THE

FIFTY-NINTH REPORT

O F T H E

BASEL GERMAN EVANGELICAL MISSION

IN

SOUTH-WESTERN INDIA

FOR THE YEAR

1898

MANGALORE PRINTED AT THE BASEL MISSION PRESS 1899

European Missionaries of the Basel German Evangelical Mission.

Corrected up to the ist May 1899.

[The letter (m) after the names signifies “ married” , and the letter (w) “ widower” . The names of unordained missionaries are marked with an asterisk.]

Native Date of .Name A ctive Station Country Service

1. W. Stokes (m) India 1860 Kaity (Coonoor) 2. S. Walter (m) Switzerland 1865 Vaniyankulam 3. J. A. Brasche (m) Germany 1869 Udipi 4. G. Ritter (m) do. 1869 Mulki 5. W. Sikemeier (m) Holland 1870 Mercara 6. "W. P. Schönthal (m)* Germany 1870 Cannanore 7. G. Hirner (m)* do. 1871 Mangalore 8. J. Hermelink (m) do. 1872 do. 9. G. Grossmann (m) Switzerland 1874 Kotageri 10. W. Lütze (m) Germany 1875 Kaity 11. J. B. Veil (m)* do. 1875 Mercara 12. L. J. Frohnmeyer (m) do. 1876 Tellicherry (Nettur) 13. A. Ruhland (m) do. 1876 do. 14. C. G. Eblen (m) do. 1876 Udipi 15. I. Weismann (m) do. 1878 Chombala 16. Chr. Keppler (m) do. 1879 Udipi 17. J. J. Jaus (m) do. 1879 Calicut 18. F. Stierlin (m)* do. 1880 Mangalore 19. C. W. Dilger (m) do. 1880 Cottayam ^ 20. K. Ernst (m) do. 1881 Mangalore 21. J. Fischer (m) do. 1881 Anandapur 22. F. Eisfelder (m) do. 1882 Guledgudd 23. K. Schaal (m) do. 1888 Cannanore 24. M. Schaible (m) do. 1883 Mangalore 25. K. Hole (m) do. 1884 Palghat 26. D. Berli (m) Switzerland 1885 Hubli 27. G. Peter (m) do. 1885 Cannanore 28. J. Waidelich (m) Germany 1885 Bettigeri-Gadag 29. 0 . Bode (m) do. 1886 Dharwar 80. F. Huber (m)* Switzerland 1886 Mangalore 31. A. Glattfelder (m)* do. 1886 do. 32. Paul Buchli (m)* do. 1887 do.

Engaged in Bible Revision work.

1* 4

Native D ate of Name A ctiv e Station Country Service 1 S3. J. Sieber (m)* Switzerland 1887 Mangalore 34. W. Bader (m) Germany 1888 Codacal 35. G. "Wieland (m) do. 1889 Kaity 36. J. Bucher (m) do. 1890 Mangalore 37. H.Bretschneider(m)* do. 1890 Udipi (Malpe) 38. Th. über (m) do. 1890 Tellicherry 39. S. Stamm (m)* Switzerland 1891 Mangalore 40. 0 . Singer (m) Germany 1891 Honavar 41. F. Boas (m)* do. 1891 Codacal 42. Ph. Stier (m) do. 1891 Basrur-Kundapur 43. H. Kessler (m)* Switzerland 1891 Calicut 44. M. Breidenbach (m) Germany 1892 Karkal 45. Tr. Lutz (m) Switzerland 1892 Guledgudd 46. J. Bächle (m) Germany 1893 Mulki 47. Iv. Mayer (m) do. 1893 Hubli 48. A. Metz do. 1893 Bijapur 49. 0 . Eckelmann (m)* do. 1894 Codacal 50. P. Borel (m) do. 1894 Kasaragod 51. Ch. Fritz (m) do. 1894 Kaity (Coonoor) 52. P. Sengle (m) do. 1894 Tellicherry (Nettur) 53. Ch. Gebhardt (m)* do. 1894 Palghat 54. Tr. Reusch. (m) do. 1895 Dharwar 55. Joh. Knobloch * do. 1895 Calicut 56. W. Stokes, m . b ., c . m . e d .* India 1895 do. 57. R. Schilling (m) Switzerland 1895 Chombala 58. R. Büchner Germany 1896 Hubli 59. G. Fischer (m) do. 1896 Mangalore 60. F. Heinecken (m) do. 1896 Bettigeri-Gadag 61. A. Schosser do. 1896 Kasaragod 62. J. Müller do. 1896 Udipi 63. H. Wolpert do. 1896 Anandapur 64. E. Lüthi Switzerland 1896 Basrur-Kundapur 65. H. Kühner* Germany 1896 Calicut 66. H. Eidenbenz* Switzerland 1896 Cannanore 67. W. Rath Germany 1896 Mercara 68. L. W eber* do. 1897 Mangalore 69. Chr. Dürr do. 1897 Karkal 70. G. Renschler do. 1897 Vaniyankulam 71. K. Buesch* do. 1897 Calicut 5

Native D ate of Name A ctiv e Station Country Service

72. W. Spaich Germany 1898 Mangalore 78. H. Stokes* India 1898 do. 74. K. Gross * Germany 1898 do. 75. M. Stuckert* Switzerland 1898 do. 76. W. Heckelmann* Germany 1898 Calicut 77. Fr. Braun do. 1898 Guledgudd 78. Fr. Singer do. 1898 Codacal 7 9 .A. Scheuer do. 1899 Tellicherry 80. J. Pfleiderer do. 1899 Dharwar 81. A. Beierbach* do. 1899 Mangalore

Single Ladies.

82. Miss M. Hanhart Switzerland 1895 Vaniyankulam 83. Miss E. Kaundinya India 1897 Mangalore 84. Miss H. Krauss Germany 1898 do.

At Home.

85. Ch. A. E. Diez (w) Germany 1851 late of Kasaragod 86. J. Baumann (w)* Switzerland 1874 do. Palghat 87. R. Schenkel (w) Germany 1874 do. Mercara 88. L. Gengnagjel (m) do. 1875 do. Basrur 89. M. Hoch (m) Switzerland 1876 do. Mangalore 90. G. Benner (m)* Germany 1877 do. Palghat 91. H. Altenmüller (w)* do. 1878 do. Mangalore 92. J. G. Kühnle (m) do. 1878 do. Palghat 93. C. D. Warth (w) do. 1878 do. Hubli 94. B. Lüthi (m) Switzerland 1884 do. Bettigeri 95. J. Götz (m) Germany 1886 do. Karkal 96. H. Risch (m) Germany 1888 do. Bettigeri 97. R. Bosshardt (m) Switzerland 1888 do. Codacal 98. Fr. Volz (m)* Germany 1888 do. Calicut 99. "W. Weischedel (m)* do. 1889 do. Mangalore 100. "W. Jung (m)* do. 1891 do. do. 101. E. Hiller Australia 1894 do. Palghat 102. J. Fahrenberger Germany 1895 do. Vaniyankulam Tabular View of Stations, Agents and Churches of the B. Gr, E. Mission. 1st JANUARY 1 8 9 9.

Agents of the Mission Native Church European Native Agents Mission­ Changes during the year under report State of the aries Churches on

Decrease Increase Total of 1st Jan. 1899

New

STATIONS Converts e> a 0 K* 0

Catechista 0 Non-Christian

st st January 1898 -o within within a station’s area Evangalists Evangalists and 1 Total Total number of Chr. Chr. School-mistresses Colporteurs Bible-Women Native Native Pastors Approximate population Sisters Out-Stations Out-Stations * Brethren Chr. Chr. School-masters Church-members on other other places 1 1 School-masters I I Total Total number of Catechumens Communicants Children Net increase Deaths Excommunications Departures Adults Re-admissions Births Arrivals from Church-members I. South-Canara. 1. Mangalore 1834 368000 6 17 15 5 13 0 4 25 11 20 2. Mulki . 1845 120000 6 2 2 2 6 0 0 8 3 4 2533 62 5 125 33 13 82 5 179 120 0 1586 2653 105 3. U dipi . 1854 126200 9 5 4 3 10 0 0 20 3 5 702 8 3 108 0 1 23 23 101 36 0 372 738 23 4. Karlcal . 1872 70000 1 0 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 1845 18 25 230 14 6 47 11 160 0 35 937 1810 78 5. Basrur . 1876 157700 3 3 2 0 7 1 0 3 0 4 108 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 3 0 1 58 107 7 6. Kasaragod 1886 210300 7 2 0 0 9 0 0 6 4 20 114 2 0 22 0 0 5 0 21 2 0 48 116 0 149 0 40 1 5 4 0 35 0 1 70 148 2 1052200 32 31 23 10 48 1 6 63 21 53 6 . II. Coorg. 5451 96 33 534 48 25 173 39 499 121 0 3071 5572 215 7. Mercara 1870 105700 1 3 2 0 5 1 0 1 0 0 8. Anandapur , 1853 88300 0 2 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 132 3 4 8 0 0 4 0 10 0 1 69 131 4 195 11 0 3 7 5 5 194000 1 5 3 0 8 1 0 2 0 0 8 6 7 0 133 202 0 III. S. Mahratta. 3 2 7 14 4 16 3 7 9 5 16 6 0 202 333 4 9. Dharwar 1837 29 1 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 6 0 10 I o. H ubli . 1839 5 3 0 6 0 0 1 3 2 1 4 0 2 4 .0 ? 241 11 2 99 1 0 12 0 16 0 83 83 158 0 11. Bettigeri 1841 290000 2 3 3 0 7 0 2 8 1 2 370 20 0 46 0 0 23 0 28 0 15 202 355 6 12. Guledgudd 1851 278600 12 3 2 0 7 0 0 8 3 0 555 18 2 28 0 0 27 0 63 42 0 285 579 4 13. Bijapur 1885 457100 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 4 0 2 559 5 5 61 4 7 26 0 129 95 0 296 654 0 14. Honavar 1845 320000 3 1 1 0 4 1 0 3 0 0 30 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 11 10 0 23 40 0 79 7 0 3 5 2167600 18 13 11 1 29 1 4 33 4 16 3 8 0 0 20 0 46 84 0 IV. Malabar. 1834 57 16 245 5 7 93 0 267 54 0 935 1888 10 15. Canuanore . 1841 320000 4 4 3 2 5 3 4 10 6 5 16. Tellicherry 1839 196000 3 4 3 1 6 0 4 17 3 18 974 18 6 70 38 18 16 1 113 92 0 584 1066 42 17. Chombala (Mahe) 304000 7 2 2 0 5 2 2 8 7 9 614 14 0 96 - 23 7 20 4 44 0 12 304 602 13 18. Calicut 340800 2 9 2 1 8 2 3 17 11 14 515 9 0 52 34 10 4 1 37 25 0 253 540 24 19. Codacal. 562400 12 4 3 1 11 4 2 13 2 7 1530 81 3 119 69 53 46 3 136 104 0 986 1634 123 20. Vaniyankulam 445500 4 3 2 0 6 1 2 6 0 6 1297 33 2 133 26 36 45 8 121 68 0 668 1365 43 21. Palghat 372100 2 3 2 1 4 3 2 9 1 4 90 4 0 24 30 13 3 0 27 45 0 80 135 18 1 221 2540800 34 29 17 6 45 15 19 80 30 63 427 3 100 9 5 13 0 65 0 12 415 25 V. Nilgiris. 5 4 4 7 162 12 594 229 142 147 17 543 310 0 3096 5757 288 22. K a ity . 60000 18 4 4 0 10 0 2 28 3 0 23. Kotageri 16000 7 1 1 1 3 0 2 7 3 0 335 11 1 54 6 3 15 0 53 11 0 172 346 7 240 0 36 4 12 42 0 120 76000 25 5 5 1 13 0 4 35 6 0 2 0 0 20 260 6 575 13 1 90 10 3 27 0 95 31 0 292 606 13 6030600 110 83 59 18 143 20 33 213 61 132 1 3 6 3 4 342 66 1479 295 184 449 61 1420 522 0 7596 14156 530 ■y 1898. 107 85 62 18 139 20 35 207 51 126 13634 405 74 1410 260 186 549 33 1334 473 0 '7259 13634 609 * Those places only, at whioh agents of the Mission are actually stationed, hare been counted. Abstract showing the Contributions of the Churches towards their Church Expenses, the Mission and the Poor in 1 8 9 9.

Collections Special Sunday Collections Regular and Collections Special Collections and Special Collections Church Donations for the Collections towards Donations Collections for for Bible Stations Contribu­ towards the Malabar for local Total Church towards the Orphanages Societies tions Mission- Widow- purposes Expenses Poor-funds work fun d

Rs. As. P. Rs. ÂS. P. Rs. As. P. Rs. As. P. Rs. As. P. Rs. As. P. Rs. As. P. Rs. As. P. Rs. As. P.

Mangalore . . . . 502 4 11 310 15 10 228 0 2 327 10 1 23 14 5 — —— 27 11 0 ——— 1-420 8 5

JePPu ...... 140 0 0 39 12 1 112 13 0 44 15 9 3 4, 2 — — — 340 13 0

Bockapatna - . . 178 0 11 40 0 11 2 13 1 39 2 3 — 4 0 0 —— — 264 1 2 23 5 9 T o ta l... 12 3 12 1 14 — - — 34 15 - —- 2025 1 6 7 820 5 10 390 10 343 10 411 I 10 10 8 -—- 18 0 0 3 11 9 264 M u l k i ...... 114 0 0 49 14 10 12 11 4 55 14 6 15 1 10 10 Udipi-Malpe .... 292 0 5 116 4 8 27 4 G 97 0 10 14 -—- 16 8 2 ——— 560 ! 1 5 2 0 0 Karkal . . . 24 13 0 19 8 0 4 14 0 3 9 0 -—- 4 8 0 ——— 59 4 0 3 13 3 Basrur-Kundapur . 45 6 0 24 15 4 11 o 11 20 3 0 -—- 2 12 3 ——— 108 1 6 9 6 14 9 Kasaragod .... 57 7 6 59 11 3 20 7 5 5 15 0 - - - 11 8 6 25 13 3 187 13 8 15 M ercara...... 53 0 0 68 4 0 15 7 3 18 5 0 0 0 ------——— 170 0 3 3 Anandapur . . . . 31 7 0 26 15 7 27 5 11 15 0 & 0 0 - — - 6 1 4 13 2 6 123 0 10 187 D h a r w a r ...... 54 8 6 33 2 0 64 8 0 ——— 0 0 -—- 9 8 0 34 8 9 383 3 3 10 9 6 H u b l i ...... 122 4 6 61 13 0 50 8 3 45 2 9 - —- 11 11 0 13 13 3 315 14 3 Bettigeri-Gad .-Shag. 85 8 9 55 11 6 21 14 3 45 3 11 — ——— - - 6 0 0 —-— 214 6 5 5 Guledgudd . . . . 107 11 1 36 14¡ 10 40 12 2 6 4 6 3 3 196 13 10 B ija p u r ...... 15 10 0 12 8 6 0 6 13 3 — — —— -- — —-—— — 41 1 0 9 1 2 8 Honavar-Karwar 26 10 0 17 8 10 20 2 4 5 10 9 0 --- 3 0 0 1 1 10 76 9 9 15 0 Cannanore . . . . 611 4 0 132 8 0 108 8 8 73 10 0 0 10 0 0 35 9 11 315 0 0 1301 8 7 10 Tellicherry, Nettur . 230 11 7 103 7 0 *160 11 2 189 7 a 8 9 11 0 6 19 0 0 ——— 733 14 3 Chombala-Mahe . . 207 8 0 56 11 5 103 10 0 201 3 i 9 0 0 9 0 0 27 1 0 283 12 6 897 10 0 Calicut -Coilandy . . 554 12 3 164 2 0 156 12 4 704 1 i l 16 0 0 30 0 0 * 18 13 8 55 0 0 1699 10 2 5 C odacal...... 543 8 2 93 10 7 55 13 5 109 12 10 0 0 18 12 7 13 13 0 5 0 0 845 6 7 2 0 Vaniyankulam . . . 42 8 0 53 15 1 20 4 4 13 2 5 0 3 - 2 0 4 10 4 72 10 3 212 4 5 P a lg h a t...... 221 0 0 55 4 0 66 11 2 52 7 11 5 0 0 20 12 0 17 12 0 37 13 9 476 13 0 K a i t y ...... 140 0 0 72 3 0 64 9 6 35 4 4 32 15 10 --- 32 12 6 32 0 6 409 13 8 K o t a g e r i ...... 97 0 0 40 8 0 82 11 9 28 6 0 21 8 0 — — — 19 5 6 8 0 0 297 7 3

T o t a l ... 4499 0 7 1746 6 6 1495 9 11 2144 6 10 398 11 3 102 11 1 313 6 6 901 8 4 11601 13 0

Total in 1 8 9 4 4069 14 10 1676 15 7 1937 8 5 2186 6 3 222 1 I 2I 7| 89 2 7 391 13j 1 1903 ! 14 11 12478 8 3

2 Table of Schools of the Basel German Evangelical Mission.

1st JANUARY 1 8 9 9.

Pupils in Schools for Christians Schools for Total of Pupils under instruction Training and Boarding Schools Da; Schools Non-Christians Boys Girls

STATIONS T o t a l Schools School Classes School School Classes Girls’ Girls’ Orphanages Boys’ Boys’ Orphanages Primary Primary Classes Middle and High Number Number of Schools Theological SchoolB Training Training Schools Middle Middle and High Infant Infant Schools Sunday Sunday Schools Primary Primary Classes Middle and High Non-Christians Christians Non-Christians Christians

I. South-Canara. x. Mangalore .... 16 4 8 0 0 0 348 29 462 244 223 517 222 133 1095 63 140 2. M u l k i ...... 7 0 0 0 0 68 237 0 0 0 54 133 108 .10 305 0 0 3. U d i p i ...... 11 0 7 55 97 0 405 00 65 0 301 224 125 39 689 0 0 4. K a r k a l ...... 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 8 7 3 0 18 0 0 5. Basrur-Kundapur . - . 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 235 0 5 184 11 35 235 0 17 6. Kasaragod .... 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 536 45 12 458 13 98 581 0 0 47 4 15 55 97 68 1008 89 1298 289 603 1523 482 315 2923 63 157 II. Coorg. 7. Mercara . . .) 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 7 0 9 0 16 0 0 8. Anandapur (Ammatti) . 1 0 0 0 0 0 37 0 0 0 17 2 18 0 37 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 53 0 0 0 24 2 27 0 53 0 0 III. Southern Mahratta. 9. Dharwar . 4 0 0 13 0 0 27 0 48 ! 142 34 181 14 1 230 0 35 10. H u b l i ...... 3 0 0 0 0 0 81 0 103 0 33 125 25 1 184 0 143 11. Bettigeri-Gadag 5 0 0 28 71 0 84 0 159 ' 0 133 170 38 1 342 0 65 12. Guledgudd . 4 0 0 0 0 72 74 0 85 ; 0 56 78 93 0 231 0 0 13. B ija p u r ...... 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 179 0 5 143 0 31 179 0 0 14. Honavar . 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51 i 0 11 36 4 0 51 0 ! 0 22 0 0 41 71 72 266 0 625 142 •272 733 178 34 1217 0 243 IV. Malabar. 15. Cannanore . 5 0 0 0 0 0 196 23 227 18 117 220 103 24 464 27 228 16. Telliclierry . 11 11 8 50 0 0 104 43 429 161 163 467 58 118 806 0 65 17. Chombala (Mahe) . 8 0 4 0 0 105 0 84 233 166 45 378 158 13 592 0 0 18. C a l i c u t ...... 8 0 0 0 0 0 259 39 350 255 187 499 155 62 903 0 194 19. C o d a c a l...... 7 0 0 » 0 88 0 213 14 222 17 253 182 111 8 554 35 0 20. Vaniyankulam . 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 185 60 8 203 4 30 245 0 14 21. P a l g h a t ...... 4 0 0 0 0 0 48 0 176 71 37 212 37 9 295 10 69 45 11 12 50 88 105 820 203 1822 748 810 2161 624 264 3859 72 570 V. Nilgiris. 22. K . a i t y ...... 30 2 3 17 32 0 31 6 632 5 77 590 25 36 728 0 88 23. Kotageri . 10 0 0 0 0 18 45 12 160 0 19 175 28 13 235 0 25 40 2 3 17 32 18 76 18 792 5 96 765 53 49 963 0 113

Grand Total.. . 157 17 30 163 288 263 2223 310 4537 1184 1805 5184 1364 662 9015 135 1083

Total of 1st January 1 898 151 24 32 163 268 251 2072 198 4337 963 1744 4679 1263 I 622 8308 166 1116

2* 12

Detailed Table of Stations, Out-Stations,

and Agents, 1st January 1899.

Stations Native Agents: — and Pastors, Catechists and Christian Headmasters Out-Stations of High Schools

1. Mangalore a. Pastoral a. Engaged in Pastoral and Evangelistic Work Balmatha, Madikeri- R ev. M . Schaible, in gudde, Niresliwalya, charge o f station, Nati- e Rev. Seb. Furtado, Jeppu Church Jeppu, Bockapatna- „ S . Andrea, Balmatha Kndroli, Bolur. Rev. P. Borel, ilin. „ M. Salis, Madikerigudde Rev. W . Spaich, Studying „ J. Soens, Bolma Out-Stations : Tulu. „ Obed Sumitra, Bolma, Cllal, Bantwal, b. Educational Bockapatna Pattnr. Rev. M. Hocli, Chairman E v. G. Banger a, itin., Piittur Getil. and Dist. Committee, Cat.Benjamin Ananda, itin. Balm. Girls' 6 ° other Schs. „ E. Karat, itinerancy Rev. K . Ernst, Theol. Seminary „ Gottlob Maben, itin. Rev. J. Bucher, High „ Paul Soens, itin. Puttur Sch. and other Schools „ Joseph Pramodana, „ Miss M. Krauss, Brahmin Girls’ School b. Educational Work Miss E. Kaundin}'a, Stud. Theolog. Canarese Cat. Chr. W atsa Semi­ „ Ch. Maben Miss H. Krauss, Stud. nary Canarese S. Karat High c. Mercantile Joel Rajiva School Mr. F. Huber, Genl. Agent 6 ° Treasurer L- Fernandez, (Bantwal School „ P. Buchli, M . M .-B r . „ L. Weber, M, M .-B r. P. Shiri, Balmatha Girls’ School d. Industrial Fr. Jathana, Mr. G. Hirner, Press on fu rlou gh „ S. Stamm, Boole Depot. „ F . Stierlen, W eav.Est.

„ W . Jung, Kudroli Tile- Works „ A . Glattfelder, Jeppu Tile- W orks „ K. Gross, do. do. H . Stokes, 'Mechanical W orks 13

S t a t io n s Native Agents: — and European Agents Pastors, Catechists and Christian Headmasters Oiit-Stations of High Schools

2 . M u lk i Rev. M. Breidenbach, in R ev. Charles Gojar, Mulki Out-Stations: charge of station and Native Church Orphanage Karnad, liadike, „ Im. Furtado, Padur Santur, Ucliila, Padar, Rev. J. Bachle, out-slations, Cat. J. Vedamuttu, Kutyar Kutvar, Munderu. Schools and itin. „ Benjamin Salins, Santur „ J. Aarons, Munderu „ T . Jeremia, Uchila „ G. Premaya, Kadike „ N. Kundara, itin.

3 . U d ip i R ev. J. A . Brasche, District Rev. Daniel Aaron, itin. Out-Stations : Insp. o f Schools, Christian „ Nahason Vira, Gudde High School, Orphanage Parkala, Skepura, „ Tim. Furtado, Shirva and Training School Malpe, Udyarara, Gudde, Cat. Sam. Furtado, Malpe Skirva-Eattupadi, R ev. Ch. KLeppler, Udipi Nat. „ N . Suchitta, Udyavara Eoppala-Ambadi, Church and out-stations „ Winf. Micha, Chr. High Madambail-Eurkal, Rev. C. G. Eblen, itin. and School Kalyaiiapur-Bolmar. out-stations „ Joseph Kairanna, Rev. J. Miiller, Udipi Church itinerattcy and out-stations „ G. Bangera, Ambadi Mr. H. Bretschneider, „ A. Furtado, Madambail Tile-Works, Malpe „ Ebenezer Clare, Parkala „ T. Ammanna, Shepura T M . Jayanta, Kalyanapur „ Amruta Heri, Udipi itin.

4 . K a r k a l Rev. G. Fischer, in charge Cat. Daniel Andrea, Karkal Out-Stations : o f . station, itin . Native Church Mudar, Nandolige, R ev. Chr. Durr stud. Tuhi „ Joseph Bhagyan, itin. Hckkadka. „ Samuel Sumitra, Hekkadka

5. Basrur Rev. L. Gengnagel, Evang. Joshua Soens, itin. Out-Stations : in charge o f station and Cat. Immanuel Soens, Nat. out-stations, itin. Church, Basrur, itin. Eundapur, Kailkeri, „ Stephen Jathana, Barkur. Rev. P h . Stier, to take charge Kundapur Church, itin. Rev. E. Liithi, studying „ W . Heri, Barkur, itin. Cmarcse, itin. „ Asser. Karat, itin. v Hezekiel Bangera, itin. Assist. Cat. Ch. Manjaru, Kailkeri, itin. 14

Stations Native-Agents:— and European Agents Pastors, Catechists and Christian Headmasters Out-Stations of High Schools

6 . Kasaragod Rev. E. Diez, in charge o f Evang. Gerson Soens, itin. station, itin. Cat. Abraham Heri, Out-Stations : N. Ckurch and itin. Ravaneshrara, R ev. A . Schosser, itin. „ Jesudasa Melottu, itin. Hosadurga, Bekal, „ Ariel Sumitra, itin. Kumbla, Bela, „ I. Eliezer, Manjeshvara Bangaramanjeshvara, „ Chmtananda Salis, Kum. Hcsabeltu-Manjesbvara, „ Sal. Bangera, Ravan. Nileshrara. „ W. Amos Kundara, Hosadurga, itin. n George Fernandez, Hosadurga „ W . Fernandez, Chandera

7 . M e r c a r a Rev. W . Sikemeier, in Cat. G. Almanda, Native Oul-Stations : charge o f station Church and itin. „ Nath. Shatananda, * Fraserpel, Chembu. Rev. W . Rath, itin. „ Raph. Satyavrata, * Mr. J. B. Veil, M . M .-B r . „ S. Sumanta \Fraserpet, Asst. Cat.L.Salinsj itin.

