మానిఫోల్డ్ యాక్టివిటీ (1906–09)

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CHAPTER XVIII

MANIFOLD ACTIVITY (1906-09)

Miss Emily L. Weiskotten and Dr. Lydia Woerner took their first furloughs 1906, the former leaving Rajahmundry on February 19th, that year, and returning December 22, 1907; the latter leaving April 13, 1906, and returning January 28, 1908. the United States and Canada they delivered many addresses women's missionary societies, congregations and conventions, and succeeded developing a deeper and wider interest woman's work for women India. After Dr. Harpster, 1906, had urged that catechist sent from Rajahmundry Rangoon, Burma, care for the Telugu Lutheran Christians employed and near that city, he was sent personally inspect the field, and having reported favorably, Vungara Sriramulu Rajahmundry was located in Rangoon, May, 1907, but after six months fruitless effort returned Rajahmundry. was felt, however, that something further ought done for the Christian Telugus in Rangoon; and when the Mission Council recommended second attempt, Kuder was directed investigate the field anew. went Rangoon May, 1911, and six months later, the recommendation the Ministerium India and with the Board's authorization, Catechist A. Anandap- pan Tallapudi was sent make second effort gather and organize congregation. arrived Rangoon Nov. 14, 1911, and year gathered congregation 238 Telugu Lutherans, whom 194 were communicants. On January 6, 1906, representatives our Mission and that of the Canadian (Ontario and Quebec) Mission met and formulated agreement boundary lines and principles 1 Dr. Woerner was painfully injured accident the Lake Shore Electric Railway near Toledo, Ohio, September 19, 1907, but recovered time leave the United States December 10, 1907. 356

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CATECHIST A. ANANDAPPAN, WIFE AND SONS

This catechist now stationed Rangoon, Burma, where has organized a large congregation Telugu Lutherans,

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TEACHERS AND PUPILS TIE BOYS' CENTRAL SCHOOL,

RAJAHMUNDRY

This picture was taken front the Main Duilding 1913.

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MANIFOLD ACTIVITY (1906-09) 357

mission comity, which was ratified both the Boards in America. the Ramachendrapuram and Bhimawaram taluks certain boundary lines between the two Missions were established. The following principles were adopted: 1. "Neither Mission will receive any agent member from the other without the full and written consent the missionary of such agent member. 2. Neither Mission will enter village mission work where the other has established itself and making fair effort bring the people the knowledge the truth. " The Lutheran Mission agreed not to locate station Pittapur condition that the Baptist Mission agreed not put station Jaggampetta. All issues relating this agreement are referred, first all, to committee six missionaries, three from each Mission. On February 14-16, 1912, committees both Missions met at Samulkot and drew further agreement, fixing addi- tional boundary lines, providing for territory common both Missions and arranging for the sale the bungalow at Peddapur the Lutheran Mission for $2,640.00 and the withdrawal the Baptists from that town. After Dr. Harpster's appeal for new Mission Press had been presented the convention the General Council 1905, Mr. James G. Finley Philadelphia secured the dona- tion double demy press from the firm R. Hoe and Co. , New York City, which was shipped Rajahmundry 1906. Mr. William P. M. Braun Philadelphia supplied the Print- ery with first-class outfit type and other material, and has become the patron this important branch the Mission, which has received the name The Braun Industrial Mission Printery. Under the efficient management Kuder the Printery did admirable work the dissemination Chris- tian literature the Telugu language, and the publication for number years "The Gospel Witness, " the English organ the Lutheran Missions India, 'Bible Story, " Stump's '' Catechism" and other publications the vernacu- lar. 1912 second-hand and larger press was ordered and sent from England, Mr. Braun furnishing portion the necessary funds.

