In Duesseldorf, we are told:—­

“The old idealist spoke for an hour and a half with the fire of enthusiasm, throwing out every now and then some spark of his humour amidst his stream of eloquence.  He did not speak like a dying greybeard, but like a young man ready to take up to-morrow morning the struggle with the misery of the whole world.  Out of such material as this old man are made the great men who do great deeds on the battle-field, in the sphere of science, in the province of religion, of humanity, and of society.”

The Cologne Gazette goes more into detail, and says:—­

“At his great age the Founder and Leader of The Salvation Army hastens from continent to continent, from land to land, to awaken in Public Meetings love for your neighbour.  After a journey through Holland he came into West Germany.  In this week he speaks in great cities from Dortmund to Carlsruhe, each day in a new place, and often in several Meetings.  Many thousands came together last Sunday from Essen and neighbourhood, so that the great hall of the Soldiers’ Home itself was not large enough to hold them at the various Meetings.  Here yesterday evening 2,000 people wanted to give him a warm welcome in the Emperor’s Hall.

“The eighty-one-year-old philanthropist, who strides so unbendingly along, is full of youthful enthusiasm.  His tall figure, with its gleaming eyes, long curved nose, and flowing beard, help him to present himself to the audience, with lively gestures illuminating his thoughts, as at once accuser of our times and gentle judge.  He is especially a gentle judge of fallen women and girls, 55,000 of whom, from ten years of age upwards, he tells us, The Army has rescued.

“‘The fallen young men are forgiven by their fathers and mothers,’ says he.  ’Why should not we also forgive the fallen girls?  If nobody else will do so, we will.’  This sentiment called forth general applause.

“‘And then,’ The General went on, ’The religion of The Army has three main principles:  (1) You must get right with your God.  You must be reconciled with Him, and feel the kiss of His forgiving love. (2) You must live righteously in your own private life, in your family, and in holiness of heart. (3) You must give yourself up to the service of your fellow-men—­must not wait to be called upon, but must have a fire in yourself—­the fire of love.’

“It took mightily hold of the audience as, following upon this definition of the religion of The Army, he told them that he felt himself now nearing the cold stream of death, but fully believed that this religion, which had carried him through so much of care and disappointment up to this day, would also carry him through the dark valley into Paradise, where he, who for so long had known no holiday, would at last find rest.”

Everywhere in Germany it is this revelation of a religion, founded on unshakable faith, which impresses even the sceptical journalist.  Here and there the tendency to doubt shows itself a little between the lines, and it is suggested that the audience were only for the time being under the spell of this remarkable speaker.  But most impressive is always the description of The General’s calls to repentance and faith.