The First Protestant Christian Of Travancore Kingdom: Part final.

The First Protestant Christian of  Travancore Kingdom:    Part final :

Vethamanicakm's management of of the Mylaudy  LMS  Mission :   The death of Gnanamuthu the Head of Vethamanickam's family, caused Vethamanickam,  deep sorrow.  However he quickly recovered from the melancholy and with the timely and sincere help of his other family members , Vethamanickam managed all the affairs of the Mission in an effective  manner. His son Devasagayam , his son-in -law Pakianathan, his nephew Masillamani etc helped  Vethamanickam in this regard. The eldest son-in -law of Vethamanickam,  Packianathan rendered eminent service to  the Mission and he served as the manager of the secular affairs of the Mission in a successful  manner.

Bishop Middleton's visit to the Mylaudy Protestant Mission , March 1816;    By the effective initiatives taken in British Parliament in 1813 by M r. Wilberforce and others , Revd. Dr. Middleton was appointed as the Bishop to India in the same year. After visiting Tranquebar, Tanjore, Trichinopoly, and Tinnevelley  Dr. Middleton  extended his tour to the Churches of Travancore.  The British Resident Col Munro issued orders to Vethamanicakm to go and meet Bishop Middleton along with the  leading members of the Mylaudy Church , at the Aramboly Pass and escort him and provide him all the information about the Mylaudy Protestant [L.M.S]Mission.  Accordingly Vethamanicakm,  met Bishop Dr.Middleton at Aramboly Pass , in March , 1816 ; and as instructed by Col. Munro Judge Everett acted as interpreter. Vethamanickam intorduced  his delegates to the Bishop Middleton ,and the bishop  held conversation with them on various topics including Mylaudy Mission  affairs.

.

Bishop  Dr. Middleton was  much pleased by the reception given by the Mylaudy Christians  and he wrote in a subsequent letter that he was " much satisfied with everything he saw and heard of this Infant Mission"  He also spoke to the British Resident  Col Munro in high  appreciating terms about Mylaudy Vethamanickam.

The arrival Mr Charles Mead in December 1817  and Vethamanickam :  Revd Charles Mead landed at Colachel in South Travancore, in December 1817.  Vethamanickam and and his friends went to Colachel and welcomed Mr Mead and brought him to Mylaudy.  Mr. Charles Mead took charge of the Mylaudy LMS  Mission from Vethamanickam.  Mr. Mead lived in the cottage Bungalow of Mr.Ringeltaube for a short period of time; and  after getting all the needed information about the Christians of the Mylaudy Mission  LMS Cogregations    and Mission Property from Vethamanickam , Mr. Mead  reported about his arrival to the British Resident Col. Munro.

Granary at Mylaudy: As a  great visionary  Mr. Mead understood  the necessity for the erection of a central Paddy  Granary  at Mylaudy , to store  the produce from the extensive paddy fields  of Thamaraculam etc and so he applied for the permission and got the permission for the same ,through the British Resident.  In 1818 the spacious granary was finished with the cellar and downstairs  to store up paddy and the upstairs to be used as a dwelling house for the Missionary when he was on tour  as a Traveler's Bungalow for European visitors. The most important objective  of this Granary at Mylaudy was to help  the poor  Christians in every possible way.  C. M.  Agur writes "The early Missionaries treated the poor people belonging to the first congregations of the Mylaudy Misssion with special consideration because of the services of their fathers to the early Missionaries and as the Endowment had historical connections with them, and they also in their turn were grateful  for the peculiar  privileges they enjoyed ".[  C.M . Agur, C.H.T.Page.677].

Vethamanickam was a Social Reformer  : Vethamanickam was not only a great spiritualist but  also he was great social thinker and activist. He wisely used his connections  with the Missionaries and British Residents and opportunities to fight against all types of social evils. During those days there was an extra governmental organisation called the "National Council of the Pidagaikars" that exercised more authority over the people of  Southern District, than the Government itself.  One of the primary aims of this Council was to supervise all the individuals  whether they  follow their caste laws , customs , manners or not  and whether any caste adopted the costume , food , speech , and general habits of other class or castes. If the Council discovered  any individual trespassed or violated his caste rules and limits , it used to take the law in its hands and  brought him or her to judgement and carried everything with a bigoted mentality. Vethamanickam really played a positive role to bring these evil traditions which violated basic human dignity and rights , to the notice of the british Resident  Col Munro and through him he abolished and dismissed this anti social , "National Council of the Padagaikars" of  Nanjil Nadu.

Cruel Taxes and Vethamanickam:  Vethamanickam  with great presence of mind decided to use the benevolence and support of the kind British Resident and Ringeltaube  and  to present their plea to the Government  through  Ringeltaube  to get exemption from the cruel tax  burdens and  suppression . Vethamanickam motivated Rigeltaube to free the people from Cruel Taxes like Poll Tax, and also convinced Ringeltaube that it was his duty to endeavor and  abolish this inhuman taxes {Agur, CHT. P. 574] and to seek relief for the sake of the poor Christians at least who had every reason to be treated just like their fellow subjects in  matters such as  taxes.Thus we see that the humble representation made by Vethamanickam to Ringeltaube brought great relief  not only to Christians abut also to all the heathens of backward communities[ CHT ,p. 576]

On this account poorer caste people  regarded Vethamanickam as their friend and Mr, Ringeltaube as their great benefactor[CHT p.576]. In the same way Vethamanickam and Ringeltaube played deciding roles to abolish the "Sunday Ooliam services" [CHT P 577] .Vethmanickam's  influence on Ringeltaube played a vital role to introduce  many reforms  in Travancore .  Mr. Ringeltaube had no occasion to complain of his faithful  Assistant   Vethamanickam{CHT, p. 578],

The Head Quarters shifted from Mylaudy to Nagercoil in April, 1818:  As soon as  Col .Munro handed over the circuit house at Nagercoil to Mr. mead; Mr. Mead immediately shifted  the Head -Quarters to Nagercoil from Mylaudy in April  1818.  After  having settled at Nagercoil,Mead immediately purchased 8  pieces of land with multipurpose vision . Mead purchased 2 acres of land  for settling christian families which he intended to bring from Mylaudy and Tanjore.

                                                                           

Vethamanickam and Mr. Mead :  Even after having handed over the official charge over to Mr. Mead in December 1817, Vethamanickam received the same respect and attention from the people.  He worked with  Mr. Mead for  9 years until he became very old and did  lend a helping hand to Mr. Mead to establish new Churches , educational institutions etc in South Travancore.

The remarkable Vethamanickam Passed away : Unfortunately Vethamanickam was afflicted and affected with a boil on the knee,and he could not recover from that affliction , in January1827 and died and his mortal body was buried in his own land at Mylaudy by the side of the Puthanar Canal and you can see his historical tomb even today at Mylaudy.

Vethamanickam's Descendants  Today : Today the great Mylaudy Maha Rasan Vethamanickam's descendants are doing  remarkably well in various fields like education , medicine,  music,govt services, teaching , private sector ,  UNO, ,finance, administration , etc .  During the past centuries ,the great Christian Poet John Palmer , Poet and Writer Devaram Munshi , Writer   Rev C. Masillamani , the great church Historian C. M. Agur , B.A[The Office manager of the British Resident , ], the England educated the great geologist  Ezra Masillamani{Brother of Agur], Padma Sri. Handel Manuel and so many others of Vethamanickam's family  members have done remarkably well in their respective fields to the envy of many others..

Today many of  Vethamanickam's  descendants have shifted from Mylaudy to various other places and some of them have even migrated to other countries. In view of the shortage of time and space I will high  light one or two personalities for general information :

The sixth generation descendant of Vethamanickam, Dr. Vijaykumar Moses , MBBS, MD, MBA[USA], MPA, son of  Mr. H.D. Moses , Nagercoil,  is one of the prominent and outstanding descendants of Maharasan Vethamanickam , Dr. Vijayakumar is an internationally acclaimed Medical Doctor and Researcher and he was privileged to work at United Nations as medical Doctor[UNICEF] , Dr Vijayakumar  Moses  retired as the Chief  of Young Child Survival Development [YCSD], UNICEF, Cairo , Egypt  in May 2013.

Dr. Vijayakumar   Moses has a brilliant and  enviable track record of medical service in some of the world famous Medical Institutions  both in India and abroad. To cite a few ,  he had the rare privilege to work as a Rockefeller Foundation Fellow scholar and  he established Tubal Sterilization Surveillance System across the United States.  He served as  Medical Epidemiologist, at the  Center  for Disease Control , USA[April 1980 to April 1982]. He worked as the Chief Executive Officer  and Project Director at Aga Khan Health Service,India  from April 1989 to September 1995. Dr. Vijaykumar Moses  also worked as State Programme Coordinator  for United  Nations Population Fund [UNFPA] from Jauary 1999 to January 2001., He also served as  Program Specialist ,Health and Nutrition and  Acting Representative for  United Nations Children Fund [UNICEf ] and so on an so forth.  At present he is working as  Director, Immunization Technical Support Unit [ITSU] at  the Public Health Foundation of India,[PHFI, New Delhi ,since August 2013..