8 . Anandapur Rev. J. Fischer, in charge Cat. Joseph Sunita, o f station, itin. N. Church and itin. „ Im. Jivottama, itin. Rev. H. Wolpert, itin. „ Joseph Bangera, „

9 . D h a r w a r Rev. O. Bode, in charge of Cat. Israel Dalabhanjana, station, itin. Nat. Ch., itin. „ Bhagya Alada, itin. Rev. Tr. Reusch, High „ ShantaBudigi, St.Home School, Students' Home Asst. Cat. R . Hittalamane Mr. Alex. Jaganadhan, b . a ., Headmaster, High School

10. H u b l i Rev. Ch. D. Warth, Secular Rev. S. Devada, N . Church Agent, in charge of Cat. Devadana Katapur, Out-Stations : Church and Schools Unahallu Unakalla, Hebsur. Rev. Tr. Lutz, itin., school „ St. Mathapati, itin. Asst. Cat. Obed Gundi, itin. R ev. R . Büchner, stud. „ , I. Aralikatte, Canarese Bible Colp.

11. B e t t i g e r i - Rev. J. Waidelich, Native Cat. Zach. Kanaka, N - Ch■ G -adag Church, and itin. „ Channa Halli, Schools Rev. B. Liithi, Distr. Insp. „ Devaputra Hebbala, „ Out-Stations: o f Schools, Training Sch. v Jacob Davala, itin. Shagoti, Malasamndra and Orphanage „ Hanoch Adina, Shagoti R ev. A . M etz, Mid.-Sch. itin. Asst. Cat. Da. Gonda, Mala. Rev. Fr. Heinecken, itin. „ „ Dan. Nayaka, itin. 15

Stations Native Agents:— Pastors, Catecliists, and and European Agents Christian Headmasters of Out-Stations High Schools

12. O-uledgudd Rev. F. Eisfelder, Cat. Stephan Sagri, Native Chairman o f the D istrict Ckurch, itin. Out-Stations : Committee, in charge o f „ Sol. Jogula, Kardenhalli Kardenhalli, station and out-stations „ Jos. Dalabhanjana, itin. Halkurki, out-stations „ Joh. Prabhakar, „ Mushtigeri. R ev. KL. Mayer, and Hin. j, David Jesudasa, Orphan­ age and itin. R ev. Fr. Braun, studying Asst. Cat. H. Challa, Halk. Canarese „ „ Ananda Gunjala, itin.

13. Bijapur Rev. D. Berli, in charge o f Cat. Ananda Rona, itin. ¿he station, itin. „ Sal. Ramthal, „ Asst. Cat. Sat. Basutkar „

14. Honavar Rev. O. Singer, in charge Ev. S. Bunyan, Karwar, itin. Out-Stations : o f station, itin. Cat. Daniel Santvana, „ Herangadi, Anilgodu, „ Jesa. Bangara, „ Earwar. Asst. Cat. M . Suvarna, „ 15. Cannanore R ev. K . Schaal, Distr. Insp. Rev. Nath. Arakanda. Cann. o f Schools, in charge o f Native Ckurch Out-Stations : Nat. Church and out-stat. Rev. Tob. Chembankodan, Chova, Chirakal, R ev. G. Peter, itinerancy Chowa Talipararabu, Payyanur. Cat. P . Sneham, Chowa, itin. Mr. W . P. Schönthal, Weav­ „ Ph. Mackadan, Talip. itin. ing Establish?nent „ Devasahayam Mantodi, Mr. H. Eidenbenz, „ „ itinerancy Asst. Cat. Elias Nambi, Chirakal, itin. „ ,, Ebenezer Bethel, Cannanore, itin.

16. Tellieherry Rev. L. J. Frohnmeyer, R ev. George Peter, Nettur Secretary and hispector Nat. Church Out-Stations : Getieral o f Schools, in E v. Samuel Ambattu, itin. Nettur, Anjarkandy, charge o f station, Theolog. North Malabar Huttoparambn, Seminary and Training Cat. Henry Roberts, Christ. Krinyoli, School High School Dharmpattanam. Rev. A. Ruhland, Christian „ Noah Edapala, Theolog. High School Seminary, Training Sch. „ Isaac Amattil, Tellieherry Rev. P. Sengle, Theological Seminary Nat. Church „ Anthony Yaliatingara, Tellieherry Rev. Th. Uber, Anjarkandy, itin. town, IJarsi High School „ Abel Kuttuparambu, itin. Mr. J. Kurian, b.a., Flead- master, Chr. High Sch. Mr. Itti Joseph, b. a., Head­ master. Training School 16

Stations Native Agents:— and Pastors, Catechists and European Agents Christian Headmasters Out-Stations of High Schools

17. Chombala- Rev. Imm. Weismann, Cat. Henry Menzel, Chomb. Mahè in charge of station, Nat. Ch. Out-Stations: „ John Amengara, Make Church and Schools Mahé, Badagara, Muverattu, Ferambara, Rev. R . Schilling, Out-Stti- „ Noah Benjamin, Payoli, Karakadu. tions, Schools and itin. Muverattu, itin. „ St. Chattotu, Badagara, itin. Asst. Cat. P. Karunagaran, Perambara, itin.

in charge Pastor 18. Calicut R ev. J. J. Jaus, Rev. Jonas Padiath, , o f station and Schools Nat. Ch, Out-Stations : Mr. Joh.Knobloch, High Sch. Ev. Ashamayan Tumaran, Coilandy, Pudiarakal, Mr. W . Stokes, m. b., itin., Central Malabar Pudiangadi, Medical Mission Cat. B . Ponon, Pudiarakal, Collam, Markat. „ H. Kessler, M . M .-B . N . Church „ H. Kühner, M . M .-B . „ Lawrence Puvattur, Cal. Nat. Ch. „ K.Buesch, study. Mai., Industrial Mission „ Paul Chandran, High School „ M. Stuckert, T .-W orks „ Jos. Mantodi, Coilandy, * W . Heckelmann, „ itin . „ Sol. Mackaden, r Asst. Cat. A. Pavamani, Medical Mission „ n L . Pavamani, itin.

19. Codacal R ev. R . Bossliardt, in charge Rev. St. KalJat, Codacal N . Out-Stati07is ; o f station, out-statiofis and Church Paraperi, Ponani, itinerancy Cat. C. Arunachalan, Parap. Pallat, Malapuram, Mr. O. Eckelmann, Secular N . Church Manjeri, Tritala, Agent and Orphanage. „ Isaac Laban, itin. Chitlatakara, Mr. F. Boas, T ile-W orks „ Paul Selvan, „ Chalasheri. „ St. Parakandi, „ „ Is.Chowalur, M anj., itin. n Fredric Numbi, Malapuram, itin. „ Jos. Taddai, Pbnani, itin. „ Dan. Edakaden, Ponani „ Ch. Hermon, Chittata. „ L . Nap alii, Chalasheri Asst. Cat. Ch. Kotavalapil, 17

S t a t io n s Native Agents:— Pastors, Oateehists and and European Agents Christian Headm asters of Out-Stations High Schools

20. Vaniyan- Rev. S. Walter, Chairman of Cat. Abr. Arungadan, itin. k u l a m District Committee, in „ Devap. Amangaran, „ charge o f station „ Jakob Cheeran, „ Out-Stations : Rev. J. Fahrenberger, (on „ Abia Edapalan, Angadipuram, sick leave) Angadifuram , „ Shoranur. Panamanna, Rev. G. Renschler, stu. Mai. „ Bethuel Pogayil, „ „ Ottapalam, Tirikatiri. Miss M. Hanhart, Medical Asst. Cat. J. Valiavalappan, Mission itin.

21. Palghat Rev. K . Hole, in charge Rev. Tim. Parakandi, N . Ch. Melparambu Out-Stations: o f station and schools Cat. Lazar K allat, Nat. Ch. Olavakkoda, Rev. E. Hiller, Schools „ Zacharias Pilakaden, Melpararabu, Wädackencherry, itin. Wadackencherry, Mr. Chr. Gebhardt, Panayar. r A lphai K alian, Panayur, Tile- Works itin. „ Manuel Simon, Melparambu, itin.

2 2 . K a i t y Rev. W . Lütze, in charge Cat. Isaiah Shanta, Out-Stations: o f station, Training and N . Ch., itin. Coonoor, Hulikal, Cat. Schools, Orphanage „ Lemuel Soens, Cat. Sch. Kerkambe, Eerekada, „ Salathiel Soens, Orphan. Achinakallu, Rev. G. Wieland, „ John Philipp, Schools Eateri, Adhikarhatti, Out-Stations, Schools and „ Abraham Madia, Manikatli, Hosakatli, itin. Out-stations, itin. ■Horankalli, Enllakambe, Hilar, Tummanliatti, „ Paul Mada, „ „ Rev. William Stokes, Dawani, Maujoor, „ K . Satyanathan, Hulikal Sailas, ledekadu, Coonoor, itin. Cooly Mission Denale, Tnneri, „ Mose Kari, Coonoor „ Kalkatti, Nellakotta. Rev. Ch. Fritz, Coonoor Asst. Cat. Isaiah Konga, Cooly Mission Kerekada, itin. „ „ Hans Isaac, Nella., Wyna. Cooly Miss.

23. Kotageri Rev. G. Grossmann, Rev. Jacob Kanaka, Nat. Out-Stations : in charge of station, Ch., School and itin. Kodanad, Eonakore, Orphanage, itin. Cat. Henry K odot, itin. Jakanare, Denad, „ Isaac Bella, itin. Hilidenu, Kancriniukli, Asst. Cat. Chr. Ajja, itin. Bergani, Gundhada, Dorasole.

3 REPORT.

1. Agency.

A. European Workers.

(Cf. Tables, pages 3 — 6.)

The number of European Workers has not greatly changed. At the end of 1897 there were 62 Ladies and 85 Missionaries, and at the end of 1898, 82 Missionaries and 59 Ladies. Of these 82 Missionaries 58 are ordained and 24 are laymen. Of the 59 Ladies 55 are Missionaries’ wives and 4 single Ladies directly engaged in Mission-work. During the year the following departures took place: M r. and Mrs. Dilger of Tellicherry left for Cottayam, M r. Dilger having been set apart for Bible-revision work; M r. and Mrs. Rehrn of the same station left for Europe and disconnected themselves from our Society. The following also left for Europe: M r. and Mrs. Lauff&r of Chombala, Mr. and Mrs. Bisch of Dharwar, Mr. and Mrs. Gotz of Karkal, Mr. and M rs. Digel of Mulki, M r. and Mrs. Weischedel of Mangalore, Messrs. Altenmuller, Schenkel, Volz, Benner and Baumann and Mrs. Sautter. Mr. Lauffer has served his Lord out here for 42 years, M r. Digel for 34 years, and there is little hope of their returning to the country, where they spent the greater part of their life.—At the beginning of 1898 and towards the end of the year the following Missionaries returned to India: Mr. and Mrs. Sikemeier (formerly atKotageri), now sta­ tioned at Mercara (Coorg), and Mr. and Mrs. Stier (formerly at Bijapur), now at Basarur. In addition to these old hands not less than six young Missionaries arrived, viz: Messrs. 19

Spaich, Stokes, Gross, Braun, Stuckert and Heckelmann (the first three for Canara, Mr. Braun for South-Mahratta, and the last two for Malabar). Finally we had the pleasure to welcome five young ladies, v iz : Miss Preiswerk, now Mrs. Ernst at Mangalore; Miss Elsaesser, now Mrs. Frits at Coonoor; Miss Bauer, now Mrs. Metz at Bettigeri; Miss Muller, now Mrs. Schilling at Chombala; and Miss Helene Krauss, now at Mangalore. There have been again two cases of death during the earlier part of 1898, and sad cases indeed: two Missionary ladies, both preparing themselves for their voyage to Europe and anxiously expected by their children at home, have been called to rest by their heavenly Father. Mrs. Schenkel, the daughter of a clergyman, who was a great friend of the Mission, was born at Thalheim (near Heilbronn) in the year 1857. In 1879 she followed her elder sister (Mrs. Hirner at Mangalore) and came out to India as the wife of the Rev• R . Schenkel, then stationed at Hubli. During the 19 years of her Indian sojourn she shared in all the joys and troubles of a mission­ ary-life with her husband at Hubli, Bettigeri, Anandapur, Basrur, Malpe, and finally at Mercara. Being the mother of ten children and having sometimes to nurse her husband when he was dangerously ill, or being herself at death’s door, one may imagine that she had her full share in those many tribulations through which we have to enter into the Kingdom of our Lord. But she never thought much of this; always proving herself a faithful servant of the Lord she had learned to resign her will to God’s will. Many of our Christians will testify at her grave, that she has been really a mother to them. Constrained by a glowing love towards her Lord and Saviour and feeling the responsibility for the souls of all those whom God had placed within her influence, she was ever ready to sympathize both with Christians and Non-Christians in all their troubles and anxieties, and to lend them a helping hand. Mr. Schenkel having been for some time in a very precarious state of health was ordered home by the Doctors, but from the time this 3* 20

was decided upon Mrs. SchenkeVs health was failing also. In spite of weakness and great exhaustion our sister with her usual energy made the necessary preparations for the journey, but—alas just on the day when she had finished with all this, high fever set in, which gradually exhausted the little strength she possessed. Up to a few days before her death (22nd March 1898) she was able to spend a few’ hours every day on the verandah, only com­ plaining of great debility. Almost to the last she hoped to recover, and to see her children at home once more, although she also reckoned with the probability of going to her real Fatherland. The sympathies of our English friends at Mercara and of our Native Christians were a great consolation to the husband who had been so sorely bereaved.

Mrs. Baumann was born in 1861, at Unterhallau in Switzerland, and came out to India 1893 as the second wife of Mr. Baumann, a lay-missionary in connexion with our Tile-Works at Olavakkoda (near Palghat). Strange to say this sister also was called home a few months before she hoped to return with her husband to Switzerland. Returning on the 18th of June from the Nilgiris she felt unwell and finally the Doctors pronounced the case to be typhoid fever with heart complication. Dr. Stokes, our Missionary Doctor, and the Apothecary of Palghat did everything that human art and skill could, but God had disposed otherwise. Many prayers went up to the Throne of Mercy, but on the 30th of June she breathed her last. Death did not find this child of God unprepared. Before this last sickness and during her last struggles, she had a presentiment that her life’s journey had come to an end. Death had lost its terrors for her. In the midst of terrible convulsions she said to her servant: “ Raman, I am not afraid of death, make an end of your hesitation and become a Christian!” "When later on .Mr. Hole reminded her of the 23d Psalm and asked h er: “ Is not the Lord truly with you at this time?” she answered with failing breath: “Indeed He is with me” ' Surely there were also moments of anxiety, in which she felt that her faith was to be tried ‘as silver tried in a furnace’, but the end was all peace and glory. Not only did Mr. Baumann feel this loss 21 keenly but it was a loss felt intensely by the whole station. What she has been for the day-labourers, men and women, of the Tile- Works at Olavakkoda, the great day of our Lord will reveal. As usual, we cannot refrain from mentioning in this con­ nexion the names of those medical gentlemen who at our different stations have laid us under the deepest obligations of thankfulness by their never-failing help and kindness in days of affliction. We have been asked to express our hearty thanks to the following gentlemen: Lt. Col. Davidson at Dharwar, Dr. Cardoz at Hubli, Dr. Foy at Bettigeri, Dr. Ganapati and Dr. Verghese at Mangalore. To Mr. Zacharias, a pensioned Dresser at Mangalore the Native Christians there feel especially indebted. Our brethren at Kasaragod thank­ fully remember the services of Mr. A. F. Matthias, Civil Apothe­ cary, and of the Dressers at Hosadurg and Manjeshvara. We mention further Dr. Bain and Mr. Ratna Singh and Mr. John Chandran at Mercara, Dr. Molesworth at Cannanore, Dr. Lafrenais at Tellicherry, Mr. H. G. John and Dr. Verghese at Badagara, Dr. Wilkins at Calicut, and Mr. C. D ’ Sylva, Civil Apothecary at Palghat. Before concluding this chapter of our Report we have still to make reference to the death of two fellow-workers, whom the Lord called to rest in Europe during the year under report. Mr. G. Pfleideren, for a long time the Secular Agent of our Mission, departed this life on the 23rd of March 1898. He was born at Waiblingen in Württemberg on the 28th of September 1829. He was educated by his parents in simplicity and piety and had the advantages of an early instruction in the classical languages up to the fourteenth year of his age. In consideration of the practical turn of his mind his father sent him after confirmation to Leonberg to enter upon the life of a merchant. He received his professional training in the firm of Josenhans and Brothers (the father of the Rev. Josenhans, the renowned Inspector of our Mission, and after­ 22

wards at Mettmann near Elberfeld in the firm of Neviandt and Pfleiderer, where he made himself thoroughly acquainted with the manufacture of wool and silk-weaving. In the year 1850 the Industrial Branch of our Mission had been started and as Inspec­ tor Josenhans was of opinion that the whole of this business ought to be managed by a qualified merchant, he invited Mr. Pfleiderer to join our Mission. In December 1853 he left Europe for India, and under his able and energetic management the work flourished. In 1855 he was appointed General Treasurer of our Mission in addition to his other work. After some time he opened also the Mercantile Mission-Branch, and “ the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand” (Gen. 39, 8). With a single break (1870-1872) he kept his post at Mangalore until 1880. After his return to Europe he spent the rest of his days in a quiet and unassuming manner in the responsible position of a General Agent for the Industrial and Mer­ cantile Mission-Branch in India and Africa 5 he was elected besides a member of the Committee of the Basel Mission Society. His family-life was a very happy one. In 1859 he was married to Johanna Werner, a daughter of Dr. Werner, a well-known philanthropist at Ludwigsburg, and she presented him with 15 heal­ thy children. It is characteristic in the family-life of a Missionary, that only once (viz. in 1880) the large family lived together for a few days. This was the kind consoling light of a dying day; for already in 1882 the sun of this happy home was setting. Mrs. Pfleiderer was taken away as by a storm. Mr. Pfleiderer lived to see not only a stately number of grown-up sons and daughters, six daughters- in-law and two sons-in-law, but also 24 grand-children, to whom the grand-father felt himself especially attached. It was a hard stroke indeed for the old father when the news broke upon him that his second daughter Fredericke, the wife of Mr. Altenmuller, his successor at Mangalore, had died (see last year’s Report, page 20). To welcome this son-in-law with his 3 children was the last joy in the midst of his family. After a sickness of only a few days’ duration he fell asleep in Christ on the 23rd of March last year. Another daughter of Mr. Pfleiderer (Mrs. PLoch) has just gone home on furlough and a son is expected to come out next month, so there will 23

be uo danger that the remembrance of this faithful and peaceful servant of God could be forgotten amongst us. Rev. Ph. Weidner, of whom we had to report last year, that he was compelled to leave in the midst of the monsoon owing to a throat-disease, was born on the 21st January 1867 in Pflugstadt and died 10th June 1898 in Seeheim (Hessen). Mr. Diez, his father-in-law, has sent the following communication: “ When God in His great mercy deigned to call Philip out of darkness into His marvellous light, he felt the call to serve Him in reclaiming of the heathen for His glorious kingdom. After due preparation at the Mission College at Basel, he set foot on Indian soil in December 1892 as a Missionary. Malabar was the province assigned to him. After his marriage to Miss Dora Diez, however, he was transferred to Kasaragod to take charge of the large Malayalam population. With great zeal he entered on his work, especially on itinerancy. A hoarseness, he contracted during open-door preaching, wore at first a somewhat mild character, but soon developed into a most obstinate...... , accompani­ ed by entire loss of his voice. In order not to give offence to his Native Assistants he still accompanied them for some time. He had to give it up at last to his great, grief. As all the best medical advice and medicines did not benefit him in the least, he had to leave the country for Europe on the 18th August 1897 with wife •and child in the depth of the monsoon. In Baden-Baden he sub­ mitted himself to a course of cold-water cure, when he contracted tubercles in the chest (Brustfellentziindung) which laid him up for about six months. His desire to get well and strong again was so great that he diligently studied Canarese in order to return to Kasaragod better equipped. The Lord, however, had disposed otherwise, and instead of permitting him to return to India, He required him to lay down his young life at His bidding. Although the ways of God are incomprehensible, yet they are holy and perfect. This we believe, and by His grace shall see it on His great day. We hope our dear brother has already realized this blessed insight.” 24

B. Native Workers. There is an increase of 4 Indian fellow-workers. 31st December 1897: Native Pastors 18, Evangelists and Catechists 139. 31st December 1898: Native Pastors 18, Evangelists and Catechists 143. Only one ordination took place in Malabar, where at Tellicherry the Catechist Peter George was ordained Pastor of the congregation at Nettur. The Rev. St. Chandran went with M r. Dilger to Cottayam to represent the Basel Mission in the Bible-Revision work. The number of Evangelists remained unchanged: the Evang. Johannan Zacharias died, and the Catechist Gerson Soms at Kasaragod was appointed an Evangelist. Two Catechists died, two resigned. From our different Seminaries 11 students passed their ekamination and joined work as Catechists.

Evangelist Johannan Zacharias, whose district had been in the northern part of Malabar, died at Tellicherry on the 19th of March. Since 1868 he has chiefly been engaged in itinerating work, first in Canara, and afterwards in Malabar. He was a man of great ability and experience and his loss will be greatly felt within his branch o f work. His special gift was not so much the power of ordinary preach­ ing, but, being endowed with much acumen and great dialectical skill, he was a great help in religious controversy and conversation. In the beat of a disputation he could be seen at his best. The abso­ lute absence of anything like excitement was at the very outset enough to cool down his opponent. Suffering from diabetes he asked for a transfer to Mahe to be within reach of medical help. In our last Report we gave some details from the work at his last station (see page 46 /.). Finally he had to resort to Tellicherry to undergo medical treatment. In February last he was on the board for revision of our Hymn-Book, and none of us thought, that this would be his last work. He was not able to attend the last 25 sittings, as a boil in the neck of a very malignant nature gave him great pain. This in addition to his general debility was the cause of his death. He was held in great estimation on account of his ability and was generally loved for his peaceful and humble dis­ position of mind, and we are sure that our brother will feel happy in those realms where righteousness and peace rule. Daniel Patti, born 1853, and since 1884 employed as a Catechist in our Mission, died at Hubli, together with his wife, from plague. W e are sorry to say, that we have not been furnished with any details of the history of his life and death.

Gabriel Pirachen entered his rest on the 3rd November 1898. As to service, he was the senior of our Indian fellow-workers. He was born at Dharmapattanam in 1831. As a boy he went to the village-school of our Mission there and being convinced of the Christian truth he was admitted to the Christian community. He passed through the schools on Nettur-hill, and was finally, with a few others, trained as Catechist by Dr. Oundert. On the 1st of August 1850 he commenced his long and faithful service in our Mission. He being a pupil of Dr. Gundert was married to Isabella Pashego, a favorite pupil of Mrs. Gundert. Those who knew her, speak highly of her knowledge both in the Bible and secular subjects, also of her piety, kindness, modesty and sincere love. She became the mother of nine children and was a great blessing to her husband in spiritual matters. In 1876 he lost his faithful helpmate, and during the last 22 years a sickly daughter looked after his household and helped him in the education of his younger children. M r. Gabriel spent the whole of his time in North-Malabar, and his chief stations were Tellicherry and Chombala; in the former place he was in charge of a congregation. During the last 18 years he worked chiefly amongst Non-Christians. He was much esteemed both by Christians and Non-Christians; and was remarkable for his courage, childlike piety, faithfulness, sobriety of opinion, and especially for his untiring industry as a travelling Catechist. On preaching tours this old man in spite of his 67 years, would be ready to march before some of his colleagues,

4 26 forty years younger, had made their preparations, and he was the last to go home. Even during the rainy season he made use of any break and went to the houses of Non-Christians in the neighbourhood. He was not a man of very high attainments, but he possessed more sterling qualities, and was never tired of learn­ ing and increasing his small stock of knowledge. How anxious he was to work as long as he could became manifest during his last days. Old and feeble as he was he went out for a preaching tour and returned after three weeks suffering from fever, and then lay down to die. Ready to meet his Lord, and without struggle, he fell asleep. His death was peaceful as his life had been. The position of Missionaries and Catechists in the plague- stricken districts was of course one of extraordinary difficulty, and it was a time in which God revealed of what material His workmen were made. It is an experience of Christian life in general, that God grants opportunities, where our faith is not only tried, but where it will be tested, whether the amount of grace we usually live upon is sufficient or not. We feel exceedingly glad to state, that at any rate some of our Catechists, have by God’s grace been equal to the task. About a very young Catechist his Missionary reports: “ He is in charge of an out-station and has worked there during the last few years with great faithfulness and self-denial. He is a pious, humble and peaceful man, who considering his somewhat difficult post, seems to be the right man in the right place. In a few cases he was lacking in firmness, but considering his age, this may be excused. Plague was prevailing at his station from September to December, and under my direction he advised and helped both Christi­ ans and Non-Christians most faithfully. The cheerfulness of his childlike faith was most consoling to patients whom he served to the best of his knowledge. He used to accompany the Missionary and an East-Indian nurse on their visitation through the village. The officials of the plague-commission took a great liking for the modest young man, and gladly availed themselves of his advice and service. When Christians and Non-Christians were ordered to leave their 27

houses and remove to the segregation-camp, he cast in his lot with them, sent his wife to some other station and encamped with a few Christians in a chapel outside the village.” The statistics of our Schoolmasters are the following: Christian Schoolmasters. End of 1897 207 „ „ 1898 213 As the number of our Lower Secondary Schools is steadily increasing, in congregations as well as amongst Non-Christians, the want of Christian Matriculates is very much felt. Every year the Pastors and Catechists of a district unite at some station for some days for a course of instruction. The Catechists up to a certain age have to send in some months before their essays on some theological subject, which is then discussed at the meeting. Besides this, practical exercises will take place, and the exegesis of some difficult passage of the Bible and a lecture on some topic of Hinduism form usually part of this conference. These meetings afford besides a most welcome opportunity to our fellow-workers to meet as a body once a year, to exchange their experiences and to strengthen their hands in united prayer A similar meeting unites in every district once a year the Christian Schoolmasters of our Mission:

2. Evangelistic Work,

Of the six troubles, alluded to in our last year's Report, the most ghastly one— plague— remained, and our evangelistic work more or less was encumbered by this terrible invader. As a matter of course, such was the case in districts where plague really was prevailing. Our experience has been the same as last year: On the whole we did not find that this scourge of God led people to repentance. The general ex­

