1.

Introduction

At the beginning of the 19th and 20th century, the socio, political, economic, cultural and
religious milieu of India was favorable for the emergence of Indigenous Christian mission
movements. There were many factors which prepared the ground and led to the founding of the
National Missionary Society and Indian Missionary Society.

2. Historical Background of the Indian Christian Mission Movements

The Indian Christian Mission Movements started in the early 20 th century, was
nothing but the resultant of the long Christian tradition acquired nearly twenty centuries
back from St. Thomas‘s time. According to the tradition and legend St. Thomas, one among
the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ came to India and established Christianity 1. However,
Christianity survived in India for the first fifteen centuries without much influence on the Indian
Society.

With the coming of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic Priest, to India, Christian
population increased in India2. With the arrival of Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, the first
Protestant Missionary to India, in 1706, a new chapter began in the history of Indian
Christianity3. The influx of foreign Missionaries during the 18th and 19th centuries witnessed a
steady growth of Christianity in India. When the rise of Nationalism triggered the patriotic spirit
in the minds of Indians, some of the Indian Christian leaders also followed suit. It resulted in
the founding of Indian Christian Mission Movements such as Indian Missionary Society
(IMS) and the National Missionary Society of India (NMS) in 1903 and 1905 respectively4.

3. The Founding of the National Missionary Society of India

The beginning of the twentieth century, the socio, political, economic, cultural and
religious milieu of India was favorable for the emergence of Indigenous Christian mission
movements. There were many factors which prepared the ground and led to the founding of the
National Missionary Society of India. They are as follows:

1
Herman D‘Souza, In the Steps of St. Thomas, (Siga Press: Madras, 1982), 5.
2
C.B. Firth, An Introduction to Indian Church History, (CLS: Madras, 1961), 55.
3
J. Sandegren, The Song of Tranquebar, (CLS: Madras, 1955), 6.
4
Stephen Neill, The Story of the Christian Church in India and Pakistan, (CLS: Madras, 1972), 154.

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 The Student Volunteer Movement (SVM) was formed in U.S.A. in 1886 to involve in
Foreign Missions5. In a short period of time, the SVM spread to the Colleges, Universities and
theological seminaries. It was an interdenominational Student‘s organization. Later it was
renamed as Students Christian Movement (SCM)6. It conducted Students Conferences. It
encouraged students to involve in God‘s ministry. Many of the Indian Christian leaders like
J.R. Chitambar and K.T. Paul were trained in SVM and they joined together to form the NMSI.

Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) was founded in June 1844. The aim was to
win young men to Christian faith. It rapidly spread too many countries around the world. One of
the great leaders of YMCA in early 20th century was John R. Mott who challenged young men
with the words Evangelization of the world in this generation. This motivated YMCA youth
leaders in India like V.S. Azariah and K.T. Paul to plan for the Evangelization of India7.

They joined together in the formation of the National Missionary Society of India.
C.E. Abraham in his book The Founders of the National Missionary Society of India‘
described the influence of YMCA on V.S. Azariah. His connection with the YMCA
developed his powers of leadership, and broadened his vision, and his friendship with
Sherwood Eddy, another YMCA secretary, bore rich fruits 8. Many other founders of NMSI
also had connections with YMCA eg. J.R. Banerjee, S.V. Karmakar W.S. Ratnavale, R.C.
Sircar, R. Siraj-ud-din, K.T. Paul and others.

The young churches in India which emerged as a result of Mission work by foreign
Missionaries and Mission Societies began to realize their responsibilities to involve in
Mission. As a result, Home Missionary Societies were started to do mission work in their
own neighbourhood. R. Gnanadas points out that Home Missionary Societies promoted the
mission to the unoccupied areas by the Western Missionaries, also they inspired the need of
ministry by the native Christians9.

