every part of the
world. How could it ever cease to be my greatest joy to strive more and
more after my Father's ideal of linking together men and women of every
land and race in one grand competition for the extinction of selfishness
by the enlistment of all sorts and conditions of men in one Great Holy
War for God and for all that is good?

Whether those into whose hands this volume falls, agree or not with the
teachings of The Salvation Army, may God grant them Grace to join
heartily at least in this, my Father's great purpose, and so help me to
attain the victory for which he lived and died.

W. Bramwell Booth.
London International Headquarters
of The Salvation Army.

November, 1912.

Contents

Chapter I Childhood and Poverty
Chapter II Salvation in Youth
Chapter III Lay Ministry
Chapter IV Early Ministry
Chapter V Fight Against Formality
Chapter VI Revivalism
Chapter VII East London Beginning
Chapter VIII Army-making
Chapter IX Army Leading
Chapter X Desperate Fighting
Chapter XI Reproducing The Army in America
Chapter XII In Australasia
Chapter XIII Women and Scandinavia
Chapter XIV Children Conquerors in Holland and Elsewhere
Chapter XV India and Devotees
Chapter XVI South Africa and Colonisation
Chapter XVII Japanese Heroism
Chapter XVIII Co-operating With Governments
Chapter XIX Conquering Death
Chapter XX His Social Work
Chapter XXI Motoring Triumphs
Chapter XXII Our Financial System
Chapter XXIII In Germany In Old Age
Chapter XXIV The End
Chapter XXV Tributes
Chapter XXVI Organisation
Chapter XXVII The Spirit of The Army
Chapter XXVIII The General as a Writer

Important Events Connected with The General's Life and Work

Illustrations

William Booth
Catherine Booth
General Bramwell Booth
Mrs. Bramwell Booth
Emma Booth Tucker
Commander Miss Booth
Autograph Page

The Authoritative Life of General William Booth

Founder of The Salvation Army

Chapter I

Childhood and Poverty

William Booth was born in Nottingham, England, on April 10, 1829, and
was left, at thirteen, the only son of a widowed and impoverished
mother. His father had been one of those builders of houses who so
rapidly rose in those days to wealth, but who, largely employing
borrowed capital, often found themselves in any time of general scarcity
reduced to poverty.

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