4* 28 perience was rather what the Rev. Salomon Devada at Hubli writes: “ As the people were filled with sorrow and anguish, lacking all courage and cheerfulness, only a very few came to hear the "Word of God, and even such as came paid but little attention to our preaching.” But this fear and dismay were felt all over the country, and even in districts where the danger of plague was still far away. And sometimes the fear of imaginary enemies was greater than that of the real great enemy. People in some districts are really more afraid of the doctors than of the plague itself, and their superstition has surrounded inocula­ tion with such a haze of nonsense, that the mere thought of it makes these poor imbeciles shudder. Even in the interior parts of Malabar people will flee as soon as the Missionary with his Catechists approaches. A woman, a vessel on her head, in the attempt to climb over a mud-wall, tumbles down the wall together with the hedge, which she seized in her desperation. Mothers will let fall their children and, horror-stricken as they are, scarcely venture to take them up again. Young men and boys run as far as they can see, and if not finally some old and sober-minded man happens to recognise some Catechist or the Missionary as ambassadors of Christ, there would have been in some places no possibility whatever to talk to the people. One of the worst features in this connection is the distrust, and even the bitterness against Government, the good intentions of which are continually misconstrued, while it is charged with the darkest and vilest designs, all aimed at the religion and happiness of the Indian nations. Our Catechists met everywhere with stories like this: “ The Empress Victoria is dangerously ill, and to avert her death some thousands of Hindus must be sacrificed, which is done by inoculation with the plague-poison”. In the 29 neighbourhood of Calicut a woman running away, as soon as she saw our Catechists, was finally exhausted and had to stop. After the Catechists having assured her in every possible manner, that they would not do any harm to her, the poor woman said: “Well, if I must die, let it be done now”. In Malabar, especially amongst Moplas, all kinds of wild stories are circulated. In accordance with their well-known senti­ ments and aspirations their story runs thus: “ The English Queen having grown old, and being greatly alarmed in seeing how the people in this country increase, is troubled by the thought that the inhabitants of this country might rise and expel the white man. Hence a deceitful plan has been made to reduce the number of the natives. It is intended to tear out the sinews from the arms of men and the legs of women and to make a medicine of it. Every body who takes this medicine must die within three days.” — Another version of the story is taken from South-Canara: “The Queen after having celebrated the 60th year of her reign in order to attain to the farther term of 10 years, must sacrifice thousands of men to the God of the Christians, which is carried out in a cunning manner by inoculation.” Or as in the Vikari-samvatsara, next year, the English anyhow will forego their rule over India; they would like, in a fury of revenge, to kill as many people as possible before leaving the country.— As our Missionaries in many places were looked upon as emmissaries of the plague- commissioners or of Government, one can imagine that their work was hemmed in with difficulties. Enemies of the Gospel took advantage of the credulity of the ignorant and frighten­ ed them on the approach of our Evangelists. Not unfre- quently the people shut their houses and doors and hid them­ selves in their plantain-gardens or in the jungle. Strange to say, also the general expectation of a great catastrophe in 1899, amounting to a partial destruction of 30 the world, produced more of a deepening impression upon the people than of an awakening from their lethargy. On the whole the under-currents impeding the course of the Gospel in this country are everywhere the same. From the last report of our veteran Missionary M r. Diez we take the following: “ By all kinds of quacks this country has been thoroughly ruined. The prince of darkness has been successful in satisfying the deeper religious wants of the nation with externalities. The disintegrating influence of western education, misunderstood notions taken from the comparative study of religions, the superabundant praise lavished by enthusiastic Sanskrit scholars on the old literature of India, sceptic, atheistic or Unitarian doctrines introduced from Europe, the char- latanary about the so-called victory of Hinduism over Christianity at the religious congress at Chicago (people are invited to buy: “Lectures by Swami Vivekananda, the greatest figure in the' Parliament of Religions” ), all this and a number of other things have encouraged the Indians to give out the parol: Christianity does not occupy amongst other religions such an august position as we thought before, it is scarcely primus inter pares, what it offers we possessed Jong ago, hence back to the faith of our fathers!” Really what is characteristic for the present time are rationalistic tendencies, combined with a bombastic confidence of final triumph and a great animosity against Christianity. The present attitude of the population, as far as it is touched by the tendencies and by the education of this age (which has gone scarcely skin-deep), however, is far preferable to the state of stagnation by which it was preceded for centuries. “We scent the morning air.” Turbulence is much more hopeful than death, and after all '■'■post nubila Phoebus” . And that really the Sun of Righteousness has begun to effuse its glorious splendour over India will be seen by what we have to relate of the work in our different districts. In South-Mahratta not much could be done in the way of preaching tours, but in Hubli, Dharwar and Bettigeri, where 31 plague has broken out, the extraordinary opportunities afforded by this visitation of God have been made use of,— but with what success? People showed but little inclination to draw near unto God. Some approached the Missionaries, but frequently to get some relaxation from the strong measures which Government had taken to get rid of the plague. In the time of tribulation hearts seemed to be more accessible, and alive to the consolations of the Gospel, but alas, such impression did not go very deep. How kindly some of our friends amongst Non-Christians are disposed can be seen from the fact, that a young man living in a town far away from Dharwar came to pay a visit to Mr. Bode. He was the president of some Canarese society and he and his friends wanted to start a reading-room. He asked Mr. Bode to give him a Bible and some of our Christian tracts that he might place them along with Hindu literature on the table of the new reading-room. This shows that the influence of western ideas and education is not altogether detrimental to the spread of the Gospel. A state of fermenta­ tion has been produced and every effort must be made to introduce the regenerating power of the Gospel so as to show the many souls in turmoil and perplexity a sure way to sub­ stantial and abiding truth. It is not so much instruction that is wanted, but the power from on high to decide for Christ. Mr. Bode w rites: “ I must mention the death of a Non-Christian, who died from plague. He was more or less connected with our Mission for more than ten years. Many a gift he handed over to .me for the Orphan­ age. He even joined in the Sunday-collections for the expenses o f the church, and in his heart he was fully convinced of the truth of Christianity. Before he could find the necessary courage to confess Christ openly, death overtook him. His -wife too is evidently under the influence of Christianity, for she brought a donation the other day and asked my wife to look after her.” 32

The work of evangelisation at Hubli assumed quite a new character. One can imagine how plague itself and the measures adopted by Government in order to prevent the spreading of pestilence interfere with trade, handicraft, and all the social conditions of the population. In the same manner our work also suffered amongst the Non-Christians in and about Hubli. Even bazaar-preaching had to be stopped for 2 months, and evangelisation took for some time the shape of Christian philanthropy. Mr. Warth’s description of this work will be found interesting: “ Many Non-Christians acknowledged plague to be a punishment of God. But instead of turning to the living God, they sought their idols with renewed zeal. Some to the best of their knowledge tried to repent; but on looking upon the vast bulk of the population one got the impression, that they submit to their fate with a dull resignation, and that in spite of God’s chastisements hardened their hearts. As soon as the calamity had relaxed we met with people while preaching in the bazaar who really were convinced that on account of their exemplary life and conduct the plague was not allowed to touch them. That in this time of sore affliction the hearts of the people have been drawn towards Christ, I could not say. “ But one thing cannot be denied. Wheresoever I appeared in the streets of Hubli during the epidemic, people came in crowds to hear a word of advice or a word of encouragement and consolation. And they believed what I told them, and the word was carried from one to the other. The confidence in Missionaries has grown during this time. Hindus and Mohammedans were greatly pleased when I visited them in their houses, or later on at the plague-hospital. Of course I did not meet with such confidence and kindness every­ where. Some did not hesitate to insinuate that the Missionaries must be highly paid by Government for doing such dangerous work. The ordinary Hindu seems to be so selfish, that he cannot help doubting the unselfish love of a Christian Missionary, and must needs explain the works of pure love by the meanest motives. 33

“ Daring those days the great theme of our sermons was very often plague itself, the connection between guilt and punishment, God’s intention by such visitations, the necessity of repentance and con­ version, the utter helplessness of idols and of their priests, salva­ tion in Christ Jesus, the art of happy dying, such and others were the topics suggested by the plague. At the hospital and in house- to-house-visits I had to do duty as a pastor to the soul and as a physician to the body. In a house at Unakallu they handed over their idol to me. I broke it into pieces before their house, well knowing that this did not signify much. In the hospital also Bibles, portions of the Bible, and tracts were laid on the tables for the use o f warders and patients, and they have been made use of. Often when I entered the hospital some patient would cry out joyfully: * Padre Sahib!’ They knew me better than I knew them. They were people who had heard perhaps many years ago the glad tidings somewhere and recognised me again.” With reference to the work of the Bible-women Mrs. Warth (who since then has been called to heaven) writes:

“ Owing to the plague from June to September the work was greatly impeded. But it was very encouraging to our Bible-women, that they were called to some houses. During the time when plague was prevailing here and there, a hunger and thirst after God’s Word manifested itself, and thus in the midst of all the agitation and anxiety they walked about as messengers of peace.” Bettigeri seems not to have been better off than Hnbli. In newspapers we generally heard only about the havock done by plague in large cities, but the misery in the country and in small towns and villages was not less. Six miles from Bettigeri, in the immediate neighbourhood of our out-station Shagoti, there is a village inhabited by about 800 souls. When the first case of plague was discovered about 100 ran away. From the remaining 700 not less than 200 died by plague. During the first half of the year preaching tours were still possible, and people put their usual questions, some

5 34

of which you hear all over India, and, as far as they were suggested by western literature, all over the civilized world. M r. Metz gives the following: “ If a king were to promulgate a law that every one convicted of theft should have his right-hand cut off, and not only he, but also all the members of his family and his descendants for all generations, what would you say? Another objection: One should think, if God himself relates something, nothing ought to be forgotten in such a narration. In the story about the creation of the world everything has been so far explained satisfactorily, but there is nothing stated in this report about the creation of air.— A further obstacle in the story about man’s fall is this, that God cursed not only Satan, the seducer, but also the snake, although it cannot be made responsible for the fact that Satan has taken possession of it.” Questions about the origin of sin and evil are natural both in the East and the West, but the chief obstacle after all is Christ, His Godhead and His cross. Also M r. M ayer at Guledgudd writes: “ The Gospel is preached diligently and its sound surely does not die away. Our hearers are always attentive and, to say the least, appreciate the moral beauty of Christianity, although they shrug their shoulders on hearing about the death of Christ for the propitiation of our sins. With our people here this is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. They think it simply impossible, that the Punya (merit) of another should be put on our account.” Mr. Berli at Bijapur went during this year to the Sindgi district, far away on the borders of the Nizam’s dominion. Visiting 11 villages he met with some men, who without any hesitation or restriction openly agreed with the Christian truth. They had been long ago in the habit of reading the Bible and our tracts, and one asked for an explanation of the prologue to the Gospel of St. John and of some passage in the epistle to the Romans. These people evidently got their first knowledge of the Gospel through some of our tracts and 35 a Methodist-Missionary from the Nizam’s State. His Cate- chists used to visit them occasionally. To baptism they objected most decidedly. Their headman, a wealthy man, said: “My conscience does not yet urge me to ask for baptism.” Mahadeva, whom Mr. Singer accepted at Honavar (last year’s Report page 59), disappointed him sadly. Having been under instruction for half a year he left secretly as a thief.

“ When his theft was detected he showed no sign of repentance, but grumbling he shirked off. In the night he carefully packed up the clothes and blankets which he had received from us, and leaving some old rags instead went away. We only heard that he had gone to the south, but whether to the Moslems in Bhalkame or to the Roman Catholics at Mangalore, we don’t know. Sick, poor, covered with tatters he came to us; strong, healthy and well- clad by Christian love he left us as a thief.” Honavar on the whole is a station, at which dissappoint- ments and spiritual barrenness have assumed a chronic character. Although in some parts of Canara a kind of panic on account of approaching plague and inoculation was ex­ perienced, still the work of evangelisation was carried on with great energy at nearly all our stations there. It is not an easy work in this district, especially for a foreigner. A Mis­ sionary at Mangalore ought to speak fluently Tulu, Canarese, and English, and if in addition he talks Konkani too, so much the better. In South-Canara and Malabar there are no villages, only small bazaars along the road, inhabited by Moplahs and Konkanis. In order to reach the real population of the Tulu-country one has to leave the road and go on by small by-paths, or without any road to the houses scattered about the country. In some houses only women will be at home, and this is made a pretext to get rid of the Missionary. And if men are at home, they have their excuses too. Mr. Borel writes: 36

“ In their heads there is pantheism, on the tongue monotheism, and what we see round about us is polytheism. If we speak against idolatry and say: ‘There is only one God’ , we meet to our great asto­ nishment with full consent: ‘ Yes, there is only one God, and this one God has created us’ . If we call their attention to the fact, that they serve so many gods which seems to be at variance with their faith in one God, they will answer: ‘Although we have only one Queen, we also give due honour to all the officials of the Queen, thus honouring the Queen herself. In the same manner we worship the one God by serving these different gods.’ Still if godhead is denied to any one of these gods, the Hindu will object and denote these gods as differ­ ent names of one God. Turning to sin and calling them to repen­ tance, they will perhaps not deny that they are sinners, but they will reply: ‘How can I change my mind, if God does not put it into my mind?’ Hence they show also no fear when reminded of a day of judgment. There cannot be much in the way of punishment; ‘We are what He has made us. He being the author of everything must needs be the author of sin too’ , they will say. Mr. Borel is astonished to see, how people get excited and irritated as soon as the name of Christ is introduced into the discussion. It seems to be quite inconceivable, that the mild and usually polite Hindu shows a real hatred against the Saviour of the world. A mere neutral attitude towards Christ I seems to be an impossibility: His cross either will be our refuge or it will seem to be foolishness. Another general remark of M r. Borel will be in accordance with the experience of all Evangelists in India: “ One of the chief obstacles is this, that people out here are in an awful manner absorbed in materialism. One may talk for a long time on things invisible and eternal, but all their answers turn round their belly and their debts. ‘Give us food * and clothing without work, and all of us will become Christians; but as long as your people must work in order to eat, we see no reason to join your community.’ Some are not ashamed to say: ‘As long as we are in this world our belly is the most important thing for us.’ The other 37 day a man listened to us most attentively. At the end he said: ‘What you say is very good and true indeed; but if one is in debt, how can he become a Christian ? Will not the Non-Christian cre­ ditors demand their money at on ce?’ Of course he spoke pro domo. In the house of the neighbour we heard the same song: ‘Sir, if you will lend us Rs. 200, we shall come at once’ said the father of the house. An impoverished merchant would do it even cheaper, with his whole family on paying him Rs. 50. He said: ‘ With Rs. 50 1 can buy a shop again, give me the money and I shall be one of your people’ ! ” Now, really this is not the material with which the church of Christ can be built in this country. In October Mr. Bwrel went to the East as far as Coorg and was kindly received in many a house. If he and his 4 Catechists had not been suspected of being plague-officials, the journey would have been still more successful. That there are souls longing for some­ thing spiritual and eternal, will be seen from Mr. Borel’s further remarks: “ We met a Brahman, who with his wife had left hearth and home and had wandered through the length of Hindustan from shrine to shrine. For five long years they wandered about and spent Rs. 2000. They openly confessed, that their hearts had not been satisfied on this long and wearisome journey. With great attention they listened to what we had to tell them, and they even came to our lodging to get more information. Once after a con­ versation lasting for 2 hours the Brahman asked: ‘Is there not a written history of the life of this Jesus? I should like to read it! ’ Also his wife was very attentive and seemed to understand our words very well indeed. Of course soon enmity against Christ began to do its best in resisting God’s work. Relations and neigh­ bours came and warned them. The fire enkindled in their hearts is still lingering on, but they have been intimidated so much, that we cannot yet say how things will end with them. “ In the neighbourhood of Puttur a whole family is in great earnest about the salvation of their souls. A son of this family 38 had been acquainted with the Word of God in one of our schools and began to search the Holy Scriptures with great zeal. He fell sick and died, but before his death he besought his relatives to read the Bible and to join the Church of Christ. They did so, and all arrived at the full conviction that the Bible contains God’s revealed truth. The elder brother of that youth especially is in full earnest. Not long ago he came to Puttur, attended our Divine Service, and declared that in case his relatives should hesitate, be and his wife most certainly would come and carry out the desire of their hearts.” About the same family Evangelist Gabriel Bangera in Puttur writes: “ A Konkani family consisting of eight souls received us most heartily. They laid the Bible of a son who had died in our hands and said: ‘ We all read in this book and do so with great joy’ . They put many questions and when I came again I was greatly pleased to see, that they had understood my explanations and still remem­ bered them. A woman in the house said: ‘Through this book we have been convinced that our idols are good for nothing, and we do no longer worship them’ . All are ready to join us, only the old father advises them to wait until his death, so that in his old age he may not become a laughing-stock to the people at Puttur.” In Mangalore itself the teachers and students of the Theological Seminary continued the weekly bazaar-preaching on Wednesday evenings and the lectures at the High School on Sunday evenings. We cannot claim any conversion as the outcome of this work, but there were always some attentive hearers and some seekers after truth. Occasionally there was also opposition. A Mohammedan made himself very conspicuous by the assertion, that in the prophet Mohammed we have to acknowledge the Paraklete or Holy Spirit, and that we are bound to believe in him. As he did not succeed in convincing his audience he began to disturb our gather­ ings there. 39

About the work of the Bible-women at Mangalore Mrs. Stamm writes: “ At the beginning of the year the work was hindered by cholera and small-pox. Our Bible-women, I am glad to say, are not only tolerated, but loved and expected in most houses. The women will say: ‘If we see you only once a month or less than that, how can we remember all you said? we forget the good words, the stories and then what is the use of it? Come again soon!’ Really there ought to be more women for such a large town.” Also the Bible-women Emilia and Michala write: “ In some instances people, especially young men, that formerly had driven us out of their houses with anger and even abused us, now apologise for their bad behaviour and ask us to come again” . The condition of the peasants in the Tulu-country becomes more and more difficult. Mr. Baclile at Mulki writes: “ All exertions to get a Mulageni (perpetual lease) for our Christians are in vain; Non-Christians will not let out their fields to Christians. Only the other day a Hindu, who had taken on lease a piece of land at a moderate price, said to me: ‘ Sir, if I become a Christian, I must quit this; will you promise me that I shall get another field? If so, I and my family shall embrace Christianity’.” — Mr. Badlle goes on to say: “ On preaching tours we generally meet with a kind reception. The only instance of the reverse was when a Brahman to whom we had spoken of the true Shastra, got into such a rage that he placed his Shastras before us and with a roaring voice cried out: ‘Only this is the truth’ , and then boancing out of the house and running up and down in the yard, as if hunted by the Furies, ho roared in such an awful manner, that the conversation could not be continued. We shook off the dust from our feet and went away with a sad heart.” The mission-field in and about Udipi does not look so hopeful as ten and twenty years ago. Mr. Keppl&r and Mr. Eblen, our itinerating Missionaries there, complain of the in­ difference shown by the people. At the bazaar-preaching the attendance was so small, that this kind of work scarcely could 40 be carried on. The Bible-women however have been received in some houses very kindly. It is a consolation, that so many children attending the Orphanage-School at Udipi are brought under Christian influence. A welcome stimulus was given by a letter written by some Shastri and circulated all about.. He prophesied great revolutions and predicted that all people would be united into one caste. People got greatly excited about this and put many questions on this approaching cala­ mity, which gave our Evangelists an opportunity for many an earnest exhortation.— Our Evangelist Samuel Bunyan seems to be most favorably impressed. He reports: “Many of the Havika-Brahmans tell us that our religion is the only true religion. Also their women listen most attentively. One of them said to me: ‘You must tell me all you know about your God, never mind, if it takes two or three years, I want to know everything.” Mr. Samuel Bunyan made also the acquaintance of an interesting small tribe, called “ Siddis.” They were originally negroes, what even now can be known at first sight. They are slaves who escaped the bondage of the Portuguese at Goa, their real home being Mozambique. In Goa they were compelled to join the Roman Catholic Church, but having taken refuge in the jungles they fell back into heathenism. Some of their names are still Christian. At the beginning they married women of outcastes, but now they marry amongst themselves. They number about 200. Our Cate- cbists did not meet with any difficulty in working amongst them. From a report of Mr. Qengnagel at Basrur it is inter­ esting to see how modern Hindus try to cover the infirmities of their faith and aim at a reconciliation between it and the modern modes of thought. The stories of the Shastras change into mythologies, the meaning of which in many cases is borrowed from Christianity. Idolatry is said to be 41

an object lesson for the benefit of the uneducated, and with the advance of western culture such figurative language will change. Only educated people ought to talk on questions of religion. On the other hand the same opponents will go in strongly for their Shastras. Not only the air-balloon has been found in them, even the word “Company”, a pro­ phecy of olden days about the future English government in India, has been detected. It seems that some of our Hindu friends also have misgivings as to the future of their religion. Mr. Gengnagel writes: “ A Brahman was of opinion, that we should not exert ourselves so much to urge the Christian religion upon them. He said: ‘If God has determined, that we or our children must become Christians, that will take place anyhow. At the end of this era the Hindu- religion will cease to exist and we shall become Christians. This we have earned by our former births. The present birth is only the carriage, on which the former birth sits and drives the carriage. Man cannot do anything in this matter, but what is decided by the former births.’ — Another Brahman, who was a bitter enemy formerly, but is very kindly disposed towards us now, said: ‘ There is no great difference between your religion and ours; the names only are diffe­ rent, the substance is the same. The help of Government is very favorable to your case now, and makes your religion look so power­ ful from outside. Formerly, when our princes supported our religion, things were different. "With us the rule is: Children confess their sins to their mother, she adds her own sins and confesses both to her husband, he to the priests, and the priests to the gods, and thus the blessing of the gods remains on the family. In the state the subjects lay their sins on the king, he adds his own sins and passes them over to the priests, and they again submit them to the gods, and so through the priests the blessing of the gods pours down upon the king, his land and his subjects.” The conversion of Shivarama (cf. the chapter on conver­ sions) let loose all the hatred and passion of the people at Basrur, and the chief object was our school. The family of

6 42 the Adhikari frightened parents by telling them that in our school the first seed had been sown for all the mischief that took place afterwards, and that they ought to withdraw their children at once from our school. Merchants in the bazaar called for their children and made them recite Scripture texts, and as they did very well in this examination, the parents grew still more angry and said : ‘No wonder, if such children later on embrace Christianity’. That such will be the outcome of a real conversion had been taken in account by our brethren at Basrur, and they hope, that the population will cool down by aud by. Our space will not allow to give in full the highly inter­ esting report of M r. Schosser at Kasaragod. He thanks God from the bottom of his heart, whilst attending the festival at Vittla, for being surrounded by a baud of such brave soldiers of the cross. They did not lose patience even under the most trying circumstances, being continually provoked by the proud Bants and the cunning Brahmans (the Sadducees and Pharisees of the Tulu-country). Mr. Schosset' gives the following graphic description of the last evening at Vittla: >ur situation became somewhat critical. M r. Gabriel Evangelist of Puttur, bad the last speech. With a burning fervour and a sanctified earnestness he set forth Christ as the light of the world, whose glory has risen also over this country. Pointing with his finger to the sun that was setting, he cried out: ‘While ye have the light, believe in the light.’ Now and then he came down sharply upon the blind leaders of the people, as men that love darkness more than light, and spoke about the light of the world and the walking in the light as one who knows it by ex­ perience. I felt beneath this Indian evening sky as solemnas I ever had felt under the vault of the most magnificent cathedral. The audience also was evidently under the spell of a great moment. With suppressed breathing they fixed their eyes upon the preacher. At the end a hoary old man said slowly and with great solemnity : 43

‘What this man says is the truth’. This last appeal to the hearts of the hearers was just like the signal for a most terrible scene. The Brahmans seemed to burst from anger. Especially one man in the full vigour of manhood was conspicuous. He roared and raged, he trampled and stamped, and with his clenched fists beating his chest be behaved like a mad man. All that I had seen hitherto under this moon in the way of passion was nothing in comparison with this. But all of a sudden the man became quiet. If there be something like a cramp of the tongue, this man must have had it. Or was he exhausted after all ? Anyhow, all at once he was silent. For a change they began now to throw sand at us, but strange to say, the many Shudras present began to quarrel with the Brahmans and prevented them from molesting us, which enabled us to quit the field with honour.” On house-to-house visits M r. Schosser met frequently with the so-called Havigas, who in their secluded valleys live on the cultivation of the areca. The message of the Gospel was not new to them, but they were only superficially ac­ quainted with it. No wonder that they listened to the preaching as to a fairy tale. “Should our ancestors always have trod the wrong way?” “ Where is the caste that believes what you tell us?” they would ask. Only 30 miles distant from them is a Christian congregation of more than 2000 souls, they had never heard of it. No wonder, the sea being but a few miles distant, they have never seen it either. Moreover these Havigas are in their childlike simplicity still under the impression, that the country is ruled by the “ Company” . They are also of opinion that a Non-Brahman would not be able to read a Sanskrit-sloka, still less to learn one. When one of our Catechists recited the Gayatri they almost fainted away. On the Tulu-people in general M r. Schosser writes: “The Tulu-people are a very good-natured people, and if one kindly deals with them, they are even sympathising. One said to

6 * 44

m e: ‘Sir, it is a great honour to us, that you come to our houses. But you should not do it, people will not join your caste; it is also a pity to see you wandering about like that. About this time even we do not like to go out in the heat of the day, what must it be to you, coming from a country, where the water is as hard as a stone! And then your fair skin! Your hands have grown already quite black, wait a little and you will look as black as we are; and then, coming home in such a condition, what will the Doresani (your wife) say!’— In this case she will not say anything, as there is none!” We are sorry to say that in Coorg things do not look better than last year. The Chief Commissioner of Coorg reports to Government: “the classification of pupils according to the social position or income of their parents appears to foretell a gloomy future for Coorg: the richer classes have dwindled down from 497 in 1891-1892 to 92 in 1897-1898” . In addition to this the impediments to social intercourse caused by the plague-regulations have produced much irrita­ tion amongst the Coorg-people. On the whole we may say the people of the soil in Coorg have as yet scarcely been touched by Christianity. The situation is still that of a fortress the gates of which are shut up. The Missionaries at Mercara keep up communication with some old acquaintances. Through bazaar-preaching and preaching tours the Coorgs know that the Missionaries are still in the land. Besides the Coorgs there are 6000 Mohammedans, who are almost inaccessible, and an unknown number of foresters. On the other hand Mr. Fischer at Anandapur feels confident to write: “ There is no want of hearers, and it was especially pleasing, that during this year so many Coorgs were present, when we preached. The great distress pressing heavy on the country now seems to have turned the eyes of many amongst the Coorgs upwards towards the living God. Without hesitation they do admit that their idols cannot help them.” 45

