The Salvation Army was founded in 1865, by a Methodist minister named William Booth. Together with his wife Catherine, Booth built an Army that would do battle for the Lord. Booth was an evangelist at heart and quickly discovered two things. First, he realized that he couldn't speak to a man's soul if his belly was empty. Second, although he never wanted to build a church, many of his converts were looking to him for spiritual care and guidance. Thus began the social ministry and the church ministry of The Salvation Army.
In 1867, Booth had only 10 full-time workers, but by 1874, the number had grown to 1,000 volunteers and 42 evangelists, all serving under the name "The Christian Mission." Booth assumed the title of general superintendent, with his followers calling him "General." Known as the "Hallelujah Army," the converts spread out of the East End of London into neighboring areas and then to other cities.
Booth was reading a printer's proof of the 1878 annual report when he noticed the statement "The Christian Mission is a volunteer army." Crossing out the words "volunteer army," he penned in "Salvation Army." From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army.
From that point, converts became soldiers of Christ and were known then, as now, as Salvationists. They launched an offensive throughout the British Isles, in some cases facing real battles as organized gangs mocked and attacked them. In spite of violence and persecution, some 250,000 people were converted under the ministry of The Salvation Army between 1881 and 1885.
Meanwhile, the Army was gaining a foothold in the United States. Lieutenant Eliza Shirley had left England to join her parents, who had migrated to America earlier in search for work. In 1879, she held the first meeting of The Salvation Army in America, in Philadelphia. The Salvationists were received enthusiastically. Shirley wrote to General Booth, begging for reinforcements. None were available at first. Glowing reports of the work in Philadelphia, however, eventually convinced Booth, in 1880, to send an official group to pioneer the work in America.
On March 10, 1880, Commissioner George Scott Raiton and seven women officers knelt on the dockside at Battery Park in New York City to give thanks for their safe arrival. At their first official street meeting, these pioneers were met with unfriendly actions, as had happened in Great Britain. They were ridiculed, arrested, and attacked. Several officers and soldiers even gave their lives.
Three years later, Railton and other Salvationists had expanded their operation into California, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. President Grover Cleveland received a delegation of Salvation Army officers in 1886 and gave the organization a warm personal endorsement. This was the first recognition from the White House and would be followed by similar receptions from succeeding presidents.
The Salvation Army movement expanded rapidly to Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland, and local neighborhood units. The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world.
General Booth's death in 1912 was a great loss to The Salvation Army. However, he had laid a firm foundation' even his death could not deter the ministry's onward march. His eldest son, Bramwell Booth, succeeded him.
Recent books about the beginnings of The Salvation Army
William and Catherine Booth
by Helen Kooiman Hosier (Paperback - May 1999)
Travel with William Booth: Founder and First General of the Salvation Army
by Jim Winter (Paperback - January 2003)
God's Army: The Story of the Salvation Army
by Stephen Brook (Hardcover - December 4, 1998)
Blood & Fire : William and Catherine Booth and their Salvation Army
by Roy Hattersley (Hardcover - 2002)
After seeing the seething, godless masses of the East End of London and pledging his life for their Salvation, William Booth returned to his home at Hammersmith and uttered these memorable words to his wife, "Darling, I have found my destiny. As I passed the flaming gin palace tonight I seemed to hear a voice sounding in my ears, "Where can you go and find such heathen as these. And where is there so great a need for your labors?" And there and then in my soul I offered myself and you and the children up to this great work." Relating the story, as he did many times afterwards, The Founder said, "Together we knelt by the table, and my heart went over to her heart in the offering we made. And that night the Salvation Army was born.."
Arrived here August 19 and secured a nice hall. Got out dodgers announcing that the Salvation Army had come to stay: and would open fire August 21. One man inquired if we intended to burn the city up. Told him our intention was to burn the devil up. With the assistance of Brother Schultz, formerly a Toronto soldier of four years standing, we got the barrack into shape. Wednesday, August 21, Seattle and Tacoma officers with some Blood and Fire warriors arrived. Some people wondered if all this Army was going to remain in the city. At 7:30 FM we stepped out to the beat of the old bass drum, which brought the people out in all directions. Brother Campbell, of Tacoma, played the cornet and we sang, "Come to the Lord and seek Salvation." Twenty-one on the march. The streets was lined with people. Some who had never seen the Salvation Army before. Had a grand open-air meeting with the best of attention. Captain Tully sang a beautiful solo. Brother Jamieson, of Seattle, and Brother Campbell, of Tacoma, gave their testimonies. Glorious meeting inside. Captain Will read the Word. Two souls knelt down and professed to find the Savor. So ended the first meeting in Olympia. We feel that we can indeed thank the authorities of this beautiful capital city of Washington for the protection afforded us (in particular the Chief of Police). We have one Seattle soldier here with us who helps a great deal in the meeting, Brother Mastrick, the hallelujah guitar. Meetings are getting better, but we miss the old bass drum. Lord send one along. Brother Langlun, of the M.E. Church was with us Sunday and wished us God speed. Christians are standing by us in the glorious work of bringing souls to Christ.
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