A Few more  outstanding relatives of Mylaudy Vethamanickam,  Dr. Prabhahar  D  Moses. MBBS, MD, MRCP[UK]. FRCP[UK]:   Dr. Prabhahar D Moses  son of Mr. H.D. Moses , Nagercoil  is another remarkable  descendant of Mylaudy MahaRasan Vethamanickam  . He worked  in the prestigious Christian Medical College , Vellore  as the head of the Department of Child Health from 2001 to 2005.   He also served as the Executive Committee Member  of the CMC  from 2008 to 2009 ..  Then he worked as   Associate Medical Superintendent from 2009 to 2012.  He served the Chritian Medical College  and the general public with great dedication as a Doctor . Many of his articles have been published in many accredited  international medical journals and  his writings have been included as chapters  in the  Paediatric Text books of Medical Colleges.
In this connection it is imperative and pertinent to mention about another outstanding descendant of Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamickam by name  Dr. Isaac Christian Moses, M.B.B.S, M.D, son of Mr. Arthur Devadhas Moses . Dr Isaac Christian Moses[ A paternal cousin of . Dr.D. Moses ] is serving as the Dean of the prestigious  Stanley Medical College , Chennai since 16th June , 2015. Like this  many illustrious descendants of Mahararasan Vethamonickam   have reached unique and remarkable positions and  places in life .

Conclusion  :    The  extraordinary  Mylaudy Maha Rasan Vethamanickam is no more with us . In the beginning it was called as  the Mylaudy  LMS  Mission and later it was called as the Protestant Church in Travancre.  It is mentioned in the famous book ,"A Hundred Years In Travancore , 1806-1906 compiled by Rev.I. H.  HACKER,  London Missionary Society :  "It was there he [Ringeltaube] met with the Travancore pilgrim Vethamanickam , the real founder of the Protestant Church in Travancore"[London,1908, page20]. . The Protestant church in  Kanyakumari had been growing   like a fertile Teak  tree  over the years  and  underwent  some notable changes . In  1959  it's name has been changed   as Kanyakumari CSI Diocese. It said that The Kanyakumari CSI Dicese  is the richest  and numerically the biggest  Diocese among all other CSI Dioceses. Even though the history of  the great  Mylaudy Vethamanickam  is forgotten to some extent still he  lives in the  LMS/CSI  related  Churches , Schools, the Mission Properties  and  in the social , religious ,educational  and cultural renaissance and history of  Kanyakuari district and  Tamil Nadu , Kerala and India  .  Let me conclude this Post with a  meaningful  and  fitting  sentence of the great Church Historian  Mr C.B. Firth , "Maharasan Vethamanickam was a remarkable  person "[ An Introduction to Indian Church history " By C.B. Firth].

P. BABU MANOHARAN,M.A,.[Rights reserved . This Article will be altered or modified if needed later]...

The First Protestant Christian of Travancore  kingdom ;  Part  IV

Vethamanickam and the establishment of the  first  Seven  LMS Churches in  Travancore :

Without wasting time Vethamanickam started to preach the Gospel of Christ  in South Travancore in and around Mylaudy . At first he  focused  his attention to convert his relatives and friends but unfortunately he was not so successful in that effort ,  but  the Nadars  of nearby villages readily and gladly listened to him and accepted the Gospel.Christ.

Thamraculam[South]  LMS Church::  After  Mylaudy ,  Vethmanickam  started his missionary work at South Thamarakulam and  he  was was privileged to proclaim the Gospel of Christ  to the people of South Thamarakulam  and they gladly accepted Christ and his Gospel. The people who accepted Christ from Thamaraculam were Vedamanickam Moopan of Santhivillay a suburb of the South Thamaraculam,  father of Devasagayam [a  teacher of this  place], Pakiamutthu Moopan, and Abraham Moopan, father of Arumanayagam Catechist [served as Supt of Mission fields] with all their  families; and these were the first deacons of the Thamaraculam  LMS Church.  Mylaudy  Masillamani who accompanied Vethamanickam to Chidambaram was appointed as the first Catechist of Thamaraculam LMS. Church by Ringeltaube.

Abraham  Moopan  [Perumal Nadar of Kottaiyadi]  was one among the first  three Moopans[  Deacon] of Thamaraculam LMS Church and he  was baptized by Rineltaube  at Thamarakulam LMS church in 1810. Later Abraham Moopan established a  Church [LMS] in his  native village Kotaiyadi.  Abraham Moopan begot Royan , Royan begot Arumainayagam[served as  Superintendent  of  Thamaraculam  LMS  Mission paddy fields], Arumainayagam begot Daniel Vathiar , and Daniel begot the famous lawyer   Packiaraj  and Packiaraj served as the Superintendent of Thamaraculam Mission paddy fields  etc, of CSI Kanyakumari Diocese.

Till the end 1809 there was only one Church that of Mylaudy for the use of Christians in South Travancore . So Ringeltaube obtained Government permission in the beginning 1810  to build Churches in six other places Ringeltaube immediately  began  to build small  Chapels at the required places.  So a small Church building was constructed at  Thamarakulam [South] and the Thamaraculam Church was dedicated on the  10th March 1810 . On that day Mr Ringeltaube baptized  40   people and two days after 12 persons were baptized.

Puthalam and Ettambully  LMS Churches :  From Thamaraculam ,   Maharasan  Vethamanickam began the preaching the Gospel of Christ  in the villages  on the western side of Thamarakulam,  a few men  in Puthalam and Ettambully accepted the Gospel of Christ.  When Ringeltaube heard this glad news ,  he ardently visited these two village and  spiritually encouraged them.  Ringeltaube promised them to build Churches for them,  for which permission was applied forthwith.  Vethamanickam  had been  preaching the Gospel  and he was enthusiastically supported by his sons Devasagayam and Moses , his nephew Masillamani , Gnanamuthu the head man of Vethamanickam' family and some others.

Puthalam Church  building was a decent and modest building and it  was built  mainly through the exertions of Gnanamuthu the headman of the Mylaudy family.  The Puthalam church was dedicated on the 20th July, 1810 .The decent and clean dress of the converts on the occasion of the dedication of the Church  and their conduct and behavior in general pleased the Missionaries.    Mylaudy  Vethamanickam's eldest son Devasagayam was appointed as the first Catechist  of Puthalam LMS Church.

Picheikudiyirupu, Covilviley and  Athicad LMS Churches:

Ringeltaube  with Vethamanickam and others  often traveled from village to village and preached the Gospel of Christ in many villages and consequently many people  from Picheikudiyirupu, Athicad and Covilviley  accepted Christ and were ready for  baptism ,so Ringeltaube wrote to Mr  Koklhoff and obtained a few hands of trained catechists from Vethamanicakm's class from  Tanjore and Trichinopoly  and appointed them as Catechists over the new congregations.

The Athicad LMS Church was dedicated on the 28th July 1810,  by  Mr. Ringeltaube and he gave the sermon  based on the text Hebrew 12:22 and he enlightened  the people about the delights of Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem

Ettambully LMS Church ; The Church initially  erected at Ettambully  was burnt down by the anti  christian elements  and so  Ringeltaube  made arrangements to build the second Church at Ettambully . The Second Church was dedicated on the 14th October 1810. On this historical occasion Ringeltaube baptized 32 coverts and preached on a touching topic "'What shall I do to be saved ["  Agur, CHT,Page,556].

Ammandivilley LMS Church :   By the tireless missionary efforts of  Mylaudy  Masillamani catechist , many people from Ammandivillai accepted the Gospel Of Christ , on hearing the good news Mr. Ringeltsube with a burning desire  visited  Ammandivilley and the people of the Ammandivilley  , erected a nice small  "Pandal" and in which they received him. He  preached the Gospel from the latter portion of  the St. Mathew, about the judgement day on the 24th February 1810,  In the night  of the same day Ringeltaube was sitting on the said Pandal and reading and explaining  the Holy Bible  and  while he was explaining the gospel to the  people  in the lamp light , a child of one of those present,  4 or 5 years old and borne lame, left his mother and crawling unobserved towards Ringeltaube and caught his feet.  Ringeltaube spontaneously took the child in his hands without knowing that it was a lame one . Agur writes , "curious to say the child walked from the very moment .  This incident produced great excitement and wonder among the people. We have given  the  story just as it is traditionally current among the people and believed by them to this day"[ Agur, CHT. P.557-558]

Some historical background  and High Lights:

By the dedicated missionary work of Vethamanickam and his team of missionary workers, the Protestant Church was growing in a notable way and dimension in South Travancore  even during those not so easy and difficult  days.  The first Political Resident and British representative ,Col. Macaulay retired from his work on the 4th march 1810, Col Maccaulay  presided  over the affairs of Travancore and Cochin from 1800 for ten years  in a very efficient manner and distinctive  style .C.M. Agur writes ,"He did so much good to the Travancore Church that he richly deserves to be called the "Father of the christian missions in Travanore" [C.H.T. Page.561].   Col . Macaulay was succeeded by an officer who was equally ardent and much willing to do good to the Christian  Mission  , by name  Col Munro .[ Agur, CHT p 561].

LMS Church Register  for  1810  in South Travancore :

Name of the Churh                                        Baptized
Mylaudy                                                             46
Pichukudieruppu                                                 32
Puthalam                                                            57
Kivilvilley                                                           64
Athicodoo                                                         52
Ettambolly                                                         43
Thamaraculam                                                 128
                                                                    ---------
                                              Total                 422
                                                                    ----------
.

Thus under the inspiring leadership and guidance  of Mr. Ringeltube , Mylaudy Vethamanickam , and his family members  Gnanamuthu , Masillamani , Devasahayam  and others  were doing excellent evangelical and missionary work in South Travancore  and had been establishing many Churches  and  God was  admitting many converts into His Body , the Church. The Church was growing day by day quantitatively and qualitatively.