In Malabar the work of evangelisation was carried on, we may say, with the same advantages and disadvantages as in Canara. The fear of plague or rather of inoculation made people in some backward districts lose their heads, especially after the Mysore-districts had been infected by plague. But on the whole the outward hinderances were but few, and the messengers of the Gospel in most cases returned joyfully from their preaching tours. Conversions to the Christian Church have been as many as in the previous year, but such conversions are not always a reliable indication of the religious attitude of a population. Cases, where conscious­ ness of sin and a genuine desire for salvation has driven souls to Christ, are rare occurrences everywhere in the world. It is not so much a false religiosity and the great attachment of people to their own religion that stands in the way of a more victorious progress of Christianity through­ out India, but in our districts it is a deep-rooted kind of rationalism greatly strengthened by the propensity of Hindus to indulge in subtle questions. Thus Christ’s vicarious suffering and death seem to be superfluous, and they are of opinion that every man can and must atone for his sins him­ self. But everywhere the practical hinderances are stronger than the theoretical ones. The certainty to be thrown out from one’s caste and family, and in addition, the dislike to part with some national or private sin, these are, as many openly acknowledge, the greatest obstacles to a real conversion. We have to wait for God’s mighty action, which takes place now and then suddenly, yet never without certain preparations, for which He employs Ilis servants as instruments. We begin with some extracts taken from the reports of Mr. Peter, our itinerating Missionary at Cannanore. “ At Mundari we met with a very old grandmother warming her­ self with a burning piece of wood, which she carefully tried to keep 46 alive. She was scarcely able to see us, but we were pleased to observe how kindly and attentively her daughter with a baby on her hips was occupied with her old mother. We talked to them, and. the old woman repeated with a knowing face the name of her Saviour Jesus Christ, when we exhorted her to pray to Him. Speak­ ing on the necessity of being baptized in the name of Christ she was ready to do so; for her children’s sake however we gave her time for consideration. Catechist Ebenezerfe\t compassion with these poor people and on going away he made a small present, which example I followed. Now the old woman, with all the strength at her command, turned towards us and lifting up her withered arms said with a holy earnestness and fervour: ‘May both of you be happy! be ye blessed!’ What she could not express by words, the lifted arms and the tone of her feeble voice indicated and gave us the assurance that she believed in a God, who will fulfil the desire of her heart. The daughter with great astonishment said: ‘How is this? you spoke so many good words to us and we ought to have given you something, and now you have made a present to us.’— I met Kunjambu, our host on a former occasion, who was now leading the preparations for a Hindu-festival. He said: ‘Indeed everything which you foretold us last year has come to pass now: during the monsoon the water destroyed our fields, then followed dangerous diseases and other calamities. What shall we do? We tried everything within our power, but God is not satisfied with us.’ I answered: ‘Did I not tell you that all your idolatry and caste- prejudice is abomination in the sight of the Lord ? yet you will not obey, and do worse than before. What will be the end of all this?’ Then standing under some mango-trees in full blossom, we talked to him and his people on the incomprehensible longsuffering of God, who after a year of earnest visitation, in which also the godless people have been tried, and instead of repenting hardened their hearts, now gives new proofs of His fatherly love.” Manifold were the experiences of Mr. Peter and his Catechists during the last year. A cheerful Nayar woman, making a comfort­ able and wealthy impression, expressed her full satisfaction with her life’s experience. When reminded of God and the account we 47

must give before Him, she said: “ My sins are extinguished, if I pray to Narayanan, he will assure my heart that my sins are blotted out.” "When she was assured that the unknown God, on whom she relies and of whom she bears a presentiment in her heart, has been revealed in Christ Jesus, the Saviour of the world, she dismissed them with the consent: “ If this is the case, let it be so! ” A lawyer in the neighbourhood of Chowa, who had accepted Christ as the ideal of humanity, but who entertained doubts as to the necessity of Christ’s death as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, finally had to consent to the needfulness of a propitiation through Christ. But there are a great many who consent to this and to more than this, still the murderer of men’s souls has laid so many snares in the way of such religious people, and especially to seekers after truth, that nothing seems to avail but earnest prayer on behalf of these poor prisoners.— As a visible result of the exertions made by our brethren at Cannanore may be considered the coming forward of rival-preachers. Especially one of them by his impertinence and the pride of his ignorance tried the patience of our brethren to the uttermost. At Cannanore and on Hindu festivals he gives the Christian messengers an opportunity to show the forbearance and the triumphant faith of a disciple of Christ. Such is even the impression produced in the hearts of well-minded Non- Christians, and it is touching what Mr. Peter writes about these friends on the other side: “ They remind us of the patience of Christ Jesus, the greatest Sufferer of mankind, and of the fathers of our Mission out here in Malabar (Hebich, Dr. Gundert, Fritz, and others). All these, they say, had to endure such contradiction of sinners, and in doing so have established the kingdom of peace on earth. The Lord Himself has put His seal on this, and may He keep us by His grace in such knowledge. To preach the Gospel amongst Non-Christians means: ‘to bring forth fruit in patience’.” Our readers will find interesting a small list of questions, which in one form or another Mr. Peter had to answer, when on preaching tours. They form part of a longer list of questions, to which a young man required an answer: 48

1 . Why should we people of the toddy-drawer caste exchange this our caste with the Christian caste ?

2. Why was Christ fastened to the c f o s s ? You say that he was innocent, and still we hear that he has stolen a sheep from the god Parasuraman and hence died the death of an evil-doer. 3. Was Christ really born in a cow-shed? 4. What is the name of Christ’6 grandmother? 5. Had Mary, the mother of Christ, a brother, and what is the name of this uncle of Christ ? 6. You say there is only one God, and yet you talk of Christ as if He were God; and you say again that Christ has been sent by God. One must send another one. How is this? 7. You teach us besides God also to believe in Christ, and still you prohibit us to believe in Raman, Krishnan and Muttappan. 8. You call Christ the son of God. Why then are Raman, Krishnan, Muttappan and others not also sons of God? Are we not altogether sons of God? You yourself say that God is the Father of us all. 9. Whom shall we believe after all? The Roman Catholics say, one can only be saved within their church. You say, truth is with us, not with them. The Moplas tell us that we must accept Islam and believe in Mohammed. Where is the truth ? 10. Why is it not sufficient, if we remain what we are and do the right thing? Are all so-called Christians good people? What Mrs. Schonthal reports about the experience of the Bible-women at Cannanore sounds very hopeful. “ In the neigbourhood of the Weaving Establishment there is a temple, devoted to demon-worship. Narikutti (tiger’s child), the proprietor of the temple, was just engaged in some preparations for this devil-worship, when Mrs. Schonthal and the Bible-woman made their appearance. We were sent away and returned one week later. When I spoke again against sorcery and demon- worship, I was told that in the Old Testament also sacrifices were offered. This gave an opportunity to relate the history o f the people of Israel and God’s preparation for salvation. 49

But when I had gone as far as the story of Joseph, Narikutti behaved not only like a tiger’s child, but like a full-grown tiger. I had to retreat, but did not do so without foretelling the day on which that temple will be forsaken and Christ will reign. supreme also at these places now in possession of the arch-enemy o f mankind. Only a fortnight after this a Kannan, one of the servants of that temple, came to Mr. Nathanael, the Native Pastor of Cannanore, and confessed that he was tired of this delusion o f Satan. However he was enticed away by his people and has not been seen since.”

Passing on to Tellicherry we are glad to say that the hands of the brethren there have been greatly strengthened by the arrival of a well-experienced Evangelist Mr. Samuel Ambattu. The itinerating work conld be done in a more satisfactory manner than before. Bazaar-preaching by the teachers and students of the Theological Seminary was carried •on as usual, also a few preaching tours were made by the students, led by their masters. At Tellicherry-town Mr. Tiber, the Principal of the High School, utilised his leisure- hours for house-to-house visits within the town. What Mr. Tiber writes about a very kind and well-esteemed friend amongst our educated Non-thristians, we presume, will be found characteristic of a great many of this class of the population. “ Our friend N. N. has been well acquainted with our Mission for many years. He reads our Christian Monthly Magazine, and knows the Bible very well. When we call upon him he is always very kind and never objects to a conversation on some religious sub­ ject. But up to the present he fails to understand that the Christian religion is the only true religion or a perfect religion. His opinion on the whole is that of Lessing’s Nathan. ‘In every religion,’ he says, ‘ there are more or less particles of truth, but neither Hin­ duism, nor Buddhism, nor Islam, nor the Christian religion are quite perfect. The believer of each religion considers his religion to be

7 50

the* best, and still in each of them there is contained somo error. If your religion is the only true one, how is it that there are so many sects and schisms in Christianity? No doubt Christ was a great teacher of religion and a great benefactor of mankind; His teaching ought to be obeyed all over the world; but I cannot believe that through His sufferings and death He has become the Redeemer of the whole world. There must take place a farther incarnation of God, and then all errors will be removed, all religions will be united in one all-comprising religion, and then the day of real happiness will dawn upon us’ .”

Mr. Samuel Ambattu, our Evangelist', has travelled over a great part of his new district. We add a few events, taken from his report: “ In talking with some people, who seemed to be in great fear of evil spirits, I mentioned that those who had nothing to do with demon-worship had no cause to be afraid of them. One of the people present, somewhat irritated, replied: ‘ Well, I know demons will not trouble you, but our Kalladi Muttan is the only one and a mighty one too; if you will speak evil of him, he will reveal his power’ . Whereupon we answered: ‘That is just what we should like to see very much, viz: an exhibition of his power.’ Then an old man in the midst of them cried out: ‘Neither the Kalladi Muttan nor any other will venture to do any harm to them, even cholera is afraid of them. Times have changed, there is no use of these gods nowadays. The God, who now reveals Himself is the white one, all others have been defeated.’ The rest agreed with this and said: ‘Alas, in our days everything has changed and will change in future according to your way of thought; no god, no demon any more; well, it is the iron age.’— At another house an old woman in a mood of despair said: ‘ Oh, I should be glad, if Ishvara "would soon take me away from this world.’ We asked her, whether she was sure that all her misery would come to an end then; she replied: ‘Oh, it is all the same to me, what­ soever He does one must suffer and submit to.’ Having talked to her on the .judgment of the unbelievers and the glorious end of 51

the believers, she said : ‘Oh, that I could die like a believer; show me the way to such a death! ’ We explained the way of salvation fully to her, so that she cried out: ‘Oh Lord, put me on the right w a y !’ We told her the name of Jesus and asked her to lay all the desires of her heart before God in' this most blessed name. Con­ sidering her age and her surroundings we could not do more for her, and so we departed.” Mr. Samuel had also occasion to bear witness before one of the little kings of Malabar. The messengers of the King of kings were with condescension received by this potentate without power, but the good-natured man being entirely in the hands of the Pattars (Malabar-Brahmans), found it impossible in his ignorance to grasp the new ideas, communicated to him perhaps for the first time. Mr. Samuel is of opinion that many of these so-called kings are so ignorant, either on account of their pride, which allows them to associate only with a few classes of the population, or on account of their sensuality, which disqualifies them to acquire any useful knowledge.

On the work of the Bible-women Mrs. Frohnmeyer makes the following remarks: “ It is a pity, that there are so many houses where we now for years go in and go out and are .almost received as friends, and still as to the chief object of our work things remain as they always have been. Some women have not the slightest objection to be addressed on the subject of Christianity; the Bible is good, Christianity is good, but it is impossible for a woman, as they say, to take a decisive step in opposition to her caste and family. I think especially of one woman, who has endeared herself very much to me, and it seemed as if the Lord by many visitations would try to come near to her heart. I always entertained great hopes for her conversion. Within a short time father and daughter died; the husband lost his appoint­ ment, she herself got sick, at last her second daughter, a lovely child of 9 years, died, and I can only pray, that all this may ulti­ mately make loose the ground of her heart so much that God’s Word and God’ s Spirit can accomplish a perfect work. In about 10 houses

7* 52 of Tiyers I enter also as a well known friend; and it cannot be denied that the love towards the Word of God and the knowledge thereof are increasing. One of our candidates for baptism comes from one of these houses. His aunt is a vary attentive hearer of the Word of God. She even had the courage to pay me a visit in the Mission- house. Of some women we know for certain, that they are most anxious to decide for Christ, and we hope the Lord will set them free some day. A new door has been opened to us amongst the mothers, sisters, and aunts of the girls in our Brahman Girls’ School. Mrs. Uber, who is in charge of the school, introduced us there. Especially a young widow made a good impression upon us. She translated what we said from Malayalam into Konkani, which is the language of these Brahmans. One old man present said: ‘ Yes, the New Testament is a very good book, and I have read much in it; all what you say is right and good; the only thing I cannot under­ stand is, that Europeans eat b eef’. W e feel so happy for this new opening, and beseech the Lord to fill our hearts with true love and a holy zeal, so that we may joyfully enter where He has opened the doors before us!”

Mr. Ashamayan, the Evangelist at Calicut, was happy- enough on one of his preaching tours to address a number of Brahman women. Of course they were not allowed to look at our Catechists, but the Brahmans had gone away and the women listened behind the door and peeped from there at the strangers. They preached about Christ, the Saviour for Brahmans and out-casts. A number of Sudra-women, stand­ ing outside the house, listened too. A Bible-portion was sent through one of the Sudra-women to the Brahman-women inside, but they refused to accept it saying: “The words, which we have heard are very good, and we believe that the little book is also good,. but we are not allowed to do anything of our own accord. If our Brahmans hear these words and believe them, then we shall also accept them and believe.” All these women had heard the Gospel for the first time in their life. 53

In the Valavanadu Taluk (near the railway-station Lekkedi) Mr. Ashamayan visited the village of Kuttambadi for the first time. The inhabitants are neither Malayalis nor Tamil-people, but Canarese, who eame here from South-Mahratta, and call themselves Devankar. The Evangelist preached to the people, who came in crowds to hear the Word of God in Canarese and these Devankar not only heard attentively, but also put questions showing a real understanding. They even invited our people to preach once more near their temple.— At a place where Moplas preponderate, it is as a rule almost a matter of impossibility to preach for any length of time; but there are exceptions, and Mr. Ashamayan writes of a market-place, 14 miles north of Calicut, where even Moplas quietly heard the Gospel-preaching, and purchased some Bible-portions. Prom Calicut our brethren report that famine and the fear of plague have made the hearts of people more alive to their spiritual wants. Mr. Ashamayan writes: “ It was a great consolation to see that the calamities sent by God during the last years have not been without fruit. A real desire for spiritual things was perceptible. Almost all people with whom we had to do acknowledged that the Christian religion is superior to all the rest, that a great many wicked men and low- eastes have been changed into good and useful men, and there has not been so much mockery as in former years.” Mrs. Jaus writes in a similar strain with reference to the work of the Bible-women at Calicut. Also these Bible-women find that something like a hunger and thirst after the Word of God has taken in the place of former lethargy and indifference. Many a preaching tour has been made during the last year by our Catechists at Codacal. About a discussion of our Catechists with a demon-philosopher Mr. Bosshardt reports: “ Our Catechists entered the house of a man, who is renowned far and near as a great scholar and saint. He is surrounded by a considerable number of disciples, who wish to study Sanskrit- As soon as the Catechists approached the disciples clapped their hands 54

and cried out: ‘ Have these come to give instruction to o u t teacher?’ He himself seemed to be absorbed in deep meditation. After a long time he awoke and having heard, that Christians had come to have a conversation with him, he plunged at once into Hindu philosophy and tried to impose by quoting lots of Sanskrit-slokas as apparent proof for his assertions. But the feathers of the little band of Christian combatants were left unwrung. They were equal to the task, and the ridicule, the ironical laughter and the mockery of the disciples and of a large crowd of people, that had gathered there, gradually was silenced, when our Catechists began to exhibit by a no smaller number of Sanskrit-slokas the bad logic of their oppo­ nent. Their proofs were so manifold and so much to the point, that the Shastri lost his ground more and more, and perceiving that he would be put to shame in the sight of his disciples, suddenly broke off and brought the conversation to a conclusion by praising the Missionaries and their work. Shortly after a youth, about 16 years of age, a disciple of this philosopher, came forward and declar­ ed, that our conversation with the Shastri convinced him of the truth of the Christian religion and that he wanted to embrace Christianity. In consideration of his age, and the attitude of his family towards Christianity, the Catechists advised him to wait for some time. He bought a Gospel of St. John in Sanskrit and went away with the resolution to studj diligently and to return after two years in order to carry out his resolution.”

In January Mr. Bosshardt had gone out for a preaching tour and as his wife had accompanied him the sensation at Tanur was great, when in the evenings they left the house together. From 100 to 150 men and women used to surround them, questions were put after the fashion of this country. Until 9 o’clock in the evening dozens of Mohammedans were together with the Catechists. It was a painful sight to look at the 300 Mohammedan families at that place, knowing, that 3 0 or 50 years ago they had left the caste of fishermen and had become Mohammedans. They are in a most miserable condition now, and are far less accessible to Christianity than they had been as Hindus. A pious and learned Postmaster in 55

that part of the country seemed to be an earnest enquirer. He was a man of many questions, which our Evangelists answered to the best of their ability. The prejudices derived from Hindu philosophy form a formidable obstacle to people of this kind. Only God can set them free from these snares.”

On the work of the Bible-women Mrs. Bosshardt writes: “ In a Nayar house they said: ‘Your religion was a good religion before, but since the wives of Catechists and Schoolmasters go about, «nticing people from their houses, things have changed. Those Nayars, whom you admitted the other day to your congregation, have been seduced by the wife of the Catechist at Pallat. You give medi­ cine to such as pay a visit to your houses. They drink it, forget themselves, and embrace your religion. The same was done by the Sahib, who gave a sort of water and bread to a Nayar, since then the boy is unwilling to go back to his house’ .”

From Vaniyankulam Mr. Walter w rites: tcFor some years Hindu and Mohammedan rival-preachers greatly disturbed and hindered our work on the bazaars and Hindu festivals, but the voices of most of them have grown dumb.” Mrs. Walter, reviewing the work of the Bible-women at Vani­ yankulam, writes to say that “ the Chetty women there are least of all inclined to hear the Word of God. An old woman, who had gone to Kashi, received our women kindly and persuaded her two daughters to sit down and to listen. Of course there is also no want of opposition. “ In the house of a Kanishen some women very attentively heard the Word of God and bought even a part of the Scriptures, when all of a sudden a young man belonging to the family came in. Seeing the book in the hands of a woman he snatched it from her, tore it into pieces, and then turning towards us greatly abused and drove us away.” Mr. Hole at Palghat paid a visit to “little Raman” , who has been mentioned in former Reports. He is very well acquainted with the Gospel, reads his Bible and the monthly magazine of our- Malabar Mission. Some months ago he made 56

a present of Rs. 2 to one of our Christians. “ Little Raman” v now rather an old Raman, lives like a hermit in his big house. Mrs. Hole in her report on the work of the Bible-women at Palghat makes the following remarks: “ One of the women is well versed in the Scriptures and knows how to meet objections. A Brahman, who was besmeared with holy ashes, she reminded of Luke 1 1 ,3 9 — 41. The Bible-women also used to go to the Hospital. We dare say, the Word of God and the knowledge of Him is spreading gradually among the women of the town. Our women are not easily discouraged, they persuade their Hindu sisters to sit down and listen for a quarter of an hour. O f course the greatest difficulty they experience is in trying to enter the houses of Brahmans. Coming to a house where there is no man, suddenly one appears from somewhere, prohibits them to speak or to begin a dispute with them. Brahman youths will mock at them, or throw stones at them. The work amongst Shudra-women also is by no means all pleasure. The Telugu woman, 90 years of age, an old acquaintance of our women, is still alive, though growing weaker and weaker. She talks with her sons and daugh­ ters-in-law about the Christian faith, and all the daughters like to hear the Word of God. Only a few women in Palghat and in the neighbourhood can read, and this is the reason why only a few Bible-portions could be sold.” On the Nilgiris our brethren have been very anxious “ to enlarge the place of their tents and to stretch forth the curtains of their habitation ”, and it was especially in that part of the mountains which border on the Wynaad, where an extension of our field of operation has taken place. M r. Liitze at Kaity mentions in his report one hinderance to the advancement of God’s Kingdom on those beautiful hills, which seems to be peculiar to the Nilgiris. A good many Badaga women feel attracted by the Gospel, but have no liberty of action, as they have been purchased by their husbands. Some of them have been sold a second and eveD a third time 57

from one husband to another, and we cannot get them without refunding the money paid for them.—The Badagas in the immediate neighbourhood of the Mission station are especially backward in taking a decided step towards embracing Chris­ tianity. M r. Lutze is of opinion that they wait for a last chance, • thinking that they need not be in a hurry, the Mission-house being so near, so that up to the last moment the way to Jesus will be open for them. Still recently an old man, a would-be Christian for eleven years, died suddenly before coming to a decision. Mrs. Liltze, who supervises the work of the Bible-women, writes: “ The Bible-women were received not only with courtesy, but also with joy. Many of the Badaga-women have learned the short prayer: ‘Lord, be merciful unto me a sinner! ’ Also their husbands are more friendly disposed now. It is very gratifying to see that the women put questions, and speak amongst themselves of the Gospel. Once the Bible-women were led by the women of a village to a dying Badaga. He expressed the wish that they should read the Gospel to him, which they gladly did. , He accepted it in simple faith, and two days later died. A fortnight ago a young woman, to whom the Bible-women had often spoken about salvation, came forward with the desire to become a Christian. May she remain steadfast! ” What Mr. Grossmann at Kotageri writes about another would-be Christian is a hard case and shows not only how many disappointments there are in connection with Mission- work, but also how dangerous it is to put off our decision for Christ. “ A Badaga, Postmaster at Tadapalliam, 5 miles from here, attended our Mission-School when a boy knowing the Bible very well; he came several times to the Mission-house and gave intimation to me, to the Pastor and the Catechist that he would like to become a Christian. Some time ago he went to a merchant in the neigh-

8 58

bourhood to get cash for a bank-note. Owing money to this merchant the latter kept the bank-note for himself towards payment of the debt. In consequence of this the Postmaster was not able to pay money-orders, and so he was brought to justice. An official came to inquire into the case, but found the Post-Office shut up, and also the Postmaster in his dread had taken poison. Such is the terrible end of an educated Badaga, convinced of the truth, inclined to become a Christian, but more than all loved this world and what is therein, and so without gaining anything lost everything.” What Mrs. Orossmann writes about the work of his Bible- women is very encouraging indeed. “ A fruit of their labour is the opening of the first Badaga Girls’ School in a village, where they had been abused on their first visits. In one house they found a blind boy who evidently was badly neglected by his people, especially by his step-mother. The Bible- women succeeded in persuading them to hand the poor boy over to the Mission. He was for some time at the Orphanage at Kotageri and is now with Miss Asquith at Palamcottah.”

3. , The Native Churcl\.

(Cf. Table, page 7.) A. Numerical Increase.

Statistics in Mission-work must be, as after all statistics are, a very unsatisfactory thing. Ours are so far perfect, as every amount of pains has been taken to enter under each column the exact number, and the shortcomings in this respect will be only few. But our categories of course are such as they are made by men, who “look at the outward appearance” and of the same kind also the entering of human souls into such categories. Statistics on the one hand say too much, and on the other hand they do not say half of what really has taken place. Not all of those called “ new converts” are real converts, or can be called an acquisition to Christ’s 59 church in India; and many a heart has been moved by God’s Spirit, which does not appear within the columns of the “ in­ crease of the Native Church” . The following are the figures showing the baptisms of converts from heathenism:

Baptisms: Catechumens: 1897 1898 1897 1898 Canara 74 73 202 215 Coorg 4 10 2 4 South-Mahratta 9 12 13 10 Malabar 341 371 380 288 Nilgiris 18 13 12 13 Total . 446 479 609 530

As to baptisms not much need be said on these figures. In South-Canara no change took place, in Coorg and South- Mahratta a slight improvement will be seen, in Malabar there were 30 baptisms more than last year, on the Nilgiris again a slight falling off is to be regretted, but on the whole there is an increase of 33 baptisms. Our hopes for the present year to some degree may be foretold by looking at the figures under “Catechumens in 1898.” There is in Malabar a falling off of almost 100 catechumens. The reason of this can easily be told. We cannot say that the attitude of the population towards Christianity has changed and that people have become indif­ ferent again as they were 10 and 20 years ago. No, the falling off under this head is simply the consequence of the great difficulty, which we set forth in our last year’s Report (cf. page 57). At every station during the last year a smaller or greater number of inquirers had to be sent away. We do not know, how to provide for so many people. The industrial establishments having been filled, our position now is very much the same, as if we had none. Although this is a matter of regret, it is not altogether a misfortune; it will help us a

8 * 60 good deal in testing the sincerity of our inquirers and will keep off elements from our congregations which must in course of time lower the moral standard of the Indian churches. The present strength of our congregations is 14,156 against 13,634 in 1897; hence a total increase of 522 against 473 in the previous year. Besides 479 baptisms of new converts there is an excess of births over deaths amounting to 107; on the other hand the excommunications show a surplus of 5 and the departures from the different stations were in excess of the arrivals by 59, which explains the total increase of 522. Every year a considerable number of our Christians seem to leave their native country and settle outside of our Mission. Some go to Madras, others try to get employment somewhere on the railway-line, a few also leave the Mission altogether of their own accord.

B. Conversions from Heathenism. The number of baptisms that took place has been stated above: there were 295 adults and 184 children. The adults have all been carefully prepared for baptism. As a rule they undergo instruction for one year, but there are cases, in which this time of probation is lenghtened or shortened. From such who are still capable of learning we ask a certain amount of religious knowledge, from all a real desire to obtain salvation through Christ, and a behaviour worthy of an earnest inquirer. Converted in the true sense of the word are only a few. With the majority, as with children, their time of preparation ending with baptism means only the very first beginning of a Christian life and of a Christian mode of thought and feeling. In most cases the real difficulty begins only after baptism, as a good many of our Indian converts show their real self only after admittance to the church. 61

We cannot see into the hearts of our converts, and so of course we are very often greatly disappointed: so-called converted people now and then after baptism havç proved great impostors, and others whom we baptised with great hesitation, with fear and trembling, have become ornaments of the church. As we consider holy baptism to be a means of grace and not a seal upon a perfect work, we are satisfied in baptising our inquirers with the conviction that the good work has begun in them and that they are upright in their renunciation of the life behind them and in their belief in Christ, as their Saviour from sin. This our view of baptism puts us of course under obligation to lay great stress upon a careful and individual shepherding of the members of our congregations and a special care for the newly admitted Christians amongst them.

