrs. Booth. " When I knew them they were
the warmest-hearted people in London. I was once a great
favourite with them, and saw much good done/'

Mrs. Booth commenced her meetings on the 26th February,
and continued them till the 19th March. Both on Sundays
and week-nights the chapel was crowded, and many souls
sought salvation.

The exceptional success of Mrs. Booth's London debut
finally settled the question of her future home. A suitable
house having been engaged in Shaf tesbury Road, Hammer-
smith, Mr. Booth brought the children from Leeds, return-

Foundation of the Salvation Army. 171

ing afterwards to Hipon, where lie liad previously promised
to conduct a series of services.

The question of female ministry excited, as might be
expected, some controversy among Christian circles in the
metropolis. But the objections quickly died a natural death,
or, to use Mrs. Booth's own words, " melted awa}7 like snow
in the sun." Indeed, the opposition was never very vigorous,
and Londoners were quick to apprehend the argument of
facts.

From Rotherhithe Mrs. Booth went to a still larger chapel
belonging to the same body in Grange Road, Bermondsey,
where remarkable success attended her effort. The Gospel
Guide contains the following interesting description of the
preacher :

" In dress nothing could be neater. A plain black straw bonnet,
slightly relieved by a pair of dark violet strings; a black velvet loose-
fitting jacket, with tight sleeves, which appeared exceedingly suitable to
her while preaching, and a black silk dress, constituted the plain and
becoming attire of this female preacher. A prepossessing countenance,
with, at first, an exceedingly quiet manner, enlists the sympathies and
rivets the attention of the audience.

" Mrs. Booth is a woman of no ordinary mind, and her powers of
argument are of a superior character. Her delivery is calm, precise, and
clear, without the least approach to formality or tediousness. Her
language is simple but well chosen, and her ability for speaking is
beyond the general order of the other sex. Not the least appearance
of anything approaching nervousness or timidity was observable in her
manner. At the same time, there was an entire absence of unbecoming
confidence, or of assumed authority over her audience. She chose for
her text. 'Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven.1

" Might we say that many of our ministers, deacons, elders, and
members would do well to hear Mrs. Booth ? They could learn a lesson
from her devotion, her evident sincerity for the good of souls, her'
intense earnestness, her affectionate words, and her perpetual labours in
the cause to which she appears so warmly attached."

"Behold how great a matter a little fire kindloth." That
is, if it be a genuine fire in the first instance, and not the
mere semblance of one. While many are complaining that
the wood is green, and will not burn, the fault is -too often

i;2 Mrs. Boot /i.

with the original flame, which seeks to kindle the conflagra-
tion in the hearts of those around. There is enough tinder
in human nature to provide fuel for a universal blaze. The
modern day of miracles is not really past. There is good
reason to believe that it has scarcely commenced. Who can
estimate the possibilities that are within the reach of simple-
hearted faith ? We have only to look back upon the small
beginnings of many a mighty work.

Here is a handful of trembling disciples in an upper room,
with door barred and bolted " for fear of the Jews " ; further
on a Luther committing the Pope's bull to the flames, and
again a Wresley with his little knot of Oxford Methodists.
No less memorable in the future religious history of the
world will be the Quaker burial-ground in Whitechapel,
where, on Sunday, 2nd July, 1865, William Booth held his
first East End services in a large marquee.

It was an appropriate spot for the commencement oi his
work in more ways than one. The quiet precincts of the
disused graveyard were a fitting type of the moral valley of
dry bones in the midst of which the Spirit of the Lord had
set down this modern Ezekiel. The resurrection of the one
seemed as hopelessly impossible, or at least as distant, as
that of the other. But if neither the Jewish prophet nor
his Quaker antitype of two hundred ye ars ago could take
their stand on Mile End Waste, their representative was
present, ready to prophesy to the bones that were " very
many" and "very dry," until they "stood up upon their feet,
an exceeding great army."

To no spot in the world could the stirring vision of the
Hebrew seer be more appropriately applied than to the worse
than heathen pandemonium of blasphemy and ribaldry in the
midst of which the Salvation Army was born and cradled
As in days of old, the Saviour of the world preferred to give
birth to His designs of mercy amid the rough, manger-like
surroundings of this East End Bethlehem, rather than in the
wealthy and refined WTest End Jerusalem that was close at
hand. The groans of poverty and the tears of misery have

Foundation of the Salvation Army. 173

fever been more attractive to the Divine heart than the
sweetest minstrelsy or most gorgeous pageantry of wealth.
Jesus Christ left the matchless music and unalloyed pleasures
of heaven, not to exchange them for those of earth, but to seek
and to save that which was lost ; so lost that they could not
fail to recognise the danger of their position, so miserable that
they possessed no make-believe enjoyments to take the place
of those He offered them.

If Sodom and Gomorrah compared unfavourably with the
cities that rejected the message of the Prophet of Galilee,
what can be said or thought of the modern Bethsaidas and
Chorazins that constitute our Christendom? Even those
who believe most firmly in the gradual self-redemption of
the human race can scarcely blink the fact that the major
portion of it, in spite of the utmost efforts of civilisation and
education, is in a sorry plight.

The increased knowledge of what is good appears only to
accentuate the increased practice of what is evil. The very
brilliance of modern revelation serves to deepen the shadows
of misery and the gloomy pall of sin which enshroud the
dark places of the earth. If ever a Saviour were needed it
is to-day, and if the needs of any single spot could transcend
those of the rest of the world, surely that space of ground
must have been somewhere very near the Tabernacle — the
poor man's cathedral — in the Quaker burial-ground.

Among the vagabonds and outcasts who swarm the
purlieux of East London, General Booth had found at length
the very lowest level of the social strata, and had uncon-
sciously driven his pick-axe into the granite block which
was to form the basis of the Salvation Army New Jerusalem.
In those subterranean caverns he discovered the " all manner
of precious stones " with which the foundations were to be
"garnished," and amidst the tangled mass of ocean-covered
weeds and rocks he explored the oyster-beds that were to
yield materials for the " pearly gates."

From his boyhood clays in Nottingham, when he stood
and cheered the Chartist orator, Feargus O'Connor, he had

1/4 Mrs. Booth.

*

always loved and sympathised with the poor. The sights of
destitution and misery he then witnessed had burnt them-
selves in upon his soul. Since then, it is true, he had
climbed for a time the ministerial ladder. But it had only
been in the hopes of dragging the people up with him. And
when he found that this was impracticable, he descended
round after round, till at length his feet could fairly feel
the ground, and the lowest, neediest masses of humanity had
been reached. And now he realised that he was in his natural
element.

The shrewd East-Enders appreciated his keen sallies of
wit and respected his evident zeal and devotion. The utter
absence of anything in the shape of cant or put-on, the
refreshing simplicity and total freedom from religious
veneer, and the arm-linking equality with which they were
treated, made them accept this apostle of the working man,
and that at a time wThen ninety per cent, of this very class
had given up all pretence of religion, and never darkened
the doorway of a place of worship from year's end to year's
end.

a I have been trying all my life," he remarked one day in
later years to one of his leading officers, " to stretch out my
arms so as to reach with one hand the poor and at the same
time keep the other in touch with the rich. But my arms
are not long enough. I find that when I am in touch with
the poor I lose my hold upon the rich, and when I reach up
to the rich I let go of the poor. And," pausing for a moment
to give weight to his words, he added with his own peculiar
emphasis, "I very much doubt whether God Almighty's
arms are long enough ! "

And yet the exigencies of the work were always such that,
while Mr. Booth devoted the main portion of his time and
attention to the poor, he was never in a position to entirely
turn his back upon the rich, being compelled time after time
to turn to them for help in the carrying out of his designs.
But as the eagle soars only that it may the better scan the
field and swoop down upon its prey, or as the cloud which

Foundation of the Salvation Army. 175

only absorbs moisture from the earth that it may scatter it
again in fertilising showers, so through life Mr. and Mrs.
Booth have turned only to the rich that they might induce
them to help the poor.

In this Mrs. Booth proved a valuable coadjutor to her
husband. Her ministry was peculiarly acceptable to the
better classes, and she was not slow to avail herself to the
utmost of the opportunity which this afforded, not only for
blessing their souls, but for laying before them their respon-
sibilities in caring for the godless masses. The magnetic
influence which she exercised was the more remarkable inas-
much as her denunciations of society sins were often scath-
ing in the extreme.

" I used to tremble sometimes as I sat and listened in her
meetings when I was quite a little girl," says her daughter
Emma. "Now they will be offended, and will never come
again, I thought to myself. And sometimes, as I grew older,
I would venture to expostulate, as we went home together,
' I think, mamma, you were a little too heavy on them to-
day ! ' ' Ay ! You are like the rest of them ! ' she would
reply, 'pleading for the syrup without the sulphur. I
guessed that you were feeling so.' But when the time for
the next meeting arrived the same people would be there,
and the crowd would be larger than ever, and the rows of
carriages outside the hall more numerous, and she would
pour out her heart upon them, and drag out the sins and
selfish indulgences of society, with all their attendant miseries
and penalties, as mercilessly as ever."

The following is an instance of the burning, lava-like
truths that she would pour upon the consciences of her
listeners at such times :

" Let me take you to another scene. Here is his Grace the Duke of
Hackrent, and the Right Honourable Woman Seducer Fitz-Shameless,
and the gallant Colonel Swearer, •with half the aristocracy of a county,
male and female, mounted on horses worth hundreds of pounds each,
and which have been bred and trained at a cost of hundreds more, and
what for ? This ' splendid field ' are waiting whilst a poor little timid
animal is let loose from confinement and permitted to fly in terror from

1/6 Mrs. Bovth.

its strange surroundings. Observe the delight of all the gentlemen and
noble ladies when a whole pack of strong dogs is let loose in pursuit,
and then behold the noble chase ! The regiment of well-mounted
cavalry and the pack of. hounds all charge at full gallop after the poor,
frightened little creature. It will be a great disappointment if by any
means it should escape or be killed within such a short a time as an
hour. The sport will be excellent in proportion to the time during
which the poor thing's agony is prolonged, and the number of miles it
is able to run in terror of its life. Brutality! I tell you that, in my
judgment, at any rate, you can find nothing in the vilest back slums
more utterly, more deliberately, more savagely cruel than that ; and yet
this is a comparatively small thing.

" One of the greatest employments of every Christian government and
community is to train thousands of men, not to fight with their fists
only, in the way of inflicting a few passing sores, but with weapons
capable, it may be, of killing human beings at the rate of so many per
minute. It is quite a scientific taste to study how to destroy a large
vessel with several hundreds of men on board instantaneously. Talk of
brutality ! Is there anything half as brutal as this within the whole
range of savagery ?

" But, against all this, modern Christianity, which professes to be-
lieve the teaching of Him who taught us not to resist evil, but to love
our enemies and to treat with the utmost benevolence hostile nations,
has nothing to say. All the devilish animosity, hard-hearted cruelty,
and harrowing consequences of modern warfare are not only sanctioned,
but held np as an indispensable necessity of civilised life ; and in times
of war patronised and prayed for in our churches and chapels with as
mnch impudent assurance as though Jesus Christ had taught, ' But I say
unto you, An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and return evil for evil,
hate your enemies and pursue them with all the diabolical appliances
of destruction which the devil can enable you to invent.'

•' Alas, alas ! Is it not too patent for intelligent contradiction that
the most detestable thing in the judgment of popular Christianity is not
brutality, cruelty, or injustice, but poverty and vulgarity ? With
p'enty of money you may pile up your life wifh iniquities and yet be
blamed, if blamed at all, only in the mildest terms, whereas one
flagrant act of sin in a poor, illiterate person is enough to starap him,
with the majority of professing Christians, as a creature from whom
they would rather keep at a distance."

Many of the Army's most liberal friends were attracted
in the first instance by Mrs. Booth's services, and, having
once secured their sympathy, she ceaselessly laboured to
maintain their confidence in the cause. With persistent
courage and amazing skill she rallied them, when some

Foundation of the Salvation Army. 177

more than usually venomous attack had scattered panic in
their ranks, or when some new advance had shocked their
conservatism. She would reason and explain and encourage
and rebuke with a tenderness that conquered the most
obstinate heart, and yet with a faithfulness and pungency
that admitted of no excuse for retreat. • The rapidity of the
Army's forward march has exposed it to special losses from
the number of those who were unable to keep up the pace.
But the impetuous, Rupert-like charges with which the
General has amazed the world would perhaps have been
impossible had it not been for the tact and strategy with
which Mrs. Booth has brought up the rear.

Time after time have her persistence, her logic, and her
personal influence restored confidence to wavering friends,
and closed the mouths or extorted the admiration of the
most prejudiced enemies. Her arguments were invincible.
No new effort was put forth by the General without con-
sulting her. And hence, as each point arose, her mind had
been fully made up before the question had become a subject
of debate. " Here, Kate," would sound the General's voice
from his desk, and she would run to his side from the
nursery, or from her household work, to pass her opinion
upon an article, an appeal, a despatch, or some new develop-
ment of the work. Or he would take the kitchen by storm,
and while her hands were busy with the dough for the
family bread or pudding, he would sit astride the table and
pour into her sympathetic ears the story of his last rebuff,
or some more than usually exciting piece of news regarding
the progress of the Mission.

The work thus unobtrusively commenced soon made its
mark upon the neigbourhood, and attracted the sympathetic
attention of many who were beyond its immediate borders.

At the conclusion of the meetings in Bermondsey Mrs.
Booth removed to Deptford, where the chapel soon became so
crowded that the public hall was engaged for Sundays. It
was with unfeigned regret that she brought these services
to a close early in May, but the strain of constant travelling

N

1/8 Mrs. Booth.

to and from Hammersmith for ten consecutive weeks had
told severely on her delicate frame.

Yet an opportunity was not long in offering itself for the
transfer of her services to a locality nearer home. It was a
singular coincidence that at the very time when Mr. Booth
was commencing his East End campaign Mrs. Booth was
conducting her first West End services, so that the very
antipodes of London society were simultaneously assailed.
Space and time preclude the possibility of describing in
detail the interesting series of meetings which were carried
on by her in turn at the Polytechnic, the Kensington
Assembly Rooms, and the Myddelton Hall and Priory in
Islington. At each centre an impression was made which
has continued to appear and reappear down to the present
day.

" I have but a dim recollection of these meetings," said Mrs. Booth
during her last illness. " I never attempted, since my younger days, to
keep a diary. It was simply impossible. I was too busy doing the
work to find time to chronicle it, and by the time I went to bed at night
I was far too exhausted for writing. But I know I felt the responsibility
of this opportunity very strongly. It was expected that a number of
very respectable people, so-called, would attend the meetings. To preach
to such a class is always supposed to be a more important and difficult
task than to preach to people in a lower scale of society and consequently
possessed of less intelligence and culture.

" I believe I was somewhat influenced by such feelings when I was
about to commence. But the solemn sense of my responsibility to God,
and my determination to faithfully deliver His message, seemed to
absorb me from the moment I stood up to speak, and whatever might
have been my previous agitation and nervousness, as soon as I opened
my lips I was enable 1 to forget it all.

" They would come to me in the ante-room and say that Lord This
and Lady The Other were in the audience, or such-and such popular
ministers upon the platform, and I confess that my heart beat quicker
for a time. But on entering the hall, as my eye glanced over row upon
row of intelligent, expectant countenances, I realised that they above all
others needed the plainest utterances of truth, and this has inspired me
with confidence.

" Seldom have I held a meeting in which some souls have not decided
to submit to God and to seek His salvation through Jesus Christ. I
should soon have given up preaching if there had been no such results.
To get a congregation was never a difficulty with me, but when they

Foundation of tJie Salvation Army. 179

were tliere I strove to convict them of sin and to persuade them to
abandon it and to cast themselves upon the mercy of God. Far from
this having the effect of driving the people away, my experience lias been
that, however small might be the congregation at the commencement of
the effort, it has invariably increased, until it has exceeded the capacity
of the largest buildings which I have been privileged to occupy."

In October Mrs. Booth held some meetings in the Horns
Assembly Rooms, Kennington, and in the following month
the family removed from Hammersmith to Hackney, in order
to be within convenient reach of the East End work, which
was more and more absorbing the time and attention of Mr.
Booth, and to which he had now distinctly committed him-
self.

The tent in the burial-ground had been blown down in a
gale, and was too rotten to be repaired. The uncertain
climate of England, so say the Americans, enjoys no weather,
but consists of mere samples ! Certainly it is never very
favourable to the patriarchal canvas, and what is scarcely
tolerable in summer becomes impossible in winter. How-
ever, a dancing-saloon had been discovered, and in this the
Sunday services were continued, while the week-night
meetings were mostly in the open air, lasting sometimes till
ten o'clock, or even later.

" I remember well," says Mrs. Booth, "when the General decided
finally to give np the evangelistic life, and to devote himself to the salva-
tion of the East-Enders. He had come home from the meeting one
night, tired out as usual. It was between eleven and twelve o'clock.
Flinging himself into an easy chair, he said to me, ' Oh ! Kate, as I
passed by the doors of the flaming gin-palaces to-night, I seemed to hear
a voice sounding in my ears, " Where can you go and find such heathen
as these, arid where is there so great a need for your labours ? " And I
felt as though I ought at every cost to stop and preach to these East
End multitudes.'

" I remember the emotion that this produced in my soul. I sat
-gazing into the fire, and the devil whispered to me, ' This means an-
other new departure — another start in life.'

" The question of our support constituted a serious difficulty. Hither-
to we had been able to meet our expenses by the collections which we
had made from our more respectable audiences. But it was impossible
to suppose that we could do so among the poverty-stricken East-

I So Mrs. Booth.

Enders. We had not then the measure of light upon this subject which
subsequent events afforded, and we were afraid even to ask for a collec-
tion in such a locality.

" Nevertheless, I did 'not answer discouragingly. After a momentary
pause for thought and prayer, I replied, * Well, if you feel you ought to
stay, stay. We have trusted the Lord once for our support, and we can
trust Him again ! ' There was not in our minds, at the time we came
to this decision, the remotest idea of the marvellous work which has
since sprung into existence."

It was a noble answer that Mrs. Booth gave at this
critical juncture to her husband. She little dreamed' of the
important issues that were at stake. Scarcely had the
resolution been formed, when an encouraging incident
occurred which strongly confirmed the conviction that the
newly chosen pathway had the Divine approbation. A
letter was received from Mr. Samuel Morley, expressing his
warm interest in the effort, and promising on his return
from Scotland to hear the full particulars. About a month
afterwards a second letter came, inviting Mr. Booth to
call upon him.

The interview was a?ike interesting and important. The
Christian philanthropist added another to the list of
generous deeds which will cause his memory to be held in
affectionate veneration by thousands.

He received Mr. Booth with the utmost cordiality. It
was a historical event, reminding one of Stanley finding
Livingstone in the heart of Africa. The explorer of Darkest
England's Submerged Tenth had not quite so far to go, it is
true. There was no need for it. A continent of heathen
souls surrounded him. An impenetrable forest of sin and
misery awaited his exploring axe almost within a stone's
throw from where the apostle of the destitute and his dis-
coverer sat. In its far-reaching consequences it would be
difficult to estimate the importance of that interview.

Mr. Morley inquired in the kindest manner as to the plans
adopted by Mr. Booth, and the results which had been at-
tained. The fact that the methods were novel and uncon-
ventional served only to increase his interest. The open-air

Foundation of the Salvation Army. 181

meetings on the Mile End Waste surrounded by blaspheming
infidels and boisterous drunkards ; the processions down the
"Whitechapel Road, pelted with garbage ; the placards
carried with striking texts; the penitent-form and the
testifying of the new converts, enlisted his unbounded sym-
pathy.

In the years that followed Mr. Morley proved himself a
generous and substantial friend, describing himself, at a
Salvation Army meeting over which he presided, as a " sleep-
ing partner " in the concern.

His co-operation was less regular in later years, but one
of his last acts was to make a munificent donation towards
the rescue work of the Salvation Army. It was at the time
of the great purity agitation, and Mr. Morley 's sympathies
had been deeply stirred. Mrs. Booth called upon him, and
he promised a donation of £1,000, asking her whether she
thought the amount was sufficient. She replied, with
characteristic courage, that while she was deeply sensible
of the value of the gift, she was sure he would not regret
increasing the amount. Without waiting for her to add
another word Mr. Morley doubled his donation, with a grace-
ful generosity that made his gifts so peculiarly acceptable,
adding that she must call and see him again.

The assistance of Mr. Morley at this early juncture of the
East End work was the more welcome owing to the peculiar
difficulties which Mr. Booth encountered at the outset.

On Sunday, September 3rd, the meetings were commenced
in the dancing saloon. "The people danced in it," the
General tells us, " until the small hours of the Sunday
morning, and then the converts carried in the seats, which
had fortunately not been destroyed with the tent. It was
a long, narrow room, holding about six hundred people. The
proprietor combined the two professions of dancing-master
and photographer, the latter being specially pushed on Sun-
daj's. In the front room, through which all the congregation
had to pass from the open street, sat the mistress colouring
photographs, whilst some one at. the door touted for business.

1 82 Mrs. Booth.

The photography was done at the top of the house, and
customers had to pass on their way up by a sort of parlour
that was open to our hall. It was a regular thing for them
to pause and listen to the message of salvation as they went
upstairs on their Sabbath-breaking business.

" We had wonderful meetings in that room, and in con-
nection with it I put in many a hard Sunday's work,
regularly giving three and sometimes four open-air ad-
dresses, leading three processions and conducting three
indoor meetings. The bulk of the speaking in all these
services fell on me. But the power and happiness of the
work carried me along, and in that room the foundation was
really laid of all that has since come to pass.

"For week-nights we secured an old wool warehouse in
one of the lowest parts of Bethnal Green. Unfortunately
the windows opened on to the street. When crowded, which
was ordinarily the case, it became oppressively hot, espe-
cially in summer. If we opened the windows the boys threw
stones and mud and crackers through, or fired trains of
gunpowder, laid from the door inwards. But our people
got used to this, shouting ' Hallelujah ! ' when the fireworks
exploded and the powder flashed. Doubtless a good many
were frightened away. Still, many a poor dark soul found
Jesus there, becoming a brave soldier of the Cross after-
wards. It was an admirable training ground for the de-
velopment of the Salvation Army spirit."

CHAPTER XX.
THE EAST LONDON MISSION, 18G6.

CHRISTMAS DAY, 1865, brought a new and welcome rein-
forcement to the East End Mission, and an appropriate

EVALIXE CORY BOOTH.

token of the Divine favour, in the birth of Mr. and Mrs.
Booth's fourth daughter and seventh child, Evaline —
Eva, as she is popularly known. Faith loves to trace the
finger-marks of an over-ruling Providence in what might
otherwise be passed over as the merest accident. Born on

183

1 84 Mrs. Booth.

Christmas Day, and born in the self-same year in which
the East End Mission was commenced, of all Mr. and Mrs.
Booth's children none have possessed in so powerful a degree
the faculty of attracting and managing the roughest of the
roughs. Seldom has there been a prolonged disturbance, or
prospect of a riot, but she has been the first to volunteer to
fill the gap, and her appearance upon the scene of action has
usually resulted in a complete change of front on the part of
the most turbulent of the disturbers. Like the gale-proof
petrel she has delighted to be found,

" Where the thunders echo load and deep,
And the stormy \vinds do blow."

With more than a Peter's faith she has flung herself out of
the boat on to the raging waves and has walked with un-
swerving confidence to meet the same Jesus, who is still
often to be found upon these troubled waters and amid
such perilous surroundings — oftener, indeed, than amid the
luscious ease in which the daughters of Zion usually seek
but find Him not. How strange that Christian critics fail
to see that the spirit of Calvary is as necessary now as it
was eighteen hundred and ninety years ^igo, and that it is
to be found among those who dare to face the fury of a mob
goaded to madness by the craft-endangered worshippers of
Diana, rather than in the bosoms of those who conceal their
timidity behind their disapproval, and salve the lashings of
their conscience by their untimely reproofs.

" The day has gone," remarked the Greneral, in one of his
humorous home-thrusts, when replying on one occasion to
the objections of some who repeated the old complaint con-
cerning those who had turned the world upside down, " the
day has gone when the priest and Levite are content to pass
by the wounded man. They must needs stop now, turn
back, and punch the head of any good Samaritan who dares
to come to the rescue ! ''

But to return from this digression. In the middle of
February Mrs. Booth commenced a ten weeks' campaign at

The East London Mission. 185

the Rosemary Branch Assembly Rooms in Peckham. The
meetings lasted till the end of April, this being the longest
sustained effort that Mrs. Booth had yet undertaken single-
handed. She much preferred a prolonged series of meetings to
the isolated services which towards the close of her labours
were alone possible. One service furnished a subject for the
next. Dealing personally, as was her habit, at the close of
each address with the penitents, she became familiar with
the "refuges of lies " behind which those who had not come
forward were seeking for shelter. This afforded her a fresh
opportunity for unmasking their excuses, and forcing them
to a definite decision.

During this year Mrs. Booth was completely prostrated
by a severe illness which the best medical skill seemed
powerless to combat. She wasted away so rapidly that her
family became alarmed lest they should lose her. Following
the advice of her medical attendant, Mr. Booth at length
insisted on removing her to Tunbridge Wells, where she was
to live for a time " the life of a tree." The change and rest
proved beneficial, although for some time to come she still
remained in a very delicate condition.

Mr. and Mrs. Booth were preparing to return to London,
when they were struck with the advertisement of a religious
meeting which was to be conducted by the Rev. W. Haslam
on the lawn of a mansion named Dunorlan, the residence
of an amiable Christian philanthropist, Mr. Henry Reed.
Happening to know Mr. Haslam, for whom they entertained
a sincere regard, and being desirous to make the acquaint-
ance of Mr. Reed, they resolved to be present. They missed
their way, and were consequently late, but took their place
on the outskirts of the crowd. Mr. Haslam was speaking in
his usual easy, illustrative, and pointed manner to an atten-
tive and interested audience. Mr. Reed followed with a few
words. Of tall and well-proportioned figure, with snowy
hair and long flowing beard, regular features, a face be-
speaking determination, and eyes piercing and expressive,
his appearance was calculated to produce an impression

186

Mrs. Booth.

which could not easily be forgotten. His remarks were
simple and yet effective.

After the concluding prayer Mr. Haslam stepped forward
and introduced Mr. and Mrs. Booth to Mr. and Mrs. Reed,
who cordially invited them to conduct a service on the
following Sunday in his Mission Hall. Mr. Booth was
unable to accept the invitation, being published for meetings

MB. HENRY REED, OF TASMANIA.

in London; but Mrs. Booth, though still unfit for public
work, agreed to be present. She removed on Saturday to
Dunorlan, where she was very heartily welcomed by Mr.
and Mrs. Reed, and where she laid the foundation of a life-
long friendship, which proved of no little importance in the
early history of the East End Mission.

The East London Mission. 187

The hall in which Mrs. Booth was to speak had been
specially erected by him for the convenience of his tenantry
and neighbours. Mr. Reed had his own ideas as to the
management of the services, and before the meeting com-
menced he called Mrs. Booth aside and gave her his in-
structions. " We shall commence at three o'clock," he said,
" and everything must be over by four punctually. Conse-
quently your sermon should be concluded a few minutes
before that time." He repeated this injunction with, so
much emphasis that Mrs. Booth replied, u Well, Mr. Reed,
you must be my timekeeper, for when I am once started I
am very apt to forget myself." Mr. Reed was disarmed.
He did not quite know what he was promising when he
agreed to undertake the duty.

The hall was well filled, and Mrs. Booth had no sooner
commenced speaking than the power of God descended,
and there were few dry eyes in the audience. Oblivious,
as usual, of time, she suddenly remembered her promise.
Pausing, and turning to Mr. Reed, she asked whether she
ought not to conclude. Raising his hands, and with the
tears flowing down his venerable face, he cried out, " Never
mind the time! Go on! Go on !" Mrs, Booth complied, and
it was nearer five than four when she at length sat down.
" Let us have a prayer-meeting," she then suggested to her
host, who joyfully consented. After singing a verse or two,
Mrs. Booth gave the invitation for penitents to come forward.
Many responded. Mr. Reed stood in the aisle and en-
couraged the people, placing his hand upon them and saying,
" Come yer ways ! Come yor waj^s ! " — a homely Yorkshire
expression which he made use of when he was particularly
warmed up.

Mrs. Booth returned to the house and retired at once to
her room thoroughly exhausted, Mr. Reed bringing her some
tea and treating her with the most fatherly consideration.
He expressed his unbounded delight at the remarkable ser-
vice which had just been held, and became a hard and fast
friend from that time forward.

iSS

Mrs. tiooth.

Though still in some measure suffering from the effects of
her prolonged illness, Mrs. Booth commenced the new year
with a series of meetings in St. John's Wood. The Sunday
services were held in the Eyre Arms Assembly Rooms, the
week-night in the school rooms of the Baptist and Indepen-
dent chapels near at hand. The first meeting was held in
the teeth of a severe snow-storm. Indeed, it was with some
difficulty that Mrs. Booth succeeded in keeping her appoint-

MRS. BOOTH S HOME, CAMBRIDGE LODGE VILLAS, HACKNEY.

ment. But by the third Sunday notices had to be placed
outside that the hall was full and no more could be admitted.
Many of those who were shut out, having walked long dis-
tances, were bitterly disappointed. One special feature of
this series lay in the fact that more than three-fourths of
the congregation consisted of gentlemen. The campaign was
continued for three months, the interest being sustained
throughout. At the farewell meeting Mr. Stott, the pastor

The East London Mission. 189

of one of the chapels, in giving a warm tribute to the good
which had been accomplished amongst his own members,
said that not only had they been greatly edified and stimu-
lated, but that their numbers had been considerably increased.

Some little time after the services had been brought to a
conclusion a deputation of gentlemen waited on Mrs. Booth,
offering to build her a church similar to Mr. Spurgeon's
Tabernacle. This proposal was declined, Mrs. Booth believ-
ing that she could best expend her time and strength in
visiting the various important centres, from which the calls
were becoming more and more numerous. The wisdom of
this decision has since been fully demonstrated, since it is
easy to recognise that in view of the subsequent exigencies
of the then Christian Mission, she could not have exercised
the same widespread influence had her attention been confined
to a single locality. Perhaps, however, it was the uncer-
tainty of her health more than anything else that precluded
her at the time from falling in with this suggestion.

On the 28th April of this year was born Mrs. Booth's
eighth and youngest child, Lucy Milward. With the excep-
tion of Marian she was the most delicate of the family. But,
though struggling with the disadvantages of a weak constitu-
tion, she early gave proof that, if the last upon the scene of
action, she was not to be the least. Lucy has inherited in
no small measure her mother's inflexibility of purpose and
strength of will, together with much of her father's rapidity
of thought and action. Endowed with a soul for music,
several of the most taking Army airs have been the natural
expression of sad and suffering hours, when, debarred from
her coveted place in the battle, her heart has found its con-
solation in stirring up the faith and zeal of others, or in
urging them to purity with " psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs."

How often has the most soul-affecting melody borrowed its
pathos and its power from the inspiration of the author's
sufferings! There may be a philosophy in this. Perhaps
none but the hand of grief can cause those heart-chords to

190 Mrs. Booth.

vibrate which produce the tender harmonies so captivating
to the human ear, and which doubtless find their echo in the
Divine heart !

" 'Tis said that when the nightingale

Would sing its sweetest lay,
It's breast against a thorn 'twill nail;

Thus in our saddest day
We sing to God, and piercing pain

But wakes the music sweet,
Attunes the Cross-inspired refrain

Which love lays at His feet ! "

It was at one of her London services that Mrs. Booth met
with a lady who suggested the advisability of her holding
meetings at some of the fashionable seaside resorts during
the summer. " Our class of people," she explained, " never
go anywhere except to church, where conversion is seldom
definitely put before them. But when they are at a water-
ing-place, away from their ordinary home associations, and
with nothing particular to do, they can often be prevailed
upon to attend such services as yours. It was in this way
that I myself was converted. I should never have thought
of going anywhere except to my church when I was at home,
but happening to be away, I saw a special announcement,
attended the meeting, and on the very first occasion gave my
heart to God."

The suggestion pleased Mrs. Booth, and she resolved to
make the attempt. She went to Ramsgate, engaged a hall,
and commenced her services. But it proved far too small
to contain the crowds who flocked to* it. An opportunity
occurred for securing the Royal Assembly Rooms in Margate.
Mrs. Booth seized the chance. It was crowded from the
first, and finding that there was a prospect of a powerful
work she decided to spend the season there. To travel
backwards and forwards to her family in London was
evidently impossible, and yet the difficult}' and expense of
securing a house seemed to preclude the idea of bringing the
children to Margate. But once having made 'up her mind to
a course she was not easily baffled. So, setting the children

The East London Mission.

191

to pray about the matter, she proceeded to make further
inquiries.

She had noticed a house to let which appeared to her
particularly suitable, and a peculiar assurance that she
would be able to secure it took possession of her. On inquiry

LUCY M. BOOTH.

she ascertained that it belonged to two gentlemen who had
been deeply impressed at one of her recent meetings. She
was thus enabled to obtain a lease on very reasonable terms,
and a few days later, to her intense satisfaction, the children
marched in and took possession. The result justified the

192 Mrs. Booth.

venture, and not only were the entire expenses connected
with the effort covered, but several new friends were enlisted
whose generous benefactions considerably helped the East
London Mission, both then and in later years.

The Margate meetings were in some respects, however, of
a trying character. At the beginning Mrs. Booth took her
stand alone, without knowing a single person present. For
several weeks she could not reckon upon a helper in the
prayer-meeting. There was no one to give out a hymn, and,
what was worse still, there was no one to raise a tune ! Mrs.
Booth being unable to start the singing herself, there was
often an awkward pause before she could induce anybody to
commence. " The more respectable the audience," says Mrs.
Booth in later years, " the greater was my difficulty. It
was almost impossible to get anybody to step beyond the
limits of the stereotyped conventionalities ! If I had only
been able to command half a dozen reliable people, such as I
could have anywhere now, I could have done almost any-
thing!"

Nevertheless, judged by any standard, either past or pre-
sent, the meetings were a marvellous success. Ministers,
journalists, visitors, from all parts of the kingdom, together
with the inhabitants of the town, crowded to the hall Sun-
day after Sunday. They listened, were convicted of sin,
wept, and were in many cases converted to Crod. Seldom
has Mrs. Booth spoken with more power and demonstration
of the Spirit.

Amongst those who Attended these' meetings was Mr.
Knight, the well-known publisher. He was deeply impressed
with the character of the truth which Mrs. Booth proclaimed,
declaring it to be in advance of anything with which he had
hitherto been acquainted. He offered to undertake the
entire responsibility of reporting and publishing the sermons,
giving to Mrs. Booth whatever monetary advantage might
accrue. She thought, however, that he had over-estimated
the value of her services, and declined the generous offer, a
course for which she afterwards experienced considerable

The East London Mission. 193

regret, as but few of her addresses were reduced to writing,
and her memory being so fickle she could not recall to mind
the next day the words that she had spoken. The notes on
which she relied in facing her audiences were the merest
skeletons, and, as will be readily imagined by those who
have heard her, they were commonly superseded by the
inspiration of the hour.

Her plan of preparation for her public services consisted
in drawing up a line of argument, saturating her mind
thoroughly with the subject, and then either using or dis-
pensing with her notes as occasion might require. " I can
do without notes," she used to say, " when I have liberty.
But when I have not, they are very useful to fall back upon,
and I have the satisfaction of feeling that, if I have not
spoken with my usual ease and pleasurable emotion, I have
at least absolved my conscience by dealing out the truth."
Man}' of the notes of her most powerful addresses were
scribbled on odd scraps of paper, while nursing her baby, or
jotted down between intervals of household work. Perhaps
this was what imparted to them their special pungency. She
was such a happy combination of the mother, wife, and
prophetess, that in advising others she was able to draw
largely on her own experience. But, above all, her powerful
intellect was so completely mastered by her tender heart
that her severest rebukes were couched in terms with which
the most sensitive nature found it difficult to take offence.

The following choice extract from one of her powerful
addresses to professing Christians beautifully illustrates this
characteristic : —

" A false love shrinks from opposition. It canuot bear persecution.
Here is one unfailing characteristic of it : it is always on the winning
side — that is, apparently ; down here ; not what will be, ultimately, the
winning side. When Truth sits enthroned, with a crown on her head,
this false love is most vociferous in her support and devotion ; but when
her garments trail in the dust, and her followers are few, feeble, and
poor, then Jesus Christ may look after Himself. I sometimes think,
respecting this hue and cry about the glory of God and the sanctity of
religion, I would like to see some of these saints put into the common

0

194

Mrs. Booth,

hall with Jesus again, amongst a band of ribald, mocking soldiers. I
would like to see, then, their zeal for the glory of God, when it touched
their own glorj'. They are wonderfully zealous when their glory and
His glory go together ; but when the mob is at His heels, crying, « Away
with Him ! Crucify Him ! Crucify Him ! ' then He may look after His
own glory, and they will take care of theirs.

" True love sticks to the LOUD JESUS IN THE MUD, when He is
fainting under His cross, as well as when the people are cutting down
the boughs and crying ' Hosanna ! ' I fear many people make the Lord
Jesus Christ a stalking-horse on which to secure their ends. God grant
us not to be of that number, for, if we are, He will topple us from the

EYRE ARMS ASSEMBLY HALL, ST. JOHN'S WOOD.

very gates of heaven to the nethermost hell. This false love cannot go
to the dungeon — you never find it at the stake. It always manages to
shift its sides and change its face before it goes so far as that. Never
in disgrace ; never with Jesus Christ in the minority, at Golgotha— on
the cross. Always with Him when He is riding triumphant !

"Oh, I often think if times of persecution were to come again how
many of us would be faithful ? How many would go to the dungeon ?
How many would stand by the truth with hooting, howling mobs at our
heels, such as followed Him on the way to the cross — such as stood
round His cross and spat upon Him, and cast lots for His vesture, and
parted His garments among them, and wagged their heads and cried,
' He saved others ; Himself He cannot save ' ? How many of us would
•tick to Him then ? But, as your soul and mine liveth, this is the only
kind of love that will stand the test of the Judgment Day.

The East London Mission. 195

"Oh, have you got this love? Love hi the darkness ; love in the
garden ; love in sorrow ; love in suffering ; love in isolation ; love in
persecution ; love to the death ! Have we got this love ? Examine
vourselves, beloved, and see whether you are in the faith or not, for
there is much need of it in this day, when there are so many false gos-
pels and so much false doctrine."

It was at a somewhat trying juncture in the history of the
Christian Mission that help was received from an unexpected
quarter. A young man whose brother had been converted,
and who had himself been powerfully stirred by Mrs. Booth's
St. John's Wood meetings, had visited the East End services.
Amazed and delighted at all he saw, he carried the news of
the work to the Committee of the Evangelisation Society,
who had at this very time received from a charitable gentle-
man, Mr. Bewley, of Dublin, a sum of £5,000 for the express
purpose of ameliorating the spiritual condition of the London
poor. Mr. Booth had already invited the Society to investi-
gate his work, but hitherto his appeals had been without
effect. They were now, however, induced to look into it for
themselves, with the result that they were fully satisfied as
to its value, and agreed to give Mr. Booth a weekly grant in
order to enable him to secure a larger building.

The Effingham Theatre was accordingly engaged. It was
one of the lowest resorts in all London, and very dirty, but
none the less popular with the class whom* the Mission
sought to reach. So successful was this venture that the
Evangelisation Society continued for some time to grant a
weekly sum averaging about £12 or £14. Subsequent his-
tory justifies the supposition that no portion of Mr. Bewley's-
gift was better laid out in the interests of God's Kingdom
than the contribution which helped to lift the East London
Mission for the first time to a position of notoriety and.
influence.

It was about this time that the first official Headquarters-
of the Salvation Army was established. A low beerhouse,,
the Eastern Star, notorious for immorality and other vices,
had been burned down and afterwards rebuilt. Mr. Booth
bought the lease and fitted it up. In the front room was-

196 Mrs. Booth.

the first book store, at the back a good hall, with rooms for
the classes and smaller meetings upstairs. The Eastern
Star, or 188, Whitechapel Road, soon became as active a
centre for good as it had previously been for evil. Its name
at least was very appropriate. Like its original forerunner,
it shone for a time over the cradle of a great future, and then
made way for brighter luminaries to take its place.

In 1868 the Mission's first formal balance-sheet was pub-
lished, covering the twenty-one months from the 1st Januar}T,
1867, to 30th -September, 1868. It was duly audited by a
leading firm of accountants, Messrs. J. Beddow and Sons.
Not only so, but in order to guarantee to the public that the
funds were being administered in a straightforward and
honourable manner, the financial affairs of the Mission were
submitted to the oversight of a council of gentlemen, who
met together from time to time, received Mr. Booth's reports,
examined the financial position, and appointed their own
auditors.

Mr. Booth worked in perfect harmony with this council
for some years, and when, finally, the work had assumed
such proportions and so established itself in the public favour
and confidence as not to require such financial sponsorship,
it was dissolved in the most friendly manner. A goodly
number of those who composed the council have since passed
a\va}T, but there is no reason to doubt but that all were
pleased to have been associated with the wrork, and to have
endorsed what has since been the means of blessing to so
many thousands.

It is not, however, to be supposed that when the financial
oversight of the committee ceased the accounts were any less
carefully audited than before. From that time to this,
annual balance-sheets have been published, and every penny
of money that has passed through the hands of the Inter-
national Headquarters of the Salvation Army has been
accounted for to the satisfaction of the firm of auditors to
whose careful and constant supervision they have been
entrusted.

The East London Mission. 197

The following letter to a newspaper from the present
auditors speaks for itself :

" THE SALVATION AKMY BALANCE-SHEET AND ACCOUNTS.

" DEAR SIR, — Our attention having been directed to your issue of the
1st inst., wherein you refer to the above accounts as muddle-headed, we
were curious to know the meaning of the expression, and find from your
issue of to-day that it was subjective rather than objective. We should
be in error were we to accuse your critic ' Scrutator ' of a knowledge of
book-keeping, and, therefore, can easily forgive his blundering references
to the balance-sheet and accounts. He is entirely wrong in his conclu-
sions.

" As you accuse us of signing inaccurate statements, we are prepared,
should you wish, personally to submit the printed accounts to Mr.
Saffery, the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales, and let him pass judgment as to whether we are
right or ' Scrutator.'

" We see no reason, after ' Scrutator's ' criticism, to alter our opinion
as to the accuracy of the accounts, or to vary our certificate.
" Yours faithfully,

"KNOX, BURBRIDGE, CROPPER & Co.,

" Chartered Accountants and Auditors to the Salvation Army,

16, Finsbury Circus, London.
" January 8th, 1891."

An important step in advance was taken in October, 1868,
in the publication of the first number of the Mission's maga-
zine. Hitherto Mr. Booth had been content with reporting
progress in the columns of various religious papers. This
was for many reasons an undesirable expedient. The reports
had to be clipped and dressed to suit the editorial fancy,
and might even then not find a place. It was not to be
expected that a struggling organisation should be allowed
to usurp much space. Besides, there was no opportunity
for the free expression of opinion, or for the advocacy and
defence of methods which might not suit the general
taste. It is amusing at this date to consider the hesitation
and fears with which this venture was regarded at the
onset. The launching of the little papery craft caused as
much perturbation and speculation as if it had been a
monster ironclad from the printing arsenal. Would it float

1 98 Mrs. Booth.

at all, or would it go straight to the bottom, as some were
not slow to prophesy? But the trim little East London
Evangelist survived all criticisms, and went forth on its
errand of mercy with success.

The publication of the magazine afforded Mrs. Booth the
fulfilment of the wish she had expressed some years previ-
ously, of being able to edit a paper which should advocate
more advanced views in regard to the privileges of Christians
and their duty in working for God. By force of circum-
stances she and the General were its first editors. There
was no one else to whom they could turn for help. And
together they revised the first proofs of the East London
Evangelist. One is tempted to regret that the day ever
came when they were able to turn over the task to others !

Next year the East London Evangelist was re-christened
as the Christian Mission Magazine; in 1879 it ^ was con-
verted into the Salvationist, and in 1880 it was docked and
broken up, and its place taken by the redoubtable War Cry,
which during the next eleven years, although being the only
religious or secular paper which does not deal in advertise-
ments, achieved the phenomenal circulation of close upon a
million copies a week. The newspaper history of the world
does not present a parallel to so remarkable an achievement.
Nor is this all. The success of the War Cry led to the sub-
sequent publication of various monthly magazines, the most
important of these being All the World, the international
organ of the foreign work of the Salvation Army ; the
Deliverer, representing especially the progress of the rescue
work ; Full Salvation (Australia), especially advocating the
doctrine of holiness ; the Conqueror, the American equiva-
lent of All the World ; and the Musical Salvationist, fur-
nishing the Army with a limitless supply of new songs and
tunes.

This Spiritual Armada, this immense flotilla of dumb and
yet eloquent Salvationists, sweeps the world with its mes-
sages of " Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good
will toward men." Like Joel's countless army, " they run

The East London Mission. 199

like mighty men ; they climb upon the wall like men of war ;
they march every one in his ways, and break not their
ranks ; neither does one thrust another (the spiritual, tho
social, the criminal, the missionary, the musical organs
having each their separate and appropriate sphere) ; they
walk every one in his path ; and when they fall upon tho
sword they are not wounded ; they run to and fro in the
city ; they run upon the wall ; they climb up upon the
houses ; they enter in at the windows like a thief," and
appear in places where the uniform of the Salvationist
cannot yet be endured.

Heralds of mercy and harbingers of hope, they link the
palace with the garret, and heaven with both. " How
beautiful upon the mountains " of sin and in the valleys of
sorrow are these white-winged messengers of peace ! Un-
appreciated, it may be, even disliked by some, the social
" wilderness and solitary places " of the world are " glad for
them " ; its deserts of sin and sorrow " rejoice and blossom
as the rose." Even now they may be said to " blossom
abundantly," and to " rejoice with joy and singing." The
eyes of the spiritually blind are opened, and the ears of the
deaf unstopped. The socially lame man leaps as an hart,
and the tongue of the sorrow-dumb sings. For " in the
wilderness have waters broken out and streams in the
desert, and the parched ground become a pool, and the
thirsty land springs of water."

CHAPTER XXI.
CORRESPONDENCE. 18G8.

MRS. BOOTH'S private correspondence, being written con-
currently with passing events, provides a valuable index to
her opinions and feelings. Her regular letters to her parents
had, however, as might be expected, ceased. They were
close at hand, and mutual visits obviated the necessity for
writing. In fact, Mr. Mumford was a regular attendant at
his daughter's meetings, superintending the various arrange-
ments and helping to the best of his ability. Too apprecia-
tive to criticise, and too proud of his child to imagine that
anything she said or did could fall short of perfection, he
was the more receptive of the truths that fell from her lips.
Indeed, for the past twenty years, had she not been the
leading spirit, the presiding genius, and the guardian angel
of his home ? Happy the parents who in their old age can
thus lean upon a daughter's faithful arm. Alas ! that such a
phenomenon is comparatively rare !

But, though Mrs. Booth's correspondence with her parents
had almost ceased, we are able to resume the broken thread
in the letters written to her children and friends, which
increase in number and importance from year to year, and
which are the more interesting from the variety of subjects
with which they deal.

Among the public questions on which Mrs. Booth had a
strong conviction was that of vaccination. In writing to her
friend Mrs. Billups, with reference to a child who was about
to be vaccinated, she said :

" I send by this post a pamphlet on vaccination. Do read it, if only

£00

Correspondence. 20 1

for the exhibition it gives of the prejudice of the ' profession.' It seeras
as though all advance in the right treatment of disease has to be, in
the first instance, largely in spite of the doctors, instead of their lead-
ing the way. And as it was in the beginning it is now, in many respects.
I should sooner pawn my watch to pay the fines, and my bed too, for
the matter of that, than have any more children vaccinated. The
monstrous system is as surely doomed as blood-letting was. This is one
of the boons we shall get by waiting and enlightening.

" Who knows how much some of us have suffered through life owing
to the ' immortal Jenner ' ? ' Let us fall into the hands of God, and not
of man.' There is nothing worse in this pamphlet than several cases I
have come across personally. Bat these were the direct effects. It is
the indirect I dread most. The latent seeds of all manner of diseases
are doubtless sown in thousands of healthy children. It has only been
the stupid treatment which has made small-pox so fatal. Mrs. Srnedley
(of the Hydropathic Institute) says in her last manual, that they have
nursed numbers of bad cases, and never lost one. M. was one of the
worst cases. She was very delicate, had never been vaccinated, and was
in her seventh year, which is supposed to be the most fatal time. Yet
she recovered, and has been much better in her general health since. I
do hope you will succeed in converting the parents."

We find the following commentary on an undated scrap of
paper, referring evidently to a religious book on Faith :

" Good for real saints, but to be sent out promiscuously to people who
have no more claim to it than publicans and harlots— awful ! Oh, that
God would pour out the spirit of wisdom and of a sound mind ! Decep-
tion is the great forte of the devil in this age. The Lord help us to
tear the bandages off ! "

" My dear child," she says, writing to one of her daughters
with regard to the same question " the art of deception is to
be able to appear true ! "

But Mrs. Booth was not always severe, any more than
she was always tender. It was the right " dividing " of the
word of truth that largely constituted her power. To one of
her friends whom she knew to be intensely sincere in her
consecration, and for this very reason peculiarly open to
the shafts of doubt, she sends the following comforting
epistle. In this case there was no mask to lift, no bandage
to tear off, no self-deception to reveal. And she was as
skilful and sympathetic in " binding up" the "broken-

202 Mrs. Boot/L

hearted'' as she was remorseless in shattering the false
hopes of the self-deceived :

" MY DEAREST FRIEND,— I Jo indeed sympathise with you, and I think
I can divine a little as to the nature of your trials. I wish I were near
to comfort and help you — such help as it is I Lave to offer. Only, I am
fcorry to say, I am often down very low myself. But, dear friend, we
have the promise that the waters shall not overflow us, and though
almost overwhelmed we are yet not destroyed. The only way of comfort
I see for you is to try and walk alont, shutting your eyes to what you
cannot help.

" It is useless, dear, to harrcw ourselves up about the past, or to waste
time in vain regrets. It is past now, and can never he altered. But we
can cast it under the blood, and go on praying Him to avert the conse-
quences, and maybe He will stoop to answer us. Do your own part in
witnessing for God and truth, and hope that at some future time (per-
haps as they stand over your grave) it will produce its effect.

" Comfort yourself in the Lord. He is very pitiful and of tender
mercy, and when He sees us truly penitent for our mistakes and failures
He delights to pardon. Do not perplex yourself about the experience of
others. I am more than ever satisfied that God looks more propitiously
on those who are striving and struggling to do right and to please Him,
even in fear and despondency, than on those who make light of sin and
yet make their boast in Him. I fear there are sadly too many who can
rejoice when they ought to weep, while some who can never forgive
themselves, weep when they ought to rejoice. Perhaps these latter are
amongst those who, though they mourn now, • shall be comforted ' here-
after !

" Still, dear friend, unbelief dishonours our God as much as it robs us.
Therefore, if our hearts bear us witness that we do above all things
desire to obey and honour Him, let us dare to take His promises to our-
selves and to rejoice in Him. You can only pray for the little ones,
that they may be taken from the evil to come, or so visited in the future
that, in spite of the terrible ordeal through which they have to pass,
they may be saved. Ah, how little parents think of the bitter anguish
they are laying up for their loved ones ! Some most painful cases have
come to my knowledge lately. I long to help mothers more than ever.

"\Veareonthe incline as a nation, and are going down hill at an
awful rate! God will be avenged for these things, or His nature and
government have changed ! I often think perhaps our children are
destined to see terrible times. If so, the Lord put them amongst His
faithful witnesses, even if they have to seal His testimony with their
blood.

" We do feel deeply for you in your present trials, and still pray that,
if He sees it best for all concerned, He will deliver you, and I believe He

Correspondence. 203

vrill, unless He sees that the eternal interests of your loved ones demand
the other course. Then we dare not say, ' What doest Thou ? '

" Try to rest in His will, dear friend, because there is nowhere else to
rest. I am trying to do so. He knows why these wearisome months of
suffering are appointed me, and amidst all my depression, and some-
times distress, the devil shall not drive me from this one refuge — that
He does it all in love. I know it, I believe it, and I pray that I may not
frustrate His design. I return home but little better in the main than
when I came. So the time and expense seem to be thrown away, and I
am useless still ! Well, praise the Lord, He reigns over death as well
as life. The keys of death and hell are at His girdle.

" Yours, as ever,

" CATHERINE BOOTH."

A vivid picture of the illness and depression in the midst
of which she frequently toiled is contained in the following
letter :

" I do not suppose you intended to reprove me in your last. Never-
theless I felt the implied reproof, because it was so well deserved, and,
intended or not, I received it as a wound of a true friend. I know
I ought not, of all saints, or sinners either, to be depressed. I know
it dishonours my Lord, grieves His Spirit, and injures me greatly,
and I would fain hide from everybody to prevent their seeing it. But I
cannot help it. I have struggled hard, more than any one knows, for a
long time against it. Sometimes I have literally held myself, head and
heart and bauds, and waited for the floods to pass over me. But now I
appear to have lost the power of self-command to a great extent, and
weep I must. The doctors say, ' Never mind. Begard it as one result of
your affliction.' But this does not satisfy me. I know there is grace to
overcome. And yet, there seems much in the Bible to meet such a
state. Well, at present I am under, under, under ; and for this very
reason I shrink from coming to you or going anywhere. I don't want to
burden others.

" My dearest says, ' Never mind all these rubs and storms. Let us
fight through all, in order to save the world.' To this I say ' Amen ! '
But one must have strength to fight. It is easier for some of us to
fight than to lie wounded in the camp. I can neither fight nor run. I
can only endure— oh, that I could always say with patience !

44 We are compassed with difficulties on every side. Still there is so
much to praise God for that I ought never to look at these troubles.
Well, we shall pull through and get HOME ! Then we will have a shout
and a family gathering, and no mistake ! Will we not ?

"I feel about these troubles just as I do about my own health, when
I pray about it. I am met with ' Ye know not what ye ask.' I have
such a sense of the wisdom and benevolence of God underlying every

2O4 Mrs. Booth.

other feeling that I dare not go beyond, ' Nevertheless, not my will out
Thine be done.' "

One of the earliest spheres of Mrs. Booth's labours was
Cro3Tdon, where the public hall was engaged for the services.
Although commencing, as usual, alone and unaided, an im-
pression was quickly made, and it was not long before Mrs.
Booth secured the sympathy and co-operation of some earnest
Christian workers.

The visible results of the Croydon meetings, in the number
of penitents seeking mercy, were not such as to satisfy Mrs.
Booth. Nevertheless, a powerful and permanent impression
was produced, resulting in the formation of a mission station.

It was about this time that a new and important step in
advance was taken by the amalgamation of a work in
Edinburgh with the East London Mission. Founded, as
we have seen, in July, 1865, for the evangelisation of the
East of London only, the Mission had in September, 1868,
stepped for the first time beyond the bounds of its self-
appointed parish in accepting the offer to take charge of
the hall in Norwood. And now the capital of Scotland had
followed in the wake of the metropolis of the British world
by inviting Mr. and Mrs. Booth to extend to it the oper-
ations which had been so successfully established in the
latter.

It was their first visit to Scotland, and it was with some
degree of wonderment and trepidation that they looked for-
ward to the result. They had been told that the Scotch were
wedded to their Presbyterianism, with' its republican form
of government, that they were stiff, hard-headed, and diffi-
cult to be moved, and would require a great deal of time
and consideration before they would accept methods and
teachings so diametrically opposed to those to which they
had from their youth been accustomed But the result of
the first meetings soon dissipated the last doubt as to the
advisability of the step, and this notwithstanding the un-
likely character of the hall in which they were conducted.

Situated in one of the lowest slums, it was a dull, dingy,

Correspondence. 205

dirty-looking loft, which had served at one time as a chapel
with a pulpit at the end, a gallery round three sides, and
accommodating some five hundred people. Nevertheless, it
was crowded at the first services, and the power of God was
wonderfully manifested.

It became evident from the onset, and was confirmed by
the remarkable experiences of later years, that no people in
the world were quicker to appreciate and more enthusiastic
to admire the close, incisive, unanswerable reasonings of
Mrs. Booth. Their prejudice against female ministry, their
antipathy to demonstrative religion, their dislike to anything
approaching excitement, and their opposition to the doctrine
of holiness were all forgotten, as they followed with intense
eagerness every point of her argument. The boldness of the
preacher, the courage with which she assumed the offensive
without giving time to be attacked, her unpretentious mo-
desty, her cogent, resistless force of logic, her perfect insight
into human nature, her fearless, Knox-like denunciations of
evil, her intimate familiarity with the Scriptures, her alter-
nate appeals to the reason, the emotions, and the conscience,
her command of language, her transparent simplicity, and
her all-devouring zeal, carried them away.

It was like a resurrection. Here was an old-fashioned out-
spoken Covenanter in the land of Covenanters. A spirit-
ual Bruce, a woman Wallace, stood before them — a champion
who had come to enfranchise from the thraldom of sin and
Satan. Her skilful hands swept across their hearts, making
them vibrate with spiritual melodies resembling the beautiful
national airs that they so loved. They were convinced, they
were fascinated, and from the opening service in that rude
hall to the last meeting that she ever held in Scotland no-
where was Mrs. Booth followed by more affectionate and
appreciative crowds.

Doubtless the realisation of this helped to act upon her as
an inspiration. It must always be so more or less. The best
speakers are largely dependent on their audience for their
power. It is when the two electric currents come in contact

206 Mrs. Booth.

that the light leaps forth. True, it is the highest art of the
preacher to create this contact. There are many, alas, who
possess neither the Divine unction nor the human sympathy
requisite. But it is none the less true that the character of
the listener largely affects the liberty of the speaker, and the
presence of a critical, cynical, unresponsive spirit in the one
will often mar the best-planned efforts of the other.

The sympathetic feeling of that first Scotch audience was
unmistakable. The spirit of conviction worked irresistibly
in their hearts. The people fell in every part of the build-
ing. In the pews, in the gallery, round the pulpit, in the
dingy little vestry with its break-neck approach there were
men and women sobbing and crying aloud for salvation.
Mrs. Booth was anxious to remain, take some large hall, and
conduct a series of meetings in so encouraging a sphere. But
circumstances required her presence in London, and she
abandoned with regret so promising an opportunity. Her
position in this respect was, to the end of life, a bewildering
one. So many doors of usefulness opened before her that it was
often difficult to decide which had the superior claim, and she
could only pray that, if unconsciously a mistake were made,
it would in the end be over-ruled for the glory of God in the
furtherance of His cause.

But the regrets with which Mrs, Booth left Scotland were
soon lost sight of in the important work which immediately
afterwards engaged her attention. The success of her seaside
campaign of 1867 at Margate had led to a proposal from Mr.
Gilbert, the secretary of the Evangelisation Society, for a
similar effort at Brighton, which had then, and which we
suppose still retains, the reputation of being the most
fashionable and popular of the watering-places to which
Londoners resort.

It was twenty-two years since Mrs. Booth had as a young
girl visited the place in search of health. Very different
were the circumstances under which she now visited this
; London by the sea." A large concert-hall in High Street
was engaged for the opening meetings. Subsequently she

2oS Mrs. Booth.

applied for and obtained the use of the Dome— a far superior
building, with accommodation for about three thousand
persons ; undoubtedly one of the finest public halls in Eng-
land, and well known to every Brighton visitor as part of
the handsome suite of edifices erected by George IV.

" The first sight of it,7' says Mrs. Booth, " appalled me. It
was indeed a Dome f As I looked upwards there appeared
space, enough to swallow any amount of sound that my poor
voice could put into it. To make any considerable number
of people hear me seemed impossible. On this point, how-
ever, I was greatly encouraged to learn at the conclusion of
the first meeting that I had been distinctly heard in every
portion of it by the two thousand people who were present.

" I can never forget my feelings as I stood on the platform
and looked upon the people, realising that among them all
there was no one to help me. When I commenced the prayer-
meeting, for which I should think quite nine hundred must
have remained, Satan said to me, as I came down from the
platform according to my usual custom, ' You will never ask
such people as these to come out and kneel down here. You
will only make a fool of yourself if you do ! ' I felt stunned
for the moment, but I answered. ' Yes, I shall. I shall not
make it any easier for them than for others. If they do not
sufiiciently realise their sins to be willing to come and kneel
here and confess them, they are not likely to be of much use
to the Kingdom of God.' And subsequent experience has
confirmed this opinion.

" However, the Lord was better to me than my fears, for
ten or twelve came forward, some of them handsomely
dressed and evidently belonging to the most fashionable
circles. The way was led by two old gentlemen, of seventy
or more years of age. One of them said that he had sinned
for many years against light and privilege, asking the Lord
to save him with all the simplicity of a little child. Others
followed, until there was a goodly row of kneeling penitents.
This was a great triumph in the midst of so many curious
onlookers."

CHAPTER XXII.

THE CHRISTIAN MISSION, 1869-72.

THE new year, 1870, commenced with a new departure
full of hope and significance for the future. The East
London Mission underwent its first transmigration of name,
if not of soul. The grovelling caterpillar stage was ex-
changed for that of the still dormant but silk-encompassed
chrysalis, which was to burst its shell nine years later and
flutter forth in its more brilliant and world-captivating garb.
" Your people have been particularly happy," said a journal-
ist recently, " in combining .freshness with simplicity in
their choice of names. The public are fastidious. Only
the other day a sound and hopeful commercial enterprise
went into bankruptcy for no other reason than that of
choosing a name which did not suit the popular fancy. But
with yourselves there has been an unusual aptitude in the
choice of titles which have caught the public ear."

The remark was a just one, for in the popular estimation
a rose by any other name does not smell so sweet. At any
rate, there is power in a. name, and if by itself the talisman
ceases to conjure it often lends wings to some great truth,
and affords it an impetus which would otherwise be im-
possible.

" The Christian Mission " was a felicitous choice, only
surpassed by that of "The Salvation Army" in 1878.
Without waiting to be nicknamed by their adversaries, the
founders of the Mission, with their finger ever resting on
the public pulse, sought for and obtained inspiration in
what they wisely judged to be an important portion of their
task, the couching of their aims and claims in terms so

209 p

2IO Mrs. Booth.

simple that the merest child could understand, so terse as to
carry all the force of an epigram, and yet so original as to
convey the oldest truths to the mind with the resistless
attraction of the latest novelty. Mr. and Mrs. Booth ac-
cepted human nature as it zs, and herein lay one great secret
of their success. Let us have the naked truth, say some ;
but the garb in which it is dressed will often make a world
of difference in regard to its acceptance or rejection. And
so it must be while humanity is what it is.

It was in the early part of this year that the lease of the
People's Market in Whitechapel Road was purchased. Al-
though it cost considerably less than the sum which had at
first been asked, the subsequent alterations that were made
greatly exceeded the original estimate. It rendered, how-
ever, good service during the next twelve years. Not only
was it a useful centre for special demonstrations, but the
regular weekly holiness meetings conducted in later years
by Mr. Bramwell Booth were' seasons of exceptional power
and blessing.

Ah, if walls could only speak, those of the first Salvation
Army Corps would be eloquent indeed ! Many a hardened
sinner who entered the porch careless and indifferent, and
took his seat among- the motley throng he scarce knew why.
has remained to kneel in penitence and contrition at the
Cross, to abandon his sins and to make his first start for
heaven. And numbers such are now to be found in various
portions of the world's wide white harvest-field, toiling suc-
cessfully for the salvation of those who' are still what they
themselves once were.

The first year of the Christian Mission's existence under
its new name was a season of peculiar trial. Early in the
year Mr. Booth fell ill, and was for three months completely
laid aside. This emergency called forth all the latent
energies and capacities for leadership of Mrs. Booth.
Hitherto the conduct of the Mission had devolved almost
exclusively upon the General. But during the time that this
was no longer possible she did not hesitate to accept the

212 Mrs. Booth.

unsought responsibility which Providence had thus forced
upon her. To add so Herculean a task to her arduous public
labours and domestic toil seemed beyond the range of possi-
bility. Nevertheless she discharged the duties of the hour
with unfailing sagacity and unswerving fidelity, enabling
the General to take up the work where he had laid it down,
with no other deviation from his halting-point than that of
advance.

There was an unusual accumulation of sickness during
this year in the family. The General's sickness has already
been referred to. The next trial of the kind was rheumatic
fever, which made its appearance in its most virulent form.
Miss Billups, who was living with Mrs. Booth, was the
first to be prostrated. Just as she was recovering, Bramwell
was seized with the same malady. Previously to this he
had been ill with pleurisy, which the doctor considered had
been brought on by a blow. On inquiry it appeared that
the injury had been received at the City of London School,
to which for a short time Mrs. Booth had been induced to
send him. Here, according to a brutal custom then preva-
lent, he had been lashed to a tree, while a gang of young
ruffians amused themselves by charging against him, enjoy-
ing the pain which they inflicted as a piece of fun ! The
cruelty was reported but the culprits remained unpunished,
the authorities professing their inability to trace and deal
with them unless a formal charge were brought.

As this would have made Bramwell's position in the
school unendurable Mrs. Booth preferred the alternative of
withdrawing him. Already he had been nicknamed " The
Righteous," and " Saint Booth," because he would not par-
ticipate in the tying and cheating so prevalent in a public
school. Only too thankful, however, was Mrs. Booth, that
if her boy had suffered in body his soul had escaped un-
scathed.

The history of the year, however, was by no means one of
unmingled darkness and discouragement. On the contrary,
the Mission maintained steady progress. True, it was still

The Christian Mission. 213

the day of small things, but foundation work must needs
involve much toilsome drudgery, upon which, though unseen,
the future safety of the entire edifice depends.

Besides occasional services at Whitechapel, Croydon,
Brighton, and elsewhere, Mrs. Booth conducted two pro-
longed campaigns at Stoke Newington and Hastings. Both
were attended with marked success, and resulted in the sub-
sequent formation of Mission stations.

In Hastings Mrs. Booth met at the outset with consider-
able opposition. A band of Christian workers, who had
been labouring there for some years past, were debating
among themselves, in view of her anticipated visit, the pro-
priety of a woman preaching, when one of their number, who
had heard Mrs. Booth, indignantly exclaimed that if such
were their views they ought immediately to ask God to con-
vert her into a man, rather than lose the benefits of her
ministry !

But Mrs. Booth was not accustomed to wait for the dis-
appearance of such prejudices before entering upon her
labours. She knew by experience that the best plan for
vanquishing them was to disregard them, and that, with the
aid of the Holy Spirit, her presence would speedily afford a
sufficient explanation for her course. The event justified
the expectation. The objectors were not unwilling to be
convinced. They had heard that Mrs. Booth based her
authority upon the Scriptures. They attended her meetings,
and it was not long before their scruples had completely
vanished.

The Salvation Army literature is contained in many
volumes, the number of which increases year by year, quite
independently of newspapers and periodicals with their
annual circulation of nearly fifty millions. But it is inter-
esting to look back to the "hole of the pit" from whence
" Darkest England " has been dug. The first book of the
Salvation Army bore the characteristic title, " How to Reach
the Masses with the Gospel." It has long since been out of
print and its very name almost forgotten. And yet it

214 Mrs. Booth.

deserved a wide circulation. The little sixpenny volume was
full of startling facts and figures, and marked a new era in
the evangelisation of the poor. Nevertheless, it attracted
but little public notice, and beyond eliciting a few passing
encomiums and expressions of gratified surprise, failed to
call forth the liberal and widespread response for which its
authors had hoped. The modest edition of 5,000 was with
difficulty pushed into circulation, and the expense of the
publication was barely covered by its sale.,

But, if the effect upon the public was small, there wras at
least one apostolic heart that responded to its stirring
appeals. An advertisement of the book attracted the notice
of a young man then studying for the Wesleyan ministr}-.
He sent for it, devoured every page of it with eager interest,
and made up his mind upon the spot that if these Christian
Missioners proved in reality anything like what they ap-
peared to be then, and thenceforth their people should be his
people, and their God his God. He visited the Mission,
attended its gatherings, found that in place of exaggeration
" the half had not been told," and proffered his services to
its leaders. It was necessary for a time that he should re-
turn home to fulfil some business engagements, but at the
conclusion of a few months he was welcomed not only into
the Mission, but into the inner circle of the General's home
and cabinet.

George Scott Railton, for he it wTas who had thus early
recognised the great future that lay before the Christian
Mission, can best perhaps be described in' a word as a latter-
day George Fox. Left to himself, however, his genius
would probably have been rather of the destructive than
constructive type. A radical of radicals, and an extremist
of the most pronounced stamp, he was for exposing, tearing
down, and demolishing every form of religious sham and
humbug that he encountered. He would have burnt the
field of wheat rather than tolerate the chance existence of a
tare.

When but a little fellow he had seen his mother come

The Christian Mission. 215

home, strip tlio very blankets from the beds, rifle the house
of all its best, and go forth laden with the booty to scatter
it amongst the poor ! That was the sort of religion that he
understood and revelled in. Extravagance, enthusiasm,
fanaticism— call it what you like — this was the beau ideal of
this modern John the Baptist, who had been crying in the
religious wilderness but could get none to hear him. Some
time previously he had learnt Spanish and started off on his
own account, unconnected with any society, without money
and without a friend, as a missionary to Morocco. But not
finding a congenial sphere he had returned.

His brother Launcelot, a Wesleyan minister, recognising
his abilities, and desiring to direct them into more regular
channels, had persuaded him at length to prepare himself
for a ministerial career. But he was far from satisfied. He
hated ecclesiasticism with all the strength of his strong
nature. " Fix it as your pole star," he would say of it, " and
then sail with all your might in the opposite direction ! "
Its vestments, its ceremonials, its traditions — he would
almost have torn the very Gospel to pieces in order to get
rid of the superfluities with which it had been overladen.
He would have labelled the religious ideals of the day
Nehushtan, and have ground them to powder remorselessly.

His faith was only less extravagant than his works. He
believed in preaching till you were hoarse, and praying till
your knees were petrified. Sleep and food were necessary
evils, to be postponed as long as possible. Eat when nobody
will stop to listen, and sleep when you can't keep yourself
awake. He would have made every train a " flying Dutch-
man," every steamer an " Atlantic greyhound," every star a
moon, and every moon a sun. The stars should have shone
all day, and the moon have never waned, nor the sun have
ever set. He had nothing to do with human nature as it
is. His business was to make it what it ought to be. For
organisation, method, system, regularity he did not care a
straw. If they suited his purposes he would tolerate their
existence. If not, he would away with them. Bed tape !

2l6

Mrs. Booth.

He would make an eternal bonfire of it all, at which the en-
franchised world should warm its hands, if it could find time
for so sublunary an occupation !

And so, from this time forward, Mr. Railton played an
important part in the history of the work. An able and inde-
fatigable penman, he compiled the bulk of its early literature.
Heathen England, Captain Ted, The Salvation Navvy, The
Salvation 'War, and Twenty-one Years Salvation Army,

f T

COMMISSIONER RAILTON.

were his chief writings. In addition to these were number-
less pamphlets, articles, reports, and defences, all conveying
a clear and interesting account of the work in which his
sympathies were so deeply engaged. And when able to lay
aside his pen there was no one more eagerly ready to take
his place at the battle's front. If he had the opportunity of
choosing for himself he always went to the poorest corps,
the most desperate forlorn-hopes, where the soldiers were the

The Christian Mission. 217

fewest and the odds against him the greatest. He preferred
the open-air work to indoor meetings, and would almost have
been pleased to learn that every barracks had been burnt, in
order that the members might be forced into the streets.

Not less interesting than the story of public demonstra-
tions and anniversaries is the account of the work that was
being simultaneously carried on at this time within the narrow
limits of the home circle. The care of the eight children,
whose ages ranged irom four to fifteen, was becoming more
and more an object of solicitude and concern to Mrs. Booth.
The early letters she wrote to them and received from them
have happily been preserved, and they are so different from
the usual insipid letters exchanged between the members of
a family, that it requires no apology to quote from them.

To her daughter- Catherine, at the age of twelve, when
about to pay a visit to a friend, Mrs. Booth writes as
follows :

" MY VERY DEAR KATIE : —

" I have only time for a word. You are going to Clifton ; be much in
prayer for grace and wisdom to do the Lord's errand there. Grace has
not yet told her father of the change in her heart. Now I suspect that
it is fear which prevents her doing so ; she is afraid to profess lest she
should not live up to it.

" Now you must explain to her that confession is the only way to keep
her blessing. * With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' She must confess
to her father and trust the Lord to help her to live before him according
to her profession. You must get her to confess at once, or she will grieve
the Spirit and lose her peace. Be very gentle with her, and try, my
dear child, to lead her as well as tell her. Watch and pray, and the
Lord will guide you.

"Visitors are corning in, so good-bj'e.

t " Your ever loving Mother."

From this it will be seen that, young as she was, the
Marechale had already commenced to seek the salvation of
her little friends. Indeed, she was at this early age ac-
customed to hold meetings among them. And, when she
first received the news of the conversion of the girl friend

218 Mrs. Booth.

mentioned in this letter, Bramwell writes to tell his mother
that Katie " had nearly gone mad with joy ! "

Writing to her daughter Emma, then eleven years old,
when about to join her sister at Clifton, Mrs. Booth says:

" I was very pleased with your letter. You see where your mistake
is ; now take hold of the help of the Holy Spirit to remedy it. When
you are crying to the Lord to give you back your blessing, believe that
He does it just then, and afterwards, if Satan says, ' No, you have not
got it,' and tempts you to feel naughty, say, ' Oh, yes, I have. I believe
God does give it to me, for I ain trusting in Him ! ' If Satan won't
leave you, run away again to your chamber, and keep saying, ' Jesus,
I do believe in Thee. Thou art all in all to me, and I am Thine,
all Thine ! ' If you will keep doing this Satan must fly. He cannot
stand long before faith. I should like you to get this blessing back
before going to Clifton. You know many eyes will be on you there,
and you will exert a very important influence on those little boys.
You must tell them about Jesus and His salvation, and you cannot
do this rightly unless you have power to live well. Watch much. You
know, my child, how useless it is to try to be a Christian unless we
watch over ourselves."

For Ballington Mrs. Booth experienced a special solicitude.
Warm-hearted, affectionate, and impulsive, his rapid growth
and delicate health rendered constant application to study
peculiarly difficult. She realised, therefore, that he needed
her help and encouragement the more, and left no effort un-
made to assist him, often writing to him far into the night,
when already fatigued with the exhausting labours of the
day. The following is a brief extract from one of her
letters :

" We are very pleased with you. First, for writing so often. Secondly,
for taking such pains, and trying to get on. Well, we are all delighted to
find that you have made up your mind to improve ; nay, what is better
still, that you are doing it. That is what I like. Doing it. You will be
your mother's boy after all, and worthy of the name you bear, I trust.
Best of all, you will honour the name of Jesus by accomplishing in His
strength what you could not do in your own. Don't neglect prayer. Be
watchful ; mind that copy about talking. Too much talk ruins heaps of
people. It is a fine attainment to be able to hold one's tongue. Wise
people are seldom great talkers. Mind this.

