Introduction : Former ISRO [ Mahendragiri ] " SE" grade Scientist / Engineer Er. Chandran Gandhiji was one of the unassuming great Space Scientists and was an unsung hero . His remarkable jump from the lake banks of Vedanthangal village to the space research laboratories of of ISRO at Mahendragiri deserves our attention and admiration. He achieved greatness by his relentless hard work and untiring self motivation . His rise from a Technical Assistant in ISRO to the grade of SE Scientist/ Engineer will definitely motivate and galvanise the village youth to aim for higher goals and to live a meaningful life
Milestones of Kanyakumari
Monday, 13 January 2025
Former ISRO [ Mahendragiri ] SE Grade Scientist/ Engineer Er Chandran Gandhiji, B.E[ Electronics] and Communication ]
Wednesday, 8 January 2025
A Short Introduction about St. Mary's Church, Madras and St. Mary's Charity School, Madras ,
Introduction : To understand the history of St. Mary's Church and St Mary's Charity school at Madras we need to have some idea of Mr. Streynsham Master . The Agent of British East India Company , Madras Sir. Streynsham Master was the 8th son of Richard Master Esq., of East Langdom Court, kent, U,K,. He entered British East India Company's service in 1659 and some years before he came to Madras , he distinguished himself at Surat in 1670 by his courageous defence of the factory against the forces of Sivaji with a party of seamen from Swally for which he received the Gold Medal from the East India Company. He was appointed to Fort. St. George, Madras with the understanding that he was to succeed Mr.Langhorne [Mrs. Frank Penny, Fort St. George Madras ,p. 47 ]. Mr. John Langhorne left India with Mr. Herrys at the beginning of 1676. Mr. Master's first act was to remodel the rules which governed his Council and introduce a more orderly system of keeping the accounts books.. On return from the Bay he set about consolidating and building up the status of Fort St. George, Madras . Mr. Streynsham Master may be called the second founder [ Ibid. ,p. 60].He remodelled Mr. Langhorne's rules. . Fines were also imposed for swearing, lying, quarrelling and Sabbath- breaking. [Ibid, p. 61]. Mr. Master's reign was a short one yet in his time he left two lasting memorials of his energy. One was the St. George Fort Church dedicated to God in honour of St. Mary ; the other was the Court of Judicature out of which was by and by evolved the Madras High Court [ Ibid., p. 62]. . Within a few days of the sitting of the Court of Judicature the foundations of St. Mary's Church was dug. It was the first Church of the Anglican Communion raised in India and it was built by the liberal subscriptions of the Merchants of St. George Fort , Madras . [ Ibid., p. 63]. When factories and forts were established in India the Chaplains were appointed to them by the East India company . As early as 1655 mention is made that a protestant Chaplain in Madras Revd. Richard , the successor of Rev. Patrick Warner , and had the privilege of performing the dedicatory service of the St. Mary's Church at St. George Fort, Madras,, two years later in 1680. [ Ibid ]. The spire was added in 1692 and quarters were built at the West and adjoining the Tower for the Chaplains[ Ibid, .p. .64].
St. Mary's Church Madras : St. Mary's Church , Madras , is full of mementoes of men who have helped to make history. and is the resting place of several English Governors and Commanders in Chief to the Madras Army , Mr. Francis Hastings , Sir. Thomas Munro, Sir Henry George Ward, Sir Alexander Campbell , Sir Samuel Hood, Lord Hobart, Lord Pigot, and others . [ Mrs. Penny, p.66]. Since the time of the consecration of St. Mary's Church , a Vestry was formed to govern its affairs. The history of this Body is unique being the story of irresponsible effort nobly sustained for the general good of the settlement. The Governors usually presided at the Vestry meetings, supported by the Members of the Council and the chief people in the Company's service. The most important duty of the Vestry was the administration of the St. Mary's Charity fund. . This Fund was commenced with the foundation of the Church. -[ Ibid, pp 67 & 68]. Provision was also made for the orphans of poor Europeans by the St. Mary's vestry, as has already been described , which resulted in the foundation of St Mary's School in the St George Fort Madras [ Mrs. Frank Penny, p. 129].