Our readers will kindly bear these general remarks in mind, as we now proceed to report on the conversions as they have taken place in the different districts during 1898.—In South-Mahratta all our work again has been a sowing in hope and, as stated above, neither the kindness of God nor His chastening measures have led souls to repentance. Oh! that God would send down the refreshing rain of His Spirit on that barren ground! What a consolation it must have been to our brethren there that at Guledgudd on the 4th Sunday after Trinity there was a family from the heathen to be baptised. Mr. E isfelder makes the following remarks : “ What took place on that Sunday is a proof that the love of Christ will conquer after all. Our newly baptised people are not very much advanced in Christian knowledge; but with good confidence we can say about them that they are earnestly willing to serve another Master and to live to another Lord different from the one whom they were serving hitherto. When the candidates for baptism were, examined it was rather amusing to see, how a boy of 10 years 62

aided his somewhat backward father very nobly and acted as a ‘soufleur’ , as his father, as it afterwards proved, had been tested beyond his strength.”

From South-Canara, which we had to pass by last year, joyful tidings are reported this year. At Mangalore last year great hopes had been entertained of the conversion of a family, which we are sorry to report, began to waver, and it is not certain whether they will relapse into heathenism again or bestir themselves to follow their Saviour. But a number of such whom the world has thrown out and for whom it seems there is no place in this world: inmates of the poor house and the asylum for lepers, the blind, the lame, the lepers, have been taken in by our brethren. Such were called “the treasures” of the church in the primitive church, and they have formed everywhere the material of which the Kingdom of God has been chiefly composed all over the world.

Mr. Breidenbach at Mulki relates a day of victory in the life of a Missionary:

“ It was in the evening of June 1897 that I was called to Ambadi, as a family wished to see me. In spite of many difficulties and in the midst of a monsoon-storm I went there accompanied by some Christians. Entering the house I met with a very sad sight. On the floor there lay a girl about 17 years of age, evidently dying, at her side knelt the mother crying aloud, the father stared' at his daughter with a gloomy face. Nobody looked after the children. After I had tried to cheer them with some kind words, they told me that the daughter was laid up with typhoid fever and that all their exertions to propitiate the Bhiltas had been in vain, that in their desperation they had made up their mind to make a trial of the God of the Christians. They firmly believed that my prayer would cure the daughter. First of all I reminded them, how much more important the eternal life was than this earthly life. 63

After that I prayed aloud and committed the daughter to the mercy of God. Humanly speajdng, I could not hold out much hope for the girl, bat I clung to God, who is mighty enough to work miracles. 1 was very anxious to see the daughter recover, being aware that this would be a more powerful testimony for the truth of Christianity than many sermons. After we had offered another prayer, we sang a hymn and read an appropriate lesson from the Bible. Then I began to purify the house from idolatry, especially from all the articles employed in demon-worship. When I came back after four days the girl was much better. She did not say much, but the kind and thankful look of her weak eyes expressed more than words could say. Thus God did not put to shame my confidence in His almighty power. After instruction for a length of time the parents with their five children were baptised.”

Another case, in which the Lord has condescended to the childlike faith of a poor woman, is reported by Mr. Nahason Vira, Pastor at Gndde, an out-station of Udipi. “One of the converts baptised by Mjr. Keppler last year, received the name Caroline. She had suffered before her baptism from eye-disease, so that she could not bear the light. All kinds of medicines were used, but without effect. She was urging us very much to baptise her, and once she expressed this desire also to Mr. Keppler. When he asked her why she was so anxious to receive baptism, she answered: ‘To be saved, but also to get rid of my eye-disease.’ To this Mr. Keppler replied: ‘You should be baptised not in order to be cured of your eye-disease, but to receive forgiveness of your sins; so if your eye-disease is not removed, you must not find fault with baptism.’ Whereupon she said: ‘ Please, do baptise me at any rate.’ A few days afterwards she was baptised together with some others and in the course o f 2 or 8 weeks she got entirely rid of her complaint. When once on a visit to her, I read and explained Matth. 17, 14— 18; she said: ‘The Lord has taken away my eye-disease; before baptism the evil spirits hindered my eyes from being cured, but after baptism the Lord obtained complete power over me, and thus I have been 64

healed.’ With great joy she proclaimed: ‘Yea, the power of the Lord is great’.” One conversion at Basrur was accompanied with unusual ■commotion not only at that place, but also at Mangalore and TJdipi. Shivarama, a young man, 28 years of age, is the nephew of the village-magistrate at Basrur and belongs to one of the richest families of the caste of landlords, called Shettis or Nadavars. Before the Mission-station was established at Basrur, this family was all- powerful. When the Missionaries came there the old Adhikari found it necessary to be more careful and the Missionary and his work was a thorn in his side. He has some young nephews, in whose hands is more or less the whole trade of Basrur. Shivarama and hia cousins attended our Mission School more than twelve years ago, and from the beginning Shivarama felt himself attracted by the Word of God. As he was not allowed to read the Bible at home, he often came to the house of our teacher, to the Catechist and also to the Mission-house. Eigfct years ago he wanted to become a Christian, but having no beard he was afraid his relatives would pronounce him to be a minor. Four years later his wife died, and believing that thereby one obstacle had been removed he has since spoken with greater decision about embracing Christianity. He had made sure of his private property, and so he felt himself free to act. Unconsciously the uncle himself helped to hasten things. He had made up his mind to marry Shivarama to his only adopted daughter, and the marriage was to take place in February of 1899. Shivarama knew well that, if this marriage should take place, insurmountable hinderances would be in his way. The enticing prospects before him were wealth and influence amongst his people; he knew that in carrying out his plan a terrible fight must be encoun­ tered, and he asked Mr. Oengnagel, the Missionary, to intercede for him with God. Mr. Oengnagel advised him to take the decisive step at Basrur, but Shivarama, knowing what his people meant to do, went to Mangalore by steamer on the 28th December. On his -arrival there he was taken in custody by his relatives and caste- 65 people at Mangalore. His departure from Basrur and the reason thereof had been made known at once by his relatives, who tele­ graphed to their friends at Mangalore that Shivarama had committed theft and gone to Mangalore, and asked them to hand him over to the police. The people brought him before the police. The police finding nothing suspicious about him, set him free. The relatives now resolved to send him back to Basrur at once, and telegraphed to Basrur: ‘Shivarama not yet converted, he is in our care.’ They were just taking tickets for the steamer, when Shivarama by the help of our Pastor Furtado (formerly Catechist at Basrur) managed to escape from the hands of his captors and to reach Balmatha, where he took refuge in the Theological Seminary. After a few days his relatives came and with promises and threatenings tried their best to win him back.— Meanwhile at Basrur the excitement reached its climax. As Shivarama had received his first knowledge about Christianity in our Mission School, the anger of Sbivarama’ s family turned first of all against that school. They started a rival school and by craft and force succeeded in persuading almost all our pupils to leave our school. There was even a rumour that they intended to burn down our school. As Shivarama could not be regained by any legitimate way, his relatives now did not shrink from the meanest tricks to effect their purpose. Shivarama had received some ornaments from his father, and now his own brother accused him of having stolen them. Consequently on the 9th January 1899 Shivarama was arrested at the Seminary at Mangalore. All the exertions of our brethren to prevent it were in vain. As he was marched off to Udipi Mr. Schaible followed him, whilst M r. Ernst at Mangalore and M r. Oengnagel at Basrur prevailed over the respective Magistrates to release Shivarama on bail and by all means to prevent his being sent beyond Udipi. At Brahma- vara, the next police-station beyond Udipi, some hundred persons, relatives and caste-people of Shivarama had gathered, ready to do something rash. Our brethren succeeded in setting the poor convert free, and brought him back to Mangalore. The case was decided on the 4th of February at Mangalore in favour of Shiva­ rama; he received his jewels back, and the false accusers had to pay 9 66

a fine of Rs. 50. In answer to it on the 9th of the same month they set fire to our school at Basrur. As the school had a tiled roof, not much damage was done. In the whole case the police at Basrur and especially that at Udipi behaved in a most suspicious manner» However the plans and machinations of men did not avail in this case; the Lord overruled everything and brought it to a happy issue. On Sunday Laetare Shivarama was baptised, and his new name is Matthaeus Jesupriya. The conversion of one Velayudhan, baptised at Tellicherry with his whole family on the 27th November 1898 (Advent- Sunday), has been the cause for great joy. We give the out­ lines of his life, using his own notes.

According to his horoscope he ought to have died in the 22nd year of his age, and to avert this calamity the directions of the astrologer were most assiduously observed by the pious parents, with the exception of one, which was carried out only when Velayudhan was already 23 years of age. He received a very careful education in all the wisdom of the Hindus: on having been instructed by an expert of his own caste, he was taught logic and Sanskrit grammar by a Brahman; in his 16th year he was even sent to Karnnika, a village near Madras, to be introduced by a learned Brahman of great renown into the depths of logic, Sanskrit grammar and Vedan- tism. A fellow-student died of cholera; Velayudhan who nursed him, was attacked too; his parents having offered sacrifices and vows he recovered. But his parents would not allow him any more to go so far away again. However he went to Cochin, opened a school for Sanskrit and was very successful as a teacher. He joined a society there for the furtherance of Sanskrit studies and got several prizes for solving problems in logic and Sanskrit grammar. Greatly elevated by such honour he began to attack Christianity in discussions and lectures and to aim at a revival o f Hinduism to its old glory and power. For this purpose a society was established, called “ Hindumatoddhrita’’ (Society for the rescue of Hinduism). The members of this society appeared at all Hindu festivals to oppose the Christian preachers and to exalt Hinduism. 67

At Erunakulam a similar society was established, called “ Hindu- matabhashini” (Society for the revival of Hinduism). But the zeal amongst the members relaxed, and proportionately the income of Velayudhan too. So he went home and at Chittanjur, in the neighbourhood of Kunnankulam, founded his last society of this kind, called “ Hinduvrindakshi” (eye of the Hindu society). To meet the arguments of Roman Catholics, Syrians and Evangelical Christians in that part of the country he began to read the Bible with the intent to attack and to overcome all the three opponents together. Christian truth began to touch his heart, but he resisted with all his might the truth and behaved very furiously towards Christians. About this time a Missionary with his Catechists came there for house-to-house visits. Velayudhan with some of his friends followed them from house to house and frustrated all their efforts. In the fourth house their opposition became in­ tolerable and the Missionary with his Catechists knelt down and with tears cried to God. Before they had finished their prayer Velayudhan became conscious of his wickedness, and full of shame and fear ran to his house. There he had an awful dream; his friends ascribed it to demons, but he went up to the garret of the house, read his Gospel and prayed in the name of Jesus for forgiveness of his sins. His friends were now of opinion that all this must be due to the Missionaries, who, as they said, are in possession of a great devil and have a marvellous power of attraction. In the night he had another dream, but heard also a soft voice saying: “ Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” The rest of the night he spent in Bible-reading and prayer. Three days after, the society of which Velayudhan was president, held a meeting and he was expected to deliver a lecture on “ the divine Bhagavatam.” He made up his mind to speak on “ sin and redemption.” All the great Shastris of the district appeared on the day appointed, and one may imagine their surprise when Vela­ yudhan began: “ Jesu, my King, my King, only to Thee be honour! Holy Jesu, my Lord and my God! honour to Thee! Heavenly hosts, myriads praising Him, all ye join me!” etc. 9* 68

“ What is this?” cried one of the headmen and started up. “ Who dares to introduce the name of that Jesus of the Padre into a society which bears the name ‘Eye of the Hindu-society’ ?” cried others. It must have been a dramatic scene, when after Velayudhan had preached for some time on the word: “ Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the siu of the world !” one after the other full of rage went out and Velayudhan stood alone. After that, without returning to his lodgings, he took his Bible and went to the house of his wife. She was ready and they went together to Calicut. The Missionary there sent them to Tellicherry, where he was kindly received and entered the class of candidates for baptism. After a few weeks he asked the Missionary for permission to go back to his father’s house in order to bring the glad tidings to his relatives. It was not an easy task which lay before him, some of his caste- people, who had heard of his arrival, waylaid and maltreated him very badly. However after a week he returned to Nettur with his father, mother, aunt and a younger sister and brother. With great eagerness and in childlike faith they all prepared for baptism, and it was a day of great joy for our whole congregation at Nettur, when these seven souls belonging to one family,, together with a few others, were admitted to the Christian Church. Velayu- dhan Paulus joined the Theological Seminary to be trained as an Assistant Catechist of our Mission. At Calicut during the last year 374 souls were in prepar­ ation for baptism. Of these only 122 were baptised, some children were sent to Chombala and Paraperi, where they were baptised. A good number ran away or were forcibly carried away. M r. Jonas Padiath, the Native Pastor, reports about the occupation of these candidates for baptism : “M r. Jans found out three new ways to provide for candidates for baptism, especially for women. It was possible also to give occupation here to a few, who could not be admitted into the estab­ lishments. Some money had been left from the relief-fund of our Mission from last year, and so a few people were employed with eooly-work. A number of women earned their livelihood by preparing 69 raggi-flour, and others maintained themselves by a new coir-industry at Putiarakalln.”

A present was made to Mr. Knobbch of a Brahman boy. He writes: “ In January of 1898 a Brahman boy was sent to me. He is an orphan and Op to the death of his grandfather he was educated by a teacher of the Kerala-Yidya College. The teacher asked me to take charge of the boy, as he was sure that with us not only the health of his body but also the life of his soul would be cared for. The confidence of this man pleased me greatly. I accepted the offer and the little Dasappan, who gave me not little trouble at the beginning, has now changed into the amiable and diligent Ernest.” From Chittattakara, a former enemy of Christianity, who three years ago, when his son was converted, threatened to kill his son and Mr. Bosshardt, came to Calicut. Two of his sons are in the tailoring industry at Calicut and now also he himself with his wife and some other children has followed. He says that his mind is entirely changed. Mr. Bosshardt at Codacal writes about this case: “ Since the time he threatened to kill me a change has taken place in this man. He began to read the Word of God and to associate with our Christians; he used to be present when bazaar- preaching took place at Chittattakara. Finally he made up his mind to embrace Christianity. Catechist Charles went with some of our Christians to his house. A great number of tigers had gathered. The Catechist spoke a few words and after having prayed with the family they went off to the house of the Catechist.” Mr. Walter at Vaniyankulam relates about two Ramans, who came to Christ: “ Samuel> formerly Raman, was a zealous idolator. After the death of a child he was somewhat shaken in his faith, but in order to avert further mischief from his house he increased in his zeal. He made pilgrimages, sacrificed 16 cocks to ‘the mother of smallpox’ , but all in vain! Small-pox broke out and some 70

of his family were snatched away. His belief in the gods of his fathers was still more shaken, but for some time he was afraid of their revenge. Finally after a long struggle he became an earnest hearer of our addresses and following the example of some of his relatives he asked for baptism. Now he, his wife and his children have become happy believers of Chr^t.—Another Raman, a relative of the above, was not less zealous in following the traditions of his forefathers. He went even so far as to per­ form the extremely difficult procedure of regeneration, called Tiruvilvamala (one has to creep from the bottom to the top of a hill through a long and narrow passage) in order to get remission of his sins. Later on by sickness and other trouble he was shaken in his belief in Hinduism, lent his ear to the Gospel which he often had heard preached, and to the great joy of his wife at last decided upon becoming a Christian.” Amongst the candidates for baptism at Palghat there was an old woman 76 years of age. How she looked forward to her baptism! A hard life indeed was before her. Once she had led a happy family-life with her husband and 11 children, when quite of a sudden her hus­ band died of cholera*, two years before 4 grown up sons had been carried off by the same horrible disease. In 1895 again 4 sons and a daughter died of cholera, and in 1897 the last of her sons, the hope and support of her old age. Now with the last child left to her, a daughter, she made up her mind to become a Christian, and with a broken heart she arrived at Melparambu in January 1898. By all the tribulations she had gone through her heart had become very susceptible to the consolations of the Gospel and readily opened her heart to them. It was a real pleasure to see how anxious this old disciple of Christ was to learn from Him. In spite of her old age she learned with great interest and diligence. She looked forward with intense joy to the 25th December, the day fixed for her baptism. The thought that she might die before that, troubled her now and then. Her desire has been fulfilled and she feels happy in the arms of Jesus, whom she has found in the eleventh hour. Mr. J. Kanaka, our Native Pastor at Kotageri, mentions that a Badaga family consisting of four members (widow, son 71

and two daughters) joined us in May. The widow is the sister of the new converts from Naduhatti, of whom we report­ ed last year (cf. page 65). M r. Kanaka writes:

“ I cannot say that these have joined us with the earnest desire to seek salvation in Christ, but I earnestly do hope and pray that the instruction given to them may by God’s grace effect a real change in their hearts. Before they joined us, they borrowed Es. 83 from the head of a family to pay off their debts, but they had to give & girl of about 11 years of age as security. The girl must work in that family until the debt is repaid. This is a custom amongst the Badagas from time immemorial and is intended for mutual help. The rich help the poor by giving loans in order to pay off their debts, and the poor in return give their boy or girl to work in the family of the rich. The child is fed and provided with clothes in the new family and may be called back to its own family as soon as the loan is repaid. For such money no interest will be asked. Of course the family, which joined us recently, is very anxious to pay off the debt as soon as possible and to redeem the child.”

The story of another conversion related by M r. Kanaka is this: “ One Madia, now Abraham, is the head of a family living about a mile and a half from here. His wife’s father having become a Christian 4 years ago, she wanted to follow her father’s example. Madia was not bold enough at that time to come to a decision, for his village and its goddess are to the Nilgiris what Dan and Bethel were to the Israelites. One of this village who desired to become a Christian had died suddenly. When Joseph Bella embraced Christianity he behaved like a devil, molested the preachers, defended idolatry and made a point to re-admit apostates from Christianity to their former caste. After his wife had gone to Kaity (to her father’s house) Madia went there and stole the children, but Kali, his wife persuaded him to give them back and prevailed upon him to follow her. Kali, now Esther, was 72 baptised first with her two children, Madia, after having put in order his money-affairs, followed, and now the family lives to­ gether again. Of the two children that had been kept by an uncle he got one by decree of court, the daughter is still there. From Kaity Mr. Wieland reports a joyful occurrence: “ On the 30th October, the day on which in 1517 the Reformation in Germany commenced and the very day, on which our pious Emperor and his consort consecrated the “Church of the Saviour’* at Jerusalem, our little Mission-chapel at Nellakottu (in the Wynaad) was consecrated also. The situation is most charming: below the bazaar, in front the steep slopes of the Nilgiris, in the north­ east the table-land of Mysore, in the north Coorg, and in the west the Wynaad. A few Europeans and Native Christians were present. Mr. Wieland addressed the audience first in English on i. Kings 8, 22-30, and afterwards on Eph. 6 in Canarese. One Raman from a high caste who had been a cooly on M r. Liebenrood's estate for more than 20 years was baptised on this occasion. Amongst 200 coolies he is the only Christian. Before his baptism the taunting of his caste-people, inward struggles and especially bad dreams troubled him greatly. Much now will depend on his life and walking as a Christian, being the first specimen of a Christian in those parts.”

M r. Lutze relates how two new villages have been brought under the influence of the Gospel: “ The first is Kalhatti. The teacher Paranjoti had been faith­ fully working at that place, but on the 1 st of June he suddenly died. Still he had not laboured in vain. Soon after his death a young man came to Kaity and said: ‘I wish to become a child of God*. — Nanja, a youth, 18 years of age, had received in our night-school powerful impressions and as recently as in 1897 intended to come. Last year he carried out his resolution. The day after his relations appeared, the usual scenes occurred. Nanja was firm. The old father came and said: ‘Tour mother is dangerously ill and wants to see you once more before her death,’ which is a very common trick. 73

But when the father swore a solemn oath even Nanja believed and was ready to go. As soon as he left the Mission-house they began to carry him away by force, which M r. Lutze opposed. However Nanja went away and was not seen for months. The story about his mother of course was untrue and Nanja was confined in his father’s house all the time. On the 6th November he came again and was hidden on a tea-estate. The relatives came a second time and tried very hard to persuade him to eat the food they had brought for him. He wisely refused to do so and since that they have left him alone. He learns now diligently and the Bible is his favourite boolf.— The second village which has been brought nearer to us is Doddahani. Chena, belonging to the sect of the Lingaits, is about 29 years of age. Taking with him a boy, about 12 years of age, he shut his house and came to Kaity. Having eaten with our Christians he broke caste at once. Recently a high-priest of this sect had come from Mysore and prohibited the re-admittance of such to their former caste, there is little danger of Chena going back again.”

C. Spiritual life of our Congregations.

(Cf. Table, page 8 and 9.) The spiritual features of our congregations in the differ­ ent districts are so different that we better refrain from many general remarks. We are glad to say that there is life more or less in most of our congregations. Bearing in mind from what strata of Hindu society the great bulk of our congregations is recruited we venture to say that they exhibit a wonderful change and betoken a great work of God. Our congregations have not yet gone far beyond the years of childhood, here and there are a few indications that they are approaching the years of discretion, which in man’s life lead on from childhood to youth and manhood. The charm of childhood has not yet disappeared altogether. Our people as a whole have hitherto been, we can say, free from that spirit of self-glorification, which is so characteristic and 10 74

at the same time so sickening during the years of discretion (“Flegeljahre” we call this period of life in German). They know that they are in need of spiritual guidance; they have so much practical sense to understand that self-govern­ ment and self-support go hand in hand, and although scarcely satisfied with everything their Missionaries do, they have, thank God, not yet advanced so far as to im­ agine that‘the chief hinderance to the development of the Native-Church comes from the Missionaries and their methods of carrying on Mission-work. However, where there are the charm and the innocence of childhood the frailty and the diseases of childhood also will scarcely be absent. Our people are greatly looking in a sense of self-dependence and of responsibility. All seems to be in a good working order and the organisation of our Church leaves but little room for improvement, but one cannot get rid of the feeling that all goes well as long as the Missionaries exhort, encourage, urge, compel and throw their authority into the balance, and that as soon as they retreat the machine would here and there come to a standstill. There is a great want of steadiness. A good many things are started—very nice things often—■, if the Missionary does not take the supervision of them, they pass away in the prime of their existence. This is especially felt in the case of contributions of churches towards their ex­ penses, which, although a money-affair, forms one of the most conspicuous features of spiritual life. On page 8 aud 9 of our Report, an abstract, showing the contributions of the churches towards their expenses, has been given. The stati­ stics also under this head are as accurate as statistics can be, but we would like to warn our readers not to be too sanguine in drawing conclusions. Out of those 8 columns under which these contributions have been entered there is only one column (the first) which contains money contributed merely 75 by the congregations. To bring in these forms one of the most difficult tasks of a Missionary. All the other columns contain also the gifts of the Missionaries, as it was quite impossible to eliminate them. In South-Mahratta things remained on the whole the same as in the preceding year. The great falling off of church- members at Dharwar (158 against 241 in 1897) is due to the transfer of the Girls’ Orphanage from Dharwar to Guled- gudd. The congregation at Dharwar passed through a year of great tribulation, in preparation for which God had provided special spiritual refreshment in the year before (cf. last year’s Report, page 67 and 68). Nine members of the con­ gregation were carried off by plague, and one can imagine the amount of excitement and fear which prevailed in this little congregation. Hubli (355 souls), as will be well known to our readers, was again scourged by plague, and this second attack was much more fearful than that in the year before. Our Christians set an example in inoculation, so that also the other popul­ ation of the town without coercion presented themselves in large numbers for inoculation.— There is every reason to believe that this great calamity turned out to be a blessing to our Christians at Hubli. Mr. Warth tells us that when plague was decreasing a little, the young men and youths of our Young Men’s Association went out on Sunday evenings for preaching, and always found a good audience. The congre­ gations at Hubli and Unakallu lost 12 members by the plague. The following communications of Mr. Warth will be found interesting: “ When 8 or 4 cases of plague had occurred in the congregation part of it (about 90) was sent to the segregation-camp for three weeks and their houses were meanwhile disinfected. After that plague in the Mission-compound ceased. For the Christians in

10* 76

quarantine I held an open-air meeting on Sunday. The Plague- Commission was so kind as to erect a shed there for our Christian pupils, so that the school-work could be carried on. For three and a half months the congregation gathered thrice a week for a prayer- meeting. Also the women met every day for prayer at the church. By the miseries of those days many were taught to pray as they never had done before. It was really encouraging to see how the congregation almost to its full number was in a very earnest mood united in God’s House for prayer and for hearing God’s Word. Points of dissension were settled amongst the people themselves, and for many months the Presbytery had not to settle quarrels amongst the people. But I am sorry to say that many like children soon forgot God’s visitation and moved on again in the common track.” At Bettigeri (579 souls) in June almost the whole con­ gregation attended an extraordinary Hindu festival, which takes place only once in 13 years. It may have been mere curiosity, but it was seriously looked upon by the Pastor of the congregation. A still more painful occurrence is reported from Guledgudd (654 souls), where a woman had to be excommunicated, because she had brought a sacrifice to the Hindu gods in order to recover a lost child. M r. Eis- felder writes:

“ With respect to our old Christians I could not say: ‘Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ If some of my people at Mushtigeri cannot yet understand that they ought not to take up their ordinary work on Good Friday, if others openly bring a thanksoffering to idols, because they helped them in finding a lost child, if one at Guledgudd in the forenoon attends the Lord’s Supper and in the afternoon is intoxicated by palm- wine and has a fight with another Christian, one cannot speak of a high development of Christian knowledge.” More hopeful sounds what Mr. Berli reports about the congregation at Bijapur (23 souls): 77

“ Religious life and Christian custom, especially the attendance at church, are satisfactory. Scarcely a man is absent from two Divine services on Sunday. The women are present at any rate in the morning. As far as I can see, they hear attentively and also fruits of their hearing God’s Word are not absent.”