" Never forget my advice about not listening to secrets ! Don't hear
anything that needs to be whispered; it is SUBB TO BE BAP.

The Christian Mission. 219

" Choose the boys to be your companions who most fear and love God,
and pray together when you can, and help each other. They have quite
a revival at home. Miss P. has been very much blessed, and Katie and
Emma are getting on well. I enclose you six stamps for extra letters.
Fapa is nearly killed with work ; pray for him. I hope you sleep well at
night. You must try not to worry ; do your best in tbe day and then lay
your head on your pillow at night in peace and sleep in the love of Jesus.
Katie^is a dear good girl; she loves you very^much, and so do they all,
and so does

" Your own Mother."

CHAPTER XXIII.

PORTSMOUTH. HASTINGS. 1873.

Ix October, 1872, Mr. Booth was at length sufficiently
recovered to return to his post. Although still far from
well, his presence afforded a fresh impetus to the work and
inspiration to his followers. It was with untold joy that
Mrs. Booth welcomed him to his accustomed place. Resolute
almost to obstinacy, courageous to a fault, prepared to hold
her ground to the last against all the powers of earth and
hell, Mrs. Booth's gifts and genius were, nevertheless, of a
totally different type to those of the General. She had sorely
missed his inventive, organising mind, which was always
ready with a fresh plan when existing ones had become
obsolete or unsuitable. Her powers of reasoning and her
sound judgment enabled her to detect with instinctive keen-
ness any flaws in his proposals. But her own spiritual
armoury was critical and analytical, rather than creative.
And it was the happy combination of these faculties in each
which largely constituted their power.

Mr. Booth's return to London enabled Mrs. Booth to plan
and carry out one of the most successful provincial campaigns
of her life. Portsmouth, with its population of 120.000 souls,
was selected as the next scene of her labours. Its notoriety
as a large military and naval centre added to Mrs. Booth's
eagerness to make the best of this opportunity for proclaim-
ing the Gospel.

Mrs. Booth commenced her meetings in the Portland Hall,
Southsea, on the 2nd March, 1873. But, although accommo-
dating nearly 1,000 persons, this was found to be far too
small for the crowds who flocked to it every Sunday night.

£20

222 Mrs. Booth.

Hearing that there was a large music-hall about a mile
distant she decided to engage it. Her friends objected to
the character of the building, in which during the week low
entertainments were carried on, attended by soldiers, sailors,
their companions, and all the riff-raff of the town. More-
over, the situation of the hall was such that in order to go
there it was necessary to pass down streets which were full
of drinking dens and brothels. But in the estimation of
Mrs. Booth these reports rather added to the attractiveness
of the proposal. And if, as was confidently prophesied, her
ordinary respectable congregations would not follow her to
such a locality, she felt that she could at least have the
satisfaction of securing the attention and salvation of some
of the worst and most Gospel-needy classes in the town. As
for the expectation of rowdyism, her Whitechapel experiences
had rendered her fear-proof on that score. Conspicuous
posters were accordingly put up and handbills distributed
announcing the first service, with the result that on Sunday
night the music-hall was crowded to suffocation — pit, dress
circle, and gallery. From that day to the conclusion of the
series, which extended over a period of seventeen weeks, no
further advertisements were necessary ; the interest never
wavered and the attendance continually increased, large
numbers being unable to gain admission.

The morning meetings were some of the most powerful
of the series. They were especially devoted to professing
Christians, and for twelve consecutive Sundays Mrs. Booth
took for her text " Go work today in My vineyard ! " Such
was the manner in which the subject fastened itself upon
her mind that, after speaking for about an hour on each
occasion, so far from feeling that it was exhausted, there
seemed so much still left unsaid that Mrs. Booth could only
turn to her hearers and promise that on the following Sunday
she would continue her subject — whether to conclude or not
was more than she could tell !

" I should have liked," says a newspaper reporter, in
referring to a powerful sermon preached by Mrs. Booth at

Portsmouth Hastings. 223

one of the evening services, to " have drawn a verbal picture
of the prodigal's return, of the anxiety of the father while
the son was away, and of his joy when he clasped the sinner
in his arms again. It was beautifully natural, and more
than one eye could be seen to be dimmed with tears as the
preacher asked those of her listeners who have, or ever had,
a prodigal in their family, to put themselves in the place of
tlie old man awaiting his son's return."

These stirring appeals told powerfully upon the hearts of
the listeners. Sunday after Sunday, as soon as the invita-
tion had been given, penitents came forward with a rush
from all parts of the building. During the services some
GOO names were taken, and doubtless there were hundreds
who sought salvation elsewhere as a result of these meet-
ings. Crowds of those who were already converted were
also stirred up to fresh zeal and devotion in the cause of
Christ.

In October, 1873, Mrs. Booth commenced a series of
meetings at Chatham. Describing the first of these the
Chatham News says :

" Mrs. Booth possesses remarkable powers as a preacher. With a
pleasing voice, distinct in all its tones, now colloquial, now persuasive,
she can rise to the height of a great argument with an impassioned
force and fervour that thrills her hearers. Quiet in her demeanour, her
looks, her words, her action are peculiarly emphatic. She can indeed
' suit the action to the word, the word to the action.' And yet there is
no ranting — nothing to offend the most fastidious taste— but much to
enchain attention. ' The matter is full, the manner excellent.'

" The lady is engaged in a good work and we wish her God-speed. We
may safely prophesy that if she continues her addresses in Chatham the
spacious lecture-hall will not contain those who wish to hear her."

This prediction was fulfilled. But on the third Sunday,
at the conclusion of the meeting, Mrs. Booth was seized with
one of her severe heart attacks, and had to be carried uncon-
scious into the ante-room. Fortunately, her son Bramwell
was with her, and after a period of intense suffering Mrs.
Booth was at length removed to the house where she was
staying, and from thence during the following week to her

224 Mrs. Booth.

home. It was a fortnight, however, before she was suffi-
ciently recovered to resume her services, the General taking
her place in the meanwhile. This serious attack was pro-
bably due to the hall not being properly ventilated. From
the heated, stifling atmosphere of crowded meetings, in
buildings where there was neither escape for the noxious
gases nor inlet for the fresh air, Mrs. Booth suffered a con-
tinual martyrdom. The weakness of her heart's action made
pure air such a necessity to her existence that during her last
illness, even through the bitterest winter months, she used
to keep both windows of her room open day and night, and
sometimes have the door ajar as well. She believed that to
the bad ventilation of public buildings were attributable the
deaths of many, both in pulpit and in pew, who were sup-
posed to have died of apoplexy or some kindred cause.

At the farewell meeting on November 23rd the hall was
densely crowded, numbers being unable to gain admission.
The service was a powerful one, and twenty-two persons
came forward for salvation. The usual desire was expressed
and gratified for the formation of a branch of the Mission,
and Chatham has since been one of the most encouraging
battle-grounds of the Salvation Army.

The meetings had scarcely been concluded when whooping-
cough broke out amongst the younger members of the family.
Mixing continually with large crowds of the poorest classes, it
was a necessary consequence that when any epidemic was pre-
valent it was almost certain to find its way into the domestic
circle. Small-pox, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, measles,
whooping-cough, and almost every other imaginable ailment
would take it in turn to demand entrance at the door, which
could not shut them out because it could not shut out the
cries of the suffering masses for whose welfare the members
of that household planned and toiled.

To purchase exemption from such suffering at the cost of
separation from the poor was a suggestion not for a moment
to be entertained. Time after time were they brought to the
very borders of the grave by some fell disease the infection of

Portsmouth. Hastings. 225

which had been taken while they were engaged in their
errands of mercy. But while exercising every reasonable
precaution to avoid the danger, or to restore health when
sickness had set in, no one in that loved and loving circle
ever dreamed of shrinking from what they could not but
regard as a part of their inevitable cross. It was an article
in the family creed that to be a saviour of the poor you
imfst be content to suffer with and for them.

As soon, however, as the whooping-cough had made its
appearance Mrs. Booth arranged to remove the children to
Hastings, in order to give them the benefit of the change of
air. Writing to her friend Mrs. Billups, she says : " The
children have had a most severe attack of whooping-cough.
Every imaginable remedy has been tried. The doctors are
powerless. All they can say is, the thing must run its
course. Change of air has, however, been recommended as
a palliative, and so apartments have been taken and we have
sent them down to Hastings. The thing has taken hold of
Eva and Herbert terribly. Eva, especially, spins round
when the spasms come on, and is a sight pitiful to behold/'

Although the illness was a protracted one the recovery of
all was satisfactory. Taking advantage of her stay at
Hastings, Mrs. Booth held a meeting in the Royal Circus,
a large building, with circle, galleries, boxes, and promenade.
Every available space was occupied, until it was estimated
that over 2,500 persons had crowded in. All classes were
represented. The rough fisher-lads, who combined to upset
many an open-air gathering, and who had been assailing the
processionists that very afternoon, had mustered in strong
force. But from the moment that Mrs. Booth rose to her
feet a spell seemed to rest upon them, and they listened
with as much eagerness as the most respectable visitor
present. It was seldom that they crossed the threshold of
a church, and their hearts had grown almost as hard and
horny as their hands. But Mrs. Booth had a singular
aptitude for discovering the tender point in her hearers'
consciences, where others might have supposed that such

Q

226 Mrs. Booth.

a spot had long since ceased to exist, and many a fish-
bescented sleeve could be seen brushing away the tear-drops
from the cheeks where the salt spray had been for years
the only moisture. Ay, and was not the tribute as pleasing
in the sight of God as the most fragrant pocket-handkerchiefs
so numerously requisitioned by the more favoured portion of
the audience ? Is it too much to suppose that a poor man's
tear weighs as heavy in the Divine scales as that of his
well-to-do brother ? Mrs. Booth thought so, and it was as
great a joy for her to point the one to the Cross as the other.

COLONEL DOWDLE.

As an illustration of the depth and character of the work,
we are tempted to introduce the death-scene of a humble
East End convert named Barber, who died triumphantly
during this year. He had been led to Christ some time
previously by one of the oldest Mission evangelists, Mr.
Dowdle, and had become one of the most valuable helpers
in the Shoreditch branch. It was in the open air that he
had first been attracted and convicted of sin. He was
finally converted in a theatre. Long after the congregation
had left, and the lights had been turned down, Barber was

Portsmouth. Hastings. 227

still on his knees pleading for salvation. So great was his
agony of conviction that he dared not go home till he knew
that his sins were forgiven. The little knot of Missioners
stayed with him to the last, and when the lateness of the
hour made it necessary to leave the theatre they took him
elsewhere. The light at length dawned in upon his soul,
and he had the joyful consciousness that he was saved.

Overtaken by sickness in the prime of his manhood, he faced
death with the calmness of the true Christian. "Is Jesus
precious to }TOU ? " said one who was there. " Yes, bless
Him ! " replied the dying man. " I've trusted Him in rough
weather and in smooth, and I'll trust Him now." Then,
true to his life-work, turning to his medical attendant, he
said, " Doctor, will you meet me in heaven ? " The doctor
promised that he would. Barber then prayed for all present,
mentioning them by name. " God bless my dear little
children ! God bless my poor delicate wife ! God bless the
Christian Mission," and then, as if the new world had
opened out its panorama before his eyes, he said, with
wonderful power, "It's a reality! I see the angels and
hear the heavenly music ! Jesus is precious ! It's better
on before ! Lord Jesus, come quickly ! I've had a battle,
but gained the victory! 0 death, where is thy sting? I
shall soon sit down at the marriage feast ! My feet are in
the river ! I shall soon be over ! Glory to God ! I see a
light! Lord Jesus, receive my soul! " His sister said, "I
shall soon follow you," to which he replied, u Don't be in a
hurry ! Work for the Master ! " And a few minutes after-
wards Tie peacefully fell asleep in the arms of the Saviour
whom he had loved and served. Standing by such a death-
bed, who could fail to echo the prayer, " Let me die the death
of the righteou«, and let my last end be like his ! '?

CHAPTER XXIV.
THE MISSION ADVANCES. 1874.

THE most prominent event cf the year 1874 was the
annual Conference of the Mission workers in June. It was
not the first gathering of the sort. In November, 1870, Mr.
Booth had called together a few of the principal evangelists
and members to consult with him as to the internal organisa-
tion of the Mission, and to assist him in the framing of such
regulations as would be best calculated to perpetuate its
adherence to the purposes for which it had been created.
Working upon the best religious model with which he was
acquainted, and which is known as liberal Methodism, this
embryonic little parliament was to consist of the evan-
gelists, together with two delegates from each station.

But there were several respects in which the Conference
differed from any similar assemblage. In the first place,
women were admitted to its deliberations ; and this not
merely as onlookers, but as representatives, with the same
privileges to speak and pray as were extended to their
brethren. A second novelty existed in the shape of a
timekeeper, whose business it was to break in upon the
consultation every hour, when an interval of singing and
prayer would follow, ordinarily lasting for about five
minutes, but frequently extending over a quarter of an
hour. This had the effect of cutting short long speeches,
and preserving the spirituality of the meeting from being
marred either by acrimonious debates or dull business de-
tails. The fact that the sittings usually lasted from ten in
the morning till ten at night, and were spread over two or

.228

The Mission Advances. 229

three successive days, made such intervals the more refresh-
ing.

Perhaps one of the special advantages of this custom was
the opportunity it afforded to the more spiritually minded
of those present to bring their influence to bear upon the
assembly. There was never a gathering of the kind in
which there were not some present who were specially
remarkable for their Divine unction and power in prayer.
While some knotty question was being debated, or business
transacted, they had little to say, and there were others who
by their superior smartness eclipsed them; but when the
" tocsin of the soul " had sounded its first note, then, in a
moment, their spiritual supremacy asserted itself.

One of the most remarkable examples of this was Praying
John, a lay delegate from Hastings. No other religious
conference would have tolerated the presence of the rough,
uncouth navvy, whose loud amens and hallelujahs would
have shocked their nerves. But none was more heartily
welcomed by the Missioners, and when the simple old man
rose to speak or pray, the contagion of his rapturous joy
seemed to take possession of every heart. His dear old
face would beam with happiness, and his eyes shine with
tears of gladness, and he would clap his hands with the
glee of a little child and shout "Glory!" till every one
present was electrified and felt like shouting " Glory ! " too.
He gained his sobriquet of " Praying John " from his cus-
tom of rising early, before daybreak, to pray, and from his
remarkable power in prayer. Preaching one day to a rough
crowd in the open air, he stripped off his coat, feeling that
he could better reach them in his shirt-sleeves, by enabling
them to realise that he was one of themselves — a working-
man. He died in 1876, at the conclusion of a meeting
during which he had spoken with more than his usual
earnestness and all his accustomed power. One of his last
messages to his comrades was, " Tell them all's well. John
Smith's packed up and ready to go." And as he lay dying
in the Croydon Hall he said to the friends who were

230 Mrs. Booth.

ministering to him, " Let me go ! I be a child of God ! Let
me go ! I do love God ! Let me go, bless ye ! I be
happy ! "

The influence of such men, for Praying John was only a
specimen of a blessed multitude who are to be found in the
ranks of the Salvation Army, can better be imagined than
described. ': Never mind the gentlemen," exclaimed Mr.
Morley when he had listened to the burning words which
fell from the lips of some of Mr. and Mrs. Booth's uncouth
fellow-workers, and when they were suggesting that they
should next call upon some one more refined. There were
tears in Mr. Morley's eyes as he said that he would prefer
to listen to some more of the same sort.

Thirty-seven representatives were present at the Con-
ference of 1874, eight of these being women.

The occasion of the Conference was utilised for the
holding of some great demonstrations. On Saturday, June
20th, Mrs. Booth gave a thrilling temperance address to a
crowded audience in the Whitechapel Hall. General Neal
Dow was also present and spoke. He will be remembered
as the author of the first prohibitive legislation against
drink in the United States, having introduced the law into
the State of Maine, an example which has since been
imitated by many others of the American States, and which
is likely to form the basis of general legislation at no distant
date throughout the world.

"The General was a fine old man," says Mrs. Booth. "His collo-
quial, unpretentious way of talking could not fail to produce an im-
pression. Why is it that in speaking about religion a stilted and
unnatural style should be so commonly in vogue? The stirring tones,
the flashing eye, the eager gesture which emphasize conversation re-
garding every important theme — why should these be banished from
the pulpit ?

" If I were asked to put into one word what I consider to be the
greatest obstacle to the success of Divine truth, even when uttered by
sincere and real people, I should say stiffness. Simplicity is indispen-
sable to success; naturalness in putting the truth. It seems as if
people the moment they come to religion assume a different tone, :i
different look and manner— in short, become unnatural. We

The Mission Advances, 231

SANCTIFIED HUMANITY, not sanctimoniousness. You want to talk to
your friends in the same way about religion as ypu talk about earthly
things.

"If a friend is in difficulties, and lie comes to you, you do not begin
talking in a circumlocutory manner about the general principles on
which men can secure prosperity, and the sad mistakes of those who
have not secured it ; you come straight to the point ; and, if you feel for
him, you take him by the buttonhole, or put your hand in his, and say,
' My dear fellow, I am very sorry for you ; is there any way in which I
can help you ? ' If you have a friend afflicted with a fatal malady, and
you see it and he does not, you don't begin to descant on the power of
disease and the way people may secure health, but you say, ' My dear
fellow, I am afraid this hacking cough is more serious than you think,
and that nasty flush on your cheek is a bad sign. I am afraid you are
ill — let me counsel you to seek advice.' That is the way people talk
about earthly things.

" Now just do exactly so about spiritual things. If your friend is a
spiritual bankrupt just tell him so. Tell him where he is going, and
that the reckoning day is coming. If your friend has a spritual disease
tell him so, and deal just as straight and earnestly with him asyou would
about his body. Tell him you are praying for him, and the very con-
cern that he reads in your eyes will wake him up, and he will begin to
think it is time he was concerned about himself. Try to attain this
simple, easy, natural way of appealing to people about their souls. I
believe if all real Christians would attain this, and act upon it, this
country would be shaken from end to end ! "

After returning from Hastings with the children Mrs.
Booth remained in London till the following August, paying
occasional visits to the various stations : Hackney, Poplar,
Croydon, Bethnal Green, Kettering, Wellingborough, Bark-
ing, Chatham, and Stoke Newington. At Croydon a free tea
was given to 300 poor people. In the meeting which fol-
lowed Mrs. Booth spoke with power, and thirteen sought
salvation, among them being three gypsy mothers with babes
in their arms.

In Bethnal Green a new hall was opened, now famous as
the Railway Arch. It certainly was a unique specimen of a
church. It consisted in a prolongation of a railway arch,
over which the trains thundered every two or three minutes.
Had the noise been less frequent it might have disturbed the
meetings, but fortunately "use doth breed a habit in a man!"

232 Mrs. Booth.

The regular attendants became so accustomed to the noise over-
head that they ceased to realise it ; like persons in a besieged
town, who are said to. become so habituated to the firing of
the cannon that they can sleep through it, but are disturbed
by the unnatural quiet when at length the firing ceases !
Whether this be so or not, the Railway Arch has certainly
proved the birthplace of hundreds of souls, many of whom
have in their turn become saviours of others.

On the 23rd August of this year Mrs. Booth commenced a
two months' campaign at Ryde. The results did not answer
her expectations. However, she persevered, and met with
results which would have gratified any one else less difficult
to please. Amongst many others was the interesting case of
a young lady who was on a visit to the town. She came for-
ward at one of the meetings, received the pardon of her sins,
and returned home in all the joy of her new-found salvation.
Shortly afterwards she was taken ill, and died triumphantly,
leaving behind her a blessed testimony.

Emma and the younger children were with Mrs. Booth,
while the elder ones, who had now begun to be useful in the
work, remained in London with the General. His letters to
Mrs. Booth give some interesting glimpses of their earliest
attempts at public speaking:

"Willie, or rather, Bramwell, as I like to call him now, has just left
me. He is a good lad — a really precious boy. I manage him a little better
than you do, I think. Perhaps it is because I let him have his own way
rather more. I have no fault worth calling a fault to find with him.
His thoughtfulness for the real interests of the Mission, his responsibility
as to business, his manly dealing with men and th'ings, are in my estima-
tion very remarkable. Then he is, I think, really good, open to spiritual
influences to any extent. Poor boy ! Were he only stronger I should
rejoice in contemplating his future, and push him on to aim at far greater
things.

" I don't know whether I told you hov/ pleased I was with dear Katie
speaking in the streets on Sunday morning. It was very nice and effec-
tive. Bless her ! I am delighted with all the children more and more.
Willie is the greatest help I have ever had in the office.

" I heard Ballington give out a hymn and say a few words at Bethnal
Green last night. He did not know that I was there. I was surprised
and gratified in the extreme. Ho has an extraordinary voice, and will be

The Mission Advances. 233

able to give out a hymn with more effect than many a man could produce
with a sermon. The little he did say was spoken with force and feeling.
They think very much of the promise he gives for ability at Bethnal
Green. He will make a mighty man, with the Divine blessing. But it
will be a serious matter. I could not touch him in effective giving out of
a hymn in the open-air, and he is only seventeen. Willie's voice and
chest are so weak that I don't see how he is going to make a preacher."

The following letter from Bramwell to E-ailton gives an
idea of the early difficulties which led to the subsequent
abolition of the Committee system :

" Oct. 6th, 1874.
" MY DEAR EAILTON :

" Yours is to hand. I am convinced that we must stick to our concern,
and also that we must keep up its so called extravagances. They and
they only will save it from dropping down into a sectarian nothing. I
am afraid that we over-rate the worth and sense of the world in general !
It is surely, let us hope, that they have not eyes— not that, having them,
they will not see ! All we can do, it seems to me, is to pound on, utterly
regardless of all the bosh and humbug around !

" I was much put about on Saturday night at the Shoreditch quarterly
meeting. A. and Co. introduced a motion to halve the Sunday night
open-air at Hackney by beginning inside at 6.30, the open-air to com-
mence at 6. It was followed by a similar proposal for Tottenham. Of
course I fought, and fought hard. I think I spoke as I never spoke in
my life — forl/eZt. However, I was beaten: seven votes against seven
on one and seven against ten on the other. What vexed me much was
that neither P. nor W. took any side at all.

" It seems to me the height of folly. Here we are beginning a new
hall at Hackney, and their first step is to spoil and nullify the open-air
— because we all know what half an hour means : a walk round and a
' holler ! ' I suppose there is nothing I can do ? The meeting is
adjourned to next Saturday. Your friend A. is at the bottom of it
all.

" We began at Hackney yesterday. I was at Soho last night— good
outside and fair congregation in, just our sort of people. I was delighted
to find some capital young men ready to fight all hell. We must give
them a little more help and the thing will go.

"Love. Yours faithfully,

" W. BEAMWELL BOOTH."

Very interesting are some of Mrs. Booth's letters to her
children, as she watched with veteran eye their early exploits
on the public field.

To her daughter Catherine she writes as follows :

234 Mrs. Booth.

" Strive to obey the teachings of God. Follow as a little chilJ, and He
will lead you on and on to more and more grace till you get to glory.
We learn in the Divine life much as we learn in the temporal, by ex-
perience. A step at a time. Yield yourself up to obey, and though you
sometimes fail and slip do not be discouraged, but yield yourself up
again and plead more fervently with God to keep you. Fourteen years
ago you were learning to walk, and in the process you got many a tumble.
But now you can not only walk yourself but teach others. So, spiritually,
if you will only let God lead you He will perfect that which is lacking in
you and bring you to the stature of a woman in Christ Jesus. Praise
Him that you feel you are His child, though but a babe. It is a great
thing to be a child of God at all. Don't forget to praise Him for this,
because you are still an imperfect scholar ; but praise Him and go on to
be more diligent to learn and do His will.

"I did not forget your birthday. I think I gave you afresh to God
more fully and determinately than ever before. I laid you on His altar,
for Him to glorify Himself in you in any way He sees best. You
must say Amen to the contract, and then it will be sealed in heaven.

" Your loving mother."

The following is an extract from a letter to her friend Mrs.
Billups :—

"I had such a view of His love and faithfulness on the journey from
Wellingborough that I thought I would never doubt again about any-
thing. I had the carriage to myself, and such a precious season with
the Lord that the time seemed to fly. As the lightning gleamed around
I felt ready to shout, 'The chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof.'
Oh, how precious it is when we see as well as believe, but yet more
blessed to believe and not see ! Lord, work this determined, obstinate,
blind, unquestioning, unanswering faith in me and my beloved friend,
and let us two dare to trust Thee in the midst of our peculiar trials. As
I looked at the waving fields, the grazing sheep, the flashing sky, a voice
said in my soul, ' Of what oughtest thou to be afrail ? Am I not God ?
Cannot I supply thy little, tiny needs ? ' My heart replied, ' It is enough,
Lord, I will trust Thee. Forgive my unbelief.'

" My dear friend, you do trust a little ; oh, be encouraged to trust alto-
gether ! Sickness in our loved ones, weakness in ourselves, perplexity in
our circumstances, even the workhouse in the distance are ' light afflictions '
compared with what many of His dear ones have had to bear, and ' shall
we receive good at the hands of the Lord and shall we not receive evil
also ? ' 'All things work together for good ' while we love -Him and do
His will. Lord, help us."

CHAPTER XXV.
TRAINING OF THE CHILDREN. 1875.

DURING the early portion of the year 1875 Mrs. Booth visited
the various stations of the Mission. The opening of the
newly erected hall at Wellingborough was succeeded by a
fortnight's visit to Middlesborough and Stockton, where a
powerful work had this year commenced. The Sunday ser-
vice at the Middlesborough Theatre Royal was attended by
some 3,500 persons ; and so great was the impression made
by the sermon that thirty penitents were willing to mount
the stage as seekers of pardon in the presence of the vast
audience. At Hackney and Hammersmith also Mrs. Booth
preached with signs and wonders following.

If trees are to be judged by their fruit, then assuredly
parents may be judged by their children. And yet, if the
majority of Christians be measured by this rule, " who
should 'scape whipping ? " The family altar of those who
have been undoubtedly sincere believers is saturated with
the blood, not of its enemies, but of its own progeny, until
it resembles rather the shrine of Moloch than the holy of
holies of Christianity. Worldliness, amusement, money-
making absorb the attention ; agnosticism and infidelity
express the creed ; an ignominious death terminates the life ;
while an unhallowed grave conceals the shame of the descen-
dants of too many of those who have been justly described
as pillars and ornaments of the Christian Church.

Perhaps there is no criterion by which to estimate a
Christian's life and influence so just, so simple, so ungain-
sayable, as that of the fruits of his faith and of his works iu
his own family. It is a quality of virtue, as truly as it is of

236 Mrs. Booth.

sin, to reproduce itself ! And there is no soil so favourable
for the manifestation of a man's graces as that of his home.
He is master of the situation. His sway is almost unlimited.
He can plant what he will, and very largely destroy what
displeases him. To leave the best soil to itself is sufficient
to ensure an abundant crop of weeds. But of what use is
the gardener unless he uproots and replaces them with
flowers ? This is his business.

That he can, with care, succeed is aptly illustrated in the
family history of Mrs. Booth. She commanded her children,
and insisted on their obeying God, till obedience to His will
developed into a blessed habit. It became early easier to
be holy than to be sinful, to do good than to do evil, to
sacrifice than to enjoy. The children could not fail to im-
bibe the lessons learnt from the lips and lives of their
parents. There was an atmosphere of holy chivalry which
spurred them on to generous and noble deeds.

The Marechale was but a child when a friend took her to
a large bazaar to choose a present for herself. She cared
nothing for dolls. But Emma, who was ill at home, was
very fond of them. Remembering her sister's partiality,
she chose one, saying it would bring her more pleasure than
anything else, and carried it home in triumph — preferring to
minister to the little invalid's fancy rather than gratify her
own desires.

And when Emma herself grew older, and was left in charge
of the little ones during the absence of her mother from the
home, she would pride herself in being able to report that
everything had been done as carefully and systematically as
in her presence. " I used to imagine that Mama was in the
room all the time, and could see everything that was done,
and this was a great help to me," she explained.

It was when she was a girl of thirteen, during Mrs. Booth's
first visit to Portsmouth, that an incident occurred which
serves to illustrate the intense hatred of cruelty with which
they were all from the first inspired. She was out for her
usual walk with the governess when a donkey-cart drove

Training of the Children. 237

past, and she noticed the boy belabouring the donkey with
a stick. She called out to him to desist, but he only laughed
and hit the harder. 'Snatching herself away from the gover-
ness, Emma ran after the cart, and after a long chase at
length overtook it and caught the reins. The boy leaped
down and tried to pull the donkey away. But he found his
match for once. Snatching the stick from his hand, Emma
showered her blows upon his head and shoulders, saying,
" There, now ! How do you like it ? " The boy was a strong
young fellow, and could no doubt have easily turned the
tables upon his assailant. But her tears and pleadings
proved more powerful than her blows. He was too surprised
and touched, and surrendered unconditionally ; promising
never to repeat his cruelty, and kneeling, at her request,
beside the donkey in the dusty road to ask God to pardon
his sin.

As they rose from their knees, the conquered ruffian apolo-
gised for having brought her so far out of her way, and
offered to drive her back. Seated beside him in the donkey-
cart, she rode home in triumph, admiring the little steed,
and exhorting the lad to feed it well and treat it with every
kindness. In the meantime the governess had returned to
complain of Emma's rashness, but the delighted mother
listened with undisguised pleasure to the tale and clasped
with joy her daughter to her heart, rejoicing most of all at
the happy sequel to the brave attempt.

Nourished in such an atmosphere, the spiritual life of Mrs.
Booth's children was sturdy and vigorous. The first train-
ing-ground was the nursery, where meetings used to be
carried on according to the model of the Salvation services
conducted by their parents. The children officiated in turns.
Pulpit and pews were duty arranged. Dolls and pillows
formed the congregation. Singing, addresses, and penitent-
forms were made to resemble as nearly as possible the origi-
nals. There were few children who could more thoroughly
enjoy a game or a run. True, they imported their religion
into their very play. And yet they were unconventional and

238 Mrs. Booth.

natural almost to a fault. Their recreation was religious,
and yet their religion was a recreation. It was difficult to
draw the separating, line. And disagreements were rare
when those who might have won preferred to lose, realising
more joy in averting from another the mortification of defeat
than in securing for themselves the flush of victory.

Soon after the family had settled in London and the
Mission had been formed, one of their first secretaries, a
Mr. Rapson, afterwards pastor of a large church in America,
started some children's services, which were regularly at-
tended by the little Booths, who soon began to speak and
testify and at length to conduct them. Bramwell was only
twelve when he led his first service in a small room at
Bethnal Green. He was in the middle of his juvenile ser-
mon, when an incident occurred which would have discon-
certed many a more practised hand. A large rat came and
stood in the doorway, which was behind the audience, and
coolly surveyed the scene. Bramwell knew instinctively
that if the little urchins present caught sight of the in-
truder there would be a general scamper and a chivy at
once. He therefore went on steadily with his address, ges-
ticulating with all his might in hopes of frightening the
visitor. Bat the rat held its ground without flinching. The
speaker waxed warmer and warmer, in his efforts to dislodge
the enemy, until at length even the nerves of the East End
rat could resist no longer, and it beat a rapid and welcome
retreat, leaving young Bramwell in full possession of the
field.

When, in 1870. a Mr. Eason's work was incorporated with
that of the Mission, Bramwell, though only a lad of fourteen,
became one of the most active workers, and the hall being
close to Gore Road he regularly attended its meetings, and
commenced, both indoors and in the open air, to address for
the first time adult congregations. He also chaperoned his
sisters in their earliest public efforts, and encouraged them
to persevere amid the timidities and disappointments which
usually accompany the dSbut of a public speakor.

Training of the Children* 239

The correspondence between brothers and sisters would
serve as a model for many a family — bright, cheerful, desti-
tute of sanctimoniousness, and yet earnest and practical.

"I love you," writes Bramwell, " and as I carmot see you to say so,
I write it. How are you ? How is your soul ? How is your throat ?
I am looking forward to your getting well soon, and then we can together
have a real, red-hot campaign against the devil this winter. I think
I should be in better trim now than ever. If you were not so busy — so
hard at your studies — so full of work of every kind that you scarcely
have time to eat, much less to talk or write letters, I should have ex-
pected a note."

To her daughters Mrs. Booth wrote letters full of wise
advice. The following is specially interesting as conveying
her feelings in regard to work among the rich :

"PORTSMOUTH, Feb. 16th, 1876.

14 1 did not think it necessary to write again, and the rheumatic gout
in my hand being so painful I can scarcely hold the pen.

" I note all you say. But, my dear child, when you have seen as
much of the upper classes as I have you will turn to the poor, as your
Lord did, as by far the most hopeful of the two. ' How hardly shall they
tbat have riches enter the Kingdom.' When they get right, not one in
a hundred keeps so. ' The deceitfuluess of riches ' chokes the good seed.
Still, we must do all we can for them, but it is hard work to get rich
people saved. I had thousands of them at Brighton, Folkestone, and
Hastings, and had a far less proportion of fruit visible than at other
places.

" The Lord's way is best ; preach to all alike, and let rich and poor
come together. A class and caste religion is just what they are seeking
for. The Gospel served up in a lordly dish. But this is not God's way.
The aristocratic Christianity I have seen has been of a sorry sort. ' Go
tell John the poor have the Gospel preached to them,' was our Lord's
highest credential : let us be content with it.

" I was very glad to hear that you had been blessed by reading Finney.
I hope you will read every word of it. That is what I mean by Divine
influence. You see also the secret of his having it — that he was so
thorough with God on all points. I am persuaded that this is just what
makes the difference. Oh, how it would rejoice my heart to hear you
say that you see it, and that you are resolved on being so !

"I see what a glorious, blessed, useful life you may live, but I Fee also
your danger, and I pray for you that you may be enabled to casi aside
the world in every form, to look down upon its opinions, and to despise
its spirit, maxims, and fashions, Oh, that the Divine Spirit may help
you ! "

240 Mrs. feooth.

In view of their future career as public speakers, Mrs.
Booth was constantly urged by friends to send her daughters
to some first-class school, where their education could be
perfected. In one case, the principal of a lady's college,
who had attended Mrs, Booth's meetings and been greatly
blessed, offered to receive and educate her daughter gra-
tuitously. The offer was a tempting one. The lady was
an earnest Christian, and was anxious for the spiritual wel-
fare of her students. Mrs. Booth visited her home and
addressed her pupils. But the first sight of their fashion-
able attire and evident worldliness convinced her that it
would be the height of folly to expose her daughter to such
influences, and she declined the offer with thanks.

In January, 1876, Mrs. Booth revisited the scene of her
former labours in Portsmouth. At the conclusion of her first
meetings a branch of the Mission had been established, and
the work had been prosecuted for some time with remarkable
success. On one occasion, when Mr. Bramwell Booth and
his sister Catherine visited the town, no less than three
hundred persons sought salvation in one week.
. Upon the conclusion of her meetings in Portsmouth Mrs.
Booth had spent two months in Leicester at the earnest
invitation of some friends. Many souls were ingathered,
and, as usual, when the services had drawn to a close the
converts united in forming a Branch of the Mission.

Among Mrs. Booth's letters written at this time we find
the following. Writing to her daughter during a season of
depression, she says :

"MY VERY DEAR EilMA :

" I hope you are recovering from the fit of dumps into which you had
fallen when you wrote me. I note all you say, and am quite willing to
admit that most girls of sixteen would feel very much as you did about
Katie coming, my being away, etc. But then my Emma is not one of
these ' most girls' She has more sense, more dignit)' of character, and,
above all, more religion. She only got into the dumps, and for once felt
and spoke like ' one of the foolish women ! '

" Well, that is all over now, and I doubt not she is herself again, act-
ing as my representative, taking all manner of responsibility and interest
in her brothers and sisters — tired often with them but never tired of

Training of the Children. 24 1

them— acting the daughter to her dear precious papa, the mother and
sister to Ballington, and the faithful, watchful friend to the whole house-
hold. I know that is her character, and I shall not receive any opinion
that would contradict it, even from herself !

" My dear child, don't grow weary in well doing, or in enduring ; the
reward is always greater than the sacrifice. Jesus 'reigns,' and He will
never forget the work of faith and the labour of love which nobody else
sees. When a friend does a secret kindness, we say, ' Ah, it was not
only a great kindness, but the way in which it was done was so nice, so
acceptable, that it made it double the value. There was no splaud,
no fuss, no telling folks and talking about sacrifice. It was all so quiet,
so hidden, but so real.' ' Verily, verily, I say unto you, a cup of cold
water shall not lose its reward.'

"Jesus feels very much as we do. Only He knows how to reward,
and He won't forget ! Bless His name, my dear child, and take courage.
You will share in the spoils, the eternal spoils, of my victory in this
place, for there will be spoils such as will be eternally saved. Pray much
for me, that the Lord will supply all my needs, physical and spiritual."

Mr. Bramwell was at this time in a great controversy as
to his future path in life. A generous friend, struck with
his ability and promise, had offered to give him a university
education. But Mrs. Booth, though grateful for the kind-
ness and not blind to the advantages, yearned to see him
consecrate himself to the immediate claims of the Lord's
service, and threw all the weight of her influence into this
scale.

From Leicester she writes to him upon the subject as
follows :

"I am glad to hear that H did not get lost, at least so far as his

wife and children are concerned ! I do hope you will not throw a lot
of money away in trying him, just for want of courage to tell him at
once that he will not do, because I am sure that it will be thrown away-
It is the nature of the man that is at fault, and not his circumstances.
He is a drone, and nothing, no change of place or position, can ever
make him into a bee. He never ought to have left his trade ; he never
would have done so if he had thought missioning was harder work 1

'•Oh, these professing Christians! I wonder it does not make your
blood boil to do something to rescue the* people ! I hope the Lord will
make you so miserable everywhere, and at everything else, that you will
be compelled to preach ! Oh, how my heart glows with indignation and
throbs with grief at what I see and hear ! Let us mind not to be brought
into bondage to the rich ; this is the rock on which almost everybody

R

2 4 2 Mrs. Booth.

splits. The Lord give us a supreme contempt for all their pride and
starch.

" 0 my boy, the Lord wants such as you— just such — to go out amongst
the people, seeking nothing but the things that are Jesus Christ's. You
are free to do it ; able, by His grace; born to do it, with splendid oppor-
tunities. "Will you not rise to your destiny? 'Have courage, and be
strong, and I (the I AM) will be with thee.' ' Get thee out and I will go
with thee.' Dare you not take hold of the Arm that holds the world and
all things up ? And, if you do, can you fail ? The Lord gird you with
His strength and make your brow brass and your tongue as a flame of
fire. You must preach! "

The latter part of 187G was marked with severe illnesses,
which brought the leaders of the Mission to the very borders
of the grave. The stability and permanence of the organi-
sation were indeed tested during this period to the very
utmost.

The first to be invalided was Mr. Bramwell Booth. He
could ill be spared, but continued trouble from his heart and
throat rendered a, change necessary to prevent a complete
breakdown. At the invitation of a warm friend of the Mis-
sion he spent, several weeks in Scotland, profiting consider-
ably by the rest, and returning at length to his post with
renewed health.

Scarcely, however, had Mr. Bramwell recovered when tho
General was suddenly prostrated by a severe attack of gas-
tric fever. Had it not been, under God, for Mrs. Booth's
indefatigable nursing he would probably have died. A
homoeopathic doctor was sent for. Mrs. Booth stipulating,
however, beforehand that he should ajlow the use of the
water treatment. Fever packs, liver packs, mustard packs,
and the other paraphernalia of hydropathy were called into
requisition with the most encouraging results.

" I need not tell you how I feel," writes Mrs. Booth to Mrs. Billups.
" My soul seems dumb before the Lord. A horror of great darkness
comes over me at times. But, in the midst of it all, I believe He will
do all things well, I am not at all taken by surprise. I have known
so long that this breakdown must follow. The doctor says it has been
coming on a long time. My beloved says I am to tell you that he is hi
the furnace, but has perfect ppace. Praise the Lord for this."

Training of th? Children. 243

But the strain was too great for Mrs. Booth's delicate
and overwrought frame, and she again collapsed, just as the
General's illness had taken a favourable turn. As soon as
it was possible to be moved, both were ordered away, for
change of air, to Tunbridge Wells. They had scarcely
arrived when the sad news reached them that their daughter
Lucy was dangerously ill of small-pox, and that one of the
servants had also contracted the disease, having been removed
at her own request to the hospital, where, a few days after-
wards, she died.

With his usual intrepidity and devotion, Mr. Railton
visited her deathbed, and thus, to the grief and deep concern
of all, received the infection. Mr. and Mrs. Booth returned
immediately to London, sent the children to the country, and,
abandoning their home to the patients, located for the time
being at the already crowded and ever busy headquarters
in Whitechapel. Mrs. Booth has since said that some of the
most anxious hours of her life were spent in the little upper
room from whence she superintended with persistent care
and skill the hydropathic treatment, which she believed to
be, under God, the means of their ultimate recovery. In her
daughter's case the danger gradually abated, but with Mr.
Hailton the attack assumed a most virulent form, and for
some days his life was despaired of. He had himself, while
sickening for the disease, expressed a presentiment that his
earthly days were numbered, and that his time had come
as he graphically expressed it, for being " promoted from the
infantry of earth to the cavalry of the skies."

Determined to make the utmost use of the brief interval
of life that he could yet call his own, he surrounded himself
with his papers and composed a book of nearly two hundred
pages. "Heathen England," as it was happily entitled,
described, on the one hand, the terribly godless condition
of the masses in this country, and on the other the strenuous
and successful efforts put forth by the Christian Mission for
their salvation. There was much in the narrative to carry
the mind back to the experiences of the apostles.

244 Mrs. Booth.

At the time that Mr. Railton wrote, it is true, the work
had not by any means attained its present proportions, but
there was more than enough to enable the most unenthusicistic
soul to realise that a mighty future was in store for the
organisation which had outlived so many storms and thriven
among circumstances so apparently adverse to its existence.
To plant religion among the very dungheaps of society might
have well appeared a hopeless task. But the more the hand
of enmity and ridicule sought to smother the seedling with
the unsavoury masses of putrefying corruption that sur-
rounded it, the more they unconsciously contributed to its
growth and strength. The ploughed fields of the religious
world had been well-nigh worn out with the harvest that
had been wrung from their overtaxed soil, while the un-
touched swamps and vice-beridden jungles of society awaited
the magic touch of the daring innovator who should substi-
tute joy for sorrow, health for sickness, wealth for poverty,
hallelujahs for curses, and psalms of praise for ribald songs.

Unable through sickness to devote herself as usual to
public work, Mrs. Booth made use of the comparative leisure
for multiplying her letters to her children and friends.

The following letter was addressed to her youngest son
during a temporary absence from home :

" I trust you are enjoying yourself, and also that you are striving to
live so as to please God in everything.

"I haye been hoping to hear again from you that you had found that
peace and joy which you told me you were so earnestly seeking. I am
sure the Lord has no objection to give it to you when He sees that you
really want it — for we do not always really want the things that we cry
and pray for, strauge as it may seem. The Lord judges of how much
we want a thing by the price we are willing to pay for it ; that is, by the
sacrifice of our own will that we are ready to make for it, and the hard
or unpleasant things we are ready to do for it.

"Now David said, 'I will patiently wait for th,e Lord.' 'In His law
will I meditate day and night.' 'My soul followeth hard after God.'
' I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.' ' I hate every
false way ' ; that means every deceitful way. Now you see how David
sought God; he waited for Him in the way of keeping His command-
ments and striving to please Him in everything, and God is always

Training of I he Children. 245

found of such souls. They are allowed to sing, ' So God is become my
salvation, of whom shall I be afraid ? '

"I have not a doubt that David -when a little boy had been indus-
trious and faithful in tending his father's sheep. Many a cold night
in the wilderness had he led them into the fold, and many a lonely day
had he practised his music out in the fields while caring for them. He
must have done ; or where did he get the wonderful skill in playing
which brought him. into the court of the king ? (1st Samuel, 17th and
18th chapters.) He was the best player in all Israel. How little ho
thought when sitting on a stile practising his harp, or his flute, that
this very industry would be the means in God's hands of setting him on
the throne of Israel ! He must have studied grammar, too, for some of
his psalms written when he was quite young are amongst the most
beautiful compositions in the world. All the learning of all the ages
since he wrote has not been able to surpass the beauty of some of his
poetry !

" Did God choose him, think you, because He saw that he was a good
and faithful boy, and therefore that he would make a good and faithful
king? Bead 1st Samuel, 16th chapter, and see what God said of him
David loved and served God in his boyhood, and God remembered it
when He wanted a man to take the place of unfaithful Saul ! He
passed over all the high and noble sons of the great men of the nation,
and chose a young, ruddy lad who kept his father's sheep, for ' He
juclgeth not according to outward appearance, but by the heart.' Are
you copying David's example ? Are you practising in all things what'
the Lord loves ? And seeking to please Him day by day ? If so, I am
sure He will be found of you, and if He does not make you a king He
will make you what is a great deal better, a winner of souls and a king
and a priest unto Himself. 0 my dear boy, ' Be not a forgetful hearer
of the word, but a doer of the same, and you shall be blessed in your
deeds."

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE SALVATION ARMY. 1877-78.

JANUARY, 1877, will ever be memorable in the history of ihe
Salvation Army, for it was then that the democratic system
of government into which, as we have already seen, the
Christian Mission had fast been drifting, was finally re-
placed by a purely military constitution.

From this moment the work commenced to extend itself
with unparalleled rapidity. It seemed as if the Mission had
taken a new lease of life. Like David, it had thrown aside
the cumbersome armour of Saul and had run to meet Goliath
with its simple sling and stone. Wherever the evangelists
appeared the armies of the Philistines were put to flight.
The largest buildings could not contain the crowds who
flocked to the meetings. Powerful revivals broke forth in
the most unlikely places, through agents whose only qualifi-
cation seemed their desperate earnestness.

It .would be interesting, were it possible, to sketch the
character and career of some of the men who composed Mr.
Booth's pioneer band of evangelists. Several of them, such
as John Allen, the converted navvy, have already gone to
their reward. Not a few were invalided by the arduous
nature of their toil, while others, after serving for a time,
either waxed weary in well-doing, or have sought for them-
selves easier paths than the rugged ones marked out for
them within the borders of the Mission. But a goodly num-
ber continue to occupy more or less prominent positions in
the Salvation Army of to-day. Several of thess have been
already referred to.

Another whose character and career were destined to

243

The Salvation Army.

247

make a considerable mark upon the future \vas Elijah Cad-
man. Like his prophetic namesake, he was a product of the
deserts — had traversed them in their length and breadth, and
familiarised himself with every detail of their barren desola-
tion. But " the howling wilderness " of which this modern
Elijah was a denizen was peopled not with phantom ghosts
and ghouls, nor even with dragons and fiery serpents, but

COMMISSIONER CABMAN.

with human beings almost as numerous as the sands which
constitute the Arabian desert, each particle instinct with life
and power for good or ill.

Born and bred among the misery and sin of slumdom, a
chimney-sweep by profession, a pugilist for recreation, a good
customer at the public-house, a desperate handful for the
police, a ringleader in every sort of mischief, Cadinan had
early gained for himself an unenviable notoriety in his native

248 Mrs. Booth.

town of Rugby. Short, but thick-set, and powerful bej'ond
his size, he was an awkward antagonist in the drunken brawls
and sprees with which he was perpetually mixed up. His
keen wit and humorous sallies were the delight of the tap-
room, where he was a second Falstaff.

His conversion fell like a thunder-clap upon his old
associates. It was as complete as it was sudden. He
became as out-and-out for God as he had been for evil. He
loved his Bible so passionately that he carried it with him
wherever he went by day and slept with it under his pillow
by night, although he was so unlettered that he could not
tell whether he was holding it right side up or wrong ! But
he soon learned to read on purpose to be able to master its
contents, and an admirable memory and fluent tongue helped
to make amends for all educational deficiencies. He wrote
to Mr. Booth offering his services, was accepted and sent to
assist first at Hackney, then at Leicester, and afterwards to
take charge of Whitby. This was a new opening. The
evangelist walked round the town with a friend, engaged
the St. Hilda's music-hall for Sundays, the old town-hall for
week-nights, and issued a bill couched in very sensational
terms.

In this bill the Christian Mission for the first time adver-
tised itself as a " Hallelujah Army," an approach to the name
by which it was soon afterwards to be known. It wTas by a
remarkable concurrence of circumstances that this change
final]}' came about. The General was preparing his annual
appeal for Christmas, 1877, and was pacing the room, dis-
cussing the various particulars. Seated at the table were
his two indefatigable aides-de-camp, Mr. Bramwell and Mr.
Railton. " What is the Christian Mission ? " was a question
propounded by the circular. To this was proposed the
reply, " A Volunteer Army." Pausing for a moment, and
leaning over the shoulder of his secretary, the General
picked up a pen, passed it through the word " Volunteer "
and wrote above it " Salvation/''

All the trio agreed that the new name was nothing short

The Salvation Army. 249

of an inspiration. It was at the same time simple, terse,
and euphonious, expressing in a nutshell the great funda-
mental principles upon which the Mission had been based,
and the great object which it was seeking to fulfil. The
outside public were not slow in confirming the dictum, while
within the ranks of the Mission itself, and among the masses
for whom it catered, the newly-coined expression gained
immediate currency. Nevertheless the official recognition of
the title only took place by degrees. At first the notepaper
used for correspondence bore the heading, t£ The Christian
Mission, or the Salvation Army." A few months later the
order was reversed and the heading became " The Salvation
Army, commonly called the Christian Mission." And finally
all reference to the Mission was discarded.

The first time the new name appeared upon a public poster
was in Ptymouth, which had been opened by Captain and
Mrs. Dowdle. Soon afterwards Mr. Bramwell Booth caused
it to be painted across the Whitechapel Hall at the back of
the platform, to the considerable perturbation of some of the
older members of the Mission, who thought the change boded
no good.

The title of " captain " was also a novelty. In the first
instance it was intended to be nautical rather than military,
and to catch the eye of the Whitby fishermen. Some time
previously the Conference had passed a resolution prohibit-
ing the evangelists from using the title of " Reverend."
But plain " Mr." was equally inconvenient, and unsuited
for the masses. "Captain" was not only Scriptural but
popular, being commonly applied to the skippers of the
coasting craft and to the leaders in mines and other inland
occupations. Hence the use of the term soon spread, and
quickly superseded the obnoxious " Mr.," " Mrs.," and " Miss"
which had hitherto been in use.

The subsequent addition of other military titles was a
matter of necessity. It became essential to define the po-
sition of the assistant evangelist, and what more convenient
term could be found than that of lieutenant ? Elders and

250 Mrs. Bvotli.

class- leaders were no more, but some substitute was neces-
sary. Sergeants and sergeant-majors just met the difficulty.
The rapid increase of the work made it advisable to group
the stations into districts, under the charge of the most
experienced evangelists. A distinguishing title became
again a necessity. The clerical catalogue had been aban-
doned as unsuitable. Hence it appeared advisable once more
to have recourse to military phraseology, and the major and
colonel were accordingly introduced.

Mr. Booth had always been known as the General Super-
intendent of the Mission. What more natural than that the
latter portion of the title should be dropped, and that he
should be announced by Captain Cad man as the General of
the Hallelujah Army ? It is a mistake to suppose that Mr.
Booth called himself General. The name was forced upon
him by others in exactly the same way that Christians were
first so called at Antioch. For many years he continued to
be known as the Hev. William Booth, and it was only by
degrees that he accustomed himself to the new title, though
as far back as 1872, in writing to him, Mr. Railton was
accustomed to address him as " My dear General," and
signed himself as his " Lieutenant."

The adoption of military terms soon led to further im-
portant advances. The stations received the name of
" Corps," and in 1878 the first flag was presented. The
ceremonial soon became both popular and useful, attracting
large crowds by its novelty. The colours were designed by
the General, and were intended to be. emblematic of the
great end in view. The blue border typified holiness, while
the scarlet ground was a perpetual reminder of the central
lesson of Christianity— salvation through the blood of Jesus.
A yellow star in the centre betokened the fiery baptism of
the Holy Ghost. Equally striking was the motto, "Blood
and Fire," inscribed across the starL signifying in a word
the two great essential doctrines of the Mission — the blood
of Jesus and the fire of the Holy Ghost.

It is needless to sav that innovations so numerous and so

The Salvation Army. 251

sweeping excited at the time no little opposition, especially
on the part of the more respectable friends, who, when
they " heard these things, doubted of them whercunto this
would grow."

Referring to the change of name, and to the consequent
opposition and loss of sympathy on the part of some who
had hitherto supported the work, Mrs. Booth writes on the
;23rd October, 1878, as follows :

" We have changed the name of the Mission into ' The Salvation
Army,' and truly it is fast assuming tha force and spirit of an army of
the living God. I see no bounds to our extension ; if God will own and
use such simple men and women (we have over thirty women in the
field) as we are sending out now, we can compass the whole country in
a very short time. And it is truly wonderful what is being done by the
instrumentality of quite young girls. I could not have believed it if I
had not seen it. Truly, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings He
has ordained strength, because of the enemy, and the enemy feels it.

" In one small town where we have two girls labouring, a man, quite
an outsider, told another that if they went on much longer all the
publics would have to shut up, for he went to every one in the town
the other night and he only found four men in them all ! The whole
population, he said, had gone to the ' Eallelujah Lasses ' ! Oh, for
more of the fire ! Pray for our officers.

" Now, my dearest friend, you have access ; go up boldly and in
mighty faith for torrents of power to break in on the enemy's territory
on every side. Our moorings are fairly cut, and we are ' out on the
ocean sailing.' The rich and respectable are giving us up on every
hand, as they did our Master when He got nearer the vulgar cross, but
we hear Him saying, ' I will show thee greater things than these.' And,
money or no money, we must go on."

Writing in November, 1878, Mrs. Booth mentions that it
had been finally decided to adopt uniforms, and thus put the
finishing touch to the military tactics which had served to
infuse into the Mission such a spirit of hopefulness and
aggression. Indeed, it was this that constituted the chief
value of the recent changes. The mere adoption of titles
and uniforms was simply valuable as being the outward and
visible sign of a remarkable increase in the aggressive spirit
which had always been a distinguishing feature of the
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The Salvation Army. 253

shall keep the Army in touch with the masses. There is no
idea of finality in the present choice. Nor has there been
thought to be any virtue in disfigurement, the one object
being to combine simplicity with the testimony of separation
from the world.

In railway, street, or tram-car it is a perpetual reminder
to the careless and the ungodly, forcing them to think of the
eternity to which they are hurrying and which they would
fain banish from their minds. The very criticisms to which
it may give rise often pave the way to close personal dealing
upon spiritual themes, and it is seldom that the Salvationist
allows his assailant to depart without receiving some home-
thrusts which, lingering in the heart long after the inter-
view has terminated, have not infrequently resulted in tears
of penitence and salvation.

CHAPTER XXVII

MRS. BOOTH'S CHILDREN COMMENCE PUBLIC \VoizK.
1877-78.

DURING the year 1877 Mrs. Booth realised the peculiar joy
of seeing her children one after another commence to occupy
prominent posts of usefulness, and, although prevented by
sickness from standing with them in the field, she continued
from behind the scenes to instruct, advise, and encourage
them as occasion offered. While staying at St. Leonards
her shy and retiring daughter Emma for the first time
stepped upon the public platform. As early as 1873 her
brother Bramwell had persuaded her to conduct some chil-
dren's services in the schoolroom at their Hackney home.
But no amount of persuasion would induce her to either
speak or pray in public until the occasion referred to by
Mrs. Booth in the following letter :

" You will be surprised to hear that Emma spolce in the Hall here on
Sabbath last. I could not believe it, but it was so. We have a good
little woman evangelist here, who is struggling with a lot of rough poor
people, and she had so enlisted Emma's sympathy and \ron her heart as
to get her to promise to help her, though it wa's more than she had
hoped to persuade her to take a service. On Sunday night, however, to
her astonisbment, Emma went on the platform and took a hymn-book
and began as though she had been at it for twelve months. She preached
from Isaiah, 10th chapter, 3rd verse, and they all say she did wonder-
fully. Not a hesitancy or apparent qualm. She tells me that she felt
unutterable things, but was enabled to keep calm outside. There were
five souls sought salvation — a real triumph for this place. Does it not
seem as if the Lord was going to take me at my word and use thenrall
in His work ? Bless His name ! "

It was about the same time that the Marechale commenced

Mrs. Boot/is Children Commence Public Work, 255

a series of meetings in Leicester, a town in which Mrs.
Booth felt a special interest, the work having been com-
menced through her instrumentality. Miss Booth, assisted
by her brother Bramwell, soon succeeded in bringing about,
a powerful revival. Upon receiving the news, Mrs. Booth
sent her daughter the following inspiring epistle:

" I am delighted to hear of the break. I thought it must come.
Praise the Lord ! And now, just divest your mind of any and every
other concern for the present and live for God and Leicester ! I want
you to gather every convicted soul in the place. Next Sunday you will
feel more at home and have a better hold of the people. Only pray and
believe, and keep near the Lord, and Leicester will be your first great
victory for Jesus and eternity.

" Oh, it seems to me that if I were in your place — young— no cares or
anxieties — with such a start, such influence, and such a prospect, I
should not be able to contain myself for joy. I should indeed aspire to
be the ' bride of the Lamb,' and to follow Him in conflict for the salva-
tion of poor, lost and miserable man. I pray the Lord to show it to you,
and so to enamour you of Himself that you may see and feel it to be
your chief joy to win them for Him. I say I pray for this ; yes, I groan
for it, with groanings that cannot be uttered, and if ever you tell me it is
so I shall be overjoyed.

" I don't want you to make any vows (unless, indeed, the Spirit leads
you to do so), but I want you to set your mind and heart on winning
souls, and to leave everything else with the Lord. When you do this
you will be happy— oh, so happy! Your soul will then find perfect rest.
The Lord grant it to you, my dear child.

" Try to get to know how long the cases have been under conviction
when you speak to them. It comforts me to hear that my labour has
not all been in vain. I am sorry to hear there was such paucity of help.
We must make workers. There are few know how to deal with souls.
You must make some, by God's grace and help. You must now take the
flag and hold it firmer and steadier, and hoist it higher than ever your
mother has done.

" I have been ' careful about many things.' I want you to care only
for the one thing. I would give my heart's blood this moment to see
you in spirit a Nanny Cutler ! I would far rather be that woman now
than Gabriel. Look onward, my child, into eternity — on, and ON, and
ON. You are to live forever. This is only the infancy of existence —
the school-day, the seed-time. Then is the grand, great, glorious, eter-
nal harvest. ' He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
everlasting.' Glory ! The battle will soon be over. Oh, shall we not
win the field? The Lord help us to resist evil, even unto blood ! "

In writing some time later from Stockton-on-Tees, Mrs,

256 Mrs. Sooth.

Booth sends an interesting description of the meetings con-
ducted in that town by the General and Miss Booth :

" Pa and Katie had a blessed beginning yesterday. Theatre crowded
at night, and fifteen cases. I heard Katie for the first time since we
were at Cardiff. I was astonished at the advance she had made. I wish
you had been there, I think you would have been as pleased as I was.
It was sweet, tender, forcible, and Divine. I could only adore and weep.

" It is the greatest trial we have that we cannot get helpers who are
determined to know nothing amongst men but ' Christ, and Him cruci-
fied.' There are plenty who have no objection to Christ glorified, when
He can be made to glorify themselves, but when it comes to sacrifice
and cross bearing for the sake of souls, then is the test. When some-
thing better for this world presents itself, then those who have not much
depth of principle fly off. Well, as some one said the other day, all
God's great reformers have had to icalk alone, in a path specially their
own, and, if need be, we must be content to walk so even to the end.
The more I see of the religion of the churches the more I am satisfied
that it is in the great majority of instances a great sham, a shell without
the kernel. They say, ' Lord, Lord,' but they do not the things that He
says. . We must keep on trying to save a few from the general wreck.
The Lord help us ! "

Speaking of the sort of preachers who were needed by the
Mission, and of the difficulty of securing such, Mrs. Booth
says:

" I hope, my dear boy, that, whatever sense of obligation or gratitude
you have towards rue, you will try to return it by resolutely resisting all
temptation to evil, and by fitting yourself to your utmost to be useful to
your fellow-men. I ask from you, as I asked from God, no other re-
ward. If I know my own heart, I would rather that you should work
for the salvation of souls, making bad hearts good and miserable homes
happy, and preparing joy and gladness for men at the judgment bar, if
you only get bread and cheese all your life, than that you should fill any
other capacity with £10,000 per year. I believe in eternal distinction.
' They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever
and ever.'

" Not that I would have you do it for the reward, but for the pure love
of Him who died for you and them ; still, it is not wrong to ' have respect
to the recompense of the reward,' and now that almost everybody is
pulling and striving for this world's rewards and prizes, it is meet that
the real children of the great King should sometimes think of ilieir
reward. Paul did this, though it was the love of Christ alone which
constrained him to labour. ' There is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give unto me

Mrs. Booth's Children commence Public Work. 257

at that day.' Happy they whose ambition aims not below the skies ;
they will never be disappointed !

" I hope you are getting on in your studies and not allowing them to
draw you from God. There is no illuminator like the Holy Ghost. He
is promised on purpose to lead us into all truth, consequently to guard
us from error. Seek His light on all you read, and His help in all you
do, and your progress will be real and rapid."

Referring to the same subject in another letter, Mrs.
Booth says :

" I was talking with a young minister the other day who has spent
much time in studying science ! He knows a great deal, I doubt not,
but alas, by his own confession and by the miserable results of his
ministry, it is evident he knows not how to win souls. I saw in talking
to him more clearly than ever that the main qualification for preaching
is not gifts, nor learning, but spirit. 'Ye know not what spirit ye are
of ' might be sounded in the ears of thousands of ministers nowadays.
They are of a scientific, a philosophical, a metaphysical, an astro-
nomical, or any other kind of spirit, rather than of Paul's spirit, who
determined to know nothing among men but Christ, and Him crucified.

"This is what the world wants: men of one idea — that of getting
people saved. There are plenty of men of one idea — gold getting.
They show that it is their great aim and object in life. They make no
secret of it, they make everything bow to it ; they are of a worldly spirit.
Now we want men who are just as much set on soul-saving; who are
not ashamed to let everybody know that tbis is the one object and aim
of their life, and that they make everything secondary to this— men of
a Christ like spirit. There need be no mistake or mystery about it—
4 by their fruits ye shall know them.' Paul, and every other man of
like spirit, has had his fruit, and will have to the end of time. Your
father is a man of this spirit ; the Lord make all his children such, and
you among the first. It is ' not by might, nor by power, but by My
Spirit, saith the Lord.' "

Mrs. Booth eagerly took advantage of a measure of re-
turning health to deliver an address to the new converts in
Stockton and to speak a few \yords at the anniversary
meeting held in Hartlepool. On the latter occasion a num-
ber of her early converts of 1861 were present. " I was
greeted," writes Mrs. Booth, " by many smiling faces and
sparkling eyes, but could not stop to do any handshaking.
How grand will it be to meet our spiritual children up
yonder ! "

258 Mrs. Booth.

Writing to another of her sons, she urges him to increas-
ing watchfulness and devotion :

" We must seek till we find, and this is just the difference between
real seekers and hypocrites ; the former go on till they find, and will
not be satisfied with anything less than God ; the latter get tired, and
lind rest in creature-good of one kind or another. Better go ' hungering
and thirsting after righteousness ' all our days than to take up with the
devil's draughts or eat his husks. But our Lord is not a hard master,
and when He sees that we seek Him — not His gifts, but Himself— with
all our hearts, then we find Him.

" The Lord help you not to grow weary, but to strive to enter in at
the strait gate. The enjoyment of God, spiritual usefulness on earth,
and glory for ever, are worth a struggle, are they not ?

" Abraham said to Dives, the rich man, ' Son, remember ! Thou in
thy lifetime hadst thy good things^ but Lazarus evil things ; now he is
comforted, but thou art tormented.'

" Perhaps I have not quoted the exact words, but it means, ' Thou
didst choose thy portion on earth and thou didst get it — a mansion,
crops, barns, flocks and herds, horses and carriages, etc., without God
and salvation ; whereas Lazarus chose to serve God and do right and
save his soul, even though perhaps this very choice led him to the dung-
hill (I think very likely it was so). Now, and for all eternity, he is and
shall be comforted. ' Just and righteous art Thou, 0 King of saints ! '
We know God's ways ; let us act accordingly.

'• Do not be disheartened because you are tempted. Paul speaks of
the * fiery trials ' of the saints, of the • fiery darts ' of the devil, and of
being ' tried as by fire.' Now these must have been pretty sharp con-
tests for such a brave soldier as Paul to call them ' fiery.' Temptation
is the severest of all tests of grace. Many a man could go to the block
far easier than fight his own lusts. Jesus knew this ; therefore He
warned His disciples against the first beginnings of sin. (Matt, v., 28th
and 29th verses.) Looking at and thinking about forbidden objects
brings all our woe ! Keep your eyes and your thoughts off, and you are
safe. Jesus said, ' Watch.' Satan is so cunning, he says, ' You can
just indulge a little. You need not go all lengths.' But he knows that
f he can find a lodgment in the thoughts he is sure of everything.
Mind him. He is a ' liar from the beginning.' Resolutely resist his
first whisper. Don't listen to one word. Eun for your life. He has
slain millions through ihe first thought ! "

In glancing over Mrs. Booth's letters nothing is perhaps
so striking as the extraordinary diversity of subjects with
which they deal, and the ability with which each is dis-
cussed. While in many of her letters she urges her

Mrs. Boottis Children commence Public Work. 259

children to make the most of such educational advantages
as have been thrown in their way, she cautions them in the
following letter against the other extreme of " cramming "
the mind with quantities of ill-digested knowledge :

" You are under a mistake to suppose that sacrificing your recreation
time will help you in the end. It will not. Cramming the mind acts
just in the same way as cramming the stomach. It is what you digest
well that benefits you, not what you cram in. So many hours spent in
study, and then relaxation and walking, will do your mind more good
than ' all work and no play.' The mind must have time to recruit as
well as the body, and if you do not allow it to do so it will be just so
much duller and the more inactive. Now mark this : Do not be looking
so much at what you have to do as to what you are doing. Leave the
future (you may spend it in heaven) and go steadily on doing to-day's
work, iu to-day's hours, with recreation in between to shake the seed
in. One step well and firmly taken is better than two with a slip back-
wards. It is of no use breaking the bow by stretching it too tight.
Thousands do this, and are rendered useless for life! Poor human
nature seems as though it must go to extremes. Either all or none, too
much or too little, idleness or being killed with work ! May the Lord
show you the happy medium ! "

To one who complained that her nature rendered her
peculiarly susceptible to. temptation, Mis. Booth replied:

" Supposing that you are in yourself of a restless and discontented
nature, ' Is there no balm in Gilead ? Is there no physician there ? '
Are we bound always to remain what we were at the beginning? If so,
why did it please ' the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell ? '
What for, but for our emptiness, and want, and weakness? 'Where sin
hath abounded grace doth much more abound.' By watchfulness on our
part, and discipline and succour on His, what may we not become ? We
may even ' adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.' It is
not of nature's tree the fruits of the Spirit spring. It is from the tree
of the Lord's own ' right hand planting.' Here is encouragement for
you and for me. The top-stone of our renewed life is to be brought
forth shouting, not ' Nature, nature ! ' but ' GRACE, GRACE unto it ! '
' Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my
countenance and my God.' Watch and trust, and nature will be con-
quered. The Lord help you !"

CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE ARMY AXD ITS CRITICS. 1878.

THE last cf the Christian Mission Conferences was held
in August, 1878, when the funeral ceremonies were finally
performed over the old system, and the military programme
was adopted unanimously and with acclamation.

Eighteen months had elapsed since the first council of
evangelists, in which Mr. Booth had announced his inten-
tion to institute a change in the government of the Mission.
He had proceeded, however, with his characteristic caution,
guiding rather than driving, and awaiting the natural
course of events before delivering the last coup de grace to
the already sentenced methods of the past. Whatever
doubts might have existed as to the propriety of the new
course had disappeared long before the time for consideration
had passed by.

But the interval was occupied in anxious deliberations,
on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Booth and the confidential
council, in which the more important affairs of the Mission
were discussed, as to the character of the new constitution
v\-hich was to be laid down. Consultation followed upon
consultation, the lawyers being continually referred to. In
these cabinet gatherings Mrs. Booth was a leading spirit.
Her almost prophetic far-sightedness, her intimate know-
ledge of human nature, and her thorough acquaintance with
church history were much valued by the General, as helping
him to anticipate the difficulties with which the movement
was likely to meet, and to devise the best safeguards for
preserving its spiritual vitality.

The Salvation Army in its present form is no more the

260

The Army and its Critics. 261

accidental grouping together of a number of atoms than is
the product of engineering skill, "such as a steamer, or rail-
way engine. Those who see but its outward developments
have little idea of the care, the consideration, and the calcu-
lation which, in constant dependence upon the Divine Spirit,
are bestowed upon the preparation of each component part.
The Deed Poll of 1878 was the final outcome of prolonged
and prayerful deliberation. It was purposely simplified to
the utmost possible degree. Only those doctrines were in-
cluded which appeared to be necessary to salvation. Only
those regulations were introduced which should serve as a
skeleton for whatever addition differences of time and
nationality might demand. Only those fundamental objects
were enacted which were to be the eternal and unchangeable
pursuit of the Salvation Army so long as a single sinner re-
mained to be saved.

At a subsequent date the new name of the Christian Mis-
sion (the Salvation Army), which had not been hitherto
officially recognised, was endorsed upon the Deed, provision
for such an alteration having been reserved.

The Conference, or War Congress, as it had been re-
baptised, was of the most enthusiastic character. Indeed,
there was little room for anything but unqualified gratitude
to God concerning the remarkable progress which Mr. Booth
was enabled to report. During the previous year the
stations had increased from 29 to 50 ; the evangelists from
31 to 88 ; the regular speakers from 625 to 1,086, of whom
355 were women ; the weekly indoor services from 161 to
313 ; the weekly open-airs from 224 to 355 ; the average
Sunday night congregations from 11,675 to 27,280; and the
number of persons professing salvation (the chief criterion by
which the results of so much effort were to be judged) from
4,632 to 10,762. During the month that followed the Con-
ference 14 more towns were opened, and the number of
evangelists increased from 88 to 102. In the succeeding
month an equal number of new openings took place, and al-
though in some cases, as might be expected, rebuffs and

262 Mrs. Booth.

disappointments were experienced, the Army advanced, on
the whole, with a rapidity which far surpassed anything in
its previous history. At the conclusion of the year (1878)
the Army was able to report 81 corps, 127 officers (of whom
101 had been converted at its own meetings), and 1,987 pub-
lic speakers. Besides the above, 141 of the Army's converts
and 83 of its regular members had become ministers, mis-
sionaries, evangelists, Bible-women, and colporteurs in the
service of other religious organisations.

The Salvation Army had therefore now fairly entered the
public arena, and it was not long before it became " the observed
of all observers." The newspapers, those modern Athenians
who spend " their time in nothing else but either to tell or
to hear some new thing," spied the infant prodigy, and their
columns, usually destitute of a particle of religion, soon
teemed with comments, which, could they be collected,
would require the lifetime of a Methuselah -to read through,
and would represent as veritable a Babel of contradictions
as were ever written upon any subject in so brief a space of
time.

Somehow, everybody felt qualified to pass an opinion,
from the little whipper-snapper who shouted " There goes
Jesus!" as the bonneted sisters passed down the street,
to the almost deified editor who sent forth his oracular
utterances day by day to his votaries all over the world,
and received from them the coppery tributes of their adora-
tion. If diatribes, tirades, and philippics could have
annihilated the Salvation Army it would surely have per-
ished long ago. Its first appearance was a signal for a
storm of abuse and ridicule which for violence and per-
sistence has probably seldom been equalled in, the world.
Like David, it might truly say, "The ploughers ploughed
upon my back; they made long their furrows." "Strong
bulls of Bashan ?> beset it around, gaping upon it " with
their mouths as a ravening and a roaring lion."

Anybody and everybody felt they might have a fling. It
was quite safe to do so. Thev knew they would not be struck

The Army and its Critics. 263

back. Here were people who when smitten on the one cheek
were actually willing to turn the other to the smiter also,
and who when robbed by a brutal mob of their coat were
willing to offer to an un sympathising bench the cloak of
their liberty and rights as British subjects. It was " sport "
to crush the fly, because it was not a wasp, and could not
sting ! The " noble field " had caught sight of the religious
stag and was soon in full chase. The journalist blew the
horn, and great was the company of hunters and huntresses,
and countless the packs of ready hounds that joined in the
pursuit. Who was not there? Every shade of society had
its representative.

Not that it was anything so very new, after all. What
century and what generation and what nationality has not
had its similar stag, which it has hounded to death, " from
the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zach arias, whom
they slew between the temple and the altar," and onward to
the present day, through a truly apostolic succession of
saints and martyrs ?

Looking back, at the moment of writing these memoirs,
upon the history of the past thirteen years, it seems nothing
short of miraculous that the Salvation Army should have
survived the whirlwind of criticism to which from its very
infancy it has been exposed. Well was it that Providence had
placed at its helm two hearts unflinching, two wills unwaver-
ing, who clung to their post with the desperate tenacity of
a faith which increased as storm after storm was weathered.
Thus wave upon wave that threatened to engulf the vessel
but carried it more swiftly toward its destination, compelling
the very " wrath of man to praise " its Divine Controller.

For the time being, however, all seemed with one consent
to make common cause in levelling a lance at the obnoxious
intruder upon the religious quietude of the world. Earls,
countesses, justices, mayors, aldermen, professors, literati,
scientists, sermonists, novelists, cartoonists, satirists, re-
porters, journalists, showered upon its devoted head anathe-
mas sufficient to have relegated it summarily to a purgatorial

264 Mrs. Boot h.

limbo from which it should never have returned. Remarks
cynical, whimsical, hypocritical, nonsensical, inquisitorial,
dictatorial, dogmatical and, generally speaking, wiseacreical
were belched forth upon it like showers of bullets from a
mitrailleuse.

Liliputian nobodies -from the land of pigniydorn strutted
out, stretching themselves to the very utmost limits of their
insignificance, and aiming their poisoned shafts of envy and
calumny at those who had dared to overstep their menta
and spiritual invisibility. Intellectual Goliaths, whose ipse
dixit was wafted through the world on journalistic wings,
stalked forth with ponderous shield and weighty spear, to
throw down the gauntlet to this " army of the living God "
which had dared to raise the standard of revolt against the
heathenish Philistinism of modern Christendom. Those who
knew least bragged loudest, and those who were the most
shortsighted prophesied with the utmost confidence.

A coroneted religious luminary in England's sky discovered
in the Salvation Army the magic number of the Beast of
Revelation, though in what respects the one resembled the
other any more than he did himself would be difficult in-
deed to discover. No canon of interpretation was given.
Xone was asked. It was enough to brand the object with
another's misdeeds, and gibbet it, not for what it had been
or done, but for what it might some day become.

