ఫారిన్ మిషనరీ సొసైటీ యొక్క ఫీల్డ్

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CHAPTER

THE FIELD THE FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY

AT the close the year 1851, after Ellore had been aban- doned station, the American Evangelical Lutheran Mis- sion India, under the control The Foreign Missionary Society the General Synod, occupied three strategic points in the Telugu country: Guntur the south, Rajahmundry on the north, and the Palnad district, west Guntur. Apart from Heyer's work the Palnad district, however, practically no work was done outside the towns Guntur and Rajah- mundry. Valett left Rajahmundry soon after his transfer The Foreign Missionary Society. had been India seven years and desired return Germany furlough. was permitted and left Rajahmundry March 9, 1851. After the expiration his furlough The Foreign Missionary Society's executive committee dispensed with his services the ground financial stringency. returned India, however, missionary the London Missionary Society, and labored Bellary and Chicacole for seven years, from 1852 1859. Later accepted pastorate Hannover, Germany, became Superintendent with residence Sand- stedt, near Bremen, and continued this office until 1887, when retired pension. died Bremen March 23, 1892, aged seventy-nine years. Heise continued the mission work Rajalimundry. an official communication Rev. Jacob Z. Senderling, cor- responding secretary The Foreign Missionary Society, wrote, April 7, 1851, follows: "I shall endeavor give you, according your just wishes, brief description the place and district Rajah- mundry from the missionary point view, and also short 95

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account the mission work and the present state the mission. "By the natives the town Rajahmundry called Rajah- mahendrawaram, which means the great King Indrudu's gift. very ancient town about 14,000 inhabitants, situated the N. E. side the Godavery River, and the seat two judges, one collector and two assistant collectors. Four miles the south Dowlaishwaram, place recently become much importance consequence the anicut dam, built four miles long across the Godavery, preventing the water from flowing into the sea its natural course and leading great system canals into the surrounding country for irrigation purposes. this great work Col. Cotton, sincere follower our Lord Jesus Christ, and about twelve engineers are employed. Under them are great many sub-officers and about nine thousand native laborers. To the south Dowlaishwaram lies the very fertile Godavery delta with its densely populated villages and towns, among which there are several importance for missionary opera- tions, such Coconada and Koringa. Two other important places are Pittapur and Peddapur, residences native princes. Only two miles from Peddapur Samulkot, large place and military station with one regiment native in- fantry. "The population the Rajahmundry district about 700,000. The people generally surround the preacher, seem- ingly paying attention, but the larger number hearers dare scarcely compare with the wayside our Lord's parable, for they not allow the Word reach their hearts. There are others, however, who are dissatisfied with their philo- sophical religion and appear more inclined pay heed to the Gospel. general the people are civil and oblig- ing disposition and are given their religion and customs, because their reverence for everything that has come down from their forefathers, and because they are carnally minded. . . . The visible fruits our missionary labors are rather meagre. Only four adults have been received into the Church Holy Baptism. Considering our unworthiness,

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THE FIELD THE FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY

the difficulties with which must contend and the power Satan the land, have doubt but that you feel grateful with for these firstfruits. Besides the daily devotions with our servants, which others are permitted attend, conduct divine service Telugu every Sunday, and every Sunday evening English service for the English residents and East Indians who desire attend. Recently also began Telugu services Dowlaishwaram. did the invitation number Christian people residing there. Since Mr. Valett has left alone the station, have not been able hold regular services there Sunday, but during the week preach and examine the school which supported one the engineers work the anicut. Preaching and conversation with inquirers who come our homes occupy most our time. Though have not many converts, perceive that the name our blessed Lord being made known this district. "The number boys our English school, which during the past two years, particular, had been charge Brother Valett, has fallen off since his departure, and present the school enrolls only nineteen boys. Upon the desire some natives, Telugu school has been begun village near Rajah- mundry. ! About twelve boys attend. The teacher one our converts. His pay Rs. 5 per month. present the monthly expense the English school Rs. 33 (about 15 dollars). Rs. 4 are paid for peon and ten annas for sweeper-woman. The regular monthly subscription English residents toward the school fund amounts Rs. 47. Rs. 1oco have accumulated as school fund, and have been invested. The interest now amounts Rs. 150. have balance hand, not yet deposited, Rs. 3935, that the total school fund amounts Rs. 1545. There are also two other small sums hand, namely, Rs. 50, given sink well the mission compound, and Rs. 53, given purchase tents. the mission also entrusted poor fund, the monthly contributions amounting to between Rs. 30 and 40, which the missionaries may dis- tribute according their best judgment. More than thirty 1 Probably Muramunda.