We pass over Honavar (46 souls) and enter South-Canara with its 6 stations. Mangalore (2,653 souls), our largest con­ gregation, is looked after by M r. Schaible, in charge of the whole station, and by 5 Native Pastors, as the congregation consists of 5 or 6 pastorates spread over the whole area of the large town. Mr. Schaible finds the congregation lack­ ing in spiritual growth, but also mentions that there are some members, who feel themselves constrained to work amongst Christians and Non-Christians. Mr. S. Andrea, the Pastor of Balmatha, especially finds fault with Christian parents on account of the neglect they sTiow in the education of their children. The young people in consequence of it are proud, disobedient and careless in dealing with God’s word, which predicts evil for the future of our church. With satisfaction will be read what Mr. M. Salis, the Pastor of Madikerigudde, writes: “ I am thankful to God for the signs of spiritual life, which I am privileged to see in many a soul. They have shown an increasing devotion to the Lord, are regular in attending the Divine services, regular in family-prayer, send their children regu­ larly to school and take pains in educating them in the fear of the L ord ; they are also regular in paying their church-tax. Most of them get a sufficient livelihood in the Mission Establishments or outside. It gives me much satisfaction to state that a good many do acknowledge with a thankful heart the Divine blessings bestow­ ed upon them through our Mission. Some are anxious to show by word and deed that they belong to Christ, and take ipains to stimulate such as are less earnest and zealous amongst their fellow-Christians. The young people regularly attend their prayer- 78

meetings. Though now and then the tares threaten to choke the good seed, I do not cease to beseeeh the Lord that He may grant His grace also to those erring Christians that they may repent and live.” M r. 0. Sumitra, the Pastor at Bockapatna-Kudroli, under whose care especially are the Christians employed in the Tile-Works at Kudroli, thinks that we should be mistaken in thinking that the new Christians in his congregation have come being attracted by some higher calling; as a rule, he says, they come first in order to get work. Mr. Sumitra makes the following important remarks: “ How is it that in spite of the help rendered by our Mission our Christians are not in better circumstances? To this question different answers may be given: handicraft does not pay in this country, agriculture does not bring in so much as a Christian family necessarily requires; many of our people are idle, there is no doubt about it; others are extravagant; they do not know, nor wish to know, how to make both ends meet; besides, there are such good opportunities now for getting higher education, which attract a good many who are not fit for it. But after all the chief cause of our Christian’s poverty is their want of piety, especially their unthankfulness. They are not careful as to their Christian course of life, they are too worldly-minded and hence there is no blessing of God. With a good many the depressed circumstances in which they live must be looked upon as a just punishment of God. Elders, Catechists, Teachers and Missionaries must make it their most important duty to plant a sense of godliness in the hearts of our Christians and as long as they are children we ought to begin with this.” M r. Sumitra also tells us about a very young mother, only 19 years of age, who was lying on her death-bed. Her firm belief in Christ and the confidence, with which she spoke about eternal life, was a cause of great joy to her Pastor. Also a young candidate for baptism, whom the Lord had prepared for death by a sick-bed of some months, fell asleep with a firm belief in his Lord. 79

Mr. J. Soens, the Pastor of Bolma, an out-station of Mangalore, remarks that new converts find it very difficult to get rid of the habit of drinking and the belief in demons (Bhutas). On the other hand he tells of a family that had settled at Bolma long ago, that suffered much from great losses of cattle. This family however -was not shaken in their trust in the Lord. Mr. Soens was pleased to see, how they treated with contempt the advice of their neighbours to make a trial with the help of the Bhutas.

At Mulki (738 souls) the excitement of former years, it seems, has calmed down. Some of the penitent people there have returned to our Church and those who are still obstinate have not seen many happy days since they left us; they serve as a wholesome example to other unruly members of the congregation. M r. Bachle tells of a man, who bought a New Testament and cleared his debts by services as a carrier. A poor young man, to whom Mr. Bachle intended to make a present of a New Testament, voluntarily brought one day part of its price.

At Udipi (1810 souls) it is not a rare occurrence that Christians relapse into Hinduism again. The caste rules seem to be not very stringent there. Mr. Furtado, Pastor of Shirva, reports that a family consisting of 5 souls, after a stay of 18 years in the Christian Church, fell back into Hinduism. The same took place at Kalyanapur, another out-station of Udipi, where a woman with her children left her husband and went back to heathenism. It is interesting to hear that even respectable Non-Cliristians do not approve of it. They say that people having joined us ought to remain with us, as backsliders will never fare well again.

It is on the whole rather discouraging to read the report of the Udipi station as far as the spiritual life of the congre- 80

gations comes under consideration. We give the following extracts :

“ There were 20 baptisms of converts from the heathens, but 25 excommunications: some of these severed themselves, others had to be put out. The Christians are suffering much from the after-effects of last year’s famine. They were greatly helped by the Mission’s relief-fund. It is a pity that in spite of all assistance our Christians never seem to be able to save something for coming days of trouble 5 they not only live from hand to mouth, but sink deeper and deeper into debt. The unfavourable customs of ten­ antry partly account for it, but the chief causes are otherwise; it is the thoughtless life of our Christians, want of doirestical habits, idleness, unfaithfulness in their work and the awful habit of contracting debts at marriages. Others prosper to some degree, but avarice prevents them from becoming a blessing to the congregation. There are only a few, who in the manage­ ment of their earthly affairs exhibit a Christian character. No wonder that they do not care much for the education of their children also, there is no end of excuses for not sending them to school and there is endless trouble to get something in the way of school-fees, even at the lowest rates. However, we are glad to say that there is a small number of Christians, that forms a pleasing and honourable exception. The second service on Sunday afternoon is attended only by a few and the Bible-class on Thursday evenings scarcely by anybody, except the sexton. The windows of the Mis- sion-houses had to be provided with iron bars, and we are sorry to say that it is not because of the Non-Christians that it had to be done.”

In a similar strain the Pastors of Udipi go on to describe the spiritual life of the out-stations at Koppala, Shirva, Kalyanapur and Madambail. But we shall not close this sad report on the Udipi-congregation without mentioning one cheering instance related about Madambail. "Without any ostentation 6-8 young men there gather for a Bible-meeting. Every Thursday at about 10 in the forenoon they meet in the school-room. This is a 81

•sign of life and may the Lord, who does not break a bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax, enkindle this weak spark of life into a bright and shining flame. Little is to be said about our small congregation at Karkal (107 souls). Mr. Fischer mentions a lovely instance of a rather subtile conscience in a Christian boy, 14 years of age, who in the time, when pine-apples were ripening, used to pray every morning: “ Oh Lord, prevent me from taking any pine-apple, when passing by!” Mr. Fischer continues: “ Two young men pursue the smith’s craft and for this purpose built a smith’s shop on a place recently bought by the Mission. Both of them have given us great satis­ faction by their good behaviour, their skilfulness and their dili­ gence. At the beginning we had to procure work for them. It would be a great blessing for our station, if these new converts would turn out good Christians and able workmen.” We pass over Basrur (116 souls) and reach Kasaragod, the most southern station of Canara (145 souls). M r. Diez writes: “ A Canarese family amongst our candidates for baptism had to pass through many troubles during the last year. First of all ■the industrious father of the family died at the hospital at Kasaragod, the mother then was delivered of a child, after which a little daughter (two years and a half old) died. The eldest son, 15 years of age, who was expected to support the family, fell sick and was laid up in the hospital for a whole month, and last of all the Moplas stole and ate up a pair of bullocks, used for ploughing, the staff of life for this poor family. Mother and son were carefully prepared for baptism, and after all this trouble the Gospel came home to their heart. On the day of baptism the congregation at Kasaragod bought a new pair of bullocks, which is a very pleasant instance of Christian love and sympathy of this small congregation.” As to our two stations in Coorg: Mercara (131 souls) and Anandapur (202 souls) not much is to be said. Mr. Fischer relates a very strange occurrence in his congregation. li 82

“ A woman, who had gone to an estate, was stricken down with fever, and when the Maistry of the plantation called a sorcerer to cure her, she behaved as if possessed by an evil spirit. In this condition she was brought back to Anandapur. When an elder began to pray with her she grew quite furious, so that people shut her up in a room. When Mr. Fischer spoke with her on the condition of her heart, she listened quietly, and no abusing then came from her lips. The Missionary told her that very likely living among Non-Christians she had given up the practice of prayer and invited her to pray the Lord’s Prayer. She did so, and the Mission­ ary having asked the Lord for His grace and help, the woman was all right from that moment.”

The last year in Malabar has been marked by revivals in most of our congregations. It is perhaps too early to say, with any amount of certainty, how far they have been an unmixed blessing to our Malabar Church, but one thing we can say for sure even now. Awakening to new life is always accompanied by dangers, and where a greater number of people is roused from spiritual lethargy and death along with real conversions, pseudo-conversions will take place also; with the genuine work of God’s spirit frequently there are mingled the artificial elaborations and the fanciful dreams of men, who often either by their insincerity or by their imbecility mar the work of God. “Wheresoever God builds a church, the devil builds a chapel in its vicinity” is a proverb well borne out by experience. Notwithstanding all this, who will prefer death to encountering these difficulties? Though of some it may be said: what had begun in the spirit should end in the flesh, yet looking on the whole of our Malabar Church we feel confident in saying that this spiritual movement has been an answer to the fervent prayers of God’s servants during bygone years, and that many an individual soul in our congregations has been abundantly blessed. 83

The heart and soul of this movement at Cannanore has been one of our younger Catechists. Having a natural gift to bring Christians to the conviction of their sins, whilst stationed at a somewhat isolated out-station in the South of Malabar, he became acquainted with the ways and methods of some so-called Faith-missionaries, who from the very beginning influenced greatly the whole spirit of the movement. About 70-80 people united in prayer every day. A similar prayer-meeting was started at Chowa, an out-station of Cannanore. People who went there from mere curiosity, were seized by the general enthusiasm prevailing in those meetings and had to give in. The meetings last from 2 to 3 hours in the evening, and a great stress is laid upon confession of sin, an intense struggle for repentance (compared to a foretaste of hell), and assu­ rance of the forgiveness of sins. Men and women use to pray and by exclamations, convulsions, even by dreams and visions, sometimes by manipulations new-comers were helped on to the necessary degree of religious enthusiasm. The impulsiveness of eastern nations and the eloquence of our Malayalis must be borne in mind in order to understand the psychological side of the movement. The position of the Missionaries in dealing with the matter from the beginning has been on the one hand not to quench and disturb the spirit, as there is a blessing in it, and on the other hand to keep off things unwholesome, unscriptural and tending to sectarianism.

M r. Schaal, in charge of the congregation at Cannanore, writes1 at the end of the year under report: “ Although violent struggles for repentance and public confes­ sions of sins still are in vogue, the movement has assumed a more quiet character. We rejoice at the awakening of new religious life, but we cannot deny that there is cause for the deep appre­ hension that the moral life even of such who are earnest and 11* 84 sincere will not keep pace with the religious emotion. Also within this circle, as with our Christians in general, one meets with a great religious liveliness on the one hand, and with a still greater moral weakness on the other. However the religious emotion in this case has not been altogether without effect in life and conduct. Some notorious drunkards have given up drinking entirely; one cannot deny that they also apply themselves more than formerly to truthfulness and purity, and keep an eye upon each other and try to win others by love. Of course they also had to take their part of the ‘reproach of Christ’ , for there were not a few, who held them in derision and mocked at them. The world put a label upon them and they had not to wait long for nicknames. Not all those so- called ‘awakened’ were innocent of the things that were laid to their charge: from the very beginning there were some who by their unworthy behaviour were no honour to a good cause. But among their opponents there were also such who on account of a bad conscience had every reason to feel uneasy, when people began to confess sins.”

Also Mr. Nath. Arukandan, the Native Pastor of Cannanore, bears witness that drinking in the congregation is diminishing. He also writes: “ It is a cause of great joy that a widow here sows the good seed into the hearts of the little ones. One of these children came on his birthday to the house of an elder with a little money-box in his hand. It was opened and there were 12 Annas in it, which the child in course of time had saved for the poor.”

At Tellicherry (602 souls) both the Missionary in charge of the congregation and the Native Pastor left the station and were replaced by others. As the new Missionary, before going on furlough, had been for 8 years Pastor of the congregation and the new Native Pastor Mr. George Peter, was also well known in the congregation, the change was perhaps less felt in the pastoral care of the church than otherwise. On Nettur-hill, where the majority of church-members are 85 employed at the Weaving Establishment, the temporary re­ duction of working hours at this Establishment was keenly felt by the workmen. The report of the Missionary in charge of the congregation runs thus:

“ The attendance at church might be better, especially on Sunday afternoons and at the Bible-meetings during the week. The Native Pastor, when the time of labour was reduced, took occasion to remind his flock that religious indifference and the reduction of work, which of course means a reduction of income, very likely will stand in inward connection. There was no great mani­ festation of life in the congregation, and we wished that part of the spiritual movement going on at the neighbouring station, Cannanore, extended also to Tellicherry, though not in the form of imitation. In the educational institutions on Nettur-hill the in­ fluence of the Cannanore-movement was soon felt amongst the young men only, it seemed as if a breath of air was stirring. Now since the Catechist, who has been instrumental in stirring up the people, has been transferred to this place, it is hoped that a fresh draught will awaken our young people especially. May it be life from above and may we have no cause to lament with Goethe : ‘Woe, the spirits that I called— I cannot get rid of them.’ [Since these remarks have been written, at Tellicherry also revival- meetings have been started by our young fellow-worker, the de­ scription and history of which will be dealt with in our next Report.] The Missionary at Nettur goes on to say: “ A very unwholesome influence has been exerted upon the Nettur-congregation by a large influx of new converts from Ancharakandy, who belong to the caste of the Vëttavar. A small admixture of this kind will not do much harm, but assimilate, coming in larger numbers without real conversions, they must needs lower the moral standard of a Christian congregation. In course of time we hope that the more spiritually-minded part of the congregation will exert its power of life for good. Promi­ nent features of these new people are sensuality, drunkenness, a propensity to stealing and lying and— strange to say— along with 86 these, pride. As they have been formerly a caste of sorcerers one is not surprised to hear also that all kinds of witchcraft linger amongst them after joining the Christian Church. All these are ugly features in the physiognomy of our congregation and do not escape the notice of the Non-Christians surrounding us.” M r. George Peter, the Native-Pastor of the Nettur-congregation, whilst fully concurring with the above description, adds the consolatory remark that some of those Aneharakandi people are conscious of all this and try their best to get rid of these bad habits. For the congregation at Chombala (540 souls) in the year under report, joy and woe bordered on each other. Our friends at Chombala got a new church. Mr. Lauffer, the architect of it, writes: “ The building, executed in a primitive gothic style, makes a harmonious impression ; out here in India it may be called a fine building. On the 23rd of March the consecration of the church took place. About 1000 Christians and 300 Non-Christians were present. The service .commenced at about 8. 30 in the morning in the old chapel and was conducted by M r. Weismann, the Pastor o f the congregation. About 9 o’clock all went in procession to the new building, where we all stroke up the old Lutheran hymn: ‘A strong fortress is our God’. I handed over the key of the church to the Pastor, who in the name of the triune God opened its door, and in a few minutes the church was filled. The conse­ crating address was given by me, and after that I offered the first prayer at this church. Mr. Frohnmeyer then delivered the first sermon, whereupon 19 converts from the heathen were baptised by M r. Weismann. M r. Jonas of Calicut concluded the first service. In the afternoon the 50th Anniversary of the congregation at Chombala was celebrated.” And now to tell of the great misfortune which happened to the congregation there! Mr. Lauffer, after a service of about 40 years in this country, had gone home to Europe and was thus spared a spectacle which would have greatly pained him. During the monsoon in the night from the 25th to the 26th of July the belfry 87

-of the new church fell down and carried with it the gable-wall, to which the tower had been attached.

The congregation at Calicut (1634 souls) has increased so considerably that it was found impracticable to unite all the members of the congregation (a large number of whom live at Putiyarakallu) in one service. Hence during the last year two Divine services and Sunday Schools were held separately at Putiyarakallu and Calicut, which was found to be a great improvement.— Another extension of the congregation took place at Markat, the place where Messrs. Henke and Co. have established their large Tile-Works. We are under great obligation to the gentlemen of this firm for rendering so very kindly all help possible for stationing a Catechist there, establishing a school and having regular services for our Ohristians who have got work at Markat and settled down there.

Our brethren at Calicut too report a*spiritual awakening, which, however, in its origin and shape differs somewhat from the revival at the northern stations of Malabar/ Some members of the congregation, not satisfied with the practice of our Mission, had invited one Faith-missionary in the neighbourhood and engaged his spiritual services. His appearance at Calicut and his criticism on the manner in which we serve our God and minister to souls in this country caused great sensation amongst our Christians. Some of the people who had invited the Missionary were baptised a second time and separated themselves from us. But after all, what had been looked upon at the beginning as a disturbance and what by some perhaps had been meant to produce dissension, seems to have turned out by God’ s help a blessing. M r. Jaus, the Missionary of the station, writes: 88

“ The appearance of the ‘Faith-missionary5 led a vast number of our congregation to search more carefully in the Scriptures^ and also leaders and preachers of the congregation were stimu­ lated to greater carefulness and earnestness in the discharge o f their pastoral duties to keep their flock from erroneous ways. More than ever before Scriptural proof was demanded and in our sermons and Bible-meetings we had to take this into considera­ tion. Of course sharp contradiction and opposition could not be avoided; but there were also welcome opportunities for imparting knowledge of salvation on a firmer foundation. Many dead and indifferent members of the church were aroused and began to live the conscious life of a Christian. Neophytes always show an inclination to overdo things and to cling to some favourite doctrine or novelty, and some of them found the ways of the Faith- missionary more congenial to their inclinations than what they had been accustomed to hear from their spiritual leaders in the Church. The doctrine of sanctification and of the sacraments were held in opposition to the doctrines of our Church and some went so far as to call their former belief ‘a devilish delusion.’ The rules laid down by the wise and pious Fathers of our Mission were called a human yoke, they found fault with their Missionaries, as not being led by the Spirit of God but by a Committee, and some in a kind of spiritual intoxication even ventured to pray God for deliverance from the bondage of the Basel Mission. But just such exaggerations and the fanaticism of some of those people were the means of bringing the sober-minded amongst them to their senses; and when M r. Jonas Padiath, the Pastor of the congregation, opened meetings in order to meet the requirements of those who were really anxious about their salvation, the majority of our people joyfully attended the meetings held by the Pastor and the Catechist of the congregation. Those meetings have been regularly held since, and judging from personal participation in them, I feel confident iu saying that they are a blessing to our congregation.” What Mr. Jonas Padiath writes about these meetings will meet with a joyful response in the hearts of our readers: 89

“ From 40 to 100 persons took part in these meetings. Many arose from their spiritual slumber and the mire of sin and confessed their sins -with tears. They feel sure now that their sins are forgiven. Some describe their present condition in the words of Ps. 40, 2. 3. Generally they bring to the meeting the Psalms or parts of the New Testament and some paper inlaid to take notes during the meeting and carry them in their pockets, where they formerly used to have their cigars, betelnuts and snuff. The time formerly spent in mere gossip is now devoted to the study of the Holy Scriptures. Many have given up the habit of drinking, and the vendors at some liquor-shops complain that some of their best customers never call there now. Little has been heard during the last year of quarrels in the streets and this has not been left unnoticed by Hindus and Mohammedans in our neighbourhood. So we have every reason to be thankful to God, who works wonders and miracles even in our days.” We cannot omit some pleasant instances of children’s faith related by Mr. Jans: “ Before the children of the 4th Standard went up for the Primary Examination, they came to my study and asked me to pray with them. The same was done by the girls appearing for the Lower Secondary Examination, and boys going up for the Matriculation Examination first of all asked for the blessing of God. They do so at home too. I know of two girls, who in the night before their examination were deeply engaged in prayer and in the morning they said to their mother: ‘We do not like to put on our nicest dress to-day, for in case of a failure we must be the more ashamed.5 When the question-pa^ers at the examination had been distributed I observed a girl, who before reading the paper was engaged in silent prayer. What is done before examinations very likely will also be done in other difficulties as sickness and the like.” A joyful occasion for the congregation at Codacal (1365 souls) was the consecration of a chapel at Chalasheri on the 15th of April last year. 12 90

Our Christians there had taken an active interest in the build­ ing and helped us greatly by supervision of the work and by their own work. So it was a day of great rejoicing when the work had been accomplished. At 9 o’clock in the morning in a solemn pro­ cession and singing they went through the bazaar to the new chapel. The architect, Mr. Eckelmann, with the words of Hebrew 13, 8 handed over the key to Mr. Bosshardt, who con­ ducted the service afterwards. 13 Syrians were admitted to our Church, and the Lord’s Supper was administered afterwards. The little congregation now counts 66 souls. We lost there by death a former Syrian priest, Eugen Chiran, who had endeared himself to all who knew him. On the death of his first wife, he married again and was consequently dismissed as a priest. Afterwards he lived in his congregation at Chalasheri like a father amongst his children. By reading the Word of God he awoke to a new life and joined our congregation. He used to be the first at every service. Besides, he visited people and by his quiet, humble and pious manner became a family-friend in all our Christian houses. What Mr. Bosshardt relates of a faithful Christian Ayah deserves to be mentioned here: “On the 2nd December we experienced a gracious preservation of God. Our only child had taken a walk with the Ayah. Suddenly from behind a cow rushed against them and threw the child to the ground. At once the Ayah cast herself upon the child, thus saving the little one, whilst the cow badly gored her.” At Vaniyankulam (135 souls) also the consecration of a chapel took place. The small congregation hitherto united for service on the veranda of the Mission-house. Thank God a chapel became necessary in course of time. Mr. Walter raised the necessary funds for it and also built it. He writes: “ On the 18th December at 8. 30 in the morning the congrega­ tion met on the veranda of the Mission-house, and after the singing of a hymn and a prayer we went to the chapel, where I preached 91 on Ps. 100. Afterwards a Cateehist addressed the congregation and then 32 converts were baptised. In the afternoon three Catechists and M r. Mole of Palghat spoke to the audience. Non- Christian friends also were present. W e thank the Lord from all our hearts for this day of joy.” In passing over to Palghat (415 souls) we begin with what must be called a progress in the wrong direction. In May of last year a number of Christian workmen at our Tile-Works at Olavakkoda organised a strike, which was pre-arranged as carefully as any strike in England or Germauy. More pay, less work, less supervision and no fines were the leading ideas. The poor people, who evidently had been misled, could not succeed and naturally had to take the consequences of such a step, and were even ready to use violent measures.—The air seems to have been cleared by this occurrence and what M r. Hole reports about his congregation is very satis­ factory indeed: “ It is a real pleasure to see, how our Christian’s heart and soul take their part in singing the praise of God and in hearing His word on Sunday mornings at church. It is true, in the great and little trials connected with our Christian calling a good many of our Christians do fail, but I am sure if they should once be placed in the dilemma of denying either their faith or their life, in spite of all their weakness and the deep shadows disfiguring the aspect of our congregations, there would be a number of Christians who would be ready rather to suffer anything than deny their most holy faith.— There was much sickness in the congregation during the last year, and I found our Christians not only sympathetic and ready to help others, but what pleased me most was the observation that the severest chastisement of God was not borne with a dull resignation, but with patience and with confidence in God.— Edifying was the life and death of Daniel, our book-seller. Since the death of his wife his life was a life in heaven, and at his grave many a fellow-Christian bore witness: one who so lives and so dies, lives and dies well.” 12 * 92

Mr. Timothy Parakandi, Pastor of Melparambu, near Palghat, writes: “ On Sunday evenings at this station a revival-meeting is held. Prayer and singing are chiefly exercised. It was started by some members of the congregation, who were earnest about salvation. As there is nothing in it of those extravagances we hear about from other stations, we are glad of it and assist these brethren as much as we can.” A few remarks remain about our congregations on the Nilgiris. Mr. iAitze gives the congregation at Kaity the following testimony: “ The pulse of religious life with some is weak, irregular and fluctuating, with others it even seems to be at a standstill; but we are glad to say, with others it is fresh and strong. The Missionary-spirit of our Christians manifests itself in our Young Men’s Association, which at the same time may be called a temperance society. Every second Sunday afternoon these young men take part in preaching to heathen in the Badaga villages.” Mr. Kanaka, the Native Pastor at Kotageri, in his report calls attention to the great temptation our Christians at that station are exposed to, the chief market-day there being Sunday. Formerly Monday was the market-day.

4. Educational Work. (Cf. Table, page 10 and 11.) There are 157 schools and 9015 pupils at present in our schools against 151 schools and 8308 pupils on the 1st January 1898. Schools: Pupils: 1 8 9 7 . 1 8 9 8 . 1 8 9 7 . 1 8 9 8 . South-Canara 47 47 2736 2923 Coorg 3 2 75 53 S.-Mahratta 21 22 1044 1217 Malabar 44 46 3486 3859 Nilgiris 36 40 967 963 151 157 8308 9015 93

So the increase in the total of pupils amounts to 707. Of these 9015 pupils there are 3169 Christians (1805 boys, 1364 girls), and 5846 Non-Christians (5184 boys, 662 girls). At Mangalore a new school (at Mannagudde) has been started, whilst at Karkal one was abolished. In Coorg the Bazaar-School for Hindus at Mercara has been abolished. At Honavar a new Hindu-School has been started (at Anilgo- du). In Malabar two new schools at Payyanur and Perambara, and on the Nilgiris four new schools have been founded during the year under report.

A . Schools for Christians.

