affecting the whole life. Booth himself had been
converted at fifteen, and at sixty he wrote of 'the hour, the place of
this glorious transaction' as an undying memory. Out of this idea of
conversion, as not only the most powerful motive force in life, but as a
force which was, so to speak, waiting to be applied to all, arose the
whole Salvation Army Movement. It was not, of course, in any sense a new
idea. Christians had been familiar with it in all ages, and both the New
Testament and the history of the early saints supply instances in
support of it. But Booth was probably more affected by more recent
evidence. Imperfect as had been his training for the ministry, he
doubtless learnt pretty thoroughly the history of Wesley and Whitefield,
and of the astonishing early years of the Methodist movement. In his own
youth, too, Revivalism was an active force, and he himself had been
strongly moved by an American missionary. His originality lay in
carrying down the doctrine not only to the highways and hedges, but to
the slums, the homes of the very poor, the haunts of criminals and
riff-raff; in getting hold of these people; in using the worst of
them--'converted,' as he honestly believed--as a triumphant
advertisement; and then in organising his followers into a vast Army,
with himself as absolute Chief. On the methods adopted nothing need be
added to what is said in the memoir; they are familiar to all, though
not so familiar as they were some twenty years ago.

"The root-idea of William Booth's religion, the object of his missionary
work, was 'the saving of souls.' Translated into other language, this
means the establishment of a conviction in the minds of men, women, and
children that they were reconciled to God, saved, and preserved to all
eternity from the penalties of sin. We do not propose to enter on the
delicate ground of theological discussion, or to argue for or against
the truth or value of such a conviction. The interesting point, in
relation to General Booth's ideas and personality, is to note how this
belief is worked into the system of The Army in the official programme,
fantastically called the Articles of War, which has to be signed by
every Candidate for enrolment. This curious document, which will greatly
interest future social historians, consists of three parts--a creed, as
definite as any taught by the Churches; a promise to abstain from drink,
bad language, dishonesty, etc.; and a solemn promise to ob