

The SA hymbook has changed quite a bit over the years but many of the hymns from the the first SA hymnbook compiled by William Booth are still in thier current book. The Salvation Army is estimated to hold 0.3% share among the worldwide Protestant population.( Ref Wikipedia) The current world leader of The Salvation Army is General André Cox, who was elected by the High Council of The Salvation Army on 3 August 2013. Originally known as the East London Christian Mission, in 1878 Booth reorganized the mission, becoming its first General and introducing the military structure which has been retained to the present day. The Army's purposes are "the advancement of the Christian religion of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole." The Army was founded in 1865 in London by one-time Methodist circuit-preacher William Booth. The Army's doctrine is typical of evangelical Protestant denominations. The theology of the Salvation Army is derived from that of Methodism although it is distinctive in institution and practice. In the US, the Salvation Army claims to be largely a secular service provider not a religious denomination, and seeks funds through united charities such as the United Way. It is present in 127 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless, and providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries. To bring salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their "physical and spiritual needs".
