<P> The theology of the Salvation Army is derived from that of Methodism, although it is distinctive in institution and practice . It does not celebrate the divine command of Baptism and Holy Communion . The Army's doctrine is typical of evangelical Protestant churches . 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". </P> <P> The Army was founded in 1865 in London by one - time Methodist circuit - preacher William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission . In 1878 Booth reorganised the mission, becoming its first General and introducing the military structure which has been retained to the present day . The current international leader of The Salvation Army and chief executive officer (CEO) is General André Cox, who was elected by the High Council of The Salvation Army on 3 August 2013 . </P> <P> The Salvation Army was founded in London's East End in 1865 by one - time Methodist Reform Church minister William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission . The name "The Salvation Army" developed from an incident on 19 and 20 May . William Booth was dictating a letter to his secretary George Scott Railton and said, "We are a volunteer army ." Bramwell Booth heard his father and said, "Volunteer! I'm no volunteer, I'm a regular!" Railton was instructed to cross out the word "volunteer" and substitute the word "salvation". The Salvation Army was modelled after the military, with its own flag (or colours) and its own hymns, often with words set to popular and folkloric tunes sung in the pubs . Booth and the other soldiers in "God's Army" would wear the Army's own uniform, for meetings and ministry work . He became the "General" and his other ministers were given appropriate ranks as "officers". Other members became "soldiers". </P> <P> When William Booth became known as the General, Catherine is known as the "Mother of The Salvation Army". William preached to the poor, and Catherine spoke to the wealthy, gaining financial support for their work . She also acted as a religious minister, which was unusual at the time; the Foundation Deed of the Christian Mission states that women had the same rights to preach as men . William Booth described the organisation's approach: "The three' S's' best expressed the way in which the Army administered to the' down and outs': first, soup; second, soap; and finally, salvation ." </P>

Where did the name salvation army come from
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