I’m reading a biography on George Scott Railton and I must say that I have a new hero. This is one of my favorite parts of the book:
“Railton created an atmosphere of savage bravery. He promised his officers blows and blame, all the disgrace and privation, but at the same time communicated to them a pride in the disgrace and privation. He stirred up the spirit of sacrifice. He possessed the virtue of poverty which is the sister and constant companion of apostolic power. In fact, the force of The Salvation Army is not its military discipline, nor its organization or its social service, not the absolute character of its doctrine, not the abilities of its superior officers, not the eloquence of its apologists, nor the skill of its advertising—it is a joyful acceptance of a life in poverty, giving all to the benefit of the lost.”
Blanche Peyron as quoted by Bernard Watson in Trailblazers: Yesterday’s People for Today’s Mission pg. 472.
Youth Department