Evolution and Establishment of St. Mary's Charity School , Madras : In 1670 the Directors of the British East India Company made some inquiries about the education of the Children at St George Fort , Madras . In 1678 was taken, by the appointment of a scotch preacher named Pringle who kept a School for teaching the Portuguese, Eurasians, British Eurasians and the children of a few Indian subordinates.. Mr Pringle, Mr. Ralph Ord, and Mr. John Barker successively worked in this school as teachers. When Barker died this small School grew in importance and attracted towards it, gradually increasing Charity stock for the care and education of the orphans. After 1692 the work of superintendence was entrusted to the Chaplains who were required to have knowledge of Portuguese and Tamil for the performance of their new duty, by the Company Directors.. During this period of time Rev. Lewis was working as the Chaplain of St Mary's Church , Rev. Lewis recommended to the then Governor of the Fort Mr. Pitt to establish two Nurseries one for Boys and the other for Girls. . Mr. Lewis object was to make Portuguese the medium of instruction . [ Narendra Nath Law , Promotion of Learning in India, London, 1915, pp 11 to 13 ].. But his Plan was not carried out. [ Ibid],. Yet Mr Lewis was a great educationist he himself without waiting for any help from the Company or any other source, founded a Free School in a large room under at the St. Marys Church Library which was carried on by himself as long as he remained in the St. George Fort Madras . After his departure he was succeeded by Rev. William Stevenson. {Ibid pp 14 & 15]. .
Rev. William Stevenson established the St Marys English Medium School . Rev. William Stevenson thought that an English School for the children of English soldiers would be more useful than a Portuguese school. So Rev William Stevenson established an English School called St Mary's English School and left the Portuguese teaching to the Danish Missionaries. [ Narendra Nath Law , p, 15]. This English School was opened in December 1715 with 18 boys and 12 girls under the name of St. Mary's Charity School. Among the boys there was a Portuguese boy sent by the Danish Missionary Mr. Grundler [ Narendra Nath Law , op.cit. .pp 15 & 16. ].The establishment of St. Mary's Charity School was one of the results of the greater attention paid to the matter by the authorities in England .[Ibid , p, 19]. During the initial days after the foundations of the School there were more than 30 children . The boys lived in one apartment under the charge of a Master and an usher and the girls in a separate house under the care of a Mistress and an Assistant [ ibid , p.23]. Whether boys or girls, shall be taken into the school house at 5 years of age or thereabouts and be put out to service or apprenticeship when they are about 12 years old. And while they are entertained in the School the boys shall be taught to read write, cast accounts, or what they may be further capable of and the girls shall be instructed in reading and the necessary parts of house-wifery. [ Narendra Nath Law , op.cit, pp 20and 21] .
Conclusion : I think it will be good to revisit the story of the St Mary's Charity School so that we can cover some uncovered information in this regard. A Free school for elementary education had been in existence at St George Fort for many years. designed and established at the outset for English children, it was afterwards opened to the offspring of Portuguese and native parents. Mr.. Ralph Ord was appointed as School Master in 1678 was followed in 1682 by Mr John Barker, who governed the institution for a quarter of a century.. On Barker's death in 1707, Mr John Knapton was nominated to succeed. The Chaplain the Rev. George Lewis who had a good command over Portuguese language seems then to have assumed the Control of the school. After his return to England in 1714, , Rev. William Stevenson succeeded him as the Chaplain. Rev. William Stevenson emphasised the necessity for a Charity School on the English Model , The vestry of St Mary's Chapel agreed. to this proposal.in 1715 a Scheme was drawn up for an institution to accommodate the poor protestant Children from 5 to 12 years of age who were to receive both education and board. The Overseers of the School were the Ministers and Churchwardens with three others elected by the Vestry. This Church school was established on the 28th October 1715. . It received the assistance and support of the Mr. Harrison's Government . . The Overseers of the school in 1716 were the Rev. William Stevenson, the Rev. Charles Long and Messrs Thomas Way, Mr. Catesby Oadham , Francis Hugonin , Thomas Robson and Thomas Theobalds. The SPCK cooperated with Ziegenbalg's Danish Lutheran Mission at Tranquebar and in 1717 the Rev. Grundler came up to the St. George Fort to promote a scheme for erecting two Charity Schools in Madras one for the Portuguese in the English Town and another in Black town for the Malabars. The teachers were at first to be native converts from Tranquebar. With the approval of the Directors , Jearsey House and ground were granted for a new School building on the understanding that the compensation already given for the Church house which had been absorbed in the new Hospital should be refunded [ HENRY DAVIDSON lOVE , VESTIGES OF OLD MADRAS , 1640-- 1800, vol 11, LONDON, 1913, PP 163 TO 165]. In 1872 the St Mary's School was removed from St George Fort to Egmore and amalgamated with the Civil Orphan Asylum, another charitable institution for destitute Children [ Mrs Frank penny ,p. 130]. in short the St Marys Charity school played a galvanising and motherly role for the growth and spread of modern public education among all classes of people in Madras , Tamil Nadu and India. . The impact made by the St Mary's Charity School, Madras and the Free Schools started by the Danish missionaries in and around Tanjore , on India's educational and intellectual progress deserves a detailed study..