" Jesuitry," cried another self-constituted u defender of
the faith'' to those who did not even know what Jesuitry
meant; who had never studied its history, nor copied its
devices, and whose pure and holy lives bore witness to the
falseness of the charge. But how could one judge who had
never been to a meeting in her life, and who closed her
door upon those who would have sought her out to explain
what she might have misunderstood, or to learn from her
the higher altitudes upon which she would have had them
construct their morality ? But this titled upholder of or-
thodox Protestantism, this daughter of freedom-boasting
Switzerland, could incite maddened mobs and jealous priests

The Army and its Critics. 26$

and unfriendly governments to tear in pieces, shoot, imprison,
stab, stone, and shed the blood of those with whom she would
not even pray ! Had a Chinese mandarin or Mahommedan
dervish done the same Great Britain would probably have
declared war, and outraged Christendom have united to
demand an apology.

Others of the critics were of a less rabid character. The
Salvation Army they loftily pronounced to be a " rope of
sand." It did not possess in their estimation the elements
of durability. It would soon die a natural death. It had
long ago attained the zenith of its success. And now it was
on the wane. It was a notorious fact that it was not what
it had been, nor could it ever be so again. But, alas, for
their prophetic spirits ! The papery mausoleum which they
had prepared with infinite trouble to receive its last remains
continued empty. The swan-like requiems were left unsung.
The Salvation Army was a long time waning, and never
reached the point at which it could -be correctly said to be
" quite dead."

Many a time the journalistic gibbet was erected, and the
editorial executioner prepared to bandage the eyes and give
the culprit his last swing into space. But at the critical
moment, when all eyes were fixed, some royal messenger
came dashing round the corner with the unwelcome reprieve,
and not unfrequently the modern Haman, after leading
Mordecai through the streets amid the applause of an admir-
ing city, in royal apparel, upon the King's own charger,
found himself swinging upon the gallows fifty cubits high
that he had erected. Verily, history repeats itself! What
closer parallel to the Jewish story could well be found than
in the funeral honours heaped on Mrs. Booth and the magni-
ficent ovation subsequently offered to the General in the
Antipodes, together with his unprecedented welcome home
to England ?

But .it would be vain to attempt to exhaust the endless
stream of idle tales and groundless slanders which have
more or less flowed on from that hour forward. " Take no

266 Mrs. Booth.

notice of them ! March straight on ! " were the General's
orders to his soldiers, when surrounded with a howling
East End mob. And the same directions were not only
given to but acted on by the rank and file in regard to the
abuse and vituperation showered upon them from all
quarters. " Answer them not a word," as Hezekiah said to
his people upon the wall, when Rabshakeh sought to shake
their fidelity.

It was, however, Mrs. Booth's special lot to handle these
assailants, and for the sake of well-meaning but puzzled
friends and supporters to reply to their calumnies. She did
so, as is well known, with her usual trenchancy; and indeed
her remarkable personality and obvious single- mindedness
did almost more to dispel doubt and restore confidence than
did even the unanswerable arguments with which she met
her opponents. She reminded the critics that not a few of
them lived in glass houses, and that the stones which they
were flinging at the Army were calculated to inflict far
greater damage if thrown back upon themselves.

She was willing that the Army should be judged by any
human standard, Scriptural or otherwise, but she insisted
that it should be on condition that the same standard should
be applied to themselves. She would not consent to an
angelic or Adamic ideal being set up for the one and not for
the other. If the Army were to be judged b}7 such lofty
conceptions of morality, then by all means let the churches
and the world be measured by the same, and let them be
their own judges as to who came nearest' to the model. To
such considerations there was but one reply possible on the
part of any who were honestly willing to be convinced.

It is not a little difficult to understand the philosophy of
the criticism and other forms of opposition through which
the Salvation Army has found it necessary to fight its way
to its present position of acknowledged usefulness and success.
Here was an organisation that existed for the benefit of its
fellow-men. With the purest and most philanthropic motives
were coupled the most disinterested and self-denying lives.

The Army and its Critics. 267

It could not have been the mere peculiarity of the measures
that provoked enmity. For others had been similarly assailed
in bygone days who had relied upon no such methods for
attracting attention. This may have been the excuse, but it
was no more than an excuse, and a flimsy one at best. Had
these methods not existed, or had they been widely different,
some other ground for objection would doubtless have been
invented.

Perhaps one reason for this, as we have heard Mrs. Booth
remark, is the spirit of selfishness, which seems so inveterate
in the human race. Few are sufficiently noble to ask them-
selves, in facing the appearance of a new phenomenon, " What
good will it do ? " The first question is, " How will it affect
ME ? " The whole world is surveyed from this narrow stand-
point. Its great problems are solved in the light of this
farthing dip ! The horizon of modern society is bounded
by the length and breadth of individual petty interests.
Selfishness pervades the atmosphere.

The Salvation Army bursts in upon the scene. The
publican says, " What will become of my customers ? "
The debauchee says, "The victims of my lust will slip
through my fingers!" The politician says, "I shall lose
my votes." The lover of ease says, " They will disturb
my neighbourhood." The man of business says, "What
can I make out of them ? " The minister over the
way says, "Will my people run away to them?" The
journalist says, " Which will increase my circulation best :
to praise or blame — to approve or to condemn?" And as
in the estimation of each, rightly or wrongly, the answer
comes back, so the sails are trimmed and the helm turned !

But, whatever be the cause, it is a sorry spectacle, and
calculated to make the hearts of the true followers of God
bleed, to see the world fling its sword into the scale against
those who would be its benefactors. Who can tell how
often the " Woe to the vanquished ! " of these Goths and
Vandals of modern society has sealed the doom of some
nascent effort to bless and cheer mankind, and how many a

268 Mrs. Booth.

possible Rome it has consigned to the flames before its day !
These Herods seek for the " Babe," it is true, as diligently
as did the wise men of the East themselves, but it is too
often to slay rather than to worship Him. Strange that,
when the conflagration of sin and misery is at its height,
those who profess to hold in their hands the hose should turn
it, not upon the fire, but on the heads of those whose sole
desire it is to give their life's blood in contributing to quench
the flames. But what we may not understand we can at least
patiently endure, and, in the stirring words of Mrs. Booth
in a letter to a friend :

" We go on through floods and storms and flames. God is
with us, and out of this movement He is going to resuscitate
the Acts of the Apostles. We see the pillar of cloud, and
after it we must go. It may be that the rich and the genteel
will draw off from us. They did so when the Master neared
the vulgar cross and the vulgar crowd. But we cannot help
it. We are determined to cleave to the cross, yea, the cross
between two thieves, if that will save the people ! "

CHAPTER XXIX.

HALLELUJAH LASSES. 1877-78.

polls [police] could do nowt wi' me! The magis-
trays could do nowt wi' me ! But yon little lass could do
owt wi' me that she likes! " The speaker was a tall, burly
iron-worker in the North of England. The tears in his eyes
emphasized his words. He had been a drunkard and a
desperate character, but now, like the man out of whom the
legion of devils had been cast, he was " clothed and in his
right mind," a wonder to all the town and country-side, and
almost broken-hearted, because the meeting that was then
being held was the farewell of the young girl who had been
the means of leading him to Christ. Verily, it was " not by
might, nor by power, but by the Spirit " that so wonderful a
change had been wrought. Hundreds in that same town
could testify to a similar revolution in their lives.

And yet there was nothing very remarkable either in the
appearance or the words of the one to whom under God they •
owed their salvation. There were none of the flashy gew-
gaws and not a vestige of the hollow claptrap that serve to
constitute the attraction of the stage or circus. The dress
was severely neat, Quakerish, Puritanical — not a feather,
flower, or furbelow to be seen. The demeanour was in keep-
ing with the attire — modest, unassuming, simplicity personi-
fied. The language was that of every-day life — plain, almost
commonplace — and could not have been more destitute of the
artificialities of rhetoric. And yet there was eloquence, but
it was the eloquence of nature, which as much transcends
the most polished flights of art as the note of the nightingale

2/o Mrs. Booth.

does the ding-dong of the belfry or the roar of Niagara the
salvo of saluting cannon.

There was no need to "gild" the already " refined gold,"
" to paint the lily, or add a perfume to the violet." And as
in the limpid waters of a pool the starlit sky stoops, so to
speak, and imprints itself upon earth, thus the hearts of that
vast audience were made to reflect the burning words that
fell from the speaker's lips, till it seemed as if, to a man,
their feelings might be summed up in the convert's expres-
sive utterance, " Yon lass can do owt wi7 me that she likes."

After being repressed and buried for centuries beneath a
couple of misquoted Pauline texts, woman, like Lazarus of
old, had heard the voice of her Saviour bidding her " come
forth," and to Mrs. Booth was reserved the special privilege
of fulfilling the Master's bidding in loosing her fellow-sisters
from the grave-clothes of prejudice and letting them go forth
upon their errand of mercy — the salvation of the world.
The Lord had given the word, and great had been the com-
pany of women warriors — Hallelujah Lasses, as they were
popularly styled— who went forth, and who helped in 1878
to turn the ebbing tide into the onward flow of victory.

* Shock after shock had the Christian Mission experienced
in its early days from the Judases who had betrayed its cause,
seeking to snatch for themselves, in the very hour of victory,
the credit and results that belonged to God and humanity.
But the standard which they had ignobly surrendered was
seized by a bright brave troop of modern Deborahs and
Jaels, the record of whose acts reads m,ore like a religious
romance than the sober happenings of history.

Sometimes the Salvation Army is blamed for ignoring the
achievements of others. As a matter of fact, neither time
nor space has yet been found to relate our own. There is no
need to fill our columns with ancient history, or to roam the
world and ransack the churches in order to discover stirring
examples of devotion and self-sacrifice. We cannot pause
to canonise the dead of centuries gone by, while a living host
* Se? for full particulars the Library Edition.

Hall eli tjali Lasses. 271

of sr.ints find martyrs take their place and carry on the work.
It is scarcely too much to say-that there are more luminaries
in a square yard of Salvation Army sky than in the entire
span of many a century-old organisation. Thrilling incidents
and biographies await the pen of the future historian. But
for the present, unless they are chronicled in heaven, they
are scarcely chronicled at all.

There was Kate Shepherd, the heroine of the Hhondda
Valley in Wales, the leader of one of the most powerful re-
vivals the world has ever seen. Buildings were too small to
contain the crowds who flocked to listen to the girl-preacher.
For hours together, in the open air, under the shadow of the
Welsh mountains, the people by thousands would hang upon
her lips. And when with lifted face and closed eyes, stand-
ing in her cart-pulpit, she burst into a torrent of prayer, it
seemed as if a pin-fall would have jarred upon the breathless
silence of the audience. Kate's power in prayer was unique.
It was not so much what she said, as the way she said it.
" 0 Lord, Lord, You know they are mis-er-a-Ue ! " she would
begin, and the heart of every sinner in the congregation
seemed to echo back, almost audibly, "You know we are
miserable ! "

The prayer finished, the clear, sweet voice would ring
through the air in some popular refrain adapted to spiritual
words, which were heartily taken up by the crowd. And
then followed a simple testimony to God's saving grace, and
appeal upon appeal for every sinner to decide then and there
the question of his soul's salvation. "Won't you come?
You'll be sorry for it some day ! Yes, you WILL ! " And
the large, dark, earnest eyes, brimful of tears, enforced the
argument with a pathetic power, alas ! too lacking in the
pulpit ministrations of today. No wonder that hundreds
upon hundreds of the roughest class flocked like little chil-
dren to the penitent-form, and entered the kingdom of heaven
through the labours of the girl of seventeen who had dropped
suddenly down into their midst like an angel from the skies.

For ten years she continued her faithful and successful

272 Mrs. Boot/i.

labours, neither daunted by opposition nor puffed up by
flatteries such as might have excited the vanity of many a
more experienced labourer. Six offers of marriage during
the first seven weeks, including two from ministers, did not
cause her to falter or draw back from the path of duty ; and
when at length, prematurely worn out by the exhausting
toil of her early years, she married, and retired from public
life, she manifested in private the Christian graces which
had made her ministry so successful.

It would be easy to multiply instances of a similar cha-
racter. Indeed, where so many have excelled, it seems
invidious to select individual names for special mention. It
is only as types of the rest that we have ventured to single
out a few of the most prominent. For these ministering
women were not mere facsimiles of each other. Some were
quiet and reserved, others loud and demonstrative. Some
struggled on amid tears and fears, others enjoyed boisterously
high spirits. But in courage, faith, love, and zeal, it would
be difficult to say which excelled.

The very opposite of the Kate Shepherd class was the noto-
rious "Happy Eliza." She was an excellent specimen of the
ready-for-anything spirit which has from the first character-
ized the Salvation Army. When stationed with Mrs. Rey-
nolds at Nottingham, the usual advertisements having failed
to draw the crowd, she marched through the town with
streamers floating from her hair and jacket and a placard
across her back, " \ am Happy Eliza ! "

The respectables were more than ever scandalised, but the
denizens of the public-houses and slums forsook their ale-pots
and street-brawls to have a look at the wide-mouthed, loud-
voiced, fearless preacheress who had rushed like a whirlwind
through their haunts, and who evidently understood so well
their language and their habits.

AYhen a herd of wild elephants have been captured in the
East, it is customary to send some tamed ones into their
midst to fraternize with them and induce them to submit to
their new and strange surroundings. Acting upon this

Hallelujah Lasses. 273

principle the Christian Mission preferred to select for their
agents those who had been born and bred in the dark depths
of civilisation's jungledom. Happy Eliza was one of these.
Fear was not to be found in her vocabulary. She knew and
cared as little about the rules and regulations of conven-
tionality as did the human outlaws of society who were the
objects of her attention. The game she was pursuing fought
shy of the ways and words of civilised society. The religious
trap set to catch them was no doubt very excellent, but un-
fortunately they had grown wary and would not walk inside.
But this woman-Nimrod, this " mighty hunter before the
Lord," instead of waiting for the prey to come to her, had
followed it to its remotest hiding-place. And not in vain.
The hall was filled. Scores of the most desperate charac-
ters were saved, and Happy Eliza was soon marching
backward down the streets, waving her fiddlestick and lead-
ing on a procession of converted ruffians, and encouraging
them to

" Shout aloud Salvation, boys ! We'll have another song !
Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along ;
Sing it as our fathers sang it many a million strong,
As they went marching to glory ! "

It was not long before Happy Eliza's name became a
household word throughout England. To the roughs she was
the very type and embodiment of the Salvation Army spirit.
Not a bonneted girl-soldier could pass through the streets
without having the name shouted after her. Music-hall
ballads, by being dedicated to her, ensured their popularity.
Dolls and toys received her name, while sweetmeats im-
printed with the magic title commanded a ready sale among
the little street urchins, with whom " a 'aporth o' 'appy
''Lizas " possessed an irresistible attraction.

And when a little later she was transferred to Marylebone,
where an old theatre was to be opened, the same spirit of
daring don't-careism secured the same glorious results. There
were neither soldiers nor bands to advertise her. But she was
equal to the occasion. A four-wheeler was hired. With

T

27.4 Mrs. Booth.

brass instruments inside and a drum on the box, Happy
Eliza took up her position on the luggage-railed roof, and
drove through the streets, alternately playing her fiddle and
distributing thousands of handbills which announced the
coming meetings. The story of the work that followed
would fill an interesting volume of its own. How could such
desperate go-aheadism fail to secure the results at which it
aimed ?

Happy Eliza is still living. After years of faithful service
she married a fellow-officer whose health broke down.
Ordered abroad, to a warmer climate, both are now labouring
in connection with a missionary society for the salvation of
the heathen. Eliza visited the old country not long since,
and called* upon her comrades. Times were not quite so
lively, she admitted, as when she had "stormed the forts of
darkness" in "heathen England." But who can toll the
value of the training that "these mothers in Israel will give
to a generation yet to rise up and follow in their footsteps?

Another character of the indomitable sort was Chinee
Smith. Clogged and trampled on by a rough Lancashire mob,
her bonnet torn from her head and her shoes from her feet,
she marched in her stockings through the streets, her hair
streaming down her back, took her place on the platform,
and went on with the service as if nothing had happened.
Of course the hall was packed to suffocation, and before the
meeting closed souls were seeking salvation.

The beat of the much-abused Army drum, almost the first
time its now familiar echoes were ever heard in the streets,
drew from the tap-room of a provincial town a bevy of wild
young girls, bent upon a mischievous frolic at the expense of
the processionists. It was a miserable drizzling evening, but
the Captain halted for the usual open-air meeting, and was
soon surrounded by a fine crowd — the elite of the adjacent
slummeries ; people who took little notice of the weather,
and who felt more at home with the slush under foot and the
rain pattering down from above than, I was going to say, in
the finest cathedral in the land. But the comparison would

Hallelujah Lasses. 2/5

be a mockery. There were few in that crowd who ever
crossed the threshold of church or chapel. How could they
go ? They carried their scanty wardrobes on their backs,
and whenever the long-deferred washing-day came round
it was spent in bed, or rather in an apology for such, while
the clothes were drying. What verger would have admitted,
what congregation would have tolerated, the presence of such
a tatterdermalion throng ?

But here they were on their own ground and in their own
element. There was no one to criticise them. Indeed, it
was their turn to be the critics, and criticise they freely did,
with a caustic humour that was certainly less tedious than
the insipid common-places of an after-sermon supper-table
The Captain's voice was hoarse. No wonder. Seven open-
air and ten indoor meetings a week would be calculated to
try the strongest lungs and throat. But the hoarseness of
the Captain's voice preached a better sermon than any of the
speaker's words to at least one heart in that rough audience.
For, strange as it may seem to some, in the lowest depths of
slumdom hearts are to. be found as tender and as beautiful
as ever beat within the breast of womanhood.

It has been said that the crime, vice, and misery that
stamp the poor are less conscience-searing than the pride,
luxury, and formality of the upper classes. Perhaps it is
because the former carry their own condemnation, while the
latter hide their sin beneath the veneer of appearances..
Whether this be so or not, the Captain would have surely
felt rewarded had she known that among that rude, rough,
jeering crowd, apparently so hardened in their sins, so in-
different to the claims of God, so careless of their own
highest interests, the arrow shot at a venture had struck
between the joints of the harness one who was to be so
signally used in the saving of souls. It was the leader of
the gang of girls who had rushed out of the public-house.

What could be more unlikely than that ;' Nick," of all
others, should be converted, join the Salvation Army, and
become one of its most successful officers ?' f>he hapl npt $yfc

276 Mrs. Booth.

ounce of religion about her. Neither church nor Sunday
school had exercised any leavening influences. Her rich
contralto voice had made her a welcome visitor at the public-
houses and music-halls of her native town. Her mischief-
loving propensities and her born capacity for command had
made her ringleader of a band of girls, in captaining whom
she gained some of the experience that was to prove so use-
ful in after days.

But one incident of her childhood discloses a pleasing
feature in her character, foreshadowing in a measure the
future that was in store. Her father in a drunken rage
was rushing at her mother, knife in hand, when the child
sprang at him, wrenched the knife from his grasp, and fled
as fast as her feet could carry her. She had made good her
escape, when she tripped and fell upon the blade, losing the
sight of one eye by the sad accident. Many an audience
has since been deeply moved at the recital of this act of
heroism on the part of the mother-loving girl. But at
the time it made little impression and produced no difference
in her life.

On the present occasion, however, " Nick " was for once
subdued. " What brings the Captain out on such a night as
this, and with her voice in such a state ? " she soliloquised
to herself, restraining her unruly followers, and passing word
that the " lark " was to be deferred till they had reached the
barracks. Ranging themselves in a row across the hall, the
turbulent group took up their position and awaited their
leader's signal to commence the fun. But the signal never
came. The conscience-smitten girl had taken part in her
last " spree." The tears were in her eyes. Deep conviction
was followed by genuine repentance and true conversion.
She could do nothing by halves. She must needs join as a
soldier, inarch, sing, testify, and toil for souls. So consistent
was her life that when, after two years' faithful service, she
was accepted as a candidate for the work, her companions
in the factory where she had been employed presented her
with a Bible, as a mark of their good-will and affection.

Hallelujah Lasses. 277

It was a long time before " Nick " could be persuaded by
her leaders that she possessed the gifts necessary to make
her a successful officer. But at length she placed herself in
God's hands and theirs, and was one of the first cadets to enter
the Women's Training Home. Here she was for the first
time introduced to the mysteries of pot-hooks and hangers
and other literary elements. She set to work with a will,
determined to master everything that was likely to increase
her future usefulness. But it was hard work at first, as may
be guessed from the story of one of her early experiences :
" The Captain came, and looking at my copybook said, ' The
A's is very good, but the B's is awful bad !' Well, I saluted
her — I knew how to do that as well as anybody — and look-
ing up to her I says, * Please, mum, which is 'em? " But it
was not long before Nick discovered the difference between
her A's and B's, together with much other useful informa-
tion. To describe her nine years' successful career as an
officer within these limits is impossible. She has been the
means of leading hundreds, if not thousands, of souls to
Christ, and has been placed in charge of one of the London
Training Garrisons — a doctor of salvation theology who has
graduated in the practical school of success, and is now pre-
paring others for the same great work.

It would be easy to go on multiplying similar instances
of the sort of women who, inspired by Mrs. Booth's example,
have risen up in thousands and tens of thousands all over
the world, and have followed in her footsteps, exchanging
lives of useless drudgery or idleness for superhuman efforts
on behalf of the perishing.

But " what shall I more say ? For the time would fail me
to tell of " these latter-day prophetesses, who have " through
faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence
of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness been
made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the.
armies of. the aliens."

CHAPTER XXX.

THE NEWCASTLE COUNCIL OF WAR. 1879.

EVENTS of importance now followed each other with
bewildering rapidity. Returning health was always the
signal for renewed activity, and the rapid opening of district
after district, with the glorious revival outbursts that ac-
companied each new advance, opened for Mrs. Booth vaster
spheres of usefulness than she had ever supposed to be
possible. The General was not one to throw away so unique
an opportunity. He realized it to the full, and utilized the
occasion with a skill which rivalled even the patience with
which he had waited for it. War Councils were organised
at the chief cities in which the work was being carried on.
Officers and soldiers were gathered together, and special
efforts were made to deepen the character of the impression
already made, as well as to issue such instructions as would
ensure further advance. Enormous mass-meetings were
held both in the open air and in the largest buildings
obtainable.

" I leave here for the Rhondda Valley on Tuesday,"
writes Mrs. Booth, " taking the journey by easy stages.
I am to present colours at an immense out-door demonstra-
tion. It is estimated there will be fifteen thousand people
present. Pray for me."

Some weeks later, when visiting some of the scenes of her
earliest labours in the North, she makes the following
touching allusion :

" To-morrow, Saturday, morning I am to be at East
Hartlepool, where I am announced to give an address at

The Neivcastle Council of War. 279

the anniversary. This is the place where I held my first
consecration services eighteen years ago. There were two
hundred and seventy cases in ten days, and grand ones, too.
I keep hearing of some of the fruits having gone gloriously
home to heaven."

In another letter Mrs. Booth says :

" Our movement has evidently crossed over the bar, and
is extending at an unparalleled rate. We see now that God
has been shaping it to become a great power in the countr}7,
perhaps in the world"

Referring to the Marechale's work in Whitby, Mrs. Booth
writes :

" It is one of the most mighty moves I ever knew of. The proprietor
of the hall is converted and has stopped some actors who were coming
there, sending them word that it would be useless for them to come, as
all Whitby is astir about religion ! The hall was packed to suffocation
on Sunday night (it seats 3,000), and numbers were unable to get in.
People all over the town are seeking God, and going to their ministers
to ask what they must do to be saved. One man, an awful character,
remained crying a whole day and night, groaning aloud, unable to eat
or sleep. Some who have been saved have already died triumphantly."

Writing from Over-Bar wen Mrs. Booth says :

"I wish you could have seen my congregation yesterday — 1,300 —
about 300 of them Lancashire roughs, and they are rough. The sort
that will throw a little woman down the steps and kick her with their
clogs ! Awful ! Hundreds were unable to get in — almost a riot at the
doors, and no police allowed to come inside; and though one was
promised outside he did not come. Oh, the blindness of our rulers !

" (Station)— I am landed here and have to wait an hour. Shall be
late for meeting.

"Well, to return to my subject. The man where I stayed said as we
Vent home, ' I am fairly astonished at the behaviour of the roughs,
seeing that most of them had been Sunday scholars.' So much for
teaching the letter without the spirit ! This is the hardest county we
have touched yet. As I looked upon their hard and careworn faces I
thought I discovered the reason. Set to work at the cotton mills as
soon as they can well walk, and often kept at it fourteen hours a day by
wicked, inhuman parents and employers ! Poor things ! God will
judge them according to their disadvantages. Oh, if they only realized
what a new life we would bring to them, and what joys and hopes to
illumine their sunless horizon ! But, alas ! as of old, ' they know not

2 So Mrs. Booth.

what they do.' Pray, dear, for Lancashire. Your prayers now shall
avail much."

Among other places, a glorious work had broken out in
the twin cities of Newcastle and Gateshead. It will be
remembered under what peculiarly painful circumstances
Mr. and Mrs. Booth had left this neighbourhood after the
Conference of 1861. Little did they dream that their return
at the end of eighteen years would be such an exceptionally
triumphal one. The six girl officers who had been sent to
captain these towns had swept all before them in one
glorious Salvation avalanche. The largest public halls could
not contain the crowds who flocked to listen to them. The
poor heard the Gospel preached to them with a simplicity
and an unction that carried conviction to every heart. The
mouth of gainsayers was for once effectually stopped. To
make the best of the opportunity Mr. Booth proclaimed a
great Council of "War which was to last for three days. Mrs.
Booth accompanied him to their old field of labour. To say
that their reception was without a parallel in the religious
history of the great northern metropolis but faintly describes
the enthusiasm of the occasion. True, it was very largely con-
fined to the poor — the poorest of the poor. But it was none
the less phenomenal.

Writing to her daughter Emma to join her in witnessing
the mighty work, she says :

" Yes, I -want you to come. Try and get the children into a good state
of soul before you leave them. The Mayor was at the meeting the other
night. When shaking hands with me he said> ' This is a most won-
derful movement ! ' Next Sunday we shall have, at the lowest cal-
culation, 9,000 people at our places in these two towns alone ! Hundreds
of the greatest roughs have been converted. A.nd all through the
instrumentality of six young women, humble, simple souls, full of love
and zeal. Truly, God hath chosen the weak things !

" Oh, my dear child, it makes me long to sSe you all at it in some
way or other ! Tell Eva and Lucy to get on and to get ready, but above
all to keep their souls right. It is not to the clever, or talented, or
educated that these things are given, but to the wliole-hearted and
spiritual. It was so in Christ's day and it is so now. You must get to
work to train us some women. But you know, Emma, you must be

The Newcastle Council of War. 281

fully one with us. I feel as though I had been wrong in criticising some
of our folks and measures to you. I see that we cannot have a great
movement among such a class of people without a lot of defects and
weaknesses. But then God knows it all. And we are as weak in His
sight in some things as they are in others. He has to make the best of
its, and we must do the same in regard to others. You will see it better
when you get more among the people. Your soul is too big not to enter
into the opportunities of such a work with all your might. And I want
you to get the children as much into sympathy with it as you can. I see
what a power they may all be."

The reference to criticisms of men and measures on the
part of Mrs. Booth and her daughter casts an interesting
light upon the gradual evolution of the Salvation Army prin-
ciples and practices. Some of the new developments came upon
Mrs. Booth's previous tastes in the nature of a disagreeable
surprise. They clashed with her feelings and prejudices.
But where this was the case Mrs. Booth, in facing the un-
gainsayable results, gladly subordinated the dictates of her
personal predilections to those of her judgment. She thrust
herself into the actual position which others occupied, and
was quick to realize and ready to acknowledge the need for
measures which at first grated on her sensibilities.

Another interesting illustration of this occurs in a letter
to her son Ballington, when she expostulates with him on his
advertising himself as " Ballington Booth and his fiddle."
She concludes her criticism by saying that he must judge
for himself as to the necessity for such a course, and that she
was more than willing for him to follow his conscientious
convictions in the matter. It was this willingness to learn
from anybody about anything, coupled with her immense
tenacity of purpose when once her opinion had been formed,
that enabled Mrs. Booth to adapt herself to the varied pro-
gressive stages through which the Army has passed.

But to return to the meetings at Gateshead and Newcastle.
In another letter Mrs. Booth says :

" I am having glorious times here. All our places were packed to
suffocation on Sunday ; I have only seen such a jam as I had at the
Town Hall a few times in my life. I am to preach next Sunday in the
Circus ; holds nearly 4,000 ! It is thought that many of our old friends

282 Mrs. Booth.

arnonp : : classes will come to hear me who would not go to the

places. Pray for me. Oh, what a grand opportunity of in-

flnencing men for eternity ! Pray that God may so fill me wi& His
aid power that they may forget the poor little instrument in the

great and awful message. God helping me, I will sound an alarm to

them in their sins and iniquities. My subject will be « A True and a False

Faith.' "

On Saturday afternoon, 17th May, Mrs. Booth presented
flags in the Newcastle Circus to nine of the newly-formed
corps in the presence of about 4,000 people, who had gathered
to witness the novel ceremony.

After a stirring address from Mrs. Booth the flags were
handed to the respective officers, who accepted them in the
name of the corps, promising fidelity to God and the Army
in the great soul-saving work in which they were engaged.

On the next day, Sunday, an immense concourse of people,
numbering some twenty thousand, assembled for the morning
open-air demonstration, while at night twelve thousand
persons were packed into the various buildings in which the
great Salvation meetings were carried on.

The Council was continued morning, afternoon, and
evening on Monday, closing with an all-night of prayer. To
those who are the advocates of short sermons and brief
services, limited to the conventional clock-marked minutes,
such prolonged efforts, which have become increasingly
frequent in the Salvation Army, must indeed appear sur-
prising, especially when the character of the audience is
considered. The speakers were not educated ministers,
turned out of theological seminaries. The discourses were
not library-manufactured, but mostly delivered on the spur
of the moment. The listeners were not the educated classes,
accustomed to bridle their natural feelings, and to go through
the meetings as a sort of spiritual penance. And yet there
they sat, hour after hour, spellbound, fascinated, glued to
their seats, spiritually hypnotised for the time being.

Xor was it a mere transient effervescence ; the wave of a
political enthusiasm such as might greet the oration of a
politician, without much practical result. Here were men

The Newcastle Ccuncil of War. 283

and women whose ideas, actions, homes, and lives had been
suddenly revolutionized. A change had taken place which
could only be ascribed to Divine influences. Drunkards,
wife-beaters, prize-fighters, horse-racers, pigeon-flyers, cock-
fighters, harlots, and, in short, the very dregs of society, had
been taken hold of, and, in an incredibly short space of time
transformed into good, law-abiding men and women, who
were not merely converted themselves but in many instances
were equally in earnest about the salvation of others !

At one of the concluding meetings of the Council Mrs.
Booth said :

"Some of our friends ask whether the Mission is goiug to last. I tell
them it has lasted thirteen and a half years. It has grown on of its
own aggressive and expansive force, through hurricanes of contempt,
sarcasm, open and violent opposition, secret treachery, malignity, and
slander. But it has grown on, like its Master, from the manger, and it
is still growing in glory and in favour with God and ah* holy intelli-
gences."

From her public work we turn aside to glance at the file
of Mrs. Booth's domestic correspondence, carried on, as
usual, amid the pressure of never-ceasing public duties.

Referring to a rumour that a prominent minister was
intending to make an attack upon the Army, Mrs. Booth
writes :

" These things cut us to the heart, but they do not and shall not move
us from our purpose. I wrote him a letter of twenty pages. You shall
see a copy of it some day, or at least a partial one. I told him that we
could not help it, and that whoever denounced this work ' God would
judge him,' for, if ever a work was of God, this is. I also said that if
they compelled us to do so we shoufd be able to defend our position, and
by God's help we would do so. He is using our instrumentality to save
the people, and He will justify His own ways. But we shall have to
tight a great battle with traditionalism and conventionality. Pray for
us."

In encouraging on? of her sons to faith and perseverance
in public effort at a time of trial and conflict, Mrs. Booth
says :

11 1 have only a minute or two, but lest you should think I don't
sympathise with you I send a line. You ask, did I ever feel so? Yes.

284 Mrs. Booth.

1 think just as bad as any mortal could feel — empty, inside and out ; as
though I had nothing human or Divine" to aid me, as if all hell were
let loose upon me ! But I have generally felt the worst before the. bat
results, which proves it was Satanic opposition. And it has been the

same with many of God's most honoured instruments. used to write

me that it was awful — that he felt as hard and dark as hell. I had a
difficult task to keep him going. I thought at one time he would, in
spite of everything, give up. But you see now what a calamity it would
have been if he had ! I believe nearly all who are truly called of God to
special usefulness pass through this buffeting.

" It stands to sense, if there is a devil, that he should desperately
withstand those who he sees are going to be used of God. Supposing
you were the devil, and had set your heart on circumventing God, how
would you do it but by opposing those who were bent on building up
His kingdom ? He tries the wilderness experience on every true sou of
the Father, depend on it. He hopes to drive us from the field by blood
and fire and vapour of smoke. But our Captain fought and won the
battle for us, and we have only to hold ou long enough and victory is
sure.

"Yes, the trial of faith is precious, more precious thau angel can con-
ceive, when borne with patience and perseverance which will not yield.
It is hard, and sometimes bloody, but it brings present and eternal
glory. ' Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.'

" God cannot make heroes except by conflict, any more than man can.
Who ever heard of a hero who never fought ? The raw recruits run
away. It is the well-trained veteran, inured to danger and bloodshed,
who stands the rudest shocks of the enemy and holds on to death.
' Courage ! ' your Captain cries. ' Only be thou strong, and of a good
courage, and I will be with thee and teach thee what thou shalt say.'
* He hath chosen the weak things.' He has not made shift with them —
taken them because there were no others. No ! He hath chosen them.
Will He ever forsake them, and thus make Himself a laughing-stock for
hell ? Never ! Will He ever let the devil say ' Ah, ah ! He chose this
weak one and then let him fail ? ' No, no, NO ! "

Among other difficulties which pressed sorely on Mrs.
Booth's mind at this time was that of the support of her
numerous and growing family. It was one thing to be
brave in public, but it was another thing when the offended
friends endeavoured to reduce her and her husband to sub-
mission by withdrawing the support on which they knew
them to ba depending. How keenly Mrs. Booth felt this
may be judged from the following letter. Speaking of diffi-
culties of a personal character, she says :

The Newcastle Council of War. 285

" I hope it is not pride, if it is I am afraid it is incurable ! If it were
possible to alter our mode of living I would be willing to go into a white-
washed cottage, and live on potatoes and cabbage, in order to be at ease-
and independent, but that seems impracticable, at least, all but the
potatoes and cabbage, and we have come almost to that ! My precious
husband is careworn and overwrought with his great work ; the tug to
get money for that is bad enough, but to have to think of self is worse
than all.

" I started to write a letter yesterday, explaining our present position
to a friend who might help and never feel it, but I could not get
through it, and heartsick and weary I threw down the pen and yielded
to grief. You will say, Where is your faith? I fear it is very low. Yet
I do hold on to the promises given me in days gone by. I believe
in some way the Lord will deliver us, but it seems long in coming. Per-
haps He requires me to use these means which are so distasteful to me.
Oh, that I knew just what He would have me do in the matter ! I
think I am willing to do it. I suppose Paul was, and yet he said it was
' better ' for him to die (he must have meant easier) than to be thus
humbled before men. Well, I must wait on, and possess my soul in
patience."

Referring to the same subject in another letter she says :

" It seems very strange that the greatest abundance seems to go where
they know least how to use it. I often think there was more truth in
Satan's assertion to our Lord than we think : * To whom I will I give it.'
Ah, well, they are welcome to it ; we don't want any of his presents.
Poverty with a good conscience and the smile of God is heaven, compared
to riches with a guilty conscience— with the frown of God."

But this phase of Mrs. Booth's trials was soon afterwards
relieved by the generosity of a friend, who remitted to Mrs.
Booth, in trust for herself and for her family, the sum- of
five thousand pounds, to be invested in certain securities.
The interest of this money, as may be easily imagined, has
not been a large sum but coupled with the small profits
which began about this time to accrue from the sale of
Mrs. Booth's and the General's books it was sufficient to
render the family independent of the support of those out-
side friends whose help they had so gratefully acknow-
ledged.

• And yet on the wings of this simple circumstance have
been floated all sorts of calumnies, too groundless to need
further refutation. Wo question whether there is a public

286 Mrs. Bdoth.

man in England who, while possessing no independent means
of support, has so persistently and nobly pushed from him
the opportunity to enrich him and his family by means that
all honourable and Christian men would unite in approving
as perfectly justifiable. Surely there are not many instances
to be found of such systematic and genuine disinterested-
ness.

In the early da}Ts of his struggle with poverty Mr. Booth
struck upon the idea of composing his own hymn-book and
living upon the profits of its sale. Nearly every independent
evangelist did the same. Nobody could possibly object. So
thought Mr. and Mrs. Booth. At first the little venture was
a disappointment. They bore the loss. And when it suddenly
became, with the rapid expansion of the work, a great suc-
cess, and would in itself have ensured a splendid income for
themselves and their children, they at once handed over the
profits to the Salvation Army. Similarly in the case of the
books and pamphlets published by the General and Mrs.
Booth, while the sale was small and the margin allowed for
profit merely nominal, they accepted a proportion of the
proceeds. But when the phenomenal sale of " Darkest
England " took the world by surprise, instead of appropriat-
ing the profits General Booth handed them over as his con-
tribution to the scheme.

In 1880 the War Cry was launched, and another oppor-
tunity occurred by which Mr. and Mrs. Booth might have
stepped into a position of affluence, thereby freeing them-
selves from every temporal anxiety, and acquiring at the
same time the power to contribute handsomely to the Army
funds. But they again " cut off their right hand " rather
than avail themselves of the advantage for personal pur-
poses, assigning to the Army at one stroke what they might
lawfully have kept for themselves. Some of their oldest
friends, who had consistently manifested a keen interest in
their welfare, urged them to follow an opposite course. And
there is no doubt they might have done so without affording
anybody just cause for complaint.

The Newcastle Council of War. 287

But they desired not riches, and resolutely pushed away
from their own and their children's grasp the prize that
might legitimately have been theirs.

Eager to preserve the movement from the deadly evil of
mercenary motives, they realized the inestimable privilege
of themselves setting an example of self-abnegation. Re-
nouncing their own share in the profits, they conld call upon
each officer and soldier to do the same, and to push the
battle's interests as actively and enthusiastically for the
sake of God and humanity as though they were personally
benefiting by the transaction.

It has been noble acts of this character which have created
along the highway of history monuments of the spirit of
Christ and protests against the spirit of Mammon. Here
are the finger-posts and stepping-stones which have served
to distinguish the narrow way of self-denial from the broad
path of self-indulgence, and to convince an unbelieving-
world of the realities of religion.

But to return once more to Mrs. Booth's desk : we glance
over her shoulder as she writes. Here is a tender letter to
her daughter Emma, in which she dwells upon the advan-
tages of largeness of heart :

" Yes, I know all about it, more than you think I do, but this is only
the infancy of our being, and it is better to possess these capacities cf
loving, even if they are never filled iu this world, because there is a
grand realisation for them in the next. ' That they all may be one, as
Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in
Us.' ' I will also that they whom Thou hast given Me be with Mo
where I am, that they may behold My glory ! ' This is the consummation
for the Br de, the Lamb's wife. And what can be a greater fulness of
bliss than for a bride to behold her bridegroom's glory ? She only finds
her own in his, therefore here is fulness of joy forever. We are made
for larger ends than earth can compass. Oh, let us be true to our
exalted destiny, and hold every earthly love and joy as secondary to our
heavenly ! The Lord bless you, and give you as much of earth as Ho
sees will prepare you for Himself !

" Do I love you as much as ever? What a superfluous question! I
cannot measure my love for you by degrees. It is of the sort that knows
nothing of decrease or increase. It is always full. I repose in you tho
most sacred trust, and this is the highest proof of love and confidence.

288 Mrs. Booth.

I only hope the Lord may find you one to take rny place who will love
you with half as strong and unselfish a love. I believe He will."

Writing to her friend Mrs. Billups about Emma, Mrs.
Booth says :

" Emma was nineteen yesterday. We had a nice time together. If
' spirits are not finely touched but to fine issues,' I often wonder what
God intends to do with her. He must have some grand destiny for
her, either here or yonder. But oh, the capacity to love is also the
capacity to suffer ! "

While no one was more emphatic than Mrs. Booth in
teaching that " faith without works is dead," on the other
hand none could be clearer in teaching that justification was
to be attained, not by works, but by faith. In writing to a
friend upon this subject she remarks :

" "While we are to ' labour to please God,' we are to remember that
this is not the ground of our acceptance, which is alone the precious
blood. Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according
to His mercy He saves us. It is a snare with us to look too much at
ourselves, while with the Plymouth Brethren school it is the other
extreme. Bemember, you are ever accepted in the Beloved, not for
your own sake. At the same time, 'let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of flesh and spirit,' because we are His. Faith in Him as your
keeper will do more in five minutes than years of conflict without it.
Best in Him.

" You say you are discouraged on account of your failings, you see
so many, etc. Now it is well to see them, for how can we take hold of
Jesus to mend what we don't see ? It is a bad sign when people think
themselves ' rich, and increased in goods, and needing nothing,' when
they are 'poor, and blind, and naked.' It is best to know ourselves just
ns we are. But then we Salvationists are in danger of erring on the
other side. We look too much at ourselves, apart from Him Who is, or
would be, our ' righteousness, sanctification and redemption.'

"Now learn to hold on by faith for just what you need, and the
deeper the need the faster hold on ! Oh, if I had only done so more
persistently through life, instead of letting the sense of my own weak-
ness dishearten my faith, what a different experience mine would have
been ! Ah, there is no teaching like experience. You try and learn
wisdom by mine. Be a bold believer, and the more you feel your own
need the closer cling to H m as your all and in all, able to magnify
Ilis grace where sin hath abounded, and His strength where there is no
might.

"Bemember, it is iht Hood that cleanses the soul. Works meet for

The Newcastle Council of War. 289

repentance is one thing, the faith that heals is another ; both are indis-
pensable. The little child or the vilest sinner who dares trust for a
full salvation gets it, while the most careful, principled, and determined
disciple who doubts misses it. God cannot help it. He is bound to
give or withhold according to our faith. It is not arbitrary on His
part. In the very nature of the case, it is the only line on which He
can meet us. I believe if He could have saved us in an easier way He
would, but there was no other way.

" Unbelief is fatal to all the interests most dear to God and most
valuable to the universe. It would destroy the felicity of heaven in an
hour and turn it into hell, It made the devil what he is. It consti-
tutes the essence of all iniquity. It must be destroyed in any soul
before we can enter heaven. Faith is God's antidote. ' Said I not unto
thee, if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the salvation of God ? '
' He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.' This
is a precious word. It has kept my soul alive many a time when Satan
has almost overthrown me. 'If thou canst believe, all things are
possible to thee. Never mind whether anybody else can or cannot. If
others are too strong to let Me carry them, if thou art weak enough to
throw up all self-effort and trust Me with thy whole weight, I will carry
thee and thou shalt glorify Me.' I know this is the way. Hence the
babes go in with the simple and the great sinners ; while the reasoners.
and the strong, and the proud, and the fearful are shut out of this inner
temple.

" Yes, the greatest of all enemies is unbelief. Faith is the omnipotent
lever which exalts the valleys and levels the mountains — such moun-
tains as those you refer to. Faith opens the gates for the King of glory
to come in, and when He is in, it takes hold of His strength to pull the
pillars of hell down. Oh, let nothing frighten you, or lure you from
trust ! This is the difference between a conqueror and a coward."

Warning a young man regarding the danger of frivolity,
she says :

" Be watchful against levity. C is a good, devoted fellow, but

naturally an incorrigible joker. It may not hurt him much, because it
is his nature. But it will hurt you if you give way to it. It hurts
nearly everybody. Watch ! Don't descend to buffoonery. While you
become all things to win some, don't forfeit your natural self-respect and
the dignity of your position as a minister of Christ."

In writing to her daughter on the subject of the courtship
and marriage of the officers, Mrs. Booth says :

" It is not well in dealing with the lasses to talk to them as though
we wished them never to marry. We should rather inspire them to give
the prime of their lives to the work, waiting till God sends His choice

17

290 Mrs. Booth.

for them, not jumping at tbe first or second offer as if that must needs
be the one. So many of them are tempted to make such a light thing
of giving themselves up."

In writing to one of her sons on the same subject she
says :

" The devil sets such innocent-looking traps — spiritual traps — to
catch young people ! Ah, he is a serpent still ! Beware of his devices,
and always cry to God for -wisdom and strength of will to put down all
foolish tampering. You are born for greater things. God may want
you to be a leader in Russia or some vast Continent, and you will want
a companion and a counsellor — a ' help-meet.' The original word
means * a help corresponding to his dignity.' This is the meaning given
by the best expositors. Oh, what wisdom there is even in the words
which God has chosen to express His ideas! 'Corresponding to his
dignity ! ' Yes, and no man ever takes one below this mark who does
not suffer for it, and, worse still, generations yet unborn have to suffer
also ! Mind what God says, and keep yourself till that one comes !

" A wrong step on this point and you are undone ! Oh, the misery
of an unsuitable match ! It is beyond description. I could tell you
tales of woe that are now being enacted. But I must wait till we meet.

" I have seen too much of life and know too much of human nature
to have much confidence in promises given under such circumstances.
For my own part, I made up my mind when I was but sixteen that I
would-not have a man, though a Christian, who should offer to become
even an abstainer for my sake. I felt that such a promise would not
afford me ground for confidence afterwards. And do we not see enough
all round us to show that unless people adopt things on principle,
because they see it to be right, they soon change ? Look at the folks
who promise to give up tobacco and dress for the sake of getting into
berths, how soon it evaporates ! No, my lad, wait a bit ! ' Couldst thou
not watch with Me one hour ? ' Jesus lived a single life for your sake
all the way through. Can you not live so till He finds you one after His
own heart ? I feel sure He will. Pray about it in faith. I am "doing
so, and God will answer. But oh, don't run before Him ! "Wait on the
Lord.

" A little longer and you will be saying, ' Oh, how glad I am I waited !
I have now found a treasure indeed ! ' When God's time and person
are come He will bring you together. How delighted and satisfied
Isaac must have felt when the servant told him all the way that God
had led him (Genesis xxiv.). . * All things come to those who wait.' "

In another letter Mrs. Booth says, with referee ce to the
use of notes in preaching :
" Get out of 'them ! They don't fit our work. When you get on you

The Neivcastle Council of War. 291

don't want them, and when you don't they are no good. At first, if
your memory won't serve you, just jot on a small bit of paper the size
of a ticket your main divisions in large writing, but no more. Like
this :

" Day of wrath is come.

"1. God's wrath,

" 2. Just wrath.

" 3. Uttermost wrath.

" 4. Eternal wrath."

Referring in another letter to the solemnity of death
Mrs. Booth writes :

" I came on here to see if I could comfort my poor old uncle, who is
dying. Some days since the doctor said he could not survive the night,
but he is here yet, though almost gone. I saw him four days ago, and
he said he was quite ready, and although he is now speechless he knows
me, and made a desperate effort to say ' Amen' after I had prayed. It
calls up my precious mother's departure so much ; what a joyful meet-
ing it will be when she sees him in heaven ! She was always so anxious
about his soul. It is a fearful work, is this dying. What must the
death of the cross have been ! Blessed Saviour, be Thou with us in the
cold, dark river ! "

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE ARMY'S FRIEXDS. 1879

THE worship of wealth has always been a popular cult.
But modern society seems to have out-mammoned Mammon
and to have delivered itself up to the direction of a pluto-
cratic clique who hold absolute sway both in the political
and religious world. On the one hand statesmen complain
that the destinies of empires have largely passed out of
their control into that of an irresponsible and covetous hand-
ful of millionaires, who grasp the purse-strings of the nation,
and administer its resources with a view rather to their own
personal aggrandisement than the common weal.

On the other hand, the religious element, which should
afford a counterpoise to this tendency, is itself largely
tainted with the all-pervading influence. There are prob-
ably few religious organisations which are not avowedly or
tacitly ruled by their rich and respectable members. It
has been said that every man has his price, and it might
be added with equal force that every organisation has its
price -also.

True, noble exceptions are to be found, but from the time
that Satan said to Jesus Christ, " All this will I give Thse
if Thou wilt fall down and worship me," the temptation has
been the commonest and most successful weapon with which
he has assailed poor frail humanity. And few have had the
courage to treat the proffer with the Divine " Get thee
behind Me " response. The bribes have varied from an
apple to an empire, and not ^infrequently has the spiritual
birthright been sacrificed for a contemptible {: mess of pot-

2SJ

The Army's Friends 293

tage ! " Had we but eyes to see it, how often should we
behold religious organisations and churches manacled and
shackled, like Croesus, with their own gold ! Their eyes are
so hoodwinked with gold that they have lost their piercing
prophetic vision. Their ears are so stopped that they can
neither hear the heavenly voices as of old nor the cry of a
perishing world. Their mouths are gagged with gold.
They dare not speak the burning truths that are alone
capable of affecting the hearts of their hearers. The
Shekinah of holiness has been exchanged for the lustre of
tinsel. The Ichabod of departed glory is written across
their gates. And why ? Because they have allowed them-
selves to be dominated by a moneyed clique, who have
made their gifts conditional, as is so commonly the case, on
a sacrifice of principles, a diminution of devotion, or an
abandonment of plans which the Holy Ghost has dictated
and has favoured with His smile.

And so this modern Delilah has too often shorn the locks
of her Samson and handed him over to the tender mercies of
the Philistines — who have put out his eyes and set him to
grind their political mills !

Dare we place the helm of a steamer in the hands of a
millionaire, and expose the passengers to the whims, caprices,
and fears of a man whose only qualification for the post con-
sists of his balance in the banker's till ? What wonder is it,
then, that spiritual shipwreck should result from the adop-
tion of a similar course in the navigation of our religious
craft ? The love of money, we are told, is the root of all
evil. The petrifying, heart-hardening effects are inevitable.
Arid yet how often have the reins of the church been placed,
by a too complaisant ministry, in the hands of those who
have no higher qualification than their wealth !

The common danger of all has been, and must continue to
be, the danger of the Salvation Army. More than once in
the course of this narrative we shall have reason to remark
how Dives has endeavoured to dismount its leaders, often.
no doubt, with the best of intentions. And perhaps one of

294 Mrs. Booth.

the secrets of its continued success has been the deter-
mination of Mr. and Mrs. Booth to lose the favour of every
moneyed friend they .possessed rather than sacrifice a single
God-directed principle.

The financial burden has always been a heavy one, and of
later years almost appalling in its magnitude. More than
once has liberal help been offered on conditions that would
have been prejudicial to progress, and as often has it been
refused. " I would rather die in the workhouse," exclaimed
Mrs. Booth at a gathering of wealthy friends, " than sacrifice
one iota of my liberty in Christ to adopt such measures as
I deem best suited for reaching the masses ! " And to this
principle they adhered with unfaltering fixity of purpose in
many a season of conflict and temptation.

It is one of these crises in their history that we now
approach. The work carried on by Mr. and Mrs. Booth had
assumed such proportions as to attract the attention of the
secular and religious press. Their claims to the sympathy
and co-operation of all who were interested in the cause of
Christ began to be recognised.

But difficulties arose. There were some who imagined
they saw danger to themselves in the rising tide of popu-
larity which was carrying the new movement so rapidly
forward upon its crested waves. Whilst viewing it from
the ground of their own superiority they could afford to
patronise, and even admire, what was too distant to en-
danger their own position, and too insignificant to arouse
a qualm of fear. But when the onward 'sweep of the waters
crossed the " thus far and no farther " which they had drawn
upon the sands, they began to take alarm.

There were others who sincerely desired to wake up the
churchless masses to a sense of their danger and their
need. But when success had been achieved, and these law-
less multitudes came pouring into the sanctuary, upsetting
the formalities (as has always been, and must ever be, the
case), and introducing vulgarities of speech and taste, they
were shocked at the spectacle, and would almost have bidden

The Army's Friends. 295

them return whence they came. Peter must remain outside
the priestly gates till his garments smelt less of fish and
garlic, and he had got rid of his Galilean brogue! The
Saviour of the world must surround Himself with polished
graduates, robed in broadcloth and linen, and sacrifice the
vulgar company of the plebeian crowd.

But there was another class of questioners, with whom
the General and Mrs. Booth could not fail to sympathise.
Sincerely desirous to see the salvation of souls, and recog-
nising the special adaptation of the movement to the masses,
there were nevertheless certain features of the work for
which, from their standpoint, they could see no necessity.

A good deal of the controversy necessarily centred itself
round Mr. Morley, owing to his long connection and avowed
sympathy with "the movement. " Tell your wife," he said
one day to the General, " that I love and esteem her, but
that she has got me into a deal of trouble ! " And who that
has ever ventured in the most indirect way to assist the
Salvation Army or manifest sympathy towards it has not
been compelled, in some measure, however unwillingly, to
share its cross?

But Mr. Morley had the courage of his convictions. If he
could not answer the objectors himself he was convinced
that Mr. and Mrs. Booth had full and satisfactory explana-
tions to offer, and he was resolved that they should have an
opportunity for vindicating themselves. He wanted to bring
the Army leaders and their critics face to face. For this
purpose he proposed to arrange at his city offices a parlour
meeting, where leading Christians interested in the Army
should be invited to hear from Mr, and Mrs. Booth an ac-
count of the work, together with an explanation of its par-
ticular modes and measures. Mr. Booth having called at
his office, Mr. Morley mentioned his proposal, which was
readily accepted.

On his way home Mr. Booth met Sir Arthur Blackwood,
then known as Mr. Stevenson Blackwood. Hitherto Sir
Arthur had been most friendly to the Mission, having been

296 Mrs. Booth.

one of its earliest referees. True, lie had not seen much of
its practical working, but being interested in any effort to
reach the poor and bring them to a knowledge of salvation
he had used his influence and means to help the cause. The
recent departures had, however, somewhat alarmed him.
And no wonder. Himself formerly a Captain attached to
the Guards, having served with distinction in the Crimea,
it was natural that he should view with disfavour the as-
sumption of unauthorised rank and title on the part of men
and women some of whom had been raised up from the dregs
of society.

And yet, if rank and position were to be measured out in
proportion to the sufferings endured by their recipients,
surely the Salvation Army officers would not have been far
behind the most deserving of those who have fought in earthly
battles. Here were men and women who had jeopardised
their lives in the high places of the field, in conflict with the
common foes of humanity. Not a few of them had received
scars which they must bear for life. Some of them had
sacrificed home, friends, and country, with considerable
earthly prospects, for a mere pittance, and were engaged in
waging a war which could never cease and from which rest
could only be gained when the troopship Death should take
them to their heavenly parade-ground to receive the rewards
of the King whom they had so faithfully served below.

To the objections which Sir Arthur brought forward
the General listened patiently, and then, with his usual
adroitness, suggested that before Sir Arthur withdrew in
any measure his valued sympathy and support he should
see for himself something of the work. He was going to
Coventry on the Saturday to hold some meetings during the
Coventry Fair, and if Sir Arthur would accompany him he
could judge on the spot regarding the character of the move-
ment and its methods. To this Sir Arthur cordially agreed.
* * * *

" Sergeant ! "

" Captain Blackwood ! "

The Army's Friends. 297

The last time they had met was in the trenches at
Sebastopol, now it was beneath the flag of the Salvation
Army. Formerly the Sergeant had been one of the greatest
blackguards in the Queen's army. Now he was a saint of
the Most High, and colour-sergeant of the Coventry Corps,
standing with flag in hand and a loud " hallelujah " on his
lips to welcome the General as he stepped out of the station,
and ready to help him besiege the modern Sebastopol of vice
and crime in his native town. It was a strange rencontre,
but there was not time for more than a passing word.

The General's chariot was in attendance. It consisted of
a greengrocer's waggonette, the greengrocer himself being
the charioteer ! He, likewise, had been a notorious character,
and had enjoyed a reputation for being the greatest scoun-
drel within fifty miles, and it was commonly reported that
he had committed every crime except murder. The General
took his seat beside him.

They were followed by some forty or fifty officers, and
then came the soldiers, all over the road, like a flock of sheep.
In every respect it was a striking contrast to the well-
ordered processions of later days, and the General, as he
looked back upon the motley multitude, could not but fear
lest the sight might provoke in Mr. Black-wood's heart a
sentiment of the ridiculous, and perhaps still further pre-
judice him against the work. He noticed him, however,
following the procession along the sidewalk and listening at
the open-air stand with apparent interest. On reaching the
officers' quarters, the first words of Mr. Blackwood were,
" Dear me, Mr. Booth ! That was a very remarkable pro-
cession ! "

The General was a good deal surprised, and curious to
know what had caused so favourable an impression, when,
among other things, Mr. Blackwood related the incident of
the colour-sergeant.

At the in-door meetings which followed Sir Arthur was
not only an interested listener, but gave his personal testi-
mony, and helped to deal with the penitents who came for-

298 Mrs. Rooth.

ward for salvation. The soldiers were all on fire, and made
a great noise in the prayer-meeting. The General asked
afterwards whether this had not disturbed him in his work.
Sir Arthur assured him that he was so taken up in speaking
to the anxious seekers that he had not really noticed the noise.
The visit to Coventry was on the 14th and 15th June, and
on the 17th Mr. Morley's proposed meeting took place. Mr,
Morley took the chair^ and was followed immediately by Sir
Arthur Blaekwood,* who gave a vivid account of what he
had so recently seen. His words evidently produced a pro-
found impression. What followed is described in a letter
written by Mrs. Booth to her friend Mrs. Billups :

" We have had two meetings at Samuel Morley 's. At the first there
were some twenty present, mostly wealthy. With one exception, all
were comparatively mild in their objections. He not only attacked our
measures, but reflected on us and our doctrines. We heard all they had
to say, and then I spoke on the general principles, and the meeting was
adjourned tiU Thursday (19th) at tVro.

" On this occasion, my dearest husband opened, and answered the
objections previously raised, one by one, triumphantly. He made it
clear that, while he sympathised with the wish of our friends not
to bring sacred things into less regard on the part of either saints
or sinners, and was willing to discontinue any practice that had no
connection with the efficiency of the movement, yet poor as we are
— and God only knows what a struggle we have financially — he
would not give up one jot or tittle of anything essential — no, not
for all the wealth of the West End ! Some others spoke for and
against, but kindly, and very little against. Then I followed, and
the Lord helped me. Mr. Morley assured me, with the tears in his eyes,
that I had ' carried them every one,' and that they agreed with every
word I had said. I finished by telling them that we had fought thirteen
years for this principle of adaptation to the needs of the people — and
this with everybody against us— and that, whether they helped us or no,
we should not abandon it ! We dared not ! And we should not, if we
ended in the workhouse.

"Every one seemed deeply moved. Mr. Morley assured us that
they only wanted us to prevent our agents from running to any great

* Sir Arthur Blaekwood disagreed with some of the subsequent develop-
ments of the Army, and hence withdrew from it his active support, while
continuing to sympathise with its aims and to rejoice in the good that
was being accomplished through its agency.

The Army's Friends. 299

extremes, and the meeting ended beautifully. Mr. Denny spoke like a
brave and truehearted man. And I doubt not they will help us. But
Mr. Booth had to rush off to Lancashire, and has not seen Mr. Morley
since. He has, however, received the £200 that he previously promised
for the work, and has already used it and a great deal more. Pray for
us !

" The excitement made me worse than I have been for two years.
My heart was really alarming, and for two days I could hardly bear any
clothes to touch me. This has disheartened me again as to my condi-
tion. But God reigns, and He will keep me alive as long as He needs
me. Truly we are all largely at the mercy of circumstances ! What a
world it is ! My soul cries out, ' How long, 0 Lord? How long ? ' "

But not by two meetings, nor by many, was the voice of
slander or the whisper of envy to be silenced. Jealousy
makes a target of the highest and the best. Its shafts are
ever aimed upwards, at whatever happens to be superior to
itself. Unable to rise above the waters of the quagmire in
which it lies, it seeks to bring all others down to its own
low level of accomplishment, or mars what it cannot make
and pulls down what it cannot rebuild. It first caricatures
a good cause and then burns its effigy.

It must be so, while such passions continue to exist. The
tears and heart-break and blood of others are their necessary
meat. They could not deny themselves, except by ceasing
to exist. There is a needs-be for it all. And it only remains
for those whose wounded spirits have rankled beneath such
cruel thrusts to take courage in the consciousness of the
integrity of their hearts, and to learn that the ultimate
triumph of right is assured to those who will but persevere.
*' It seems strange," Mrs. Booth remarks in one of her early
letters, " that the more one tries to do right the more one
is fated to be misunderstood. But it is a comfort tc
remember that righteousness brings its own reward."

Among the most interested and sympathetic of those
present at the gatherings in Mr. Morley's parlour was one
who perhaps ranks but second to Mr. Morley himself as the
consistent and munificent supporter of all good work, whether
it might be farthing dinners for wastrel children or missions
for the conversion of the heathen.

300

Mrs. Booth.

It was in a somewhat singular manner that some twelve
mouths previously Mr. T. A. Denny had become acquainted
with the Salvation Army. The General was walking down
Cheapside, holding a heated argument with a friend as to
the advisability of the new measures recently adopted. He
announced his intention of calling on Mr. Denny, of whose
generosity he had heard, with a view to acquainting him

MR. T. A. DENNY, OF LONDON.

with the work and inviting his assistance. "It would be
utterly useless," was the discouraging reply. " Mr. Denny
will never approve of such extravagances."

Mr. Booth was determined, however, that he would make
the attempt. He called upon Mr. Denny, and before he had
been speaking ten minutes, the tears were in Mr. Denny's eyes
and he had summoned his brother, Mr. Edward Denny, from
the adjoining room, to come and listen with him to the

The Armys Friends, 301

account of so marvellous a work. They explained, however,
that it was a rule with them not to help any cause which
they had not personally examined. With this Mr. Booth
was more than satisfied, adding that if they would attend
the meetings they should hear the converts give their own
account of the wondrous change God had wrought in their
hearts and lives.

The bargain was struck, and Mr. Denny early visited
some of the provincial centres where the work was then in
progress. Speaking on one of these occasions, he said that
he had been looking carefully to find some holes in the
Salvation Army coat, but, not having succeeded, he supposed
it must be because there were none to find.

At Mr. Morley's lunch he had spoken warmly and
generously concerning what he had seen of the work. The
defence of the measures then put forward by Mr. and Mrs.
Booth thoroughly convinced and satisfied him, and he be-
came thenceforth one of the most liberal supporters of the
movement.

Indeed, his heart has seldom been appealed to on behalf
of any new effort or advance without calling forth a practical
response. And yet few have been more careful to ascertain
previously the merits of any such proposal, or more rigorous
in requiring a good percentage of results for their pecuniary
outlay. Perhaps upon none of the consistent supporters of
the Salvation Army have Mrs. Booth's reasoning powers been
more steadily expended than upon Mr. Denny.

One reason for this may have been that, as soon as his
name was intimately connected with the Army, he became
the butt of every fiery shaft, whether from the religious or
the outside world, which was forged and directed against the
movement. It seemed impossible for an objection to be
invented which did not speedily discover his address and
find its way to his eye or ear. They were mostly so well-
worn and oft-repeated that the fire or the waste-paper
basket afforded the majority of them a last resting-place.
But if anything seeming to require an explanation happened

3O2 Mrs. Booth.

to arrive, Mr. Denny dealt with it in the straightforward
manner in which every Christian should dispose of slander
— by forwarding it to those who were in the best position
to reply, and thus affording them an opportunity of vindi-
cating themselves.

Not that Mr. Denny was, or is, by any means a Salva-
tionist. On the contrary, he differed strongly from Mr. and
Mrs. Booth in some of their views, and never hesitated
frankly to tell them so, returning to the charge on some
points with a pertinacity that rendered him, perhaps, one
of the most exacting of their contributors. He has seldom
given a donation without accompanying it with some sage
counsel, and has often complained, with the caustic humour
which makes his speeches so welcome at the Army gather-
ings, that the General "appropriates the money without
following the advice ! "

As a matter of fact, however, Mr. Denny was well aware
that his opinions carried weight with the leaders of the
Army. And even when his opinions were not immediately
acted upon he hoped in the end to convert them to his views.
Perhaps at other times (not often, certainly not always) he
has allowed them to convert him. And doubtless he has
perceived that if the Salvation Army had been altered to
suit the ideas of those who have been its various patrons it
would have been an unrecognisable patchwork of its original
self, and would finally have been disowned and disinherited
by those who have wished it best.

Nevertheless, there have been times when the onward
rush of the movement, with its consequent novel departures
and seeming extravagances, has puzzled Mr. Denny, and
tempted him to question the wisdom of its leaders. Nor,
indeed, can we wonder at this. Even with the best of in-
tentions, to review the battle from the quiet heights of
contemplation must have been so different from the experi-
ence of those who, though perhaps desperate to a fault, were
constantly face to face, and in hand-to-hand conflict, with
the monsters of evil.

The Army's Friends. 303

Rightly or wrongly, however, he has thought it to be his
especial mission, not to oil the wheels, with a view to making
them go faster, so much as to clog them in order to prevent
their going too fast. The Army coach was going down-hill
at a dangerous speed. The General and Mrs. Booth sat
upon the box with almost provoking complacency ; they
cracked their whips and blew their horns, heedless of the
danger and regardless of the expostulations of those who
besought them to moderate their speed in their headlong
rush to Glory. Mr. Denny was for fixing on the brake.
Better come to an absolute standstill than risk an over-
turn. Mr. Booth, on the contrary, was for risking every-
thing rather than standing still. He was an advocate of
perpetual motion — fast, faster, fastest! He thought he knew
his business. He believed he understood his Master's will.
And he preferred a catastrophe with results to inactivity
without them. And in this he was heartily seconded by
Mrs. Booth.

But notwithstanding these minor differences Mr. Denny
has been for many years a warm friend and an avowed
admirer of Mr. and Mrs. Booth and their family. There
has been one rare trait in his character which has served
specially to win their appreciation and affection. If in the
hour of prosperity and success Mr. Denny, has been, or has
appeared to be, a little over-critical, and too much given to —
what shall we call it ? — hydropathy, as a safeguard against
elation — if he has not fully acquired the art of " rejoicing
with those who do rejoice," and has rather inclined to see
defeat in every victory and danger in every deliverance-
he, on the other hand, knows, as few others have known,
how to " weep with those who weep," and to offer at the
appropriate moment the tribute of sympathy, which has been
the more acceptable because so well-timed and, above all, so
heartfelt. In an age when tears are banished from our
social intercourse, and when feelings must be buried beneath
the tombstone of conventionality, it is indeed refreshing to
meet with one who is ready to mingle his tears with the

304 Mrs. Booth.

tears of those whom he loves in the Lord, and whose gifts
and graces he has the ability to appreciate and the humility
to admit.

At the time of which we are speaking he was specially
active in arranging meetings for Mrs. Booth in the West
End, with a view to affording her the double opportunity of
spiritually influencing the upper classes and of explaining
and defending the measures of the Salvation Army. Writing
to Mr. Booth he says : <! Your blessed wife will affect the
West of London and do more good to the cause than any
other machinery that I know of. God is with her of a
truth ! "

During the year 1879 Mrs. Booth's activities were num-
berless. She visited no less than fifty-nine towns, addressing
vast and interested audiences, and everywhere impressing
her powerful personality upon the crowds who nocked to
hear her and upon the rapidly-advancing organisation. Most
of her addresses were delivered in buildings, the open air
being usually too great a tax upon her delicate health. But
there was a notable exception to this during her visit to
Coventry, when she spoke to a large gathering in Pool
Meadow, taking for her subject "Face the facts!" Those
who were present on the occasion testify to the marvellous
nature of the impression made.

The meetings of the year varied in character. A consider-
able number consisted of presentations of colours to the
various corps, similar to the occasion already described in
the visit to Newcastle. A great many of the meetings were
defences of the Army operations and explanations of its work.
Addresses to the soldiers and officers, and to professing
Christians, on the kind of life and warfare God expected of
them completed the arduous list. In each department Mrs.
Booth's comprehensive mind seemed equally at home, and
she handled her various subjects with an ease, a thorough-
ness, and a power wrhich were marvellous to witness.

One of the last meetings of the year was held at Dar-
lington, where the Hallelujah Lasses, under Captain Rose

The Army's Friends.

305

Ckipham, had achieved a great triumph, hundreds of the
worst characters having been converted and the attention
both of the religious and secular portion of the community
attracted towards the good accomplished. The occasion of
the Darlington Council was especially interesting as resulting
in the formation of a lifelong friendship between Mrs.
Booth and the editor of the Northern Eclio, afterwards so

MR. W. T. STEAD, OF LONDON.

well known as the editor of the Revielu of Revieics. Mr.
W. T. Stead is one of the few journalists who have system-
atically defended the Salvation Army. He has not scrupled
to proclaim upon the .housetops his sympathy with its work
and confidence in its leaders.

At a first glance there -would appear to be but little in
common between that calm, dignified, determined lady, with
the far-off look in her eyes, which gave the impression that
she had just come from heaven, or its immediate purlieux —

x

306 Mrs. Booth.

who measured out her sentences with arithmetical precision,
and who could say in a single word more than many could
stock into a sermon— and the eager, restless, quixotic, sensa-
tional journalist, whose brain was a sort of kaleidoscope of
the world, an encyclopedia of its history, ancient and modern,
scientific and social, political and religious. The one seemed
a facsimile of the sk}r, and the other of the earth ; the one
the ambassador of God, the other the spokesman of humanity :
the one all faith, the other all question.

And yet, while there was so much in which they differed,
there were some things in which they heartily agreed. Mr.
Stead was, after all, very much to modern journalism what
the Salvation Army has been to the churches. He was the
Gordon of the press. Regardless of the proprieties and con-
ventionalities of orthodox journalism, he walked about the
battlements of his literary Khartoum, heedless of the bullets
and cannon-balls that were flying round him, or of the
Koranic anathemas and calls to surrender of his Mahdi-like
assailants. They might rave as loudly as they desired. He
was impervious alike to their praise or blame. He believed
in the Gospel of Saint Paper-and-ink as much as they did.
If it was not actually the cure-all of mankind, it wTas at least
and without doubt the vessel that contained it. It was
the channel, the medium, the apostle by means of which he
looked forward to seeing all the sins and sorrows of the
world removed. The pulpit of the present age was the press,
and he was one of its divinely-appointed ministers.

Himself a Christian, descended from an earnest noncon-
formist f amity, his father and brother ministers, Mr. Stead
thoroughly believed in the renovating power of religion.
He saw, too, the immense value of the press as an agent for
disseminating the good news. It had been prostituted to
carnal purposes. Mr. Stead thought he could lead it into
higher and more useful paths, and to this directed his every
effort.

It was doubtless a noble ambition. Save the world by
the world— by the devil himself, if you can — but save it,

The Army's Friends. 307

was a sort of epitome of his creed. Put all the irons in the
fire, and make them all hot, and strike away at them all at
the same time. The more the merrier. Have religion, by
all means — the more the better. But supplement it with
politics, socialism, journalism, and any other ism that you
can get hold of. Wash down your religion with a little
whiskey, if needs be — but get it down. Make your bolus
palatable with a sugar-plum, a magic lantern, a good feast,
anything, but see that it is swallowed. He believed all that
Mrs. Booth did, only he believed a good deal more — too
much, she thought.

And yet she could not but be drawn towards the ardent
enthusiast. Her views were very different from his. She
believed in God and salvation — pure, simple, unadulterated
with any of the nostrums of the world — as the only remedy
for the evils that afflicted man. She distrusted any refor-
mation that did not commence at the heart, despaired of any
remedy, save the blood of Christ, to effectually reach the
heart, and disowned any agency save that of men and women
inspired by the Holy Ghost. Reformations based on any
other foundation she believed to be deceptive, futile, and
evanescent. It was God's plan. Man might busy himself
with the exterior ; God began with the interior. When that
was right all the rest would follow. Without it, whatever
was done would have to be undone. It was like beginning
to build a house from the roof downwards instead of from
the foundation upwards.

Mr. Stead was a sort of Brahmo-Somajist. There was
good as well as evil in everything and everybody. Some
were better and others best. All that was needed was to
sift the good from the bad, leave out the latter, and unite
the former in one harmonious whole. So thought Baboo
Keshub Chunder Sen, the great Hindoo divine, when he
attempted to throw Hindooism, Mahommedanism, Buddhism,
and Christianity into one refining-pot, and by a species of
religious alchemy reject the dross and produce from them a
new, coherent, and consistent religion which should suit the

3oS Mrs. Booth.

needs of all the world. So have thought other philosophers.
And not a few have tried their hand. But, able as have
been the experimentalists, where is the effort that can as
yet be said to have succeeded? Alas, how many, in the
most favourable position to gain their end, have had to say
in bitterness, with Cardinal Wolsey, at the end of a long life
of toil, " Had I but served my God as faithfully as I have
served my king, He would not have forsaken me now ! "

Many a passage of arms on these and kindred subjects did
Mr. Stead have with Mrs. Booth. " I am but a Philistine," he
would sometimes laughingly conclude, " but I shall do my best
to help 3rour Salvation Army Israel ! " He felt it his mission
to act the part of the upper millstone, whilst it was that of
the Salvation Army to be the nether. Between them he
hoped that it would yet be possible to grind to powder the
evils that afflicted the world. He would work from above
they from below ; and somewhere in the middle, some day,
hero or hereafter, on earth or in heaven, both would meet,
and receive the " Well done ! " of their common Master.

Mr. Stead's name has been so often mentioned in con-
junction with that of the Salvation Army that we have
sketched at some extra length the rise and nature of the
relationship. He has never embarked in our boat, though
he has often inspected it, and perhaps believes it to be the
best afloat— ought we to say?— with the sole exception of
his own. Sometimes he has wondered whether he was not
called to be an officer aboard her. But this he has regarded
as a temptation of the devil, while we "have looked upon it
as an urging of the Spirit. It is a mistake to suppose,
however, that he has ever stepped beyond the region of an
outsider; earnest, able, useful, sympathetic, seizing with
eagerness any opportunity that has arisen for defending its
rights and furthering its cause, but, alas, an outsider still !

He would have liked Mr. and Mrs. Booth to have somewhat
altered their course — not much, for he was never a caviller,
nor a fault-finder. But the path that seemed to him un-
necessarily narrow he would have broadened, views that

The Army's Friends. 309

were needlessly extreme lie would have modified, judgments
that were unwontedly severe he would have softened. He
has not converted them, nor they him. Like Mr. Denny-
nay, rather, like human nature in general — he thinks that he
knows best what would be our highest wisdom. But with a
generous heart and noble impulse he has not waited for us to
adopt his views, but has stretched out the hand of genuine
friendship, and has earned the prayers and good wishes of
those to whom, in the name of the Master, he has ever been
ready to offer any cup -of cold water that stood within his
reach and that they might seem to require.

