In Darkest England, And The Way Out - free ebook by William Booth

Read as playlist

In Darkest England, And The Way Out

William Booth

75 chapters

11 hour read

Read as playlist

Selected Chapters

75 chapters

PREFACE

PREFACE

The progress of The Salvation Army in its work amongst the poor and lost of many lands has compelled me to face the problems which an more or less hopefully considered in the following pages. The grim necessities of a huge Campaign carried on for many years against the evils which lie at the root of all the miseries of modern life, attacked in a thousand and one forms by a thousand and one lieutenants, have led me step by step to contemplate as a possible solution of at least some of those probl

8 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 7. Can it be done, and how?

CHAPTER 7. Can it be done, and how?

This summer the attention of the civilised world has been arrested by the story which Mr. Stanley has told of Darkest Africa and his journeyings across the heart of the Lost Continent. In all that spirited narrative of heroic endeavour, nothing has so much impressed the imagination, as his description of the immense forest, which offered an almost impenetrable barrier to his advance. The intrepid explorer, in his own phrase, "marched, tore, ploughed, and cut his way for one hundred and sixty day

32 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 3. THE HOMELESS

CHAPTER 3. THE HOMELESS

Darkest England may be described as consisting broadly of three circles, one within the other. The outer and widest circle is inhabited by the starving and the homeless, but honest, Poor. The second by those who live by Vice; and the third and innermost region at the centre is peopled by those who exist by Crime. The whole of the three circles is sodden with Drink. Darkest England has many more public-houses than the Forest of the Aruwimi has rivers, of which Mr. Stanley sometimes had to cross t

18 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 4. THE OUT-OF-WORKS

CHAPTER 4. THE OUT-OF-WORKS

There is hardly any more pathetic figure than that of the strong able worker crying plaintively in the midst of our palaces and churches not for charity, but for work, asking only to be allowed the privilege of perpetual hard labour, that thereby he may earn wherewith to fill his empty belly and silence the cry of his children for food. Crying for it and not getting it, seeking for labour as lost treasure and finding it not, until at last, all spirit and vigour worn out in the weary quest, the o

16 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 5. ON THE VERGE OF THE ABYSS.

CHAPTER 5. ON THE VERGE OF THE ABYSS.

There is, unfortunately, no need for me to attempt to set out, however imperfectly, any statement of the evil case of the sufferers what we wish to help. For years past the Press has been filled with echoes of the "Bitter Cry of Outcast London," with pictures of "Horrible Glasgow," and the like. We have had several volumes describing "How the Poor Live" and I may therefore assume that all my readers are more or less cognizant of the main outlines a "Darkest England." My slum officers are living

13 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 6. THE VICIOUS.

CHAPTER 6. THE VICIOUS.

There are many vices and seven deadly sins. But of late years many of the seven have contrived to pass themselves off as virtues. Avarice, for instance; and Pride, when re-baptised thrift and self-respect, have become the guardian angels of Christian civilisation; and as for Envy, it is the corner-stone upon which much of our competitive system is founded. There are still two vices which are fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to remain undisguised, not even concealing from themselves the fact tha

16 minute read

Read Chapter

CONDITION WHEN APPLYING.

CONDITION WHEN APPLYING.

Rags.. .. .. 25 Destitution .. 27 Decently dressed 48 —— Total 100 Out of these girls twenty-three have been in prison. The girls suffer so much that the shortness of their miserable life is the only redeeming feature. Whether we look at the wretchedness of the life itself; their perpetual intoxication; the cruel treatment to which they are subjected by their task-masters and mistresses or bullies; the hopelessness, suffering and despair induced by their circu

6 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 7. THE CRIMINALS.

CHAPTER 7. THE CRIMINALS.

One very important section of the denizens of Darkest England are the criminals and the semi-criminals. They are more or less predatory, and are at present shepherded by the police and punished by the gaoler. Their numbers cannot be ascertained with very great precision, but the following figures are taken from the prison returns of 1889: — The criminal classes of Great Britain, in round figures, sum up a total of no less than 90,000 persons, made up as follows: — Convict prisons contain.. .. .

10 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 8. THE CHILDREN OF THE LOST.

CHAPTER 8. THE CHILDREN OF THE LOST.

Whatever may be thought of the possibility of doing anything with the adults, it is universally admitted that there is hope for the children. "I regard the existing generation as lost," said a leading Liberal statesman. "Nothing can be done with men and women who have grown up under the present demoralising conditions. My only hope is that the children may have a better chance. Education will do much." But unfortunately the demoralising circumstances of the children are not being improved—are, i

9 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 9. IS THERE NO HELP?

CHAPTER 9. IS THERE NO HELP?

