| Dedication Of Children In The Salvation Army back to 'Family History'
In his 1883 new year address to officers, General William Booth raised the issue of the dedication of children in The Salvation Army, and by 1886, the Orders and Regulations for Field Officers included a section on 'Giving Children to the Lord' stating that: 'A Register of the Corps' children will be kept, in which the parents will sign, at the end of the line, a declaration that they have given the child to God and the Salvation Army.'
A Salvation Army Dedication Certificate dated 21 June 1914
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Cradle Roll
The name of a baby may be entered on the Army's cradle roll, if the parents wish. A certificate recording membership is given to the baby. This does not indicate that either the child of the parents are members of The Salvation Army. A person called the cradle roll sergeant takes a special interest in the baby and its family.
Dedication
Family and friends gather for this important ceremony. Thanks is given to God for the new life. Parents promise to care for their child and give them protection from harmful things as far as possible. An officer holds the child and asks God in prayer to bless the child and guide the family. People in the congregation are asked to encourage the child as he grows. One important difference between the dedication service and a christening or baptism is that it is the parents themselves, and not godparents or other sponsors, who make the promises. The parents publicly agree that they want their child to love and serve God and they promise to provide a Christian upbringing, free from all harmful influences.
 The Dedication Certificate will typically hold the following information:
What is the Army’s dedication service like?
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