THE SANTAL 1\115SION NORTHERN CHURCHES

Transcription

1 ~he SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SANTAL 1\115SION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES (THE INDIAN HOME MISSION '1'0 THE SANTALS) FOR THE YEAR 1939 Q _.8._ 1:1 DU.rvfKA PUBLISHED BY THE SANTAL MISSION OIl' THE NORTHERN CHURCHES P~lNTED AT THE BENAGARIA MISSION PRESS. 1940!

2 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES ~c.crth\t'll: REV. R. ROSENLUND. IJumka, Santal Pa1'1gcMtaS, Bikai.. From America : BJERKESTRAND, M.R. & M.as. O.S. (April 1925), on furl GIR'l'Z, lhv. & MRS. J. M. (April 1925), on fm l. HELLAND, REV. & MRS. B. A. (Oct. 19~6), Kaerabani MTLLER, MISS DAGMAR, (Nov. 19:.20), Rarapnta OSTERGAARD, DR. E. & MRS. A. (Nov & Nov. 1936) Benagaria PEDERSEN, DR. Miss D. (Oct. 1931)., Gaorang. From Denma1 k : BAGGER, REV. & Mr.s. V. (Dec. 19:Z5 & June 1926), Saldoha. Eu~, MIL & MRS. O. (Oct. 1920), Mornai FISCHER, MISS BESSIE. (Nov. 19.j4), on furl. HOL;EN, :h1iss GUDRTIN, (Dec. 1927), Saldoba, KAMPP, REV. & MRS. H. P. H. (Nov &~{arch , Nimasara (M1 S. Kampp in Demnark). KRISTIANSEN. REY. & MRS. A. (Dec. & Nov. 1927), on furl KltOHN, Miss ELISABETH, KROHN, REV. & MRS. J. (~ct. 193~), Benagal'ia LUWE, MISS ERIKA, MALMSTROM, MISS 1. NIELSEN, MRS. DINA, ROSENLUND. REV. & MRS. R. PEDERSEN, MISS J. O. (Dec. 1938). (Nov. 1924), on fm'z, (Dec 1937), Nimasarai (Nov. 1912), Maharo (~ebr. 1910), Dnmka (N ov. 1935), Saldoha

3 iii From N orwa'll..::..aasland, Miss MARIE, BUTTEDAHL, MISS MAGNHILD, DIESEN, MISS NANCY, FOSSLA.ND, REV. & MRS. G. GAUSDAL, REV. & MRS. J. GLAD, REV. & MRS'. W. HALVORSRUD, REV. H. JOHANSEN, J. ESQR. JOHANSEN, REV. & MRS. 8. KIPPENESS, REV. & MRS. H. LANDOY, REV. M. LOHNE, MISS LAURA, MALME, REV. & MRS. A. N ESSET, MISS SO:b'1 E, NODTVEDT, MIS!) A. OFSTAD, REV. & MRS. K. PEDERSEN, REV: & MRS. P. SlGURDSEN, MISS EDLE SOMMING, Miss SOLVEIG, (Oct'. i933),' Ftaraputa. (Dec. 1927), Maharo. (Dec. 1911), Mohulpahari. (Nov. 1937), Bongaigaon, Santi para. (Nov & Jan. 1919), Kaerabani. (Nov. 1931), on furl. (Oct ), Bongaigaon. (Nov. 1U30), Basetkundi. (Nov. 1935), Nal'aiupur. (Dec. 1937), Tilabani. (Oct. 1936), Joema. (Oct 1923), Koroya. ( Nov. 1935), Gnol'ang. (March 1932), Nimasarai. (Nov. 1937), Gaorang. (Nov & March 1918), onfurl. (Jan & Nov. 1935), Dhorompur. (Nov. 1934), Mohulpahari (Feb. 1933), on, furl. STRONSTAD RE'. & MRS. A. E. (Nov. 1934J), Chondorpura. TLtOMIlORG, REV. & MRS. K. (Sept & Oct. 1923), Benagaria. REV. R. ROSENLUND H. HOEG, ESQR. 'm:tlt5 t C C.$. Durgka, San tal Parganas, INDIA. OSLO, NORWAY. RE\,. COUNT VIGGO MOLTKE, AsminderoJ, Fl'edeusbor51 DEN~IARK. REV. PROFESSOR A. HELLAND, Minnea.polis U. S. A.. REV. J. G.:\USDAL, Kaera.bani, Santal Parganas. REV. BERNHARD HELLAND. do. do. do.

4 IV ~OlllC ~oarbs. THE NORWEGIAN BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Holbergs Gate 23, Oslo, Norn a!j. 1'1'es-idenl: REV. H. E. W ISLOF.\<'. Vice Pres'ident: B, RO~SBI RG, ESQ. Secretary: REV. E. HALLEN: HOLBEIWS GATE ~3, OSLO. TreaSlwer: MHlS ASTA OPSAHL, HOf4BERGS GATE 23, OSLO. J[c'I1tbers :-- MISS S. LOKEN. HEV. M. JOHNE. alberg, ESQ. B. Rm~sBERG, Es~~. A. G MNES, ESQ. MIss M. KINNt;ROD. THE DANISH BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISSION Valbyg4ardsve} 76, Oopen.hagen, Denmark. President: REV. MARlUS RANSE!', Copenhagen Secretary: MR. VALD. CHRISTIANSEN, Aarhus. 1 1 l'easurer: MR. RICH. HENRIKl:)EN, St. Strandstrade 9, K. Copenhagen Jlemb81'S :- MRS. SVELMOE THOMSEN. REV. RORDAlIl CLAUSSEN, REY. A. THELLE. CAl<LSEN,SKIODT, E::>Q. V. FI BIGER, ESQ. REV. H. WINDING. REV. G. SCHIOLEU.

