Finland
From Sawiki
The first Finnish Salvation Army officers came from the Free Church movement. The first three Finnish officers were Swedish-speaking Finns, Constantin Boije, Hedvig von Haartman and Alva Forsius.
The first Salvation Army appearance in public took place on November 8th, 1889 in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
Constantin Boije became the first leader of the Salvation Army in Finland in the year of 1889. During the period of his successor Hedvig von Haartman (1890-1898) the Salvation Army met with great difficulties caused by the authorities as well as some people disturbing the peace. At a certain time it was forbidden all over Finland to have religious meetings. Salvation Army officers opposing this order were imprisoned.
The press considered this religious persecution and strongly criticized the actions of the authorities. Despite the difficulties, the activities of the Salvation Army did not cease and in the end of the 1890's already five corps were working, counting 19 Salvation Army officers and 200 soldiers. The resistance that the Salvation Army met with became less vigorous little by little and the change of the century signified prosperous growth for the Movement.
During the civil war in 1918 the salvationists were helping the white side and the red side without distinction. Tens of Salvation Army soldiers were helping the refugees from Karelia with their moving and lodgings during the years of war 1939-45.
The Salvation Army had its highest number of officers and soldiers before the second world war. The Finnish officer Jarl Wahlström was the General of the Salvation Army during the period of 1981-86.
Today, the Salvation Army operates at approximately 35 places in Finland doing spiritual work as well as giving social help. There are about 1000 soldiers and 34 corps and 32 social institutions in different parts of this country. During a little over a hundred years of its existence, the Salvation Army has become a part of the Finnish society.