                   Statistics of the Protestant mission [LMS]in Travancore 1815

Name of the congregation                 members      School boys 
Mylaudy                                                   174                 32
Picheikudierupu                                         30                 33
Temereycoolam [Thamraculam]             218                 27 
Puttalam  [Puththalam]                            116                 28
Atticaud   [Athicadu]                                  50                 25
Covilvilley  [covilcilai]                               57                 34
Eetamboly Eetammozhi]                          102                   9
                                                           -----------               --------
                                                Total         747               188
                                                           -------------           -------------
The initiative taken by Mr. Ringeltaube and  Vethmanickam to get the Grant of Paddy-fields ;

Unfortunately Ringeltaube's  health  began to fail and so he called , Vethamanickam and told his intention of leaving  Travancore  soon. Vethamanickam was overwhelmed  with great sorrow. However Vethamanickam with great vision told Ringeltaube that  when Mr. Schwartz established the Churches of Tanjore , he obtained free grants of lands from Maha Rja of of  Tanjore,  for the help of the Churches in Tanjore Missson and also told that those lands were very useful to the Mission to meet the administrative expenses of the Church , and requested Ringeltaube to  secure some grants of land for the planting of London Missionary Churches in Travancore. This appeal appealed him so Ringeltaube took necessary efforts to to secure some grants of lands  for LMS , Mylaudy mission ,  from the Government of Travancore  .This proposal assumed definite shape only in 1812, and this proposal  was  properly submitted and it was favorably received by the Resident Col. Munro.

In the selection of lands ,Ringeltaube left the matter in the hands of Vethamanickam and his nephew Masillamani the Catechist of Ettamboly.and they selected the Surcar fields at Tamarakulam[North] and Vayilauculam.  Ringeltaube  requested the Ranee, to give these Sircar fields as grant to LMS Mylaudy Mission  with  100  Cottah of tax. Fortunately Ranee Lakshi Bai [Queen of Travancore] consented to this proposal.  Mr.Ringeltaube sent  Mr Gnanamuthu the head man of Vethamanickam's family to Trivandrum and there  he waited  a few days and received the Royal Grant  of 110 acres and 18 cents of land in Thamrakulam Village and 22.52 acres of land in Kulasekaram village from the Ranee Lakshmi Bai  . Gnanamuthu brought the documents of the Royal  Grant  to the Missionary Ringeltaube [Agur, CHT . Page.601  &AP. Vallinayagam , Mahathma  Pooavukku Mun Maha Rasan Vethamanickam , page .238, Madurai, 2005]]. [But during the period of Mr.Mead the tax was reduced from 100 Cootahs  to a nominal tax of one Cottah.  ]

Vethamanickam and educational revolution in South Travancore;     Where ever , Vethamancickam and Ringeltaube  built Churches they also  started Schools   in those villages and places.  .As great visionary Vethamanicakm encouraged and inspired  Revd. W.T. Ringeltaube to  establish  an  English School  at Mylaudy , to give English education to the poor and under privileged  children of Mylaudy and the nearby villages and so  he sold  his land  at a nominal price  to the Mylaudy LMS Mission. The first English School in Travancore  was built in 1809  at   Mylaudy by Revd .W.T. Ringeltaube in the land which he bought from Vethamanickm at a nominal price.  That tiny little school at that tiny idyllic  village Mylaudy was the forerunner of the famous Scott christian College, Nagercoil  and became  the  first cradle of English Education in Travancore and laid the foundation for the educational and intellectual revolution of this part of the world..

Vethamanickam  received the Charge of  the Mission  from Revd.W.T. Ringeltaube:    As Ringeltaube could not get an European  Missionary within the stipulated time ,  to succeed him ; Revd. Ringeltaube decided to make his faithful and efficient native Catechist Vethamanickam as his successor till the Mission  gets  an European Missionary to take charge of the affairs of the LMS Mission , Travancore .  So in the end of January 1816 before leaving the country , Revd, W.T. Ringeltaube assembled all the converts in the Chapel at Mylaudy for Service and formally informed them of Vethamanickam's appointment to succeed him for the time being in the conduct of the Mission till  the arrival of another LMS  Misssionary and earnestly exhorted and  requested  them to show    Mylaudy  Maha Rasan Vethamanickam , all respect and obedience due to his new Position and  blessed all of them .

This was followed by the administration of  Lord's Supper . Then  Revd. W.T. Ringeltaube laid his hands on Maha Rasan Vethamanickam's head and sincerely  prayed  for  Vethamanickam to God and invoked his blessings on the newly ordained   Servant  of Jesus Christ. Mr. Ringeltaube took out his own surplice and put it on  Mylaudy Maha Rasan Vethamanickam and charged him most solemnly in the presence of of the people and before God to faithfully feed his flock . Revd. W.T .Ringeltaube handed over to Maha Rasan Vethamanickam his Certificate and license to preach and  and  administer  the sacraments and manage the Mission , written in English and Tamil which is still  preserved in the family .[C.M.Agur,  Church History of Travancore , Page. 613-614].

                                                              "The Certificate"

                          This is to certify as founder of the Protestant Mission in Travancore which  I have on account of the weak state of my body, I hereby exercise the right and duty of Missionary in appointing the oldest Catechist Vedamanickam to act as Native Priest and Superintendent of the said Mission ad-interim till another Missionary may have been appointed . In this capacity he is to teach and preach the pure word of God , to administer the Holy Sacraments , to administer the Estate of the Churches consisting of two fields given by a Royal Grant which Grant is in his keeping , to dismiss and place schoolmasters , and if required to account with the Sircar of the country for the Mission prosperity and which  fruitions are to cease on the appointment of another Missionay by the Resident in power.  I hereby request all Gentlemen in authority to assist the said Vedamanickam in his official capacity  in all things that  are lawful and  permitted by the word  of  God  and  the constitution of Travancre.  

                                                       Witness my scal in Hand ,
                                                  [Signd]  William T . Ringeltaube,
                                                  Protestant Missionary in Travancore .


MYLAUDY,            }
23rd January 1816. }
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The Part Final will Follow soon {An Estimate about his Work and Service and his death].
P. BABU MANOHARAN.[Rights reserved}[ It will be modified or altered if needed later ]

The First Protestant Christian of  Travancore Kingdom:  Part   III:

No doubt Maha RasanVethamanickam was  a rare and remarkable person , and he  served as the right hand and inspiring Misssionay Assistant to  Mr. W.T. Ringeltaube  to  lay the foundation for the establishment of Protestant Christianity in Travancore  by establishing  the first seven Protestant Churches in South Travancore . We great vision , development and  design ,Vethamanickam rubbed the shoulders with Mr. Ringeltaube , and  helped  Ringeltaube to establish Churches , schools, and to acquireproductive  properties for  the of LMS.

Mr. Ringeltaube's Second visit to Mylaudy and the first baptism at Mylaudy  : During his first historical visit to Mylaudy , Ringeltaube stayed at Mylaudy only for a few days and then  proceeded to other places  to fulfill his other missionary responsibilities , leaving the small  Flock at the pastoral  care of Vethamanickam  . On the 1st of  March 1807 , Ringeltaube again  arrived at Mylaudy  and he was delightedly welcomed  by  Vethamanickam and other Christians.  The repented but  unbaptized Christians of Mylaudy ,were ardently awaiting Ringeltaube's arrival and  so they were much delighted to see him in their midst. Mr. Ringeltaube asked  the new converts who were ready for baptism  some basic questions  about salvation .Vethamanicakam' s great- grandson  C.M. Agur writes in his monumental book ," the Church History of Travancote " thus, "When all the converts heartily responded and  promised that they would bear all trials for Christ and that they would obey the Maha Rajah and the Magistrates&c, and the laws of the country as before, he baptized them  in  the same night" .    In that blessed night   Mr. Ringeltaube baptized 40 persons from Mylaudy including the head  of  Vethamanickm's family, Gnanamuthu.  Before leaving Mylaudy , Mr. Ringeltaube requested Vethamanicksm to build a small prayer house or Chapel near his house till the Government sanction for a permanent Church would come.

Troubles and challenges met by Vethamanickam; Unfortunaltely  during the period 1808-1809 , there were many  political ,religious and social  unrests  prevailed in Travancore.   Mr. Agur writes in his book , " As soon as Mr. Ringetaube left Mylaudy , the Sudras , Pandarams and Brahmans of the neighbour hood involved  Vethamanikam in many cases and unjustly punished him and persecuted him in various ways. In spite of this opposition and continued annoyance Vedamanickam continued to proclaim the Word of God with greater energy and courage than before".

The misfortune of an imopportune war in Travancore 1808-09:  During this period unexpectedly a war broke out between the English and the Rajah of Travancore . According to Agur it not only affected the peace of the state but also arrested the progress of the Mission and threatened the entire existence  of the infant Church just forming at Mylaudy.  Mr Ringeltaube was much disheartened and he gave up all hopes of launching his Mission  in Travancoe.

Battle of Nagercoil  and Mylaudy Christians : Vethamanickam's conversion to Christianity and his close association with  the English Missionaries and his friendship with  Col .Macaulay   made  him  as a marked man and he was looked upon with great suspicion and molested with undue severity and hatred [C.H.T. p. 544].  A complaint was also made by some people to the palace about Vethamanickam ,stating that he was the  man who brought a White man into Travancore  and  also acting as a British spy .[C.H.T. p. 545].  So the Prime Minister [Devan] of Travancore  sent a band of soldiers to the South  with orders  to capture and imprison the person [Vethamanickam ]. The  soldiers first went  to a Hindu village to get  their help to capture Vethamanickam.  But fortunately one of his Hindu friends  informed  Vethamanickam,  about the plan of the Dewan[Prime Minister]. So Vethamanickam and his family members fled from Mylaudy and took shelter in the nearby famous  Maruthuval Malai[ Medicine Hill].

