మిషనరీ డైరీ నుండి (1894)

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CHAPTER XIII

FROM MISSIONARY'S DIARY (1804)

A PERPLEXING question which had been debated the Mission Conference previous years was again discussed in 1894, namely, whether man with more than one wife should baptized; and this time the answer was decided negative. The ornamentation the houses the natives with chalk designs, however, was declared commendable because promoted cleanliness. The rule was established that boarding boys should not allowed wear jewels their noses and ears, and girls none their noses. for this custom among adults, was resolved discourage the wearing nose jewelry the Lord's Supper. All heathen rites and ceremonies weddings and funerals were con- demned. After the convention the Mission Conference the native agents and delegates from congregations, about one hundred and thirty number, were given reception the Riverdale bungalow. Large heaps rice and curry were served, the guests, according Hindu custom, being seated long rows the ground the open air, and eating their portions from fresh mango leaves spread out before them. On January 5, 1894, nine Danish Lutheran missionaries visited Rajahmundry. Divine services were held the next day St. Paul's Church, which four languages were used, namely, Telugu, German, Danish and English. After the Mission Conference missionaries' picnic was held January 17th, described Mrs. Kuder follows: "On the morning of the seventeenth January six o'clock merry party, consisting seventeen adults and three children, left River- dale wharf. The party consisted Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt, in response whose invitation the party had assembled, eight visiting Danish missionaries, Dr. Edman, Mr. Pohl, Mr. 200

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Cle 2 Zh

THE GORGE THE GODAVERY RIVER

MISSIONARIES LIVING TENT WHILE TOUR

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AFTER EXAMINATION VILLAGE SCIIOOL CHILDREN

A TELUGU VILLAGE

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FROM MISSIONARY'S DIARY (1894) 297

Isaacson, Miss Sadtler, Miss Schade, Mr. Kuder and the writer. Those our mission circle whose names are not mentioned remained home from choice necessity. All aboard the 'Shamrock, ' river steamer, the 'Dove Peace' fastened securely one side and carrying the cooks-a most important part the excursion-we started our way the beautiful Godavery River, our destination being the justly famed gorge that river. . . . From our starting place and beyond Tallapudi the river very broad and the country either side comparatively flat; but the scenery not monoto- nous. Many villages could seen along the shore, and they were sufficiently enchanting distances apart render them picturesque, while beyond the distance were the 'rare blue hills, " toward which were going. neared them the river became narrower and the scenery very lovely, oftentimes grand-giant hills towering above us, clothed tropical verdure. The bamboo very graceful, feathery looking tree, and many the mountain sides were covered with them. sunset the first day anchored just this side the gorge spend the night. were glad the opportunity ashore here. Some the gentlemen went to neighboring village, where, Dr. Schmidt told us, many years ago had teacher; but had leave account the fever which prevails here. Some the gentlemen took a small boat and gave the zenana sisters boat ride the other side the river. Mrs. Schmidt and walked the sandy shore and watched the little children our party playing the sand. were certainly far away from the 'madding crowd'; and with sound disturb save the cry some lonely bird, and with the charming landscape of river and mountain which feast our eyes, was very restful both mind and body and delightful change from the perpetual 'tom-tom' Rajahmundry. "Early the next morning entered the gorge. Here the river narrow and seems have cut its way and out between the lofty mountains which rise many hundreds feet each side. The effect the light and shade the early sunlight heightened the beauty the scene. the other

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208 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

