William Booth - Founder of the Salvation Army by Samuel Ball

Born in Nottingham in 1827, William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army can be seen as an important/key figure in the Christian church both past and present. This article will explore how from personal experience, Booth saw a need in society using his dedication and love of God to help those less fortunate and grow a church that will still, to this day stand by the belief of ‘Heart to God - Hand to Man’….

During his childhood, the Booth family found themselves living on the poverty line. At the age of 13, unable to attend school, Booth began an apprenticeship as a pawnbroker. It was during this time he began to attend a Methodist church and at the age of 15 in a small room at the Wesleyan chapel he was attending, he made his commitment before God. Kneeling down at a table he said

“God shall have all there is of William Booth.”

In 1844, he felt led to become a preacher and from that moment on he trained himself intensively on the Word and would later become a Methodist lay preacher. It was in this time that Booth would feel a burden on his heart for those less fortunate and would openly preach in very poor areas of Nottingham and would even invite those living in the slums to enter into his chapel services. In 1849, Booth moved to London with very little so he continued his profession as a Pawnbroker. Soon after, he was ordained a Minister in the Methodist New Connection in Spalding, Lincolnshire. It was on this venture that William met Catherine Mumford who would later marry William and become known as the ‘Mother of The Salvation Army’. Booth was to be fully ordained in 1858 and became a Pastor of a Church which was to be called the “Converting Shop”. His passion for “radical” evangelistic work which he placed before the Methodist doctrines didn’t sit well with the rest of the Ministers, and when in 1861 restrictions were to be placed on William, both Catherine and William resigned and moved back to London.

In London, Booth was given the opportunity to preach outside a public house called “The Blind Beggar”. It touched Booth so much that these poor people who would congregate in these areas weren’t allowed into churches at all due to a pew tax, which they couldn’t afford, thus not hearing the Gospel or any means of receiving salvation. It was at this time, he said to his wife Catherine Booth

“I have found my destiny”

Whilst in London, many of the poor and needy people were encouraged to attend his meetings, and they came in increasing numbers to hear Booth. Large tents were used to house the people for the meetings, but the gatherings grew at such a rate that other venues had to be found in which to conduct services. It was in 1864 that a shop, known in its day to sell beer was to house “The East London Christian Mission” launched by Booth, who now become the “Superintendent”. Only 300 could attend Booth’s sermons in the small building and these meetings were so popular that people would gather every single day. As the East London Christian Mission grew it needed a main place to meet that could accommodate the mission, so “The People’s Market”, a much larger building was acquired and this became the “People’s Mission Hall” which also offered a soup kitchen adjacent to the main auditorium.

In 1875, Booth was to publish a document outlining “The Rules and Doctrines of the Christian Mission”. In this document, Booth’s past Methodist connections were recognised but to everyone’s surprise, Booth opted out of certain Methodist doctrine and openly welcomed Women to work within the church and to support where needed. Such was William’s rebellious nature that he would actually win over popularity instead of criticism. The East London Mission branched out and planted over 30 other stations in locations such as shops, restaurants and unusual places of worship. It was in 1878, whilst dictating a letter to his secretary George Scott Railton, Booth stated that they were known as a “Volunteer Army”, an army to fight for souls and to help the poor. William’s eldest Son Bramwell Booth overheard this and objected to being called a ‘Volunteer’ “ I’m no volunteer, I’m a regular”. The word was quickly changed and The Salvation Army was born. It was, and still is an army to win souls for Jesus Christ and to be seen doing good in the world. William, became the first General of the Salvation Army. They took on a military identity with flags, uniforms and ranks of Soldiers and Officers. William said

“The nation is awakening to our existence, everywhere we are being called for”

William’s passion for a brighter, uplifting and inviting church never ceased and such was his enthusiasm that joyous hymns would be written and services based on that welcoming spirit that none could deny was catching on. Booth wanted The Salvation Army to support equal rights for all people, whether they be men or women. The greatest influence at the time on William was his wife Catherine who, like he, would preach passionately and draw as much attention as her husband would. With Catherine at his side, he would later travel extensively to spread the word of this way of hearing the Gospel and at the time, over 50 countries would establish their own Salvation Army Corps, which is the name for their church.

Though Booth was met with opposition, some even claiming he was the anti-Christ, William persevered for he knew God’s calling would protect him. Subsequently, as time went on William Booth was honoured as the popularity and respect of The Salvation Army grew.

William’s path was to alter when Catherine, his beloved wife died in 1890 after a long battle with cancer. Such was Catherine’s influence and support on William that he would never get over the loss of her. On his own, but with many around him for support the work of The Salvation Army continued.

In America, word spread to The White House and William’s ventures were greatly acknowledged and in 1903 Booth was invited to the US by President Theodore Roosevelt, a great honour for any man. In 1907, William’s respect and actions earned him an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford. As positive as this was, William’s health started to deteriorate, and though he was still an active and traveling evangelist, even he was having to come to terms that things had to slow down. He became blind in one eye and in addressing fellow Salvationists in 1912 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, he stated that he would be leaving to have an operation on his eye which had been suffering from a cataract. This was to be his last appearance to the many who had been inspired and raised into The Salvation Army.

Speaking at the Royal Albert Hall, William described his true feelings of himself, and that of The Salvation Army in these words:

“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 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!”

At the age of 85, William Booth died on 20th August 1912. Such was William’s legacy and impact on the world that his funeral in London was one of the most well attended and organised events the capital had ever seen. For the many thousands who wanted to pay their respects, William lay in state in The Salvation Army Congress Hall in Clapham, London before his burial. A funeral procession fit for a king passed through the streets that had felt his impact, this followed by over 10,000 Salvation Army soldiers marching in honour of their general with an overall attendance of 150,000 people. William Booth taught that a soldier would never die, but would be promoted to glory in heaven with Jesus Christ.

In Conclusion, It’s undeniable the legacy and the passion William has left on the world and how many people received Jesus into their lives as a result of his actions. Booth is a fine example of God’s faithfulness right to the very end for those who trust in God for everything. His heart for the poor never ceased and at the time William did more for those who couldn’t hear the Gospel than anyone else, this certainly was his destiny. We can learn from William Booth’s life that the passion God puts in our hearts can greatly impact the world and however small our life may start, our ultimate goal should be to bring many people to know Jesus as their personal Saviour.