But Vethamanickam  used to come out during night time to visit  his village , and during one of his secret night movements,  he was caught  by some of his enemies,  so  he requested them to leave him,  fortunately they pitied  and set free and told him to flee  for his life . Vethamanickam  safely returned to Maruthuvalmalai  hill . After the threatening situation returned to normalcy in February 1809[CHT.P.548]; Vethamanickam with his friends and relatives returned to his native village of Mylaudy and  he gathered together  all the scattered flock once again  around him.

The first Protestant Church of Travancore  was Built at Mylaudy  : On hearing the news of Vethamanickam's retun to Mylaudy along with his family members , after the war , Mr Ringeltaube  came back to Mylaudy and held a thanksgiving service with his Christians, praising God for their deliverance from the horrors and troubles of war and Government . Then he directly went to  Quilon and met Col.Macaulay and once more applied for permission to  build the first Protestant Christian Church at Mylaudy and returned to Mylaudy and resumed his evangelical and missionary work at  Mylaudy. At last the long awaited permission to build the Church was received by Mr. Ringeltaube , and he  shared  the same with Vethamanicakm.   Ringeltaube bought the lands of Vethamanickam and Gnanamuthu at a nominal price , even though they were willing to give their land for the construction of the Church freely , to avert  all future claims from their children.

After having purchased a  sufficient  suitable place, Mr. Ringeltaube  immediately started the construction work of the first  Protestant  Church  of Travancore at Mylaudy .In May 1809 the foundation of the long awaited Church was laid in Vethamanickam's ground. There were some obstacles placed  by a  concerned Thahsildar , but Vethamanicakm   overcame the bottle neck by using his  own usual technique. The construction work of  the  first Protestant Church of Travancore was completed within  a short span of four months and the Church was dedicated in September ,1809 . On that historical occasion  Mr. W.T. Ringeltaube baptized a few and administered the Lord's Supper to the  Christians assembled there. This was the first Protestant Christian Church built in Travancore .

Mr. Ringeltaube's simplicity : Mr. Ringeltaube was really a man of great Christian simplicity and high thinking and living.  As proposed by himself he could not build a  reasonable bungalow for himself , so  he happily lived in  a small native hut near the Church at Mylaudy, ten by six furnished with a common wooden table, one or two stools, and a native cot.  C. M Agur writes about Mr.Ringeltaube like this, , "In this way he lived like a pure and poor native of the country  in  the  simplest and inexpensive a style, practically showing to what extent a servant of God can deny himself the comforts of life in order to do good to his fellow beings."

Mr. Ringeltaube made Vethamanicakm a Catechist ;  In connection with the historical dedication of the historical Church at Mylaudy , Mr. Ringeltaube formally made  [Maha Rasan] Vethamanickam a Catechist and a paid  agent of the Mission .  The LMS Missionary Mr . Ringeltaube and his Assistant Vethamanickam now devised all means for the further extension of the Church. Vethamanickam's joy knew no bounds. After having been made as a Catechist by the legendary Missionay Ringeltaube , at the end of 1809, Vethamanickam entered upon his Evangelical, Ministerial and Missionary work with great joy ,dedication ,   commitment, and zeal.

                                                     [ Part IV will follow soon ]
P. BABU MANOHARAN. [Rights reserved]..

The First Protestant Christian of Travancore Kingdom ;  part  II :

The formation of the first nucleus of the Protestant Church of Travancore  at Mylaudy :  Forthwith from the morning of the next day of  his arrival at Mylaudy ;  Vethamanickam  started preaching the Gospel of Christ  at  Mylaudy to his family members, during the early years of 19th century . First , Vethamanickam   started to teach about the gospel Christ  to his family members  in his house ,   with the guidance of  " Church Catechism " .On hearing  his teachings  on the Gospel  of Christ and   Church Catechism ,  the headman of his family  Perumal [Gnanamuthu] and also  Vethamanickam's  brothers  and sisters accepted  Christ. Following Vethamanickam's family members , his friends  and  other relatives  willingly  came forward to believe  the Gospel of Christ.   In all ,about thirty persons  of  Mylaudy  started to profess Christ publicly and put themselves under Vethamanickam's instruction  and pastoral  leadership .  Thus Vethamanickam  laid the foundation  for the formation of the nucleus of the Protestant Church of Travancore at Mylaudy. The form of worship adopted by the early Christians at  Mylaudy  was Lutheran.  Vethamanickam introduced the Common Prayer Book of the Lutheran Church then  in  use at Tanjore, and also Vethamanickam taught  its rites to the Mylaudy Christians ,to the extent possible for him. .

Vedhamanickam introduced the well meaning Native Christian names to the Christian Converts :

Vethamanickam  changed his wife's name as  Satthiayi and his daughter's name  as Pakkiayi and Annaa .His eldest son Chidambaram was called Devasahayam . His nephew's wife was called as Jesudial,  he changed the name of the head man of his family  Perumal  as Gnanamuthu. The heathen names of his other family members were also  changed  into  Christian names ;  the name  Agni was changed into Joseph, Sivan into Pakkianathen , Abirami into Santhayi, Owvai into Annanthayi ,  Sivagami into Mary . Thus thirty persons' heathen names were changed by Vethamanickam into meaingful Christian names.

Vethamanickam  met persecutions boldly : On account of his conversion  to Christianity,Vethamanickam was forced to face many new challenges and threat  from the  people, including his own relatives and they started to harass and hate him  due to  prejudice  and unwanted fear.   A report of his preaching   reached the  Palace and the native Government who could not tolerate the introduction of a new religion in Travancore.  The people in general molested and persecuted him with great horror and terror. By his indomitable will power and  by the power of  prayer , Vethamanickam  met the persecutions and challenges boldly.

Vethamanickam's Second  Visit to Tanjore ; As a great visionary and missionary Vethamanickam wanted to extend  the missionary field throughout the length and  breadth  of Travancore  ,and  to actuate his vision quickly and effectively he  believed that the service of a Foreign Missionary  or an experienced Ccatechist would be  of  great help. So  in February 1805 he started his second visit to Tanjore not as a heathen but as a believer of  Lord Jesus Christ ; leaving nearly one hundred and fifty persons under the immediate missionary and spiritual care of Gnanamuthu [Perumal] . When he reached Tanjore  ,he was happily welcomed by  Revd. J.C. Kohlhoff and with great enthusiasms . Vethamanickam talked about his "Little Flock"  at Mylaudy and and told   Rev J.C.Kohlhoff  that he had come for the second time in the hope of inducing him to send a Missionary to Mylaudy, Travancore.   Revd  Kohlhoff  was  pleased with Vethamanickam's words  and sincerely wanted to  help him ,  so  Revd. J.C. Kohlhoff sent Vethamanickam and  native Catechist by name Yesudian with an introductory letter to  a new  LMS Missionary by name Mr W. T. Ringeltaube, who has just arrived and  was staying at Tranquebar , the Head Quarters of the Danish Mission

The Historical Meeting Between Vethamanickam and Mr. Ringeltaube. : The great Church historian Mr. C. M. Agur writes that  "That visit of Vedamanickam and his friend to Ringeltaube has been likened to that visit to Peter at Joppa by the men sent from Caesura, both followed by a similar resolve " .Mr. W.T.Ringeltaube,  welcomed Vethamanickam  with great gladness as he had already heard about Vethamanickam and his inspiring  history  from  Revd J.C. kohlhoff   and other Tanjore Missionaries.  Mr . Ringeltaube  interestingly interacted with Vethamanickam and  advised  him  to make his people at Mylaudy , continue steadfast in their new Christian faith and to gather as many souls as  possible  for Christ. Mr. Ringeltaube gave him a good collection of  Christian tracts for use and promised that he would follow him to Travancore as soon as he had acquired some knowledge of the Tamil language.   The Church historian C.M. Agur writes  " Vedamanickam now returned home through Tanjore, full of hopes and better pleased than ever". After his visit and meeting with the great Mr. Ringeltaube ;  Maharasan Vethamanickam returned to Tanjore and remained there till the  Lent days were over , hearing the sermons on the Passion and returned to Mylaudy at the end of May .  On the request of Vethamanickam , the Tanjore Mission Missionaies sent Yesudian Catechist [with his wife and two sons Aaron and Moses  ] to assist Vethamanickam in his missionary work at Mylaudy.  On arrival at Mylaudy  , Vethamanickam  becamr  really glad to notice that the divine Christian worship he had instituted was still being regularly and sincerely performed and followed.

Gospel preached at Wiyaravilley : In spite of   great opposition from various angles in various hues and dimensions ,  Vethamanicakam  resumed  his missionary work of preaching  the Gospel   to the people around , with great vigorous and vibrant inspiration and determination  .As a result of his tireless spiritual endeavour, he happened to have the joy of gathering a few additional Christian followers in a neighbouring village called Wiyaravillai.  Eventhough Vethamanickam was doing the evangelical work at Mylaudy and it's surrounding places very efficaciously,  he  was very ardently  awaiting the arrival of  the LMS  Missionary Mr. Ringeltaube.

The arrival of the legendary LMS Missionary Ringeltaube at Mylaudy :   At last , on  the day break of 25th  April 1806, Mr. Ringeltaube left Vadakankulam  in Tirunelveli district,and  travelled over the arid and dry plains  and at noon crossed the Aramboly pass[ 8 miles East of Nagercoil ] which opened to his sight the new country where he was blessed to labour for 10 years and entered Nanjil Nadu, in South Travancore  .  Mr W.T. Ringeltaube arrived at Mylaudy  on the 25th , April , 1805 ; and he was welcomed by Vethamanickam and family members  with immense joy.  Mr. C.M. Agur quotes a letter of  Mr. Ringeltaube ,  " I reluctantly obeyed , and proceeded round the southern hills to a village called Mylaudy, from whence , formerly two men came to Tranquebar to request me to come and  see them,  representing that 200 heathens at this place were desirous to embrace our religion . I lodged two days at their houses , where I preached and prayed ; some of them knew the Catechism...........I spent here the Lord's day for the first time, very uncomfortably in an Indian hut.......:.Perhaps my disappointment contributed to my unpleasant feelings; I had expected to find hundreds eager to listen to the word ; instead of which , I had a difficulty to make a few families attend for an hour"[The  Church  History of Travancore  by C.M. Augur, pages  497-498] . This historical  day of Ringeltaube's arrival at Mylaudy on  the 25th  of April, 1805  ,is even today celebrated as the birthday of Protestant Christianity in Travancore. This historical day[event] changed the social , educational , cultural , political , religious , economic and intellectual history of  Travancore [Then Kanyakumari district was a part of Travancore  Kingdom].

