Introduction ; Late Rev. Peter Percival was a remarkable and multifaceted personality and Christian Missionary and his contribution to the Tamil language and for the cause of education in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu deserves our attention admiration and adoration. According to Rev. G.G. Findlay and Rev.W.W. Holdsworth, the authors of the famous book , " The History of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society'[p.34] Rev.P. Percival was a scholar of marked distinction-- the greatest Tamil Scholar methodism has ever had ". He leaned Tamil and its literatures assiduously and became a great Tamil Scholar and became a lexicographer of a Tamil - English Dictionary.. He preferred to tell the Gospel to the local people through schools rather than doing direct evangelisation with the people. A perusal of his real life story will help the readers to understand his contribution to the cause of Bible translation ,Tamil Language, Linguistics and education will inspire the people to love our mother tongue Tamil and to live a meaningful life .
Rev. Peter Percival
Rev. Peter Percivals' Parents and Birth : Rev. Peter Percival was born in a beautiful town called Prestwitch in England which lies three miles of north of the magnificent Manchester city in England on 20th June 1803 .; to Mr. Peter and Ms Jane It will be useful to the readers to learn an interesting truth about the Prestwitch town . Prestwitch is consistently named as one of the best places in UK to live happily and safely.
Rev Peter was sent to Sri Lanka as a Wesleyan Methodist Missionary in 1826 : After having completed his education Mr Peter Percival wanted to become a Wesleyan Methodist missionary and after due consideration and training, Mr Peter Percival was ordained as a Wesleyan Methodist missionary and was sent to Sri Lanka as a Wesleyan Methodist in 1826.. And he started his missionary work among the Tamil People in Sri Lanka and as he had already learned the rudiments of the Tamil in England from a gentleman who had spent many years in South India and North Ceylon he easily moved with the people and learned the modes of thought and expressions of the Tamil People. As a corollary he developed a desire to study and use Tamil Proverbs in his speeches and writings.
Rev Peter Percival was moved to Bengal in 1830; : From 1826 till 1829, Rev P. Percival worked in North Ceylon with great enthusiasm and in 1830 Rev Percival was moved to Bengal in India . While Rev Percival was in Bengal he got the acquaintance with another Clergyman who had natural interest for the collection of proverbs and had collected numerous Bengali proverbs. And that clergyman published those Bengali proverbs collected by him as a Book with an English translation .[ Rev, P, Percival, : TAMIL PROVERS with the ENGLISH TRANSLATION , Madras , 1874, preface to the second edition , p. v] This book influenced and impacted Rev. P. Percival so much and galvanised him to become a committed Collector of Tamil proverbs.. After a few years his connection with the Mission in Bengal was withdrawn and so Rev Percival returned to Ceylon and continued his missionary and educational work with the Tamil people in North Ceylon
Rev. P. Percival Started Educational Institutions in Ceylon ; Rev. P Percival gave pre-eminence to education as a means of reaching the people. His convictions were mainly in favour of educational work and in 1834 he reorganised and renamed the English school started by Rev James Lynch in Jaffna as Jaffna Central School . After wards this school was raised to the status of a College This Jaffna Central School has produced many eminent lecturers, professors, doctors, engineers, politicians, legislators, businessmen, etc. Following the Jaffna Central school, a Girls Boarding School was started by Rev. Percival and this School was placed under the management of Mrs. Percival [ G.G. Finlay and W.W. Holdsworth , op.cit p.p.38& 39].. In 1938 Rev Percival started an English school in Point Pedro and that Scholl was called as Point Pedro Wesleyan Mission Central School. This School also progressed well due to the consistent effort taken by Rev. Percival . The central Wesleyan Methodist Mission Committee in London was satisfied with the progress of this School and paid 400= British Pounds to Rev P. Percival which he had incurred as expense. This Point Pedro Wesleyan Methodist Mission Central School is now called as Hartley College The following were some of the famous old Students of this Hartley College. namely Prof. Christie Jeyaratnam Eliiezer [ world renowned Mathematician and Scientist ] , Mr. Ganesalingam [ Former Jaffna Mayor ]., Mr. Ratnasri Wickremanayakea [ Former Prime Minister of Ceylon], etc,.
Rev. P. Percival and the Tentative Version of the Bible or Jaffna Version of the Bible : Even though some Translated Tamil versions of the Bible had been made , none of the versions were completely satisfactory and so a new venture was taken in Jaffna to bring out a new better version of Bible in Tamil . In this connection a translating Committee was constituted and it was called in short as Jaffna Committee .The Jaffna Version of the Bible had one advantage over all previous Tamil Versions of the Bible . All the previous Tamil Bible versions like Ziegenbalg, Fabricius , Rhenious etc were produced by individual translators The Jaffna version was the first that was produced by a Committee. And this Committee was called Jaffna Committee and this Committee was consisting of the following members namely : [1] Rev. Peter Percival [ Chairman and The Chief translator] , [2] Rev. Levi Spaulding , [3] Rev. H.R. Hoisington, [4] Rev. Samuel Hutchings, [5] Rev. Daniel Poor , [6] Rev. Miron Winslow . Great Tamil Scholar Navalar Arumugam was the Chief Assistant to the Bible Translating Jaffna Committee . At the very outset, a resolution by the Madras Auxiliary Bible society made in 1841 almost tied the Jaffna Committee by laying down that the new translation should stick to the English Authorised version of 1611, otherwise known as King James Version.. The Jaffna committee made some agitation against the resolution of the Madras Committee. . However the Madras Committee, on the proposal of Rev. Miron Winslow, modified its earlier resolution as follows : " that the translation be made from Greek and Hebrew originals and that as to the meaning of any particular passage , the English Version be made the standard of reference of highest authority and that in no case should be a deviation from the English version be allowed, unless approved of by two thirds of the Committee". .After some negotiation and discussion , the version of Rhenius was made the basis for the new translation by the Jaffna Committee, with the approval of both the Madras and Parent Society in London.[ Vol. VII. No.3. , July ,1958, Tamil Culture, Journal of the Academy of the Tamils . Sabapathy Kulandran, , THE TENTATIVE VERSION OF THE BIBLE or " THE NAVALAR VERSION ". ]
From the end of 1845 Rev Percival relinquished all other works and involved himself entirely to the work of translation of the Bible. He devoted six hours every day to the regular work of translation , with his Native Assistants. . There was a weekly meeting of the Revision Committee . As each book of the Bible finished ,copies were struck and sent out for comment and criticism. The Jaffna version was translated by a six member Committee presided by Rev, Peter Percival, [the then principal of Jaffna central School and Chairman of the North Ceylon District of the Methodist Church]. . Along with this six members of Jaffna Bible Translation Committee , there were two Tamil Pundits namely Arumuga Navalar and Elijah Hoole, enlisted by Rev. Percival to help with the style while Missionary Scholars took Final responsibilities for the accuracy of the version [ Dr. Charles Hoole, Principal Baldaes Theological College , February 2003, , Arumuga Navalar. } The Jaffna version was produced in 1850 by the Jaffna Auxiliary of the Bible Society . . This Jaffna Version also received both appreciation and criticism .but the intent, interest and effort taken by Rev. P. Percival deserve our sincere appreciation and admiration
Rev. Pecival Returned to England In 1851,after having completed the Bible translation work , Rev Percival returned to England and he was expected to return to Ceylon to continue his missionary work but during his furlough a serious disagreement rose between him and the Wesleyan Methodist Mission Secretary in London [ Findlay and Holdsworth , op.cit p. 39] : So Rev. Peter Percival resigned from the Wesleyan Methodist Mission and joined the Anglican Church and he was ordained as an Anglican Deacon in 1852, Following his ordination for next two years he served as a lecturer at the St. Augustinr College in Cantubury City and was teaching a course about India and its religions. He served as a Teacher at the Canterbury and then went to Madras in the year 1854.
