అస్తిత్వం కోసం పోరాటం (1871–74)

English original (OCR)

CHAPTER

STRUGGLING FOR EXISTENCE (1871-74)

HEYER remained Rajahmundry only one year and two months reorganize the Mission, and then left charge of two missionaries, both whom were young, inexperienced, unfamiliar with the vernacular and unaccustomed the climate. Sickness overtook them; once Poulsen's life hung in the balance. The Brahmins opposed them, not, indeed, with physical violence but with subtle arguments and with the influence their caste pre-eminence and religious in- tolerance. The Baptist missionaries adjacent districts molested them enticing away their native helpers and proselyting their converts. The Church home failed furnish them with sufficient funds improve the opportuni- ties which presented themselves for the extension the Mission. For seven years they labored patiently and hopefully side side, waiting for other missionaries come over and help them, but waiting vain; and their effort was little more than struggle for the existence the Mission. Schmidt and Poulsen lived the old mission house Rajahmundry with such native servants were required keep house. Schmidt made himself reponsible for the district mission work, and Poulsen took charge the educational work. Early 1871 native Christian teacher was employed Jagganathpuram. His name was Jeremiah. had scarcely begun his work the village, when the Brahmins incited mob burn down the schoolhouse and drive the teacher from the village. Schmidt hastened the scene the dis- turbance and, with the aid government officials, restored order. Thereafter Jeremiah was allowed live and labor without molestation Jagganathpuram. After the hot season Schmidt revisited the place and went far Narsa- 162

English original (OCR)

STRUGGLING FOR EXISTENCE (1871-74) 163

pur, where baptized 13 persons, most whom were adults. On July 1st, Metta, after having baptized 2 adults, Schmidt performed his first marriage ceremony the Mission. Several weeks afterward took possession site Peddahem, secured from the rajah through the efforts Mr. Gribble, the new assistant collector, and work was once begun this new point. In July, 1871, after visit Dowlaishwaram, Jegurupad and Muramunda, ! Poulsen became seriously ill with bilious fever, which lasted for weeks. Captain Taylor and Schmidt nursed him back health. While convalescing spent few weeks Samulkot the mission house which Long had built, but which had long remained unoccupied. Poulsen desired located there permanently, but the Committee and the General Council, 1871, withheld their permission, and the missionaries continued live together Rajah- mundry. In its report the General Council 1871, Rochester, N. Y. , the executive committee the Ministerium Penn- sylvania incorporated the following statistics: Pupils Town Village. Teacher. Christians. Schoenl. 1. Rajahmundry. . . . . . . . . . . . William Amurtayya. . . . . 30 40 2. Muramunda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barnabas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 20 3. Jegurupad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benjamin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 16 4. Metta, 5. Peddahem, } Jacob. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 20 6. Gowripatnam 7. Velpur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathaniel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 14 8. Ifre ) 9. Palakol, . Cee 60 20 16. Jagganathpuram } Jeremiah 11. Peravaram 12. Lolla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 8 Totals. . . . . . . 7 241 138 North and northwest Rajahmundry, distance fifty miles and upward, lies the country the Kois and Reddis, tribes that differ racially and linguistically from the Telugus, having less civilization and caste system. They are probably the remnants aboriginal tribes whom the con- ! Here baptized infant, his first baptism the Mission.

English original (OCR)

164 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

quering Telugus their day drove from the lowlands into the forest-clad and fever-infested hills. missionary had ever visited them, and Schmidt, believing that ought begin work among them, started journey northward from Rajahmundry January 17, 1872, accompanied Paulus and Jeremiah. They took along such medicines were deemed necessary for protection against the dreaded mountain fever, and number firearms and ammunition for the tigers and other wild animals, which were reported be numerous the forests. tent and provisions were sent on ahead bullock cart accompanied coolie bearers. Schmidt rode horse. Sixteen miles were covered the first day. From Purushottapatnam the journey was con- tinued through Ungalur and Devipatnam Yaimigalogudem, the first Kois village visited. When the people this village heard for the first time the Gospel preached them Telugu, which they readily understood, they exclaimed: '"Manchi marta! Entha prema! " (Lovely words! Wonderful love! ). From Mantur the missionary and his helpers proceeded boat the Godavery Katchalur, Reddi village. The region was wild one, and for fear prowling tigers and other savage beasts fire was kept burning all night. The chief industry the natives was found the cutting and preparation bamboo wood. Their staple food was cholam, a kind millet, eaten instead rice which does not thrive the hills. order reach some the inland villages path had hewn with through the dense jungle. The natives had never seen white man; and once, approaching a village, Schmidt found deserted and empty, the villagers having fled for fear the paleface. They hid the sur- rounding jungle, armed with their primitive weapons, bows, arrows and spears, ready fight for their lives. Jeremiah shouted them and assured them that the white man had come mission peace, whereupon they returned the village and listened what the missionary had say them. "It was cause joy see with what avidity they received the Gospel, " wrote Schmidt. "After their first timidity was overcome, found open ears. They said, 'We

