Florence Booth Quotes

"The narrow way, being also a straight way, must be the most direct way."

"Policy should always be the outcome of fixed principles. Jesus was an advocate of fixed principles... He gave the world a new complete code of fixed principles. The Army's fixed principles should guide us in thinking out our every problem."

"I want you each to value and develop the power of your personality... each [of us have] a personality, not dimmed but touched by grace into brightness, should be to The Salvation Army what the rainbow is to light. How vivid and different from that which edges it and, by a perfection of contrasts, sets it off! ...As God's instruments, let us recognize every moment that God wants to use the power of our personality."

"It is what we are in our hearts that will influence the people around us... Only those who let God operate in their own hearts have helped forward the Kingdom of God. Not the wise, not the learned, but the pure in heart inherit the promise that that they shall see God."

"Only by the reflection from our hearts of God's yearning love shall we kindle the saving faith that will move the sinner to true repentance. Only by our feeling of horror at the inevitable and terrible penalty which will surely overtake the souls of those who persist in sin, shall we succeed in making sinners aware of their peril and anxious about their condition."

"Sorrow over the doom of unrepentant sinners will kindle our hearts, and the Holy Spirit will be able to use a look or a tone of ours in dealing with a rebellious soul, keeping it in that sinner's mind when we are not there, with power to transform their outlook and change their life."

"It is the duty of Officers to keep the fires of conviction burning in their hearts, and if the glow that should be there is lacking to have the honesty to tell us so. Because, as I have said, we do not want blind obedience to Salvation Army principles, but a voluntary rooting of those principles in the heart of each Officer."

"The Founder did all in his power that there should be no departure in proclaiming the truth, whatever might be the future growth and development of The Salvation Army... These doctrines are clearly stated in the Articles of War... It is not left open for Officers to decide that they do not believe in the divinity of Christ or in the doctrine about hell and to retain their commissions."

"Yours is the responsibility to see that these foundational truths, these doctrines essential to salvation, are faithfully presented to the people."

"How blessed we are in The Army that our power lies not in mere intellectual knowledge, but in victory over the Devil and the assurance of salvation written in each heart! Let this principle be understood by the humblest and youngest of our soldiers. Encourage them to value and use their privilege of public testimony to the full! And let us honor and value it!"

"The Salvation Army came into being with a single purpose to cooperate with God, to war on the Devil, and snatch souls from hell."