/ "DARKEST ENGLAND" SCHEME. 239 



(1) That the only adequate means to such ref- 

 ormation of the individual man is the adoption 

 of that form of somewhat corybantic Christianity 

 of which the soldiers of the Salvation Army are 

 the militant missionaries. This implies the be- ^ > 

 lief that the excitement of the religious emotions'\'^ 

 (largely by processes described by their employers 



as " rousing " and " convivial ") is a desirable and 

 trustworthy method of permanently amending the 

 conduct of mankind. 



I demur to these propositions. I am of opin- 

 ion that the testimony of history, no less than the 

 cool observation of that which lies within the per- 

 sonal experience of many of us, is wholly adverse 

 to it. 



(2) That the appropriate instrument for the 

 propagation and maintenance of this peculiar sac- 

 ramental enthusiasm is the Salvation Army a 

 body of devotees, drilled and disciplined as a mili- 

 tary organization, and provided with a numerous 



Tnefarcliy of officers, every one of whom is pledged 

 to blind and unhesitating obedience to the " Gen- 

 eral," who frankly tells us that the first condition \S 

 of the service is " implicit, unquestioning obedi- \ 

 ence." " A telegram from me will send any of 

 them to the uttermost parts of the earth "; every 

 one " has taken service on the express condition 

 that he or she will obey, without questioning 

 or gainsaying, the orders from headquarters" 

 (" Darkest England," p. 243). 



