THE SALVATION ARMY.


 

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A Short History of the Salvation Army.

In July, 1865, William Booth began The Salvation Army. It wasn't until 1878,
when Booth adopted the name of The Salvation Army for his movement. Thirteen years after it's start, The Salvation Army became a legal entity with a military structure. At first, the Army was persecuted by church people, because it was so unconventional. Despite this persecution, the Army successfully attacked hunger, homelessness, and poverty..

. Booth preached to his desperately poor and wayward congregation the Word of Christ. He preached hope and salvation and tried to link his converts to a local church. Well, the churches were reticent about accepting many of Booth's converts because of their previous lifestyles. So, Booth decided to put many of his reformed and ragtag congregation to work to convert others  who were like themselves.

By 1867, Booth had 10 full-time employees. Seven years later, the numbers had grown 1000 volunteers and 42 evangelists. They were known as "The Christian Mission" and Booth was the "General Superintendent." As the "Hallejah Army" they spread out to the east end of London and to other areas.

In 1878, Booth changed the name of the organization to "The Salvation Army." Eventually, The Salvation Army was established in the United States thanks to the work of Lieutenant Eliza Shirley, who immigrated to the states to join her parents. The first meeting was held in Philadelphia in 1879. President Grover Cleveland received a delegation of Salvation Army officers in 1886 and personally endorsed the organization.

The Salvation Army soon expanded to Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland, Germany and many other countries. Catherine Booth, the wife of the founder, was known as the "Army Mother."

At a time when women had few rights, Mrs Booth was an evangelist, preacher, theologian and co-founder of The Salvation Army.  She read the Bible cover-to-cover eight times in her life and was one of the most popular preachers in her era.  Additionally, she was a prolific writer who believed that christians should be passionate about their faith.

General William Booth died in 1912 and Mrs. Booth passed away several years earlier, but their legacy of Christian witness and service lives on today through the organization that they founded-The Salvation Army.

 

More About the Salvation Army

William Booth became The General and military ranks became used for the clergy and lay members.The Church became known as the Corps with a Commanding Officer in charge. His chief assistants, called local officers, included a Sergeant Major, Recruiting Sergeant, Corps Secretary, Corps Treasurer and Young Peoples Sergeant Major
It was while working with the poor in London that Catherine Booth found out about what was known as "sweated labour". That is, women and children working long hours for low wages in very poor conditions. Catherine and fellow members of the Salvation Army attempted to shame employers into paying better wages. They also attempted to improve the working conditions of these women.
The Salvation Army were particularly concerned about women making matches. Not only were these women only earning 1s. 4d. for a sixteen hour day, they were also risking their health when they dipped their match-heads in the yellow phosphorus supplied by manufacturers such as Bryant & May. A large number of these women suffered from 'Phossy Jaw' (necrosis of the bone) caused by the toxic fumes of the yellow phosphorus, which also caused a painful and disfiguring disease


In 1891 the Salvation Army opened its own match-factory . Only using harmless red phosphorus, the workers were soon producing six million boxes a year. Whereas Bryant & May paid their workers just over twopence a gross, the Salvation Army paid their employees twice this amount.

And still more about the Salvation Army

Soldiers & Officers.


SA Church members are known as Soldiers.
clergy are known as Officers.

Those holding positions of leadership within the Corps are called 'local officers'.  Such positions include leadership of the band, songster brigade (choir), or other groups within the Corps.  Local officer positions are voluntary, unpaid, and are open to both men and women.


Many people worship at The Salvation Army without becoming soldiers
and are known as 'adherents'.

A Soldier is expected to give a weekly contribution to local funds, called a cartridge.
Early morning Prayer Sessions are called Knee Drill.
The enrollment of a Soldier is called Swearing In.
Promoted to Glory describes the death of a Salvationist.
A meeting is a Church Service.
The Citadel is the Church Building
A Song is the terminology for a Hymn.
Songsters are the Church Choir.
A Salvationist is a member of the Salvation Army.