English original (OCR)

STRUGGLING FOR EXISTENCE (1871-74) 165

live like wild beasts, separated from men. one has cared for taught the truth; but now will longer pray to stones, but the Living God. " Some said, 'We are too ignorant able believe Jesus. " Few, almost none them, can read write, and could not, therefore, provide for their instruction through books left behind. " February 1oth, Kottapilli, the tour ended, and the 16th the mis- sionary was back Rajahmundry. Great interest was shown by the Telugu converts when the experiences this tour among the Kois and Reddis were related, and four teachers offered themselves and were sent follow the work the missionary. All contracted jungle fever. One died, another lost his reason, and the other two refused remain and continue the work. In June, 1872, small church bell gong, sent from Den- mark Schmidt's brothers, sisters and friends, arrived Rajahmundry and was placed the roof the mission- house. Some time during the same month, James and William, having been graduated from the Boys' Boarding School, began read the Government High School Rajah- mundry, their support being continued patrons America. The following letter, written Father Heyer Somerset, Pa. , his friend, the Rev. P. Isenschmidt Wilmington, Del. , indicates how the system supporting scholarships India originated the General Council: "Dear Brother Christ: Gladly will answer the questions you propose. The Christian education the children con- nected with the Mission certainly the greatest importance. In this respect more should done than has hitherto been done. Every Sunday school our larger congregations might bind itself care for one particular child. There lack of children. The board and clothing child would cost about $18 $20 yearly. The annual expense student would amount about $30 $35. the mission school Rajahmundry there are three boys who ought pre- pared for the holy ministry. Their names are James, Cor- nelius and William. The first named the most talented and is about fifteen sixteen years age. The second son

English original (OCR)

166 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

of the catechist Joseph. The third son Ruth who has hitherto watched faithfully over her children order bring them the fear and admonition the Lord. "! A new missionary's bungalow was built Rajahmundry under Schmidt's supervision 1872, lot opposite the mission house. Poulsen took his bride this new house. He had betrothed himself Henrietta Andersen Denmark before leaving for India, but the executive committee America had felt itself financially unable send out married missionary the time, and she remained Denmark. October 11, 1872, however, she was informed through the Rev. C. W. Groenning that the committee was prepared send her India. She started once, leaving Copenhagen on November 22d. From Trieste she took ship December 1st for Bombay, being the only woman passenger board. In month Bombay was reached. The overland journey Madras lasted two days and two nights. Poulsen met her there, and they were married the Rev. C. FF. Kremmer, Leipsic missionary, January io, 1873. Three days later they started for Rajahmundry, arriving the 17th. Several weeks were spent the bungalow Samulkot, and then they accompanied Schmidt trip the Godavery River. For this trip Captain Taylor loaned them his house-boat. Paulus and Jeremiah again went with the missionaries. "We went, " wrote Schmidt, "partly show those poor people, the Kois and Reddis, that had not forgotten them, and partly see little more the field. " They visited the Nizam's tributary kingdom, going far the Saveri, branch the Godavery. "It was very trying mark their eagerness to taught, " Schmidt reported, "and yet unable promise them the opportunity. " The year 1873 witnessed important conference mis- sionaries laboring among the Telugus, convened Rajah- mundry, undertake the revision the Telugu translation of the Bible. Schmidt, who was member the Revision 1 William was assigned the Rev. Mr. Isenschmidt's congregation Wil- mington, Del. , for support, and ever since that congregation has continued contribute $35 year for the support boy's scholarship India.