Conclusion: Rev. P. Percival Served as the First Registrar of the University of Madras On his return to South India, Rev. Peter Percival got the privilege to work as the first Registrar of the University of Madras in 1857, The University of Madras was established when Lord Harris was the Governor of Madras in 1857 and Lord Harrison served as the first Chancellor of the University of Madras . Rev. P. Percival got the opportunity to serve as a Professor of vernacular literature at the famous presidency College in Madras Rev. P. Percival died at Yarcaud , Salem district, in Tamil Nadu, British India , on 11th July 1882. . "TAMIL PROVERBS with their ENGLISH TRANSLATION [ contained of six thousand proverbs] by the Rev. P. Percival, Madras, Dinavarthini Press Mylapore , 1874] is a lasting intellectual, cultural and scholarly contribution by Rev, P, Peercival to Tamil .It is not possible to accommodate all his accomplishments within the space of this article and so I will end this Blogpost with the following sentence, " Rev. P. Percival was a Great iconic Tamil Scholar, Educationist and Educational Institution builders and I am proud of him "
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By. P. Babu Manoharan. { All rights are reserved, This Article will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed }.
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Introduction: Rev. Johann Philipp Fabricius was one of the greatest Danish Halle Missionaries who ever came and ministered in South India. He was selected by the great G.A. Francke for Tranquebar Mission. and Rev Fabricius reached Tranquebar, via Cudalore, in 1741. He was a multi-faceted personality, he was a Linguist, Tamil Scholar, Lexicographer, Evangelist and Translator of Bible into Tamil. The Bible translated by Rev Fabricius into Tamil is called as Fabricius version and it was considered as a better and standard translation than other previous Tamil versions of the Bible. A perusal of his ministerial and literary career and accomplishments will definitely galvanise the readers to achieve enviable goals and live a meaningful and fruitful life and to be cautious in financial matters.
Rev. Johann Philipp Fabricius
Rev. J.P. Fabricius' Parents and Birth: Cleeberg is a hilly village surrounded by forests and the tiny river Kleebach passes through this beautiful village, and it is located near Frankfurt on the Maine, in Hasse State, West Germany; and it is one of the State approved health resorts, and the magnificent Cleeberg Castle adds historical importance to this village. Rev J.P. Fabricius' father Mr Reinhard was a native of this beautiful village, and he served as a Hessian Bailiff [ Legal officer] from 1728. Mr. Reinhard and Mrs. Reinhard couple gave birth to Rev Johann Philipp Fabricius on 22nd January 1711 at Cleeberg. Rev. J.P. Fabricius' parents gave birth to eight children in total including Rev. J.P. Fabricius. Mr Reinhard and his beloved wife brought up their 8 children in the knowledge of God, as good Christians
CLEEBERG CASTLE
Rev. J.P. Fabricius' Education: As an ardent student and learner even during his childhood and school days, Rev J.P Fabricius gained reasonable knowledge about Lutheran Catechism, Church History and also developed good command over Latin and Greek. Then he joined the famous University of Geissen and studied Philosophy and Law for three and half years and passed these Courses meritoriously. While he was studying at this University of Geissen, he was highly influenced by the sharp theologian, Writer, and Poet Prof. Dr. Jakob Rambach, D.D who was working as the First Professor of Theology at the University of Geissen from 1731 till his death. Then Rev J.P. Fabricius worked as a tutor in his elder brother's family at Gleeberg, during the years 1732-36. In 1736 he pursued his Theological Study at the famous University in Halle. and he had the privilege to study under the guidance and coaching of Prof. G.A Francke and Pro,Langa At Halle University along with Theology he mastered Hebrew language also. Then he worked as a teacher at the historical Orphanage founded by the great Theologian, Social thinker and egalitarian Rev. August Hermann Francke in Glaucha, near Halle and enriched his mind with compassion and loving kindness for the poor and orphan children.
Rev. J. P. Fabricius was selected for Tranquebar Mission by G.A Francke: As there arose a vacancy for the service of a Missionary in Tranquebar mission in South India on account of the return of Rev. Walhter to Europe in 1740.. Rev. Prof. G.A Francke selected his student Rev, J.P. Fabricius for Tranquebar Mission. after getting J.P. Fabricius's consent. Rev. J.P Fabricius was sent to Copenhagen city and there he was ordained as a Lutheran Pastor/ Missionary, on 23rd October 1739. Then without wasting time Rev. J.P Fabricius along with two other Missionaries began their voyage via England and reached Cudalore and proceeded his journey towards Tranquebar and reached Tranquebar, on 8th September 1740. As he was fully aware of the importance of having fluency in the native language Tamil, Rev J.P. Fabricius, on arrival at Tranquebar immediately started to learn Tamil language with great devotion and ardent joy. Quickly he learned the Tamil and he delivered his first Sermon in Tamil at the New Jerusalem church, Tranquebar, on March 31st,1741 based on verse according to John I;29 [The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said," Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world']. and impressed the gathering inside the Church.
Rev. J.P. Fabricius in Madras: Though Rev. J.P. Fabricius was originally intended for the Danish Mission in Tranquebar he received proper permission to enter the service of the English Society "SPCK"[ Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge]. Rev. Johann Philipp Fabricius reached Madras in 1742 in the service of S.P.C.K. to succeed Rev. Benjamin Schultze. and to enable Rev Schultze to return to England. The anomaly of an Anglican society [SPCK] supporting Lutheran missionaries caused no trouble or qualms in the eighteenth century. From 1742 to 1788 Rev. J.P. Fabriciius worked in Madras and he was principally assisted by the Missionary Rev. Beithaupt from 1749 t0 1782. Rev J.P. Fabricius' long ministry of forty-six years [1742- 1788] in Madras, faced many vicissitudes of fortunes on account of frequent wars between French and English.
French captured Madras in 1742 and Fabricius fled to Pulicat with his sheep: In 1746, Madras was captured by the French and the Mission- House was pulled down, and Rev J.P. Fabricius with his Catechists and school Children took refuge at Paleacatta [Pulicat], which belonged to the Dutch and where they received good reception. In1949 Rev Fabricius and his sheep returned to Madars and there everything was in a dilapidated condition and so Rev. Fabricius quickly erected a Hut for the School in the Church yard which was the only possession left for them. The Congregation assembled under some large trees for Dive Worship Service and the servants of the Mission were received into private houses. In the year 1752 the English Government gave a new and beautiful Roman Catholic Church with all its adjoining buildings to Rev Fabricius [ SPCK Mission]and that Catholic Church had been built by an Armenian Romanist a few years before in Vepery.
French attacked Madras Again in 1758: When the French attacked Madras in 1758 the Church and the Mission Houses were plundered and even the clothes were taken from an infant of Rev.Breithaupt. Both Rev. Fabricius and Rev. Breithaupt took refuge in Pulicat. Even though the French besieged Madras they lost Pondichery to the English. The English army took a Printing Press from Pondichery, on this occasion and presented it to Rev J.P. Fabricius [ SPCK}. The Printing Press was set up in the Mission Compound in Vepery, where the Diocesan Press of the Christian Literature Society still continues its work. Even during very difficult times Rev J.P Fabrcius stood with his congregation members and led them towards safer places, as a compassionate Christian Pastor.
Tamil Christian Hymnody by Rev. J.P. Fabricius: Like Rev Ziegenbalg, Rev J.P. Fabricius also understood the unique importance of Music in Christian Worship Service and so Rev. J.P. Fabricius published, a collection of 335 Tamil Christian hymns and most of them were translated by him from German language in an exquisite style. and this Hymnal Book was printed in 1774. Even today the Tamil hymns translated and complied by Rev Fabricius are sung by the Tamil Christians in Tamil Lutheran Christian Worship services throughout the world.
A Malabar and English Dictionary By Rev. J.P. Fabricius: A Tamil to English Dictionary was written, compiled and Published by Rev Fabricius in 1779: It was not an easy task for a foreigner to learn a local language and write a bilingual Dictionary. Rev. J. P. Fabricius compiled and published the First Tamil to English Dictionary containing 9000 hard Tamil words. This iconic work laid the foundation for many future literary works in Tamil by foreign missionaries and native Tamil scholars. This Dictionary was published under the title "A Malabar and English Dictionary". This Dictionary speaks about the literary genius and linguistic greatness of Rev. J.P Fabricius.
