From FSAOF blog (fsaof.blogspot.com):
PROMOTED TO GLORY
Non-salvationists are often intrigued
by the Army's use of the term 'promoted to Glory'. The Founder, William
Booth, was convinced that the custom,
then almost universally followed, of wearing black clothing heavily
trimmed with somber crepe as a sign of mourning was opposed to the
teaching of Christ. He believed that Christ is in deepest sympathy with
our sorrows, but that he desires to make these sorrows stepping-stones
to greater faith in a loving heavenly Father and deeper submission to
his will.
In all his arrangements for times of
bereavement the Founder aimed to show how sadness could be alleviated
and death turned into victory. He introduced the cross-and-crown badge
to be worn on the left arm by those bereaved.
For those who would otherwise have
worn 'mourning' dress, this served as a token of abiding affection for
the departed but was also a positive declaration of faith and hope.
Every Salvation Army funeral is
regarded as a valuable opportunity for comforting and strengthening the
mourners and for urging the unsaved to seek and find salvation. The
first simple edge-stonein Abney Park Cemetery which marked the
resting-place of 'Catherine Booth, the Mother of The Salvation Army',
asked every passer-by, 'Do you also follow Christ?' This was a model in
memorial stones, consistent with the highest teaching of The Salvation
Army.
Memorial services were introduced,
specifically to challenge the living with the witness of those who had
themselves lived victoriously in Christ. The first of these was held on
the first anniversary of Catherine Booth's death, in the Agricultural
Hall-then one of London's largest buildings. It was impossible for the
speakers to be heard in so large a hall, but each part of the service
was indicated by large illuminated signs, so that the audience of some
15,000 could join in all the songs and prayers. Scenes from Mrs Booth's
life and messages both from her writings and from those of the Founder
were displayed on a great lantern screen. A similar service was held in
connection with the promotion to Glory of the Founder himself.
"Will
there be any stars in that crown I receive when I leave my earthly shroud
behind?" (Swedish SA Songbook)
Painting by Swedish artist and family friend Bengt Engman.
The
Salvationist asks that he be allowed to wear his red guernsey as his robes of
white are presented in preparation for him to meet Jesus, family and friends.
The
original painting hangs in the SA corps hall in the village of Vansbro, Sweden,
the home town of the artist and where he was a Junior Soldier.
Dr. Sven Ljungholm
Former Officer
USA, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova
Birkenhead Corps, UK
_______________________________________
The concept of a bodily
resurrection is one of the reasons some people do not become Christians. In their minds it means that someday
all the bodies of people who have ever lived will be reassembled. For others, it means that what makes
one unique will survive. Others believe that the moment one dies, one’s soul is
translated into the joys of heaven, or assigned to the pains of hell.
PART ONE (1/3)
Dr. John Sullivan
Former Officer Canada & Bermuda
Ordained Minister The United Church of Canada
Studied Homiletics and Liturgics at Claremont School of Theology
Princeton Theological Seminary
University of Toronto
Salvation Army Training College, Canada
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