It may be said by those who have followed me to this point that while it is quite true that there are many who are out of work, and not less true that there are many who sleep on the Embankment and elsewhere, the law has provided a remedy, or if not a remedy, at least a method, of dealing with these sufferers which is sufficient: The Secretary of the Charity Organisation Society assured one of my Officers, who went to inquire for his opinion on the subject, "that no further machinery was necessa

43 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 2—MY SCHEME

SECTION 2—MY SCHEME

What, then, is my Scheme? It is a very simple one, although in its ramifications and extensions it embraces the whole world. In this book I profess to do no more than to merely outline, as plainly and as simply as I can, the fundamental features of my proposals. I propose to devote the bulk of this volume to setting forth what can practically be done with one of the most pressing parts of the problem, namely, that relating to those who are out of work, and who, as the result, are more or less de

4 minute read

Read Chapter

THE CITY COLONY.

THE CITY COLONY.

By the City Colony is meant the establishment, in the very centre of the ocean of misery of which we have been speaking, of a number of Institutions to act as Harbours of Refuge for all and any who have been shipwrecked in life, character, or circumstances. These Harbours will gather up the poor destitute creatures, supply their immediate pressing necessities, furnish temporary employment, inspire them with hope for the future, and commence at once a course of regeneration by moral and religious

43 minute read

Read Chapter

THE FARM COLONY.

THE FARM COLONY.

This would consist of a settlement of the Colonists on an estate in the provinces, in the culture of which they would find employment and obtain support. As the race from the Country to the City has been the cause of much of the distress we have to battle with, we propose to find a substantial part of our remedy by transferring these same people back to the country, that is back again to "the Garden!" Here the process of reformation of character would be carried forward by the same industrial, m

1 minute read

Read Chapter

THE OVER-SEA COLONY.

THE OVER-SEA COLONY.

All who have given attention to the subject are agreed that in our Colonies in South Africa, Canada, Western Australia and elsewhere, there are millions of acres of useful land to be obtained almost for the asking, capable of supporting our surplus population in health and comfort, were it a thousand times greater than it is. We propose to secure a tract of land in one of these countries, prepare it for settlement, establish in it authority, govern it by equitable laws, assist it in times of nec

1 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 1.—FOOD AND SHELTER FOR EVERY MAN.

SECTION 1.—FOOD AND SHELTER FOR EVERY MAN.

As I rode through Canada and the United States some three years ago, I was greatly impressed with the superabundance of food which I saw at every turn. Oh, how I longed that the poor starving people, and the hungry children of the East of London and of other centres of our destitute populations, should come into the midst of this abundance, but as it appeared impossible for me to take them to it, I secretly resolved that I would endeavour to bring some of it to them. I am thankful to say that I

25 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 2.—WORK FOR THE OUT-OF-WORKS.—THE FACTORY.

SECTION 2.—WORK FOR THE OUT-OF-WORKS.—THE FACTORY.

The foregoing, it will be said, is all very well for your outcast when he has got fourpence in his pocket, but what if he has not got his fourpence? What if you are confronted with a crowd of hungry desperate wretches, without even a penny in their pouch, demanding food and shelter? This objection is natural enough, and has been duly considered from the first. I propose to establish in connection with every Food and Shelter Depot a Workshop or Labour Yard, in which any person who comes destitute

12 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 3.—THE REGIMENTATION OF THE UNEMPLOYED.

SECTION 3.—THE REGIMENTATION OF THE UNEMPLOYED.

When we have got the homeless, penniless tramp washed, and housed, and fed at the Shelter, and have secured him the means of earning his fourpence by chopping firewood, or making mats or cobbling the shoes of his fellow-labourers at the Factory, we have next to seriously address ourselves to the problem of how to help him to get back into the regular ranks of industry. The Shelter and the Factory are but stepping-stones, which have this advantage, they give us time to look round and to see what

5 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 4.—THE HOUSEHOLD SALVAGE BRIGADE.

SECTION 4.—THE HOUSEHOLD SALVAGE BRIGADE.

It is obvious that the moment you begin to find work for the unemployed labour of the community, no matter what you do by way of the registration and bringing together of those who want work and those who want workers, there will still remain a vast residuum of unemployed, and it will be the duty of those who undertake to deal with the question to devise means for securing them employment. Many things are possible when there is a directing intelligence at headquarters and discipline in the rank

19 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 3. TO THE COUNTRY!—THE FARM COLONY.

CHAPTER 3. TO THE COUNTRY!—THE FARM COLONY.

A leave on one side for a moment various features of the operations which will be indispensable but subsidiary to the City Colony, such as the Rescue Homes for Lost Women, the Retreats for Inebriates, the Homes for Discharged Prisoners, the Enquiry Office for the Discovery of Lost Friends and Relatives, and the Advice Bureau, which will, in time, become an institution that will be invaluable as a poor man's Tribune. All these and other suggestions for saving the lost and helping the poor, althou

7 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 1.—THE FARM PROPER.