Rev. J.P. Fabricius Translated the Bible into Tamil: When Rev J.P. Fabricius read Rev Ziegenbalg's Tamil Bible and he earnestly felt that Rev. Ziegenbalg's Tamil Bible needed some changes and rectifications. Hence Rev J.P Fabricius decided to translate the Bible into Tamil, with a touch of lucidity, beauty, power and appropriateness. He started to translate the New Testament into Tamil, and he completed the Translation of the New Testament into Tamil in 1750. Rev. J.P. Fabricius used the Ziegenbalg's version of the Tamil Bible, as a model, and Fabricius finally printed his New Testament in 1766 in Madras, at the Printing Press donated by the British Govt to him. From October 1756 Rev J.P. Fabricius started to translate the Old Testament into Tamil from the original Hebrew language During the course of his Translation work he faced many difficulties caused by the wars between French and English. His Tamil scholar friend Mr Muthu Krishna helped Rev Fabricius a lot in his translation work, .and Rev Fabricius completed the translation the Old Testament, and it was not printed until 1798 and was printed only after his death. Rev. J.P. Rev. Fabricius was very particular to read the translated portions of the Bible to many proper people and received their feedback and accommodated their worthy suggestions. Tamil Christian Poet Vethnayagam Sasthiriyar paid a lasting tribute to the translation work of the Rev J.P. Fabricius, by calling it, "the golden translation of the immortal Fabricius".
Conclusion: The frequent wars between French and the English and wars between Hyder Ali and the English and the poverty faced by his native congregation members due to these wars and his old age affected the health of Rev. J.P. Fabricius very much. Even though Rev J.P. Fabricius was a great intellectual, a devoted Missionary and efficacious Translator of the Bible into Tamil; he was not careful in money matters. He involved in money lending with the funds entrusted to him by his friends for safe custody. The Tranquebar mission lost 2000 Pagodas and the Trichinopoly Mission all that it possessed which Rev. Schwartz had entrusted to Fabricius. Rev Fabricius was sentenced to the prison due to debt. But his Successor Rev Gericke took some necessary steps and released Rev. J.P. Fabricius. Rev. J.P. Fabricius died on January 24th 1791 in Madras as a bachelor. He was a great missionary when he took charge of the Tamil Lutheran congregation in Madras in 1742, the congregation had only 300 Christians but it reached 2200 during his ministerial period [1742--1788]..He was a great Linguist he developed good command over Tamil, Dutch, Portuguese in addition to his mother tongue German. Mr J. Ferd. Fenger author of the famous book HISTORY of the TRANQUEBAR MISSION, writes about Rev J.P. Fabricius, "His through acquaintance with the native languages was acknowledged, and his lexicographical labours deserve praise, but his particular gift lay in translating hymns into Tamil. His translations were used in all the congregations and are still famed as being really excellent". It is not possible to accommodate all the accomplishments of Rev. J.P. Fabricius within the space of this Blogpost and so I will end this Blogpost with the following sentence, " Dear and respected Rev. J.P. Fabricius, we thank God For you, we love you for your love for your congregation members, we adore your translation works and proud of you".
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By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A, [ All rights are reserved. This Blogpost will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed].
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Introduction: A great man of God who translated the Holy Bible into the common man's Tamil, [ Power version] Rev. Dr. Henry Bower, D.D, was a great Missionary and a remarkable man of God. He was a multi-faceted personality; he was a great Tamil Scholar, prolific Author, Linguist, soul winning Evangelist, par excellence Translator and a Man of Prayer. By translating the Bible into the common's easy to understand Tamil he facilitated the Bible to reach every protestant Tamil Christian home living in India and abroad. Generally, Christians love. Bower version [Power version] of the Tamil Bible, but they do not have adequate knowledge about the profile of Rev Henry Bower who played the pivotal role to translate the Bible into Tamil. Definitely Rev Henry Bower was a remarkable milestone in the field of Translation, evangelisation, literature and linguistics.
Rev. Dr. Henry Bower, D.D.
Rev. Henry Bower's Parents and Birth: Rev. Henry Bower's father Mr Francis Bouvie [ 1780- 1824] was a French soldier, and he was a prisoner of war in India, and he married an Indian woman by name Ms Justina[1782-1872] and according to the records of the St Marys Church, St George Fort , Madras, this couple gave birth to Rev. Henry Bower on the 17th of January 1813, at a house located near the Zion Church [ Present CSI Zion Church] at Chintadripet, Madras. But Power's family celebrates his birthday on 18th December 1812. It is said that American missionary Dr. John Scudder built a small church by name Zion Church, in Chintadripet . But there is another account that the then Governor of Madras at St George Fort Mr George Mortin Pitt founded Chintadripet [ Chinna Thari Pettah] in 1734 with the settlement of 230 families of weavers to produce cotton for export and built the original Zion church in 1734 at Chintadripet.
Mr. Henry Bower's Education: Rev. Henry Bower's Alma Mater the Madras Military Male Orphan Asylum was opened in 1789 under the superintendence of Dr. Andrew Bell. It was housed in a converted Military building called Egmore Redoubt. As the son of a European Prisoner of War young Henry Bower got the privilege to study at the Madras Military Male Orphan Asylum at Egmore, Madras. After having passed his school education young Henry Bower wanted to become a Missionary. One Colonel John Corle who was serving as the Colonel Secretary to the then Governor of Madras at St George Port liked young Henry Bower so much and did many favourable things to Mr. Henry Bower. Colonel John Corbe took young Henry Bower to England with him in 1832. Mr. Henry Bower joined the Missionary Academy, England, run by the London Missionary Society in 1833. Mr Henry Bower studied Theology with great enthusiasm and devotion and passed his Theology course meritoriously and he returned to Madras in 1837. Rev Henry Bower studied Tamil grammar and Literature. with consuming interest from a Jain Poet by name Sastram Iyer.
Mrs Emma Bower
- Birth
- Death
- 24 Jan 1844 (aged 25–26)
- Burial
- Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India
- Memorial ID
- View Source
Rev. Henry Bower's Marriages and Children: Rev Henry Bower married Ms Emma Taylor on 9th of May 1839, and God blessed the conjugal life Rev Henry Bower, and this couple gave birth to the following children namely: [1]Ana Power [1839- 1857] and [2] John Power. While Rev Henry Bower was working in Thanjavur, Mrs. Emma Bower died on the 24tth of January 1844, and her body was buried in St. Peter's Church cemetery in Thanjavur. After three years since the death of his first wife Rev Henry Bower married Ms Jessie Plucker on the 10th of May 1847 and this couple gave birth to the following children:[1] Mr. Henry Francis Power, [2] Mr William Lone Power ,[3] Mr. Frederick Gordon Power, [4] Mr Alexander George Power, [5] Ms Emma Eliza Power and [6] Mr Robert Stephen Power.
Serial No: 6; Rev Henry Bower, and Serial No; 7: Rev G.U. Pope.
Rev. Henry Bower's Missionary Work Track: After successfully completing his theological training Rev Henry Bower was employed as Catechist by the Wesleyan Missionary Society. He began his missionary work at a Dalit majority village called Thirupachur, near Ikkadu, in Thiruvallur District In 1838 he moved to Purasawalkam, Madras from Thirupachur. He joined the Society for the Promotion of the Gospel [SPG} in 1842. He worked as an Assistant Missionary in the Madras Mission [ Vepery Mission} As an Assistant Missionary he discharged his duties with devotion and enthusiasm. In the year 1845 he was ordained as a Priest and in the year 1848 he was appointed as a Deacon. Then he was transferred to Thanjvur in the year 1844 and he served in Thanjavur area[ Thanjavur & Vediapuram] from 1844 to 1856. As a great Evangelist with great vision and mission Rev Henry Bower started an Institute in the suburb of Thanjavur for the training of the catechists who will carry the gospel message everywhere including the rural villages and named it as "Vediapuram". Rev. Henry Bower was a great Church founder and in the year 1853 Rev. John Guest and Rev Bower together bought one acre and 82 cents of land on behalf of SPG for Rs 8500, where the St Paul's CSI Church, Vepery, stands today. Even though already the St Mathas Church was there in Vepery, the service was conducted in English, so there was a pressing need for a Tamil Church in that area. To meet this necessity, the then Governor of Madras Mr. George Harris [The Founder of the University of Madras] laid the foundation stone of the new Church for the Vepery native congregation, at the place bought by the SPG, on the 9th February 1855, in the presence of a large representative gathering [The Rev. A. Westcott, M.A, Our Oldest Indian Mission, Madras, 1897, Chapter VIII]. The new church was named as 'St Paul's Church' and was consecrated by bishop Rt.Rev Dealtry on the 18th of November 1858. Rev. Henry Bower served as the Pastor in charge of St Peter's Church Thanjavur from 1850 to 1856. and during that period the famous Tamil scholar and translator of Thirukural into English, Rev G.U. Pope, worked as his Colleague at St Peter's Church. In 1858 Rev Henry Bower left, Vediapuram and fully devoted himself to Bible translation work. In 1864 he was ordained as a Pastor at the St Paul's Chruch at Vepery [ Choolai] Madras. He served in Madras from 1857 to 1875 [First Phase] with a short break. In 1872, he was sent to Trichy and from there to Tirunelveli and was posted back to Vepery St Paul's Church.
