“While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”
– William Booth
On this day in 1865, Methodist Reform Church minister William Booth and his wife Catherine founded the Salvation Army (the Army of Salvation) as the East London Christian Mission.
The Salvation Army is commemorating that 150 years this week in England. I have several friends there from Asbury University, including a former University President who is also a former General Commander of the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army is often among the first to respond in a crisis. A gentleman that I went to school with was one of the early chaplains at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.
I love the Salvation Army. I’ve worked for them. I’ve gone to school with many of their members.
I love the fact that they understand that you can’t feed a man’s soul when his stomach is empty.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
– Matthew 25:35
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
– James 1:27
Congratulations to The Salvation Army for 150 years. May this celebration be the beginning of 150 more.