SALVATION ARMY, THE. William Booth (b. 1829), the founder of the Christian body known as the Salva tion Army, was originally a minister of the Methodist New Connexion. He left that Church in 1881 in order to take up independent evangelistic work. The result was his " East London Mission," which, with the exten sion of its activities, became the " Christian Mission." The Mission then began to acquire halls, etc., for its meetings, and steps were taken to give it a legal title to its property. " In January, 1877, finding that the semi-democratic conference committee system which he had inaugurated did not run smoothly, and was not likely .satisfactorily to accomplish the end in view, Mr. Booth established a system of government more closely allied to the autocracy of Wesley; and, with the consent of his fellow workers, constituted himself its head " (J.
A. Houlder). The new organisation was called The Salvation Army. " With the name army came military phraseology. Prayer was termed knee-drill, the leader a general; evangelists, and candidates, cadets. A semi-military attire was assumed, barracks were built instead of separate residences, and when the army went out to take a place by storm, it was with banners dis played and bands of music" (William Benham, Diet.). The Salvationists wage war against the devil, and seek to convert and to " save " those who are in danger of being lost souls. By means of their brass bands, etc., they aim at reaching a class of the community which is unmoved by other religious appeals. In 1880 the Army began to extend its operations beyond the British Isles, and to enter upon a world-wide crusade.