                                  { Part  III will follow soon ]
P. BABU MANOHARAN,M.A,.{Rights reserved. This Article will be altered or modified later if needed].          

The First Protestant Christian of Travancore Kingdom , Maha Rasan Vethamanickam Desikar [1763--1827]-Part I

The First Protestant Christian of  Travancore Kingdom :  Part  I :

The First Protestant Christian of Travancore,the great Maha Rasan Vethamanickam Desikar : Mylaudy Maharasan  Vethamanickam was a remarkable person, a multifaceted personality, social thinker , visionary , missionary and achiever.  Definitely he was  one of the pioneers of social ,cultural , intellectual, spiritual and educational renaissance and revolution of  Travancore state

Maharasan's birth , Native Village and parentage:  . Maha Rasan Vethamanickam  was the man who was responsible to bring London Missionary Society into Travancore in 1806.  C.M.Agur , the great Church historian,writes that , "The introduction of the Protestant religion into Travancore is associated  in  a  most interesting manner with the personal history of the first convert Vethamanickam whose heathen name was Maha Rasan." .His forefathers were cultivators near Tanjore in the Chola Kingdom and due to great political prosecution and social  cruelties his ancestors in bulk moved towards South  and reached  the lovely Mylaudy in Nanjilnad , Kanyakumari district  via Vallanad  in Ttirunelveli District,  during the early part of 18th century.  Maha Rasan's family settled at the vicinity of Mylaudy near the canal and turned the waste lands into paddy fields when "Puthanar Canal" of  Nanjilnad was newly opened and  became owners of extensive cultivable lands.

Maha Rasan was born at Mylaudy in Kanyakumari district [South Travancore]  in 1763.  Most of Maha Rasan's family members were well versed in Astrology , Medicine, Poetry etc.  On account of their pursuits of learning and scholarship in Astrology  and  landed property  both men and women of  Maha Rasan's family  were well respected by  of all communities.  They were pious and God fearing people  generally, the women  of the family were staunch  Vishnuvites and men were Zealous Sivites and staunch worshipers of Subramanian and Annamalai .

The importance of Mylaudy :   Due to various vibrating reasons Mylaudy occupies an  unique and important  place in the Church history of Travancore and India.  The great  Maha Rasan Vethamanickam , who was primarily responsible to bring the legendary  LMS missionary Mr. Ringeltaube into Travancore , was born at Mylaudy.  Incidentally Maha Rasan Vethamanickam was the first Protestant christian or fruit, in Travancore [1799].  The first Protestant Church  in Travancore was built  at  Mylaudy  in  September,1809 ; the first English  Primary School in Travancore  was bulit at  Mylaudy  ; the great Christian poets , Mr. Devaram Munshi , Mr. John Palmer , Rev.. C. Masillamani [  Father of  the great Church Historian and Author of the monumental book , "Church History of Travancore "1903, pages 1183, in English] were born at Mylaudy  in the family of Maha Rasan Vethamanickam .  Mylaudy  was the Head- Quarters of the   LMS in Travancore  till Mr. Charles Mead moved the Head Quarters  of  Mylaudy  LMS Mission  from Mylaudy to Nagercoil in 1818 AD.

Maha Rasan's Education: At an early age Maha Rasan lost his father and he was brought  up by his Mother and he was sent to School along with his brothers and cousins to a  School  at an  idyllic  Sudra village called Eraviputhur in Nanjilnadu. His teacher was an able Tamil Pundit and the teacher was well versed in Grammar, Astrology, Mathematics , etc, as Maha Rasan was a brilliant student  he was very much liked  by his Sudra caste teacher and naturally he surpassed  and out stood his brothers in studies.

Maha Rasan's family :In the absence of his father his mother was bringing up Maha Rasan and his sisters and  brothers.   One Mr. Gnanamuthu [Perumal]  the cousin of Maha Rasan Vethamanickam was the head of Maha Rasan's family at Mylaudy and Gnanamuthu's wife's name was Nallayi.. Maharasan's wife's christian name was Satthiayi.  Maharasan's brother's name was Mr.Sivanan [ Gnanabranam]  and Maha Rasan's daughters were , Pakkiayi and Anna Ammal .  Maharasan's sons'  names were: Chidambaram [Devasahayam], and Moses.   Maha Rasan's  brother's son who accompanied Maha Rasan  to Chadambaram in 1799 AD , was   Sivagurunathan [ Masillamani].

Maharasan's pilgrimage to Chidambram   : Maha Rasan  was a visionary he was well versed

in Tamil literature and Hindu Puranas.  He was a natural seeker of God and truth . Maha Rasan was a careful reader of the Siva Puranas and tried to confirm his conduct as closely as possible to the rules put down by Sivite thinkers and writers . For his curious religious quest he could not find convincing answers and  while he was at Tiruchendur during one of his usual trips , one Siddhar met Maha Rasan and told him to meditate upon the great Brahman .   So Maha Rasan decided to go to Chidambaram to attain Chayuchya or the fourth or the highest degree of bliss of union with God  , or the final beatitude of re-absorption into the divine essence. So in 1799 AD , Maha Rasan together with his brother's son Sivagurunathan started their historical pilgrimage to Chidambaram to attain Chaychya.

Mylaudy to Chidambaram : With a good sum of money in hand  Maha Rasan and Sivagurunathan disguised themselves as Pandarams ,  and   proceeded their journey towards Chidambaram, by visiting the Siva temples on their  way  to Chidambaram  . At last  they crossed  300 miles from Mylaudy to Chidambaram by walk and reached Chidambaram.  But  he was taken aback and he was  displeased to see the night  dances and abominations of all kinds in the Chidambaram Temple, Maharasan  came to a clear conclusion that  Chidambaram  Temple could not be a favourable place for undisturbed meditation on the great Brahman. However due  to  fatigue he fell asleep by the side of a stone pillar inside the temple and saw a significant dream., in the dream  Maha Rasan saw a venerable white man attired in bright white robes and holding a stick in his hand appeared  and  wanted  Maha Rasan  to correct his spiritual steps and convictions. [Church history of Travancore , C.M.Agur. Page .433.]. So Maha Rasan  and his nephew Sivagurunathan on the next day morning  left Chidambaram  Temple with  heavy heart and proceeded to his cousin  sister's house at Tanjore.

Maha Rasan Vethmanickam at Tanjore:    Some decades before the arrival of Maharasan Vethamanickam  in Tanjore, the relatives of Maharasan who lived in Tanjore and surrounding area were converted to Lutheran Christianity due to the relentless effort of one remarkable man by name Raja Nicken and he  was the chief means of introducing Protestantism into Tanjore and of forming the early Church   at Tanjore.  Maha Rasan and his nephew Sivagurunathan ,on arrival at Tanjore ,went to the residence of Maha Rasan's  Christian  cousin-sister and brother-in- law . Maha Rasan's meeting with his cousin sister made historical and significant  impact and changes in the religious and spiritual life of Maha Rasan. It can be inferred that the relatives of Maharasan whom Maharasan met at Tanjore were the descendants of Raja Naicken.

Maha Rasan and Revd.J.C.Kohlhoff :  On the invitation of his cousin sister's husband  Maharsan and his nephew went to a Christian Church at Tanjore .  Maha Rasan had never seen a Christian Assembly before that.  It so happened that,  that day Revd.Fr.  John Caspar Kohlhoff , the President of Tanjore  Mission [Revd.J.C. kohlhoff was the son of Revd. J. Balthasar Kohlhoff and  also he  was the adopted son of the famous missionary Revd.Fr. Schwartz] was delivering the sermon and the sermon touched Maha Rasan,  as a sudden and unexpected star to one who had long wandered in thick spiritual  darkness without a ray of light .  After the church service Revd.J.C.Hohlhoff  met  Maha Rasan and  interacted with him.  Mr Kohlhoff gave Maharasan  a tract called" Meygnannam"   . Maharasan's interaction with Mr Kohlhoff and  the message of Meygnanam spiritually converted Maha Rasan and his nephew , consequently Maha Rasan   and Sivagurunathan accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and God. On hearing their  personal conviction and confession ,  Revd. J.C. Kohlhoff  baptized both of them and changed the name Maha Rasan into Vethamanickam and Sivagurunathan into Masillamani.  Following the baptism  Vethamanickam  became a close friend of Revd. J.C. Kohlhoff  in Christ and Vethamanickam frequently visited " Schwartz's Garden" where the Revd. J.C. Kohlhoff  was residing at Tanjore.  Vethamanickam was highly benefited by the graceful words of that venerable Missionary Revd. J.C. Kohlhoff.

Dr. John of Tranquebar Mission and Vethamanickam : After having acquired some basic knowledge of the important doctrines of the Bible ,Vethamanickam desired to visit the Tranquebar Misssion and see Dr. John , the head  of the Tranquebar  Mission, who was then residing at Poreiyar near Tranquebar . So Vethamanickam visited Dr . John  and had the privilege to observe the working of the Tranquebar Mission Press and other Church establishments which consisted of a large Church, Schools, Printing Office and various Christian dwelling houses . Afterwards Vethamanickam returned to Tanjore.

