Edward Higgins
Encyclopedia
Edward John Higgins was the third General
of The Salvation Army
(1929-1934).
He was born in Highbridge
, Somerset
, England
. His father became a much revered Commissioner in the Army's ranks, and travelled extensively in the interests of the organisation. His mother died when he was 8 years of age.
He became an officer in 1882 at the age of 17. Most of his earlier career was spent as an officer in the United States
. During his time as an officer in the U.S., there was great divisions amongst the American Salvationists. He was known as the peace maker, thus earning him a lot of respect. In 1888, he married Captain Catherine Price.
When Higgins was 42 years of age, Commissioner and Chief of the Staff
Bramwell Booth
gave him the oversight of the evangelistic work in the United Kingdom
. By this time, Higgins was a great speaker, and had a lot of leadership skills which was needed in this role.
The Siege of London was a 10 day effort that took place in November 1912. It was an attempt to bring a prayer service to the people out in the core of London
. It was such a huge success that it was repeated in 1913.
In 1919, General Bramwell Booth
appointed him as his Chief of the Staff
. Edward was never one to lead a political agenda, but he took his new role in stride. However, 1929 was a real test for Edward and a critical time in the history of The Salvation Army, the calling of the first High Council
to elect a new General. General Bramwell Booth was asked to resign because of his ill health over the past several months. He refused, however, and was then reluctantly deposed from office, to be succeeded in the election of Edward. As General Booth sued, the matter was put in the hands of the court. The court ruled in favour of the High Council. Thus, Edward was the first General to be elected by the High Council.
As leader of the International Salvation Army, General Higgins still had his personal touch and warmth towards others. During his term in office as the General, he allowed a centenary of William Booth's birth to be celebrated. He also presided over a gathering in the Royal Albert Hall
, and among those taking part was then Prime Minister
, The Rt Hon.
Stanley Baldwin
.
When he retired, his farewell meeting was held at the Royal Albert Hall, on November 1, 1934, and was presided over by the then Duke of York
(later to become King George
), who was accompanied by the Duchess, later known as Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
.
The General and his wife then went to live in Florida
, and later moved to Canada
. He continued to prove himself a true "son of the Army" by maintaining as much interest in the relatively small corps around them as he had done in the greater issues when in office. Mrs General Catherine Higgins died in 1952.
Higgins wrote a number of books, including Stewards of God and Personal Holiness.
General Edward Higgins died at age 83.
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....
(1929-1934).
He was born in Highbridge
Highbridge, Somerset
Highbridge is a small market town situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels near the mouth of the River Brue. It is in the County of Somerset, and is approximately north west of Taunton, the county town of Somerset. Highbridge is in the District of Sedgemoor, being situated approximately north...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, 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...
. His father became a much revered Commissioner in the Army's ranks, and travelled extensively in the interests of the organisation. His mother died when he was 8 years of age.
He became an officer in 1882 at the age of 17. Most of his earlier career was spent as an officer in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. During his time as an officer in the U.S., there was great divisions amongst the American Salvationists. He was known as the peace maker, thus earning him a lot of respect. In 1888, he married Captain Catherine Price.
When Higgins was 42 years of age, Commissioner and Chief of the Staff
Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army
The Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army is the officer who is second in command of the Army internationally, only behind the General, and is stationed at International Headquarters in London....
Bramwell Booth
Bramwell Booth
Bramwell Booth, CH was the first Chief of Staff and the second General of The Salvation Army , succeeding his father, William Booth.-Biography:...
gave him the oversight of the evangelistic work in the United Kingdom
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...
. By this time, Higgins was a great speaker, and had a lot of leadership skills which was needed in this role.
The Siege of London was a 10 day effort that took place in November 1912. It was an attempt to bring a prayer service to the people out in the core of 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...
. It was such a huge success that it was repeated in 1913.
In 1919, General Bramwell Booth
Bramwell Booth
Bramwell Booth, CH was the first Chief of Staff and the second General of The Salvation Army , succeeding his father, William Booth.-Biography:...
appointed him as his Chief of the Staff
Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army
The Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army is the officer who is second in command of the Army internationally, only behind the General, and is stationed at International Headquarters in London....
. Edward was never one to lead a political agenda, but he took his new role in stride. However, 1929 was a real test for Edward and a critical time in the history of The Salvation Army, the calling of the first High Council
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...
to elect a new General. General Bramwell Booth was asked to resign because of his ill health over the past several months. He refused, however, and was then reluctantly deposed from office, to be succeeded in the election of Edward. As General Booth sued, the matter was put in the hands of the court. The court ruled in favour of the High Council. Thus, Edward was the first General to be elected by the High Council.
As leader of the International Salvation Army, General Higgins still had his personal touch and warmth towards others. During his term in office as the General, he allowed a centenary of William Booth's birth to be celebrated. He also presided over a gathering in the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, and among those taking part was then Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
, The Rt Hon.
The Right Honourable
The Right Honourable is an honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain people in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other Commonwealth Realms, and occasionally elsewhere...
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
.
When he retired, his farewell meeting was held at the Royal Albert Hall, on November 1, 1934, and was presided over by the then Duke of York
Duke of York
The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and...
(later to become King George
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
), who was accompanied by the Duchess, later known as Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
.
The General and his wife then went to live in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and later moved 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...
. He continued to prove himself a true "son of the Army" by maintaining as much interest in the relatively small corps around them as he had done in the greater issues when in office. Mrs General Catherine Higgins died in 1952.
Higgins wrote a number of books, including Stewards of God and Personal Holiness.
General Edward Higgins died at age 83.