RECORD OF SERVICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 3 July 1943, Page 3

RECORD OF SERVICE

78 YEARS OF THE SALVATION ARMY anniversary of foundation DEVELOPMENT BRIEFLY REVIEWED This year is the 78th Anniversary of the founding of the Salvation Army. In all the countries and colonies special meetings of remembrance of the Founders will be held. A PERFECT COUNTERPART Without William Booth there would have been no Salvation Army, but it is equally true that without Catherine, his wife* William Booth would have failed in his life’s work. Catherine was his perfect counterpart. Their letters form one of the world’s most beautiful inheritances. William Booth was disposed to doubt and despair, groping among the various sects for his spiritual home. But Catherine was calm and clearheaded. She was more far-seeing than her husband, with courage enough for both when it came to making a decision. There were considerable wanderings by the Booth family until the year 1865, when Catherine had been invited to preach at Rotherhithe. Their presence in London brought them into contact with the poorest of London’s poor, and here one night as he walked to his home with his son, William Booth realised his duty in life. It was bringing the Gospel to the poor and he “opened fire” on the streets of East London, subsequently founding the East London Mission.

ADOPTION OF A MILITARY TERM

Branches of the East London Mission began to be established in many parts of London and the name was changed to “The Christian Mission.” Some of the evangelists wanted to convert the Mission into a church with a committee of management. This was in February, 1877, but, with the unanimous approval of all the evangelists, The Christian Mission Conference met in July of that year to inform the Founder that he had a real fighting army to lead. From this incident arose another which gave the Christian Mission its militant name, The Salvation Army. In preparing a report of The Christian Mission the words “Volunteer Army” were used in presenting the organisation. This did not please the Founder, and after a few moments of thought he took the pen from the secretary’s hand and, deleting the word “Volunteer.” substituted the word “Salvation.”

With the adoption of the military term “Army,” uniform soon made its appearance, a flag was designed, and “Orders and Regulations” were adopted.

The Salvation Army moved by leaps and bounds. Brass bands, with the bass drum being an important instrument, appeared on the streets. In 1880 a “Training Garrison” was opened for the instruction of leaders. In 1882 no fewer than 669 officers and soldiers, 251 of them women and 23 ol them children under 15, were brutally assaulted, generally while marching the streets in procession. True, ‘these persecutions almost always gained for the Army sympathy and friends, as many as 30,000 people coming out in one case to the railroad depot to welcome an Officer upon his release from prison. Not in their most extravagant dreams, even when there had been considerable development in the homeland, did William and Catherine Both foresee the extension of the Army to the far-off fields/ of the ninety-seven countries and coloniesAll this has been accomplished because of the Army’s great belief in the power of God to save and keep men from sinning. The secret of its success has been proved by its coFounders. William Booth’s belief was that, “No resolution, religoous ceremonials, or pious feelings can make men good. Men are in bondage to their sins. There is no hope for permanent amendment in men without a change of heart. God is the Author of this change. The greatest sinners can be saved from the power of sinful habits.”

LEADERSHIP OF HIGHEST CALIBRE Follovving the death of the Army Mother in 1890 the Founder carried on alone until one bright sunny morning in August, 1912, the telegraph wires and cables carried the terse news that “William Booth had laid down his sword.”

The eldest son, upon whose shoulders fell much of the responsibility for the growing Army, was appointed General on 21st August, 1912. To a large extent it was under his direction that the new “Army” was disciplined, equipped, and inspired, Orders and Regulations issued, an admirable financial system developed, young people’s work expanded, officers raised and trained, literature supplied for varied needs, and music produced for rapidly increasing instrumental and vocal combinations. Successors to Bramwell Booth in this exalted position have been General Edward J. Higgins, appointed by the High Council in February, 1929; General Evangeline Booth, who assumed command on 11th November, 1934; and General George L. Carpenter, the present incumbent, who has brought to the office espe-'" cial gifts and capacities; each has proved a doughty leader filled with an all-consuming passion for the uplift of mankind through the spread of the evangel; each has been mightily honoured of God by reason of his or her faith and works.

THE ARMY TO-DAY To-day, nearly 18,000 Salvation Army Corps and Outposts are in operation throughout the world, over 1132 day schools supervised for the edification of the young of all nationalities, and over 1600 Social Service Institutions in operation for the alleviation of the distress of the poor. Fifty thousand bandsmen and bands women play their instruments, without any financial remuneration, to the glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom and over 84,000 songsters proclaim the Salvation message in song. One hundred and eight periodicals are printed in many tongues.

Thus after seventy-eight years we look on a world-wide organisation much respected for its humanitarian service and even more so for its part in bringing a sinstricken world to the feet of the Christ; an organisation which with faith undimmed and confidence unshaken looks forward hopefully to yet greater victories in the coming years.