SECTION 1.—THE FARM PROPER.

My present idea is to take an estate from five hundred to a thousand acres within reasonable distance of London. It should be of such land as will be suitable for market gardening, while having some clay on it for brick-making and for crops requiring a heavier soil. If possible, it should not only be on a line of railway which is managed by intelligent and progressive directors, but it should have access to the sea and to the river. It should be freehold land, and it should lie at some considera

14 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 2.—THE INDUSTRIAL VILLAGE.

SECTION 2.—THE INDUSTRIAL VILLAGE.

In describing the operations of the Household Salvage Brigade I have referred to the enormous quantities of good sound food which would be collected from door to door every day of the year. Much of this food would be suitable for human consumption, its waste being next door to sinful. Imagine, for instance, the quantities of soup which might be made from boiling the good fresh meaty bones of the great City! Think of the dainty dishes which a French cook would be able to serve up from the scraps

9 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 3.—AGRICULTURAL VILLAGES.

SECTION 3.—AGRICULTURAL VILLAGES.

This brings me to the next feature of the Scheme, the creation of agricultural settlements in the neighbourhood of the Farm, around the original Estate. I hope to obtain land for the purpose of allotments which can be taken up to the extent of so many acres by the more competent Colonists who wish to remain at home instead of going abroad. There will be allotments from three to five acres with a cottage, a cow, and the necessary tools and seed for making the allotment self-supporting. A weekly c

1 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 4.—CO-OPERATIVE FARM.

SECTION 4.—CO-OPERATIVE FARM.

Side by side with the Farm Colony proper I should propose to renew the experiment of Mr. E. T. Craig, which he found work so successfully at Ralahine. When any members of the original Colony had pulled themselves sufficiently together to desire to begin again on their own account, I should group some of them as partners in a Co-operative Farm, and see whether or no the success achieved in County Clare could not be repeated in Essex or in Kent. I cannot have more unpromising material to deal with

1 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 4. NEW BRITAIN—THE COLONY OVER-SEA.

CHAPTER 4. NEW BRITAIN—THE COLONY OVER-SEA.

We now come to the third and final stage of the regenerative process. The Colony Over-Sea. To mention Over-Sea is sufficient with some people to damn the Scheme. A prejudice against emigration has been diligently fostered in certain quarters by those who have openly admitted that they did not wish to deplete the ranks of the Army of Discontent at home, for the more discontented people you have here the more trouble you can give the Government, and the more power you have to bring about the gener

5 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 1.—THE COLONY AND THE COLONISTS.

SECTION 1.—THE COLONY AND THE COLONISTS.

Before any decision is arrived at, however, information will be obtained as to the position and character of the land; the accessibility of markets for commodities; communication with Europe, and other necessary particulars. The next business would be to obtain on grant, or otherwise, a sufficient tract of suitable country for the purpose of a Colony, on conditions that would meet its present and future character. After obtaining a title to the country, the next business will be to effect a sett

6 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 2.—UNIVERSAL EMIGRATION.

SECTION 2.—UNIVERSAL EMIGRATION.

We have in our remarks on the Over-Sea Colony referred to the general concensus of opinion on the part of those who have studied the Social Question as to Emigration being the only remedy for the overcrowded population of this country, at the same time showing some of the difficulties which lie in the way of the adoption of the remedy; the dislike of the people to so great a change as is involved in going from one country to another; the cost of their transfer, and their general unfitness for an

2 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 3.—THE SALVATION SHIP.

SECTION 3.—THE SALVATION SHIP.

When we have selected a party of emigrants whom we believe to be sufficiently prepared to settle on the land which has been got ready for them in the Colony over Sea, it will be no dismal expatriation which will await them. No one who has ever been on the West Coast of Ireland when the emigrants were departing, and has heard the dismal wails which arise from those who are taking leave of each other for the last time on earth, can fail to sympathise with the horror excited in many minds by the ve

6 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 5. MORE CRUSADES.

CHAPTER 5. MORE CRUSADES.

I have now sketched out briefly the leading features of the threefold Scheme by which I think a way can be opened out of "Darkest England," by which its forlorn denizens can escape into the light and freedom of a new life. But it is not enough to make a clear broad road out of the heart of this dense and matted jungle forest; its inhabitants are in many cases so degraded, so hopeless, so utterly desperate that we shall have to do something more than make roads. As we read in the parable, it is o

2 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 1.—A SLUM CRUSADE.—OUR SLUM SISTERS.

SECTION 1.—A SLUM CRUSADE.—OUR SLUM SISTERS.

When Professor Huxley lived as a medical officer in the East of London he acquired a knowledge of the actual condition of the life of many of its populace which led him long afterwards to declare that the surroundings of the savages of New Guinea were much more conducive to the leading of a decent human existence than those in which many of the East-Enders live. Alas, it is not only in London that such lairs exist in which the savages of civilisation lurk and breed. All the great towns in both t

27 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 2.—THE TRAVELLING HOSPITAL.

