The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth as the East London Christian Mission, aiming to address the spiritual and physical needs of the impoverished. This organization combined evangelism with social work, providing food, shelter, and rehabilitation services to the needy. Its establishment marked a significant development in the social reform movement, emphasizing the importance of faith in action and the need for community support in addressing social issues.

The founding of the Salvation Army inspired poets like William Booth, whose hymns and writings addressed social issues and the plight of the urban poor. This movement influenced a wave of poetry that sought to combine faith with social activism, highlighting the struggles of marginalized communities.