{
  "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": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        118
      ],
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      "chunk_title": "Circular on Caste Abolition",
      "chunk_data": "87. BISHOP WILSON'S CIRCULAR ON THE ABOLITION OF CASTE DISTINCTIONS IN THE CHURCH (1833 A.D.)",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Diocese of Calcutta"
        ],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson issued a circular concerning the abolition of caste distinctions among Indian Christians.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Church"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 2,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        118
      ],
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      ],
      "chunk_title": "Instructions to Missionaries",
      "chunk_data": "In this circular, sent to the missionaries working in the Diocese of Calcutta on 5th July, 1833, Bishop Wilson gives instructions concerning the abolition of caste distinctions among Indian Christians under their charge. The complete text is cited in H. Bower, An Essay on Hindu Caste, pp. 110-115.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "H. Bower",
          "Indian Christians",
          "Missionaries"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Diocese of Calcutta"
        ],
        "event": "The circular instructed missionaries in the Diocese of Calcutta to abolish caste distinctions among Indian Christians.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Church"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 3,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        118,
        119
      ],
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      ],
      "chunk_title": "Evils of Caste in Christianity",
      "chunk_data": "The unfavourable usages to which I refer, arise, as I understand, from the distinctions of castes. These castes are still retained; customs in the public worship of Almighty God, and even in the approach to the altar of the Lord, are derived from them; the refusal of acts of common humanity often follows; processions at marriages and other rites of heathenism are at times preserved; marks on the countenance are sometimes borne: envy, hatred, pride, alienation of heart are too much engendered; the discipline and subjection of the flock to its shepherd are frequently violated; combinations to oppose the lawful and devout directions of the Missionaries are formed—in short, under the name of Christianity, half of the evils of paganism are retained.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Indian Christians",
          "Missionaries"
        ],
        "places": [],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson described the caste-based customs and social divisions that preserved pagan practices within Christianity.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Society"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 4,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        118
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00142-4a6387ad207e9340ef0b.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Caste Practices Varied",
      "chunk_data": "These various instances of the effect of the one false principle, the retention of the caste, might be multiplied. They differ no doubt in different places; in some stations they are slight and few, in others numerous and dangerous, many native congregations are, as I trust, free from them altogether, many have nearly accomplished their removal. I speak, therefore, only generally as the reports have reached me. I throw no blame on individuals, whether ministers or people; it is to the system that my present remarks apply, and it is in love I proceed to give my decision.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Indian Christians",
          "Ministers"
        ],
        "places": [],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson stated that caste practices differed by locality and emphasized that his criticism applied to the system rather than individuals.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Church"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 5,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        118
      ],
      "image_paths": [
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      ],
      "chunk_title": "Caste Distinctions Must End",
      "chunk_data": "The distinction of castes then must be abandoned, decidedly, immediately, finally; and those who profess to belong to Christ, must give this proof of their having really put off concerning the former conversation the old, and having put on the new man in Christ Jesus. The Gospel recognises no distinctions, such as those of caste, imposed by a heathen usage, bearing in some respects a supposed religious obligation, condemning those in the lower ranks to perpetual abasement, placing an immoveable barrier against all general advance and improvement in society, cutting asunder the bonds of humane fellowship on the one hand, and preventing those of Christian on the other.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Christians"
        ],
        "places": [],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson declared that caste distinctions must be decisively, immediately, and finally abandoned by Christians.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Christianity"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 6,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        119
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00143-b242d4e40cf20794a5f9.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "The Gospel Teaches Equality",
      "chunk_data": "Such distinctions, I say, the Gospel does not recognise; on the contrary, it teaches us that God hath made of one blood all the nations of men; it teaches us that whilst the princes of the gentiles exercise authority upon them, and they that are great, exercise authority upon them, it must not be so amongst the followers of Christ, but that whosoever will be great amongst them, is to be their servant, even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for man.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Jesus Christ",
          "Followers of Christ"
        ],
        "places": [],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson invoked the Gospel's teaching that all nations share one origin and that Christian greatness consists in serving others.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Equality",
          "Christianity"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 7,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        119
      ],
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      ],
      "chunk_title": "Wisdom and Charity Required",
      "chunk_data": "In the practical execution, however, of the present award, dear Brethren, much wisdom and charity, united with firmness, will be requisite.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Missionaries"
        ],
        "places": [],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson instructed missionaries to implement the abolition of caste with wisdom, charity, and firmness.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Church"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 8,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        119
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00143-b242d4e40cf20794a5f9.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Catechumens Must Renounce Caste",
      "chunk_data": "1. The catechumens preparing for baptism must be informed by you of the Bishop's decision, and must be gently and tenderly advised to submit to it. Of course the minister informs the bishop or archdeacon a week previously to the intended baptism of each convert, agreeably to the directions given by my honoured predecessor in his charge delivered at Madras in November, 1830, this will afford opportunity for each particular case being well considered.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Catechumens",
          "Ministers",
          "Bishop",
          "Archdeacon",
          "Bishop Wilson’s predecessor"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Madras"
        ],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson directed missionaries to inform catechumens of the caste-renunciation requirement before baptism and to notify the bishop or archdeacon one week in advance.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Baptism",
          "Caste"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 9,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        119
      ],
      "image_paths": [
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      ],
      "chunk_title": "Children and Holy Communion",
      "chunk_data": "2. The children of native Christians will, in the next place, not be admitted to the holy communion without this renunciation of caste, their previous education being directed duly to this amongst other duties of the Christian religion, no material difficulties will as I trust arise here.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Children of Native Christians"
        ],
        "places": [],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson required the children of native Christians to renounce caste before admission to Holy Communion.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Communion"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 10,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        119
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00143-b242d4e40cf20794a5f9.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Adult Communicants’ Prejudices",
      "chunk_data": "3. With respect to the adult Christian already admitted to the holy communion, I should recommend that their prejudices and habits be so far consulted as not to insist on an open direct renunciation of caste. The execution of the award, in the case of all new converts and communicants, will speedily wear out the practice.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Adult Christian Communicants",
          "New Converts"
        ],
        "places": [],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson recommended accommodating the prejudices of adult Christian communicants while relying on the new policy to eliminate caste practices.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Church"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 11,
      "chapter_name": "1833. Bishop Wilson’s Circular on the Abolition of Caste Distinctions in the Church",
      "page_numbers": [
        119
      ],
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      ],
      "chunk_title": "End Caste Practices in Church",
      "chunk_data": "4. In the mean time it may suffice that overt acts, which spring from the distinction of castes, be at once and finally discontinued in the church whether places in the church be concerned, or the manner of approach to the Lord's table, or procession in marriages, or marks on the forehead made with paint or other mixtures, or differences of food or dress whatever be the overt acts, they must, in the church and so far as the influence of ministers goes, be at once abandoned",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 1833,
        "start_month": 7,
        "start_date": 5,
        "end_year": 1833,
        "end_month": 7,
        "end_date": 5,
        "time_display": "5 July 1833"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Bishop Wilson",
          "Ministers",
          "Indian Christians"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Church"
        ],
        "event": "Bishop Wilson ordered the immediate and permanent discontinuation of all visible caste-based practices in the church.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Caste",
          "Church"
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}