Part Final will follow soon
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A. [ All rights are reserved. This Blogpost will be enlarged, modified, or corrected later in needed]
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Madras Bible Society appointed Rev. Henry Bower as the Chief translator of the Bible: Bible translation work had/has been a continuous process of revisions. Rev. B. Zieganbalg's translation became obsolete and there were minor defects in the translations of Rev Fabricius and Rev Rhenius and as a remedial measure, the Jaffna Translation was brought out in 1850; but this version also failed to get general acceptance of the people and so the Madras Bible Society formed a Revision Committe and appointed Rev Heny Bower in 1857, as the Chief Translator. of the Revision Committe...The Madras Bible Society also appointed a Seven Member Committee, from other denominations serving in South India, to assist Rev Henry Bower to bring out a new translation of the Bible, acceptable to all Tamil Protestant churches. This Seven Member Revision Committe was consisting of the following members:[1] Rev Dr. Robert Caldwell,[SPG], Author of the iconic book, " A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages, [2] Rt Rev.Dr. Edward Sargent,D.D, of CMS, 3] Rev..Lewis of the LMS, [4] Rev. Kohlhoff of SPG, [5] Rev Henry Scudder of American Tamil Mission, [6] Rev. William Tracy of Madura American Mission and [7] Name not known [ John S. Chandler, "A History of the Mission in South India" published by the American Madura Mission, p.264] Rev Henry Bower and the Seven Member Committee started their translating work with full vigour and enthusiasm
The revision of the New Testament was actively pushed from 1858 and in May 1858, the Revision Committee members met at Kodaikanal for its final revision. The next May [1859] they passed the Following: " Resolved that we rejoice in the completion of the revision of the Tamil New Testament, and that we earnestly desire that the Bible Society proceed to make a similar arrangement for the revision of the Old Testament".[ Ibid] .The New Testament [Power Version or United Version] translated by Rev Henry Bower and his team was published in 1863 and the Old Testament [Power Version] translated by Rev Henry Bower and team was published in 1868. The Bible translated into Tamil by the Revision Committee headed by Rev Henry Bower is called as Power Version or United Version, and this Tamil Bible is generally carried by the Church going Tamil Christians whenever they attend Church services and Christian Convention meetings.
Rev.Dr. Henry Bower, D.D.
Other Literary Works of Rev Henry Bower: Rev. Henry Bower was a Linguist, he was proficient in English, Tamil, Greek Latin, Sanscrit and Hindustani. Rev Henry Bower was a Par Excellence Translator, and he was appointed as a Member of the Church of England's Translation Committee to translate the "Book of Common Prayer" of the Church of England into Tamil, this translation work took two years. Rev Henry Bower translated Bhagavat Gita and the Tamil Grammar book "Nannool" into English. He translated Sastri Iyer's Treatise on Jain Philosophy into English, and this book was published in the year 1868 by the SPCK press at Vepery, Madras. He also produced the Naamagal Lambakam of Seevagachinthamani with Narchinarkiniyar's Commentary with a Preface in English and this book was prescribed as a Lesson for the B.A, Class, the University of Madras. As Rev Henry Bower served for nearly ten years in Thanjavur area, he developed a cordial friendship with the great Tamil Christian Poet Vethanayagam Sasthiriar and he wrote a biography of Vethanayagam Sasthiriar. Rev Henry Bower's compilation works include a Vedic Dictionary of Terms on Religion and Philosophy and a Book of his Discourses. Rev Henry Bower was a prolific Writer, and he had written thought provoking Articles on Religion, Logic, and Linguistics. It is said that he introduced Tamil literature to Dr Robert Caldwell. In 1851 he published a book of Essays in English on Hindu Castes. In 1877 he published a book titled' Interpretation of the Law'. Rev. Henry Bower translated the following books into Tamil:[1] Mr. Tom Butler's Anthology, [2] He translated the iconic Theological masterpiece titled, "Exposition of the Creed" authored by the great Theologian Lord Bishop of Chestor, Rev. Pearson John, [3] A Biblical and Theological Dictionary, [4] Lectures on the Moral Law, and [5] History of Christianity in India and some other works. Rev Henry Bower was a great Admirer of the famous Tamil Grammar book,"Nannool' and Thirukural and he said," Thiruvalluvar's Thirukural is the first-class literature in Tamil. He had also written the books titled "Viswamana Vilakkam", "Sambhandha Vilakkam", between Hinduism and Papu Religion and Dharmasastra Saaram..
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Rev. Henry Bower Died: From Madras he was moved to Kumbakonam and he served in Kumbakonam from 1875 to 1878 He did the last phase of his active ministerial service in Madras from 1878 to 1884, and he retired from his ministerial service in 1884. He was receiving his person. He became very weak and ill and to recover health he went and stayed at Courtalam for some time, but he
died in 1885 at the age of 73, at Palayamkottai
Conclusion: Rev. Dr. Henry Bower was one of the greatest missionaries served in South India and was an intellectual, social Thinker, Theologian, Tamil scholar and a great Evangelist. He had the prestigious privilege to be In Charge of the Madras Mission [ Vepery Mission] from 1874 to 1883[The Rev. A. Westcott, M.A, " A Our Oldest Indian Mission" Madras, 1897] He served as the Principal Examiner of Tamil at the University of Madras with great distinction. He had the opportunities to rub shoulders with great foreign missionaries cum Tamil Scholars such as Dr. G.U Pope and Dr. Robert Caldwell. The Archbishop of Canterbury, England conferred on Rev Henry Power the honorary Doctorate degree " Doctor of Divinity" in recognition of his manyfold service and accomplishments. It is not possible to accommodate all the chapters Rev. Henry Bower's historic and brilliant biography within the space of this Blogpost and so I will end this Blogpost with the following sentence," Dear Rev Dr. Henry Bower, D.D, we thank God for you, we thank you for the Power Version of the Tamil Bible, we are proud of you, and we love you".
END .
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A[ All rights are reserved. This Blogpost will be modified, enlarged or corrected later if needed].
Introduction: Rev. Benjamin Schultze was one of the remarkable Christian Missionaries who ever came to India and made lasting contribution to the field of Translation, Religion, Education, Social justice etc. His historical journey from Sonnenburg via Halle to Tranquebar had established some new milestones in the social, religious and intellectual map of Tamil Nadu and India and arrests our attention and deserves our perusal. His profile would be definitely useful to the Historians, Christians and the readers and will enlighten our minds with new vision, mission and social responsibilities.
Rev. Benjamin Schultze
Rev. Benjamin Schultze' Parents and Birth: Rev. Benjamin Schultz was born at the historical Sonnenburg in Bradenburg in Europe in the year 1689, it will be appropriate to say one fact here that another great Danish Halle Mission missionary who ministered at Tranquebar Rev. Christian Friedrich Schwartz also was born in Sonnenburg.
Rev. B. Schultze landed at Tranquebar: Tranquebar Mission began to grow, and the mission needed more missionaries. and to meet that demand three new Danish Missionaries including Mr. Benjamin Schultz were sent from Europe to Tranquebar. While these missionaries were on their journey to Tranquebar, Rev. B. Ziegenbalg died in Tranquebar. Mr. Schultze and his companions arrived at Madras on 25th July 1719. and proceeded to Tranquebar. When Schultze and his companions arrived, they heard of Ziegenbalg's death and Grundler's illness. [ J. Ferd. Fenger, History of the Tranquebar Mission, Tranquebar, 1863, p 110]. In Tranquebar, Rev Grundler ordained Mr Schultze and appointed him as his substitute [ Ibid. pp 110 and 111] But Rev. Grundler died on 19th March 1720 and was buried the next day in New-Jerusalem Church, Tranquebar near to Ziegenbalg and Rev. Schultze preached the funeral sermon from Revelations 14.13[ [Ibid, pp.111,112, and 312] The death of Rev Grundler affected Rev Schultz very much. At Grundler's death, the work of the Mission fell upon Rev. Schultze.
