I read another biography of a Christian hero (children’s narrative version).
William Booth is the founder of the Salvation Army. With what do you associate the Salvation Army? Soliciting money at Christmas with the ringing bell? The Salvation Army truck picking up your discards? The Salvation Army band at parades? (there is an interesting history about the band recounted in the book.)
The Salvation Army is much more than that. I didn’t know that the Salvation Army had such an impact on society until I read this book. I don’t know what the Salvation Army does now, but back then, the Salvation Army was a driving force of both social reform and church growth.
William Booth had a vision to preach the gospel to the poor in the slums of England when none of the established churches wanted to touch them. Shame on the church, and shame on us now who do not give a helping hand to the poor.
Being pelted with rotten tomatoes, stones, and dead cats (gross!) did not stop William and the Salvation Army from advancing. By the time he died, the Salvation Army was established in 80 countries, and operated more than 3,000 social welfare institutions, hospitals, schools, orphanages, homeless shelters, and social service agencies.
When I read biographies of men and women who were leaders of Christian work, it reminds me to pray – Oh God, do it again! Use us Christians to change the world!