The Salvation army are a Christian denomination and charitable organisation who currently have a worldwide membership of 1.5 million people. The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William Booth who was a Methodist minister along with his wife Catherine and was originally known as The North London mission. Their aim was to bring salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting their physical and spiritual needs. The organisation works in 126 countries running charity shops, shelters for the homeless and providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries. The doctrine is one of mainstream Christianity emphasising Gods salvation, advancing Christian education and relieving poverty to the benefit of society, community and mankind as a whole.
The Salvation Army organises itself under quasi- military lines to represent the war on want and the spiritual battle. William preached to the poor whilst Catherine raised financial support from wealthy benefactors but she preached as well and the tradition of women preachers continues today. The original approach was the three S’s Soup, Soap and Salvation. In 1880 work began overseas in Australia, Ireland and the U.S.A. The main converts were at first alcoholics, morphine addicts, prostitutes and other 'undesirables' who were otherwise unwelcome in polite Christian society and the Booths soon started their own Church with strict rules regarding alcohol, smoking, drugs and gambling. The Salvation Army wore a uniform and anybody could attend meetings.
In the early days members of the organisation were persecuted with meetings often disrupted because many public houses were losing business. In 1900 and 1906 the Salvation Army cemented its growing reputation as 'doers' with substantial aid given following earthquakes and hurricanes in the U.S.A. a mission which continues for natural disasters today. It continues to be one of the biggest providers of social aid, spending 2.6 billion dollars helping more than 32 million people in the U.S.A. alone.
The Salvation army Red shield is often found outside night shelters and charity shops and is well recognised throughout the world. The flag is Red- to represent the blood of Christ. Yellow - The fire of the Holy Spirit and Blue- the purity of God the father. Salvation Army members are known to greet one another with a raised finger salute to signify a fellow citizen of heaven. Music playing has become synonymous with the Army and was used initially as a distraction tactic to counter the opponents they encountered on the street. Brass bands and tambourines became part of their identity and were often seen playing at public events particularly in towns and cities, leading Carols in the run up to Christmas. It has a regular magazine entitled "War cry"
The Salvation Army believes that human life is sacred and a gift from God in whose image we are made. It is against the death penalty and abortion except in extreme cases and campaigns on these issues, believing that harm is caused to all concerned. The organisation continues to work in a number of less publicised ways in the U.K. In disaster areas it supplies field kitchens with canteen feeding units, runs a missing persons service, has set up a victims of trafficking help line and organises soup kitchens and night shelters for the homeless. For the elderly they run day care programmes, luncheon clubs, drop in centres, cafés and provide practical services such as laundry, hairdressing, chiropody and home care and runs a winter warmth campaign. It arranges home visits and provides flats and residential homes for the aged. Much work is done with those who suffer addiction running a number of rehab and support programmes including Detox centres. There is also support for families and children in the shape of nurseries, school clubs, child contact centres and residential youth centres. In times of hardship food banks, debt advice and other forms of community action are organised. This work is carried out from around 700 church centres in the UK