As Christmas approaches, cities throughout Britain and Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States will increasingly see members of the Salvation Army in their distinctive blue uniforms – whether as massed bands in concert halls, or as individuals or couples raising alms through ringing bells. But the Salvation Army is not a mere charitable organisation; it is an actual religious denomination, founded by the redoubtable “General” William Booth (1829-1912).
Born in Nottinghamshire to a family that had known extremes of wealth and poverty, young William had to leave school and was apprenticed to a stockbroker after his father’s latest financial downturn. Samuel, William’s father, had not shown any interest in religion, but was baptised on his deathbed.
