William Booth

WILLIAM BOOTH

1829-1912

Founder of Salvation Army

As a 13-year-old boy, William was apprenticed as a pawn broker by his father who had lost the family money.  The next year, his father died.  William was struck by sadness over people pawning the tools of their trade to put food on the table for their families.  When he was 15, he heard Henry Carey say, “A soul dies every minute.”  These words penetrated his heart and he gave his life to Christ.  

William began preaching to the poor of London on street corners and finally convinced them to go to a progressive Methodist church.  But the church reacted by telling William he could not bring the poor people to the church.  As a result, William and his wife, Catherine, began their own ministry, East London Christian Mission.  They would preach to the poor, thieves, drunkards, prostitutes, chimney sweeps, char women of London in old buildings, tents, or street corners.  Eventually, military parades, including bands, flags, and singing, were included to attract attention.  William was consumed with helping the poor by any means possible—providing food, shelter, clothing and helping the downtrodden find work.  He was willing to do any ministry that worked.  People were angry that he tried to eliminate the class system and he had avid opponents—people would throw rotten food, rocks, and even dead cats at his army of evangelists.  

George Railton, William’s secretary, had written in the mission’s annual report, “The Christian mission, under the superintendence of the Rev. William Booth, is a volunteer army.”  William crossed out “volunteer” and wrote in “salvation.”  From that day on, the ministry became known as The Salvation Army and it took on a military structure beginning with William becoming General William Booth.  With the new military feel, people became even more resistant to his ministry—but the effects couldn’t be questioned.  Lives were being transformed.  People were being saved and lifted out of poverty.  

During his life, he elevated the position of women.  His wife, Catherine preached with him and alone.  Women became captains of their branch of the Salvation Army.  He challenged the government over trafficking young girls and he wrote a book denouncing poverty and gave solutions to raise people out of their poor circumstances.  He was later awarded an honorary doctorate and given many honors for his work before he died.  By the end of his life, his work was revered by many governments around the world.  He had established work in 58 countries and his converts were inestimable.  

At his funeral, people lined up for hours to attend but only the first 40,000 people were allowed to enter the cathedral.  Queen Mary attended his funeral while presidents and kings sent their condolences. When his will was read, he owned less than 500 pounds ($619.00) but had raised millions of pounds for his ministry.  

At the time of his death on August 20, 1912, the Salvation Army had become a family-run Christian empire, with seven of the Booths' eight children taking leadership positions. Today, following the pattern established by the first general, the Salvation Army marches on with over 25,000 officers in 91 countries.