Lingerings of Light in a Dark Land : Being Researches Into the Past
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SfoflfogtBtf 0t VIW PRINCETON, N. J. '*S. Division Section , tW5.a Shelf. Number. T /• .<r \ J i Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/lingeringsoflighOOwhit : LINGERING OF LIGHT IN A DARK LAND: BEING RESEARCHES INTO THE PA8T HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE SYRIAN CHURCH OF MALABAR. BY THE y REV. THOMAS WHITEHOUSE, M.A. FORMERLY MINISTER OF THE GOVERNMENT CHURCH, COCHIN, AND AFTERWARDS PRINCIPAL AND CHAPLAIN OF THE LAWRENCE MILITARY ASYLUM, OOTACAMt'ND, SOUTH INDIA. xmtujtt WILLIAM BROWN AND CO., OLD BROAD STREET. HAMILTON, ADAMS AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. BATH: JAMES DAVIES, ABBEY CHURCHYARD 1873 . 1 ERRATA. Page 16 (note) for “ Elfrio ” read “ Elfric. “ ,, 86 (note) ,, “were” ,, ivhere. ,, 291 (line 17) ,, “goodly” ,, “godly' 'propertv of PRIHCETOIT JUN 16 ibou THBOLOGICaju^ PREFACE. We live in an age of bookmaking. Books on every imaginable subject are multiplying on all bands. If Solomon, could say in liis day, “ of making many books there is no end,” what would he not say were he now to arise from his tomb, and come among us ? When any one ventures to add to the number, some apology seems due to the public, whose patience is hereby to be further taxed ; and also some few reasons should be given shewing good cause why the step is taken. The object of the writer is to throw some additional light on a most heart-stirring chapter in Church History. The attention of the Christian World is increasingly turned to the ancient churches of the East ; and not one of them should excite deeper sympathies, or call for more earnest ” prayer and loving effort, than “ the remnant which is left the of or, in South India— Syrian Church Malabar ; as the members often call themselves, the Christians of St. Thomas. Michael Geddes, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Sarum, was one of the first to interest his fellow — IV PREFACE. countrymen in this subject by the publication, in 1694, of a “ History of the Church of Malabar—done out of Portuguese into English.” His residence at Lisbon, as British Chaplain, gave him access to the best possible Roman Catholic sources of information on matters of the kind. La Croze, Librarian to the King of Prussia, followed in 1723 with his “ History of Christianity in India”—the larger portion of which work is confined to the elucidation of the history of the Church of Malabar. We would specially observe, however, that in the last paragraph of the fifth book of his narrative, the following remark occurs : “ May what we have written on this subject stir up some ingenious and diligent traveller to inform himself more accurately concerning the state of a people who ought not to be neglected by those who love religion.” La Croze was conscious of the incompleteness of his own researches, and acknowledged it. The publication of that laborious and carefully compiled work, the “ History of Christianity in India,” by the Rev. James Hough, in 1839—two volumes of which are chiefly occupied with Syrian Church history—may be regarded by some as an answer to La Croze's appeal. But this excellent Chaplain, though he had a practical acquaintance with the spread of Christian truth hi India, had only a slight personal acquaintance with the Syrian Christians and their Churches. By the careful perusal of these three writers (and also " of Professor Lee's “ Brief History of this community), it — PREFACE. V will be seen that they all follow each other in precisely the same groove ; not one of them enjoyed opportunities of frequent intercourse with the people about whom they wrote ; and none, save Mr. Hough, had even set his feet upon the shores of India. You will look in vain for anything like close investigation of statements, or the comparison of testimony, or an attempt to support or illustrate any points, by local traditions treasured up by the present descendants of the people about whom they wrote. It has been the object of the writer to look a little closer into matters of this kind, and to utilize all the scraps of information which the Syrians themselves are able to supply. After upwards of nine years of pastoral work at home, the good Providence of God directed the writer’s steps, in 1852, to a sphere of labour on the Malabar Coast, at Cochin, an ancient European settlement, which from its central position, was most favorable for observation and intercourse with members of the Syrian Churches. Here he continued until 1860, when he was appointed to another till charge ; but as he did not leave India finally 1868, he had opportunities of revisiting Malabar, and pursuing his inquiries into the history of its people. Every year he spent in India additions were made to his stock of information, it being his constant endeavour—to use La Croze’s words ” “ to inform himself more accurately concerning the state of the Syrian Christians of the country. Since his return home he has felt a longing desire to turn to some account what has been thus accumulated. “ These are times (wrote Dr. C. Buchanan sixty years ago) VI PREFACE. when everything a man has, which may be in any way for the advantage of Christianity, ought to he given to the world. For we shall soon die, and then shall ‘ all our thoughts perish.’ ” This remark is equally applicable to the present times ; and the writer has therefore felt in duty hound to put together, to the best of his ability, the gleanings of past years trusting that, with his Master’s ' ; blessing, they may, in some humble degree, advance the cause of truth. Circumstances, however, have never favoured him with what is sometimes called “ learned leisure.” Being one of the working clergy, he has only had it in his power to use such intervals of spare time as might have been given to recreative reading, or those occasional holidays which the hardest workers enjoy. This must he his apology for any apparent want of polish in the texture of the work. He can state that his earnest and conscientious desire has been to furnish correct information, as to the past history, and the present condition of the people about whom he writes. In doing so he has been greatly aided by the writers who preceded him ; and would duly acknow- ledge his debt. Some of his brother clergy, connected with the Church Missionary Society, have not unfrequently rendered valuable aid and also two native brothers, who ; once were fellow labourers with him, but now have been for some years useful pastors in Cochin and Travancore. He desires to return them, each and all, most hearty thanks. With reference to the operations of the Church Mis- sionary Society in South India, he would simply say, that as a Minister of the Church of England unconnected PREFACE. Vll officially with it, he had the best possible opportunities of knowing what it was doing, and how its agents were “ but speak the carrying on their work ; and he cannot things which he has seen and heard.” Hence there will be frequent reference to Church Mission work in Travan- core. The Missionaries—the best of them—he is well angels (like aware, are but men, and not ; and them work that of others of then- kind) is not perfect yet he would ; say, God has been with them, and caused that which they have been engaged in to prosper. The testimony of the chapters which follow will abundantly show this, he confi- this will the of the dently trusts ; and be best proof efficiency of this Mission. He has commenced this little work with an introduc- tory chapter, which is intended to present to the reader, who is unacquainted with this Christian community, a sort of outline, which the succeeding chapters are designed to fill in. This must be borne in mind. In detailed accounts of various localities, he has further alluded to historical associations or traditions, stated perhaps more at length in other parts of the work. This, too, may savour of a repetition, which he has endeavoured otherwise to avoid as much as possible. In the later chapters, about the Jesuit and Carmelite Missionaries, much interesting matter, new to most English readers, has been supplied from the writings of Gouvea, Raulini, Du Perron, Fre Paolini, or Paoli, and from the “ Lettres Edifiantes,” &c. Hereby certain important links, connecting the history—as given by other English writers—with the modern history of the Church of Malabar, have been recovered. In speaking of the vm PREFACE. doctrinal errors, and usurping tyranny of Rome, his desire has been to speak the whole truth, and yet to do so in love. The closing chapters, respecting modern Mission efforts to rekindle the light in this venerable Church, will doubt- less be read with interest and thankfulness, by all who desire the growth of the Spiritual Kingdom of the Divine Redeemer, and earnestly pray, that the once glorious Churches of the East may be aroused to trim their lamps, and watch and wait for the coming of the Bridegroom. The writer has been at considerable pains to identify the places mentioned in these historical sketches, and trusts that the carefully prepared map will be of service to all who peruse the volume. the accent is Note.— To assist the reader , where acute placed over a, it should be pronounced as in must ; whilst u must be sounded as oo in food. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY SKETCH, CONTAINING SOME LEADING OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF THE SYRIAN CHRISTIANS OF MALABAR. The preservation of this Church remarkable.