How Salvation Army Started

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William Booth started his ministry in 1852, hoping to win over the lost people in England. His hope was to bring them to Christ. He took to the streets of London to preach to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute. Booth gave up the concept of a church and a pulpit, and took his message to the people. He withdrew from the church as his preference of how he preached let to a disagreement with the church leaders of London. He traveled all through England, conducting evangelistic meeting. Co-Founder of The Salvation Army was his wife, Catherine. Booth as invited to hold a series of evangelist meetings in the east end of London, in 1865. After he set up a tent in a Quaker graveyard, he became a success and his wandering ended. He became famous as a religious leader throughout London. He had others ho followed him that fought for the soul of men and women. His first converts to Christianity were ones of poorer class, such as thieves, prostitutes, gamblers and drunks. He preached hope and salvation to them. His concern was to lead people to Christ and or them to have a church for further spiritual guidance. By 1874, Booth had about 1000 volunteers and 42 evangelists, who served under the name “The Christian Mission.” His followers called him the “General”. They became known as the ‘Hallelujah Army.” They spread out to the East End of London and to other cities. Booth came up with the “Salvation Army” when he was reading a printer’s proof of the 1878 annual report, where they were referred to as volunteer army. This gave him the idea of Salvation army. They preached throughout the British Isles and were attacked by organized gangs. Even though they faced attacks, they converted 250,000 people to the Salvation Army between 1881 and 1885. They also spread out to the United States and some were attacked, ridiculed and arrested. A few ended up

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