CHAPTER XXXII.

AMERICA. AUSTRALIA. 1880.

THE present possibilities of religion are not by any means
to be judged by the past, nor the future by the present.
Ground which has hitherto been covered in centuries can now
be covered in decades, and will ere long be coverable in as many
years or months. The revolution that has been worked in
the realm of science cannot but affect the realm of religion.
Indeed, the former is the handmaid to the latter, and will
sooner or later be compelled to assume its true position of
servitude. Like Onesimus, it may have run away from its
Philemon for a time, but the capturing power of a St. Paul
shall yet restore it to its owner, Man, not as his dictator, but
his servant, and in place of its boasted independence or
agnosticism it shall be the bearer of the epistle that announces
its conversion to his highest interests. As it has already
ministered to him in things temporal so hereafter it shall
minister in things spiritual.

Let science multiply its telegraphs, its steamers, its rail-
ways,' and effect the increasing shrinkage of the world.
Every new device shall make more swiftly possible the sal-
vation of the nations, and shall bring them more immediately
within reach of the heavenly influences that radiate from
Calvary. The modern apostle of the Cross can afford to
rejoice in each fresh discovery, and can turn to consider how
best it can be utilised for the one great purpose to which he
has consecrated his life. Avarice, ambition, selfishness, have
too long constituted the mainspring of scientific motion in
the past. When for these shall have been substituted the

310

A merica. A ustralia. 311

Divine mainspring of benevolence, who shall place limits to
its possibilities ?

Commerce, money-making, politics, have hitherto monopo-
lised this domain, and have sought to well-nigh expel
religion entirely from their coasts'. But all unintentionally,
in the very teeth of their desires, while preparing a highway
for themselves, they have broken down the barriers and
paved the paths for the circulation of the spiritual merchan-
dise of which the world stands in such bitter need. The
very wires with which they have linked together the
remotest towns, and even villages, have bound the world
with an electric network across which every pulsation of its
heart may be felt, and which will one day prove the medium
for transmitting religious currents the mighty results of
which shall astound the universe. When once the communi-
cations are complete, some touch, like the pressure of a button,
may yet convulse the globe in the throes of a revival that
shall simultaneously affect mankind.

Already the world may be said to have received throughout
its entire system some galvanic shocks of a social and political
character which have threatened its entire equilibrium. "Why
should not a religious shock of similar dimensions be equally
possible ? If man has a soul, as well as a mind and body, it
is sound philosophy to assume that such a denouement is not
only possible but probable, and this at no distant date. All
the requisite materials and agencies exist. With God at one
end of the telephone and man at the other, messages may
soon be flashed, whose echoes shall resound simultaneously
through every land.

That it has not yet been so is no proof that it shall not be.
All seems to be preparing the way for some such climax. A
stone cast into a pond produces eddies which widen and
spread until they reach its margin. A volcanic eruption at
one end of the world produces a tidal wave which can be felt
at the other. Japan rocks, and the Berlin observatory pos-
sesses apparatus which times the shock.

The soul of man has ever possessed its parallel in the

312 Mrs. Booth.

phenomena of nature. It must be so. The Hand that made
the one has made the other, and as truly as the needle
points to the North, so truly do the soul and nature point to
the pole-star of the universe, their Creator.

But if the soul and nature run in parallel grooves, infinitely
closer is the relationship between soul and soul. The oneness
of humanity has but to be proclaimed by the same Voice that
decreed its separation on the plains of Babel, to be, and be
forever, an accomplished fact. There is nothing intrinsic in
the soul of any one man, be his nationality what it may, to
prevent the soul of every man being bound together in one
harmonious federation, so perfect that humanit}r shall possess
the unity of a single bod}-, through which the veins and
arteries distribute the blood that centres round a single
heart. Thus any organisation that is able continuously to
possess and impart God may become the life-centre of a
religious system that shall permeate and unify the world.

In 1880 the Salvation Army recognised for the first time
its international character. It was no longer possible for
Mr. and Mrs. Booth to close their ears against the calls
which they had begun to receive from " the regions beyond."
The proverbial " man of Macedonia " loomed before them,
not in vague, dreamy visions of the night, but in written
appeals, the authenticity and genuineness of which they
could not doubt. He was not even a stranger, whose ve-
racity might have been questioned, or who could be told to
wait till he knew something more of the Army's operations
and could better judge of its suitability for other lands.

The modern Macedonian was not only a substantial em-
bodiment of flesh and blood, and therefore more visible and
to an incredulous age more satisfactory, than his Pauline
ancestor, but, what was more to the point, he was usually
one of themselves. He not only knew the needs of the
country of his adoption, but he was familiar with the Army
plans, and able to judge of the suitability of the one to meet
the needs of the other. Furthermore, he was endued with
the aggressive Army spirit. He had partaken in the recent

A merica. A ustmlia. 3 1 3

Pentecost. It was as useless to command him to hold his
peace as to command the prophets and psalmists of old.
While he was musing the fire burned. The things which he
had seen and heard and handled in the old country he must
needs talk about in the new. As a natural consequence the
same results followed, and the inevitable discovery ensued
that God's power and man's heart were everywhere alike.

The first effort to establish a branch of the Christian Mis-
sion in the United States occurred as far back as 1872. Mr.
Booth could not however see his way to carry on the work
commenced by an emigrant family, and hence, after a few
months, it fell through. It was seven years later when the
work was renewed by a family of emigrants from England.
Amos Shirley and his wife had been for some time soldiers in
the Coventry corps, and had taken part in the revival which
had so powerfully influenced the town. Their daughter Eliza
had served for some months as an officer, and they had all
gained some practical experience of the Salvation Army work.
About the middle of 1879 they sailed for America, settling in
Philadelphia, where Mr. Shirley obtained work as foreman of
a silk factory.

The birthplace of the Salvation Army in England had
been a tent in a burial-ground. That of the Salvation Army
in America was neither as Oriental nor quite as funereal. And
yet it partook of the same Bethlehemite character. The
reporter of the Philadelphia News, who was the first to
chronicle their doings, discovered them in an abandoned chair-
factory, " eighty feet long by forty broad, whose rough-
boarded and whitewashed walls, and overhanging beams and
rafters savoured more of a stable than a place of worship."

There was evidently "no room" for the poor man's Saviour
in the "inns "of Philadelphian respectability. And, after
all, it mattered little, for if the place failed to sanctify the
people the people served to sanctify the place. The beacon
star of the Army — the salvation of souls — was not long in
appearing. Those shepherds of the slums, the outcasts of
society, gathered as of old round the manger— not always

Mrs. Booth.

to " worship," it is true. And yet many who came to mock,
remained to pray.

The saloon-keeper, that Herod of the drink traffic, whose
scourge society has too long tolerated, was soon upon the
scenes, inquiring after his ex-subjects, who had so suddenly
transferred their allegiance to another power. But the
Shirleys were veterans, and had learned to rejoice in the

MBS. BALLINGTOX BOOTH.

midst of such disturbances. Instead of sitting down, like
Rachel, to weep over what they could not help, they felt more
like summoning all Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, from
London to Philadelphia, to join them in making war against
the American Sisera and his host.

The General could no longer resist the appeal. So impor-
tant did the opportunity appear, that he resolved to despatch
Mr. Railton, with a party of seven of the now famous Halle-

A merica. A ustralia. 3 1 5

lujah Lasses, to take up the work which the Shirleys had
commenced. The proposal was received with enthusiasm
by all concerned, and was promptly carried into effect. The
first account of the meetings held by the Shirleys was pub-
lished in the War Cry on the 31st January, 1880, and on
the 12th of the following month the detachment farewelled
at the Whitechapel Hall, sailing on the 14th in the steamer
Australia.

Mrs. Booth, who took from the first the deepest interest in
this expedition, presented the officers with two flags, one
for the 1st New York and the other for the 1st Philadelphian
corps, urging them, in the course of a powerful address, to
be faithful to their vows.

"You look young," she said, turning to the sisters who
composed the party, one of whom had been for some years
her servant, and is still an officer in the ranks. " To
some people you may appear insignificant — but so do we all.
So did those women who stood grouped round the cross
of Christ to the proud Pharisees who walked, mocking, past.
But their names have been handed down to us, while those of
the Pharisees have been forgotten.

" I present you with these flags in the name of our great
King, who bought all sinners with His blood, and who bids
us go forth and sprinkle them with it. First in His name,
and then in that of the General of this Army, I hand them
to you, praying that God may give you, young as you are,
strength to fight heroically under His banner, and to lead
tens of thousands to the Cross."

The meeting was an impressive one. Amongst those
present were Lady Cairns, Sir Arthur Blackwood, Mr.
Denny, and other friends of the Army. Mr. Eailton, with
the members of his little party, addressed the meeting, at-
tired in a new military style of uniform, with broad red
bands upon their hats, on which " The Salvation Army " was
\vorked in conspicuous letters. A profound impression was
created by the meeting, which was still further increased
when, two days later, the party were conducted in procession

316 Mrs. Booth.

from Whitechapel to Fenchurch Street Station, Mrs. Booth
following in a hansom. Describing their departure in a
letter to a friend, she says :

" We have been in a perfect whirl of excitement and rush ever since
the meeting. I Lave been at Whitechapel all the time. The getting off
of dear Eailton and the sisters was a scene. Hundreds of people walked
in procession to Fenchurcli Street. They sang all the way, and omni-
buses, waggons, and vehicles of all kinds stopped and lined the roads to
see them pass. Tbey then marched on from the Tidal Basin Station to
the ship. We had half an hour in the Basin, in which a large ring was
formed and a meeting held. All the crew and passengers on the ship
seemed quite struck, the saloon passengers standing on deck in the
rain to listen, and before they set sail two Army men turned up on board
who weie going out as emigrants.

" It was a grand sight. The women's hats looked capital, being
larger, and having a broad crimson band with gold letters. Three of
our flags were flying on board, and the enthusiasm of the people seemed
to strike with awe even the men who were hauling in the bales. I be-
lieve God will give them many a seal to their ministry before they get
there.

" Dear, devoted Eailtou looked well in his uniform, and appeared as
happy as an angel. Bless him ! I love him as a son. Oh, to win
millions lor our Saviour King ! We shall ! "

A year later Mr. Railton was recalled to the International
Headquarters in London, where his services were increas-
ingly needed. But the work of which the foundations were
then laid has since been carried on with signal success.
Little did Mrs. Booth think, when witnessing Mr. Kailton's
departure, that her second son (Commander Ballington
Booth) was destined to follow in his footsteps, and, in com-
pany with his able and devoted wife1, to accomplish so
extensive and successful a work.

Later in the year the General's hands were similarly
forced in regard to Australia. A convert of the Army,
John Gore, a milkman, had emigrated to Adelaide, where
he met a builder from Bradford, named Saunders, who had
been saved through the same agency. Without waiting for.
officers to arrive they formed themselves into a corps, ap-
pointed a treasurer and secretarj7, placed themselves under
the temporary leadership of Gore, and commenced open-air

America. Australia. 317

and indoor meetings. When writing to the General to send
out officers, they were able to report that already the work
had fairly taken root, souls were being saved, and an invita-
tion had been received to extend their operations to Sydney.
" We need you as quick as fire and steam can bring you,"

COMMISSIONER HOWARD.

wrote Gore. " There is no mistake about it. You must
come immediately."

The appeal was irresistible. Captain and Mrs. Sutherland
were forthwith set apart to pioneer the work, or, rather, to
join and lead the original pioneers. Early in January, 1881,
they set sail on board the steamship Aconcagua, going forth
on their journey of twelve thousand miles with the same
cool confidence with which they would have started to take
charge of a corps in -England. Without money, without in-
fluence, and with but a handful of humble friends, these
solitary Salvationists went forth on their errand of mercy,

3i8 Mrs. Booth.

carrying with them the beloved banner, which was destined
to pass from hand to hand till it had been planted in every
nook and corner of Australian soil.

Perhaps no country has welcomed the Salvation Army
with greater heartiness, and offered for its operations a more
congenial sphere, than has Australia, that happy hunting-
ground of the sturdy British yeoman and artisan who
constitute the backbone of England's national power. Un-
burdened with an aristocracy of birth and wealth, the sturdy
John Bullism of the middle classes has had an opportunity
of developing its best characteristics. The same material
which, when forced into the unhealthy atmospher6 and
hopeless squalor of slumdom, has given birth to the most
exaggerated specimens of vice, has blossomed in those
brighter and roomier climes with a rapidity and luxuriance
which make recognition almost impossible, and which may
well inspire with hope the heart of every social reformer.

Ability and common sense, especially when combined with
virtue, have enjoyed a supremacy in Australia which has
too often been denied to them in other lands, at least until
their possessors are either tottering on the borders of the
grave, or have already left the scene of toil and care. Then
society suddenly discovers their hitherto neglected worth,
and renders them its tardy but useless acknowledgments.
Not so Australia. Merit and piety have a chance of gaining
swift recognition and timely recompense. Frank, simple,
sincere, free-handed and open-hearted, no better specimen
of the average Britisher can be found than in the Antipodes.
It is no small tribute to the value of Salvation Army methods
that he should so readily have accepted and endorsed them,
giving them so enthusiastic a welcome to his heart and home.

It was always a matter of deep regret to Mrs. Booth that
failing health and the manifold needs of the English work
prevented her from visiting these foreign lands, especially
America and Australia; a regret which has been shared,
doubtless, by thousands who have read her books, and who
would fain have listened to the author's voice. We can

America. Australia. 319

readily imagine with what enthusiasm she would there
have been received, and can only wonder and bow in mute
submission to the mysterious Providence that willed it
otherwise.

In America her peculiarly incisive and persuasive mode
of oratory could not have failed to secure great triumphs,
and would have enabled the Salvation Army to overcome
more rapidly the "unusual difficulties which for some time
hindered its progress.

The natural aversion and suspicion with which an alien is
regarded in America— indeed, in every land ; perhaps less
in America than in many other countries — was taken
advantage of by an officer who was entrusted for a time
with the command of the work, and proved himself un-
worthy of the confidence. The public mind was poisoned
against what was alleged to be a Britisn concern. A rival
army was organized, which was to be purely American in
its constitution. Property which had been entrusted to his
charge was shamelessly appropriated for the purposes of the
new organization, and a shock was given to public confidence
which hindered for years the advance of the movement.

But it was not likely that an attempt made in such a
manner, and under such dishonourable circumstances, should
prove in the end more successful than some of the lesser
efforts to which we have already had occasion to allude.
The committee who were to take the place of General Booth
in controlling the operations of the American Salvation Army
soon found reason to be dissatisfied with the doings of their
self-appointed commander-in-chief, and he in his turn dis-
covered that their authority was no less disagreeable than
that from which he had recently broken loose. Inevitable
disputes arose, which resulted in another separation. Thus
the divided camp soon dwindled into insignificance, while
the original movement gradually recovered its lost ground
until it attained its present proportions and prosperity.

That this should have been so is in itself not a little
singular, and bears out the remarks with which this chap-

320 Mrs. Booth.

ter commences. If the despotic military system of the
Salvation Army government can take root in the democratic
soil of the American Republic it can surely acclimatise itself
to any imaginable circumstances. In the land where every
unit is a star, and every star, in theory at least, possesses
equal radiance, where big stars and little stars are unknown,
and imperial suns and moons are not permitted to rival the
brilliant equality of the sk}', it might naturally be supposed
that no place would have been found for this new constella-
tion, with all its gradations of smallness and greatness, in-
feriority and superiority, obedience and command, with suns,
moons, planets, fixed stars, shooting stars, milky ways, long-
tailed comets, and all the other complex paraphernalia of a
Salvation Army firmament !

But who has not recognised the wide divergence that
often exists between theory and practice ? The Salvation
Army found in America the unity of law and order, while
America recognised in the Salvation Army the equality of
love ! Each unit is as free to shine, to be good and to do
good, and that to the utmost limits of its capacity, as any
citizen in the United States.

The units of which the Republic consisted, whether as
states or individuals, were united units, in the unity of
which each lover of his country did not fail to rejoice and
boast. True, all the emphasis of which the American
language is capable has been placed upon the independent
unit. But the same banner which, had there been room,
would have had a separate star for every citizen, carries
wherever it floats the symbols of the eternal bonds that link
each unit into a national whole with as definite an existence
as each of its component parts.

The man who lands in America supposing he will find
himself a member of a lawless, orderless mob, in which he
will be absolutely free to do evil as well as good, will soon
find himself very much mistaken. And so will the one who
seeks to disregard or snap the national bonds that bind all in
one. It may be compared to a vast panorama in which each

America. Australia. 321

individual is represented by a tiny, almost invisible, dot.
Armed with an enormous magnifying glass, he is absorbed
in the admiring recognition of his unitship. But there is
one thing which he values even more ; namely, his position
in the panorama. You have but to attempt to dissolve the
view, or to remove him from his place, and you will soon
find out that, though he is an individual, he is also an
American, linked to his sixty-five milliou fellow — what
shall we call them? — subjects f Are there, then, such
creatures possible in a Republic? Yes, subjects ; if not of
a Queen and Parliament, yet subjects one of another, and
therefore subjects none the. less. And what more than this
could the Salvation Army itself desire ? Indeed, it presents
to America as good a republic, in some senses, as America
can itself display.

And thus the Republic has recognised in the Salvation
Army the freedom of virtue, and the Salvation Army has
recognised in the Republic the despotism of law. With
nothing to be ashamed of in its life and works, the Salva-
tion Army stands beneath the blazing light of the statue of
Liberty and invites the utmost scrutiny of all. It asks but
for liberty to do good. And its request has not been denied.
Recognising in the new movement worthy motives and pure
lives, the great Republic has welcomed to its shores those
who must so strikingly have reminded it of the Pilgrim
Pathers, who laid the foundations of its own greatness.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
WEST END CAMPAIGN. 1880.

THE Salvation Army in the West End ? How unnecessary !
How unsuitable ! Here were no slums to revolutionise— no
ruffians to reform— no vortex of filth and misery to purify.
No staggering drunkard made the night air hideous with
his ribald songs and blasphemous oaths. Ko flaming gin-
palace disgraced the neighbourhood. All was quiet and
respectable. If there were misery, it was alleviated by
luxury ; if there were profligacy, it was carefully concealed ;
if there were sin, it was called by a softer name. And yet —
and yet — and yet — when did money, with all the comforts
it can purchase, ever succeed in healing the sorrows of a
single soul ? It may mitigate them for a moment, but it
can no more banish them for good than it can purchase for
its possessor immunity from sickness and the grave. Ah,
yes ! There are broken hearts in the mansions of the rich
as truly as in the hovels of the poor. And there is a balm
in Gilead that can heal them. But the balm is not to be
extracted from any possessions that they own, though equal
to those of a Rothschild or a Duke of Westminster.

And in what respect does covered vice or sin under an
alias, after all, differ from the unvarnished article ? In the
sight of God a blackguard in broadcl'oth is in no sense
superior to a blackguard in rags and tatters — a sinner in a
feather-bed no better than a sinner on the Thames Embank-
ment. The latter has at least some claims to pity. If he
have sinned, he has also reaped, in some measure, the
punishment of his misdeeds. The former has " received his
consolation." There is no covering for evil but that of par-

West End Campaign. 323

don. Forgetfulness and concealment are but poor substitutes
— narcotics, from, the effects of which the miserable victim
must, sooner or later, awaken to discover that his last state
is indeed worse than his first. The sinner requires not a
change of name but change of character.

Simple facts, these — obvious, self-evident, the very ABC
of Christianity ; and yet perhaps, after all, less familiar to
the inhabitants of the West End th^an to those of the East.
The ignorance of foundation Gospel truths among the higher
classes is simply appalling. Their children have not even
the advantage of the Sunday-school. Heathenism ! There
is many a high-caste Hindoo who could catechise the high-
caste heathen of our land, and many a Mohammedan zenana
where more is known about the saving power of Christ than
in the drawing-room zenanas of our rich.

And no wonder ; for, from their childhood upwards, who
dares to speak to them in faithful love either about their
sins or their responsibilities ? They go to church, it is true,
but it is generally to hear the saints describe themselves as
" miserable sinners," and the sinners sing about " Jeru-
salem," their " happy home," with all the assurance of
saints. ' They used to think that it was necessary to "do
works meet for repentance." But they have learnt of recent
years that they need only believe that they are Christians
and that they are so — whether they are or not ! And the
doctrine harmonises so well with their inclinations and
with the teachings of their patron saints, the newspapers,
that they are willing to accept it, without further question,
as the best news that they have ever heard, the very sort of
Gospel they have desired. To believe a history, to accept as
true a certain creed, to live as you like, and yet to go to
heaven when you die, is a sort of religion that even the
devil himself has no reason whatever to reject ! To pray is
advisable, but it must be in private. To do good is
praiseworthy, but it can be done by proxy. They can pray
by proxy, preach by proxy, and go to the heathen, abroad or
at home, by proxy ! Nobody need be inconvenienced ! No

324 Mrs. Booth.

risks need be encountered, no sacrifices made! The crumbs
that fall from the table are sufficient to satisfy an easy-going
Christ !

Needless to say that such a Gospel was very different to
the one which Mrs. Booth proclaimed during her West End
campaign of 1880. Whether speaking to the rich or to the
poor, her trumpet gave forth no uncertain sound. The allu-
sions to her West End meetings in her correspondence are
fortunately numerous, and from them we quote :

" The Lord has very graciously stood by me and given me mnch pre-
cious fruit. Last Sunday we had the Hall crowded, and a large pro-
portion of gentlemen. The Lord was there in power, and twenty-one
came forward ; some for salvation, and some for purity. Several were
most blessed cases of full surrender. We did not get away till nearly six,
and we began at three. Everybody is amazed at this for the West End !
The audience is very select, we never having published a bill ; only
advertised it in the Christian and daily papers. Pray much, dear friend,
that God may do a deep and permanent work in this Babylon. It seems
as though He gave me words of fire for them, and they sit spell-bound.

"Nearly all I say is extemporaneous, and new. I feel it is the Spirit,
for it is just the sort of truth for want of which the world is dying. I
am told on all sides that it is creating a great stir ! Amen ! Lord,
increase it !

" The audience was splendid, and, though I was positively ill, the
Lord held me up for an hour and a half at full swing ! We got £43
collection, and about £50 since. We paid £20 for the hall."

To one of- her sons she writes :

" I am going to a meeting of lords and ladies, etc., at the Honourable

Mr. Somebody's in the West End, where Princess and Prince Louis

Napoleon are to be present ! I am to tell of the effects of our work on
drunkards, etc. Pray for me. You may perhaps be wanted to stand
amongst princes to do battle for the Lord. Surely you will get ready,
and not sell your birthright. The Lord help you ! Take hold of
David's God, hold your head up, keep your shoulders back, and go
forward."

In a letter to an intimate friend she says :

" Here I am, literally swamped with work. Oh, the letters ! I am
almost written to death, but I must send you a line to assure you of my

unceasing sympathy and prayer. I have a drawing-room at . If

you know any one of position whom you would like to be there, send me
name and address, and I will have a card sent them. I would not mind

West End Campaign. 325

who, but these people don't like tradespeople, or others not of their own
standing, to be invited ! Oh, when we get Home, with the whole house-
hold of faith, what will some of them do ?

" The General returned last night, having travelled eight hundred
miles, and having addressed (besides open-air meetings) forty thousand
people in eight days 1 And oh, the stories of grace and salvation ! In-
describable ! Heaven must be kept in an uproar of jubilee, if it is true

that there is joy there over every one ! And yet Mr. and others who

might help us are quibbling about the colour of a coat ! Pa says the
meeting at Bristol exceeded Exeter Hall. Colston Hall was crowded to
excess an bour before time, and hundreds outside. Manchester, Liver-
pool, etc., to match."

Writing to her daughter Emma, Mrs. Booth says :

" We had a grand crush last night, and I trust something was done
for eternity ; but, oh dear! there are plenty of discouragements every-
where. The devil must be stronger and wiser on his lines than we give
him credit for. I got some comfort this morning from K«v. 10th chap.
7th ver. If God calls His plan with the earth and the church ' the
Mystery,' how vain is it for us to try to understand it ; but what a com-
fort to realise that the time is coming when it will be 'finished ! ' What
a joy to see it, if we are on the right side. We must roll the responsi-
bility on Him, and go on in faith that the result will be worth the cost.

" Your ' Training Home girls ' look well and happy. I allowed myself
to be drawn in an open perambulator at the head of the procession last
night, a gazing-stock to the town ! I felt a little of the meaning of
Paul's glorying in the cross ! Oh, what poor little shamefaced soldiers
we are, after all !

"I note the discouraging circumstances you name. True, there is
much to deplore everywhere, but we cannot help it. We have to do the
best we can with the material we have, as the poor Lord has to do with
us all. What an undertaking He must have on His hands! I was
never so able to understand the sufferings of Christ in enduring the con-
tradiction of sinners as I am now. The whole work of saving men is a
work of suffering, from the beginning to the end. But then, saviours
must not draw back. The Lord help us."

Perhaps the most important meetings held by Mrs. Booth
during the year outside London were those conducted in
Scotland.

Writing from Edinburgh, she says :

" I had a wonderful meeting here on Sunday night. One of the most
beautiful halls in the kingdom crowded. I lecture in it to-morrow
night. Pray for me. The obtuseness, indifference, and heartlessnesa of
professed Christians is the greatest trial of my life. The poor, with all

326 Mrs. Bo~oth.

their faults, have larger hearts than the rich. I go to Glasgow for
Monday and Tuesday ; am to be in the newest and finest hall in Scot-
land ; seats three thousand. Pray for me."

Just on the eve of the Glasgow meetings Mrs. Booth was
again prostrated by illness. The intense physical suffering
often entailed upon her by her public services may be
judged by the following account :

" Mr. Booth had left me on Saturday, and I was in strange lodgings.
I had to ring them up at three in the morning and get hot foments, etc.,
but nothing relieved the pain. All day Monday and all night it con-
tinued, so that I never closed my eyes ; the knee swelled like a bag of
water all round the cap, and bear the bed-clothes I could not. On
Tuesday morning I felt it would be impossible to take the meeting, and
great efforts and expectations had been called forth. ' One of the chief
magistrates was to take the chair, and several leading men had promised
to be on the platform. Four thousand tickets were issued. You may
guess how I felt. I telegraphed to Dundee to tell my dearest he must
come and take the meeting, and my leg, though a little easier, continued
too bad for me to think of going.

" Mr. Booth arrived at 6.30, and the meeting commenced at 7.30. He
begged me to try and go, if I only showed myself. He prayed, and I got
ready as best I could, and, half carried to the cab, I ventured. The hall
was full, and half carried, in great pain, I went on the platform. I rose
to speak in the strength of the Lord, and from the moment I opened my
mouth until I ceased I never felt my knee, except once or twice when I
moved it. The Lord stood by me, and I spoke for an hour and a quarter,
with three reporters sitting in a row just under me. The pain came on
again before I got home, and I was up all night, for I could not lie in
bed. Hot meal poultices and mustard lotions were continually applied.
But the pain affected the whole leg from the hip to the heel. It was like
a screw in both joints. At three o'clock in the morning I had another
attack of the heart, so bad that I fainted in the chair, and my dearest
dared not lift me because of my leg. He said he'never felt so utterly at
a loss in his life ; but he cried to the Lord, and He came to our help.
The people where I lodged were most kind, the lady herself staying up,
as well as the servant. She told me the next morning that she was
awfully frightened ; she thought I was dying. I should not tell you all
this only to show you how wonderfully the Lord brings us through. My
dearest says He works miracles for us every day. Certainly, if it was the
devil who attacked my leg, he was beaten for once ! "

CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE TRAINING HOMES. 1880.

THEMSELVES trained during the past twenty-six years in the
severe school of adversity, the General and Mrs. Booth were
not slow to discover in the very rapidity of their recent ad-
vances a dangerous element of weakness which needed to be
remedied.

In the early stages of the work, when the evangelists
were few in number, and the stations clustered closely to-
gether, it had been possible for the leaders of the movement
to exercise such a personal supervision of the workers that
their raw and untrained character had given but little cause
for anxiety. But now that the Salvation Army had extended
its operations to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and even to Aus-
tralia and America, the circumstances of the case had en-
tirely altered.

To " lay hands suddenly " upon the newly made converts,
and to send them forth to take charge of difficult and dis-
tant posts, was a dangerous proceeding, which could be
justified only by the extreme importance of the emergency.
Considering the arduous nature of the work, and the tempta-
tions to which these hastily raised levies were exposed, it is
remarkable that there were not more numerous breakdowns.
But the few that had occurred were sufficient to warn the
leaders of the Salvation Army that the time had arrived for
giving some sort of training to its future officers.

Not that the General desired to adopt the ordinary college
system. On the contrary, he was more than ever convinced
that the usual methods adopted in preparing young men for
the ministry were entirely unsuited to the peculiar require-

327

328 Mrs. BobtJi.

inents of the Salvation Army. At the same time he by no
means undervalued knowledge, whether of a practical or a
doctrinal character; his great desire being to teach what
was absolutely essential for the exigencies of the war with-
out burdening the mind with that which, however desirable
in itself, had no direct bearing upon the work.

By way of an experiment a Training Home for women
was opened in May, 1880, and placed under the charge of
their second daughter, Miss Emma Booth. It was quickly
filled with some thirty candidates for the work, and as soon
as any of these were sent out others were ready to take their
place. The advantages of this institution soon began to
make themselves sensibly felt, and before the end of the year
a similar Home was opened for the male cadets and placed
under Mr. Ballington Booth, it being felt that the brother and
sister would be able to work into each other's hands, and that
the one department would help and supplement the other,
while both would be kept under the immediate eye of the
leaders. The arrangement answered admirably, and a few
years later Mrs. Booth wras able thus to describe the nature
of the preparation through which the officers passed :

" Perhaps no question is more frequently proposed to us than this :
' "What sort of training do you give your cadtts ? ' This I will try to
answer as concisely as possible.

" In the first place, the great aim of all our training is to fit our
officers for the work they have to do. We abjure all mere learning for
its own sake. Moreover, we believe that a great deal of it is calculated
rather to unfit than to aid its recipients for actual warfare. Just as, in
temporal things, the apprenticeship is intended to teach the apprentice
the particular trade to which he is destined, so we think training for the
work of God should be adapted to qualify its recipients for that work ;
and that it would be just as sensible to spend the time and exhaust the
energies of 'he apprentice intended to build houses in studying the prob-
lems of astronomy, as to teach men and women destined for spiritual
warfare dead languages, and a great deal of other useless lumber com-
monly imposed upon students for the ministry. We say, teach the
builder how to build houses, the shoemaker how to make shoes, and a
soul-winner HOW TO WIN SOULS."

One of the first questions that the new cadets were asked
upon arriving at the Home was whether they had a Bible of

The Training Homes. 329

their own. Well-thumbed and carefully marked were the
treasures that were produced, proving how unfounded were
the accusations that Salvation Army soldiers did not study
the Scriptures. Many a one, who could not decipher so
much as the alphabet previous to his or her conversion, had
learned to read on purpose to be able to study the Book of
books.

The course of training was a brief one, extending from
four to six months, and even during this short interval the
cadets, instead of being pent up within four walls and
crammed intellectually till their zeal and spirituality had
been largely crushed, were pushed into active service. The
lessons and lectures of the morning were followed by slum
visitation and War Cry selling in the afternoon, and this
again by salvation or holiness meetings every night. The
new solo, that had just been mastered, was sung in the open-
air or indoor meeting the same evening, either to be thrown
aside, as unsuited to the public taste, or sung and sung
again till its echoes had reached " from shore to shore." If
a song did not " go," that is, if it did not move the hearts of
the people, tending either towards converting or sanctifying
them or infusing them with the war spirit, it was at once
rejected, however pretty the tune or words might be. Mere
sentimentalism of any kind was treated with contempt.
Something must happen, or something was wrong.

" Oh, friends ! " says Mrs. Booth, in addressing one of her audiences,
" give up the sentimental hypocrisy of singing

" 'Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying,'

in the drawing-room, to the accompaniment of the piano, without ever
dreaming of going outside to do it ; such idle words will prove only a
mockery and a sham in the great day of account. Such songs will come
booming back on the ears of the soul with more awful forebodings than
the echoes of the archangel's trumpet itself ! Sentimentalism will have
110 resurrection ; it will rot with the grave-clothes."

One of the most important advances made during the year
was, however, the issue of the now world-famous War Cry,

33O Mrs. Bobtk.

the first number of which was published at Christmas, 1879.
Concerning this effort the General was able to report at the
end of the year :

" The establishment of a weekly newspaper had long been felt to be
a necessity. To inspire, and educate, and bind together our people all
over the world in the spirit of this holy warfare, it was felt that we must
have a weekly organ. Difficulties great and innumerable were in the
way, but, the attempt once resolved upon, they were surmounted, and
the undertaking has proved perhaps the greatest success ever achieved
in the way of a religious newspaper. We began with a sale of some
20,000, and in twelve months, without spending £10 in advertisements,
have reached a circulation of 110,000.

" When it is remembered that the paper is intensely religious, advo-
cating the highest possible forms of devotion and holiness, rejecting all
the varied kinds of fiction so prevalent and pernicious, that its readers
consist of those who have been heretofore accustomed to read nothing
at all, or only the lowest and most debasing literature ; that it has, to
our positive knowledge, been the means of the conversion of many souls,
and the awakening of slumbering churches, this success will be con-
sidered as gratifying as it is marvellous. The remarkable incidents con-
tained in it, couched, as they often are, in language which to some may
appear eccentric and extravagant, are the very means by which we attract
the attention of those who would be otherwise indisposed to read the
solemn, instructive, and warning truths of the Gospel."

In the course of the year forty-seven new towns were
opened, and at most of these powerful revivals occurred.
The most remarkable of these was at Bristol, where a circus
was engaged capable of holding some 2,500 people. Night
after night it was packed, and hundreds turned away. In-
deed so great was the excitement that at the early prayer-
meeting, at seven o'clock on Sunday morning, as many as
2,000 people were present, and this Sunday after Sunday, in
spite of bitterly cold weather. The number of officers had
increased to 320, and the local contributions raised by the
corps during the year had risen to no less than £16,000.

By no means the least interesting occurrence of the year
was the celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Booth's silver wedding
at the Whitechapel Hall. Many friends united with the
officers and soldiers of the various London corps to celebrate
the happy occasion in the hearty, demonstrative fashion so

The Training Homes. 331

dear to Salvationists. The General gave an interesting sketch
of the history of the Mission during the past fifteen years.
Mrs Booth followed with a touching address. But the most
heart-appealing feature of the meeting was when the family
rose to their feet and sang together :

" We all belong to Jesus !
Bless the Lord ! Bless the Lord ! "

As the clear young voices rang through the Hall a practi-
cal lesson in full consecration was taught, which was more
eloquent than any of the burning addresses given. A little
army in itself, it revealed the secret of the success with
which the movement had met. The General and Mrs. Booth
had commenced within the narrow circle of their own home
the work which had broadened out until it had included
within its embrace the entire world. The Salvation Army
was but an application of the same principles to a wider
sphere. The military idea was interwoven with that of the
family. The one was the warp, and the other was the woof.
The two combined to give unity and cohesion to each other.

The skeleton of the organization, its bonework, so to speak,
was composed of military rules and regulations which of
themselves would have been stiff, repulsive, valueless. But
the warm filling up of family flesh and blood covered and
beautified that which was, in its turn, indispensable to lend
symmetry and strength to what would otherwise have been,
after all, but a shapeless, heterogeneous, and comparatively
useless mass. " Order is Heaven's first law," and will be so
to the end. Bat there must be something to order, or order
itself will be of little avail. On the other hand, there are
those who are so impressed with the importance of the
particles of flesh and blood that they would dispense with
the bone, annihilating law and order in favour of so-called
freedom, and producing as a result a sort of spiritual jelly-
fish, which floats about on the top of the waters at the mercy
of every wind and wave, with apparently little capacity for
anything save that of stinging all it touches.

CHAPTER XXXV.
SALVOPHOBISM.

THE rapid and unprecedented progress of the Salvation
Army, described in the last few chapters, gave rise in certain
quarters to what, for want of a better name, we may term
Salvophobism. Politicians, socialists, and professing Chris-
tians had long been lamenting the terrible condition into
which the masses had lapsed. Every possible sort of ex-
pedient had been suggested for combating the evil, but in
vain. All seemed at their wit's end. And yet, when an
organization had at length arisen which was capable of
dealing successfully with the problem, those who had them-
selves failed to solve it were as unwilling to learn as they
had been unable to institute a more excellent way.

The faint-hearted and sluggish have ever been prone to
discover " a lion in the way " of every good work. New
arrivals in India have often been known to lie quaking in
their beds because they have mistaken the howl of the
harmless jackal for the roar of the tiger, or the impress
of the pariah dog for the paw-mark of the leopard. And
so it has been with these alarmists, who have professed to
discover in the Salvation Army elements of danger which
exist nowhere save in their imaginations. In their anxiety
to anticipate the evils which the future might bring forth,
they have overlooked the evils that exist.

And yet at their very feet stretches a seething mass of
iniquity. Millions of our fellow-men are sinking beneath its
surface. The means for their salvation are confessedly in-
adequate. It is no time to carp or haggle with those who
would leap into this sea of woe. and who, at the peril of

SC2

Salvophobism. 333

their lives, draw from its waves trophy after trophy of re-
deeming grace. Here are men and women who, not satisfied
with flinging a life-buoy to the perishing, leap over the
bulwarks of their comfortable homes and plunge into the
depths of slums to do battle with the worse than sharks that
teem in those dark waters and prey upon humanity.

But oh, surprising fact — that those who profess to be
actuated by like motives, and dedicated to a like mission,
should rise up to question and criticise rather than to bless,
or, Gamaliel-like, coldly choose to let alone what it is their
God-given privilege to help !

It was in the autumn of 1880 when an occasion of this
kind occurred. The Army had recently commenced opera-
tions in Carlisle with marvellous success. Many of the
worst characters were converted, and the town was greatly
moved, when, strange to say, the Bishop preached a sermon
in the Cathedral strongly condemning the Salvation Army.
Mrs. Booth happened to be in the neighbourhood at the time,
and was urged to reply. Thinking she might advantageous^
use the occasion in answering the objections of similar
critics, she consented. Thus, in an old but crowded theatre,
she dealt with the statements made by the Bishop in the
Cathedral, From her address we quote the following :

" The great problem of how to reach the masses of this country with
the Gospel has been the absorbing question, for many years gone by, in
the mind of every intelligent and thoughtful philanthropist, as well
as of every sincere Christian. There has not been a congress or
synod held by any denomination, from the Established Church down-
wards, but, in some form or other, this problem has come up for solution.
I remember, some nine years ago, in London, a great placard, announcing
one of the most influential congresses ever gathered in the metropolis,
comprising the clergy and laity of the Established Church, to consider
how to bring the Gospel to bear on the masses of England. I said when
I read it, ' What an awful admission ! In the end of the nineteenth
century it is necessary, in so-called Christian England, for a synod of
the Established Church to meet to consider how to bring the Gospel to
bear on the masses.' And yet, alas ! we know there was only too great
a necessity for it.

" This problem has since kept coming up in the congresses of all
denominations. Some have given one solution, and some another; but

334 Mrs. Booth.

I am bold to say— and at my back stand some of the most thoughtful
Christians of this generation— that, until the Salvation Army arose,
every effort to grapple \vith the question on anything like an adequate
scale proved a comparative failure. Statistics -were taken from which it
•was ascertained that ninety per cent, of the working classes— I am not
speaking of cadging classes, tramps, etc., but of the bona Jide working
classes, who, you say, are the backbone of England— never crossed the
threshold of church, chapel, or Christian hall. Think of that, and then
ask yourselves if it is not time something should be done. Ah, every-
body agrees something should be done. The great difficulty is, what
should that something be ?

" I have been in sixty-two towns in eleven months. In these towns I
have seen hundreds of thousands gathered together in our halls. Ah,
there is nothing like seeing to realise. All the accounts I had ever heard
or read had failed to convey to my mind anything like a true conception
of the state of positive heathenism and ruffianism in which these masses
live. Hundreds of these very men I should be afraid to meet at night —
short-cropped, bullet-headed, gaol-bird looking men, of the bull-dog type
— the terrible traces of debauchery and crime deep marked upon their
faces, and dressed in such habiliments as showed where their money
went on a Saturday night. Hundreds of these men are earning fairly
respectable wages, and their wretched condition arises from their vicious
habits.

" The rapid growth of infidelity and atheism among them is enough
to make us weep, had we but a just conception of it, and to make the
respectable classes pause before they put a staying hand on any organiza-
tion, however rough it may appear, which ventures among them and
creates in them a fear of God, appealing to their consciences, and
arousing them to something like the duties of men — I say nothing of
Christians."

Another class of opposition, of an entirely different char-
acter from that which has been previously described, had
now commenced to manifest itself, and since it has occasioned
much misunderstanding, the attitude of the Salvation Army
in regard to the matter requires to be explained. In the
majority of instances the magistrates and police were only
too glad to be delivered from the troublesome characters who
nocked to the meetings, many of whom had become truly
and permanently reformed. They were gratified to notice
the sensible diminution of crime which usually accompanied
the appearance of the Salvation Army in any town or dis-
trict.

• Salvophobism. 335

But there were some who, being interested in the liquor
traffic, were less pleased with a reformation which meant
a serious diminution of their income. Not a few of these,
in various parts of the country, occupied the magisterial
bench, or other positions of local dignity. And even where
this was not the case their electioneering or family
interest was so powerful that they were able to bring to bear
upon others an influence which was irresistible.

Clerical interdicts and papery anathemas were hard
enough to bear, but the position of the Salvation Army
became still more difficult when these Arcadian Jupiters
began to hurl at its devoted head the thunderbolts of the
law. What was to be done? Was the Army to meekly
bow its head and say, " Thy will be done ! " to these local
divinities ? To do so in one place would be to do so in many.
To do so in many would involve not only a serious sacrifice
of their rights as citizens, but would halve their power for
doing good. There was only one course open to them — and
that was to go forward, submitting cheerfully to whatever
penalty their action might incur, and trusting to an awakened
public opinion to ultimately right their wrong.

True, this species of opposition was carried on under the
cover of " the law." The law ! What tyrant has ever failed
to conceal his identity behind that convenient phrase ? What
great-souled saint has ever succeeded in slipping through its
meshes ? The small fry of mediocrity or the spawn of insigni-
ficance can float in and out at will. Their turn is not yet come.
Perhaps it never will. Their dwarfish souls may never be
capable of increasing sufficiently to realise any bigger need
or greater sorrow than their own. But who, with an eye
to see and a heart to feel the claims of God and man, has
ever accomplished his object without seeming, sooner or
later, to come in contact with the letter of the law ? " Aye,
there's the rub!" Verily "the letter killetli " the purest,
the noblest, the most unselfish characters that ever visited
God's earth , and watered its soil with their unvalued blood !

. What a world of difference exists between the letter and

Mrs. Booth.

the spirit ! The former can be made to say anything 3-011
like— yes, absolutely anything. We have only to refer to
the well-known cases of Nebuchadnezzar versus the three
Hebrews, Darius versus Daniel, Moses versus Stephen, and,
most wonderful of all, Moses versus Jesus Christ! Who,
oh, who would have ever dreamt that Moses was to be the
executioner of the sinless Prophet of Nazareth ? What legal
vagary can henceforth cause an atom of surprise ? None —
absolutely none! The letter of the law has always been,
perhaps will always be, the tyrant's scapegoat, upon which
he may lay his hands, and which he may turn into the
wilderness as the apology for his caprices, the sacrifice for
his mistakes, the atonement for his sins. The Pilates of
every age will find in it the basin of water in which they
can wash their hands, the " accusation " which they can nail
above the victim's head !

The divorce of the letter from the spirit of the law cannot
fail to produce results as disastrous as that of the body
from the soul ! It is strange that this is not bettor under-
stood. True, you cannot have the spirit without the letter,
but you must have the spirit none the less. The letter of
the law is as subject to disease and death as the human
frame. Hence the perpetual alterations and modifications
through which it has had to pass. The letter of the law
may contradict itself, the spirit never. The letter of the
law may grant simultaneously two opposing rights, which
only the spirit of the law can reconcile. Stand upon the
letter of the law and you must cut the baby right in twain
to satisfy the rival claimants. But here the spirit of the
law steps in, and demands what Lord Coleridge has justly
described as "a reasonable policy of give and take."

The letter of the law allows to the ten thousand inhabi-
tants of a locality the simultaneous right of passing over
the same portion of the same highway at the same moment
in different directions. The spirit of the law recognises the
physical impossibility of such a course, and insists that one
right shall yield to another in such manner as to involve the

Salvophobism. 337

least sacrifice of each individual right. The letter of the
law allows all the ten thousand, or any portion of them, to
march together across the highway in one direction, in the
same company, if the object with which they do so is in-
offensive or laudable, and provided that the obstruction
does not extend over an unreasonable period. And yet the
letter of the law insists, at the same time, on the perhaps
impossible provision that not a single person or vehicle shall
even for a moment be obstructed. The spirit of the law re-
conciles the two opposing rights, and insists that the lesser
shall yield to the greater. If an individual has had twenty-
three hours and fifty-five minutes to pass along a road in
any way he likes, the law declares, and surely it is reason-
able, that he shall not object to being slightly inconvenienced
for five minutes by a passing procession. In one sense the
processionists have broken the law. In another sense they
have kept it.

Similarly with the right of open-air meetings. There are
some rights which cannot be enjoyed without inflicting on
somebody a certain degree of wrong. But the spirit of the
law justly insists on sanctioning the right and refusing to
recognise the wrong, when the latter is so temporary or
insignificant as to be unworthy of its notice. Rights have
to be weighed against rights and, similarly, wrongs against
wrongs. Justice is expected to hold the scales and strike
the balance with blindfolded eyes.

To their everlasting credit, be it said, the supreme courts
of this Empire have usually recognised these principles, and
upheld the sacred liberties of the British subject with un-
swerving fidelity. But justices' justice is proverbial ! In
spite of decision after decision of the leading judges of the
land, some rustic ruler has ever been ready to rake up an
antiquated statute, or create a convenient by-law, to repress
the out-of-door operations of the Salvation Army. Now it
has been aimed at the music, now at the march, and now at
the open-air. But the principle has always been the same.
And, strange as it may seem, these sticklers for the law

338 Mrs. Booth.

have not hesitated, when they have had the opportunity, to
disregard alike the mandates of the Home Secretary, and of
the supreme courts, or even the expressed -wishes of the
Parliament! These knights-errant of the public-house do
not themselves fail, when it suits their convenience, to drive
a coach and four through obsolete, but unrepealed, enact-
ments, and to disregard the spirit of the law in a manner
which proves how little they really care for its letter.

Obstruction is the common plea ! Obstruction, forsooth !
What greater obstruction to the moral, religious, and social
welfare of the nation can there be than the gin-palaces,
which they are so ready to license for the corruption of the
poor, but which they will not tolerate within reasonable
distance of their own mansions ?

In the name of common sense and justice, which is the
real obstructionist — the man who spends one hour a day by
the roadside singing and speaking about righteousness to
.the outcasts of society, or the man who lines every crowded
thoroughfare with buildings which are the notorious centres
of nine-tenths of the vice and crime that pollute our land?
How ridiculous the comparison ! The publican complains
that he is obstructed by the operations of these singing
evangelists. Obstructed m what ? Obstructed in passing
along a broad highroad, half or more of which is totally un-
occupied! So he says! But who can believe it? Ob-
structed really in "putting the bottle to his neighbour's
mouth/' because for once religion appears in a more attrac-
tive form than even his tap-room seductions ! Obstructed
by the doing of what every circus proprietor and military
pageant has an undisputed right to do !

And what about his own roadside obstructions ? Do not
the moralist, the preacher, the politician, the philanthropist,
the judge find their benevolent designs and their excel-
lent counsels obstructed by these licensed plague-spots of
society ? Who obstructs that careworn wife from receiving
the hard-earned wages of the workman ? Who snatches the
food out of the children's mouths, and tears the clothes off

Salvophobism. 339

their backs and the shoes from their feet, that all may be
emptied into his capacious till? Who obstructs the honest
tradesman from receiving his fair quota of the weekly
earnings ? Who strips youth of its beauty, manhood of its
prime, childhood of its spotless innocence, and flings the
miserable wrecks of humanity into the national workhouse
or the jail? Who, if not the publican and those concerned
in the accursed trade ? Obstructor ? Where is there a
greater obstructor of progress, purity and peace? No-
where ! Not one !

Yet it has been he who, in nine cases out of ten, has
turned upon the humble Salvationist, and charged him with
obstruction. Well might we reply ? "Physician, heal thy-
self ! " But opposition coming from such a source is in-
deed a nattering testimony to the value of our work.

It is impossible to detail the various prosecutions and
imprisonments which have from time to time occurred, in-
teresting as would be the record. A few of the early
cases must, however, be referred to.

One of the first to be imprisoned was the General's son,
Mr. Ballington Booth. He had been sent to Manchester, and
placed in charge of a large hall, capable of holding some
twelve hundred people. As usual, it was crowded, and
many of the worst characters were saved. Writing with
reference to his prosecution and imprisonment, he says :

" Since my last report I have spent twenty-four hours in Belle Vue
jail, for upholding my Master's name to the perishing multitudes in the
streets of Manchester. I was placed with the common felons, lived on a
few ounces of bread and a little skilly, scrubbed my cell, and slept on a
plank. But in all my life I never felt more blessed and encouraged than
whilst there ! The prison a « palace-proved,' and while Jesus d\velt with
me I could feel, and sing, and realise —

" ' Anywhere with Jesus,
I'll follow anywhere.' "

Another case occurred at Leamington, where, after three
consecutive prosecutions, resulting in acquittals, the captain
was finally convicted on the evidence of a policeman and

34O Mrs. Boot /i.

two publicans. For an obstruction that lasted three minutes
he was fined forty shillings and costs, or a month with hard
labour in Warwick jail ! Refusing to pay the fine, the
captain was sent to prison, and remained there until the
rough treatment caused his health to break completely down,
when his fine was paid by friends.

At Pentre a publican applied to the magistrate for a
summons against the women officers for standing near his
house, but was put to shame and advised to return home
again. A police sergeant was the next applicant! Immense
was the excitement among the entire population of the
district when they learned that Captain Louisa Lock and
four of the soldiers had been fined for obstruction, and,
having refused to pay, were about to be removed to prison.
Some five thousand people gathered to witness their depar-
ture, and when they were released, after serving their term,
they were met by an immense crowd, estimated at twenty
thousand people. Indignation meetings were held at all the
churches in the neighbourhood, and thus the persecution in
that district was happily brought to a speedy and decisive
termination.

During this period London was by no means free from
similar difficulties. Of late years but little active inter-
ference has been necessary, the rapid progress of both the
spiritual and social work in the metropolis having formed a
bond of union between the Salvation Army and the people.
Referring, however, to one of these old-time battles, Mrs.
Booth says :

"We have been much harassed by the recent rioting at White-
chapel. We have several people seriously injured, one dear woman
lying delirious, and others much hurt. The police are against us, and
the publicans and their friends are in Co. The General has had to go
about seeing lawyers and M.P.'s, etc. We have got up a presentation of
the case. It has had to be prepared on the top of all the other work.
We have now got things into line, however, for going to the Home
Secretary, and, if that is not sufficient, to the Prime Minister. We
shall win, but it is all an increase of work and wear."

One of the most cruel and prolonged persecutions, how-

Salvophobism. 3 jr i

ever, took place in 1881 at the little town of Basingstoke,
the mayor of which was a brewer. Alarmed at the rapid
decline of their trade, the publicans hired the roughs with
unlimited supplies of liquor to attack the Salvation Army,
the mayor professing to be unable to afford them the pro-
tection of the law. Time after time the brave little band of
men and women, headed by their two girl officers, faced the
drink-bemaddened mob, from whom they received the most
cruel treatment. But at length the reprimands of the Home
Secretary, Sir William Harcourt, produced their effect, and
quiet was restored.

At "Weston-super-Mare the captain was sentenced to three
months' imprisonment, but the conviction was speedily re-
versed by the Court of Queen's Bench.

But, satisfactory as was this victory, the battle for free-
dom was not yet fought out, and there remained many occa-
sions on which it was found necessary to "resist unto blood"
the unjust decrees of local magnates, and to insist upon the
exercise of the common-law rights of British citizens.

The fact that the Salvation Army has hitherto, sooner or
later, in every case prevailed, obtaining to its proceedings
the sanction, not only of the highest courts but even of the
Legislature, is in itself sufficient proof that it has been
justified in not submitting to the despotic demands of local
tribunals. But, above all, the most triumphant vindication
and boundless apology for this branch of the work consists
in the tens of thousands of depraved characters who have,
by means of open-air effort, been reached, and saved, and
changed into honest and God-fearing citizens.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
FRANCE. 1881.

SCARCELY had the Australian expedition been launched when
preparations were made for the despatch of the General and
Mrs. Booth's eldest daughter to France, whence pressing in-
vitations had been recently received. Miss Booth could ill
be spared from England, where as a public speaker she had
already acquired a reputation and influence only second to
that of her parents. However, the General and Mrs. Booth
were convinced that the call had come from God, and they
therefore determined to carry it out, regardless of the cost.

The farewell meeting in St. James's Hall was one of the
most enthusiastic and affecting demonstrations that had as
yet been held in the history of the Salvation Army. How
deeply Mrs. Booth's mother-heart yearned over her daughter
may be judged from the following letter to a friend :

" I am so glad you enjoyed the meeting. On my journey yesterday I
realised as never before dear Katie's going, and felt unutterable things.
The papers I read on the state of society in Paris make me shudder, and
I see all the dangers to -which our darling will be exposed ! But oh, the
joy and honour of giving her to be a saviour to those dark, sin-stricken
masses, Heaven will reveal ! Pray for her."

The presentation of the Army flag by Mrs. Booth to her
daughter, on the eve of such an enterprise, was a never-to-
be-forgotten scene. The General presided, and was able to
give a thrilling account of the recent progress of the work.
Among the friends present were Mr. T. A. Denny and his
brother, Mr. E. M. Denny, each of whom contributed £100
towards the £1,000 required to commence operations in
France. Mr. Denny made a few appropriate remarks.

312

France. 343

Among other things, he said sometimes the General called
him into consultation, and fairly took his breath away with
the daring character of his schemes. Hardly was the ink
dry upon the paper which set afloat one scheme when he
conceived another. Nevertheless he believed that he was
influenced by the Divine Spirit, and that God was with him
of a truth.

The colours were presented by Mrs. Booth to her daughter,
and the brave little band of girl warriors who accompanied
her, with the following words :

" MY DEAR CHILD AND MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS : — I consider it an
honour, in the name of our Divine Commander-in-Chief, and in the
name of the General of this Army, to present you with this flag, as an
emblem of the office and position you sustain, and I pray that He may
give you grace to uphold the truths which this banner represents, and
establish on a permanent and solid basis the Salvation Army in France.
Oh, that He may give you grace to carry it into the slums and alleys,
wherever there are lost and perishing souls, and to preach under its
shadow the everlasting Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that through
your instrumentality thousands may be won from darkness, infidelity,
and vice, to Him, their Lord and their God. And in all hours of dark-
ness and trial, oh, may He encompass you in His arms of grace and
strength, and fill your soul with His love and peace ; and may you begin
such a work as shall roll on to generations to come, and ultimately sweep
hundreds of thousands into the Kingdom of God. Amen."

After a few touching words from the Marechale, in which,
amid a thrill of silence and sympathy, she re-dedicated her-
self to the claims of the country which she had already made
her own, the meeting terminated.

It was another landmark in the onward march of the
Salvation Army. English-speaking nations were the first to
claim a share in its attention, and the success achieved had
encouraged the General and Mrs. Booth to extend their
efforts to other lands, irrespective of languages and govern-
onents. In doing so they realised that in certain respects
further adaptations of their measures would be required.
But for this they were prepared. The being " all things to
all men " could mean nothing less. The "thus far and no
farther " of such changes they felt must be decided in each

344 Mrs* Booth.

country under the ever-varying light of experience and cir-
cumstances. But the main principles they believed to be
such as were suitable to the whole human race. And in this
they were not disappointed.

Writing to a friend immediately after her daughter's
departure for Paris, Mrs. Booth sa}Ts :

" Just a line to let you know our precious one has gone. She went off
as bravely as could be expected, but it was a hard task — the parting.
\Vhat I feel the Lord only knows ; but He does know all, and the why
and the wherefore. Satan says it will kill her, or — worse — she will come

back a helpless invalid for life. Dr. told me this on Thursday, and

Satan has repeated it night and day ever since. I can only say, 'Lord,
I have given her to Thee ; and if Thou so wiliest, Thy will be done ! '
My soul shall not draw back ; though He slay me, and her too, yet will
I trust Him. Pray for me ; the conflict is fierce. It is not so much the
parting as the toil and burden which I know must come ; and she is so
frail !

"Pray for France. I have given my child for France, and now God
must give me of the travail of my soul in thousands of conversions."

Since that time Miss Booth has become known throughout
the Army as " La Marechale." She left England in the very
zenith of her success. Wherever she went powerful revivals
broke out and hundreds of the worst sinners were converted.
There was a pathos and a power about her appeals which
made them irresistible. The very simplicity of the language
in which they were uttered served but to accentuate the
Divine influence with which they were accompanied. It has
been impossible to more than touch upon the record of her
early life in these pages, but enough has been said to show
the nature of the sacrifice involved in her departure, not only
from a personal point of view, but in the interests of the
rapidly extending English work.

While the General and Mrs. Booth were not slow to
recognise the increasing opportunities abroad, they were
equally alive to the necessity of strengthening their position .
at home. London in particular engaged their deepest and
most prayerful attention. In whatever light it might be re-
garded, it appeared impossible to over-estimate the import-
ance of this vast city. Here was a nation in a nutshell ; a

France.

345

population compressed into the area of a few square miles
which exceeded that of the enormous area of either Australia
or Canada. Every facility existed for the cheap and rapid
transit of any number of the spiritual legions that were being
raised up. They could be concentrated or divided at the
shortest possible notice. At no spot in the world were the

MUS. BOOTH'S RESIDENCE, 1881, AT CLAPTON COMMON.

extremes of wealth and poverty brought into such close juxta-
position. This, too, was in favour of the operations of the
Salvation Army, since it provided the better opportunity of
obtaining the sinews of war without forsaking the classes for
whose salvation the organization was so specially set apart.
Here, in fact, was the political, commercial, numerical and
religious capital of the British Empire, and perhaps the most

346 Mrs. Booth.

important vantage-ground from which to influence the entire
world. Here was the pivot round which an immense por-
tion of the activities of the civilized world revolved; the
hinge upon which the door swung through which the Salva-
tion Army could most conveniently and rapidly march upon
the world; the strategical key of the entire situation. It
was easier to influence even Continental nations from London
than from any other city, and for almost every other country
it might be said to be the not merely nominal but real heart,
through which the life-blood coursed which made its pulsa-
tions felt at the very finger-tips of the world. If the circu-
lation could be improved here it would be improved every-
where. No mere local or provincial remedies could exercise
so universal an influence.

Hitherto, however, it was in the provinces that the chief
successes of the Army had been gained. London had been
confessedly used chief]}- as a training-ground for the pro-
vincial recruits. While a good and solid footing had been
secured in the metropolis, the work was not to be compared
to that which had been established in many of the country
towns and districts. It was a common saying, when strangers
came to -view the work, " You must not judge the Salvation
Army by what you see in London. Go to Bristol, or Hull,
or the Rhondda Valley, and you will find what it is capable
of accomplishing." It was not merely that London in itself
was a more difficult field, but that it required a much larger
force to make a sensible impression upon it, and that the only
available buildings were so enormously expensive.

But the time had 'now come for this reproach to be wiped
away. The West End meetings of Mrs. Booth had un-
doubtedly furnished the thin edge of the wedge for the
solution of the problem. Some of the most fashionable and
expensive halls had been engaged for a series of lectures ;
the offerings made had more than equalled the expenditure.

Encouraged by the experiment, and realising that no sen-
sible advance would be possible, until suitable buildings had
been secured, the General engaged a large rink close to

France. 347

Oxford and Regent Circus at a rental of £1,000. The money
required for fitting it up was quickly obtained, and a corps
was established which has been from a spiritual standpoint
exceptionally successful — sending out during the first ten
years of its history hundreds of officers to the field, some of
whom may be found in almost every portion of the world.

Meanwhile the Headquarters of the Salvation Army at
272, Whitechapel Road, had become far too small, and it had
been necessary to secure fresh premises. They were found
in Queen Victoria Street. But the rent again seemed pro-
hibitive. It was not like taking a hall where collections
could be made. The central administration of affairs, how-
ever necessary in itself, was totally unremunerative. Cautious
friends urged that a building in some quiet neighbourhood
would be much cheaper and just as suitable. Why did they
not act upon the same advice themselves, pondered the
General? There must be some reason why business men,
with all their shrewdness and experience of the world, placed
such importance on securing a prominent position for their
premises. Similarly with statesmen. They evidently find
it pays, or they would scarcely be so willing to part with
the much-prized money.

And why, after all, should Jesus Christ be banished to the
back streets ? If He was born in a manger, that is no reason
why He should be kept there all His life. It was high time
that some one should bring Him to the front. Surely in such
rich waters there must be some fishes to be caught, in whose
mouths might be found the silver pieces necessary to pay
the dues.

Moreover, every religious organization which had ever
made a mark upon the world had found it necessary, sooner or
later, to assume those positions which would enable it most
to impress and reach the masses of mankind. The Army
would at least be in good company, with a cathedral on one
side, the Bible Society on the other, and the headquarters of
nearly every Church within five minutes' walk. And again
the forward step was taken, and the Salvation Army emerged

348 Mrs. Booth.

from the obscurity of its East End Bethlehem and occupied
its position alongside the other philanthropies and institu-
tions of the city and the world !

Eleven years have since elapsed. The vastly extended
operations of the Army have necessitated the occupation of
several of the adjoining premises, so that Nos. 99, 101, and
103 are now entirely devoted to the staff for the manage-
ment of international affairs. Nor have these sufficed.

At some little distance from Queen Victoria Street are
situated the Trade Headquarters in Clerkenwell Road, where
the publications, uniforms, and musical instruments of the
Salvation Army engage the time and attention of a numerous
staff. In Thames Street again is the Labour Bureau, and in
Hackney the Headquarters of the Rescue Work. These are
only the directing centres for the supervision of operations
at home and abroad.

London has since been occupied to an extent and with a
force of which outsiders have but little idea. The ramifica-
tions of the work are almost numberless, and to review them
with any thoroughness in person would occupy a visitor at
least three or four days.

It constitutes a separate " division," with which are in-
corporated numerous training garrisons, under the charge of
one of our most experienced commissioners. Dotted all over
the metropolis and its suburbs are corps, each of which is a
centre of love and effort on behalf of the people. In addition
to the above there is the Social Branch, including Shelters,
Food Depots, Slum Posts, Rescue Homes, Prison Gate Homes,
and other agencies. The fact that the classes for whom they
are intended avail themselves to the utmost extent of the
accommodation thus provided proves that they appreciate
the boon. Indeed, it is impossible to multiply these institu-
tions fast enough to keep pace with the need.

Philanthropists cannot do better than examine for them-
selves in minutest detail the various ramifications of the
Social Scheme. If the paper sketch of it was interesting, it
follows that the plan reduced to practice is infinitely more

France. 349

worthy of the most complete study of all sincere well-wishers
of their fellow-men. The vastness of the plan has ever been
its leading obstacle, but the feasibility of putting it into
operation is now proved to demonstration, and it remains
only for those who seek to uplift the submerged to render
possible the further extension which the pressing need
demands.

To return, however, to the history of the year. Another
building was offered to the Army, which seemed to involve
a still greater pecuniary risk. A large orphanage which had
been abandoned for some years, and which had cost origin-
ally £60,000, was offered for £15,000, being little more than
the value of the land and the materials. Some £8,000 oj
£9,000 were required for alterations, which would enable the
central quadrangle to be converted into a fine amphitheatre
capable of seating five thousand people, while the orphanage
offered accommodation for some four hundred cadets. The
opportunity was too good to be allowed to slip past. Even
Mr. Booth's cautious friends could not fail to catch some of
his enthusiasm. Mr. Denny headed the subscription list
with one thousand guineas. Others contributed with like
generosity. It seemed as though all were interested in the
project. Sympathy and money poured in. The opening
meetings were without parallel for crowds, enthusiasm and
power, and some £3,000 were collected on a single occasion,
the balance required being thus raised within an incredibly
short space of time.

But the soldiers and friends of the Salvation Army had
scarcely recovered from this effort when they and the public
alike were startled to learn, a few weeks later, that the
General had purchased the lease of the notorious Eagle
public-house and Grecian theatre and dancing-grounds, in
City Road, for the sum of £16,000. Many religious and
philanthropic persons hailed with joy the news that what
had hitherto been the worst plague-spot for the youth of
London should be thus rescued and transformed into a centre
for doing good. It was generally felt that this was the

350 Mrs. Booth.

greatest blow which had been struck to drink and vice for
years.

Many a prodigal had been manufactured in its licentious
haunts. Its pestiferous breath had blighted numberless
homes. The once " far land " had been brought near, within
the very shadow of the paternal mansion. The father had
but to look from his window to see his son spending his in-
heritance in " riotous living." But he preferred to draw
down his blinds, to license sin with a latch-key, and remain
oblivious to the scene till some sudden thunderbolt from a
blue sky made longer oblivion impossible.

Alas, that in a Christian country the existence of such
hotbeds of vice should be possible ! That the pride of
England's youth, the bloom of her daughters, should be
marred and sullied with impunity by those whom a Christless
Christianity tolerates in their nefarious task, and whose
power for evil is only limited by the one question — as to
whether it will pay! If it pay to blast innocence, then
blasted it shall be. If it pay to trade on folly, then it shall
be traded on to the last degree. Who cares ? The good are
too busy in saving their own souls. The bad are tarred
with the same brush.

It is easy to sing " Rescue the perishing " when no per-
sonal sacrifice is involved. But where are the modern
Davids who are willing to face the Liquor Lion and the
Lust Bear as they unite to carry off not one but hundreds of
the purest lambs from London's fold ? Who will wrench the
victim from their jaws ? Who will risk his own life and
limb ? Who in England ? Who in the world ? Is there not
among these weeping mothers a Deborah ? And has the
boasted manhood all departed from the wronged fathers'
hearts, that not a Barak can be found who will rise up and
lead a charge upon these dens of infamy ?

Ah, if in one long row there could be made to stand before
those who build, license, and cater for these headquarters of
iniquity, these oubliettes of hell, the miserable list of vic-
tims, how ghastly the sight ! What a revelation ! All ranks

France. 351

in society would be represented, from the peerage to the
pit ! How they would strive to conceal their identity !
What disgrace would be poured upon many a f amity that
at present carries its head as high as any in the land ! The
sons and daughters of peers, ay, of prelates too, would
mingle with those of the humblest citizens. What a holo-
caust of homes and hopes ! What a slaughter-house of
beauty ! What a butchery of talents ! What a cruel car-
nage of all that is best and loveliest in God Almighty's
workmanship !

Oh that we, Christians of England, philanthropists,
humanitarians, or any others who possess an ounce of com-
passion for their fellow-men, could picture to ourselves
these battlefields of vice, their pillaged purity and outraged
worth, their heaps of slaughtered souls, since first these
walls of sin were reared. Would that the walls could tell
the tale of the scenes they have frowned upon ! Perhaps
they will— some day ! But are we to wait for the Judgment
before such evil haunts are doomed ? Is our statute-book to
remain the laughing-stock of sin ? Are we to pounce down
upon the finished product and to tolerate these manufactories
of evil?

Time was when our coasts were lined with wreckers, who
with false beacons lured ships to their doom and lived upon
the plunder. Now their very existence is forgotten. Once
pirates roved the seas, so that merchant vessels sailed in
fleets and fully armed. Society resolved to sweep them off,
and they are gone. Now the smallest trading-boat can sail
the seas without a gun, so perfect is the security to life and
property. Where are the robbers and the wolves that once
devastated our own land? Gone? No! They are still
here ; but they have changed their name and dress. They
have suited themselves to their altered circumstances and
still ply their trade — with the sanction of the law. Wreckers,
pirates, robbers, wolves, no longer find it necessary to hide
in dens and caves. They prey openly upon the vitals of
society and make their living by plundering its morals.

352 Mrs. Booth.

They have only changed their tactics, and the world is as
yet too blind to recognise them in their new disguise. But
they are essentially the same, and fleece both rich and poor.
Sooner or later society will yet again wake from its slum-
bers, and say to them once more, " Begone ! "

It was with feelings of intense satisfaction that General
and Mrs. Booth hailed this opportunity for occupying such a
fortress of evil. Indeed, it has not been the least remark-
able work of the Salvation Army that it has transformed
numerous similar resorts into centres of virtue and benevo-
lence. Thus the devil has been ousted from his supreme
domain, and his followers captured for Christ and righteous-
ness.

There was, however, one difficulty in the present case.
According to the original lease the Eagle was to be kept up
by any future lessee as " an inn, tavern, or public-house/'
The lawyers who were consulted on the question gave it as
their opinion that it would sufficiently answer the purpose
of this covenant if the license for selling drink on the
premises were renewed from year to year, whether intoxi-
cating liquor were actually sold or not. There was nothing
to prevent, they thought, the building from being used as a
Temperance Hotel, an institution which had been needed for
some time past, and which appeared likely to be both useful
and profitable, for the accommodation of friends and officers.

They considered, moreover, and it seemed quite consonant
with common-sense, that such a view would be in accord-
dance with the use of the three different words. Scarcel}-,
however, had the premises been opened upon the new lines
when an action was commenced by the original lessor for the
recovery of both the Eagle and the Grecian, on the ground
that the above covenant had been broken. After mauy
tedious legal proceedings, through the labyrinths of which
it is no part of our present task to thread our way, it was
finally decided that the covenant made it necessary for who-
ever owned the Eagle Tavern to sell liquor, whether they
wished to do so or not ; that the mere renewal of the license

France. 353

was not sufficient, and that as the sale of intoxicating drinks
was contrary to the principles of the Salvation Arm}', the
Eagle Tavern should be given up, while the remainder of
the premises, including the Grecian Theatre and its dancing-
grounds, should be retained, the future rent being propor-
tionately reduced.

The terms imposed by the Court of Appeal were justly
characterised by the Master of the Rolls as being severe, but
they were a considerable improvement on those of the lower
court, which would have handed over everything to the
landlord ! It was again a case of the letter versus the spirit,
with the usual result.

Mrs. Booth followed the legal proceedings with the in-
tensest interest, and when she learned the final decision of
the Appellate Court, exclaimed, with her characteristic ve-
hemence, "Well, whatever they may say, I shall always hold
that l or' means l or.' "

The opening of the Grecian was a time of unparalleled ex-
citement. The streets in the neighbourhood were blocked
with an immense concourse of roughs, estimated to number
some thirty thousand. It was with the greatest difficulty
that the General and Mrs. Booth, and those who were to
take part in the proceedings, were enabled to effect an
entrance, even with the aid of a large body of police.
Nevertheless the meetings were of a most enthusiastic
character, and the tumultuous roar of voices that could- be
heard from without but served to emphasize the nature of the
victory that had been gained in thus establishing a camp in
this, the veriest stronghold of the enemy.

It is, moreover, satisfactory to know that through the
work since carried on in the Grecian the entire character of
the neighbourhood has been changed. The inhabitants of
this brotheldom have deserted the neighbourhood by hun-
dreds—alas, that there were so many other districts of a
similar character to which they could transfer their services!
And the Bacchanalian orgies, which rivalled the worst
features of heathendom, have been succeeded by songs and

A A

354 Mrs. Booth.

prayers. The tears of penitents have replaced those of bro-
ken-hearted mothers, and many prodigal sons and daughters
have once more sought their Father's home.

One of the new departures of the year 1881 consisted in
the inauguration of meetings at Exeter Hall. It seemed a
daring experiment to hope to fill this vast building, especially
on a popular holiday, Easter Monday, the occasion selected
for the first attempt. To announce an all-day holiness con-
vention, and this at a season when London invariabl}'- emptied
itself into the country, excursioning, seemed nothing short
of folly. It would be difficult enough at any time to get
4,000 people together to spend the entire day in praising
God. To do so on a great national festival appeared doubl}T
hopeless.

It was truly a difficult task to revive among Christians
the old Jewish idea of making a holiday a holy day. The
heathenish saturnalia, and the copious libations of beer, gin,
and whiskey with which such occasions were celebrated, or
enjoyed, as it was half in satire termed, had come to be a
part and parcel of the nation's life. Bold was the man who
would venture to suggest to the pleasure-hunting multitudes
that they could enjoy themselves better in a place of worship
than at a public-house, in singing hymns than in singing
comic songs, in prayers than in blasphemies, in breaking
their hearts before God than in breaking each other's heads !
And yet it was Easter — a Christian festival in a Christian
land — and the public holiday was supposed to be in honour
of a risen Saviour! Verily, it would be difficult to find a
stranger contradiction.

However, General and Mrs. Booth were not mistaken in
their anticipations, though they were little prepared for the
enthusiasm with which the project was taken up. Writing
four dajrs previous to the meetings, Mrs. Booth says :

"We have now over four thousand tickets out, and they are being
sent for from Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and France ! We shall have an
overflow meeting in the small hall, and are hoping for a wonderful day.
Satan has done his best to npset us by every possible means, but vre
shall win, because God is with us.

France. 355

" The authorities charge us £50 for the clay, The devil thought we
should be frightened at that, but he was mistaken. Think of it ! We
shall have four thousand people to a holiness-meeting in Exeter Hall !
That speaks for itself. Pray for much of the Holy Ghost."

The meetings were beyond description. Both the General
and Mrs. Booth delivered powerful and heart-searching ad-
dresses, and hundreds rose to their feet to consecrate them-
selves afresh to God. In referring to this occasion in one of
her letters, Mrs. Booth alludes to the impression produced
by a single epithet in her address, when she had character-
ised much of the Christianity of the present day as being of
a " mongrel " type :

" The sentence in my speech at Exeter Hall about mongrel Christi-
anity has created quite a panic ! And although I did not say what the
Chronicle imputed to me, as our report in the Cry shows, what I did say
has done us a lot of good with outsiders. Everybody knows it is true,
and to find any one who dare speak the truth in these days is striking to
the infidels ! As soon as I am able I will write a leader on what I
meant by 'mongrel Christianity.' You will have heard that even the
Telegraph is coming round, and there were two good pieces in the Times
yesterday ! Wait a bit and we will astonish the world, in the strength
of the God of Israel. Pray for us. Our poor weak bodies are the great
drawback!"

The success of this experiment led to its frequent repe-
tition in the future. It might have been supposed that the
interest would in course of time decay. But such has not
been the case. On the contraiy, Exeter Hall has become
far too small for the needs of the Salvation Army, and the
vast area of the Crystal Palace itself has scarcely held the
crowds which have been gathered together for recent anni-
versaries.

