{ "book_metadata": { "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials", "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose", "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge", "published_on": "2011" }, "chunks": [ { "chunk_index": 1, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Reply on Caste Distinctions", "chunk_data": "84. REPLY TO BISHOP WILSON ON THE QUESTION OF CASTE DISTINCTIONS AMONG THE CHRISTIANS OF TANJORE (1828 A.D.)", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Daniel Wilson" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Missionaries in Tanjore replied to Bishop Daniel Wilson's questionnaire on caste distinctions among Indian Christians.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Caste", "Missions" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Origins of Caste Practice", "chunk_data": "The Anglican bishop, Daniel Wilson, is well known for his opposition to the maintenance of caste distinctions among Indian Christians. The material here quoted is a reply to Bishop Wilson's questionnaire (Articles of Enquiry on the Question of Caste) by the missionaries in Tanjore. Complete reply cited in H. Bower, An Essay on Hindu Caste, pp. 105-110.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Daniel Wilson", "H. Bower" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "The Tanjore missionaries presented their reply to Bishop Wilson's inquiry about caste distinctions.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Caste", "Missions" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste Since Schwartz", "chunk_data": "I. General\n1 and 2. The distinction of caste, though not in its full extent, has been observed among the Christians of Tanjore since the establishment of this Mission by the late Rev. Mr. Schwartz, soon after the year 1762.", "time": { "start_year": 1762, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "Soon after 1762–1828" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian Friedrich Schwartz" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Caste distinctions continued among Tanjore Christians after the mission was established by Christian Friedrich Schwartz soon after 1762.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Missions", "Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Schwartz Permits Custom", "chunk_data": "Mr. Schwartz in permitting, with some restrictions, a custom apparently so opposite and prejudicial to the spirit of the Gospel, to remain in the new congregations, was guided by his own discretion as well as by the example of the Tranquebar Missionaries before him, and that both they and himself were actuated herein by motives of prudence and caution, is plain from several of their letters still extant.", "time": { "start_year": 1762, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "After 1762–1828" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian Friedrich Schwartz", "Tranquebar Missionaries" ], "places": [ "Tranquebar" ], "event": "Christian Friedrich Schwartz and the Tranquebar missionaries cautiously tolerated caste customs in Christian congregations.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Missions", "Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Missionary Caution Continues", "chunk_data": "In the course of administration of the Mission affairs since the death of Mr. Schwartz, myself and several of my colleagues successively have endeavoured to act with similar caution and forbearance at the same time seizing every opportunity to soften the mutual prejudices arising from distinction of caste, and to bring our Christians by degrees into closer union with each other as brethren in one Lord and Master, Christ.", "time": { "start_year": 1798, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "After 1798–1828" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian Friedrich Schwartz", "Tanjore Missionaries", "Jesus Christ" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "After Schwartz's death, Tanjore missionaries continued cautiously addressing caste prejudice and promoting Christian unity.", "tags": [ "Missions", "Caste", "Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste Controversy Declines", "chunk_data": "And we have had the satisfaction to observe, that distinction of caste has, until of late, been seldom the object of controversy among Christians, and has gradually lost a great deal of its importance", "time": { "start_year": 1798, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "By 1828" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Tanjore Missionaries" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Missionaries observed that caste had generally ceased to be a major source of controversy among Christians and had declined in importance.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Church", "Missions" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste as Social Rank", "chunk_data": "4. The higher classes, at least the more intelligent and better informed individuals among the Christians, do not, in the observance of such distinction, act from a supposition that they are morally better than those of a lower class, or entitled to greater spiritual privileges; but they insist on it merely as a badge of superior rank in society, as an ancient civil prerogative.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Tanjore Christians" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Higher-caste Christians defended caste as a marker of social rank rather than moral or spiritual superiority.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Society", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 111 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00135-6c6d5ed096ccf320f234.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Fear of Social Offense", "chunk_data": "5. They neither adhere to such distinction, because they attach any real value to it per se, but because by neglecting it they would give offense to high and low among heathens and Christians, lose not only their respect in society, but likewise all their influence among their heathen neighbours and relations.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Tanjore Christians", "Hindu neighbours and relations" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Higher-caste Christians maintained caste distinctions to avoid social offense and preserve influence among Christians and Hindus.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Society", "Evangelism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 112 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00136-d170c58b043fbdb0ffb7.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Outcast Christian Converts", "chunk_data": "6. The more bigoted heathens consider every Christian convert, of whatever caste he may be, as degraded, and in former times he was in their opinion undeserving of the rights of social intercourse; but one who violates or entirely gives up his caste, is treated as an outcast. Every heathen will avoid him more carefully than he would even Pariars, Pallers, and Sackliars.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian converts", "Pariars", "Pallers", "Sackliars" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Converts who abandoned caste were treated as outcasts by conservative Hindus.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Conversion", "Society" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 112 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00136-d170c58b043fbdb0ffb7.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Respect for High-Caste Christians", "chunk_data": "At present high caste Christians meet with more respect from heathens than formerly, owing partly to their own personal character and conduct, partly to the high stations to which some of them have been advanced.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "By 1828" }, "meta": { "people": [ "High-caste Christians" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "High-caste Christians gained greater respect from Hindus because of their conduct and advancement to high positions.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Society", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 112 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00136-d170c58b043fbdb0ffb7.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Missionary Access to High Castes", "chunk_data": "And though the circumstance does not immediately contribute to the furtherance of the Gospel, yet it serves greatly to make Christianity in general more and more respected among the neighbouring heathens. In regard to native priests and high caste catechists this respect is of still greater importance. They gain easier admittance among respective natives of high caste, and meet with more frequent and favourable opportunities to converse with them freely on religious subjects, privileges no Pariar can look for.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Native priests", "High-caste catechists", "Pariars" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "The social respect accorded to high-caste Christian ministers improved their access to high-caste Hindus for religious conversations.", "tags": [ "Evangelism", "Caste", "Missions" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 112 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00136-d170c58b043fbdb0ffb7.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste in Church Worship", "chunk_data": "This respect, however, and all the advantages derived from it, is forfeited for ever, as soon as they violate the observance of caste; native priests and catechists will thereby render themselves entirely useless to the Mission\nII. Church\n1. At the church the Christians of the high caste, both men and women, sit on the right, and those of the low caste on the left side of the pulpit, but without any intermediate space between them.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Native priests", "Catechists", "High-caste Christians", "Low-caste Christians" ], "places": [ "Tanjore churches" ], "event": "Christian worship in Tanjore churches placed high- and low-caste Christians on opposite sides of the pulpit.", "tags": [ "Church", "Caste", "Worship" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 112 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00136-d170c58b043fbdb0ffb7.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Communion Without Separate Vessels", "chunk_data": "There has never been used a separate chalice and paten for separate castes in the administration of the Lord's Supper. But they go up at different times to the holy table.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Tanjore Christians" ], "places": [ "Tanjore churches" ], "event": "Tanjore Christians used common communion vessels but approached the communion table at different times according to caste.", "tags": [ "Church", "Caste", "Worship" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 14, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 112 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00136-d170c58b043fbdb0ffb7.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Separate Seating Defended", "chunk_data": "2. The appropriation of separate places to the several castes (chiefly two, high and low) though not desirable, will be necessary as long as the distinction of caste itself remains; for any interference in this respect would at present be looked upon by all of them as an encroachment upon their civil rights.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "High-caste Christians", "Low-caste Christians" ], "places": [ "Tanjore churches" ], "event": "Missionaries regarded separate seating by caste as necessary because Christians viewed interference as an infringement of civil rights.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Church", "Society" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 15, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 112 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00136-d170c58b043fbdb0ffb7.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Rank Determines Seating", "chunk_data": "It rests on their own estimate of a proper gradation in the different orders of society, and as both sit according to their rank and station on their respective sides—though they are not so very anxious about it the natural steps of rank and order are always conspicuous.\nIII. School\n1. No objection has ever been made by native Christians to send their children for instruction to the Mission schools, because they are open to all castes; nor have they at any time expressed", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Native Christians", "Christian children" ], "places": [ "Tanjore Mission schools" ], "event": "Christians arranged church seating according to social rank, while Mission schools remained open to children of every caste.", "tags": [ "Education", "Caste", "Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 16, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Schools Reject Caste Separation", "chunk_data": "a wish to have different schools for the higher or lower castes. It ought to be remarked particularly that the teachers are very often of the low caste but this too has never been objected to.