'The Spirit is teaching you this--is showing you that you must be more
silent. The tongue is one of the greatest enemies to grace (James iii.
5-13). Strive to obey these teachings of God. Yield yourself up to obey;
and though you sometimes fail and slip, do not be discouraged, but yield
yourself up again and again, and plead more fervently with God to keep
you. Fourteen years ago you were learning to walk, and in the process you
got many a tumble. But now you can not only walk yourself, but teach
others. So, spiritually, if you will only let God lead you, He will
perfect that which is lacking in you.'
But it was not at first easy for the mother-spirit in Mrs. Booth to allow
her delicate girls of fourteen or fifteen to undertake a public life, and
to speak and sing at the street corners, surrounded by a rough, low
crowd. Such a thing was unheard-of in those days.
Once, hearing that her daughter Catherine had spoken in the open air to a
large crowd, Mrs. Booth objected, as other mothers have since objected:
the girl was too young as yet--she must wait awhile.
But her eldest son, looking at his mother in the tenderest and most
solemn way, said, 'Mamma, dear, you will have to settle this question
with God; for Katie is as surely called and inspired by Him for the
particular work as you are yourself.'
Mrs. Booth said no more. She took this as the voice of God, and gave her
girl up to the marvellous work which God had called her to do.