DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY – THE SALVATION ARMY.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. – Hebrews 13:7.

Lately, I have been reading about the Salvation Army and their founders, William and Catherine Booth. Going over the material has really stirred my spirit, and I was reminded of the great faith that was demonstrated by the founders, and the soldiers of the Army, they were remarkably compassionate and courageous people.

If I am honest with myself, I suppose the reason for the study is that I have been thinking a lot about my Grandparents, and especially my Uncle John Brown (I am named after him,) who were all officers in the Salvation Army.

I also think of the legacy that they left me, and although my wife and I are Pastors with the Assemblies of God, my roots lie with the Army. I am so thankful for my family and the all the prayers that went up for me, and how the Lord so graciously answered them.

But this post is not about me, its about...

William Booth…
The Salvation Army founder, William Booth was born in Nottingham, England, on 10 April, 1829. He married Catherine Mumford - later known as 'the Army Mother' - in June, 1855, and the couple went on to raise 9 children.

From his earliest years, Booth was no stranger to poverty. William was just 14 when his father died, and was already working as a pawnbroker's apprentice to supplement the family income. Although he despised the trade, William completed his six year apprenticeship to help support his family. Nevertheless, working as a pawnbroker created in him a deep hatred of the poverty and suffering he saw daily.

A fiery, impulsive teenager, William became a Christian at age 15 and began attending the Wesleyan Chapel in Nottingham. A passion to reach the down-and-out of Britain's cities with the Gospel of Christ became the driving force throughout his life. Booth's talent for preaching was evident even as a teenager, and his concern for the poor led him to take his message to where the people were - the streets. Booth later worked as a traveling evangelist with various branches of the Methodist church; however, it was through preaching in the streets of London's slums that he discovered his life's purpose and The Salvation Army was born.

Catherine Booth…
Catherine Mumford was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, on 17 January 1829. From an early age she was a serious and sensitive girl. She had a strong Christian upbringing and by the age of 12 had read her Bible through eight times! But it was not until she was 16, after much struggling, that she was really converted. In her hymn book she read the words, 'My God I am Thine, what a comfort Divine', and realised the truth of this statement for herself.

At 14 she was seriously ill and spent a great deal of time in bed. But she kept herself busy, and was especially concerned about the problems of alcohol. She wrote articles for a magazine, which encouraged people not to drink.She met William when he came to preach at her church. They soon fell in love and became engaged. During three years of engagement, Catherine was a constant support to William in his tiring work of preaching, through her letters. At last on 16 June 1855, they were married.

Unlike most weddings, theirs was very simple with no great expense. They wanted to use all their time and money for God. Even on their honeymoon, William found himself asked to speak at meetings. Together they accepted this challenge of being used by God before even thinking of themselves.

At Brighouse, Catherine first began to help in the work of the church. She was extremely nervous, but found the courage to speak in children's meetings. She enjoyed working with young people. However it was unheard of for women to speak in adult meetings. Catherine was convinced that women had an equal right to speak.

At Gateshead, when the opportunity was given for public testimony, she went forward to speak! It was the beginning of a tremendous ministry, for people were greatly challenged by her preaching. Catherine found the courage to speak to people in their homes, and especially to alcoholics whom she helped to make a new start in life. Often she held cottage meetings for converts.

She was also a mother with a growing family of eight children and was dedicated to giving them a firm Christian knowledge. Two of them became Generals of The Salvation Army. In 1865 when the work of The Christian Mission began William preached to the poor and ragged, and Catherine spoke to the wealthy, gaining support for their financially demanding work.

In time she began to hold her own campaigns.When William Booth became known as the General, Catherine was known as the 'Army Mother'. She was behind many of the changes in the new movement, designing a flag, bonnets for the ladies and contributing to the Army's ideas on many important issues and matters of belief. She died in 1890.

Bramwell Booth, describing the last moments of her life, wrote: "Soon after noon, I felt the deepening darkness of the long valley of the shadows was closing around my dear mother, and a little later I took my last farewell. Her lips moved, and she gave me one look of inexpressible tenderness and trust, which will live with me for ever. Again we sang:

My mistakes His free grace doth cover,
My sins He doth wash away;
These feet which shrink and falter
Shall enter the Gates of Day.

Holding her hand, the General gave her up to God. It was a solemn and wondrous scene ... the dear General bowing over his beloved wife and companion in life's long stress and storm, and giving her, his most precious of earthly joy and treasure, to the eternal keeping of the Eternal Father...

Their eyes met the last kiss of love upon earth - the last word till the Morning, and without a movement the breathing gently ceased, and a Warrior laid down her sword to receive her crown. "

Loving Father, I thank you for the leaders that I have had, and for the Godly examples they have been to me, and for all the answered prayers that have resulted in my walk with Jesus. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to consider the outcome of their way of life, and to imitate their faith. In Jesus wonderful name, I pray, amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY