{
  "bookName": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials",
  "authorName": "M. K. Kuriakose",
  "publisherName": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge",
  "publicationYear": 2011,
  "chapterNumber": 139,
  "chapterName": "c.1900. Eddy’s Report on the National Missionary Society Survey",
  "pageFrom": 276,
  "pageTo": 276,
  "pages": [
    {
      "pageNumber": 276,
      "ocrText": "276\nHISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA\nefficiency in our common work. We regard the frequent gathering\nof Missionaries in conferences for fraternal counsel, and the organi-\nsation of associations for united action and appeal, as eminently\ndesirable, and likewise recommend that missionary societies unite\nin the production of Christian literature, and that, wherever practi-\ncable, neighbouring missions join in the conduct of colleges, train-\ning schools and other institutions.\n139. EDDY'S REPORT ON THE NATIONAL MISSIONARY\nSOCIETY SURVEY (c. 1900 A.D.)\nShortly before the formation of the National Missionary Society\na survey was taken among Missionaries to determine their reaction\nto the formation of such an Indian agency. Sherwood Eddy reported\non the results of the survey in a letter to friends in America. The\ndate of the letter is uncertain. Cited in Donald Fosset Ebright, The\nNational Missionary Society of India, 1905-1942, p. 76.\nBefore going forward with the organization of a National\nMissionary Society, the plan was presented to representative missio-\nnaries of various denominations at Kodaikanal and Coonoor. In\nthe various meetings, where the plan was suggested, it was not\nonly unanimously approved, but received invaluable aid from\nsuggestions offered in those conferences. Letters were also sent\nto missionaries in all parts of India to ascertain their opinion. Out\nof a hundred consulted, more than ninety believed that the time\nhad come for such a movement along the lines proposed. A few\nbelieved that the time had not yet come. Others proposed some\nmodification of the plan. Among others the following questions\nwere asked in this circular letter after explaining the nature of the\nplan:\n1. Can India be evangelized in this generation by existing\nmissionary forces; or can we legitimately expect that it can be done\nby the Home Boards under present conditions?\nThe reply was practically unanimous in the negative.\n2. Is it desirable and possible that Indian Christians should\ntake a larger responsibility and share in the evangelization of India?\nThe unanimous opinion was that they could and that the time\nhad come when something more should be done.\n3. Would a National Missionary Society of India, interdeno-\nminational, yet working in harmony with existing organizations,\nand preserving denominational loyalties (in some such way as the\nChina Inland Mission) be possible and desirable?\nThe majority strongly favoured the plan, and believed that\nthe time had come for its inception.",
      "status": "completed"
    }
  ]
}