English original (OCR)

STRUGGLING FOR EXISTENCE (1871-74) 167

Committee, was able assist the Committee reason his familiarity with the German and Danish translations. The house which the missionaries occupied was the one Valett had built the time his marriage. was the form rectangle and had, was then customary, flat roof. 1873, Schmidt altered it, adding light second story and putting shingle roof, the first its kind South India. The work cost over $sco. interesting note that connection with this building, Schmidt inaugurated the scheme industrial mission work, which afterward tried elaborate. ''At building, " wrote, "I engaged as many our Christians possible, even from the villages. Though gave much more trouble teach them and, perhaps, was hardly cheap could have gotten heathen laborers, nevertheless had the satisfaction seeing that they profited it, and, perhaps, was also their spiritual gain, for they had opportunity come our daily prayers and Scripture readings. . . . The roof shingles teak wood, an unseen thing this country. The first 2000 shingles had to put with own hands before workmen understood the work. Had not got much experience building Brother Poulsen's house last year, would not have been able to succeed with house, where met with not few engineer- ing difficulties. Long ago 1 found the house native merchant circular saw which bought old steel. have now also succeeded making bench for it, and cut the shingles with it. Itis turned coolies, and the whole machine 1 This Revision Committee consisted four ordained missionaries, two whom were Americans. Two native pastors were added the Committee. They worked for month Rajahmundry. Besides the old Telugu versions they used the Hebrew, Septuagint, Vulgate, Sanscrit, Tamil, Canarese, Mah- ratti, Hindustani, English, German and Danish. The Telugu Missions inter- ested this revision and their relative strength that time are given the following table: Adherents. Mission. Missionaries. 1861. 1871. 1. American Baptist, Nellore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 23 6418 2. Hermannsburg Lutheran, Naydupet. . . . . . . . . . . 8 150 3. General Synod Lutheran, Guntur. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 338 2150 4. General Council Lutheran, Rajahmundry. . . . . . 2 20 320 s. Church Missionary Society, Ellore. . . . . . . . . . . . 13 250 1882 6. London Missionary Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 200 y. Plymouth Baptist, Narsapur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 350 1000

English original (OCR)

168 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

cost hardly more than $10. All the new wood have used for the building teak wood. This generally very expensive, but sitting and talking with the wood merchants near the river for half day time managed get cheap. You would have been amused have seen how many people building attracted, but must naturally country where every one will only what and his fathers did. " One the twenty-two converts the year 1873 was Sudra mendicant who, after living for two months among the Christians Rajahmundry, disappeared. Brahmin who attended the mission school, broke his sacred thread and ate with the Christians; but refused baptized for fear being disinherited. Samulkot Poulsen prepared number of inquirers for holy baptism, but when the hour decision came they held back. The missionaries reported that 'no extraordinary spiritual movements had happened the field, " but rejoiced that among the Christians '"'the work the Holy Ghost was going with signs spiritual life. " On September 16, 1873, Schmidt started for Madras, where was meet his fianceé who was coming from Denmark. the way visited other missions order to study their methods. October 3d reached Guntur, where was entertained Missionaries Uhl, Unangst and Harpster, and where, October 5th, preached the sermon at the ordination Pastor Cully who had been the catechist in the Palnad district. spent about month with the Hermannsburg missionaries, whom there were ten. ! reaching Madras learned that his fianceé had been detained in Europe about month, and he, therefore, spent the inter- vening time farther south, visiting number missions. On Christmas Day, 1873, Miss Giovanni Bleshoy landed Bombay, where Missionary Schmidt was waiting for her lead her the altar his wife. They were married Madras the Rev. C. F. Kremmer January 1, 1874. It was double wedding, the other bridegroom being the 1 described their field being about forty miles east and west and fifty miles north and south, with missionaries stationed Gudur (Boettcher, Wahl, Kiehne), Venkatagiri (Theo. Peterson), Kalastri (Woerrlein), Naydupet (Mylius), Sulurpet (Scriba). The baptized membership was 260.

English original (OCR)

