THE SALVATION ARMY AND CONVERSION.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Will you permit me to make a remark on the review of Mr. Manson's book on the Salvation Army which appeared in your issue of October 6th ? The point to which I wish to draw attention is Mr. Manson's complaint that the Salvation Army require from those seeking their assistance a profession of salvation or " conversion," according to the cardinal doctrine of the Salvation Army. I had the opportunity of observing very closely the working of the Salvation Army Colony at Hadleigh for some years, during the governorship of Colonel Lamb, and I can state that while no opportunity was lost of inculcating in the colonists reasoned motives of restraint with regard to conduct, no pressure whatever was brought on them to become Salvationists. They were perfectly free to attend any place of worship they chose, or to go to the service in the Army citadel ; but they were certainly not forced to profess salvation. Your suggested interpretation of Colonel Lamb's statement that " he would not contemplate a colony without religious influences" is correct, and Mr. Manson's charge of proselytism did not apply there.—I am, Sir, &c.,
• OBSERVER.
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