నిరుత్సాహపరిచే కష్టాలు (1875–77)

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CHAPTER

DISHEARTENING DIFFICULTIES (1875-77)

THE years 1875 1877 were crowded with disheartening difficulties. Famine and cholera prevailed the land. Both of the missionaries were ill with jungle fever much the time. Little progress was made the mission work. Schmidt clung the hope establishing number out- stations the hill country. Undaunted his previous failures, started another trip the Godavery River in February, 1875, accompanied his wife, Captain Taylor's house-boat. This time went farther than before, but jungle fever stopped his progress into the interior the Nizam's kingdom and drove him haste back Rajah- mundry; eleven his party, including himself and his wife, were sick with fever. was seriously ill for months, and years elapsed before fully recovered. After having returned from vacation the sea-shore, undertook the building a house-boat for the Mission his own expense. Meanwhile Poulsen took charge the district work; but while visit to Korukonda October, that year, also contracted the jungle fever. recovered from more rapidly than his co-laborer. ! While Velpur November, 1875, Poulsen found the Bap- tists there pursuing their usual tactics. "Our Baptist neigh- bors, " Schmidt remarked, "have lots money. They almost buy our people; and, sorry say, many cannot resist the temptation. teacher whom paid Rs. 7 month but whom excommunicated account adultery, they em- ployed, paying him Rs. 20, almost three times much. Now they have five six missionary families our field, one living ! Poulsen ascribed his speedy recovery nourishing diet. Even Poul- sen's horse got the fever. "The heathen, " wrote, "go their stupid native doctors, who tell the fever patients that they must starve. consequence some actually die starvation rather than fever. " 174

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Missionary's This house was built Dr. H. C, the home Dr. and Mrs, Rajahmundry.

"RIVERDALE"

home Rajahmundry. Schmidt, who occupied with his family. was J. H. Harpster during their residence now occupied women missionaries.

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"TIE DOVE

Iouse-hoat built

- "THE

A mission house-boat, which there are the missionaries travel through

OF PEACE"

Dr. H, C. Schmidt

AUGUSTANN"

now three the mission. these boats the canals from village village.

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DISHEARTENING DIFFICULTIES (1875-77) 175

at Samulkot. cannot accept comfort when Baptist tells that people taken them are still the fruits our work and that, when the Lord will come judgment, will give and not them the crowns for these converts. " Some time January, 1876, Schmidt left Rajahmundry for Madras, the advice his physician. There and his wife lived for while the mission house the Leipsic Society, its missionary having returned Germany furlough. They returned Rajahmundry April, greatly benefited the change environment and the superior medical treatment. For the next few months Schmidt devoted himself entirely the building the house-boat. The boarding-school boys and native Christians were employed as carpenters and blacksmiths. 'The Dove Peace, " the boat was afterward named, was 40 feet long and 12 feet wide. cabin with seven windows and skylight was built near the bow. Amidships were dining-room and bath- room. the stern were the kitchen and the quarters for the natives. Selected teak wood was used the construction every part. When the boat was finished was launched under Schmidt's supervision. The river bank was fully half a mile away, and everyone said that could not get the boat safely from the yard the river. "Nobody believed as ship-builder, good wife not excepted, " wrote Schmidt. "When caulked the hoat before moving it, they predicted that this work would vain, because the shaking the boat would get the way the river. When the day for the launching came had bad attack fever. Early the morning commenced the task with one hundred men. Large beams were fastened across the vessel. Trees which stood in the way were cut down. gate and part fence were removed. 8 o'clock had lie down and thereafter remained bed. wife informed from time time how they got on, and gave orders from bed through her. 4 o'clock the boat was the water. She did not leak a drop! " must have been like playing chess blindfolded and winning the game. The "Dove Peace" made her maiden voyage the