END .
By Babu Manoharan, M.A, [ All rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed ].
.
Sunday, 15 December 2024
Illustrious and Concise History of the Founder of the Wesleyan Methodist Mission in India Rev. James Lynch.... PART FINAL.
Rev. James Lynch preached his First Sermon In a Godown in Black Town ; Rev. James Lynch reached Madras via Tanquebar and on arrival in Madras Rev Lynch was received by one Mr Dunford with great hospitality and love. . On his arrival in Madras Rev. James Lynch reported his arrival in Madras to the then Governor of Madras . On March 2, 1817 , Rev. Lynch preached his first sermon in a godown in Black Town, and that was the first sermon preached by a Wesleyan Missionary in Madras. and close to this godown the English Wesley Church stands now. In a room at the backside of this godown Rev Lunch found his study room and bedroom and his meal he took with his friend Mr Dunford. , It was very clear that Mission urgently needed a more suitable house for Church. [ G.G. Findlay, op.cit, p.179].
Rev. JAMES LYNCH
The First Wesleyan Chapel was built in Royapetta : Rev. Lynch assiduously searched for a suitable place in Madras to buy and build a Church , At last there came an opportunity of purchasing a property in Royapetta and Rev. Lynch thought it was a suitable place and his opinion was confirmed by Mr. Clough and Mr. Jackson who had come to Madras on a visit. . Finally this property in Royapetta was purchased by Rev Lynch with the support of Mr. Dunford. and this place became the Head Quarters of Wesleyan Methodist Mission in Madras A Chapel was built on the site thus acquired and it was opened for the public worship on March 7, 1819. A Wesleyan Methodist Missionary society was formed on February 1, 1819, and Mr Frederick Orme an English man practicing as a Lawyer in Madras was the first Secretary of the Methodist Society in Madras . A systematic method of seeking subscription was adopted and during the three years which followed a large sum of Ten Thousand rupees was collected by way of subscription . In addition to this, large sums were obtained for the erection of chapels. It was clear that the first Wesleyan Methodist Mission enjoyed the goodwill of the people, In 1820 the Rev Titus Close arrived Madras from England to help Rev. Lynch. Rev Close was put in charge of Tamil congregation . Rev Lynch was now able to minister to English and Eurasian residents at St. Thomas Mount and at San Thome . [ G.G. Findlay , p. 180 ].. In the same site a small Wesleyan School was also built by Rev. James Lynch in 1818. and this Wesley School in Royapetta became a High School in 1851.
Rev. Lynch purchased the Second property for the Mission in Black town : Rev. James Lynch bought the second property for the Mission in Black Town in North Madras . Black Town was the most populous part of Madras and where the largest congregations assembled , the services had been held in various incommodious and unsuitable places, one of these, where the Methodist meetings were first held in Madras, was a stable altered for the purpose [ Elijah Hoole, op.cit, p. 178 ] . Rev. Lynch purchased a plot of ground with some old buildings upon it, situated in Pophams's Street, or, it is usually called Popham's Broadway , being one of the widest and best streets in Black- Town.; and the principal building , a low room about sixty feet in length and ten feet in breadth, was appropriated to the purpose of public worship: The Wesleyan society and the congregation agreed with the missionaries that a chapel was necessary and began to subscribe towards its erection .. It was resolved that the chapel to be erected should be raised one story from the ground floor , to secure free circulation of air and to avoid the annoyance from insects and from the noises of the crowded streets . Rev. Lynch found no difficulty in receiving the encouragement and liberal subscriptions from many of the servants of Government and other highly respectable residents in Madras and as well as from those who had profited by the ministry of himself and colleagues. .The Chapel was substantially constructed of bricks and chunam and entirely plastered with chunam and without [ Ibid]. The below picture will give some proper idea about the chapel and its premises .
