THE LIFE OF
GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH

THE FOUNDER OF
THE SALVATION ARMY

BY
HAROLD BEGBIE
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

IN TWO VOLUMES

Volume 1: Table of Contents

Volume 2: Table of Contents

PREFACE

WILLIAM BOOTH is likely to remain for many centuries one of the most signal figures in human history. Therefore, to paint his portrait faithfully for the eyes of those who come after us -- a great duty and a severe responsibility -- has been my cardinal consideration in preparing these pages. Only when circumstances insisted have I turned from my attempt at portraiture to examine documents which will one day be employed by the historian of the Salvation Army.

If I have succeeded in my work, posterity will be able to feel something of the power of William Booth’s personality, and to understand how it was his spirit could touch the human heart in so many lands and in almost all the varied circumstances of mortal life. If I have failed, it may be possible, I hope, because of the sincerity of my ambition, for a better painter in another age to discern on my fading canvas at least two or three colours useful for a more living likeness.

I desire to add that in my difficult task I have received valuable help from Bramwell Booth, the son of William, and the present General of the Salvation Army. But for good or for evil the book is mine, and I alone stand at the judgment bar. I have written as I wished to write, said what I wished to say, and the book is my honest idea of the truth.

H. B.
LONDON,
28th March, 1919

HERE is thy footstool and there rest thy feet where live the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.

When I try to bow to thee, my obeisance cannot reach down to the depth where thy feet rest among the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.

Pride can never approach to where thou walkest in the clothes of the humble among the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.

My heart can never find its way to where thou keepest company with the companionless among the poorest, the lowliest, and the lost.

TAGORE.

LEAVE this chanting and singing and telling of beads Whom dost thou worship in this lonely dark corner of a temple with doors all shut? Open thine eyes and see thy God is not before thee!

He is there where the tiller is tilling the hard ground and where the pathmaker is breaking stones. He is with them in sun and in shower, and His garment is covered with dust. Put off thy holy mantle and even like Him come down on the dusty soil!

Deliverance? Where is this deliverance to be found? Our Master Himself has joyfully taken upon Him the bonds of creation; He is bound with us all for ever.

Come out of thy meditations and leave aside thy flowers and incense! What harm is there if thy clothes become tattered and stained? Meet Him and stand by Him in toil and in sweat of thy brow.

TAGORE