The Salvation Army – a real army

Editor: Catherine and William Booth started the White Chapel Mission, located in a poor part of London, England in the 1850s. In 1878, they changed the name to The Salvation Army, with the sole purpose of establishing a Christian Army to fight sin and poverty. William became the first general of the Salvation Army.{{more}}

A member of the Methodist Church in his early years of life, he broke with that religious organization because he was disallowed to preach his own ideas. His wife Catherine, on the other hand, believed that women had as much right to preach as men. She was in the forefront of ensuring that all members of the Salvation Army were recipients of equal rights.

Catherine and William Booth, both of whom were born in the same year, 1829, are more than likely, palpitating with joy in their celestial home at the progress the Salvation Army is making worldwide, in its unrelentless efforts in alleviating poverty and suffering. They look down from their celestial home and realize that the small island state of St Vincent and the Grenadines is no exception, thanks to the hard work put in by the current general, ably assisted by the noble ladies Norma Knights and Nina Maloney and their colleagues.

At this time of year, the festive Christmas season, let me take this opportunity to publicly salute the Salvation Army – a real army, for its outpouring of Christian love and kindness, which spans decades.

Again Catherine Booth, who died in 1890 at the age of 61 and her spouse, William, who left his earthly sojourn in 1912, must be overwhelmed with joy that the Vincentian chapter of the Salvation Army is living up to expectations.

Patmos Richards