The Wesley Chapel in Popham's Broadway, Black Town was opened in 1822 : The newly built Wesley Chapel was opened on the 25th of April, 1822. Before the appointed time of the opening of the newly built Chapel at Popham's Broadway, the chapel was quite filled. . Missionaries from other Christian societies also participated in the opening function of the chapel.. The service was commenced by the hymn, beginning with , " Jesus we look to thee " &c, . Rev. Lynch preached an appropriate and thought provoking sermon on Matt. xviii, 20: " Where two or three are gathered together in my name , there am I in the midst of them ". Thus another milestone Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was dedicated to the service of the living God, in Black Town in North Madras. .[ [1] G.G. Findlay , D.D, and W.W. Holdsworth , M.A, B.D, The history of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society , 1924, pp.181 & 182 ] ; [ii] John Telford , B.A, A Short History of Wesleyan Methodist Foreign Missions, p. 84, and [iii] Elijah Hoole, Madras, Mysore, and Other South India on a PERSONAL NARRATIVE , London, 1844., pp. 178 to 181 ]
Lynch founded a Wesleyan Methodist Congregation at St. Thome , Madras : Following this a favourable opening presented itself in St, Thome, Madras. The descendants of the Portuguese who more than two hundred years ago occupied St. Thome as their chief Station in this part of India. Numerous Indo Britains also resided there ;.sufficient to form a good English congregation A poor Fisherman of St. Thome whose father was an English man invited Rev. Lynch and Rev. Elijah Hoole and requested them to make use of one of his houses at St. Thome as a Chapel. This request was readily accepted and regular services at that house in St.Thome was commenced on August 28th, 1822. Rev. Lynch commenced the service with prayer and short address in English . This House was subsequently purchased and altered for the purpose of public worship. . Regular English service has been ever since held in it, twice or thrice each week and Tamil and Portuguese sermons have been occasionally preached in it to attentive congregations. Two schools one English, and the other Tamil were established and a English Society was formed . Thus a house was converted as a Chapel by Rev James Lynch. [ Elijah Hoole, , op.cit, p.p. 184 to 187 ].
Conclusion : After having worked nearly for seven years [ 1817 to 1824 ] Rev. James Lynch was on the point of returning to England and Rev. J.H England, who had recently arrived in Madras was obliged to take up the work among the English people in Madras . With the return of Rev. James Lynch to to his native country in 1824, the first period of Methodist Mission to India came to an end. In the same year[ 1824] the division of the Tamil District, into two separate Districts of Madras and Jaffna was effected. and Rev. Carver was transferred from Ceylon to Madras to preside over the continental section [ India]. . Rev James Lynch died in Leeds, England, on March 14, 1958. On many an account Rev. James Lynch was the most remarkable of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries who sailed with Dr. Coke to the East. . His possessed and manifested both strength and tenderness. According to author G.G. Findlay, D.D, , Rev. James Lynch . was one who pleaded with men for reconciliation to God. The schools founded by Rev James Lynch served as seed beds for the cause of education. It is not possible to accommodate all the activities and details of Rev. Lynch's religious, spiritual, educational and social contributions within the space of this Article So I will revisit the words of Mr. Thompson about Rev. James lynch and end this article. Mr. Thompson goes on to say : " There was to be , however, another link in this chain of causation which James Lynch did not ,and could not, see. William Butler, afterwards a bishop , and the pioneer and founder of the Missions in India of the American Methodist Episcopal Church , was an Irishman. he tells us that a Minister whom he knew in Ireland , of the name of James Lynch , first directed his thoughts to India and kindled the desire to become a Missionary in his heart . He once said in the Irish Conference , " James Lynch laid his hands on my youthful head, and from him I received the missionary spirit." The Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church have met with marvellous success, and during the last thirty years have gathered in, a quarter of a million adherents to Southern Asia.' .Ziegenbalg, Wesley, Lynch, Butler -- so runs the line of spiritual ancestry." . I thank God for Rev. James Lynch and I adore Rev. Lynch for the remarkable part played by him for the cause of spiritual awakening and educational uplift of the people specially in Ceylon and Madras and South India ".
END .
By . P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,[ All rights are reserved. this Article will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed ].
Tuesday, 10 December 2024
Illustrious and Concise History of The Founder Wesleyan Methodist Mission in India Rev. James Lynch. ---- PART A.
