William Booth Left the Work

The young man and his wife disagreed with the organisation. When their appointment was announced, they decided to leave the work they had chosen seven years earlier and in which they had ministered effectively. The two felt strongly God’s call to evangelistic work; the leaders of the organisation saw things differently.

So William Booth left the work. ‘It was a heartbreaking business,’ William admitted:

"Here was a great crowd of people all over the land who loved me and my dear wife. I felt a deep regard for them, and to leave them was a sorrow beyond description. But I felt I must follow what appeared to be the beckoning finger of my Lord. So, with my wife and four little children, I left my quarters and went out into the world once more, trusting God, literally not knowing who would give me a shilling, or what to do or where to go."

Of course, when Booth left the ministry of the Methodist New Connexion, many of his superiors were convinced he was making a tragic mistake. Some even visited the couple in their lodgings to persuade them to reconsider their decision. Others felt that Booth’s resignation was simple disobedience.

Ironically such a scenario could easily be applied to our day, simply by substituting the name of a Salvation Army officer for that of William Booth in the account above.

Connexion

It is, of course, a startling realisation. William Booth left the work- not the Army of course, but to his superiors and fellow ministers in the Methodist New Connexion, the step he took that day in 1861 was regarded in much the same way that officers in Booth’s Army today regard a colleague who resigns his commission.
‘Oh,’ someone protests, ‘it is not at all the same thing. The founders were following God’s call, his leading.’
‘Yes,’ another might add, ‘and they were embarking on a venture of faith.’
‘And they were up against a rigid bureaucracy that wouldn’t allow Booth to fully exercise his call to evangelism.’

It may be true that William and Catherine’s experience is exceptional and that no inferences can be drawn or applications made from their case. On the other hand, it may be helpful to recall that, as a Methodist minister, the Founder made some difficult choices early in his career, and it may be possible to apply those recollections to some of our own attitudes and conduct toward comrade officers who ‘leave the work’.

Though it can be seen in retrospect that ‘God meant it for good’ , the loss of William Booth to the Methodist ministry might have been prevented. Booth had addressed a reasoned letter to the President of the New Connexion, detailing his call to evangelistic work. Though it took two months for a reply to come (and even then it was noncommittal at best), William was permitted to read his lengthy letter at the annual conference which would decide his fate. Unfortunately for the New Connexion the conference issued a hasty decree, and the matter was settled: William and Catherine left. Similarly, though it sounds like stating the obvious, many officer resignations occur because they are not prevented. (part one)
Bob Hostetler THE OFFICER1991