A Great Philosopher, Theologian, Author, Educationist, An Alumnus of the Madras Christian College , Church Leader, First Indian General Secretary of the Church of South India [C.S.I] , and Former Principal of the St. Columbus High School. Chengalpattu , Mr George Vedanayagam Job , M.A. L.T ,.

Introduction   : Former Principal of St Columbus High School at Chengalpattu and the First Indian  General Secretary of the Church of South India Mr. George Vedanayagam, M.A, L.T  was a remarkable multi faceted personality and he is generally known as Mr G.V. Job.  He was a Philosopher, great Theologian, brilliant Educationist, a Dynamic Church leader, a versatile Writer in English, a compassionate human-being and Thinker; and his arresting and galvanising  real life story will definitely motivate and inspire the readers , pastors . teachers and fellow  citizens to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Indeed . Mr George Vedanayagam, M.A, L.T was a shining and galvanising milestone in the Educational, Cultural, and Religious, Spiritual , and Social history of Tamil Nadu and India  

                                                 Mr. George Vedanayagam Job, M.A, L.T,.

Mr. G. V. Job's  Parents and Birth       Famous Tamil Christian Poet Rev. S.George  Vedanayagam [ Solaimalai George Vedanayagam the author of the Tamil Christian Lyric, Arasanaikaanaamal Iruppoma, " etc]  and his beloved and beautiful wife Ms Asirvathammal  Vedanayagam couple was blessed with all the connubial  and spiritual blessings and this blissful couple gave birth to  Mr. George Vedanayagam Job on the 26th October , 1889 . at Chengalpattu.  Mr George Vedanayam's  forefathers were serving in the British Indian Army . Mr. G.V. Job's father Rev S. George Vedanayagam started his pastoral profession  in the American Madura Mission   but later he joined the Free Church of Scotland Mission and served as a Pastor for many years in Chennai and its surrounding area including St Andrews Church at Choolai,Madras [ Current C.S.I Church in Choolai] with consuming  devotion to God and great compassion for his fellow human-beings.

Mr. G.V. Job's Illustrious Siblings     Rev. S. George Vedanayagam and Ms  Asirvathammal Vedanayagam  couple was blessed with all the conjugal blessings and gave birth to the following children namely ;- [1] Mr. George Vedanayagam Job, M.A, L.T, [ Mr. G.V.Job]  and he is the hero of this Article], [2] Ms. G.V. Elizabeth Charlotte Rungaswamy [ Elizabeth Charlotte married Rev J.W.S Rungaswamy and this couple gave birth to the following children namely ;[a] Mr. John Rungaswamy, [b] Mrs Gurnsey Isaiah , [c] Mrs. Annie Arumainayagam, [d] Ms. Mercy Job , [e] Ms. Maida Charles , [f]Ms Elsie David, [g] Mr. George Vedanayagam , [h] Ms Amy Jean Chandraleela  Samuel and [i]Ms Susanna Vasantha Chitha,[3] Mr. G.V. Jeremiah , [4] Mr. G.V. Thomas Isaiah, and he married Ms Dhanam and this couple gave birth to the following children namely :[a] Dr. George Devanesan  Samuel Isaiah and he married Amy Jean Chandraleela Samuel Rungaswamy ,[b] Ms Alice and she married Mr Victor Mithradoss,[c] Rev. Ebenezer Immanuel and he married Ms Joy Immanuel and [d] Rev. G.T. Vethanayagam  ,[5] Mr. G.V. Ezakiel  and he married Ms Leela and this couple gave birth to the following 3 sons and 3 daughters  namely :-[a]  Mr. E. George Alexander, [b] Mr. E. G. Charles, [c] Ms . E. Mary Sulochana , [d] Ms. E. Vimala kalyani , [e] Mr.E. Zaphania [ Cheppie] [f] Ms. E. Suseela Choochi [6] Mr. G.Henry Azariah and he married  Ms. kirubamani Azariah .Mr George Henry Azariah and Ms Kirubamani Azariah  couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[a] Mr Kirubakaran  Manohar, [b] Charlotte Asirvadham Chellammal Balasundaram ,[c] Mr Victor Jesudas Immanuel ,[d] Ms Ruth  Magadelene  Violet Devrajulu, [e] Mr Joseph Barnabas  Scudder ,[f] Ms. Elizabeth Sheeba Leela Vasikaran, and [g] Ms Margaret Selvasegari aka Susan Lawrence. ,[7] Mr. G.V. Amos, and {8] Ms. G.V. Susannal and she married Mr. James Samuel and this couple had no children.

