Tens of thousands of pounds are yearly spent in "trying"for minerals,boring for coals,sinking for water,and I believe there are those who think it worth while,at an expenditure of hundreds of thousands of pounds,to experiment in order to test the possibility of making a tunnel under the sea between this country and France.Should these adventurers fail in their varied operations,they have,at least,the satisfaction of knowing,though hundreds of thousands of pounds have been expended,that they have not been wasted,and they will not complain;because they have at least attempted the accomplishment of that which they felt ought to be done;and it must be better to attempt a duty,though we fail,than never to attempt it at all.In this book we do think we have presented a sufficient reason to justify the expenditure of the money and effort involved in the making of this experiment.And though the effort should not terminate in the grand success which I so confidently predict,and which we all must so ardently desire,still there is bound to be,not only the satisfaction of having attempted some sort of deliverance for these wretched people,but certain results which will amply repay every farthing expended in the experiment.
I am now sixty-one years of age.The last eighteen months,during which the continual partner of all my activities for now nearly forty years has laid in the arms of unspeakable suffering,has added more than many many former ones,to the exhaustion of my term of service.
I feel already something of the pressure which led the dying Emperor of Germany to say,"I have no time to be weary."If I am to see the accomplishment in any considerable degree of these life-long hopes,I must be enabled to embark up on the enterprise without delay,and with the world-wide burden constantly upon me in connection with the universal mission of our Army I cannot be expected to struggle in this matter alone.
But I trust that the upper and middle classes are at last being awakened out of their long slumber with regard to the permanent improvement of the lot of those who have hitherto been regarded as being for ever abandoned and hopeless.Shame indeed upon England if,with the example presented to us nowadays by the Emperor and Government of Germany,we simply shrug our shoulders,and pass on again to our business or our pleasure leaving these wretched multitudes in the gutters where they have lain so long.No,no,no;time is short.
Let us arise in the name of God and humanity,and wipe away the sad stigma from the British banner that our horses are better treated than our labourers.
It will be seen that this Scheme contains many branches.
It is probable that some of my readers may not be able to endorse the plan as a whole,while heartily approving of some of its features and to the support of what they do not heartily approve they may not be willing to subscribe.Where this is so,we shall be glad for them to assist us in carrying out those portions of the undertaking which more especially command their sympathy and commend themselves to their judgment.For instance,one man may believe in the Over-Sea Colony,but feel no interest in the Inebriates'Home;another,who may not care for emigration,may desire to furnish a Factory or Rescue Home;a third may wish to give us an estate,assist in the Food and Shelter work,or the extension of the Slum Brigade.Now,although I regard the Scheme as one and indivisible--from which you cannot take away any portion without impairing the prospect of the whole--it is quite practicable to administer the money subscribed so that the wishes of each donor may be carried out.Subscriptions may,therefore,be sent in for the general fund of the Social Scheme,or they can be devoted to any of the following distinct funds:--1.The City Colony.
2.The Farm Colony.
3.The Colony Over-sea.
4.The Household Salvage Brigade.
5.The Rescue Homes for Fallen Women.
6.Deliverance for the Drunkard.
7.The Prison Gate Brigade.
8.The Poor Man's Bank.
9.The Poor Man's Lawyer.
10.Whitechapel-by-the-Sea.
Or any other department suggested by the foregoing.In making this appeal I have,so far,addressed myself chiefly to those who have money;but money,indispensable as it is,has never been the thing most needful.Money is the sinews of war;and,as society is at present constituted,neither carnal nor spiritual wars can be carried on without money.But there is something more necessary still.
War cannot be waged without soldiers.A Wellington can do far more in a campaign than a Rothschild.More than money--a long,long way--I want men;and when I say men,I mean women also--men of experience,men of brains,men of heart,and men of God.
In this great expedition,though I am starting for territory which is familiar enough,I am,in a certain sense,entering an unknown land.
My people will be new at it.We have trained our soldiers to the saving of souls,we have taught them Knee-drill,we have instructed them in the art and mystery of dealing with the consciences and hearts of men;and that will ever continue the main business of their lives.
To save the soul,to regenerate the life,and to inspire the spirit with the undying love of Christ is the work to which all other duties must ever be strictly subordinate in the Soldiers of the Salvation Army.But the new sphere on which we are entering will call for faculties other than those which have hitherto been cultivated,and for knowledge of a different character;and those who have these gifts,and who are possessed of this practical information,will be sorely needed.