Until her last illness, it is hardly necessary to remark
that Mrs. Booth wras owned of God in an especial manner at
the Exeter Hall gatherings. Some of the most powerful
and impassioned appeals of her life were delivered from its
platform. And there are doubtless thousands the tenor of
whose whole Christian life has been transformed and fired
by her Spirit-accompanied words.

In addition to this effort Mrs. Booth continued her West

356

Mrs. Booth.

End lectures, alternately occupying St. James's. St. Andrew's,
St. George's, and sometimes Stein way Hall. A large number
of these addresses have been epitomised and published in
book form, although, as those who have listened to her burn-
ing words will testify, stenographers have found it no easy
task to do justice to the subject. It was such a temptation,

COMMISSIONER BOOTH-CLIBBOK!?.

on these occasions, for those who aro usually mere atitomn-
t<?ns to listen for themselves rather than to write for others.
And what memory could afterwards serve to transcribe the
words? Mrs. Booth herself could not recall to mind the
inspirations of the hour, so that it was impossible at best to
do more than improve the imperfect record of utterances, the
impetuous eloquence of which resembled at the moment the
rush of a torrent, or the sweep of a whirlwind.

In visiting the provinces this year Mre. Booth held meetings

France. 357

in various towns. In the following letter she describes her
visit to Hull, which had recently been opened by the Army,
and where the usual signs and wonders had taken place :

" The work here surpasses Bristol. The morning procession has just
gone by ; six hundred at least in the ranks, comprising many of those
who have been the biggest blackguards in the town. Oh, it cheers one
to hear the wonderful stories everywhere ! Wonderful ! Wonderful ! I
have three very heavy meetings before me. This afternoon the Drill
Hall, an immense place with a bad echo, and Tuesday night the Circus,
seating three thousand. Ask the Lord to give me more Holy Ghost
power. Oh, the glorious opportunity ! It almost overwhelms me ! "

In a subsequent letter Mrs. Booth says :

" There are fourteen public-houses to let, for which they give us the
credit, and one publican openly says he is losing £80 per week through
us ! Another was at the penitent-form the other night, and has shut up
his house ! A town-councillor said to me after the lecture that we had
influenced the entire population and stirred up every church in it ! Oh,
it is glory !

In the meantime there had arisen difficulties with the
police authorities in Paris. It was hardly to be wondered
at that, in dealing with the Socialist communistic classes,
disturbances should have occurred. The police became
alarmed, and for a time closed the hall.

In writing to a friend concerning the action of the police,
Mrs. Booth says :

" With regard to France, Mr. Weldon, the Editor of the Rock (a per-
sonal friend of the Minister of the Interior), and also one of the chief
deputies have gone to Paris on purpose to influence the authorities in
our favour. They are armed with a document signed by the Lord
Mayor, Lord Cairns, the City Chamberlain, and Colonel Henderson!
We lunched with the Lord Mayor on Saturday when we were there
getting the signature."

This appeal was successful, and resulted in the re-opening
of the hall and the revival of the work.

CHAPTER xxxvn.

THE SHEFFIELD RIOT. 1882.
"Man's inhumanity to man makes countless millions mourn."

THE year 1882 commenced with one of the most serious
riots which even the Salvation Army has witnessed. A great
Council of War had been arranged to take place at Sheffield.
The Albert Hall, accommodating some three thousand five
hundred persons, had been taken for the occasion. It was
gorged for the Sunday meetings, the open-air demonstrations
attracting immense crowds. The General led the meetings,
assisted by Mrs. Booth. It was one of their old battle-fields.
More than twenty-five years previously they had seen hun-
dreds of souls seek salvation at their meetings. But it was
no longer the church and chapel-goers whom they were
content to reach. A very different class now claimed their
attention.

The extremes of good and evil, of piety and blasphemy, of
virtue and vice, like those of wealth and poverty, are often
found to meet. The powers of sin seem to take a peculiar
pleasure in establishing their strongholds within a bow-shot
of the gates of heaven, as if to drive away those who desire
to enter. For a time their existence is unsuspected, but at
length their batteries are unmasked, and woe to those who
come within the range of their remorseless shot and shell !

It was so in Sheffield. Famous for its revivals, it was no
less famous for its rowdyism. The Sheffield "Blades," as
the roughs were facetiously entitled, resembled their relatives,
the Nottingham " Lambs," only that they were more appro-
priately named. There certainly was not much to choose
between the cutlery for which their town was famed and the

35S

The Sheffield Riot. 359

moral steel of which their hearts appeared to be composed.
So long ago as the days of Charles Wesley he had found
reason to complain that they were the most perfect specimens
of brutality that even in his experiences he had anywhere
seen, and that, as there was " no king in Israel," so there
appeared to be no magistrate in Sheffield, every man doing
what seemed good in his own eyes. Since then a hundred
years had passed. Divine visitations had come and gone,
but the Sheffield "Blades" had taken comparatively little
notice of them, and the idea of crossing the threshold of
church or chapel had long since died out.

Hitherto even the belligerent forces of the Salvation Army
had been prevented by the want of suitable buildings from
making such an impression upon them as had been the case
elsewhere. On the present occasion, however, the " Blades "
were fairly upon their mettle. A counter-attraction had
burst upon the scene, which left gin-palace and street-brawl
pigeon-flying and cock-fighting, together with the other
recreations of the race, far in the lurch. The Salvationists
had gathered in force from the surrounding country-side.
Their existence could not be ignored.

On this particular Sunday, wherever you might go, the
pavements were covered with announcements of the meetings,
which had been chalked out upon them in the early morning,
when most people were still asleep. The hall was crowded
and the streets lined through the day, but beyond a little
preliminary horse-play, which the processionists took good-
humouredly, nothing went amiss. The " Blades," however,
were not slow to remark that there were but few police,
and they knew enough of the Salvation Army to be aware
that they themselves would not show fight, whatever might
occur. They were annoyed, moreover, at finding that the
majority of those who marched in the ranks were deserters
from themselves. The marshal of the procession was Major
Cadman, whose character we have already sketched. Then,
conspicuous in a scarlet coat and dark blue helmet, there
was the massive figure of Lieutenant Davidson, the champion

The Sheffield Riot. 361

Northumberland wrestler, in the very uniform which he
had previously worn at the Stevenson Centenary.

The " Blades " were more familiar with the doings of
champion wrestlers and pugilists than with those of arch-
bishops and prime ministers. They were hero -worshippers,
and these were their heroes. Samson was their tutelary
god ! Dick Turpin their high priest ! Bradlaugh their pro-
phet! Infidelity their creed! Anarchy their millennium!
The devil their crowned and accepted king ! They at least
believed in his existence. Did they not often see him for
themselves when the <( horrors " were upon them ? Hell was
their heaven ! Bone, muscle, and brute force were to them
what refinement, skill, and knowledge are to the " upper
ten." Courage was the only virtue they recognised, might
their only right.

Such, not merely in Sheffield, but in scores of towns out-
wardly decent and respectable, is a picture of the lion's den
of modern society, into which some of our latter-day Dariuses
would thrust the Salvation Army Daniels, there leaving
them to perish ! And how many of the lookers-on, if they
do not actually approve such proceedings, say or fancy that
it serves them right ! Why must Daniel worship in the
street, or with his windows open towards Jerusalem ? There
are some who would imitate the Persian house of lords in
getting a special Act of Parliament to suppress the right !
Why cannot the Salvation Army confine itself to its build-
ings, like others do ? they ask. And first, we answer, Be-
cause others don't. We are by no means the only organisa-
tion to recognise the value of the open-air. If an act be
passed against us, let it at least include the Church, the Non-
conformis.ts, the Temperance societies, the politicians, the
circuses, the race-course, and all else. If evil agencies could
be thus included with the good in the suppression, it might
not, we confess, be an unqualified loss. But if it is not to
be contemplated in the one case let us have done with sug-
gesting it in the other. Let mayors and magistrates who
venture to trifle with national liberties understand that they

362 Mrs. Booth.

will have to reckon with an uncompromising legislature,
and with an executive who will know how to use the powers
entrusted to their care !

It is commonly supposed that by our open-air work we
provoke disturbances which would otherwise not occur. As
a matter of fact, we only anticipate evils which are rapidly
gaining headway, and which, unless they are anticipated by
somebody, will overwhelm society with confusion, and this
at no distant date. As pointed out by Mrs. Booth in the
address already quoted, we have not created these slum-
meries ! We are in no way responsible for their existence
— at least only so far as our individual power will allow us
to alleviate their miseries. They are there, whether we go
to them or stop at home.

The outlet of emigration, which has hitherto in some
measure relieved this abscess of society, is being closed.
Country after country is barring its doors against the heter-
ogeneous mass of corruption which we have hitherto been
able to pour upon its shores. Australia, America, and other
nations say, " We will not receive your criminals and pau-
pers " : (and who does not know that criminals are paupers,
and paupers too often criminals?) "Only those who can
bring with them the wherewithal to start in life will be per-
mitted to land. The rest we shall send back ! " And as a
consequence our starving poor can no longer go forth. They
must stay where they are, and breed and rot, and rot and
breed, till they learn their power and turn upon the society
that has sinned against itself and its children in leaving
these outcasts to their fate.

How long will it be possible to abandon them to them-
selves? How long will they be content to be buried alive
while the mansions of the rich lie within such easy reach ?
How long will it be before insurrection takes the place of
burglary ? How are they to be restrained ? Who is to say
them Nay ? What power is to prevent it ? Science has
placed within the reach of the poor and the oppressed instru-
ments of destruction too horrible to contemplate. How

The Sheffield Riot. 363

much " dynamite " or " terrorite " would it require to re-
duce the West of London to a heap of unrecognisable ruins ?

How long can we rely on constables and soldiers, recruited
from these very ranks, not to turn their loaded weapons
upon those who close their ears to the cry of their fellow-
creatures in distress ? Who does not know that tens of
thousands of these slummers are trained soldiers, who under-
stand how to handle weapons as well as any of their com-
rades in the field. Inured to hardship and accustomed to
obey the word of command, they require but to combine,
to work their will. Their numbers, their power, their
votes are increasing day by day. Once voiceless, they are
making themselves heard. They are organising. They are
developing leaders of their own. The balance of power is
changing hands before our very eyes. They will soon be
in a position to take, without a " thank you," what is now
withheld.

What shall we do with them ? Shall we continue to pur-
sue the suicidal Pharaoh-policy ? Shall we set over them
more constables " to afflict them " ? Will they always go on
building for us " treasure cities"? Do we not find that the
more they are afflicted " the more they multiply and grow" ?
Has it paid to make them " serve with rigour," and to
" make their lives bitter with hard bondage " in picking
oakum and in breaking stones ? What now remains, save to
perfect the parallel by consigning their new-born babes to
the waters of the Thames— nay, have not our workhouses
and jails been as the Nile, into which we have sought to
fling our pauper population, leaving them to sink or swim as
best they might ?

And when a modern Moses arises, with a Scheme for
leading these miserable millions into a second Canaan, in-
stead of welcoming the deliverance, many of us oppose it
with well-nigh as hard a heart as Pharaoh of old, uncon-
vinced even by miracles. Will nothing short of the blood of
our first-born persuade us, Christians as we call ourselves,
to " let the people go " that they may serve God in some of

3^4 Mrs. Booth.

the waste wildernesses of the world? Must the critic
chariots and horses of society sally forth to oppose the march
of the ransomed slaves ? Will nothing but the overwhelm-
ing waters of some national calamity silence them ?

Blucher is by no means the only man to whom the idea
has ever occurred that London would be a fine city for
plunder ! If we will not let them have a religious Moses to
lead them out in peace, let us beware lest they choose for
themselves a Robespierre, a Dan ton, a Marat, or a Napoleon.
For, as surely as we live, the day will come when, if we
withhold from them the Gospel, we shall feel their sword ;
and if we reject the opportunity of a revolution of peace we
shall meet with a revolution of blood.

What culpable folly it is, then, to shut our eyes to these
elements *of danger, to "pass on," like the proverbial sim-
pleton, until we are "punished"! What recklessness to hold
back and discourage those who, at the risk of life and limb,
have flung themselves into these cesspools of iniquity !

But to return. Monday had been fixed for a monster pro-
cession through the town. The Sheffield slums belched forth
their contents in a manner which had never before been wit-
nessed by its inhabitants. The few members of the police
force present were totally inadequate to deal with the crowds.
And, although from the first it was evident that there was
mischief in the air, no further help was sent. The "Blades"
understood and made the best of their opportunity. David-
son, on his charger, was literally plastered with mud till the
colour of his coat and face was almost unrecognisable.
Stones and brickbats fell in showers. At length a short,
heavy stick came flying through the air and struck him on
the back of his head. He would have fallen from the horse,
but was supported on either side till the hall was reached.
Although in the greatest pain, he was heard to say, " I hope
they'll get saved." He was removed to the hospital in an
insensible condition ; but one of the first messages that he
whispered, when returning to consciousness, was, "I am
saved! And had the work to be done again, I would do it

The Sheffield Riot. 365

to-morrow ! " For some time his life was despaired of, and
it was weeks before he was able to leave his bed.

The brass band, which occupied the waggonette in front
of the General's carriage, was another target for the rioters.
Nor did the General and Mrs. Booth escape a share of their
attention, although miraculously preserved from the flying
missiles. Mrs. Booth's concern for the General, for David-
son, for the brass band, and for the devoted soldiers in the
march, rendered her oblivious to her own danger. The
General, standing in the carriage during the entire length
of the march, gave his directions with a presence of mind
and collectedness which might have been envied by many a
commander on the field of battle. And when at length the
hall was reached, and a group of mud-bespattered, bruised
and bleeding officers welcomed him at the door, with a
twinkle in his eye and admiration on his face he said,
" Now is the time to get your photographs taken ! "

In spite of the dreadful tumult through which they had
just passed, the meeting in the hall was one of unbounded
enthusiasm. The sight upon the platform was unique.
Bruised and bandaged heads, faces gashed with stones,
clothes daubed with blood and mud, fronted the crowded
building. And yet there was not an angry look or word.
The joy that beamed from every countenance contrasted
strangely with the scars and stains. The prayers and
praises that rang through the hall seemed the more heavenly
and inspired because of the oaths and blasphemies which
still rent the air outside.

There is no power to affect the human heart like the
power of suffering. Calvary is the supreme illustration of
this. And thus a profound impression was made that day,
not only upon the city of Sheffield, but upon the country at
large. We owe it to the authorities and to the people to
acknowledge that there has never been a repetition of thfc
riot. On the other hand, many of the roughest characters
have been converted, and a prosperous and sustained work
has been established in the town.

366 Mrs. Booth.

The riot attracted at the time much public attention, the
newspapers being almost unanimous in concurring that mob^
law was undesirable. . From many unexpected sources sym-
pathetic letters were received. The following tribute of
sympathy from Mr. John Bright, M.P., will be read with
interest :

"HOUSE OF COMMONS, Hay 3rd, 1882.

' ' DEAR MADAM, — I gave your letter to Sir W. Harcourt. He had al-
ready given his opinion in the House of Commons, which will be, to
some extent, satisfactory to you.

" I hope the language of Lord Coleridge and the Home Secretary will
have some effect on the foolish and unjust magistrates, to whom, in
some districts, the administration of the law is, unfortunately, com-
mitted.

"I suspect that your good work will not suffer materially from the
ill-treatment you are meeting with. The people who mob you would,
doubtless, have mobbed the apostles. Your faith and patience will pre-
vail.

" I am, with great respect and sympathy,

"Yours sincerely,

" JOHN BRIGHT."

The attention of the House of Lords having been called
by the Earl of Fortescue to the various disturbances con-
nected with the open-air work, the late Archbishop Tait
said:

" He felt that he ought not to allow this subject to pass without re-
mark. Some difficulty had, doubtless, arisen in reference to it in conse-
quence of the members of the Salvation Army acting in a way which
was not customary among religious bodies, and some were shocked by
Nvhat they regarded as a want of reverence on their part. But it had
been well remarked that perhaps their peculiar mode of proceeding was
such as would have considerable influence over uncultivated minds,
jind, looking- at the fact that there was in this country a vast mass of
persons who could not be reached by the more regular administration of
tbe Church, it was not unlikely that much good might eventually result
from the more irregular action of the Salvationists. He had been in-
formed that the leaders of the movement were persons of unimpeach-
able character, and that they were most desirous of checking the extrava-
gtfnces of many of their followers, and that there had been much mis-
representation spread abroad with regard to them. [Hear, hear.]

"He trusted, therefore, that any movement of this kind, provided it
were carried on with decency and propriety, would be encouraged, and
that it would be able usefully to supplement the efforts of the regular

The Sheffield Riot. 367

clergy in affording spiritual aid to the great mass of the population."
[Hear, hear.]

Lord Chief Justice Coleridge, speaking on the same occa-
sion, made the following remarks :

" He spoke in that House under considerable restraint, because it
might be his duty to sit elsewhere in judgment, and he would be sorry
to say a word which might prejudice a case before him hereafter.

" He took it, that every Englishman had an absolute and unqualified
right to go about his business and perform legal acts with the protection
of the law ; and he apprehended that walking through the streets in
order and procession, even if accompanied by music and the singing of
hymns, was absolutely lawful, in the doing of which every subject had
the right to be protected."

Speaking on another occasion, in an appeal to the Court of
Queen's Bench, Lord Coleridge said :

" To inflict the ignominious punishment of hard labour on men'simply
because they are religious enthusiasts is a thing not to be tolerated."

Nevertheless, at Bath, Guildford, Arbroath, Forfar, and
other places, disturbances occurred. During the twelve
months no less than six hundred and sixty-nine members of
the Salvation Army were, to our knowledge, knocked down,
kicked, or otherwise brutally assaulted. Of these two hun-
dred and fifty-one were women, and twenty-three children
under fifteen years of age ! No less than fifty-six of the
buildings used by the Salvation Army were attacked, the
windows broken, and in some cases serious injury inflicted,
not only upon the halls, but upon the private property of the
individuals known to be in sympathy with the cause.

But surely the roughs are scarcely to be blamed for their
Salvation-baiting propensities when they were encouraged
in their course by the imprisonment of no less than eighty-
six members of the Army, fifteen of them being women !
And yet the Mayor of Bath, in writing to the Home Secre-
tary regarding the disturbances, admitted that the attacks
made on the Salvationists in that town were utterly unpro-
voked :

"The reports received by the magistrates from the police indicate
that the ' Salvationists ' keep themselves strictly within the law. We

368 Mrs. Booth.

find that even when struck, assailed with foul and abusive language, and
their property broken and destroyed, the ' Salvationists ' do not retali-
ate!"

In referring to these imprisonments, in the course of an
enthusiastic address at the opening of the Clapton Congress
Hall, Mrs. Booth gives an interesting account of a passnge
of arms between herself and a magistrate :

" I said to a magistrate, a little while ago, who asked whether we
could not give up the processions—' Oh dear, no ! I would go to jail,
and die there, before I would give them up. We catch our grandest
fish by the processions.'

" ' But,' said he, 'we would give you a field to go in.'

" * Oh ! thank you,' I said, • but the men are not in the field. Wi
are after ilie. people, and we must go where the people are.'

" ' Well,' he said, ' what are you going to do, supposing all the magis-
trates proclaim the towns ? '

" * Do ? ' I said ; * GO ON, to be sure.'

' ' Suppose they put all your officers in prison ? '

" ' Oh ! ' I said, ' we have plenty ready to come after them to fill their
places. You try it ; and when the prisons are full then the English
people will rise and ask why they are compelled to keep the people in
gaol, and pay taxes for their support, for preaching the Gospel.'

" ' But,' he asked, ' what will you say to the magistrates who condemn
you? '

" • The old answer will do : " Whether it be right to obey men rather
than God, judge ye." Didn't the magistrates come down on Paul and
Silas, and did they not forbid them to speak any more in that Name ?
and what notice did Paul and Silas take of it ? And so it must be with
the Salvation Army.' "

In referring at this time to the Army's aggressive efforts
Archbishop Tait, who had sent a subscription towards the
purchase of the Eagle and the Grecian, remarked that the
one impossible, intolerable thing would be to sit still and do
nothing in presence of the great call for increased activity:

Speaking on the same subject, the late Bishop of Durham,
Dr. Lightfoot, said :

" Shall we be satisfied with going on as hitherto, picking up one here
and one there, gathering together a more or less select congregation,
forgetful meanwhile of the Master's command, ' Go ye into the highways
and hedges, and compel them to come in ' ? The Salvation Army has

The Sheffield Riot. 369

taught us a higher lesson than this. Whatever may be its faults, it has
at least recalled us to this lost ideal of the work of the Church — the uni~
versal compulsion of the souls of men ! "

Amongst the handful of British statesmen who were the
first to recognise the great future that lay in store for the
Salvation Army was the late Earl Cairns.

A man of genuine piety, a Christian first and then a
statesman, he was, nevertheless, by no means an enthusiast.
A first glance at his massive, thoughtful countenance was
enough to show that here was not a character that would be
carried away by mere feelings. A stranger might almost be
tempted to have doubted whether he had an emotional side ;
whether reason, judgment, calculation, had not entirely
extinguished the softer side of his nature ; whether the
granite of which his powerful and intellectual mien appeared
to be composed was not bereft of the deep subsoil and rich
verdure of the affections. He was the beau ideal of a pru-
dent statesman. Cool-headed, far-seeing, sagacious, strong-
willed, cautious to timidity, weighty as a sledge-hammer
in his utterances.

In many respects he seemed the very antithesis of the hot-
blooded, fiery Salvationist. It might have been supposed
that his preference for the quiet and undemonstrative in
religion would have made him shrink from the noisy and
fervent zeal of the latter. But, while his characteristic
Scotch caution forbade his being an enthusiast, it was
leavened with a touch of genuine Irish warm-heartedness,
which enabled him to recognise in the Salvation Army
the fundamentals of Christianity, without permitting the
minor points of difference to intervene as barriers against
the overflowings of a large and sympathetic soul. And he
had the courage to express his convictions.

Lady Cairns, an active Christian worker, attended many of
Mrs. Booth's West End meetings, besides arranging several
drawing-room gatherings. For Mrs. Booth and the Mare-
chale she entertained a particularly warm affection, but,
while sympathising deeply with the work of the Army,

B B

370 Mrs. Bbot/t.

there were some of its features to which she could not
reconcile herself.

The following is the substance of an address delivered by
Lord Cairns at a meeting of sympathisers and friends of the
Salvation Army :

" I have long looked with great interest upon this great movement,
and have regretted very much many of the statements that have been
made about it. I feel, myself, that all the reports which have been
made with a view of casting discredit on the Salvation Army have been
either mistaken or much exaggerated, and now that you have heard
General Booth's statements you will be able to go and tell others, who
have been misled by such reports, what actually did take place. There
is one thing that always strikes me in thinking about this movement :
that is, the great and indisputable fact that the Salvation Army work
has, under God's blessing, carried the knowledge of the Salvation from
which it derives its name to a vast stratum, to hundreds and thousands
of the population of the country, who have never been reached by the
Gospel before.

" Many of us have seen nothing of this teeming and seething stratum
of our population ; I, myself, perhaps, have seen but little of it. Now,
it would be a great mistake for us who have been accustomed to deal
with a different class of society, with persons of education, of regular
and orderly lives and habits, to apply our ideas of things to the stratum
of society among which the Army works. I think if we were to bring
our ideas to bear upon the working of the Army, and introduce our
traditional, well-regulated, cut-and-dried system, and say, This is the
way, or, That is the way, that the Salvation Army ought to proceed, I
feel sure that the Salvation Army would simply fail. They might give
up their work, and the masses of population I have referred to would
never be got at at all.

"I can only say that as soon as I can find another organisation
moving amongst this same class of people, bringing the Gospel to bear
upon them, and producing such results as this Army is producing, and
doing this work in a way more free from the possibility of criticism, I
may, perhaps, prefer that organisation. But at present there is no such
organisation, and we are in this position — that we must either take the
agency of the Salvation Army and make the best of it, or else we must
give up all those masses of people as hopeless and abandoned for ever.
We cannot, most of us, go and work in the places where the forces of
the Salvation Army work. We cannot do it in person ; but it is surely
a great privilege for us, if we cannot do the work ourselves, to be able to
help forward those who can and will do it.

" What I would impress upon you and those listening to the reports
which either from mistake, or ignorance, or prejudice, are circulated

The Sheffield Riot. 371

about the proceedings of the Salvation Army, is, Don't believe them.
Go and see lor yourself, or enquire in any case, and ask for explanation,
and I feel sure you will get it. Let us, then, having got this great
agency to do the work that is so much needed to be done, not merely go
and say, ' Yes, it is all very interesting, and no doubt much good is
being done,' but let us join to lend a helping hand to this great move-
ment. Let us, if we think it is doing God's work, be firm, and help it
forward, and let us honestly and consistently give it such assistance as
we have it in our power to give."

This outspoken utterance was the more remarkable as it
was delivered after listening to an unprovoked and bitter
attack upon the Army work from the most extreme Plymouth
Brother point of view. At the conclusion of his remarks
the speaker took his hat and walked out of the room, without
waiting to listen to the reply to his objections which Mrs.
Booth was instantly upon her feet to make. During this
unexpected onslaught Earl Cairns' countenance retained the
placidity of a marble statue, and the warm words with which
he closed the meeting were the more emphatic from having
been delivered at the conclusion of such an episode.

And thus, amidst storm and sunshine, amidst blame and
praise, neither cowed by the one nor unduly elated by the
other, but God-inspired and God-guarded, the Salvation
Army continued to advance. Town after town was opened.
At Shipley 148 souls professed conversion during the first
week, at Tamworth 120 narties were taken the first night,
and 322 by the week-end, The notorious Grecian Theatre
witnessed 1,800 seekers for salvation within the first three
months. The 251 corps with which the year commenced had
increased to 442, the 533 officers to 1,067, including 164
cadets in training at the Clapton Training Home. The
income locally collected and expended by the corps had
increased from £57,000 to £88,870, besides a sum of £36,000
which had been given for the purchase of buildings. Truly,
there was ample cause for raising a new Ebenezer as a
memorial of the victories of the past and as a stimulus to
fresh faith for the future.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
INDIA. SWEDEN. CANADA. 1882.

IT was a strange chain of circumstances that induced the
General and Mrs. Booth to contemplate India as a field for
work. But what development of the Salvation Army has not
been strange ? Surely its name, like that of its Divine Master,
might well be called " Wonderful." And when have not the
manifestations of God to man been wonderful ? As soon as
they cease to possess this character they cease in proportion
to display His power. " Wonderful " has been the tribute
of mankind inscribed across each successive billow of Divine
influence which has swept over the world's heart, flinging
back, for a time at least, the all-usurping powers of evil.
" Wonderful " must always be the works of the Holy Ghost,
through whomsoever they are wrought. Contemporaries
may be too blind to perceive it, but posterity must needs
write across the apostolic pages of such deeds its epitaph of
" Wonderful."

And thus, no matter what the future of the Salvation
Army may be, the past is what it ?s, and, thank God, cannot
be blotted out. If the movement were to perish to-morrow,
the day is nevertheless bound to come when all will recog-
nise not only the grand unchangeable has-been, but the
inherent possibilities of the what-might-have-been, and will
be constrained to award the just meed of praise. Its heroes
and heroines will yet take their stand beside the saints and
martyrs of the past. Its betrayers and persecutors will reap
the curses of the Judases and Herods of mankind. Its timid
apologists will rank with weak-kneed Gamaliel, or trembling
Xicodemus. And the children of those who have slain the

372

India. Sweden. Canada. 373

prophets will entomb the sufferers with their costly offer-
ings.

But India ! That Babel of languages ! That wilderness
of religions ! That unfathomed ocean of possibilities ! Was
it strange, after all, that God should have some purposes of
tenderness and mercy toward its myriad inhabitants — that
He should put His finger on a baby boy, cradle him in the
country, snatch him from the clutch of mutineers, send him
across the seas to be educated in the learning of the European
Egyptians, and then back to India to be educated in the
woes of the suffering natives, fling him into the heart of the
Salvation Army, and then cause this modern whale of the
religious deep to vomit him back on the shores of this East-
ern Nineveh ? It was surely no harder for the Lord than
that so many of England's slum saviours should have been
recruited from the public-house.

The need was truly appalling. There were missionaries,
it is true, but what were they among so many? Roughly
speaking, they would represent a minister for every 400,000
souls. And then the deadly climate had prostrated a large
percentage even of these.

And worse than this. The revivals which had from time
to time burst forth, and cheered the toilers with the hopes of
speedily conquering India for Christ, had of late mysteriously
died out. It would hardly be too much to say that there
was at the time of which we write a spiritual famine in the
land. The Obadiahs of the day were scanning the horizon
for clouds, but none could be seen so big even as a man's hand.
Here is the unrefutable testimo^ of the Editor of the Indian
Witness, the most influential religious paper then published
in India, on this point. He was a spiritually-enlightened
man — an American :

" Some of our readers wish us to publish fuller and more frequent
accounts of revival work in India, or, as it is more properly called by
some, soul saving work. We are more than willing to print any such
news, if it is sent to us, but we fear the sorrowful truth must be confessed
that just at present ther3 is not much going on in India to which the

374 Mrs. Booth.

word ' revival ' can be very correctly prefixed. There is a lull all along
the line.

" Hopeful indications and tokens for good are reported in many places,
but a genuine revival, a powerful work of awakening and conversion, does
not seem to prevail at any one point in the Empire.

" This is a state of things which calls for very deep heart-searching
and much earnest waiting upon God in prayer. When we consider the
extent of the field and the number of workers engaged, the noble oppor-
tunities set before us, and the Master's ccmmand to go forward, it
certainly ought to provoke very serious thought on the part of all
Christians in India to learn that there is not a single revival of any note
in progress in any part of India.

" How long shall this lamentation be made ? "

But, need or no need, the European newspapers in India
could scarcely have been more alarmed at the prospect, had
they been anticipating the descent of a Russian fleet, than
they were at the news of the arrival of the Salvation Army.
There was little short of a press panic, in which all official-
dom appeared to share. Some proposed that the four very
harmless-looking officers who composed the invading force
should be prevented from disembarking, and deported by the
next steamer to their native land. Others suggested re-
pression of various degrees.

A secret circular was issued asking for advice as to the
best sections of the Indian Penal Code for dealing sum-
marily with the dangerous element. Police, mounted and
on foot, European and native, were detailed to watch every
movement of the new arrivals. Constant telegrams
were exchanged between the Governor of Bombay and the
Commissioner of Police, who had strict orders to allow
nothing to be done " outside the ordinary line of missionary
enterprise." A few days later it was decided to forbid
all open-air demonstrations, on the ground that they were
calculated to lead to a breach of the peace. And yet, at
this very time, the streets of Bombay were filled with
rival Hindoo and Mahommedan processionists, numbering at
least some tens of thousands, and blocking for several days
almost every thoroughfare in the town. Prosecution followed
prosecution. The writer of this memoir was imprisoned for
a month, others for lesser terms. But the work advanced.

India. Sweden. Canada. 37$

Singular to say, the natives, on whose behalf the Europeans
had raised the agitation, refused to join in the hue and cry.
At Calcutta they organised an enormous mass-meeting in the
Town Hall, under the leadership of the famous Baboo Keshub
Chunder Sen, protesting with the most perfect unanimity
against the treatment of the Salvation Army, and petitioning
the Viceroy to interfere on their behalf. The native organs
spoke strongly to the same effect. Indeed, nothing was
more remarkable than the contrast between the attitude of
the Europeans and the natives. It was obvious that the
hostility of the former was purely due to national pique.
European officials complained that their dignity would be
lowered by such compliance with native dress and customs.
Some of them spoke contemptuously of the Salvation Army
as a " mixture of Jagannath and Jumbo." One young magis-
trate proposed to deal with them under the Vagrancy Law,
which empowers officials to extradite destitute Europeans
from the country. Indeed, he went so far as to issue a
warrant of arrest, but only brought upon himself a serious
reprimand from his superior, who happened to be an earnest
Christian and thoroughly in sympathy with the Salvation
Army.

The following sensible utterance of the Indian Mirror, an
influential Hindoo paper, will show how far were the natives
from countenancing the action of their European rulers at
this time :

"If the Salvation Army can prove that Christianity is really the
religion of the poor; that it can doff lavender-coloured breeches and
Christy's patent helmets to put on the mendicant's ochre garb ; that it
can dance, shout, and march with the ordinary proletarian poor human
nature from the mill, mine, and workshop ; if the Salvation Army can
prove that, it will have done enough service towards the future evangeli*
sation of India.

"It is, after all, the sympathy between man and man that is of tho
utmost value !

" A popular movement like the Salvation Army is calculated to evoke
that sympathy ; and hence we do not wish to see it discouraged. We
have had enough, more than enough, of the cold nationalising civilisa*
tion of England. Let us by all means now see a little of the fire of

376 Mrs. Booth.

English popular religious agitation. We repeat, we have nothing to say,
one way or another, of its success. So we feel no hesitation to welcome
the advent of the Salvation Army in India. If Bombay will not give it
a hearing, we can assure our readers Calcutta will."

The Brahmo Somaj (Hindoo) organ, the Liberal, offered a
welcome to the Salvation Army so extraordinary in the
warmth of its cordiality as to deserve special record:

" GKEETINGS TO THE SALVATION AKMY !

" Welcome, valiant General ! Welcome, Salvation Army ! Welcome,
mighty band of Christ's commissioned officers ! Thrice welcome ! Our
most cordial greeting we offer you upon your arrival in India. We
speak to you, heart to heart, with all frankness and enthusiasm. In our
utterance is no guile, no flattery. For of what profit is sycophancy ?
Ye want no praise, we seek no patronage. We profess a different faith.
In matters of doctrine we are not of one accord. Ye are Christians of
the old school, we are Theists. You have come to India to convert our
people to Christianity ; we are apostles of the New Dispensation. Yet
we honour you and welcome you, for we believe you have been raised by
Providence for the benefit of Christendom, and your advent here in India
i?, we believe providential. Nay, we give you even greater credit than
most of your fellow-Christians seem disposed to accord.

" We do most solemnly believe that your able General, William
Booth, is an inspired apostle of God, whom He has entrusted with Divine
messages and endowed with heavenly power and resources to give effect
to these messages. General Booth is no ordinary man ; he is a man of
God, fully inspired for the great work He has given him to do on earth.
As such we revere and lote him. And we regard the entire organisation
of the Salvation Army as the work of the Holy God."

But, alas ! space and time once more fail us to adequately
report the history of' the most remarkable missionary effort
and success of later days.

At the time of writing the present narrative, upwards of
fifteen thousand souls professed conversion during the
previous 3rear, and of these nine in every ten were heathen ;
thus proving how little the Salvation Army trenches upon
others' ground. During the recent visit of the General, no
fewer than one hundred and twenty Hindoos sought salvation
in a single meeting, whilst the enthusiasm with which the
natives on all hands welcomed him was unparalleled in the
history of Christian enterprise. Subsequent to his return to

India. Sweden. Canada.

377

England a powerful revival broke out in a portion of the
country which he had visited, no less than three thousand
three hundred Hindoos professing conversion in the course
of a fortnight. Later still, in March, 1893, upwards of four-
teen thousand heathen sought salvation in a single month.

The close of the year 1882 was signalised by a great
demonstration in Exeter Hall, at which no less than one

FREDERICK DE L. BOOTH-TUCKER.

hundred and one officers were set apart for service at home
and abroad. Detachments were specially commissioned for
service in India, America, New Zealand, Sweden, and the
Cape of Good Hope. Flags were presented to the Indian,
African, and New Zealand officers by Mrs. Booth, to the
Americans by Miss Emma Booth, and to the Swedish con-
tingent of six by Mr. Bramwell Booth.

The history of the Swedish expedition is particularly
interesting. It was just four years since Mr. Bramwell

3/3

Mrs. Booth.

Booth had visited the country, in company with some Army
friends, to recruit his shattered health. His presence had
soon become whispered abroad, and it had been impossible to
resist the invitations to hold private meetings which were
pressed upon him. English is very much spoken in Sweden,
and even where it is not generally understood translators
arc plentiful.

COMMISSIONER OUCHTEKLONY.

Singularly simple-hearted and receptive of the truth, the
Swedes are among the best listeners in the world. A power-
ful impression was made, and a number of souls were saved
and sanctified. Among them was a Miss Ouchterlony, who
was so inspired with the conviction that the Salvation Army
would accomplish a mighty work in her country that, finding
letters ineffectual, she visited England for the purpose of

India. Sweden. Canada. 379

personally representing its claims. The General, however,
did not see his way clear to send officers.

Miss Ouchterlony, undaunted by this disappointment, de-
clared she would be a Salvation Army in herself. Return-
ing to Sweden, she took a hall in Gothenburg, where she
commenced a successful series of meetings. Thinking that
the more encouraging prospect would move the General's
heart, she again visited England, accompanied by one of her
converts. Mrs. Booth was much affected by her devotion
and persistence, and Miss Ouchterlony had at length the
satisfaction of returning to her country with a party of five
officers for the establishment of the work. She was pro-
moted to be a Major, and afterwards a Commissioner, re-
maining for ten years in charge of the Swedish work, where
she had been loved and honoured by all classes alike. She
has since been attached to the International Headquarters
as travelling Commissioner.

The work in Canada was also commenced this year by a
party of officers sent from New York. The fire spread with
such rapidity that it soon became necessary to separate the
Dominion from the States, forming it into another Commis-
sionership. Wonderful advances were made under the able
leadership of Commissioner Coombs, who, after several years'
service in that country, was transferred to the command of
the Australian work. From the Government downward the
Salvation Army has received in Canada a hearty recognition
scarcely to be equalled in any other country.

Although bordering so closely on each other, nothing could
be more striking than the difference between the Canadian
and American nationalities. And yet it is perhaps only the
contrast between an agrarian and urban population in a
somewhat marked degree. You enter the States, and feel as
if you were in a veritable blizzard of activity. Before you
know where you are, the irrepressible reporter swoops down
upon you like the eagle of the Republic on its lawful prey.
And a reporter in America is a reporter — none of your gaping,
yawning, staring, sleeping, tired-before-they-begin and do-

Mrs. Booth.

anything-but-write gentleinen-of-ease, such as saunter into
our Army meetings in some portions of the globe, with their
anything-gQod-enough-for-the-public and silly-enough-to-put-
into-your-mouth sort of expression.

Whatever there is of the American is all there — every
inch; especially his eyes and ears ! You feel he is measuring
you up, from the tip of your longest hair to the way you tie

COMMISSIONER COOMBS.

your bootlace. He is making a mental 'note of everything
— the colour of your eyes, the number of your gray hairs,
the shape and fit of the very clothes you wear. His lynx
eye leaves out nothing. He riddles you with questions that
would do credit to any cross-examining counsel. His pencil
iiies over the paper. He reads you your own replies, to make
sure he has put them down correctly.

There is no escape from his clutches. Perhaps you jump
into a cab. He jumps in after you, and leaves you only when
he has extracted from you all the information you happen to

India. Sweden. Canada. 381

contain. The same evening you can read it all in type, with
striking head-lines, and perhaps a portrait. You wonder that
you could have said so many foolish things, or that any-
body could have had the patience to either chronicle or read
them.

The ubiquitous reporter is a type of the American ; a
quintessence of energy, a magazine of explosives, a ceaseless
whirl of never-ending rush. You wonder whether he finds
time to sleep, or eat, or even breathe. You feel as if he dare
scarcely stop to take a breath, he is in such a hurry to get
it out again, and before it is well out the next must be drawn
in. The very atmosphere seems laden with the electricity
of haste.

But you pass the borders into Canada, and all is changed.
Perhaps you choose Niagara for your crossing-point. The
American side is lined with factories, bent on utilising the
water-power for business purposes. The Canadian bank is
laid out as a park, with everything that can bewitch the eye
and cheer the heart, and refreshment-rooms, whose Christian
proprietor delights to capture and regale at his own ex-
pense the chance Salvationist who may happen to be visiting
the spot.

What a relief there is in the change ! From the hurri-
cane of business speed you pass into the sunshine of domestic
felicity ; after an Atlantic of perpetual toss you enter a har-
bour of comparative quiet. You exchange the hurly-burly
of war for the calm of peace.

If America teaches a lesson in the value of time and
opportunity, Canada reminds us that strength proceeds from
the hearth and home. The one illustrates the possibilities
that lie within the reach of active, persevering toil, the
other the graces of believing faith.

The curse of modern civilisation all over the world is its
ever-increasing speed, its mad race w.ith time. The magnifi-
cent gifts with which a beneficent Creator has endowed
humanity — health, peace, love, family, friends, and life itself
— are flung away in the pursuit, not of His glory, but of some

382 Mrs. Booth.

selfish, shadowy good, which, if it be ever won, is usually
postponed until the power for its enjoyment has passed away.
Soul and body are alike sacrificed for intellect ; while in-
tellect itself is prostituted for the lust of pelf. And what a
chaos is the consequence ! No wonder that society, taken as
a whole, is " without form and void," and " darkness is upon
the face " of the great moral deep, — a darkness which the
combined light of. science and intellect can no more dispel
than a rushlight can illumine the sky. The Spirit of God is
as necessary now to move upon the waters with creative
power as in days of old ; infinitely more necessary, if that
be possible, for the regeneration of the sin-blasted human
heart than for the original creation of the universe, in
America, Canada, Sweden. India, England — everywhere !

CHAPTER XXXIX.
ABROAD AND AT HOME. 1882.

ENGLAND has no monopoly in ruffianism. In this respect
the Continent may claim to carry the palm, although, alas,
we are making progress in the art of crime, and are not far
behind. Anything more demoniacal, however, than the
crowd that Mrs. Booth faced in Paris at the opening of the
new hall in Rue Oberkampff would be difficult to conceive.
It was in April, 1882, and she was paying France her first
visit, with a view to cheering and assisting her daughter.
Mrs. Booth surveyed the scene with intense compassion, as
the following letter to a friend will serve to show :

" I would have given a trifle for you to have been with us yesterday :
first, at the drawing-room meeting, where I tried to scrape together all
my patience to meet and answer the old, time-worn objections to our
measures, which one is so sick of hearing, to a respectable audience of
Christians ; and then, at night, in the midst of an excited audience, who
grinned and groaned, and hooted so that anybody but Salvation Army
soldiers would have given in and been beaten.

"We had a splendid congregation, however, of just our sort, mostly
men, many of them young, full of the ' blood-and-fire ' of hell.

" Many were disposed to listen, but about half were of the revolutionary
type, and would not be calmed. The uproar was terrible, but, just at
the worst, the Marechale advanced into the middle of the hall, and,
standing right in the midst of them, she mounted a form and pleaded
like an apostle.

" Oh, it was a sublime sight, worth coming from England to see !
There were a few desperadoes, ringleaders, who said awful things. One,
with a face full of the devil, hissed in rage inconceivable ; baring his arm
and holding it aloft, he shrieked : ' We will hear you if you will talk to
vis about anything else but Jesus, but we hate HIM ; WE WILL NOT HAVE
HIM; He is the cause of all our sorrows ! I wish I had Him here! I
would pour a pail of cabbage-water over His head !'

" They shouted, * Vive la Libcrte ! ' And when the Marechale an-

383

364

Abroad and at Home. 385

swered, ' Amen ! ' they said, ' Ab, we will have liberty, but no Auiens !
No religion ! "We have had enough of that, we have had enough of Jesus
— Jesuits ! '

" When we put our French converts up, they shouted ' Ah, paid to
figure there ! ' Poor things, they have been so deceived and duped that
they cannot believe anybody is real. Nevertheless, we got some truth
into them between the outbursts, and sang it into them, too.

" After our songs they sang the Marseillaise to their own words of
blood and death. The Marechale and Colonel Clibborn stood and
prayed in the midst of them. It was a veritable meeting of the hosts of
hell and heaven, and I feel sure that some rays of light entered many a
poor darkened soul from put of the cloud of Divine glory which over-
shadowed us. I consider that we won the victory with the majority of
our audience, and shall get scores of them for Salvation Army soldiers
yet!

"There was quite an eager scramble for En Avant at the close, and
much good-humour in answer to the Colonel's kindly salute to them in-
dividually. As the meeting dispersed, however, some few spiteful ones
handled him very roughly, giving him two or three blows in the face,
and some severe kicks on the legs.

" Also two or three of our French soldiers — Emile, Carlo, Hodler, and
a railway porter— were badly wounded. One dear fellow had to retire
behind the scenes to staunch the blood from his temples. But the
Colonel says he is proud of his men ; not one of them flinched or ran,
and it was a trying ordeal for French blood not to strike back. So you
see it is only a question of patience and perseverance as to whether
these French shall ' have Jesus ' or not in His living reality. We shall
see.

" I thought how I would have liked those Christians who were at the
afternoon meeting to have been there, especially one good pastor who
had been talking to us about reading more Bible in our meetings ! I
should have liked to see him try ! They would have torn his Bible to
ribbons, and perhaps him, too. So little do these good people understand
the things they talk about. May the Lord open their eyes to see the
superiority of such living epistles as our soldiers presented last night
to their shouting, blaspheming countrymen over a dead-and-alive reading
of the letter without any Holy Ghost in it !

" We go again to-night, though I fear for the consequences on Katie,
It is such a strain on her nerves. Pray for us. I never saw so deeply
into the enmity of the human heart against God as last night ; but I
trust I felt a little of the infinite pity of Jesus -when He cried, ' Father,
forgive them; they know not what they do.' "

The principal event of the year was the marriage of the
Chief of the Staff, Mr. Bramwell Booth, which was cele-
brated at the Congress Hall amid great rejoicings.

C G

385 Mrs. Booth.

The bride, Miss Florence Soper, was among the most in-
trepid of the little band that rallied round Miss Booth during
the early days of rowdyism and opposition in Paris. The
daughter of a physician in Wales, she had been sent to com-
plete her education in London, where she had attended some
of Mrs. Booth's West End meetings. After remaining for
some weeks under conviction she made a definite and com-
plete surrender of herself to God, renouncing at a stroke her
worldly prospects and associations, and offering herself in the
ardour of her first love for the French work.

Side by side with the Marechale she visited the cafes,
sold War Crys on the crowded Boulevards, or faced howling
mobs with a courage that was the more surprising con-
sidering the luxurious and zenana-like surroundings from
which she had so suddenly stepped forth. Thus, having
graduated with honours in the college of affliction, she was
unconsciously prepared for her future career.

It was a choice thoroughly in keeping with the rules and
expectation of the Salvation Army. The officers and
soldiers, in whose hearts the Chief, by his long, disinterested
and able service, had won a unique position of affection and
confidence, eagerly seized this opportunity of manifesting
their sympathy. It was the first marriage in the General's
family, the first wedding in the Congress Hall, and the
first time that the marriage ritual of the Salvation Army
was introduced. All served to intensify the interest of the
occasion, and it was celebrated with becoming joy.

The hall was crowded to excess, arid it was estimated
that no less than six thousand people were present, although
it was a week-day morning. The General conducted the
service, the bride being given away by her father, Dr.
Soper. The vivacity and brightness of an Army wedding, so
free from all the fooleries and extravagances common to such
an occasion, need to be witnessed in order to be understood.
It was a sermon, better than any words could preach, of
what a holy, happy institution marriage might become, if
cnly entered upon in the God-intended way. The union

Abroad and at Home. 387

having taken place beneath the Army flag, the Marechale
paid a warm tribute to the devotion and courage of the
bride.

Mrs. Booth followed in her usual terse and touching
manner. Among other things, she said :

" The highest happiness I can wish to my beloved children is that
they may realise as thorough a union in heart and mind, and as much

MRS. BRAMWELL BOOTH.

blessing in their married life, as the Lord has vouchsafed to us in ours,
If He will do this for them I will be content, so far as they are in-
dividually concerned. But I covet for them that, where I have been the
mother of hundreds of spiritual children, she may be the mother of
thousands, and I covet for my son that, whereas the Lord has blessed
his father to the salvation of thousands, He may bless him to tens of
thousands! I gave him to God for this when he was born. If you
want to know how to get your children saved, and to make the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the God of your families, I can only re-
commend to you the way which has succeeded with mine.

" Yes, I believe I did give my son fully to the Lord, and I covenanted

388 Mrs. Booth.

that I would, as far as my light and ability went, train him for God
alone ; that I would ignore this world's prizes and praises, and that he
should be, as far as I could make him, A MAN OF GOD. And, what is
very remarkable, I consecrated him to God for a HOLINESS preacher.
We called him William Bramwell, after the most distinguished man of
holiness we knew, and I set him in my heart before the Lord to be a
leader of His forces in respect to this glorious doctrine and experience.
And you see how God has honoured my choice. I could not have made
him this ; I could only give him to God for it, and do my best to train
him for it, and you see how God has honoured my consecration.

" The very first principle of successful training is that you acknowledge
God's entire ownership of your children. You cannot take a forward
step till you do that. While you want them to be this, that, or the
other for this world, or in this world's estimation, God knows it, and He
won't bless your teaching. He looks at your heart, and if He sees you
seek for them this world's prizes, and this world's positions, desiring
Him to come in at the end • to make them Christians, He is not likely
to give you His blessing. ' No ! ' He says. « You must put Me first, and
leave Me to choose their earthly destiny. Choose My kingdom first.
Give them wholly and solely to Me, and train them for Me and leave
Me to choose iheir inheritance and fix the bounds of their habitations.
And then I will take them, and I will co-work with you and bless your
testimony and your teaching, and I will give you the power of My
Spirit, and you shall have " every hoof of them." ' I have given every
hoof of mine, for God and this glorious work, and I am going to have them
in eternity. 1 set my lieart on it, and I said, I will have it, at all costs !

But we must retrace our footsteps to the occasion which
perhaps more than any other emphasized the rapid progress
of the .Army cause — the first great anniversary celebration
at the Alexandra Palace. The grounds were engaged for
the entire day (July 3rd), when between twenty and thirty
thousand people passed the gates. London had never
witnessed such a scene. It was a repetition of the Dunorlan
festival of fourteen years previously, only on a vastly larger
scale. The whole day was spent in pn^er and praise.
The soldiers were distributed all over the grounds, some
holding meetings in the open-air, and others assisting in the
Palace. The General was addressing a crowd in one part,
Mrs. Booth in another. But the crowning feature was the
march-past, when the General, Mrs. Booth, and other leading
officers and friends, took their position on the Grand Stand,

Abroad and at Home. 389

while thousands of soldiers filed past along the racecourse,
until the open space in front was a seething mass of brilliant
colours, waving bannerettes, jingling timbrels and sounding
brass. The effect was powerful in the extreme, and the
record of the Army's previous history was once more
eclipsed.

Among the cheering incidents of the day was the reading
of the following letter from Her Majesty the Queen to Mrs.
Booth:

" WINDSOR CASTLE, 30th JUNE, 1882.
" MADAM : —

" I am commanded by the Queen to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 27th inst., and to assure you that Her Majesty learns with
much satisfaction that you have, with the other members of your society,
been successful in your efforts to win many thousands to the ways of
temperance, virtue, and religion. I regret, however, to have to inform
you that Her Majesty cannot contribute to the fund you are now en-
deavouring to raise for the purchase of the Grecian Theatre.

" I have the honour to be, madam, your obedient servant,

" HENRY F. PONSONBY."

Sir Henry Ponsonby's answer had been written in
reply to the following letter from Mrs. Booth :

«' To HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN :

"Knowing your Majesty's benevolent concern for the well-being of
the masses of your people, and having worked largely amongst them
for twenty-three years, I venture to call your Majesty's attention to an
effort now being made to transform one of the most terrible centres of
demoralization for the young in the East of London into a centre of
operations and influences for their reformation and salvation.

"The Eagle Tavern, the Grecian Theatre and Dancing Grounds, in
the City Road, have become so notorious that probably your Majesty
may have gathered something of the disastrous consequences of the
scenes which have been enacted there for so many years past.

" On behalf of the Salvation Army we are negotiating for the purchase
of the lease of the whole property, and for £16,750 hope to be put in
possession in three weeks' time, when, by the blessing of God, we shall
be able to gather 10,000 people at one time to hear the Gospel.

" His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury having kindly consented
to head our subscription list, we have ventured to hope that it might
not be impossible that your Majesty might graciously signify your
approval of and sympathy with an effort which must surely commend
itself to all whose hearts bleed for the ruined and friendless of this City,

3QO Mrs. Booth.

irrespective of their views as to our modus operandi. It will, I feel sure,
interest your Majesty to know that mauy thousands of the lower and
dangerous classes have already been won to temperance, virtue, and
religion by the methods and spirit of this Army, to which fact many of
your Majesty's officers of justice in different parts of the kingdom would
gladly bear witness.

" The misfortune of our only having three weeks to raise (tor us) so
large a sum as £10,750, for the purchase of the lease, must be my
excuse for intruding this matter upon your Majesty's notice.

" I herewith, send a more particular description of this effort, and of
our teaching and methods, in the hope that your Majesty may not find
it altogether uninteresting, or irrelevant to your Majesty's highest
desires for the welfare of your people.

" Praying fervently that the God of grace may supply all your
Majesty's spiritual need,

" I have the happiness to be,

" Your Majesty's devoted servant in Jesus,

" CATHERINE BOOTH."

It might have been supposed that the extremes of noise
and silence in religion would hardly meet, and that the
jubilant boisterousness of a Salvationist would shock the
quiet notions of the Quaker. But if there were some points
of difference there were more of sympathy. For were not
the Quakers the Salvationists of two hundred years ago?
Had they not filled the prisons? Had not their novel
exercises aroused the violence of mobs and their vulgar
psalm-chanting irritated even the benevolence of the saintly
Baxter? Were they not the first to open the door for
women's ministry? Had they not incurred the contempt
of the world by their unfashionable dress ? Had they not
refused to bow the knee before the golden idol of the age,
even though it might mean a sevenfold-heated furnace ?
Had they not taught the people to look from ceremonials
to a living Christ ? And were they not ridiculed as the
peacemakers of the world, the sworn enemies of war? The
doctrines were identical, and such outward differences as
existed were more between the respectable descendants of
George Fox and the Salvation Army than between the
latter and the original leather-breeched, world-despising,
sin-condemning founder of the sect.

Abroad and at Home. 391

Their attention having been attracted about this timo
towards the operations of the Army, and several prominent
members of the Society having become interested in the
movement, Mrs. Booth received a cordial invitation to
address their annual meeting. This took place at Devon-
shire House, a large hall and group of buildings, including
a temperance hotel, which at the present constitutes their
headquarters in London. The occasion was a somewhat
important one, the gatherings being attended by representa-
tives from all over the world.

If the Army had many things in common with the Friends
this was in an especial sense true of Mrs. Booth. The
severe simplicity of her dress had caused her in the early
days of her public work to be taken again and again for a
Quakeress. Her modest demeanour as a speaker served to
harmonise with the spirit and custom of the Friends.

Mrs. Booth quickly placed herself en rapport with her
congregation. Speaker and listener seemed mutually to
inspire each other. The manifest sympathy imprinted upon
the faces of the audience, the memory of the brilliant history
of the Society, the consciousness that in so many respects
the experiences of the Salvation Army resembled those of the
palmiest days of Quakerism, the eager desire to fan into a
flame the flickering embers of their old-time burning zeal
for souls, served to lend force and feeling to her words.
With alternate smiles and tears they listened, till it seemed
that heart spoke to heart and that every heart responded.
It was a memorable occasion, and many a testimony was
received in after years as to the lasting blessing then be-
stowed.

As usual, there was no diminution in the stream of letters
that poured in during the year, no limit to their diversit}^
no lessening in the force and originality with which Mrs.
Booth handled each subject. Mrs. Josephine Butler, whose
name is so intimately connected with the purity agitation of
a later year, has from the first proved a consistent and
unswerving friend of the work, and by her early champion-

392 Mrs. Booth.

ship of the Marechale in the days of her persecution has
specially endeared herself to Salvationists. Writing to
Mrs. Booth, she refers in the following letter to a remark-
able vision which she had seen some years before :

" I ought not, perhaps, to give you the trouble here of reading a letter
from me in the midst of your arduous and blessed work ; but I cannot
any longer refrain from writing you a line to express— first, my joy in
the advances being made by the Salvation Army ; and secondly, my
sympathy with you in the numberless criticisms and strictures passed
upon you, your teaching and your practice. I am sure your burden is
already heavy enough without any one's adding to it by fault-finding.
The attacks of enemies are comparatively easy to bear, but the fault-
findings and misunderstandings of Christian people, these are what
grieve and hurt. I do so feel for, and with, you that I cannot refrain
from expressing myself to you. I can truly say there is not a day,
scarcely an hour, in which I do not think of you and your fellow-
workers, and rejoice in the tide of blessing which our eyes are privileged
to see. My own duties, domestic and public, keep me from being
among you as often as I would, but I doubt if there is any one living
who is more with you in spirit.

" About twenty-five years ago I had a kind of vision. I was in weak
health, and lying on my bed. For some years I had been praying, thirst-
ing, longing, for a great revival to come to the world, for showers of
blessing, for a fresh Pentecost, in which I and mine would have a part,
and which would prove such an awakening as the world has not seen
since the first Apostles' times. I was like one dying of thirst, in drought,
and in a wilderness.

" One evening I fell into a half sleep. I seemed to be transported to
some dark and gloomy mountains, with my face to the east, and behind
me the great wilderness of the world lying in deep darkness. Then a
streak of light appeared in the east, a sweet heavenly light, and voices
sounded, and music, and there was a noise as of gathering forces, and it
seemed God said to me, • Behold ! the answer to all your prayers. A
glorious day of grace is coming; fix your eyes on it ; gaze in that direc-
tion. For though it tarry it will come ; it will not tarry.' There was
nothing remarkable in my dream except that it made such an impression
on me as I have never lost. It was twenty-five years ago. I see now
the fulfilment (or the beginning of the fulfilment) of that vision. I
think there are many others who have thirsted as I have, and who now
rejoice as I rejoice. I am sure you are sustained under the fire of
criticism^.

" I remain, dear Mr. and Mrs. Booth,

" Yours in the love of Jesus,

"JOSEPHINE E. BUTLER."

Abroad and at Home. 393

To a lady in America, who had written to ask her counsel
on the question of holiness, Mrs. Booth replies :

" I have been very unwell the last few days, and your letter with many
others has been waiting an opportunity for reply.

" I truly sympathise with you in your very trying circumstances, but
I feel sure the Lord will speedily reveal Himself to your soul, and then
all persecutions and sufferings for His sake will seem small and easy to
bear. The three steps necessary for you to take in order to get the ex-
perience you desire are : 1st. Eenounce everything for which the Spirit
reproves you. 2nd. Embrace every duty He lays upon you, whether it
be praying in the chapel or anything else. Say, ' Lord, I will do it if I
die in the attempt.' Confess in your prayers that you are seeking holi-
ness and God will use this to stir up others. 3rd. Believe for it ; that
is, trust Jesus to do it for jou. Say, ' Lord, I cannot cleanse or keep
myself, but Thou canst do it for me. I will, I do, trust Thee just now.
I am Thine and Thou art mine, altogether and for ever ! ' Eemember
it is He who saves. Trust Him with all the work. The Lord help
you!

" The Army will be sure to come near you before long. It will go
everywhere, because God's Spirit is in the wheels and no power can stop
them. Pray and expect, and in the meantime do all you can at your
own place. Show them the example of an early Methodist by plain
dressing and holy living and straightforward testimony. May God save
your husband and children ! Be determined to have the children for
God. You can do it by His grace. Be firm, and train them only
for Him.

" Yours, in arms for the King,

"CATHERINE BOOTH."

CHAPTER XL.
THE ARMY IN SWITZERLAND. 1883.

REPUBLICS are ordinarily associated with the idea of liberty.
But history has proved that they can at times be capable of
a savagery that would make a Nero blush. The tyranny of
an individual is limited, that of a mob knows no bounds.
With the one yon can reason, with the other you can only
suffer. If the despot has crushed out the tender feelings of
his nature, you have a chance with his self-interest, if you
fail with his conscience or his common sense. But an ex-
cited crowd has neither heart nor head. The former has
some sense of responsibility, the latter none. The one is a
tangible somebody, the other an undiscoverable nobody.

The worst crimes are committed in company. All will do
a little where nobody will do all. And the little of many is
far greater than the all of one. Politicians are puzzled and
nonplussed. A nation groans, and royalty is deaf. A
nation rises — and royalty is no more. Royalty may or may
not have deserved its fate. The evils may have been bej'ond
its reach to cure Perhaps it used no remedies at all, or it
used any and every remedy except the right one. However,
it is gone. But the evil — only in a new shape — remains
behind. Like the hydra of ancient fable, one head has been
cut off only to be replaced by millions more ; so many, that
to fight with them becomes a hopeless task.

Man has yet to learn that a government of whatever des-
cription without God is a government of sin, and that a
government of sin is a government of misery. A reforma-
tion that omits the heart is a reformation but in name. To
remove a nation's woe you must remove a nation's sin. No

The Army in Sivitzerland. 395

mere change in circumstances will avail. This is the uni-
versal rule with individuals and it applies equally to a
nation. In vain do politicians patch and trim and toil, like
the old woman with bucket and broom, to thus bale out
the ocean and to sweep away the sand. The ship of state is
lightened of its load. Concession after concession to the
populace is cast into the seas. Upon the surface of the
troubled waters is poured the revolutionary oil of change
But the lull, if lull there be, is only for a time. One danger
is escaped for a worse to be incurred. The vessel is no
longer water-logged, but, the ballast gone, each wave threatens
to capsize it and engulf the lightened hulk. Again we say,
reformation, to be sound, must heal the heart.

Can it be otherwise ? What else will effectually remove
the evils that affect society ? Riches ? No ! If many of
the miseries of the world are due to the democracy of poverty,
is it not because it is a revulsion from the despotism of
wealth ? Were all rich, would that make property the more
secure ? If one nation lusts for the hunger-stricken acres of
its neighbours now, would not its avarice be whetted by the
sight of unlimited wealth ? What individual, what nation,
has learnt to say " It is enough " ? Poverty places some
natural bounds upon the cruel armaments and warlike pre-
parations of the world which riches would remove. If all
could be made rich to-morrow it would not avail, unless all
could be made good.

This ought to be the A B C of politics : a moral evil needs
a moral change. This must at least be the reformer's aim.
God's partnership with man renders it attainable. Dissolve
that partnership and you are indeed undone. Man by him-
self becomes the laughing-stock of hell. Napoleon recognised
this. He aspired to universal sovereigntj7. But he would
have cemented it with religious mortar, without which he
foresaw that the stones and bricks of the stateliest edifice
would soon fall to pieces, unable to resist the force of time
and storm.

But political quackery shuts its eyes to this truth, and

396 Mrs. Booth.

rests content with manufacturing patch-work quilts that
cover without curing the evils of societ}'. And as the sick
patient in his agony tears a fresh rent another patch is made.

Others, with more heroic remedies, amputate the limb to
save the life. Nihilism and imperial power carry on a duel
in which the last shot has yet to be fired. Anarchy, worst
of all, would cut off the head of society, or thrust a dagger
in its heart, to cure its aches.

And the sum total of these remedies is less than naught,
because one and all begin at the wrong end and will not
recognise that man is man— a being with a soul and moral
entity. If man were a mere horse, the snaffle of the law
would be enough. But, because he is something more, those
who dispense with or let go the moral curb will find him
take the bit into his own mouth and will be carried over the
edge of some vast social precipice — when, if the people suffer
most, the rider shares the fall.

If this be true, how suicidal is the act of governments
which oppose those whom a benignant Providence appoints
from age to age as the social scavengers of society ! The
remedy is always there, not far from the disease. If it
happens to be irregular, or out of the common rut. what does
this matter — if it can cure ? It is strange that the ruling
powers of the world have hitherto been so slow to recognise
and utilise the Salvation Army, in spite of its notorious
success in purging and purifying and transforming the out-
casts of society. Here is a natural shield, ready-made, which
they might thrust between themselves and these elements
of mischief which repressive measures may for a time restrain
but cannot change. And yet they fling it from them and bare
their breasts to shafts which, after practising their aim upon
the target of the Salvation Army, will next be aimed with
double force and precision upon those who have thrown down
the one existing barrier between themselves and their fate.
Great and unparalleled as is the Army's record of past
achievement, what might it not have been had the move'
ment received the endorsement it has deserved?

The Army in Switzerland. 397

In no country has the Army encountered more bitter and
persistent opposition than in the freedom-boasting republic,
or rather federation of republics, of Switzerland. If one
corner of the world might have been expected to offer more
liberal scope for its operations than another, it might well
have been supposed to have been here. The articles of the
Swiss Constitution, the Magna Charta of their national rights,
guarantee liberty of conscience to every citizen. The special
treaty of 1855 grants to British subjects the same privileges
as to the Swiss citizen. Political refugees, and even anar-
chists, can meet, unhindered, to plot the downfall of friendly
foreign powers.

But when, in December, 1882, a handful of earnest enthu-
siasts entered Switzerland with the Gospel message, they
were expelled, imprisoned, or handed over to the tender
mercies of a brutal mob. The reason could not have been
that there was no need for their labours, since it was well
known and universally confessed that there was a large
residuum of the population sunk in vice and infidelity. If
any had doubted it before they could hardly do so now, in
view of the treatment met with by the Salvation Army.

Nor, again, could it be said that the peculiar measures of
the Salvation Army had exasperated the population, as had
been alleged in the case of some of the English disturbances.
There were no processions down the streets, no flaring
posters on the walls, and no brass bands. Everything that
was calculated to be misunderstood, or to cause irritation,
was avoided. But it was of no avail. The meeting-places
were besieged, broken open, and literally pillaged. The
authorities sided with the mob : closed the halls, forbade the
meetings, and expelled the officers. One of the most impor-
tant Articles of the Swiss Constitution enacts that the home
of the citizen shall be inviolable. Even this was disregarded
by the authorities, who were determined to uproot the new
religion from the soil. Oppressive decrees were issued, in
violation alike of the Constitution and of the treaty with
England. Appeals were made against these arbitrary and

398 Mrs. Booth.

illegal orders, both to the Federal authorities and the British
Government. But in vain.

There was only one way out of the dilemma, and that was
to challenge the decrees by disobeying them ; thus bringing
them within the jurisdiction of the legal tribunals of Switzer-
land. Lawyers were consulted, and advised that thig was
the only means for compelling the authorities to retrace their
steps. Swiss friends and soldiers offered eagerly to endure
whatever might be the consequence. Delicate as she was,
Miss Booth could not endure that others should bear the
penalty, and resolved that she would herself dispute the il-
legal orders. At the same time all reasonable pretext for the
interference of the authorities and enforcement of their decree
was removed by arranging that the meeting which was to take
place should be held in the woods some five miles distant
from Neuchatel, one of the cantons from which Miss Booth
had been expelled. The invitations were, moreover, issued
privately, through the sergeants and friends, no public an-
nouncement being made.

At the appointed place and time the meeting was held.
Soon after its commencement the police, who had acquainted
themselves with the arrangements by tampering with letters
sent through the post, appeared upon the scene. They did
not, however, interrupt the proceedings, which lasted for four
hours. Many of the converts testified. Some of them
appealed to the Prefect of Police and constables, as knowing
what their previous character had been, and pointed their
attention to the reformation which had since taken place.
It was the first meeting that the Prefect had attended, and
he admitted subsequently that he had been greatly misin-
formed as to the character of the work, and that after what
he had heard he could only wish it well. At the same time
he announced it as his painful duty to arrest Miss Booth and
Captain Becquet for disobedience to the decree. Bail was
accepted for a few days, in order to enable Miss Booth to
attend the funeral of a convert at Geneva, and on the 17th
September, 1883, she surrendered herself to the authorities,

The Army in Switzerland. 399

and was confined for twelve days in the Neuchatel prison
pending the trial.

The news of her daughter's imprisonment, as may be
readily imagined, deeply affected Mrs. Booth. Knowing
how unequal she was both to the nervous shock and to the
inevitable hardships of prison life, her mother could not but
anticipate the worst consequences. And yet there was no
sign of faltering in the following letter, written on the first
receipt of news of the arrest, while her daughter was on bail,
previous to her imprisonment :

" MY PRECIOUS KATE : — It would be vain to tell you what sort of a day
I passed on Saturday. I suppose you could not send us any news earlier
than you did. Thanks be unto God that you are at liberty. My only
fear is your health. Oh, if it were only I who could go to prison (poorly
as I am) I feel I could bear it better than you. Besides, it would not
matter so much about the results of my case. I am almost worn out,
but you have life before you, and who knows how much is involved to
this poor lost world ?

" Well, I know you won't fret and make a trouble of it, even if you are
put in, because you will bear it for His sake whom we all serve, and you
will see that it will be for the very best interests of our cause in Switzer-
land. Bat what I fear is the treatment you may receive, and that you
will not stand up to the prison officials about keeping your warm clothes
and having suitable food and bedding. Kemember, your life is probably
at stake, and your work ! I don't think they dare deprive you of these
necessaries. The General wrote again to Earl Granville on Saturday
night and I wrote to Mr. Gladstone, appealing to him as your mother.

" I am delighted that dear Mrs. Butler is with you (though I dare say
the Swiss authorities hate her as much as they do us). Still, her in-
fluence is very valuable, and will doubtless accomplish something. At
any rate, I thank and bless her for her kindness and sympathy and
bravery. Her letter in the Standard must do a lot of good. There is a
long article in the Daily News this morning, very fair. Mind and keep
it prominent in all your letters that you dispute the lawfulness of your
expulsion by Swiss laiv ! I think you have done very wisely to insist on
the Colonel keeping free. He cannot be spared to lie in prison !

" The attitude of some of the professing Christians here, and their
journals, is simply shameful. If it had been any infidel or Turk that
had been treated in the same manner they would all have been up in
arms ; but it is only the Nazarene ! As one of the native papers of
India said, ' You Christians won't try to save your Christ ! '

" My darling child, hold on to God, the living God, and don't doubt
for one moment but that if He permits the worst to happen He will

400 Mrs. Bvotk.

cause it to work for the spread of salvation to the ends of the earth.
There is much prayer being made for you. Fear not ; be strong and
very courageous, for He is with you."

To Mr. Gladstone, who was then Prime Minister, Mrs.
Booth addressed the following letter :

" To the Right Honourable W. E. Gladstone.

" SIR : — Allow me to intrude on your valuable time for a moment in
order to call your attention to the perils of my daughter, Miss Booth,
and her companions in Switzerland, which may not have been fully pre-
sented to you. Six months ago, after this illegal and groundless perse-
cution commenced, Earl Granville promised my husband that he would
interfere, but, although we have made two or three applications to his
Lordship through Parliamentary friends since then, so far as we can see,
nothing has been done !

" Now the authorities of Neuchatel are trying Miss Booth on a mere
pretext, and we have reason to fear an entire miscarriage of justice.
Miss Booth's imprisonment would probably help our cause more than
anything else, and but for the very delicate state of her health, consequent
on the very trying events of the last few months, I would not intrude on
your much needed privacy ; but fearing that even a short imprisonment
would cause a serious illness, or even fatal consequences, and thus
terminate her Christlike labours, I beg, with a mother's importunity,
your timely interference.

" You have probably seen Mrs. J. E. Butler's letter on this subject in
this day's Standard. Allow me also to introduce to your notice the
small book sent herewith, which I would hope may convey to you a true
idea of the genius and aim of the Salvation Army, which is simply a
popular mode of attracting the attention of the masses to the claims of
God and of goodness, so long forgotten by tens of thousands. Our
measures have succeeded in reaching multitudes of the worst classes, and
the grace of God has reclaimed thousands of them from lives of open
debauchery to temperance, industry, and religion.

" With deepest respect and unfeigned gratitude for all yonr hard ser-
vice for humanity,

" I am, honoured sir,

" Yours, on behalf of the lost,

" CATHERINE BOOTH."

To this letter Mrs. Booth received the following reply :

" 10, DOWNING ST., WHITEHALL,

" 22nd Sept., 1883.

MADAM :— I have shown both your letters to Mr. Gladstone on his re-
turn to London. He much regrets the circumstances, as stated, respect-

The Army in Switzerland. 401

ing your daughter, but he fears that he has no power to promote your
wishes. In a matter of this kind interference can only be limited to
official representation through the Foreign Minister, which Mr. Glad-
stone has reason to know has already been made, and in which he him-
self heartily concurs.

" I am, Madam,

" Your obedient servant,

" E. N. HAMILTON."

On the first day of her imprisonment Miss Booth wrote as
follows to her mother :

" NEUCHATEL PRISON,

" Sept. 17, 1883.

" MY DEAREST MOTHER: — I hurry to write a line to put you at ease.
All my anxiety yesterday was about you. As to the work and myself, all
is well. I have a mattress, a blanket, and a shawl. The food is very
decent and the bread is not hard. I shall not hurt. Do be easy about
me and trust me with the Lord, who is working through your child a
wonderful deliverance for Switzerland. This is all right. God is in it.
If you could see our soldiers, aud how the town is awakened, with the
whole of this country, you would rejoice with me. God has His purpose
in this.

" I have learned much lately which throws light on this persecution.
It is wicked men who are resisting the light and truth because it touches
their own interests. Oh, there is an awful state of things here among
the rulers ! They hate Christ come in the flesh. But He is come, and
oh, if you could have seen our meeting Sunday afternoon in the wood !
The tears, the prayers, the shouts. There is mighty work begun that
all the devils in hell cannot stop. My trial will probably come off in
seven days. I hoped it would be sooner. I shall have a chance of
speaking before them all ; pray that I may say the right thing. I think
they will expel me, but they can't keep salvation out. The fire has
begun and it will go on ! They have hundreds of their own people (as
the Journal in Geneva stated yesterday) to deal with now. What aro
they going to do?

" Their position is truly awful, as I shall tell them. They are fight-
ing against God ; they don't want their people delivered and saved.
But the business of the Army is to make the nations submit to Jesus.
We must go on, come what may.

" What I want to tell you is that my own soul has been so wonderfully
blessed the last few days. I am sure all is well, and will turn out for
the glory of God and the salvation of Switzerland.

" This is a nice quiet time in which I can write. I have much on my
heart. Kate Patrick is with me ; such a comfort ! as she can write, and
I long to put down pn paper what has been burning in my bones for
months,

D D

402 Mrs. Booth.

" My own mother, don't worry at all. My soul is prospering ; I have
time to communicate with Heaven. I have no fear ; God is with us and
He has opened my eyes. He has revealed quite clearly His will ; now I
must not be disobedient to the heavenly vision.

" Your own child, living only for the Kingdom,

" CATHERINE."

While in prison Miss Booth composed the following lines ;

Best beloved of my soul,

I am here alone with Thee,
And my prison is a heaven

Since Thou sharest it with me.

All my life is at thy service,

All my choice to share Thy cross ;
I am Thine, to do or suffer ;

All things else I count but dross.

At His voice my gloom disperses ;

Heavenly sunshine takes its place.
Bars and bolts cannot withhold Him —

Hide from me His lovely face.

Love almighty, love unchanging,

More than mother's love is mine.
Can my heart be ever lonely

Comforted with love like Thine ?

Calm amid the raging tempest,

We can well afford to wait ;
Truth and justice soon shall triumph ;

Christ our cause will vindicate.

