What Is The Motto Of The Salvation Army?

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The blood of Jesus Christ and the fire that defeats evil will bring you salvation. This is the thought behind the motto of the Salvation Army, “Blood and Fire”. In George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara, main protagonist Andrew Undershaft says that his business, an arms manufacturer, could easily have the same motto as the Salvation Army. Barbara, daughter to Undershaft and major in the Salvation Army, has trouble seeing his claim. She views her father's company as a complete counteragent of the Salvation Army. Although he does claim to be able to use the same motto, the context it is used in is much different from that of the Salvation Army. To come to the Salvation Army for help means you are in need of assistance from others to be rid of your sin and consequences. The people who work in the army, such as Barbara, believe that through prayer, good deed, and the work of god that you can be saved from all troubles. Consequently, the motto of the Salvation Army is “Blood and Fire”. The blood is intended to symbolize the blood from Jesus Christ …show more content…

Undershaft shows that the works of the Salvation Army work in harmony with his business. The goal of both parties is to help people, the Salvation Army more directly than the arms manufacturer. Undershaft provides the instruments for success while the Salvation Army tries to directly deal salvation and success. Although used in different ways, blood and fire are both pivotal components of both groups in their own respective ways. Undershaft finds a way to twist the meaning of the “Blood and Fire” motto in his daughter's business to show himself in a better light. He thinks that if he can convince his daughter that their mottos are equivalent, she might join him in his business. Undeniably, Undershaft succeeds in proving that his motto could easily match that of the Salvation

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