SECTION 2.—THE TRAVELLING HOSPITAL.

Of course, there is only one real remedy for this state of things, and that is to take the people away from the wretched hovels in which they sicken, suffer, and die, with less comfort and consideration than the cattle in the stalls and styes of many a country Squire. And this is certainly our ultimate ambition, but for the present distress something might be done on the lines of district nursing, which is only in very imperfect operation. I have been thinking that if a little Van, drawn by a po

21 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 4.—EFFECTUAL DELIVERANCE FOR THE DRUNKARD.

SECTION 4.—EFFECTUAL DELIVERANCE FOR THE DRUNKARD.

The number, misery, and hopeless condition of the slaves of strong drink, of both sexes, have been already dealt with at considerable length. We have seen that there are in Great Britain one million of men and women, or thereabouts, completely under the domination of this cruel appetite. The utter helplessness of Society to deal with the drunkard has been proved again and again, and confessed on all hands by those who have had experience on the subject. As we have before said, the general feelin

17 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 5.—A NEW WAY OF ESCAPE FOR LOST WOMEN. THE RESCUE HOMES.

SECTION 5.—A NEW WAY OF ESCAPE FOR LOST WOMEN. THE RESCUE HOMES.

Perhaps there is no evil more destructive of the best interests of Society, or confessedly more difficult to deal with remedially, than that which is known as the Social Evil. We have already seen something of the extent to which this terrible scourge has grown, and the alarming manner in which it affects our modern civilisation. We have already made an attempt at grappling with this evil, having about thirteen Homes in Great Britain, accommodating 307 girls under the charge of 132 Officers, tog

8 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 6.—A PREVENTIVE HOME FOR UNFALLEN GIRLS WHEN IN DANGER.

SECTION 6.—A PREVENTIVE HOME FOR UNFALLEN GIRLS WHEN IN DANGER.

There is a story told likely enough to be true about a young girl who applied one evening for admission to some home established for the purpose of rescuing fallen women. The matron naturally inquired whether she had forfeited her virtue; the girl replied in the negative. She had been kept from that infamy, but she was poor and friendless, and wanted somewhere to lay her head until she could secure work, and obtain a home. The matron must have pitied her, but she could not help her as she did no

3 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 7.—ENQUIRY OFFICE FOR LOST PEOPLE.

SECTION 7.—ENQUIRY OFFICE FOR LOST PEOPLE.

Perhaps nothing more vividly suggests the varied forms of broken-hearted misery in the great City than the statement that 18,000 people are lost in it every year, of whom 9,000 are never heard of any more, anyway in this world. What is true about London is, we suppose, true in about the same proportion of the rest of the country. Husbands, sons, daughters, and mothers are continually disappearing, and leaving no trace behind. In such cases, where the relations are of some importance in the world

3 minute read

Read Chapter

A LOST WIFE.

A LOST WIFE.

F. J. L. asked us to seek for his wife, who left him on November 4th, 1888. He feared she had gone to live an immoral life; gave us two addresses at which she might possibly be heard of, and a description. They had three children. Enquiries at the addresses given elicited no information, but from observation in the neighbourhood the woman's whereabouts was discovered. After some difficulty our Officer obtained an interview with the woman, who was greatly astonished at our having discovered her.

46 minute read

Read Chapter

A LOST CHILD.

A LOST CHILD.

ALICE P. was stolen away from home by Gypsies ten years ago, and now longs to find her parents to be restored to them. She believes her home to be in Yorkshire. The Police had this case in hand for some time, but failed entirely. With these particulars we advertised in the "War Cry." Captain Green, seeing the advertisement, wrote, April 3rd, from 3, C. S., M. H., that her Lieutenant knew a family of the name advertised for, living at Gomersal, Leeds. We, on the 4th, wrote to this address for con

54 minute read

Read Chapter

A LOST DAUGHTER.

A LOST DAUGHTER.

E. W. Age 17. Application from this girl's mother and brother, who had lost all trace of her since July, 1885, when she left for Canada. Letters had been once or twice received, dated from Montreal, but they stopped. A photo., full description, and handwriting were supplied. We discovered that some kind Church people here had helped E. W. to emigrate, but they had no information as to her movements after landing. Full particulars, with photo., were sent to our Officers in Canada. The girl was no

57 minute read

Read Chapter

A LOST SERVANT.

A LOST SERVANT.

Mrs. M., Clevedon, one of Harriett P.'s old mistresses, wrote us, in deep concern, about this girl. She said she was a good servant, but was ruined by the young man who courted her, and had since had three children. Occasionally, she would have a few bright and happy weeks, but would again lapse into the "vile path." Mrs. M. tells us that Harriett had good parents, who are dead, but she still has a respectable brother in Hampshire. The last she heard of her was that some weeks ago she was stayin

1 minute read

Read Chapter

A LOST HUSBAND.

