It’s a joy for our team to bring you this commemorative edition of War Cry to mark 150 years of The Salvation Army.
This week, Salvationists from around the world converge on London to rededicate themselves to the Army’s worldwide mission: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.
Where do you start and end when sharing the history of an organisation such as The Salvation Army? We’ve tried to focus on our earliest pioneers: starting with our founders, William and Catherine Booth, and their deep love for God. We share William Booth’s vision for the lost, and then turn our attention to the arrival of The Salvation Army in New Zealand, under the dynamic leadership of two young men aged just 20 and 21.
Thank you to those who have contributed thoughts and memories. It’s wonderful to sense your gratitude at the influence of the Army in your lives and your communities. Thank you, too, for sharing ideas on how we can face the future. This is something our Territorial Commander also addresses in his own challenge to the Salvationists of New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.
Our cover is reminiscent of early War Cry covers with their detailed illustrations. But it shows that 150 years after our founding, there are still many people in need of hope in the world. Meeting those needs is our heritage. And this is the part God would still have us play.
The cover price of this edition is ‘one penny’. Of course, in inflation-adjusted terms, a penny is worth a great deal more today than it was in the late 1800s. But, as I used to say when offering the War Cry to hotel patrons in my younger days, ‘Whatever you can afford is fine.’
By the way, the advertisements on page 27 are reproduced from early Salvation Army War Crys.
Our office favourite reads: ‘Is Your Hair Long? Then you are probably a poet …’. I wonder, is your heart captured by love for God and love for others? Then you are probably a Salvationist!
Christina Tyson
Editor
Matthew 22: 37-39 NIV
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
Matiu Ngā 22: 37-39 NIV
‘Ka mea a Īhu ki a ia, “Kia whakapaua tōu ngākau, tōu wairua, tōu hinengaro, ki te aroha ki te Ariki, ki tōu Atua.” Ko te tuatahi tēnei, ko te kupu nui. He rite anō te tuarua ki tēnei, “Kia aroha koe ki tōu hoa tata, ānō ko koe.” '