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poor people receive alms daily and, the same time, hear the preaching the Word. Native Christian helpers have, the present time, none. Last year were obliged to discharge our catechist for neglect duty. The work the station has never been interrupted. one the mis- sionaries was out the district, the other remained the station. Though Brother Valett was obliged leave the station during the hot season, was permitted our good Lord remain and attend the duties here every hot season since arrival this country. . . . present alone this station but hope that whose work are engaged will soon your instrumentality send others help destroy the works the devil and preach the cross our Lord Jesus Christ, which alone sinners can obtain that which needed stand before God and obtain peace, joy and life eternal. " Heise's wish for co-laborer was soon gratified. was joined, early 1852, the Rev. W. J. Cutter and his wife, Margaret, for while Snyder remained Guntur, Cutter pro- ceeded once Rahjahmundry, where took charge the Anglo-vernacular school; and Mrs. Cutter established the first girls' school. Cutter worked zealously that the end of the year five schools were established with total enroll- ment 175 pupils; and Mohammedan department was added the English school, only, however, almost im- mediately abandoned. During this period comparatively rapid development, Heyer, still the missionary the Pennsylvania Ministerium, was doing splendid work the Palnad. the 39 converts of his first years' work added 125 before the close 1850, and soon thereafter, February, 1851, realizing that the growth the mission depended upon the training and em- ployment efficient native Christian helpers, reopened the boys' boarding school Gurjal with 12 pupils. The First English Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, whose Sunday school he had written about this school, sent $50 for the education of two the boarding boys, stipulating that the beneficiaries were bear the names Martin Luther and William Passa-

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THE FIELD THE FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY

vant. Similar conditions, though odd enough, itmust admitted, were not infrequently attached gifts for the sup- port boys girls mission schools. Heyer simply added the desired names the baptismal names his pupils, calling one John Martin Luther and the other William Barnabas Passavant. Another significant thing that Heyer did, 1851, was translate Luther's Small Catechism into Telugu, which small edition was printed Madras. Hastening Guntur to with the dying Gunn during the last days his life earth, returned Gurjal immediately after the funeral. Three girls were admitted the boarding school the fall 1851, for whose support Miss Harriet Weyman Pittsburgh contributed $50 annually for number years. At the opening the new school-year January, 1852, the boarding school enrolled 21 pupils. Heyer conducted the school his little house Gurjal. difficult under- stand how, with the meagre accommodations, was possible for him so. His work the Palnad district ended February, 1853. In four years had baptized less than 243 persons, ! nearly all them being the weaver and farmer castes; 35 adults were counted communicants. Gurjal, Polepalli, Vel- durti and Macherla small schoolhouses built stone average cost $40 each had been erected. The lots were enclosed stone walls and used part Christian ceme- teries. eight other villages schools had been more less regularly conducted, all which were attended Christian children only, "the children heathen parents not being excluded but excluding themselves. " All the seven school teachers employed were Christian converts, were also the catechist and the two colporteurs the district. At the suggestion the Executive Committee The For- ! Recorded follows: Polepalli, February 12, 1849, 22 persons; May 27, 1849, 11; Veldurti, September 23d, 4; Gurjal, October sth, 2; Polepalli, Decem- ber 15, 1850, 29; Kolacotta, December 15th, 22; Veldurti, December 17th, 44; Macherla, December 19th, 30; Polepalli, April 13, 1851, 1; Gurjal, April 27th, 4; Veldurti, February 20, 1852, 1; Polepalli, February 22d, 8; Gurjal, June 27th, 18; Adigopula, August 29th, 19; Macherla, September 26th, 13; Gurjal, December 28th, 6; Polepalli, January 15, 1853, 0.

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eign Missionary Society the missionaries, five number, met and organized January 31, 1853, Guntur, the first "Lutheran Synod India' for mutual counsel and encour- agement. Heyer was elected president and Snyder secretary. The synod decided that Heyer and Groenning should exchange stations. Heyer, therefore, remained Guntur and Groen- ning, February 14th, moved Gurjal. Mrs. Gunn had not left India after the death her hus- band but had remained Guntur, the call the Execu- tive Committee, retain charge the girls' school one- half the salary paid her deceased husband, thus becoming the first regularly called and salaried woman missionary the American Evangelical Lutheran Mission India. Her school enrolled forty girls whom she imparted the elements knowledge, the truths Christianity and some proficiency the art sewing. She managed the school for little more than year and then returned the United States, Mrs. Groenning succeeding her. After Mrs. Groenning left with her husband for the Palnad district, Mrs. Snyder took charge and was the manager the school for year and half, until she died Guntur, September 3, 1854. Ten years had now elapsed since Heyer had established the mission Guntur, and was again charge that station; but the progress had been slow that only fifteen adult communicants belonged the congregation. One hundred and fifty pupils were enrolled six schools, and eight teachers, all Christians, were employed. ! The mission property Guntur consisted the house which Gunn had built, valued $650, another missionary's bungalow, pur- chased for $760, chapel costing $200, and two schoolhouses, each worth about $25. Heyer had brought four the boys from his Gurjal board- ing school Guntur, and with these, together with three from Guntur, began the first regular boarding school for boys Guntur. 1 Stephen had charge the Telugu school the mission house. Aaron was his assistant. Peter taught the school Nevalikanner, Ezra Kot- lamur, Simeon Moparti. Rebecca, the wife Stephen, and Walter were employed the girls' school.

