గుంటూరు మిషన్ స్థాపన

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CHAPTER

THE FOUNDING THE GUNTUR MISSION

RARELY the history mission work has foreign mis- sion had such auspicious and promising beginning the one which Heyer established Guntur. many cases pioneer missionaries heathen lands have been obliged pass through more less lengthy period antecedent effort, meeting and overcoming hostility, facing danger and death, and even suffering martyrdom, before the slightest indications of success appeared. the case the American Evangelical Lutheran Mission India certain amount preparatory work had been done the English Collectors and other officials and residents Guntur, before Heyer came, that, when began there, found that some soil had already been broken and prepared for the seed the Word God. Henry Stokes, Esq. , the good and godly Collector Guntur, deserves remembered our American Lutheran Church with feelings gratitude and expressions esteem, because of his staunch friendship for Heyer and his liberal and con- tinued benevolence support the Mission. Others whose names are mentioned Heyer friends and benefactors are Mr. Newill, the first Assistant Collector, Dr. Evans, Judge Walter, General Buckel, Judge Wood, Dr. Smith, Captain O'Neil, and Assistant Collectors Hutway and Barlow. In his first report the executive committee the Mis- sionary Society the Pennsylvania Ministerium, after his arrival Guntur, written September 17, 1842, five weeks after the formal beginning the work! stated that regularly conducted English services every Sunday morning and every Wednesday evening for the English officials and residents and for others the employ the East India Company 17Tt appears that Heyer wrote letter immediately after bis arrival Gun- tur, reporting his decision remain there, which, however, was lost transit.

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otherwise engaged civil, military and commercial pursuits. The average attendance these services was thirty. the Sunday morning Telugu services there was average attendance about seventy, most them being the older pupils the school. Furthermore, there assembled his door every morning, between five and six o'clock, motley crowd some seventy poor, blind, lame and deformed objects of charity, whom the missionary dispensed alms, amount- ing $14 $15 month, generously contributed for this purpose Mr. Stokes and Mr. Newill. Heyer improved this opportunity preach the Gospel and teach them hymns and Scripture passages. few months num- ber them had memorized morning hymn, number Scripture passages, the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer. Besides the English school which had been transferred his charge and which enrolled thirty pupils, once organized two purely Telugu schools which were enrolled, respectively, twenty-seven and thirteen pupils. For the school-work employed four native teachers, all heathen, whose salaries amounted about twenty dollars month, the greater part which was contributed the English residents interested the Mission. Soon after beginning the Mission, took twelve-year-old orphan boy, named Kotalingam, into his house, gave him clothes, board and lodging, and taught him, hoping that might converted and become mission worker. His hope, however, was not realized. This was the first feeble attempt at boarding school for the training native workers the Mission. Strenuous, indeed, was the daily round the mission- ary's duties. After the early morning meeting with the poor at his door, conducted, seven o'clock, the school- room, hour devotion the Tamil language for the bene- fit the domestics Mr. Stokes' household, several whom were baptized Christians. David, his interpreter, Heyer testified that was man who had really experienced the power the Gospel his soul. eight o'clock the mis-

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sionary went the English school and taught the first class for hour. Between nine and ten o'clock breakfasted. At ten the Telugu munshi came and four hours were spent with him the study the vernacular. three partook of light luncheon (tiffin). The later afternoon and early evening were spent rest and recreation. Sometimes would indulge walk with his Telugu teacher. other times would ride drive with one the other his Eng- lish friends. seven the evening was Mr. Stokes' guest at dinner. nine conducted the family devotion for the family and guests Mr. Stokes. ten o'clock retired. It does not surprise us, therefore, read one his letters: "I have more now than when had charge pastoral district America. " The mission schools, particular, made rapid and sub- stantial progress. Heyer was excellent disciplinarian and a good instructor. the middle October had estab- lished and was supervising six schools, enrolling 150 pupils and employing seven teachers. The two principal schools were conducted the building Mr. Stokes' compound, set apart for that purpose. third was held elsewhere the town, Heyer paying the expenses out his private purse. The fourth was located Prattipadu, twelve miles south Guntur. This called St. John's Lutheran School, because he supported with the money that St. John's Sunday School and Missionary Society Philadelphia had given him before leaving America. The other schools were located Nallapadu, five miles west Guntur, and Kottapetta, suburb the town. These were supported out the synodical mission funds monthly expense ten dollars. All these schools, except the original English one, were purely Telugu schools, attended children the low castes and outcasts. first number Brahmin boys came the Guntur school and the one Prattipadu; but when the parents realized that the missionary aimed, above all things, inculcate the truths Christianity, they not only withdrew their sons from the schools, but also showed considerable hostility toward the missionary and his work. November, 1842, Heyer organ-