5 THE AMER1C~N BOARD FOR THE SANTAL MISS':>N A. ugsburg Seminary, Mi nneapolis, Minn. U: S. A. President: REV. ODD GORNl'fZKA Yice'P1'esidellf and Ohainnan, E.:v. Oont. RE'V. J. C. AA13EIW. Secreta1'y and 'Preasu.'I'e1 : REV. M. C. DIXEN. Jle m,bers :- DH. SILAS C. ANDJ<:o:;EN :Ml~. C. P. HEIDE PROF. A. HELLAND REV. HAAKOX JORGEX:-:EX REY. NILS KLUNGTVEDT REY. H IRVING PETERSEN HEV. ARTHUR H. RHOLL MH. P. L. LUND REV. JOHN RINGSTAD MR. L. IJ. HOHOI.T RE,\" S. M. STENBY PROF. C. M. \V'ESWIG The Committee of the American Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. REV. J. C. AABERG, P1 esident. REV. H. PLAMBECK, Ser.retary. MISS S. OSTERGAARD, Minneapolis, T reasurer.

6 vi SANTAL PASTORS. 1 Andreas :Murmu 19'H, J!umkl}. (Dwl1ka P. 0) 2 Bl-ij~l HasdaR: Gamharp~h'.lri (Benagaria P.O.) 3 Bajun Murmu, A'lJgaclii, DhQl'Qm pur (Kumravarl P. 0) 4 Bhiku1al Hii,.'lda~ 1937, ChQlldQrpura (KatilwlIrl P.O.) ~ BhQggn Murmu 19:32, Kaerabani (KaPrabani P.O.) 6 Budhr~i BasdaR: 19;J7, Uadhar, Ruj8hahi (Taland{l P.O.) 7 Ch~ku Tugu \9:37, Rangit, ChQndQrpura ;Kat kund P.O.) 8 Dhunu Kiskn 1~H6, (Reti1'ed) 9 Emanuel Tugu 1929, Basetkulf9i (1lfoheshpur P.O.) 10 G~ln SQren 1928, Hl}ripur (Pokhur/a P. 0.) 11 Jalpa SQren 1919, Narayaupur (Tear P.O., Dinajpur) 12 JQhQn HasdaR: 19:33, DhQl'Qmpur K'll?nrabad P.O.) 13 Johon MUI'mu, 1935, Dubria, Maharo (Du,?nka P.O.) 14 K~lu Kisku, 19.H, CbQndQrpnl'a (Katiknnd P.O.) 15 Kanhu Tugu, 193,9, Gm.hampur, (Dingd/liga P.O.) ] 6 Karan SQr~n 193~, Tilabani (Asanbani P.O.) 17 Khudi~ M~n.lgi 1931, (JIohulpahal'i P.O.) 18 Kisun Tu<;lu 1921, Ralltzaupur (J1ing(linga P.O.) 19 Kunj... l Plj.uria 1930, Narayanpur (Teur P.O.) 20 Lgc1g Sgr~n 1930, Sapadoha (Benagaria P.O.) 21 LgkhQn H~rubrQm 1930, Manjad1;l.bri (Ding(Hnga P.O.) 22 Lopsa Sgr~T1 193:.', Khoriblp'i, pfnchia P.O., :MaZda.) 2.3 Mansin Tu~u 1937, Majdiha, Kcroya (])umka P.O.) ~4 MgIJ.dgl Murmu 1924, Saldoha (Mohulpahari P.O.) 25 MQllgQl H~mbl'gm 193.~, Benag~ri'l- (Benaga'ria P.O.)

7 vii ~6 Mgnggl Kisku 1930,ClJaksadula, (Bansiha7'i P.O.) 27 Naran Sgren 1934, Kaerabani, (Kaembani P. 0) 28 P;.tlu HasdaR 19:::3, (Retired) 29 Pit.or Hembrgm 1928, Joema (Gossingaon P.O.) 30 Rl}.ti~ Bgrg 1911, Haraputa (Gossaingaon P. 0.) 31 Ruben 1Iurmu 1933, MaLaro (Du.111,ka P.O.) 32 Simon Murmu 1929, Rautnaggr (Ranisankail P.O.) 33 Sibram Mf,lfl}.g.i 1939, (Maheshpw' P.O.) 34 Simon Baske 1938, Dum (Dumka P.O.) 35 Sodanondo Baske 1939, Beldanga (Sagardigh-i P. 0.) 36 Sorkar H~mbrglll 19;j8, Mornai (Dingd-i'nga P.O.) 37 Tik~ Murmu 1921-, Tl;lrni, Chgn:lgrpul'a (Katiku1Ul P.O.) 38 P~ul Murmu 1935, Joema (Gossaingaon P.O.) BENGALI P AS'l'ORS. 1 Dhollonjoy Ojha 19:23, Dumka (ljum,/.;a P.O.) 2 ~rinath Biswas 1930, Rampurhat (Rmnpurhat P.O.) R Maharaj Bhandari 1937, (Khnasilral: P.O., MaZda) 4 Baru Banjuria 1938, Mohinagol' (GajoZ P.O., MaZda.)

8 THE SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR, ] 9:19. We thank God Who helped us throug'h the year. \Vhen times are what we call normal we are apt simply to consider success in our work as something normal. Of course, we thank Go 1 also in such t.imes but not without some feeling of ou)' own efficiency, not. to say sufficiency. III difficult times giving thanks becomes an even gteater problem. The Apostles no doubt found it difficult to thank God for persecution and suffering, but they did so. We find it even more difficult, because our days have been peaceful and easy. But, there are in the world at present people who suffer in various ways to a degree that we can hardly imagine and they might not have the consolation that is available to us. Thinking of suffering lnankind we in our little sheltered nook in India run the risk of thanking God in a way t.hat reminds one of the man who felt all t,he more comfortable in his cosy drawing room when he remembered that there were some destitute wanderers on the roads in the cold night. Or we might feel the temptation of considering our woi.'king plans and methods especiall.'~ pleasing to God and find there the reason why our work has been progressing in spite of the difficult times. Thanking God ~s well as praying to God could never be done ill truth

