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Through Jordan
William Booth
William Booth (1829–1912). Born on April 10, 1829, in Sneinton, Nottingham, England, to Samuel and Mary Booth, William Booth was a British Methodist preacher and founder of The Salvation Army. Raised in poverty after his father’s bankruptcy, he apprenticed as a pawnbroker at 13 and converted to Methodism at 15, preaching to Nottingham’s poor by 17. In 1849, he moved to London, working as a pawnbroker and joining the Methodist New Connexion, ordained in 1858. Marrying Catherine Mumford in 1855, they had eight children, all active in ministry. Frustrated by church constraints, Booth left in 1861 to evangelize independently, founding The Christian Mission in London’s East End in 1865, renamed The Salvation Army in 1878. His fiery street preaching, military-style organization, and social reforms—like shelters and job programs—reached the destitute, growing the Army to 80 countries by his death. Booth authored In Darkest England and the Way Out (1890), advocating systemic aid for the poor, and published The War Cry newspaper. Knighted in 1907, he died on August 20, 1912, in London, saying, “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight.”
Sermon Summary
William Booth emphasizes the challenges faced in life, comparing them to running with footmen and contending with the swelling of Jordan, symbolizing trials and tribulations. He encourages believers to look to Jesus for strength and deliverance, reminding them that their troubles are temporary and that faith can lead to a glorious crown and kingdom. Booth warns against relying on false supports and urges a return to Christ for peace and pardon, assuring that with faith, one can safely cross the river of trials into eternal glory.
Sermon Transcription
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with all these? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou thirstest, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Dear comrade, look up, for the joy is set before thee, and haste on thy way to the regions of glory. A crown and a kingdom thy faith may discover. Thy troubles are great, but they soon will be over, for Jesus hath suffered thy soul to deliver, and opened thy passage through Jordan's dark river. Christ Jesus sure helps to the children of Zion, but if thou hast any false props to rely on, thy soul is deluded. Think what thou art doing, O catch them away, here they seem thee to ruin, for none but Jehovah hath power to deliver, and bear up thy soul in the midst of the river. The clouds gather blackness, the night is fast coming, the river swells high, and the billows are foaming. On what wilt thou lean when thy strength is all wasted? Thy reeds will all fail, and thy hopes will be blasted. O cry unto Jesus, thy soul to deliver, and bear up thy spirit when crossing the river. But in thy true character am I mistaken, hast thou in mad folly thy Saviour forsaken. O come again to him for peace and for pardon, or soon thou must sink in the dwellings of Jordan. Thy soul from all danger he then will deliver, and nothing shall harm thee in crossing the river. But upon his mercy thy soul is relying, thou hast nothing to fear, neither living nor dying. The footmen and horses shall fall down before thee, and Jordan shall open thy passage to glory. And when thou art landed safe over the river, we'll sing of salvation forever and ever. Fire of Olay!
Through Jordan
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William Booth (1829–1912). Born on April 10, 1829, in Sneinton, Nottingham, England, to Samuel and Mary Booth, William Booth was a British Methodist preacher and founder of The Salvation Army. Raised in poverty after his father’s bankruptcy, he apprenticed as a pawnbroker at 13 and converted to Methodism at 15, preaching to Nottingham’s poor by 17. In 1849, he moved to London, working as a pawnbroker and joining the Methodist New Connexion, ordained in 1858. Marrying Catherine Mumford in 1855, they had eight children, all active in ministry. Frustrated by church constraints, Booth left in 1861 to evangelize independently, founding The Christian Mission in London’s East End in 1865, renamed The Salvation Army in 1878. His fiery street preaching, military-style organization, and social reforms—like shelters and job programs—reached the destitute, growing the Army to 80 countries by his death. Booth authored In Darkest England and the Way Out (1890), advocating systemic aid for the poor, and published The War Cry newspaper. Knighted in 1907, he died on August 20, 1912, in London, saying, “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight.”