Vethamanickam's return to Mylaudy:  Almost six months had passed since Maha Rasan left his native village Mylaudy, and so Maha Rasan wanted to return to his native place with his new spiritual experience ; eventhough Revd J.C.Kohlhoff wanted Vethamanickam to stay some  more  months at Tanjore and undergo a Theological Course.  Vethamanickam's trip to Tanjore via Chidambaram not only caused  him to change his name Maha Rasan into Vethamanickam but also it changed the social , educational , intellectual and religious history of Travancore.  Maha Rasan Vethamanockam and Masillamani  started their southward journey  with a copy of Holy Scriptures and few other  Christan books. At last after a long pedestrian journey they reached the  idyllic Mylaudy to the great excitement of their relatives . Instead of giving Chidambara Prasatham and Vibuthi , Maha Rasan  Vethamanickam showed them the New Testament and briefly narrated the events of his journey  including his conversion ; with great surprise and shock his relatives heard his experience.

P.Babu Manoharan.:M.A, [Rights reserved . This Article will be enlarged modified and corrected later if needed ]. .

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVER PASTOR .Dr R..ABRAHAM

Outstanding Achiever  Pastor. Dr. R. Abraham :  Pastor Dr. R. Abraham , the Co-Founder of New India Church of God  and Founder Chairman of the Bethesda Institute of Technology and Sciences , Gwalior, was born in his mother's home state Kerala in 1952., But  he was  brought up, educated and was living  in his  father's home town  Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District , till  1976.  He is popularly known in the family  and friends' circle  as " Babuji"

Childhood ,Family and Education :   Pastor Dr. R. Abraham's paternal grandfather  late Shri . Nalla Thampy was a great man of God ,  evangelist and church builder , from  Boothapandi, Kanyakumari district. Post Master N.Ranjit Singh and  Mrs. Eleyamma  Ranjit Singh , were blessed with six children   including their only son , Pastor Dr. R.. Abraham . The young and dynamic Abraham was brought  up , nurtured ,educated and was living with his parents at   Victory Lane ,Nagercoil ; then with  his parents he shifted to Water Tank Road , Nagercoil and stayed there  ,  till he moved out from Kanyakumari  district in 1976.

After successfully completing his school studies he continued his collegiate  education  in the famous Scott Christian  College,  Nagercoil  and did his B.Sc., in Chemistry in the same College.  He was not only very studious in his studies but also he was a  talented Table Tennis Player . He was a District Table Tennis Player. He hails from a musically talented  and God fearing family. Since childhood he developed a good command over English language. In other words  we can say that  Smartness thy name is  R. Abraham.

Higher Education of Pastor R.Abraham : Since childhood Pastor R. Abraham has been a  clever student of learning.  He did his " Doctor of Divinity'" , from the United Christian International Bible Institute. He has also got another" Doctor of Divinity"  degree  from Bible Research Institute .

His married life  and children : Dr. R. Abraham and  Joyce from Kerala  were united in marriage in December, 1980.  And this marriage brought spectacular changes and turning points in his total life.  This lovely couple  Pastor. R. Abraham and Mrs. Joyce Abraham are  blessed with  three lovely children . The eldest daughter Sheril was born in September,1981; the second  daughter  Roshin was born in September , 1984;  and the third  male child  Abraham was born in  1986. These three children of Dr. R. Abraham are doing well in their respective fields in a spectacular way.

Milestones of his ministry : " New India Church of  God " :  New India Church of God was established and registered in Kerala in 1976, with a great vision and mission  under the  dynamic leadership of two dedicated men of God , Pastor R. Abraham and Pastor VA. Thampy.  Pastor R. Abraham has been serving as the General Secretary of the New India Church of God  since its inception.   Pastor Abraham extended the missionary field of  the NICOG to North India in 1980.  In 1984 , Pastor  R. Abraham took over as National Coordinator of  "World Map Seminars" for Church leaders, a Global Christian Conference.

In1984, the first Bethesda Bible Institute was started by  Pastor . R. Abraham at  Bahadurgarth, Hariyana.  In 1987  the  dynamic Pastor R. Abraham was selected as the  Executive Committee Member of the Pentecostal Fellowship of India , a National Confederation of Pentecostal Churches in India..

Now there are about 3500 churches , under the administrative control of  New  India  Church of God.

The remarkable achievements of Pastor R. Abraham : The most remarkable achievement of Pastor R. Abraham is the establishment of the New India Church of God ,  along with Pastor VA Thampy., now there are 3500  local churches , under the administrative control in this organisation [NICOG] today.

Bethesda Children's Homes  for Street Children : Pastor Abraham has  natural  compassion for the cause of the  neglected poor and street children . So in order to help the poor , lowliest, lost and the last he has started his first children's home, " Bethesda Children's Home  " in 2000.   It  is  a  network  of  14 orphanages in India . According to Pastor Abraham  generally many children born out of prostitution are thrown out in the streets by the mothers and such deplorable victims of parental  sins are crying out for a roof over their heads and one meal a day. For such type of neglected Street children,  these Bethesda  Children's Home provide shelter , care , food , family, and a future .  In addition to this scheme  he has started Street Children Feeding Homes [ Tejas ] to feed the starving street children.

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Educational Space : For the cause of the education of the poor children Pastor Abraham has founded  6 accredited Christian Mission  schools ,consisting of Primary,Secondary, Senior Secondary Schools in various parts of India, with a total pupil  strength of 1500 students .

Bethesda Bible Colleges :To train the future Christian  leaders and pastors he planned to start Bible Colleges . The first Bethesda Bible Institute was  started at Bahadurgarth, Haryana in 1987; and now there are   16  Bible Colleges under the control of  pastor Abram's ministry.

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Destitute Homes  : In order to provide employment opportunities and income to the poor destitute women Pastor  Abraham has started  24  Bethesda Tailoring Institutes.

His social concerns  : He has also started Centres for AIDS and  Drug victims  and has thus  touched all variety  and avenues of social services with great human compassion.

Founder of Bethesda Institute of Technology and Sciences:  In tune with his long term vision  Pastor R. Abraham has started the famous ," Bethesda Institute  of Technology and Sciences ", at Gwalior, in 2010-2011, in a  sprawling area of  of 10 acres of land  in  the out skirts of the Lovely and historical Gwalior City.  Pastor R. Abraham is the Founder  Chairman of the Bethesda Institute of Technology and Sciences, Gwalior.

                                     

                                         Bethesda  Institute  of Technology  and Sciences ,Gwalior .

This Institute  was  established  to foster the growth of the technocrats of the  21st century. This Institute has been approved by All India Council of Technical Education  and affiliated to  Rajiv  Gandhi  Proudyogiki

Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal.  This Bethesda Institute of Technology and Sciences offer the following engineering degree courses : 1. Mechanical Engineering. 2. Civil Engineering 3. Electronics Communication Engineering 4.Computer Science and Engineering  and 5. Electrical and Electronic Engineering. This is the first  Christian Engineering College in  Northern India.

Some other Milestones of  Pastor  Dr. R. Abraham :
 1.  Pastor Dr. R.  Abraham is the Chairman of Bethesda Christian Academies.
 2.  He is the Board member of All India Council of Christian Education.
 3.  He is the  General Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of India.
 4.  He is the  Managing Director of  the first Christian Multi -lingual 24 hour Satellite TV Station in India    called  "Power Vision TV ' .
 5.  He is a member of  Church Growth International,  Korea.

Conclusion :  Dr. R. Abraham is a remarkable  achiever of many great goals.  He is not an ordinary individual  but a remarkable institution  and institution builder. He is one of the  greatest  visionary personalities of Kanyakumari district and India , He is an international  personality  and member many international Christian organizations. His family members , Kanyakumari district and the country can be really proud of him. He has no time to stand and stare, he  has miles to go. Indeed he is Remarkable Achiever. He is a great link between North  India and South India . He is a legendary icon and  heir of  the legacy of Kerala, Tamilnadu and Pujab and  a symbol of national integration and human compassion

P. BABU MANOHARAN.M.A, {Rights reserved, .This Article will be altered , enlarged and corrected if needed , later].

A Great Unsung  Hero, Kavi Perarasu Nanjil  Narayana Tholkappian [N. Arirama Krishnan] :

Nanjil Narayana Tholkappian,  is one of the greatest Tamil poets ever lived . He is a native of Kanyakumari district and he is one of the unsung heroes of kayakumari district and Tamil Nadu,  while remarking  on Nanjil Narayana Tholkappian , the first Vice Chancellor of the Tamil University , Tanjore , Dr.V. I. Subrasniam  has  said   "This young man who was born at Narikulam  hamlet near Mahathanapuram has written by his own effort,   a book called ," Muppal Muthalvan"  in epic style , and I find  poetic creativity in his book after "Kavimani"[ Kavimani Desiyavinayagam Pillai].

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His birth and native place: Poet Nanjil Narayana Tholkappian  [ N. Ariramakrishnan ] was born at a beautiful hamlet called Narikiulam , near Mahathanapuram,  Agastheswaram taluk , kanyakumari district on 9th July , 1943 as the eledest son of  Mr. A.Narayanan and Mrs. Annavadivu Ammal Narayanan. Narikulam is surrounded by lovely lakes , coconut  trees and paddy fields and it lies  on the eastern side  of the Nagercoil   to Kanyakumari main road.  Definitely the long lovely lake flanking Narikulam on the western side  ,has definitely played a pivotal role in inspiring and shaping,  Narayana Tholkappian as a great creative Tamil poet and writer. His original name is  N. Ariramakrishnan.