9 THE 8ANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. without fear and trembling, that is what, these t,imes should teach ns. There was of course a momellt--a short time onlywhen we did not know whether money contributions would come throngh 01' even be allowed to b~ sent from our homelands, or whether our friends at home would he ahle t,o collect all the money nece8sal'y t.o carry 011 Hw work as planned. But t.he contributions received out her(l during the year 1939 were such t.hat. the budget "vas met in full. We are very thankful t.o Ollr friends for that. We are al~o very thankful for the able management of the tea-busines hy Messrs G. Lochen & Co., whieh was placed in the hands of Mr. S. Gylseth during tlw absence on furlough of Mr. G. Lochen. We had budg-etted and expected an income from the t.ea-sales of Rs. 20,000/- and we received R3. ao,ooo/-. We got through the year without difficulty and thf' books show a litt.le balance wherewith to start till' new year. But then there is the future. It is a sealed hook It is always ::;0, hut in times like these one C01llf'S to remember in a new way what has been told us ahout letting each day take care of it8elf--a difficult 1es8011 to learn. Some difficulty is felt. in that missionaries on furlough and new missionaries are being delayed incoming out here, while the furlcughs of missionaries out. liert' who are due to go home may have to be postponed for a while. This cil'('umstance is causing some re-arrange-

10 SEVEN'l'Y-THIRD A.NNUA.L REPORT. 3 lllent of the working' plans, both as regards the district s and institutions out here as well as in the plans for the home work. That is not a calamity, and we hope that it will soon be possible to carry out the original plans at home and out here. One thing will have to be remembered, namely that travelling expenses have gone up. At the beginning of the war w hell we did not, yet know whether we should expect any more contributions from home we decided, as a matter of course, to postpone such work as could possibly -be post.poned. Now, afterwards, we are able to see that we might have carried 011 the work without interruption, thanks to the timely contributions from home and from the profit of tea-sales. But let it be said once more, "there is the future to be considered." We postponed among other things the Church Meetilig' which should have been helel ill November or Decemher, as it was then 3 years sillce the last Church Meet Illg. We hope to be in a position to hold that important meeting sometime in Questions, problems, and difficulties, that perhaps ought to have been expected and dealt with befurehand but were not, will accumulate during a period of :3 years. 'Ve shall have a huge agenda when the time for the Church Meeting comes. These.rears are times of growth, especially as regards the devt lopment of Church orgallization. Ol'guuhmtioll il" sumethillg outwar<l auel therefore not the soul of the chul'eh, but it is, evl'll if we would ljot call it as much us the hody, nevertheless as lleeessary as the clothes. Still better it would be to compare

11 1 THE SAN'l'AL liission OF THE NOR'1'HERN CHUIWHES. organization with the scaffolding without which a building could not be erectei. Ac:; previously reported we have now the following organs functioning: the congregational committees, the Church committees for special areas as Santal Parganas, the Bengali work, the "middle country," Assam, and for the whole mission also a Church committee.... It will of COUl'3e take time for people out here to get themselve3 acc'.ustome:l to representation by elected delegates. Now and then some trouble will be caused by people who get into their heads that now they are to take over powers and rig'hts without thinking of responsibilit,~. That responsibility is always connected with power and authority and freedom and all those fine thing-s, that is in many cases not understood. And thea trouble arises. But such difficulties certainly are there to be overcome. In the special reports something might be noticed which will give more detailed information C011- cerning what here has been hinted at. One thing more should be said here, namely, that as a rule, Indian Christians in our parts are rather docile and would prefer to have the missionaries to go on as leaders and administrators in order that they themselves might escape the responsibility. We are hard to please, we missionaries, we blame some people for being too independent and the rest for being too dependent. At least I have myself sometimes done so. A.s l'pganls the mission work it should be part of the life of the congregation. And to some extent it is 80. It has often heen said about the Santal Christians that they witness for Jesus Christ in a natural and simple way when they are together with their relatives or other

12 i:leventy-th1rd ANNUAL REPou/f. people. That is still the case and, so fa r as I can see, the same could be said about the Bengali and Bon; Christians. Religion out here in India is not something that people feel shy about. Religious conversation is very commoll, not only among the Hindus, but often it will tal~e the form of very unprofitable discussion ill which both parties get angry. Any new or special hinderance for spreading the knowledge of the Gospel ill the villages is not met with. The often used expression of the "open door" could still he used as regards our conditions. For that we are thankful. When naming' persolls and special events during the,real' 1939 it should he mentioned in the first place that Mrs. A. Pederson from Minneapolis has left this world. Mrs. Pederson, as well as her husband who died in 1987, was a pioneer missionary. Kindness IS the first word that comes to one's mind when trying to characterize Mrs. Pedersoll. Loved by all Indians as well as others as if she had been our mother. A blessed memory is left in many hearts out here. We want to express our thankfulne8s for all that Mrs. Pederson was and did for the mission and for ourselves both while out here and in her homeland. The departure from this world of our old frieud and trustee, Rev. A. J. Hulteng was mentiobed in last abnual report. We are glad that Rev. Professor Andreas Helland has now been officially appointed trustee in place of the late Rev. A. J. Hulteng.,Ve are thankful to Professor Helland for giving us his valuable help by becoming Our trustee.

13 G Tn:.: ;,.ANTAL MISSION OJ!; THE NORTHERN CHUlWHE::l During the year we had the great joy of seeing here among us Mr. T. Waagen, Secretary of th~ Norwe;!5iall Uhilla Mission, Rev. J. Ohrneman, Missionary and Legal Representative of t.he 'Svenska Mission Forbundet in Congoland, and Rev. Alfred Nielsen, Danish Missionary ill Jerusalem. These friends had partaken in t.he Tambaritm Conference and shared impressions and experiences from there with us. We are thankful for their visit here and for t.h~ opportunity of kuitting ties of friendship and fellowship. The followiug missionaries went home on furlough during the year: Miss S. Somming, 'Miss B. Fischer, aud Rev. and Mrs. A. Kristiansen with their son Otto. We I look forward to their return. We had the joy of welcoming Rev. H. P. H. Kampp out again. Mrs. Kampp had to stay with the children. During the year Mrs. Kampp's mother, Mrs. M. Konstalltin-Hallsell (in Denmark) died. She was a true friend of our mission through many years. Out here In :Malljadabri in our Assam colony past.ol' Khela Murmu died. He was a remarkahle man. Om~ could not help llotice him. His manners were rather mild and meek, as was his whole appearance; still then' was in him a personality that could be felt. He wa:, one of the few people of whom the expression "pious" natw'ally suggest itself. A man of prayers. If somebody could write his biography it would surely he iuterestillg. Khela was a heathen in his childhood aud youth. In Nai ayanpur he received his first impressions of Christianity, and he became a Christian. As far as I know, he was baptized by' the hand of Pastor Jalpa. He used to mention

