nineteenth century England
the country was changing rap-
idly as the Industrial Revo-
lution took hold. New inventions
and machines saved time and ac-
celerated production, but only forced
the poor further down the economic
ladder. Many left their rural homes
for the promise of success in the
cities, only to find themselves teth-
ered to the machines that were
meant to save them.
land, in 1829, eagerly used all the
new technologies available to him.
He traveled on trains powered by
steam engines, sent telegrams and
recorded his voice on Edison wax
cylinders. He may not have enjoyed
posing for still photographs, but
he did it so all Salvationists could
have a "snap" of their dear General.
Later in life he would ride in an
automobile, or "motor car," during
cross-country tours of England and
Scotland.
humble home, young William could
hear the constant whir and hum
of machines. Though William didn't
work in the factories, he was sur-
rounded by people who toiled for
low wages through long hours on
dangerous equipment that often
maimed or killed them. Even young
children worked 12 to 14 hours a
day. He saw poverty everywhere
he looked, and empathized deeply
with those trapped in misery.
Wanting to do something to alle-
viate suffering became his main
focus later in life.
lost money in a mortgage scheme.
Poor families would often pawn
their belongings in order to buy
food for their starving children.
William spent much of his free
time in the Methodist Church and
studying his Bible. After six years
ham for London to find his place
in the world, ending up in another
pawnbroker's shop.
ward Rabbits, a boot manufacturer
and Wesleyan layperson, who liked
what he heard. Convincing William
to leave the pawnbroker's shop
and preach full time, Mr. Rabbits
agreed to finance him. Through
his benefactor, William met the
love of his life, Catherine Mumford,
a well-read young woman with
strong ideas. They were married
in 1855 and had eight children.
With Catherine's support, William
was able to preach full time for
the Methodist New Connection.
William felt an affinity for them
and wanted to uplift them as much
as he could. London was a decrepit