{
  "bookName": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials",
  "authorName": "M. K. Kuriakose",
  "publisherName": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge",
  "publicationYear": 2011,
  "chapterNumber": 73,
  "chapterName": "1816. Munro on the Introduction of Protestant Christianity to Kerala",
  "pageFrom": 92,
  "pageTo": 93,
  "pages": [
    {
      "pageNumber": 92,
      "ocrText": "92\nHISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA\nThe very name of Christian carried along with it the stain of\ninfamy; and the proposal alone to become a convert to Christianity\nis considered by every well-bred Hindoo as a very serious insult, is\ninstantly resented, as I have witnessed in repeated instances. Such\na proposal must always be made with greatest prudence and circum-\nspections, in order not to be exposed to severe reproof from those\nto whom it is addressed.\n73. MUNRO ON THE INTRODUCTION OF PROTESTANT\nCHRISTIANITY TO KERALA (1816 A.D.)\nThis is an extract from a letter written by Colonal Munro, British\nResident in Cochin and Travancore (1812-1816), to the Church Missio-\nnary Society as it was beginning its mission of help' among the\nSyrian churches. It discusses the best means of introducing Protestant\nChristianity, which he sees as of benefit to the British Power. It is thus\na good example of the difficulty some officials had in distinguishing\nbetween their genuine evangelical commitments and their official\ninterests. Missionary Register 1816, pp. 452-454. Cited in\nP. Cheriyan, The Malabar Syrians and the Church Missionary Society\n1816-1846, Appendix A, Letter No. I, pp. 340-341.\nRegarding as I do, the diffusion of genuine Christianity in India,\nas a measure equally important to the interest of humanity and to\nthe stability of our power, I view, with the most sincere pleasure,\nthe commencement of a systematic plan for the attainment of that\nobject; and the Society may ay be assured of my earnest desire to\nco-operate with them, by any means in my power, in the furtherance\nof their designs.\nWith respect to Mr. Norton, and all the persons who may be\nemployed by the Society in Travancore, I wish that they may be\ndesired to receive my advice concerning the general application of\ntheir services; but to consider themselves as entirely under the\ncontrol and inspection of the Society, in their detailed proceedings.\nThey will report to the Society and obey its orders, according to the\nrules observed by the Missionaries acting in the Company's terri-\ntories; but from the circumstance of Travancore being a foreign\nstate, it is necessary, for many reasons, that the Missionaries should\nattend to the advice of the Resident, whose support will indeed be\nessential to the success of their exertions. I entertain a confident\nChope that by prudent and active measures, much may be effected\nin Travancore for the advancement of Christianity.\nThe Christians of all descriptions in Travancore have, since my\narrival in this country, been relieved from most oppressive burdens\n..Released from civil oppression they will be better disposed, I\nhope, to apply with cheerfulness to their religious duties.",
      "status": "completed"
    },
    {
      "pageNumber": 93,
      "ocrText": "SOURCE MATERIALS\n93\nAn efficient and extended system of education, particularly in\nEnglish language, will attribute more effectively than any other\nplan to the early and substantial advancement of the Protestant\nreligion in India. The prevalence of the Portuguese language has\nsubstantially promoted the propagation of the Roman Catholic\nreligion. Indeed from the situation situation of of the the Portuguese in India,\nstrong arguments may be adduced for the diffusion of the English\nlanguage, as a means of supporting the British Power, as well as\nof extending the Protestant religion; for the name and influence\nof the Portuguese nation have been preserved by the prevalence of\ntheir language, long after the subversion of their power by the\nDutch; and if the Portuguese were in a state to undertake conquests\nin India, their design would be greatly facilitated by the extension\nwhich their language and customs have obtained\nAn establishment consisting of one principal and subordinate\ncourts have been founded in Travancore and I have succeeded in\nprocuring the appointment of a Christian Judge to act with each\nof these tribunals. This arrangement is highly favourable to the\nprotection and respectability of the Christians in Travancore;\nand it is also agreeable to the Brahmins and Nairs who find in the\nintegrity of the Christian Judges a check on the venality and cor-\nruption of the other judges. I have, however, experienced diffi-\nculties in procuring respectable and honest men to fill the situation\nof Christian Judges to the several courts and that office in the\nprincipal court is still vacant in consequence of my having been\nunable to find a person qualified for the execution of its duties.\nThe appointment of an English Missionary to that office would be\nattended with advantages to the cause of Christianity by the protec-\ntion which it would afford to the Christians and by the credit which\nthe wiser and impartial conduct of the Judge would reflect on the\nreligion that he professed... and it might perhaps be in the power\nof the Society to recommend fit persons for these situations, parti-\ncularly in the principal court\nI am sorry to say that the internal dissensions among the Syrians\nhave increased since Ramban Joseph has been elected to the office\nof the bishop. I expect that all the principal ecclesiastical autho-\nrities among the Syrians will arrive here in the course of a few days;\nand I shall endeavour to make some arrangement for the settlement\nof their disputes",
      "status": "completed"
    }
  ]
}