                                                  

                                                     Mr. G.V.Job, M.A, L.T and his Family 

Mr. G.V. Job's educational Track   : Mr. G.V. Job had been a brilliant student since his primary School days.  After having passed his F.A  examination he pursued his B.A[ Philosophy] at the prestigious Madras Christian College and he was a classmate of the former President of India late Mr. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan  in Madras Christian College . The discussion between Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and Mr. G.V. Job regarding Christianity was  widely well known at that time .Mr. G.V. Job passed his B.A[ Philosophy] meritoriously...  Mr. G.V. Job, loved teaching career seriously and sincerely, and so  he did his Licentiate in Teaching course [ L.T] in the YMCA  College of Education in Saidapet in Madras [ Chennai]  and passed his L.T. examination with high marks. 

 

Mr. G.V. Job's  Teaching Career.  After having passed his B.A [ Philosophy], Mr. G.V. Job worked as a Lecturer at the prestigious Bishop Heber College , Trichy for some period of time and even today we can see  Mr. G.V. Job's photo on the  walls of Bishop Heber College, Tiruchinopalli. Mr. G.V. Job's teaching career was involved, evolved and revolved around the St. Columbus High School, Chengalpattu.  Mr G,V, Job served as a Teacher in the St Columbus High School and afterwards he was promoted as  Head Master of the St.Columbus High School at Chengalpattu and he worked as H.M for  for many years and later he got the privilege to serve  as the Head Master of the St.Columbus Higher Secondary School at Chengalpattu following the up-gradation of the St Columbus High School as a Higher Secondary School , with great efficacy and devotion till his retirement.  Mr. G.V. Job  took keen interest not only to impart knowledge to his students but also to mould them as good human-beings with high moral and spiritual  values. 

Mr. G.V .Job's Wife and Children     :  Mr. G.V. Job , M.A. L.T married  Ms Esther Gertrude daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel . Mr Samuel worked as a Teacher in Capron Hall School Madurai and his wife was a Muslim convert. .Mr. G.V.Job and Ms Esther Getrude Job  couple  gave birth to the  following children namely:-[1] Ms. Jemmi Job Rajamanickam , [2] Ms. Dr. Leela Kezia Job , did her MBBS at the prestigious Christian Medical College Vellore and she was privileged to be trained under the the great Dr.  Ida Scudder, [3] Ms .Kirubavathi Job , [4] Mr Dr. Samuel Vedanayagam Job, M.Sc, Ph.D [ Canada],  and he is generally called as Dr. S.V.Job. It will be appropriate to record some lines about Dr. S.V. Job . Dr. S.V Job was born in the year 1922 and he had an outstanding educational record and career and  he was the winner  of the Caithness Gold Medal in his P.G. Degree in Zoology from the University of Madras ,And by winning the prestigious Vincent Masseey Award he did his Doctoral research in the Dept of Zoology , University of Toronto , Canada and received his Ph.D degree . He served in the Madras Christian College as a Lecturer in Zoology, Department. Then he worked  as a Reader in the Madras University and  while he was working in the University of Madras he was transferred to Madurai University and after having worked for many years in the Madurai University Dr. S.V Job was promoted as Head and Coordinator of the School of Biological Sciences and a Professor and retired as such.. During his prolific teaching career Dr. S. V. Job had guided and  produced 25 Ph.D degree holders. To his credit he had authored an epoch making book titled," THE SEED; Evolution: fact or Fiction ?' .Dr. Prof. S.V. .Job married Ms Marjorie a daughter of Mr. Paul and Mrs Gloria Paul in January 1950 at the Madras Christian College chapel . Dr.S.V.Job  and Ms Marjorie Job couple gave birth to the following children namely :- [1]Mr. Noel , [2] Mr Alan, [3] Ms. Phebe and [4] Mr. Danny [ Daniel Job ]. .Dr. S.V .Job and Ms Marjorie Job  were closely  connected with the Laymen Evangelical fellowship of India and its founder Bro Joshua Daniel [5] Mr. Commodore Dr. Ernest Chandran Job, M.B.B.S, and he married Ms Abranam Vethavathi, M.A, , daughter of  Advocate Mr.  Devadasan, B.A, B.L, and Ms. Annamuthu Devadasan{ She hailed from an illustrious family from Nanjil Nadu, K.k.Dist] on 26th may 1950 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral , Palayamcottai... Dr. E.J. Chandran Job, MBBS, served in the Indian Navy  as a Commodore and while serving as Mess Officer in the famous INS Vikrant he had the rare privilege to flank and dine with the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indra Gandhi in the same dinning table. . Dr. E.J Chandran Job and Ms Abranam Vedavathi Job couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[1] Dr. Sheila Sekar, M.B.B.S  and she married Mr Abraham Sekar, B.E. M.Tech[ I.I.T, Bombay] and she currently resides in US with her husband and children and [2] Mr. Prabhu Job, B.E and he married Ms Sheila Prabhu, B.E   ..   [6] Ms Sarojini Asirvatham and [7] Mr. Basil Gunaseelan Job

