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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 553, 6 January 1891, Page 3

The following explanation of how the Salvation Army adopted the military titles and organisation is given in the October number of the Review of Reviews. The “ Geneial ” was a corruption or abbreviation of the “General Superintendent of the Christian Mission,” the title originally adopted by Mr Booth on founding his mission. The title of Captain was suggested by the crowds who lock upon the leader of anything as the Captain, just as in the colonies or America a similar position gives its owner the right of being called the “ Boi-s.” Mr Booth’s agents had no distinctive title, and so came to be called captains, and these titles suggested the military organisation which was afterwards adopted. The term “Salvation Army ” came about in a curious manner. Mr Railton defined the Christian Mission in a proof as “a volunteer army of converted working people.” “No,” said Mr Booth, “we are not votateera, ferwn fed we must do what we do, and we are always on duty.” He crossed out the word and wrote “ Salvation ” instead. The appropriateness of the word struck his colleagues, and It was adopted, and the phrase Salvation Army ” survived, until in 1878 the Army wua reconstiiuicd under the title.