The Beacon February 2011 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

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William Booth (1829 – 1912) William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, just gets into our list of leading 20 th century Christian leaders, but the result of his work was to last for the full hundred years and beyond. He was born in Nottingham, was apprenticed to a local pawnbroker and soon experienced at first hand the poverty in which so many lived. Through early membership of the Methodist Church, Booth came to believe that his mission in life was to preach and to convert. He was always graphically aware of the contrast between a life of salvation through Christ and the hell of life through the evil of Satan. Hence his preaching and his energies were directed at rescuing those he saw living a life of squalor, dogged by violence, drink and despair. His move to London was followed by marriage to Catherine Mumford in 1855 and she was a tremendous influence on William in his work. Together they broke away from their Methodist affiliations and set up independent Christian missions relying increasingly on open-air preaching. In this way they were able to reach those who would be reluctant to enter a church – indeed Salvationists often claim that the movement began life in a tent in a Quaker cemetery in Whitechapel, East London. “The advent of the … brass band was originally to drown out the jeers of the crowds who gathered to mock” By 1878, the Salvation Army was formed with its military structure, its uniforms and its marching. The Army insisted always on equality for women and on all members being teetotal. As the movement grew, so it continued to attack the evils of drink and prostitution but it also called for practical reforms such as the creation of labour exchanges to help the unemployed, the provision of legal aid for the poor and it set up a bureau to help families trace missing relations. The advent of the familiar brass band was originally to drown out the jeers of the crowds who gathered to mock. Unscrupulous brewers and innkeepers were quick to encourage such attacks and there were many serious riots in Sussex, particularly in the sedate resorts of Worthing and Eastbourne. Captain Margetts reporting on the Army’s visit to Worthing in 1883: ‘Hall packed at night; crowds outside; stormy meeting; many wounded…..’ Whilst, later in 1991, William Head, a young Salvationist, reported a huge gathering of opponents in Eastbourne where there was ‘cursing and swearing, boos, hoots, whistles coupled with flour, rotten eggs, fish, rotten fruit and vegetables, and many more horrible and dirty 16
things were thrown at us’ Yet the Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Durnford addressed the Chichester Diocesan Conference and advised Anglicans not to treat the Salvation Army with contempt or dislike ‘lest haply we be found to fight against God!’ Thus by the beginning of the 20 th Century, the Salvation Army was seen to be much more than just a revivalist craze, and was fully established as a section of the Christian Church. William Booth was received by King Edward VII in 1904, and in 1905 he became a Freeman of the City of London. By the time he died in 1912, he could point to the Salvation Army in 58 different countries, and he was said to have travelled 5 million miles himself and preached just under 60,000 sermons!! Richard Allen Chinese New Year Meal Come along for a Chinese inspired meal and lots of fun at The General on Friday 5 th February 7.30pm Tickets £12 Contact Nicky Amas (842791) Putting St Margaret’s back together again Please come along to help ‘set up’ the church after the building work is completed on Monday 28 th February at 9.30am Women Bishops Every parish in the Diocese has been asked to discuss this current issue. We shall be doing this at an open PCC meeting on Thursday 24 th March at Streat Barn. All are welcome to attend. 17
Page 2 and 3: Vicar: Churchwardens: Readers: DIRE
Page 4 and 5: Fr David Writes Dear Friends There
Page 6 and 7: The Cross is the place from where G
Page 9 and 10: Beacon Parish Church Duties Februar
Page 11: Closure of St Margaret’s Church S
Page 14 and 15: The success of the newly formed Dit
Page 16 and 17: Prayer Diary - February 2011 Feast
Page 20 and 21: What’s On in February 2011 1 Tue
Page 22: During the summer months there will
Page 25 and 26: 1st Ditchling Scout Group Beavers -
Page 29: Ditchling Film Society In February
Page 32: Beacon Parish Coffee Morning Thursd
Page 35 and 36: another tiny splash into the large
Page 37 and 38: Lent started in February in 1971 bu
Page 39 and 40: For practical services from friendl

The Beacon February 2011 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

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