The imprisonment of the Marechale caused a profound
sensation throughout Switzerland. Indeed the news was
telegraphed to the various Continental -capitals and was the
subject of considerable comment. Especially did it attract
attention in Paris, where she was already well known, and
where many, of all classes, flocked to hear and see her after
her return.

Meanwhile the interest centered in the court-house at
Boudry, where the trial took place, As the question was
largely one of law, the Army was represented by two able
advocates, members of the bar at Neuchatel.

The Public Prosecutor in opening his case fulminated

The Army in Switzerland. 403

against religious fanaticism as the worst of all mental
diseases, and one which contributed a third of the patients
to the lunatic asylums. If the Army were tolerated it
would be necessary to enlarge their asylums.

As for himself, he was against all religious associations.
Voltaire, Rousseau, and other prophets of the eighteenth
century had come to correct these delusions. But even
Jesus Christ, who was perhaps the most religious man that
ever lived, had commanded His followers to invoke the
Deity in private ! He went on to show that the authorities
were only carrying out the wishes of the people, and even
of the religious classes, in suppressing the Salvation Army,
With the question of the legality of the decree he declared
that the Court had nothing to do. " What do we find before
us ?" he cried. " People who show the slightest signs of re-
pentance ? No, no ! But a handful of people who come here,
with a coolness and an ' at ease ' simply superb, to tell us
that they have done nothing wrong ; who presume to talk
to us about law, and to declare they are in their rights and
mean to stick to them ! "

But the Public Prosecutor was not a little disconcerted
when, in the middle of his peroration, a window suddenly
flew open and a gust of wind scattered his papers in all
directions. " It was from heaven," a voice was heard to say,
and so it seemed.

The lawyers of the defence having addressed the Court on
the legal bearing of the case, the prisoners were asked if
they had anything to say. Captain Becquet replied that, as
the prosecutor had read extracts from a pamphlet against
the Salvation Army, he would like to read from the Bible a
justification of their methods. And the Court listened
while he read the 150th Psalm.

As the Marechale rose, calm, confident, and self-possessed,
to address the judge and jury, a scene of historic interest
presented itself worthy of a painter's skill. The Caiaphas
of the occasion, a State Councillor, who instigated the prose-
cution, took up his position immediately opposite the girl-

404 Mrs. Booth.

defendant, with a sardonic leer upon his countenance, hoping,
no doubt, to browbeat or confuse her. But the speaker had
been trained to confront something worse than looks. And
when do innocence and purity shine forth with greater
brilliance than when the powers of darkness draw near and
force the dullest minds to realise the contrast? Goodness
can bear the light which evil fears, and yet shines most
brightly in the darkest night. Wickedness defeats its own
ends, and in seeking to quench the light but sets it on a
candlestick. Sin unwittingly serves righteousness a good
turn, and when it has triumphed most and nailed a Saviour
to a cross, the cross but lifts the Saviour to an eminence
where all can see, and those who come to mock remain to
pray. The Boudry trial, instead of extinguishing the last
hopes of the Salvation Army, was to raise it higher than
ever out of the region of obscurity and place it on a new
pinnacle before the world.

The defence produced a profound impression on the Court.
A woman who was present, and who had been heard to say
before that she would like to kill Miss Booth with a pitch-
fork, was observed with the tears rolling down her cheeks
at the conclusion of the address.

A Swiss gentleman of position, M. Convert, who was tried
at the same time, said that, although not himself a Salva-
tionist, he considered it an honour to identify himself with
them in the struggle for liberty.

When Madame Boillot, another of the accused, was asked
by the Judge whether she was a Salvationist, she replied :
" I have the honour to be so." In her capacity as sergeant
she had helped to call the soldiers to the gathering. And
when the two other sergeants who had been placed on trial
were called upon to plead they nobly said that they had
only one request to make: if the English officers were
punished they begged that the same sentence might be
passed upon themselves.

The jury then retired to consider their verdict. Among
the Salvationists who filled the Court word was passed to

The Army in Switzerland. 405

occupy the interval in prayer. And yet the reminder was
scarcely necessary. During the three days that the trial
had lasted the court-house had been filled with prayer and
praise. Irrepressible " Amens " had at times expressed the
pent-up feelings of the soldiers. And the happy faces and
bright uniforms had given the dull precincts of the law the
cheerful appearance of an Army Barracks at an all-day
festival. Never for centuries amid such surroundings had
there been so much plain speaking about God and heaven
and hell.

At length, amidst breathless silence, the Judge resumed
his seat, and the foreman of the jury, supported by his six-
colleagues, advanced to the table, and read in a firm clear
voice the verdict on the three points presented for their
decision :

1. Did the accused take part in a meeting ? — Yes.

2. Was this meeting in violation of the decree? — Yes.

3. Have they acted with culpable intention ?— No.

The Judge in consequence pronounced the acquittal of the
accused, who left the Court with hearts full of praise for
this deliverance.

" To jail with them ! " exclaimed a young fellow who had
been sitting, perched upon a ledge, watching the proceedings.
But the words were scarcely out of his lips when his pedes-
tal gave way and he fell headlong on an officer of the Court,
and was marched off to the lock up inthe place of those for
whom he had desired a similar fate.

As the Salvationists left the Court they were roughly
handled by the mob, police protection having been purposely
withdrawn. But they were as impervious to cuffs and kicks
and stones as they had been to the perverted terrors of the
law, and the acquittal of their beloved Marechale filled them
with such unbounded joy that they felt as if they could
cheerfully have borne the worst that their persecutors'
malice could inflict.

In celebration of the acquittal a great thanksgiving meet-
ing was held in Exeter Hall. Miss Booth was present, and

406 Mrs. Booth.

gave a thrilling account of her imprisonment and of the
scene in Court. It was at this meeting that Mrs. Booth
delivered one of her most powerful and impassioned appeals,
with a logic none could controvert, that the heart-change at
which the Army aimed was the only sure and permanent
hope of deliverance of mankind from the degraded and
dangerous condition into which they had lapsed.

Nearly nine years have elapsed since the Boudry trial.
In spite of persecution the work has continued to extend.
Soldiers and officers have been fined and imprisoned on the
most trivial pretexts. Captain Stirling, a young lady of
fortune and position, was confined in the notorious Chillon
Castle for a hundred days on a trumped-up charge.

Among other cartoons published by the comic papers
was one representing a Salvationist as being knocked down.
He appeals to a policeman, who promptly takes him into
custody for the crime of being beaten, while the assailant
leisurely makes off! Another cartoon pictures the Christian
authoress of a savage pamphlet against the Salvation Army
as sitting in state with her feet cushioned on the corpse of a
Salvationist, receiving the warm congratulations of two
government officials. In recognition of her services one of
them, a liquor-seller, is presenting her with a cask of wine,
as a token of his gratitude for her protection of his " lawful
trade." The other is offering her two volumes of sermons,
which he is sure she will greatly enjoy. Beer and Bible had
once more joined hands ! Beneath the picture were the
words, "The dcath-bloio to the Salvation Army!" But, as
usual, a speedy resurrection followed the fancied death.

CHAPTER XLI.
BOOKS AND LETTERS.

IN the spring of 1883 Mrs. Booth delivered at the Cannon
Street Hotel an important series of lectures on the relations
of the Salvation Army to Church and State. She proved
clearly that, so far from being antagonistic to either the one
or other, the work of the Salvation Army was an important
auxiliary to both. To the Church it had taught, in the
words of the late Dr. Lightfoot, " the universal compulsion
of souls." To the State it was a valuable ally, instilling
ideas of law and order into minds that were at present
influenced by brute force alone. The enterprising spirit
which characterised business men might also be found re-
flected in the Salvation Army, for which Mrs. Booth claimed
with unanswerable force the sympathy of each and all.

The addresses have since been published in book form,
and to them we would refer our readers for a concise and
powerful demonstration of the value and need of the agency
of the Salvation Army in dealing with the social problems of
the day. While philanthropists are waiting for something
to arise more in harmony with their own preferences, or are-
labouring at great expense to devise better plans, which,
however excellent on paper, for some cause fail, or yield re-
sults altogether out of proportion to the effort, it would be
well for them to pause and study Mrs. Booth's weighty
words.

The practical experience gained by the General and her-
self in actual contact with the masses cannot wisely be
ignored by those who are themselves, from the nature of the
position, only distant spectators, at the best. Samson would

407

408 Mrs. Booth.

doubtless have preferred a better weapon for dealing with
the Philistines than the contemptible "jawbone of an ass."
But there was no time for hesitation on the battlefield. HG
snatched up that which came first to hand, and with it slew
thousands of the enemy. Had he waited for a sword he
would probably have been killed. His rough weapon
answered the purpose, and that was all he cared about.
David in his encounter with Goliath might have been better
off. Saul's own sword and armour were placed at his service,
and he could doubtless have had the choice of any others in
the camp. But he preferred his shepherd's sling and a few
pebbles from the brook. His apparent insanity was justified
by his success. The unconventional, vulgar method won a
victory which the ordinary methods were able to follow up
and complete.

Another series of lectures by Mrs. Booth was published
during this year, entitled " Life and Death." These were
specially addressed to sinners, and pointed out with un-
rivalled clearness the conditions upon which alone salvation
could be obtained, and the character of the change that God
desired to work in the heart and life of man.

This year was one of constant and successful toil for Mrs.
Booth, who visited many of the country corps and assisted
the General in nearly all the fifty great demonstrations held
in London during this time. Expeditions were despatched
to New Zealand and South Africa, besides reinforcements
being sent to other countries. By the conclusion of the year
it was found that the corps had increased 'from 427 to 657, and
the officers from 1026 to 1657.

The year had, however, a sorrowful termination for Mrs.
Booth in the death of her valued and faithful friend Mrs.
Billups, with whom, for a period of over twenty years, she
had kept up a correspondence from which we have been able
so frequently to quote. The last illness had been a lingering
and painful one. But it had been cheered by regular visits
from the Army officers, meetings being constantly held in
the sick-chamber, and the General and Mrs. Booth themselves

\

Books and Letters. 409

spending some time with the sufferer. The soldiers of the
Cardiff Corps would gather in her garden to sing the songs
she so loved, while Mrs. Billups was able through the open
window to convey to them her dying messages urging them
to faithfulness and utmost consecration to the service of God.

Hearing that a change for the worse had taken place Mrs.
Booth hurried to her friend's bedside, desiring to be with her
at the last. " I wish I could stop to the end," Mrs. Booth
writes. "She so clings to me for comfort, and the Lord is
very good in enabling me to lift her spiritually. She re-
joiced aloud this morning in the midst of extreme suffering.
Her loss will never be made up to me."

But Mrs. Billups rallied again, and yet again, lingering for
some weeks, so that Mrs. Booth was obliged to leave her.
The end came suddenly at last. " Faithful unto death," she
left behind her the memory of a life crowded with benevo-
lences. Though naturally of a fearing and doubting disposi-
tion she was enabled, in spite of the severest pain, to
triumph, and triumph gloriously, in the assurance of the
Saviour's presence and of an abundant entrance into her
eternal home. According to her last wish, Mrs. Billups
received an Army funeral. The service was conducted by
the General, and in spite of the inclement weather thousands
of people lined the road and crowded to the cemetery, the
public hall being filled at night for the special memorial
meeting. It was a deeply affecting season, and yet there was
a calm depth of joy intermingling with the grief which
forced many to say: "Blessed are the dead that die in the
Lord."

The new year (1884) commenced twith a surprise for both
the Army and the world, or, rather, that portion of it which
knew anything of the inner workings of the Salvation Army.
Few who heard the news could believe that Commissioner
Railton had at length found time to get married ! It was
eleven years since he had entered the ranks. And during
this time he had toiled night and day, more like an em-
bodied spirit than a genuine piece of flesh and blood.

410 Mrs. Booth.

But, after all, marriage was thoroughly in keeping with
the Army creed. True, celibacy, under certain circum-
stances, and to meet unusual exigencies, is considered both
lawful and commendable. Nevertheless, in this, as in other
steps of a personal nature, the individual conscience is
allowed the fullest exercise, the rules and regulations only
dealing with the character of the alliance and the manner in
which it is entered upon.

As might be expected, Mr. Railton chose for a partner in
life a thorough Salvationist. The bride, Miss Deborah
Parkyn. daughter of a Nonconformist minister, was a ser-
geant of the Torquay Corps. She had been conspicuous as
the leader of a timbrel band, as a persistent War Cry
seller, and for her dauntless courage in the open-air work.

The wedding ceremony took place at Exeter Hall, and
was conducted by the General and Mrs. Booth. The General,
in terms of the highest appreciation and affection, bore
testimony to Commissioner Hailton's unity of purpose with
himself, his unwavering devotion to the cause, and his in-
defatigable toil on behalf of souls during the past eleven
years of service.

The occasion was then seized for pointing the assembled
crowds to holiness and consecration. Mr. Railton used the
" I will " of his marriage vows as the text for urging each
one present to say a fresh "I will" to God, and to give
themselves away in uttermost surrender for the salvation of
a dying world.

The work in Australasia was now assuming such dimen-
sions that it became necessary to set someone apart to visit
the colonies, with a view to the supervision and consolida-
tion of the work. It was impossible for the General or Mrs.
Booth to leave England, where events of pressing importance
required their continual supervision. It was decided,
accordingly, that Mr. Ballington Booth should be appointed
for this important post.

He had baen for four years in charge of the men's wing of
the Training Home, a position which he had filled with

Books and Letters. 411

admirable tact and vigour. Young as he was, the lads
looked up to him as their father, and would do anything for
him. His sister, Miss Emma Booth, was in charge of the
women's wing of the Training Home. The two had worked
in happy harmony and had sent into the fields hundreds of
devoted and soul-winning officers. It seemed a thousand
pities to disturb so admirable an arrangement. But it was
evident that something must be sacrificed somewhere, in the
interests of the foreign field, and certainly it would have
been difficult to find one more admirably suited for the task.
It so happened, too, that his brother Herbert was now old
enough to step into the vacant place, and had developed
abilities which showed him to be well fitted for the trust— so
that the advantage of brother and sister working together
would be still retained.

After a brief visit to the Continent, Mr. Ballington Booth
started for Australia, accompanied by Major (afterwards
Commissioner) Howard, who was appointed to the command
of the Australian forces on the return of Mr. Booth to Eng-
land the following year. Upon their arrival they were
gratified to find that the reports which had previously
reached them were by no means exaggerated and that the
recent progress had been marvellous, in spite of riotous
opposition on the part of " larrikins," the Australian counter-
part of the English rough.

Commander Ballington Booth was received by the Austra-
lians in the warm-hearted, generous fashion so peculiarly
their own. They had longed for a glimpse of the General
and Mrs. Booth, and welcomed eagerly one of their children
as their representative. And when they had seen and heard
him for themselves, his large sympathies, quick wit, and
ready tact enabled him to sweep away objections and pre-
judice, and to establish a still firmer footing for the Army in
their hearts. Soon after his arrival he writes as follows to
his mother :

"Mr DARLING MOTHER: — Do not for the world think I forget yon, and
I should grieve if I thought you felt I neglected you. There is no one I

412 Mrs. Booth.

am more reminded of in gatherings, whether large or small, in barracks
or drawing-rooms, than of you, my mother. Your books, Crys contain-
ing your addresses, some tidings or other of you, have found their way
into the mansions and cottages alike. People love you, talk of you, pray
for you, and I have often to weep tears of gratitude when I hear them
speak of the good they have received from your works. Sometimes they
Bay to me, ' Do you think we shall ever see her ? ' Then I perhaps
reply, ' I cannot say ; the Lord in His good time may strengthen her
sufficiently to make the voyage.' And some of thsm are overjoyed at
the prospect.

"« Forget you ?' No! Not an hour. I needn't go to my case to
tarn to your dear photo (which, by-the-bye, is a good one, and which I
have no small pride in showing people, while in ecstasy I watch the
glisten in their eyes). No ! No ! each part of your sainted face is too
strongly photographed upon my heart to allow of my forgetting you.
But oh, I wish — how I wish you were here, or I were there, with you in
that sacred room of yours ! I would pour out my story, or a succession
of stories, to you, just as a son every now and again wants to do and is
all the better for doing. You cannot tell how I miss you. My love for
you seems so to have increased that I love my Bible more because of
the thought that it is your book, Christ more because He is your Saviour,
and I feel God is better honoured and served because He is your God. I
miss you ! Miss your room, and the morning call in on the way down to
breakfast. I always reckoned myself your lad, you know, and always
felt I loved you as I was incapable of expressing to you ! "

In replying to this letter Mrs. Booth says :

" MY PRECIOUS BOY :— Yours to me of October 22nd from Melbourne is
to hand, and I was delighted to receive it. I am more than glad to hear
of your thoughts of me and love for me, though I feel very unworthy of
some of the things you say. Nevertheless, I have loved you with a true
mother's, and I trust with a trne soldier's love, and it is an unspeakable
joy to me that you are being true to God and being used of Him in push-
ing forward this great war. By what you say, you make me feel that I
have some loving children and soldiers out there. Give my motherly
and salvation love to all who love the Army, and tell them that they are
remembered daily in our prayers, and that, being Salvationists, we can-
not be strangers. We meet in the one great centre of all true union,
our living Head.

" Emma says she misses you more than she thought she should. She
has developed wonderfully as a speaker, and captivates the people every-
where. If sbe would only give a little attention to the cultivation of her
powers she would become a wonderful woman. But she is absorbed for
ever and ever in the work of that Training Home — and Eva too. How-
ever, we must leave the future with the Lord, and go on doing what we
can as best we can.

Books and Letters. 413

" Bless you, my dear lad ! The Lord keep you in all your ways ! It
rejoices my heart to hear that your soul prospers, and that you think of
and pray for us all. Our hearts are sore for the loss of you. But we feel
it is for the Kingdom's sake."

It was in the autumn of 1884 that Mrs. Booth delivered,
in Prince's Hall, Piccadilly, perhaps the most powerful and
heart-searching series of lectures which she had hitherto
addressed to any audience. The apathy of professing
Christians had for some time deeply stirred her soul. Their
needs were burnt in upon her heart. Their sins and short-
comings had caused her bitterest tears. Choosing for her
subject " Popular Christianity," she proceeded to deal blow
upon blow to the religious idols of the day, and to pour out in
burning and impassioned language her sense of God's abhor-
rence for the nerveless, sinewless, powerless representation
of the religion of Christ which so largely prevailed.

A deep and lasting impression was produced upon many
hearts by these services, but it was not till some years later
that Mrs. Booth consented to the addresses being printed.
" I feared," she explains in her preface, " that in cold type
they might produce an impression of censoriousness which
was not possible when, as I believe, assisted by the Spirit of
God, I dealt with my hearers on these burning topics face to
face. During my last illness, however, I became deeply
convinced that it was my duty to let these utterances, such
as they are, go forth, irrespective of consequences, in the
hope of reaching a greater number of persons similarly
circumstanced with those to whom they were originally
spoken, many of whom professed to have received great per-
sonal blessing, with increased light and power for useful-
ness."

The book was more favourably received than Mrs. Booth
anticipated, and has already passed through three editions.
We have had occasion to quote more than once from its
pages, and would urge our readers to turn to them for the
explosion of many of the popular religious fallacies of the

CHAPTER XLII.
THE PURITY AGITATION. 1885.

VICE is without doubt the most hideous thing in the
universe. The Cain's brand on its forehead is its ugliness.
If it could see itself it would surely commit suicide. But it
dare not face a mirror. Its very existence depends upon its
being masked. Like the white ant, it is obliged to work
under cover or it could not live. So intolerable is it to the
human eye that there is not a nation under the sun which
does not repress its outward manifestations, and compel it
more or less to conceal its identity. The heathen are even
ahead of Christians in this respect, and would be shocked
to tolerate some things that Christendom allows. Every-
where alike vice is compelled to " hide its diminished head."
The slum and prison for the poor, the mansion for the rich,
must conceal from the sight and memory of humanity that
which, if dragged before our eyes, the universal conscience
must condemn.

And no wonder. For the dividing line between vice and
crime is thin — their connection intimate. Vice could not
exist without crime, and crime without' vice would dry up
like a sourceless river. Indeed, in nine cases out of ten vice
is crime, and crime in its worst form is but the natural
development of vice. Crime is the fruit of which vice is the
prolific root. Vice is the spawn from which crime breeds
and germinates. We cultivate the spawn, while we seek
to destroy its natural result ! We cast the fruit into the
flames and provide a hothouse for the plant — or allow others
to do so, which is almost the same. Vice is free to carry on
its trade, but it must dispense with its chloroform, its

The Purity Agitation. 415

bullies, and its keys. It must select for its victims the
voiceless, influenceless poor. It must not force, but it may
spread its dazzling enticements in the path of foolish youth.
Its cobweb may be spun throughout the land. There must
be equal liberty to catch and to be caught. Law must be
made to deal with crime and not with vice, or if with vice
it must be on the mole-killers' principle,

"Who catch enough to earn the farmer's pay,
And leave enough to come another day ! "

The meshes of the law must be made narrow enough to
enclose the criminal, and wide enough to let the vicious
through. And when the net is cast it must be in the well-
dragged pools of povert}^. The waters of wealth must be free
from the encroachments and poachments of the law.

But hidden vice is far from being virtue, though society
too often appears willing to accept the brazen fraud. To
cover a disease is not to cure it. The toadstool will remain
a toadstool still. All the manuring in the world will not
convert it into a mushroom, however closely it may be
made to resemble one. There is as much poison in the one
as there is food in the other.

There is only one safe way to deal with vice, and that
is to extirpate it — root and branch. The covering-up policy
has been attempted long enough. Society must attach to
vice penalties that will make the weight of its displeasure
felt. The Continental governments are beginning to awake
to this. They are finding out that it is no small evil to
deliver the youth and beauty of the land to this wretched
vampire that sucks the very life-blood from the nation, and
fans it into deadly sleep till the last drop is drawn.

From the time when Mrs. Booth had interested herself in
the work of the Midnight movement her heart had been
particularly drawn out on behalf of the fallen outcasts of
society, who, often more sinned against than sinning,
appealed peculiarly to her large and tender sympathies.
More than once she had found opportunity for extending
help to individual cases of misfortune and distress, obtain-

Mrs. Booth.

ing homes for some of the children, and assisting tho
mothers to win their way back to the paths of virtue.

It was not, however, till 1884 that a systematic effort
was organised on their behalf. Touched by the helpless and
pitiable position of some girls who had sought salvation at
her corps, and who were sincerely desirous to reform, the
wife of an Army soldier threw her home open for their
reception. It was soon crowded to its utmost capacity and
still others were clamouring for admission. Recognising in
this the finger of God calling them to enter upon this par-
ticular field of enterprise, the leaders of the Army forthwith
engaged a larger house and opened it, the first Rescue
Home, placing it under the personal supervision of Mrs.
Bramwell Booth. And thus, upon the foundation of this
single Salvationist's love and faith and toil, was reared a
work which has since extended to all quarters of the globe
and been the means of restoring thousands of wanderers to
the paths of virtue.

Through the women who sought refuge in this Home
heartrending tales of diabolical villany and cruelty were
poured into the ear of Mrs. Bramwell Booth. Such was the
effect that these exercised upon her mind that for some
months she found it all but impossible to go about her
ordinary business. Her days were darkened writh a great
horror, and her nights filled with agony of soul because of
the slaughter of the innocents. It was vain that her hus-
band sought to comfort her with the assurance that the
stories could not be true ; that the class. with whom she was
dealing were proverbial liars, and that at least they had
grossly exaggerated the character of their troubles. At
length, more with the idea of comforting her than of any-
thing else, Mr. Bramwell Booth undertook to look personally
into some of the cases. He met them and heard what they
had to say. Still incredulous, he made careful enquiries
into the circumstantial details which they had given. Not
only were their statements verified, but further discoveries
of a still more atrocious character were incidentally made.

The Purity Agitation. 417

A somewhat startling incident occurred at this time
which helped to confirm him in his determination not to
rest till some effectual redress had been obtained. He had
gone as usual to the Headquarters one morning, when he
was informed that, at the hoar of opening the doors, a young
girl had been found waiting for admission who told a
piteous tale. Deeply interested as he was in the subject,
Mr. Bramwell Booth sent for her at once to his office. Her
youth, her innocence and distress appealed to him.

She was only seventeen. A simple country girl, she had
been brought up by her grandparents, who were poor, but
thoroughly respectable people. Thinking it was time for
her to enter service, they had sent her up to London in
answer to an advertisement. Received with the utmost
kindness fry the lady of the house, it was not for some days
that she discovered that she had been entrapped into a
brothel. Escape was well-nigh impossible, so jealously
were her movements watched. Nor did she know where
to go. Without a single friend in the city, her position
was indeed a dreadful one. She hoped, moreover, that it
might be possible for her to work as a servant without pur-
suing the dreadful calling in which the other inmates of the
house were engaged.

During the previous night, to escape the attentions of a
" gentleman " visitor at the house, she had barricaded her-
self in the kitchen. Reduced to the uttermost despair, she
had suddenly remembered that in her box was a Salvation
Army hymn-book with the address of the Headquarters
upon it. She was sure Mr. Booth was a good man, and
believed that if she could only get to him he would help her.
It was not till four o'clock in the morning that the last of
the visitors had departed and all had settled for sleep.
Armed with her hymn-book she then slipped out, opened a
back window, climbed down, and made her escape, still
arrayed in the fancy dress which had been given to her by her
mistress. It was a long trudge from Pimlico to Queen
Victoria Street. But, inquiring her way from policemen,

E E

4i 8 Mrs. 'Booth.

the girl at length arrived, and waited for the opening of the
doors.

Mr. Booth was deeply moved by so affecting a narrative.
The girl was immediately admitted to the Rescue Home,
while enquiries were made which fully proved the truth of
all that she had said.

Mrs. Booth shared to the full the indignation with which
her son and daughter viewed the existing condition of things,
and urged them on to take such steps as would best be cal-
culated to meet the evil. Friends who had been for some
time familiar with the subject were consulted. Foremost
among these, Mrs. Booth turned to Mrs. Josephine Butler,
whose past devotion and labour in this painful branch of
Christian effort were beyond all praise. Having written to
her upon the subject she received the following heart-stirring
reply :

"Mr DEAR FRIEND : — It was very kind of you to write to me. "With
regard to your suggestion that we should hold more popular meetings, I

must explain to you a little the past history of our cause.
* * # *

"You thought I looked depressed. No, I am never depressed now. I
never feel anything but confidence concerning this cause, for it is God's.
But, dear friend, my earlier life was full of sorrow — indeed, of tragedy.
I have gone through seas of trouble and strange suffering. I am happier
as I get older. The joy which God gives me overwhelms even the awful
memories of the past. I sometimes regret that I have not that counten-
ance of joy which is so powerful an argument for the Christian's faith
and so attractive to the young. But you know how early sorrow leaves
its mark indelibly on the features, although the peace and joy are evident
to those who live with one. Some day I want, to write to you of some of
that opening of the jaws of hell which God called me to witness.

" You said in your address that but for the grace of God you would
have felt desperate anger at those unjust and wicked men. I had to
endure all that before the grace of God was in my heart, and even after
— while it was not strong enough to overcome the fire of wrath within
me. For months and years I longed to bathe my hands in blood,
was on the point of becoming an assassin of assassins. Vengeance, hor-
ror and hatred devoured my soul. God seemed blotted out. What I
knew and saw shook my hold upon Him. Demons seemed to govern
this world. My dreams at night were of murder and violence. I hated
with a hatred which broke my heart and drove me from God. I was a
murderess in my heart, through vengeance. But at last God so thorough-

The Purity Agitation. 419

ly broke my heart with despair that I gave up, and lefi the matter with
Him. What we see and read of in England does not half come up to
what I have seen abroad. One instance will be enough to show you
what I mean. Some time I will give you it ; and then multiply that by
ten thousand and think if it is surprising that I should look depressed."

Only too well satisfied in her own mind of the existence
and extent of the evil, Mrs. Booth nevertheless saw the im-
portance of having such facts at her disposal as would
corroborate her statements when pressing the matter home
upon others. Further investigations were accordingly
commenced under the immediate supervision of Mr. Bram-
well Booth, who at the cost of nerve and strength, and with
infinite toil and patience, followed up some of the clues
which had been obtained. A mass of information on the
subject was thus accumulated, sufficient to abundantly con-
firm the previous statements.

The idea of bringing public sentiment to bear upon the
question naturally presented itself. But this was a course
which was viewed with reluctance. The character of the
evil was such that publicity was for many reasons to be
deprecated. Moreover, there was in the journalistic world
a widespread conspiracy of silence, and it was doubtful
whether any newspaper of sufficient weight could be found
which would be willing to ventilate the subject, or plead the
cause in the hearty manner necessary to ensure success.

There was, however, one exception ; there might have
been others, but one at least had proved that he could speak
— and speak with the assurance of a sympathetic echo.
The former editor of the Northern Echo, Mr. W. T. Stead,
to whom we have already at some length referred, was at
the time in London as editor of the Pall Mall Gazette. The
chivalrous spirit by which the Army leaders knew him to be
animated induced them to place their information at his
disposal, and to invite him to enquire for himself into the
truth of the evils which were alleged to exist.

At first Mr. Stead was as incredulous as others had been,
and disposed to treat the reports as having been exaggerated.

420 Mrs. Booth.

Mr. Bramwell Booth invited 1dm to meet Mr. Benjamin
Scott, the City Chamberlain, who was specially familiar with
ihe details of one branch of this iniquity — the Continental
traffic. Mr. Stead consented. After discussing the matter
for some little time, and fully confirming, from facts that
were in his possession, the statements made by Mr. Booth, Mr.
Scott was obliged to leave. Conviction forced itself slowly
upon Mr. Stead's mind. It was with difficulty that he could
restrain his emotions. The two men, both in the prime of
life — not too old to be enthusiastic, not so young as to be
rashly led away by their feelings — were left alone in the
room. There was a momentary pause. Mr. Booth waited to
see what his friend would say. The silence was painful.
At length? raising his clenched hand in the air, Mr. Stead
brought it down upon the table with a force that made the
inkpots dance, while he gave vent to his emotions in a cry
of pain. The one word, "DAMN! " rang through the rocm.
Then the two men grasped each other's hands, and vowed
upon their knees before God that they would not rest until
something had been done to expose and remedy the evil.

Not satisfied with the evidence already gained, Mr. Stead
formed at once a secret commission of enquiry, an amateur
detective force, which should familiarise itself with every
detail of the traffic, and, trusting nothing to hearsay, should
learn from the very lips of those engaged in the business the
extent and nature of their operations. The manner in which
Mr. Stead carried out his investigations it is not our pro-
vince to describe. The noble spirit which animated him
posterity will recognize, and his name will doubtless be
handed down as ranking high among the true benefactors of
mankind. He had everything to lose, nothing to gain, by
the course that he pursued. In the first place, it required
no little courage to stir up such a hornet's nest. The men
who did so must be prepared to carry their lives in their
hands and risk the vengeance of those with whose gains and
pleasures they dared to interfere. Money was no object to
the inhuman patrons of the trade, one of whom made it his

77/6' Purity Agitation. 421

boast that lie had been the means of casting two thousand
innocent girls upon the streets, whilst another had given a
standing order to a single agency for seventy new victims
every year.

The devices by which they were entrapped, the bribes and
subterfuges for the evasion of the existing law, the sickening
details of the cruelties practised, it is impossible here to re-
peat. Suffice it to say that the dismal horrors then dis-
covered were of such a character as to baffle description.

But the law. Was there no remedy for dealing with
these atrocities ? Nay, here was the loophole of the crimi-
nals. The law recognised the right of }Toung girls above the
age of thirteen to dispose of themselves, however ignorant
ihey might be of the consequences. The ranks of vice were
largely recruited by means of guileless girls, who, lured by
promises of money, clothes, or situations, and ignorant of
what they were doing, were enticed to sell their birthright
for a mess of pottage. It was obviously necessary to raise
the age of consent.

Three times the House of Lords, to its eternal credit be
it said, had passed a bill for the amendment of the
criminal law upon the subject, and as often the House
of Commons, to its eternal shame, had blocked the scheme.
Every effort had been made to rouse these legislators
from their apathy. Not that there was any reasonable
ground to doubt the facts. The Lords Committee, which
sat for ten months in order to enquire into this dreadful
slavery, through Lord Dalhousie stated, that it "sur-
passed in arrant villany and rascality any other trade in
human beings in am*- part t>f the world, in ancient or modern
times." Lord Shaftesbury, who was one of the Committee,
affirmed "that anything more horrible, or anything approach-
ing the wickedness and cruelty perpetrated in these dens of
infamy in Brussels, it was impossible to imagine." Lord
Dalhousie further stated that " upwards of twenty procurers
had been at work in England, to the knowledge of the police,
since 1875." And yet a majority in the House of Commons,

422 Mrs. Booth.

for reasons best known to themselves, stubbornly refused
for five long years to act upon the information they had
received !

For Mrs. Booth to know of the existence of an evil was to
seek to remedy it. While the enquiries above described
were being prosecuted, it occurred to her, among other
plans, that the occasion was a fitting opportunity for pre-
senting a direct appeal to Her Majesty the Queen. Knowing
the personal interest manifested by Her Majesty in the
welfare of her subjects, and assured that the woes and suffer-
ings of these, her weak and injured daughters, could not fail
to excite her deepest sympathy, Mrs. Booth addressed the
following letter to the Queen :

11 May it please your Majesty :

" My heart has been so filled with distress and apprehension on ac-
count of the rejection by the House of Commons of the Bill for the Pro-
tection of Young Girls from the consequences of male profligacy, that,
on behalf of tens of thousands of the most pitiable and helpless of your
Majesty's subjects, I venture to address you.

" First, I would pray that your Majesty will cause the Bill to be re-
introduced during the present session of Parliament ; and,

" Secondly, I would pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased
to insist on the limit of age being fixed at sixteen.

" I feel sure that if your Majesty could only be made acquainted with
the awful sacrifice of infant purity, health, and happiness, to the vices
of evil-minded men who oppose the raising of the age, your mother's
heart would bleed with pity.

" The investigation, in connection with our operations throughout
the kingdom, of cases continually transpiring brings to our knowledge
appalling evidence of the enormity of the crimes.daily perpetrated ; crimes
such as must, ere long, if something is not done, undermine our
whole social fabric and bring down the judgment of God upon our
nation.

" If I could only convey to your Majesty an idea of the tenth part of
the demoralisation, shame and suffering entailed on thousands of the
children of the poor by the present state of the law on tbis subject I
feel sure that your womanly feelings would be roused to indignation, and
that your Majesty would make the remaining years of your glorious
reign (which I fervently pray will be many) even more illustrious than
those that are past, by going off merely conventional lines in order to
save the female children of your people from a fate worse than that of
slaves or savages.

The Purity Agitation. 423

" May He who is the Avenger of the oppressed incline tl e heart of
your Majesty to come to His help in this matter, prays
" Yours, on hehalf of the innocents,

" CATHERINE BOOTH."

To this Her Majesty sent the following reply :

" The Dowager Duchess "Roxburgh presents her compliments to Mrs.
Booth, and is desired by the Queen to acknowledge Mrs. Booth's letter of
the 3rd instant, and to say that Her Majesty, fully sympathising with
Mrs. Booth on the painful subject to which it refers, has already had
communication thereon with a lady closely connected with the
Government, to whom Mrs. Booth's letter will be immediately for-
warded."

Hopeful, however, as were this and other replies which
Mrs. Booth received to her letters, the adoption of any definite
remedial measures continued to be delayed. The House of
Commons was too much absorbed with matters relating to
property and taxes to find time to concern itself about the
beauty of England's womanhood, who lay in slaughtered
thousands upon the high places of the field. It became
evident that little or nothing would be accomplished unless
the final stimulus which springs from public opinion were
applied. The iron which when cold, or even warm, would
not yield to the most skilful hammer's thrice-repeated blows,
when plunged into the flames and tempered to white heat
would readily accept the moulding will. There was one
card left to play : the trump card of publicity. It had been
kept back in the lingering hope that the Government would
not require this last impetus. But at length, with a dra-
matic effect only increased by the delay, it was flung down,
and it had barely touched the table when it was evident to
all that the battle was won.

And now followed one of those mighty moral upheavals
which require to be witnessed to be understood. For once,
the national conscience was aroused. More than aroused ; it
was lashed to fury at the discovery of atrocities perpetrated
with impunity beneath the very shadow of the law. Vice,
caught unawares and stripped of all its pageantry, was

424 Mrs. -Booth.

dragged remorselessly from its dark hiding-place and pil-
loried before the public gaze. What the servants of the law
were paid to do but would not do, or dared not do, the Chris-
tian enterprise of those who were ready, in the cause of
humanity, to risk their own life and reputation was destined
to accomplish. Well might the world go nearly mad at the
hideous revelations contained in the " Maiden Tribute of
Modern Babylon," which, coming from the able pen of Mr.
Stead, stirred so profoundly public sentiment.

A drop of the polluted waters — only a drop — was thrown
through virtue's lantern upon the sheet before the public
gaze. Child-slavery, arch-villany, refined cruelty, and super-
lative brutality were thrust into the journalistic pillory, and
held up for the universal execration of mankind.

Realising the magnitude of the opportunity, and deter-
mined to make the utmost use of the rising tide of public
opinion, the General organised mass-meetings in London and
throughout the provinces, where Mrs. Booth poured forth
her pent-up indignation on immense and enthusiastic aud-
iences. Powerful with her pen, Mrs. Booth was well-nigh
irresistible upon the platform, especially on a subject which
had so deeply stirred her inmost soul. Some interesting
references to these gatherings are made in the following
letters to her daughter Emma, who was then in Switzer-
land.

"Ob, how wicked the world is ! Bramwell and Stead have been en-
gaged on some investigations about the child prostitution of London, and
their discoveries are awful. I wrote the Queen' on Thursday about it,
and received a most gracious reply. I have never known anything take
such hold of Bramwell for years. I told him I never felt so proud of
him in my life. But all this on the top of our other work is killing.
However, I have felt better the last few days."

Writing again on the day previous to the publication of
the ': Maiden Tribute/' Mrs. Booth says :

" The first article is coming out in the Pall Mall to-morrow. It will
cause a shaking ! And time it did ! These fiends perpetrating such
hellish crimes as these ! It is a \vouder tint the people do not lynch

The Purity Agitation. 425

them and barn their houses about their ears ! It has made me feel
awful sometimes while the investigations have been going on. We have
got some of the children in our keeping! Pray that we may be able to
burst up this machinery of hell."

It was at this crisis that Mrs. Booth addressed a second
letter to Her Majesty the Queen :

" Your Majesty will be aware that since your last communication to me
some heart-reading disclosures have been made with respect to the pain-
ful subject on which I ventured to address you. It seems probable that
some effective legislation will be .the result, for which the multitudes
of your Majesty's subjects in the Salvation Army will be deeply
grateful.

"Nevertheless, legislation will not effect what requires to be done-
Nothing but the most desperate, systematic, and determined effort, moral
and spiritual, can meet the case, and it would be a great encouragement
to thousands of those engaged in this struggle if your Majesty would
at this juncture graciously send us a word of sympathy and encourage-
ment to be read at our mass meetings in different parts of the king-
dom, the first of which takes place on Thursday evening next at Exeter
Hall.

"Allow me to add that it would cheer your Majesty to hear the re-
sponses of immense audiences in different parts of the land when it ha^
been intimated that the heart of your Majesty beats in sympathy with
this effort to protect and rescue the juvenile daughters of your people.

" Praying for your Majesty's peace and prosperity,
" I have the honour to be,

" Yonr Majesty's loyal and devoted servant,

" CATHERINE BOOTH."

To this letter Her Majesty sent the following reply :

" The Dowager Marchioness of Ely presents her compliments to Mrs.
Booth, and begs leave to assure her that her letter, addressed to the
Queen, has received Her Majesty's careful consideration. Lady Ely
need scarcely tell Mrs. Booth that the Queen feels very deeply on the
subject to which her letter refers, but Her Majesty has been advised that
it would not be desirable for the Queen to express any opinion upon a
matter which forms at present the object of a measure before Parlia-
ment."

But perhaps the crowning effort of the campaign was the
organising by the General of a monster petition to the House
of Commons. So overwhelming was the response to his
appeal that within the short space of seventeen days no less

426 Mrs. Booth.

than 343,000 signatures were obtained. Coiled up in an
immense roll, measuring in length two miles, bound together
and draped with the Army colours, the petition was placed
upon a large open wagon and escorted in the direction of
Westminster to the point beyond which public demonstra-
tions are not allowed to proceed. It was then driven to the
entrance of the Houses of Parliament, where it was carried
by eight stalwart uniformed Salvationists and deposited upon
the floor of the House of Commons. It was a unique and
impressive spectacle, the members rising to their feet spon-
taneously to view the unwonted scene.

Thus within the very precincts of the Nation's legislature,
as well as through the length and breadth of the land, the
wail of trampled innocence and womanhood was voiced. An
angry nation thundered at the gates and demanded instant-
aneous vindication of the law. The spectacle was sublime.
Righteous indignation, that grandest echo of the God in
man — when humanity rises in self-forgetfulness to its
stature's utmost height, every nerve, every sinew of its
being stretched in simultaneous action — grand in an
individual, never looked more nationally grand. With
sparkling eyes and beating heart, and cheeks crimsoned
with honest shame, all that was true and noble in England's
life and homes stood forth to demand justice, deliverance,
and protection for the girlhood of the land.

It was in vain that some in power whined and whimpered
that there was " no law " ; that while property was guarded
by a bayonet-fence, unprotected maidenhood could sell the
priceless birthright of her virtue to the first villain who was
clever enough to deceive her artless innocence and base
enough to fling his ruined victim on the streets. If such
was law, then law must be mended ; and mended it was,
with a celerity unequalled in the history of England's law-
making. The Criminal Law Amendment Act, raising the
age of consent to 16, was carried through Parliament in a
way which showed what could be done if those who ought to
do it would.

CHAPTER XLIII.
THE GREAT DUST TRICK. 1885.

BUT the battle with the harpies and their Minotaur allies
had not ended yet. The last scene in the drama had still to
be played. More strange, more incredible, more audaciousty
impossible than could have been imagined, was the solemn
farce that was to be enacted on the public stage. It was an
outrage alike on virtue and on common sense, and posterity
will cover the actors in the discreditable cause with shame,
and will wonder that men of honour could be found who
would be willing to sacrifice the dignity of the law in going
through the great transparent legal pantomime.

A Balaclava charge, a cloud of dust, dust in the Parlia-
ment, dust in the law courts, dust, especially — a veritable
shower of it — in the newspapers, dust in the office, dust in
the counting-house, dust in the brothel, dust in the club,
dust here, dust there, dust everywhere — and the great un-
paralleled dust trick was performed. It was an expensive
affair — must have cost £10,000 if it cost a shilling ; but that
was the best part of the hoax, for the public themselves had
to pay ! And the conjurors — well, they were all honourable
men ! And their immense sacrifices, unequalled energy,
brilliant detective skill, and legal acumen in discovering and
punishing the real criminals, was it not worthy of the paltry
sum ? Should not their names be emblazoned in the temple
of fame, and heralded throughout the world, as the faithful
defenders of wickedness in high places, as the noble cham-
pions of vice, as the slaughterers of " the two witnesses "
who had dared to prophesy, " clothed in sackcloth," against
the abominations of the day ? Had not the time come when

427

428 Mrs. Booth.

all the belibelled inhabitants of brotheldom might "rejoice
and make merr}r, and send gifts one to another," because
" the two prophets " who had " tormented them " had been
slain ?

But the trick ! Tho dust had slowly cleared. The be-
wildered public was half stupefied. There was dust in its
eyes, dust in its nostrils, dust in its ears, dust half- way down
its throat. It coughed, choked, sneezed, rubbed its eyes red
and cleared its spectacles to gaze upon a scene which no
Shakespeare would have had the audacit}1- to conceive. And
yet there was a striking parallel after all. The actors in this
novel play might have been studying the ''Merchant of
Venice." For the proverbial Jew ; no, not a Jew— be it not
breathed !— an Englishman, was there, demanding persis-
tently his " pound of flesh." Armed with the " Maiden
Tribute," standing upon the letter of the law, he faced an
English jury, requiring what ? Justice ! Yes, justice, for
the brothel-keeper, for the slave-traders, for the Minotaurs,
for the harpies, whose peaceful orgies had been thus sud-
denly disturbed!

The dust had cleared. The pillory was there — not one
but half a dozen pillories ! And the infamous monsters,
where were they? Not far distant, to be sure ! Tittering
beneath the ermine of nobility, yelping behind the editorial
chair, and, alas ! worst of all, grimacing triumphantly from
the cover of the sheltering segis of the law.

But the pillories ! They were not empty ? Oh, no ! The
"good Samaritans" were there — pilloried for creating an
obstruction in the road of vice ! The criminals who had been
accustomed to pass from Jerusalem to Jericho, with a free
permit to rob, to worse than rob, every maiden over thirteen,
had certainly been obstructed — permanently so ! The road
had been narrowed by three yards. It was wide enough
still, Heaven knew ! But it had been narrowed, none the less.
Intolerable ! Poor vice ! The victim of insatiable virtue !
But now the day of vengeance had arrived ! The " good
Samaritans " were pilloried, and injured girlhood left to

The Great Dust Trick. 429

perish in the road. The Barabbas of the brothels was
released, and the old cry was raised, " Down with the
Nazarene ! "

And yet it was a glorious spectacle. For just as vice needs;
but to be seen 5n order to be scorned, so virtue never looks
more beautiful than beneath the blaze of a veritable sunlight
of publicity. Turn it which way you will, it alwa}rs shines.
Like a diamond with a thousand facets, it will bear looking
at from every point of view,

The enemies of righteousness had thought to turn the
guns of purity against itself. Through the lantern of mis-
representation j calumny, ridicule, satire, and what not, they
would depict upon the sheet before the public eye the blem-
ishes of virtue, and prove her to be, after all, but one degree
removed from vice in turpitude. The governmental, legal,
journalistic mountains quaked and rocked in the throes of a
veritable earthquake of bombast. The nation looked, but
not so much as the proverbial mouselet could it descry!
Two beautiful, pure, self-sacrificing characters shone out
upon the sheet, like guardian angels of humanity ; two
men who were not deaf to the cries of tens of thousands of
injured innocents because their own babes happened to be
safe ; upon whose hearts the tears of the widow and the
orphan and the oppressed fell like molten lead. It was a
spectacle worth looking at and seldom seen : two men who
were willing in these days to shoulder a real cross, and fight
a real battle on mankind's behalf. Had they been the only
two it would have been something, but one at least repre-
sented thousands more who were ready at a signal to make
like sacrifices in the service of their fellow-men.

"The Armstrong case will crush the Salvation Army,"
pronounced a titled celebrity, who was favoured with a seat
upon the Bow Street bench, and who thought he might at
last safely venture upon a prophecy which could not fail to
come to pass. Indeed, those who were supposed to know
unhesitatingly declared that the proceedings were aimed as
much at the Salvation Army as at the neo-journalism with

430 Mrs. Booth.

which Mr. Stead's name was identified. Bat the would-be
prophet was doomed to be disappointed once more. The
Armstrong case did not crush the Salvation Army. How
could it ? Instead of doing so it advertised it far and wide
as the champion of the oppressed, a terror to evildoers, and
a national bulwark against the encroachments of vice and
crime.

Villains, rich or poor, were to learn that not one, but r.
hundred thousand men and women linked as one, would in
future bar their way and interpose their own bodies between
them and the miserable victims of their lust. Even Rebecca
Jarrett, the one repentant Magdalene, out of whom not seven
but legions of impure devils had been cast, bore with forti-
tude, as the righteous meed of her former crimes, the unjust
punishment of her one great effort to redeem the atrocious
past. Surely the Pharisees would have blushed to pass a
sentence of six months on Mary Magdalene, as she left the
presence of Jesus Christ after she had renounced a life of sin
for one of virtue. But the male Magdalenes of that day,
who knew Mary so well, and who in the sight of Heaven
were no better than their despised victim, had not yet
reached that point of nineteenth-century hardihood ! Were
there no unrepentant Jarretts that the law could lay its
hands upon, that it must wreak its vengeance on the solitary
one who dared to turn Queen's evidence in exposing the
depths of this vile traffic to the world ? It was indeed a
rude trial of the genuineness of her penitence. But she
stood the test, proving the reality of the change, and will
one day doubtless meet her accusers at the bar of God, where
pardoned Magdalenes will have a better chance.

In touching contrast to the action of the Government and
Judge in regard to Jarrett was the offer of a girl captain in
the Salvation Army to take her place and bear her punish-
ment ! And there could be no doubt that not one, but hun-
dreds, of her comrades would have volunteered to do the
same.

A tale is told by Macaulay of a rich Brahmin who was

The Great Dust Trick, 431

shown a drop of sacred Ganges water through a microscope.
Horrified at the sight of its impurities, the Brahmin asked
the price of the unlucky instrument, paid for it, and dashed
it to atoms on the spot. Christianity smiles. The Brahmin's
folly neither purified the drop nor the stream from which it
was taken. Whether or not he chose to recognize the fact,
the animalcules were there. The question was what to do
with them.

But here the Brahmin was a Christian Government, the
microscope the " Maiden Tribute," its operator a Christian
journalist, the drop of water taken from the national pool.
The sight was truly sickening. The man who could behold
it unmoved must be heartless indeed. And yet this en-
lightened Christian Government proceeds to imitate precisely
the action of the Brahmin priest. Instead of setting
earnestly to work to cleanse the impure stream, it seizes
the unpaid-for microscope and hurls it to the ground, and
then leaps upon its owner, drags him to the bar, proclaims
a solemn fast, and sets up " men of Belial " to prove that
" Naboth hath blasphemed God and the king " — no, God and
brotheldom — and hurls him for the offence into a felon's
cell! Could the annals of hypocrisy -present a stranger
scene ? How will such actions read in the light of history
— nay, of the Great White Throne ? Surely Pharisees are
out-Phariseed, and Jezebel herself out-Jezebeled for once !

To say that Mrs. Booth was indignant is but feebly 'to des-
cribe the horror and amazement with which she regarded
this foul stratagem ! She mourned most because it was
calculated to draw a false scent across the track, and to
turn public attention from the evil to those who were
striving, however imperfectly, to deal with it.

The Criminal Law Amendment Act having been passed
she had left London with the General for the provinces,
eager to use the widespread interest of the hour in awaken-
ing universal attention to the one great theme : the salvation
of the world. The General, in particular, was anxious to
remind his followers that the subject which had lately en-

432 Mrs. Booth.

grossed the public mind was but a single manifestation of
the all-prevailing sin which, in a thousand different forms,
was the source of the miseries of mankind. Nothing has
perhaps more emphatically contributed to the success of the
Army than the persistency with which its leaders have ever
kept the one main object in view.

Great was their astonishment, however, when late one
night they received a telegram urging their immediate
return to London, and informing them that the Government
had decided to prosecute, not the authors of the recently re-
vealed atrocities, but those who had been the means of
calling public attention to the existence of the evil. Mr
Stead, Mr. Bramwell Booth, Mrs. Combe, and Rebecca
Jarrett, the reclaimed brothel-keeper, had been arraigned and
brought to the bar.

And here it is necessary to explain. Mr. Stead had
stated, among other things, that it was possible, for the sum
of £5, or even less, to purchase in the London slave market,
at a few days' notice, a young girl, to entrap her under false
pretences, to remove her to a brothel, to drug her, and to
commit her to a life of shame, under the very eye of the law.
Scores of instances were given. Among others, a girl
named Armstrong was obtained with the assistance of a
converted ex-brothel-keeper, Rebecca Jarrett. Care was of
course taken that the girl should be in no way harmed, and
then every other step of the alleged road to ruin was trodden
without the slightest hitch or difficulty being encountered in
the way ; the girl being finally handed over to the care
and safe-keeping of the Salvation Army, by whom she was
removed to the Continent.

Here, then, was the flaw in Mr. Stead's armour. It is
said that when Achilles was dipped into the Styx he was
rendered invulnerable at every point save his heel, by which
he happened to be held. And here was the " Maiden
Tribute's" Achilles' heel at which the legal shafts were
forthwith aimed. Mr. Stead was a law-breaker ! He was a
criminal self- confessed ! "What need have we of further

The Great Dust Trick. 433

witness ? " Motives were neither here nor there. The law
had been broken. The law must be vindicated. " The engi-
neer " must bo "hoist with his own petard." His accom-
plices, Mr. Bramwell Booth and Mrs. Combe, a Swiss lady,
must be punished for the " crime " of receiving and shelter-
ing the girl whom they believed, rightly or wrongly, to have
been sold for evil purposes. The ex-brothel-keeper must, of
course, be added to the list, with two other participators in
the transaction. A real malefactor must be mixed up with
the make-believes to manifest the judicial impartiality of the
law!

Protests were of little avail. Government was inexorable.
Having proved its sincerity in recognising the evil by pass-
ing the Act, it was next going to stultify itself and Parlia-
ment by proving that there was no need for the Act ! Here
was an incredible piece of inconsistency ! First to legislate
for brotheldom, and then to whitewash brotheldom by prov-
ing that, after all, it was not so bad as some supposed. Why
did they not prosecute the Committee of the House of Lords,
and include Lord Dalhousie or Lord Shaftesbury in their
impeachment of Messrs. Stead and Bramwell Booth ?

Sir Richard Cross had himself made the following remarks
in the House of Commons at the second reading of the
Bill:

" He desired to say a word as to the position of the Government with
reference to the measure. The matter had been before the country now
for a considerable time. In 1881 and 1882 the House of Lords Committee
investigated it at sonfe length and made a most valuable report. Those
who had read that report and the evidence given before the Committee
could have no doubt that a bill of this kind was absolutely necessary.
The bill contained practically no new principle, being merely an ex-
tension of the existing law in different ways. ... A bill on this
subject was introduced into the House of Lords in 1883, and another in
1884, and the bill of the late Government had been introduced and
passed in the House of Lords this year. So that no one could say that
this question had been approached in a hurried manner. The country
had had full opportunity for considering it. ... The late Govern-
ment were convinced that the question was thoroughly ripe for dis-
cussion."

F F

434 Mrs. ^

The Attorney-general had spoken even more strongly on
the subject :

" It seemed to him to be conceded that there was a very substantial
evil, and one which it was the bounden duty of every man who had
regard for humanity and morality to grapple with if he" could. . . .
There had been going on for some time a positive trade by some dis-
reputable persons in young girls, not only with the view of keeping them
at home, but with the view of inducing them to go abroad. . . .
Almost everybody who had spoken agreed that there was a great and
crying evil to be remedied, and the main difference of opinion was as to
whether the bill would do much good. At any rate, so far as regarded
the clauses directed against the disgusting trade referred to, it could do
no harm. There was ample reason to justify Her Majesty's Govern-
ment, and all who wished to legislate in the cause of humanity and
morality, in endeavouring to pass the bill."

But the travesty of justice must go on. The Bow Street
magistrate, Mr. Vaughan, before whom the preliminary in-
vestigations are made, has great doubts whether he ought to
commit Mr. Bramwell Booth or Mrs. Combe. But he com-
mits them all the same. The prosecutor, not the prisoner,
must have the benefit of the doubt. And then the Old
Bailey trial before Mr. Justice Lopes drags its weary length
along for twelve days, ending in the triumphant acquittal of
Mr. Bramwell Booth and Mrs. Combe, and in the conviction
and imprisonment of Mr. Stead, Jarrett, and the three other
accused.

Before the trial was concluded Mrs. Booth sent to Her
Majesty the Queen the following telegram :

11 To HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUERN : — May it please your
Majesty to allow me to state that I know \V. T. Stead, whose prosecution
has been instigated by the hate and revenge 'of bad men, to be one of
the bravest and most righteous men in your Majesty's dominions, and if
to morrow he should be sentenced to imprisonment it will shock and
arouse millions of your best and most loyal subjects to the highest in-
dignation. I pray by all the love I bear your Majesty, and by all the
pity I feel ior your outraged infant subjects, that you will, if possible,
interfere to avert such a national calamity. May God endue your
Majesty with wisdom and strength to ignore all evil counsellors, and to
exert your royal prerogative for the deliverance of those who are perse-
cuted only for righteousness' sake, prays your loyal and devoted servant
in Jesus,

" CATHERINE BOOTH."

The Great Dust Trick. 435

To this Mrs. Booth received from Her Majesty the follow-
ing telegram in reply :

" The Queen has received your telegram. It is well understood that
Her Majesty cannot interfere in the proceedings of any trial while it is
going on. If necessary, an appeal through the Secretary of State can be
made to the Queen for a remission of sentence."

Acting upon Her Majesty's reply, as soon as the case had
been decided Mrs. Booth addressed the following letter to
Sir Richard Cross :

" SIR: — Having appealed to Her Majesty the Queen on behalf of Mr.
Stead and Eebecca Jarrett, prior to the passing of their sentences, Her
Majesty graciously wired me in reply, stating that she could not interfere
while the trial was going on, but instructing me to appeal through the
Secretary of State for a remission of sentence if desired ; accordingly,
I pray, on behalf of the Salvation Army, and also of thousands of
the most virtuous, loyal, and religious of • Her Majesty's subjects,
that you will present our most humble and earnest appeal to Her
Majesty for the immediate release of these prisoners, who, although
they may have been guilty of a technical breach of the law, have been
actuated by the highest and most patriotic motives, and have by their
action procured an unspeakable and lasting boon to the most helpless
and pitiable of the subjects of this realm, in the passing of the Criminal
Law Amendment Bill.

" I have the honour to be,
" Yours faithfully,

"CATHERINE BOOTH."

There can be little doubt that Her Majesty would have
gladly granted the countless petitions which poured in upon
her from all parts of the country for Mr. Stead's, if not for
Jarrett's, release by exercising her prerogative. But, in re-
gard to this, precedent and the Constitution left her power-
less to follow out her own convictions without the dismissal
of her Ministers. This it was hardly to be expected that
Her Majesty would contemplate. And hence upon the
Ministers must rest the blame of the shameful prosecution
from first to last.

Writing to one of her children at the conclusion of the
trial, Mrs. Booth says :

436 Mrs. Booth.

" Well, thank God ! the iniquitous farce of the trial is over and Bram-
well is acquitted ; no case against him, after all the suspense, anxiety,
and loss of time inflicted on us ; it has put five years on to his life.
Stead is imprisoned for three months. Infamous! And there is going
to be a great upheaval over it, or I am mistaken. Ah, this has revealed
some rottenness behind the scenes ; truly we are far sunk as a nation.
But touching this evil is like bearding hell itself."

And thus ended the great legal comedy. Nay, it did not
end. It was adjourned to the final Assizes of the Universe,
when the position of the actors will be reversed and the
accusers take the place of the accused.

CHAPTER XLIV.
LIFE AND LETTERS. 1885.

As has been already remarked, the spiritual work of the
Salvation Army was not allowed to be interrupted during

COMMISSIONER TIIGGINS.

the year. Indeed it was a time of special progress. The
foreign corps had increased from 273 to 520, being an
addition of 247. Those in Great Britain had risen from
G37 to 802, making an increase of 165. The total number of
corps had thus multiplied from 910 to 1,322, an increase of

437

438

Mrs. Booth.

412. There had been proportionate progress in regard to
officers. The year 1884 had closed with a grand total of
251G1. At Christmas, 1885, there were no less than 3,076,
being an increase of close "upon 1,000 for the year.

Among other remarkable conversions of the year was that
of a Nihilist in Switzerland, where the persecutions contin-
ued to be so severe that on more than one occasion the
officers were fired upon with revolvers by the roughs. His

CABLETON.

story runs as follows. Commissioned by his companions to
blow up the Government Palace at Berne, he had in his pos-
session at the time of his conversion three bombs of dyna-
mite. Armed with a dagger and revolver he attended ono
of the meetings, intent on mischief. God's strong hand was,
however, upon him ; the shaft of conviction entered his soul
before the day ended, and the radiance of his face soon gave
evidence of the change which had taken place. Having

Life and Letters 439

sworn never to surrender his deadly weapons save into the
hands of those from whom he had received them, he took
them back to the desperate band, telling them bravely what
had happened. They pointed a revolver at him, threatening
to shoot him, when he calmly answered. " Do it. I am ready
to meet my God."

A new departure that was initiated during the year con-
sisted in the establishment of what were called ll cavalry
forts." These were large vans, capable of accommodating a
dozen cadets, intended for the spread of the work among the
villages. The first of these was named the Victory, and
was publicly dedicated by Mrs. Booth. Others quickly
followed in its track, and much good was thus accomplished
in places which it would have been difficult otherwise to reach.

The publication of u Orders and Regulations for Field
Officers," the General's book of instructions for the officers
of the Salvation Army, marked another important advance
in the direction of consolidation. We question whether any
religious organisation possesses a code of regulations at the
same time, so minute and yet so comprehensive, so practical
and yet so spiritual.

The first number of the monthly missionary magazine of
the Army, All the World, was now issued. The foreign
work of the Salvation Army had attained such proportions
that it required representation to an extent that was not
possible in the British War Cry. Moreover, there was a
continually increasing circle of influential friends to whom
the popular, rough-and-ready style of the War Cry was not
suited, and yet who desired to be kept in touch with the
progress of the work. It so happened that at the very
moment of the need an American lady of literary capacity
and experience had offered herself for Army work. This
happy concurrence of circumstances led to the establishment
of All the World, which, under the skilful editorship of Miss
Swift (ably assisted by Miss Douglas), has now attained a
world-wide circulation, and has the character of being the
spirited missionary magazine of modern times,

44O Mrs. Booth.

The intense excitement of the Purity movement and its
subsequent developments had carried Mrs. Booth for a time
entireh- beyond her strength. This was followed by a pro-
portionate relapse, when her over-taxed strength once more
gave way, and for several months she was confined to home
and unable to take part in public meetings. But, Paul-like,
Mrs. Booth was enabled to utilize the enforced leisure by
contributing to the War Cry a series of letters on a great
variety of subjects, embodying her answers to correspondents

MAJOR SWIFT FKOM AMERICA.

who wrote, seeking her counsel, from all parts of the
world.

From Midsummer, 1886, to Christmas, 1887, Mrs. Booth
was enabled to resume and continue her public work, almost
without intermission. During the former year, besides
holding meetings in most of the large Salvation Army halls
in London, she delivered several addresses at Exeter Hall.
She also visited Cambridge, Derby, Leamington, Portsmouth,
Castleford, Norwich, and Tunbridge Wells, where large and
enthusiastic audiences greeted her. In 1887 her activities
were interrupted by the serious illness of her daughters,

Life and Letters. 441

Miss Emma and Miss Eva Booth. Nevertheless, besides her
numerous London engagements, she visited Birmingham,
Coventry, Rugby, Leicester, Peterborough, Luton, Doncaster,
Bridlington, Scarboro', Kettering, Eastbourne, and Worth-
ing.

Mrs. Booth was at this time in the very zenith of her
success and popularity as a preacher. The prophetic severity
of her denunciations of evil in no way diminished the crowds
who everywhere flocked to her meetings. Eealising in-
creasingly, as life advanced, the necessity of speaking plainly
in regard to sin and the conditions of salvation, she allowed
no fulse sentiment to induce her to " do the work of the
Lord deceitfully," or to earn the " curse " of " keeping back
her sword from blood."

The respective figures for 1886 and 1887 showed no decline
in the rate of onward progress. At the end of the latter
year the corps had increased from 1 ,786 to 2,262, and the
officers from 4,192 to 5,684, while in the United Kingdom
alone no less than 148,905 persons had sought salvation
during the year. Amongst other things, the Training
operations had been so much extended that 848 cadets had
been sent into the field during the year, while as many as
2,776 of the rank and file were candidates for the post of
officers.

The Rescue Work had been greatly extended both at home
and abroad. Through the twelve British Homes 839 girls
had passed during the year. Of these only 115 were reported
as unsatisfactory, the remainder having given evidence of a
change of heart, and being either in situations or sent home
to their friends.

In 1886 the General visited Canada and the United States,
travelling 15,000 miles and holding 200 meetings during
the three months he was absent from England. In the
following year he visited the Continent, devoting special
time and attention to Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The
reception with which he everywhere met proved that the
Salvation Army was striking its roots deeply into the foreign

442 Mrs. Booth.

soil, while the General's keen eye enabled him to detect the
peculiarities of the various nationalities, and the nature and
degree of adaptation necessary for the overcoming of exist-
ing difficulties.

In the autumn of 1886 was held the first great Inter-
national Council, when representatives from all parts of the
world were summoned to take part in a week of united
demonstrations. Some 2.000 British officers were also
gathered to meet the foreign contingents. It need hardly be
said that no single building would have sufficed to accommo-
date the crowds who desired to attend these gatherings.
Nor was it thought advisable, as on a previous occasion, to
engage the Alexandra Palace, as for a series of meetings
covering several days it would have been too great an ex-
pense, and there was the serious drawback that it was out
of the reach of the poor people.

The only way of overcoming the difficulty was to arrange
for simultaneous meetings in the largest London halls, so
dividing the forces as to ensure the greatest possible amount
of good from so unique an opportunity. Exeter Hall was
engaged for five days, and at the same time meetings were
arranged to be carried on in the Congress Hall, Clapton, the
Great Western Hall, Marylebone, and the Grecian, City
Road ; the four halls accommodating some fifteen or sixteen
thousand people.

The highest expectations cherished with regard to these
meetings were more than realised. No less than 1,700 billets
were gratuitously offered by London friends for the incoming
officers. This in itself marked not only the general interest
felt in the occasion, but the extent of the Army's hold upon
the metropolis. Sixteen nationalities were represented, in-
cluding America, Canada, Sweden, Norway, France, Switzer-
land, and India. Never was the cosmopolitan character of
the movement more clearly demonstrated. The love, the
harmony, the enthusiasm, savoured of heaven rather than
earth. National differences were forgotten while officers and
soldiers met each other under the one universal flag, and

Life and Letters. 443

vowed themselves freshly away to God and the Army for the
salvation of their countrymen. The thirty public meetings
held, with their total audiences of 120,000 people, offered a
marvellous opportunity for the outpouring of the Holy
Ghost, and doubtless an ineffaceable landmark was created
in the spiritual experience of multitudes.

It was suggested, by some of the provincial friends who
had come to London for the occasion, that similar meetings
should be held in other towns. The General was pleased
with the idea, and arranged immediately for a tour, in
company with fifty of the foreigners. Not only were the
expenses of this party entirely covered by the collections,
but upwards of £2,700 profits were realised for the prosecu-
tion of the Army's missionary work.

It was during this tour that the idea occurred to the
General of sending out strong reinforcements to foreign
countries in place of the driblets which had hitherto been
despatched. If with so little effort such glorious results had
already been accomplished it seemed likely that a campaign
on a larger scale would be accompanied by some sweeping
advances. The plan was therefore put into operation, and
before the new year had commenced 186 officers were on
their way to foreign lands— probably the greatest effort any
single missionary body has ever made in so brief a space of
time. The largest of the detachments numbered forty, and
was sent to reinforce the work in India and Ceylon. With-
in a few weeks of their arrival 200 natives sought salvation,
and an impetus was given to the work which proved a turn-
ing-point in its history. In the following year an unex-
pected donation of £5,000, from a warm friend of the Army
in China, enabled the General to despatch to India another
party of fifty officers. As a result of these reinforcements
a large staff of native officers was quickly organised, who
have developed such ability and devotion that they give
promise of soon being able to step into the places of their
European comrades, and thus render the solution of climatic
and linguistic difficulties comparatively easy. Indeed, for

Mrs. Booth.

some time the entire command of the Indian work was vested,
during the absence of the writer of these memoirs, in a native
officer, Colonel Arnolis Weerasooriya. The unparalleled
spectacle was afforded of a native bishop in charge not only
of native ministers but of European missionaries! And yet
there was not a murmur. With ready alacrity the European
received his orders from his native leader. And when the
Colonel was prematurely removed to heaven by an attack of

THE LATE COLONEL ARNOLIS WEEKASOORITA.

cholera the passionate grief of his European subordinates
exceeded even that of his fellow-countrj-men.

Great, however, as was the success of the International
Council of 1886, and although the necessary outlay had been
more than covered by the offerings, it was not deemed ad-
visable to repeat it annually, owing to the fact that it necessi-
tated the absence of the foreign commanders from their
various posts. The anniversary of 1887 was therefore con-

Life and Letters, 445

fined to Great Britain, the Alexandra Palace being engaged
for the day. Although, with the exception of a few
Continental representatives, the foreigners were not present
on this occasion, more than fifty thousand passed the turn-
stiles, and the hearty enthusiasm of the occasion showed how
groundless were the fears entertained by some that it would
not maintain the interest of the previous seasons. Almost
unsought, Providence has placed within our leaders' reach
the means of not only preserving but increasing, from year
to year, the early attractiveness and enthusiasm of the
movement.

Although these popular demonstrations are entirely dis-
tinct from the regular efforts of the various corps we are
aware that not a few Christians object to them. In this
we cannot but think that they are seriously mistaken*

In the first place, such demonstrations are in thorough har-
mony with the teaching and practice of the Bible. Under
the old dispensation it was an absolute law that every
Israelite should at least three times a year repair to Jeru-
salem to worship. This must have entailed enormous ex-
pense and inconvenience, but who can doubt that the com-
pensating gain amply repaid the outlay? Similarly we find
our Lord Himself gathering vast crowds, leading them into
the wilderness, away from all their family associations, and
conducting meetings among them which frequently lasted
for several days. The Apostles also attracted multitudes
wherever they went, their power for working miracles being
evidently granted to them for this purpose. Moreover, every
prophecy of heaven presents pictures of countless myriads.

But, leaving out of consideration for the moment the
Scriptural aspect of the question, it is evident to any student
of human nature that wherever man exists there man will
congregate, if not for a good purpose then for an evil, or at
least a useless one. The racecourse, the circus, athletic
sports, and military reviews, are all so many object-lessons
to the Christian, as to the possibility and desirability of
dealing with the masses in a mass by substituting counter-

446 Mrs. BootJi.

attractions of such a character as will remove the temptation
to frequent the pleasure-haunts of worldliness and sin.

As for the cost of these demonstrations, the funds contri-
buted for spiritual objects have rarely been trenched upon by
such gatherings. On the contrary, they have usually been
a considerable source of income. The people gladly pay,
as they would have done had they been going to the Derby
or Ascot instead of to the anniversary of the Salvation
Army.

Mistaken, indeed, is the penny-wisdom and pound-folly of
those who would deny to man these supreme spasms of Divine
influence and who would spend their time in reckoning how
many shillings it has cost.

There is a class of critics whom we might almost imagine
charging the architects of the New Jerusalem with extrava-
gance for having used such costly materials in the construc-
tion of its pearly gates and golden streets. " Why was not
this ointment sold for three hundred pence and given to the
poor?"

Man's influence on man none but fools would ignore, and
not even fools can abrogate. It is an element which must
of necessity be included in the calculations of all thoughtful
persons who desire to counteract the agencies of evil in this
world. If man were only a rational being it would be
sufficient to appeal to his reason alone. But he is emotional
as well. God has made him so. Some of the most exquisite
touches of the Creator's hand are seen in the capacity to
smile and weep. And those capacities' are never so power-
fully wrought upon as when man is brought into contact
with his fellow-man. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man
sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." There is a
divine philosophy in this. Reason unassisted carries the
soul up to the barriers which divide it from its God ; the
emotions sweep it across, and leave it — heaving, panting,
quivering, throbbing, and confessing — at the mercy-scat. A
tearless repentance is no repentance at all, and a joyless
salvation is scarcely worthy of the name. Stripped of the

Life and Letters. 447

emotions reason is a cold statue, without life. Robed witli
them, its every argument becomes a living power.

And even as solitude — needful, no doubt, at times — gives
reason scope for reflection — so upon the emotions the effect
of numbers is magical. True, solitude has its influence upon
the emotions too, but where the one strikes a single note the
other unites a harmony of swelling sound. It is as the
ripple of a fountain compared to the roar of Niagara — the
beauty of a dewdrop compared to the grandeur of an ocean.
When the Divine Spirit sweeps over a single soul, and brings
the tear of penitence to a single eye, it is doubtless beauti-
ful. How much more so when He sweeps over a forest of
hearts, and the simultaneous tear springs to a thousand eyes,
and all are bowed in one harmonious whole before the
Eternal Throne like a field of ripened corn before the wind!

The individuality of an individual soul is wonderful, but
it cannot equal the individuality of a multitude whose
souls for the moment are knit in one, whether it be the
union of penitence or peace— of prayer or praise— when it
seems for the moment as though the whole congregation were
transported from their surroundings and could hear unspeak-
able things; things of which it is not possible for human
tongue to find expression.

CHAPTER XLV.
THE FOUR WEDDINGS. 1886-00.

FOUR weddings ! Not all on the same day, or even in the
sauie year, it is true. But, as in each of them bride or
bridegroom was a daughter or son of General and Mrs.
Booth, they may be telescoped into a single chapter. The
same capacious hall — our largest in London, yet never large
enough for such occasions — contained in each instance the
same enthusiastic crowds, who flocked to witness the cere-
mony and to shower their felicitations upon their beloved
leaders. Each union seemed to compete with the other i:i
possessing the elements of true happiness, and in manifesting
to the Army and to the world what God had meant the mar-
riage tie to be.

There was not a stitch of finer}' about the bridal attire —
no veil, no wreath, no jewellery. Countess Von Moltke's
Continental society for plain dressing would surely have
been charmed, and taken heart of hope, at the severe sim-
plicity which trampled fashion's laws beneath its feet at the
one moment of life when her sway is usually the incst
complete.

To a Salvationist the uniform is truly a blessing. It
settles everything in this direction. There is no need to
take a mental photograph of all the gay butterflies or solemn-
coated beetles that fashion chooses to let loose upon the world.
None require to spend hours of precious time in gazing into
windows, coveting what they cannot have, or leading them-
selves into the temptation of bu}'ing what they really do not
want, thus wasting what might so much better be given to
the poor. The birds can sing their songs of gratitude, de-

448

The Four Weddings. 449

livered from their lady-slaughterers. Fathers and husbands
can sleep peacefully without being disturbed by nightmares
of milliners' and jewellers' bills. They can fling purse and
cheque-book into the mother's lap, and know beforehand that
if there should be an extravagance it will be for them and
not for herself, and that the little pile will have been eked
out on necessaries, not on luxuries. Like the virtuous
woman in the Book of Proverbs, " the heart of her husband
doth safely trust in her. She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life. Her children arise up and call her
blessed ; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

Strange as it may seem to outsiders, the women of the
Salvation Army lose all desire for the gewgaws of the world.
They will not accept them even as a gift, since their con-
science would not permit them to wear what would contra-
dict their professions. Whilst society is criticising the
measures of the Salvation Army, the latter are despising the
practices of society. True, in the first instance it may have
cost something to forsake what modern Christianity has
taught to be " no harm." To cross the Rubicon, to fling
into its waters the mandates of fashion, to leave on the other
side considerations of appearance and the opinions of friends
— has not been done without a struggle. But the joy that
comes from victory, that noblest form of victory, the victory
over self ; the intoxication of world-conquest, the realisation
of the plaudits of the skies, the smile of God — these have
been ample compensation to the hearts of our women warriors
for any sacrifices they have made.