A LOST HUSBAND.

In a seaside home last Christmas there was a sorrowing wife, who mourned over the basest desertion of her husband. Wandering from place to place drinking, he had left her to struggle alone with four little ones dependent upon her exertions. Knowing her distress, the captain of the corps wrote begging us to advertise for the man in the Cry. We did this, but for some time heard nothing of the result. Several weeks later a Salvationist entered a beer-house, where a group of men were drinking, and b

1 minute read

Read Chapter

A SEDUCER COMPELLED TO PAY.

A SEDUCER COMPELLED TO PAY.

Amongst the letters that came to the Inquiry Office one morning was one from a girl who asked us to help her to trace the father of her child who had for some time ceased to pay anything towards its support. The case had been brought into the Police Court, and judgment given in her favour, but the guilty one had hidden, and his father refused to reveal his whereabouts. We called upon the elder man and laid the matter before him, but failed to prevail upon him either to pay his son's liabilities

57 minute read

Read Chapter

FOUND IN THE BUSH.

FOUND IN THE BUSH.

A year or two ago a respectable-looking Dutch girl might have been seem making her way quickly and stealthily across a stretch of long rank grass towards the shelter of some woods on the banks of a distant river. Behind her lay the South African town from which she had come, betrayed, disgraced, ejected from her home with words of bitter scorn, having no longer a friend in the wide world who would hold out to her a hand of help. What could there be better for her than to plunge into that river y

3 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 8.—REFUGES FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE STREETS.

SECTION 8.—REFUGES FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE STREETS.

For the waifs and strays of the streets of London much commiseration is expressed, and far more pity is deserved than is bestowed. We have no direct purpose of entering on a crusade on their behalf, apart from our attempt at changing the hearts and lives and improving the circumstances of their parents. Our main hope for these wild, youthful, outcasts lies in this direction. If we can reach and benefit their guardians, morally and materially, we shall take the most effectual road to benefit the

1 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 9.—INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

SECTION 9.—INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

I also propose, at the earliest opportunity, to give the subject of the industrial training of boys a fair trial; and, if successful, follow it on with a similar one for girls. I am nearly satisfied in my own mind that the children of the streets taken, say at eight years of age, and kept till, say twenty-one, would, by judicious management and the utilisation of their strength and capacity, amply supply all their own wants, and would, I think, be likely to turn out thoroughly good and capable m

2 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 10.—ASYLUMS FOR MORAL LUNATICS.

SECTION 10.—ASYLUMS FOR MORAL LUNATICS.

There will remain, after all has been said and done, one problem that has yet to be faced. You may minimise the difficulty every way, and it is your duty to do so, but no amount of hopefulness can make us blink the fact that when all has been done and every chance has been offered, when you have forgiven your brother not only seven times but seventy times seven, when you have fished him up from the mire and put him on firm ground only to see him relapse and again relapse until you have no streng

5 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 6. ASSISTANCE IN GENERAL.

CHAPTER 6. ASSISTANCE IN GENERAL.

There are many who are not lost, who need help. A little assistance given to-day will perhaps prevent the need of having to save them to-morrow. There are some, who, after they have been rescued, will still need a friendly hand. The very service which we have rendered them at starting makes it obligatory upon us to finish the good work. Hitherto it may be objected that the Scheme has dealt almost exclusively with those who are more or less disreputable and desperate. This was inevitable. We obey

1 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 1.—IMPROVED LODGINGS.

SECTION 1.—IMPROVED LODGINGS.

The necessity for a superior class of lodgings for the poor men rescued at our Shelters has been forcing itself already upon our notice, and demanding attention. One of the first things that happens when a man, lifted out of the gutter, has obtained a situation, and is earning a decent livelihood, is for him to want some better accommodation than that afforded at the Shelters. We have some hundreds on our hands now who can afford to pay for greater comfort and seclusion. These are continually sa

3 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 2.—MODEL SUBURBAN VILLAGES.

SECTION 2.—MODEL SUBURBAN VILLAGES.

As I have repeatedly stated already, but will state once more, for it is important enough to bear endless repetition, one of the first steps which must inevitably be taken in the reformation of this class, is to make for them decent, healthy, pleasant homes, or help them to make them for themselves, which, if possible, is far better. I do not regard the institution of any first, second, or third-class lodging-houses as affording anything but palliatives of the existing distress. To substitute li

4 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 3.—THE POOR MAN'S BANK.

SECTION 3.—THE POOR MAN'S BANK.