14 SEVENTY""'THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. Jalpa as : his "Guru" (teacher). In pastor. Khela's place it was decidecl to place pastor Lokhon Hembrom, who had since 1930 been in charge of the pastor's work in Grahampur (where his father Kalidas previously was a pastor). The vacant Grahampur was then given to a,roul1g man, Kanhu Tudu (who has been through the Divinity School In B2nagal'ia ). He was oi'dained In November. Beside3 him the following were ordained during the year: Sodanondo Baske in the eastern out-district to Bel1ag'al'ia, the area called Sohor, Johon Murmn in the western part of Maharo district (Dumbl'ia), Bajun Murrnu ill.amgachi area, the western and very hilly part of Dhol'ompur district, and Sibram Marndi to be placed in one of the several stations in what in old days was called Sultana had. Some churches have been dedicated; I might mention Amg'ac~i, especially because in connection with that place there has been difficulties about getting a church for many years. The new church there is built inside the eoul'tyard of a Christian family and supplies us with a long needed centre for the work in Dhorompur district. When I was in Assam I partook in the dedication of a new church just outside the tea-garden in Mornai. It is a church for the Bengali Christians in the colony, which has been needed for a long time. No Conference was held during the year. 19~9. As a rule our Conference is held the first part of February. But. it was felt more practical under t,he circumstances in 1938 to hold a Conference in December that year, (especially with regard to the placing of missionaries). The resll!t was that. no Conf~rence was hel(l ill 1939, For

15 G Tn:.: dantal MISSION OP THE NOR'l'HEN.N CHUIWHE::l During the year we had the great joy of seeing' here among us Mr. T. Waagen, Secretary of the Norwe)!5iall China Mission, Rev. J. Ohrneman, Missionary and Legal Representative of the Svenska Mission Forbundet in Congoland, and Rev. Alfred Nielsel1~ Danish Missionary iu Jerusalem. These friends had partaken in the Talnbar&m Conference and shared impressions and experiences from there with us. We are thaukful for their visit here and for th~ opportunity of knitting ties of friendship and fellowship. The followiug' missionaries went home on furlough during the year: Miss S. Somming, Miss B. Fischer, ami Rev. and Mrs. A. Kristiansen with their son Otto. We look forward to their return. We had the joy of welcoming Rev. H. P. H. Kampp out again. Mrs. Kampp had to stay with the children. During the year Mrs. Kampp's mother, Mrs. M. Konstant.iu-Hausen (ill Demnal'lc) died. She was a true friend of our mission through many years. Out here In Malljadabl'i ill our Assam colony pastor Khela Murmu died. He was a remarkahle man. OWl could not help notice him. His mannen; were rather mild and meek, as was his whole appearance; still tht'l'p was in him a personality that could be felt. He wa~ one of the few people of whom the expression "pious'~ naturally suggest itself. A man of prayers. If somebody could write his hiography it would surely he iutpl'('stillg. Rhela was a heathen ill his childhood aud youth. In Nal'ayanpm' he received his first impressions of Christiallity, and he became a Christian. As far as I know, he was baptized by' the hand of Pastor Jalpa. He used to melltioll

16 SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. Jalpa as his "Guru" (teacher). In pastor Khela's place it was decidei to place pastor Lokhon Hembrom, who had since 1930 been in charge of the pastor's work in Grahampur (where his father Kalidas previously was a pastor). The vacant Grahampur was then given to a young mall, Kanhu Tudu (who has been through the Divinity School In B9nagaria ). He was oi'dained III ~ovembel'. BesHm him the followiug were ordained during t he year: Sodanondo Baske in the eastern out-district to Benagaria, the area called Soh or, Johon Murmn in t.he western part of Maharo district (Dumbl'ia), Bajun Murllln ill Amgachi area, t.he western anel very hilly part of Dhorompnl' district, and Sibram Mnl'ndi to be placed in OIH-' of the several stations in what in old days "vas called Sultana had. Some churches have been dedicated; I might mention Amgach.i, especially because in connection with that place thf>re has been difficulties about getting' a church for lually years. The new church there IS built inside the (.( ml'tyard of a Christian family and supplies us with a lung ll('eded {'euke for the work in Dhorompur district.,,,,-rhen I was in Assam I partook in the deelication of a Hew chul'ch jugt outside the tea-garden in Mornai. It is a church for the Bengali Christians in the colony, which has been needed for a long time. No Conference was held during the year 19;19. As a rule-' our Conference is lwld the first part of February. But it was felt more practical under the cireumst.alh. p:s in 1988 to hold a Conference in December that y('ar, (especially wit.h regard t.o the placing of missionaries). The resll~t. was t.hat. no Conference was helel ill ] 939, For

17 8 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. the yej.r 1940 it has been decide::l. to hold the Oon. ference a8 usually the first part of February. Our relations with vther Evangelical missions are developing. The circle with which we are in fellowship and co-operation are the following: Our good neighboms along our boundaries are the Ohurch of Scotland Mission, the Ohurch Missionary Society, the American Methodist Mission, t.he Plymout.h Bretheren, the London Mission, t.lw Presbyt.erian Mission, t.he Baptist Mission and the American Boar<l. And the greater unions of which we are members are t.he following': The Santal Christian Council, the Bihar Christian Council, the Bengal Christ.ian Oouncil, tilt' Assam Christian Council, ani, geographically further away, the National Christian Council and the Lutheran Federation. The last mentioned union has start.ed work ill Oalcutt.a. A committee for t.his work has been formed in which t.he Consul General for Norway, Mr. G. Lochell, and Mrs. Lochen have given very valuable work. A Swedish missionary, Rev. O. A. Eriksson, who was previously working in Abyssinia, under the Swedish "FosteJ' lands stiftelsen," is doing congregational work among Indian Christians immigrated to Calcutta from Lutheran churches, besides conducting a Scandinavian Sailors' Mission. And the same committee is al~o arranging church sel'\'i{'e~ for Scandinavians in Calcutta. We are thankful for fellowship and co-operation with these larger circles ~ it givf's outlook and inspiration. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. At this place we wish to tender our grateful thanks to the Government of Bihar and Orissa and the local authorities for their continued liberal gralltsin-aiel t.o our training schools a nel the host.els connected