Introduction : Among many Methodist Mission missionaries who came to India as Missionaries for the cause of Christ the following three namely :- Rev. R James Lynch, the founder of the Methodist Missions in India [ GG Findlay and Holds worth , p 178] Rev. George Mackenzie Cobban [ Ibid ,p 231 [ and Rev. William Goudie [ ibid, p, 232] deserve our attention on many accounts. These Methodist Missionaries played praiseworthy and spectacular role for the spiritual, economic, social and educational development of the poorest and uncared people who lived in the Northern districts of Tamil Nadu . Below we will see the biographical sketch of the Founder of Wesleyan Methodist mission in India Rev James Lynch .
Rev. James Lynch
Rev. James Lynch's Birth : Rev. James Lynch was born in a Roman catholic family in about 1775 at Parish muff , County Donegal, in Ireland.. His parents' names are not readily available and the names will be provided here later. .
Rev James Lynch Became a Methodist : Rev. James Lynch was brought up as a Roman catholic . However in 1808 he converted to Methodist mission and entered Wesleyan Methodist Ministry . We can infer that he underwent a theological Course before he began to work as a Methodist Pastor in the North of Ireland . He was ordained at Lambeth , St George's in -the - East, and great Queen street. While he was working as a Methodist Pastor in Ireland he was requested by Irish Methodist Conference to assist the venerable Methodist pastor Rev. Dr. Thomas Coke and accompany him as a Missionary Team member, in his journey to the East [ India and Ceylon]. .
Rev. James Lynch and his Team started their Missionary Journey towards the East [ Ceylon and India] ; .In 1813 the venerable Methodist pastor Dr. Thomas Coke embarked for India accompanied by the following six Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries namely : Rev. James Lynch., Rev. William Ault, Rev. George Erskine, Rev. William M. Harvard, Rev. Thomas H. Squance and Rev. Benjamin Clough. and two sisters namely ; Mrs Ault and Mrs. Howard .. They were ordained at Lambeth, St. George's in- the- East and great Queen Street. .Rev Dr. Thomas Coke and his Missionary team started their journey towards the East [ India and Ceylon ], in December 1813 but unfortunately the leader of the team Rev. Dr. Coke died on enroute on May 3, 1814 and Rev. James Lynch who was the most remarkable of the Missionaries who sailed with Dr. Coke to the East was asked to take the leadership of the Missionary Team .. This Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Team had scarcely a guinea among them and when they landed three weeks later at Bombay, were unable to pay for their first meal at the inn. With aching hearts they committed the body of their missionary Bishop Rev. Dr. Thomas Coke to the mighty deep . They started their voyage towards Ceylon . Rev. Lynch and his Team landed at Galle in Ceylon on 29- 6- 1814.. This Methodist Missionary Team decided to assign the places of missionary work by Lot. As per the Lot, Rev. Lynch and Rev Squance were allotted Jaffna as their place of ministerial work. . Rev Lynch and Rev Squance initially started to preach at the Dutch Church at Jaffna Fort mainly to the Soldiers and Europeans.
Rev. Lynch Founded a Wesleyan English School at Jaffna : Rev. James Lynch was a visionary Educationist. Rev. James Lycnh with the support of his co-worker Rev Squance established an English School in 1816 in Jaffna .and it was called as Jaffna Wesleyan English School. Rev. James Lynch served as its first Principal The relentless efforts of Rev Lynch attracted more than 60 students to the Jaffna Wesleyan English School.. This School gradually and steadily started to grow. Sir Browning the then Governor of Ceylon writes that "there were 70 boys in the School [ Jaffna Wesleyan English School ] who were instructed by Rev. James Lynch . The English School progresses well and created job for the students in Various sectors." In course of time this Jaffna Wesleyan English School passed through many name changes and now it is called ."Jaffna Central College ". The following are some of the prominent Alumni of JCC :- Mr. Herbert Thambiah, , Mr. Henry Thambiah, , Mr. A.W. Mailvaganam, O.B.E, Sir Sabaratnam Arul Kumaran , the great Tamil Scholar Mr. Arumuka Navalar and many others.. In recognition of Rev. Lynch's contribution to J.C,C. a School Athletic House was named after him in 2002 and a Statue was unveiled in front of the Romaine Cook Hall , J.C.C, in 2013. .