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358 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

"A financial disaster that came upon the Mission like bolt out the blue sky was the failure the banking-house of Messrs. Arbuthnot & Co. , October, 1906. For upward of forty years the Mission had been depositing its funds with this firm which had back record 106 years honor- able business. the end century and more this honored house Arbuthnot, under the criminal manipulation dis- honored scion, became the greatest confidence game modern times. has been designated one the most gigantic insolvency cases ever known the world. Eight thousand creditors went down the crash, many them reduced absolute poverty. The Mission, together with number the missionaries, lost upward twenty thousand dollars. Several the missionaries lost every cent they had the world. " When the Church home learned this calamity, many friends the Mission and the missionaries once came to the rescue, and few months more than enough make up the loss the Mission, amounting $6,000.00, was con- tributed, and the private purses the unfortunate mission- aries were replenished either wholly part. Later, about twenty-five cents the dollar were paid back the bankrupt firm. Dr. Harpster met with painful accident July 2, 1907, while vacation Kotagiri, Nilgiri Hills, when fell from a bicycle and sprained his thigh. Fortunately his recovery was complete. After his return Rajahmundry resigned, in September, 1907, '' Temporary Director" the Mission, inasmuch the work that time had been thoroughly reor- ganized under the Rules. continued, however, discharge the duties Chairman the Executive Committee. The missionaries, dissatisfied with certain features the form government the Mission, petitioned the Board, 1907, for the abolition the Executive Committee India and for more autonomy the administration the Mission. This led eventually revision the Rules. The cause missions the Church home sustained severe loss the death the Rev. William Ashmead Schaeffer,

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MANIFOLD ACTIVITY (1906-09) 359

D. D, , July 27, 1907. had served continuously member the Board Foreign Missions for period more than twenty-five years. was identified with "The Foreign Missionary, " editor associate editor, with occasional brief interruptions, from the time its first publication, 1880, the day his death. was the Board's English Recording and Corresponding Secretary from October, 1888, to February, 1891, and then its Corresponding Secretary until November, 1906, when resigned account the illness which eventually caused his death. served these positions without the slightest remuneration. was always willing and ready sacrifice his time and give his talents for the cause foreign missions, and his familiarity with the history, problems, needs and prospects the Telugu mission gave him commanding position the counsels the Board. In his last will and testament generously remembered the Mission which had faithfully served during his life. In 1907 the. long drawn-out negotiations with Dr. Schmidt concerning the transfer all the mission property the Trustees the General Council for the Board were finally ended the completion the transactions relative the so- called "Haas lands. " Two hundred and eighty-eight acres land were transferred under secure title, registered the land office Bhimawaram. i1g12 the "Haas Lands" were sold for $8,335.00 (Rs. 25,000) M. Ramanayya and the proceeds were devoted the erection building for the Boys' High School Peddapur, which known the Char- lotte Sophia Haas Memorial. The development the lace industry the Mission was surprisingly rapid under the personal, efficient management of Mrs. Harpster. her last report this department, made the close the year 1908, Mrs. Harpster gave brief account some the features the work. "In February, 1904, " she wrote, "we sent two small, sample boxes lace America. The lace met with great favor, and orders for more were once received. From that time on the industry has gradually grown, until to-day employment is given 240 women. For several years the industry was

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360 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

carried with private funds which ourselves advanced; and assistance has ever been received from any outside source. March, 1906, all indebtedness was paid and the industry became self-supporting, and ever since then has been well supported the sales lace America. addition have been able undertake some work, beside that the direct work the industry. 1go7 three women from the Bhimawaram district were sent the Lace School of the Church Scotland Mission Madras for number months learn better and more advanced patterns. Our object sending these district women was, that they might afterward organize classes and teach certain centres the district, for our plan has always been that the advantages this industry should especially for our Christian village women. the work progressed and the receipts increased, we found that there was money contribute some other object mission work; and after consultation with the Lace Committee America, offered Rs. 1000 toward the erec- tion new building for the Bethlehem Hindu Girls' School. Our offer was accepted and Rs. 1oco were handed the Mission Treasurer for this object. " This contribution was made 1907. The next year two girls, ten years old, were sent Madras the United Free Church Scotland Mis- sion School, trained fill any positions which they might needed our Mission. "A number women, " continued Mrs. Harpster, 'have received help from the funds the industry. Sometimes has been lone widow with means support; and sometimes widow with family children, whose monthly earnings for lace-making will not support the family; sometimes has been the old widowed mother who feels she burden those with whom she lives. many aid has been given, now and then rupee or two three. . . . Forty boxes lace have been sent America. . . . the Lace Committee America and, especially, its chairman, Mrs. A. Woll Philadelphia, largely due the success the industry. Without their part in the work could not have been carried on. " 1912, the sum $2175, and again 1913, the sum $2,000.00,

