Good Citizens
by Guest
General-elect Evangeline Booth is welcomed back to New York on the steps of City Hall, with Mayor Fiorello La Guardia at right, Sept. 14, 1934.
Back when I was leading a Salvation Army corps in my native Canada, I recall an occasion where a local community group used our building to inform the public about government services that would benefit them. The main guest that evening was our member of Parliament, from a left-of-center political party. A few weeks later, at another such function, the main guest was a member of the Senate who represented a right-of-center party.
Both events gave the public access to those who represented them in the highest levels of government.
For our building to be seen as a place where people could connect with their political leaders and ask questions was a win-win in my book. It showed that The Salvation Army was concerned with not only people’s spiritual lives but also their lives as citizens in the public square.
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. This sometimes had beneficial outcomes but sadly was also the source of bloodshed and violence.
During Founder William Booth’s day (1829–1912), England was a constitutional monarchy that had a state church (the Church of England) but allowed other Christian denominations to organize with relative freedom of religion. Yet Victorian-era authorities were hesitant to give the early Salvation Army, perceived as uncouth, much support. Police would arrest Salvationists for holding open-air services, and courts enthusiastically sent soldiers and officers to prison, sometimes with hard labor, for the perceived crime of disturbing the peace.
Undeterred, Booth’s band of Salvationists persisted, winning over civic authorities. Queen Victoria never gave her official patronage to The Salvation Army or publicly supported its activities, but a royal endorsement came from Buckingham Palace in a letter addressed to Catherine Booth that read, “Her Majesty learns with much satisfaction that you have, with other members of your Society, been successful in your efforts to win many thousands to the ways of temperance, virtue, and religion.”
The American way
Commissioner George Scott Railton and the seven “Hallelujah Lassies” arrived in the U.S. on March 10, 1880, as the country was in the grip of a presidential election. (Harper’s Weekly soon published a political cartoon featuring well-known male politicians dressed as Hallelujah Lassies, tying in the newcomers with whatever point it was making.) Railton failed in his first attempt at getting the New York City government to approve his request for his landing party to march in the streets like The Salvation Army famously did in London.
In a move that would likely make our modern-day Community Relations and Development department blush, Railton burst into the mayor’s office and threatened that if the Army was not allowed to march in the streets it would leave New York for Philadelphia. The mayor was unmoved, and Railton took his fledgling headquarters to Pennsylvania. A compromise was later struck when city officials gave permission for Salvationists to march on the sidewalk.
From acrimonious beginnings, The Salvation Army’s relationship with government improved from tolerance to full acceptance following the ministry of the Donut Girls in World War I. For that The Salvation Army is indebted to General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, who in 1917 decided to allow Evangeline Booth’s Army to serve U.S. military members fighting in Europe.
Perhaps Pershing was personally moved by Booth’s request, thinking back to the tragic loss of his wife and three daughters in a fire two years before. While other local church leaders said little to the community outsider, Salvation Army officers offered him their sincere condolences.
Pershing’s decision changed everything. The Salvation Army became nationally known, if not for being a church, then as a religious movement that gave aid to American soldiers during one of humanity’s darkest hours.
Salvation Army officers in America have met with elected leaders at every level of government—presidents, members of Congress, governors, legislators, mayors, councilors. The Salvation Army also works closely with government employees, men and women who are tasked with enforcing and implementing policies that impact people’s everyday lives.
Nurturing this partnership is all done in keeping with our directive not to endorse politicians, political parties, nor even specific political policies.
Government of and for the people
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared an official week of recognition for The Salvation Army and its service to America called National Salvation Army Week—still celebrated today in the month of May. It serves as a good reminder of The Salvation Army’s relationship to the government and how the Army can partner with government to help improve people’s lives. Much of our funding for social service work comes from various levels of government. According to the 2024 Annual Report, various levels of government contributed over $640 million to Army finances. And though these funds are typically set aside for nonreligious work, just being able to help people find shelter for the night or receive a hot cup of coffee from one of our trucks in wintertime helps The Salvation Army live up to its mission of “Doing the Most Good.”
The word government can seem very monolithic and impersonal. But remember that it is made up of people, like you and me. When we partner with government we are fostering relationships with people—people with whom we can share Christ’s love. Paul gives us a biblical precedent for remembering our government officials in prayer when he says in 1 Timothy 2:1–4: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
If you interact with a political or civic leader, or any representative of the government, don’t forget to let them know you are praying for them and as a Salvationist can potentially help them to better the lives of the people in your community.
by Rob Jeffery, director of the Heritage Museum in the USA Eastern Territory
About the Author: Guest