Rev. James Lynch's Historical travel via Nagapattinam to Madras : Rev. James Lynch was asked to visit Madras to take necessary steps to regulate the Wesleyan Methodist Society, which awaited his coming . Accordingly Rev. James lynch proceeded to Madras through Nagapattinam, located near Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu and preached to some persons who were eager to hear him , so we can say that it was in Nagapattinam that the first message in India was delivered by a Methodist Missionary .. Mr.G.G Findaly writes in his book "The history of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society " that , " On the way from Negapattinam to Madras Lynch was the guest of the Royal Danish Mission at Tranquebar and visited the graves of Plutschau and Ziegenbalg the first Danish Missionaries sent out under Frederick IV of Demark ". A revisit and perusal of Lynch's diary about his visit to the graves of the pioneer Danish Halle missionaries will help the readers to understand the spirit of Rev Lames Lynch. And so the relevant page from Rev. Lynch's diary is given below :
From the above paragraph we can infer a direct line of spiritual succession--- Ziegenbalg; Susanna Wesley; John Wesley; James Lynch . , Rev. James Lynch after having visited the graves of the pioneer Danish Halle Mission Missionaries in Tranquebar proceeded towards madras and arrived at Madras and on arriving Madras Rev. James Lynch was received hospitably by Mr. Durnnford. . Rev. Lynch without delay reported his arrival in Madras to the Governor of Madras. .
Rev. James lynch Preached His first Sermon in a Godown in George town
Next Part Final will follow soon .
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A, ,. [ All rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed ].
Sunday, 24 November 2024
Danish Halle Mission Missionary Rev. Christopher Samuel John [ Rev. Dr. C.S. John ], and His impact on Rev. Ringeltaube and Mylaudy Maharasan Vedamanickam
Introduction ; The forgotten German missionary who worked at the Danish settlement in Tranquebar as a Danish Halle Mission Missionary late Rev. Christopher Samuel John[ 1747 --1813] was a remarkable educationist and his contribution for the cause of Education in Tranquebar and Tanjore area in Tamil Nadu and South Travancore was so great and memorable . His life story and his contribution for the cause of education and the part played by him directly and indirectly to introduce literacy and education to the illiterates lived in Tranquebar Danish settlement and South Travancore deserve our review , recognition , regard and gratitude,. Generally when we speak about Danish Halle Mission Missionaries who worked in Tranquebar we speak about Rev. Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg , Rev. Heinrich Pluschau, Rev. Grundler, Rev,. Schultze, Rev. Schwartz Rev. J.C.. Kohlhoff and often forget the name of our Rev. Christoph Samuel John. In this Article we will try to highlight his contribution for the cause of education and evangelisation through education in the interest of readers. .
. Rev. Christopher Samuel John ,. [ 1747.....1813 ].
Rev. Christopher Samuel John's Parents and Birth Long time ago in the eighteenth century there lived a Priest by name Julius Gerhard with his beloved wife Mrs Catharina Dorothea Pyriaus at Frobersgrun near Greiz in Voigtland , Germany . God blessed this couple with all the conjugal blessings and this couple gave birth to Christoph Samuel John on the 11th of August 1747 at Frobersgrun
Rev. Christopher Samuel John's Educational Track : Rev. Christoph Samuel John did his School education at a School at Greiz, Germany and after having passed his school examination he pursued his study of Theology at the famous University of Halle and also served as a Teacher at an Orphanage connected with the Francke Foundation, under the famous Theologian Johann Georg Knapp. It would be appropriate here to say a few lines about Rev. Johann Georg Knapp. Rev. Jophann Georg knapp became the Deputy Director of the famous Francke Foundations in 1738 and its Codirector in 1737 and after the demise of Gotthilf August Francke Johann, Rev. Johann G. Knapp succeeded G. August Francke as the Director of the "Francke Foundations." Christoph Samuel John's connection a with Johann G. Knapp and Frankcke Foundations immensely impacted Rev. C.S John's way of thinking, theological approach, evangelical actions and educational activities. . In this context it would be useful to the readers to get some basic idea and information about the ' Francke Foundations " .