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Low-caste teachers", "Native Christians" ], "places": [ "Tanjore Mission schools" ], "event": "Native Christians did not request separate schools, and they accepted low-caste teachers.", "tags": [ "Education", "Caste", "Missions" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 17, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Children Study Together", "chunk_data": "2. The children of one class sit indiscriminately, and take their places only according to their attainments and diligence in their respective lessons. This order has always been willingly submitted to by parents of high caste children.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian children", "Parents of high-caste children" ], "places": [ "Tanjore Mission schools" ], "event": "Mission school children sat according to academic attainment rather than caste, with the consent of high-caste parents.", "tags": [ "Education", "Caste", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 18, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Christian School Holidays", "chunk_data": "3. Children of Christian converts do not observe, nor would they be permitted, if they wished to do so, any holidays but those which are of Christian origin. There are four principal heathenish festivals, connected with more or less outward show, which children are fond to look at; but this is merely curiosity, and is never allowed to interfere with their attendance in the school", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Children of Christian converts" ], "places": [ "Tanjore Mission schools" ], "event": "Children of Christian converts observed only Christian holidays, while viewing Hindu festivals was treated as harmless curiosity.", "tags": [ "Education", "Christianity", "Religion" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 19, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste-Based Food Restrictions", "chunk_data": "IV. Social Intercourse\n1. Converts of Christianity from different castes will, in separate places, eat and drink of the same provisions, if they be prepared by a high caste person, but not, if prepared by one of the low caste.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian converts" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Christian converts of different castes shared food only when it had been prepared by a high-caste person.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Society", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 20, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Hierarchy of Food Purity", "chunk_data": "The objection is always made on the side of higher caste, not by Sudras only, but by all successively, who have or think to have one caste below them. Thus the Sudra will not eat the meal of a Kammalen, the Kammalen not that of a Parian, the Parian not that of a Pallen, the Pallen not that of a Sacklien, &c., and the two latter, thinking themselves higher or cleverer than the Parian, will not eat any thing prepared by them. But all will eat what is prepared by a Sudra.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Sudras", "Kammalens", "Parians", "Pallens", "Sackliens" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Food-sharing restrictions followed a descending caste hierarchy, although all groups accepted food prepared by a Sudra.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Society", "Custom" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 21, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste Endogamy", "chunk_data": "2. No marriage is contracted between parties belonging to two different castes. This custom is strictly observed, not from a religious view of distinction of caste, but principally with the intention of preserving their family interests undivided, and of keeping up their particular trade and calling.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Tanjore Christians" ], "places": [ "Tanjore" ], "event": "Tanjore Christians maintained endogamous marriage practices to preserve family interests, trades, and occupations.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Marriage", "Society" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 22, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste Hinders Christianity", "chunk_data": "V.\nDistinction of caste in its full extent, as it prevails among heathens, is certainly a great hindrance to the propagation of Christianity; for it is so closely interwoven with the Brahmanical system, that while it receives from thence its principal strength, it again becomes a powerful bulwark of Brahmanical imposition; and in its nature and tendency it opposes the very first principles of the Gospel, humility and love.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Hindu communities", "Christians" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The missionaries judged the Hindu caste system to obstruct Christianity and oppose the Gospel's principles of humility and love.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Christianity", "Evangelism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 23, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 113, 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00137-5c4be974310a4e6f1ffc.webp", "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Gradual Abolition of Caste", "chunk_data": "That such a barrier, therefore, should be abolished, must be the wish of every one who is desirous of the success of the Gospel in this country. The experience, however, of more than a century has proved, that it is not at once and by force, that this obstacle is to be removed, but by gentle means and by degrees.", "time": { "start_year": 1762, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "More than a century after 1762" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian missionaries" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Missionary experience led to the conclusion that caste should be abolished gradually through gentle measures rather than force.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Missions", "Evangelism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 24, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Danger of Compulsion", "chunk_data": "Compulsion, as in many other cases, would particularly here greatly increase the evil. Difficulties in bringing Gentiles within the pale of Christianity, already great, would become nearly insurmountable, while the Christian congregations already collected would fall a prey to confusion and contention.