William Booth's Vision of the Lost

[Book of Jeremiah]

This is a vision the LORD gave William Booth about the Lost. It is very disturbing for several reasons. First, the lost are drowning in a turbulent sea crying out for help and one must question - where are the life boats and rescue teams? Second, the church in his vision was not praying for the lost but for themselves. For prosperity, for a closer personal walk with him, for their own needs - not the needs of lost souls out there on the sea of life. How could such selfishness be possible in the Body of Christ? Yet in the vision - this is what we see, and there's more.........the vision that William Booth had is a perfect picture of much of the church today. Today Christians in these wide road churches do not seem as interested in winning the lost as they do in their own prosperity and self indulgence. Some not content with sending themselves to hell are also trying to stop those who are trying to win the lost. It is amazing how accurate and real this vision William Booth had applies to the churches of America today. Truly amazing. While I was watching the people drowning in the sea and the platform with the Christians standing around busy with their own interests and the rock guitar guy - having good time - safely standing above the masses of drowning lost souls - it occurred to me - those ones on the platform are even more lost than those in the sea! They will surely have to give an account to Jesus one day for not answering the Lord's cry to go and save the Lost! There were few who labored for Christ on that platform or lifeboats! Few.

Watch this:

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Please listen to this personal message to Christians from William Booth. His voice is as full of love as his heart.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

William Booth -- Salvation Army (1953)
William Booth (1829-1912)embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.

Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people. His fervor led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods. As a result, he withdrew from the church and traveled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings. His wife, Catherine, could accurately be called a co-founder of The Salvation Army.
In 1865, William Booth was invited to hold a series of evangelistic meetings in the East End of London. He set up a tent in a Quaker graveyard, and his services became an instant success. This proved to be the end of his wanderings as an independent traveling evangelist. His renown as a religious leader spread throughout London, and he attracted followers who were dedicated to fight for the souls of men and women.
Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among Booth's first converts to Christianity. To congregations who were desperately poor, he preached hope and salvation. His aim was to lead people to Christ and link them to a church for further spiritual guidance.
Many churches, however, did not accept Booth's followers because of their past. So Booth continued giving his new converts spiritual direction, challenging them to save others like themselves. Soon, they too were preaching and singing in the streets as a living testimony to the power of God.
In 1867, Booth had only 10 full-time workers, but by 1874, the number had grown to 1,000 volunteers and 42 evangelists, all serving under the name "The Christian Mission." Booth assumed the title of general superintendent, with his followers calling him "General." Known as the "Hallelujah Army," the converts spread out of the East End of London into neighboring areas and then to other cities.

Booth was reading a printer's proof of the 1878 annual report when he noticed the statement "The Christian Mission is a volunteer army." Crossing out the words "volunteer army," he penned in "Salvation Army." From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

William Booth -- Salvation Army (1953)
William Booth (1829-1912)embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.

Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people. His fervor led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods. As a result, he withdrew from the church and traveled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings. His wife, Catherine, could accurately be called a co-founder of The Salvation Army.
In 1865, William Booth was invited to hold a series of evangelistic meetings in the East End of London. He set up a tent in a Quaker graveyard, and his services became an instant success. This proved to be the end of his wanderings as an independent traveling evangelist. His renown as a religious leader spread throughout London, and he attracted followers who were dedicated to fight for the souls of men and women.
Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among Booth's first converts to Christianity. To congregations who were desperately poor, he preached hope and salvation. His aim was to lead people to Christ and link them to a church for further spiritual guidance.
Many churches, however, did not accept Booth's followers because of their past. So Booth continued giving his new converts spiritual direction, challenging them to save others like themselves. Soon, they too were preaching and singing in the streets as a living testimony to the power of God.