Education  :  Narayana  Tholkappian did his school studies at the Government High School at Kottaram, near Kanyakumari.   By his personal effort he passed his Pulavar Certificate  [Tamil] examination.  He did his Graduation study as an  evening College  student at the famous Pachayappa's College , Chennai.  Then he did his Tamil Teacher Training Course at the Saidapet Teachers' Training College , Chennai, and B.Ed, at the  famous Annamalai University, Chidambaram .   He did  his M.A. at the Madurai Kamaraj University. He has undergone a special training in Tamil  Epigraphy .

As a Tamil Teacher :  Naraya Tholkappian{Ariramakrishnan]  started his teaching career  as a Tamil Teacher  in a Government High School on 7th July , 1968; then  he was upgraded  in course of time as Post Graduate Teacher and worked as  a highly talented  Post Graduate Tamil Teacher in many Schools in Tamil Nadu and retired on 31st July , 2001.

His poetical creations  and books   :    Narayana Thilkappian is a born poet . Mr. Ariramakrishnan assumed a pen name as "Narayana Tholkappian'  and started to write many beautiful poetical books in Tamil with great natural spontaneity  , great ease and elegance.   Some his famous published Tamil  poetical works and books  are cited below:

1. Thamilukku ththalai . [ Kumana Kaviam],  This book was selected and  financed  by the Department        Tamil  Development,   Government of Tamil Nadu.

2. Muththamil Nithithilam  [  Avvaiyar Kaviam-]. This book was also financed for publication  by the Department of Tamil  Development, Govt of Tamil Nadu.

3. Thirumavazhavan [Karikal Chozhan Kaviyam]. This book also got the financial assistance from the              Department  of  Tamil  Development,  Govt of Tamil Nadu.

4  Azhiyaa  Athihan [Thahadur Athihaman Kaviyam]. This book  was also financed by the D.T.D. Govt of     Tamil  Nadu , for  publication.

5. Murasu Kattil Mosikeeran [ Tamil  Sangam, poet Morasu Keeranar's Kaviam]. The Department of  Tamil Development , Govt of Tamil Nadu , financed for the publication of this poetical book.[ Pages . 246 ]

6. Nanjil  Valluvan Kaviam. This book was also selected and financed  by the Department of Tamil Development , Govt of Tamil Nadu. [Pages.284 ]

.7.   Muppal  Muthalvan. [Thiruvalluvar Kaviyam] This book was also selected and financed by the     Department of Tamil Development , Government  of Tamil Nadu .The renowned Tamil scholar and the

first Vice Chancellor of Tamil University , Tanjore , has said about  Narayana Tholkappian, " An young man born at Narikulam  hamlet , near Mahathanapuram, by his effort  has written a book called  "MUPPAL MUTHALVAN "  in epic style ; and after " Kavimani '  I find poetical creativity in his book".  Poet Narayana Tholkappian considers the above cited  compliment  and  remark  of  Prof. V.I.S. as the greatest Award he has ever received.

Honors and  Awards :    Narayana Tholkappian's  poetical work   " Muppal  Muthalvan " [Thiruvaluvar Kaviam] ,was adjudged as the best book  by the  Department of  Tamil  Development,  Government of Tamil Nadu and  Narayana Tholkappian  received the First Prize and the Cash  Award   in 2006  from the Government of Tamil Nadu.

                                      His  famous book ,  "Morasukattil  Mosikeeran "   was adjudged  as the best book by the Thiyahathurukkam  Bharathi  Tamil  Sangam, Vilupuram District, and  the  Bharathi Tamil  Sangam honored  Poet Narayana Tholkappian with  the First Prize and Cash Award ,in June , 2013.  Narayana Tholkappian  has   got  some more  Awards also.

Coclusion  :   Poet Narayana Tholkappian is a great poet in all sense of the word. So far he has written 13 books in Tamil.  Majority of his books are available in the Government Libraries throughout Tamil Nadu  .

As ancient day Tamil Poets he is also living in a poor  financial condition. But he has a rich heart  to share with the needy  with  whatever he has in his pocket.  Definitely Narayana  Tholkappian  deserves greater recognition from the Government, Universities, Sahitya  Akademy and people.  Universities at least Tamil University  can proudly  bestow  a   Honorary Doctorate , to the versatile   living  Poet  Narayana Tholkappian.     Some of his poetical  prize winning books can be prescribed  as text books in the Universities.  Narayana Tholkappian will  live as long as Tamil  lives.

P.  BABU MANOHARAN.[Rights reserved].

Great Christian Poets of Mylaudy:  Mr. Devaram Biddulph  or Devaram  Munshi [1802-1874] :

The versatile  Christian  writer,  thinker and lyrical Poet Mr. Devaram   Biddulph was born at Mylaudy in the year 1802  in the family of Maharasan Vethamanickam. He is popularly called as Devaram Munshi.[Tha.Mu]

According to  Mr. C. M. Agur ,the great Church  historian,  Devaram Buddulph  was the most prominent of the  Tamil Christian  poets of Travancore .  Agur writes about Devaram   Biddulph , " His style  is classic throughout.  Possessing   the fullest   power over the language he has versified Christian morals in a strong and vivid  manner.  His verses are majestic  and  eloquent , and at once show the  fervour  of his heart,and the depth of his learning and piety"

His village and Family:   Devaram  Biddulph's  father  Mr. Sivanaan [Gnanabranam] and his  mother Gnanayee  were  rich and landed  proprietors in Mylaudy.  When Sivanaan's  elder brother  Vethamanickam brought the Christianity to Mylaudy,  Sivanaan  embraced Christianity with his family and brought up  his children in Christian faith and ways.

Devaram was baptized by Mr.  Ringeltaube:   Devaram and his parents  were baptized by Mr Ringeltaube in 1806 at Mylaudy.   Mr. Ringeltaube was staying at Mylaudy and doing the Christian  ministry at Mylaudy and it's surrounding places ,assisted by Vethamanaickam. While he  was  young  he used to get highest sum of money from Mr. Ringeltaube by repeating the greatest number of Scripture verses. He was very much  liked by Mr. Ringeltaube , Mead , Revd.Mr. Knill and others.

Devaram's Education in the Seminary at Nagercoil:    When  Mr. Charles Mead the successor of Ringeltaube established  the Nagercoil Seminary  in 1819, Mead took Devaram with him as one of the first batch of students at the Nagercoil Seminary.  In the Seminary he was given some basic training and then he was sent to Tanjore ,Combaconam and Madras, the centres of   education, to continue  and complete his studies .  Devaram was a brilliant  student from the beginning and so at Combaconam and other places  he studied Tamil to perfection .  He  also  studied Sanscrit, Music, and Astrology under an able teacher. His knowledge of  Sanscrit was sound and commendable and his addresses were highly  attractive to the educated Hindus as he interspersed his addresses with beautiful quotations from Sanscrit classical works.


                                                 
        L.M.S SEMINARY AT NAGERCOIL FOUNDED BY REV .CHARLES MEAD, 1819

Devaram  became Mead's Assistant  : On his successful completion of his studies Devaram returned to Nagercoil and  on  his return  from Madras , he was appointed  as  the Native Assistant to Mr. Charles Mead;   Mr. Devaram served  Mead  faithfully  as a  Native Assistant both at Nagercoil and at Neyoor.  Mr. Mead recognized  Devaram's creative and literary talent  and as a  well  wisher,  Mead encouraged Devaram to improve in his creative potentialities  and  pursuits.  Devaram   was a born creative genius and so he started to write  Tamil Christian lyrics , poems and prose works. Mr.  Charles  Mead's   Munshi  [Teacher] Mr. Thiruvamalathinnamutham Pillay   had also  helped the young budding Poet Devaram Munshi, in his early and beginning literary  attempts.

Devaram as a creative writer of lyrics , poems and prose ;  Within in a short span of time Devaram attained great perfection  and elegance  in writing  poems and lyrics ,and  the south Indian Tamil poets conferred on him the title  "Dom Muni".    Agur writes  about Devaram's writing genius , " his poems can be placed almost on level with Thiruvalluvars's.   Mr. Devaram's Shen Tamil was perfect and was the delight of many".

Devaram's poetical works :  The following are some of his main poetical works:

1.Vethavithikural [ The Christan Kural]. In this work Scriptural truths and precepts have been versified by the learned Poet Devaram in exact imitation and style of the well known Tamil classic  "Thirukural" by Thiruvalluvar.

2.Thiruttanthamalai [Christian morals illustrated by the Scriptural examples ]. This elegant Christian classical work resembles the Hindu poem "Moothurai".
3.Sinthukavimalai  [the Garland of Christian Lyrics].
4. Semmolimalikai [The Garland of Good Words] . This is written in imitation of Ouvai's  "Athisudi".
5.Nallarivinsaram [Watt's First Catechism in Tamil lyrics ].
6.Vetha Aharathi [ Bible Dictionay].
7.Peyaraharathi [Dictionary of nouns enlarged ].
8. Sathuraharathi.
9. Vinaiyaharathi  or  Panjaharathi[The fifth Dictionary or Dictionary of roots and verbs [left unfinished].

Devaram's popular Christian Lyrics  : Apart from many standard and classical Tamil creative works as mentioned above  he had also  written some popular  Christian lyrics which are being sung  in the Tamil Church worship services throughout  the world  . The following  are some his famous Tamil Christian Lyrics sung in the Tamil Churches :

1.Athi mangala karanana  2.Deva Suthan Poovulahor Pavam Ozhikka   3. Yesu Nayahanai  Thuthi Sei Sei
4. Serum Kiristhyesuva  Enai  Serum  Kristhesuva.  5. Varuvar Vizhiththirungal Yesunathar and some other.

