Albert Belden
Albert Belden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Albert David Belden 17 February 1883 |
| Died | 14 December 1964 (aged 81) |
| Occupation | Congregational minister |
| Spouses | Doris Hunter Richman
(m. 1909)Cecily Maud Glenister
(m. 1962) |
Albert David Belden (17 February 1883 – 14 December 1964) was an English Congregational minister and anti-vivisectionist.
Career
[edit]Belden was born at Great Dover Street, London to William Belden and Hester Evans.[1] He was educated at Wilson's School and trained for the Congregational ministry at New College London. He obtained his BD at London University.[1][2] He was pastorate at South Bar Congregational Church in Banbury from 1908 until 1912. He became first minister of Crowstone Congregational Church, Westcliff-on-Sea in 1912 and 1927 became superintendent minister of Whitefield’s Central Mission at Tottenham Court Road.[1]
Belden was an evangelical preacher who was inspired by George Whitefield.[1] He authored George Whitefield: The Awakener in 1930. He preached throughout the United States and was awarded an honorary DD by Ursinus College, Pennsylvania.[1] In 1934, he established a psychological clinic at the London University for patients and hosted weekly lectures for ministers.[3]
He resigned from Whitefield’s Central Mission in 1939 to devote his time to activism and writing. In April 1939, Belden was the official delegate of the National Peace Council, bearing a petition with 1,062,000 names requesting American support of world-wide peace.[4] He founded the Pax Christi League and was a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation.[1] In 1948, he became honorary superintendent the Pilgrim Fathers’ Memorial Church in London. He authored articles for Manchester Evening News, the Philosophical Society and was chairman of the Congregational Quarterly.[1] He died at his home in Putney, aged 81.[5]
Anti-vivisection
[edit]Belden was an anti-vivisectionist and was a vice-president of the National Anti-Vivisection Society.[1] He was president of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.[6][7] On vivisection, he commented that "our church pulpits must end their silence on this dark and evil tragedy of animal torture".[8] He preached a sermon at the World Day for Animals held at Coventry Cathedral on 4 October 1964.[9] He made a plea for a Christian Magna Carta for animals. Forty animal welfare organizations and 1500 people attended.[10]
In 1953, Belden commented that "I cannot see how people can ill-treat animals for no use whatsoever... No cure for cancer has come out of experiments on thousands of animals".[11] Belden described vivisection as "atrocious torture" and incompatible with Christianity.[10][12]
Personal life
[edit]Belden was a pacifist and socialist.[1] He was a vegetarian.[13] He married Doris Hunter Richman in 1909; they had one son. In 1962 after Richman's death, he married Cecily Maud Glenister.[1]
Selected publications
[edit]- The Soul's Appeal To God (1919)
- The Religious Difficulties of Youth (1926)
- The Teachings Of The King (1926)
- George Whitefield: The Awakener (1930)
- Pax Christi: The Peace of Christ (1942)
- The Practice of Prayer (1954)
- Spiritual Healing and Vivisection (1957)[14]
- Prison Church and Pilgrim Ship (1958)
- Pilgrims of the Impossible (1961)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kaye, Elaine (2004). "Belden, Albert David (1883–1964)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Archived from the original on November 18, 2024.
- ^ Mark, Meredeth (1928). Whos Who In Literature. The Literary Year Book Press. p. 38.
- ^ "60 Ministers Taking Lessons". The Daily Mirror. April 2, 1934. p. 4. (subscription required)
- ^ "WANTS ROOSEVELT AS PEACE 'UMPIRE'; British Pastor Hopes to Get President's Active Help in Bringing Amity CALLS WAR 'SHEER WASTE' He Carries Petition Bearing 1,062,000 Names Asking U.S. to Support Campaign". The New York Times. 1939. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024.
- ^ "Preacher's Death". The Birmingham Post. December 16, 1964. p. 7. (subscription required)
- ^ "Vivisection Abolitionists' Meeting". Worthing Gazette. September 27, 1961. p. 17. (subscription required)
- ^ "Talk of the Town". Worthing Herald. September 29, 1961. p. 12. (subscription required)
- ^ "Anti-Vivisection". New Milton Advertiser & Lymington Times. June 5, 1954. p. 10. (subscription required)
- ^ "Cathedral Service for Animals". The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald. August 21, 1964. p. 16. (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Magna Carta Urged for Animals". The Birmingham Post. October 5, 1964. p. 28. (subscription required)
- ^ "Vivisection No Use". The Herald. October 9, 1953. p. 8. (subscription required)
- ^ "Anti-Vivisection". New Milton Advertiser & Lymington. May 22, 1954. p. 8. (subscription required)
- ^ Kinzer, Bruce L.; Kramer, Molly Baer; Trainor, Richard (2022). Reform and Its Complexities in Modern Britain: Essays Inspired by Sir Brian Harrison. Oxford University Press. p. 200. ISBN 978-0192863423.
- ^ "Spiritual Healing and Vivisection, 1957". University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections. 2024. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024.
