Across an Ocean and a Continent
The Salvation Army as a Canadian Immigration Agency 1904-1932
by Dr. R. Gordon Moyles
Brass bands, Christmas kettles, thrift stores—these are what most Canadians commonly associate with The Salvation Army. Few know, however, that between 1904 and 1932, the Army was an official immigration agency, approved and financially sponsored by Canada’s Department of Immigration. During that time, the organization brought to Canada approximately 111,000 British settlers, most of them juvenile male farm helpers and young female domestics.
Across an Ocean and a Continent is a descriptive account of the Army’s immigration work, detailing how it conducted that work, offering first-hand reports of trips across the Atlantic and Canada in its chartered ships and trains, discussing its dealings with Canada’s Department of Immigration, and the public’s perception and reception of its efforts. Enlivened by more than a dozen personal recollections, this book not only expands our appreciation of The Salvation Army as a worldwide social agency but also provides another important chapter in Canada’s immigration history.
"R.G. Moyles knows how to make historical data come alive through striking facts and gripping first-hand accounts."—General John Larsson (Rtd)
About the Author
Dr. R. Gordon Moyles is a member of The Salvation Army Edmonton Temple and a professor emeritus at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, having taught Canadian literature and served as the associate dean of arts. He has written 30 books, 12 of them on The Salvation Army, including Glory! Hallelujah! The Innovative Evangelism of Early Canadian Salvationists (Triumph Publishing, 2013).
Across an Ocean and a Continent is available for purchase at store.salvationarmy.ca.