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176 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Godavery, towed steamer, August 4, 1876, the day of the sixth anniversary Schmidt's arrival Rajahmundry. It cost Rs. 600 build the boat, which the missionary paid out his private purse, securing the necessary funds sell- ing photographs and disposing some property which had bought Dowlaishwaram. He, therefore, claimed the boat his personal property, and the Executive Committee allowed the claim, granting him, moreover, the sum $40 a year for the wages captain. Seventy-two Christians, representing fourteen families, were connected with the congregation Rajahmundry 1876; but the old mission house which they worshipped, was falling into state decay and needed rebuilding. Schmidt appealed friends Schleswig, who sent him about $300. The Executive Committee America also appealed for funds and authorized the reconstruction the old building. This gave the missionary opportunity con- tinue his industrial school. Carpenter- and blacksmith-shops, a saw-pit and lumber-yard were soon located the mission compound, which again began place great activity, much the joy the missionary. Another pet project inaugurated Schmidt, 1876, was the purchase land for the endowment congregations. began securing some land Velpur and permitting the Christians cultivate it, with the understanding that they were pay for their several portions three four years. He also loaned small sums money them without interest. Because its bearing the history the Mission, Schmidt's scheme land endowment ought understood. letter the corresponding secretary the committee America, the Rev. B. M. Schmucker, D. D. , under date October 12, 1876, outlined the scheme follows: "The heathen temples are richly endowed with land; but our present government upholds only the old endowments and gives land temples churches now. considering all this, came the conclusion that would best procure land in connection with the native churches. shall work toward that object; but evident that can very little personally.

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DISHEARTENING DIFFICULTIES (1875-77) 275

As far can see now, would require $600 procure land sufficient for the support native pastor, with the pay our native catechists receive, and least $400 for lower grade of workers. This means buy land when there oppor- tunity get cheap. would then have build small, substantial church, and procure proper documents that such and such land belongs this that church, and that the minister who should supported must belong the Lutheran Church. Other rules for management could added, that every member should have work certain days the year for his minister, etc. The advantages such arrangement would be: 1. That independent native churches would established; 2. That the increase the minister's salary would depend the help the congregation, and that he, therefore, would have care for them well they for him. The qualifications the minister would, course time, also depend the pay they raise for him. 3. That more brotherly feeling would exist between the mis- sionary and his native ministers spite difference pay, as each would draw his pay from his own country and remain a son his own soil, and the one would longer the servant the other. would begin with our present catechists, though they would, perhaps, prefer ready money. We would then require $1200, and perhaps two rich men two rich congregations America would like give that sum. Some may say that such arrangements would entangle the minister worldly business. such would say: 1. That St. Paul could earn his daily bread and still Apostle, while our case the minister would only have get his land cultivated others; 2. That the emoluments the ministers Denmark are that kind, and perhaps all Europe; 3. That this leaves sufficient room for the congre- gation act differently afterward, would provide for only small pay and either more land ready money would have added. endowment this kind must remain Lutheran even after every Lutheran missionary would gone. " In 1876 Schmidt and Poulsen agreed division the 12

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178 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

mission field. The former chose Paulus his catechist; the latter, Joseph. Besides the congregation Rajahmundry, Schmidt took charge Dowlaishwaram, where there were nine Christians; Velpur, where there were thirty-two; Jagga- nathpuram, where there were sixteen; Mallipudi, where there was one family; and Argatipalem. All these were south Rajahmundry. His out-stations the north were Metta, where there were three Christians; Gowripatnam, where there were ten; and Peddahem, where there were sixteen. also made himself responsible for the work the hill country, whither sent teacher, paying him twice the salary usually paid this grade workers, and made another attempt visit the villages the Kois and Reddis, but with other results than renewed attacks jungle fever. Poulsen's out-stations were Muramunda, where there were thirty-eight Christians and school ten children; Jeguru- pad, where there were twenty-seven Christians and school which was taught the Muramunda teacher, who devoted his mornings the one village and his afternoons the other; Dulla, where Sudra who afterward became evangelist, was baptized 1875; ! Peravaram, where there were fourteen Christians and school six children; Lolla, where there was a Christian family; and Amalapur, large village nearer the coast, which the Baptists were very aggressive. Other places which Poulsen visited were Samulkot, Jaggampet, Gokavaram, Rajanagaram and Korukonda. For some time a teacher was stationed Korukonda. afterward went over the Baptists. The Boys' School Rajahmundry was charge Poulsen, assisted Paulus and Joseph. was primary school which enrolled thirty pupils, six whom occupied "the boarding house, " small building Poulsen's compound. Three them attended the Government College, ? the others the ! Having broken his caste becoming Christian, his wife left him and with their child, returned her mother's home. 2 William, James and Raya Paradesi. Some years later the last named lost his reason and was placed asylum Vizagapatam, where still liv- ing. His wife, Anna, became Bible woman the zenana work. She died of cholera 1912.