1. Parochial Day-Schools. In our last Report the principles, by which we are guided in our educational work amongst Christians and Non-Christians, have been fully explained, so that we need not speak at length this time. There are Parochial Day-Schools at almost all our stations. Only at very small stations as Basrur and Kasaragod in Canara, Bijapur and Honavar in South-Mahratta, and Yaniyankulam in Malabar we could not well establish separate Christian schools for the few Christian children there. Like Christian children living at out-stations, such children attend the Mission Schools for Hindus at their place and special pro­ vision is made for their religious instruction. In Canara two out of the six Parochial Schools (Mangalore and Udipi), in Malabar all with the exception of that at Palghat, and the two schools on the Nilgiris are Lower Secondary Schools. All the rest are Primary Schools only. As to South-Mahratta we have referred in our last Report to the difficulty of making Christian parents send their children to school. What M r. Salomon Devada, Pastor of Hubli, writes to explain the fact will be eqlially true for every district: 94

“ There are three kinds of parents. Some of them when they were Non-Christians paid great attention to the education of their children and they do so still more after joining the Christian Church. Others did not care for education before they embraced Christianity, but do so afterwards. The third kind did not think of education as heathen, and they do not care a bit for it as Christians. And as the majority of our Christians belong to the third class, they will not send their children regularly to school. As soon as the children are twelve years of age they are sent out to earn their livelihood.” In Malabar most parents are anxious to have their children educated, but we experience great difficulty in collecting school-fees from our people. The notion that what is received from the Mission ought to be free of cost, we have failed hitherto to eradicate from Christians and Non- Christians. 2. Boarding Schools and Orphanages. The Girls’ Orphanage at Dharwar was removed to Guledgudd at the beginning of April 1898. The institution was established in 1839 with 5 girls. It was very flourishing in 1850-1852 in the time of M r. Albrecht and dwindled down afterwards again; when the strength of the school was only six girls it was abolished for a time. In 1877 during the famine it was re-opened again with better success, and in 1882 the Orphanage at Bettigeri was amalgamated with it. After 60 years it has now been transferred to Guledgudd. We expected that in consequence of the plague our Orphanages at Guledgudd and Bettigeri (the latter for boys) would become over-full and preparations had been made by us to meet such an emergency, but M r. Eisfelder w rites: “ It is rather strange that in spite of many casualities on account of plague at Hubli, Dharwar and Bettigeri not a single orphan has been sent to our Orphanages. As this indicates that Non-Christians are more conscious of their duties towards their 95 relatives than formerly this fact is to be welcomed. The higher castes nowadays make every exertion by persuasion and pecuniary assistance to guard their caste-people against our influ­ ence. They not only receive orphans in their families, but try also to gather them in orphanages, and Government in many cases patronises such undertakings most benevolently.” The Boys’ Orphanage at Udipi, with its 97 inmates, is in a very flourishing condition. The children are housed in a very fine building and the school under the experienced manage­ ment of Mr. Brasche is in such an excellent state that a large number of Non-Christian boys are attracted to it. The Girls’ Orphanage o f the same district is at Mulki. Mr. Breidenbach, the manager of the institution, writes: “Lena, the matron of our Orphanage, who by her outward appearance commands respect and reverence from everybody, celebrated on the 3rd May her twenty-fifth year of service. Early in the morning all children able to sing greeted her by singing some Tulu-songs of German origin, such as ‘Bless the Lord, 0 my soul!’ Big and small present gladdened the heart of our old matron, and beaming with joy she was sitting in her little room, which was decorated with flowers.” Not m uch can be said about the Girls’ Orphanage for Malabar at Chombala. The girls did very well at their examinations. One of the girls quite suddenly lost her eye­ sight and there is no human hope of her ever seeing again. It must have been a sad and painful thing to see the poor girl groping about in the dark, at first quite incapable to realise the hopeless misery that had come over her. The Boys’ Orphanage for M alabar at Paraperi (out-station of Codacal) is under the management of Mr. Eckelmann. We give the following extracts from his report: “ One dozen of the big boys were allowed to accompany M r. Schilling and myself when we went for the consecration of our new chapel at Chalasheri (c/. page 90). First we drove by train4 96

to the Patambi station, and from there had to walk about two hours. For this purpose they refreshed themselves at the rail­ way station with a portion of rice and curry, which they assured us surpassed anything of the kind they had enjoyed before. For some time in the strength of this meal they marched on with great alacrity. After an hour or so some found a quiet and shady place in the cooly-bandy, and one even gained a place on our own bandy by taking charge of the bullocks. The little handyman made the chuckling with the tongue, twisted the tails of the bullocks and kicked them with his feet just like a handyman of long experience. In Chalasheri the children were kindly received, and the festival- cakes in every house at which they called were a great treat to them. They contributed very much on the other hand by their powerful and fresh voices to make the festival a success. They will never forget this excursion, I am sure.— On another day I took them to the beach, which some of them never had seen, although it is only 4 or 5 miles distant from this place. On reaching there they at once threw off their clothes and plunged triumphantly into the surge. I wish I could give my boys every day the opportunity of such a bath, it would cure the impure blood and strengthen their weak constitutions. In the moonlight they marched home, singing joyfully.— Christmas-eve, however, will always be the greatest festival for our boys. Weeks before one «an see how full of expectation they are. How much more alert they are to execute errands, even the idle ones become attentive in carrying out some order. Finally the evening comes on and when the room and Christmas-tree have been decorated, all the many lights kindled and the presents from friends in Europe laid on the benches, the boys can scarcely suppress their impatience any longer. At last the bell rings and within a few minutes the hall is crowded with merry faces. We sing and pray, and after I have told the old and ever new story of that holy night the presents are distributed. In the afternoon of Christmas and New Year the boys get in addition to the most welcome ■‘kappivellam, (coffee with plenty cocoanut-sugar), rice-cakes, which changes for them this earth into something like a paradise.” 97

The Agricultural School, connected with the Orphanage at Paraperi, had eight boys on the roll last year. It is not easy to manage these big boys. After confirmation they consider themselves to be grown-up people and do not like to be •controlled or corrected. In a case of gross disobedience extreme measures, “ unburnt ashes” as Germans call it, had to be resorted to. W e do not take a too hopeless view of .such things at this age: it is not so much malice as foolish­ ness. With the work of these boys Mr. Eckelmann has been satisfied on the whole, and God has blessed the institution with a rich harvest on their rice-fields. Of the Boys’ Orphanage at Kaity and the Girls’ Orphanage at Kotageri we have nothing to report this year.

3. Higher Institutions. a) Christian High Schools. For the aim of these schools and the place they take in our Mission we refer to our last Report (page 86 and 87). The strength of the Christian High School at Udipi at the beginning of the official year in 1898 was in the Lower and Upper Secondary department 125 ; of these there were 58 Mission-boarders, 67 day-scholars (53 of whom are Non-Christians). The school has done very well at examinations last year. In the Christian High School -at Nettur-Tellicherry many changes took place in the teaching staff. In March Mr. Behm, the Manager of the school, left and Mr. Fahrenberger took his place. Very soon he had to go on sick-leave, and so Mr. Buhland as the third manager within one year took charge of the school. Also our Headmaster, Mr. Jos. M uliyil, B.A., left us, after being the Headmaster of the school since its foundation in 1890. With the exception of the Matriculation Examination the school has done much better in Government Examinations than in the previous year, and we hope that something like a fresh start has been made. We partly attribute this to the presence 13 98 of some members who impaired the organism of the school. Such action—painful as it is— may be compared to the surgi­ cal operation called amputation. To save the life of an organism we have now and then to part with members which are apt to poison the whole. May be that also the religious movement which we have described in the preceding chapter had something to do with this change.

The Students’ Home at Dharwar, which takes the place of a third Christian High School for South-Mahratta, we are glad to say, did not suffer from plague at that station. The staff of Christian Masters at the High School was utilised for the Students’ Home.

b) Training Schools for Christian Teachers. In Canara our Teachers after undergoing instruction at a Teachers’ Seminary of our Mission at Udipi, join the Government Train­ ing School at Mangalore. In South-Mahratta there were no candidates during the last year, in Malabar and on the Nilgiris the Training Schools at Nettur-Tellicherry and Kaity are institutions recognised by Government.

The Training School at Nettur was examined by Mr. Logan, the Inspector of Schools, and honoured with a visit by the Ron. Dr. Duncan, the Director of Public Instruction, and Mrs. Duncan. These visitors took a special interest in the musical performances of the school and seemed to be pleased with what they heard.

All the candidates, having passed their Government Examination, have to pass an examination conducted by the Mission. The subjects are for the present: Sacred History, Introduction to the Holy Scrip­ tures, Christian Doctrines, Church History, Memoriter (Scriptural Sentences and Church-Hymns taught in our schools), a lesson on some religious subject, Singing, Violin and Harmonium as an optional subject. To give our readers an idea of what our Christian Teachers 99 are expected to know we give the question-paper of last year on Christian Doctrines : 1 . The Third Commandment : a) What is meant by the name of God ? b) Its misuse. c) The proper use. 2. Describe the ecclesiastical year. 3. According to the categories: spirit, love and light a) Describe the nature of God, b) His attributes, c) The image of God in man. 4. Which are the consequences of sin? 5. The right of paedobaptism. There were 4 candidates of the Lower Secondary Grade and 2 of the Primary Grade. All of them passed in the Mission Exami­ nation, one Primary candidate failed in the Government Examination. Whatever our opinion may be about the revival-meetings at'Canna- nore and Tellieherry, the Principal of the Training School had every reason to be thankful that they found an entrance into his school. When the new class joined the school, it was a very unruly and idle class, and work amongst those youths was felt often as a burden. One of the students during his holidays at Cannanore attended the meetings there, felt conscious of his sins and in the midst of a great struggle for forgiveness of sins, returned to the school and introduced daily prayer-meetings. There were a good many ex­ travagances at the beginning, but the boys were open to instruc­ tion and correction, and although some fell off, there remained a little band of earnest praying lads. The spirit of the school changed altogether, and it was now a real pleasure to teach the boys and to live amongst them. c) Theological Seminaries. We pointed out last year that owing to the transformation of the Preparatory School at Udipi into a Christian High School the Theological Seminary at Mangalore must suffer for some years. The Udipi School being its feeder, no candidates could be sent from there to

1 3 * 100

Mangalore, before the students will have been sent up for Matriculation. This is the reason, why during 1898 the Seminary consisted only of one class instead of four. This last class of students passed their examination in March of this year, and they all did very well. There will now be no new class for one year at least, after which with new materials the institution, we hope, will be built up again.

In the Malayalam Theological Seminary at Nettur (Telli- cherry) 11 candidates have been under instruction during 1898. Two of them had to be trained as Assistant Catechists. The two candidates of the highest class and two irregular students appeared in December last for their examination. One of the two Assistant Catechists failed entirely and was found utterly unfit for the work of evangelisation, the others passed a rather difficult examination with a very satisfactory result. Devapriya, one of the two irregular students, will be missed very much at the Seminary. One could not look in the face of this candidate without remembering the word of Christ “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” May God keep him from growing lukewarm and satisfied with himself. We almost lost one of our students by death. He was suffering from typhoid fever of a very malignant kind. God heard our fervent prayers and gave us back this dear pupil, as it were, from the jaws of death. As the Lord has given him back life and health, we hope he will devote his life and all to the Lord and His service. Our students we are glad to say are not lacking in Mission­ ary spirit. This is borne out not only whensoever there is occasion for preaching to the heathen but also by their uniting every Sunday afternoon in a prayer-meeting for Mission-work. Besides they joyfully contribute their mite for the furtherance of God’s kingdom in this land. 101

The Catechists’ School at Kaity for Badagas sent forth its first fruits on the 17th April 1898, when four students were consecrated to the service of the Lord on the Nilgiris by M r. Lutze, the Principal of the school. It was a day of great joy for all the Christians at Kaity and Kotageri. One candidate in a short address related to the large audience, how the Lord had drawn him, when a pupil of a Primary School, into His fellowship and now had called him to be a messenger of glad tidings.

B. Schools for Non-Christians. 1. Village Schools. Our village schools on the whole are greatly appreciated by the population, as their own indigenous schools are very unreliable. A rich landlord opens and supports a little school until his nephews of school-going age have received the knowledge thought necessary. Children of another caste are with discrimination allowed to learn in such a school, but as soon as the purpose is attained the nomadic schoolmaster goes on, clings to another landlord and then passes on in his vagrant life. No wonder if people in general feel more confidence in permanent institutions as our Mission Schools. As to the religious influence exerted by these schools Mr. Diez writes: “ As a fruit of our Bible-lessons it may be pointed out that the morality of the Panehatantra will be changed into a morality more influenced by the fear of God, thus moral motives of a higher order will bo introduced. The many Scriptural sentences committed to memory sharpening the conscience of the children will often execute hereafter unforeboded and unconsciously the office of punishing and awakening. A number of Native Officials, who have passed once through Mission Schools, are still under the influence o f what they once heard about God and Christ in these schools.” How these schools open the way to the hearts and houses, yea even to the schools of our Hindu friends, will be seen 102

from what Mr. Ashamayan Tumaran experienced on one of his preaching tours:

“ We passed a school on our way. The teacher was a Pattar (Malayalam Brahman), who had received his schooling at oar High School at Calicut. When he saw us he seemed very glad and asked os to stay a little while with him. We gladly did so and entered into a lengthy conversation with him. When we made arrangements for going, he said: ‘Would you not like to say a few words to my pupils?’ With great pleasure I spoke to the children on the words: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom’. Teacher and pupils listened most attentively. What pleased us especially was the thought that the friendship and the kind recep­ tion we met with here could be looked upon as a fruit of the work of our Mission Schools.”

Mr. Bachle at Mulki also writes in a similar strain: “ Educated people show more opposition than uneducated, but they show a much better understanding for religious questions than the others. Our former pupils possess a rich knowledge o f the Bible, and their answers show that they have imbibed Christian ideas and look at their own religion with other eyes than those who attended Hindu schools/’

Of course as soon as a conversion occurs, which in some way may be traced to the work done in our Mission Schools our Hindu friends are greatly alarmed and now and then the whole existence of such a school is en­ dangered. Our readers will remember what has been related about Sivarama’s conversion and the school at Basrur. M r. Schosser at Kasaragod mentions that in some rival school at Hosabettu (Manjeshwara) pupils who before had attended our school were ordered by their people, for the sake of a cure, to go every day to the temple and do homage to the idols before going to school and immediately after leaving it. 103

On the Nilgiris besides ordinary day-schools, also Night- Schools are employed as a means to make people acquainted with the Gospel. Of course there is less time for the Bible lesson, school being held only from 8 to 10 o’clock in the night, but the pupils, being somewhat advanced in age, show a greater maturity in thought and judgment and, if neces­ sary, are more ready for independent action.

The Sunday School for Non-Christians at Challat, near Cannanore, conducted by Mrs. Schdnthal, has also been well attended during the last year.

2. High Schools. The High School at Dharwar lost more than half of its pupils, even before plague came near the town. The reason was that vast numbers of people fled away in order to escape the troublesome examination of houses or patients by plague-officials. Mr. Beusch, the Prin­ cipal of the school, writes as follows: “ Another great loss at the commencement of the year 1898 was the death of an able, dear Christian pupil. Helped by the Mission he was reading at our High School with great success. He afforded a bright example to his fellow-students by his humility and his good knowledge, and being in great need of Christian masters, we looked forward to the time when he would join the Mission service as a teacher for higher classes. We felt the loss of Sumitra Prabhu the more, as the same had happened two years ago .with another Christian pupil (David Subrao) for whom too we had entertained great hopes.— In the 4th Standard M r. C. Peters, the class-teacher, came to know that some of his pupils tell the Bible-stories, learned at school, to their people at home and defend Christianity without fear. They keep also near their master at their leisure-hours and in all sincerity ask him to answer religious questions. On the occasion of a course of lectures held at the Theatre at Dharwar (cf. last year’s Report, page 68) it was my impression that our educational work would yield more abundant fruit, if we could follow up the work done 104 at our schools after the pupils have left, thus keeping up in­ tercourse with them. Some of our pupils after those lectures followed an invitation of the English Pastor to get their questions answered. Alas, when their friends began to show spite, they did not possess the moral courage to continue.” When plague broke out at Dharwar our High School had to be closed for some months. The High School at Mangalore, under the energetic manage­ ment of Mr. Bucher, held its place in the midst of competition on all sides. The Principal is anxious to make his pupils fully acquainted with God’s plan of salvation and to set forth before their eyes Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, of course always bearing in mind the world of thought in which Hin du youths are accustomed to move. The following, taken from Mr. Bucher’s report, will be found interesting: “ After describing in one of my lessons the glorious freedom o f God’s children and on the other hand the miserable slavery of a Hindu, I showed them how this poor religion contains so much o f what is absurd and contradictory, as worship of ancestors, snakes, the basil, the cow, one’s implements, idols, the sacred thread, etc. When I had concluded a young Brahman rose and remarked that the thread of a Brahman serves no other purpose than that of a key-thread. Thereupon I replied : ‘Then you must be prepared to throw it away if it does not answer this purpose’. Then I asked: ‘Who is ready to hand his thread over to m e?’ At once a youth, 20 years of age, rose and, under the applause of the more liberal-minded section amongst them, handed over his thread to me. A few bigotted Brah­ mans, of course, felt thereby greatly annoyed. I questioned the youth* whether he would be prepared to stand also the mockery and shame, unavoidably following such a step; whereupon he said: ‘Y es’. Two days after this occurrence another pupil handed his thread over to me, who some months previous had communicated to me his resolution to become a Christian; he even fixed a time for it, but courage failed him. The first one recently wrote to me asking to consider him a sheep of Christ’s flock, intimating at the same time that the hinderances 105 being so many for the present, he could not dare to confess Christ openly.” English, lectures have been delivered by M r . Bucher and some other Missionaries at the High School on Sunday evening every fortnight (20 on the whole). At the beginning they were very well attended. From June onwards on the remaining Sundays Mr. Ernst and the Teachers of the Semi­ nary delivered lectures in Canarese, which seem to have been appreciated also. Such endeavours are highly necessary at a time in which the Hindus aim at something like a restoration and vivification of Hinduism. The Jesuit-College and the Konkani High School, according to their fashion, are not back­ ward in taking advantage of this spiritual current, and it would not be wise on our part, knowing the signs of this time, if we should not do the same.— The results in Government Exami­ nations have - been very creditable on the whole. It is re­ markable that at the quarterly and the final examinations, not the Christian pupils, as it ought to be, but the Hindu pupils, obtained the highest number of marks in Bible. Also the High School at Tellicherry has suffered a good deal from competition, but there is no doubt that this school also works as a power for good. M r. Tiber, the Principal, writes: “ N. ii. is one of my best students. Once a Kayar being in friendly relations with his family, paid a visit and began to speak desparagingly of the Christian religion, exalting at the same time Hinduism as far as he could. The pupil ventured to say: ‘Lessons as those contained in the Sermon on the Mount will be found nowhere in Hinduism. Besides, nobody has done for the poor and the sick what Jesus has done, and I think our gods have never been so patient as Christ has been.” ' The biggest of our High Schools is that at Calicut. It sustained a great loss during the last year. Mr. Zacharias

B. A., for many years the Headmaster of the school, accepted

14 106

the secretaryship of the Municipality at Calicut and has taken leave for one year. We have little hope of getting him back again. The school has maintained its strength, and there are about 450 pupils on the roll.

3. Hindu Girls’ Schools. Miss Krauss, in charge of the Girls’ School at Mangalore, admitted some women to the school, who were anxious to be instructed in needle-work. In addition to it, they com­ mitted every day three Scriptural sentences to memory and, whenever possible, Miss Krauss told them a Bible-story. Miss Krauss tells u s : “ One day I heard that the Brahmans declared, they would not send their girls in future, if women of lower caste be admitted. But the children themselves did not complain at all of the presence of women belonging to other castes. On the contrary at present they join the school in larger numbers than before, so that the accommodation for the pupils has become insufficient.” At Chalapura (belonging to the Calicut-station) with the re-opening of the school at the beginning of the year, the anniversary of our Schoolmistress Hanna Hoar, after having completed 25 years’ service, was celebrated. Miss Hanhart, then in charge of the school, gives the following account of it: '•'■Hanna Hoar, who since the starting of the school has taught for 16 years with much love and faithfulness complet­ ed 25 years’ service in our Mission. W e made the necessary arrangements for having a little feast in acknowledgment of the good service she had done in our Mission and in order to enhance the festivity on this 12th January also a Christmas- treat to the children was given. The liberality of some friends in Alsace had enabled us to do so. The children came up and decorated the school according to the Indian fashion. The school-room was crowded. M r. Knobloch, the Manager of the school, gave the introductory address, after which a 107 friend of Hanna read the history of her life, as her heart was too much moved that day to do it herself. After a former teacher and a former pupil had spoken, a hymn was sung and a prayer offered. With the distribution of small presents to the children the festival was brought to an end.”

5. Medical Mission. Dr. Stokes, our Medical Missionary at Calicut, reports about the last year’s work as follows: “Patients come into the Hospital, worn out by pain and suffering, depraved by sin, with despair written on their faces and, as God’s word works silently in their hearts, we have observed their expressions gradually change to one of peace and happiness, indicating the change within, although in many cases the bodily suffering could not be removed. “ One clear instance was that of a young woman named Innupwri. She came to the Hospital suffering from what appeared to be leprosy, and she knew it. Her fear and grief were piteous, she would hardly look up or speak, and her one dread was that she would be sent to the asylum; she begged the Dresser to put an end to her miserable existence by giving her some poison. Under treatment, however, the symptoms entirely disappeared, and she began to take ap. interest in life and listened eagerly to the Bible-woman’s teaching. Her heathen relatives would have nothing to do with her, so I had to employ her in the Hospital, while she attended the instruction for baptism. She received baptism about Christmas time and in the happy, active M ary, who now does her best to help in the kitchen and with the pati­ ents, one would hardly recognise the poor creature who used to lie huddled on her cot, not speaking for days together. “Another woman after a fortnight’s stay in the Hospital with her sick child expressed her wish to become a Christian. 14* 108

On beiDg questioned as to her motives, whether it was only because she wished to be provided for, she replied indignantly ‘Food I could as hitherto beg for my child and myself, what I want is to be saved together with her.’ “I had a very serious case of a young man suffering from tetanus. He showed great gratitude and declared with tears in his eyes that he would become a Christian, if it were not for his poor old mother who had nursed him through his long illness; while she stood by and sobbed “ not as long as I live; after I have gone you may do as you- like”. Family ties and affections are very strong among these poor people, and we hope he will become a Christian yet. “A young man came to the Hospital having heard in his native place of a “third religion”. He was very ill indeed, and we could not save him, but he found salvation in Christ. Although too weak to walk alone, he wished to-be baptised in the church; so we had him helped in, and he received the name of Simon. Five days later he passed away peacefully. These few instances show that the Medical Mission is not only philanthropic, but affords almost more opportunities than in any other sphere of Mission-work, of pointing people to the true Physician, who has prepared fgr them a future, where there will be no sickness and no suffering. Laid. aside by sickness they are more willing to hear, and the Word of God falls like healing balm on their weary souls. “Superstition has a great hold of even the educated people, although they ridicule the idea when charged with it. I was called to attend a very respectable Nair family after they had consulted the astrologer who found the stars in my favour (of course the stars had been propitious to a good many other physicians beforehand). My patient made a good recovery and was the means of gaining me entrance into 109 many high caste families till one of my patients died when the stars naturally changed their course. “ On the whole the past year has been very healthy on our Malabar coast. “Codacal Hospital. The greater number of patients are Christian, and it is to be regretted that they still resort to Native treatment before taking advantage of the Hospital provided for them. “I wish to heartily thank the Bairns, who through their kind gift have enabled us to supply the Hospital with six new iron bedsteads, and also the kind friends who have supplied a great want by gifts of old instruments. “Leper A sylum . The condition of these poor creatures is wretched in the extreme. Outcast and forsaken by their relatives, or at the best left to live like animals in a little hut put up for them, as far as possible from the house, they live a living death. Whereas in the Asylum they are well cared for, provided with food and clothing and taught that there is One who loves even them— poor outcasts. But in spite of all this they still leave the Asylum, running away at night sometimes. But a week or two of liberty suffices, and they return in a worse condition than before, begging for re-admittance. I generally punish them by depriving them of their betel for a week or by putting them on a diet of rice conji without curry. This treatment generally ensures good behaviour. The Asylum is a good distance away and I cannot have as close a supervision as I should wish. It is very difficult to find a trustworthy man willing to live with them and take up the work ‘as unto the Lord’. “We had during the year inmates 44; Christians 19; the rest Hindus and Moplas. “ During the year two were baptized at Christmas time, we gave them their usual treat, and at the little service held 110 two men and one woman were baptized. The latter is the sister of the little boy Benjamin, who has been an inmate of the Asylum for several years. During the year two were baptized at their own request, as we feared they would not live. Daniel died after much suffering patiently endured. Miriam recovered and her contented, grateful spirit serves as a good example to the other inmates. A poor old heathen woman died also during the year; she was one who would never hear of Christ, and she died as obstinate and opposed as ever to any teaching. Martha, a little girl, is a bright happy child and is still learning to read. She lost her com­ panion through the death of Mary, a little Roman Catholic girl. The poor child grieved very much for her friend, but was somewhat comforted by her dolls. One poor mother brought her little boy to the Hospital with a vague suspicion of what the disease was. It was very pitiful to see her grief when I confirmed her suspicion and told her we would have to send her boy to the Asylum. The child listens to the daily instructions, but will not fulfill his desire of becoming a Christian, without his mother’s consent, which she steadily refuses. “ Vaniyankulam. This Hospital has proved itself a boon to the people and has been appreciated by all classes. The statistics are a proof of this, as the past year shows an increase in the number of patients. A great many minor operations were performed, stitching of wounds and opening abscesses chiefly. “ An elephant proved a very interesting and paying patient, enabling us to provide medicine and help for many a poorer one. It was the property of a wealthy land-own er and had been gored by a wild elephant, the abdomen was so ripped open that the intestines protruded. My Dresser Joseph, who was still at Vaniyankulam, was called in to attend on the case. Ill

The bulky patient was tied down and made ready for the operation, the wound washed out antiseptically, and stitched with the only thing at hand—a piece of strong twine. It answered the purpose well. The case was a credit to the antiseptic treatment of the Dresser. The elephant was not very patient under the operation, but seemed grateful after­ wards. “Rev. Walter looks after the Hospital there, latterly Miss Hanhart has been superintending the work. The people, especially women, seem to have more confidence in our Hospital treatment and without caste prejudice beg to be admitted as in-patients. The Dresser S. Pakiam is attached to this Hospital; there is also a Hospital Catechist, who has many opportunities of speaking to the patients, and has always an attentive audience, and several have come to the knowledge of Christ as their Saviour. “ I was called to attend one very severe labour case of a Nambudri woman. I arrived just in time to perform the oper­ ation, but the woman was in a very hopeless condition. I told them the only thing that might save her life would be to bring her to the Hospital for nursing and treatment. Much to my surprise they did, and she recovered. This case is an exception, the majority would rather die than lose caste by comiDg into Hospital.”