18 SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 9 with them, to village schools and the Industrial School and to Ollr Leper Colony at Saldoha. We wish also to record our grateful thanks to the Govei'nment of Bengal for the grant given to the N arayanpur School, and to the villagf' schools in lialcla, Rajshahi and Dinajpur. Likewise we tender our thanks to the Goverlllnent of Ass~m for grant to the M. E. ~chools at Grahampur and at Haraputa and to the several village schools in the Santal Colony and to the J oem a school. VotT e are also grateful to the Minister of Medical & Health for Assam for his kindly visiting Santipara Leper Colony and for the continued encouragemfmt and sympathy of the GoVel'limellt in regard to the development of the Leper COIOllY On behalf or the Mission we would also most heartily t.hank all our fl'ielhh and supportpl's in the homelands, in Denmark and Norway, ill the United States of America and in Oanada, and in New Zealand, both single indivillua]~ and assoeiations, and psppcially t.ht ladies' societips for their faithfulness, their pl'ayf'l's and their gift.s. D

19 10 THE SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. KAERABANI DISTRIOT. The inspiring row of white buildings comprlsmg the Kaerabani Mission Station nestles on a ridge about one mile to the squth of Gomro hill. It is a most inviting place at all times of the year, and,*hen you have crossed the rivers and managed the ups and downs of the road and see before JOU the church towers above the shady trees, you feel a thrill of joy. Naturally, the Kaerabani Station with the High school puts its marl{f>(l stamp on the work in this area. But the Ohristian community as a whole is found far and wide in 67 villages, making a total of 280 families. In some villages like Jambua, Domkata, Digharia and Telia there are many Ohristian families; but very often you will find just one or two of them in a village with a big pagan population. The opportunities are therefore tremendous if only the spiritual life were in such a stat.e that the leavening could be done. Brethren, pray for us, that also through us His light may "so shine before men, that they may glorify the Father which is in heaven." Outside of the central station the Ohristians gather for Sunday services in nine places. Three of these, Babhondia in the north, Rak in the south, and Dhobona in the east, are regular outstations with landed property and houses belonging to the mission. In Domkata and Sagra the mission houses are just part of the villages. In Jambua there is only a church. In Domboria and and Monhor the elders have given shelter to the brethren of the faith. And in Digharia they gathered for a. time in a cow-shed and later on in a grateful brother's

20 SEVENTY-'l'HIRD ANNUAL R1J:POR'1'. 11 house. In this. place a man has offered us land for a church and we all hope that with joint efforts it might be possible to get one before too long. Nearly all these places serve as school houses during the week. These schools may not rank very high in professional efficiency and yet wherever you go you will notice their good influence. There is a tremendous difference between those villagers who can master the art of reading and those who can not. lt~ some places there are also Sunday schools, and Kaerabani itself has such a beautiful crowd of children when the first bell rings on Sunday mornings. This work will bear its fruit in due time. Two Santal pastors and SIX preachers, helped by some village elders, have carried the gospel mes8age not only to the small groups gathering on Sundays, but also to villages far and wide. Kaerabani district has, however, the reputation of being a "dry field," and we have to admit that we have. seen no stir on the waters t.his year either. What we most have heard about is great poverty, much suffering, blatant injustice, and lack of faith in the ancestral spirits. But the time has been such that you have had a good hearing,,-her ever you have golle. The baptisms t.otal 28 from the pagan and t.i children of Christiall parents. We have had three confirmatioll classes, une for boys and Olle for girls, from the dish-iet ill the first half of t.he year, and one for 8tuciellt~ from the High school at the elld of the rains. We have always found the confinnation classes to be some of the most inspiring work. A.ud in order to preserve the contact between the youth

21 12 THE SAN'l'AL MISSION OJ<' THE NORTHERN dhuiwhe S. and t.he church we are experimenting with a kind of yuuth movement with regular monthly meet.ings. The women of tht-' central station have their weekly meeting on Thursdays, and in the first months of the year they had working days preparing articles for the annual mela. This eveut was a great success, the school staff and students all taking part ill a most spelendid way. It is the happy co-operation around the church which is the reason why Kaerabulli district has been able to pay their two pastors, one Bible woman, and also give some help from local income to t.he most needy. Both this and the aroused desire for education ]~ most promising. Kaerabani being such a place of learniug, and t.he studeuts havjng" to appeal' III Hindi for their examillatiull~, w(' had for sume muntlls Hunday afternuon sen-ices ill that lajjguagc, members of the :;chuol staff takiug the services ill turn. Yet it is perhaps ti'ue -that our l'\-angelistic fervour has not been as prominent as was to be desired. A great day lies ahead of the Christians ill this area when t.hey awake to the truth that they are all commissiolh'd to proclaim the gospel of salvatioll in Jesus Christ to all tribes and In all languages. May that day soon come! 'Ve had the great joy of seeing Tambaram delegates here III Kaerabani also: Vagen from Norway, Ohrneman from Swpdeu, Feldmullnis from Latvia, aud Rakotovao f!"lllil Madagascar. Th('Y took part in our services and we enjoyed their te:;timonies. Now, ill closing,

22 1 "> oj we send them and all friends and. supporters of the work our most sincere greetings aud thanks. INGRID AND JOHANNEb GAUSDAL. KAERABANI SCHOOLS. The total number reading ill our t.hree schools, High ~chljol, Training School and Lower Primary Echool in 1939 has been 472. This year, like the two previous years, has been a year of building up toward the st,andard of a High Rehool. Such a time is diffie-nit., lh it involves thanges III the staff, letting' some less qualified older teachel's qo, and 'adding new men with better qualifications. Our aim has been tu bring back as mally former Kaerabani boj8 as possible, in order to assure a continuation of the traditions. But for certain subjec~s it is impossible to find qualified Christian teachers. It now seems that out of a staff of seventeen in the High School, all but three plaees will be filled hy Christiallt3. The student group is I also over 85/~ Christian, the non-christians being largely da:r-pupi1s. We are happy to say that among' the oldest boys in the High School there are several strong spiritual leaders. They have helperl. to influence ot.hers, rind have fostered the spiritual life ill the hostels by their example and leadership. This is also true of the boys in the