Rev. B. Schultze at Tranquebar: The day after Rev Grundler's death Schultze assembled his colleagues in the Mission Library and exhorted them not to allow their confidence and grit to sink but to continue the work they had begun for which the Lord would give strength and blessing, if they trusted entirely to him. His colleagues vowed to him assistance in carrying out the work which had been begun. and gave him their hands in assurance thereof. Rev. Schultze was a man of much mental power to whom it was easy to learn foreign languages. Schultze took extra effort to learn Tamil and in April 1720 he preached in Tamil for the first time. and afterwards there was no turning back Schultze became a Tamil scholar. [ Ibid. p. 131].
A Page from First Tamil Bible
Rev. B. Schultz Moved to Madras: The completion of Ziegenbalg's translation of the Bible thoroughly occupied Schultze' time. When he had almost finished the translation, three new Missionaries, Bosse, Pressier, and Walther arrived in Tranquebar on the 19th of June 1725, and Schultze became very busy in helping the new Missionaries to learn the languages; but when they made a little progress Schultz was very happy to leave them as there was not perfect unanimity between him and his colleagues. In the year 1726 on Sexagesima Sunday Rev Schultz bade adieu to the native Tranquebar congregation. Rev Schultze reached Madras via Cuddalore [ Kadalur] and he determined to reside in Madras and so he obtained the consent of the other Danish Halle missionaries during a hasty journey to Tranquebar [ Ibid.p.139 and 140].
Rev. Schultz Renewed an Abandoned School in Madras: As the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel [SPCK] could not sent any Englishman as Missionary to propagate the Christian Knowledge in India, and the SPCK continued to employ Danish and German Lutherans to conduct the missionary work in the British Settlements of Fort George and Fort St. David. [ The Rev. A. Westcott, M.A, Our Oldest Indian Mission: A Brief History of the Vepery [Madras] Mission, published by Madras Diocesan Committee of the SPCK, 1897, Chapter 1]..The SPCK took Rev Schultze into its service and determined to found a mission in Madras But until the consent of the Society [ SPCK] was received, Schultze had to pass some time inactive. Schultze asked the Governor Mr James Macrae, to permit him to renew a School for the heathen children which had formerly existed in Madras but had fallen into ruin. Schultze not only received permission but also help. {J. Ferd. Fenger, op. cit.. pp.140 141] Schultz decided to commence his missionary work in Madars by opening a School in Black town. With this end in his mind, he posted a notice on the four gates of Black Town on September 5th,1726, stating that by order of the Governor he intended to open a school for Malabar Children and nine days later he began the school with twelve students. The Governor , Mr. James Macrae, contributed 4/5 monthly towards the expenses of the school, and when in the following year Schultze was anxious to purchase a permanent home for Mission, the president and various members of Governor's Council subscribed liberally for the purpose But at the moment when a convenient house was offered for sale, Schultze had only collected 300 pagodas, when the bidding reached 500 pagodas, one of his friends in high place stepped in to the arena and commenced to bid for Schultze and Schultze got that house for 600 pagodas. A few days later Rev. Schultze erected a stone pulpit in the newly acquired mission house and began his regular preaching there. .[ The Rev. A. Westcott, M.A, op. cit, Chapter 1].
The SPCK appointed Rev. Schultze as its First Missionary: Rev. Schultze was able to settle and commence his evangelical work in Madaras. In 1728, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge acceding to a request from Schultze determined to undertake a mission work in Madras. Before giving its consent, the SPCK, obtained the permission of the King of Demark and a promise of protection from the English East India Company. In due course of time the SPCK in London took responsibility for his support, supplying Schultze with a salary of 60 British Pound a year, and moreover magnanimously did not try to interfere in the direction of Schultze' work. Rev. Schultze thus became the first member of what came to be generally known as the English Mission. [ [i] The Rev. A. Wescott, M.A.,op.cit, Chapter 1 ;[ii] Stephen Neill. F.B.A, A History of Christianity in India, 1797- 1858, Cambridge University press, Cambridge, 1985, p. 41.]
A Perusal of Rev Schultze' Missionary Work in Madaras: After having received the permission from the SPCK in 1728, Rev. Schultze made a spectacular and rapid progress in his missionary work that from 1728- 1730 he had collected a congregation of above 200 persons. In 1730, he received a fellow labourer by name Rev.Johann Anton Sartorius, and after two years he got another missionary by name Rev. Johann Ernst Geister. In 1736 when Schultze was with his two colleagues the congregation only increased 13 persons in the course of the year, but from the middle to the end of 1737, Schultze alone baptised 117 people and in the following year 63 adults and one child. [ J. Ferd and Fenger, op.cit. p. 142]. It can be inferred that Rev Schultze preferred to work alone in his own style and way. When Sartorius and Geister left him in 1737 to found a Mission at Cuddalore, Schultze was enlivened and felt a sort of relief. On receipt of his appointment Schultze handed over the account of the Mission to the newly formed local Committee. [The Rev.A. Westcott, M.A, op. cit, Chapter 1]. Up to 1742, Rev Schultze led 700 persons to Christian faith. [ G. Samuel Iyer and corrected by his son S. Gnanamonickam , op.cit,p. 41]
Conclusion: Rev. Benjamin Schultze was a remarkable man. His eminence and inevitable significance are not adequately recognised and understood by the modern-day Christians. Rev. Schultze was an adept to learn foreign languages. While he was serving as a Christian minister in Madras, he learned the Telugu language and translated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther's Short Catechism into Telugu and between the years 1727-1732, he translated the New Testament into Telugu and afterwards the whole Bible -into Telugu. Later he translated the great German Lutheran Theologian Arnd's "True Christianity" and "Garden of Paradise" into Telugu. He also wrote a Telugu Grammar book. In the year 1739, Schultze eagerly endeavoured to learn the Indian language Hidustani language and succeeded in his attempt. He finished the translation of the New Testament, the Psalms, the prophecy of Daniel and some chapters in Genesis, before he left India. For his noteworthy translation works Rev Schultze deserves our appreciation and adoration. After having served in India for 24 years physically he became very weak and so he left the Madras Mission in the charge of Rev. Johann Philipp Fabricius and returned to Europe in1743. He reached Halle and stayed there till his death. and in Halle he continued his linguistic studies with relentless enthusiasm and unbated energy. Rev. Benjamin Schultze died at Halle in November 1760, aged 72.[ Rev. J. Ferd. Fenger, op.cit, pp. 141-144].As a Linguist Schultze was an inspiration and forerunner to his succeeding European Missionaries like Rev. Robert Caldwell and some others. It is not possible to accommodate all the accomplishments of Rev. B. Schultze within the space of this Blogspot and so I will end this blogpost with the following sentence. " Rev. Benjamin Schultze was a man of God, he founded the English Mission {Madras Mission] in Madras, we thank God for him "
END.
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A., [ All rights are reserved. This Blogpost will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed].
Introduction: Rev. Bartholomaus[ Bartholomew] Ziegenbalg of Danish Halle Mission translated the New Testament and some Books up to the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament into Tamil for the first time and thereby had secured a predominant place in the history of translation in India. Rev. Ziegenbalg began the translation work of the Bible into Tamil by the end of 1708 and completed the translation of the New Testament in 1711. And then he began the translation of the Old Testament and on account of his death in 1719 he could not translate beyond the book of Ruth in Old Testament. Rev B. Schultze a successor of Ziegenbalg completed the translation of the remaining books of the Old Testament and the Apocrypha in 1725 [ [i] G. Samuel Iyer, corrected by his son Rev.S. Gnanamonickam, History of the Tranquebar Mission in Tamil, A.D. 1706- 1955. The Tranquebar Printing & Publishing House, Vepery, Madras, 1955, pp. 205 & 206. [ii]. J. Ferd Fenger, History of the Tranquebr Mission, Tranquebar, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Press, 1863, pp 132 -133 ]. A concise study about the translation history of the First Tamil Bible and the Translator will be really useful to the readers, Church historians and present-day Christians.