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FREDERICK \W. SCHAEFER Oscar V. WERNER Tuure TloLMER Hiram H. Sipes, Jr.

MISSIONARIES INDIA

Rev. C. THeopore Benze, D. D. Pror. Crauvpe W. Foss, Ph. D.

COMMISSIONERS INDIA 1909

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A GROUP LACEMAKERS

BUILDING RAJANIMUNDRY RENTED FOR USE AS. \ MISSION

DISPENSARY

Dr. Betty. \. Nilsson standing front the Dispensary with group her patients.

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MANIFOLD ACTIVITY (1906-09) 301

profits the industry, were contributed for the purchase of sites for the Bethlehem, Mangalavarampetta and Laksh- mivarampetta Hindu Girls' Schools. The industry now under the supervision Mrs. E. Neudoerffer. should a pleasure, doubtless is, the patrons the industry at home, know that they are helping raise the Christian women socially, morally and religiously; socially, because poverty the great problem India among the non-property possessing classes which our Christians belong; morally, because good deal truth and character-building are in- volved earnest and honest lace-making; and religiously, because teaches cleanliness, self-help and self-reliance, and affords constant opportunity speak the women about all manner spiritual subjects, especially the Ten Com- mandments. Another project which Mrs. Harpster inaugurated the sale India Pictorial Post Cards for the benefit the Book Store Rajahmundry, which also was under her supervision. Several sets twelve views our mission field and mission work were made India, sent America and sold for fifty cents set. Mrs. William P. M. Braun has attended the sale these cards. For many years Women's Missionary and Young People's Societies throughout the Church sent number boxes each year India containing clothing, toys, food, etc. , which were either used the missionaries distributed them to school-children and Christians Christmas presents. a meeting the Mission Council India, held December 30, 1907, was unanimously resolved, "that view the effect upon our native Christians the gifts clothing, etc. , which have been sent liberally each year from the Home- Church the so-called 'Christmas boxes, " we, Mission Council, respectfully ask that our kind donors present their gifts money the Foreign Mission treasury, and that this arrangement begin, possible, with the year 1908. " Never- theless, material which could used the lace industry, and articles which were use the Hospital and medical work, were solicited and sent through Miss Mary Miller

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362 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Philadelphia, the chairman the India Box Committee the Women's Missionary Society the General Council. ! Several protests and petitions from individual missionaries, sent directly the President the General Council, were by him presented his report the General Council Buffalo, N. Y. , 1907, and then submitted special committee whose report, amended and finally adopted, was, part, follows: "1. That the General Council direct its Foreign Mission Board, after consultation with the Mission Council India, at once revise its present Rules, especially the direction of giving the missionaries and the Mission Council better facilities communicate with the Board, and leaving the matter local government, much feasible, the hands of the Mission Council. "2, That two practical, well-qualified men, one whom shall layman, sent out soon possible, Com- mission Inspection, visit the field, and report the Board and through the General Council its next con- vention. These men shall different synods and shall be selected the Board Foreign Missions, subject the approval the President the General Council; but neither of these commissioners shall member the said Board. " Both these items instruction were carried out. In the place the Rev. William Ashmead Schaeffer, D. D. , deceased, the General Council, 1907, elected the Rev. Lars G. Abrahamson, D. D. , and the stead the Rev. Andrew S. Fichthorn, D. D. , the Rev. William E. Frey, re-electing all others whose terms had expired. The Rev. Prof. Henry E. Jacobs, D. D. , who had served President of the Board since October, 1go1, declined re-election, when the Board was reorganized October, 1907, and the Rev. Edward T. Horn, D. D. , was elected succeed him. Mr. Philip S. Zieber resigned Treasurer the Board Novem- ber, 1908, having served since November, 1go1, and Mr. James ! The Mission Council India October, 1913, again requested that the sending Christmas boxes discontinued and that, instead clothing, sheets and pillow cases, contributions money should solicited and sent by the Board.