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THE FIELD THE FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY IOI

Although Mr. Stokes longer resided Guntur, having been appointed Collector Madras, continued con- tribute regularly the mission, offering, 1853, give Rs. 1000 toward the erection two suitable bungalows for missionaries the Palnad district, one located at Polepalli, and each cost approximately Rs. 1500, provided second missionary were stationed the dis- trict. His condition could not met and 'his offer was withdrawn. On January 1, 1854, all the missionaries met Rajah- mundry attend the second meeting the "Synod, " which was opened with service and sermon Telugu Rev. C. W. Groenning, most appropriately based John 6:27. The five foreign missionaries and fourteen native Christians partook the holy communion. more than likely, although not expressly recorded, that some these natives Christians had accompanied the missionaries from Guntur and the Palnad, for there were not yet many adult communicants con- nected with the Rajahmundry congregation. the after- noon another Telugu service was held, Rev. C. F. Heyer preaching the sermon. The business session began the next morning and continued until Thursday morning. Groenning was elected president and Cutter secretary. his report Heyer recommended that steps taken unite all Lutheran missionaries India one general synod, proposal which is still, after more than fifty years, consummation devoutly to wished. interesting note that the following Ilit- urgy was adopted the one used everywhere the mission: 1. Hymn. 2. Prayer, kneeling. 3. Scripture lesson. 4. Hymn. 35. Sermon. 6. Hymn. 7. Prayer, standing. 8. Benediction. Three young native Christians were recom- mended for training catechists and future pastors, namely: Chinsa Ramurdu Rajahmundry, aged twenty-two; William Barnabas Passavant the Palnad, aged sixteen; and Joseph of Guntur, aged fourteen. The following table statistics was prepared and sent The Foreign Missionary Society. gives bird's-eye view of the whole mission the close the year 1853:

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Boarding Other Baptisms! Schools Schools pm Am, ⁷ a 4 0 5 3 2 ²² p= p= = 2 2 = 8 5 3 5 245 5 3 3 HO 2 0 2d & & 6 Guntur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 9 1 6 6 140 10 Rajahmundry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 13 1 ©O0 4 8 225 Palpad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 10 36 1 2 4 1 15 6 70 6 Totals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 13 8 17 11 9 2 21 20 435 25 Heyer became the Rajahmundry missionary the begin- ning the year 1855. was joined Snyder February, Cutter going Guntur assist Groenning with the work there and the Palnad, which was left without resident missionary. Heise left furlough April 1, 1855, account of protracted illness after trip three weeks steamboat, one hundred and forty miles the Godavery River, the guest Col. Cotton. The minutes the third annual meeting the First Lutheran Synod India, held Guntur, February 3, 1855, refer terrible epidemic the Palnad during the hot season 1854, and the death Christians from this dreadful disease. Other deaths recorded were those Emily, infant daughter Rev. and Mrs. Snyder, May; Walter Gunn, infant son Rev. and Mrs. Cutter, June; and Mrs. Snyder September. The minutes also contain resolution, recommending allowance $5 month for each child a missionary until had reached the age twelve years, and fixed allowance each missionary for furniture. The appointment treasurer India was recommended. had been the practice the Executive Committee this time send its remittances through the Rev. Mr. Wins- low Madras, the agent the American Board Com- missioners for Foreign Missions. The growth the Mission during the year 1854 may ! The whole number baptisms Guntur from the beginning July 1854, was 104.

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COCOANUT PALMS INDIA

A MANGO TREE

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Dhpd nally

A BANYAN TREE

of the tree with its The elephant under this tree gives good idea the size numerous aerial roots,

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THE FIELD THE FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY 103

noted comparing the preceding table statistics with the following one: Baptisms ~~ Schools for Pupils Teachers - mn, PUD (70) = Ss =

«< 3 [F]

