Arnold Brown (General of The Salvation Army)
Encyclopedia
Arnold Brown, OC
(December 13, 1913 – June 26, 2002) was the 11th General
of The Salvation Army
(1977-1981).
He was born in London
, England
, the son of officers of the Army. While he was still a young boy, his family immigrated to Canada
, and it was from the corps in Belleville
that he entered training, becoming an officer in 1935. A two-year corps command was followed by 10 years service in the editorial department at territorial headquarters, where he became assistant editor of The War Cry. During that time he compiled a history of the first 50 years of Salvation Army ministry in Canada, entitled What Hath God Wrought?
Captain Arnold Brown and Lieutenant Jean Barclay were married September 15, 1939, and they gave 42 years of joint service before they retired from active leadership. They had two daughters, Heather Jean Brown and Beverley Ann Brown.
In 1962, the then Brigadier Brown was appointed as territorial youth secretary, an appointment in which he gave a vigorous lead to the young Salvationists of Canada and Bermuda
. Always an inspired leader of meetings and a fascinating speaker, his ministry among the young people of the territory made an indelible mark upon the lives and service of many of them.
In 1964, there came a return to public relations work, this time at International Headquarters
, where Lieut-Colonel Arnold Brown was appointed as secretary for public relations, being promoted to the rank of colonel just a few months later. The genius that he had developed in earlier years was put to further use during his time as head of the PR department at IHQ. His imaginative leadership gave birth to the 'For God's Sake Care!' campaign, which raised the Army's profile significantly throughout the UK
, and changed the face of The Salvation Army's public relations work for all time. It was also under his direction that advisory boards were established in the UK.
General Brown had a long-standing involvement with the Rotary Club movement, rising to high office in the London club and internationally. In his capacity as a Rotarian he was invited to address many international conferences, including those in Lausanne
, Switzerland
, in 1973 and in Montreal
, Canada, in 1975. Whenever he addressed Rotary, he proudly presented the story of God's Army and its contribution to the relief of suffering and need around the world.
Following an outstanding period of service in public relations, Commissioner Arnold Brown was appointed Chief of the Staff in October 1969, where he served for five years before returning to Canada as territorial commander in 1974. Three years later, the High Council of The Salvation Army
elected him to become the 11th General of The Salvation Army. He took office on July 5, 1977.
Upon election, when asked what he wanted Salvationists to do, General Brown said: 'Everything they can to make better known Jesus Christ and his saving power as the only hope for a sinning, suffering world; everything they can to demonstrate indisputably in what they say and do that the grace of God enables men and women to live clean and holy lives filled with the joy of service to God and their fellows; in short, everything they can to bring Heaven to earth.'
When General Brown came into office, plans were already well in hand for the Army's fifth international congress in London, and the General gave masterly leadership and direction to the proceedings over a period of 10 days in the summer of 1978.
General and Mrs Brown travelled extensively during the four-and-a-half years the General was in office, giving energetic, imaginative and inspired leadership to the Army all around the world. General Brown was as much at home in the presence of kings and presidents as he was in the company of Salvationists from the humblest of backgrounds, and both received him just as warmly.
In 1980, General Brown inaugurated the International Staff Songsters in London, and he continued to maintain a lively interest in their ministry, both in the UK and many other countries to which they have travelled in the past 22 years.
General Brown received many honours during his lifetime, recognising his contribution to the field of literature as well as his work in the interests of the poor and underprivileged of society. He was made a Freeman of the City of London
in 1978, an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1981 and, also in 1981, an honorary Doctor of Divinity at the Olivet Seminary in the USA
.
Many books were written by General Arnold Brown, including What Hath God Wrought?, The Gate and the Light (autobiography), The Mountain the Wind Blew Here, and With Christ at the Table and Occupied Manger - Unoccupied Tomb.
General Arnold Brown died at age 88 in a hospital in Toronto
, Canada
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(December 13, 1913 – June 26, 2002) was the 11th General
Generals of The Salvation Army
thumbnail|left|1st General, William BoothGeneral is the title of the international leader of The Salvation Army, a Christian denomination with extensive charitable social services that gives quasi-military rank to its ministers .Usage of the term General began with the Founder of The Salvation...
of The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
(1977-1981).