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M. Snyder was elected his successor. The duties English Recording and Corresponding Secretary were entrusted the General Secretary, the Rev. George Drach. In 1907 the third medical missionary, Dr. Amy B. Rohrer, was sent India. Amy Belle Rohrer, daughter Israel B. and Anna Elizabeth Rohrer, was born near Eden, Lancaster County, Pa. She attended the public school Eden until she was sixteen years age, and then became student the State Normal School Millersville, Pa. September, 1893, she was baptized and confirmed Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church Leacock, Pa. Three years later, removing with her parents Lancaster, Pa. , she united with Grace Lutheran Church that city. From April, 1900, October, 1go1, she lived the Mary J. Drexel Home and Motherhouse of Deaconesses, Philadelphia. After nursing for several months the Ladd Hospital, Carlisle, Pa. , she accepted the position assistant the Lutheran Orphans' Home, Germantown, Philadelphia, remaining this position from March, 1902, June, 1903. the fall 1903, she entered the Woman's Medical College, Philadelphia, prepare for work medical missionary India. She was supported a medical student the Women's Home and Foreign Mis- sionary Society the Pennsylvania Ministerium. She was graduated 1907, later took the Massachusetts State Medical Board examination and, having accepted the call the Board of Foreign Missions, was commissioned the President the Board December 3, 1907, Grace Church, Lancaster, Pa. the company Dr. Woerner she sailed from New York December 10, 1907, and arrived Rajahmundry January 28, 1908. September 26, 1907, the Rev. C. F. Kuder was again called to India and, having accepted the call, was commis- sioned the General Secretary the Board December 29, 1907, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lehighton, Pa. , served by his brother, the Rev. John H. Kuder. Leaving his family behind Salem, Va. , sailed from New York January 1, 1908, and reached Rajahmundry twenty-six days later. The Board agreed allow him return after five years

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364 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

service, should circumstances his family demand it. Soon after his arrival Rajahmundry took charge the Boys' Central School, Wackernagel having resigned November, 19o7. Three months later Wackernagel returned the United States, accompanied Trafford. Miss Susan E. Monroe left furlough, accompanied Miss Hedwig Wahlberg, April, 1908. Miss Wahlberg remained for while Sweden, recuperating from illness contracted India, and November, 1908, wrote from Sweden, resigning missionary under the Board. The Board accepted her resignation take effect April 1, 1909, and paid her expenses the United States. Miss Monroe reached Philadelphia July 7, 1908. She spent some her time furlough delivering addresses and toward its expira- tion again offered return the Mission the same terms before, namely, her own expense but subject to the Rules the Mission. The Board most gratefully accepted her offer, and after her return Rajahmundry December, 1909, she was placed charge the zenana work, which Miss Schade had managed after the death Miss Swenson. After serious epidemic cholera the Girls' Central School, the fall 1906, during which five pupils died this dread disease, the school was closed for several weeks. Miss Schade then planned separate Epidemic Ward the School, which was begun 1908 and finished 1912, the First General Council Mission League Monaca, Pa. , assisted other leagues the Pittsburgh Synod, furnishing the sum $600 for this purpose. In 1908 two woman missionaries were added the force in India. Sigrid A. Esberhn, daughter Bud Petersen Esberhn and his wife Sigrid Anna, was born Koebenhavn, Denmark. She received her education Copenhagen. With her parents she emigrated the United States and settled Chicago. She was called the Board May, 1908. Betty A. Nilsson Rockford, Ill. , received her medical education the College Physicians and Surgeons, Uni-