23 i 4 'l'he SANl'AL MISSION OF 'l'he NORTHERN CHURCHES. T:t'aining School. In the Stuient Self-government anj iu all phases of' the spiritual life of the school they help to guide the younger boys. A change is taking place in the villages round about. I can recall the time when one teacher could take care of the children who came to school from the surrounding villages. This last year there have been enrolled in t.he Lower Primary School 172 children, of whom about 140 have come from the neighbouring villages, and not less than 135 have come from Christian homes. This augurs well for the future. In a few years there should not be found an illterat.e child in the Christian homes surrounding Kaeraballi. What a help this will 'be for the Christian life, when all can read and sing. For this work MW'iel has had the help of six teachers, five young men and one young woman. In spite of the fact that many of the children come t.wo miles aud some even come foul' miles to school every day, the attendance percentage has been over 90% is the last year in which we send up canrlidat~s for the Middle School examination. When we become a High School, the Middle Examination will hecome local, with questions coming from the (~()'"el'lllilellt. The result of this examillat.ioll,,"a~ eucouragillg'. Of tlw 32 who sat for the exalninatioll (illcludillg OlJ(' private candidate of our school) 30 passed, a l>pl'celltage of g; t 7. As usual, the class sent up from I\aerabaui was the largest in Santal Pargallas. We look forward to the year with a bit of suspense. In this year we try to ohtaill Government recognition for our High School. We have already received

24 SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 15 a report stating that the Divisional Inspector recommends Kaerabani High School for recognition. We are now awaiting the decision of the Board of Secondary Education. In India we have the paradox that the nationalistic spirit is provincialistic. One result of this is the introtluction of the various provincial vernaculars as the media of instruction in the High Schools, replacing English. 1'his has certain advantages, as well as disadvantage's. It affects our mission especially, as we have work in thre'e' provinces. For a number of years we have heard the slogan, "Bengal for the Bengalis"; later we heard, "Assam for the Assamese"; anc1now we heal', "Bihar for the Biharis". The result is that we here at Kaerabani, with Hindustani as the medium of instruction, cannot serve directly the children of other provinces. It is all of a piece Wit.ll the totalitarian spirit. Thel:O is no doubt that the Santals have a,,-akened to the nee:! of enlightenment. We hear that ill the olden daya the children almost had to be forced to come to school. Nowadays new Upper Primar), -schools are springing up in our mission in several places. Before Yl'l'y long, all of theee schools will be needing as leaders young men who have passed their Matriculation Examination. So we shall be ahle to help the districts in a Ilew way. Our school work in general will be entering in upon a new and stronger phase. In closing, Muriel and T want to thank all the friends ill the hontelands who are standing' by us HI theee difficult. times. We find very little time to writ.e

25 16 THE SAN'l'AL MISSION OF ']'HE NORTHERN CHURCHES. for the papers, as the work hasincressed by mally percent this term. But our minds often go-back t,o OUl' friends ill the home countries. MURIEL AND BERNHARD HELLAND. DHOROMPUR DISTRICT. The year that passed SBelUS to have been a year of struggle between the powers of darkness and -the power of light. Vve have sometimes felt the presence of the Lord in such a way that we thought a new season was setting In. But at other times, especially during the last half of the year, all that seemed to be changing for the worse. But as "'p see it now, "He was set for the fall and rising again"- of some. Some were renewed and others we had to let go their own ways. Some who were living in struggle haye found peace. One Roman Catholic family has joined the congregation and t.hree non-christians have been baptized. Some wen' about. to join the church, hut drew hack. This year we had the opportunit.y of having the l}('w church at Amgachi dedicated, as the old one had become too small for the growing congregation over there. 1'hr dedication took place on the 31'<1 of December. Bajull Murmu was made pastor of.a mgachi district this year, Here in Dhorompur our boarding school is continu The school consists only of Christian children from lug'.

26 SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 17 our district. The attendance at the.school from among the non-christians is very irregular and not sufficient to engage more than two teachers. The attendanee at the womelj's meetings has been fairly good. The Church attf'ndance here ill Dhorompur has been 50% and in Amgachi ah/~. What we are longing' for is an awakenillg' amongst our Christians to the end that tht' noll-christians might also draw near. P. R. PEDERSEN. DUMKA DISTRICT. In the report for 1938 a description was given of the district as a strip of country about 15 miles from west to east but only;) or G miles from north to south, a comparatively small distriet with:1 l'hurches (Rang-a, Dumlea and Dum). The western part wit.h Rallga for its centre has this year shown some hopeful signs. One or two families in a Ilew village 011 the road to Kaerabani have expressed a wish to become Christians. Possihly we might. be disappointeel, but for some time it was an encouragement to N onda, our preacher in Ranga, to visit those people. On a tour out there J had a t.alk with them and t.hey seenwd rather shy that day. But there is the circumstance t.o consider that they are relatffi to Bome of t.he new Christians in the eastern part of the Dumka district. Very often it is through fa~lily influences ~

27 18 THE SANTAL nnssion OF THE NORTHE'RN CHURCHES. that Sautals get and impression of Christianity and afterwards become Christians -- [L very natural way. If Sal1tals along one of the highroads become Christians it might easily, so to say, have some influence on people passing along. They drop in the village, rest there for some time, arrange some sort of relationship and become interested in what such Christians tell them. Still it is impossible for us to calculat.e resuit.s, but there is a certain hope. The greater eastern part (Dumka-Dum) has now bee n di vided, not as it would seem most na tural fl'om north to south, but from west t.o east in 2 very narrow strips, the southern strip "belonging to" Dumka, the llorthern t.o Dum. And in both these strips of countr}' people have been baptized during the year, and as was said in the previous report, people of the middle class, so that they could not be suspected of having some worldly motives for becoming Christians. Today while I was 'vriting this report one of t.hese new Christians came to me and told me how his wife had been beaten an~ maltreated by the heathen Santals who accused her of being a witch. Whether or not it is because she has become a Christian I could not say, there might be some old grudge bptween the families. There is one curious circumstance, namely, that during 16 years I have never before heard about ally witch case among or affecting the Christians in Dumka district. In other districts it often happens. The Christians themselves are not supposed to believe in witchcraft, but still, it is only natural for them to retain the old belif'f in the back of their minds as an explanation of sudden illness. And even if th~y say that they do not helif'y(' in such things they might

