I found him busy and pressed for time, even more so, if possible, than I was myself; he had but just arrived by an early train from some provincial city.  In fact, he was then engaged upon his annual visitation to all the Field Officers in the country, which, as he explained, takes him away from London for three days a week for a period of six weeks, and throws upon him a considerable extra strain of mind and body.  The diocese of the Salvation Army is very extensive!

I said to Mr. Bramwell Booth that I desired from him his views of the Army as a religious and a social force throughout the wide world, in every land where it sets its foot.  I wished to hear of the work considered as a whole, likewise of that work in its various aspects, and of the different races of mankind among which it is carried on.  Also, amongst others, I put to him the following specific questions:—­

     In what way and by what means does the Army adapt itself to
     the needs and customs of the various peoples among whom it
     is established?

     What is its comparative measure of success with each of
     these peoples, and what future is anticipated for it among
     them respectively?

     Where is the work advancing, where does it hang in the
     balance, and where is it being driven backwards?

     What are your views upon the future of the Army as a
     religious and social power throughout the world, bearing in
     mind the undoubted difficulties with which it is confronted?

     Do you consider that now, after forty-five years of
     existence, it is, speaking generally, on the downward or on
     the upward grade?

     What information can you give me as to the position of the
     Army in its relations with other religious bodies?

At this point Mr. Bramwell Booth inquired mildly how much time I had to spare.  The result of my answer was that we agreed together that it was clearly impossible to deal with all these great matters in an interview.  So it was decided that he should take time to think them over, and should furnish his replies in the form of a written memorandum.  This he has done, and I may say without flattery that the paper which he has drawn up is one of the most clear and broad-minded that I have had the pleasure of reading for a long while.  Since it is too long to be used as a quotation, I print it in an appendix,[7] trusting sincerely that all who are interested in the Salvation Army in its various aspects will not neglect its perusal.  Indeed, it is a valuable and an authoritative document, composed by perhaps the only person in the world who, from his place and information, is equal to the task.

Personally I venture upon neither criticism nor comment, whose role throughout all these pages is but that of a showman, although I trust one not altogether devoid of insight into the matter in hand.