WIST

We have to recognise, that the gin-palace, like many other evils, although a poisonous, is still a natural outgrowth of our social conditions. The tap-room in many cases is the poor man’s only parlour. Many a man takes to beer, not from the love of beer, but from a natural craving for the light, warmth, company, and comfort which is thrown in along with the beer, and which he cannot get excepting by buying beer. Reformers will never get rid of the drink shop until they can outbid it in the subsidiary attractions which it offers to its customers.

William Booth (1829–1912), British evangelist, founder of the Salvation Army
In Darkest England, and the Way Out, pt. 1, ch. 6 (1890)

While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!

William Booth (1829–1912), British evangelist, founder of the Salvation Army
Address, Royal Albert Hall, London (9 May 1912)
Reported as the conclusion of his final speech, years afterward. May have been pulled from an earlier speech. Discussion.