28 8EVENTY-THII{D ANNUAL ItEPOR'l'. now and th(--u he possessed by a vague fear that after all there is perhaps something about it. They believe that God will protect them against such evil influences, but that belief is new and a bit shaky. With more education and knowledge they will get over that instability. Pastor Andreas MUl'l1lu is carrying on the work from Dumka, and pastor Simon Baske from Dum; Simons wife Aeno is working together with her husband. The schools in the district are making good progress. ffhe teachers who were mentioned in last report are still the same. We have some hope of g'etting the schools III Dumka and Dum developed into Upper Primary schools 111 the near future. But that belongs to 1940 or If retrenchment could be only avoided! For particulars see the statistics. R. ROSENLUND. DUMKA BENGALI WORK. The workers are t1w same as last year: Pastor Dhononjoy Jha and his lleph<.'w Daniel Jha. And the same situation. De~cribillg it I should have tu reprint the report from last year. Instead of doing so I :,hall :o-ay onl;- a few words 1Il reply to a question that Inight he asked, namely, what about the outlook ~ There is hope that some day this work might ad\'ance and spread. But the rig'ht position will for us not be to look out for couquest 01' think ill

29 20 THE ~AN'l'AL :~II~~ION OJ<' 'l'hlij NOR'l'HERN ciiurchl!:h. terms of strategy. We have to think of all these people around us as people whom we might. some day be allowed to help for their own sake without any side glance towards the annual report. Are there sig-ns that some of these Keotas and Kamal's and Mahlis and Muchis are about to turn their att.ention towards the Gospel P Not. yet, as far as I understand. But I am thinking of MaIda and t,he 80- called low caste people over there (Kamal's), many of whom have become Christians. They, here as in MaIda, are people who are so very much like the Salltals, pool' people working with their hands, ullsophisticated, a really rural population. The difference betweell such low caste people here and Il1 MaIda is maiuly that ill MaIda they are immigrants, torn up by the roots from the old soil. In fad Borne of the MaIda Kamal'S are Maharo people who emigrated from there 00 or 40 years ago. The low castt' Hindu population living ht'reahout are settled people, they have been here for many generatiolls, and they an" more conservative. But SOllle day something might happell which will start them in quest of something, perhaps they will not themselves know what they start seeking for. Perhaps it mi~ht be said that we have already here ill the viciuit,v ~eell 11l1' heg-illlling" of a 1ll0\'emellt of a social nature that g-ot thp low caste people uskiljg ahout religion ailli collsidering Christianity from a up\\, point of dew. Nothillg' eame of it pithpl' ~ncially or as regal'j~ l'eligiuu, ami perhal'ls it wa~ well that nothill~' happened 011 such liues.

30 ~EV.EN'llY-'l'HII~D ANNUAL ]~EPOH:l'. 21 We must say that the more we get aquainted with such low caste people the more we come to like them. And we hope to see the time when they start istening i 11 real earnest to the Gospel. R. ROSENLUND. KOROYA M[SSION & ORPHANAGE. KOROYA: The work in Koruya District has been carried 011 llurillg the first half ye:.ll' hy t.he pastor, two evangelists, and one Bible woman. The Burse in the orphanage has heside her medical work been eager and faithful in going about preaching' as well as helping with women's meetlllg's. It was a great. loss to the work when pastor Khuuia Marlldi was tra llsferred to Mohulpahari in July. Sinee then we have been wit h( lut a pastor, but haye I'Pceived help from the other Stations. Our head mastel', Bhonde Soren. has also been Yf'l'.' will i llg' tll help in the collgregation. We hopp t() welcome tiw new pastor ill tlw neal' futnre. ()I\(' ('vallgdi~t has bee1l dismissed from hi~ work. Only OlH' has been lmpt i~l'(l f1'o111 anhlllg' the heat,hell, but Hl.'v(,l"al al'(~ beillg' ill~tl'lld(' 1 for haptism. Eleven youllg' people have h0l 1 11 confirmed.

31 :!~ 'l'he SAN1'AL MISSION O1i; 'the NoH:i;HERN CHUIWHES. ORPHANAGE: In the orphall~ge we have at present 22 childrelj. Besides that one girl is ill nurses' training and one is earning her own living by helping as a nurse ill Mahan). One big girl has been adopted by a good Christian family and tl have married. Two have gone back to their mother who is working here In the compound. One boy has passed 1\-L E. and we hope to get some work for him. The children's health has on the whole been very good, but the girl suffering from tuberculosis died ill August. And the Olle suffering from rheumatism is nuw staying with her brother. SCHOOL: The attendance has HOt been very good this year. Of the enrolhneut of 80 the average attendance has been 60. Several have joined the Congress schools and others are working at home. One of the heathen boys has been baptised ailli several others ha ve been talking about becoming Christians. MAJDlHA : Here the work has been carried on by the pastor, 3 evangelists, and 2 teachers. One evangelist has- left for Assam. The uew church is not ready yet hut we hope to,finish it before the hot seasoll. Five young people have been coufirmell. We had to close the school ill Silingi last July.,\Ye seoured a trained teacher but. he was ill the most of the

32 SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL R1!:PORT. 23 half year and we had difficulty in getting a suitable place for him to stay. Furthermore, very few boys attended the school. I want to thank all the friends In the homelands for help in prayer and by gifts. LAURA LOHNE. MAHARO DISTRICT. The year 19:39 has passed and we are here in our work as usual. While the world is agonizing in pain we have been allowed to live in peace, receiving our full share for soul and body. We have even had the privileg'e of seeing more fruit in our work this year than in the last previous years. Quite naturally our pastor, Ruben Murmu, and his staff have been working with more zeal and happiness preparing people for baptism. Three families were baptized as well as a 15-year ou boy, his father, a chief collsenting. N ow there are three heathen homes in Babupur with one Christian son in the midst of each, and all three boys this last Sunday brought some membpi's from their families to c h ul'ch. So we are hopeful. The village teacher in Babupur perhaps does not rate so highly as a teacher, but he seems to be winning his boys for Christ. These three boys have afterwards been attending school at Koroya. The pastor's staff has been the same as before. One of the elders, Johon Murmu, was ordained during the year. That is a great help, as the two pastors now have only two churches each to serve with the Lord's, Supper. The others are Mirja in Jalwae, Jagdish in Assanthor,

