Beginnings
Salvation Army history
National developments
A number of early Christian Missioners and Salvationists emigrated to America and began work similar to that they knew in Britain. Most of these efforts were short-lived.
However, in 1878, Christian Missioner Amos Shirley emigrated to Philadelphia. When he was settled, he sent for his wife Annie and asked his daughter Eliza, a Lieutenant in the newly-renamed Salvation Army to join them and start the work in Philadelphia. After repeated requests, Booth replied, "We are not prepared to commence operations so far away.…if you must go, and if you should start a work, start it on the principles of The Salvation Army, and if it is a success, we may see our way clear to take it over." "…be careful about the principles of the Army…start right. [You] may call it The Salvation Army, and if it succeeds, report."
Annie and Eliza arrived in Philadelphia in August 1879, and immediately set about finding a suitable location. The first meetings were held on October 5, 1879, at an old chair factory at Sixth and Oxford Streets in Philadelphia. Their work met with immediate success. Upon receiving Eliza's first reports, Booth promoted her to Captain. The Founder was still reluctant to take over the work, however, Railton convinced him that it was the time to do so.
Commissioner Railton and seven women officers ("Hallelujah Lassies") farewelled from London on February 14 and arrived in Battery Park, New York City, on March 10, 1880. He left part of his party in New York City and set up his headquarters in Philadelphia.
Railton was not one to remain stationary and set out to establish the Army throughout the United States. By the time he was recalled to London in 1881, he had gone as far as St. Louis.
Major Thomas Moore was sent to command the Army's forces in America. Despite opposition, the Army continued to grow. In 1882, headquarters was moved to Brooklyn. When the Army began work in Canada the same year, this work was added to the American command.
In 1884, Moore was issued orders to assume command of the Army in South Africa. He excelled as an evangelist and leader, but was not an administrator. Auditors had raised questions about his business administration. He also disagreed with the Founder about the need to incorporate the Army in America. He refused his orders and proceeded to incorporate The Salvation Army.
Major Thomas Coombs, the Canadian commander, was sent to take interim command in the United States. Moore refused to turn command over to Coombs. There were now two Salvation Armys in the United States, the "American" Salvation Army and the "World-Wide" Salvation Army.
Commissioner Frank Smith was the new national commander of the "World-Wide" Salvation Army and established his headquarters in New York City. Both Salvation Armys continued to grow.
In 1887, Marshall Ballington Booth (one of the Founder's sons) and his wife Maude were appointed co-national commanders of the "World-Wide" Salvation Army.
In 1889, the trustees of the "American" Salvation Army removed Moore as General. The organization split, with the largest portion under the command of Colonel Richard Holz.
Colonel Richard Holz, Commander-in-Chief of the "American" Salvation Army had been seeking a reconciliation between the two Salvation Armys even before 1889. Marshall Ballington Booth had been friendly to the competing organization. After contacts between the two leaders, Colonel Holz wrote to his officers about reconciliation.
On Thursday, October 17, 1889, the forces of the two Armys met on the third floor of Saratoga Town Hall (now City Hall, Saratoga Springs, NY). Marshall Booth accepted Colonel Holz back into the "World-Wide" Salvation Army and appointed him, with the rank of Major, as commander of the New York Division. Thirty-one officers followed him.
[The story of the rest of the secessionists]
Of all the Founder's sons, Ballington was probably the most like his father in personality. Inevitably, conflicts arose between two such strong personalities. Also, Ballington resented the authority of his older brother Bramwell, who, as Chief of the Staff, was responsible for the administration of the Army and the issue of orders in the General's name. As this estrangement was coming to a head, the Ballington Booths were issued farewell orders in January 1896. Rather than leave the United States, they resigned their commissions. Although Ballington took great pains to assure an orderly transition and to not harm the Army, many Salvationists and supporters followed him into his new organization, the Volunteers of America.
Beginnings |
Salvation Army history |
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revised: 7/17/2002• Founders • Beginnings • The Army comes to America • National developments • International developments• Sources • International Heritage Centre website