Day 3: Giving thanks for those who support The Salvation Army (1876)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 3 of 150 days of prayer.

• ‘Lord, you are like a shield for me. You are the one who gives me honour.  You lift my head up high’ (Psalm 3:3 EasyEnglish Bible). 

1876

‘Mrs and Miss Booth have visited us here, and large congregations have listened to the truth, and bless God, many have been pricked to the heart. Some of these we may mention in our next [article]. Tracts very much needed for our bands when visiting the streets and alleys. They will be thankfully received, also contributions to general fund, by JE Billups Esq, Tredegarville, G Smart Esq … or by John Allen… Cardiff.’ 

(The Christian Mission Magazine).

JE Billups was a ‘contractor’, building docks, railways and bridges and was a generous friend of the Christian Mission. William Booth later said: ‘My dear wife and I first met with him in Cardiff. There we met several other leaders in evangelistic work in that town, whose hands have since been on The Salvation Army for good. For instance, there were the brothers Cory, who have through all the succeeding years stood by us, and who are still to the front.’

(All the World, January 1897)

Their daughter, Mary Coutts Billups, lived with and worked for the Booths in the early days of The Christian Mission, before moving to America. Such was the love and respect that William and Catherine had for this family, they named one of their daughters Marian Billups Booth. In a similar way, they named their more illustrious daughter Evelyn Cory Booth, although she is better known as Evangeline Booth.

Prayer

• Pray for those who support The Salvation Army and who give generously to requests for financial help. Give thanks to God for them.