side the gorge again anchored and amused ourselves climbing the mountain side and hunting ferns. Coming upon beautiful mountain stream, seated ourselves the rocks, and the man with the kodak took shot us. Our homeward way was enlivened the sight several alligators and crocodiles sunning themselves the sand. At tea that afternoon many vote thanks were tendered our kind hosts. After little delay, caused sticking sand-bar, reached Rajahmundry about o'clock the evening the second day, little tired, but congratulating ourselves that had gone this missionaries' picnic. " During the first two weeks February Mr. and Mrs. Pohl with their children, hired boat, accompanied Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt the "Dove Peace" tour the Velpur-Bhimawaram district. The following extracts are taken from Pohl's diary. "Unikili, February sth. Day before yesterday, the wind being favorable, reached Velpur. . . . Directly after sunrise Sunday boy went out along the canal where the Christians live their huts, ringing small bell, which was signal for public service the little, unadorned chapel. Several Christians came from neighboring villages, and the chapel was filled its capacity. preached the wonderful love God Christ Jesus. Arjulupalem, where five families had been baptized since last went there, held evening service. "This morning Brother Schmidt and went Mallipudi, where yet have school. Meanwhile the school children from Velpur and Arjulupalem had come the boats examined and receive their Christmas presents of jackets, dolls and pictures. Quite number adults had come with the children, and while the children were being examined the boat, Brother Schmidt attended the sick who had come for medicine. one o'clock the afternoon sailed farther down the canal our boats and reached the locks four o'clock. Brother Schmidt and once waiked over Konitivada, distance four miles, over crooked and rough roads. was late and dark when

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FROM MISSIONARY'S DIARY (1804) 209

we returned, and was fortunate that carried lantern, for several the ditches which bad been dry the afternoon were filled with water, and were obliged walk around them. Konitivada have only few Christians but are sowing the seed hope. visited the zemindar ask for school-site and parcel ground used cemetery. If only had suthcient number efficient native workers we could make much better progress everywhere. "February 6th. busy day lies behind us. sunrise Christians from Unikili arrived. They had been their way to work the fields when they spied the mission boat the canal and, dropping their hoes and spades, came over us. In the village have school but not schoolhouse. Three years ago there was not single Christian the village. M. Lazarus was our first teacher there, and did his work quietly and faithfully. Now have quite good congre- gation Unikili, and all them gathered this morning for service. crossed the Gosta Nadi two tree-trunks bound together and laid across the stream. . . . went Kinera- pur, where have few Christians but school. The yards of the Christians were much better kept than those other Malas. They brought mats and spread them the ground for the audience. spoke especially the non-Christians. . . . The Christians Kinerapur accompanied Kanza- mur, carrying their shoulders over number wide ditches filled with water. After long search shady place was found Kanzamur, where could hold service. "Weary and hungry, got back our boats two o'clock in the afternoon. The school children Unikili and Koniti- vada were waiting examined. was 4 o'clock when, finally, all the children had been examined and received their presents. Then went Vandra, where 8 o'clock we conducted service the roomy schoolhouse, forty Chris- tians being present. had been busy day, and yet felt that much more should have been done; but how could have found time visit the other villages preach the higher caste people the villages did visit? 'The harvest truly great, but the laborers are few; pray ye, therefore, the

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300 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Lord the harvest that would sent forth laborers into the harvest. ' "February 7th. This morning visited the Christians Vandra their homes and also preached the non-Chris- tians the street. The rest the forenoon spent ex- amining the school children Vandra and the evening school Unikili, which enrolls seventeen persons. the afternoon sailed Vissakoderu. . . . made glad see the large heap stones intended for the new Bhimawaram Church. They were brought all the way from Dowlaish- waram boats, and from Vissakoderu they are carted two three miles bullock-carts the site the church. "Gunapudi, February 8th. This morning went Vissa- koderu, where have many Christians who live close each other and quarrel good deal. stopped our way at Kalamudi, where have neither Christians nor school. In the shade several huts preached the Gospel the crucified and risen One. Vissakoderu held service and examined the Vissakoderu and Srungavruksham school- children. All day long were occupied receiving Christians of the vicinity who wished speak with us, and gladly gave them the opportunity. Toward evening went Gunapudi, where, somewhat late, held evening service. The schoolhouse was crowded and many stood the outside, without, however, being prevented from hearing us, for the schoolhouse has walls, being constructed four poles on which roof palmyra leaves stretched. Teacher C. Joseph had put the motto 'Welcome' and decorated the interior with chains colored paper. Many non-Christians were present, whom also addressed few words after the Bible lesson. was good day and the evening was beautiful; and glad able report about it, even though must the dim light lantern surrounded by innumerable insects. "February gth. This morning were driven Bhima- waram, whither the Gunapudi school children had been directed come for their examinations. Near Gunapudi

