Before you read anything about William Thomas, I want to make a point. The reason why Salvation Army profiles are posted is not so that we can merely revel in the “good old days”, mainly because the best days of the Army have to be ahead, and not behind. We look to the past to remember; to remember what the Salvation Army was all about (salvation and innovation), so we know what we need to be about today. We read to remind ourselves of what we need to be living today.
Now you may meet William Thomas:
William Thomas was born at a farm in Tilshead, Wiltshire into a poorer family of nine. He was converted at a young age, and was even in Training at a young age. As a Cadet, he was sent to Eastbourne where the Army was facing some warfare with a mob:
“When we stepped out of Eastbourne station, our caps were pulled off an torn to ribbons. One Sunday morning it took 36 policemen to marshal the Army down to the beach. As soon as you put your instrument to your mouth it was snatched away; some of the instruments were actually thrown into the sea, and we were pelted with all kids of filth. One day I was dragged along the street by my hair.”*
INSANE right?
It goes on…
Then in 1892, Thomas was sent to his second appointment as a commissioned officer Berkshire, where the Army was facing persecution from the Skeleton Army (lame). Later on, it came to the point where Thomas, along with some of his fellow salvationists, were standing before the court for “alleged obstruction”. He was given the ultimatum of either paying a fine, or spending a week in jail:
“I’m like the Apostle Paul. I don’t believe in paying for doing the right.” The judge responded, “Well, you can follow the Apostle Paul and go to prison.”*
Interestingly, when the chaplain visited his cell, he told Thomas that he should leave the Army because it was not going to last!
One of the most interesting points of his life is the fact that he was eventually transferred to a town called Maidenhead where he actually became the Mayor.
These are some great parts of this guy’s story. He lived steady and held fast in the face of persecution, was willing to go to jail for the Lord and for the Army, and had such influence in his town that he became it’s Mayor.
To what lengths are you willing to go to in your evangelism?
How is your Christian witness? Do you see fruit in your friends? Do they recognize your faith? Are you changing them, or are they changing you?
(Adapted and taken* from The International Heritage Centre’s website and January 12, 1935 edition of the The Bandsman and Songster)