                                            Mr. G.V.Job with  his Sons and Sons in Law 

Mr. G.V. Was a great Thinker and Author   :  Mr. V.V. Gob was a contemporary of the following Christian theologians and thinkers namely :- , Mr. V. Chakarai, Mr . P. Chenchiah, Mr. D.M. Devasahaym, Mr. S. Jesudasan , Mr. Eddy Asirvatham and Mr. A.N. Sudarisanam. Mr. G..V. Job and his intellectual Christian friends with great vision thought about the future of Christianity and Christians after India's Independence, In this context with great responsibility the above said thinkers  wrote amazing Essays  and Write ups and compiled those brilliant Write ups and Essays in the form a Book under the Title, A RETHINKING CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA 'and this epoch making book was published by Mr. A.N. Sudarisanam , Kilpauk , Madras , 1939 , pages 327.. Mr. D.M. Devasahayam , the Hon Secretary , Bangalore Conference Continuation and Mr A.N. Sudarisanam [Editor] had written a thought provoking Preface to this iconic Book . Mr. G.V. Job had written the first Chapter of this Book, " The Christian Movement in India '.  And this first Chapter authored by Mr G,V Job covers  45 pages . This Chapter begins like this, "   The strength and momentum of the Christian movement in India cannot be adequately measured by the numerical strength and the cultural and spiritual attainment of the Christian Community:"  This chapter reveals not only the intellectual maturity and  the amazing theological grip of Mr G.V. Job but also his concern for the present and future  of Christianity and Christians; in India . Mr. G.V Job as a great visionary  visualised the problems and challenges that Christianity would face in future. and  he had sharply indicated the faults and mistakes committed by the Indian Church and Christians.  Mr. G.V.Job writes that, : The Church was wholly unprepared for the sudden and phenomenal expansion of men's thoughts and ambitions which came with the progress of exploration and scientific invention" and again he writes about the Christian Church in India , "Instead of christianising  commerce she allowed Christianity to be commercialised "  Really this is one of the greatest crucial  problems being faced by our Christian Churches.today 

    It is not possible to review this first Chapter written by Mr G.V. Job within the space of this Article . Mr. G.V. Job  writes" ......... of a reluctance on the part of the richer and more educated section of Indian Christians to identify themselves with the poorer members of the community". Even today our  Indian Christian Church faces this great problem . Mr. G.V. Job writes, " And our telling has to be supported by our living"  Mr. G.V. Job has not failed to  delineate the crucial current problem that the Christian Church faces today, and Mr. G.V. Job writes, "  It will be valuable to keep in mind two classes of Indian Christian congregations. There are those which are educationally and economically advanced and there are those which remain almost on the level of the most backward Indian classes"  Mr. G.V. Job again writes, "...and that Indian Christians are more eager to assume power and control finances than to serve the cause of the Gospel " .  He again writes that , " The foundations laid by the missionary enterprise are too weak to bear the superstructure of the Indian Church'  . It is not possible to cover all the significant points written in the first chapter[The Christian Movement in India] in the book  "Rethinking Christianity in India" by Mr. G.V. Job, M.A, L.T , in this Article; so  if possible please read this thought provoking book, "Rethinking Christianity in India ".

Conclusion  :  Mr. G.V. Job, MA, LT was a remarkable man . He was a great man of God . He loved Christ and the Indian Christian Church so much with all his might and strength.  He played a crucial role for the Unification of the various Protestant Christian denominations in South  India  as Church of South India   Mr. G.V. Job had the privilege to serves as a Member of the Special Committee on Church Union appointed by the executive Committee of the South India United Church [ Bangalore, 4-8 1929] along with Rev. L.R. Scudder, Rev. R. Robertson, Rev. A.H. Legg, Rev, I.J. Thomas, Rev. G.D. Thomas, {Rev.J.J. Banninga, Rev. W.E.H. Organe, Mr . K.T , Paul, OBE, and Mr Paul Daniel M.A, L.T . Really Mr. G.V.Job  had played  a commanding and commendable role for the  formation of the Church of South India. He  had the unique privilege to serve as the First Indian General Secretary of the newly formed Church of South India [C.S.I] with great devotion, distinction and enviable efficacy .  His family life was/is blessed in line with the blessings enshrined in Psalm 128. It is not possible to cover all the aspects  and accomplishments of late Mr. George Vedanayagam Job within  the space of this Article .  I will end this Article with the following  sentence , " Mr. G.V. Job was a versatile personality,  a great believer in Christ, he was known for his clarity of thought and charity of heart and I am proud of him and thank God for him  " 

END.

By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,. [ All rights are reserved. This article will be enlarged, modified, or corrected later if needed }.