33 24 THE SA NTAL MISSION OF 'I'HE NORTHERN CHURCHES. Bhator with Johon at Dumbria, and Galu, Lodhea and Mongol here neal' Maharo. Mongol's wife died and he' has recently married again. It seems he has found a good wife. We have two Bible women. Noha is g'l'owillg' stronger in health now and has been a great hf'lp jll preparing the women for baptism. Her helper is Ling-l'a\; wife, as we call her. She is a good companion eit,hel' for N oha when working a bout here or for me when we i go out camping. Otherwise she can not do mm.,h. Noha I is not yet strong enough to acompany us in camp, hut it is good to have her here when we are away. We enjoy our trips out into the distriet very much. In December wp had the' joy of having Miss Buttedahl with us on a ten-day camp tour, wl1<:'r(> fo1' a couple of days we also camped together with Miss LoluIf' frolll Koroya and the M:ajdiha people. We keep up our mollthly meetings for Christians in three or four <':~':lt('rs III the district as wf'll as thl' women's rice-offering meeting here. During tlw rallly season Wp startf'<l a Bibl(~ class here on tlip missioll station for all our different helpe]'~ and their win's and tilt' 10 "mothers" from the st'llotll homes.,\~ e fpf'l that was lwlpful alld hope to l'ontinup it. In closing r wa\lt to ~ay that wp f'p.,l "pry thankful to God and to all oni" friel1(ls at home who have kept us through this year without. 8uiferillg' want in any way. More than over lwf'nl'f' Wi' t'pp} thp grac'(' of Go(l alld the love and faithfull1l'~8 of OUl' friends. God hlf'ss YOll.

34 SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. MARARO GIRLS' MIDDLE & TRAINING SCHOOL. At the opening of the school for a new year we always hope that we may not have too much illness among the girls. But we are not always spared. Last year we had cases of serious illness almost all the time Seven girls passed away during the year, one on the very day we close:! the school. It is a sad and difficult occasion when we have to face the sorrowing parents and break the news to them. Moreover, we miss the girls very much, both big and small. We had especially mally cases of typhoid at the school, practically a typhoid ppidemic. Because of all the illness there was an unusual big drop in the roll after summer vacation. For many weeks we had sick girls in our own sickroom as well as in Dumka Hospital. Moreover, many of the sick girls were taken to their homes. Those who 1'e<.'ove1'eu from their illness required a long time for their ('ollvalescemop. Many did not come hack again to school that year. In the beginning of the year there were 230 girls on the roll. At the end of the year there were only 190. There was very little change ill the staff. One of the old teachel's was asked to go to the Hew boarding ~('h()ol for girls at Nimal:'al'ai. She obeyed and with the l'ight spirit. Two new teachers were added to our staff. All the teachers have done faithful and good work. Ten girls were sent up for the M. E. Certificate Examination and all passed, om"' with honour and dist.inction in three subjects. Hindi, Arthmetic & English, two others with honour and distinct.ion in Airthmetic. p

35 ::W 'l'he SANTAL MISSION OF THE NORTHERN CHURCHES. From class V two were chosen for scholarship examiurtion, but Olle of them (Mohesuri) died, so only onp from this school received the scholarship. That oup received the general scholarship which is given to the two best ones In the whole division. A girl from Benagaria U. P. Girls' school received a wholarship whi('h is given to aboriginals. The L. P. scholarship from Local Board. was given to one of our girls. l'his is some of the good results of the ~ehool during t.he year. It is not so easy to point out thp result of the spiritual work among the gjrls. It may hp hidden from our eyes and knowledge now. Still we kilow that the seed which has been sown has fallen in good soil in many a girl's heart. And we believe that God who has begun the good work will fulfill His work ill His own time. In the Training Class there were If) students. Tllf'y have one year more to finish their course. These students helped in the Sunday School for the ( hildrell of tllf' compound and of the nearhy villages. In October we had a second "Teachprs' M(l(ltingo,, 11his is a ;~ days' meeting for all the WOllen teac:hf>r~ who are interested. It is decided to have such meetillg" every second year in October. Other meetings for our girls and teachers have been going on regularly. thp home I want to thank our fait,hful friend8 it} lands for thpir BUPlxlrt, prayer and love. MAGNHTJ.I) BUT'rEIHIlJ..

36 SJ<JVENTY-TH1RD ANNUAL REPOR'1\ 27 MOHULP AllARI & KARIKADOR. In July pastor Kalu Kisku left us III order to become a teacher in the Divinity School at Choudorpura. We were very sorry that he had to leave us. He has for many years done a good and faithful work here and was loved and respected by all. It was a joy to heai' him preach Sunday after Sunday. He alway~ had something to give. Ii} his place we have pastor Khudia Marudi from Koroya. It was the people of the congregatioll who those him and we are thankful to have him as our past.or. The work ill t.he past year has golle 011 as before. 'rlh' good seed has heen sown round about ill the villagei:' cllld we trust it wil1 hear fruit in Goel's own time. MallY are talking of hecoming Christians, and as the Jear closes we have several under instruction for baptism. 1 R from t.he heathen aud 1] children of Christian parents han' been baptized during the year. ~) have lleell received haek 11l the church and we believe that more will turn hat'k to God. 1.'he work III our Sunday schools has gl n~li U8 much jo,r. The past.ol' and teachers frolll Ollr U. P. school han~ helped ill that work. The womeus' meeti1jg'8 have ("ulit,iuued as before. 1 \I April and May Wl' had two Bible ('ourses for women. Eaeh course lasted two weeks.,,:--e were happy that so mally came. There Wt'l'{, 2~ women at the first course and :~2 ut the second. It was a blessed time and we