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FROM MISSIONARY'S DIARY (1804) 301

lies the site the church. The excavation has been finished! and few days the first stones will laid. From this place can reach many villages and the same time superintend the building operations. This evening held service Bhimawaram. "February roth. Here Bhimawaram will not diffi- cult gather over two thousand Christians for the consecra- tion the church. The villages all lie within narrow radius and everywhere the Gospel finding entrance. sure, only the Malas accept the message, the Madigas, still lower caste, being converted the Baptists. "Bhimawaram, February 14th. To-day the first stones the foundation the new church were laid. Brother Schmidt was fully occupied superintending the work, while went Chinnamiram and from there Peddamiram. the latter we have 120 Christians. "February 15th. The way Vaimpad was long one. P. Barnabas came meet with the school children. One after another the Christians joined entered the village. The little palm-leaf schoolhouse altogether in- adequate. this village sixty-five persons were baptized one day last year. They are near relatives our Christians Gorlamudi. After the Gorlamudi Christians had been bap- tized, one family after the other, their Vaimpad relatives refused associate with them, and were very angry them. Meanwhile our teacher continued preach Vaimpad. Pas- tor Paulus visited the village, and then the ice broke, and many came and asked admitted holy baptism. "February 19th. Day before yesterday - work the Bhimawaram Church had progressed far that Brother Schmidt's personal supervision was longer necessary. The corner-stones were laid and then the work was temporarily discontinued for lack mortar. "February 21st. wife went with the evening Vaimpad. The 'white lady' 'attracted the attention the whole village. grasped the opportunity preach the q! The work digging for the foundations had been begun December 13, 1803.

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non-Christians. William played the violin and sang his accompaniment. trust our effort was not entirely fruitless. only had more time for such preaching! "February 23d. After night enlivened the songs and stings mosquitos wife and went Kopilla, where the Christians gathered around us. Many non-Christians looked over the wall stood the compound listening. sang a hymn and then preached them. prayed together and after the service visited the Christians their homes. We also went the noisy heathen temple and invited the Hindus there come Christ. . . . Kopilla the women are learning sew, but the men had learned the art better than the women and showed their work with pride. The teacher, S. Prakasam, had been apt pupil the sewing class Rajahmundry. When got back the boat the Peddamiram school children were being examined Mrs. Schmidt. "February 24th. stopped Gollapalem, where there are number inquirers. The principal industry here the raising cocoanuts. Through cocoanut gardens walked down the sea, where the breakers rolled, foam-crested and thundering, upon the shore. the thick shade palm trees were treated one the inquirers fresh cocoanut milk. was delicious. The soil here fertile that the cocoanut trees bear fruit six times year. was nearly noon when got back our boats, and then had say fare- well this beautiful spot and also Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt and the 'Dove Peace, ' for, while they went Taderu, hastened Narsapur and from there homeward. " When Pohl got back Rajahmundry found that Mc- Cready had returned Tallapudi and resumed charge that district, and that the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Arps had moved into the finished bungalow Dowlaishwaram, which they shared for while with Mr. and Mrs. Baehnisch. ! Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt left Rajahmundry their third furlough toward the end March, 1894, bound for Denmark, where they had left their daughter, Dagmar, educated. ! Schmidt had finished the building approximate cost $1800.

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FROM MISSIONARY'S DIARY (1804) 303

From Gjelstedt, where they resided during the fall and winter, Schmidt was frequently called away deliver missionary addresses the interest the Danish Missionary Society; and did gladly, because the indebtedness our Mission that society for its first missionaries. Mrs. Edman developed symptoms mental disorder, and Dr. Edman was obliged bring her back America. They left Rajahmundry with their two daughters April 6, 1894. After Schmidt and Edman had left, Pohl was given general supervision all the territory from Rajahmundry the sea, including the Velpur, Jegurupad, Samulkot and Bhima- waram districts, and was appointed treasurer India succeed Schmidt. Isaacson and Arps, besides studying the vernacular, assisted him the mission work, the former moving Samulkot and the latter living Dowlaishwaram. In Germany Arps had learned the Franz Otto system medicine, which practised India and with which succeeded relieving many natives minor ills and aches. At Muramunda new chapel was built and consecrated December 6, 1894. All the missionaries except Isaacson were present and took part the services consecration. Pohl described the new building follows: "It fifty feet long and sixteen feet wide. The window-frames are filled with so-called bee-hive work, made round tiles, allowing air and light enter. The floor, made mud, covered with a bamboo mat for the congregation sit on. The elevated altar space decorated with window one foot wide and five feet high, constructed stained glass, the work one of our boys, Alexander. one side the window are the words, 'I the way, the truth and the life, saith the Lord'; on the other side, 'Him that cometh Me, will wise cast out'; and above the arch, 'Behold the Lamb God, Who taketh away the sin the world. " The altar table covered with white cloth that has red velvet border which wife embroidered the words, 'Lord have mercy upon us. " course, all these verses are Telugu. The altar, pulpit and baptismal font were made Rajahmundrv our carpenter-boys. "