And yet even in this world the loss has met with com-
pensating gain. How many young men now prefer a life of
bachelorhood, or even of sin, to a holy, happy marriage, be-
cause they <: cannot afford" to marry! The very extrava-
gances with which the women of the world have thought to
lure them have frightened them. The simplicity of the
Salvationist has removed this unnatural dread, and has
rendered it possible for those who have small means to marry
without risk of running into debt.

G G

45 o Mrs.

On the other hand, it has banished the temptation to put
money in the place of love, or of those other considerations
without which a happy union is impossible. When will the
world realise that the links that bind two hearts need to be
made of finer material than position, title, bricks and mortar,
"oof," or a few square yards or miles of mingled mud and
grass ? What a mercy that the best of God's gifts cannot
be monopolised ! The joy, the peace, the mirror of heaven's
felicity, which were intended to flow from the union of two
kindred souls, are, after all, oftener found in the cottage than
the palace, and are the universal inheritance of poor as well
as rich !

One of the most important missions of the Salvation Army
has doubtless been to lead man back from art, with its many
hollow superficialities and trivialities, to nature and to
nature's God. Art is a good servant, but a cruel master to
humanity. In the present age, instead of art obeying man,
man obeys art. The Consul of the Republic has become its
Emperor. The usurper sits upon the throne, and complacent
parents bow to his authority and deliver up their children
to his will; selling them into semi-slavery, lashing their
bodies into fantastic shapes, sacrificing health for appear-
ances, the substance for the shadow, and, as a matter of
course, usually losing both. But quietly and unostentatiously
a revolution is being wrought beneath the surface, the effects
of which it would be difficult to over-estimate.

The four weddings could not but leave their mark upon
the 20,000 people who witnessed them and upon the tens of
thousands more who read about the services, and who had
been familiar for years with the lives of toil and sacrifice in
a common cause which had endeared to each other those who
were now linked in still more sacred bonds. It is the spirit
of a leader that inspires his followers, and that spirit speaks
more loudly and eloquently in his actions than in his words.
Man reads man not by his professions, but by his deeds—
except where the professions tally with the deeds, Other-
wise the professions count for little.

The Four Weddings. 451

And this is why the majority of reformers fail. They seek
to make others not what they themselves are, but according
to an ideal which they do not themselves attain. But the
power of a reformer is in his life, not in his theories ; his
practice, not in his precepts. Placed by Providence upon a
pinnacle, it was inevitable that the example of General and
Mrs. Booth and of their children should be closely scanned,
and it is not too much to say that these occasions have been
some of the most powerful factors in making the Army what
it is to-day. They were object-lessons none could fail to see
and comprehend.

It was on the 17th of September, 1886, that Commander
Ballington Booth, the General's second son, was married to
Miss Maud Charlesworth. If Switzerland had done nothing
else for the Salvation Army it had served as a training-
ground for some of its best officers. With decrees of expul-
sion flying around her head, and with the inevitable gens
d'armes and a pack of ruffians at her heels, the Marechale's
lieutenant had developed into one of the most courageous
and successful officers in the ranks. If she had not, like her
husband, actually served an apprenticeship in jail, she had
more than once faced the exasperated officials whose decrees
she had disregarded, and when carried across the frontiers
of the Canton it was only to return again, at the risk of
imprisonment, on a future day.

One of the most interesting incidents in Miss Charles-
worth's history had occurred during the year previous to her
marriage, when visiting Sweden. The following is her own
account of it :

"During my stay in Sweden I visited the university of Upsala, and as
I went borne from my meeting late at night I met troops of young
students, many of whom were drunk and singing ribald songs. As I
passed the large saloons I heard glasses clinking on the counters, the
balls rolling upon the billiard-tables, and looking at the large lighted
windows above I was told that those who were in before eleven were
allowed to remain all night. Further, I heard that these young men
\cere the flower and hope of Sweden ; for in that city there were two
thousand1 college students. Upon asking whether any specH effort had.

452 Mrs. Booth.

been made by the churches to reach them, I was told that they had
been considered unreachable. We therefore determined to make an at-
tempt in this direction. To have placarded the city with posters in the
Swedish language, inviting these students to our meeting, would have
been to have brought them, insulted and disgusted, to break the win-
dows, and probably even to attempt to wreck the building. We there-
fore published the following bill :

GIVES ACADEMICI !
CRAS, DOMINICA,

Ucr.A IV POST MEttlDIANA,

IN ' SALVATIONEJI '
VOS OMNES VENITE !

'MAUD CHARLES WORTH,'

Lritanna ilia, quce gloria belli Helvetici floruit, pubHce loqwlur.

KEMO NISI cms ACADEMICUS IN ' ARCAM '
adititm habebit.*

" What was the result ? That evening the one topic in the saloons of
the city was the Salvation Army's new departure.

" Swedes looked at the bill in open-mouthed wonder ; whereas, th-*
students were flattered with the idea of this meeting being exclusively
for them and of the Swedish populace being ignorant of the purport of
the invitation.

" At three o'clock on the Sunday afternoon, with, I must confess, a
little trembling and fear as to results, I stepped upon the platform to
look down upon a sea of faces, for the newspapers estimated that, out of
the two thousand students, sixteen hundred were present. Nor was this
the only meeting ; for others as successful and as large were held later,
and the interest and change manifested in many of those young men
was not only an intense joy to the Salvationists, but was also the com-
ment of the whole religious and secular press of the country."

But Miss Charlesworth's warfare, extending over some
four 3Tears, had not been confined to the Continent. Having
sacrificed a home of ease and luxury she travelled the length
and breadth of the English field, winning thousands of souls
and gaining a permanent place in the esteem and affection of
her comrades.

* Citizen students ! To-morrow, Sunday, at 4 P.M., in the Salvation
(barracks), do ye all come ! Maud Charlesworth, the British lady so
well known through the Swiss war, will speik. None but citizen
students will be admitted to the barracks.

The Four Weddings. 453

The wedding, like the others, took place in the Congress
Hall at Clapton, which was, of course, crowded with thou-
sands of enthusiastic Salvationists. The General performed
the ceremony.

Soon after the wedding, Commander and Mrs. Ballington
Booth were appointed to take charge of the work in the
United States, where under their able leadership rapid
advances have been made.

The second wedding was that of the Marechale and Com-
missioner Booth-Clibborn. The former needs but little intro-
duction to our readers. She had been engaged, as we have
seen, in public work from her very girlhood, meeting with a
success in winning souls which but few ministers could
claim. If apostles are to be judged by their " seals," and not
by their sex, then she was an apostle indeed, for she had
many seals. If " afflictions, necessities, distresses, imprison-
ment, tumults," nights of prayer and days of toil were
proofs of ministry, then through God's grace she had become
a minister indeed.

And when on the 8th of February, 1887, the Marechale
gave her hand to Commissioner Booth-Clibborn, who had for
six years faithfully seconded her in her efforts on behalf of
France and Switzerland, the entire Salvation Army rose up
to call them blessed, and showered upon the union their
heartfelt prayers and congratulations. The Quaker bride-
groom, who had resigned excellent business prospects and
cast in his lot so unreservedly with the Salvation Army, had
proved himself a staunch and faithful officer. The knowledge
of French and German which he had gained during his
youthful studies in Switzerland had been turned to good
account.

Those who imagine that an army leader's post is a sinecure
should have stood beside Commissioner Clibborn and shared
with him his baptism of kicks and blows, of mud and stones,
of persecution, prosecution and imprisonment ! They should
have been pursued by the police, or abandoned by them to

454 Mrs. Booth.

bloodthirsty ruffians. And probably after a week of such
experiences they would have fled, like the American reporter
who had enlisted in New York as a cadet to get a peep
behind the scenes, and who was overheard saying in his
sleep, " If anybody thinks he is going to join the Salvation
Army for the sake of a ' soft snap ' he's mighty much mis-
taken."

The redeeming feature of the disturbances which seem
inseparable from Army work is that without doubt they
deliver us from hypocrites. The few who from unworthy
motives enter the fold are generally glad to beat a speedy
retreat through the always open door. But to the sincere it
is far otherwise. The time for the latter-day Stephen to see
" the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the
right hand of God," is now, as of old, while the stones are fly-
ing thick around his head, and he marches on in the con-
sciousness that each moment may be his last. Does it appear
incredible that on such occasions as these men and women
should be found who go out, time after time, with a
Hallelujah on their lips, a smile upon their face, and a prayer
for their persecutors in their hearts, defying the powers of
hell to do their worst ? Not a few of our people have been
killed by furious mobs and others maimed for life — but
hundreds have risen up to fill the vacant place. And the
very cursing Sauls, at whose judicial feet the witnesses have
laid their clothes, have not seldom been converted into
praying Pauls.

And thus with the marriage of the Marechale ; six years
of fellowship in war and suffering had fitly paved the way
for the closer and holier bonds which were to cement two
faithful hearts to Heaven, to each other, and to the Army's
work.

Any of the many outsiders who were present on the 10th
of April, 1888, at the wedding of the General's second
daughter, Miss Emma Booth, might have been tempted to
doubt the applicability of some, at least, of the foregoing

T/ie Four Weddings. 455

remarks, and to question the wisdom, or even sanity, of the
bride's parents in sanctioning a union with the barefooted,
Indian-robed, beturbaned figure who occupied the bride-
groom's place. If, however, the visitor had paid the ortho-
dox five shillings for his reserved seat he would have been
able to discover from his coign of vantage that the latter's
face was white, and would in consequence, perhaps, have
breathed a little more freely. And had he been able to
secure a seat at the wedding banquet,, and seen £5,000 sub-
scribed by those present, not as a personal gift, but for the
carrying on of the foreign work of the Salvation Army, he
would have guessed that some hearts had been deeply
touched.

Still, it certainly did look like going too far, and carrying
things to an outrageous extreme, for the General's daughter
to marry a native-dressed, calico-enveloped beggar; for
beggar he looked and beggar he was, his very begging-bowl
lying on the platform. And when the Army-badged auxili-
ary who sat next to the stranger enlightened his evident
perplexity, and explained that the bride herself was to don
the native garb and share the beggar's lot, dipping her
unaccustomed fingers into the curry-dish and walking bare-
footed through the Indian streets, he would have fancied,
perhaps, that these Salvationists could not love their
daughters as he loved his, or how could they consent to such
a thing ? But when the mother rose, and with tear-filled
eyes and a pathos that could not be misunderstood told how
her child had been to her " more than a daughter," the sur-
prise of the visitor would have been still greater. And then
if he could have seen and spoken to those troops of bright1
faced women-officers and girl-cadets whom the bride had not
only trained but practically " mothered " during the past
eight years, it would have appeared impossible that she
should be spared from a position of such usefulness. And
he would but have voiced the feelings of the congregation
and of every British Salvationist.

But the little group of dark-complexioned Indians seated

456 Mrs. Booth.

on the platform, representing thousands more across the
seas, thought far otherwise, and were happy indeed to claim
the treasure that Great Britain was about to lose. They at
least realised that England was not the world, and that it
was just those who could least be spared who would soonest
win their heathen countrymen for Christ. If for the moment
the flood rolled eastward, bearing on its crest the choicest
that the West could give, might it not, in course of time,
return with gathered impetus, and the Apostles of the East
once more evangelise the West, as in days gone by ?

Verily the Lord must have appreciated Mrs. Booth's
sacrifice. Her last terrible illness had just declared itself.
Never had she more needed the comfort and the care of the
daughter, one of whose earliest utterances had been " Me
woves oo a million miles," and who had proved it by a rarely
equalled life of fond devotion. Just as the Marechale's light
had shone peculiarly abroad, so Emma's light had shone at
home. From childhood she had been the counsellor and
burden-bearer, or, rather, burden-remover, of the family ; for
none knew better how to illuminate sorrow's cloud with the
rainbow hues of hope, and with the alchemy of tenderest
sympathy convert leaden-winged trouble into golden-pinioned
peace.

But oh ! mo fears the reader smiles, for he has discovered
that the beggar-bridegroom is the writer of these lines, and
he fancies that he can trace fond partiality in the description
of the bride. Well, after all, who so fit to judge as those
who see and know? And why should- not a husband claim
the Scripture privilege of praising her, and of asserting that,
though " many daughters have done virtuously," yet " thou
excellest them all " ?

The fourth wedding was that of Commandant Herbert
Booth. The bride, Miss Coraline Schoch (the daughter of
Staff-Captain Schoch, an ex-officer in Ili3 Dutch army), had
for some time been a member of the Salvation Army, and,
though not having had the opportunity of long service in

The Four Weddings.

457

the ranks, early distinguished herself by her unqualified
devotion, her largeness of heart, and her brilliant gift of
music and song. To Mrs. Booth it was a source of deep
regret that she could not herself, owing to the rapid progress
in her final illness, be present at the ceremony. " Set my
chair," she said to the General, "and put my portrait on it,
so that I can be there in semblance, if not in reality. And
I will send them a letter for you to read "

It was a touching scene, and few were able to restrain

MRS. HERBERT BOOTH.

their tears when the General read the following letter to the
assembled crowds :

" MY DEAR CHILDREN, COMRADES, AND FRIENDS, — It will seem quite
natural to you that I should be deeply and tenderly interested in the
important ceremony which is taking place this morning in the dear old
Congress Hall.

" I am pleased with this union. I have considered it well, and approve
it in my most deliberate judgment.

45 8 Mrs. Booth.

" It is not only a satisfaction to me, bat a joy. It seems to be the
fulfilment of my many prayers and dreams on behalf of my dear
Herbert.

" So far as my poor blessing is of value, I send it to you all. I again
thank you for your prayers and sympathy, and again repeat my oft-
repeated hope to meet you in heaven.

"I am no less interested in this world because I am waiting here on
the threshold of the other. Oh ! believe me, its sorrows and its sins,
its opportunities and its responsibilities are realities which claim all
your powers and all your influence for the service of Him who has re-
deemed it. God be with you !

" Yours till the morning,

"CATHERINE BOOTH."

Through her daughter Emma, Mrs. Booth also sent the
following affecting message to the people :

" I don't know that by any words of mine I can add to the blessed im-
pression that I believe those dictated words of my darling mother read
here this morning have made upon every heart.

" I believe in eternity that letter will be found to have brought a real
and deep blessing to many here present. And yet I do wish that you
could have been with me the evening before I left my mother to attend
this wedding. I was sitting with her in the gloaming, by the bedside.
I thought she was dozing a little, and I was trying to read, as well as
the light would allow me, when she called me to her side. I hastened,
and held my ear down that I might catch every word, and she said— oh !
with such an expression lighting up her face, and while tears came into
her eyes :

" 'Emma, I should like you to let them understand, at the Congress
Hall to-morrow, how great a comfort it is to me to know, now that I am
lying on the banks of the Jordan, with life's opportunities for love and
labour swiftly passing for ever away, to know that with all my children
I have sought first all the way through the interests of the Kingdom of
Christ. And now, when I am leaving you all to the storms and tempta-
tions and dangers of life, I have the realization that the promise is
being fulfilled, and will be fulfilled, that all other things should be
added:

"I prayed as she spoke that I might be able to deliver you that mes-
sage, so that it should lodge, with the Spirit's help, in the inmost
recesses of every soul, and that we, one and all, who are called by
Christ's name and know anything of His power to save, should go forth
determined that with our children, with our husbands or wives, with our
friends, with our daily associates in the business or the counting-house,
that for us to live should be Christ, and that we would seek first at every
cost the interests of His Kingdom.

The Four Weddings. 459

" As my mother lifted the one hand that she can now move, and said
those words over and over, they seemed to write themselves in fresh
desire upon my soul :

« • First,' she said, ' not among other things, but first since the hour
that I first kissed Bramwell as he lay a little babe on my bosom, I said
to the Lord, " In all my ambitions for this child and for any others that
may follow, in all my dealings with them, and in the education that I
may be able to give them, Thy Kingdom shall be first." '

"And now comes the wondrous consolation that fills her heart when
dying. On behalf of a perishing world let us freshly consecrate our all
to God. I believe it shall be so with the bride and bridegroom ; and
here, in these closing moments, may we enter into a new covenant with
the Leavenly Bridegroom, and go forth to put His interests first at every
cost. The Lord bless you."

CHAPTER XL VI.
DECLARATION OF THE LAST ILLXESS. 1888.

THE interest of a race-course centres round its winning-post.
It is here that the grand stand is erected, that the spectators
cluster most thickly, and that every eye is strained to watch
the result of the race. It is not always those who start well
who end the best. Sometimes those who have led grandly
all the way, unequal to the final spurt, are beaten at the
last ; whilst others, leading from the first, are never neared,
and win by many lengths amid the plaudits of the crowd.

The winning-post of life — to those who win — is death. It
is here that humanity gathers to watch the last hours of the
handful of swift-footed spirits who in each age outrun their
fellows, whether in the realm of war, or politics — of thought,
of doubt, or piety ; and a grand career is either illumined by
the radiance of its final triumph or enveloped in a sombre
pall by its defeat. The finishing touch is put to an already
perfect picture, or the artist's own hand mars the landscape
with a dingy daub.

The last of anything, if bad, we we'lcome with a sigh of
relief — if good, we follow with a sigh of pain. The involun-
tary, and often unmerited, tribute of a tear drops unbidden
on the grave of what is last because it is last. And when
that last is a pure, hoi}', blameless, and unselfish last — when
it is linked to the heart of humanity by golden chains of
faithful service and (it maybe) unrequited affection, then the
solitary tear becomes the tear of all ; and even those who
have chidden in times past feel their eyes fill and their
hearts choke as they bow in mute, sincere acknowledgment

460

Declaration of the last illness. 461

before the shrine of worth. The shrill voice of envy and the
strident notes of criticism are hushed for once beside the
grave. The mistakes of the past, if mistakes they have
been, are buried or forgotten, and the good lives on. We
realise the chances gone, and stand wistfully gazing up after
them into heaven till time pulls us by the sleeve, reminding
us of those that still are ours and bidding us prove the sin-
cerity of our good desires by treading in the steps of those
we mourn.

Death is to all alike, the common end of life's probation.
Saint and sinner pass through its portals carrying with them
nothing but their character: the panorama of their every
deed and the phonogram of every word, with which and with
which alone to appear before the Judgment Throne. "Let
me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like
his," does not mean that the righteous are free from the
physical sufferings entailed by death, but that the righteous
when placed under precisely the same physical circumstances
as the wicked behave quite differently. There is neither the
apathy of indifference nor the terror of despair.

For both the casket breaks, and breaks with pain ; reveal-
ing the contents that have been gathering there for years —
the storage of a life. The broken casket of the sinner's soul
reveals the sin, the selfishness, the indifference of the irre-
vocable past, while through the shattered fragments of the
casket of the saint there shines the glory of a blood-washed,
ransomed being, whose ended life is only life begun, envel-
oped in the folds of love, peace, confidence, and joy unspeak-
able.

Alike in life and death, it is only by exposing the evil and
the good to the same circumstances that the character of
each can be discerned. The sun shines and the rain falls
upon both, but with very different result. The wicked take
without a " Thank you ! " the best that Providence bestows
and spend it on themselves. The good look up with grateful
hearts to the Divine Giver, and plan how to make others the
participators of their joy. Surround the former with wealth,

462 Mrs. -Booth.

and they will hoard it in a bank, or squander it on wasteful
excesses. But the latter " hath dispersed, he hath given to
the poor."

Endow the sinner with genius and he will utilise it in
self-aggrandisement, in piling up a fortune, in manufacturing
explosives with which to destroy his inoffensive neighbour,
or a liquor that will damn his soul, and this without a twinge
of conscience. But the saint will lay every talent at the
feet of God for the service of his fellow-man, trampling on
the bribes the world may offer.

And thus with sorrow, losses, sickness, death. Unless the
same tests were applied to both the Divine Judge might be
charged with partiality. " Doth Job serve God for naught ?"
has always been the language of " the accuser of the breth-
ren " in regard to those who have stood in Job's place, and
who have resisted the dangerous blandishments and flatteries
that attend prosperity. Nowhere does the contrast between
saint and sinner stand out more clearly than when both are
placed, side by side, in the furnace of affliction. While the
sinner "curses God and dies," the Jobs of every age have
been enabled to respond, " What ! Shall we receive good at
the hands of God and shall we not receive evil ? Though
He slay me, yet will I trust Him." The trial of the sinner,
manifesting his wickedness, becomes the commencement of
his punishment. The trial of the saint reveals his character
to all the world, proves that he is genuine, and measures the
" how much " of his love to God and man.

The pillars of the narrow gate are hewn from the tree of
suffering in order that no hypocrite may find his way to
heaven and mar its harmony. The sinner desires the crown
without the cross — the saint is willing for the cross without
the crown. The one serves God for what he can get out of
Him. The other loves God for what He is, " serves Him for
naught," and would be willing to accept hell itself as his de-
served due. The one says, " Why should I be punished ? "
the other, " Why should I be saved ? " The one blames God
in the vain attempt to whitewash himself. The other con-

Declaration of the last Illness. 463

demns himself that God may be justified. The one is ever
contriving to do for God as little as possible— the other will
do his utmost and wish that it were more.

And thus the character of each is manifest by exposing
both to the same test. What wonder, then, that " the name
of the wicked rots " and " their desire perishes," while " the
memory of the just is blessed," and the righteous are "in
everlasting remembrance ? "

February, 1888, followed a year of unusual suffering and
depression, the precursors, doubtless, of the dire malady
which was to overshadow the remaining years of Mrs. Booth's
life. And yet such had been the courageous stand which
she had maintained in the battle that few outside the im-
mediate home circle knew anything of the hand-to-hand
struggle with weakness and weariness. During this month,
however, symptoms appeared which could not be disre-
garded.

It had been arranged for Mrs. Booth to assist the General
in Bristol at the celebration of a " Two Days with God."
The meetings were among the most successful and powerful
evar held. The Colston Hall, a vast cathedral-like structure,
estimated to hold nearly five thousand people, was engaged
for the occasion. But as the time neared the outlook was by
no means encouraging. Snow had fallen, and still it was
falling. The very atmosphere seemed laden with it. In
fact, many said that such severe weather had been unknown
for twenty years past. The prospect of being able to collect
a crowd under such adverse circumstances seemed so hope-
less that some urged a postponement of the gatherings.

But a Bristol audience is not easily daunted. Through
the blinding snow they flocked in thousands till even the
distant galleries were filled, and a dense throng, regardless
of the inclemency of the weather, waited on God for the out-
pouring of His Holy Spirit.

The difficulties in face of which they met served but to fire
the speakers and to increase the readiness on the hearers'
part to receive the message. During the six consecutive

464 Mrs. Booth.

meetings the interest and influences steadily heightened, and
when, on the second evening, Mrs. Booth rose to speak the
vast hall was crowded from floor to ceiling.

Perhaps the shadow}- presentiment that the remaining
sands of her life were numbered, and that there might be
awaiting her the dreadful and protracted anguish through
which, twenty years previously, she had nursed her own
mother, lent an added inspiration to her heart and clothed
her words with even more than their usual pungency and
power. Certainly the mingled faithfulness, directness, and
yet pathos of her appeals upon this memorable night had
never been surpassed. She seemed to fear lest she should
fail to include every individual present in the message she
had brought to them from God. Unflinchingly she gripped
each conscience and nailed it to the duty of the hour — im-
mediate and unconditional surrender to the claims of
Heaven. Nor was it in vain. Hundreds responded to the
call, and rising to their feet willed away their all for a life
of holiness and sacrifice.

It would be difficult to imagine a more triumphant cul-
mination to the provincial labours which had commenced in
Gateshead twenty-eight years previously, and which had in-
cluded in their scope nearly every important town in the
United Kingdom.

The following passage is taken from the imperfectly
reported address, which, alas ! but poorly represents the
impassioned fervour of the appeal. Taking for her text the
words, which the General had just been reading, " Advise and
see what answer I shall return to Him that sent us," Mrs.
Booth said :

"Now, dear friends, God wants the ANSWER. What is the response
•which you, individually, will make to the VOICE which has been sounding
in your ears during the last two days ? The voice which some of you
have heard for months and years has been renewed and intensified, and
it is ringing in your soul to-night as distinctly as it ever rang in the soul
of any prophet : the voice of God in your soul.

" To begin with, you know it is the voice of God. It matters not what
human instrument it has come through. If God had used a sparrow or

Declaration of the last Illness. 465

some inanimate instrument to convey His message, that would not take
away for a moment the importance of the message, or render it optional
as to whether you would return an answer.

"lam confident that many here have recognised the voice of God.
You know that no mere human words could have made you feel as you
have felt — could have forced you to face the past and listen to its voice ^
to look onward into the future and to realise its possibilities as you have
done. Now, as the prophet said, I will say to you, « Advise and see what
answer I shall return to Him that sent us.' What answer shall we, who
have brought you these messages of truth, and mercy, and deliverance,
and salvation, return to Him who has sent us? The Holy Spirit wants
an answer. Jesus Christ wants an answer. God the Father wants an
answer. The perishing, suffering world around you wants an answer.
They are waiting for your answer in heaven, and they are waiting, de-
pend upon it, in hell ; and it may be that your destiny to the one place
or to the other depends upon your answer to-night. I believe I have
been in many meetings where the everlasting destiny of souls has been
fixed by the answer they have sent back to the truth delivered by my
feeble lips.

"What is the answer to be ? Perhaps some of you say, ' I do not choose
to return an answer.' But it is not optional with you whether you will
or not. The Jews thought it was optional whether they should return
an answer to the messages of Jesus Christ, but they were utterly mis-
taken. The disobedient, gainsaying world has thought so from the be-
ginning, but they have been grievously mistaken, as many of them have
found out when they were dying, and as all will find out at the Judgment
Ear.

"All truth coming from God demands, nay, receives, an answer from
every soul who listens to it ; that very refusal to return an answer is an
answer of defiance. It is saying back to God, ' Mind Your own business.
I don't want Your will. I have chosen my path. I am busy about other
matters. I shall not return any answer to Your messages.' That very
attitude is an answer of defiance. You cannot help yourself ; jour soul
must respond to the truth one way or the other. You have heard that
inward voice ; you have seen that inward light. Now you must say
'Yes' or ' No.' You can never go back to where you stood before -
never! "

It was a kindly Providence which granted to Mrs. Booth
the spiritual stimulus of such a victory, for the news which
awaited her on her return to London was of the saddest
character. An interview had been arranged by a medical
friend with Sir James Paget. It was with some fluttering of
heart, and after a fresh and definite committal of herself for

H H

4C6 Mrs. Booth.

life or death into the hmius of the Loid. that Mrs. Booth
started on her sorrowful errand. Sir James Paget, after
making a careful examination, unhesitatingly pronounced tho
small tumour which had then appeared to be of a cancerous
type, and advised an immediate operation, an opinion which
was afterwards confirmed by another eminent surgeon, Mr.
Jonathan Hutchinson. Mrs. Booth then stated her objections
to an operation, asking what would be the probable duration
of life if the disease were allowed to pursue its ordinary
course. Sir James Paget seemed desirous to evade the ques-
tion, saying that he could not speak with certainty; but
upon Mrs. Booth courageously pressing him as to what was
the usual limit of life in such cases, he replied that it would
probably be from eighteen months to two years at the ut-
most. Mrs. Booth received the melancholy tidings with the
calmness of a Christian and the- fortitude of a saint. Not
that she failed to grasp the terrible nature of the situation,
as the following passage from the General's pen will servo
to show :

'• After heaving the verdict of the doctors she drove home alone. That
journey can better be imagine! than described. She afterwards told mo
how as she looked upon the various scenes through the cab windows it
seemed that the sentence of death had been passed upon everything ;
how she had knelt upon the cab floor and wrestled in prayer with God ;
of the unutterable yearning? over me and the children that filled her
heart ; how the realisation of o'ir grief swept over her, and the uncertain-
ties of the near future, when she would be no longer with u=.

" I shall never forget in this world, or the next, that meeting. I had
been watching for the cab, and had run out to meet and help her up tho
steps. She tried to smile upon me through her tears, but drawing me
into the room she unfolded gradually to me the result of tho interviews.
I sat down speechless. She rose from her seat and came and knelt be-
side me, saying, ' Do you know what was my first thought ? That I
should not be there to nurse you at your last hour.'

i{ I was stunned. I felt as if the whole world were coming to a stand-
still. Opposite me on the wall was a picture of Christ on the cross. I
thought I coald understand it then as never before. She talked like a
heroine, like an angel, to me : the t.ilked as she had never talked before.
I could say lit'.le or nothing. It seemed as though a hand were laid upon
my very heart-strings. I could only kneel with her and try to pray.

"I was due i« Holland for some large meetings. I had arranged to

Declaration of the last Illness. 467

travel that very night. She would not hear of my remaining at homo
for her sake. Never shall I forget starting out that evening, with the
mournful tiding.? weighing like lead upon my heart. Oh, the conflict of
that night journey ! I faced two large congregations', and did my best,
although it seemed I spoke as one in a dream. Leaving the meetings to
be continued by others, I returned to London the following evening.

" Then followed conferences and controversies interminable as to the
course of treatment which it might be wisest to pursue. Her objections
to an operation finally triumphed.

" And then followed for me the most painful experience of my life.
To go home was anguish. To be away was worse. Life became a bur-
den, almost too heavy to be borne, until God in a very definite manner
visited me in a measure, and comforted my heart."

The painful tidings fell upon every heart in the family
with crushing force. The household was indeed a vale of
tears. They loved their mother with a passionate tenderness
rarely seen. Their life still centred itself in hers almost as
much as in nursery days. She was still the trusted reposi-
tory of their every sorrow, their counsellor in every per-
plexity, the guardian angel of their lives. " We look at one
another through our tears, and cannot speak," writes Emma
to her mother a few days later, from Reading, where she had
gone to attend a large council of officers. " But, loved one,
you will know how we feel. So does the Lord, who will
surely help us in this time of trouble. Every moment your
dear face is before me. I want unspeakably to fly back to
yon. Only to help Herbert and to play a brave part for the
Kingdom's sake could I stay even a few hours from your
side, The dear Lord is, however, nearer than any of us
can be, and, much as we love you, He loves you more."

Mrs. Booth's strength failed rapidly, and the progress of the
disease enforced the early termination of her public labours.

The next occasion on which Mrs. Booth spoke was at her
daughter Emma's wedding, on the 10th of April, 1888.
Fearing lest the development of the disease might prevent
her from being present upon this much-looked-forward-to
occasion she fixed for it the earliest possible date, telegraph-
ing for tho return of the writer of these memoirs, who was
then, in India.

MRS. BOOTH DELIVERING HER LAST ADDRESS AT THE
CITY TEMPLE, LONDON,

Declaration of the last Illness. 469

To Dr. Parker of the City Temple was reserved the
privilege of affording to Mrs. Booth the opportunity of de-
livering her last message in the great metropolis. It was
twenty-three years since she had addressed her first London
congregation at a small chapel in Rotherhithe. From that
day London had been the centre round which not only she
herself but the Salvation Army had revolved.

For nearly a quarter of a century Mrs. Booth had occupied
this world-wide rostrum with an ability and success which
few had equalled, none surpassed. It was on Thursday,
21st June, 1888, that she brought her public ministrations
to a close, with an address which could scarcely have been
more appropriate and powerful had she known that it would
be her last.

Her heart had been deeply stirred in regard to the needs
and claims of the heathen world by the great missionary
convention then being held at Exeter Hall, attended by some
two thousand delegates from all quarters of the globe. She
had loved the heathen when but a child, and it was fitting
that her last public appeal should be a plea on their behalf
— a plea that was emphasized by the offering up of her own
daughter for their salvation.

For upwards of an hour Mrs. Booth spoke, forgetful of
time, of place, of strength — in fact, of everything except her
theme and opportunity. Every eye was rivetted and not a
heart could sit unmoved. But when at length she concluded
exhausted nature reasserted itself, and she was so com-
pletely prostrated that it was nearly an hour before she
could be removed from the pulpit. On their way home she
said that she feared it would prove to be her last address,
and it afforded her no small consolation then and afterwards
to realise that it had been an appeal on behalf of the heathen
nations of the world.

Though unable to take any public part in the anniversary
celebration of 1888, Mrs. Booth was present for a few
minutes in the grounds of the Alexandra Palace, where the
gathering was held. It was the last great assemblage of

47 o Mrs. Booth.

officers and soldiers she was to witness. The succeeding
year she could only send a brief note of congratulation
from her sick chamber.

It did not seem probable, at the anniversary of 1889. that
Mrs. Booth would survive to hear tidings of another such
celebration. Yet so it was. The Crystal Palace had been
chosen for the occasion.

Upwards of fifty thousand persons were admitted to the
grounds. For such an enormous number there was not even_
standing room in the vast nave, where upwards of twenty
thousand were gathered to receive what proved to be Mr*.
Booth's dying message. It had required some ingenuity
to present it to the people in such a manner that all could
decipher the wrords. Finally, two rollers had been fixed
upon the dais of the orchestra, at a considerable distance
from each other. Between them stretched a broad sheet of
calico, upon which the message had been painted in letters
so large that they could be read from the farthest corner.
By means of a windlass the coil was unwound, and sentence
after sentence placed before the multitude, fainilar songs of
consecration being played upon the organ during the interval.
The following was the message :

'; MY DEAR ClIILDKEX AXD FfUENDS, —

t: My place is empty, but ray heart is with you. You are rny joy and my
crown. Your battles, sufferings and victories have been the chief interest
of my life these past twenty-five years. They are so still. Go forward.
Live holy lives. Be true to the Army. God is your strength. Love and
seek the lost. Bring them to the Blood. Make the people good. Inspire
them with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Love one another. Help your
comrades in dark hours. I am dying under the Army Flag. It is yours
to live and fight under it. God is my salvation and refuge in the storm.
I send you rny love and blessing.

" CATIIEHIN-E Boom/'

The effect was electrical. The whole congregation was
bathed in teais. and from thousands of hearts there went up
fresh vows of consecration, recorded in heaven, and since
fulfilled on earth.

CHAPTER XL VII.
CLACTOX-ON-SEA.

DCRIXG the autumn of 1888, Mrs. Booth went for a change
to Clacton-on-Sca, returning to London in October. From
the time when, as a girl invalid, she had visited Brighton in
search of health, the sea had always possessed a peculiar
charm for her. She loved to gaze out across the boundless
expanse of waters, and to quaff the bracing breeze. The
sense of its magnitude and power not only exercised a
special fascination over her mind, but seemed to stimulate
her nerves.

Clacton-on-Sea is a quiet little watering-place, about
seventy miles east of London, not far from the mouth of the
Thames, but with a southerly aspect. The coast runs almost
due east and west, and the low-level cliffs, which approach
the water's edge, afford a natural promenade of almost any
length without the ups and downs of intervening hilk*. The
beach and a long, level parade, sheltered by the cliff from
the northern winds, together with a handsome pier, add 1o
the attractions of the locality for the invalid or visitor. To
Mrs. Booth the fact that after its brief season was over the
town Avas so quiet that it seemed almost uninhabited added
greatly to its charms. During a previous visit she had
selected a house as a home of rest for the staff-officers of the
Salvation Army. It was, but doubtless will not long con-
tinue to be, the last house on the East Cliff, and therefore the
most secluded in the town, with a garden of its own. \\h\ch
added to its privacy. Only those whose lives are spent in
the fanciful glare of a perpetual publicity can appreciate the

47- J/;x Booth.

character of such a boon to the often tired bodies and jaded
spirits of our officers.

In August, 1889. Mrs. Booth returned to Clacton, leaving
London, as it ultimately proved to be, for the last time.
Previous to her departure she had consulted her medical
advisers as to the length of her stay. From three to five
weeks, had been their reply. But once there, receiving
benefit from the change to her general constitution, her

OCEAN YILT,E. CIACTOX-ON-SEA.

return was postponed until at length she became too ill to
return.

The journey down had been a very trying one. On her
way from her home in Barnet to Liverpool Street Station she
had expressed a conviction that she would never return.
She spoke frequently and in the most touching manner
regarding her memories of the great city east and west, its
rich and poor, its evil and its good. Few, if any, had seen

Clacton-on-Sea. 473

accomplished in a twenty-four years' ministry the results
which she had lived to witness. " In the morning " she had
"sown" her West End "seed," and "in the evening " she
had not " withheld her hand " from the East End multitudes,
"not knowing" which should " prosper, either this or that,"
and truly it might be said that both had been " alike good."

The Home of Rest, which was rented from the Army by
the General during the next fourteen months, was peculiarly
well adapted for the needs of the time, there being ample
rcom for offices and secretaries, as well as for the members
of the household. To within the last few weeks of her
death Mrs. Booth was made familiar with all the important
events of the War, and little was done in the way of fresh
advance which was not, in the first place, discussed with her,
To the very end, her mind continued to be as clear and
powerful as of old, and even months of prolonged anguish
failed to impair it, whilst the rest from public life afforded
time for reflection between the severer intervals of pain.

During the first month or two of her stay, Mrs. Booth was
able to go out for a daily drive; a carriage havingbeen kindly
placed at her disposal by two friends. But such was the
effect of the motion upon her that some five weeks after her
arrival the morning came when she had scarcely journeyed
a few yards before she was compelled to return, saying to
her daughter as she alighted, "I fear this will be my last
drive, Emma." Thus the much appreciated loan of horse
and carriage was returned. Then came the slow walks along
the cliff, when she might be seen leaning upon the arm of
the General or of some member of the family, sometimes
dictating letters to the secretary by her side. And then
came the last walk round the garden, when she plucked the
faded rose, comparing it to life, the opportunites of which all
fade and fall, save those which by grace have been garnered
for Heaven. Thus by degrees she became confined to the
house. But even then she would come downstairs as long as
it was at all possible to the sitting-room, of which, with its
vacant chair, we give a sketch. And when at length she

474

Mrs. Booth.

Avas unable to leave her room, her bed \vas placed so that she
could still look out across the sea, and some of her most in-
spired messages were delivered while her eyes rested upon
its ever-changing tide.

The General occupied a room upstairs, opening on to the
same landing, so that at any moment of the day or night he
could readily go to the sufferer's side. Often through the
long wakeful hours of the night he would watch by her,

-

TEE VACANT CKA1E.

doing what he could to alleviate her sufferings, and pleading
for heavenly grace on her behalf. Mrs. Booth's daughter,
Enirna, and her younger daughters also ministered to her
wants by day and night with an eagerness and devotion
rarely equalled. A faithful Army officer, Staff-Captain Carr,
gladly abandoned her public work for the privilege of
ministering to the beloved sufferer. She was installed as
nurse at the commencement of the illness, and remained with
Mrs. Booth to the last, dressing the wounds with thoughtful

Clacton - on - Sea.

47 S

skill and unwearying patience, and in every way manifesting
the sympathy and devotion of a daughter.

On several occasions Mi's. Booth wras visited during the
last months of her life by deputations of officers representing
tlio various branches of the Salvation Army. At the conclu-

BTAFF- CAPTAIN CADE.

ITi-s. Booth's Faithful Nurse i:i the last illness.

tj'cn of an impDilant council of several hundred officers, held
in London on the 27th and 28t!i November, 1889, it was
suggested that as Mrs. Booth had been unable to occupy her
accustomed place at the General's side, representatives should
be sent to Clacton, v/ho should convey to her the assurances

4/6 Mrs. Booth.

of the sympathy and prayers of the Council, receiving from
her lips the words of encouragement and counsel which
might be on her heart to give. The privilege was granted,
and a number of leading officers were selected, the prefer-
ence being given to those who had longest been Mrs. Booth's
fellow-toilers in the field.

The dull leaden November sky and desolate snow-covered
fields fitly typified the grief which bowed the hearts of each
member of that deputation. All felt they were losing at a
stroke a mother, leader, counsellor and friend. And the
sorrow, which is usually less because divided, was the keener
because appearing to include so much.

Upon reaching the house the party was ushered into the
sick chamber. As their eyes rested upon the face of the
Army Mother it seemed that uncontrollable grief smote every
heart. Strong men wept like children. Kneeling round the
bed, the deputation sang and prayed, as well as the over-
powering emotions of the moment would permit, and then
Commissioner Howard and Colonel Dowdle, on behalf of the re-
cent Council, expressed their sympathy and the determination
of all to abide by the first principles of the Salvation Army.

Mrs. Booth was deeply affected. Faithfulness and affec-
tion were imprinted on the tearful faces of the kneeling
group. Ten thousand memories of past fellowship in faith
and fight burst in upon her. At length, however, she was
able to reply. The voice was weak and low, but it had lost
none of its former music and penetration.

Commissioner Higgins and others who were present spoke,
or tried to speak, Commissioner Carleton expressing the feel-
ing of multitudes when he said how gladly he would have
taken the disease into his own body, had such been possible,
'in order that the beloved sufferer might have been restored
to her wonted position in the work. But to this Mrs. Booth
replied that such an arrangement would have never met with
her consent. And then, with a closing prayer from Mrs.
Booth, the party left the room, " sorrowing most of all *' for
the sad conviction that " they should see her face no more."

47?

4/8 Mrs. Booth.

.!n and again daring the progress of tho illness it was
thought that Mrs. Booth was dying. The doctors said that
her hours were numbered. She believed so herself. And
yet she rallied. Her farewell messages were therefore re-
iterated.

To the Army she sent the following brief bat touching
message on the 19th December :—

"1.18 p.m. — Tho vraters are rising, Liu so am I. I am not going
uruier, but over. Don't be concerned about roar dying ; only go en
living well, and the dying will be all right."

But perhaps one of the most affecting scenes occurred
when Mrs. Booth, having changed rooms, asked for the
Army colours to be brought from the former apartment and
fastened above her head. Many and many a time had she
presented the flag to officers and soldiers, inviting them to
pledge themselves to eternal fidelity to the principles which
it emblemised. And as she had fought beneath its folds in
life, so now in death she rejoiced to realise that the u banner
of love," which had been the herald of salvation to multi-
tudes, was still waving over her.

"There," said the General, " the colours are over you now.
my darling! ';

••Let me feel them," said Mrs. Booth.

And as her poor worn left hand was guided to them, she
clasped them fondly, and traced the motto with her finger,
'• Blood and Fire.''

"Blood and Fire ! "^ she repeated. /'Yes, that is very
appropriate. It is just what my life has been — a constant
and severe fight.''

"It ought to be 'Blood and Fire and Victory,'" said the
General.

" I'll fight on till I get it," replied Mrs. Booth. t; I won't
give in. Xext time I see them, I shall be looking down, in-
stead of up, at them. I shall be above the smoke of pain
and sorrow there."

CHAPTER XLVII1.
THE DEATH OF MRS, BOOTH.

" Pi7AY that the Lord may speedily finisli His work and
take me home," was the oft-repeated request of Mrs. Booth
during the months of anguish spent in the mysterious valley
of shadows ; so short to some, to her so long. But the lips
of love could not frame the prayer, and to her " Let me go "
a thousand hearts responded, "Lord, let her stay!" It
seemed indeed as though death itself were unwilling to per-
form its appointed task — as though "such divinity did
hedge " the dying saint that death could " but peep to what
it would'' — as though the hand of the king of terrors, a
score of times outstretched to cull the Army's fairest flower,
were as often arrested and withdrawn.

And when at length the hour came, it seemed that with a
gentleness ineffable the spirit was released from its earth-
tenement and transplanted to the regions where it should
blossom and boar fruit for ever, regions where the sun-rays
shine without scorching and the winds fan without blasting.
And the poignancy of the pain of parting was mitigated by
the halo of unbroken peace that settled on the dying
sufferer's face, and by the assurance of a coming and
eternal reunion.

It was during Self Denial week, the annual Lent of the
Salvation Army, that the final summons came. In anticipa-
tion of this season, Mrs. Booth had addressed the following
brief but touching letter to the soldiers and friends of the
Army throughout the world :—

"My DEAR CHILDREN AND FRIENDS, — I have loved you much, and in

479

480 Jfrs. "Booth.

God's strength Lave helped you a little. Now, at His call, I am goiug
away from yon.

" The "War must go on. Self-denial will prove your love to Christ.
All must do something.

"I send you iny blessing. Fight on, and God will be with you.
Victory conies at last. I will meet you in Heaven.

" CATHERINE BOOTH."

The first serious intimation of an approaching crisis oc-
curred on Wednesday, 1st October, when violent hemorrhage

*/ /

set in. For some weeks previously there had been no symp-
toms of immediate danger. Indeed, such had been the rally
that Mrs. Booth's medical advisers had thought it probable
that she might live to see the new year in. Upon the
strength of their assurances meetings had been arranged for
the General and other members of the family, her daughter
Emma remaining by her beloved mother's side. On Wednes-
day afternoon a telegram was despatched summoning the
General : and the next day Mr. and Mrs. Brain well Booth,
together with the other members of the family then in Eng-
land, were sent for, as from the prostrated condition of tho
patient it was evident that the end could not be distant,

Thursday night passed in comparative quiet, Mrs. Booth
sleeping with unusual soundness for several hours. Never-
theless the laboured breathing served as a warning that her
condition was critical.

On Friday morning, the 3rd October, an interval of several
wakeful hours, passed in extremest suffering, was followed
by a deep sleep, lasting till 5 p.m. On awaking Mrs. Booth
appeared to be comparatively free from pain, and great was
the joy of all when she consented to take a little nourish-
ment. But the rally was only temporary, and it was soon
clear that the beloved sufferer was fast sinking.

Fridaj^ night was a season that will be held in everlasting
remembrance by each one of those privileged to be present.
The General, Mr. and Mrs. Bramwell Booth, her daughters,
Emma, Eva, Marian, and Lucy, the writer of these memoirs,
Staff-Captain Carr, and the members of the household, knelt
around the bed, while the photographs of the unavoidably

The Deal! i of Mrs. Booth. 481

absent members of the family were again laid, upon her
pillow. Mrs. Booth was awake and conscious during the
greater part of the time, giving touching tokens of recogni-
tion to each member of the weeping group, though often too
weak to utter words. True, the head was less erect than its
wont, and drooped one side through exhaustion — true, the
features were somewhat pinched with the prolonged anguish
— nevertheless the glorious soul shone triumphantly through
the surrounding darkness, and the glow of the eternal day-
break seemed already to have suffused the sufferer's coun-
tenance, and to have replaced the marks of pain with the
stamp of unspeakable peace.

Strange to say; nearly every crisis of Mrs. Booth's illness
was emphasised by a storm. The present occasion was no
exception to the rule. While she was bravely struggling
with the last enemy, a tempest was raging without, and the
loud signals of distress from a shipwrecked vessel could bo
distinctly heard above the roaring of the sea and the howling
of th$ wind. And thus it seemed as though the Army
Mother's barque were tossing on death's billows while the
kneeling group fired on her behalf signals of distress, tho
loud reports of which were heard in heaven, summoning to
her relief the lifeboat that was to bear her soul from the
poor shipwrecked body and land it safely on the eternal
shores.

But how impossible does it appear adequately to describe
the scene ! The plain, undecorated upper room overlooking
the sea, its windows ever open to the breeze, and its movable
screens arranged so as to guard the watchers from tho
draught. Then there was, the cur.tainless iron bedstead, on
which the sufferer lay, surmounted by the Army flag. With
streaming eyes and faltering voices the gathered family
sang again and again her favourite choruses, watching with
inexpressible emotion as the loved lips moved in the effort
to take part : —

" We shall walk through tbe valley of the sbaclow of death,
We shall ^Yalk through the valley in peace 1

I I

482 Mrs. Booth.

Fpr Jesus Himself shall be our Leader—
We shall walk through the valley in peace ! "

Although her voice could not be heard, and the breathing
ivas hard and difficult, each time the word peace was re-
peated her hand was raised as a signal that such was indeed
her experience. Other choruses were sung, such as : —

" The angels will come,

With their music will come,
With music aiid singing to welcome thee home ;

At the bright gates 01 costal

The shining ones will stand
And give thee a welcome to their own native laud."

Another favourite verse was:—

" We are waiting by the river,

We are watching by the shore ;
Only waiting for the angels,

Soon they'll come to bear us o'er."

And then would follow the triumphant notes of her son
Herbert's chorus ": —

" Victory for me
Through the blood of Christ my Saviour !

Victory for me.
Through the precious blood ! "

Other well-known hymns were sung. <; Rock of Ages, cleft
for me/' and "Jesus, Lover of my soul." Once when the
singing ceased, through the fear lest it might be too much
for Mrs. Booth, she called out with' pathetic distinctness,
although with evident difficulty, " Go— on ! "

It was but in broken sentences and at long intervals that
she was able to speak. <; Pa ! " she would cry cut at times,
and in a moment the General's weeping face was close to
hers. " What is it. my precious one ? " The lips moved,
but to his intense disappointment he could not discern what
she was endeavouring to say. Unutterable feelings seemed
to be struggling for language which she had no power to
frame. And yet words were not wanted. He who had

The Death of Mrs. Booth. 483

known her every longing and shared her every thought for
forty years, did he not know and feel all that in these fare-
well moments she desired to say ?

Almost the last audible prayer she was heard to breathe
was, " Lord — let the end be easy — for Emma's sake." And
the prayer was answered, voicing as it did to the last her
usual self-forgetf ulness and consideration for others. At
another time she whispered, noticing how loath were any of
the watchers even for a moment to leave her side, " Take it
in turns — in turns ! " repeating the last two words with
her own peculiar emphasis-.

" 0 Emma, let me go, darling," she whispered at another
time, and upon receiving the answer, " Yes, mamma, we
will !" she added eagerly, " Noiv ? Yes, now, Lord ! Come
now ! "

The singing appeared to be a help and a comfort. It was
indeed meet that the refrains which had served as an in-
spiration during the soldier life should soothe the last hours
of the dying saint.

" Calvary's stream, it is flowing so free ! "
was followed by

" My Jesus, I love Thee ! I know Thou art mine !"
And then again : —

" My mistakes His free grace doth cover,

My sins He doth wash away ;

These feet which shrink and falter

Sball enter the gates of day."

And again a little later :—

" Though wave and storms go o'er my head,

Though health and strength and friends be gone,

Though withered all my joys and dead,
Though every comfort be withdrawn,

On this my steadfast soul relics,

Father, Thy mercy never dies ! "

Speaking of Heaven, she said:

'• ' Oh, I feel like flying. I don't believe I shall be fastened up in a

484 Mrs. Booth.

corner playing a harp. I shall let the folks do it who like, but I shall
travel about if I can. I shall come and see you if I can, and whisper
things to you, some things that I have not been able to say. Oh, I wish
there were some way of getting a letter to you when I am gone. But
perhaps I shall be able to visit you in dreams and visions of the night.'
Then, tenderly stroking the General's grey head, bowed by sorrow at
her side, she took his hand, weeping, and pressing it fervently to her
lips, said :

1 And this I do find,
We two are so joined,

I shall not he long in glory and leave you behind !
Not long, I am sare, not long ! ' "

Then, turning again to her family, she added :

"Eemember, divisions and schisms and distrust are of the devil, of
the decil. I know Him. He comes at me. He says, ' Ah, you ave
leaving all your children, and the world aud the devil will be too much
for them ! ' But they won't, will they ? "

All the Family: "No."

Mrs. Booth : " Don't let him get an advantage."

"Oh, be not faithless!" she continued, her voice quivering
with the love that animated her countenance. " I have been
so wanting in faith. Oh, what I would give now if I had
had more faith and been more courageous. Have faith in
God. Don't be afraid of the devil ; don't be afraid of evil
tidings. Don't be afraid of them that can kill the body.
Have faith, faith, mighty faith! I am going into the dark
valley believing. I am ashamed of myself in many respects.
I don't want you to publish what I have done. I am
ashamed of the little I have achieved, and if I had only had
more faith I might have achieved so much."

Again the lips moved, as though desiring to speak.

" Do you believe ? " she asked. " Yes ! " eagerly replied
the Chief, " I am sure Jesus has got you in His arms." •
Then pouring out his heart in prayer, he cried : " Lord
Jesus, we thank Thee for Thy presence ! We beseech Thee
to help us in this experience so new to us ; in this separa-
tion which, although so long anticipated, seems so dreadful.
. . . Lord, help us! Thou hast conquered death ! Thou
hast waded the river before us ! We know our precious

The Death of Mrs. Booth. 485

mother is in Thine arms ! We thank Thee for this wonder-
ful peace and calm ! Let there be a joyful entrance into
Thy kingdom! Oh, take her right into Thy presence, and
lay her head upon Thy breast ! "

Unable to speak, Mrs. Booth pointed to a wall text, which
had for a long time been placed opposite to her so that her
eyes could rest upon it, " My grace is sufficient for thee"
It was taken down and placed near her on the bed. But it
was no longer needed. The promise had indeed been fulfilled.

And so those long hours of the night wore away and
morning dawned, her last morning upon earth, and the last
morning of Self-Denial Week. Still she lingered and still
her loved ones watched. Like the ocean tide, the waves of
life gradually ebbed and receded into the distance. Or
rather seemed it as if some vessel from the eternal shores
had cast anchor near the windows, and was but waiting for
the sufferer to embark in order to set sail.

Once, fixing her eyes upon her unfailing and faithful
attendant, Staff-Captain Carr, she managed, though with
evidently painful effort, to say, "Thank — you!"

At times she would gaze upwards intently, as though able
to see some wonderful vision, the dim reflection of which
would illuminate her face. Once she said, " I seef but was
unable to add more.

Fondly the General clasped her hand, while each member
of the family tenderty embraced her, kissing her brow, and
with breaking hearts and choking voices uttering their fare-
well messages oft love. A gleam of tenderest recognition
passed over her countenance as the General bent over her.
" Pa ! " she said — a term of endearment for the General.
Their eyes met — the last kiss of love on earth was given —
the last word spoken, " till" the day break and the shadows
flee away."

Fainter and fainter grew the breathing, while more and
more clearly were assurances of peace written upon that
dear-loved countenance ; till at length, with one deep sigh,
without a struggle, the silver cord was loosed and the golden

486 kMrs. Booth.

bowl broken, and the unfettered soul fled away to the land
Avhere sorrow and Buffering shall be no more, and where
God's own hand shall wipe away all tears.

It was half-past three on Saturday afternoon, the 4th Octo-
ber. The storm of the previous night had passed away. The
sun was sinking in an almost cloudless sky. The singing of
the larks, and the dull murmur of the waves beating on the
shore — all seemed as though nature's God were seeking
through His handiwork to speak peace to the troubled souls
of the bereaved, reminding them through the beauties of
that exceptionally perfect autumn day that their loved one
had entered upon a world whose glory eye hath not seen, nor
ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to
conceive,

It is impossible to describe the sense of utter desolation
which swept over that home as the realization of their great
and irreparable loss made itself felt. But as father and
children embraced one another in that sacred room, each
sought to hide the anguish of their individual grief in
striving to bring comfort to the other. The forest oak
which, during the past forty years, had buried its roots in
the subsoil of those loving hearts could not fall crashing to
the earth without tearing every tender feeling, and mailing
the very ground vibrate. It seemed to each member of that
family as if an avalanche of sorrow had been let loose, com-
pared with which preceding troubles had been as merest
suowflakes. The anguish of bereavement is the necessary
penalty of love. Extremes of joy and sorAw meat. Those
\vho possess the highest joys are open to the keenest sorrows.
It must be so, while love is love. The most exquisite joy of
which the human breast is capable is made conditional on
participation. It cannot be experienced alone. It must
come through others or not at all. Individuals are bound
with individuals "in the bundle of life," inextricably inter-
woven with chains which salvation sanctifies, beautifies,
and strengthens, but does not break, because it links all to
God, and thus freshly binds each to the other.

The Death of Mrs. Booth.

Upon the General the calamity fell with almost over-
whelming force. Writing to the War Cry immediately
afterwards, he refers to it in the following touching
terms :

"Yes, like a dream the event has come and gone. Anticipated, the
uppermost tliought in my mind, known to be inevitable for two long
years and eight months, dreaded as one of the darkest human shadows
that could fall upon my poor life, death has come and taken away my
darling wife, the beloved partne? of my soul.

" As well as she was able she joined us in singing the old song :

"' I will love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath,
And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.'

" And then she kissed me and slipped away.

" I need not say that in this visitation the Army suffers loss. It is
quite true that she was the Army Mother. This relationship, almost
universally recognised, had grown up like so much of the Army, without
any set arrangement or design. Other religious organizations cannot
be said to have a Mother ; their guides and authorities are all Fathers.
The Salvation Army has, of God's great mercy and wisdom, and we
think through His own leading and inspiration, felt its need of the more
tender, feminine side of human character, as well as the more robust and
masculine element. Woman has taken her place with man in the new
kingdom as a helpmeet for him. And my beloved had the honour of
being chosen by her Lord to lead the way and set the example in this
arrangement. The coming generations will regard her as the Pioneer
Mother. How she has done this work, and in the doing of it commanded
the respect of the Christian world and secured the deep affection of her
own people, is a matter of everyday knowledge.

"And may I say something of my own loss? Ever since our first
meeting, now nearly forty years ago, we have been inseparable in spirit
— that is, in all the main thoughts, feelings, and purposes of our lives.
On no single question of any importance have we ever acted inde-
pendently of each other's views. Oh, what a loss is mine ! Words are
utterly unable to express it. It cannot be measured.

* * • * * * *

" My comrades, will you follow her as she followed Christ ? So far as
her life has been self-sacrificing, and pure, and laborious, and true in
the interests of Christ and mankind, will you imitate it ? And all for

488 Mrs. Booth.

the dear Lord's salce. And so shall you be a joy to her, and an im'pcak-
able consolation to

" Your affectionate General,

• • "WILLIAM BOOTH.*

Thousands were eager for a last look at the loved face. It
appeared inhuman to refuse so natural a request. It would
Lave been invidious to grant it to a select few and not to all,
and hence it was speedily decided that the body should be
removed to London and such arrangements made as would
enable all who so wished to take a farewell glance at the
beloved countenance. The plain oaken coffin, which was
the Army Mother's last resting-place, was fitted with a
glass front, through which she could be seen, her hand rest-
ing upon her favourite photograph of the General.

Death had seemed to make but little change in the face
The look of peace and confidence which rested on her at the
last was still there. All was so natural that it would not
have seemed strange for the eyes to open and the lips to
speak.

The flag beneath which she died was thrown across the
coffin lid, to which a brass plate was affixed bearing the
following inscription :—

CATHERINE BOOTH,

The Mother of

THE SALVATION ARMY.

Born 17th January, 1829.

Died 4th October, 1890.

CHAPTER XLIX.

THE LAST LOOK.

" So thou hast passed away, thou noble soul !

Gone to thy place among the stars to shine :
E'en while on earth, above its* dark control,

To beam for God, held by His hand was thine.

Thy spirit's radiance was a thing divine,
Which dated to pierce where sunbeams might not dwell:

It threw a ray on darkest hearts — on mine —
Shone through all shades and burst into my cell !
Such souls as thine are lighted lamps from God

Sent to earth's gloom to gild it for awhile ;
They shine like morning down life's shadowed road,

To wake a bird and bid a flower to smile !
And thus it is on clouds of man's despair
Still falls the eye of God and makes a rainbow tthere ! "

(By an Ex-Convict, who first heard and read of Mrs. Booth in his cell.)

AND now occurred a series of vast and imposing spectacles,
seldom paralleled in the history of the world. The woman
who had, perhaps of all others, the least coveted popularity
received a tribute of genuine and world-wide esteem, which
was as unanimous as it was unstinted and generous.

The spontaneous outburst of popular sympathy which
greeted the news of Mrs. Booth's death proved that her
labours had not been in vain. Volumes might be filled with
laudatory notices from the pulpit and the press, while the
funeral celebrations were attended by unprecedented crowds.

On Monday, October 6th, her last remains were privately
removed from Clacton-on-Sea to the Clapton Congress Hall,
at the opening of which she had herself assisted, and where
she had delivered many powerful appeals. The hall, one of
the largest and most beautiful in London, accommodates five

49° Mrs. Booth.

thousand persons, and is seated like an amphitheatre. It
proved to be none too large for the occasion. The centre
had been cleared of seats, and the northern portion of it
was covered with a coloured canopy, beneath which the
coffin was placed, surrounded with ferns and flowers. On
the lid were laid Mrs. Booth's well-worn Bible, her Army
flag, her bonnet and her crested jacket, touching mementoes
of the past. Above it was a card bearing a quotation from
her last anniversary message to the Army :

"Love one another,

and
Meet me in the Morning."

On the front of the platform, with the Army colours
drooped around it, was the framed portrait which had been
taken in her sick chamber a few months previously, and
which had occupied the vacant chair by the General's side
at the wedding of Commandant Herbert Booth.

At the hend of the coffin were placed several wreaths,
bearing various inscriptions, many of a deeply touching
character. Attached to one were the words, " The Rescue
Officers consecrate themselves to tread in the footsteps of
their Army Mother." Another, '; With deepest love and
sympathy from Mrs. Booth's book-folders/' And one from
"A little servant girl in memory of Mrs. Booth's goodness
to her sister, once an officer, now in Heaven." Another
quaint wreath of crocheted cotton rosettes was labelled iu
tinsel letters li Victory." The surrounding tables were
covered with flowers. And among the choicest wreaths
were little bunches of cottage garden chrysanthemums, the
contrast serving to illustrate the varied classes to whom
God had enabled her to minister in life. On each side
of the coffin was ranged a body of cadets, who regulated the
crowd, and kept the perpetual stream of visitors moving on ;
whilst from time to time her favourite hymns were sung by
others in one of the side rooms, the fact that they could not
be seen giving a distant heaven-like seeming to the sound.

The Last Look. 491

On Tuesday four thousand people passed through the hall,
on Wednesday ten thousand, on Thursday fourteen thousand
t-:even hundred, and on Frida}' thirteen thousand. Had tho
position of the hall been more central, doubtless the numbers
would have been still more vast.

Many touching scenes were enacted at the coffin side.
Not a few were so overpowered with grief that it was with
difficulty that they could be removed. Others, remembering
the messages of former da}'S, came to seek salvation. One
of these, a poor fallen girl, had struck Mrs. Booth in the
back when she was leaving the hall some years previously.
Turning to her, Mrs. Booth had tenderly pressed her to give
up her life of sin and enter one of the Rescue Homes. And
now this Magdalen was at the coffin side, expressing with
tears her regret for the past and her determination to lead
thenceforth an altered life.

"All classes of society were' represented," says a lady who
was present and witnessed those never-to-be-forgotten scenes.
" Ministers, lawyers, doctors, actors, postmen, police, railway
officials, grooms, working-men, just come from their various
trades, and women from every grade of life. The old people
seemed especially overcome with grief. ' I heard her preach
some of her first sermons,' they would say one to another.
And then they wept afresh. Strong, intellectual-looking
men gazed on that scene with tear-filled eyes. And, oh, the
number of babes and young children brought to look upon
that face ! One can imagine how in future years the parents
will love to rehearse this incident to their children, urging
them to follow in the footsteps of her who so faithfully trod
in those of her Master. But oh, the poor, the poor ! Never
before have I experienced so melting and harrowing a time,
as one after another numbers of them passed along, their
quivering lips and tearful eyes betraying the fact that they
recognised in the death of Mrs. Booth the loss of a personal
i'riend."

From Clapton to the Olympia— from the toiling East to
the luxurious West— the remains of Mrs. Booth were re-

492 Mrs. Bficth.

moved on the following Monday, October loth. Quietly at
daybreak, almost by stealth, in order to avoid the crowds
which would have otherwise awaited it, the eight-mile
journey was performed.

The difficulty of securing a suitable building, large enough
to accommodate the immense crowds desirous of attending
the funeral service, and yet within sufficiently easy reach of
all quarters of the Metropolis, was necessarily very great.
The Olympia Skating Rink was, however, finally engaged.
It was a vast railway-station-like structure some 500 feet
in length and 200 feet in breadth, with immense galleries
stretching the length of the building, and said to be them-
selves capable of accommodating twelve thousand people.
When occupied previously by the notorious Barnum the
throng of spectators had found ample accommodation on the
sidewalks and in the galleries, while the entire centre had
been devoted to the show. On the present occasion, how-
ever, it proved none too large for the immense crowds which
surged in the direction of the building from early morning,
although the service was not advertised to commence till six
p.m. Thirty-six thousand people passed the turnstiles, and
then it became necessary to close the gates and shut out
thousands more.

None who gazed upon that seething mass of humanity
could ever forget the sight. It seemed to be a miniature
representation of the Judgment Day, and one almost ex-
pected to hear the trumpet sound, feel the ground quake, see
the Great White Throne, and find the books opened out of
which should be judged the quick and the dead.

A fog, which had prevailed during the afternoon, had
crept into the hall, and hung in fleecy folds along the roof,
dimming the dazzling brilliance of the large electric lamps,
and adding not a little to the weirdness of the scene.
•• Xature's mourning/' remarked an officer. And indeed it
seemed appropriate for the occasion, and to suit the mood
of the huge audience. For while there was none of' the
lugubrious melancholy of an ordinary funeral, a sad serious-

494 Mrs. "Booth.

ness pervaded the proceedings, and made it evident that the
people realised their loss.

It was obviously impossible for any single voice to make
announcements which could be heard. To meet this diffi-
culty a special litany had been prepared, printed, and
distributed among the congregation. Corresponding with
this, large-lettered signals were hoisted at intervals on the
platform, instructing the audience to " rise and sing/' to
" pray," or to read in silence the extracts from Mrs. Booth's
writings, which formed part of the service, and which
included exhortations to sinners, backsliders, Christians.
and Salvationists.

But perhaps the most impressive part of the ceremony was
the procession which entered the hall at the commencement,
bearing the flag-covered coffin down the central aisle and
through the dense throng of spectators. Slowty and sorrow-
fully, yet with an air of mingled hope and triumph, the
advance-guard of men and women officers filed their way,
bearing the flags of various nations, together with those of
some of the oldest corps, presented in early days by Mrs.
Booth. Others carried many-coloured bannerettes. White
badges on the left arm, and white streamers from the flag-
pole, took the place of customary crape, and taught that they
who mourned, mourned not as those who had no hope— that
Heaven was a reality, and that they believed the Anr.y
Mother to be there.

And when, borne on the shoulders of a band of officers,
Mrs. Booth's mortal remains entered and passed slowly down
the hall, preceded by her faithful nurse — who carried the flag
under which she had breathed her last— few could restrain
their tears, and it seemed as if a visible wave of sympathetic
sorrow swept over the hearts of the entire audience.

The General followed, alone. Grief had left its finger-
traces on his brow. It was hard to lose the faithful partner
of so many years. But resignation and determination were
alike written on his face, and the keen grey eyes, which had
gazed for months with hers upon the pearly gates and jasper

The Last Look. 495

walls of the New Jerusalem, had lost none of their piercing
power. Ezekiel-like he stood, "the desire of his eyes"
stricken "at a stroke," seeking to make his sorrow but the
text for a new appeal to all the world to yield their hearts
to his Divine Master.

The General was followed by the various members of his
family. They had bravely struggled to be there. But it
was easy»to read the sorrow that weighed upon their hearts,
and to see that no small effort had been made in order to
command their feelings sufficiently to face that crowd.

The platform reached, the appointed places were taken,
and the solemn service proceeded. Song followed upon song,
prayer upon prayer, appeal upon appeal. Deeply touching was
the moment when the bereaved famih*. rising to their feet,
sang the favourite chorus which had so often comforted the
dying sufferer :

" We shall walk through the valley and the shadow of death,
We shall walk through the valley in peace !
For Jesus Himself will be our Leader —
We shall walk through the valley in peace !"

The meeting culminated in a final invitation to all who were
willing to make a whole-hearted surrender of themselves to
God to signify it by rising to their feet. Hundreds upon
hundreds responded to the call, and the hall was for the time
being a veritable vale of tears — a starting-point from which
thousands will doubtless date a new life of consecration to
the service of God and humanity. And then the procession
reformed and left the hall in the same order in which it had
entered, while the crowds melted slowly away and dis-
appeared, like phantom spirits from another world, into the
dense fog that had settled like a funeral shroud upon the
streets.

CHAPTER L.
THE FCNERAL.

"Not once nor twice in our rough island story,
The path of duty was the path of glory."

THE shadowland of youth with which we commenced these
memoirs is exchanged for the shadowland of eternity. To
the confines of that unexplored region, whose glories for the
saint, whose terrors for the sinner the eye of faith, through
the dim medium of revelation, can alone discern, we have
brought our readers. Along that sorrow-shrouded border-
line, which had been crossed by the triumphant spirit ten
days previously, there gathered on Tuesday, the 14th of Octo-
ber, an immense concourse of human beings, entirely without
parallel since the funeral of the Duke of Wellington.

The fog of the previous day still lingered in the air. But
it was not sufficient to conceal the solid block of human
beings who stretched from far away down the spacious
Thames Embankment on into the heart of the City, Tho
crowd at the Olympia had appeared vast indeed, but sank
into insignificance when compared with the countless throng
that rendered impassable some of London's widest thorough-
fares. The funeral march was restricted to Officers, of whom
some three thousand were present. "With heavy hearts they
had flocked to the mournful ceremony from every portion of
the British field.

Had all the soldiers and friends who were desirous of join-
ing the procession been allowed to do so, ife was anticipated
that they would have numbered at least fifty thousand, mak-

426

The Funeral. 497

ing progress impossible. The event proved the precaution
to be a necessary one.

For some little time no advance could be made, but with
the hearty co-operation of the police, and the good-humoured
assistance of the crowd itself, a passage was at length
cleared along Queen Victoria Street. Formed into fifteen
sections, with flags and bannerettes waving in the air, the
procession slowly forced its way through the dense throng
till it had reached the International Headquarters of the
Salvation Army. Here the coffin was brought forth, draped
in the Army colours, and, with the familiar Bible, bonnet
and jacket in view, it was placed upon the open hearse pro-
vided for its reception. It was received with respectful
silence by the multitude, and hats were generally doffed
along the route.

The General followed alone in an open carriage, standing
and bowing his acknowledgments to the sympathetic greet-
ings with which he was continually met. The Chief and
Commandant ware on horseback. A second carriage, also
open, contained Mrs. Booth's daughters, the Marechale, Mrs.
Booth-Tucker, and the Misses Eva, Marian, and Lucy "Booth.
In a third carriage followed Mrs. Bramwell and Mrs. Herbert
Booth ; in a fourth the eldest grandchildren, and in the fifth
and last were Staff-Captain Carr and the household. The
only members of the family unable to be present were Com-
mander and Mrs. Ballington Booth, who were represented by
an officer bearing the flag of the United States.

As the procession passed the Mansion House, the spectacle
was unique. Business, in the busiest hour of the day, was
at a standstill. Every avenue of approach .was blocked with
omnibuses, carts, and cabs, the owners of which made use of
every inch of standing-room as an improvised " grand-stand/'
levying mail on the eager candidates for a place. Windows
were lined and on either side of the procession was a solid
wall of human beings. Through Shoreditch, past Dalston
and up Kingsland Road, to the very entrance of the Abney
Park Cemetery, q, distance of four miles, the uninterrupted

K K

49$ Mrs- Booth.

sea of human faces stretched, till those who witnessed the
sight were tempted to wonder from whence such multitudes
could have come. This was more remarkable since from tho
very pressure of the crowds it was impossible for the spec-
tators to accompany the procession. They could only wait
and see it pass. The crowd in the city was of an entirely
different character to that in Shoreditch. and this again to
the crowd in Kingsland.

At length the cemetery was reached. Admissions had
been limited by the authorities to ten thousand, and these
had already taken their places and been awaiting for some
hours the arrival of the march. The fog lifted and the de-
clining sun shone out while the procession passed through
the gates, as if to remind each sorrowing heart that their
loved one was beyond the reach of earth's mists, adding bril-
liance to another world, and yet leaving behind an imperish-
able memorial of the past in the thousands of salvation-illu-
mined lives that were to focus and transmit to all around the
r;tys of spiritual light they had themselves received from her.

Slowly and silently the procession wended its way through
the cemetery. On the right and left there stretched an end-
less sea of tombs. Touching tokens of desolated hearts and
homes were spread around. Tablets, monuments, crosses,
urns and broken pillars, typical of broken hopes, with their
stone - written names and inscriptions, perpetuated the
memory of those who lay b3neath, whilst flowers and
wreaths and carefully attended sward sought to strip death
of some of its grim ghastliness. What a wilderness of buried
hopes, of shattered ambitions, of baffled efforts, of pardoned
and unpardoned sin ! It seemed as if across that wall cf
gravestones '• against the candlestick " of life were written
in letters which required no Daniel for their interpreter,
" Prepare to meet thy God ! "

The spot chosen for the grave was in the extreme left-hand
corner of the cemetery, where a considerable space remained
unoccupied, and there was consequently the most room to
accommodate the crowd. Here a large platform had been

TJie Funeral. 499

erected, capable of seating some fifteen hundred persons.
Draped with flags and filled with officers, it presented an
effective background to the scene. In front of the platform
and reaching to the boundary walls was the dense mass of
earnest faces which had become so familiar during the last
few days.

Gently the coffin was removed from the carriage, and
placed upon the platform in the view of all. Around it in
circle sat the General, his family, and various leading officers.
The service was conducted by Commissioner Railton. His
clear voice rang out, " Rock of Ages, cleft for me," and the
congregation heartily took up the familiar refrain. Major
Musa Bhai from India, and Mrs. Major Cooke, representing
the slum work in England, then prayed, and Staff-Captain
Annie Bell sang:

"When the roll is called in Heaven,
Shall I answer to my name ? "

After Commissioner Howard had read a passage from the
15th chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, Commis-
sioner Booth-Clibborn and the writer of these memoirs spoke.
Next the Marechale, Mrs. Booth's eldest daughter, standing
with tears beside her mother's open grave, appealed to sinner
and saint alike to surrender themselves fully to God, and
follow in the footsteps of her who had left behind so brilliant
an example.

And then the General stepped forward, the entire platform
rising to their feet. Cries of "God bless you!'' and
" Amen ! " greeted him from all directions. It was a grand
climax to the funeral celebrations of the week — nay, rather
to the long service of a life— when the patriarchal figure of
the Prophet of the Poor, the Founder and Father of the
Salvation Army, stood erect, bareheaded, sad, but firm and
true, facing the vast audience. The long grey beard, the
Eastern cast of countenance, the flashing eyes, the uplifted
arm, reminded the onlooker irresistibly of pictures of Moses,
Elijah, Daniel, It was not difficult to imagine there in the

5CO

The Funeral. 5O1

corner of that vast graveyard, that one of the prophets had
indeed risen from the dead, had it not been for the " one
touch of nature," the open grave, the waiting coffin, which
served to make that congregation " kin." It was one of
those scenes which memory carves upon the inmost soul. The
many-coloured background of white pennanted flags and
uniformed Salvationists, the foreground of listeners with
tear-bedewed cheeks and earnest upturned countenances, the
setting sun, the fading light, the weird sepulchral surround-
ings— the spectacle was one which seen, who could forget ?

