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 trembled as I rose. You must understand that the Hall down which
I spoke is about 400 to 450 feet long, and that on this occasion a
partition about ten feet high was drawn across it, some 300 feet
from the spot on which I stood, so that my voice had to travel all
through the entire length of the building before it met with any
obstruction, whilst behind me there was at least another seventy
feet. The Press estimate the crowds at 10,000; but, that is an
exaggeration. There would be 7,000, at least. I had taken the
precaution to send an Officer to the far end to see how far he
could or could not hear me, and he brought back word 'excellently.'
So I drove ahead, speaking over an hour and a half, and not losing
the attention of my audience for a moment. Indeed, I felt I had the
whole house from the moment I opened my lips. Of course, it was the
greatest physical effort a long way that I ever made, and,
considering that it was my seventh address in that 'dreadful'
building, and that I commenced with a bad throat, exhausted with
the fatigues and miseries of the voyage, and that I had
ceaselessly worked at smaller Meetings, etc., all the four days, I
do think it very wonderful how I went through it, and I must
attribute it to the direct holding up and strengthening of the dear
Lord Himself.
"On all hands I think a deep impression was made. To God be the
glory, and to my poor constituents, for whom I live and plead, be
the benefit.
"I am tired this morning, but shall get a little rest to-day and a
little extra sleep in the train. We leave for Bendigo at twelve
o'clock, arriving at four for Meeting to-morrow. We go to Geelong
next day, coming back here on Friday morning, and leaving at five
for Sydney, travelling all night, and arriving there about noon on
Saturday.
"You will get tired of hearing of this round of Meetings, and of
the very echo of this enthusiasm; but you will, I am sure, rejoice,
not merely that the people of this new world have welcomed your
father and General with such heartiness, but that there is for The
Army such an open door in these parts."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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