V " DARKEST ENGLAND " SCHEME 239 



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

 formation 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 

 belief 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 opinion 

 that the testimony of history, no less than the 

 cool observation of that which lies within the 

 personal experience of many of us, is wholly 

 adverse to it. 



(2) That the appropriate instrument for the 

 propagation and maintenance of this peculiar 

 sacramental enthusiasm is the Salvation Army — 

 a body of devotees, drilled and disciplined as a 

 military organization, and provided with a num- 

 erous hierarchy of officers, every one of whom is 

 pledged to blind and unhesitating obedience to 

 the " General," who frankly tells us that the first 

 condition of the service is " implicit, unquestion- 

 ing obedience." " 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 head- 

 quarters " ('■ Darkest England," p. 243). 



