The Salvation Army
Title
The Salvation Army
Description
In 1865, William Booth, an ordained Methodist minister, aided by his wife Catherine, formed an evangelical group dedicated to preaching among the “unchurched” people living in the midst of appalling poverty in London’s East End. Booth’s ministry recognized the interdependence of material, emotional and spiritual needs. In addition to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, Booth became involved in the feeding and shelter of the hungry and homeless and in rehabilitation of alcoholics.
Booth and his followers, originally known as the Christian Mission, became The Salvation Army in 1878, when that organization evolved on a quasi-military pattern. He became “the General” and officers’ ranks were given to his managers. The Salvation Army has functioned successfully within that unusual structure for more than a century. In 1880, Booth decided to send an official group to pioneer the work in America. On March 10, 1880, Commissioner George Scott Raiton and seven women officers arrived at Battery Park in New York City. Today, The Salvation Army’s outreach includes more than 120 countries, and its officers preach sermons in more than 160 languages.
The basic social services developed by William Booth have remained an outward visible expression of the Army’s strong religious principles. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disasters relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, AIDA education and residential services, medical facilities, shelters for battered women and children, family and career counselling, vocational training, correction services, and substance abuse rehabilitation. About 30 million people a year are aided in some form by services provided by The Salvation Army.
Link to Fact Sheet on The Salvation Army
Booth and his followers, originally known as the Christian Mission, became The Salvation Army in 1878, when that organization evolved on a quasi-military pattern. He became “the General” and officers’ ranks were given to his managers. The Salvation Army has functioned successfully within that unusual structure for more than a century. In 1880, Booth decided to send an official group to pioneer the work in America. On March 10, 1880, Commissioner George Scott Raiton and seven women officers arrived at Battery Park in New York City. Today, The Salvation Army’s outreach includes more than 120 countries, and its officers preach sermons in more than 160 languages.
The basic social services developed by William Booth have remained an outward visible expression of the Army’s strong religious principles. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disasters relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, AIDA education and residential services, medical facilities, shelters for battered women and children, family and career counselling, vocational training, correction services, and substance abuse rehabilitation. About 30 million people a year are aided in some form by services provided by The Salvation Army.
Link to Fact Sheet on The Salvation Army
Creator
James Allen St. John, 1872-1957
Date
1918
Source
https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3g00000/3g03000/3g03100/3g03172r.jpg
Relation
Caption: Library of Congress Catalog No. 94513700. Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Rights
Source: The Salvation Army
Publisher
Library of Congress
Contributor
Library of Congress
Format
Medium: Lithograph.
Language
English
Type
Organization
Identifier
William Booth, Salvation Army, Religion, Hungry, Disaster Relief, Day Care, AIDS
Coverage
International
Files
Reference
James Allen St. John, 1872-1957, The Salvation Army, Library of Congress, 1918
Cite As
James Allen St. John, 1872-1957, “The Salvation Army,” Virtual Museum of Public Service, accessed April 18, 2024, https://vmps.omeka.net/items/show/558.