Gretchen Rush, age 15, of Monroe, La., for her question:
HOW OLD IS THE SALVATION ARMY?
The Salvation Army is an international religious and charitable organization that was founded in 1865 in London by an English Methodist minister named William Booth. The group is dedicated to the propagation of the Christian faith and to the furnishing of various forms of assistance to persons in need of spiritual solace and material aid.
Originally the Salvation Army was founded as the Christian Mission, with the aim of carrying on evangelical and social welfare work among the inhabitants of the slum areas of London. The mission rapidly expanded its activities and in 1878 it was reorganized along its present quasi military lines and was renamed.
Booth was accorded the title of general and the officers were given military ranks and titles in accordance with their duties.
The international character of the Salvation Army dates from 1880 when a group of its members went to the United States and established an American branch in New York City. The movement subsequently spread to ail parts of the world.
Today the Salvation Army is operating in about 90 countries and the preaching of the gospel is carried on by its members in more than 100 languages and dialects. Membership of the organization is over 3 million persons, of whom more than 25,000 are officers who have graduated from the approximately 30 schools maintained by the Salvation Army in many parts of the world.
Salvation Army members often preach outdoors, holding thousands of meetings annually in the United States and Canada. The doctrines of the organization are based on the teachings of the Bible and are considered fundamentally Christian. Social services, however, are offered without discrimination as to race or creed.
The activities of the Salvation Army are financed by voluntary contributions. International headquarters are located in London.
The Salvation Army was particularly active during world wars I and II, rendering a wide variety of services to Allied soldiers. In World War II, its American branch operated more than 3,000 War Service Units, including 1,000 mobile canteens on 26 battlefronts.
In the postwar period, the Salvation Army promulgated a program called Marching Forward, the main objectives of which included the promotion of evangelism, the prevention of juvenile delinquency, aid to veterans and their families, extension of services in police courts and prisons and the rehabilitation of countries devastated by war.
Facilities now operated by the Salvation Army in many parts of the world include schools, maternity homes, children's homes and hotels which give free lodgings and serve free meals.
Institutions operated by Salvationists in the United States include adult rehabilitation centers that enroll homeless men and women in a program of work and rehabilitation, children's camps, general hospitals, maternity homes, foster care centers, residences for senior citizens and young working women, senior citizen centers and centers for alcoholics.