If the love of money is the root of all evil, the want of money is the cause of an immensity of evil and trouble. The moment you begin practically to alleviate the miseries of the people, you discover that the eternal want of pence is one of their greatest difficulties. In my most sanguine moments I have never dreamed of smoothing this difficulty out of the lot of man, but it is surely no unattainable ideal to establish a Poor Man's Bank, which will extend to the lower middle class and the worki

10 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 4.—THE POOR MAN'S LAWYER.

SECTION 4.—THE POOR MAN'S LAWYER.

The moment you set about dealing with the wants of the people, you discover that many of their difficulties are not material, but moral. There never was a greater mistake than to imagine that you have only to fill a man's stomach, and clothe his back in order to secure his happiness. Man is, much more than a digestive apparatus, liable to get out of order. Hence, while it is important to remember that man has a stomach, it is also necessary to bear in mind that he has a heart, and a mind that is

17 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 5.—OUR INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT.

SECTION 5.—OUR INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT.

An indispensable adjunct of this Scheme will be the institution of what may be called an Intelligence Department at Headquarters. Power, it has been said, belongs to the best informed, and if we are effectually to deal with the forces of social evil, we must have ready at our fingers' ends the accumulated experience and information of the whole world on this subject. The collection of facts and the systematic record of them would be invaluable, rendering the result of the experiments of previous

3 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 6.—CO-OPERATION IN GENERAL.

SECTION 6.—CO-OPERATION IN GENERAL.

If anyone asked me to state in one word what seemed likely to be the key of the solution of the Social Problem I should answer unhesitatingly Co-operation. It being always understood that it is Co-operation conducted on righteous principles, and for wise and benevolent ends; otherwise Association cannot be expected to bear any more profitable fruit than Individualism. Co-operation is applied association—association for the purpose of production and distribution. Co-operation implies the voluntar

7 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 7.—A MATRIMONIAL BUREAU.

SECTION 7.—A MATRIMONIAL BUREAU.

There is another direction in which something ought to be done to restore the natural advantages enjoyed by every rural community which have been destroyed by the increasing tendency of mankind to come together in huge masses. I refer to that which is after all one of the most important elements in every human life, that of marrying and giving in marriage. In the natural life of a country village all the lads and lasses grow up together, they meet together in religious associations, in daily emp

6 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 8.—WHITECHAPEL-BY-THE-SEA.

SECTION 8.—WHITECHAPEL-BY-THE-SEA.

In considering the various means by which some substantial improvement can be made in the condition of the toiling masses, recreation cannot be omitted. I have repeatedly had forced upon me the desirability of making it possible for them to spend a few hours occasionally by the seaside, or even at times three or four days. Notwithstanding the cheapened rates and frequent excursions, there are multitudes of the poor who, year in and out, never get beyond the crowded city, with the exception of dr

6 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.

Can this great work be done? I believe it can. And I believe that it can be done by the Salvation Army, because it has ready to hand an organisation of men and women, numerous enough and zealous enough to grapple with the enormous undertaking. The work may prove beyond our powers. But this is not so manifest as to preclude us from wishing to make the attempt. That in itself is a qualification which is shared by no other organisation—at present. If we can do it we have the field entirely to ourse

8 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 2.—HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

SECTION 2.—HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

A considerable amount of money will be required to fairly launch this Scheme, and some income may be necessary to sustain it for a season, but, once fairly afloat, we think there is good reason to believe that in all its branches it will be self-supporting, unless its area of operation is largely extended, on which we fully rely. Of course, the cost of the effort must depend very much upon its magnitude. If anything is to be done commensurate with the extent of the evil, it will necessarily requ

11 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 3.—SOME ADVANTAGES STATED.

SECTION 3.—SOME ADVANTAGES STATED.

This Scheme takes into its embrace all kinds and classes of men who may be in destitute circumstances, irrespective of their character or conduct, and charges itself with supplying at once their temporal needs; and then aims at placing them in a permanent position of comparative comfort, the only stipulation made being a willingness to work and to conform to discipline on the part of those receiving its benefit. While at the commencement, we must impose some limits with respect to age and sickne

11 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 4.—SOME OBJECTIONS MET.

SECTION 4.—SOME OBJECTIONS MET.

Objections must be expected. They are a necessity with regard to any Scheme that has not yet been reduced to practice, and simply signify foreseen difficulties in the working of it. We freely admit that there are abundance of difficulties in the way of working out the plan smoothly and successfully that has been laid down. But many of these we imagine will vanish when we come to close quarters, and the remainder will be surmounted by courage and patience. Should, however, this plan prove the suc

23 minute read

Read Chapter

SECTION 5. RECAPITULATION.

SECTION 5. RECAPITULATION.

I have now passed in review the leading features of the Scheme, which I put forward as one that is calculated to considerably contribute to the amelioration of the condition of the lowest stratum of our Society. It in no way professes to be complete in all its details. Anyone may at any point lay his finger on this, that, or the other feature of the Scheme, and show some void that must be filled in if it is to work with effect. There is one thing, however, that can be safely said in excuse for t

14 minute read

Read Chapter

CHAPTER 8. A PRACTICAL CONCLUSION.

