The text below is from the full page advert (left) printed on the backpage of the 'The Bandsman, Local Officer and Songster' March 14th 1914.
Aren't the sentiments it conveys equally valid today?
Love and prayers
A
"There is a charm about Salvation Army uniform which is perhaps, better experienced than described. It has an attractiveness which is entirely its own, and the impression it makes upon the casual observer is without parallel in the realms of religious attire.
How many thousands of people have been attracted to the Army, won for God, and helped in many ways by the means of this world famous uniform?
In every land the wearer of the Army uniform is recognised as a servant of suffering humanity... The Uniform is, undoubtedly, the most potent advertisement The Army has ever adopted, and its value cannot well be overstated. It brings blessing to the wearers as well as those with whom they come into contact. A Salvationist’s personal appearance should endorse his testimony. It is quite possible for the Army Suit of blue to be a silent testimony as to ‘whose we are and whom we serve.' As our Army Mother wrote; 'we speak to numbers by our, appearance to whom we can never speak by our words' "
2 comments:
Hi Andrew
you ask "Aren't the sentiments it conveys equally valid today?"
I have to say, for me, the answer is "NO".
In fact, I'd ask "how many people have been put off the Army by the uniform?"
I was brought up in an Army family and have been a uniform wearing Salvationist for 36 years (29 of those as a senior soldier). At the moment I'm a jeans and Army t-shirt wearing soldier.
I thought I'd share a couple of recent experiences that underline the personal difficulties I have with uniform.
Our good friend is the (employed) community manager for our corps. As well as running a busy mid-week programme she spends time building relationships with many of the people who use our building during the week.
For some reason, she was at the Hall in uniform one day (might have been a funeral - I'm not sure). A lady, who she knows fairly well through the community programme, wanted to ask some questions about the Army. But, instead of seeking her out she found one of our non-uniformed friends and spoke to her instead.
The lady explained to our other friend that she wanted to speak to the community manager but couldn't do so because she was in uniform.
I found this quite ironic as the SA UK website says -
"The intention of Salvation Army uniform is not to isolate its wearer from other people but to give a visible sign that he or she is available to serve others."
In this case it had exactly the opposite effect.
The second incident happened a few weeks ago at the recent Vocational Day at the training college. Kev and I arrived, slightly late but with a message from our friends that everyone was in the dining room having coffee.
We walked in to find we and about six other people were the only ones not in uniform. As we crossed the dining room we felt everyone was staring - we couldn’t believe how uncomfortable we felt. We’re Salvationists! We wear uniform! But we felt SO out of place.
In an instant I had a much clearer understanding of what our children’s workers had been telling us a few weeks earlier – people are intimidated by our uniform.
It’s not that I didn’t believe them – I've heard lots of people sat this over the years - I just didn’t grasp how for some people it could be such a big hurdle to overcome.
I have to add that our feeling of discomfort had a lot to do with the fact that there was no one to welcome us or tell us where to go and what to do. Fortunately we have smiling people at out corps to welcome visitors.
I know other readers will have the opposite experience and will tell of the times when for them the uniform has done just what this article says. I just want to say it doesn’t do it every time and it doesn’t do it for everyone.
I have a whole bunch of thoughts on this one but, as is often the case, the issue of uniform is a distraction - I should be preparing for a prayer meeting now.
(PS – good article in the green Salvationist).
Love
H
Hi Heather good to hear from you :-)
We've had a number of new converts during our time at St Mary Cray and they have all been mad keen to get their uniforms.
Last week I took two more to Trade to purchase the same.
We minister among a lot of vulnerable people (addicts, homeless, mental health problems etc) and none of them (to date) have been intimidated or put off by the uniform.
I will put my Officers uniform back on this coming Sunday for the first time in 18 years and I can't wait.
When I get to Dartford I cannot see a time when I will be out of uniform - it might just be a t-shirt (with a shield or logo on) but it will be uniform all the same.
I want people to be able to identify me by what I wear - as someone once said when you go into a shop you want to know who the sales assistants are.
Your point is of course valid and you are quite right when you say the discussion is a distraction :-)
Much love and prayers
A
Post a Comment