Danish Fort at Tranquebar
Rev. Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg' Grave in Tranquebar
Introduction: The great global Jewish Christian missionary Dr. Joseph Wolf, D.D, regarded Rev. Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius as the greatest missionary who had appeared since St Paul. Rev. CTE. Rhenius was the first Christain Missionary Society's [CMS] Missionary to arrive in India. He was a remarkable and multifaceted personality. He was a Linguist, Lexicographer, Tamil scholar, Social Thinker, Educationist, Bible Translator, Church Planter. and devoted Evangelist. A perusal of his life story and his accomplishments in the fields of education, social justice and evangelisation will galvanise the readers and the present-day Christians with new enthusiasm to achieve great things in life and to live a meaningful and fruit-bearing life.
. Rev. Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius.
Rev. C.T.E.Rhenius' Parents and Birth: The historical Fortress Graudenz is located on the right bank of river Vistula in Poland [ previously called West Prussia], His parents Mr Otho Rhenius and Mrs Otho Rhenius gave birth to a male child on the 5th of November 1790, at the fortress Graudenz and this couple christened their boy child, as Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius. Mr Otho Rhenius served as an Officer in the infantry of the Prussian Army.
Graudenz town and the Vistula River & the Bridge.
C.T.E. Rhenius' Siblings: Mr Otho Rhenius and Mrs Otho Rhenius couple gave birth to the following children: [1] A son, [ Name not known],[2] Mr. Rev. Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius ,[3] A son [ Name known and [4] a female Child [ name not known]. Mr. Otho Rhenius died when his son C.T.E. Rhenius was six years old and so the care of all the four children fell upon their mother, and she most enthusiastically did her duty and affectionately watched over the welfare of her children
Rev. Rhenius' Childhood: Young CTE Rhenius studied at the famous Cathedral School of Marienwerder . After having completed his school studies he was employed at Balga near Kunigaberg in the office of an uncle who held a Civil post under the government, for three years, but in the spring of the year 1807, Rhenius was removed to the neighbourhood of Memel in compliance with the invitation from another uncle Mr. Wilhelm A. Rhenius who was in his declining age.
His Stay with his uncle Mr. Wilhelm A. Rhenius: Young CTE Rhenius went and stayed with his childless dear uncle Mr Wilhelm A. Rhenius and Mrs Wilhelm Rhenius and this couple liked young CTE Rhenius so much. His Uncle's house served as parade ground for young Rhenius' spiritual growth At Mr. Wilhelm A. Rhenius' house, he got the privilege to do the perusal of Missionary publications, especially those of the Moravian, or United Brethren. Young CTE Rhenius gradually and systematically imbibed the spirit of those publications. As he found his uncle as a ready and real counsellor and friend, young Rhenius revealed his future missionary plans to him... On the 5th of March 1811, his uncle informed his wife about the intended departure plan of young Rhenius, and she became very angry and said to young Rhenius that if she were his mother she would never permit his intended departure. But as C.T.E. Rhenius was seriously considering the importance preaching the word of cross among the heathens, he sought the help of the Holy Spirit to overcome the discouragements He prayed earnestly, and he received courage and strength to accept the call, remembering the words of the Apostle, "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me". Mr C.T.E. Rhenius surmounted all the principal impediments, and no time was lost in preparing to enter upon the field. [ J.R, MEMOIR of the REV. C. THEOPHILUS EWALD RHENIUS, Edinburgh, Jan, 4, 1841, pp..5-7]
Mr CTE. Rhenius Joined a Seminary in Berlin: In order to fulfil his inner goals Rev. CTE. Rhenius, in the year 1810 applied for and obtained permission to enter the newly started Missionary Seminary in Berlin for preparing the young persons for the missionary work, which was under the supervision of its founder Rev. John Janicke. This Missionary school [ Seminary] founded in Berlin, in 1800, later became the Berlin Missionary Society in 1823]. Mr. CTE Rhenius kept his intention to go abroad as a Missionary as a secret as possible, his uncle Mr. Wilhelm A. Rhenius excepted. To join the Seminary in Berlin, Mr CTE Rhenius, left his uncle's house at Bachmann and passed through Marienwerder. On his way to Berlin, Mr CTE Rhenius, met his mother and siblings and told them that he was going to study Theology, it satisfied his siblings, but his mother was suspicious about his real plan. and she requested her son Mr. CTE Rhenius, not to go over the sea. But CTE Rhenius answered his mother that that he cannot act against the will of God and left for Berlin. Mr. CTE Rhenius, reached Berlin on the 6th of May 1811. On the day of his arrival in Berlin he wrote that "I thank the Lord for preserving me on the road and helping me through difficulties. I devote myself, both body and soul, to him; and beseech him to fit and prepare me for the great work of an evangelist" [ Ibid , p. p.7&8]. With great enthusiasm and devotion Mr. CTE Rheius, studied his Seminary lessons and passed his Theology study.
He was Ordained and sent to England: Rev, CTE. Rhenius was ordained on the 7th of August 1812, at Berlin as a Minister of the established Church of Prussia [commonly denominated the Lutheran Church"] to be a missionary to the heathens. A fortnight after his ordination, as Rev.. Schnarre and Rev CTE Rhenius agreed to go to foreign countries as CMS Missionaries, both of them proceeded to England. and in England they stayed under the roof of the Rev Thomas Scott, and were placed there by the Church Missionary Society, together with some other young men, who were to go abroad as Missionaries. The young missionaries Rev. C.T.E. Rhenius and Rev..Schnarre were held up for many months in England, for want of Government permission to go as Missionaries to India.
The Charter Act of 1813 was Passed and Rev C.T.E. Rhenius and Rev Schnarre were sent to India:: As British East India Company was not in favour of sending missionaries to India, there were some obstacles to send missionaries to India and that delayed the departure of Rev Rhenius and Rev Schnarre to India. I think it is better to have some basic idea about Church Missionary Society [ CMS, UK], and it was founded in London on 12th of April,1799. by Mr. William Wilberforce [ A Leading English Abolitionist and A Member of British Parliament], Mr. John Venn and Mr John Newton [ Author of Amazing Grace] These people founded the CMS with purpose of sending missionaries to Africa and the East. But the British East India Company was not in favour of sending missionaries to Inia. There was a great unrest in the British Parliament in the year 1813 when the issue of permission to start Missionary work in India was debated. Finally Missionary Class was attached to the Charter Act 1813 and was passed in the British Parliament. Charter Act of 1813 authorised Christian missionaries to enter British India and spread education and religious beliefs. This provision was included following the intense lobbying by evangelical groups in Britain and it marked the start of Missionary activities in India. At the close of October 1813, the Committee of the Church Missionary society obtained permission from the Court of Directors of the British East India Company to send Rev Rhenius and Rev,Schnarre to India. On the 7th of January 1814, about 2000 people were assembled at the Free-Mason's Tavern and its President Lord Gambier was also present, Mr. Pratt read the instructions to the missionaries and Professor Dealtry read an address written by Dr. Buchanan who was prevented to attend by illness The meeting lasted for three hours. On the 4th of February 1814, Rev, Rhenius and Rev Schnarre left London for Portsmouth where they were bound to be taken on board the Marquis of Huntly, bound for Madras. After a long voyage the Marquis of Huntly anchored before Madras on the 4th of July 1814. The missionaries were received by the Chaplain of the East India Company Rev. Marmaduke Thompson. The first news that they received was about the death of Dr. John of Tranquebar..
Next part will Follow
By. P. Babu Manoharan. M.A,.[ All Rights are reserved. This Blogpost will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed]..
Rev CTE Rhenius was removed from Tranquebar to Madras: At Madras Rev. Rhenius and his colleague stayed only a fortnight, and on the 20th of July 1814, they left Madras and on arrival at Tranquebar both of them were kindly received by the Rev. August Friederich Caemmerer and Rev. Schreivogel. During the months that Mr Rhenius resided at Tranquebar, he was occupied chiefly in learning the Tamil language and acquired good command and hold over Tamil within a short span of five months.. Rev Rhenius was asked to comeback to Madras by Church Missionary Society, because it wanted to engage Rev Rhenius in their own mission called Mission in Madras. As he was asked to move back to Madras by CMS, on 2nd of January 1815, forenoon, Rev Rhenius began to pack up his books in order to proceed to Madras,.and it shows that he was a great lover and reader of book.. On the 9th of January 1815, he prayed and began his journey towards Madras from Tranquebar. We are unable to infer the exact reason for the removal of Rev Rhenius from Tranquebar to Madras. Madras was the oldest branch of the Danish Mission at Tranquebar and was commenced by the Rev Benjamin Schultze in the year 1726. On his arrival in Madras Rev Rhenius was kindly accommodated in Rev.. Mr. Thompson's house until necessary arrangements were made for his settlement and also until the sanction of the Government was received for the establishment another mission in Madras .