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MANIFOLD ACTIVITY (1906-09) 305

versity Illinois, where she was supported the Women's Missionary Society the Augustana Synod. After her graduation June, 1907, she served for year interne the Cook County Hospital, Illinois. Both these young ladies were commissioned the President the Board, the Rev. Edward T. Horn, D. D. , on October 15, 1908, the Immanuel Swedish Lutheran Church, Chicago. their way New York they stopped in Philadelphia for farewell service Sunday evening, October 18th, St. Mark's English Lutheran Church that city. They left New York several days later, and after spending few weeks Europe they proceeded their journey India, reaching Rajahmundry December o, 1908. After Wolters had passed his second examination Telugu, in 1907, was assigned take charge the Korukonda district with residence Rajahmundry. Shortly thereafter he was seriously ill with typhoid fever, but recovered, and took voyage China recuperate and visit his sister, the wife merchant that country. 1gog, after the de- parture Dr. Harpster and Rev. E. Neudoerffer's transfer to the Bhimawaram district, Wolters became the missionary in charge the Tadepalligudem district. Larson, 1908, moved Tallapudi and took charge that district. the same time Eckardt, living Rajahmundry, became the mis- sionary charge the Jaggampetta district and extended his work into the Korukonda district. The Boys' Central School buildings Luthergiri, ! just out- side Rajahmundry, which had been begun January, 1905, were finally finished May, 1908, but the school was removed from the old building its new quarters February, 1908. The new buildings, consisting main school building, dormitory and residence for the missionary in charge, occupy elevated site, giving commanding view of the Godavery River, and can seen for miles. The main building has frontage 100 feet facing the river. is flanked either end massive tower. The lower story Giri" Telugu word signifying hill.

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360 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

1s divided into class rooms, while the upper story devoted to the purposes chapel and assembly room. The Hostel or Dormitory furnishes accommodations for 150 boarders. It one-story structure, built the form quadrangle. The outer wall solid with break except for the small, barred apertures near the top for purposes ventilation. All the sleeping rooms, living rooms, bath rooms, granaries, cook rooms, storerooms, hospital rooms, etc. , open into the inner quadrangle. The cost the buildings was follows: Main Building. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rs. 22,600 $ 7,533.34 Dormitory. . . . . . . . . . . 17,700 5,000.00 Bungalow. . . . . . . . . . . . . iii 13,040 4,646.66 Out-houses. . . . . . . . . . . . . cooiiiiiiiiinnnn. . . . 825 275.000 Total. . . . . . . Rs. 55,065 $18,355.00 At the close the first year the new buildings Kuder wrote: "Our plant quite new and located plot ground containing forty acres, lying gentle eminence about mile north Rajahmundry. Probably few mis- sions the Madras Presidency have anything superior. This institution meant the power-house the Mis- sion. Its agents, or, least, its male agents receive their training for future usefulness here. The school ranks, present, Incomplete Secondary, the highest form being the third; but have higher aspirations. cus- tomary institutions this kind, there are taught, besides the usual branches secular knowledge, also religious sub- jects, according curriculum that the outgrowth moderately long experience. the time boy entering the third standard-our lowest class-passes out the third form, will have gone through two explanations the Small Catechism (Loehe's and Stump's, supplemented from Nissen), and also twice through Bible History, from specially prepared text-books, the standards, and from the Bible itself, following Buchrucker, the forms, together with the introduction each book the Sacred Volume, taken up. primarily the aim the educational work

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DORMITORIES THE BOYS' CENTRAL SCHOOL, LUTHERGIRI,

RAJAHMUNDRY

THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS PEDDAPUR

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Mary WELDEN Laura V. Keck Emma \. EnprLicH Mrs. SAMUEL LAIRD Mrs, CHarLEs LL. [Fry Mrs. EmMMmy Evarp

