New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-09

as.sil: his personality is sketched
an rare insight and discrimination,
~, AZ a mass of material, much of it
..;.s unsuitable for reproduction in
>. .,;einal form. the author has con-
..-,.,sd 3 narrative that is log cal and
..,s,ent and thoroughly interesting
.,,,uehout. Mr. Begbie's two volumes
"a fitting tribute to one of the most
.;,.ursssue personalities and one of
r. Gregg st religious leaders of modern
tines.
The author does not make the mis-
..ss Of snoiling his character portrait
AZ ideslizing it and smoothing away
10 harsh and grabbed lines. William
aoo.h WAS Puritan in the best sense
u the word, not censorious bigot,
,rta man passionately devoted TO what
;. conceived to be the service of God.
And as he fully possessed the Puri-
,.,,s instinct for self-sacrifce and
epngeous performance of duty, so he
shsred the Puritan's limitations. AS
NJ Begbie says:
Literature and Art Playthings
an the impotence of his sorrow for
the oppressed he considered literature
and the fac arts as the mere play
things of g childish humanity. He
turned his back on philosophy. as be-
;nr often trick of the devil TO catch
mankind with the delusons Of the
reason. he was born a provincial, and
be remained 8 provincial. He was not
born a Hebraist, but he made himself
the most uncompromising Hebraist of
bis time He must always be judged
asa man who, for the sake OF Christ.
denied his period and lived without
enthusiasm for human inquiry. He
Knew little or nothing of textual criti-
cism, nothing of historical criticism,
nothing of German theology, nothing
Of psychology, nothing of philosophy,
nothing of physical science. He knew
nothing Of architecture, nothing Of
painting and nothing of classical
music"
In the light of these circumstances
it is not surprising that Booths meth
DDS did not always appeal to persons
Of refined tastes and critical scholar
ship. Yet, as the author points out,
even Booths most sensational efforts
to win souls were fully justified in the
light Of the theology which was gener-
ally accepted at that time. Nearly all
the churches professed as an article
Of faith that every human being would
De condemned to an eternity of torment
if he were not saved by personal faith
in Jesus Christ. Granting that this
belief were sincerely held, the man
vho complaoently went on about his
business was certainly far more open
to censure than the man who strained
every nerve to save as many as possible
Of his fellow creatures from such q
horrible doom.
Pawnbroker's Clerk
William Booth was born at Noting
ham in 1929. His father, whom he
graphically describes as "a grab, &
get" lost most Of his money through
unsuccessful ventures, and William was
compelled TO start in life as a pawn
brokers' clerk. From boyhood he pos
sessed strong religious impulse, and
ooth In Nottingham and in London he
took an active part in religious meet
ings after working hours. He became
minister and joined two evangelistic
seets In both cases the narrowness
and jealousy OF his associates made it
impossible for him to continue his WORK
effectively, and ne finally became an in
dependent reyivahst. He founded q
mission in London, and worked unceas-
Ingly in the fearful slums of the East
Ind The mission gradually expanded,
anu In 1878 1t assumed the name of the
@'Vstlon Array Severely hampered as
" was by rjdicule and opposition, the
movement gained irresistible momen-
'um through the ardent zeal and organ
-ins genius Of its founder, and before
william Booth died he enjoyed the sat
.iac'ion Of seeing his devoted band Of
.OhowerS establish firm foothold in
England and America and set up out
s,ns posts all over the world.
III moment Of intuition William
o0O'h described himself as "a soldier.
10. saint He was Puritan of the
~ Hgntlng type. He would have been
nan after Oliver Cromwell's own
I'ai'' The dictatorial element in his
''afac'er. which made him such a
Ns'o'o leader in The world wide fight
'a'hs' evil, did not leave much room
the meeker and softer Christian
'a'aes' His enemies attacked him as
= irresponsible autocrat. But, while
certainly was an autocrat, he Just
certainly was not irresponsible. No
~su'eSai ascetic lived a sserner or
~ '' 'aoorious life. a life from which
''ement Of personal enjoyment was
aVse thoroughly excluded. Even in old
% ana failing health the general was
1,0s' interchangeable worker. He lived
~. 'sA'ted soldier of God. simply, if
aus'ereiy. No one could ever Justly
=, AIM OF the despicable offense
A. s,p'.aiizing the spiritual enthusiasm
s followers for personal gain.
Not an Egotist
in." II would be unfair to give the
s'ession that Booths character was
HI. - d stern or forbidding mold