A Young Girl Devours Scripture
Catherine Booth, known as the 'Mother of the Salvation Army,' was born on January 17, 1829, in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England. Raised in a devout Methodist home, Catherine was steeped in faith from an early age. By the age of 12, she had read the entire Bible multiple times, a testament to her early commitment. However, she faced a profound spiritual crisis at age 15, wrestling with doubts and seeking assurance of her salvation.
A Pivotal Spiritual Breakthrough
On June 15, 1846, at the age of 16, Catherine experienced a pivotal moment that changed her life. While reading, she found comfort in the words, 'My God, I am Thine, What a comfort divine, What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine.' This assurance marked the beginning of her deep relationship with God, yet she remained hesitant about public ministry.
A calling to preach began to stir within her. In January 1860, during a service in Gateshead, she felt compelled to speak, despite her fears. As she later recounted, 'And then the devil said, “Besides, you are not prepared to speak. You will look like a fool, and have nothing to say.” He made a mistake. He overdid himself for once. It was that word which settled it. I said, “Ah that is just the point. I have never yet been willing to be a fool for Christ. Now I will be one.”' Her husband, William Booth, announced that she would preach that evening, igniting her public ministry.
Catherine's sermons were powerful and transformative, challenging the norms of her time. She boldly defended women's right to preach, writing 'Female Ministry; or, Woman's Right to Preach the Gospel' in 1859. Her partnership with William led to the founding of the East London Christian Mission in 1865, later known as The Salvation Army. Through their ministry, many lives were changed, and Catherine's influence grew.
Throughout her life, Catherine credited God for her strength and success. She wrote, 'God gave me grace and strength to do it. Many times as I nursed my baby He gave me what I should say on Sunday… I trusted in the Lord to give me the power of His Holy Spirit… He has never allowed me to open my mouth without giving me signs of His presence and blessing.' Her legacy as a reformer and advocate for women continues to inspire, demonstrating the impact of surrendering to God's call.