Rev. Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius
Rev. Rhenius Got the Permission of the Governor of Madras to start his Missionary work: On arrival at Madras from Tranquebar, Rev Rhenius understood the need for the permission form the Governor of Madras to start his missionary work in Madras, Mr. Rhenius called on the Governor Mr. Hugh Elliot, accompanied by Mr. Thompson and they were received by the Governor. in a friendly manner. Governor Mr Elliot discussed many important issues with them in a friendly manner. Mr Elliot opined that Christianity will not spread over India so quickly as the people in England supposed.. However finally the Governor Mr. Hugh Elliot gave his consent to the missionaries for their establishment in Madras and repeatedly promised Mr Rhenius and Mr Thompson that he would give all the support to them, in his power. Mr Elliot spoke with these missionaries in German and the wife of the Governor also entered the room and talked with the missionaries in German. The visit was very satisfactory and encouraging to the missionaries and both of them left the Governor's residence with gratitude.
Governor of Maras Mr. Hugh Elliot, [1814-1820]
Rev. C.T.E..Rhenius Moved to Black Town: On 2nd of February 1815, Mr Rhenius left the house of Mr Thompson and proceeded to his rented residence in Black Town, North Madras.. While staying at his house in Black town Rev. Rhenius had many opportunities to meet variety of native people. He liked to converse with the local people in Tamil, whenever he talked with the native people, they understood him but he could not fully understand them, on account of their rapid and broken pronunciations. In the month of April 1815, Rev Rhenius for the first time conducted the religious service in Tamil publicly. No Church or Chapel had been built. On 12th of April, 1815 he conducted the first religious meeting in his house at Black town and about fifteen persons were present in the meeting.
Rev. Rhenius Started a School in Blacktown : As an Educationist, to instruct and enlighten the young minds, in line with the provisions of the Charter of 1813 Act, Rev Rhenius started a School at Blacktown, Madras, and in ten days the strength of the students increased to forty-six. Rev. Rhenius' plan was not to admit any distinction of caste among the students. In this School, admissions were given to all those who were willing to be instructed, without any caste or other discriminations. His other aim was to make those who were able pay to pay ; and to admit gratis those who are quite poor. and payment was collected from students according to circumstances. He also resolved to have an examination of the boys every week on Wednesday, in Tamil; on Saturday in English and religious teachings were also taught in this school. On 28th of May 1815, for the first time Rev Rhenius conducted Worship service in Tamil in the school in Blacktown. He started to conduct the divine service in the school room for the benefit of the school children, for the congregation of Dr. Rotler and to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the Christian worship service, irrespective of religious and denominational affiliation.
Rev. Rhenius Started some More Schools around Madras: Rev. Rhenius, started some more schools in Madras including the one in Black Town. He also started a School at Kanchipuram at the invitation of the Hindus. One Mr Sandappan of Vadadillei had been converted as a Christian by Rev Fabrcius Mr Sandappan also became a friend of Rev Rhenius and Mr. Sandappan was a clever man. .Mr Sanadappan requested Rev Rhenius to started some schools in some villages around Madras . Accordingly Rev Rhenius started Schools at Azhaharadipattai, Vadadillei, kanniputhu, Vengadamangalam, Chegelpattu, Coovam, Thiruvallur, Triplicane. . Rev Rhenius visited these schools and conversed with the students about their physical, educational and spiritual issues.. Rev Rhenius believed that education would liberate the young minds from ignorance, superstition and spiritual darkness..
Rev. Rhenius started a Seminary to Train Teachers: . As there was scarcity for suitable trained teachers to work as Teachers in the Schools started by Rev. Rhenius, he started a Seminary on the 11th of March 1817. Then the Teacher's training Institute was called a Seminary. Rev. Rhenius's plan was not only to give teacher training to the students to serve as teachers and but to produce Catechists through this Seminary..
Bible Society at Calcutta Requested Rev Rhenius to Revise Fabricius Version of the Tamil Bible: The Bible society in Calcutta in the year 1815 decided to revise the Johann Philipp Fabricius version of the Tamil Bible. and it asked Rev CTE Rhenius to revise old version of Fabricius at the earliest. In this connection Rev Rhenius had a meeting with Dr Rottler at the residence of Mr Thompson in Madras. They decided to begin the translation work immediately On 15th of November 1815 Rev Rhenius began the translation work of the Bible into Tamil, and he was assisted by a Tamil Munshi. Rev. Rhenius laid down some guide lines for the translation of the Bible and then started to translate the New Testament into Tamil, with great enthusiasm, eagerness and efficacy.. The concise history of Bible Translation by Rev. CTE. Rhenius, will be dealt in detail later in some other paragraphs.
Rev. Rhenius Married Ms Anne: Rev. CTE Rhenius married Ms Anne Wilhelmina Van Someren on the 7th of March 1816, in Madras, and the marriage was solemnised by Rev. Mr. Vanghan. This couple's son the Rev. C.J. Rhenius, Chaplain, Honourable East India Company Service [HEICS}, wrote the life history of his father Rev. CTE Rhenius. Rev. CTE. Rhenius' daughter Miss... Rhenius married her father's Assistant missionary in Palayamkottai, Rev. John James Muller. [ Rev. Frank Penny, The Church In Madras, Vol. II, London 1912, pp. 391 & 394].
Next part will continue soon
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A, [ All rights are reserved. This Blogpost will be modified, enlarged or corrected later, if needed].
Rev. Rhenius Took the Initiative to build a Church at Black Toon: At the close of the year 1817, an attempt was made by Rev Rhenius to build a Church in Black Town. But this effort was prevented by the Governor Mr. Elliot, who granted the request of some inimical people. After many endeavours taken by the friends of the Church Missionary society for permission to build the Church, the Governor allowed the CMS to build the Church .in Black Town. . Rev Rhenius and his friends decided to lay the foundation stone to build the Church in the Mission garden, on the 30th of June 1819 .A celebration meeting was conducted to celebrate the occasion . In the afternoon on 30th of June 1819, the native congregation members, a large number of heathens, several European ladies and gentlemen. and many friends of the CMS assembled in the Mission garden. Mr. Thompson prayed in English, for the Lord's blessing on this church, congregation, Madras city and country.. Then Rev Rhenius addressed the natives in Tamil on the words of the Lord Jesus, " I will build my church, and the gates of the hell shall not prevail against it. Then they proceeded to the selected place and the foundation stone was laid. publicly. Then Rev Rhenius addressed the gathering again, the congregation then sang a Tamil Song, a doxology to the Holy Trinity. Then prayer in Tamil and blessing in Tamil and English were pronounced by Rev Thompson and Rev Rhenius . The whole day was celebrated with joy and gratitude for God had overruled all things for good, nay, turned the evil into good..
Rev. C.T.E. RHENIUS .
Rev C.T.E. Rhenius was Asked to go to Palayamkottai by CMS in 1820: In 1816 the historian the Rev James Hough who was the Chaplain to the English garrison in Palaymkottai fort and cantonment wrote to the CMS, Madras, asking for a Missionary to serve in Palayamkottai By this time there developed a misunderstanding between CMS and Rev Rhenius. Rev Rhenius came to the decision of resigning his job and to return to this native country But CMS did not like to lose the service of a an able missionary like Rev Rhenius and so they asked him to go to Palaymkottai, and he accepted the suggestion made by the CMS Committee .Rev Rhenius left all the Mission affairs in the hands of Mr. Barenbruck and started his journey towards Palayamkottai. on the 2nd of June 1820. Rev. Rhenius and his family reached at Palayamcottah on the 7th of July 1820. On arrival at Palayamcottai Rev. Rhenius and family proceeded to a house in the Fort at Palamkottai which had been secured for them by Rev James Hough, the English Chaplain in Palayamkottai Fort.. Next day Rev. Rhenius felt loneliness for he missed Madras so much and he wrote that he was like tree torn out of its own soil and put into a strange one. But without delay Rev Rhenius entered upon his missionary work. The schools and the heathens, the revision or rather translation of the Scripture into Tamil and the compilation of a pamphlet entitled "The Essence of true Vedam" immediately occupied his time. CMS wisely sent his friend Rev Bernard Schmid to Palayamkotai to work with Rev Rheneius His friend Rev. Bernard Schmid's arrival at Palayamkottah on the 20th of October 1820, as his missionary colleague filled Rev Rhenius' mind with new joy and encouragement..
