If you are looking for a book about Salvation Army history for a Christmas present then you could consider Wickford resident Martin Whybrow's 2019 book: 'Soldier of our God, Arise!'
The cost is £5 to support Salvation Army local work, or including postage and packing £8.
Soldier of our God, Arise! is a rare book about Salvation Army hymnody (or should that be songnody?). It investigates the silent mystery surrounding Scottish song writer Robert Johnson, author of the iconic songs 'Storm the Forts of Darkness' and 'A Robe of White'. The quest is set against the background of the Victorian Salvation Army song writing machine, the remarkable family who was equally divided about whether or not the Christian Mission should change to become The Salvation Army or remain as it was, the foundational work of The Salvation Army in Scotland, and the laying of the groundwork of Salvation Army vocal music. All the time in the background lurks the violence of the Skeleton Army, the influence of the music halls, and legal concerns about copyright.
It is illustrated, and comes complete with a photo discovered earlier this year, believed to be of Robert Johnson.
