Living History is an ongoing series showcasing just a small assortment of the more than 350,000 items housed at The Salvation Army Heritage Centre in Toronto. This month, we spotlight a unique gift given to General Clarence Wiseman at the 1975 Salvation Army congress in Stockholm, Sweden.

The August 16, 1975, edition of The War Cry included a report of the first visit to Sweden of General Clarence and Mrs. General Janet Wiseman. Canadian officers who served as the international leaders of The Salvation Army from 1974 to 1977, the Wisemans conducted congress meetings in Stockholm.

Events included a five-kilometre march from territorial headquarters to the Royal Tennis Hall, a Friday evening welcome service and open-air meetings that attracted crowds of tourists. 

“Large crowds attended the Sunday morning meetings at the Royal Tennis Hall,” the report says, “and in response to the General’s appeal there were many seekers. At times six rows of chairs around the platform were insufficient to accommodate those who wished to make public confession of their needs.”

It was at this congress that General Wiseman received a magnificent pelt as a thank-you gift. Translated, the Swedish text reads:

“To General and Mrs. Wiseman: There is an Army with ancient ancestors who have fought since 1882 and faithfully followed their Master’s banner to defeat the chosen of sin. True, the chosen fight has been hard at times, and many have also been wounded in the battle, but many have happily entered the good land and rejoice there in heavenly peace. In the footsteps of the fathers, the gospel is proclaimed and future victories through the power of the Spirit we see. We fight on as long as the day is allowed us, until at the command of our Master, weapons are laid down.” 

The pelt, along with many other materials, was donated to the Heritage Centre by the Wiseman family upon the death of Mrs. General Janet Wiseman in 1993.

Photos: The Archives of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory, Camilo Mejia