The Francke Foundations : : The design and desire to start Lutheran missionary work in Tranquebar was conceived in the pietistic circles of the Danish king Frederick IV . The First two missionaries namely Rev. Bartholomaes Ziegenbalg and Rev.Heinrich Plutschau were recruited from the pietistic Francke Foundation, Halle, Germany.. The missionary enterprises of the Danish Halle Mission were financed by the contributions from the Danish State and from the Francke Foundation, Halle . The primary aim of the Danish Halle Mission was to guide and galvanise the Indians to convert to Christianity.. Pedagogue and theologian Rev. August Hermann Francke formulated and organised his theological principles and policies and put them into practice in his Foundation in Halle.. This Foundation founded by A.H. Francke is being called as 'Francke Foundation " The upbringing and education of the youth were the central aspects of A.H. Francke's religious teachings. So the pioneer Danish Halle Mission missionaries who worked in Danish territory in Tranquebar used Education as a path to conversion among the native youth and this practice was generally followed by their successors.
Christoph Samuel John Reached Tranquebar : While Rev. Christoph Samuel John was serving as a Teacher at the Orphanage in Halle he was advised and directed by Professor Knapp in 1769 to go as a Missionary to Tranquebar , and after some rethinking and also with his father's consent he accepted the proposal made by Prof. Knapp . Mr. Christian Samuel John was ordained at Copenhagen and travelled towards Tranqubar and arrived at Tanquebar in India in 1771 and spent the rest of his life in Tranquebar., India .
Rev. C.S John's Educational Enterprise in Tranquebar : :On arrival at Tranquebar Re. C.S. John could not feel happy without having young persons around him whom he could teach and instruct according to his method and plan. and so he selected a small number of Tamil grown boys and taught them in several European languages and other branches of useful knowledge so as to enable them to become fit for the Mission and other situations in life. Rev. C.S. John established a Boarding school and a separate Private school and in this private school he admitted the Roman catholic and heathen children so that they can partake the benefit of the learning English , reading, writing and cyphering and with other lessons of instruction ; and encouraged by the success he was galvanised to establish Free Schools in the nearby villages of Tranquebar and in the Tanjore country .Five or six years before his death Rev, C.S John founded some Free schools for children of all classes in Tranquebar and Tanjore ,and these schools made good progress. It is learned that approximately he founded fifteen Tamil and Five English native Free Schools and he longed to establish many Free Schools but he did not have sufficient finance and money and support to do so . Rev. Dr. C.S. John firmly believed that the schools are the best path to bring these sacred writings [ Holy Bible] successfully into the hands of the youth and of their parents . Rev. C.S. John believed that the enlargement of the benefits of education will supersede the necessity of any unjust and imprudent attacks upon what at present may seem to them impossible to be reformed of their ancient and inveterate customs .. No compulsion, or any kind of force or coercion must be exhibited to perplex , confound or terrify them [Christopher Samuel John, On Indian Civilisation or REPORT of a Successful Experiment , in Fifteen Tamul and Five English native Free Schools . London , 1813, p. 48].. The above lines were his evangelical policy and approach The Francke Foundation's conversion policy made striking impact in the minds of the Wesleyan Methodist Mission Missionaries , Free Church of Scotland Mission Missionaries , London Missionary Society Missionaries ,etc.
Rev. Ringeltaube Studied Tamil Under Rev. C.S. John at Tranquebar ; Rev. W,T. Ringeltaube remained at Tranquebar [1805 ] for some months assisting Dr. C.S. John, the Senior Missionary of the Tranquebar Mission then , whose learning in various branches of knowledge was so well known [ C.M.Agur,. Church History of Travancoe].. As a studious learner Rev Ringeltaube assiduously studied Tamil under the able guidance of Dr. C.S. John and also was gleaning and collecting necessary information regarding the labours of previous Missionaries on the field and their history and also studied the natural history and philosophy of South India. .Rev. Ringeltaube was so successful in his Tamil learning and within one year he was able to compose small sermons in Tamil and also a short English and Tamil Pocket dictionary [ C.M.Agur, pp. 468 & 469 ].. Rev Ringeltaube's contact with Dr. C.S. Johm galvanised and impacted him to use education to attract the natives towards Christ
