I shall not take it amiss if you do so in my case." The general laughter with which this suggestion was greeted banished at once any appearance of stiffness from the solemn and exclusive assembly, whose members alone were present.

He then proceeded to explain the origin and work of The Army, as follows:-- "I was told that ninety-five in every hundred of the population of our larger towns and cities never crossed the threshold of any place of worship, and I thought, 'Cannot something be done to reach these people with the Gospel ?' Fifteen years ago I thus fell in love with the great crowds of people who seemed to be out of the pale of all Christian Churches.

It seemed to me that if we could get them to think about Hell they would be certain to want to turn from it.

If we could get them to think about Heaven they would want to go there.

If we could get them to think about Christ they would want to rush to His open arms.
"I resolved to try, and 'The Salvation Army' is the outcome of that resolution.