For Samuel Logan Brengle, the only religion worth having was a "red hot religion" ignited by the unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit.
"What is that fire?" Brengle wrote. "It is love. It is faith. It is hope. It is passion, purpose, determination--utter devotion. It is singleness of eye and a consecration unto death. It is God the Holy Ghost burning in and through a humble, holy, faithful person."
Brengle (1860-1936) was well-known as a minister to The Salvation Army's officers and soldiers in the United States. Joining the Army in 1897, Brengle served 30 years. He believed that those who seek God "burst into flame," when they first touch Him and they can bring those "left out in the cold" to His light.
Brengle wrote, "Holy fire kindles in every soul that lives with Him," believing that as we seek God's fire we become "burning and shining lights" in a cold and dark world.
He saw The Salvation Army corps as a place where men and women, compelled by the Spirit, could gather to pray for the lost without concern for comfort or convenience, no matter the time of day or night. To Brengle, the corps was a sacred place from which the love and power of God could be communicated to all--entire cities might be energized and "lit up" by the prayer of soldiers who had "caught the flame."