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian missionaries", "Gentiles", "Christian congregations" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The missionaries warned that forcibly abolishing caste would obstruct conversion and cause disorder within existing congregations.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Evangelism", "Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 25, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Caste Separated from Idolatry", "chunk_data": "A great point is gained, when through the influence of the gospel distinction of caste becomes divested of all its reference to and connection with idolatry, and is thus reduced to its original shape as a civil distinction in the community.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian converts" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The Gospel was said to weaken caste by severing its connection with idolatry and reducing it to a civil distinction.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Christianity", "Idolatry" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 26, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Missionary Models of Conciliation", "chunk_data": "And what more may be done, in order to overcome some remaining prejudices, to which particularly new converts are liable, by a cautious and conciliating proceeding, Mr. Schwartz and other excellent Missionaries have sufficiently shown by their example.", "time": { "start_year": 1762, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "After 1762–1828" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christian Friedrich Schwartz", "Other missionaries", "New converts" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Christian Friedrich Schwartz and other missionaries demonstrated how cautious and conciliatory methods could reduce caste prejudice among converts.", "tags": [ "Missions", "Caste", "Conversion" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 27, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Christian Unity Across Caste", "chunk_data": "Christians who have been carefully instructed and who have been imbibing the spirit of the Gospel, will, though different in caste, always consider and esteem each other as members of one body in Christ, and as joint-heirs with him, they will exercise the Christian law of love, and never refuse their assistance, if they have it in their power, to one, because he belongs to a lower caste.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Christians of different castes", "Jesus Christ" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The missionaries asserted that spiritually instructed Christians would regard one another as members of Christ's body and assist believers of lower caste.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Caste", "Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 28, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Occupational Caste Differences", "chunk_data": "That the high caste Christians do not intermarry nor eat with those of low caste, is owing to the different occupation and way of living peculiar to the several castes. The labourers in the field, the employment of undertaker, and all the other mean occupations necessary in a community, are according to the ancient Mammul (custom) exclusively the duty of the low caste people, whether heathen or Christian; nor would they allow any one of another caste to intrude on their trade. This, of course, has a great influence on their way of living.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "High-caste Christians", "Low-caste Christians" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Caste-based occupations and customary trade boundaries shaped the social and dietary practices of Christian communities.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Society", "Custom" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 29, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Forced Dietary Change", "chunk_data": "To oblige, therefore, a man of a higher caste and accustomed to a genteeler way of living, to eat with them, is doing force to common delicacy and to the natural feelings of sense, and may be sometimes of serious consequences to bodily health.", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1828 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "High-caste Christians", "Low-caste Christians" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The missionaries argued that forcing higher-caste Christians to share the food of lower-caste people could violate customary sensitivities and harm health.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Society", "Health" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 30, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Siva Convert Eats Meat", "chunk_data": "Some of the ancient Missionaries once persuaded a Siva convert (who according to the custom of his caste lived only on vegetable food) to eat meat, in order to show that he did not abstain from it on account of superstition and pride. He complied, but nearly died by making the trial!", "time": { "start_year": 1750, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1800, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "18th century" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Siva convert", "Early missionaries" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Early missionaries persuaded a vegetarian Siva convert to eat meat, after which he nearly died.", "tags": [ "Missions", "Conversion", "Custom" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 31, "chapter_name": "Chapter 84: Reply to Bishop Wilson on Caste Distinctions", "page_numbers": [ 114 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00138-dfb687ec61e179241702.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Hope for Caste Decline", "chunk_data": "There is every reason to hope that the more native Christians grow in the knowledge and practice of the truth, the weaker will become their prejudices of every kind they will more and more approach each other, and by degrees become accustomed to put little or no value on their distinction of caste. But if compulsion", "time": { "start_year": 1828, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1828, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "By 1828" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Native Christians" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The missionaries expressed hope that Christian instruction would gradually weaken caste prejudice and reduce the value attached to caste distinctions.", "tags": [ "Caste", "Christianity", "Missions" ] } } ] }