The writings of Samuel Logan Brengle are treasures. Even today his words still ring out loud with truth and challenge. Consider this message from his book, Ancient Prophets, originally published in April 1929.
"1. If the future of The Salvation Army is to be spiritually radiant and all conquering, we must not simply endure the cross, but glory in it. This will arrest the world, disarm Hell, and gladden the heart of our Lord.
2. We must 'by love serve one another.' We are following Him who 'came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many.' We, too, must give our lives for others, shrinking from no service, holding ourselves ever ready to wash the feet of the lowliest disciple.
3. We must still prove our discipleship by our love one for the other. It is not enough to wear the uniform, to profess loyalty to Army leaders and principles, to give our goods to feed the poor and our bodies to be burned. We must love one another. We must make this the badge of our discipleship. We must wrestle and pray and hold fast that we do not lose this.
The Army is so thoroughly organized and disciplined, so wrought into the life of nations, so fortified with valuable properties, and on such a sound financial basis, that it is not likely to perish as an organization, but it will become a spiritually dead thing if love leaks out. Love is the life of The Army. 'If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.' But if love leaks out we shall lose our crown, we shall have a name to live and yet be dead. We may still house the homeless, dole out food to the hungry, punctiliously perform our routine work, but the mighty ministry of the Spirit will no longer be our glory. Our musicians will play meticulously, our Songsters will revel in the artistry of song that tickles the ear, but leaves the heart cold and hard. Our Officers will make broad their phylacteries and hob-nob with mayors and councilmen and be greeted in the market-place, but God will not be among us. We shall still recruit our ranks and supply our Training Garrisons with Cadets from among our own Young People, but we shall cease to be saviors of the lost sheep that have no shepherd.
If the future of The Salvation Army is to still be glorious, we must heed the exhortation: 'Let brotherly love continue.'"
Amen to that! Be mindful not to 'let love leak out' of all your words and actions, for love truly is the core of genuine Salvationism.
[Perhaps you might want to check out some of Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle's treasures using the following link]