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DISHEARTENING DIFFICULTIES (1875-77) 179

Third Elementary School the town. All the boarders came Poulsen's house several times week for one two hours the morning receive religious instruction. The whole number baptisms the Mission from 1869 1876 was 272. The losses death, removal and backsliding during that period amounted 40. The number native Christian workers had remained about stationary since the beginning; but only one the teachers mission employ 18609 remained 1876. slow had been the progress the work that Schmidt wrote 1876: "Ever since Mr. Groeuning and Mr. Long ceased their work Rajahmundry, this station and Samulkot have given the impression decline and decay. The property the Mission and the number Christians remain almost statu quo. little more than keep our Mission alive. " During 1876 and 1877 fearful famine, accompanied cholera and other diseases, prevailed South India. ! The Godavery district was not severely affected the districts farther south; yet Rajahmundry the price provisions rose rapidly, and throughout the district cholera, small-pox and fever claimed many victims. There was much suffering and distress. From one Schmidt's letters quote the following description: 'I had number jewels for which advanced money distressed persons, both Christians and heathen. As not exact interest, great help the poor people. Many are reduced skin and bones. should not wish you to witness the sights see every Sunday, the day have appointed for the poor come and receive their mites. the south must terrible. That mothers offer their off- spring for sale frequently happens. Lately poor wretches have even been found eating human flesh. The hand the Lord lies heavily upon this land; but movement toward the True God nowhere noted. " Nevertheless the charitable conduct the missionaries and foreign residents won the gratitude and goodwill the natives and opened new doors of opportunity for mission work. 1Tt was estimated that 5,000,000 people died starvation during 1877 South India.

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180 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

The most notable incident the work 1877 was the con- version P. Venkataratnam, Sudra. Poulsen baptized him July, that year, Peravaram, where had been government teacher for six years. His conversion aroused the enmity his relatives, caste people, such extent that they sought every possible means get him away from the missionaries. They followed the house-boat which Poulsen took him from Peravaram Rajahmundry, and met it the landing-place, accompanied crowd two hundred persons, intent getting Ratnam away. Schmidt secured escort police who conducted Ratnam safety the mis- sion house. There was confronted his relatives, but he told them that had become Christian because believed Christ the Saviour, and exhorted them be- come Christians. They pleaded with him, mocked, scolded and threatened him, but all avail. M. William became teacher Jegurupad 1877; Peter, the same year, being twenty-two years age, took charge the school Muramunda. B. John, the same age Peter, taught a school five children Peravaram. Schmidt summed the results the work the year 1877 follows: "With fear and trembling entered the year. The future seemed so threatening! The terrible famine had begun, accompanied by cholera and small-pox. time severe trial lay before us; yet God His goodness preserved us, while many around fell victims the famine and disease. our neighbor's house all but one died cholera. Our hearts are filled with praise and thanksgiving God. the south, where they looked long for rain, rained recently much that places there were great floods. Here have had but little rain; Rajahmundry none for two months. The harvest total failure except where the canals furnished water for the fields, and even there only half-crop was harvested. our church building employed number famine sufferers, and also gave our teachers little extra pay because the famine. The church has already cost Rs. 18co and not finished. For two months stopped building operations on account other work. tour Brother Poulsen and