5
Donald Fossett Ebright, The National missionary society of India, 1905-1942: An expression of the
movement toward indigenization within the Indian Christian community, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Chicago,
Chicago, 1944, 53.
6
Faith in Action: The story of the Student Christian Movement of India, (SCMI: Bangalore, 2012), 13.
7
Faith in Action: The story of the Student Christian Movement of India, 14.
8
C.E. Abraham, The Founders of the National Missionary Society of India, (NMSI: Madras, 1947), 1.
9
R. Gnanadas, Understandings and Practices of Mission of The National Missionary Society of India,
unpublished M.Th. Thesis submitted to the senate of Serampore College, March 2002, 19.

2
 Some important Home Missionary Societies were Madura Home Missionary Society
(1834), South Travancore Home Missionary Society (1900), Bewar Home Mission (1902) and
Indian Missionary Society of Tirunelveli (1903).These Home Missionary Societies developed
missionary spirit in the native churches and paved the way for the formation of the National
Missionary Society of India.

4. Growth and Expansion of National Missionary Society

Revolt of 1857 (Sepoy Mutiny) sowed the seeds of Nationalism in the minds of Indian
Public. The English education enabled Indians to communicate and spread the Nationalist
spirit to others. The longing to become free from the clutches of foreign rule reigned supreme
in the minds of Indians. In Kerala it is the Christian population, for example, that largely
engaged in the freedom struggle. They were joined by the Hindus also10.

The National Missionary Society of India, an indigenous and interdenominational

The National Missionary Society of India grew very slowly in its formative years.
It maintained its relationship with the denominational churches and with the then existing
mission organizations. NMSI always looked for the unoccupied mission fields and began its
work. From the very beginning, the NMSI maintained the indigenous character and it was
supported by Indian Christians. The General Secretaries toiled with vision to bring good results
in mission work. As they are well aware of their limitations, they maintained cordial
relationship with Indian Missionary Society (IMS). While NMS had its mission stations all
over India, Burma and Ceylon and maintained Inter-denominational and indigenous
outlook, IMS was not so. NMS played an important role in the unification of Churches and

10
George Gheverghese Joseph, George Joseph, the Life and Times of a Kerala Christian Nationalist, (Orient
Longman, Hyderabad, 2003), 23.
11
Carol Graham, Azariah of Dornakal, (SCM Press, London), 1946, 27.

3
bringing the leaders of various churches for the negotiation under one umbrella. The result was
the formation of the Church of South India (CSI) in the year 194712.

In the first 40 years, NMSI had a steady growth and expanded its mission work to
different parts of India and involved in unification of churches and Indian freedom
struggle.

4.1 Mission Work

The National Missionary Society began its Mission work in the United Province (U.P) in
the year 1909. Rev. J.W. Peoples was the first missionary. He did mission work in many towns
and villages such as Saraswa, Ambatta, Silkama, Sabtonpur, etc, Mr. Vishnu Kumar and four
others joined as missionaries. Together they brought nearly 1000 people to Christ. Mrs. Peoples,
wife of Rev. Peoples, were a medical Doctor and did work as Honorary Medical Missionary. In
the year 1913, she opened a free clinic at Salaswa and served the people in the surrounding areas.
Mr. Jayasukbal and Mr. Edmond Jacob later joined this field as missionaries13.

Since Missionaries were not allowed inside Nepal, the National Missionary Society
established a mission station at Nautenwa, a border town in British India near Nepal. Rev. Boaz
and his wife served as missionaries in this place. Rev. Bihari Lal and three other workers joined
them later. They had done good Mission work in that area 14. Karmala mission center was
handed over to NMSI by the American Marathi Mission in 1909 15. Rev. S. Salve of
Ahmednagar Church was the first NMSI missionary to go to Karjat , Karmala 16. Very
soon Karmala mission became a center of Christians where 60 people built a church with 7
mission workers to attend to them.

The people of Haluaghat were primitive in their thoughts and they were animistic and
spiritist. They belonged to the Garos tribe. The leaders of St. Andrews Mission renounced
material things and became a brahmachari for Christ. The food and clothing was provided to
them by the mission. It was here a school was built and about 117 students were admitted in this
institution. Out 117 students admitted 40 students were provided with boarding and lodging,
12
J.W. Gladstone United to Unite: History of the Church of South India 1947-1997, (CSI Synod: Chennai, 1997), 7.
13
A short History of the National Missionary Society of India (Tamil), (NMS Press: Madras, 1930), 46-47.
14
A short History of the National Missionary Society of India, 48.
15
The First Ten Years of N.M.S., (NMS Press: Madras, 1916), 78.
16
The First Ten Years of N.M.S., 79.

