amidst the most trying hours were always in
accord with that counsel. As in the case of many popular leaders of
thought in England, the custom was established of meeting him at railway
stations, and escorting him with bands and banners, music and song from
train to theatre, Town Hall, or whatever the meeting-place might be for
the day. When he was received, however, not as in later years with
universal acclamations, but with derisive shouts and groans and
sometimes with showers of stones and mud, he smiled to see the
commotion, and took every opportunity to show his enemies how much he
loved them. Already more than fifty years old, and looking decidedly
older, when the worst of these storms burst upon him, this bearing often
subdued crowds, the moment they really caught sight of his grey beard.

"At Ipswich," says one of our Commissioners, "I remember how he won over
the booing crowd by laughingly imitating them, and saying, 'I can boo as
well as you.' Riding with Mrs. Booth through one of the worst riots that
he experienced, and in full sight of all the violence which nearly cost
one of our Officers his life, The General was seen, even when his
carriage was all splattered with mud and stones, standing as usual to
encourage his Soldiers and to salute the people. Arrived at the great
hall he was fitter than most of his people to conduct the Meeting
there."

How much his own calm and loving spirit was communicated to many of his
followers may best be represented by the remarks of a wounded Lieutenant
on that occasion to a local newspaper whilst he was in hospital.

The fact that this Lieutenant had been the champion wrestler of his
county, and would never, before his conversion, have allowed any one to
take any liberty with him, will explain the way in which from time to
time The General acquired Officers capable of overcoming such crowds.

The Lieutenant, riding in the very dress he had once worn as an athlete,
but with our Salvation Army band around his helmet, was a perfect target
for the enemy.

"When I came to S----, I never thought for one moment that I should have
to suffer and to be taken to a hospital for my blessed Master; but I
have had a happy time there. I can truly say that the Spirit of God has
revealed wondrous things to me since I have been in. Though I have
suffered terrible pains, the Great Physician has been close by my side."

(Whilst being removed into the hospital he was heard to whisper "I ho