The Authoritative Life of General William Booth eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 443 pages of information about The Authoritative Life of General William Booth.

The Authoritative Life of General William Booth eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 443 pages of information about The Authoritative Life of General William Booth.
not necessarily be sufferers in consequence, so far as this world goes.  But it may be asked, ’Will not unprincipled masters or mistresses be likely to take advantage of this docile and unselfish spirit?’ Perhaps, nay, doubtless, in many cases, they will.  The Salvation Army has been taken advantage of all through its past history, and so have all the true saints of God, because they have submitted to wrong, and have not fought the injustice and false representations and persecutions inflicted upon them from the beginning.  It will possibly be so to the end, but that does not affect the principle for which I argue, which is, that we must do good work, and as much of it as we can, regardless of what the world may give us in return.
“But, I think, I have sufficiently shown, as I have gone along, that this class of service is not without its earthly rewards, and that every interest of human nature—­selfish and otherwise alike—­testify to the probability of its proving profitable to those who practise it.
“If, however, the reward does not come in the form of money, or houses, or lands, there will be gain in that which is far more valuable than money and houses and lands, and which money and houses and lands cannot buy.  There will be the gain in peace, in satisfaction, and in joy in the Holy Ghost in this life, to say nothing of the gain in the world to come.  But, on this point, I shall have more to say another time.
“I remember hearing a gentleman relate the following incident in a large meeting:  ‘Some time back,’ he said, ’I was passing through the streets of Liverpool.  It was a cold, raw, wintry day.  The streets were ankle-deep in an unpleasant mixture of mud and ice, and battling through it all, the came along a little procession of ragged, haggard, hungry looking boys.  Splash, splash, on they went, through freezing slush, at every step making the onlookers shudddered as they stood by in their warm, comfortable coats and furs.”  In the front rank was a little fellow, who was scarcely more than a bag of bones, half-naked, barefooted, his whole frame shivering every time he put his foot down on the melting snow.
“’All at once, a big boy came forward, and, stooping down, bade the lad put his arms round his neck, and, lifting him up on his back, took his perished feet one in each hand and jogged along with his burden.
“‘I was moved,’ said the speaker, ’at the sight; and going up to the boy, commended him for his kindness.  In his Lancashire brogue the lad replied, “Aye, aye, sir; two feet in the cold slush are not so bad as four.”  After a while,’ said the speaker, ’I offered to carry the little chap myself” but the honest fellow shook his head, and said, “Nay, nay,’ Mister; I winna part with him.  I can carry him; and he’s a-warming o’ my back."’
“And so, if seeking the good of others may not bring as much worldly gain
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The Authoritative Life of General William Booth from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.