STRUGGLING FOR EXISTENCE (1871-74) 169

Rev. Mr. Pedersen the Danish Mission. After the wedding the newly married pair received the Lord's Supper. The Rev. and Mrs. Schmidt reached Rajahmundry January 17th. While Schmidt was away Poulsen and his wife were seriously ill with fever. "My poor wife, " wrote Poulsen, "in spite her great distress and anxiety, was not only nurse for body but also for soul. How glad was when she now and then repeated word love from our dear Saviour's lips. The English people were very kind her and me. To Henry! owe our greatest thanks. After working all day would insist coming every night; and what he did, did with love. " The year 1874? began atmosphere gladness and hope. Both the missionaries had loving and faithful help- meets their sides, who shared with them the discourage- ments well the joys the work. the home the Poulsens happy event occurred February 21st, when daughter was born, who was baptized her father three days afterward and given the name-Agnes Martha Henrietta. Three teachers were sent the hill country January, 1874, two whom returned Rajahmundry within month, sick with hill fever. The third, Prakasem located Konda- modalu, near the gorge the Godavery, was visited Schmidt March; but immediately thereafter also was obliged leave account illness. Schmidt made effort secure number boys from the hill country educated Rajahmundry, but met with the opposition their parents who lamented "as though they were asked send their sons another world. " his way home paid a visit Peddahem, where service the new schoolhouse he administered the Lord's Supper -fifteen persons. greatly were the villagers interested the visit the mis- ! Jeriprolu Henry was native convert whom Rev. C. W. Groenning had brought with him from Guntur Rajahmundry. was the father large family which every member has been the employ the Mission. His wife was Ruth, already mentioned; one his sons, William, native Chris- tian pastor the Mission to-day. 2 During 1873 nine children and thirteen adults were baptized the mis- sionaries. 3 This man, Namabattula Prakasem, still the service the mission.

English original (OCR)

170 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

sionary that the schoolhouse was surrounded all day long by them, even the headman the village attending the morning service and sitting inside the building among the outcast Christians. Early 1874 the Canadian Baptist (Ontario and Quebec) Missionary Society established its first station the Telugu country Coconada the coast, eight miles from Samulkot. The Rev. Mr. McLaurin was their first missionary. offered buy the mission house Samulkot, but his offer was declined. refused agree any policy mission comity and openly worked against our missionaries. "I asked him, " Schmidt reported, "whether could and should agree that neither would interfere with the other's work, but he did not like promise take none our Christians. " As indicated report mission conference native Christian teachers July, 1874, the missionaries instructed their helpers Bible history, church history, the catechism, and the public reading the Sacred Scriptures with running comments. explanation Luther's Small Cate- chism, prepared and published the Hermannsburg mis- sionaries, was introduced this time. By the close the year the two hundredth person was baptized, counting all who had received the sacrament since the reorganization under Heyer five years before. Among the converts 1874 were two caste women, one whom had been opium-eater for thirty years. Another convert, old man living Korukonda, gave one his houses that village the Mission for school purposes, and teacher was sent there; but after repeated attacks fever returned Rajahmundry. Poulsen, however, regularly visited the village to preach the Gospel the times the great festivals there. When the wife the Korukonda convert became sick, shortly after his conversion, the villagers tried his faith asking him why was that sickness should enter his home and that the Christian teacher should have been obliged leave ac- count fever, the God whom they believed really forgave sins and healed iniquities? Despite their taunts the convert remained faithful Christ. Subsequently, heathen

English original (OCR)

STRUGGLING FOR EXISTENCE (1871-774) 171

festival, Poulsen found the Baptist missionary from Coconada and three his native helpers the village preaching and distributing tracts. One the Baptist helpers conversa- tion with the Korukonda convert! told him that was not true Christian, because had not been properly baptized. Deeply troubled, went Missionary Poulsen for instruc- tion concerning this matter. 'In all the villages where have Christians, " Poulsen complained, "the Baptist agents try to proselyte, and the Baptist missionary contemptuously calls and other Protestants 'sprinklers. ' " In the congregations and synods the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church North America foreign mission interest and effort grew very slowly during the first five years the history its Telugu Mission India. The Executive Committee the Pennsylvania Ministe- rium, which had been appointed the General Council act its committee foreign missions, experienced con- siderable difficulty providing sufficient money finance the India Mission. ? Regarding the income reported, 1 This man was subsequently bitten snake peculiarly virulent poi- son, which caused him lose joint after joint fingers and toes, until death brought relief. course this misfortune was attributed the power the angry gods. This incident hindered the growth the Mission for many years in that locality. ? The following list the expenditures during the first fourteen months: C. F. Heyer, travelling expenses and outfit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8562 C. F. Heyer, salary, October 23, 1869 October 23, 1870. . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 C. F. J. Becker, travelling expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cooveiiiino. . . 425 C. F. J. Becker, salary, February May. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 H. C. Schmidt, travelling expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cc. . . on. 400 H. C. Schmidt, salary, one quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o. ciiionn. . . 125 I. K. Poulsen, travelling expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . c. oouiniiiinenn. . 450 Salary two catechists, 11 months, $7.50each. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Repairs and taxes. . . . . . . . . . iii 59 Repairs contracted for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Total. . . $3011 With regard the money due the Church Missionary Society, which had paid the catechists' salaries before the transfer the Mission the General Council, the Executive Committee the Pennsylvania Ministerium passed the following resolution, April 5, 1870: "Resolved, That the Secretary instructed to apply the General Synod for their proportion the money due the Church Missionary Society, and the treasurer authorized pay our part, and that, if the General Synod refuses, pay the whole. " appears that the whole indebtedness amounted $178, gold, which the Executive Committee eventually paid full.

