Adam Gifford
From Sawiki
For almost 20 years the 11 Western states and Hawaii had been administered from Chicago. Though most of the important decisions rested with National Commander Evangeline Booth, it was decided that a lieutenant commissioner should be in charge of this area, subject to her direction.
Distances and communication being what they were, this had to be someone she could trust implicitly. She recommended Gifford, a valued friend, seasoned with many years of important service.
Adam Gifford was born in Scotland in 1863, later immigrating with his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With some other boys he followed a Salvation Army street procession to the hall through curiosity, remaining because of their interpretation of Jesus Christ and Christianity. Soundly converted, he was sent out as a field officer at the age of 19.
At his first appointment, in Pittsburgh, local officials passed an ordinance forbidding street meetings. The young lieutenant defied it and was sent to jail. He fought this case and won. In 1885 he and Lt. Amanda Adams were married, and as captains moved to Meriden, Connecticut.
The year 1886 found them at six different posts in New England. Later, in Philadelphia, the Mayor used 100 police and several patrol wagons to get the Salvationists out of town. For seven weeks the persecution persisted. Mrs. Gifford was among those arrested when they were taken to jail, along with their 27 drums. Gifford carried the case to the State Courts, vindicated the Army’s rights and shamed the Mayor for his actions.
The Giffords spent 12 years in command of the New England Province, with headquarters in Boston. While there he conceived the idea of bringing the young people together for counsel and guidance. Out of these gatherings have grown the Youth Councils of the present day.
Then came the orders to move west. Adding a few more staff in Chicago, the special train car held 23: ten officers and their children, and some employees. Gifford set about organizing the business of the new territory. All the staff camped in the new headquarters in San Francisco at 115 Valencia Street (later 101 Valencia) for several weeks until quarters could be secured.
The corps and much of the social work in the territory were in place by 1920. There were 142 corps and 83 outposts listed in the 1921 Disposition of Forces. Also in 1921, The Western Training College, Brig. Andrew Crawford, principal, commissioned the aptly named Pioneer Session.
The Territorial Commander launched a whirlwind of activity throughout the large territory. During his first year in office he traveled thousands of miles to all areas, rallying the troops and seeking trouble spots. Salvationists of the West served valiantly in the great Pueblo flood disaster of 1921.
Inspired by the deeds of the old-time Charioteers and Mounted Cavalcade, Gifford sent modern day Charioteers in a brightly-painted bus to roam the territory up to Seattle and as far south as El Paso, preaching the Gospel.
For a time Gifford suffered a breakdown, probably from stress and overwork. His wife, also in ill health, was promoted to Glory in 1924. He apparently rallied and was back in form by 1926, when Booth saw fit to promote him to full commissioner.
As a new venture, territorial leadership training camps in 1929 ‘30 and ‘31 drew in many young people in their teens. The work and example of their leaders made a marked influence, for many of these young people became leading officers of the territory.
When slightly over retirement age, Gifford suffered a stroke during the Welcome of Cadets in September 1931. Within a week he had been promoted to Glory.
Commissioner Gifford was big in his field because he produced results. He was even bigger in that he had the highest standards of Christianity, and lived up to them. His funeral marked the passing of one of the Old Guard, long identified with the Army’s early history and growth in this country.