Ranks in The Salvation Army

A senior soldier who feels called to be an officer goes to The Salvation Army Officer Training College and becomes a CADET
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On commissioning, each cadet is appointed as CAPTAIN
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After 15 years of service, a captain is promoted to MAJOR
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LT COLONELS are promoted and appointed by the General
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COLONELS are promoted and appointed by the General
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COMMISSIONERS are promoted and appointed by the General
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One officer at a time is elected world leader of The Salvation Army, and is known as 
THE GENERAL
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The Salvation Army Crest


The Crest symbolises the Salvationists beliefs.
The sun represents the light and fire of the Holy Spirit.
The cross of Jesus stands at the centre of the crest.
The 'S' stands for Salvation.
The sword represents the fight against sin.
The shots (seven dots inside the circle) stand for the truth of
the Gospel
The crown speaks of God's reward for His faithful people


Conditions of Membership 1870


Early conditions of membership of the S.A. stated that; our members shall not follow the costly and foolish fashions of the world in dress or otherwise; on the contrary they shall be patterns of modesty and simplicity, as directed by the Word of God.
In like manner also, women should adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame-facedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls or costly array; but with good works. (1 Tim. 2 v 9-10).

Rules of the Christian Mission 1870


Baptism. (Mode left to members) Not to be imposed upon any having conciencious scruples against it. No baptism by immersion at any station.....if desired.....to be administered elsewhere.

Love Feast A public love feast to be held at least once a quarter.

Lords Supper Once a month, unless two thirds of the members desire it oftener. Confined to holders of members tickets or notes of admission. Unfermented wine only to be used.

Open Air services One or more to precede every indoor meeting.

Prayer Meetings One or more to be held at every station every week and at the close of preaching services.

The Articles of War

A Soldiers Covenant

The Flag.

  In May 1876 William Booth wrote to a friend: 'We are thinking of getting a flag, and if so, of crimson ground and blue border. What do you think? - the crimson signifying the atonement and the blue, purity.'

The flag is a prominent part of the Salvation army, being
used in all ceremonies. William Booths wife Catherine presented Captain Mrs Caroline Reynolds of the Corps of Coventry, England,with the first flag of the Salvation army. At the time the centre of the flag was a yellow sun representing the Light of Life. This was changed to the star in 1882.

The red on the flag represents the blood of Christ; the blue border stands for purity; and the yellow star in the centre signifies the fire of the Holy Spirit. The flag is used at special occasions such as marriages, funerals, marches, open-air meetings, enrolments of soldiers, farewells, and retirements


Music.


At first, the S.A. used to sing to the organ, piano and concertina. However William Booth of the opinion that brass bands, usually associated with English mills and Collieries, would prove more effective, how right he was. At his behest, the Army used the most popular song tunes and the language of everyday life to convey Gods message.

Brass Bands

The Salvation Army today is renowned worldwide for its brass bands and choirs, but the introduction of bands to the Army happened almost by chance. The first Salvation Army band was launched in Salisbury, England, in 1878 and was made up of Charles Fry, a local builder and leader of the Methodist orchestra, and his three sons. Salvation Army evangelists in Salisbury were having trouble with local hooligans, so Fry and his sons offered to act as bodyguards while the Salvationists sang in the market place. As an afterthought the Frys brought their instruments to accompany the singing. In this unwitting fashion the first Salvation Army band was born. Their immediate success led the Fry family to sell their business and become full-time musicians with the Army. Within the next few years, brass bands sprang up all over the country.

The Drum

To Salvationists, the drum has always been more than a musical instrument. From the first, the drum's supreme function was as a 'mercy seat' in open-air meetings. Thousands of people have kneeled at the drumhead and claimed Salvation from their sins. The drum has also been used by some Salvation Army Corps in a similarway to a churchbell.  For example, in Alaska, half an hour before each service begins in the villages, the Corps drummer stands outside the Army hall beating the drum. The drummer then goes out just before the meeting starts to sound the last call.When the Army drum made its first appearance, some people said its use in religious meetings was nothing less than sacrilege, but William Booth claimed it was just as proper to "beat" the people into a Salvation meeting as to "ring" them into church! Of course, the drum is also very much a part of The Salvation Army musical tradition, playing as it does with the brass band.