CHAPTER 8. A PRACTICAL CONCLUSION.

Throughout this book I have more constantly used the first personal pronoun than ever before in anything I have written. I have done this deliberately, not from egotism, but in order to make it more clearly manifest that here is a definite proposal made by an individual who is prepared, if the means are furnished him, to carry it out. At the same time I want it to be clearly understood that it is not in my own strength, nor at my own charge, that I purpose to embark upon this great undertaking.

17 minute read

Read Chapter

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

1. The Salvation Army—A Sketch—The Position of the Forces, October, 1890. 2. Circular, Registration Forms, and Notices now issued by the Labour Bureau. 3. Count Rumford's Bavarian Experience. 4. The Co-operative Experiment at Ralahine. 5. Mr Carlyle on the Regimenation of the Out-of-Works. 6. "Christianity and Civilization," by the Rev. Dr. Barry....

16 minute read

Read Chapter

THE SALVATION ARMY

THE SALVATION ARMY

The position of our forces. October, 1890. Corps or Outposts Officers or persons Societies wholly engaged in the work. The United Kingdom … 1375 —- 4506 France … … ) 106 72 352 Switzerland … ) Sweden … … … 103 41 328 United States … … 363 57 1066 Canada … … … 317 78 1021 Australia— Victoria … …) South Australia ) New South Wales ) 270 465 903 Tasmania … …) Queensland …) New Zeland … … 65 99 186

4 minute read

Read Chapter

THE PROPERTY DEPARTMENT.

THE PROPERTY DEPARTMENT.

Property now Vested in the Army;— The United Kingdom … … … #377,500 France and Switzerland … … 10,000 Sweden … … … … … 13,598 Norway … … … … … 11,676 The United States … … … 6,601 Canada … … … … … 98,728 Australia … … … … … 86,251 New Zealand … … … … 14,798 India … … … … … 5,537 Holland … … … … … 7,188 Denmark … … … … … 2,340 South Africa … … … … 10,401 ———— Total #644,618 ———— Value of trade effects,

1 minute read

Read Chapter

SOCIAL WORK OF THE ARMY.

SOCIAL WORK OF THE ARMY.

Rescue homes (fallen women) … … 33 Slum Posts … … … … … 33 Prison Gate Brigades … … … 10 Food Depots … … … … … 4 Shelters for the Destitute … … 5 Inebriates Home … … … … 1 Factory for the "out of work" … 1 Labour Bureaux … … … … 2 Officers and others managing those branches 384...

35 minute read

Read Chapter

SALVATION AND SOCIAL REFORM LITERATURE

SALVATION AND SOCIAL REFORM LITERATURE

At home. Abroad Circulation Weekly Newspapers … 3 24 31,000,000 Monthly Magazines … 3 12 2,400,000 — —- —————- Total 6 36 33,400,000 — —- —————- Total annual circulation of the above 33,400,000 Total annual circulation of other publications 4,000,000 —————- Total annual circulation of Army literature 37,400,000 —————- The United Kingdom— "The War Cry" 300,000 weekly "The Young Soldier" 126,750 weekly "All the Wo

3 minute read

Read Chapter

THE AUXILIARY LEAGUE.

THE AUXILIARY LEAGUE.

1.—Of persons who, without necessarily endorsing or approving of every single method used by thee Salvation Army, are sufficiently in sympathy with its great work of reclaiming drunkards, rescuing the fallen—in a word, saving the lost—as to give it their PRAYERS, INFLUENCE, AND MONEY. 2.—Of persons who, although seeing eye to eye with the Army, yet are unable to join it, owing to being actively engaged in the work of their own denominations, or by reason of bad health or other infirmities, which

1 minute read

Read Chapter

THE SALVATION ARMY: A SKETCH.

THE SALVATION ARMY: A SKETCH.

BY AN OFFICER OF SEVENTEEN YEARS' STANDING. What is the Salvation Army? It is an Organisation existing to effect a radical revolution in the spiritual condition of the enormous majority of the people of all lands. Its aim is to produce a change not only in the opinions, feelings, and principles of these vast populations, but to alter the whole course of their lives, so that instead of spending their time in frivolity and pleasure-seeking, if not in the grossest forms of vice, they shall spend it

10 minute read

Read Chapter

THE SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL REFORM WING.

THE SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL REFORM WING.

Temporary Headquarters 36, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.C. OBJECTS.—The bringing together of employers and workers for their mutual advantage. Making known the wants of each to each by providing a ready method of communication. PLAN OF OPERATION.—The Opening of a Central Registry Office, which for the present will be located at the above address, and where registers will be kept free of charge wherein the wants of both employers and workers will be recorded, the registers being open for consul

1 minute read

Read Chapter

CENTRAL LABOUR BUREAU. LOCAL AGENTS AND CORRESPONDENTS' DEPARTMENT.

