Heritage Museum Picture of the Month
The Christian Mission Handbill, 1877
by Rob Jeffery
This handbill from 1877 announces the exciting goings-on of the Christian Mission.
The Christian Mission was the precursor to The Salvation Army. Under the leadership of then-Superintendent Rev. William Booth, the mission attracted like-minded young evangelists from various denominations who flocked to its banner. They engaged in a new style of evangelism, enthusiastically promoting their religious services with little to no emphasis on traditional “church” terms. Who wouldn’t want to take part in a “HALLELUJAH DAY,” an “OPEN-AIR DEMONSTRATION,” or a “GLORY TEA”?
The locations for these exciting services were all in East End London—the historic birthplace of The Salvation Army.