4
they were sponsored by the government. They were also given vocational training such as
farming, weaving, etc17.

The Christian population was high in southern India. Around two thirds of Christians
lived in Tamil Nadu, so it was felt appropriate for NMSI to establish a mission field in
Tamil Nadu. This led to the formation of Omalur and Jalarpet Mission field 18. The Puram
mission was purely carried on by the Ladies auxiliary of NMSI. It began in 1924; Indian
Christian ladies were used for field service. The ladies were instrumental in preaching the
word, teaching the bible stories, to converse with ladies, conduct stitching class, medical aid,
health and hygienic awareness. They also constructed a church which was contributed by
ladies19.

The Marthoma Evangelistic Association chose North Canara as its mission field
and worked there on behalf of NMSI. Mission work was done in the towns such as Hanover,
Ankola, Gumta, Darwar, etc. Later NMSI handed over Ankola field to the Marthoma Church.
Lutheran Mission Churches came forward to sponsor a mission field for NMSI. They started the
work in 1914 at the state of Rewa in mid India near Orissa. Mr. S. Gnanabaranam, an old
s55.tudent of Madras Christian College, was the first Missionary who went to Rewa. In
1916, Rev. Devasahayam joined in Rewa Mission20. A Bengal Brahmin convert Dr. Goswamy
joined as a Medical Missionary. There were 1300 Christians in 1922. It rose up to 1700 in 1926.
There were 11 churches and twenty workers. The Lutheran Mission collected funds around
Rs.13000/- every year to support this work in Rewa region21.

4.2 NMS and Church as a movement of unity

The leaders of National missionary society were committed for unity, the leaders of this
society were belonging to different church backgrounds yet they joined hands in celebrating the
unity through mission work. V. S. Azariah was a well-known Anglican bishop. K.T. Paul was a
Congregationalist. Bishop J.R. Chitambar was Methodist. Sherwood Eddy was YMCA traveling
secretary. All these great men came forward to celebrate unity in spite of their different

17
The First Ten Years of N.M.S., (NMS Press: Madras, 1916), 85.
18
A short History of the National Missionary Society of India (Tamil), Op.cit. 45.
19
A short History of the National Missionary Society of India, 61.
20
A short History of the National Missionary Society of India, 55.
21
A Short History of the National Missionary Society of India, 57.

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spiritual background. This formation of unity was making a strong impact upon the church
leaders to form an organic unity. The South India united church was the first move for unity
among the church. Although NMSI was formed as a sign of unity in missions in 1905, the first
organic unity among the churches was formed between the Presbyterian and congregational
traditions. In July 1908, The South India United Church (SIUC) was inaugurated in Madras.
SIUC was born out of an organic union between churches of Presbyterian and congregational
traditions22.

5. International Missionary Society

Indian Missionary Society (IMS) and The National Missionary Society of India (NMS)
have close ties. Bishop V.S. Azariah was the founder of IMS 23. He was also one of the founders
of NMSI. It was the first Indigenous Mission Society which came up with ideal principles
like Indian Leadership, Indian Management and Indian Finance. The dynamic and devoted
young man V.S. Azariah was constrained by the love of Christ with deep commitment for the
proclamation of the good news. He shared his God-given vision with 20 laymen and 8
clergymen who wore out their knees and poured out their hearts in prayer. Their vision prayers
led to the formation of the Indian Missionary Society which was born on 12th February
190324.