He was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the son of officers of the Army. While he was still a young boy, his family immigrated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and it was from the corps in Belleville
Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region...
that he entered training, becoming an officer in 1935. A two-year corps command was followed by 10 years service in the editorial department at territorial headquarters, where he became assistant editor of The War Cry. During that time he compiled a history of the first 50 years of Salvation Army ministry in Canada, entitled What Hath God Wrought?
Captain Arnold Brown and Lieutenant Jean Barclay were married September 15, 1939, and they gave 42 years of joint service before they retired from active leadership. They had two daughters, Heather Jean Brown and Beverley Ann Brown.
In 1962, the then Brigadier Brown was appointed as territorial youth secretary, an appointment in which he gave a vigorous lead to the young Salvationists of Canada and Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. Always an inspired leader of meetings and a fascinating speaker, his ministry among the young people of the territory made an indelible mark upon the lives and service of many of them.
In 1964, there came a return to public relations work, this time at International Headquarters
International Headquarters of The Salvation Army
The International Headquarters of the Salvation Army is located in London at 101 Queen Victoria Street, EC4P 4EP.This is a modern building on a site used by the Army for its headquarters since 1881.-External links:*...
, where Lieut-Colonel Arnold Brown was appointed as secretary for public relations, being promoted to the rank of colonel just a few months later. The genius that he had developed in earlier years was put to further use during his time as head of the PR department at IHQ. His imaginative leadership gave birth to the 'For God's Sake Care!' campaign, which raised the Army's profile significantly throughout the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and changed the face of The Salvation Army's public relations work for all time. It was also under his direction that advisory boards were established in the UK.
General Brown had a long-standing involvement with the Rotary Club movement, rising to high office in the London club and internationally. In his capacity as a Rotarian he was invited to address many international conferences, including those in Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, in 1973 and in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada, in 1975. Whenever he addressed Rotary, he proudly presented the story of God's Army and its contribution to the relief of suffering and need around the world.
Following an outstanding period of service in public relations, Commissioner Arnold Brown was appointed Chief of the Staff in October 1969, where he served for five years before returning to Canada as territorial commander in 1974. Three years later, the High Council of The Salvation Army
High Council of The Salvation Army
The High Council of The Salvation Army elects a new General in the event of a vacancy or prior to the retirement of the existing office holder. It can also remove a General who can no longer fulfil their duties. It is made up of the Chief of the Staff, all active Commissioners except the spouse of...
elected him to become the 11th General of The Salvation Army. He took office on July 5, 1977.
Upon election, when asked what he wanted Salvationists to do, General Brown said: 'Everything they can to make better known Jesus Christ and his saving power as the only hope for a sinning, suffering world; everything they can to demonstrate indisputably in what they say and do that the grace of God enables men and women to live clean and holy lives filled with the joy of service to God and their fellows; in short, everything they can to bring Heaven to earth.'
When General Brown came into office, plans were already well in hand for the Army's fifth international congress in London, and the General gave masterly leadership and direction to the proceedings over a period of 10 days in the summer of 1978.
General and Mrs Brown travelled extensively during the four-and-a-half years the General was in office, giving energetic, imaginative and inspired leadership to the Army all around the world. General Brown was as much at home in the presence of kings and presidents as he was in the company of Salvationists from the humblest of backgrounds, and both received him just as warmly.
In 1980, General Brown inaugurated the International Staff Songsters in London, and he continued to maintain a lively interest in their ministry, both in the UK and many other countries to which they have travelled in the past 22 years.
General Brown received many honours during his lifetime, recognising his contribution to the field of literature as well as his work in the interests of the poor and underprivileged of society. He was made a Freeman of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
in 1978, an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1981 and, also in 1981, an honorary Doctor of Divinity at the Olivet Seminary in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Many books were written by General Arnold Brown, including What Hath God Wrought?, The Gate and the Light (autobiography), The Mountain the Wind Blew Here, and With Christ at the Table and Occupied Manger - Unoccupied Tomb.
General Arnold Brown died at age 88 in a hospital in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.