6. Literary Department.

The Malayalam Bible Revision Committee, on which our Mission is represented by Mr. Dilger and Mr. St. Chandran, was at work since March 1898 (at Cottayam). We copy the following from the Report of the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society. “ The session for the final reading of the New Testa­ ment began at Cottayam on the 2nd May and concluded on 112 the 21st September.” How far the revision of the Old Testa­ ment is advanced, for which purpose the new Committee seems to have been formed, we are not able to say. The Canarese Bible Revision Committee. The Canarese Bible Revision Committee, presided over by Rev. R . Haigh, being renewed, two Missionaries have been appointed members by our Home Committee, Rev. J. Rermelink for Canara and Rev. R. Risch for South-Mahratha. The aim of the C. B. R. C. is to make the present version, which appears to be partly rather a transverbation of the original, more idiomatic. Seeing the hard-worked tentative translation not a few of our Canarese Missionaries and Native Assistants fear the revised translation was too free and in some passages commentation, instead of translation. May the Spirit of the Lord guide the Committee to find the golden middle path. It must be confessed that the help of our Native Assistants, trained in theology and versed in the Greek Testament, is of priceless importance in this difficult work, and their presence in the final meetings of the C. B. R. C. will be absolutely necessary. The two Christian Periodicals: the Canarese “ Satyadipike” and the Malayalam “ Kêralôpakâri” appeared as formerly. The following new tracts have been published : In Canarese : The Terrors of Hell, by M r. L. Oengnagel. Second Advent of Christ, by the same. Joys of Heaven, by the same. Faith, the true Philosophy of Life, by Gabriel Premaya. In Malayalam: Are the Regenerate without Sin ? by M r. J. Jems. AlmanacB have been published as usual, edited in Canarese by Mr. Chr. Watsa, in Malayalam by Mr. C. Role. Several new School-books have been issued besides. By our Colporteurs 19,203 copies of Tracts and 29,716 copies of School-books have been sold. LIST OF BOOKS AND TRACTS

Printed from 1st November 1897 to 31st October 1898. I. Canarese.

iition. Size. Copies. Pages. Tot. Pages. SatyadTpike, V ol. II. 1897-98 4 ° 1200 192 2 3 0 4 0 0 The Queen Empress of India and Her 1000 F a m i ly ...... I i. 55 5 5 0 6 0 "The Terrors of Hell and how to escape t h e m ...... I 1 6 ° 2 0 0 0 16 3 2 0 0 0 The Power of Conscience: Thirteen

S t o r i e s ...... II 71 3 0 0 0 40 1 200 00

The Second Advent of Christ . I 71 2000 20 40000

The Joys of Heaven ...... I n 2000 16 3 2 0 0 0

The Sermon on the Mount II 71 3 0 0 0 16 4 8 0 0 0 W hat cause E clip ses...... III 3000 20 60000 W hat are the Planets .... III „ 3 0 0 0 37 1 110 00 History of Little William III „ 2000 48 9 6 0 0 0

The Needle of Adamant .... III 17 3 0 0 0 48 1 2 0 0 0 0 Faith, the True Philosophy of Life . I 1 2 ° 200 0 70 14 0 0 0 0 A more Excellent W ay than Linga

W o r s h i p ...... II „ 3 0 0 0 66 1 980 00

Canarese Hymn Book .... IX n 5 0 0 0 259 1595 0 0 0 Easy Lessons in Health III 3000 46 148000

Empress N urjahan ...... I 71 500 22 1 1 0 0 0

liana Fadanavis...... I 1J 500 44 2 2 0 0 0

Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan I n 500 76 3 8 0 0 0

Charitrasangraha ...... II V 1100 359 3 9 4 9 0 0 A Text-Book on Domestic Economy, Part II...... I 1000 229 2 2 9 0 0 0

Elementary Geography, Part III. Y V 1000 0 132 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 A First Book of Agriculture IY 1 6 ° 2 00 0 156 7 1 2 0 0 0 1 400 00 The IV. Standard Arithmetic III 7) 2000 70

Notes on the Fourth Standard Reader I 77 500 22 1 1 0 0 0

Gadyasangraha ...... I 17 2000 120 2 4 0 0 0 0

Fourth Reader . . . . I 77 3 000 130 3 9 0 0 0 0

Seventh „ ...... I 17 2 0 0 0 99 1 9 8 0 0 0 1 2 8 0 0 0 0 First „ ...... II 77 2 0 0 0 0 64 Elementary A lg e b r a ...... I 8 ° 1500 452 6 7 8 0 0 0 Answers to III. Standard Arithmetic I 1 6° 5 00 10 5 0 0 0 Arogyabhagya: Lessons on Health I 1 2 ° 1000 68 6 8 0 0 0 The III. Standard Geography . II 1 6° 2 0 0 0 24 4 8 0 0 0 Almanac for 1899 ...... 8 ° 5 50 0 80 4 4 0 0 0 0

15 \ r ~ 114

II. Malayalam.

Editiou. Size. Copies. Pages. Tot- Pages. Keralopakari, Vol. XXV. 8° 350 192 67200 Atmopakari, Vol. X. 1Î 1000 96 96000 Henry and His Bearer .... Ill16° 1000 60 60000 Glad Tidings ...... II n 3000 28 84000 The Sermon on the Mount II „ 3000 16 48000 On the Lord’s Prayer .... II „ 3000 8 24000 Thou shalt not bear False 'Witness . I * 3000 12 36000 The Two Friends: a Poem III „ 3000 16 48000 R a n d a l l ...... II 32° 3000 16 48000 Short Bible Stories . . . V 12° 5000 122 610000

Are the Regenerate without Sin . I n 600 20 12000 Bible Stories, Part I. Old Testament . VII 12° 2500 122 305000 Malayalam Hymn Book . . . . VII D 5000 358 1790000 The Essentials of Malayalam Grammar X 16° 5000 32 160000 Balavyakaranam ...... I » 2000 85 170000 Malayalam Anthology .... II 71 2000 216 432000 Fourth Reader ...... I „ 7000 135 945000 The Third Standard Reader . II „ 5000 110 550000 The Fifth „ „ I „ 1000 100 100000 The Lower Primary Arithmetic, Part I. I « 3000 32 96000 The Lower Primary Arithmetic, Part II. I * 3000 78 234000 The Malayalam Grammatical Primer I 16° 4000 32 128000 Almanac for 1899 ...... 8° 1800 64 1152000

III. Tulu.

Tulu Hymn Book ...... V I 12° 3000 190 574000 First Book in T u l u ...... i l 3000 68 204000 A Bad Mind changed . . . . I 16° 2000 16 32000

IV. English and Anglo-Vernacular

A Hand-book to the Ports on the Coast of I n d i a ...... I 8° 500 357 178500 Third Standard Reader, Anglo Mala­ yalam ...... I 16° 3000 32 96000 English Canarese Dialogues . V n 2000 130 260000 A Comparative Study in English and Malayalam, Part I...... I « 2000 212 424000 The 58th Report of the B. G. E. M. S. 8° 1200 113 135600 The Primer: I and II Standard Readers, Anglo-Malayalam ...... II 16° 5000 27 135000 115

SALE OF BOOKS AND TRACTS

from 1st July 1897 to 30th June 1898 .

1. Our Own Publications. Rs. As. p. 36,940 Copies of Canarese Religious Books 2,476 i] 4 2 2,158 V Tulu „ „ 105 7

26,689 y> „ M alajalam „ „ 968 0 8

26,863 V „ Canarese School-books 4,899 7 3

37,671 V „ M alayalam „ „ 5,908 14 9

4,986 Y) „ Miscellaneous Books & Maps 3,489 1 3

2,177 y „ Canarese Government Books 790 3 6 1,676 V „ M alayalam „ „ 488 12 6

139,160 C o p ie s . T o t a l R s. 19,126 10 5

2. Other Publications.

2,622 Copies of Bibles and Bible Portions 364 13 11 3,052 V „ Bangalore Tracts and Books 241 12 6 38,047 „ Commission-sale Books 9,042 10 11 20,000 « „ Sundry Engl. & Vern. Books 6,541 6 8

202,881 C o p ie s Grand Total R s. 35,317 6 5

7. Industrial Mission.

We are indebted for the following short report to Mr. H . Kühner, Superintendent of the Industrial Mission at Calicut and its branches at Codacal and Palghat: “ With thanks to God we look back upon the course of business during the year 1898. We have been burdened with many a care, great exertions had to be made and at the commencement of the year the prospects were rather gloomy, still the Lord did not leave us without His blessings, and we have every reason to praise Him.

15* 116

“ One cause of much anxiety and care was the fact that by new competitors many a door formerly open for the sale of our wares has been shut. This was especially keenly felt by our Weaving Establishments to such a degree that the working hours had to be reduced everywhere. Surely this was felt hard by our poor Chris­ tians, but we trust that by God’s good providence this time of distress also has not been without its benefits. Such as are Christ’s own will be drawn nearer to Him by the troubles of this life and to all of them an opportunity was given to become more thankful for all the assistance they had received so abundantly through many years. It was often very painful to see, how so many of our people looked upon the work and help, given to them by the Mission, as a right. Thus it will behove us not so much to pray God that He may remove what burdens us as to submit to what He has been pleased to lay upon us for our improvement and welfare. “ We hope and believe that the Lord will not forsake our Indus­ trial Establishments, which have been introduced for the building up of His kingdom in this country, but will preserve them from falling, even if we are surrounded with cares and adversities. “ During the last year I entered into a close touch with the people. As Superintendent of our Establishments in the south of Malabar I came to know that what I had to do is really Mission- work. First of all our workshops have been established to give a livelihood to our Christians, and hence their Mercantile and Technical head has to make it a point of earnest consideration that all the year round his people are provided with what they want. This in itself is indeed a pleasant but also a very difficult task. But in addition, our Establishments are also educational institutions, and it is this what I must consider the crown and the beauty of my calling. To the head of an Industrial Establishment opportunities are offered to exert a beneficial influence over his people, which is even not always attainable by the Pastor of a congregation. He is in a position to show young converts by his own life and behaviour what Christianity really means. Working together with them he can show them how a Christian should deal with his fellow-men, with his subordinates, and this in the relations of 117

ordinary life. By prayer with which the work of every day is commenced, he will meet with many opportunities to make them feel at home in the Word of God and to call their attention to the salvation of their immortal souls. “ I remember a Missionary, who, when I was introduced to him, said: ‘0 , you belong to the money-making Missionaries! 5 I should like very much to give that friend an opportunity to be the Manager of one of our Establishments, say only for half a year, and I am sure, he would be astonished to find himself confronted with an overwhelming amount of spiritual work, if he did his duty as a Christian. “ Surely there are difficulties and disappointments more than our friends can imagine, but in spite of all this our aim also for the future will be to educate a number of healthy, proficient Christian workmen, who will let shine their light before the surrounding Non-Christians.” Mr. Kuhner’s impressions will mutato nomine also be applicable to our industrial work in North Malabar and Canara.

Thus we conclude our Report and recommend the work of the Basel German Mission in South-India once more to the loving sympathy and to the earnest prayer of all onr

friends in India and all over the world. Subscriptions and Donations Towards the Mission-Fund Received during the year 1898.

A ll sums received on or after the 1st of January 1899 will be acknow­ ledged in the Report for 1899.

Rs. As. P. Rs. As. p. MANGALORE. E, Walker Esq. 10 0 0 Some friends 15 8 0 An Easter offering from Karachi 25 0 0 For the Girls’ Orphanage at Guledgudd. Mrs. W . 100 0 0 Rev. H . Baillie 18 0 0 Through Messrs. Warden & Co., Bombay. E. L. Cappel Esq. 50 0 0 L . C- Cramp Esq. 8 0 0 Sir George Cotton, Kt. 10 0 0 H. Courpalais Esq. 4 0 0 D. St. G. 5 0 0 Lt. Col. Ph. Greany 10 0 0 Geo. K. St. 5 0 0 W. E. Jukes Esq. 1 0 0 J. Sp. 5 0 0 B. Murdoch Esq. 24 0 0 A . M. J. Y . 5 0 0 N. Priestley Esq. 24 0 0 R. U . St. 5 0 0 J. Reynolds Esq. 11 0 0 P. B. S. 5 0 0 W . Thorley Esq. 12 0 0 M. 0 . 5 0 0 A. Westripp Esq. 13 0 0 C. G. G. 5 0 0 G. "Wood Esq. 12 0 0 C. L. 5 0 0 French Bank (Comptoir) 5 0 0 HTJBLI. G. St. J. 5 0 0 Dr. Cardoz (towards the Dis­ A . Me. K. 5 0 0 trict Church Fund) 10 0 0 W . & Co. 25 0 0 Miss H. Omond 5 0 0 A . B. 5 0 0 N. N. 1 0 0 MERCARA. HONAVAR. G. Haller Esq. 10 0 0 C. C. Boyd Esq, 5 0 0 From a friend 2 0 0 R. McTier Esq. 5 0 0 ANANDAPUR. N. N., Psalm 56, 13 20 0 0

Mrs. Grant 12 0 0 CANNANORE. G. R. Moore Esq. 6 0 0 H . M. 9 0 0 A. Brookmann Esq. 5 0 0 A . H. Jackson Esq. 17 0 0 TELLICHERRY. W . G. Makilligan Esq. 10 0 0 R. Tatham Esq. 2 0 0 J. Chisholm Esq. 20 0 0 1. M. Simpson Esq. 2 0 0 C. A. Lafrenais Esq. 1 0 0 DHARWAR. CALICUT. H. Courpalais Esq. 12 0 0 I. Jukes Esq. 10 0 0 Mrs. Macrae 24 0 0 W . Thorley EBq. 12 0 0 Mrs. Ferguson 24 0 0 119

Es. As. P. Es. A b. P. C. W . Snell Esq. 12 0 0 Geo. Maddox Esq. 10 0 0 D. N. Morrison Esq. 12 0 0 G. H. S. 9 0 0 W . Maylor Esq. 10 0 0 Col. Porcelli • 9 0 0 I. Christie Esq. 8 0 0 A. Claasen Esq. 8 8 0 I. H. Bullivant Esq. 3 0 0 Mrs. Reed 8 0 0 Miss Maiden 3 0 0 W . E. Schmidt Esq. 8 0 0 PALGHAT. W . S. Snow Esq. 7 0 0 We regret that the donations for 1897 were Mrs. A . Inman 7 0 0 omitted to be acknowledged in the last Report. Lady L. Souter 7 0 0 1897. Col. Stevenson 5 0 0 Mrs. M. Tomlinson 10 0 0 Mrs. T. Simpson 5 0 0 A . M. B. 5 0 0 Geo. Salman Esq. 5 0 0 Mrs. G. S. Dupen 20 0 0 Mrs. Browing 5 0 0 Mrs. L. Webb 5 0 0 E. W . Penn Esq. 5 0 0 1898. B. Esq. 2 0 0 Mrs. Hamnett 5 0 0 Mrs. L. Webb 2 0 0 Rev. W eit 5 0 0 Mr. S. I. Vanderwart 1 0 0 „ G. Idel 5 0 0 — Austin Esq., Asst. Collector 5 0 0 Mrs- Reynolds 5 0 0 E. Dupen Esq. 2 0 0 W . T. Schmidt Esq. 4 0 0 Mrs. E. Dupen 10 0 0 Mrs. McMurray 4 0 0 In memory of Mrs. Tomlinson 10 0 0 Mrs. Hultzsch • 3 0 0 KAITY. „ Mclvor 3 0 0 His Excellency the Governor „ McFarlane 3 0 0 of Madras 20 0 0 Capt. Begbie 3 0 0 John Liebenrood Esq. towards Es. Cau. 3 0 0 the Wynaad Mission 200 0 0 Mrs. Bischoff 2 0 0 Do. do. F. R. W . 2 0 0 the Chapel at Nellakotta 123 8 7 Mrs. Heath 2 0 0 Col. Luxmore 120 0 0 Rev. Geo. Hobday 2 0 0 Two Friends at Ooty £ 5 0 0 Miss A- Daniels 2 0 0 His Lordship the Bishop of Mrs. G. Walsh 2 0 0 Madras 50 0 0 Rev. T. Kember 2 0 0 A . S. Cowdell Esq. 25 0 0 Miss vanSomeren 2 0 0 Prospect: Contribution to the Mrs. Rose 2 0 0 Catec hist’s salary 23 0 0 C. R. James Esq. 1 8 0 L. W. Grey Esq. 22 0 0 H. W . T. 1 8 0 Mrs. C. B. Barclay 15 0 0 Mrs. A. Mace 1 8 0 „ M. Baker 13 0 0 Mrs. Shermann 1 0 0 L. K. 12 0 0 „ A. Ruehlin 1 0 0 H. A . Sim Esq. 10 0 0 D . 0 . E. 1 0 0 A. Butterworth Esq. 10 0 0 A . N. Jones Esq. 1 0 0 Mrs. L. Parkinson 10 0 0 F. S. 1 0 0 Rev. T. Bishop 10 0 0 Mrs. Hadfield 1 0 0 120

Rs. A b. P. Rs. As. p. H. Herklots Esq. ß 0 0 Mrs. Haldwell 1 0 0 J. Dashe Esq. 2 0 0 „ A . F. Stufer 1 0 0 T. E. 2 0 0 A Friend (H.) 1 0 0 I. E. Eagen Esq. 2 0 0 Mrs. Grant 1 0 0 Miss Dawson 1 0 0 H. T. L. 1 0 0 H. Dashe Esq. 1 0 0 Mrs. T . Roos 1 0 0 Mrs. Nash 1 0 0 Col. Cox 1 0 0 Dr. Copplestone 1 0 0 Towards the schoolhouse at Colakambey Mrs. Bread 1 0 0 and Godowns at Coonoor. „ Parkins 1 0 0 T. Stanes Esq. 100 0 0 „ Stonehewer 1 0 0 F. Bell Esq. 100 0 0 A Friend 1 0 0 — Ramsay Esq. 50 0 0 A Burman (L.) 1 0 0 A. N. Groves Esq. 60 0 0 Mrs. R. 1 0 0 J. Eagen Esq. 40 0 0 Mrs. M. E. Preice 1 0 0 R. W. James Esq. 25 0 0 M. Matthew Esq. 1 0 0 T. Eagen Esq. 5 0 0 Dr. Stephens 1 0 0 A Friend 5 0 0 Rev. Moody 1 0 0 Miss A . Marseilles 5 0 0 T. W . Thompson Esq. 1 0 0 KOTAGERI. T. W . 1 0 0 F. Hill Esq. and Mrs. Hill 30 0 0 A Friend (B. S.) 0 12 0 F. Groves Esq. 100 0 0 A. E. Richter Esq. 0 8 0 Miss Oockburn 50 0 0 Mrs. McDonald 0 8 0 Mrs. E. Cookburn 50 0 0 Dr. Green 0 8 0 D. C. 20 0 0 A , M. Herst Esq. 0 8 0 D. Mac Leman Esq. 5 0 0 A Friend 0 4 0 N. N. 2 0 0 Towards the Cooly Mission. R. G. 2 0 0 Hill Grove Estate 120 0 0 A. M. 5 0 0 Pilloor Estate (Messrs. Hunter A Friend 2 0 0 and Allen) 120 0 0 A. H. Gerrard Esq. 1 0 0 T . Stanes Esq. 60 0 0 S. G. Morrison Esq 1 0 0 R. W. James Esq. 33 0 0 W . Deane Esq. 4 0 0 A . N . Groves Esq. 33 0 0 Miss Norfer 2 0 0 H . T. Stanes Esq. 25 0 0 MrB. Hatch 1 0 0 Mrs. Mullaly 24 0 0 Proceeds of Ladies’ Workmeet- 50 0 0 R. Bake Esq. 5 0 0 ing Donations for the Mission from Coonoor. Collection in the English Church S3 10 0 A . N. Groves Esq. 100 0 0 E. G. Windle Esq.. for Medioal T . Stanes Esq. 50 0 0 Mission 5 0 0 R. W . James Esq. 50 0 0 M. E. 2 8 0 C. H . Wood Esq. 10 0 0 J. T. 2 0 0 Mrs. Hayne 5 0 0 Miss Ewart for Miss Johnston 120 0 0 121

Donations from Members of the Congregation and other Native Friends. MANGALORE. Rs. As. P. BETTIGERI. Rs. As. P. Tb. Roberts Esq. 5 0 0 Mr. Timan Kodabagi 0 4 0 Jeppu Prayer-meeting 5 0 0 Hanna Gauda 2 0 0 Mr. Th. Pearl 6 0 0 Mr. Jakob Dawali 9 0 0

„ N. Pearl 6 0 0 BIJAPUR. „ Th. Ramappa 6 0 0 Mr. Ibrahim Daut 2 0 0 Messrs. L. Joshua and Sons 60 0 0 HONAVAR. Mr. H. Aiman 6 0 0 Honavar Congregation 2 6 0 N. N. 6 0 0 Mr. Samuel Bunyan, Karwar 0 8 0 N. N. 2 5 0 Rev. T. Costa „ 3 0 0 M r. J. Zechariah, Dresser 0 8 0 C ANNAN ORE. Messrs. Arnone and Aiman 10 0 0 Mr. Daniel Payangad 3 0 0 MULKI. Mission-box of the Weavers From the Catechists 1 8 0 (utilised for the Pastor’s „ „ Mission-box 5 14 5 House) 65 9 9 Mr. P. Karkada 1 0 0 TELLICHERRT. TTDIPI. Rev. D. Fernandez 1 0 0 Different gifts 7 0 0 Mr. K. Thomas 1 0 0 KARKAL. „ E. K. Krishnan 1 0 0 2 Donation 0 0 CHOMBALA. BASRUR. N. N. 2 14 0 From Christians 0 14 0 CALICUT. N. N. 2 0 0 Mr. S. AmoB 50 0 0 KASARAGOD. „ T. Matthai 12 0 0 From Christians 7 0 0 „ B. Baptist 2 8 0 MERCARA. Miss Hoar 2 0 0 CODACAL. Mr. John Chandran. 2 0 0 N. N. 1 0 0 DHARWAR. PALGHAT. A Friend 5 0 0 We regret that the donations for 1897 HUBLI. were omitted to be acknowledged in the Mr. T. Dawali 6 1 9 last Report. Mana, Dana and Dev. Hombala 5 0 0 1897. Mr. Devaputra Kabadi 10 0 0 Mr. C. K. D’ Sylva 1 0 0 Mr. Jonathan Havala 10 0 0 „ E. T. Y . 1 0 0 „ Devadana Katapur 1 0 0 „ W. Taverno 1 0 0 „ Sal. Parupatyagar 7 7 0 P. J. Chinnaswamy Esq. 1 0 0 „ Abr. Sriji & Abr. Guddala 0 15 6 S. 1 0 0 „ Lazar Peter 2 0 0 1898. 2 „ Joseph Bele 4 0 0 Mr. Thomas, Registrar 0 0 Thank-offering 4 0 0 „ Paul Pilo, Inspector 5 0 0 122

' Rs. As. P. K A I TT. Mr. S. Y . Daniel 0 8 0 Rs. A b. P. Jt S. Benjamin 0 8 0 Mr. Paul Mada 2 8 0 77 Georg 0 8 0 77 S. Shantappen 1 8 0 77 A . Joseph 0 8 0 G. F. Pillay 1 8 0 fl Jesuadian 0 8 0 & Mrs. Jean Paul 1 4 0 77 y> David Jesaya 0 8 0 Jes. Konga 0 r> 1 0 R. P. Barnabas 0 4 0 vt Is. Nerkambe 1 0 0 V Nathanael 0 4 0 Salathiel 1 0 0 77 » Immanuel 0 4 0 „ Jes. Shanta 1 0 0 V Chr. Ananda 0 4 0 Lemuel Soens 1 0 n 0 Sam. Sele 0 4 0 J. S. Benjamin 1 0 0 V John 0 ’ 4 0 „ Chr. Paul 1 0 0 77 Nath. Palani 0 4 0 „ S. Yedamanikan 1 0 0 77 A . M. Anandappen 7» J. Svamidas 1 0 0 (Thank-offering) 0 4 0 „ C. Yob 1 0 0 KOTAGERI. Abr. Nandi 1 0 0 n Rev. Jak. Kanaka 3 0 0 M. Kari 1 0 0 Mr. Jos, Hiria 25 0 0 I. J. Sebastian 1 0 0 D 77 Daniel Bella 5 0 0 1 0 0 3 17 A. Bommanna 7» Y. Gnanapragasam 4 0 n A. Titus 1 0 0 77 M. S. Gnanapragasam 1 8 0

„ L. K. S. (Thank-offering) 0 12 0 77 H. Kodot 3 0 0

„ A. Santosham 0 8 0 n Chr. Ajja 2 0 0

77 Mutaranayaka 0 8 0 77 Simon Bala 1 0 0

77 A. Ponnaswami 0 8 0 77 Is. Bella 1 0 0

77 H. Ephraim 0 8 0 „ B. Samuel 0 8 0

77 Sam. Dawar 0 8 0 77 Gabr. Kanaka 0 8 0

Pie Collection.

Mangalore 96 7 7 Guledgudd 2 4 Mulki 10 3 4 Cannanore 54 7 Udipi 20 4 6 Tellioherry 39 15 Basrur 8 4 11 Chombala 350 Karkal 2 14 0 Calicut 7 3 Kasaragod 11 3 7 Codaoal 12 0 Mercara 1 7 3 Palghat 15 14 Anandapur 6 13 0 Kaity 19 12 Dharwar 6 15 4 Kotageri 16 11 Honavar 14 4 4 123

Subscriptions and Donations towards the Sickhouse and Foorfund at Mangalore.

Rs. As. P. Rs. As. P. Messrs. L. Joshua and Sons 5 8 0 Mr. V. Aiman 3 3 9 Mr. Th. Pearl 6 0 0 * R. N. Ayangar 1 14 0 „ IT. Pearl 6 0 0 From the Missionaries at Man­ „ Th. Ramappa 6 0 0 galore 78 0 0 v J. Zechariah, Dresser 4 8 0

Subscriptions and Donations towards the Medical Mission.

Mrs. Macrae 36 0 0 W . C. Shaw Esq. 5 0 0 Mrs. Ferguson 19 0 0 Mrs. Bretschneider 10 0 0 C. W . Snell Esq. 9 0 0 Proceeds of an entertainment H. Bullivant Esq. 4 0 0 given by some residents of G. W , Dance Esq. 25 0 0 Calicut 50 0 0 W . H. Welsh Esq. 12 0 0 M. D. 3 0 0 — Fawcett Esq. 2 0 0 E. F. 2 0 0 E. Davies Esq. 20 0 0 Capt. Woolright 2 0 0 J. Christie Esq. 10 0 0 Donation from servants at K. 4 10 0 — Wilson Esq. 3 0 0 — Morison Esq. 2 0 0 Messrs. Henke & Co. 50 0 0 S. and S. 3 0 0 F. Schlunk Esq. 5 0 0 H. Knobloch Esq. 1 0 0 G. Sagehorn Esq. 3 0 0 H. Kessler Esq. 5 0 0 A. Brown Esq. 10 0 0 Mrs. Fawcett Shaw 5 0 0 H. Kühner Esq. 2 0 0 Mrs. Flanagan 2 0 0 — Haas Esq. 2 0 0 W. Maylor Esq. 5 0 0 K. Buesch Esq. 2 0 0 — Anson Esq. 5 0 0 0. Eckelmann Esq. 2 0 0 — Parsons Esq. 15 0 0 M. Stuckert Esq.^ 2 0 0 Rev. Bexell 5 0 0 1 0 “ The Bairns” for oots at Coda- Mr. T. Mackaden 0 cal Hospital 25 0 0 Amos Maistry 10 0 0

Donations for the Leper Asylum. Rev. J. Knoblooh 10 0 0 | Mrs. Fawcett Shaw 5 0 0

E> & 0 . E* Mangalore, 31st December 1898.

Treasurer. CONTENTS.

Page. List of European M issionaries ...... 3 Statistical T a b le s ...... 6 Table of Stations, Out-stations and A g e n t s ...... 12 R e p o r t ...... 18 1. Agency: A. European "Workers...... 18 B. Native W o r k e r s ...... 24 2. Evangelistic Work . . . 27 3. The Native Church: A. Numerical Increase . . • 58 B. Conversions from Heathenism . . . 60 C. Spiritual Life of our Congregations . . 73 4. Educational W o r k ...... 92 A. Schools for Christians...... 93 B. Schools for Non-Christians . . 101 5. Medical M ission ...... 107 6. Literary Department...... I l l 7. Industrial M i s s i o n ...... 115 Subscriptions and Donations received...... 118