SAMUEL WILLIAM BENNER

2002 07 23

Samuel William Benner was born in Binford township in Ontario, Canada in 1855 of German-Irish ancestry. His father , Samuel Stephen Benner moved the family to Orillia, Ontario and operated a sawmill north of town on Silver Creek.

The family was Protestant as far back as family history goes, c. 1650. No doubt this was from the teachings of Martin Luther. Henry Benner, his wife and 3 children escaped from religious persecution and fled to Ireland. More than a century later, a descendnt, Henry Benner, moved from Ireland to Canada, c. 1820.

Many times dluring the past two milleniums, the churches would become mired in dogma and hierarchy. Out of this would come movements to get back to the simple truth of the New Testament. That is to worship the tripartite God in the simple pattern of the New Testament Church.

One of these movements came about c. 1825 in Plymouth, England and Belfast, Ireland. These teachings were carried across the Atlantic to Canada and United States and elsewhere around the world. The Benner family became active in this work in Orillia.

S. W. Benner had an early station wagon with Bible verses painted on the sides and he and other Brothers would evangelize with this in and around Orillia. As a result many people were saved and went on to serve the Lord and several assemblies were started around Orillia.

S. W. Benner operated a publishing firm called Bible, Gospel Book and Tract Depot. He authored and published books, tracts and a monthly publication named THE GOSPEL HERALD. He mailed this publication monthly to anyone who subscribed for 0.20 cents a year. This booklet was also mailed to U.S.A. One was found recently in Houston, Texas and graciously persented to a grandson, W. Douglas Benner. Being led to republish his grandfathers Gospel messages, this web site was started and named after THE GOSPEL HERALD published originally about a century ago.

S. W. Benner was commended to the Lords work in 1923 and served as a missionary to the Blackfeet Indians in Alberta. He was accompanied on his missionary campaigns by his wife Eliza and their two younger sons, Edward and Frank. He also served in the British West Indies in Barbados and Port o Spain, Trinidad. His brother George O. Benner and John Duncan of Hamilton. They served there for several years.

He then returned to minister in his home assembly, West Street Gospel Hall until his home calling in 1940.
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If you have any of THE GOSPEL HERALDs and would be willing to furnish, loan or give a readable Xerox copy to the undersigned, please contact me at 1-713-944-3417 or email at douglas@family.net or write to W. D. Benner, 309 Cavalier Lane, Pasadena, Texas 77502-4515. I would be very grateful and you would be helping to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. Thank you and may God Bless You.

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