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ized the first Hindu girls' school with enrollment fifteen pupils. For year, until the time her death, this school was supported Mrs. Walker, the wife Judge Walker, whom Heyer described most pious woman. Desirous secur- ing efficient teachers, Heyer selected five the more promis- ing pupils the English-Telugu school and devoted himself to their instruction normal class. the end the year 1842, the number pupils the Guntur schools had increased to 135, 20 whom were girls. The examination held the last day that year the large hall Mr. Stokes' house showed that, besides adding pupils, Heyer had also developed the efficiency the schools. The program rendered this public examination greatly pleased the audience. After opening prayer the children recited from memory, English and Telugu, Psalm 115, Luke 2:8-20, and John 4: 21-26. Then number hymns which had been memorized, were sung both languages. Catechetical exercises, conversation and examination geography were followed distribu- tion books and small coins. Before the end the year 1842, Heyer had begun Sunday school with the children who attended the daily instruction, and had instituted weekly meetings his house with his teachers, order increase their efficiency and, possible, to win them for Christianity. also began the erection small building Mr. Stokes' compound used school-house, finishing total cost $15. This little school-house, built the expense the Missionary Society of St. John's Church, Philadelphia, was opened and occupied January 4, 1843. 'For the friends the mission America, " wrote Heyer, 'this day would have been high day had they been able attend the exercises; and January 4, 1843, may well regarded the day the actual beginning the American Evangelical Lutheran Mission Guntur. " For the first nine months the year 1843 letter report was received from Heyer, insomuch that the Executive Committee, supposing that had neglected write, felt con- strained the annual meeting the missionary society June, 1844, recommend that directed report more

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frequently and submit copy his journal every six weeks or every three months. ! That the mission work had made substantial progress during this period appears from letter dated October 16, 1843, which may regarded the mis- sionary's first annual report. The actual result should by means judged the number converts, for these never are numerous during the first years mission. Indeed, many decades frequently elapse foreign mission before converts may numbered the hundred each year. Had Heyer been able report only single convert for the first year, would have been sufficient call for further effort. As was, reported three adults instructed and baptized, who, together with two Tamil Christians employed Mr. Stokes' household, had received the Lord's Supper. The most encouraging feature the first year's work was the prog- ress the mission schools. Their number had risen seven, employing ten teachers and assistants and enrolling 158 boys and 22 girls. the English school grammar, geography, history and Scripture catechism proof passages had been added the curriculum. The regular Sunday morning English service was attended average thirty persons. The attendance the Telugu service Sunday had in- creased nearly two hundred. Heyer's account the expen- ditures the first year exhibits both the liberality the Guntur benefactors and the meagre support the Missionary Society: English and Telugu books and tracts, paid Judge Walker Rs. 350 Books, paid Mr. Stokes. . . . . . . . . . . ccoiiiiiiiia. . Rs. 225 Books, account Dr. Mayer's congregation, Phila- delphia. . . . . . . . . . . . . iii Rs. 350 Munshi, books, etc. , paid the Missionary Society. . . . . . Rs. 129 School-teachers paid Guntur friends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rs. 516 Teachers, paid Dr. Mayer's congregation. . . . . . . . . . . . . Rs. 200 Alms distributed, paid Guntur friends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rs. 350 Articles clothing, paid Guntur friends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rs. 120 School-house, built expense Dr. Mayer's congregation. Rs. 30 Total. . . Rs. 1970 $985.00 Missionary's salary, paid Missionary Society. . . . . . . . . . 600.00 Total expenditure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1585.00 1 seems that Heyer did write several letters during the period question, but that they were lost the way America. 2 Heyer estimated rupee equal value 50 cents.