English original (OCR)

172 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

1870, the General Council follows: 'Your committee has with great difficulty secured the money meet the ex- penses. Irom most the synods not cent has been received. The treasurer the General Council, Mr. C. F. Norton, ad- vanced $896.69, which has not yet been repaid full. The resolution the General Council last year, 'that the General Council pledges itself vigorously and faithfully support the foreign mission work, ' greatly encouraged your committee the beginning the year; but they greatly regret that their hopes and expectations have been realized small extent. " Nevertheless the committee managed make ends meet. During the year 1870-71 the income rose from $2480.49 to $3065. and the expenditures from $2065.74 $2861.22. The New York Ministerium again contributed liberally during this year. The next year the contributions amounted $4352.11, the expenditures only $2276.29, leaving bal- ance $2279.50. The account from year year continued to show balance, due, one can readily see, not much to steady increase income the enforcement econ- omy the mission work. The expenditures India! were greater than the amount the remittances from America. They were met, however, contributions friendly English residents Rajahmundry, 1 The following exhibit all expenditures India: 1872. 1873. 1874. Rs. As. Ps. Rs. As. Ps. Rs. As. Ps. Salaries missionaries. . . . . . . . . 2574. . . . 4000. . . . 4244 Salaries catechists. . . . . . . . . . . 500 15 6 500. . . . 480 Travelling expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . 147 6 7 125 0 © Hill allowance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Support pupils Sunday schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184. . . . 340. . . . 420 Rebuilding Poulsen's house. . . . .1507 3 2 Dr. Heyer''s class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Easter presents helpers. . . . . . 68 Repairs mission-house. . . . . . . . . . 028 Taxes, postage, etC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cee 30. . . . 12 6 6 Repairs, taxes, building. . . . . . . . . . . a. 764 7 8 Deficit. . . . . . . . . ooiiii. . . . 100. . . . 736. . . . 450 6 0 Totals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5283 ¢ © 6554 6505 14 8 During these years the value rupee was estimated cents.

English original (OCR)

STRUGGLING FOR EXISTENCE (1871-74) 173

by the rental the bungalow Samulkot, and special efforts the part Schmidt who actually resorted the sale photographs and the repair watches, sewing machines and other mechanical devices order not create mission indebtedness. The salaries the missionaries were increased after their marriage, each receiving Rs. 2000 $1000 year. The salaries the catechists amounted Rs. 500, each receiving Rs. 250 $125 year. third item expenditure which bulked large was for building and repairs. The Pennsylvania Ministerium's Executive Committee Missions and Education continued direct the affairs the Mission India until the year 1876. This committee con- sisted the four officers the synod, the president the synod being ex-officio the chairman the committee, the five presidents conferences and ten additional members, five ministers and five laymen, elected annually. The treasurer of the General Council was the treasurer the foreign mis- sion funds. ! 1 Those, therefore, whom the care and control the Telugu Mission were entrusted during this period were the Rev. C. W. Schaeffer, D. D. , chairman from 1869 1873; the Rev. E. Greenwald, D. D. , chairman from 1873 1876; the Rev. B. M. Schmucker, D. D. , English secretary from 1869 1875; the Rev. J. Fry, D. D. , English secretary 1876; the Rev. J. J. Kuendig, German secretary from 1869 1873; the Rev. S. K. Brobst, German secretary from 1873 to 1876. Although the secretaries the synod were members the committee, the committee annually elected its own English and German secretaries. Others who served for longer shorter period this committee were the Revs. B. W. Schmauk, F. Waltz, J. W. Hassler, H. Grahn, F. J. F. Schantz, G. F. Spieker and Mr. A. T. Geissenhainer, all virtue their offices the synod. The laymen most prominently connected with the work the committee were Messrs. H. H. Muehlenberg, M. D. , H. Trexler, F. Lauer, A. W. Potteiger, H. L. Mattes and John Endlich.