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Once, in 1882, an Army band in Sheffield was attacked by a gang called the Blades, who beat the Salvationists, pelted them with eggs, and ruined their instruments. When the troops mustered for inspection by Booth, he told them, "Now is the time to have your photographs taken!" Today's media snapshot of the church is equally unflattering, but if the ministry holds its ground, Booth would be equally proud.

Elesha Coffman is managing editor of Christian History magazine.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The Salvation Army's official site includes basic information, bios on historical figures and a response to the current controversy.

The Salvation Army story became a Washington Post regular feature after the story broke on July 10. Articles focused on White House reaction, politicos revising their story, and administration-Army meetings. A Posteditorial called the Army an "institution that performs good works" but forgot it was a church.

Christianity Today's has covered the current controversy in Weblog installments including: "The Salvation Army Under Attack Here and Abroad" (July 10, 2001), "White House to Salvation Army: No Soup for You! (July 11, 2001)," and "Salvation Army's 'Call to Hate'?" (July 16, 2001).

Lauren F. Winner reviewed several books on Salvation Army history in Christianity Today's sister publication, Books & Culture. Her article, "From Drum-Bangers to Doughnut-Fryers | Material culture, consumerism, and the transformation of the Salvation Army," appeared in the magazine's September/October 1999 issue.

For more on Salvation Army history, see issue 26 of Christian History. Another Christianity Today sister publication Christian Reader adapted one of the articles on Catherine Booth.

Historian Diane Winston chronicles the Army's shift in emphasis from evangelism to social services in Red-Hot and Righteous: The Urban Religion of the Salvation Army (Harvard, 2000).

Previous Christianity Today stories on the Salvation Army include:

Salvation Army Closed in Moscow | Moscow court decision turns city into a 'legal never-never land' for Christian charity. (Jan.11, 2001)

Still Red-Hot and Righteous | The Salvation Army's International Congress meets outside London for the first time since its founding. (July 12, 2000)

Saving Bodies, Rescuing Souls | Chechen Muslims find Salvationist care has compassionate accent (Apr. 11, 2000)

Salvation Army General Seeks Refocus on Gospel | Newest world leader faces modern challenges (June. 14, 1999)

Did Somebody Say $80 Million? (Dec. 7, 1998)

Salvation Army Youth Spell Out New Methods (Mar. 3, 1997)

Christian History Corner appears every Friday at ChristianityToday.com. Previous editions include:

Historical Hogwash | Two books—one new, one newly reissued—debunk false claims about the "real" Jesus.

Ghosts of the Temple | Soon after Jerusalem fell, the Roman Colosseum went up. Coincidence? (July 6, 2001)

Endangered History | The National Trust's list of imperiled places gives unnoticed gems a chance to shine. (June 29, 2001)

The Communion Test | How a "Humble Inquiry" into the nature of the church cost Jonathan Edwards his job. (June 22, 2001)

Visiting the Other Side | The Israelites spent time on both sides of the Jordan. Now tourists can, too. (June 8, 2001)

Beyond Pearl Harbor | How God caught up with the man who led Japan's surprise attack. (June 1, 2001)

Rivers of Life | In Africa, survival depends on open waterways. Missionary explorer David Livingstone believed that salvation did, too. (May 25, 2001)

Intro to the Inklings | C.S. Lewis's intellect was stimulated at one of the most fascinating extracurricular clubs ever. (May 18, 2001)

How Not to Read Dante | You probably missed the point of The Divine Comedy in high school. (May 11, 2001)

If My People Will Pray | The U.S. National Day of Prayer Turns 50, but its origins are much older. (May 4, 2001)

Mutiny and Redemption | The rarely told story of new life after the destruction of the H.M.S. Bounty. (Apr. 27, 2001)

Book Notes | New and noteworthy releases on church history that deserve recognition. (Apr. 20, 2001)

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July (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45