The Authoritative Life of General William Booth, Founder of the Salvation ArmyRailton, George S. (George Scott)
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The Authoritative Life of General William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army
Railton, George S. (George Scott)
Booth, William, 1829-1912; Salvation Army
"I have got work to-day to do that cannot be done without Divine
wisdom. I have asked for it. I am asking for it while I write, and,
surely, it will be given; and yet it seems as though the Spirit
whispers in my ear, 'You will not believe you have it when it is
imparted.' But I will. Anyhow, I will make a desperate effort to
believe that the Spirit of the living God guides my judgment,
however I may feel, or whatever the outcome may be. Pray for me. I
cling to life and the work I love so well."
Remarkably enough, the German police, who, more than any other,
suspected and watched and restricted us at first, have become the first
convinced of the value of our operations, and those in the city of
Cologne have been the very first heartily to arrange for our
co-operation with them by placing at our disposal a convenient
hand-waggon for the transport of helpless drunkards, and by arranging
for their officials to call us upon the telephone, whenever such help is
needed, instead of taking the poor drunkards to the cells.
This plan was arrived at only after the police had seen the work carried
out by our people with an ambulance which required the services of two
strong men. But there is reason to suppose that our cordial
relationships with the authorities in Cologne and elsewhere are largely
due to the good impression made upon them by The General himself. Of his
great Meeting in Cologne, attended by many officials, and other persons
of influence, he wrote:--
"I had certainly a remarkable Campaign, and my Meeting in Cologne
was one of the most remarkable in my history. Oh, it was a moving,
hope-inspiring affair. Oh, what wonders the dear Salvation Army may
yet accomplish in the Fatherland! I am sure it will be so, whoever
lives to see it."
Thank God that he was spared to see another seven years of progress in
that direction since this was written.
In Japan, which cannot be supposed to be specially favourable to any
Christian Society, we have long had opportunity regularly to visit all
persons in custody, and as we have already seen, to invite all girls
living an immoral life to come to our Institutions.
Why is there still difficulty in the way of our work for the prisoners,
and other needy ones in Christendom? Chiefly, because there are
chaplains and others specially appointed to deal with such needs, and
who, naturally, do not wish to see others "interfering," as they think,
with their parishioners. In very many cases nowadays there is a much
better feeling than formerly, and such persons heartily welcome our
help, knowing that we never wish to meddle with any one's work, but only
to work where others can gain no entrance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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