"Some of my best men are women": The Awesome Founding Women of the Salvation Army
- innerweavings
- Dec 16, 2019
- 4 min read
The Incredible Booth Women: Catherine, Florence and Evangeline (l-r)
“Some of my best men are women.” That's what William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said about the incredible women who dedicated their lives to putting feet to the Gospel by reaching out to “the least of these” in unimaginably horrific conditions. Against incredible odds, powerful opposition, political oppression, blasphemous mockery, physical assault, and the risk of death from organized evil such as the Skeleton Army, the Salvation Army has from its inception comforted those in need and helped make the world a better place.
Innerweavings would like to present the life stories of three godly women who helped found this venerable organization more than a century ago. Theirs is an example and legacy that all Christian women of today should know and honor:
Catherine Booth
As the wife of co-founder William Booth, Catherine will be forever honored as “The Mother of the Salvation Army.” Catherine was known for her intelligence and sensitivity from a young age. Before she was twelve years old, she had read the Bible through cover to cover eight times! Though she suffered from painful curvature of the spine which limited her physical activities, Catherine was determined to serve the Lord as actively as possible. She became very involved with the Methodist church and was especially concerned over the devastating effects of alcoholism on lower class working families. It was while attending a church meeting that she met her soul mate, William. Determined to focus all their efforts on ministry, the Booths kept their wedding expenses to a minimum and even spent their honeymoon attending to speaking engagements.
Though naturally shy, Catherine was determined to support her husband in the newly founded Salvation Army in whatever ways were possible and necessary. No one was more surprised than the once timid Catherine to find that, through the power of God, she was transformed into a gifted public speaker who seemed to have a special talent for breaking through the rough outer exterior of the raucous, and often violent, men who attended Salvationist’s street meetings. Her straightforward messages dispensed with godly wisdom and illustrated by her own devoted life, worked miracles in the London slums and to the world beyond.
While William ministered to the poor, Catherine sought financial donations from their wealthy employers. Through her efforts, the Salvation Army established “Food for the Millions” to provide affordable food and give free meals to the homeless and needy at Christmas. The numerous hospitals, women shelter’s and children’s homes throughout the world which bear the name of Catherine Booth today are a living legacy to her great example and testimony.
Florence Booth
Florence lost her mother at a young age and was determined to follow her father into medical practice. But while preparing for this professional career, she happened to attend a Salvationist meeting while touring London. It was then she surrendered her life to the Lord and found that God had a different plan in store for her. Florence Booth’s experience demonstrates there are no accidents or coincidences in God’s Will!
Florence soon became acquainted with the Booth family and eventually married their oldest son who would become the second Army General, Bramwell. The couple determined to “do all to the glory of God” and even used their wedding reception as an opportunity to “fight the good fight” and “overcome evil with good.” During these days, the focal point of much of the vice, drunkenness, prostitution, and lawlessness which epitomized life in the London slums centered around a public house called the Eagle Tavern. Learning that the lease for the Eagle was coming due, the Booth’s devised a plan. By opening their reception to the public at a one shilling per person entrance fee, enough money was raised to purchase the lease on the Eagle and convert it from a “den of thieves” into a sanctuary in the midst of the needy.
Florence was especially moved by the plight of the poor women of the slums who were trapped in hopelessness and despair and often turned to prostitution for survival. Due to Florence’s efforts, the Salvation Army established Rescue Homes which provided other opportunities for women and reached out to those who were already suffering from the evils of the trade, especially young girls. The great work done by the Florence Booth House of Toronto furthers her legacy even today.
Evangeline Booth
Evangeline, the seventh of the eight children of Catherine and William Booth, joined her family on Christmas Day, 1865. From a young age, her intelligence, determination, bravery, and dedication to the cause of Christ was apparent. Whenever the Army faced hostile opposition to its street evangelism, General Booth knew the solution was to “Send Eva!”
Evangeline exhibited unparalleled courage in the face of even the most violent mobs. When her own brother tried to create a rival faction to the Army in America – and take with him the hard won efforts of the Army’s work - Evangeline was chosen by her father to head off the schism. After arriving at the Army’s New York headquarters and finding the doors locked, the undaunted Evangeline "mounted the fire escape and climbed through a rear window. The dissidents hissed and booed until she literally wrapped herself in an available American flag and challenged: "Hiss that, if you dare." In the stunned silence she played her concertina and sang "Over Jordan without Fearing."
Evangeline had the gifts of an actress. Her lectures were dramatic events and her enthralling speeches were published in local papers and memorized by the public. She used her talent and love for music to empower the Army’s efforts in this important area. Evangeline eventually was named the third General – and first woman – to lead the Salvation Army. During her tenure with the Army, she led efforts in disaster assistance, war relief, and world expansion beyond England and America to countries and continents around the globe. The many hospitals, schools, women’s shelters and children’s homes around the world dedicated to her memory are a lasting legacy to this great and godly woman.
Let us give thanks to God for the wonderful efforts and testimonies of these godly women who have gone before us! Share their stories and Shine Their Light once again!
Enjoy this touching 1981 interview with three of Florence Booth's daughters (Catherine, Olive, and Dora) as they share life stories and what it was like growing up in the early days of the Salvation Army.
For further reading, Innerweavings recommends:
The Authoritative Life of General William Booth
The Life of Catherine Booth
General Evangeline Booth of the Salvation Army
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