To call it simply a cemetery or a graveyard feels incorrect. The size of a small town, it is a resting place for thousands of people, with many communities represented among the orderly plots. Salvationists “promoted to Glory” lay buried in countless cemeteries across the country, but the beautiful grounds of Kensico help tell the story of The Salvation Army in America.
When The Salvation Army ventured into the United States, a young woman in her teens led the way, circa 1880. Her name was Eliza Shirley, and her ministry to people of all ages lit a spiritual flame in Philadelphia that spread across the nation and still burns brightly today.
The Salvation Army is politically neutral but has long partnered with governments and civic authorities. In countless cultures and countries around the world, the Church has always had interactions with government. The early Church had a contentious relationship with authorities (particularly the Roman government), which resulted in the outright persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire until the Edict of Milan was issued in 313. During medieval times in Western Europe, the Church even took on governmental functions, crowning kings and queens to rule over the secular world according to Church dictates.
As I was enjoying scrubbing some pots lately, it made me think of the contrary ways in which we clean ourselves spiritually. If we give our lives to Jesus, we may focus more on cleaning our bodies externally than we do internally: We try to scrub off the worldly lifestyle that we’ve been living and alter our external habits so that people can notice changes in us.
For many years, the General of The Salvation Army has recorded a Christmas message. Thanks to the internet, nearly every Salvationist around the world can now hear those words of hope. Some of our great pioneers also shared their thoughts about Christmas, and we’re sharing them again here.
The world can be a noisy place. There’s always something going on, making the next sound, grabbing our attention. Street noise. Or the kids are talking, or the TV is on. How about those fancy rectangles in our pockets that help us make phone calls, surf the web, check social media, and play games? Noise happens all the time. Do you sleep at night with the TV on or music playing? We’ve gotten so used to the noise that we can’t even reach a restful state without it.
One of the main expectations any charitable organization must live up to is transparency—to be an “open book” to the public to ensure that it’s worthy of being trusted. When that organization is also a religious movement modeled after the gospel of Jesus Christ, gaining and keeping the public’s trust becomes even more important.
In the Gospel of Mark, the Lord encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. The story left me with mixed emotions. This man’s inability to be free of such spirits filled me with sadness and regret.
A familiar feeling comes over me as I remember the sounds of a tinkling piano, the sight of sneakers and a cozy cardigan, and the familiar warm face of a friend singing, “What do you do with the mad that you feel?” My friendly neighbor on the TV, Mister Rogers, talks about how toys don’t have feelings, but people do.
Salvationists have served through wars and conflicts, and their stories are important to tell, particularly for those of us who’ve only known stability.
The Salvation Army Mission Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army Eastern Territory Headquarters
Serving communities in Connecticut, Delaware, Northeast Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.
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