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
The failure of the Army slum work to increase in the same proportion as
its other branches of the social work, and its non-existence in many
quarters of our cities where it is most needed, is due to two causes.
One is the fact that the Army slum post, more than the Army industrial
home or the Army hotel, is a religious institution, and is continually
advertising and pressing on the public its peculiar doctrines. The slum
officers are imbued with the idea that personal salvation according to
the doctrines of the Army is the all-essential need. They would not be
engaged in this work themselves were it not for the hold these doctrines
have upon them. The slum post holds its regular meetings, exhorting its
hearers to get "saved," in its own original way. At Sunday School, the
children are taught that certain things are wrong and sinful, and these
very things are common-place in their own homes though, possibly some of
them of not much detriment. But, in a community almost entirely Catholic
or Jewish, such aggressive evangelism is not likely to increase the
influence of its advocates. Many settlements have learned with grief,
this very same lesson. Another reason for the lack of success is the
mental calibre of those engaged in the work. However, the devotion and
self-sacrifice of the Army slum sisters is one of the most touching and
sublime elements of the slums, and it is all the more touching when it
is to some extent misdirected and misplaced. To see the tact, patience
and perseverance of these "Slum Angels" as they are often called, is a
divine object lesson in itself, and much of their work is not done in
vain, as many would testify.
A useful experiment is under way at one former slum post, 94 Cherry
Street, New York City. In place of the old building formerly rented by
the Army here and used as a slum post, the Army has built a commodious
six-story building, which it calls a settlement. One floor is given to a
hall and parlor. Two floors are given over to rooms to be used as class,
club and kindergarten rooms. One floor is fitted up with a dining room
and kitchen, and another with a large dormitory and living room, to be
used as a Girls' Home. On the roof, preparations are under way for a
roof garden and play-ground, while washing facilities are provided in
the basement, where poor mothers can bring their clothes and wash them.
Already the New York Kindergarten Association has two kindergartners
busy here. Two sewing classes, averaging thirty-five members, are
organized. Mother's meetings are held, and a regular Army Corps is
organized, consisting of sixty members. This settlement may prove an
auspicious advance of the Army along these lines.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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