5.1 Objectives of IMS25

1. To work in close co-operation with local Churches promoting and assisting them in their
missionary enterprise.
2. To promote local leadership for the Church‘s outreach
3. To proclaim the Gospel of Christ
4. To teach the word of God to the enquirers
5. To build schools where there is a requirement
6. To build Churches and Prayer Houses in neglected sector
7. To build Hostels for tribal students

22
J.W. Gladstone United to Unite: History of the Church of South India, 10-23.
23
M.G. Manickam Ed. A History of the Indian Missionary Society, Tirunelveli -The First Hundred Years 1903-2003:
(Centenary Celebrations Publication IMST: Tirunelveli, 2003), 9-10.
24
M.G. Manickam Ed. A History of the Indian Missionary Society, 8.
25
Indian Missionary Society, http://www.imst.co.in/ourvision.php. Accessed on 25-03-2022.

6
 8. To help and re-habilitate the poor
9. To render medical aid where no facilities are available.

The Indian Missionary Society as the first indigenous missionary movement, has a
mission to fulfill among the most oppressed and downtrodden communities in the Tribal belts of
India. The Society spreads Gospel to these communities with love, both by words and deeds. It
uplifts the poor in their 90 mission fields spread over 15 states in India by giving them
schooling and medical care. Efforts are made to liberate these downtrodden people from
oppression, poverty and superstitions and to enable them see the Light. Saving faith has to be
complimented with serving love. The Indian Missionary Society does this with dedication and
commitment. The IMS has Covered 16 States. It has 509 Full time Missionaries. The IMS has
95 Extension Centres, 290 Worshipping Groups, 165 Active Churches, 52,000 Tribal
Converts, 37,000 Villages covered, 6 Schools, 17 Tribal Hostels in which 1,000 Tribal
Students are staying and pursuing their education, 6 Health Centres and 4 Rehabilitation
Centres26.

6. NMSI and Indian Missionary Society - a similarity

NMS and Indian Missionary Society (IMS) were started by the same person V.S.
Azariah. In fact he first started the IMS in 1903 to preach the Gospel in Tirunelveli District of
Tamil Nadu. IMS was able to motivate the Christians and the Church to mission work
and it received overwhelming support from the Anglicans and other churches 27. This
encouraged V.S. Azariah to pray and plan for a similar society which would preach the
Gospel on an all-India basis. He invited his friends from other churches to Calcutta and began
the National Missionary Society (NMS) IMS still continues to be a part and parcel of the
CSI Tirunelveli Diocese.

It is the missionary wing of the Diocese. But with regard to NMS it is an all India
Missionary Society supported by all the main line churches and it functions independently. NMS
has its own governing body in the form of a Council which meets once in three years. The NMS

26
Indian Missionary Society, http://www.csitirunelveli.org/Ministry/ministry-ims.html. Accessed on 25-03-2022.
27
M.G. Manickam Ed. A History of the Indian Missionary Society, 8

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is also not directly under one particular Church but all the Church representatives are a
part of its Governing Council. NMS has a mandate to preach the Gospel on an all India Level as
well as in the neighboring countries. Moreover the General Secretary of NMS is an ordained
Pastor of any one of the main line churches who serves NMS on deputation basis. For example,
the researcher himself is an ordained Pastor belonging to the C.S.I. Dioceses of Madras and one
of his predecessors, Rev. Charles S. Jadhav was from the Methodist Church from Bangalore, and
his successor, Rev. W. Thomas was from the C.S.I. Dioceses of Madras. NMS is an inter-
denominational, indigenous and an all India Mission Society. In that way NMS is completely
different from IMS and its functions28.

7. Conclusion

The National Missionary Society of India was started with a great vision to work all over
the Indian sub-continent. This vision is carried on till today; the sons of the soil are engaged by
NMS to work in their own regions. At the same time, they are not integrated with NMS workers
in other regions. All India level conferences and meetings to be conducted often which will help
to Integrate NMSI workers. The Indian Missionary Society was started to proclaim the goodness
of the love of Jesus Christ to all people in Tirunelveli District. The Christians in that district
owned the Society by their overwhelming enthusiasm and support. They joined hands with IMS
in doing Christian Mission work in all the villages and towns.

28
Centenary Souvenir 1905-2005, NMSI, Chennai, 2005, 27.