"It was a most touching sight," says the Daily Tele-
graph, "when the tall, upright General came forward in the
gathering darkness to tell his comrades of the loss he, their
Chief, had sustained. He spoke manfully, resolutely, and
without the slightest trace of affectation. Not a suspicion
of clap-trap marred the dignity of the address. He spoke as
a soldier should who had disciplined his emotion, without
effort and straight from the heart. Few wives who have
comforted their husbands for forty years have received such
a glowing tribute of honest praise. It is clear enough where
the strength of the Salvation Army is to be found, where its
courage, where its indomitable energy, where its unswerv-
ingness of purpose. To hear General Booth speak, and to
see the man, is to understand a great deal of the success of
the Salvation Army."

Kneeling at the conclusion of his address by the coffin
side, the General imprinted upon its lid a farewell kiss,
while the tears of the children fell upon it fast, and then
the loved one — nay, only the " dissolved earthly house of
this tabernacle " — was lowered sadly into its last resting-
place, the congregation singing softly a verse which had
been a special favourite with Mrs. Booth, and which had a
double interest, both words and music being the composition
of her 'son Herbert :

Blessed Lord, in Thee is refuge,
Safety for my trembling soul,

502 Mrs. Booth.

Power to lift my head when drooping,
:Mid the angry billows' roll !

I will trust Thee !
All my life Thou shalt control ! "

Commissioner Railton afterwards stepped forward and
repeated from the Army burial service the solemn words :

" As it hath pleased Almighty God to promote our dear
Mother from her place in the Salvation Army to the mansion
prepared for her above, we now commit her body to this
grave — earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust — in the
sure and certain hope of seeing her again in the Resurrection
More ing."

Then, turning to the crowd, he said, "God bless and com-
fort all the bereaved ones ! " The audience responded with
a hearty " Amen ! r'

" God help us who are left to be faithful unto death ! ?'
And again a loud and deep ': Amen ! '"' pealed forth.

li God bless the Salvation Army ! " said the Commissioner,
the congregation responding with a third " Amen ! r?

And, finally, the Chief of the Staff, Mr. Bramwell Booth,
her eldest born, stepped forward, worn with the recent
strain and deeply agitated. There seemed to be tears in his
voice as he struggled to control the pent-up feelings of his
heart while reading out the personal covenant with which
the solemn service closed. Sentence by sentence the audience
repeated after him the words :

"Blessed Lord — We do solemnly promise — Here by the
side of this open grave — And before each other — That we
will be true to our cause— And valiant in Thy service — That
we will devote ourselves to the great end of saving souls —
That we will be faithful to Thee — Faithful to one another —
And faithful to a dying world — Till we meet — Our beloved
Mother — In the Morning. Amen."

Xight shadows were creeping over the graveyard, while
the vast assemblage reluctantly and sorrowfully dispersed.
Xature sympathising with the mourners' mood spread its
dark pall over the scene, and bid them turn from the buried

The Funeral 5°3

past to use the golden opportunities of the present. And
through the gloaming angel voices seemed to chant the
farewell message of the departed one :

" Love one another, and meet me in the Morning."
* * * * •

From its sunrise to its zenith, from its zenith to its sunset,
we have tracked the orbit of a life whose light shone " more
and more unto the perfect clay." And now we stand gazing
sadly over the waters, and watch the ball of spiritual fire
as it sinks for the lust time below the horizon, illuminating
the fringes of the dark bank of sickness-clouds behind which
it disappears, and yet through which, to the last, it pours
its golden rays. And then the twilight sets in — death's
twilight : the twilight of a holy death — in which the twin-
lights meet, and the light of life is merged in the light of
eternity. We look up almost despairingly into the dark-
ening sky. But, though the sun is gone, the stars shine
out ; first a few here and there, like solitary mourners over
the grave of the departed day, then more and more, till
countless legions fill the firmaments, and the blank, black
past is ablaze with memories of deeds and words that pierce
the darkness of bereavement with messages of hope, and
stand like fiery sentinels keeping watch at the gateway of a
brighter day, when the eternal morn shall break and the
shadows flee away, and the Sun of suns — of which this, after
all, was but a pale reflection — shall shine forth in its
strength, illuminate the world, and never set.

THE END.

GENERAL INDEX OF THE LIFE.

Abney Park, service in, 499.

All the World, 198, 439.

America, the Christian Mis-
sion in, 313, 319.

Anniversary celebrations,
388, 444, 469.

Archbishop Tait, 366.

Armstrong case, the, 429.

Army literature, 198.

Ashbourne, Mrs. Booth born
in, 3.

Audited accounts, 196.

Australia, the Army in, 316,
318, 410.

Balance sheets, 196.

Bedside, deputation at Mrs.
Booth's, 475.

Billups, Mr. and Mrs., 159,
408.

Birmingham, 82, 164.

" Blades " in Sheffield, 358.

" Blood and Fire," 250.

Booth, Mrs. Catherine-
birth, 3 ; girlhood in
Boston, 8 ; wedding, 64 ;
first public effort, 100;
first pamphlet, 104 ; first
call to preach, 106; first
sermon, 109; leaving the
conference, 126 ; seaside
work, 191; in Edinburgh,
201 ; in Brighton, 206 ;
Portsmouth, '220, 240 ;
purity agitation, 414; last
illness, 463; Clacton- on-
Sea, 471; death, 479; the
last look, 489 ; in the
Olympia,492 : the funeral,
49(3.

Booth, General — early days,
29; revival work, 30; call
to the ministry, 30; ex-
pelled by the Wesleyans,
34; joins the Reformers,
meets Miss Mumfor'd, 35 ;
joins the New Connexion,
54; wedding, 64; revival
work, 71 ; Gateshead, 92 ;
leaves the Conference,
126 ; goes to London, la I ;
Cornwall, 85, 135; work
in East London, 172, 181 ;
visits the Continent, Uni- I
ted States, and Canada,
441.

Booth, William Bramwell
(The Chief of the Staff)—
birth of, 78; conversion,

163 ; early work, 238 ;
correspondence, 239; mar-
ries Miss Florence Soper,
385; in the Old Bailey
Dock, 433 ; acquitted, 431.

Booth, Mrs. W. Bramwell ;
see Soper, Miss Florence.

Booth, Ballington, Com-
mander— birth of, 87; in
the Training Home, 328 ;
impi isoned at Manches-
ter, 319 ; in Australia,
410 ; letter to his mother,
411 ; marries Miss Maud
Charleaworth, 451 ; com-
manding the S.A. in the
United States, 453.

Booth, Mrs. Ballington ;
see Charlesworth, Miss
Maud.

Booth-Clibborn, Mrs. (La
Marechale)— birth of, 95 ;
letters from her mother,
217, 233 ; early public
work, 254; commissioned
for France, 34- ; uproar
in the Paris Hall, 383 ; in
Switzerland, 397 ; impri-
sonment, 398; trial, 402;
acquitted, thanksgiving
in Exeter Hall, 405 ; mar-
ries Commissioner Glib-
born, 453.

Booth-Clibborn, Commis-
sioner ; see Olibborn.

Booth-Tucker, Mrs.— birth
of, 106; letters from her
mother, 218, 240, 280, 287,
424 ; chilil hood traits, 236 ;
first platform work, 251;
in the Training Home,
328 ; marries Commis-
sioner Tucker, 454 ; at
Mr. Herbert's wedding,
458.

B >oth-Tucker, Commission-
er; see Tucker.

Booth, Herbert Howard,
Commandant— birth of,
15 1 ; in the Training
Home, 411; marries Miss
Schoch, 458.

Bjoth, Mrs. Herbert; see
Schoch, Miss Coraline.

Booth, Marian, Miss, birth
of, 166.

B >oth, Evangeline, Miss
(The Field Commissioner),
birth of, 183.
505

I Booth, Lucy Milward, Miss,

birth of, 189.
Bright, John, M.P., 366.
Brighton, early visit of Mrs.

Booth to, 22 ; the Dome,

203.

Bristol, Colston Hall, 4t;3.
Butler, Mrs. Josephine, 381,

418.

Cadman, Elijah (Commis-
sioner), 247.

Cairns, Earl, 339.

Canada, 379.

Care in training her child-
ren, Mrs. Booth's, 89, 98,
235.

Carlisle, the Army and the
Bishop, 333.

Charles worth. Miss Maud,
married to Mr. Ballington
Booth, 451 ; Army career,
451.

Chats worth, 72.

Chester, 83.

Christian Mission, the, 209.

City Temple, the, 469.

Clacton-ou-Sea, 471.

Clibborn, Commissioner
Booth, 356 ; marries Miss
Booth, 453 ; career, 453.

Coleridge, Lord, 367.

Colours, the Army, 250, 478.

Conferences, Christian Mis-
sion, 228.

Coombs, Commissioner, in
Canada and Australia,
379, 411.

Cornwall, 85, 135.

Cory, Messrs. John and
Richard, 153.

Criminal Law Amendment
Act, the, 426.

Crystal Palace, the, 470.

"Darkest England," 213.
Darlington Council, the,

305.

Deliverer, the, 198.
Denny, Mr. T. A., 300, 342.
Diary of Mrs. Boor.h, 21.
Dowdle, Colonel, 326.
Dunorlan, 185.

East End of London, ser-
vices begun by the Gene-
ral, 172, 181 ; his life work
decided, 179.

Edinburgh, Mrs. Booth in,
201,325.

506

General Index of the Life.

Effingham Theatre, the, en-
gaged by the Mission, 195.

Exeter Hall, a girl listener
in, 19 ; Army meetings
inaugurated in, 354.

Faith, Mrs. Booth on, 288.
Female Ministry, Mrs.

Booth's pamphlet on, 101 ;

controversy about, 171.
Flag, the Army, 250; Mrs.

Booth's love for, 478.
France, La Marechale com-
missioned for, 342.
Frivolity, Mrs. Booth on,

289.

Gateshead, 91.
Gladstone, Mr., correspond-
ence with, 400.
Grecian, purchase of the,

349.
Hallelujah bonnet, the, 252 ;

lasses, 269.
Happy Eliza, 272.
Harcourt, Sir William, 341.
Hartlepool, 121.
Headquarters, the Army,

195,317.

" Heathen England." 243.
Hk'gins, Commissioner,

\M.
Holiness question, the, 114,

393.
Howard, Commissioner,

317.
How to reach the masses,

213.
Hydropathy, 242.

India, the Army enters, 372.

Kate Shepherd, 271.
Kitchen council, a, 177.

"Larrikins" in Aus ralia,

411.
Law, letter and spirit of

the, 335.
Life and Death, Mrs.

Booth's lectu-es on, 408.
Lightfoot, Dr., 368.
Literature of the Army,

193, 213. 216.
London, 18, 32, 58, 170, 340,

341,348.

Macclesfield, 80.

Maiden Tribute, the, 424.

Margate, 191.

Marriage, Mrs. Booth's
views on, 47, 289.

Middlesborough, 235.

Mile End waste, 172.

Military system contem-
plated, 248; adopted, 249;
titles in use, 249.

Monster petition, the. 426.

Morley, Mr. Simuel, M.P.,
ISO, 295.

Mumford, Mr. John, 8; at

his daughter's meetings,
200.
Mumford, Mrs., 4.

Xeuchatel, Miss Booth im-
prisoned in, 399.

Newcastle, 103, 280.

New Zealand, 408.

" Nick," 275.

Northern Echo, the, 305, 419.

Notes in preaching, use of,
193, 290.

Nottingham, 29.

Old Bailey, 434.

Open-air, the Army's first

meetings, 361 ; the law

governing, 337.
Orders and regulations,

439.
Onchterloney Miss, 378.

Paget, Sir James, 465.
Parents of Mrs. Bootli, 4, 22.
Parker, Dr., of L mdon,

469.
Parkyn, Miss Deborah,

marries Commissioner

Railton, 410.
Philadelphia Pa., the Army

in, 313.
" Popular Christianity,"

4:3.

Portsmouth, 220, 240.
" Praying John/' 229.
Preachers, the kind needed,

256.
Prince's Hall, Piccadilly,

413.
Prodigal son, Mrs. Booth's

sermon on the, 222.
Purity agitation, tlie, 414.

Quaker burial ground. 172.
Queen, the, Mrs. Boo h's

correspondence with, 389,

422, 425, 434.

Railton, George Scott, the
mission's historian, 216,
243 ; commissioned for
America, 314; recalled,
316 ; wedding at Exeter
Hall, 410.

Redrutti,l53.

Reed, Mr. Henry, 186.

Rees, Rev. A. A., pamphlet j
on the right of women to j
preach, 103.

Regent Hall, 346.

Reporter, the American,
379.

Republic, the American,
and the Army, 320.

Rescue work extending,
441.

Riot in Sheffield ,358.

Salvation Army, origin of
tbe name, 248 • first use of,
249.

Salvophobism, 332.

Schoch.Mi^s Coraline, mar-
ried to Mr. Herbert Booth,
458.

Schools, Mrs. Booth's views
on, 240.

Scotland, Mr. and Mrs.
Booth in, 204.

Self-denial Week, 479.

Sheffield, 81, 358.

Shepherd, Kate, 271.

Shirley family, the, 313.

Silver Wedding, General
and Mrs. Booth's, 330.

Soci il scheme, 348.

Soper, Miss Florence, mar-
ried to Mr. Bramwell
Booth, 386 ; in charere of
the Rescue Work, 41 <>.

South Africa, 408.

St. Andrew's Hall, 356.

Stea I, Mr. W. T., 305 ; in
the purity move nent,
419.

St. Ives, 141.

St. James's Hall, 35G

St. John's Wood, 183.

St. Just, 144.

Sutherland, Captain and
Mrs., set apart for Aus-
tralia, 317.

Sweden, 378 ; Miss Charles-
worth in, 451.

Swift, Miss, 439.

Switzerland, 397, 438.

Tent in Whitechapel, the,

172.

TLomas, Rev. Dr., 45.
Titles Salvation Army, 249.
Training Homps, : 27.
Tucker, Commissioner

Booth, 377; marr e-l to

Miss Emma Muss Booth,

454.

Uniforms adopted by the

Army. 251.
United States, the Christian

mission in the, 313.

Vaccination, Mrs. Booth
disapproves of, 200.

Wales, the Army in 271;
Mrs- Booth visits, 278.

Walsall, 161.

Wnr Congress, the first,
261.

War Cry, the, 198 ; launched
286, 329.

Weddings, the four, 419.

Weerasooriye, Col. Arnolis,
414.

West End services, 173, 304,
322, 355.

Whitecliapel, services be-
gun in, 172, 181 ; people's
market purchased, 210.

THE SALVATION ARMY AS IT IS,

BY COMMISSIONER BAILTON.

Only six years ago, Mrs. Booth asked me to append to
her blazing protest against "Popular Christianity" a brief
description of The Salvation Army. And now, three years
after that tremendous Tuesday when London followed the
Army Mother's last procession to her humble grave, I am
asked by her eldest son to make a similar appendix to the
popular story of her life.

With what reluctance and mortification should I sit
down to this pleasant task if I had to record the disap-
pointment of Mrs. Booth's purposes and hopes ! If I had
to say that, since her voice was no more heard amongst us,
the Gospel of Jesus was less loved, and the work of Jesus
less vigorously carried on by the people whom Mrs. Booth
taught, I should have to make a sorry confession indeed
as to the nature of her life-work.

" By their fruits ye shall know them " — our one great
Master's test-word is especially valuable in relation to the
dead. We may endeavor in vain to sift from even the best
of records what is reliable fact, and what affectionate tradi-
tion only, about any popular leader ; whereas the abiding
results of their action supply to us an infallible test of the
extent to which they acted with and without God, with
and without a true regard for the benefit of their fellow -
men. And if this be our test, then surely there has been
time enough already for every one to satisfy themselves
that Mrs. Booth was an instrument in the hands of God
Himself, and that the great impulses of her life were not
of human but of Divine origin.

For the Army remains unaltered. After carefully
examining what I wrote six years ago, I cannot find a
single word that would need modification in any description

508 The Salration Army As It Is.

ot the teachings and practices of the Army to-day. Just
such as Mrs. Booth saw it in preaching, in spirit and in
practice, is it still, proving conclusively how complete was
the delusion of those who represented, whether in a friendly
or unfriendly tone, that it owed to this great woman its
existence or its power. What men create perishes at their
departure. Only God is able, through His workmen and
workwomen, to produce something which, amid all possible
tempests and trials, will still continue to flourish.

It has frequently appeared to me that a subtle form of
insult to the General and the Army was invented by
those who, by extravagant eulogy of Mrs. Booth, implied
that without her neither her husband nor his followers
would count for much. All this has found, during the last
three years, its crushing reply amidst the Army's onward
march. Amongst the floods of misrepresentation which
from time to time have deluged the General and his family,
I am not aware that anyone has ever ventured to accuse
either the husband or the children of Mrs. Booth of
departing from the path she trod, or even of wishing to
depart from it.

Certainly she could hardly have imagined in her
sunniest moments, that, at the bidding of the most im-
portant journals of her country, a committee of statesmen'"
would sit for weeks to examine into the honesty of her
dearest ones, and would solemnly declare their perfect in-
tegrity, whilst at the same time suggesting that a body of
trustees might with advantage be appointed to ensure their
continuance in that good way ! But if from her lofty
dwelling-place she witnessed all this, she had also the
satisfaction to see both husband and children in that im-
portant moment, and before that severe test, as unwavering
in their resolution to hold to the unlimited freedom of
action for God which she valued so highly, as they ever
were when she was amongst them.

« Reference is here made to the searching investigation into the affairs of
The Darkest England Scheme by the Earl of Ouslow's Committee, of which Sir
Henry James, M.P., was Chairman, and which resulted in a remarkable
vindication of the General and the undertaking.

The Salvation Army As It Is. 509

This simple, steadfast, marching on, turning neither to
right nor left, has more than doubled the Army during
these six years. Instead of the five thousand men and
women officers of whom I wrote in 1887, there are to-day
10,645 answering precisely the description I then gave
— "men and women who gladly bear contempt, abuse,
poverty, and suffering of every kind, that they may spend
the part of life which still remains to them in proclaiming
their Saviour."

And during this brief period, the Army has really been
far more than doubled, for it has become a mighty power
in lands where it had then no existence whatever, and has
been developed in directions in which it had then scarcely
made any attempt to go. It would be absurdly superfluous
for me, in an appendix to these glowing, photographic
pages, to begin any description of our teaching and work
which the author has so completely portrayed. But I will
ask you just to look with me for a moment at one of the
men who, farthest from Mrs. Booth's burial-place, is carrying
the flag she first presented.

Away in the depths of a Columbian forest you may see
him forcing his way from hut to hut, holding a meeting
whenever he can gather a few of the scattered settlers
together, urging, as nearly as he can compelling, all men
everywhere to repent, to believe the Gospel, to follow Christ
fully, and to become, if at all possible, a uniformed soldier of
The Salvation Army. That officer, scarcely ever mentioned,
even in a " War Cry " despatch, will thus go on from month
to month and from year to year until some fell disease, or
some fall amidst his perilous lonely rides, will sweep him off
this battlefield to see for the first time the heroine of this
book. He never heard her voice. But he has done what Mrs,
Booth told everybody to do. He has given himself up body and
soul to perform the will of his Saviour and to finish His work.

No wonder that such a man, out of the wildest cowboys
and the most utterly abandoned women in the world,
produces equally devoted soldiers of the Cross. The leaven
which this woman took and hid, when I first knew her, in

510 Ute ^'alcutitii Anny As It Is.

little hole-and-comer meetings in the East of London,
cannot but go on leavening the world. Neither Andes, nor
Pyrenees, nor Himalayas will check the progress of the
Army of the Lord of Hosts. Wherever the pressure of the
Blood-and-Fire bayonet comes, there is the same unqualified
surrender to God which so often gladdened Mrs. Booth's
heart both amongst rich and poor, and so the process must
and will repeat itself till all the world has felt the ever-
widening influence of this great organization.

And why is The Salvation Army such a unity of force?
Why do the self-seeking or the faithless one by one flee
away from its flag, if they have ever stood beneath it ? Why
is there ever activity, novelty, enterprise, adaptation to all
men and all places ? Because the new wine of God's
Kingdom has unhesitatingly been put into new bottles and
the old ones have as unhesitatingly been shelved or given,
shall I say, to the Salvage Brigade of the Social Wing !

Nor can the success of the Army be ascribed merely to
the admirable character of kits organization. Experience
has only too clearly proved that an organization, however
skilfully devised, and though backed up with the wealth of
a nation and with the learning of ages, may be but a
lifeless, powerless form. The vital difference between the
mere mechanical organization which stifles, and always
must stifle, real life, and the life-giving organization of The
Salvation Army, lies in the substitution of a personal, God-
inspired leadership for a paper plan. It is this personal,
living, moving influence, as opposed to correct stereotyped
formularies and ordinances and routines, which gives The
Salvation Army its elasticity and efficacy throughout the
world. This enables it, with equal rapidity and ease, to search
for the most besotted progidal in the San Francisco dive,
or the most refined one in the Berlin Casino ; to claim and
seize for God the most brilliant Parisieune, or the roughest
Canadian woodman ; to be at home with the poorest beggar
in India, or the richest squatter in Australia.

The Salvation Army is, in fact, a power for good wherever
it goes, just because it is an Army — because all its people,

The Salvation Army As It Is. 511

without exception, are made to humble themselves to God's
own old, original, unimprovable plan of organization for His
people. This it is which, in every individual case, makes
the triumph of the Army so great. The simple " Come,
follow Me " of the Saviour, repeated with the same heartfelt
earnestness whether in the drawing-room or the back slum,
finds a perfect response wherever true faith and love spring
into existence, and then every personal interest can be
subordinated to the good of all without any of the gloom
or hidden compulsion of the cloister.

Of course, this system of personal leadership has its
corresponding drawback. Every Aaron who backslides can
carry all under him any day into a path of sin or selfish-
ness, and The Salvation Army, like all God's armies in the
past, has had to suffer, and will have to suffer, bitterly in
this way. But now that after all such losses such an un-
paralleled rate of progress can be shown, it is surely time for
every sensible man to say " This is the Lord's doing."

The Social activities of the Army naturally attract much
attention even amongst the godless. To such it is far more
interesting that a prodigal son should be found regularly
feeding pigs to earn an honest living than that he should be
completely delivered from all the horrible appetites which have
degraded him to that depth. Careful observers cannot fail,
however, to perceive that all the good the Army can do to
men's bodies springs from the mighty, living, indwelling
Spirit, without whose Power all this willingness to save the
poorest must instantly disappear. But the Army has, thank
God, as triumphantly marched past the wondering adoration
of its infidel admirers as over the blundering opposition of
its learned and rowdy haters. It will be able yet to reach a
loving hand to every human being, because it will let no
human influences restrain or spoil its devotion, and its
present 218 Homes, Refuges, Farm Colonies, Shelters and
human Elevators will be multiplied in every continent.

This book is itself a constant reminder of one vastly im-
portant branch of the Army's activities. By men and women,
nearly all of whom are without previous literary training, and

512 The Salvation Army As It Is.

without leisure for much reading or thought, there are pro-
duced week by week some 29 journals, in 14 different lan-
guages, and these publications are sold to the extent of over
38,000,000 copies per year, mostly to those who were never
before inclined to read anything " religious." The improve-
ment of these " War Crys" and other publications during
the last six years has been simply marvellous. Nearly
all these papers are well illustrated, and in get up and every
way they will compare favorably with any other newspapers
in the world.

The financial administration and the general direction of
the Army have made marvellous strides in improvement. Of
course, everything is possible when you have officers who
desire no guarantee of salary, people taught to spare and to
give all they can, and a thoroughly military organization
steadily improved and lovingly but resolutely carried out.
The fund raised in "one single week by the little self-denials
of millions who gave up such articles of food or comfort as
they could spare amounted, in 1892, to over £50,000.

But in all this put together one finds less pleasure than in
the fact that, during the present year the work of leading
sinners openly to confess and forsake sin has been prosecuted
with vigor more than in any previous one.

In the splendid Concert Palace of Copenhagen, as well as
in the market-place of Sodertelge, Sweden ; in some of the
most renowned church buildings of England, America and
Australia, as well as on the village green and in the little
slum corps room ; in the German beer saloon and the Dutch
canal boat, sinners have been heard singing of Jesus through
their tears in greater multitudes than ever before :
" His Blood can make the foulest clean,
His Blood avails for me."

No less than 231,242 such penitents' names have been
recorded during the past year. Christian, Hindoo, Buddhist,
Mahommedan, Jew, and pagan, multitudes out of all classes
have sung and felt it.

And the emphatic recognition of these glorious facts seems
to me important, in order to rally to the side of God's flag and

The Salvation Army An It Is. 513

God's order the ever-increasing number of men and women
who can, if they will, help in the fight.

Oh, why is this great War left to be waged, in 38 different
countries and Colonies and 24 languages, mainly by those who
have neither had much education nor much training for any
great undertaking ? Why are those who do give themselves
to it, left in every country to struggle with continual want
of means to pay for its necessary expenses ? — why, when
there must be everywhere hearts that beat, after all, true to
the Saviour's cause, and that could, if they would, bring
treasures of flesh and blood, of gold and silver into the field ?

Why, if not because so many, prejudiced by the voice of
" Society," or oftener still, the voice of what calls itself " The
Church," never so much as look at the great Army which
God has created. In the British Colonies and the American
Republics, thank God, this prejudice seems to be passing away,
and surely we shall thence at least get such reinforcements of
men and money as we require to enable us to complete our
ring round the whole world, and to perfect the chain of our
spiritual and social activities in every land.

Will you, dear reader, as you reflect upon the total im-
pression you have received from this book, drink in the single
fact that Mrs. Booth's husband, every one of her children, and
the officers who have devoted their lives to this War, are
daily wrestling with the same heart -crushing difficulties that
you find so lucidly portrayed in its pages ? Will you take the
trouble to inspect the fight for yourself, and then help at
least as generously as many have done who have taken that
course before you ? Happy he or she who has the privilege
to cast into the scale — life, family, all ! God help you !

This greatest of centuries rushes wildly to its close,
repudiating more and more generally and thoroughly the
grand old story of the Cross. And that is why God has
chosen largely, through a weak woman, to raise up for
Himself an Army that will not give in, an 'Army that is
never ashamed to cry continually to high and low, to
learned and brutalised alike, " Come to Jesus ! "

BERLIN, 4th October, 1893. BAILTON.

What is the "Darkest

England" Scheme?

The " Darkest England " Scheme is the Social Work
carried on by The Salvation Army — so called because first
made widely known by General Booth's book, " In Darkest
England and the Way Out." It aims at rescuing from
poverty, crime, and despair the "submerged" or "drowning"
portion of our population.

The Scheme has three Chief Divisions — each division
having many sections, branches, and links. These divisions
embrace three distinct provinces of the work, and are now
known throughout the world as

(a) THE CITY COLONY.

(b) THE FARM COLONY.

(c) THE OVER- SEA COLONY.

The friendless and unemployed man, having first been
got hold of by the City Colony, through the Shelter of the
Labor Bureau is drafted to one of our "Elevators" (i.e.,
Workshops), where he may earn enough to support himself ;
thence, if found willing to work, after a time he is sent either
into permanent employment or transferred to the Farm Colony.
In this latter case his industrial education is carried a point
further. Working on the land or in some industry established
on the Colony, he may fit himself for future honest labor,
either at home or at the Colony Over- Sea — that is, a settle-
ment to which he will be sent on proof of reformation, and
where he will be aided, counselled, and guarded until enabled
to maintain himself permanently.

The Scheme aims at giving every man, no matter how
destitute, three things — (1) a chance to work ; (2) a hope of
better circumstances ; and (3) the sympathy and love of men
whose aim is the permanent deliverance of the lost.

Every man, irrespective of condition, character, ur reliyion, is

The "Darkest England" Scheme. 515

eligible for admission to the benefits of the Scheme (the only
limit being that of accommodation) on the single condition
that he is willing to work and will obey orders.

The following departments of work are carried on:—

I.— THE CHEAP FOOD DEPOTS.

Meals are supplied from one farthing each to fourpence.
Nutritious and well-cooked food can always be had in the
smallest quantities at these places as well as at our various
Shelters. To those who have only a few pence left in the
world, the difference of a halfpenny on a meal is a momentous
matter. We seek to make the money of the poor go as far as
possible.

Since the Scheme has been in operation, five million meals
have been supplied at the following prices: J-d., Jd., Id., 2d.,
3d., and 4d. each.

The articles of diet chiefly purchased are soup, bread,
boiled puddings, rice, potatoes, tea, coffee and cocoa.

Many thousands of children who would otherwise go to
school without food obtain a farthing breakfast. Men and
women out of work are enabled to procure sustaining food at
the minimum of cost. Mothers of families who work at home,
and cannot find time to cook without loss of pay, are able, at
these depots, to purchase at extremely low prices suitable
cooked food for their families, and thus save cost of fuel as
well as loss of wages.

2.— NIGHT SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS.

Probably 50, 000 people in London alone are without homes ;
such live and sleep in the street, parks, etc., or in the common
lodging-houses. These lodging-houses, or doss-houses, as they
are called, are nurseries of vice, and frequently of crime.
Every homeless wanderer who comes down to their level of
destitution soon comes also to their level of moral, social,
and physical abomination.

As a first step in raising this class of unfortunates, The
Salvation Army has established Shelters of four classes : —
(I) Shelters in which, for one penny a night, a homeless man

may have a seat and resb for his head and feet in^'a warm,

516 The "Darkest England" Scheme.

dry room. If he be without even a penny, he can earn it
by work on the premises, before he takes his rest.

(2) Shelters which provide the bunk, mattress, and
covering, without food, at twopence per night.

(3) Shelters which provide a bunk, a clean mattress,
and covering, with a supper and breakfast of bread and
cocoa, &i fourpence per ni</ht.

(4) Metropolis in which, for fourpence and sixpence
nightly, separate beds are provided, with reading and
smoking rooms, etc.

S.-ELEVATORS OR LABOR SHOPS FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.

The " Darkest England " Scheme goes upon the principle
that if a man will not work neither shall he eat, and, on the
other hand, that if he will work he shall eat. But how if there
be no work to give your would-be worker ? To meet this diffi-
culty these Workshops have been established.

Part of our work is to create hope ! Some men seem as
if they would never be able to earn much more than their
lodging and their twopenny food tickets, and never care to try !
Still, even to these, grants of a few shillings are made now and
again to encourage them, and to stimulate them to further
efforts.

4.— LABOR EXCHANGE.

The loss to the country from the fact that there exists no
prompt means of bringing together the Work that needs
Workers, and the Workers that need Work, must be enormous.
The advertisement columns of the newspapers are a poor
make-shift, especially in the country towns. Thousands of
men out of employment to-day will lose a fortnight's pay
while hunting up situations which they find the employer has
been wanting to fill during the whole of the time had they
but known it. We need a National Labor Exchange.

Our Free Labor Bureau — the only Free Bureau with any
ramification worth mentioning — has been a great success,
despite the limitations incidental to any purely voluntary
movement of this kind and the inexperience which at first
made the work more difficult, and has demonstrated what
could be done with time, care, and ample resources. We are

The "Darkest Em/land" Scheme. 517

at this moment organizing an extension to the whole country
of the plans only as yet put into operation in London and
a few provincial towns.

S.-PRISON BRIGADE AND CRIMINAL HOMES.

Men discharged from prison after serving either long or

short terms of imprisonment are, as a rule, placed in a hopeless
position. It is all but impossible for them to obtain employ-
ment, being without character, generally without sufficient
clothes, and frequently in a very unsatisfactory condition of
health. The result is that they return to their former com-
panions and generally find their way back to prison again.

The object of The Salvation Army is set before such men a
door of hope, and briefly the following are the means adopted: —

(1) Prisoners are met at the doors of the London prisons
on their discharge, and, according to their wish or circum-
stances are dealt with thus : Some are brought into the
Home for Criminals ; others are drafted into the Labor
Factories at once, and thus put in the way of earning an
honest living ; and a third class are helped temporarily,
while their friends are communicated with, and a new start
in life is, if possible, obtained for them.

(2) The ex -Prisoners' Home is absolutely necessary for
those who have been long in prison and have all but lost
all hope.

(3) As soon as the men have proved themselves to be
willing to work and anxious to do right, situations are
obtained for them, where they are watched over as far as
possible. This element of personal interest, is the most
powerful means towards their permanent deliverance.

In addition to the foregoing, we have been able to help first
offenders on their appearance in the Police Courts, especially
hi the Metropolis. The condition of the young, when arrested
for their first offence, is pitiful in the extreme, and much
more so if they are guilty than if they are innocent.
6.-RE8CUE WORK.

In no department of the " Darkest England " Scheme has
there been more gratifying success than in the Rescue Work.
Indeed, in no department of social work is there such terrible

518 The "Darkest Fiu/lnvrt" Scheme.

need for the help of loving hearts and loving hands . The position
of a woman who has once forfeited the confidence of her friends
by leaving the path of virtue, is too horrible to be exaggerated.
It is estimated that there are some 70,000 of this class, and
we do not think that this estimate is overdrawn. Of these,
some — the hardened especially — hug their sin and will not
abandon it. But others who have drunk the poisoned cup long
enough to taste its after bitterness, yearn for a way out of the
Dark Forest. It is terrible to know how many of these find
no place of repentance. Many apply at the door of our Rescue
Homes, and we are unable to find room, though it is heart-
rending to be obliged to turn them away.

Nevertheless, the satisfactory number of no less than 1,662
girls were helped in one year, of whom more than 1,296 proved
satisfactory. 759 of these were sent to situations as domestic
servants.

All the women in our Rescue Homes are engaged in some
healthy labor — the following industries being in operation :—
PLAIN DRESSMAKING. TEXT-MAKING. MACHINE-KNITTING.
CHILDREN'S AND LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING.

Those unfitted among our rescued girls for domestic service,
are drafted into our Factories, where they earn their livelihood
at the following work : —

LAUNDRY. MACHINE-KNITTING. BOOK-FOLDING.

In connection with these Factories we have two lodging-
houses for the convenience of those who work with us.

One hundred and ninety devoted officers are entirely en-
gaged in this divinely social work in the United Kingdom.
7 -HELP AND INQUIRY FOR THE LOST.

To the poor who cannot afford to pay for an advertisement
in the " agony column" of the daily papers, this Department
is a valuable friend ; especially to parents who have lost a
daughter, and to others who have lost all trace of relations,
perhaps for years, and to those who do not know how to rescue
from her surroundings some innocent girl who is in moral
danger. The Police — always full of work — who must neces-
sarily give the preference to cases where crime is involved,
are becoming year by year less able to find the lost who are

The "Darkest England" Scheme. 519

not criminals, especially, as is often the case, when the lost
ones do not desire to be found.

Our Department has been most successful in this work.
The very large circulation of our newspapers — the " War Cry "
especially — in all parts of the globe, is alone a medium for
circulating and collecting information which is invaluable.

During the year now closing, 2,243 enquiries for lost per-
sons have been addressed to the Central Offices of this work,
259, Mare Street, Hackney, and there have been 705 lost
persons found.

8.— THE WORK IN CITY SLUMS.

The publication of " In Darkest England " was immediately
followed by a large extension of our work in the Slums. That
work has already been in existence for about three years with
very striking results, and it was a part of the " Darkest
England" Scheme (a) to extend that work, and (b) to connect
it as intimately as possible with other parts of the Scheme.
Our officers take up their residence where the poorest and
lowest dwell, and visit their homes of squalor and dirt, nurse
the sick, relieve the extremity of distress, wash the children,
pouring in Gospel hope, and comfort all round.

In addition to the 39 Slums thus worked in London, we
have one or more Slum-posts of a similar character in each of
the following provincial towns, worked by 48 officers : —
Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Preston,
Sheffield, Dundee, Newport, Jersey, Bristol, Brighton, New-
castle, Worcester, Belfast and Dublin.

9.— THE FARM COLONY.

The second main branch of the " In Darkest England "
Scheme is the establishment of a means of permanent deliver-
ance to those who appear likely to prove successful, and who are
willing to work for it, by removing them from the city to the
country. The following is a brief review of what has been
done in this direction. A freehold estate, comprising in all
about 1,500 acres of land and 1,400 acres over which the tidal
waters of the Thames How, has been acquired at Hadleigh
on the banks of the Thames.

The adaptation of the property to our purposes and the

520 TTu " Darkest England" Scheme.

developments already effected by us, may be briefly described
under the following headings : —

1. The erection of necessary buildings : —

(a) Dormitories for 350 colonists, all suitably fitted with single
bedsteads or cubicles, with abundant accommodation, and
a laundry ; (b) Officers' and employes' residences ; (c) A.
small hospital capable of accommodating twenty patients ;
(rf) A reading room, with other minor buildings ; (e) A
barracks, accommodating 600 people, used both by the
colonists and villagers of the surrounding districts every
night, and on Sabbaths for religious services ; (/) Bakery,
already paying its expenses ; (g) Stores for supplies re-
quired ; (h) Refreshment room, intended to meet the
requirements of visitors to the Colony during the summer
months, and used in the winter for the technical education
of the men.

2. Agricultural Buildings : —

(a) Cow-house and covered yard, occupying half an acre of
ground, being 111 feet by 126 feet, accommodating 100
milking cows and 100 fatting cattle ; (6) Piggeries ;
(c) Dairy.

A wharf or jetty has also been constructed.
jj | Two brick-fields have been opened, and brick-making is
confidently expected to form a large source of work and
revenue. Over 3,000,000 were made in 1893.
Chair-making has also been commenced.

HELP IS NEEDED.

That a work of such magnitude, dealing systematically
with some thousands of the workless, the vicious, and the
criminal, should involve an outlay of many thousand pounds
before it can become thoroughly self-supporting, must be
evident to the most casual reader.

It M well worth the money*
1. Impartial outsiders have said so.

Archdeacon FARRAR says : — " It would be an overwhelming disgrace
to such a nation as ours, if the most concentrated and sys-
tematic effort which has ever been made to cut out the
spreading cancer under which our social system groans,
should fail for the lack of a few thousand pounds a year."
Mr. FRANCIS PEEK, the philanthropist, says : — " Millionsof acres are
waiting to supply us with food, if only we can supply them
with steady honest laborers. . . . The especially attrac-
tive part of General Booth's Scheme is that the multitude
of workers are tied together."

Mr. PKNN GASKELL, an agent of the Charity Organization Society,
says :— " The officers are in many respects a remarkable set

The " Darkest England " Scheme. 521

of men. Their self-denying, cheerful devotion is beyond all
praise. . . . The result is often a complete triumph,
such as could never have been won by any form of material
charity. . . . It is here that The Salvation Army seems
eminently qualified to succeed."

Sir JOHN GOBST, Q.C., M.P., says : — " In your Farm Colony the
wasted labor of the great city is applied to the derelict land
of the country. The unemployed is taken away from the
town, where he competes with a congested mass of workers
too numerous for the employment which offers, and brought
back upon the land, where he produces more than he con-
sumes, where his labor enriches the nation and does not
lessen the earnings of his fellow workmen, and where he is
engaged in an industry in which there cannot be over pro-
duction. It seems to me that the experiment you are trying
has, so far as it has gone, yielded results of the most en-
couraging character, and it would be a national misfortune if
want of funds should prevent its being carried out to the end.':

Mr. ARNOLD WHITE, an eminent authority on colonization schemes,
says : — "General Booth and his family are honest to the
core. . . . The funds have been well and wisely spent. . . .
The business arrangements are excellent. . . . The
accounts are as well kept as those of the London Joint Stock
Bank."

2. It is a systematic mode of imparting permanent assistance.
8. It avoids the evils of pauperizing the poor, and insists on
self-help where this is possible.

4. It is economical. As an illustration. Five million meals

and one million beds to the homeless were supplied by
the City Colony in one year, at a total cost (or loss) of
only £5,500, the balance having been paid by the people
themselves who have benefited by the Scheme.

5. It is successful. The above facts show it. Take as an addi-

tional illustration the Rescue Work. Thousands of girls
and women have been actually rescued from lives of im-
morality and shame through its agency and are now
living honest and industrious lives, earning a livelihood.
They now help to support the agency which rescued them.

YOUR HELP is URGENTLY KEQUIRED.

Cheques and Postal Orders in aid of the "Darkest England "
Social Scheme will be gratefully acknowledged. They should be
sent to the Secretary, 102, Queen Victoria Street, made payable
to WILLIAM BOOTH, and crossed " Bank of England-
Social Account" ; or they may be paid into that account at the
Law Courts Branch of the Bank of England.

ORIGINAL EDITION

THE LIFE OF

The Mother of The Salvation Army.

By Commissioner F. de L. BOOTH-TUCKER.

I.-EDITION DE LUXE.

No paius and expense have been spared in making this Edition a
really handsome memorial of the late MRS. BOOTH. It is specially
printed on first-class paper in convenient types, with profuse mar-
ginal notes. The Three Volumes, each containing about 500 pages,
are handsomely bound. There are three steel engravings of MKS.
BOOTH, one of these being from a daguerreotype taken at the time
of her engagement. There are also sixteen other steel engravings of
GENKKAL BOOTH and the various members of the family. In addition
to the above there are portraits of the leading officers and friends
of the Army, including Mr. Samuel Morley, Mr. T. A. Denny, the
late Earl Cairns, Mr. John Cory, Mr. Stead, and Mrs. Josephine
Butler. Several excellent full-page engravings of some of the prin
cipal meetings and events recorded are included.

2.-LIBRARY EDITION.

In order to place the Memoirs within the reach of all, a POPULAK
Kjiixiux has also been issued in smaller type, and with the omission of
marginal notes, but otherwise unabridged. The Two Volumes contain
the same letterpress as the Luxe Edition. Process portraits take
the place of the steel engravings. The illustrations are numerous,
and greatly add to the attractiveness of the book.

PRICE AND STYLE OF BINDING:

EDITION DE LUXE-Three Volumes -half I 2g

calf, burnishd edges, 19 steel engravings -j
LIBRARY EDITION-Two Volumes- cloth - - 15s.

For Press Opinions, see next page.

01 Salvation Army Publishing Department, 98, 100 & 102, Cleikemvell
Road, and by order of any Bookseller.

PRESS OPINIONS.

That the two bulky volumes will be eagerly sought and lovingly
studied by a large section of the religious world cannot be doubted.
As little can it be doubted that, whatever may be thought of the
methods of The Salvation Army, Mrs. Booth herself was a very
remarkable character, combining in no ordinary measure great
spiritual fervor with an ardent evangelical enthusiasm. No generous
mind will hesitate to acknowledge that Mrs. Booth's whole life was
inspired by a genuine enthusiasm of humanity directed to ends
eminently worthy in themselves. . . We cannot withhold from
Mrs. Booth's memory that tribute of respect which is due to a high
enthusiasm, a sincere faith, a disinterested ardor for the conversion
and salvation of souls, an intensely sympathetic nature, and a truly
loving spirit. — The Times.

She is truly described as " The Mother of The Salvation Army,"
and every reader of these volumes — even those who least agree with
Mrs. Booth's religious views and methods — will catch some inspira-
tion from the picture they give of a truly heroic and devoted life-
She was one of those great Englishwomen of whom the nation may
be proud. — The Daily News.

After this event the life-story is blended with that of the vast
movement which Mrs. Booth did so much to originate and to sustain.
How the two pioneers felt their way towards it, often through black
darkness, with no guidance or support but their own faith ; how each
step gained was made the starting-point for further progress. . . .
And now the subject of this biography, by her counsels, her prayers,
her spiritual magnetism, the wonderful oratory which held spellbound
vast audiences, both of rich and poor, and by the inward impulsion
which urged her and the work on to fields as yet untried, was ever
jts soul and inspiration, is given us here, with a fulness which
leaves no detail in this heroic chapter of Christian history un-
touched. . . . And sacred beyond words are the records of the
closing scene, when the dying saint, with a spirit which rose
tiumphant above the pains which racked her body, breathed upon
the weeping groups around her bedside the radiance of its own
heavenly peace.

Other women famed in ecclesiastical annals have shown us
cloistered virtues. It was reserved to Catherine Booth to offer the
world the more wholesome spectacle of a woman of unique spiritual

524 Press Opinions.

influence shining also as the tenderest of wives and the most devoted
of mothers. — The Christian World.

Two masterful minds made The Salvation Army. General Booth
was well mated with his wife. Had they not been of different sex they
would never have run together, for each was kingly in temperament,
and only the affection of husband and wife kept them from each
being head of an organization. As it was, they supplemented each
other splendidly, and were each in work and thought the complement
of each other. . . . These two volumes are already classical in the
sense that they are the authoritative narrative of a movement which
has stamped its impress upon the close of this nineteenth cen-
tury. . . . Both had marvellous qualities as preachers, being able
to speak for an hour or more, and to fascinate thousands by their
eloquence. — The Rock.

Greatly as her character has been appreciated in all Christian
circles, the publication of these volumes will exalt her to a still

higher position in public esteem We may say at the

outset, that none of our readers, whether Methodist or otherwise,
will regret purchasing or borrowing these volumes. They are full of
life, color, vigor, and, as we intimated last week, they supply
studies of character, of Christian work, and of Church history such
as it is rarely our fortune to meet. — The Methodist Recorder.

This two-volume biography, which was published last week, has
given to the general public an exhaustive account of the life of one of
the most remarkable personalities which this age has produced; a
woman who, however much we may differ from some of her methods
and doctrines, we cannot fail to reverence and admire. . . .
To all who are interested in the problem of how to help their fellow-
men, we heartily commend this book. Mr. Booth-Tucker is pre-
eminently qualified to write. He pens the story of one whose life
he has had ample opportunity of observing. — The Friend.

No one who looks even cursorily through these two thick volumes
can entertain the least doubt of her absolute sincerity. But it was
sincerity never troubled by any misgivings. Hesitation, un-
certainty, indecision were absolutely unknown to her. That her
methods were looked upon with disfavor by a considerable number
of the religious community to which she originally belonged did not
cause her a moment's uneasiness. With a great charity for all
whom she supposed to be working with a real love to Christ, she
combined a fixed conviction that, if they differed from her, they
could not be otherwise than mistaken. This was indeed a great
source of her strength. — The Guardian.

TO BE OBTAINED OF THE

98, 100 and 102, Clerkenwell Road, London, E.G.

WORKS BY THE LATE MRS. BOOTH.

Popular Christianity: Being a series of Lectures delivered
in Prince's Hall, Piccadilly, on the following subjects : —

" The Christs of the Nineteenth Century
compared with the Christ of God."

"Mock Salvation and a Real Deliverance
from Sin."

" Sham Compassion and the Dying Love of
Christ."

' Popular Christianity : Its Cowardly Service

verms the Real Warfare."
'The Sham Judgment in Contrast with

the Great White Throne."
'Notes of Three Addresses on Household

Gods."

"The Salvation Army Following Christ."

198 pages ; Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth, bevelled boards, red edges, 2s. ;

Half -calf, 5s.

Life and Death : A Series of addresses, mainly to the Uncon-
verted, on the following : —

"The New Birth."

" Mercy and Judgment."

" Halting between Two
Opinions."

upi

Tri

A True and a False Faith.''

' Sowing and Reaping."
' The Prodigal Son."
' Quench not the Spirit."
' Save Thyself."
' The Day of HislWrath.'

'Religious Indifference."
' Need of Atonement."
1 A True and a False Peace."
1 What is The Salvation
Army? "

Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth boards, Is. Qd. ; Cloth, gilt edges, bevelled boards,
2s. Qd.; Half-calf, 5s.

The Salvation Army in Relation to the Church and State.

Subjects : —

The Salvation Army : Its Relation to the
State, to the Churches, to Business Prin-
ciples.

Its future."

Answers to the Main Points of Criticism on
the so-called " Secret Book."

Paper covers, 6d.; Cloth boards, Is.; Half-calf, 5s.
Practical Religion. Contents : —

Compel Them to Come In.
Strong Drink rersus Christianit y.
Heart Backsliding.

Female Ministry.
The Training of Children.
Dealing with Anxious Souls.
Worldly Amusements and Christianity.

Paper corera, l.s.; Cloth boards, Is. Or?.; Cloth, gilt edges, bevelled board a
Is. Qd.-,lHalf-calf, 5s.

526

Army Publications.

Aggressive Christianity. Contents: —

Aggressive Christianity.
A Pure Gospel.
Adaptation of Measures.
Assurance of Salvation.

How Christ Transcends the

Law.
The Fruits of Union with

Christ.

Witnessing for Christ.
Filled with the Spirit.
Tne Wor'd's Need.
The Holy Gho<t.

Paper covers, Is. : cloth board*, la. 6<l. : Cloth, fiilt edfics, bevelled boards.
2*. M. :H«lf-c«[f. 5s.

Godliness. Contents: —

Effectual

Conditions of

Praver.

The Perfect Heart.
How to Work for God with

Success.

Enthusiasm and Full Salva-
tion.

Repentance.
Addresses on Holiness.
Hindrances to Holiness.

Saving Faith.

Charity.

Charity and Rebuke.

Charity and Conflict

Charity and I/oneliness.

Paper covers, Is. : Cloth bevelled boards, red edges, 2*. : Cloth,
gilt edges, bevelled, boards, 2s. Gd. : Half-calf, 5s.

*#* Several of the above papers may be had separately, Id. each,
or assorted, 2s. 6d. per 100, net. The following are at present issued : —

Aggressive Christianity.
Assurance of Salvation.
Compel Them to Come In.
Dealing with Anxious Souls.
Feaiale Ministry.

Fruits of Union with Christ.

Heart Backsliding.

How Christ Transcends the

Law.
Repentance.

Saving Faith.
Strong Drinfc.
Save Thyself.
Training of Children.
Worldly Amusements.

The following pamphlets can also be had at the same price, trans-
lated into the Welsh language :—

Compel Them to Come In. I
Heart Backsliding.

Aggressive Christianity.
Dealing with Anxious Soul

Strong Drink.
Training of Children.

Answers to Criticisms on The Salvation Army.

Useful to every Soldier and friend, Id.

Holiness. Being an address delivered in St. James' Hall,
London.

G*. 6fZ. per 100 ; or, singly, Id.

WORKS BY GENERAL BOOTH.

In Darkest England, and The Way Out. Contents: —

Part I.,!N DARKEST EXGLAXD.
The Darkness.
The Submerged Tenth.
The Homeless.
The " Out of Works."
On the Verge of the Abyss.
C

The Vicious.
The Criminals.
The Children of the Lost.
Is there no Help?
Part II., DELIVERANCE.
A Stupendous Undertaking,
it be Done, and How ? A Practical Conclusion.
'63Q pages, Cloth boards, Bs.^d.

To the Rescue !

The City Colony.

New Britain.

The Colony Over the Sea.

More Crusades.

Help in General.

The Training of Children ; or, How to Make the Children into
Saints and Soldiers of Jesus Christ. Cannot be too highly recom-
mended.

Cloth, limp Is. &d.; Cloth, bevelled boards, red edges, 2s 6d.

Salvation Soldiery : A Series of Addresses and Papers, descrip-
tive of the characteristics of God's best Soldiers. Eight illustrations.
Read it and live it out.

Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth boards, Is. 6d. ; Cloth, gilt edges, 2s. 6d.

The General's Letters : Being a reprint of the General's
Letters in the "War Cry" of 1885, together with Life-like Portrait
of the Writer.

Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth boards, 2s. ; Half-calf, os.

Army Publications. 527

Holy Living; or, What The Salvation Army teaches about
Sanctincation.

6s. Qd. per 100 ; or, singly, Id.

The Mission of the Future. An Address by General Booth
at Exeter Hall, giving the following important information : —

•« How the Army is Financed." | " The Present Position of The Salvation Army."
"What does the Army Teach?" etc., etc.

Bound in an attractive paper cover, Id.
Orders and Regulations for Field Officers.
Strongly bound in red cloth, 713 pages, os.
Orders and Regulations for Soldiers.

64 pages, Irf.

Doctrines of The Salvation Army.

Limp cloth, Qd.

WORKS BY COMMISSIONER RAILTON.

Twenty-One Years' Salvation Army. Filled with thrill-
ing incidents of the War, and giving, what has been so long
desired by many friends, a Sketch of The Salvation Army Work from
its commencement.

Paper covers, Is.; Cloth boards, Is. Qd.

Heathen England and The Salvation Army. (Fifth
Edition). This book contains a full description from life of the
utterly godless condition of millions of the inhabitants of the British
Islands, of the Origin and History of The Salvation Army and its
General, together with hundreds of examples of the success of the
various operations which it carries on

Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth boards, Is. <od.

The Salvation Navvy ; or, Life ' of Captain John Allen
(formerly a dock laborer).

Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth boards, Is. Qd.

Captain Ted : Being the Story of the Holy Life and Victor-
ious Career of Captain Edward Irons, of The Salvation Army,
drowned at Portsmouth, 1879.

Paper covers, Qd. ; Cloth boards, Is.
Salvation in the Convent: Life of Marie Guyon.

6s. 6d. per 100 ; or, singly, Id.
George Fox and His Salvation Army 2OO Years Ago.

Paper, 6.s. <od. per 100 ; or, singly, Id.

Life of the Presbyterian Salvationist: C. G. Finney.
Paper, 6*. M. per 100 ; or, singly, Id.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS OF THE SALVATION ARMY.

Beneath Two Flags. The Aim, Methods of Work, History
and Progress of The Salvation Army. By MAUJ> B. BOOTH. The
frontispiece depicts a scene in a French cafe where the Marechale is
addressing the men assembled.

Ititi pages, Clotli boards, 3s. tid.

528 Army Publications.

From Ocean to Ocean ; or, The Salvation Army's March
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. By COMMANDER BALLIXGTOX BOOTH.
Being a complete Review of The Salvation Army in the United
States. A most attractive book.

'Hound in cloth, 3,s. (jd.

New York's Inferno Explored by Commander and Mrs.
BALLISGTOX BOOTH. Scenes full of pathos powerfully portrayed.
Siberian desolation caused by Drink — Tenements packed with Misery
and Crime.

100 pages ; IAmp cloth, red edge*, I*.

The Darkest England Social Scheme: A Brief Keview
of the First Year's Work, with a Complete Statement of Accounts.
Contents :

I. A Book of Beginnings.

II. Hornelessand Starving.
ill. Th Lab T Bureau.
IV. In the Elevators.

V. Provincial City Colonies.
VI. The Farm Colony.
MI. The Salvage Wharf.

VIII. On both Sides of Pri-
son Gates.
IX. Love in the Slums.
X. Rescue Work.
XI. Women's Social Work.
XII. Help and Inquiry.
XIII. Advice Bureau.

XIV. Lights in Darkest

England.
XV. Wanted, Workers.
XVI. Concerning Profit

and Loss

XVII. What is to be.
XVIII. The Book in Brief.

83 Illustrations. 224 Pagct. Reduced price, Qd.

Truth about The Salvation Army; or, Papers by Mr. Arnold
White, Mr. Francis Peek, and the Yen. Archdeacon Farrar.

Paper, Qd.

Drum Taps. By E. S. B. Filled with thrilling stories of the
Drum and Drummers, and completely vindicating our methods and
measures. Will be read with interest by everybody.
Paper covers, Is.; Cloth boards, Is. 6d. ; Cloth, gilt edges, bevelled
boards, 2s. &d.

What Doth Hinder? By ELIZABETH SWIFT BRENGLE. Being
a series of character- sketches from life, illustrating the different
hindrances met with in the highway of Holiness, and showing how
they may be overcome by the power of God.

Paper covers, Gd. ; Cloth boards, Is.

Holiness Readings. By the GENERAL, Mrs. BOOTH, the
CHIEF-OF-SIAFF, Mrs. BOOTH-TUCKER, and others. Being extracts from
the " Salvationist " and the " War Cry."

20Q pages ; Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth boards, Is. 6d.
Life of Chas. G. Finney, the American Revivalist. A new
and revised Edition.

Paper covers, Is. ; Cloth boards, 2s.

The Salvation Soldier's Guide : Being a Bible Chapter for
the Morning and Evening of Every Day in the Year, with Frag-
ments for Mid-Day Reading. This" book contains almost all those
portions of Scripture which would be read as lessons in a public
service. The four Gospels are harmonised, the historical books of the
Old Testament condensed, and the genealogies, the Levitical law, and
the portions of prophecy referring to particular heathen nations are
omitted, so as to bring the book down to pocket size, in a type easily
readable in the open air.

570 panes; Limp cloth, dd.; Red cloth, red edges, Is. : Superior red leather,
ijilt edges, 2s. ; Red French Morocco, circuit, gilt edges, 2s. (id.

Army Publications. 529

House-Top Saints : Being a collection of most interesting
incidents in connection with Salvation work.

Paper covers, Qd. ; Cloth boards, Is.

Life Links in the Warfare of Commissioner and Mrs. Booth-
Tucker. Paper cocers, Qd.

Full Salvation, and What Comes of It. A Monthly record
of Salvation Army Warfare among the Nations. Printed and
published in Australia. Back numbers in stock from October, 1891.
Price, 3d.

All Sides of It. By EILEEN DOUGLAS. Being a number of
sketches of the Army's work, showing how from the lowest depths
of sin it is possible to rise to the highest platform of Divine grace,
and live for the Salvation of others. Paper covers, 3d.

Claimed for the King. Report of the Rescue Work for
1889-90. Paper, M.

The Life of Colonel Weeresooriya : With Scenes illus-
trative of Salvation Army Warfare in India and Ceylon.
Paper covers, 2d.

What a Captain Should Be: Being a Shepherd's Letter to the
General. Paper covers, 2d.

Social Amelioration. By Archdeacon FARRAR. Price, Id.

1OO Penny Assorted Books and Tracts, by the GENERAL,
Mrs. Bo3TH, Commissioner RAILTON, and others.

Per packet of one hundred, 2s. Qd.
The above are very suitable for gratuitous distribution.
Pardon and Purity. By W. BRAMWELL BOOTH. Per 100 nett, 2s.

Salvation Facts. We have published under this heading,
in leaflet form, true stories bearing on Salvation. The following are
now ready : —

[. Jim the Forgeman.
A. Whosoever,
a. Wanted.

4. The Resurrection Man.

5. Caught at Sea.

6. Cub the Thief.

7. Devil Dan.

8. St. Monday.

9. The Novel Reader.

10. Was it Truth?

11. Lord, Save Jack.

12. The Ark of the Covenant.
The Old Salt.

15 Davey's Query.

16. Where is He?

17. Daddy, my Pwayers.

18. Rough.

19. A Step from the Gallows.

20. The Promoted Pri/.e

Fighter.

14, I'll ha' to Give Up.

Per dozen, M. ; per 100, 2s.

The Salvation Mill. By Major G. R. Price, Id.
Battle Array; OR, THE SALVATION AND RUINATION ARMIES. By
W. CORBRIDGE. Consisting of—

Challenge and War, No. 1. I Heavy Firing, No. 3. I Wounded and Dying, No. 5.

Sharp Shooting, No. 2. | Among the Prisoners, No. 4. I War with Spirits, No. 6.

Has twenty-four Pictures to illustrate it, and is altogether a most
attractive book.

Bound in one hook, Qd. ; per 100, 30s. ; in ports each, Id.

The Salvation Mine: UP TO GLORY, DOWN TO DEATH. By
W. CORBRIDGE. Price, Id.

The General and The Salvation Army. A poem by Mrs.
CORBRIDGE. Price, Id.

530 A rmy Pubficn tio n s .

SONG BOOKS.

1OO Songs and Solos for Holiness Meetings. Contains
the words of many fresh songs, also gives the key, and number in
"Musical Salvationist" and "Band Journal." An exceedingly useful
Solo Book.

Each, Id.; per 100, nett, 6s. 6d,

Salvation Soldier's Song Book. This book has been revised
to date and considerably altered and improved. References to Tunes
and where to find them are also given.

In light red paper cvverx, Id. ; per 100, nett, 6*. 6d. ; Red cloth, limp, 3d. :
red cloth, limp, icith 32 blank page*, 4d.

The Junior Soldier's Song Book. The songs are specially
adapted for Children's Work.

Blue paper covers, Id.

The Musical Salvationist Song Book. Containing the
WHOLE of the words of Volumes I., II., and III. Musical Salva-
tionist and Favorite Songs ; contains the whole of the words of 384 of
the most popular Salvation Army songs to match the music.
Paper covers, 2d.

Also the words of Volumes IV., V. and VI., in one book, containing
450 of the latest and best songs by Salvationists.

Paper, 3d.

The tiro looks bound together, and containing the whole of the
words of Volumes I. to VI. of the Musical Salvationist (or 834 songs).
In limp cloth, 6d.

MUSIC.

Salvation Army Music. For Soul-Saving Services, Open-
air Meetings, and the Home Circle.

Cloth, limp, 2*-. 6d. ; cloth, bevelled boards, red edges, 3s. &d.

Salvation Army Music Book. Volume II., containing most
of the Songs as sung by The Salvation Army Singing Battalion,
together with some of the most popular Songs of the Army. This
book contains none of the tunes that are to be found in Volume I.
Limp cloth, Is. ; cloth boards, Is. 6d.

Songs of Peace and War. Original Songs and Music, by Com-
mandant and Mrs. Herbert Booth.

Paper, Is. Qd. ; cloth boards, 2s. 6d.

Songs of the Nation. Tonic Sol-fa. In this volume will be
found the famous Songs of the International Congress, with a choice
selection of the latest favorites.

Paper covers, 6d. ; cloth boards, Is.

The American Soloist. Containing a selection of Songs sung
in America.

Price,

hand
orites.
Paper, 2d.

Salvation Songster. A handy little book, containing the Air
and Words only of several favorites'

Army Publications. 581

PUBLISHED MONTHLY.

"ALL THE WORLD."

A Monthly Magazine and Record of the Work of The Salvation Army

in all lands. Eighty pages. Fully illustrated. Price, 6d.
BOUND VOLUMES.— Vol. II., 188(5; Vol. III., 1887; Vol. IV., 1888; 3s. Gd.
each. Vol., V., 1889; Vol. VI., 1890; os. each. Vol.. VII., January to June,
li>91; Vol. VIII., July to December, 1891; Vol. IX., January to June, 1892;
Vol. X., July to December, 189-J; Vol. XI , January to June, 1893 ; 3s. 6d. each.
These Volumes form a nice Library, are well bound, and remarkably cheap.
Post free to any address at Home or Abroad, twelve months, 7s. Qd.

THE "DELIVERER."

A Monthly Journal devoted to Accounts of the Social Work of The
Salvation Army at Home and Abroad. Contains : — Wonderful
Stories of Rescue ; Detective and Enquiry Discoveries ; Articles
relative to the Work, and how it is accomplished ; also the Latest
Intelligence of the various Rescue Homes in Great Britain and

the Colonies. Sixteen pages. Price, Id.

BOUND VOLUMES.— Vol. I., July 1889, to June, 1890; Vol. II.. July, 1890, to
June, 1891 ; Vol. III., July, 1892, to June, 1893. Cloth, gilt, 2s. 6d.

Post free to any address at Home or Abroad, twelve months, Is. (W.

THE "MUSICAL SALVATIONIST."

A Collection of Twelve New Copyright Songs (Music and Words)

composed and written specially for The Salvation Army.

Price, 3d.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY.

THE "WAR CRY."

The Official Gazette of The Salvation Army, consisting of Sixteen
Pages (Sixty-four Columns), with Illustrations, and containing the
Latest Intelligence of the Progress of Salvation Army Work in all
parts of the World. Also Stories of Wonderful Conversions ;
Interesting Accounts of the Work of the Social Wing, Slum Brigades,
and Mrs. Bramwell Booth's Rescue Homes, Original Salvation Songs,
Lives of Prominent Salvation Army Officers and Soldiers, with

Portraits and other Illustrations.

Every Saturday. Price, Id. Post free to any address — for three
months, Is. 8d. ; six months, 3s. 3d. ; twelve months, 6s. 6d.

THE "YOUNG SOLDIER."

The Official Gazette of the Junior Soldiers of The Salvation Army.
Sixteen Pages, Largely Illustrated, containing Full Accounts of the
Progress of the Work of the Army Among Children ; Together with
Helps and Hints for Junior Soldiers ; Little Letters from Little
Soldiers ; Interesting Narratives of Life and Work ; Original Songs
for Young Soldiers, etc. Every Saturday. Price, One Halfpenny.

"DARKEST ENGLAND GAZETTE"

And Official Newspaper of the Social Operations of The Salvation

Army, giving Full and Descriptive Accounts of the Darkest England

Scheme in all its Branches. Every Saturday, Price, Id.

THE SALVATION ARMY FIELD STATE.

SEPTEMBER, 1893.

International Headquarters : —

99, 101, 103 & 105, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, E.G.

Publishing and Trade Departments : —
98, 100 & 102, CLERKENWELL EOAD, LONDON, E.G.

Corps. Ojficer.<.

INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS STAFF (Including
Home Office, Trade Department, and Social Wing ...... • — ... 131G

COUNTRY. NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.

BRITISH ISLES ...... Home Office, 101, Queen Vic-

toria Street, London ... 1^11 ... 2970

FRANCE & SWITZERLAND 22,RueTroyon Les Ternes,Paris 115 ... 380

BELGIUM ......... 32, BoulevardBaudouin, Brussels 8 ... '11

HOLLAND ......... Prins Hendrikkade, 131, Am-

sterdam ......... 53 ... -1-1\

GERMANY ......... Friederichstrasse, 220, Berlin 25 ... 91

DENMARK ......... Helgesensgade, 11, 13 and 15,

Copenhagen ...... 58 ... 179

SWEDEN ......... Ostermalmsgaten, 33 and 35,

Stockholm ......... 152 ... 584

NORWAY ......... Pilestraedet, 22, Christ iania... 62 ... 203

CANADA & NEWFOUND-/ Salvation Temple, corner of

LAND ...... \ James & Albert Sts., Toronto 266 ... 172

U.S., AMERICA ...... Ill, Reade St., New York City 489 ... 1624

ARGENTINE REPUBLIC ... Casilla de Correo, 422, Buenos

Ayres, Argentine Republic 11 ... 49

SOUTH AFRICA ...... Long Street, Cape Town ... 04 ... 193

INDIA AND CEYLON ... Esplanade, Bombay ...... 11:; ... 422

AUSTRALIA ......... 1 85 & 187, Little Collins Stnet,

Melbourne ......... 372 ... 124H

NEW ZEALAND ...... 124 & 126, Lichfield Street,

Christ hurch ...... 82 ... 302

FINLAND ........ Kaserngatan, J4, Helsingfors 10 ... 37

ITALY ............ 20 & 20, bis Via Principe,

Amedo, Turino, It^ly ... 5 ... 21

JAMAICA ......... Mandeviile, Jamaica ...... 36 ... 06

Total ...... 3132 10,645

Literature: Weekly Newspapers, Twenty-nine. Monthly Magazines. Seven.

Total Annnal Circulation at present rate, of ... 38,401,112

Officers' Traininy Garrisons, Sixty-jive. Homes of Reft, .

Countries and Colonies occupied, Thirty-eiyht. Languages in which our

Literature is published, Fourteen.
Languages in which Salvation is preached, Twenty-four.

The Social Work :— Rescue Homes, Forty-eiyht ; Slum Posts,

Prison-Gate Homes, Ticelve.

Food Depots and Shelters for the Destitute. Fifty-three.

Factories and Workshops, Seventeen. Labor Bureaux, Nineteen. Far ins. Six.

Total number of Institutions, Two Hundred and Eighteen.
Officers and others manayiny these Branches, One Thousand ami Thirty-Ei'jlii.

The SALVATION ARMY AUXILIARY LEAGUE is composed —

1. — Of persons who, without necessarily endorsing or approving of
every single method used by The Salvation Army, are sufficiently
in sympathy with its great work of reclaiming drunkards, rescuing
the fallen — in a word, saving the l?st — as to give it their PRAYERS,

INFLUENCE and MONEY.

2. —Of persons who, although seeing eye to eye with the Army, yet
are unable to join it owing to being actively engaged in the work of
their own denomination, or by reason of bad health or other infirmities
which forbid their taking any active part in Christian work. Persons
are enrolled either as Subscribing or Collecting Auxiliaries.

SUBSCRIBERS pay at least a guinea per annum, and are supplied every
year, on payment of their subscription, with a small leather ticket,
bearing the official recognition of Headquarters, together with their
name and number, which admits them to the meetings of the League,
and ensures for them a hearty welcome in Army circles at home and
abroad.

COLLECTORS pay one shilling as an entrance fee, and give or collect
not less than ten shillings per quarter. They are supplied with a
small, neatly-bound tablet, bearing an official authorisation to collect
for the Army. This tablet serves the same purpose for admission,
etc., described above as attached to the Subscribers' tickets.

A small badge is sent to each member of the League, which, if so
inclined, they can wear to denote membership.

The League comprises persons of influence and position, members
of nearly all denominations, and many ministers.

We rely upon Auxiliaries to show their sympathy and help by —

PRAYER at all times, and especially joining our International
Prayer Union at 12.30 every day, when the Soldiers of The Salvation
Army, at home and abroad, unite in prayer for one another and
the salvation of the world.

INFLUENCE. — Letting it be known in their circle that they are in
sympathy with us ; occasionally, at least, attending our meetings, if
possible ; defending us against misrepresentations and slanders often
believed and circulated by the misinformed, who frequently only
need to know the real facts to alter their opinion. Auxiliaries can
always have the fullest information as to the truth or otherwise of
any specific charge brought, if they will write to Headquarters.

534 The Salvation At my Social- League.

GIFTS. — Assisting us to raise funds for the current work and the
constant fresh opportunities which we are constrained to seize, at
home and abroad, for spreading salvation. The opportunity offered
to Auxiliaries in this respect is almost without parallel, for hardly a
day passes in which the Army is not compelled to refuse some very
valuable opening to do good for want of the needed funds. Many
help us in finding buildings suitable for holding Army meetings, aid
the local corps by gifts of food or m^ney, and stand by the Army
officers in any little difficulties that arise.

PAMPH ETS. — Auxiliaries will always be supplied gratis with copies
of our Annual Report and Balance Sheet and other pamphlets for
distribution on application to Headquarters. Some of our Auxiliaries
have materially helped us in this way by distributing our literature at
the seaside and elsewhere and by making arrangements for the
regular supply of waiting-rooms, hydropathics, and hotels, thus
helping to dispel the prejudice under which many persons unacquainted
with the Army are found to labor.

"ALL THE WORLD" i* posted free regularly each month to Auxiliaries.

For further information, and for full particulars of the work of The
Salvation Army, apply personally or by letter to GENERAL BOOTH, or to
the Financial Secretary at Inter national Headquarters, 101, (JueenVictoiia
Street, London, E.G., to ichom also contributions should be sent.

Cheques and Postal Orders crossed "Bank of England."

THE SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL LEAGUE

FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF

THE DARKEST ENGLAND SCHEME.

1. — The Social League is formed for the purpose of furnishing
funds to maintain and extend the effort now being made to carry out
the Scheme for the benefit of the Destitute, Vicious and Criminal
classes as described in the Book entitled, "In Darkest England and
the Way Out."

2. — It is thought that the League will enable a large number of
friends to assist the Scheme by collecting the gifts of those who, while
unable to give larger amounts, would nevertheless be pleased to contri-
bute some offering, however small, to its maintenance and extension.

3. — Membership of the League will not necessarily express ap-
proval of all or any of the principles and methods of The Salvation

The Sahation Army Social Lear/ue. 535

Army as a religious organization, but simply signify a practical
interest in the Darkest England Scheme.

4. — The League will be composed of THREE DIVISIONS : —

THE FIRST DIVISION will consist of those who will undertake to
give or collect at least Five Guineas per annum.

THE SECOND DIVISION will be composed of Annual Subscribers of
One Guinea and upwards, who will also endeavour to secure
one other subscriber of a similar amount.

THE THIRD DIVISION will consist of Young People and others who
will undertake to give or collect at least One Guinea per
annum.

5.— All members of the League wiP receive a card of membership.
Should a member cease to comply with the regulations of the League,
the Ticket must be returned to the International Headquarters,
or to the Local Secretary from whom in the first instance it was
received.

6. — The Collecting Leaguers will be supplied with Collecting Books,
and will be expected to collect and forward the amount named
within twelve months of the date of the issue of their books.

7. — Each member of the First and Second Divisions of the League
will be supplied monthly with a copy of the "Deliverer."

8. — Members of the Third Division will, in lieu of literature,
receive a presentation book, or books, value half-a-crown published
price, for every Guinea collected. Thus a member who collects £2 2s.
will be entitled to books value 5s., while the one who collects £5 5s.
will receive 12s. 6d. worth of books. Catalogues of books will be
furnished, from which Collectors can make their own selections up
to the value to which they are entitled.

9. — On the occasion of public meetings on behalf of the Social
Scheme, each Leaguer will be admitted to a reserved seat upon
showing his card of membership.

10. — All Leaguers, it is hoped, will not only give and collect the
offerings of their friends and neighbors, but canvass for additional
Leaguers, interest themselves in the Social Work generally, obtain and
spread information with respect to its character, and pray for the
Divine blessing upon it.

11. — All or any members of the League will be welcome to corres-
pond not only with the secretaries of the local branch with which he
may be associated, but with the Financial Secretary of the Inter-
national Headquarters, on all matters which affect the welfare of the
Social Scheme.

All communications on the business of the Social League are to be
addressed to Commissioner HIGGINS, The Financial Secretary of the
Social League, 101, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.

LEGACIES.

NOTICE to FRIENDS of THE SALVATION ARMY who are

about to make their WILLS and desire to help the work

of the Army.

The good intentions of some Salvationists and friends of the
Army have been made useless in consequence of their Wills not
being in conformity with the law relative to charitable bequests.
The General therefore recommends the following course of action : —
If the property of a Testator desiring to benefit the Army consists
of money at home or at the Bank, or of Home or Foreign Rail-
way Stock, Foreign Bonds, Canal Shares, Cash on Deposit, Shares
in Trading Companies, Consols, London County Council Stock,
Loans to Municipal Corporations, Shares in Gas, Water, or
Industrial Companies, Marine Telegraph Shares, and Shares in
Mines, or similar kinds of property, then the following form of
bequest should be used : —

" I GIVE AND BEQUEATH to WILLIAM BOOTH, or other
the General for the time being of THE SALVATION ARMY, the

sum of to be used or ap})lied by him at

his discretion for the general purposes of the said Salvation Army.
And I direct the said last mentioned Legacy to be paid icithin twelve
months after my decease.1'

DIRECTIONS FOR EXECUTION OF WILL.

The Will must be executed by the Testator in the presence of
witnesses, who must sign their names, addresses and occupations
at the end of the Will. The best method to adopt for a Testator,
to be quite sure that his Will is executed properly, is for him to
take the Will and his two witnesses and go into a room and lock
the door, tell the witnesses that he wants them to attest his Will,
and then let all three sign in the room, and let nobody go out until
they all have signed.

General Booth will always be pleased to procure for any friends
desiring to benefit the Army by Will or otherwise further advice,
and will treat any communication made to him on the subject as
strictly private and confidential.

Letters dealing with the matter should be addressed —
" GENERAL BOOTH, 101, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C."

Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.

14 DAY USE

RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED

LOAN DEPT.

This book is due on the last date stamped below, or

on the date to which renewed.
Renewed books are subject to immediate recall.

JANS 2

HLC'O

-

LOAN D(;

LD 21A-60m-3,'65
(F2336slO)476B

General Library

University of California

Berkeley

M313800