WOMEN THE GENERAL COUNCIL WIIO ILAVE BEEN PROMINENT

TIIE WORK MISSIONS

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MANIFOLD ACTIVITY (1906-09) 367

the Mission, present, prepare body teachers possess- ing fair general education, good knowledge Christian truth, and normal training. excursions into theological lore are yet being attempted. The course mapped out contemplates special instruction religious subjects for year two after students have passed out the third form; and that followed course normal training, prescribed the Educational Department the Presidency. We have not been able yet add the year two for religious instruction exclusively, but did succeed estab- lishing normal training-school the beginning the year, of which not only our own youths but also respectable number the teachers the Mission, well some out- siders, have availed themselves. " After the Boys' Central School had been removed Luthergiri, the High School Department was discontinued by order the Board, and Normal School, called the Training School for Masters, was established. Twenty-one normal pupils were enrolled during the first year its history, eight the Higher elementary class and thirteen the Junior elementary lower class. Kuder succeeded getting govern- ment grant, 1909, for the Normal School, amounting Rs. 1288, addition Rs. 1800 for the Boys' Central School. During the second year 55 pupils were enrolled the Normal School and nearly Rs. 4000 were received grants from the government. . The Boys' High School Peddapur was continued under the direction the missionary the Samulkot district, Isaacson, and, 1911-12, new building was erected, cost- ing over $14,000, one-fourth which was given the govern- ment building grant. The corner-stone the new build- ing was laid with impressive ceremonies November 23, 1911, and the completed building was opened and dedicated on October 29, 1912. In order to'carry out the instructions the General Council the Board Foreign Missions selected Prof. C. W. Foss, Ph. D. , Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill. , and the Rev. C. Theodore Benze, D. D. , then pastor St. Stephen's

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368 THE TELUGU MISSION THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Evangelical Lutheran Church, Erie, Pa. , and President the Pittsburgh Synod, afterward President Thiel College, as the Commissioners Inspection, the President the General Council having sanctioned these selections. The Commissioners were given letter instruction the Board define their duties and work India, and after having met Colombo, Ceylon, December 8th, and arrived at Rajahmundry December 28, 1908, they spent six weeks in the Mission, finished their work inspection and returned to the United States. They submitted carefully prepared report the Board covering every district and department of the Mission, making number recommendations con- cerning the government the Mission, urging increase missionaries and funds imperative for the proper develop- ment the work, and concluding with the following para- graph: "Notwithstanding human frailties and error and the insufficient supply laborers and means, the Lord has sig- nally blessed and prospered our Mission, and thereby indi- cated that the work His and not men. There much that 1s successful and much that encouraging, and from this point view the outlook for the future bright. Let the Church give thanks her Redeemer for thus prospering her feeble efforts, and awaken great sense her respon- sibility and duty. " The expenses connected with the sending out this com- mission amounted $2466, but the money was well spent, for the report the Commission set the mind the Church rest, created new confidence the Board and the mission- aries, and won more hearty support for the cause foreign missions. This attitude the Church was indicated, more- over, the election the commissioners members the Board the next meeting the General Council. The service the Rev. E. E. Sibole, D. D. , who had been a member the Board for nearly twenty-five years and the editor "The Foreign Missionary" for twelve years, ceased with the convention the General Council 190g. The ! General Council Minutes, 1909, pages 160-169.

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Board adopted minute, expressing its high appreciation his long and faithful service. The Rules and Regulations the Telugu Mission, revised by the Mission Council India 19o8, and endorsed the Commissioners, slightly amended the Board, were adopted in 1909, and the Mission now being administered under these Rules. ? They provide for the government the Mission by Mission Council, consisting all missionaries charge of work the Mission, and Ministerium the ordained missionaries, which the affairs the district evangelistic work are referred. 1 its meeting 1909 the General Council elected the Revs. M. C. Ranseen, D. D. , and S. C. Franzen, the latter the place the Rev. C. E. Slaett, re- signed; and retired Samuel G. Seiple, M. D. , and R. A. Rydberg, Ph. D. , whe had served faithfully since 1gor and 1903, respectively. Dr. Seiple, however has continued the Medical Adviser the Board. 2 See General Council Minutes, 19og, pages 137-153. 24