Conclusion :   In South Travancore ,  the then Christians generally , affectionately  and respectfully called,  Mr. Devaram Biddulph as  "Iyah"[Father] . In the field of Christian literature till today he has a few equals . He was a genius and great research scholar in Tamil literature. It is pertinent to remember one important historical fact that  Mr. Charles Mead married the daughter of Mr. Devaram Biddulph ,  Miss Lois Biddulph in 1851 , on account of  his  previous  wife's  death.  Mr. Charles Mead  confronted  many criticisms and unkind  treatment and thankless conduct  from some of the Junior Missionaries and some section of the Christian society on account of his inter-continental and inter-racial marriage.   So Mr. Mead  resigned from Travancore LMS Mission in  1854, and  went to  Trivandrum and settled there with his wife Lois Biddulph and  his Father -in law  Mr. Devaram Biduulph.   The great Tamil scholar and writer  Devaram  Munshi [Devaram Biddulph] happily spent his last  days with his daughter Lois Mead and his four grandchildren born to Mr. Mead and Mrs.Lois Mead .  Devaram Munshi died on the 28th of December, 1874 at Tirvandrum and his mortal body was interred   in  the Christ Church Cemetery, Trivandrum . A great Tamil scholar , writer, researcher and poet  of Mylaudy  is silently sleeping inside the burial ground  in  the Christ Church Cemetery, Trivandrum

It is  quite and strangely unfortunate that the Tamil speaking Christians ,  Tamil scholars , and the enlightened Tamil speaking world have failed in remembering  and honoring  a  great creative  Tamil scholar  of Devaram's stature. But he will live for ever in his creative works and lovely Christian Lyrics.

P. BABU MANOHARAN.[Rights reserved].

Great Christian Poets of Mylaudy:  Mr. John Palmer [1812-1883] :

The great Christian lyric poet  Mr. John Palmer was born at Mylaudy , near Nagercoil , Kanyakumari district on the 15th, November, 1812 , in the family  Maharasan  Vethamonickam of Mylaudy village .

He is considered as one the greatest Christian lyric poets next only to Vetha Nayagam Sasthiriyar  of
Thanjavur.

His birth  and family geneoly ;   John Palmer was  privileged to born in the family of Maharasan Vethemanickam, of Mylaudy ,the man who was responsible for bringing  the London Missionary Society's legendary  missionary  Mr. Ringetaube   to Kanyakumari District [South Travancore] in1806.  Johan Palmer was generally  and shortly called as  "JaPa " in Tamil .  JaPa was born on the 15th  of November , 1812, at Mylaudy , as the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs.Gnanapragasam Thesikar  of Mylaudy, a cousin of Maharasan Vethamonickam.  Mylaudy is a lovely idyllic village surrounded  by lotus ponds , coconut and mango tree gardens and verdant  fertile paddy  fields , located at a distance of  7  miles from Nagercoil ,near the famous Marunthuvalmalai, [Medicine Hill].

Geneology:  Mr.Gnanapragasam begot John Palmer, John Palmer begot  Abel Palmer  [Abel Palmer's brother Solomon Palmer's daughter,  Mrs, Manonmani was the wife of Mr  Gnanamuthu Jesudasan , the first ordained Indian Pastor of M.E.L.I.M--I.E.L.C.],  Abel Palmer begot Retnam Palmer,  Retnam Palmer begot  Muthuraj Palmer , Muthuraj Palmer begot Herbert Palmer , Herbert Palmer begot  Moses Palmer and Mr Moses Palmer is living with us today [ Mr. Moses Palmer is working with World Vision].

Education:   The legendary  L.M.S. missionary  Mr. Charles Mead  , shifted the Head Quarters of Mylaudy LMS  Mission field , from Mylaudy to  Nagercoil  in  1818 and  established a  Seminary at  Nagercoil  with the help of the fellow  missionary  Mr. Charles Mault in 1819.  Along with the other Mylaudy  lads like Devaram Biddulph, Christian, Moses and  three  others , John Palmer also had the privilege to continue his education at the Seminary at Nagercoil with help of Mr. Mead and Mr, Mault.   Tamil , English, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Greek, etc were taught as subjects at the Seminary.  JaPa  successfully completed  his  education at the Seminary.  In recognition of his educational accomplishment,  John  Palmer  was sent to  a famous Seminary , in Ceylon  for higher education by Mr. Charles Mead , Mr.  Charles Mault  and Mr. Knill .

John  Palmer  and Mr.Charles Mault :  On his return from Ceylon , Mr John Palmer was appointed as the Native Assistant to Mr Charles Mault, at Nagercoil  and also as an Assistant at the London Missionary Printing Press , Nagercoil . John Palmer was a born writer and poet  and  his job at the Printing Press helped him  immensely to improve his writing skill.

Family Life :  John Palmer married  Perinbamammal on the 5th of July, 1830.  He led a happy conjugal life with his loving wife  and they were blessed with many children . Mr. Charles Mault , Mrs. Mault  and Mrs. Eliza Caldwell [ The legendary wife of Dr. Robert Caldwell , the Author of the monumental book , The Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian  or South-Indian  Family of Languages, London, 1875 ]   were highly helpful to Mr. John Palmer's family in  many ways..

The great Christian lyrical poet Mr  John Palmer.   Mr. Mault and Mr. Mead identified the literary talents of John Palmer and spontaneously encouraged him  in his literary endeavors and travel. John Palmer wrote many beautiful and  meaningful  Christian Lyrics in  beautiful Tamil in melodious ragas [tunes]. All his melodious lyrics became instant success and were  with great reception,  included in the Christian Hymn and Lyric Books of the day  , of the Established Christian denominations of Protestant Christianity and were sung in the worship services with great enthusiasm and inspiration  because of  the tunes and the meanings of his Tamil  lyrics . Even today his lyrics are being sung in all the Protestant  Tamil Churches  like C.S.I , Lutheran Churches and such others , throughout the globe including India ,  Sri Lanka , Malaysia, Singapore , U.k. U.S.A  etc . The following are some of Ja Pa's very popular lyrics:  "Suya  Athihara ", "Bethalaiyil  Piranthavarai ",  "Osanna Paduvom " ,  "Innalil Yesunathar  Vuyirthar ",  "Aridathil  Yehuvom " ,   "Yesuvava Kirubasanapathiyae"  , Thevathi theva Thirumarai aruzhiya,  karunakara Theva..,Charanam, Charanam, Charanam..,Aa Varum Nam Ellorum  Koodi ,  Athi Anthamillatha Thevathi Thevan , Ventha thuyar neekiya.., Masilla Yesu vallalai Valththuvoma , Chuthihariyayo Thurkunam Neenga,  Parana Vunai Nambinan Vuramudan Thangiyah, Theeyan Ayienan Iya Ezhiyan , Iaiya Nan Voru Jenmi Aananna , Gunam Ingitha Vadivai  Vuyar kova Yesu Theva and so many others.

John Palmer's other literary accomplishments :   John  Palmer was  a  prolific  writer,  and some of his well known Tamil  books are listed below :  1.Gnanapatha  Keerthanam[Christian Lyrics],  2. Christhayanam [Life of Christ],  3.Messiah Vilasam [The Life of Christ in lyrics]  4. Sathyavetha Charithra  Keerthanai [ bible History in lyrics]  and  5.Pramanthakummi [ The heavenly delight]. Among his Tamil  creative works , "Christhiyanam ", is his masterpiece. This book has been written in the form of the Hindu Tamil Epics  "Ramayana ",  'Naidatham"  and   Beschi's   "Thempavani ".   It   is  divided  into  four  parts:

Part  I [Balakandam--Birth] deals with the birth of Christ , Part  II [ Kirya Kandam- Ministry] deals with the ministry of Christ,  Part  III [Avastha Kandam-Passion] deals with the Passion of Christ and  Part  IV [Arohannakandam -Ascension] deals with the resurrection and ascension of Christ.  This monumental book consists of 842 stanzas.  It is the moral responsibility of all the Tamil Christians  and  scholars to introduce this great masterpiece of  the great Christian Lyrical Poet  Mr. John Palmer , to the Tamil speaking world, in a proper , suitable and befitting  manner.

Conclusion :  Mr. John Palmer [Ja Pa] is no more with us but he lives in his Christian lyrical poems and also in his other  Great Tamil books penned by him .  After the retirement of Mr. Mault from the Mission owing to  the unkind  treatment received from members of the Chuch and Mission , Mr. John Palmer left the L.M.S. Mission  and entered Revd. Mead's service at Trivandrum.  Mr.Mead employed him in the Chaplaincy School,Government Press, and in some other offices. Mr.  Palmer's beloved wife Perinbam Ammal died on the  9th , February, 1859.  Mr. John Palmer died on the 2nd April 1883 at the old age of 71, and his mortal body was interred at the Christ Church Cemetery, Trivandrum.    The unoffical  ' Poet Laureate ' of  Tamil  Christan  Lyrics is silently sleeping in the Cemetery of Christ Church , Trivandrum

C.M. Agur, B.A.,  the great Church Historian and Author of the Landmark book," The Church History of Travancore"[1903], writes about Mr. John Palmer , "Mr.Palmer's style is plain. He confines himself to Scriptural thoughts and uses appropriate epithets suited to the language and habit of thought of Tamil Christians who are delighted with his simple and elegant Lyrics. Mr. Balm has remarked that what Dr.Watts , who aimed to sing for children by the very simplicity and beauty of his style was in England so Mr. Palmer was in the South Indian Church " .

P.BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Rights reserved  This Article will be enlarged , modified and corrected later , if needed]


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