Rev. Rhenius started a Seminary and tried to eradicate caste based discrimination among the students; As SPCK was already working inside the Fort , Rev. Rhenius wanted to shift his residence and headquarters from the Fort and so wanted to go out from the fort. He was is search of a suitable place to purchase . In this situation Rev. Hough came forward to sell his garden with the buildings in it to CMS at a low price. Rev Rhenius happily bought that land from Hough with the approval of CMS committee.. In the newly purchased garden there was a big bungalow and two school buildings. Rev. Rhenius started a Seminary in one school building to train catechists for Lord's ministry . The next building was used as a School where English was taught to the students and so it was called a English school. Rev Rhenius modified these two school buildings and used it. He allotted a portion of his house as Boarding for the Seminary students. and used a portion of the Seminary as a Chapel. Mr. Rhenius wanted to admit 20 students every year in the seminary.. But he started the Seminary with 7 students in the year 1820 . In 1821, The CMS Committee allowed to raise the strength of the students to 20, so in 1821, 20 students were admitted in the seminary. Out of these 20 students 7 students were from upper caste students, 10 students were Nadar students, 3 students were from Adi-dravidar community. These 7 upper caste students protested and deemed it an insult to them to take food with the other 13 students This matter was brought into the notice of Rev Rhenius. Rev Rhenius was against caste discrimination He wanted all the students to live friendly and eat food together, but as no accord was agreed Rev. Rhenius closed the Seminary in 1821. and reported the matter to CMS Committe and the CMS stood with Rev Rhenius. As some parents requested Rev. Rhenius to reopen the Seminary he re-opened the Seminary on the confirmation and condition that caste discrimination will not be followed by the students. In the month of May 1822, Rev Rhenius reopened the Seminary with 20 students. The seminary students were not only taught theology but also they were given singing practice, to sing translated hymns and many other needed trainings
Rev Rhenius Started a Seminary For Girls: In the year 1823-24 the strength of the Seminary students increased to 31 . So Mr. Rhenius wanted to start a Seminary for the girls and for this cause some military officials happily and collectively donated Rs 238 and on hearing this news the CMS also came forward to help Rhenius financially to build a seminary for girls. Rhenius completed the construction work of the Seminary for Girls before the end of January 1823. Without delay Girls seminary was started by Rhenius with 19 girl students. On completion of Hostel building again 20 more girls were admitted in this school. A Widow Christian was appointed as Warden to supervise these 39 girl students But before the end of that year 16 girls stopped their study and went out Only 23 girls continued heir studies and out of these 23 students, one was from Vellala community, 4 from Nadar and the remaining 18 girl students were from Adi-Dravidar community. Mrs. Ann Van Sameren Rhenius also taught the students in this Seminary for girls. From this we can understand about Rev Rhenius' consuming concern for the education of girls
Rev Rhenius Visited the educational Institutions : Rev Rhenius took active interest in the education of the students. He regularly visited the village schools, the Central School in Palayamkottai, Boys Seminary, Girls seminary and 13 more schools, under his control . He appointed an intelligent and pious Christian by name Mr. David to report about the educational progress of the students, who were studying in CMS schools.
The Congregations Established By Rev Rhenius : Rev Rhenius was really a great Apostle of Christ He established 406 congregation in total in South Inida. In Madras and its surrounding areas he established 35 CMS congregations. Operating from Palayamkottai he covered many villages in the undivided Tirunelveli district which included the present Thoothukudi district and Ramanathapuram district. He established the first CMS congregation in Palayamkottai on 10th of March, 1822 and it is now called as Holy Trinity Cathedral, Palaymkottai. Rev.CTE.Rhenius established 371 congregations in the then Tirunelveli District, within 15 years of his ministerial service.
Rev Rhenius Began to Translate the Bible into Tamil: The Bible translation work done by Rev Rhenius continued even after his arrival in Palayamkottai from Madras.. The Bible Society at Madras resolved that Rev.Rhenius should go on in the revision of the Tamil Bible. and also they have allowed a sum of money to pay copyists, etc, . Moreover the Bible Society in Madras had allowed him first to finish the New Testament. He continued his translation work.. Rev Rhenius wrote a book on the Principles of Translation and he translated the bible portions from the original Hebrew and Greek versions. He completed the New testament first and the Old testament partly from genesis till the book of Daniel. The New Testament translated by him was published by the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society in 1936. Rev. Rhenius was the first to avoid the practice of compounding words in Tami and separating individual words with space, His translation was simple and beautiful. Rev. Rhenius used to quate Dr, Martin Luther, saying it was not necessary to translate the Bible word by word and accordingly he translated the Bible, up-to Daniel into Tamil in the language of the common people.
Rev. Rhenius was a Great Tamil scholar and Great Author: Rev. Rhenius remained as a Student of Tamil till his death; he learnt Tamil Grammar from Mugavai Ramanuja kavirayar, using grammar books like "Nanool.".In Tirunelveli he studied Tamil Grammar and Literature under Thiruparkadalnathan kavirayar for 14 years. and became a great Tamil scholar.. He wrote the following Prose books;-[1] Bhooomi Sastra Nool, [2] Palavakai Tirutatam, [3] Thamizh Ilakanam, [4] Vedha Utharana Thirattu, [5] Uruvaga Vanakkam, [6] Manukula Varalatu Surukam, [7] Samaya Saram, [8] Protestant- Catholic Uraiyadal, [9] Suvishesha Saramsam, [10] Christhu Marga Nichayathuvam and [11] Theiveega Saramsam. He also wrote the following Text books ;-[1] Poologam,[2] Sarithiram, [3] Iyarkai, [4] Vana Sasthiram, [5] Manukula Varalaru, [6]Surya Manadalam, [7] French Ilakanam, [8] Kala Nul, and [9] Thargam [ Logistics].
Conclusion: No doubt Rev. C.T.E. Rhenius was one of the greatest Evangelists who ever lived on Earth. It is said that Rev. Rhenius had visited almost all the villages in the undivided Tirunelveli district. He cared for the physical, intellectual and spiritual development of his congregation members. With great zeal and consuming concern he preached the gospel to the people . He was an intellectual and great author.. He was a pioneer in the filed of Inter Religious Dialogue.. He established many Adaikalapuram villages to give shelter to the prosecuted poor Christians.. He paved the way for harmony among various Christain denominations. He published a famous pamphlet, " Union of Christians", an address to all Christians especially to all the ministers of the Gospel. He sincerely attempted to bring harmony among missionaries of different backgrounds, for example he kept cordial relationship with the Rev Charles Mead and Rev Charles Mault of LMS, who were then working in South Travancore On account of some difference with Committee of the CMS, he was removed from the CMS, in spite of that he continued his Church Planting ministry with relentless enthusiasm. and burning ambition and formed a separate Christian Mission in Tirunelveli District. He died on the 5th of June 1838 at the age of 48, and his body was buried at Adaikalapuram , Palayamkottai. The congregations founded by CTE. Rhenius, had become under the control of CSI dioceses of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. Rev Rhenius' missionary work was recognised in 1978 by the then Bishop of CSI Titunelveli Diocese, Rt. Rev. Daniel Abraham. Rev. Rhenius' missionary work was given official recognition by the Anglican Communion during the Bicentenary Celebration of the Titrunelveli CSI Diocese in 1978. It is not possible to cover all the aspects of his meaningful life within the space of this Blogpost, and so I will end this Blogpost with one sentence, "Dear and respected Rev CTE Rhenius, we thank God for your meaningful life, we love you and proud of you "
END .
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A[ All rights are reserved. this Blogpost will be enlarged, modified or corrected later, if needed].