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304 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Concerning the Artman Poor Mohammedan Girls' School Miss Schade wrote: "In spite the opposition indifference shown the different factions among the Mohammedans, the work has been carried on; but after year's trial the prospects remained the same and was thought that the time, strength, energy and money expended this school might much more profitably spent elsewhere, and that its present state rather hindered than furthered the cause among the Mohammedans. has, therefore, been decided dis- continue the school after August 1st. " The school, however, was continued somewhat longer. During the year 1894 the zenana work was reorganized by the Misses Schade and Sadtler. The former wrote: "When it was understood that were prepared begin work, we were visited some the native gentlemen, Brahmins and Sudras, who were anxious have their wives taught. We agreed come their homes they would form classes by getting other women join their wives. this they consented. now spend two hours, from three five the afternoon, with each class. The women are very happy while are with them. They listen quite willingly the Bible lesson and are also taught sewing and fancy work. As our work grows will certainly have use native women as helpers. " At the close the year 1894 Kuder furnished the following resumé the work the boarding schools: "The year just closing was good one for the Seminary. For the first time in its history has closed with over 100 boarding boys attendance. The total number the rolls the last school day was 240. accept the patronage Hindu boys most unwillingly. shield ourselves imposed fees. These were, however, cheerfully paid. The number Hindus in- creased almost daily until were obliged refuse admission to any more. The Hindu boys are required attend Bible instruction and also some religious lessons, and seed may fall into waiting soil. step the right direction, that hope soon take, the separation our boys and girls into two distinct schools. Since have zenana sisters who are willing

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, FROM MISSIONARY'S DIARY (1894) 305

and competent assume control the girls' schools, will put end the co-educational system. The girls' boarding school then made medium for the preparation Christian girls and women assist zenana classes. For this purpose are trying rent house easily accessible from the Zenana Home. Another separation would like to make the divorce the school from the present school- house. have thirty acres land lovely situation for the site our new Seminary. The plans have been prepared and all that now wanting the command and possess the land. " In 1894 the need hospital and medical work con- nection with our Mission began seriously agitated. At its meeting November, that year, the Board Foreign Missions resolved, "'that we, Board, proceed move the direction providing hospital such place within our field India may hereafter determined, and that the Mission Council requested give its views the sub- ject. " The organized women's missionary societies the General Council responded enthusiastically this proposal the Board and began once raise funds for hospital for women and children Rajahmundry, the Board having decided that the women's societies furnished the necessary funds, the hospital should for women and children only, for whose medical and surgical treatment the Government hospitals and dispensaries made adequate provision. At the suggestion the Board the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society the Philadelphia Conferences of the Ministerium Pennsylvania made effort secure woman physician sent India once. The following appeal was published the December, 1894, issue "The Foreign Missionary": "Wanted, woman medical mis- sionary. For some time past has been well known the executive committee the Women's Home and Foreign Mis- sionary Society the Philadelphia Conferences the Evan- gelical Lutheran Ministerium Pennsylvania that there urgent need woman medical missionary within the 29

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General Council's Mission India. committee was ap- pointed last August and instructed secure the medical mis- sionary, possible. Thus far the efforts the committee have been unsuccessful, and, therefore, this public appeal addressed the women physicians the General Council of the Lutheran Church. Will not one earnest, Christian woman volunteer for this important work? Address Mrs. H. E. Jacobs, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Miss Mary Welden, 871 Holly Street, Philadelphia. " No one volunteered, and the society reverted the first suggestion the Board and began look for young lady willing take course medicine with the view becoming a medical missionary.