Promoted to Glory is a term used by

The Salvation Army The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestant church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7million, comprising soldiers, officers and adherents col ...

to describe the death of a

Salvationist The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestant church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7million, comprising soldiers, officers and adherents co ...

Terminology and background

Earliest printed usage of the term seems to be in late 1882 in ''

The War Cry ''The War Cry'' is the official news publication of The Salvation Army. Today national versions of it are sold in countries all over the world to raise funds in support of the Army's social work. History The first edition of ''The War Cry'' w ...

'', which included death announcements in the December 14 issue, with headlines such as 'Promotion of Sister Muxlow from

Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surfa ...

Heaven Heaven or the heavens, is a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where beings such as deities, angels, souls, saints, or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. According to the belie ...

' and 'Private Rudd goes to Glory from the Open-air.' Another report, headed 'Promotion from

Cheltenham Cheltenham (), also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a spa town and borough on the edge of the Cotswolds in the county of Gloucestershire, England. Cheltenham became known as a health and holiday spa town resort, following the discovery of mineral s ...

to Glory,' appeared in ''The War Cry'' of December 16, 1882. Some

Salvation Army corps A Salvation Army corps is a local church organization and physical place of worship in The Salvation Army. Like the Christian term "church" a corps includes both the physical building and the body of members who attend at the building. In kee ...

have a Promoted to Glory Board or ledger on which all members (

Soldiers A soldier is a person who is a member of an army. A soldier can be a conscripted or volunteer enlisted person, a non-commissioned officer, or an officer. Etymology The word ''soldier'' derives from the Middle English word , from Old French ...

or Adherents) of that corps, who have died, are listed along with the year of their death. The Salvation Army flag may be draped over the coffin. The term Promoted to Glory was actually coined by

Herbert Booth Herbert Henry Howard Booth (26 August 1862 – 25 September 1926) was a Salvation Army officer, the third son of five children to William and Catherine Booth (Mumford), who later went on to serve as an independent evangelist. He oversaw th ...

, son of the Founder

William Booth William Booth (10 April 182920 August 1912) was an English Methodist preacher who, along with his wife, Catherine, founded the Salvation Army and became its first "General" (1878–1912). His 1890 book In Darkest England and The Way Out outli ...

, following the death of

Catherine Booth Catherine Booth (''née'' Mumford, 17 January 1829 – 4 October 1890) was co-founder of The Salvation Army, along with her husband William Booth. Because of her influence in the formation of The Salvation Army she was known as the 'Mothe ...

, the Mother of the Salvation Army. He wrote the song "Promoted to Glory" which is still used at funerals today. Words & Music: Herbert H. Booth, in Songs of Peace and War, 1890 (MIDI, score). Booth wrote this song while preparing for his mother's funeral.

Song

---- Summoned home, the call has sounded, Bidding a soldier his warfare cease; And the song of angels resounded, Welcomes a warrior to eternal peace. Praise the Lord! from earthly struggles A comrade has found release. Death has lost its sting, the grave its victory; Conflicts and dangers are over; See him honored in the throne of glory, Crowned by the hand of Jehovah! Strife and sorrow over, The Lord's true faithful soldier Has been called to go from the ranks below, To the conq’ring host above. Once the sword, but now the scepter, Once the fight, now the rest and fame, Broken every earthly fetter, Now the glory for the cross and shame; Once the loss of all for Jesus, But now the eternal gain. Trials and sorrow here have found their meaning Mysteries their explanation; Safe, forever in the sunlight gleaming Of His eternal salvation. Salvation Army funerals are typically upbeat and are a celebration of the words "Servant of Christ, well done!"

References

The Salvation Army Christian terminology {{Christianity-stub