~ IS) $2 - ⁷⁷ --

S00 IRE 2m Guntur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 7 2 6 1 70 20 6 1 Rajahmundry. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 14 7 3 1 8 1 176 27 8 1 Palnad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 40 2 6 12 6 0 55 7 6 Totals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8 16 15 20 2 301 54 20 2 The receipts India for the year, exclusive the mis- sionaries' salaries, were Rs. 1031; the expenditures, Rs. 1116; and the estimated expenses for the coming year were Rs. 2100. The salaries the missionaries amounted $3200, the average for each missionary being $650 year. While the congregation Guntur was larger than the one in Rajahmundry, the educational work the latter place was more promising than the former. Heyer was the manager of the Anglo-vernacular school which enrolled 68 pupils 1855, and Snyder was the manager the Telugu schools, one of which was girls' school charge Susanna Lavel, con- vert, the wife Chinsa Ramurdu, Brahmin. Unfortunately, this first native Christian female teacher died September, 1855. Heyer also established boys' boarding school for the training native workers, beginning with three boys who had followed him from Guntur, William Barnabas Passavant, John Martin Luther and Enoch, who, the beneficiaries the Sunday school the First Lutheran Church Pitts- burgh, remained under his personal care and supervision, and two boys from Rajahmundry, Jacob and Peeru. Snyder remained Rajahmundry only short time. physical collapse, subsequent his heroic but unsuccessful effort save the life William Barnabas Passavant, who was drowned tank Rajahmundry, forced him leave India, March 24, 1856. About two months earlier Cutter with his wife and children had left Guntur account

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Mrs. Cutter's serious nervous depression. They reached New York May 30, 1856, and Snyder landed there about two months later. Only two missionaries remained India, Heyer Rajahmundry and Groenning Guntur. A loss serious that any missionary was the departure Mr. and Mrs. Stokes for England 1856. Writing from Denver, Norfolk, England, under date August 31, 1856, Mr. Stokes assured the Executive Com- mittee The Foreign Mission Society his continued interest its Telugu Mission, encouraged send more missionaries and money, and relieved every financial in- debtedness him. The committee frequently corresponded with him England, consulted him about the Mission and received both advice and contributions; but his interest was gradually absorbed the Church Missionary Society, which became ardent supporter. died England in 1889. If seek for the causes the comparatively slow prog- ress the Telugu Mission during the first decade, find them, first all, the small force foreign missionaries and the meagre financial support the Church America. Had not the English residents Guntur, led Collector Stokes, and Rajahmundry, Colonel Cotton, generously supported the missionaries, especially the educational work, the results would, indeed, have been insignificant. what extent the English residents Guntur aided the mis- sionaries there and the Palnad has already been told. What part the English residents Rajahmundry took the mission work may observed from the fact that Rs. 1300 required 1854 for the work that station, Rs. 1000 were contributed Colonel Cotton and others, leaving balance of only Rs. 300 (about $125) provided from America. Nor was that exceptional year. Every year the contri- butions were proportionately the same. really surpris- ing how little, apart from the salaries the missionaries, The Foreign Missionary Society spent the Rajahmundry work. Besides their contributions money, the English resi- dents sought aid the missionaries demanding their

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servants regular attendance the Telugu services conducted by the missionaries; but the minds and hearts such attend- ants did not prove good ground. 1853 the con- straint was removed from the native servants Rajahmun- dry and, probably also, Guntur, and though the attendance at the Telugu services was decreased, those who attended came voluntarily, and the number converts increased more rapidly thereafter. Another cause for the slow increase the number converts was the practical confinement evangelistic work to the towns Guntur and Rajahmundry. the Palnad, where most converts were made, the missionary toured the district; but the Guntur and Rajahmundry missionaries, obliged look after their school work, rarely went out into the villages the surrounding districts preach. More- over, there were native helpers prepare the way for the foreign missionary follow his work when did preach the district; and without competent native assist- ance district work practically fruitless. first the mis- sionaries did good deal preaching the bazaars and streets Guntur and Rajahmundry, speaking any crowd which might attracted and gathered about them; but they gradually discontinued this practice unsatisfactory and relied more upon the educational work evangelizing agency, inasmuch the children Hindu, well Chris- tian parentage, attending the schools, received instruction in Bible truths and facts. Before the missionaries could hope for any extensive success, was necessary for them raise up, train and em- ploy numerous band competent native Christian helpers -teachers, evangelists and catechists-to work with the mis- sionary and, his absence, under his general oversight and supervision. Heyer, have noticed, was the founder the boarding schools for Christian boys, which are training- schools for native workers, the Palnad, Guntur and Rajahmundry; but many years were elapse before these schools furnished native helpers any considerable number and any competent ability. The first teachers employed

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by Heyer and Gunn were Hindus, the missionaries supple- menting the instruction devoting several hours daily the teaching Christian truth. The Christian teachers who were engaged first, were recent converts, raw material, uneducated men, untrained workers, even though sincere and faithful Christians. Little could expected them, and they accomplished little. Nevertheless, for the time and energy expended, the American Evangelical Lutheran Mission the Telugu country showed good results any other mission South India during the first decade its history.