lower clapton road

the women's social headquarters of the salvation army in england is situated at clapton. it is a property of nearly three acres, on which stand four houses that will be rebuilt whenever funds are forthcoming for the erection of the maternity hospital and training institution for nurses and midwives which i have already mentioned. at present about forty officers are employed here, most of whom are women, under the command of commissioner cox, one of the foremost of the 600 women-officers of the salvation army in the united kingdom who give their services to the women's social work.

it is almost needless for me to add that commissioner cox is a lady of very great ability, who is entirely devoted to the cause to which she has dedicated her life. one of the reasons of the great success of the salvation army is that only able people exactly suited to the particular work in view are put in authority over that work. here there are no sinecures, no bought advowsons, and no freehold livings. moreover, the policy of the army, as a general rule, is not to allow any one to remain too long in any one office, lest he or she should become fossilized or subject to local influences.

i remember when i was in america hearing of a case in which a very leading officer of the army, who chanced to be a near relative of general booth, declined to obey an order to change his command for another in a totally different part of the world. the order was repeated once or twice, and as often disobeyed. resignation followed and an attempt to found a rival organization. i only mention this matter to show that discipline is enforced in this society without fear, favour, or prejudice, which is, perhaps, a principal reason of its efficiency.