Withtheseexamplesofthatwhichmayhappentoinstitutionsfoundedbynoblemen, withhighaims, inthehandsofsuccessorsofadifferentstamp, armedwithdespoticauthority, beforeme, commonprudencesurelyrequiresthat, beforeadvisingthehandingoverofalargesumofmoneytothegeneralofaneworderofmendicants, Ishouldaskwhatguaranteethereisthat, thirtyyearshence, the "General" whothenautocraticallycontrolstheaction, say, of100,000officerspledgedtoblindobedience, distributedthroughthewholelengthandbreadthofthepoorerclasses, andeachwithhisfingeronthetriggerofaminechargedwithdiscontentandreligiousfanaticism;withtheabsolutecontrol, say, ofeightortenmillionssterlingofcapitalandasmanyofincome; withbarracksineverytown, withestatesscatteredoverthecountry, andwithsettlementsinthecolonies—willexercisehisenormouspowers, notmerelyhonestly,butwisely? Whatshadowofsecurityistherethatthepersonwhowieldsthisuncontrolledauthorityovermanythousandsofmenshalluseitsolelyforthosephilanthropicandreligiousobjectswhich, Idonotdoubt, ? WhoistosaythattheSalvationArmy, intheyear1920, shallnotbeareplicaofwhattheFranciscanorderhadbecomeintheyear1260?
Thepersonalcharacterandtheintentionsofthefoundersofsuchorganizationsasweareconsideringcountforverylittleintheformationofaforecastoftheirfuture; andiftheydid, 'sjudgmentofmenwassoimperfectastopermithimtoappointanambitiousintriguerofthestampofBrotherEliashisdeputy, .
