{ "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": "1855. General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries on Vernacular Preaching", "page_numbers": [ 158 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00182-587bee983f4776fac480.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Conference on Vernacular Preaching", "chunk_data": "One of the series of local, regional and national inter-denominational missionary conferences that were to play such an important role in the development of ecumenicity in India was held in Calcutta on September 4-7, 1855. Representatives of six missions and three European churches were present. The resolution on vernacular preaching reproduced here provides interesting insights into evangelistic methods of the times; and the dissenting opinion, which is also reproduced, is equally interesting. Proceedings of a General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries, 1855, pp. 64-67.", "time": { "start_year": 1855, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 4, "end_year": 1855, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 7, "time_display": "September 4–7, 1855" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Calcutta", "India", "Bengal" ], "event": "A General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries met in Calcutta to discuss vernacular preaching.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionary Work", "Conferences" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "1855. General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries on Vernacular Preaching", "page_numbers": [ 158, 159 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00182-587bee983f4776fac480.webp", "raw\\pages\\00183-f11e33ce674f0f22884e.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Importance of Vernacular Preaching", "chunk_data": "Resolution on Vernacular Preaching\n\nThat this Conference concur generally in the views now given by Messrs. Wenger Stubbius of the sphere of vernacular preaching and of the modes in which it may be best carried on. Amongst the various means employed in India for the fulfilment of the great commission, they regard the preaching of the gospel to the people in their own tongue either by European missionaries or by preachers raised up in the country, as the work of highest importance. Though attended with difficulties, they consider it admirably adapted to the instruction of all, who can be brought under its influence; but they regret that owing to the state and constitution of native society, there are certain classes, such as the members of wealthy families, and nearly the whole female population, who are rarely reached by its agency. So important is it in their eyes, that they consider, that every missionary on arriving in the country should endeavour so to master the language as to be able personally to engage in it: and while such as learn to speak it well, should, if not otherwise directed by providence, devote to vernacular preaching their entire attention. Those who are directed to other plans, should also give to it as much time and effort as they can. They consider that owing to the state of the native mind, every department of vernacular preaching should receive the most careful study; in order that a missionary may be completely prepared for the various circumstances under which the Hindus are addressed by him; and especially for the numerous objections with which they meet his exhortations. With a view to secure, as far as possible, the same hearers, they think that in the neighbourhood of a missionary's house or station, preaching in the bazaar to the heathen should be conducted with regularity and on system. They also approve highly of extensive itinerancies amongst villages and towns beyond the ordinary sphere of his labour; of visits to the great markets, and (in spite of certain disadvantages) of visits to the crowds attending the great melas and religious festivals. If practicable, such itinerancies should be regular and systematic, so that a missionary may re-visit the same villages, or may remain at any place that seems peculiarly open to the gospel.", "time": { "start_year": 1855, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 4, "end_year": 1855, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 7, "time_display": "September 4–7, 1855" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Wenger Stubbius" ], "places": [ "India", "Bengal" ], "event": "The conference affirmed the importance of preaching the gospel in vernacular languages and recommended systematic preaching and missionary language study.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionary Work", "Education" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "1855. General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries on Vernacular Preaching", "page_numbers": [ 159 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00183-f11e33ce674f0f22884e.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Itinerant Missionary Methods", "chunk_data": "Though not absolutely necessary, they think that in such itinerancies missionaries may, with great advantage, accompany each other or be accompanied by native catechists: while their visits and their preaching should be followed up by a judicious distribution of suitable tracts and portions of the Word of God.", "time": { "start_year": 1855, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 4, "end_year": 1855, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 7, "time_display": "September 4–7, 1855" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "The conference recommended that itinerant missionaries travel together or with native catechists and distribute Christian literature after preaching.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionary Work", "Evangelism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "1855. General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries on Vernacular Preaching", "page_numbers": [ 159 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00183-f11e33ce674f0f22884e.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Results of Vernacular Preaching", "chunk_data": "In looking at the results of vernacular preaching in Bengal, they acknowledge with regret, that though the majority of missionaries have been engaged, for many years, in various parts of the country in this department of missionary labour, it is a remarkable fact that, as compared with the amount of labour and journeying, the number of known conversions to which vernacular preaching to the heathen in the bazaar by missionaries has immediately led, seems to have been small. Indirectly it has produced enquiry, brought enquiries into connection with Christians and Christian services and in conjunction with other agencies has led to the formation of the native churches now existing. Especially has it contributed to that marked change in religious views, both as to the character of Hinduism and the worth of Christianity, which distinguishes the present generation of the Hindus from those which have preceded it. Regarding these fruits as of the highest importance, the members of this Conference feel abundantly encouraged to continue preaching the word everywhere, sure that the promise will be fulfilled, that we shall reap if we faint not.", "time": { "start_year": 1855, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 4, "end_year": 1855, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 7, "time_display": "September 4–7, 1855" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "The conference acknowledged few immediate conversions but identified indirect effects of vernacular preaching, including enquiries, Christian contacts, native churches, and changing religious views.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Conversion", "Churches" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "1855. General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries on Vernacular Preaching", "page_numbers": [ 159 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00183-f11e33ce674f0f22884e.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Dissent Over the Resolution", "chunk_data": "Dissent from the Resolution on Vernacular Preaching\n\n1. Because the resolution is virtually a censure upon some of the most venerable missionaries who have ever laboured in this land, who have been mainly employed in other departments of missionary labour, as Bible Translation, Education and the pastor-ship of native churches. We cannot join in a resolution which necessarily implies that these men have been employed only in subordinate departments of the work.", "time": { "start_year": 1855, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 4, "end_year": 1855, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 7, "time_display": "September 4–7, 1855" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "Dissenting missionaries argued that the resolution censured venerable missionaries whose principal work had been Bible translation, education, and pastoral ministry.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionary Work", "Debate" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "1855. General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries on Vernacular Preaching", "page_numbers": [ 159 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00183-f11e33ce674f0f22884e.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Concern About Misinterpretation", "chunk_data": "2. Because in other places, the resolution will probably be understood as implying this censure in a greater degree than the discussions in the Conference shewed that the members understood it; and in the opinion of the dissentients, the Resolution is liable to such mis-construction.", "time": { "start_year": 1855, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 4, "end_year": 1855, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 7, "time_display": "September 4–7, 1855" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "The dissenters warned that the resolution could be interpreted elsewhere as a stronger censure than the conference discussions intended.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionary Work", "Debate" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "1855. General Conference of Bengal Protestant Missionaries on Vernacular Preaching", "page_numbers": [ 159 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00183-f11e33ce674f0f22884e.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Warning to Young Missionaries", "chunk_data": "3. Because one effect of the Resolution will be, to induce young missionaries, when entering upon their labour, to rush into the most difficult department of missionary work, before they are properly qualified for it, and will unduly excite prejudices in their minds against various departments of the work, before they are", "time": { "start_year": 1855, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 4, "end_year": 1855, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 7, "time_display": "September 4–7, 1855" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "The dissenters warned that the resolution might lead inexperienced young missionaries to undertake vernacular preaching prematurely and develop prejudice against other missionary departments.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionary Work", "Debate" ] } } ] }