Hero's of the Salvation Army

OK - so this next one took a bit longer to do since there were more people to draw. But, no self respecting American Salvationist would not recognize this image. It was drilled into us over and over again. George Scott Railton was given the official task of openly starting the Salvation Army's work in the US by the general. And he did it with a splash. Marching off the ship into Castle Garden, New York. With flags waving and singing hymns He and the Seven Hallelujah Lassies made sure to draw attention to them and they drew a crowd.

This image below I decided to pose them all together. As if they were a league of super hero's. He, being the leader, bold but dignified, standing out front. The woman fanning out behind him, ready to preach the gospel. I also wanted to given them a sense of being a range of very young to average age and closely bonded together as friends. 

Hero's of the Salvation Army

Eliza Shirley, I found out about her quite by accident. Yes, I grew up in the Salvation Army. And as such was taught it's history. But, as a young boy I squirmed at the prospect of sitting still to learn history. So this woman I had forgotten about.

But, now with my love of history, that is the stories in it, and my intent to start this current project I ran into her. Mainly I ran into this photo that caught my attention. So, I looked her up. As I was reading her story the memory of it in Junior Soldier class came back to me.

Born in Coventry England and raised to be a "proper" Victorian lady it was no surprise that she was captivated by the Hallelujah Lassies that marched down her street loudly preaching the gospel, something women did not do. She accepted Christ at the age of 15 and joined them as a lassie till she turned 16.

That was when she sat down with William Booth to talk to him about her faith and he offered her a commission as a Lieutenant (ordained minister). Yes, I know there was more to the story, but I am condensing here.

When her father moved to the United States to find work he asked her and her mother to come over too. With General Booths' tentative blessing she moved to Philadelphia and started the work there. It took a little time to grow. But, it did(again, condensing).

Now, she started the work in Oct. 1879. And, only 6 months later in March 1880 Was the historically recognized start of the Army's work in the US with the arrival of George Scott Railton and his seven Hallelujah Lassies. That is the part that stuck with me over the years. But, Eliza was the first so here she is.

Hero's of the Salvation Army

So, I am working on an other project as well. This one to help the younger members of the Salvation Army(Junior Soldiers) to learn more about it's history. Being kids I want to create a tool to help them and this is the beginning of it. I am starting with a set of posters depicting different people that through the Ministry that God gave them helped the Army become what it is today.

It is a daunting task to say the least, but I want to do this. Why, because I was a Junior Soldier too many years ago(cough, cough 40 years ago) and I remember how boring some of the learning material was. So with the talent that God gave me I decided to create my own material. And It starts with these posters.

I started with the one person that has stood out for me. "Joe the Turk."  Because I'm making material for very young kids I decided to go with the style you see below. Very clean lines and simple cartoon.

I also wanted to include not just specific people, but also some that were known not by name but by what they did in the name of God and the Army to help build the Army up. Which is why I also did this Doughnut Girl. Many Salvationist came to France during the first world war to give the soldiers a chance to relax, eat, talk about home - to just unwind from the war. They left an indelible mark on its history.

Now, I need your help. I know a few others that I will be working on to create - but I need your help too. Please contact me with suggestions of other Salvationists that I can create a poster of for this project

Heros of the