General Booth

I have no hesitation in commending this small volume as containing, so far as its space permits, a good picture of my beloved father and a record of much that made his life of interest and importance to the world.
It does not, of course, profess to cover anything like the whole story of his many years of world-wide service. It could not do so. For any such complete history we must wait for that later production which may, I hope, be possible before very long, when there has been time to go fully through the masses of diaries, letters, and other papers he has left behind him.
It must not be supposed that I can make myself responsible for every phrase commissioner Railton has used. I know, however, that perhaps no one except myself had anything like his opportunities, during the last forty years, of knowing and studying my father's life both in public and private, and of understanding his thoughts and purposes.
Now, we wish this book to accomplish something.
We cannot think it possible for anyone, especially a salvationist, to read it without being compelled ever and anon to ask himself such questions as these: 'Am I living a life that is at all like this life? Am I, at any rate, willing by God's grace to do anything I can in the same direction, in order that God may be more loved and glorified, and that my fellow-men may be raised to a more Godlike and happy service? After all, is there not something better for me than money making, or the search after human applause, or indeed the pursuit of earthly good of any kind?'
'If, instead of aiming at that which will fade away, I turn my attention to making the best of my life for God and for others, may I not also accomplish something that will afford me satisfaction at last and bear reflection in the world to come?'