The General’s attitude in face of all these storms was ever the same; “Go straight on” was the pith of all his replies to inquiries, and his own conduct and bearing amidst the most trying hours were always in accord with that counsel.  As in the case of many popular leaders of thought in England, the custom was established of meeting him at railway stations, and escorting him with bands and banners, music and song from train to theatre, Town Hall, or whatever the meeting-place might be for the day.  When he was received, however, not as in later years with universal acclamations, but with derisive shouts and groans and sometimes with showers of stones and mud, he smiled to see the commotion, and took every opportunity to show his enemies how much he loved them.  Already more than fifty years old, and looking decidedly older, when the worst of these storms burst upon him, this bearing often subdued crowds, the moment they really caught sight of his grey beard.

“At Ipswich,” says one of our Commissioners, “I remember how he won over the booing crowd by laughingly imitating them, and saying, ’I can boo as well as you.’  Riding with Mrs. Booth through one of the worst riots that he experienced, and in full sight of all the violence which nearly cost one of our Officers his life, The General was seen, even when his carriage was all splattered with mud and stones, standing as usual to encourage his Soldiers and to salute the people.  Arrived at the great hall he was fitter than most of his people to conduct the Meeting there.”

How much his own calm and loving spirit was communicated to many of his followers may best be represented by the remarks of a wounded Lieutenant on that occasion to a local newspaper whilst he was in hospital.

The fact that this Lieutenant had been the champion wrestler of his county, and would never, before his conversion, have allowed any one to take any liberty with him, will explain the way in which from time to time The General acquired Officers capable of overcoming such crowds.

The Lieutenant, riding in the very dress he had once worn as an athlete, but with our Salvation Army band around his helmet, was a perfect target for the enemy.

“When I came to S——­, I never thought for one moment that I should have to suffer and to be taken to a hospital for my blessed Master; but I have had a happy time there.  I can truly say that the Spirit of God has revealed wondrous things to me since I have been in.  Though I have suffered terrible pains, the Great Physician has been close by my side.”