The Social Work of the Salvation ArmyLamb, Edwin Gifford
History
The Social Work of the Salvation Army
Lamb, Edwin Gifford
Poor; Salvation Army; Social history
While the organization of the Spiritual Department was taking place in
this manner, the Social Work was assuming large proportions, and
differentiating itself. Visitation in the lower parts of the cities was
organized into a regular department of Slum Work, called the Slum
Department, with a specialized corps of officers. Work among fallen
women was instituted as the Rescue Department, with its rescue homes and
trained workers. The establishment of hotels and lunch counters for both
men and women became finally what is now the Social Department. The wood
yards and small factories, together with the salvage depots and cheap
stores, were organized into the Industrial Department. Work among the
children resulted in the establishment of kindergartens and orphanages.
The colonization enterprise took root, and was divided into the
industrial colonies and farm colonies. Thus, we have here a
differentiation of the original Social Department into six distinct
divisions, which we shall consider separately in this treatise. As these
lines of work advanced, although each had its special group of workers,
it was natural that the work should follow the administrative system of
Commands, Provinces, Divisions and Corps, which had already been marked
out in the Spiritual Department.
The third primary division, that of trade, has had some interesting
developments. There is, for example, the trade carried on in articles
necessary to the members of the Army themselves, and which they cannot
conveniently obtain in the open market, such as uniforms, badges, books
and musical instruments. The Reliance Trading Company, for instance, was
incorporated in 1902, under the laws of the State of New Jersey. This
company owns and publishes the "War Cry," the official gazette of the
Army in the United States; does the printing for the various departments
of the Army; manufactures fountain pens; makes uniforms, bonnets and
hats for the Army members; conducts an Insurance Department, and carries
on other business enterprises.[4]
There is, too, the trade in the products of the various factories and
industries connected with the relief work of the Army. For example, the
Salvation Army Industrial Homes Company, incorporated in New Jersey, has
greatly facilitated the industrial work in the United States. There have
been companies formed and organized as building societies, insurance
companies, and a Salvation Army Bank.
In all these companies the Salvation Army, through its officers, always
has control, although it invites and seeks investments from the public.
The following extract, taken from a prospectus sent out by the Salvation
Army Industrial Homes Company, illustrates the point:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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