Albert Arnold Bennett
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Albert Arnold Bennett (April 6, 1849 – October 12, 1909) was a Baptist missionary and hymn composer[1] who founded the Baptist Theological Seminary of Yokohama, which later became Kanto Gakuin University.
Early life
[edit]Albert was born in Pennsylvania, United States, and was a very "gentle baby and child". Because of this both of his parents did not expect him to grow up. Bennet's mother died when he was just seven. His father was a deacon of the Fifth Baptist Church of Philadelphia. On Sundays their father would let the children go to play in a small city yard only one at a time. Everyday toys were put away at this time. But best of all, the children had much of their father's society.
Church life
[edit]Albert was baptized at the age of thirteen, and began to take part in church work. For instance, teaching in a mission school, calling on aged people and invalids, and conducting a weekly neighborhood meeting.
Kanto Gakuin University
[edit]After Albert sailed to Japan he decided to establish a university where all colors of skin could be taught. That was the Baptist Theological Seminary of Yokohama,[2] which later became Kanto Gakuin University.
Family
[edit]Albert was married to Mela Isabel Barrows Bennett and had seven children; Charles, Edwin, Mela, Bertha, Albert Jr., Harriet and Raymond.
Death
[edit]Albert died in Yokohama in 1909. His gravestone bears the epitaph "He Lived to Serve".[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Burrage, Henry Sweetser (1888). Baptist hymn writers and their hymns. Brown Thurston & company. p. 516. OCLC 3322567.
- ^ Kellen, William Vail, ed. (1915). The sesquicentennial of Brown university, 1764-1914: a commemoration. Brown University. p. 70. OCLC 1116574.
- ^ Bennett, Mela Isabel (2009) [1913]. A Sketch of the Life and Character of Albert Arnold Bennett, D.D., Part 4. READ Books. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-4446-6236-8.