CENTRAL LABOUR BUREAU. LOCAL AGENTS AND CORRESPONDENTS' DEPARTMENT.

Dear Comrade,—The enclosed letter, which has been sent to our Officers throughout the Field, will explain the object we have in view. Your name has been suggested to us as one whose heart is thoroughly in sympathy with any effort on behalf of poor suffering humanity. We are anxious to have in connection with each of our Corps, and in every locality throughout the Kingdom, some sympathetic, level-headed comrade, acting as our Agent or local Correspondent, to whom we could refer at all times for r

1 minute read

Read Chapter

LOCAL AGENTS AND CORRESPONDENTS DEPARTMENT.

LOCAL AGENTS AND CORRESPONDENTS DEPARTMENT.

Proposition for local agent, correspondent, etc. Name…………………………………………………………. Address………………………………………………………. Occupation……………………………………………………. If a Soldier, what Corps?………………………………………. If not a Soldier, what Denomination?…………………………….. If spoken to on the subject, what reply they have made?……………. …………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….. Signed…………………………………………….. Corps……………………………………………… Date………………………. 189 . Kindly

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WE PROPOSE TO ENTER UPON A CRUSADE AGAINST "SWEATING." WILL YOU HELP US?

WE PROPOSE TO ENTER UPON A CRUSADE AGAINST "SWEATING." WILL YOU HELP US?

Dear Sir,—in connection with the Social Reform Wing a Central Labour Bureau has been opened, one department of which will deal especially with that class of labour termed "unskilled," from amongst whom are drawn BOARDMEN, MESSENGERS, BILL DISTRIBUTORS, CIRCULAR ADDRESSERS, WINDOW CLEANERS, WHITE-WASHERS, CARPET BEATERS, &amp;C., &amp;C. It is very important that work given to these workers and others not enumerated, should be taxed as little as possible by the Contractor, or those who ac

1 minute read

Read Chapter

CENTRAL LABOUR BUREAU.

CENTRAL LABOUR BUREAU.

A Free Registry, for all kinds of unemployed labour, has been opened at the above address. If you want work, call and make yourself and your wants known. Enter your name and address and wants on the Registers, or fill up form below, and hand it in at above address. Look over the advertising pages of the papers provided. Tables with pens and ink are provided for you to write for situations. If you live at a distance, fill up this form giving all particulars, or references, and forward to Commissi

2 minute read

Read Chapter

HOW BEGGARY WAS ABOLISHED IN BAVARIA BY COUNT RUMFORD.

HOW BEGGARY WAS ABOLISHED IN BAVARIA BY COUNT RUMFORD.

Count Rumford was an American officer who served with considerable distinction in the Revolutionary War in that country, and afterwards settled in England. From thence he went to Bavaria, where he was promoted to the chief command of its army, and also was energetically employed in the Civil Government. Bavaria at this time literally swarmed with beggars, who were not only an eyesore and discredit to the nation, but a positive injury to the State. The Count resolved upon the extinction of this m

9 minute read

Read Chapter

THE CO-OPERATIVE EXPERIMENT AT RALAHINE,

THE CO-OPERATIVE EXPERIMENT AT RALAHINE,

"The outrages of the 'Whitefeet,' 'Lady Clare Boys,' and 'Terry Alts' (labourers) far exceeded those of recent occurrence; yet no remedy but force was attempted, except by one Irish landlord, Mr. John Scott Vandeleur, of Ralahine, county Clare, late high sheriff of his county. Early in 1831 his family had been obliged to take flight, in charge of an armed police force, and his steward had been murdered by one of the labourers, having been chosen by lot at a meeting held to decide who should perp

4 minute read

Read Chapter

CARLYLE ON THE SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE NATION

CARLYLE ON THE SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE NATION

FORTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. Inserted at the earnest request of a friend, who was struck by the coincidence of some ideas, similar to those of this volume, set forth so long ago, but as yet remaining unrealised, and which I had never read. "A Prime Minister, even here in England, who shall dare believe the heavenly omens, and address himself like a man and hero to the great dumb-struggling heart of England, and speak out for it, and act out for it, the God's-justice it is writhing to get uttered and pe

10 minute read

Read Chapter

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE SOCIAL QUESTION.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE SOCIAL QUESTION.

The Rev. Dr. Barry read a paper at the Catholic Conference on June 30th, 1890, from which I take the following extracts as illustrative of the rising feeling of this subject in the Catholic Church. The Rev. Dr. Barry began by defining the proletariat as those who have only one possession—their labour. Those who have no land, and no stake in the land, no house, and no home except the few sticks of furniture they significantly call by the name, no right to employment, but at the most a right to po

3 minute read

Read Chapter