tretched out to them, hope had been
imparted and new ideals had been placed before them. They might even yet
be men, wear decent clothes, stand up straight and look their fellow men
in the eye! What wonder that the decent clothes to which they looked
forward turned out to be the uniform of the organization which had
picked them up from the gutter! What wonder they felt an eternal debt of
gratitude toward that organization! While this is not a true expression
of their attitude in every case, and while there are some who hold their
positions simply because they can get no better, loyalty to the work
exists in enough instances to create a distinct moral atmosphere. The
men wish to make a success of their new work; they wish to see the Army
advance, and to do this they feel that it is essential that the same
moral influence which enabled them to become men should be continued.
This influence moves almost unconsciously among the industrial plants.
For instance, we do not find here the tendency to obscenity which we
find in any ordinary factory or workshop. Environment in these plants is
all-powerful as an uplifting condition. Cleanliness is encouraged in the
dormitory and kitchen. Respectful attention is paid at meals while grace
is being said. The reading room is frequented, while the occasional
meetings held are sometimes well attended and sometimes not, according
to the attraction. The emotional religious element is a great deal in
evidence, though not so much as in other departments of the Army. In
any case, the element of hope and ambition, which often arises within
these social outcasts, making them men once more, is to be considered a
great moral asset. The moral influence is due more to the personality of
those in charge than to anything else. A large number of the managers
have served in connection with the Army's spiritual work and have the
desire, as they would tell you, to see every man under them "saved," not
only in a moral and social sense, but "saved" in accordance with the
Army's special significance of that term.[26] While the Army's special
idea of salvation may have no value in itself, still if the emotional
element assists in the moral and social salvation of individuals, we
have no reason for not tolerating it unless it has evil effects of real
importance. Such effects, however, tend to decrease, as the movement
advances, and the education and enlightenment of the masses increase.

From an economic point