Philanthropy in 1900 London: The Salvation Army

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Arthur H. Beavan continued his survey of philanthropy in Imperial London, published in 1901, with this discussion of the Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army was originated in 1865 by the Rev. William Booth, now known throughout the world as General Booth, and to all philanthropists as the author of the sensational work, In Darkest England and the Way Out.

The Army is a home and foreign missionary society with a semi-military organization, its chief aim being the conversion of the degraded classes, whom it reaches by special means, including out-door processions accompanied with banners and bands of music.

On the celebration of the Army's thirty-fourth birthday at the Agricultural Hall two years ago, General Booth told the vast audience that he had just spoken to a clergyman who, twenty-five years previously, had gone to Whitechapel to witness for himself the work of the Salvation Army.

When he went home he told his wife that "these people" were going to turn the world upside down.

This prediction has not yet been quite fulfilled.

As the General remarked, they had not got "quite so far as that, for the Salvation Army was still in its infancy. They were feeling their way."

It has developed an enormous and complicated organization all over the globe, the like of which has never been seen.

It is directed from the headquarters of the Army, in Victoria Street, E.C.

First and foremost is its Religious Department, under the leadership of over 10,000 officers, and several millions of meetings are held every year.

The Army owns and edits over thirty-five newspapers, and over six monthly magazines.

Its "Darkest England Scheme" has been attended with great success, and includes the establishment of industrial villages, rescue homes, over-sea colonies, etc.

It has a Labour Bureau of great service to those in search of work, and an Army Shelter, at Blackfriars used by considerably over 200,000 men yearly; while the well-known "Self-denial Scheme" is an emanation from the Army.

Imitation is the sincerest flattery, and the success of General Booth's Army has led to the establishment, on the same lines, of the Church Army (headquarters in Edgware Road), whose endeavours in the great cause of philanthropy have, since it was founded in 1882, resulted in lasting good to thousands; in one year, no fewer than 24,000 cases relating to prisoners and outcasts being dealt with, of which 56 per cent received a fresh start in life through the instrumentality of the Army.

Next: Philanthropic London in 1900: The British and Foreign Bible Society