Edward John Higgins (26 November 1864 – 14 December 1947) was the third

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

The Salvation Army The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestantism, Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. It is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. The organisation reports a worldwide m ...

(1929–1934). He was born in Highbridge,

Somerset Somerset ( , ), Archaism, archaically Somersetshire ( , , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel, Gloucestershire, and Bristol to the north, Wiltshire to the east ...

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. His father became a much revered Commissioner in the Army's ranks, and travelled extensively in the interests of the organisation. His mother died when he was 8 years of age. He became an officer in 1882 at the age of 17. Most of his earlier career was spent as an officer in the

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. During his time as an officer in the U.S., there was great divisions amongst the American Salvationists. He was known as the peace maker, thus earning him a lot of respect. In 1888, he married Captain Catherine Price. When Higgins was 42 years of age, Commissioner and Chief of the Staff

Bramwell Booth William Bramwell Booth, Order of the Companions of Honour, CH (8 March 1856 – 16 June 1929) was a British church and charity leader who was the first Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army, Chief of Staff (1881–1912) and the second Genera ...

gave him the oversight of the evangelistic work in the

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. By this time, Higgins was a great speaker, and had a lot of leadership skills which was needed in this role. The Siege of London was a 10-day effort that took place in November 1912. It was an attempt to bring a prayer service to the people out in the core of

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

. It was such a huge success that it was repeated in 1913. In 1919,

appointed him as his Chief of the Staff. Higgins was never one to lead a political agenda, but he took his new role in stride. However, 1929 was a real test for Higgins and a critical time in the history of The Salvation Army, the calling of the first High Council to elect a new General. Bramwell Booth was asked to resign because of his ill health over the past several months. He refused, however, and was then reluctantly deposed from office, to be succeeded in the election of Higgins. As General Booth sued, the matter was put in the hands of the court. The court ruled in favour of the High Council. Thus, Higgins was the first General to be elected by the High Council. As leader of the International Salvation Army, General Higgins still had his personal touch and warmth towards others. During his term in office as the General, he allowed a centenary of William Booth's birth to be celebrated. He also presided over a gathering in the

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, and among those taking part was then

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, The Rt Hon.

Stanley Baldwin Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley (3 August 186714 December 1947), was a British statesman and Conservative politician who was prominent in the political leadership of the United Kingdom between the world wars. He was prime ministe ...

. When he retired, his farewell meeting was held at the Royal Albert Hall on 1 November 1934, presided over by

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, then the Duke of York, who was accompanied by the

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. The General and his wife then went to live in

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, and later moved to

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. The General and his wife had 7 children. He continued to prove himself a true "son of the Army" by maintaining as much interest in the relatively small corps around them as he had done in the greater issues when in office. Mrs General Catherine Higgins died in 1952. Higgins wrote a number of books, including '' Stewards of God'' and '' Personal Holiness''. General Edward Higgins died at age 83.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, Edward 1864 births 1947 deaths English Salvationists English theologians People from Highbridge, Somerset Salvation Army officers