Maharasan Vedamonickam met Rev. Dr. C.S. John at Tranquebar .. After having been baptised by Mr, Kohlhoff , Mylaudy Vedamanicakm stayed for some days at Tanjore and acquired some knowledge of the important doctrines of the Bible, and longed to visit the Old Tranquebar Mission with this object he went to see the venerable Dr. C.S. John , the Head of the Tranquebar Mission, who at that time lived in Poreiyar [ Poreiyar is about a mile and half west of Tranquebar and there the Mission has an excellent house , surrounded by a large garden; here the venerable Dr. C.S. John lived . It is in fact a suburb of Tranquebar } Here we have to appreciate Mr. Vedamanickam's thirst for knowledge and his relentless curiosity to know and collect more useful information about the mission . Rev. C.S. John was a learned man and a Scientist . When Mr.Vedamanicakm met Dr. John, his joy knew no bounds and Dr, C,S, John welcomed Vadamanicakm with sincere joy and conversed with Mr Vedamanickam with great enthusiasm . We must remember here that Dr. C.S. John was a great Scholar in Tamil also [ Rev. Ringeltaube learned Tamil under Dr. C.S. John ] .After receiving some useful tracts and instructions from Dr. John , Mylaudy Pilgrim Mr. Vedamanickam went to Tranquebar where he observed the working of the Mission Press and other Christian establishments , Printing Office and various Christian dwelling houses and then he returned to Tanjore .[ CM Agur, pp 443 & 444]. . The Schools, Printing Press , other Christian Establishments that he saw at Tranquebar and his conversation with Dr. C.S John made indelible impact in Mr. Vedamanickam's mind . With great missionary zeal and visionary goals Mr.Vedamanicakam reached his native place and on arriving at Mylaudy, spontaneously the Schools he saw in Tranquebar and Poreiyar inspired Vedamanickam to educate the local youth systematically to read and write and so that they can read the Tamil Holy Bible and understand the truth and convert themselves as followers of Christ. . So he requested Rev, Ringeltaube to start a Primary School at Mylaudy, in line with Modern System of Education at Mylaudy in the pattern of the Tranquebar Free Schools founded by Dr. C.S John and accordingly a Primary School and a small Church were established at Mylaudy in 1809.. The Primary School built at Mylaudy was the first Primary School established in line with the Modern System of Education in Travancore which admitted students from all communities and nationalised education to all communities without discrimination . And subsequently whenever a Christian Church was established in a village in South Travancore a School was also established near the Church.. The flame of Education and Christianity spread in South Travancore rapidly .and now Kanyakumari District stands in first line in the field of education in India .
Conclusion :. Late Rev. Christopher Samuel John [ Rev. Dr. C.S John] was a remarkable and visionary missionary and educationist . He loved and lived for the cause of Christianity and Education. His evangelical policy of converting natives to Christianity by providing Literacy and Education to the illiterate natives , deserves our admiration . His religious policy gave spiritual and intellectual food to the people. He was so wise and confident that the Sacred Words of God will transform people and lead them to Christ automatically without any force or compulsion. . Rev.C.S. John loved humanity and firmly believed that if anyone is led to read the Holy Bible automatically the sacred words will motivate the readers to become a Follower of Christ. . Education was a central element in the pietistic strategy of the Danish-Halle Mission to convert the Tamils to Christianity. and as a missionary of the Danish Halle Mission Rev. C.S. John wanted to spread the Sacred Words of the Holy Bible among the people by providing education to all illiterate Indians. without any discrimination. Rev. Dr. C.S. John's religious converting policy and educational motives and goals influenced many Evangelists like Rev Ringeltaube , Catechist Mylaudy Vedamanickam , Rev, Iraenaeus and many others. .Rev C.S. John played a powerful and crucial indirect role for the spread of protestant Christianity and modern system of Education in South Travancore through Rev Ringeltaube and catechist Mylaudy Vedamanicakm. . I thank God for Rev. Christoph Samuel John, Rev W.T. Ringeltaube and catechist Mylaudy Vethamanickam .
END
By. P. Babu Manoharan , M.A,[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be modified , enlarged or corrected later if needed ].
.
Sunday, 15 September 2024
A Former President of Nagercoil Bar Association and Past Governor of Rotary District 3212 ,M.P.H.F. Rtn. M. Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.L ,.
Introduction : A Former President of Nagercoil Bar Association and Past Rotary Governor of Rotary District 3212 , M.P.H.F. Rtn. M. Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.l, is dynamic personality and one of the illustrious sons of Kanyakumari district. Indeed he is a multi faceted personality, he is an eminent Lawyer, eloquent Speaker both in Tamil and English, dynamic Rotarian , great Christian Believer, efficient Administrator and a good unassuming Human-being . His life story and accomplishments will galvanise the readers with new goals, hopes, and mission and vision to live a meaningful life.
MPHF . Rtn. Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj , B,Sc, B.L,.