War Cry.

In 1868 Booth published a monthly penny magazine. In 1879 because of the rapid growth of the army he published a weekly paper.In every land where the army flag is flying, the printed word continues to be used in many ways. With its help children are taught the Christian way of life; it aids worship and evangelism in cafes and hotels, were people might otherwise never hear the message of Gods Love for mankind.

Red Shield


The Red Shield is an internationally recognised symbol of Salvation Army service to those in need
At the turn of the century, one of the symbols of The Salvation Army was a silver shield with the words 'Salvation Army' emblazoned across it.

In the aftermath of the Boer War, an Australian Salvationist, Major George Carpenter, was concerned that the silver shield worn by Salvationists in times of war would reflect light, particularly during the night, giving the location of troops to the enemy. As a result, the silver was replaced by the red enamel and became known as the 'Red Shield'

The Mercy Seat.

In the Old Testament (e.g. Leviticus 16 v 2 King James Bible) we find reference to the mercy seat, where God's presence was made known to the people of Israel. Here, as well as hearing prayer, he spoke to his people, and The Salvation Army uses the name to apply to its own special place of prayer, dedication and response to God, in centres all around the world.

Here and now we can come to the Mercy Seat, to claim the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the world as we contemplate these words, written by one of the pioneering officers of the Salvation Army:

We are Soldiers


Tom & Audrey enrol at Hornsby SA.


Our first Corps was at Hornsby, NSW,our first officer was Major Harley.
Other officers included Captain Robert Holley & Mrs Jean Holley,
Captain Russ Green & Mrs Faith Green, Captain Stan Evans & Mrs Jean Evans,
Major Donovan & Mrs Donovan and Captain Mole & Mrs Mole.
During our time at Hornsby I had the great honour and privilege of being commissioned as the Corps Sergeant Major, whilst Audrey was also similarly honoured by being commissioned as the League of Mercy Secretary.


We then moved to the Central Coast of NSW and found a lovely Spirital Home
at the Toukley outpost of Swansea Corps.With our great friends former
Ensigns(NZ) Bob & Nell Maddison and former Captains Vern & Mavis
Wilson, we proceeded to organise a Street Ministry, Hotel Ministry, Bible Studies, Home League, League of Mercy and Over 50s group.We were also joined by others including Brigadier Ned and Flo Sanders.Then when Brigadier Kelvin Dickie arrived he organised the buying of officers quarters and a new hall and thats how Tuggerah Lakes Corps was started. Only Brigadier Ned and Flo Sanders are still with us, but the memories of those other wonderful souls live on.

After this Brigadier Dickie set his sights on Long Jetty, where he had a home nearby.There was an Outpost of Gosford at Long Jetty, Envoy Bennet was in charge and doing a good job, he was on his own and needed more help. So Brigadier Dickie enlisted our aid and with others, notably, Val Jones and Major Albert & Joy Everitt we started Bible Studies, a Band, Home League, Hospital Visitation Over 50's and a SA Op Shop.Things were going so well that Brigadier Dickie proceeded to pester Headquarters for quarters and a hall. The result is a fine Hall and Long Jetty Corps.

Welcome to a Salvation Army Meeting
like my wife and I; you'll probably come
again and again.

After a short stint at the local Christian Life Centre, we have now settled in at Eastlakes SA Corps, Belmont, Newcastle, NSW, after moving from the Central Coast.



Tom outside Hornsby SA with his Social Welfare Information
and Charlie Rouse also a soldier at Hornsby.

 


Outside Long Jetty Corps 1994

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A flag was introduced in 1878 the year The Christian Mission changed its name to The Salvation Army. The flag has a blue border for the purity of God; the red background symbolises the blood of Christ and the yellow star the Holy Spirit. The words 'Blood and Fire' are shown on the star.