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DISHEARTENING DIFFICULTIES (1875-77) 181

were able spend more time than usual, each devoting ex- actly one hundred days travelling. had very happy Christmas; yet because the famine fewer people came from the surrounding villages. usual, the English judge, friend our Mission, gave feast good things Christmas, which two hundred people attended. Around our large Christmas tree, with its 75 candles, seventy-nine children gathered. Each got garment, bag cakes, orange and a plaything. number garments which had been sent my wife from friends and relatives Denmark, were dis- tributed her those her sewing class who had been regular attendance. Our services were held the incom- plete church, eighty persons partaking the Lord's Supper on Christmas. During the year baptized thirty-eight per- sons. " The 'General Expense Accounts the Mission show ex- penditures, 1875, the amount $2651.07; 1876, $3432; in 1877, $4343. Only $500 more than the salaries the missionaries were sent India from America 1875, and again 1876; but 1877, $2000 addition the salaries were sent, which wiped out the deficit and left balance $54 the mission treasury at the close the year. A notable event the year 1876 was the visit the Rev. C. W. Groenning the United States for the purpose urging upon the General Council more liberal and energetic support its Mission India. delivered impressive and effective address its meeting Bethlehem, Pa. , and preached number churches. result his agitation the home administration was reorganized, and, 1 The accounts detail are follows: 1875. 1876. 1877. Salary, Schmidt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1000.00 $1000.00 $1000.00 Salary, Poulsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 Expenses, Schmidt's account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800.00 896.00 Expenses, Poulsen's account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315.00 325.00 Expenses, Schmidt's and Poulsen's. . . . . . . . . . . . . 637.80 Church buillding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . cc. viii iii 600.00 Deficit. . . . . . . . . . . iii 13.27 227.00 522.00

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182 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

just noted, $2000 instead $500 were sent India 1877 for the mission work. In concluding its report the General Gouncil 1876, the Executive Committee the Pennsylvania Ministerium recom- mended the appointment special committee for Foreign Missions, inasmuch the large membership the Executive Committee, their residences widely separated places, and the fact that the home mission and educational interests the Ministerium demanded almost all the committee's time and attention, made practically impossible for the committee to full justice the cause foreign missions. Further- more, was recommended that General Secretary called, who should give his entire time the interests the foreign mission work the General Council, furnish mission news, visit the meetings synods and conferences and awaken and maintain greater interest the cause. third recommen- dation the committee called for more intimate relation between the "Missionsblatt, " edited and published Brook- lyn, N. Y. , the Rev. A. E. Frey, and the Mission India, and suggested that English paper published further the interests the India Mission. The General Council acted only the first recommendation. elected the fol- lowing Committee Foreign Missions: The Revs. A. Spaeth, D. D. , H. Grahn, B. M. Schmucker, D. D. , F. Wischan, J. A. Kunkleman and Messrs. Wm. H. Staake and J. C. File. This committee met the Seminary Franklin Square, Philadelphia, and organized October 31, 1876, electing the Rev. A. Spaeth, D. D. , Chairman, the Rev. B. M. Schmucker, D. D. , English Recording and Corresponding Secretary, and the Rev. F. Wischan, German Recording Secre- tary. The former arrangement, according which the Treasurer the General Council was also the Treasurer the Foreign Mission Fund, was continued. William H. Staake, Esq. , member the committee, was the newly elected incumbent that office. This committee met regu- larly the Seminary the afternoon the fourth Monday of each month, and addressed itself once the task in- creasing the income for foreign missions. sought

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DISHEARTENING DIFFICULTIES (1875-77) 183

this, first, making appeals through the church papers; secondly, effort secure the sum $rooco, which Father Heyer had bequeathed the Rajahmundry Mission; and, thirdly, attempt secure from the editor the "Missionsblatt' the sums which had received for foreign missions. was holding these funds until the Committee should call and send additional missionary, claiming that they had been collected for that purpose only. The mis- sionaries India also urged the sending reinforcements in the following words: "We would gladly have from the General Council more than resolutions. would have embodied resolution-a real flesh and blood missionary. " The efforts the new committee were successful, least far the increase foreign mission contributions was con- cerned, for the report the Treasurer the eleventh con- vention the General Council Philadelphia October, 1877, showed receipts for foreign missions amounting $5877.41, compared with $2974.46 during the previous year.