When a London cab horse fell, passers-by helped it up and sent it on its way without first demanding to know if the animal’s stumble had been its own responsibility. Surely, Booth argued, we should behave towards men with the same compassion we showed to horses. That principle — help where help is needed, without blame or recrimination — is the basis of the Salvation Army’s social work
...No one was asked to pray or give thanks to the Lord. In the small hours of the morning, after the last call had been made and the night’s work was done, we drove to a cul-de-sac near Gray’s Inn and, after eating what was left of the sandwiches, said a prayer of thanks for being allowed to be of service. Although they made clear that atheists were not expected to feign religion, I joined in.
...Everyone knew that the Salvation Army existed to help, not to pass judgment. So it does. But it also works to rehabilitate. Its strength is the way it encourages a return to the paths of righteousness without seeming righteous itself. Officers of the Army regard exhibitions of moral superiority as a sin. They believe in a strict, indeed a rigid, code of personal discipline and religious belief. But they do not impose their beliefs on those they aim to help.
They share Booth’s conviction that deprivation is the Devil’s ally and that a man or woman, raised from the gutter, is more likely to find God than one who is left to rot in squalor.
Read onEvery Christmas season, I admire the cheery and dedicated volunteers standing in front of stores, ringing the familiar bells and holding the red Salvation Army "baskets". I do think they should be supported.