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It unfortunate that Heyer failed give itemized account his income for the first year. know that when he left America took with him $705.40 the synodical missionary society's money and $60 that had been given him by the Juvenile Missionary Society St. John's Church Philadelphia for the establishment and support schools. His travelling expenses India amounted about $300. It appears that the treasurer the synodical missionary society sent him, some time during the first year, the balance due his salary and little, very little, more, forwarding also about $100 contributed St. John's Church Phila- delphia. evident from the expense account, given above, that the chief sources income for the current mission ex- penses were the gifts the Guntur friends who are credited as having paid $780 (Rs. 1561) total expenditure $985 (Rs. 1970). St. John's Church Philadelphia credited with $140 (Rs. 280) and the synodical missionary society with $68 (Rs. 129), apart from the missionary's salary. Including the salary the Guntur friends paid $112 more than the Missionary Society the Ministerium for the work the latter's mission. In letter dated September 11, 1842, Heyer acknowl- edged the receipt $500 sent the missionary society the Synod South Carolina through the treasurer the General Synod, the Rev. Isaac Baugher. was intended for the pur- chase printing-press but was subsequently used for another purpose. Meanwhile Heyer kept deposit with Mr. Van Somering Madras. The regular bankers the mission funds from the very beginning, however, were Arbuthnot and Co. , Madras. In the list the Mission's early benefactors the American Bible Society and the Madras Auxiliary Society should not omitted. The latter sent Heyer, during the first year, 8oo coples the Gospels, Genesis and the Psalms separately bound, 500 Telugu and 300 Tamil. The former promised to furnish the mission with Telugu Testaments soon they should have been printed. Not only did Heyer himself liberally distribute these books, but also engaged colpor- teur monthly salary $2.50.

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In what have termed his first annual report, wrote an appeal for funds print Luther's Small Catechism Telugu and made the important announcement that lot ground containing two acres had been secured for annual ground-rent $1.25, which was commencing the erec- tion brick building which was planned for use chapel, schoolhouse and missionary's dwelling. The lack proper support from America for the growing mission work added note anxiety some Heyer's earliest expressions joy and hope; and later letters this note sank one keen disappointment. realized that the liberality the Guntur friends could not continue indefinitely, because the English officials were frequently trans- ferred from place place; and did not hesitate say that unless the support sent from America would considerably increased, the Mission must, some time, abandoned. early October, 1842, less than three months after his arrival in Guntur, wrote: 'In case the Church America not willing more than pay the salary the missionary, cannot remain Guntur. " Again, December the same year, said, '" There should draft already the way India. have only small balance remaining the synodical society's money. You can easily imagine how uncomfortable my position would strange land without money. case the Lutheran Church America not willing support this mission properly, you must notify soon possible, and recall me. " month later, though expressing his joy the work foreign missionary and his sincere gratitude for the friendship and support Mr. Stokes, intimated that the meagre support from America caused him feel uncomfort- able, for wrote: 'It seems wrong and unjust that the American Lutheran Mission should depend much for support on member another ecclesiastical body. " Several times he suggested that attempts should made enlist the co-operation missionary societies Germany. Once mentioned possible contributors the Breslau and Koenigs- berg societies, which had formerly helped support Rhenius. Later drew attention the North German Society which

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contemplated mission among the Telugus. What urged especially, however, was union the whole Lutheran Church America behalf the Guntur Mission, suggest- ing that the General Synod's Missionary Society, well the Pennsylvania Ministerium's Society, each might support its own missionary missionaries, subject its own control. proposed division the expense connected with the main- tenance schools and the erection buildings. January, 1843, elaborated this plan, estimating that would cost between $1000 and $1500 build mission house, $600 year support each missionary, several hundred dollars for the salaries native teachers and about $2000 for the other mission expenses. This plan was actually adopted when the General Synod sent out its first missionary, but soon proved to impracticable. During the closing months 1843 and the opening ones 1844 the Mission continued make commendable progress. On January 15th the latter year Heyer baptized three per- sons, man, woman and child, Isaac, Ruth and Prakasam, making six baptisms all since the beginning. Meanwhile events transpiring America had already started another Lutheran missionary, the second from America, the Rev. Walter Gunn, his way Guntur.