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THE SALVATION ARMY:

“Go Straight for Souls, and Go for the Worst”

n 1852, a newly-appointed group of seven women to expand The Salvation Army in Philadelphia and
Methodist minister, William extend it to New York City and beyond. Soon corps were opened through-
IBooth, abandoned the out New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and then westward.
concept of the traditional church The Salvation Army’s red kettle was introduced in 1891 by Salvation
pulpit in favor of taking the Army Captain Joseph McFee, who was looking to provide a free
gospel of Jesus Christ directly to Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken but needed to
the people. Walking the fund the project. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats
streets of London, he came in, there was a large, iron kettle
preached to the poor, the called “Simpson’s Pot” into which passers-
homeless, the hungry, by tossed a coin or two to help the poor.
and the destitute – a popula- The next day Captain McFee placed a
tion not generally welcomed similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing
by the church. When fellow at the foot of Market Street. Beside the
clergymen disagreed with pot, he placed a sign that read, “Keep the
Booth’s unconventional Pot Boiling.” He soon had the money to
approach, he and his wife see that the needy people were properly fed
Vanity Fair color Catherine withdrew from the at Christmas.
chromolithograph church to train evangelists Six years later, the kettle idea spread
caricature of William Booth
The Salvation Army by Spy throughout England, returning to from the west coast to the Boston area.
(Leslie Ward) November 25, London in 1865, where many That year, the combined effort nationwide
1882, No. 267 from the followers joined their fight for the resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for
Clergymen series selling for souls of lost men and women. the needy. In 1901, kettle contributions in
$150 at 1stdibs.com Within 10 years, their organiza- Photo of William Booth, New York City provided funds for the first
tion, operating under the name mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison
New in 2021 to the Byers Choice 1829-1912
collectible figurines is a series based upon “The Christian Mission,” had Square Garden, a custom that continued
The Salvation Army Band selling around over 1,000 volunteers and evan- for many years. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more
$79 per piece with a portion of sales being gelists (known as Salvationists). than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and
given directly to The Salvation Army. It was informally referred to as a Christmas holidays.
“salvation army” to reflect its In addition to this annual red kettle holiday tradition, The Salvation
mission of converting lost souls such as thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and Army provides disaster relief support, runs homeless shelters, offers
drunkards to Christianity. The name stuck. summer camp programs, job training, after-school programs, services for
William Booth sought to bring into his worship services an informal the aging, and veteran support services among services.
atmosphere that would put new converts at their ease. Joyous singing, The Salvation Army Thrift Store is another high-profile program that
instrumental music, clapping of hands, personal testimony, free prayer, engages the community and helps raise money for the organization’s
and an open invitation to repentance characterize the services. They also mission. The Salvation Army’s “salvage brigade” was launched in 1897
launched “campaigns” into London’s most forsaken neighborhoods. Soup out of the basement of a men’s shelter. Residents went around the
kitchens were the first in a long line of various projects neighborhood with pushcarts asking for used clothes,
designed to provide physical and spiritual assistance to and they got food and lodging in return. Today,
the destitute over the decades and through years of proceeds from the nearly 8,000 locations across the
famine, depression, and war. country are used to fund its Adult Rehabilitation
In 1878, Booth’s Christian Mission in England Centers, where those struggling with drugs and alcohol
had more than 75 corps (worship and service centers) find help, hope, and a second chance at life. Collectors
with 120 officers (clergy). The organization formally and second-hand junkies love haunting their neighbor-
renamed itself the Salvation Army; its mission, “to hood Salvation Army thrift shops for new treasures.
preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human
needs in His name without discrimination.” SALVATION ARMY
To carry out its mission and manage its growing 1920s The Salvation Army Brass Band
corps of Army volunteers, the organization adopted a Journal Solo Cornet Bb Numbers 851 to COLLECTIBLES
hybrid church/military structure. The Salvation 900 Brass Band Music Popular Marches With its rich history and militaristic organizational
Army’s military style is rooted in the militaristic spirit and Selections available on eBay for $97 structure, there is lots to collect at affordable prices.
prevalent in the mid-1800s. Pin badges, tie tacks, and service
By 1880, the Salvation Army was medals come in all sizes and a wide
strong enough to expand its reach range of designs. Most can be had for
outside England, with Booth sending less than $20. Ephemera, on the
teams to Australia, Ireland, and the other hand, has some value. Sheet
United States to help spread their music, poster art, manuals, and
mission of salvation. photos, and/or correspondence from
In October of 1878, Salvationists the Booths and other early leaders can
Amos and Annie Shirley immigrated command prices in the hundreds.
to the United States and began hold-
ing evangelistic meetings in
Philadelphia. In February 1880, Norwich Citadel Band was established in
Booth sent George Scott Railton, the 1882 following a visit by General William
first officer to hold the rank of the Booth, founder of The Salvation Army
commissioner to America, with a
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