Men of the Time, eleventh edition/Booth, William
BOOTH, The Rev. William, General of the Salvation Army, was born at Nottingham, April 10, 1829, and educated at a private school in that town. He studied theology with the Rev. Wm. Cooke, D.D., became a minister of the Methodist New Connexion in 1850, and was appointed mostly to hold special evangelistic services, to which he felt so strongly drawn that when the Conference of 1861 required him to settle in the ordinary circuit work, he resigned and began his labours as an evangelist amongst the churches wherever he had an opportunity. Coming in this capacity to the East End of London he observed that the vast majority of the people attended no place of worship, and he commenced "The Christian Mission" in July, 1865. To this mission, when it had become a large organisation, formed upon military lines, he gave in 1878 the name of "The Salvation Army," under which it soon became widely known and grew rapidly until it has now (Dec. 1882) 450 corps at stations established in the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Australia, India, the Cape of Good Hope, Canada, and Sweden. 1,019 officers or evangelists are entirely employed in and supported by this Army under the General's absolute direction, and they hold upwards of 7,500 services in the open air and in theatres, music halls, and other buildings every week. The General has published several hymn and music books, a volume entitled "Salvation Soldiery," describing his views as to religious life and work. "Holy Living," and "Orders and Regulations for the Salvation Army," are some of the smaller publications issued by him for the direction of the Army as to teaching and services. He also contributed an article on "The Salvation Army" to the Contemporary Review, for Aug. 1882. Mrs. Booth, who has shared largely in all the General's efforts, has further explained their views in "Practical Religion," "Aggressive Christianity," and "Godliness." The General's eldest son is his Chief of Staff, managing all the business, his eldest daughter directs the work in France, the second son is at the head of the Clapton Institution for the training of men officers, the second daughter at the head of that for women, the third son and daughter specially directing the uniform and musical departments, and the younger children being all in training for some branch of the service. The General established The War Cry as a weekly gazette of the Army in 1880. It is now published twice weekly to the number jointly of 400,000 per week. Editions are also published in America, Australia, and India—En Avant in Paris, and the Jangi Pokar (Marathi) edition in Bombay.